Clinical trials

The goal of this study is to investigate the long-term changes in host epigenetic modifications in obese individuals with periodontitis. The aims of the study are: • To monitor longitudinal changes in host epigenetic modifiers following non-surgical periodontal therapy in periodontitis patients Study subjects would be categorized into two groups, non-obese with periodontitis, and obese with periodontitis. The study will primarily evaluate changes among these groups cross-sectionally, then longitudinally following non-surgical periodontal therapy (deep cleaning) to determine if any changes occur with treatment.

This study aims to reduce disparities and the burden of lung cancer among African American smokers by supporting a Multiple-level intervention integrating lung cancer screening and smoking cessation (MILS), followed the NIH DEIA strategies using multilevel interventions that impact determinants of health and address health disparities at appropriate time points across the life course.

The Impact of Health Literacy on the Attitudes toward Pharmacological Treatment in Patients with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder This interventional study is aimed at: * assessing and improving the health literacy and * assessing the attitude towards treatment of patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders while they are admitted to the inpatient psychiatric unit.

People with HIV who drink alcohol are at increased risk for accelerated aging biology, including increased immune senescence. This randomized, double-blind, crossover clinical trial evaluates two generally recognized as safe (GRAS) microbiota-targeted interventions on immune senescence biomarkers.

The purpose of the study is to evaluate whether N1 dental implants are successful when a final crown is placed on them at 6 weeks from implant placement surgery.

The primary objective of this study is to determine the magnitude and breadth of the serum antibody response to the nonavalent HPV vaccine (Gardasil-9) in adults with well-controlled HIV infection. The secondary objectives of the study are to observe short term clinical outcomes of prevalent HPV genotype-specific anogenital infections in adults living with HIV who complete the three-dose Gardasil-9 vaccine series, and to determine the protection afforded by Gardasil vaccine over time in previously vaccinated adults living with HIV. The clinical hypothesis is that adults with virologically controlled HIV mount a serum antibody response to the nonavalent HPV vaccine that is comparable to HIV negative counterparts. We also postulate that HPV vaccination will provide short-term clinical benefit against HPV infections and disease associated with vaccine genotypes and continuing protection against vaccine genotypes of HPV over time.

The goal of this randomized control clinical trial is to learn if virtual reality can be used to treat sickle cell pain in children. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does virtual reality reduce pain severity during a child's hospital stay for a vaso-occlusive pain crisis? Does virtual reality decrease the daily use of opiates? Researchers will compare standard therapy to the use of standard therapy plus a daily virtual reality experience to see if virtual reality works to treat sickle cell pain. All patients will: \- Be asked to fill out a pain assessment survey three times daily for up to 3 days If randomized to intervention arm, patients will: * Participate in an immersive virtual reality experience once daily for up to 3 days * Fill out a survey twice daily to monitor for side effects from virtual reality experience * Fill out a satisfaction survey once during the study period

The goal of this clinical trial is to see if patients deciding their own follow up times can increase the effectiveness of botulinum toxin (BTX or "Botox") injection for overactive bladder (OAB). The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does the time between repeat injections differ from the 6-month standard when it is based on patient symptoms alone? * Does symptom control or patient satisfaction change when patients control their own follow up times? Participants will undergo standard botulinum toxin injection into the bladder for OAB treatment and will then be randomly assigned to follow up either at a standard 6-month interval or whenever they feel their symptoms return.

Purpose: It is unknown whether instillation of a drop of anesthetic ophthalmic solution into the eye such as proparacaine hydrochloride 0.5% prior to probing and irrigation of the tear duct (lacrimal drainage) system improves participant comfort during the procedure. To date, there have been no formal studies evaluating the possible benefit of this pretreatment. Methods: Participants 18 years and older who present to the Louisiana State University or associated outpatient ophthalmology clinic(s) with a complaint of epiphora (excessive tearing) who necessitate bilateral lower lid probing and irrigation of the lacrimal drainage system will be enrolled in the study. One eye will be randomized to receive a drop of the anesthetic Proparacaine hydrochloride 0.5% and the other eye will receive a control drop of Balanced Salt Solution (BSS). Probing and irrigation will then be performed in the usual fashion. The participant will then be questioned via survey on a pain scale of 1-5 as to the amount of subjective pain experienced on each side during the procedure. Expected Results: Investigators expect participants will experience statistically significantly less pain in eyes that have received a drop of Proparacaine hydrochloride 0.5% prior to performance of probing and irrigation compared to the eyes which have received the control drop.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a serious condition characterized by a mean pulmonary artery pressure \>=25mmHg on right heart catheterization (RHC). Despite advances in PH care, outcomes are still sub-optimal and further research is required into the pathobiology of the disease and development of biomarkers that can guide clinical care. The investigators are establishing a biobank to collect samples (blood, urine, stool) from patients with pulmonary hypertension, patients at high risk for pulmonary hypertension, healthy controls, and patients undergoing right heart catheterization. Specimens will be stored for future investigations.