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It is unknown whether linguistic cues influence preschoolers' recognition of facial expression when the emotion of the face is incongruent with the linguistic cues and what type of linguistic cue is influential in the modulation of facial expression. In a priming task, we presented 5-year-old children three types of linguistic information conveying happy or sad emotion (simple label, label with rich causal explanation of emotion, and label with poor causal explanation of emotion) prior to the presentation of a happy or a sad face. We asked participants to recognize emotion of facial expression and examined whether they follow linguistic information than the facial expression when the emotions of linguistic information and face were incongruent. As a result, children who were presented the label with rich causal explanation judged emotion of face according to the linguistic information, whereas children who were presented the simple label or the label with poor causal explanation followed the emotions of facial expression. This result indicated that children's autonomic reliance on situational cues depends on the emotional causality and the concreteness of emotional state conveyed by the linguistic cues. This finding contributes to our understanding of the face inferiority effect on children's developing notion of emotions.

Based on real-life intergroup animosities originating from a historical conflict, the current study examined how the perceived stance of the outgroup about the conflict affects the dehumanization of the outgroup. In Study 1 (N = 120), Korean undergraduates attributed more human nature to the Japanese after reading an article that the Japanese government did (vs. refused to) issue an official apology for a historical wrong. In turn, the more human nature assigned to the Japanese predicted higher expectations about positive mutual relations in the future. Similarly, in Study 2 (N = 209), Japanese undergraduates attributed more human uniqueness to Koreans after reading an article that an official apology for a historical wrong from Japan was accepted (vs. rejected) by Koreans. The higher the perceived human uniqueness of Koreans was, the higher were the willingness to help and the expectations of a positive relationship in the future. The findings demonstrate how mutual dehumanization can be reduced as a result of the other side's reconciliatory stances and can further contribute to improving intergroup relations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although great efforts have been made to address delays in new-drug approvals between different regions, little is known regarding drug lag in Korea. We compared drug lag in Korea with that in Japan, which is well known through many previous studies. Methods: We extracted approval information from public data obtained from the regulatory authorities on all new drugs that were listed in both Korea and Japan between 2009 and 2017. Relative drug lag represented the difference between the date of approval in the country of interest and the date of the first global approval. Relative drug lag was measured as median approval lag. Multiple regression models were used to identify the factors associated with drug lag. The factors considered included origin of substance, nationality of manufacturer, original approval date, orphan drug status, and therapeutic class. Results: In total, 394 new drugs were approved in both countries between 2009 and 2017. The median approval lag was 28.2 and 54.1 months in Korea and Japan, respectively. Domestic company drugs were associated with longer median approval lag in Korea ( β = 12.076 , P =. 015 \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\upbeta =12.076, P=.015$$\end{document}), sensory organ drugs were associated with shorter median approval lag in Japan ( β = - 46.144 , P =. 009 \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\upbeta =-46.144, P=.009$$\end{document}), and orphan drug status was associated with longer duration of drug approval in Japan ( β = 9.695 , P =. 024 \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\upbeta =9.695, P =.024$$\end{document}). Conclusions: Notable drug lags were observed in both Korea and Japan, but the lag was shorter in Korea. Inclusion of global clinical trials and existence of prior knowledge in new drug development were critical to reduce drug lag. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The association between obesity and albuminuria in the general population remains unclear. We aimed to identify the association between obesity and albuminuria as well as sex differences regarding the associations using several obesity indices, including waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), and waist-to-height ratio (WHR). Methods: This study included 3841 subjects (1730 males and 2111 females; age 20-80 years) who participated in the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted in 2011. Subjects with hypertension, diabetes, renal failure, or a malignant tumor and those who were pregnant or menstruating were excluded. Albuminuria was defined as a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio ≥30 mg/g. Anthropometric parameters were categorized into sex-specific quartiles. Logistic regression models were used to assess the associations between each anthropometric parameter and albuminuria. Results: All of the obesity indices of the fourth quartile group of females showed a twofold higher risk for albuminuria than the second quartile group, and it was persistently significant after adjusting for age, smoking, and physical activity. After further adjustment for high blood pressure and impaired fasting glucose and triglyceride levels, WC and BMI of the fourth quartile group of females still showed a significantly higher risk for albuminuria than the second quartile group (odds ratios 1.96 and 2.24; 95 % confidence intervals 1.03-3.74 and 1.15-4.37). None of the associations between albuminuria and the obesity indices were significant in males. Conclusion: Higher WC and BMI were significantly associated with the risk of albuminuria among females, but not males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A first quasi-successive paleosecular variation data since ∼5.5 kya, including magnetic inclination and relative geomagnetic field intensity variation were obtained from a 55 m-long sediment core in the Nakdong River delta, southeastern Korean Peninsula. Both magnetic inclination curves and relative paleointensity data showed similar trends with those from Lake Biwa, Japan. They also showed close correlation with continuous global geomagnetic field models. For instance, the present study confirms the existence of archeomagnetic jerks. In addition, the present study supports the evidence of globally high geomagnetic intensity circa 3 kya. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated analytic performances of an automated treponemal test and compared this test with the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory test (VDRL) and fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test (FTA-ABS). Precision performance of the Architect Syphilis TP assay (TP; Abbott Japan, Tokyo, Japan) was assessed, and 150 serum samples were assayed with the TP before and after heat inactivation to estimate the effect of heat inactivation. A total of 616 specimens were tested with the FTA-ABS and TP, and 400 were examined with the VDRL. The TP showed good precision performance with total imprecision of less than a 10% coefficient of variation. An excellent linear relationship between results before and after heat inactivation was observed (R² = 0.9961). The FTA-ABS and TP agreed well with a κ coefficient of 0.981. The concordance rate between the FTA-ABS and TP was the highest (99.0%), followed by the rates between FTA-ABS and VDRL (85.0%) and between TP and VDRL (83.8%). The automated TP assay may be adequate for screening for syphilis in a large volume of samples and can be an alternative to FTA-ABS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past few decades, cooperation between Korea and Japan has increased and deepened, but frictions continue to persist. Which direction is the relationship between Korea and Japan heading? This is the question that this article attempts to address. From an analytical standpoint, this article applies contemporary international relations theories - realism, liberalism, and constructivism - to the pattern of cooperation and conflict in Korea-Japan relations. After reviewing both optimistic and pessimistic positions drawn from diverse perspectives, the author makes a synthesis, where he suggests the case for cautious optimism. What we find in reality is long-term progress in an upward movement, interrupted by recurring frictions in the short term. Empirical evidence supports the case that Korea-Japan relations are making steady progress towards deeper, heightened, and multi-layered cooperation. However, such issues as historical controversy and territorial disputes are the hurdles that both nations need to overcome. Whether Korea and Japan can maximize the effects of optimism, while they effectively minimize the impacts of pessimism will determine the nature of the ties between the two countries. Cooperation between the two countries is not necessarily guaranteed, but we find irreversible trends of improved cooperation over time. However, lingering suspicions, submerged nationalist sentiments, and sporadic surges of extremism remain. They should be carefully managed by the leaders of the two countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Addresses the puzzle of why factions have survived political reform in the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Japan's ruling party. Theoretical perspectives on factions; Lineages and development of factions in the LDP; Details on the political reform of 1994; Discussion on the refractive effects and sustained power of factions; Utility of factions for party management; Changes produced by the break up of the Takeshita faction.

Many people take it for granted that the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is a conservative party. Few would cast any doubt on the idea that the LDP has been, is, and will continue to be the "conservative" party in Japan. The reasons that the LDP has been judged to be conservative, however, are based on a few popular misconceptions about LDP politics. In this article, Cheol-Hee Park, Associate Professor at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), Tokyo, reviews the main popular misconceptions about LDP politics and argues that the LDP is currently shifting to a more conservative position which has the potential to put the LDP's grip on power in a perilous situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background: : Incadronate has been found to lessen the increase in corrected serum calcium levels in malignancy-associated hypercalcemia (MAH) in a Phase III study in Japan. The drug is currently used to treat MAH in Japan. Objective: : The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical usefulness of incadronate in patients with MAH. Methods: : This open-label study was conducted at 3 medical institutions in Korea. Korean patients with MAH (corrected serum calcium levels ≥11.0 mg/dL) were given a single 10-mg IV infusion of incadronate over 2 to 4 hours in 500 to 1000 mL of normal saline. Corrected calcium levels were determined and subjective symptoms and objective findings (ie, bone pain, spontaneous pain, pain from contusion, tenderness, other pain, loss of appetite, nausea and/or vomiting, thirst, constipation, fatigue, and disturbance of consciousness) were used to monitor the effectiveness of the drug for 6 days after the infusion. Symptoms were evaluated using a 4-point scale (0 = none to 3 = severe). Adverse events (AEs) were identified by patients'' reports, and adverse drug events (ADEs) were assessed by the investigators throughout the study. Results: : Twenty-four Korean patients (18 [75%]male, 6 [25%]female; mean age, 56.5 years) were included in the study; data from 22 and 24 patients were used to assess effectiveness and tolerability, respectively. Corrected serum calcium level was significantly decreased on day 6 after treatment compared with pretreatment on day 0 (baseline) (9.51 [0.89] mg/dL vs 11.83 [0.89] mg/dL; P < 0.001). The antihypercalcemic effect of incadronate became apparent as an inhibition of bone absorption a few days after infusion. Corrected serum calcium level was significantly decreased on days 2 to 6 (P < 0.001) after treatment compared with pretreatment at baseline. Evaluation of symptoms showed significant improvement in the incadronate-treated group (mean total score [range] at baseline, 8 [1–23] and day 6, 5.5 [1–17]; P = 0.001). Eight (33.3%) of the patients were found to have ADEs. Some of the 8 patients experienced >1 ADE (mild and transient fever [13 events], chills [3], headache [1], and myalgia [1]). AEs were observed in 19 (79.2%) of 24 patients. The most frequently reported AE was fever (14 events). Conclusion: : In this small, open-label study, Korean subjects with MAH treated with incadronate experienced significant improvement in symptoms and calcium levels from baseline. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Examines the localization of disease-susceptibility locus for diffuse panbronchiolitis in Japan. Analysis on the polymorphic markers of the disease; Identification of disease-associated haplotypes; Location of human leukocyte antigen-associated gene for diffuse panbronchiolitis.