Biocontrol agent of root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica and root-rot fungi, Fusarium solani in okra morphological, anatomical characteristics and productivity under greenhouse conditions.

This study was conducted to evaluate the ability of some fungal culture filtrate, as biocontrol agents against okra wilt caused by Fusarium solani. and Meloidogyne javanica. In the present study, fungal culture filtrates (FCFs) of Aspergillus terreus (1), Aspergillus terreus (2), Penicillium chrysogenum, and Trichoderma spp. were tested against M. javanica in vitro. The effects of P. chrysogenum and Trichoderma spp. (FCFs) in controlling root-rot fungi and root-knot nematode disease complex on okra plants were studied under greenhouse conditions (In vivo). In vitro experiment, the results revealed cumulative rate of J2s mortality of M. javanica reached to 97.67 and 95% by P. chrysogenum and Trichoderma spp., respectively, after 72 h. incubation. Additionally, Trichoderma spp exhibited the most effective inhibitory activity against the pathogen's radial growth, with a percentage of 68%. P. chrysogenum ranked second with 53.88%, while A. terreus (2) demonstrated the weakest inhibitory effect of 24.11%. T6 [Nematode infection (M. javanica) + Fungus infection (F. solani) + Overflowed with fungal culture filtrate (P. chrysogenum)] and T8 [Nematode infection (M. javanica) + Fungus infection (F. solani) + spray with fungal culture filtrate (P. chrysogenum)] had the greatest effects on nematode galling indices on okra roots and substantially reduced the reproductive factors in the greenhouse (In vivo experiment). T6 was the best treatment to decrease disease severity, as reached (28%) relatively. On the other hand, T12 [(Fungus infection (F. solani) + (Dovex 50% fungicide with irrigation water)] recorded the lowest disease severity reaching (8%) relatively. The results showed that nematode infection or fungus infection or both decreased all studied anatomical characteristics of okra root, stem, and leaves. We concluded from this study that root-knot nematode and root-rot fungi were reduced by using fungal culture filtrates and could improve plant growth.

Appraisal of synthetic cationic Gemini surfactants as highly efficient inhibitors for carbon steel in the acidization of oil and gas wells: an experimental and computational approach.

New cationic Gemini surfactant (CGS) molecules were synthesized and investigated as anticorrosive materials for carbon steel (CS) in 1 M HCl solution by chemical, electrochemical and theoretical studies such as DFT and MDS approaches. The anticorrosion efficacy increased with the increase in the CGS concentration. It reached 95.66% at 5 × 10-3 M of the CGS molecule using PDP measurements. PDP studies confirm that the CGS molecule acts as a mixed inhibitor. The EIS outcomes were explained by an equivalent circuit in which a constant phase element (CPE) rather than a double-layer capacitance (C dl) was exploited to donate a more precise fit of the experimental outcomes. The CGS molecule follows the Langmuir isotherm as it is chemically adsorbed onto the surface of CS. To explore the kinetic and adsorption mechanisms, the thermodynamic characteristics of the activation and adsorption processes were assessed under the impact of temperature. Frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs) were achieved by the density functional theory (DFT) method. The study of interatomic interactions at the [CS (Fe(110))]/CGS level was discussed using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation.

Syzygium aromaticum L.: Traditional herbal medicine against cagA and vacA toxin genes-producing drug resistant Helicobacter pylori.

