Histamine H4 receptor and TRPV1 mediate itch induced by cadaverine, a metabolite of the microbiome.

Cadaverine is an endogenous metabolite produced by the gut microbiome with various activity in physiological and pathological conditions. However, whether cadaverine regulates pain or itch remains unclear. In this study, we first found that cadaverine may bind to histamine 4 receptor (H4R) with higher docking energy score using molecular docking simulations, suggesting cadaverine may act as an endogenous ligand for H4R.

In(OTf)-catalyzed formal (4 + 3) cycloaddition reactions of 3-benzylideneindoline-2-thiones with 2-indolylmethanols.

We report the In(OTf)-catalyzed formal (4 + 3) cycloaddition of 3-benzylideneindoline-2-thiones with 2-indolylmethanols. This reaction not only broadens the synthetic utility of 3-benzylideneindoline-2-thiones as scarce indole-based sulfur-containing four-atom building blocks, but also provides a rapid and facile access to synthesize diindole-annulated tetrahydrothiepines.

Sn(OTf)-Catalyzed (3 + 2) Cycloaddition/Sulfur Rearrangement Reaction of Donor-Acceptor Cyclopropanes with Indoline-2-thiones.

The (3 + 2) cycloaddition/sulfur rearrangement reaction of donor-acceptor cyclopropanes bearing a single keto acceptor with indoline-2-thiones has been realized. Under the catalysis of Sn(OTf), a series of functionalized 3-indolyl4,5-dihydrothiophenes were synthesized with moderate to excellent yields.

Yb(OTf)-Catalyzed Formal (4 + 3) Cycloaddition Reactions of 3-Benzylideneindoline-2-thiones with Donor-Acceptor Cyclopropanes.

A Yb(OTf)-catalyzed formal (4 + 3) cycloaddition reaction of donor-acceptor cyclopropanes with 3-benzylideneindoline-2-thiones as sulfur-containing 4π components has been successfully achieved. A series of functionalized 5,10-dihydro-2-thiepino[2,3-]indole derivatives were synthesized with good yields and moderate to good diastereoselectivity. The reaction described herein represented the inaugural (4 + 3) cycloaddition of 3-benzylideneindoline-2-thiones.

AlCl-mediated ring-opening reactions of indoline-2-thiones with acyl cyclopropanes, bi-cyclopropanes and spirocyclic cyclopropanes.

AlCl-mediated nucleophilic ring-opening reactions of indoline-2-thiones with various acyl cyclopropanes, bi-cyclopropanes and spirocyclic cyclopropanes were investigated. A series of ketones functionalized with indolylthio groups were synthesized in yields ranging from moderate to good. Moreover, chemical transformations of 4-indolylthio butan-1-ones to dihydro-2-thiepino[2,3-]indoles and sulfone were carried out to further expand both synthetic utility and structural complexity.

Keratinocyte TLR2 and TLR7 contribute to chronic itch through pruritic cytokines and chemokines in mice.

Although neuronal Toll-like receptors (TLRs) (e.g., TLR2, TLR3, and TLR7) have been implicated in itch sensation, the roles of keratinocyte TLRs in chronic itch are elusive.

LINC00365 inhibited lung adenocarcinoma progression and glycolysis via sponging miR-429/KCTD12 axis.

This study researched the function of long non-coding RNA LINC00365 in lung adenocarcinoma (LAD) progression. LINC00365, miR-429, and KCTD12 expression in the LAD clinical tissues and cells were detcetd by qRT-PCR and Western blot. LINC00365, miR-429, and KCTD12 effects on H1975 cells malignant phenotype were detected by cell counting kit-8 assay, clone formation experiment, Transwell experiment, and glycolysis.

The Role of Transient Receptor Potential A1 and G Protein-Coupled Receptor 39 in Zinc-Mediated Acute and Chronic Itch in Mice.

Itching is a common symptom of many skin or systemic diseases and has a negative impact on the quality of life. Zinc, one of the most important trace elements in an organism, plays an important role in the regulation of pain. Whether and how zinc regulates itching is largely unclear.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Pet Dogs in Anhui Province, China.

Background: is an obligate intracellular parasite, which can infect all nucleated cells in a variety of vertebrate animals, including human, causing toxoplasmosis. Although a number of studies have reported on the seroprevalence of infection in dogs in China, however, information about infection in pet dogs in Anhui, China is not available.

Methods: The modified agglutination test (MAT) was used to detect antibodies in sera samples from 468 pet dogs at Anhui Province in China from November 2013 to April 2017.

Corrigendum: Hydrogen sulfide-induced itch requires activation of Ca3.2 T-type calcium channel in mice.

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1038/srep16768.

TNF-α/TNFR1 Signaling is Required for the Full Expression of Acute and Chronic Itch in Mice via Peripheral and Central Mechanisms.

Increasing evidence suggests that cytokines and chemokines play crucial roles in chronic itch. In the present study, we evaluated the roles of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and its receptors TNF receptor subtype-1 (TNFR1) and TNFR2 in acute and chronic itch in mice. Compared to wild-type (WT) mice, TNFR1-knockout (TNFR1-KO) and TNFR1/R2 double-KO (DKO), but not TNFR2-KO mice, exhibited reduced acute itch induced by compound 48/80 and chloroquine (CQ).

