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A Randomised Controlled Trial To Prevent Eczema, Food Allergy And Sensitisation Using A Skin Barrier Improvement Strategy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$878,163.00
Summary
In this world first study, we will test if building the infant skin barrier by using daily regular skin care treatment can reduce the incidence of eczema. If successful, this trial will alter infant skin care practices and reduce the burden of allergic diseases in our community. Furthermore, as infants with eczema having a poor skin barrier, which possibly increases their risk of developing sensitisation, we will test if this intervention reduces the risk of food allergy.
A Population-based Cohort Investigation Of Postnatal Microbial Experience, Immune Programming And Allergic Disease Risk
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,511,471.00
Summary
This is a population-based longitudinal investigation of the early life host-environment interactions that influence development of the immune system, and the risk of allergic disease. Importantly, this is one of the first studies designed to examine epigenetic programming of the infant immune system in the population setting. Thus we will be able to conduct robust tests of several critical hypotheses that will inform the prevention of allergic disease.
The D-Health Trial: A Large-scale Population-based Trial Of Vitamin D Supplementation For Improving The Health Of Older Adults
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,591,860.00
Summary
The D-Health Trial is a randomised placebo-controlled trial of vitamin D supplementation for improving the health of older Australian adults. Over 21,000 people were recruited and randomised to monthly doses of vitamin D or placebo. This grant will enable completion of the planned 5 years of supplementation and long-term follow-up of mortality and cancer. The results of the trial will inform decisions about food fortification and/or supplementation with vitamin D.
The Management To Optimise Diabetes And MEtabolic Syndrome Risk Reduction Via Nurse-led Intervention (MODERN) Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,445,861.00
Summary
There is increasing recognition of society’s responsibility to provide effective and sustainable health care to the entire population and not just selected parts. This practical study will test the impact of a nurse-led, multidisciplinary prevention program to reduce the risk of future cardiovascular events in middle-aged individuals at a high risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) living in regional Australia.
An Interdisciplinary Model Of Care For Early Detection Of Lung Damage, Smoking Cessation Support, And A Home-based Exercise/self-management Program
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$448,381.00
Summary
An interdisciplinary model of care comprising screening of long-term smokers for early detection of lung damage, smoking cessation support, and a home-based exercise/self-management program will be implemented and evaluated. This model could potentially reduce the burden of smoking, improve lung health and maintain health-related quality of life.
An Implementation Trial Of A Telephone-based Care Management Program For Patients Following Myocardial Infarction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$641,656.00
Summary
We are trialling the implementation of an innovative telephone-delivered program for managing people who have had a heart attack. Cardiac rehabilitation programs are generally based in hospitals in Australia and people have to be able to attend the programs when they are offered. Even though such programs have been shown to be very effective in improving outcomes after a heart attack, at least 85% of Australians after a heart attack are either unable to access and-or unable to attend such progra ....We are trialling the implementation of an innovative telephone-delivered program for managing people who have had a heart attack. Cardiac rehabilitation programs are generally based in hospitals in Australia and people have to be able to attend the programs when they are offered. Even though such programs have been shown to be very effective in improving outcomes after a heart attack, at least 85% of Australians after a heart attack are either unable to access and-or unable to attend such programs due to transport and many other barriers. So, there is an urgent need to identify new, effective, and affordable ways of delivering cardiac rehabilitation programs to people after a heart attack. The proposed telephone-delivered program will be particularly appropriate for disadvantaged people, such as those living in rural and remote areas as well as Indigenous Australians, who do not currently have access to hospital-based cardiac rehabilitation programs. People who have had a heart attack will be recruited from three of Brisbane's largest public teaching hospitals, and will then be randomly assigned to the telephone-delivered cardiac rehabilitation program (Care Management Intervention group) or to a control or Usual Care group. The Care Management Intervention group will receive regular telephone calls from a highly qualified 'Care Manager' based at the renowned National Heart Foundation of Australia telephone support service, 'Heartline'. The Care Manager will help people to manage their heart condition and prevent the reoccurrence of further heart problems. People will also be encouraged to make necessary lifestyle and behavioural changes with the assistance of the Care Manager and some Heart Foundation educational and interactive resources to record their progress. We expect that the program or Care Management Intervention group will have better health outcomes than the control or Usual Care group at 6 and 12 months follow up.Read moreRead less
