Several public health measures were implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, little is known about the real-time assessment of environmental exposure on the pulmonary function of asthmatic ...children. Therefore, we developed a mobile phone application for capturing real-time day-to-day dynamic changes in ambient air pollution during the pandemic. We aim to explore the change in ambient air pollutants between pre-lockdown, lockdowns, and lockdowns and analyze the association between pollutants and PEF mediated by mite sensitization and seasonal change.
A prospective cohort study was conducted among 511 asthmatic children from January 2016 to February 2022. Smartphone-app used to record daily ambient air pollution, particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10) Ozon (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), Carbon Monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), average temperature, and relative humidity, which measured and connected from 77 nearby air monitoring stations by linking to Global Positioning System (GPS)-based software. The outcome of pollutants' effect on peak expiratory flow meter (PEF) and asthma is measured by a smart peak flow meter from each patient or caregiver's phone for real-time assessment.
The lockdown (May 19th, 2021, to July 27th, 2021) was associated with decreased levels of all ambient air pollutants aside from SO2 after adjusting for 2021. NO2 and SO2 were constantly associated with decreased levels of PEF across lag 0 (same day when the PEF was measured), lag 1 (one day before PEF was measured), and lag 2 (two days prior when the PEF was measured. Concentrations of CO were associated with PEF only in children who were sensitized to mites in lag 0, lag 1, and lag 2 in the stratification analysis for a single air pollutant model. Based on the season, spring has a higher association with the decrease of PEF in all pollutant exposure than other seasons.
Using our developed smartphone apps, we identified that NO2, CO, and PM10 were higher at the pre-and post-COVID-19 lockdowns than during the lockdown. Our smartphone apps may help collect personal air pollution data and lung function, especially for asthmatic patients, and may guide protection against asthma attacks. It provides a new model for individualized care in the COVID era and beyond.
Today, in vivo allergy diagnosis and allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) are still based on allergen extracts obtained from natural allergen sources. Several studies analyzing the composition of ...natural allergen extracts have shown severe problems regarding their quality such as the presence of undefined nonallergenic materials, contaminants as well as high variabilities regarding contents and biological activity of individual allergens. Despite the increasing availability of sophisticated analytical technologies, these problems cannot be overcome because they are inherent to allergen sources and methods of extract production. For in vitro allergy diagnosis problems related to natural allergen extracts have been largely overcome by the implementation of recombinant allergen molecules that are defined regarding purity and biological activity. However, no such advances have been made for allergen preparations to be used in vivo for diagnosis and therapy. No clinical studies have been performed for allergen extracts available for in vivo allergy diagnosis that document safety, sensitivity, and specificity of the products. Only for very few therapeutic allergen extracts state-of-the-art clinical studies have been performed that provide evidence for safety and efficacy. In this article, we discuss problems related to the inconsistent quality of products based on natural allergen extracts and share our observations that most of the products available for in vivo diagnosis and AIT do not meet the international standards for medicinal products. We argue that a replacement of natural allergen extracts by defined recombinantly produced allergen molecules and/or mixtures thereof may be the only way to guarantee the supply of clinicians with state-of-the-art medicinal products for in vivo diagnosis and treatment of allergic patients in the future.
Bronchial asthma (BA) exhibits varying prevalence across global populations, prompting a comprehensive investigation into genetic and environmental determinants. Vitamin D is a potent immunomodulator ...capable of suppressing inflammatory signals in several cell types involved in the asthmatic response; it exerts effects on the immune system by binding to the nuclear vitamin D receptor (VDR). VDR gene genetic variations are affecting serum vitamin D levels with a possible role in the BA risk. The current study aimed to examine the complex interaction of various factors (genetic background, serum vitamin D levels, and geographic location) to identify differences in the influence of these factors on the susceptibility to asthma between populations at different latitudes. Focusing on Eastern European cohorts from Latvia and Lithuania and comparing them with published data on East Asian populations, we explore the impact of VDR gene polymorphisms on BA susceptibility. Genotyping four key
SNPs and assessing their association with 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, our study unveils significant associations of the studied loci with the risk of asthma-both risk-reducing and increasing effects, differently distributed between Baltic and East Asian populations. The functional effects of in silico VDR gene genetic variations are also identified and discussed.
