Does Exchange Rate Variability Matter for Welfare? A Quantitative Investigation of Stabilization Policies

This paper evaluates quantitatively the potential welfare gains from monetary policy and fixed exchange rate rules in a two-country sticky-price model. The first finding is that the gains from stabilization tend to be small in the types of economic environments emphasized in recent theoretical literature. The analysis goes on to identify two types of economies in which the welfare implications of risk are larger: where agents exhibit habits, and where international asset markets exhibit asymmetry in the form of “original sin.” In the habits case, monetary policy aimed solely at inflation stabilization is optimal. But in the original sin case there are potentially large welfare gains from also eliminating exchange rate volatility.exchange rate risk, second order approximation

Patterns of Using Complementary and Alternative Medicine by Stroke Patients at Two University Hospitals in Korea

This study measured the prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among Korean stroke patients. Questionnaire-based 20-min interviews were conducted at the hospitals by a trained nurse after an outpatient visit. It included questions on demographic information, clinical information and the utilization of CAM. Of 304 stroke-patient respondents, 164 (54%) had used CAM, of which 66% had started taking CAM products following suggestions from family members and other relatives. Of the 57% of users who felt that CAM was effective, 84% considered that it improved the symptoms of stroke and 16% felt it was effective in achieving psychological relaxation. Of the eight CAM categories used by respondents, 92% used traditional Oriental medical treatments, 36% used plant- and animal-derived over-the-counter health care products, 24% used minerals and vitamins, and 11% used manual therapies. The majority of stroke patients (68%) were trying a new type of CAM, and half of the respondents (45%) relied on the knowledge of their general practitioner about CAMs when deciding whether to use them. Most of the stroke patients in this study used CAM, and a half of them reported beneficial effects. Despite the presence of adverse side effects, they tended to be used without discussion with chief physicians, and hence physicians should be actively involved in the usage of CAM

Effect of Loquat Leaf Extract on Muscle Strength, Muscle Mass, and Muscle Function in Healthy Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, and Placebo-Controlled Trial

Ursolic acid (UA) is the major active component of the loquat leaf extract (LLE) and several previous studies have indicated that UA may have the ability to prevent skeletal muscle atrophy. Therefore, we conducted a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study to investigate the effects of the LLE on muscle strength, muscle mass, muscle function, and metabolic markers in healthy adults; the safety of the compound was also evaluated. We examined the peak torque/body weight at 60°/s knee extension, handgrip strength, skeletal muscle mass, physical performance, and metabolic parameters at baseline, as well as after 4 and 12 weeks of intervention. Either 500 mg of LLE (50.94 mg of UA) or a placebo was administered to fifty-four healthy adults each day for 12 weeks; no differences in muscle strength, muscle mass, and physical performance were observed between the two groups. However, the right-handgrip strength of female subjects in the LLE group was found to be significantly better than that of subjects in the control group (P=0.047). Further studies are required to determine the optimal dose and duration of LLE supplementation to confirm the first-stage study results for clinical application. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier is NCT02401113

CT Findings of Completely Regressed Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Main Portal Vein Tumor Thrombosis after Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the sequential CT findings of controlled hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with main portal vein (MPV) thrombosis with the use of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and additional intra-arterial cisplatin infusion. Materials and Methods: From January 2004 to September 2006, 138 patients with HCC invading MPV were referred to the angiography unit of our institution for chemoembolization and additional intra-arterial cisplatin infusion. Until August 2008, seven (5%) of 138 patients were followed-up and found not to have tumor recurrence. CT scans were retrospectively reviewed by two radiologists, focusing on the following parameters: the extent of portal vein thrombosis, the diameter of the affected portal vein, and enhancement of portal vein thrombosis. Results: The extent of portal vein thrombosis at the initial presentation was variable: left portal vein (LPV) and MPV (n = 1), right portal vein (RPV) and MPV (n = 3), as well as RPV, LPV and MPV (n = 3). The extent and diameter of the affected portal vein decreased during follow-up examinations. In addition, the degree of enhancement for tumor thrombi and serum alpha-feto-protein levels decreased after the transcatheter arterial chemoembolization. Portal vein thrombosis was found to be completely resolved in one patient, whereas residual thrombus without viability was persistent in six patients. Conclusion: If chemoembolization is effective in patients with HCC that invades the portal vein, the extent and enhancement of portal vein thrombosis is reduced, but residual thrombosis frequently persists for months or years, without evidence of a viable tumor.Shin SW, 2009, KOREAN J RADIOL, V10, P425, DOI 10.3348/kjr.2009.10.5.425El-Serag HB, 2008, GASTROENTEROLOGY, V134, P1752, DOI 10.1053/j.gastro.2008.02.090Shah ZK, 2007, AM J ROENTGENOL, V188, P1320, DOI 10.2214/AJR.06.0134JEON UB, 2007, RAD SOC N AM 93 SCIObi S, 2006, CANCER, V106, P1990, DOI 10.1002/cncr.21832MYUNG SJ, 2006, KOREAN J HEPATOL, V12, P107Georgiades CS, 2005, J VASC INTERV RADIOL, V16, P1653, DOI 10.1097/01.RVI.0000182185.47500.7AKim DY, 2005, CANCER, V103, P2419, DOI 10.1002/cncr.21043Llovet JM, 2003, HEPATOLOGY, V37, P429, DOI 10.1053/jhep.2003.50047Bruix J, 2001, J HEPATOL, V35, P421Lee HS, 1997, CANCER, V79, P2087Tublin ME, 1997, AM J ROENTGENOL, V168, P719CHUNG JW, 1995, AM J ROENTGENOL, V165, P315MATHIEU D, 1984, RADIOLOGY, V152, P127YAMADA R, 1983, RADIOLOGY, V148, P397