Article
Immunology
Sara E. Oliver, Amy B. Rubis, Heidi M. Soeters, Arthur Reingold, Meghan Barnes, Susan Petit, Monica M. Farley, Lee H. Harrison, Kathy Como-Sabetti, Sarah A. Khanlian, Rachel Wester, Ann Thomas, William Schaffner, Henju Marjuki, Xin Wang, Susan Hariri
Summary: This study evaluated the epidemiology of NTHi disease in the US, including among pregnant women, infants, and PWH. Results showed that NTHi causes substantial invasive disease, especially among older adults, pregnant/postpartum women, and neonates. Enhanced surveillance and targeted interventions are needed to prevent perinatal NTHi infections.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Elex Harris, Molly Easter, Janna Ren, Stefanie Krick, Jarrod Barnes, Steven M. Rowe
Summary: This study reports the development and characterization of a novel ex vivo trachea model that utilizes both wild type and CFTR-/- rat tracheae cultured on a porcine gelatin matrix. The ex vivo tracheae remain viable for weeks, maintain a CF disease phenotype, and respond to stimulation of mucus and fluid secretion. The model can be used for well-controlled pharmacological treatments and high mucus protein yields for subsequent studies.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Lucia Pedersoli, Shuaizhong Zhang, Francesco Briatico-Vangosa, Paola Petrini, Ruth Cardinaels, Jaap den Toonder, Daniela Peneda Pacheco
Summary: This study combined physiological and pathological mucus models with magnetic artificial cilia to simulate mucociliary transport in both physiological and pathological states. The modular concept adopted enables the development of highly versatile mucociliary clearance models, allowing easy modification to reproduce healthy and diseased human airway characteristics while determining the effect of each parameter or structure separately on overall mucociliary transport.
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Physiology
Lawrence W. Rasmussen, Denise Stanford, Jennifer LaFontaine, Antonio Demarcus Allen, S. Vamsee Raju
Summary: Electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) are mistakenly believed to be a safe alternative to smoking, but research shows that e-cig aerosols containing nicotine reduce ion transport, delay mucociliary clearance (MCC), and decrease airway surface hydration. The effects were observed in human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells, as well as in rats and ferrets. Surprisingly, e-cig vehicles such as vegetable glycerin and propylene glycol did not have the same adverse effects. This study provides insight into the negative effects of inhaled nicotine on lung health and the mechanisms behind tobacco-associated lung diseases.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LUNG CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Sam J. Moons, Emiel Rossing, Jurriaan J. A. Heming, Mathilde A. C. H. Janssen, Monique van Scherpenzeel, Dirk J. Lefeber, Marien de Jonge, Jeroen D. Langereis, Thomas J. Boltje
Summary: The study explores the structure-activity relationship of sialic acid-based inhibitors that prevent the transfer of host sialic acids to Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae. Small modifications are tolerated at the C-5 and C-9 positions, while the C-8 position does not allow for modification. These findings define the chemical space available for developing selective bacterial sialylation inhibitors.
BIOCONJUGATE CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Timothy E. Corcoran, Alex S. Huber, Sherri L. Hill, Landon W. Locke, Lawrence Weber, Ashok Muthukrishnan, Elisa M. Heidrich, Sally Wenzel, Mike M. Myerburg
Summary: This study investigates the influence of type 2 inflammation on mucus clearance rates in patients with mild asthma. The results indicate that patients with lower levels of type 2 inflammation have higher MCC and lower FENO levels, while those with higher levels of type 2 inflammation show significant variations in MCC, with some having low to zero clearance rates.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Susan Meiring, Cheryl Cohen, Linda de Gouveia, Mignon du Plessis, Vanessa Quan, Jackie Kleynhans, Colin Menezes, Gary Reubenson, Halima Dawood, Maphoshane Nchabeleng, Mohamed Said, Nomonde Mvelase, Prasha Mahabeer, Rispah Chomba, Ruth Lekalakala, Trusha Nana, Vindana Chibabhai, Marianne Black, Anne von Gottberg
Summary: Providing country-specific estimates of case fatality and sequelae from bacterial meningitis (BM) is important to evaluate and monitor progress toward the World Health Organization's roadmap to defeating meningitis by 2030. The study conducted enhanced surveillance at 26 hospitals in South Africa from 2016-2020, revealing that BM in South Africa has a high case fatality, and adverse sequelae frequently occur among survivors. Those with comorbidities, including HIV, are at the highest risk.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Physiology
Troy D. Rogers, Brian Button, Samir N. P. Kelada, Lawrence E. Ostrowski, Alessandra Livraghi-Butrico, Mark I. Gutay, Charles R. Esther Jr, Barbara R. Grubb
