Duty Ratio: A Simple Method For Quantifying Loop Gain During Breathing Instability
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$343,514.00
Summary
This proposal presents a new method for calculating the severity of sleep disordered breathing in patients. The proposal also tests the effectiveness of our method in experiments in animals and humans. The method, which requires no intervention in the patient, offers promise as a means for testing the efficacy of treatments for the unstable breathing pattern found in patients with heart failure in whom the presence of unstable breathing is associated with poor outcome.
Improved Gene Therapy Strategies For Primary Pulmonary Hypertension
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$370,517.00
Summary
Many people develop problems with the blood vessels in the lungs, which then leads to a narrowing of these vessels and consequently a back-pressure strain on the heart. These disorders can arise from inherited diseases of the blood vessels themselves, or from accquired lung disease (for example due to smoking or chronic infections). At present there are few treatments which have any benefits for these patients and many must undergo lung or heart-lung transplantation. This project is desigened bo ....Many people develop problems with the blood vessels in the lungs, which then leads to a narrowing of these vessels and consequently a back-pressure strain on the heart. These disorders can arise from inherited diseases of the blood vessels themselves, or from accquired lung disease (for example due to smoking or chronic infections). At present there are few treatments which have any benefits for these patients and many must undergo lung or heart-lung transplantation. This project is desigened both to find out new information about the disease process that affects the lung blood vessels and to offer a strategy for new treatments. The project will use a crippled form of the cold virus to deliver genes to the lining of the lung blood vessels, then see what impact that has on the pressure within the vessels and the ways in which they respond to certain stresses. These studies will be carried out using laboratory animals. If successful, it may be possible to eventually design such viruses to deliver genes which have a helpful therapeutic impact on the disease in patients.Read moreRead less
A Comprehensive Self-Management Programme For Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease In The Community
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$391,610.00
Summary
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of burden of disease in Australia. It has a major impact on sufferers, their carers and society. This study introduces a new model of community care, based on case management, mentoring to improve self-efficacy and information systems to deliver information and closely monitor disease status. This will improve the quality of life of sufferers, develop healthcare networks and decrease healthcare utilisation.
Regulation Of Inflammatory And Epithelial Responses In An Experimental Model Of Chronic Human Asthma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$164,061.00
Summary
This project examines how chronic inflammation and scarring develop in the walls of the airways in asthma. The particular role of allergic mechanisms and of specific types of cells that are involved in allergic inflammation will be tested, using a much-improved mouse model of asthma. In this experimental model, which was developed by the investigators, sensitised mice are chronically exposed to low concentrations of aerosolised egg white protein. The proposed studies will involve comparisons wit ....This project examines how chronic inflammation and scarring develop in the walls of the airways in asthma. The particular role of allergic mechanisms and of specific types of cells that are involved in allergic inflammation will be tested, using a much-improved mouse model of asthma. In this experimental model, which was developed by the investigators, sensitised mice are chronically exposed to low concentrations of aerosolised egg white protein. The proposed studies will involve comparisons with animals that are genetically deficient in their ability to produce certain inflammation-related molecules, as well as with mice treated with antibodies to block the action of other such molecules.Read moreRead less
Targeting Oxidant-dependent Pathways To Treat Skeletal Muscle Wasting In COPD
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,089,054.00
Summary
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a major incurable global health burden and is the 4th largest cause of death worldwide. A significant proportion of COPD patients have skeletal muscle wasting and loss of strength which severely impacts on their quality of life and survival. The reason for this is unknown so the aim of this study is to determine how skeletal muscle wasting occurs in COPD and to then develop new medicines to treat skeletal muscle wasting and dysfunction in COPD.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major global health problem and has been predicted to become the third largest cause of death in the world by 2020. Cigarette smoking is the major cause of COPD and accounts for more than 95% of cases in industrialized countries. Cigarette smoke triggers cells in the lung to release substances which cause inflammation and eat away lung tissue. In addition, these substances enter the blood and muscle where they eat away muscle resulting in signifi ....Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major global health problem and has been predicted to become the third largest cause of death in the world by 2020. Cigarette smoking is the major cause of COPD and accounts for more than 95% of cases in industrialized countries. Cigarette smoke triggers cells in the lung to release substances which cause inflammation and eat away lung tissue. In addition, these substances enter the blood and muscle where they eat away muscle resulting in significant weight loss. Patients with COPD have severe difficulty in breathing because the lungs are damaged and do not function properly. This process, once started, cannot be reversed and there is currently no satisfactory therapy to help treat individuals with this terrible disease. People with COPD are prone to viral and bacterial infections of the lungs. These infections cause further inflammation, lung damage and difficulty in breathing. These infections place a tremendous burden on health care resources, have a huge effect on the quality of life and are a common cause of death. The reason why respiratory infections are so serious for people with COPD is unclear. Preliminary results from our laboratory show that a substance called GM-CSF, released from cells in the lung, may be involved in the development of COPD. Thus, the aim of this project is to use our mouse models of COPD to determine whether GM-CSF is involved in the development of COPD. The insights gained may lead to the identification of potentially novel ways to prevent and treat COPD.Read moreRead less