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The main aim of the Egyptian government is not only to increase tilapia fish production, but also to improve the quality of the fish produced. Contaminated water causes damage to farmed fish and is also considered an important factor affecting the fish quality. To avoid losses in fish farms, it is critical to obtain information on the microbial load. This research aimed to study the microbial load in four fish farms in the governorates of Kafr El-Sheikh and El-Faiyum (two farms in each governorate), in Egypt. Water and fish samples were collected at various locations within each farm pond for two seasons (autumn and spring) to assess the microbiological characteristics. Total coliform count of aquaculture water samples was the highest mean count of 3.93x103±1.81x10³ CFU/ml in farm (3) of El-Faiyum. However, Clostridium counts were highest in farm (2) of Kafr El-Sheikh at 1.85x10² ±1.76x10² in autumn of 2021. Total coliform count (1.196x10³±8.38x10²) was the highest in farm (1) of Kafr El-Sheikh in spring 2022. Also, Salmonella spp. was only detected in farm (2) of Kafr El-Sheikh in autumn 2021, but in spring 2022 it was positive in farm (3) of El-Faiyum. Nevertheless, Listeria spp. was not detected in the aquaculture water samples examined. In addition, Salmonella spp. was detected in farm (1) of Kafr El-Sheikh and in farms (3 and 4) of El-Faiyum in spring 2022. It was concluded that the presence of pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella and Clostridium in fish samples in some farms in Kafr El-Sheikh and El-Faiyum may contribute to foodborne illness. So that, the microbiological criteria are recommended to be applied as guidelines to develop additional control programs in fish farms. This can help in the pollution control of the agricultural drainage water that is used in aquaculture; consequently, prevent the growth and toxin production by pathogens [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An effective method for identifying species and evaluating the effects of changes caused by humans on specific species is the application of species distribution modelling (SDM) in desert environments. The fact that many dry lands and deserts throughout the world are situated in inhospitable regions may be the reason why such applications are still infrequently used on plant species in Egypt's Mediterranean region. Henceforth, the current study aims to map species richness and weighted endemism of Mediterranean endemics in the Mareotis subsector in Egypt and determine the environmental variables influencing distribution of these taxa. We produced a map of species distribution range using Ensemble SDMs. Further, stacked machine learning ensemble models derived from Random Forest (RF) and MaxEnt models were applied on 382 Mediterranean endemics distribution data to estimate and map diversity and endemism using two indices: species richness (SR) and weighted endemism index (WEI). The best models for ensemble modelling were chosen based on Kappa values and the Area Under the Receiver Operator Curve (AUC). The results showed that the models had a good predictive ability (Area Under the Curve (AUC) for all SDMs was > 0.75), indicating high accuracy in forecasting the potential geographic distribution of Mediterranean endemics. The main bioclimatic variables that impacted potential distributions of most species were wind speed, elevation and minimum temperature of coldest month. According to our models, six hotspots were determined for Mediterranean endemics in the present study. The highest species richness was recorded in Sallum, Matrouh wadis and Omayed, followed by Burg El-Arab, Ras El-Hekma and Lake Mariut. Indeed, species richness and endemism hotspots are promising areas for conservation planning. This study can help shape policy and mitigation efforts to protect and preserve Mediterranean endemics in the coastal desert of Egypt. These hotspots should be focused on by policy makers and stakeholders and declared as protectorates in the region. The largest number of species per area would be protected by focusing primarily on the hotspots with high species richness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Egypt suffers from a large food gap in vegetable oils due to the increased demand for them as a result of the continuous increase in population on the one hand, and the decrease in local production Cultivated with oil crops, where it reached by about 28.22 thousand tons during the study period on the other hand, as well as the decrease in the area of agricultural land, It reached about 28.25 thousand acres on average during the period (2001-2020, and the research aims to study the current