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Better Effects (good + effects)
Selected AbstractsSTRATEGIES FOR PROLONGING THE SHELF LIFE OF MINCED BEEF PATTIESJOURNAL OF FOOD SAFETY, Issue 1 2009MATTEO ALESSANDRO DEL NOBILE ABSTRACT The study of different strategies for prolonging the shelf life of fresh minced beef patties was addressed in this work. Fresh minced beef was supplemented with thymol (THY) at levels of 250, 500 and 750 mg per kg of ground beef. Treated samples were packed using a high barrier film and stored in refrigerated conditions (4C) under ordinary atmosphere packaging and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) conditions for 16 days. The microbiological quality decay kinetic was determined by monitoring the following microorganisms: Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas spp., lactic acid bacteria, Brochothrix thermosphacta, coliforms and total psychrotrophic viable count. Results show that THY, working alone, was effective on coliforms and Enterobacteriaceae, whereas it does not seem to inhibit to a great extent the growth of the other microbial populations. On the other hand, an increased amount of THY, under MAP conditions, had better effects on the product quality, with a consequent prolongation of the shelf life. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Great interest is developing in food bio-preservation, because of the ever-increasing needs to protect consumers' health and to valorize the naturalness and safety of food products. However, very few works have been carried out on the applications of bio-preservatives to extend the shelf life of fresh meat products. This study, therefore, was mainly initiated to evaluate the possibility of extending the shelf life of packed fresh meat patties by a combination of thymol (THY) to other extrinsic factors such as storage temperatures and modified atmosphere during packaging. Interesting results were obtained suggesting that THY can perform an efficient synergy with modified atmosphere conditions and could be advantageously utilized by the meat industry. [source] Soy Protein Isolate versus Meat-Based Low-Protein Diet for Dogs with Congenital Portosystemic ShuntsJOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 4 2009S. Proot Background: Both presurgical preparation and long-term support of nonoperable dogs with congenital portosystemic shunts (CPSS) require optimal dietary management. Studies suggested that protein source may play an important role, with vegetable and dairy protein sources having better effects on hepatic encephalopathy (HE) than meat proteins. Objectives: Determine whether a low-protein test diet with soy as its main protein source results in better scores than a control diet with the same composition but with poultry as its main protein source in dogs with CPSS. Methods: In a double-blind cross-over study, 16 dogs received each diet for 4 weeks. Dogs in group T first received the test diet and then the control diet, whereas dogs in group C were fed the diets in the opposite order. Different variables (body weight, body condition score, HE score, fecal score, CBC, plasma tests of liver function including NH3, and coagulation tests) were measured at the start of the study and after completion of each diet. Results: One-way repeated measures ANOVA was performed. Plasma NH3 was significantly lower after the test diet than after the control diet. The test diet also resulted in significantly higher fibrinogen concentrations and lower prothrombin times. The HE score improved with both diets, with no significant difference between the 2 diets. Conclusions: Both diets achieved a significant improvement in HE score. The influence of the soy-based diet on plasma NH3 concentration and coagulation parameters suggests that such a diet decreases the risk for HE and gives better support of liver function. [source] Effect of Black maca (Lepidium meyenii) on one spermatogenic cycle in ratsANDROLOGIA, Issue 5 2006G. F. Gonzales Summary Lepidium meyenii (Maca) grows exclusively between 4000 and 4500 m above sea level in the Peruvian central Andes. The hypocotyls of this plant are traditionally used in the Andean region for their supposed fertility-enhancing properties. The hypocotyls have different colours. Of these, Black maca has better effects on spermatogenesis. The present study aimed to test the hypothesis that Black maca has early effects during a spermatogenic cycle (12 days) of male rats. For this, testicular spermatid, epididymal sperm and vas deferens sperm counts were measured after 1, 3, 5, 7 and 12 days of treatment with Black maca. Aqueous extract of Black maca was given orally by daily gavage at a dose of 2 g kg,1. In a spermatogenic cycle, compared with day 1, daily sperm production (DSP) was lower at day 7 (control), whereas with Black maca, the difference was observed at day 12. Epididymal sperm count was higher in rats treated with Black maca at days 1, 3 and 7, but similar to controls at days 5 and 12; similarly sperm counts in vas deferens was higher in rats treated with Black maca in days 3, 5 and 7, but similar to controls at days 1 and 12. From this, it is suggested that first action of Black maca was at epididymal level increasing sperm count after 1 day of treatment, whereas an