Studies of the pathogenesis of cystic fibrosis (CF) and primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), as well as novel genetic mouse models, vividly illustrate that effective “mucus clearance” is a critical innate airway defense mechanism. Modern physics, physical chemistry, biochemistry, and cell and systems biology are revealing the structure of the mucus clearance apparatus and elucidating key parameter...

OBJECTIVE To compare the effects of buffered hypertonic and buffered normal saline nasal spray on mucociliary clearance and nasal airway patency. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING Double-blind trial with subjects acting as their own controls. Tertiary care academic medical center. RESULTS Buffered hypertonic saline and buffered normal saline both improved saccharine clearance times ( P < 0.0001 for ...

UNLABELLED Massive pulmonary hemorrhage can pose a significant therapeutic challenge. Traditional methods of airway clearance using saline lavage and direct thrombus removal via bronchoscopy have limited ability to retrieve thrombi from deep airways. We report a patient on extracorporeal life support with massive pulmonary hemorrhage resulting in extensive alveolar and airway thrombus extending...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Carbocysteine (S-carboxymethylcysteine) is a mucoactive drug with in vitro free radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory properties. Several clinical trials have indicated that carbocysteine reduces exacerbation rates in COPD. In the present study, the effect of carbocysteine on the airway load of Haemophilus influenzae was assessed in rats chronically exposed to cigare...

Question: Does regular airway clearance using an oscillating positive expiratory pressure (PEP) device improve quality of life, sputum volume, respiratory function, and exercise capacity in people with bronchiectasis? Design: Randomised, crossover, controlled trial with 3-month intervention periods separated by a 1-month washout period. Setting: Acute teaching hospital in Scotland. Participants...