Use Of Oral Enzymes To Treat Carbohydrate Intolerance: Adjunct Therapy To The Low FODMAP Dietary Treatment Of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$610,197.00
Summary
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting 1 in 7 Australians and fermentation of poorly digested short chain carbohydrates are major dietary triggers. The lack of certain digestive enzymes is a major reason why some carbohydrates are not digested. This project will explore the potential use of oral enzyme supplements to assist with the digestion of these indigestible carbohydrates with the potential for use as adjunct therapy to treat gut symptoms associated with IBS.
This project aims to investigate novel ways to treat children with the inherited brain disorder known as MPS IIIA. This condition is currently untreatable and children generally die in their teens. We will use a mouse model of this condition to examine the effectiveness of combining two different treatment approaches, in order to maximise outcomes.
DsbA Foldases From Multidrug Resistant Pathogens As Targets For New Antimicrobials
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$743,401.00
Summary
Bacteria that cause common human infections, such as cystitis and diarrhoea, are now resistant to many antibiotics. If no action is taken, by 2050 antibiotic resistant infections will kill more people each year than cancer. This project aims to address this global public health crisis by characterising promising new bacterial targets and inhibitors designed to disarm multidrug resistant pathogens. Longer term this work could provide new infection therapies that are urgently needed.
Prevention And Treatment Of Bone Infection With CSA-90
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$350,983.00
Summary
Bone infections are a major challenge to treat, especially with the rise of drug resistant “superbugs”. We have access to a new agent, CSA-90, that has dual properties of being anti-microbial (antibiotic) and helps encourage bone growth. This project aims to expand upon our prior research and test CSA-90 for the treatment of chronic bone infections. We will also look at applying this technology to joint replacements and this drug may be particularly useful for coating orthopaedic implants.
Efficacy Of Education And Advice Delivered By Text Message To Aid Smoking Cessation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$538,395.00
Summary
A high proportion of smokers indicate a desire to stop smoking and report having made attempts to quit. However, most attempts are not successful and new methods are needed to support motivated smokers and improve success rates. This project evaluates the use of text messages to deliver advice and support to smokers motivated to stop smoking. We aim to understand if and how this promosing new intervention helps smokers to quit.
Public Health Policies And Interventions To Reduce Tobacco-related Harms Among Socially Disadvantaged Populations And ‘low Probability Quitters’
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$421,747.00
Summary
Tobacco continues to be a leading cause of preventable death and disease in Australia. Those who are socially disadvantaged are at higher risk of smoking, which contributes to the health gap between the rich and poor. This research will provide evidence for policy makers on interventions which could reduce smoking among the most disadvantaged in society. It will also examine whether less harmful nicotine products could a reduce health risks in smokers who find quitting difficult.
Understanding The Cardio-protective Actions Of The AT2R In Females: Shifting Gears Between AT1 And AT2 Receptor Balance Of Function With Relaxin.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,049,288.00
Summary
Women are protected from cardiovascular disease as compared to age-matched men, an effect lost with age. Understanding protective factors that act in females could be used to treat hypertension, heart failure and stroke in males at all ages, and maintain protection in elderly women. Our studies aim to determine if relaxin, an ovarian hormone, can promote cardiovascular health in women.
The Role Of MMPs 1 And 9 And MT-1 MMP In Hormone Replacement Therapy Related Irregular Bleeding
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$294,625.00
Summary
Approximately 40% of women in Australia chose to take Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). This choice is usually based upon the perceived benefits of HRT such as the relief of debilitating menopausal symptoms (such as hot flushes and sweats), the prevention of brittle bone disease (osteoporosis) and the potential prevention of heart disease and memory loss (dementia). Unfortunately, many of these women (up to two thirds in a large UK study) then suffer from irregular bleeding. This is not only in ....Approximately 40% of women in Australia chose to take Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). This choice is usually based upon the perceived benefits of HRT such as the relief of debilitating menopausal symptoms (such as hot flushes and sweats), the prevention of brittle bone disease (osteoporosis) and the potential prevention of heart disease and memory loss (dementia). Unfortunately, many of these women (up to two thirds in a large UK study) then suffer from irregular bleeding. This is not only inconvenient, but raises anxiety that the bleeding may be a symptom of serious illness such as cancer of the womb. Many HRT users then undergo internal examinations, tests and operations to exclude cancer as the cause of the bleeding. In almost all cases no other abnormality is found. However, many women decide not to continue with HRT because of this troublesome bleeding. Very little is understood about the reason why women using HRT have irregular bleeding. Furthermore, there are no ways of predicting who will be affected and no established way to stopping or preventing bleeding apart from discontinuing HRT. This problem affects all HRT preparations. Previous pilot studies by the CI (Associate Professor Martha Hickey) have demonstrated for the first time that there are changes in the lining of the womb in women using HRT which may lead to bleeding. These are similar to changes seen in younger women with breakthrough bleeding using contraceptives. The planned project intends to futher explore the actions of the important molecules which break down the blood vessels of the womb lining (endometrium) and cause bleeding. This raises the possibility that specific agents could be developed to stop or prevent bleeding in HRT users. This is likely to substantially increase the acceptability of HRT and may thus have major positive health implications for women in Australia and worldwide.Read moreRead less
Neural Basis Of The Thermal Instability That Leads To Menopausal Hot Flushes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$330,535.00
Summary
Hot flushes and night sweats affect 80-90% of women during the menopause transition. In 20% of women these symptoms are severe. The mechanisms are not well understood, and non-hormonal treatments are urgently needed. We can investigate the basic brain mechanisms in an animal model, the sheep. The findings will elucidate the mechanisms that disrupt normal temperature regulation and thus lead the way to better therapies for this common, and often debilitating, condition. .