Publications by authors named "E Secor"

Rhinovirus C (RV-C) infection can trigger asthma exacerbations in children and adults, and RV-C-induced wheezing illnesses in preschool children correlate with the development of childhood asthma. Surfactant protein A (SP-A) plays a critical role in regulating pulmonary innate immunity by binding to numerous respiratory pathogens. Mature SP-A consists of multiple isoforms that form the hetero-oligomers of SP-A1 and SP-A2, organized in 18-mers.

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Preoperative state anxiety is a known predisposing factor for enhanced postoperative pain and hindered recovery following total knee or hip replacement. Acupuncture administered preoperatively has been associated with reduced anxiety in surgical studies, yet evidence of its efficacy in the orthopedic surgical setting is limited. This study investigated the effects of preoperative acupuncture on preoperative anxiety and pain and compared acute postoperative pain between acupuncture and control patient groups.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates how different respiratory viruses affect asthma exacerbations in children aged 4 to 18 who seek treatment in the emergency department (ED).
  • Results showed that 86% of children tested positive for viruses, with rhinovirus A leading to milder symptoms and better treatment responses, while enterovirus D68 was linked to more severe cases and poor treatment outcomes.
  • The findings suggest that identifying the specific virus early could improve management and outcomes for pediatric asthma exacerbations.
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Epidemiologic studies demonstrate an association between early-life respiratory illnesses (RIs) and the development of childhood asthma. However, it remains uncertain whether these children are predisposed to both conditions or if early-life RIs induce alterations in airway function, immune responses, or other human biology that contribute to the development of asthma. Puerto Rican children experience a disproportionate burden of early-life RIs and asthma, making them an important population for investigating this complex interplay.

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Article Synopsis
  • Cancer cells have a protective glycocalyx that helps them evade the immune system, and understanding how its physical properties influence immune response is crucial for developing new treatments.
  • Research shows that the thickness of the glycocalyx, particularly influenced by mucins and their glycosylation, plays a significant role in how well natural killer cells can destroy cancer cells, with even minor changes in thickness affecting susceptibility.
  • Strategies such as enhancing immune cell activity through chimeric antigen receptors or using enzymes to modify the glycocalyx could improve the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapies.
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