This study investigated the relative accuracy and roles of abdominal ultrasonography, hepatobiliary scintigraphy and liver biopsy in the diagnosis of infantile cholestasis. A total of 50 infants (27 females) aged 1 - 12 months were classified into those with intrahepatic causes of cholestasis (n = 22) and those with extrahepatic causes (n = 28). Cholestasis is caused by a wide range of conditions and diagnosis requires meticulous history taking, thorough clinical examination and many laboratory tests. The most common cause of intrahepatic cholestasis was found to be idiopathic neonatal hepatitis (54.5%), followed by infectious hepatitis (9.1%), metabolic liver diseases (9.1%), intrahepatic biliary atresia (9.1%) and Alagille syndrome (4.5%). The most common cause of extrahepatic cholestasis was extrahepatic biliary atresia (96.4%). The incidence of choledochal cyst was low (3.6%). The cornerstone of the diagnosis of infantile cholestasis was found to be liver biopsy, which was associated with a high degree of accuracy.

No abstract

Lepidosaphes beckii Newm. is the most serious armoured scale insect infesting citrus trees in Egypt. This purple scale is subjected to different ectoparasitic Aphytis spp. The abundance of the different stages of these parasites was studied and discussed. The large number of L. beckii parasitized by the immature stages of Aphytis spp. were associated with the increase of living scales during January and February. The highest percentage of parasitism with the immature stages of Aphytis spp. was observed during the Winter season, and the lowest percentage occurred during Spring, Summer and Autumn. Emerging of adults of Aphytis spp. was nigh from March to August and dropped during the period from September to February. Zusammenfassung Zur Wirksamkeit einiger Aphytis‐Arten (Hymenoptera) als Parasiten der Kommaschildlaus, Lepidosaphes beckii Newm. Lepidosaphes beckii, in Ägypten ein ernsthafter Schädling an Citrus‐Bäumen, wird von verschiedenen ektoparasitischen Aphytis‐Arten parasitiert. Die Abundanz verschiedener Stadien dieses Parasiten wurde in der vorliegenden Arbeit untersucht. Im Januar und Februar stieg, gleichzeitig mit einer großen Anzahl von Aphytis spp.‐Larven parasitierter Schildläuse, die L. beckii‐Population an. Das höchste Parasitierungsprozent wurde im Winter, das niedrigste im Frühjahr, Sommer und Herbst beobachtet. Von März bis August war eine hohe Schlüpfquote von Aphytis spp.‐Adulten zu verzeichnen, die im Zeitraum von September bis Februar abfiel.

The development of the cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorne Fab. varies greatly on its natural diets. The insect requires a certain balance between the main classes of nutrients, proteins, carbohydrates and fats, which differ widely in these diets. The larval development is accelerated in the presence of this balance. The pupal period, longevity and egg production are influenced by the ability of the insect to utilize protein. An analysis of vitamins and minerals is needed to evaluate their rôle in the insect development. Zusammenfassung Zum Einfluβ der Nahrung auf die Entwicklung und Vermehrungsrate des Tabakkäfers Die Entwicklung des Tabakkäfers Lasioderma serricorne F. variiert stark nach der Nahrung. Das Insekt stellt ein Gleichgewicht her zwischen den Hauptklassen der Nahrungskomponenten, Karbohydrate und Fette, die in den verschiedenen Nahrungsstoffen stark differieren. Die Larvenentwicklung wird bei Gewährleistung dieses Gleichgewichts beschleunigt. Die Puppendauer, Lebensdauer und Eiproduktion werden von der Fähigkeit des Insekts, Protein auszunutzen, beeinflußt. Es ist notwendig, die Vitamine und Minerale der Nahrung zu analysieren, um ihre Rolle in der Insektenentwicklung kennenzulernen.

Citrullus lanatus var. Colocynthoide “Gurum” is an unconventional crop that can be utilized as a new source of edible oil and has the ability to grow in a variety of harsh conditions. To mitigate the adverse effects of salinity on seed germination and plant performance of C. lanatus, seeds were primed in the aqueous extracts of the seaweed Ulva lactuca before planting under greenhouse conditions. The aqueous extract of U. lactuca at 8% w/v led to maximal seed germination percentage and seedling growth of C. lanatus. Moreover, U. lactuca extract counteracted the negative effects of salt stress on the plant by significantly increasing the activity of SOD, CAT, and POD. The bioactive components of U. lactuca, e.g. glycine betaine and phenolic compounds can account for such beneficial role of algal extract on C. lanatus. Thus, priming of C. lanatus seeds in U. lactuca extract with various concentrations of U. lactuca extract can be employed as an effective practice for successful seed germination, improved plant growth and enhanced salt resistance, probably as a result of increased antioxidant enzymes activity and photosynthetic pigments.