Introduction: The diagnosis of cystic fibrosis (CF) can impact the mental health of caregivers. This study aimed to explore prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) symptoms in caregivers of infants with CF or CFTR-related metabolic syndrome (CRMS).
Methods: This prospective, observational study was conducted in a CF clinic at a tertiary hospital over 4 years.
Mercury (Hg) is a global pollutant of major concern in marine and coastal environments. In the Mediterranean Sea, Hg concentrations in biota are higher than in other seas, even when seawater concentrations are similar. Seabirds, as marine top predators, can reflect Hg contamination on a large spatial scale.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMercury (Hg) is a naturally occurring highly toxic element which circulation in ecosystems has been intensified by human activities. Hg is widely distributed, and marine environments act as its main final sink. Seabirds are relevant bioindicators of marine pollution and chicks are particularly suitable for biomonitoring pollutants as they reflect contamination at short spatiotemporal scales.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPediatr Allergy Immunol
June 2024
Background: Little is known about the immune responses during acute asthma exacerbation. In this study, we examined immune responses in children following an acute asthma exacerbation.
Methods: We evaluated pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and gene expression profiles in blood samples from pediatric patients admitted for acute asthma exacerbation.
The Mediterranean region is both a hotspot for biodiversity and for the accumulation of plastic pollution. Many species are exposed to this pollution while feeding, including a wide diversity of seabirds. Our objective was to investigate spatial variation in the quantity and types of plastic ingested by Yellow-legged gulls using information obtained from regurgitated pellets collected in 11 colonies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBorrelia burgdorferi sensu lato is a species complex of spirochetal bacteria that occupy different ecological niches which is reflected in their reservoir host- and vector-associations. Borrelia genomes possess numerous linear and circular plasmids. Proteins encoded by plasmid genes play a major role in host- and vector-interaction and are important for Borrelia niche adaptation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg
December 2023
Importance: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a multiorgan genetic disease with progressive upper and lower airway involvement. The effects of CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modifier therapies on CF-related upper airway disease, specifically chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), are not characterized.
Objective: To determine the outcome of elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor (ETI) on CRS as measured by changes in sinus computed tomography (CT) metrics and on clinical parameters in individuals with CF.
Background: In people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF), the impact of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulator therapies, such as Elexacaftor-Tezacaftor-Ivacaftor (ETI), on structural changes in the lungs is unclear.
Objective: To determine the impact of ETI on clinical parameters and on structural lung disease as measured by the changes in the chest computed tomography (CT) scans in pwCF.
Methods: Percent predicted forced expiratory volume in one second (ppFEV1), body mass index (BMI), and microbiologic data were collected at initiation and 3-month intervals for 1 year.
Background: This single-center, retrospective study evaluated the effects of de-escalating cystic fibrosis (CF) supportive therapies in patients on elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ETI). For many with CF, the clinical benefit of ETI exceeds that of supportive therapies. Therefore, we anticipated patients would desire to discontinue many of their supportive therapies, leading to the creation of a de-escalation algorithm.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe richness and structure of symbiont assemblages are shaped by many factors acting at different spatial and temporal scales. Among them, host phylogeny and geographic distance play essential roles. To explore drivers of richness and structure of symbiont assemblages, feather mites and seabirds are an attractive model due to their peculiar traits.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: As for other life history traits, variation occurs in movement patterns with important impacts on population demography and community interactions. Individuals can show variation in the extent of seasonal movement (or migration) or can change migratory routes among years. Internal factors, such as age or body condition, may strongly influence changes in movement patterns.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFClimate change is most strongly felt in the polar regions of the world, with significant impacts on the species that live there. The arrival of parasites and pathogens from more temperate areas may become a significant problem for these populations, but current observations of parasite presence often lack a historical reference of prior absence. Observations in the high Arctic of the seabird tick Ixodes uriae suggested that this species expanded poleward in the last two decades in relation to climate change.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRationale: Limited published research is available on the impact of elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ETI) beyond the initial few months postdrug initiation, especially for those who initiated therapy via individual investigational new drug application. The experiences of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) experiencing severe lung disease were reviewed for significant improvements in clinical symptoms and quality of life.
Objectives: To examine clinical outcomes 2 years post-ETI in patients with CF and advanced lung disease.
Background: Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are life-long conditions with intense treatment burdens for patients and families. Patients with a concurrent diagnosis (CF-ASD) experience unique obstacles to CF care. This study describes the experiences of our multidisciplinary CF team in caring for patients with CF-ASD and provides insight into provider and parental perspectives on clinical management.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a multisystem disease with progressive deterioration. Recently, CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulator therapies were introduced that repair underlying protein defects. Objective of this study was to determine the impact of elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor (ETI) on clinical parameters and inflammatory responses in people with CF (pwCF).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Abnormal macrophage function caused by dysfunctional cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is a critical contributor to chronic airway infections and inflammation in people with cystic fibrosis (PWCF). Elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ETI) is a new CFTR modulator therapy for PWCF. Host-pathogen and clinical responses to CFTR modulators are poorly described.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Cell Infect Microbiol
September 2022
Biofilms are multicellular microbial aggregates that can be associated with host mucosal epithelia in the airway, gut, and genitourinary tract. The host environment plays a critical role in the establishment of these microbial communities in both health and disease. These host mucosal microenvironments however are distinct histologically, functionally, and regarding nutrient availability.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators improve pulmonary outcomes in subjects with cystic fibrosis (CF); however, the effects on pancreatic manifestations are not well characterized. We hypothesized that CFTR modulators would improve measures of exocrine pancreatic function and outcomes.
Methods: We performed a systematic search to identify studies reporting measures of the exocrine pancreas in humans treated with CFTR modulators.
Avian infecting piroplasms are largely under-studied compared to other hemoparasites, and this paucity of information has blurred our phylogenetic and biological comprehension of this important group as a whole. In the present study, we detected and characterized Babesia from yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) chicks from a colony in southern France. Based on morphological and molecular characterizations, a new Babesia species belonging to the Peircei group, a clade of avian-specific piroplasms, was identified.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Early diagnosis via newborn screening is crucial to improve clinical outcomes in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). In resource-limited areas where newborn screening is unavailable and CF-related morbidity is high, clinical tools such as palmar aquagenic wrinkling (AW) have been considered. We report the utility of AW for possible early identification of CF in children <2 years old.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe genus consists of evolutionarily and genetically diverse bacterial species that cause a variety of diseases in humans and domestic animals. These vector-borne spirochetes can be classified into two major evolutionary groups, the Lyme borreliosis clade and the relapsing fever clade, both of which have complex transmission cycles during which they interact with multiple host species and arthropod vectors. Molecular, ecological, and evolutionary studies have each provided significant contributions towards our understanding of the natural history, biology and evolutionary genetics of species; however, integration of these studies is required to identify the evolutionary causes and consequences of the genetic variation within and among species.
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