Ontogeny Of The Airway Smooth Muscle Layer In Health And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$535,914.00
Summary
In asthmatic patients the thickness of the airway smooth muscle (ASM) layer is increased early in life and even before doctor-diagnosis. An intriguing possibility is our overarching hypothesis that the ASM layer is thickened from birth and represents an independent risk factor for the development of asthma. This project strives to understand better how the ASM layer matures from late gestation to adulthood and whether abnormal maturation contributes to disease susceptibility.
Identifying And Preventing Inflammation-induced Brain Injury In Preterm Infants
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$338,652.00
Summary
Exposure to infection/inflammation around the time of birth is one of the most common factors associated with long-term disability. There is no effective treatment. My studies will use world-class techniques for measuring brain structure and function to improve our understanding of how infection/inflammation impacts on development of the preterm brain and determine whether blocking key inflammatory pathways in the brain will help restore normal brain growth and development in preterm infants.
Understanding And Preventing Adverse Developmental Effects Of Perinatal Infection/inflammation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$621,458.00
Summary
Exposure of babies to infection or inflammation within the womb is common and is associated with preterm delivery and illness in newborns. The biggest problem for these babies is lung disease due to inflammation of the lungs before birth and/or in response to lung injury after birth. We are investigating how inflammation alters lung development, and working on developing a novel cell therapy to prevent life-threatening newborn lung disease.
Effective Treatment Of Ureaplasma To Prevent Preterm Birth
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$701,652.00
Summary
Premature births are often due to infection in the uterus by microorganisms named Ureaplasmas. Antibiotics given to the mother fails to eradicate them, probably because of poor passage of the drug across the placenta. This project asks if antibiotics should instead be given as a single injection into the amniotic fluid. Clinical studies will evaluate the frequency and types of Ureaplasmas in amniotic fluid. Studies with sheep will work out which antibiotic would be most effective and at which ro ....Premature births are often due to infection in the uterus by microorganisms named Ureaplasmas. Antibiotics given to the mother fails to eradicate them, probably because of poor passage of the drug across the placenta. This project asks if antibiotics should instead be given as a single injection into the amniotic fluid. Clinical studies will evaluate the frequency and types of Ureaplasmas in amniotic fluid. Studies with sheep will work out which antibiotic would be most effective and at which route and dose.Read moreRead less
Understanding The Shared Determinants And Causal Pathways Of Early Life Infection, Inflammation And Atherosclerosis.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$632,803.00
Summary
Infection is the commonest reason for childhood hospitalisation, but it is unknown why infection is much more severe in some children. The long-term effects of infection on the development of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), the underlying cause of cardiovascular disease, is also unknown. This research investigates these important questions with the aim of developing better prediction and prevention of severe infection and reducing its impact on adult cardiovascular disease.
Influence Of In Utero Environment On Diaphragm Structure And Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$494,966.00
Summary
The diaphragm is the major muscle involved in breathing. Normal function of the diaphragm is essential to survival. Preterm babies may be exposed to infection and other agents that interfere with diaphragm development and make breathing efforts weaker after birth, potentially leading to respiratory failure. This study will study diaphragms of preterm lambs to determine how fetal exposure to infection and steroids affect fetal diaphragm development, and if adverse effects are prevented by fetal t ....The diaphragm is the major muscle involved in breathing. Normal function of the diaphragm is essential to survival. Preterm babies may be exposed to infection and other agents that interfere with diaphragm development and make breathing efforts weaker after birth, potentially leading to respiratory failure. This study will study diaphragms of preterm lambs to determine how fetal exposure to infection and steroids affect fetal diaphragm development, and if adverse effects are prevented by fetal treatment with blocking agents.Read moreRead less
The Role Of The Intrauterine (pro) Renin-(pro)renin Receptor System In Prostaglandin Synthesis In Pregnancy.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$488,478.00
Summary
Preterm birth is associated with a very high incidence of infant disability and mortality. This has long term economic and social costs to the Australian people. We will demonstrate that in late gestation, the intrauterine (pro)renin renin receptor system controls prostaglandin synthesis by the fetal membranes and the placenta. Prostaglandins can cause premature labour.