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Targeting Oxidant-dependent Pathways To Improve Stroke Outcomes In COPD
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,069,574.00
Summary
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a major incurable global health burden and is the 4th largest cause of death worldwide. Patients with COPD are at increased risk for stroke and this is even higher in the weeks following a lung viral infection. The reason for this is unknown so the aim of this study is to determine why people with COPD are at increased risk for stroke and then develop novel treatments to prevent or reduce stroke in COPD patients.
This Practitioner Fellowship will aim to improve outcomes in people with lung cancer. The clinical studies will focus on: 1. Using low dose CT scans to detect lung cancer at a very early stage. 2. Molecular tests to diagnose lung cancer earlier, and provide information that will be useful for deciding treatment 3. Using advanced techniques to diagnose small opacities in the lung
The Interaction Between Obstructive Sleep Apnea And Cardiovascular Risk Factors On Cardiovascular Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,263,050.00
Summary
Cardiovascular (CV) disease and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) are common causes of morbidity and mortality. OSA is an independent risk factor for CV disease but little is known about which patients with OSA are likely to develop CV disease, and the interaction between OSA and other CV risk factors. We seek to better understand this interaction by exploring which of 4,100 well characterised patients in the West Australian Sleep Health Study (WASHS) 2005-2010 have developed CV disease.
The Interactions Between Sleep Disordered Breathing, Metabolic Syndrome And Vascular Risk.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$361,030.00
Summary
We will look at two common diseases in the Australian community, the metabolic syndrome and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), and explore the common links they have to the risk of disease of the heart and blood vessels. We will then take a group of patients who have both diseases, treat the OSA, and assess the impact of this treatment on their cardiovascular health. Metabolic syndrome is a term given to patients who have high blood sugar, obesity, high lipid levels and raised blood pressure. The A ....We will look at two common diseases in the Australian community, the metabolic syndrome and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), and explore the common links they have to the risk of disease of the heart and blood vessels. We will then take a group of patients who have both diseases, treat the OSA, and assess the impact of this treatment on their cardiovascular health. Metabolic syndrome is a term given to patients who have high blood sugar, obesity, high lipid levels and raised blood pressure. The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates that half the Australian population is overweight, and US studies suggest that nearly of the adult population has metabolic syndrome. This is strongly linked to diseases of the heart and blood vessels, eg heart attacks and stroke. Patients with OSA stop breathing during the night when their throat closes over. The blood oxygen falls, which causes the patient to wake momentarily, then start breathing again. This cycle repeats itself throughout the night. The usual treatment is an air pump (CPAP) connected to a nose mask, which blows air into the throat and prevents closure. This disease is strongly linked to high blood pressure, raised blood sugar levels and heart and blood vessel disease. Patients with the metabolic syndrome will have an overnight sleep study to diagnose OSA, giving the likelihood of having OSA in this group of patients. They will then have extensive investigations of the health of their heart and blood vessels. From these, we will determine which aspects of OSA are more likely to result in cardiovascular disease. Those patients diagnosed with OSA will be treated with CPAP for 3 months. Half the patients will receive normal CPAP; the other half will receive ineffective CPAP. They will then be re-tested and we will compare the results before and after treatment. Thus we will measure likelihood of OSA in this large group of patients, and the health benefits they may gain from treatment of their OSA.Read moreRead less
Epidemiology Of Asthma And Lung Function In Australian Teenagers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$292,639.00
Summary
Asthma is a major health issue, which cause long term illnesses. The causes of asthma are unclear. This is possibly because asthma is not just one condition, but multiple conditions, each with separate risk factors. This project will search for specific forms of asthma and their causes, using a group of children that has been intensively studied since birth.
Examining The Early Origins Of Asthma And Chronic Respiratory Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$384,768.00
Summary
Asthma is the most common chronic lung disease of childhood. Birth cohort studies show that early life environmental stressors may increase asthma risk. This study will examine the impact of multiple early-life stressors using a novel ‘exposome’ model in international birth cohort studies, to identify the most significant factors. This will allow for interventions in a planned Australian birth cohort study, leading to improved health for Australians.
