COVID-19 and fiscal policy in the euro area

In this chapter we document fiscal policy developments in the main euro area economies over the last two decades and highlight the dramatic changes triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. We analyse how euro area yield curves respond to COVID-19 related expectations of fiscal expansion. We show how fiscal constraints may affect interest rates. Upward pressure on national yields from higher debt levels could compromise fiscal and financial stability in the long-term

Kalai and Muller's Possibility Theorem: A Simplified Integer Programming Version

We provide a respecification of an integer programming characterization of Arrovian social welfare functions introduced by Sethuraman et al. (Math Oper Res 28:309–326, 2003). By exploiting this respecification, we give a new and simpler proof of Theorem 2 in Kalai and Muller (J Econ Theory 16:457–469, 1977)

Efficacy and safety of Finasteride (5 alpha-reductase inhibitor) monotherapy in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: A critical review of the literature

BACKGROUND: Combination therapy with 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor (5-ARI) and alpha-blocker can be considered as a gold standard intervention for medical management of lower urinary tract symptoms related to benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH). On the other hand, 5-ARI monotherapy and in particular Finasteride alone is currently getting focus of attention especially due to lack of systematic reviews investigating efficacy outcomes and/or adverse events associated. OBJECTIVES: Aim of the present critical review was to analyze current knowledge of clinical efficacy and incidence of adverse events associated with 5-ARI treatment for LUTS/BPH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review of clinical trials of the literature of the past 20 years was performed using database from PubMed, Cochrane Collaboration and Embase. A total of 8821 patients were included in this study and inclusion criteria for studies selection were: data from randomized clinical trials (RCTs) focusing their attention on the clinical role of Finasteride monotherapy for symptomatic BPH. Parameters of research included prostate specific antigen (PSA), prostate volume (PV), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPPS), postvoid residual urine (PVR), voiding symptoms of IPSS (voiding IPSS), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), and adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: Overall 12 original articles were included and critically evaluated. Sample sizes of patient actively treated with finasteride varied from 13 to 1524 cases analyzed in a single study. Follow-up after treatments ranged from 3 to 54 months. The effect of finasteride in reducing prostate volume (PV) was moderate (standardized mean difference (SMD) effect between 0.5 to 0.8 for all trials evaluable) while the effect on IPSS score and Qmax was considered significant (SMD in the 0.2 to 0.5 variation range). No severe AEs and/or psychiatric disorders were retrieved among the studies. Sexual health dysfunctions were significantly influenced by finasteride therapy when compared with placebo treated patients. CONCLUSIONS: Although significant clinical benefits of finasteride monotherapy were demonstrated, the effective size of the available reports included in the analysis is limited. Additional head-to-head studies would be needed to re-evaluate clinical efficacy and safety of 5-ARI in combination or not with alpha blockers

Reactions of diiron MU-aminocarbyne complexes containing nitrile ligands

The acetonitrile ligand in the mu-aminocarbyne complexes [Fe-2{mu-CN(Me) R}(mu-CO)( CO)(NCMe)(Cp)(2)][SO3CF3] (R = Me, 2a, CH2Ph, 2b, Xyl, 2c) (Xyl = 2,6-Me2C6H3) is readily displaced by halides and cyanide anions affording the corresponding neutral species [Fe-2{mu-CN( Me) R}(mu-CO)(CO)(X)(Cp)(2)] (X = Br, I, CN). Complexes 2 undergo deprotonation and rearrangement of the coordinated MeCN upon treatment with organolithium reagents. Trimethylacetonitrile, that does not contain acidic a hydrogens has been used in place of MeCN to form the complexes [Fe-2{mu-CN(Me)R}(mu-CO)(CO)(NCCMe3)(Cp)(2)][SO3CF3] (7a-c). Attempts to replace the nitrile ligand in 3 with carbon nucleophiles ( by reaction with RLi) failed, resulting in decomposition products. However the reaction of 7c with LiC= CTol (Tol = C6H4Me), followed by treatment with HSO3CF3, yielded the imino complex [Fe-2{mu-CN(Me) Xyl}(mu-CO)(CO) {N(H) C(C= CC6H4Me-4) CMe3}(Cp)(2)][SO3CF3] (8), obtained via acetilyde addition at the coordinated NCCMe3