There is an urgent need for materials that can efficiently generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and be used in photodynamic therapy (PDT) as two-photon imaging contrast probes. In this study, ...graphene quantum dots (GQDs) were subjected to amino group functionalization and nitrogen doping (amino-N-GQDs) via annealing and hydrothermal ammonia autoclave treatments. The synthesized dots could serve as a photosensitizer in PDT and generate more ROS than conventional GQDs under 60-s low-energy (fixed output power: 0.07 W·cm−2) excitation exerted by a 670-nm continuous-wave laser. The generated ROS were used to completely eliminate a multidrug-resistant strain of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a Gram-positive bacterium. Compared with conventional GQDs, the amino-N-GQDs had superior optical properties, including stronger absorption, higher quantum yield (0.34), stronger luminescence, and high stability under exposure. The high photostability and intrinsic luminescence of amino-N-GQDs contribute to their suitability as contrast probes for use in biomedical imaging, in addition to their bacteria tracking and localization abilities. Herein, the dual-modality amino-N-GQDs in PDT easily eliminated multidrug-resistant bacteria, ultimately revealing their potential for use in future clinical applications.
One-third of patients with end-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) experience diabetic nephropathy (DN), which worsens the progression of renal dysfunction. However, preventive measures for DN are ...lacking.
TYCA06,
subsp.
BLI-02, and
VDD088 probiotic strains have been demonstrated to delay CKD progression. This study evaluated their biological functions to stabilize blood-glucose fluctuations and delay the deterioration of renal function. The db/db mice were used to establish a DN animal model. This was supplemented with 5.125 × 10
CFU/kg/day (high dose) or 1.025 × 10
CFU/kg/day (low dose) mixed with probiotics containing TYCA06, BLI-02, and VDD088 for 8 weeks. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, blood glucose, and urine protein were analyzed. Possible mechanisms underlying the alleviation of DN symptoms by probiotic strains were evaluated through in vitro tests. Animal experiments revealed that BUN, serum creatinine, and blood glucose upon probiotic administration were significantly lower than in the control group. The rate of change of urine protein decreased significantly, and blood pressure, glucose tolerance, and renal fibrosis were improved. In vitro testing indicated that TYCA06 and BLI-02 significantly increased acetic acid concentration. TYCA06, BLI-02, and VDD088 were associated with better antioxidation, anti-inflammation, and glucose consumption activities relative to the control. A combination of the probiotics TYCA06, BLI-02, and VDD088 attenuated renal function deterioration and improved blood-glucose fluctuation in a diabetes-induced CKD mouse model.
Coronavirus is an enveloped RNA virus that causes mild to severe respiratory diseases in humans, including HKU1-CoV, 229E-CoV, NL63-CoV, OC43-CoV, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2. Due to the ...outbreak of SARS-CoV-2, it is important to identify the patients and investigate their immune responses. Protein microarray is one of the best platforms to profile the antibodies in the blood because of its fast, multiplexed, and sensitive nature. To fully understand the immune responses and biological specificities, this study developed a human coronavirus (HCoV) protein microarray and included all seven human coronaviruses and three influenza viruses. Each protein was printed in triplicate and formed 14 identical blocks per array. The HCoV protein microarray showed high reproducibility and sensitivity to the monoclonal antibodies against spike and nucleocapsid protein with detection limits of 10–200 pg. The HCoV proteins that were immobilized on the array were properly folded and functional by showing interactions with a known human receptor, e.g., ACE2. By profiling the serum IgG and IgA from 32 COVID-19 patients and 36 healthy patients, the HCoV protein microarray demonstrated 97% sensitivity and 97% specificity with two biomarkers. The results also showed the cross-reactivity of IgG and IgA in COVID-19 patients to spike proteins from various coronaviruses, including that from SARS-CoV, HKU1-CoV, and OC43-CoV. Finally, an innate immune protein named surfactant protein D showed broad affinities to spike proteins in all human coronaviruses. Overall, the HCoV protein microarray is multiplexed, sensitive, and specific, which is useful in diagnosis, immune assessment, biological development, and drug screening.
Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms in atopy Tamasauskiene, Laura; Golubickaite, Ieva; Ugenskiene, Rasa ...
Immunity, Inflammation and Disease,
December 2021, Volume:
9, Issue:
4
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
Background
The occurrence of allergic conditions, for example allergic asthma, rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis, is rising worldwide. These allergic conditions are associated with poor life quality. ...Vitamin D is proposed to be linked with increased risk and severe forms of allergic diseases.
Aims
This review article aimed to evaluate the vitamin D level role and polymorphisms of vitamin D receptor gene (VDR) in atopy.
Methods & Materials
We analyzed publications that were focusing on levels of vitamin D and/or polymorphism analysis of vitamin D receptor gene in allergic asthma, rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis patients.
Results
We noticed that levels of vitamin D are extensively studied in atopy by many research groups, however, polymorphisms of vitamin D receptor gene and their link with levels of vitamin D lack comprehensive data. There is evidence that vitamin D may be associated with anti‐inflammatory effects in allergic diseases. Some of VDR polymorphisms also may play a role in pathogenesis of these diseases. However, the data from different studies are controversial.