increase in sperm count was observed in vas deferens at day 3 of treatment. Finally, an increase in DSP was observed after 7 days of treatment with Black maca. Testicular testosterone was not affected after 7 days treatment with Black maca. In conclusion, Black maca affects sperm count as early as 1 day after beginning of treatment. [source] A Multidimensional Meta-Analysis of Psychotherapy for Bulimia NervosaCLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY: SCIENCE AND PRACTICE, Issue 3 2003Heather Thompson-Brenner We report a multidimensional meta-analysis of psychotherapy trials for bulimia nervosa published between 1980 and 2000, including multiple variables in addition to effect size such as inclusion and exclusion, recovery, and sustained recovery rates. The data point to four conclusions. First, psychotherapy leads to large improvements from baseline. Approximately 40% of patients who complete treatment recover completely, although 60% maintain clinically significant posttreatment symptoms. Second, individual therapy shows substantially better effects than group therapy for the therapies tested. Third, additional approaches or treatment parameters (e.g., number of sessions) need to be tested for the substantial number of patients who enter treatment and do not recover. Finally, the utility of meta-analyses can be augmented by including a wider range of outcome metrics, such as recovery rates and posttreatment symptom levels. [source] The biocompatibility microorganisms-carbon nanostructures for applications in microbial fuel cellsPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (A) APPLICATIONS AND MATERIALS SCIENCE, Issue 6 2007A. Morozan Abstract Bionanocomposites Staphylococcus aureus /carbon nanotubes were prepared and their biocompatibility with different species of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) evaluated in terms of their incorporation into a microbial fuel cell (MFC) anodic design. Multi wall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) with various morphologies and structures, as received, and synthesized by the pyrolysis of novolac with ferrocene addition were used. MWNTs were characterized by TEM and FT-IR spectroscopy. Optical microscopy with fluorescent quantum dots (QDs) have been used for bio-labeling, microorganisms-CNTs biocompatibility and rapid identification of the colonies developed. Designed BNCs are good culture cells media and the electrodes based on synthesized CNTs could be used with good effects in MFCs, from the point of view of bacteria biocompatibility. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] The pathophysiology of lower urinary tract symptoms after brachytherapy for prostate cancerBJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 6 2006Jerry G. Blaivas Brachytherapy for prostate cancer has many good effects, but is also associated, like every treatment, with side-effects, some of which have been previously reported in the BJU International. In this section, authors from New York assessed the pathophysiology underlying LUTS which persisted for at least 6 months after brachytherapy, and found a relatively high incidence of detrusor overactivity and other conditions affecting the lower urinary tract. OBJECTIVES To determine the spectrum of pathophysiology underlying the lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) persisting for ,,6 months after brachytherapy for localized prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS A database of men from two practice settings was searched for men who developed LUTS persisting for ,,6 months after completing brachytherapy for localized prostate cancer. Patients were evaluated with a structured history and physical examination, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), 24-h voiding diary, noninvasive free-flow uroflowmetry, postvoid residual urine volume (PVR), cystoscopy and a video-urodynamic study. Specific data collected included symptoms, elapsed time since brachytherapy, Gleason score, IPSS, total number of voids/24 h, maximum voided volume, cystoscopic findings, and urodynamics findings (PVR, maximum urinary flow rate, Schaefer obstruction grade, Watts factor, incidence of detrusor overactivity (DO) urethral obstruction and low bladder compliance). These data were compared with those from a previous study of men with LUTS who did not have prostate cancer. RESULTS The study included 47 men (aged 54,88 years); the median (range) interval between brachytherapy and evaluation was 1.5 (0.5,13) years. Thirty-seven men complained of overactive bladder symptoms (79%), and 31 of incontinence (71%), 21 of obstructive symptoms (44%), and persistent dysuria in 12 (26%). Comparison of urodynamic findings in men with unselected causes of LUTS vs LUTS due to brachytherapy revealed the following comparisons: DO in 252 of 541 (47%) unselected vs 28 of 33 (85%) brachytherapy, (P < 0.001); and urethral obstruction in 374 of 541 (69%) unselected vs 24 of 33 (73%) brachytherapy (P = 0.85). CONCLUSION The pathophysiology and severity of persistent LUTS in men after brachytherapy differs from that of men with LUTS in the general population. Men after brachytherapy have a much higher incidence of DO, prostatic and urethral strictures and prostatic urethral stones. [source] | ||||||||||