Assessment of plant diversity of endemic species of the Saharo-Arabian region in Egypt

Savanna, semi-deserts, and hot deserts characterize the Saharo-Arabian region, which includes Morocco, Mauretania, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Palestine, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen, southern Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and northern India. Its neighboring regions, the Sudano-Zambezian region belonging to the Paleotropical Kingdom and the Mediterranean and Irano-Turanian regions included in the Holarctic Kingdom, share a large portion of their flora with the Saharo-Arabian region. Despite the widespread acknowledgment of the region's global importance for plant diversity, an up to date list of the Saharo-Arabian endemics is still unavailable. The available data are frequently insufficient or out of date at both the whole global and the national scales. Therefore, the present study aims at screening and verifying the Saharo-Arabian endemic plants and determining the phytogeographical distribution of these taxa in the Egyptian flora. Hence, a preliminary list of 429 Saharo-Arabian endemic plants in Egypt was compiled from the available literature. Indeed, by excluding the species that were recorded in any countries or regions outside the Saharo-Arabian region based on different literature, database reviews, and websites, the present study has reduced this number to 126 taxa belonging to 87 genera and 37 families. Regarding the national geographic distribution, South Sinai is the richest region with 83 endemic species compared with other eight phytogeographic regions in Egypt, followed by the Isthmic Desert(the middle of Sinai Peninsula, 53 taxa). Sahara regional subzone(SS1) distributes all the 126 endemic species, Arabian regional subzone(SS2) owns 79 taxa, and Nubo-Sindian subzone(SS3) distributes only 14 endemics. Seven groups were recognized at the fourth level of classification as a result of the application of the two-way indicator species analysis(TWINSPAN) to the Saharo-Arabian endemic species in Egypt, i.e., Ⅰ Asphodelus refractus group, Ⅱ Agathophora alopecuroides var. papillosa group, Ⅲ Anvillea garcinii group, Ⅳ Reseda muricata group, V Agathophora alopecuroides var. alopecuroides group, Ⅵ Scrophularia deserti group, and Ⅶ Astragalus schimperi group. It's crucial to clearly define the Saharo-Arabian endemics and illustrate an updated verified database of these taxa for a given territory for providing future management plans that support the conservation and sustainable use of these valuable species under current thought-provoking devastating impacts of rapid anthropogenic and climate change in this region.

Standardization of meibomian gland dysfunction in an Egyptian population sample using a non-contact meibography technique

AIM:To develop normative data for meibomian gland dysfunction(MGD)parameters,using non-contact meibography technique of Sirius Costruzione Strumenti Oftalmici(CSO)machine,in an Egyptian population sample.METHODS:Observational,cross-sectional,analytic study,in which 104 Egyptian volunteers were included.Both upper lids were examined,using“Sirius CSO”machine.Each eyelid was given a degree of meibomian gland loss(MGL),which was calculated by the software of the machine.RESULTS:Mean percentage MGL in right upper lid was of 30.9%±12.6%,and that of left upper lid was 32.6%±11.8%.Thirty-four volunteers(32.7%)had first-degree MGL in their right upper lid,and 67.3%had second-degree loss.One volunteer(1%)had zero-degree MGL in left upper lid,28(26.9%)had first-degree loss,and 75(72.1%)had second-degree loss.Degree of MGL in right upper eyelid was not related to age,but degree of MGL in left upper eyelid increased with age.There was statistically significant difference between both genders for degree of MGL in right eye(P=0.036)and in left eye(P=0.027).CONCLUSION:Noncontact meibography is a useful non-invasive tool for diagnosing MGL.MGL is diagnosed in 100%of apparently normal individuals;26.9%-32.7%of which have first-degree MGL,and 67.3%-72.1%have second-degree MGL.

采用沿岸动力概念以减少埃及红海海域高速船燃料消耗与降低排放(英文)

The progress of economic globalization,the rapid growth of international trade,and the maritime transportation has played an increasingly significant role in the international supply chain.As a result,worldwide seaports have suffered from a central problem,which appears in the form of massive amounts of fuel consumed and exhaust gas fumes emitted from the ships while berthed.Many ports have taken the necessary precautions to overcome this problem,while others still suffer due to the presence of technical and financial constraints.In this paper,the barriers,interconnection standards,rules,regulations,power sources,and economic and environmental analysis related to ships,shore-side power were studied in efforts to find a solution to overcome his problem.As a case study,this paper investigates the practicability,costs and benefits of switching from onboard ship auxiliary engines to shore-side power connection for high-speed crafts called Alkahera while berthed at the port of Safaga,Egypt.The results provide the national electricity grid concept as the best economical selection with 49.03 percent of annual cost saving.Moreover,environmentally,it could achieve an annual reduction in exhaust gas emissions of CO2,CO,NOx,P.M,and SO2by 276,2.32,18.87,0.825 and 3.84 tons,respectively.

