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Our group has recently found that women with primary Sjogren’s syndrome (an autoimmune disease causing dry eyes and mouth) are considerably more likely to suffer obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) compared to women without Sjogren’s syndrome. OSA is a common condition in which the upper airway repeatedly closes during sleep and can lead to severe daytime sleepiness, one of the common problems reported by Sjogren’s sufferers. A likely key cause of OSA in Sjogren’s syndrome is reduced and stickier airway secretions that may predispose to airway obstruction and disturbed sleep at night. Recent research in OSA patients without Sjogren’s syndrome has shown that lubricating the upper airway with a substance called surfactant improves OSA. Surfactants are naturally produced in the lung and work by decreasing the “stickiness” (surface tension) of fluids. Therefore, at least in OSA patients without Sjogren’s syndrome, surfactants applied to the upper airway appear to help the airway to stay open and reopen more easily if it becomes closed. Women with Sjogren’s syndrome are likely to similarly benefit from this form of treatment. The aim of this study is to determine whether the topical application of surfactant in women with primary Sjogren’s Syndrome who have obstructive sleep apnoea as well, will reduce the severity of their OSA and salivary stickiness and will improve their symptoms of overnight dryness and general morning well-being or not.

This project aims to see if a 4 week rehabilitation program will improve the health of older people living in an aged care facility who have recently had a hip fracture.

This study will evaluate a new model of care which aims to improve the introduction process for new patients coming into the palliaitve care service. Palliative care is based on a philosphy that acknowledges the physical, social, psychological, spiritual and cultural elements which make up the total patient. By introducing a comprehensive multidisciplinary assessment process it is hoped that patients will feel that they have been understood and that their presenting illness is understood within a context of their own value and belief base. As a result of this multidisciplinary assessment clinic the care plan will reflect the domains of care that contribute to 'good palliative care'and that patients and their families will have a solid understanding of what they can expect from a referral to a specialist palliative care service.

Malnutrition is a significant and highly prevalent problem in those undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD), and has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality. PD patients often experience gastrointestinal symptoms and together with a fluid restricted diet can limit the tolerance to nutritional supplements. The goal of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of provision of a nutritional supplement, given as a liquid (drink) or a food (snack bar) for improving the health outcomes of PD patients who are malnourished.

The Brien Holden Vision Institute (previously known as the Institute for Eye Research) conducted a clinical trial to test commercially-available multifocal contact lenses for their potential to control the progression of myopia in children(IERP2007-009, ACTRN12611001148965). The trial was completed in 2008. Approximately half of the 40 children who participated in trial IERP2007-009 were enrolled in a subsequent myopia control trial at the Brien Holden Vision Institute (IER2008-001, ACTRN12611001141932) in which all participants wore the test product of trial IERP2007-009. This research is based on the hypothesis that the peripheral retina plays a role in controlling the refractive development of the eye as shown in animal experiments (Smith et al. 2007).

This is a pilot study looking into safety of giving bolus of ropivacaine followed by continous infusion for 48 hrs in Transversus Abdominis Plane Block. Safety of this regime will be established by serial blood samples to analyse toal & free ropivacaine concentration , Serail ECG 's looking into QTc interval & patient will be observed for sign & symptoms of Local anaesthetic toxicity

The main aims of the study are to: 1. Determine the feasibility of conducting a 14- week Tai Chi or Yoga program in a residential care setting. 2. Observe and record the modified Tai Chi and Yoga approaches used for older people with different levels of balance ability 3. Determine the feasibility of detecting changes in balance, pain experience, quality of life and incidence of falls in older residents who follow the Yoga/ Tai Chi programs compared to those who receive usual care.

This study will evaluate which ocular measures of alertness are capable of detecting driving impairment during a two hour track driving session. Drivers will be assessed twice: once when rested and once following 30 hours of continuous wakefulness. Additional assessments of reaction time and sustained attention will be undertaken. These findings will help to determine the validity of ocular measures as a tool for fatigue detection, with the aim of reducing sleep-related motor vehicle accidents. In addition, ten professional drivers will be observed carrying out their normal driving duties for 2000km. Assessments will include lane deviation and ocular measures using Optalert. Daily measures of PVT performance and KSS scores will be taken.

This is a randomized, open-label, multicenter, Phase 3 study, comparing the efficacy and safety of eribulin with TPC in subjects with advanced NSCLC and disease progression following at least two prior regimens for advanced disease, which should have included a platinum-based regimen.

The study will be investigating the suspected causes of surgical wound dehiscence and will develop a diagnostic tool to be used in a clinical setting.