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BioRxiv : the Preprint Server For... Jun 2024Vagal sensory neurons convey sensations from internal organs along the vagus nerve to the brainstem. Pruriceptors are a subtype of neurons that transmit itch and induce...
Vagal sensory neurons convey sensations from internal organs along the vagus nerve to the brainstem. Pruriceptors are a subtype of neurons that transmit itch and induce pruritus. Despite extensive research on the molecular mechanisms of itch, studies focusing on pruriceptors in the vagal ganglia still need to be explored. In this study, we characterized vagal pruriceptor neurons by their responsiveness to pruritogens such as lysophosphatidic acid, -alanine, chloroquine, and the cytokine oncostatin M. We discovered that lung-resident basophils produce oncostatin M and that its release can be induced by engagement of FcRI. Oncostatin M then sensitizes multiple populations of vagal sensory neurons, including Tac1 and MrgprA3 neurons in the jugular ganglia. Finally, we observed an increase in oncostatin M release in mice sensitized to the house dust mite or to the fungal allergen , highlighting a novel mechanism through which basophils and vagal sensory neurons may communicate during type I hypersensitivity diseases such as allergic asthma.
PubMed: 38915548
DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.11.598517 -
Cureus May 2024Azithromycin can result in severe cholestatic liver disease. We describe two cases of intractable pruritus secondary to drug-induced cholestatic liver injury,...
Azithromycin can result in severe cholestatic liver disease. We describe two cases of intractable pruritus secondary to drug-induced cholestatic liver injury, unresponsive to symptomatic medical therapy, necessitating and responding well to therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE). The first is a case of a 60-year-old male known to have stable chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and benign prostatic hyperplasia, and the second is a 46-year-old female known to have primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) who presented at six weeks and two weeks, respectively, post-mild-COVID-19 pneumonia. Their drug histories were positive for over-the-counter (OCT) azithromycin use during the COVID-19 pneumonia period. They presented with a two-week history of severe itching, associated with sleep deprivation and impaired quality of life. Liver function tests revealed a cholestatic pattern of liver injury. Pruritus remained refractory to multiple lines of treatment including bile acid sequestrants and antihistamines. Rapid and long-lasting relief of the patient's symptoms was observed after three sessions of TPE. Our cases highlight medically recalcitrant cholestatic pruritus as an adverse effect of antibiotic misuse during the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Sustained symptomatic improvements were seen after TPE.
PubMed: 38910696
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.60884 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2024An 8-year-old female child presented with patchy hair loss for 1 year, accompanied by eyebrow loss for 6 months. Microscopic examination of the hair confirmed the...
An 8-year-old female child presented with patchy hair loss for 1 year, accompanied by eyebrow loss for 6 months. Microscopic examination of the hair confirmed the features of active stage alopecia areata, with a Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score of 70%. The diagnosis was severe alopecia areata. The patient had a history of atopic dermatitis since infancy, with recurrent episodes of scattered papules and pruritus for 8 years. Initial treatment involved subcutaneous injections of dupilumab 300mg every 2 weeks for 6 months, resulting in a reduction of SALT score to 20% and improvement of atopic dermatitis symptoms. Discontinuation of Dupilumab and initiation of daily oral Baricitinib at a dose of 2mg for a duration of 5 months. According to the SALT score evaluation, the severity of hair loss was less than 10% and there was significant regrowth of hair. No significant adverse reactions were observed during the treatment period.
Topics: Humans; Alopecia Areata; Dermatitis, Atopic; Female; Purines; Child; Azetidines; Pyrazoles; Sulfonamides; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Treatment Outcome; Severity of Illness Index; Drug Therapy, Combination
PubMed: 38903518
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1395288 -
World Journal of Clinical Cases Jun 2024Chronic eczema significantly impacts daily life, social interactions, and quality of life; however, no curative treatment has been identified.
BACKGROUND
Chronic eczema significantly impacts daily life, social interactions, and quality of life; however, no curative treatment has been identified.