Addition of alkynes at bridging vinyliminium ligands in diiron complexes: Unprecedented diene formation by enyne-like metathesis

The zwitterionic bridging vinyliminium complex [Fe(2){mu-eta 1: eta 3-C(Tol)]=C(CS2)C] = N(Me)2}(mu-CO)(CO)( Cp)(2)] (5a) undergoes the addition of two equivalents of MeO(2)C-C C-CO(2)Me affording the bridging bis-alkylidene complex [Fe(2){mu-eta 1: eta 3-C(Me)C{C(CO(2)Me)C(CO(2)Me)CSC(CO(2)Me)C(CO(2)Me)S}CNMe(2)}(mu-CO)( CO)(Cp)(2)] (6). One alkyne unit inserts into a C-CS(2) bond of the bridging ligand, with consequent rearrangement that leads to the formation of a diene. The reaction shows analogies with the enyne metathesis. The second alkyne is incorporated into the bridging frame via cycloaddition at the thiocarboxylate function, affording a 1,3-dithiolene. The complexes [Fe(2){mu-eta(1): eta(3)-C(R')]=C(CS(2))C=N(Me)(R)}(mu-CO)(CO)(Cp)(2)] (R = Xyl, R' = Tol, 5b; R = p-C(6)H(4)OMe, R' = Me, 5c; Xyl = 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3)), treated with MeO(2)C-C C-CO(2)Me and then with HBF(4), undergo the cycloaddition of the alkyne with the dithiocarboxylate group and protonation of the dithiocarboxylate carbon, affording the complexes [Fe(2){mu-eta 1: eta 3-C(R')]=C{C(H)SC(CO(2)Me)C(CO(2)Me)S}C]=N(Me)(R)}(mu-CO)(CO)(Cp)(2)][BF(4)] (R = Xyl, R' = Tol, 7a; R= p-C(6)H(4)OMe, R' = Me, 7b), respectively. The X-ray molecular structure of 6 has been determined

On the foundation of monopoly in bilateral exchange

We address the problem of monopoly in general equilibrium in a mixed version of a monopolistic two-commodity exchange economy where the monopolist, represented as an atom, is endowed with one commodity and “small traders,” represented by an atomless part, are endowed only with the other. First we provide an economic theoretical foundation of the monopoly solution in this bilateral framework through a formalization of an explicit trading process inspired by Pareto (Cours d’économie politique. F. Rouge Editeur, Lausanne, 1896) for an exchange economy with a finite number of commodities, and we give the conditions under which our monopoly solution has the geometric characterization proposed by Schydlowsky and Siamwalla (Q J Econ 80:147–153, 1966). Then, we provide a game theoretical foundation of our monopoly solution through a two-stage reformulation of our model. This allows us to prove that the set of the allocations corresponding to a monopoly equilibrium and the set of the allocations corresponding to a subgame perfect equilibrium of the two-stage game coincide. Finally, we compare our model of monopoly with a bilateral exchange version of a pioneering model proposed by Forchheimer (Jahrbuch für Gesetzgebung, Verwaltung und Volkswirschafts im Deutschen Reich 32:1–12, 1908), known as a model of “partial monopoly” since there a monopolist shares a market with a“competitive fringe.” Journal of Economic Literature Classification Numbers: D42, D51

Effect of metabolic and antioxidant supplementation on sperm parameters in oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia, with and without varicocele: a double-blind placebo-controlled study

Since sperm require high energy levels to perform their specialised function, it is vital that essential nutrients are available for spermatozoa when they develop, capacitate and acquire motility. However, they are vulnerable to a lack of energy and excess amounts of reactive oxygen species, which can impair sperm function, lead to immotility, acrosomal reaction impairment, DNA fragmentation and cell death. This monocentric, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigated the effect of 6 months of supplementation with l-carnitine, acetyl-l-carnitine and other micronutrients on sperm quality in 104 subjects with oligo- and/or astheno- and/or teratozoospermia with or without varicocele. In 94 patients who completed the study, sperm concentration was significantly increased in supplemented patients compared to the placebo (p =.0186). Total sperm count also increased significantly (p =.0117) in the supplemented group as compared to the placebo group. Both, progressive and total motility were higher in supplemented patients (p =.0088 and p =.0120, respectively). Although pregnancy rate was not an endpoint of the study, of the 12 pregnancies that occurred during the follow-up, 10 were reported in the supplementation group. In general, all these changes were more evident in varicocele patients. In conclusion, supplementation with metabolic and antioxidant compounds could be efficacious when included in strategies to improve fertility

