Cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa bloom in Aras dam reservoir

Occurances of cyanobacterial bloom typically appear in eutrophic lakes which either have been affected by anthropogenic nutrient loading or are naturally rich in nutrients. Microcystis blooms have been reported all over the world in freshwater ecosystems mainly due to increased population which results in increased the waste water production. The aim of this study was to recognize the basic reasons of Microcystis aeruginosa bloom in Aras reservoir. Water temperature, pH, DO, EC, TN, N-No[2], N-No[3], P-Po[4] chl a and the number of Microcystis colonies were determined. The effects of these parameters on the microcystis increased growth was examined. Though we could not strictly relate a few other factors to this phenomenon, higher water temperature, pH and DO in the sampling site i.e. 27°C, 9.16 and 17.2 mg/L respectively, surely favored the M.aeruginosa bloom. In brief, preventing or reducing the nutrients flow into the reservoir should be considered as a priority in order to reduce Microcystis scum forming colonies

Production of textile reddish brown dyes by fungi

Eleven fungal strains were tested for their ability to produce brown and reddish brown textile dyes using H-acid (1- naphthol-8-amino-3, 6-disulfonic acid) as a dye precursor in the fermentation medium. All tested fungal strains exhibited high ability to produce dyes varying in both dye color (brown to reddish brown) and fastness properties to washing, perspiration and UV light. The produced dyes were subjected to further analysis for quantitative determination of dye components for investigation of their inter-relations as well as their role in dye color and stability.

First record of schistosoma intercalatum in upper Egypt; an abnormal locality and presentation simulating lymphoma

Schistosomiasis due to Schistosoma intercalatum is highly restricted to the Western regions of equatorial Africa. Its main clinical manifestation is rectal bleeding. A case is described of a 14 year old boy living in Upper Egypt who was presented to General Surgery Department, Sohag University Hospital, South Valley University, complaining of vague abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, multiple abdominal masses and splenomegaly. Laparotomy revealed moderate splenomegaly, multiple hepatic focal lesions, mesenteric and paracolic lymphadenopathy, and multiple nonobstructing colonic masses. Splenectomy was done, multiple lymph node biopsies and wedge liver biopsy were taken. Endoscopic rectal biopsy was also done. The primary diagnosis was abdominal lymphoma with hepatic and splenic involvement. Histopathological examinations of these biopsies revealed congested spleen and multiple bilharzial granulomata effacing the whole lymph nodal architecture, infiterating the portal tracts of the liver, and surrounding terminally spined-eggs of the rectal wall. Staining of the rectal specimen by Modified Ziehl-Neelsen showed red coloration of the egg-shell characteristic of S. intercalatum. We here announce the first record of S. intercalatum in Upper Egypt, Sohag Governorate and also report all interesting unusual presentation of S. intercalatum schistosomiasis by abdominal lymph node enlargement simulating lymphoma

Common bile duct clearance of stones by surgery, endoscopy and laparoscopy [comparative study]

In this study, 70 cases of choledocholithiasis were managed randomly by either conventional surgical techniques, endoscopic techniques or laparoscopic techniques. Most of these patients were presented with calcular obstructive jaundice [54.3%]; however other presentations were also encountered as colic, cholangitis or accidental discovery in 14.3%, 10% and 21.5%, respectively. Group I [surgery] included 30 patients who were treated by open choledocholithotomy and T tube insertion, the mean operative time was 90 [60-180] min. Group II [endoscopy] included 30 cases treated by endoscopic sphincterotomy and basket extraction in 46%, balloon in 26.6%, combined maneuver in 16.6% and mechanical lithotripsy in 13.3%. Group III [laparoscopy] included ten cases treated by laparoscopic approaches in the form of trans- cystic approaches in two cases, trans-choledochotomy approaches in three cases, choledochoscopic techniques in two cases and converted to open techniques with failure of the attempt in three cases. The study showed that open surgery permits direct manual palpation and instrumentation of bile ducts using a variety of instruments. However, it has its drawbacks in long maneuver time, invasiveness, increased mortality and morbidity, long hospital stay and delayed return to work. On the contrary, endoscopic management of choledocholithiasis has the advantage of minimally invasive maneuver, could be done as outpatient clinic, less procedure time, less hospital stay, very low or no mortality and morbidity, rapid return of the patients to work