HLA-DQB1 * 等位基因和基因危险性到类型 1 糖尿病 mellitus

AIM: To determine human leukocyte antigen (HLA)DQB1 allele association with susceptibility to type 1 diabetes (T1D) and to clinical and laboratory findings. METHODS: This study was conducted on 85 unrelated Egyptian children with T1D recruited consecutively from the Pediatric Diabetes Endocrinology outpatients Clinic; Mansoura University Children’s Hospital, Egypt. Patient mean follow up period was 2.5 years. Patients were subdivided according to level of HbA1c (optimal/suboptimal control 【 8.5% and poor control ≥ 8.5%). Thecontrol group consisted of 113 unrelated ageand sexmatched healthy subjects without T1D or other autoimmune diseases. Genomic DNA extraction was done for all subjects using a DNA isolation kit. HLA-Class Ⅱ-DQB1 allele typing was carried out with a polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific oligonucleotide probe using a INNO-LiPA HLA-DQB1 update kit. RESULTS: Significant differences were detected between Egyptian patients with T1D and control groups in the frequencies of DQB1*02 [44.4% vs 18.6%, corrected P value (Pc) 【 0.001] and DQB1*03 (41.2% vs 24.4%, Pc 【 0.001). Significant differences were also observed between control groups and T1D patients in the frequencies of DQB1*05 (14.6% vs 7.2%, P = 0.029) and DQB1*06 (34.1% vs 7.2%, P 【 0.001). However, after correction for multiple comparisons, the significance was retained for HLA-DQB1*06 (Pc 【 0.001) but lost for HLA-DQB1*05. HLA-DQB1*0201, *0202, *030201 were positively associated with T1D (Pc = 0.014, Pc 【 0.001, and Pc 【 0.001 respectively), while HLA-DQB1*060101 was negatively associated (Pc 【 0.001) with the condition. Although the HLA-DQB1 alleles 030101 and 050101 were significantly higher in controls (P = 0.016, P = 0.025 respectively), both of them lost statistical significance after correction of P value. The frequency of the HLA-DQB1 genotypes 02/02, 02/03, and 03/03 was higher in T1D patients, and the frequency of the genotypes 03/06, 05/06, and 06/06 was higher in controls, these differences being statistically significant before correction. After correction, the genotypes 02/02, 02/03 in T1D, and the genotypes 03/06, 06/06 in controls were still significant (Pc = 0.01, Pc 【 0.001, Pc 【 0.001, and Pc = 0.04, respectively). Non-significant associations were found between the frequency HLA-DQB1 alleles and genotypes in T1D in relation to the grade of diabetic control, Microalbuminuria, age, gender, age of presentation, weight, height, frequency of diabetic ketoacidosis (P =0.42), serum cholesterol, and fasting and post-prandial level of C-peptide (P = 0.83, P = 0.9, respectively). CONCLUSION: The Current work suggests that HLADQB1 alleles *030201, *0202, *0201, and genotypes 02/03, 02/02 may be susceptibility risk factors for development of T1D in Egyptian children, while the HLADQB1*060101 allele, and 03/06, 06/06 genotypes may be protective factors. HLA-DQB1 alleles and genotypes do not contribute to microalbuminuria or grade of diabetic control.

