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The focus of this work is to shed more light on materials and decorating techniques used on a decorated wooden stick of king Tutankhamun. Moreover, the authors were interested in using a developed methodology to unfold the cylindrical decorations of the stick. The botanical species of the wood and bark samples were identified by observing thin sections under an optical transmission light microscope; the decorating materials layered on the wood surface were analyzed by scientific and analytical techniques including optical microscopy (OM), environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The analyses provided new information concerning the materials and decorating techniques that varied from top to bottom of the same stick. The characterization of this stick represents a first step in determining the materials and decorating techniques used to produce this particular kind of sticks during king's Tutankhamun period.

The focus of this study is to use a multi-analytical approach to map and identify the pigments used on a polychrome wooden coffin (Late Period), as well as to provide a deeper understanding of the painting techniques and the condition of the object. Moreover, the authors are significantly interested in the identification of the wood species. These were identified by observing the thin sections of samples under an optical transmission light microscope; the painted materials layered on the wood surface were analyzed by several scientific and analytical methods. Furthermore, the previous consolidation material and salts were also identified. The application of technical photography provided useful information about the spatial distribution of the surviving original pigments and the materials used in previous restoration interventions, in particular visible-induced luminescence, which played an important role to recognize spatial distribution of areas containing Egyptian blue, even if it is in traces or mixed with other pigments. However complete characterization of the pigments was only possible with the use of other techniques.

The present study demonstrates scientific procedures applied to study mural paintings in two Graeco-Roman tombs of El-Muzzawaka, Dakhla Oases, Egypt. First, a series of analytical methods was applied to determine the chemical and mineralogical composition of pigment and plaster samples collected from the studied tombs. The analyses were performed by means of digitalized optical microscopy (OM), polarized light microscopy (PLM), scanning electron microscopy attached with X-ray microanalysis detector (SEM−EDS), X−ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT−IR). Analyses of the pigment samples revealed Egyptian blue, Egyptian green, green earth, black magnetite, and red/yellow ochres. The paintings were applied on a coarse plaster layer made of gypsum, anhydrite, calcite, and quartz. The preparation layer was made of two phases of calcium sulphate (gypsum and anhydrite). Further, the detection of an organic binder, of gum Arabic, confirms the application of tempera technique. The results showed that the bed rock samples contain variable amounts of quartz, anhydrite, montmorillonite, kaolinite, gypsum, and sodium chloride (halite). In situ observations showed several deterioration forms on the studied mural paintings. The destructive climatic condition of the region and the defects of the rock structure have contributed seriously in the deterioration process. Based on experimental tests, multi restoration procedures were applied in form of cleaning, reattaching paint flakes, applying injection grouts to detached layers, reconstruction of missing parts in the plaster, repair of wide-open cracks, and final protective consolidation of the painted surfaces. Further, recommendations to minimize any future damage were discussed.

Abstract Background Behçet's disease (BD) is an autoimmune condition that involves multiple systems. The most common arterial manifestation in BD patients is pseudoaneurysm, which has higher frequency than aneurysm formation. Objectives To clarify the importance of profunda femoris artery in BD pseudoaneurysm, and present a new method for identifying healthy segments for anastomosis. Methods Fifteen patients presented at a vascular department with pseudoaneurysms of the common femoral (CFA) and superficial femoral artery (SFA), were diagnosed with BD and underwent surgical intervention at Kasr al Ainy hospitals over 2 years. Results All patients were male. The patients ranged in age from 30 to 40 years (mean, 33.8±2.6 years). Mean duration of the disease was 5±3.4 years. Eight (53.3%) CFA graft interpositions, six (40%) mid SFA graft interpositions, and one (6.66) distal SFA graft interposition were performed. Eight (53.3%) of these operations were performed using Dacron graft and sartorius flap, three (20%) were performed with a polytetrafluoroethylene graft, and four (26.66) with a great saphenous vein graft. Two cases (13.33%) were accidentally discovered while four cases (26.66%) had short distance claudication, four cases (26.66%) had pain at rest, and five cases (33.33%) presented with pulsatile swelling correlated with pseudoaneurysm size (p = 0.005). Patients were followed-up over 1 year for new aneurysms and recurrence. Conclusions Surgical repair with muscle flap coverage, with or without ligation of profunda femoris artery, does not affect prognosis. An alternative method for identifying healthy segments of femoral artery may be frozen section and examination of the artery to decrease the risk of recurrence at the site of anastomosis.