View clinical trials related to Disease Susceptibility.
Filter by:Alteration of the post- eruptive enamel microstructure due to a mutation of a gene coding for a matrix protein could increase the susceptibility of the enamel to caries after tooth eruption. To identify in young patients with severe caries incidence, the occurrence of mutations in several candidate genes which result in an alteration of the enamel microstructure that could explain the high caries susceptibility of the patient.
Primary Objectives: 1. To test the hypothesis that children whose mothers are Migrant/Seasonal Farmworkers (MSFs) (occupationally-exposed to pesticides) may be at a higher risk for exhibiting mutagen-induced DNA damage than children whose mothers and fathers are not MSFs. 2. To test the hypothesis that MSF mothers (occupationally-exposed to pesticides) may be at a higher risk for exhibiting mutagen-induced DNA damage than mothers who are not MSFs. Secondary Objectives: 1. To test the hypothesis that both the extent of pesticide exposure and the type of polymorphisms in chemical detoxification genes and DNA repair genes contribute to the extent of cytogenetic damage found in children of MSF women. 2. To test the hypothesis that both the extent of pesticide exposure and the type of polymorphisms in chemical detoxification genes and DNA repair genes contribute to the extent of cytogenetic damage found in MSF mothers. 3. To test the hypothesis that the total concentration levels of organochlorine (OCP) and organophosphate (OP) pesticides will correlate with the mutagenic potency of the serum and urine of the children. 4. To test the hypothesis that the total concentration levels of OCP and OP pesticides will correlate with the mutagenic potency of the serum and urine of the mothers. 5. To test the hypothesis that inherited polymorphisms in the PON1 gene and its expression modulate the risk for OP genotoxicity measured by the inhibition of the acetylcholinesterase enzyme in MSF children. 6. To test the hypothesis that inherited polymorphisms in the PON1 gene and its expression modulate the risk for OP genotoxicity measured by the inhibition of the acetylcholinesterase enzyme in MSF mothers.
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in Western societies. It is a complex genetic disorder with many genes involved and significant gene-environment interactions. The aim of the study is to identify novel genetic- and biological-markers of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is assessed in the coronary arteries using coronary angiography as well as in the carotid artery (intima-media-thickness) and peripheral vessels (ankle brachial index). Association analysis of genetic and metabolic markers with atherosclerotic burden will be performed to identify novel factors of disposition to atherosclerotic vascular disease.
There are worrying signs that parasitological responses to the artemisinin drugs for uncomplicated falciparum malaria are slower than elsewhere in the world.If responses to artesunate are poor it is essential to have characterised the blood concentration profile as well as the parasitological response to differentiate resistance from abnormal pharmacokinetics. The primary objective of the study is to assess the level of resistance to artemisinin derivatives in Western Cambodia. A detailed evaluation of 2 different artesunate containing regimens in patients with uncomplicated malaria will be performed. Patients will be randomised to receive either a) Artesunate 2mg/kg/day for 7 days or b) Artesunate 4mg/kg/day for 3 days plus mefloquine 15mg/kg on day 3 and 10mg/kg on day 4 The effect on parasite clearance and cure will be assessed in relation to blood concentrations of the antimalarial drugs ('PK-PD').
The research is aimed at identifying new predisposition genes for endocrine tumours. Our focus initially is on pituitary adenomas including growth hormone-secreting tumors (somatotrophinomas) and prolactin secreting tumours (prolactinomas), but we wish to extend work to other pituitary tumour cases/families. The recruitment process will be as follows. 1. We will recruit patients from our own Endocrine outpatient clinics and inpatient wards. In addition we will ask colleagues in other Endocrinology Departments (or other specialties such as Clinical Genetics,Pathology, General Medicine ) to identify potentially suitable patients with endocrine & pituitary tumours from their records. We shall focus on patients with good evidence of inheritance of their condition: relatively early onset; or multiple lesions; or other affected family members. Conditions where the predisposing genes have been identified (principally MEN) will be excluded from study. Patients directly contacting us can also enter the study. 2. The Consultant looking after the patient will contact the patient to initially inform him/her of the study. 3. We will then contact the patient (generally by telephone) to discuss the study and what it would entail in terms of information and samples. 4. Subject to agreement in (3), patient will receive 'Information Sheet for patients with pituitary tumour' and 'Consent Form' and will have blood sampling in Consultant's clinic. 5. We will contact additional family members (if appropriate) after an initial approach by the family member already recruited to the study. The additional family members may have developed tumours similar to those of the proband, or may be unaffected individuals who provide useful information for gene identification purposes (for example, spouses may greatly aid the power of gene mapping by linkage. They will receive the "Information Sheet for family members". analysis). 8. Archival tissue will be obtained from HTA licensed tissue banks. This is an established bank whose licence is primarily for diagnosis but can be used for research. 9. We will undertake laboratory work, such as genetic linkage analysis, candidate gene mutation screening and studies of loss of heterozygosity in tumours, to identify the genes predisposing to the condition, such as the AIP gene. In addition we would like to screen other genes related to the chaperon AIP molecule, such as AhR, and other genes currently identified (PDE4A5, survivin and Tom20 protein) or may not been identified. Blood samples for DNA and RNA will coded with unique ID numbers. Pituitary and other endocrine tumour samples will be collected at surgery and kept in liquid nitrogen or -80 C. They will be coded with unique ID numbers. Candidate gene sequencing will be performed in the Barts and the London Medical School Genome Centre. RNA expression studies from blood or adenoma tissue samples will be performed by RT-PCR. Protein expression studies will be performed by Western blotting or immunohistochemistry. The first gene we wish to study causes familial acromegaly, a disease resulting from a pituitary adenoma secreting growth hormone. To establish if the candidate gene is also causing possibly sporadic (not familial) cases of the disease, samples (blood and tissue) will be collected from patients with sporadic disease and will be analysed as above.
