Clinical Research Directory

Walnuts for Cardiorenal Protection in Adults With Chronic Kidney Disease

To date, no rigorous randomized controlled trials have demonstrated a protective effect of daily moderate walnut consumption on kidney function or chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression in individuals with CKD. Objective: To determine the effect of walnut supplementation (30 g/day of raw walnuts) within a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) based dietary counseling program, compared with the same MedDiet counseling program without walnut supplementation, on kidney function, CKD progression and regression, and classical and emerging cardiovascular risk markers in individuals with CKD. Secondary objectives focus on assessing whether regular walnut consumption as a healthy snack has a positive impact on inflammation, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and intestinal dysbiosis, conditions intrinsically linked to CKD that play a pathophysiological role in promoting/exacerbating its progression and the development of comorbidities in this vulnerable group of subjects. Methodology: A 6-month randomized controlled trial will be conducted in 150 men and women aged 45 to 75 years with stable mild to moderate CKD (stage G3a-b), overweight or obesity, and high cardiometabolic risk. The study will compare the effect of two interventions assessed at 3 and 6 months on the following outcomes: 1. Primary outcomes: a) changes in kidney function assessed by the Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate based on creatinine and cystatin C (eGFRcr-cys); b) CKD progression; and c) CKD remission 2. Secondary outcomes: a) urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR); b) mineral and bone metabolism parameters, c) anthropometry and body composition (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry, DXA); d) bone mineral density (DXA); e) diet quality; f) physical activity; g) medication use; h) psychological well-being; i) quality of life; j) classic cardiovascular risk markers; k) iron status and hepatic function; l) inflammation, endothelial function, and oxidation markers; m) gut microbiota

A Study to Find and Confirm Blood-based Markers (Called Proteins) That May Show Early Heart Changes in Women With Preeclampsia, Even Before Symptoms Appear, and the Use of Heart Ultrasound (Echocardiography) to Look at Patterns of How the Heart Changes During Pregnancy in Women With Preeclampsia

The goal of this study is to find and confirm blood-based markers (called proteins) that may show early heart changes in women with preeclampsia, even before symptoms appear. It will also use heart ultrasound (echocardiography) to look at patterns of how the heart changes during pregnancy in women with preeclampsia. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Do these blood markers relate to heart changes on ultrasound? * How may they help predict future health problems for the mother? Participants will: * Complete a 20-minute survey that will include taking your baseline demographic information, clinical information/medical history, asking about pre-existing health conditions, including measuring your height, weight, and blood pressure. * Have transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) performed at 12 - 16 weeks gestation and again at 28 - 32 weeks gestation. * Provide a blood sample for these protein measurements. These samples will be collected at intake (12 - 16 weeks gestation) and again at 28 - 32 weeks gestation.

Troponin to Detect Major Cardiovasculaire Advserse Events on Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

Recent guidelines suggest the use of troponin to detect immnune related cardiovascular advserse events in patients treated by immune checkpoint inhibitors for cancer. However, there is no proof that patients on immune checkpoint inhibitors benefit from this active surveillance strategy. The suspicion of cardiovascular events may lead to the interruption of cancer therapies. The TILT study aims at assessing: (i) the efficiency of troponin measurments in asymptomatic patients to prevent the further advent of major cardiovascular events; (ii) its safety in terms of cancer therapy completion.

Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography In Rheumatoid Arthritis Study

The Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography in Rheumatoid Arthritis study is part of the multinational, prospective, observational Autoimmunity and Atherosclerosis in Rheumatic Diseases cohort (https://atacc-rd.com) that includes comprehensive baseline and follow-up assessments at 3, 5, and 10 years. It comprises a main protocol and several optional modules, including a Cardiac Imaging Module, Biobanking Module, Pulmonary Module, and Anxiety and Depression Module. The study aims to advance understanding of cardiopulmonary and psychological comorbidities in rheumatoid arthritis, to improve early identification and management, and to enhance insights into underlying disease mechanisms-ultimately refining risk stratification and targeted prevention strategies. The study includes 4,000 patients with rheumatoid arthritis enrolled through the Cardiac Imaging Module in the main protocol. Participants undergo coronary computed tomography angiography, pulmonary function testing, physical examination, questionnaires, and biobanking, supplemented by genetic, proteomic, metabolomic, and microbiome profiling.