Shedding New Light on Platelet Extracellular Vesicles in Sickle Cell Disease

Unveiling the Knowledge Frontier: A Scientometric Analysis of COPD with Sarcopenia

Objective

Numerous articles and reviews addressing the intersection of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) with sarcopenia have been documented. However, a significant gap exists in the literature concerning scientometric analysis in this field. This study aimed to concentrate on recent research and elucidate emerging research areas through the examination of COPD with sarcopenia.

Methods

Articles in the field were systematically retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collections (WoSCC) spanning from 2003 to 2022. The analysis employed scientometric and keyword analyses through specialized software, including VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and Origin.

Results

A comprehensive analysis of 758 articles and reviews in the field of COPD with sarcopenia revealed the United States as the leading contributor in terms of publications and overall influence. Maastricht University emerged as the most prolific institution, with Schols Annemie M. W. J. being identified as the most influential scholar in this field. The International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease emerged as the most prolific journal. Notably, COPD with sarcopenia exhibits frequent associations with other diseases, underscoring the complexity of the topic and emphasizing the necessity for comprehensive treatment. Mechanistic and diagnostic aspects, particularly computed tomography, are pivotal in this research field. Osteoporosis emerges as a prospective avenue for future research, encompassing both COPD and sarcopenia. Furthermore, nutrition and physical activity are integral components for managing COPD patients with sarcopenia.

Conclusion

This study delineates the distribution of fields, the knowledge structure, and the evolution of major research topics related to COPD with sarcopenia. The identification of keyword hotspots enhances the understanding of the occurrence, development, and future study trends associated with the topic.

Extracellular vesicle-mediated targeting strategies for long-term health benefits in gestational diabetes

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are critical mediators of cell communication, playing important roles in regulating molecular cross-talk between different metabolic tissues and influencing insulin sensitivity in both healthy and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) pregnancies. The ability of EVs to transfer molecular cargo between cells imbues them with potential as therapeutic agents. During pregnancy, the placenta assumes a vital role in metabolic regulation, with multiple mechanisms of placenta-mediated EV cross-talk serving as central components in GDM pathophysiology. This review focuses on the role of the placenta in the pathophysiology of GDM and explores the possibilities and prospects of targeting the placenta to address insulin resistance and placental dysfunction in GDM. Additionally, we propose the use of EVs as a novel method for targeted therapeutics in treating the dysfunctional placenta. The primary aim of this review is to comprehend the current status of EV targeting approaches and assess the potential application of these strategies in placental therapeutics, thereby delivering molecular cargo and improving maternal and fetal outcomes in GDM. We propose that EVs have the potential to revolutionize GDM management, offering hope for enhanced maternal-fetal health outcomes and more effective treatments.

Microenvironment modulation by key regulators of RNA N6-methyladenosine modification in respiratory allergic diseases

BACKGROUND

RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) regulators are considered post-transcriptional regulators that affect several biological functions, and their role in immunity, in particular, is emerging. However, the role of m6A regulators in respiratory allergic diseases remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the role of key m6A regulators in mediating respiratory allergic diseases and immune microenvironment infiltration characteristics.

METHODS

We downloaded gene expression profiles of respiratory allergies from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and we performed hierarchical clustering, difference analysis, and construction of predictive models to identify hub m6A regulators that affect respiratory allergies. Next, we investigate the underlying biological mechanisms of key m6A regulators by performing PPI network analysis, functional enrichment analysis, and immune microenvironment infiltration analysis. In addition, we performed a drug sensitivity analysis on the key m6A regulator, hoping to be able to provide some implications for clinical medication.

RESULTS

In this study, we identified four hub m6A regulators that affect the respiratory allergy and investigated the underlying biological mechanisms. In addition, studies on the characteristics of immune microenvironment infiltration revealed that the expression of METTL14, METTL16, and RBM15B correlated with the infiltration of the mast and Th2 cells in respiratory allergy, and METTL16 expression was found to be significantly negatively correlated with macrophages for the first time (R = -0.53, P < 0.01). Finally, a key m6A regulator, METTL14, was screened by combining multiple algorithms. In addition, by performing a drug sensitivity analysis on METTL14, we hypothesized that it may play an important role in the improvement of allergic symptoms in the upper and lower airways with topical nasal glucocorticoids.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that m6A regulators, particularly METTL14, play a crucial role in the development of respiratory allergic diseases and the infiltration of immune cells. These results may provide insight into the mechanism of action of methylprednisolone in treating respiratory allergic diseases.

