Obvious Beneficial Effect Research Articles

Morpho-physiological and micrographic characterization of maize hybrids under NaCl and Cd stress

A hydroponic experiment was conducted to investigate single and combined effects of 5 µmol/L Cd and 100 mM NaCl on growth, root morphology, photosynthetic parameters, leaf and root ultra-structure of two maize hybrids (26204 and 8441) differing in salt tolerance. A more pronounced reduction on growth, root morphology, SPAD value, chlorophyll fluorescence and leaf gas exchange indicated that 8441 was more sensitive than 26204 to both Cd and NaCl stresses. Transmission electron microscopy of 8441 revealed a more severe destruction in root and leaf cells as compared to 26204. The reduction in growth and photosynthetic parameters were associated with severe disorganization of nucleus, chloroplast, mitochondrial damage, vacuolation, and increased number and size of pastoglobuli. Interestingly, the combined stress of both NaCl and Cd had obvious beneficial effect on the plant growth, photosynthetic parameters and cell ultra-structure relative to Cd or Na stress alone in the two maize hybrids. The study suggested that there is involvement of same genetic and physiological mechanisms in response to both Cd and NaCl stresses.

Novel sulfation effect on low-temperature activity enhancement of CeO2-added Sb-V2O5/TiO2 catalyst for NH3-SCR

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is considered as a poisoning gas for NH3-SCR catalysts under real time conditions. However, it has revealed an obvious beneficial effect on the activity of CeO2 containing catalysts. Hereby we report the applied research in sulfation effect on low-temperature activity enhancement of CeO2-modified, Sb2O3–V2O5–TiO2 catalyst system pretreated with SO2 under oxidizing conditions at different temperatures for 2h. We have elucidated the real insights via nature-property relationships of the species formed at various SO2 pretreatment temperatures (T=300, 400 and 500°C) with the help of advanced characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), temperature programmed reaction (NH3-TPD, NO-TPD and H2-TPR), BET surface area, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Our results indicated that SO2 pre-treatment at 500°C led to the maximum favorable sulfation with cerium(III) sulfate as the major surface species.

Dosage of statin, cardiovascular comorbidities, and risk of atrial fibrillation: A nationwide population-based cohort study

Statin has potential protective effects against atrial fibrillation. Clinically, there is a need to predict the atrial fibrillation protective effects in statin-treated patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate if cardiovascular co-morbidities or cumulative defined daily doses (cDDDs) of statin use could predict statin efficacy in atrial fibrillation prevention. Patients aged ≥ 50 years were identified from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. Medical records of 171,885 patients were used in this study, and 40,001 (23.3%) of the patients received statin therapy (≥ 28 cDDDs). Risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation in statin users and non-users (<28 cDDDs) was estimated. During the 9-year follow-up period, 6049 patients experienced new-onset atrial fibrillation. Overall, statin therapy reduced the risk of atrial fibrillation by 28% (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0.72; 95% CI 0.68 to 0.77). There was a dose-response relationship between statin use and the risk of atrial fibrillation. The adjusted HRs for atrial fibrillation were 1.04, 0.85, and 0.50 when cDDDs ranged from 28 to 90, 91 to 365, and more than 365, respectively. Subgroup analysis showed that statin use was more beneficial in patients with higher CHADS2 and CHA2DS2VASc scores than those with a score of 0 (P value for interaction<0.001). The therapy provided no obvious beneficial effect in those with a CHADS2 score of 0, a CHA2DS2VASc score of 0, or cDDDs less than 91. Statin therapy reduces the risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation in a dose-dependent manner, and is beneficial in patients with cardiovascular co-morbidities.

Intensive versus conventional insulin therapy in severe traumatic brain injury: a Meta -analysis

