Dry Markets and Superreplication Bounds of American Derivatives

This paper studies the impact of dry markets for underlying assets on the pricing of American derivatives, using a discrete time framework. Dry markets are characterized by the possibility of non-existence of trading at certain dates. Such non-existence may be deterministic or probabilistic. Using superreplicating strategies, we derive expectation representations for the range of arbitrage-free values of the dervatives. In the probabilistic case, if we consider an enlarged filtration induced by the price process and the market existence process, ordinary stopping times are required. If not, randomized stopping times are required. Several comparisons of the ranges obtained with the two market restrictions are performed. Finally, we conclude that arbitrage arguments are not enough to define the optimal exercise policy.N/

Preliminary study on age- and sex-dependent alterations in the composition of skeletal muscle fibers of Brasileiro de Hipismo horses

The aim of this work was to characterize the distribution of myofibers in the gluteus medius muscle of inactive horses of the Brasileiro de Hipismo (BH) breed at different ages by means of histochemical analyses, according to sex and depth of the biopsy. A total of 78 inactive horses (9 castrated males, 35 stallions, and 34 females) of the BH breed, aged 1 to 4 years, were used. A percutaneous muscle biopsy was obtained with a 6.0-mm Bergstrom-type needle, which allowed the removal of muscle fragments at depths of 20 and 60 mm. Myofiber types were determined based on myofibrillar adenosine triphosphatase (mATPase) and nicotinamide dinucleotide tetrazolium reductase (NADH-TR) techniques. Morphometry of the fibers was determined based on cross-sectional area (CSA), mean frequency (F), and relative cross-sectional area (RCSA). The current study demonstrated that BH horses 3 and 4 years of age show a greater percentage of, and area occupied by, type IIA fibers and lower percentage of type IIX fibers in the gluteus medius muscle compared with horses 1 and 2 years of age. No difference was found between sexes in the frequency of and area occupied by the different fiber types at any of the depths and ages studied. In this study, females showed a greater CSA for all fibers in comparison with males, at 1 year of age. The results of the current study indicate that the gluteus medius muscle of inactive BH horses shows modifications in its structural and biochemical composition during the growth of the animals, leading to a better oxidative capacity

Switching from oral risperidone to flexibly dosed oral paliperidone extended-release: core symptoms, satisfaction, and quality of life in patients with stable but symptomatic schizophrenia: the RISPALI study

Objective:The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the effects of switching from oral risperidone to flexibly dosed oral paliperidone extended-release (ER) in Brazilian adults with schizophrenia because of lack of efficacy, intolerability, or nonadherence after a minimum trial of 30 days on adequate (labeled) doses of oral risperidone, according to individual clinical judgment.Research design and methods:Subjects with Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale total scores above 78, and/or intolerable adverse effects, with risperidone received open-label paliperidone ER 3 to 12 mg daily for 26 (main phase) to 52 (extension phase) weeks.Clinical trial registration:Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT01010776.Results:The intent-to-treat (efficacy) populations comprised 213 subjects in the main phase and 159 in the extension phase. of 213 subjects with baseline and post-baseline efficacy data, 154 (72.3%) switched from risperidone to paliperidone ER because of a lack of efficacy and 59 (27.7%) because of tolerability issues, according to individual clinical judgment. Paliperidone ER significantly (p < 0.0500) improved a broad spectrum of efficacy endpoints from baseline, as early as the first post-baseline visit (Visit 2; 4 weeks) and persisting through 26 to 52 weeks. On most efficacy endpoints, function improved from baseline to the first post-baseline visit (week 4) and remained significantly improved compared to baseline at each visit for paliperidone ER treatment, at weeks 8, 13, 26, 39, 26, and 52; data are reported herein mainly for 26 and 52 weeks compared to baseline. Significant improvements from baseline were observed for the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale total score and subscale scores (each p < 0.0001 at 26 and 52 weeks vs. baseline); and personal and social functioning (p < 0.0001 at 26 and 52 weeks). Paliperidone ER also significantly improved health-related quality of life (Short-Form 36) from baseline, particularly on the Mental Component Summary (p = 0.0011 at 26 weeks and p = 0.0019 at 52 weeks). Treatment with paliperidone ER also significantly improved (vs. baseline) sleep quality (according to decreases on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; p < 0.0001 at each visit vs. baseline) and disease severity (Clinical Global Impression-Severity; p < 0.0001 at each visit vs. baseline). Paliperidone ER was well tolerated. Adverse events occurring in at least 10% of subjects in either phase were insomnia (14.9% in the main phase and 8.8% in the extension phase); increased body weight (10.7% and 12.6%, respectively); and anxiety (10.7% and 2.5%). Most of these adverse events were: 1) rated as mild or moderate; 2) did not prompt interventions such as paliperidone ER dose adjustment or interruption; and 3) decreased in frequency from the main to the extension phase.Conclusions:Oral paliperidone ER is a rational treatment alternative for patients with schizophrenia whose antipsychotic regimens are switched because of unsuccessful treatment with oral risperidone according to individual clinical judgment. Study limitations included the open-label study design, lack of placebo, and use of subjective clinical judgment to determine lack of efficacy, intolerability, or nonadherence with oral risperidone.Janssen-Cilag Farmaceutica Ltda., São Paulo, BrazilFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Janssen-CilagNovartisRocheEMS Pharmaceuticals, BrazilMoksha8Eli LillyBristol-Myers SquibbServierLundbeckQuintilesTevaCPPSSUniv São Paulo, Sch Med, Dept & Inst Psychiat, BR-05403010 São Paulo, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Sch Med, Lab Neurosci LIM27, BR-05403010 São Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Goias, Dept Psychiat, Goiania, Go, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Psychiat, São Paulo, BrazilInst Psychiat Prof Andro Teixeira Lima, Sorocaba, SP, BrazilCtr Psychiat & Res SR, Ctr Psychiat & Res, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilUniv Fed Bahia, Dept Neurosci & Mental Hlth, Salvador, BA, BrazilInst Social Secur Civil Servants Minas Gerais IPS, Dept Psychiat, Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilHosp Bom Retiro, Curitiba, Parana, BrazilFac Med Marilia, Marilia, SP, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Inst Psychiat, BR-05403010 São Paulo, BrazilUniv Southern Santa Catarina, Neurosci Lab, Criciuma, SC, BrazilUniv Southern Santa Catarina, Natl Inst Translat Med INCT TM, Criciuma, SC, BrazilUniv Fed Parana, Fac Med, BR-80060000 Curitiba, Parana, BrazilFac Med ABC, Santo Andre, SP, BrazilJanssen Cilag Farmaceut Ltda, São Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Rio de Janeiro, Inst Psychiat, BR-21941 Rio de Janeiro, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Psychiat, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Metabolomics and lipidomics analyses by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance of schizophrenia patient serum reveal potential peripheral biomarkers for diagnosis

