Heavy metal distribution in soil and plant in municipal solid waste compost amended plots

A field study was carried out to evaluate long-term heavy metal accumulation in the top 20 cm of a Tunisian clayey loam soil amended for four consecutive years with municipal solid waste compost at three levels [0, 40 and 80 t/ha/y]. Heavy metals uptake and translocation within wheat plants grown on these soils were also investigated. Compared to untreated soils, compost-amended soils showed significant increases in the content of all measured metals: cadmium, chromium, copper, nickel, lead and zinc in the last three years, especially for plots amended with municipal solid waste compost at 80 t/ha/y. Wheat plants grown on compost-amended soils showed a general increase in metal uptake and translocation, especially for chromium and nickel. This heavy metal uptake was about three folds greater in plots amended at 80 t/ha/y as compared to plots amended at 40 t/ha/y. At the end of the experimental period, the diluting effect resulting from enhanced growth rates of wheat plants due to successive compost applications resulted in lower concentrations in the plants [grain part] grown on treated plots. On the other hand, chromium and nickel were less mobile in the aerial part of wheat plants and were accumulated essentially in root tissues. Plant/soil transfer coefficients for compost-amended treatments were higher than threshold range reported in the literature, indicating that there was an important load/transfer of metal ions from soils to wheat plants

tongue cancers - Analytic study about 125 cases

In Tunisia the tongue malignant tumors have a frequency of 35% of the totality of oral cavity tumors. Their frequency is 5.7% of the aerodigestif tumors. Their detection depends usually on dentist observation that is consulted in first intention. The authors report a retrospective study of 125 tongue malignant tumors cases treated in the institute of carcinology of Tunisia. The study has revealed: the consultation motif often belated, the risk factors, the localisation, ganglionic invasion, the therapeutic modalities and survival prognosis

Effect of non target snails on some biological of lymnaea natalensis snails and their infection to fasciola gigantica

The influence of non-target freshwater snails [Melanoides tuberculata and planorbis planorbis] on the capacity of Fas-ciola egg production F. gigantica miracidia to infect Lymnaea natalensis and their affect on mortality and growth rates showed that the snails exhibited a competitive ability against L. natalen-sis The mortality rate existed in mixed cultures with snails was greatly increased, and increased with increase of snails number. The egg production and growth rate were negatively affected by the presence of M. tuberculata and p. planorbis which was more pronounced when snails were at higher ratio 1L:10D.Also, the snails showed significant degree of reduction in infection rate of L. natalensis with F.gigantica miracidia.

Biological and biochemical studies on biomphalaria Alexandrina snails, treated with low concentration of certain molluscicides [synthetic and of plant origin]

The effect of low concentrations of different synthetic and natural mollusciciding agents may introduce to fresh water environment on reproduction and biochemical aspects of Biomphalana alexandrina was studied. Different mollusciciding agents [copper sulphate, ayluscide, Uccmaluscide, Agave filifera and A. attenuate] inhibited egg production, induced marked increased the percent of abnormal laid eggs and induced marked reduction in their hatchability. The maximal reductions in egg hatchability resulted with Bayluscide [0.0%] and Uccmaluscide [18%], A. filifera [21%] and A. attenuata [15%]. All the antimolluscal materials caused a successful killing effect against miracidia and cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni. CuSo4, Bayluscide and Uccmaluscide killed 40% of the exposed miracidia and 50% of cercariae after an hour exposure. The plants sublethal concentration killed 100% of cercariae and miracidia after 6 hours oexposure. Water leaving behaviour among the exposed snails was noticed especially during the first three weeks, showing maximal percentage [60%] after one week of exposure to Bayluscide. A general decrease in the activity of alkaline phosphatase [ALP] especially with Bayluscide [48.4%] and in acetylecholine esterase activity in the haemolymph especially on applying plant molluscicide A. filifera [50.8%] was noticed. Transaminases showed marked elevations in activities during the three weeks, then began to drop [ASAT: 6 1.5%, with Bayluscide and ALAT: 50.8% with Uccmaluscide]. The results reflect the effect of the metabolic disorders on life, egg laying, egg hatchability, hepatic cells damages, lack of smooth trans-mission at nerve junction, loss of muscular coordination and convulsions, then snails' death

Quantitative analysis of myelinated axons of commissural fibers in the cat brain

There are limited data related to the number of commissural axons found in various species. Although the corpus callosum has been investigated in cat, there are no data on the number of its myelinated axons. Additionally, the number of myelinated axons of anterior, posterior and habenular commissures are not documented for the cat. Therefore, we aimed to examine the topographic distribution and regional numerical differences of myelinated axons in encephalic commissures of the cat. This study was carried out at the Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey, from March 2003 to July 2003. The myelinated axons of the encephalic commissures of one cat were counted in this study. In parts of the corpus callosum, a statistically significant difference was found between rostrum and genu, rostrum and truncus, genu and truncus, genu and splenium and truncus and splenium. However, no statistically significant difference was found between rostrum and splenium. When comparing the number of myelinated axons of anterior, posterior and habenular commissures, statistically significant differences were found between anterior and habenular commissures, and between posterior and habenular commissures. No statistically significant difference was found between anterior and posterior commissures. These numerical data, evaluated by quantitative analytical statistical methods, might be useful in filling the lack of information on the mean numbers of myelinated axons of different commissures. Knowledge of the number of myelinated axons in different parts of the corpus callosum may also be very important when performing surgical procedures of the corpus callosum, such as commissurectomies

