Birds of a Feather Flock Together: The Inclusive Effect of Similarity Patterns in Equity Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding is helping to drive financial inclusion by expanding the availability of funds to traditionally excluded and underserved groups of individuals, such as ethnic minority and female entrepreneurs. This study verifies how ethnic and gender similarity between investor and entrepreneur can affect the invested amount in an equity crowdfunding campaign. Using an integrated approach with linear regression and Shapley decomposition, we analyze 8600 investments made by 5996 unique personal shareholder investors in 81 equity crowdfunding campaigns. Results show that similarity patterns seem to significantly influence the amount invested in a campaign but their effects change according to investor’s gender and ethnic origin. In fact, even if female investors give a higher amount to men-led companies, their preference changes if the company is run by a female founder belonging to the same ethnic minority group. Results emphasize equity crowdfunding’s potential as a tool for the financial inclusion of ethnic minority groups of investors and entrepreneurs

Ras-pathway has a dual role in yeast galactose metabolism

In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae the genes involved in galactose metabolism (GAL1,7,10) are transcriptionally activated more than a 1000-fold in the presence of galactose as the sole carbon source in the culture media. In the present work, we monitored the activity of the GAL10 gene promoter in different Ras-cAMP genetic backgrounds. We demonstrate that overexpression of C-terminus of the nucleotide exchange factor Cdc25p stimulates GAL10 transcription in yeast strains carrying the contemporary deletion of both RAS genes. Moreover, the deletion of the chromosomal CDC25 gene provokes impaired growth on galactose based media in yeast strain lacking both RAS genes and adenylate cyclase (whose viability is assured by the presence of the Bcy1-11 allele). Surprisingly, reconstitution of the Ras-pathway inhibits GAL10-promoter activation. Activation of GAL10 gene promoter is indeed possible in the presence of Ras protein but only in strains with chromosomal deletion of adenylate cyclase. These results indicate a dual role of Ras-pathway on galactose metabolism and suggest that Cdc25p has a Ras-independent role in cellular metabolism

Permeability properties of a three-cell type in vitro model of blood-brain barrier.

We previously found that RBE4.B brain capillary endothelial cells (BCECs) form a layer with blood-brain barrier (BBB) properties if co-cultured with neurons for at least one week. As astrocytes are known to modulate BBB functions, we further set a culture system that included RBE4.B BCECs, neurons and astrocytes. In order to test formation of BBB, we measured the amount of 3H-sucrose able to cross the BCEC layer in this three-cell type model of BBB. Herein we report that both neurons and astrocytes induce a decrease in the permeability of the BCEC layer to sucrose. These effects are synergic as if BCECs are cultured with both neurons and astrocytes for 5 days, permeability to sucrose decreases even more. By Western analysis, we also found that, in addition to the canonical 60 kDa occludin, anti-occludin antibodies recognize a smaller protein of 48 kDa which accumulates during rat brain development. Interestingly this latter protein is present at higher amounts in endothelial cells cultured in the presence of both astrocytes and neurons, that is in those conditions in which sucrose permeation studies indicate formation of BBB

3D Evaluation of Upper Airway Morphological Changes in Growing Patients with Class II Malocclusion Using Sander Bite Jumping Appliance

Class II malocclusion due to mandibular retrognathia is associated with a posterior positioning of the tongue and the hyoid bone, reducing the oropharyngeal volume. This could be a contributing factor to the development of respiratory and cardiovascular problems. This study evaluates the oropharyngeal volume variation in 13 patients with class II malocclusion undergoing functional orthopedic treatment with Sander Bite Jumping Appliance (SBJ). CBCT scans were performed before treatment (T0) and approximately after 12.5 months (T1): the retropalatal volume and retroglossal volume were quantified in mm(3) using a segmentation software. At T1, the retropalatal volume increased in 2523 +/- 2088 mm(3), and the retroglossal volume increased in 2258 +/- 1717 mm(3). Both values were statistically significant (p < 0.05). This widening of the airways may allow prevention and treatment of sleep-disordered breathing, including obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Evaluation of the Efficacy of Low-Particle-Size Toothpastes against Extrinsic Pigmentations: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Stain-removing domiciliary protocols are focused on the elimination of dental extrinsic pigmentations by the application of abrasive toothpastes, extensively available in commerce. The goal of the present study is to evaluate the efficacy of two different stain removal molecule-formulated toothpastes by the reduction of clinical parameters: the micro-cleaning crystals and activated charcoal. A total of 40 participants with extrinsic dental pigmentations were enrolled and divided into two groups: a Control group, assigned to a toothpaste with micro-cleaning crystals (Colgate Sensation White); and a Trial group, with microparticle-activated charcoal toothpaste (Coswell Blanx Black). At T0 (baseline), T1 (10 days), T2 (1 month), and T3 (3 months), clinical parameters, including Lobene stain index calculated for intensity and extension, plaque control record, and bleeding on probing, were measured. Statistically significant differences were found in both groups (p < 0.05): a reduction of extrinsic pigmentation, both in intensity and extension, was obtained in the Control group, but their total elimination could be achieved only in the Trial group with the activated charcoal molecule, though without significant difference between the groups (p > 0.05). No intergroup differences were found for each timeframe for PCR, BoP, LSI-I, and LSI-E. Both tested toothpastes can be recommended for domiciliary oral hygiene of patients with extrinsic pigmentations

