Toxicity of microplastic fibers containing azobenzene disperse dyes to human lung epithelial cells cultured at an air-liquid interface.

There is growing concern surrounding the human health effects following inhalation exposure to microplastic fibers (MPFs). MPFs can harbor chemical additives, such as azobenzene disperse dyes (ADDs), that may contribute to their toxicity. The goal of this study was to determine the acute biological effects of dyed polyethylene terephthalate MPFs to fully differentiated normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells cultured at an air-liquid interface.

Postoperative outcomes among patients evaluated via telemedicine-based preoperative consultations for inguinal hernia care.

Purpose: In an era where telehealth is gaining traction within healthcare systems, its integration into preoperative assessment protocols presents both challenges and opportunities. Preoperative assessments have an important role in determining the best plan of action for each patient. Recent studies have reported adequate operative outcomes after telemedicine preoperative consultations.

Understanding Post-Esophagectomy Complications and Their Management: The Early Complications.

Esophagectomy is a technically complex operation performed for both benign and malignant esophageal disease. Medical and surgical advancements have led to improved outcomes in esophagectomy patients over the past several decades; however, surgeons must remain vigilant as complications happen often and can be severe. Post-esophagectomy complications can be grouped into early and late categories.

Assessing Patient-Reported Experiences for In-Person and Telemedicine-Based Preoperative Evaluations.

The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed health care delivery through the rise of telehealth solutions. Though telemedicine-based care has been identified as safe and feasible in postoperative care, data on initial surgical consultations in the preoperative setting are lacking. We sought to compare patient characteristics, anticipated downstream care utilization, and patient-reported experiences (PREs) for in-person versus telemedicine-based care conducted for initial consultation encounters at a hernia and abdominal wall center.

Retrospective Analysis of Wastewater-Based Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Residences on a Large College Campus: Relationships between Wastewater Outcomes and COVID-19 Cases across Two Semesters with Different COVID-19 Mitigation Policies.

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has been utilized for outbreak monitoring and response efforts in university settings during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. However, few studies examined the impact of university policies on the effectiveness of WBE to identify cases and mitigate transmission. The objective of this study was to retrospectively assess relationships between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) wastewater outcomes and COVID-19 cases in residential buildings of a large university campus across two academic semesters (August 2020-May 2021) under different COVID-19 mitigation policies.

Traffic noise inhibits inhibitory control in wild-caught songbirds.

Anthropogenic noise is ubiquitous across environments and can have negative effects on animals, ranging from physiology to community structure. Recent work with captive-bred zebra finches demonstrated that traffic noise also affects cognitive performance. We examined whether these results extend to animals that have experienced noise in the wild.

Impact of Morbid Obesity on Post-esophagectomy Leak Rate: a NSQIP Analysis.

Background: Morbid obesity is becoming more prevalent and is a known risk factor for esophageal cancer. Esophagectomy in this population is technically more challenging than the non-obese, thus increasing the risks of surgery. This study hypothesizes that higher body mass index (BMI) is associated with higher anastomotic leak rates after esophagectomy.

Bedside vs webside: Assessing patient-reported experiences for in-person and telemedicine-based perioperative evaluations.

Background: Though telemedicine has been identified as safe and feasible, data on patient reported experiences (PREs) are lacking. We sought to compare PREs between in-person and telemedicine-based perioperative care.

Methods: Patients evaluated from August-November 2021 were prospectively surveyed to assess experiences and satisfaction with care rendered during in-person and telemedicine-based encounters.

Transcription factor Ap2b regulates the mouse autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease genes, and .

Transcription factor Ap2b (TFAP2B), an AP-2 family transcription factor, binds to the palindromic consensus DNA sequence, 5'-GCCNGGC-3'. Mice lacking functional gene die in the perinatal or neonatal period with cystic dilatation of the kidney distal tubules and collecting ducts, a phenotype resembling autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD). Human ARPKD is caused by mutations in , , and which are conserved in mammals.

Pyoderma Gangrenosum: A Literature Review.

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG), which most frequently affects the lower extremity, is a complicated disease state that results from a combination of inflammation, neutrophilic invasion, and genetic predisposition. There may also be certain comorbidities involved or it may be idiopathic. The many variations of PG mean that it often presents and responds differently to various treatments based on the specific case.

Cystin genetic variants cause autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease associated with altered Myc expression.

Mutation of the Cys1 gene underlies the renal cystic disease in the Cys1 (cpk) mouse that phenocopies human autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD). Cystin, the protein product of Cys1, is expressed in the primary apical cilia of renal ductal epithelial cells. In previous studies, we showed that cystin regulates Myc expression via interaction with the tumor suppressor, necdin.

A transgenic Alx4-CreER mouse to analyze anterior limb and nephric duct development.

