Which Should Be Used First for ALK-Positive Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Chemotherapy or Targeted Therapy? A Meta-Analysis of Five Randomized Trials

Background and objectives: Targeted therapy is widely used in the era of precision medicine. Whether the sequence in which targeted therapy and chemotherapy are performed matters, is however not known. We examined the impact of the sequential treatment of targeted therapy and chemotherapy among advanced anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Materials and Methods: Randomized controlled trials comparing the use of ALK inhibitors with chemotherapy were included in this meta-analysis. We estimated the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) from a random effects model. Two-sided statistical tests were used to determine the significance of these estimates. Results: In five eligible studies (1404 patients), ALK targeted therapy, in comparison with chemotherapy, had a significantly higher PFS (HR = 0.48; 95% CI, 0.42(-)0.55), but not significantly higher OS (HR = 0.88; 95% CI, 0.72(-)1.07). Crossover from chemotherapy to ALK inhibitors was allowed after progression in all trials. The sensitivity analysis of the use of ALK inhibitors as either the first- or second-line treatment, showed improvements in PFS but not in OS. Conclusions: Our results indicate that using targeted therapy first improved PFS, but that the sequence in which the treatments were performed did not cause a significant difference in overall survival

Does Hot Money Impact Stock And Exchange Rate Markets On China?

d the returns and volatility spillover between the stock and exchange rate market in China by using the monthly data covering the period from July 2005 to June 2013. This paper also uses the quantile approach to determine whether the hot money influences the stock and exchange rate markets. The results frst reveal the long-run equilibrium relationship that is exhibited between the stock and exchange rate market. Second, hot money has an impact on the stock market but has no effect on the exchange rate market, according to the VECMBEKK model. Third, regarding the volatility spillover effects on the stock and exchange rate markets, there is a spillover effect on the Shanghai stock and exchange rate markets. Hot money has an impact on the stock and exchange rate markets. Finally, we apply the quantile regression to determine the impact of hot money on low quantiles of the exchange rate and high quantiles of the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock marke

Dynamic Correlations and Volatility Spillovers between Crude Oil and Stock Index Returns: The Implications for Optimal Portfolio Construction

This paper researches the portfolio construction between stock price of group of seven (G7) and West Texas Intermediate crude oil from January 2, 1998 to March 1, 2012. We investigate the volatility spillover between stock price and oil price with the dynamic conditional correlation (DCC), constant conditional correlation (CCC) and BEKK models, and also analyze their optimal hedge ratio and portfolio weights. The empirical result is that the hedge effectiveness of DCC model is better than the CCC model and BEKK models. The hedge effectiveness (HE) in Canada is the highest but Japan is the lowest. Moreover, the results show that Japan has the biggest optimal portfolio weight and the lowest hedge ratio. We do this research with expectation of providing investors information to increase the basis of investing. Keywords: Crude oil; DCC model; Hedge effectiveness; Optimal portfolio JEL Classifications: C22; G1; N

Conditional Jump Dynamics in the Stock Prices of Alternative Energy Companies

This paper researches the abnormal information in the WilderHill Clean Energy Index (ECO) and NYSE Arca Technology Index (PSE) by using an autoregressive conditional jump intensity model in Skew Generalized Error Distribution (ARJI-SGED). The research period is from 3 January 2001 to 31 January 2011. We also test the diffusion-jump variance on the PSE and ECO. The empirical result indicates that there are jump phenomena in clean energy and technology companies. The oil price impacts on clean energy and technology companies. Moreover, the PSE has higher levels of volatility clustering than the ECO. These results show that the distributions of PSE return are skewed slightly to the left and fat-tailed. These also mean that jump variance plays a crucial role in market volatility indices. Keywords: Clean Energy; Abnormal Information; ARJI-SGED Model JEL Classifications: C2; G1; Q4

Imaging of Renal Tuberculosis in Eastern Taiwan: Correlation with Clinical Course and Different Communities

Hualien, located in eastern Taiwan, is a relatively isolated district. The population is composed of different ethnic communities. Our hospital is the only medical center in eastern Taiwan, so is the most important referral hospital for epidemic diseases. After reviewing our collected cases of renal tuberculosis (TB), we observed a great diversity in staging and outcomes. The aim of this study was to classify different imaging presentations and clinical outcomes in the ethnic communities represented by these cases (non-aboriginal and aboriginal). We retrospectively reviewed 22 cases from 1991 to 2001. We reviewed laboratory data, radiologic reports, and clinical outcomes. Before TB was proved by biopsy or culture, patients were not treated with an anti-TB regimen. Roentgenography showed that 68% of patients had renal calcification, 59% had dilated calyces, 55% had lung involvement, and 41% had auto-nephrectomy. The proportion of mild and severe forms was significantly different between aboriginal and non-aboriginal groups (0.05 > p ≥ 0.00409). From this series, we recommend routine plain film roentgenography, including chest roentgenography and kidney, ureter, and bladder or abdominal roentgenography, followed by intravenous urography or computerized tomography as investigative tools for renal TB. Based on the significantly different outcomes of the disease between aboriginal and non-aboriginal groups, a stronger health education program for the isolated district in eastern Taiwan is necessary