Development of an efficient, effective, and economical technology for proteome analysis

Martin KR, Le HT, Abdelgawad A, Yang C, Lu G, Keffer JL, Zhang X, Zhuang Z, Asare-Okai PN, Chan CS, Batish M, Yu Y. Cell Rep Methods. 2024 Jun 10:100796. doi: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2024.100796.

Highlights

• Rapid, robust, and cost-effective alternative to proteomics sample preparation
• Versatile filter devices can meet a wide range of proteomics analysis needs
• On-filter in-cell digestion facilitates low-input proteomics
• Ready-to-go E3 and E4 filter devices are available

Motivation
Conventional proteomics sample processing methods often have high technical barriers to broad biomedical scientists, leading to difficulties for quick adoption and standardization. Existing protocols are also typically associated with costly reagents and accessories, making them less feasible for resource-limited settings as well as for clinical proteomics and/or core facilities where large numbers of samples are usually processed. Thus, there is a strong unmet need for an easy-to-use, reliable, and low-cost approach for general proteomics sample preparation.

Summary
We present an efficient, effective, and economical approach, named E3technology, for proteomics sample preparation. By immobilizing silica microparticles into the polytetrafluoroethylene matrix, we develop a robust membrane medium, which could serve as a reliable platform to generate proteomics-friendly samples in a rapid and low-cost fashion. We benchmark its performance using different formats and demonstrate them with a variety of sample types of varied complexity, quantity, and volume.

Could Corticosteroid/Antihistamine Combination Nasal Sprays Be Used as Anti-Inflammatory Reliever Therapy for Allergic Rhinitis?

Lipworth BJ, Stewart K, Kuo CR, Chan R. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2024 Jun;12(6):1434-1435. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2024.01.024.

EDITORIAL

Current guidelines advocate using regular treatment with intranasal corticosteroid/antihistamine (CS/AH) combination sprays as step-up therapy for adolescent and adult patients with moderate to severe persistent allergic rhinitis (AR) where there is suboptimal control with intranasal CS alone.1 

Rationale for using low-dose intranasal corticosteroid/antihistamine (CS/AH)
combination as on-demand anti-inflammatory reliever therapy for allergic rhinitis (AR).
Patients would escalate and de-escalate the dose according to symptoms,
prevailing triggers, and attendant disease severity.

The therapeutic rationale here is that the CS component is effective at suppressing symptoms attributable to type 2 (T2) inflammation mediated by eosinophils, whereas the AH provides additional activity on T2 symptoms mediated by IgE and mast cells. The evidence from clinical studies shows superior clinical efficacy based on symptom scores when comparing twice-daily CS/AH combination versus twice-daily CS alone, demonstrating additivity of response for the 2 moieties.2,3

Smartphone applications supporting self-management programme for adults with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Scoping Review.

Glynn L, Mc Cann M, Mc Cabe C. PLOS Digit Health. 2024 Jun 13;3(6):e0000532. doi: 10.1371/journal.pdig.0000532.

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) significantly impacts on both the quality and quantity of life for patients due to frequent exacerbations requiring hospital admissions resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. A self-management programme purpose is to increase one's knowledge, confidence, and skills to self-manage their chronic illness such as COPD.

Objective: The objective of this review will therefore answer the following research question: What is the current literature pertaining to the use of a smartphone app in supporting a comprehensive self-management programme among COPD patients? A preliminary search was conducted in, Medline, Embase and CINAHL databases to ascertain index terms and keywords. Following this a rigorous search was carried out on Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science and ASSIA. The findings from this search are presented in tabular form using the PRSIMA flow diagram.

Allergic Conjunctivitis Management: Update on Ophthalmic Solutions.

Leonardi A, Quintieri L, Presa IJ, LLoves JM, Montero J, Benítez-Del-Castillo JM, Lestón FJS, González-Mancebo E, Asero R, Groblewska A, Kuna P. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2024 Jun 13. doi: 10.1007/s11882-024-01150-0. 

Abstract

Purpose of review: The aim of this review, is to present an updated revision of topical management of SAC and PAC, based on the available scientific evidence and focused on the impact of ophthalmic solution formulations on eye surface.

Recent findings: Physicians treating ocular allergy should be aware of tear film and tear film disruption in SAC and PAC, and how eye drop composition and additives affect the physiology of the allergic eye. Seasonal and perennial allergic conjunctivitis (SAC and PAC) are the most frequent causes of ocular allergy (OA), and both conditions are underdiagnosed and undertreated.

Predictive model to differentiate chronic histaminergic angioedema and chronic spontaneous urticaria with angioedema.

Láinez-Nuez A, Salas-Parra G, Juárez-Guerrero A, Picó-Peris A, Baeza ML. J Allergy Clin Immunol Glob. 2024 May 9;3(3):100278. doi: 10.1016/j.jacig.2024.100278. 

Abstract

Background: Chronic histaminergic angioedema (CHA) may be classified as a separate acquired angioedema (AE) or as an endotype of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). A recent study suggested them to be independent pathologies.

Objective: We carried out an exhaustive analysis between CHA and AE-CSU to explore the possible differentiation between them on the bases of a series of predictors.

Methods: An observational, retrospective, cross-sectional, and exploratory study was designed. Fifty-six CHA and 40 AE-CSU patients were included. Data were extracted from the year before and year after time of diagnosis.

Predicting the daily number of patients for allergic diseases using PM10 concentration based on spatiotemporal graph convolutional networks.

Jeon HJ, Jeon HJ, Jeon SH.  PLoS One. 2024 Jun 13;19(6):e0304106. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304106. 

Abstract

A comparison of the prediction performance in MST-GCN with and
withoutPM10 concentrations in the input data.

Air pollution causes and exacerbates allergic diseases including asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis. Precise prediction of the number of patients afflicted with these diseases and analysis of the environmental conditions that contribute to disease outbreaks play crucial roles in the effective management of hospital services. Therefore, this study aims to predict the daily number of patients with these allergic diseases and determine the impact of particulate matter (PM10) on each disease. To analyze the spatiotemporal correlations between allergic diseases (asthma, atopic dermatitis, and allergic rhinitis) and PM10 concentrations, we propose a multi-variable spatiotemporal graph convolutional network (MST-GCN)-based disease prediction model.

Regulatory framework for development and marketing authorization of allergen products for diagnosis of rare type I and type IV allergies: The current status

Zimmer J, Mahler V. Allergol Select. 2024 May 31;8:212-219. doi: 10.5414/ALX02505E.

Abstract

Test allergens with marketing authorizations in Germany (as of March 19, 2024).

Development, production, and marketing authorization of allergen products is generally challenging due to several specific characteristics, including the natural source as well as the multitude of allergenic materials. Also, depending on the frequency of sensitization in the population, the number of patients available for inclusion in clinical trials can be a limiting factor for product development. In the development of allergen products for diagnosis of type I and type IV allergies these challenges are particularly demanding because, in contrast to certain products for allergen-specific immunotherapy, no exemptions from marketing authorization are foreseen for this product group in Directive 2001/83/EC.

To be or not to be direct: The role of neuromedin U in neuro-eosinophil crosstalk

Ruichao Liu, Wenhao Shao, Jun Xu, Coco Chu. Sci Bull (Beijing). 2024 Jan 30;69(2):148-150. doi: 10.1016/j.scib.2023.11.056.

Schematic of the role of neuromedin U in neuro-eosinophil crosstalk

With the development of new experimental techniques (e.g., single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), light sheet microscopy, and clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9)), emerging studies have begun to uncover the interactions between the nervous system and the immune system, both in health and diseases.