[HAPS-L] Osmosis in clinical practice

[Alan Magid <amagid@xxxxxxxxx>]

If you want a dramatic example to illustrate the importance of understanding the concepts of osmosis and the cell biology of epithelia, look at the current issue of NEJM.

http://content.nejm.org/this_week/354/3/index.shtml?query=TOC will show the table of contents.

The two lead articles report that inhaled hypertonic saline, substantially improves ventilation in CF patients. Thins the mucus by pulling water out of the body across SEMIPERMEABLE membrane. Other evidence says this lets the cilia beat more effectively, freeing the mucociliary escalator. A nifty therapy. Drugless. Physiologic.

And now back to Duke vs. NCSU!

-Alan