Regional Growth in Europe: The Role of European and National Policies

We conduct a systematic study of the impact of European Union (EU) regional policies on regional economic growth that controls for national policies and geographic characteristics. Special care is taken in distinguishing between the impact of EU policies and of national policies on economic growth. Our empirical study tries to answer two different questions. First, is there convergence across EU regions, and if so, do regions converge to a common European steady-state or to a national one? Second, how do European and national policies affect regional growth? We find evidence of regional convergence at the national level but not at the European level. In addition we find that trade openness at the national level is associated with regional convergence while European regional policies contribute, though weakly, to regional convergence. Our results suggest that policies that foster market integration – and convergence to a common steady-state - such as the promotion of labour and capital movements across countries and common regulatory policies are as important for European-wide regional convergence as regional structural funds. JEL codes: D30, R11National Policies, European Union Policies, regional growth

Comparing Exchange Market Pressure in West and Southern African Countries

We compare the performance of Cape Verde and Mozambique concerning financial credibility as measured by Exchange Market Pressure, an institutional feature that has often been overlooked in the literature as a relevant institution for economies. Drawing on previous research by Macedo et al. (2009), we expand their analysis and, using several definitions of “financial credibility”, all related to different angles on Exchange Market Pressure indices, we conclude that - against reasonable benchmarks in their respective regions - financial credibility has been very good for Cape Verde and fairly good for Mozambique. JEL codes: C22, E44, F31, F33Exchange Rate Regime, Exchange Market Pressure, EGARCH

The axis IL-10/claudin-10 is implicated in the modulation of aggressiveness of melanoma cells by B-1 lymphocytes

B-1 lymphocytes are known to increase the metastatic potential of B16F10 melanoma cells via the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway. Since IL-10 is associated with B-1 cells performance, we hypothesized that IL-10 could be implicated in the progression of melanoma. In the present work, we found that the C57BL/6 mice, inoculated with B16F10 cells that were co-cultivated with B-1 lymphocytes from IL-10 knockout mice, developed fewer metastatic nodules than the ones which were injected with the melanoma cells that were cultivated in the presence of wild-type B-1 cells. The impairment of metastatic potential of the B16F10 cells was correlated with low activation of the ERK signaling pathway, supporting the idea that the production of IL-10 by B-1 cells influences the behavior of the tumor. A microarray analysis of the B-1 lymphocytes revealed that IL-10 deficiency is associated with down-regulation of the genes that code for claudin-10, a protein that is involved in cell-to-cell contact and that has been linked to lung adenocarcinoma. In order to determine the impact of claudin-10 in the cross-talk between B-1 lymphocytes and the B16F10 tumor cells, we took advantage of small interfering RNA. The silencing of claudin-10 gene in B-1 lymphocytes inhibited activation of the ERK pathway and abrogated the B-1-induced aggressive behavior of the B16F10 cells. Thus, our findings suggest that the axis IL-10/claudin-10 is a promising target for the development of therapeutic agents against aggressive melanoma.Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq)Univ Paulista, Environm & Expt Pathol Program, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo Escola Paulista Med UNIFESP EPM, Dept Microbiol Immunol & Parasitol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Pharmaceut Sci, Campus Diadema, Diadema, SP, BrazilCtr Univ Sao Camilo, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo Escola Paulista Med UNIFESP EPM, Nephrol Div, Dept Med, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo Escola Paulista Med UNIFESP EPM, Dept Microbiol Immunol & Parasitol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Pharmaceut Sci, Campus Diadema, Diadema, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo Escola Paulista Med UNIFESP EPM, Nephrol Div, Dept Med, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilFAPESP: 11/50256-6FAPESP: 08/50632-5FAPESP: 2016/02189-1CNPq: 472035/2011-8CNPq: 308374/2016-9Web of Scienc

Use of direct oral anticoagulants for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension

OBJECTIVES: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension is one of the most prevalent forms of pulmonary hypertension and is a major complication of acute pulmonary embolism. One mainstay of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension treatment is lifelong anticoagulation. The recent advent of direct oral anticoagulants for acute pulmonary embolism treatment has provided a viable and effective alternative for treating this condition. However, little is known about the efficacy of this new class of drugs for treating chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of direct oral anticoagulants in the treatment of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. METHODS: A cohort of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension patients who initiated treatment with direct oral anticoagulants between June 2015 and November 2016 were enrolled in this study. RESULTS: Sixteen patients used rivaroxaban, three used dabigatran and one used apixaban for a mean follow-up of 20.9 months. The mean age was 51 years, and eighteen patients were classified as functional class II/III. Eight patients underwent a pulmonary endarterectomy and exhibited clinical, hemodynamic and functional improvement and currently continue to use direct oral anticoagulants. No episode of venous thromboembolism recurrence was identified during the follow-up period, but there was one episode of major bleeding after a traumatic fall. CONCLUSIONS: Although direct oral anticoagulants appear to be a safe and effective alternative for treating chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, larger studies are needed to support their routine use

AS CONSTRUÇÕES DAS ABORDAGENS CONCEITUAIS DE CIDADES SUSTENTÁVEIS E INTELIGENTES PARA SUPERAR OS DESAFIOS DOS OBJETIVOS DO DESENVOLVIMENTO SUSTENTÁVEL

The recent arrangements of cities have drawn the attention of actors, who work in the triple helix, to meet the collective challenges centered on urban environments. The term sustainable and smart cities proposes two axes of studies: conceptual approaches; and the practical scope of decision-making processes of public managers. The term is also directly related to the challenges of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially those related to sustainable cities and communities. From this perspective, this study aims to analyze the conceptual approaches of the terms sustainable cities, smart cities and sustainable and smart cities, in light of the challenges of the SDGs. This is a research, based on a systematic bibliographical review, found by an exploratory order and whose treatment was qualitative in nature. The results showed that conceptual approaches to sustainable cities do not necessarily translate into smart cities. Also, smart cities should not automatically be considered sustainable cities. Thus, the most appropriate term would be sustainable and smart cities. Based on this reflection, it is suggested to interested parties the design of more effective public policies aimed at collective challenges centered on more sustainable urban environments and with intelligent technological contributions.  Os recentes arranjos de cidades têm chamado a atenção dos atores, que atuam no tríplice hélice, para o atendimento dos desafios coletivos centrados nos ambientes urbanos. O termo cidades sustentáveis e inteligentes propõe dois eixos de estudos: as abordagens conceituais; e as abrangências práticas sobre os processos decisórios dos gestores públicos. O termo também guarda relação direta com os desafios dos Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (ODS), especialmente, aqueles em relação às cidades e comunidades sustentáveis. Sob esta perspectiva, este estudo objetiva analisar as abordagens conceituais dos termos cidades sustentáveis, cidades inteligentes e cidades sustentáveis e inteligentes, à luz dos desafios dos ODS. Trata-se de uma pesquisa, baseada em revisão bibliográfica sistemática, de ordem exploratória, cujo tratamento teve natureza qualitativa. Os resultados apontaram que as abordagens conceituais de cidades sustentáveis não se traduzem, necessariamente, em cidades inteligentes. Igualmente, as cidades inteligentes não devem ser consideradas, de forma automática, como cidades sustentáveis. Assim, o termo mais apropriado seria cidades sustentáveis e inteligentes. A partir desta reflexão, sugere-se às partes interessadas, o desenho de políticas públicas mais eficazes voltadas aos desafios coletivos centrados nos ambientes urbanos mais sustentáveis e com os aportes tecnológicos inteligentes. &nbsp

Peginterferon still has a place in the treatment of hepatitis C caused by genotype 3 virus

