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This yearlong study describes multiple stakeholders' perspectives of 20 preservice English as Foreign Language (EFL) teachers, 43 elementary school students, 2 online mentors, and a teacher-researcher during a technology professional development practicum on a cloud. The case study provides qualitative and quantitative data from stakeholders concerning technology integration after participating in online project-based EFL instruction. The participating stakeholders encountered affordances and challenges that enhanced their online learning and teaching repertoires and offered nuanced evidence within this online professional development community. The findings call for continuing exploration of online practicums in preservice (language) teacher education and further research documenting complexities of multiple stakeholders' technology professional development.

芬蘭新課綱於2016年上路，赫爾辛基地區學校實施的現象為本學習引起諸多關注。現象為本學習以主題或議題為教學核心，其蘊含課程統整特質有助於發展學生二十一世紀所需能力。緣此，本研究進入一公立中小學進行田野研究，試圖探索現象為本學習課程統整設計基本原則和學生學習表現。採個案研究法，以赫爾辛基一間具10年國際文憑（International Baccalaureate, IB）課程實施經驗的公立學校為研究場域，以觀察、訪談及文件分析等方法蒐集資料。結果發現有三： 一、個案師生於現象為本學習週之課程統整設計的基本原則主要在透過概念來探究現象、學生參與課程設計、統整在自己身上；二、學生於現象為本學習週之統整學習表現富立體學習效果；三、現象為本學習週之評量目的在引導和鼓勵跨領域學習及發展自我評估能力。本研究最後提出幾點建議，供有興趣發展現象為本學習者參考。 The approach of phenomenon-based learning in Helsinki has drawn the international attention since Finland implemented new core curriculum guidelines in 2016. Phenomenon-based learning uses themes or issues as the core of teaching and learning and entails curriculum integration characteristics that may help develop the 21st-century competencies. This study conducted a field study in a public school with ten years experiences of International Baccalaureate programs, exploring the fundamental principles of the curriculum integration of phenomenon-based learning and students’ learning performance. The study applied observations, interviews, and document analysis in a seventh-grade classroom from mid-February to early June 2018. Several key findings emerged from this study. First, the fundamental principles of the curriculum integration of the Phenomenon-based learning Week include exploring phenomena through concepts, student involvement in curriculum design, and integration in oneself. Second, students’ integrated learning performance during Phenomenon-based learning Week seems to highlight the effect of pop-ups learning. Finally, the purpose of the Phenomenon-based learning Week assessment is to guide and encourage cross-disciplinary learning and develop self-assessment capabilities. This study also provides several suggestions for designers who intend to develop the teaching and learning of phenomenon-based learning.

Inadequate intake of lutein is relevant to a higher risk of age-related eye diseases. However, lutein has been barely incorporated into foods efficiently because it is prone to degradation and is poorly bioaccessible in the gastrointestinal tract. Microfluidics, a novel food processing technology that can control fluid flows at the microscale, can enable the efficient encapsulation of bioactive compounds by fabricating suitable delivery structures. Hence, the present study aimed to evaluate the stability and the bioaccessibility of lutein that is encapsulated in a new noodle-like product made via microfluidic technology. Two types of oils (safflower oil (SO) and olive oil (OL)) were selected as a delivery vehicle for lutein, and two customized microfluidic devices (co-flow and combination-flow) were used. Lutein encapsulation was created by the following: (i) co-flow + SO, (ii) co-flow + OL, (iii) combination-flow + SO, and (iv) combination-flow + OL. The initial encapsulation of lutein in the noodle-like product was achieved at 86.0 ± 2.7%. Although lutein’s stability experienced a decreasing trend, the retention of lutein was maintained above 60% for up to seven days of storage. The two types of device did not result in a difference in lutein bioaccessibility (co-flow: 3.1 ± 0.5%, combination-flow: 3.6 ± 0.6%) and SO and OL also showed no difference in lutein bioaccessibility (SO: 3.4 ± 0.8%, OL: 3.3 ± 0.4%). These results suggest that the types of oil and device do not affect the lutein bioaccessibility. Findings from this study may provide scientific insights into emulsion-based delivery systems that employ microfluidics for the encapsulation of bioactive compounds into foods.