Neoproterozoic Tectonic Events of Egypt

The Egyptian Nubian Shield(ENS)represents the northwestern part of the Arabian-Nubian Shield and the northern extension of the East African Orogen.The ENS is regarded as being formed due to northward-directed escape tectonics.It is characterized by mild accretion and suture zones dominated by major strike-slip zones with a commonly sinistral sense of movement;some shear zones display a dextral sense of shear.It is dominated by gneisses and migmatites in the south,arc volcaniclastic metasediments and highly dismembered ophiolites in the central parts,whereas its northern part is dominated by late-to post-tectonic granitoids.In southern Sinai,the Neoproterozoic rocks are grouped into four complexes,namely Feiran–Solaf,Sa’al–Zaghra,Kid and Taba.The ENS ophiolites were formed between 730–750 Ma,mainly in a supra-subduction zone setting.The ENS has undergone a Neoproterozoic deformation history involving three successive phases:(1)Early N–S shortening phase(D1),(2)Syn-accretionary phase(D2)and(3)Post-accretionary phase(D3).The initial island-arc stage(780–730 Ma)is a N–S shortening phase initiated by collision between the Eastern Desert tectonic terrane to the north with both the Gebeit and Gabgaba terranes to the south(830–720 Ma).During the arc-splitting and back-arc spreading stage(730–620),voluminous syn-tectonic granitoids intruded into the ENS(750–610 Ma).The E–W-directed compressional/transpressional phase(620–450 Ma)led to the overall uplift of the central part of the ENS and consequently the development and exhumation of the core complexes in oblique convergent zones.The E–W intense shortening deformation resulted also in the formation of NW-and NE-striking sinistral and dextral strike-slip shear zones,respectively.The latest periods of the E–W-directed compressional/transpressional regime were characterized by deposition of the molasse-type Hammamat Sediments unconformably over the Dokhan Volcanics,or interbedded with them.The combined thrusting,folding and sinistral-reverse shearing structures have been interpreted to resulted from the E–Wdirected compressional/transpressional phase in response to the oblique shortening of the Arabian-Nubian Shield between East and West Gondwana.

Psychiatric Aspects of Egyptian Women with Unexplained Infertility

Background: The diagnosis of unexplained infertility may be very frustrating for infertile couples and they show higher depression levels when compared to fertile couples. Aim: To assess the psychiatric aspects of Egyptian women with unexplained infertility. Methods: 220 infertile women were included in this study (110 with unexplained infertility and 110 with explained infertility). The psychiatric aspect of these women was evaluated using the translated and validated Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory-II. Findings: The number of women with mild depression was significantly higher in the unexplained infertility group (47/110 (42.7%)) versus (22/110 (20%)) in the explained infertility group (P = 0.007). The number of women with moderate anxiety was significantly higher in the unexplained infertility group (26/110 (23.6%)) versus (8/110 (7.3%)) in the explained infertility group (P = 0.003). Conclusion: The current study concluded that mild depression and moderate anxiety were significantly higher in the unexplained infertility group. It is crucial to identify infertility women who are in need of psychological support and counseling during infertility treatment, because the psychological disturbance of the infertile women may affect the outcome of infertility treatment.

Dietary Intervention with Yoghurt, Synbiotic Yogurt or Traditional Fermented Sobya: Bio-Potency among Male Adolescents Using Five Bio-Markers of Relevance to Colonic Metabolic Activities

The objective of the present work is to test the effectiveness of probiotic potency of regular yoghurt, synbiotic yoghurt and traditional fermented Egyptian sobya containing endogenous probiotic strains compared to unfermented rice milk porridge. Methods: The study consisted of 28 male subjects with mean age of 13.9 ± 0.1 years. The subjects were divided into four groups, three groups consumed one of three fermented supplements, while the fourth group served as a control group. Stool and urinary samples were carried out prefeeding and after 3-week nutritional intervention for assessing five indicators of revelance to colonic metabolic activities. The fermented supplements used for evaluation were regular yoghurt, synbiotic yoghurt and traditional fermented sobya;while the fourth group was given unfermented rice milk and served as control. Intestinal permeability was assessed by the urinary lactulose mannitol ratio. Results: The mean fecal total lactobacilli counts increased (P < 0.05) three weeks after daily consumption of the three fermented supplements (P < 0.05), when compared to the pre-intervention levels. Similar trends were observed for genus bifidobacterium. On the contrary, enterobacteraceae counts were reduced in all the three groups consuming fermented supplements. The three-week dietary interventions with regular yogurt or sobya significantly reduced the lactulose/manitol (L/M) ratios (P< 0.05). The mean urinary anti-oxidative activities increased only among subjects consumingsynbiotic yogurt for three weeks, compared to pre-intervention period (P<0.05). Similar trendwas found after consumption of fermented sobya, but the increase didn’t attain significant level (P>0.05). Mean fecal short chain fatty acids concentrations (acetic;propionic and butyric) tended to increase following the intervention with synbiotic yogurt or sobya compared to respective pre-intervention values;but the difference didn’t attain significance (0.1>P> 0.05). The 3-week nutritional intervention didn’t impact the activities of the fecal hydrolytic enzymes. Conclusion: Nutritional intervention with regular yoghurt, synbiotic yoghurt or traditional fermented sobya improved the balance of human resident microbiota and other GI tract-associated health parameters to variable degrees.

