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A Study To Pilot A Clinical Trial To Test Dignity Psychotherapy For The Frail Aged
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$25,000.00
Summary
One of the greatest challenges today is to preserve the dignity of the frail elderly. Our study will test and perfect a strategy to trial a new approach for this population, Dignity Psychotherapy. The approach will document aspects of the senior's life that they regard as meaningful, want remembered, or of which they are proud. Among the terminally ill, the approach has had positive outcomes. Benefits for elders may include that the approach forms a foundation for holistic care.
Novel Strategies For The Early Identification Provention And Treatment Of The Microvascular Complications Of Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,715,000.00
Summary
Despite recent advances, approximately one third of subjects with type 1 diabetes develop kidney disease and similar proportion develop vision-threatening eye disease. Indeed, in many instances eye and kidney disease occur in the same individual. The central aim of this proposed Special Program is the exploration of mechanisms that lead to the development and progression of these devastating complications of type 1 diabetes with a particular focus on novel strategies, directly applicable to man, ....Despite recent advances, approximately one third of subjects with type 1 diabetes develop kidney disease and similar proportion develop vision-threatening eye disease. Indeed, in many instances eye and kidney disease occur in the same individual. The central aim of this proposed Special Program is the exploration of mechanisms that lead to the development and progression of these devastating complications of type 1 diabetes with a particular focus on novel strategies, directly applicable to man, for their prevention and treatment. Participants in Special Program include both established diabetes researchers and investigators from other areas of academia (blood vessel biology and applied genetics). Strong interrelationships between the various investigators and their departments already exist and will be further consolidated with continued collaboration, sharing a combination of models, novel interventions and complex genetic techniques that would not be possible outside of a large collaborative framework. In addition to academic collaboration, interactions with industry-based drug discovery programs is also an important component in developing new treatment strategies for diabetic kidney and eye disease. The Special Program will thus consist of a range of studies of direct relevance to diabetic kidney and diabetic eye disease in humans. It is expected that these studies will lead to new strategies for the prevention, treatment and even the reversal of long term complications of diabetes.Read moreRead less
Collaborative Ovarian, Prostate And Breast Gene-environment Study (COGS)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$447,383.00
Summary
The EU-COGS application has arisen from genome wide scans that identify common genetic variants associated with breast, ovarian and prostate cancer risk. Our studies contributed 50% of DNA samples to the prostate cancer genome wide scan. COGS will now measure these variants in a large number of cases and controls from an international consortium of studies to test whether genetic risks are modified by other genes or lifestyle factors. This will better define genetic risks and identify men at inc ....The EU-COGS application has arisen from genome wide scans that identify common genetic variants associated with breast, ovarian and prostate cancer risk. Our studies contributed 50% of DNA samples to the prostate cancer genome wide scan. COGS will now measure these variants in a large number of cases and controls from an international consortium of studies to test whether genetic risks are modified by other genes or lifestyle factors. This will better define genetic risks and identify men at increased risk who should be the focus of appropriate screening and prevention strategies. Australian participation in the prostate cancer genome wide scan helped to identify a number of genetic variants associated with prostate cancer risk. The aim of EU-COGS, which needs large numbers of samples with epidemiological, tumour pathology and clinical information, is to determine whether these genetic variants act singly or together and the extent to which lifestyle and environmental factors can modify the genetic risk. Our contribution of >10% of the total DNA samples to COGS will enable us to understand how such genetic risks can be modified in the Australian environmental context.Read moreRead less
Helping Family Caregivers Of Palliative Care Patients Manage Their Roles: Evaluation Of A Hospital Based Group Education
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$219,810.00
Summary
While most people would prefer to die at home, the reality is that about two thirds of people die in in-patient settings, such as palliative care units. A home death is more likely if family caregivers are well prepared and supported in their role. Palliative care services are expected to support family caregivers. Research shows, however, that many family caregivers lack the required information to effectively manage their role. They are also prone to suffer psychological distress while support ....While most people would prefer to die at home, the reality is that about two thirds of people die in in-patient settings, such as palliative care units. A home death is more likely if family caregivers are well prepared and supported in their role. Palliative care services are expected to support family caregivers. Research shows, however, that many family caregivers lack the required information to effectively manage their role. They are also prone to suffer psychological distress while supporting their dying relative. Caregivers have expressed a desire for structured information to better prepare them for their role, whether their dying relative is in hospital, a palliative care unit or at home. The aim of this project is to develop and evaluate an educational program offered to family caregivers who are supporting a relative who is receiving palliative care in an inpatient setting. The education program seeks to help family caregivers manage their role and to prepare them for the patient�s home care where appropriate. It is hoped that family caregivers who have attended the program will be more competent, better prepared and more informed about their caregiving role. An additional benefit from attending the program will be the opportunity for family caregivers to meet others in similar situations to themselves. Each education program will involve approximately six family caregivers; it will be conducted very soon after their relative has been admitted to the palliative care unit. The program will be of two hours duration (including time for data collection) and will be facilitated by a suitably qualified health professional. Written resources will be provided and caregivers will be given the opportunity to meet with staff from the multidisciplinary team. Referrals for scheduled consultations will be made where relevant. The program will be conducted in three sites (two in Victoria and one in Western Australia) and will be comprehensively evaluated. The caregivers who attend the program will be invited to provide feedback by completing several questionnaires designed to determine the effectiveness of the program. Group education programs of this kind have previously not been rigorously developed and tested. We seek to address this and hope to demonstrate that we can positively influence the family care giving experience.Read moreRead less