Despite recent advances in therapy for chronic hepatitis C (CHC), the disease caused by genotype 3 virus (GEN3) is still considered a treatment challenge in certain patient subgroups. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the peginterferon (Peg-IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) combination treatment for GEN3/CHC patients, and to evaluate sustained virological response (SVR) indicators and early treatment interruption due to serious adverse events (SAE). This was a retrospective observational study of GEN3/CHC patients, co-infected or not by HIV and treated with Peg-IFN/RBV in nine Brazilian healthcare centers. The study sample included 184 GEN3/CHC patients70 (38%) were co-infected with HIV. The overall SVR rate was 57.1% (95% CI 50-64). Among co-infected and mono-infected patients, the SVR rate was 51.4% (36/70) and 60.5% (69/114), respectively (p=0.241). Thirty-four (18.5%) patients experienced SAE and interrupted treatment. SVR was negatively associated with the use of Peg-IFN alpha 2b (PR 0.7595% CI 0.58-0.99p=0.045) and to early treatment interruption due to SAE (PR 0.3695% CI 0.20-0.68p=0.001). Early treatment interruption due to SAE was associated with age (PR 1.0695% CI 1.02-1.10p<0.001) and occurrence of liver cirrhosis (PR 2.0695% CI 1.11-3.83p=0.022). In conclusion, Peg-IFN/RBV might represent an adequate treatment option, mainly in young patients without advanced liver disease or when the use of direct-action drugs is limited to specific patient groups.Univ Sul Santa Catarina, Fac Med, Dept Ciencias Biol & Saude & Ciencias Sociais Apl, Disciplina Doencas Infecciosas, Av Pedra Branca 25, BR-88137270 Palhoca, SC, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Disciplina Infectol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Fac Med, Div Gastroenterol & Hepatol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Estado Rio de Janeiro, Dept Clin Med, Disciplina Gastroenterol, Rio De Janeiro, RJ, BrazilUniv Fed Espirito Santo, Serv Infectol, Vitoria, ES, SpainUniv Sao Paulo, Fac Med Ribeirao Preto, Div Gastroenterol, Ribeirao Preto, SP, BrazilInst Infectol Emilio Ribas, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Fac Med, Dept Doencas Infecciosas & Parasitarias, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilSecretaria Estadual Saude, Unidade Mista Saude, Unimista 508 509, Brasilia, DF, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo, Lab Virol, LIM 52, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Disciplina Infectol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc

A multicenter multinational study of abdominal candidiasis: epidemiology, outcomes and predictors of mortality

Abstract Purpose: Clinical data on patients with intra-abdominal candidiasis (IAC) is still scarce. Methods: We collected data from 13 hospitals in Italy, Spain, Brazil, and Greece over a 3-year period (2011\u20132013) including patients from ICU, medical, and surgical wards. Results: A total of 481 patients were included in the study. Of these, 27 % were hospitalized in ICU. Mean age was 63 years and 57 % of patients were male. IAC mainly consisted of secondary peritonitis (41 %) and abdominal abscesses (30 %); 68 (14 %) cases were also candidemic and 331 (69 %) hadconcomitant bacterial infections. The most commonly isolated Candida species were C. albicans (n = 308 isolates, 64 %) and C. glabrata (n = 76, 16 %). Antifungal treatment included echinocandins (64 %), azoles (32 %), and amphotericin B (4 %). Septic shock was documented in 40.5 % of patients. Overall 30-day hospital mortality was 27 % with 38.9 % mortality in ICU. Multivariate logistic regression showed that age (OR 1.05, 95 % CI 1.03\u20131.07, P\0.001), increments in 1-point APACHE II scores (OR 1.05, 95 % CI 1.01\u20131.08, P = 0.028), secondary peritonitis (OR 1.72, 95 % CI 1.02\u20132.89, P = 0.019), septic shock (OR 3.29, 95 % CI 1.88\u20135.86, P\0.001), and absence of adequate abdominal source control (OR 3.35, 95 % CI 2.01\u20135.63, P\0.001) wereassociated with mortality. In patients with septic shock, absence of source control correlated with mortality rates above 60 % irrespective of administration of an adequate antifungal therapy. Conclusions: Low percentages of concomitant candidemia and high mortality rates are documented in IAC. In patients presenting with septic shock, source control is fundamental