The "more is less" phenomenon in Contingent and Inferred valuation

2011) using the Contingent valuation (CV) as well as the Inferred valuation (IV) method (Lusk and Norwood 2009b). We find that when moving in the context of a familiar market for consumers (i.e., the food market) we only observe weak effects of inconsistencies. In addition, we find that the IV method is no better (and no worse) than the CV method in generating more consistent preference orderings. Surprisingly, we also find that the IV method generates higher valuations than CV, rendering one of its advantages of mitigating social desirability bias questionable.willingness-to-pay (WTP), Contingent Valuation (CV), Inferred Valuation(IV), preference reversals, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, C9, C93, D12, Q51,

Do good things come in small packages? Willingness to pay for pomegranate wine and bottle size effects

We evaluate the claim that bottle size formats signal quality changes, using a controlled laboratory experiment where we simultaneously auctioned two different sweet wines: a pomegranate wine and a grape wine. We varied on a between subjects basis the size of the bottle, from 500ml to 750ml, but kept the wine content of the bottle constant across bottle size formats. We also explored in a within subjects design the effect of expectations for the wines, blind tasting and information on willingness to pay. For the grape wine we find evidence consistent with diminishing marginal utility while for the pomegranate wine we find a premium for the smaller bottle size which is consistent with changes in perceived quality of the wine. We also find that information is adequate in offsetting the negative effect from the tasting treatment

Surgical repair for aortic dissection accompanying a right-sided aortic arch

Aortic anomaly in which a right-sided aortic arch associated with Kommerell's diverticulum and aberrant left subclavian artery is rare. The present report describes a patient with type-B aortic dissection accompanying aortic anomalies consisting of right-sided aortic arch and the left common carotid and left subclavian artery arising from Kommerell's diverticulum. As dissecting aortic aneurysm diameter increased rapidly, Single-stage surgical repair of extensive thoracic aorta was performed through median sternotomy and right posterolateral fifth intercostal thoracotomy, yielding favorable results. Our surgical procedures are discussed

Endovascular Repair of Traumatic Isthmic Ruptures: Special Concerns

Injury of the aortic isthmus is the second most frequent cause of death in cases of blunt traumatic injury. Conventional open repair is related to significant morbidity and mortality. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has increasing role in traumatic isthmic rupture, as it avoids the thoracotomy-related morbidity, aortic cross clamping, and cardiopulmonary bypass. Additionally to the technical difficulties of open repair, multi-trauma patients may not tolerate the manipulations necessary to undergo open surgery, due to concomitant injuries. TEVAR is a procedure easier to perform compared to open surgery, despite that a considerable degree of expertise is necessary. Direct comparison of the two methods is difficult, but TEVAR appears to offer better results than open repair in terms of mortality, incidence of spinal cord ischemia, renal insufficiency, and graft infection. TEVAR is related to a—statistically not significant—trend for higher re-intervention rates during the follow-up period. Current guidelines support TEVAR as a first-line repair method for traumatic isthmic rupture. Certain specific considerations related to TEVAR, such as the timing of the procedure, the type and oversizing of the endograft, heparinization during the procedure, the necessity of cerebrospinal fluid drainage, type of anesthesia, and the necessary follow-up strategy remain to be clarified. TEVAR should be considered advantageous compared to open surgery, but future developments in endovascular materials, along with accumulating long-term clinical data, will eventually improve TEVAR results in traumatic aortic isthmic rupture (TAIR) cases. This publication reviews the role, outcomes, and relevant issues linked to TEVAR in the repair of TAIR. © Copyright © 2017 Patelis, Katsargyris and Klonaris

Insight into pain-inducing and -related gene expression: A challenge for development of novel targeted therapeutic approaches

The multidimensional issue of pain in relation to the need for efficient treatment has been the focus of extensive research. Gaining insight into the molecular mechanisms of pain and identifying specific genes and proteins as possible drug targets is strongly required considering that not all patients can be adequately treated with the currently available drugs. This up-to-date review aimed to summarize the findings of recent proteomic and genomic approaches in different types of pain to comment on their potential role in pain signaling pathways and to evaluate their possible contribution to the development of novel and possibly more targeted pain therapeutic strategies. Although pain treatment strategies have been greatly improved during the past century, no ideal targeted pain treatment has been developed. The development of modern and accurate platforms of technology for the study of genetics and physiology of pain has led to the identification of an increased number of altered genes and proteins that are involved in pain-related pathways. Through genomics and proteomics, pain-related genes and proteins, respectively, may be identified as diagnostic markers or drug targets improving therapeutic strategies. Furthermore, such molecular mediators of pain may reveal novel strategies for individualized pain management. The utilization of unique experimental approaches (through specific animal models) as well as powered genetic association studies conducted on appropriate populations is more than essential. © 2010 The Authors Fundamental and Clinical Pharmacology © 2010 Société Française de Pharmacologie et de Thérapeutique

Endovascular repair of external carotid artery disease

Purpose: To review the literature on the endovascular management of external carotid artery (ECA) disease. Methods: A review was conducted of the English-language medical literature from 1985 to 2011 using PubMed, OVID, and EMBASE databases to find all studies involving endovascular management of ECA stenosis. The search identified 21 reports describing endovascular repair of ECA lesions encompassing 56 patients (35 men; mean age 62.6610.5 years) and 58 arteries. Results: The majority of patients (91.1%) were reported to have ipsilateral ICA occlusion, while 55.6% of patients were symptomatic. In the 56 patients, 33 arteries received stents primarily, while 25 had primary balloon angioplasty; 52 cases involved endovascular repair of ECA stenosis, while 4 patients with a normal ECA had a covered stent deployed to exclude the ICA stump. The technical success rate was 98.3%. During the first 30 days after the procedure, 1 (1.8%) stroke was reported, while 5 (8.9%) transient ischemic attacks were also described. During a follow-up period spanning an average 23.8±18.3 months, none of the patients experienced any clinical cerebrovascular event. Two (3.4%) dilated ECAs developed restenosis, while 1 (1.7%) ECA stent occluded at 6 months. Conclusion: Endovascular repair of ECA appears to have low rates of perioperative stroke or death but a high rate of TIAs. The appropriate type of stent and the use of embolic protection need to be established. In the endovascular era, despite the limited data available, this therapeutic approach could be considered a reasonable alternative to conventional open repair, especially in patients with ipsilateral ICA occlusion and concomitant contralateral carotid stenosis or occlusion, an insufficient circle of Willis, and other significant comorbidities. © 2012 by the International Society of Endovascular Specialists

The "more is less" phenomenon in Contingent and Inferred valuation

2011) using the Contingent valuation (CV) as well as the Inferred valuation (IV) method (Lusk and Norwood 2009b). We find that when moving in the context of a familiar market for consumers (i.e., the food market) we only observe weak effects of inconsistencies. In addition, we find that the IV method is no better (and no worse) than the CV method in generating more consistent preference orderings. Surprisingly, we also find that the IV method generates higher valuations than CV, rendering one of its advantages of mitigating social desirability bias questionable