Late Coniacian- Early Campanian planktonic foraminiferal bioevents and biostratigraphy of the northern Tunisia

Planktonic foraminifera were quantitatively analyzed across the Upper Coniacian - Lower Campanian succession at Jebel Ennahli and Ettout sections, northern Tunisia. This succession is characterized by hemipelagic facies domainated by a continuous sedimentary succession, allowing a good biostratigraphic correlation for this time interval. 55 planktonic foraminiferal species have been identified belonging to 13 genera. The distribution pattern of 17 heterohelicids and 38 trochospiral forms reveals to the identification of12 major bio-events and establishing three zones based on heterohelicids and five zones based on trochospiral forms. The trochospiral based zones are from base to top:  Dicarinella primitiva Interval Zone, Dicarinella concavata Interval Zone, Dicarinella asymetrica Total Range Zone, and Globotruncanita elevata/Globotruncana arca Concurrent Range Zone, Globotruncana ventricosa Interval Zone; while the three heterohelicid based  planktonic foraminiferal biozones are: Pseudotextularia nuttalli Interval Zone, Sigalia carpatica Interval Zone, Ventilabrella eggeri/Planoglobulina manuelensisConcurrent Range Zone. The bioevents and planktonic foraminiferal zones were correlated with the previously published works especially in Tunisia and other palaeolatitude provinces. There are no significant planktonic foraminiferal datums recorded across the Coniacian/Santonian boundary (CSB) except the lowest occurrence (LO) of Dicarinella asymetrica, which was recorded slightly below the LO of inoceramid Platyceramus cycloides cycloides representing a good proxy for the CSB. The Santonian/Campanian boundary of the studied sections are characterized by a major turnover represented by the highest occurrence of Sigalia, Dicarinella and Whiteinella genera; in addition to the lowest occurrence of Ventilabrella and Planoglobulina genera and above slightly the LO Globotruncana and Globotruncanita.</p

Integrated biostratigraphy of two Upper Maastrichtian – Palaeocene successions in north-central Sinai, Egypt

Integration of the calcareous nannofossil and planktonic foraminiferal biostratigraphies has been performed for theUpper Maastrichtian – Palaeocene successions at Gebel Umm Khushayb and west El-Hassana sections (north-centralSinai, Egypt). The studied successions include the uppermost part of the Sudr, Dakhla, and their lateral coeval Beida Formation. Biostratigraphic analysis has allowed recognition from Zone CF2 to Zone P4in terms of planktonic foraminifera and from Zone CC26c to Zone NP7/8 in terms of calcareous nannofossils. Maastrichtian/Palaeogene (K/Pg) boundary is characterized by an erosional surface that marks a hiatus between theSudr/Dakhla or Sudr/Beida formation boundaries, as confi rmed by the absence of the planktonic foraminiferal CF1to P1a zones and their equivalent nannofossil zones (top part of CC26c to lowest part of Zone NP3). Selandian (Da/Se) boundary lies in the upper part of the Dakhla Formation within the top of nannofossil Zone NP4,and within planktonic foraminiferal Zone P3b, similar to that of the Global Standard Stratotype-section and Point(GSSP) of the D/S boundary which has recently been chosen at the Zumaia section, northern Spain. was observed across the Selandian/Thanetian boundary as indicated by a lithological change and a very condensedZone NP6, corresponding to the Dakhla and Tarawan formation boundary in the west El-Hassana section. </p

New microplanktonic biostratigraphy and depositional sequences across the Middle-Late Eocene and Oligocene boundaries in eastern Jordan

The first detailed calcareous nannofossil and planktonic foraminiferal biostratigraphic and integrated lithofacies analyses of the Eocene–Oligocene transition at the Qa’ Faydat ad Dahikiya area in the Eastern Desert of Jordan, on the border with Saudi Arabia, is presented. Three calcareous nannofossil zones namely: Discoaster saipanensis (NP17), Chiasmolithus oamaruensis (NP18) and Ericsonia subdisticha (NP21), and three planktonic foraminiferal zones: upper part of Truncorotaloides rohri (E13), Globigerinatheka semiinvoluta (E14) and Cassigerinella chipolensis/ Pseudohastigerina micra (O1) are identified. Calcareous nannofossil bioevents recorded in the present study show numerous discrepancies with the Standard biostratigraphic zonal schemes to detect the Middle/Upper Eocene boundary (e.g. the highest occurrences (HOs) of Chiasmolithus solitus, C. grandis, and lowest occurrences (LOs) of C. oamaruensis, Isthmolithus recurvus are not considered reliable markers for global correlation). The Middle/Upper Eocene boundary occurs in the current study above the extinctions of large muricate planktonic foraminifera (large Acarinina and Truncorotaloides spp.) which coincide within the equivalent calcareous nannofossil NP18 Zone. These microplanktonic bioevents seem to constitute more reliable markers for the base of the Upper Eocene in different provinces. The uppermost portion of the Middle Eocene is characterized by an observed drop in faunal content and, most likely, primarily denotes the effect of the major fall in eustatic sea level. A major unconformity (disconformity) marked by a mineralized hardground representing a lowstand is recorded in the present study at the Eocene–Oligocene transition that reveals an unexpected ca. 2.1 Myr duration, separating Eocene (NP18/E14 zones) from Oligocene (NP21/O1 zones). Furthermore, the microfossil turnover associated with a rapid decline of the microfossil assemblages shows a distinct drop in diversity and abundance towards the Eocene/Oligocene unconformity and is associated with a sharp lithological break marked, at the base, by a mineralized hardground representing a major sequence boundary. These bioevents, depositional sequences and the depositional hiatus correlate well with different parts of the Arabian and African plates, but the magnitude of the faunal break differs from place to place as a result of intraplate deformation during the regional Oligocene regression of Neo-Tethys on the northern Arabian Plate. The presence of the Lower Oligocene shallow-marine calcareous planktonic assemblages in the study area indicate that communication between the eastern and western provinces of the western Neo-Tethys region still existed at this time