OBJECTIVES: Using modern food technologies, a novel fibre composition was designed to reduce the glycemic response of white rice while maintaining its organoleptic properties. An increased intake of dietary fibre improves glycemic control and satiety. The incorporation of fibre into staple foods may be a viable dietary strategy against type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity. This study investigated the postprandial glucose, insulin and appetite changes to a novel grain shape fibre composition, fibre grains, in a mixed meal. METHODS: A randomized, controlled, crossover feeding trial was conducted with 22 healthy adults. Participants were randomized to consume control and fiber grains in a meal. Primary outcomes measured were postprandial glucose and insulin levels. Appetite changes were assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and gut hormones, ghrelin and glucagon-like peptide 1(GLP-1). RESULTS: The addition of fibre grains brought about a non-significant reduction in the 2 h postprandial glycemic and insulinemic responses. The rated satiety scores were not significantly different for desire to eat, hunger and fullness. However, prospective food intake was suppressed to a smaller extent following the consumption of fibre grain (mean area under the curve (AUC) ± SEM: −2888.9 ± 498.1 mm.min) compared to the control (−4615.2 ± 730.9 mm.min, p = 0.024). The postprandial ghrelin was found to be significantly larger for fibre grain meal (AUC: 9345.7 ± 4114.5 pg/ml.min) compared to the control (AUC: −7637.7 ± 5359.0 pg/ml.min, p = 0.031). The level of GLP-1 was also significantly larger after fibre grain meal (AUC: 1108.5 ± 114.9 pM/min) compared to the control (AUC: 877.4 ± 110.2 pM/min, p = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS: The application of fibre grains at the current level did not significantly reduce the postprandial glycemic and insulinemic responses in a mixed meal. However, a significant increase in postprandial GLP-1 may have implications in blood glucose management and appetite control and warrants further studies. FUNDING SOURCES: This study is supported by a joint project grant received from the National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, through the Health Innovation Programme. It is also supported by Alchemy Foodtech Pte. Ltd. Funding agencies have no role in data collection and interpretation.

Hydrogel microbeads are promising matrices for cell-based meat culture because they can be conveniently fabricated from food-grade materials. In this study, food-grade sodium alginate was successfully applied to fabricate edible microbeads with the desired diameters (∼200 µm) using electrospray technology. Pure alginate microbeads have poor cytoaffinity. To enhance the cytoaffinity of alginate microbeads for meat culture, we applied different gelatin coatings, namely porcine gelatin, bovine gelatin, and fish gelatin, onto alginate beads. The modification is non-toxic and environmentally friendly with the use of plant-derived crosslinkers and under mild reaction conditions. As all ingredients are food grade, the modified microbeads are edible and biodegradable, with the mean diameters of 142.96 ± 35.49 μm (porcine gelatin-coated beads), 105.12 ± 80.46 μm (bovine gelatin-coated beads), and 94.81 ± 67.38 μm (bovine gelatin-coated beads). These modified microbeads have self-fluorescence and can be easily distinguished under a fluorescent microscope. The hydrogel core enables the microbeads to have a density of 1.04 g cm−3 for suspension culture. Bovine gelatin-coated microbeads have the best primary porcine myoblast and C2C12 cell adhesion, and can achieve between 16- to 18-fold proliferation of different muscle cells. With the successful differentiation of C2C12 and proliferation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes on bovine gelatin-coated microbeads, cells and microbeads can form clusters, illustrating that our edible microbeads are promising microcarriers for mammalian cell culture for cell-based meat production.

