Neurogenic bowel dysfunction (NBD) translation and linguistic validation to classical Arabic.

OBJECTIVE: To translate and linguistically validate in classical Arabic; the French version of the neurogenic bowel dysfunction (NBD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Arabic translation of the NBD score was obtained by the "forward translation/backword translation" method. Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and spinal cord injury were included. Evaluation of intestinal and anorectal disorders was conducted by the self-administered questionnaire NBD, which was filled twice two weeks apart. An item-by-item analysis was made. The feasibility, acceptability, internal consistency using Cronbach's alpha, and test-retest repeatability by non-parametric Spearman correlation were studied. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients with colorectal disorders secondary to neurological disease were included, the average age was 40.79±9.16years and the sex-ratio was 1.85. The questionnaire was feasible and acceptable, no items were excluded. The spearman correlation was of 0.842. Internal consistency was judged good through the Cronbach's alpha was of 0.896. CONCLUSION: The Arabic version of NBD was reproducible and construct validity was satisfactory. The study of its responsiveness to change with a larger number of patients will be the subject of further work. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

[Vegetable foreign body of the infratemporal fossa: a case report]. / Corps étranger végétal de la fosse infratemporale.

INTRODUCTION: Limited amplitude of mouth opening due to a foreign body in the infratemporal fossa is a rare event. We report a trismus due to a foreign body of vegetable origin located in the infratemporal fossa. OBSERVATION: A 44-year-old female patient presented with a left endobuccal wound made by an oak branch. Limited amplitude of mouth opening was noted on clinical examination. A first CT scan did not reveal any foreign body. Despite an adequate treatment, the patient presented with acute cellulitis. A second CT scan revealed a parapharyngeal and masticatory compartment collection. One month after drainage, the patient spontaneously rejected the vegetable foreign bodies. An MRI better investigated the lesional diagnosis and the patient underwent surgery for the third time. DISCUSSION: Discovering foreign bodies in the infratemporal fossa is unusual. CT scan is a useful but limited tool if foreign bodies are small and/or of weak density. MRI is the reference examination.

[Priapism associated with antipsychotic medications: a series of four patients]. / Priapisme sous neuroleptiques. A propos de quatre patients.

INTRODUCTION: Ischemic (veno-occlusive, low flow) priapism is a painful and persistent penile erection unrelated to sexual desire or stimulation. In some cases, it is an adverse event of antipsychotic medications. MATERIAL: Between 1st January 2000 and 30th September 2007, four men (range 25/55 years), treated with antipsychotic agents (amisulpride, clozapine, levomepromazine, olanzapine, pipotiazine, risperidone or zuclopenthixol), presented one or several episodes of ischemic priapism. No other etiological factor was diagnosed. The patients were treated with aspiration and irrigation of the corpa cavernosa with intracavernous injection of sympathomimetic drugs followed in one case by a surgical distal cavernoglanular shunt. DISCUSSION: Many conventional or atypical antipsychotic agents have been reported to cause priapism. Drug-induced priapism comprised of about 30% of the cases and an estimated 50% of them occurred with antipsychotic agents. The mechanism of priapism associated with antipsychotics agents thought to be related to alpha-adrenergic blocking properties. The decision of whether to restart a patient on a specific antipsychotic agent after an episode of priapism is a difficult clinical decision. An agent with low peripheral alpha-adrenergic blocking affinity would be preferred. CONCLUSION: Ischemic priapism is an urologic emergency. Clinicians should be familiar with this rare but serious adverse event of antipsychotic agents to avoid long-term sequelae including erectile dysfunction.

Saprophytic and cycloheximide resistant fungi isolated from golden hamster.

