Capital Markets Union and the fintech opportunity. Bruegel Policy Contribution Issue n˚22 | September 2017

Fintech has the potential to change financial intermediation structures substantially. It could disrupt existing financial intermediation with new business models empowered by intelligent algorithms, big data, cloud computing and artificial intelligence. Policymakers need to consider four questions urgently: Develop a European or national fintech market? What regulatory framework to pursue? Should supervision of fintech be exercised at the European level? What is the overall vision for the EU’s financial system

Effect of a probiotic administration on inflammatory profile and clinical features in patients with Alzheimer's disease

AbstractBackgroundIncreasing evidence shows that the gut microbiota (GMB) may affect the inflammatory status and influence the pathogenesis of several brain disorders, including Alzheimer's Disease. Moreover, it has been suggested that probiotics may have potential beneficial effects on the immune system via microbiome composition, influencing in turn also cognitive performances.MethodSixty‐two old subjects with normal cognitive performance and 37 AD patients were recruited and stool and blood samples were collected. Moreover, the group of AD patients received a probiotic administration for three months and stool and blood samples were collected again at the end of the treatment. Plasma levels of a panel of pro‐inflammatory cytokines were measured by using the High Sensitivity 9‐Plex Human ProcartaPlex™ Panel (IFN‐ϒ, IL‐1b, IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐6, IL‐10, IL‐12p70, IL‐17A and TNFα, Thermo Fisher Scientific) on Luminex Bio‐Plex® 200™ system. Moreover, we also measured the plasma levels of C‐Reactive Protein (CRP) using the CRP Human Instant ELISA Kit (Thermo Fisher Scientific). Bacterial composition of fecal samples was inferred using 16s sequencing; the levels of the short chain fatty acids acetate, propionate, valerate and butyrate were measured by mass spectrometry and adhesion molecules by FACS.ResultWe found higher levels of the pro‐inflammatory cytokines IL‐6, IFN gamma, TNF‐alpha, IL‐1beta, and il12p70 and of IL‐2 and lower levels of the anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐10 in AD patients as compared to control subjects (all p<0.05). Moreover, we found a positive correlation between MMSE score and the levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐6 (p=0.03, r=0.56). Interestingly, the three months treatment with the probiotic composition was able to significantly reduce the level of IL‐6 (p=0.03) and increase the levels of IL‐10 (p=0.023). Bioinformatic analyses on the 16s sequencing data as well as on the SCFAs and endothelial markers are ongoing.ConclusionInflammatory status is higher in AD patients as compared to control subjects and it correlates with cognitive performances. Interestingly probiotic composition is able to push down the inflammatory status in patients, possibly via changes in microbiome composition. Probiotics may be beneficial in delaying neurodegeneration and cognitive deficits in subjects at risk of developing Alzheimer Disease

Thermodynamics of a mixed quantum-classical Heisenberg model in two dimensions

We study the planar antiferromagnetic Heisenberg model on a decorated hexagonal lattice, involving both classical spins (occupying the vertices) and quantum spins (occupying the middle of the links). This study is motivated by the description of a recently synthesized molecular magnetic compound. First, we trace out the spin 1/2 degrees of freedom to obtain a fully classical model with an effective ferromagnetic interaction. Then, using high temperature expansions and Monte Carlo simulations, we analyse its thermal and magnetic properties. We show that it provides a good quantitative description of the magnetic susceptibility of the molecular magnet in its paramagnetic phase.Comment: Revtex, 6 pages, 4 included postscript figures, fig.1 upon request to [email protected] . To appear in J. of Physic C (condensed matter

Effects of PCSK9 inhibitors on HDL cholesterol efflux and serum cholesterol loading capacity in familial hypercholesterolemia subjects: a multi-lipid-center real-world evaluation

