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We aim to ascertain if there is a correlation between differing ventilation techniques post-CPB and associated post-operative outcomes. We propose to deliver PEEP at pressures that are currently practised (7 cmH2O) and change tidal volumes delivered to these patients. We hypothesise that higher tidal volumes (10ml/kg IBW) with current moderate PEEP settings correlate with reduced use of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure or Non-Invasive Ventilation (CPAP/NIV) post extubation.

Kidney biopsy is an important test to diagnose and monitor many kidney conditions. It is performed with ultrasound to allow continuous vision of the biopsy needle passing into the kidney. This requires the operator to hold the ultrasound probe with one hand whilst manipulating the biopsy needle with the other, which can be difficult for newcomers. A needle guide attached to the ultrasound probe ensures the needle and ultrasound probe are always aligned to provide optimal images of both the kidney and needle simultaneously. Junior doctors will be randomly assigned to perform an ultrasound guided kidney biopsy in a synthetic model, with or without the aid of a needle guide. The impact of the needle guides will be assessed according to safety and adequacy as well as user feedback, to determine which method is superior for teaching this skill to junior doctors.

Smoking increases the risk of surgical complications such as wound infections and stopping smoking before surgery can reduce this risk, while smokers who remain quit after surgery are likely to have significant health benefits. We are currently conducting a trial where half the smokers on the wait list or offered free mailed nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) plus quitline support at the time they are wait-listed for surgery. Others get standard care (just a leaflet). We have found uptake of the offer at just 30-40%, and not all offer acceptors use the NRT well. The new trial is to see if a small financial incentive for being quit by surgery works with similar effectiveness as offering NRT before surgery. Offerring no NRT, but a small amount of money, could achieve similar quit results without the cost and complexity of mailing packages of NRT. Smokers (10+) per day are randomized at time of going on the elective surgery wait list to one of four groups: (1) standard care, control group (2) no NRT, just $70 cash if quit by surgery, plus some printed information on how to access own NRT from GP or pharmacy. A change was made to increase the incentive to $140 after the study was commenced (after 454 smokers had been randomised, though most had not had day of surgery data collection due to COVID related delays in elective surgery). The increased incentive applied only to those newly randomised (not the 454 randomised at the $70 level), with a plan to compare the offer uptake (Percentage saying yes to accept the challenge of quiting before surgery and potentially receive the gift) at the $70 level with the $140 level. To prove being quit on day of surgery, smokers claiming to have quit must have <8 parts per million carbon dioxide on breath testing. The study will determine if adding a cash incentive improves quitting, and whether it is a feasible approach for a healthcare service for preoperative smoking reduction

Ankle braces have been proven to prevent ankle sprain, in both people who have never sprained an ankle and those who are recurrent sprainers (Doherty et al, 2017). The downside is that braces affect the mobility of the foot as they restrict all joints they pass over, and so often affect performance in activities such as walking, jumping and hopping (Doherty et al, 2017). This is of concern as braces are often applied in potential ankle spraining situations, such as sport, where performance should be optimal. To address this issue, the KISS® ankle brace was designed to allow unrestricted ankle and foot joint movement within normal ranges, whilst supporting the subtalar joint and restricting only end-range joint motion. To date, there are no studies investigating whether this claim is true. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate whether the KISS® ankle brace maintains functional performance, immediately after application and after a period of adaption to the brace, compared with a standard brace condition. Additionally, to identify whether the KISS® ankle brace achieves the aim of being easy to apply, light weight, comfortable, and unnoticeable during activity.