They aim to create insulin-secreting B cells by identifying their progenitor cells and the moleculaes normally required for their development, in order to restore B-cell function in the people with type 1 diabetes. Mouse and human multipotent embryonic stem (ES) cells and fetal mouse panceas and adult pancreas duct cells will be used as sources of progenitor B cells. Comparative studies will provide a more complete picture of human B-cell ontogeny. Culture systems developed for ES cells-embryoid ....They aim to create insulin-secreting B cells by identifying their progenitor cells and the moleculaes normally required for their development, in order to restore B-cell function in the people with type 1 diabetes. Mouse and human multipotent embryonic stem (ES) cells and fetal mouse panceas and adult pancreas duct cells will be used as sources of progenitor B cells. Comparative studies will provide a more complete picture of human B-cell ontogeny. Culture systems developed for ES cells-embryoid bodies (EB) - EB-derived cells, fetal pancreas and adult pancreas duct cells, will be employed to screen for and identify novel growth-differentiation factors and to optimise parameters for creating B cells in vitro or (re) generating B cells in vivo. Genetic constructs allowing regulated expression of fluorescently-tagged marker genes and growth-transcription factors will be introduced into cultured cells or transgenic mice to enable progenitor B cells to be tracked and isolated. Progenitor B cells will be typed with panels of known novel markers molecules at the gene and protein level, and gene expression profiles of tissue yielding B cells will be analysed across time to reveal further candidate markers. Molecules and methods effective in mouse systems will be applied to human ES cell-derived or pancreatic duct cells. The capacity to progenitor cells or insulin-secreting cells to ameliorate diabetes when transplanted into the testis, under the kidney capsule or into the pancreas of mouse models would represent proof-of-concept. Functional B cells derived from human ERS cells or pancreas duct cells, or growth factors that regenerate B cells in vivo, could together with appropriate immunotherapy restore B-cell function in people with type 1 diabetes.Read moreRead less
Care-seeking, Use Of CAM, And Self-management Among People With Type 2 Diabetes And
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$663,576.00
Summary
Chronic disease and related health problems are increasing in prevalence in Australia. Recent estimates suggest that Type 2 diabetes and heart disease cost the Australian community almost $9 billion in direct costs per annum. People with chronic conditions follow medical and behavioural prescriptions variably, however, while also using complementary and alternative (CAM) therapies, practitioners, vitamins and herbs. We will explore the reasons for presentation to and use of CAM practitioners and ....Chronic disease and related health problems are increasing in prevalence in Australia. Recent estimates suggest that Type 2 diabetes and heart disease cost the Australian community almost $9 billion in direct costs per annum. People with chronic conditions follow medical and behavioural prescriptions variably, however, while also using complementary and alternative (CAM) therapies, practitioners, vitamins and herbs. We will explore the reasons for presentation to and use of CAM practitioners and therapies by people diagnosed with and under treatment for two of the most commonly diagnosed chronic conditions - cardiovascular disease and diabetes - in order to establish the relationship with adherence to their prescribed treatment. The focus is on what is described as the “drivers, costs and benefits” of the use of CAM, and how the practical interaction of CAM and conventional health care approaches may support adherence. This research program will have very important implications for the control of these diseases and individual wellbeing. Using an innovative interdisciplinary approach and a mix of research methods, the research will provide a unique evidencebase on community approaches to and use of complementary and alternative medicine, and the significance of this to current and future health needs. The program will take advantage of the interdisciplinary skills in novel ways to explore areas of health and society that have so far received limited attention. By including two PhDs, we will strengthen Australia’s research capacity in health social sciences and public health in this field, generating new skills important to population health practice and policy in this country.Read moreRead less
Molecular Epidemiology Of Infection In Aboriginal Communities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$149,103.00
Summary
Destructive diseases of the gum tissue are known to be profoundly affected by modifying factors including systemic diseases such as diabetes, socio-economic conditions and the lack of effective control of microbial accumulation at the gum margin. This investigation will examine the hypothesis that a limited number of pathogenic bacterial strains, defined by quantitative molecular probe analysis, persist in or re-infect individuals to maintain a high disease burden in the presence of adverse modi ....Destructive diseases of the gum tissue are known to be profoundly affected by modifying factors including systemic diseases such as diabetes, socio-economic conditions and the lack of effective control of microbial accumulation at the gum margin. This investigation will examine the hypothesis that a limited number of pathogenic bacterial strains, defined by quantitative molecular probe analysis, persist in or re-infect individuals to maintain a high disease burden in the presence of adverse modifying factors that prevail in isolated, disadvantaged Aboriginal communities.Read moreRead less
Effect Of A Personalised Oral Health Education Programme On Clinical And Molecular Risk Factors For At-risk Populations
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$149,900.00
Summary
Recently, a number of studies have shown that poor oral health may impact on general health. However, for many Australians on low incomes, the only dental care they receive is of an emergency nature due to the long waiting lists in the public sector. The current study proposes to look at whether an oral health education program delivered by allied oral health professionals will result in a significant improvement in oral health which in turn will lead to better oral and general health outcomes i ....Recently, a number of studies have shown that poor oral health may impact on general health. However, for many Australians on low incomes, the only dental care they receive is of an emergency nature due to the long waiting lists in the public sector. The current study proposes to look at whether an oral health education program delivered by allied oral health professionals will result in a significant improvement in oral health which in turn will lead to better oral and general health outcomes in a low socio-economic communityRead moreRead less