Several studies have confirmed the reduction of starch digestibility with anthocyanins in food systems via mechanisms of enzyme inhibition. However, starch-polyphenol interactions may also contribute to this reduction, by modifying food microstructures and physicochemical properties of starch. The interactions among anthocyanins, starch digestibility, and food microstructures are significant to clarify the digestion processes of fortified food systems, but its interrelationship lacks clarity. Hence, we aim to evaluate the effects of black rice anthocyanin extract (BRAE) incorporation on the microstructural changes of wheat bread, in relation to overall digestibility. Overall, BRAE incorporation demonstrated a dose-dependent reduction in starch digestibility. Physicochemical analyses reflected that BRAE incorporation decreased starch gelatinisation and increased crystallinity. Microscopic imaging revealed differentiating microstructural characteristics of starch and gluten with BRAE incorporation, supporting the reduction in digestibility. Our results conclusively demonstrate that BRAE incorporation in bread suppresses starch digestibility not only through enzyme inhibition, but also food microstructural modifications.

Accumulating epidemiological evidence suggests that anthocyanin intake is associated with reduced risks of cardiometabolic disorders, highlighting the importance of incorporating the phytochemical in our diets. Numerous food-based intervention studies have examined, in controlled meal settings, the role of anthocyanin on cardiometabolic health; but their effects have not been systematically summarized. This study aims to systematically review and summarize the effects of anthocyanin consumption with composite meals on cardiometabolic health from randomized controlled feeding trials. A systematic literature search for relevant human nutritional intervention studies was performed using PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL Plus with Full Text, and Scopus databases. The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool was used to assess the study quality. Eighteen articles involving 371 participants were included in this review. Consistent improvements from anthocyanin intake were found in glycemic, gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) responses. Anthocyanin intake did not significantly affect other markers of energy metabolism, vascular functions, oxidative stress and antioxidant status, as well as inflammatory responses. Inconsistencies in successful outcomes between epidemiological studies and included interventions were largely attributed to matrix effects, which may impede the bioaccessibility of anthocyanins and consequently, limiting its health benefits when co-delivered with some foods.

Novel staple foods are staple foods that are modified with the purpose of improving their nutritional properties. However, consumers' acceptance towards novel staple foods remains to be evaluated, especially in Asian populations where staple foods like white rice are a major source of energy. The objective of this study was to explore consumers' attitudes and perceptions towards novel staple foods in a multi-ethnic Asian population. We conducted 11 focus group discussions, with 37 healthy participants and 22 participants with diabetes recruited through newspaper, email and poster advertisement and in-person recruitment at a clinic. Thematic analysis using the general inductive approach was performed. We found that participants' conceptual understanding of the modification process affected their acceptance towards novel staple foods. Plant-based modifications were considered natural and acceptable while genetic modification and use of chemicals were unnatural and undesirable. Participants expected novel staple foods to be more expensive and less tasty and this was largely due to their perceptions and experiences with healthy eating. Participants with diabetes or family history of diabetes were generally more willing to compromise taste and cost for healthier staple foods, and this appeared to be driven by concerns about diabetes and its related co-morbidities. The appearance of food was an important influence on participants' initial impression of the food, which appeared to be mediated by taste expectations. Participants’ trust of novel staple foods was largely influenced by their trust in food industry, governmental authorities and nutrition science that was mediated through pathways of information and food safety.

Background Para-coumaric acid methyl ester (pCAME) is one of the bioactive components of Costus speciosus (Koen) Sm. (Zingiberaceae). This plant is traditionally used in Asia to treat catarrhal fevers, worms, dyspepsia, and skin diseases. Purpose To investigate the anti-angiogenic activity of pCAME and its molecular mechanism of action. Study design We investigated the anti-angiogenic activity of pCAME on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro and zebrafish (Danio rerio) in vivo. Methods In vitro cell proliferation, would healing, migration and tube formation assays were used, along with in vivo physiological angiogenic vessel formation, tumor-induced angiogenic vessel formation assays on zebrafish model. qRT-PCR and RNA-seq were also used for the target investigation. Results pCAME could inhibit the proliferation, would healing, migration and tube formation of HUVECs, disrupt the physiological formation of intersegmental vessels (ISVs) and the subintestinal vessels (SIVs) of zebrafish embryos, and inhibit tumor angiogenesis in the zebrafish cell-line derived xenograft (zCDX) model of SGC-7901 in a dose-dependent manner. Mechanistic studies revealed that pCAME inhibited vegf/vegfr2 and ang/tie signaling pathways in zebrafish by quantitative RT-PCR analysis, and regulated multi-signaling pathways involving immune, inflammation and angiogenesis in SGC-7901 zCDX model by RNA-seq analysis. Conclusion pCAME may be a multi-target anti-angiogenic drug candidate and hold great potential for developing novel therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.

