Topographical analysis of the hierarchical system of Burgundy appellations of origin.

6 pagesInternational audienc

Efficacy of anti-TNF alpha in severe and refractory major vessel involvement of Behcet's disease: A multicenter observational study of 18 patients

International audienceObjectiveTo describe the outcome and tolerance in patients treated with anti-TNFα in severe and refractory major vessel disease in Behçet's disease (BD).MethodsA multicenter study evaluating 18 refractory BD patients with major vessel involvement [pulmonary artery (n = 4), aorta (n = 4) or peripheral artery aneurysm (n = 1) and/or pulmonary artery (n = 7), inferior vena cava (n = 5), or intra-cardiac (n = 3) thrombosis or Budd Chiari Syndrome (n = 2)] treated with anti-TNFα agents.ResultsVascular remission was achieved in 16 (89%) patients. The 9 months risk of relapse was significantly higher with conventional immunosuppressants used prior anti-TNFα agents as compared to anti-TNFα therapy [OR = 8.7 (1.42–62.6), p = 0.03]. The median daily dose of corticosteroids significantly decreased at 12 months. Side effects included infection (n = 4) and pulmonary edema (n = 1).ConclusionTNFα-antagonists are safe and might be associated with a decreased risk of relapse at 9 months compared to conventional immunosuppressants in BD patients with major vessels disease

Ownership, Investment Policies and Funding Choices of Italian Water Utilities: An Empirical Analysis

Nowadays, the efficient management of water has become the focus of vast debate, both in the academic literature and in the practical and regulatory field. Due to the growing importance and scarcity of water resources, it has become crucial to better understand how to improve the organizational efficiency of water utilities. By adopting an accounting perspective and using statistical methods, this paper analyzes whether and to what extent investment and financial strategies differ among clusters of water utilities with different ownership structures. The paper focuses on the Italian water industry, a context considered particularly appropriate due to the coexistence of utilities with different ownership structures. The main results of the paper show that ownership affects the level of investment as well as the financial structure and costs of water utilities. The evidence provided by this study should encourage national governments and regulatory authorities to select water utilities with the greatest investment potential measured in terms of financial efficiency and effectiveness