BACKGROUND

The Philippines has a wide variety of plant species with potential to produce allergenic pollen grains. Most of the study subjects which are residents in Manila tested positive to Fabaceae and Amaranthaceae. Weeds, especially the Amaranthaceae and Fabaceae families, are relevant triggers of allergy as they are highly adaptive and can grow despite adverse weather conditions. However, only a few allergens have been identified among these families and listed in the International Union of Immunological Societies allergen nomenclature database. Currently, local pollen grains are being processed at the Medical Research Laboratory of our institution to produce crude pollen extracts for use in specific diagnostic skin tests and in subcutaneous immunotherapy of patients with respiratory allergies all over the country. However, these extracts have not been characterized and data of cross-reactivity is limited.

This study aimed to evaluate the IgE binding activity of allergen extracts from Philippine weeds and trees, and determine their cross-reactive components.

Pollen extracts from Amaranthus spinosus (pigweed), Mimosa pudica (makahiya), Tridax procumbens (wild daisy), Albizia saman (acacia), Leucaena leucocephala (ipil-ipil), Mangifera indica (mango), and Cocos nucifera (coconut) were extracted and analyzed for crossreactivity using ELISA and Western blot. 

Cross-reaction was observed between ipil-ipil and coconut, and between makahiya and wild daisy. IgE bound to protein components at ~20, 18, and 15 kDa of the weeds, while for the trees, IgE bound to protein components at ~35 and ~15 kDa which may be responsible for the cross-inhibitions observed.

Data may contribute to the development of immunotherapeutic strategies and diagnostic applications for respiratory allergies, comprising the production of standardized panel of allergens thus eliminating unwanted side effects and providing patients with safer diagnosis and therapy.

BACKGROUND

The Philippines has a wide variety of plant species with potential to produce allergenic pollen grains. Most of the study subjects which are residents in Manila tested positive to Fabaceae and Amaranthaceae. Weeds, especially the Amaranthaceae and Fabaceae families, are relevant triggers of allergy as they are highly adaptive and can grow despite adverse weather conditions. However, only a few allergens have been identified among these families and listed in the International Union of Immunological Societies allergen nomenclature database. Currently, local pollen grains are being processed at the Medical Research Laboratory of our institution to produce crude pollen extracts for use in specific diagnostic skin tests and in subcutaneous immunotherapy of patients with respiratory allergies all over the country. However, these extracts have not been characterized and data of cross-reactivity is limited.

This study aimed to evaluate the IgE binding activity of allergen extracts from Philippine weeds and trees, and determine their cross-reactive components.

Pollen extracts from Amaranthus spinosus (pigweed), Mimosa pudica (makahiya), Tridax procumbens (wild daisy), Albizia saman (acacia), Leucaena leucocephala (ipil-ipil), Mangifera indica (mango), and Cocos nucifera (coconut) were extracted and analyzed for crossreactivity using ELISA and Western blot. 

Cross-reaction was observed between ipil-ipil and coconut, and between makahiya and wild daisy. IgE bound to protein components at ~20, 18, and 15 kDa of the weeds, while for the trees, IgE bound to protein components at ~35 and ~15 kDa which may be responsible for the cross-inhibitions observed.

Data may contribute to the development of immunotherapeutic strategies and diagnostic applications for respiratory allergies, comprising the production of standardized panel of allergens thus eliminating unwanted side effects and providing patients with safer diagnosis and therapy.

