A Randomised Controlled Trial To Prevent Eczema, Food Allergy And Sensitisation Using A Skin Barrier Improvement Strategy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$878,163.00
Summary
In this world first study, we will test if building the infant skin barrier by using daily regular skin care treatment can reduce the incidence of eczema. If successful, this trial will alter infant skin care practices and reduce the burden of allergic diseases in our community. Furthermore, as infants with eczema having a poor skin barrier, which possibly increases their risk of developing sensitisation, we will test if this intervention reduces the risk of food allergy.
Predictors And Consequences Of Allergies That Impact On Children Getting A Healthy Start To Life:a Prospective Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$893,559.00
Summary
Allergic diseases prevent Australian children getting a healthy start to life by causing long term illnesses. This group of diseases includes asthma, hay fever, eczema and food allergies. Half of all Australian children are born into families with a history of these conditions and these children are at increased risk. Some of these children develop allergies while the others do not. It is also known that allergic conditions change over time, but we have no information on causes of these changes. ....Allergic diseases prevent Australian children getting a healthy start to life by causing long term illnesses. This group of diseases includes asthma, hay fever, eczema and food allergies. Half of all Australian children are born into families with a history of these conditions and these children are at increased risk. Some of these children develop allergies while the others do not. It is also known that allergic conditions change over time, but we have no information on causes of these changes. For example some infants with eczema continue to have eczema or develop hay fever and asthma, while others do not. The aim of this study is to determine what factors cause allergies and what factors influence these changes. This will provide evidence to guide health policy and clinical practice. Looking at the different conditions in family members over time is a good way to answer these types of questions, because parents and siblings share similar exposures, but not all the same genes. This helps to disentangle the effects of the environment and genes. The Melbourne Atopic Cohort Study (MACS) is amongst the world�s major studies on the development of allergies. MACS commenced in 1991-94 by recruiting 620 babies prior to birth. Only infants born into families with a history of allergic disease were included. MACS is unique because all family members and the home environment were assessed at the time of birth of the child. These children have been followed regularly over the first ten years of their life. The MACS now provides a unique opportunity to conduct a family study that can examine genes, childhood environment and individual risk factors for allergies. This will also allow exploration of the impact of allergies on families and the health care system, and how we can reduce that impact. Such information will provide evidence to guide health care policy and clinical practice. Also, the current study will provide a platform for future studies to investigate the progression of allergies in this family cohort. This will be the world's only longitudinal family follow-up of allergies that spans all of childhood. It will assist in reducing the impact of these common conditions, and the findings will be original and significant not only in Australia but also internationally.Read moreRead less
Asthma is a National Health Priority in Australia. This project follows the major international study of asthma and allergic diseases in adults. We will re-examine people who have taken part in previous studies in Melbourne. The project also surveys people of the same age currently living in the same area. Participants complete a short postal questionnaire. In the follow-up group, responders complete a more extensive questionnaire and come to our laboratory for clinical assessments.
Studies On The Effects Of Endogenous And Exogenous Opioids In Modulating Exercise-induced Dyspnoea In People With Moderate / Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Two Double-blind Randomised, Placebo Controlled Trials.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$197,086.00
Summary
There is evidence that morphine-like chemicals made by the body itself help reduce breathlessness. It is not clear whether this response is because of the effects of these morphine-like chemicals on the brain, in the lung or both. This study will help understand where these chemicals act to reduce breathlessness in people with emphysema during exercise. Subsequently, it will also help to understand whether small, regular doses of morphine safely further reduce breathlessness during exercise.
An Interdisciplinary Model Of Care For Early Detection Of Lung Damage, Smoking Cessation Support, And A Home-based Exercise/self-management Program
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$448,381.00
Summary
An interdisciplinary model of care comprising screening of long-term smokers for early detection of lung damage, smoking cessation support, and a home-based exercise/self-management program will be implemented and evaluated. This model could potentially reduce the burden of smoking, improve lung health and maintain health-related quality of life.
My research focuses on allergies and chronic respiratory disease in children, teenagers and adults. My goal is to identify the factors, which cause these conditions and also the factors, which can stop these conditions from getting worse. I will work with health professionals and the community to make sure the results of my research are used by doctors to improve the care of people with allergies and chronic respiratory diseases.
Targeting Oxidant-dependent Pathways To Improve Stroke Outcomes In COPD
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,069,574.00
Summary
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a major incurable global health burden and is the 4th largest cause of death worldwide. Patients with COPD are at increased risk for stroke and this is even higher in the weeks following a lung viral infection. The reason for this is unknown so the aim of this study is to determine why people with COPD are at increased risk for stroke and then develop novel treatments to prevent or reduce stroke in COPD patients.
What Are The Lifetime Clinical Predictors And Risk Factors For Multiple Phenotypes Of Adult Asthma, COPD And Sleep Disordered Breathing? Following Up The TAHS Cohort From 1st To 6th Decade
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,950,689.00
Summary
Breathing gets impaired and impact on the productivity and quality of life when chronic respiratory diseases rise with ageing. Adult chronic respiratory diseases are major causes of illness and death but there are still many gaps in knowledge on how best to prevent and manage these diseases. The proposed program will provide evidence to guide health policy and clinical management of these diseases. These original findings will be of great importance both nationally and internationally.
Protracted Bacterial Bronchitis(PBB) In Children - Natural History, Innate Immunity And Obstructive Sleep Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$97,438.00
Summary
Recurrent episodes of prolonged wet cough in children, termed Protracted Bacterial Bronchitis (PBB), may cause long term lung damage. I am a paediatric respiratory and sleep subspecialist in training. Through our research we will investigate for abnormalities in the immune system of children with recurring episodes of PBB and follow these children over a 2 year period to determine whether they go on to develop lung scarring. We will also be looking for a link between PBB and obstructive sleep pr ....Recurrent episodes of prolonged wet cough in children, termed Protracted Bacterial Bronchitis (PBB), may cause long term lung damage. I am a paediatric respiratory and sleep subspecialist in training. Through our research we will investigate for abnormalities in the immune system of children with recurring episodes of PBB and follow these children over a 2 year period to determine whether they go on to develop lung scarring. We will also be looking for a link between PBB and obstructive sleep problems in children.Read moreRead less
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Phenotypes And Treatment In Quadriplegia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$599,635.00
Summary
Losing function in your arms and legs after an injury (quadriplegia) is a catastrophic event. Quadriplegia also results in obstructive sleep apnoea; a condition where the throat closes repeatedly while asleep causing sleepiness, poor concentration and cardiovascular diseases like stroke. Despite most people with quadriplegia having this disease, the cause is unknown. This project will thoroughly investigate obstructive sleep apnoea causes in people with quadriplegia and test a possible treatment