AIM
To determine the clinical efficacy of acupoint injection for chronic eczema and its influence on peripheral blood T cells.
METHODS
Eighty patients with chronic eczema treated at our hospital between June 2022 and March 2023 were randomly assigned to a control group ( = 40), which received conventional Western medicine treatment, or an observation group ( = 40), which received routine Western medicine treatment plus acupoint injection of triamcinolone acetonide. Response and adverse reaction rates, as well as differences in the levels of serum cytokines IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10 before and after treatment were investigated.
RESULTS
No difference in overall response rates were found between the observation and control groups (100% 90%, respectively; > 0.05); however, the observation group had a higher marked response rate than the control group (87.5% 52.5%; < 0.05). Both groups had decreased Eczema Area and Severity Index scores and increased pruritus after treatment ( < 0.05), particularly in the observation group ( < 0.05). The observation group had an adverse reaction rate of 2.5% (1/40), which did not differ significantly from that of the control group ( > 0.05). The observation group exhibited higher post-treatment INF-γ and IL-2 but lower IL-4 levels than the control group ( < 0.05); however, no significant inter-group difference was observed in post-treatment IL-10 levels ( > 0.05).
CONCLUSION
Acupoint injection of triamcinolone acetonide is safe and effective in treating chronic eczema. Its therapeutic mechanism is related to the regulation of peripheral blood T cell levels, inhibition of inflammatory reactions, and mitigation of immune imbalance.
PubMed: 38898828
DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v12.i17.3019 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Nocturnal scratching substantially impairs the quality of life in individuals with skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis (AD). Current clinical measurements of...
Nocturnal scratching substantially impairs the quality of life in individuals with skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis (AD). Current clinical measurements of scratch rely on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) on itch over the last 24 h. Such measurements lack objectivity and sensitivity. Digital health technologies (DHTs), such as wearable sensors, have been widely used to capture behaviors in clinical and real-world settings. In this work, we develop and validate a machine learning algorithm using wrist-wearing actigraphy that could objectively quantify nocturnal scratching events, therefore facilitating accurate assessment of disease progression, treatment effectiveness, and overall quality of life in AD patients. A total of seven subjects were enrolled in a study to generate data overnight in an inpatient setting. Several machine learning models were developed, and their performance was compared. Results demonstrated that the best-performing model achieved the F1 score of 0.45 on the test set, accompanied by a precision of 0.44 and a recall of 0.46. Upon satisfactory performance with an expanded subject pool, our automatic scratch detection algorithm holds the potential for objectively assessing sleep quality and disease state in AD patients. This advancement promises to inform and refine therapeutic strategies for individuals with AD.
Topics: Humans; Dermatitis, Atopic; Machine Learning; Actigraphy; Wrist; Male; Female; Adult; Algorithms; Pruritus; Wearable Electronic Devices; Quality of Life; Sleep; Middle Aged
PubMed: 38894155
DOI: 10.3390/s24113364 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Jun 2024Patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) experience a high disease-related symptom burden. A specific instrument to evaluate quality of life (QoL), i.e., the...
Translation, Cultural Adaptation, and Validation into Romanian of the Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Symptom Assessment Form-Total Symptom Score (MPN-SAF TSS or MPN-10) Questionnaire.
Patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) experience a high disease-related symptom burden. A specific instrument to evaluate quality of life (QoL), i.e., the MPN Symptom Assessment Form Total Symptom Score (MPN-SAF TSS; MPN-10), was developed. We conducted the translation, cultural adaptation, and validation into Romanian of the MPN-10. We translated the MPN-10 and tested its psychometric properties. We recruited 180 MPN patients: 66 polycythemia vera (36.67%), 61 essential thrombocythemia (33.89%), 51 primary and secondary myelofibrosis (SMF) (28.33%), and 2 MPN-unclassifiable (1.11%). The mean TSS was 19.51 ± 16.51 points. Fatigue, inactivity, and concentration problems were the most cumbersome symptoms. We detected scoring differences between MPN subtypes regarding weight loss ( < 0.001), fatigue ( = 0.006), early satiety ( = 0.007), night sweats ( = 0.047), pruritus ( = 0.05), and TSS ( = 0.021). There were strong positive associations between TSS and inactivity, fatigue, and concentration problems, and moderate negative correlations between QoL scores and all MPN-10 items. Cronbach's α internal consistency coefficient was 0.855. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin construct validity test result was 0.870 and the Bartlett Sphericity Test was significant ( < 0.001). Symptom scores were loaded into one single factor according to the exploratory factor analysis. The Romanian MPN-10 version displayed excellent psychometric properties and is a reliable instrument for assessing symptom burden and QoL in Romanian MPN patients.
PubMed: 38892995
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13113284 -
Nefrologia Jun 2024
PubMed: 38890063
DOI: 10.1016/j.nefroe.2024.06.005 -
Acta Dermato-venereologica Jun 2024Heat application is known to activate transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, which play a crucial role in sensory perception, including itch. In this study, the... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Heat application is known to activate transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, which play a crucial role in sensory perception, including itch. In this study, the effect of a 5-s, 49°C heat application on itch intensity in atopic dermatitis (AD) patients was evaluated. The study comprised 2 parts: a controlled trial investigating the impact of brief heat treatment on mechanically induced itch, and a real-life study of AD patients experiencing itch attacks. A significant and immediate reduction in itch sensations following heat application was shown, with effects enduring over time. This response, however, showed notable individual variability, underscoring the potential of personalized approaches in AD treatment. Repeated applications of heat showed no habituation effect, suggesting its viability as a non-pharmacological, patient-tailored option for managing itch in AD. Further research in larger cohorts is warranted to refine treatment protocols and deepen understanding of the mechanisms involved.
Topics: Humans; Dermatitis, Atopic; Pruritus; Female; Male; Adult; Hot Temperature; Young Adult; Middle Aged; Treatment Outcome; Time Factors; Severity of Illness Index; Adolescent
PubMed: 38887031
DOI: 10.2340/actadv.v104.40127 -
Horticulture Research Jun 2024, 2n = 2x = 16, as a perennial species, is widely distributed in China, Mongolia, Russia, etc. It is a traditional Chinese herb used to treat tetanus, rubella...
, 2n = 2x = 16, as a perennial species, is widely distributed in China, Mongolia, Russia, etc. It is a traditional Chinese herb used to treat tetanus, rubella pruritus, rheumatic arthralgia, and other diseases. Here, we assembled a 2.07 Gb and N50 scaffold length of 227.67 Mb high-quality chromosome-level genome of based on the PacBio Sequel II sequencing platform. The total number of genes identified was 42 948, and 42 456 of them were functionally annotated. A total of 85.07% of the genome was composed of repeat sequences, comprised mainly of long terminal repeats (LTRs) which represented 73.7% of the genome sequence. The genome size may have been affected by a recent whole-genome duplication event. Transcriptional and metabolic analyses revealed bolting and non-bolting differed in flavonoids, plant hormones, and some pharmacologically active components. The analysis of its genome, transcriptome, and metabolome helped to provide insights into the evolution of bolting and non-bolting phenotypes in wild and cultivated and lays the basis for genetic improvement of the species.
PubMed: 38883332
DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhae105 -
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical... Aug 2024Alpha-gal IgE level can change rapidly. Reassessment of a patient's alpha-gal IgE level may be helpful in the patient's clinical follow-up. Pruritus related to the site...
Alpha-gal IgE level can change rapidly. Reassessment of a patient's alpha-gal IgE level may be helpful in the patient's clinical follow-up. Pruritus related to the site of a previous tick bite strengthens the diagnosis of alpha-gal syndrome.
PubMed: 38881738
DOI: 10.1016/j.jacig.2024.100280