Accounting for the financialized UK and US national business model

The term ‘business model’ (BM) is generally used to describe the possibilities of transforming corporate activities and business functions (Osterwalder et al,2005 and Magretta,2002) In this paper we argue that our understanding of what constitutes a BM can be reworked to generate a useful organizing framework to investigate the nature of national economic development and transformation. Our argument is that national business models are subtended within a broad econo‐sphere where they evolve and adapt to information arising out of stakeholder interactions. These interactions congeal into reported financial numbers that are represented as GDP flow (income and surplus) and Balance Sheet accumulations (assets and liabilities outstanding). In this paper we employ financial data from national accounts to specifically describe how the US and UK national business models have financialized. We observe that balance sheet capitalization has inflated ahead of earnings and surplus. Our argument is that the capitalization of a national business model is not simply the mathematical product of discounting corporate cash earnings. The process of on‐going capitalization is also conditioned by variable institutional sector characteristics where financial innovation is possible and, within credit based economies, goodwill and holding gains arising out of asset inflation also provide collateral for further ongoing recapitalizations. In financialized national business models the system of accounting takes on added analytical significance because it ‘transmits rather than contains’ and ‘amplifies rather than dampens’ adverse financial disturbance as capitalizations are recalibrated up or down.Peer reviewe

Gender and Posture are Significant Risk Factors to Musculoskeletal Symptoms during Touchscreen Tablet Computer Use

[Purpose] To investigate the prevalence of neck and shoulder symptoms during the use of tablet computer, and to identify the risk factors associated with these symptoms. [Subjects and Methods] A cross-sectional survey was conducted to study tablet computer usage, posture during use, and neck and shoulder symptoms in 412 participants in a school setting. Significant risk factors for musculoskeletal symptoms during tablet computer use were identified. [Results] Overall prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms during tablet computer use was 67.9% with greater prevalence of neck symptoms (neck: 84.6%; shoulder/upper extremity: 65.4%). Significant risk factors associated with symptoms during use were: current musculoskeletal symptoms, gender, roles, and postural factors including: sitting without back support, sitting with device in lap, and lying on the side and on the back during tablet computer use. A multivariate analysis further showed that the odds for females to have symptoms were 2.059 times higher than males. [Conclusion] The findings revealed that female gender and other postural factors were significantly associated with musculoskeletal symptoms during the use of tablet computer. Among all postural factors, sitting without back support was identified as the most important risk factor for having musculoskeletal symptom

The prevalence of co-administration of clopidogrel and proton pump inhibitors

Background: Recent studies have suggested that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may inhibit the antiplatelet activity of clopidogrel, increasing the risk of major cardiovascular events in patients taking clopidogrel and PPIs together. Aim The primary aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of co-prescription of clopidogrel and PPIs amongst residents of aged-care facilities in New South Wales, Australia. Methods: One-year prescription records of 791 aged-care residents were analysed for prevalence of co-prescribing of clopidogrel and PPIs, and aspirin with clopidogrel and PPIs. Prevalence of co-prescribing of clopidogrel, aspirin and PPI in diabetic patients and clopidogrel with various CYP2C19 inhibitors was also examined. Results: Of the 791 residents studied, 60 were prescribed clopidogrel, 248 were on aspirin and 326 were prescribed a PPI.Among residents who were prescribed PPIs, 155 were prescribed omeprazole, 72 pantoprazole, 15 lansoprazole, 44 esomeprazole and 51 rabeprazole. Eleven of these residents had taken more than one PPI during the study period. Thirty-nine residents took a combination of clopidogrel and a PPI (any PPI) for a mean 203 days (SD 12). Thirteen residents were on the combination of aspirin and clopidogrel for a mean of 202 days (SD 111). Nine residents took the combination of clopidogrel, aspirin and a PPI (any PPI) for a mean of 173 days (SD 81). Only one patient on clopidogrel was receiving a CYP2C19 inhibitor in addition to a PPI. Conclusions: A significant number of residents in this cohort were taking a combination of clopidogrel and a PPI, mainly omeprazole. Residents who were on the combination of clopidogrel and a PPI, with or without aspirin,were on these combinations for a significantly long duration, which could increase their risk of adverse cardiovascular events

The Relationship between Coenzyme Q10, Oxidative Stress, and Antioxidant Enzymes Activities and Coronary Artery Disease

