Density gradient methods have been used to characterize the sol and gel phases of sputum samples from two asthmatic patients, one extrinsic (AsEXT) and the other intrinsic (AsINT). The sputum samples were separated into sol and gel phases by ultracentrifugation (160,OOOg). Sol and gel were then separately subjected to density gradient ultracentrifugation (DGU) in CsBr to isolate mucus glycoprot...

The objective of this work was to obtain prevalence estimates of cloudy vaginal mucus in artificially inseminated Holstein cows raised under intense heat, in order to assess the effect of meteorological conditions on its occurrence during estrus and to determine its effect on conception rate. In a first study, an association was established between the occurrence of cloudy vaginal mucus during ...

The post-coital test involves direct microscopic examination of sperm number and motility in cervical mucus. The results depend on the quality of the mucus and the distribution of spermatozoa within the sample. To progress from such qualitative data to quantitative measurements of the spermatozoa present in post-coital mucus, we have developed methods to measure sperm concentrations in enzymati...

Slugs and snails are important herbivores in many ecosystems. They differ from other herbivores by their characteristic mucus trail. As the mucus is secreted at the interface between the plants and the herbivores, its chemical composition may play an essential role in plant responses to slug and snail attack. Based on our current knowledge about host-manipulation strategies employed by pathogen...

The majority of antibiotic-induced diarrhea is caused by Clostridium difficile (C. difficile). Hospitalizations for C. difficile infection (CDI) have tripled in the last decade, emphasizing the need to better understand how the organism colonizes the intestine and maintain infection. The mucus provides an interface for bacterial-host interactions and changes in intestinal mucus have been linked...

The mucus layer that coats the airway epithelium provides a protective barrier against pathogenic and noxious agents and participates in the mucosal response to inflammation and infection. Airway mucus is composed of water, ions, lung secretions, serum protein transudates, and mucin glycoproteins (mucins). Mucins are the major components of mucus and the macromolecules that impart rheologic pro...

For decades, biologists have discussed and experimented with bacterial viruses, called phage, as a means of treating bacterial infections (1, 2). Remarkably, our own evolution may have beaten us to it. In PNAS, Barr et al. present a compelling and unique hypothesis that animal cells use phage as weapons against bacterial pathogens (3). Animal cells ranging from cnidarian (coral) to human excret...

Clomiphene citrate (CC) has an adverse effect on the quality and quantity of cervical mucus (CM). Poor cervical mucus has been reported in 15% of CC-treated women. CC exhibits estrogen agonist and antagonist activities. Antiestrogenic activity affecting the endocervical glands is theorized to cause a decrease in cervical mucus quality and quantity. An experimental study was performed to as...

Aloe buettneri A. Berger is commonly used in traditional Togolese medicine to treat inflammatory and gastric ulcers. The present study examined the gastro-protection effect of the hydro-alcoholic extract of A. buettneri on mucus production and gastric pH. A gastric ulcer is induced by ethanol 95° alone (1 ml/kg body weight), after pre-treatment with indomethacin (300 mg/kg) or by utilising L-NA...