Evaluation of genetic diversity and conservation priorities for Egyptian chickens

In this study, 21 microsatellite markers were used to genotype 196 Egyptian local chickens obtained from Fayoumi (n = 35), Dandarawy (n = 30), Baladi (n = 29), Sinai (n = 30), El-Salam (n = 36), and Golden Montazah (n = 36) strains. The results were compared to two pure commercial chicken populations reared in Japan-White Leghorn (n = 42) and Rhode Island Red (n = 43). A total of 162 alleles were observed, with an average of 7.7 alleles per locus. The average expected heterozygosity for the Egyptian chickens was 0.595. The closest pairwise Nei’s genetic distance was recorded between Sinai and Golden Montazah (0.038) and the smallest pairwise FST value (0.006) was observed between Baladi and Sinai. The most probable structure clustering of the eight studied populations was at K = 6. Baladi, Sinai and Golden Montazah strains were clustered together forming admixed mosaic cluster. Dandarawy ranked firstly and contributed the most to aggregate genetic diversity based on two prioritization methods. The information resulting from this study may be used as an initial guide to design further investigations for development of sustainable genetic improvement and conservation programs for the Egyptian chicken genetic resources.

A Real Life Study on Treatment of Egyptian Patients with HCV Genotype IV with Simeprevir and Sofosbuvir

Background and Aims: Treatment with a combination of the nucleotide polymerase inhibitor sofosbuvir and NS3A (non-structural protein 3A) protease inhibitor simeprevir resulted in high rates of sustained virological response in chronic hepatitis C Genotype 4. Methods: We conducted a real life study on Egyptian patients coming to tropical medicine department clinic at El Mery main university hospital from February 2015 to February 2016 for treatment naive and treatment experienced patients with chronic HCV genotype 4, including cirrhotics and non cirrhotics. Naive (cir-rhotics and non cirrhotics) and relapsers (non cirrhotics) received nucleotide polymerase inhibitor sofosbuvir and NS3A inhibitor simeprevir once daily for 12 weeks and 24 weeks for relapser cirrhotic patients. The primary end point was a sustained virologic response at 12 weeks after end of treatment. An informed consent was obtained from each patient at the beginning of the study (Real life study: a study on Egyptian patients when the drug was available in the market). Results: 30 naive patients with HCV genotype 4 and 20 relapsers (10 non cirrhotic and 10 cirrhotic patients) were enrolled. Patient inclusion criteria: Naive patients are those who tested positive for HCV RNA by PCR and had no experience to HCV treatment;Relapsers are those who tested positive for HCV RNA by PCR and had a previous treatment for HCV. Cirrhosis was diagnosed on ultrasound basis. Mean age was 53.57 ± 10.682 years old in naive patients and 48.30 ± 5.100 years old in relapsers. Median baseline HCV RNA was 360,069 IU/mL for naive patients and 1,245,000 IU/mL for relapsers;using Fib4 20% of naive patients were F3-F4, while 40% of relapsers were F3-F4. Degree of fibrosis was confirmed by fibrotest in relapsers. Upon treatment of patients with sofosbuvir and semiprevir once daily for 12 weeks and 24 weeks only to cirrhotic relapsers, end of treatment PCR was negative in 100% in all groups including cirrhotics and non cirrhotics. Primary end point (SVR 12) was achieved in 100% of all patients. Second end point (SVR 24) was achieved in 96.6% of naive pa-ients;SVR 24 for non-cirrhotic relapsers was achieved in 100% of patients and in 90% of cirrhotic relapsers. One patient had transient total bilirubin elevations without increased ALT (alanine aminotransferase) or AST (aspartate aminotransferase). One patient developed cutaneous rash. Conclusion: Once daily sofosbuvir and simeprevir for 12 weeks provided high rate of sustained virological response among treatment naive and treatment experienced patients with HCV genotype IV.

