ANZCTR search results

The main purpose of this study is to assess the frequency of emergence of oseltamivir and zanamivir resistant influenza viruses, and their virological characteristics, in patients treated with oseltamivir and zanamivir for influenza caused by A/H1N1 2009 (‘swine flu’) and other human influenza viruses during periods of high transmission. Limited clinical information will also be collected. Patients with clinical symptoms indicative of influenza, who present within 72 h of the onset of fever during confirmed influenza activity in the community, will be randomized to receive immediate treatment with oseltamivir or zanamivir according to standard age appropriate dose. Patients will have baseline virus samples taken for typing and oseltamivir and zanamivir sensitivity and also on completion of treatment (After 5 days of treatment). Limited clinical information will also be collected.

In Australia, many hospitalisations and deaths from whooping cough (pertussis) occur in babies less than 2 months old. Currently when babies are between 6-8 weeks old they are given a vaccine against pertussis. The aim of this study is to see if giving babies the pertussis vaccine (Pa vaccine) earlier than 6 weeks old means that they are better protected. This study is looking at just how early antibodies to protect against pertussis develop and whether babies given either one dose at birth and again at 6 weeks old or just at 6 weeks will make antibodies earlier than the current schedule. This study is also being conducted in Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth.

Dexamethasone is a drug commonly given to prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting. It also has properties that dampen the body's immune response to infection. In this study, we propose to examine healthy volunteers who were either given placebo or dexamethasone in 2mg, 4mg or 8 mg. Blood samples were taken before and after the intervention to determine the effect that they have on the immune system.

This is a prospective cohort single centre study, examining the relationship between serum levels of Cystatin C and Procalcitonin, and post-operative adverse outcomes in high risk cardiac surgery patients.

The efficacy of hydrotherapy to land based therapy in th early to mid stages of Parkinson's disease

Single centre double blinded randomised trial comparing Levosimendan with Dobutamine in high risk cardiac surgery patients.

Aims of this project: *To investigate if whole body vibration training is effective and well tolerated over the short-to medium-term. *Medium-term home based training program will evaluate if whole body vibration training influences:- mobility, muscle power and force, muscle mass & bone mass. The hypothesis:- *Is that over a six month period the aims of effectivness and tolerance can be noted in children with Osteogenesis Imperfecta.

In type-2 diabetes, tissues become ‘insulin resistant’ and blood glucose and insulin levels rise. The incidence of type-2 diabetes is increasing in Australia, and Tasmania has a particularly high prevalence. Control of plasma glucose and insulin levels are important in the prevention and management of type-2 diabetes. This is also important to reduce the subsequent risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We have previously shown that chilli, a commonly used spice helps in improving blood glucose as well as insulin levels in generally healthy humans. These results were more pronounced in overweight and obese individuals – i.e. those individuals who have a known predisposition to type-2 diabetes and CVD. We aim to extend this work in type-2 diabetics to assess if the beneficial effects of chilli are also presented or perhaps enhanced, in type-2 diabetics. We will assess post-meal (up to two hours) effects of a bland (spice free) and a chilli-containing meal on plasma glucose and insulin concentration and blood vessel function, in a group of type-2 diabetics. If the anticipated results i.e. improvements in glucose and insulin profile and possibly in blood vessel function, are observed in the proposed investigation, this cheap, readily available and commonly used spice may be used to help control diabetes and prevent the onset of CVD.

Survey study of the attitudes of pregnant women towards three types of antenatal maternity record

Early detection of cancer and advances in cancer treatment has allowed most people with cancer to survive at least 5 years from diagnosis. The wide range of needs associated with cancer survivorship is often overlooked. Follow-up care has been adopted to aid the detection of recurrence, promote behavioural changes and facilitate psychosocial adjustments. Follow-up care when performed by cancer specialists is not cost-effective and puts undue load on the cancer clinics. Most recurrences occur between appointments with a specialist and are detected by general practitioners (GPs). Currently, services offered by allied health professionals (AHP) are uncoordinated; patients thus face the likelihood of duplication of treatments, increased financial burden or incomplete care. We propose a feasibility study for cancer follow-up within a primary care setting based on the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) model.