Clinical Research Directory

Effects of Meal Macronutrients on Postprandial Lipids

Background: Abnormal fats in the blood can lead to many problems, including heart disease. Researchers want to learn more about how eating meals with different levels of nutrients affects fats in the blood. Specifically, they want to study people with too much body fat, too little body fat, and a kidney problem called nephrotic syndrome. Objective: To learn more about how different types of foods affect fat levels in the blood. Eligibility: People aged 18 years or older with a health condition that affects how their body handles fats. Healthy volunteers are also needed. Design: Participants will have 2 overnight stays in the clinic within 6 months. At each visit, after staying overnight, they will eat a breakfast casserole. At 1 visit, breakfast will be a high-fat, low carbohydrate meal. At the other, it will be a high-carbohydrate, low-fat meal. Participants will have a tube inserted into a vein in their arm. They will have blood drawn via the tube 12 times in 8 hours: 2 times before they eat the breakfast and 10 times after. Participants will have other tests during their stays: * A resting metabolic test captures the air they exhale and measures how much energy they use at rest. * A dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan measures how much fat and muscle they have. * A Fibroscan is a special type of ultrasound of the liver. * A body surface scan uses lasers to measure the total area of the body. * A bioelectric impedance (BIS) exam measures how fast small electric currents move through their body. Participants may opt to have a third visit. At this visit, the breakfast will be high in protein....

Evaluation of the Clinical Spectrum of Diabetes and Obesity in Youth and Adults

Background: Diabetes and obesity are chronic diseases. They can affect blood flow and how the body processes nutrients, and complications over time can lead to early death. Diabetes can affect children as well as adults, but the disease seems to be more severe and to progress faster when it appears in younger people. Researchers want to understand more about how diabetes and obesity develop and change over time. Objective: To collect data and samples regularly from people with obesity and diabetes. Eligibility: People aged 8 to 65 years. They must be overweight or obese; or have high blood sugar; or have problems with how their body uses food for energy. Design: Participants will have additional procedures during routine care visits at the NIH clinic. Data collected for the study will include the following: Information from the participant s medical chart will be kept for research. Questionnaires will ask about participant s eating habits, feelings, sleep, and substance use. They will take 30 to 60 minutes. Care providers will address any issues revealed in these surveys. Blood, saliva, urine, and stool samples will be collected. Samples may be used for genetic tests. Data and samples will be kept for future research. Participants may remain in the study up to 30 years.

Creating Linked Inpatient CGM for Kids

Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) are currently used in the inpatient setting at many hospitals for the care of patients with diabetes and for clinical research studies. This includes Boston Children's Hospital, however, the CGM data is not accessible to clinical or research teams in real-time. CGMs measure and display a patient's glucose level every 5 minutes and provide alerts for predicted or actual low or high glucose levels. The CGM data is currently only accessible on bedside handheld receivers or a mobile device app, neither of which sync with the hospital EMR or other hospital databases. This observational study tests a companion mobile Android device app that wirelessly receives real-time outputs from the Dexcom G7 CGM app and transmits the data to a centralized hospital database. That database in turn feeds into an internal BCH web dashboard which allows live data viewing and integration into future clinical decision support tools. The investigators are testing the hypothesis that the companion mobile app can accurately and efficiently transmit CGM data to a hospital database. Data will be analyzed for accuracy and efficiency by comparing CGM readings captured by the companion app to CGM readings documented in the formal Dexcom database. Accuracy (difference between CGM readings from both sources) and efficiency (number of CGM readings captured) will be assessed. The findings will be generalizable to using the companion app in future research studies.

Observational Study for the Characterisation of Patients Affected by Any Type of Diabetes and Endocrine Disorders

The main objective of this retrospective and prospective observational register is to identify anthropometric, clinical, laboratory and/or instrumental markers of disease severity and activity in patients suffering from diabetes, endocrine-metabolic disorders, rare diseases in order to improve their diagnosis, monitoring and treatment processes. The Registry is monocentric, observational prospective and retrospective. No additional procedures to those of normal clinical practice are planned, and neither diagnostic approaches nor experimental drugs/prescriptions will be applied. The data under study (demographic, anthropometric, clinical and care characteristics) will be collected as part of outpatient visits of the Diabetes Outpatient Clinic or admission to Diabetes Day Hospital. In case of outpatients, the observation will start at the diagnosis or during the first outpatient visit and will end with the last outpatient visit performed within the total time foreseen for the duration of the study. The study will start once the regulatory authorizations are completed, and is expected to last at least 10 years with the possibility of extension