Discussion
The results of different studies are usually inconsistent, most probably due to populational bias or differences in methodology. Even though, more evidence shows a positive impact of vitamin D on the risk and outcomes of allergic diseases, especially atopic dermatitis, and asthma.
Conclusions
There is controversial data about the level of vitamin D and its role in atopy; however, more evidence shows a positive impact on the risk and outcomes of allergic diseases.
Some evidence suggests that vitamin D is linked with increased risk and more severe forms of allergic diseases. Therefore, this review article aimed to evaluate the role of vitamin D level and vitamin D receptor gene (VDR) polymorphisms in atopy. We found that vitamin D levels in atopy are extensively studied by many research groups, however, vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and their link with vitamin D levels lack comprehensive data. Even though, more evidence shows a positive impact on the risk and outcomes of allergic diseases, especially atopic dermatitis and asthma.
House dust mite, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p), is one of the major allergens responsible for allergic asthma. However, the putative receptors involved in the signalization of Der p to the ...innate immune cells are still poorly defined as well as the impact of their activation on the outcome of the allergen-induced cell response. We previously reported that the HDM activation of mouse alveolar macrophages (AM) involves the TLR4/CD14 cell surface receptor complex. Here using a TLR ligand screening essay, we demonstrate that HDM protein extract engages the TLR2, in addition to the TLR4, in engineered TLR-transfected HEK cells but also in the MH-S mouse alveolar macrophage cell line model. Moreover we found that the concomitant recruitment of the MH-S cell's TLR2 and TLR4 receptors by the HDM extract activates the MyD88-dependent signaling pathway and leads to the secretion of the NF-κB regulated pro-inflammatory factors NO and TNF-α. However unlike with the canonical TLR4 ligand (i.e. the bacterial LPS) mobilization of TLR4 by the HDM extract induces a reduced production of the IL-12 pro-inflammatory cytokine and fails to trigger the expression of the T-bet transcription factor. Finally we demonstrated that HDM extract down-regulates LPS induced IL-12 and T-bet expression through a TLR2 dependent mechanism. Therefore, we propose that the simultaneous engagement of the TLR2 and TLR4 receptors by the HDM extract results in a cross regulated original activation pattern of the AM which may contribute to the Th2 polarization of the allergen-induced immune response. The deciphering of these cross-regulation networks is of prime importance to open the way for original therapeutic strategies taking advantage of these receptors and their associated signaling pathways to treat allergic asthma.
Allergen exposure may exacerbate asthma symptoms in sensitized patients. Allergen reduction or avoidance measures have been widely utilized; however, there is ongoing controversy on the effectiveness ...of specific allergen control measures in the management of children with asthma. Often, allergen avoidance strategies are not recommended by guidelines because they can be complex or burdensome, although individual patients may benefit. Here we explore the potential for intervention against exposure to the major allergens implicated in asthma (ie, house dust mites, indoor molds, rodents, cockroaches, furry pets, and outdoor molds and pollens), and subsequent effects on asthma symptoms. We critically assess the available evidence regarding the clinical benefits of specific environmental control measures for each allergen. Finally, we underscore the need for standardized and multifaceted approaches in research and real-life settings, which would result in the identification of more personalized and beneficial prevention strategies.
Dengue fever (DF) is the most rapidly spreading mosquito-borne viral disease. Practical vaccines or specific therapeutics are still expected. Environmental factors and genetic factors affect the ...susceptibility of Dengue virus (DV) infection. Asthma is a common allergic disease, with house dust mites (HDMs) being the most important allergens. Asthmatic patients are susceptible to several microorganism infections.
A nationwide population-based cohort analysis was designed to assess whether to determine whether asthma can be a risk factor for DF.
Unexpectedly, our data from a nationwide population-based cohort revealed asthmatic patients are at a decreased risk of DF. Compared to patients without asthma, the hazard ratio (HR) for DF in patients with asthma was 0.166 (95% CI: 0.118–0.233) after adjustment for possible confounding factors. In the age stratification, the adjusted HR for DF in young adult patients with asthma was 0.063. Dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion molecule 3-grabbing non-integrin (DC-SIGN) of dendritic cells (DCs) is an important entry for DV. Through another in vitro experiment, we found that HDM can diminish surface expression of DC-SIGN in monocyte-derived DCs and further decrease the cellular entry of DV.
Decreased DC-SIGN expression in DCs of allergic asthmatic patient may be one of many factors for them to be protected against DF. This could implicate the potential for DC-SIGN modulation as a candidate target for designing therapeutic strategies for DF.
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