The emergence of microphysiologic epithelial lung models using human cells in a physiologically relevant microenvironment has the potential to be a powerful tool for preclinical drug development and to improve predictive power regarding in vivo drug clearance. In this study, an in vitromodel of the airway comprising human primary lung epithelial cells cultured in a microfluidic platform was use...

Background: Clearance of tissue granulocytes is central to the resolution of airway inflammation. To date the focus has been on apoptotic mechanisms of cell removal and little attention has been given to alternative processes. The present study explores transepithelial migration as a mechanism of cell clearance. Method: Guinea pig tracheobronchial airways where eosinophils are constitutively pr...

BACKGROUND Our centre's median forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) reported in the 2005 Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Foundation Patient Registry was below the national median. The focus of our quality improvement initiative was to improve lung function through re-education of airway clearance techniques (REACT). AIM The global aim was to improve the median FEV1 in our patients. The specific...

Cystic fibrosis is characterized by an early and sustained influx of inflammatory cells into the airways and by release of proteases. Resolution of inflammation is normally associated with the orderly removal of dying apoptotic inflammatory cells through cell recognition receptors, such as the phosphatidylserine receptor, CD36, and alpha v integrins. Accordingly, removal of apoptotic inflammato...

The epithelium of the respiratory tract forms a large surface area that maintains intimate contact with the environment. Through the act of breathing, this mucosal surface encounters an array of pathogens and toxic particulates. In response to these challenges many strategies have evolved to protect the host. These include the barrier functions of the epithelium, cough, mucociliary clearance, r...

Most children with neuromuscular disease eventually require assistance with airway clearance and with breathing, especially during sleep. Techniques and devices for airway clearance and noninvasive ventilation that are commonly used in adults have been successfully adapted for use in infants and young children. Both physiological differences and small size of young patients with neuromuscular d...

Respiratory mucus represents the products derived from secretion of the submucosal glands and the goblet cells. Accumulation of mucus in the airway tree may be caused by an increased volume of mucus produced, and also by decreased clearance due to defects in the ciliary clearance apparatus. Hypersecretion of mucus contributes to the morbidity of airway diseases by predisposing patients to respi...

BACKGROUND Clearance of tissue granulocytes is central to the resolution of airway inflammation. To date the focus has been on apoptotic mechanisms of cell removal and little attention has been given to alternative processes. The present study explores transepithelial migration as a mechanism of cell clearance. METHOD Guinea pig tracheobronchial airways where eosinophils are constitutively pr...

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate nasal mucociliary clearance in acutely ill patients who were clinically stable and had no airway manipulation. DESIGN Prospective clinical study. SETTING Medical ICU. PATIENTS AND PARTICIPANTS Sixteen medical patients admitted to the ICU and 16 healthy subjects were studied. Patients who were receiving airway manipulation, including tracheal sucti...

Impaired airway clearance is both an indication for and a consequence of an artificial airway. Frequently, translaryngeal intubation and/or tracheostomy are performed to clear secretions retained in the central airways. However, the presence of such an apparatus can also cause mucosal inflammation and significant mucus hypersecretion, predisposing to infection and encouraging atelectasis and hy...