Average Total Count Research Articles

The use of a newly designed nonabsorbable polymeric stent in reconstructing the vas deferens: a feasibility study in New Zealand white rabbits

To investigate the use of a newly designed stent in the reconstruction of the vas deferens. In 26 New Zealand White rabbits, 13 conventional one-layer microscopic reconstructions were compared with 13 stented reconstructions of the vas deferens. The newly designed nonabsorbable polymeric stent was shaped to facilitate the rejoining of the two loose ends of the vas deferens, using a central ridge to prevent migration. Semen was collected before and after surgery, using an artificial vaginal system (26 samples before and 115 after surgery). The individual and average total sperm count, motility and progressive motile sperm density (PMSD), were compared after surgery for both groups. After the final semen analysis, rabbits were killed and patency was assessed histologically at the site of the anastomosis. After an initial decline the mean total sperm count increased in both groups. The increase was significantly larger (P = 0.05) in the stented rabbits. The mean motility and PMSD showed no significant differences between both groups (P = 0.11 and 0.71, respectively). Histological examination of the anastomosed area showed partial obstruction (>50% narrowing of the original lumen) in five of the 13 conventionally treated rabbits, with no strictures in the stented group. Despite the narrowing in the conventional group the patency rates were not affected. The mean (range) operating time for the conventional and stented groups was 132 (99-168) and 98 (62-113) min, respectively (P < 0.001). The total sperm counts, motility and PMSD showed no or little difference after surgery between the conventional and stented rabbits. The stented reconstruction was easy, had no secondary stricturing and reduced the operating time.

Anti-yeast effects of some plant extracts on yeasts contaminating processed poultry products in Egypt

A total of 60 random samples of fresh chicken burger, fillet, and luncheon (20 of each) were collected from markets at Tanta city. The average total yeast counts (cfu/g) in burger, fillet, and luncheon samples were 2.7 &amp;times; 10&lt;sup&gt;6 &lt;/sup&gt;&amp;plusmn; 1.1 &amp;times; 10&lt;sup&gt;6&lt;/sup&gt;, 2.1&amp;nbsp;&amp;times; 10&lt;sup&gt;5&lt;/sup&gt; &amp;plusmn; 0.9 &amp;times; 10&lt;sup&gt;5&lt;/sup&gt;, and 1.4 &amp;times; 10&lt;sup&gt;7&lt;/sup&gt; &amp;plusmn; 0.7 &amp;times; 10&lt;sup&gt;7&lt;/sup&gt;, respectively. A total of 158 yeast isolates of 23 species were isolated and identified. Candida, Cryptococcus, Debaromyces, Issatchenkia, Pichia, Rhodotorula, Saccharomyces, Trichosporon and Yarrowia species were recovered from the examined samples of fresh chicken meat products in varying percentages ranging from 5% to 50%. The tested plant extracts of cinnamon, clove and thyme revealed a potent anti-yeast activity against C. albicans, D. hansenii and S. cerevisiae at 20% concentration, and a moderate inhibitory activity against these yeast strains at 10% concentration, while garlic extract had a lesser inhibitory effect on the yeast strains tested at the same concentration. Moreover, thyme, cinnamon and clove extracts had a complete inhibitory effect on chicken fillet inoculated with Candida albicans when incubated at 5&amp;deg;C and 25&amp;deg;C. &amp;nbsp;

SEASONAL CHANGES OF THE CONDITION INDICES AND HAEMOCYTE COUNTS OF THE AUSTROPOTAMOBIUS TORRENTIUM POPULATION IN KRALJEVEC STREAM, CROATIA

