Anandamide Modulates Thermal Avoidance in Caenorhabditis elegans Through Vanilloid and Cannabinoid Receptor Interplay.

Understanding the endocannabinoid system in C. elegans may offer insights into basic biological processes and potential therapeutic targets for managing pain and inflammation in human. It is well established that anandamide modulates pain perception by binding to cannabinoid and vanilloid receptors, regulating neurotransmitter release and neuronal activity.

Cannabidiol and Tetrahydrocannabinol Antinociceptive Activity is Mediated by Distinct Receptors in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Cannabis has gained popularity in recent years as a substitute treatment for pain following the risks of typical treatments uncovered by the opioid crisis. The active ingredients frequently associated with pain-relieving effects are the phytocannabinoids Δ-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), but their effectiveness and mechanisms of action are still under research. In this study, we used Caenorhabditis elegans, an ideal model organism for the study of nociception that expresses mammal ortholog cannabinoid (NPR-19 and NPR-32) and vanilloid (OSM-9 and OCR-2) receptors.

Antinociceptive Activity of Vanilloids in Caenorhabditis elegans is Mediated by the Desensitization of the TRPV Channel OCR-2 and Specific Signal Transduction Pathways.

Vanilloids, including capsaicin and eugenol, are ligands of transient receptor potential channel vanilloid subfamily member 1 (TRPV1). Prolonged treatment with vanilloids triggered the desensitization of TRPV1, leading to analgesic or antinociceptive effects. Caenorhabditis elegans (C.

Resiniferatoxin Hampers the Nocifensive Response of Caenorhabditis elegans to Noxious Heat, and Pathway Analysis Revealed that the Wnt Signaling Pathway is Involved.

Resiniferatoxin (RTX) is a metabolite extracted from Euphorbia resinifera. RTX is a potent capsaicin analog with specific biological activities resulting from its agonist activity with the transient receptor potential channel vanilloid subfamily member 1 (TRPV1). RTX has been examined as a pain reliever, and more recently, investigated for its ability to desensitize cardiac sensory fibers expressing TRPV1 to improve chronic heart failure (CHF) outcomes using validated animal models.

Capsaicin and Its Analogues Impede Nocifensive Response of Caenorhabditis elegans to Noxious Heat.

Capsaicin is the most abundant pungent molecule identified in red chili peppers, and it is widely used for food flavoring, in pepper spray for self-defense devices and recently in ointments for the relief of neuropathic pain. Capsaicin and several other related vanilloid compounds are secondary plant metabolites. Capsaicin is a selective agonist of the transient receptor potential channel, vanilloid subfamily member 1 (TRPV1).

EGL-3 and EGL-21 are required to trigger nocifensive response of Caenorhabditis elegans to noxious heat.

Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) is a widely used model organism to examine nocifensive response to noxious stimuli, including heat avoidance. Recently, comprehensive analysis of the genome sequence revealed several pro-neuropeptide genes, encoding a series of bioactive neuropeptides.

Deciphering the Role of EGL-3 for Neuropeptides Processing in Caenorhabditis elegans Using High-Resolution Quadrupole-Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry.

Neuropeptides are derived from large and inactive proteins which require endoproteolytic processing for the biosynthesis of the bioactive peptides. The maturation of pro-neuropeptide to neuropeptide is believed to be performed by ortholog pro-protein convertase EGL-3 in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans).

The Importance of Collaboration in Advancing Understanding of Rare Disorders: US/EU Joint Initiative on Silver-Russell Syndrome.

Patient-support organizations can facilitate a significant change in the way rare disorders are approached. Besides connecting families with each other and directing patients to experienced medical specialists, these groups, by collaborating with government initiatives like COST, can effect the direction and funding of rare disease research. By concentrating the rare disease patient population and funneling them to specific centers of excellence, these organizations help build specialists' experience and their study populations.

Spinal Deformity in Russell-Silver Syndrome.

Study Design: Cross-sectional analysis.

Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of scoliosis and kyphosis in patients with Russell-Silver syndrome (RSS).

Summary Of Background Data: Russell-Silver syndrome was described by Silver and Russell in the 1950s and 1960s and is characterized by body asymmetry and other growth abnormalities.