Toward platelet transcriptomics in cancer diagnosis, prognosis and therapy

Widespread adoption of next-generation techniques such as RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) has enabled research examining the transcriptome of anucleate blood platelets in health and disease, thus revealing a rich platelet transcriptomic signature that is reprogrammed in response to disease. Platelet signatures not only capture information from parent megakaryocytes and progenitor hematopoietic stem cells but also the bone marrow microenvironment, and underlying disease states. In cancer, the substantive body of research in patients with solid tumours has identified distinct signatures in 'tumour-educated platelets', reflecting influences of the tumour, stroma and vasculature on splicing, sequestration of tumour-derived RNAs, and potentially cytokine and microvesicle influences on megakaryocytes. More recently, platelet RNA expression has emerged as a highly sensitive approach to profiling chronic progressive haematologic malignancies, where the combination of large data cohorts and machine-learning algorithms enables precise feature selection and potential prognostication. Despite these advances, however, our ability to translate platelet transcriptomics toward clinical diagnostic and prognostic efforts remains limited. In this Perspective, we present a few actionable steps for our basic, translational and clinical research communities in advancing the utility of the platelet transcriptome as a highly sensitive biomarker in cancer and collectively enable efforts toward clinical translation and patient benefit.

Prostaglandin D2 metabolites activate asthmatic patient-derived type 2 innate lymphoid cells and eosinophils via the DP2 receptor

BACKGROUND

Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) signaling via prostaglandin D2 receptor 2 (DP2) contributes to atopic and non-atopic asthma. Inhibiting DP2 has shown therapeutic benefit in certain subsets of asthma patients, improving eosinophilic airway inflammation. PGD2 metabolites prolong the inflammatory response in asthmatic patients via DP2 signaling. The role of PGD2 metabolites on eosinophil and ILC2 activity is not fully understood.

METHODS

Eosinophils and ILC2s were isolated from peripheral blood of atopic asthmatic patients. Eosinophil shape change, ILC2 migration and IL-5/IL-13 cytokine secretion were measured after stimulation with seven PGD2 metabolites in presence or absence of the selective DP2 antagonist fevipiprant.

RESULTS

Selected metabolites induced eosinophil shape change with similar nanomolar potencies except for 9α,11β-PGF2. Maximal values in forward scatter of eosinophils were comparable between metabolites. ILC2s migrated dose-dependently in the presence of selected metabolites except for 9α,11β-PGF2 with EC50 values ranging from 17.4 to 91.7 nM. Compared to PGD2, the absolute cell migration was enhanced in the presence of Δ12-PGD2, 15-deoxy-Δ12,14-PGD2, PGJ2, Δ12-PGJ2 and 15-deoxy-Δ12,14-PGJ2. ILC2 cytokine production was dose dependent as well but with an average sixfold reduced potency compared to cell migration (IL-5 range 108.1 to 526.9 nM, IL-13 range: 125.2 to 788.3 nM). Compared to PGD2, the absolute cytokine secretion was reduced in the presence of most metabolites. Fevipiprant dose-dependently inhibited eosinophil shape change, ILC2 migration and ILC2 cytokine secretion with (sub)-nanomolar potencies.

CONCLUSION

Prostaglandin D2 metabolites initiate ILC2 migration and IL-5 and IL-13 cytokine secretion in a DP2 dependent manner. Our data indicate that metabolites may be important for in vivo eosinophil activation and ILC2 migration and to a lesser extent for ILC2 cytokine secretion.

Proning Patients With COVID-19: A Review of Equipment and Methods

OBJECTIVE

To identify and critically evaluate methods for proning patients with COVID-19 in the intensive care unit (ICU).

BACKGROUND

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is common in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Proning improves blood oxygenation and survival rates in these patients but is not commonly performed due to the difficulty of the procedure.

METHODS

An academic literature review, internet video search, and consultation with five subject-matter experts was performed to identify known methods for proning. Evaluation of each method considered the number of healthcare workers required, physical stresses on staff, risk of adverse events to patients, and equipment cost and availability.

RESULTS

Several variations of manual techniques and-lift assisted techniques were identified in addition to a specialized proning bed. Manual methods require more healthcare workers, higher physical stresses, and greater risk of adverse events than lift-assisted methods or the proning bed.

CONCLUSION

Both the specialized proning bed and a lift-assisted method using straps largely eliminated manual forces required for proning while allowing for a controlled lowering and positioning of the patient.

APPLICATION

This review will guide practitioners to the most suitable methods for proning patients in the ICU.