Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of some new 2-indolinone derived oximes and spiro-isoxazolines

The synthesis and spectral analysis of some new 1,3-dihydro-3-hydroxy-3-[2-hydroxyimino-2-(substituted phenyl)ethyl]-2H-indol-2-ones (21-32) and spiro[3H-indol-3,5'-(4'H)-isoxazol]-2(1H)-ones (33-44) are described. Sixteen of the synthesized compounds were screened in vitro for their growth inhibitory activity against thirteen species of microorganisms, viz, S. aureus, S. epidermidis, S. faecalis, B. subtilis, B. cereus, E. aerogens, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, P. vulgaris, A. baumonia, A. faecalis, C. albicans and S. cervicae. Most of the compounds exhibited significant antimicrobial activity especially the oximes 28 and 29.     

The impact of socioeconomic status on growth during infancy versus puberty in a developing country

Objective： To explore the relationship between socioeconomic status from one side and physical growth and nutritional status from the other side, in infants versus adolescents in Egyptians. Methods： Three samples were investigated： a） A sample of 605 infants aged 6 months ＋ 1 week （287 girls and 318 boys）, b） A sample of 992 infants of age 4 - 24 months （465 girls and 527 boys）, c） A sample of 1864 children and adolescents aged 6 -14 years of （744 girls and 1120 boys）. All samples are from Big Cairo area of both urban and rural localities and of various socioeconomic strata. Body weight and length/ height had been measured and body mass index （BMI） had been calculated for every subject. Assessment of the impact of parental education level, locality and number of sibs, on growth and nutrition as indicated by BMI was attempted. Results： a） Breastfed infants （6 months ＋ 1 week） grow bigger in low socioeconomic strata and in rural areas than artificially fed infants. The practice of breast feeding was more common and lasted longer in low socioeconomic stratum than in middle and high one. b） A significant positive association between body mass index of infants （4 - 24 months） and the socioeconomic status （particularly level of father education reflecting family income） was proved, c） The socioeconomic factors had insignificant influence on BMI of school children aged 6 -9 years, but it showed significant influence in the period 10 - 14 years. After the age of 9 years, children started the pubertal stage earlier and had higher BMI in the high socioeconomic strata as compared to those of low socioeconomic strata, d） In the low socioeconomic status, breast feeding compensates the deleterious influences of the environment on growth and physique of infants. Conclusion： children of educated parents have significantly low number of siblings＂ size in comparison to those of uneducated parents. Also children of educated parents are significantly more in number in urban a     

Synthesis of some quinoxaline derivatives containing indoline-2,3-dione or thiazolidinone residue as potential antimicrobial agents

The synthesis of some quinoxaline derivatives containing indoline-2,3-dione or thiazolidinone residue is described. The synthesized derivatives were screenedin vitro for their growth inhibitory activity against six species of bacteria, viz.Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marcescens andMycobacterium semegmatis. Most of the compounds exhibited antimicrobial activity especially those having indoline-2,3-dione moiety.     

Mineral content and microbiological examination of some white cheese in Jeddah,Saudi Arabia during summer 2008

Different local and exported white cheese samples were collected from different markets in Jeddah during September 2008. Trace and heavy metals including Pb, Zn, Mn, Cu, Fe and Cd were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrometry. The concentration of the tested metals was in the range, Fe⁺⁺ > Zn⁺⁺⁺ > Mn⁺⁺ > Pb⁺⁺ > Cu⁺⁺ > Cd⁺⁺. The mean concentration of 7.63, 7.19, 0.5, 0.47, 0.16 and 0.14 μg/g was recorded for Fe, Zn, Mn, Pb, Cu and Cd, respectively. The concentration of iron ranged from 3.5 to 11.9 μg/g, zinc from 3.4 to 10.5, manganese from 0.12 to 1.0, lead from 0.14 to 1.14, and copper from 0.09 to 0.22. Yeasts and fungi were counted on Sabouraud and Potato Dextrose media and incubation was carried out at 25 °C for 7 and 5 days, respectively. Yeast count and fungi count of cheese were ranged from 0.1 to 0.44 CFU/g and from 0.123 to 1.11 CFU/g, respectively. Three out of 20 samples of cheese were contaminated with toxigenic fungi with 5% contamination level. Aflatoxin G1 was recorded in three samples using immunoadsorbent column chromatography with a range from 7 to 13 ppm.     

Extruded and protruded lumbar discs: combined clinical, histopathological, histochemical, immunopathological, histochemical, immunopathological and ultrastructural studies.

A total number of selected 252 patients with prolapsed lumbar intervertebral discs (92 extruded and 160 protruded) were operated upon in Neurosurgery Department Zagazig University Hospital during the period extended from January, 1988, to October 1990. In this study we reviewed their clinical and operative data. Surgical biopsies were taken from randomly selected 120 patients of them (50 extruded and 70 protruded discs) and were subjected to histopathological, histochemical and immunopathological studies. Ultrastructural study was performed for randomly selected 14 cases (7 extruded and 7 protruded discs). The results were compared with 7 normal intervertebral discs obtained from these studies showed that there were no differences between extruded and protruded discs at the histochemical level. Cell mediated immunity could be added as a factor in the pathogenesis of the degenerative process that lead to disc prolapse (in 20% of cases with extruded discs and 57.1% of cases with protruded discs). At the ultrastructural level 85.3% of extruded discs were prolapsed nucleus pulposus while 14.7% were prolapsed annulus fibrosus alone or with nucleus pulposus. All protruded discs were prolapsed annulus fibrosus with nucleus pulposus. These findings may have an impact on the management of this common problem.     

Hypercalcaemia: a clue to Mycobacterium avium intracellulare infection in a patient with AIDS

Hypercalcaemia is uncommon in HIV-infected patients and should suggest a different priority for differential diagnosis than would be considered in other settings. Although hypercalcaemia has long been associated with granulomatous diseases including tuberculosis, it has only recently been recognised that patients with illness due to Mycobacterium avium intracellulare (MAI) may develop it. We report a patient with AIDS in whom unexplained hypercalcaemia was the harbinger of clinically significant MAI infection. Patients with AIDS who develop hypercalcaemia should be closely evaluated for underlying MAI infection.     

Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery: Summary of the Current Evidence

INTRODUCTION

Laparoscopic colectomy has not been accepted as quickly as laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This is because of its steep learning curve, concerns with oncological outcomes, lack of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and initial reports on port-site recurrence after curative resection. The aim of this review is to summarise current evidence on laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Review of literature following Medline search using key words ‘laparoscopic’, ‘colorectal’ and ‘surgery’.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic colorectal surgery proved to be safe, cost-effective and with improved short-term outcomes. However, further studies are needed to assess the role of laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery and the value of enhanced recovery protocols in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal resections.