The stone crayfish, Austropotamobius torrentium is one of the four native European crayfish living in Croatian freshwaters. Kraljevec Stream is situated on the southern slopes of Medvednica Mountain (north-west Croatia) at 400m above the sea level. Our research was conducted during one year, from May 2003 to April 2004. Temperature varied between 2 to 17, 2 oC, medium oxygen concentration was 12, 12 mg/L, medium pH was 8, 27 and alkalinity was between 100 and 200 mg CaCO3/L. Crayfish were trapped by baited hand made traps which were secured in a stream current with the stones and roots of the surrounding trees. We caught 100 crayfishes, 68 males and 32 females. Hemolymph was sampled 10 to 15 min after catch. EDTA anticoagulant was used to prevent hemolymph coagulation and 10% formaline was used to fix haemocyte for differential counts. Each month five to six animals were sacrificed and hepatosomatic, gonadosomatic and muscle indices were measured. We found statistically significant differences in hepatosomatic and gonadosomatic indices between months and between sexes. Muscle indices were significantlly different between males and females. Average total haemocyte count for males was 7, 6 x 105 cells/ml hemolymph and for females was 6, 5 x 105 cells/ml. Average hyalinocyte, granulocyte and semigranulocyte ratio was 77:14, 5:8, 5%, respectively. There were no statisticaly significant differences in total and differential counts between months and between sexes.

Ability of the Actiwatch Accelerometer to Predict Free‐Living Energy Expenditure in Young Children

To determine whether activity counts obtained with the Actiwatch monitor are associated with total expenditure and body composition in young children. Actiwatch activity monitors were tested in 29 children 4 to 6 years old under field conditions over eight days. Total energy expenditure (TEE) was assessed with the doubly labeled water (DLW) technique. Correlation analyses were used to identify variables related to energy expenditure and percentage body fat. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to examine the variance in TEE and percentage body fat explained by activity counts after adjusting for relevant covariates. Both average total daily activity counts (658,816 +/- 201,657) and the pattern of activity were highly variable among subjects. TEE was significantly related to lean body mass (r = 0.45) and age (r = 0.48; p < 0.05 for both). Activity counts alone were not associated with TEE. In multiple linear regression analyses, TEE was independently associated with only lean body mass. Percentage fat mass was independently associated with body weight, being a girl, and being white, but not with average total activity counts. Activity counts obtained with the Actiwatch under free-living conditions do not reflect TEE in 4- to 6-year-old children and are not correlated with percentage fat mass. Therefore, average total activity counts obtained with the Actiwatch may be of limited value in identifying children at risk for becoming obese.

Monitoring of cell growth using the focused beam reflectance method

AbstractIn this paper the use of a focused beam reflectance measurement (FBRM) particle characterisation probe was investigated as a tool for monitoring the growth of the filamentous bacteria Streptomyces natalensis. The optimum operating parameters of the probe were identified, and it was found that the sample agitation rate had the largest effect on the mean value of a number of statistics of the chord length distribution (CLD) measured by the FBRM probe. A series of fractions of the particle size distribution was generated by sieving. It was found that the mean chord length measured by the probe responded to changes in the size distribution examined, increasing from 57.2 µm to 69.9 µm with an increase in the upper particle size from 180 µm to 300 µm. It was also found that the average total counts measured by the probe also increased with increasing sample concentration. This relationship was further investigated and it was found that in the normal range of biomass levels experienced in a fermentation (up to 4.0 g dm−3) there was an apparently linear relationship between counts and concentration. However, as concentration was increased further the relationship became increasingly non‐linear. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry

Improved Constraints on Sedimentary Environments of Palygorskite Deposits of the Hawthorne Formation, Southern Georgia, from a Detailed Study of a Core