The Pan-Drug Resistant (PDR), Helicobacter pylori remains an intractable challenge in public health worldwide and this pathogenicity is mainly due to the presence of a cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA) and vacuolating cytotoxin A (VacA). On the other hand, plant extracts such as Syzygium aromaticum contain a diverse array of secondary metabolites, which could be potentially used to combat H. pylori pathogens. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the biomedical potential of S. aromaticum extract against cytotoxin-associated genes producing PDR H. pylori. In this investigation, out of 45 gastric antral biopsy specimens of dyspeptic patients, 20 strains were confirmed as H. pylori. Eight (40%) out of 20 strains were PDR H. pylori while the rest of the strains were Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) strains. Genotypic analyses of PDR H. pylori strains showed that cagA and vacA genes were found to be 75% and 87.5%, respectively and m2s2 was the most common subtype of vacA gene. S. aromaticum showed a significant higher anti-H. pylori activity compared to that of Cinnamomum zeylanicum and Thymus vulgaris. Eugenol was the major phenolic compound (28.14%) detected in the methanolic extract of S. aromaticum. Clearly, results of the toxicological assessment confirmed the safety of S. aromaticum for use. Hence, these results suggest that S. aromaticum could be a new useful natural antimicrobial agent that could potentially combat cytotoxin genes-producing drug-resistant H. pylori. Moreover, these findings provide a scientific basis for the development of antimicrobial agents from traditional herbal medicines for gastroprotection against gastric ulcer.

Adsorption and Corrosion Performance of New Cationic Gemini Surfactants Derivatives of Fatty Amido Ethyl Aminium Chloride with Ester Spacer for Mild Steel in Acidic Solutions.

Three new cationic gemini surfactants with ester spacer type 2-2'-(ethane-1,2-diyl bis(oxy)) bis(N-(2-alkanamidoethyl)-N,N-dimethyl-2-oxoethan-1-aminium)) dichloride) (CGSES12, CGSES14 and CGSES16), based on N,N-dimethyl fatty amido ethylamine, were produced. These gemini quaternary ammonium salts were synthesized using a three-step reaction method, starting from th/e condensation of the fatty acid chloride (RCOCl) of various hydrophobic chain lengths (R, C11H23, C13H27, C15H31) with N,N-dimethyl ethylene diamine, followed by the quaternization of the tertiary amino group formed with the spacer of the ester group formed in the second step. The chemical configuration of the surfactants was established by FT-IR, 1HNMR, 13CNMR and Mass spectroscopies. The inhibition performance of three surfactants was studied by weight loss and electrochemical measurements. The results show that CGSES12, CGSES14 and CGSES16 behave as effective inhibitors and surface agents. The maximum efficiency was higher than 94% at 2.5 mM, and the inhibition order was CGSES16 > CGSES14 > CGSES12. This was due to the increment in hydrophobicity of the gemini surfactants. Their adsorption on a mild steel surface followed the Langmuir isotherm. CGSES12, CGSES14 and CGSES16 can be considered mixed-type inhibitors. The presence of CGSES12, CGSES14 and CGSES16 increased charge transfer resistance and decreased the corrosion rate. The adsorption focused on heteroatoms and the surface properties of cationic gemini surfactants.

Enhancement of A Cationic Surfactant by Capping Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterization and Multiple Applications.

There is scarce information on cationic surfactants' biocidal and corrosion inhbibition effects on Slime-Forming Bacteria (SFB) isolated from oil field formation water. Therefore, this work focused on the the synthesis of a cationic surfactant (CS) to increase its features by capping different metal nanoparticles (zinc, ZnNPs-C-CS; manganese, MnNPs-C-CS and tin, SnNPs-C-CS) and used them as biocides and corrosion inhibitors. The cationic surfactant was synthesized and characterized by Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Afterwards, different nanoparticles were synthesized, characterized, and exploited to cap by the CS. The CS and the different nanoparticles capped by the CS were tested for their antimicrobial susceptibility against standard bacterial and yeast strains. The synthesized compounds were further evaluated as anti-biofilms agents against positively-developed bacterial biofilms. Moreover, the CS and the ZnNPs-C-CS, MnNPs-C-CS, and SnNPs-C-CS were assessed as potential biocides against SFB, particularly Pseudomonas sp. (isolated from contaminated formation water), and as corrosion inhibitors against cultivated salinity. The results revealed the great effect of the different CS-capped NPs as broad-spectrum antimicrobial and anti-biofilm agents at lower Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs), Minimum Bactericidal Concentrations (MBCs), Minimum Fungicidal Concentrations (MFCs) and Minimum Biofilm Inhibitory Concentrations (MBICs), and the activities were reported in order of SnNPs-C-CS > MnNPs-C-CS > ZnNPs-C-CS > CS. Furthermore, the ZnNPs-C-CS, MnNPs-C-CS, and SnNPs-C-CS demonstrated biocidal and corrosion inhibition effects against Pseudomonas sp. at a salinity of 3.5% NaCl, with metal corrosion inhibition efficiencies of 88.6, 94.0 and 96.9%, in comparison to a CS efficiency of 85.7%. In conclusion, the present work provides a newly synthesized cationic surfactant and has enhanced its antimicrobial and its metal corrosion inhibition effects by capping different nanoparticles, and it has been successfully applied against slime-forming bacteria at a salinity of 3.5% NaCl.

