M. Nakamura

Foam rolling intervention improves lactate clearance after high-intensity exercise

This study investigates whether foam rolling improves lactate clearance and cognitive recovery after high-intensity exercise, finding reduced lactate levels and partial executive function recovery.

A fungal transcription factor BOT6 facilitates the transition of a beneficial root fungus into an adapted anthracnose pathogen

This study identifies CtBOT6, a transcription factor in the fungus Colletotrichum tofieldiae, as critical for transitioning from a beneficial root associate to a pathogen capable of overcoming nonhost resistance.

Selective Translation Orchestrates Key Signaling Pathways in Primed Pluripotency

This study identifies EIF3D as a key regulator of primed pluripotency through selective translational control of signaling pathways and p53 regulators.

Loss-of-function mutation in the polyamine transporter gene OsLAT5 as a selectable marker for genome editing

The paper demonstrates that loss-of-function mutations in OsLAT5 confer resistance to methylviologen, providing a selectable marker for genome editing in rice.

Calcium influx rapidly establishes distinct spatial recruitments of Annexins to cell wounds

The paper shows that calcium influx quantity, not phospholipid binding, determines distinct Annexin recruitment patterns to cell wounds in Drosophila, which is critical for actomyosin ring formation and wound closure.

Two Septin Complexes Mediate Actin Dynamics During Cell Wound Repair

This study identifies two distinct Septin complexes that regulate actin dynamics during cell wound repair in Drosophila.

Insectivorous birds and bats outperform ants in the top-down regulation of arthropods across strata of a Japanese temperate forest

This study compares the top-down control effects of birds, bats, and ants on arthropod communities and plant damage across forest strata in a Japanese temperate forest.

Deciphering Cell-types and Gene Signatures Associated with Disease Activity in Rheumatoid Arthritis using Single Cell RNA-sequencing

This study uses single-cell RNA sequencing of PBMCs from RA patients and controls to identify disease-associated cell subsets and gene signatures linked to RA disease activity.

Near-infrared imaging of phytochrome-derived autofluorescence in plant nuclei

The paper develops a non-invasive NIR imaging technique to visualize live plant cell nuclei using phytochrome-derived autofluorescence, applicable across multiple plant species.

Seed size control via phloem end by callose deposition/degradation of β-1,3-glucanase

The paper identifies a mechanism for seed size regulation through callose deposition/degradation at the phloem end of the ovule, mediated by β-1,3-glucanase genes.

Meta-analysis of gonadal transcriptome provides novel insights into sex change mechanism across protogynous fishes

The paper performs a meta-analysis of gonadal transcriptomes across seven protogynous fish species to identify shared regulatory factors in sex change, finding novel genes and highlighting cholesterol dynamics as a potential universal influence.

Periodontitis promotes bacterial extracellular vesicle-induced neuroinflammation in the brain and trigeminal ganglion

This study shows that periodontitis promotes neuroinflammation via bacterial extracellular vesicles that cross the blood-brain barrier and activate TLR4/TLR8 signaling in the brain and trigeminal ganglion.

Climatic niches provide insights into the evolutionary origins and ecological significance of the succulent CAM syndrome around the world

The paper analyzes the climatic niches of succulent CAM plants to understand their evolutionary origins and ecological significance, finding their niches are not distinct from non-succulent relatives.

Cell polarity linked to gravity sensing is generated by protein translocation from statoliths to the plasma membrane.

This study identifies LAZY1-LIKE proteins as gravity sensors in plant statocytes, showing their polar localization based on gravity direction.

Phylobone: A comprehensive database of bone extracellular matrix proteins in human and model organisms

Phylobone compiles 255 bone ECM proteins across humans and 30 vertebrates, identifies functional domains, and suggests drug repurposing opportunities for bone research.

