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
Immunology
Ryan M. M. Carey, James N. N. Palmer, Nithin D. D. Adappa, Robert J. J. Lee
Summary: Bitter taste receptors (T2Rs) are expressed all over the body, including in airway cilia and macrophages, where T2Rs serve an immune role. T2R activation triggers calcium-dependent nitric oxide (NO) production, which has antimicrobial properties. This study found that cystic fibrosis (CF) cells have reduced T2R/NO responses, possibly contributing to reduced innate immunity in CF.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(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)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Benedikt C. Huck, Xabier Murgia, Sarah Frisch, Marius Hittinger, Alberto Hidalgo, Brigitta Loretz, Claus-Michael Lehr
Summary: This article focuses on mucus and discusses its composition, functions, and its relationship with pulmonary diseases. The critical features of mucus models and their potential application in drug delivery research are reviewed.
ADVANCED DRUG DELIVERY REVIEWS
(2022)
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
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Marie Trenkel, Regina Scherliess
Summary: Nasal physiology has potential for drug delivery but presents challenges such as short drug residence time. Drug formulation as powder and use of functional excipients improve absorption. Characterisation of fillers and mucoadhesives helps understand their influences on drug dissolution, permeation, viscoelasticity of nasal fluid, and residence time. Studies revealed that undissolved particles increase nasal fluid elasticity and prolong residence time. Dissolution rate decreased with insoluble or gelling excipients, beneficial for low permeability drugs. Permeation of drugs was evaluated using a cell model, facilitating effective selection of excipients.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Lourdes Mendez-Mora, Maria Cabello-Fusares, Josep Ferre-Torres, Carla Riera-Llobet, Samantha Lopez, Claudia Trejo-Soto, Tomas Alarcon, Aurora Hernandez-Machado
Summary: The study developed a microdevice for precise rheological characterization of biofluids, particularly blood, based on rheometry and fluid mechanics principles at the microscale. A mathematical model combined with an experimental model was used to characterize viscosity of Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids at different shear rates. The technology is capable of describing the nonlinear rheology of biofluids, requiring minimal sample and space, and achieved consistent results with previous studies.
Article
Cell Biology
Yanyi Tu, Jing Liu, Tao Li, Xiangmin Zhou, Kai Sen Tan, Hsiao Hui Ong, Kaiyue Sun, Yi Ouyang, Xu Liang, Yew Kwang Ong, Mark Thong, Li Shi, De-Yun Wang
Summary: The study found differences in nasal mucus composition between healthy individuals and chronic rhinosinusitis patients, which may contribute to the pathology of chronic nasal diseases, mainly reflected in glandular hyperplasia and goblet cell hyperplasia.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Zeeshan Tariq, Ahmed BinGhanim, Murtada Saleh Aljawad, Muhammad Shahzad Kamal, Mohamad Mahmoud, Zuhair AlYousef
Summary: This study generated a large amount of data on effective bulk foam viscosity using a high pressure high temperature (HPHT) foam rheometer device, and developed a predictive model through machine learning techniques. Temperature, corrosion inhibitor, and shear rate were found to have significant impact on reducing foam viscosity.
JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Wenguang Nan, Mehrdad Pasha, Mojtaba Ghadiri
Summary: Understanding the rheological behavior of fully three-dimensional and non-uniform particle flow is crucial. By analyzing the resistance exhibited by a granular bed as a rotating impeller penetrates into it, the rheological characteristics of the bed can be deduced. The relationship between shear strain rate, inertia number, and bulk friction coefficient differs between spherical and rodlike particles.
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
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Alexander M. Bier, Walter Arne, Dirk W. Schubert
Summary: A novel method is developed to calculate the elongational viscosity of polymers during the fiber spinning process. By investigating polymethylmethacrylates (PMMAs) with different molar masses using a capillary rheometer, the diameter of the polymeric strand is determined and simulations are carried out to describe the temperature distribution. The elongational viscosity of the polymers can be determined at higher strain rates by calibrating the force in an aerodynamic stretching device.
MACROMOLECULAR MATERIALS AND ENGINEERING
(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)
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.
