Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of Wnt‐2 and galectin‐3 synergistically destabilizes β‐catenin and induces apoptosis in human colorectal cancer cells

Constitutive activation of the Wnt pathway as a result of APC, AXIN1 or CTNNB1 mutations has been found in most colorectal cancers. For a long time, this aberrant Wnt activation has been thought to be independent of upstream signals. However, recent studies indicate that upstream signals retain their ability to regulate the Wnt pathway even in the presence of downstream mutations. Wnt‐2 is well known for its overexpression in colorectal cancer. Galectin‐3 (Gal‐3), a multifunctional carbohydrate binding protein implicated in a variety of biological functions, has recently been reported to interact with β‐catenin. In this study, we investigated roles of Wnt‐2 and Gal‐3 in the regulation of canonical Wnt/β‐catenin signaling. We found that siRNA silencing of either Wnt‐2 or Gal‐3 expression inhibited TCF‐reporter activity, decreased cytosolic β‐catenin level and induced apoptosis in human colorectal cancer cells containing downstream mutations. More interestingly, we showed that inhibition of both Wnt‐2 and Gal‐3 had synergistic effects on suppressing canonical Wnt signaling and inducing apoptosis, suggesting that aberrant canonical Wnt/β‐catenin signaling in colorectal cancer can be regulated at multiple levels. The combined inhibition of Wnt‐2 and Gal‐3 may be of superior therapeutic advantage to inhibition by either one of them, giving rise to a potential development of novel drugs for the targeted treatment of colorectal cancer. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
GENETIC ANALYSIS OF AUTOSOMAL AND X-LINKED MARKERS ACROSS A MOUSE HYBRID ZONE

Abstract In this paper, we present results of the first comprehensive study of the introgression of both autosomal and sex-chromosome markers across the central European portion of the hybrid zone between two house mouse subspecies, Mus musculus musculus and M. m. domesticus. More than 1800 individuals sampled from 105 sites were analyzed with a set of allozyme loci (hopefully representing neutral or nearly neutral markers) and X-linked loci (which are assumed to be under selection). The zone center is best modeled as a single straight line independent of fine-scale local geographic or climatic conditions, being maintained by a balance between dispersal and selection against hybrids. The width (w) of the multilocus autosomal cline was estimated as 9.6 km whereas the estimate for the compound X-chromosome cline was about 4.6 km only. As the former estimate is comparable to that of the Danish portion of the zone (assumed to be much younger than the central European one), zone width does not appear to be related to its age. The strength (B) of the central barrier was estimated as about 20 km; with dispersal (σ) of about 1 km/gen1/2, this means effective selection (s*) is approximately 0.06–0.09 for autosomal loci and about 0.25 for X-linked loci. The number of loci under selection was estimated as N = 56–99 for autosomes and about 380 for X-linked loci. Finally, we highlight some potential pitfalls in hybrid zone analyses and in comparisons of different transects. We suggest that conclusions about parts of the mouse genome involved in reproductive isolation and speciation should be drawn with caution and that analytical approaches always providing some estimates should not be used without due care regarding the support or confidence of such estimates, especially if conclusions are based on the difference between these estimates. Finally, we recommend that analysis in two-dimensional space, dense sampling, and rigorous treatment of data, including inspection of likelihood profiles, are essential for hybrid zone studies.
Ultrasonography for rheumatologists: the development of specific competency based educational outcomes

Background: A competency based approach to the education of rheumatologists in musculoskeletal ultrasonography (MSK US) ensures standards are documented, transparent, accountable, and defensible, with clear benefit to all stakeholders. Specific competency outcomes will facilitate informed development of a common curriculum and structured programme of training and assessment. Objective: To determine explicit competency based learning outcomes for rheumatologists undertaking MSK US. Methods: International experts in MSK US, satisfying specific selection criteria, were asked to define the minimum standards required by a rheumatologist to be judged competent in MSK US. They reviewed 115 MSK US skills, comprising bone and soft tissue pathology, in seven joints regions of the upper and lower limbs, and rated their relative importance according to specific criteria. These data are presented as specific educational outcomes within designated competency categories. Results: 57 expert MSK US practitioners were identified and 35 took part in this study. Ten generic core competency outcomes were recognised including physics, anatomy, technique, and interpretation. Regarding specific regional competencies, 53% (61/115) were considered “must know” core learning outcomes, largely comprising inflammatory joint/tendon/bone pathology and guided procedures; 45% (52/115) were required at an intermediate/advanced level (18/115 “should know”, 34/115 “could know”), and 2% (2/115) were deemed inappropriate/unnecessary for rheumatologist ultrasonographers. Conclusions: This is the first study to developing a competency model for the education of rheumatologists in MSK US based on the evidence of international experts. A specific set of learning outcomes has been defined, which will facilitate future informed education and practice development and provide a blueprint for a structured rheumatology MSK US curriculum and assessment process.
Estimation of the shore excursion expenditure function during cruise tourism in Korea