Background: Genetic tools to study gene function and the fate of cells in the anterior limb bud are very limited.

Results: We describe a transgenic mouse line expressing CreER from the Aristaless-like 4 (Alx4) promoter that induces recombination in the anterior limb. Cre induction at embryonic day 8.

The Tumor-Associated Glycosyltransferase ST6Gal-I Regulates Stem Cell Transcription Factors and Confers a Cancer Stem Cell Phenotype.

The glycosyltransferase ST6Gal-I, which adds α2-6-linked sialic acids to substrate glycoproteins, has been implicated in carcinogenesis; however, the nature of its pathogenic role remains poorly understood. Here we show that ST6Gal-I is upregulated in ovarian and pancreatic carcinomas, enriched in metastatic tumors, and associated with reduced patient survival. Notably, ST6Gal-I upregulation in cancer cells conferred hallmark cancer stem-like cell (CSC) characteristics.

Magnetic resonance microscopy of renal and biliary abnormalities in excised tissues from a mouse model of autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease.

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is transmitted as either an autosomal dominant or recessive trait and is a major cause of renal failure and liver fibrosis. The cpk mouse model of autosomal recessive PKD (ARPKD) has been extensively characterized using standard histopathological techniques after euthanasia. In the current study, we sought to validate magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM) as a robust tool for assessing the ARPKD phenotype.

Intragenic motifs regulate the transcriptional complexity of Pkhd1/PKHD1.

Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD) results from mutations in the human PKHD1 gene. Both this gene, and its mouse ortholog, Pkhd1, are primarily expressed in renal and biliary ductal structures. The mouse protein product, fibrocystin/polyductin complex (FPC), is a 445-kDa protein encoded by a 67-exon transcript that spans >500 kb of genomic DNA.

An inducible CiliaGFP mouse model for in vivo visualization and analysis of cilia in live tissue.

Background: Cilia are found on nearly every cell type in the mammalian body, and have been historically classified as either motile or immotile. Motile cilia are important for fluid and cellular movement; however, the roles of non-motile or primary cilia in most tissues remain unknown. Several genetic syndromes, called the ciliopathies, are associated with defects in cilia structure or function and have a wide range of clinical presentations.

Proximal tubule proliferation is insufficient to induce rapid cyst formation after cilia disruption.

Disrupting the function of cilia in mouse kidneys results in rapid or slow progression of cystic disease depending on whether the animals are juveniles or adults, respectively. Renal injury can also markedly accelerate the renal cyst formation that occurs after disruption of cilia in adult mice. Rates of cell proliferation are markedly higher in juvenile than adult kidneys and increase after renal injury, suggesting that cell proliferation may enhance the development of cysts.

Role of epidermal primary cilia in the homeostasis of skin and hair follicles.

Skin and hair follicle morphogenesis and homeostasis require the integration of multiple signaling pathways, including Hedgehog (Hh) and Wingless (Wnt), and oriented cell divisions, all of which have been associated with primary cilia. Although studies have shown that disrupting dermal cilia causes follicular arrest and attenuated Hh signaling, little is known about the role of epidermal cilia. Here, epidermal cilia function was analyzed using conditional alleles of the ciliogenic genes Ift88 and Kif3a.

The primary cilium as a complex signaling center.

Respect for the primary cilium has undergone a remarkable renaissance over the past decade, and it is now thought to be an essential regulator of numerous signaling pathways. The primary cilium's functions range from the movement of cells and fluid, to sensory inputs involved with olfaction and photoreception. Disruption of cilia function is involved in multiple human syndromes collectively called 'ciliopathies'.

Generating conditional mutants to analyze ciliary functions: the use of Cre-lox technology to disrupt cilia in specific organs.

The list of human disordered associated with cilia dysfunction, the ciliopathies, continues to highlight the importance of understanding the many roles of the long overlooked primary cilium. Much of the insights into the clinical importance of the cilium have come from analyses in model organisms, especially the mouse. However, the early embryonic lethality and severe developmental defects associated with cilia disruption has hindered progress in exploring cilia functions in late development or in adult tissues.

Depletion of beta-COP reveals a role for COP-I in compartmentalization of secretory compartments and in biosynthetic transport of caveolin-1.

We have utilized small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated depletion of the beta-COP subunit of COP-I to explore COP-I function in organellar compartmentalization and protein traffic. Reduction in beta-COP levels causes the colocalization of markers for the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-Golgi intermediate compartment (ERGIC), Golgi, trans-Golgi network (TGN), and recycling endosomes in large, globular compartments. The lack of spatial differentiation of these compartments is not due to a general collapse of all cellular organelles since markers for the early endosomes and lysosomes do not redistribute to the common structures.