AbstractThe sedimentology and mineralogy of a 2.5 m core from a palygorskite deposit of the Miocene Hawthorne Formation, southern Georgia is described. The lithology involves laminated clay-rich sediment composed of ∼90% clay and 10% sand, with six clay-pebble layers present. Sand to pebble-size clasts of phosphate material are common throughout the core. The sand laminations are probably flood-related and the clay-pebble layers are storm deposits, with the pebbles being derived locally from subaerial environments. Phosphate clasts are reworked bone material.The sands are quartz-rich and are subarkosic in composition with average quartz counts of 86.50% and average total feldspar counts of 11.50%. Heavy minerals observed include orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, amphibole, zircon, rutile, garnet, tourmaline, kyanite, muscovite, biotite, spinels and opaques. Palygorskite fibers dominate the clay-size fraction of the samples and comprise ∼80–90% of sample material with smectite comprising the remainder. Hydroxylapatite comprises ∼3% of sediment volume and occurs as individual euhedral hexagonal crystals and as clusters of crystals.Investigation of this core suggests that the palygorskite deposit represents a dynamic system with regular flooding and storm deposition being common. Mineral composition of sands may be useful for stratigraphic correlation of palygorskite deposits in the Apalachicola Embayment. This study supports the general environmental interpretations of previous workers for the palygorskite deposits of southern Georgia, but provides greater detail.

The Seasonal Variation in Allergic Rhinitis and Its Correlation with Outdoor Allergens in Kuwait

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is the most common allergic problem in Kuwait. Most of the patients who have either AR or asthma are referred to the Al-Rashed Allergy Center. Objective: To determine if there is a seasonal variation in AR in Kuwait and to correlate it with the daily pollen count. Methods: Information about the new patients referred to the center over a 5-year study period (1996–2000) was extracted from the center’s records. The daily pollen count in Kuwait city was obtained from the Air Biology Laboratory. Results: There was a significant seasonal variation with a bimodal increase in the number of patients with AR referred to the center. The main peak in the number of patients occurred in September–October, and there was a smaller peak in April–May. The mean number ± SD of new patients per month over the 5-year period varied from 87 ± 32 for December to 367 ± 104 for September. Similarly, the average daily pollen count varied from 3.7 ± 1.0 pollens per mm³ in January to 124 ± 92 in October. There was high correlation between the number of new AR patients and the average total pollen count (Pearson correlation, r = 0.77, p < 0.001), as well as with Chenopodiaceae and Amaranthaceae (weed) pollens (r = 0.75, p < 0.001), while there was no correlation between the number of new patients and either tree or grass pollens. Conclusion: Seasonal AR occurs during two periods in Kuwait, i.e. September–October and April–May, with September–October being the main season. The rise in AR during late summer in Kuwait is mainly associated with the pollination of Chenopodiaceae species.

Predictive value of strict criteria sperm morphology for intrauterine insemination outcomes

Objective: Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is frequently used for the treatment of infertile couples with male factor infertility. A retrospective analysis of infertility therapy at our center found IUI to be more cost-effective than IVF when the average neat semen total motile sperm count (TMSC) was ≥10×106 (VanVoorhis, 2001). We have used this information to counsel couples since 2000. The present study was conducted to determine if prospectively collected sperm morphology scores were predictive of IUI outcome following ovulation induction. Design: Retrospective analysis of semen quality characteristics and outcomes of IUI following ovulation induction during 2001–2002. Materials and Methods: IUI’s included in the analysis were performed following ovulation induction with clomiphene citrate, gonadotropins, or the combination of the two. Sperm morphology was analyzed prior to or on the day of the first intrauterine insemination. Sperm smears were stained (Diff-Quick Stain Set; Dade Behring, Newark, DE) and morphology of 200 sperm was graded according to Kruger strict criteria. Sperm motility and concentration were determined using Standard Count chambers (Spectrum Technologies, Healdsburg, CA). Motile sperm were isolated for insemination by placing the semen on a 40/80 silane-coated silica density gradient followed by centrifugation for 20 min at 300g followed by two 10 min centrifugation (300g) washes. The final inseminant volume was 0.4 to 0.65 ml. IUI’s were performed with a Wallace IUI catheter. Cycles were stratified by percentage of normal forms and pregnancy rate per cycle was compared among the groups. Data were analyzed by least squares procedures. Results: Two hundred, thirty-eight couples underwent 460 cycles of IUI with neat semen TMSC of ≥10×106 for 94% of the cycles. Pregnancy rate per couple was 24.8% with a pregnancy rate of 12.8% per cycle. Pregnancy rates per cycle did not differ between sperm morphology groups despite significant differences in patient age and neat semen TMSC between groups. Tabled 1 Values with different superscripts within columns are significantly different (P <0.05). Conclusions: Sperm morphology is not predictive of IUI with ovulation induction outcome when couples are advised to undergo IUI based on an average neat semen TMSC of ≥10×106.