Gestational Diabetes mellitus (GDM) is becoming more common in Australia, affecting thousands of pregnant women. Between 12% and 14% of pregnant women will develop GDM, with diagnosis usually occurring around the 24th to 28th week of pregnancy. Scientific evidence shows that controlling glucose levels can result in reduced risk of foetal complications (such as macrosomia) and increased maternal quality of life. However, due to increasing rates, and earlier diagnosis of GDM, and a number of systemic (associated increased health care costs, finite economic and staffing resources;) and patient barriers (non-adherence to blood glucose level (BGL) testing as per clinical guidelines; inconvenience in attending clinic visits), impediments to optimal maternal health exist. The project aims to evaluate the real-world implementation of a smartphone- and Internet-based interactive system (called M?THer) to support women with diagnosis of GDM. The project will evaluate the adoption and acceptability of the platform, as well as the impact of using the system on service delivery. The project will implement and evaluate a previously piloted and enhanced M?THer system at Metro South Health Antenatal Services (including Redland, Logan and Beaudesert Hospitals) as well as at the Mater Mother’s Public Hospital.

This pilot program aims to boost wellbeing and engagement among people aged 65 years and older. It supports participants to plan and do personally meaningful and enjoyable activities to lead a more rewarding life. This behavioural activation approach has been demonstrated to help people become happier in studies around the world and is also a very effective treatment for depression. Our goal in this pilot is to test whether a tailored version of this well established wellbeing intervention increases engagement, valued activity, health, and wellbeing in an older adult population.

Forty healthy adult subjects will be recruited to attend three data collection sessions at the CASS labs at Deakin University Burwood Campus. During any session, participants will be provided with any one mouth rinse in a random order: containing fatty acid (oleic acid 20mM), containing triglyceride (vegetable oil isocaloric to the fatty acid wash; positive control), or containing neither (negative control). They will then return to the lab after 90 minutes for an ad libitum buffet lunch, where they will be able to consume as much or as little food as they like. Food intake will be measured to assess the effect of the mouth rinse on intake. Participants will return to the CASS lab on separate days to complete the same methods, but with the other two remaining mouth rinses (cross-over design). Data will be collected via the researcher weighing food and plates to calculate the exact quantity of food intake. This will be performed in a separate room to the buffet to ensure there is no influence on the participants. Additional measures: • Participants will keep a food record of their intake on the morning of each session. This will be completed using an online tool – ASA24 Australia • Participants will complete satiety questionnaires before and after lunch to ensure they are comfortably full following buffet. These will be completed using an online survey software – Compusense Cloud The aim is to assess the effects of a fatty acid-based mouth rinse on acute appetite and ad libitum food intake. We hypothesise that the fatty acid-based mouth rinse will reduce food intake compared to a control rinse.

The purpose of the study is to assess the efficacy of the i-CBT stress and well-being program for university students. We expect that the participants in the treatment group will show lower levels of psychological distress and higher levels of well-being at post-treatment and one-month follow up than participants in the waitlist control group.

The RECARDINA project will evaluate two possible approaches to an innovative screening protocol for congenital and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in school-aged children and young people, using briefly-trained healthcare workers conducting handheld, single view (SPLASH) echocardiography. Both approaches could potentially be scaled up to allow for screening very large numbers of children in a short period of time. The first approach is a screen and refer approach, whereby briefly-trained healthcare workers identify suspected abnormal scans, and refer these children on for further evaluation by a cardiologist; the second approach involves offsite expert review of all echo images obtained by the briefly-trained healthcare workers to identify which children have heart disease and require further follow up or treatment. The two approaches to screening will be evaluated in terms of diagnostic accuracy and which produces the highest yield of significant heart disease cases, in settings with limited resources and a high burden of undetected RHD. The Recardina study will take place in urban and rural sites in Timor-Leste and the Northern Territory.

The D4D/D4T2DM trial is designed as a multi-centre, single-blind, randomized, parallel group, superiority study to determine the role of Vitamin D from the oral supplement, sun exposure and dietary invention in controlling and reducing DM risks. The current study hypothesised that adequate vitamin D level will help with correcting blood sugar level and HbA1c. Eligible participants will be randomised in equal proportion into one of 4 groups: vitamin D supplement, dietary intervention, sun exposure and control group for duration of 9 months. This study will help to understand and explain the possible association between vitamin D and Diabetes Mellitus, help to reduce the cost of clinical care; the cost of medicine; reduce the compliance of DM and reduce the incidence of hospitalization.