Genetic changes to human skin contribute to a wide variety of conditions and diseases that affect over 20% of the population. However, the genes and molecules that are responsible for human skin development and disease are not fully understood, preventing the development of treatment options. This proposal seeks to better understand one disease in particular, linear morphea, a form of Sclerederma that can affect the skin, muscle, and bone. This study will recruit subjects to collect and use skin tissue for the purpose of identifying the genetic causes of linear morphea.

Chronic venous leg ulcers (CVLUs) affect millions of individuals worldwide, causing considerable suffering, disability and poor quality of life. The objective of this study is to assess stressors, symptoms, and biomarkers associated with lonely and non-lonely adults living with CVLUs. The results from this study are expected to improve our understanding of the mechanisms in the body that are common to loneliness and inflammation and lead towards to the development of a tool that can predict wound healing potential among persons with chronic wounds.

The purpose of this research study is to find out if a wearable bandage with sensors in it and over a chronic wound can accurately tell if a patient's wound is healing or not. Normally, clinician inspection of the wound along with swab cultures are used to assess the healing status of chronic wounds. This study employs artificial intelligence techniques through deep machine learning to look for predictive modeling of wound healing from wound fluid. 10 participants will be enrolled at the UNC Pardee Wound Healing Clinic in North Carolina, USA.

Meniere's disease is a common cause of vertigo that becomes more common with age. Unfortunately, Meniere's disease and vestibular migraine have significant overlap and are sometimes difficult to diagnose. This is due to a lack of understanding of the true cause of Meniere's disease. Due to the lack of a biomarker (an objective test), the diagnosis of Meniere's disease has been based on clinical history and hearing loss. We are exploring ways to differentiate Meniere's disease and vestibular migraine, potentially through a lab test. In addition, identifying biomarkers may help early diagnosis and direct more personalized treatment strategies, especially early on before hearing loss occurs.

The purpose of this research is to treat disseminated actinic porokeratosis (DSAP) with cholesterol/lovastatin or lovastatin alone. The goal of treatment is to decrease (DSAP) lesions after 12 weeks of treatment and compare which treatment is best.

The study is single-blinded and randomized, meaning the patients will not be told of which treatment they will receive, and the decision of which treatment they will receive will be completely random. The patient will also agree to close up photographs and clinical photographs taken of their disseminated actinic porokeratosis at the initial visit. At weeks 4, 8, and 12, the patients will complete a virtual visit. The subject will take a picture (phone camera/digital camera) of their lesions/skin markings with a measuring instrument. These photos will be shared with the investigators. Physical exam, photographs, and a review of of the subjects medical records will occur in the study. Changes in size, appearance, and pain will be monitored throughout the study.

The possible benefit of joining this study is that the treatment received may be more effective than the other study treatment or than other available treatments for DSAP, although this cannot be guaranteed.

The goal of the COSMID (Comparison of Surgery and Medicine on the Impact of Diverticulitis) trial is to determine if elective colectomy is more effective than best medical management for patients with quality of life-limiting diverticular disease. The COSMID trial focuses on both patient-reported outcomes and clinical outcomes that matter to patients. The results are expected to establish an evidence-based approach to the care of millions of patients per year in the United States and help people impacted by this common condition make more informed treatment decisions.

Outcomes following a breast cancer diagnosis are different by race and ethnicity with African American women having poorer survival compared to Caucasian women. Research has shown that differences in personal health factors can contribute to breast cancer outcomes and explain racial differences. This study will examine how personal-level factors relating to biological, psychological, and physiological issues play a role in outcomes among African American breast cancer survivors.

Candidates for this study may or may not report disturbances in odor perception as their primary reason for seeking treatment at MUSC. This study is designed to collect long term, observational data from patients who are being treated with routine clinical care in health clinics at MUSC. Data from clinical questionnaires will be de-identified and stored in a database.

The goal of this study is to learn more about lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus; SLE), which affect African-Americans more than other groups. The purpose of this study is to understand what role microbes living in the intestine (called microbiota) have in causing lupus. This study will include males and females of all ethnic backgrounds who have SLE, individuals who have immediate family members with SLE, and unrelated healthy volunteers. For subject recruitment, CCCR/MCRC databases including the longitudinal SLE in Gullah Health (SLEIGH) study as well as the chart review will be used to screen for eligibility. The study is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health.

It is important to understand multiple personal-level factors that impact disease risks and outcomes to determine the most effective ways to establish precise medical strategies to prevent, diagnose, and treat chronic health conditions and diseases. This is especially important among minority and underserved populations that would benefit from more tailored healthcare approaches. This study will develop and assess strategies for circulating evidence about precision medicine and improving precision medicine approaches.