Removal of Nigerian light crude oil in soil over a 12-month period

Abstract A study was carried out to aid in understanding the effect of various concentrations (10, 20, 30, 40% v/w) of Nigerian light crude oil (Transniger pipeline crude, TNP) deliberately spilled on soil will have on the indigenous bacterial population and the role of the bacteria in the removal of the oil. The average total counts of aerobic heterotrophs and crude oil utilizing bacteria in oil-impacted soils were 108 and 10 6 CFU/g , respectively, while in the untreated soil the total counts of the two groups of bacteria were low. The counts of the two groups of bacteria decreased with increasing oil concentration in the soil. Significantly higher numbers of total aerobic heterotrophs were recorded between May and July while those of crude oil utilizing bacteria were recorded between February and April probably due to differences in metabolic rates of the organisms as influenced by environmental conditions. The crude oil utilizing bacteria were identified as species of Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Vibrio, Micrococcus and Alcaligenes. The total extent of crude oil degradation by these organisms ranged from 26.7% to 43.3% after 16 days. GC analysis of the crude oil extracted from soil showed that hydrocarbon components C14 to C32 were extensively lowered in soil polluted with 10% and 20% (v/w) crude oil after 12 months but moderately lowered in soil treated with 30% (v/w) crude oil over the same period. In soil contaminated with 40% (v/w) of the same crude oil, minimal degradation of C14 to C32 was observed. The results indicate that the quantity of crude oil spilled in soil and the age of the contamination influence the rate and total extent of disappearance of the oil in the environment.

Simplified technique for differential staining of inner cell mass and trophectoderm cells of mouse and bovine blastocysts

Histological staining and counting of blastocyst inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm (TE) cells differentially with chromatin-specific dyes is a more accurate indicator of cultured blastocyst quality and normality than total cell number assessment. The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of a simplified method of chemically-defined differential blastocyst staining. The TE of cultured mouse and bovine blastocysts of different developmental stages was stained when blastocysts were treated with a permeabilizing solution containing the ionic detergent Triton X-100 and the fluorochrome propidium iodide. Blastocysts were then incubated in a second solution containing 100% ethanol (for fixation) and the secondary fluorochrome bisbenzimide. Fixed and stained whole blastocysts were mounted and assessed for cell number using ultraviolet fluorescent microscopy. Using this method, in-vitro cultured mouse blastocysts (day 4.5) were shown to have an ICM:TE ratio of 1:2.63 with an average total cell count of 75.3 ± 3. While day 7 and 8 in-vitro produced bovine blastocysts were shown to have an ICM:TE ratio of 1:3.42 and 1:3.36 with an average total cell count of 151.3 ± 5.48 and 217.8 ± 8.75 respectively. Blastocyst staining patterns indicate that this modified technique represents a simple and reliable alternative to current bichromatic blastocyst staining techniques for the differential assessment of cell numbers and may be useful for the assessment of blastocysts derived from in-vitro maturation, novel culture systems and advanced reproductive technologies such as cloning.

