FGF13 enhances the function of TRPV1 by stabilizing microtubules and regulates acute and chronic itch.

Itching is an aversive somatosensation that triggers the desire to scratch. Transient receptor potential (TRP) channel proteins are key players in acute and chronic itch. However, whether the modulatory effect of fibroblast growth factor 13 (FGF13) on acute and chronic itch is associated with TRP channel proteins is unclear. Here, we demonstrated that conditional knockout of Fgf13 in dorsal root ganglion neurons induced significant impairment in scratching behaviors in response to acute histamine-dependent and chronic dry skin itch models. Furthermore, FGF13 selectively regulated the function of the TRPV1, but not the TRPA1 channel on Ca2+ imaging and electrophysiological recordings, as demonstrated by a significant reduction in neuronal excitability and current density induced by TRPV1 channel activation, whereas TRPA1 channel activation had no effect. Changes in channel currents were also verified in HEK cell lines. Subsequently, we observed that selective modulation of TRPV1 by FGF13 required its microtubule-stabilizing effect. Furthermore, in FGF13 knockout mice, only the overexpression of FGF13 with a tubulin-binding domain could rescue TRP channel function and the impaired itch behavior. Our findings reveal a novel mechanism by which FGF13 is involved in TRPV1-dependent itch transduction and provide valuable clues for alleviating pathological itch syndrome.

Four New Species and a New Combination of Boletaceae (Boletales) from Subtropical and Tropical China.

Previous studies have shown that boletes are abundant and diverse in China, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. In the present study, morphological, ecological, host relationship, and a four-locus (28S, tef1, rpb1, and rpb2) molecular phylogenetic analyses were used to study the family Boletaceae in subtropical and tropical China. Four new bluing species are described from three genera, viz. Boletellus verruculosus (Chinese name), Xerocomellus tenuis (Chinese name), Xer. brunneus (Chinese name), and Xerocomus zhangii (Chinese name). Moreover, the genus Nigroboletus is treated as a synonym of Xerocomellus, and a new combination, namely Xer. roseonigrescens (Chinese name), is proposed.

Covalent organic frameworks with flexible side chains in hybrid PEMs enable highly efficient proton conductivity.

Electrochemical hydrogen compression (EHC) is an emerging energy conversion technology. Proton exchange membranes (PEMs) with high proton conductivity and high mechanical strength are highly required to meet the practical requirements of EHC. Herein, ionic covalent organic frameworks (iCOFs) with tunable side chains were synthesized and introduced into the sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) matrix to fabricate hybrid PEMs. In our membranes, the rigid iCOFs afford ordered proton conduction channels, whereas the flexible side chains on iCOFs afford abundant proton conduction sites, adaptive hydrogen bonding networks, and high local density short hydrogen bonds for highly efficient proton transport. Moreover, the hydrogen bond interactions between the side chains on iCOFs and the SPEEK matrix enhance the mechanical stability of membranes. As a result, the hybrid PEM acquires an enhanced proton conductivity of 540.4 mS cm-1 (80 °C, 100%RH), a high mechanical strength of 120.41 MPa, and a superior performance (2.3 MPa at 30 °C, 100%RH) in EHC applications.

Single-cell transcriptomics reveals the pulmonary inflammation induced by inhalation of subway fine particles.

People generally take the subway and inevitably inhale the fine particles (PM2.5) on subway platforms. This study revealed whether and how subway PM2.5 causes lung inflammation. Herein, the pulmonary inflammatory response to subway PM2.5 was observed in mice, manifesting as the inflammatory cells infiltration and collagen deposition in tissue, inflammatory cytokine enhancement in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and Toll-like receptors signal pathway activation in the lungs. Furthermore, single-cell RNA sequencing unearthed subway PM2.5-induced cell-specific responses in the lungs. Twenty immune subsets were identified by the molecular and functional properties. Specific cell populations of CD4+ T and γδ T cells were regarded as the predominant sources of pneumonitis induced by subway PM2.5. Moreover, we demonstrated that the lung inflammatory injury was significantly more attenuated in Rag1-/- mice lacking functional T cells and B cells than that in wild type mice. We proved the slight inflammation of lung tissue in Rag1-/- mice may be dependent on monocytes and neutrophils by activation of the intracellular molecular network. This is the first experimental study on subway PM2.5 causing pulmonary inflammatory damage. It will set an alarm for people who usually travel by subway and efficient measures to reduce PM2.5 should be developed in subway stations.

The Adsorption Mechanisms of SF6-Decomposed Species on Tc- and Ru-Embedded Phthalocyanine Surfaces: A Density Functional Theory Study.

