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Societal Impact Statement The iconic Yoshino cherry tree in Japan is experiencing shifts in its blossom timing due to climate warming. To develop a genetically informed predictive model for bud dormancy release, we examined seasonal gene expression in Yoshino cherry trees at three different locations. Our experiments, coupled with the analysis of DORMANCY‐ASSOCIATED MADS‐box (DAM) genes, highlighted DAM4 as the most reliable indicator for the rate of bud dormancy release. Our study demonstrated that seasonal gene expression profiles serve as a valuable indicator for forecasting the timing of dormancy release, benefiting Japanese traditions and providing insights into the biological impacts of climate change. Summary The Yoshino cherry tree Cerasus × yedoensis ‘Somei‐yoshino’ stands out as an iconic springtime symbol in Japan. For the Yoshino cherry trees to bloom in the spring, dormant buds must undergo a period of exposure to low temperatures, allowing them to break dormancy. Key genes related to dormancy release, known as DORMANCY‐ASSOCIATED MADS‐box (DAM), have been extensively studied. However, it remains unclear how these genes function in natural environments to regulate the timing of bud dormancy release. To develop a genetically informed predictive model for bud dormancy release, we explored seasonal changes in genome‐wide gene expression profiles in the Yoshino cherry trees at three distinct sites in Japan. Five distinct genome‐wide transcription profiles, subjectively named as modes—early summer, summer, autumn, winter, and spring—were identified, with the winter and spring modes observed when the daily mean temperature was below approximately 10°C. Our experiments of bud dormancy release, along with the assessment of expression profiles of DAM genes, have revealed that among the six DAM genes, DAM4 expression profile is the most indicative of the rate of bud dormancy break. Our estimates suggest that, on average, the tree needs to be exposed to temperatures below 10.1°C for 61.1 days to suppress DAM4 expression to the threshold required for bud dormancy release. Our projections for the timing of bud dormancy release indicated a delay of approximately 2.3 days per decade from 1990 to 2020. Our study demonstrated that gene expression serves as a valuable indicator for forecasting the timing of dormancy release.

Abstract Background This study aimed to develop a unique online infection prevention and control (IPC) training on Covid-19 for healthcare workers in psychiatric institutes in Japan and to examine its efficacy based on its impact on the knowledge, attitude, and confidence about IPC for Covid-19 among the healthcare workers. Method This quasi-experimental study was conducted using online training on Covid-19 IPC for healthcare workers in various psychiatric institutes from April 2021 to March 2022. An online training video on Covid-19 IPC was developed. Voluntary healthcare workers in psychiatric institutes located in five prefectures in Japan were recruited to participate in this training. The participants then completed 30 min of online training and surveys about knowledge, attitude, and confidence were conducted pre, post, and three months after the training. The video training and surveys were contextually validated by the experts, but not by any previous study. Results A total of 224 participants were included, of which 108 (54.0%) were men. The mean (standard deviation (SD)) age and the mean occupational experience were 47.4 (9.5) and 18.0 (12.6) years, respectively. Among the participants, 190 (84.8%) completed the post-training, and 131 (58.5%) completed the three-month-later training surveys. The total score on the quizzes in the post-training (+ 31.1%, SD 15.7, p-value

Background: Data on the differences in functional recovery between inpatient rehabilitation for total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are lacking, and the factors influencing the improvement of short-term functional mobility remain unknown. In this study, we compared the short-term functional outcomes of both procedures and identified early postoperative predictors of physical function gain during post-acute rehabilitation. Methods: A total of 435 patients who underwent THA and TKA were included. The main outcomes were knee extension strength, the motor component of the Functional Independence Measure, Numerical Rating Scale, 10 Meter Walk Test, Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and the Berg Balance Scale. The recovery process and rehabilitation outcomes were compared between patients with THA and TKA. Additionally, predictors related to physical performance improvement were examined for each procedure. Results: Patients with THA and TKA achieved significant short-term functional recovery after multidisciplinary rehabilitation (time; p < 0.001). However, the pain score was higher at