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Results for “efficacy determination”

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At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

The determination of efficacy of antimicrobial rinses on turkey carcasses using response surface designs.

Chlorine, lactic acid. TSP (trisodium phosphate) and a commercial phosphate blend (Avgard) were evaluated for their potential bactericidal effects on faecally contaminated turkey carcasses. Carcasses were sprayed for 10 s with each bactericide, at various concentrations and pressure combinations, derived from a response surface central composite design. For all the bactericides, variation in pressure had no significant (P > 0.05) effect in reducing either total or coliform counts. Lactic acid at various concentrations showed a significant effect (P < 0.20) in reducing total and coliform counts. The results indicate that lactic acid at 4.25% (w/w) has the potential for reducing the total microbial load and coliforms by more than 95%. Chlorine, TSP and Avgard concentration did not significantly (P > 0.20) affect the microbial load when compared with a water spray, i.e. no bactericide. Preliminary presumptive testing indicated that lactic acid and Avgard had some effect against Salmonella spp. Chlorine and TSP, irrespective of concentration and pressure, were not effective against Salmonella spp. Overall, these findings suggest that lactic acid was the most effective bactericide for reducing microbial contamination and improving the safety of poultry meat.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to determine the efficacy of eutectic lidocaine/prilocaine (EMLA) cream for decreasing pain during local anaesthetic infiltration for out-patient haemorrhoidectomy.

OBJECTIVE: The study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of eutectic lidocaine/prilocaine (EMLA) cream for decreasing pain during local anaesthetic infiltration for outpatient haemorrhoidectomy. METHODS: Ninety-eight patients were randomly assigned either to receive EMLA or placebo. The creams were applied 45 minutes prior to injection of a lidocaine/bupivacaine mixture using a diamond-shaped perianal block. All participants were blinded to the specific medication received. They were asked to rate pain and levels of acceptability using a pre-validated pain scale and questionnaire. RESULTS: There were 49 patients in each group. The baseline characteristics between the two groups were similar. Forty patients (82%) in the EMLA group and 42 patients (86%) in the placebo group reported only mild pain during injection and infiltration of the lidocaine/bupivacaine mixture. The mean rank pain scores were 49.11 and 48.89, respectively (p = 0.886, not significant). CONCLUSION: While outpatient haemorrhoidectomy under local anaesthesia was generally well tolerated, there was no statistically significant difference between EMLA cream and placebo for decreasing pain during anaesthetic infiltration.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Antigen persistence and time of T-cell tolerization determine the efficacy of tolerization protocols for prevention of skin graft rejection.

We studied antigen-specific T-cell tolerization therapy using skin transplantation across a defined minor histocompatibility antigen difference. Specific tolerization protocols using short-lived peptide or long-lived spleen cells presenting the peptide as antigen prevented graft rejection without immunosuppression when started before or as long as 10 days after transplantation. Peptide-induced T-cell tolerance was transient, and antigen presentation by the graft was not sufficient to maintain tolerance. In contrast, transfer of antigen-expressing lymphoid cells induced long-lasting tolerance correlating with donor cell chimerism. These findings show that antigen-specific tolerization can induce graft acceptance even when begun after transplantation and that long-term graft survival depends on persistence of the tolerizing antigen.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

A prospective randomised trial to determine the efficacy of a low glycaemic index diet given in addition to healthy eating and weight loss advice in patients with coronary heart disease.

OBJECTIVE: Recent epidemiological and prospective trial evidence suggests that consumption of a low glycaemic index (LGI) diet will reduce coronary risk. We hypothesise that introduction of an LGI diet will improve the metabolic profile of patients who have undergone coronary artery bypass grafting. DESIGN: We conducted a randomised parallel group trial comparing a control group (n=29, age 61.8+/-9 y), who received currently advocated healthy eating dietary advice only, to an intervention group, who received healthy eating advice emphasising LGI carbohydrates (n=26, age 63.6+/-9.4 y) over a 12-week period in free-living patients with coronary heart disease. Outcome measures included fasting glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides. RESULTS: A significant lower dietary glycaemic index was achieved in the group assigned to an LGI diet compared to the healthy eating control group (71+/-1 vs 81+/-1); fibre intake was also higher in the LGI group (20+/-1 vs 15+/-1 g). All biochemical markers of glucose and lipid metabolism measured were similar after 12 weeks of the LGI diet or control diet. DISCUSSION: The LGI group achieved a significant LGI and a higher dietary fibre intake. However, there was no measurable significant effect of either the LGI diet or the health eating diet on lipid levels; this may have been hidden by concurrent drug therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

