Characteristics and Issues of Brain Circulation of International Students : Analysis of Influencing Factors of Students’ Choices in Germany and Implication for Japan

In order to strengthen the knowledge-based economy, many countries compete with each other for a talented and skilled workforce. One of the effective and efficient ways to recruit skilled workforce is to recruit them from international students who study in their countries. Many countries take measures to attract and integrate the international students into their societies. Retention of former international students in study-destination countries was once called brain drain but recently has been referred to brain circulation, considering their information dissemination and frequent move to their home countries. The pattern of their brain circulation will be affected by various factors including international student and skilled migration policies. In this paper, a model is constructed to analyze the characteristics of brain circulation of international students, focusing on the influencing factors of international students’ choices at the time of study abroad, employment and change of workplace. Germany was selected as a case study country, considering its robust increase of international students and the similarity with Japan, such as non-English speaking, an aging population and need of a skilled workforce. As a result of the analysis, it was found out that recent development of skilled migration policy had a positive impact on the increase of international students and their integration into German societies. 56% of former international students who had studied in German HEIs from 2005 to 2013 remain in Germany in 2013. More than 40% of them majored in STEM fields. Their integration into German society meets the need for STEM human resources. One of the pull factors of employment in Germany is the attractive working environment with good communication among staff members and appropriate work load. About 44 % of international graduates of Japanese HEIs found employment in Japan in 2014. According to a survey, one third of them plan to change their workplace within five years and 45% hope to work for the overseas branches in the future. More brain circulation of international students is realized in Japan than in Germany. However, considering the population decline and the shortage of a skilled workforce, Japan needs to formulate a comprehensive skilled immigration policy and to prepare a more attractive working environment for foreigners, including former international students. It will also be necessary to strengthen the recruitment of international students majoring in science and engineering, whose percentage is only 18.6% although these fields are considered to be one of the strengths of Japanese HEIs and industry

Cost Sharing of International Student Recruitment and Support at Local Private Universities in Korea and Japan

In this article, the comparative advantage/disadvantage of international student recruitment and cost sharing for international student recruitment, education and support will be compared between private and public (national and municipal) universities in metropolitan and local (non-metropolitan) areas in Korea and Japan in order to consider the necessary measures to promote their internationalization. From 2011 to 2016, the number of international students in local private universities in Korea and Japan decreased by 16.6% and 6.2% respectively while the international students in the universities in other categories increased, including national and municipal universities in metropolitan and local areas and private universities in metropolitan areas. The tuition fee reduction rate for the international students is high in the local private universities in Korea and Japan in order to offset their comparative disadvantage in international student recruitment. The measures to redress the gap between the metropolitan and local universities in Korea are more diverse and large scale than those in Japan. Though the internationalization of higher education has been promoted by providing competitive funding to “flag ship universities” in Japan, it would be necessary to increase the bottom up support for the local private universities through sharing the cost of international student recruitment, education and support considering the role they play in the revitalization and internationalization of the regions.平成27-29年度科学研究費基盤（C）の助成を受けた

Change of Human needs and the Role of Graduates of Japanese Universities: Case Study from Thailand

The dominant existence of Japanese companies in Thailand is regarded as a factor that has encouraged Thai youth to study in Japan and to return to Thailand after graduation. However, there is a change of human needs in Thai society as its economy develops: the Thai government has introduced policies to upgrade its industrial structure and increase the value of its products, in order to escape from the “trap of middle-income countries.” Such policies require more highly-developed human resources who are capable of research and development. The establishment of Thai-Nichi Institute of Technology, which aims to foster practical engineers who will meet the human needs of the Japanese companies in Thailand also influences the tendency for Thai youth to study in Japan. Changes in regional international relations, such as the rise of China as an economic power and the attendant increase of Thai students who study in China, should also be considered when analyzing the merit of study in Japan within the Thai society. In this study, the role of Thai graduates from Japanese universities is analyzed through the use of statistics, documentary analysis, interviews, and questionnaire surveys, considering the above mentioned factors. As the result of these analyses, it was discovered that presently a career at Japanese companies in Thailand is not particularly attractive for Thai youth who plan to study abroad. To re-affirm the attractiveness of studying in Japan, it is necessary to develop a narrative of Japan as a place to foster human resources who are capable of research and development, and can be the foundation of an attractive career path for such people