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), beyond regulating LDL cholesterol (LDL-c) plasma levels, exerts several pleiotropic effects by modulating lipid metabolism in extrahepatic cells such as macrophages. Macrophage cholesterol homeostasis depends on serum lipoprotein functions, including the HDL capacity to promote cell cholesterol efflux (CEC) and the serum capacity to promote cell cholesterol loading (CLC). The aim of this observational study was to investigate the effect of PCSK9 inhibitors (PCSK9-i) treatment on HDL-CEC and serum CLC in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). 31 genetically confirmed FH patients were recruited. Blood was collected and serum isolated at baseline and after 6&nbsp;months of PCSK9-i treatment. HDL-CEC was evaluated through the main pathways with a radioisotopic cell-based assay. Serum CLC was assessed fluorimetrically in human THP-1 monocyte-derived macrophages. After treatment with PCSK9-i, total cholesterol and LDL-c significantly decreased (−41.6%, p &lt; 0.0001 and −56.7%, p &lt; 0.0001, respectively). Total HDL-CEC was not different between patients before and after treatment. Conversely, despite no changes in HDL-c levels between the groups, ABCG1 HDL-CEC significantly increased after treatment (+22.2%, p &lt; 0.0001) as well as HDL-CEC by aqueous diffusion (+7.8%, p = 0.0008). Only a trend towards reduction of ABCA1 HDL-CEC was observed after treatment. PCSK9-i significantly decreased serum CLC (−6.6%, p = 0.0272). This effect was only partly related to the reduction of LDL-c levels. In conclusion, PCSK9-i treatment significantly increased HDL-CEC through ABCG1 and aqueous diffusion pathways and reduced the serum CLC in FH patients. The favorable effect of PCSK9-i on functional lipid profile could contribute to the cardiovascular benefit of these drugs in FH patients

Braided racks, Hurwitz actions and Nichols algebras with many cubic relations

We classify Nichols algebras of irreducible Yetter-Drinfeld modules over groups such that the underlying rack is braided and the homogeneous component of degree three of the Nichols algebra satisfies a given inequality. This assumption turns out to be equivalent to a factorization assumption on the Hilbert series. Besides the known Nichols algebras we obtain a new example. Our method is based on a combinatorial invariant of the Hurwitz orbits with respect to the action of the braid group on three strands.Comment: v2: 35 pages, 6 tables, 14 figure

Rubor, calor, dolor, tumor : infections de la peau et des tissus mous [Rubor, calor, dolor, tumor : skin and soft tissue infections]

Skin infections are a frequent cause of consultation, yet the diagnosis can be challenging for physicians. Microbiological documentation is rare, and empiric antibiotic regimens should cover the most commonly identified bacteria, i.e. streptococci Staphylococcus aureus. Other pathogens should be considered in case of immunosuppression or certain exposures. Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a severe but rare infection. Early surgical management in parallel with antibiotics is the cornerstone of treatment. Despite the high incidence of these infections, little progress has been made in their management and some areas of uncertainty exist, especially regarding the optimal duration of treatment, the prevention of recurrences and the use of polyclonal immunoglobulins for NF. This article reviews the main aspects of diagnosis and treatment of these infections

Missing upper incisors: a retrospective study of orthodontic space closure versus implant

Background: The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the esthetic, periodontal, and functional outcomes of orthodontic space closure versus implant substitution in patients with missing maxillary incisors 5 years after completion of treatment. Methods: The study group consisted of ten patients treated with orthodontic space closure (six males, four females, mean age 19 ± 2.1 years at the completion of treatment) and ten patients treated with implant insertion (five males, five females, mean age 20 ± 1.4 years at the time of implant insertion). Tooth mobility, plaque index, probing depth, infraocclusion, open gingival embrasure (black triangle), and temporomandibular joint function were recorded at the 5.6 years follow-up. Self-perceived dental esthetic appearance was also evaluated through a visual analog scale (VAS) questionnaire. T-test was used to evaluate the data. Results: All patients were equally satisfied with the appearance of their teeth 5.6 ± 0.4 years after the completion of treatment. No statistically significant differences were found in relation to the VAS scores of the subjects (P < 0.857). No significant differences were found in tooth mobility, plaque index (P < 0.632), and the prevalence of signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders. However, significant infraocclusion was noticed in all implant patients (P < 0.001). Probing depth was also significantly higher in implant patients (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Orthodontic space closure and implant of missing maxillary incisors produced similar, well-accepted esthetic results. None of the treatments impaired temporomandibular joint function. Nevertheless, infraocclusion was evident in implant patients. Space closure patients also showed better periodontal health in comparison with implant patients

Treatment Duration of Febrile Urinary Tract Infections

Although febrile urinary tract infections (UTIs) are relatively common in adults, data on optimal treatment duration are limited. Randomized controlled trials specifically addressing the elderly and patients with comorbidities have not been performed. This review highlights current available evidence. Premenopausal, non-pregnant women without comorbidities can be treated with a 5–7 day regimen of fluoroquinolones in countries with low levels of fluoroquinolone resistance, or, if proven susceptible, with 14 days of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Oral β-lactams are less effective compared with fluoroquinolones and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. In men with mild to moderate febrile UTI, a 2-week regimen of an oral fluoroquinolone is likely sufficient. Although data are limited, this possibly holds even in the elderly patients with comorbidities or bacteremia