Tulane Research - Clinical Translational Unit

The investigators are aiming to investigate the association between ejection fraction (EF) determined by echocardiography and signals obtained from Photoplethysmography (PPG) in the general population. The investigators are also aiming to investigate the association between blood pressure and signals obtained from PPG in the general population. Finally, the investigators are also aiming to investigate the association between signals obtained from PPG in the general population to cardioechographic findings such as, valvular heart disease, structural heart diseases, cardiomyopathies, pericardial disease etc.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Aug 2021

open study

Disasters have negative effects in the short term (physical trauma, adverse environmental exposures, and unstable housing) and the long term (relocation, changes in family functioning, and negative economic effects), which interact with social determinants to worsen health among the most vulnerable women, infants, and communities. Trauma and severe stress are directly linked to pregnancy complications, and raise blood pressure during pregnancy, alter stress hormones, and increase vulnerability to infection, all of which predispose to reduced fetal growth and preterm birth. Disasters also worsen mental health, and depression during pregnancy and postpartum, for instance, is associated with worse physical health during pregnancy, maternal impairment, poorer quality parenting, negative child behavior, and poorer infant cognitive development.The goal of this intervention is to improve mental health in pregnant women living in a disaster-affected region. The main questions this intervention aims to answer are: - Assess the implementation outcomes (acceptability, adaptation, adoption, feasibility, fidelity, and sustainability) of a pilot intervention in a disaster recovery environment. - Assess the effectiveness of the M-O-M-S pilot intervention in a disaster recovery environment. The study will recruit pregnant women in areas that have experienced a natural disaster. Women will be recruited in early pregnancy and attend a series of classes on the cognitive and relationship changes of pregnancy and motherhood, and mental preparation for labor, led by a "mentor," a mother who has experienced pregnancy, labor, and motherhood.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Nov 2023

open study

The primary objective of the STRIVE study is to compare two implementation strategies for Diabetes Prevention Program delivery: an in-person health coach strategy (standard 24 in-person sessions at WIC clinics) vs. a multifaceted technology-assisted health coach implementation strategy (12 in-person sessions at WIC clinics supplemented by technology support) on implementation and health-related outcomes in postpartum women.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Dec 2023

open study

This study is a quasi-experimental design, specifically a non-randomized controlled trial (NCT) designed to test the effects of gun violence reduction intervention including MI for youth ages 16-24 years old who present to the Emergency Department or ICU Spirit of Charity Trauma Center (SCTC) at University Medical Centers or another area hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana following a gunshot injury or stab wound. The study will utilize an enrollment strategy that involves alternating, across recruitment days, the assigned study condition. Thus, Day 1 participants would be enrolled into TAU, Day 2 participants would be enrolled in MI-case management condition, Day 3 participants would be enrolled in TAU, etc. This proposed design will minimize any confounds associated with self-selection while possibly increasing enrollment rate. Research questions include: 1. Will youth allocated to the MI prevention condition have safer firearm related behaviors and beliefs compared to the TAU control condition at 6 months post- enrollment? 2. Will youth allocated to the MI prevention condition have reduced gun violence recidivism compared to the TAU control condition at 18 months post-enrollment. 3. How do youth's social and normative environments influence their gun behaviors and attitudes? Researchers will compare intervention and TAU arms to see if there are any differences in outcome measures. Participants will: 1. complete study eligibility assessment, be assigned to one of two conditions depending on the date of assessment, consent, and enroll in the Emergency Department (ED) or inpatient unit of hospital by a study team member, 2. participate in one of two conditions: MI administered by a licensed clinical social worker, or treatment as usual control group (TAU) administered by a study team member (n=170 per condition) 3. complete three surveys (baseline, 3-month, and 6-month) conducted by a study team member 4. 18-month post examination of participant hospital records 5. have the option to complete a 1-1.5 hour interview, 1-3 months after the 6-month survey is completed (n=50)

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2022

open study

The burden of hypertension and related cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and end-stage kidney disease is disproportionately high in Black populations, especially in the South. The Blood Pressure Lowering Strategies to Eliminate Hypertension Disparities (BLESSED) cluster randomized trial aims to test the effectiveness, implementation, and sustainability of a community health worker (CHW)-led multifaceted intervention compared to enhanced usual care for hypertension control in Black communities. In the BLESSED trial, the investigators plan to recruit 1,176 adults with hypertension (approximately 28 per church) from 42 predominantly Black churches in the Greater New Orleans area. The multifaceted intervention will last for 18 months, followed by a post-intervention follow-up visit at 24 months. The BLESSED trial aims to generate evidence regarding the effectiveness, implementation, and sustainability of this CHW-led church-based multifaceted intervention in eliminating hypertension disparities in the United States (US) general population.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Nov 2023

open study

The purpose of this study is to assess how well nipocalimab works when compared to efgartigimod in participants with generalized myasthenia gravis (a condition in which body's immune system mistakenly attacks and damages the connection between nerves and muscles causing muscle weakness).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jan 2026

open study

A study to evaluate the long-term safety of Deucravacitinib versus Ustekinumab in participants with psoriasis

