Objectives Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a role in cancer metastasis as well as in drug resistance through various mechanisms, including increased drug efflux mediated by P-glycoprotein (P-gp). In this study, we investigated the activation mechanism of P-gp, including its regulatory factors, during EMT in hepatoblastoma-derived HepG2 cells. Methods HepG2 cells were transfected with SNAI1 using human adenovirus serotype 5 vector. We quantified mRNA and protein expression levels using qRT-PCR and western blot analysis, respectively. P-gp activity was evaluated by uptake assay, and cell viability was assessed by an MTT assay. Key findings P-gp protein expression on plasma membrane was higher in SNAI1-transfected cells than in Mock cells, although there was no difference in P-gp protein level in whole cells. Among the scaffold proteins such as ezrin, radixin and moesin (ERM), only radixin was increased in SNAI1-transfected cells. Uptake of both Rho123 and paclitaxel was decreased in SNAI1-transfected cells, and this decrease was blocked by verapamil, a P-gp inhibitor. The reduced susceptibility of SNAI1-transfected cells to paclitaxel was reversed by elacridar, another P-gp inhibitor. Conclusions Increased expression of radixin during SNAI1-induced EMT leads to increased P-gp membrane expression in HepG2 cells, enhancing P-gp function and thereby increasing drug resistance.

Currently, the number of International-Student Athletes (ISAs) in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is increasing over time and Japan is the biggest market for recruiting in Asia. Whereas international students are playing an increasingly important role in the NCAA, several studies have reported that ISAs face challenges in adjusting to their dual identities as students and athletes at universities in the US. Furthermore, it has been cleared Asian students studying at US universities have some challenges because of cultural and linguistic differences. However, it remains unclear whether the difficulties experienced by Japanese ISAs are the same as or different to the adjustment-related challenges experienced by other ISAs or Asian students. The purpose of this study is to clarify challenges for ISAs from Japan in adjusting to the United States’ universities. Situating in the ISA adjustment model and using a unique case study design, 13 Japanese ISAs at the NCAA Division I universities were interviewed, and data were coded by a continuous comparative analysis method. The results revealed that Japanese ISAs who participated in this study faced academic, social, athletic, personal-emotional, and institutional adjustment challenges. Particularly, Japanese ISAs differed from ISAs from other countries in several points; cultural differences, differences in communication styles, and systemic differences in academia and athletics between Japan and the US. For promoting adjustment of Japanese ISAs, this study suggests; gaining experience and getting information to understand and familiarize with the differences, building relationships with linguistic and culturally diverse people to understand various cultures, encouraging universities and coaches to understand specific difficulties for Japanese ISAs.

The purpose of this study was to clarify the recognition of the leading factors that influence the outcome of Japanese International Student Athletes (ISA) belonging to a US university during the adaptation period. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 ISAs (5 males and 7 females) who had experienced membership in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1. The content was converted into text, and then analyzed using qualitative data analysis. As a result, 64 codes, 37 small categories, 16 medium categories, and 6 large categories were identified. First, the personal factors ［ability］ , the perceptual factors ［realistic expectations］ and ［social support］ were extracted as the leading factors that were recognized as affecting the academic performance of Japanese ISA. Next, as leading factors that were recognized as affecting the competition performance of Japanese ISA, personal factors ［ability］ , perceptual factors ［realistic expectations］ and ［social support］ , cultural distance ［environ-ment］ , and interpersonal factors ［leaders］ were extracted. Furthermore, the perceptual factors ［realistic expectations］ and ［social support］ were extracted as leading factors that were recog-

The purpose of this study was to analyze professional, Japanese, female soccer athletes’ views on second career development and perceived support from the Women’s Empowerment Professional Football League, Japan. This study was underpinned by occupational socialization theory and utilized a qualitative, collective case study design through demographic questionnaires, in-depth face-to-face semistructured interviews, and reflexive thematic analysis. Participants were six current professional soccer players of one professional team of the Women’s Empowerment League. Three themes were generated from the data: (a) avoiding washout effects in second career opportunities, (b) the importance of dual-career pathway opportunities, and (c) professional development and second career training. These findings reflected how participants’ first career as a professional athlete became ingrained within their identity and shaped future desires and preparations for second careers. They also reflect the difficulty participants experienced balancing a professional athletic career with part-time office work for financial stability as well as planning for a second career linked to soccer. Players expressed a need for second career preparation to be facilitated by their clubs and the Women’s Empowerment League, and we provide implications and recommendations to support this work.