Herpesvirus entry into mammalian hosts. Herpesviruses infect most mammals and cause much chronic disease. Our poor understanding of their host entry pathways limits infection control. The olfactory neuroepithelium has been identified as a key entry portal for both a murid herpesvirus and a human pathogen, Herpes simplex virus, suggesting that many herpesviruses use this route. Virions cross the olfactory mucus on neuronal cilia, then either infect neurons or transfer to glial cells for local spr ....Herpesvirus entry into mammalian hosts. Herpesviruses infect most mammals and cause much chronic disease. Our poor understanding of their host entry pathways limits infection control. The olfactory neuroepithelium has been identified as a key entry portal for both a murid herpesvirus and a human pathogen, Herpes simplex virus, suggesting that many herpesviruses use this route. Virions cross the olfactory mucus on neuronal cilia, then either infect neurons or transfer to glial cells for local spread. This project will identify key receptor interactions and map the extent of invasion. By advancing our basic understanding of these important viruses and their uptake at an abundantly exposed but little explored anatomical site, the project can establish a basis for vaccinating against chronic disease.Read moreRead less
Using Conversational Computer Technology To Improve Diabetes Management: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$708,606.00
Summary
The diabetes epidemic is a growing challenge for the Australian health care system with over 1 million Australians living with diabetes. The impact on individuals' lives and the whole of Australian society is very substantial indeed. There is very good evidence that this impact would be reduced by developing new approaches to manage the disease and facilitate improved self-management. Recent developments in information and communications technologies offer some promising new ways and tools for a ....The diabetes epidemic is a growing challenge for the Australian health care system with over 1 million Australians living with diabetes. The impact on individuals' lives and the whole of Australian society is very substantial indeed. There is very good evidence that this impact would be reduced by developing new approaches to manage the disease and facilitate improved self-management. Recent developments in information and communications technologies offer some promising new ways and tools for achieving this. This research will evaluate a computer-controlled, interactive telephone system for improving the management and self-management of Type 2 diabetes in addition to routine care. Patients with Type 2 diabetes will be recruited from Brisbane and each patient will be randomly assigned to receive either this new program or just their usual care from their doctor or Diabetes Clinic. The first group will call the system weekly for six months using a regular phone or a mobile phone if they wish. During the call, they will answer questions by speaking into the phone, listen to feedback and strategies for improving management of their diabetes and then discuss their next targets and behavioural actions. They will receive systematic and tailored advice on blood glucose testing, nutrition and physical activity, as well as medication taking and foot care. The system individualises conversations according to the user s answers and responses over all the interactive sessions. The trial will formally evaluate the clinical impact on blood glucose control and the adoption and maintenance of the targeted health habits, as well as the intervention s cost-effectiveness and users satisfaction with the system. This project s significance lies in the excellent potential of using this new technology to provide a 'low cost' but effective program to help people better manage Type 2 diabetes.Read moreRead less
Molecular dissection of the functional regions of genes that encode actinins (ACTN2 and ACTN3) and their contribution to normal variation in skeletal muscle function. The project has discovered a common genetic variant that affects skeletal muscle structure, function and metabolism and influences athletic ability, and response to diet and exercise. The project will study how this gene influences muscle bulk and strength, the metabolic efficiency of muscle and the risk of obesity in the general ....Molecular dissection of the functional regions of genes that encode actinins (ACTN2 and ACTN3) and their contribution to normal variation in skeletal muscle function. The project has discovered a common genetic variant that affects skeletal muscle structure, function and metabolism and influences athletic ability, and response to diet and exercise. The project will study how this gene influences muscle bulk and strength, the metabolic efficiency of muscle and the risk of obesity in the general population.Read moreRead less