4,4'-(((1E,5E)-pentane-1,5-diylidene)bis(azanylylidene))bis(1-dodecylpyridin-1-ium) bromide as a novel corrosion inhibitor in an acidic solution (part I).

The metal corrosion inhibition efficiency of a novel synthesized cationic gemini surfactant (SCGS), namely, 4,4'-(((1E,5E)-pentane-1,5-diylidene)bis(azanylylidene))bis (1-dodecylpyridin-1-ium) bromide, was studied in acidic medium by three techniques. The achieved results displayed the inhibition efficiency of the metal corrosion that was elevated by increasing both the SCGS's concentration and the applied temperature values. Furthermore, it was noticed that the charge transfer resistance value was elevated; however, the constant phase element was decreased with increasing the SCGS concentrations. The SCGS regards an excellent and mixed-type corrosion inhibitor. The adsorption of SCGS has agreed the Langmuir's adsorption isotherm and was related to physisorption and chemisorption.

Multiple Applications of a Novel Cationic Gemini Surfactant: Anti-Microbial, Anti-Biofilm, Biocide, Salinity Corrosion Inhibitor, and Biofilm Dispersion (Part II).

The Egyptian petroleum industries are incurring severe problems with corrosion, particularly corrosion that is induced by sulfidogenic microbial activities in harsh salinity environments despite extensively using biocides and metal corrosion inhibitors. Therefore, in this study, a synthesized cationic gemini surfactant (SCGS) was tested as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial, anti-bacterial, anti-candida, anti-fungal, anti-biofilm (anti-adhesive), and bio-dispersion agent. The SCGS was evaluated as a biocide against environmental sulfidogenic-bacteria and as a corrosion inhibitor for a high salinity cultivated medium. The SCGS displayed wide spectrum antimicrobial activity with minimum bactericidal/fungicidal inhibitory concentrations. The SCGS demonstrated anti-bacterial, anti-biofilm, and bio-dispersion activity. The SCGS exhibited bactericidal activity against environmental sulfidogenic bacteria and the highest corrosion inhibition efficiency of 93.8% at 5 mM. Additionally, the SCGS demonstrated bio-dispersion activity against the environmental sulfidogenic bacteria at 5.49% salinity. In conclusion, this study provides a novel synthesized cationic surfactant with many applications in the oil and gas industry: as broad-spectrum antimicrobial and anti-biofilm agents, corrosion inhibition for high salinity, biocides for environmentally sulfidogenic bacteria, and as bio-dispersion agents.

Interferon-γ inducible protein-10 and interleukin 28B gene polymorphism as predictive markers for genotype 4 hepatitis C virus treatment response.