Healthy hair samples from golden hamsters were examined for the presence of dermatophytes and non-dermatophytes using baiting technique and direct inoculation. Thirty-four species and 2 varieties attributed to 17 genera were recovered. Paecilomyces variotii (isolated from 84.4% of the examined hair) and Aspergillus niger (81.3%) were the more frequent isolates on Sabouraud's dextrose agar (SDA) without cycloheximide. Our results have clearly demonstrated that the hair of hamster was free from true dermatophytes. Using the dilution plate method many fungal species were isolated from cage material (7 genera and 10 species + 1 variety); from faeces (10 genera and 17 species); from standard chow (3 genera and 6 species) of hamster. P. variotii which was the most frequent fungus in the preceding 3 substrates was completely absent in the presence of cycloheximide in SDA. The present study has demonstrated for the first time the isolation of Trichophyton rubrum from hamster faeces. Also, several saprophytic and cycloheximide resistant fungi were isolated. In the air of hamster cage Cladosporium cladosporioides, Penicillium chrysogenum, Alternaria alternata and Scopulariopsis brevicaulis were the most dominant species on SDA with or without cycloheximide. Using the agar diffusion method, Aloe sap, onion oil, garlic bulb extract and aqueous leaf extracts of Andropogon citratus, Euphorbia sp. and Ruta graveolens were tested for their antifungal activity on 10 fungal species. It was observed that onion oil exhibited a high inhibitory effect against most of the tested fungi.

Studies on fungi associated with tomato fruits and effectiveness of some commercial fungicides against three pathogens.

Among 39 fungal species and one variety belonging to 16 genera isolated from 116 healthy tomato fruits collected from markets in Assiut, Egypt, during 1994, Aspergillus niger was found to be the most prevalent, being isolated from 84.6% of the samples. Of 11 species recovered from 156 diseased tomatoes, Alternaria alternata, Rhizopus stolonifer and A. niger were the most common and isolated from 52.7%, 35.9% and 25.0% of the samples, respectively. Experiments for comparison of the effects of medium containing tomato juice with synthetic medium on the mycelial growth of nine fungal species indicated that, the tomato juice medium was more suitable for growth of all fungal species. The effect of five commercial fungicides and sodium hypochlorite when applied as post-harvest dips after inoculation was studied in laboratory against A. alternata, A. niger and R. stolonifer. At 10 and 100 micrograms ml-1, neither of the fungicide caused a noticeable inhibition of Alternaria rot. At 1000 micrograms ml-1 benlate, rovral and sumisclex completely prevented Alternaria and Aspergillus rot, whereas cuprosan and ridomil were ineffective against rotting caused by A. niger. Rhizopus rot development was inhibited by over 50% with one treatment only (rovral at 1000 micrograms ml-1). Sodium hypochlorite has good curative properties against fruit rots especially those caused by A. alternata and A. niger.

Effect of soil treatment with the organophosphorus insecticide Profenfos on the fungal flora and some microbial activities.

Tests were conducted to determine the effects of Profenfos [(0-(4-bromo-2-chlorophenyl) 0-ethyl S-n-propyl-phosphorothioat] on fungal populations and some activities in soil. Profenfos (at 5.4 micrograms active ingredient/g dry soil), has a significant adverse effect on the count of total fungi after 2, 4 and 6 weeks after treatment. This effect was completely alleviated after longer incubation. Incorporation of this insecticide into the agar medium inhibited the total count of soil fungi at 6.4 and 38.4 micrograms ml-1. Initial activation followed by a decrease in CO2 output occurred in soil treated with 5.4 micrograms a.i./g. The two doses of Profenfos accelerated urease activity for 6 weeks after soil treatment, but inhibited the enzyme activity after longer periods. An inhibitory effect on nitrate reductase activity was observed with some insecticide treatments in the early stages of incubation followed by an activation in certain cases.

Effect of glyphosate on fungal population, respiration and the decay of some organic matters in Egyptian soil.

