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Research

The Safety of Alcohol Pharmacotherapies in Pregnancy: A Scoping Review of Human and Animal Research

Alcohol pharmacotherapies pose unknown teratogenic risks in pregnancy and are therefore recommended to be avoided. This limits treatment options for pregnant individuals with alcohol use disorders (AUD). The information on the safety of these medications during pregnancy is uncertain, prompting a scoping review. The objective of this review was to investigate available information on the safety of alcohol pharmacotherapies in pregnancy.

Research

Feto-placental vascular structure and in silico haemodynamics: Of mice, rats, and human

The complex arborization of the feto-placental vasculature is crucial for optimal fetal nutrition, waste exchange and ultimately, development. Ethical and experimental limitations constrain research into the human placenta, hence experimental animal models such as mice and rats, are crucial to understand placental function. It is unclear how well the mouse and rat feto-placental vascular structure emulates human. Moreover, the implications of differences in vascular structure, especially in arborization, for placental function remain unclear. 

Research

Hidden in plain sight: how vaping manufacturers exploit legislative loopholes

Alexander Larcombe BScEnv (Hons) PhD Head, Respiratory Environmental Health Team Leader, Respiratory Environmental Health Associate Professor

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A rapid semi-quantitative screening method to assess chemicals present in heated e-liquids and e-cigarette aerosols

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) lack regulatory status as therapeutic products in all jurisdictions worldwide. They are potentially unsafe consumer products, with significant evidence they pose a risk to human health. Therefore, developing rapid, economical test methods to assess the chemical composition of e-liquids in heated and unheated forms and the aerosols produced by e-cigarettes is crucial.

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Toxicity of different biodiesel exhausts in primary human airway epithelial cells grown at air-liquid interface

Biodiesel is created through the transesterification of fats/oils and its usage is increasing worldwide as global warming concerns increase. Biodiesel fuel properties change depending on the feedstock used to create it.

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In utero cigarette smoke exposure impairs somatic and lung growth in BALB/c mice

The aim of this study was to assess whether in utero tobacco smoke exposure alone affects early-life lung growth and development. Pregnant BALB/c mice...

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Sensitizing and Th2 Adjuvant Activity of Cysteine Protease Allergens

Here, we report on a model that does not use Th2-skewing adjuvants and yet achieves sensitization solely via the nasal mucosa.

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Persistent and compartmentalised disruption of dendritic cell subpopulations in the lung following influenza A virus infection

Immunological homeostasis in the respiratory tract is thought to require balanced interactions between networks of dendritic cell (DC) subsets in lung...

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Effect of human rhinovirus infection on airway epithelium tight junction protein disassembly and transepithelial permeability

HRV-1B infection directly alters human airway epithelial TJ expression leading to increased epithelial permeability potentially via antiviral response of IL-15

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Vitamin D supplementation of initially vitamin D-deficient mice diminishes lung inflammation with limited effects on pulmonary epithelial integrity

In disease settings, vitamin D may be important for maintaining optimal lung epithelial integrity and suppressing inflammation, but less is known of its effects prior to disease onset.