Integrated Action of Mixture Rates and Nitrogen Levels on Quantity and Quality of Forage Mixture from Egyptian Clover and Barley in Sandy Soil

Effect of seeding rate mixture from Egyptian clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) E.C. and barley (Hordum vulgare L.) B, N-fertilization levels and their interaction on quantity and quality of forage yield. Two field experiments were conducted during winter season of 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 in sandy soil at research and production station of National Research Centre, Al Nubaria district, Al Behaira Governorate, Egypt. The experiment included two factors first was five mixtures from seeding rates (24 kg EC/fed. – 50 kg B/fed. – 18 kg EC + 12.5 kg B/fed. – 12kg EC + 25 kg B/fed. – 6 kg EC + 37.5 kg B/fed.) and second factor was three N levels (30-45-60 kg N/fed.). Two cuts were obtained at 60 and 100 DAS. Results indicated significant differences between mixture rates for all studied characters in both cuts 60 and 100 DAS. Significant differences between N levels for all studied characters at 60 DAS, also, forage yield /fed. and DM% at 100 DAS. It can be introducing forage mixture of 18 kg EC + 12.5 B had balanced character in forage yield/fed., DM%, carbohydrate % and protein % at both cuts 60 and 100 DAS.

Comorbidity of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Children with Epilepsy, Egyptian Study

Background: Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological conditions with about 65 million people affected worldwide. It is also a common condition in children, where its prevalence is approximately 3.2 - 5.5/1000 in the developed world. Children with epilepsy (CWE) experience not only seizures but also multiple cognitive, behavioral, and emotional problems. ADHD is one of the more common comorbidities of childhood epilepsy. Objectives: To discuss the relationship between childhood epilepsy and comorbidities especially ADHD. Study Design: This is a prospective observational analytical cross-sectional study carried out on one hundred and fifteen patients at Ain Shams University and Nasr-city Health Insurance out-patient clinics, Cairo, Egypt fulfilling the inclusion criteria. Patients were selected by simple random sample. Results: ADHD is very common epilepsy comorbidity in Egyptian epileptic children with under-diagnosis and treatment. Conclusion: Frequent assessment for ADHD in epileptic children is mandatory for better quality of life.

Forecasting of Cultivated Area in Egyptian Lands Using a Time Series Model for Sustainable Development

The cultivated area is an important component of land resources that has a direct impact on food security. Egyptian cultivated area was estimated to be 3.86 million hectares in 2020. Recently, there has been a decline in cultivated areas, which could be attributed to a number of factors, including climatic changes and urban sprawl, endangering Egyptian sustainable development. So, the aim of the current study was to forecast the values of cultivated areas in Egypt for the next five years using the ARIMA model based on data from 1990 to 2020. The model predicted a decrease in cultivated area in coming years of about 3.06, 3.19, 3.084, 3.082 and 3.21 million hectares, respectively, according to the results. This forecasting will aid the country’s policy development for future land using planning and agricultural production.

Complete rectal prolapse in young Egyptian males: Is schistosomiasis really condemned?

AIM To investigate the assumption that schistosomiasis is the main cause of rectal prolapse in young Egyptian males. METHODS Twenty-one male patients between ages of 18 and 50 years with complete rectal prolapse were included in the study out of a total 29 patients with rectal prolapse admitted for surgery at Colorectal Surgery Unit, Ain Shams University hospitals between the period of January 2011 and April 2014. Patients were asked to fill out a specifically designed questionnaire about duration of the prolapse, different bowel symptoms and any past or present history of schistosomiasis. Patients also underwent flexible sigmoidoscopy and four quadrant midrectal biopsies documenting any gross or microscopic rectal pathology. Data from questionnaire and pathology results were analyzed and patients were categorized according to their socioeconomic class.RESULTS Twelve patients(57%) never contracted schistosomiasis and were never susceptible to the disease, nine patients(43%) had history of the disease but were properly treated. None of the patients had gross rectal polypsand none of the patients had active schistosomiasis on histopathological examination. Fifteen patients(71%) had early onset prolapse that started in childhood, majority before the age of 5 years. Thirteen patients(62%) were habitual strainers, and four of them(19%) had straining dating since early childhood. Four patients(19%) stated that prolapse followed a period of straining that ranged between 8 mo and 2 years. Nine patients(43%) in the present study came from the low social class, 10 patients(48%) came from the working class and 2 patients(9%) came from the low middle social class. CONCLUSION Schistosomiasis should not be considered the main cause of rectal prolapse among young Egyptian males. Childhood prolapse that continues through adult life is likely involved. Childhood prolapse probably results from malnutrition, recurrent parasitic infections and diarrhea that induce straining and prolapse, all are common in lower socioeconomic classes.

