Study of a Nonlinear System of Fractional Differential Equations with Deviated Arguments Via Adomian Decomposition Method.

This paper studies a system of nonlinear fractional differential equations (FDEs) with deviated arguments. Many linear and nonlinear problems are faced in the real-life. Generally, linear problems are solved quickly, but some difficulties appear while solving nonlinear problems. Our purpose is to approximate those solutions numerically via the Adomian decomposition method (ADM). Here, our main goal is to apply the ADM to solve higher-order nonlinear system of FDEs with deviated arguments. We prove the existence and uniqueness of the solution using Banach contraction principle. Moreover, we plot the figures of ADM solutions using MATLAB.

2-amino-6-chlorobenzothiaozole as effective corrosion inhibitor for copper in acidic media / 国际药学研究杂志

This research is studied effect of "2-amino-6-chlorobenzothiaozole as effective corrosion inhibitor for copper in acidic media" by using weight Loss and polarization methods. Acid used is HCl, temperatures conditions varied between 45-65 oC and concentrations of inhibitors within range 100-250 ppm.Results showed that "2-amino-6-chlorobenzothiaozole "is good inhibitor for copper metal, and increasing the efficiency of inhibition of the process thus decrease both the potential and current density, lead to increased surface coverage of corrosion inhibitor. The reason for the good adsorption of the inhibitor is the presence of groups of nitrogen and sulfur in the structural composition of this type of inhibitor and production film layer. The study is study effects of the inhibitor on thermodynamics kinetic parameters ΔS, Ea, Δ Gads and ΔH.

Clinical and sero-molecular characterization of Escherichia coli with an emphasis on hybrid strain in healthy and diarrheic neonatal calves in Egypt.

The present study was carried out to characterize pathogenic E. coli in apparently healthy and diarrheic neonatal calves with special reference to the hybrid E. coli strains and evaluate their clinical and hematobiochemical consequences. One hundred and seventy calves (age 1-30 days) were divided into two groups: apparently healthy (n = 70) and diarrheic (n=100). Animals were subjected to thorough clinical, hematobiochemical and bacteriological examinations. Clinically, diarrheic calves showed various degree of diarrhea with the presence of cardinal signs of dehydration in moderate and severe cases. There was a significant increase (p<0.05) in the hemogram parameters with uremia and hyperkalemia in calves with severe diarrhea. The O-H serotyping of cultural and biochemically positive isolates identified 31 isolates belonging to 12 serotypes including O44:H18, O55:H7, O146:H21, O113:H4, O121:H7, O26:H11, O91:H21, O111:H2, O8, O127: H6, O86 and O128:H2. Molecular characterization of E. coli isolates on three toxin genes: heat-stable enterotoxin (sta), shiga toxin type 1 and 2 (stx1 and stx2) revealed two well-known pathotypes (EPEC O44:H18, O55:H7, O146:H21, O113:H4, O121:H7 and EHEC O26:H11 O91:H21 O111:H2) with high frequency of enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC). Molecular analysis also showed a number of E. coli isolates that carry sta and stx1 or sta and stx2 gene and belonged to O8, and O127:H6, O86 and O128:H2. These isolates were identified as hybrid E. coli strains (ETEC-STEC) and found in both apparently healthy and diarrheic calves. In conclusion, the present study identified high frequency of pathogenic E. coli in both apparently healthy and diarrheic calves. Serological and molecular analysis of E. coli isolates showed that high frequency of EHEC and presence of a new phenotype, STEC-ETEC hybrid, revealing their importance in the etiopathogenesis of diarrhea in calves and reinforcing the role of these animals as a reservoir of potentially pathogenic E. coli for humans.

