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Research

Acute diesel exhaust particle exposure increases viral titre and inflammation associated with existing influenza

Exposure to diesel exhaust particles (DEP) is thought to exacerbate many pre-existing respiratory diseases.

Research

Biodiesel Exhaust Toxicity with and without Diethylene Glycol Dimethyl Ether Fuel Additive in Primary Airway Epithelial Cells Grown at the Air-Liquid Interface

Biodiesel usage is increasing steadily worldwide as the push for renewable fuel sources increases. The increased oxygen content in biodiesel fuel is believed to cause decreased particulate matter (PM) and increased nitrous oxides within its exhaust.

Research

Growth of the airway smooth muscle layer from late gestation to childhood is mediated initially by hypertrophy and subsequently hyperplasia

The airway smooth muscle (ASM) layer thickens during development. Identifying the mechanism(s) for normal structural maturation of the ASM reveals pathways susceptible to disease processes. This study characterized thickening of the ASM layer from foetal life to childhood and elucidated the underlying mechanism in terms of hypertrophy, hyperplasia and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition.

Research

Fuel feedstock determines biodiesel exhaust toxicity in a human airway epithelial cell exposure model

Biodiesel is promoted as a sustainable replacement for commercial diesel. Biodiesel fuel and exhaust properties change depending on the base feedstock oil/fat used during creation. The aims of this study were, for the first time, to compare the exhaust exposure health impacts of a wide range of biodiesels made from different feedstocks and relate these effects with the corresponding exhaust characteristics.

Research

Mechanical Abnormalities of the Airway Wall in Adult Mice After Intrauterine Growth Restriction

We propose that mechanical abnormalities of the airway wall acquired through disrupted fetal growth impact susceptibility to disease

Research

Nicotine and other potentially harmful compounds in "nicotine-free" e-cigarette liquids in Australia

The aim of our investigation was to assess the chemical composition of a range of e-liquids available in Australia, focusing on nicotine and other potentially harmful compounds

Research

Increased heterogeneity of airway calibre in adult rats after hypoxia-induced intrauterine growth restriction

The rat model demonstrates that intrauterine growth restriction leads to a more heterogeneous distribution of airway lumen calibre in adulthood

Research

Chronic carbon dioxide exposure: an unrecognised health risk of climate change?

Investigators: Alexander Larcombe, Emily Chivers External collaborators: Dr Caitlin Wyrwoll (University of Western Australia), Associate Professor

Research

Understanding how viral infection in early life impacts on lung function in adulthood

Alexander David Deborah Larcombe Martino Strickland BScEnv (Hons) PhD BSc PhD PhD Head, Respiratory Environmental Health Head, Clinical Epigenetics

Research

Previous Influenza Infection Exacerbates Allergen Specific Response and Impairs Airway Barrier Integrity in Pre-Sensitized Mice

In this study we assessed the effects of antigen exposure in mice preā€sensitized with allergen following viral infection on changes in lung function, cellular responses and tight junction expression.