The AP2/ERF transcription factor family is a class of transcription factors widely present in plants, playing a crucial role in regulating flowering, flower development, flower opening, and flower senescence. Based on transcriptome data from flower, leaf, and stem samples of two Lonicera macranthoides varieties, 117 L. macranthoides AP2/ERF family members were identified, including 14 AP2 subfamily members, 61 ERF subfamily members, 40 DREB subfamily members, and 2 RAV subfamily members. Bioinformatics and differential gene expression analyses were performed using NCBI, ExPASy, SOMPA, and other platforms, and the expression patterns of L. macranthoides AP2/ERF transcription factors were validated via qRT-PCR. The results indicated that the 117 LmAP2/ERF members exhibited both similarities and variations in protein physicochemical properties, AP2 domains, family evolution, and protein functions. Differential gene expression analysis revealed that AP2/ERF transcription factors were primarily differentially expressed in the flowers of the two L. macranthoides varieties, with the differentially expressed genes mainly belonging to the ERF and DREB subfamilies. Further analysis identified three AP2 subfamily genes and two ERF subfamily genes as potential regulators of flower development, two ERF subfamily genes involved in flower opening, and two ERF subfamily genes along with one DREB subfamily gene involved in flower senescence. Based on family evolution and expression analyses, it is speculated that AP2/ERF transcription factors can regulate flower development, opening, and senescence in L. macranthoides, with ERF subfamily genes potentially serving as key regulators of flowering duration. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for further research into the specific functions of the AP2/ERF transcription factor family in L. macranthoides and offer important theoretical insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying floral phenotypic differences among its varieties.
Plant Proteins/chemistry* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Transcription Factors/chemistry* ; Lonicera/classification* ; Flowers/metabolism* ; Phylogeny ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Multigene Family

This study aims to evaluate the application of flower petal-structured electrodes in pulsed field ablation (PFA) technology, with a particular focus on their performance in myocardial tissue ablation. Through a combination of simulation techniques and in vitro experiments, the study investigates the effects of different voltage levels, electrode-to-tissue contact distances, and their impact on ablation depth, continuity, and transmurality. The research methods include the construction of a myocardial tissue simulation model, electric field distribution simulation using COMSOL Multiphysics, and in vitro ablation experiments on potato tissue. The results indicate that as voltage increases, the ablation depth significantly increases. At a voltage of 2500 V, a transmural ablation depth of 4 mm can be achieved, and the ablation area remains relatively continuous. The in vitro experiments confirm the consistency of the simulation results, and pulsed field ablation does not induce significant temperature rise, confirming its non-thermal characteristic. The conclusion suggests that PFA technology requires less electrode contact and offers higher ablation efficiency, providing a new technological pathway for the clinical treatment of atrial fibrillation and effectively reducing the risk of complications associated with traditional ablation techniques.
Electrodes ; Catheter Ablation/instrumentation* ; Computer Simulation ; Flowers ; Atrial Fibrillation/surgery* ; Myocardium

Objective:The prevalence of seasonal allergic rhinitis （AR） and its combined diseases have been increasing recently. The purpose was to investigate the clinical characteristics and treatment of seasonal AR in northern China. Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted in AR patients. The Visual analogue scale （VAS）, combined diseases, clinical features, allergic pollen and treatments were analyzed. Results:Of the 789 AR subjects included, 54.1% had a family history of atopic disease. The mian course wa s（7.4±5.9） years. 95.4% of the subjects had moderate to severe AR. The prevalence rates of allergic conjunctivitis （AC）, allergic asthma （AA）, and pollen food allergy syndrome （PFAS） were 71.1%, 19.0%, and 39.5% respectively. Among the patients, 13.8% presented with only AR, while 39.3% had an AR combined with other disease, and 1.9% exhibited comorbidity involving five different diseases. VAS was positively correlated with the number of comorbidities（r=0.186, P<0.001）. The mugwort exhibited the highest rate of pollen sensitization （48.9%）, closely followed by cypress （48.3%）. The prevalence of mono-sensitization to pollen was 20.2%, while the positive rates for double-sensitized pollens and more than three sensitized pollens were 17.4% and 62.4%, respectively. Among the study participants, 19.9% did not receive any form of treatment, while 66.2% were administered oral medication and 27.5% underwent nasal steroid spray therapy. The proportion of individuals receiving anti-IgE monoclonal antibodies was 4.3%, and allergen immunotherapy （AIT） treatment was undergone by 11.8%. Meanwhile, 41.2% of patients undergoing anti-IgE monoclonal antibody treatment also received AIT. The distribution of therapy types among patients was as follows: 44.7% received a single type, 22.2% received two types, and 9.8% received three types of therapy. Additionally, there was a subset of patients（1%） who were undergoing five distinct forms of treatment. The VAS score exhibited a significant negative correlation with no treatment（r=-0.199, P<0.001）, while it showed a positive association with the number of treatment modalities（r=0.245, P<0.001）. Conclusion:Mugwort and cypress are the predominant allergenic pollens responsible for seasonal AR in northern China. The majority of cases present with moderate to severe AR, often accompanied by various comorbidities, necessitating consideration of diverse treatment modalities. However, the current rate of adoption for AIT remains relatively insufficient.
Humans ; China/epidemiology* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal/therapy* ; Pollen/immunology* ; Adult ; Male ; Female ; Young Adult ; Adolescent ; Middle Aged ; Child ; Prevalence ; Allergens/immunology* ; Asthma/epidemiology* ; Conjunctivitis, Allergic

