Publications by authors named "Jeffrey Bair"

ATP and benzoylbenzoyl-ATP (BzATP) increase free cytosolic Ca concentration ([Ca]) in conjunctival goblet cells (CGCs) resulting in mucin secretion. The purpose of this study was to investigate the source of the Ca mobilized by ATP and BzATP. First-passage cultured rat CGCs were incubated with Fura-2/AM, and [Ca] was measured under several conditions with ATP and BzATP stimulation.

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Article Synopsis
  • Cryptococcus neoformans is a fungus that primarily affects individuals with weakened immune systems, often leading to meningoencephalitis, but cases of muscle infections are rare.
  • A 45-year-old man with extensive cryptococcal infection developed multiple muscle abscesses and osteomyelitis, which led to surgery, an amputation, and ultimately death.
  • Increased awareness and rapid diagnosis of orthopedic complications from cryptococcal infections may enhance patient outcomes.
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Background: Hip fractures constitute a major public health problem for older individuals. They are associated with functional deterioration, limited mobility, and increased mortality, while contributing to economic and social hardships that are compounded by a second hip fracture. With the aging US population and increasing rates of hip fractures, it is essential to understand factors surrounding subsequent contralateral hip fractures.

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We used cultured human conjunctival goblet cells to determine (i) whether the toxigenic induced activation of the epithelial goblet cells requires two signals to activate the NLRP3 inflammasome, (ii) if one signal is mediated by TLR1, TLR2, or TLR6, and (iii) if the toxin α toxin is another signal for the activation of the inflammasome and secretion of mature IL-1β. Cultured cells were incubated with siRNA to knock down the different TLRs. After stimulation with toxigenic RN6390, pro-IL-1β synthesis, caspase-1 activity, and mature IL-1β secretion were measured.

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Ionotropic purinergic receptors (P2XRs) are activated by ATP and ATP analogs. ATP can be released through ATP-permeable channels such as the pannexin hemichannels. Upon activation, the P2XRs become permeable to Ca, a potent stimulator of mucin secretion in conjunctival goblet cells (CGCs).

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Dry eye is a multi-factorial disease affecting ocular surface health, with a profoundly higher prevalence in women. Disruption of the gel-forming mucin that is secreted by conjunctival goblet cells (CGCs) onto the ocular surface contributes to multiple ocular surface diseases. The elimination of exogenous sex hormones is essential to obtain consistent results during in vitro study of sex-based differences in CGCs.

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Annexin A1 (AnxA1) is the primary mediator of the anti-inflammatory actions of glucocorticoids. AnxA1 functions as a pro-resolving mediator in cultured rat conjunctival goblet cells to ensure tissue homeostasis through stimulation of intracellular [Ca] ([Ca]) and mucin secretion. AnxA1 has several N-terminal peptides with anti-inflammatory properties of their own, including Ac2-26, Ac2-12, and Ac9-25.

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The mucin layer of the tear film is produced by goblet cells in the conjunctiva to protect the ocular surface and maintain homeostasis. The pro-resolving lipid mediator resolvin D2 (RvD2) biosynthesized from an omega 3 fatty acid actively terminates inflammation and regulates mucin secretion from conjunctival goblet cells. Our objective was to determine which Ca -dependent signaling pathways RvD2 uses to stimulate conjunctival goblet cell function (CGC).

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Specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs), including Maresins (MaR)-1 and 2, contribute to tear film homeostasis and resolve conjunctival inflammation. We investigated MaR2's signaling pathways in goblet cells (GC) from rat conjunctiva. Agonist-induced [Ca] and high-molecular weight glycoconjugate secretion were measured.

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Resolvin (Rv) D2 and RvD1 are biosynthesized from docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and promote resolution of inflammation in multiple organs and tissues, including the conjunctiva. Histamine is a mediator produced by mast cells in the conjunctiva during the allergic response. We determined the interaction of RvD2 with histamine and its receptor subtypes in cultured conjunctival goblet cells and compared them with RvD1 by measuring intracellular [Ca] and mucous secretion.

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Objective: To investigate the short-term impact on human conjunctival goblet cell (GC) survival and mucin release of acute exposure to benzalkonium chloride (BAK) preserved and preservative-free (PF) 0.005% (w/v) latanoprost (LT) eye drops, and to compare the eye drops' physicochemical properties.

Methods And Analysis: Primary GC cultures were established from human conjunctival donor tissue.

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Purpose: We reported that oxytocin (OXT), added to freshly prepared lacrimal gland lobules, induced myoepithelial cell (MEC) contraction. In other systems, OXT activates phospholipase C (PLC) generating Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) which increases intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) causing contraction. The aim of the current study was to investigate the role of this pathway in OXT-induced contraction of MEC.

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Objective: To determine the incidence of hospital readmission in a geriatric hip fracture population within 90 days.

