Stress Hyperglycaemia And Mortality In Critical Illness: Defining The Association And Underlying Mechanisms
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$125,526.00
Summary
The relationship between high blood sugar levels (hyperglycaemia) and mortality in critically ill patients remains an area of controversy with conflicting results between studies. This PhD thesis will attempt to resolve this by firstly evaluating whether relative hyperglycaemia as measured using a novel new measure better predicts mortality outcome in such patients; and secondly, attempt to establish possible mechanisms which contributes to this.
The Impact Of Early Experiences Of Stress And Depression On Cardiovascular Health: The Australian Lifestyle Of Our Kids (LOOK) Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$96,183.00
Summary
This study forms part of the LOOK study examining the link between lifestyle factors and children’s health. This research will investigate the impact of early experiences of stress and depression on cardiovascular health, whilst accounting for a set of potentially confounding variables (physical activity, fatness). The uniqueness of this study lies in the multidisciplinary approach and the breadth of measures collected. Poorer mental health is expected to predict poorer cardiovascular outcomes.
Improving Microvascular Dysfunction In Falciparum Malaria
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$132,743.00
Summary
Additional treatments are needed to reduce global malaria mortality. In hospitalised patients with falciparum malaria we will evaluate new methods of assessing blood vessel dysfunction in malaria. We will use these methods to conduct a trial of the safety and efficacy of sodium nitrite, a widely available drug with the potential to treat malaria by increasing nitric oxide and improving blood flow. Our results will inform the design of a larger study of sodium nitrite to treat severe malaria.
Investigation Into The Roles Of Ena/VASP-Like And Protein Phosphatase 4C In DNA Damage Repair Via Homologous Recombination
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$57,139.00
Summary
The repair of DNA damage is a critical cellular mechanism that exists to ensure genomic stability. This project aims to investigate the role of the proteins Ena/VASP-Like and Protein Phosphatase 4C in DNA damage repair via homologous recombination. The DNA damage response pathway is an important area in the study of cancer and ageing, and the potential role of PP4C and EVL in homologous recombination needs to be investigated further.
Mechanisms Of Vascular Dysfunction During Acute And Chronic Hyperglycemia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$56,700.00
Summary
Increased consumption of sugary drinks has contributed to an epidemic of obesity and diabetes and consequently cardiovascular disease. For the first time in living memory, this may well lead to declining life-expectancy. My research will examine both the short and long-term impact of sugary drinks on vital blood vessel function. In the process it will develop better methods to monitor blood vessel function and inform public health policy on sugary drinks and preventing cardiovascular disease.
Smartphone Based Secondary Prevention Program For Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes: A Randomised Control Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$122,714.00
Summary
Patients at the highest risk of premature death, heart attacks and re-hospitalization are those with known coronary heart disease. Secondary prevention strategies and cardiac rehabilitation are under-utilised in clinical practice. We aim to close this treatment gap by establishing the role of a smartphone based secondary prevention program in patients who have experienced a heart attack. Our innovative model of care may empower patients to optimise their cardiac health.
Do Retinal Microvascular Signs Predict Ischaemic Heart Disease Subtype? The Australian Heart Eye Study (AHES)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$65,532.00
Summary
Narrowing of the large vessels of the heart and abnormal function of the small vessels are both causes of coronary heart disease and chest pain.There are few non-invasive investigations to help differentiate between large and small vessel disease and assess one’s risk of developing disease in the future.The study uses retinal photography and coronary angiography to assess whether changes in the structure of the blood vessels of the eye may be used to identify the type of coronary heart disease a ....Narrowing of the large vessels of the heart and abnormal function of the small vessels are both causes of coronary heart disease and chest pain.There are few non-invasive investigations to help differentiate between large and small vessel disease and assess one’s risk of developing disease in the future.The study uses retinal photography and coronary angiography to assess whether changes in the structure of the blood vessels of the eye may be used to identify the type of coronary heart disease as well as the risk of future cardiac events.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms Of Retinal Functional Hyperaemia In Humans With And Without Type 1 Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$117,526.00
Summary
Fenofibrate has been shown to reduce the progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in patients with type 2 diabetes by up to 40%, however the mechanisms behind this result are poorly understood. This research will investigate measures of local and systemic endothelial dysfunction and levels of lipids and lipoproteins to determine how fenofibrate affects the progression of DR in patients with type 2 diabetes and in doing so form the basis of further basic and clinical research.