ANZCTR search results

Vascular disease, characterised by premature atherosclerosis and large artery stiffness, is a feature of advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) [1, 2]. Central pulse pressure, augmentation index (AIx) and aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) are all predictors of morbidity and mortality in patients with CKD [1, 3, 4]. Large artery stiffness may also be related to the progression of CKD. The mechanisms and time frames for the development of arterial stiffness are unclear but may include traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as dyslipidemia and hypertension as well as non-traditional risk factors such as oxidative stress and inflammation. Moreover, to our knowledge no studies have assessed the relationship between arterial stiffness in the uraemic environment of acute kidney injury. Measuring arterial stiffness in this setting would enable us to determine whether changes in arterial stiffness occur due to the biochemical changes associated with acute kidney injury without the interference of factors that exist in chronic kidney disease. This may in turn help to understand the potential for reversibility of uremic biochemical effects on arterial stiffness.

The main aim of the project is to compare the response to treatment of patients with vestibular dysfunction between those receiving a standard program of Vestibular Rehabilitation (VR) versus those receiving the standard VR plus additional exercises that specifically target the otolith structures of the inner ear.The research hypotheses are: 1. That additional otolith training exercises will improve the short term effectiveness of a customized program of vestibular rehabilitation, and 2. That the improved short term outcomes from vestibular rehabilitation with additional otolith training exercises will be maintained in the longer term.

This is a prospective observational study of the diagnostic utility of the "Triage" multi-marker point of care blood testing device to measure the levels of the cardiac markers Troponin I, Creatine Kinase MB and myoglobin: - in people presenting to the Emergency Deprtment with chest pain of probable caridac origin. Blood samples will be taken and tested on arrival and again at 2 hours. Participants will undergo risk evaluation by a means of a set series of questions. Participants will recieve a phone call at 45 days, 6 months and 1 year post discharge to record any major adverse cardiac event (MACE) they may have experienced.

This study aims to assess if yogurt (containing the probiotics LGG, Bb12 and La5) can reduce the incidence of gastro-intestinal upset associated with antibiotics administration in children aged 1-12

The study aims to help obese adolescents develop activity, food and attitude habits for improved health and happiness. Adolescents and their parents participate in a multidisciplinary program for 8 weeks with two sessions each week. The study hypothesis is that the mental health of the adolescent will be improved after the intervention and this improvement will be maintained at 3 and 6 months post intervention.

Background Increasing physical activity (PA) is a major health priority in Australia and internationally due to the associated health burden. It is widely believed that access to electronic games decreases PA in children. Whilst there is considerable research on the impact of TV viewing on PA and obesity, there is little research specific to electronic games. The available evidence suggests electronic games and TV have different associations with PA. Playing electronic games is an important discretionary leisure activity for the majority of Australian children, yet the impact of this on PA has not been tested experimentally. Further, the influence of different game technologies and child characteristics on the impact is not known. Finally, whilst it is assumed playing electronic games displaces more vigorous activities, this has not been demonstrated. Aims This project will assess the impact of electronic game use on PA in children by: 1) comparing PA and energy expenditure in a home-based RCT where children have either no electronic games or access to traditional electronic games. We hypothesise that PA and energy expenditure will be reduced when children have access to traditional electronic games. 2) comparing PA and energy expenditure in a home-based RCT where children have access to either traditional electronic games or new active electronic games. We hypothesise that PA and energy expenditure will be greater with new active electronic games, but still less than no games. 3) examining responses of different children to explore whether the impact of access to electronic games is greater in some children. We hypothesise a stronger effect on children with poor coordination skills, greater adiposity, poor social confidence, more positive attitudes to technology and less positive attitudes to PA. 4) examining displacement of sedentary and active leisure activities by electronic games. We hypothesise that all electronic games will displace active non-electronic leisure activities.

This is a one year study to identify the effect of Zoledronate on endothelial dysfunction, a marker or cardiovascular risk.

This study assesses the safety and effectiveness of intratumoural CAVATAK treatment of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the head and neck. Patients can join the study where: - they have recurring or relapsed SCC after standard chemotherapy, - their tumour cells are shown to bear ICAM-1 receptors. Patients will receive one, three or six doses of CAVATAK injected directly into a tumour. the injected tumour and other non injected tumours will be measured by calipers and CT scans to assess the effect of the treatment. Patients will be monitors for 127 days after treatment. CAVATAK is a benign cancer killing virus that preferentially attacks tumour cells that are expressing the ICAM-1 receptor. The aim of the study is to investigate the safety and effectiveness of CAVATAK in the treatment of head and neck cancer

This study aims to determine whether vitamin therapy is an effective complementary or alternative therapy for reducing migraine disability, and whether nutritional supplementation targeted to a gene specific mutation associated with migraine is proven to be effective

In this study, we aim to examine two interventions that could potentially slow disease progression in middle aged ex-smokers with mild to moderate chronic lung disease. There is evidence that some individuals experience a progressive decline in lung function even after ceasing smoking. This may be related to persistent lung inflammation. We will examine whether omega-3 fatty acids and nutrient antioxidants and/or statins, a treatment used to lower cholesterol, can slow the rate of decline of lung function in people with COPD. Levels of nutrient antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to be related to levels of lung function in epidemiological studies. Statins, which are widely used as cholesterol lowering drugs, are known to have anti-inflammatory effects. Patients with COPD who are taking statins appear to have a lower risk of death than those not taking statins. Other retrospective studies have shown that statins slow the rate of lung function decline. We propose that nutrient antioxidant and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and statin treatment will reduce inflammation, and hence slow the progressive decline in lung function in people with obstructive lung disease. This randomised controlled trial will test both nutrient supplements (lycopenes and omega 3-fatty acids) and simvastatin treatment in patients with COPD. Eligible participants will be 35- to 60-year-old ex-smokers with post-bronchodilator airflow obstruction, a history of lower respiratory tract illness in the last 12 months or a history of chronic cough, sputum production or breathlessness in the last 12 months and C-reactive protein = 3 mg/L. There will be four study groups: Group A (active nutrient supplement intervention, active statin treatment), Group B (active nutrient supplement intervention, no statin treatment), Group C (placebo nutrient supplement intervention, active statin treatment), and Group D (placebo nutrient supplement intervention, no statin treatment). Duration of treatment will be 6 months in the pilot study and 4 years in the main study. In the pilot study, we aim to recruit a total of 40 participants from the community through advertising. The aim of the pilot study is to assess feasibility of recruitment, implementation of interventions and measurement of outcomes. The number of participants for the final multi-centre study will be determined, in part, by information obtained in the pilot study. Patients will be seen before treatment commences and then 6, 12 and 24 weeks after treatment commences for the pilot study. The primary outcome is the change in lung function (FEV1 and FVC) over 6 months (24 weeks). Secondary outcomes include systemic inflammatory markers (hs-CRP), questionnaire (regarding quality of life, breathlessness, and exacerbations), exhaled nitric oxide, induced sputum, and exercise capacity. The first hypothesis to be tested is that statins and omega-3 fatty acids/ antioxidants have a synergistic beneficial effect (multiplicative) on outcomes. If this is not supported, the second hypothesis that the two interventions, separately, have an effect on the outcomes. Relationships between the change in lung function and inflammatory markers will also be explored.