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Background and Aims: Thoracolumbar spine surgery is one of the most painful surgical procedures. This studys primary objective was to evaluate the effect of erector spinae plane (ESP) block on post-operative cumulative morphine consumption at 24 h in patients undergoing thoracolumbar spine surgery. Methods: Seventy adults posted for thoracolumbar spine surgery were randomised into the control group [Number of patients (n)=35], who received general anaesthesia without any nerve block, and the intervention group (n = 35), who received bilateral ultrasound (US)-guided ESP block at the level of spine surgery with 0.25% bupivacaine 20 mL after standard general anaesthesia. Along with intravenous patient-controlled analgesia morphine, post-operative analgesia was standardised for both groups. Total morphine consumption, visual analogue scale (VAS) score to evaluate pain, overall patient satisfaction, and any side effects were compared at 24 h. The statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). Results: Post-operative total morphine consumption at 24 h was significantly decreased in the intervention group compared to the control group [5.69 (1.549) versus 9.51 (1.634) mg; P < 0.001]. Post-operative VAS scores were also significantly decreased in the intervention group at rest (P < 0.001) and on movement (P < 0.001). Patient satisfaction scores were more favourable in the intervention group [3.8 (0.4) versus 3.2 (0.6); P < 0.001]. Post-operative nausea and vomiting were found more in the control group but were not significant (n = 14 versus 8; P = 0.127). Conclusion: US-guided ESP block significantly reduces post-operative morphine consumption and improves analgesia and patient satisfaction without adverse effects in patients undergoing thoracolumbar spine surgery. Keywords: Analgesia, bupivacaine, erector spinae plane block, intravenous, patient-controlled analgesia, morphine, thoracolumbar, spine surgery, Author(s): Seerat Chiraya [1]; Jasveer Singh (corresponding author) [2]; Sukanya Mitra [2]; Arvind Malhotra [3]; Mohit Kishore Srivastava [4]; Samra Fatima [2] INTRODUCTION Spine surgeries demand extensive surgical dissection of [...]

AbstractResearch and development (R&D) activities are crucial to remain competitive. Extant literature presents divergent views on R&D’s contribution to company performance, specifically profitability. It hints at cultural differences in approaching R&D. This leads to analyzing such relationships within a regional comparison. Filling the research gap by focusing on the Technology, Media and Telecommunication (TMT) sector, this study evaluated a sample of 132 Asian and European companies operating in the TMT sector for 2018 – 2022. Using the panel generalized method of moments, results showed that R&D intensity had an insignificant impact on profitability but a positive and significant effect on capital market performance. Furthermore, Asian firms’ R&D intensity had a more pronounced influence on performance, supporting the literature’s view on cultural differences in R&D strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of young children in a randomized clinical trial (RCT) of silver diammine fluoride (SDF) and five percent sodium fluoride varnish (NaFV) to manage early childhood caries (ECC). Methods: Children younger than 72 months of age with active dentinal caries lesions (ICDAS 5 or 6) in primary teeth received two applications of 38 percent SDF and five percent NaFV as part of an RCT testing three different frequency regimes (one, four, and six months apart). The Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) questionnaire was completed at three study visits. Statistical analyses included descriptive and parametric methods. A P-value of ≤0.05 was significant. Results: Eighty-two children (58.5 percent male) were recruited with a mean age of 44.3±14.2 months. Significant improvement in total ECOHIS scores for all children was observed following treatment (baseline mean scores=4.52±4.77 versus third visit mean scores=3.19±3.78, P=0.01) and family impact scores for all children (baseline mean scores=3.00±2.98 versus third visit mean scores=1.68±2.01, P≤0.001). However, no significant change in the mean child impact score was observed among all the children (P=0.97). The parental distress and family function domains showed the most improvement with SDF treatment. No significant ECOHIS score differences were found among the three frequency groups across visits. Conclusions: Children showed better OHRQoL after applying 38 percent SDF and five percent NaFV. No significant differences were found between treatment groups. SDF is a viable non-restorative option for managing ECC as it has a positive effect on OHRQoL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The overarching aim of this study is to determine how distinct climate change management practices (CMPs), ranging from the establishment of carbon targets to the adoption of renewable energy and carbon assurance, resonate in the realm of corporate reputation (CR). The study sample comprises US S&P 500 companies (2016–2018). Reputation insights are obtained from the Global RepTrak® Pulse of the Reputation Institute, and data on the adoption of various CMPs are extracted from Carbon Disclosure Project reports. Logistic regression analysis shows that the findings underscore the pivotal role of absolute carbon and renewable energy use targets in enhancing CR. However, the effects of CMPs on CR vary with carbon trading regulations and intensive sector affiliation. The main findings hold after the Heckman selection model is used as an endogeneity technique. This research offers valuable insights to corporations that seek to strategically manage their reputation amidst the challenges of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]