Correlation of -specific immunoglobulin epsilon profiles with family history of atopy in a Filipino population.

Background: House dust mites are the major source of indoor allergens in the tropical and subtropical regions with (Bt) allergens as one of the leading causative agents of sensitization among patients from the tropics. Despite the clinical importance of Bt in various populations, its allergenicity remains unclear among Filipino allergic patients.

Objective: This study determined the sensitization profiles of allergic Filipinos against Bt allergens and its correlation with atopy.

Association of interleukin-13 gene single nucleotide polymorphism rs1800925 with allergic asthma in Asian population: A meta-analysis.

Background: The interleukin-13 (IL-13) gene has been associated with allergic asthma pathogenesis due to its role in IgE synthesis. The IL-13 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1800925 has been implicated in exacerbated allergic asthma symptoms in different ethnicities.

Objectives: To determine the association of IL-13 SNP rs1800925 with allergic asthma symptoms in the Asian population.

Spirobisindole Alkaloids Exert Antiviral Activity in HIV Latently Infected Cell Lines by Targeting the NF-kB Cascade: In Vitro and In Silico Investigations.

Since the efficiency in the transcription of the HIV genome contributes to the success of viral replication and infectivity, we investigated the downregulating effects of the spirobisindole alkaloids globospiramine (), deoxyvobtusine (), and vobtusine lactone () from the endemic Philippine medicinal plant, , during HIV gene transcription. Alkaloids - were explored for their inhibitory activity on TNF-α-induced viral replication in two latently HIV-infected cell lines, OM10.1 and J-Lat.

K-12 education in biochemistry and molecular biology: A parallel session at the IUBMB/PSBMB 2019 "Harnessing Interdisciplinary Education in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology" conference.

Biochemistry and molecular biology education starts before our students get to university. From a very early age, they start learning informally about science beginning with the basics of science and as they progress through their school years they should be exposed to more advanced topics such as biochemistry and molecular biology. This session at the conference focused on three very different examples of engaging school students with biochemistry and molecular biology.

Development of a Gold Nanoparticle-labeled Sandwich Format Lateral Flow Immunoassay Kit for the Detection of Tropical House Dust Mite Suidasia pontifica.

Background: The house dust mite Suidasia pontifica (Sp) is an important source of allergens in tropical regions that trigger IgE-mediated allergic reactions such as allergic asthma, atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis. Detection of Sp-specific proteins are important in the management and prevention of allergic diseases.

Objective: The study aimed to provide a proof of concept for a gold nanoparticle-labeled sandwich format Lateral Flow Immunoassay (LFIA) kit for the detection of Sp-specific proteins.

Ivabradine Versus Beta-Blockers in Mitral Stenosis in Sinus Rhythm: An Updated Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Symptoms of mitral stenosis (MS) are worsened during tachycardia and exercise. Beta-blockers are used in controlling heart rate (HR) in MS, resulting in symptom improvement, but coming with significant side effects. Ivabradine has a selective action on the sinus node devoid of the usual side effects of beta-blockers.

Red Cell Distribution Width and Mortality in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis on Prognosis.

Background: Red cell distribution width (RDW), a routine component of the complete blood count (CBC), measures variation in the size of circulating erythrocytes. It has been associated with several clinical outcomes in cardiovascular disease. We sought to strengthen the association between RDW and mortality in patients admitted for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) by pooling together data from available studies.

Efficacy and safety of Tinospora cordifolia lotion in Sarcoptes scabiei var hominis-infected pediatric patients: A single blind, randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Tinospora cordifolia lotion including its cure rate and clearance time compared with permethrin lotion.

Materials And Methods: A single blind, randomized, controlled, pilot clinical study was performed in three government institutions to investigate clinical efficacy of T. cordifolia lotion in sixty-six clinically-diagnosed scabies-infected patients.

Immunoglobulin E-binding reactivities of natural pollen grain extracts from selected grass species in the Philippines.

Background: Pollen grains have been reported to be present in the Philippine atmosphere but studies regarding their allergenicity are limited.

Objective: The present study aimed to profile the sensitization of allergic individuals to selected grass pollen species and to characterize the pollen proteins that may be responsible for this allergenic response.

