University of Texas Medical Branch

Weight loss surgery is very good at reducing body weight but it can also cause the loss of both muscle and strength. Some patients undergoing weight loss surgery do not achieve their weight loss goals and regain the weight they lost. When this occurs, the loss of muscle and strength combined with the regain of weight can impact the individual's quality of life and ability to remain active and mobile. The purpose of this study is to understand the behavioral, biological, and genetic factors that influence the success of weight loss surgery and its impact on muscle mass. Bariatric surgery patients participating in the trial will be monitored prior to, and for a year following weight loss surgery, with data collected about their eating habits, hand grip strength, and the loss of fat, muscle, and body weight following surgery. Some patients will be additionally invited to undergo detailed metabolic assessment, where we will measure how their body uses nutrients it consumes, the composition of their body (e.g. how much lean and fat tissue they have and where it is stored), identify the bacteria living in their gut, and determine their physical performance. In all patients a small sample of gut tissue will be collected at a routine endoscopy performed in advance of weight loss surgery to identify the expression (activity) of genes in their DNA. Healthy subjects will also be recruited to allow us to compare between healthy weight individuals and those undergoing weight loss surgery. On a single occasion, the healthy volunteers will undergo the same detailed metabolic assessment performed in patients as described above. We will not examine the bacteria living in the gut of the healthy volunteers, nor will we collect gut tissue from these individuals.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Nov 2025

open study

The study hypothesis is that BCG naïve non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) patients treated with intravesical Gemcitabine + Docetaxel (GEMDOCE) will result in a non-inferior event-free survival (EFS) compared to standard treatment with intravesical BCG. The purpose of this study is to test whether Gemcitabine + Docetaxel is a better or worse treatment than the usual BCG therapy approach. The primary objective of this study is to determine the event free survival (EFS) of BCG-naïve high grade non-muscle invasive bladder cancer patients treated with intravesical BCG vs Gemcitabine + Docetaxel. Secondary objectives are as follows: to compare changes in cancer-specific and bladder cancer-specific QOL from baseline to treatment between BCG-naïve high grade NMIBC patients receiving BCG and GEMDOCE, to determine the cystectomy free survival (CFS) of BCG-naïve high grade NMIBC patients treated with intravesical BCG vs GEMDOCE, to determine the progression free survival (PFS) of BCG-naïve high grade NMIBC patients treated with intravesical BCG vs GEMDOCE, and to determine the safety and toxicity of BCG-naïve high grade NMIBC patients treated with intravesical BCG vs GEMDOCE.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Feb 2023

open study

This prospective longitudinal study will compare incidence rates of Medicare beneficiary surgical and minimally invasive intervention post index procedure, as well as harms associated with the MILD procedure, at 24 months post-treatment with MILD, tested against a control group of similar patients that have had a comparable procedure. This study will start with patients treated with a study procedure having an index date on or after January 1, 2017, and enrollment will continue until stopped by the sponsor.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Mar 2017

open study

This single-session study aims to evaluate a novel gait training protocol that integrates mechanical constraints and sensory feedback to enhance paretic leg propulsion in individuals post-stroke. The study will include 15 individuals who have experienced a stroke and 15 healthy adults, each aged 20 years or older. Participants will walk on both tied-belt and split-belt treadmills under various training conditions, including backward-directed resistance (applied at the pelvis, ankle, or both) and real-time sensory feedback (visual, auditory, or combined). These interventions will be applied individually and in combination to identify the most effective environment for promoting symmetrical gait patterns. Each session will last approximately two hours. The equipment used is non-invasive, and the risk to participants is minimal.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2025

open study

Objectives: This protocol addresses the first phase of a larger project funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute to help heavy smokers make informed decisions about lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography (CT). A separate IRB protocol will be submitted for the larger, comparative study. In this initial development phase, our prototype patient decision aid will be updated to reflect current guidelines about lung cancer screening. The updated aid will then be pilot-tested in a new sample of patients. In addition, several of the study measures will be refined and further developed in preparation for the larger study. The specific aims of the measures and decision aid development phase of this project are as follows: Update the aid to reflect current screening guidelines and refine the aid via cognitive testing with patients/smokers; and pilot test the updated aid for acceptability with patients/smokers. Modify our current measure of lung cancer knowledge, conduct cognitive testing of the new measure with patients/smokers, and evaluate the reliability of the new measure in a sample patients/smokers.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Jul 2014

open study

Prospective, randomized, multi-center study designed to evaluate the outcomes of commercially available contemporary EVAR in a real-world population. Patients will be randomized into two device cohorts and compared across the primary endpoints. Patients will be followed procedurally to discharge, at 1, 6, 12 months and annually through to 5 years (total follow-up commitment).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2021

open study

The Cardiogenic Shock Working Group is a multicenter registry where we collect de-identified clinical variables from the medical records and follow-up phone calls of shock patients from multiple institutions and centralize this data to a single registry for analysis of clinical outcomes.

