Transposon [Tn5] and UV Irradiation as mutagenic agents for improving photorhabdus sp. Sinai 1 [S1], an insect - Pathogenic bacterium

A local isolate of symbiotic bacterium, Photorhabdus sp. Sinai 1 [S1] was isolated from Heterorhabditis sp. Sl insect-pathogenic nematodes and its character was detected. Antibacterial/antifungal antibiotic[s] and proteinase productions of Photorhabdus Sl play an important role in killing insects. Photorhabdus sp. [Sl] was treated with UV for different times. Survival percentage of the original strain dropped from 100% at zero time to 11.13%,0.23 and 0.022% after UV treatment for 1, 3 and 5 minutes, respectively. However, 32 mutants were isolated, 18 after 1 minute treatment and 14 after 3 minutes treatment. Wide ranges of proteinase production capacities were detected. Eight of the mutants isolated after UV treatment for 1 minute had lower production than Sl, while 4 mutants had the same productivity as Sl. Six mutants of l minute UV treatment, were higher producers than S1. Fourteen mutants were isolated after UV treatment for 3 minutes. Three of them had the same proteinase production at S1, 3 had lower production, and about 8 proved to be highly producer mutants. Mutant number 20 from UV 3 minutes treatment group proved to be the best producer. It produced 25% over than S1. Suicidal plasmid pSUP2021 was mobilized from Escherichia coli to photorhabdus bytransconjugation and 15 transconjugants were isolated. All of them proved electrophoritically to have the plasmid. Fourteen transconjugants were tested for their proteinase productivity, only two transconjugants [14%] were higher proteinase producers, one of them reached 133.3% in comparison with S1. All transconjugants, except one were higher antibacterial antibiotic producers thanS1. Transconjugant number 7 proved to be the best producer one. It produced about 150% antibacterial and 160% antifungal antibiotics in comparison with S1parental strain. Results also indicated that, Photorhabdus S1 mutations due to transposon Tn5 mutagenesis were more powerful than those induced by UV in proteinase production. Transposon Tn5 mutagenesis is one of the most important tool for antibiotic improvement in Photorhabdus

Susceptibility of certain varieties and genotypes and control of wilt and root rot diseases of sesame attributed to fusarium oxysporum f sp sesami and macrophomina phaseoli.

Eight fungal isolates were obtained from naturally diseased sesame plants suffering from wilt and root rot diseases. These isolates were identified as Fusarium oxysporum f. Sp. Sesami and Macrophomina phaseoli. Fusarium isolates infected sesame plants causing wilt symptoms and Macrophomina isolates infected sesame plants causing root rot and charcoal stem rot. Varietal resistance on different varieties and genotypes revealed that Giza 32 was less susceptible to infection with F. oxysporum and M. phaseoli than other tested cultivars. Among the tested fungicides, Benlate was the most toxic in vitro. Furthermore, the application of Benlate and Rhizolex-T as soil treatment at concentrations of 0.04-0.1% decreased the percentage of wilt and root rot diseases. Additionally, in a field trial, Benlate proved to be a very effective fungicide in decreasing infection with M. Phaseoli and F. oxysporum when applied at 0.5 g/hill. Bacillus subtilis was isolated from the rhizosphere of sesame plants and showed inhibitory effect against the fungi tested in vitro. The antagonists were able to suppress wilt and root rot diseases when applied to artificially infested soil. Moreover, the addition of 1% organic manure resulted in a greater reduction in infection with wilt and root rot diseases

Anatomic correlation between intimal pathology and cerebral vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage

Subarachnoid hemorrhage [SAH] resulting from a ruptured intracranial aneurysm can induce cerebral vasospasm with subsequent reduction in cerebral blood flow [CBF]. The present study examines the pathological alterations in the wall of human cerebral arteries at autopsy, especially with regard to intimal pathology, following aneurysmal SAH. Arterial segments from the circle of Willis were fixed in 10% formalin, embedded in paraffin, sectioned at 4[micro] and stained with hematoxylin-eosin or toluidine blue. Similar numbers of sectioned vessels were also examined in control material. The areas of intima, lumen and the length of internal elastic lamina were compared with those from control sections. Pathological changes such as myonecrosis and fibrosis in muscular layers associated with a possible loss of compliance and elasticity of the vessel wall were also noted. The average luminal area decreased to 56.8% +/- 12.5% compared to comparable controls [p<0.005]. The tunica intima was the most abnormal component of the arterial wall with cellular proliferation which was made up predominantly of collagen fibers and loose fibroblasts. These pathological findings are mainly due to myonecrotic changes and intimal proliferation with the resultant luminal constriction and CBF impairment which might explain the high incidence of cerebral infarction in cases of SAH

