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The incidence of type 1 diabetes has increased worldwide, particularly in younger children and those with lower genetic susceptibility. These observations are consistent with environmental effects that promote pancreatic islet autoimmunity and destruction of insulin-producing beta cells. The Environmental Determinants of Islet Autoimmunity (ENDIA) Study is investigating candidate environmental exposures and gene-environment interactions that may contribute to the development of islet autoimmunity and type 1 diabetes.

TEXTMEDS is a randomised controlled trial of 1400 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) that will evaluate an innovative secondary prevention support program delivered via mobile phone text message. TEXTMEDS aims to improve medication adherence and control of cardiovascular risk factors in patients with ACS.

Infantile colic is estimated to affect 25% of infants and occurs equally in breast-fed and formula-fed infants. Infantile colic increases the risk of post-natal depression, shaken baby syndrome and the cessation of breastfeeding. Therapeutic approaches have included changing infant formulae or the diet of nursing mohters however scientific evidence to support advice is lacking. Infantile colic presents with similar symptoms to adults with IBS. The low FODMAP diet is the only dietary approach with a high level of evidence for efficacy in adults (75%-80%) and hence this study hypothesizes that a low FODMAP diet (short-chain CHO's) in the diet of breast-feeding mothers of infants with colic will reduce the no. & duration of crying episodes.

Metal ion release is common following total hip arthroplasty, yet postoperative levels have not been defined for most stems currently used in clinical practice. The Exeter stem is the most commonly used cemented stem in Australia. The aim of this study is to assess metal ion release in the serum of patients with well functioning unilateral Exeter V40 primary total hip arthroplasties one year after surgery.

Allied Health professionals working in rehabilitation frequently prescribe home exercise programs for clients to complete independently between therapy sessions. Written notes or pictures are commonly provided as reminders to clients when prescribing home exercises. These paper based programs are sometimes difficult to follow, and growing collections of paper over the course of a rehabilitation program can become confusing and overwhelming for patients. Many new forms of technology are becoming increasingly accessible to people within the community. Smart technology applications for smart phones and touch-screen tablets are being adopted in rehabilitation settings for such things as: cognitive rehabilitation; cognitive compensatory strategies (such as memory aids); assisting with communication (using picture boards, for example); and improving fine motor skills. However, these devices also provide easy access to other tools such as reminder functions and video recording that could be used to enhance rehabilitation programs. This project aims to explore the feasibility and effectiveness of using the video and reminder functions on touch-screen tablets as a support to prescribed home exercise programs for patients with upper limb deficits following stroke. Specifically, we aim to determine whether patients receiving rehabilitation after stroke using this technology demonstrate greater adherence to prescribed home exercise programs and better functional outcomes when compared to traditional paper based exercise prescription.

This project is a prospective observational study, which aims to investigate the use of intraoperative iron infusion, initiated by anaesthetists, during surgical procedures at Fremantle Hospital over a three month period. The use of intraoperative iron transfusions is highly variable among anaesthetists, and the study aims to investigate the logistical and other practical reasons for this. It will identify the indications for intra-operative iron transfusion and note any adverse effects in the perioperative period. A secondary aim is to investigate postoperative haemoglobin values and need for transfusion postoperatively in patients who have received an intraoperative iron transfusion. Iron infusions have been shown to be a valuable therapy for anaemia, and this study investigates the effectiveness, safety and efficiency of providing that therapy intraoperatively.

In patients in intensive care with severe infections, those who do not develop a fever during the first 24 hours are more likely to die. This study aims to find out whether this is also the case in patients with infections in the absence of functioning white blood cells ('neutropenic sepsis'). We will look at a database of patients who were in intensive care in Australia and New Zealand between 2000 and 2013, to see whether there is a link between peak fever during the first 24 hours and survival among patients with very low white blood cell counts, compared with those with normal white blood cell counts. This study will inform the development of future clinical trials to decide whether the common medical practice of reducing fever during severe infections is harmful or not.

The study is investigating the effects of writing according to self-compassionate prompts, and how this may influence women's emotion and outlook regarding post cancer bodily changes. Who is it for? You may be eligible to join this study if you are aged 18 years or more, have been diagnosed with breast cancer, and have completed active non-hormonal cancer treatment for breast cancer (surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation). However, women who may be still receiving follow up care and / or longer term hormonal treatments are also eligible. You will need to be able to undertake a writing activity and also answer on-line questionnaires. Trial details Participants in this trial are randomly (by chance) allocated to one of two groups. Participants in group 1 will be required to complete a paper-based questionnaire before completing a writing exercise. Instructions will be provided for the writing exercise with the use of a set of prompts designed to encourage a compassionate orientation to the self. After completing the writing exercise, participants will need to complete another questionnaire rating their feelings and outlook. Participants in group 2 will also complete a paper-based questionnaire before completing a writing exercise. Participants will receive instructions for unstructured writing regarding body image after treatment. After completing the writing exercise, participants will need to complete another questionnaire rating their feelings and outlook. The questionnaires and writing exercises for both groups will be sent by mail with a reply paid envelope. The questionnaires and writing exercise will take approximately 45 minutes (with the writing exercise alone requiring 20 minutes).

We propose to test if simultaneous engagement in activity that is multi-dimensional and synergetic in nature, such as dance, can prevent cognitive declines in old age. Dance is a complex sensorimotor activity combined with cognitive, social and affective dimensions. We offer to compare the executive functioning, working memory and processing speed of 126 older adults (aged 60 years and older), with or without mild cognitive declines, who will be randomised to participate in either 9 months, 2 weekly sessions of 1) ballroom dancing or 2) group walking program, as a functional uni-dimensional accessible and most popular form of exercise. Second we will compare changes in fitness levels between the groups and whether cognitive benefits can be attributed to improve in fitness. Last, the experience and the satisfaction from the two programs will be evaluated using qualitative and quantitative methods.

Aims of the project The aims of this research project are to: Collect information to monitor the health and progress of in study participants who have been treated with either the Depuy ASR Trademark XL Acetabular Hip System or DePuy ASR Trademark Hip Resurfacing Systems. This is a global research project, coordinated by Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Boston Massachusetts USA, to be conducted at multiple sites worldwide. The International Musculoskeletal Research Institute Inc. (IMRI) is the contracted research Organisation to conduct this study in Australia at number of sites including the site of SPORTSMED SA. MGH has a contract with Depuy Orthopaedics to undertake the study as a global research project