Global profiling of viral and cellular non-coding RNAs in Epstein-Barr virus-induced lymphoblastoid cell lines and released exosome cargos.

Abstract The human EBV-transformed lymphoblastoid cell line (LCL), obtained by infecting peripheral blood monocular cells with Epstein–Barr Virus, has been extensively used for human genetic, pharmacogenomic, and immunologic studies. Recently, the role of exosomes has also been indicated as crucial in the crosstalk between EBV and the host microenvironment. Because the role that the LCL and LCL exosomal cargo might play in maintaining persistent infection, and since little is known regarding the non-coding RNAs of LCL, the aim of our work was the comprehensive characterization of this class of RNA, cellular and viral miRNAs, and cellular lncRNAs, in LCL compared with PBMC derived from the same donors. In this study, we have demonstrated, for the first time, that all the viral miRNAs expressed by LCL are also packaged in the exosomes, and we found that two miRNAs, ebv-miR-BART3 and ebv-miR-BHRF1-1, are more abundant in the exosomes, suggesting a microvescicular viral microRNA transfer. In addition, lncRNA profiling revealed that LCLs were enriched in lncRNA H19 and H19 antisense, and released these through exosomes, suggesting a leading role in the regulation of the tumor microenvironment

Gross Cystic Disease Fluid Protein-15(GCDFP-15)/Prolactin-Inducible Protein (PIP) as Functional Salivary Biomarker for Primary Sjögren's Syndrome

Gross cystic disease fluid protein-15(GCDFP-15)/prolactin-inducible protein (PIP) is a secretory acinar glycoprotein of 14 KDa which we have recently described as significantly lower in salivary samples of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) in comparison to healthy volunteers by proteomic analysis

Sperm Motility Impairment in Free Spawning Invertebrates Under Near-Future Level of Ocean Acidification: Uncovering the Mechanism

Ocean acidification (OA) refers to the decrease in ocean water pH resulting from the increasing absorption of atmospheric CO2. This will cause changes in the ocean's carbonate chemistry system with a resulting impact on reproduction of marine organisms. Reproduction is the fundamental process that allows the conservation of the species; in free-spawning marine invertebrates, this process is highly sensitive to changes in seawater quality and chemistry. To date, the majority of the studies concerned OA effects on reproduction has been focused on embryo and larval development. Despite several evidence for the impairment of reproductive success by environmental perturbations through altering gamete quality, sperm physiological responses to OA are poorly investigated. In this study, we evaluated the effects of exposure to acidified seawater (AcSW) (pH 7.8), which approximate the predicted global averages for oceanic surface waters at the end of this century, on sperm quality of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis and the ascidian Ciona robusta by evaluating several endpoints, such as motility, vitality, mitochondrial activity, oxidative state, and intracellular pH (pHi). Following sperm exposure to AcSW, the percentage of motile spermatozoa, mitochondrial activity and pHi decreased in comparison to the current seawater pH of 8.1, whereas vitality and oxidative state were unaffected by the low external pH in both the species. In broadcast spawners, a relationship between sperm intracellular pH and the initiation of motility are well known. Spermatozoa are immotile in the testes and motility is induced after the spermatozoa are released into seawater; the alkaline pH of seawater, in fact, increases the pHi activating motility and mitochondrial respiration. The results of this study suggest that the lowering of seawater pH as predicted to occur for 2100, through the inhibition of pHi increase, prevent sperm motility activation. Sperm motility is a key determinant of fertilization success; consequently, a corresponding drop in fertilization success would be expected with important implications for the fitness and the survival of marine invertebrates