Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

This perspective article delves into a novel integration of Yin-Yang theory-an ancient Chinese philosophical cornerstone-with the sophisticated realm of immunology. Given the intricate concepts inherent in immunology, many students find it challenging to comprehend the delicate mechanisms governing immune equilibrium and regulation. Given the deep-rooted understanding of Yin-Yang theory among Chinese students, we advocate for an educational strategy that contextualizes the concept of immune equilibrium within the framework of Yin-Yang, thereby offering a more intuitive and engaging learning experience. This method not only capitalizes on the cultural significance of Yin-Yang, but also corresponds to its principles of equilibrium and harmony, thus mirroring the homeostatic essence of immune responses. This article critically assesses this technique's capacity to bolster immune comprehension amongst Chinese students, while also considering its limitations. Despite these limitations, the fusion of these seemingly divergent fields holds substantial promise for augmenting immunology education, promoting critical thinking, and advancing cross-cultural academic discourse. The amalgamation of age-old philosophical insights with modern scientific exploration prompts a reassessment of educational methodologies within immunology, underscoring a novel pedagogical approach that bridges traditional wisdom with contemporary scientific education.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Ocular surface disorders (OSDs) are a prevalent and often debilitating condition encountered in clinical practice, particularly by allergists and clinical immunologists. RECENT FINDINGS: A comprehensive guide to office procedures for evaluating and managing OSDs, with a specific focus on ocular allergies, would assist in the evaluation process that begins with an initial patient assessment utilizing standardized forms to systematically gather detailed medical history, symptomatology, and environmental exposure data. This structured approach ensures a thorough understanding of the patient's condition and facilitates targeted interventions. In addition to allergy testing, the assessment of the tear film is essential for a comprehensive evaluation of OSDs. The Schirmer test is employed to quantify tear production, providing objective data on tear film adequacy and guiding interventions for tear film deficiencies. SUMMARY: This multifaceted diagnostic approach ensures that all contributing factors to OSDs are identified and appropriately managed. By integrating these office procedures, allergists and clinical immunologists can enhance their diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic efficacy, ultimately improving patient outcomes. This manuscript provides a practical resource, outlining some of the methodologies and clinical applications of each procedure, and highlighting their role in the holistic management of OSDs in allergic patients.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Historically, amphibians have been essential to our understanding of vertebrate biology and animal development. Because development from egg to tadpole to adult frog can be directly observed, amphibians contributed greatly to our understanding of not only vertebrate animal development but also the development of the immune system. The South African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) has been key to many of these findings. For example, using Xenopus as a model, the comparative immunology community learned about the contribution of hematopoietic stem cells to development of the immune system and about the diversity of antibodies, B cells, T cells and antigen presenting cells. Amphibians offer many advantages as unique potential model systems to address questions about immune skin interactions, host responses to mycobacteria, the diverse functions of interferons, and immune and mucosal interactions. However, there are also many challenges to advance the research including the lack of specific reagents and well annotated genomes of diverse species. While much is known, many important questions remain. The aim of this short commentary is to look to the future of comparative immunology of amphibians as a group. By identifying some important questions or "information-deficit" areas of research, I hope to pique the interest of younger developing scientists and persuade funding agencies to continue to support comparative immunology studies including those of amphibians.

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Rheumatology in Germany is facing major challenges. The need for rheumatological care is increasing and can no longer be met in some regions for capacity reasons. Too many people with an inflammatory rheumatic disease (IRD) have to forego appropriate care or receive it too late. The 4th new edition of the memorandum of the German Society for Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology (DGRh) provides information on rheumatological care in Germany. It was produced under the leadership of the DGRh together with the Professional Association of German Rheumatologists (BDRh), the Association of Acute Rheumatology Clinics (VRA), the German Rheumatism League (DRL) and the German Rheumatism Research Center (DRFZ). METHODS: The memorandum describes the current state and development of the following areas: number of people with IRD, outpatient, inpatient and rehabilitative care structures, number of specialists in rheumatology, education and training, quality of care, health economic aspects and digital care concepts. Proposals for health policy measures to safeguard rheumatological care are presented. RESULTS: Prevalence: approximately 1.8 million adults in Germany have an IRD. The prevalence is increasing, due to changes in the demographic structure of the population, improved diagnostics, treatment and longer survival. Care structures: outpatient specialist care (ASV) for rheumatic diseases is developing as a cross-sectoral care model for hospital outpatient clinics and rheumatology practices. Hospitals have been able to be certified as rheumatology centers since 2020, which enables structural developments. Specialists in rheumatology: as of 31 December 2023, there were 1164 specialists in rheumatology working in Germany. This included 715 physicians accredited to work in practices for national health assurance patients, 39% of whom were employees. In hospitals, 39% of doctors worked part-time. At least 2 rheumatology specialists per 100,000 adults are needed, i.e. around 1400, in order to provide adequate care. This means that there is a shortage of around 700 rheumatology specialists in the outpatient sector alone. Of all working specialists, 30% are currently aged 60 years old and over. Medical training: only 10 out of 38 (26%) state universities have an independent chair in rheumatology. In addition, 11 rheumatology departments are subordinate to a nonrheumatology chair. In the rheumatology-integration into student training (RISA) III study, only 16 out of 36 faculties fulfilled the recommended minimum number of compulsory hours of student rheumatology teaching. Continuing education in rheumatology: the annual postgraduate training qualifications do not cover the demand for rheumatology specialists, which is additionally increasing due to intensified workload, reduced capacities through retirement, and part-time work. Quality of care: since the introduction of highly effective medication patients with IRD have a much better chance of achieving remission of their disease. With early initiation of targeted therapy, the lives of many patients are hardly restricted at all: however, waiting times for a first rheumatological visit often last more than 3 months. Quality target is a first consultation within the first 6 weeks after the onset of symptoms. Models for early consultation, delegation of medical services, structured patient training and digital care concepts have been positively evaluated but are not covered financially. COSTS: the total annual costs for inflammatory joint diseases alone amount to around 3 billion euros. The direct costs have significantly risen since the introduction of biologics, while the indirect costs for sick leave, disability and hospitalization have fallen. CONCLUSION: The core demands of this memorandum are a significant and sustainable increase in the number of further training positions in the outpatient and inpatient sector, the creation of chairs or at least independent departments for rheumatology at all universities and the further implementation of new and cross-sectoral forms of care. This will ensure modern needs-based rheumatological care for all patients in the future.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Medical Microbiology and Medical Immunology are important components of our university's the modular teaching on fundamentals of immunity and infection. Among these, Bacterial Infection and Immunity serves as a bridge between Medical Microbiology and Medical Immunology. This chapter mainly introduces how pathogenic bacteria invade the body to cause infection and how the body's immune system resists bacterial infection. Studying this chapter, students can build a framework knowledge on infection-immunity. However, due to the complexity of the content and the limited duration of the course, the traditional teaching method struggles to help students clarify the knowledge structure, resulting in poor learning outcomes. Therefore, there is an urgent need for reforms. Using the bacterial infection and immunity chapter as an example, this article explores the teaching reform of the Fundamentals of Immunology and Infection module based on the O-PIRTAS flipped classroom model, providing valuable insights for subsequent teaching reforms.