No-scalpel vasal sperm aspiration and in vitro fertilization for the treatment of anejaculation

Objectives. To evaluate the utility of no-scalpel vasal sperm aspiration and in vitro fertilization for the treatment of male infertility due to anejaculation. Methods. Vasal aspiration was performed using a no-scalpel technique, and the sperm were used for conventional in vitro fertilization in 1 patient and intracytoplasmic sperm injection in 6 patients. Results. The average total sperm count was 6 × 10 6, with the motility between 20% and 95%. No complications have been observed to date. A high fertilization rate (74.6%) and pregnancy rate (5 of 7) was achieved with subsequent intracytoplasmic sperm injection or in vitro fertilization. Conclusions. No-scalpel vasal sperm aspiration is a simple, effective alternative to sperm retrieval, especially for anejaculatory males.

Occurrence of bacteriocin production among environmental enterococci

The occurrence of enteroccoci in cattle dung water from the basins of 25 cattle farms of 15 northeastern Slovakia districts was screened as well as bacteriocin production among selective enterococcal isolates. The average total count of enterococci detected reached 5.0 x 10(3) cfu ml-1. Enterococcus faecium was the predominant species (25%) followed by Ent. casseliflavus (19.2%), Ent. faecalis (9.6%), Ent. avium and Ent. durans (1.9%). The antagonistic activity of isolates showed a mainly antilisterial effect. Enterococcus faecalis V24 strain produced a heat stable, largely hydrophobic antimicrobial substance with best production in the range pH 4 to 7 and with a strong inhibitory effect even against Gram-negative bacteria.

ACUTE RESPIRATORY RESPONSE TO PROLONGED, MODERATE LEVELS OF SIDESTREAM TOBACCO SMOKE

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is a significant component of indoor air pollution yet the acute upper respiratory response has not been well studied. The goal of this study was to determine the response of healthy subjects to moderate levels of sidestream tobacco smoke (SS). Twenty-three subjects were challenged on 2 separate days to clean air or SS (2 h, 15 ppm carbon monoxide, at rest) . Subjects completed symptom questionnaires, posterior rhinomanometry, and body plethysmography. Average total and differential cell counts and albumin concentration were determined on nasal lavage samples. The urinary cotinine : creatinine ratio was used as a biomarker of exposure. Following SS exposure, irritant and rhinitis symptoms increased, nasal resistance rose from 4.9 +/- 0.4 to 6.3 +/- 0.6 cm H2 O/L/s and specific airway conductance decreased from 0.14 +/- 0.01 to 0.13 +/- 0.01 cm H2 O-1 s-1. Total cell counts, neutrophils, and albumin were unchanged. An increased nasal congestive response did not correlate with an increased cotinine : creatinine ratio. A history of ETS rhinitis did not predict an increased group response to smoke, but individuals with the largest physiologic and inflammatory response were historically ETS sensitive. In summary, healthy normal subjects demonstrate nasal congestion with exposure to moderate levels of SS without evidence of increased nasal vascular permeability.

Penile vibratory stimulation in spinal cord injured men: Optimized vibration parameters and prognostic factors

Objective: To study the efficacy of penile vibratory stimulation (PVS) with optimized vibration parameters in spinal cord injured (SCI) men and to examine prognostic factors for success. Design: Case series. Setting: University hospital outpatient clinic. Patients: Thirty-four consecutive SCI men seeking fertility treatment. Intervention: PVS with optimized vibration parameters to induce reflex ejaculation. Main Outcome Measures: Ejaculatory response; semen analysis. Results: Antegrade ejaculation was seen in 65% of patients. High rates were seen in lesions above T10 (81%) and in presence of hip flexion and bulbocavernosus reflexes (77%). Of men with lesions above T10, those with a penile prosthesis had lower ejaculation rates (40% vs 90%). Average total sperm counts were 968 million, with 26% motility. Conclusions: High rates of ejaculation are seen with optimized vibration parameters, especially in men with lesions above T10 and intact lower spinal reflexes. A penile prosthesis may impair success with PVS.

