Diversity of Keratinophilic Fungi on Human Hairs and Nails at Four Governorates in Upper Egypt

The mycobiota of 160 hair and nail samples collected from 4 different governorates in upper Egypt were estimated using soil plate method for isolating keratinophilic and dermatophytic fungi. Twenty- three fungi were recorded on both hair and nail samples collected from the four governorates. Highest fungal diversity (20) was collected from Red Sea samples followed by Qena (18) and Aswan (17) while lowest fungal diversity was recorded from Sohage samples. The common genera were Aphanoascus, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Paecilomyces and Chrysosporium. The most prevalent species belonging to these genera were: A. fulvescens, Aphanoascus sp. A. flavus link, A. flavus var. columnaris, P. chrysogenium. P. lilacinus and C. sulfureum. True dermatophytes such as Nannizzia fulva appeared in 20~30% of the male samples.

Immunoprophylactic effect of single and mixed schistosomal antigens on Schistosoma mansoni infected mice

This study aimed to detect the cellular, humoral immune responses and protection against schistosomes induced by cercarial [CAP], soluble worm [SWAP], soluble egg [SEA], and mixed [SEA + CAP], [SEA + SWAP] and [CAP + SWAP] antigens to Schistosoma mansoni infection in mice, and the improvement in the liver enzyme activities before and after challenge with S. mansoni. Each mouse was sensitized with an initial immunization of 0.6 ml of the extracted antigen [30µg protein/ml]. After one week, a second injection of 0.4 ml was given [20µg protein/ml]. Then, each mouse was exposed to 80 cercariae. Six weeks post challenge the protection percentage was 42.5, 58.33, 53.33, 60.91, 78.16 and 64.77% for CAP, SEA, SWAP, [SEA +CAP], [SEA+SWAP] and [CAP + SWAP], respectively. The results revealed a high significant interrelation between number of lymph node cells [MLN] [P

impact of stone composition on the results of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy of renal calculi

This retrospective study included 341 patients with renal stones treated on the Dornier MPL9000 lithotriptor utilizing ultrasound localization. The inclusion criteria were solitary renal pelvic stones with a stone burden of 1-2 cm, normal renal functions, absent or minimal dilatation of the pelvicaliceal system and documented stone composition. The patient's demographic data, ESWL parameters, treatment results and any recorded complications were documented. Fragment sizes were measured on the early post ESWL films and by passing the expelled gravels through a metal sieve with 3 mm pore. The X-ray diffraction technique was used for stone analysis. The final success was calculated on the basis of a stone free status at 3 months from the last ESWL treatment. Whewellite and struvite calculi required higher average number of shock waves and treatment sessions, shelved higher rates of residual gravels > 3 mm in diameter and significantly lower stone free rates compared to other stone compositions. Other stones did not show statistically significant difference among each other regarding these parameters

Laparoscopy as an indispensable tool for management of the inpalpable testis: a 5-year experience

Cases of impalpable testis, for whom laparoscopy was planned in a 5-year period, were reviewed. Careful physical examination was routinely done after the induction of anesthesia, before committing to laparoscopy. Testis position and quality, the character of the vas deferens and spermatic vessels, type of management and contribution of laparoscopy were recorded. Testes were classified into five laparoscopic types: Type 0, intra-abdominal vanishing testis; type 1, intracanalicular, with the vessels and vas near normal or slightly reduced in size [type Ia] or grossly attenuated or atretic [type Ib]; type II, testis lies at the internal ring with the vessels and vas looping into the internal ring; type III, testis lies at or slightly above the internal ring with the vessels and vas going directly to the testis and type V, intra-abdominal testis not related to or more than 2.5 cm from the internal ring. One hundred and sixty-six patients with 193 impalpable testes at their initial physical evaluation were identified between Marsh 1997 and 2002. In 18 patients, 22 testes were found under anesthesia. Laparoscopy was conducted in 148 patients with 171 impalpable testes. Laparoscopy was informative on testis position in all cases. It allowed avoiding unnecessary exploration of 19.3% and executing the definitive surgical management of 34% of the impalpable testes and performing preliminary procedures for 21% of them in preparation for their definitive management

Prospective and retrospective evaluation of blood pressure changes in patients treated by ESWL for renal stones

Forty-four patients were followed prospectively to detect the stepwise alteration in their blood pressure after ESWL. Further 181 patients, previously treated by ESWL for renal stones, were reevaluated after an average period of 20.3 months [range 6-40 months]to evaluate long term effect of ESWL on their blood pressure. Significant elevation of both systolic and diastolic pressures was found in the majority of patients, most marked, 24 hours after treatment sessions to decrease gradually over the following three months. The annual rise of systolic and diastolic pressures in treated patients was estimated to be 1.1 and 1.4 mmHg, respectively, and new onset of hypertension was calculated to be 4.07% with annual incidence of 3.9%. Changes of diastolic pressure appeared earlier and were statistically more significant than changes of the systolic pressure