ANZCTR search results

As the major immune cell types involved in initiating and sustaining the ITP disease are antigent presenting cells (APC), B cells and T cells (Chong 2009, Kuwana 2009), it is reasonable to expect better long-term response rates by using drugs targeting all three cell types: namely an anti-B cell agent (rituximab), an anti-APC drug (high dose dexamethasone) and an anti-T cell treatment (cyclosporine). By combining these drugs together over a short period of time (4 weeks), we hope to maximise the efficacy while minimising anticipated toxicities associated with longer-term use of these drugs.

The purpose of this observational project is to identify patients with a vaginal invagination and report the clinical presentation of a series of 20 patients undergoing prolapse surgery. This observational study is conduced to obtain a better understanding of the pathophysiology of the vagina after repeat gynaecological surgery. The hypothesis of this study is that women undergoing prolapse surgery who have had previous pelvic floor surgery are at high risk to present with a vaginal invagination due to incorrect restoring of the normal anatomy of the vagina. Vaginal invagination are likely to be caused by inappropriate surgical techniques and lack of awareness of this subsequent condition. By identification and in the following surgical releasing of the vaginal invagination this might create a better anatomical setting to perform further prolapse surgery. Furthermore it might have an impact on preexisting pain, dysparunia or shortend vagina.

Recent evidence shows an ethnic variability in tolerance of anticancer drugs between Asian and Caucasian non-small cell lung cancer patients. Pharmacogenetic differences in drug metabolising enzymes have been proposed as the cause of these differences, however they have not been associated with altered cytotoxic drug pharmacokinetics (PK). Other possible explanations include differences in dietary/concomitant medicine intake and inflammatory status. The aim of this study was to investigate inter-ethnic differences in cytotoxic drug metabolism, inflammatory/nutritional status, genotype and outcomes between Asian and Caucasian non-small cell lung cancer patients.

This study seeks to establish whether stem cells can be used to treat patients with poor circlation in their legs.

The purpose of this project is to explore whether a clinician-guided treatment program can help to reduce anxiety symptoms in a population of mature adults (aged 60-75), when administered over the internet. A secondary purpose is to determine how acceptable people find this form of treatment. The study will inform how services can best improve future treatment programs for mature adults with anxiety.

The purpose of this project is to explore whether a clinician-guided treatment program can help to reduce depession symptoms in a population of mature adults (aged 60-75), when administered over the internet. A secondary purpose is to determine how acceptable people find this form of treatment. The study will inform how services can best improve future treatment programs for mature adults with depression.

Rejection of a transplanted heart is a serious and often fatal complication following heart transplantation. Endomyocardial biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosing heart transplant rejection. Transplanted patients undergo 9 endomyocardial biopsies for routine surveillance in the first 12 months after transplant. We know that immune cells in peripheral blood become activated during rejection. They change their gene expression and this can be detected by specific biochemical tests called microarrays. As such, it is our belief that rejection of a transplanted heart may be detected by taking a peripheral blood sample and looking at the gene expression of immune cells. The implication is that transplant rejection may be detected by simply taking blood rather than performing an endomyocardial biospy. An endomyocardial biospy is an invasive procedure performed under general anaesthesia and is therefore stressful for patients and patients' parents as well as placing a sizeable on the healthcare system. Our project will involve taking a small 5ml venous blood sample from patients immediately prior to heart transplantation and all subsequent endomyocardial biopsies for routine surveillance. The blood samples will be taken after induction of general anaesthesia. We will then be able to compare each result of the microarray of the blood sample with the result of the endomyocardial biopsy in order to assess whether peripheral blood sampling is a possible alternative to endomyocardial biospy.

We aim to define the different types of perineal body presentations in women with posterior vaginal compartment prolapse, to determine the incidence of this condition and to assess the outcome of our intervention. This observatorial study is conducted to obtain a better understanding of the pathophysiology of the posterior vaginal compartment with the focus on the perineum. The hypothesis is to identify the different perineal defects in women undergoing posterior vaginal compartment prolapse which have not clearly described and defined in current literatur. The accurately description of perineal defects will improve the surgical management of this common condition.