Investigating Symptoms & Stool Gut Bacteria between African Americans and Caucasian Americans

Official Title
Associations between Race, Gut Microbiota-Metabolites, and Long-Term Symptom Toxicity in African Americans and Caucasian Americans Colorectal Cancer Survivors
Purpose

The purpose of this study is to learn about the associations of symptoms such as fatigue, depression, and gastrointestinal distress including constipation, abdominal pain, and diarrhea with stool microbiomes and metabolites in patients with colorectal cancer. We will compare the associations of symptoms with microbiomes among colorectal cancer patients and healthy patients. You will be asked to complete several surveys that ask questions about your dietary habits, your health history, your social demographics, and your symptoms. You will also be asked to collect a stool sample with an at-home stool sample collection kit that will be provided to you.

Could this study be right for you?
  • Diagnosed with stage I-IV colorectal cancer (ICD-10 C18, C19 and C20) OR Healthy.
  • 18+ years of age at time of diagnosis.
  • Able to communicate in English and provide consent.
  • African American OR White.
  • Not currently in cancer treatment.
  • No current ostomy.
  • No chronic bowel disorders (e.g., irritable bowel syndrome).
  • No diagnosis of functional GI disorders.
  • No food allergies or dietary restrictions.
  • No use of probiotics or antibiotics within the past two months prior to fecal collection.
  • No significant cognitive or developmental delay that precedes cancer diagnosis (e.g., down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder).
Age Range
18 years and up

Healthy Diet Study

Official Title
A prospective randomized unblinded study of ketogenetic versus mixed diet on exercise tolerance in subjects with the metabolic phenotype of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Purpose

The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of a well-formulated ketogenic diet with a low-fat diet on exercise tolerance in patients with heart failure and diabetes or pre-diabetes or metabolic syndrome.

 

Could this study be right for you?
  • Age ≥ 18 years old and ≤ 80 years old & willingness to be randomized to either diet.
  • NYHA class I – III for at least 3 months.
  • Ejection fraction ≥50% by biplane 2D, or 3D echo, or CMR
  • Echo findings of abnormal or indeterminant diastolic function or RHC data:  At rest: mean pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) > 15 mmHg.  pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) < 3 Wood Units.
  • Stable medical therapy for at least 3 months as determined by the treating physician (no new cardiac or diabetic medications within 3 months of enrollment or during enrollment and dosage should be stable for 1 month prior to enrollment).
  • Dose of oral diuretics changes allowed but must be stable for 1 week prior to randomization.
  • Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 25 and ≤ 50 or Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus or prediabetes (fasting glucose of 100 - 125 mg/dL or hemoglobin A1C 5.7-6.4%) or metabolic syndrome.
  • Ability to participate in exercise treadmill testing.
  • Ability to sign written consent.

Exclusions:

  •  Women who are pregnant, current breast-feeding, or have intention to become pregnant while in the study.
  •  Known allergy or sensitivity to gadolinium-based contrast agents.           
  • Implanted pacemaker, cardioverter defibrillator, Cardiac resynchronization therapy, left ventricular assist devices.
  • Other metallic implants/aneurysm clips that are contraindicated in MRI.           
  • Claustrophobia
  • History of severe kidney disease of eGFR<30 ml/kg/1.73m2.

 

Exclusion Criteria varies, please contact Study Coordinator. 

Age Range
18 - 80 years

Impact of A Low Glycemic Index Diet on Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury

Official Title
Two Birds with One Stone: Impact of A Low Glycemic Index Diet on Postprandial Hypotension and Glucose Metabolism in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury (FIP)
Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of a short-term low glycemic index diet on blood pressure and blood sugar control after eating.

Could this study be right for you?
  • Adults aged 18-65 years old
  • Chronic spinal cord injury
  • Level of injury between C4 and L2
Age Range
18 - 65 years

Whole Wheat Bread Study

Official Title
Assessing gut microbiota mediated health outcomes of whole wheat and its major bioactive components
Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine how whole wheat bread lowers blood glucose levels by improving gut health and inflammation.

Could this study be right for you?

 

  • Are at least 25 pounds overweight
  • Are a non-smoker
  • No medications that affect blood sugar, blood pressure, or inflammation
Age Range
18 - 65 years

A Study about Brain Imaging on Forming Impressions of Food

Official Title
Decoding Social Perceptions in Naturalistic Contexts
Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine impressions on foods. This study involves looking at brain activity while you perform simple tasks (judging images of different foods). 

The duration of this study will last 3 hours. 

