Platelet-Activating And Proinflammatory Effects Of Proteins Secreted By Staphylococcus Aureus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$515,986.00
Summary
Skin or other Staphylococcus aureus (SA, golden Staph.) infections are common in Aboriginal Australians. We address the question whether atherosclerotic disease is accelerated by this bacterial infection. We will investigate whether a class of newly described toxins secreted by SA activates blood cells and leads to clot formation and potentially heart attack. We will evaluate plasma samples from cardiac patients and Aboriginal Austr. and will develop and test therapeutics in vitro and in mice.
Characterisation Of The Host Response In A Mouse Model Of Staphylococcus Aureus Keratitis.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$248,850.00
Summary
Staphylococcus is the most common cause of bacterial eye infections (microbial keratitis) . This ocular infection is associated with severe pain, redness, discharge and frequently results in the loss of vision or blindness. Predisposing factors for this disease include contact lens wear and immunocompromised individuals such as those with HIV, diabetes or aged populations. S. aureus keratitis is difficult to treat using conventional antibiotics as although bacteria may be eliminated, vision loss ....Staphylococcus is the most common cause of bacterial eye infections (microbial keratitis) . This ocular infection is associated with severe pain, redness, discharge and frequently results in the loss of vision or blindness. Predisposing factors for this disease include contact lens wear and immunocompromised individuals such as those with HIV, diabetes or aged populations. S. aureus keratitis is difficult to treat using conventional antibiotics as although bacteria may be eliminated, vision loss may still result from scarring. S. aureus also causes a wide range of hospital associated infections such as pneumonia, endocarditis, bacteremia, wound infections, osteomyelitis and septic arthritis. In recent times strains of S. aureus have emerged which are multi-drug resistant including methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA). These may only be treated with the drug Vancomycin. However, vancomycin resistant S. aureus have been reported in both Japan and the USA. Now, the search for new treatments for this bacterium is of vital importance. This project will utilise the novel S.aureus mouse model for keratitis, which we have developed in our laboratories. Our model will enable us to investigate the host responses to bacterial infection. Existing models in the rabbit do not allow such detailed studies due to the lack of existing molecular probes and antibodies. Insights into potential adjunct therapies will also be gained. This research could lead to the development of novel therapeutic measures aimed at manipulating the host response to reduce scarring and consequent blindness. This information may also be important for the development of prophylactic treatments for those patients at high risk, such as diabetics and immunocompromised individuals of developing this disease.Read moreRead less
Glutathione Transferase Zeta: A Novel Regulator Of Glucose And Lipid Metabolism
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$604,143.00
Summary
Obesity is a problem of global significance as a cause of preventable illness and death. The many consequences of obesity including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer and osteoarthritis are an increasing burden on affected subjects and on the health care system. Our recent studies have revealed a novel pathway for the regulation of obesity. This discovery has provided a new target for the development of drugs for obesity and related disorders.
CAM Use Among Mid-age Women: A National Mixed-methods Study Across The Urban-rural Divide
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$452,251.00
Summary
The aim of this project is to understand and explain why higher proportions of mid-age women in regional areas use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) than those in urban areas of Australia. Such work will provide an evidence-base for policy and practice on this topic and the project findings will help develop CAM initiatives and programs for women’s health that are sensitive to geographical variations in community health, health practice and provision. Women are significantly more like ....The aim of this project is to understand and explain why higher proportions of mid-age women in regional areas use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) than those in urban areas of Australia. Such work will provide an evidence-base for policy and practice on this topic and the project findings will help develop CAM initiatives and programs for women’s health that are sensitive to geographical variations in community health, health practice and provision. Women are significantly more likely to utilise CAM treatments than males and mid-age women have been found to be the highest CAM user group amongst Australian women. Researchers and practitioners have identified treatments from within CAM as potentially well-suited to dealing with a range of health problems and associated symptoms prevalent amongst mid-age women including the onset of cancer, arthritis, diabetes and asthma as well as menopause. Our previous pilot work found that mid-age women in regional areas are significantly more likely to use CAM than those in urban areas. A number of explanations as to why this is so can be or have been proposed. These include: limited access to conventional health care services in regional areas; closer working ties between non-urban general practitioners and CAM provision; dissatisfaction with conventional health care services in regional areas and stronger informal community networks in nonurban areas. Our proposed project, drawing upon a national representative sample of mid-age women will test such hypotheses and will provide findings of benefit and interest to policy makers, practitioners, consumers and all involved in women’s health and health care across urban and regional Australia.Read moreRead less
Development Of A Serum Based Test For Aggressive Prostate Cancer.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$144,950.00
Summary
Prostate cancer is relatively slow growing, taking decades to reach clinical significance. A critical phase in the progression of prostate cancer is the transformation from latent (or dormant) to aggressive tumours; hence the saying that many men die with prostate cancer, rather than of prostate cancer. We aim to develop a test utilising inhibin-activin proteins as surrogate markers of aggressive disease based on our previous studies of a significant correlation between the expression of inhibin ....Prostate cancer is relatively slow growing, taking decades to reach clinical significance. A critical phase in the progression of prostate cancer is the transformation from latent (or dormant) to aggressive tumours; hence the saying that many men die with prostate cancer, rather than of prostate cancer. We aim to develop a test utilising inhibin-activin proteins as surrogate markers of aggressive disease based on our previous studies of a significant correlation between the expression of inhibins in tissues from men with high grade prostate cancer. This study aims to validate the correlation using serum rather than a tissue based assay.Read moreRead less