Is Insulin Sensitivity In Children And Their Mothers Programmed By Maternal Blood Glucose?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$169,630.00
Summary
Glucose intolerance in pregnancy is associated with the birth of large-for-dates and macrosomic (>4000g) babies. The risk of type 2 diabetes is greater in babies who are small or large at birth compared to those with normal birth weight. This study will determine if treatment of mothers with glucose intolerance in pregnancy (which is intermediate between normal glucose tolerance and diabetes) alters the regulation of glucose tolerance in their children. The mothers were randomised to receive ....Glucose intolerance in pregnancy is associated with the birth of large-for-dates and macrosomic (>4000g) babies. The risk of type 2 diabetes is greater in babies who are small or large at birth compared to those with normal birth weight. This study will determine if treatment of mothers with glucose intolerance in pregnancy (which is intermediate between normal glucose tolerance and diabetes) alters the regulation of glucose tolerance in their children. The mothers were randomised to receive normal antenatal care or to have their blood sugar measured and controlled by diet and insulin as for diabetics. We will measure the insulin sensitivity of the children to a glucose load. We will also measure blood pressure and lipids in these children. Treatment of the mother during pregnancy may alter the deposition of fat in the fetus the effect of which will continue into childhood. Thus the offspring of treated mothers may remain thinner throughout childhood. Each pregnancy increases a woman's chance of developing type 2 diabetes in later life. This risk is further increased by abnormal glucose tolerance during pregnancy. This study will test the long-term benefits of treatment during pregnancy of women with impaired glucose tolerance on the subsequent regulation of glucose tolerance. We shall invite women who took part in the Australian Carbohydrate Study in Pregnancy (ACHOIS) to return and have an intravenous glucose tolerance test. Insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance will be determined and related to treatment of the impaired glucose tolerance in pregnancy. This study will be the first follow-up of a large randomised trial of treatments of impaired glucose tolerance in pregnancy. The potential long-term benefits are strategies to reduce the future chance of developing risk factors for type 2 diabetes, obesity and abnormal blood lipids in childhood and adult life. The study will establish the benefits or otherwise of tight control of blood glucose in pregnancy.Read moreRead less
Chromatin Dynamics During Sexual Differentiation In The Malaria Parasite P. Falciparum
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$535,858.00
Summary
Inhibiting malaria transmission is a critical step towards global eradication of this deadly disease. This proposal aims to understand the mechanisms regulating the expression of genes which control the differentiation of the transmission stages of malaria parasites. Such pathways are prime targets for novel anti-malarial drugs.
The Management Of Women With Type 1 Diabetes During Pregnancy And Breastfeeding.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$50,741.00
Summary
Pregnancy in women with type 1 diabetes is associated with increased risks to the mother and baby and lower rates of breastfeeding. There is a relative paucity of published studies concerning the management of these women particularly in late pregnancy, immediately after delivery and during breastfeeding. Through a series of studies this project aims to address these areas of uncertainty and thereby improve the management of these women during these periods.
Novel Inhibition Of Cancer Cell Growth In Gastrointestinal Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$47,474.00
Summary
This research project will focus on new treatment targets for gastrointestinal malignancies, focusing on the mTOR pathway which is important in driving cancer cell growth. The mTOR inhibitor drug Everolimus will be used in colon and biliary tract cancers to look for novel biomarkers of response and resistance to treatment, using cancer cell lines and correlative analysis with data obtained from patients' tumour samples and clinical assessment in current trials.
Hyper-sensitivity Of The Circadian System To Light In Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$378,858.00
Summary
Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder (DSPD) is a circadian rhythm sleep disorder characterized by a difficulty in initiating sleep at night and difficulty in waking at times required for work or school. It is associated with excessive daytime sleepiness, reduced academic and work performance, increased anxiety and depression and reduced quality of life. This study examines increased sensitivity of the brain's 24-hour biological clock to light as a cause of the abnormal timing of sleep in DSPD.
The effects of therapeutic glucocorticoid doses on carbohydrate and energy metabolism and cardiovascular risk have not been fully clarified. This PhD thesis will be based around two studies aiming to: 1.) Define mechanisms underlying the adverse effects of low dose prednisolone in patients with inflammatory rheumatologic disease and 2.) Improve treatment of prednisolone-induced hyperglycaemia in hospitalized patients.
Interaction Of Mc1r With The PRb And P53 Pathways In UVR-induced Melanoma Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$553,479.00
Summary
This project will shed light onto fundamental processes causing UV-induced melanoma (MM). Innate differences between individuals, independent of pigmentation, influence MM development. We will study the mechanisms of UVR-induced MM development in mice carrying gene mutations (Cdk4, Arf, Mc1r) that underpin human MM susceptibility. Knowledge of the sensitivity of an one's MCs to UV could be critical for targeting susceptible groups for health education campaigns and more intense screening.