Assessment Of Bilateral Oedema By Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$180,000.00
Summary
Swelling of tissue due to fluid accumulation, known as oedema, is one of the earliest signs of diseases such as kidney failure, burn injury or lymphedema. All of these are not uncommon conditions. Lymphedema, for example, is a common sequela of radiotherapy or surgery in the treatment of malignancies such as breast, uterine, and prostatic carcinoma. It is reported to occur in up to 40% of patients depending on the type of surgery and whether or not the patient received radiotherapy. It is estima ....Swelling of tissue due to fluid accumulation, known as oedema, is one of the earliest signs of diseases such as kidney failure, burn injury or lymphedema. All of these are not uncommon conditions. Lymphedema, for example, is a common sequela of radiotherapy or surgery in the treatment of malignancies such as breast, uterine, and prostatic carcinoma. It is reported to occur in up to 40% of patients depending on the type of surgery and whether or not the patient received radiotherapy. It is estimated that at any time 100000 women are suffering from post- mastectomy lymphedema in Australia alone. Treatment of breast cancer alone therefore, given the incidence of the disease, produces a large at-risk population. Add to this other causes of oedema and the magnitude of the problem becomes clearly apparent. The presence of chronic oedema is often a disfiguring and disabling disorder, usually accompanied by pain, recurrent infection, reduced mobility and impaired function. In acute oedema the problem often resolves with recovery from the underlying pathology. In chronic oedema, progression may be arrested by early intervention including complex physical therapy (exercise regimen, compression bandaging, and massage) which is effective in reducing limb volume, in improving the quality of life, function and body image of patients. Although the assessment of oedema is clearly of clinical importance, relatively few objective and accurate techniques for its measurement exist. Research conducted over the past decade by the applicants has pioneered the Use of Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis for the assessment of lymphedema. This study aims to translate this basic research into clinical practice. Sensitivity and specificity studies will establish normative and threshold values for impedance measurements that can be used as presumptive indicators of oedema. User friendly technology and equipment suitable for clinical use will be developed which should improve treatment therapies.Read moreRead less
Performance And Safety Testing Of The BioQ Cardiac Assist System In A Chronic Ovine Heart Failure Animal Model
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$142,800.00
Summary
This proposal will test a novel cardiac assist system in safety and performance studies using a chronic sheep heart failure model. This device has been tested in cardiovascular simulators and in an acute animal model showing attractive proof-of-concept data. Specifically, the device increased left coronary artery blood flow and reduced aortic pulse and mean pressures using our novel self-powered fully implantable stand alone device, a potential therapy treatment for heart failure.
Development Of Recombinant RsolCD39-PSGL As A Novel Therapeutic With Anti-thrombotic And Anti-inflammatory Effects
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$186,367.00
Summary
Heart disease and stroke are due to a narrowing of arteries followed by occlusion, due a combination of clot formation initiated by platelet clumping, and inflammation surrounding the vessel wall. The currently available drugs are often limited by the adverse reaction of bleeding. We will investigate the efficiency of a new drug to prevent clot formation and inflammation.
The Effect Of Stress/strain And Fatigue Fracture Sites On Durability Of Modular Aortic Endografts And Arterial Walls
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$300,919.00
Summary
Aneurysmal disease is an age related phenomenon. The mean life expectancy of western populations has doubled in 100 years because of the reduction in deaths from preventable and treatable diseases, and prolongation of life with chronic and incurable diseases. The older community (>65 years) continues to be active and productive contrary to prior predictions. Aneurysmal disease has emerged as a result of the changing pattern of diseases in the community. As with many other diseases, prophylaxi ....Aneurysmal disease is an age related phenomenon. The mean life expectancy of western populations has doubled in 100 years because of the reduction in deaths from preventable and treatable diseases, and prolongation of life with chronic and incurable diseases. The older community (>65 years) continues to be active and productive contrary to prior predictions. Aneurysmal disease has emerged as a result of the changing pattern of diseases in the community. As with many other diseases, prophylaxis against aneurysmal disease is the most effective approach since 80% of those that rupture will result in death. Endoluminal grafting provides a much less invasive procedure and provides an attractive and elegant alternative to open surgery. The danger is that structural strengths will be compromised with failures due to lack of strength and inadequate device durability. The most practical endografts are those that are built up from modules but vulnerable sites affected by fatiguing and disruptive forces are being identified, in particular where a tube divides into two outflow channels – the bifurcation - and joins. To improve and protect the current device, and enable sound engineering for future devices, we need to know the nature, magnitude and location of these forces. The existing collaboration with medical specialist, Cook Aust., the Advanced Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (CSIRO, Melb.) and University of WA combines a multidisciplinary team working towards the design and durability of the next generation of endoluminal devices and percutaneous insertions. While Australia is at the forefront of development, its current place in the market can only be maintained by further product development. Optimising and improving endoluminal grafts will reduce the suffering of major surgery while prolonging a higher quality of life with a much less invasive procedure whose long-term effectiveness, and thereby acceptance is dependent upon reliable durability.Read moreRead less
Mechanical Mobility Of The Thorax For Continuous Determination Of Lung Gas Volume
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$165,000.00
Summary