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2025

open study

Glaucoma is the second most common cause of blindness in the world, second only to cataracts. This study will assess how safe and effective a glaucoma gel stent is when implanted using the ab interno (inside the eye) and ab externo (outside the eye) approach. Adverse events and intraocular pressure will be assessed. XEN63 is an investigational device for the treatment of intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with glaucoma when both medical and conventional surgical treatments have failed (for US approval) and when medical treatments have failed (for outside US [OUS] approval). Participants will be placed in one of two groups called study arms. One group will receive the XEN63 gel stent ab interno (inside the eye) and the other group will receive the XEN63 gel stent ab externo (outside the eye). Approximately 130 participants aged 45 years or older with glaucoma will be enrolled in this study at approximately 32 sites in the United States. Participants will receive XEN63 implanted using either the ab interno approach or the ab externo approach on Day 1 and will be followed for 12 months. Participants will attend regular visits during the study at a hospital or clinic. The safety and effect of the gel stent on your glaucoma will be checked by medical assessments and eye examinations.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Feb 2025

open study

The main aim of this study is to learn about the effect of treatment with vedolizumab IV (vedolizumab) together with adalimumab or vedolizumab (VDZ) together with ustekinumab (UST) in adults with moderate to severe Crohn's Disease, and the effect of treatment with vedolizumab alone, after the dual targeted treatment. The study is conducted in two parts. In Part A, participants will receive the dual targeted treatment (vedolizumab together with either adalimumab or ustekinumab). In part B, participants will receive vedolizumab only. Part B will include participants who responded to the treatment in Part A. Each participant will be followed up for at least 26 weeks after the last dose of treatment.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2024

open study

The Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Prospective Outcomes (IPF-PRO) Registry started recruiting in 2014 with the objective of studying Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. In 2018, the registry expanded to include recruitment of participants with other chronic fibrosing interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) with progressive phenotype also referred to as progressive fibrosing interstitial lung diseases in the Chronic Fibrosis Interstitial Lung Disease with Progressive Phenotype (ILD-PRO) Registry. When the third phase of the registry begins, the IPF-PRO registry will enroll additional patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. This IPF-PRO registry is a prospective registry that will collect information regarding the natural history, health care interactions, participant reported questionnaire data to assess quality of life, and the methods of treatment of participants with a diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) or of another chronic fibrosing interstitial lung disease (ILD) with progressive phenotype established at the enrolling centers. In addition, blood samples and chest image studies will be collected and banked for future research projects.

Type: Observational [Patient Registry]

Start Date: Jun 2014

open study

This phase III trial studies how well lenalidomide and dexamethasone works with or without daratumumab in treating patients with high-risk smoldering myeloma. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as lenalidomide and dexamethasone, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as daratumumab, may induce changes in the body's immune system and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Giving lenalidomide and dexamethasone with daratumumab may work better in treating patients with smoldering myeloma.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2019

open study

The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety of ultra-low contrast coronary angiography in patients with pre-existing acute kidney injury.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2025

open study

The purpose of this screening study is to accumulate information regarding bleeding events, quality of life, and the social and clinical impact of bleeds in participants with Von Willebrand Disease (VWD). Data from this study will be used to establish baseline bleeding and treatment rates in a population of participants with VWD and act as comparator data for future clinical study outcomes.(e.g. Velora Pioneer)

Type: Observational

Start Date: Aug 2024

open study

This study aims to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of a cognitive behavioral coping skills program, Treatment and Education Approach for Childhood-onset Lupus (TEACH), for youth with cSLE when integrated into medical care. This TEACH program aims to teach participants skills in order to cope with fatigue, pain, and depressive symptoms--symptoms that commonly affect adolescents and young adults with lupus.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2024

open study

The REACH study is for people with CF who do not take cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators. The goal of the REACH study is to collect research data, including health data and specimens, from people with CF who do not take CFTR modulators. This data may be used to inform CF research, help design CF clinical trials and support the development of new treatments for people with CF who do not take CFTR modulators. Another goal of this study is to learn about research involvement for people with CF who do not take CFTR modulators, engage them in research, and give them an opportunity to learn about what is involved in participating in a CF research study.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Sep 2024

open study

The Allergen Reduction and Child Health Study (ARCHS) is a 12-month, two group randomized control trial of children with asthma and who are exposed to cockroaches. Children ages 5 - 17 living in the Greater New Orleans area will be recruited from a variety of clinic and community settings. The overall goal of the study is to improve patient-centered asthma outcomes (asthma symptom days, health care utilization, asthma control and quality of life) by targeting one key allergen - cockroach exposure in the child's home. The investigators propose a simple intervention of insecticidal bait that is low cost, simple to implement, and which is lower toxicity than other forms of pest control. The reduction in the number of cockroaches in the home is an environmental outcome that is patient-centered and is likely to add to its acceptance by families of children with asthma.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Nov 2020

open study

This is a Phase 2b, randomized, open label study to assess the safety and efficacy of DPX-Survivac and pembrolizumab, with and without low-dose cyclophosphamide (CPA) in subjects with relapsed or refractory DLBCL.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2021

open study