Fund Manager Characteristics and Performance

This study establishes a multi-tier framework to evaluate how fund manager characteristics systematically affect mutual fund performance. The framework includes three tiers of performance elements: 1) comprehensive performance, 2) return and risk, and 3) timing skill and picking ability. Using performance decomposition, our evidence indicates that various characteristics take distinct channels to influence return, risk, and fund manager abilities, which in turn affect comprehensive performance. In particular, having a degree of Master of Business Administration or a Chartered Financial Analyst qualification is significantly associated with a fund manager’s better stock picking ability, higher excess returns, and better comprehensive performance

Effect of histone deacetylase inhibitor, trichostatin A, on cartilage regeneration from free perichondrial grafts in rabbits

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, trichostatin A (TCA), on cartilage regeneration in a rabbit perichondrial graft model.Methods: Perichondrial grafts (20 × 20 mm2) were derived from the ears of New Zealand rabbits and transplanted onto the paravertebral muscle of the face of each rabbit. The rabbits were separated into three groups: non-treated control group, vehicle-treated control group that received 0.3 mL of saline, and TCA-treated group administered 0.3 mL of TCA (500 ng/mL). Rabbits in all three groups were further divided into subgroups according to the duration of treatment after transplantation: 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks (n = 12 rabbits each). The effect of TCA on cartilage regeneration was determined histologically by evaluating the thickness of the cartilage plate in the grafted rabbits.Results: TCA increased the amount of immature cartilage 4 and 6 weeks after perichondrial graft implantation. Mature cartilage was seen in the TCA-treated rabbits 8 weeks after transplantation. The thickness of the cartilage plate was significantly (p < 0.01) higher in TCA group (905 ± 36) than in either the non-treated (632 ± 22) or the vehicle-treated control (639 ± 22) group.Conclusion: Treatment with trichostatin A, an HDAC inhibitor, enhances cartilage regeneration in rabbit recipients of a perichondrial graft. Furthermore, the findings of this study should be helpful in exploring the clinical use of trichostatin A.Keywords: Histone deacetylase inhibitor, Perichondrial graft, TrichostatinA, Cartilage regeneration, Transplantatio

Effect of scopoletin on fascia-wrapped diced cartilage grafts

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of scopoletin (SL) on fascia-wrapped diced cartilage grafts in rhinoplasty surgery.Methods: Cartilage grafts (2 × 2 cm) from the ears of New Zealand rabbits were diced into sections (1 mm3) and then wrapped in muscle fascia taken from the right rear leg. Each graft was placed on the back of the animal after measuring its weight, and then the rabbits were separated into two groups, viz, control and the SL-treated groups {10 mg/kg, per os (p.o.)}. The treatments were administered for 3 months, the rabbits were sacrificed, and the histopathological features and weight of the grafts were examined.Results: The weight of the grafts in the two groups did not significantly (p < 0.05) differ but the histopathological results suggested that there was a pronounced increase in the viability of the graft tissues in the SL-treated group compared to the control group. Treatment with SL decreased the resorption rate and enhanced basophilia relative to the control group. However, fibrosis, inflammation, and bone metaplasia- and calcification-like factors did not significantly differ (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Treatment with SL significantly enhances the viability of the grafts, and thus may have a beneficial effect on fascia-wrapped diced cartilage grafts.Keywords: Scopoletin, Rhinoplasty surgery, Fascia-wrapped diced cartilage graft, Histopathology, Basophilia, Inflammatio

Improving the critical speeds of high-speed trains using magnetorheological technology

With the rapid development of high-speed railways, vibration control for maintaining stability, passenger comfort, and safety has become an important area of research. In order to investigate the mechanism of train vibration, the critical speeds of various DOFs with respect to suspension stiffness and damping are first calculated and analyzed based on its dynamic equations. Then, the sensitivity of the critical speed is studied by analyzing the influence of different suspension parameters. On the basis of these analyses, a conclusion is drawn that secondary lateral damping is the most sensitive suspension damper. Subsequently, the secondary lateral dampers are replaced with magnetorheological fluid (MRF) dampers. Finally, a high-speed train model with MRF dampers is simulated by a combined ADAMS and MATLAB simulation and tested in a roller rig test platform to investigate the mechanism of how the MRF damper affects the train\u27s stability and critical speed. The results show that the semi-active suspension installed with MRF dampers substantially improves the stability and critical speed of the train

7-Piperazinethylchrysin inhibits melanoma cell proliferation by targeting Mek 1/2 kinase activity

