M. Watanabe

Brain organoid-on-a-chip to create multiple domains in forebrain organoids

This paper introduces a Brain Organoid-on-a-Chip platform that generates signaling gradients to create topographic forebrain organoids, mimicking human brain regions for neurodevelopment and disease studies.

Simple ways to avoid collecting highly 137Cs-contaminated Aralia elata buds

The paper evaluates environmental factors affecting 137Cs contamination in Aralia elata buds to provide strategies for avoiding highly contaminated specimens.

Cholinergic control of GnRH neuron physiology and luteinizing hormone secretion: involvement of ACh/GABA co-transmission

This study shows that cholinergic activation increases luteinizing hormone secretion in mice by modulating GnRH neuron activity through ACh and ACh/GABA co-transmission.

Identification and Characterization of Calcium Binding Protein, Spermatid Associated 1 (CABS1) in Selected Human Tissues and Fluids

This study characterizes CABS1 protein in human tissues and fluids using antibodies and bioinformatics, revealing its broader distribution and structural properties.

Evasion of APOBEC1-mediated Intrinsic Immunity by a Herpesvirus Uracil DNA Glycosylase Is a Determinant of Viral Encephalitis

This study shows that HSV-1's vUNG enzyme evades APOBEC1 immunity by preventing DNA editing, leading to more severe encephalitis in mice.

Evidence of Disrupted-in Schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) as an arsenic binding protein and implications regarding its role as a translational activator

This study shows DISC1 binds arsenic via a C-terminal cysteine motif and suggests it acts as a sensor and translational modulator in the Akt/mTOR pathway.

Anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) detection in culture supernatant of cloned B cells

The paper develops a method to detect ANA at low concentrations in single B cell cultures, enabling analysis of ANA reactivity from naive B cells of healthy individuals and autoimmune patients.

Diversity of genome size and chromosome number in homothallic and heterothallic strains of the Closterium peracerosum-strigosum-littorale complex (desmidiales, zygnematophyceae, streptophyta)

This study compares genome size and chromosome number between homothallic and heterothallic strains of the Closterium psl complex, finding positive correlations with cell size and chromosomal variation within mating groups.

Lifelong tissue memory relies on spatially organised dedicated progenitors located distally from the injury

The paper shows that wound repair leads to the formation of spatially organized memory progenitors that enhance future wound healing but also increase tumorigenesis risk.

T-cell cellular stress and reticulocyte signatures, but not loss of naive T lymphocytes, characterize severe COVID-19 in older adults

The paper identifies T-cell stress and reticulocyte signatures as markers of severe COVID-19 in older adults, while showing naive T-cell decline is age-related, not disease-specific.

Dissecting the cell of origin of aberrant SALL4 expression in myelodysplastic syndrome

This study identifies the cellular origin of aberrant SALL4 expression in MDS using mass cytometry, showing it is mainly in HSPC and myeloid lineages, with SALL4/p53 co-expression linked to TP53 mutations.

Reprogramming of lactate metabolism is linked to the oncogenesis of the virus-induced leukemia

This study shows HBZ promotes lactate excretion in ATL cells via TAp73, leading to tumor growth and poor prognosis.

Pacsin 2-dependent N-cadherin internalization regulates the migration behaviour of malignant cancer cells

This study shows that pacsin 2 regulates N-cadherin internalization, affecting collective migration of bladder cancer cells.

MAIT cells have a negative impact on glioblastoma

The paper identifies MAIT cells as immunosuppressive in glioblastoma, correlating their presence with poor patient survival and immune suppressive gene upregulation.

Competent immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 variants in older adults following mRNA vaccination

This study shows older adults have robust cellular immunity and comparable neutralizing antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 variants after mRNA vaccination.

Direct Energy Transfer from Allophycocyanin-Free Rod-Type CpcL-Phycobilisome to Photosystem I

The paper demonstrates efficient energy transfer from red-shifted phycocyanobilin in a rod-type phycobilisome to photosystem I in Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 using picosecond spectroscopy.

Role of GM-CSF in regulating metabolism and mitochondrial functions critical to macrophage proliferation

This study shows GM-CSF is critical for mitochondrial function and metabolism in macrophages, supporting their proliferation and self-renewal.

Effects of Malaysian strains of Toxoplasma gondii on behaviours and their possible risk in schizophrenia-like rat model

This study investigates the effects of Malaysian T. gondii strains on rat behavior and finds increased locomotor activity and memory deficits in infected rats, suggesting potential links to schizophrenia-like conditions.

Human iPSC-derived hypertrophic chondrocytes reveal a mutation-specific unfolded protein response in chondrodysplasias

The paper evaluates mutation-specific unfolded protein response in chondrodysplasias using human iPSC-derived hypertrophic chondrocytes and identifies differential ER stress and gene expression changes.

Enhancer Remodeling Promotes Tumor-Initiating Activity in NRF2-Activated Non-Small Cell Lung Cancers

The paper identifies NRF2-CEBPB cooperativity in promoting tumor-initiating activity in NRF2-activated NSCLCs through enhancer remodeling and the NRF2-NOTCH3 regulatory axis.

Hair follicle stem cell progeny heal blisters while pausing skin development

The paper shows that skin blisters heal by sacrificing developmental programs, with HF stem cell progeny repairing wounds without promoting hair follicle growth.

Cortisol levels adter cold exposure are independent of adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation

This study shows that cortisol levels after cold exposure are not correlated with ACTH levels in human autopsies or in cell culture experiments.