Axial eye length assessment in silicone oil-filled eyes

Purpose: To compare the reliability of axial eye length [AEL] measurement in silicone oil-filled phakic eyes by conventional B-scan ultrasonography through the eyelid, after a correcting factor, to partial coherence interferometry [PCI] measurement

Methods: A prospective and comparative study was performed at Al-Zahraa University Hospital clinic from [January 2016 - December 2016]. In total 13 phakic eyes of 13 patients who underwent vitrectomy and silicone oil filling were enrolled into the study. AEL was measured by B-scan and compared to measurement by PCI

Results and Conclusions: There was no significant difference in AEL measurement by either B-scan ultrasonography through the eyelid, after a correcting factor, and PCI

[ neurofibromatosis type 1 family report with multiple cases in 3 consecutive Generations]

Neurofibromatosis type1 [NF1] with the incidence of 1 in 3500 births, is the most common disorder which affects skin and peripheral nervous system. NF1 results from mutations in NF1 gene. The NF1 gene spans 350kbp and to date, nearly 2434 mutations in it were reported. The gene with 100 percent penetrance is located on chromosome 17 encoding neurofibromin protein. Recently, many challenges of its genetic analysis have been overcome through the application of new sequencing techniques. In present study patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 have been characterized from clinical symptoms such as presence of cafe au lait spot, plexiform neurofibroma, optic nerves involvement, presence of several patients in first degree relatives. These patients were in different ages including 73, 63, 44, 20 with different symptoms and severities of disease. In this communication, a NF1 family with 4 cases in 3 generations has been presented

Hallermann-streiff syndrome a case report from Egypt

Hallermann-Streiff syndrome [HSS] is a rare genetic disorder that is primarily characterized by distinctive malformations of the skull and facial [craniofacial] region; sparse hair [hypotrichosis]; eye abnormalities; dental defects; degenerative skin changes [atrophy], particularly in the scalp and nasal regions; and proportionate short stature. Here we describe a case with HSS

Detection of extended spectrum beta-lactamases in urinary isolates of klebsiella pneumoniae in relation to bla[SHV] bla[TEM] and Bla[CTX-M] gene carriage

Resistance to contemporary broad-spectrum beta-lactam antibiotics mediated by extended-spectrum beta-lactamases [ESBLs] is increasing worldwide. Klebsiella pneumoniae, an important cause of nosocomial and community acquired urinary tract infections has rapidly become the most common ESBL producing organism. We examined ESBL production in urinary isolates of K. pneumoniae in relation to the presence of bla[SHV], bla[TEM] and bla[CTX-M] genes Antibiotic resistance of 51 clinical isolates of K. pneumoniae was determined to amoxicillin, amikacin, ceftazidime, cefotaxime, cefteriaxon, ceftizoxime, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin and nitrofurantoin by disc diffusion. Minimum inhibitory concentrations were also measured for ceftazidime, cefotaxime, cefteriaxon, ceftizoxime and ciprofloxacin. ESBL production was detected by the double disc synergy test and finally, presence of the bla[SHV], bla[TEM] and bla[CTX-M] genes were shown using specific primers and PCR. Disc diffusion results showed that 96.08% of the isolates were resistant to amoxicillin followed by 78.43% resistance to nitrofurantoin, 49.02% to amikacin and ceftazidime, 41.17% to ceftriaxone, 37.25% resistance to cefotaxime and ceftizoxime, and 29.42% to gentamicin and ciprofloxacin. Both resistant and intermediately resistant organisms were resistant in MIC determinations. Twenty two isolates [43.14%] carried bla[SHV], 18 [35.29%] had bla[TEM] and 16 [31.37%] harbored bla[CTX-M] genes. ESBL production was present in 14 isolates [27.45%] of which, 3 did not harbor any of the 3 genes. Among the non- ESBL producers, 9 lacked all 3 genes and 2 carried them all. No relation was found between gene presence and ESBL expression

Echographic evaluation of optic disc excavation

To evaluate the role of high resolution B-scan echography in differentiating the causes of optic disc excavation. A prospective study was conducted on 30 subjects presenting to Al-Zahraa University Hospital [2009 - 2011] with optic nerve excavation. Of these patients 10 with coloboma, 10 with cup-shaped posterior staphyloma and 10 with glaucomatous optic nerve cupping were identified. Horizontal and vertical approaches for optic disc excavations were evaluated using B-scan echography. Specific echographic criteria for excavation configurations were successfully estimated. High-resolution contact B-scan echography may provide useful differentiation for optic disc excavations in eyes with opaque media

Evaluation of the possible protective effect of aloe vera against reproductive toxicity induced by diazinon in adult albino rats

