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Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2020Non-invasive healthcare technologies are an important part of research and development nowadays due to the low cost and convenience offered to both healthcare receivers... (Review)
Review
Non-invasive healthcare technologies are an important part of research and development nowadays due to the low cost and convenience offered to both healthcare receivers and providers. This work overviews the recent advances in the field of non-invasive electrochemical biosensors operating in secreted human physiological fluids, viz. tears, sweat, saliva, and urine. Described electrochemical devices are based on different electrochemical techniques, viz. amperometry, coulometry, cyclic voltammetry, and impedance spectroscopy. Challenges that confront researchers in this exciting area and key requirements for biodevices are discussed. It is concluded that the field of non-invasive sensing of biomarkers in bodily fluid is highly convoluted. Nonetheless, if the drawbacks are appropriately addressed, and the pitfalls are adroitly circumvented, the approach will most certainly disrupt current clinical and self-monitoring practices.
Topics: Biosensing Techniques; Body Fluids; Electrochemical Techniques; Humans; Saliva; Sweat; Tears; Urine
PubMed: 33171750
DOI: 10.3390/s20216352 -
Pflugers Archiv : European Journal of... Apr 2024The transport of bicarbonate across the enterocyte cell membrane regulates the intracellular as well as the luminal pH and is an essential part of directional fluid... (Review)
Review
The transport of bicarbonate across the enterocyte cell membrane regulates the intracellular as well as the luminal pH and is an essential part of directional fluid movement in the gut. Since the first description of "active" transport of HCO ions against a concentration gradient in the 1970s, the fundamental role of HCO transport for multiple intestinal functions has been recognized. The ion transport proteins have been identified and molecularly characterized, and knockout mouse models have given insight into their individual role in a variety of functions. This review describes the progress made in the last decade regarding novel techniques and new findings in the molecular regulation of intestinal HCO transport in the different segments of the gut. We discuss human diseases with defects in intestinal HCO secretion and potential treatment strategies to increase luminal alkalinity. In the last part of the review, the cellular and organismal mechanisms for acid/base sensing in the intestinal tract are highlighted.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Humans; Bicarbonates; Ion Transport; Enterocytes; Cell Membrane; Bodily Secretions; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator
PubMed: 38374228
DOI: 10.1007/s00424-024-02914-3 -
PloS One 2022We imaged the carbohydrate-selective spatial binding of 8 lectins in the ampullary organs (AOs) of electroreceptors on the rostrum of freshwater paddlefish (Polyodon...
We imaged the carbohydrate-selective spatial binding of 8 lectins in the ampullary organs (AOs) of electroreceptors on the rostrum of freshwater paddlefish (Polyodon spathula), by fluorescence imaging and morphometry of frozen sections. A focus was candidate sites of secretion of the glycoprotein gel filling the lumen of AOs. The rostrum of Polyodon is an electrosensory appendage anterior of the head, covered with >50,000 AOs, each homologous with the ampulla of Lorenzini electroreceptors of marine rays and sharks. A large electrosensory neuroepithelium (EN) lines the basal pole of each AO's lumen in Polyodon; support cells occupy most (97%) of an EN's apical area, along with electrosensitive receptor cells. (1) Lectins WGA or SBA labeled the AO gel. High concentrations of the N-acetyl-aminocarbohydrate ligands of these lectins were reported in canal gel of ampullae of Lorenzini, supporting homology of Polyodon AOs. In cross sections of EN, WGA or SBA labeled cytoplasmic vesicles and organelles in support cells, especially apically, apparently secretory. Abundant phalloidin+ microvilli on the apical faces of support cells yielded the brightest label by lectins WGA or SBA. In parallel views of the apical EN surface, WGA labeled only support cells. We concluded that EN support cells massively secrete gel from their apical microvilli (and surface?), containing amino carbohydrate ligands of WGA or SBA, into the AO lumen. (2) Lectins RCA120 or ConA also labeled EN support cells, each differently. RCA120-fluorescein brightly labeled extensive Golgi tubules in the apical halves of EN cells. ConA did not label microvilli, but brightly labeled small vesicles throughout support cells, apparently non-secretory. (3) We demonstrated "sockets" surrounding the basolateral exteriors of EN receptor cells, as candidate glycocalyces. (4) We explored whether additional secretions may arise from non-EN epithelial cells of the interior ampulla wall. (5) Model: Gel is secreted mainly by support cells in the large EN covering each AO's basal pole. Secreted gel is pushed toward the pore, and out. We modeled gel velocity as increasing ~11x, going distally in AOs (toward the narrowed neck and pore), due to geometrical taper of the ampulla wall. Gel renewal and accelerated expulsion may defend against invasion of the AO lumen by microbes or small parasites. (6) We surveyed lectin labeling of accessory structures, including papilla cells in AO necks, striated ectoderm epidermis, and sheaths on afferent axons or on terminal glia.
