Genetic study of blepharoptosis among Egyptians.

OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed to develop an etiological classification of congenital blepharoptosis among Egyptian children and also to differentiate between congenital blepharoptosis as an isolated anomaly or part of a syndrome. BACKGROUND: Blepharoptosis refers to dropping of the upper eyelid. The difference in the height of the fissures with the eyes in primary position signifies the amount of ptosis. Ptosis has traditionally been divided into congenital and acquired types. METHODS: Thirty six patients presenting with blepharoptosis (22 males and 14 females) were examined. All patients were subjected to thorough detailed personal and family history, three generation family pedigree construction, and detailed clinical examination with complete eye evaluation. Investigations such as cytogenetic studies, EEG, ECG, EMG, X-ray, and MRI were done needed. RESULTS: Patients were classified into 4 groups: I--simple congenital ptosis (28%), II--blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome (25%), III--congenital fibrosis of extraocular muscles (CFEOM) (14%), IV--ptosis associated with syndromes (33%). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical aspects of blepharoptosis are related to etiology. The ophthalmologist should be alert for the possibility of coexisting associated defects (ocular and systemic) in patients with blepharoptosis. Genetic evaluation of patients with blepharoptosis is important to allow accurate diagnosis and to permit appropriate counseling on potentially life-threatening health issues (Tab. 5, Fig. 4, Ref: 37).

Effect of garlic on lead contents in chicken tissues.

Lead has been indicted to be involved in the aetiology of human and animal diseases. In view of earlier literature indicating that garlic antagonized lead toxicity, we have investigated the possible use of garlic feeding to clean up lead contents from chickens which had been exposed to natural or experimental lead pollution and consequently eliminate one of the sources of lead pollution to human consumers. Groups of chickens (10 birds each) were given lead alone (lead acetate equivalent to 5 mg lead/kg B.W.) or both lead and garlic simultaneously or lead followed by garlic post-treatment or garlic alone or distilled water. Lead concentrations were reduced in muscle and liver tissues of chickens given both lead and garlic simultaneously or as a post-treatment. Reduction in tissue-lead concentrations were greater in birds given garlic as a post-treatment than those given garlic simultaneously with lead. The results indicate that garlic contain chelating compounds capable of enhancing elimination of lead. Garlic feeding can be exploited to safeguard human consumers by minimizing lead concentrations in meat of food animals which had been grown in a lead polluted environment.

Pharmacokinetic evaluation of enrofloxacin in chickens.

1. The pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of enrofloxacin in chickens were investigated following intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous and oral administration of 10 mg/kg body weight. A rapid distribution phase was followed by a slower elimination phase. 2. The apparent volume of distribution was 2.2 l/kg. Absorption half lives were 0.37, 0.36 and 0.92 h; elimination half lives were 4.06, 4.48 and 4.29 h and bioavailabilities were 87.5%, 80.8% and 59.6% after intramuscular, subcutaneous and oral administration, respectively. The drug completely disappeared from all tissues after 3 days following oral administration. 3. Based on the bioavailability and disposition kinetics of enrofloxacin, administration of one dose per day should both be practical and adequate to maintain plasma enrofloxacin concentrations within the pharmacologically active but lower than tolerance limit.