Walking after a lower extremity amputation is often difficult. It is important that researchers and clinicians understand the mechanisms that inhibit normal walking function. In this study, we are recruiting individuals with lower extremity limb loss for a walking and balance investigation. We will also be studying matched healthy controls to do similar study procedures. All study procedures will occur on the campus of MUSC by a licensed Physical Therapist and experienced researcher. Any questions should be directed to the coordinator listed.
This study is for patients that have been diagnosed with Germ Cell Tumors. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether a strategy of complete surgical resection followed by surveillance can maintain an overall survival rate of at least 95.7% at two years for pediatric, adolescent and adult patients (ages 0- 50 years) with Stage I (low risk) malignant germ cell tumors, and at least 98% for patients with ovarian pure immature teratoma. The drugs used in this study are carboplatin and cisplatin. Participants will be followed for up to 10 years.
This study is for patients who have been diagnosed with a form of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) called Philadelphia chromosome positive (Ph+) ALL. The purpose of this study is to compare disease free survival (DFS) of Standard Risk (SR) pediatric Ph+ ALL treated with continuous imatinib combined with either a high-risk COG ALL chemotherapy backbone or the more intensive EsPhALL chemotherapy backbone. A drug called imatinib in combination with chemotherapy will be given. Participants can expect to be in this study for up to 2 years and their health followed for up to 10 years.
Pain control after tonsillectomy is imperative but often difficult. Current post-operative pain medication regimens include opioid analgesics and are often still inadequate. Though not standard of care, it is our practice to prescribe a single dose of oral steroid medication on the third day after surgery, when pain and swelling are at their peak, in order to assist with pain control and reduce opioid consumption. Though this practice has a rational theoretical basis, there is no prospective data supporting or discounting it. We aim to compare pain control, opioid consumption, and complication rates in children receiving post-operative steroids versus those who do not.
The purpose of this study is to gather feedback to inform the development of a web-based tool that provides screening and education about alcohol use following interpersonal violence. People who have experienced sexual assault or domestic violence in the last year and drink alcohol, or are currently in treatment for alcohol use, will be asked to provide feedback about a web-based tool for alcohol use. 60-minute interviews will be conducted and will involve viewing the content of the web-based tool and providing feedback. Additionally, feedback given during interviews will be analyzed and then individuals who have used the web-based tool will complete a survey following the tool use if they report using substances. The tool will be tested for use with English and Spanish speakers.
Additionally, the web-based tool will be adapted for use among SMW and TGD survivors of sexual assault. Two areas of the original tool will be adapted: 1) psychoeducation and normative feedback will be made specific to SMW and TGD people's experiences, and 2) sexual and gender minority stress content will be added (i.e., information about sexual and gender-identity related stressors and their association with distress and alcohol use). We will gather feedback via qualitative interviews from 30 SMW and TGD survivors of sexual assault who report alcohol misuse or heavy drinking in the past month.
Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) related pulmonary arterial hypertension (SScPAH) have a worse prognosis than those with idiopathic PAH. We have recently discovered that heart cells in SScPAH do not contract or squeeze as well as in other forms of pulmonary hypertension. However, the mechanism leading to this dysfunction is not understood. To better study this and in hopes of developing a future therapy, we plan to collect tissue samples via a heart biopsy at the time of a clinically indicated heart catheterization.
The purpose of the study is to generate a bio bank of specimens for research. We will tissue that would otherwise be discarded from clinical or surgical procedure and information from medical records. We will also collect discarded blood, urines and sputum. Collecting samples will help to better understanding the mechanisms of cardiovascular diseases, identify biomarkers for early diagnosis and to predict safety and efficacy of new therapies.
This study is for patients who have mantle cell lymphoma. The investigational drugs used in this study are rituxan hycela and rituximab. The purpose of this research study is to determine whether an autotransplant improves survival in MCL patients who have achieved an excellent (MRD-negative) first complete remission (CR). Participants can expect to be in this study for up to 3 years and then followed for up to 10 years to monitor their health.
The purpose of this study is to determine if a procedure called Endoscopic Retrograde CholangioPancreatography (ERCP) with sphincterotomy reduces the risk of pancreatitis or the number of recurrent pancreatitis episodes in patients with pancreas divisum. ERCP with sphincterotomy is a procedure where doctors used a combination of x-rays and an endoscope (a long flexible lighted tube) to find the opening of the duct where fluid drains out of the pancreas. People who have been diagnosed with pancreas divisum, have had at least two episodes of pancreatitis, and are candidates for the ERCP with sphincterotomy procedure may be eligible to participate. Participants will be will be randomly assigned to either have the ERCP with sphincterotomy procedure, or to have a "sham" procedure, meaning that you will be treated as if you are having the ERCP with sphincterotomy procedure but the procedure will not really be performed. Participants will have follow up visits 30 days after the procedure, 6 months after the procedure, and continuing every 6 months until the study ends.
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has shown the potential to improve symptoms in patients with motor deficits, however its effects have not been consistent in randomized studies to date, limiting widespread adoption of this technology. A critical gap in our knowledge is a detailed understanding of how tDCS affects motor areas in the brain. We propose using tDCS while recording directly from motor cortex using subdural electrocorticography (sECoG) in patients undergoing deep brain stimulation surgery. We expect this novel approach to broaden our understanding of tDCS application and possibly lead to therapeutic advances in this population.