Integrated microfossil biostratigraphy, facies distribution, and depositional sequences of the upper Turonian to Campanian succession in northeast Egypt and Jordan

Six upper Turonian to Campanian sections in Egypt (Sinai) and Jordan were studied for their microfossil biostratigraphy (calcareous nannofossils and planktonic foraminifera), facies distribution and sequence stratigraphic frameworks. Carbonate (mostly chalk) and chert lithofacies dominate the basinward northern sections passing laterally and vertically to mixed carbonate/siliciclastic lithofacies towards the shoreline in the southeast. Twenty-six lithofacies types have been identified and grouped into six lithofacies associations: littoral siliciclastic facies belt; peritidal carbonate; intertidal carbonate platform/ramp; high-energy ooidal shoals and shelly biostromes; shallow subtidal; and pelagic facies association. The following calcareous nannofossil biozones were recognized: Luianorhabdus malefomis (CC12) (late Turonian), Micula staurophora (CC14) (early Coniacian), Reinhardtites anthophorus (CC15) (late Coniacian), Lucianorhabdus cayeuxii (CC16) (early Santonian) and Broinsonia parca parca (CC18) (Campanian). Equivalent planktonic foraminifera zones recognized are: Dicarinella concavata (Coniacian), the lower most part of Dicarinella asymetrica (earliest Santonian) and Globotruncanita elevata (early Campanian). The integrated zonation presented here is considered to provide higher resolution than the use of either group alone. The absence of calcareous nannofossil biozones CC13 and CC17 in most of the studied sections, associated with regional vertical lithofacies changes, indicates that recognition of the Turonian/Coniacian and Santonian/Campanian stage boundary intervals in the region have been hampered by depositional hiatuses at major sequence boundaries resulting in incomplete sections. These disconformities are attributed to eustatic sea-level fluctuations and regional tectonics resulting from flexuring of the Syrian Arc fold belt. The Coniacian to Santonian succession can be divided into three third-order depositional sequences, which are bounded by four widely recognized sequence boundaries

Tuberculous endocarditis: valvular and right atrial involvement

Valvular endocarditis due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a rare clinical entity. It is usually manifest in the context of disseminated tuberculosis in immunocompromised Patients. This report describes a unique case of a 30-year-old immunocompetent man with an incidental finding of tuberculous valvular endocarditis. The Patient had a large mass on the anterior mitral leaflet and severe mitral regurgitation. He underwent mitral valve replacement and Mycobacterium tuberculosis was cultured from the valve vegetation and the right atrial masses. Post-operative recovery has been uneventful without relapse for 24 months

Multiproxy analyses of paleoenvironmental and paleoceanographic changes during the Danian-Selandian in East Central Sinai: An integrated stable isotope and planktic foraminiferal data

Forty-three planktic foraminifera samples from the Themed section (East Central Sinai; Egypt) spanning the Zone Parvularugoglobigerina eugubina (Pα) to the Subzone Acarinina subsphaerica (P4b) have been studied. Data from δ13C, δ18O, and planktic foraminifera-based species diversity, depth habitat, preference for warm and cool surface waters, and nutrients (oligotrophic, mesotrophic, and eutrophic conditions) are used to infer paleoenvironmental changes throughout the Danian‒Selandian duration. Based on quantitative multivariate analyses (hierarchical cluster and principal component), three distinct intervals were recognized, Interval 1 (Pα‒P1b), Interval 2 (P1c‒P3a), and Interval 3 (P3a‒P4b). Interval 2 is further subdivided into three subintervals, 2a (part P1c), 2b (part P1c), and 2c (P2‒P3a). Two δ13C events are identified, Dan-C2 and Latest Danian Event (LDE) and elaborated concerning paleoenvironmental changes. During the earliest Danian planktic foraminiferal Pα Zone, moderately shallow and eutrophic conditions prevailed with cool surface waters and a shallow thermocline. Comparable conditions were still prevailing during P1a‒P1b, but with slightly deeper and mesotrophic conditions and a somewhat deeper thermocline and reduced stratification. P1b‒P1c exhibits a major shift from Eoglobigerina to Subbotina‒ Parasubbotina with cooler surface waters and moderate mesotrophic conditions. For Subzone P1c (upper part), slightly mesotrophic conditions were inferred, whereas for P2‒P3a (lower part), surface water warming and thermocline shallowing events have inferred with increased oligotrophic conditions. The Latest Danian Event (mid-P3a) is marked by a dramatic negative δ13C excursion, warm waters, increased mesotrophic conditions, and enhanced stratification. The dominance of Morozovella, Acarinina, and Igorina specify warm and oligotrophic conditions for subzones P3b‒P4b