Methods: Analysis of patients ≥60 years of age presenting with a fragility fracture of the hip from a prospective geriatric hip fracture program registry was performed. Demographics, diagnoses, treatments, complications, hospital events, and readmission for any cause within 30 and 90 days were collected.

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Introduction: Most intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering eye drops are preserved with benzalkonium chloride (BAK). This can increase side effects and decrease adherence. Particularly, damage to the mucin-producing conjunctival goblet cells may be an issue due to instability of the tear film.

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The amount of mucin secreted by conjunctival goblet cells is regulated to ensure the optimal level for protection of the ocular surface. Under physiological conditions lipid specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPM) are essential for maintaining tissue homeostasis including the conjunctiva. The protein Annexin A1 (AnxA1) can act as an SPM.

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Background: Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is commonly used for surgical incisions and large wounds, particularly in the context of trauma. Research has shown that patients report that the most painful aspect of NPWT is related to foam dressing changes. This study aimed to determine whether topical use of the vapocoolant anesthetic ethyl chloride would impact patient-reported pain during these procedures.

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Objective: To determine the effect of povidone iodine (PI), an antiseptic commonly used prior to ocular surgery, on viability of mixed populations of conjunctival stratified squamous and goblet cells, purified conjunctival goblet cells and purified conjunctival stromal fibroblasts in primary culture.

Methods And Analysis: Mixed population of epithelial cells (stratified squamous and goblet cells), goblet cells and fibroblasts were grown in culture from pieces of human conjunctiva using either supplemented DMEM/F12 or RPMI. Cell type was evaluated by immunofluorescence microscopy.

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Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) is a major proinflammatory mediator important in host defense, whereas resolvins (Rvs) are produced during the resolution phase of inflammation. The authors determined the actions of both RvE1 and RvD1 on LTB4-induced responses of goblet cells cultured from rat conjunctiva. The responses measured were an increase in the intracellular [Ca] ([Ca]) and high-molecular-weight glycoprotein secretion.

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Mucin secretion from conjunctival goblet cells forms the tear film mucin layer and requires regulation to function properly. Maresin 1 (MaR1) is a specialized proresolving mediator produced during the resolution of inflammation. We determined if MaR1 stimulates mucin secretion and signaling pathways used.

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Background: Traditional care of patients with geriatric hip fracture has been fragmented with patients admitted under various specialty services and to different units within a hospital. This produces inconsistent care and leads to varying outcomes that can be associated with increased length of stay, delays in time from admission to surgery, and higher readmission rates.

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to describe the process taken to establish a successful geriatric hip fracture program (GFP) and the initial results observed in a single institution after its implementation.

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Objective: To retrospectively review a large population of long cephalomedullary nails with special attention to distal implant position in the sagittal plane and assess the ability to avoid anterior cortical contact (ACC) by bending the distal tip of the nail intraoperatively.

Design: Retrospective review of single surgeon experience.

Setting: Single Level 1 trauma center.

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Under physiologic conditions, conjunctival goblet cells (CGCs) secrete mucins into the tear film to preserve ocular surface homeostasis. Specialized proresolving mediators (SPMs), like resolvins (Rvs), regulate secretion from CGCs and actively terminate inflammation. The purpose of this study was to determine if RvD2 stimulated mucin secretion and to investigate the cellular signaling components.

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Thrombospondin-1-deficient (TSP-1) mice are used as an animal model of Sjögren's Syndrome because they exhibit many of the symptoms associated with the autoimmune type of dry eye found in primary Sjögren's Syndrome. This type of dry eye is linked to the inflammation of the lacrimal gland, conjunctiva, and cornea, and is thought to involve dysfunction of the complex neuronal reflex arc that mediates tear production in response to noxious stimuli on the ocular surface. This study characterizes the structural and functional changes to the corneal nerves that are the afferent arm of this arc in young and older TSP-1 and wild type (WT) mice.

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Endogenous vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) can protect retinal ganglion cells (RGC) from stress-induced cell death in ocular hypertensive glaucoma. To exploit the neuroprotective function of VEGF-A for therapeutic application in ocular disorders such as glaucoma while minimizing unwanted vascular side effects, we engineered two novel VEGF variants, eVEGF-38 and eVEGF-53. These variants of the diffusible VEGF-A isoform VEGF121 are expressed as dimeric concatamers and remain tethered to the cell membrane, thus restricting the effects of the engineered VEGF to the cells expressing the protein.

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The purpose of this study was to identify the signaling pathways that epidermal growth factor (EGF) uses to stimulate mucin secretion from cultured rat conjunctival goblet cells and to compare the pathways used by EGF with those used by the known secretagogue muscarinic, cholinergic agonists. To this end, goblet cells from rat conjunctiva were grown in culture using RPMI media. For immunofluorescence experiments, antibodies against EGF receptor (EGFR) and ERK 2 as well as muscarinic receptors (M(1)AchR, M(2)AchR, and M(3)AchR) were used, and the cells viewed by fluorescence microscopy.

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