El manejo del priapismo isquémico agudo: una revisión actualizada / The management of the acute ischemic priapism: A state of the art review

Objetivo: Revisar la literatura actual sobre implantación de prótesis peneana temprana en pacientes con priapismo isquémico (PI) refractario. Adquisición de la evidencia: Se ha realizado una búsqueda sistemática de los términos «prótesis peneana», «priapismo», «impotencia», «fibrosis», «cilindros de prótesis reducidos» y «satisfacción del paciente» en bases de datos PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, SCOPUS y Science Citation Index. Síntesis de la evidencia: El daño del tejido cavernoso en PI está relacionado con el tiempo. Las medidas conservadoras y la aspiración con o sin instilación intracorpórea de agonistas alfa-adrenérgicos suelen tener éxito en las primeras etapas. La cirugía de derivación en pacientes sigue siendo discutible, ya que la falta de respuesta a la aspiración y a la instilación de agonistas alfa-adrenérgicos indica que es probable que ya hayan ocurrido cambios irreversibles en el músculo liso cavernoso. La implantación inmediata de la prótesis peneana en pacientes con PI refractario soluciona el episodio fálico, mantiene la rigidez a largo plazo necesaria para participar en relaciones sexuales penetrativas y previene el acortamiento peneano inevitable de otra manera. Aunque las tasas de complicaciones después de la implantación de la prótesis peneana en el priapismo agudo son mayores que en los casos virginales, son aún más bajas que después de la implantación en pacientes con fibrosis corporal grave debida al priapismo crónico. Independientemente de las tasas de complicaciones, la implantación de prótesis peneana en PI refractario debe ser preferida, ya que permite la preservación de la longitud del pene, que es uno de los principales factores que influyen en la satisfacción del paciente postoperatorio después de la cirugía

Objective: To review the current literature on early penile prosthesis implantation in patients with refractory ischemic priapism (IP). Acquisition of evidence: A systematic search for the terms "penile prosthesis", "priapism", "impotence", "fibrosis", "downsized prosthesis cylinders", and "patient satisfaction" has been carried out in PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, SCOPUS and Science Citation Index databases. Synthesis of evidence: Cavernosal tissue damage in IP is time related. Conservative measures and aspiration with or without intracorporeal instillation of alfa-adrenergic agonists are usually successful in the early stages. Shunt surgery in patients remains debatable, as the lack of response to aspiration and instillation of alfa-adrenergic agonists indicates that irreversible changes in the cavernosal smooth muscle are likely to have already occurred. Immediate penile prosthesis implantation in patients with refractory IP settles the priapic episode, maintains the long term rigidity necessary to engage in penetrative sexual intercourse and prevents the otherwise inevitable penile shortening. Although complication rates after penile prosthesis implantation in acute priapism are higher than in virgin cases, they are still lower than after implantation in patients with severe corporal fibrosis due to chronic priapism. Regardless of the complication rates, penile prosthesis implantation in refractory IP should be preferred as it allows the preservation of penile length, which is one of the main factors influencing postoperative patient's satisfaction following surgery

The management of the acute ischemic priapism: A state of the art review. / El manejo del priapismo isquémico agudo: una revisión actualizada.

OBJECTIVE: To review the current literature on early penile prosthesis implantation in patients with refractory ischemic priapism (IP). ACQUISITION OF EVIDENCE: A systematic search for the terms "penile prosthesis", "priapism", "impotence", "fibrosis", "downsized prosthesis cylinders", and "patient satisfaction" has been carried out in PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, SCOPUS and Science Citation Index databases. SYNTHESIS OF EVIDENCE: Cavernosal tissue damage in IP is time related. Conservative measures and aspiration with or without intracorporeal instillation of α-adrenergic agonists are usually successful in the early stages. Shunt surgery in patients remains debatable, as the lack of response to aspiration and instillation of α-adrenergic agonists indicates that irreversible changes in the cavernosal smooth muscle are likely to have already occurred. Immediate penile prosthesis implantation in patients with refractory IP settles the priapic episode, maintains the long term rigidity necessary to engage in penetrative sexual intercourse and prevents the otherwise inevitable penile shortening. Although complication rates after penile prosthesis implantation in acute priapism are higher than in virgin cases, they are still lower than after implantation in patients with severe corporal fibrosis due to chronic priapism. Regardless of the complication rates, penile prosthesis implantation in refractory IP should be preferred as it allows the preservation of penile length, which is one of the main factors influencing postoperative patient's satisfaction following surgery.

