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Background: Recurrence is common after surgery for epithelial ovarian cancer and is multifactorial. Perioperative factors affecting stress and inflammation have an influence on immunity and thus cancer recurrence. The effect of peri-operative epidural anesthesia has been quoted to be beneficial by decreasing stress. A retrospective analysis of perioperative Epidural analgesia use (EA) was compared to general anesthesia (GA) without epidural, with disease free survival (DFS)as the outcome. Methods: We did a retrospective observational study of patients with epithelial ovarian malignancy who had undergone surgery between 2013 and 2017. Cohorts were primarily divided based on receipt of epidural analgesia. Perioperative patient, anesthetic, and tumor related data were collected. The aim was to estimate the association of epidural analgesia with disease free survival (DFS). To prevent bias due to skewed covariate distribution propensity score match was done matching all covariates. Results: We had 312 patients with age ranging from 18 to 77. The median DFS in months was 32.73±25.6 for the entire cohort while it was 54.81±28.69 for the GA group and 27.23±21.84 for EA group. After PSM median DFS was 35.33 for the full cohort and it was 46 and 34 months for the GA and EA groups, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that only patients who were undergoing primary surgery had survival advantage (P

Background: To compare the efficacy and tolerance of three prostaglandin analogues, bimatoprost, latanoprost and travoprost in patients with previously untreated open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Methods: Prospective randomized single (investigator) masked comparative clinical trial at the Taunton and Somerset NHS Hospital, Taunton, UK. Newly diagnosed, treatment naive glaucoma/ocular hypertension patients were recruited. Patients were randomized into three groups to receive one of the three prostaglandin analogues. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured before starting treatment and after 2 and 6 months of treatment. The IOP reduction and the tolerance profile of each drug were compared. The data were analysed on the basis of intention to treat, using analysis of covariance comparing IOP in the three groups at 2 and 6 months, adjusting for baseline IOP. Tolerance levels were compared using Kruskal–Wallis test. Results: Of the 122 patients, 40 patients were given bimatoprost, 42 received latanoprost and 40 had travoprost. At 2 months, there was a significant difference between the three treatment groups (P = 0.013) with bimatoprost achieving a greater reduction in IOP than the other two drops. However, at 6 months, the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.13). There was no significant difference in the tolerance profile. Conclusion: All the three topical prostaglandin analogues are effective at lowering IOP, but bimatoprost was found to be most effective in the initial phase of the trial, and there was no statistically significant difference in the efficacy, among the three prostaglandin analogue eye drops after 6 months of treatment.

Generic advertising and promotion of milk and milk products have assumed increasing importance in Canada over the past two decades. The present research evaluates the Ontario generic fluid milk advertising campaign and determines the functional form that best describes the response of sales to advertising. The research also investigates whether appropriate amounts are being spent on fluid milk advertising. Empirical results indicate the generic fluid milk advertising program has significantly increased milk consumption. Using the empirically preferred inverse functional form, we estimate Ontario fluid milk sales to have increased by 40 million litres during the last quarter of 1984 as a result of increased advertising. The associated increase in farm income is estimated at $16 million, or $24 per additional media dollar invested. Results indicate that the computed optimal spending levels are sensitive to functional form selection, and the empirically preferred inverse form suggests fluid milk advertising expenditures can profitably be increased to 1.7 times the current rate. La publicite et la promotion generiques du lait et des produits laitiers a gagne de plus en plus d'importance au Canada au cours des deux dernieres decennies. On a tente d'evaluer la campagne de publicite generique sur le lait de consommation lancee en Ontario et de trouver la fonction qui decrit le mieux la reaction des ventes a la publicite. On a egalement verifie si le budget consacrea la publiciteetait suffisant. Les resultats empiriques indiquent que le programme de publicite generique a augmente sensiblement la consommation de lait. Selon la methode empirique de la fonction inverse prereree, les ventes de lait frais en Ontario ont augmente de 40 millions de litres au cours du dernier trimestre de 1984 a la suite d'une publicite plus intense. Les recettes agricoles ont donc progresse d'environ 16 $millions, soit de 24 S par dollar investi. Ces resultats montrent que le budget optimal depend du type de publicite retenu et la fonction inverse preferee suggere qu'il serait rentable d'accroetre le budget publicitaire actuel du lait de consommation de 1,7 fois.

