Benthic ostracods (crustacean) as a nearshore pollution bio-monitor: examples from the Red Sea Coast of Egypt.

Benthic ostracods are deemed as one of the most useful micro-fauna for biomonitoring in shallow marine ecosystem, which are sensitive to environmental changes that can be reflected by their diversity and abundances. The pollution leads to high dominance index and low abundance ostracod communities. Therefore, eighteen sediment samples were collected from Ras Gharib and Quseir sites, along the Red Sea coast, to assess the ostracods response toward the anthropogenic environmental disturbances. Jugosocythereis borchersi, Alocopocythere reticulata, and Loxocorniculum ghardaqensis are the most abundant ostracods in the study localities. To evaluate the linkage between ostracods and contaminated sediments, metal concentrations in the sediments were measured using inductively coupled plasma optical-emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). We observed a significant spatial difference in elemental distribution in sediment samples, and some elements are of higher contributions than the average marine sediment composition. The quantitative analysis of benthic ostracod associations was processed statistically with geochemical data and differentiated the study area into two environments, based on the degrees of contamination. Quseir is encompassing the most contaminated stations. It is characterized by sediments richer in heavy metals, higher silt, and higher organic matter contents. Contaminated environments favor the presence of pollution-tolerant species (e.g., J. borchersi, C. torosa, L. ghardaqensis, G. triebeli, M. striata, A. reticulata, and partly, C. dimorpha). Conversely, Ras Gharib is less polluted with metals and organic matter, and is characterized by pollution-sensitive species (X. rhomboidea). Noteworthy, a low density of ostracods was observed at the expense of the diversity around contaminated stations of the Quseir site.

The antidepressant-like effect of Ocimum basilicum in an animal model of depression.

We investigated the efficacy of Ocimum basilicum (OB) essential oils for treating depression related behavioral, biochemical and histopathological changes caused by exposure to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) in mice and to explore the mechanism underlying the pathology. Male albino mice were divided into four groups: controls; CUMS; CUMS plus fluoxetine, the antidepressant administered for pharmacological validation of OB; and CUMS plus OB. Behavioral tests included the forced swim test (FST), elevated plus-maze (EPM) and the open field test (OFT); these tests were performed at the end of the experiment. We assessed serum corticosterone level, protein, gene and immunoexpression of brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) and glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) as well as immunoexpression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), Ki67, caspase-3 in the hippocampus. CUMS caused depression in the mice as evidenced by prolonged immobility in the FST, prolonged time spent in the open arms during the EPM test and reduction of open field activity in the OFT. OB ameliorated the CUMS induced depressive status. OB significantly reduced the corticosterone level and up-regulated protein and gene expressions of BDNF and GR. OB reduced CUMS induced hippocampal neuron atrophy and apoptosis, and increased the number of the astrocytes and new nerve cells. OB significantly increased GFAP-positive cells as well as BDNF and GR immunoexpression in the hippocampus.

Assessment of Atmospheric heavy metal deposition in North Egypt aerosols using neutron activation analysis and optical emission inductively coupled plasma.

The aim of the present study is to assess the current level of atmospheric heavy metal pollution of aerosols in different cities of North Egypt using the neutron activation analysis and optical emission inductively coupled plasma techniques. The results revealed that the highest concentrations of particulate matter PM10 and total suspended particulate matter were close to industrial areas. From the results of the enrichment factor calculations, the most significant elements of anthropogenic origin are Ba, Sb, Ce and Zn.

Surgical treatment of hepatic hydatid cysts.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The purpose of this study was to evaluate open surgery as a treatment for hydatid liver cysts in our locality. METHODOLOGY: Between February 1987 and September 1996, 20 patients with hepatic hydatid cysts were surgically treated. The patients were assessed by clinical examination, serologic tests, abdominal ultrasound, and computed tomography. RESULTS: Right hypochondrial pain was the most common presenting symptom (95%). The most common pathology was a solitary right lobe cyst (40%), and involvement of both the right and left liver lobes occurred in 35% of the patients. Associated visceral (splenic) cysts were diagnosed in 2 patients (10%). Intraoperatively, a cystobiliary fistula was found in 2 patients (10%). An endocystectomy was performed on 12 patients, a pericystectomy on 6 patients, and a segmental hepatic resection on 2 patients. No operative mortality was reported. The mean hospital stay was 10 +/- 5 days. Biliary leakage occurred in 2 patients (10%), a liver abscess occurred in one patient (5%), and right subphrenic collection occurred in 1 patient (5%). Recurrence was detected in 2 patients (10%). CONCLUSIONS: Surgery is still the treatment of choice for hydatid liver cysts. However, advances in pre- and intraoperative imaging techniques, together with pre- and postoperative chemotherapy (benzimidazole compounds) may offer a prospect of reducing or preventing recurrence.

Functional improvement after knee arthroplasty without resurfacing of patella.

There has been no universal agreement so far regarding the necessity of patellar resurfacing in total knee arthroplasty. As resurfacing has been reported to be associated with high incidence of complications, this practice has been avoided in our Department. A report is given on the analysis of the functional outcome of 60 knee arthroplasties without patellar resurfacing in 53 patients (7 bilateral) followed up for twelve to thirty months, with special regard to the functions closely related to patelloformal articulation. The underlying diagnosis was osteoarthritis in 78.3%, rheumatoid arthritis in 13.3%, and posttraumatic arthritis in 8.3% of the patients. Graded according to the modified knee-rating system of the Hospital for Special Surgery, excellent or good results were obtained in the case of 55 knees (91.6%) and the mean score improved from 53.6 points preoperatively to 82.6 points following arthroplasty. Subjective and objective functional assessment of stair climbing and transfer activities have shown no functional deficit attributed to the patellofemoral joint of the replaced knee.

Cerebral atrophy: a schistosomiasis manifestation?

Preliminary studies with sonography indicated that a reduced brain mantle index and dilated ventricles were frequently seen in patients with chronic Schistosoma mansoni infection. Computerized tomography (CT) was used to confirm our earlier observations and to obtain more accurate measures. Brain scans of 25 patients with chronic S. mansoni infection showed mild to moderate degrees of cortical atrophy in 9 cases (36%) and central atrophy in 3 (12%). The remaining 16 subjects and 10 controls showed normal brain scans. The present study is the first report documented by CT showing a significant correlation between chronic S. mansoni infection and cerebral atrophy.