Microbiological profile and aflatoxin content in dried fruits "Yamish Ramadan"

This study was conducted to evaluate the microbiological profile and aflatoxins content in unpacked and packed dried fruits after storage under different conditions. Samples were stored for 45 days, 90 days at room temperature and refrigeration. Microbiological examination and aflatoxins content were periodically determined in addition of zero time. The results could be summarized as follow: 1. At zero time, aerobic bacterial count in unpacked and packed dried fruits were [3.0xl03, l.0x102], [l.0xl03, 2.5x102], [l.0x105, 4.0x102] and [3.0x104, 3.5 x102 ] c.f.u / gm in dried dates , dried figs , dried grapes and dried apricots respectively. Mould and yeast count were [5.0 x104, l.0x102], [6.0xl04, 1.5 x102], [7.0x104, 1.0x102] and [6.0x105, 2x102] c.f.u / gm in the investigated samples respectively. All the samples were free from anaerobic bacteria, fecal coliform and Bacillus cereus. Coliform and Staph aureus were detected in the unpacked dried fruits and absent in packed dried fruits. Aflatoxin B1 [AF/ B1] and total aflatoxins were not detected in all the investigated packed samples. 2. There were a gradual increase in aerobic bacteria, mould and yeast counts after storage for 45, 90days at room temperature, and then there were a gradual decrease especially after the end of storage at cooling temperature. 3. Aflatoxin B1 and total aflatoxins were detected only in unpacked dried figs, apricots and date after storage for 90 days at room temperature. The authors recommended that during storage fruits must be protected from rodents and insects. The drying process must be rapid enough to preclude significant growth of spoilage forms before theaw is reduced to a safe level and storage in the refrigerator at cooling temperature

Thoracoscopic sympathectoirty for causalgia: local experience

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of thoracoscopic cervicodorsal syrnpathectomy for the reduction of pain severity and disability associated with causalgia. From 2006 - 2009, 13 patients referred to Mansoura University Hospital with causalgia. All 13 patients share the following diagnostic criteria: 1] history of trauma and peripheral nerve injury, 2] burning pain, 3] sympathetic symptoms e.g. wet extremities, 4] pain aggravated by physical and/or emotional stimuli and 5] pain relieved by sympathetic block. All 13 patients underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic [lower third of stellate ganglia to T3] sympathectomy. The mechanisms of trauma include motor vehicle accidents in 3 patients, stab wound [3 patients], surgical procedure in 1 patient [carpal tunnel release], fracture [2 patients], wrong injection [1 patient], electrical injury [1 patient] and missile fragment injuries [2 patients]. The most common presenting symptoms were as follows: burning pain [100%], wet extremity [100%], cold extremity in 11 cases [92%], paraesthesia 10 cases [78%], and colour changes in the extremities in 5 cases [38%]. In all patients pain was relieved by sympathetic block. All patients had complete relief of symptoms in the immediate postoperative period and for follow-up from 1-4 years. Causalgia is a syndrome associated with burning pain, hyperaesthesia and symptoms of sympathetic over-activity. Sympathectomy is effective and the treatment of choice, particularly for patients who respond temporarily to sympathetic blocks

Effect of feeding different levels of shark J cartilage powder [SCP] on serum mineral profiles hepatic detoxifying enzymes and immunological indices of experimental rats

The study aimed to find out the potential effect of natural SCP in four concentrations on the improvement of I immunity, mineral state and hepatic detoxifying enzymes activity on the experimental rates. Rats showed increase in serum calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc and iodine levels with the increase of SCP. Obtained data showed significant increases in serum iron, hemoglobin and hematocrite levels at 1.0%, 2.5% and 5% of SCP feed proportions in rats groups. There was nonsignificant increase in firitin levels with the increase of SCP concentrations in the experimental rats diet Investigated data showed an elevation of hepatic detoxification enzymes activity with the elevation of SCP concentration in rats diets. There were significant increases in GSSGR; GSHP and GST values at 1.0%, 2.5% and 5.0% SCP feed proportions in the diet. Data illustrated improvement of investigated immune parameters with SCP supplementation. There were non-significant increases in total immunoglobulin levels in all SCP feed groups. IgG, CD + 4 and CD+8 values increased non-significantly with 0.5% and 1.0% SCP feed proportions and significantly with 2.5% and 5.0% SCP feed proportions. Shark cartilage concentrations 2.5% and 5.0% achieved best obtained results in our research, so we recommended these concentrations for good therapeutic effect of SCP?