Using 1H NMR-based metabolomics in association to chemometrics analysis, we analyzed here the metabolic differences between schizophrenia patients (SCZ) compared to healthy controls (HCs). HCs and SCZ patients underwent clinical interview using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders (SCID). SCZ patients were further assessed by Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Calgary Depression Scale, Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF), and Clinical Global Impressions Scale (CGI). Using the principal component analysis (PCA) and supervised partial least-squares discriminate analysis (PLS-DA) in obtained NMR data, a clear group separation between HCs and SCZ patients was achieved. Interestingly, all metabolite compounds identified as exclusively present in the SCZ group, except for the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), were never previously associated with mental disorders. Although the initial perception of an absence of obvious biological link among the different key molecules exclusively observed in each group, and no identification of any specific pathway yet, the present work represents an important contribution for the identification of potential biomarkers to inform diagnosis, as it was possible to completely separate the affected SCZ patients from HCs, with no outliers or exceptions. In addition, the data presented here reinforced the role of the modulation of glycolysis pathway and the loss of GABA interneuron/hyperglutamate hypothesis in SCZ. © 2016.Using 1H NMR-based metabolomics in association to chemometrics analysis, we analyzed here the metabolic differences between schizophrenia patients (SCZ) compared to healthy controls (HCs). HCs and SCZ patients underwent clinical interview using the Struct18518218

H-1-NMR, H-1-NMR T-2-edited, and 2D-NMR in bipolar disorder metabolic profiling

Background: The objective of this study was to identify molecular alterations in the human blood serum related to bipolar disorder, using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and chemometrics. Methods: Metabolomic profiling, employing H-1-NMR, H-1-NMR -T-2-edited, and 2D-NMR spectroscopy and chemometrics of human blood serum samples from patients with bipolar disorder (n = 26) compared with healthy volunteers (n = 50) was performed. Results: The investigated groups presented distinct metabolic profiles, in which the main differential metabolites found in the serum sample of bipolar disorder patients compared with those from controls were lipids, lipid metabolism-related molecules (choline, myo-inositol), and some amino acids (N-acetyl-L-phenyl alanine, N-acetyl-L-aspartyl-L-glutamic acid, L-glutamine). In addition, amygdalin, alpha-ketoglutaric acid, and lipoamide, among other compounds, were also present or were significantly altered in the serum of bipolar disorder patients. The data presented herein suggest that some of these metabolites differentially distributed between the groups studied may be directly related to the bipolar disorder pathophysiology. Conclusions: The strategy employed here showed significant potential for exploring pathophysiological features and molecular pathways involved in bipolar disorder. Thus, our findings may contribute to pave the way for future studies aiming at identifying important potential biomarkers for bipolar disorder diagnosis or progression follow-up.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq, Brasilia, Brazil)FAPESPUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Psychiat, Rua Borges Lagoa 570, BR-04038020 Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Pharmacol, Rua Tres Maio 100, BR-04044020 Sao Paulo, BrazilISCMSP, Dept Psychiat, Rua Major Maragliano 287, BR-04017030 Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Estadual Campinas UNICAMP, Lab Quim Biol, Dept Organ Chem, Inst Chem, Caixa Postal 6154, BR-13083970 Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Estadual Campinas UNICAMP, Dept Analyt Chem, Inst Chem, Caixa Postal 6154, BR-13083970 Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Psychiat, Rua Borges Lagoa 570, BR-04038020 Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Pharmacol, Rua Tres Maio 100, BR-04044020 Sao Paulo, BrazilCNPqFAPESP: 2014/18938-8Web of Scienc

IL-10 overexpression predisposes to invasive aspergillosis by suppressing antifungal immunity

[Excerpt] To the Editor: Proinflammatory immune responses are critically required for antimicrobial host defenses; however, excessive inflammation has the potential to damage host tissues thereby paradoxically contributing to the progression of infection.[...]Supported by the Northern Portugal Regional Operational Programme (NORTE 2020), under the Portugal 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000013), the Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia (FCT) (contracts IF/00735/2014 to A.C., IF/01390/2014 to E.T., IF/00021/2014 to R.S., and SFRH/BPD/96176/2013 to C.C.), the Conselho de Reitores das Universidades Portuguesas (CRUP), Portugal (Acoes Integradas Luso-Alemas A-43/16), the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) (project-ID 57212690), the Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias (Madrid, Spain) (grant #PI12/02688) and the ERA-NET PathoGenoMics (grant #0315900A). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript