New developments in goblet cell mucus secretion and function

Despite advances in surgical management, it is estimated that 20–30% of children with repaired cleft palate will continue to have hypernasal speech and require a second surgery to create normal velopharyngeal function (Bricknell, McFadden, & Curran, 2002; Härtel, Karsten, & Gundlach, 1994; McWilliams, 1990). A qualitative perceptual assessment by a speech-language pathologist is considered the most important step of the evaluation for children with resonance disorders (Peterson-Falzone, Hardin-Jones, & Karnell, 2010). Direct and indirect instrumental analyses should be used to confirm or validate the perceptual evaluation of an experienced speech-language pathologist (Paal, Reulbach, Strobel-Schwarthoff, Nkenke, & Schuster, 2005). The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of current instrumental assessment methods used in cleft palate care. Both direct and indirect instrumental procedures will be reviewed with descriptions of the advantages and disadvantages of each. Lastly, new developments for evaluating velopharyngeal structures and function will be provided.

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Structure-function Specialisation of the Interfascicular Matrix in the Human Achilles Tendon

10.1101/2021.02.22.432199 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Dharmesh Patel ◽

Danae E. Zamboulis ◽

Ewa M Spiesz ◽

Deborah Simpson ◽

Helen L. Birch ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Energy Storage ◽

Achilles Tendon ◽

Structure Function ◽

Fatigue Resistance ◽

List Type ◽

Elastic Recoil ◽

Post Injury ◽

New Developments ◽

And Function ◽

Anterior Tibialis

ABSTRACTObjectiveTendon consists of highly aligned collagen-rich fascicles surrounded by interfascicular matrix (IFM). Some tendons act as energy stores to improve locomotion efficiency; these tendons are prone to debilitating injuries, the incidence of which increases with ageing. In equine tendons, energy storage is achieved primarily through specialisation of the IFM. However, no studies have investigated IFM structure-function specialisation in human tendons. Here, we compare the positional anterior tibialis and energy storing Achilles tendons, testing the hypothesis that the Achilles IFM has specialised composition and mechanical properties, which are lost with ageing.MethodsWe used a multidisciplinary combination of mechanical testing, immunolocalisation and proteomics to investigate structure-function specialisations in functionally distinct human tendons and how these are altered with ageing.ResultsThe IFM in the energy storing Achilles tendon is more elastic and fatigue resistant than the IFM in the positional anterior tibialis tendon, with a trend towards decreased fatigue resistance with age in the Achilles IFM. With ageing, alterations occur predominantly to the proteome of the Achilles IFM.ConclusionThe Achilles tendon IFM is specialised for energy storage, and changes to its proteome with ageing are likely responsible for the observed trends towards decreased fatigue resistance. Knowledge of key energy storing specialisations and their changes with ageing offers insight towards developing effective treatments for tendinopathy.Key messagesWhat is already known about this subject?Energy storing tendons in animals and humans are particularly prone to injury and the incidence increases with increasing age.Previous work in some animal models has shown that the specialisation of tendon properties for energy storage is achieved primarily through adaptation of the interfascicular matrix, with specialisation lost in ageing. However, the structural specialisations that provide the human Achilles tendon with its energy storing ability, and how these are affected by ageing, remain to be established.What does this study add?We demonstrate that the interfascicular matrix in the human Achilles tendon is specialised for energy storing, with increased elastic recoil and fatigue resistance, and that these specialisations are partially lost with ageing, likely due to alterations to the proteome of the interfascicular matrix.How might this impact on clinical practice or future developments?Short term, the specialist IFM mechanics we have demonstrated can be detected with new developments in ultrasound functional imaging, offering improved opportunities for contextual tendinopathy diagnostics. Personalised rehabilitation programmes can now be explored and designed specifically to target IFM mechanics.Longer term, the knowledge of key specialisations in injury prone energy storing tendons and how they are affected by ageing, offers crucial insight towards developing cell or tissue engineering treatments targeted at restoring tendon structure and function post-injury, specifically targeted at the IFM.

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Immunofluorescent findings of secretory component, IgA, and goblet cell mucus in the colonic mucosal defence in ulcerative colitis

Japanese Journal of Clinical Immunology ◽

10.2177/jsci.7.68 ◽

1984 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 68-76

Author(s):

Fumihiko Inoue ◽

Hiroo Furukawa ◽

Haruto Uchino

Keyword(s):

Ulcerative Colitis ◽

Goblet Cell ◽

Secretory Component ◽

Cell Mucus ◽

Mucosal Defence

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