Internal Corporate Governance and the Financial Crisis: Lessons for Banks, Regulators and Supervisors

This paper aims to highlight the importance of banks’ Internal Corporate Governance (ICG),viewed as an operational mitigation instrument, in a context where banks enjoy a high degree oforganisational flexibility due to principle-based regulatory and risk-based supervisory approaches.The recent crisis has shown, on the one hand, that financial mitigations (i.e. capital requirements) are,per se, not sufficient to ensure the stability of the banks (which underpins the soundness of the entirefinancial system) and, on the other hand, the failure of the light-touch supervisory approach. The mainresearch question is whether the improvement of ICG, involving proper protection for stakeholdersand the switch to a more intrusive supervisory model, will be able to offset the failures of marketdiscipline revealed by the crisis and, together with Basel 3’s reinforced capital adequacy regime,strengthen the resilience of the financial system, without the reintroduction of structural reforms. In theEuropean Union, the new European Systemic Risk Board (ESRB) and, above all, the three newEuropean Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) will play a crucial role in this process

Analysis of Narrow-Leaf Lupin Proteins in Lupin-Enriched Pasta by Untargeted and Targeted Mass Spectrometry

The supplementation of different food items with grain legumes and, in particular, with lupin has been demonstrated to provide useful health benefits, especially in the area of cardiovascular disease prevention. In this work, label free quantitative untargeted and targeted approaches based on liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) for investigating the protein profile of three pasta samples containing different percentages of narrow-leaf lupin flour were carried out. The untargeted method permitted the identification of the main acidic globulins (\u3b1-conglutin, \u3b2-conglutin, and \u3b4-conglutin) and the comparison of their profile with raw lupin flour. The targeted method, based on High-performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry HPLC-Chip-Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) mode, allowed the quantification of \u3b3-conglutin, the main hypoglycemic component of lupin protein: its concentration was around 2.25 mg/g in sample A, 2.16 mg/g in sample D, and 0.57 mg/g in sample F

Optimal cut-off criteria for duplex ultrasound for the diagnosis of restenosis in stented carotid arteries: Review and protocol for a diagnostic study

Background: Carotid angioplasty with stenting is a relatively new, increasingly used, less-invasive treatment for the treatment of symptomatic carotid artery stenosis. It is being evaluated in ongoing and nearly finished randomized trials. An important factor in the evaluation of stents is the occurrence of in-stent restenosis. An un-stented carotid artery is likely to have a more elastic vessel wall than a stented one, even if stenosis is present. Therefore, duplex ultrasound cut-off criteria for the degrees of an in-stent stenosis, based on blood velocity parameters, are probably different from the established cut-offs used for un-stented arteries. Routine criteria can not be applied to stented arteries but new criteria need to be established for this particular purpose. Methods/Design: Current literature was systematically reviewed. From the selected studies, the following data were extracted: publication year, population size, whether the study was prospective, which reference test was used, and if there was an indication for selection bias and for verification bias in particular. Previous studies often were retrospective, or the reference test (DSA or CTA) was carried out only when a patient was suspected of having restenosis at DUS, which may result in verification bias. Results: In general, the cut-off values are higher than those reported for unstented arteries. Previous studies often were retrospective, or the reference test (DSA or CTA) was carried out only when a patient was suspected of having restenosis at DUS, which may result in verification bias. Discussion: To address the deficiencies of the existing studies, we propose a prospective cohort study nested within the International Carotid Stenting Study (ICSS), an international multi-centre trial in which over 1,700 patients have been randomised between stenting and CEA. In this cohort we will enrol a minimum of 300 patients treated with a stent. All patients undergo regular DUS examination at the yearly follow-up visit according to the ICSS protocol. To avoid verification bias, an additional computed tomography angiography (CTA) will be performed as a reference test in all consecutive patients, regardless of the degree of stenosis on the initial DUS test

Gene therapy: the end of the rainbow?

