Successful separation of X and Y and spermatozoa in human and bull semen.

Using particle free semen extender and applying a low temperature thermal convection laminar flow to bring the sperm cells in vertical orientation and allowing them to act through the center of buoyancy, a bimodal distribution was achieved. Laser scanner for observing sedimentation pattern and F-body technique for identification of male sperm were used. Specimens from five human donors and ten bulls were separated, checked for purity, and frozen in liquid nitrogen. The lighter fractions contained 59.4% male (P less than 0.01), the heavier fractions 63.5% female (P less than 0.01), and the nonprocessed semen 48.0% male cells. Over 10,000 cells were counted to arrive at this statistically significant result. Observed sex ratio closely matched the predicted purity figures. Lighter and heavier fractions were further purified using forced convection galvanic method. Seventy to eighty percent purity in both fractions was confirmed by F-body and small cell galvanic migration tests with human as well as with bull semen.     

The Effects of <Emphasis Type="Italic">HFE</Emphasis> Polymorphisms on Biochemical Parameters of Iron Status in Arab Beta-Thalassemia Patients

In this study, the potential effect of three HFE gene polymorphisms (C282Y, H63D and S65C) and the SLC40A1 A77D polymorphism on iron balance was investigated in 234 subjects (91 Arab beta-thalassemia major (BTM) patients, 34 beta-thalassemia trait (BTT) individuals and 109 health controls). Genotyping was done using restriction-fragment-length polymorphism and direct-sequencing. Serum-iron, total iron binding capacity, transferrin and ferritin were estimated in all BTT and BTM, and in 65 healthy controls. H63D was the only polymorphism detected in our cohort. Allele frequency was 13% in both BTM and BTT and 10% in controls with no significant difference. Serum iron, ferritin and transferrin saturation were significantly higher in normal males heterozygous for H63D as compared to homozygous wild-type males. Ferritin was significantly higher in BTT males with or without H63D polymorphism when compared to the healthy males with H/H genotype. No such difference was observed between H/H versus H/D BTT subgroups. We conclude that H63D is the only significant hemochromatosis-associated polymorphism in the Arabian Gulf region. The heterozygous state of H63D may significantly alter iron parameters in normal males. In BTT, it appears that the beta-thalassemia allele has an overriding influence on ferritin values, and this generally manifest in males.     

A Weeping Tumor in a Young Girl: An Unusual Presentation of Nodular Hidradenoma

A 10-year-old girl presented with a swelling on her left thigh that was associated with dripping of serous fluid from the lesion. Based on histological features of the excised tumor, a diagnosis of nodular hidradenoma was made. Atypical features including large size of the tumor, location on the lower limb, a weeping presentation, and histological finding of a nodular hidradenoma with an unusually large cystic cavity discharging fluid prompted us to report the case.     

Management of an irradiated anophthalmic socket following dermis-fat graft rejection: a case report

Dermis-fat graft (DFG) is often the only promising option in cases of severely contracted sockets. However, there is an increased risk of graft failure in irradiated sockets with decreased vascularity. In such difficult cases, repeat DFG implantation also has higher risks of graft failure. We describe an ingenious method of successful management of an irradiated anophthalmic socket following DFG infection and necrosis, with acceptable cosmetic results. At surgery, an orbital impression was taken with ophthalmic grade alginate. Based on this measurement, a custom-made stem pressure socket-expander made up of high density polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) was fitted, a week post surgery and kept in situ for six weeks. On review, the fornices had considerably deepened. The expander device was removed and the patient was now fitted with a custom-made thicker prosthesis made up of high-density PMMA. The patient has followed up for a year subsequently and the prosthesis has remained stable.     

Aspergillus-induced malignant glaucoma

PURPOSE: To report a case of Aspergillus flavus-induced keratomycotic malignant glaucoma. METHODS: A 48-year-old woman presented with a severe corneal ulcer. She had received topical steroids for 10 days before presentation. RESULTS: Microbiological studies revealed A. flavus as the offending pathogen. Nonresponsive high intraocular pressure with associated shallow anterior chamber was present. With a diagnosis of keratomycotic malignant glaucoma, the patient underwent therapeutic keratoplasty with cataract extraction with posterior chamber wash. However, there was a recurrence of malignant glaucoma in the postoperative period. Patient underwent limited pars plana vitrectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Keratomycotic malignant glaucoma is a rare complication of severe fungal ulcer. We believe that the use of topical steroids in this case probably led to increased fungal penetration, with the formation of a lens-iris fungal mass and subsequent malignant glaucoma. Nonresponse to medical therapy warrants urgent surgical intervention. To the best of our knowledge, Aspergillus-induced keratomycotic glaucoma has never been reported previously. This report also highlights that therapeutic keratoplasty with cataract extraction alone may not be sufficient for management of such cases, and a limited pars plana vitrectomy may be needed.     

Plasmacytoma of the rib in young male

Solitary plasmacytoma of the 11th rib with soft tissue extension was seen in a 29-year-old male. Hematological and biochemical profiles did not reveal any systemic involvement. The 12-cm fusiform expansile lesion was excised and subjected to histopathological examination. The sections revealed sheets of plasma cells with focal cortical discontinuity and adjacent soft tissue invasion. This case is unique in view of the age of occurrence and the site of the lesion.     

Orbital tuberculosis manifesting with enophthalmos and causing a diagnostic dilemma

A 60-year-old woman with no known systemic disease was referred with a hard mass in the left orbit and enophthalmos of two months duration. Differential diagnoses of metastasis from an undetected scirrhous carcinoma and sclerosing nonspecific orbital inflammatory disease were considered and a biopsy was performed. Histopathology demonstrated granulomatous inflammation with fibrosis. Subsequent polymerase chain reaction was positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis deoxyribonucleic acid. There was no evidence of systemic tuberculosis. The patient was treated with four-drug combination anti-tubercular therapy for 6 months. The mass regressed and there was no local recurrence at two years follow-up. Orbital tuberculosis generally manifests with proptosis or osteomyelitis. However, enophthalmos may be caused by the fibrosing variant. Biopsy with histopathologic and microbioloic evaluation is essential to distinguish it from other more common causes of an orbital mass with paradoxical enophthalmos such as metastatic scirrhous carcinoma and sclerosing nonspecific orbital inflammatory disease.     

The Middle-East connection of Wolman Disease

The clinical, laboratory and cytological features of 2 Bahraini infants with Wolman's disease are described. While one of the cases showed the classical diagnostic features, the other case exhibited a few atypical features such as lack of adrenal calcification and unusual morphology of vacuolated marrow macrophages. Literature review shows that this disorder may not be rare in this region.