Genetics of Type 2 Diabetes in West Africans

Background: * Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and associated complications are major contributors to the global disease burden. T2D is already a major health threat in populations in developed countries and is rapidly taking hold in the developing world. * It is believed that understanding the complex interplay between genetic and lifestyle characteristics in the etiology of T2D and related complications will lead to the development of better preventive and therapeutic strategies. In Addition, the results of this project will facilitate our understanding of causes of diabetes in African Americans, other US and world populations Objectives: * To conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify susceptibility genetic variants for diabetes among the Yoruba people in Ibadan, Nigeria. * To enroll and examine 300 unrelated cases of T2D and 300 ethnicity-matched Yoruba controls. * To conduct resequencing of positional candidate gene/loci to identify likely functional variants in a subset of the cohort. * To conduct replication studies of the top-100 scoring variants in three independent African and European ancestry samples. * To investigate whether diabetes-associated variants discovered in European populations increase diabetes risk in West Africans. Eligibility: * Patients 18 years of age with confirmed T2D who are newly diagnosed or on treatment of Yoruba ethnicity in Ibadan, Nigeria. Control subjects are nondiabetics ethnically matched to patients. Design: * The study design for both patients and controls consists of the following steps: * Discuss informed consent process and obtain signed informed consent form. Informed consent will be administered by trained clinic staff. * Assign study ID (barcode) * Administer questionnaires * Obtain spot urine sample * Measure blood pressure * Obtain anthropometric measurements including body composition * Perform finger prick for blood glucose level * Obtain venous blood samples * Perform eye examination * On the following day, perform confirmatory blood glucose for the small subset of participants requiring confirmation of previous test result DNA extraction of stored samples will be done at either the National Institutes of Health or the laboratory in Nigeria. * GWAS will be conducted using publicly available software packages.

NYUCI-ES: Psychosocial Intervention to Improve Health Outcomes for Chinese and Korean ADRD Caregivers

This study will conduct a two-arm randomized controlled trial to test the efficacy of a culturally tailored version of the NYU Caregiver Intervention (NYUCI) plus enhanced support (ES) through online chat groups (the NYUCI plus WeChat/Kakaotalk/other social media apps \[popular social media apps for individuals of Chinese or Korean descents\] peer support which we call the NYUCI-ES in reducing health risks for cardiometabolic disease among older Chinese and Korean American adults caring for relatives with ADRD. In collaboration with community organizations across the New York and northern New Jersey metropolitan area, we will enroll 300 caregivers of people with ADRD (150 Chinese and 150 Korean) in this study. Aim 1: Develop culturally adapted informational and educational materials about dementia and caregiving issues for social service providers of the intervention and for family caregivers. Aim 2: Test the hypothesis, H1: A counseling and support intervention (the NYUCI-ES) will significantly improve psychosocial factors such as depression, stress self-rated health and chronic disease management among Chinese and Korean-American ADRD caregivers and these changes will be mediated by improvement in social support. H1a: By the first (6- month) follow-up, the mediators (increases in social support, stress reaction) will improve significantly in the intervention group compared to baseline values and the control group. H1b: These improvements will be maintained, and lead to reduction in depressive symptoms, and improvement in self-reported health and chronic disease self-management by the 12-month follow-up compared to the control group. Aim 3: Test the hypothesis, H2: the NYUCI-ES will reduce biologic risk factors, including metabolic health (glycosylated hemoglobin, BMI) and inflammation (hsCRP, lipid metabolism, etc.) within 6 months of enrollment compared to baseline and a control group; these changes will be mediated through increases in social support and decreases in depressive symptoms and will be maintained at the 12-month follow-up. The public health significance of these findings will likely have an impact on health care policy for CGs from diverse underserved ethnic and cultural backgrounds, potentially reducing morbidity, and improving their quality of life.

