Revisiting the Political Economy of Fiscal Adjustments

Revisiting the political economy of fiscal adjustmentsThanasis Ziogasa,⇑, Theodore PanagiotidisbaDepartment of Economic Geography, University of Groningen, the NetherlandsbDepartment of Economics, University of Macedonia, Greecearticle infoArticle history:Available online 27 October 2020JEL:D72E62H62Keywords:Fiscal adjustmentsSpending cutsCabinets’ survivalHeteroskedasticity probitabstractThe political economy of fiscal adjustments is revisited within the framework of Alesinaet al. (1998). A panel that spans from 1970 to 2016 for three datasets (European Union,Eurozone and OECD-19) is constructed. Both descriptive statistics and regression analysisis employed. We assess how successful are policies for budget consolidation. Panel logitand heteroskedasticity probit evaluate the probability of government’s survival after hav-ing engaged in tight (loose) fiscal policies. Economic variables and political characteristicsof the cabinets are taken into account in the specifications. We reveal that the fiscal balanceis an insignificant predictor for the changes of the prime minister or the ideology of thecabinet. Inflation and unemployment rate are significant and positively related to changesin government while spending adjustment composition dummies are negative and signif-icant predictors for such changes. Revenue based adjustments have no effect on re-electionprospects. Our results are robust to sensitivity checks, including various sub-sample anal-ysis and non-linear specifications

Environmental bisphenol A exposure triggers trained immunity-related pathways in monocytes

IntroductionTrained Immunity represents a novel revolutionary concept of the immunological response involving innate immune cells. Bisphenol A is a well-known endocrine disrupter, widely disseminated worldwide and accumulated in the human body. Due to the increased interest regarding the effects of plastic-derived compounds on the immune system, our purpose was to explore whether BPA was able to induce trained immunity in human primary monocytes in vitro using low environmental concentrations.Materials and methodsWe extracted BPA from the serum of 10 healthy individuals through a liquid-liquid extraction followed by a solid phase extraction and measured the concentration using an HPLC system coupled to a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. In parallel, monocytes were isolated from whole blood and acutely stimulated or trained with BPA at three different concentrations (1 nM, 10 nM, 20 nM). Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10) production were assessed after 24 hours of acute stimulation and after Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) rechallenge. A comprehensive overview of the metabolic changes after BPA acute stimulation and trained immunity induction was assessed through extracellular lactate measurements, Seahorse XFb metabolic flux analysis and ROS production.ResultsMonocytes primed with BPA showed increased pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine responses upon restimulation, sustained by the modulation of the immunometabolic circuits. Moreover, we proved the non-toxic effect of BPA at each experimental concentration by performing an MTT assay. Additionally, correlation analysis were performed between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines production after LPS acute stimulation or BPA-mediated trained immunity and BPA serum concentrations showing a significant association between TNF-α and BPA circulating levels.DiscussionOverall, this study pointed out for the first time the immunological effects of an environmental chemical and plastic-derived compound in the induction of trained immunity in a healthy cohort

Serum VEGF levels are related to the presence of pulmonary arterial hypertension in systemic sclerosis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The association between systemic sclerosis and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is well recognized. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been reported to play an important role in pulmonary hypertension. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between systolic pulmonary artery pressure, clinical and functional manifestations of the disease and serum VEGF levels in systemic sclerosis.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Serum VEGF levels were measured in 40 patients with systemic sclerosis and 13 control subjects. All patients underwent clinical examination, pulmonary function tests and echocardiography.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Serum VEGF levels were higher in systemic sclerosis patients with sPAP ≥ 35 mmHg than in those with sPAP < 35 mmHg (352 (266, 462 pg/ml)) vs (240 (201, 275 pg/ml)) (p < 0.01), while they did not differ between systemic sclerosis patients with sPAP < 35 mmHg and controls. Serum VEGF levels correlated to systolic pulmonary artery pressure, to diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide and to MRC dyspnea score. In multiple linear regression analysis, serum VEGF levels, MRC dyspnea score, and D_LCOwere independent predictors of systolic pulmonary artery pressure.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Serum VEGF levels are increased in systemic sclerosis patients with sPAP ≥ 35 mmHg. The correlation between VEGF levels and systolic pulmonary artery pressure may suggest a possible role of VEGF in the pathogenesis of PAH in systemic sclerosis.</p