discharge in patients with TKA (p < 0.001). Age (β: −0.264, p = 0.009) and TUG test (β: −0.884, p < 0.001) in THA, and non-operated knee extension strength (β: 0.234, p = 0.016) and TUG test (β: −0.783, p < 0.001) in TKA were significant early postoperative predictors of functional mobility. Conclusions: Multidisciplinary rehabilitation was beneficial for functional improvement in patients with THA and TKA despite persistent pain at discharge after TKA. Baseline functional levels in both groups and non-operated knee extension strength in TKA can be useful performance-based predictors of short-term gait function improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Societal Impact Statement: The iconic Yoshino cherry tree in Japan is experiencing shifts in its blossom timing due to climate warming. To develop a genetically informed predictive model for bud dormancy release, we examined seasonal gene expression in Yoshino cherry trees at three different locations. Our experiments, coupled with the analysis of DORMANCY‐ASSOCIATED MADS‐box (DAM) genes, highlighted DAM4 as the most reliable indicator for the rate of bud dormancy release. Our study demonstrated that seasonal gene expression profiles serve as a valuable indicator for forecasting the timing of dormancy release, benefiting Japanese traditions and providing insights into the biological impacts of climate change. Summary: The Yoshino cherry tree Cerasus × yedoensis 'Somei‐yoshino' stands out as an iconic springtime symbol in Japan. For the Yoshino cherry trees to bloom in the spring, dormant buds must undergo a period of exposure to low temperatures, allowing them to break dormancy. Key genes related to dormancy release, known as DORMANCY‐ASSOCIATED MADS‐box (DAM), have been extensively studied. However, it remains unclear how these genes function in natural environments to regulate the timing of bud dormancy release.To develop a genetically informed predictive model for bud dormancy release, we explored seasonal changes in genome‐wide gene expression profiles in the Yoshino cherry trees at three distinct sites in Japan. Five distinct genome‐wide transcription profiles, subjectively named as modes—early summer, summer, autumn, winter, and spring—were identified, with the winter and spring modes observed when the daily mean temperature was below approximately 10°C.Our experiments of bud dormancy release, along with the assessment of expression profiles of DAM genes, have revealed that among the six DAM genes, DAM4 expression profile is the most indicative of the rate of bud dormancy break. Our estimates suggest that, on average, the tree needs to be exposed to temperatures below 10.1°C for 61.1 days to suppress DAM4 expression to the threshold required for bud dormancy release.Our projections for the timing of bud dormancy release indicated a delay of approximately 2.3 days per decade from 1990 to 2020. Our study demonstrated that gene expression serves as a valuable indicator for forecasting the timing of dormancy release. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to peroxynitrite (ONOO−) generation, myogenic stem satellite cell activator HGF (hepatocyte growth factor) undergoes nitration of tyrosine residues (Y198 and Y250) predominantly on fast IIa and IIx myofibers to lose its binding to the signaling receptor c‐met, thereby disturbing muscle homeostasis during aging. Here we show that rat anti‐HGF monoclonal antibody (mAb) 1H41C10, which was raised in‐house against a synthetic peptide FTSNPEVRnitroY198EV, a site well‐conserved in mammals, functions to confer resistance to nitration dysfunction on HGF. 1H41C10 was characterized by recognizing both nitrated and non‐nitrated HGF with different affinities as revealed by Western blotting, indicating that the paratope of 1H41C10 may bind to the immediate vicinity of Y198. Subsequent experiments showed that 1H41C10‐bound HGF resists peroxynitrite‐induced nitration of Y198. A companion mAb‐1H42F4 presented similar immuno‐reactivity, but did not protect Y198 nitration, and thus served as the control. Importantly, 1H41C10‐HGF also withstood Y250 nitration to retain c‐met binding and satellite cell activation functions in culture. The Fab region of 1H41C10 exerts resistivity to Y250 nitration possibly due to its localization in the immediate vicinity to Y250, as supported by an additional set of experiments showing that the 1H41C10‐Fab confers Y250‐nitration resistance which the Fc segment does not. Findings highlight the in vitro preventive impact of 1H41C10 on HGF nitration‐dysfunction that strongly impairs myogenic stem cell dynamics, potentially pioneering cogent strategies for counteracting or treating age‐related muscle atrophy with fibrosis (including sarcopenia and frailty) and the therapeutic application of investigational HGF drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Lower-limb osteoarthritis (OA) in the elderly can be a risk