Decreasing maize production-consumption gap by intercropping with upland rice using different planting densities under deficit irrigation

A two-year field experiment was conducted in 2018 and 2019 at Gemmiza Agricultural Research Station (Lat. 31.03° N, Long. 30.88° E, 8 m a.s.l.); Gharbia Governorate; Egypt. The aim was to use untraditional sowing method to intercrop maize with upland rice using three maize planting densities (25, 37.5 and 50% of its recommended density) and application of two deficit irrigation treatments (irrigation every 9 and 12 days), in addition to irrigation every 6 days (control) and to study its effect on the yield of both intercrops, competitive relationships and farmer’s income. The results indicated that the highest value of rice yield and its components were found under irrigation every 6 days and 25% maize planting density intercropped with rice. Whereas, the highest value of maize yield and its components were found under irrigation every 9 days and 50% maize planting density intercropped with rice, which also obtained the highest land and water equivalent ratios, area time equivalent ratio, and land equivalent coefficient. Furthermore, the highest total income and monetary advantage index were obtained under irrigation every 9 days and 50% maize planting density intercropped with rice. Thus, these results implied that intercropping maize with upland rice can solve part of the maize production-consumption gap through increasing its production without using additional lands or water.  Keywords: Land and water equivalent ratios, percentage of land saved, area time equivalent ratio, land equivalent coefficient, monetary advantage index, Rice, Maize, Egyp

First trimester spontaneous rupture of an unscarred uterus in a multiparous woman: a case report

The rupture of an unscarred uterine is a rare life-threatening event that usually occurs late in pregnancy or during labor. Spontaneous uterine rupture, as in our case, is extremely uncommon and rarely diagnosed before laparotomy. Herein, we present a case of spontaneous uterine rupture in a 32 year old multiparous woman with no previous uterine surgery. The patient presented with acute abdomen at 11 weeks of gestation. Preoperative diagnosis based on clinical and ultra-sonographic findings was ruptured ectopic pregnancy. However, emergency laparotomy showed uterine rupture with extrusion of a dead fetus within intact amniotic sac in the abdomen. The defect was repaired in layers and the patient was discharged in a good condition after five days of hospital stay. Multiparity is a risk factor for spontaneous uterine rupture even in the first trimester. It should be kept in mind in any pregnant multiparous woman presenting with acute abdomen and shock. The absence of vaginal spotting and lack of history of uterine surgery give a false sense of security

First-trimester rupture of a scarred uterus after use of sublingual misoprostol: a case report

Uterine rupture is a disastrous obstetric complication, occurring mostly in the second and third trimesters. The risk of uterine rupture markedly increases with previous uterine surgeries. Termination of early pregnancy failure using misoprostol is common. However, its use in women with a scarred uterus is speculative and usually puts the obstetricians in a stressful situation. Here we present a case of rupture of a scarred uterus in the first trimester after sublingual misoprostol. A 35 years old multiparous woman presented with uterine rupture after administration of small doses of sublingual misoprostol for termination of early pregnancy failure. Immediate laparotomy was done and the defect was repaired. Termination of early pregnancy failure, in women with a scarred uterus, using sublingual misoprostol can lead to uterine rupture. Sublingual misoprostol should be used cautiously under close supervision or other routes (vaginal or oral) should be used instead

Three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasonography in evaluation of adnexal masses

The differential diagnosis of adnexal masses still represents a challenge in spite of the marvelous efforts that have been made to improve the sonographically based diagnosis. There were rapid technological advances in diagnostic ultrasonography in the last decade, with the recent development of three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasonography (3DPD). The introduction of 3DPD has opened the possibility to characterize microvasculature of the adnexal masses and objectively assess tumor vascularization. 3DPD allows also an objective measurement of vascularity of a given region of interest by estimating 3 vascular indices (vascularization index [VI], flow index [FI], and vascularization-flow index [VFI]) within such region. The aim of this review article is to evaluate the role of 3DPD in the assessment of adnexal masses vascularity, its ability to discriminate benign masses from malignant ones

Intra-arterial chemoembolization with hepasphere 50–100 μm for patients with unresectable hepatocellular

