Cystic Fibrosis - Insulin Deficiency, Early Action (CF-IDEA)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$391,569.00
Summary
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is the most common life-threatening genetic condition affecting Australian children. As well as repeated lung infections, children with CF develop insulin deficiency and eventually diabetes. The CF-IDEA trial (Cystic Fibrosis _ Insulin Deficiency, Early Action) will determine whether starting insulin treatment before the onset of diabetes (earlier than current practice) will improve the health of children with CF by improving body weight and lung function.
ProbioticTreatment Of Diarrhoeal Disease And Malnutrition In Top End Aboriginal Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$332,036.00
Summary
Aboriginal children in the Top End of Australia have high rates of hospital admission for diarrhoea and malnutrition. We have discovered that underlying small intestinal damage in these children is an important contributor to the high complication rates and longer lengths of stay in hospital compared to non-Aboriginal children. This research proposes to continue our work on small intestinal damage by using two non-invasive tests of gut function, namely a sugar absorption test and novel breath te ....Aboriginal children in the Top End of Australia have high rates of hospital admission for diarrhoea and malnutrition. We have discovered that underlying small intestinal damage in these children is an important contributor to the high complication rates and longer lengths of stay in hospital compared to non-Aboriginal children. This research proposes to continue our work on small intestinal damage by using two non-invasive tests of gut function, namely a sugar absorption test and novel breath test. The sugar permeability test involves the children drinking a solution of the two sugars lactulose and rhamnose, and measuring their absorption into the blood 90 minutes later using a sophisticated measuring instrument called HPLC, which can measure minuscule amounts of sugars and is set up at Royal Darwin Hospital. The breath test involves children drinking another sugar solution with a special non-radioactive marker called a stable isotope of carbon, and measuring changes in the amount of this marker in carbon dioxide from the breath at timed periods after drinking the sugar solution. The breath is analysed in Adelaide using another sophisticated instrument. These tests are being used to measure abnormal sugar absorption due to intestinal damage, which is particularly common in Aboriginal children during the weaning period of 4-18 months. Our hypothesis is that treatment with 'healthy germs' (probiotics) like those in certain yoghourts will colonise the gut, stimulate immunity and reduce the presence of 'nasty germs' (pathogenic bacteria) in the intestines of Aboriginal children which contribute to the need for their hospitalisation with diarrhoea and malnutrition. If this hypothesis is correct, then this research will provide the best kind of evidence for reducing the need for hospital treatment by treating all cases of diarrhoea with these probiotics and possibly even decreasing the gut damage of children in the weaning period by including probiotics in their dietsRead moreRead less
A COMMUNITY BASED STRENGTH TRAINING PROGRAM TO IMPROVE WORK TASK PERFORMANCE IN YOUNG ADULTS WITH DOWN SYNDROME
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$180,649.00
Summary
This study will compare the outcomes of a 10 week twice a week community-based weight training program for young adults with Down syndrome with an art program. It will establish if a student-led exercise program can improve their performance of work tasks and their activity levels. Should the program prove beneficial, we aim to achieve the long-term outcome of exercise being implemented as a sustainable, inclusive recreation option for this group.
Optimization Of Glycaemic Control And Prevention Of Hypoglycaemia And Microvascular Complications In Children And Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$452,051.00
Summary
Type 1 diabetes is a complex life-long disease that has onset in the young and carries a significant burden. Good management is crucial as it helps prevent the serious long term complications of the disease such as blindness and kidney disease. Low blood glucose or hypoglycaemia is a common side effect of insulin treatment. This research aims to explore ways to treat the disease more effectively, prevent hypoglycaemia and other diabetes complications and in so doing improve the outcomes for youn ....Type 1 diabetes is a complex life-long disease that has onset in the young and carries a significant burden. Good management is crucial as it helps prevent the serious long term complications of the disease such as blindness and kidney disease. Low blood glucose or hypoglycaemia is a common side effect of insulin treatment. This research aims to explore ways to treat the disease more effectively, prevent hypoglycaemia and other diabetes complications and in so doing improve the outcomes for young people with diabetes.Read moreRead less