Topics: Animals; Lectins; Fishes; Bodily Secretions; Microvilli; Epithelial Cells
PubMed: 36395118
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276854 -
Ear, Nose, & Throat Journal Apr 2021The emergence of a new coronavirus strain (SARS-CoV-2) in December 2019 from China led to a global pandemic. The lack of herd immunity against this virus and the...
The emergence of a new coronavirus strain (SARS-CoV-2) in December 2019 from China led to a global pandemic. The lack of herd immunity against this virus and the possibility of viral spread from asymptomatic individuals is still a major challenge for the prevention of viral transmission. The studies of Islamoglu and Hanege evaluated the presence of the virus in different bodily secretions (Cerumen) as a potential source of viral spread among patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. We would like to comment on these 2 studies.
Topics: COVID-19; Cerumen; China; Coronavirus Infections; Humans; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 33319584
DOI: 10.1177/0145561320981451 -
Chest Nov 2016Although mucus is a normal product of the tracheobronchial tree, some diseases of the respiratory tract are characterized by unusually thick (inspissated) forms of mucus... (Review)
Review
Although mucus is a normal product of the tracheobronchial tree, some diseases of the respiratory tract are characterized by unusually thick (inspissated) forms of mucus that accumulate within the airways. These are known as mucus plugs. The pathologic composition of these plugs is surprisingly diverse and, in many cases, correlates with distinctive clinical, radiologic, and bronchoscopic findings. The best-known conditions that involve mucus plugs are allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, plastic bronchitis, and asthma. Other lung diseases occasionally associated with plugs within the airways include Aspergillus tracheobronchitis, hyper-IgE syndrome, exogenous lipoid pneumonia, pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, and chronic eosinophilic pneumonia. In this review, we describe and illustrate the bronchoscopic, pathologic, and imaging findings in respiratory disorders characterized by mucus plugs or plugs composed of other similar materials. Recognition of the characteristic appearance and differential diagnosis of mucus plugs will hopefully facilitate diagnosis and management of these diseases.
Topics: Airway Obstruction; Bronchi; Bronchoscopy; Humans; Mucus
PubMed: 27445091
DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2016.07.003 -
Neuroendocrinology 2023Identification of the molecular mechanisms governing neuroendocrine secretion and resulting intercellular communication is one of the great challenges of cell biology to... (Review)
Review
Identification of the molecular mechanisms governing neuroendocrine secretion and resulting intercellular communication is one of the great challenges of cell biology to better understand organism physiology and neurosecretion disruption-related pathologies such as hypertension, neurodegenerative, or metabolic diseases. To visualize molecule distribution and dynamics at the nanoscale, many imaging approaches have been developed and are still emerging. In this review, we provide an overview of the pioneering studies using transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, total internal reflection microscopy, and super-resolution microscopy in neuroendocrine cells to visualize molecular mechanisms driving neurosecretion processes, including exocytosis and associated fusion pores, endocytosis and associated recycling vesicles, and protein-protein or protein-lipid interactions. Furthermore, the potential and the challenges of these different advanced imaging approaches for application in the study of neuroendocrine cell biology are discussed, aiming to guide researchers to select the best approach for their specific purpose around the crucial but not yet fully understood neurosecretion process.
Topics: Exocytosis; Bodily Secretions; Diagnostic Imaging
PubMed: 34915491
DOI: 10.1159/000521457 -
Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology... Dec 2017Examination of dental materials and their properties at the initial stage of the digestive process requires the development of conditions that mimic the environment of... (Review)
Review
Examination of dental materials and their properties at the initial stage of the digestive process requires the development of conditions that mimic the environment of the oral cavity. One of the main components of this area is saliva, where many reactions occur under natural conditions. Human saliva is an important physiological fluid that is essential for the maintenance of good oral health and of the entire human body; it is the place where digestion begins and thus contributes to the supply of those nutrients and health-promoting substances that are essential to the body but may also cause release of potential toxins. Thereby, the main aim of the study was to review the use of artificial saliva models in the context of stomatological and biological research. Biological studies have shown that the amount of biologically active substances in biological material is not the same as their quantity released under the conditions of the human digestive system and thus bioavailable to it. These results show that tables of active ingredients in drugs and food stuffs do not present their actual usefulness and availability to the human body.
