The use of derivatives in bond funds

his thesis examines the use of derivatives in U.S. mutual bond funds by analyzing derivatives' investments as a function of past and current fund performance and fund flows and vice versa. We find evidence that derivative use in bond funds can lead to higher returns, and thus poorly performing funds are more likely to invest in derivatives. As fund flows do not affect investment in derivatives ,fund managers use derivatives to increase returns by manipulating fund risk. This eventually leads to lower fund inflows because fund investors may perceive fund risk to be too high due to derivatives' use

Is there decreasing public interest in renal transplantation? A Google trends TM analysis

Background and objectives: Renal transplantation is the preferred form of renal replacement therapy for the majority of patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD). The Internet is a key tool for people seeking healthcare-related information. This current work explored the interest in kidney transplantation based on Internet search queries using Google TrendsTM. Design, setting, participants, and measurements: We performed a Google TrendsTM search with the search term “kidney transplantation” between 2004 (year of inception) and 2018. We retrieved and analyzed data on the worldwide trend as well as data from the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), the Organización Nacional de Trasplantes (ONT), the Eurotransplant area, and the National Health Service (NHS) Transplant Register. Google TrendsTM indices were investigated and compared to the numbers of performed kidney transplants, which were extracted from the respective official websites of UNOS, ONT, Eurotransplant, and the NHS. Results: During an investigational period of 15 years, there was a significant decrease of the worldwide Google TrendsTM index from 76.3 to 25.4, corresponding to an absolute reduction of −50.9% and a relative reduction by −66.7%. The trend was even more pronounced for the UNOS area (−75.2%), while in the same time period the number of transplanted kidneys in the UNOS area increased by 21.9%. Events of public interest had an impact on the search queries in the year of occurrence, as shown by an increase in the Google TrendsTM index by 39.2% in the year 2005 in Austria when a person of public interest received his second live donor kidney transplant. Conclusions: This study indicates a decreased public interest in kidney transplantation. There is a clear need to raise public awareness, since transplantation represents the best form of renal replacement therapy for patients with ESRD. Information should be provided on social media, with a special focus on readability and equitable access, as well as on web pages

A multicentre, patient- and assessor-blinded, non-inferiority, randomised and controlled phase II trial to compare standard and torque teno virus-guided immunosuppression in kidney transplant recipients in the first year after transplantation:TTVguideIT

Background: Immunosuppression after kidney transplantation is mainly guided via plasma tacrolimus trough level, which cannot sufficiently predict allograft rejection and infection. The plasma load of the non-pathogenic and highly prevalent torque teno virus (TTV) is associated with the immunosuppression of its host. Non-interventional studies suggest the use of TTV load to predict allograft rejection and infection. The primary objective of the current trial is to demonstrate the safety, tolerability and preliminary efficacy of TTV-guided immunosuppression. Methods: For this purpose, a randomised, controlled, interventional, two-arm, non-inferiority, patient- and assessor-blinded, investigator-driven phase II trial was designed. A total of 260 stable, low-immunological-risk adult recipients of a kidney graft with tacrolimus-based immunosuppression and TTV infection after month 3 post-transplantation will be recruited in 13 academic centres in six European countries. Subjects will be randomised in a 1:1 ratio (allocation concealment) to receive tacrolimus either guided by TTV load or according to the local centre standard for 9 months. The primary composite endpoint includes the occurrence of infections, biopsy-proven allograft rejection, graft loss, or death. The main secondary endpoints include estimated glomerular filtration rate, graft rejection detected by protocol biopsy at month 12 post-transplantation (including molecular microscopy), development of de novo donor-specific antibodies, health-related quality of life, and drug adherence. In parallel, a comprehensive biobank will be established including plasma, serum, urine and whole blood. The date of the first enrolment was August 2022 and the planned end is April 2025. Discussion: The assessment of individual kidney transplant recipient immune function might enable clinicians to personalise immunosuppression, thereby reducing infection and rejection. Moreover, the trial might act as a proof of principle for TTV-guided immunosuppression and thus pave the way for broader clinical applications, including as guidance for immune modulators or disease-modifying agents.</p