Microbial communities in deep Canadian shield groundwaters—an in situ biofilm experiment

Microbial biofilm communities were cultivated on stainless steel and polypropylene surfaces within brine‐filled exploration boreholes in crystalline rocks of the Canadian Shield at Kidd Creek Mine (Timmins, Ontario) and Copper Cliff South Mine (Sudbury, Ontario) at depths of 1402 m and 1219 m, respectively. The calcium‐sodium‐chloride brines were acidic (pH 3.5–4.8) and had temperatures of 23.4°C to 18.6°C. Direct microscopic counts using DAPI (4’,6‐diamidino‐2‐phenylindole) epifluorescent staining revealed coccoid‐shaped, vibroid, rod‐shaped, and filamentous bacteria in Copper Cliff South biofilms. The same morphological types were observed at Kidd Creek with the addition of a group of large (2–3 μm in length) vibroid to rod‐shaped bacteria. Average total counts were 9 ±7 × 106 bacteria/cm2 for Copper Cliff South biofilms and 5 ± 1 × 106 bacteria/cm2 for Kidd Creek biofilms with a mean biomass value of 131 ± 35 μg carbohydrate/cm2. Transmission electron microscopy revealed slightly vibroid, rod‐shaped, g...

Preliminary Report of the Use of Electroejaculation for the Treatment of Anejaculation

ABSTRACT: Electroejaculation was used to treat anejaculation in 12 patients in 37 sessions at our institution. The average age of the patients was 35 years. The etiology of anejaculation was spinal cord injury in five (42%) and other causes in seven (58%), which included diabetes mellitus, pelvic or retropubic surgery usually for a congenital disorder, and in one case psychological anejaculation. The mean time that had elapsed from the original spinal cord injury was 13 years. General anesthesia was used at the time of anejaculation in 32 (86%) of the sessions and IV sedation in five (14%). Patients with a history of predilection for autonomic dysreflexia were treated with nifedipine.Ejaculation occurred in 34 of the 37 sessions (92%). No ejaculation occurred in only three sessions (8%). Antegrade and retrograde specimens containing sperm were found in 25 of the 37 sessions (68%). Antegrade specimens alone were obtained in eight of the patients (22%), and a retrograde specimen alone was obtained in only one patient (3%). Semen analysis of the specimens showed an average total sperm count of 932 × 108/ml with 11.6% motility, thus giving an average total motile sperm of 100 × 108 with a grade of 2.4/4. There was no change in total sperm count with regard to session to session, duration of time of injury or surgery, or level of spinal cord injury.In these 12 patients, there have been three pregnancies obtained with intrauterine insemination; and to date there has been delivery of four normal healthy children.These 12 patients were part of a multi‐institutional trial using an electroejaculation machine developed by Dr. S. W. J. Seager of the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington, D.C. The results of the multi‐institutional study have not been reported. The patients were entered into the study, as part of the protocol approved by our local Institution Review Board, after signing an approved consent form. Prior to electroejaculation in the patients where orgasm occurred, postorgasm urine was checked for retrograde ejaculation. None of these had sperm. The couples were also instructed in the use of the vibrator trial at home in order to try to produce an ejaculation prior to the electroejaculation; however, all failed.The use of electroejaculation in humans was first reported by Horne et al (1948). The first pregnancy in a human was reported by Thomas et al (1975). More recent reports in the American experience with electroejaculation have been reported by Bennett and Ohl (Bennett, 1990; Ohl et al, 1989; Ohl, 1993). Ohl reported that age of the patient and interval of time since spinal cord injury had no effect on the outcome of electroejaculation (Ohl et al, 1989). In this same report in 1989, he reported better outcome in thoracic spinal cord injured patients compared to cervical or lumbar level injuries, better outcome in those on self‐intermittent catheterization compared to catheterized individuals or those using Credé bladder emptying, better outcome in complete vs. incomplete spinal cord lesions, and lower outcome success in those who had a history of sphincterotomy.