Geomechanical assessment of the Lower Turonian AR-F limestone Member, Abu Gharadig Field, Egypt: Implications for unconventional resource development

This study evaluates the unconventional reservoir geomechanical characteristics of the Lower Turonian Abu Roash-F (AR-F) carbonates from the Abu Gharadig field, onshore Egypt, which has not been attempted before. The interval dominantly consists of planktic foraminifera and micrite matrix. The AR-F marine carbonate is organic-rich (0.59–3.57 wt% total organic carbon), thermally mature (435–441°C Tmax) and falls within the oil generation window. The studied interval is very tight with up to 2.6% porosity and 0.0016–0.0033 mD permeability with the wireline log-based brittleness index ranging between 0.39–0.72 which indicates a less brittle to brittle nature. AR-F exhibits a hydrostatic pore pressure gradient with minimum horizontal stress (Shmin) varying between 0.66–0.76 PSI/ft. Safe wellbore trajectory analysis was performed for deviated and horizontal wells to infer the mud pressure gradients required to avoid wellbore instabilities. Based on the inferred in-stress magnitudes and considering an NNE regional maximum horizontal stress orientation, none of the fractures are found to be critically stressed at present day. To produce from the AR-F, hydraulic fracturing is necessary, and we infer a minimum pore pressure increment threshold of 1390 PSI by fluid injection to reactivate the vertical fractures parallel to regional minimum horizontal stress azimuth

Case Study in Refractory Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: Successful Treatment with Plerixafor

The present case study describes our experience in treating a young woman diagnosed with a relapsing case of diffuse large cell lymphoma, who was heavily pre-treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Our only chance to improve her survival was by using high-dose chemotherapy, followed by peripheral stem cell rescue. Unfortunately, in this patient, collecting sufficient stem cells for bone marrow transplantation proved to be very difficult since she had already been heavily treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Currently, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) alone or G-CSF plus chemotherapy are the most commonly used treatments for stem cell mobilization. However, 5–30% of patients do not respond to these agents. Plerixafor is a new hematopoietic stem cell-mobilizing drug that antagonizes the binding of chemokine stromal cell-derived factor-1α to CXC chemokine receptor 4. It is indicated in combination with G-CSF to mobilize hematopoietic stem cells to the peripheral blood for collection and subsequent autologous transplantation in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and multiple myeloma [Kessans et al.: Pharmacotherapy 2010;30:485–492; Jantunen: Expert Opin Biol Ther 2011;11:1241–1248]. Based on our findings, we consider plerixafor to be a very efficient and practical solution to mobilize and collect stem cells among all patients in such a situation, enabling us to proceed to autologous bone marrow transplantation and peripheral stem cell rescue in order to improve the patients’ overall survival

Neonatal Auditory Screening is a Necessity in The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Single Center Study

Background: Hearing impairment early in life interferes with normal healthy psychosocial, linguistic and educational development. Neonatal morbidities might be complicated by increased hearing impairment. Aim of the Work: To study the frequency of hearing loss among neonates with morbidities necessitating admission to neonatal intensive care units. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study involved screening of 250 neonate on day of discharge from Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Children Hospital, Cairo University Hospitals, Egypt during 2020 using evoked otoacoustic emission (EOAE). Automated auditory brain stem response (AABR) was used as a confirmatory test for those who failed EOAE. Results: among the 250 neonates, 70 (28%) failed the screening by EOAE, and hearing loss was confirmed by AABR among 35(14%). Morbidity risk factors that contributed to hearing impairment was prematurity (p = 0.001), low birth weight (p = 0.003), low APGAR score at 1 and 5 minutes (p = 0.004), long NICU stay duration (p = 0.001), complications of pregnancy and delivery (p = 0.001 and p = 0.006 respectively), hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (p = 0.001), intracranial hemorrhage (p = 0.001), meningitis (p = 0.003), mechanical ventilation for more than 5 days (p = 0.005), ototoxic drug use (p = 0.007) and hyperbilirubinemia at level of exchange transfusion (p = 0.001). Conclusion: EOAE and confirmatory AABR non- invasively and objectively detected 14% hearing loss among neonates admitted to NICU. Implementation of screening for hearing impairment among those with morbidity risk factors is a necessity to allow prompt diagnosis and early management of hearing loss