Exploring the Impact of Learning Activities Supported by 360-Degree Video Technology on Language Learning, Intercultural Communicative Competence Development, and Knowledge Sharing.

This study integrated intercultural learning activities into English as a foreign language (EFL) learning course in a vocational school in China. The study focused on improvement of students' EFL abilities, intercultural communicative competence (ICC), and knowledge sharing (KS). A group of second-year students from China were partnered with a group of university students from Indonesia. 360-degree video technology was used to create an authentic and immersive intercultural learning environment in which students created content in English related to their culture and traditions, shared content with partners from the other culture, and reflected on their intercultural learning. We investigated whether learning activities supported by 360-degree video technology have positive impact on EFL learning, ICC development, and KS. The data was collected through questionnaires, tests, observations, and interviews. Three main findings were obtained in the study. The results demonstrated that 360-degree video technology-supported intercultural learning activities improved students' EFL abilities, ICC, and KS. In addition, it was found that dimensions of KS and ICC have significant relationship with each other. Finally, the students had a positive attitude toward the learning activities supported by 360-degree video technology, were satisfied with the technology, and had intentions to use it in the future for learning. On this basis, we made several suggestions for educators and researchers.

Up-regulation of antioxidative proteins TRX1, TXNL1 and TXNRD1 in the cortex of PTZ kindling seizure model mice.

Oxidative stress has been considered as one of pathogenesis of brain damage led by epilepsy. Reducing oxidative stress can ameliorate brain damage during seizures. However, expression levels of important antioxidative enzymes such as thioredoxin-1 (TRX1), thioredoxin-like 1 protein (TXNL1) and thioredoxin reductase 1 (TXNRD1) during seizures have not been investigated. In this study, we examined protein and mRNA expression levels of TRX1, TXNL1 and TXNRD1 in different brain regions in PTZ induced seizure model mice. We found that protein expression levels of TRX1, TXNL1 and TXNRD1 are simultaneously up-regulated by 2- or 3-fold in the cortex of both acute and chronic seizure model mice. But there is no unified expression pattern change of these enzymes in the hippocampus, cerebellum and diencephalon in the seizure model mice. Less extent up-regulation of mRNA expression of these enzymes were also observed in the cortex of seizure mice. These data suggest that antioxidative enzymes may provide a protective effect against oxidative stress in the cortex during seizures.

Effects of treadmill exercise on cell proliferation and differentiation in the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus in a rat model of type II diabetes.

In the present study, we investigated the effects of a treadmill exercise on serum glucose levels and Ki67 and doublecortin (DCX) immunoreactivity, which is a marker of cell proliferation expressed during cell cycles except G0 and early G1 and a marker of progenitors differentiating into neurons, respectively, in the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus (SZDG) using a type II diabetic model. At 6 weeks of age, Zucker lean control (ZLC) and Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats were put on a treadmill with or without running for 1 h/day/5 consecutive days at 22 m/min for 5 weeks. Body weight was significantly increased in the control (without running)-ZDF rats compared to that in the other groups. In the control groups blood glucose levels were increased by 392.7 mg/dl in the control-ZDF rats and by 143.3 mg/dl in the control-ZLC rats. However, in the exercise groups, blood glucose levels were similar between the exercise-ZLC and ZDF rats: The blood glucose levels were 110.0 and 118.2 mg/dl, respectively. Ki67 positive nuclei were detected in the SZDG in control and exercise groups. The number of Ki67 positive nuclei was significantly high in exercise groups compared to that in the control groups. In addition, Ki67 positive cells were abundant in ZLC groups compared to those in ZDF groups. DCX-immunoreactive structures in the control-ZDF rats were lower than that in the control-ZLC rats. In the exercise groups, DCX-immunoreactive structures (somata and processes with tertiary dendrites) and DCX protein levels were markedly increased in both the exercise-ZLC and ZDF rats compared to that in the control groups. These results suggest that a treadmill exercise reduces blood glucose levels in ZDF rats and increases cell proliferation and differentiation in the SZDG in ZLC and ZDF rats compared to those in control groups.

Expression and changes of hyperoxidized peroxiredoxins in non-pyramidal and polymorphic cells in the gerbil hippocampus during normal aging.

Oxidative stress is one of predisposing factors to age-related neurodegeneration in the brain. In particular, thiol-containing groups are susceptible to oxidative stress, which induces the formation of the disulfide bond and/or hyperoxidized form of thiol-containing proteins. We observed the protein thiol levels in the hippocampal homogenates and also investigated changes in hyperoxidized form of peroxiredoxin (Prx-SO(3)) immunoreactivity and proteins levels in the gerbil hippocampal subregions during normal aging. Levels of total thiol, non-protein thiol, and protein thiol were decreased in the hippocampal homogenates with age. At post-natal month 1 (PM 1), pyramidal and non-pyramidal cells in the hippocampal CA1 region (CA1) showed Prx-SO(3) immunoreactivity. Prx-SO(3) immunoreactivity in the cells was decreased by PM 12, thereafter, Prx-SO(3) immunoreactivity in the cells increased again with age. In the CA2/3, Prx-SO(3) immunoreactivity in pyramidal cells was not significantly changed; however, the immunoreactivity in pyramidal cells was very low at PM 12. Prx-SO(3) immunoreactivity in the dentate gyrus (DG) was distinctly changed during aging. At PM 1, Prx-SO(3) immunoreactivity in granule and polymorphic cells was weak and strong, respectively. The immunoreactivity in the neurons was decreased with age, not shown in any neurons at PM 12. Thereafter, Prx-SO(3) immunoreactivity increased again with age. In addition, Prx-SO(3) protein level in the hippocampus was lowest at PM 12. These results suggest that thiol-containing proteins are changed during aging and Prx-SO(3) immunoreactivity was different according to cells in the hippocampal subregion during aging.