Designing high-performance materials for the detection or removal of toxic decomposition gases of sulfur hexafluoride is crucial for both environmental monitoring and human health preservation. Based on first-principles calculations, the adsorption performance and gas-sensing properties of unsubstituted phthalocyanine (H2Pc) and H2Pc doped with 4d transition metal atoms (TM = Tc and Ru) towards five characteristic decomposition components (HF, H2S, SO2, SOF2, and SO2F2) were simulated. The findings indicate that both the TcPc and RuPc monolayers are thermodynamically and dynamically stable. The analysis of the adsorption energy indicates that H2S, SO2, SOF2, and SO2F2 underwent chemisorption on the TcPc monolayer. Conversely, the HF molecules were physisorbed through interactions with H atoms. The chemical adsorption of H2S, SO2, and SOF2 occurred on the RuPc monolayer, while the physical adsorption of HF and SO2F2 molecules was observed. Moreover, the microcosmic mechanism of the gas-adsorbent interaction was elucidated by analyzing the charge density differences, electron density distributions, Hirshfeld charges, and density of states. The TcPc and RuPc monolayers exhibited excellent sensitivity towards H2S, SO2, and SOF2, as evidenced by the substantial alterations in the band gaps and work functions of the TcPc and RuPc nanosheets. Our calculations hold significant value for exploring the potential chemical sensing applications of TcPc and RuPc monolayers in gas sensing, with a specific focus on detecting sulfur hexafluoride.

Four cases of reported adverse effects from black boletoi, Anthracoporus nigropurpureus (Boletaceae) mushroom ingestion.

In southwestern China, wild boletes are generally considered as safe and tasty edible mushrooms. However, in fact, significant adverse effects after ingestion of boletes is commonly reported in this region. In June 2022, four cases occurred in central and southwestern of China. In these case series, five adults and one child ingested wild boletoi mushrooms known locally as "Yanyoujun" (). This study carried out a detailed epidemiological investigation and mushroom identification. Based on morphological and phylogenetic analysis, the suspected mushrooms were identified as Anthracoporus nigropurpureus (Boletaceae). All five adult victims reported dizziness and blurred vision. Some of them also reported different symptoms, such as muscle weakness, red eyes, headache, muscle cramps, even tremors in the extremities. Reportedly, the symptoms began to subside about 4 to 8 h after ingestion. Among six victims, the child was asymptomatic possibly because a small amount of mushroom was ingested. This possible poisoning appears to be a self-limited illness with a short latency and a relatively short duration. Unfortunately, laboratory investigations of the victims were not performed. Further observations and formal medical examination of victims are required in the future. It is the first detailed report of possible poisoning the genus Anthracoporus.

Inhalation of subway fine particles induces murine extrapulmonary organs damage.

Because of its speed and convenience, the subway has become the first choice for travel by many residents. However, the concentration of fine particles (PM2.5) in the air of a subway platform is higher than that of the ground level or carriage. Moreover, the composition and source of subway PM2.5 differ from those of atmospheric PM2.5. Currently, there is insufficient research on the impact of subway PM2.5 on health. In this study, intratracheally subway PM2.5-inoculated wild type (WT) and Rag1-/- mice, lacking functional T cells and B cells, were used to investigate the potential of subway PM2.5 exposure to cause extrapulmonary organ injuries. Subway PM2.5 increased inflammatory cells infiltration, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, as well as monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1 gene and protein expression, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) induction, and Toll-like receptor (TLR)-2, TLR4, myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), and nuclear factor (NF)-κB levels in liver, kidney, spleen, and thymus in a dose-dependent fashion in WT mice. Subway PM2.5 exposure resulted in slight macrophage (F4/80+) and neutrophil (Ly6G+) infiltration and caused no increase in the protein levels of TNF-α, IL-6, MCP-1, or COX-2 in the liver, kidneys, spleen, and thymus of Rag1-/- mice. These results demonstrate a dose-response manner between subway PM2.5 exposure and inflammatory injuries of extrapulmonary organs, which could be related to the TLR/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway. Subway PM2.5-induced extrapulmonary organ damage was dependent on T cells and B cells; this finding may provide insight for research on the mechanisms responsible for the health hazards posed by air pollution.

Intratracheally administered iron oxide nanoparticles induced murine lung inflammation depending on T cells and B cells.

Iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe2O3 NPs), produced in track traffic system and a wide range of industrial production, poses a great threat to human health. However, there is little research about the mechanism of Fe2O3 NPs toxicity on respiratory system. Rag1-/- mice which lack functional T and B cells were intratracheally challenged with Fe2O3 NPs, and interleukin (IL)-33 as an activator of group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) to observe ILC2s changes. The lung inflammatory response to Fe2O3 NPs was alleviated in Rag1-/- mice compared with wild type (WT) mice. Infiltration of inflammatory cells and collagen deposition in tissue, leukocyte numbers (neutrophils, macrophages and lymphocytes), cytokine levels, such as IL-6, IL-13 and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), and expression of Toll-like receptor (TLR)2, TLR4, and downstream myeloid differentiation factor (MyD)88, nuclear factor (NF)-κB and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were decreased in lungs. Fe2O3 NPs markedly elevated ILC2s compared with the control, but ILC2s numbers were much lower compared with IL-33 in both WT and Rag1-/- mice. Furthermore, ILC2s amounts were strongly greater in Rag1-/- mice than WT mice. Our results suggested that Fe2O3 NPs induced sub-chronic pulmonary inflammation, which is majorly dependent on T cells and B cells rather than ILC2s.

Optical Fiber-Based Recording of Climbing Fiber Ca2+ Signals in Freely Behaving Mice.