situation of production and consumption of vegetable oils by identifying the development of the amount of local production of vegetable oils, the amount of pure food, and the size of the oil gap from soybean oils and sunflower oils. The most important results were found to be a decrease in the amount of local oil production by 30.7 thousand tons at an annual rate of 6% of the average total amount of local production of oils by 670 thousand tons. The cultivation of soybeans was also concentrated in the Minya Governorate by 74.6% of the total cultivated area in Egypt. Then Beni Suef Governorate came in second place in terms of soybean crop cultivation with a rate of 10.4%, then Assiut Governorate came in third place with 5% of the total area of the governorates planted with soybeans, and sunflower crop cultivation was concentrated in Nubaria Governorate with a rate of 26.5% of the total cultivated area. In Egypt, then Beheira Governorate comes in second place in terms of sunflower cultivation with a rate of 24.3%, then Fayoum Governorate comes in third place with a rate of 17.2% of the total area of the governorates cultivated with sunflower crops. The amount of pure food made from vegetable oils also increased by 56.49 thousand tons, at a rate of 5.4% of the average total amount of pure food, estimated at about 1114.7 thousand tons. The import of sunflower oil to Egypt from Russia ranked first and represented about 40% of the import values of sunflower oil out of the total. Countries from which Egypt imports Ukraine comes in second place and represents about 36% of the amount of sunflower oil imported, then comes the country of Argentina and represents about 20.51% of the amount of sunflower oil imported, and imports of soybean oil from the country of Argentina are also concentrated and are It ranks first in terms of importing soybean oil with a rate of 79%, then Brazil comes in second place and represents about 18.8% of the amount of imported soybean oil out of the total number of countries in the world, then the United States comes in third place and represents about 8.18% of the amount of imported soybean oil. Of the total countries in the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the 70–80 species of the genus Lycium (family Solanaceae) disjunctly distributed around the world, only three are frequently distributed in different locations in Egypt. Due to the morphological similarities between these three species, there is a need for alternative tools to distinguish them. Thus, the objective of this study was to revise the taxonomic features of Lycium europaeum L., Lycium shawii Roem. & Schult., and Lycium schweinfurthii var. aschersonii (Dammer) Feinbrun in consideration of their anatomical, metabolic, molecular, and ecological characteristics. In addition to analysis of their anatomical and ecological features, DNA barcoding was performed for molecular characterization through internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing and start codon targeted (SCoT) markers. Furthermore, metabolic profiling of the studied species was conducted based on gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The observed anatomical features of the adaxial and abaxial epidermal layers, type of mesophyll, crystals, number of palisade and spongy layers, and the vascular system showed variations between the studied species. Beyond this, the anatomy of the leaves showed an isobilateral structure in the studied species, without distinct differences. Species were molecularly identified in terms of ITS sequences and SCoT markers. The ITS sequences were deposited in GenBank with accession numbers ON149839.1, OP597546.1, and ON521125.1 for L. europaeum L., L. shawii, and L. schweinfurthii var. aschersonii, respectively. The sequences showed variations in GC content between the studied species; this was 63.6% in L. europaeum, 61.53% in L. shawii, and 63.55% in L. schweinfurthii var. aschersonii. A total of 62 amplified fragments, including 44 polymorphic fragments with a ratio of 70.97%, were obtained in the SCoT analysis, as well as unique amplicons in L. europaeum L., shawii, and L. schweinfurthii var. aschersonii of 5, 11, and 4 fragments, respectively. Through GC-MS profiling, 38 compounds were identified with clear fluctuations in the extracts of each species. Of these, 23 were distinguishing chemicals that could help in chemical identification of the extracts of the studied species. The present study succeeds in identifying alternative clear and diverse characteristics that can be used to distinguish between L. europaeum, L. shawii, and L. schweinfurthii var. aschersonii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The past decade witnessed the