Implicitly and explicitly measured attitudes towards foreigners: A dual-process model perspective

Intergroup attitudes are one of the individual difference constructs which may influence motivation to learn a second language (L2) or willingness to communicate in an L2. Drawing on the APE model (a dual-process model which postulates the distinction between explicitly and implicitly measured attitudes), the current study examined 71 Japanese university students' attitudes towards foreigners by utilizing three types of attitudinal measures: self-evaluation about one's prejudice towards foreigners, verbal reports of images about foreigners, and one's implicit association scores obtained by means of the filtering unconscious matching implicit emotions (FUMIE) test. Results indicated that the participants tended to respond in a neutral way on the self-evaluation, whereas the FUMIE test indicated significantly positive attitudes towards foreigners. Further, a dissociation of implicitly and explicitly measured attitudes was found. Finally, the three measures had no significant impact on motivational intensity. The findings are discussed in terms of the dual-process model of attitudes, and implications are provided for future research on intergroup attitudes in the field ofL2 learning and communication.ArticleJABAET Journal. 14/15:39-58 (2011)journal articl

Monoterpenes of Salvia leucophylla

The “ Salvia phenomenon” is one of the most famous examples of allelopathic interaction between higher plants. The Salvia thickets are surrounded by zones of bare soil (“bare zone”, 1-3 m in width), which merge into areas of inhibited grassland (“zone of inhibition”) and finally undisturbed grassland at a distance of 3-9 m. This characteristic vegetation pattern was attributed to monoterpenes, especially 1,8-cineole and camphor, which volatilized from S. leucophylla leaves, got adsorbed in the soil around the Salvia thickets, and inhibited germination and seedling growth of annual herbs. Initially, continuity of hydrophobic environment (clay soil particles – cuticular waxes on the seed/seedling surfaces – plasmodesmata - plasma membrane) was regarded to be important for the lipophilic compounds to enter the target cells. However, monoterpenes can reach the target cells via aqueous route as well. Because monoterpenes produced by S. leucophylla all induce similar symptoms in the seedlings of target plants, their mode of action appears to be essentially common. They exert various deteriorating effects on the cells of target plants, which might be totally explained if the primary point of action resides in mitochondrial function (respiratory ATP synthesis) and/or generation of reactive oxygen species. In contrast to the previous belief that cuticular waxes act as the pathway of lipophilic monoterpene to enter the site of action or reservoir of the inhibitors, they may act as “adsorptive barrier” to prevent the entering of monoterpenes inside the cell wall

Hydrodynamic stress stimulates growth of cell clusters via the ANXA1/PI3K/AKT axis in colorectal cancer

Cancer cells are exposed to various stresses in vivo, including hydrodynamic stress (HDS). HDS on cancer cells in the blood stream can influence the metastatic potential. Recent studies revealed that circulating tumor cell clusters are more responsible for metastasis than circulating single cells. Nevertheless, most studies on HDS are based on single cells prepared from established cancer cell lines. Here, we used cancer tissue-originated spheroids (CTOS) as a patient-derived, 3D organoid model to investigate the effect of HDS on cancer cell clusters. We found that HDS induced the growth of cancer cell clusters in a population of colorectal CTOSs. Microarray analyses revealed that the multifunctional protein, Annexin 1 (ANXA1), was upregulated upon HDS exposure. Chemically-induced membrane damage also triggered the expression of ANXA1. A knockdown of ANXA1 revealed that ANXA1 regulated HDS-stimulated growth in colorectal CTOSs. Mechanistically, activating the PI3K/AKT pathway downstream of ANXA1 contributed to the phenotype. These findings demonstrate that HDS induces the growth of cancer cell clusters via ANXA1/PI3K/AKT axis, which helps to elucidate the pro-metastatic feature of circulating cancer cell clusters

Indigo plant improves serum lipid profiles

We investigated the effects of Polygonum tinctorium Lour (PTL), a plant commonly known as indigo, on biological parameters in an animal model of high-fat diet-induced obesity. Wistar rats fed a high-fat diet and treated with PTL showed lower serum levels of triglycerides and total cholesterol levels and a higher serum levels of HDL cholesterol than those in Wistar rats fed a high-fat diet without PTL treatment. The weight of mesenteric fat in PTL-treated rats was decreased compared to that in control rats not treated with PTL. In addition, energy metabolic rate in the dark period, but not in the light period, in PTL-treated rats was higher than that in control rats. Although a significant difference was not observed, body weight in PTL-treated rats tended to be decreased compared to that in control rats. The results show that PTL improves serum lipid profiles in Wistar rats with high-fat diet-induced obesity

Protogenin, a new member of the immunoglobulin superfamily, is implicated in the development of the mouse lower first molar