To compare the efficacy and tolerance of three prostaglandin analogues, bimatoprost, latanoprost and travoprost in patients with previously untreated open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension.Prospective randomized single (investigator) masked comparative clinical trial at the Taunton and Somerset NHS Hospital, Taunton, UK. Newly diagnosed, treatment naïve glaucoma/ocular hypertension patients were recruited. Patients were randomized into three groups to receive one of the three prostaglandin analogues. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured before starting treatment and after 2 and 6 months of treatment. The IOP reduction and the tolerance profile of each drug were compared. The data were analysed on the basis of intention to treat, using analysis of covariance comparing IOP in the three groups at 2 and 6 months, adjusting for baseline IOP. Tolerance levels were compared using Kruskal-Wallis test.Of the 122 patients, 40 patients were given bimatoprost, 42 received latanoprost and 40 had travoprost. At 2 months, there was a significant difference between the three treatment groups (P = 0.013) with bimatoprost achieving a greater reduction in IOP than the other two drops. However, at 6 months, the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.13). There was no significant difference in the tolerance profile.All the three topical prostaglandin analogues are effective at lowering IOP, but bimatoprost was found to be most effective in the initial phase of the trial, and there was no statistically significant difference in the efficacy, among the three prostaglandin analogue eye drops after 6 months of treatment.

An industry advertising program for catfish, financed by farmers' voluntary contributions on feed on $6.00 per ton, commenced April 1987. This study estimates the impacts of that program on consumers' perceptions of catfish, purchase frequency, and profitability. Results indicate the ad campaign in its first year increased consumers' perceptions of product attributes (flavor, fishy odor, and nutrition) and overall attitudes toward catfish 2-4%, and increased purchase frequencies for at home and restaurant consumption 11-12%. The increased consumer demand for catfish attributable to advertising was estimated to have generated between $0.72 and $11.04 million in additional farm income in 1988, a net return of between $0.48 and $7.46 per media dollar invested. Results highlight the free-rider problem associated with voluntary programs: the estimated benefits of the advertising compaign were enjoyed by all producers yet only a portion shared in the cost. The profitability of industry advertising coupled with ...

cording to Armbruster and Frank) relatively little is An eight-equation partially-recursive econometric known about the effects of generic advertising on model is specified to indicate the effects of catfish consumers' perceptions or purchase behavior. The advertising on product awareness, beliefs, attitude studies that have been done tend to focus on the and consumption. Results indicate the ad campaign well-financed programs (e.g., citrus and dairy-see in its first year (i) increased consumers' awareness e.g., Nerlove and Waugh; Lee and Brown; Ward and of farm-raised catfish 15 percent, (ii) improved Dixon; Liu and Forker; Kinnucan; Kinnucan and consumers' perceptions of and attitude toward cat- Forker; Chang and Kinnucan) and use aggregate fish 3 to 6 percent, and (iii) increased at-home and time series data to generate sales-response estimates. restaurant purchases of catfish 12 to 13 percent. The Studies based on consumer-level data are few and response to the ad campaign is broken down into an those that do exist tend not to elucidate the interrela"attitude effect" and a "reminder effect" to deter- tions among the various elements comprising mine the relative behavioral importance of the affec- response, namely ad exposure, evaluative criteria, tive and cognitive components of the ad copy. Model beliefs, attitude, purchase intentions and consumpsimulations suggest primacy of the reminder effect, tion (for exceptions, see Jensen and Kesavan and implying the factual content of the ads had less Hoover.). impact on behavior than the mere presence of the A major objective of the research reported in this ads. paper, therefore, is to determine whether a limitedbudget generic advertising campaign can be effec