Cognitive impairment in patients with malignant glioma of the brain

То determine the assessment of the impact of radiation therapy on the severity of cognitive impairment in patients with complex treatment of malignant brain glioma the study involved 36 patients (23 men, 13 women). The median age 48 years. 25 patients with glioblastoma (GB) and 11 patients with anaplastic astrocytomas (AA). When comparing the results of neuropsychological testing in patients with malignant glioma who received a course of conformal radiation therapy, there was no difference depending on the location of tumour, morphology, patients age.Для определения оценки влияния лучевой терапии на выраженность когнитивных нарушений у пациентов при комплексном лечении злокачественных глиом головного мозга проведено исследование с участием 36 пациентов (23 мужчин, 13 женщин). Медиана возраста -48 лет. 25 пациентов с глиобластомами (ГБ) и 11 пациентов с анапластическими астроцитомами (ДА). При сравнении результатов нейропсихологического обследования у больных со злокачественными глиомами, получивших курс конформной лучевой терапии, не отмечено различий в зависимости от локализации, возраста, морфологического заключения

The RNA Editing Pattern of cox2 mRNA Is Affected by Point Mutations in Plant Mitochondria

The mitochondrial transcriptome from land plants undergoes hundreds of specific C-to-U changes by RNA editing. These events are important since most of them occur in the coding region of mRNAs. One challenging question is to understand the mechanism of recognition of a selected C residue (editing sites) on the transcript. It has been reported that a short region surrounding the target C forms the cis-recognition elements, but individual residues on it do not play similar roles for the different editing sites. Here, we studied the role of the −1 and +1 nucleotide in wheat cox2 editing site recognition using an in organello approach. We found that four different recognition patterns can be distinguished: (a) +1 dependency, (b) −1 dependency, (c) +1/−1 dependency, and (d) no dependency on nearest neighbor residues. A striking observation was that whereas a 23 nt cis region is necessary for editing, some mutants affect the editing efficiency of unmodified distant sites. As a rule, mutations or pre-edited variants of the transcript have an impact on the complete set of editing targets. When some Cs were changed into Us, the remaining editing sites presented a higher efficiency of C-to-U conversion than in wild type mRNA. Our data suggest that the complex response observed for cox2 mRNA may be a consequence of the fate of the transcript during mitochondrial gene expression

Enolase represents a metabolic checkpoint controlling the differential exhaustion programmes of hepatitis virus-specific CD8 + T cells

Objective: Exhausted T cells with limited effector function are enriched in chronic hepatitis B and C virus (HBV and HCV) infection. Metabolic regulation contributes to exhaustion, but it remains unclear how metabolism relates to different exhaustion states, is impacted by antiviral therapy, and if metabolic checkpoints regulate dysfunction. Design: Metabolic state, exhaustion and transcriptome of virus-specific CD8+ T cells from chronic HBV-infected (n=31) and HCV-infected patients (n=52) were determined ex vivo and during direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy. Metabolic flux and metabolic checkpoints were tested in vitro. Intrahepatic virus-specific CD8+ T cells were analysed by scRNA-Seq in a HBV-replicating murine in vivo model of acute and chronic infection. Results: HBV-specific (core18-27, polymerase455-463) and HCV-specific (NS31073-1081, NS31406-1415, NS5B2594-2602) CD8+ T cell responses exhibit heterogeneous metabolic profiles connected to their exhaustion states. The metabolic state was connected to the exhaustion profile rather than the aetiology of infection. Mitochondrial impairment despite intact glucose uptake was prominent in severely exhausted T cells linked to elevated liver inflammation in chronic HCV infection and in HBV polymerase455-463 -specific CD8+ T cell responses. In contrast, relative metabolic fitness was observed in HBeAg-negative HBV infection in HBV core18-27-specific responses. DAA therapy partially improved mitochondrial programmes in severely exhausted HCV-specific T cells and enriched metabolically fit precursors. We identified enolase as a metabolic checkpoint in exhausted T cells. Metabolic bypassing improved glycolysis and T cell effector function. Similarly, enolase deficiency was observed in intrahepatic HBV-specific CD8+ T cells in a murine model of chronic infection. Conclusion: Metabolism of HBV-specific and HCV-specific T cells is strongly connected to their exhaustion severity. Our results highlight enolase as metabolic regulator of severely exhausted T cells. They connect differential bioenergetic fitness with distinct exhaustion subtypes and varying liver disease, with implications for therapeutic strategies

Elektronický učební text pro předmět Aplikované programování

Import 20/04/2006Prezenční výpůjčkaVŠB - Technická univerzita Ostrava. Fakulta hornicko-geologická. Institut ekonomiky a systémů řízení (545