Methods: The protein profile of the grass pollen extracts from Cynodon dactylon, Saccharum spontaneum, Sporobulus indicus, Chloris barbata, Oryza sativa, Imperata cylindrica, and Zea mays was analyzed by Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis.

IgE cross-reactivity between house dust mite allergens and Ascaris lumbricoides antigens.

Background: Common antigens between intestinal parasites and environmental allergens may play a role in the modulation of allergic immune responses. There is a growing interest in investigating cross-reactivity between common helminths and dust mites affecting humans, particularly in the tropics.

Objective: This study examined the cross-reactivity between the human roundworm Ascaris lumbricoides (Al) and three house dust mite (HDM) species.

Association of house dust mite-specific IgE with asthma control, medications and household pets.

Background: Evidence is conflicting regarding the effectiveness of creating a low-allergen environment or reducing allergen exposure to control asthma exacerbations.

Objective: This study determined the association of house dust mite (HDM)-specific IgE levels with asthma symptom control, selected medications, family history of allergic disease, and exposure to second-hand smoke and household pets.

Methods: Serum samples from 102 doctor-diagnosed allergic asthma patients and 100 non-atopic controls were subjected to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using the HDM species Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp), Dermatophagoides farinae (Df), and Blomia tropicalis (Bt) allergens.

The -590C/TIL4 single-nucleotide polymorphism as a genetic factor of atopic allergy.

Elevated IgE levels in individuals with asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis represents a situation in that increased IL4 production seems to occur because of the genetic component of the disease. In this study, one-hundred two matched-pairs of allergic and non-allergic individuals were phenotyped for total serum IgE level using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Atopic status was defined by serum IgE concentration ≥100 IU/mL The -590C/T IL4 (rs2243250) was screened by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment-length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis.

Correlation of the 5'untranslated region (5'UTR) and non-structural 5B (NS5B) nucleotide sequences in hepatitis C virus subtyping.

The 5'untranslated region (5'UTR) is often targeted to detect major genotypes in hepatitis C virus (HCV) but its insufficient sequence variation limits its usefulness for differentiating HCV subtypes. Subtyping has important implications to epidemiologic studies, clinical management, and vaccine development. Analysis of the nucleotide sequence of variable regions such as the non-structural 5B (NS5B) is considered the reference method for identifying HCV subtypes.

Mite amylase from Blomia tropicalis (Blo t 4): differential allergenicity linked to geographical regions.

Background: Blomia tropicalis is an important domestic dust mite in the tropics and subtropics. This study describes cDNA cloning of the group 4 allergen of B. tropicalis, and the evaluation of the sensitization of this allergen in atopic populations from 2 geographic regions.

Production of monoclonal antibody by DNA immunization with electroporation.

DNA immunization with in vivo electroporation is an efficient alternative protocol for the production of monoclonal antibodies (mAb). Generation of mAb by DNA immunization is a novel approach to circumvent the following technical hurdles associated with problematic antigens: low abundance and protein instability and use of recombinant proteins that lack posttranslational modifications. This chapter describes the use of a DNA-based immunization protocol for the production of mAb against a house dust mite allergen, designated as Blo t 11, which is a paramyosin homologue found in Blomia tropicalis mites.

Recombinant proteins and peptides as diagnostic and therapeutic reagents for arthropod allergies.

Domestic arthropods are chief sources of potent allergens that trigger sensitization and stimulate IgE-mediated allergies. Diagnosis and immunotherapy of arthropod allergies rely on the use of natural allergen extracts which are associated with low specificity and efficacy, the risk of anaphylactic reactions, and the extended period of treatment. Most of the problems associated with natural allergen extracts for allergy diagnosis and immunotherapy can be circumvented with the use of recombinant allergens and peptides.

Expression of the Blomia tropicalis paramyosin Blo t 11 and its immunodominant peptide in insect cells.

Blo t 11, a dust-mite (Blomia tropicalis) paramyosin, is an allergen with significant IgE reactivity that has potential as a diagnostic/therapeutic reagent for house-dust-mite allergy. The present study describes the successful expression of Blo t 11 and its immunodominant peptide fD in insect cells using a baculovirus expression system. The Blo t 11 and fD genes were cloned into the pMelBacA vector and the resulting vectors were co-transfected into Sf9 insect cells with Bac-N-Blue DNA.