The increased understanding of the molecular basis of oral cancer has led to expectations that correction of the genetic defects will lead to improved treatments. Nevertheless, the first clinical trials for gene therapy of oral cancer occurred 20 years ago, and routine treatment is still not available. The major difficulty is that genes are usually delivered by virus vectors whose effects are weak and temporary. Viruses that replicate would be better, and the field includes many approaches in that direction. If any of these are effective in patients, then gene therapy will become available in the next few years. Without significant advances, however, the treatment of oral cancer by gene therapy will remain as remote as the legendary pot of gold at the end of the rainbow

A multi-element psychosocial intervention for early psychosis (GET UP PIANO TRIAL) conducted in a catchment area of 10 million inhabitants: study protocol for a pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial

Multi-element interventions for first-episode psychosis (FEP) are promising, but have mostly been conducted in non-epidemiologically representative samples, thereby raising the risk of underestimating the complexities involved in treating FEP in 'real-world' services

Effects of 24-hour Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction On Glomerular Hemodynamics In Rat-kidney

Glomerular hemodynamics were studied, by micropuncture, in Munich-Wistar rats submitted to 24-hour unilateral ureteral ligation (UUL). Glomerular capillary pressure (PG), intratubular pressure (PT) and pressure in the first-order peritubular capillaries (EAP) were measured with a servonulling device. Single nephron filtration fraction (SNIFF) was calculated fmom arterial and peritubular blood protein concentration. SNGFR was both measured by conventional micropuncture techniques and calculated from efferent arteriole blood flow (EABF) and SNFF. Afferent arteriole blood flow (AABF) and resistance of afferent (Ra) and efferent (Re) arterioles were calculated. Measurements were repeated 1 to 2 hours after the release of the ureter. Sham-operated rats were used as control. UUL caused a marked increase in Ra (from 4.9 +/- [SD] 2.4 to 12.7 +/- 5.1 dynes/sec/cm-5). The fall in SNGFR (from 111.9 +/- [SD] 23.9 to 34.4 +/- 23.1 nl/min/kg body wt) was secondary to a decrease in both PG and AABF. A further increase in Ra (16.0 +/- 6.7 dynes.sec.cm-5) occurred after releasing the ureter. SNGFR, however, was unaltered (33.7 +/- 16.6 nl/min/kg body wt) since PG decreased parallel to PT, but AABF did not significantly change. Conclusion. Ureteral obstruction determines, in 24 hours, a marked cortical ischemia that is not promptly reversed by ureteral release

Glomerular Hemodynamics Before and After Release of 24-hour Bilateral Ureteral Obstruction

Glomerular hemodynamics before and after release of 24-hour bilateral ureteral obstruction. Glomerular hemodynamics were studied, by micropuncture, in Munich-Wistar rats submitted to 24-hour bilateral ureteral ligation (BUL). Glomerular capillary pressure (PG), intratubular pressure (PT), and pressure in the first order peritubular capillaries (EAP) were measured with a servo-nulling device. Single nephron filtration fraction (SNFF) was calculated from arterial and peritubular blood protein concentrations. Single nephron glomerular filtration rate (SNGFR) was both measured by conventional micropuncture techniques and calculated from efferent arteriole blood flow and SNFF. Afferent arteriole blood flow (AABF) and resistance of afferent (Ra) and efferent (Re) arteriole were calculated. Measurements were repeated in the left kidney after releasing the ureter. Sham operated rats were used as control. BUL caused a fall in SNGFR (from 101.8 ± 9.7 to 40.7 ± [SEM] 6.0 nl/min/kg body wt), accounted for by a rise in PT (from 14.1 ± 0.7 to 28.9 ± 3.1mm Hg), glomerular hemodynamics (particularly PG and AABF) being unchanged. A marked increase in Ra (from 6.6 ± 0.7 to 10.8 ± 1.5 dynes · sec · cm-5) occurred after releasing the ureter, lessening both PG and AABF. Therefore, a low SNGFR was maintained despite the concomitant normalization of PT.Hémodynamique glomérulaire avant et après la levée d'une obstruction urétérale bilatérale de 24 heures. L'hémodynamique glomérulaire a été étudiée par microponction chez des rats Munich-Wistar soumis à une ligature urétérale bilatérale de 24 heures (BUL). La pression capillaire glomérulaire (PG), la pression intratubulaire (PT) et la pression dans les capillaires péritubulaires de premier ordre ont été mesurées au moyen d'un dispositif à zéro asservi. La fraction de filtration des néphrons (SNFF) a été calculée à partir des concentrations de protéines dans le sang artériel et péritubulaire. Le débit de filtration glomérulaire des néphrons (SNGFR) a été mesuré par les techniques habituelles de microponction et calculé à partir du débit dans l'artériole efférente et de SNFF. Le débit dans l'artériole afférente (AABF) et la résistance des artérioles afférente (Ra) et efférente (Re) ont été calculés. Les mesures ont été faites à nouveau sur le rein gauche après la levée de l'obstruction urétérale. Des rats ayant subi un simulacre d'intervention ont servi de contrôles. BUL a déterminé une dimunition de SNGFR (de 101,8 ± 9,7 à 40,7 ± [SEM] 6,0 nl/min/kg poids humide) dont rend compte une augmentation de PT (de 14,1 ± 0,7 à 28,9 ± 3,1 mmHg), les paramètres de l'hémodynamique glomérulaire (PT et AABF particulièrement) n'étant pas affectés. Une augmentation importante de Ra (de 6,6 ± 0,7,à 10.8 ± 1,5 dynes · sec · cm-5) se produit après la levée de l'obstacle urétéral, diminuant à la fois PG et AABF. Un SNGFR bas est donc maintenu malgré une normalisation concomitante de PT

