Inhibition of thymic stromal lymphopoietin production by FK3453.

To prevent the onset and aggravation of allergic diseases, it is necessary to modulate excessive Th2-type immune responses. It is well accepted that thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) plays important roles in the change of Th1/Th2 balance to Th2 dominance and would be a druggable target. In this study, using a drug repositioning strategy, we identified 6-(2-amino-4-phenylpyrimidine-5-yl)-2-isopropylpyridazin-3(2H)-one (FK3453) as a novel inhibitor of TSLP production.

A chalcone derivative suppresses TSLP induction in mice and human keratinocytes through binding to BET family proteins.

Although treatments for allergic diseases have improved, side effects and treatment resistance remain as challenges. New therapeutic drugs for allergic diseases are urgently required. Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is a cytokine target for prevention and treatment of allergic diseases.

Author Correction: Rapid breeding of parthenocarpic tomato plants using CRISPR/Cas9.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Assessing cortical plasticity after spinal cord injury by using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging in awake adult mice.

Neural connectivity has recently been shown to be altered after spinal cord injury (SCI) not only in the spinal cord but also in the brain. However, to date, no studies have analyzed the functional alterations after SCI in various areas of the cerebral cortex over time. To examine the plasticity of the neural connectivity in the brain after SCI, we performed resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) in awake adult mice pre- and post-SCI.

Rapid breeding of parthenocarpic tomato plants using CRISPR/Cas9.

Parthenocarpy in horticultural crop plants is an important trait with agricultural value for various industrial purposes as well as direct eating quality. Here, we demonstrate a breeding strategy to generate parthenocarpic tomato plants using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. We optimized the CRISPR/Cas9 system to introduce somatic mutations effectively into SlIAA9-a key gene controlling parthenocarpy-with mutation rates of up to 100% in the T0 generation.

Physiological effects of a habituation procedure for functional MRI in awake mice using a cryogenic radiofrequency probe.

Background: Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in mice is typically performed under anesthesia due to difficulties in holding the head of awake mice stably with a conventional three-point fixation method that uses a tooth-bar and earplugs. Although some studies have succeeded in fMRI in awake mice by attaching a head-post on the skull, this cannot be applied to fMRI using a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) cryogenic MRI-detector, CryoProbe, because it covers the head of a mouse closely.

New Method: We developed head-fixation implements for awake mice that are applicable to fMRI using CryoProbe.

Optimization of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing to modify abiotic stress responses in plants.

Genome editing using the CRISPR/Cas9 system can be used to modify plant genomes, however, improvements in specificity and applicability are still needed in order for the editing technique to be useful in various plant species. Here, using genome editing mediated by a truncated gRNA (tru-gRNA)/Cas9 combination, we generated new alleles for OST2, a proton pump in Arabidopsis, with no off-target effects. By following expression of Cas9 and the tru-gRNAs, newly generated mutations in CRIPSR/Cas9 transgenic plants were detected with high average mutation rates of up to 32.

Circulating IGF-binding protein 7 (IGFBP7) levels are elevated in patients with endometriosis or undergoing diabetic hemodialysis.

Background: Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-7 (IGFBP7) is a secretory protein with a molecular mass of approximately 30 kDa. It is abundantly expressed in the uterine endometrium during the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle. Decreased IGFBP7 expression has been observed in some cancers and leiomyomata.

Involvement of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-related protein 1 in decidualization of human endometrial stromal cells.

Uterine decidualization is crucial for successful implantation and the establishment of pregnancy. In the present study, the expression of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein (IGFBP)-related protein 1 (IGFBP-rP1) in the human uterus and endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) and its physiological significance in decidualization were examined. IGFBP-rP1 protein was localized in the glandular epithelium and stromal cells, and blood vessels in the endometrium.