Review
Otorhinolaryngology
Jonathan B. Overdevest, Matthew R. Amans, Peter Zaki, Steven D. Pletcher, Ivan H. El-Sayed
HEAD AND NECK-JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES AND SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK
(2018)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
David S. Lee, Andrew H. Murr, Robert C. Kersten, Steven D. Pletcher
Article
Immunology
Keehoon Lee, Steven D. Pletcher, Susan V. Lynch, Andrew N. Goldberg, Emily K. Cope
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Steven D. Pletcher, Andrew N. Goldberg, Emily K. Cope
Article
Otorhinolaryngology
Jason S. Park, Ivan H. El-Sayed, VyVy N. Young, Steven D. Pletcher
HEAD AND NECK-JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES AND SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK
(2020)
Article
Otorhinolaryngology
Yi Cai, Arushi Gulati, Nicole T. Jiam, Katherine C. Wai, Elizabeth A. Shuman, Steven D. Pletcher, Megan L. Durr, Jolie L. Chang
HEAD AND NECK-JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES AND SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK
(2020)
Editorial Material
Medicine, Research & Experimental
C. W. David Chang, Steven D. Pletcher, Marc C. Thorne, Sonya Malekzadeh
Article
Otorhinolaryngology
Yi Cai, Yixuan James Zheng, Arushi Gulati, Anna Butrymowicz, Roseanne Krauter, Steven D. Pletcher, Jeffrey D. Sharon, Andrew N. Goldberg, Jolie L. Chang
Summary: This study evaluated the feasibility of patients using digital otoscopes and smartphones for remote head and neck physical examinations. The results showed that digital otoscopes were useful for ear examinations, while smartphone videos were the most useful for oropharyngeal examinations. Further research is needed to determine their diagnostic capabilities in telehealth settings.
JAMA OTOLARYNGOLOGY-HEAD & NECK SURGERY
(2021)
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)
Editorial Material
Otorhinolaryngology
Taylor C. Standiford, Steven D. Pletcher, Marc C. Thorne
Summary: The process of receiving and scheduling residency interviews for otolaryngology-head and neck surgery positions is chaotic and inefficient. Standardizing interview offer and scheduling dates, limiting interview invitations to available slots, and optimizing the process are recommended to reduce anxiety for applicants and improve efficiency for programs.
OTOLARYNGOLOGY-HEAD AND NECK SURGERY
(2022)
Article
Education, Scientific Disciplines
Steven D. Pletcher, C. W. David Chang, Marc C. Thorne, Sonya Malekzadeh
Summary: In the 2021 residency application cycle, a large number of otolaryngology applicants applied to more than half of the programs, increasing competition among applicants and making it difficult for programs to identify sincere interest. To address this issue, a preference signaling process was implemented, allowing applicants to indicate their interest in specific programs during the application submission. This process significantly increased the rate of interview offers from signaled programs compared to nonsignaled programs, and both applicants and program directors strongly favored continuing this program.
Article
Otorhinolaryngology
Jenny X. Chen, Lauren E. Miller, Andrey Filimonov, Elizabeth A. Shuman, Emily Marchiano, Brian C. George, Marc Thorne, Steven D. Pletcher, Michael Platt, Marita Teng, Elliott D. Kozin, Stacey T. Gray
Summary: Objective surgical education is undergoing changes due to new regulations and evolving training cultures. This study aimed to investigate the factors that influence operative experiences during otolaryngology residency. The results showed that the level of resident's training year and the week of the academic year were positively associated with attending ratings of autonomy and performance. On the other hand, case complexity and multiple procedures were negatively associated with attending ratings.
LARYNGOSCOPE INVESTIGATIVE OTOLARYNGOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Maya E. Kotas, Camille M. Moore, Jose G. Gurrola, Steven D. Pletcher, Andrew N. Goldberg, Raquel Alvarez, Sheyla Yamato, Preston E. Bratcher, Ciaran A. Shaughnessy, Pamela L. Zeitlin, Irene H. Zhang, Yingchun Li, Michael T. Montgomery, Keehoon Lee, Emily K. Cope, Richard M. Locksley, Max A. Seibold, Erin D. Gordon
Summary: Chronic type 2 inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract are characterized by mucus overproduction and disordered mucociliary function. Common epithelial cell types (mucus secretory and ciliated cells) are affected by IL-13, but it is unclear what role rare cells (tuft cells) play in airway T2 inflammation. This study found that IL-13 expands and programs airway tuft cells towards eicosanoid metabolism and deficiency of tuft cells leads to reduced airway PGE concentration. Tuft cells have a role in regulating epithelial mucociliary function in the allergic airway.
Article
Otorhinolaryngology
Vishal S. Patel, Evan Walgama, Alkis Psaltis, Francois Lavigne, Steven D. Pletcher, Peter H. Hwang
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RHINOLOGY & ALLERGY
(2017)
Article
Otorhinolaryngology
Nicole Tin-Lok Jiam, Andrew N. Goldberg, Andrew H. Murr, Steven D. Pletcher
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RHINOLOGY & ALLERGY
(2017)
