Does one size fit all? A configurational approach to board effectiveness in limiting the excess cash

Purpose The study, by focusing on a context dominated by firms with a concentrated ownership, in which type-II agency problems (principal-principal conflicts) may occur, aims to depict which board configurations may be effective in protecting minority shareholders by mitigating the risk of controlling shareholders' expropriation via cash holdings.Design/methodology/approach The research adopts a configurational approach and empirically conducts a fuzzy set/qualitative comparative analysis on a sample of 268 Italian listed companies.Findings The analysis depicts three combinations of board configurations and ownership structures that can be considered effective, namely Active Independent Control, Female Active Control and Double Internal Control.Originality/value The study revisits the topic of the risk of expropriation via cash holdings in a type-II agency problem framework and delineates the meaning of board effectiveness in a mature context ruled by family firms, like Italy. Furthermore, by drawing on a configurational approach, it overcomes the causality relationship between each board characteristic and cash holdings policies and reasons from a “bundle” perspective.

Impact of Obesity on Physical Activity

BACKGROUND: Obesity occurs due to an imbalance between the calories and the energy released. On the animal model, obesity is considered as the ground for low physical activity. This is caused by low dopamine D2 receptor in the striatum. However, this suggestion is still unproven in the human condition. AIM: The aim of this study was to find out difference in dopamine expression in obese subjects compared to non-obese subjects when triggered by the stimuli of physical activity. METHODS: This is a quasi-experimental study. The sample was obese and non-obese (control) female who met inclusion and exclusion criteria. Before treatment was given, subjects were asked to fill out a depression, anxiety, and exercise motivation questionnaire. All subjects were tested for vital signs, anthropometrics, and neurological examinations to determine the initial condition. Then, the subjects saw video about physical activity and were taken for blood to measure blood dopamine levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Differences in dopamine levels between the obese and control groups were analyzed using independent t-test. The relationship between dopamine levels and exercise motivation was analyzed using Pearson. RESULTS: The obese group’s dopamine level was 71.19 ±3.02ng/ml and the control group was 81.15 ± 3.17ng/ml (independent t-test, p = 0.032). The obese group’s motivation score was 58.46 ± 1.59 and the control group score was 62.38 ± 1.54 (independent t-test, p = 0.09). Furthermore, there was no correlation between dopamine levels and motivation scores (Pearson test, p = 0.09). CONCLUSION: There are significant differences in dopamine levels between the obese group and the control group but no correlation between dopamine levels and exercise motivation scores.

Granulocytosis, a Paraneoplastic Syndrome Associated With Non-Glandular Squamous Cell Carcinomas (NGSCC) in the Tg.rasH2 Studies

Non-glandular squamous cell carcinoma (NGSCC) is an extremely rare tumor in Tg.raH2 mice. There have been 5 NGSCC in 1615 control male mice (0.31%) and 2 NGSCC in 1560 control female mice (0.13%) on 26-week carcinogenicity studies, with a range of 0 to 1 of per group per sex in each study without statistical significance in 52 male and 51 female studies conducted in Tg.rasH2 mice. Every case of NGSCC was accompanied by profound granulocytosis.

Tear miRNAs identified in a murine model of Sjögren′s Syndrome as potential diagnostic biomarkers and indicators of disease mechanism

Objective: The tear miRNAome of the male NOD mouse, a model of ocular symptoms of Sjögren′s syndrome (SS), was analyzed to identify possible tear biomarkers of the disease. Methods: Male NOD mice, aged 12-14 weeks, were used to identify tear miRNAs associated with development of autoimmune dacryoadenitis. Age-matched female NOD mice that do not develop the autoimmune dacryoadenitis characteristic of SS were used as negative controls while age- and sex-matched male BALB/c mice served as healthy controls. Total RNA was isolated from stimulated tears pooled from 5 mice per sample and tear miRNAs were sequenced and analyzed. Putative miRNA hits were validated using RT-qPCR in a separate mouse cohort, and the pathways influenced by the validated hits were identified using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. Results: In comparison to tears from both healthy (male BALB/c) and negative control (female NOD) mice, initial analysis identified 7 upregulated and 7 downregulated miRNAs in male NOD mouse tears. Of these, 8 were subsequently validated by RT-qPCR in tears from additional mouse cohorts. miRNAs previously implicated in SS pathology included mmu-miR-146a/b-5p, which were significantly downregulated in the male NOD mouse tears, as well as mmu-miR-150-5p and mmu-miR-181a-5p, which were upregulated in the male NOD mouse tears. All other validated hits including the upregulated miR-181b-5p and mmu-miR-203-3p, as well as the downregulated mmu-miR-322-5p and mmu-miR-503-5p, represent novel putative indicators of autoimmune dacryoadenitis in SS. Conclusions: A panel of differentially expressed miRNAs were identified in tears of SS model male NOD mice, including some never previously linked to SS. These may have potential utility as diagnostic biomarkers for ocular symptoms of SS; evaluation of the pathways influenced by these dysregulated miRNAs may also provide further insights into SS pathogenesis.