Percussion is a valuable clinical method for physical examination of parts of the body. A sharp tap (impulsive force) is applied to the body wall and the sound radiated in response is observed. This sound may be dull (over liver) or stony dull (pleural effusion), or resonant (over normal lung) or hyper-resonant (over bowel). While the variation in radiated sound is not fully understood, it is apparent that the presence of gas, which is highly compliant, increases mobility of the overlying tissue ....Percussion is a valuable clinical method for physical examination of parts of the body. A sharp tap (impulsive force) is applied to the body wall and the sound radiated in response is observed. This sound may be dull (over liver) or stony dull (pleural effusion), or resonant (over normal lung) or hyper-resonant (over bowel). While the variation in radiated sound is not fully understood, it is apparent that the presence of gas, which is highly compliant, increases mobility of the overlying tissue and allows it to resonate; where the sub-tissue is largely fluid, tissue mobility is low and the percussive sound is dull. Percussion is useful for examining the adult chest and lung, but cannot for example be applied in infant intensive care as only limited impulsive force can be used, and the adult finger, which is both a coupling device and sounding board, is too large. As well, percussion requires skill and quiet conditions. Accordingly, we developed a device to measure mobility of the chest and other tissues in real time. The VibroPulse applies a known low-level force to the body surface and records the resultant velocity induced in the surface. The force is generated by a vibrating mass set in motion by an electromagnetic motor driven by pseudo-random noise. Tissue mobility, defined as velocity-force, is derived simultaneously across the frequency range, providing an easily interpreted quantitative output unaffected by ambient noise. This proposal has two aims we can achieve in 1 year: (1) to continue evaluating VibroPulse sensitivity to tissue composition, using symmetrical percussive sites on the human chest and abdomen that are dull on one side and resonant on the other, and the chest of anaesthetised animals with experimentally induced pneumothorax and lung collapse, two life-threatening conditions for which percussion is a key diagnostic method, and (2) to engineer a small device from our bulky prototype that is suitable for clinical use, in infants and adults.Read moreRead less
Development And Evaluation Of Novel Fetal Haemoglobin Inducers For The Therapy Of Beta-thalassaemia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$288,899.00
Summary
The most important haemoglobinopathies from the clinical point of view are the beta-thalassaemias, sickle cell disease (SCD), HbE disease and the interactions between them. These beta-haemoglobinopathies are the result of mutations in the beta-globin gene, causing beta-globin chain synthesis that is abnormal, low or absent leading to life-threatening severe anaemia, and blood transfusion-dependency for life. An alternative approach to the therapy of beta-thalassemia is to reactivate fetal haemog ....The most important haemoglobinopathies from the clinical point of view are the beta-thalassaemias, sickle cell disease (SCD), HbE disease and the interactions between them. These beta-haemoglobinopathies are the result of mutations in the beta-globin gene, causing beta-globin chain synthesis that is abnormal, low or absent leading to life-threatening severe anaemia, and blood transfusion-dependency for life. An alternative approach to the therapy of beta-thalassemia is to reactivate fetal haemoglobin (HbF) synthesis. Some chemical agents have been identified to induce HbF and significantly reduce the need for blood transfusion in some thalassaemia patients, while in SCD patients it can ameliorate the clinical symptoms. Despite a number of clinical trials investigating the potential of HbF-inducing agents, many of these drugs have low efficacy, specificity, and cytotoxicity. There is therefore an urgent need to identify novel pharmacological agents with greater efficacy and reduced toxicity. Without a clear understanding of the underlying mechanism(s) involved in the induction of HbF, it is virtually impossible to focus on any molecular target. A promising approach is the use of chemical libraries in a high-throughput (HTP) screening to identify positive regulators of gene products. Our research group created an assay that has allowed us for the first time to perform a side-by-side comparison of several previously described fetal hemoglobin inducers including 2000 existing pharmaceuticals used by patients unrelated to thalassaemia. The screen identified a distinct group of compounds that induced the gamma-globin promoter in primary and secondary screens. The identification of novel inducers of HbF warrants further investigation as alternative therapies for beta-thalassemia. This project will evaluate novel inducers of HbF in our thalassaemia mouse model and provide early 'proof-of-concept' and enable the initiation of preclinical and clinical studies.Read moreRead less
Development Of Non-surgical Approach To Treating Tricuspid Regurgitation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$266,427.00
Summary
Heart failure is a common problem in which the heart enlarges and contracts poorly. In association with enlargement of the heart, the heart valves also begin to fail causing further worsening of quality and length of life. Failure of the tricuspid valve occurs in upto 87% of patients with heart failure and presently the only treatment option is high risk heart surgery. We are developing a way of dealing with tricuspid valve failure that does not require cardiac surgery.
Novel Nanoparticle Composites For Molecular Probes In Diagnostic Imaging
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$170,716.00
Summary
Isotope labelled protein probes, eg. antibodies, are a valuable imaging tool in investigating patient disease. Their biological specificity is their great strength, however, detection sensitivity often limits their use. A novel nanoparticle developed at ANU can increase this signal by a million-fold in comparison with conventional methods of labelling. This approach suits a range of probes and will accommodate many of the isotopes already used in patient diagnostics and therapy.
Innovations For Better Cardiovascular Prevention In Primary Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$294,285.00
Summary
The goal of this project is to take a new concept for cardiovascular disease management through the proof-of-concept stage and deliver a novel model for cardiovascular disease management. When proven, the application of this new process for service delivery will provide a low-cost way of closing the gap between guideline recommendations and current management of vascular disease in Australian primary care settings.
A New Non-invasive Diagnostic Technique Based On Detection Of Exhaled Respiratory Pathogens.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$179,300.00
Summary
We developed a special collection mask and showed that the breath of people with colds or flu contains a tiny amount of virus. Currently, diagnostic samples are collected by putting a tube into the airways - this is very uncomfortable. Our masks may provide a new and more comfortable way to diagnose lung infections. We want to build better masks and ways to detect viruses and bacteria to test out this method. This may create a new test that will improve diagnosis and treatment.