Assessment Of Bilateral Oedema By Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$180,000.00
Summary
Swelling of tissue due to fluid accumulation, known as oedema, is one of the earliest signs of diseases such as kidney failure, burn injury or lymphedema. All of these are not uncommon conditions. Lymphedema, for example, is a common sequela of radiotherapy or surgery in the treatment of malignancies such as breast, uterine, and prostatic carcinoma. It is reported to occur in up to 40% of patients depending on the type of surgery and whether or not the patient received radiotherapy. It is estima ....Swelling of tissue due to fluid accumulation, known as oedema, is one of the earliest signs of diseases such as kidney failure, burn injury or lymphedema. All of these are not uncommon conditions. Lymphedema, for example, is a common sequela of radiotherapy or surgery in the treatment of malignancies such as breast, uterine, and prostatic carcinoma. It is reported to occur in up to 40% of patients depending on the type of surgery and whether or not the patient received radiotherapy. It is estimated that at any time 100000 women are suffering from post- mastectomy lymphedema in Australia alone. Treatment of breast cancer alone therefore, given the incidence of the disease, produces a large at-risk population. Add to this other causes of oedema and the magnitude of the problem becomes clearly apparent. The presence of chronic oedema is often a disfiguring and disabling disorder, usually accompanied by pain, recurrent infection, reduced mobility and impaired function. In acute oedema the problem often resolves with recovery from the underlying pathology. In chronic oedema, progression may be arrested by early intervention including complex physical therapy (exercise regimen, compression bandaging, and massage) which is effective in reducing limb volume, in improving the quality of life, function and body image of patients. Although the assessment of oedema is clearly of clinical importance, relatively few objective and accurate techniques for its measurement exist. Research conducted over the past decade by the applicants has pioneered the Use of Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis for the assessment of lymphedema. This study aims to translate this basic research into clinical practice. Sensitivity and specificity studies will establish normative and threshold values for impedance measurements that can be used as presumptive indicators of oedema. User friendly technology and equipment suitable for clinical use will be developed which should improve treatment therapies.Read moreRead less
Development And Pre-Clinical Evaluation Of A Silicone Dressing For Scar Remediation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$163,577.00
Summary
This research is aimed at exploiting advanced polymers as a new therapy for patients with burn related scars, as well as people who are genetically predisposed to scarring due to abnormal healing. In order to progress to clinical trials, the technology needs to be tested on an animal scar model. Successful outcome of these tests will allow the industry partner, Tissue Therapies, to proceed with a clinical trial, paving the way to a therapeutic product available for scar treatment.
Inhibitors Of Bacterial Protein Synthesis - A New Class Of Antibiotics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$120,000.00
Summary
Pioneering work by CSIRO scientists has identified specific peptide motifs in the DNA replication machinery of bacteria that are critical for the correct functioning of the organism. In collaboration with CI Alewood potent (Kd ~ nM) lead compounds that inhibit bacterial DNA replication have been designed and synthesised. Through the application of a number of novel bioinformatics approaches to the analysis of the complete genome sequences of bacteria, the key sites of interaction of a number of ....Pioneering work by CSIRO scientists has identified specific peptide motifs in the DNA replication machinery of bacteria that are critical for the correct functioning of the organism. In collaboration with CI Alewood potent (Kd ~ nM) lead compounds that inhibit bacterial DNA replication have been designed and synthesised. Through the application of a number of novel bioinformatics approaches to the analysis of the complete genome sequences of bacteria, the key sites of interaction of a number of protein families (DNA synthesis and repair enzymes) with the beta subunit of bacterial DNA Polymerase III have been identified. The nature of the sites, and preliminary experimental data, suggests that the approach will be generally applicable to all species of bacteria. In addition a wide range of novel assays for the identification of inhibitors of the interaction of proteins with the beta subunit have been developed. In this proposal we wish to demonstrate that our in vitro nanomolar inhibitors of the beta subunit can inhibit bacterial cell growth. The development program proposes to develop methods and strategies to gain bacterial cell entry of inhibitors of the interaction of proteins with the beta subunit of bacterial DNA Polymerase III. Proof of concept will be demonstrated by inhibition of bacterial cell growth. Stable compounds with good binding characteristics and able to be taken up by cells will be developed based on structure-function assay results, structural studies and modelling of inhibitors bound to the target. Antimicrobial activity of compounds will be demonstrated in standard FDA approved NCLLS (National Centre of Clinical Laboratory Standards USA) tests. Spectrum of activity will be demonstrated by testing compounds against bacterial species representative of the range of pathogenic organisms in standard FDA assays.Read moreRead less
Development And Pre-clinical Evaluation Of A Novel Wound Dressing Treatment For Chronic Ulcers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$125,040.00
Summary
Chronic leg ulcers are a common, painful and costly reality for many Australians, impacting on sufferers' mobility, social interactions and overall quality of life. This research is directed at developing a novel cost-effective wound dressing for treatment of this condition. This will be achieved through neutralising the ulcer's toxic proteolytic environment through an interactive wound dressing. This then will allow the body's own cells to promote wound healing.
Development Of A Smart Arthroscopy System And Prototype Probe For Joint Tissues
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$230,632.00
Summary
This project relates to the ever growing use of arthroscopy in the management of joint defects. An innovative probe that will combine all the molecular, microstructural and biomechanical characteristics of joint articular cartialge and bone for the purposes of diagnosis, treatment, treatment-related decisions, comparison of the effectiveness of treament methods and post treatment evaluation will be developed. This system will produce spin-offs for artrhoscopy of other soft tissues and bodies.