Clinical trials

Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is a major clinical challenge affecting a substantial proportion of patients with major depressive disorder who do not adequately respond to conventional antidepressant treatments. Intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS), a non-invasive neuromodulation technique targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, has emerged as an effective treatment option for these patients. However, the biological mechanisms underlying treatment response remain poorly understood. This single-center, prospective, investigator-initiated clinical study aims to investigate the effects of iTBS on clinical symptoms, executive functions, and peripheral inflammatory and neuroprotective biomarkers in patients with treatment-resistant depression. Fifty patients with treatment-resistant depression and fifty healthy control participants will be enrolled. Patients will receive active iTBS treatment for four weeks (20 sessions), while healthy controls will undergo baseline clinical, cognitive, and biological assessments without receiving any intervention. Clinical outcomes will be evaluated using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D-17), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Clinical Global Impression (CGI), and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Executive functions will be assessed using the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Trail Making Test A and B, and verbal fluency tests. Peripheral blood samples will be collected before and after treatment to measure inflammatory, neuroplasticity, and neuroprotective biomarkers, including IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), apolipoprotein D (APOD), serum amyloid A1 (SAA1), and serum amyloid A2 (SAA2). Gene expression analyses will also be performed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The study aims to identify biological mechanisms associated with iTBS treatment response and to explore potential biomarkers that may predict clinical improvement in patients with treatment-resistant depression. The findings may contribute to the development of personalized neuromodulation strategies and biomarker-guided treatment approaches for depression.

AKI causes high mortality and morbidity, especially in critically ill patients, and prolongs the patient's stay in the intensive care unit. Due to the high morbidity and mortality associated with AKI, many researchers are studying several new biomarkers for earlier detection of AKI, determination of etiologies, and prediction of outcomes. However, the use of these new biomarkers may be limited due to reimbursement issues. In addition to the therapeutic role of furosemide in fluid balance, blood pressure control, and hypercalcemia management, Chawla et al. recommend the furosemide stress test (FST) as a tool to predict AKI progression. Designing a test that predicts the probability of AKI progression will help us make better decisions regarding the optimal timing of RRT initiation. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using the FST test in determining the progression of AKI in patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit and the need for RRT using the noninvasive procedure furosemide stress test.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy is an approved and effective treatment option for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). This study aims to identify biomarkers that predict TMS treatment response in TRD, provide insights into the neurobiological mechanisms underlying TMS efficacy, and contribute to personalized treatment strategies. By establishing proteomic and metabolomic signatures, this research seeks to enhance clinical decision-making, reduce healthcare costs, and improve patient outcomes in TRD. The findings will align with the precision medicine movement in psychiatry, advancing biomarker-driven therapeutic approaches for treatment-resistant depression.

Acute kidney injury(AKI) is defined in the KDIGO guidelines as a ≥0.3 mg/dL (≥26.5 micromol/L) increase in serum creatinine in the previous 48 hours or a ≥1.5-fold increase in serum creatinine from baseline, known or presumed to have occurred in the previous seven days, or a urine volume \<0.5 mL/kg/hour for six hours. Given the high morbidity and mortality associated with AKI, many investigators are studying several novel biomarkers to detect AKI progression earlier, identify etiologies and predict outcomes. However, the utilisation of these novel biomarkers may be constrained by reimbursement considerations. The renal resistive index (RRI) is a well-established metric for evaluating renal perfusion; however, its application in the context of AKI has been a subject of recent debate. While RRI has been utilised to demonstrate perfusion in acute and chronic renal diseases, particularly in conjunction with ultrasonography, its efficacy remains a subject of scientific discourse. In addition, Boddi reported that RRI is a strong indicator of mortality and a diagnostic marker, especially in patients with persistent AKI. The present study aims to evaluate the appropriateness of using the RRI, a non-invasive procedure, to determine the progression of AKI stages and the need for renal replacement therapy in patients hospitalised in intensive care units.

Cancer is a disease that causes the most deaths worldwide and is challenging for patients and caregivers both physically and psychosocially. Physicians and nurses working in oncology clinics perform a demanding profession providing compassionate care and treatment to patients struggling with life-threatening diseases. The emotional cost of caring for patients diagnosed with cancer can lead to compassion fatigue, burnout, and decreased psychological well-being among healthcare professionals. For this reason, this research is planned as a randomized controlled study to examine the effect of Mindfulness meditation practice on compassion fatigue, burnout, and psychological well-being in physicians and nurses working in oncology units.