T. Sasaki

Heart rate changes related to risky selections and outcomes in a rat gambling task

This study shows that rats exhibit distinct heart rate changes before and after selecting risky versus certain options in a gambling task.

Cell-based assays and comparative genomics revealed the conserved and hidden effects of Wolbachia on insect sex determination

This study uses cell transinfection and comparative genomics to show that Wolbachia strains inducing male killing or feminization affect sex-determining gene splicing in Lepidoptera, while some non-inducing strains also influence sex determination through different mechanisms.

Blood immunophenotyping identifies distinct kidney histopathology and outcomes in patients with lupus nephritis

The paper identifies three immunologically distinct groups in lupus nephritis patients based on blood immunophenotyping, correlating with histopathology, treatment response, and renal outcomes.

Spatiotemporal EP4-fibulin-1 expression is associated with vascular intimal hyperplasia

This study identifies EP4 and fibulin-1 as key regulators of vascular intimal hyperplasia through VSMC proliferation, suggesting EP4 antagonists or fibulin-1 downregulation as potential therapeutic strategies.

Nucleolus and centromere TSA-Seq reveals variable localization of heterochromatin in different cell types

The paper uses TSA-seq to map genomic regions near nucleoli and pericentric heterochromatin in human cell lines, revealing variable heterochromatin localization and complex nuclear organization.

Tag attachment reduces the initiation of recruitment in the rock ant, Temnothorax rugatulus

This study shows that tracking tags reduce recruitment behavior in rock ants without affecting individual activity.

p53 secures the normal behavior of H3.1 histone in the nucleus by regulating nuclear phosphatidic acid and EZH2 during the G1/S phase

This study shows p53 regulates H3.1 histone behavior during G1/S phase by modulating nuclear phosphatidic acid and EZH2 levels, preventing H3.1 from being trimethylated at the nuclear envelope.

Generation and therapeutic efficacy of the novel Fc-modified cross-neutralizing human monoclonal antibodies against dengue virus

This paper develops two Fc-modified human monoclonal antibodies that neutralize all dengue virus serotypes without causing antibody-dependent enhancement or complement activation.

Downregulation of CYP7B1 caused by lipotoxicity associates with the progression of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

This study shows that restoring CYP7B1 expression reduces NASH progression in mice, linking its downregulation to lipid and oxidative stress in the early stages of the disease.

An engineered ACE2 decoy broadly neutralizes Omicron subvariants and shows therapeutic effect in SARS-CoV-2-infected cynomolgus macaques

This paper shows an engineered ACE2 decoy neutralizes Omicron subvariants and is effective in treating SARS-CoV-2 infection in macaques.

Difference in determinants and changing patterns of plant community composition with and without grazing across semi-arid and arid regions in Mongolian steppe

The paper examines how plant community composition changes with and without grazing in semi-arid and arid Mongolian regions, finding aridity has a significant impact regardless of grazing, but grazing eliminates soil pH effects.

Epsin2, a novel target for multiple system atrophy therapy via α-synuclein/FABP7 propagation

This study identifies epsin-2 as a therapeutic target for multiple system atrophy by regulating FABP7/-synuclein hetero-aggregates propagation.

How to measure response diversity

This paper reviews methods for measuring response diversity and proposes a framework to quantify it from experimental and observational data across taxa.

Lipid-correlated alterations in the transcriptome are enriched in several specific pathways in the postmortem prefrontal cortex of Japanese patients with schizophrenia

The paper integrates transcriptome and lipidome data from postmortem prefrontal cortex samples of schizophrenia patients to identify lipid-correlated gene expression changes in specific pathways.

Collagen XVIII promotes breast cancer through EGFR/ErbB signaling and its ablation improves the efficacy of ErbB-targeting inhibitors

This study shows that collagen XVIII promotes breast cancer via EGFR/ErbB signaling and sustains cancer stem cells, and its inhibition enhances the effectiveness of ErbB-targeting therapies.

Longitudinal immune cell profiling in early systemic lupus erythematosus

This study tracks immune cell changes in early systemic lupus erythematosus using mass cytometry and identifies longitudinal shifts in Tfh cells and CXCL10.

Sequestration and efflux largely account for cadmium and copper resistance in the deep sea epsilonproteobacterium Nitratiruptor sp. SB155 2

This study investigates metal resistance mechanisms in Nitratiruptor sp. SB155-2 by analyzing transcriptomic and morphological responses to cadmium and copper stress.

Independent adoptions of a set of proteins found in the matrix of the mineralized shell-like eggcase of Argonaut octopuses

This study identifies that Argonaut octopuses use a distinct set of proteins to form their shell-like eggcase, which is not homologous to the shells of other mollusks.

Humanized substitutions of Vmat1 in mice alter amygdala-dependent behaviors associated with the evolution of anxiety

This study introduces humanized Vmat1 mutations into mice to investigate their impact on anxiety-related behaviors and amygdala function, finding reduced anxiety and altered neurophysiological activity.

Naïve individuals promote collective exploration in homing pigeons

The paper studies how naive and experienced homing pigeons balance exploration and exploitation in route learning, finding that pairs alternate leadership to enhance collective discovery.

Integrated population genomic analysis and numerical simulation to estimate larval dispersal of Acanthaster cf. solaris between Ogasawara and other Japanese regions

This study estimates larval dispersal of Acanthaster cf. solaris between Ogasawara and Kuroshio regions using genomic analysis and oceanographic simulations, finding limited short-term dispersal but gradual long-term connectivity.

TNF Blockade Reduces Prostatic Hyperplasia and Inflammation while Limiting BPH Diagnosis in Patients with Autoimmune Disease

Patient data and mouse models suggest that repurposing tumor necrosis factor alpha blockade reduces inflammation-mediated prostatic hyperplasia.

Comprehensive analysis of male-free reproduction in Monomorium triviale (Formicidae: Myrmicinae)

The paper provides evidence for obligatory thelytokous parthenogenesis in Monomorium triviale, showing queens reproduce without mating and workers are sterile.

Characterization of human embryonic stem cells in animal component-free medium

This study shows that SEES2 ESCs can be stably cultured in an animal component-free medium for 60 days without losing their karyotype or differentiation potential.

Hydrophilic Shell Matrix Proteins of Nautilus pompilius and The Identification of a Core Set of Conchiferan Domains

The paper identifies shell matrix proteins and conserved domains in Nautilus pompilius and compares them with other conchiferans to study shell evolution.

Perception of and anxiety about COVID-19 infection and risk behaviors for spreading infection: An international comparison

This study compares public perception, anxiety, and risk behaviors related to COVID-19 across Japan, the UK, and Spain using survey data.

Division of labor promotes the spread of information in colony emigrations by the ant Temnothorax rugatulus

The paper studies how behavioral heterogeneity in ant colonies affects information spread during emigration, identifying four distinct worker castes.

Functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles for innovative boron-neutron capture therapy of resistant cancers

This study develops B-MSNs for BNCT to treat chondrosarcomas, showing DNA damage and cell death in radio-resistant CSCs.

Single-cell transcriptomics reveals expansion of cytotoxic CD4 T-cells in supercentenarians

This study identifies an increase in cytotoxic CD4 T-cells and a reduction in B-cells in supercentenarians through single-cell transcriptomics.

Replication timing alterations in leukemia reflect stable clinically-relevant changes in genome architecture

The paper compares DNA replication timing profiles of BCP-ALL leukemic samples with normal B-lineage differentiation stages to identify clinically relevant features.