Peripheral and spinal 5-HT receptors participate in cholestatic itch and antinociception induced by bile duct ligation in rats.

Although 5-HT has been implicated in cholestatic itch and antinociception, two common phenomena in patients with cholestatic disease, the roles of 5-HT receptor subtypes are unclear. Herein, we investigated the roles of 5-HT receptors in itch and antinociception associated with cholestasis, which was induced by common bile duct ligation (BDL) in rats. 5-HT-induced enhanced scratching and antinociception to mechanical and heat stimuli were demonstrated in BDL rats.

Antioxidants Attenuate Acute and Chronic Itch: Peripheral and Central Mechanisms of Oxidative Stress in Pruritus.

Itch (pruritus) is one of the most disabling syndromes in patients suffering from skin, liver, or kidney diseases. Our previous study highlighted a key role of oxidative stress in acute itch. Here, we evaluated the effects of antioxidants in mouse models of acute and chronic itch and explored the potential mechanisms.

Hydrogen sulfide-induced itch requires activation of Cav3.2 T-type calcium channel in mice.

The contributions of gasotransmitters to itch sensation are largely unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate the roles of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a ubiquitous gasotransmitter, in itch signaling. We found that intradermal injection of H2S donors NaHS or Na2S, but not GYY4137 (a slow-releasing H2S donor), dose-dependently induced scratching behavior in a μ-opioid receptor-dependent and histamine-independent manner in mice.

Adrenergic β2-receptor mediates itch hypersensitivity following heterotypic chronic stress in rats.

Chronic stress is widely considered to trigger or enhance itch, especially for pruritic dermatitis. However, the molecular mechanisms linking chronic stress and itch are still unknown. The present study aimed to elucidate the role of adrenergic signaling in itch hypersensitivity following heterotypic chronic intermittent stress (HIS) in rats.

[Experimental study on determination of viability of Schistosoma japonicum cercariae by staining].

Objective: To determine the viability of Schistosoma japonicum cercariae by staining.

Methods: Schistosoma japonicum cercariae were stained by 0.4% trypan blue, 0.

Activated microglia contribute to neuronal apoptosis in Toxoplasmic encephalitis.

Background: A plethora of evidence shows that activated microglia play a critical role in the pathogenesis of the central nervous system (CNS). Toxoplasmic encephalitis (TE) frequently occurs in HIV/AIDS patients. However, knowledge remains limited on the contributions of activated microglia to the pathogenesis of TE.

[The role of transforming growth factor beta1 R II and interleukin 13 Ralpha2 in schistosomiasis-induced hepatic fibrosis].

Schistosomiasis hepatic fibrosis results from excessive deposition of extracellular matrix components which are produced from the activated hepatic stellate cells in liver. Cytokine network disorder is the essential cause of the development of schistosomiasis liver fibrosis. Transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) and interleukin 13 (IL-13) promote fibrosis through hepatic stellate cell membrane-specific receptor.

[Microglial activation and inflammatory cytokine expression in the brain of chronic Toxoplasma gondii-infected mice].

Objective: To investigate microglial activation and inflammatory cytokine expression in chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection.

Methods: Thirty mice were randomly divided into chronic T. gondii infection group and normal control group.

[Cloning, expression and prediction of protein structure of Ts3 gene of Cysticercus cellulosae].

Objective: To discover a new gene of candidate molecule for the diagnosis of cysticercosis.

Methods: Cysticercus cellulosae cDNA library was immunoscreened with pooled serum of cysticercosis patients. The encoded protein of a new gene, Ts3, was analyzed through biology software (EXPASY) on line.

[Transformation of schistosomulae by electroporation and transient expression of the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) gene].

Objective: To explore the possibility of heterogeneous gene to express in juvenile Schistosoma japonicum and the application of electroporation in transformation of schistosomulae.

Methods: The plasmids of pEGFP-C1 were introduced into mechanically transformed schistosomula with electroporation. The presence, transcription and translation of the transgene in electroporated schistosomula were confirmed by PCR, RT-PCR and Western blotting analysis respectively using the genomic DNA, total RNA and protein extracted and isolated from schistosomula cultured in vitro for 48 hours.

Schistosoma japonicum: a method for transformation by electroporation.

Despite of our knowledge of genetic make up of schistosomes, a number of genes have not been characterized largely due to lack of effective transformation protocols. Here we present electroporation as a strategy for effective introduction of plasmids DNA into schistosomula and adults. Using plasmids of pEGFP-C1 as an expression vector, we first verified that the CMV promoter could direct EGFP to express in primary culture cells from Schistosoma japonicum.

Transfection of mouse macrophage metalloelastase gene into murine CT-26 colon cancer cells suppresses orthotopic tumor growth, angiogenesis and vascular endothelial growth factor expression.

A cDNA fragment coding for domains I and II of mouse macrophage metalloelastase (MME) was transfected into murine CT-26 colon cancer cells that are MME deficient. An orthotopic implantation model was established by using MME-transfected cells. In MME-transfected primary tumors, it demonstrated that tumor growth and microvessel formation were significantly inhibited compared with the controls.