The time-varying nature of the overreaction effect: evidence from the UK

Previous studies on the overreaction effect in the UK show that prior losers consistently outperform prior winners in the period 1975 to 1990. This paper extends current knowledge by assessing the above phenomenon in the UK market for the period 1987 to 2007. In contrast to earlier research, we produce evidence of a weak presence of the overreaction effect for the latest test period. Further, we show that, after adjusting for size, the overreaction effect almost disappears and any additional excess post-formation return to prior-losers is attributable to market cycles. This study implies that the presence of the overreaction effect in the UK stock market is time-varying and difficult to exploit in practice

Victimisation and life satisfaction of gay and bisexual individuals in 44 European countries: the moderating role of country-level and person-level attitudes towards homosexuality

We examined the link between victimisation and life satisfaction for 85,301 gay and bisexual individuals across 44 European countries. We expected this negative link to be stronger when the internalised homonegativity of the victim was high (e.g. because the victim is more vulnerable) and weaker when victimisation occurs in countries that express intolerance towards homosexuality (e.g. because in such contexts victims expect victimisation more and they attribute it to their external environment). Additionally, we expected internalised homonegativity to relate negatively to life satisfaction. Multilevel analyses revealed that victimisation (i.e. verbal insults, threats of violence, minor or major physical assaults) and internalised homonegativity were negatively related to life satisfaction. Furthermore, as we expected, the negative link between victimisation and life satisfaction was stronger when high internalised homonegativity was reported (and the interaction effect occurred for verbal insults and major assaults as outcome variables), while it was weaker when there was low national tolerance of homosexuality (and the interaction effect occurred for verbal insults and for minor assaults). Future research and social policy should consider how the consequences of victimisation are dependent on personal as well as national attitudes towards homosexuality

A study on the morphology of the popliteus muscle and arcuate popliteal ligament

The aim of this study was to investigate the origins and morphological features of the popliteus muscle in cadavers. In a sample of 40 lower limbs taken from cadavers the exact morphological features of the popliteus muscle were examined. In 100% of the cases studied we noticed, apart from the known femoral origin from the lateral femoral epicondyle, a fibular origin from the styloid process of the head of the fibula directed obliquely and blending with the main femoral origin, forming the arms of a Y-shaped structure. In all the cases a capsular origin was presented, while in 91.67% an origin lateral to it from the superior border of the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus was found. The capsular and meniscal origins formed the base of the Y-shaped structure that corresponded to the known arcuate ligament. We consider that the additional origins of the popliteus muscle form the arcuate ligament, which is not a distinct anatomical structure as it is described in traditional anatomical textbooks. In addition, we have analysed the exact morphological features of the capsular, fibular and meniscal origins of the popliteal muscle

Mechanisms to explain the poor results of carotid artery stenting (CAS) in symptomatic patients to date and options to improve CAS outcomes

BackgroundCarotid artery stenting (CAS) is considered by many as an alternative to carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for the management of carotid artery stenosis. However, recent trials demonstrated inferior results for CAS in symptomatic patients compared with CEA. We reviewed the literature to evaluate the appropriateness of CAS for symptomatic carotid artery stenosis and to determine the pathogenetic mechanism(s) associated with stroke following the treatment of such lesions. Based on this, we propose steps to improve the results of CAS for the treatment of symptomatic carotid stenosis.MethodsPubMed/Medline was searched up to March 25, 2010 for studies investigating the efficacy of CAS for the management of symptomatic carotid stenosis. Search terms used were “carotid artery stenting,” “symptomatic carotid artery stenosis,” “carotid endarterectomy,” “stroke,” “recurrent carotid stenosis,” and “long-term results” in various combinations.ResultsCurrent data suggest that CAS is not equivalent to CEA for the treatment of symptomatic carotid stenosis. Differences in carotid plaque morphology and a higher incidence of microemboli and cerebrovascular events during and after CAS compared with CEA may account for these inferior results.ConclusionsCurrently, most symptomatic patients are inappropriate candidates for CAS. Improved CAS technology referable to stent design and embolic protection strategies may alter this conclusion in the future

High origin of a superficial ulnar artery arising from the axillary artery: anatomy, embryology, cinical significance and a review of the literature

