dust mite vaccine (acaroid)

[Effect of the number of sensitizing allergens on the efficacy of subcutaneous immunotherapy and quality of life in children with asthma].

Xu Mo-Yu MY, Wang Yu-Die YD, Liu Jia-Yi JY, Jiang Han H et al.

To compare the efficacy of subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) and its impact on quality of life between children with dust mite-allergic asthma who are monosensitized and those who are polysensitized. This prospective longitudinal cohort study enrolled 80 children with dust mite-allergic asthma, who were divided into a monosensitization group (n=40) and a polysensitization group (n=40). All children completed 3 years of standardized dust mite SCIT. Indicators compared between the two groups before and after treatment included peripheral blood eosinophil percentage, fractional exhaled nitric oxide, pulmonary function parameters, visual analog scale score, Asthma Control Test score, quality of life score, and Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire score. After 3 years of treatment, both groups showed significant improvements in all indicators from baseline (all P<0.05). The monosensitization group demonstrated greater improvements than the polysensitization group in peripheral blood eosinophil percentage, fractional exhaled nitric oxide, maximum mid-expiratory flow as a percentage of predicted value, Asthma Control Test scores, and quality of life scores (all P<0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions did not differ significantly between the two groups (P>0.05). SCIT is effective in children with dust mite-allergic asthma, and monosensitized children show greater improvements in small airway function, asthma control, and quality of life.

Effects of a short-term heat stress on the functional response of Scolothrips longicornis to Tetranychus urticae.

Pakyari Hajar H

Biological control employing predatory insects represents an environmentally sustainable approach for suppressing two-spotted spider mite populations in both greenhouse and open-field cropping systems. In the present study, a laboratory experiment was performed to assess the functional response and predation efficiency of the predatory thrips Scolothrips longicornis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) feeding on eggs of the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae), with particular emphasis on the influence of short-term heat stress. Functional response assays were conducted over a 24-h period under three temperature regimes (38°C, 40°C, and 42°C), three durations of short-term heat exposure (2, 4, and 6 h), seven prey densities (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70 individuals), a relative humidity of 60 ± 10%, and a 16:8 h (L:D) photoperiod. The results showed that S. longicornis eggs failed to hatch at 42°C. Logistic regression analysis further revealed that adult females of S. longicornis exhibited a type II functional response under all experimental treatments. The highest attack rate on T. urticae eggs was recorded at 25°C (0.0506 h-1), whereas the lowest value (0.0367 h-1) occurred following exposure to 40°C for 6 h. In contrast, handling time increased progressively with rising temperature from 25°C to 40°C, reaching its maximum at 40°C after 6 h of heat exposure (1.1467 h). These findings indicate that short-term heat stress adversely affects the predatory performance of S. longicornis. Therefore, exposure to heat stress should be minimised to maximise its predation efficiency and biological control effectiveness during both mass rearing and field release.

A subunit vaccine protects A129 mice from death and joint swelling against lethal Chikungunya virus challenge.

Li Jiangfan J, Fang Ting T, Song Liyuan L, Qiang Li L et al.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is primarily transmitted to humans through bites of infected Aedes mosquitoes, causing febrile illness as well as acute or chronic arthritis. With increasing reports in previously non-endemic regions, it poses an emerging threat to public health and a growing risk to travelers. Despite the recent approval of live-attenuated and virus-like particle-based vaccines, a safe, efficacious, and cost-effective vaccine remains urgently needed. The envelope glycoproteins E1 and E2, which play crucial roles in viral attachment and entry, are the major immunodominant structural proteins and can effectively elicit protective antibodies. We engineered mammalian cells to produce the ectodomains of the E1 and E2 glycoproteins and evaluated the protective efficacy of the resulting vaccine formulations in vivo. A two-dose vaccination regimen elicited high levels of antibodies and provided full protection against lethal challenge in A129 mice, preventing both death and joint swelling. These findings demonstrate the potential of this vaccine candidate against CHIKV and warrant its further development.

[Strategies to address vaccine hesitancy in Brazil: evidence synthesis].

Marques Ana Paula da Costa APDC, Gubert Vanessa Terezinha VT, Dias Adriano da Costa ADC, Gasparoto Antonio Luiz Dal Bello ALDB et al.