Back muscle activity and sagittal spinal alignment during quadruped upper and lower extremity lift in young men with low back pain history

［Background］Quadruped upper and lower extremity lift (QULEL) is performed for selective training of the lumbar multifidus muscle in patients with low back pain (LBP) or individuals with LBP history (LBPH). However, the activities of the back muscles and sagittal spinal alignment during QULEL are not clarified in individuals with LBPH.［Research question］This study aimed to analyze the activities of the back muscles and sagittal spinal alignment during QULEL in young male with LBPH.[Methods]The study comprised 9 asymptomatic young men and 8 young men with LBPH. The activities of the lumbar multifidus, latissimus dorsi and thoracic erector spinae, and lumbar erector spinae muscles were measured using surface electromyography. The flexion angles of the upper and lower thoracic spine, and extension angle of the lumbar spine were measured using a 6-DF electromagnetic motion tracking system. The association with LBPH was investigated using multiple logistic regression analysis with a forward selection method, with the activities of the back muscles, sagittal spinal alignment, age, body height, and body weight as independent variables.[Results]Multiple logistic regression analysis (p = 0.0002) showed that the activity of the latissimus dorsi and thoracic erector spinae muscles in the side on which the lower extremity was lifted and body height were significant and independent determinants of LBPH, but other factors were not.[Significance]The results of this study suggest that the activity of the latissimus dorsi and thoracic erector spinae muscles increases while there are no decrease in activity of the lumbar multifidus muscle and excessive extension of the lumbar spine during QULEL in young men with LBPH

Role of orexin in exercise-induced leptin sensitivity in the mediobasal hypothalamus of mice

Orexin is known as an important neuropeptide in the regulation of energy metabolism. However, the role of orexin in exercise-induced leptin sensitivity in the hypothalamus has been unclear. In this study, we determined the effect of transient treadmill exercise on leptin sensitivity in the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH) of mice and examined the role of orexin in post-exercise leptin sensitivity. Treadmill running for 45 min increased the orexin neuron activity in mice. Intraperitoneal injection of a submaximal dose of leptin after exercise stimulated the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in MBH of mice post-exercise compared with that in non-exercised mice, although intracerebroventricular (icv) injection of leptin did not enhance STAT3 phosphorylation, even after exercise. Icv injection of an orexin receptor antagonist, SB334867 reduced STAT3 phosphorylation, which was enhanced by icv injection of orexin but not by direct injection of orexin into MBH. Exercise increased the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) in the MBH of mice, while ERK phosphorylation was reduced by SB334867. Leptin injection after exercise increased the leptin level in MBH, whereas icv injection of SB334867 suppressed the increase in the leptin level in MBH of mice. These results indicate that the activation of orexin neurons by exercise may contribute to the enhancement of leptin sensitivity in MBH. This effect may be mediated by increased transportation of circulating leptin into MBH, with the involvement of ERK phosphorylation

Eye contrast polarity is critical for face recognition by infants

Just as faces share the same basic arrangement of features, with two eyes above a nose above a mouth, human eyes all share the same basic contrast polarity relations, with a sclera lighter than an iris and a pupil, and this is unique among primates. The current study examined whether this bright-dark relationship of sclera to iris plays a critical role in face recognition from early in development. Specifically, we tested face discrimination in 7- and 8-month-old infants while independently manipulating the contrast polarity of the eye region and of the rest of the face. This gave four face contrast polarity conditions: fully positive condition, fully negative condition, positive face with negated eyes ( negative eyes ) condition, and negated face with positive eyes ( positive eyes ) condition. In a familiarization and novelty preference procedure, we found that 7- and 8-month-olds could discriminate between faces only when the contrast polarity of the eyes was preserved (positive) and that this did not depend on the contrast polarity of the rest of the face. This demonstrates the critical role of eye contrast polarity for face recognition in 7- and 8-month-olds and is consistent with previous findings for adults