ABSTRACT Recently, the number of foreign tourists to Korea via cruise ships has increased dramatically. We attempted to estimate the shore excursion expenditure function during cruise tourism in Korea. To this end, we collected data from a survey of foreign tourists who visited Korea via cruise ships and conducted the ordered probit model with sample selection to correct for the sample selection bias. Statistical tests indicate that the sample selection model provides unbiased estimates of the ordered probit model. The estimation results reveal that the coefficients of the experience of visiting Korea, job status, annual income, and nationality have statistically significant relationships with shopping expenditure. Further, it is likely that Chinese and Japanese passengers spend more money on shopping than passengers from other countries. This study is expected to provide the Korean government and port authorities with useful information for targeting passengers with high shore excursion expenditure. From a management perspective, the results of this analysis will enable cruise operators to design shore excursion programs that meet travelers’ needs.
Turnings and adaptations in resilient daughters of battered women.

PURPOSE To examine the major life-turning points and adaptations of adult daughters of battered women, as a means of describing the dynamic of resilience in daughters of battered women. DESIGN A convenience sample of 10 community-based adult daughters of battered women in 1995. METHODS Two unstructured, tape-recorded life history interviews lasting 3-5 hours each and an investigator-developed self-report of significant life events. RESULTS Seven major turnings and six adaptations were identified and described. CONCLUSIONS The findings indicate that these resilient adult daughters of battered women were able to experience formidable life events and to overcome them, but not without suffering. The women's adaptations resulted from a confluence of individual and environmental characteristics that are amenable to nursing interventions.
The contribution of tangible and intangible resources, and capabilities to a firm’s profitability and market performance

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relative contribution of tangible resource (TR) and intangible resource (IR), and capabilities on firm performance based on the measures of market share, sales turnover and profitability. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional survey research design was used in the study. The modified version of Galbreath and Galvin’s (2008) resource-performance questionnaire which included a total number of 45 questions was applied on 243 Turkish firms operating in different industries. The data collected were analysed by hierarchical regression analysis. Findings The findings revealed that IRs and capabilities contributed more greatly to firm performance compared to TRs. However, in contrast to the proposition of resource-based theory that views capabilities as the most important skills that underpin the development and deployment of both TR and IR, capabilities offered rather limited additional explanatory power to the prediction of firm performance only with respect to profitability against the combined effects of TR and IR. Originality/value The vast majority of the empirical resource-based view (RBV) research concentrates on developed countries and very little is known about results outside of this domain. This study employs Turkish business databases to assess the relative importance of TR and IR and capabilities on performance differences among firms in Turkey which was the 17th largest economy in the world trade in 2016. Second, in the RBV literature, limited research tests the contribution of capabilities to firm success after simultaneously accounting for the effects of other resources (namely, TR and IR) available to the firm. Finally, this research offers practical contributions to executives and managers who have to make adequate decisions for firm survival and growth in the competitive business arena.
Pain perception following different neurosurgical procedures: a quantitative prospective study

Background: Pain following neurosurgery has never been given due attention. Objective: This was a prospective study to assess pain following various neurosurgical procedures. Methods: Patients underwent pain assessment on 11-point scale(0-10) for 24 hours following neurosurgery, and analyzed in relation to various factors. Results: Among total 159 patients, 88(55%), 58(37%) and 13(8%) had undergone cranial, spinal and peripheral nerve procedures respectively. The mean pain score within 12 hours was 3.51(SD ± 2.53), which increased significantly during 13-24 hours to 5.06(SD ± 2.6)(P<0.001). During 13-24 hours, the pain score among those who underwent infratentorial procedures (8.02 ± 2.77) was significantly higher than among those who underwent supratentorial procedures (3.48 ± 1.99)(P<0.001). The pain score of patients who underwent lumbar surgery (6.5 ± 1.93) was significantly higher than of those who underwent cervical surgery (4.04 ± 2.43)(P<0.001). Age and gender did not show any significant influence on pain. Conclusion: Pain is significantly greater during 13-24 hours after neurosurgery, especially after infratentorial and lumbar surgical procedures, compared to others.
The contextual issues associated with sexual harassment experiences reported by registered nurses.

