Ecofriendly laccase-hydrogen peroxide/ultrasound-assisted bleaching of linen fabrics and its influence on dyeing efficiency.

This study evaluates the bleaching efficiency of enzymatically scoured linen fabrics using a combined laccase-hydrogen peroxide bleaching process with and without ultrasonic energy, with the goal of obtaining fabrics with high whiteness levels, well preserved tensile strength and higher dye uptake. The effect of the laccase enzyme and the combined laccase-hydrogen peroxide bleaching process with and without ultrasound has been investigated with regard to whiteness value, tensile strength, dyeing efficiency and dyeing kinetics using both reactive and cationic dyes. The bleached linen fabrics were characterized using X-ray diffraction and by measuring tensile strength and lightness. The dyeing efficiency and kinetics were characterized by measuring dye uptake and colour fastness. The results indicated that ultrasound was an effective technique in the combined laccase-hydrogen peroxide bleaching process of linen fabrics. The whiteness values expressed as lightness of linen fabrics is enhanced by using ultrasonic energy. The measured colour strength values were found to be slightly better for combined laccase-hydrogen peroxide/ultrasound-assisted bleached fabrics than for combined laccase-hydrogen peroxide for both reactive and cationic dyes. The fastness properties of the fabrics dyed with reactive dye were better than those obtained when using cationic dye. The time/dye uptake isotherms were also enhanced when using combined laccase-hydrogen peroxide/ultrasound-assisted bleached fabric, which confirms the efficiency of ultrasound in the combined oxidative bleaching process. The dyeing rate constant, half-time of dyeing and dyeing efficiency have been calculated and discussed.

Ultrasonic dyeing of cationized cotton fabric with natural dye. Part 1: cationization of cotton using Solfix E.

The dyeing of cationized cotton fabric with Solfix E using colouring matter extracted from Cochineal dye has been studied using both conventional and ultrasonic techniques. Factors affecting dye extraction such as ultrasound power, particle size, extraction temperature and time were studied. The results indicated that the extraction by ultrasound at 300 W was more effective at lower temperature and time than conventional extraction. The effect of various factors of dye bath such as pH, salt concentration, ultrasound power, dyeing time and temperature were investigated. The colour strength values obtained were found to be higher with ultrasound than with conventional techniques. The results of fastness properties of the dyed fabrics were fair to good. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of the morphological and X-ray analyzes were measured for cationized cotton fabrics dyed with both conventional and ultrasound methods, thus showing the sonicator efficiency.

Removal of azo and anthraquinone dyes from aqueous solutions by Eichhornia Crassipes.

The rate of adsorption of two azo and four anthraquinone anionic dyes on Eichhornia Crassipes (E.C.) has been studied. Raw E.C. and three aminated derivatives of E.C. with different nitrogen percent were used as dye adsorbents. The parameters studied include the amount of substrate, shaking time, chemical structure, concentration of dyestuff and pH of dyeing bath. Simple kinetic adsorption models of dynamics and adsorption parameters for the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were determined. A higher nitrogen percent of aminated E.C. showed a higher adsorption capacity than other derivatives. The kinetic adsorption models indicate that the decolourization was complete in a relatively short time (10 min) and the reaction taking place is of the first order. The equilibrium data fit well with the Freundlich model of adsorption for the six dyes. Only dye IV (C.I.A Acid Blue 25) conform both Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption isotherms.

Effect of mouthwash and accelerated aging on the color stability of esthetic restorative materials.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the color stability of esthetic restorative materials after immersion in mouthwashes and accelerated aging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Compomers and resin-based composites (RBC) were measured at baseline and repeatedly after immersion in three kinds of mouthwash (Listerine, Peridex, Rembrandt Age Defying) for 24 hrs and 7 days, and after aging for 150 kJ/m2. Color was measured according to CIE L*a*b* color scale on a reflection spectrophotometer. RESULTS: After immersion for 7 days, the mouthwash groups did not produce significantly higher color changes than the distilled water group, except with some mouthwashes used with Tetric-Ceram. After immersion for 7 days and aging for 150 kJ/m2, the mouthwash groups did not produce significantly higher color changes than the distilled water group. Aging in weathering chamber produced color change (deltaE*) of 1.1-3.9, which was mainly influenced by the material. With some exceptions, the color changes from immersion of the RBCs and compomers in mouthwashes were not perceptible (deltaE*<3.3).

Surgery in Egypt.

