Understanding time-inconsistent heterogeneous preferences in economics and finance:A practice theory approach

This paper introduces an innovative framework for decision making by individuals with inconsistent preferences. Practices, associations of individuals with a preference set shared by its members, provide context and unify preferences across an economy so that decision-makers are situated in social and economic structures. Our framework models the time evolution of certain attributes, emerging from the practice framework, that govern individuals’ decisions and their intertemporal variation. A novel feature is that preferences are able to rank other preference sets without the need to aggregate them. Instead, the selection of a preference set is treated as a decision in its own right. Our framework explains decision making paradoxes such as the disposition effect and agency cost considerations that are frequently encountered in the behavioural finance and economics literature

Proton Pump Inhibitors Exert Anti-Allergic Effects by Reducing TCTP Secretion

BACKGROUND:Extracellular translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) is known to play a role in human allergic responses. TCTP has been identified outside of macrophages, in activated mononuclear cells, and in biological fluids from allergic patients. Even TCTP devoid of signal sequences, is secreted to extracellular environment by an yet undefined mechanism. This study is aimed at understanding the mechanism of TCTP release and its regulation. A secondary goal is to see if inhibitors of TCTP release can serve as potential anti-allergic asthmatic drugs. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:Using Western blotting assay in HEK293 and U937 cells, we found that TCTP secretion is reduced by omeprazole and pantoprazole, both of which are proton pump inhibitors. We then transfected HEK293 cells with proton pump expression vectors to search for the effects of exogeneously overexpressed H(+)/K(+)-ATPase on the TCTP secretion. Based on these in vitro data we checked the in vivo effects of pantoprazole in a murine model of ovalbumin-induced allergy. Omeprazole and pantoprazole reduced TCTP secretion from HEK293 and U937 cells in a concentration-dependent fashion and the secretion of TCTP from HEK293 cells increased when they over-expressed H(+)/K(+)-ATPase. In a murine model of ovalbumin-induced allergy, pretreatment with pantoprazole reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells, increased goblet cells, and increased TCTP secretion induced by OVA challenge. CONCLUSION:Since Omeprazole and pantoprazole decrease the secretion of TCTP which is associated with the development of allergic reaction, they may have the potential to serve as anti-allergic (asthmatic) drugs

Single-Stage Repair of Interrupted Aortic Arch With Aortopulmonary Window and Bovine-Type Aortic Arch Complicated by Left Subclavian Artery Origin Stenosis—A Case Report

An aortopulmonary window is known to be associated in 5% of interrupted aortic arch cases. The combination of these lesions with a bovine-type aortic arch is much more uncommon. We report its embryological explanation and successful single-stage surgical repair in a three-month-old infant. </jats:p

Cancer, depression, and health care coverage in the state of Nevada: A retrospective cross-sectional study.

42 Background: The prevalence of depressive disorders in patients with malignancies is estimated at 20-50%, significantly greater than the general population. Existing literature reports a negative impact of depression on both the patient and their families. There is limited information regarding the impact of healthcare coverage on the prevalence of depression in such patients both in the state of Nevada and nationwide. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed using the Behavioral Risk Surveillance System (BRFSS) database from 2010 to 2014. All adult subjects with a history of malignancy were included. Demographic factors and health care coverage were reviewed. Individuals with skin cancer as well as those with missing data were excluded. Patients were assigned to two groups based on their insurance coverage status. Study population was further stratified into Nevada and non-Nevada residents and analyzed. Association between depression and health care coverage across the study groups were assessed using Pearson chi-square test and regression models. Results: 183,530 subjects nationwide met our inclusion criteria. The Nevada population represented 1% (1676) of the total study sample. In Nevada, the prevalence of cancer patients without healthcare coverage was 7.5% (N = 126) compared to individuals with coverage 92% (N = 1550). This is significantly higher when compared to the national average of 4.9 % without coverage (p = 0.001). Overall, the rate of depression in cancer patients with no healthcare coverage nationally was notably higher compared to those with coverage (37.5% vs 22.7%, p = 0.001). Similarly, statistically higher rates of depression were noted in non-insured Nevada patients compared to those insured [49 (38.8%) vs. 357 (23%), p 0.001)]. Conclusions: This study demonstrates significant association between depression and lack of insurance coverage; both nationwide as well as in the state of Nevada. The proportion of uninsured Nevada residents with malignancies were higher compared to the national average. Improved and early screening for depression is crucial in mitigating the potential complications and morbidity associated with depression in patients with cancer. </jats:p