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents: synthesis of pyrazolyl pyrazolinyl and pyrimidinyl derivatives of quinolone

Three novel series of quinoline derivatives have been prepared by cyclization of the intermediate, 3- [1-aryl-1-oxoprop-2-en-3-yl]-7-substituted-2-chloroquinolines [IIa-h], with hydrazine, phenylhydrazine or thiourea. The synthesized compounds were: 3-[3-aryl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-5-yl]-7-substituted 2-chloroquinolines [IIIa-h], 3[3-aryl-1-phenylpyrazol-5-yl] -7-substituted-2-chloroquinolines [IVa-h], and 4-aryl-6-[2-chloro-7 -substituted quinolin-3-yl]-5,6-dihydropyrimidine-2[3H]-thione [Va-h]. The antiinflammatory activity of representative examples of the prepared compounds was studied

Current state of the open tension-free hernioplasty versus laparoscopic hernial repair

20 patients [50%] had indirect hernias 14 patients [35%] had direct hernias and 6 patients [15%] had combined hernias, while 5 patients of all the group [12.5%] had a sliding hernia were treated by open Tension-free hernioplasty [Lichtenstein operation]. Hospital stay ranged from 1 to 3 days with an average of about 1.5 days. The average operation time was less than one hour. No major post operative complications were observed while minor complications like urine retention, seroma and scrotal hematoma were managed -conservatively. Recurrence occurred in 2 out of the 26 patients that were available for follow up [7.7%] for a period from 1 to 3 years

Penetrating chest injuries: nature, management and prognosis

Within the broad spectrum of injuries, penetrating chest trauma contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality. Thirty patients admitted to the Casualty Unit of Alexandria Main University Hospital with penetrating chest injuries were included in this work to study the nature, management and prognosis of this type of injury. All patients were examined clinically. Chest X-ray was done before and after treatment. Electrocardiography and echocardiography were done in the follow up of patients with cardiac injuries. Knives were the commonest inflicting agents. Hemopneumothorax was the commonest sequela [46.7%], followed by hemothorax [26.7%], cardiac injury [23.3%], pneumothorax [13.3%], diaphragmatic tear [13.3%], lung hematoma or laceration [10%], fracture ribs [6.7%], internal mammary artery injury [6.7%], and retained intrathoracic gunshot [3.3%]. Surgical measures were applied in 28 patients. Fifteen patients required thoracotomy and 13 were treated by thoracostomy. Abdominal exploration was performed in 4 patients. Twenty-nine patients survived [96.97%]. One patient died [3.33%] from refractory heart failure following surgical closure of traumatic ventricular septal defect. Four patients had residual effects in the follow up period in the form of myocardial ischemia, retained foreign body, mild pericardial effusion and mild fibrothorax. Although penetrating chest injuries, especially cardiovascular trauma, may rapidly lead to death, they often respond to intelligent emergency medical evaluation and prompt treatment

Surgery of lung hydatid in children

Hydatid cyst in children is not uncommon in endemic areas. Fourteen cases with hydatid cyst of the lung under 11 years were studied. Hemagglutination test was positive in 75% of patients. All patients presented with one of the complications except one. This fact was relate to the hyperactivity of children as compared with adults. Bronchobiliary fistula proved by bronchoscopy was present in two patients. Abdominal ultrasound was done for most of the patients [10] to exclude associated liver affection. Cases were treated surgically by enucleation of the cyst and plication of the cavity in 12 patients and lobectomy in 2 patients. Postoperative follow up for a period varied from one year to 7 years was satisfactory and cases which recurred were treated with albendazole. Conservation of lung tissue during operation is important, especially in endemic area and gives satisfactory results

Hemodynamic study before and after total correction of Fallot Part I C0mparison of echocardiography and catheterization data with operative findings and follow-up

