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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic lung condition caused by cigarette smoking. COPD consists of emphysema and chronic bronchitis, which lead to worsening breathlessness, cough and sputum production and need for oxygen. COPD is the third highest cause of burden of disease to the community in Australia and the fourth leading cause of death. People with COPD suffer many chest infections, which need antibiotics and offer need admission to hospital. However there is much variab ....Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic lung condition caused by cigarette smoking. COPD consists of emphysema and chronic bronchitis, which lead to worsening breathlessness, cough and sputum production and need for oxygen. COPD is the third highest cause of burden of disease to the community in Australia and the fourth leading cause of death. People with COPD suffer many chest infections, which need antibiotics and offer need admission to hospital. However there is much variability in the pattern of COPD related to infections. Natural chemicals produced by the body that fight infection are likely to be involved in this variability. Recently it has been discovered that there are variations in the genetic sequence of the genes that code for these chemicals. These genetic variations change the structure of the chemicals or the rate at which they are produced. Therefore it is highly likely that these genetic variations may influence the risk of developing COPD, and the risk of getting infections. In this study, we aim to systematically examine how these genetic variations alter the development of COPD and the risk of infections. At the start, we will collect a blood sample and phlegm (sputum) specimen from each person. The results of the genetic tests will then be compared to the risk of developing COPD, the chemicals produced and the risk of infection. We believe this study will improve our understanding of how COPD and its complications develop, leading to better treatment for this condition in the future.Read moreRead less
The Impact Of Household Infrastructure Improvements On Child Health In Remote Aboriginal Communities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$413,350.00
Summary
The impact of the living environment on health has been well documented in the last 150 years and it is widely acknowledged that improvements in the living, working and social conditions of industrial countries have resulted in dramatic improvements in health. In Australia the close correlation between an unhealthy environment and the poor health of the Indigenous population has been clearly recognised. In 1993-94 the Federal Government established infrastructure projects as a component in the i ....The impact of the living environment on health has been well documented in the last 150 years and it is widely acknowledged that improvements in the living, working and social conditions of industrial countries have resulted in dramatic improvements in health. In Australia the close correlation between an unhealthy environment and the poor health of the Indigenous population has been clearly recognised. In 1993-94 the Federal Government established infrastructure projects as a component in the implementation of the National Aboriginal Health Strategy. The selection of communities for funding has been based on need, and the Northern Territory has attracted funding support disproportionate to its total population, but consistent with the level of need. While there is wide acceptance of the relationship between the household environment and health status, and evidence to support this general relationship, there is a need at an international and local level for research that informs specific social policy decisions. The aim of the proposed study is to determine the impact of improvements in household infrastructure on the health of children living in remote Aboriginal communities with a view to informing the development of infrastructure projects. The outcomes of this project will be a significant advance in the understanding of the relationship between the household environment and health status, and of the improvements in health that can be achieved through improvement in household infrastructure. The relationship between specific components of household infrastructure and the ability to conduct each of a number of healthy living practices will be defined, to our knowledge, for the first time. There is a unique opportunity in the Northern Territory to conduct world class research in this area. The new information will be of value in the planning of infrastructure projects in remote Indigenous communities across Australia and in similar settings internationallyRead moreRead less
Otitis Media In Indigenous And Non-Indigenous Children: Microbiological And Immunological Risk Factors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$534,400.00
Summary
Otitis media (middle ear infections) is a major health problem in children. Many children suffer repeated attacks requiring frequent courses of antibiotics, some need surgery and some suffer serious consequences, particularly hearing loss. This can affect performance at school, hence employment and social circumstances in adulthood. Indigenous children suffer much higher rates of disease with more complications than non-Indigenous children. Many factors predispose to the heavy burden of disease. ....Otitis media (middle ear infections) is a major health problem in children. Many children suffer repeated attacks requiring frequent courses of antibiotics, some need surgery and some suffer serious consequences, particularly hearing loss. This can affect performance at school, hence employment and social circumstances in adulthood. Indigenous children suffer much higher rates of disease with more complications than non-Indigenous children. Many factors predispose to the heavy burden of disease. In the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area we are following Indigenous and non-Indigenous children from birth to 24 months to look at a broad range of factors in order to proceed as soon as possible to appropriate intervention programs. Samples from the back of the nose are collected to find out the relationship between carriage of a range of bacteria or viruses and risk of getting otitis media. Information on antibiotic resistance of the bacteria we isolate will assist in ensuring appropriate treatment of otitis media. We also collect a sample of breast milk from mothers and several samples of saliva to find out about the immune system of babies and how this relates to disease to assist in an ongoing program of vaccine development for prevention of otitis media. We will find out how environmental factors such as crowding or passive smoking relate to carriage of bacteria and whether a combination of different factors increase risk of disease. A new vaccine called pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, recently licensed in Australia, is highly effective in preventing severe diseases such as pneumonia and meningitis and affords some protection against ear infections. It is likely to be offered first to Indigenous children because they suffer very high rates of pneumococcal disease. The vaccine may alter the types of bacteria in the nose. This needs to be monitored carefully which will be possible during this study.Read moreRead less
A Prospective Randomised Trial Comparing Nasogastric With Intravenous Hydration In Children With Bronchiolitis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$886,817.00
Summary
This project aims to compare the two methods currently being used of providing fluid to young children who have a viral infection of the lungs called bronchiolitis. The methods of giving fluids are through a tube placed though the nose, down the food pipe, into the stomach (nasogastric tube), or through a drip in the child's vein (intravenous). We hope to show that one of these methods is better than the other and allows children to be sent home from hospital earlier, and cost less.
