Clinical Trials

To determine the mechanism of monocyte priming in humans, the study team will conduct a complete feeding trial in normal weight and metabolically healthy human subjects (20-45 years of age) using a western diet (WD), characterized as being high-saturated fat, high-fructose, and high-calorie for 8 weeks.

This work will address clinical unmet needs for patients with lipedema using advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods, in sequence with portable clinical tools, by testing fundamental hypotheses regarding potential screening methods, lymphatic therapy, and vascular dysfunction in patients with lipedema.

he overarching goal of this application is to develop and pilot test a web-based application (app) that will increase access to healthier foods and beverages in low-income urban communities in the United States.

The purpose of the study is to test how dietary habit interventions affect patients weight loss outcomes after bariatric surgery.

The purpose of the study is to compare dietary habits after bariatric surgery in patients with poor weight loss versus good weight loss outcomes.

This is an efficacy trial to assess a culturally adapted 'Healthy Dads Healthy Kids' for Hispanic families.

This randomized-controlled pilot study will examine the implementation of a cardiovascular health intervention on postpartum mothers and infants.

The development of type II diabetes (T2D) is strongly associated with obesity and both are well-established risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Knowing that vascular dysfunction is an early event in the development of cardiovascular disease in obese diabetic (OB-T2D) patients, The investigators set their long-term goal to define molecular mechanisms of vascular dysfunction and corrective strategies that target these mechanisms such as physical activity and weight loss. The investigators recently discovered that human adipose tissues release extracellular vesicles (adiposomes) that are efficiently captured by endothelial cells. Adiposomes are known to carry bioactive cargos such as proteins and micro RNAs; however, their lipid content has not been studied nor has their ability to transfer their lipid cargo to endothelial cells. In the current application, the investigators propose to investigate the role of adiposomes in communicating the unhealthy milieu, mainly dysregulated lipids, to endothelial cells in OB-T2D subjects. On top of these lipid species that the investigators propose to be carried by adiposomes are glycosphingolipids (GSLs). These lipids originate from the glycosylation of ceramides, a chemical process that is upregulated in the presence of inflammation and high glucose levels. Preliminary findings showed that in endothelial cells, GSL-rich adiposomes disturb plasma membrane structure and subsequently induce endothelial dysfunction. Moreover, the investigators found that preconditioning endothelial cells with high shear stress (which is an exercise mimetic) protected endothelial cells from the detrimental effects induced by adiposomes. Therefore, the central hypothesis is that adipose tissues in OB-T2D patients release GSL-loaded adiposomes that induce vascular endothelial dysfunction. The researchers propose that exercise and weight loss interventions (bariatric surgery) will restore adipose tissue homeostasis, reduce GSL-loaded adiposomes, and subsequently alleviate vascular risk in OB-T2D patients. The investigators will test the hypotheses by pursuing the following aims: aim 1: Investigate the role of GSL-rich adiposomes in the pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunction in OB-T2D adults; aim 2: Test the effectiveness of exercise training in reducing adiposome-mediated effects on vascular function; and aim 3: Examine changes in adiposome/caveolae axis following metabolic surgery and their association with vascular function.

The investigators in this study will develop, implement and evaluate the feasibility of a Baltimore Urban food Distribution (BUD) web-based application (app) to improve access to affordable, healthier products from local producers/wholesalers in 38 urban corner stores in low-income Baltimore neighborhoods, using a randomized controlled trial design and assess its impact on store stocking and sales.

The main aim of this effort is to test a physical activity intervention, for adult clinical care patients at risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The intervention includes social-cognitive theory-based sessions, remote coaching, a body worn physical activity tracker (PAT), and is delivered online over one year. The investigators hypothesis that this intervention will be more successful at increasing physical activity (defined as objectively measured step counts and % of individuals meeting the moderate-vigorous physical activity goal) as an active control group who receives a body worn PAT and information on the CDC activity recommendations. The proposed intervention will be aligned with efforts by the US Centers for Disease Control to increase population physical activity levels and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) to increase physical activity prescription in primary care.