Abstract 47: Circulating Human Sprr Increased Blood Pressure In Female Mice Fed A Low-fat Diet

Elevated plasma soluble prorenin receptor (sPRR) is associated with essential hypertension and obesity-hypertension in men. Additionally, our laboratory previously found that the infusion of mouse sPRR elevates systolic blood pressure (SBP) in high-fat (HF) fed male mice through activation of the sympathetic nervous system but did not elevate SBP in HF-fed female mice. Interestingly, mouse sPRR infusion increased renal and hepatic angiotensinogen (AGT) and plasma renin concentration in female mice fed a low-fat diet. However, whether sPRR-activates the renin angiotensin system (RAS) and increases blood pressure in low-fat fed female mice remains to be investigated. Additionally, little is known concerning the influence of human sPRR on blood pressure in women. Therefore, we developed a humanized mouse model with high circulating human sPRR. Human sPRR-Myc-tag transgenic mice were bred with mice expressing Alb/Cre recombinase to induce human sPRR release in the circulation. Control and Alb-HsPRR female mice were fed a LF-diet for 8 months (n=11/groups). Body weight and body composition were examined and blood pressure assessed by radiotelemetry. Human sPRR-Myc-tag was detected in the liver of Alb-HsPRR female mice and plasma sPRR levels increased by 50-fold (CTL: 3.6±0.5 ng/ml, HsPRR:190.5±24.4 ng/ml; P<0.05), which validated the humanized mouse model. Elevated circulating human sPRR did not change body weight (CTL: 22.2±0.37, HsPRR: 23.0±0.32 g) or fat mass (CTL: 2.5±0.2, HsPRR: 3.1±0.2 g). Liver-derived human sPRR significantly elevated SBP in Alb-HsPRR compared to control female mice (Night SBP: CTL: 130.5±1.2 mmHg; Alb-HsPRR: 135.9±2 mmHg; P<0.05) and acute injection of AngII exacerbated SBP elevation. Interestingly, the decrease in blood pressure mediated by losartan was not different between Alb-HsPRR and control female mice (Night ΔSBP: CTL: -13.11±2.2 mmHg; Alb-HsPRR: -14.8±2.7 mmHg; P>0.05). Plasma AGT and renin activity were similar between Alb-HsPRR and control female mice. Therefore, whether the local RAS or the sympathetic nervous system are involved in human sPRR-mediated increase of SBP remains to be examined. Altogether, our results suggest an important role of circulating human sPRR in blood pressure control in women.

Loss of ASPM Disrupts Female Folliculogenesis in Mice

Background: The abnormal spindle-like, microcephaly-associated (ASPM) gene is a causative gene of autosomal recessive primary microcephaly (MCPH) 5 in humans, which is characterized by a reduction in brain volume. It was previously reported that truncated ASPM proteins in transgenic mice caused major defects in the germline, a severe reduction in ovary weight and the number of follicles accompanied by reduced fertility. However; it remains unknown whether a loss of ASPM induces abnormal ovarian function, resulting in female infertility. Methods: In order to assess the ovary function, we examined vaginal smear cytology from the age of 7 weeks to 100 weeks in CAG-mediated Cre-loxP conditional Aspm-/- knockout mice and control female mice. In addition, we evaluated the ovarian size, fibrosis ratio and the number of follicles (primordial, primary, secondary, antral and atretic follicles) in mice from 15 weeks to 100 weeks old by image analyses. Mann-Whitney U-test was used for statistical analysis. Results: The size of the ovary was significantly reduced in Aspm knockout mice at 15-20 weeks, 40-50 weeks and 70-80 weeks old. compared with the control mice. Furthermore, at all stages, we found a severe decrease in the number of developing follicles at 10-15 weeks, 40-50 weeks and 70-80 weeks old, accompanied by disrupted cyclic changes of vaginal cytology. Conclusion: The results showing that folliculogenesis was significantly decreased and associated with abnormal vaginal cytology in Aspm knockout female ovaries suggested that ASPM might play an important role in the folliculogenesis and estrous cyclicity of the postnatal ovary.

The initial response of females towards congeneric males matches the propensity to hybridize in Ophthalmotilapia.