Vitamin E Pharmacokinetics and Biomarkers in Normal and Obese Women

Background: * Vitamin E is an antioxidant that reduces the damaging effects of oxygen in the body. Most American men (90%) and women (96%) do not get enough vitamin E from their diets; however, the amount of vitamin E needed by the body has been studied only in men, not women. In addition, it is unknown whether another antioxidant, vitamin C, helps vitamin E in protecting the body. Because vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin, how much body fat a person has could affect the amount of vitamin E needed for protection. Objectives: This study has three arms to examine vitamin E requirements: * To determine the amount of fat required to get the best vitamin E absorption from a meal. * To determine the amount (i.e., best dose) of vitamin E that must be consumed before it can be measured in the blood. * To examine how vitamin E and vitamin C work together in the body, in conjunction with diet and vitamin supplements. Eligibility: * Arms 1 and 2: Women between the ages of 18 and 40 years who have a normal weight and body mass index (BMI) of 27 or less. * Arm 3: Women between the ages of 18 and 40 years who have a normal weight (BMI 27), who are overweight (BMI \> 27), or who are overweight (BMI \> 27) and have non insulin-dependent diabetes. Design: * Arm 1: Five studies, each lasting 1 month with 1 month off between studies (total study = 10 months). Participants will take 500 1,000 mg of vitamin C twice daily for 2 weeks before admission to the clinical center for 1 week. * Study 1: Participants will eat breakfast containing a known amount of fat, after which they will take a vitamin E pill as well as receive an IV injection of vitamin E. Other foods contain only negligible amounts of vitamin E. Blood and urine samples will measure levels of vitamin E and other substances. * Studies 2 5: Outpatient visits will consist of the same tests as in Study 1; however, the amount of fat in the breakfast will range from 0% to 40% in random order. During one of the studies, an adipose tissue biopsy will be collected to determine how much vitamin E is in the tissues. * Arm 2: Five studies, each lasting 1 month with 1 month off between studies (total study = 10 months). Preparation for Arm 2 is the same as in Arm 1. The proportion of fat, muscle, and water in the body will also be measured. * Study 1: Participants will eat breakfast containing 30% fat, after which they will take a vitamin E pill as well as receive an IV injection of vitamin E. Conditions and procedures are the same as in Arm 1. * Studies 2 5: Outpatient visits will consist of the same tests as in Study 1; however, the amount of vitamin E in the breakfast will range from 2 to 30 mg in random order. * Arm 3: Outpatient (2 to 6 weeks) and inpatient studies (4 to 6 weeks). * Outpatient study: Participants will take 500 1,000 mg of vitamin C daily and provide blood and urine samples, as well as an adipose tissue sample. * Inpatient studies: Two vitamin E inpatient studies. Before these begin, participants vitamin C blood levels will be reduced by means of a diet low in vitamin C. Blood tests will determine how quickly vitamin C leaves the body. Once the vitamin C level is reduced, the first vitamin E study will begin. Study A: The procedure for this study is the same as in Arm 2, Study 1. Study B: The procedure for this study is the same as in Study A, except that the participants blood vitamin C levels will be higher. ...

Developing the Family Map: Looking at Communal Coping

Background: \- Knowing one s family medical history is a part of staying healthy. Some health risks run in families, and knowing these risks can promote more healthy behavior. Different social and cultural factors may affect how family members share this information. Genetic risk information that is shared in one family may not be shared in the same way in another. This information may also be shared differently between spouses, siblings, or parents and children. It may even be shared with more distant relatives. Knowing the information that family members share and how they share it may help researchers improve genetic disease treatment and support plans. Family surveys of people who have genetic health risks may help provide this information. Objectives: \- To study how family members affected by genetic-related diseases share health information with each other. Eligibility: * Individuals at least 18 years of age who can read English or Spanish. * Participants affected by a genetic disease or be related or married to someone who has the disease. Design: * Participants will be screened with an initial questionnaire. They will identify their genetic disease and provide a basic health history. * Participants who have the disease will complete an online survey or participate in a personal interview. The questions will take about 45 minutes to 1 hour to answer. The survey will ask about family health history and family support. Participants will also provide referrals to a spouse or relatives who will participate in the study. * The spouse or relative will answer a similar survey. The survey will ask about health history and support for the spouse/relative with the disease. * A gift card will be given as thanks for participating in the study.

