Assessment Of Alpha-galactosylceramide As A Novel Adjuvant For Pandemic Influenza: A Virua Vaccine
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$220,042.00
Summary
The occurrence of human infections with pathogenic avian H5N1 Influenza A viruses was the first documentation of these viruses demonstrating an ability to directly transmit from birds to humans. The virulent nature of these infections, and the fact that there is no pre-existing immunity to these viruses in the human population has raised the concern that these viruses may emerge to cause the next influenza pandemic. Vaccination is our most effective way of protecting against influenza infection, ....The occurrence of human infections with pathogenic avian H5N1 Influenza A viruses was the first documentation of these viruses demonstrating an ability to directly transmit from birds to humans. The virulent nature of these infections, and the fact that there is no pre-existing immunity to these viruses in the human population has raised the concern that these viruses may emerge to cause the next influenza pandemic. Vaccination is our most effective way of protecting against influenza infection, however there are no commercially available avian influenza vaccines available. Moreover, recent evidence suggests current vaccines strategies may be less than effective. This proposal aims to evaluate the efficacy of a novel vaccine strategy that promotes immune protection against a potential pandemic influenza strain.Read moreRead less
THE DETECTION AND MANAGEMENT OF DEMENTIA IN GENERAL PRACTICE.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$499,977.00
Summary
This research aims to examine a new method and practice guidelines for detection of early dementia. General practitioners will be screened on their ability to diagnose and manage dementia and to distinguish it from other diseases. Patient outcomes - including quality of life, depression, and satisfaction with care and referral indicators - will be examined.
Neonatal Immunization With Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine In Papua New Guinea
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,181,966.00
Summary
One million children die every year of pneumococcal (Pnc) disease, the majority in the third world. Many die in early infancy and babies may benefit from immunisation with a Pnc conjugate vaccine (PrevenarTM) at birth. The Papua New Guinea (PNG) Insatiate of Medical Research; Telethon Institute for Child Health Research and the Department of Paediatrics, University of Western Australia, will collaborate to closely examine the safety of this approach, particularly with regard to impact on the dev ....One million children die every year of pneumococcal (Pnc) disease, the majority in the third world. Many die in early infancy and babies may benefit from immunisation with a Pnc conjugate vaccine (PrevenarTM) at birth. The Papua New Guinea (PNG) Insatiate of Medical Research; Telethon Institute for Child Health Research and the Department of Paediatrics, University of Western Australia, will collaborate to closely examine the safety of this approach, particularly with regard to impact on the development of immunity and response to other vaccines given to infants. This study will also provide a unique opportunity for training of PNG and Australian scientists in both countries; transfer state-of-the-art immunological technology and stimulate further collaborations on respiratory infections in the region.Read moreRead less
Cognitive Outcome And Therapeutic Interventions For Coronary Artery Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$392,104.00
Summary
Dementia is recognized as an increasingly important factor affecting quality of life as people age. Deaths from heart disease are declining, in part due to improved surgical techniques and to the use of less invasive methods to keep arteries open such as coronary stenting. It is now well known that 20 to 60% of patients experience some degree of impairment in thinking ability (cognitive impairment) after cardiac surgery, that this will persist in some of these individuals for years and may incre ....Dementia is recognized as an increasingly important factor affecting quality of life as people age. Deaths from heart disease are declining, in part due to improved surgical techniques and to the use of less invasive methods to keep arteries open such as coronary stenting. It is now well known that 20 to 60% of patients experience some degree of impairment in thinking ability (cognitive impairment) after cardiac surgery, that this will persist in some of these individuals for years and may increase the risk of long-term problems. Cognitive impairment affects people in many ways. While it is not yet known whether the occurrence of cognitive impairment predisposes to dementia, it is thought that Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) may do so. We propose to explore the link between MCI and Post Procedural Cognitive Deficit (PPCD) in patients with coronary disease from before the first point of objective diagnosis, i.e. prior to the coronary angiogram, and over a 12-month period, through and subsequent to further treatment interventions such as stenting or cardiac surgery. Our Pilot data suggest that PPCD does indeed occur after angiography, and we propose to identify how long this lasts, whether MCI predisposes to it and whether it is better to wait until it resolves before further interventions are undertaken. In this way we hope to identify the safest treatment strategy for patients with coronary disease that will minimize the occurrence of Cognitive Deficit and possibly longer-term cognitive changes after investigation and treatment for their symptoms.Read moreRead less
Early Intervention To Prevent Childhood Obesity Among A Disadvantaged Population: A Home-based Randomised Controlled Tri
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$675,082.00
Summary
This intervention research will conduct a randomised controlled trial, of a community-based early childhood home visiting intervention designed to improve family and behavioural risk factors for childhood obesity and overweight. This intervention which will be developed in collaboration with the Health Promotion Unit, Child and Family Health Nurses, university academic experts and mothers in the community promises to deliver significant health and social benefits, in particular, preventing early ....This intervention research will conduct a randomised controlled trial, of a community-based early childhood home visiting intervention designed to improve family and behavioural risk factors for childhood obesity and overweight. This intervention which will be developed in collaboration with the Health Promotion Unit, Child and Family Health Nurses, university academic experts and mothers in the community promises to deliver significant health and social benefits, in particular, preventing early onset of childhood obesity. It will result in a series of recommendations for policies and practical methods for promoting healthy feeding and physical activity of infants under two years of age with particular application to families who are socially and economically disadvantaged. These policies and practical methods for preventing childhood obesity could be used across Australia.Read moreRead less
