2010 RESEARCH - 9 projects

A study investigating the medication ondansetron to prevent Shivering during CAesaRean section: The OSCAR trial
Chief Investigators: Dr Roger Browning, Dr Ed O'Loughlin, Dr Nicholas Brown
Amount Awarded: $10,510
SPONSORED BY TONY & ELVA VAN MERWYK

Caesarian section performed under spinal or epidural anaesthesia can cause shivering leading to maternal distress. Ondansetron is a widely used anti-nausea drug which has been shown to reduce the incidence and severity of shivering in non-obstetric patients undergoing anaesthesia, so the researchers plan to investigate its use in women undergoing elective caesarean section.

The effects of a behavioural program to improve diabetes care and health outcomes in young adults with Type 1 Diabetes
Chief Investigators: Ms Melanie Burkhardt
Amount Awarded: $15,000
SPONSORED BY THE FREMANTLE FOOTBALL CLUB

Behaviours linked to better health outcomes for people with diabetes include frequent blood glucose monitoring, appropriate insulin dosing, reduced carbohydrate intake and increased physical activity. However knowing what to do and why is not enough to set-up and maintain the complex set of personal behaviours needed to improve health outcomes. This study will assess the extent to which teaching behaviour-management skillls to young people with Type 1 diabetes improves their health outcomes

Evaluation of different classes of compression stockings in chronic venous insufficiency using high frequency ultrasound
Chief Investigators: Dr Thanuja Athukoralalage
Amount Awarded: $14,000.00
SPONSORED BY THE CITY OF COCKBURN

The aim of this study is to compare two different classes of compression stockings to prevent recurrence of a leg ulcer.


The role of SPARC in intestinal scarring
Chief Investigators: Dr Angela Chew
Amount Awarded: $15,000
SPONSORED BY THE FREMANTLE HOSPITAL LAIDES AUXILIARY

Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis are life-long conditions that present in young adults. Unlike ulcerative colitis, inflammation in Crohns disease often leads to intestinal fibrosis, which can lead to surgery. The overall goal of this project is to understand the process of scarring so that it can be treated without surgery.

The role of white blood cells in chronic liver disease
Chief Investigators: Dr Caryn Elsegood
Amount Awarded: $15,000
SPONSORED BY LITTLE CREATURES BREWING

Chronic liver disease results from drugs, alcohol and viruses, as well as metabolic disorders including diabetes and obesity. The liver regenerates in response to the injury caused by these via adult stem cells known as liver progenitor cells. Elevated numbers of these cells are associated with an increased risk of primary liver cancer. This study will investigate the role that white blood cells play in the increase in liver progenitor cell numbers during chronic injury

The role of liver progenitor cells in accelerated disease progression after liver transplantation
Chief Investigators: Dr Janina Tirnitz-Parker
Amount Awarded: $15,000
SPONSORED BY THE CITY OF FREMANTLE

Liver progenitor cells are stem-cell-like cells that regenerate the liver during chronic liver injury. During earlier phases of injury and wound healing, they seem to communicate with other cell types, resulting in beneficial inflammation and fibrosis, but when this process get out of control, it can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. This project will investigate whether LPCs are involved in Hepatitis C virus-infected patients following liver transplantation as well as prior to transplantation.

The reliability of a novel ultrasound protocol for measuring soft tissue underlying the pelvis in healthy individuals and individuals with spinal cord injury
Chief Investigators: Ms Jillian Swaine
Amount Awarded: $15,000
SPONSORED BY BREMICK

The main purpose of this study is to determine the repeatability and reproducibility of measuring the skin, fat and muscle thickness underlying the ischial tuberosity in normal healthy people and insubjects with spinal cord injuries, using a new ultrasound research protocol.

Evaluation of a drug which may improve anaemia and reduce blood transfusion
Chief Investigators: Dr Chan Cheah
Amount Awarded: $14,700
SPONSORED BY DOWNER EDI MINING

Myelodysplasia is a group of blood disorders characterised by low cell counts in the blood due to the inability of the marrow to produce normal fully-mature cells. Anaemia in myelodysplasia may result from impaired iron absorption and release from marrow stores as a result of inflammatory mediators. Correcting this deficit with pentoxifylline (a drug used for the treatment of peripheral vascular diseases and cerebrovascular disease caused by impairment of the microcirculation) may improve anaemia and reduce blood transfusion requirements.

Understanding why Southern European migrants have an increased risk of diabetes and it's complications
Chief Investigators: Dr Brett Sillars
Amount Awarded: $11,460
SPONSORED BY AUSTAL

In Australia, Southern Europeans have one of the highest rates of diabetes. Current knowledge about conventional risk factors has failed to fully explain why. Diabetic complications such as kidney disease also appear to be greater in this group leading to significant morbidity and reduced quality of life. The aim of the study will be to determine the underlying mechanisms leading to the increased risk of diabetes and subsequent complications amongst Southern European individuals living in the Fremantle area.