Anatomical Retzius-space preservation is associated with lower incidence of postoperative inguinal hernia development after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative inguinal hernia (IH) is a non-negligible sequelae with a wide array of rates after robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP). Our aim was to evaluate the incidence and risk factors of postoperative IH development in men undergoing RALP. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 839 patients "541 of conventional-RALP (C-RALP), and 298 of Retzius sparing-RALP (RS-RALP)" received treatment of prostate cancer between 2005 and 2016 and met with our inclusion criteria was performed. Primary endpoint was incidence of IH after RALP, while secondary endpoint was to assess risk factors of IH occurrence. RESULTS: Overall incidence of postoperative IH was 6.3% (53 out of 839). Mean follow-up period and median time of IH development were 24.1 and 14.0 months, respectively. Among patients who developed IH, there was a higher incidence in C-RALP compared to RS-RALP, (79.2 vs 20.8%, respectively, P = 0.02). Multivariate analysis showed that BMI group (HR 0.471, P = 0.023) and C-RALP (HR 2.834, P = 0.002) were significant predictors of IH development. Kaplan-Meier curve showed that 3-year IH-disease progression free rate was significantly higher after RS-RALP compared to C-RALP (94.2 vs 71.6%, respectively, P < 0.001), likewise in obese versus non-obese patients (87.7 vs 76.6%, respectively, P < 0.003). CONCLUSION: Our study showed that overall incidence of IH was 6.3% after RALP. Nevertheless, RS-RALP carries a lower incidence of IH after surgery, while C-RALP and low BMI are predictors of IH development.

Knowledge; Awareness; and Practice of the Use of Peak Flow Meters by Physicians in the Management of Asthma in Children

The peak flow meter (PFM) is a useful device in asthma monitoring and in determining the severity of symptoms. Against the background of reported under utilisation of PFMs in the management of asthma and prescription for home use; and the paucity of such data in developing countries; this study was carried out to assess the knowledge; awareness; and practice of physicians on the use of PFMs in the management of children with asthma. The work was a prospective cross-sectional study involving 67 doctors working in the paediatric departments of two government hospitals in Lagos State; Nigeria. The number of doctors varied as not all responded to all the questions. The figures therefore correspond with the number of doctors that responded to the particular issue/question addressed. The survey was conducted with a self-administered structure questionnaire. Information obtained included the availability of PFMs in consulting rooms; knowledge of their use; benefits; frequency of prescription; and constraints in prescribing PFMs for the home management of asthma. Only 13 (20.0) of the doctors (n=65) used the peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) regularly in the diagnosis of asthma. The designation of the respondents and the years of experience in the management of asthma were significantly related to the frequency of prescription of the PFM (p=0.007; p=0.003 respectively).Non-availability was the highest constraint to PFM use (75.0); followed by the cost of the PFM (51.7). This study revealed that the physicians' knowledge about the PFM was suboptimal. The meters were rarely used in diagnosis nor prescribed for home management by physicians attending to asthmatic children at the two referral hospitals. The cost and availability of the PFM should be addressed by the hospital management

Rabies in Iraq: trends in human cases 2001-2010 and characterisation of animal rabies strains from Baghdad.