Diazinon, an organophosphate insecticide has been used in agriculture and domestic for several years. This work was undertaken to investigate the toxic effects of diazinon on reproductive systems in adult albino rats of both sexes and to assess the protective effects of aloe vera against these toxic effects. A total of 60 adult albino rats of both sexes were equally divided into five groups. Twelve rats served as the negative control [group 1], another twelve rats were used as positive control group [group 2] received deionized water [the vehicle]. The remaining thirty-six rats were equally divided into three groups. Rats in group 3 were treated with aloe vera in a dose of 300 mg/kg, while those of group 4 received 12.8 mg/kg of diazinon. Rats in the 5[th] group were treated with aloe vera followed by diazinon. For each group, it was further subdivided into two subgroups; a-subgroup for male rats and bsub group for female rats. Chemicals and vehicle were administered by gavage on a daily base for eight weeks. By the end of the study, all rats were sacrificed for collection of blood samples for evaluation of testosterone, estradiol and progesterone. Testicular and ovarian specimens were collected for assessment of oxidative stress markers and histopathological examination. Diazinon significantly reduced the serum levels of testosterone in male rats and estradiol and progesterone in female rats. Diazinon induced disorganized degenerated germinal epithelium with edema between the seminiferous tubules and degeneration of the corpora lutea and ovarian follicles. These changes were accompanied with increased caspase-3 immunoreactivity and significant decreases in testicular and ovarian glutathione [GSH] levels, activity of superoxide dismutase [SOD] enzyme and a significant increase in malonaldehyde levels. Also it was observed that aloe vera treatment diminished diazinon induced detrimental effects in both testis and ovary. Diazinon induced testicular and ovarian damage might be due to oxidative stress and free oxygen radicals production upon diazinon exposure, inducing histopathological alterations and promoting local apoptosis via activation of caspase-3 pathway; however, aloe vera seems to be an effective antioxidant against diazinon induced testicular and ovarian toxicity

Hepatitis B and C viral infection: prevalence, knowledge, attitude and practice among barbers and clients in Gharbia governorate, Egypt

A study in Egypt determined the prevalence of hepatitis B and C virus infections among barbers [n = 308] and their clients [n = 308] in Gharbia governorate, and assessed knowledge, attitude and practices during hair-cutting and shaving. HBsAg was detected among 4.2% of barbers and 3.9% of clients [more urban than rural]. Anti-HC antibodies were detected in 12.3% of barbers and 12.7% of clients. HCV-RNA prevalence was 9.1% among both barbers and clients [more rural than urban]. Knowledge was high among the majority of participants and good practices during shaving and hair-cutting were observed for the majority of barbers. Barbers appeared to have no job-related risk of acquiring viral hepatitis

Some trace elements in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage [BAL] of early hepatic schistosomiasis and schistosomal corpulmonale patients

Using atomic adsorption spectroscopy, zink, copper, iron and manganese were estimated in serum and BAL of 16 patients with mild hepatic schistosomiasis, half of them were also suuffering from schistosomal corpulmonale. Eight volunteers were included as control. Serum and BAL zink were significantly diminished in corpulmonale as compared to the hepatic and control groups. There was no significant change between mild hepatic schistosomiasis and control group. Serum copper showed significant increase in all patients while BAL copper was significantly increased in corpulmonale patients only. Serum iron showed significant diminution in all patients, while BAL showed significant decrease in patients with corpulmonale only. Serum and BAL manganese levels were significantly increased in both patient groups and the increase was more marked in those with corpulmonale. The results of the study revealed that estimated trace element levels in BAL did not have the same pattern as in serum. This indicates that the local lung pathology may be either a result or a cause for the changes in trace elements level which may be of value in diagnosis of schistosomal corpulmonale

Occurrence of enterobacteriaceae in some Egyptian meat products

Fifty r and om samples of meat products [25 each of raw minced meat and fresh sausage] were collected from shops at Zagazig City. They were examined bacteriologically to investigate the incidence of coliforms and other members of Enterobacteriaceae group. The mean values of total Enterobacteriaceae and coliform counts for raw minced meat sample, were 1.6 x 10 6 and 10 6 and 10 x 10 4 cfu/g, while in fresh sausage, samples were 1.1 x 10 5 and 1.2 x 10 4 cfu/g respectively. E. coli [type I, typical], E. coli type II, intermediate type I, Citrobacter freundii, K. aerogenes, K. pneumonae, K. ed. var atlanta, K. ozaenae, Enterobacter aerogenes type II, Enterobacter cloacae irregular type II, Enterobacter liquifacium, Proteus vulgaris, Proteus morganii, Proteus, Mirabilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa could be isolated from different samples with varying percentages. The sanitary and economic significance of existing organisms as well as control measures for production of meat products were discussed

Renal function and repeated pregnancies

Albumin excretion in urine, albumin/clearance ratio and transferrin clearance were estimated in 22 normal pregnant women around 35 weeks gestation and at 6 weeks postpartum. Ten of them were of low parity mean, 12 were of high parity together with 20 normal married non pregnant females who were taken as control. The high parity group showed significant increase in the value of albumin excretion, albumin clearance, albumin/creatinine clearance ratio and tranferrin clearance at 35 weeks gestation and at 6 weeks postpartum when they were compared with the control group and also when they were compared with the low parity group. The group of low parity showed significant changes in the same parameters at 35 weeks gestation but the levels returned near the control levels at 6 weeks postpartum. These data suggest that multiple pregnancies have an adverse effect on the glomerular permeability and hence on kidney function

interaction between insulin and diuretics

In this paper we studied the interaction between various types of diuretics and different types of insulins. This work was done on two groups of rabbits. In the first part of the work group [1] of rabbits received crystalline insulin and furosemide while group [2] of rabbits received crystalline insulin and salyrgan. Two weeks later, the second part of the work was repeated on the same crossed groups. Group [1] received protamin zinc insulin and furosemide and group [2] received protamin zinc insulin and salyrgan. The results showed that there was an inhibitory effect of furosemide and salyrgan on the hypoglycemic action of crystalline insulin. On the other hand, both diuretics did not affect the hypoglycemic action of protamin zinc insulin