A Framework for Quantifying the Strength of Partnerships between Agricultural Cooperatives and Development Actors: A Case Study in Saudi Arabia

The issue of the agricultural cooperatives' sustainability in developing their businesses is gaining increasing prominence. Building partnerships between development actors and agricultural cooperatives has been considered an effective strategy for supporting financial capital and addressing sustainability issues collectively. Therefore, this study aimed to address the features and strengths of 33 partnerships established between the Beekeeping Cooperative Association in Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia, and other actors between 2016 and 2021. The analysis of the collaborations was based on six criteria: motivations, partnership planning, outputs, governance practices, outcomes, and sustainability of a partnership. Furthermore, we developed a weighted scoring model to control variable selection and submit the strength of each partnership. The findings indicated that most collaborations (45.5%) were signed with the private sector. Furthermore, the honey value chain development was the most frequent reason (69.7%) attracting the partners to engage in the partnerships. Some of the most critical environmental objectives targeted by the partnerships examined were enhancing bee habitat by the diversification of pasture species, management to increase the flowering period, and proper grazing management. All partners achieved their individual goals jointly in 54.5% of the partnerships analyzed. In terms of a partnership's strength, the findings also revealed that only three partnerships (9.1%) were characterized as strong partnerships. This study provides a better understanding of how agricultural cooperatives collaborate with other actors and a basis for assessing the strength of the partnerships. Such information is crucial for developing relevant policies to encourage cooperatives to engage in future sustainability partnerships.

Physico-chemical, antioxidant and anti-microbial properties of some Ethiopian mono-floral honeys

Honey has been widely used to treat several human pathogens. However, all honeys may not have equal potencies against different human pathogens. The purpose of the current work was to investigate the physico-chemical and antimicrobial qualities of some mono-floral honeys from Ethiopia against some human pathogen bacteria and fungi. In the study, seven different botanical origin honeys were used of which some were from plants known for their medicinal properties. The samples were tested for their major physico-chemical properties (sugar profiles, total free acids, pH, color, electric conductivity and total soluble substances) and their medicinal values as total antioxidant capacity, total phenolic content and antimicrobial properties as minimum inhibitory concentration against some human pathogens, following standard protocols. Generally, the average values of the physico-chemical properties of the samples were within the acceptable ranges of world honey quality values. The average total antioxidant value of the samples was 320.3 ± 15.1 with range of 225.4 ± 12.8-465.7 ± 21.8 μM Fe(II)/100g. Relatively higher values 421.5 ± 23.4 and 465.7 ± 21.8μM Fe(II)/100g recorded for Croton macrostachyus and Vernonia amygalina honeys respectively. The average phenolic contents of the samples varied from 233.3 ± 24.0 to 693.3 ± 26.8 mgGAE/kg and relatively higher values recorded for C. macrostachys and V. amygdalina honeys. The significant proportion of the tested samples showed strong antimicrobial qualities inhibiting the growth of tested pathogens at concentration of 10.5%-28.6% of MIC (% v/v). Honeys from medicinal plants (C. macrostachys and V. amygdalina) relatively showed more antimicrobial properties which could be due to the presence of plant specific phytochemicals which require further investigations.

The responses of Apis mellifera jemenitica to different artificial queen rearing techniques

In the current study, we investigated if any variations exist in acceptance rate of grafted larvae and quality of queens reared in different queen cell cup sizes, between wet and dry grafting and between queen right and queen less conditions of A. m. jemenitica colonies. The acceptance rate of grafted larvae in different queen cell cup sizes (7.0 mm, 7.5 mm, 8.0 mm, 8.5 mm) were varying from 69 to 71% and the variations were not significant among the different queen cups sizes but averagely lower than the acceptances recorded for other races. Out of the 172 dry grafted larvae, only 56.4% of them were accepted while in wet grafting out of 174 grafted larvae 77.01% were accepted. Regarding the rate of sealing, 48.84% and 71.84% of them sealed for dry and wet grafts, respectively. The observed variation in the rate of acceptance and sealing were significant (N = 346, df = 1, P < 0.0001) between the two techniques. However, there was no significant difference in fresh weight of emerged queens between the two grafting methods. Out of the 324 grafted larvae given to queen right and queen less starter colonies each; 106 (32.72%) and 252 (73.68%) were accepted in queen right and queen less starter colonies, respectively and the variation was highly significant at P < 0.0001. The total number of sealed pupae were 82 (25.31%) and 216 (63.16%) for queen right and queen less colonies, respectively and the variations was significant at P < 0.0001. From the study it can be concluded that A. m. jemenitica colonies can rear significantly more queens under wet grafting and in queen less colonies conditions than dry grafting and queen right conditions.