initiation and boom of the Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) activities in the hyper-arid southern Egypt. The ores are mined in the Eastern Desert and then transported to the densely populated farming communities in the Nile Valley, where the river provides the water resources needed for ore processing. In search for economic benefits, the poorly educated farmers with limited technical resources transformed their cultivated lands into ASGM operations, exposing themselves, their families, the residents, and the Nile ecosystems to several environmental and occupational health problems. Using integrated remote sensing, field, geochemical, and isotopic analyses, we report the first inventory of ASGM-related total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) levels in tailings, amalgamation-tailing ponds, and surface and groundwater with emphasis on the Edfu city and its surroundings. The field and remote sensing-based mapping of ASGM activities reveals clustering around the Nile waterways and suggests interaction of Hg contamination sources with their surrounding receptors. Common ASGM practices include release of contaminated water from unlined amalgamation-tailing ponds into irrigation and drainage canals, and spreading of tailings over cultivated soils. In a short period (10 years), the released Hg contaminated multiple media, including the surface water, the shallow and deep aquifers, and possibly the soil, crops, and livestock. THg levels in amalgamation-tailing ponds (1200–8470 ng/L) are fourfold higher than US EPA and eightfold the WHO thresholds. The contaminated waters released from amalgamation-tailing ponds raised THg levels in surface water (irrigation canals: 50–100 ng/L; drainage canals: THg: > 200 ng/L) and groundwater (shallow and deep aquifers: 80–500 ng/L). Our findings highlight the need to extend the adopted approach to cover the entire length of the Nile River and its valley and the importance of conducting awareness campaigns to educate residents and health care providers about potential ASGM-related environmental and health hazards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methicillin-resistant in Staphylococci is a serious public health issue. It is mostly encoded by the mecA gene. The mecC gene is a new mecA analog responsible for resistance to methicillin in some Staphylococcal clinical isolates. This mecC gene is still underestimated in Egypt. The aim of the current study was to detect mecA and mecC genes in clinical Staphylococci isolates from a tertiary care university hospital in Egypt compared to the different phenotypic methods. A total of 118 Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and 43 coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS) were identified from various hospital-acquired infections. Methicillin resistance was identified genotypically using the PCR technique and phenotypically using the cefoxitin disc diffusion test, oxacillin broth microdilution and the VITEK2 system in all Staphylococcal isolates. The mecA gene was detected in 82.2% of S. aureus and 95.3% of CoNS isolates, while all of the isolates tested negative for the mecC gene. Interestingly, 30.2% of CoNS isolates showed the unique character of inducible oxacillin resistance, being mecA-positive but oxacillin-susceptible (OS-CoNS). The dual use of genotypic and phenotypic methods is highly recommended to avoid missing any genetically divergent strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In terms of plant diversity, the Mediterranean Basin is the world's second richest hotspot, and one of the most important locations on the planet for endemic species. Despite the widespread acknowledgment of the region's global importance for plant diversity, an up-to-date list of Mediterranean endemics is still unavailable. The available data are frequently insufficient or out of date at both the whole and the national levels. Therefore, the present study aimed at delimiting the Mediterranean floristic region, screening the Mediterranean endemics, and determining the habitats and phyto-geographical distribution of these taxa in Egypt. Hence, a preliminary list of 402 Mediterranean endemic taxa in Egypt was compiled from the available literature. Indeed, the present study has reduced this number to sixty-five (16.2%) Mediterranean endemics belonging to 49 genera and 22 families. Fifteen major habitats are supporting the Mediterranean endemics in Egypt. The most represented habitat was the non-saline depressions (20 taxa = 30.8%), followed by the coastal dunes (19 taxa = 29.2%). Moreover, the Mareotis (west) subsector was the richest with 57 taxa = 87.7%. In conclusion, it's crucial to clearly define Mediterranean endemic