Articles tagged with Mucus
Researchers have identified glycans in mucus that can prevent Candida albicans from causing infection. These molecules can be used to develop new antifungal medicines or make disease-causing fungus more susceptible to existing drugs.
Researchers discovered that hydrating the surface of airways in people with cystic fibrosis restores their protective barrier against bacterial infections. This breakthrough opens the way to new therapies based on mucus hydration, offering a promising alternative to current treatments.
Researchers found that Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins rub against corals to agitate tiny polyps, releasing mucus with antibacterial and antioxidative properties. This discovery suggests the mucus regulates the dolphin's skin microbiome and treats infections.
A National Jewish Health-led study found that over a third of identified genetic risk factors for asthma are associated with altered function of airway epithelium. The research discovered genetic changes in genes related to mucus production and type 2 inflammatory pathways, increasing asthma risk.
Researchers developed a novel drug to reduce airway mucus that exacerbates common lung diseases. The treatment works by blocking the secretion of mucins, which can block airways and cause life-threatening symptoms.
New research from University of Utah biomedical engineer Jessica Kramer reveals that human mucus and saliva may prevent the spread of coronaviruses when dry on a surface. Mucins in mucus form a barrier around live virus, preventing infection by binding to sugars on viruses instead of cells.
Researchers found that sugar-decorated proteins in mucus can bind to the coronavirus, keeping it from infecting cells. This discovery may explain why SARS-CoV-2 is more likely to spread through airborne droplets rather than surface transmission.
A new study suggests that small respiratory particles can remain moist and airborne for a longer time and greater distance than previously recognized. The mucus shell surrounding these particles likely reduces evaporation rates, keeping viral particles infectious for up to 30 minutes and traveling distances of up to 200 feet.
Researchers found that a Western diet high in fat, cholesterol, and calories led to increased inflammation in mice. Targeting the mucus interface between gut bacteria and small intestine cells with peptide mimetics may prevent systemic inflammation, suggests a new UCLA study.
Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute have developed a microfluidic Organ Chip device that accurately models cystic fibrosis lung airway pathology. The model replicates key pathological hallmarks, including mucus layer changes and inflammatory responses, providing a comprehensive preclinical human model for investigating new therapies.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine discovered that MUC5AC mucin disrupts airways in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. The study suggests that MUC5AC could be a target for better therapeutics to address the sticky mucus associated with these conditions.
Research reveals that exposure to airborne or waterborne particulate matter can disrupt the body's mucosal system, leading to health conditions such as respiratory and heart diseases. The study highlights the importance of understanding how particles affect mucus structure and function to mitigate negative health outcomes.
Scientists have found a way to artificially produce healthy mucus, which could lead to new medical treatments and therapies. The discovery is particularly promising for the treatment of diseases related to intestinal flora, such as infections and eye infections.
The research team will investigate how viruses interact with and transmit through the mucus layer, a crucial defense mechanism in the respiratory tract. The project aims to improve understanding of viral transmission and develop engineered nanoparticles for efficient drug or gene delivery.
A Georgia State University professor has received a $2.3 million grant to investigate the role of inflammation in otitis media, an infection of the middle ear. The goal is to develop novel anti-inflammatory therapeutics and improve hearing outcomes.
A new study from the University of Gothenburg suggests that defective goblet cells may contribute to ulcerative colitis by damaging the mucus protection layer. The research team identified specific types of goblet cells and found that their premature rejection leads to inflammation and increased cancer risk.
Researchers at MIT have created synthetic mucins with a polymer backbone that mimic the structure and function of naturally occurring mucins, effectively neutralizing the bacterial toxin that causes cholera. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for infectious diseases and potentially less resistance to antibiotics.
Researchers disrupt molecule that causes excess mucus in lungs, reverses its deadly impacts. The treatment also works on human mucus samples and has potential for treating other pulmonary diseases.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that high sugar diets worsened colitis symptoms and altered the gut microbiota in mice. The study suggests that consuming glucose from high fructose corn syrup may damage the protective mucus layer in the large intestine, increasing the risk of intestinal inflammation.
Researchers examined Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains in cystic fibrosis patients, revealing unique mucus properties that contribute to antibiotic resistance and immune evasion. The study's findings could lead to the development of more effective mucolytic drugs.