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Protogenin (Prtg) </it>has been identified as a gene which is highly expressed in the mouse mandible at embryonic day 10.5 (E10.5) by a cDNA subtraction method between mandibles at E10.5 and E12.0. Prtg is a new member of the deleted in colorectal carcinoma (DCC) family, which is composed of DCC, Neogenin, Punc and Nope. Although these members play an important role in the development of the embryonic central nervous system, recent research has also shed on the non-neuronal organization. However, very little is known regarding the fetal requirement of the non-neuronal organization for Prtg and how this may be associated with the tooth germ development. This study examined the functional implications of Prtg in the developing tooth germ of the mouse lower first molar.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Ptrg is preferentially expressed in the early stage of organogenesis. Prtg mRNA and protein were widely expressed in the mesenchymal cells in the mandible at E10.5. The oral epithelial cells were also positive for Prtg. The expression intensity of Prtg after E12.0 was markedly reduced in the mesenchymal cells of the mandible, and was restricted to the area where the tooth bud was likely to be formed. Signals were also observed in the epithelial cells of the tooth germ. Weak signals were observed in the inner enamel epithelial cells at E16.0 and E18.0. An inhibition assay using a hemagglutinating virus of Japan-liposome containing <it>Prtg </it>antisense-phosphorothioated-oligodeoxynucleotide (AS-S-ODN) in cultured mandibles at E10.5 showed a significant growth inhibition in the tooth germ. The relationship between Prtg and the odontogenesis-related genes was examined in mouse E10.5 mandible, and we verified that the Bmp-4 expression had significantly been decreased in the mouse E10.5 mandible 24 hr after treatment with Prtg AS-S-ODN.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results indicated that the <it>Prtg </it>might be related to the initial morphogenesis of the tooth germ leading to the differentiation of the inner enamel epithelial cells in the mouse lower first molar. A better understanding of the Prtg function might thus play a critical role in revealing a precious mechanism in tooth germ development.</p

ONO-1301, a Sustained-Release Prostacyclin Analog, Ameliorates the Renal Alterations in a Mouse Type 2 Diabetes Model Possibly Through Its Protective Effects on Mesangial Cells

Diabetic nephropathy is the most common pathological disorder predisposing patients to end-stage renal disease. Considering the increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus worldwide, novel therapeutic approaches are urgently needed. ONO-1301 is a novel sustained-release prostacyclin analog that inhibits thromboxane A2 synthase. Here we examined the therapeutic effects of the intermittent administration of slow-release ONO-1301 (SR-ONO) on diabetic nephropathy in obese type 2 diabetes mice, as well as its direct effects on mesangial cells. The subcutaneous injection of SR-ONO (3mg/kg) every 3 wks did not affect the obesity or hyperglycemia in the db/db obese mice used as a model of type 2 diabetes, but it significantly ameliorated their albuminuria, glomerular hypertrophy, glomerular accumulation of type IV collagen, and monocyte/macrophage infiltration, and also the increase of TGF-β1, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and MCP-1 compared to vehicle treatment. In cultured mouse mesangial cells, ONO-1301 concentration-dependently suppressed the increases in TGF-β, type IV collagen, α-SMA, MCP-1 and fibronectin induced by high ambient glucose, at least partly through prostacyclin (PGI2) receptor-mediated signaling. Taken together, these results suggest the potential therapeutic efficacy of the intermittent administration of SR-ONO against type 2 diabetic nephropathy, possibly through protective effects on mesangial cells

Thrombocytopenia in pegylated interferon and ribavirin combination therapy for chronic hepatitis C

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to examine the therapeutic effect and prognostic indicators of pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) combination therapy in thrombocytopenic patients with chronic hepatitis C, hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cirrhosis, and those who underwent splenectomy or partial splenic embolization (PSE). METHODS: Of 326 patients with HCV-related chronic liver disease (252 with genotype 1b and 74 with genotype 2a/2b) treated with PEG-IFN/RBV, 90 were diagnosed with cirrhosis. RESULTS: Regardless of the degree of thrombocytopenia, the administration rate was significantly higher in the splenectomy/PSE group compared to the cirrhosis group. However, in patients with genotype 1b, the sustained virological response (SVR) rate was significantly lower in the cirrhosis and the splenectomy/PSE groups compared to the chronic hepatitis group. No cirrhotic patients with platelets less than 80,000 achieved an SVR. Patients with genotype 2a/2b were more likely to achieve an SVR than genotype 1b. Prognostic factors for SVR in patients with genotype 1b included the absence of esophageal and gastric varices, high serum ALT, low AST/ALT ratio, and the major homo type of the IL28B gene. Splenectomy- or PSE-facilitated induction of IFN in patients with genotype 2a/2b was more likely to achieve an SVR by an IFN dose maintenance regimen. Patients with genotype 1b have a low SVR regardless of splenectomy/PSE. In particular, patients with a hetero/minor type of IL28B did not have an SVR. CONCLUSIONS: Splenectomy/PSE for IFN therapy should be performed in patients expected to achieve a treatment response, considering their genotype and IL28B

アフリカの視点で見る「テロ」事件

2003年1月10日に,四国学院大学のG・C・ムアンギさん(平和学,アフリカ研究)においでいただいて,対談形式による講演会を行ないました。いま世界各地に戦場があり,硝煙のきな臭い匂いか世界全体をおおいつつあるような現状です。特に2001年9月11日の,一般に「同時多発テロ」と呼ばれることの多い事件のあとは,それがはっきりしてきました。むろん「自爆テロ」といった行為には,より公正な社会を展望させてくれる提起かあるわけはなく,行き止まりの絶望しかありません。しかしだからと言って,「テロリズム」撲滅のためには武力行使もやむをえないのだといった強大権力の論理もまた,新しい公正な世界をつくろうという展望につながるものではありません。絶望を拒否して,強大権力の論理に呑みこまれることなく,現実のどんな矛盾が世界のいまをつくりだしているのかを具体的に見たい-そう考えて,ムアンギさんに,現在の情勢に焦点をあてたお話を伺う場をつくりました。ケニア人として長年日本で暮らしてこられ,日本の現実もよく知るムアンギさんにアフリカ人の視点からのお話を聴く機会を国際文化専攻の学生たちと共有できたことはなによりでした。以下は録音記録をもとに編集したものです