Light and electron microscopic examination of human subungual tissue Glomus and lamellated bodies

There is only limited data related to the subungual glomus body. We therefore studied the structure of this organ, aiming to obtain further evidence. Additionally, we encountered undefined receptor like structures in close association with these glomus cells, named them as lamellated bodies and examined both of the structures at light and electron microscopic levels. This study was carried out at the Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey, during the time period May 2001 to March 2002. In this study, the subungual tissues of 4 patients were examined. Within subungual tissue, 2 groups of morphologically significant structures were determined by light microscopy. The first structure was described as glomus body. It was characterized as an encapsulated structure, rich in rounded clear cells filling its central compartment. The latter structure having a lamellated appearance was described as lamellated body. In the electron microscopic examination, lamellated bodies were characterized by central filament rich large cells and surrounding cytoplasmic processes of ensheathing cells, some of which were vacuolated. Glomus bodies were surrounded by a capsule and centrally located numerous rounded cells which reflected the structural features of an active cell. The lamellated bodies are very unusual structures and they are not found in any other part of the body. The structural organization of the ensheathing cells in the lamellated bodies greatly resembles many skin associate receptors. Therefore, we planned future studies by using immunohistochemistry, to reveal nervous elements for structural contribution

CD[95] as an early and sensitive marker of neonatal sepsis and disease outcome

This study was carried out on 33 neonates. They were classified into 2 groups: the first group included 18 septic neonates [9 males and 9 females] of these 11 were fullterm and 7 were perterm. The second group included 15 healthy neonates as a control group [7 males and 8 females] of these 10 were full term and 5 were preterm. All cases and controls were subjected to thorough history, clinical examination, laboratory investigation for both groups included: complete blood picture, total and differential leucocytic count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR], c-reactive protein [CRP], blood culture in septic cases and Fas /Apo 1 / CD[95]. The level of CD[95] is significantly elevated in septic full term and septic preterm compared to normal full term and normal preterm respectively [both P<0.0001]. Comparing CD[95] levels in septic neonates according to the severity of infection there was significant difference between cases who recovered and those who died [P<0.05]. There was no significant correlation between the levels of CD[95] in septic cases and the causative organism. Comparing CD[95] with other laboratory results, there was significant negative correlation between CD[95] levels and platelet count, significant positive correlation with total leucocytic count in septic full term and negative correlation in septic premature. There was also positive correlation between CD[95] level and CRP. In conclusion, soluble CD[95] can be used as an early and sensitive marker in diagnosis of neonatal sepsis

Causes of liver enzymes and billirubin levels elevation after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Liver enzymes ALT, AST, alkaline phosphalase and serum bilirubin show a transient elevation after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The cause is not clear but it may be due to bile duct kink, use of electrocautry on the liver surface, squeeze effect on the liver by upward traction on the gall bladder fundus or due to pneumoperitoneum created for the laparoscopic procedure. The enzymes returne to normal within 72 hours In this work we will study the effect of each factor on the liver enzymes level separetly to detect the cause and significance of this enzymatic disturbances

MRI evaluation of the extradural spinal neoplasm

Thirty-one patients with extradural spinal neoplasms were examined by MRI. There were 12 metastases. Four patients had primary spinal tumours, 2 patients had multiple myeloma, 7 patients had lymphoma and 6 had leukemia. 16 patients had bulging, disease vertebral bodies compressing the subarachnoid space and 17 patients had extradural tuours compressing the spinal cord. 21 patients had paravertebral involvement. All patients were examined by MRI in both T1 and T2 weighted images. In no case, the MRI was not able to detect and evaluate a clinically suspected extradural neoplastic compression of the spinal cord. It is concluded that MRI is an important non-invasive diagnostic method which is very sensitive in detecting this type of pathology

MR imaging of cerebral venous infarctions and thrombosis

Thrombosis of the cerebral veins although uncommon represents a life threatening complication of different diseases. To improve survival and reduce debilitating complications, early recognition and institution of appropriate therapy are essential. Currently, this entity is more commonly seen idiopathically: [a] in association with pregnancy, puerperium or use of oral contraceptives in adult women, or [b] in patients with systemic tumors. Arteriography and radionuclide techniques are invasive and require puncture of a vessel, injection of a pharmaceutical substance, and the use of ionizing radiation. The less invasive CT scan may indicate the presence of dural sinus, occlusion however CT signs may be subtle and easily overlooked. This study was performed on 16 cases with an established diagnosis of cerebral venous infarction and thrombosis; all of them had an MRI study, 8 cases had CT scan without contrast enhancement; and 2 cases had angiography. We found that MRI is a superior modality in diagnosing dural sinus thrombosis; either by observing signal changes in T1WI or T2WI; or by directly visualizing the thrombus after Gad-DTPA injection or using MR angiography techniques. In addition MR may disclose the possible cause of thrombosis e.g. mastoiditis; and characterize venous infarction occurring secondary to thrombosis