Objective To evaluate the effects of intensive insulin therapy (IIT) versus conventional insulin therapy (CIT) in treating of severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI).Methods Systematic searching of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in literature databases were performed for meta - analysis by Review Manager.Outcome parameters were the early (in hospital ) and the late (3 months later) mortalities,infection rates,good late neurological severity scale (NSS) score frequency,and hypoglycemic episodes.Results Twelve studies and 1 277 patients were included in this meta - analysis.The pooled OR of early mortality was 0.78 (95％ CI:O.53 - 1.15,P =0.21 ).The pooled OR of late mortality was 0.85 (95％ CI:0.63 -1.15,P =0.30).The pooled OR of infection rate was 0.49 (95％ CI:0.37 -0.64,P ＜0.00001).Meanwhile,The pooled OR of late good NSS frequency was 1.62 (95％ CI:1.18 -2.21,P =0.003).Furthermore,The pooled ORs of hypoglycemic episode frequency were 4.33 (95％ CI:1.39 - 13.49,P=0.01) and2.61 (95％ CI:2.27-2.99,P＜0.00001).Conclusions In treating of sTBI,IIT had no obvious beneficial effect on early and late mortality compared with CIT.However IIT could decrease infection rate,improve late NSS score.Meanwhile,hypoglycemic episode frequency was significant higher in IIT group other than CIT group.It is still need further study to clarify whether IIT should be continued in treatment of sTBI. Key words: Brain injury; Insulin; Meta-analysis

Surfactant-free synthesis uniform Ti1−xSnxO2 nanocrystal colloids and their photocatalytic performance

The preparation of Ti1−xSnxO2 nanocrystal colloids from peroxo-metal precursor by hydrothermal method was reported in this work. The obtained materials were investigated by means of XRD, Raman, TEM, XPS, ICP-AES, N2 adsorption–desorption measurements (BET), PL and UV–vis spectroscopies technology. Photocatalytic degradation of phenol was studied under UV illumination. The results indicated that Ti1−xSnxO2 nanocrystal colloids were obtained in the nanometer scale (less than 10nm) and the crystallite size was smaller than pure TiO2. Anatase phase, mixture phase (anatase and rutile) and rutile phase of Sn-doped TiO2 samples were formed, when x<0.04, 0.04<x<0.06 and x≥0.06, respectively. The Sn4+ dopants presented substitution Ti4+ into the lattice of TiO2 alongside increasing the surface oxygen vacancies and the surface hydroxyl groups. Regarding photocatalytic activity, Sn-doped TiO2 samples (TiSn3) were nearly four times higher than undoped samples. This obvious beneficial effect could be attributed to high surface area, optimal crystalline phase and surface state modifications.

Negative Impact of KIR-Ligand Mismatch on Transplant-Related Mortality (TRM) in Umbilical Cord Blood Transplant (UCBT) Recipients.

Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is frequently considered as a suitable alternate source of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) for both pediatric and adult patients who require HSC transplant for treatment of high-risk or relapsed hematologic malignancy. As mismatched killer Ig-like receptor ligands (KIR-L MM) has been associated with anti-host alloreactive natural killer (NK) cell activity and reduced risk of acute myeloid leukemia relapse in recipients of T-cell depleted haploidentical HSC, we hypothesized that GVL after UCBT may also be mediated by NK alloreactivity. We therefore assessed the effect of KIR-L MM in 243 recipients of UCB transplanted at the University of Minnesota between 1998 and 2004 for whom HLA-A, -B, -C and DRB1 typing was available for both patient and UCB unit(s). Median age, weight, and follow-up were 27 yrs (range, 0.2–69), 64.6 kg (range, 3.8–120.2), and 1.1 yr (range, 0.5–6.6), respectively. For recipients of double UCBT (n =106), we analyzed the KIR-L assignment of the engrafting unit only. KIR-L MM in the GVH direction was established using the algorithm of Ruggeri and Velardi and was found in 70 (29%) donor-recipient pairs. Probability of 2-year survival was 54% (95%CI: 42–66) vs. 47% (95%CI: 38–56) (p=0.88) in KIR-L MM vs. matched pairs, respectively. Intensity of the conditioning regimen was the only independent predictor of survival, with a RR of death 1.54 (95%CI: 1.07–2.22, p=0.02) for those who received a non-myeloablative conditioning. For the whole group, incidence of relapse at 1-yr was 17% (95%CI: 8–26) vs. 31% (95%CI: 24–38) (p=0.12); for myeloid malignancy patients, incidence of relapse at 1 year was 13% (95%CI:2–24) vs. 34% (95%CI:22–46)(p=0.10). Intensity of the conditioning regimen was the only independent predictor of relapse, with a RR 2.09 (95%CI: 1.31–3.35, p<0.01) for those who received a non-myeloablative conditioning. Incidence of graft failure and grade II–IV acute GVHD was 11% (95%CI: 3–18) vs. 10% (95%CI: 6–15) (p= 0.97) and 50% (95%CI: 37–63) vs. 50% (95%CI: 42–58) (p=0.67), respectively. Notably, the incidence of TRM was higher among recipients of KIR-L MM grafts [26% (95%CI: 15–26) vs. 13% (95%CI: 8–18), p=0.01]. KIR-L MM did not impact on outcome within the subgroups of patients based on conditioning, number UCB units (single vs. double), and those who had a myeloid malignancy (AML, CML or MDS). In multivariate analysis, a nucleated cell dose < 3.5 X 10E7/kg [RR 3.86 (95%CI: 1.84–8.12, p<0.01)] and KIR-L MM [RR 2.15 (95%CI: 1.15–4.01, p<0.01)] were independent predictors of increased TRM. In summary, in the setting of UCBT, KIR-L MM is associated with increased TRM with no obvious beneficial effect on engraftment, relapse risk or survival as previously demonstrated in recipients of TCD haploidentical HSC. Differences in NK cells reconstitution, presence of T-cells and/or use of immunosuppression may interfere with any potential beneficial effect alloreactive NK cells in the setting of UCBT. While additional studies are still needed, results to date fail to support a specific search for UCB units with a KIR-L MM.

