The airway epithelium, a continuous pseudostratified population of cells lining the dichotomously branching airways, provides the barrier function that defends against inhaled gases, particulates, pathogens and other xenobiotics [1] [3].
Likewise, as CT technologies evolve enabling analysis of multiple, higher generation airways, further validation studies will be necessary to either confirm these molecular associations or to determine whether analysis of the right upper lobe apical bronchus versus smaller airways provides independent, meaningful information.
The use of the cryotherapy flexible probe guided by a flexible bronchoscope allowed endobronchial cryobiopsies of central airways, as well as more distal airways, provided that the lesion is visible on bronchoscopic evaluation.
It is thought that prostaglandin (PG) E2, a product of COX, acts on prostaglandin E (EP) receptors on mast cells in the airways, providing a physiological brake against activation and histamine/leukotriene release (4).
This work extends our current knowledge on the mechanisms regulating allergic responses in the airways, provides new insight about the role of IL-28 cytokines in adaptive immunity and strengthens the rationale for the therapeutic administration of IL-28A in allergic asthma and related allergic diseases in humans.
As such, characterization of host mechanisms that promote health of the uppermost airway provide important insight into the pathogenesis of OM and also help elucidate host factors that contribute to the prevention of this highly prevalent disease.
The airway provides a direct route for administration of nanoparticles bearing therapeutic or diagnostic payloads to the lung, however optimization of nanoplatforms for intracellular delivery remains challenging.
Small animal ventilators are designed to achieve controlled ventilation of the animal's lungs by the application of intermittent positive pressure to the airway, providing the tidal volume and physiologically relevant respiratory rates.
A surgical airway provides a definitive airway and has a higher success rate [ 148].
Preoxygenation in a patient with an anticipated difficult airway provides the maximum length of time for which a patient can tolerate apnea and provides time for the anesthesia provider to solve a DAM issue [ 31].