Reproductive biology and morphology of Apis mellifera jemenitica (Apidae) queens and drones

The current study aimed to investigate the important reproductive biology and morphology of A.m. jemenitica queens and drones through measuring the weight of virgin and mated queens, size and weight of spermathecae, weight of ovaries, number of ovarioles, quantity and viability of semen in queen and drones. Accordingly, the average weights of 0.139 ± 0.01 g and 0.143 ± 0.013 g recorded for virgin and mated queens respectively. The sizes of spermathecae were 1.248 ± 0.103 mm and 1.25 ± 0.022 mm for virgin and mated queens respectively. The mean weight of ovaries was 0.013 ± 0.003 g and the numbers of ovarioles varied from 124 to 163 with the mean of 142.9 ± 9.47 and with no significant difference between virgin and mated queens. The average number of stored sperm per spermathecae of mated queen was estimated to be 4.202 ± 0.613 million with the viability of 80.39%. The average number of sperm per drone recorded was 8,763,950 ± 1,633,203.15 with viability of 79.54 ± 6.70%. In general, the current study revealed that the values recorded for reproductive biology and morphological characters of A. m. jemenitica queens and drones were relatively lower than values recorded for other Apis mellifera races. This mainly could be associated with the body size of the race which is known to be the smallest race among A. mellifera races. Moreover, the harsh environmental conditions of the regions, high temperature, low humidity and limited resources may have contributed for the smaller biological and morphological values. The information will serve as a base in future selection and breeding of program of the race.

Effect of gut bacterial isolates from Apis mellifera jemenitica on Paenibacillus larvae infected bee larvae

The probiotic effects of seven newly isolated gut bacteria, from the indegenous honey bees of Saudi Arabia were investigated. In vivo bioassays were used to investigate the effects of each gut bacterium namely, Fructobacillus fructosus (T1), Proteus mirabilis (T2), Bacillus licheniformis (T3), Lactobacillus kunkeei (T4), Bacillus subtilis (T5), Enterobacter kobei (T6), and Morganella morganii (T7) on mortality percentage of honey bee larvae infected with P. larvae spores along with negative control (normal diet) and positive control (normal diet spiked with P. larvae spores). Addition of gut bacteria to the normal diet significantly reduced the mortality percentage of the treated groups. Mortality percentage in all treated groups ranged from 56.67% up to 86.67%. T6 treated group exhibited the highest mortality (86.67%), whereas T4 group showed the lowest mortality (56.67%). Among the seven gut bacterial treatments, T4 and T3 decreased the mortality 56.67% and 66.67%, respectively, whereas, for T2, T6, and T7 the mortality percentage was equal to that of the positive control (86.67%). Mortality percentages in infected larval groups treated with T1, and T5 were 78.33% and 73.33% respectively. Most of the mortality occurred in the treated larvae during days 2 and 3. Treatments T3 and T4 treatments showed positive effects and reduced mortality.

Validation of botanical origins and geographical sources of some Saudi honeys using ultraviolet spectroscopy and chemometric analysis

This study aims at distinguishing honey based on botanical and geographical sources. Different floral honey samples were collected from diverse geographical locations of Saudi Arabia. UV spectroscopy in combination with chemometric analysis including Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA), Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and Soft Independent Modeling of Class Analogy (SIMCA) were used to classify honey samples. HCA and PCA presented the initial clustering pattern to differentiate between botanical as well as geographical sources. The SIMCA model clearly separated the Ziziphus sp. and other monofloral honey samples based on different locations and botanical sources. The results successfully discriminated the honey samples of different botanical and geographical sources validating the segregation observed using few physicochemical parameters that are regularly used for discrimination.

Sympathetic Ophthalmia after successful Retinal Reattachment Surgery with Vitrectomy

PURPOSE

To report a case of sympathetic ophthalmia (SO) following one successful pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

METHODS

Case report.

RESULTS

A 50-year-old man developed SO 5 weeks after successful repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with PPV and intraocular gas tamponade. The patient presented with bilateral multifocal exudative retinal detachments and inflamed optic nerve with characteristic changes of SO detected by fluorescein angiography, indocyanine green angiography, and optical coherence tomography. Prompt use of systemic steroids and cyclosporin A resulted in control of the uveitis with significant visual improvement.

