Biosorption potential of lead tolerant fungi isolated from refuse dumpsite soil in Nigeria

Metals are non-biodegradable and recurrent in the environs. Heavy metals tolerant fungiwere isolated from refuse dumpsite soil using pour plate method. These fungiwere identified as Aspergillus niger, Penicillium chrysogenumandRhizomucor sp. The fungal isolates were screened for cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) with concentration of 200ppm, 400ppm and 600ppm. Aspergillus nigerand Penicillium chrysogenumshowed high tolerance for the metals in contrast to the control. The fungiwith high tolerance were used for biosorption study. However, Penicillium chrysogenumshowed higher lead removal or biosorption potential of 1.07ppm, 3.35ppm and 4.19ppm as compared with Aspergillus nigerwith lead removal of 0.67ppm, 3.11ppm and 3.79ppm at 5th, 10thand 15thday respectively. One-way Analysis of Variance was used to interpret the data generated from the biosorption study which revealed that there was no significant different (p>0.05)between the lead removal of Aspergillus nigerandPenicillium chrysogenumon the 5thday but there was significant difference (p<0.05)in the lead removal of Aspergillus nigerand Penicillium chrysogenumon the 10thand 15thday. This study suggests the use of these fungal isolates for removal and biotreatment of heavy metal contaminated and polluted environment.

Biomass quality of Scenedesmus sp. cultivated in wet market wastewater

@#Aim:This study aims to assess the wet market wastewater efficiency as Scenedesmussp. biomass production medium based on the physical and chemical characteristic as well as the biomass compositions. Methodology and results:The experiments were set up in transparent glass tank (40 L) containing 20 L of wastewater. The efficiency of different concentrations (10, 15, 20 and 25%) of wet market wastewater diluted with distilled water was compared to Bold Basal Medium (BBM). The biomass was harvested after 12 days of the incubation period by centrifugation. The quantity of biomass yielded was estimated based on the microalgae cell concentrations, while quality of biomass yield was determined by GC-MS. The nutrient contents of the raw wet market wastewater were in the range required for microalgae growth. The wastewater with 20% of dilution exhibited high efficiency for Scenedesmussp. growth in comparison to BBM (4×107vs.1 ×106cell/mL respectively). The main compounds in the microalgae biomass included cycloheptane, cyclododecanol, 1-ethenyl-acetate, 2-trifluoroacetoxypentadecane and 9-octadecenoic acid (Z)-, methyl ester.Conclusion, significance and impact of study:Scenedesmussp. biomass can be produced using the wet market wastewate

Phenotypic identification of Penicillium spp. isolated from clinical wastes based on microstructure characteristics

@#Aims: The present study aimed to recognize the microstructure of conidiophores and spores of Penicilliumspp. which were isolated from clinical wastes. Methodology and results:The isolates of Penicilliumspp. were obtained from the solid clinical wastes on V8A medium and purified by single spore method. The culture characteristics were described in five culture media included; Czapek Yeast Extract Agar(CYA); Malt Extract Agar (MEA), Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA), Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) and Czapek-Dox Agar(CZ) while the conidiophores and spores were described using light and Scanning Electronic Microscope (SEM).Penicilliumspp. observedsome differences in their culture characteristics. Among 11 Penicilliumspecies isolated in this study and identified based on culture and microscope morphology. Five species including P. simplicissium,P. waksmanii,P. corylophilum andP. decumbensas well as one species identified as T. wortmanniiwere described in detailusing SEM. Conclusion, significance and impact of study:The study revealed that the microstructure of the fungal spores and conidiophores play an important role in the taxonomy of fungi species based on the phenotypic method.

fibrinogen/CRP ratio as a new parameter for the prediction of disseminated intravascular coagulation in patients with HELLP syndrome

Background: The syndrome of Hemolysis, elevated Liver enzymes, and Low Platelet count [HELLP] is a life-threatening variant of preeclampsia, and may be accompanied by disseminated intravascular coagulation [DIC]. Recently the fibrinogen/C-reactive protein [CRP] ratio has been suggested as a measurement that predicts onset of DIC. The authors sought to analyze the fibrinogen/CRP ratio among obstetric patients who developed DIC due to HELLP syndrome

Aim: The aim of this study is to determine if the fibrinogen/C-reactive protein [CRP] ratio could be used as a predictor for disseminated intravascular coagulation in obstetrics patients with the HELLP syndrome

Patients and Methods: this study was conducted as a prospective observational study at Ain Shams Maternity Hospital from November 2014 to November 2016 .The study included Patients diagnosed to have Severe Pre Eclamptic Toxemia SPET according to ACOG [2013].Patients was diagnosed with the HELLP syndrome according to the Martin classification of HELLP syndrome