Experience with peripheral nerve injury in lower extremities

This study reports the results of 43 operations performed on nerves of lower extremities of 43 patients during a period of 7 years from 1999 - 2005 in Mansoura University Hospital and Mansoura Emergency Hospital. There were 15 patients with isolated sciatic nerve injury, 24 with isolated peroneal nerve injury and 4 with isolated tibial nerve injury. All patients were treated with nerve exploration within 1 hour to 7 months after injury and were followed-up for 6 months to 4 years. There were 22 nerve lesions not in continuity [9 needed suture repair and 13 needed sural nerve graft repair], while 21 nerve lesions were in continuity [16 partial lesions needed neurolysis and 5 complete lesions needed neuroma excision and suture repair]. Analysis of the outcome of surgical treatment was performed with respect to the following parameters: period between the injury and operation, patient age, type of injured nerve, mechanism of injury and type of surgical intervention. Overall significant outcome [>/= 3 Louisiana State University Health Science grade] was obtained in 53.5% [sciatic nerve 46%, peroneal nerve 54% and tibial nerve 75%]. According to the type of intervention and lesion categories; lesions not in continuity had a significant outcome 41% [suture repair 55.5% while graft repair 31%], and lesions in continuity had a significant outcome 67% [lesions underwent neurolysis 75%, while lesions underwent suture repair 40%]. Useful function was achieved in 3 [43%] of 7 patients with grafts less than 6 cm in length and in only 1 [16%] of 6 patients with grafts greater than 6 cm in length. The mean time to recovery in patients who underwent surgery was 18 months [range: 1- 32/ ]. In conclusion, the most favourable outcome was obtained with lesions that result in partial lesion in continuity. Considering the rate of spontaneous recovery of post-injection nerve injuries of the sciatic nerve and early onset of skeletal deformities, a closed nerve injury of the lower limb with no recovery within 3 months should always undergo surgery, even if complete functional outcome is not always guaranteed

Noninvasive serum markers: liver fibrosis staging among hepatitis C virus infected patients

Accurate monitoring of changes in fibrosis would be helpful in defining the need for intervention, and the response to treatment. In this case control study we aimed to evaluate the diagnostic utility of different serum markers and indices in detecting the stage of fibrosis in order to recommend the most accurate and efficient serum marker to be used in routine clinical practice to replace or minimize the use of liver biopsy. A written informed consent was collected from all patients and the study was approved by the ethical committee; thirty FICV infected patients admitted to Alexandria University hospital were enrolled together with fifteen healthy adults as controls. Initial liver biopsy was done to assess the degree of liver fibrosis. Laboratory work up included all routine liver tests, estimation of Hyaluronic acid level, Matrix metalloproteinase[MMP-1], Aminoterminal propeptide type III procollagen [PIIINP]. Marker Algorithms based on common laboratory tests included AST-to-platelet ratio [APRI score], AST-to-ALT ratio, Fibro test, Actitest. Forn's index, Shasta index and hepascore were calculated together with PIIINP/MMP-iscore. A statistically significant increase in ALT, AST, Hyaluronic acid and PIIINP, as well as APRI score, Hepascore and Shasta score was found among HCV patients compared to controls p<0.05; while MMP-1, Forn's score, fibrotest were not significantly different between both groups. Comparing serum markers with METAVIR fibrosis stage we found that PIIINP, APRI score, Forn's score and ALT/AST ratio were significantly correlated to Metavair fibrosis stage in groups with no or early fibrosis while MMP-l, Shasta score, 1-lepascore and Fibrotest were significantly correlated to late stages of fibrosis P<0.05. When using a calculated stepwise logistic regression analysis; a manual score equation for fibrosis has emerged; where F0F1 vs F2F3F4 score=-0.60 log MMP-l+ 0.936 log PIIINP and F0F1F2 vs. F3F4 score=-0.421 log MMP-l-0.272 log PHINP. These equations yielded different cut off scores which were applied in order to estimate two clinically relevant fibrosis stages in patients, FOFI versus F2F3F4 termed "significant fibrosis" and FOFIF2 versus F3F4 or "extensive fibrosis". A score below 0.2 observed in 23 patients [76.7%] excluded the presence of extensive fibrosis [F3F4] with negative predictive values of 99% and 86% respectively. A combination of markers as well as indices is an emerging tool for differentiating early from advanced fibrosis. PIIINP, APRI, Forn's score and ALT/AST ratio were significantly correlated to Metavair fibrosis stage in no or early fibrosis group. While Shasta score, HA, Hepascore, Fibrotest and MMP were significantly correlated to late stages. Fibrotest was of significant value for detecting early as well as significant fibrosis, but poor at predicting intermediate levels of fibrosis. Shasta score, APRI score and Forn's score showed AUC 1.0 with a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 100% to exclude the presence of significant fibrosis. Liver biopsy may still be needed for chronic HCV cases to correctly stage liver fibrosis

Estrogen receptors in adult Egyptians with gynecomastia with or without schistosomiasis

Idiopathic gynecomastia occurs with persistence of low T/E1 and T/E2 ratios after puberty. Men with liver disease have gynecomastia, as a consequence of impaired hepatic steroid metabolism. In Egyptian patients with schistosomal hepatic fibrosis, gynecomastia is not an uncommon condition. To study the estrogen receptors in breast tissue in gynecomastia associated with schistosomal hepatic fibro sis compared to idiopathic gynecomastia. The study included 10 males with gynecomastia associated with schistosomal hepatic fibrosis [group A] and 8 patients with idiopathic gynecomastia free of liver disease. Mammary tissue, obtained via surgical excision was submitted to histopathological examination. The mean values of the plasma testosterone in the groups A and B, were 8 +/- 2.6 ng/ml and 5.7 +/- 2 ng/ml respectively. The difference was statistically insignificant [p = 0.058]. The mean values of serum estradiol were 45 +/- 24 pg/ml for group A and 24 +/- 9 pg/ml for group B. In group A there was characteristic lymphocytic and histocytic infiltration, with less fibrous reaction in the stromal tissue than it was in group B. ER status showed positivity in 67% of cases including 5/10 [50%] in group A and 7/8 [88%] in group B. It appeared in the form of reddish nuclear staining in 10 patients and cytoplasmic in two patients who were both in group B. The ER positivity was found to be significantly lower in patients of group A than it is in those of group B