CONCLUSIONS

PPV should be viewed as a major risk factor for development of SO.

Survey and molecular detection of Melissococcus plutonius, the causative agent of European Foulbrood in honeybees in Saudi Arabia

A large-scale field survey was conducted to screen major Saudi Arabian beekeeping locations for infection by Melissococcus plutonius. M. plutonius is one of the major bacterial pathogens of honeybee broods and is the causative agent of European Foulbrood disease (EFB). Larvae from samples suspected of infection were collected from different apiaries and homogenized in phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Bacteria were isolated on MYPGP agar medium. Two bacterial isolates, ksuMP7 and ksuMP9 (16S rRNA GenBank accession numbers, KX417565 and KX417566, respectively), were subjected to molecular identification using M. plutonius -specific primers, a BLAST sequence analysis revealed that the two isolates were M. plutonius with more than 98% sequence identity. The molecular detection of M. plutonius from honeybee is the first recorded incidence of this pathogen in Saudi Arabia. This study emphasizes the need for official authorities to take immediate steps toward treating and limiting the spread of this disease throughout the country.

Impact of insect pollinators on yield and fruit quality of strawberry

Investigations were conducted to determine the insect pollinators visiting strawberry blossoms and their impact on fruit production. Various pollinators observed during the blooming period of strawberry were viz. Apis mellifera, Apis cerana, Apis florea. Apis dorsata, soil nesting solitary bees such as Andrena leana and A. ilerda, butterflies, houseflies, syrphid flies and some beetles. The percentage of fruit set was much higher in open pollinated plants than control. There was 11.20 per cent malformed fruit in open pollinated plots as compared to 17.44 per cent in controlled one. Further the fruits obtained from the open pollinated plants were of good quality and large as compared to the controlled plants. Growers are recommended to take advantage of the several pollinators, either the honey bee or the native pollinators (Syrphidae and native bees). The importance of diversifying pollination sources, avoiding the dependence on a single specific group is stressed. This study also suggests measures which envisage the conservation, establishment and increase of native pollinators’ populations in the typical agro-ecosystem of region.

Comparison of physicochemical properties and effects of heating regimes on stored Apis mellifera and Apis florea honey

Many of the components, which render honey its specific aroma, flavor, and biological activity, are unstable over time and thermolabile. This study was aimed to compare the chemical composition, effect of heating as well as the time of heat exposure, and storage period on the quality of honey samples from Apis mellifera (A.m.) and Apis florea (A.f.). Methods of the Association of the Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) were used in this study. The mean values for both A.m. and A.f. honeys were, respectively: moisture (18.5, 13.7%); glucose (35.2, 36.3%); fructose (33.7, 33.8%); sucrose (7.3, 2.9%); invert sugar (68.9, 70.4%); ash (0.26, 1.1%); acidity (51.8, 98.4 meq/kg); pH (3.6, 4.4) and Hydroxy methyl furfural (HMF) (3.78, 3.17 mg/100 g). Honey from A. florea contained less moisture, have higher acidity and ash contents than A. mellifera honey. Significant alterations (P < 0.05) in glucose, fructose, sucrose, and acidity were noticed after six months. Honeys exposed to heating for 15 and 30 min at 50 and 80 °C have shown increased thermo-generated HMF after 15, 30, and 45 days. HMF reached 16.30 ± 1.1 in A. mellifera and 7.41 ± 1.4 mg/100 g in A. florea honeys that exposed for 30 min at 80 °C. Honey from A. florea showed more heat tolerance to thermo-generation of HMF than honey from A. mellifera.

Geographical distribution and molecular detection of Nosema ceranae from indigenous honey bees of Saudi Arabia

The aim of the study was to detect the infection level of honey bees with Nosema apis and/or Nosema ceranae using microscopic and molecular analysis from indigenous honeybee race of eight Saudi Arabian geographical regions. A detailed survey was conducted and fifty apiaries were chosen at random from these locations. Infection level was determined both by microscope and Multiplex-PCR and data were analyzed using bioinformatics tools and phylogenetic analysis. Result showed that N. ceranae was the only species infecting indigenous honeybee colonies in Saudi Arabia. As determined by microscope, Nosema spores were found to be in 20.59% of total samples colonies, while 58% of the samples evaluated by PCR were found to be positive for N. ceranae, with the highest prevalence in Al-Bahah, a tropical wet and dry climatic region, whereas low prevalence was found in the regions with hot arid climate. Honeybees from all eight locations surveyed were positive for N. ceranae. This is the first report about the N. ceranae detection, contamination level and distribution pattern in Saudi Arabia.