plants and provide an updated documented database of these taxa for a given territory to help guide future management plans that support the conservation and sustainable use of these important species under the current thought-provoking devastating impacts of rapid anthropogenic and climate changes in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several studies worldwide have reported contamination of bees' honey by antibiotics, which may pose a hazard to consumers' health. The present study was thus established to: (1) introduce a validated multi-residue method for determining sulfonamides (SAs) and tetracyclines (TCs) in honey; and (2) characterize the potential risk due to the exposure to SAs and TCs in honey samples from Egypt, Libya, and Saudi Arabia. SAs and TCs were simultaneously extracted using solid-phase extraction and matrix solid phase dispersion methods. SAs and TCs were screened using HPLC–MS/MS and HPLC–DAD. The results confirmed detection limits for SAs and TCs by HPLC–MS/MS of 0.01 and 0.02–0.04 (ng g−1), respectively. The limits were 2.5–5.6 and 12.0–21.0 (ng g−1) for SAs and TCs by HPLC–DAD, respectively. The obtained accuracy rates were in the ranges of 83.07–86.93% and 86.90–91.19%, respectively, for SAs and TCs, with precision rates lower than 9.54%. Concerning the occurrence of antibiotics, the positive samples constituted 57.6%, 75%, and 77.7% of the Egyptian, Saudi Arabian, and Libyan samples, respectively. Notably, SAs antibiotics were the most prevalent in the Egyptian and Saudi Arabian samples; in contrast, TCs were the most dominant in Libya. Calculated parameters of risk assessment, concerning the aggregated exposure to SAs and TCs, showed no potential adverse effects from the exposure to contaminated honey in studied countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims at determining the phytogeographical distribution and economic potential and documenting the degree of risk to the extinction of tree species, and the changes these species have undergone over the past 20 years. Field surveys were conducted at many locations in Egypt between January 2017 and March 2020. From each location, GPS coordinates were taken and the number of individuals was estimated. Also, specimens and seed samples for each species were collected from different habitats as can as possible. Other data were collected through herbaria visits and existing literature. The recorded taxa were arranged alphabetically according to Angiosperm Phylogeny Group system (APG IV). Evaluation of conservation status was based on IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. In the present study, we applied Criterion B that concerns the geographical range in the form of both B1 (extent of occurrence: EOO) and B2 (area of occupancy: AOO). Calculations of both AOO and EOO and the assessment process were assisted using the GeoCAT software. Fifty‐seven taxa were recorded, and most of them occur in Elbanian sector. Among them, five alien species were recorded. Many taxa offered economic goods such as medicinal, timber and fuel values; and environmental services as shaders and phytoremediators. Fifty taxa suffered from over‐collecting and over‐cutting. Among the 52 native trees in the present study, 31 taxa are evaluated as threatened with extinction; 10 taxa are Critically Endangered, 16 are Endangered and 5 are Vulnerable. There are two taxa assessed as Near Threatened and 15 as Least Concern. On the contrary, four taxa fall in the category of Data Deficient. There are 28 in situ conserved taxa in the protected areas. Also, 28 taxa are under ex situ conservation. In conclusion, land‐use patterns, climate change and human impact lead to put about 61% of the trees in Egypt under threat of extinction. Consequently, nature conservation organisations should take an action towards the conservation of these valuable taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil and water in Egypt have become contaminated with multiple pollutants. These contaminants arise from diverse sources, including misuse of fertilizers, industrial effluent discharged into irrigation water, discharge of wastewater in rural areas, and mining activities discharging wet and dry atmospheric deposits and heavy metal contamination. The pollutants can directly affect the quality of air, water, and food and have an adverse effect on human health. About 33% of the cultivated lands in Egypt are salinized due to extreme conditions like high temperatures and aridity. The presence of elevated salt levels in the soil leads to grave consequences for seed germination, plant biochemical processes, development, and reproduction, all of which result in the output of reactive oxygen species and