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The ATAC trial is testing an alternative, new agent, to tamoxifen for women with early breast cancer. The new agent, Arimidex, is an aromatase inhibitor which acts to reduce the level of circulating oestrogen in post menopausal women. This drug seems to be well tolerated and also effective against breast cancer. The ATAC trial is a double blind study comparing 5 years of tamoxifen, with 5 years of Arimidex, and with 5 years of tamoxifen plus Arimidex. In addition, there are three very important sub studies which investigate the effects of the treatments on bone, the endometrium and quality of life (QOL). Australia had a high rate of recruitment to the QOL sub study and is also one of the few countries contributing to the endometrial sub study. The ATAC trial is one of the largest (over 9000 women internationally) and most rapidly completed breast cancer studies in the world. Active accrual to the main study and sub-studies was completed internationally in May 2000, and patient follow-up continues.

People with cancer of the oesophagus (gullet) often have trouble swallowing. Radiotherapy can help improve this problem. Using chemotherapy together with radiotherapy may work better but has more side effects. This trial will determine if it is better to use radiotherapy by itself or together with chemotherapy.

Breast milk is best for babies but is inadequate for very preterm infants without fortification with protein and some bone minerals. Currently, all breast milk for very preterm infants is fortified with a 'Human Milk Fortifier' but we're un-sure of the optimum level of protein that should be in the fortifier. This trial aims to determine if a higher level of protein added to fortifier will help preterm infants to grow better.

To investigate the effects of thigh muscles strengthening on knee joint loading and to examine if the effects are different in people with and without knee malalignment (bow legs)

Radiotherapy to the breast reduces the risk of cancer coming back for women with early breast cancer. This international study will determine if treating a larger area with radiotherapy can further improve the results.

This is a study of an experimental oral anti-cancer drug called CYT997, given every two weeks, to people with advanced cancer. You may be eligible to join this study if you have an advanced solid tumour cancer and a life expectancy of more than three months. CYT997 is an experimental anti-cancer agent which targets the blood supply to the tumour. Participants will receive CYT997 as an oral capsule dose on a two weekly cycle for up to six cycles. Most advanced cancers will eventually stop responding to cancer treatments. In this situation, for people who may be eligible for this drug trial, there may not be any alternative standard treatments. Participants will receive supportive care and symptomatic treatments during the trial, in addition to receiving CYT997. The major focus of this trial is to test the safety of CYT997 when given orally every 2 weeks. The trial also aims to assess the effect (good and bad) that CYT997 may have on you and your cancer. This involves finding out the highest dose of CYT997 that can be given without causing severe side effects. This is a study of an experimental oral anti-cancer drug called CYT997, given every two weeks, to people with advanced cancer. You may be eligible to join this study if you have any sort of solid cancer and a life expectancy of greater than three months. Participants receive oral capsules of CYT997, which is an experimental anti-cancer agent which targets the blood supply to the cancer. This trial aims to determine the safety and tolerability of CYT997 when given as an oral capsule dose on a two weekly cycle for up to six cycles. Most advanced cancers will eventually stop responding to cancer treatments. In this situation, there may not be an alternate standard treatment for people who may be suitable for this drug trial. Participants will receive supportive care and symptomatic treatments during the trial in addition to CYT997. This trial aims to find a maximum safe dose, and determine any side effects of CYT997 given orally every 2 weeks.

Using radiotherapy and chemotherapy together works better in locally advanced lung cancer than using either treatment alone but has worse side effects. Many people are not fit enough to have these treatments given in the standard way. This study will test the feasibility and activity of two gentler ways of combining them.

One of the key criteria for discharging preterm infants from nurseries is their ability to maintain their temperature once transferred from an incubator to an open cot. This practice varies widely between neonatal units; however it seems that a weight mark of 1800g is preferred, which appears to be based on tradition or the personal experience of clinicians, as the scientific evidence of when and at what weight this should occur is limited. By delaying transition to an open cot on the basis that the infant has not reached a certain weight may result in longer hospitalisation than necessary, thus increasing cost of care and prolonging parental separation resulting in parental anxiety. However, transferring infants too soon may also result in extended hospitalisation and again add to cost of care. This study will determine the effects of transferring preterm infants from incubators to open cots at a lower weight of 1600 grams on the outcomes of temperature stability, weight gain and length of hospital stay.

Studies demonstrate that critically ill patients experience anxiety, pain and discomfort as part of their hospital stay. Being subject to numerous procedures common in the intensive care unit such as turning, endotrachael suctioning and wound care impact adversely on patients' experiences. The discomfort associated with these procedures can result in a number of stress sequela for patients that can be detrimental to their health and well-being in terms of their discomfort and anxiety levels. The challenge for nurses working in intensive care settings is to find ways to reduce these stressful experiences. Researchers hypothesize that listening to music is one way of reducing activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)axis that induces release of various hormones particularly cortisol which reduces immune function and peripheral perfusion. Stress reduction can potentially reduce HPA axis activation and enhance immediate, short- and longer-term.patient outcomes, in a clinical setting. The theoretical basis of music as an intervention for anxiety lies in its ability to promote relaxation and improve mood through the autonomic nervous system, which controls the stress response. It is believed that the auditory stimulation of music enhances activation of a number of neurotransmitters thereby diverting feelings of anxiety, fear and pain resulting in a more positive perceptual experience.

Numico Research has developed a food product which is available as a food bar and as a food powder that can be dissolved in water. The food product consists of a mix of ingredients, including special proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals and fibres. The special balance of these ingredients in the food product is expected to have a beneficial effect on the immune system. The purpose of the study is to determine the effect of the daily use of this food product for a period of one year among HIV positive adults. If the study results are favourable, the food product can be developed further to support the treatment of HIV positive patients.