Role of Efferent Arteriole In Glomerular Hemodynamics of Superficial Nephrons

Role of the efferent arteriole in glomerular hemodynamics of superficial nephrons. Hemodynamic pressure in glomerular capillaries (GCP) and in first order peritubular capillaries (EAP) in superficial nephrons of mutant Wistar rats with surface glomeruli was measured by micropuncture with a servo-nulling device in the following conditions: 1) control; 2) norepinephrine infusion (NE); 3) epinephrine infusion (E); 4) dopamine infusion (D); 5) hemorrhagic hypotension (HH); 6) HH + NE; 7) HH + E; 8) HH + D; 9) acute hypertension secondary to bilateral cervical vagotomy and occlusion of both common carotid arteries. BP was also recorded. Both GCP/BP and EAP/GCP ratios averaged 0.40 in control conditions, but only the EAP/GCP ratio remained constant in all conditions under study, indicating that approximately 60% of the hydrostatic pressure in glomerular capillaries is constantly dissipated by the efferent arteriole. When all values of EAP were plotted against the respective values of GCP, a linear relationship was detected (r = 0.843). These results indicate that changes of pressure in the first order peritubular capillaries of superficial nephrons are merely secondary to changes in glomerular capillary pressure.Rôle de l'artériole efférente dans l'hémodynamique glomérulaire des néphrons superficiels. La pression hémodynamique dans les capillaires glomérulaires (GCP) et dans les capillaries péritubulaires de premier ordre (EAP) des néphrons superficiels de rats Wistar mutants, à glomérules superficiels, a été mesurée par microponction au moyen d'un dispositif à zéro asservi dans les conditions suivantes: 1) témoins; 2) perfusion de norépinéphrine (NE); 3) perfusion d'épinéphrine (E); 4) perfusion de dopamine (D); 5) hypotension hémorragique (HH); 6) HH + NE; 7) HH + E; 8) HH + D; 9) hypertension aiguë secondaire à une vagotomie cervicale bilatérale et à l'occlusion des deux carotides primitives. La pression artérielle (BP) a été enregistrée. Les rapports GCP/BP et EAP/GCP sont en moyenne de 0,40 chez les témoins. Seul EAP/GCP demeure constant dans toutes les conditions étudiées, ce qui indique que 60% environ de la pression hydrostatique du capillaire glomérulaire sont constamment perdus par l'artériole efférente. Quand toutes les valeurs de EAP sont représentées graphiquement en fonction des valeurs correspondantes de GCP, on observe une relation linéaire (r = 0,843). Ces résultats indiquent que les modifications de pression dans les capillaires péritubulaires de premier ordre des néphrons superficiels sont simplement secondaires aux modifications de la pression dans le capillaire glomérulaire