A higher oxidative stress may contribute to the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between coenzyme Q10 concentration and lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymes activities and the risk of CAD. Patients who were identified by cardiac catheterization as having at least 50% stenosis of one major coronary artery were assigned to the case group (n = 51). The control group (n = 102) comprised healthy individuals with normal blood biochemical values. The plasma coenzyme Q10, malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant enzymes activities (catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx)) were measured. Subjects with CAD had significant lower plasma coenzyme Q10, CAT and GPx activities and higher MDA and SOD levels compared to those of the control group. The plasma coenzyme Q10 was positively correlated with CAT and GPx activities and negatively correlated with MDA and SOD. However, the correlations were not significant after adjusting for the potential confounders of CAD with the exception of SOD. A higher level of plasma coenzyme Q10 (≥0.52 μmol/L) was significantly associated with reducing the risk of CAD. Our results support the potential cardioprotective impact of coenzyme Q10

IS INTERPROFESSIONAL PRACTICE (IPP) FOCUSED ON MEDICATION SAFETY FEASIBLE IN INDONESIA? A QUALITATIVE STUDY

This paper explores facilitators for and barriers to the implementation of IPP focusing on medication safety in a public hospital in Bali, Indonesia. Qualitative methods involved interviews with stakeholders from a university and a hospital and focus group discussions with healthcare professionals in the hospital. Semi-structured questions were developed as a guide for the interviews and discussions. All interviews and discussions were recorded. The six steps of Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis methodology were implemented in determining the themes. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) checklist was employed in reporting of findings. Participants indicated that support from the government and perceived benefits of IPP were facilitators for IPP. However, the participants mostly mentioned the barriers of IPP including lack of competencies for IPP and lack of understanding of the role of other healthcare professionals as barriers to the implementation of IPP. This showed that these were the barriers identified to the implementation of IPP in the study hospital. Despite the fact that participants were supportive of IPP, the participants identified some barriers to the implementation of IPP in the study hospital. The implementation requires support of the government, professional organisations, and stakeholders at the university and hospital levels

Reversine suppresses oral squamous cell carcinoma via cell cycle arrest and concomitantly apoptosis and autophagy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The effective therapies for oral cancer patients of stage III and IV are generally surgical excision and radiation combined with adjuvant chemotherapy using 5-Fu and Cisplatin. However, the five-year survival rate is still less than 30% in Taiwan. Therefore, evaluation of effective drugs for oral cancer treatment is an important issue. Many studies indicated that aurora kinases (A, B and C) were potential targets for cancer therapies. Reversine was proved to be a novel aurora kinases inhibitor with lower toxicity recently. In this study, the potentiality for reversine as an anticancer agent in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) was evaluated.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Effects of reversine on cell growth, cell cycle progress, apoptosis, and autophagy were evaluated mainly by cell counting, flow cytometry, immunoblot, and immunofluorescence.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The results demonstrated that reversine significantly suppressed the proliferation of two OSCC cell lines (OC2 and OCSL) and markedly rendered cell cycle arrest at G2/M stage. Reversine also induced cell death via both caspase-dependent and -independent apoptosis. In addition, reversine could inhibit Akt/mTORC1 signaling pathway, accounting for its ability to induce autophagy.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Taken together, reversine suppresses growth of OSCC via multiple mechanisms, which may be a unique advantage for developing novel therapeutic regimens for treatment of oral cancer in the future.</p

Scoring mechanisms of p16INK4a immunohistochemistry based on either independent nucleic stain or mixed cytoplasmic with nucleic expression can significantly signal to distinguish between endocervical and endometrial adenocarcinomas in a tissue microarray study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Endocervical adenocarcinomas (ECAs) and endometrial adenocarcinomas (EMAs) are malignancies that affect uterus; however, their biological behaviors are quite different. This distinction has clinical significance, because the appropriate therapy may depend on the site of tumor origin. The purpose of this study is to evaluate 3 different scoring mechanisms of p16^INK4aimmunohistochemical (IHC) staining in distinguishing between primary ECAs and EMAs.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A tissue microarray (TMA) was constructed using formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue from hysterectomy specimens, including 14 ECAs and 24 EMAs. Tissue array sections were immunostained with a commercially available antibody of p16^INK4a. Avidin-biotin complex (ABC) method was used for antigens visualization. The staining intensity and area extent of the IHC reactions was evaluated using the semi-quantitative scoring system. The 3 scoring methods were defined on the bases of the following: (1) independent cytoplasmic staining alone (Method C), (2) independent nucleic staining alone (Method N), and (3) mean of the sum of cytoplasmic score plus nucleic score (Method Mean of C plus N).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of the 3 scoring mechanisms for p16^INK4aexpression, Method N and Method Mean of C plus N showed significant (<it>p-values </it>< 0.05), but Method C showed non-significant (p = 0.245) frequency differences between ECAs and EMAs. In addition, Method Mean of C plus N had the highest overall accuracy rate (81.6%) for diagnostic distinction among these 3 scoring methods.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>According to the data characteristics and test effectiveness in this study, Method N and Method Mean of C plus N can significantly signal to distinguish between ECAs and EMAs; while Method C cannot do. Method Mean of C plus N is the most promising and favorable means among the three scoring mechanisms.</p

In situ Chromatin Interaction Analysis Using Paired-End Tag Sequencing.