Glyphosate (Roundup), when applied to the soil usually did not exert any significant effect on the total count of soil fungi after all periods of the experiment except after 6 and 10 weeks where the count was inhibited by the two doses used (1.84, 9.2 mg active ingredient/kg dry soil). When the herbicide was incorporated into the agar medium the count of total fungi, Acremonium strictum and Aspergillus fumigatus was significantly increased by the two doses used and of Penicillium glabrum by the high dose only. However, P. funiculosum was completely eliminated by the high dose. Oxygen consumption in soil treated with glyphosate was significantly inhibited by the high dose after 2 weeks and by the two doses after 6, 8 and 10 weeks. Glyphosate exerted two significant effects of stimulation and inhibition on the rate of the decay of stem segments of three plants at certain treatments of dose and time.

Effect of four pesticides on aflatoxin production by Aspergillus flavus IMI 89717.

The effect of three fungicides (Vitavax-Captan, Rizolex-T and Sumisclex) and one insecticide (Actellic), when incorporated into liquid medium or applied to corn grains and sunflower seeds, on the production of aflatoxin by A. flavus IMI 89717 was tested. In liquid medium, aflatoxin production was inhibited by 27%, 82%, 100% and 100% when Vitavax-Captan was added at 10, 25, 50 and 100 ppm, respectively. Sumisclex reduced to some extent the production of total aflatoxin, while Rizolex-T and Actellic did not affect quantitatively the mycotoxin production. Rizolex-T proved to be the most effective pesticides tested on aflatoxin production on both corn-grains and sunflower seeds, while Vitavax-Captan was the second most effective pesticide. Both Sumisclex and Actellic did not inhibit aflatoxin production on either corn grains or sunflower seeds at the levels tested.

Thermophilic and thermotolerant fungi of animals' hair.

Nine thermophilic genera and 17 species in addition to one variety of Aspergillus flavus, Malbranchea pulchella and Humicola grisea were collected from hair samples in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia at 45 degrees C. Fifty-one hair specimens of rabbit, sheep, camel and horse were examined for the presence of thermophilic fungi. The most frequent species were Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Thermoascus aurantiacus and Malbranchea pulchella var. sulfurea. In low frequency, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus quadrilineatus, Paecilomyces variotii, Paecilomyces aerugineus, Mucor pusillus and Rhizopus stolonifer were also recovered. The hair samples tested in the present study were completely free from any keratinolytic fungi at 45 degrees C.

Saprophytic and keratinolytic fungi associated with animals hair from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Hair samples from different animals collected from different sites in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia were examined for the presence of saprophytic and keratinolytic fungi. Fifty-one specimens were examined of which 19 were from rabbits, 13 from sheeps, 12 from camels and 7 from horses. Forty-eight species and one variety which belong to 24 genera were collected during this investigation. The most common genera were Aspergillus and Chrysosporium. In low frequency, members of the genera Thermoascus, Scopulariopsis, Alternaria, Penicillium, Rhizopus, Botryotrichum, Fusarium, Ulocladium and keratinophilic fungi of the genera Microsporum, Trichophyton and Arthroderma were also recovered.

Mycoflora of anise and fennel seeds in Egypt.

Using four medium types (glucose-, cellulose-, 50% sucrose- and 10% NaCl-Czapek's agar), it was possible to isolate 15 fungal genera, 78 species and 6 varieties. The collective fungal spectrum varied from one medium to another where the highest number of species (57 species/1000 seeds) was obtained on glucose- and the lowest (31 species/1000 seeds) on 10% NaCl-Czapek's agar. Aspergillus, Penicillium, and sometimes Rhizopus and Chaetomium were the most common genera on the different medium types. The most common fungal species especially on glucose- and cellulose-Czapek's agar were, Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, A. ochraceus, A. fumigatus, A. flavus var. columnaris, Penicillium chrysogenum, Rhizopus stolonifer and Chaetomium globosum. Members of A. glaucus group were more frequently recovered on 10% NaCl- and 50% sucrose-Czapek's agar.