This study will be a descriptive comparison of the effects of live attenuated influenza virus (FluMist) on nasal inflammation and oxidative stress in healthy young adults who are not exposed to smoke vs smokers. It is hypothesized that passive exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) results in increased susceptibility to the effects of influenza virus in nasal epithelium in humans and that these effects are mediated by SHS-induced oxidative stress
The aim of this study is to identify genetic loci,or gene variations contributing to inflammation and to the development of CHD. We will compare coronary angiogram results to genetic findings within coronary artery disease patients and in patients with normal coronaries.
This screening study will examine the causes of immune disorders affecting white blood cells, which defend against infections and will try to develop better means of diagnosis and treatment of these immune disorders. This is a 2 visit screening study and patients determined to be of interest for additional study or treatment will be asked to provide consent for enrollment into an appropriate NIH follow up study. This study does not cover the cost of the first visit to NIH for travel or lodgings but does cover the subsequent visit if there is one. A financial assessment may determine if the patient is eligible for financial assistance. This study does not enroll children under the age of 2. Patients known to have or suspected of having increased susceptibility to infections and their blood relatives may be eligible for this study, at the discretion of the principal investigator. Patients and family members may undergo the following procedures: - Personal and family medical history. - Physical examination and blood and urine tests. - Studies of breathing function (pulmonary function testing) - Dental examination. - Eye examination. - Genetic Testing - Stored specimens for future analysis - Microscopic examination of saliva, wound drainage or tissues removed for medical reasons for cell, hormone or DNA studies. In addition, patients will be asked to obtain permission for investigators to obtain their medical records, previous test results, or radiographic studies prior to the first visit. Patients will be asked to undergo imaging studies, such as a chest X-ray, CT scan or MRI scan. ...
The purpose of this study is to determine the reasons why multiparous women (women who are pregnant and have been pregnant before) might still be susceptible to rubella.
The purpose of this study is to find out which of 2 different antibiotics, doxycycline or azithromycin, works best against germs that may cause nongonococcal urethritis. Study participants will include approximately 1200 men, 16 years of age or older, attending a sexually transmitted diseases clinic in Seattle, Washington with clinical signs of urethral inflammation (>=5PMNs/HPF on a Gram-stained slide prepared from urethral exudates and/or a visible urethral discharge upon examination). Urine specimens will be collected and tested for Mycoplasma genitalium and Ureaplasmas. Each participant will receive a blinded packet of study medication. Participants will answer an enrollment questionnaire and will also receive a log to complete between visits to record information about treatment adherence, side effects, symptoms, and sexual activity. All subjects will be asked to return for evaluation 3 weeks after the initial clinic visit. Subjects who test positive for M. genitalium and/or Ureaplasmas at the initial clinic visit will also be asked to return for a third study visit, 6 weeks following the initial clinic visit. During follow-up visits, participants will answer a follow-up questionnaire and will be re-evaluated for signs of urethritis. Those who were initially positive for M. genitalium and/or Ureaplasmas will be re-tested for these organisms. Study participants with signs and/or symptoms of urethritis or who test positive for M. genitalium or Ureaplasmas at the follow-up study visit will receive another blinded treatment packet containing the alternate medication. Those who require additional treatment at the 6-week visit will be asked to return for a fourth follow-up study visit at 9-10 weeks. Study participants who did not test positive for M. genitalium or Ureaplasmas at the initial clinic visit, but who continue to demonstrate signs and/or symptoms of infection at their single follow-up study visit will treated according to clinic standard of care (after the study clinician unblinds their randomly-assigned treatment regimen).