The Identification Of Thoracic Targets For Prevention And Intervention In Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$316,449.00
Summary
The persistence of breathing problems from infancy to later life is a complication of premature birth with lifelong consequences. Breathing problems often occur together with lung disease, but prematurity can also affect heart and blood vessel development, and weakness of the main breathing muscle. We will find out how much the heart, lungs and diaphragm contribute to breathing problems in babies; helping us to better predict, diagnose and treat severe breathing problems in babies born preterm.
Lung, Heart And Respiratory Muscle Disease After Preterm Birth
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,328,858.00
Summary
Breathing problems persisting into infancy and later life is an important complication of premature birth with lifelong consequences. Breathing problems often occur together with lung disease, but prematurity can also affect heart and blood vessel development, and weakness of the main breathing muscle (the diaphragm). We will find out how much the heart and diaphragm contribute to breathing problems in babies, and will help us to better predict, diagnose and treat severe breathing problems.
Modulating Heat Shock Protein Expression In Skeletal Muscle To Improve The Pathophysiology Of Muscular Dystrophy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$502,361.00
Summary
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most common and severe form of muscular dystrophy. Dystrophic muscles are fragile, prone to injury, and regenerate poorly after damage. Defective calcium handling has been implicated in these processes. We have revealed that upregulating levels of stress proteins called _heat shock proteins� (HSPs) can improve calcium regulation in muscular dystrophy. Modulating the HSP response has significant potential to delay the onset or slow the progression of DMD.
Influence Of In Utero Environment On Diaphragm Structure And Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$494,966.00
Summary
The diaphragm is the major muscle involved in breathing. Normal function of the diaphragm is essential to survival. Preterm babies may be exposed to infection and other agents that interfere with diaphragm development and make breathing efforts weaker after birth, potentially leading to respiratory failure. This study will study diaphragms of preterm lambs to determine how fetal exposure to infection and steroids affect fetal diaphragm development, and if adverse effects are prevented by fetal t ....The diaphragm is the major muscle involved in breathing. Normal function of the diaphragm is essential to survival. Preterm babies may be exposed to infection and other agents that interfere with diaphragm development and make breathing efforts weaker after birth, potentially leading to respiratory failure. This study will study diaphragms of preterm lambs to determine how fetal exposure to infection and steroids affect fetal diaphragm development, and if adverse effects are prevented by fetal treatment with blocking agents.Read moreRead less
Non-invasive Methods Of Measuring Work Of Breathing In Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$41,267.00
Summary
Sleep-disordered breathing such as obstructive sleep apnoea, is currently diagnosed if a child stops breathing more than once per hour. For children with asthma or cystic fibrosis, who may not stop breathing during the night, how hard their breathing muscles work can have a significant impact on their health. A non-invasive method of measuring respiratory effort, and incorporating this measurement into how sleep-disordered breathing is diagnosed, can revolutionize how sleep-disordered breathing ....Sleep-disordered breathing such as obstructive sleep apnoea, is currently diagnosed if a child stops breathing more than once per hour. For children with asthma or cystic fibrosis, who may not stop breathing during the night, how hard their breathing muscles work can have a significant impact on their health. A non-invasive method of measuring respiratory effort, and incorporating this measurement into how sleep-disordered breathing is diagnosed, can revolutionize how sleep-disordered breathing in children are managed world-wide.Read moreRead less
Maternal Gut Microbiome During Pregnancy Influences Offspring Atopy And Asthma.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$46,622.00
Summary
Allergic diseases such as food allergy and asthma have increased significantly as our exposure to bacteria has reduced. Many studies have explored exposure to bacteria in early life but few have examined the maternal bacteria we are exposed to while we develop in the womb. New studies indicate that we are exposed to many different components of our mothers gut bacteria and this might change our developing immune system and determine whether or not we get diseases like food allergy and asthma.