Investigation of gut microbial communities associated with indigenous honey bee (Apis mellifera jemenitica) from two different eco-regions of Saudi Arabia

The microbial communities associated with the alimentary tract of honey bees are very important as they help with food digestion, provide essential nutrients, protect the host from pathogens, detoxify harmful molecules, and increase host immunity. In this study, the structural diversity of the gut microbial communities of native honey bees, Apis mellifera jemenitica from two different geographical regions (Riyadh and Al-Baha) of Saudi Arabia was analyzed by culture-dependent methods and 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing. In this study, 100 bacterial isolates were cultivated and phylogenetic analyses grouped them into three phyla: Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria. Bacteria in the phylum Proteobacteria were the most dominant (17 species), followed by Firmicutes (13 species) and Actinobacteria (4 species). Some of the identified bacteria (Citrobacter sp., Providencia vermicola, Exiguobacterium acetylicum, and Planomicrobium okeanokoites) were reported for the first time in the genus Apis, while others identified bacteria belonged to the genera Proteus, Enterobacter, Bacillus, Morganella, Lactobacillus, and Fructobacillus. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on the gut microbiota of the local honey bees in Saudi Arabia.

In vitro evaluation of the effects of some plant essential oils on Ascosphaera apis, the causative agent of Chalkbrood disease

Ascosphaera apis is one of the major fungal pathogens of honey bee broods and the causative agent of Chalkbrood disease. The factors responsible for the pathogenesis of Chalkbrood disease are still not fully understood, and the increasing resistance of A. apis to commonly used antifungal agents necessitates a search for new agents to control this disease. The in vitro antifungal activities of 27 plant essential oils against two isolates of A. apis (Aksu-4 and Aksu-9) were evaluated. Out of the 27 plant essential oils tested, 21 were found to be effective in killing both isolates of A. apis. Based on their minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) values, the effective oils were grouped into three categories: highly effective, moderately effective and minimally effective. Mountain pepper oil, Kala Bhangra oil, spearmint oil, babuna oil, betel leaf oil, carrot seed oil, cumin seed oil and clove bud oil were highly effective, with MBC values between 50.0 μg/mL and 600.0 μg/mL. Mountain pepper was the most effective essential oil, with an MBC value of 50.0 μg/mL. Citral and caryophyllene containing oils were the most effective with MIC 50 ppm. The essential oils tested exhibited significant antimicrobial activities against both strains of A. apis, and they may contain compounds that could play an important role in the treatment or prevention of Chalkbrood disease of honeybee.

Biosurfactant production by Pseudomonas aeruginosa DSVP20 isolated from petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soil and its physicochemical characterization

Among 348 microbial strains isolated from petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soil, five were selected for their ability to produce biosurfactant based on battery of screening assay including hemolytic activity, surface tension reduction, drop collapse assay, emulsification activity, and cell surface hydrophobicity studies. Of these, bacterial isolate DSVP20 was identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa (NCBI GenBank accession no. GQ865644) based on biochemical characterization and the 16S rDNA analysis, and it was found to be a potential candidate for biosurfactant production. Maximum biosurfactant production recorded by P. aeruginosa DSVP20 was 6.7 g/l after 72 h at 150 rpm and at a temperature of 30 °C. Chromatographic analysis and high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) revealed that it was a glycolipid in nature which was further confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Bioremediation studies using purified biosurfactant showed that P. aeruginosa DSVP20 has the ability to degrade eicosane (97%), pristane (75%), and fluoranthene (47%) when studied at different time intervals for a total of 7 days. The results of this study showed that the P. aeruginosa DSVP20 and/or biosurfactant produced by this isolate have the potential role in bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soil.

