The rates of fatty liver (NAFLD) are rising rapidly and it is predicted to become the most common cause for liver transplant. Following transplant recurrence of NAFLD is common; 60% of patients have recurrence at 1-year post transplant and 80% at 5-years post transplant. Despite being common and affecting a large number of patients we still don't know all of the risk factors associated with recurrent or a new diagnosis of NAFLD following transplant. We also don't know what impact this disease has following transplant. The aim of this study is to study the incidence, risk factors, natural history and outcomes in patients with recurrent and de novo NAFLD following liver transplant.

CCUS refers to a goal-directed ultrasound examination performed directly by the treating health care provider to address questions relevant to the immediate care of a critically ill patient. Over the last 5 years, residency training programs in critical care medicine across Canada, have begun to incorporate CCUS education into their educational platform, but with disparate levels of faculty expertise. Over the last 5 years, the Department of Critical Care Medicine has worked hard to establish a CCUS training program for residents. To enhance this program, the same needs to be done for faculty across the Edmonton Zone. In this study, we will implement and evaluate the outputs of a CCUS curriculum designed for critical care faculty.

People with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are encouraged to increase their physical activity (PA). Increasing the amount of PA can be difficult, especially for those who experience barriers to exercise. Therefore, simply recommending that people with T1D preform more exercise may not be the most effective prescription in the long term. Recent short-term studies have s suggest that exercise performed before eating (fasted) causes blood sugars to decrease less or even increase, compared exercise performed after a meal, which usually causes blood sugar to decrease. We will be conducting the first longer-term study (i.e, 12 weeks) comparing the effects of exercise performed before or after eating breakfast in people with T1D.

This study is to learn more about physical exercise for people who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) within the last 3 years and who are not currently managed with medications to help us better understand what exercise guidelines should be used in the future. Potential participants will be checked for eligibility with physical and memory/thinking assessments, a blood draw, depression screening, and a brain scan (DaTscan). If eligible, participants will undergo more physical and memory/thinking assessments, questionnaires, blood draws, exercise tests, and brain scans. Participants will exercise, at a specific rate/intensity, 4 days/week for about 30 minutes. This study will last approximately 2 years (24-26 months).

Older men can experience accidental urine leaks (incontinence) whichleads to poor physical health and adverse social, emotional, and financialcosts. Sufferers may isolate themselves, avoid social activities,experience sexual problems, become depressed, and need medicalassistance. Despite being common in older men, it has received less attention than inolder women. We will develop a self-help tool to improve incontinence with an oldermen's and healthcare providers' group. Our self-help intervention may be produced in a variety of formats (digital, in-person workshops). The intervention will help users make changes so that desired outcomes,such as reduced symptoms and improved quality of life, may be achieved.

This study aims to compare two orthodontic expanders—Invisalign Palatal Expander (IPE) and Hyrax Expander (RPE)—to see which is more effective in improving nasal breathing, sleep quality, and jaw growth in children with a narrow upper jaw (maxillary transverse deficiency). The study will measure airflow, sleep patterns, and jaw changes over a year. By understanding how these devices affect breathing and jaw development, this research will help orthodontists choose the best treatment for children who need palatal expansion.

Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a protein known for protecting the brain by activating a specific receptor called tropomysin related kinase B (TrkB). Changes in BDNF/TrkB have been linked to certain brain diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). BDNF is known for its protective effects, but too much activation of BDNF/TrkB can actually harm motor neurons. In ALS, increased BDNF release causes excessive neuronal activity, leading to subsequent degeneration of motor neurons. To better understand how BDNF and its receptor TrkB affect the progression of ALS, we want to study their role, using a specialized brain scan, called “Quantitative [18F]TRACK-PET/MRI”.

To see if adding study drug to background SLE medications improves SLE.  Study 1 & 2 are identical but run separately. Study 1 (500 ptps) - 52 weeks - receive active study drug or fake drug. Study 2 (500 ptps) - 52 weeks - receive active study drug or fake drug. Study 3 - 52 weeks extension (receive real drug but are randomly re-assigned to 15 mg or 30 mg once a day. One safety follow-up visit, or phone call if a visit is not possible, 30 days after the last dose of study drug. The study drug is a pill, taken once a day by mouth. Assessments include lupus assessments by the study doctor, blood and urine tests, heart tracing (ECG), questionnaires that ask about lupus and how it affects quality of life.

The thought that urine would be sterile comes from the belief that that the urinary tract is a relatively hostile environment for bacteria. However, bacteria are able to protect themselves by grouping together within host cells (called urothelial cells in the urinary tract) and creating a protective film, this is called an intracellular bacterial biofilm (IBB). The presence of IBBs has been investigated in healthy adults but little is known about their presence in children. The purpose of this study is to try to estimate the presence of IBBS in urothelial cells found in children’s urine. We would also like to compare the bacterial DNA found in newborn baby’s urine to those in their mothers.

Are you 65 or older? We want to hear from you! Researchers at the University of Alberta are working to improve how quality of life is measured for older adults. By sharing your experiences, you can help make sure that future research better reflects the health and well-being of people your age. What’s involved? You’ll be invited to take part in a one-on-one in-person interview where you can share your thoughts, and you’ll complete a few short questionnaires about your background and quality of life. There are no risks associated with participating in this study. You will receive $50 cash as a thank you for your time.