Obesity induces profound transcriptome changes in adipocytes, and recent evidence suggests that long-noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play key roles in this process. We performed a comprehensive transcriptome study by RNA sequencing in adipocytes isolated from interscapular brown, inguinal, and epididymal white adipose tissue in diet-induced obese mice. The analysis revealed a set of obesity-dysregulated lncRNAs, many of which exhibit dynamic changes in the fed versus fasted state, potentially serving as novel molecular markers of adipose energy status. Among the most prominent lncRNAs is Lnc-leptin, which is transcribed from an enhancer region upstream of leptin (Lep). Expression of Lnc-leptin is sensitive to insulin and closely correlates to Lep expression across diverse pathophysiological conditions. Functionally, induction of Lnc-leptin is essential for adipogenesis, and its presence is required for the maintenance of Lep expression in vitro and in vivo. Direct interaction was detected between DNA loci of Lnc-leptin and Lep in mature adipocytes, which diminished upon Lnc-leptin knockdown. Our study establishes Lnc-leptin as a new regulator of Lep.

OBJECTIVES: By incorporating black rice anthocyanins into a carbohydrate-rich food matrix, this project aims to assess the changes in in-vitro carbohydrate digestibility, and the glycemic index (GI) of the enriched carbohydrate-rich food. We hypothesize that the bread enriched with black rice anthocyanins will retard carbohydrate digestibility, and have a lower GI. METHODS: A simulated digestion model in-vitro was used to investigate the digestibility of bread enriched with black rice anthocyanin extract (BRAE). To assess the GI of the enriched bread, 24 healthy adults participated in a randomized, controlled crossover study with 3 intervention arms. Participants received 50-g glucose solutions as a reference; interventions included 50-g available carbohydrate (ACHO) servings of white bread (CON), bread enriched with 2% (BB-2) and 4% (BB-4) BRAE. RESULTS: In the simulated digestion model, the enrichment of BRAE was found to significantly reduce oral and intestinal digestion of bread. Relative to CON, the concentration of glucose released in the simulated oral digestion was reduced for BB-2 (P = 0.9529) and BB-4 (P = 0.0001). Relative to CON, the incremental area under the intestinal digestion curves (IAUC) were also reduced for BB-2 (P = 0.0001) and BB-4 (P

The aberrant activities of transcription factors such as the androgen receptor (AR) underpin prostate cancer development. While the AR cis-regulation has been extensively studied in prostate cancer, information pertaining to the spatial architecture of the AR transcriptional circuitry remains limited. In this paper, we propose a novel framework to profile long-range chromatin interactions associated with AR and its collaborative transcription factor, erythroblast transformation-specific related gene (ERG), using chromatin interaction analysis by paired-end tag (ChIA-PET). We identified ERG-associated long-range chromatin interactions as a cooperative component in the AR-associated chromatin interactome, acting in concert to achieve coordinated regulation of a subset of AR target genes. Through multifaceted functional data analysis, we found that AR-ERG interaction hub regions are characterized by distinct functional signatures, including bidirectional transcription and cotranscription factor binding. In addition, cancer-associated long noncoding RNAs were found to be connected near protein-coding genes through AR-ERG looping. Finally, we found strong enrichment of prostate cancer genome-wide association study (GWAS) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at AR-ERG co-binding sites participating in chromatin interactions and gene regulation, suggesting GWAS target genes identified from chromatin looping data provide more biologically relevant findings than using the nearest gene approach. Taken together, our results revealed an AR-ERG-centric higher-order chromatin structure that drives coordinated gene expression in prostate cancer progression and the identification of potential target genes for therapeutic intervention.