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and major allergens of patients with pollen-food allergy syndrome（PFAS） and their correlation with the severity of symptoms, and to provide a basis for identifying high-risk patients, optimizing the allergen testing process and developing individualized dietary management strategies. Methods:The clinical data of 166 patients with PFAS admitted to our hospital from January 2021 to July 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical symptoms, pollen types and food allergy of the patients were analyzed by questionnaire survey and serum specific IgE detection. phi coefficient, Apriori algorithm modeling and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to evaluate the association between allergen and symptom severity. Results:Artemisia pollen was the most common allergen in this area, with a positive rate of 96.39%. Peach and mango were the most common food allergens, which caused allergic reactions in 24.10% and 22.89% of patients, respectively. Oral mucosal symptoms were the main symptoms. Correlation analysis showed that there was a correlation between pollen allergens and allergenic food. Association rule analysis showed that when the patient was allergic to the combination of peanuts and trees, the probability of high severity of symptoms was 82.35%. Multivariate analysis showed that ragweed allergy was significantly positively correlated with the severity of PFAS symptoms. Conclusion:Artemisia pollen and related food allergens play an important role in the pathogenesis of PFAS. Association rule mining and network map analysis revealed direct associations between peanut and tree combination allergy and symptom severity, as well as potential links between other inhaled allergens and specific food allergies. Ragweed and peach allergy are independent risk factors for the aggravation of PFAS symptoms, which can be used as early warning indicators. These results help to improve the screening of high-risk patients and the construction of regional allergen databases.
Humans ; Food Hypersensitivity/immunology* ; Allergens/immunology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Pollen/immunology* ; Cross Reactions ; Immunoglobulin E/blood* ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal/immunology* ; Artemisia/immunology* ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Prunus persica/immunology* ; Arachis/immunology* ; Middle Aged ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Oral Allergy Syndrome

Lateral organ boundaries (LOB) domain (LBD) genes encode a family of transcription factors ubiquitous in higher plants, playing crucial roles in the growth, development, and stress responses. Hippophae rhamnoides, known for its drought, cold, and saline-alkali tolerance, offers significant economic benefits and ecological values. Utilizing the whole genome data and bioinformatics approaches, this study identified and analyzed the LBD gene family in H. rhamnoides. Additionally, we examined the expression pattern of HrLBD genes by integrating the transcriptome data from male and female flower buds in development. Eleven LBD genes were identified in H. rhamnoides, and these genes were distributed on five chromosomes. The HrLBD proteins showed the lengths ranging from 159 aa to 302 aa, the molecular weights between 18 249.91 Da and 33 202.01 Da, and the subcellular localization in the nucleus or chloroplasts. LBD protein domains and gene structures were highly conserved, featuring similar motifs. The phylogenetic analysis of HrLBD genes and the LBD genes in Arabidopsis thaliana and Hordeum vulgare revealed that HrLBD genes falled into two major categories: Class Ⅰ and Class Ⅱ. The transcriptome data and RT-qPCR showed that HrLBD genes were highly expressed in male flower buds, with up-regulated expression levels throughout bud development, indicating a role in the specific stage of male flower bud development. This study lays a theoretical foundation for exploring the roles of HrLBD genes in the growth, development, and sex differentiation of H. rhamnoides flower buds.
Flowers/genetics* ; Hippophae/metabolism* ; Phylogeny ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Plant Proteins/genetics* ; Transcription Factors/genetics* ; Multigene Family ; Genes, Plant

