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A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Kansas Medical Center has provided new insights into Mowat-Wilson syndrome (MWS), a rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorder. The study focused on the zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 2 (ZEB2) gene, which is associated with MWS. The researchers identified various ZEB2 gene variants and their corresponding protein defects, with one variant in exon 8 being particularly common among patients with MWS. The study also explored the potential interactions between ZEB2 and other genes, highlighting their effects on embryonic development. For more information, the full study can be accessed through the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. [Extracted from the article]

There is an unmet need for second-line and third-line treatments that are effective and tolerable for advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with no driver mutations.

The executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Dane Cheng, discusses the changes in Hong Kong tourism due to the global pandemic. He highlights the growth of new markets, such as Vietnam and India, and the increased accessibility of Hong Kong with the addition of a third runway at the airport. Cheng emphasizes the importance of curating the experience for visitors, showcasing Hong Kong as a place where East meets West. He also mentions the challenges of limited air capacity and the need to differentiate Hong Kong from other destinations in Asia. Despite these challenges, Hong Kong continues to host major events and attract business travelers. Cheng emphasizes the importance of reinventing and positioning Hong Kong as a hip and authentic destination. [Extracted from the article]

Virgin Atlantic is known for its innovation and commitment to providing excellent service. The airline prides itself on having high customer satisfaction scores and attributes this to its dedicated and skilled crew. In March 2025, Virgin Atlantic will launch flights from Toronto to London Heathrow, offering passengers a new aircraft with innovative features such as Bluetooth connectivity and wireless charging. The airline also places a strong emphasis on sustainability and aims to have a fully sustainable fleet by 2026. Virgin Atlantic has partnerships with Delta Airlines, Air France, and WestJet, which allows for enhanced connectivity and a wider range of destinations for travelers. The airline sees potential in the Toronto-London route and believes it can provide a unique and appealing experience for both leisure and business travelers. [Extracted from the article]

Bermuda is reinforcing its investment in the Canadian market, with the director of global PR & brand partnerships for the Bermuda Tourism Authority, Kiwan Anderson, emphasizing the personal connection visitors have with the destination. The Bermuda Tourism Authority aims to celebrate the time lost during COVID and the reunions with loved ones. Anderson highlighted the success of BermudAir, which offers service from Toronto and Halifax, and expressed excitement for the future, including a brand refresh. The tourism authority values the input of travel agents and tour operators in understanding the needs of their customers and aims to educate travelers about Bermuda's unique culture, heritage, and culinary offerings. [Extracted from the article]

We sought to report the effectiveness of infliximab and adalimumab over the first 3 years of treatment and to define the factors that predict anti-TNF treatment failure and the strategies that prevent or mitigate loss of response.

The article discusses the challenges faced by travel advisors in the current busy travel market. Despite the demand for their services, advisors struggle to find time to take breaks and learn new systems. TRAVELSAVERS Canada supports advisors by organizing Dine & Discover events, where they can refresh their education and learn about changes in supplier products and services. The article also mentions the resurgence of brick-and-mortar agencies, as some clients prefer meeting advisors in person. TRAVELSAVERS Canada is also exploring the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to support its members and save time. The company's KORE program aims to attract and train new travel advisors, with personalized mentorship and certification. [Extracted from the article]

Management strategies and clinical outcomes vary substantially in patients newly diagnosed with Crohn's disease. We evaluated the use of a putative prognostic biomarker to guide therapy by assessing outcomes in patients randomised to either top-down (ie, early combined immunosuppression with infliximab and immunomodulator) or accelerated step-up (conventional) treatment strategies.

