Influenza A Viral Infection And Pregnancy Complications
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,346,858.00
Summary
Pregnant women who contract influenza are 5 times more likely to be hospitalised than the general population. Babies of mothers with influenza are also associated with increased perinatal mortality rates. We hypothesise that influenza infection in pregnancy significantly impairs the maternal vascular system resulting in maternal and foetal morbidity. Outcomes from this research may change current treatment modalities to improve maternal and foetal outcomes complicated by influenza infection.
A novel sensory neural circuit has been identified innervating the airways and lungs. The anatomical organisation of this circuit has been described to some extent in previous studies, however there is a significant gap in knowledge with respect to its functional importance. This project will develop methods to address this knowledge gap and in doing so the project will firstly describe how this circuit controls breathing under normal conditions and secondly how this becomes dysregulated during
Dynamic In Vivo Size & Shape Measurement Of The Human Upper Airway Using Endoscopic Long-range Optical Coherence Tomogra
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$184,250.00
Summary
This project will fund the construction of a clinically deployable prototype device to measure changes in upper airway size and shape in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea. We have recently developed and validated a technique based on endoscopic optical coherence tomography (OCT). Preliminary in vivo studies have been performed in the human upper airway and the results published. To our knowledge, this is the only such system world-wide capable of making these important measurements. The tec ....This project will fund the construction of a clinically deployable prototype device to measure changes in upper airway size and shape in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea. We have recently developed and validated a technique based on endoscopic optical coherence tomography (OCT). Preliminary in vivo studies have been performed in the human upper airway and the results published. To our knowledge, this is the only such system world-wide capable of making these important measurements. The technique has wide commercially applicability as it can be used to measure the internal dimensions of any hollow organ system.Read moreRead less
Novel Pharmacological Strategies To Treat Cognitive Dysfunction In COPD
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$872,455.00
Summary
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a major incurable global health burden and is the 4th largest cause of death worldwide. Up to 60% of COPD patients suffer from cognitive dysfunction (i.e. a brain disorder which affects learning, memory, attention) which often leads to dementia. The reason for this is unknown so the aim of this study is to determine why people with COPD suffer from mental disorders then develop novel treatments to treat these disorders in COPD patients.
Neurons And Neurotransmitters That Control Phasic Laryngeal Motoneuron Activity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$278,736.00
Summary
Opening and closing of the vocal cords with breathing is an automatic function that is present before birth and is essential for life. Opening the vocal cords allows inspired air to enter the lungs and closure serves to protect the lungs from food and drink. Failure of coordination is associated with a range of life-threatening airway disorders, particularly in newborns. Nerves in the brain and the chemicals they release transmit the rhythm of breathing to the nerves that control the vocal cords ....Opening and closing of the vocal cords with breathing is an automatic function that is present before birth and is essential for life. Opening the vocal cords allows inspired air to enter the lungs and closure serves to protect the lungs from food and drink. Failure of coordination is associated with a range of life-threatening airway disorders, particularly in newborns. Nerves in the brain and the chemicals they release transmit the rhythm of breathing to the nerves that control the vocal cords. However, the specific neurons and chemicals involved are not known. This information is crucial in understanding the chemical disorder in the brain responsible for the loss of coordination between breathing and vocal cord activity, and in formulating strategies to treat these conditions using drugs that correct the chemical disorder. By way of example, we have used our animal studies to develop the first ever drug trial to treat children with congenital vocal cord paralysis, whose vocal cords fail to open with inspiration and require a tracheostomy. We have selected a drug that corrects the proposed disorder of brain chemistry responsible for this condition. This approach will serve as a template for the management of a variety of other life-threatening airway disorders in newborns using drugs that act on the brain. We will now carry out further experiments to identify the nerves and their chemicals that control the motoneurons that drive the vocal cords. The key experiment involves recording from inside an individual vocal cord motoneuron in the brain while simultaneously applying a range of chemicals to its external surface. By recording the response of the nerve, we can determine which chemicals control its activity. Using our knowledge of the pattern of chemicals released by respiratory neurons, we will identify neurons for further study, and establish chemical and anatomical relationships between the respiratory nerve and the vocal cord nerve.Read moreRead less
Role Of Myeloperoxidase In Endothelial Barrier Dysfunction During Inflammation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$302,123.00
Summary
The release of the enzyme myeloperoxidase (MPO) within blood vessels is thought to affect their ‘leakiness’ during periods of inflammation, leading to fluid associated swelling (oedema). We propose that MPO produces oxidant chemicals that increase blood vessel leakage. The aim of our work is to study how these chemicals increase vascular leakage by studying the biochemical pathways involved. These studies could lead to new intervention strategies targeting MPO to reduce excessive tissue oedema.
Exertional Dyspnoea With Increased Filling Pressure - Mechanisms And Treatment Strategies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$387,793.00
Summary
Patients with early heart disease often present with shortness of breath with exercise, as myocardial reserve at that stage is usually sufficient to maintain normal function at rest . Indeed, much myocardial dysfunction may originate from the modern lifestyle, including inactivity, obesity, the metabolic syndrome and type II diabetes. The potential benefits of making a definitive early diagnosis are large, because it seems more likely that an impact can be made on the disease process (and theref ....Patients with early heart disease often present with shortness of breath with exercise, as myocardial reserve at that stage is usually sufficient to maintain normal function at rest . Indeed, much myocardial dysfunction may originate from the modern lifestyle, including inactivity, obesity, the metabolic syndrome and type II diabetes. The potential benefits of making a definitive early diagnosis are large, because it seems more likely that an impact can be made on the disease process (and therefore, outcome) than with late stage disease. Current treatment strategies are expensive and because they are directed at end-organ damage (heart failure, heart attacks etc), rather ineffective. This multispecialty, multidisciplinary group will undertake a series of unique studies aimed at identifying early cardiovascular disease. The strategy will involve detection of abnormal filling behaviour at stress echocardiography, with randomization into longterm and short-term trials to examine various therapeutic strategies. Sensitive new cardiovascular imaging techniques will be used to detect preclinical abnormalities in the structure and function of the heart and vasculature, facilitating a mechanistic understanding of the process of increasing filling pressure with exercise.Read moreRead less
I am an applied respiratory physiologist investigating the pathophysiology of upper airway dysfunction in individuals with sleep-disordered breathing and the application of exercise physiology principles to the development of novel rehabilitation methods
A Program Of Research Addressing The Transition From Health To Advanced Cardiovascular Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$13,017,057.00
Summary
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the major cause of death and disability in Australia and worldwide. This burden will increase without new knowledge. We will address knowledge gaps that delay more effective prevention and control. Our team has a strong track record of influencing clinical practice of CVD prevention, treatment and technology transfer. For many, the first indication of a heart problem is sudden heart attack or death. By understanding mechanisms we aim to develop new tests and treat ....Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the major cause of death and disability in Australia and worldwide. This burden will increase without new knowledge. We will address knowledge gaps that delay more effective prevention and control. Our team has a strong track record of influencing clinical practice of CVD prevention, treatment and technology transfer. For many, the first indication of a heart problem is sudden heart attack or death. By understanding mechanisms we aim to develop new tests and treatments that prevent heart attack, heart failure and other serious consequences of atherosclerosis.Read moreRead less