Writing Instruction in the Middle Grades: A Cross-Cultural Inquiry of Teacher Perceptions and Practices in South Korea and the United States

Despite its importance in promoting student academic achievement and career development, writing pedagogy has received little emphasis in research and professional development efforts. The purpose of this study was to examine teacher perceptions and practices of writing in the middle grades from a cross-cultural perspective. 16 middle-grade teachers from South Korea and one state within the United States were recruited for a semi-structured interview. Transcripts of the interview responses were analyzed, using a constant comparison method. The findings showed that teachers’ instructional practices in writing were contextualized with their personal and professional knowledge and experiences. Country specific patterns were found in teacher perceptions of best practices in writing instruction while cross-cultural patterns were observed in the ways that teachers differentiated instruction for struggling writers and motivated them to write

Role of G{alpha}12 and G{alpha}13 as Novel Switches for the Activity of Nrf2, a Key Antioxidative Transcription Factor

G{alpha}12 and G{alpha}13 function as molecular regulators responding to extracellular stimuli. NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is involved in a protective adaptive response to oxidative stress. This study investigated the regulation of Nrf2 by G{alpha}12 and G{alpha}13. A deficiency of G{alpha}12, but not of G{alpha}13, enhanced Nrf2 activity and target gene transactivation in embryo fibroblasts. In mice, G{alpha}12 knockout activated Nrf2 and thereby facilitated heme catabolism to bilirubin and its glucuronosyl conjugations. An oligonucleotide microarray demonstrated the transactivation of Nrf2 target genes by G{alpha}12 gene knockout. G{alpha}12 deficiency reduced Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK)-dependent Nrf2 ubiquitination required for proteasomal degradation, and so did G{alpha}13 deficiency. The absence of G{alpha}12, but not of G{alpha}13, increased protein kinase C {delta} (PKC {delta}) activation and the PKC {delta}-mediated serine phosphorylation of Nrf2. G{alpha}13 gene knockout or knockdown abrogated the Nrf2 phosphorylation induced by G{alpha}12 deficiency, suggesting that relief from G{alpha}12 repression leads to the G{alpha}13-mediated activation of Nrf2. Constitutive activation of G{alpha}13 promoted Nrf2 activity and target gene induction via Rho-mediated PKC {delta} activation, corroborating positive regulation by G{alpha}13. In summary, G{alpha}12 and G{alpha}13 transmit a JNK-dependent signal for Nrf2 ubiquitination, whereas G{alpha}13 regulates Rho-PKC {delta}-mediated Nrf2 phosphorylation, which is negatively balanced by G{alpha}12

The Physico-Chemical and Microbiological Water Quality of the Artificial Lake Keumgang

This study was performed to investigate the changing encironment of Keum River after the construction of the floodgate at the mouth of Keum River. Samples were taken from the surface wateres at 3 stations near the floodgate of the artificial lake Keumgang to measure the physico-chemikcal and microbiological water qualities from May, 2001 to April, 2002. The results were as follows; water temperature ranged from 2 to 28℃, and pH values caried from 7.5 to 9.1 respectively. The dissolced oxygen contents and COD of each station varied from 7.13 to 14.10 mg l⁻¹ and from 5.2 to 9.4 mg l⁻¹resoectively. And total nitrogen and total phosphate values varied from 0.99 to 3.15 mg l⁻¹, and from 0.01 to 0.12 mg l⁻¹ during survey periods,which meant the sampling stations have set in eutrophic level The population density of heterotrophic bacteria ranged from 0.4±0.1 x 103 cfu ml⁻¹ to 3.5±0.6 x 10³cfu ml⁻¹ for during survey periods. The population densities of physiological groups of aerobic bacteria ranged from 2.0±1.0 x 10² to 1.7±0.2 x 10³ cfu ml⁻¹ for amylolytic bacteria, from 0.3±0.1 x 10² to 1.3±+0.5 x 10³ cfu ml⁻¹ for proteolytix bacteria, from 0.2±0.1 x 10³ to 4.9±1.3 x 10³ cfu ml⁻¹ for lipolytic bacteria, and from 0.2±0.1 x 10² to 2.7±0.7 x 10³ cfu ml⁻¹ for cellulolytic bacteria during survey periods, respectively. Among the measured numbers of physiological groups of bacteria, lipolytic bacteria showed the highest population density. Howecer, the numbers of amylolytic, pyoteolytic, and cellulolylic bacteria showed the similar tendency.Article信州大学山地水環境教育研究センター研究報告 2: 57-61(2004)departmental bulletin pape

