Long-term results of 360A° scleral buckling and vitrectomy with silicone oil tamponade for management of gunshot-perforating ocular injury.

PURPOSE: This is a retrospective consecutive study to assess the long-term results of combined scleral buckling and pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with silicone oil for the management of perforating ocular injury caused by gunshots. METHODS: Data were gathered from medical records of patients who underwent scleral buckling and PPV with silicone oil 2 weeks after primary repair elsewhere, in Magrabi eye center (Tanta, Egypt), from June 2005 to May 2010. RESULTS: The evaluated group consisted of 49 cases, out of which 26 cases presented with gunshot injury. Twenty-two were male (84.62%) and four were female (15.38%), with a mean age of 27.19+12.7 years. The follow-up ranged from 12 to 72 months, with a mean period of 32.04+8.9 months. The t-test was used to determine the visual outcome and main prognostic factors. Visual acuity improved in 22 of 26 eyes (76.92%), was unchanged in 4 eyes (15.38%), and worsened in 2 eyes (6.69%). Ten eyes (38.46%) achieved visual acuity between (20/40) and (20/100), and eight eyes (30.76%) had visual acuity between (20/200) and (20/400). The 18 eyes (69.23%) with visual acuity better than counting fingers (CF) had an attached retina with no signs of active proliferation after removal of the silicone oil. CONCLUSION: POI due to gunshot is usually a terminal event for the eye. Eyes with perforating injury can be saved and may attain useful vision after performance of combined scleral buckling and PPV with silicone oil tamponade. The final visual outcome depends on the macular or the optic nerve involvement and the final retinal stability, and phthisis bulbi can also be prevented.

Construction and performance characteristics of new tetramisole selective plastic membrane electrodes.

New tetramisole (Tm) ion selective PVC membrane electrodes are constructed based on either the ion-pair complex Tm TPB (Electrode I) where TPB is tetraphenylborate or the ion associate Tm(3) PT (Electrode II) where PT is phosphotungstate. The rectilinear concentration ranges of Electrodes I and II are 4 x 10(-5)-10(-2)M (average slope = 55.7 mV/concentration decade) and 5 x 10(-5)-10(-2)M TmCl (average slope = 57.0 mV/concentration decade), at 25 degrees C, respectively. The life time of the two Electrodes I and II are 14 and 49 days of continuous working, respectively. The change in pH does not affect the electrodes performance within the range 3.0-5.5, 3.0-6.0 and 3.0-7.0 for Tm concentrations 10(-2) 5 x 10(-3) and 10(-3)M, respectively. The isothermal coefficients of Electrodes I and II are found to be 0.000667 and 0.001164 V/ degrees C, respectively. The electrodes proved to be highly selective for TmCl towards inorganic cations, sugars and amino acids. The standard addition method and potentiometric titration are used to determine Tm in pure solutions and in tetramisole 10% oral solution. Regeneration process for the exhausted Electrodes I and II is applied successfully by soaking them in a solution of NaTPB and PTA, respectively.

Sphenoid sinus mucopyocele with marked intracranial extension: a more common phenomenon in the Third World?

Sphenoid sinus mucoceles are rare lesions. Those with intracranial extension were thought to be extremely rare in Western literature. We encountered three such cases within 1 year. These cases were confirmed on pathological examination to be pyoceles of the sphenoid sinus, extending to the sella and suprasellar region. Bilateral exophthalmos, papilledema, and severe headache were among the most consistent findings encountered. It appears that these lesions might be more common in areas of poor socioeconomic status like Third World countries. This condition should be considered in the differential diagnosis of lesions of the sella extending to the suprasellar region.

Keratinolytic fungi in Egyptian soils. I. Baited with hair and wool.

150 soil samples were collected, 90 from Nile Valley and Delta, 36 from desert and 24 from salt marshes. Human, buffalo and cow hair and sheep wool were used as baits at three incubation temperatures. Forty-four species which belong to twenty-one genera at 27 degrees C and forty-two which belong to twenty-two genera at 37 degrees C were collected. We isolated the following keratinophilic fungi Chrysosporium tropicum, C. keratinophilum, C. indicum, C. pannicola, C. queenslandicum, Trichophyton terrestre, T. mentagrophytes and Microsporum gypseum. Several other saprophytic fungi were isolated. No fungi were isolated at 45 degrees C.

Hemangiopericytoma of the maxillary sinus and skull base.

Since 1949, only 52 cases of hemangiopericytoma (HPC) of the nose and paranasal sinuses have been reported in the literature. Of the latter, only 2 originated from the maxillary sinus. This article reports 2 new cases. One arose in the maxillary sinus and involved the pterygopalatine fossa, skull base, and infratemporal fossa. The second tumor was located in the sphenoethmoidal recess. A new combination of techniques for resection of hemangiopericytoma of the skull base is described. Prognostic criteria for such tumors are reviewed, in conjunction with histological diagnosis.