Topics: Humans; Saliva; Saliva, Artificial
PubMed: 29550792
DOI: No ID Found -
Nature Chemistry Sep 2022The composition of soluble toxic protein aggregates formed in vivo is currently unknown in neurodegenerative diseases, due to their ultra-low concentration in human...
The composition of soluble toxic protein aggregates formed in vivo is currently unknown in neurodegenerative diseases, due to their ultra-low concentration in human biofluids and their high degree of heterogeneity. Here we report a method to capture amyloid-containing aggregates in human biofluids in an unbiased way, a process we name amyloid precipitation. We use a structure-specific chemical dimer, a Y-shaped, bio-inspired small molecule with two capture groups, for amyloid precipitation to increase affinity. Our capture molecule for amyloid precipitation (CAP-1) consists of a derivative of Pittsburgh Compound B (dimer) to target the cross β-sheets of amyloids and a biotin moiety for surface immobilization. By coupling CAP-1 to magnetic beads, we demonstrate that we can target the amyloid structure of all protein aggregates present in human cerebrospinal fluid, isolate them for analysis and then characterize them using single-molecule fluorescence imaging and mass spectrometry. Amyloid precipitation enables unbiased determination of the molecular composition and structural features of the in vivo aggregates formed in neurodegenerative diseases.
Topics: Amyloid; Amyloid beta-Peptides; Bodily Secretions; Humans; Protein Aggregates
PubMed: 35798951
DOI: 10.1038/s41557-022-00976-3 -
International Immunology Oct 2013T(h)9 cells are a new subset of helper T cells, and the signature cytokine for T(h)9 cells is IL-9. Both T(h)9 cells and T(h)9 products are implicated in multiple... (Review)
Review
T(h)9 cells are a new subset of helper T cells, and the signature cytokine for T(h)9 cells is IL-9. Both T(h)9 cells and T(h)9 products are implicated in multiple disease settings. Thus, a clear understanding of how T(h)9 cells are induced and controlled is an important and clinically relevant issue. There are different molecular pathways identified thus far in the induction of T(h)9 cells, and activation of such diverse pathways requires integration of signals from TGF-β and IL-4 cytokine receptors as well as costimulatory molecules. These signals converge on the induction of multiple transcription factors that collectively drive the development of T(h)9 cells.
Topics: Animals; Bodily Secretions; Cell Differentiation; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Interleukin-9; Lymphocyte Activation; Mast Cells; Receptor Cross-Talk; Receptors, Interleukin-4; Signal Transduction; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer; Th2 Cells; Transforming Growth Factor beta
PubMed: 24027199
DOI: 10.1093/intimm/dxt039 -
Clinical Journal of the American... Aug 2018The secretion of small molecules by the proximal tubules of the kidneys represents a vital homeostatic function for rapidly clearing endogenous solutes and medications... (Review)
Review
The secretion of small molecules by the proximal tubules of the kidneys represents a vital homeostatic function for rapidly clearing endogenous solutes and medications from the circulation. After filtration at the glomerulus, renal blood flow is directed through a network of peritubular capillaries, where transporters of the proximal tubules actively secrete putative uremic toxins and hundreds of commonly prescribed drugs into the urine, including protein-bound substances that cannot readily cross the glomerular basement membrane. Despite its central physiologic importance, tubular secretory clearance is rarely measured or even estimated in clinical or research settings. Major barriers to estimating tubular solute clearance include uncertainty regarding optimal endogenous secretory markers and a lack of standardized laboratory assays. The creation of new methods to measure tubular secretion could catalyze advances in kidney disease research and clinical care. Differences in secretory clearance relative to the GFR could help distinguish among the causes of CKD, particularly for disorders that primarily affect the tubulointerstitium. As the primary mechanism by which the kidneys excrete medications, tubular secretory clearance offers promise for improving kidney medication dosing, which is currently exclusively on the basis of filtration. The differing metabolic profiles of retained solutes eliminated by secretion versus glomerular filtration suggest that secretory clearance could uniquely inform uremic toxicity, refine existing measures of residual kidney function, and improve prediction of cardiovascular and kidney disease outcomes. Interdisciplinary research across clinical, translational, and laboratory medicine is needed to bring this often neglected kidney function into the limelight.
Topics: Bodily Secretions; Humans; Kidney; Kidney Diseases; Kidney Function Tests; Kidney Tubules, Proximal
PubMed: 29490976
DOI: 10.2215/CJN.12001017