Neuronal substance P-driven MRGPRX2-dependent mast cell degranulation products differentially promote vascular permeability.

Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor b2 (Mrgprb2) binding to its cationic endogenous and exogenous ligands induces mast cell degranulation and promotes inflammation in mice. However, the physiological roles of its human homologue MRGPRX2 remain unclear. Here we aimed to elucidate the mechanisms by which MRGPRX2 regulates vascular permeability, and generated MRGPRX2 knock-in (MRGPRX2-KI) and Mrgprb2 knockout (Mrgprb2-KO) mice.

Barbed vs conventional sutures for cesarean uterine scar defects: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: The role of barbed sutures in preventing myometrial defects and enhancing postpartum outcomes after cesarean section (C-section) is uncertain.

Objective: This study compared clinical and ultrasonographic outcomes of uterine scar defects after C-section with barbed and conventional smooth thread sutures.

Study Design: This was a multicenter, parallel-group, randomized, controlled clinical trial.

Intranasal administration of ceramide liposome suppresses allergic rhinitis by targeting CD300f in murine models.

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is caused by type I hypersensitivity reaction in the nasal tissues. The interaction between CD300f and its ligand ceramide suppresses immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated mast cell activation. However, whether CD300f inhibits the development of allergic rhinitis (AR) remains elusive.

Sudden-Onset Severe Back Pain Caused by Acute Gastric Anisakiasis.

Anisakiasis is a parasitic disease that usually causes acute abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting after the ingestion of raw seafood. We present a case of anisakiasis in an 80-year-old man who complained of sudden-onset severe back pain that was reminiscent of aortic dissection. This case shows that anisakiasis should be considered as a possible differential diagnosis in patients with not only abdominal pain but also back pain.

Staphylococcus aureus δ-toxin present on skin promotes the development of food allergy in a murine model.

Background: Patients with food allergy often suffer from atopic dermatitis, in which colonization is frequently observed. δ-toxin activates mast cells and promotes T helper 2 type skin inflammation in the tape-stripped murine skin. However, the physiological effects of δ-toxin present on the steady-state skin remain unknown.

Optical measurement of gating pore currents in hypokalemic periodic paralysis model cells.

Hypokalemic periodic paralysis (HypoPP) is a rare genetic disease associated with mutations in CACNA1S or SCN4A encoding the voltage-gated Ca2+ channel Cav1.1 or the voltage-gated Na+ channel Nav1.4, respectively.

Molecular characterization of a flavanone 3-hydroxylase gene from citrus fruit reveals its crucial roles in anthocyanin accumulation.

Background: Flavanone 3-hydroxylase (F3H), a key enzyme in the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway, plays an important role in the regulation of flavonols and anthocyanidins accumulation. Citrus fruit is a rich source of flavonoids with varied flavonoid compositions among different varieties. To date, the study on F3H is limited in citrus, and its roles in regulating flavonoid accumulation in citrus fruit are still unclear.

Development of mouse model for oral allergy syndrome to identify IgE cross-reactive pollen and food allergens: ragweed pollen cross-reacts with fennel and black pepper.

Oral allergy syndrome (OAS) is an IgE-mediated immediate food allergy that is localized to the oral mucosa. Pollen food allergy syndrome (PFAS), a pollinosis-associated OAS, is caused by cross-reactivity between food and pollen allergens. However, we need to more precisely understand the underlying pathogenesis of OAS/PFAS.

Mature Myotubes Generated From Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Without Forced Gene Expression.

Human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) are a promising tool for disease modeling and drug screening. To apply them to skeletal muscle disorders, it is necessary to establish mature myotubes because the onset of many skeletal muscle disorders is after birth. However, to make mature myotubes, the forced expression of specific genes should be avoided, as otherwise dysregulation of the intracellular networks may occur.

Exogenous Application of ABA and NAA Alleviates the Delayed Coloring Caused by Puffing Inhibitor in Citrus Fruit.

Combined spraying of gibberellin (GA) and prohydrojasmon (PDJ) was an effective method to reduce peel puffing in Satsuma mandarins. However, in the GA-and-PDJ combined treatment, fruit color development was delayed during the ripening process. In the present study, to improve the coloration of the GA and PDJ-treated fruit, the effects of exogenous application of 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and abscisic acid (ABA) on chlorophyll and carotenoid accumulation were investigated.

Molecular Insights into the Ligand-Based Six-Proton- and Six-Electron-Transfer Processes Between Tris-ortho-Phenylenediamines and Tris-ortho-Benzoquinodiimines.

The global demand for energy and the concerns over climate issues renders the development of alternative renewable energy sources such as hydrogen (H ) important. A high-spin (hs) Fe complex with o-phenylenediamine (opda) ligands, [Fe (opda) ] (hs-[6R] ), was reported showing photochemical H evolution. In addition, a low-spin (ls) [Fe (bqdi) ] (bqdi: o-benzoquinodiimine) (ls-[0R] ) formation by O oxidation of hs-[6R] , accompanied by ligand-based six-proton and six-electron transfer, revealed the potential of the complex with redox-active ligands as a novel multiple-proton and -electron storage material, albeit that the mechanism has not yet been understood.

[Study of care practices for patients with myotonic dystrophy in Japan-Nationwide patient survey].

We conducted a comprehensive anonymous questionnaire survey on medical care and treatment for patients with myotonic dystrophy, who registered in the Japanese national registry (Remudy) or were undergoing care in seven hospitals specializing neuromuscular diseases. The questionnaire consisted of 49 questions were distributed to 813 patients, and 342 valid responses were collected. Most prevalent symptoms or complaints were dysfunction of fingers and fatigue.

OsRap2.6 transcription factor contributes to rice innate immunity through its interaction with Receptor for Activated Kinase-C 1 (RACK1).

Background: The rice small GTPase OsRac1 is a molecular switch in rice innate immunity. The Receptor for Activated Kinase C-1 (RACK1) interacts with OsRac1 to suppress the growth of the rice blast fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae. RACK1 has two homologs in rice, RACK1A and RACK1B.

The intermediate domain defines broad nucleotide selectivity for protein folding in Chlamydophila GroEL1.

The chaperonin GroEL assists protein folding in the presence of ATP and magnesium through substrate protein capsulation in combination with the cofactor GroES. Recent studies have revealed the details of folding cycles of GroEL from Escherichia coli, yet little is known about the GroEL-assisted protein folding mechanisms in other bacterial species. Using three model enzyme assays, we have found that GroEL1 from Chlamydophila pneumoniae, an obligate human pathogen, has a broader selectivity for nucleotides in the refolding reaction.