eventually plant death. Despite the possibility of thermal, chemical, or a combination of the two to remediate contaminated soils, their applications are complicated and costly. Some plants, called hyperaccumulators, exhibit the potential to clean up pollutants safely from the soil and water at a low cost. All the technologies used in soil decontamination are called phytoremediation. Some physiological (e.g., phytoextraction, phytostabilization, phytotransformation, rhizofiltration, phytostimulation, phytovolatilization, phytodegradation, and phytodesalination) and molecular parameters (e.g., genes, peptides, and proteins) are involved in heavy metals accumulation of these plants. Although trees are not classified as hyperaccumulators, they have recently proved higher phytoremediation potential than herbaceous plants due to their deeper root system and greater biomass growth. Indeed, this review sheds the light on the application of trees for the phytoremediation of salts and heavy metals in Egypt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recurrent infection with Newcastle disease virus in flocks that have received vaccinations and high economic losses in Egypt in the last few years urged us to study the diversity and genetic changes in isolated NDV from chickens and its pathogenesis in other species such as turkey poults. Fifteen positive NDVs were isolated from chicken flocks suffering from a respiratory infection. Sequencing of three isolates out from the 15 NDV positive isolates (20%) revealed that NDV was genotype VII.1.1. When compared to other previously isolated worldwide and Egyptian strains, the three isolates' amino acid sequences show (99.1-99.8 %) identity with genotype VII.1.1. Thirty four weeks old Black Burzi turkey poults, separated into two groups: control (n=15) and infected (n=15), were used to study the pathogenesis of the isolated NDV genotype VII.1.1. Each afflicted bird was given an inoculation with 0.1 mL of 106EID50 of NDV genotype VII.1.1(ND/chicken/Egypt / Dakahlia/31/2020) at 4 weeks of age via an ocular route. Proventriculus, conjunctiva, lung, spleen, trachea, and caecal tonsil samples were collected from both groups at (6, 12, 24, 48 hours, and 5 days after infection) and tested for the presence of NDV using Quantitative Reverse transcription-polymerase Chain Reaction (QRT-PCR). The virus was found in the challenged birds' spleen as soon as 12 hours after infection, followed by the lungs and trachea. After 2 and 5 days after NDV infection, histologically significant lesions were found, particularly in lymphoid organs. It is concluded that the presence of NDV in Egyptian flocks of chickens could induce major disease in commercial turkeys, necessitating the development of novel vaccinations based on the circulating NDV genotype VII.1.1 in Egypt to protect domestic poultry from recurrent infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers in the world. The aurora kinase A (AURKA) gene is a mitotic serine/threonine protein kinase that increases expression in several types of cancers, including HCC. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the AURKA gene significantly affect the development of HCC. To predict the role of rs1047972 of the AURKA gene in developing HCC in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected patients in a cohort in Egypt. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to determine AURKA rs1047972 polymorphisms in 200 individuals, including 70 HCC patients, 70 patients with chronic HCV infection, and 60 healthy controls. Distribution of TC, TT, TC + TT genotypes, and the T allele were significantly greater in HCC patients than in chronic HCV and control groups (P =.001,.005, and <.001, respectively). Compared to the HCV wild-type CC genotype, TC, TT, and TC + TT genotypes were correlated with an elevated rate of HCC (OR, 4.20 [95% CI = 1.92–9.21]; OR, 2.94 [95% CI = 1.10–7.87]; OR, 3.78 [95% CI = 1.83–7.84], respectively). The presence of the T allele was correlated with a higher rate of HCC (OR, 2.06 [95% CI = 1.27–3.35]) compared to the C allele. The AURKA rs1047972 genotype is correlated with a high rate of HCC development in chronic HCV patients in Egypt. AFP: alpha-fetoprotein; ALP: alkaline phosphatase; ALT: alanine aminotransferase; AST: aspartate aminotransferase; AURKA: aurora kinase A; BCLC: Barcelona- Clinic Liver Cancer; CBC: complete blood count; CT: computed tomography; DM: diabetes mellitus; DNA: deoxyribonucleic acid; EDTA: ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid; GGT: gamma-glutamyl transferase; HB: hemoglobin; HBV: hepatitis B virus; HBsAg: hepatitis B surface antigen; HCC: hepatocellular carcinoma; HCV: hepatitis C virus; INR: international