Clinical Trials

The purpose of this study is to determine the occurrence of scarring of the heart (cardiac fibrosis) and inflammation in those with perinatally acquired Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection compared to people not infected with HIV. The information learned from this research may help the investigator to better understand the link between cardiac fibrosis and cardiac dysfunction and inflammation in those with perinatally acquired HIV infection compared to the uninfected.

This project will determine the health impact of parenthood on people with cystic fibrosis (CF). The study team will use retrospective data to provide relatively immediate evidence on parenthood's effect on pulmonary health.

The purpose of this study is to look at lung ventilation in people with cystic fibrosis over time (1 year) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with an inhaled contrast gas, and compare these measures to lung function assessed by spirometry and multiple breath nitrogen washout. This study also looks at how these measures change in response to a pulmonary exacerbation and treatment (if applicable). Over the span of a year, participants would be asked to complete 3-5 visits to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC). with each lasting up to 4 hours. If participants do not have a pulmonary exacerbation during the year they would be asked to complete 3 visits (one at enrollment, a second roughly 2 weeks later, and the third approximately a year later). If participants do experience a CF pulmonary exacerbation they would complete 5 visits (Visit 1, Visit 2, two exacerbation visits with one before treatment and the other after, and Visit 3 at one year after Visit 1). Only one exacerbation per participant will be tracked. Participants are eligible for this study if they are 18 years old or older, have Cystic Fibrosis (CF) with mild lung disease (FEV1 >/= 60%), and can undergo an MRI. There are no known benefits for participating in this study.

Are you a Hispanic father with a child between 5 and 11 years old? If so, would you be interested in learning how to prevent obesity for you and your child? Researchers are studying whether a father-child together program helps Hispanic dads and their children learn and use healthy behaviors to prevent obesity. You may be able to join if you are 65 or younger and have a child who is between 5 and 11 years old. Stepfathers, grandfathers, uncles, or older brothers may be able to join as well. The study is taking place in Houston, Texas.

Do you have overweight or obesity? Researchers are testing whether messages sent through a mobile app can help people lose weight. To participate, you must be 18 to 39 years and own a smartphone with a data and text messaging plan. The study is taking place in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Does your child have higher triglyceride levels but normal cholesterol levels? This study is testing whether a protein supplement called carnitine can help prevent blood vessel stiffness in teenagers who have metabolic syndrome or other risk factors for heart and blood vessel diseases. Participants in this study must be between 13 and 19 years old and have moderate to high blood triglyceride levels but normal blood cholesterol levels. This study takes place in Houston, Texas.

Are you an adult with both asthma and obesity? This study is testing whether a medicine called L-citrulline can help treat asthma and improve lung function in people who have obesity. To participate in this study, you must be 18 to 65 years old and have asthma and obesity. This study takes place in Durham, North Carolina.

Are you an adult who has overweight or obesity and would be interested in a weight-loss study? This study is testing whether a medicine called phentermine is safe and effective for treating obesity over a long period. This study has multiple locations in the United States.