ONVIGO is a new Canadian-owned and operated host agency group in the travel industry. Backed by Voyzant, ONVIGO aims to provide personalized support and inclusivity to travel advisors, with a focus on rebuilding the industry's talent pool. They offer services such as barrier-free access to careers in travel, managing invoices and chasing commissions on behalf of agents, and access to cutting-edge technology. Benefits of joining ONVIGO include personalized support, inclusivity, and industry rebuilding. ONVIGO aims to redefine success in the travel industry and create a community committed to the success of travel advisors. [Extracted from the article]

Arts & Leisure recently concluded its annual North American sales mission with a gathering of travel advisors at Toronto's Four Seasons Hotel. The company, founded in 1993, distinguishes itself as a travel curator rather than a tour operator, emphasizing its commitment to creating personalized and unforgettable journeys for clients. Arts & Leisure has expanded its presence with the opening of a new office in Naples, Italy, and has also become a member of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association, demonstrating its commitment to inclusivity. The company offers curated journeys to over 60 countries, with a focus on Europe but also including destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and North America. Future plans include expanding to Africa, Australia & Oceania, Indian & Pacific Ocean, and South America. Arts & Leisure works exclusively with travel advisors to create customized FIT packages, luxury villas, private jets, luxury yacht rentals, and small luxury group tours. The company's mission is to create the perfect holiday experience for clients, ensuring they return home with unforgettable stories. [Extracted from the article]

The Virtuoso Canadian Forum in Toronto brought together over 100 attendees from travel agencies specializing in luxury and experiential travel. The forum was marked by an optimistic outlook for the future of the industry, with Virtuoso Canada's general manager reporting a 22% sales growth in 2023 compared to the previous year. A survey conducted by Virtuoso also revealed that a majority of Canadian members and partners feel optimistic about future business. The top five emerging destinations for Canadian travelers were identified as Costa Rica, Japan, Portugal, Iceland, and Thailand. Canadians are now traveling more internationally than domestically. The motivations for Canadian travelers include relaxation, adventure, romantic getaways, cultural visits, celebrations, and health and wellness. Overall, the Canadian travel market is expected to experience growth in the coming years. [Extracted from the article]

Flair Airlines' CEO, Stephen Jones, discussed the airline's performance in 2023, highlighting its affordability and sustainability efforts. Jones emphasized that Flair has consistently offered lower prices compared to larger airlines, resulting in significant savings for Canadian travelers. He also mentioned that Flair has achieved high performance metrics, including a 98.2% completion rate and 68.8% on-time arrivals in 2023. Additionally, Jones highlighted Flair's commitment to sustainability, with the airline having the lowest emissions per passenger mile flown in North America. Flair has also invested in communities, creating jobs and contributing to the economy. Looking ahead, Flair plans to continue expanding its network and offering affordable travel options for all Canadians. [Extracted from the article]

Flight Centre Travel Group's Independent Division has rebranded its nine independent brands globally under the name Envoyage. The rebranding aims to create a unified global brand and provide independent travel advisors with an elevated brand that represents their expertise. Envoyage offers access to a diverse ecosystem of products, tools, and technologies, allowing advisors to tailor their offerings to their clients' needs. The launch of Envoyage has been well-received by advisors and agencies, and the company plans to expand its presence in Canada, the USA, and the UK. Additionally, Envoyage plans to develop new apps and technologies, including artificial intelligence tools, to enhance the advisor and client experience. [Extracted from the article]

According to the article, TRAVELSAVERS Canada has seen stronger bookings in 2023 compared to 2024, with most package types experiencing single-digit growth. However, the cruise sector has rebounded better in 2024 than in 2023, as people are being more selective about their itineraries and booking in advance. The ITC side has seen a shift, with people going on one trip in 2024 compared to two trips in 2023, and being more budget-conscious. The economy, mortgage renewals, and unchanged prices by ITC operators are cited as factors influencing these trends. TRAVELSAVERS Canada is focusing on supporting its members and attracting new recruits through its KORE product and social media campaigns. The organization aims to provide excellent service and help members build their businesses. [Extracted from the article]

Oral tolerance is the process by which feeding of soluble proteins induces antigen-specific systemic immune unresponsiveness. Oral tolerance is thought to have a central role in suppressing immune responses to ‘harmless’ food antigens, and its failure can lead to development of pathologies such as food allergies or coeliac disease. However, on the basis of long-standing experimental observations, the relevance of oral tolerance in human health has achieved new prominence recently following the discovery that oral administration of peanut proteins prevents the development of peanut allergy in at-risk human infants. In this Review, we summarize the new mechanistic insights into three key processes necessary for the induction of tolerance to oral antigens: antigen uptake and transport across the small intestinal epithelial barrier to the underlying immune cells; the processing, transport and presentation of fed antigen by different populations of antigen-presenting cells; and the development of immunosuppressive T cell populations that mediate antigen-specific tolerance. In addition, we consider how related but distinct processes maintain tolerance to bacterial antigens in the large intestine. Finally, we outline the molecular mechanisms and functional consequences of failure of oral tolerance and how these may be modulated to enhance clinical outcomes and prevent disease.