The superficial ulnar artery (SUA) is an ulnar artery of high origin that lies superficially in the forearm. Its reported frequency ranges from 0.17% to 2%. During anatomical dissection in our department we observed a unilateral case of SUA in a 75-year-old white male human cadaver. It originated from the right axillary artery at the level of the junction of the two median nerve roots and followed a looping course, crossing over the lateral root of the median nerve and running lateral to it in the upper and middle thirds of the arm, whereas in the inferior third of the arm the SUA crossed over the median nerve and ran medially to it. In the cubital fossa, it passed superficially over the medial side of the ulnar aponeurosis and coursed subcutaneously in the ulnar side of the forearm superficially to the forearm flexor muscles. In the hand the SUA anastomosed with the superficial palmar branch of the radial artery, creating the superficial palmar arch. Additionally, it participated in the development of the deep palmar arch. The axillary artery, after the origin of the SUA, continued as the brachial artery and divided into the radial and common interosseous arteries in the cubital fossa. The normal ulnar artery was absent. No muscular or other arterial variations were observed in this cadaver. The embryological interpretation of this variation is difficult and it may arise as a result of modifications to the normal pattern of capillary vessel maintenance and regression. The existence of a SUA is undoubtedly of interest to the clinician as well as to the anatomist. This report presents a case of unilateral SUA along with a review of the literature, embryological explanation and analysis of its clinical significance

Evidence of lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve entrapment during autopsy

Compression of the lateral cutaneous nerve of the forearm is a rare clinical entrapment syndrome. This report describes the compression of the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve at the level of the lateral margin of the biceps brachii tendon identified during autopsy. This is the first cadaveric case reported in the literature. The anatomy, the possible areas of entrapment, the most frequent diagnostic problems and the main therapeutic options for this rare occurrence are also discussed

Bilateral double testicular arteries: a case report and review of the literature. Potential embryological and surgical considerations

The aberrancies concerning the number, origin and course of the testicular arteries are found in an incidence of approximately 4.7–20% in the literature and are documented less frequently than the respective variations of the homonymous veins. In the current study, a very rare complex of testicular arteries’ variations isdescribed, in which the occurrence of bilateral double testicular arteries is recorded. Particularly, apart from the normal testicular arteries on each side, we observed an additional right testicular artery originated from the ipsilateral renal artery and an additional left testicular artery taking its origin from the abdominal aorta just above the renal artery’s origin site; the latter additional testicular artery arched above the left renal vein. Both, the bilateral double testicular arteries accompanied the testicular vein on each side as their satellite arteries. We discuss the potential embryological development of that complex of arterial variants, their likely clinical and surgical applications, as well as we proceed on a brief review of the relevant literature

Cadaveric-biomechanical study on medial retinaculum: its stabilising role for the patella against lateral dislocation

Background: The aim of this study was to analyse the biomechanical role of medial retinaculum, as a stabilising factor against lateral patellar dislocation. Materials and methods: This cadaveric-biomechanical study included the patellae of 10 cadaveric knees, which were surgically exposed and the medial retinaculum of each one was located. A stable 24.51 N force was applied to the four parts of the quadriceps, and an increasing lateral displacing force was applied to the patella, up to 5 mm dislocation. The study was repeated for 0o, 45o, and 90o of knee flexion, with the medial retinaculum intact and dissected. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for data analysis. A p value < 0.05 was considered as statistical significant. Results: After the dissection of medial retinaculum, the lateral displacement force was lower at every angle of knee flexion (p = 0.005, p = 0.007, p = 0.005, respectively). The lateral displacement force increased as the flexion angle increased (p = 0.005), regardless of medial retinaculum integrity. Conclusions: Medial retinaculum acts as a stabilising factor for the patella, against its lateral dislocation in lower flexion angles. Therefore, methods of surgical reinforcement or repair of medial retinaculum could provide protection againstrecurrent patellar dislocation

Increased Fluorodeoxyglucose Uptake Following Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair: A Predictor of Endoleak?

The main criterion for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair is an AAA diameter ≥5.5 cm. However, some AAAs rupture when they are smaller. Size alone may therefore not be a sufficient criterion to determine rupture risk. Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake is increased in the presence of inflammation and it was suggested that this may be a better predictor of rupture risk than AAA size. Furthermore, increased FDG uptake following endovascular AAA repair may be an indirect predictor of continuous AAA sac enlargement due to the presence of an endoleak (even if this is not detected by imaging modalities) and/or increased AAA rupture risk. The role of FDG uptake needs to be explored further in the management of AAAs