Insider Ownership And Firm Performance: A Resource Dependence Perspective

The purpose of this study is to examine the empirical relationship between insider ownership and firm performance. Based on resource dependence theory, this study argues that the positive convergence-of-interests effect and the negative entrenchment effect can coexist in various industrial settings. Fixed-effect panel data regression models are applied to a sample of 1,156 effective observations. To reflect the contextual role of resources, we defined industrial settings along with industrial complexity and firm scale dimensions. The empirical results supported our research hypotheses, showing that insider ownership exerts a positive effect on firm performance in a high-complexity and large-scale setting, but a negative effect in a low-complexity and small-scale setting. The results of this study imply that contextual fitness must be deliberately considered to determine effective regulations of corporate governance. In addition, this study contributes a new aspect to related discussion, which synthesizes conflicting theoretical arguments by introducing the contextual role of resources

Identification of IGF1, SLC4A4, WWOX, and SFMBT1 as Hypertension Susceptibility Genes in Han Chinese with a Genome-Wide Gene-Based Association Study

Hypertension is a complex disorder with high prevalence rates all over the world. We conducted the first genome-wide gene-based association scan for hypertension in a Han Chinese population. By analyzing genome-wide single-nucleotide-polymorphism data of 400 matched pairs of young-onset hypertensive patients and normotensive controls genotyped with the Illumina HumanHap550-Duo BeadChip, 100 susceptibility genes for hypertension were identified and also validated with permutation tests. Seventeen of the 100 genes exhibited differential allelic and expression distributions between patient and control groups. These genes provided a good molecular signature for classifying hypertensive patients and normotensive controls. Among the 17 genes, IGF1, SLC4A4, WWOX, and SFMBT1 were not only identified by our gene-based association scan and gene expression analysis but were also replicated by a gene-based association analysis of the Hong Kong Hypertension Study. Moreover, cis-acting expression quantitative trait loci associated with the differentially expressed genes were found and linked to hypertension. IGF1, which encodes insulin-like growth factor 1, is associated with cardiovascular disorders, metabolic syndrome, decreased body weight/size, and changes of insulin levels in mice. SLC4A4, which encodes the electrogenic sodium bicarbonate cotransporter 1, is associated with decreased body weight/size and abnormal ion homeostasis in mice. WWOX, which encodes the WW domain-containing protein, is related to hypoglycemia and hyperphosphatemia. SFMBT1, which encodes the scm-like with four MBT domains protein 1, is a novel hypertension gene. GRB14, TMEM56 and KIAA1797 exhibited highly significant differential allelic and expressed distributions between hypertensive patients and normotensive controls. GRB14 was also found relevant to blood pressure in a previous genetic association study in East Asian populations. TMEM56 and KIAA1797 may be specific to Taiwanese populations, because they were not validated by the two replication studies. Identification of these genes enriches the collection of hypertension susceptibility genes, thereby shedding light on the etiology of hypertension in Han Chinese populations

Extended trapezius myocutaneous free flap for the reconstruction of a foot defect lacking adjacent recipient vessels

Foot reconstruction requires tissue that is durable and can withstand the extremes of pressure and stress. The trapezius myocutaneous flap has not been used previously as a free flap for foot reconstruction. In this report, the trapezius was used as an extended myocutaneous free flap for the reconstruction of a foot wound lacking adjacent and adequate recipient vessels. The extended trapezius flap may be one of the longest free flaps that can be harvested. The indications for the use of this flap are limited. In an extremity that lacks adequate recipient vessels adjacent to the defect, this flap can be extended such that more proximal vessels in the leg can be used as the recipient vessels without the need for vein grafts to bridge the distance. The donor-site morbidity of this flap is minimal when the superior fibers of the trapezius muscle and its innervation are preserved

The short-term safety and efficacy of TANDEM microspheres of various sizes and doxorubicin loading concentrations for hepatocellular carcinoma treatment

