Obesity is one of the main risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) and heart attacks. However, the biological role of fat (adipose) tissue in our body is not completely understood. We aim to investigate the relationships between molecules produced by adipose tissue and the risk of developing CHD and heart attacks by examining several key mechanisms involved, such as oxidative stress (the production of toxic free radicals) inside the blood vessel wall and in the heart muscle (myocardium). Patients scheduled ...

GO TO STUDY

Systemic IgG4 disease may affect multiple organs in the body, and is characterised by tissue infiltration with immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-positive plasma cells. The disease may affect the pancreas, the biliary tract, the lungs, the kidneys and other body organs. The disease may mimic cancer, leading to distress and unnecessary invasive surgery if misdiagnosed. There is little understanding of the natural history of disease. The extent (prevalence) of disease is currently unclear. Diagnosis is based upon a combination of serological, radiological and histopathological ...

GO TO STUDY

The primary objective of this proposal is to identify new genetic causes of craniofacial malformation. The major benefits from this endeavour are improved diagnosis, genetic counselling, carrier and prenatal testing, and prognostic information. Secondary objectives are estimates of the prevalence of different genetic variations and their range of consequences for the phenotype and prognosis. The research may also identify environmental factors that influence craniofacial malformation.

GO TO STUDY

The Activation of Coagulation & Inflammation in Trauma (ACIT) study is designed to identify the clinically significant mechanisms by which the body’s inflammation and coagulation pathways are activated immediately following major trauma. Severely injured patients are enrolled into the study in the emergency department, where blood samples are collected immediately, then at 24 and 72 hours post admission. Patients who are actively bleeding in the emergency department have additional samples taken after administration of the 4th, 8th and 12th units of ...

GO TO STUDY

UK-wide study of children and young people with juvenile-onset SLE. The aims of establishing a collaborative national Cohort Study and Repository of patients with JSLE with comprehensive collection of clinical data as well as biological samples are to: 1. Facilitate hypothesis driven research into JSLE 2. Determine the demographics of JSLE 3. Perform descriptive analyses of disease presentation, activity, and damage in JSLE and response to medication 4. Determine prognostic markers in JSLE 5. Establish the mortality rate of patients with JSLE and describe the causes of death 6. Determine the long-term ...

GO TO STUDY

The PBC Genetics Study is a national effort to establish a PBC DNA collection consisting of DNA samples from approximately 5000 patients with PBC. The DNA collection has already been used for a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of PBC. The next major analysis will be a genome wide association study of response to Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA).

GO TO STUDY

To identify mutation carriers in collaboration with the NHS Regional Genetics Services and recruit them and their relatives. This will allow the identification of genetic and environmental modifiers on colorectal cancer.

GO TO STUDY

The OXVASC study is a community-based study of all acute vascular events occuring in a population of approximately 91,000 people registered with 9 GP practices (approximately 70 GPs) in Oxfordshire. The study acsertains and recruits patients admitted to local hospitals following transient ischaemic attacks, strokes, acute coronary syndromes and acute peripheral vascular disease events. Patients recruited undergo a detailed interview and collection of blood samples and regular follow up. The study also provides an emergency referral clinic for ...

GO TO STUDY