This study aims to understand how different types of potassium from food affect people with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). Potassium is a nutrient found in many foods, but when kidney function is reduced, managing potassium levels becomes challenging. We will compare the effects of potassium from minimally processed foods, like fresh fruits and vegetables, to potassium from ultra-processed foods, such as packaged or fast foods. The goal is to determine which sources of potassium are safer for CKD patients and to improve dietary guidelines, allowing for healthier and more enjoyable food choices without increasing health risks.

Women with PCOS have an increased risk of heart disease. Those with PCOS are commonly prescribed metformin to treat altered blood glucose levels and risk of diabetes, however this drug does not target the blood fats that cause heart disease. In a pilot study we have shown fish oil in addition to metformin for 12 weeks can improve blood fats that cause heart disease in young women with PCOS. In this study we will investigate the effectiveness of fish oil in addition to standard of care metformin to reduce progression of early heart and blood vessel disease in those with PCOS. We currently lack safe and effective treatments that improve blood fats and heart health in high-risk young women with PCOS.

The development of new tests to diagnose and stratify cardiac disease remains one of the greatest unmet clinical needs in the field. This study aims to discover, develop, and validate “liquid biopsy” tests that are more sensitive, more accurate and more cost-effective than current tests for coronary artery disease. This is a minimal risk, non-interventional study using blood samples from participants that have donated their specimens to different institutions for research. In this study we will evaluate the utility of novel tests to diagnose coronary artery disease and/or to predict treatment responses.

This study will find out whether finerenone (which is the drug we will be investigating in this study) can lower the risk of heart failure and death in patients who are hospitalized with heart failure.

Diabetes remission can be defined as achieving blood glucose levels below the diabetes range, without needing to take any diabetes medication. Shorter-term remission of type 2 diabetes has been achieved through low energy diets. However, the combined effects of low energy diets and supervised exercise on diabetes remission have not been examined. Therefore, the aim of this trial is to optimize remission strategies for early onset diabetes by combining low energy diets with structured exercise training.

Adult Degenerative Scoliosis is a common spinal deformity. Prior research showed that scoliosis-specific exercises can improve pain, quality of life, and disability but, Schroth exercises have not been tested in adults. This pilot study aims to: 1) Determine the recruitment rate; 2) Demonstrate the feasibility; and 3) Estimate the effect for all outcomes. Participants randomised to Schroth treatment will receive 5 one on one and 9 group exercise sessions over 3 months. Controls will receive the current treatment standard. We will assess changes in posture, back extensor endurance, function, pain, and quality of life. 3D Ultrasound imaging of the spine will help measure curve angles, and vertebra rotation.

For parents of children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), known SMA carriers, and adult patients, thoughts about carrier testing, prenatal testing, and reproductive decision-making exist at a nexus. The recent availability of a promising new gene therapy adds further complexity. Little is known about the knowledge and attitudes of these individuals in this area; understanding their views will help us better care for SMA patients. In this dual-phase study (survey followed by interviews), we aim to address this knowledge gap and explore the knowledge and attitudes of parents of affected individuals, adult SMA carriers, and adult SMA patients related to gene therapy, carrier screening, prenatal testing, and family planning.

This project aims to study people with rare genetic conditions like 17q12 and others with commonly occurring genetic causes of autism and psychiatric disorders to understand how genetic data can improve overall care. The study plans to enroll 240 families with at least one person affected by autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders. It involves a consent procedure, research interview, and a follow-up interview after two years. Genetic testing is important but not standardized for autism treatment. The researchers aim to develop a systematic approach to using genetic data for treatment in the future.

Transplant recipients are at high risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes. For transplant recipients surviving COVID-19 and/or experiencing the extreme stress associated with the pandemic was not only hard on them but their caregivers as well. Adults with organ transplants are generally excluded from studies because they do not easily fit into standardized protocols used for other high-risk groups. How the pandemic has affected transplant patients and their family physically, mentally and economically has not been investigated. This project will provide the actionable knowledge needed by policymakers to create clinical guidelines, and to support transplant patients and their families.

Three-dimensional ultrasound imaging of the heart is widely available and cost-effective. However, in many patients the heart function cannot be assessed because of poor image quality. Our group has developed a new technique for three-dimensional imaging of the heart – robot-arm assisted 3D Echocardiography to improve image quality. A robot-arm is used to move the probe which transmits the ultrasound and precisely records the position of the probe on the chest. We expect that this method allows to measure the heart function in more patients. This would reduce the need for injections of contrast agents or referrals to magnetic resonance imaging in the future.