HCV genotype 4 dominates the HCV epidemic in Egypt. Drug resistance was the most serious side effect that reflects bad clinical outcome. Several studies had demonstrated that baseline serum interferon-γ-inducible-protein 10 (IP-10) levels and interleukin 28B polymorphisms were associated with the resistance to the standard of care pegylated interferon alpha and ribavirin (PEG-IFNα/RBV) therapy and development of post-treatment relapse. Our purpose was to assess the predictive value of combining IP-10 levels and IL28B genotypes to PEG-IFNα/RBV therapy response in Egyptian chronic HCV infection patients with genotype 4. Ninety Egyptian patients chronically infected by HCV genotype-4 treated with pegylated interferon alpha and ribavirin (PEG-IFNα/RBV) therapy were enrolled. Serum IP-10 levels were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay pre- and post- treatment. IL-28B (rs12979860 and rs8099917) polymorphisms were performed by PCR-RFLP in all patients. Overall, 38 patients (42.2%) achieved sustained virologic response (SVR) and 52 (57.8%) patients have non-viral response (NVR). Pretreatment serum IP-10 mean levels were significantly lower in patients who achieved SVR than in NVR (P<0.05). CC genotype in IL28B polymorphism (rs12979860) was the favorable genotype as 65.8% achieved SVR, while TT genotype in IL-28B polymorphism (rs8099917) was the favorable genotype as 81.5% achieved SVR. Baseline IP-10 was significantly correlated to genotypes CC in rs12979860 and TT in rs8099917. Combined use of serum baseline IP-10 levels with IL-28B polymorphisms could improve the prediction of SVR to PEG-IFNα/RBV therapy in Egyptian chronic HCV infection patients with genotype 4.

Assessment of interleukin 17 and transforming growth factor-beta 1 in hepatitis C patients with disease progression.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Egypt is the most serious health problem. Identifying HCV-positive persons at high risk of early complications can help prioritize treatment decisions. Recently, attention has been directed to non-invasive, accurate alternatives using serum biochemical markers. The transforming growth factor ß 1/interleukins pathway plays an important role in the process of cell injury and inflammation. Thus, TGF-ß1 and IL-17 were assessed in serum of chronic HCV patients with correlation to hepatic inflammatory and fibrotic status. The quantitative serum levels of TGF-ß1 and IL-17 were analyzed among chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients (n=75) and normal control (NC) subjects (n=15). Disease severity in patients was assessed using the Child-Pugh scores and METAVIR. Serum levels of TGF-ß1 and IL-17 were significantly increased in HCV patients compared to control group. Furthermore, the levels of TGF-ß1 and Il-17 were positively correlated to serum transaminases and alpha-fetoprotein and they were negatively correlated with serum albumin and platelets. Additionally, the serum levels of TGF-ß1 and Il-17 were associated with inflammation grades and stages of liver fibrosis. TGF-ß1 and IL-17 may be hopeful serum biomarkers concerned in the progression of liver inflammation and fibrosis accompanying chronic HCV infection. Therefore, they could be used in the future as targets for anti-fibrotic therapy of chronic HCV to ameliorate the disease progress.

Assessment of interleukin 17 and transforming growth factor-beta 1 in hepatitis C patients with disease progression

@#Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Egypt is the most serious health problem. Identifying HCV-positive persons at high risk of early complications can help prioritize treatment decisions. Recently, attention has been directed to non-invasive, accurate alternatives using serum biochemical markers. The transforming growth factor β 1/interleukins pathway plays an important role in the process of cell injury and inflammation. Thus, TGF-β1 and IL-17 were assessed in serum of chronic HCV patients with correlation to hepatic inflammatory and fibrotic status. The quantitative serum levels of TGF-β1 and IL-17 were analyzed among chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients (n=75) and normal control (NC) subjects (n=15). Disease severity in patients was assessed using the Child-Pugh scores and METAVIR. Serum levels of TGF-β1 and IL-17 were significantly increased in HCV patients compared to control group. Furthermore, the levels of TGF-β1 and Il-17 were positively correlated to serum transaminases and alpha-fetoprotein and they were negatively correlated with serum albumin and platelets. Additionally, the serum levels of TGF-β1 and Il-17 were associated with inflammation grades and stages of liver fibrosis. TGF-β1 and IL-17 may be hopeful serum biomarkers concerned in the progression of liver inflammation and fibrosis accompanying chronic HCV infection. Therefore, they could be used in the future as targets for anti-fibrotic therapy of chronic HCV to ameliorate the disease progress.