Fallot tetralogy [FT] is the most common congenital cyanotic heart disease faced in Alexandria Cardiac Center [ACC]. Thirty patients with FT were subjected to total correction in ACC. The aim of this study was to evaluate different procedures for the diagnosis of the preoperative cardiac state and to correlate it with the real operative findings, also, to identify the incremental risk factors for total correction in ACC and to evaluate the surgical procedure postoperatively for up to two months. This work reported on the echo-Doppler results compared with catheterization and operative findings and follow- up data. Comparison of echo versus angio revealed that diagnosis of overriding was missed in 4 by echo but was proved by angio. Atrial septal defect was detected in 3 by echo but in 4 by angio and in 5 during surgery, patent foramen ovale in none by echo, in 5 by angio and in 20 during operation, patent ductus in 3 by echo and 4 by angio. Echo examination postoperative and 8 weeks after it revealed no residual shunts. Thus echo-Doppler is essential for the diagnosis of FT but angio is m and atory for surgical decision. Follow up by echo is an excellent noninvasive easy procedure for postoperative evaluation

Styryl and dicationic cyanine dyes containing the pyrazole moiety

Three types of cyanine dyes containing the pyrazole moiety have been synthesized and their visible spectra were compared. These include symmetrical dicationic dimethine cyanines, asymmetrical styryl cyanines and asymmetrical dicationic cyanines

Diaphragmatic trauma: Types, diagnosis and management

This study included 39 patients with diaphragmatic trauma divided into 3 groups: Blunt traumatic rupture [16 patients], open wounds [10 patients] and iatrogenic injuries [13 patients]. Of the 16 patients with blunt rupture, the presentation was acute in 7 necessitating laparotomy, subacute in 6 and chronic in 3 presenting 2 to 6 months after the original trauma in whom the diagnosis was confirmed by chest X-ray, barium series, CT scan and sonography and the repair was done transthoracically. Mortality in blunt trauma involved two patients [12.5%] from associated head injury and hepatorenal failure. Among the 10 patients with open wounds, 8 were managed transabdominally and in 2 patients, laparotomy was followed by thoracotomy to deal with slab heart with good results. The causes of iatrogenic diaphragmatic injuries were mentioned to be avoided. Diaphragmatic trauma needs to be entertained in any severe thoracoabdominal injury and early repair was recommended to avoid complications

Rare tumors of the esophagus

In a 5-year-period [1985-90], 5 patients presenting with dysphagia were diagnosed and treated. They had rare esophageal tumors. The first patient had a pedunculated lipoma in the cervical esophagus excised through a neck incision. The second patient had 2 leiomyomas enucleated through a right thoracotomy. The third patient had a leiomyosarcoma at the junction of upper middle esophageal thirds. Esophagectomy was done with restoration of continuity using the stomach. The fourth patient had a small cell carcinoma in the mid- esophagus and esophagogastrectomy was done, followed by esophagogastrostomy. The same was done for the fifth patient who had a leiomyoblastoma of the lower esophagus. It was concluded that although the majority of esophageal tumors are squamous cell carcinoma, rare tumors should be considered to avoid planning unnecessary operations

Ultrasonographic evaluation of hepatic involvement in esophageal carcinoma

Preoperative detection of the presence of liver secondaries does not only influence the choice of the therapeutic modality, but also seriously decreases the expected patient's survival. In this study, the role of ultrasonography in evaluation of hepatic involvement is discussed. Thirty patients, 26 males and 4 females, suffering from carcinoma of the esophagus were submitted to preoperative ultrasonography of the liver. The hepatic involvement was confirmed by thorough intraoperative exploration of the liver or by ultrasonography-guided needle biopsy. Ultrasonography detected liver secondaries in seven cases and missed only one lesion detected during operative exploration, [accuracy of 87.5%]. So, being cheap, simple and noninvasive, ultrasonographic examination of the liver should be a part of the preoperative evaluation regimen for all patients with carcinoma of the esophagus

role of mediastinotomy in the diagnosis of intrathoracic disease [a clinicopathologic study]

Twenty patients with mediastinal, pulmonary and pleural disease were submitted to anterior mediastinotomy as an investigative tool. Diagnostic anterior mediastinotomy yielded positive results in 100 percent of cases and is believed to be far superior to the other diagnostic procedures such as radiography, bronchoscopy and scalene lymph node biopsy. Although the procedure was attended with some complications, yet they were easily managed and no mortality was incurred in the series presented. The indications, operative technique, complications and pathologic findings are discussed