The Influence Of Acupuncture Stimulation On The Induction Of Labour : A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$123,874.00
Summary
Acupuncture, the insertion of fine needles, into specific areas of the body is increasingly being used to treat a number of conditions. During pregnancy and childbirth, women are looking to the complimentary therapies. There is interest in safe and more natural methods to induce labour in women with prolonged pregnancy. Small studies have been undertaken and these show that acupuncture may have a role with inducing labour. However, these studies were small and there is a need for a larger well d ....Acupuncture, the insertion of fine needles, into specific areas of the body is increasingly being used to treat a number of conditions. During pregnancy and childbirth, women are looking to the complimentary therapies. There is interest in safe and more natural methods to induce labour in women with prolonged pregnancy. Small studies have been undertaken and these show that acupuncture may have a role with inducing labour. However, these studies were small and there is a need for a larger well designed study to see whether acupuncture really does help with inducing labour. This study assesses whether women who have prolonged pregnancy can be successfully induced using acupuncture treatment. Women booked for a medical induction will be offered the opportunity to take part in the trial. Women interested in taking part in the trial will be randomly entered into one of two groups. One group will receive acupuncture and the other group will be given placebo- sham acupuncture. This second group involves the insertion of the needles into areas away from classical acupuncture points. Participation in the trial will take place over a two day period prior to the date of their planned induction. Each treatment will take one hour. Prior to term, focus groups will be held with women examining thier views on the use of acupuncture during pregnancy. All women will be asked to complete a questionnaire after the birth of their baby, this will ask for their views on acupuncture, their expectation and satisfaction from their birthing experience. There is no information to suggest there are any risks or side effects associated with the treatment. In 2001 we expect to report on the effectiveness of this treatment on the induction of labour and maintenance of labour and assessment of whether this treatment meets women's expectations and satisfaction. If the results are positive, it is hoped this will become an option for women requiring an induction of labour.Read moreRead less
Microbiological And Immunological Determinants Of Prolonged Illness Following Q Fever.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$362,036.00
Summary
Q fever is a severe, sometimes life-threatening infection acquired by individuals who work with livestock, particularly abattoir workers. At least 10% of individuals who develop Q fever experience prolonged ill-health in the form of weeks or months of debilitating fatigue, profuse night sweats, headaches, as well as muscle and joint pains. This poorly understood persistent illness is associated with substantial disability and loss of income. This research is based upon an established cohort stud ....Q fever is a severe, sometimes life-threatening infection acquired by individuals who work with livestock, particularly abattoir workers. At least 10% of individuals who develop Q fever experience prolonged ill-health in the form of weeks or months of debilitating fatigue, profuse night sweats, headaches, as well as muscle and joint pains. This poorly understood persistent illness is associated with substantial disability and loss of income. This research is based upon an established cohort study in which subjects with acute, documented Q fever are recruited shortly after the onset of symptoms and followed at regular intervals through to recovery or persistent symptoms. The aim of this research is to determine whether abnormal persistence of the causative organsim of Q fever, Coxiella burnetii, underlies the continued symptoms in those who do not recover promptly from the acute illness. Furthermore, the research is examining the host defense response against the organism via the production of cytokines or immunological hormones, to determine whether these proteins mediate the ongoing symptoms. If confirmed, these hypotheses would lead the way to diagnostic markers for the disorder and a rational treatment strategy.Read moreRead less
The Relationship Between Fatigue, Sleepiness And Crash Risk While Driving
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$444,070.00
Summary
Driver fatigue is a major road safety problem that is currently managed by encouraging drivers to take breaks when they feel tired. Unfortunately we dont know whether drivers really are able to detect when they are too tired to drive safely or, if they can make this judgement, whether and what motivates them to stop driving. This research will look at driver awareness of fatigue effects and what indicators and motivators can be used to encourage them to respond to signs of impaired driving.
Translating New Therapeutics And Diagnostics For Major Pregnancy Complications
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$481,156.00
Summary
My research is focussed on tackling major complications of pregnancy that are a threat to the lives of both mother’s and babies. We are developing new drug treatments for ectopic pregnancy (a dangerous condition where the pregnancy implants in the Fallopian tube), and preeclampsia (a condition where toxins leak out of the placenta into mum's blood, and can seriously injure many of mum's major organs). We are also generating a blood test that may help women avoid the tragedy of a stillbirth.
Prediction And Prevention Of Spontaneous Preterm Birth: An Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis Comprising Of Prognostic And Therapeutic Data
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,118,718.00
Summary
Spontaneous preterm birth is an important issue in obstetric care. Since potential treatments (pessary, progesterone) are available, accurate prediction is of imminent importance. We have established a collaborative network of >100 investigators (IPPIC-2) involved in primary studies with data on more than 1.2 milli women. We will estimate the value of individual clinical, biochemical and ultrasound markers for predicting preterm birth, and integrate that with therapeutic interventions.
Development Of Vinorelbine As A Tablet Based Therapy To Cure Ectopic Pregnancies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$361,594.00
Summary
Ectopic pregnancies occur if the pregnancy implants in the Fallopian tube. They can be deadly and most are treated surgically. We will examine the exciting possibility that instead of surgery, ectopic pregnancies may be cured with a tablet taken just once. We will perform laboratory studies and a clinical trial, giving vinorelbine to women with ectopic pregnancies.
Targeting The Anti-angiogenic Factors Of Preeclampsia: Soluble Endoglin And SFlt1
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$447,024.00
Summary
Preeclampsia is a severe disease of pregnancy - the placenta releases toxins in to mum's bloodstream that circulate her body and damage her organs. As there are no efficacious treatments, clinicians are forced to deliver babies irrespective of gestation. Although the two toxins of preeclampsia have been identified, little is known about their regulation. This project aims to elucidate the regulation of these toxins and design therapeutics that can prevent their release in the clinic.
Most pregnancy complications, including miscarriage, pre-eclampsia, fetal growth restriction and stillbirth, stem from poor development of the placenta early in pregnancy. Restricted fetal growth in the uterus increases the babies risk of cardiovascular and other disorders in later life. This research will investigate whether Corin, an enzyme discovered in the heart, helps the mothers uterus prepare for pregnancy. Disruptions in Corin production during early pregnancy is likely to be involved in ....Most pregnancy complications, including miscarriage, pre-eclampsia, fetal growth restriction and stillbirth, stem from poor development of the placenta early in pregnancy. Restricted fetal growth in the uterus increases the babies risk of cardiovascular and other disorders in later life. This research will investigate whether Corin, an enzyme discovered in the heart, helps the mothers uterus prepare for pregnancy. Disruptions in Corin production during early pregnancy is likely to be involved in major pregnancy complications and loss.Read moreRead less
Developing A Screening Test To Identify Women At Risk Of Preeclampsia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,119,284.00
Summary
Preeclampsia is a serious complication of pregnancy for which there is currently no cure and no way to accurately predict women at risk. Using large collections of human blood samples, we will screen for novel proteins within pregnant women's blood. We will then use artificial intelligence to select the best biomarkers and combine them with clinical information to develop a multi-marker blood test to predict women at risk.