Screening for hepatocellular carcinoma by Egyptian physicians

AIM: To assess the practice of Egyptian physicians in screening patients for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC). METHODS: The study included 154 physicians from all over Egypt caring for patients at risk for HCC. The study was based on a questionnaire with 20 items. Each questionnaire consisted of two parts:(1) personal information regarding the physician(name, age, specialty and type of health care setting); and(2) professional experience in the care of patients at risk for HCC development(screening, knowledge about the cause and natural course of liver diseases and HCC risk). RESULTS: Sixty-eight percent of doctors with an MD degree, 48% of doctors with a master degree or a diploma and 40% of doctors with a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery certificate considered the hepatitis C virus(HCV) genotype as risk factor for HCC development(P < 0.05). Ninety percent of physicians specialized in tropical medicine, internal medicine or gastroenterology and 67% of physicians in other specialties advise patients to undergo screening for HCV and hepatitis B virus infection as well as liver cirrhosis(P < 0.05). Eighty-six percent of doctors in University Hospitals and 69% of Ministry of Health(MOH) doctors consider HCV infection as the leading cause of HCC in Egypt(P < 0.05). Seventy-two percent of doctors with an MD degree, 55% of doctors with a master degree or a diploma, 56% of doctors with an MBBCH certificate, 74% of doctors in University Hospitals and 46% of MOH hospital doctors consider abdominal ultrasonography as the most important investigation in HCC screening(P < 0.05). Sixty-five percent of physicians in tropical medicine, internal medicine or gastroenterology and 37% of physicians in other specialties recommend as HCC screening interval of 3 mo(P < 0.05). Seventy-one percent of doctors with an MD degree, 50% of doctors with a master degree or diploma and 60% of doctors with an MBBCH certificate follow the same recommendation.CONCLUSION: In Egypt, physicians specialized in tropical medicine, internal medicine or gastroenterology with an MD degree and working in a University Hospital are best informed about HCC.

Characterization of some bacterial strains isolated from the Egyptian eastern and northern coastlines with antimicrobial activity of Bacillus zhangzhouensis OMER4

Marine microorganisms were considered to be important sources of marine bioactive compounds.The major objective of the study was to isolate and characterize bacteria with antimicrobial activities from the various marine environment of Egypt.In this respect,thirty-five bacterial isolates were recovered from sediment samples collected from different spots along the Egyptian Red Sea coastline and Alexandria coastline during the summer season of 2017 and 2018.According to the morphological,physiological,and biochemical characteristics,the bacterial isolates were clustered into 13 groups designated as A,B,…,M.And,14 Gram-negative and 21 Grampositive bacteria were determined.The isolated bacterial strains were screened for their potentiality for antimicrobial agent(s)production against ten indicator strains.Strain Mo13 was showed high antimicrobial activity against all empirical strains.Subsequently,the most promising marine bacterial isolate with code MO13 was identified as Bacillus zhangzhouensis OMER4 according to the phenotypic characterization through morphological,physiological,and biochemical tests as well as genotypic characterization through the 16 S rDNA technique.The bioactive components were extracted with ethyl acetate,then analyzed using GC-MS and the substantial component was recognized as phenol,2,4-bis(1,1-dimethyl ethyl).

Transcriptome Analysis Provides Novel Insights into Salt Stress Response in Two Egyptian Rice Varieties with Different Tolerance Levels

The response of rice to salt stress(200 mmol/L NaCl)was investigated at the transcription level in Egyptian varieties Giza 177(salt sensitive variety)and Giza 178(salt tolerant variety).We applied a genome-wide RNA-Seq transcriptome study at 21-day-old seedlings of both varieties,exposed or not to salt stress for 24 h.

