Growth friendly surgery for early onset scoliosis is meant to control spinal deformity, and allow for continued growth of the spine and chest, thereby providing the patient with as much lung function as possible. Once patients have completed their growth friendly surgery, they either undergo a final spinal fusion, or observation, and at this point are referred to as "graduates" of growth friendly surgery. Pulmonary function tests can objectively assess the pulmonary function of patients. PFTs are commonly performed in an outpatient clinic, but require a clinic appointment, transportation, test administration and insurance billing with or without a copay. Several home-based surrogates for PFTs are available on the market. These devices can be used within the convenience of the patients home, and are compatible with apps on most smartphones. The data can be uploaded to a clinician in real time for review and analysis.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the ease of use and effectiveness of a home based PFT surrogate (Spirobank smart device) for "graduates" of growing programs with early onset scoliosis.
Cancer survivorship is associated with many long-term chronic health issues that arise as a result of cancer
treatment protocols. Non-pharmacological lifestyle and mind-body interventions have been shown to be
effective and critical components of a total-health strategy for cancer survivors. PranaScience Institute seeks to
develop and test a novel group video app for home-based delivery of a Yogic Breathing intervention that
reduces symptoms of cancer treatment survival and supports total-health.
This research study will be evaluating whether liquid nitrogen sprayed on the cells lining the airways (cryotherapy) can reduce the mucus produced in the lungs of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study involves bronchoscopies, (placement of a lighted, flexible scope into the lungs) under general anesthesia to deliver the treatment to the lungs. The study is randomized such that 2/3 of individuals get the cryotherapy and the other 1/3 get a sham (control) treatment with no cryotherapy. Participants in the sham control group will be evaluated for eligible for cryotherapy at end of year one. The Study duration is 36 months. Those initially randomized to the treatment group, they will have 7 clinic visits and 2 treatment visits. Participants randomized to sham group will have 11 clinic visits and 4 treatment visits.
Individuals with alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency (AAT blood level lower than 11 micro-moles) and emphysema will be invited to participate in this study. This study will determine the impact of IV Alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor (Alpha-1 MP) on the progression of emphysema in patients with AAT deficiency. A participant in this study would receive any one of the following three therapies: 1) Alpha-1 MP dosed at 60mg/Kg, 2) Alpha-1 MP dosed at 120mg/Kg, or 3) Placebo. Once a subject is enrolled into this study, he/she will be randomly selected to receive only one of the above three therapies. Neither the study investigators nor the participants will know the actual therapy being given to the participants. All the study participants will receive serial chest CT scans to determine if their emphysema progresses over the following 3 years. Participants will have the IV therapies given to them weekly, with some infusions given at MUSC and some at home. Safety and side effects of all therapies will be monitored.