Selective effects of two systemic fungicides on soil fungi.

BAS 317 00F was not toxic to the total count of fungi after 2 days but was regularly significantly toxic at the three doses after 5, 20 and 40 days and toxic at the low and the high doses after 80 days. In the agar medium, it was toxic to the counts of total fungi. Aspergillus, A. terreus, Rhizopus oryzae and Mucor racemosus at the high dose. Only the mycelial growth of Trichoderma viride which was significantly inhibited by the three doses when this fungicide was added to the liquid medium. Polyram-Combi induced two effects on the total population of soil fungi. One inhibitory and this was demonstrated almost regularly after 2, 10 and 40 days and the other stimulatory after 80 days of treatment with the low and the high doses. In the agar medium, this fungicide was very toxic to total fungi and to almost all fungal genera and species at the three doses. Several fungi could survive the high dose. In liquid medium, the test fungi showed variable degree of sensitivity and the most sensitive was Gliocladium roseum which was completely eradicated by the three doses.

Keratinolytic fungi in Egyptian soils.

The frequency of occurrence of keratinolytic fungi in seventy soil samples collected from different sites in Upper Egypt and in the coastal area of the Mediterranean and baited with human and animal hair and pigeon feathers was determined. Twenty-one species in addition to an unidentified species, which belong to sixteen genera were collected. Chrysosporium indicum, B. tropicum, C. keratinophilum and Microsporum gypseum were the most frequent fungal species recovered from baited soils. The eight soil samples collected from the salt marshes of the coastal Mediterranean area were completely free from any keratinolytic fungi, whereas the sixty-two soil samples collected from cultivated soils contributed a species ranging from one to four species.

Aflatoxin and aflatoxicosis. I. Fungal flora of some food and animal feeds with special references to aflatoxin-producing abilities.

A wide range of fungi, amounting to fifty-six species belonging to twenty-two genera, have been recovered from animal feeds and foodstuffs. The most frequent fungi were Aspergillus niger, and A. flavus, followed by Mucor racemosus, Alternaria alternata. Rhizopus stolonifer, Penicillium corylophilum and P. notatum. Three genera were found to be of moderate occurrence, namely, Mucor, Rhizopus and alternaria. The three following genera were of low occurrence: cladosporium, Fusarium, and Neurospora. The fluorescence method of detecting aflatoxin-producing strains demonstrated that only one is isolated of A. flavus possesses this property. Certain species of Penicillium and Aspergillus produced fluorescent substances (metabolites) similar in color to B and G aflatoxin. These substances were subsequently proved not to be aflatoxin by (TLC) chromatography. The animal and public health significance from such toxins was also discussed.

Aflatoxin and aflatoxicosis. II. Effects of aflatoxin on ovaries and testicles in mature domestic fowls.

The present study aimed at: 1. Examination of commercial chicken and duck eggs for the possible presence of aflatoxins. 2. Study of the sex susceptibility of mature chickens when fed on ration containing aflatoxins. 3. Study of clinicopathological effects on their ovaries and testicles. In this investigation, 100 chicken and 50 duck eggs collected from markets in the vicinity of Assiut Governorate, were examined individually for the presence of aflatoxins in the whites and yolks. The study revealed that the examined eggs contained no aflatoxins. Experimentally, aflatoxin BV(8.1 ppm) and G. (1.6 ppm) were incorporated into the feed of five laying hens and five mature cooks for three weeks duration. The layers showed cessation of egg production during the whole feeding period. Histopathological examinations revealed that, the ovaries showed follicular atresia while testicles were normal. It was shown that, aflatoxicosis cause pathological changes in the chicken ovaries, which has a detrimental effect on egg production.

Keratinolytic fungi in Egyptian soils.

The frequency of occurrence of keratinolytic fungi in seventy soil samples, collected from different sites in Upper Egypt and in the coastal area of the Mediterranean, was determined by baiting with human and animal hairs and pigeon feathers. Twenty-one species, in addition to an unidentified species, which belong to sixteen genera were collected. Chrysosporium indicum, C. Tropicum, C. keratinophilum, and Microsporum gypseum were the most frequent fungal species recovered from the baited soils. The soil samples collected from the salt marshes of the coastal Mediterranean area were completely free from any keratinolytic fungi, whereas the soil samples collected from cultivated soils contributed species, ranging from one to four species.

Determining the kinetic behaviour for the secretion of milk toxin as related to dosage level of aflatoxin B1.