Results: the results of our study suggest that replacing the use of fibrinogen levels alone with the fibrinogen/CRP ratio would enhance the diagnostic and prognostic power for DIC in patients with HELLP syndrome

Conclusion: in light of the physiologic changes of the coagulation cascade during gestation, the International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis ISTH score could not be implemented in pregnant women alone for the diagnosis and prediction of DIC

Recommendations: further evaluation of the fibrinogen/ CRP ratio is required to determine the generalizability of this marker's use in DIC because of causes such as placental abruption, septic abortion, and failed abortion. Furthermore, prospective studies should be performed to determine the best method to predict if there any new method to predict DIC in patients with the HEELP syndrome

Chloroquine-resistant malaria among school children, in hudibou, Socotra Island, Republic of Yemen

Only a few studies of chloroquine-resistant malaria have been conducted in the Republic of Yemen; such studies have not been conducted in Socotra Island. It is the aim of this study, to conduct such a study among the school children on the island. A cross sectional descriptive study using a 7 day in vivo test was conducted in order to determine the prevalence of malaria among elementary school children in Hudibou [Socotra Island], to study susceptibility of P. Falciparum to chloroquine, and to determine the degree of chloroquine resistance. Findings revealed that the prevalence of malaria was 11%, chloroquine-resistant malaria was found to be 15.38%. First and second degree of resistance were reported. Four cases [15.38%] of chloroquine resistance were observed, of which 2 [7.69%] represented early RI and 2 [7.69%] represented RII

Use of serum procalcitonin as a marker of bacterial infection in infants presenting with acute diarrhea

Bacterial infection may be a causative factor in some cases of infantile diarrhea, and can cause sepsis with acute organ dysfunction, which is considered a major threat to life. There is a need for an effective and accurate biochemical marker to support or exclude the diagnosis of bacterial infection as routine laboratory tests lack both sensitivity and specificity in correctly identifying which patients should receive antibiotics, and most confirmatory microbiological test results are not available for 24 hours. The present study aimed to determine plasma PCT level in infants with acute diarrhea to evaluate its tote as a marker of bacterial infection and hence to detect cases that may benefit from early institution of antimicrobial drugs. This study was carried out in the gastroenterology unit, and the intensive care wilt of Pediatric department, Tanta faculty of medicine, and started at January 2002, and ended by July 2002. It was conducted on 53 infants [35 ware males and 18 females], and their ages ranged from 6-24 months. The following investigations were made immediately alter admission: 1- Complete blood count, 2- Blood urine, and stool bacterial aerobic and anaerobic cultures [culture of ear discharge was done in cases with otitis media], 3-Cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] examination and culture were done in cases with positive blood cultures, 4- Serum C- reactive protein [CRP] and plasma concentration of procalcitonin [PCT], and 5- Chest X-ray. The patients warn classified into 2 groups, those who have negative microbiological cultures, 31 cases [group I], and others with positive cultures, 22 cases [group II]. It was found that in infants proved to have bacterial infection with positive cultures had significantly elevated serum PCT and CRP mole than the infants who had negative bacterial cultures [1.41 +/- 0.64, and 48.18 +/- 17.8 versus 0.53 +/- 0.23 and 5.6 7 +/- 2.47 respectively, p < 0.001]. Group II had significantly higher total leukocytic count [TLC] and lower platelet count than group I [13.5 +/- 3.58, and 161.41 +/- 79.56 versus 5.41 +/- 1.082 and 247.35 +/- 79.033 respectively]. We found that no significant difference between cases with and without bacteremia as regard to TCL, CRP, and PCT, but platelet count was significantly lower in cases of bacteremia than in others with no bacteremia [t=3.72 and p =0.001]. Serum PCT levels were found to be correlated significantly with the duration of diarrhea in infants proved to have bacterial growth on different cultures, but not with TLC, platelet count, or CRP. We concluded and recommended that:1] PCT is a useful indicator of bacterial infection among cases presenting with acute infantile diarrhea in which bacteria may be the causative underlying factor or complicating such cases, so it can help in selecting cases that need lipid administration of antibacterial agents. 2] PCT should be added to the required laboratory investigations as CRP, TLC, and platelet count in all cases of acute infantile diarrhea suspected to have bacterial etiology or in those who are critically ill, because most microbiological tests need time and couldn't help in emergency situations

Anti-inflammatory effects of salmeterol, compared to beclomethasone, and sustained-release theophylline measured by serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and eosinophilic cationic protein in asthmatic children