Airborne Spores of Opportunistic Fungi in the Atmosphere of Cairo, Egypt

Abstract The prevalence of yeast spores in the atmosphere of Cairo as determined by the Andersen air sampler, was investigated at four sites over a period of one year. The average total count showed seasonal periodicity. The maximum count was recorded in autumn and the minimum in summer. Eighteen species of yeasts belonging to 9 genera were recovered and identified. The opportunistic genera of yeasts represented by seven genera showed high percentage of the total count. The most prevalent genera Cryptococcus, Candida and Rhodotorula constituting, 26.6%, 19.9% and 17.9% respectively. Other genera of low count were Kluyveromyces (7.4%). Debaryomyces (4.3%) and Trichosporon (3.2%).

Weather and Bird Populations in True Fir Forests of the Sierra Nevada, California

Bird communities were monitored in fir (Abies spp.) forests at 51 sites in the western Sierra Nevada during the breeding seasons of 1983, 1984 and 1985. The El Nino winter of 1982-83 had the greatest snowfall on record. The summers of 1984 and 1985 followed winters with moderate snowfalls. Bird species richness and average total count increased linearly from 1983 to 1985. The relative abundances of 12 common species increased from 1983 to 1985. Abundances of two common species did not differ among years. Twenty-eight uncommon species increased and four decreased in numbers from 1983 to 1985. Bird response patterns differed between lower-altitude white fir (A. concolor) forests and upper-altitude red fir (A. magnifica) forests. Bird numbers were similar in both habitats in 1983 but greater in white fir then in red fir in 1984 and 1985. Abundances of the common species increased in both habitats in both years, but abundances of uncommon species did not increase substantially in red fir until 1985. It was suggested that bird numbers were depressed in 1983, although not atypically so for fir forests, and that white fir and low-altitude forests might harbour 'source' populations for red fir 'sink' populations during periods of resource stress.

Airborne spores of opportunistic fungi in the atmosphere of cairo, egypt

Abstract The prevalence of airborne mould spores at four sites in Cairo was determined using an Andersen air sampler over a period of one year. The average total count varied seasonally and maxima were recorded in winter at all sampling sites. One hundred and fifteen species of moulds belonging to forty‐two genera were isolated. Cladosporium was isolated more frequently (39.6%) than Aspergillus (27.2%), Penicillium (14.1%), Cumularia (4%), Neurospora (3.2%) and Alternaria (2.5%). Opportunistic moulds of clinical significance represented 22 genera and constituted 75 to 100% of the total mould count.

Androgenetic alopecia: Treatment results with topical minoxidil

A double-blind 12-month trial was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of topical minoxidil in patients with androgenetic alopecia. During the first 4 months of the study, patients applied a topical solution containing either 2% minoxidil, 3% minoxidil, or placebo to their scalps twice daily. At the end of the fourth month, patients taking placebo were crossed over to treatment with 3% minoxidil solution. Of 60 patients enrolled in the study, 43 were evaluable at month 12. Hairs were counted in a 1-inch target area and classified as vellus, indeterminate, and terminal; the latter two classifications were combined as nonvellus hairs for further statistical analysis. All three groups had significant increases in total, nonvellus, and terminal hair counts between baseline and month 4 and between month 4 and month 12. At month 4 the average total hair counts increased from a baseline mean of 158.2 to 270.2 in the 2% minoxidil group, from 156.6 to 287.0 in the 3% minoxidil group, and from 162.6 to 246.9 in the placebo group. At month 12 the means were 415.6, 448.5, and 471.1 in the 2% minoxidil, 3% minoxidil, and placebo-3% minoxidil crossover subjects, respectively. The increases from month 4 to month 12 were highly significant for each group (p = 0.0001). Average increases in nonvellus hair counts between months 4 and 12 were 216, 181, and 264 in the 2% minoxidil, 3% minoxidil, and placebo-to-3% minoxidil crossover groups, respectively, all highly significant differences from zero (p = 0.0001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)