ANZCTR search results

Fatty meals can cause damage to the body, known as oxidative damage. They do this by decreasing protective antioxidant levels/activity, through using them up. When this oxidative damage occurs, an inflammatory response can occur, with the release of inflammatory signalling molecules (cytokines). Over time oxidative damage and inflammation can lead to detrimental health effects such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. This current study aims to determine if consumption of an antioxidant containing cocoa drink at the same time as a high fat meal can improve the body's own antioxidant defenses, as well as reduce oxidative damage markers and inflammatory cytokine levels. We anticipated that cocoa consumed at the same time should help to stop the unhealthy effects (eg. lower antioxidants, increased oxidative stress, and higher inflammatory response) caused by a high fat meal.

This project aims to discover the contribution of certain mechanisms of action within sleep restriction therapy for insomnia disorder. Insomnia disorder can be treated by the use of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for insomnia (CBT-I). Within this Sleep Restriction Therapy is considered a key component. Yet, a lack of evidence exists to determine the mechanisms of action within this treatment option. Therefore, this study will look to examine changes in the contribution of certain sleep-wake mechanisms. Namely, the circadian drives for sleep and the homeostatic sleep drive or ‘pressure’ for sleep. In addition, we will also look to measure subjective changes in the perception of sleep through questionnaire response.

The effects of obesity in COPD are poorly understood, and this is an important area for future research. The mechanisms, consequences and optimal management approaches to this problem are largely unknown. Indeed, current clinical practice assumes that obesity is detrimental in COPD, with obese patients being encouraged to reduce their weight, via calorie reduction and restriction of energy dense foods. However, considering the evidence that obesity may be protective, it is important to understand the effect of weight reduction on inflammation, muscle mass and other significant clinical outcomes in obese COPD subjects. This important area of research is necessary for the development of nutritional guidelines, which currently do not exist in this area. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of weight reduction, involving dietary fat restriction, on inflammation, body composition, markers of COPD, metabolic and cardiovascular disease markers, quality of life and physical performance in obese COPD patients. We hypothesise that in COPD patients, weight reduction, involving dietary fat restriction coupled with resistance training will reduce inflammation, maintain muscle mass and improve clinical outcomes.

This study will evaluate the efficacy of 20,000 IU/week cholecalciferol supplementation relative to placebo in reducing the frequency of clinically-verified acute respiratory tract infections in a cohort of young adults in Tasmania.

Meniere's Disease is characterized by unpredictable attacks of debilitating vertigo, interspersed with periods of quiescence. It affects around 50,000 Australians. Several studies have provided supportive evidence that a viral infection of the inner ear may be the cause of the disease, but few studies have trialled antivirals as a preventative treatment. This trial will involve a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of preventing the vertigo attacks in Meniere's Disease with antiviral drugs.

This study aims to assess whether a mobile bearing hip replacement will reduce the incidence of groin pain compared to that experienced with a unipolar hip replacement without an increased risk of dislocation. Who is it for? You may be eligible for this study if you have been diagnosed with metastatic disease that has spread to the proximal femur – thigh bone – which requires surgical replacement of the femoral head. Trial Details In this study, you will receive either a Unipolar hip replacement which is a hip replacement that replaces only the femoral side, or a Mobile bearing hip replacement which is a hip replacement that replaces the femoral side and lines the acetabulum, the socket of the pelvis. Following either of these interventions, you will then be assessed through the use of questionnaires and x-rays. Metastatic bone disease may affect only the proximal femoral side of the hip joint. Conventional surgical treatment consists of a unipolar hip replacement because the acetabulum is not affected and total hip replacement in this situation has been associated with an increased risk of hip dislocation. Unipolar hip replacements have a much lower risk of dislocation but the articulating surface consists of a metallic head against articular cartilage of the acetabulum. This always results in degradation of the articular surface of the acetabulum and pain. A new device, the ADMX3 mobile bearing hip system (Stryker, NJ, USA) is derived from a dual mobility cup concept which has a proven track record of decreased dislocation and increased implant stability. Instead of the metallic head grinding into the acetabular cartilage, this system is a two-piece component with an acetabular cup that replaces the articular surface into which a polyethylene insert is added into which the metallic head of the proximal femur is inserted. This results in articulation both between the head and insert and the insert and the acetabular cup, not against articular cartilage. This system also has a notch in the anterior portion of the cup which reduces the risk of cup and iliopsoas tendon impingement which is also a source of groin pain post hip replacement. Theoretically it should therefore reduce pain and not increase the risk of dislocation but it is not known if it will improve the incidence or severity of post-operative groin pain that is associated with a unipolar or bipolar hip replacement.

The objective is to investigate whether there are differences between insomnia sufferers who have a specific type of insomnia (hyperarousal insomnia) and those who suffer from general insomnia but do not have elements of hyperarousal. As a result, this study will use a brain imaging technique called Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in order to attempt to find differences in brain neurochemistry between these two different types of insomnia sufferers.

To discover and profile the biological mechanisms within Insomnia. This will be achieved by sampling a large number of sufferers and examining them overnight through a clinical sleep study.

A research study into how muscle bulk, strength and physical performance predict clinical outcomes in patients on dialysis. If the hypothesis proves to be correct, then these simple tests could be used when people are on dialysis or considering commencing dialysis. The results could highlight patients at increased risk of suffering medical complications during dialysis treatments.

This study will assist in providing knowledge about the amount of salt being administered to patients admitted to the intensive care unit, who require support from a breathing machine. This information, along with the patients’ daily salt balance will provide the basis for further studies looking at interventions aimed at reducing the amount of salt administered during a patients stay in Intensive care and any influence salt balance may play in clinically important patient outcomes