Risk Communication Within Mexican-American Families

This study will examine what methods work best for encouraging Mexican-American family members to talk about their risk for diabetes, heart disease, breast cancer and colon cancer. Within the Mexican-American community, the family culture provides an important setting in which individuals interpret and share their health information and formulate strategies to engage in health-promoting behaviors. The information from the study will be used to design risk communication approaches for Mexican-American households. Members of households with at least three adults 18 to 70 years of age who are part of the existing Mexican-American households recruited by the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center may be eligible for this study. Participants are interviewed about their medical history, family history of disease, health behaviors, beliefs about disease and disease risk, experiences living in the United States, and relationships with family members and close friends. They are then provided information about their family risk for diabetes, heart disease, breast cancer and colon cancer, based on the information they provided in the interview. Two additional interviews are conducted over the telephone that include questions about how the participants communicate with family members about their risk and health behaviors. ...

Urinary Vitamin C Loss in Diabetic Subjects

Several studies have reported that diabetic subjects have lower plasma vitamin C concentrations than non-diabetic subjects. Although urinary vitamin C loss in diabetic subjects was reported to be increased in two studies, these are difficult to interpret due to lack of controlled vitamin C intake, inadequate sampling, lack of control subjects, or methodology uncertainties in vitamin C assay and sample processing. Consequently, it is unclear whether diabetic subjects truly have both low plasma and high urine vitamin C concentrations. We propose that low plasma vitamin C concentrations in diabetic subjects are due in part to inappropriate renal loss of vitamin C in these subjects but not in healthy controls. We will study nondiabetic controls and cohorts with diabetes. Vitamin C concentrations in plasma, RBCs, and urine will be measured in outpatients. In those willing to be admitted to the Clinical Center, we will measure vitamin C pharmacokinetics to determine the relative bioavailability for vitamin C in individuals with and without abnormal urinary loss of vitamin C (or renal leak). Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) will be determined in genomic DNA responsible for the two proteins mediating sodium dependent vitamin C transport, SVCT1 and SVCT2. We will also explore mechanisms underlying abnormal urinary vitamin C loss.

Identifying Risk for Diabetes and Heart Disease in Women

Background: \- Rates of diabetes and heart disease in women are increasing. Early recognition of risk could help women live longer and healthier lives. Race and ethnicity may affect the best kinds of tests to use to screen for these conditions. Researchers want to compare risk factors for diabetes and heart disease in African, African-American, and white women. Doing so may help identify the most effective screening test for each group. This study will look at healthy African, African-American, and white women who are federal employees and contractors. Objectives: \- To study risk factors for diabetes and heart disease in African, African-American, and white women. Eligibility: * Healthy African, African-American, and white women between 30 and 65 years of age who are federal employees or contractors. * For this study, African women must be born in Africa and have immigrated to the United States, and report that both parents are Africans. African-American women must self-identify as African-Americans, born in the United States, and have parents who both self-identify as African-American born in the United States. White women must self-identify as white and have parents who also self-identify as white. Design: * Participants will have four visits to study their risk factors for diabetes and heart disease. * The first visit is a screening visit. Participants will be screened with a physical exam and medical history. Blood and urine samples will be collected. They will also have an EKG test. Participants will also be shown how to fill out a 3-Day Food Record and wear an activity monitor called an accelerometer. The food record will keep track of how much participants eat for 3 consecutive days, including 1 non-working day. The accelerometer device will be worn for 3 days to monitor movement. * At the second visit, participants will have blood tests, an oral glucose tolerance test, and body fat measurements. They will also fill out questionnaires, review the food record, and have two imaging studies. * At the third visit, participants will have a longer glucose tolerance test. During the test, participants will receive both glucose and insulin and blood samples will be collected over several hours. Participants will receive lunch at the clinical center after the test. * At the fourth visit, participants will have a meal test. They will fast for 12 hours before the test. Participants will eat a specific meal and have blood samples taken during and after they eat. * Participants will discuss the results of these tests with the study doctors.