Employee-Interviewing Technique as Part of Personnel Controlling

Import 22/07/2015V diplomové práci se budu zabývat řízením lidských zdrojů a jednou z metod personálního controllingu – metodou dotazování zaměstnanců a podrobnější analýzou anonymní ankety spokojenosti zaměstnanců státního podniku DIAMO, odštěpného závodu ODRA v Ostravě. V první části práce je obecně popsáno strategické řízení lidských zdrojů a obecnost personálního controllingu. V další části je zpracována organizační a personální struktura jak celého státního podniku DIAMO, tak samotného odštěpného závodu ODRA a jeho motivačních nástrojů při řízení lidských zdrojů. Dále pak uvedu metodu dotazování zaměstnanců a budu se zabývat podrobnou analýzou anonymní ankety spokojenosti zaměstnanců. V poslední části diplomové práce jsou uvedeny informace, závěry a opatření z výsledků ankety. Jsou navržena případná doporučení pro vedení o. z. ODRA ke zkvalitnění celého procesu řízení lidských zdrojů.In this thesis, I will deal with human resource management and one of the methods of personnel controlling - by interviewing employees and a more detailed analysis of anonymous survey of employee satisfaction DIAMO, branch office ODRA Ostrava. The first part is generally described the strategic management of human resources and personnel controlling generality. The next section is processed organizational structure and staffing of both the DIAMO, so the actual branch plant ODRA and motivational tools in human resources management. Then indicate the method for polling staff and I will analyze in-depth anonymous survey of employee satisfaction. In the last part of the thesis provides information, conclusions and actions of the poll results. They are proposing a possible recommendations for management ODRA to improve the entire process of human resource management.Prezenční545 - Institut ekonomiky a systémů řízenívelmi dobř

Financial Consulting by Firm Partners Financial Services

Import 26/06/2013V bakalářské práci se budu zabývat přínosem finančního poradenství firmy Partners Financial Services, a.s a jimi nabízených produktů. V první části práce je popsána charakteristika poradenské společnosti Partners. V další části je zpracována charakteristika a rozbor nabízených produktů, jak v oblasti životního pojištění, tak v oblasti produktů neživotních pojištění a dalších bankovních produktů. Dále pak uvedu případovou studii zaměřenou na konkrétní klienty, kteří využili finančního poradenství firmy Partners. V poslední části bakalářské práce jsem zhodnotil nemalý přínos společnosti Partners pro její klienty a také pro mne samotného během práce jako finanční poradce.In the thesis, I will discuss the benefits of financial consulting firm Partners Financial Services, Inc. and the products they offer. The first part is the description of the consulting firm Partners. The next part deals with the characterization and analysis of the products offered, as in life insurance and in non-life insurance products and other banking products. Furthermore, I will give a case study focusing on specific clients who have used financial consulting firm Partners. In the last part of the thesis I reviewed the significant contribution of Partners for its clients and also for myself while working as a financial advisor.Prezenční545 - Institut ekonomiky a systémů řízenívelmi dobř

Analysis of cis-elements for RNA editing at two sites in the atp9 mRNA

To analyse the cis-requirements for RNA editing sites a newly developed in-vitro RNA editing system was employed. The cis-requirements for editing of atp9 site 1 in pea were investigated by templates deleted, sequence exchanged templates, and competition reactions. In the pea system, deleted templates in steps of 10 nucleotides between -40 to -20 edit correctly but with decreased efficiency, while deletions with less than 20 upstream nucleotides do not support editing. 3’ deletions have little effect in pea, suggesting little influence on recognition. These results suggest that 20 nucleotides upstream are necessary and sufficient for recognition of the editing site. Stepwise mutated RNAs as templates or competitors reveal distinct substructures of the cis-elements. In pea a sequence element situated -40 to -35 enhances editing. The essential core region for recognition is restricted to the 10 nucleotides between -15 to -5. Experiments show that the enhancing effect of the region -40 to -35 can be titrated. This suggests, that either an abundant trans-factor is participating in recognition or an in-vitro artificial sequence effect is observed. The trans-factors interacting with the core region are present in restricted amounts, since they are sensitive to competition. To investigate the evolutionary adaptation of sequence variations 5’ of an editing site in another plant, atp9 (1) was investigated in cauliflower. Like in pea, 20 upstream nucleotides are essential and sufficient for editing. In cauliflower 3’ deletions affect editing up to 50 %, suggesting a (sterical) influence of the +1 nucleotide. This inference is experimentally supported by the effect of +1 exchange mutants. Relative to pea, the core recognition region extends further upstream, suggesting adaptation of the trans-element(s). All recognition elements are located within the conserved area