Flowering and bolting are important agronomic traits in cruciferous crops such as Brassica juncea. Timely flowering can ensure the crop organ yield and quality, as well as seed propagation. The WRKY family plays an important role in regulating plant bolting and flowering, while the function and mechanism of WRKY12 in B. juncea remain unknown. To explore its function and mechanism in bolting and flowering of B. juncea, we cloned and characterized the BjuWRKY12 gene in B. juncea and found that its expression levels were significantly higher in flowers and inflorescences than in leaves. BjuWRKY12 belonged to the Ⅱc subfamily of the WRKY family, and subcellular localization indicated that the protein was located in the nucleus. Ectopic overexpression of BjuWRKY12 in transgenic lines promoted bolting and flowering, leading to significant increases in the expression levels of flowering integrators SOC1 and FUL. Furthermore, yeast one-hybrid and dual luciferase reporter system assays confirmed that BjuWRKY12 directly bound to the promoters of BjuSOC1 and BjuFUL, undergoing protein-DNA interactions. This discovery gives new insights into the regulation network and molecular mechanisms of BjuWRKY12, laying a theoretical foundation for the breeding of high-yield and high-quality varieties of B. juncea.
Mustard Plant/metabolism* ; Flowers/growth & development* ; Plant Proteins/physiology* ; Promoter Regions, Genetic/genetics* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Plants, Genetically Modified/genetics* ; Transcription Factors/metabolism* ; MADS Domain Proteins/metabolism*

Abelmoschi Corolla, the dried corolla of Abelmoschus manihot, has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-fibrosis activities. Its chemical constituents mainly include flavonoids, organic acids, steroids, and polysaccharides. This study reviewed the research progress in the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Abelmoschi Corolla in recent 20 years. According to the concept of quality marker(Q-marker), the Q-markers of Abelmoschi Corolla were predicted from plant phylogeny, chemical constituent specificity, traditional efficacy, chemical constituent measurability, and absorbed constituents. The primary Q-markers for Abelmoschi Corolla were anticipated to include quercetin-3'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, gossypetin-8-O-β-D-glucuronide, isoquercetin, myricetin,quercetin, and hyperoside, with the aim of providing reference data for improving the quality evaluation system of Abelmoschi Corolla.
Abelmoschus/chemistry* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Flowers/chemistry* ; Humans ; Animals ; Quality Control ; Flavonoids/chemistry*

This study aimed to compare the ameliorative effects of Lycii Fructus and Chrysanthemi Flos at different ratios on retinal damage in mice and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. A retinal injury model was established by intraperitoneal injection of sodium iodate(NaIO_3) solution. The mice were divided into the following groups: blank group, model group, positive drug(AREDS 2) group, low-and high-dose groups of Lycii Fructus and Chrysanthemi Flos at 1∶1, low-and high-dose groups at 3∶1, and low-and high-dose groups at 1∶3. Administration was carried out 15 days after modeling. The visual acuity of the mice was assessed using the black-and-white box test. The fundus was observed using an optical coherence tomography device, and retinal thickness was measured. HE staining was used to observe the morphology and pathological changes of the retina. The levels of oxidative factors in serum and ocular tissues were measured using assay kits. The levels of inflammatory factors in serum and ocular tissues were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), and the expression of Nrf2, HO-1, and NF-κB proteins in ocular tissues was analyzed by Western blot. The results showed that after administration of Lycii Fructus and Chrysanthemi Flos at different ratios, the model group showed improved retinal thinning and disordered arrangement of retinal layers, elevated content of SOD and GSH in the serum and ocular tissues, and reduced levels of MDA, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. Lycii Fructus and Chrysanthemi Flos at 1∶1 and 1∶3 showed better improvement effects. The combination significantly upregulated the expression levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 and downregulated the expression of NF-κB p65. These results indicate that Lycii Fructus and Chrysanthemi Flos at different ratios can improve retinal damage, reduce oxidative stress, and alleviate inflammation in both the body and ocular tissues of mice. The mechanism may be related to the regulation of the Nrf2/HO-1 and NF-κB signaling pathways in ocular tissues. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the clinical application of Lycii Fructus and Chrysanthemi Flos in the treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration.
Animals ; Mice ; Retina/injuries* ; Male ; Lycium/chemistry* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Chrysanthemum/chemistry* ; NF-kappa B/genetics* ; Humans ; Retinal Diseases/metabolism* ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism* ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Flowers/chemistry* ; Heme Oxygenase-1/genetics*