Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension compared with bupivacaine HCl for the reduction of opioid burden in the postsurgical setting

Abstract Objective: Assess comparative efficacy of liposome bupivacaine administered at doses ≤266 mg and bupivacaine HCl administered at doses ≤200 mg for postsurgical analgesia. Research design and methods: Analysis of pooled efficacy and safety data from nine double-blind, placebo or active (bupivacaine HCl) controlled multimodal analgesia studies using a single dose of liposome bupivacaine or comparator, given via administration into the surgical site before end of surgery (i.e., inguinal hernia repair, total knee arthroplasty, hemorrhoidectomy, breast augmentation, or bunionectomy). Data from study arms that received liposome bupivacaine doses ≤266 mg were included. Clinical trial registration: Pooled data analysis includes nine studies: Study 1 – NCT01203644; Study 2 – NCT00485433; Study 3 – NCT00485693; Study 4 – NCT00529126; Study 5 – NCT00745290; Study 6 – NCT00744848; Study 7 – NCT00813111; Study 8 – NCT00890721; Study 9 – NCT00890682. Main outcome measures: Outcome measures included area under the curve (AUC) of pain intensity scores assessed by numeric rating scale (NRS) through 72 h postsurgery, time to first use of rescue opioid medications, total amount (mg) of opioid medications used, and occurrence of opioid-related adverse events (ORAEs). Incidence of overall AEs was also assessed. Results: Mean cumulative pain score (AUC of NRS through 72 h) was significantly lower with liposome bupivacaine (283) compared with bupivacaine HCl (329, p = 0.039). Median time from administration of study drug to first use of opioid rescue medication was significantly longer for liposome bupivacaine (10 h vs 3 h, p < 0.0001). Liposome bupivacaine was associated with a significant reduction in opioid use (12 mg vs 19 mg; p < 0.0001) and incidence of ORAEs (20% vs 36%; p < 0.0001), compared with bupivacaine HCl. Conclusions: In this pooled analysis from nine studies representing five different surgical procedures, liposome bupivacaine administered at doses ≤266 mg in a multimodal setting was associated with statistically significant and clinically meaningful lower cumulative pain score at 72 h, delayed and less consumption of opioids, and fewer ORAEs than bupivacaine HCl.
Association of serum TSH with high body mass differs between smokers and never-smokers.

CONTEXT Recent studies have suggested that the association of low thyroid function with high body mass is restricted to nonsmokers. OBJECTIVE The aim was to study the association of thyroid function with body mass separately for smokers and never-smokers. DESIGN AND SETTING We conducted a cross-sectional, population-based study. SUBJECTS We studied 27,097 individuals older than 40 yr of age who were without previously known thyroid disease. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES We measured mean body mass index (BMI) and odds ratio for obesity (BMI > or = 30.0 kg/m(2)) according to categories of thyroid function, in women and men, and separately for current smokers and never-smokers. We also studied the association with BMI within the reference range of TSH (0.50-3.5 mU/liter). RESULTS TSH within the reference range was positively associated with BMI (P for trend < or = 0.001 in all groups) and with the prevalence of obesity (P for trend < 0.005 in all groups). Among women, the association did not differ between current smokers and never-smokers, but in men the association was stronger for current smokers. Hypothyroid function was associated with higher BMI and higher prevalence of obesity in women (subclinical and overt hypothyroidism) and men (subclinical hypothyroidism), both in current smokers and in never-smokers. CONCLUSION The association of low thyroid function with high body mass was as least as strong in current smokers as in never-smokers, and our results clearly show that the association is not limited to nonsmokers, as previously suggested.
Randomized clinical trial of preoperative intravenous iron sucrose to reduce blood transfusion in anaemic patients after colorectal cancer surgery