The article discusses the positive outlook for travel advisors in the Travel Leaders Network. The president of Travel Leaders Group, John Lovell, states that consumers have made travel advisors their new best friends, leading to increased recruitment, retention, and partnerships with suppliers. Luxury travel, hotels, cruises, and group tours are all experiencing growth. The article also mentions the development of artificial intelligence tools, such as TobyAI, to support travel advisors in their work. Additionally, the group has launched Cruise Complete, a new cruise tool, and is working on a CRM Agnostic Customer API to enhance their engagement program. [Extracted from the article]

Just You, Solo Adventures Together, a UK-based company, is gaining momentum in Canada as it creates a community for solo travelers. The company focuses solely on solo travelers and guarantees each traveler their own room without paying a single supplement. Solo travel is growing in popularity, with over half of Canadians planning to travel solo more often or about the same in 2024. Just You offers a variety of escorted holiday tours on five continents, with plans to expand to six continents. The company is committed to changing lives through travel and works with the Planeterra Foundation to incorporate social enterprises into their programs. Travel advisors are the main distribution mechanism for Just You, and the company is working on offering agent rates and fam rates in the future. Just You has a call center in the UK and holiday advisors in Canada to provide support to Canadian agents. The response to Just You has been overwhelmingly positive, and the company is experiencing an increase in group requests. Overall, Just You is building momentum with new partnerships and a new brochure in the market. [Extracted from the article]

Canadian Travel Press has launched a new web-based video series called "Voices of Travel: The Next Chapters." This series features interviews with 15 industry professionals, including Brian Robertson, Denise Heffron, David Harris, Stephanie Bishop, Bruce Poon Tip, Flemming Friisdahl, Christine James, Maureen Barnes Smith, Joseph Adamo, Michael Merrithew, Rocky Racco, Dan Langevin, Wolf Paunic, Susan Webb, and David McClung. The interviews capture the passion, humor, and character of these individuals, and the series will be released on the Canadian Travel Press website and in their publication. This series aims to continue the tradition of sharing remarkable stories from the travel industry and will be ongoing beyond 2024. [Extracted from the article]

The article titled "Voices of Travel: KEEP LISTENING TO THE VOICES OF TRAVEL" discusses a series by Canadian Travel Press called "Voices of Travel: The Next Chapters," which features interviews with various individuals in the Canadian travel industry. The series aims to provide an inside look at the experiences and passion of these individuals. The article emphasizes the importance of listening to these voices and acknowledges that people are what make the Canadian travel industry what it is. The series has concluded, but all episodes can still be watched on the Canadian Travel Press website. [Extracted from the article]

The article titled "Voices of Travel" in Canadian Travel Press features an interview with Susan Webb, President of VoX International, who shares her journey into the travel industry. Webb initially planned to become a lawyer but decided to pursue a career in travel after a trip to Europe. She enrolled in Sheridan College's tourism and travel program and reflects on the changes in the industry over the years. The article highlights the fun and dedication of the industry in the past and provides a link to read Webb's full chapter. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the future of the travel industry, with a focus on technology and AI. The author interviews Dan Langevin, Chief Commercial Officer at Softvoyage, who has been in the industry his whole life. Langevin emphasizes the importance of embracing technology in order to stay relevant in the industry. He believes that technology will drive everything in the future and that AI will play a significant role. Langevin also reflects on his own passion for travel and how it has shaped his career. [Extracted from the article]

"The Boat Who Wouldn't Float" by Farley Mowat is a memoir about the author's experience buying and sailing a sailboat in Newfoundland. The boat, named HAPPY ADVENTURE, had a personality of its own and often proved to be stubborn and dangerous. Mowat and his friend, Jack McClelland, purchased the boat with the intention of sailing it across the ocean, but their plans changed and they instead sailed to the nearby French islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon. The book, published in 1969, is a mix of adventure, humor, and Mowat's reflections on topics such as Canada's native peoples and wildlife. [Extracted from the article]

