Practical Tools For Robust Analysis Of Large Epidemiological Studies With Incomplete Data
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$358,492.00
Summary
Studies of the causes and consequences of health outcomes follow large cohorts of individuals for long time periods. A major challenge in analysing data from these studies is that information is often incomplete. Participants rarely complete all waves of data collection, or provide all requested information. Statistical research has led to increased use of a statistical method (multiple imputation) that recovers information from incomplete cases. This project will develop and improve this method
A Life Course Approach To Understanding Oral Health Inequalities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$269,025.00
Summary
Preadolescent children in Australia have lower rates of dental decay than children in almost all other economically developed countries. This is not the case for Australian adults. In fact, Australian adults aged 35-44 years have higher rates of dental decay than adults of similar age in most other economically developed countries. Not only do Australian adults have comparatively poor oral health in the lead-up to midlife, but also socioeconomic inequalities in dental decay are more pronounced a ....Preadolescent children in Australia have lower rates of dental decay than children in almost all other economically developed countries. This is not the case for Australian adults. In fact, Australian adults aged 35-44 years have higher rates of dental decay than adults of similar age in most other economically developed countries. Not only do Australian adults have comparatively poor oral health in the lead-up to midlife, but also socioeconomic inequalities in dental decay are more pronounced at this stage of life than at any other stage before or after. This study proposes to look at how oral health in young adults in shaped by their experiences across childhood, adolescence and early adulthood. This approach is based on recent evidence that points to the importance to adult health of the early years of life. In this life course perspective, the poorer health of disadvantaged individuals is seen to result from ongoing and cumulative exposure to difficult and disadvantaged circumstances across their life course. This study will trace and follow up a cohort of almost 10, 000 South Australians for whom social, familial, economic and dental behavioural information was collected in 1991-92 when these individuals were aged from five to 15 years. Now aged from 19 to 29 years, these individuals will be invited to attend a dental examination and complete a survey that will provide information on health behaviours and life circumstances shown to be important determinants of general and oral health status. One purpose will be to explore reasons for the comparatively poorer oral health status of Australian adults. A second purpose will be to investigate the magnitude of socioeconomic inequalities in oral disease at different life stages. The findings will add to the knowledge of the etiology of oral disease and open up opportunities to develop new methods of oral health promotion based on the understanding of accumulated risk across the life course.Read moreRead less
This project will test the proposal that rising follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels in ageing females directly accelerate reproductive failure and bone loss , major public health issues due to delayed childbearing and our rising ageing population. We have developed a unique mouse model with elevated FSH levels that cause premature female infertility. We will now use this model to determine the direct effects of high FSH upon ovarian and uterine function, as well as bone loss with age.
Body Mass Index And Mortality In Aboriginal Australians In Northern Territory: A Cohort Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$136,220.00
Summary
The ultimate goal of this study is to define a healthy weight range for Aboriginal people. To fulfil this goal, we will investigate the health implications of body weight and weight change in Aboriginal communities. We will assess the association between body weight (as measured by body mass index) and the risk of death by examining how the death rate changes with body weight. The findings will have important implications for health professionals to provide adequate advice to Aboriginal Australi ....The ultimate goal of this study is to define a healthy weight range for Aboriginal people. To fulfil this goal, we will investigate the health implications of body weight and weight change in Aboriginal communities. We will assess the association between body weight (as measured by body mass index) and the risk of death by examining how the death rate changes with body weight. The findings will have important implications for health professionals to provide adequate advice to Aboriginal Australians, and for Aboriginal people to adopt a healthy life style in relation to body weight. Due to the differences in body shape and physiological and environmental factors between Aborigines and other populations, the optimal body weight obtained from other populations may not be applicable to Aboriginal communities. Do males and females have different optimal body weights? Do old and young people have different optimal body weights? This study will provide evidence for answering various questions like these. Individuals with different characteristics may have different optimal body weight values. Such information is useful for the development and modification of dietary guidelines for Aboriginal Australians. The results on the health impact of weight change are important for guiding weight control programs in Aboriginal communities.Read moreRead less
Neurotransmitter transporters are very good drug targets because modulation of their activity can lead to up and down regulation of neurotransmitter concentrations and thereby influence signalling pathways in the brain. This can be very useful in treating various neurological disorders and also altering normal brain functions such as learning and memory. In this project we will develop a detailed understanding of how glutamate transporters work and in so doing will be in a better position to des ....Neurotransmitter transporters are very good drug targets because modulation of their activity can lead to up and down regulation of neurotransmitter concentrations and thereby influence signalling pathways in the brain. This can be very useful in treating various neurological disorders and also altering normal brain functions such as learning and memory. In this project we will develop a detailed understanding of how glutamate transporters work and in so doing will be in a better position to design subtype and transporter-specific compounds. These compounds will be very useful in defining the role of glutamate transporter subtypes in normal and pathological states and may be useful in treating neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, ishaemia following a stroke, and motor neurone disease.Read moreRead less
Early School-Age Outcomes After Exposure To Repeat Prenatal Corticosteroids - A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,083,964.00
Summary
AIMS OF THE RESEARCH We have recently concluded a large clinical trial in Australia and New Zealand of repeat dose of antenatal corticosteroids given to women who were likely to deliver their baby too early (before 34 weeks of pregnancy). We have been able to show that repeat doses of corticosteroids before birth significantly reduces the risk of the baby developing respiratory difficulties after birth from 41.4% to 32.8%. However, we are not sure if this potentially important improvement will t ....AIMS OF THE RESEARCH We have recently concluded a large clinical trial in Australia and New Zealand of repeat dose of antenatal corticosteroids given to women who were likely to deliver their baby too early (before 34 weeks of pregnancy). We have been able to show that repeat doses of corticosteroids before birth significantly reduces the risk of the baby developing respiratory difficulties after birth from 41.4% to 32.8%. However, we are not sure if this potentially important improvement will translate into better outcomes for the children as they grow older and reach school-age. As there are many examples of treatments given around the time of birth that have been shown to have some short-term benefits, but substantial long-term harms, we must be as certain as we can be that any advance in one small area of health is not counterbalanced by disadvantages in other health areas. This is particularly important to find out for repeat antenatal corticosteroids given the earlier conflicting reports from non-randomised studies. We plan to assess the 1085 survivors from our earlier clinical trial of repeat dose of prenatal corticosteroids when they are of early school age. We will assess their movement and other important areas of their brain function, as well as their school progress, blood pressure, lung function and general health and growth. EXPECTED OUTCOMES OF THE RESEARCH If we find important improvements in health outcomes at school-age in children exposed to repeat corticosteroids, without any substantial couterbalancing adverse effects, repeat steroids will be recommended standard therapy in women who are likely to give birth to their baby very early. This will lead to a reduction in the burden of ill health.Read moreRead less
Novel Approach And Insights Into Muscle Stem Cell Transplantation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$642,401.00
Summary
The successful use of stem cell therapy absolutely requires the longterm intergration of the therapeutic cells into the target tissue. This application will adapt a chemotherapy-based strategy to drive the successful incorporation and growth of healthy muscle stem cells into diseased muscle. This study will both enhance our understanding of muscle stem cells and provide proof-of-principle for a universal approach to the uptake of stem cells by a target tissue.