The pathophysiology and treatment of musculoskeletal fibrosis.

Fibrosis continues to challenge the regeneration and repair of the Orthopaedic tissues in states of injury or disease. The mechanism behind developmental fibrosis has been widely investigated in the last few decades. However, the current efficacy of treatment for existing fibrous scars remains insufficient from both basic research and clinical perspectives.

Is the age of cervical cancer diagnosis changing over time?

Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine if there has been an increase in the age of diagnosis of cervical cancer over time, specifically in the proportion of patients over 65 years old, given decreasing rates of hysterectomy.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective review of a single institution was conducted including cervical cancer patients seen between 1986 and 2016. Data included demographic variables including age of diagnosis, last cervical cancer screening, and cancer information.

Effect of Obesity on Cervical Cancer Screening and Outcomes.

Objectives: The aims of the study were to identify whether obese women are less appropriately screened for cervical cancer before diagnosis and to explore related cancer outcomes.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all cervical cancer patients at a single institution between 1986 and 2016 and collected demographic information including age, cancer stage, body mass index (BMI), screening information, and cancer outcomes. Morbid obesity was defined as BMI of 40 kg/m or greater, obesity as BMI of 30 to less than 40 kg/m, and nonobese as BMI of less than 30 kg/m.

Prevalence, attitudes and knowledge of misoprostol for self-induction of abortion in women presenting for abortion at Midwestern reproductive health clinics.

In the setting of increasing restrictions to legal abortion in the United States, reports have emerged of self-induced termination of pregnancies with misoprostol, obtained without a prescription or provider. This study seeks to describe the prevalence of women seeking or employing misoprostol for self-induced abortion, and how they access information. In a cross-sectional study of women immediately following their abortion at three reproductive health clinics in the Midwestern United States, an anonymous survey queried gestational age, barriers, online investigation about self-induction and opinions concerning the availability of medical abortion.

Repurposing tromethamine as inhaled therapy to treat CF airway disease.

In cystic fibrosis (CF), loss of CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) anion channel activity causes airway surface liquid (ASL) pH to become acidic, which impairs airway host defenses. One potential therapeutic approach is to correct the acidic pH in CF airways by aerosolizing HCO and/or nonbicarbonate pH buffers. Here, we show that raising ASL pH with inhaled HCO increased pH.

Electrolyte transport properties in distal small airways from cystic fibrosis pigs with implications for host defense.

While pathological and clinical data suggest that small airways are involved in early cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease development, little is known about how the lack of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) function contributes to disease pathogenesis in these small airways. Large and small airway epithelia are exposed to different airflow velocities, temperatures, humidity, and CO2 concentrations. The cellular composition of these two regions is different, and small airways lack submucosal glands.

pH modulates the activity and synergism of the airway surface liquid antimicrobials β-defensin-3 and LL-37.

The pulmonary airways are continuously exposed to bacteria. As a first line of defense against infection, the airway surface liquid (ASL) contains a complex mixture of antimicrobial factors that kill inhaled and aspirated bacteria. The composition of ASL is critical for antimicrobial effectiveness.