The transfusion rate following colorectal cancer resection is between 10 and 30 per cent. Receipt of allogeneic blood is not without risk or cost. A preoperative adjunct that reduced the need for transfusion would mitigate these risks. This study was designed to determine whether iron sucrose reduces the likelihood of postoperative blood transfusion in patients undergoing elective colorectal cancer resection.
Synthesis of polynomial static state feedback laws and analysis for discrete-time polynomial systems with saturating inputs

In this paper we provide conditions for the synthesis of polynomial static state feedback control laws for discrete-time polynomial systems and conditions for the stability analysis of input-saturating systems. These conditions are based on polynomial inequalities affine both in the Lyapunov function parameters and in the gains of the polynomial state-feedback control law. The stability analysis of the saturating system is performed with polynomial Lyapunov functions with the help of a generalized sector condition which allows us to take into account nonsymmetric saturation bounds. The problems of computing the polynomial control laws and estimating the region of attraction of the resulting closed-loop system are solved numerically by considering sum-of-squares relaxations of the polynomial inequalities.
The Influence of Reviewer Demographic Information Provision on Trust and Purchase Intent for Users of Online Websites

ABSTRACT E-commerce websites are increasingly interested in how to effectively utilize online reviews to positively influence consumer decisions. One potential mechanism is providing socio-demographic information about reviewers along with the reviews. This study investigates how consumer decision outcome variables (e.g., perceived usefulness, trust and purchase intent) change when reviewers’ age and gender are provided and when a consumer’s and reviewer’s age/gender are same or similar. The hotel industry was utilized as the context. The results from the experiment showed that, regardless of the compatibility of the provided demographic information (reviewers’ vs. consumers’), providing reviewers’ age and gender positively impacted consumers’ perceived online trust, and about half of the participants processed and remembered the demographic information. It was additionally noted that people who could remember reviewers’ demographic information had not only more trust in the reviewer, the specific company’s website, and the specific hotel itself, but also higher intention to recommend and book the hotel.
A Better Way to Manage Customer Experience

Customer experience is heralded as the competitive battleground; however, it is defined so broadly that companies often struggle to define, implement, and measure it. Based on the experiences of the Royal Bank of Scotland, this article develops an effective approach to scoping and managing customer experience, identifying typical pitfalls, and providing guidance to organizations trying to understand where to start.
The Arabidopsis Multistress Regulator TSPO Is a Heme Binding Membrane Protein and a Potential Scavenger of Porphyrins via an Autophagy-Dependent Degradation Mechanism[W][OA]

This study establishes that plant TSPO, an enigmatic stress-induced membrane protein, binds porphyrins, including heme in vitro and in vivo, and that heme binding regulates TSPO degradation through autophagy. This work indicates that TSPO expression may, at least in part, transiently protect plant cell from porphyrin-induced damages. TSPO, a stress-induced, posttranslationally regulated, early secretory pathway-localized plant cell membrane protein, belongs to the TspO/MBR family of regulatory proteins, which can bind porphyrins. This work finds that boosting tetrapyrrole biosynthesis enhanced TSPO degradation in Arabidopsis thaliana and that TSPO could bind heme in vitro and in vivo. This binding required the His residue at position 91 (H91), but not that at position 115 (H115). The H91A and double H91A/H115A substitutions stabilized TSPO and rendered the protein insensitive to heme-regulated degradation, suggesting that heme binding regulates At-TSPO degradation. TSPO degradation was inhibited in the autophagy-defective atg5 mutant and was sensitive to inhibitors of type III phosphoinositide 3-kinases, which regulate autophagy in eukaryotic cells. Mutation of the two Tyr residues in a putative ubiquitin-like ATG8 interacting motif of At-TSPO did not affect heme binding in vitro but stabilized the protein in vivo, suggesting that downregulation of At-TSPO requires an active autophagy pathway, in addition to heme. Abscisic acid–dependent TSPO induction was accompanied by an increase in unbound heme levels, and downregulation of TSPO coincided with the return to steady state levels of unbound heme, suggesting that a physiological consequence of active TSPO downregulation may be heme scavenging. In addition, overexpression of TSPO attenuated aminolevulinic acid–induced porphyria in plant cells. Taken together, these data support a role for TSPO in porphyrin binding and scavenging during stress in plants.
Impact of organic and conventional carrots on intestinal and peripheral immunity.