Role Of Nucleocytoplasmic Trafficking Of Matrix Protein In RSV Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$495,041.00
Summary
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the major cause of viral pneumonia in infants and young children throughout the world. By the age of 3, virtually every child has been infected by RSV at least once. RSV is also an important cause of pneumonia in the elderly and is estimated to cause more deaths each winter than influenza. In Australia, an estimated 100,000 infants are infected by RSV every year. In Victoria, RSV is the most common cause of all reported cases of respiratory tract disease, wit ....Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the major cause of viral pneumonia in infants and young children throughout the world. By the age of 3, virtually every child has been infected by RSV at least once. RSV is also an important cause of pneumonia in the elderly and is estimated to cause more deaths each winter than influenza. In Australia, an estimated 100,000 infants are infected by RSV every year. In Victoria, RSV is the most common cause of all reported cases of respiratory tract disease, with an estimated annual cost of $1-4 million. Despite more than 40 years of research there is no vaccine to prevent RSV infection, and the only drug (ribavirin) licenced for treatment of RSV infection is expensive, difficult to administer, toxic, and of doubtful efficacy. We propose to examine one of the RSV proteins, the matrix protein (M). M is very important for virus propagation and is responsible for resultant cell injury. We have observed that M enters the cell nucleus (the location for all cellular DNA and RNA synthesis) where it appears to inhibit host cell RNA synthesis early in infection; later, it exits the nucleus in a step required for virus production in the cytoplasm. The signals that regulate transport of M into and out of the nucleus and the effect on the host cell leading to pathogenesis, are the focus of this proposal. The results of this study will be beneficial in many ways. Most importantly, we will gain knowledge about the processes underlying cell injury caused in RSV disease, which may lead to the identification of novel targets for intervention strategies.Read moreRead less
Regulation Of Subcellular Localisation Of Respiratory Syncytial Virus M Protein: Implications For Pathology
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$580,195.00
Summary
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the major cause of viral pneumonia in infants and the elderly, causing more deaths in winter than influenza. We have observed RSV M protein in the nucleus of infected host cells where it inhibits host cell transcription. We propose to investigate the regulation of nuclear localisation of M by phosphorylation and binding to cellular factors and its importance to RSV pathogenesis. The results will relate strongly to future drug and vaccine development.
Acquisition And Transmission Of Respiratory Pathogens In Persons With Cystic Fibrosis (CF): Development And Implementation Of Novel Molecular Tools
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$155,416.00
Summary
There are a number of significant bacteria that cause infection in children with cystic fibrosis. Early eradication may have a positive impact on clinical outcome. Molecular biology assists in the rapid identification and characterisation of clinical strains of these bacteria. This project will develop molecular biology tools and then use them to pimporve detection of these significant bacteria in early childhood of people with CF.
Functional Significance Of Subcellular Localisation Of Viral 3C Protease In Rhinovirus Pathogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$613,513.00
Summary
Rhinovirus (RV) infections are the major cause of virus induced asthma attacks and common colds, causing significant morbidity and mortality. The incidence of asthma is increasing worldwide with new strategies urgently needed to reduce RV-associated disease. We have observed RV 3C protease in the nuclear compartment of infected host cells and propose to determine its significance in RV pathogenesis with relevance to asthma therapies.