Type: Observational [Patient Registry]

Start Date: Dec 2017

open study

The use of imaging is increasing in clinical practice, either for diagnosis or intervention. In these imaging processes, contrast medium (CM) is widely used. However, CM administration can induce contrast-induced nephropathy (CI-AKI). CI-AKI is the third most common cause of renal insufficiency, and its incidence varies from 2% to 50% depending on patient risk factors; in addition, studies have shown that CI-AKI occurs in 2% to 25% of patients undergoing coronary intervention. CI-AKI is associated with significant mortality and morbidity in patients undergoing coronary angiography or other diagnostic contrast studies. We assessed the latest promising evidence on the ability of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) to reduce the incidence of CI-AKI in patients undergoing Coronary Angiogram (CA) or diagnostic contrast studies such as CT angiogram, while at the same time being a non-invasive, low cost, easy, and safe method with absence of adverse effects. However, more randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these preliminary results. The aim of this study is to minimize the incidence of CI-AKI at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). If found to be an effective method, RIPC would help minimize the incidence of CI-AKI in all institutions across the globe, who would adopt this intervention. The primary objective: i) reduce the rise in creatinine to < 0.5 mg/dL post-CA in moderate to high risk patients and ii) reduce the incidence of renal replacement therapy post-CA in moderate to high risk patients; iii) we also aim to establish that RIPC is safe and effective. We hypothesize that the use of RIPC, when added to standard medical therapy (pre-and post-CA hydration), will mitigate the effects of contrast on the renal vasculature and lessen the incidence of CI-AKI in moderate to high risk patients at the University of Texas Medical Branch. The use of iodinated contrast to visually enhance target vasculature is a widely used diagnostic technique that is performed daily at UTMB, and around the world, for the diagnosis and management of a variety of conditions. A common complication of this procedure is acute kidney injury (AKI), generally referred to as contrast-induced nephropathy (CI-AKI). This complication can range from an isolated rise in serum creatinine to severe renal dysfunction necessitating renal replacement therapy. The incidence of CI-AKI has been reported as approximately 2-50%, depending upon the definition and sensitivity of assay employed to assess GFR in the hospital setting. In addition, CI-AKI is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. If proven to be beneficial, RIPC will bring about a reduction in incidence of CI-AKI, and thus help to reduce hospitalization and mortality from renal etiology following a given contrast procedure.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Nov 2021

open study

The purpose of this study is to find out if the investigational drug called omecamtiv mecarbil can reduce the risk of the effects of heart failure, like hospitalization, transplantation, or death in patients with heart failure and severely reduced ejection fraction.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Dec 2024

open study

A randomized controlled trial of 1,500 women to assess whether treatment of obstructive sleep apnea with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in pregnancy will result in a reduction in the rate of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2018

open study

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of participating in a tele-rehabilitation program after a burn.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2024

open study

This international multi-center registry is used to collect existing information and outcomes for patients undergoing an operation for treatment of injuries to the brain including the blockage of blood flow to an area of the brain, an abnormal ballooning of an artery, abnormal tangling of blood vessels, abnormal formation of blood vessels, tearing of vein, and bleeding in the brain. This information is used to help predict outcomes that undergo an operation for treatment of the above-listed brain injuries. Additionally, the information is used to compare techniques and devices' effects on technical and clinical outcomes.

Type: Observational [Patient Registry]

Start Date: Sep 2019

open study

The purpose of this study is to test the efficacy of a walking and balance training program designed to safely challenge and improve walking performance and balance in relation to walking speed, strength, endurance, and balance after traumatic brain injury (TBI). The aim and primary hypothesis of this research project is: Aim) Test and implement a new personalized intervention strategy, in addition to usual and customary care at an inpatient rehabilitation clinic, to improve patient outcomes with secondary conditions associated with impaired balance and walking that typically occur post brain injury. After validation of the locomotor Battery of tests, we will implement a personalized training strategy for individuals based on their battery profile. Hypothesis) Individuals training with this individualized protocol will demonstrate improved walking and balance outcomes and those with lesser pre-intervention impairment will improve at a greater rate than those with greater pre-intervention impairment.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2022