A continuous colonic mucus system forms a protective barrier between gut microbiota and host tissue in mice. The barrier consists of two types of O-glycan rich mucus that form in different regions of the colon, with proximal mucus encapsulating fecal pellets and distal mucus strengthening the barrier during elimination.
Scientists at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation have redefined how the gut microbiome operates and coexists with bacteria. The findings show that the microbiome controls the creation of mucus, which acts as a barrier between bacteria and immune cells in the colon.
Researchers found that speech can spread salivary and mucus droplets for at least a meter in front of a speaker, potentially transmitting viruses like coronavirus. Using lip balm, the researchers reduced the droplet size, suggesting a possible mitigation strategy.
Researchers identified an enzyme that breaks down mucus in the gut, providing a potential biomarker for intestinal diseases. The discovery could lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment of conditions such as ulcerative colitis and colorectal cancer.
A significant loss of intestinal goblet cells following allogeneic stem cell transplantation leads to bacterial invasion and poor prognosis. Administering IL-25 prior to transplantation can significantly reduce bacterial invasion by maintaining the mucus layer.
A new laser-based system provides 3D models of diaphanous marine animals and their mucus structures, allowing researchers to understand how they function and what roles they play in the ocean. The study focused on larvaceans, which create complex mucus filters that remove vast amounts of carbon-rich food from the surrounding water.
Changes in gut mucus may be contributing to bacterial imbalance and exacerbating symptoms of neurological diseases. Gut mucus plays a critical role in balancing good and bad bacteria in the gut.
Researchers have discovered that trefoil factors, a type of protein, bind to mucin glycoproteins in the lungs, making mucus thicker and more viscous. This knowledge could lead to new therapeutics for treating chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, and COPD.
Researchers found that a ketogenic diet significantly reduced inflammation and mucus production in asthmatic mice. The diet's effect was attributed to its ability to slow down the division activity of immune cells, which play a central role in asthma symptoms.
Biomedical engineer Jessica Kramer is researching how different compositions of mucus play a part in transferring coronaviruses from person to person. Her study may help identify those who are 'super-spreaders' and those more vulnerable to infection, leading to faster and more accurate data on virus spread.
Researchers have identified microscopic structures called cassiosomes in the mucus of upside-down jellyfish, which release a toxin-filled substance into the water. The discovery resolves the mystery of 'stinging water' and provides insight into the feeding strategy of these animals.
Researchers developed an engineered probiotic that promotes mucosal healing and reduces inflammation in IBD patients. The 'Probiotic Associated Therapeutic Curli Hybrids' (PATCH) approach uses genetically programmed bacteria to create a biocompatible, mucoadhesive coating that facilitates healing.
Researchers developed a colon-on-a-chip device using patient-derived cells, enabling the study of intestinal mucus barrier functions and host-microbiome interactions. The device produced a bi-layered mucus structure that mimics the human intestinal surface.
A new study from MIT reveals that glycans in mucus can disarm opportunistic pathogens and prevent infections. The researchers found that these sugar molecules can regulate the behavior of microbes, preventing them from communicating with each other and forming infectious biofilms.
A new technique uses nanoparticles to measure how quickly they move through mucus samples, correlating with COPD severity. The study's findings suggest that the structure of mucus in patients with severe COPD may be distinct and affect particle movement.
Researchers found that ethanol-based sanitizers can't fully deactivate influenza A viruses in wet mucus, requiring nearly four minutes of exposure. Washing hands with antiseptic soap deactivates the virus within 30 seconds, regardless of mucus consistency.
A new imaging tool provides detailed images of the nasal airways in cystic fibrosis patients, showing impaired mucus clearance and cilia dysfunction. The technique enables clinicians to diagnose diseases earlier and optimize treatment for individual patients.
A study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that e-cigarette vaping with nicotine impairs ciliary beat frequency, dehydrates airway fluid, and makes mucus more viscous. This can lead to increased risk of chronic bronchitis and other lung diseases.
Researchers have gained insight into how influenza A virus particles utilize the balance between HA and NA proteins to penetrate host mucus barriers. The proteins are organized asymmetrically, enabling persistent directional motion that allows the virus to effectively overcome its first line of defense.
Researchers found that mucus build-up and inflammation are the initial causes of lung damage in CF patients. Early treatments that thin out mucus may delay the onset of lung disease and improve patient outcomes.