Could this study be right for you?
  • Free of MRI contradictions
  • No dietary destrictions
  • Normal vison
  • Right handed
Age Range
18 - 35 years

Blood Pressure Health for Black/African American Women Caregivers

Official Title
Addressing the double jeopardy of stress and hypertension among African American female caregivers of persons living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (R21)
Purpose

The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility of a group delivered intervention for stress and blood pressure in African American women caregivers.

Could this study be right for you?
  • Diagnosis of HTN treated with an antihypertensive medication or risk of HTN that includes obesity and high cholesterol
  • Age 40 and older
  • A caregiver rating of the PLWD of 2 or greater on the Alzheimer’s Dementia-8 scale
  • Caregiver provides unpaid care to a PLWD at least 10 hours per week or assists with at least one instrumental activity of daily living
  • Self-identifies as Black/African American
  • English speaking
  • Access to a telecommunications device such as the internet via desktop, laptop/tablet, smartphone, or telephone
Age Range
40 and up

A Study Evaluating How Dietary Oils Affect Fat in the Liver

Official Title
Weight, Energy, Lipids, and the Liver (WELL) Study: A randomized controlled trial to understand how dietary fat quality affects fat in the liver
Purpose

The purpose of the WELL study is to examine how consuming dietary oils in foods like spreads, bread, cookies, muffins, and brownies everyday influences liver fat.  

The study will measure liver fat using and MRI before and after consuming 3 of the study foods per day for 16 weeks.  The study will also examine how consuming the study foods each day influences fat in the abdomen and in the blood.  The total study duration is 18 weeks.

Could this study be right for you?

Inclusion Criteria

  • Ages 25-80
  • Have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or something similar

Exclusion Criteria Include

  • Unable to have an MRI scan
  • Pregnancy 

Mentoring to be Active: Peer Mentoring for Rural Appalachian Children to Reduce Overweight and Obesity

Official Title
Mentoring to be Active: Peer Mentoring for Rural Appalachian Children to Reduce Overweight and Obesity
Purpose

The purpose of this study is to lower the rate of type 2 diabetes in rural Appalachia youth due to obesity and/or being overweight. Our long-term goal is to improve the health of underserved, high-risk youth.

This study will test the effectiveness of the Mentored Planning to be Active + Family on physical activity outcomes and health outcomes among rural Appalachian middle school aged youth suffering from either overweight or obesity.

We have local high school-aged teen mentors work closely with middle school youth to increase social support, self-efficacy, and self-regulation skills to sustain physical activity and improve health before the children enter high school.

The peer mentoring is followed by a 6-month family reinforcement program.

Some parents will provide child assessment data of perceived child physical activity behaviors and child health.

 

Could this study be right for you?
  • Child has access to a computer or tablet device at home for virtual mentoring sessions/meetings
  • Child suffers from overweight or obesity - does not need to be under the care of a health care professional for this condition
  • Child and Parent able to participate read English at a 4th grade level. 
  • Family not expected to move from rural Appalachia within the 18 months. 
Age Range
12 - 13

A Study for Those With Type 2 Diabetes AND Who Are Experiencing Food Insecurity

Official Title
Linking Education, Produce Provision, and Community Referrals to Improve Diabetes Care (LINK)
Purpose

The purpose of this study is to improve hemoglobin A1c levels in patients with type 2 diabetes experiencing food insecurity.

The study will examine the effects of a produce referral program alone and in combination with other interventions. Our research is designed to develop a deeper understanding of how to provide patients with type 2 diabetes that are experiencing food insecurity with the resources, skills, and education to manage their health and social needs.

Could this study be right for you?

Inclusion Criteria:
- Age 18 years and older
- Type 2 diabetes based on American Diabetes Association Criteria
- Hemoglobin A1c level > 7.5%
- Worried about running out of food before you have money to buy more

Exclusion Criteria:
- Pregnant

A Study to Examine How Art Reduces Stress in People Who Suffer from Chronic Digestive Issues (ART-GUT study)

Official Title
Art to promote Reduction in stress, Truncate severity of Gastrointestinal symptoms Understand its role in Therapy (ART-GUT study)
Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether group-art sessions can reduce stress, improve sleep quality, improve quality of life and decrease severity of digestive symptoms in participants who suffer from chronic digestive issues. Participants will meet virtually once per week for 1.5 hour sessions, via Zoom, and will be provided with art supplies.

The start date will be determined by the date the 1st session starts for a given group. Thus participants can be in the study for up to 14 weeks.

Could this study be right for you?

• Male or females aged 18 years or older
• Suffer from Chronic Digestive Symptoms
• Willing to meet virtually once per week for 1.5 hour group sessions

Age Range
18 and up