Diabetes and Heart Disease Risk in Blacks

It is unknown if obesity contributes to the development of heart disease in African American men and women. This study was created to determine whether there is a relationship between sex and body size and the incidence of heart disease in African American men and women. Researchers will attempt to associate obesity with the presence of heart disease risk factors. Risk factors that will be studied include; total body fat, body fat distribution, fat content of the blood (triglyceride concentration, low density lipoproteins \[LDL\], and high density lipoproteins \[HDL\]), how fast fat is removed from the blood, and how well insulin works in the body. Scientific studies have shown that obesity and increased levels of fat content in the blood are important risk factors for heart disease in Caucasian women. However, similar studies in African American women have failed to show the same correlation. In fact, it appears that African American women in all three body weight groupings, nonobese, overweight, and obese experience high death rates due to heart disease. In addition, prior research has shown that obese African American men tend to have elevated levels of fat in the blood while African American women have normal blood fat levels. Therefore, if high levels of triglycerides (fat found in the blood) are not seen in non-diabetic obese African American women, it cannot be considered a risk factor in this population. This suggests that studies conducted on Caucasian women may not provide insight into heart disease risk factors in African American women. The study will take 2000 healthy non-diabetic African American men and women (ages 18-70) and body mass index 3 subgroups; nonobese, overweight and obese. Diabetes undeniably increases the risk of heart disease. Therefore patients suffering from diabetes will not be included in the study. Candidates for the study will undergo a series of tests and examinations over 2 outpatient visits. Subjects will have body fat analyses, resting energy expenditure measurements, an EKG (electrocardiogram), and specific blood tests. Researchers believe this study will provide significant insight into the causes of obesity and heart disease in African Americans....

Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity Across the Life Span (HANDLS)

The Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span (HANDLS) study is an interdisciplinary, community-based, prospective longitudinal epidemiologic study examining the influences of race and socioeconomic status (SES) on the development of age-related health disparities among socioeconomically diverse African Americans and whites in Baltimore. This study investigates whether health disparities develop or persist due to differences in SES, differences in race, or their interaction. HANDLS is unique because it assesses physical parameters as well as evaluating genetic, biologic, demographic, and psychosocial parameters of African American and white participants over a wide range of socioeconomic statuses, longitudinally. HANDLS also employs novel research tools, mobile medical research vehicles, in hopes of improving participation rates and retention among non-traditional research participants. The domains of the HANDLS study include: nutrition, cognition, biologic biomarkers, body composition and bone quality, physical function and performance, psychology, genomics, neighborhood environment and cardiovascular disease. Utilizing data from these study domains will facilitate an understanding of selected underlying factors of persistent black-white health disparities in overall longevity, cardiovascular disease, and cognitive decline. HANDLS recruited a fixed cohort as an area probability sample of Baltimore City from August 2004 through November 2009 as Wave 1. HANDLS Wave 2 entitled The Association of Personality and Socioeconomic status with Health Status - An Interim Follow-up Study began in June 2006 under a separate protocol. It was designed as a follow-up telephone interview approximately 18 months after the initial examination (Wave 1) was complete. Wave 2 provided interim contact with study participants, and important interim information regarding their health. Now completed, waves 3, 4 and 5 were follow-up examinations visits to our mobile Medical Research Vehicles (MRVs). In September 2020, HANDLS initiated wave 6; telephone interviews and limited in-person visits as a COVID-centric protocol. The current protocol outlines Wave 7, the fourth follow-up examination and the participants' fifth visit to our mobile Medical Research Vehicles (MRVs). Planned as a follow-up after 3-4 years, Wave 7 consists of health examinations, questionnaires, sensory assessments (visual and olfactory), health literacy assessment, renal function assessments, environmental assessments, and for a sub-set of participants; structural MRIs, a personality inventory and an examination of sleep and cognition under separate protocols. HANDLS will resume in-person examinations with wave 7 in which we will prioritize contacting participants who were not seen in wave 5.

Investigating the Use of Quercetin on Glucose Absorption in Obesity, and Obesity With Type 2 Diabetes

Quercetin is a compound naturally found in various foods. It may have some role in the treatment of obesity and diabetes. The purpose of this study is to investigate research volunteers with obesity or obesity with type 2 diabetes to determine whether quercetin affects the way glucose is absorbed by the body. Thirty two participants aged 19 to 65 who are considered to be medically obese or obese with type 2 diabetes will be enrolled in this study. Before the onset of treatment, they will undergo a medical history, physical exam, blood work, and urinalysis. During the study, participants will be given an oral glucose tolerance test three times; during these tests they will receive 1 or 2 grams of quercetin, or placebo. Researchers will collect blood samples and analyze the effect of the treatment on blood glucose.