open study

The purpose of this study is to determine the safety and effectiveness (how well it works) of a new experimental ultrasound bath device that uses low frequency ultrasound (LFU) that may or may not help healing.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2024

open study

The goal of this clinical trial is to assess the efficacy and safety of extended TARPEYO® (delayed-release budesonide capsules) treatment in adult patients with primary IgA nephropathy who have completed 9 months of TARPEYO® 16 mg once daily treatment in real-world clinical practice. The main question it aims to answer is: Is there a treatment benefit of TARPEYO® 16 mg QD extended use? Participants will - take part in this study for about 19 months - Have urine tests done - Have blood samples taken - Have physical examinations done

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Dec 2024

open study

The aim of this study is to characterize the microbiome of patients undergoing post-acute residential neurorehabilitation compared to community controls and to determine if a dietary fiber, Inulin, can create a shift in the microbiome leading to changes in fatigue and cognition.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2025

open study

The aim of this study is characterize the gastrointestinal microbiomes of patient with solid cancer undergoing standard of care treatment with programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) /programmed cell death ligand (PD-L1) blockade.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Jun 2023

open study

This Phase II/III trial will evaluate the what kind of chemotherapy to recommend to patients based on the presence or absences of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) after surgery for colon cancer.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2022

open study

The primary goal of the trial is to determine if the experimental arms (rivaroxaban or ticagrelor or both) are superior to the clopidogrel arm for lowering the 1-year rate of ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, or vascular death.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2022

open study

To evaluate the long-term safety and tolerability of oral dersimelagon.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2021

open study

To collect clinical data on safety, effectiveness and procedural success of Boston Scientific's Cardiac Cryoablation System (includes all BSC commercially available POLARx/POLARx Fit catheters) when used to perform pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in the ablation treatment of de novo Atrial Fibrillation (AF).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2024

open study

The dose escalation phase of this trial identifies the safety, side effects and best dose of ceralasertib (AZD6738) when given in combination with trastuzumab deruxtecan (DS-8201a) in treating patients with solid tumors that have a change (mutation) in the HER2 gene or protein and have spread to other places in the body (advanced). The dose expansion phase (phase Ib) of this trial compares how colorectal and gastroesophageal cancers with HER2 mutation respond to treatment with a combination of ceralasertib and trastuzumab deruxtecan versus trastuzumab deruxtecan alone. Ceralasertib may stop the growth of tumor cells and may kill them by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Trastuzumab deruxtecan is a monoclonal antibody, called trastuzumab, linked to a chemotherapy drug, called deruxtecan. Trastuzumab attaches to HER2 positive cancer cells in a targeted way and delivers deruxtecan to kill them. Ceralasertib and trastuzumab deruxtecan may be safe, tolerable and effective in treating patients with advanced solid tumors expressing the HER2 protein or gene.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2021

open study

The objective of this study is to study a novel device designed to aid patients with impaired vision to safely navigate their environment. Subjects for this study will be individuals with normal vision, either with or without correction. The subjects will wear a device to simulate impaired vision and will be asked to walk a path with randomly placed obstacles during two trials. One of the trials will consist of the subject wearing the simulator alone. The other trial will consist of the subject wearing the simulator and the study device. The study device is designed to be worn by the study subject and will emit tones to indicate obstacles in the environment as the subject walks on the path with random obstacles. The tones will indicate that there is an obstacle in the individual's path and will increase in intensity as the subject moves closer to the object.Invest

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Feb 2025

open study

The goal of this clinical trial is to test in moderately symptomatic chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) patients if middle meningeal artery embolization (MMAE) can be used as an alternative to conventional open surgery. The main questions it aims to answer are: - Compared to open conventional surgery, does MMAE reduce the need for rescue surgery or deaths? - What is the safety of MMAE and conventional open surgery in these patients? Participants will be asked to: - Share their medical history and undergo physical examinations - Have blood drawn - Have CT scans of the head - Answer questionnaires - Undergo MMAE or conventional open surgery - Provide information about possible adverse events Researchers will compare participants in the MMAE group with those in the conventional open surgery group to see if there is a reduced need for rescue surgery or deaths and evaluate safety.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Nov 2024

open study

The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate the use of Sulbactam-Durlobactam (SUL-DUR) in pediatric patients and is being conducted to collect pharmacokinetic (PK) and safety data to enable the identification of appropriate pediatric dosing regimens for patients with Acinetobacter baumannii-calcoaceticus complex (ABC) infections

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2025

open study