Chitin, chitinases, and chitin lectins: Emerging roles in human pathophysiology.

Chitin is a simple ß-linked repeating sugar polymer prominent in the building block structures of a wide variety of organisms, from the yeast cell wall to the exoskeleton and shells of arthropods and other forms of invertebrate life. It had previously been assumed that vertebrates did not contain chitins. However, chitin and chitinases are now documented to occur in vertebrate tissues. Chitin, chitinases and particularly chitinase-like proteins are involved in important human pathologies, though the mechanisms by which these function is unknown. These chitinase-like proteins bind to chitin and function as chitin lectins in that they bind to chitin but have lost the ability to degrade it. Emphasis is placed on one of the chitinase-like proteins, CHI3L1, that has acquired wide clinical importance. The purpose of this review is to place an array of bewildering observations associated with various human disorders into a framework, particularly the pathologies of the human gastro-intestinal tract. A reasonably cohesive story may eventually emerge.

Undergraduate Medical School Health Fair Hepatitis Screenings: Utilizing Non-Profit Community Organizations.

BACKGROUND: Undergraduate medical schools serve a critical role in providing screenings to medically underserved populations through the use of health fairs. Non-profit community organizations (NPCO) often participate by providing local credibility, administrative resources, and technical knowledge. Here we present a three-year narrative of hepatitis B and C screening efforts to highlight the challenges and benefits of undergraduate medical school and NPCO partnerships. METHODS: Hepatitis screenings were conducted at biannual health fairs in Harlem, New York from 2017 to 2019. Meeting minutes from post-event debriefings were analyzed to identify any overarching themes with NPCOs. RESULTS: NPCOs share a common goal in working with the community to advance their access to medical care and treatment. Communication and prompt follow-up are critical to maintaining expectations between NPCOs and health fair organizers. CONCLUSIONS: NPCOs can play an important role in encouraging, outreaching, and even managing hepatitis screening initiatives in conjunction with medical school health fairs.