Inhaled steroids are increasingly used in the management of asthma and although effective, they may cause systemic side effects. Theophylline is among the least expensive drugs used to treat asthma and consequently it remains a commonly used drug for this indication in many countries. In industrialized countries, the advent of inhaled corticosteroids, beta-2 agonists, and leukotriene modifying drugs has significantly diminished the extent to which theophylline is used. In addition to their bronchodilating effects, long acting inhaled beta2 agonists have recently been shown to have some anti-inflammatory properties. This work was designed to study the anti inflammatory effects of salmeterol compared to beclomethasone and theophylline by measuring of serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha] and eosinophilic cationic protein [ECP] in children with mild and moderate to severe asthma. The study was carried out in The Chest and Allergy Unit, Pediatric Department, Tanta University Hospital, from October 2000 to January 2003. It comprised ninety asthmatic children who were presented by mild, and moderate to severe attack of asthma exacerbations, their ages ranged from 6-15 years. The asthmatic children were classified into 2 groups: Group I: Included thirty children with mild asthmatic attack with FEV1 of 70-80% of the expected normal value for age and sex at the time of presentation. These patients were subdivided into three sub-groups to receive one of the following drugs for eight weeks: Inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate by metered dose inhaler [MDI] in a dose of 200 microgram / 8 hours [Steroid subgroup-I], oral sustained-release theophylline in a dose of 15 mg / kg / day [12 Hourly] [Theophylline subgroup-I], and Inhaled long acting beta 2 agonist [Salmeterol] by MDI in a dose of 50 microgram [2 buffs] / 12 hours [Salmetemi subgroup-I]. Group II: Included sixty children with moderate to severe asthma exacerbation with FEV1 less than 70% of the expected values for the age and sex. Conventional therapy was given as required to these patients to control the exacerbations of the asthmatic attack, and to achieve FEV1 of 70-80% of the expected normal values of their age and sex. Then the patients were subdivided to three sub-groups [Steroid subgroup-Il, Theophylline subgroup-Il, and Salmeterol subgroup-Il] to receive either one of the three drug modalities by the same dose and for the same duration as mentioned before in children with mild asthma [group I]. Absolute eosinophilic count [AEC], serum levels of eosinophilic cationic protein [ECP] and tumor ncrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha] were measured at presentation during the acute exacerbation and 8 weeks after beginning of the different treatment modalities. We concluded that beclomethasone dipropionate had effectively diminished serum levels of TNF-alpha and ECP to a greater extent than the Ophylline and salmeterol in children with bronchial asthma. Long acting theophylline also diminished significantly serum levels of TNF-alpha and ECP at a lower than customarily recommended blood theophylline level after 8 weeks of regular treatment. On the other hand, salmeterol decreased serum levels of TNF-alpha and ECP in asthmatic children but this reduction was not significant after 8 weeks of regular administration in cases of mild and moderately severe asthma

Treatment of stable vitiligo by melanocye enriched epidermal cell suspension.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of melanocyte- enriched epidermal cell suspension for the treatment of stable vitiligo. The study was carried out on 30 patients with stable vitiligo. After the removal of thin skin grafts containing only epidermis by silver skin grafting knife, the skin was incubated in trypsin for one hour to separate the dermis, if found, from epidermis, then centrifuged and washed in a melanocyte medium. Then, the melanocyte-enriched cell suspension was applied to the dermabraded depigmented skin. The study showed that the re-pigmented portion of the treated area was 95-100% in 22 patients. It was more difficult to achieve a complete re-pigmentation on the feet, fingers and elbows. Color matching was good and scar formation was not observed

Evaluation of different bleaching agents in the treatment of some hypermelanotic disorders

The study comprised 47 patients, 32 patients having melasma and 15 having Berloque dermatitis. The three bleaching agents were: Kilgman Willis formula, hydrocortisone butyrate 0.1% oint. and hydroquinone 5% +retinoic acid 0.1% oint. applied twice daily except hydrocortisone butyrate 0.1% which was used once daily. These bleaching agents were applied for about 6 weeks. The response to these agents was detected by comparing the intensity of hypopigmentation after treatment and the presence of any side effect Zinc oxide oint. was applied in the morning as a sun screen. Hydrocortisone butyrate 0.1% was found more effective in the treatment of Berloque dermatitis than melasma [rhoc 0.05]. Kligman Willis formula and the combination of hydroquinone 5% +Retinoic acid 0.1% were more effective than hydrocortisone butyrate in the treatment of melasma. Erythema and peeling were marked with hydroquinon 5% +retinoic acid 0.1%