Control of rabies requires a consistent supply of dependable resources, constructive cooperation between veterinary and public health authorities, and systematic surveillance. These are challenging in any circumstances, but particularly during conflict. Here we describe available human rabies surveillance data from Iraq, results of renewed sampling for rabies in animals, and the first genetic characterisation of circulating rabies strains from Iraq. Human rabies is notifiable, with reported cases increasing since 2003, and a marked increase in Baghdad between 2009 and 2010. These changes coincide with increasing numbers of reported dog bites. There is no laboratory confirmation of disease or virus characterisation and no systematic surveillance for rabies in animals. To address these issues, brain samples were collected from domestic animals in the greater Baghdad region and tested for rabies. Three of 40 brain samples were positive using the fluorescent antibody test and hemi-nested RT-PCR for rabies virus (RABV). Bayesian phylogenetic analysis using partial nucleoprotein gene sequences derived from the samples demonstrated the viruses belong to a single virus variant and share a common ancestor with viruses from neighbouring countries, 22 (95% HPD 14-32) years ago. These include countries lying to the west, north and east of Iraq, some of which also have other virus variants circulating concurrently. These results suggest possible multiple introductions of rabies into the Middle East, and regular trans-boundary movement of disease. Although 4000 years have passed since the original description of disease consistent with rabies, animals and humans are still dying of this preventable and neglected zoonosis.

Voiding dysfunction in women: How to manage it correctly.

INTRODUCTION: Of women aged >40 years, 6% have voiding dysfunction (VD), but the definition for VD in women with respect to detrusor underactivity (DU) and bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) is not yet clear. In this review we address the current literature to define the diagnosis and treatment of VD more accurately. METHODS: We used the PubMed database (1975-2012) and searched for original English-language studies using the keywords 'female voiding dysfunction', 'detrusor underactivity', 'acontractile detrusor' and 'bladder outlet obstruction and urinary retention in women'. We sought studies including the prevalence, aetiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of female VD. RESULTS: In all, 20 original studies were identified using the selected search criteria, and another 45 were extracted from the reference lists of the original papers. All studies were selected according to their relevance to the current topic and the most pertinent reports were incorporated into this review. CONCLUSION: Female VD might be related to DU or/and BOO. Voiding and storage symptoms can coexist, making the diagnosis challenging, with the need for a targeted clinical investigation, and further evaluation by imaging and urodynamics. To date there is no universally accepted precise diagnostic criterion to diagnose and quantify DU and BOO in women. For therapy, a complete cure might not be possible for patients with VD, therefore relieving the symptoms and minimising the long-term complications associated with it should be the goal. Treatment options are numerous and must be applied primarily according to the underlying pathophysiology, but also considering disease-specific considerations and the abilities and needs of the individual patient. The treatment options range from behavioural therapy, intermittent (self-)catheterisation, and electrical neuromodulation and neurostimulation, and up to urinary diversion in rare cases.

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus: awareness, knowledge and disposition to screening among healthcare workers in critical care units of a Nigerian hospital.

BACKGROUND: Awareness level about methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is high in the western world but the status in developing countries is not well defined. OBJECTIVE: To assess MRSA awareness level, knowledge and disposition to screening among critical healthcare givers (HCGs) in Nigeria. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the level of awareness and knowledge of HCGs in critical care units of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria on MRSA and their willingness to submit to screening. RESULTS: Only 103 (52.0%) of the 198 participants were aware of MRSA but all were favourably disposed to screening for the organism. Awareness was through hospital rounds 65(63.1%) and journals/ textbooks 35(34.0%), and Many, 120 (60.6%) considered MRSA as a threat in the hospital, while only 27 (13.6%) thought otherwise and 51(25.8%) were indifferent. Most HCGs, 124 (87.9%) reported that there were no MRSA control measures in their respective duty post. The age, cadre of work, and number of years in the hospital's critical care units correlated positively with awareness level. CONCLUSION: Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus awareness level among the HCGs in our hospital is just a little above 50.0% with substantial proportion of them not realizing the medical implication of the organism. However, majority are well disposed to MRSA screening. Inadequate publicity is a major contributor to poor knowledge and awareness. There is need for educational intervention and sensitization programs on MRSA and other infection control techniques for HCGs in developing nations especially Nigeria.