Interferon-γ inducible protein-10 and interleukin 28B gene polymorphism as predictive markers for genotype 4 hepatitis C virus treatment response

@#HCV genotype 4 dominates the HCV epidemic in Egypt. Drug resistance was the most serious side effect that reflects bad clinical outcome. Several studies had demonstrated that baseline serum interferon-γ-inducible-protein 10 (IP-10) levels and interleukin 28B polymorphisms were associated with the resistance to the standard of care pegylated interferon alpha and ribavirin (PEG-IFNα/RBV) therapy and development of post-treatment relapse. Our purpose was to assess the predictive value of combining IP-10 levels and IL28B genotypes to PEG-IFNα/RBV therapy response in Egyptian chronic HCV infection patients with genotype 4. Ninety Egyptian patients chronically infected by HCV genotype-4 treated with pegylated interferon alpha and ribavirin (PEG-IFNα/RBV) therapy were enrolled. Serum IP-10 levels were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay pre- and post- treatment. IL-28B (rs12979860 and rs8099917) polymorphisms were performed by PCR-RFLP in all patients. Overall, 38 patients (42.2%) achieved sustained virologic response (SVR) and 52 (57.8%) patients have non-viral response (NVR). Pretreatment serum IP-10 mean levels were significantly lower in patients who achieved SVR than in NVR (P<0.05). CC genotype in IL28B polymorphism (rs12979860) was the favorable genotype as 65.8% achieved SVR, while TT genotype in IL-28B polymorphism (rs8099917) was the favorable genotype as 81.5% achieved SVR. Baseline IP-10 was significantly correlated to genotypes CC in rs12979860 and TT in rs8099917. Combined use of serum baseline IP-10 levels with IL-28B polymorphisms could improve the prediction of SVR to PEG-IFNα/RBV therapy in Egyptian chronic HCV infection patients with genotype 4.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma in cervical lymph nodes with vanished thyroid gland after ablation of Graves' disease by radioactive iodine.

Primary thyroid carcinoma after thyroid ablation by radioactive iodine is rare. We present a very rare condition of lateral apparent papillary thyroid carcinoma eight years after receiving radioactive iodine for thyrotoxicosis, which led to complete anatomical and functional involution of the thyroid gland.

Assessment of musculoskeletal ultrasound guided injection of the new regenerative medicine techniques (neural prolotherapy and platelet rich plasma) impact versus well established techniques (steroid injection) in cases of carpal tunnel syndrome secondary to rheumatoid arthritis

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic rheumatic disease characterized by symmetrical, often erosive and deforming poly-arthritis with extra-articular manifestations in 10­20% of patients, especially those with high titers of rheumatoid factor. Extra articular pathology includes bursitis, tendonitis and neuritis, which results from entrapment, nerve ischemia due to vasculitis or drugs used to treat this condition. Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common compression neuropathy associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Aim of the Work: To evaluate the efficacy of Neural Prolotherapy and Platelet Rich Plasma in treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome secondary to rheumatoid arthritis. Patients and Methods: Ninety patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) that were all fulfilling the 2016 ACR/EULAR classification criteria for RA. All were over the age of sixteen years at time of diagnosis, complaining of burning pain or paresthesia in the median nerve distribution of the hand. They were recruited from Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Department at Al-Hussein and Sayed Galal University Hospitals during the period from December 2018 to July 2019. Results: Neural Prolotherapy and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) have improved all measured parameters like visual analogue scale (VAS), nerve conduction studies and neuromuscular ultrasonography parameters in carpal tunnel syndrome secondary to rheumatoid arthritis. Conclusion: Neural Prolotherapy and Platelet Rich Plasma proved to be effective treatments of carpal tunnel syndrome secondary to rheumatoid arthritis

Donor related risk factors on the outcome of living donor liver transplantation

Background & objective: Liver transplantation is an established, effective treatment for acute and chronic end stage liver disease. Donors risk factors should be studied in order not to compromise the procedure of transplantation or to lose candidates for transplantation, the study aims to evaluate the effect of variable donor risk factors on the outcome of Living donor liver Transplantation regarding the morbidity and mortaly .Methods: the current study conducted on 48 patients who underwent living donor liver transplantation for End stage liver disease caused by chronic HCV. Morbidity and mortality were assessed at three and twelve months. Obtained data were studied in correlation with various donor related risk factors, a score designed to collect these risk factors, correlate them with recipient mortality, and graft rejection.Results: high rates of graft rejection and recipient mortality was significantly related to older donor age, donor obesity, donorrecipient gender mismatch, hepatic steatosis, and donor graft recipient weight ratio (GRWR) ≤ 0.8. The designed donor risk score of ≥ 7 was expectedly to associate with poor outcome & recipient mortality.Conclusion: The present study suggested that donor risk score can be a strong predictor of donor related risk factors and its effect on the outcome of Living Donor Liver Transplantation in patients espicially with hepatitis C genotype 4

