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Rapid Viscoelastic Characterization of Airway Mucus Using a Benchtop Rheometer
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Unified Airway Disease: Environmental Factors
Jesse Siegel1, Navroop Gill2, Murugappan Ramanathan3
1Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, 2160 South First Avenue, Maguire Center, Room 1870, Maywood, IL 60153, USA.
Abstract:
The unified airway is in constant exposure to environmental factors that promote inflammation and disease. Environmental allergens, including house dust mites, pets, pollens, and molds, are strongly linked with development and exacerbation of upper airway disease with nonlinear dose-dependent relationships. Occupational triggers, including combat exposures and construction workers, are associated with the development of both upper and lower airway disease resulting in a "healthy worker effect" where many people leave jobs due to significant morbidity..
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