Proteins form up to 25% of our diet. The first step in protein absorption is the digestion of protein into smaller units called peptides and amino acids. Both components are subsequently taken up by specialised cells in the wall of the intestine. In this project we plan to study how protein absorption occurs at the surface of these intestinal cells and investigate why this process fails in malabsorption syndromes, where the uptake of amino acids is impaired.
Urine Proteomics As A New Diagnostic Approach For Cardiovascular Risk And As A Discovery Tool For Novel Pathomechanisms In Atherosclerotic Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$69,500.00
Summary
Atherosclerosis (hardening of blood vessels) followed by blockage is the leading cause of death due to heart attacks and strokes. Up until now there has been no simple tests to predict this reliably.The outcome of this project will give us a better understanding of atherosclerosis and provide a simple non-invasive urine test to detect atherosclerosis which would lend clinicians the opportunity to intervene early.
Evaluation Of Optimal Pharmacologic Haemodynamic Support Strategies In Patients Presenting With Shock
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$132,743.00
Summary
Shock is one of the most challenging clinical management scenarios experienced by clinicians. It is a syndrome characterised by an imbalance of oxygen delivery and demand particularly in vital organs. Despite the advances in current treatment strategies for patients with shock, there is still significant morbidity and mortality associated with this syndrome. It is the goal of my PhD to develop improved treatment pathways for patients with shock in order to improve their clinical outcomes.
Centre Of Excellence For Clinical Research Training In Translational Cardiology
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,622,253.00
Summary
We aim to convert novel scientific findings to better treating patients with end-stage heart disease. A secondary aim is to train clinicians with a better understanding of sophisticated scientific approaches so they can better transfer this knowledge to health practices and policies. We will study new ways of identifying patients who are likely to suffer from heart attacks as well as those with heart problems who appear to function well but in fact have poor health and life outlook.
Optimizing Evidence Translation In The High-risk Time-critical Environment Of The Emergency Management For Suspected Cardiac Chest Pain (RAPIDx)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,230,191.00
Summary
Few clinical processes are purposefully redesigned to optimally incorporate new diagnostic test into routine practice. Using artificial intelligence to enhance the interpretation of newly identified troponin elevation with high sensitivity troponin assays, we will implement a myocardial injury registry in practice. It will also form a platform to explore the clinical impact of artificial intelligence, through a cluster randomized trial evaluating decision-support on 12-month outcomes.
The Role Of New Generation Multidetector Row CT For Identification And Management Of Vulnerable Plaque At Risk Of Acute Coronary Syndrome : A Prospective Observational And Interventional Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$189,326.00
Summary
Heart attack remains one of the major cause of death. This is usually due to rupture of a plaque (due to cholesterol buildup) in the major heart arteries. Studies using invasive ultrasound have identified some features of plaque that are at high risk of rupture. These plaques are referred to as "vulnerable plaque". Recent developments in the computed tomography (CT) technology which is a non-invasive technique has enabled us to also identify these features. However thus far, no prospective large
ProbioticTreatment Of Diarrhoeal Disease And Malnutrition In Top End Aboriginal Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$332,036.00
Summary
Aboriginal children in the Top End of Australia have high rates of hospital admission for diarrhoea and malnutrition. We have discovered that underlying small intestinal damage in these children is an important contributor to the high complication rates and longer lengths of stay in hospital compared to non-Aboriginal children. This research proposes to continue our work on small intestinal damage by using two non-invasive tests of gut function, namely a sugar absorption test and novel breath te ....Aboriginal children in the Top End of Australia have high rates of hospital admission for diarrhoea and malnutrition. We have discovered that underlying small intestinal damage in these children is an important contributor to the high complication rates and longer lengths of stay in hospital compared to non-Aboriginal children. This research proposes to continue our work on small intestinal damage by using two non-invasive tests of gut function, namely a sugar absorption test and novel breath test. The sugar permeability test involves the children drinking a solution of the two sugars lactulose and rhamnose, and measuring their absorption into the blood 90 minutes later using a sophisticated measuring instrument called HPLC, which can measure minuscule amounts of sugars and is set up at Royal Darwin Hospital. The breath test involves children drinking another sugar solution with a special non-radioactive marker called a stable isotope of carbon, and measuring changes in the amount of this marker in carbon dioxide from the breath at timed periods after drinking the sugar solution. The breath is analysed in Adelaide using another sophisticated instrument. These tests are being used to measure abnormal sugar absorption due to intestinal damage, which is particularly common in Aboriginal children during the weaning period of 4-18 months. Our hypothesis is that treatment with 'healthy germs' (probiotics) like those in certain yoghourts will colonise the gut, stimulate immunity and reduce the presence of 'nasty germs' (pathogenic bacteria) in the intestines of Aboriginal children which contribute to the need for their hospitalisation with diarrhoea and malnutrition. If this hypothesis is correct, then this research will provide the best kind of evidence for reducing the need for hospital treatment by treating all cases of diarrhoea with these probiotics and possibly even decreasing the gut damage of children in the weaning period by including probiotics in their dietsRead moreRead less