B-scan measurements of intraocular tumor heights intraoperatively, before and after radioactive plaque application: A comparative prospective study.

PURPOSE: To assess the difference in intraocular tumors height measurements intraoperatively before and after radioactive plaque application. METHODOLOGY: Twenty-four eyes of 24 patients with intraocular tumors, candidates for radioactive therapy, were included. Each tumor was measured at the same setting before and after plaque application independently by 3 sonographers, using a 20-MHz B-scan transducer. Mean pre-plaque and post-plaque measurements were calculated and recorded. An A-scan vector aided in identification of the inner and outer tumor surfaces. RESULTS: Each patient was examined independently three times by three experienced ultrasonographers within the same setting to assess interobserver variability. There was no statistically significant difference between the 3 examiners' readings, with P-value 0.99 for pre-plaque height and 0.97 for post-plaque height. Mean pre-plaque height was 5.16±2.11mm, while post-plaque height was 5.51±2.1mm (P-value 0.001). The Spearman correlation test showed that initial tumor height was negatively correlated with the difference between both heights, but with no statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Intraocular tumor height measurement differs significantly before and after plaque application. Use of the pre-plaque height is advised until further studies are performed to assess the effect of this difference on treatment outcomes.

Infectious bacterial pathogens, parasites and pathological correlations of sewage pollution as an important threat to farmed fishes in Egypt.

This paper is a part of a multi-disciplinary research "Application of Decentralized On-Site Water Treatment System in Egypt for Use in Agriculture and Producing Safe Fish and Animal Proteins". The project aimed to investigate the environmental impact of implementing sewage water before and after treatment using the effluent of the on-site decentralized Japanese' Johkasou system, in agriculture and producing fish protein. The aim is to establish such system in Egypt to strengthen the sanitary conditions of water resources. In the present study, the impact of the sewage pollution in some fish farms at El-Fayyum, Port Said and El-Dakahlia governorates in Egypt was carried out. Water and fish (Oreochromis niloticus and Mugil cephalus) samples were collected from private fish farms of such localities. Bacteriological and chemical examination of water samples revealed the existence of coliforms and many other bacterial species of significant human health hazards. The chemical parameters of water showed a marked deviation from normal levels while examination of fish flesh specimens indicated contamination with Streptococcus Sp., Staphylococcus Sp., and Salmonella in all examined localities. Other bacterial isolates of human health importance (Morganella morganii, Pseudomonas cepacia and Enterococcos durans) were identified. The parasitological examination revealed the presence of encysted metacercariae (EMC); Diplostomatidae, Prohemistomatidae and Heterphyidae. Moreover, two protozoan parasites (Mxyoboulus tilapiae and Ichthyophthirius multifilis) were also recorded. The histopathological examination revealed mild tissue reaction in case of bacterial infection and severe pathological lesions in different organs in case of EMC infection. Lamellar hyperplasia and mononuclear cell infiltration in branchial tissue was common findings. In skeletal muscles, atrophy of muscle fibres, myolysis and myophagia were detected.

Xylometazoline pretreatment reduces nasotracheal intubation-related epistaxis in paediatric dental surgery.

BACKGROUND: Epistaxis is the most common complication encountered during nasotracheal intubation (NTI) in children. The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of prophylactic intranasal admixture of xylometazoline and local anaesthetic gel in reducing epistaxis after NTI in children. METHODS: Children presenting for dental procedures requiring NTI were randomly allocated into two groups: Group 1 (xylometazoline group, n=53) and Group 2 (control group, n=51). After sevoflurane inhalation induction, the more patent nostril in each subject was lubricated with lidocaine 2% (1 ml) jelly, followed by 0.6 ml of either xylometazoline hydrochloride 0.1% nasal drops (Group 1) or sodium chloride 0.9% (Group 2). The presence and extent of bleeding occurring during intubation, extubation, or both and navigability through the nasal passage were assessed. RESULTS: The incidence and severity of bleeding were significantly reduced between the study group (7.5%) compared with the control group (27.5%; P<0.01). Navigability was similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Admixture of intranasal xylometazoline 0.1% drops and lidocaine 2% jelly reduced the incidence and severity of epistaxis after NTI in preschool children.

A new eudesmanolide from Crataegus flava fruits.

A new eudesmanolide, 1beta,9alpha-dihydroxyeudesm-3-en-5beta,6alpha,7alpha,11alphaH-12,6-olide (1), was isolated from Crataegus flava fruits. Its structure was determined by spectroscopic methods.

A new flavone derivative from Ehretia ovalifolia leaves.

From the methylene chloride extract of Ehretia ovalifolia leaves, a new flavone derivative named ovalifolin [3-(3-methyl-1-butenyl)-6-methoxy-5,7,4'-trihydroxy flavone] has been isolated and identified together with the known flavone aglycones apigenin, luteolin and the highly methoxylated flavanol araneosol. The structures of these metabolites have been established on the basis of chemical, chromatographic and spectral methods.