Mineralization of ^(14)C-ring Labelled 2,4-D in Egyptian Soils Under Aerobic and Anaerobic Conditions

Obiectives To study the mineralization of 2,4-D in clay and clay loam Egyptian soils under subtropical conditions over a period of 90 d. Methods Using 14C-ring labelled pesticide, laboratory studies under aerobic and anaerobic conditions were conducted. 14C-activity in solutions was directly determined by liquid scintillation counting. Unextractable soil residues were determined by combustion. The nature of methanolic '4C-residues was determined by thin layer and high performance liquid chromatographic analysis. Results Under aerobic conditions 10%-14% of applied dose was mineralized during 90 d irrespective of soil type. The soil extractable pesticide residues decreased with time and the bound residues gradually increased. The highest binding capacity of about 26%-29% was observed in clay soil under aerobic conditions after 90 d. A good balance sheet was obtained and the percentage recovery was generally between 91% and 100%. Conclusion The mineralization of 2,4-D in clay soil was higher than that in clay loam soil under anaerobic conditions. Under aerobic conditions, the soil type had no influence on mineralizaion capacity of 2,4-D during 90 d. The soil binding increased with time whereby the extractable 14C-residues simultaneously decreased. Chromatographic analysis of the methanol extractable l4C-residues of soils revealed the presence of 2,4-D as a main product together with 2,4-dichlorophenol.

Elemental analysis of some Egyptian ores and industrial iron samples by neutron activation analysis

Elemental analysis of iron ore samples and first industrial iron production prepared by the Egyptian Iron and Steel Company of Helwan near Cairo were determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis technique. Five samples from each kind were irradiated for a 48 hours at a thermal neutron flux of 4×10 12 n/(cm 2.s) in the first Egyptian research reactor ET RR 1. Also the Pneumatic irradiation Rabbit system (PIRS) attached to the reactor in Inshass, was used to measure the elements of short life time. The gamma ray spectra were recorded by means of the hyper pure germanium detection system. The concentration percentage values of major, minor and trace elements are presented. The long and short lived isotopes were considered. A comparative study and a discussion on the elemental concentration values are given.

Relationship among uterine involution, ovarian activity, blood metabolites and subsequent reproductive performance in Egyptian buffaloes

The aim of the study to monitor post partal uterine involution, ovarian activity and biochemical parameters and it is relation to the subsequent fertility. A total sixty normal calving pluriparous buffaloes were examined between 14th and 75th day post partum (p.p.) rectaly, ultrasonically and blood sampling were collected on weekly sessions. There were differences (P < 0.01) between pregnant (PREG) and non-pregnant (NPREG) groups in Body condition score (BCS) and body weights. There was a difference between previous gravid uterine horn (PGUH) and non-gravid uterine horn (NPGUH) diameter in PREG and NPREG groups at 28th day p.p. The calving to first service interval in the PREG group was shorter (P = 0.03) than that of NPREG one. The number of buffaloes with dominant follicles (DF 3 8 mmdiameter) in ipsilateral and contralateral ovary to the PGUH in PREG group was higher (P < 0.01) than in NPREG. The calving to first service interval in the PREG group having DF in the ovary ipsilateral to the PGUH (n = 16) was shorter (P < 0.01) than those buffaloes having no DF (n = 18). The number of service per conception and days open in the PREG buffaloes which had no DF in the ovary ipsilateral to the PGUH were higher and longer (P < 0.01) than that which had DF group. The values of glucose and triglyceride were higher (P = 0.057) in PREG than NPREG group. In conclusion, postpartum ovarian activity has positive effect on the uterine involution and postpartum profile of some metabolities may be a good predictor of fertility status of buffaloes.

Antiviral effect of polyphenol rich plant extracts on herpes simplex virus type 1

Evaluation of the anti-herpetic activity of 25 Egyptian plants extracts was investigated in vitro in this study.The antiviral activity against Herpes Simplex Virus type 1(HSV-1)was done on Vero cell lines by cell viability.Only two plants extracts;namely Euphorbia coopire(Euphorbiaceae)and Morus alba(Moraceae)showed potent anti-herpetic activity and six other extracts showed moderate inhibition.In contrast,a bioassay monitored phytochemical exploration of these two plants led to the isolation of pure flavonoid compounds.The antiviral activity of the isolated compounds was also examined,among which seven pure compounds namely;7-galloyl catechin,gallic acid,kaempferol 3-O-β-(6″-O-galloyl)-glucopyranoside,quercetin 3-O-β-(6″-O-galloyl)-glucopyranoside,curcumin,quercetin and kaempferol exhibited significant inhibition.