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Mucociliary clearance is a crucial component of innate defense of the lung. In respiratory diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cystic fibrosis, mucus with abnormal properties contributes to obstruction of the airways. The failure in function of mucus in airway clearance and pathogen protection leads to chronic infection and risk of death. Polymeric mucins (MUC5AC and MUC5B) provide the structural framework of the airway mucus gel. The intracellular synthesis and assembly of these enormous, polymeric O-linked glycoproteins is a complex, multistage process involving intra- and intermolecular disulfide bond formation and extensive addition of O-glycan chains. The fully formed polymers are packaged in a highly organized and condensed form within secretory granules inside specialized secretory cells, and after the appropriate stimulus, mucins are released and expand to form mucus. This short article brings together the current knowledge on the different steps in the production of mucin polymers and the molecular mechanisms that condense them into a packaged form in secretory granules. It is by unraveling the molecular mechanisms that control intracellular mucin supramolecular structure that we might gain new insight into what determines mucus gel properties in health and disease.

Investment in health visiting is welcome but, as the profession is characterised by an ageing workforce, recruitment remains a priority. Preparing a new generation of health visitors needs to begin early, and a placement with health visitors during nurses' undergraduate training offers an opportunity for this ‘preparedness’ to begin. This qualitative study, undertaken within one university, sought to add to the understanding of some of the issues faced by mentors who are supporting pre-registration nursing students during their training. Mentors recognised the value of a placement with health visitors but there were concerns about: the timing of this placement; the emotional impact of health visiting; the challenges for mentors of balancing the needs of both students and vulnerable families; and the ability to safely assess students' competency, due to the lack of ‘hands-on’ practice.

Children, families and the communities they live in deserve high-quality care from well-informed health visitors and healthcare staff. Having an understanding of the role and responsibilities of health visitors and the wider influences on their practice has never been more important.

There is limited research into occupational therapy and interprofessional working on acute psychiatric wards. This study aimed to explore relations between occupational therapists and other members of the multidisciplinary team through structured interviews with 47 staff on 14 acute psychiatric wards. The study found that occupational therapists provided assessments, group activities and individual therapeutic work, with the assessment and development of activities of daily living being central. Linking patients with community resources in preparation for discharge was also important. Severity of illness among patients and speed of discharge were barriers to effective input. Nurses and psychiatrists appreciated occupational therapy input but rarely the breadth of the role. Multidisciplinary relations were generally positive, although some ward teams were disinclined to include occupational therapists in communications and decision making. The occupational therapists appreciated their professional knowledge and opinion being respected and considered. The study concluded that occupational therapists play an important if often misunderstood role on acute psychiatric wards, but that their involvement could be significantly increased through the employment of more experienced occupational therapists and the provision of interprofessional education. Further research is required to explore the facilities, resources and support required to maximise occupational therapy input and identify areas for increased interprofessional working.