Uroliths (urinary stones) are routinely found in both domestic and exotic animals kept under human care. In zoos, Asian small-clawed otters (ASCOs, Aonyx cinereus) have been identified as being particularly prone to this disease. Risk factors are thought to be nutritional; however, recommendations contradict each other, depending on which physiological model was used. Our study aimed to determine the prevalence of uroliths in ASCOs under human care and to evaluate which feeding patterns and nutrients may be linked to their occurrence. Questionnaires were sent to zoos holding ASCOs in North America (AZA), Europe (EAZA), and Japan and Southeast Asia (Asia) asking about diets and medical histories of all ASCOs alive or dead within the last 10 yr. A risk-factor style binary logistic regression was conducted on these data. A total of 94 questionnaires were received; however, only 56 were usable (15.6% return rate), representing 161 otter cases. AZA had the significantly highest incidence of kidney stones (62.8%), followed by EAZA (12.9%) and Asia (9.4%). Age and calcium were risk factors, whereas crude protein and sodium were protective. Therefore, calcium may need to be controlled within their diet. A diet high in fish and crustaceans may be beneficial and is consistent with wild ASCO diets. The feline model may be the best choice out of other models; however, many factors cannot be compared with ASCO, such as urinary pH.

This chapter proposes an integrated mentoring model in the context of established and emerging Information and Communications Technology (ICT) tools to be applied into teacher professional development. Twenty preservice English as a Foreign Language (EFL) preservice teachers participating in a Cloud-based internship project were involved in a series of training activities, including virtual technology training workshops, in-class methods instruction, design and implementation of teaching projects on a Cloud platform, and subsequent face-to-face and online discussions on teaching practices. Multiple qualitative data collected offers evidence to examine the potential of employing this mentoring mechanism to make amends for what has been rarely exploited in the extant technology teacher training models in the foreign language education field. Based on the research findings, a revised mentoring model is suggested for further investigation.

Estrogen induces the binding of ERα to thousands of locations in the breast cancer genome, preferring intergenic and distal regions rather than near the promoters of estrogen-regulated genes. With recent technological innovations in mapping and characterization of global chromatin organization, evidence now indicates ERα mediates long-range chromatin interactions to control gene transcription. The principles that govern how ERα communicates with their putative target genes via chromosomal interactions are also beginning to unravel. Herein, we summarize our current knowledge on the functional significance of chromatin looping in estrogen-mediated transcription. ERα collaborative factors and other players that contribute to define the genomic interactions in breast cancer cells will also be discussed. Defects in chromatin organization are emerging key players in diseases such as cancer, thus understanding how ERα-mediated chromatin looping affects genome organization will clarify the receptor's role in estrogen responsive pathways sensitive to defects in chromatin organization.

With the increasing use of mycophenolic acid (MPA) in solid organ transplantation, some clinical studies indicate that it is also a human teratogen. However, it is unknown by which mechanism MPA acts as a teratogen. Mycophenolic acid was a selective blocker of de novo purine synthesis, and its immunosuppressive effect is mediated by the inhibition of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase, which could be a target for MPA-induced toxicity as well. The aim of our study was to examine the direct influence of MPA exposure on zebrafish ( Danio rerio) embryos. Morphological defects including tail curvature and severe pericardial edema in zebrafish embryos caused by MPA (3.7-11.1 µmol/L) were found in a dose-dependent manner. The teratogenic index (25% lethal concentration value (LC25)/no observed adverse effect level ratio) was 16, which indicated MPA as a teratogen. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that the expression level of impdh1b and impdh2 was significantly reduced by MPA treatment at 8 µmol/L (equals to LC25level). All the toxic effects could be partially reversed by the addition of 33.3 µmol/L guanosine. Our results indicated that MPA impairs the development of zebrafish embryos via inhibition of impdh activity, which subsequently caused a guanosine nucleotide depletion in vivo.

This article explores context perspectives of a student teacher, a cooperating teacher, and the teachers and teacher administrators within a Taiwanese junior high school during an “induction phase” experience. We offer a context review to situate the study in Taiwan during a period of educational reform and a literature review to situate the study internationally. Although studies discuss student and beginning teachers' professional development with cooperating teachers and mentors, few explore the complexities of learning to teach by collectively describing numerous stakeholders' perspectives within one context. Our article describes a learning-to-teach context where professional development is shared through stakeholders' perspectives.

