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The health effects of electronic cigarette use are virtually unknown. They have only recently been introduced into widespread use, and as such their effects on human health will not be known for many years. We will use our expertise in exposure models and health outcome measurement to provide timely hard-data on their potential to impact health – data that are urgently required to guide policy makers in this area.
A Randomised Controlled Trial Of Interventional Versus Conservative Treatment Of Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$412,315.00
Summary
Primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) is a collapsed lung that occurs in otherwise healthy people without underlying lung disease. Current standard treatment is to insert a chest drain into the chest to remove the air around the collapsed lung so that the lung re-inflates rapidly ("interventional treatment"). We will determine whether doing nothing, i.e. letting the lung re-inflate slowly on its own over several weeks ("conservative treatment"), is just as good or even better for patients.
Do Exposures Before Conception Influence The Risk Of Asthma In Offspring?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$688,586.00
Summary
Asthma and poor lung function are major causes of public health issues. Emerging evidence suggests adverse exposures even before the conception of a child may cause these conditions. The proposed project is part of an international study across generations to identify these factors. This study will provide novel evidence to guide interventions and identify studies to advance this area further. These original findings will be of great importance both nationally and internationally.
Developmental-associated Dysregulation Of Innate Anti-microbial Immunity In Early Life As A Determinant Of Susceptibility To Atopic Asthma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$570,334.00
Summary
Previous NHMRC-sponsored research from the applicants has demonstrated that one of the strongest risk factors for subsequent development of asthma is having chest infections during infancy that are so severe that they trigger symptoms of fever and wheeze. It is not known what predisposes susceptible infants to these severe infections, and this project will attempt to define the mechanisms of susceptibility.
Investigating The Effects Of Macrolides On Excessive Synthesis And Secretion Of Airway Mucins Using Novel Ex Vivo And In Vivo Approaches
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$520,821.00
Summary
Many people have difficulty breathing because the airway tubes that move air in and out of their lungs are blocked by excessive amounts of sticky mucus. Our project will use new techniques developed in our laboratories to investigate whether a group of medicines called “macrolides” can prevent the excessive production and release of mucus in the airways, and thus be beneficial in treating asthma, and potentially other lung diseases.
Combining Health, Laboratory And Immunisation Data Sources To Identify Opportunities For The Prevention Of Chest Infections In Young Aboriginal And Non-Aboriginal Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$428,469.00
Summary
Chest infections are one of the major reasons children are admitted to hospital, particularly in Aboriginal children. This project will determine whether current vaccines have reduced hospital visits and how many children are affected by multiple infections. It will also identify where better vaccination programs are needed. This will be done by bringing together and analysing a range of infection and hospital records to paint a true picture of the impact of chest infections in children.
Can Exercise Delay Transition To Active Therapy In Men With Low Grade Prostate Cancer? A Multi-Centre Randomized Controlled Trial.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$604,429.00
Summary
Prostate cancer overdiagnosis is associated with increased rates of overtreatment and associated morbidity. Although nearly half of Australian men diagnosed with low risk prostate cancer are managed with active surveillance there are no established recommendations for slowing disease progression and delaying transition to active treatment. The proposed study would be the first to determine the efficacy of a comprehensive exercise program during active surveillance for prostate cancer.
Towards Prevention Of Acute Kidney Injury After Cardiac Surgery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$771,918.00
Summary
Open heart surgery saves thousands of lives each year in Australia, but often injures the kidney. Kidney oxygen deficiency is a major cause of kidney injury. We propose a new way to manage kidney oxygen levels during heart surgery, by measuring the level of oxygen in the urine in the bladder. We will determine whether low levels of oxygen in the urine during surgery predict later development of acute kidney injury, and whether patient management can be changed to optimize kidney oxygen levels.
Exercise As Medicine For Heart Failure: A Novel Intervention To Improve Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$665,585.00
Summary
Heart failure (HF) is a common, debilitating and expensive disease; prognosis remains poorer than for the most cancers. 30,000 Australians are diagnosed every year and 300,000 live with the HF, at an annual cost of ~$1Billion. Exercise training is effective therapy in HF, because it reverses many of the problems that contribute to the reduced lifespan and impaired quality of life of patients with HF. We will test an exciting new type of exercise that promising greater benefit, at lower risk.