Life-style orientation and contents of websites in personas industry

Electronic commerce challenges personas companies to design electronic system to increase interaction which leads to retain customers and increase sales. This exploratory study examines the correlation between lifestyle and emphasis on contents of website in personas industry. The study finds that market segment of lifestyle can be divided into four groups: ‘opinion leader’, ‘opinion follower’, ‘conservative’ and ‘challenger’. This paper tries to suggest a checklist to a vendor. We conclude that AIO can be a base of market segment in personas industry. We suggest some important factors which are included of the customized services, the safety of use factors, the store information and the menu illustration. Finally, we also conclude that the first three important factors of websites have significant influences on market segments of personas industry except for the store information factor.AIO, market segmentation, personas industry.

The Influence of Energy Expenditure on Mitochondrial Functions, Oxidative Stress and Insulin Resistance under Metabolic Oversupply Conditions

Mitochondrial respiratory capacity and oxidative stress have been implicated in the development of insulin resistance (IR) and type II diabetes. A causative role of mitochondrial oxidative stress in the etiology of diet-induced IR has been suggested. Metabolic oversupply causes mitochondrial oxidative stress and leads to IR; however, how the other side of the metabolic balance equation, energy expenditure, may compensate for oversupply is less appreciated. Based on the principles of bioenergetics, in the condition of substrate oversupply without sufficient energy expenditure, the mitochondrial membrane potential ([delta psi subscript]m) is high and an exponential increase in superoxide generation occurs within a small range of [delta psi subscript]m exceeding about -160mV. The inverse occurs when the mitochondrial energy expenditure rises. In this context, it was hypothesized that a mild increase in energy expenditure can sufficiently attenuate the over-nutrition caused H[subscript]2O[subscript]2 emission and IR.  To examine this hypothesis acutely, Sprague-Dawley (S-D) rats received a lipid oral gavage with or without 1h of subsequent low intensity exercise. Mitochondria of permeabilized skeletal muscle fibers were studied. The results show that, without a change in respiratory capacity, a single lipid loading quickly elevated [delta psi subscript]m, mitochondrial H[subscript]2O[subscript]2 emitting potential ([subscript]mE[subscript]H2O2) and reduced calcium retention capacity (an index of the resistance of mitochondrial permeability transition) in state IV and/or under "clamped" physiological state III respiration conditions. These effects can be quickly and sufficiently attenuated by a single bout of postprandial low intensity exercise. These findings provide evidence that mitochondrial H[subscript]2O[subscript]2 production/emission and related effects, but not respiratory capacity, are acutely and dynamically regulated by the metabolic status of skeletal muscle.  Further, to examine this hypothesis chronically, S-D rats were high fat diet (HFD, 60%) fed for 7 weeks with or without either low intensity exercise or [beta]-guanidinopropionic acid ([beta]-GPA), which chronically elevates mitochondrial energy turnover. The results show that HFD decreased insulin action and increased [subscript]mE[subscript]H2O2, whereas both were preserved by either exercise or [beta]-GPA. The treatment effects of HFD, exercise or [beta]-GPA were mitochondrial respiratory function and fatty acid oxidation rate independent. However, 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity, an energy sensing kinase that increases glucose uptake, was also increased by [beta]-GPA treatment. To determine whether AMPK mediated the [beta]-GPA-induced improvements in insulin action, skeletal and cardiac muscle-specific AMPK [alpha]2 catalytic subunit dominant negative mutated (non-functional) mice and their wild-type littermates were fed a HFD with or without [beta]-GPA for 10 weeks. [Beta]-GPA treatment again prevented the increase in [subscript]mE[subscript]H2O2 and IR in both wild-type and AMPK[alpha]2 dominant negative mice fed a HFD. These findings indicate that AMPK[alpha]2 does not mediate the effects of [beta]-GPA on insulin action, supporting the hypothesis that the reduction in mitochondrial H[subscript]2O[subscript]2 emission is a primary mechanism by which exercise and [beta]-GPA attenuate HFD-induced IR.  In the context of both acute and chronic manipulation of positive (oversupply) and negative (expenditure) cellular energy balance, together these findings support the concept that the governance of mitochondrial oxidant production is a primary factor regulating insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle. Following the principles of bioenergetics, these data demonstrate that a mild increase in energy expenditure can sufficiently attenuate the HFD-induced H[subscript]2O[subscript]2 emission and IR. On the mitochondrial level, the balance of substrate supply and energy expenditure on a daily basis is critical for maintaining a proper cellular redox environment, function and whole body metabolic status.  Ph.D

Melatonin Therapy Prevents Programmed Hypertension and Nitric Oxide Deficiency in Offspring Exposed to Maternal Caloric Restriction