Honey and cardiovascular risk factors, in normal individuals and in patients with diabetes mellitus or dyslipidemia

Diabetes mellitus, hypercholesteremia, hypertension (HTN), and obesity are well-known risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Various medications are currently in use for management of these comorbidities. Undesirable side effects are unavoidable and the ultimate and ideal goal is hardly achieved. Honey and other bee products are widely used in traditional medicine for management of many diseases. Others and the authors have found potent biological activities of these products. Honey is now reintroduced in modern medicine as part of wound and burn management. Honey has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities. More studies are exploring other aspects of honey activity such as its effect on blood sugar, body weight, lipid profile, C-reactive protein, nitric oxide, proinflammatory prostaglandins, and homocysteine. Growing evidence and scientific data support the use of honey in patients with diabetes, HTN, dyslipidemia, obesity, and CVD. This review discusses clinical and preclinical studies on potential influence of honey on diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular risk factors, and emphasizes the importance of conducting more clinical and controlled studies.

Effect of jujube honey on Candida albicans growth and biofilm formation

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Candida species, especially Candida albicans, are major fungal pathogens of humans that are capable of causing superficial mucosal infections and systemic infections in humans. The aim of this study was to evaluate the jujube (Zizyphus spina-christi) honey for its in vitro inhibitory activity against pre-formed biofilm and its interference with the biofilm formation of C. albicans.

METHODS

The XTT reduction assay, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were employed to determine the inhibitory effect of Jujube honey on C. albicans biofilm. Changes in the infrared spectrum after treatment with honey were also determined by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy.

RESULTS

Jujube honey affects biofilms by decreasing the size of mature biofilms and by disruption of their structure. At a concentration of 40% w/v, it interferes with formation of C. albicans biofilms and disrupts established biofilms. The SEM and AFM results indicated that this type of honey affected the cellular morphology of C. albicans and decreased biofilm thickness.

CONCLUSIONS

The present findings show that jujube honey has antifungal properties against C. albicans and has the ability to inhibit the formation of C. albicans biofilms and disrupt established biofilms.

Temperature dependant structural and electrical properties of ZnO nanowire networks

In this paper, we report a successful growth of zinc oxide nanowire networks by simple thermal evaporation process using metallic zinc powder in the presence of oxygen. The morphological investigations of the synthesized nanowire networks are conducted by using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) which reveals that the grown products are in high-density over the whole substrate surface and possessing nanowire networks like structures. The structural and compositional properties of the grown nanowire networks are analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), respectively which confirm that the synthesized products are well-crystalline, with wurtzite hexagonal phase ZnO. The as-grown ZnO nanowire networks grown on silicon substrate are utilized to fabricate n-ZnO/p-Si heterojunction diode and presented in this paper. The I-V characteristics of the fabricated heterojunction diode at different temperatures (77 K-477 K) are also investigated. High values of quality factor, which are obtained from this study, indicate a non-ideal behavior of the fabricated device. The mean barrier height of -0.84 eV is also estimated and presented in this paper.

Synergistic effects of honey and propolis toward drug multi-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans isolates in single and polymicrobial cultures

BACKGROUND

Propolis and honey are natural bee products with wide range of biological and medicinal properties. The study investigated antimicrobial activity of ethyl alcohol extraction of propolis collected from Saudi Arabia (EEPS) and from Egypt (EEPE), and their synergistic effect when used with honey. Single and polymicrobial cultures of antibiotic resistant human pathogens were tested.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus),), Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Candida albicans (C.albicans) were cultured in 10-100% (v/v) honey diluted in broth, or 0.08-1.0% (weight/volume) EEPS and EEPE diluted in broth. Four types of polymicrobial cultures were prepared by culturing the isolates with each other in broth (control) and broth containing various concentrations of honey or propolis. Microbial growth was assessed on solid plate media after 24 h incubation.

RESULTS

EEPS and EEPE inhibited antibiotic resistant E.coli, and S.aureus, and C.albicans in single and polymicrobial cultures. S.aureus became more susceptible when it was cultured with E.coli or C.albicans or when all cultured together. C.albicans became more susceptible when it was cultured with S.aureus or with E.coli and S. aureus together. The presence of ethyl alcohol or honey potentiated antimicrobial effect of propolis toward entire microbes tested in single or polymicrobial cultures. EEPS had lower MIC toward E.coli and C.albicans than EEPE. When propolis was mixed with honey, EEPS showed lower MIC than EEPE. In addition, honey showed lower MIC toward entire microbes when mixed with EEPS than when it was mixed with EEPE.

CONCLUSION

1) propolis prevents the growth of the microorganisms in single and mixed microbial cultures, and has synergistic effect when used with honey or ethyl alcohol, 2) the antimicrobial property of propolis varies with geographical origin, and 3) this study will pave the way to isolate active ingredients from honey and propolis to be further tested individually or in combination against human resistant infections.

Radiological changes in rheumatoid arthritis patients at a teaching hospital in Saudi Arabia

The frequency of radiological changes of the hands and the feet were investigated in a well-defined hospital population of patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A total of 57 patients who fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology 1987 criteria for the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis were randomly chosen from the rheumatology outpatient clinic at King AbdulAziz University Hospital. Erosions were seen in 60% of the patients and periarticular osteopenia in 34%; deformity and soft tissue swelling were present in 26% and 14% of patients respectively. The proportion with erosions is lower than data reported from Western European and North American populations but higher than previous data from the Central region of Saudi Arabia.

Acute normovolemic hemodilution in sickle cell patient--a case report

Sickle cell disease patients with relatively high hemoglobin (> or = 12 g x dl) and those who have elevated alloimmunizations antibodies with rare phenotype subgroups, are problems challenging anesthesiologists. Acute Normovolemic Hemodilution (ANH) is rarely used in the perioperative management of homozygous sickle cell disease (SCD) in patients undergoing surgery. We hereby present a case in which ANH was used successfully. A 22 year old male patient with known homozygous sickle cell disease undergoing orthopedic surgery, underwent Acute Normovolemic Hemodilution (ANH) because of the absence of blood and suitable blood donors and high hemoglobin level. Just before establishing spinal anesthesia, a 400 ml blood was extracted from patient and then replaced by 6 % Hydroxyethylstarch HES solution.The surgery was performed uneventfully under spinal analgesia. Patient was discharged 48 hours later. A week later, his follow up visit showed no complications and his lab work returned to basic levels. We recommend the ANH technique as an on hand tool in the perioperative anesthetic management of sickle cell disease patients who have high Hb S with relatively high Hb levels, and in those special patients who have no blood available because of high alloimmunization antibodies or rare phenotype blood groups.

Ocular findings after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

OBJECTIVE

To study the incidence, causes, and outcome of major ocular complications in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

DESIGN

Retrospective, noncomparative, observational clinical study.

PARTICIPANTS

The study included a total of 620 patients who underwent allogeneic HSCT in the period from 1997 to 2007 at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

INTERVENTION

Allogeneic HSCT.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Patients with ocular complications were referred to the ophthalmology division for complete ophthalmologic examination, including visual acuity, tonometry, Schirmer test, biomicroscopy, and dilated ophthalmoscopy. Laboratory investigations were performed whenever indicated. The incidence and causes of major ocular complications after allogeneic HSCT were determined. Visual acuity at 1 year after allogeneic HSCT was recorded.

RESULTS

Major ocular complications occurred in 80 (13%) of 620 patients who underwent allogeneic HSCT. There were 36 male patients (45%) and 44 female patients (55%) with a mean age of 29 years and an age range of 9 to 65 years. Prophylaxis for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) consisted of cyclosporine and methotrexate in 69 patients, and cyclosporine, methotrexate and corticosteroids, or mycophenolate mofetil in 11 patients. The most frequently encountered ocular complications were chronic GVHD, dry eye syndrome without GVHD, corneal ulcers, cataract, glaucoma, cytomegalovirus retinitis, fungal endophthalmitis, and acquisition of allergic conjunctivitis from atopic donors. There was no correlation between the pattern of ocular complications and the transplanted stem cell source. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 1 year after transplantation was less than 20/200 in 13 patients (16%), less than 20/50 in 17 patients (21%), and better than 20/50 in 50 patients (63%).

CONCLUSIONS

Ocular complications are common in patients undergoing allogeneic HSCT. Early recognition and prompt treatment are important.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S)

The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Determination of acaricide residues in saudi arabian honey and beeswax using solid phase extraction and gas chromatography

Determination of acaricide residues of flumethrin, tau-fluvalinate, coumaphos, and amitraz in honey and beeswax was carried out using a rapid extraction method utilizing C-18 SPE cartridges and an analytical method utilizing GC with ECD, NPD, and MSD detectors for the four acaricides. Recovery percentages from the extraction method ranged from 90-102%, while the minimum detection levels ranged from 0.01-0.05 mg/kg for the acaricides. Nine of the 21 analyzed samples were found to be contaminated with the acaricides tau-fluvalinate and coumaphos. Neither flumethrin nor amitraz was detected in any of the honey or wax samples. Coumaphos was found only in honey samples in which two samples exceeded the tolerance levels set by EPA and EC regulations. It has not been detected in beeswax. Five honey samples and eight beeswax samples were found to be contaminated with tau-fluvalinate. One of the wax samples was contaminated with a relatively high residue of tau-fluvalinate and contained above 10 mg/kg.