Health Impacts Of Sleep Apnea In Australian Men- A Longitudinal Population Study.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$312,056.00
Summary
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is very common, seen in 60-70% of men over 40 years old. OSA is linked to a number of serious conditions, e.g. heart disease and diabetes. However, we don't know which men are at risk of long term complications from OSA. Our aim is to follow-up men from a community sample of 1000 men who had sleep studies in 2010 to help identify who is at risk of poor health from OSA.
Allergen-sensitzation And Environmental Exposures In Early Life Interact Synergistically To Alter Lung Growth
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,088.00
Summary
Asthma develops as the result of complex interactions between genetic susceptibilities and environmental exposures. Approximately 40% of 6-year-old children in Perth are sensitized to inhaled allergens, however, only half of these have asthma. Allergic sensitization per se is therefore insufficient for the development of persistent asthma. A second hit, associated with lung inflammation in early life, increases this risk several fold. This second hit could come from viral infection or from other ....Asthma develops as the result of complex interactions between genetic susceptibilities and environmental exposures. Approximately 40% of 6-year-old children in Perth are sensitized to inhaled allergens, however, only half of these have asthma. Allergic sensitization per se is therefore insufficient for the development of persistent asthma. A second hit, associated with lung inflammation in early life, increases this risk several fold. This second hit could come from viral infection or from other inflammatory stimuli such as exposure to cigarette smoke, air pollutants and vehicle exhaust emissions. The timing of this second hit may well be important, particularly if it is early while the lungs are still growing and developing. The aim of this project is to examine interactions between allergen sensitization and exposure to environmental hazards in early life using a mouse model of allergic inflammation. We will test the hypothesis that the combination of allergic sensitization and viral infections in early life alter lung growth, airway function and airway hyperresponsiveness, however, exposure to air pollutants can not provide the 'second hit required to induce persistent asthma. Determining the role viral infection and environmental pollution have early in life may provide us with a strategy for intervention that could prevent life-long changes in respiratory function and airway hyperresponsiveness.Read moreRead less
Serum Mesothelin-related Protein As An Early Marker Of Mesothelioma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$354,750.00
Summary
The deadly asbestos-induced cancer mesothelioma is continuing to kill tens of thousands of individuals per year and its incidence is increasing. It is expected to cost communities hundreds of billions of dollars in compensation. This disease is usually already quite advanced by the time a patients presents to a doctor with symptoms so we have been working on methods of early detection. This project studies a new, exciting method of diagnosis using blood levels of a molecule called 'SMRP'. Late l ....The deadly asbestos-induced cancer mesothelioma is continuing to kill tens of thousands of individuals per year and its incidence is increasing. It is expected to cost communities hundreds of billions of dollars in compensation. This disease is usually already quite advanced by the time a patients presents to a doctor with symptoms so we have been working on methods of early detection. This project studies a new, exciting method of diagnosis using blood levels of a molecule called 'SMRP'. Late last year we published a paper in the prestigious journal Lancet showing that SMRP was a good test to help diagnose mesothelioma and this became a lead news item around the world because of widespread concern about this disease. In those studies we found strong clues that this test was very sensitive and could detect mesothelioma a year or so before a patient develops symptoms. In this grant we will evaluate whether this test could be useful for screening asbestos-exposed individuals for early detection of this cancer. We will also study ways of improving the test using laboratory methods. This would provide a foundation for studies aimed at determining if early treatment could improve patient survival.Read moreRead less
Diagnostic Markers For Malignant Mesothelioma And Other Respiratory Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$467,315.00
Summary
The deadly asbestos-induced cancer mesothelioma is continuing to kill tens of thousands of individuals per year. We have been working on improving the tests available to detect this cancer and to follow the course of the disease with the aim of reducing patients' anxiety and health-care costs.