Objective: This study examined the efficacy of transarterial chemoembolization of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma using hepasphere 50–100 μm. Methods: A total number of 52 patients with radiologically documented HCC [Child–Pugh score A and B; 32 and 20 respectively] were embolized with hepasphere 50–100 μm. Forty-six patients were HCV positive and 6 patients were HBV positive. Local response of the tumor was evaluated radiologically after 1, 3, 6, 9 months and one year. Results: TACE with hepasphere 50–100 μm was tolerated by all patients with no major complications. The total number of lesions in 52 patients was 67 lesions. Complete response was seen in 40 patients (76.9%), while residual lesions seen in 12 patients (23.1%). As regards complications, 48 patients (92.4%) developed post-embolization syndrome, 2 patients (3.8%) had isolated partial IVC thrombosis while 2 patients (3.8%) showed combined partial IVC thrombosis and partial thrombosis of posterior branch of right portal vein. Conclusion: Hepasphere 50–100 μm is efficient for the treatment of hypervascular HCC. Further advances in drug-eluting beads including their size tailored to tumor anatomy may improve the results. Large series of patients, follow up for longer periods and comparison with conventional TACE and TACE with other DEB are needed

Successful term delivery after Khairy’s modified B-lynch suture technique: First case rep

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a life-threatening obstetric complication. Uterine atony is the most common cause presenting in approximately 80% of cases. As regards management options, B-lynch brace suture, and its modifications have been used for more than a decade with a great success as a substitution for hysterectomy. Their efficiency in preserving future fertility is not well-established. This case reports the first successful pregnancy and delivery after one of the recent B-lynch suture modifications “Khairy’s modification” for control of atonic PPH during cesarean delivery. The patient got pregnant two months after the surgery. The course of pregnancy was smooth and she was delivered by Repeat cesarean section with no deformities of uterine cavity or contour. Khairy’s modified B-lynch suture is an effective technique that has no reported complications of the classic B-lynch suture or affection of subsequent fertility

A near miss case of ruptured non-communicating rudimentary horn pregnancy in primigravida

Rudimentary horn pregnancy is a rare site of ectopic pregnancy. Diagnosis of rudimentary horn pregnancy requires a high index of suspicion as it can be easily missed during routine ultrasound scan. Rupture of rudimentary horn pregnancy can lead to catastrophic intraperitoneal hemorrhage with consequent maternal morbidity and mortality. Here, we report a case of ruptured non-communicating rudimentary horn pregnancy at 21 weeks of gestation in a 19 years old nulliparous woman which was initially missed during ultrasound scan and misdiagnosed as a case of anemia with pregnancy. The patient was managed immediately with excision of the horn through urgent exploratory laparotomy. High index of suspicion and early referral from the discrete hospitals is needed before exact time is lost; thus reducing the morbidity and mortality of the pregnant women

A rare presentation of ruptured interstitial ectopic pregnancy with broad ligament hematoma: A case report

Ectopic pregnancy is a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in the first trimester. Interstitial type is the most dangerous variety with a high risk of life-threatening internal hemorrhage. Obstetricians need a high index of suspicion to diagnose such rare type. We are reporting a rare case of ruptured interstitial ectopic pregnancy presented with a large broad ligament hematoma early in the first trimester. A 25-year-old woman was presented with gradual onset of increasing abdominal pain after 6 weeks of amenorrhea. She had a positive urinary pregnancy test. Abdominal ultrasound revealed bulky empty uterus and ill-defined mass at the right side of the uterus. On exploration, incision and drainage of broad ligament hematoma were performed in addition to right salpingectomy. Interstitial ectopic pregnancy represents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge and frequently constitutes an obstetrical emergency. Its rupture early in the first trimester should be expected. Early diagnosis and proper management are the most important issues to avoid its catastrophic consequences

Second-trimester spontaneous uterine rupture after laparoscopic electromyolysis in nulligravida: A case report

Spontaneous rupture of gravid uterus is a rare catastrophic obstetrical emergency that puts the life of both mother and fetus at stake. Laparoscopic uterine surgery is one factor sharing increasingly in occurrence of such deadly condition. Treatment of uterine myoma using laparoscopic electromyolysis is one of the conservative surgical techniques reported and used successfully since last decade. However, there is conflicting evidence about pregnancy outcome after its usage. Here, we report a case of rupture gravid uterus at 22 weeks of gestation in a 23 years old nulliparous woman after previous history of laparoscopic myolysis. The patient was managed immediately with repair of the defect through urgent exploratory laparotomy. Laparoscopic myomectomy is the preferred management option for uterine myoma especially in fertility desired patients. Electromyolysis is a procedure that is not frequently performed nowadays and should be cautiously used if at all due to its serious consequences on the fertility potential