Summary: Being the portal of entry for inspired air in mammals, the nasal cavity has a higher rate of mucociliary clearance (MCC) compared to the trachea, due to a more abundant population of ciliated cells. The tracheal ventral wall has a lower rate of MCC compared to the tracheal posterior membrane, possibly due to the control of the trachealis muscle. In certain conditions, MCC particle transport on the tracheal walls can be compromised, while normal MCC occurs on the tracheal posterior membrane. The mucus in the nasal cavity is transported as a blanket, while particles in the trachea are transported as discrete patches or streams.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Maisha F. Jabeen, Nicholas D. Sanderson, Dona Foster, Derrick W. Crook, Jennifer L. Cane, Catherine Borg, Clare Connolly, Samantha Thulborn, Ian D. Pavord, Paul Klenerman, Teresa L. Street, Timothy S. C. Hinks
Summary: Previous metagenomic studies in asthma have been limited by inadequate sequencing depth. In this study, we optimized a new sequencing technique-Oxford Nanopore technologies (ONT)-for use on human sputum samples and compared it with existing methods. We found ONT was effective for rapidly analyzing samples and could identify bacteria at the species level. We used this to show Haemophilus influenzae was a dominant bacterium in the airways in people with severe asthma.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Otorhinolaryngology
Onyekachi Ezinna Nnabue, Steven D. Pletcher, Jose G. Gurrola, Andrew N. Goldberg, Kristiana M. Jordan, Sarah M. Knox, Alison J. May
Summary: This study identifies significant alterations in the structure and function of submucosal glands (SMGs) in the posterior septum of adult chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients, suggesting reduced contribution to mucociliary clearance (MCC). These findings may provide targets for future therapeutic interventions for both nasal and sinus diseases.
INTERNATIONAL FORUM OF ALLERGY & RHINOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Abdollah Karimi, Sedigheh Rafiei Tabatabaei, Leila Azimi, Nasim Almasian Tehrani, Fatemeh Fallah, Iman Faghihian
Summary: The death rate from meningitis remains high in certain parts of the world. The specific cause of meningitis needs to be identified in order to determine the appropriate treatment. This study investigated the false-negative results of multiplex RT-PCR for detecting Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Neisseria meningitidis serogroup using two different molecular methods.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES & MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Eleonore Froehlich
Summary: Epithelial barriers are important for maintaining homeostasis by separating the human body from the environment. The respiratory barrier, compared to other barriers like the skin and gastrointestinal tract, is the thinnest and least protective. Understanding the properties of epithelial cells and non-cellular layers can help determine the permeability of the respiratory barrier and its interactions with gases, pathogens, and drugs.
Article
Microbiology
Stephen C. Watts, Louise M. Judd, Rosemary Carzino, Sarath Ranganathan, Kathryn E. Holt
Summary: Respiratory infection during childhood is a key risk factor in early cystic fibrosis lung disease progression. Haemophilus influenzae and Haemophilus parainfluenzae are commonly isolated from the lungs of children with CF, with a high frequency of colonization and antimicrobial resistance. The genetic basis for AMR in these bacteria was identified, and Haemophilus parainfluenzae had a higher prevalence of acquired AMR genes than H. influenzae.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Nils Block, Pontus Naucler, Philippe Wagner, Eva Morfeldt, Birgitta Henriques-Normark
Summary: This study conducted a 50-year investigation on the epidemiology of bacterial meningitis in Sweden and found that the incidence rate in children decreased while it remained unchanged in adults. The main pathogens were Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Neisseria meningitidis. The introduction of vaccines led to a decrease in incidence and mortality in previously healthy children, but an increase in immunosuppressed patients. The study highlights the importance of correct diagnosis when treating these infections.
JOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Gregory Costain, Zhen Liu, Vito Mennella, Giorgia Radicioni, Adrienn N. Goczi, Alexandra Albulescu, Susan Walker, Bo Ngan, David Manson, Reza Vali, Meraj Khan, Nades Palaniyar, David B. Hill, David A. Hall, Christian R. Marshall, Michael Knowles, Maimoona A. Zariwala, Mehmet Kesimer, Sharon D. Dell
Summary: This study identifies and characterizes a family with congenital absence of MUC5B protein. The individuals in this family exhibit various symptoms and impairments related to the lungs. The absence of MUC5B protein is associated with mucociliary clearance impairment and increased apoptosis in macrophages. The findings suggest that studying individuals with decreased MUC5B production could provide valuable insights into airway mucus biology.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE
(2022)
