The perspective of allergy and immunology specialists on the innovations of metaverse: A survey study

Background: New technologies have resulted in dramatic shifts in the field of medicine, and it stands to reason that metaverse will also affect the practice of allergy and immunology. This study aimed to determine the attitudes of allergists and raise awareness about metaverse applications in allergy and immunology.Methods: A nationwide survey-based study was conducted in Turkey. First, a 28-item questionnaire was developed and sent to Turkish allergists. After completing the first questionnaire, the participants were asked to watch a 5-min informative video about the metaverse. Lastly, a second survey was conducted to evaluate the changes in the views of the participants.Results: A total of 148 allergy doctors in Turkey participated in the survey. After watching a video containing updated information about the metaverse, there was a significant increase in the importance that participants attributed to the use of virtual reality and augmented reality applications in the field of immunology and allergy (P < 0.05). Additionally, there was a significant increase in the percentage of participants who thought that Metaverse applications could be integrated into the existing system and said that this possibility excited them (P < 0.05). There was also a significant increase in the percentage of participants who thought this innovative technology could be helpful in patient examination, student and physician education, allergy testing, and patient education (P < 0.05).Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that providing information to professionals working in the field can positively influence physicians’ views on the potential of the metaverse, which is a valuable tool in the field of immunology and allergy. (AU)

El sistema inmune de los insectos: algo más complejo que simples barreras / The insect immune system: something more complex than simple barriers

En los últimos años se ha producido un aumento de toma de conciencia sobre la importancia económica y social de los insectos. Aunque algunos pueden ser perjudiciales ocasionando problemas desalud púbica o pérdidas económicas relacionadas con las plagas en cultivos, muchos son esencialesen procesos como la polinización, además de tener aplicaciones como la producción de biomasa o suuso como agentes de control biológico. Todos estos factores han contribuido a que se produzca unaumento del número de estudios relacionados con el sistema inmune de los insectos, lo cual ha ayudado a conocer el funcionamiento de estos animales. Se han observado similitudes con el sistema inmune de los mamíferos, además de descubrir la denominada sensibilización del sistema inmune (máscomúnmente conocida por su terminología inglesa “immune priming”), lo que ha provocado que serompa con la asunción de simplicidad que tradicionalmente se les ha asociado. Todo esto ha permitidola optimización de muchas aplicaciones importantes. (AU)

Plant immunity: Rice XA21-mediated resistance to bacterial infection.

In this article, we describe the development of the plant immunity field, starting with efforts to understand the genetic basis for disease resistance, which ∼30 y ago led to the discovery of diverse classes of immune receptors that recognize and respond to infectious microbes. We focus on knowledge gained from studies of the rice XA21 immune receptor that recognizes RaxX (required for activation of XA21 mediated immunity X), a sulfated microbial peptide secreted by the gram-negative bacterium Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae. XA21 is representative of a large class of plant and animal immune receptors that recognize and respond to conserved microbial molecules. We highlight the complexity of this large class of receptors in plants, discuss a possible role for RaxX in Xanthomonas biology, and draw attention to the important role of sulfotyrosine in mediating receptor-ligand interactions.

Developments in the field of allergy in 2020 through the eyes of Clinical and Experimental Allergy.

While 2020 will be remembered for the global coronavirus pandemic, there were also important advances in the field of allergy. In this review article, we summarize key findings reported in Clinical and Experimental Allergy during 2020. We hope this provides readers with an accessible snapshot of the work published in our journal during this time.

A Bibliometric Analysis of Pyroptosis From 2001 to 2021.

Background: Pyroptosis is a new programmed cell death discovered in recent years. Pyroptosis plays an important role in various diseases. Nevertheless, there are few bibliometric analysis systematically studies this field. We aimed to visualize the research hotspots and trends of pyroptosis using a bibliometric analysis to help understand the future development of basic and clinical research. Methods: The articles and reviews regarding pyroptosis were culled from Web of Science Core Collection. Countries, institutions, authors, references and keywords in this field were visually analyzed by using CtieSpace and VOSviewer software. Results: A total of 2845 articles and reviews were included. The number of articles regarding pyroptosis significantly increased yearly. These publications mainly come from 70 countries led by China and the USA and 418 institutions. We identified 605 authors, among which Thirumaladevi Kanneganti had the most significant number of articles, and Shi JJ was co-cited most often. Frontiers in immunology was the journal with the most studies, and Nature was the most commonly cited journal. After analysis, the most common keywords are nod like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 inflammasome, apoptosis, cell death, gasdermin D, mechanism, caspase-1, and others are current and developing areas of study. Conclusion: Research on the pyroptosis is flourishing. Cooperation and exchanges between countries and institutions must be strengthened in the future. The related pathway mechanism of pyroptosis, the relationship between pyroptosis and other types of programmed cell deaths as well as the role of pyroptosis in various diseases have been the focus of current research and developmental trends in the future research.

Shifts in allergy practice in a COVID-19 world: Implications of pre-COVID-19 national health care provider and patient surveys of treatments for nasal allergies.

Background: Most U.S. patient and health care provider surveys with regard to nasal allergy treatments were conducted before sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT)-tablets and allergy immunotherapy (AIT) shared decision-making tools were available. Objective: Patient and health care provider surveys with regard to current perceptions of nasal allergy burden, symptoms, and treatments were conducted to compare with previous surveys and provide insight into the use of SLIT-tablets and AIT shared decision-making tools. Methods: From November-December 2019, adults (N = 510) diagnosed with nasal allergies and health care providers (N = 304) who treated nasal allergies in the United States completed surveys with regard to nasal allergy management. Results: Of the patient respondents, 42% reported that their symptoms were only somewhat controlled and 48% had avoided activities because of their nasal allergies. In all, 38% were using only over-the-counter (OTC) medications for treatment, and 42%, 7%, and 8% had ever received subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT), sublingual allergy drops, or SLIT-tablets, respectively; 56% and 85% reported that they had never discussed SCIT or SLIT, respectively, with their health care provider. Of the health care provider respondents, 45%, 58%, and 20% were very likely to discuss OTC medications, SCIT, or SLIT, respectively. Allergists were more inclined to discuss SCIT with their patients than other health care providers (82% versus 33%, respectively). Most allergists (67%) and other health care providers (62%) reported that they did not use an AIT shared decision-making tool, primarily because of unawareness. Conclusion: The patients with nasal allergies continued to report inadequate symptom control and activity impairment. SLIT-tablets and AIT shared decision-making tools were underused. In the coronavirus disease 2019 era, social distancing may limit office visits, which impacts SCIT administration and prompts increased use of telemedicine and a possible advantage for at-home-administered SLIT-tablets over SCIT.