The history of medicine can never be complete without referral to ancient Egyptian medicine. Imhotep has been identified as the god of medicine. There are 13 faculties of medicine in Egypt; the oldest is the Kasr El Aini Faculty, which started in 1925. We review undergraduate and postgraduate education in Egypt. The Egyptian Society of Surgeons organizes the scientific surgical activities. Schistosomiasis is a national health problem. Health care is provided by many types of hospitals, including university, teaching, Ministry of Public Health, military, and private hospitals.

Breast lesions in generalized neurofibromatosis: breast cancer and cystosarcoma phylloides.

This report describes three cases from one surgical unit of the Mansoura Teaching Hospital of Cairo, Egypt, with generalized neurofibromatosis and associated breast lesions. Two patients had carcinoma of the breast and the third had cystosarcoma phylloides.

A study of the gross, microscopic and functional anatomy of the thoracic duct and the lympho-venous junction.

The thoracic duct was dissected in 30 fresh cadavers, and the anatomy and histology of the duct, at various levels, described. The lymph flow mechanism is correlated with the anatomical findings. The abdominal and lower two-thirds of the thoracic part are more muscular and probably have active peristalsis. The cervical part is less muscular and functions like a vein, passively conveying the lymph it receives. The ostial valve at the lympho-venous junction is bicuspid and has special characteristics and functions. The flow of lymph through the lympho-venous junction, although continuous, mainly occurs during expiration. The ostial valve functions when there is a sudden rise in venous tension causing stretching of the venous wall and the ostial cusps.

The Egyptian sycamore tree: its use in dermatology.

An extract of the sycamore tree, known by the ancient Egyptians for its medicinal properties, was used to treat certain dermatoses in a group of Egyptian patients. Twenty-one patients having a variety of conditions including pityriasis alba, atopic dermatosis, psoriasis and tina infections were given a cream containing the active material. The response was excellent.

Protein content of thoracic duct lymph in patients with bilharzial hepatic fibrosis.

The proteins in the thoracic duct lymph were studied in 46 patients with bilharzial hepatic disease in various stages. The thoracic duct proteins were compared to those of serum and ascitic fluid. Total protein and albumin in thoracic duct lymph were 66 and 69% of the concentration of those in the serum of nonascitic patients. The proteins in the thoracic duct lymph were 29% of the serum level in patients with tense ascites. The lymph to serum and ascitic fluid to serum ratios of the total protein and albumin were similar to each other in moderate and severe ascites, reflecting a low protein content in both the ascitic fluid and thoracic duct lymph. The gamma-globulin concentration was raised in the serum of all patients as well as in the ascitic fluid of those with tense ascites. A contrasting pattern of the proteins is present in the thoracic duct lymph in bilharzial hepatic fibrosis. In the early stages the lymph has a relatively high concentration of protein, which decreases as the disease advances.

Clinical and bacteriological evaluation of a twice daily regimen of epicillin capsules for the treatment of skin infections.

Fifty-five patients with impetigo, ecthyma, or folliculitis caused by epicillin-sensitive strains of Streptococcus pyogenes or Staphylococcus aureus were treated with 500 mg epicillin capsules twice daily for an average duration of 9 days. Bacteriological and clinical examinations were performed at 2-day intervals. Favourable clinical responses (excellent or good) were obtained in 95% of the patients. No side effects were observed.

Primary hyperplasia of the parathyroids.

Eight cases of primary hyperplasia of the parathyroid are reported among 322 cases of primary hyperparathyroidism. Preoperatively, all had high serum calcium. Six cases were water-clear, one chief cell, and one mixed hyperplasia. The case of chief cell hyperplasia was misdiagnosed primarily as adenoma. Its exact nature was recognised retrospectively. Identification and biopsy with frozen section of all the parathyroid glands is stressed. This is essential to rule out the presence of multiple adenoma or adenomatous formation in hyperplasia. When hyperplasia was proved, total parathyroidectomy and autotransplantation of parathyroid tissue equivalent to 1/2 or one normal-sized parathyroid gland was done in 7 cases. Although one patient had hyperplastic tissue in situ, the results of this management are considered to be satisfactory. On to six years postoperatively, all surviving patients are without symptoms of hyperparathyroidism and have normal serum calcium. Two patients required a small dose of Vit D-2 to sustain a normal calcium level. Total parathyroidectomy and autotransplantation of parathyroid tissue (PTA) is preferred to subtotal parathyroidectomy in cases of primary hyperplasia. There is a good primary result and reoperation can be easily done if there is recurrence of hyperparathyroidism.