A randomized multicenter study to determine the efficacy of activity restriction for preterm labor management in patients testing negative for fetal fibronectin.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of activity restriction (AR) on the incidence of preterm birth in women treated for preterm labor testing negative for fetal fibronectin (fFN). STUDY DESIGN: Women who were diagnosed with preterm labor and tocolyzed with magnesium sulfate were concurrently screened with fFN for the purpose of subsequent management. Included were consenting patients with negative fFN, gestational age 23 0/7-33 6/7 weeks, cervical dilation < or =3 cm, and minimal vaginal bleeding. Patients were randomized to AR or no AR. Primary study outcome was incidence of preterm delivery and interval from randomization to delivery. RESULTS: A total of 73 women with negative fFN were randomized (36 with AR, 37 without AR). The overall preterm birth rate was 40%, with 44.4% of patients with AR and 35.1% of patients without AR delivering preterm, p=0.478. CONCLUSION: Maternal AR did not impact pregnancy outcome. The incidence of preterm birth in symptomatic women testing fFN negative was higher than previously reported.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Accessory elements, flanking DNA sequence, and promoter context play key roles in determining the efficacy of insulin and phorbol ester signaling through the malic enzyme and collagenase-1 AP-1 motifs.

Insulin stimulates malic enzyme (ME)-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) and collagenase-1-CAT fusion gene expression in H4IIE cells through identical activator protein-1 (AP-1) motifs. In contrast, insulin and phorbol esters only stimulate collagenase-1-CAT and not ME-CAT fusion gene expression in HeLa cells. The experiments in this article were designed to explore the molecular basis for this differential cell type- and gene-specific regulation. The results highlight the influence of three variables, namely promoter context, AP-1 flanking sequence, and accessory elements that modulate insulin and phorbol ester signaling through the AP-1 motif. Thus, fusion gene transfection and proteolytic clipping gel retardation assays suggest that the AP-1 flanking sequence affects the conformation of AP-1 binding to the collagenase-1 and ME AP-1 motifs such that it selectively binds the latter in a fully activated state. However, this influence of ME AP-1 flanking sequence is dependent on promoter context. Thus, the ME AP-1 motif will mediate both an insulin and phorbol ester response in HeLa cells when introduced into either the collagenase-1 promoter or a specific heterologous promoter. But even in the context of the collagenase-1 promoter, the effects of both insulin and phorbol esters, mediated through the ME AP-1 motif are dependent on accessory factors.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2003

Distinct structural determinants of efficacy and sensitivity in the ligand-binding domain of cyclic nucleotide-gated channels.

Cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels open in response to direct binding of cyclic nucleotide messengers. Every subunit in a tetrameric CNG channel contains a cytoplasmic ligand-binding domain (BD) that includes a beta-roll (flanked by short helices) and a single C-terminal helix called the C-helix that was previously found to control efficacy (maximal open probability) and selectivity for cGMP versus cAMP. We constructed a series of chimeric CNG channel subunits, each containing a distinct BD sequence (chosen from among six phylogenetically divergent isoforms) fused to an invariant non-BD sequence. We assayed these "BD substitution" chimeras as homomeric CNG channels in Xenopus oo-cytes to compare their functions and found that the most efficient activation by both cAMP and cGMP derived from the BD of the catfish CNGA4 olfactory modulatory subunit (fCNGA4). We then tested the effects of replacing subregions of the bovine CNGA1 BD with corresponding fCNGA4 sequence and hence identified parts of the fCNGA4 BD producing efficient activation. For instance, replacing either the "hinge" that connects the roll and C-helix subdomains or the BD sequence N-terminal to the hinge greatly enhanced cAMP efficacy. Replacing the "loop-beta 8" region (the C-terminal end of the beta-roll) improved agonist sensitivity for cGMP selectively over cAMP. Our results thus identify multiple BD elements outside the C-helix that control selective ligand interaction and channel gating steps by distinct mechanisms. This suggests that the purine ring of the cyclic nucleotide may interact with both the beta-roll and the C-helix at different points in the mechanism.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2005

Pilot study to determine the efficacy of ALA-PDT photo-rejuvenation for the treatment of facial ageing.

OBJECTIVE: The study was divided into two parts. The objective of the preliminary study was to evaluate the optimum dose and tolerance of 5-aminolaevulinic acid (5-ALA) compared to a placebo cream with a 633-nm LED light in normal, healthy, volunteer forearm skin. The second study was to establish if ALA-PDT treatments improve the signs of ageing. RESULTS: Threshold photosensitization was observed using 5% 5-ALA under plastic occlusion for 30 minutes following a dose response study of forearm skin. Mild improvement was observed, using this concentration and time, for periorbital skin aging. Other anecdotal positive results of photo-rejuvenation are reported for facial and chest areas.

Aminolevulinic Acid↗
PubMed2005

A study to determine the efficacy of combination LED light therapy (633 nm and 830 nm) in facial skin rejuvenation.

