Pressures Exerted On Upper Airway Walls By Surrounding Tissue Structures
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$426,500.00
Summary
The obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSA) refers to a condition in which throat blockage occurs during sleep leading to breathing difficulties, including cessation of breathing for short periods of time. OSA effects both men and women but is amongst the commonest of chronic disorders of adult males, occurring in 5% of men over the age of 45 years. In the proposed studies we will examine the effect of the pressure in the tissues surrounding the throat on the ability of the throat to stay open a ....The obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSA) refers to a condition in which throat blockage occurs during sleep leading to breathing difficulties, including cessation of breathing for short periods of time. OSA effects both men and women but is amongst the commonest of chronic disorders of adult males, occurring in 5% of men over the age of 45 years. In the proposed studies we will examine the effect of the pressure in the tissues surrounding the throat on the ability of the throat to stay open and allow breathing. The major outcome of the animal studies is increased knowledge concerning mechanisms whereby collapsing forces are applied to the upper airway. This will give insights into potential factors influencing upper airway collapse during sleep in OSA patients. Of particular importance will be our studies on the effects of jaw position on the pressure exerted on the walls of the throat since the use of an intra-oral device to hold the jaw forward during sleep is one of the treatments used to prevent throat blockage during sleep. The studies in humans will examine, for the first time, the notion that the mass (weight) of the neck has a direct effect on the severity of sleep disordered breathing. If neck mass has a substantive influence on sleep disordered breathing then strategies aimed at reducing neck mass (fat) may provide a new therapeutic approach to the management of OSA patients.Read moreRead less
AusCAN Risk Assessment For Sitting Acquired Pressure Ulcers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,707,297.00
Summary
Sitting acquired pressure ulcers are one of the major complications that occur after spinal cord injury. This project will determine factors that are associated with the development of sitting acquired pressure ulcers after spinal cord injury; and will develop a risk assessment tool that can identify those at high risk of pressure ulcer development. The cost of treating a pressure ulcer will also be assessed. This will enable cost-effective preventive treatment to be used in these individuals.
A pressure pulse may be felt at the wrist with every heart beat. New technology allows the analysis of this pulse and provides information that may help doctors make decisions about a patients risk related to blood pressure as well as the effect of drug treatment. The research aims to determine the clinical significance of pressure pulse analysis at rest and during light exercise. It is expected that the new technology will improve the way people with high blood pressure are treated.
Periodontal Mesenchymal Stem Cells For Periodontal Regeneration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$358,000.00
Summary
Dental diseases affecting the gums (periodontal disease) are extremely prevalent in our society. The effects of periodontal disease can be particularly severe as loss of support for the teeth leads to loose teeth and severely compromised masticatory function. If left untreated, the associated pain and loss of function may necessitate extraction of the teeth. We have recently identified cells residing in the periodontal ligament which may be adult stem cells. This project will further characteriz ....Dental diseases affecting the gums (periodontal disease) are extremely prevalent in our society. The effects of periodontal disease can be particularly severe as loss of support for the teeth leads to loose teeth and severely compromised masticatory function. If left untreated, the associated pain and loss of function may necessitate extraction of the teeth. We have recently identified cells residing in the periodontal ligament which may be adult stem cells. This project will further characterize these cells and explore whether they can be used to restore periodontal tissues damaged by periodontal disease.Read moreRead less
Ultrasonic Blood Pressure Measurement On Implanted Biomedical Surfaces
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$170,250.00
Summary
The project would develop a prototype device reporting blood pressure on a biomedical implant surface. The device would extract data in real time from a standard ultrasound scanner that images the implant. The School of Mathematical Sciences at Monash University will be contracted to develop this ultrasound pressure sensor.
Deciphering The Metabolic And Endocrine Profile Of Healthy Adipocytes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$563,194.00
Summary
Obesity is associated with the development of metabolic diseases, however, it is becoming clear that it is where the excess fat is stored that is more important when predicting the health risks associated with obesity. This project aims to identify whether adipocyte progenitor cells, which eventually become fat cells, are ‘preprogrammed’ and whether differences in these cells explain the generation of either healthy or unhealthy fat in different locations of the body.
To Repair An Osteo-chondral Defect In An Experimental Rabbit Model Using A Structured 3D Nano-composite Scaffold Loaded With Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$92,314.00
Summary
The treatment of cartilage damage is a major problem in orthopaedic practice. The use of a 3D scaffold may overcome many challenges associated with cartilage and bone repair and regeneration. The aim of this research is to culture bone and cartilage cells into a prefabricated scaffold which may then be tested in an animal model. The results of this research may offer a new method of treating post-traumatic and osteoarthritic defects.
A Study Of Various Bone Scaffolds In A Maxillary Sinus Model
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$61,711.00
Summary
This project investigates using animal derived and artificial bone in regions of the mouth that are deficient and not suitable for replacing missing teeth using dental implants. Traditional techniques of bone replacement require the use of a patient's own bone. These procedures are associated with post-operative morbidity and this bone is present in limited quantity. The use of these bone replacements may overcome these challenges and eliminate the need for using patient's bone.