factor for frailty, which is the preliminary of disability, but it may be reversible with appropriate interventions. We aimed to use the Kihon Check List (KCL) to assess multiple domains of frailty and to identify the characteristics of frailty in patients with hip or knee OA following total joint arthroplasty. Materials and Methods This study included 136 ≥ 65-year-old patients (mean age: 73.0 years) who underwent total arthroplasty with end-stage hip and knee OA. We assessed frailty status, instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) according to the KCL, functional ambulatory index (FAI) and EuroQol-5 Dimension (EQ5D), respectively, as well as the extent of pain preoperatively and at postoperative 6 months. Results Using KCL, seventy-eight (57.4%) patients were frail preoperatively, but the prevalence significantly decreased to 52 patients (38.2%) at postoperative 6 months. Total arthroplasty intervention provided significant improvements in the total KCL scores, including the physical domain ( P < .01), pain ( P < .01), FAI scores ( P < .01), and EQ5D ( P < .01), but not the social domain. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified age at surgery (OR: .93, 95% CI: .86-.99) and preoperative FAI score (OR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.03-1.19) as independent predictors of postoperative frailty. Conclusions Total arthroplasty procedures on patients with hip and knee OA reduced their KCL score, but social aspects were less improved than physical aspects in the shortterm. Older age and preoperative lower IADL score can be useful for accurately estimating less improvement of frailty in the early postoperative phase. Our results suggest that long term follow-up of OA is needed to provide comprehensive interventions, including in social aspects, especially for patients with lower activity.

Mechanical perturbation triggers activation of resident myogenic stem cells to enter the cell cycle through a cascade of events including hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) release from its extracellular tethering and the subsequent presentation to signaling‐receptor c‐met. Here, we show that with aging, extracellular HGF undergoes tyrosine‐residue (Y) nitration and loses c‐met binding, thereby disturbing muscle homeostasis. Biochemical studies demonstrated that nitration/dysfunction is specific to HGF among other major growth factors and is characterized by its locations at Y198 and Y250 in c‐met‐binding domains. Direct‐immunofluorescence microscopy of lower hind limb muscles from three age groups of rat, provided direct in vivo evidence for age‐related increases in nitration of ECM‐bound HGF, preferentially stained for anti‐nitrated Y198 and Y250‐HGF mAbs (raised in‐house) in fast IIa and IIx myofibers. Overall, findings highlight inhibitory impacts of HGF nitration on myogenic stem cell dynamics, pioneering a cogent discussion for better understanding age‐related muscle atrophy and impaired regeneration with fibrosis (including sarcopenia and frailty). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate warming is causing shifts in key life‐history events, including flowering time. To assess the impacts of increasing temperature on flowering phenology, it is crucial to understand the transcriptional changes of genes underlying the phenological shifts. Here, we conducted a comprehensive investigation of genes contributing to the flowering phenology shifts in response to increasing temperature by monitoring the seasonal expression dynamics of 293 flowering‐time genes along latitudinal gradients in the perennial herb, Arabidopsis halleri. Through transplant experiments at northern, southern and subtropical study sites in Japan, we demonstrated that the flowering period was shortened as latitude decreased, ultimately resulting in the loss of flowering opportunity in subtropical climates. The key transcriptional changes underlying the shortening of the flowering period and the loss of flowering opportunity were the diminished expression of floral pathway integrator genes and genes in the gibberellin synthesis and aging pathways, all of which are suppressed by increased expression of FLOWERING LOCUS C, a central repressor of flowering. These results suggest that the upper‐temperature limit of reproduction is governed by a relatively small number of genes that suppress reproduction in the absence of winter cold. Summary statement: This study uncovered the transcriptional changes underlying the shift in flowering phenology in response to increasing temperature in a perennial herb, Arabidopsis halleri. The key transcriptional changes were the diminished expression of floral pathway integrator genes and genes in the gibberellin synthesis and aging pathways, all of which are suppressed by increased expression of FLOWERING LOCUS C, a central repressor of flowering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]