Lactobacillus delbrueckii UFV-H2b20 increases IFN-γ production and CD39+CD73+ Treg cell numbers in lungs,and protects mice against experimental allergic asthma

Asthma is a disorder characterized by airflow obstruction, inflammation, declining airway function, bronchial hyperresponsiveness and tissue remodelling. Probiotics are defined as “live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host”. The use of probiotics is becoming increasingly studied and recent evidence has suggested that it may provide therapeutic benefits in asthma and other diseases. Lactobacillus delbrueckii UFV-H2b20 fulfils all the requirements to be classified as probiotic. Previous studies have already shown the ability of L. delbrueckii UFV-H2b20 to stimulate the immune system. Our objective was to evaluate the protective effects of L. delbrueckii UFV-H2b20 in experimental allergic asthma. We used a murine model of ovalbumin-induced allergic airway inflammation to mimic allergic asthma. Oral treatment with L. delbrueckii UFV-H2b20 improves respiratory parameters and inhibits the inflammatory response in the lungs by decreasing the numbers of inflammatory monocytes, eosinophils and alveolar macrophages, as well as IgE levels. Treatment increased the IFN-γ/IL-4 cytokine ratio. Levels of IL-10 in the lungs were also increased in treated animals. Our results also showed that the probiotic administration increases the number of CD39⁺CD73⁺ T regulatory lymphocytes in the lung, suggesting a role for purinergic signals in the regulation of inflammation promoted by the treatment. Understanding the mechanisms of modulation of the immune system by probiotics could allow the development of probiotic preparations that are safe and have a direct action. Our results suggest that oral administration of L. delbrueckii UFV-H2b20 could be helpful to treat chronic inflammatory airway diseases, such as asthma.     

Neuro-immune crosstalk and food allergy: Focus on enteric neurons and mucosal mast cells

The nervous system and the immune system individually play important roles in regulating the processes necessary to maintain physiological homeostasis, respond to acute stress and protect against external threats. These two regulating systems for maintaining the living body had often been assumed to function independently. Allergies develop as a result of an overreaction of the immune system to substances that are relatively harmless to the body, such as food, pollen and dust mites. Therefore, it has been generally supposed that the development and pathogenesis of allergies can be explained through an immunological interpretation. Recently, however, neuro-immune crosstalk has attracted increasing attention. Consequently, it is becoming clear that there is close morphological proximity and physiological and pathophysiological interactions between neurons and immune cells in various peripheral tissues. Thus, researchers are now beginning to appreciate that neuro-immune interactions may play a role in tissue homeostasis and the pathophysiology of immune-mediated disease, but very little information is available on the molecular basis of these interactions. Mast cells are a part of the innate immune system implicated in allergic reactions and the regulation of host–pathogen interactions. Mast cells are ubiquitous in the body, and these cells are often found in close proximity to nerve fibers in various tissues, including the lamina propria of the intestine. Mast cells and neurons are thought to communicate bidirectionally to modulate neurophysiological effects and mast cell functions, which suggests that neuro-immune interactions may be involved in the pathology of allergic diseases.     

Gut microbiome alterations in patients with wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis

The intestinal microbiota plays a critical role in food allergy development. However, little is known regarding the structure and composition of the intestinal microbiota in patients with wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (WDEIA). We examined the gut microbiota alterations in patients with WDEIA and the microbiota’s association with WDEIA. Fecal samples were collected from 25 patients with WDEIA and 25 healthy controls. Environmental exposure factors were obtained, serum total IgE, IgE specific to wheat, gluten, and ω-5 gliadin were measured. Fecal samples were profiled using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The relative abundances of the bacterial genera Blautia (P < 0.05), Erysipelatoclostridium (P < 0.01), Akkermansia (P < 0.05) and Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group (P < 0.05) were significantly increased, while those of Lactobacillus (P = 0.001) and Dialister (P < 0.05) were significantly decreased in subjects with WDEIA. The microbial diversity did not differ between WDEIA patients and healthy controls. IgE specific to ω-5 gliadin was positively associated with the Oscillospira (r = 0.48, P < 0.05) and negatively associated with Leuconostoc (r = −0.49, P < 0.05). Total IgE levels were significantly negatively correlated with Bifidobacterium (P < 0.05). The gut microbiome compositions in WDEIA patients differed from those of healthy controls. We identified a potential association between the gut microbiome and WDEIA development. Our findings may suggest new methods for preventing and treating WDEIA.     

高职院校中医诊断学教学方法探讨与思考

中医诊断学是中医学及相关专业学生必修的一门专业基础课,因其理论内容丰富,知识点多,实践性强,在实际教学中讲授本课程具有一定的难度,对于高职学生更加要侧重技能的培养。本文从课前准备、课堂教学、技能实训、课后总结等方面结合教学实践探讨中医诊断学教学方法,让学生能够真正掌握所学知识和技能,以提高教学质量和效果。     

主题创意设计理念在实验诊断学慕课设计中的新应用

随着"互联网+高等教育"打破传统教育的时空界限和学校围墙,慕课平台的大力发展,慕课建设成为如今教学模式的新改革,中国医科大学附属第一医院实验诊断学教研室承担《实验诊断学》的慕课课程建设工作,并首次将主题创意设计的理念应用于医学教育的慕课建设中。课程内容涵盖目前5大专业,9章,19节,82个热门检测项目。本文从主题创意设计的课程设计理念、构建课程框架、组建主题创意团队等多方面探讨实验诊断学慕课课程建设的过程,并通过微信公众号分别对在校学生和社会人士进行关于主题创意设计理念的慕课设计的教学效果评价及满意度调查。调查结果显示在校学生及在职人员实验组的随堂小考成绩、满意度调查得分均高于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(t=4.266、4.689、4.198、3.869,P <0.001)。主题创意设计理念的慕课设计,有助提高学生对实验诊断课程的兴趣,提高慕课教学的教学质量,且在医学继续教育的领域,也可对相关专业的在职人员起到继续教育的作用。