ANZCTR search results

Low red blood cell counts (anaemia) occur in the vast majority of patients with chronic kidney disease. In most cases, these low red blood cell counts respond to treatment with medications, such as erythropoietin (Eprex®) or darbepoietin alpha (Aranesp®). However, about 10-15% of patients continue to be anaemic even with appropriate treatment. Such patients are at increased risk of being hospitalized, developing complications such as heart failure, and dying. A number of small studies have suggested that a drug called oxpentifylline (Trental®) is very good at safely raising red blood cell counts in persistently anaemic patients. However, this drug has not yet been properly tested in a controlled trial (that is, where the drug is given to 1 group of patients, but not another).

Pantoprazole is a gastric acid pump inhibitor similar to omeprazole used as the sodium salt in the treatment of erosive esophagitis associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease and pathological hypersecretion associated with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Pantoprazole works as a restrictor of H/K ATPase. Thus it leads to a reduction of hydrochloric acid production in the stomach and the pH value of the gastric juice come rise, which leads to a reduction of aggressiveness of the gastric juice and thus to accelerate healing of gastric wall injuries.(as for example:SRMD) Changes in inflammatory cytokines and inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis lead to reduced resistance of gastric mucosa to damaging factors. Some studies performed on the role of cytokines in gastric pH and peptic ulcer disease are as following: Increase of Helicobacter.Pylori in endoscopic studies was due to low mucosal concentrations of IL-8, IL-1a and high concentration of IL-13 and in another study increased concentration of TNF-a and IL-6 was associated with H.Pylori gastritis. No relationship between IL-1B gene polymorphism and gastric secretion in younger healthy volunteers is seen. Inhibitory potency of twice-a-day omeprazole on gastric acidity is enhanced by eradication of H.Pylori and is correlated to fall in gastric juice NH3. Gastoesophageal reflux disease-associated esophagitis induces endogenous cytokine production (IL-6). IL-8/STREM is an independent factor for the generation of peptic ulcer disease and might behave as an anti-inflammatory mediator in chronic gastritis. The effect of HBD-2 in pathogenesis of gastritis may be through its function as immune and inflammatory mediator. These results indicate that classic cytokines are important mediators associated with esophagitis and gastritis. Experimental section: Upon admission to the ICU all the patients who did need nasogastric tube and met the following inclusion criteria would be enrolled to intragastric pH – temp monitoring trial. - Inclusion criteria: 1. Age>18 2. Base line intra gastric pH<3.5 3. High risk patients a. patients with Coagulopathy disorders. b. Ventilator dependant patients, shock, respiratory failure, trauma, sepsis. - exclusion criteria 1. History of peptic ulcer disease, active G.I bleeding 2. Patients with zollinger Ellison 3. Recipient of H2 blockers & NSAIDs 4. Tube feeding 5. Creatinin>2 or Creatinine>25%increase in baseline 6. abnormal LFT (3 times > base line) 21 patients would be randomized in 3 groups. Group A: receive pantoprazole 40 mg/BD Group B: receive a bolous dose of pantoprazole 25mg stat and then 3 mg/hr Group C( Control group): receive standard treatment The study would last 64 hrs (two 24 hrs and a 16 hrs wash-out period between them, which patients intra gastric temp and pH monitored every 3hrs, with our intra gastric probe catheter simultaneously 5cc of gastric Juice is going to be obtained every 6hrs and pH shall be detected via pH meter. The level of inflammatory interleukins IL1, TNF? and anti inflammatory interleukins IL10, EGF of patient’s gastric juice with enzyme-link immunoassay in 2, 12, 24, 48, 64 hrs after admission of the patient two the ICU. To find out that is there any relation between intra gastric pH and temp and the levels of this inflammatory and anti inflammatory factors. Endoscopy will be perform pre and post intervention for the patients to compare the degree of mucosal damage due to Stress between group (RMD)

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Conor Sirolimus-eluting Coronary Stent System in the treatment of coronary artery disease. The study will evaluate the outcomes of a new drug-eluting stent compared to an approved drug-eluting stent.

Our previous research indicates that the Shyness Program, an Internet-based treatment program for people with social phobia, is effective at helping people to learn to manage their symptoms of social phobia. The study described here aims to find out whether therapist support is required for people to successfully complete the Shyness Program. We expect that people completing the Shyness Program without therapist support will still benefit, but not as much as those receiving the usual levels of therapist support.

To evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and potential efficacy of a school-based movement skills program on actual physical competence, perceived physical competence, enjoyment and participation in physical activity.

Studies have shown that high protein diets containing lean cuts of meat can improve a number of cardiovascular disease risk factors, including improved glucose control and insulin sensitivity, increased satiety, reductions in blood cholesterol, risk of type II diabetes, blood pressure and body weight and improved weight control. Lean pork as part of a high protein diet has not been studied. The aims of our research is to evaluate the health benefits of regular pork consumption by determining the relationship between consumption of pork and markers of cardiovascular and metabolic (cardiometabolic) health which include body composition (% body fat, body weight), blood lipids, blood glucose, arterial compliance, blood pressure and insulin sensitivity. Hypothesis: -Regular consumption of lean fresh pork will not increase risk factors for cardiovascular disease but may actually improve cardiometabolic health.

We already know that blood glucose levels relate to the long term vascular complications in type I diabetes. There have been other studies that suggest that blood glucose variability (i.e. how much the blood glucose levels vary through the day) may also be an important factor. The purpose of this study is to look at blood vessel function and glucose variability in children whilst they are on insulin injections compared with shortly after starting an insulin pump. The hypotheses to be tested are: •Commencing children with type I diabetes on a insulin pump improves how blood vessels work •Commencing children with type I diabetes on a insulin pump reduces glucose variability •The improvement in how the blood vessels is due to reduced glucose variability independent of other changes in vascular risk factors.

The University of Melbourne recruited adult members of the general public in an evaluation of educational materials, which teach skills in helping someone with a mental health problem. Participants were asked to complete 3 online questionnaires of approximately 20 minutes each (over a seven month period), to gauge their knowledge, attitudes and behaviours towards people with mental health problems. Jorm AF, Kitchener BA, Fischer JA, Cvetkovski S in press, Mental health first aid training by e-learning: a randomized controlled trial, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry.

To assess the incidence of positive preoperative conjunctival cultures with two (at time of periorbital anaesthetic block and in theatre approximately 15 minutes later) in comparison with one (at time of the anaesthetic block only) applications of 5% povidone-iodine solution to the operative eye before phacoemulsification cataract surgery. Ultimately to assess whether microbial recontamination occurs after the initial application of povidone-iodine, and thus whether two applications of povidone-iodine are necessary in order to reduce the rate of positive preoperative conjunctival cultures.