Microbiological status of Egyptian prawn

A total of 110 prawn individuals were collected from different markets at Cairo and Giza Governorates. The average counts of Aerobes, Psychrophiles, Enterobacteriaceae, Coliforms and Staphylococci were 5 × 10³, 3 × 10², < 2 × 10², < 3 and 2 × 10² organisms per gram newly caught prawn sample, respectively. Such counts were significantly increased in samples collected from markets including raw prawn in shell, raw peeled samples and frozen samples either peeled or in shell. Arizona group, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter group, Proteus group, Providencia group A & B, Shigella group and Staphylococcus aureus could be isolated from examined samples with variable percentages. The public health significance of isolated organisms is discussed.     

Results of chemical analysis of prawn muscle as influenced by sex variations

The main muscle constituents in 100 male and female prawn as related to their moisture contents were analysed. The study was aimed to assess the nutritional state in which prawn exists and determine which sex is the more susceptible to changes. Significant higher levels of ash and water in males and relatively greater contents of fat, protein, carbohydrates, phosphorus and gross energy in females were determined. The data given in this study can establish the non starved condition in which the prawn exist. The variation in muscle constituents between male and female prawn reflects the differences in the sex development and their energy requirements during maturation.     

New Wide Band Low Power CMOS Current Conveyors

New Class-A second-generation CMOS current conveyor (CCII) suitable for high frequency applications is proposed. It provides low input impedance and accurate voltage and current tracking. Targeting low power dissipation, the Class-AB version of the proposed Class-A architecture is introduced as well. Simulation results are included.     

Giant aneurysms of the proximal anterior cerebral artery: report of three cases

Aneurysms of any size involving the A1 segment of the anterior cerebral artery are unusual, but giant aneurysms in this location are exceedingly rare, with only five cases previously reported in the literature. We report three cases of A1 segment giant aneurysms presenting with mass effect that were successfully treated. A discussion of the salient features of diagnosis and treatment are presented, along with a brief review of the literature describing these aneurysms. The role of newer imaging modalities, including magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance angiography, and intraoperative angiography, is discussed. The three patients were treated by direct exploration, trapping, and endaneurysmal decompression. Giant A1 segment aneurysms present a unique opportunity to safely trap and decompress the aneurysm with definitive cure.     

Correlation between the severities of the ASTM E119 and ISO 834 fire exposures

The temperature rise in a castable refractory brick specimen of well-defined thermal properties was used to develop a correlation between the severities of the ASTM E119 and the ISO 834 fire tests. It was found that the ISO fire test is slightly less severe than the ASTM test, but the gain in fire endurance on account of conducting the test according to the ISO standard is usualy five minutes or less.     

Studies on the Vilsmeier-haack reaction. Part XIII: Novel heterocyclo-substituted 4,4′-bi-pyrazolyl dithiocarbamate derivatives

5-Imino-3-methyl-l-phenyl-2-pyrazoline-4-dithiocarbamic acid (I) underwent simultaneous formylation and dimerization reactions with the Vilsmeier reagent giving 4-[5′-imino-3-(1″-formyl-2″-dimethylaminoethenyl)-3′-methyl-1′-phenyl-1′H-pyrazolo-4′-dithiocarbamyl-2,4-dihydro-3-imino-5-methyl-2-phenyl-1-pyrazoline]dithiocarbamate (II) which hydrolysed with sodium hydroxide to give 4-[3′-(1″-formyl-2″-hydroxyethenyl)-3′-methyl-1-phenyl-1′-H-pyrazolo-4′-dithiocarbamyl-1′-pyrazoline]dithiocarbamate-5,5′-dione (IV). Treatment of II and/or IV with morpholine, piperidine, piperazine, hydroxylamine, hydrazine hydrate or phenylhydrazine afforded the corresponding dipyrazolo-4,4′-dithiocarbamate derivatives with different heterocyclic systems at the 3-position. The structures of these compounds were confirmed by microanalysis data, IR and ¹H-NMR spectrometry. All synthesized compounds have been screened in vitro against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and fungi.     

Multilocus linkage identifies two new loci for a mendelian form of stroke, cerebral cavernous malformation, at 7p15-13 and 3q25.2-27

Cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM) is a Mendelian model of stroke, characterized by focal abnormalities in small intracranial blood vessels leading to hemorrhage and consequent strokes and/or seizures. A significant fraction of cases is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait with incomplete penetrance. Among Hispanic Americans, virtually all CCM is attributable to a founder mutation localized to 7q ( CCM1 ). Recent analysis of non-Hispanic Caucasian kindreds, however, has excluded linkage to 7q in some, indicating at least one additional CCM locus. We now report analysis of linkage in 20 non-Hispanic Caucasian kindreds with familial CCM. In addition to linkage to CCM1, analysis of linkage demonstrates linkage to two new loci, CCM2 at 7p13-15 and CCM3 at 3q25.2-27. Multilocus analysis yields a maximum lod score of 14.11, with 40% of kindreds linked to CCM1, 20% linked to CCM2 and 40% linked to CCM3, with highly significant evidence for linkage to three loci (linkage to three loci supported with an odds ratio of 2.6 x 10(5):1 over linkage to two loci and 1.6 x 10(9):1 over linkage to one locus). Multipoint analysis among families with high posterior probabilities of linkage to each locus refines the locations of CCM2 and CCM3 to approximately 22 cM intervals. Linkage to these three loci can account for inheritance of CCM in all kindreds studied. Significant locus-specific differences in penetrance are identified. These findings have implications for genetic testing of this disorder and represent an important step toward identification of the molecular basis of this disease.     

A sensitive enzyme-based colorimetric assay for choline-containing phospholipids

An enzyme-based colorimetric assay for choline-containing phospholipids is described. When tested with egg yolk and serum, the method proved very sensitive, correlated well with other methods and avoided turbidity problems. The method is potentially applicable to a wide variety of samples.     

Single straight-tube Coriolis mass flowmeter

The single straight-tube Coriolis mass flowmeter is modelled using the theory of vibrating beams, taking into account the effects of the added masses of the electromagnetic drive and detectors. Many experiments are conducted to assess the performance of an experimental flowmeter. Additionally, the influences of fluid temperature and external vibrations on the sensitivity of the flowmeter are identified.