Nitric oxide (NO) deficiency is involved in the development of hypertension, a condition that can originate early in life. We examined whether NO deficiency contributed to programmed hypertension in offspring from mothers with calorie-restricted diets and whether melatonin therapy prevented this process. We examined 3-month-old male rat offspring from four maternal groups: untreated controls, 50% calorie-restricted (CR) rats, controls treated with melatonin (0.01% in drinking water), and CR rats treated with melatonin (CR + M). The effect of melatonin on nephrogenesis was analyzed using next-generation sequencing. The CR group developed hypertension associated with elevated plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor), decreased L-arginine, decreased L-arginine-to-ADMA ratio (AAR), and decreased renal NO production. Maternal melatonin treatment prevented these effects. Melatonin prevented CR-induced renin and prorenin receptor expression. Renal angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 protein levels in the M and CR + M groups were also significantly increased by melatonin therapy. Maternal melatonin therapy had long-term epigenetic effects on global gene expression in the kidneys of offspring. Conclusively, we attributed these protective effects of melatonin on CR-induced programmed hypertension to the reduction of plasma ADMA, restoration of plasma AAR, increase of renal NO level, alteration of renin-angiotensin system, and epigenetic changes in numerous genes

Differential Dopamine D1 and D3 Receptor Modulation and Expression in the Spinal Cord of Two Mouse Models of Restless Legs Syndrome

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is often and successfully treated with dopamine receptor agonists that target the inhibitory D3 receptor subtype, however there is no clinical evidence of a D3 receptor dysfunction in RLS patients. In contrast, genome-wide association studies in RLS patients have established that a mutation of the MEIS1 gene is associated with an increased risk in developing RLS, but the effect of MEIS1 dysfunction on sensorimotor function remain unknown. Mouse models for a dysfunctional D3 receptor (D3KO) and Meis1 (Meis1KO) were developed independently, and each animal expresses some features associated with RLS in the clinic, but they have not been compared in their responsiveness to treatment options used in the clinic. We here confirm that D3KO and Meis1KO animals show increased locomotor activities, but that only D3KO show an increased sensory excitability to thermal stimuli. Next we compared the effects of dopaminergics and opioids in both animal models, and we assessed D1 and D3 dopamine receptor expression in the spinal cord, the gateway for sensorimotor processing. We found that Meis1KO share most of the tested behavioral properties with their wild type (WT) controls, including the modulation of the thermal pain withdrawal reflex by morphine, L-DOPA and D3 receptor (D3R) agonists and antagonists. However, Meis1KO and D3KO were behaviorally more similar to each other than to WT when tested with D1 receptor (D1R) agonists and antagonists. Subsequent Western blot analyses of D1R and D3R protein expression in the spinal cord revealed a significant increase in D1R but not D3R expression in Meis1KO and D3KO over WT controls. As the D3R is mostly present in the dorsal spinal cord where it has been shown to modulate sensory pathways, while activation of the D1Rs can activate motoneurons in the ventral spinal cord, we speculate that D3KO and Meis1KO represent two complementary animal models for RLS, in which the mechanisms of sensory (D3R-mediated) and motor (D1R-mediated) dysfunctions can be differentially explored

The Effects of Popularity: An Online Store Perspective

Recently, internet is widely used in our daily life, caused online customer growing rapidly, then the amount of online store rising quickly. Therefore, it is an important issue for online stores to stand out from the crowd, even boost sales and profit. Many enterprises had invested resource on online store, but great amount of stores were closedown. The major reason is operator spend many efforts on valueless marketing campaign, caused popularity and repeat purchase intention raising ineffectively, finally folded up online store. Consequently, this research summarizing the critical factors for online store operating, and using structural equation model (SEM) to establish “Online Store Popularity Effect Model”. Through the model, this research can understand (1) relationship between online store popularity and marketing campaign, service quality, product power, website design; (2) effect between purchase intention and customer value, brand image; (3) moderating impact of consumption ability. This result not only indicates the critical point that enterprise should call more attention, but draws a whole new perspective for academic researcher

Purple urine bag syndrome in nursing homes: Ten elderly case reports and a literature review