Hydroxyethylstarch 6% preload does not prevent the hypotension following induction with propofol and fentanyl

PURPOSE

To study the effects of volume preload with hydroxyethylstarch 6% (HES) on the changes in arterial blood pressure and heart rate following propofol/fentanyl induction of anesthesia.

METHODS

Seventy five patients, divided into three groups, scheduled for orthopedic surgery were allocated randomly to receive either no preload or 500 ml, or 1000 ml of 6% HES respectively over 20 minutes period prior to anesthetic induction. Anesthesia was induced with fentanyl 1.5 microg.kg(-1) and propofol 2.5 mg.kg(-1). Cardiovascular parameters were monitored for 5 minutes following induction.

RESULTS

Systolic blood pressure (SBP) decreased significantly (P<0.001) in all groups after anesthetic induction. Blood pressure recorded at 5 minutes was 76% of the baseline values in the control group and in the HES 500 group and was 78% in the HES 1000 group. Changes in the diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and mean blood pressure (MBP) were also similar in the three groups. There was no significant difference between the three groups in the HR decline too.

CONCLUSION

Administration of 6% HES as a preload did not attenuate the decrease in blood pressure following induction of anesthesia with propofol and fentanyl.

Estimating the depth of embedded contaminants from in-situ gamma spectroscopic measurements

The depth of radiological contamination is information required for decontamination and decommissioning of nuclear facilities. This paper proposes and tests a simple technique for measuring the depth of contamination. The method uses measurements with an HPGe detector at two distances (or heights) from the surface on the same side of the medium. The ratio of the photopeak areas easily can be used to yield the depth of an embedded source. The calculational algorithm was verified by simulations with the MCNP4C code and laboratory experiments for a point source and other special sources. Predictions of the depth for shallowly embedded sources have relatively large uncertainties (approximately 18%) but improve as depth increases. This technique provides a very easy way for a user to quickly estimate the depth of the subsurface contamination on site.

Vulvar squamous cell carcinoma in young women: a clinicopathologic study of 21 cases

OBJECTIVES

Invasive squamous cell carcinoma (ISCC) of the vulva occurs most often in older women and the clinical, pathological, and immunohistochemical features of vulvar ISCC in young women are poorly characterized. The aim of this study was to examine clinical and pathological features of ISCC presenting in women younger than 40 years of age.

METHODS

Patients younger than 40 years of age who presented with vulvar ISCC were identified in the population-based tumor registry of the British Columbia Cancer Agency (BCCA) for the period 1970-1998. Clinical data and follow-up were obtained. The pathologic material was reviewed and morphologic features assessed. Immunohistochemical staining for MIB-1 and p53 proteins was done and the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA was assessed by microdissection/PCR.

RESULTS

Twenty-one cases, accounting for 5% of all cases of vulvar ISCC encountered at BCCA during this period, were identified, with patient's ages ranging from 17 to 39 years (mean 33). The number of cases of vulvar ISCC in young women, as a percentage of all cases of vulvar ISCC, increased significantly over the study period. Lichen sclerosus was seen in 3 cases. Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) was present in 20 of 21 cases and was multifocal in 4 of them. VIN was subclassified as warty in 7 cases, mixed warty and basaloid in 6, basaloid in 4, and differentiated in 3. There was MIB-1 immunostaining throughout the full thickness of warty and basaloid VIN. Only basal cells stained for MIB-1 in differentiated VIN. Increased p53 expression was present in only 2 cases; both were differentiated-type VIN. HPV DNA was detected in 17 of 20 cases. The tumors were staged as follows: stage IA, 3 cases; stage IB, 13 cases; stage II, 3 cases; stage III, 2 cases. Depth of invasion ranged from <1 to 8.5 mm. The definitive surgical procedure was vulvectomy with lymph node dissection in 14 cases, wide local excision in 6, and excisional biopsy in 1. Clinical follow-up of 1 to 28 years (median, 5 years) showed that 5 patients had local recurrence and 2 died of disease. Of the 21 patients in this study, 1 had concurrent HIV infection and 1 patient with Crohn's disease was treated with corticosteroids; the remaining patients had no clinical evidence of depressed immune function.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of vulvar ISCC in young women has increased over time; this increase cannot be accounted for by ISCC in immunocompromised patients. The overall disease outcome was excellent, with 2 of 21 patients dead of disease. Most tumors were associated with HPV, but cases of ISCC in the absence of HPV, and associated with differentiated VIN, were encountered. p53 staining of the basal layer can aid in recognition of differentiated VIN while MIB-1 staining within the upper layers of the squamous epithelium is consistently present in warty and basaloid VIN, but not in differentiated VIN.