39 species which belong to 14 genera were isolated from 110 milk samples collected from different dairy sources at Assiut City. The most frequent fungi were A. niger, A flavus and Clasdosporium cladosporioides, followed by Curvularia spicifera and Penicillium corylophilum. The remaining species were of rare occurrence. The fluorescence-method for detecting aflatoxin-producing strains demonstrated the presence of two isolates namely A. flavus possesses this property. One of these toxic isolates was proved to produce high level of aflatoxin B1. It was used as a tool for determining the kinetic behaviour for the secretion of M1 toxin in milk of lactating animals which had received a toxic diet. The results revealed the following: 1. The milk toxin was detected in the milk of lactating animals next day after the toxin-containing ration was fed. 2. The level of milk toxin is gradually decreased when the feeding programme was interrupted. 3. When the animals supplied a ration containing the same concentration of aflatoxin for successive days, the milk toxin concentration was maintained at the same level. 4. The total amount of milk toxin secreted was less than one per cent of the amount of aflatoxin B1 received. 5. The concentration of milk toxin secreted by goats was higher than that of dairy cows. 6. Milk toxin failed to be detected five days after the feeding programme was discontinued.

Studies on air-borne fungi at Qena. I. Seasonal fluctuations.

73 species which belong to 24 genera were collected in 200 and 35 exposures made during the period May 1976-October 1977 at each of two levels (2 m and 20 m). The air-borne fungi showed seasonal periodicities and the highest incidence was recovered in spring and autumn and the least in the summer. Aspergillus was the dominating genus. 17 species were collected at the two levels of which A. niger and A. flavus were the most common. Other common genera were Cladosporium which was represented by C. herbarum, C. cladosporioides, C. sphaerospermum, and C. macrocarpum. 7 species of Curvularia were identified of which C. pallescens was the most frequent at the low and C. spicifera at the high level. Drechslera was represented by 6 species of which D. halodes was the most common at the two levels. Only one Alternaria species, A. alternata was isolated at both levels. 10 Penicillium were recovered, P. notatum was the most frequently one isolated at the two levels. Many fungal spore showers of Cladosporium, Aspergillus, Curvularia, and Alternaria were recorded during the experimental period.

Effect of treatment of soil with keratinaceous material on soil fungi.

In the early periods of soil storage, the total number of fungi almost regularly and significantly increased with the concentration of keratinaceous material (ground buffalo hooves) between 1% and 10%. A concentration of 20% was stimulative after 7 days and became toxic after 15 days and remained so through the end of the experiment. With increase in the storage period, the beneficial effect of all concentrations was lost and in the case of high concentrations (5-20%) toxic ammonia was produced. The occurrence of Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, Cephalosporium acremonium, Chrysosporium tropicum, C. indicum, and C. keratinophilum increased markedly, especially at the higher concentrations of the keratinaceous material and after long periods of incubation. With increase in the concentration of keratinaceous material, the rate of evolution of ammonia from the soil sharply increased during the second week after treatment and fell off sharply during the third and fourth weeks. In soil stored at 35 C, the rate of decline in total fungi after longer periods of incubation was sharper at 35 C than at 25 C. Also the amount of evolved ammonia during the first and the second weeks was almost always higher at 35 C than at 25 C. Fourteen species were tested for keratinolytic activity. Three of them were highly keratinolytic and five moderately so.

Studies on air-borne fungi at Qena. II. Diurnal fluctuations.

The air-borne fungi displayed diurnal periodicities. The total count of fungi exhibited double-peaked pattern, one at 6 a.m. and the other at 18 p.m. (the higher). Aspergillus diurnal activities were almost parallel to those of total fungi. Cladosporium showed on main peak at 18 p.m. Penicillium and Alternaria displayed some pattern of diurnal activity and their maxima were observed.

Cellulose-decomposing fungi of salt marshes in Egypt.

Seventy-five species and three varieties which belong to thirty-four genera were identified from 74 soil samples collected from salt marshes in Egypt. The most frequent fungi were Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Cladosporium herbarum and Alternatia alternata, followed by Aspergillus terreus, Curvularia spicifera and Penicillium notatum. Six genera were of moderate occurrence: Penicillium, Fusarium, Curvularia, Rhizopus, Stachybotrys, and Chaetomium. Five genera were of low occurrence: Paecilomyces, Cephalosporium, Epicoccum, Mucor and Myrothecium.

Studies on mycoflora of salt marshes in Egypt. IV. Osmophilic fungi.

Ninety-five species and seven varieties which belong to thirty-nine genera were isolated from 74 soil samples from salt marshes. At 28 degrees C, on 30% sucrose Czapek's agar, ninety species and four varieties which belong to thirty-six genera were encountered, from which A. niger, A. fumigatus A. terreus and P. notatum were the most frequent. On 60% sucrose Czapek's agar, sixty-three species and three varieties were recovered which belong to twenty-five genera, from which A. niger, A. fumigatus, Cladosporium herbarum and A. terreus were the most frequent. At 45 degrees C, on 30% sucrose, sixteen species and four varieties were identified but on 60% sucrose, fourteen species and three varieties were isolated. A fumigatus and A. niger were the most frequent on both sucrose concentrations. The results reveal that the soil samples poor in total osmophilic fungi (at 28 degrees C) were significantly higher in their content of total soluble salts, Na and K and significantly lower in the average number of species per soil samples than the rich ones; the difference was non-significant in case of organic matter.