Purpose: To investigate the growth-inhibitory effect of 7-piperazinethylchrysin (PEC) on melanoma cell lines.Methods: Cell viability was analyzed by trypan blue exclusion assays and the cell cycle by flow cytometry using ModFit LT software. Specifically, cells were stained with propidium iodide (0.5 mg/mL) supplemented with RNase A (50 mg/mL), and analyzed using flow cytometry and ModFit LT software.Results: In A375 and B16F10 cell cultures, proliferation was reduced to 79 and 72 %, respectively, on treatment with 30 μM PEC. PEC increased the proportion of A375 cells in G1/G0 phase to 71.23 %, versus 42.76 % in untreated cells. In B16F10 and A375 cells, treatment with PEC caused the inhibition of Mek 1/2 kinase activity and suppressed Erk 1/2 phosphorylation. The level of cAMP-response element binding protein was increased by PEC. The expression of microphthalmia-linked transcription factor was also increased by PEC treatment. Marked enhancement was observed in the level of tyrosinase in melanoma cells on treatment with PEC. Analysis of PBG-D expression showed a marked increase in B16F10 and A375 cells on the addition of PEC to cell cultures at 72 h. The level of PBG D expression was increased by 9- and 8.5-fold in B16F10 and A375 cells, respectively, on incubation with 30 μM PEC. The addition of a Mek 1/2 inhibitor (U0126) to the cultures promoted PEC-mediated growth inhibition.Conclusion: PEC inhibited melanoma cell proliferation, apparently by blocking the cell cycle at G0/G1 and downregulating the Ras/Raf/Mek/Erk pathway.Keywords: Tyrosinase, Kinase, Microphthalmia, Phosphorylation, 7-Piperazinethylchrysi

Metabolism of polyamines and kidney disease: A promising therapeutic target

Background: More than 850 million people worldwide suffer from acute and chronic kidney diseases (CKD) which are tremendous socioeconomic burdens for society. Currently, the treatment choices for CKD are limited. There is a great need to understand the underlying mechanisms of the development of CKD in order to develop potential therapeutic strategies. Summary: The alteration in cellular metabolism has emerged as an important common pathological mechanism in different kidney diseases. Metabolic intervening and reprogramming will yield new insights to prevent and slow the progression of kidney disease. As one essential component of cellular metabolisms in fuel-source preferences (glucose, fatty acids, or ketones), the polyamine compound metabolism comprising the metabolites (spermine, spermidine, and putrescine) and their biosynthetic and catabolic enzymes are an endogenous pathophysiological regulator that is arising as a potential therapeutic object for many diseases. Key Messages: This article aims to review current knowledge on polyamine metabolism and physiological processes, and its potential regulatory and beneficial roles in immunoregulation, mitochondrial homeostasis, autophagy, DNA damage, and kidney diseases, and thus provide a novel therapeutic opportunity for kidney diseases

Application of infraorbital rim augmentation with pocket fat filling to correct tear trough deformity

BackgroundTear trough deformity is one of the most common complaints in clinical settings. The correction of this groove is challenging in facial rejuvenation. The lower eyelid blepharoplasty varies with different conditions. A novel approach of using orbital fat in the lower eyelid to increase the volume of the infraorbital rim with granule fat injection has been applied in our institution for more than 5 years.ObjectivesThis article aims to describe the detailed steps of our technique and verify its effectiveness by a cadaveric head dissection after surgical simulation.MethodsIn this study, a total of 172 patients with tear trough deformity underwent lower eyelid orbital rim augmentation with fat filling in the sub-periosteum pocket. According to Barton's grades, 152 patients underwent lower eyelid orbital rim augmentation with orbital fat filling, 12 patients had it combined with autologous granule fat from other body parts, and 8 patients received only transconjunctival fat removal to correct tear trough.ResultsThe modified Goldberg score system was used to compare preoperative and postoperative photographs. Patients were satisfied with the cosmetic results. Excessive protruding fat was released, and the tear trough groove was flattened by using autologous orbital fat transplantation. The lower eyelid sulcus deformities were well-corrected. To further illustrate the anatomical structure of the lower eyelid area and injection layers, six cadaveric heads were used for surgical simulation and demonstrated the effectiveness of our technique.ConclusionsThis study indicated that the infraorbital rim could be increased by transplanting orbital fat to the pocket, which was dissected under the periosteum, and the procedure has been verified as reliable and effective.Evidence-based medicine (EBM) levelLevel II