TravelBrands is focused on providing travel advisors with technology to help them succeed. The company has spent the last two years developing platforms for air consolidation and access to various travel services. Travel advisors have responded positively to these initiatives and are eager to learn more and receive training. TravelBrands emphasizes the importance of supporting travel advisors and providing excellent customer service. The company offers features such as 24/7 assistance and air seat protection. Technology has greatly improved the efficiency of booking travel, allowing advisors to make reservations quickly and easily. TravelBrands is also implementing artificial intelligence for data analytics and chatbots. Business has been exceptional for TravelBrands, with strong sales in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Europe. The company expects Europe to be a popular destination for Canadians in the coming months. The main challenges for the industry are factors beyond their control, such as economic conditions and consumer discretionary income. However, people's love for travel remains strong. [Extracted from the article]

A panel of travel experts at the Virtuoso Canada Forum discussed travel trends for 2024. One trend identified was that clients of top-tier travel agencies in Canada are reconsidering their plans to travel to Europe during the summer due to high temperatures. Instead, they are considering traveling during the shoulder seasons (spring or fall) when temperatures are more comfortable. Other trends mentioned include the influence of rates on travel decisions and increased interest in destinations such as Asia, the South Pacific, Africa, the Caribbean, and Mexico City. The panel advised booking early, knowing your budget, and booking with a trusted supplier. [Extracted from the article]

The article titled "VOICES OF TRAVEL: THE NEXT CHAPTERS – BRUCE POON TIP’S EUREKA MOMENT" discusses the founder of G Adventures, Bruce Poon Tip, and his journey in creating the company. Poon Tip explains that his idea for G Adventures came to him during a trip to Asia, where he refined his ideas and eventually quit his job to pursue his travel business. The article also mentions upcoming episodes in the "Voices of Travel: The Next Chapters" series, as well as previous episodes that are available for viewing. [Extracted from the article]

The article titled "DAVID HARRIS WRITES THE NEXT CHAPTER IN VOICES OF TRAVEL" discusses the importance of consortiums in the travel industry. David Harris emphasizes that consortiums are crucial for agencies to have strength in their supplier agreements, access to technology, marketing opportunities, and training. The article also mentions that commission levels in the industry have changed over the past 40 years. The article provides links to watch episodes of the docuseries "Voices of Travel: The Next Chapters" featuring David Harris and Denise Heffron. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on Baxter Media launching the 24th annual Agents' Choice Readership Awards Survey, celebrating the travel industry's momentum in 2024 after a remarkable recovery from the challenges of the past year. Topics include expanded categories in the survey, a new Momentum Award, and voting opportunities for travel advisors to recognize their favorite suppliers, with results to be announced at the Agents' Choice Awards Gala in June 2024.

ARID1A/ARID1Bhaploinsufficiency leads to Coffin-Siris syndrome, duplications of ARID1Alead to a distinct clinical syndrome, whilst ARID1Bduplications have not yet been linked to a phenotype.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinase 1 (MAP4K1) is a serine/threonine kinase that acts as an immune checkpoint downstream of T-cell receptor stimulation. MAP4K1 activity is enhanced by prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ), immune modulators commonly present in the tumor microenvironment. Therefore, its pharmacological inhibition is an attractive immuno-oncology concept for inducing therapeutic T-cell responses in cancer patients. Here, we describe the systematic optimization of azaindole-based lead compound 1, resulting in the discovery of potent and selective MAP4K1 inhibitor 38(BAY-405) that displays nanomolar potency in biochemical and cellular assays as well as in vivo exposure after oral dosing. BAY-405 enhances T-cell immunity and overcomes the suppressive effect of PGE2 and TGFβ. Treatment of tumor-bearing mice shows T-cell-dependent antitumor efficacy. MAP4K1 inhibition in conjunction with PD-L1 blockade results in a superior antitumor impact, illustrating the complementarity of the single agent treatments.