The Centralspindlin proteins Pavarotti and Tumbleweed work with WASH to regulate Nuclear Envelope budding

This study identifies Pavarotti and Tumbleweed as new components of the nuclear envelope budding machinery that work with WASH to regulate structural aspects of NE budding.

Quantitative analysis of calcium oxalate monohydrate and dihydrate for elucidating the formation mechanism of calcium oxalate kidney stones

This paper quantitatively analyzes calcium oxalate monohydrate and dihydrate in kidney stones using FTIR, PXRD, and micro-CT to understand their formation mechanisms.

A fungal secondary metabolism gene cluster enables mutualist-pathogen transition in root endophyte Colletotrichum tofieldiae

The paper identifies a fungal gene cluster in Colletotrichum tofieldiae that enables lifestyle transition between mutualism and pathogenesis by modulating host nutrient uptake and ABA pathways.

Absorption changes in Photosystem II in the Soret band region upon the formation of the chlorophyll cation radical +

The paper measures absorption changes in Photosystem II's Soret band region caused by the chlorophyll cation radical [PD1PD2]+, showing a 'W-shaped' signal dependent on TyrD and its H-bonding environment.

SWEET13 transport of sucrose, but not gibberellin, restores male fertility in Arabidopsis sweet13;14

The paper shows that SWEET13 transports sucrose, not gibberellin, is essential for male fertility in Arabidopsis, while GA transport is not required for this function.

Bacterial catabolic system of acetovanillone and acetosyringone useful for upgrading aromatic compounds obtained through chemical lignin depolymerization

This paper identifies and characterizes the bacterial catabolic system for acetovanillone and acetosyringone, demonstrating their potential for upgrading aromatic compounds from lignin depolymerization.

Cell wound repair requires the coordinated action of linear and branched actin nucleation factors

This study shows that branched actin nucleators scaffold the contractile actomyosin cable during wound repair, and their removal leads to alternative mechanisms of wound closure through linear actin filaments.

Nonself Mutations in the Spike Protein Suggest an Increase in the Antigenicity and a Decrease in the Virulence of the Omicron Variant of SARS-CoV-2

The paper analyzes nonself mutations in the Spike protein of Omicron and Delta variants to show increased antigenicity and decreased virulence despite higher infectivity.

Development and evaluation of PCR primers for environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding of Amphibia

The paper develops and evaluates PCR primers for eDNA metabarcoding of amphibians, finding that the Amph16S primer set detects twice as many species as physical surveys in agricultural ecosystems.

A stress-reduced passaging technique improves the viability of human pluripotent cells

This paper introduces a stress-reduced passaging technique for human pluripotent stem cells that improves viability and downstream application efficiency without altering cell characteristics.

Complex genetic patterns and distribution limits mediated by native congeners of the worldwide invasive red-eared slider turtle

The paper studies genetic patterns and distribution limits of invasive red-eared slider turtles and their native congeners, finding genetic differentiation and reduced gene flow despite geographic contact.

OsSWEET11b, a sixth leaf blight susceptibility gene involved in sugar transport-dependent male fertility

The paper identifies OsSWEET11b as a rice gene involved in male fertility and susceptibility to bacterial leaf blight, showing its role in sucrose transport and Xoo virulence.

Surface electric fields increase human osteoclast resorption through improved wettability on carbonate-incorporated apatite

This study shows that electrical polarization of carbonate-substituted hydroxyapatite improves surface wettability, enhancing osteoclast-mediated resorption without affecting early osteoclast differentiation.

Novel method for clarifying faster interstitial flow in the intimal side of the aorta under intraluminal pressurization

This study measures interstitial flow velocity in the aorta under pressure to investigate its role in hypertension-induced thickening.

Identification of Lagopus muta japonica plant food resources in the Northern Japan Alps using DNA metabarcoding

This study uses DNA metabarcoding to identify plant food resources of Japanese rock ptarmigans in the Northern Japan Alps, finding 43 plant taxa across 21 families, with Ericaceae being the most dominant.