The effect of transfusions on renal allograft survival in the cyclosporine era: A single center report

The potential efficacy of prior transplant transfusions on graft survival in the cyclosporine era has been reported from several centers which are reconsidering their transfusion policy. The purpose of this study has been to evaluate the results obtained in a large series of first kidney transplant patients (N = 284) treated with cyclosporine. Our past experience showed a beneficial effect of blood transfusions in cadaveric renal transplants on conventional immunosuppression. Forty‐eight patients never received blood transfusions, 85 patients received 1‐2 transfusions, 72 patients received 3‐5 transfusions and 79 patients received more than 5 transfusions in their pre‐transplant periods. We did not show an obvious beneficial effect of prior blood transfusions in improving 1‐ and 2‐ycar patient and graft survival. In fact, no statistically significant differences were found among any of the groups depending upon the transfusion status. In the transfused group, graft survival rates were 81.4% (I year) and 77.8% (2 years) while in the non‐transfused group they were 81.2% (1 year) and 78.4% (2 years) (p = n.s.). The patients who rejected had a significantly lower graft survival in the transfused group as compared to the non‐transfused group. On the other hand, the transfused patients without rejection episodes experienced the best graft survival, suggesting a beneficial transfusion effect. We conclude that since it is impossible to determine which patients will not reject, pre‐transplant transfusions under certain circumstances might be harmful, or at least not beneficial. We would recommend restricting transfusions in cyclosporine‐tested patients only in cases of therapeutic necessity.

Some effects of minor alloying additions on the development and breakdown of protective oxide scales

The development and breakdown of scales formed on Fe—25Cr and Fe—25Cr—20Ni alloys have been studied in O—S environments, mainly at 700°C. The chromia scales formed on Fe-25Cr were markedly more effective than the scales formed on Fe-25Cr-20Ni. A major difference was that the protective scales formed on the FeCr alloy were predominantly M2O3 type, with low levels of Fe, whereas those that led to inferior protection on the FeCrNi alloy were predominantly M3O4 type, with higher levels of Fe in the nominally protective scale. The influence of small additions of Y, Hf, Ce, Nb, Mn, Pt, A1 and Si on the formation of protective scales on these alloy bases was investigated. Only Si, and possibly small additions (2%) of Al, as well as Al2O3 or Y2O3 dispersions appeared to exert any obvious beneficial effect. Additions made through ion implantation did not result in improved protective behaviour in any of the alloys. It was postulated that alloy modifications that can minimize the Fe content of the scale, probably b...

Ineffectiveness of dietary protein augmentation in the management of the nephrotic syndrome

The nephrotic syndrome is a consequence of altered permselectivity of the glomerular basement membrane resulting in urinary losses of albumin and other serum proteins. Although dietary protein augmentation increases albumin synthesis, it has not been shown to increase serum albumin or muscle protein. Dietary protein was increased from 8.5% to 21% in pair-fed rats with Heymann nephritis and resulted in an increase both in albumin synthesis and urinary albumin excretion, but not in serum albumin concentration or in total albumin pools. The increase in dietary protein was 8 times greater than the resulting increase in urinary protein excretion, but nearly all of the additional ingested protein was catabolized to urea and excreted in the urine rather than used to augment growth. Dietary supplementation with protein has no obvious beneficial effect on nutritional status of nephrotic rats.

