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The main focus of this study is to look at the effect of prematurity on kidney growth and function . Kidney size and function in a cohort premature babies (< 32 weeks) is compared with control group (term babies).The study also looks at the rate of kidney growth when a baby is born premature .It will also determine if retinal vasculature ( arterial/venous diameter and branching angles) has correlation to kidney size , kidney function , baby's sex and ethnicity. Most literature says that the foetal retinal matures by 36 to 37 weeks gestation . Baby with significant Retiopathy of prematurity (ROP) will be excluded from analysis .

Previous studies from our laboratories, have reported variation in taste sensitivity to fatty acids (fats) in humans, and that these variations may be asociated with fat intake and the perception of fat in food, that is, the ability to detect fats in food. Based on this evidence, we were interested in looking at environmental influences (i.e., the intake of a high- or low-fat diet, and how it may influence taste sensitivity to fats, given that habituation of the taste system in response to exposure or deprivation of certain nutrients (sodium, monosodium glutamate), has been previously established. Determinants of fatty acid taste sensitivity are of particular interest, given that sensitivity appears to be associated with specific dietary behaviours (i.e., fat intake) which may be associated with obesity. We hypothesized that the taste system would habituate to environmental conditions, and that consumption of a high- or low fat diet would shift sensitivity, i.e., consumption of a high fat diet would decrease taste sensitivity to fatty acids, meaning that greater concentrations would be required for detection, and conversely, a low-fat diet would increase taste sensitivity

The OSLER-2 is a common test which objectively measures daytime sleepiness. A limitation of the OSLER-2 test, however, is that it can only be performed by people who do not have hand or arm disabilities as it involves feedback to the presentation of a light via a hand-held response box. Our group has modified an OSLER-2 to accept responses from switches that do not require hand function, switches which are commonly used within the quadriplegia population. This research aims to examine the relationships between the modified switch OSLER-2 against the standard hand-held switch OSLER-2 as a measure of daytime sleepiness in able-bodied, sleep restricted people.

BACKGROUND AND SCIENTIFIC BASIS Coronary artery disease is an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although much is known about the mechanism of myocardial infarction and its associated risk factors, many patients develop myocardial infarction in the absence of known risk factors. Two possible explanations for this are impaired angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation) and impaired endothelial (blood vessel lining) reparative processes in this group of patients. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) are thought to be involved in these two processes by: 1) incorporating into new vessels, or 2) coordinating the reparative process. Fenofibrate is a lipid-lowering agent, used in the setting of hypercholesterolemia, particularly among patients with coronary artery disease and diabetes. It has well documented beneficial effects by reducing myocardial infarction. In practice, it is commonly used when patients are intolerant of statins (another cholesterol lowering agent), or in combination with statins. Interest in fenofibrate has increased with recent observations of reduced diabetic microvascular complications. Little is known about EPCs and their function. It has been recently shown that EPCs derived from bone marrow circulate in the peripheral blood and can facilitate the formation of new blood vessels in tissues that are not getting enough blood supply, thereby helping to increase the blood supply to the affected tissue (Asahara T et al Science. 1997;275:964, Urbich C. Circ Res. 2004;95:343). Moreover, patients with coronary artery disease who have high blood levels of EPCs have a better prognosis than those with low EPC levels, possibly due to the beneficial reparative effects of these cells (Werner N. N Engl J Med 2005;353:999). It is unknown if the clinical outcomes of fenofibrate are partly related to EPC levels and function. Statins have been shown to have a positive effect on EPC number and function when used alone. Their effects in combination with fenofibrate have not been evaluated. HYPOTHESIS The central hypotheses of this project are that: 1) EPC levels are increased by fenofibrate 2) EPC levels are higher in those with vascular disease, 3) Fenofibrate augments EPC differentiation and function and 4) Effects of fenofibrate on EPC s occur with and without combination statin therapy. AIMS 1.To determine the number of EPC s after fenofibrate treatment. 2.To investigate if fenofibrate augments EPC function and number. 3.To see the additional benefit of statins on EPC number and function. POTENTIAL SIGNIFICANCE This study will be one of the preliminary studies in man, to identify if fenofibrate has a positive effect on EPCs, and provide an understanding of the clinical effects observed. This will have implications in understanding the role of EPCs in the pathogenesis of vascular diseases, as well as in the development of novel treatment strategies for reducing the impact of vascular disease and myocardial infarction.

This is a pilot study of the safety and effectives of the LIFT procedure as a treatment for fistula-in-ano. This study will collect data on patients who have undergone the LIFT procedure looking specifically at the cure rate of the procedure, post-operative sphincter function and complications. The LIFT procedure is a relatively new procedure and it has been reported to be successful at curing fistula in 82-94% of patients with minimal risk of incontinence and thus presents a very attractive alternative in the treatment of fistula-in-ano. However, prior to adaptation into mainstream practice at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, it was felt that a pilot study to assess the feasibility and safety of LIFT was necessary.

Recently five overseas studies have found an association between deep anaesthesia and subsequent mortality within one year. There is a need for a large prospective randomised trial of "deep" versus "light" anaesthesia to determine if the relationship is a causal one. This would require the study of about 6000 patients. In this pilot study, 100 patients will be randomised to either "light" or "deep" anaesthesia using the Bispectral Index depth monitor. In all other respects the anaesthesia will be unaltered in choice of anaesthetic drugs or techniques used. We will then follow up all patients for one year to ascertain the incidence of complications of anaesthesia and surgery, cancer recurrence if relevant and survival. The study has the support of the Clinical Trials group of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists. If successful, the pilot study will be used as the basis for a large project grant to the Health Research Council in New Zealand (NZ), hopefully combined with an application to the National Health and Medical Research Council in Australia.

The instructions for contact lens case hygiene vary from source to source. Poor contact lens case hygiene has been shown to increase the risk of corneal infection in the eye. The aim of this study is to test the effectiveness of a new contact lens case cleaning method in reducing the level of microbial contamination and compare its efficacy with the current contact lens case cleaning guidelines. Aims: We aim to: - Determine the level of microbial contamination in the contact lens cases of wearers in the community. - Compare the level of microbial contamination present after using the manufacturer’s lens case cleaning guidelines with that of the newly developed guidelines. - To further refine the contact lens storage case cleaning guidelines

The primary aim of the study is to determine the concentrations of thiamine in blood taken from a sample of Australians who have had alcohol related motor vehicle offences. These measurements will allow an estimation of the prevalence of thiamine deficiency in this sample. Given flour has been supplemented with thiamine in Australia for twenty years a secondary aim is to evaluate whether this public health intervention has prevented thiamine deficiency in the main target group (chronic alcohol misusing persons).

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a major public health problem. To reduce the burden of this disease, factors that increase the likelihood of disease progression need to be identified and treatments that slow progression need to be developed and tested. This is an emerging area and is the focus of this study because presently there are no established disease-modifying treatments for knee OA. One way to slow progression of the disease may be to reduce knee loading as this is one of only a few modifiable factors currently known to predict disease progression. This study will evaluate whether neuromuscular exercise, which aims to improve balance, alignment of the lower limb and trunk and muscle activity, reduces knee joint loading and thus has the potential to slow disease progression in people with knee OA, compared with the current standard physiotherapy treatment of strengthening the thigh muscles. If shown to be effective, recommendations can then be made to incorporate neuromuscular exercises into rehabilitation programs for knee OA.

Weight gain has been associated with increased inflammation and fish oil supplementation has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory properties. This study is investigating whether fish oil supplementation will reduce inflammation and assist weight loss and weight loss maintenance