A Case of Basal Cell Adenoma of the Upper Lip

Basal cell adenoma is a rare type of benign salivary gland tumor found most commonly in the parotid gland. We present a rare case of basal cell adenoma arising in the minor salivary gland of the upper lip. The patient was a 59-year-old Japanese man who visited our department in December 2012 with a chief complaint of a mass in the upper lip, which had increased in size over several years. A mobile, elastic, and relatively soft mass without tenderness was palpable in the upper lip region. The mucosa of the upper lip covering the mass was normal. Tumor extirpation was performed under local anesthesia. Histologically, the tumor had a capsule and was composed of islands of relatively uniform, monotonous cells. Immunohistochemically, the inner tumor comprised tubuloductal structures that showed strong staining for CK7, while the outer tumor showed weak staining for CK7. The outer tumor cells also stained positively for CD10 and p63. The MIB-1 (Ki-67) labeling index was extremely low. Basal cell adenoma was diagnosed based on these results. The postoperative course was uneventful 12 months after surgery and there has been no recurrence

PLAG1 enhances the stemness profiles of acinar cells in normal human salivary glands in a cell type-specific manner

Objectives: Details of the histogenesis of salivary gland tumors are largely unknown. The oncogenic role of PLAG1 in the salivary gland has been demonstrated in vivo. Herein, we demonstrate the roles of PLAG1 in the acinar and ductal cells of normal human salivary glands in an attempt to clarify the early events that occur during the histogenesis of salivary gland tumors. Methods: Normal salivary gland cells with acinar- (NS-SV-AC) and ductal- (NS-SV-DC) phenotypes were transfected with PLAG1 plasmid DNA. Subsequently, the PLAG1 overexpressed and mock cells were examined by cell proliferation, transwell migration, and salisphere formation assays. The expression levels of salivary and pluripotent stem cell markers and differentiation markers were evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunofluorescence. Alterations in transcriptional expressions were investigated via cap analysis of gene expression with gene-enrichment and functional annotation analysis. Results: PLAG1 promoted cell proliferation and transwell migration in the acinar and ductal cells, and markedly enhanced the stemness profiles and luminal cell-like profiles in acinar cells; the stemness profiles were partially increased in the ductal cells. Conclusion: PLAG1 enhanced the stemness profiles in the acinar cells of normal human salivary glands in a cell type-specific manner. Thus, it may be involved in salivary gland tumorigenesis by increasing the stemness character of the normal salivary gland cells

Comparative transcriptomic characterization of aluminum, sodium chloride, cadmium and copper rhizotoxicities in Arabidopsis thaliana

Abstract Background Rhizotoxic ions in problem soils inhibit nutrient and water acquisition by roots, which in turn leads to reduced crop yields. Previous studies on the effects of rhizotoxic ions on root growth and physiological functions suggested that some mechanisms were common to all rhizotoxins, while others were more specific. To understand this complex system, we performed comparative transcriptomic analysis with various rhizotoxic ions, followed by bioinformatics analysis, in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Results Roots of Arabidopsis were treated with the major rhizotoxic stressors, aluminum (Al) ions, cadmium (Cd) ions, copper (Cu) ions and sodium (NaCl) chloride, and the gene expression responses were analyzed by DNA array technology. The top 2.5% of genes whose expression was most increased by each stressor were compared with identify common and specific gene expression responses induced by these stressors. A number of genes encoding glutathione-S-transferases, peroxidases, Ca-binding proteins and a trehalose-synthesizing enzyme were induced by all stressors. In contrast, gene ontological categorization identified sets of genes uniquely induced by each stressor, with distinct patterns of biological processes and molecular function. These contained known resistance genes for each stressor, such as AtALMT1 (encoding Al-activated malate transporter) in the Al-specific group and DREB (encoding dehydration responsive element binding protein) in the NaCl-specific group. These gene groups are likely to reflect the common and differential cellular responses and the induction of defense systems in response to each ion. We also identified co-expressed gene groups specific to rhizotoxic ions, which might aid further detailed investigation of the response mechanisms. Conclusion In order to understand the complex responses of roots to rhizotoxic ions, we performed comparative transcriptomic analysis followed by bioinformatics characterization. Our analyses revealed that both general and specific genes were induced in Arabidopsis roots exposed to various rhizotoxic ions. Several defense systems, such as the production of reactive oxygen species and disturbance of Ca homeostasis, were triggered by all stressors, while specific defense genes were also induced by individual stressors. Similar studies in different plant species could help to clarify the resistance mechanisms at the molecular level to provide information that can be utilized for marker-assisted selection.</p

Recovery from hypoxemia and Hypercapnia following noninvasive pressure support ventilation in a patient with statin-associated necrotizing myopathy: a case report