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review the updated 2023 Allergy Immunology Joint Task Force on Practice Parameters (JTFPP) GRADE and Institute of Medicine (IOM) Based Guidelines for the management of atopic dermatitis. RECENT FINDINGS: Topical corticosteroids and/or calcineurin inhibitors are recommended in individuals with atopic dermatitis refractory to moisturizer alone and may be used to maintain remission after acute flare control is achieved. Calcineurin inhibitors are a class of immunosuppressants used to effectively manage different autoimmune disorders. Bleach baths and allergen immunotherapy may be beneficial for individuals with moderate-to-severe disease, while elimination diets, azathioprine, methotrexate, mycophenolate, and systemic corticosteroids are not recommended. Dupilumab is strongly recommended for refractory atopic dermatitis. Oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors carry significant risks; however, this class of medicines may be considered in cases of severe or refractory atopic dermatitis with intolerance to dupilumab. Patient preferences regarding cost, availability, feasibility, and tolerability should be integrated into all treatment plans using a shared decision-making approach. SUMMARY: The 2023 JTFPP Atopic Dermatitis Guidelines offer up-to-date guidance for the management of atopic dermatitis of varying severity in infants, children, and adults.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Health professions graduates are expected to have core competencies and the ability to provide safe, high-quality, patient-centered care. To guarantee this, active learning and learner-oriented learning approaches should be employed. OBJECTIVE: This research was conducted to determine the effect of the technology-enhanced flipped classroom on the learning and satisfaction of nursing students in the medical immunology course. DESIGN: Quasi-experimental study. SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS: The participants were 80 nursing students recruited through convenience sampling from the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences who were taking the medical immunology course. METHODS: In the odd sessions, teaching was traditional, and in the even sessions was flipped. The tools of this study included a satisfaction questionnaire and a class test. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired t-test, and One-sample t-test by SPSS21. RESULTS: Longitudinal analysis showed that there was no change in the level of students' learning in the traditional method over time but in the flipped classroom method, there was a positive effect in increasing students' learning. The comparison of students' average learning scores showed the average learning scores in the traditional approach increased from 10.049 to 10.590 But this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.247). In the flipped classroom, the average learning scores increased from 7.745 to 10.440 which was significant (P < 0.001). The average score of students' satisfaction with the flipped classroom teaching method was 7.56 ± 1.81 and higher than the average level. CONCLUSION: Technology-enhanced flipped classroom was effective in improving learning and high satisfaction of nursing students which shows that this approach is successful for teaching medical immunology to nursing students. This approach has the potential to be expanded to other nursing courses according to its correct application and implementation.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

The European Forum for Research and Education in Allergy and Airways diseases (EUFOREA) organized its bi-annual forum EUFOREUM in Berlin in November 2023. The aim of EUFOREUM 2023 was to highlight pediatric action plans for prevention and optimizing care for type 2 inflammatory conditions starting in childhood, with a focus on early-stage diagnosis, ensuring neither under- nor overdiagnosis, optimal care, and suggestions for improvement of care. EUFOREA is an international not-for-profit organization forming an alliance of all stakeholders dedicated to reducing the prevalence and burden of chronic respiratory diseases through the implementation of optimal patient care via educational, research, and advocacy activities. The inclusive and multidisciplinary approach of EUFOREA was reflected in the keynote lectures and faculty of the virtual EUFOREUM 2023 (www.euforea.eu/euforeum) coming from the pediatric, allergology, pulmonology, ENT, dermatology, primary health care fields and patients around the central theme of type 2 inflammation. As most type 2 inflammatory conditions may start in childhood or adolescence, and most children have type 2 inflammation when suffering from a respiratory or skin disease, the moment has come to raise the bar of ambitions of care, including prevention, remission and disease modification at an early stage. The current report provides a comprehensive overview of key statements by the faculty of the EUFOREUM 2023 and the ambitions of EUFOREA allowing all stakeholders in the respiratory field to be updated and ready to join forces in Europe and beyond.

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)