Lignocellulolytic enzyme production by aquatic hyphomycetes species isolated from the Nile's delta region.

Twenty-six species of aquatic hyphomycetes were isolated from woody sources (unidentified wood segments, leaf skeletons and neck of leaves and bark) in the North River Nile (Delta region). Alatospora acuminata, Anguillospora crassa, Flagellaspora penicillioides, Lunulospra curvula, Tetracladium marchalianum and Triscelophorus monosporus were the most common species. Temperature was the highest physico-chemical parameter affecting the aquatic hyphomycetes occurrence. Twelve species of hyphomycetes, isolated from woody substrates, were screened for their ability to produce extracellular lignocellulolytic enzymes on solid media. The enzymes tested included: endoglucanase, endoxylanase, beta-glucosidase, laccase, peroxidase, polyphenoloxidase, tyrosinase and beta-xylosidase. Three species, A. acuminata, F. penicillioides, T. monosporus, were positive for all tested enzymes. Also, A. longissima was positive for all enzymes except lignin-peroxidase. The ability to produce cellulase was 100% for all species while only, four species were positive for lignin-peroxidase. The ability of the species to produce other lignocellulotic enzyme ranged from 50% to 83%. Freshwater hyphomycetes have been shown to produce a rich array of enzymes able to degrade the polysaccharides of plant debris.

Significance of assessment of serum cardiac troponin I and interleukin-8 in scorpion envenomed children.

In the present study, 41 children in Upper Egypt were admitted to Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Assiut University Hospital, for scorpion envenomation. They were compared with 15 apparently healthy children of matching age as controls. The victims and controls were subjected to complete clinical examination, full blood count and arterial blood gases analysis. According to severity of scorpion envenomation, 17 children had manifestations of severe envenomation and clinical signs of toxic myocarditis (severe cases), 14 children had moderate manifestations of envenomation without clinical evidence of carditis (moderate cases) and 10 cases showing only mild symptoms of envenomation (mild cases). The serum levels of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) beside the enzymatic activities of creatine phosphokinase (CPK), CPK-isoenzyme-MB (CPK-MB) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were determined once for mild cases and controls on admission and twice for severe and moderate cases on admission and after 24. Electrocardiography and measurements of echocardiographic (Echo) of % fractional shortening of left ventricule (% SF), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and cardiac chambers dilatation were done for severe and moderate cases. All the envenomed victims showed significantly higher mean values of CPK, CPK-MB, LDH, and IL-8 on admission in comparison to control group. cTnI was not detectable in the sera of control group as well as patients of mild envenomation. The mean values of CPK, CPK-MB, LDH, and IL-8 were significantly higher in severe cases while only IL-8 and CPK-MB were significantly higher in moderate cases in comparison with mild cases. The mean values of IL-8, cTnI, CPK, CPK-MB and LDH were significantly higher in severe cases both on admission and on follow-up comparing with moderate cases. The case fatality rate was 12.5% and all were from severe cases with toxic myocarditis. The non-survivors victims showed significant higher mean values of only cTnI on admission and both cTnI and IL-8 on follow up in comparison to the survivors. Significant reduction of % SF and LVEF were noticed among the non-survivors in comparison to survivors. The cTnI showed 100% specificity and sensitivity for diagnosis of myocardial injury in relation to Echo finding in the envenomed victims. In severe cases, cTnI was positively correlated with IL-8 while negatively correlated with %SF and LVEF. In conclusion, cTnI is a specific marker for diagnosis of myocardial injury in scorpion envenomation while other biochemical markers did not show such specificity. Also, IL-8 may be involved in the pathogenesis of myocardial injury of scorpion envenomation. Both cTnI and IL-8 may be useful to forecast the fatal outcome in scorpion envenomation.

