Kōchi University

The cultivated chrysanthemum is the most important ornamental species in the genus Chrysanthemum. However, because it is predominantly hexaploid and additionally exhibits self-incompatibility, it harbors numerous functionally redundant genes and displays extremely high heterozygosity. As a result, its genomic architecture is highly complex, making it challenging to interpret data obtained from omics analyses such as RNA-seq. To provide a genetically tractable model, we previously developed Gojo-0, a self-compatible, pure line of the diploid wild species C. seticuspe. In this study, we established Gojo-1, an improved self-compatible pure line derived from Gojo-0 and its sibling lines, exhibiting enhanced viability and culture performance. Leveraging these traits, we performed CRISPR–Cas9 editing of the AGAMOUS orthologs and successfully isolated mutants with altered floral organ morphology, demonstrating the line’s suitability for functional genomics. Comparative genome analysis showed that, aside from chromosome 1, the Gojo-1 genome is highly similar to that of Gojo-0, whose complete sequence has been determined. Taken together, these features indicate that Gojo-1 will serve as a valuable resource for future omics-based studies and a broad range of additional research applications.

Abstract Fish skin, which is primarily composed of collagen, shrinks at a certain temperature relating to the fish’s physiological temperature (Tp). Based on our previous reports, the denaturation temperature (Td) of type I collagen in fi sh species is correlated with Tp. In this study, we developed a simple method to measure the shrinking temperature (Ts) by video analysis using fish skins of 22 species and examine the relationship among the Ts, Tp, and Td of type I collagen in each fish species. The Ts showed a high correlation with the Tp of each fish species. The Ts of each fish species was approximately 26 °C higher than the Td of type I collagen from the same fish species. In addition, Ts was highly and positively correlated with the content of Pro and Hyp in type I collagen but negatively correlated with the content of Ser. These results indicated that fish Ts can be easily measured by video analysis and that it varies depending on Td, which is mainly determined by the content of Pro, Hyp, and Ser in collagen molecules in the skin. This method can be utilized for checking the integrity of skin collagen, particularly from cold-water fish.

An electric field-assisted catalytic reaction system can provide endothermic propane dehydrogenation (PDH) free from thermodynamic equilibrium constraints even at low temperatures. This work focuses on the development of a highly efficient catalyst for the electric field-assisted PDH reaction by using various metal ion-doped CeO2 materials with fluorite structure as catalyst supports. The Pt/Ce0.9Ga0.1O2 catalyst exhibited the highest C3H8 conversion (2.3 %) and C3H6 selectivity levels (ca. 100 %) at 523 K under an electric field, and its catalytic performance was maintained for at least 5 h with suppressed carbon deposition. Since dehydrogenation catalysis on the supported metals enhances the activity of PDH under an electric field, the Pt-supported catalyst, which is most effective for dehydrogenation, exhibited the highest activity. The surface proton conductivity of Pt/Ce0.9Ga0.1O2 was higher than that of Pt/CeO2, because the substitution of Ce4+ in CeO2 with Ga3+ increased the surface proton density via charge compensation. Pt/Ce0.9Ga0.1O2 enhanced the level of catalytic activity for the electric field-assisted PDH reaction since surface protonics plays an important role in C3H8 activation. Thus, surface engineering of oxide support by heterocation doping can be an effective approach for developing highly active catalysts for low-temperature electric field-assisted PDH reactions.

Abstract The existence of missing geomagnetic reversals has been proposed, with potential for new magnetostratigraphic age controls. We estimate geomagnetic reversal frequency from 0 to 155 Ma using adaptive‐bandwidth kernel density estimation (AKDE) to evaluate data sparseness and to assess how reversal frequency changes when recently identified geomagnetic reversals are incorporated into the geomagnetic polarity time scale (GPTS) data set. AKDE is a two‐stage procedure that uses an initial density estimator based on an initial (pilot) bandwidth. We found that the pilot bandwidth determined using cross‐validation is stable with respect to data set length. The AKDE results obtained based on the cross‐validated pilot bandwidth reveal four troughs after the Cretaceous Normal Superchron, spaced 13.5–15.0 Myr apart and corresponding to relatively long chrons (>0.8 Myr). One trough near 32 Ma becomes less distinct after the four recently identified reversals are added to the data set. This sensitivity suggests that troughs in the frequency curve may indicate missing geomagnetic reversals.