Fungi in two swimming pools in Assiut town, Egypt.

50 water samples from 2 public swimming pools were tested for the presence of fungi using the hair baiting technique and plate count methods. Sabouraud's-dextrose agar and Littman-oxgall agar media were used for isolation of the fungi. Of the keratinolytic fungi 8 species were recorded of which three species were dermatophytes (Trichophyton terrestre, 14% of the samples; T. mentagrophytes, 10% and Microsporum gypseum, 6%). On Littman-oxgall agar the following species were recovered: Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus, A. niger, Penicillium chrysogeman, Syncephalastrum racemosum, Alternaria alternata and Mucor hiemalis.

Keratinolytic fungi of wadi Qena in Egypt.

Forty-six soil samples collected from different sites of wadi Qena were examined for keratinophilic fungi using the hair baiting technique. Thirty-two species in addition to one variety of each of A. nidulans and A. flavus which belong to eighteen genera were recovered. Aspergillus, Chrysosporium, Penicillium, Microsporum and Fusarium were the most frequent genera developed from baited soils.

Keratinophilic fungi of animal and bird pens in Egypt.

Samples were collected from 44 pens under animals and birds for the estimation of keratinophilic fungi using the hair-baiting technique. Thirty-nine species which belong to eighteen genera were recovered. Chrysosporium, Aspergillus, and Penicillium were the most frequent genera. From keratinophilic fungi, Myceliophthora anamorph of Corynascus sepedonium, Myceliophthora anamorph of Corynascus novoguinensis, Microsporum boullardii, M. gypseum, Trichophyton metagrophytes and Arthroderma sp. were recovered in different frequencies.

Effect of soil treatment with sewage and sludge on fungal populations.

The effect of soil treatment with sewage and sludge at three doses (1%, 10% and 20% w/w) on its fungal population was studied in vitro. The treatment of soil with sewage significantly increased the count of total fungi after 1 week by the high dose, and after 12 weeks by each of the three doses. Fungi differed in their response to the different doses of sewage: some were promoted and others were inhibited. The count of total fungi was significantly raised by the low dose of sludge after 1 week of soil treatment, and by the medium and the high doses after 12 weeks. Counts of all fungi were significantly increased at certain treatments with sludge, except those of Aspergillus niger (at the high dose after 6 weeks), Fusarium (at each of the three doses after 3 weeks and at the high dose after 6 weeks) and Paecilomyces varioti (by the medium and the high doses after 1 week) whose counts were significantly lower than those in untreated soil.

Saprophytic fungi isolated from animal and bird pens in Egypt.

Forty-four samples collected from animal and bird pens were screened for their content of saprophytic fungi by using the dilution plate method. 76 species in addition to one variety of Aspergillus flavus belonging to 33 genera were recovered on three types of media: 20 genera and 49 species on Littman-oxgall agar, 19 genera and 41 species on cellulose- and 19 genera and 43 species on glucose-Czapek's agar. The most frequent genera were Aspergillus (21 species), Scopulariopsis (4 species) and Penicillium (10 species). Among the isolated fungi A. fumigatus, A. flavus, A. terreus, A. niger, A. sydowi, A. nidulans, S. brevicaulis, S. brumptii, P. chrysogenum and P. funiculosum were the most common species.

Effect of NaCl on the accumulation of glycerol by three Aspergillus species.

The accumulation of glycerol was investigated in three Aspergillus species, A. niger, A. ochraceus and A. tamarii after being grown in media containing different NaCl concentrations. Intra-extracellular as well as total glycerol were markedly accumulated by the three organisms in response to increased salinity. However, at salinity levels of 10-14% NaCl, extracellular glycerol was somewhat lowered. In addition, it was found that the maximum accumulation of glycerol in A. niger and A. tamarii was reached within the first 10 hours after salinization. However, after desalinization, the extracellular glycerol was continuously increased within the first 6 hours at the expense of intracellular glycerol.