Purple urine bag syndrome (PUBS) is a rare occurrence, in which the patient has a purple-colored urine bag following urinary catheterization for hours to days. Most of authors believe it is a mixture of indigo (blue) and indirubin (red) that becomes purple. Previous study showed that PUBS occurred predominantly in chronically catheterized, constipated women. We collected 10 elderly patients with PUBS in two nursing homes. The first two cases were identified by chart review in 1987 and 2003, and then later eight cases (42.1%) were collected among 19 urinary catheterized elderly in the period between January 2007 and June 2007. In the present report, PUBS probably can occur in any patients with the right elements, namely urinary tract infection (UTI) with bacteria possessing these enzymes, diet with enough tryptophan, and being catheterized. Associations with bed-bound state, Alzheimer’s, or dementia from other causes are reflections of the state of such patients who are at higher risk for UTI, and hence PUBS occurred. Although we presented PUBS as a harmless problem, prevention and control of the nosocomial catheter-associated UTIs (CAUTIs) has become very important in the new patient-centered medical era. Thus, we should decrease the duration of catheterization, improve catheter care, and deploy technological advances designed for prevention, especially in the elderly cared for in nursing homes

A Chinese Herbal Decoction, Modified Yi Guan Jian, Induces Apoptosis in Hepatic Stellate Cells through an ROS-Mediated Mitochondrial/Caspase Pathway

The Chinese herb modified Yi Guan Jian (mYGJ) is an effective regimen that is usually used in outpatients with chronic liver diseases such as fibrosis and cirrhosis. However, the mechanism for the action of mYGJ on liver fibrosis is not yet clear. In this study, we found that mYGJ induced hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) apoptosis concomitant with the downregulation of Bcl-2 expression and slight elevation of Bax level. Moreover, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) were generated in the early stages of mYGJ-induced HSCs apoptosis to facilitate calcium and cytochrome c release from the mitochondria to cytosol. Subsequently, caspase 9 and caspase 3 were activated. Furthermore, the activation of ER stress-associated caspase 12 in HSCs was also evaluated. Together, we report the first evidence-based study to demonstrate that mYGJ decoction induces HSCs apoptosis through ROS accumulation and the intrinsic apoptosis pathway. These findings provide rationale for further clinical investigation of traditional Chinese medicine recipes against liver fibrosis

Clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with tubo-ovarian abscess at a tertiary care hospital in Northern Taiwan

Background/PurposeControversy exists regarding the need for surgical intervention in patients with tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA). This study was aimed at investigating the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes in patients with TOA at a tertiary care hospital in Taiwan.MethodsThe medical records of 83 patients who presented at the hospital with TOA between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2007, were retrospectively reviewed. Outcomes of patients who received medical treatment alone or underwent surgical intervention were analyzed using univariate and logistic regression analyses.ResultsAmong the 83 patients with TOA, 13 patients (15.7%) underwent surgical intervention, and 70 patients (84.3%) received medical treatment alone. Significant variables related to surgical treatment in the univariate analysis were length of stay (short vs. long; t = −2.267, p = 0.026), department of admission (emergency room vs. outpatient department; χ2 = 7.459, p = 0.006), number of live births (nulliparous vs. multiparous; χ2 = 18.202, p = 0.001), and C-reactive protein (CRP) level (high vs. low; t = −2.250, p = 0.028). Logistic regression analysis performed to determine influential factors for surgical treatment showed that the operation odds ratio of three to four live births versus no live births was 33.995 (p = 0.043) and that of two live births versus no live births was 13.598 (p = 0.026).ConclusionPatients with TOA who underwent surgery had a longer duration of hospitalization. Among the patients who underwent surgical intervention, those admitted to the emergency room had higher CRP levels and were more likely to be multiparous

Survival Prediction of Initial Blood pH for Nontraumatic Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest Patients in the Emergency Department

SummaryBackgroundMost nontraumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (NTOHCA) patients who fail in prehospital resuscitation receive continued cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the emergency department (ED). Initial blood pH, which can be assessed rapidly in the ED, was examined to see whether it is a strong survival predictor for these patients.MethodsA 1-year retrospective study included consecutive 225 NTOHCA patients at a medical center in northern Taiwan who presented through the emergency medical services system. On arrival at the ED, these patients received continued cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and their initial blood pH data were assessed.ResultsThe pH value was positively correlated with variables such as return of spontaneous circulation, witnessed arrest, short prehospital time (≤20 minutes), and survival. The best cut-off value of initial blood pH, revealed by the receiver operating characteristic curve, was 7.068. The lowest pH value of the survivors was 6.856. The results of logistic regression model analysis shows that the odds ratios of survival was 10.0 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.1–47.7) for patients with initial blood pH ≥ 7.068, 5.3 (95% CI, 1.48–18.9) for those with nonasystole rhythm, 4.0 (95% CI, 1.1–14.8) for those with prehospital time ≤20 minutes, and 9.1 (95% CI, 2.3–35.2) for those without NaHCO3 administration during resuscitation, respectively.ConclusionA cut-off value of an initial blood pH of 7.068 can serve as a predictor for survival among NTOHCA patients. In addition, patients whose initial blood pH is lower than 6.85 in the ED may not survive until hospital discharge