Respiratory tract mucous secretion

The portals of entry for the smallpox virus are the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract. Smallpox is transmitted by large or small respiratory droplets and by contact with skin lesions or secretions. Patients are considered more infectious if they are actively coughing. Incubation period ranges from 10 to 14 days, but most... 

IgA molecules are secreted by and present in mucous membranes lining the intestine and the upper respiratory tract as well as in tears and the breast secretions milk and colostmm. 

Expectorant A drug that facilitates the production and discharge of mucous secretions from the respiratory tract. 

Mucolytic A drug that decreases the viscosity and increases the fluidity of mucous secretions in the respiratory tract, thus making it easier for the patient to cough up secretions. 

The eyes, mouth, nose, vagina and rectum have mucous membranes. These are sheets of epithelial (lining) cells that are moist owing to the production of a slimy secretion called mucus. Additionally, they line the alimentary (digestive) tract, respiratory tract and genito-urinary tracts. The mucus has a protective role to prevent injury to underlying tissues and traps foreign particles in the respiratory system. 

Q3 A type 1 hypersensitivity reaction is responsible for the development of the allergy. The symptoms are due to the effects of mast cell degranulation with the release of histamine. Mast cells are located in the nasal passages and the nasal mucosa is sensitive to the effects of histamine released from these cells, leading to inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose. The inflammation is associated with oedema and swelling, vasodilation and an increase in the secretion of mucus. The mucous membrane of other sections of the respiratory tract (accessory sinuses, nasopharynx, and upper and lower respiratory tract) will also be affected by the allergic reaction. 

Anticholinesterases such as malathion are used in commercial insecticide sprays. Unprotected operators may absorb malathion via the eyes, skin, respiratory tract and mucous membranes of the mouth. Effects include intestinal cramps and diarrhoea following stimulation of intestinal motility and secretion. Stimulation of lacrimal and salivary glands causes the eyes to water profusely (lacrimation) and saliva to drool. Bradycardia, bronchoconstriction, dyspnoea and increased sweating also occur. Skeletal muscle twitching (fasciculation) is due to the prolonged action of released acetylcholine at the skeletal neuromuscular junction. 

IgA. IgA (Fc = a) (Fig. 7-9) is found in exocrine gland secretions (milk, saliva, tears), where it protects mucous membranes (e.g.. in the respiratory tract). It is present in the serum as a monomer at a concentration of I to 2 mg/mL. but humans secrete about I g of the dimer per day in the mucosal fluids. Secretory IgA consists of two IgG-like units linked together at the Fc regions by a peptide known as the secretory fragment and a J fragment. The secretory fragmenl... 

MRT mean residence time (drug turnover time), mucosa The lining of the gut. consisting of three layers the inner epithelium lamina propria muscularis mucosae, mucous membrane (mucosa) The moist membrane lining internal structures, e.g. respiratory tract, mucus The fluid secreted by mucous membranes, multideterminant Antigen carrying more than one antigenic determinant. 

Expectorants are medications that loosen viscous (thick) mucous secretions, making it easy to cough and expel the mucous. Expectorants increase fluid output of the respiratory tract and decrease the respiratory tract s adhesiveness and surface tension. 

Leukotrienes C4 and D4 also have very pronounced effects on the cardiovascular system. They are, for example, very effective coronary artery vasoconstrictors. A number of indirect effects have also been attributed to LTC4 and LTD4. For example, these agents effect the secretion of mucous in the respiratory tract and cause negative inotropic effects in mammalian heart preparations. Many other biological activities have been associated with the peptido-leukotrienes. 

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a hereditary disease of abnormal fluid secretion. It affects cells of the exocrine glands, such as intestine, sweat glands, pancreas, reproductive tract, and especially the respiratory tract. The disease affects about one in 2500 infants of the Caucasian population to varying degrees of seriousness. Patients produce thickened mucous that is difficult to get out of the airway. This leads to chronic lung infection, which progressively destroys pulmonary function. 

Chloroacetophenone or CN, a white crystalline solid with an apple blossom odor, is commonly known as tear gas or Mace . Chloroacetophenone was first synthesized in 1871 and was studied for its use as a tear gas shortly after World War 1. CN acts directly on the mucous membranes to produce irritation, burning, and pain of the eyes, nose, throat, and respiratory tract. Ocular effects include lacrimation, blepharospasm, and conjunctivitis. Irritation of the respiratory tract produces sneezing, coughing, secretions, nasal congestion, and a sense of suffocation. The onset of some or all of these symptoms is immediate and persists from 5 to 20 min after removal from the contaminated atmosphere. 

HUMAN HEALTH RISKS Inhalation human TCLo 130 ppb for 30 minutes Acute Risks tearing wheezing dermatitis eczema shortness of breath burning sensation headache nausea vomiting destruction of tissues of mucous membranes, respiratory tract, eyes and skin comeal damage pulmonary secretions respiratory sensitization cough Chronic Risks dyspnea skin sensitization asthma respiratory distress probable carcinogen. 

HEALTH SYMPTOMS Inhalation (coughing, increased mucous secretion, sore throat, breathing difficulty, upper respiratory tract irritation) skin contact (acid bums, dermatitis, sensitization, severe thermal bums caused by liquid) ingestion (sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, abdominal pain). 

Most secretory cells produce a product which is a complex of both proteins and carbohydrates. These cells include parotid acinar cells, chondrocytes, epididymis epithelial cells, and mucous cells of the alimentary and respiratory tracts. The complex carbohydrate secretions... 

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