Helical Tomotherapy versus Conventional Technique for Post Mastectomy Left Sided Breast Cancer; Dosimetric Study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of using Helical Tomotherapy (HT) for post mastectomy left-sided breast cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Treatment plans were generated for 5 post mastectomy left sided breast cancer patients treated at king Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, comparing three-dimensional technique with the HT planning. The prescribed dose was 50 Gy in 25 fractions; the planning target volume (chest wall and nodal volumes) was contoured according to RTOG atlas and the heart, lungs, spinal cord and contralateral breast were contoured as Organs at Risks (OARs). RESULTS: Both plans achieved the planning criteria, however the HT plan increased the minimal dose to the PTV (78% vs. 45.4%, p=0.043), improving the dose conformity (0.76 vs. 0.38, p=0.034) and dose homogeneity (1.05 vs. 1.2, p=0.08), while a three-dimensional technique has better V20 of lung (15.8% vs. 22.6%, p=0.04), Mean Lung Dose (7.6Gy vs. 13.8Gy, p=0.043), contralateral breast dose (0.1 vs. 12.7, p=0.043) and comparable Mean Heart Dose (4.4Gy vs. 5.3Gy, p=0.136). CONCLUSION: Both plans achieved comparable target coverage and OARs sparing, however HT plans provided better dose conformity and homogeneity than did the three-dimensional plans at the cost of less sparing of the heart, left lung and contralateral breast for treatment of left-sided post mastectomy breast cancer.

Stereotactic Hypofractionated Accurate Radiotherapy of the Prostate (SHARP), 36.25 Gy in Five Fractions for Localized Disease: A Case Series Results from King Faisal Specialist Hospital, Saudi Arabia.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility, efficacy and toxicity of stereotactic hypofractionated accurate radiotherapy (SHARP) for localized prostate cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The current series of SHARP included six patients with localized prostate cancer treated with 36.25 Gy in 5 fractions by Cyber-knife. Non-coplanar conformal fields and daily stereotactic localization of implanted fiducials were used for treatment. Acute and Late Genitourinary (GU) and gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity were evaluated by Common Toxicity Criteria (CTC). Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values and self-reported sexual function were recorded at 3 months interval at first two years then every 6 months thereafter. RESULTS: The median follow-up is 32 months. Acute toxicity Grade 1 (GU) noted in four cases and two cases were Grade II; Grade I (GI) was in five cases and one patient in Grade II; also with regards to late toxicity, Grade 1 (GU) and (GI) was present in all cases. No patient has experienced grade 3 or greater acute or late toxicity. Regarding sexual activity, three patients reported impotency before and after therapy and all of them have insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease; fourth patient has developed impotence and the other two patients developed no changes as before radiation. The mean basal PSA was 8 ng/ml and became 0.658 ng/ml. CONCLUSIONS: SHARP for localized prostate cancer is feasible with minimal acute or late toxicity. Dose escalation should be possible. MRI guided target volume delineation and intrafraction prostate motion tracking with real-time beam adjustment are critical for safe high dose per fraction prostate SBRT.

Radiotherapy dose escalation with concurrent chemotherapy in locally advanced cervix cancer is feasible.