Bilateral involvement and the effect of sympathetic blockade on skin microcirculation in the sympathetic dystrophies

In a recent study we found skin capillary blood cell velocity (CBV) at rest, laser Doppler flux (LDF), and its response to lowering of the hand to be reduced in the dystrophic hand of patients suffering from sympathetic dystrophies. This study confirms these previous findings. Four of the 12 patients investigated felt intermittent pain in the “healthy” hand. Basal CBV, LDF, and reaction during dependency were not impaired in the asymptomatic hand compared with controls. However, during cooling of the contralateral hand CBV and LDF decreased significantly (median 44 and 37.5%) in the control group but neither in the affected nor in the asymptomatic hand among patients. Sympathetic blockade significantly increased both CBV and LDF in the dystrophic hand (median 58 and 20%), but no obvious beneficial symptomatic effect was noted. The lack of response to contralateral cooling in both hands indicates a disturbance of a central nervous mechanism in patients with unilateral sympathetic dystrophies.

Malignant gliomas of the brain. A retrospective study

A retrospective study of 72 consecutive and nonrandomized patients with malignant glial tumors is presented. The influence of age, sex, location of tumor, initial presenting symptoms, symptomatic preoperative interval, reoperation, extent of tumor removal, histological subtype of tumor, lymphocyte infiltration, and different treatments upon survival time has been evaluated and statistically analyzed. Age was inversely associated with survival with a strong statistical significance ( p = 0.0001). Headache was the most common (67%) initial symptom; aphasia and seizure were both present in 45.3% of patients. Initial presenting symptoms had no effect upon survival. Parietal lobe and lymphocyte infiltration had marginally negative effects upon survival ( p = 0.097 and p = 0.10 respectively). The amount of tumor removal was marginally associated with an improved survival ( p = 0.07). Radiation therapy was strongly associated with an improved survival time ( p = 0.0007). The addition of chemotherapy did not affect the survival (perhaps reflecting the small number of patients and inadequate chemotherapy). There was an obvious beneficial effect of reoperation upon survival time, if the patient lived and underwent reoperation later than 16 months after the initial operation (slow-growing tumor). Although median and mean survival times (10 and 20.34 months respectively, SD 7.45 months) were similar to most series reported, our rates of survival (20%, 12.5%, and 7.5% at 2, 3, and 5 years, respectively) were notably higher.

Alpha-adrenergic blockade for variant angina: a long-term, double-blind, randomized trial.

Recent reports have shown that beta-adrenergic blockade may exacerbate variant angina. On theoretical grounds, alpha-adrenergic blockade may be beneficial in these patients. To test this hypothesis, we assessed the efficacy of prazosin, an alpha-adrenergic blocking agent, in six men, mean age 49 years, with variant angina. Prazosin, 14.0 +/- 2.4 mg/day (mean +/- SD) in three equal doses, was compared with placebo in a double-blind, randomized, double-crossover trial lasting 4 1/2 months: 2 weeks of open-label prazosin followed by four 1-month periods of blinded alternating therapy. No other vasoactive medications were administered during the study. Prazosin reduced sitting systolic arterial pressure from 145 +/- 18 to 127 +/- 16 mm Hg (p = 0.02), but exerted no effect on diastolic arterial pressure or heart rate. Prazosin did not change the weekly number of episodes of chest pain (2.5 +/- 2.3 with placebo vs 3.1 +/- 3.0 with prazosin, NS), nitroglycerin tablets used (3.9 +/- 3.7 with placebo vs 4.6 +/- 4.2 with prazosin, NS), or transient ST-segment deviations (by calibrated two-channel Holter monitoring for 24 hours/week throughout the study) (6.5 +/- 10.1 with placebo vs 11.8 +/- 17.4 with prazosin, NS). During prazosin therapy, three patients had orthostatic dizziness and one patient had headache. Thus, in a long-term, randomized, double-blind trial, prazosin exerted no obvious beneficial effect in patients with variant angina.