GADOLINIUM CHLORIDE INHIBITION OF RAT HEPATIC MICROSOMAL EPOXIDE HYDROLASE AND GLUTATHIONE S-TRANSFERASE GENE EXPRESSION

ABSTRACT: The effects of gadolinium chloride, a Kupffer cell toxicant, on the constitutive and inducible expression of hepatic microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEH) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) genes were examined in rats. Northern blot analysis showed that treatment of rats with GdCl 3 caused suppression of mEH and GST gene expression. mEH mRNA levels were decreased in a time-dependent manner after a single injected dose of GdCl 3 (10 mg/kg, iv), resulting in 95, 55, 17, 36, and 69% of the levels in untreated animals at 6, 12, 18, 24, and 48 hr after treatment, respectively. A maximal reduction in GST Ya, Yb1/2, and Yc1 mRNA levels was also noted at 18 hr after treatment with GdCl 3 , followed by a gradual return to levels in untreated rats at later time points. Whereas treatment of rats with thiazole, allyl disulfide, propyl sulfide, oltipraz, or clotrimazole caused 2-13-fold increases in mEH mRNA levels at 18 hr after treatment, concomitant GdCl 3 treatment caused 30-70% reductions in the increases in mEH mRNA levels. The chemical-inducible mRNA levels for GST Ya, Yb1/2, and Yc1 were also significantly inhibited by GdCl 3 at 18 hr after treatment. Rats treated with GdCl 3 (10 mg/kg/day, iv) for 3-5 consecutive days exhibited 40-90% decreases in mEH, GST Ya, and GST Yb1/2 mRNA levels, relative to control, whereas the Yc1 mRNA level was suppressed at early times and returned to levels in untreated animals at day 5 after treatment. The mRNA levels for mEH and GST Ya in rats treated daily with both allyl disulfide (25 mg/kg, po) and GdCl 3 for 3 consecutive days were 20-30% of those in rats treated with allyl disulfide alone. Western immunoblotting showed that mEH and GST Ya protein expression was decreased at 1-3 days after consecutive daily treatment with GdCl 3 . Whereas treatment of rats with GdCl 3 at a dose of 1 mg/kg suppressed constitutive hepatic mEH gene expression by 85% at 18 hr, rats treated with CaCl 2 (10 mg/kg, iv) in combination with GdCl 3 (1 mg/kg, iv) showed 45% suppression of the mEH mRNA level, compared with untreated animals. GdCl 3 -induced suppression was also significantly reversed for GST Ya mRNA by excessive CaCl 2 administration. These results demonstrate that GdCl 3 effectively inhibits constitutive and inducible mEH and GST expression, with decreases in their mRNA levels. GdCl 3 suppression of detoxifying enzyme expression may be associated with its blocking of intracellular Ca 2؉ influx, which affects signaling pathways for the expression of the genes

Double Glomus Tumors Originating in the Submandibular and Parotid Regions

Glomus tumors are rare neoplasms that originate from the glomus bodies, an arteriovenous anastomosis with a specialized vascular structure. The most common site for these tumors is the subungal region of the fingers. Occasionally, glomus tumors are found in the middle ear, trachea, nasal cavities, stomach, and lungs. The occurrence in the parotid regions is very rare. While multiple glomus tumors in the whole body are thought to represent only 10% of all cases, instances of multiple tumors in the neck have not yet been reported in the literature. We report a case of double glomus tumors in the submandibular and parotid regions

A New Theranostic System Based on Gold Nanocages and Phase-Change Materials with Unique Features for Photoacoustic Imaging and Controlled Release

This communication reports a new theranostic system with a combination of capabilities to both enhance the contrast of photoacoustic (PA) imaging and control the release of a chemical or biological effector by high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). The fabrication of this system simply involves filling the hollow interiors of gold nanocages with a phase-change material (PCM) such as 1-tetradecanol that has a melting point of 38−39 °C. The PCM can be premixed and thus loaded with a dye, as well as other chemical or biological effectors. When exposed to direct heating or HIFU, the PCM will melt and escape from the interiors of nanocages through small pores on the surface, concurrently releasing the encapsulated molecules into the surrounding medium. We can control the release profile by varying the power of HIFU, the duration of exposure to HIFU, or both

Predictive Scale for Amyloid PET Positivity Based on Clinical and MRI Variables in Patients with Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment

The presence of amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition is considered important in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), since they can progress to Alzheimer's disease dementia. Amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) has been used for detecting Aβ deposition, but its high cost is a significant barrier for clinical usage. Therefore, we aimed to develop a new predictive scale for amyloid PET positivity using easily accessible tools. Overall, 161 aMCI patients were recruited from six memory clinics and underwent neuropsychological tests, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype testing, and amyloid PET. Among the potential predictors, verbal and visual memory tests, medial temporal lobe atrophy, APOE genotype, and age showed significant differences between the Aβ-positive and Aβ-negative groups and were combined to make a model for predicting amyloid PET positivity with the area under the curve (AUC) of 0.856. Based on the best model, we developed the new predictive scale comprising integers, which had an optimal cutoff score ≥ 3. The new predictive scale was validated in another cohort of 98 participants and showed a good performance with AUC of 0.835. This new predictive scale with accessible variables may be useful for predicting Aβ positivity in aMCI patients in clinical practice

Epidemiologic survey of head and neck cancers in Korea.

Head and neck cancers have never been systematically studied for clinical purposes yet in Korea. This epidemiological survey on head and neck cancer patients was undertaken from January to December 2001 in 79 otorhinolaryngology resident-training hospitals nationwide. The number of head and neck cancer patients was 1,063 cases in the year. The largest proportion of cases arose in the larynx, as many as 488 cases, which accounted for 45.9%. It was followed by, in order of frequency, oral cavity (16.5%), oropharynx (10.0%), and hypopharynx (9.5%). The male:female ratio was 5:1, and the mean age was 60.3 yr. Surgery was the predominant treatment modality in head and neck cancers: 204 (21.5%) cases were treated with only surgery, 198 (20.8%) cases were treated with surgery and radiotherapy, 207 cases (21.8%) were treated with combined therapy of surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Larynx and hypopharynx cancers had a stronger relationship with smoking and alcohol drinking than other primary site cancers. Of them, 21 cases were found to be metastasized at the time of diagnosis into the lung, gastrointestinal tract, bone, or brain. Coexisting second primary malignancies were found in 23 cases. At the time of diagnosis, a total of 354 cases had cervical lymph node metastasis accounting for 42.0%