Abstract Drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) is the most common treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the effect of drug loading concentration and microsphere size on treatment outcomes remains unclear. This retrospective study compares the outcomes of 87 HCC patients who underwent DEB-TACE with half-loaded or full-loaded doxorubicin (maximum capacity 50 mg/mL) in 75-µm or 100-µm microspheres. Treatment with 100-μm microspheres resulted in significantly lower rates of procedure-related complications (6.6% vs. 26.9%; P < 0.05), post-embolization syndrome (32.8% vs. 61.5%, P < 0.05), SIR complications (32.8% vs. 61.5%; P < 0.01) and adverse events involving abdominal pain (19.7% vs. 42.3%; P < 0.05). Half-load doxorubicin microspheres resulted in greater treatment response (OR, 4.00; 95% CI 1.06–15.13; P, 0.041) and shorter hospital stays (OR, − 1.72; 95% CI − 2.77–0.68; P, 0.001) than did microspheres loaded to full capacity. Stratified analysis further showed that patients treated with 100-μm half-load doxorubicin microspheres had a higher CR (63.6% vs 18.0%) and ORR (90.9 vs 54.0%) and a shorter hospital stay (1.6 ± 1.3 vs 4.2 ± 2.3 days) than did those treated with full-load microspheres (P < 0.05). Thus, the drug-loading concentration of microspheres in DEB-TACE should be carefully considered

Factors Affecting One-year Mortality of Elderly Patients After Surgery for Hip Fracture

Background: Hip fractures in the elderly are significant with mortality. Most of the deaths occur during the early period after the operation. Hence, defining the risk factors may assist in preventive measures. The aim of this study is to determine the risk factors for mortality in elders with fracture hip in one year after hospitalization. Methods: This study included 195 elderly and ambulatory patients before fracture who receiving surgery for hip fracture at a medical center of Southern Taiwan for non-pathologic hip fractures from August 2011 to December 2013. Patients were treated with hip arthroplasty or open reduction internal fixation (ORIF). Participants' demographic, medical characteristics and functional status were collected at this study. Patients were followed for one year after surgery or until death. Results: In total, 39 patients died during the one-year period. Patient survival was 91.4% at one month, and 79.9% at one year. The predictors of one-year mortality that remained in the final Cox's proportional hazard regression model were COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) (HR: 6.5), diabetes (HR: 4.0), solid tumors with metastasis (HR: 6.5) and Type of operation (HR: 3.3). Additionally, COPD was a strong predictor of death in this cohort. Conclusion: This study showed that THR, COPD, diabetes, and solid tumors with metastasis were associated with an increase in one-year mortality in aged with fracture hip

Involvement of the insulin-like growth factor I receptor and its downstream antiapoptotic signaling pathway is revealed by dysregulated microRNAs in bladder carcinoma

Objective: Urothelial carcinoma is one of the most common pathological types of bladder cancer. Several studies have shown that dysregulated microRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in bladder cancer progression. We performed the present miRNA microarray analysis in samples of urothelial carcinoma of the bladder and adjacent normal bladder tissue from Taiwanese patients to investigate dysregulated miRNAs. Materials and methods: To detect dysregulated miRNAs in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder, samples of tumor and adjacent normal tissues were collected from 10 patients. Tissue samples from three patients were subjected to miRNA microarray analysis, and the remaining tissue samples from the other seven patients were used to validate the results obtained from the microarray data. Potential targets of these dysregulated miRNAs were identified using online databases, including MicroCosm and TargetScan. Results: A panel of 30 differentially expressed miRNAs with at least fourfold differences in expression compared with normal controls, including 19 upregulated and 11 downregulated miRNAs, was generated. The expression levels of miR-30a-5p, miR-30a-3p, miR-99a, miR-130b, miR-133b, miR-135b, miR-145, miR-195, miR-204, and miR-214 were experimentally verified using real-time RT-PCR analysis. Using an online miRNA target database, we discovered that these dysregulated miRNAs potentially control components of the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) signaling pathway. Conclusion: Our results indicate that dysregulated miRNAs may be involved in bladder cancer pathogenesis and are potential biomarkers