Eosinophilic Fasciitis: What Matters in Management in a Developing Country—A Case Report with Two and a Half-year Follow-up.

Eosinophilic fasciitis is an uncommon disorder of unknown aetiology and poorly-understood pathogenesis. Since 1974, over 250 cases of eosinophilic fasciitis have been reported worldwide. The first case of eosinophilic fasciitis from Bangladesh is reported here. The challenges of diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up, including family and social support, are discussed.

Effect of Different Substrates and Casing Materials on the Growth and Yield of Calocybe indica

Calocybe indica, a tropical edible mushroom, is popular because it has good nutritive value and it can be cultivated commercially. The current investigation was undertaken to determine a suitable substrate and the appropriate thickness of casing materials for the cultivation of C. indica. Optimum mycelial growth was observed in coconut coir substrate. Primordia initiation with the different substrates and casing materials was observed between the 13th and 19th day. The maximum length of stalk was recorded from sugarcane leaf, while diameter of stalk and pileus, and thickness of pileus were found in rice straw substrate. The highest biological and economic yield, and biological efficiency were also obtained in the rice straw substrate. Cow dung and loamy soil, farm-yard manure, loamy soil and sand, and spent oyster mushroom substrates were used as casing materials to evaluate the yield and yield-contributing characteristics of C. indica. The results indicate that the number of effective fruiting bodies, the biological and economic yield, and the biological efficiency were statistically similar all of the casing materials used. The maximum biological efficiency was found in the cow dung and loamy soil casing material. The cow dung and loamy soil (3 cm thick) was the best casing material and the rice straw was the best substrate for the commercial cultivation of C. indica.

Influence of Different Supplements on the Commercial Cultivation of Milky White Mushroom

Calocybe indica, known as milky white mushroom, grows and cultivated in the sub-tropical and temperate zones of South Asia. We investigated the most suitable supplements and their levels for the commercial cultivation of milky white mushroom. Rice bran, maize powder, and wheat bran with their different levels (10, 20, 30, 40, and 50%) were used as supplements to evaluate the yield and yield contributing characteristics of C. indica. Primordia initiation was observed between 13.5 and 19.3 days. The results indicated that the 30% maize powder supplement was effective for producing viable fruiting bodies. The maximum diameters of the pileus and stalk were observed with 30% maize powder. The highest biological and economic yield and biological efficiency were also obtained with 30% maize powder as a supplement. The results indicate that increasing the supplement level resulted in less biological efficiency, and that 30% maize powder was the best supplement level for rice straw substrate to cultivate milky white mushrooms.

Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and drainage in patients with obstructive jaundice

Twenty-seven patients with obstructive jaundice were subjected to clinical examination, laboratory investigations as well as percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography [PTC]. Thirteen patients in whom the general condition was poor and / or serum bilirubin above 15 mg% were subjected to percutaneous transhepatic drainage one week prior to operation. We found that PTC is a safe and effective procedure for demonstrating the site, nature and extent of the obstructing lesion as it was successful in 85.1% and 92.5% of patients to diagnose the cause and site of obstruction respectively. PTD, is a safe procedure and can accomplish adequate decompression of the biliary tree and marked improvement of liver functions and general condition before operation. It has a definite indication as a palliative procedure in non-resectable tumours in bad risk patients. No mortality occurred in this series. Four patients with mild infection and one patient with mild hemorrhage were the morbidity in the present study

Surgery of oesophageus: Historical review and concepts

The literature on oesophageal substitution is extensive since the early part of this century, when the jejunum. colon and sotmach were all used in the subcutaneous, retrosternal and post-mediastinal position. Most surgeons now believe that the use of the jejunum is unsatisfactory, chiefly due to the deficient blood supply. The choice is now restricted between the stomach and the colon. The potential operative risks appear to be higher in colon transplantation due to the greater length and the complexity of the procedure with three anastomoses the satisfactory oesophageal reconstructive technique must fulfill certain criteria:* The mortality and morbidity of the operation must be acceptable. * It must be possible to excise the diseased oesophagus and reconstrucr the gullet in one stage. * Sufficient viscus must be available to replace the entire oesophagus when necessary. * The relief of the patient's dysphagia must be complete and lasting

Immunoglobulins, peptides and trace metals in seminal plasma of fertile and infertile males

The biochemical characteristics of human seminal plasma and the possible role of these parameters in relation to infertility problems were the aim of this study. In the present work semen samples were collected from 64 males attending the infertility Clinic and Family Planing Unit of Mansoura University Hospital, for problems concerning infertility and fertility regulation. Semen samples were subdivided into normo, astheno, oligoastheno and azoospermic groups according to the recommendation of the European Androlgy Club 1970. The seminal plasma samples were analysed for total plasma proteins, immunoglobulins IgG, IgA and IgM, fractionation of peptides and the trace metals Zn, Cu, Mn and Pb. It has been concluded from the present work that the essential trace elements, zinc, copper and manganese are always present in seminal plasma, zinc may be positivly correlated with spermatozoa count and to less extent with motility. Lead which is non-essential metal, and a toxic cumulative environmental pollutant was not detected in semen. The decrease in total seminal plasma proteins observed in azoospermic semen may reflect endocrine imbalance or anatomical abnormality. The peptides-types and concentrations-in the seminal plasma were variable in the different groups of semen. It is of value to call for more detailed studies aiming at identification of chemical nature, and source of these peptides, and to study their effects in spermatozoa metabolism, motility and fertilizing capacity. Immunoglobulins G and A are normaly present in the seminal plasma and may play a role in protection against infections by bacteria or viruses, but under certain abnormal conditions the level of IgG and IgA [in particular] significantly increase either by transudation from blood and/or local production, and an altered immune response may occur leading to auto-antibody in the male against spermatozoa which results in sperm agglutination or immotility. IgM is not present in seminal fluid of both normal and abnormal semen groups as it is a macromolecule and non-diffusible through the blood-prostate barrier

Percutaneous transhepatic bile drainage a priliminary report

Three patients with advanced malignant obstructive jaundice at Kasr EI-Aini Hospital were managed by percutaneous transhepatic bile drainage. The procedure was discribed. The result of the drainage was satisfactory. The indications and complications of this procedure were discussed. We believe that this procedure will be of great help as a pre-operative procedure to minimise the operative risk in jaundiced patients