Dissecting The Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome With Complementary Genetic, Proteomic And Biophysical Strategies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$490,352.00
Summary
Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) is an eye condition in which flaky material deposits in the eye, greatly increasing the risk of cataract and glaucoma which can lead to blindness. PEX is also associated with heart disease, strokes and aneurysms. Cataract surgery in PEX patients has a higher rate of complications. In this project we will determine the nature of PEX material and why it forms. This knowlege will facilitate better diagnosis and treatment of PEX preventing associated blindness.
A Randomised Controlled Trial Of A Nurse-led Intervention For Less Chronic Heart Failure: The NIL-CHF Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,166,160.00
Summary
The overall aim of the unique NIL-CHF Study is to examine the benefits of applying a specialist nurse-led, home and clinic-based intervention to optimise the care of recently discharged hospital patients with heart disease. Involving 950 patients, it will explore whether more flexible and individualised care to apply the best possible medical treatments is able to PREVENT the most deadly and disabling form of heart disease (chronic heart failure - CHF) and save money in the process.
Synchrotron X-ray Assessment Of Airway Surface Physiology For Cystic Fibrosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$778,228.00
Summary
We seek a cure or long-lasting therapy for the fatal airway disease in cystic fibrosis. Disease is caused by a shallow and dehydrated airway surface liquid (ASL), allowing bacteria to infect the lung. We can introduce a corrective gene into mouse airways where it can be effective for over 1 yr, but no fast, accurate and non-invasive measurement exists to test if treatments are successful. We will develop methods using synchrotron light to directly measure ASL depth changes in live mouse airways.
Determination Of Irradiation Dose Efficacy For Use In Impaction Grafting At Revision Joint Replacement
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$411,517.00
Summary
Primary hip replacement is a successful intervention for hip disease, but 10-15% of hip prostheses fail and require revision surgery within 10-15 years. At the time of revision, significant bone loss around the failed prosthesis is not uncommon. A bone reconstruction procedure, called impaction grafting, where donor bone is minced and placed in the areas of deficient bone before implanting the new prosthesis, has shown to give good results at more than ten years in some centres. A high incidence ....Primary hip replacement is a successful intervention for hip disease, but 10-15% of hip prostheses fail and require revision surgery within 10-15 years. At the time of revision, significant bone loss around the failed prosthesis is not uncommon. A bone reconstruction procedure, called impaction grafting, where donor bone is minced and placed in the areas of deficient bone before implanting the new prosthesis, has shown to give good results at more than ten years in some centres. A high incidence of early complications of this procedure have included loss of fixation within the bone. Fracture of the bone around prostheses has also reported in some centres. These events require more surgery, putting the patient at higher risk greater complications and longer rehabilitations. Recent improvements in surgical technique and donor bone preparation have improved results. A current debate questions whether the dose of irradiation can be reduced from 25 kGy, while maintaining sterility of allografts. The risk of bacterial contamination in allografts is low, and irradiation reduces the mechanical strength of the graft, contributing to complications when irradiated bone is used. The benefits of decontaminating the bone may be outweighed by the higher risk for failure due to poor bone quality and resulting prosthesis instability. We will use ISO standards to test the validity of radiation dose for sterilising bone ex vivo. In the absence of controlled human studies, our aim is also to compare the results of impaction grafting with non-irradiated bone versus bone irradiated at current doses used by Australian bone banks, and lower doses indicated by ex vivo testing. We will use a large animal model of revision hip replacement, with precise measures of prosthesis stability. The results of this study will guide clinical decisions regarding the efficacy of current bone graft preparation procedures and the use of irradiated bone in human hip replacement surgery.Read moreRead less