Maturation of Arteriovenous Fistula With Automated Sonography Assessments Trial

This is a prospective, multi-center, two-arm, randomized trial to quantify the performance of the EchoMark®/EchoSure® System for AVF diagnostic ultrasound when used under a protocol of biweekly use for assessing fistula maturation and reducing time to Clinical Maturation.

Unmasking Diabetes in Dialysis With Continuous Glucose Monitoring

This study will evaluate whether Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) can identify previously unrecognized diabetes and clinically significant hyperglycemia in adults with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) receiving hemodialysis who have no known history of diabetes. Participants will wear a CGM sensor for up to 15 days and undergo standard diabetes assessments, including fasting plasma glucose and hemoglobin. The primary objectives are to: * Determine the prevalence of previously undiagnosed diabetes among dialysis patients using OGTT criteria. * Compare CGM glucose patterns between participants with and without diabetes as determined by OGTT results.

Compassionate Use of Metreleptin in Previously Treated People With Generalized Lipodystrophy

Background: \- Generalized lipodystrophy can cause high blood fat levels and resistance to insulin. This can lead to health problems including diabetes. Researchers have found that the drug metreleptin improves health in people with this disease. Objective: \- To test the safety and effectiveness of metreleptin. Eligibility: * People ages 6 months and older with generalized lipodystrophy who: * have received metreleptin through NIH studies AND * cannot get it through approved or compassionate use mechanisms in their home country. Design: * Participants will come to NIH approximately every 6 months during year one, then every 1 2 years. Financial assistance may be available for travel within the U.S. * At visits, participants will get a supply of metreleptin to take home for daily injections. They will have: * plastic catheter placed in an arm vein. * blood tests, urine collection, and physical exam. * oral glucose tolerance test, drinking a sweet liquid. * ultrasound of the heart, liver, uterus, and ovaries. A gel and a probe are placed on the skin and pictures are taken of the organs. * echocardiogram, which takes pictures of the heart with sound waves. * Resting Metabolic Rate taken. A plastic hood is worn over the head while the oxygen they breathe is measured. * Participants will have up to 3 DEXA scan x-rays per year. * Participants may have: * annual bone x-rays. * liver biopsies every few years. A needle will be inserted into the liver to obtain a small piece. Participants will sign a separate consent for this. * Participants must be seen regularly by their local doctors and have blood tests at least every 3 6 months at home.

Compassionate Use of Metreleptin in Previously Treated People With Partial Lipodystrophy

Background: \- Partial lipodystrophy can cause high blood fat levels and resistance to insulin. This can lead to health problems including diabetes. Researchers have found that the drug metreleptin improves health in people with this disease. Objective: \- To test the safety and effectiveness of metreleptin. Eligibility: * People age 6 months and older with partial lipodystrophy who * have received metreleptin through NIH studies and shown improvement AND * cannot get metreleptin other ways. Design: * Participants will come to NIH approximately every 6 months during year one, then every 1 2 years. Financial assistance may be available for travel within the U.S. * At visits, participants will get a supply of metreleptin to take home for daily injections, or it can be shipped to them inside the U.S. They will have: * plastic catheter placed in an arm vein. * blood tests, urine collection, and physical exam. * oral glucose tolerance test, drinking a sweet liquid. * ultrasound of the heart, liver, uterus, and ovaries. A gel and a probe are placed on the skin and pictures are taken of the organs. * echocardiogram, which takes pictures of the heart with sound waves. * Resting Metabolic Rate taken. A plastic hood is worn over the head while the oxygen they breathe is measured. * Participants will have up to 3 DEXA scan x-rays per year. * Participants may have: * annual bone x-rays. * liver biopsies every few years. A needle will be inserted into the liver to obtain a small piece. Participants will sign a separate consent for this. * Participants must be seen regularly by their local doctors and have blood tests at least every 3-6 months at home.

Low Energy Diet and Familial Partial Lipodystrophy

To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and metabolic impact of a low energy diet (LED) in people with familial partial lipodystrophy and diabetes. Participants will be provided with a LED (total diet replacement) for 12 weeks, before the introduction of a stepped food transition. Metabolic effects will continue to be assessed for 1 year. In order to better understand why this intervention changes insulin sensitivity, we will also collect adipose and muscle tissue samples at baseline and 12 weeks into the intervention in participants willing to have these procedures performed. These samples will be used for histological, metabolite, gene expression and protein expression analyses.