Innate Immune Training of Granulopoiesis Promotes Anti-tumor Activity

Trained innate immunity, induced via modulation of mature myeloid cells or their bone marrow progenitors, mediates sustained increased responsiveness to secondary challenges. Here, we investigated whether anti-tumor immunity can be enhanced through induction of trained immunity. Pre-treatment of mice with beta-glucan, a fungal-derived prototypical agonist of trained immunity, resulted in diminished tumor growth. The anti-tumor effect of beta-glucan-induced trained immunity was associated with transcriptomic and epigenetic rewiring of granulopoiesis and neutrophil reprogramming toward an anti-tumor phenotype; this process required type I interferon signaling irrespective of adaptive immunity in the host. Adoptive transfer of neutrophils from beta-glucan-trained mice to naive recipients suppressed tumor growth in the latter in a ROS-dependent manner. Moreover, the anti-tumor effect of beta-glucan-induced trained granulopoiesis was transmissible by bone marrow transplantation to recipient naive mice. Our findings identify a novel and therapeutically relevant anti-tumor facet of trained immunity involving appropriate rewiring of granulopoiesis

Diagnostic value of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies in Greek patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Background: Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies have been of diagnostic value in Northern European Caucasian patients with rheumatoid arthritis ( RA). In these populations, anti-CCP antibodies are associated with the HLA-DRB1 shared epitope. We assessed the diagnostic value of anti-CCP antibodies in Greek patients with RA where the HLA shared epitope was reported in a minority of patients. Methods: Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA) (CCP2) kit, we tested anti-CCP antibodies in serum samples from 155 Greek patients with RA, 178 patients with other rheumatic diseases, and 100 blood donors. We also determined rheumatoid factor (RF) and compared it to anti-CCP antibodies for area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity and likelihood ratios. Results: Sensitivity of anti-CCP2 antibodies and RF for RA was 63.2% and 59.1%, and specificity was 95.0% and 91.2%, respectively. When considered simultaneously, the AUC for anti-CCP antibodies was 0.90 with 95% CI of 0.87 to 0.93 and the AUC for RF was 0.71 with 95% CI of 0.64 to 0.77. The presence of both antibodies increased specificity to 98.2%. Anti-CCP antibodies were positive in 34.9% of RF-negative RA patients. Anti-CCP antibodies showed a correlation with the radiographic joint damage. Anti-CCP-positive RA patients had increased the swollen joint count and serum CRP concentration compared to anti-CCP-negative RA patients (Mann-Whitney U test, p = 0.01, and p < 0.001, respectively). However, no correlation was found between anti-CCP antibodies and DAS28 score ( r = 0.13, p = 0.12). Conclusion: In Greek patients with RA, anti-CCP2 antibodies exhibit a better diagnostic value than RF and a correlation with radiological joint damage and therefore are useful in everyday rheumatology practice

Conspiracism on social media:An agenda melding of group-mediated deceptions

This study examines students' social media interactions in relation to their subcultural explorations of a conspiratorial nature. A sample of 476 students from four European universities participated in a survey about conspiracy theories in social media group discussions. In the survey, we examined various social and media factors in relation to students' beliefs in conspiracy theories. The results of this exploratory study reveal that students treat social media as news sources; furthermore, they trust social media more than traditional mass media. The study reveals demographic, personal and technological factors that encourage a mediated conspiratorial discourse

Diagnostic value of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies in Greek patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract Background Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies have been of diagnostic value in Northern European Caucasian patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In these populations, anti-CCP antibodies are associated with the HLA-DRB1 shared epitope. We assessed the diagnostic value of anti-CCP antibodies in Greek patients with RA where the HLA shared epitope was reported in a minority of patients. Methods Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (CCP2) kit, we tested anti-CCP antibodies in serum samples from 155 Greek patients with RA, 178 patients with other rheumatic diseases, and 100 blood donors. We also determined rheumatoid factor (RF) and compared it to anti-CCP antibodies for area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity and likelihood ratios. Results Sensitivity of anti-CCP2 antibodies and RF for RA was 63.2% and 59.1%, and specificity was 95.0% and 91.2%, respectively. When considered simultaneously, the AUC for anti-CCP antibodies was 0.90 with 95% CI of 0.87 to 0.93 and the AUC for RF was 0.71 with 95% CI of 0.64 to 0.77. The presence of both antibodies increased specificity to 98.2%. Anti-CCP antibodies were positive in 34.9% of RF-negative RA patients. Anti-CCP antibodies showed a correlation with the radiographic joint damage. Anti-CCP-positive RA patients had increased the swollen joint count and serum CRP concentration compared to anti-CCP-negative RA patients (Mann-Whitney U test, p = 0.01, and p Conclusion In Greek patients with RA, anti-CCP2 antibodies exhibit a better diagnostic value than RF and a correlation with radiological joint damage and therefore are useful in everyday rheumatology practice.</p

Traumatic Closed Proximal Muscle Rupture of the Biceps Brachii in Military Paratrooper.