Cichlid radiations often harbour closely related species with overlapping niches and distribution ranges. Such species sometimes hybridize in nature, which raises the question how can they coexist. This also holds for the Tanganyika mouthbrooders Ophthalmotilapia ventralis and O. nasuta. Earlier studies found indications of asymmetrical hybridisation with females of O. ventralis accepting males of O. nasuta, but not the other way around. We hypothesised that this was due to differences in the capacity for species recognition. Given the higher propensity of O. ventralis females towards hybridization, we expect a reduced ability for species recognition in O. ventralis females, compared to O. nasuta females. We staged two experiments, one focusing on 22 female O. nasuta and one on 21 female O. ventralis. These fish were placed in one half of a tank and briefly exposed to a conspecific or a heterospecific male, a conspecific female, or nothing (control). Female response was evaluated by scoring six tracking parameters and by noting the occurrence of ten discrete behaviours before and during the first encounter. Females always responded to the presence of another fish by approaching it. Remarkably, for both O. nasuta and O. ventralis, we did not find a different response between encounters with conspecific males and females. However, in agreement with our hypothesis, O. nasuta females behaved differently towards conspecific or heterospecific males, whereas O. ventralis females did not. When presented with a heterospecific male, O. nasuta females performed a lower number of 'ram' behaviours. Additionally, they never displayed the 'flee' behaviour, a component of the species' mating repertoire that was seen in all but one of the presentations with a conspecific male. Our findings show that differences in species recognition at first encounter predict to a large degree the outcome of the mating process, even in the absence of mating behaviour.

The female mouse is resistant to mild vitamin B3 deficiency

Purpose Vitamin B3 provides nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), an essential coenzyme in oxidoreductase reactions. Severe vitamin B3 deficiency leads to the disease Pellagra, while mild vitamin B3 deficiency has been linked to age-related and metabolic diseases. Mild vitamin B3 deficiency is understudied, especially in females. Therefore, we examined how female mice responded to a diet that induced mild vitamin B3 deficiency in male mice. Methods Female C57BL/6RccHsd mice were subjected for 18 weeks to a diet without vitamin B3 and low but sufficient tryptophan (0.115%) (0NR) and were compared to control female mice on the same diet with the reference dose of vitamin B3 (30NR, 30 mg nicotinamide riboside/ kg diet). Results In the female mice, no differences between the two dietary groups were found in liver nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) levels, body composition, whole body energy and substrate metabolism measured by indirect calorimetry, or liver triacylglycerol metabolism. Expression of seven genes that previously were shown to respond to mild vitamin B3 deficiency in male white adipose tissue were not differentially expressed between the female dietary groups, neither was insulin sensitivity. Conclusion We concluded that the female 0NR mice were not vitamin B3 deficient; the role of age, sex and health status is discussed. Demonstrated by clear differences between females and males, the latter showing mild deficiency under the same conditions, this study highlights the importance of studying both sexes.

Patriarcavirus, feminist dystopias and COVID-19: reflections on the phenomenon of gender pandemics

This essay examines contemporary feminist dystopias to study the phenomenon of gender pandemics. Gender pandemic narrative allegorises possible aftermaths of patriarcavirus, unleashing many natural disasters that force global biopolitics to hinder gender equality. The main objective of this essay is to explain how gender pandemics are appropriated in patriarchal utopian discourses as a pretext to control female empowerment, diagnosing women as diseased organisms that risk the state’s well-being. Moreover, the novels explore the interdependence between biology and sociality, portraying the acute vulnerability of female bodies during and after the pandemic conflicts, inasmuch as patriarchal power arranges a hierarchical value system of living that reinforces gender discrimination. Particularly, the COVID-19 emergency is analysed as a gender pandemic: the exacerbated machismo and the growing distress in the female population prove that women are afflicted with a suffocating patriarcavirus, which has critically gagged them in the first year of the pandemic.

PSYCHOLOGICAL AND HEALTH ISSUES FACED BY WOMEN AND THEIR PERCEPTIONS ABOUT PREVENTING MEASURES IN DISTRICT JAIL FAISALABAD, PUNJAB PAKISTAN: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Crime committed by a woman is an important factor that influences the family’s harmony and social stability. In recent years, the female crime rate has been a gradual increase, and its growth rate has exceeded that of male crime in the corresponding period. This not only relates to the weakly legal consciousness of a small number of women but also relates with the families and the society. To effectively prevent and control female crime. Efforts should be made to enhance women's legal and moral education, combat domestic violence, perfect the legal system, improve the social security system, and strengthen the assistance and education to female prisoners. This study is designed to investigate the psychological and health issues faced by women who are under lock in the district jail Faisalabad. The study was qualitative and the case study method was used for data collection from the district jail Faisalabad. The present study was conducted in the district jail of Faisalabad. 15 Women were taken as a sample size that is under lock in the district jail Faisalabad. In-depth interviews were conducted with the respondents, to explore their psychological and health issues. Moreover, thematic analysis was applied to draw the results and analysis. Keywords: Psychological, health, women, family’s harmony, preventing measures, thematic analysis