Chromatin Interaction Analysis Using Paired-End Tag Sequencing (ChIA-PET) is an established method to map protein-mediated chromatin interactions. A limitation, however, is that it requires a hundred million cells per experiment, which hampers its broad application in biomedical research, particularly in studies in which it is impractical to obtain a large number of cells from rare samples. To reduce the required input cell number while retaining high data quality, we developed an in situ ChIA-PET protocol, which requires as few as 1 million cells. Here, we describe detailed step-by-step procedures for performing in situ ChIA-PET from cultured cells, including both an experimental protocol for sample preparation and data generation and a computational protocol for data processing and visualization using the ChIA-PIPE pipeline. As the protocol significantly simplifies the experimental procedure, reduces ligation noise, and decreases the required input of cells compared to previous versions of ChIA-PET protocols, it can be applied to generate high-resolution chromatin contact maps mediated by various protein factors for a wide range of human and mouse primary cells. © 2021 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Sample preparation and data generation Support Protocol: Bridge linker preparation Basic Protocol 2: Data processing and visualization

Transcriptome analysis of Dnmt3l knock-out mice derived multipotent mesenchymal stem/stromal cells during osteogenic differentiation

Multipotent mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) exhibit great potential for cell-based therapy. Proper epigenomic signatures in MSCs are important for the maintenance and the subsequent differentiation potential. The DNA methyltransferase 3-like (DNMT3L) that was mainly expressed in the embryonic stem (ES) cells and the developing germ cells plays an important role in shaping the epigenetic landscape. Here, we report the reduced colony forming ability and impaire

Pulmonary IL- 33 orchestrates innate immune cells to mediate respiratory syncytial virus- evoked airway hyperreactivity and eosinophilia

BackgroundRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is epidemiologically linked to asthma. During RSV infection, IL- 33 is elevated and promotes immune cell activation, leading to the development of asthma. However, which immune cells are responsible for triggering airway hyperreactivity (AHR), inflammation and eosinophilia remained to be clarified. We aimed to elucidate the individual roles of IL- 33- activated innate immune cells, including ILC2s and ST2+ myeloid cells, in RSV infection- triggered pathophysiology.MethodsThe role of IL- 33/ILC2 axis in RSV- induced AHR inflammation and eosinophilia were evaluated in the IL- 33- deficient and YetCre- 13 Rosa- DTA mice. Myeloid- specific, IL- 33- deficient or ST2- deficient mice were employed to examine the role of IL- 33 and ST2 signaling in myeloid cells.ResultsWe found that IL- 33- activated ILC2s were crucial for the development of AHR and airway inflammation, during RSV infection. ILC2- derived IL- 13 was sufficient for RSV- driven AHR, since reconstitution of wild- type ILC2 rescued RSV- driven AHR in IL- 13- deficient mice. Meanwhile, myeloid cell- derived IL- 33 was required for airway inflammation, ST2+ myeloid cells contributed to exacerbation of airway inflammation, suggesting the importance of IL- 33 signaling in these cells. Local and peripheral eosinophilia is linked to both ILC2 and myeloid IL- 33 signaling.ConclusionsThis study highlights the importance of IL- 33- activated ILC2s in mediating RSV- triggered AHR and eosinophilia. In addition, IL- 33 signaling in myeloid cells is crucial for airway inflammation.Respiratory syncytial virus induces ILC2 to produce IL- 5 and IL- 13 through IL- 33, which is crucial for the development of airway hyperreactivity and airway inflammation. Myeloid cell- derived IL- 33 and suppression of tumorigenicity 2- positive myeloid cells contribute to cytokine production and cellular inflammation in airway. Both ILC2 and myeloid cell IL- 33 signaling contribute to local and peripheral eosinophilia.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154896/1/all14091.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154896/2/all14091-sup-0001-Supinfo.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154896/3/all14091_am.pd