The effect of previously acquired languages on third language acquisition.

Our study explores how previously acquired languages affect third language (L3) acquisition. The learning and control groups composed adpositional phrases and relative clauses, and then judged sentences with strict/sloppy readings presented in their L3. The results showed that native Japanese learners of Chinese were more influenced by the second language (English) for adpositional phrases and relative clauses than were native Chinese learners of Japanese, although both were influenced more by their native than second language (English) in strict/sloppy interpretation.

PXR Suppresses PPARα-Dependent Gene Transcription by Inhibiting the Interaction between PPARα and PGC1α.

Background: PXR is a xenobiotic-responsive nuclear receptor that controls the expression of drug-metabolizing enzymes. Drug-induced activation of PXR sometimes causes drug-drug interactions due to the induced metabolism of co-administered drugs. Our group recently reported a possible drug-drug interaction mechanism via an interaction between the nuclear receptors CAR and PPARα.

Helix 12 stabilization contributes to basal transcriptional activity of PXR.

Pregnane X receptor (PXR) plays an important role in xenobiotic metabolism. While ligand binding induces PXR-dependent gene transcription, PXR shows constitutive transcriptional activity in the absence of ligands when expressed in cultured cells. This constitutive activity sometimes hampers investigation of PXR activation by compounds of interest.

Second-language learning effects on automaticity of speech processing of Japanese phonetic contrasts: An MEG study.

We examined discrimination of a second-language (L2) vowel duration contrast in English learners of Japanese (JP) with different amounts of experience using the magnetoencephalography mismatch field (MMF) component. Twelve L2 learners were tested before and after a second semester of college-level JP; half attended a regular rate course and half an accelerated course with more hours per week. Results showed no significant change in MMF for either the regular or accelerated learning group from beginning to end of the course.

Bioengineering a 3D integumentary organ system from iPS cells using an in vivo transplantation model.

The integumentary organ system is a complex system that plays important roles in waterproofing, cushioning, protecting deeper tissues, excreting waste, and thermoregulation. We developed a novel in vivo transplantation model designated as a clustering-dependent embryoid body transplantation method and generated a bioengineered three-dimensional (3D) integumentary organ system, including appendage organs such as hair follicles and sebaceous glands, from induced pluripotent stem cells. This bioengineered 3D integumentary organ system was fully functional following transplantation into nude mice and could be properly connected to surrounding host tissues, such as the epidermis, arrector pili muscles, and nerve fibers, without tumorigenesis.

Functional tooth restoration by next-generation bio-hybrid implant as a bio-hybrid artificial organ replacement therapy.

Bio-hybrid artificial organs are an attractive concept to restore organ function through precise biological cooperation with surrounding tissues in vivo. However, in bio-hybrid artificial organs, an artificial organ with fibrous connective tissues, including muscles, tendons and ligaments, has not been developed. Here, we have enveloped with embryonic dental follicle tissue around a HA-coated dental implant, and transplanted into the lower first molar region of a murine tooth-loss model.