BACKGROUND Studies on health effects of organic (ORG) products are still limited and often contradictory. We have investigated the impact of ORG and conventional (CV) carrots from two consecutive harvest years on mouse peripheral and intestinal immunity. RESULTS Danish carrots (Bolero variety) were grown in three ORG (O1, O2 and O3) and one CV cropping system (D-CV). Italian carrots (Maestro and Excelso varieties) were grown in one ORG and one CV field for each variety. Immune phenotypes of blood, spleen and intestinal lymphocytes, and cytokine serum levels were analyzed in mice fed the different carrots for 30 days. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed in mice fed the Danish carrots. The consumption of the 'more organic' O2 and O3 carrots induced some changes in lymphocyte populations, including an increase in regulatory T cells. In Italian carrots more differences between ORG and CV were observed in the first as compared to the second year. No relevant differences were observed in cytokine secretion. PCA showed a clear separation among mice fed the O1, O2, O3 and D-CV carrots. CONCLUSIONS Although a great variability was observed between the two years, an immune stimulation was found after the ORG carrot consumption.
Heart Rate and Physical Activity Patterns in Persons With Profound Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities

Abstract Waninge, A, van der Putten, AAJ, Stewart, RE, Steenbergen, B, Van Wijck, R, and van der Schans, CP. Heart rate and physical activity patterns in persons with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities. J Strength Cond Res 27(11): 3150–3158, 2013—Because physical fitness and health are related to physical activity, it is important to gain an insight into the physical activity levels of persons with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD). The purpose of this study was to examine heart rate patterns to measure the activity levels of persons with PIMD and to analyze these heart rate patterns according to participant characteristics, observed level of activity, days, and time of day. The heart rate patterns of 24 participants with PIMD were measured continuously using a heart rate monitor for 8 h·d−1 for a period of 6 days. Physical activity levels were measured with questionnaires. Data were analyzed using multilevel analysis. The results indicate that the participants use only 32% of their heart rate reserve over 6 days. The intensity of heart rate reserve ranged from 1 to 62%. On a given day, wide ranges in heart rates between participants and within persons were observed. Between days, only small ranges in the heart rate were found. The participants could be grouped into 4 classes according to their heart rate. In addition, factors such as time of day, physical activity, and age are significantly related to heart rate patterns. In conclusion, this study is an important first step in exploring activity patterns based on heart rate patterns in persons with PIMD. The participants used relatively small fractions of their heart rate reserves. Time of day and age appear to have a considerable influence on heart rate patterns. The observed classes in heart rate patterns suggest that other probably more personal and psychosocial factors have significant influences on heart rate patterns, as well.
Binding Sites for Lewis Antigens Are Expressed by Human Colon Cancer Cells and Negatively Affect Their Migration