A Natural History Study of Metabolic Sizing in Health and Disease

Background: Scientists have long used simple measures (such as height and weight) to estimate how much a person s body uses food (calories) as energy, as commonly called the metabolic rate. But metabolism varies among people with similar body sizes. Scientists now believe the old formulas for estimating metabolic rates may not work well for all people. Researchers want to find more accurate ways to measure a person s metabolism. Objective: This natural history study will examine the relationships between metabolism, body composition, and body surface area in a wide range of people. Eligibility: Healthy children and adults aged 2 years or older. Also, people aged 2 years or older with conditions that may alter metabolism. These may include diabetes, obesity, renal disease, or cancer. Design: Participants will spend 2 days and 1 night in the hospital. They will provide a medical history and answer questions about their activity levels, the foods they eat, and their lifestyle. They will also eat a special diet. Participants will undergo many tests: They will lie in a bed with a clear hood covering their head for 30 to 45 minutes to measure the gases in their breath. They will lie on a padded table for about 15 minutes while their body is scanned. They will stand on a platform while a 3D scanner measures their body. They will have a test to measure how fast an electric signal moves through their body. They will grip an instrument to measure the strength of their hands. They will drink salty water and provide blood and urine samples. Participants may be invited to return for these 2-day visits up to 8 times per year. Return visits must be at least 2 weeks apart.

Insulin Balanced Infusion System

The purpose of this study is to study the use of a counterbalancing system of glucose and insulin infusion with frequent blood glucose monitoring and combined adaptive algorithm can produce tight glycemic control without hypoglycemia; study to develop a closed loop for use in intensive care units and surgery

Developing an Adaptive Lifestyle Intervention Program in Family Medicine Clinics

The purpose of this study is to investigate the feasibility of conducting a multicomponent lifestyle intervention research study within the UAB Family Medicine Clinic at Highlands and to obtain preliminary data on the effectiveness of the adaptive treatment strategies being investigated to produce improvements in insulin resistance. This study is a Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial (SMART) with initial randomization groups of individualized nutrition counseling vs. individualized exercise counseling. Note that these initial nutrition or exercise interventions are NOT intended to produce significant weight loss. Participants that do not sufficiently improve their insulin resistance score after 8 weeks will be re-randomized to 2nd stage interventions of either receiving dietary counseling for weight loss or receiving a prescription for metformin. We will collect data on the effectiveness of the intervention to improve insulin resistance/metabolic health in the family medicine clinic as well as potential predictors or moderators of treatment success.

Taste Bud-Derived Stem Cells in Humans

Background: Stem cells are found in body tissues. They can regenerate into more of the same cells or become other types of cell. Researchers want to use stem cells from taste buds to try to make cells that secrete insulin. Taste buds are found mostly on the tip and sides of the tongue. Researchers also want to study if the number of taste buds and stem cells decrease as people age. They will remove small pieces of tongue tissue (about the size of a pen tip). The taste buds will grow back. It is hoped that studying taste bud stem cells can lead to new diabetes treatments. Objectives: To see if stem cells from taste buds can be isolated in humans. Eligibility: Healthy adults at least 18 years old Design: Participants will be screened with: * Medical history * Physical exam * Blood and urine tests * Tongue photograph and mouth inspection. Food coloring will be applied to the tongue. Participants will have 1 study visit. They will not eat or drink anything 8 hours before. * They will give blood and urine samples. * They will have a tongue biopsy. Vital signs will be checked. The inside of the mouth will be examined. The tongue may be cleaned. The tongue will be numbed. Five small pieces of tissue will be taken with a small scissor. Any bleeding will be blotted with cotton and should stop in minutes. * Participants will be monitored for about 30 minutes. They will get a snack or meal. * They will be told how to take care of the tongue for the rest of the day. Participants will be called a week later to see how the

Randomized Comparison of Abluminus DES+ Sirolimus-Eluting Stents Versus Everolimus-Eluting Stents in Coronary Artery Disease Patients With Diabetes Mellitus Global

To compare in diabetic patients eligible for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with minimal exclusion criteria, the efficacy and safety of Abluminus DES+ sirolimus- eluting stents (SES) versus XIENCE Everolimus-Eluting Stents (EES). At least 40% of patients are expected to be affected by multivessel coronary artery disease and 30% with acute coronary syndrome