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
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
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
Thai Health-risk Transition: A National Cohort Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,231,214.00
Summary
Thailand's disease patterns are changing. Some changes are good but others, like emerging diabetes, heart disease and injuries, are of concern. Development-related 'health transition' can be optimised if there is information on new causes of disease - immediate risk factors, and 'upstream' economic, cultural and environmental influences. The team will study this health-risk transition in the whole Thai population - looking back 50 years, then forwards in 100,000 Sukothai Thammathirat Open Univer ....Thailand's disease patterns are changing. Some changes are good but others, like emerging diabetes, heart disease and injuries, are of concern. Development-related 'health transition' can be optimised if there is information on new causes of disease - immediate risk factors, and 'upstream' economic, cultural and environmental influences. The team will study this health-risk transition in the whole Thai population - looking back 50 years, then forwards in 100,000 Sukothai Thammathirat Open University students living all over Thailand and followed for four years. The team will map changing risks and upstream influences, produce information for Thai preventive programs, boost regional research capacity, create a regional partnership, and support PhD and postdoctoral training.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