Traumatic closed proximal muscle rupture of the biceps brachii has been infrequently cited in the medical bibliography. Early reports of this injury derived from US military during parachute jumps, and it may compromise &gt;4% of injuries at altitude. The mechanism is a direct blow to the upper extremity by static lines. We report a case of traumatic closed proximal rupture of the biceps brachii in a healthy 25 years of age military paratrooper. He was managed with primary surgical repair, and after three years of follow-up, the patient has excellent functional results

Nové magnetické nanohybridy: od nanočástic oxidu železitého po nanočástice karbidu železa vypěstovaných na nanodiamantech

The synthesis and characterization of a new line of magnetic hybrid nanostructured materials composed of spinel-type iron oxide to iron carbide nanoparticles grown on nanodiamond nanotemplates is reported in this study. The realization of these nanohybrid structures is achieved through thermal processing under vacuum at different annealing temperatures of a chemical precursor, in which very fine maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) nanoparticles seeds were developed on the surface of the nanodiamond nanotemplates. It is seen that low annealing temperatures induce the growth of the maghemite nanoparticle seeds to fine dispersed spinel-type non-stoichiometric ~5 nm magnetite (Fe3−xO4) nanoparticles, while intermediate annealing temperatures lead to the formation of single phase ~10 nm cementite (Fe3C) iron carbide nanoparticles. Higher annealing temperatures produce a mixture of larger Fe3C and Fe5C2 iron carbides, triggering simultaneously the growth of large-sized carbon nanotubes partially filled with these carbides. The magnetic features of the synthesized hybrid nanomaterials reveal the properties of their bearing magnetic phases, which span from superparamagnetic to soft and hard ferromagnetic and reflect the intrinsic magnetic properties of the containing phases, as well as their size and interconnection, dictated by the morphology and nature of the nanodiamond nanotemplates. These nanohybrids are proposed as potential candidates for important technological applications in nano-biomedicine and catalysis, while their synthetic route could be further tuned for development of new magnetic nanohybrid materials.V této studii je uvedena syntéza a charakterizace nové řady magnetických hybridních nanostrukturovaných materiálů složených z nanočástic oxidu železa typu spinel na karbid železa pěstovaných na nanodiamantových nanotemplátech. Realizace těchto nanohybridních struktur je dosažena tepelným zpracováním ve vakuu při různých teplotách žíhání chemického prekurzoru, ve kterém byla na povrchu nanodiamantových nanotemplate vyvinuta velmi jemná semena nanočástic maghemitu (γ-Fe2O3). Je vidět, že nízké teploty žíhání indukují růst semen nanočástic maghemitu na jemné dispergované nestechiometrické ~ 5 nm magnetitové (Fe3-xO4) nanočástice spinelového typu, zatímco střední teploty žíhání vedou k tvorbě jednofázového ~ 10 nm cementitu (Fe3C) nanočástice karbidu železa. Vyšší teploty žíhání vytvářejí směs větších karbidů železa Fe3C a Fe5C2, což současně spouští růst velkých uhlíkových nanotrubiček částečně naplněných těmito karbidy. Magnetické vlastnosti syntetizovaných hybridních nanomateriálů odhalují vlastnosti jejich nosných magnetických fází, které sahají od superparamagnetických po měkké a tvrdé feromagnetické a odrážejí vnitřní magnetické vlastnosti obsahujících fází, jakož i jejich velikost a vzájemné propojení diktované morfologií a povaha nanodiamantových nanotemplate. Tyto nanohybridy jsou navrženy jako potenciální kandidáti na důležité technologické aplikace v nano-biomedicíně a katalýze, zatímco jejich syntetická cesta by mohla být dále vyladěna pro vývoj nových magnetických nanohybridních materiálů