Y. Ozaki

Fibroblast Nrf2 inhibits profibrotic transcription with Ddx54 and mitigates pathological fibrosis in the mouse heart and kidney

This study identifies the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway as a regulator of TGF-β-mediated CTGF expression in fibroblasts, showing that Nrf2 with Ddx54 suppresses profibrotic genes and reduces fibrosis in mouse heart and kidney.

Tomato Response Evaluation through Fertilization and PGRs application Under Temperature Differentiation in late Winter

This study evaluates the effects of plant growth regulators (PGRs) and fertilizer doses on tomato growth and yield under fluctuated temperature and humidity in late winter, finding that GA3 and SA at 50 ppm can replace 20% fertilizer without compromising yield.

Deep mutational scanning of whole SARS-CoV-2 spike in an inverted infection system

The paper develops a DMS platform to analyze SARS-CoV-2 spike mutations, finding that spike expression, not ACE2 affinity, primarily affects infectivity and evolution.

Engineered ACE2 counteracts vaccine-evading SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant

This paper shows engineered ACE2 neutralizes Omicron and other sarbecoviruses effectively despite its high number of spike mutations.

Identification, crystallization and epitope determination of public TCR shared and expanded in COVID-19 patients

The paper identifies and crystallizes public TCRs from SARS-CoV-2-specific Tfh cells in COVID-19 patients, showing they recognize conserved spike epitopes and cross-react with symbiotic bacteria.

Iodine staining as a useful probe for distinguishing amyloid fibril polymorphs

The paper demonstrates that iodine staining can distinguish amyloid fibril polymorphs by color differences, linked to specific iodine binding sites and surface structures.

Exploration of insulin amyloid polymorphism using Raman spectroscopy and imaging

This paper uses Raman spectroscopy to analyze insulin amyloid polymorphism under different salt and temperature conditions, identifying structural markers that distinguish fibril forms.