Biologically active polymers: synthesis and antimicrobial activity of modified glycidyl methacrylate polymers having a quaternary ammonium and phosphonium groups.

Polymers with antibacterial activity have been synthesized by chemical modification of poly(glycidyl methacrylate). The glycidyl methacrylate was polymerized by the free radical polymerization technique. The poly(glycidyl methacrylate) was hydrolyzed and was chloroacetylated using chloroacetyl chloride. The chloroacetylated product was modified to yield polymers with either quaternary ammonium or phosphonium salts. The antimicrobial activity of the modified glycidyl methacrylate polymers has been examined against a variety of test microorganisms by the cut plug and the viable cell counting methods using shake flask of ten times diluted nutrient broth medium. All three polymers obtained were inhibitory to the growth of Gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomones aeruginosa, Shigella sp. and Salmonella typhae) and Gram positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis and B. cereus) as well as the fungus (Trichophytun rubrum). It was found that the growth inhibitory effect varied according to the structure of the polymer and the composition of the active group and increased with increasing the concentration of the polymer. The tested polymers showed more antimicrobial activity against Gram negative bacteria and the fungus, whereas were less active against Gram positive bacteria.

Colonization pattern of aquatic hyphomycetes on leaf packs in subtropical stream.

Steralized leaf pieces of eight plants (Eucalyptus rostrata, Phoenix dactylifera, Phragmites australis, Musa nana, Salix subserrata, Cyperus alopecuroides, Ricinus communis and Eichhornia crassipes) were submerged in the Nile stream. Thirty-nine species of aquatic hyphomycetes were colonized on the plant leaves. Eucalyptus was the best substratum (30 species) for colonization by aquatic hyphomycetes. Phoenix (14 species), Phragmites (11 species), Salix (9 species), Musa (8 species), Ricinus and Cyperus (6 species) were also good substrata for aquatic hyphomycetes colonization. Echhornia (aquatic plant) was not suitable for aquatic hyphomycetes colonization. Alatospora acuminata, Triscelophorus monosporus and Tetracladium marchalianum were found to be the major colonizers on all leaf materials. Temperature and dissolved oxygen were the highest physico-chemical parameters affecting the aquatic hyphomycetes colonization. These results indicate that aquatic hyphomycetes have been shown to be successful colonizers on plants leaf in river Nile in Egypt as subtropical region.

Laccase activity of lignicolous aquatic hyphomycetes isolated from the River Nile in Egypt.

Eleven species of aquatic hyphomycetes were isolated from 92 samples of different lignin sources (unidentified wood segments, skeleton and neck of leaves, bark). The most common species were Pyramidospora casuarina (on 3.7% of samples), Triscelophorus monosporus (3.2%) and Flagellospora curvula (3%). Varying levels of laccase activity were present in most of the fungi included in this study. The laccase plate assay was found to be much less reliable than the spectrophotometric assay. Several factors including type of growth medium, the media pH and assay pH had marked effects on laccase activity. A few species produced high levels of laccase in both malt extract (ME) medium and low N medium; however, a majority of the species produced laccase in low nitrogen (N) medium (pH 4.5) but not in the ME medium. When the tested species were grown in low N medium at pH 4.5, six species showed acidic laccase (pH 4.5) activity; of these, four also showed alkaline laccase (pH 8.2) activity. Alatospora acuminata and Tetracladium marchalianum exhibited laccase activity only when grown in the low N medium at pH 8.2. These results indicate that aquatic hyphomycetes may play a role in the decomposition of lignin materials in freshwater environments.

Formation of tomatine in tomato plants infected with Streptomyces species and treated with herbicides, correlated with reduction of Pseudomonas solanacearum and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici.