The purposes of this study were to examine the effects of different distances and the inclusion and exclusion of acceleration and deceleration distances on the measurement of self-paced and fastest gait speeds in younger and older adults. The self-paced and fastest gait speeds of younger and older adults were measured over 4-m and 10-m walkways with the acceleration and deceleration distances included and excluded in the measuring distance. The results indicated gait speeds (both self-paced and fastest) measured over different distances were comparable only if a distance for acceleration and deceleration was excluded from the measuring distance to obtain stable and comparable gait speeds. Similar results were found for younger and older groups.

Intrarater reliability and measurement error associated with waist and hip circumference measures performed by a novice rater with one measurement were examined and compared among Body Mass Index (BMI) subgroups in a convenience sample of 76 participants (25 men, 51 women; M age = 47.2 yr., SD = 14.2). A rater blinded to the purpose of the study, as well as to the tape measure results, received training and then performed hip and waist circumference measures twice with a 10-min. interval. Intrarater reliability of the measures was acceptable (ICC3,1 >.95) across the BMI subgroups; measurement error was found to be greater in the overweight and obese subgroups. If a test-retest change score is greater than 3.0 cm in waist circumference and 2.0 cm in hip circumference, it can be assumed to be a true change with 95% confidence.

Genomes are organized into high-level three-dimensional structures, and DNA elements separated by long genomic distances can in principle interact functionally. Many transcription factors bind to regulatory DNA elements distant from gene promoters. Although distal binding sites have been shown to regulate transcription by long-range chromatin interactions at a few loci, chromatin interactions and their impact on transcription regulation have not been investigated in a genome-wide manner. Here we describe the development of a new strategy, chromatin interaction analysis by paired-end tag sequencing (ChIA-PET) for the de novo detection of global chromatin interactions, with which we have comprehensively mapped the chromatin interaction network bound by oestrogen receptor α (ER-α) in the human genome. We found that most high-confidence remote ER-α-binding sites are anchored at gene promoters through long-range chromatin interactions, suggesting that ER-α functions by extensive chromatin looping to bring genes together for coordinated transcriptional regulation. We propose that chromatin interactions constitute a primary mechanism for regulating transcription in mammalian genomes. © 2009 Macmillan Publishers Limited. All rights reserved.

Nuclear signaling by estrogens rapidly induces the global recruitment of estrogen receptors (ERs) to thousands of highly specific locations in the genome. Here, we have examined whether ER binding sites that are located distal from the transcription start sites of estrogen target genes are functionally relevant. Similar to ER binding sites near the proximal promoter region, ER binding sites located at distal locations are occupied by ERs after estrogen stimulation. And, like proximal bound ERs, ERs occupied at distal sites can recruit coactivators and the RNA polymerase transcription machinery and mediate specific structural changes to chromatin. Furthermore, ERs occupied at the distal sites are capable of communicating with ERs bound at the promoter region, possibly via long range chromosome looping. In functional analysis, disruption of the response elements in the distal ER binding sites abrogated ER binding and significantly reduced transcriptional response. Finally, sequence comparison of the response elements at the distal sites suggests a high level of conservation across different species. Together, our data indicate that distal ER binding sites are bona fide transcriptional enhancers that are involved in long range chromosomal interaction, transcription complex formation, and distinct structural modifications of chromatin across large genomic spans.

This study examines the views of future teachers of social studies regarding significant global trends, required citizen characteristics, and necessary educational strategies to develop the said characteristics. The study builds upon the landmark work of the nine-nation Citizenship Education Policy Study (CEPS I) carried out in the late 1990s that resulted in the model calledmultidimensional citizenship. The original work focused on the views of policy makers and scholars. The present research, CEPS II, is a follow-up study that seeks to determine the views of the next generation of those who will teach citizenship and civic education through social studies programs in seven participant societies: China, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, The Netherlands, Taiwan, Thailand and the United States of America. The results suggest that the future teachers, when compared with the policy experts and scholars in the original CEPS I study, are more optimistic about the future and are more oriented towards personal development and participatory behaviors that will positively impact the common good.