Carry Trade with Maintained Currencies - A Risk and Return Analysis for the Egyptian Pound

The forward premium puzzle in the exchange rate market, resulting from the deviation and failure of interest rate parity, has awakened the interest of speculators to perform carry trade activities. Across literature the main risk associated and measured for carry trade has been the exchange rate risk and crash risk related to the relevant currencies used. But within the literature, the influence of maintained currencies on the carry trade results has not yet been covered. This paper analyzes the potential performance and the risk of carry trade strategies within a maintained exchange rate regime. For this analysis an empirical study of carry trade strategies applied between the EGP and other currencies has been used and compared to those with the USD as an example for a maintained exchange rate. Our risk and return analysis clearly shows a combination of high return and low risk for the maintained currency carry trade.Carry Trade Performance, Uncovered Interest Parity, Maintained Exchange Rates, Value at Risk

Development of Peptides to Target Antigen Presenting Cells for Controlling the Immune Response in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an animal model for the human disease multiple sclerosis (MS). In EAE and MS, the immune system recognizes proteins of the myelin sheath as antigenic, and an inflammatory reaction is initiated within the central nervous system (CNS), leading to demyelination of the axons. Current therapies for the treatment of MS are generally non-specific and weaken the global immune system, thus making the individual susceptible to opportunistic infections. The objective of this project is to develop peptides that target myelin-specific antigen presenting cells (APC) in order to modulate the immune response towards the myelin sheath. Bifunctional peptide inhibitors (BPI) are molecules composed of an antigenic peptide and an adhesion peptide that are designed to target the major histocompatibility class-II molecule and adhesion receptors, respectively, on the surface of APC. The simultaneous binding to both receptors on the APC is proposed to hinder the delivery of activation signals to T cells and, therefore, attenuate the inflammatory T cell response. In this study, PLP-BPI, a well-studied BPI molecule, was tested as a peptide vaccine in preventing the onset of EAE as well as for its role in providing protection against blood-brain barrier breakdown during disease. Next, a novel BPI molecule known as PLP-B7AP, which targets costimulatory molecules, was developed and tested for the first time in suppressing EAE. Finally, to provide protection against the diverse pool of antigenic proteins of the myelin sheath, BPI molecules targeting other myelin antigens as well as a multivalent BPI molecule were developed. These novel peptides have consistently demonstrated a shift towards an immuno-tolerant state accompanied by significant suppression of EAE

An unusual case of peritonitis following a caesarean delivery

Postoperative fluid accumulation is a very rare complication of caesarean delivery. We present an unusual case of peritonitis of unknown origin following a caesarean delivery. Emergency surgery was performed. On exploration there was a large amount of clear fluid which was removed. No signs of iatrogenic injury or any abnormality was detected. Fluid cultures of fluid drained from the abdomen did not grow any organisms. The working diagnosis was reactive peritonitis. Post exploratory laparotomy sepsis developed which was managed conservatively. The patient was discharged after full recovery.Keywords: Caesarean delivery, Complications, Peritoniti

Suppression of MOG- and PLP-Induced Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Using a Novel Multivalent Bifunctional Peptide Inhibitor

Previously, bifunctional peptide inhibitors (BPI) with a single antigenic peptide have been shown to suppress experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in an antigen-specific manner. In this study, a multivalent BPI (MVBMOG/PLP) with two antigenic peptides derived from myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG38-50) and myelin proteolipid protein (PLP139-151) was evaluated in suppressing MOG38-50- and PLP139-151-induced EAE. MVBMOG/PLP significantly suppressed both models of EAE even when there was some evidence of epitope spreading in the MOG38-50-induced EAE model. In addition, MVBMOG/PLP was found to be more effective than PLP-BPI and MOG-BPI in suppressing MOG38-50-induced EAE. Thus, the development of MVB molecules with broader antigenic targets can lead to suppression of epitope spreading in EAE

The Impact of Oil Sector on the Global Competitiveness of the GCC Countries: Panel Data Approach

This study explores the impact of oil sector on global competitiveness of the GCC states in a panel data framework for the period from 2006 to 2014. The focus is placed on how the non-traditional factors; oil rents, fuel exports as percentage of merchandise exports, oil prices, and mining sector production impact on the global competitiveness of the GCC nations.The study uses panel data techniques to measure the effect of the oil sector’s impact on of global competitiveness of the GCC countries. The results of the regression show that the relation between rent and GCI found to be negative and highly significant whereas the oil prices and contribution of the mining sector in GDP found to have positive relation with GCI at 90% significance level. Finally, fuel exports as percentage of the merchandize exports has insignificant relation with GCI. Keywords: oil sector, global competitiveness, GCC countries, panel data. JEL Classification: E31, E37, F11, F14, F43, F62, O47, O53