Researchers have identified bacteria with promising antibiotic activity against known pathogens in the protective mucus that coats young fish. The study found five bacterial extracts strongly inhibited methicillin-resistant S. aureus and three inhibited Candida albicans, a fungus pathogenic to humans.
Human sperm's ability to swim through cervical mucus is crucial for fertilization. Researchers have discovered that the tails of human sperm have a reinforcing outer-layer that provides the necessary strength and stability to break through the fluid barrier.
Researchers have developed a new technique to measure the binding of thousands of small molecules to mucus components, revealing a previously unknown pattern associated with mucin binding. This breakthrough could lead to better treatments for diseases characterized by excessive mucus production.
Researchers create micromotors coated with red blood cell membranes and titanium dioxide that target the mucus layer of the intestine, stimulating a broader immune response. The oral vaccines successfully delivered in mice, producing ten times more IgA antibodies against Staphylococcal α-toxin than static particles.
Researchers found that microbes on clownfish change when they live with anemones, suggesting a key role in the symbiotic relationship. The study also reveals that clownfish urinate on anemones, which helps them grow and thrive.
A study analyzes airway mucus properties contributing to ineffective coughing in respiratory disease. Strategies to reduce mucus hyperconcentration and viscosity are proposed as potential solutions.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine and Duke University demonstrate why coughing often cannot clear mucus from airways in diseases like CF and COPD. They show how to make mucus thinner and less sticky, allowing coughing to become a therapeutic aid for patients.
Researchers have uncovered the importance of mucus clearance in maintaining healthy airways. In chronic lung diseases, such as cystic fibrosis and COPD, immobile mucus layers can accumulate bacteria, damaging lungs. The studies suggest using inhalation sprays to keep mucus bundles moving may impede formation of these harmful layers.
A study using single-cell transcriptomics reveals the cellular and functional changes underlying type 2-high asthma, which can lead to more severe disease. The research provides new insights into how airway epithelial cells produce mucus and could inform the development of targeted treatments for asthma and other airway diseases.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have identified the source of IL-25, an inflammatory cytokine linked to chronic rhinosinusitis and asthma. The study found that solitary chemosensory cells in the sinuses produce IL-25, which can recruit immune cells and lead to inflammation.
A bacterial duo has been identified as a potential contributor to colon cancer risk. Escherichia Coli and Bacteroides fragilis alter the gut microenvironment by depleting mucus and inducing inflammation, facilitating E.coli colonization.
Researchers found that climate change destabilizes coral microbiomes, leading to an imbalance of beneficial and pathogenic bacteria. The study suggests that conserving coral populations requires consideration of their associated microbial communities.
A study found that low-fiber diets alter the gut microbiota's behavior, leading to increased bacterial penetrability of the inner colonic mucus layer. Fiber supplements from bifidobacteria or inulin helped restore protective effects on the mucus layer.
Research highlights the importance of dietary fiber in managing weight, blood sugar, and insulin sensitivity. Low-fiber diets can lead to weight gain, high blood sugar, and inflammation. Fiber supplements may help restore gut bacteria balance but more study is needed for treatment recommendations.
Scientists have discovered that weak binding between antibodies and biological gels like mucus is more effective in trapping pathogens, making it a stronger first line of defense. This finding has the potential to revolutionize the treatment and prevention of various diseases by providing new targets for engineered antibodies.
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine describes how airway dehydration leads to thick mucus accumulation, a hallmark of chronic bronchitis. The research found a strong association between mucin concentrations and disease severity in people with chronic bronchitis.
A study from MIT suggests that cervical mucus analysis can predict preterm births, potentially allowing doctors to intervene earlier. Researchers found significant differences in mucus permeability and adhesiveness between women who delivered prematurely and those who did not.
Researchers have developed a new type of adhesive substance that mimics the properties of slug mucus, effectively sealing wounds after surgery. The substance was found to be strong, flexible and non-toxic, with performance comparable to using a hemostat in emergency surgical procedures.
Research from the University of Iowa finds that cystic fibrosis changes the structure of mucus in airways, making it harder for lungs to clear particles. This abnormal mucus production contributes to lung infections and inflammation, a major cause of life-threatening illness in CF patients.
Researchers found that coral-feeding fish have fleshy, slime-covered lips that help them survive by feeding primarily on coral mucus. The unique adaptation allows the fish to seal their mouths over small areas and increase suction-feeding efficiency.