BACKGROUND: The use of visible or near infrared spectral light alone for the purpose of skin rejuvenation has been previously reported. A method of light emitting diode (LED) photo rejuvenation incorporating a combination of these wavelengths and thus compounding their distinct stimulation of cellular components is proposed.Objective. To assess the efficacy and local tolerability of combination light therapy in photo rejuvenation of facial skin. METHODS: Thirty-one subjects with facial rhytids received nine light therapy treatments using the Omnilux LED system. The treatments combined wavelengths of 633 nm and 830 nm with fluences of 126 J/cm(2) and 66 J/cm(2) respectively. Improvements to the skin surface were evaluated at weeks 9 and 12 by profilometry performed on periorbital casts. Additional outcome measures included assessments of clinical photography and patient satisfaction scores. RESULTS: Key profilometry results Sq, Sa, Sp and St showed significant differences at week 12 follow-up; 52% of subjects showed a 25%-50% improvement in photoaging scores by week 12; 81% of subjects reported a significant improvement in periorbital wrinkles on completion of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Omnilux combination red and near infrared LED therapy represents an effective and acceptable method of photo rejuvenation. Further study to optimize the parameters of treatment is required.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Host immune reactivity determines the efficacy of combination immunotherapy and antifungal chemotherapy in candidiasis.

In immunocompetent mice with candidiasis, successful therapy with amphotericin B and fluconazole relies on the induction of protective, T helper (Th) type 1 responses, an effect potentiated by concomitant interleukin (IL)-4 neutralization. To assess the therapeutic efficacy of combined treatments with antifungals and immunomodulators in conditions of immunosuppression, leukopenic or neutropenic mice with disseminated candidiasis were treated with amphotericin B or fluconazole alone or in combination with soluble IL-4 receptor (sIL-4R) or recombinant (r) IL-12 or IL-10 neutralizing monoclonal antibodies. We found that (1) the synergistic effect of sIL-4R and antifungals is retained in immunocompromised mice; (2) synergism with amphotericin B was superior to that with fluconazole, particularly in leukopenic mice; (3) rIL-12 synergized with fluconazole in neutropenic mice; and (4) IL-10 neutralization was always of limited efficacy. This study indicates that the therapeutic efficacy of antifungals is differentially potentiated by cytokines or cytokine antagonists and is influenced by host immune reactivity.

Amphotericin B↗
PubMed1993

Penicillin-binding protein expression at different growth stages determines penicillin efficacy in vitro and in vivo: an explanation for the inoculum effect.

Mechanisms to explain the "inoculum effect" have not been elucidated in gram-positive infections. A mouse model of group A streptococcal myositis was used to compare the efficacies of two beta-lactams, penicillin and ceftriaxone, and a protein synthesis inhibitor, clindamycin, at three different inoculum sizes. beta-lactams were more susceptible to inoculum effects than was clindamycin both in vivo and in vitro (P < .05). The large inocula were hypothesized to reach stationary phase of growth sooner than smaller inocula both in vitro and in vivo. The penicillin-binding protein (PBP) patterns from membrane proteins isolated from mid-log-phase and stationary-phase cultures of Streptococcus pyogenes were compared. Binding of radiolabeled penicillin by all PBPs was decreased in stationary cells; however, PBPs 1 and 4 were undetectable at 36 h. Thus, the loss of certain PBPs during stationary-phase growth in vitro may be responsible for the inoculum effect observed in vivo and may account for the failure of penicillin in both experimental and human cases of severe streptococcal infection.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Determinants of efficacy and toxicity of aminoglycosides.

The relative efficacy of different aminoglycosides or of different dosage schedules of the same aminoglycoside should be quantitated and related to relative toxicity. Quantitative experimental indicators of efficacy should not only include MIC and MBC, but also the postantibiotic effect in vitro and in vivo, the emergence of resistance in in-vitro and in-vivo models, and the relationship between plasma concentration profiles and efficacy. Parameters of clinical efficacy are to be related to pharmacokinetic parameters such as the ratio between the peak serum concentration and the MIC. Toxicity in clinical trials should be assessed by the most sensitive methods available. Experimental and clinical studies have shown cortical uptake to be a sensitive indicator of renal toxicity. As far as ototoxicity is concerned endolymph and perilymph pharmacokinetics are not clearly related. Clinical ototoxicity should be assessed by sensitive methods, such as high frequency tone audiometry. Finally, risk factors for nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity (e.g., duration of treatment, associated nephrotoxic drugs, dehydration) should be assessed in the evaluation of clinical trials.

Aminoglycosides↗
PubMed1976

A prospective study to determine the efficacy of antibiotics in acute pancreatitis.

This study is a double "blind" prospective evaluation of the efficacy of antibiotics (Ampicillin) in the treatment of acute alcohol-induced and idiopathic pancreatitis. Fifty-eight patients with acute pancreatitis were randomly divided into antibiotic and non-antibiotic treatment groups. The two groups were comparable clinically at the onset of the study and other than for antibiotics received identical therapy. The patients without antibiotics had a clinical course equal or slightly more favorable than the antibiotic treatment group in all parameters examined. These data indicate that prophylactic use of Ampicillin is not indicated in patients with routine acute alcohol-induced or idiopathic pancreatitis. The role of prophylactic antibiotics in patients with pancreatitis related to biliary calculi and those with more severe varieties of acute hemorrhagic or necrotizing pancreatitis remains to be more clearly defined.

Acute Disease↗