Chimeric Virus-like Particles (VLPs) Displaying H1, H3 And H5 Haemagglutinins - Construction And Immunogenicity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$207,543.00
Summary
Virus-like particles (VLPs) provoke strong immune responses in the body. We have developed a novel VLP system that allows the production of VLPs containing foreign vaccine antigens of much larger size than previously possible, and have shown that these VLPs provoke strong immune responses in mice without the use of adjuvants. The capacity of these VLPs is large enough to accommodate the most important vaccine antigen of influenza, the haemagglutinin (HA) molecule. We will test whether VLPs can b ....Virus-like particles (VLPs) provoke strong immune responses in the body. We have developed a novel VLP system that allows the production of VLPs containing foreign vaccine antigens of much larger size than previously possible, and have shown that these VLPs provoke strong immune responses in mice without the use of adjuvants. The capacity of these VLPs is large enough to accommodate the most important vaccine antigen of influenza, the haemagglutinin (HA) molecule. We will test whether VLPs can be produced containing each of the three most important HA types _ H1 and H3 that are currently circulating in man, and H5 (avian) that is considered a pandemic threat. VLPs will be tested for their ability to induce neutralizing antibody and cellular immune responses in mice, and for their ability to protect ferrets from influenza infection. If successful, the HA-VLP system would provide a method for the rapid production of new influenza vaccines using large-scale fermentation technology as for hepatitis B and many other vaccines, rather than eggs or cell culture as used for current influenza vaccines.Read moreRead less
Improving Identification And Treatment Of Early-onset Behaviour Disorders In Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$498,869.00
Summary
Most mental health problems begin in childhood and adolescence. Of these, oppositional-defiant and conduct problems in childhood are the most common precursor of all types of adult mental health problems. These children are the most common referral to child mental health clinics but little is known about which of these children will go in which direction i.e., good health, chronic antisocial behaviour, depression and anxiety, substance abuse, the psychoses. Progress in more accurately defining s ....Most mental health problems begin in childhood and adolescence. Of these, oppositional-defiant and conduct problems in childhood are the most common precursor of all types of adult mental health problems. These children are the most common referral to child mental health clinics but little is known about which of these children will go in which direction i.e., good health, chronic antisocial behaviour, depression and anxiety, substance abuse, the psychoses. Progress in more accurately defining subgroups of these children would have huge implications for early intervention for mental health problems in our community. This project proposes the first large scale analysis of genetic distributions through to behavioural and treatment factors that characterise and differentiate a large representative sample of children with conduct problems. The project will test a model of child psychopathology that links genotype, via environmental risk and emotion processing problems, to an improved diagnostic-phenotypic model for treatment of the major childhood disorder. Clinical research activities will be structured into three intersecting arms: first, identifying the genetic and behavioural subtypes of early-onset conduct problems; second, innovative treatments for these children, and third, the dissemination of findings to these children and their families via the health care system. The research will build new collaborations between established and internationally recognised clinical research teams in childhood mental health, biological psychiatry, genetics and the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Statewide Network (CAMHSNET). CAMHSNET have specific responsibilities to NSW Health for expert advice and input on the development of child mental health services directions, dissemination, training, and effectiveness research.Read moreRead less
Roles Of Enzymes Of The Dipeptidyl Peptidase Gene Family In Human Liver
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$79,750.00
Summary
Chronic liver diseases, particularly those caused by autoimmune disease, alcohol and Hepatitis B and C virus infection, are major causes of morbidity and mortality in our community. They are characterised by progressive scarring of the liver which finally leads to liver failure and the need in many cases for organ transplantation. Each year 15,000 Australians become infected, probably for life, with hepatitis C virus. Unless more effective treatments are developed approximately 20% of these infe ....Chronic liver diseases, particularly those caused by autoimmune disease, alcohol and Hepatitis B and C virus infection, are major causes of morbidity and mortality in our community. They are characterised by progressive scarring of the liver which finally leads to liver failure and the need in many cases for organ transplantation. Each year 15,000 Australians become infected, probably for life, with hepatitis C virus. Unless more effective treatments are developed approximately 20% of these infections will progress to liver failure or liver cancer within 30 years. Diabetes afflicts 150 million people, and 90% have Type 2 diabetes. We request funding of our research on a family of enzymes highly prospective as targets for novel therapies for these diseases. We are internationally recognised experts on this enzyme family and on liver disease. The prototype member of this enzyme family, dipeptidyl peptidase (DP) IV, is being targeted by novel drugs that are in phase III clinical trials for Type 2 diabetes. Family member fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is targeted by novel anti-cancer drugs We were first to clone and lodge patent applications for two new enzymes of this family, DP8 and DP9. Our research proposal would lead to determination of whether FAP, DP8 and-or DP9 are valuable targets for novel liver disease therapeutics and facilitate generating the development of such therapeutics by a more thorough understanding of the activities and roles of these enzymes Completion of this project will greatly increase our understanding of these enzymes and their roles in chronic liver injury. This work can potentially lead to the development of specific inhibitors of enzyme function designed to relieve liver damage.Read moreRead less