Pretreatment of tomato seeds with pendimethalin or metribuzin and inoculation of seedlings with the antagonistic Streptomyces corchorusii or/and Streptomyces mutabilis were tested for the formation of tomatine in roots and stems of tomato, infested with Pseudomonas solancearum or/and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici. All treatments induced the formation of variable quantities of tomatine, compared with untreated control. The variation was proportional to: the pathogen, Fusarium was more stimulating than Pseudomonas; the antagonistic organism, S. corchorusii being more eliciting than S. mutabilis; the herbicide and its concentration, pendimethalin at 2 x 10(-3) M being the most eliciting of tomatine; and according to the soil, plants grown in non-sterilized soil accumulated more tomatine than did these grown in sterilized soil. In all treatments, stems had more tomatine than roots and non-sterilized soil was better than sterilized soil. The antagonistic streptomycetes induced accumulation of tomatine more than did the herbicides. The highest amounts of tomatine were detected in plants pretreated with pendimethalin at 2 x 10(-3) M, grown in non-sterilized soil, infested with F. oxysporum, and inoculated with S. corchorusii and S. mutabilis. The effect of the extracted tomatine on the growth of Fusarium and Pseudomonas was examined in vitro. The crude extract of tomatine from all treatments reduced growth and sporulation of F. oxysporum and growth of P. solanacearum in defined media. The reduction varied according to the treatment and was proportional to the quantities of extracted tomatine, the highest amounts being the most effective. The mechanism of phytoalexins in controlling tomato wilt pathogens was also discussed.

Optimal production conditions of an extracellular protease from Streptomyces corchorusii ST36.

Forty different isolates of streptomycetes from Egyptian soil were screened for their proteolytic activity in eight different media, for different time intervals and under different culture conditions. One of them, an isolate of Streptomyces corchorusi ST36 was the most active and glucose-aspartic acid-ammonium nitrate medium (GAA) was the best medium. Maximum production of the extracellular proteolytic activity by S. corchorusii ST36 (383 U/ml) was obtained at 30 degrees C after 5 days in shaked cultures. The optimal medium for maximum production of protease contained the soluble starch 2% (w/v), aspartic acid at 0.25% (w/v) and ammonium nitrate at 0.1% (w/v), at initial pH 6.0.

Peptidyl carbamates as novel elastase inhibitors: structure-activity relationship studies.

Twenty-six novel peptidyl carbamates and thiocarbamates were synthesized and evaluated as elastase inhibitors. Eighteen compounds inhibited porcine pancreatic elastase, whereas only eleven of the newly synthesized compounds inhibited human leukocyte elastase. Neither of the other serine dependent proteases, trypsin or chymotrypsin, were affected by any of the active inhibitors. Structure-activity relationship studies indicated that inhibition was dependent on P1 and P'1 substitution as well as on the presence of the carbamate functionality. Placement of an isostere of valine at P1 and a 1-(phenyl mercaptotetrazole at P'1 resulted in the most active human leukocyte elastase inhibitor within this series of compounds (Ki - 3.0 x 10(-7) M).

Protoplasts from the cyanobacterium,Spirulina platensis.

Protoplasts were obtained from the filamentous blue-green algaSpirulina platensis by treating the filaments with 0.05% (w/v) lysozyme in 0.03M phosphate buffer. The protoplasts regenerated cell walls and formed colonies when plated on a regeneration medium. The highest percentage of regeneration, 40% was obtained after 21 days.

Submucous diathermy of the inferior turbinates in chronic hypertrophic rhinitis.

Twenty patients, 10 allergic and 10 non-allergic, with chronic hypertrophic rhinitis and presenting mainly with bilateral nasal obstruction were subjected to submucosal diathermy of their inferior turbinates. There was significant post-operative improvement clinically, histopathologically and histochemically in the non-allergic group, while the improvement was less obvious in the allergic cases. The post-operative clinical improvement as regards rhinorrhea and sneezing was not as marked as that for nasal obstruction. Evaluation of the results showed that submucous diathermy of inferior turbinates is a good line of treatment for cases of chronic hypertrophic rhinitis, with better results in the non-allergic group of patients.