OBJECTIVE The study aimed to explore contextual conditions in Australian health care workplaces that make sex-based and sexual harassment (SB&SH) a relatively common experience for registered nurses (RNs). DESIGN Unstructured, in-depth interviews with a convenience sample of Australian RNs. PARTICIPANTS The informants were 16 RNs (15 female and one male), working in health care, who were students enrolled in advanced tertiary preparation in nursing, counselling, and health care management at an Australian university. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Experiences described by the interview informants identified four conditions present in their workplace when they experienced SB&SH. RESULTS Informants noted: 1) the silence that surrounds harassment; 2) that they could not expect support from their peers and professional colleagues; 3) that education did not exist in their workplaces regarding (SB&SH) and, 4) that traditional stereotypes associated with RNs were closely linked to the experience of harassment in the workplace. CONCLUSIONS Inadequate coverage of workplace issues related to (SB&SH) in undergraduate or postgraduate educational programs were identified.
Validity of Digital Imaging of Fiber-Optic Transillumination in Caries Detection on Proximal Tooth Surfaces

Objective The aim of our study was to evaluate the validity of the digital imaging fiber-optic transillumination (DIFOTI) method in comparison with clinical visual examination (CV) and bitewing (BW) radiography on detecting caries lesions on proximal surfaces of teeth. Materials and Methods Proximal tooth surfaces of premolars and molars (n = 2,103) of 91 voluntary university students aged from 18 to 30 years were examined with CV, BW radiography, and the DIFOTI method. Results DIFOTI detected more initial and manifested caries lesions compared with CV and BW. Of the analyzed tooth surfaces, 69.8% were classified as sound by DIFOTI, 80.3% by BW, and 91.6% by CV. Initial caries lesions were found in 21.2% of the surfaces by DIFOTI, in 14.1% by BW, and in 6.2% by CV, whereas the proportions for manifested dental caries lesions were 9.0%, 5.6%, and 2.2%, respectively. The interexaminer agreement regarding the DIFOTI findings between an experienced clinician and a fifth-year dental student was high: κ = 0.67 for initial and κ = 0.91 for manifested caries lesions. Conclusions The noninvasive DIFOTI method seems to offer a potential tool for everyday clinical practice. In clinical use, DIFOTI finds well even initial caries lesions on proximal surfaces, thus providing an instrument for detecting lesions potential for arresting as well as for monitoring the outcome after preventive measures.
Perioperative cardiac events in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery: a review of the magnitude of the problem, the pathophysiology of the events and methods to estimate and communicate risk

THIS IS THE FIRST OF 2 ARTICLES EVALUATING cardiac events in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery. In this article, we review the magnitude of the problem, the pathophysiology of these events, approaches to risk assessment and communication of risk. The number of patients undergoing noncardiac surgery worldwide is growing, and annually 500 000 to 900 000 of these patients experience perioperative cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI) or nonfatal cardiac arrest. Although the evidence is limited, a substantial proportion of fatal perioperative MIs may not share the same pathophysiology as nonoperative MIs. A clearer understanding of the pathophysiology is needed to direct future research evaluating prophylactic, acute and long-term interventions. Researchers have developed tools to facilitate the estimation of perioperative cardiac risk. Studies suggest that the Lee index is the most accurate generic perioperative cardiac risk index. The limitations of the studies evaluating the ability of noninvasive cardiac tests to predict perioperative cardiac risk reveals considerable uncertainty as to the role of these popular tests. Similarly, there is uncertainty as to the predictive accuracy of the American College of Cardiology / American Heart Association algorithm for cardiac risk assessment. Patients are likely to benefit from improved estimation and communication of cardiac risk because the majority of noncardiac surgeries are elective and accurate risk estimation is important to allow informed patient and physician decision-making.
The effect of sodium lauryl sulphate, triclosan and zinc on the permeability of normal oral mucosa.

OBJECTIVE Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), an important component in many oral health products, is well established as a contact irritant in skin. Recent studies have suggested that it may also affect the structural integrity of oral mucosa. SLS is rarely used alone in dentifrices or mouthwashes and the aim of this study was to establish the effect of SLS both alone and in combination with Triclosan (TCN) and zinc (Zn) on the permeability barrier properties of normal human oral mucosa. METHOD Ventral tongue mucosa was obtained from nine males and seven females within 60 h of death and stored frozen at -70 degrees C until use. The permeability of the tissue to tritiated water was measured after pretreatment for 15 min with SLS alone, SLS/TCN, SLS/Zn and a SLS/TCN/Zn mixture. Treatment with distilled water (DW) served as control. The histological appearance of the tissue before and after treatment was also examined by light microscopy. RESULTS SLS treatment caused a significant increase in water permeability compared to control tissue (Kp = 11.7 +/- 1.00; 4.96 +/- 0.50 respectively; P < 0.005). Treatment with a SLS/TCN/Zn mixture, however, had no effect on the permeability to water (Kp = 5.5 +/- 0.56). Histological examination revealed that tissue exposed to SLS had a marked disruption of the epithelial surface whilst tissue treated with a SLS/TCN/Zn mixture was indistinguishable from controls. CONCLUSION Although mucosa exposed to SLS alone showed an increase in permeability to water, the addition of TCN and Zn to SLS appeared to prevent this effect. As SLS is included in some dental products to solubilise compounds such as TCN, its presence may have no effect on the permeability barrier property of oral mucosa.
α-Adducin gene G614T polymorphisms in essential hypertension patients with high low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels

Background & objectives: The association between α-adducin gene G614T polymorphism and essential hypertension (EH) is not clear. The present study was carried out to examine a possible association between α-adducin gene G614T mutation and essential hypertension in Chinese population. Methods: A total of 170 patients with essential hypertension (EH group) and 154 normotensive subjects (Control group) were genotyped for the cytoskeletal protein single nucleotide polymorphism G614T of the α-adducin gene by PCR-RFLP technique. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), body mass index (BMI), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), left atrial diameter (LA DIA), left ventricular diameter (LV DIA) and other parameters were recorded in EH group. Results: There was significant association between EH and α-adducin genotypes (P<0.05). GT and TT genotypes in EH group had higher LDL levels as compared to GG carriers (P<0.05). The LDL concentration was significantly elevated in patients with GT and TT genotypes. The LDL levels also differed significantly in male patients with all the three genotypes. Interpretation & conclusions: A significant association was found between ADD1 gene G614T polymorphism and EH in Chinese patients. Further studies need to be done to confirm these findings in a large sample.
Predictors of Posterior Glottic Stenosis

Objective: To assess intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors in the development of posterior glottic stenosis (PGS) in intubated patients. Methods: Patients diagnosed with PGS between September 2012 and May 2014 at 3 tertiary care university hospitals were included. Patient demographics, comorbidities, duration of intubation, endotracheal tube (ETT) size, and indication for intubation were recorded. Patients with PGS were compared to control patients represented by patients intubated in intensive care units (ICU). Results: Thirty-six PGS patients were identified. After exclusion, 28 PGS patients (14 male, 14 female) and 112 (65 male, 47 female) controls were studied. Multivariate analysis demonstrated ischemia (P < .05), diabetes (P < .01), and length of intubation (P < .01) were significant risk factors for the development of PGS. Fourteen of 14 (100%) males were intubated with a size 8 or larger ETT compared to 47 of 65 (72.3%) male controls (P < .05). Posterior glottic stenosis (P < .01), length of intubation (P < .001), and obstructive sleep apnea (P < .05) were significant risk factors for tracheostomy. Conclusion: Duration of intubation, ischemia, diabetes mellitus, and large ETT size (8 or greater) in males were significant risk factors for the development of PGS. Reducing the use of size 8 ETTs and earlier planned tracheostomy in high-risk patients may reduce the incidence of PGS and improve ICU safety.
Are Hedge Funds on the Other Side of the Low-Volatility Trade?

After winning the Peter L. Bernstein Award, David Blitz spoke to Ronald Kahn about what inspired his research. See the full interview here. The low-volatility anomaly is often attributed to limits to arbitrage, such as leverage, short-selling, and benchmark constraints. One would therefore expect hedge funds, which are typically not hindered by these constraints, to be the smart money that is able to benefit from the anomaly. This article finds that the return difference between low- and high-volatility stocks is indeed a highly significant explanatory factor for aggregate hedge fund returns, but with the opposite sign, that is, hedge funds tend to bet not against the low-volatility anomaly, rather than on it. This finding suggests that limits to arbitrage are not the key driver of the low-volatility anomaly and that concerns about low-volatility having become an “overcrowded” trade may be exaggerated. Another contribution of this study is that it identifies a new, highly significant explanatory factor for hedge fund returns.
Director trading, or lack thereof, and acquiring firm performance Evidence from Australian mergers and acquisitions

Purpose - This paper aims to address the question of whether acquiring firm directors trading, prior to a merger or acquisition (M&A) announcement, predicts the share market reaction on M&A announcement. Design/methodology/approach - Event studies and cross-section regression were used in this analysis. Findings - This paper finds that acquiring firms with no director trading and firms with net director purchases in the 12 months prior to the M&A announcement earn positive abnormal returns. It is also found that share market reaction to M&A announcements is considerably larger for acquiring firms whose directors do not trade relative to those companies with directors who do trade over the prior 12 months. This director non-trading result is further born out in regression analysis. Research limitations/implications - The absence of pre-M&A announcement director trading could reflect lower agency costs for the acquiring firm and this might explain to stronger announcement day effect for this group of firms. Practical implications - The fact that directors choose not to trade in their shares prior to a M&A transaction appears to be viewed as good news by the market. Social implications - Director trading is value relevant for the acquiring firm and so it is critical that director trading is transparent. Originality/value - To the best of the authors' knowledge, this question has not been addressed in the literature before, particularly the finding for firms with no director trading in the period prior to the M&A announcement.