possibly by as much as 30 percent (Kalter et al.). But Bovine somatotropin (BST), a new technology how will attrition occur? Will reduction in cow capable of enhancing a cow's ability to produce milk numbers be accomplished by small farmers' leaving by 7-23 percent, is expected to be available for dairying altogether, or will the impact be spread commercial use soon. Ex ante survey procedures are more evenly? used to determine the potential effect of BST on the Questions about how BST will affect the size size distribution of dairy farms in the Southeast. distribution of dairy farms are important for several Results of logit analysis indicate a positive link reasons. First, because BST is a variable input, the between farm size and (1) farmers' knowledge of answer to the size-bias question a priori is not obBST and (2) intentions to adopt early, suggesting vious. The resulting ambiguity has led to differing BST will not be scale neutral. An estimated "price assumptions by researchers about the rate of adopelasticity" of-1.8 to -2.1 indicates an elastic demand tion of BST by size of farm. Fallert et al., for exfor the input. Price, therefore, may be an effective ample, assume that all size categories will adopt instrument for attenuating the scale bias. BST at the same rate. Kalter et al., in contrast, assume that larger farmers will adopt first. Consurprisingly, differ substantially between the two technology adoption, ex ante studies. surveys Second, identifying the size bias of BST (if any), BA} n and the reasons for the size bias, will shed light on Bovine somatotropin, an injectable protein the likely pattern and rate of BST adoption. Such capable of enhancing a cow's ability to produce milk insights will help policy makers anticipate the longby 7-23 percent (Kronfield), is expected to be avail- run effects of the technology, permitting more inable for commercial use soon. Because of the un- formed policy choices. For example, if BST favors precedented yield-enhancing potential of this larger farms, policymakers may want to consider technology and the difficulties the diary industry has programs that help small- and medium-sized dairies had with surpluses, bovine somatotropin (BST) is adapt. Finally, Kuchler and McClelland maintain controversial. that the empirical evidence showing a link between One aspect of that controversy is the effect of BST farm size and early adoptionia key factor in deteron the size distribution of dairy farms (Comstock; mining scale bias-is scant or nonexistent for U.S. Buttel and Geisler). The demand for dairy products agriculture. is price inelastic, meaning that BST-induced The major objective of the research reported in this declines in price will have minimal effect on con- paper is to determine the potential scale bias of BST. sumption.I As domestic consumers are unable to The objective is accomplished by analyzing data on absorb the additional supply of milk made possible farmers' intentions to adopt BST obtained through by BST, and increased exports are an unlikely an ex ante survey procedure which elicits adoption prospect, cow numbers will need to be reduced, intentions and related information from a group of 1 As pointed out by a reviewer, non-price factors such as consumers' attitudes toward milk produced with BST might also affect consumption, offsetting and perhaps negating the effects of any price decline. In this case, the adjustment problems arising from the

Background: Slump test, a neurodynamic test was used to test the mechanical movement of the neurological tissues and to test their sensitivity to mechanical stress. Various studies have been conducted to test the responses to slump test in normal young healthy adults. There is paucity of literature on the use of slump test in overweight young adults. Therefore the current study aims at finding out if increased tissue interface due to increased tissue mass in overweight young adults had an effect on normal neural tissue mobility as compared to normal young adults. Aims: To compare the effect of different sensitizing maneuvers on slump test between normal and overweight young adults. Objectives: To measure the active knee extension deficit angle pre and post addition of sensitizing maneuvers in normal and overweight young adults and compare them. Settings and design: One time comparative study carried out at tertiary care hospital, Mumbai. Materials and Method: 200 young healthy adults within the age group of 20-40 years were randomly selected for the study, of which 100 had a normal B.M.I.i.e.18.5-24.9 and 100 had overweight B.M.I. i.e.25-29.9.The outcome measure used was the goniometric active knee extension deficit angle. The readings were taken in four positions namely cervical spine neutral with ankle neutral, cervical spine neutral with ankle dorsiflexion, cervical spine flexion with ankle neutral, cervical spine flexion with ankle dorsiflexion and compared on both sides. Statistical analysis: Mann-Whitney'U' test was used to analyze the active knee extension deficit angle score between the normal and overweight groups in all four positions. Results: The mean active knee extension deficit angle score between the normal and overweight groups in all four positions was statistically significant (p

The performance of restricted estimators such as Almon and Shiller in modeling advertising carryover is tested and compared to the unrestricted OLS estimator, using 1971–1988 monthly New York City fluid milk market data. Results indicate that in the absence of autocorrelation and multicollinearity among the lagged advertising variables, the unrestricted OLS estimator is still the preferred estimator, based on Mean Square Error and Root Mean Square Percent Error criteria. In this case, the Almon and Shiller estimators perform equally well, although next only to the OLS estimator. In the presence of autocorrelation or multicollinearity however, the restricted estimators may outperform the OLS estimator, in a MSE sense, with the flexible Shiller estimator (which subsumes the Almon) being more desirable.