Intractable Malabsorption With a Flat Jejunal Mucosa and Selective IgA Deficiency: A case report with immunological and autoradiographic studies

A 13-year-old male with selective IgA deficiency, a flat jejunal mucosa, and severe, fatal malabsorption is reported. Unlike previously well described cases, there was no reponse to a gluten-free diet, and multiple forms of therapy were not helpful. The mucosal lesion was the only basis demonstrated for malabsorption, and contributing factors, such as giardiasis and bacterial overgrowth, were not present. Infusions of fresh-frozen plasma raised the serum IgA from undetectable levels to 14.5 to 16.0 mg per 100 ml, but there was no obvious beneficial effect from this. Investigations of the jejunal mucosa demonstrated proliferation of plasma cells and an increased proliferation of epithelial cells as in gluten-sensitive enteropathy. This case illustrates that in the occasional patient who initially appears to have gluten enteropathy, but does not respond to treatment, correction of coexisting selective IgA deficiency by plasma infusions may not be helpful.

Topical retinoic acid in the treatment of acne vulgaris.

Summary.— Twenty-two patients with facial acne vulgaris received local treatment with 0·1% retinoic acid lotion. Although a slight to moderate improvement occurred in 13 patients, the irritant effect of the lotion was a major problem producing an unacceptable degree of erythema and peeling. If the frequency of application of the lotion was reduced sufficiently to minimize the side effects of treatment, any obvious beneficial effect on the acne was often lost.

Anastomotic dehiscence after anterior resection of rectum and sigmoid.

Abstract The incidence of dehiscence of the anastomosis after anterior resection of the sigmoid colon and rectum was studied by digital examination of the rectum, sigmoidoscopy, and radiological examination after a small barium enema in 73 patients who had undergone the operation for carcinoma, villous papilloma, or diverticular disease. Dehiscence was detected in 37 (or 51 per cent) of the entire series, in 19 (or 40 per cent) of the 47 cases treated by high anterior resection, and in 18 (or 69 per cent) of the 26 cases submitted to low anterior resection. The dehiscences were usually much more extensive after low resection. The possible reasons for these differences are discussed. The effect of other factors on the occurrence of dehiscence was examined:— A simultaneous transverse colostomy was performed in 28 of the 68 patients undergoing primary resection. It was used in most cases after low resection, whilst after high resection it was reserved largely for cases with faecal loading. The unfavourable nature of the patients submitted to simultaneous covering colostomy makes it impossible to evaluate the influence of this step on the incidence of dehiscence.A preliminary transverse colostomy was established 14–21 days before resection in 5 patients. Three of these cases developed anastomotic dehiscence after the resection, so that clearly an empty distal colon at the time of resection provides no certain guarantee against breakdown of the suture line.Preoperative administration of bowel antiseptics in the form of phthalylsulfathiazole and neomycin was associated with a significantly lower rate of dehiscence after high anterior resection, but had no obvious beneficial effect on the incidence of this complication after low resection. Though minimal dehiscences, especially after high anterior resection, often pursued an innocuous, subclinical course, major dehiscences endangered the patient's life and prolonged convalescence. There were 2 deaths in this series attributable to dehiscence, a mortality of 2.7 per cent. The mean period in hospital after high anterior resection was 17 days in patients who did not develop dehiscence and 35 days in those who did; and after low anterior resection it was 44 days when dehiscence did not occur and 48 days when it did.

GASTRIC FREEZING FOR DUODENAL ULCER.

A cuRE without recourse to surgery is the aim of all concerned with the treatment of duodenal ulcer. A new step in this direction was the introduction of gastric freezing by Wangensteen and his group in I962 (Wangensteen, Peter, Nicoloff, Walder, Sosin and Bernstein, i962b; Peter, Bernstein, Sosin, Madsen, Walder and Wangensteen, I962). This relatively simple and apparently innocuous procedure had obvious attractions and has been pursued enthusiastically, especially in the U.S.A. However, the first flush of enthusiasm is now being tempered with some doubts and, in fact, there seems to be a definite swing away from gastric freezing. Much of this may be due to an uncritical and over-zealous approach in some quarters. A certain amount of the criticism is based on divergent results obtained in laboratory animals, some of which do not show any very obvious beneficial effect of gastric freezing. In this review the experimental basis of the technique is discussed along with the clinical results to date in the light of our limited experience.