Role of multi-detector CT in assessment of patients suspected with Chronic Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Background: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis evolve with a relapsing and remitting course. Determination of inflammatory state is crucial for the assessment of disease activity and for tailoring therapy .Computed tomography enterography [CTE] has become a main modality for the evaluation of inflammatory bowel disease [IBD]. It simultaneously offers visualization of the small bowel and extra intestinal status, which is helpful for diagnosing IBD. Crohn disease has long segmental enhancing wall thickening related with the eccentric longitudinal distribution. In addition, mural stratification, fibrofatty proliferation, positive comb sign by increased mesenteric vascularity and internal/perianal fistula are characteristics of Crohn disease and can be identified on CTE. Each of CTE findings for the IBDs is helpful for differential diagnosis. The main disadvantage of this technique is the requisite radiation exposure of patients, particularly in young patients. However, recent development of advanced CT techniques is promising for radiation dose reduction without compromising diagnostic image quality

crude plant juices of desert plants as appropriate culture media for the cultivation of rhizospheric microorganisms

The exclusive use of plant juices, not as a mere supplement to synthetic culture media, for culturing rhizospheric microorganisms [RMO] is introduced here. Juices were prepared from desert [Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L., Zygophyllum album L., Carpobrotus edulis L.] as well as cultivated [Trifolium alexandrinum L., Beta vulgaris L.] plants. Colonies of RMO [Azospirillum brasilense, Enter obacter agglomerans and Klebsiella pneumoniae] nicely developed on surface-inoculated agar plates prepared from crude and diluted juice of M. crystallinum [ice plant]. Furthermore, hundreds of RMO colonies developed on various standard culture media were replicated [> 90%] on agar plates of different plant juices. RMO cells grew nicely in liquid ice plant juice, with doubling times comparable to those grown in the reference culture medium. RMO populations resident in various host plants were able to develop on culture media prepared from homologous and heterologous juices. The application of a thin semi-solid overlay agar on the surfaces of inoculated agar plates significantly increased the recovery of micro-colonies on agar plates, particularly those prepared from plant juices

Characteristics of hydatid cyst of camel strain of echinococcus granulosus in Assiut

100 camels were examined for hydatid cyst and revealed that the prevalence rate of cystic hydatidosis among camels in Assiut Govemorate was 9%. The lung was the most suitable place for cystic infection in camel than the liver. The fertility rate of the examined cysts was 80%. Hydatid cyst wall was better stained with PAS. Best carmine and Giemsa stains were very rapid effective methods for visualization of hydatid elements. Scanning electron microscope was used for the detection of ultrastructure features of hydatid sand. It revealed that camel strain has some specific characters including large sized rostellar hooks and presence of separation line between the scolex and the neck in the evaginated protoscolices. In top view the rostellum appeared to be formed of 3 successive concentric rings becoming smaller as they go upwards. This was shown for the first time in the present study. SDS PAGE was used for characterization of hydatid cyst fluid, protoscolices and laminated layer antigens separately. It revealed that protoscolices and laminated layer are the source of proteins in the hydatid fluid. Many protein bands ranged from 150-6 kD were detected by different stains. The pattern of these bands indicated that camel's hydatid cyst components differ from that of sheep and cattle