In colon cancer, endothelial cell selectins can promote tumor cell attachment via interactions with sialylated Lewis antigens present at the surface of tumor cells, thereby facilitating tumor cell arrest and transmigration into the extravascular space. However, it is not known whether Lewis antigens interact with colon tumor cells and modify their migration. Our aim was to detect the presence of binding sites on human tumor cells for Lewisa/x antigens and their sialylated derivatives in vitro and in vivo and to analyze their influence on migration of colon cancer cells. The immunocytochemical and histochemical levels of expression of the four Lewis antigens were quantitatively determined in four human colon cancer cell lines and in in vivo nude mice xenografts. The levels of expression of specific binding sites for these sugar epitopes were determined by synthetic neoglycoconjugates. The influence of binding of these carbohydrate ligands on cancer cell migration was quantitatively evaluated by computer-assisted phase-contrast videomicroscopy performed on Matrigel culture supports either left uncoated or coated with neoglycoconjugate presenting synthetic Lewisa, sialyl Lewisa, Lewisx, or sialyl Lewisx antigens. The influence of the calcium concentration in the culture medium on the Lewis antigen–mediated effects was checked. Human colon cancer cells expressed significant amounts of specific binding sites detected by the synthetic probes in addition to the oligosaccharide epitopes. The expression levels differed considerably between the four cell lines and between in vitro and in vivo specimens. Cell migration analysis revealed that the four Lewis antigens markedly decreased the levels of migration of the HCT-15 and LoVo cancer cells. This effect depends on the calcium concentration in the culture medium. Binding sites for Lewis epitopes are present on colon cancer cells. The functional relevance of these sites is indicated by the negative influence on cell migration of a matrix containing the oligosaccharides as ligand parts.
Profilin-1 Promotes the Development of Hypertension-induced Artery Remodeling

Hypertension is associated with the structural remodeling and stiffening of arteries and is known to increase cardiovascular risk. In the present study, we investigated the effects of overexpression and knock down of profilin-1 on the vascular structural remodeling in spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHRs) using an adenovirus injection to knock down or overexpress profilin-1 mRNA. As a control, blank adenovirus was injected into age-matched SHRs and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKYs). We quantified arterial structural remodeling through morphological methods, with thoracic aortas stained with hematoxylin–eosin and picosirius red. Western blotting was performed to measure the protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38), and peroxynitrite was quantified by immunohistochemical staining. Overexpression of profilin-1 significantly promoted aortic remodeling, including an increase in vessel size, wall thickness, and collagen content, whereas the knockdown of profilin-1 could reverse these effects. In addition, the expression of phosphorylated p38, iNOS and peroxynitrite was significantly upregulated in SHRs with profilin-1 overexpression along with an increased level of interleukin- 6 (IL-6). These changes could be reversed by knockdown of profilin-1. Our results demonstrate a crucial role for profilin-1 in hypertension-induced arterial structural remodeling at least in part through the p38–iNOS–peroxynitrite pathway.
Efficacy and safety of atomoxetine in childhood Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder with comorbid Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Objective: To compare the safety and efficacy of atomoxetine, a selective inhibitor of the norepinephrine transporter, versus placebo in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) patients with comorbid Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Methods: A subset analysis of 98 children from two identical, multi-site, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials involving 9 weeks of treatment with atomoxetine or placebo was conducted. Patients met DSM-IV ADHD criteria. ODD was diagnosed with the Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents-IV (DICA-IV; Reich, Welner, & Herjanic, 1997). ADHD severity was assessed with the ADHD Rating Scale-IV-Parent Version: Investigator Administered and Scored (ADHD-RS-IV-Parent:Inv; DuPaul, Power, Anastopoulos, & Reid, 1998); the short version of the Conners’ Parent Rating Scales-Revised (CPRS-R:S; Conners, 2000); and the Clinical Global Impressions of ADHD Severity (CGI-ADHD-S; Guy, 1976). Clinical response was defined as a ≥ 25% reduction in ADHD-RS-IV-Parent:Inv total score. Results: ADHD-RS-IV-Parent:Inv, CGI-ADHD-S, and three CPRS-R:S subscale scores improved markedly with atomoxetine treatment. However, a decrease in the CPRS-R:S Oppositional subscore for atomoxetine-treated patients was not significantly greater than scores for placebo-treated patients. Clinical response rates were 65.4% in the atomoxetine group, and 36.4% in the placebo group (p = .007). Conclusion: Atomoxetine was effective for the treatment of ADHD in patients with comorbid ODD. It did not significantly reduce the severity of ODD symptoms, and was well tolerated by the patients.
Redesigning Assumptions: Challenging public problem spaces