英語科教職課程履修生による発音練習への自主的な取り組みと課題

The purpose of this research was to focus on how Japanese EFL learners develop autonomy in language learning. Forty-four female students in their junior year of college,- participated in the practice teaching (teaching practicum) programme at a local junior/senior high school. The student- teacher participants were offered two phases of pronunciation training, and each practice session was 30 mim, conducted daily for 10 days. Each- phase lasted 15 days. Practice materials were chosen from the ATR CALL BRIX 4. 0 application (©2013 ATR Learning Technology Corporation). For the first phase of training, participants were instructed to concentrate on single English word pronunciation, and for the second, on full sentence pronunciation. Participants were also required to write comments after each practice session,- and to respond to questionnaires about the training, at the end of each phase. The results of the questionnaires showed that more than 70% of the participants positively evaluated their participation in the training.,- They also felt that the training improved their pronunciation skills. Moreover, about 80% became aware of personal pronunciation weaknesses,- through the training. Although about 70% of the participants felt that their autonomous learning skills had improved, 65% did not believe that they had gained any substantial confidence in pronunciation ability. In this study, the authors conclude that,- in order to promote the successful development of autonomous language learning, teachers need to prepare an environment where learners are able to,-: 1) choose personally useful and important tasks, -; 2) recognise and appreciate the significance of their decisions:, - 3) feel supported and encouraged by their teachers/evaluators,- regarding what they have achieved in their learning.論

RNA Modification in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by damage to the intestinal mucosa, which is caused by a combination of factors. These include genetic and epigenetic alterations, environmental influence, microorganism interactions, and immune conditions. Some populations with IBD show a cancer-prone phenotype. Recent studies have provided insight into the involvement of RNA modifications in the specific pathogenesis of IBD through regulation of RNA biology in epithelial and immune cells. Studies of several RNA modification-targeting reagents have shown preferable outcomes in patients with colitis. Here, we note a new awareness of RNA modification in the targeting of IBD and related diseases, which will contribute to early diagnosis, disease monitoring, and possible control by innovative therapeutic approaches

A study of learner autonomy in a teacher-training course using reflection and portfolios

研究ノート (Note

EFL 環境におけるスピーキング向上：語彙学習と反転授業の視点からの提案

The goal of this study was to examine whether Japanese university EFL learners can increase their self-efficacy through flipped English classes, by incorporating collaborative learning. Participants were 34 female Japanese English majors in their junior year of college. As a class assignment, students were given a vocabulary list (200 words) and a list of topics, from which they could choose a topic to create one-minute monologues. They were divided into two groups: the Collaborative-Study Group (Group-C, n=16) and the Individual-Study Group (Group-I, n=18). In this project, all participants were required to work with the new vocabulary and prepare and rehearse weekly monologues outside of the classroom. They then recorded audio clips, which were uploaded to the universityʼs cloud-based learning management system; this enabled us to monitor the project effectively and easily. For this study, participants of Group-C worked collaboratively with opportunities to present their monologues before the class, while participants of Group-I worked individually without giving any monologue presentations in the class. No other special instructions were given. To measure the changes in the vocabulary size and oral communication abilities, participants gave the Vocabulary Levels Test and the Oral Proficiency Interview-computer test, both at the start and end of the project. Neither the pre- nor post-test results (for either test) showed any statistically significant differences between the two groups. However, we were able to record a noticeable difference in participantsʼ attitudes toward the weekly assignments. Twelve participants of Group-C submitted their assignments by the appointed date, while only three participants of Group-I did. We believe that collaborative learning enhanced studentsʼ sense of solidarity, responsibility, spontaneous rivalry, and/or self-efficacy during the project. We further believe that use of flipped English classes, incorporating collaborative learning, can be highly effective for helping Japanese EFL learners achieve various language-acquisition goals.論

Pancreatic Cancer Research beyond DNA Mutations

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is caused by genetic mutations in four genes: KRAS proto-oncogene and GTPase (KRAS), tumor protein P53 (TP53), cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A), and mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 4 (SMAD4), also called the big 4. The changes in tumors are very complex, making their characterization in the early stages challenging. Therefore, the development of innovative therapeutic approaches is desirable. The key to overcoming PDAC is diagnosing it in the early stages. Therefore, recent studies have investigated the multifaced characteristics of PDAC, which includes cancer cell metabolism, mesenchymal cells including cancer-associated fibroblasts and immune cells, and metagenomics, which extend to characterize various biomolecules including RNAs and volatile organic compounds. Various alterations in the KRAS-dependent as well as KRAS-independent pathways are involved in the refractoriness of PDAC. The optimal combination of these new technologies is expected to help treat intractable pancreatic cancer