Multicentre, Open Label, Randomised, Controlled Trial Of Severe ARF Management With An Augmented Vs Normal CRRT Regimen
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,879,125.00
Summary
Sudden serious kidney failure is a major problem that frequently occurs in patients who are in Intensive Care. For these patients, their chances of survival are significantly decreased. In Australia sudden serious kidney failure is usually treated with continuous kidney support by a kidney machine. A recent study found that by using greater than normal levels of kidney support, that is , running larger volumes of fluid through the kidney machine, patients in Intensive Care Units (ICU's) may be l ....Sudden serious kidney failure is a major problem that frequently occurs in patients who are in Intensive Care. For these patients, their chances of survival are significantly decreased. In Australia sudden serious kidney failure is usually treated with continuous kidney support by a kidney machine. A recent study found that by using greater than normal levels of kidney support, that is , running larger volumes of fluid through the kidney machine, patients in Intensive Care Units (ICU's) may be less likely to die from their sudden serious kidney failure. Despite these positive findings, this high level of kidney support is not commonly used in Australian ICU's. Clearly though, if greater than normal levels of kidney support do increase the chances that individuals will live, then patients should be receiving this treatment. The Australia and New Zealand Intensive Care Society, in conjunction with The George Institute for International Health, propose to conduct a new study involving 1500 patients from ICU's throughout Australia, who require continuous kidney support due to sudden serious kidney failure. These patients will be randomly assigned so that half receive the normally used levels of kidney support and the other half receive kidney support at greater than normal levels. Patients will then be followed for three months to compare the proportions of patients who die in each group. All other outcomes and serious side effects will be closely monitored throughout the study. The results will be available to the public within four years of starting the study, and these are likely to influence the treatment of patients admitted to ICU's with sudden serious kidney failure, not only in Australia but also worldwide.Read moreRead less
Prevention And Treatment Of Bone Infection With CSA-90
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$350,983.00
Summary
Bone infections are a major challenge to treat, especially with the rise of drug resistant “superbugs”. We have access to a new agent, CSA-90, that has dual properties of being anti-microbial (antibiotic) and helps encourage bone growth. This project aims to expand upon our prior research and test CSA-90 for the treatment of chronic bone infections. We will also look at applying this technology to joint replacements and this drug may be particularly useful for coating orthopaedic implants.
Efficacy Of Education And Advice Delivered By Text Message To Aid Smoking Cessation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$538,395.00
Summary
A high proportion of smokers indicate a desire to stop smoking and report having made attempts to quit. However, most attempts are not successful and new methods are needed to support motivated smokers and improve success rates. This project evaluates the use of text messages to deliver advice and support to smokers motivated to stop smoking. We aim to understand if and how this promosing new intervention helps smokers to quit.
Treating Insomnia In Patients With Co-existing Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$260,046.00
Summary
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and insomnia commonly coexist in the same patient, and can affect how patients adhere to treatment for their OSA. Insomnia can be effectively treated by a clinical psychologist using a technique known as cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), but it is currently unclear whether this is effective in patients who also have OSA. This research project will investigate whether treatment of insomnia using CBT in patients who have OSA will improve health outcomes.
Treating Insomnia Co-morbid With Obstructive Sleep Apnoea: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Effectiveness Trial.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,869.00
Summary
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is a common but serious sleep disorder. Continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP) therapy can be very effective in treating OSA. We have found that many patients with OSA also suffer from insomnia, and this can make it hard for them to begin CPAP therapy and hard for them to stick to it. This trial will examine the effect of treating insomnia concurrently with CPAP, with the expectation that overall treatment outcomes will improve.
Targeting MicroRNA-200b In Diabetic Nephropathy Using Two Novel Delivery Systems
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$314,644.00
Summary
Better treatments to prevent diabetic kidney disease are prioritized by government, commercial and philanthropic sectors. MicroRNA-based strategies limit kidney fibrosis in animal models of non-diabetic kidney disease. However, current delivery systems require optimization prior to human use. We have shown that microRNA-200b suppresses kidney fibrosis. We will study two delivery systems to deliver microRNA-200b to the kidney and to study its potential to prevent or limit diabetic kidney disease.
Public Health Policies And Interventions To Reduce Tobacco-related Harms Among Socially Disadvantaged Populations And ‘low Probability Quitters’
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$421,747.00
Summary
Tobacco continues to be a leading cause of preventable death and disease in Australia. Those who are socially disadvantaged are at higher risk of smoking, which contributes to the health gap between the rich and poor. This research will provide evidence for policy makers on interventions which could reduce smoking among the most disadvantaged in society. It will also examine whether less harmful nicotine products could a reduce health risks in smokers who find quitting difficult.
Breathing Easier: Optimising Non-Invasive Ventilation Of Preterm Infants
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$266,623.00
Summary
Every year in Australia more than 6000 premature babies need breathing support after birth. My research focuses on improving the application of ‘non-invasive’ breathing supports for premature babies. These therapies can avoid the baby needing to be connected to a mechanical breathing machine, thus reducing the risk of damage to the baby’s fragile lungs. My vision is to better understand the way non-invasive breathing supports work, and to provide world-first evidence for their use.
Understanding The Cardio-protective Actions Of The AT2R In Females: Shifting Gears Between AT1 And AT2 Receptor Balance Of Function With Relaxin.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,049,288.00
Summary
Women are protected from cardiovascular disease as compared to age-matched men, an effect lost with age. Understanding protective factors that act in females could be used to treat hypertension, heart failure and stroke in males at all ages, and maintain protection in elderly women. Our studies aim to determine if relaxin, an ovarian hormone, can promote cardiovascular health in women.
The Role Of MMPs 1 And 9 And MT-1 MMP In Hormone Replacement Therapy Related Irregular Bleeding
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$294,625.00
Summary
Approximately 40% of women in Australia chose to take Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). This choice is usually based upon the perceived benefits of HRT such as the relief of debilitating menopausal symptoms (such as hot flushes and sweats), the prevention of brittle bone disease (osteoporosis) and the potential prevention of heart disease and memory loss (dementia). Unfortunately, many of these women (up to two thirds in a large UK study) then suffer from irregular bleeding. This is not only in ....Approximately 40% of women in Australia chose to take Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). This choice is usually based upon the perceived benefits of HRT such as the relief of debilitating menopausal symptoms (such as hot flushes and sweats), the prevention of brittle bone disease (osteoporosis) and the potential prevention of heart disease and memory loss (dementia). Unfortunately, many of these women (up to two thirds in a large UK study) then suffer from irregular bleeding. This is not only inconvenient, but raises anxiety that the bleeding may be a symptom of serious illness such as cancer of the womb. Many HRT users then undergo internal examinations, tests and operations to exclude cancer as the cause of the bleeding. In almost all cases no other abnormality is found. However, many women decide not to continue with HRT because of this troublesome bleeding. Very little is understood about the reason why women using HRT have irregular bleeding. Furthermore, there are no ways of predicting who will be affected and no established way to stopping or preventing bleeding apart from discontinuing HRT. This problem affects all HRT preparations. Previous pilot studies by the CI (Associate Professor Martha Hickey) have demonstrated for the first time that there are changes in the lining of the womb in women using HRT which may lead to bleeding. These are similar to changes seen in younger women with breakthrough bleeding using contraceptives. The planned project intends to futher explore the actions of the important molecules which break down the blood vessels of the womb lining (endometrium) and cause bleeding. This raises the possibility that specific agents could be developed to stop or prevent bleeding in HRT users. This is likely to substantially increase the acceptability of HRT and may thus have major positive health implications for women in Australia and worldwide.Read moreRead less