normalized ratio; mRNA: messenger ribonucleic acid; OR: odds ratio; PVT: portal vein thrombosis; RT-PCR: real-time polymerase chain reaction; SNP: single nucleotide polymorphism; WBCs: white blood cells [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and Avian Influenza (AIV) incriminated in many respiratory disease problems and egg production decline affecting both broilers and laying hens worldwide. Isolation and identification of NDV, AIV were carried out on 50 diseased chicken (43 broiler & 7 layer) flocks collected from Damietta and Dakahlia Governorates, Egypt. Thirty eight out of 50 examined flocks (76%) showed respiratory signs [37 broiler (74%) and 1-layer (2%) flocks]. The other 12 examined flocks exhibited general signs of illness with greenish diarrhea. Samples from the examined flocks were inoculated into ECE via allantoic sac route and the collected allantoic fluids were tested for hemagglutination activity (HA) which revealed that 21 out of 50 flocks were HA positive (42%); 19 broiler (90.47%) and 2-layer (9.52%) flocks. The twenty-one HA positive samples were subsequently subjected to real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase-chain-reaction (rRT-PCR). Fifteen samples were positive for Velogenic NDV (71.42%); 3 samples were positive for low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) subtype H9 (14.28%); one samples was positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) subtype H5 (4.76%) and 2 samples showed mixed infection for both NDV and H9N2 (9.52%). The Phylogenetic analysis identified the Velogenic NDV genotype VII.1.1 with the amino acid sequence of the three isolates fusion protein cleavage site carries motif 112RRQKRF117. The partial HA gene sequence classified the one selected LPAI-H9N2 isolate as a member of G1 lineage within group B with dibasic amino acid cleavage site motif of 333PARSSR/GLF341 which is distinctive to LPAI. While the other selected isolates of HPAI-H5 belonged to sub type H5N8 clade 2.3.4.4b with multi basic amino acid cleavage site motif of 73PLREKRRKR/GLF84 which is characteristic to HPAI. Our data highlighted the vital role of these viruses in the respiratory disease in poultry flocks. Further continuous studies are necessary for assessing new emerging strains to AIV and NDV and to discuss the impact of the co-infections of these viruses in order to learn more details for their prevention and control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

THE present study aims to study the floristic characteristics of the native trees and shrubs (with height ≥50cm) in the Egyptian flora. The floristic characteristics include taxonomic diversity, life and sex forms, flowering activity, dispersal types, economic potential, threats and national and global floristic distributions. Nine field visits were conducted to many locations all over Egypt for collecting trees and shrubs. From each location, plant and seed specimens were collected from different habitats. In present study 228 taxa belonged to 126 genera and 45 families were recorded, including 2 endemics (Rosa arabica and Origanum syriacum subsp. sinaicum) and 5 near-endemics. They inhabit 14 habitats (8 natural and 6 anthropogenic). Phanerophytes (120 plants) are the most represented life form, followed by chamaephytes (100 plants). Bisexuals are the most represented. Sarcochores (74 taxa) are the most represented dispersal type, followed by ballochores (40 taxa). April (151 taxa) and March (149 taxa) have the maximum flowering plants. Small geographic range - narrow habitat - non abundant plants are the most represented rarity form (180 plants). Deserts are the most rich regions with trees and shrubs (127 taxa), while Sudano-Zambezian (107 taxa) and Saharo-Arabian (98 taxa) was the most. Medicinal plants (154 taxa) are the most represented good, while salinity tolerance (105 taxa) was the most represented service and over-collecting and over-cutting was the most represented threat. Plants with spiny organs such as spiny stipules, leaves, branches, inflorescences and fruits or woody branches with spine-like terminates are the most represented (64 taxa). