ANZCTR search results

This study will involve taking a venous sample from the same venepuncture uses as a part of their normal routine treatment and an additional two capillary finger stick samples from all participants. Samples collected are tested on both the medical device and the laboratory reference.

The purpose of the trial is to conduct a prospective randomised controlled trial of Versajet hydrosurgery debridement (removal of necrotic/ non-viable tissue) of burns versus conventional tangential excisional debridement in paediatric patients. To date no trial has compared excisional debridement with Versajet hydrosurgery in paediatric burns patients. Our hypotheses is that 1.Versajet debridement leads to increased dermal preservation and accuracy of debridement 2.Versajet debridement is faster than conventional tangential excision in areas that are difficult to debride such as the hands, feet or perineum. 3.Graft healing time is equivalent following Versajet or classical blade debridement 4.Versajet debridement leads to improved outcomes post skin grafting such as hypertrophic scarring and contracture 5.Bacterial load is lower in the Versajet group following debridement

Obesity and asthma are two of the most common conditions affecting Australian children and adolescents. Epidemiological studies have indicated a link exists between obesity and asthma. Obesity is associated with chronic systemic inflammation. Given that asthma is characterised by chronic inflammation of the airways, we hypothesise that obesity is amplifying airway inflammation and impacting adversely on clinical asthma outcomes in children and adolescents.

This study aims to assess the effects of testosterone on endothelial progenitor cells numbers and function in men. By understanding the effects of testosterone on endothelial progenitor cells, we may be able to better understand the potential role that male sex hormones may play in maintaining heart and blood vessel function in men. This research may ultimately lead to new treatments to help with heart and blood vessel repair. To Public: This study aims to assess the effect of male sex hormone on the male stem cells. By understanding the effect we may be able to use male sex hormone to maintain human heart and blood vessel function in men.

Obstructive defaecation (OD) is a challenging clinical problem not uncommonly encountered in colorectal practice. OD is associated with depression, anxiety and impaired quality of life (QOL).1 Unfortunately, because the underlying anatomic and pathophysiology of OD is poorly understood, large number of medical, surgical and behavioural treatment have been described with no panacea. A recent meta-analysis suggests that biofeedback is effective in the treatment of OD, although only a handful of randomized trials, each with different biofeedback regime have been completed to date.2 Most trials have also focused on symptomatic improvement with relative neglect of impact of treatment on QOL or psychological state.2 In amongst the seemingly vast literature surrounding OD and its treatment, some fundamental questions remain unanswered: 1) is it the counselling and support that makes biofeedback effective; 2) is balloon retraining effective as a biofeedback modality; 3) does treatment improve QOL or psychological state. The biofeedback protocol at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPAH) for OD is a comprehensive program entailing education, counselling (conservative management) and balloon retraining. Balloon retraining has only been evaluated in 1 randomised trial in 1995 (Koutsoumanis et al)3 and although improved treatment success have been noted since it was introduced at RPAH, whether or not this represents a biased observation remains unclear. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) is proposed to: 1) determine if biofeedback improves QOL and psychological state of patients with OD; 2) to determine if balloon retraining as a biofeedback modality is effective; 3) to determine if balloon retraining confers any additional benefit to patient receiving conservative management.

Inflammatory insults including pneumonia, sepsis, aspiration, trauma, prolonged hypotension, cardiac surgery and pancreatitis can cause lung damage. One mechanism by which inflammation mediates lung injury is through deposition of fibrin in the pulmonary microcirculation. This study will investigate if limiting fibrin deposition through administration of tissue plasminogen activator reduces lung damage.

Regular physical activity has many health benefits. More specifically, physical inactivity is an identified risk factor for global mortality, and can contribute to the incidence of non-communicable diseases such as obesity and heart disease. In generally healthy adults at least 150 minutes of moderate-vigorous intensity physical activity each week is required to improve cardiorespiratory fitness, bone health and reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases and depression. In individuals with CF there are no established targets for physical activity participation. Consequently, physical activity interventions are shaped around guidelines for healthy adults. Improving and maintaining physical activity is a cornerstone of therapy for CF patients. Aerobic fitness is associated with improved survival and those with better physical fitness have better quality of life. Despite this, participation in exercise decreases with increasing perception of disease severity, with patients ascribing decreased importance and increased burden to exercise over other therapies. In previous studies of physical activity in CF, both children and adults have been found to undertake less moderate-vigorous physical activity than their healthy peers. It is hypothesised that: 1. Physical activity decreases over time in CF and is more marked in particular sub-groups such as females and those with repeated need for intravenous (IV) antibiotics. 2. Factors such as higher baseline respiratory function, fulltime employment/study, higher fitness levels, younger age and male gender will all be associated with better long-term participation in physical activity. 3. Physical activity is decreased after respiratory exacerbation requiring IV antibiotics, and does not return to baseline after 4 weeks. 4. Decline in physical activity is associated with a more rapid decline in respiratory function over 12 months.

The aging population in Australia is growing and associated age-related cognitive impairment is also increasing. Cognitive impairment however is not limited to the domain of neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia and can affect otherwise healthy individuals. Current treatment interventions for healthy individuals with cognitive impairment are somewhat limited, however Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM) typically uses various combinations of herbal products to treat illnesses and improve the quality of life in both healthy and pathological populations. The CHM formulation, Wei-Nao-Kang (WNK), consisting of extracts from Panax ginseng, Ginkgo biloba and Crocus sativus. These herbs are amongst some of the most widely used plant based medicinal products currently available on the market today. Each of these herbs has either shown, or been implicated in, cognitive and cardiovascular enhancing effects when administered individually in healthy and/or pathological populations. Although early evidence exists to demonstrate that the ginseng/ginkgo combination has synergistic effects on cognitive functions, very few studies have investigated the combined effects of these herbal products. This study aims to determine the possible cognitive and cardiovascular benefits of the WNK formulation in a cohort of healthy volunteers to further expand on the body of research surrounding this CHM formulation. This study will employ a randomised, placebo controlled, double-blinded crossover design spanning a period of three weeks. Fifteen (22-75 years) healthy volunteers will be recruited and randomly assigned to receive treatments of WNK formulation or placebo over two weeks with a 10 day washout period between each week. Participants will be tested before and after each of the interventions to assess their cognitive and cardiovascular changes. The primary outcome measure is the Comppas test battery, which assesses various domains of cognitive function. Secondary outcome measures include an electroencephalography (EEG) recording while being exposed to a visual stimulus paradigm designed to elicit event related potentials (ERP), and cardiovascular measurements including pulse velocity waveforms and electrocardiography (ECG) recordings. Once the trial is completed, participants will be debriefed and asked to complete a short survey for confirmation of compliance and successful blinding. Following this, results from the Compass, EEG, pulse velocity waveforms and ECG will be analysed and prepared for publication.

This prospective, randomized controlled trial will examine the effects of combined aerobic and resistance training on left ventricular remodeling and its relationship to VO2peak in diabetic patients with diastolic dysfunction.

Open heart surgery is being performed on increasing numbers of obese patients. Almost a third of patients undergoing open heart surgery are classified as obese. It is known that these patients are more prone to post operative complications, particularly lung collapse and that they recover more slowly from these complications. This increase in complications and slower recovery leads to longer intensive care unit and hospital stays. Our previous research has shown that high flow nasal prongs (HFNP) create positive airway pressure and that patients who are obese benefit even more from the positive effects of HFNP. Our study also showed that the patients' oxygen levels improved and their breathing felt more comfortable with the HFNP. Therefore, it is necessary that we further investigate the effects of HFNP on obese patients after cardiac surgery, in an attempt to reduce complications, particularly lung collapse.