Reduced HIV Infection And Increased Survival Among HIV-exposed Infants Using Two Newly Developed Point-of-care Tests In Papua New Guinea And China.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$952,841.00
Summary
HIV contributes significantly to maternal and infant deaths, largely due to limited access to effective antiretroviral drugs among HIV-infected expectant mothers and their HIV-infected infants. Decisions on what and when to start treatment currently depends on sophisticated laboratory tests, unavailable to many. This research is a world-first intervention study to assess the effectiveness and impact of two newly developed and unique low-cost rapid point-of-care tests.
The Role Of HIV Infection Of Astrocytes In The Development Of HIV Associated Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$144,250.00
Summary
Dementia is an extremely common problem in the late stages of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. HIV-associated dementia is the most common cause of dementia in people under 40 years of age. Despite the development of very good drugs to attack the virus, HIV-associaed dementia continues to be a major clinical problem. We are looking at the reasons why some people infected with HIV become demented and others do not. We are also looking at how best to prevent the development of dementia ....Dementia is an extremely common problem in the late stages of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. HIV-associated dementia is the most common cause of dementia in people under 40 years of age. Despite the development of very good drugs to attack the virus, HIV-associaed dementia continues to be a major clinical problem. We are looking at the reasons why some people infected with HIV become demented and others do not. We are also looking at how best to prevent the development of dementia. We believe that astrocytes (an important brain cell that supports neurons) play a very important role in the development of HIV-associated dementia. With an improved understanding of the steps leading to dementia we can better plan treatments to prevent the development of this devastating complication of HIV-AIDS.Read moreRead less
Estimation Of Transient Increases In Bleeding Risk Associated With Physical Activity In Children With Haemophilia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$102,143.00
Summary
Haemophilia A and B are genetic conditions which affect 1 in 7,000 males in Australia. These disorders cause frequent bleeding due to problems with the clotting factor in blood. Over the past decade there has been a move to administer clotting factor to children with haemophilia in order to prevent bleeds and the consequent damage to joints that occurs when bleeds occur in a joint. Participation in vigorous physical activity and sport is thought to increase the risk of bleeding. Because of this, ....Haemophilia A and B are genetic conditions which affect 1 in 7,000 males in Australia. These disorders cause frequent bleeding due to problems with the clotting factor in blood. Over the past decade there has been a move to administer clotting factor to children with haemophilia in order to prevent bleeds and the consequent damage to joints that occurs when bleeds occur in a joint. Participation in vigorous physical activity and sport is thought to increase the risk of bleeding. Because of this, children are often given clotting factor prior to playing sport. However clotting factor is extremely expensive. For example, a boy wanting to play tennis three times a week would require three injections of cIotting factor per week at a cost of approximately $250,000 a year. To date there is no good evidence about which physical activities are likely to increase the risk of bleeding. If this information was available clinicians would be able to optimise timing of administration of clotting factor so that it is administered prior to activities associated with high risk of bleeds. Another reason to quantify risk of bleeds associated with activity is to inform decisions about participation in physical activity. Every boy with haemophilia wants to know if he can play sport or ride a skateboard or jump on a trampoline. Informed decisions about participation require accurate estimates of risk. This study will use an innovative design to provide, for the first time, accurate estimates of the risk of bleeding associated with physical activity. This information will form the basis for clinical practice guidelines regarding participation in physical activity.Read moreRead less
Macfarlane Adaptive Changes In HIV-1 Subtype C Envelope Glycoproteins Contributing To Pathogenicity.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$310,787.00
Summary
HIV exists as multiple subtypes. The most commonly studied is type B (B-HIV). B-HIV is common in developed countries, but accounts for only a small fraction of HIV infections worldwide. Type C HIV (C-HIV) in Africa and Asia accounts for the majority of infections worldwide, yet very little is known about how C-HIV causes AIDS. We aim to understand how C-HIV causes AIDS. This is critical for development of drugs and vaccines specifically designed for those who are most urgently need.
Towards An Evidence-Based Model Of Paediatric Palliative Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$73,722.00
Summary
The aim of this study is to improve the evidence base in paediatric palliative care by determining: How families come to realise the need for palliative care; How health professionals (paediatricians, general practitioners, palliative care workers) come to realise the need for palliative care; What aspects of palliative care are of greatest value to dying children and their families; How families experience the service system as it is currently configured including community-based palliative car ....The aim of this study is to improve the evidence base in paediatric palliative care by determining: How families come to realise the need for palliative care; How health professionals (paediatricians, general practitioners, palliative care workers) come to realise the need for palliative care; What aspects of palliative care are of greatest value to dying children and their families; How families experience the service system as it is currently configured including community-based palliative care providers; The degree to which the views of health professionals accord with those of parents, and the extent to which this influences perceived quality of service delivery; and If, and to what extent the needs of children with malignant conditions differ from those with non-malignant conditions.Read moreRead less
Printhotics: A Digital Solution To Optimise Personalised Children’s Orthotic Devices
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,205.00
Summary
Ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) are custom plastic braces worn around the foot and ankle that are crucial for the daily function of children with nerve, muscle and brain disorders. However, AFO usage is limited by significant wait times, poor adherence and a disconnect with patient preferences. My project, Printhotics, will generate novel AFO designs and production methods based on a concurrent discovery pipeline of co-design, 3D scanning, machine learning, and 3D printing.
ARDAC Second Phase Study : Antecedents Of Renal Disease In Aboriginal Children And Young Adults
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$86,570.00
Summary
Kidney disease is over-represented within Indigenous communities across Australia. Through screening 2000 participants, aged between 10 and 20 years of age, for risk factors of kidney disease this study will establish the number of young Indigenous people within NSW who show risk factors for kidney disease and add significant information to the natural history of chronic kidney disease. It is a follow on from the successful first phase study.
I am investigating several areas relating to Paediatric surgery in particular the quality and coverage of paediatric surgical trials. The context for this study is to evaluate the current state of paediatric surgical research for methodological rigour, aiming to establish an evidence base and agenda for future trials to improve outcomes in paediatric surgery. The project will involve epidemiological methodology studies and systematic reviews, data linkage and analysis of existing study datasets.