Lack of class I H-2 antigens in cells transformed by radiation leukemia virus is associated with methylation and rearrangement of H-2 DNA

Transformation of murine thymocytes by radiation leukemia virus is associated with reduced expression of the class I antigens encoded in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and increased methylation and altered restriction enzyme patterns of MHC DNA. These changes may play a role in host susceptibility to virus-induced leukemogenesis and accord with the notion that viral genomes play a regulatory function when they integrate adjacent to histocompatibiity genes

More Results and the Australian Model Rating Methodology Authors

In a continuing effort to provide benchmarks for middle market companies, Moody's has created a model for estimating firm default probabilities using only financial statements. 1 Specifically estimated and tested against middle market firms, Moody's RiskCalc for Canada and the US was released in June 2000. The model allows one to quickly and efficiently attach default probabilities and rank firms from least to greatest probability of default. An unprecedently large dataset of private companies gives us the ability to estimate and validate such a model. As a purely objective, quantitative model, it can serve as a transparent benchmark of credit quality, one that summarizes financial statements into a single number. This report documents the following: • Description of Moody's unique private firm database in Australia, with comparisons to the data on US and Canada, • An updated description of the Moody's methodology for predicting default, • A comparison of the relationship of various financial ratios to default, and • Empirical tests of Moody's model. The following is meant to be a self-contained description of the derivation and testing of Moody's default model, however, some nuances may be omitted. A more complete documentation of the approach is contained in RiskCalcTM for Private Companies: Moody's Default Model. 2 1 "Middle market " means "unlisted " or "private " firms without traded equity information

Rating Methodology Summary Rating Methodology

This report describes and documents Moody's version of its RiskCalcTM default model for private firms. RiskCalcTM analyzes financial statement data to produce default probability predictions for corporate obligors- particularly those in the middle market. We discuss the model's derivation in detail, analyze its accuracy, and provide context for its application. The model's key advantage derives from Moody's unique and proprietary middle market private firm financial statement and default database (Credit Research Database), which comprises 28,104 companies and 1,604 defaults. Our main insights and conclusions are: • The relationship between financial variables and default risk varies substantially between public and private firms. An important consequence of this is that default models based on public firm data and applied to private firms will likely misrepresent actual default risk. • RiskCalcTM generates 1- and 5-year expected default frequencies, as well as a mapping into Moody's standard rating categories. Hence, the meaning of the model output is easily understood and amenable to benchmarking and quantitative portfolio risk management techniques. • Comprehensive testing and validation suggest that RiskCalc's predictive power is superior to that of other publicly available benchmark models and is robust across non-financial industry sectors, and over time. • RiskCalcTM was developed to achieve maximum predictive power with the smallest number of inputs. It requires just 10 financial ratios & indicators computed from 17 basic financial inputs. • RiskCalc's predictive power derives, in part, from its meticulous transformation of input financial ratios, which are highly 'nonnormally ' distributed, as well as the large number of defaulting private firms used in its estimation

Rethinking Cholera and Typhoid Vaccination Policies for the Poor: Private Demand in Kolkata, India

Summary The "old" familiar diseases of cholera and typhoid remain a serious health threat in many developing countries. Health policy analysts often argue that vaccination against cholera and typhoid should be provided free because poor people cannot afford to pay for such vaccines and because vaccination confers positive economic externalities on unvaccinated individuals. In 2004, we conducted a contingent valuation (CV) survey of 835 randomly selected adults from two neighborhoods in Kolkata, India to provide information on private demand for cholera and typhoid vaccines for themselves and for household members to support more nuanced financial and economics analyses of such vaccination programs. The median private economic benefits of providing a typhoid vaccine to a household with five members is about US$23 in a middle-income neighborhood (US$27 for a cholera vaccine) and US$14 in a low-income slum (US$15 for a cholera vaccine). Our research raises an intriguing possibility. If user charges were set at a level to recover the costs of a vaccination program, there could be sufficient demand for the vaccine so that coverage of the vaccinated population might ensure that all the remaining unvaccinated individuals would be protected as well through indirect herd protection.typhoid cholera vaccine demand willingness to pay Kolkata India

The management of acute venous thromboembolism in clinical practice - study rationale and protocol of the European PREFER in VTE Registry

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a major health problem, with over one million events every year in Europe. However, there is a paucity of data on the current management in real life, including factors influencing treatment pathways, patient satisfaction, quality of life (QoL), and utilization of health care resources and the corresponding costs. The PREFER in VTE registry has been designed to address this and to understand medical care and needs as well as potential gaps for improvement. Methods/design: The PREFER in VTE registry was a prospective, observational, multicenter study conducted in seven European countries including Austria, France Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and the UK to assess the characteristics and the management of patients with VTE, the use of health care resources, and to provide data to estimate the costs for 12 months treatment following a first-time and/or recurrent VTE diagnosed in hospitals or specialized or primary care centers. In addition, existing anticoagulant treatment patterns, patient pathways, clinical outcomes, treatment satisfaction, and health related QoL were documented. The centers were chosen to reflect the care environment in which patients with VTE are managed in each of the participating countries. Patients were eligible to be enrolled into the registry if they were at least 18 years old, had a symptomatic, objectively confirmed first time or recurrent acute VTE defined as either distal or proximal deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism or both. After the baseline visit at the time of the acute VTE event, further follow-up documentations occurred at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. Follow-up data was collected by either routinely scheduled visits or by telephone calls. Results: Overall, 381 centers participated, which enrolled 3,545 patients during an observational period of 1 year. Conclusion: The PREFER in VTE registry will provide valuable insights into the characteristics of patients with VTE and their acute and mid-term management, as well as into drug utilization and the use of health care resources in acute first-time and/or recurrent VTE across Europe in clinical practice. Trial registration: Registered in DRKS register, ID number: DRKS0000479