Unusual presence of Wormian (sutural) bones in human skulls

Wormian bones are a subset of the small intrasutural bones that lie between the cranial sutures formed by the bones of the skull vault. They are formed due to additional ossification centres in or near sutures. They are usually considered as normal variants and seem to be determined genetically in certain populations. They have been linked with rapid cranial expansion as they appear in great number in hydrocephalic skulls. They are commonly found in the lambdoid suture and fontanelles but are occasionally seen in other sutures especially the coronal, squamosal, and sagittal sutures. We examined 25 dried human skulls with the aim to find out the occurrence and variations of Wormian bones, and surprisingly we found Wormian bones in the coronal, squamosal, and sagittal sutures in 6 skulls. These are uncommon sites of occurrence of sutural bones as reported in the literature. These findings prompted us to report these cases as their presence can lead to confusion in diagnosis in cases of skull fractures. (Folia Morphol 2011; 70, 4: 291–294

Otorhinolaryngological causes of proptosis and their sequelae in an eye clinic in Osogbo, south west Nigeria

This was a one year descriptive-cases-series of proptosis presenting to a tertiary eye clinic between January to December 2011. Socio- demographic data were obtained. Subjects aged between 41/ years to 2 75 years who had proptosis referred from the Otorhinolaryngology clinics were examined. Visual acuities, clinical examination of the anterior and posterior segment of the eye, ocular alignment and systemic examination were done. Otorhinolaringologists' findings, laboratory results, radio diagnostic tests, and previous surgical intervention were noted. The major causes of proptosis were due to malignancy (66%) followed by infections and cystic lesions in equal proportions. Half of the subjects who developed visual impairment had improvement in vision and improved facial symmetry after appropriate treatments were instituted. Cases of strabismus were also corrected. Co- management is here demonstrated to give the best cosmetic and visual outcome.Keywords: Otolaryngological causes, proptosis, visual impairmen

Study of some hematological and biochemical parameters of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fry in western part of Mazandaran province, Iran

This study was done to investigate of some hematological and biochemical factors of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss ) fry in west of Mazandaran in Iran. About 50 pools of blood samples from diseased fry were collected within 30 months from November 2002 till March 2005 from three hatchery farms in western part of Mazandaran province. In addition 30 pools of blood samples as control group were collected randomly from mentioned farms. Each blood samples were examined for whole blood examination and blood enzymes measurement. It consist of total leukocytes (WBC) and erythrocytes counts (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb) content, hematocrits (PCV), leukocytes differential count and blood indices such as MCV, MCH and MCHC. Also blood serums were analysed for total protein (TP) and blood enzymes. All the calculations were made using the SPSS© and t-test statistical method. In hematological findings nine parameters were revealed significant differences (P<0.05) with control group in t-test. It consisted of total WBC, Lymph, Neut, Hb and HCT, MCHC, AST, DL and total protein plasma. Also in total white blood cell count, Lymph and Neut had significant differences as compared with the control fish (P<0.05). Also blood serum components analysis revealed that only LDH and AST amount showed obvious significant differences (P<0.05). Regarding to results it could be concluded that hematological and biochemical studies could be a valuable tool for prognosis and primary diagnosis in some infectious diseases. So it could be recommended for monitoring and surveillance programs in coldwater hatchery health status in Iran

Mechanism of Electron Transfer Reaction of Cr(III) Iminodiacetate Ternary Complex Involving Malonate with N-Bromosuccinimide

The kinetics of oxidation of the chromium (III) complexes, [CrIII(IDA)(Ma)(H2O)]- [IDA=iminodiacetate, Ma=malonic] by N-bromosuccinimide in aqueous solution to yield chromium(IV) has been studied spectrometrically at 25-45°C. The reaction rate increased gradually with increasing pH in the range of (5.75–6.86). The reaction proceeds by one first- order pathway in each reactant. Conformation of the formation of the ternary complex has been done using IR spectrum, TGA, uv-visible spectroscopic and cyclic voltammetry measurements. Thermodynamic activation parameters have been calculated. It is proposed that electron transfer proceeds through an inner- sphere mechanism via coordination of NBS to chromium(III). A common mechanism for this reaction is proposed and supported by an excellent isokinetic relationship between ∆H* and ∆S* values for some ternary chromium(III) complexes

Cogeneration Power-Desalting Plants Using Gas Turbine Combined Cycle

The gas-steam turbine combined cycle (GTCC) is the preferred power plant type because of its high efficiency and its use of cheap and clean natural gas as fuel. It is also the preferred type in the Arab Gulf countries where it is used as cogeneration power-desalting plant (CPDP). In this chapter, descriptions and analysis of the GTCC components are presented, namely, the gas turbine cycle (compressor, combustor, gas turbine), heat recovery steam generator, and steam turbine. Combinations of the GTCC with thermally driven desalination units to present CPDP are presented. A parametric study to show the effect of using GTCC on several operating parameters on the CPDP is also presented, as well as cost allocation methods of fuel between the two product utilities (electric power and desalted seawater are also presented)

Identification and Determination of concentrations of some Toxic alkaloids in Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium L.)