BACKGROUND: To test the feasibility of radiotherapy dose escalation using volumetric arc therapy (VMAT) and image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) with concurrent chemotherapy in locally advanced cervix cancer (LACC) and compare this with whole-pelvis three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (CRT) in terms of clinical toxicity. METHODS: Database was reviewed for all LACC patients treated during 2011 and 2012. Twenty patients who were treated with escalated dose of radiotherapy using VMAT were selected for analysis. A matched cohort of 40 patients who had 3DCRT between 2005 and 2008 was selected as control. Mean basal hemoglobin, average weekly hemoglobin, and maximal drop in hemoglobin were measured for both 3DCRT and VMAT groups and treatment toxicity scored according to RTOG criteria. Charts were also reviewed for other acute and late toxicities including the rate of compliance with prescribed treatment. RESULTS: Mean age was 46 (30-63) and 47 years (33-67), mean tumor size was 5.5 and 5 cm and blood transfusion rate was 55 and 45 % in CRT and VMAT groups, respectively. Hemoglobin toxicity (Grade I-II) was encountered in 97.5 and 90 % (p 0.0.3) while Grade I-III Leukopenia was 90 and 70 % (p 0.02), respectively. There was no Grade 3 or 4 GI or GU toxicity. CONCLUSION: VMAT/IGRT with dose escalation is feasible in LACC without excessive toxicity as compared to CRT "Box". We propose a randomized control trial of this novel approach of higher radiation dose and volume against the standard prescription based on CRT.

The biocidal effect of a novel synthesized gemini surfactant on environmental sulfidogenic bacteria: planktonic cells and biofilms.

A cationic gemini surfactant was synthesized and characterized. The surfactant was successfully applied as a biocide against environmental sulfidogenic bacteria in the bulk phase (planktonic) and on the surface (biofilm). The activity of the synthesized surfactant was discussed based on the redox potential and the sulfide productivity in the bulk phase. The cultivated biofilm structure analysis and corrosion rate were estimated on the metal surface. The lowest metal corrosion rate was recognized at a concentration of 1mM with a metal corrosion inhibition efficiency of 95%. The synthesized gemini surfactant prevented the biofilm formation at a concentration of 0.1mM. The synthesized gemini surfactant displayed a broad spectrum antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

Pesticide exposure as a risk factor for lymphoproliferative disorders in adults.

In view of the widespread use of pesticides in Egypt and the increasing incidence of leukaemia and lymphoma we aimed to assess pesticide exposure and other selected variables as risk factors for lymphoproliferative disorders (leukaemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma). In a hospital-based, retrospective, case-control study in 2011-2012, adult cases of lymphoproliferative disorders (n = 130) were recruited from outpatient clinics in Menoufia, Egypt, while controls (n = 130) were age- and sex-matched fracture patients. Family history of cancer, exposure to X-rays, smoking and use of hair dyes were not risk factors for lymphoproliferative disorders in univariate analysis. History of exposure to pesticides and HCV infection were significant risk factors for lymphoproliferative disorders in multivariate analysis (OR = 2.24; 95% CI: 1.22-4.11 and OR = 2.67; 95% CI: 1.50-4.80 respectively). The risk was significant for cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma but not chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

Role of computed tomography angiography in the diagnosis of vascular stenosis in head and neck microvascular free flap reconstruction.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of computed tomography angiography (CTA) in the diagnosis of vascular stenosis at the vascular pedicle of head and neck microvascular free flaps. A prospective study was done of 65 consecutive patients (49 male, 16 female; mean age 55 years) who had undergone head and neck microvascular free flap reconstruction. All patients underwent 64-slice CTA of the carotid artery. Post-processing with volume rendering reconstruction of CTA images was done. There was excellent inter-observer agreement (weighted kappa=0.82, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.74-0.93) in grading of the degree of vascular stenosis. The true sensitivity of CTA for diagnosis of stenosis of the vascular pedicle to the flap was 63% (95% CI 63-100%). Patients with failed flaps showed complete occlusion (n=2) on CTA and underwent a replacement flap procedure. Patients with failing flaps showed severe stenosis (n=6) of the vascular pedicle on CTA and underwent revision surgery. There was no change in the degree of stenosis on follow-up CTA for patients with moderate stenosis (n=9). CTA is a reliable, non-invasive, high-quality imaging tool for the diagnosis and grading of vascular stenosis of the vascular pedicle of head and neck microvascular free flaps.