5-Aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) reportedly improves overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms by reducing reactive oxygen species derived from vascular endothelial cells to protect vascular function and enhance bladder blood flow and by inhibiting bladder C-fiber activity. This double-blind, randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 5-ALA in participants with OAB. This randomized, prospective study classified the participants into the 5-ALA and placebo groups. The 5-ALA group received oral 5-ALA phosphate at 150mg/day for 12weeks. The efficacy of 5-ALA was determined by assessing the changes in the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) and the Overactive Bladder Questionnaire Short Form from baseline to weeks 4 and 12 after treatment initiation, as well as the post-void residual urine volume. Regarding safety, we evaluated participants' blood pressure and adverse events. This study enrolled and randomized 49 participants, with 23 in the 5-ALA group and 26 in the placebo group. Ultimately, 47 participants completed the study (21 and 26 in the 5-ALA and placebo groups, respectively). From baseline to week 12, OABSS significantly decreased from 8.81 to 6.52 (- 2.29) in the 5-ALA group and from 8.54 to 6.35 (- 2.35) in the placebo group (both: p = 0.008). However, no significant difference was noted between the two groups at week 12 (p = 0.956). Using a mixed model for repeated measures with a random intercept, the model-adjusted between-group difference in the change from baseline to week 12 in the OABSS between the 5-ALA and placebo groups was 0.06 points (95% confidence interval, - 1.63 to 1.75; p = 0.944). This study found no significant improvement in OAB symptoms with 5-ALA administration. Nevertheless, given that no previous double-blind, randomized controlled trial has assessed 5-ALA's efficacy in patients with OAB, this study holds important value as a pilot study. This study was prospectively registered in the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (jRCT); registration number: jRCTs061220050; registration date: [August 29, 2022].

In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), molecularly targeted therapies have been the major focus of recent research. In this study, we evaluated the clinical and biological roles of tumor necrosis factor superfamily 4 (TNFSF4), an inflammatory cytokine, as a therapeutic target in HCC. Using a bioinformatics approach, we identified TNFSF4 as a candidate driver in HCC and assessed the prognostic significance of TNFSF4. Its biological role in HCC was clarified through in vitro experiments, such as cell cycle/colony formation assays, using TNFSF4-overexpressing HCC cells. Moreover, a candidate repositioned drug was identified from public drug sensitivity data, and its antitumor effects and mechanisms were examined both in vitro and in vivo. Analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas datasets for HCC revealed that TNFSF4 was overexpressed in HCC cells owing to increased DNA copy numbers. Additionally, high TNFSF4 expression was significantly associated with poorer prognosis. Immunohistochemical staining showed that TNFSF4 was overexpressed in the cytoplasm of tumor cells. In vitro analysis showed that TNFSF4 overexpression promoted the G1/S transition in the cell cycle, stimulated proliferation, and increased phosphoinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) phosphorylation, resulting in p21 downregulation and enhanced Rb phosphorylation. In bioinformatics-based drug repositioning analysis, fluspirilene, a typical antipsychotic agent, was identified as a repositioned drug that inhibited HCC growth through cyclin D1 suppression, downstream of TNFSF4. TNFSF4 was a candidate driver and a prognostic biomarker, promoting HCC progression by activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Furthermore, fluspirilene may have applications as a repositioned drug for HCC with high TNFSF4 expression.

Abstract Fire-wind interaction is a crucial factor in various fire scenarios, including large-scale wildfires, building fires, and tunnel fires. Understanding the dynamics of fire propagation and smoke dispersion under the influence of wind is essential for the built environment including health and well-being. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations play a pivotal role in analyzing fire behavior in these scenarios. However, the reliability of CFD models depends heavily on proper validation techniques, ensuring that simulated results accurately represent real-world fire-wind interactions. This review aims to systematically explore CFD validation methodologies for fire-wind interaction, comparing different models, validation approaches, and their applicability in various fire scenarios. The discussion focuses on how validation enhances the accuracy and reliability of CFD simulations, enabling their practical application in fire and smoke assessments for the built environment.