Managers in the public sector are increasingly looking to design to help them drive innovation in policies and services. Design is brought in from external consultancies but also established as an internal capacity through hiring designers into government departments and agencies, or by establishing innovation labs or studios. However, when design is applied in any organizational setting, a complex interplay arises between design methods and processes on the one hand (design practice), and the manager's actions and decisions on the other (management engagement with design). What characterizes these dynamics in a public sector context? Inspired by Boland & Collopy's (2004) and Michlewskis (2008, 2014) concept design attitude, this paper explores how public managers relate to design approaches as an innovation tool. In particular, the paper examines the potential role of design in allowing public managers to challenge their own current assumptions about the problems their organization is facing. Which methods and approaches seem to trigger new insights into the problem and opportunity space? How does the attitude, or engagement, of the public manager matter to the process? The research is based on data from qualitative interviews with public managers in five different countries and policy contexts.
Valuation Role of Accounting Information in Profit and Loss Firms

Purpose of the research: This study identifiesthe most important value-relevant factor across profit and loss companies listed on the Korean Securities Exchange over the period 2000 to 2015.Weaim to improve understanding of the role of accounting information provided by financial statements in firm value across companies. Materials and methods: We use the residual income valuation model of Ohlson (1995). Results: The impact of accounting information on enterprise value is significantly different across profit and loss companies. We believe that this phenomenon occurs because of the assumption of linear information dynamics in theresidual income model. These findings show that accounting information of profitable companies is likely to reflect on the future firm value; however, accounting information of loss companies tends to provide no such information to financial markets.
Perishable Inventory Theory: A Review

This paper reviews the relevant literature on the problem of determining suitable ordering policies for both fixed life perishable inventory, and inventory subject to continuous exponential decay. We consider both deterministic and stochastic demand for single and multiple products. Both optimal and suboptimal order policies are discussed. In addition, a brief review of the application of these models to blood bank management is included. The review concludes with a discussion of some of the interesting open research questions in the area.
DNA‐mediated transformation of mammalian cells in culture. Increased transforming efficiency following sonication

A series of 100 experiments was completed to determine if DNA is capable of transforming the genotype of a murine lymphoma (P388) in cell culture. The test system was concerned with the transformation of cells from 8‐azaguanine (AZG) sensitivity to resistance. By the use of this marker, it was determined that transformation by DNA did occur, and that the efficiency of transformation was greatly increased by sonication of the DNA. A statistical analysis of 100 experiments demonstrated that the increase in the number of resistant cells after treatment with sonicated resistant DNA (R‐DNA) was statistically significant (χ2 > 4.25, 0.05 > p > 0.02) in 66% of the experiments. DNA from sensitive parental cells and DNA from other sources produced no effect while DNase and UV treatment abrogated effective transformation by either sonicated or nonsonicated R‐DNA. RNase was without effect.
Remote patient–provider communication and quality of life: empirical test of a dialogic model of cancer care

We examined the feasibility of a Cancer Care Dialogues Model, with daily telehealth interactions between patients at home and their care coordinator, who acted as an adjunct to the oncologist. The patient and the care coordinator used a home messaging device, connected via the ordinary telephone network. Thirty-four patients with a new diagnosis of cancer and whose treatment plan included chemotherapy taken at a single clinic were enrolled and followed for six months. The home messaging device collected information daily on common symptoms associated with chemotherapy. On average, the patients had the home messaging device for 120 days (range 30–180). The mean cooperation rate was 84% (range 4–100). No variables were significantly associated with patient cooperation in the dialogues over time. The health-related quality of life (HRQL) mean score at baseline was 73.9 (SD 15.4), and the mean score at six months was 78.4 (SD 14.5). After adjusting for demographic and clinical factors, there was a 6.5-point increase in HRQL score between the baseline and end of treatment, which represented an important clinical difference. Management of nervousness/worry over time through cancer care dialogues is important in maintaining HRQL and can be assisted by remote home messaging.