The olivocerebellar circuitry is important to convey both motor and non-motor information from the inferior olive (IO) to the cerebellar cortex. Several methods are currently established to observe the dynamics of the olivocerebellar circuitry, largely by recording the complex spike activity of cerebellar Purkinje cells; however, these techniques can be technically challenging to apply in vivo and are not always possible in freely behaving animals. Here, we developed a method for the direct, accessible, and robust recording of climbing fiber (CF) Ca2+ signals based on optical fiber photometry. We first verified the IO stereotactic coordinates and the organization of contralateral CF projections using tracing techniques and then injected Ca2+ indicators optimized for axonal labeling, followed by optical fiber-based recordings. We demonstrated this method by recording CF Ca2+ signals in lobule IV/V of the cerebellar vermis, comparing the resulting signals in freely moving mice. We found various movement-evoked CF Ca2+ signals, but the onset of exploratory-like behaviors, including rearing and tiptoe standing, was highly synchronous with recorded CF activity. Thus, we have successfully established a robust and accessible method to record the CF Ca2+ signals in freely behaving mice, which will extend the toolbox for studying cerebellar function and related disorders.

Phytochemical Constituents and Antiproliferative Activities of Essential Oils from Four Varieties of Malaysian Zingiber officinale Roscoe against Human Cervical Cancer Cell Line.

This study evaluates the volatile metabolic constituents and anticancer potential of essential oils distilled from the rhizomes of four Malaysian Zingiber officinale Roscoe (Zingiberaceae family) varieties (Bentong (BE), Cameron Highlands (CH), Sabah (SA), and Bara (BA)). The ginger essential oils were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC qMS). A total of 58 secondary compounds were tentatively identified, representing 82.6-87.4% of the total ion count. These metabolites comprise mainly of monoterpene hydrocarbons (19.7-25.5%), oxygenated monoterpenes (23.6-33.7%), sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (21.3-35.6%), oxygenated sesquiterpenes (1.5-3.9%), and other minor classes of compounds (0.7-2.7%). Principal component analysis (PCA) enabled differentiation of the analyzed ginger essential oils according to their varieties, with respect to their metabolites and relative quantities. The antiproliferative activity against the HeLa cervical cancer cell line was investigated via the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The oils were found to exhibit strong antiproliferative activities with IC50 values of 23.8, 35.3, 41.3, and 42.5 µg/mL for BA, BE, SA, and CH, respectively. These findings suggest that the differences among the secondary metabolites and their abundance in different varieties of Z. officinale essential oils appear to be related to their antiproliferative potential. The strong antiproliferative effects of these oils signified their potential in the prevention and chemotherapy of cervical carcinoma treatment.

New and noteworthy boletes from subtropical and tropical China.

The morphology, ecology, and phylogenetic relationships of specimens of the family Boletaceae from subtropical and tropical China were investigated. Four species, Butyriboletushuangnianlaii, Lanmaoamacrocarpa, Neoboletusmultipunctatus, and Sutoriussubrufus, are new to science. Chalciporusradiatus and Caloboletusxiangtoushanensis are redescribed. Caloboletusguanyui is proposed to replace Boletusquercinus Hongo, an illegitimate later homonym. The recently described Tylopiluscallainus is synonymized with the Japanese Boletusvirescens, and the new combination T.virescens (Har. Takah. & Taneyama) N.K. Zeng et al. is proposed. Moreover, Neoboletus is treated as an independent genus based on evidence from morphology and molecular phylogenetic data in the present study, and many previously described taxa of Sutorius are recombined into Neoboletus: N.ferrugineus (G. Wu et al.) N.K. Zeng et al., N.flavidus (G. Wu & Zhu L. Yang) N.K. Zeng et al., N.hainanensis (T.H. Li & M. Zang) N.K. Zeng et al., N.obscureumbrinus (Hongo) N.K. Zeng et al., N.rubriporus (G. Wu & Zhu L. Yang) N.K. Zeng et al., N.sanguineoides (G. Wu & Zhu L. Yang) N.K. Zeng et al. , N.sanguineus (G. Wu & Zhu L. Yang) N.K. Zeng et al., and N.tomentulosus (M. Zang et al.) N.K. Zeng et al.

The genus Heimioporus in China.

Species of Heimioporus (Boletaceae, Boletales) in China are investigated on the basis of morphology and molecular phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences from the nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region and nuc 28S rDNA D1-D2 domains (28S) and translation elongation factor 1-α gene (TEF1). Three species are recognized in China: H. conicus, sp. nov., H. gaojiaocong, sp. nov., and the previously described H. japonicus. Heimioporus xerampelinus, originally described from southwestern China, is synonymized with H. japonicus; specimens from China previously regarded as H. retisporus and H. subretisporus are confirmed to represent H. japonicus and H. gaojiaocong, respectively. A key to the Chinese taxa of the genus is provided. A preliminary biogeographical analysis shows that Heimioporus in East Asia and Southeast Asia/Australia are closely related. Heimioporus japonicus is a geographically widespread species occurring in East Asia and Southeast Asia; however, no taxa common to East Asia and Australia were uncovered.