Intubation via LMA in pediatric patients with difficult airways

PURPOSE

To report two cases of successful tracheal intubation in difficult pediatric airways using a conventional laryngeal mask airway (LMA) with an extended polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tube after laryngeal assessment with a fibreoptic device.

CLINICAL FEATURES

Two cases, Dandy-Walker and Pierre Robin syndromes, were scheduled for surgery. They were premedicated with 0.5 mg x kg(-1) promethazine p.o. 90 min before surgery. Both patients arrived in the operating room sedated, with dry mouth, and without evidence of increased intracranial tension or airway obstruction. Inhalational induction with isoflurane 0.5-3% was commenced. Conventional tracheal intubation was impossible in both cases. In each an LMA was inserted to maintain ventilation, anesthesia, and to facilitate intubation. Fibreoptic bronchoscopy was used to assess the larynx, followed by blind intubation via the LMA using extended PVC tracheal tube (TT). Anesthesia was maintained during intubation using Mapleson F anesthesia circuit attached to a connector with fibreoptic bronchoscope adapter.

CONCLUSION

This report describes the assessment of the airway with fibreoptic bronchoscopy after LMA insertion facilitated blind tracheal intubation in two children with difficult airways.

Edrophonium antagonism of intense mivacurium-induced neuromuscular block in children

We have studied the time course of recovery after administration of edrophonium during intense mivacurium block in children aged 2-10 yr, using thumb acceleration in response to train-of-four (TOF) stimulation. Forty-three children receiving alfentanil, propofol, nitrous oxide, isoflurane anaesthesia and mivacurium 0.2 mg kg-1 were allocated randomly to one of three groups. Patients in group 1 (n = 15) received edrophonium 1 mg kg-1, 2 min after maximum block (intense block group). At the time of administration of edrophonium in this group, there was no response to TOF stimulation (100% block) and the post-tetanic count was 10.7 (range 0-20). Patients in group 2 received the same dose of edrophonium after 10% recovery of the first twitch (T1) in the TOF (conventional reversal). Patients in group 3 (n = 13) recovered spontaneously. All patients developed complete suppression of twitch height in response to the bolus dose of mivacurium. All recovery times were measured from the point of maximum block after mivacurium. Mean time for 25% recovery of T1 (clinical duration) was 3.8 (SD 1.1) min in the intense block group. This was significantly shorter than the conventional reversal (8.3 (2.4) min) and spontaneous recovery (9.2 (3.5) min) groups (P < 0.001). The times for 75% and 90% recovery of T1 were shorter in the intense block group (9.4 (2.8), 12.3 (4.2) min) compared with the conventional (13.1 (3.8), 17.3 (4.8) min) and spontaneous recovery (14.9 (4.5), 17.9 (5.2) min) groups (P < 0.01). Total recovery time required for 70% recovery of the TOF ratio (T4/T1) was 8.8 (2.4) min in the intense block group. This was significantly shorter than the conventional reversal (11.9 (3.2) min) (P < 0.05) and spontaneous recovery (17.1 (4.0) min) groups (P < 0.001). Conventional reversal was associated with a shorter total recovery time compared with spontaneous recovery (P < 0.01). The recovery index (time interval between T1 25% and 75%) was comparable in groups 1-3 (5.5 (2.0), 4.8 (2.1) and 5.7 (1.4) min respectively). Ten minutes after development of maximum block, the numbers of patients who recovered adequately (TOF ratio 70% or more) were, respectively, 12 (80%), 8 (53%) and 1 (8%) in groups 1-3. We conclude that edrophonium antagonized intense (no response to TOF stimulation) mivacurium-induced block in children, with significant reduction in the recovery times of T1 and TOF ratio compared with conventional reversal and spontaneous recovery.