Characterization and evaluation of coconut aroma produced by Trichoderma viride EMCC-107 in solid state fermentation on sugarcane bagasse

Background Sugarcane bagasse was shown to be an adequate substrate for the growth and aroma production by Trichoderma species. In the present work the ability of Trichoderma viride EMCC-107 to produce high yield of coconut aroma in solid state fermentation (SSF) by using sugarcane bagasse as solid substrate was evaluated. The produced aroma was characterized. Results Total carbohydrates comprised the highest content (43.9% w/w) compared with the other constituents in sugarcane bagasse. The sensory and gas chromatography-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) analysis revealed that the highest odor intensity and maximum yield of volatiles were perceived at the 5th d of induction period. The unsaturated lactone, 6-pentyl-α-pyrone (6-PP), was the major identified volatile compound. Saturated lactones, δ-octalactone, γ-nonalactone, γ-undecalactone, γ-dodecalactone and δ-dodecalactone, were also identified in the coconut aroma produced during the induction period (12 d). A quite correlation was found between the composition and odor profile of the produced aroma. The effect of varying the concentration of sugarcane bagasse on 6-PP production and biomass growth was evaluated. The results revealed high 6-PP production at 4.5 g sugarcane bagasse whereas the biomass showed significant (P < 0.05) increase by increasing the concentration of sugarcane bagasse. Conclusion The concentration of 6-PP, the most contribution of coconut aroma, produced in present study (3.62 mg/g DM) was higher than that reported in previous studies conducted under the same fermentation conditions. The significant increase in biomass with increasing the concentration of sugarcane bagasse may be attributed to the increase in sugar content that acts as carbon and energy source.

Study of some adolescents health problems and application of educational program among adolescents students in Sharkia govemorate-Egypt

Adolescence is a difficult and dangerous period of transition from childhood to adulthood. This population segment is exposed to a variety of health problems including; iron deficiency anemia, obesity, and dental caries, under nutrition, smoking, substance abuse and psychological problems. Objectives: This study is conducted to assess some of adolescents health problems and to explore their underlying factors. Also, it assesses the impact of an applied educational program for the most feasible problem. The study is composed of two phases, the first one is a cross sectional study that is conducted on a suitable sample size of preparatory, secondary school and university adolescents during the academic year 2004-2005. A multistage sampling technique is used for sample selection. A self-administered questionnaire is used to collect the following data; sociodemographic, dietary history, some lifestyle factors and depressionanxiety scale. Clinical examination, anthropomctric measurements and some laboratory tests arc done for the students. The second phase is an intervention one that is conducted after data collection, analysis and prioritization of health problems. Parasitic infection took the first priority to be solved, and the infected students are divided into intervention and control groups. A self-administered questionnaire is used to assess knowledge and practice of both groups regarding parasitic infection. The intervention group is subjected to medical treatment and an educational program while the control one is subjected to medical treatment only. After 2 months all participants are asked to complete the same questionnaire and stool analysis is done for them. The first phase of study showed many health problems among the studies adolescents, which are in sequence; dental caries, anaemia, parasitic infection, obesity, underweight, smoking, anxiety and depression. It was found that dental caries, anaemia, parasitic infection, underweight and depression were significantly associated with rural adolescents belonging to low social class. While, obesity and smoking were significantly associated with urban ones belonging to high social class. Anemia, obesity, anxiety and depression were more prevalent among females, while underweight and smoking were more among males. The problem of obesity was associated with those taking snacks and four meals or more, and not practicing exercise regularly. However, underweight was associated with those were taking less number of meals not and were not taking snacks. Finally, anxiety and depression, both were associated with smoking and absence of qxercise practice. The second phase showed reduction in the percentage of students who were infected by parasitic infection in both control and intervention groups with significant reduction in the intervention group reflecting the great impact of the educational program. The adolescents are exposed to some health problems and by assessing their knowledge about parasitic infestation, it was found to be relatively deficient. So, the study recommended a regular health appraisal for early detection, management in addition to application of a sustained health education program aiming to improve their knowledge, attitude and practice regarding the common health problems

Should all patients with unexplained paroxysmal palpitations undergo diagnostic electrophysiologic study [EPS]

This study was performed on 40 patients for the evaluation of palpitations. There were 17 patients with inappropriate sinus tachycardia diagnosed with an elevated resting heart rate and an exaggerated heart rate response to exercise in the absence of organic illness, they were excluded from the study. The other 23 patients [16 females and 7 males] were diagnosed as paroxysmal unexplained palpitations. All patients had careful history taking, cardiac exam and baseline labs including complete blood count and thyroid functions. Also, they had regular 12-lead ECG, echocardiography, 24-Holter monitoring and exercise test. All patients underwent baseline electrophysiologic studies in a drug- free state of anti- arrhythmic medicine. Atrial and ventricular stimulation protocol using up to three extrastimuli was done as well as using Isuprel infusion if no tachycardia was induced at baseline. The study concluded that palpitation is a common symptom that needs a careful work-up to assess the etiological diagnosis. Electrophysiological studies in these patients have a low yield and should be only considered in patients with documented sustained arrhythmia or highly suspicious for rhythm disorder

Factors influencing corneal graft rejection

The aim of this work was to study the influencing corneal graft rejection. Penetrating keratoplasty was done for 50 eyes. Preoperative assessment included detailed history taking and complete ophthalmological examination. The operative technique was the same in all cases. The follow up period was 6-36 months. Specular microscopic examination for cases developed graft rejection was done and also for donor corneas from different age groups. The results indicated that twenty out of fifty eyes developed graft rejection, seven out of the twenty eyes progressed to irreversible damage. It was concluded that the factors influencing the survival of the cornea1 graft were donor type such as age of donor, quality of donor cornea and recipient factors such as pathological cause of the corneal opacity, cornea1 vascularization, size of the graft, side of trephination age of the recipient, number of regrafting, systemic as factors pregnancy and systemic diseases affecting the eye

study of injuries at the primary care level in Alexandria

One of the essential elements of PHC is appropriate treatment of injuries. Injuries are the most serious public health problem. Therefore the studies of the incidence and risk factors of injuries are needed to provide direction in planning and implementation of appropriate preventive programs. The aim of the present work was to study the pattern of injuries recorded at the PHC level, to study the referral system and feed back of injuries, as well as to study the role of PHC centers in the prevention of injuries through health education programs. Data about injuries in the last five years [1989-1993] was collected from the primary emergency posts and the main Ambulance Center in Kom EI-Deka. Moreover, repeated visits to different PHC centers were done to study the referral system and feed back and the role of these centers in the prevention of injuries through health education programs. The results revealed the defective referral system for injuries between PHC centers and the primary emergency posts as well as the feed back mechanism. Moreover, there was no health education program provided in the study PHC centers about prevention of injuries. The results revealed that there was decline in the occurrence of injuries from the year 1989 to the year 1993. The case fatality of injuries increased from the year 1989 to the year 1993. Injuries were higher among males and among age group of more than 15 years. Accidents due to cars were more prevalent than other types. There is a need for accurate data recording at the primary care level, good referral system and feed back about injuries. The role of PHC centers in the prevention of injuries through health education programs should be stressed