Background: Statin-associated necrotizing myopathy (SANM) is a rare autoimmune disorder caused by administration of statins. SANM is characterized by weakness due to necrosis and regeneration of myofibers. Here we report the first case of SANM with acute respiratory failure treated with noninvasive pressure support ventilation in addition to immunosuppressants. Case presentation: A 59-year-old woman who had been treated with 2.5 mg/day of rosuvastatin calcium for 5 years stopped taking the drug 4 months before admission to our hospital due to elevation of creatine kinase (CK). Withdrawal of rosuvastatin for 1 month did not decrease the level of CK, and she was admitted to our hospital due to the development of muscle weakness of her neck and bilateral upper extremities. Anti-3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase antibodies were positive. Magnetic resonance imaging showed myositis, and muscle biopsy from the right biceps brachii muscle showed muscle fiber necrosis and regeneration without inflammatory cell infiltration, suggesting SANM. After the diagnosis, she received methylprednisolone pulse therapy (mPSL, 1 g/day × 3 days, twice) and subsequent oral prednisolone therapy (PSL, 30 mg/day for 1 month, 25 mg/day for 1 month and 22.5 mg/day for 1 month), leading to improvement of her muscle weakness. One month after the PSL tapering to 20 mg/day, her muscle weakness deteriorated with oxygen desaturation (SpO2: 93% at room air) due to hypoventilation caused by weakness of respiratory muscles. BIPAP was used for the management of acute respiratory failure in combination with IVIG (20 g/day × 5 days) followed by mPSL pulse therapy (1 g/day × 3 days), oral PSL (30 mg/day × 3 weeks, then tapered to 25 mg/day) and tacrolimus (3 mg/day). Twenty-seven days after the start of BIPAP, she was weaned from BIPAP with improvement of muscle weakness, hypoxemia and hypercapnia. After she achieved remission with improvement of muscle weakness and reduction of serum CK level to a normal level, the dose of oral prednisolone was gradually tapered to 12.5 mg/day without relapse for 3 months. Conclusions: Our report provides new insights into the role of immunosuppressants and biphasic positive airway pressure for induction of remission in patients with SANM

Comparative transcriptomic characterization of aluminum, sodium chloride, cadmium and copper rhizotoxicities in Arabidopsis thaliana

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Rhizotoxic ions in problem soils inhibit nutrient and water acquisition by roots, which in turn leads to reduced crop yields. Previous studies on the effects of rhizotoxic ions on root growth and physiological functions suggested that some mechanisms were common to all rhizotoxins, while others were more specific. To understand this complex system, we performed comparative transcriptomic analysis with various rhizotoxic ions, followed by bioinformatics analysis, in the model plant <it>Arabidopsis thaliana</it>.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Roots of <it>Arabidopsis </it>were treated with the major rhizotoxic stressors, aluminum (Al) ions, cadmium (Cd) ions, copper (Cu) ions and sodium (NaCl) chloride, and the gene expression responses were analyzed by DNA array technology. The top 2.5% of genes whose expression was most increased by each stressor were compared with identify common and specific gene expression responses induced by these stressors. A number of genes encoding glutathione-S-transferases, peroxidases, Ca-binding proteins and a trehalose-synthesizing enzyme were induced by all stressors. In contrast, gene ontological categorization identified sets of genes uniquely induced by each stressor, with distinct patterns of biological processes and molecular function. These contained known resistance genes for each stressor, such as <it>AtALMT1 </it>(encoding Al-activated malate transporter) in the Al-specific group and <it>DREB </it>(encoding dehydration responsive element binding protein) in the NaCl-specific group. These gene groups are likely to reflect the common and differential cellular responses and the induction of defense systems in response to each ion. We also identified co-expressed gene groups specific to rhizotoxic ions, which might aid further detailed investigation of the response mechanisms.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In order to understand the complex responses of roots to rhizotoxic ions, we performed comparative transcriptomic analysis followed by bioinformatics characterization. Our analyses revealed that both general and specific genes were induced in <it>Arabidopsis </it>roots exposed to various rhizotoxic ions. Several defense systems, such as the production of reactive oxygen species and disturbance of Ca homeostasis, were triggered by all stressors, while specific defense genes were also induced by individual stressors. Similar studies in different plant species could help to clarify the resistance mechanisms at the molecular level to provide information that can be utilized for marker-assisted selection.</p

A Case of Necrotizing Sialometaplasia of the Hard Palate Treated with Tranexamic Acid and Sodium Azulene Sulfonate

Necrotizing sialometaplasia is a benign lesion affecting the minor salivary glands of the hard palate. This lesion may be clinically and histopathologically confused with malignant lesions. A case of a 47-year-old man who presented with necrotizing sialometaplasia on the left side of the hard palate is herein reported. A biopsy was performed, and the condition was diagnosed based on immunohistochemistry. The lesion receded following treatment with tranexamic acid and sodium azulene sulfonate. The symptom of painful swelling on the hard palate subsided within 10 days. The palatal lesion had disappeared completely 4 months later