Energy and the State of Nations

The mathematical conditions for the existence of macroeconomic production functions that are state functions of the economic system are pointed out. The output elasticities and the elasticities of substitution of energy-dependent Cobb-Douglas, CES and LinEx production functions are calculated. The output elasticities, which measure the productive powers of production factors and whose numerical values have been obtained for Germany, Japan, and the USA, are for energy much larger and for labor much smaller than the cost shares of these factors. Energy and its conversion into physical work accounts for most of the growth that mainstream economics attributes to “technological progress” and related concepts. It decisively determines the economic state of nations. Consequences for automation and globalization and perspectives on growth are discussed.energy; economic growth; macroeconomic production functions; output elasticities

Soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 in lung cancer

Soluble Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells 1 (sTREM-1) can be found in the sera of patients with infectious, autoimmune and malignant diseases. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the prognostic significance of sTREM-1 in lung cancer patients. We analyzed the sera of 164 patients with lung cancer of all histologies and all stages at the time of diagnosis. We employed an ELISA using the anti-TREM-1 clone 6B1.1G12 mAb and recombinant human TREM-1. Patient data was collected retrospectively by chart review. In ROC-analysis, a sTREM-1 serum level of 163.1  pg/ml showed the highest Youden-Index. At this cut-off value sTREM-1 was a marker of short survival in patients with NSCLC (median survival 8.5 vs. 13.3 months, p = 0.04). A Cox regression model showed stage (p < 0.001) and sTREM-1 (p = 0.011) to indicate short survival. There were no differences in sTREM-1 serum values among patients with or without infection, pleural effusion or COPD. sTREM-1 was not associated with metastasis at the time of diagnosis and was not a predictor of subsequent metastasis. In SCLC patients sTREM-1 levels were lower than in NSCLC patients (p = 0.001) and did not predict survival. sTREM-1 did not correlate with CRP or the number of neutrophils. In non-small cell lung cancer patients, sTREM-1 in serum has prognostic significance

Thoracic Malignancies and Pulmonary Nodules in Patients under Evaluation for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI): Incidence, Follow Up and Possible Impact on Treatment Decision.

BACKGROUND:Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has become the treatment of choice in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis who are not eligible for operative replacement and an alternative for those with high surgical risk. Due to high age and smoking history in a high proportion of TAVI patients, suspicious findings are frequently observed in pre-procedural chest computer tomography (CCT). METHODS:CCT scans of 484 consecutive patients undergoing TAVI were evaluated for incidentally discovered solitary pulmonary nodules (SPN). RESULTS:In the entire study population, SPN ≥ 5 mm were found in 87 patients (18%). These patients were compared to 150 patients who were incidentally collected from the 397 patients without SPN or with SPN < 5 mm (control group). After a median follow-up of 455 days, lung cancer was diagnosed in only two patients. Neither SPN ≥ 5 mm (p = 0.579) nor SPN > 8 mm (p = 0.328) were significant predictors of overall survival. CONCLUSIONS:Despite the high prevalence of SPNs in this single center TAVI cohort lung cancer incidence at midterm follow-up seems to be low. Thus, aggressive diagnostic approaches for incidentally discovered SPN during TAVI evaluation should not delay the treatment of aortic stenosis. Unless advanced thoracic malignancy is obvious, the well documented reduction of morbidity and mortality by TAVI outweighs potentially harmful delays regarding further diagnostics. Standard guideline-approved procedure for SPN can be safely performed after TAVI

Prognostic analysis for suspicious radiologic findings (<i>i</i>.<i>e</i>. SPN, LAP and PE) in patients under TAVI evaluation with complete follow-up data (n = 237 patients).

<p>Prognostic analysis for suspicious radiologic findings (<i>i</i>.<i>e</i>. SPN, LAP and PE) in patients under TAVI evaluation with complete follow-up data (n = 237 patients).</p

Baseline characteristics of patients under TAVI evaluation with complete follow-up data (n = 237 patients).

<p>Baseline characteristics of patients under TAVI evaluation with complete follow-up data (n = 237 patients).</p

Diagnostic strategies for incidentally discovered solitary pulmonary nodules (adapted from: Gould et al. 2013).

<p>Diagnostic strategies for incidentally discovered solitary pulmonary nodules (adapted from: Gould et al. 2013).</p

Prognostic impact of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in the full study collective (p = 0.004).

<p>Overall survival of those patients with a LVEF ≥ 45% was increased compared to those patients with a LVEF < 45%.</p

The incidence of incidentally discovered SPN (cases on chest computer tomographies) and the number of diagnosed lung cancer cases.

<p>The incidence of incidentally discovered SPN (cases on chest computer tomographies) and the number of diagnosed lung cancer cases.</p

Prognostic impact of solitary pulmonary nodules (SPN), lymphadenopathy (LAP) and pleural effusions (PE) in patients under evaluation for TAVI (n = 237 patients).

<p>Kaplan Meier charts are given for SPN ≥ 5mm (<b>A</b>), for SPN > 8mm (<b>B</b>), for LAP (<b>C</b>) and for PE (<b>D</b>).</p

Correlations of clinical and respiratory parameters with suspicious radiologic findings (<i>i</i>.<i>e</i>. SPN, LAP and PE) for patients under TAVI evaluation with complete follow-up data (n = 237 patients).

<p>Correlations of clinical and respiratory parameters with suspicious radiologic findings (<i>i</i>.<i>e</i>. SPN, LAP and PE) for patients under TAVI evaluation with complete follow-up data (n = 237 patients).</p