On Labour Shares in Recent Decades: A Survey

We survey the rich literature studying the behaviour of labor shares in recent decades. To explain their dynamics – the main feature being the decline of European and American shares starting in the 1980s – such literature considers models that use either neoclassical or Leontief-type production functions, with both perfectly competitive markets and monopolistic competition coupled by bargaining between firms and workers. These empirical studies in general have produced results that are scarcely robust. However, they suggest that technical change has a negative and significant impact on the labor share. Evidence for a negative effect of globalization variables is clearly brought out for developing countries, whilst for advanced countries, this effect finds less support. Also, they show that product and labor market regulation issues have mixed effects on the labor share. An alternative to the econometric explanation of labor share is given in the final section.Factor Shares, Functional Income Distribution

Years of life that could be saved from prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) causes premature death and loss of life expectancy worldwide. Its primary and secondary prevention can result in a significant number of years of life saved. AIM: To assess how many years of life are lost after HCC diagnosis. METHODS: Data from 5346 patients with first HCC diagnosis were used to estimate lifespan and number of years of life lost after tumour onset, using a semi-parametric extrapolation having as reference an age-, sex- and year-of-onset-matched population derived from national life tables. RESULTS: Between 1986 and 2014, HCC lead to an average of 11.5 years-of-life lost for each patient. The youngest age-quartile group (18-61 years) had the highest number of years-of-life lost, representing approximately 41% of the overall benefit obtainable from prevention. Advancements in HCC management have progressively reduced the number of years-of-life lost from 12.6 years in 1986-1999, to 10.7 in 2000-2006 and 7.4 years in 2007-2014. Currently, an HCC diagnosis when a single tumour <2 cm results in 3.7 years-of-life lost while the diagnosis when a single tumour 65 2 cm or 2/3 nodules still within the Milan criteria, results in 5.0 years-of-life lost, representing the loss of only approximately 5.5% and 7.2%, respectively, of the entire lifespan from birth. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatocellular carcinoma occurrence results in the loss of a considerable number of years-of-life, especially for younger patients. In recent years, the increased possibility of effectively treating this tumour has improved life expectancy, thus reducing years-of-life lost

A Firm-Level Analysis of the Italian Labor Share

The present paper analyzes the medium- and the short-run dynamics of the labor share in Italy adopting an unusual approach to the problem. We do notstudy the aggregate level, but analyze instead the labor shares of firms. The aim is to identify determinants of the labor shares and investigate the effects of the elasticity of substitution between labor and capital, the effects of technical progress and globalization

Successful jugular implantable defibrillator lead extraction with bidirectional rotational mechanical sheath

Bidirectional rotational mechanical sheath is an effective and safe technique for transvenous lead extraction of chronically implanted leads. However, data about powered mechanical sheath through jugular vein are lacking. Our report demonstrated that bidirectional rotational mechanical sheath represents an effective and safe approach for removal of chronically implanted jugular leads

Successful jugular implantable defibrillator lead extraction with bidirectional rotational mechanical sheath

Bidirectional rotational mechanical sheath is an effective and safe technique for transvenous lead extraction of chronically implanted leads. However, data about powered mechanical sheath through jugular vein are lacking. Our report demonstrated that bidirectional rotational mechanical sheath represents an effective and safe approach for removal of chronically implanted jugular leads

Subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator after transvenous lead extraction: safety, efficacy and outcome

Subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (S-ICD) is a suitable alternative for transvenous ICD (TV-ICD) patients who have undergone transvenous lead extraction (TLE). Limited data are available on the outcome of S-ICD patients implanted after TLE. We assessed the safety, efficacy, and outcome of S-ICD implantation after TLE of TV-ICD

Outcomes of transvenous lead extraction in octogenarians using bidirectional rotational mechanical sheaths

Background: Outcomes of transvenous lead extraction (TLE) are well reported in the general population, However, data on safety, efficacy of TLE in octogenarians with a long lead dwell time, using powered extraction tools are limited.The aim of this multicenter study was to evaluate the safety, effectiveness of TLE in octogenarians using the bidirectional rotational mechanical sheaths and mid-term outcome after TLE. Methods: The study population comprised 83 patients [78% male; mean age 85±3 years; (range 80-94 years)] with 181 target leads.All the leads (mean implant duration 112±77 months [range 12-377) were extracted exclusively using the Evolution RL sheaths (Cook Medical,Bloomington,IN,USA). Results: the main indication for TLE was infection in 84.3% of cases. Complete procedural success rate, clinical success rate, per lead were 93.9% and 98.3% respectively. Failure of lead extraction was seen in 1.7% of leads.The additional use of a snare was required in 8.4% of patients. Major complications occurred in one patient (1.2%). Thirty-day mortality after TLE was 6%. During a mean time follow-up of 22±21 months, 24 patients (29%) died. No procedure-related mortality occurred. Predictors of mortality included ischemic cardiomyopathy (HR 4.35;95%CI 1.87-10.13;P = 0.001), LVEF ≤35% (HR 7.89;95%CI 3.20-19.48;P<0.001), and TLE for systemic infection (HR 4.24;95%CI 1.69-10.66;P = 0.002). Conclusions: At experienced centers bidirectional rotational mechanical sheaths combined with different mechanical tools and femoral approach allows reasonable success and safety in octogenarian with long lead dwell time Patient's age should not influence the decision to extract or not the leads, although the 30-day and mid-term mortality are significant, especially in the present of specific comorbidities. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Metabolic disorders across hepatocellular carcinoma in Italy

Background: Metabolic disorders are well-known risk factors for HCC. Conversely, their impact on the natural history of HCC is not established. This study aimed at evaluating the impact of metabolic disorders on clinical features, treatment and survival of HCC patients regardless of its aetiology. Methods: We analysed the ITA.LI.CA database regarding 839 HCC patients prospectively collected. The following metabolic features were analysed: BMI, diabetes, arterial hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia and hypertriglyceridaemia. According to these features, patients were divided into 3 groups: 0-1, 2 and 3-5 metabolic features. Results: As compared with patients with 0-1 metabolic features, patients with 3-5 features showed lower percentage of HCC diagnosis on surveillance (P\ua0=.021), larger tumours (P\ua0=.038), better liver function (higher percentage of Child-Pugh class A [P\ua0=.007] and MELD\ua0<\ua010 [P\ua0=.003]), higher percentage of metastasis (P\ua0=.024) and lower percentage of portal vein thrombosis (P\ua0=.010). The BCLC stage and treatment options were similar among the 3 groups, with the exception of a less frequent access to loco-regional therapies for BCLC stage B patients with 3-5 features (P\ua0=.012). Overall survival and survival according to BCLC stage and/or treatment did not significantly differ among the 3 groups. Only using a probabilistic sensitivity analysis, diabetic patients showed a lower survival (P\ua0=.046). MELD score, HCC morphology, nodule size, BCLC stage, portal vein thrombosis and metastasis were independent predictors of lead-time adjusted survival. Conclusions: Our \u201creal world\u201d study suggests that metabolic disorders shape the clinical presentation of HCC but do not seem to play a major role in setting patient survival