Diiron-aminocarbyne complexes with amine or imine ligands: C-N coupling between imine and aminocarbyne ligands promoted by tolylacetilyde addition to [Fe2{m-CN(Me)R}(m-CO)(CO)(NH=CPh2)(Cp)2][SO3CF3]

A terminally coordinated CO ligand in the complexes [Fe2{m-CN(Me)R}(m-CO)(CO)2(Cp)2][SO3CF3] (R = Me, 1a; R = Xyl, 1b; Xyl = 2,6-Me2C6H3), is readily displaced by primary and secondary amines (L), in the presence of Me3NO, affording the complexes [Fe2{m-CN(Me)R}(m-CO)(CO)(L)(Cp)2][SO3CF3] (R = Me, L = NH2Et, 4a; R = Xyl, L = NH2Et, 4b; R = Me, L = NH2Pri, 5a; R = Xyl, L = NH2Pri, 5b; R = Xyl, L = NH2C6H11, 6; R = Xyl, L = NH2Ph, 7; R = Xyl, L = NH3, 8; R = Me, L = NHMe2, 9a; R = Xyl, L = NHMe2, 9b; R = Xyl, L= NH(CH2)5, 10). In the absence of Me3NO, NH2Et gives addition at the CO ligand of 1b, yielding [Fe2{CN(Me)(Xyl)}(m-CO)(CO)C(O)NHEt(Cp)2] (11). Carbonyl replacement is also observed in the reaction of 1a-b with pyridine and benzophenone imine, affording [Fe2{m-CN(Me)R}(m-CO)(CO)(L)(Cp)2][SO3CF3] (R= Me, L= Py, 12a; R = Xyl, L= Py, 12b; R= Me, L= HN=CPh2, 13a; R = Xyl, L= HN=CPh2, 13b). The imino complex 13b reacts with p-tolylacetylide leading to the formation of the m-vinylidene-diaminocarbene compound [Fe2-C=C(Tol)C(Ph)2N(H)CN(Me)(Xyl)(m-CO)(CO)(Cp2)] (15) which has been studied by X-ray diffraction

Chronic bacterial prostatitis: efficacy of short-lasting antibiotic therapy with prulifloxacin (Unidrox®) in association with saw palmetto extract, lactobacillus sporogens and arbutin (Lactorepens®)

Bacterial prostatitis (BP) is a common condition accounting responsible for about 5-10% of all prostatitis cases; chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP) classified as type II, are less common but is a condition that significantly hampers the quality of life, (QoL) because not only is it a physical condition but also a psychological distress. Commonly patients are treated with antibiotics alone, and in particular fluoroquinolones are suggested by the European Urology guidelines. This approach, although recommended, may not be enough. Thus, a multimodal approach to the prolonged antibiotic therapy may be helpful.210 patients affected by chronic bacterial prostatitis were enrolled in the study. All patients were positive to Meares-Stamey test and symptoms duration was > 3 months. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of a long lasting therapy with a fluoroquinolone in association with a nutraceutical supplement (prulifloxacin 600 mg for 21 days and an association of Serenoa repens 320 mg, Lactobacillus Sporogens 200 mg, Arbutin 100 mg for 30 days). Patients were randomized in two groups (A and B) receiving respectively antibiotic alone and an association of antibiotic plus supplement.Biological recurrence at 2 months in Group A was observed in 21 patients (27.6%) and in Group B in 6 patients (7.8%). Uropathogens found at the first follow-up were for the majority Gram - (E. coli and Enterobacter spp.). A statistically significant difference was found at the time of the follow-up between Group A and B in the NIH-CPSI questionnaire score, symptoms evidence and serum PSA.Broad band, short-lasting antibiotic therapy in association with a nutritional supplement (serenoa repens, lactobacillus sporogens and arbutin) show better control and recurrence rate on patients affected by chronic bacterial prostatitits in comparison with antibiotic treatment alone.NCT02130713Date of trial Registration: 30/04/2014