Immunomodulatory Response of the Middle Ear Epithelial Cells in Otitis Media.

Hypothesis: The middle ear (ME) epithelium transforms because of changed immunomodulation during infection.

Introduction: The epithelial cells of the tympanic cavity represent the first line of defense in the context of otitis media. They can convert from a typical mucosal site into a respiratory epithelium and vice versa.

Immunomodulation as a Protective Strategy in Chronic Otitis Media.

Introduction: Major features of the pathogenesis in otitis media, the most common disease in childhood, include hyperplasia of the middle ear mucosa and infiltration by leukocytes, both of which typically resolve upon bacterial clearance apoptosis. Activation of innate immune receptors during the inflammatory process leads to the activation of intracellular transcription factors (such as NF-κB, AP-1), which regulate both the inflammatory response and tissue growth. We investigated these leading signaling pathways in otitis media using mouse models, human samples, and human middle ear epithelial cell (HMEEC) lines for therapeutic immunomodulation.

Objective determination of peripheral edema in heart failure patients using short-wave infrared molecular chemical imaging.

Significance: Peripheral pitting edema is a clinician-administered measure for grading edema. Peripheral edema is graded 0, 1  +  , 2  +  , 3  +  , or 4  +  , but subjectivity is a major limitation of this technique. A pilot clinical study for short-wave infrared (SWIR) molecular chemical imaging (MCI) effectiveness as an objective, non-contact quantitative peripheral edema measure is underway.

Visible near infrared reflectance molecular chemical imaging of human ex vivo carcinomas and murine in vivo carcinomas.

Significance: A key risk faced by oncological surgeons continues to be complete removal of tumor. Currently, there is no intraoperative imaging device to detect kidney tumors during excision.

Aim: We are evaluating molecular chemical imaging (MCI) as a technology for real-time tumor detection and margin assessment during tumor removal surgeries.