The Role Of Renin-angiotensin And Growth Factors In Developmental And Pathological Neovascularization In The Retina
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$342,562.00
Summary
In the normal retina of newborn babies, the blood vessels in the inner layers are not fully formed. These vessels are probably stimulated to grow by a reduction in retinal oxygen, which initiates the production of growth agents in retinal cells. Once the new vessels are formed the oxygen level of the retina becomes normal, and both the growth agents and blood vessel growth are reduced. A prolonged reduction in oxygen levels in the retina can have serious consequences for vision. Indeed, in some ....In the normal retina of newborn babies, the blood vessels in the inner layers are not fully formed. These vessels are probably stimulated to grow by a reduction in retinal oxygen, which initiates the production of growth agents in retinal cells. Once the new vessels are formed the oxygen level of the retina becomes normal, and both the growth agents and blood vessel growth are reduced. A prolonged reduction in oxygen levels in the retina can have serious consequences for vision. Indeed, in some eye diseases new blood vessel growth is excessive and the vessels are not properly formed, which leads to hemorrhage and ultimately blindness. Such events occur when the oxygen environment of premature babies is reduced after placement in high oxygen incubators. Also, in long-term diabetes, the oxygen levels of the retina falls as the retinal vessels become damaged. To understand the events that cause new vessel growth in retinal development and disease requires identification of the growth agents and their location in the retina. Very recently it has been found that the growth agent renin-angiotensin is made in the retina, and that its blockade in diabetic patients slows the progression of new retinal vessel growth. Renin-angiotensin is likely to cause its growth effects by increasing the production of other retinal growth agents. This proposal will study the role of renin-angiotensin and other growth agents in the developing newborn rat retina and in eye diseases. This information may lead to a further understanding of how blood vessels form in the retinas of newborn babies, and the production of new treatments for eye diseases characterized by blood vessel growth in the retina.Read moreRead less
Improving Health Outcomes Of Preterm Newborns In Low- And Middle-income Countries
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,562,250.00
Summary
Preterm birth (being born too soon) affects 1 in 10 births worldwide. In many low-income countries, preterm babies die for lack of effective care around the time of childbirth. My research aims to answer whether medicines such as steroid injections (to develop the baby’s lungs) and tocolytics (drugs to slow down or stop labour) actually help preterm babies born in low-income countries. I will also find ways to better measure how many women experience preterm birth in low-middle income countries.
Ending The Global Tuberculosis Epidemic: The Role Of Patient Costs
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,768.00
Summary
TB is an important public health problem worldwide. Rates of TB are declining but not fast enough to reach targets set by the World Health Organization to end the disease by 2035. One reason why TB remains an issue is the cost of health care for patients. My research will look at the costs of TB care for patients in Papua New Guinea and will compare costs between countries. I will look at policies to protect the sick and will conduct research to determine what works best in decreasing costs.
Functional Recovery From Retinal Degeneration: Genetic, Environmental And Senescent Models
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$265,888.00
Summary
This project is directed towards treatment for the blindness caused by retinal degeneration. The retina of the eye degenerates in several groups of diseases, and from several causes. Many cases affect young people and result from small genetic mutations in key proteins. Many appear to be caused by environmental damage to the retina, perhaps at birth. Retinal degeneration causes progressive blindness in a minority of younger people (about 1 in 4,000, so 5,000 Australians and 1-2 million people wo ....This project is directed towards treatment for the blindness caused by retinal degeneration. The retina of the eye degenerates in several groups of diseases, and from several causes. Many cases affect young people and result from small genetic mutations in key proteins. Many appear to be caused by environmental damage to the retina, perhaps at birth. Retinal degeneration causes progressive blindness in a minority of younger people (about 1 in 4,000, so 5,000 Australians and 1-2 million people world-wide). This condition is known as Retinitis pigmentosa. However, the normal retinal undergoes a slow loss of photoreceptors whose effect is cumulative, so that the vision of all peoples slowly fades towards the blindness of old age. In this form, retinal degeneration affects potentially everyone. We have recently published an 'oxygen toxicity' theory of retinal degeneration to account for both retinitis pigmentosa and senescent degeneration. The theory applies whether the dystrophy is preciptated by genetic mutation or by environmental factors . By the time a person becomes aware of blindness (commonly night blindness) from retinal degeneration, the loss of vision results (it is argued) from 2 causes: the death of some photoreceptors (the retinal cells which detect light) and damage to surviving photoreceptors. Both death and damage are caused by oxygen toxicity, arising from particular features of the retina's metabolism and blood supply. Further, the relentless progression of the blindness is inherent in the mechanisms of oxygen toxicity. In preliminary work we have been able to slow retinal degenerations and, importantly, to restore function in degenerating retinas by countering the oxygen toxicity. Experiments are proposed to expand this evidence and explore the time course, permanence and generality of these effects. The tests of retinal recovery and stability, and the mechanisms of countering oxygen toxicity will be readily applicable to clinical trials.Read moreRead less
Biomarkers For The Diagnosis Of Childhood TB: Validation In A High TB Prevalence Setting
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$948,086.00
Summary
The WHO highlights the urgent need for new diagnostic tests to combat the global TB pandemic. Diagnosis of TB is particularly difficult in children. In our previous NHMRC-funded Melbourne-based study we found promising diagnostic markers in blood which can differentiate patients with and without TB. This project has the potential to revolutionise the diagnosis of TB by providing data that will enable the development of a new generation of diagnostic tests.
International Orthopaedic Multicenter Study In Fracture Care (INORMUS)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,462,437.00
Summary
INORMUS is a global multi-centre prospective cohort study in 40,000 patients with musculoskeletal trauma (e.g. fractures or dislocations) to determine the incidence of major trauma complications (i.e. mortality, re-operations, and infections) and to examine a number of factors that may predict early complications. This study will allow us to address fundamental questions for the millions of adults worldwide who experience trauma annually and will have immense public health implications.
Developing A National Salt Reduction Program For India
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$93,626.00
Summary
While the scientific evidence base providing the rationale for salt reduction in controlling hypertension is very strong, the data required to translate those scientific insights into policy and reduced population salt intake are mostly absent. Few countries, India included, have the data required to develop, implement and evaluate salt reduction programs tailored to their national circumstances. The overall goal of this 3-year project is to develop the evidence base required to formulate a nati ....While the scientific evidence base providing the rationale for salt reduction in controlling hypertension is very strong, the data required to translate those scientific insights into policy and reduced population salt intake are mostly absent. Few countries, India included, have the data required to develop, implement and evaluate salt reduction programs tailored to their national circumstances. The overall goal of this 3-year project is to develop the evidence base required to formulate a national salt reduction program for India.Read moreRead less