Alkaloids are regarded as complex naturally occurring products of plants and fungi. They possess nitrogen-containing heterocyclic rings, basic and derived from amino acids. High physiological activity is also a characteristic of alkaloids. This study was aimed to determine the existence and concentrations of some toxic alkaloids in different parts of jimsonweed (Datura stramonium L.) of the family Solanaceae. Stems, leaves and fruits were dried, crushed and then underwent extraction. Solvents used in the extraction were chloroform and acetic acid. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) and GC-MS techniques were also adopted in analyzing the alkaloids. The results revealed the presence of atropine in stems, leaves and fruits of D. stramonium with concentrations of 0.03, 0.4 and 0.08 mg/g, respectively. Hyoscine was also found in stems, leaves and fruits with concentrations of 0.01, 0.02 and 0.2 mg/g, respectively. Nicotine was found in stems and fruits with concentrations of 0.001 and 0.02 mg/g, respectively. This study showed and provided the possibility of exploring new natural potential pesticides from Sudanese indigenous plants and provide important information to avoid toxicity, harmful and adverse effects of these plants to both humans and animals

Bacterial contamination of Nigerian currency notes circulating within selected markets in Kaduna Metropolis

A study was carried out with the aim to assess the bacterial contamination of Nigerian currency notes circulating within selected markets in Kaduna Metropolis. A total of 80 samples of Nigerian currency notes of different denominations were randomly collected from Sabo, Kakuri, Kawo, Dattawa, U/rimi, Kasuwar Sati, Nassarawa, Chechenia, Kasuwar barci and Kasuwar Laraba markets in sterilized polythene bags&nbsp; The mean bacterial counts of the different currency notes were determined using standard microbiological methods. The types of bacteria associated with the currency notes and their frequency of occurrence were also determined using standard methods. The result of the study showed that lower denomination currencies had&nbsp; higher microbial loads, 22.65×104 ± 0.22×104 CFU/g for N100, 26.55×104 ± 0.45×104 CFU/g for N50, 20.95×104 ± 0.26×104 CFU/g for N20, 21.75×104 ± 0.35×104 CFU/g for N10 and 21.75×104&nbsp; ± 0.12×104 CFU/g for N5 which were mostly obtained from Kakuri, Sabo, Nasarawa, and U/Rimi markets The species of bacteria isolated from the currencies were Staphylococcus aureus (52.2%), Escherichia coli (31.3%), Salmonella species (11.9%), and Proteus species (4.5%). Staphylococcus aureus was the most predominant bacteria isolated. This study revealed that currency notes collected from the markets within Kaduna Metropolis, were highly contaminated with different pathogenic bacteria thus, calls for public awareness on the potential risks associated with poor handling of currency notes at all levels. Key words: Bacterial contamination, currency notes, selected markets, Kaduna Metropolis &nbsp

Understanding spatial growth and resilience of megacities based on the DPSIR conceptual model:study case: Greater Cairo Metropolis, Egypt

Die Bewältigung stadtplanerischer Aufgaben in komplexen urbanen Systemen, wie des Großraums Kairo (GCM) bedarf eines vertieften Verständnisses dieses sozio-ökologischen Systems. In dieser Studie werden die Konzepte des räumlichen Wachstums und der räumlichen Resilienz genutzt, um über die Analyse der physisch-räumlichen Gegebenheiten hinaus, auf die Prozesse und Beziehungen der Akteure zur sie umgebenden Umwelt zu schließen und zu analysieren, wie sich diese in Raum und Zeit verändert haben. Die Basis bildet das DPSIR-Schema als Rahmenkonzept, um räumliche Indikatoren auf zwei Ebenen abzubilden. Diese resultieren aus pixel- und objektorientierten Klassifikationen von Fernerkundungsdaten (LANDSAT und SPOT), welche die Änderungen in der Landbedeckung und Landnutzung in mehreren Zeitschnitten abbilden. In der Studie konnten über vierzehn Hotspots identifiziert werden, die in verschiedene Kategorien eingeteilt werden konnten. Auf sie sollte die Stadtentwicklung ein verstärktes Augenmerk richten.Planning the sustainable development of complex socio-ecological systems such as the megacity Greater Cairo Metropolis (GCM) requires an understanding of the physical change of the main components of the system. From that point of view, this study introduces the analysis of spatial growth and spatial resilience as two fundamental concepts to find out the relation between social actors and activities, and their physical and environmental expressions and impacts in time and space. The thesis uses the DPSIR conceptual model as a framework to examine spatial indicators on different levels. Both of them represent pixel and object based interpretations of remotedly sensed data (LANDSAT and SPOT) especially focused on land use/land cover change (LULCC). The study could show that there are about fourteen hot spot areas which are in need of different responses e.g. by land management based on their types, properties and spatial features. Most of them can be categorized as open corridors of urban sprawl and saturated closed slums