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Equid herpesviruses (EHVs) threaten equine health and can cause significant economic losses to the equine industry worldwide. Different equid herpesviruses, EHV‐1, EHV‐2, EHV‐4 and EHV5 are regularly detected among horse populations. In Egypt, monitoring is sporadic but EHV‐1 or EHV‐4 have been reported to circulate in the horse population. However, there is a lack of reports related to infection and health status of horses, likely due to the absence of regular diagnostic procedures. In the current study, the circulation of four infectious equid herpesviruses (EHV‐1, EHV‐2, EHV‐4 and EHV‐5) among different Arabian horse populations and donkeys residing the same farm was monitored. Different samples were collected and DNA was extracted and subjected to quantitative (q)‐PCR to detect the four equid herpesviruses using specific primers and probes. Antibody titres against EHV‐1 and EHV‐4 were tested using virus neutralization test and type‐specific ELISA. The results showed that EHV‐1, EHV‐2, EHV‐4 and EHV‐5 are endemic and can be a continuous threat for horses in the absence of vaccination programs and frequent virus reactivation. There is an urgent need for introduction of active regular surveillance measures to investigate the presence of different equid herpesviruses, and other equine viral pathogens, in various horse populations around Egypt and to establish a standardized cataloguing of equine health status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As physicians in a referral hospital, we observed the association between history of enteric fever and somatic disorders associated with low mood. At the Al-Hussein University Hospital, Cairo and the National Liver Institute Hospital, Menoufia, we receive patients from all over Egypt, including rural areas where enteric fever is endemic. Aim: Here in, 60 Egyptian patients referred to us for evaluation of different somatic disorders are reported. Methods: After extensive evaluations, the patients' symptoms were function-related. Also, their typhoid carrier states were documented, and the severity of depression using Hamilton-D (HAM-D) questionnaire was evaluated and recorded. All patients were treated with ceftriaxone, 2 gm, IV, daily for 15 days. The clinical evaluation and Hamilton score were reassessed at the end of the treatment and 6 weeks thereafter. The patients did not receive any anti-depressant nor anti-anxiety treatment during their course. Typhoid carrier was defined by documenting the history of typhoid fever that was diagnosed by culturing the Salmonella species, and not by serology, isolated from stool culture along with febrile condition, plus the absence of fever in the past 3 weeks. The Widal test was not accepted as a criterion for enrollment. Results: Patients showed clinically significant improvement in the somatic complaints, and their HAM-D score immediately post-treatment that was consolidated for 6 weeks post-treatment completion. Conclusion: In this study, the typhoid carrier was associated with the psychosomatic depression that improved by antibiotic therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Groundwater exploration is the most promising way to overcome water scarcity in hyper-arid regions around the world. Due to the scarcity of hydrogeological information in these regions, groundwater exploration is a challenging issue requiring the joint application of satellite and land-based information to delineate the groundwater aquifers in such harsh environments. In this research, an integrative approach was undertaken for groundwater exploration in the southwestern corner of Egypt as one of the most hyper-arid regions in North Africa. To fill the knowledge gap in this large area, two high-resolution satellite gravity datasets (EIGEN-6C4 and TOPEX-1min) were employed in combination with land-based geophysical surveys for a better understanding of groundwater potentialities in terms of structural controls. Further, the approaches of high-pass filter, tilt angle derivative, and enhanced horizontal gradient amplitude were used to analyze EIGEN-6C4 dataset. Additionally, 2D and 3D models along with a high-pass filtered gravity map were constructed to provide the subsurface barriers and preferential groundwater flow pathways. Several NNE windows have been recognized, particularly to the east of Gabel Kamel along Uweinat-Aswan uplifting allowing groundwater flow along northeastern structural trends. To verify this assumption, land-based magnetic and DC resistivity sounding surveys were executed at two selected sites based on the interpretation of satellite gravity and remote sensing data. The resistivity and 2D magnetic modeling reveal the presence of remarkable sub-basins with sufficient saturated sedimentary cover. Ultimately, the review of the different datasets, including satellite gravity and land-based geophysical investigations, facilitated the geological interpretation for detecting the structural controls on the groundwater flow paths and produced satisfactory results at shorter time frames and lower costs compared to typical groundwater exploration in arid or hyper-arid regions of the same characteristics elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Irresponsible human interventions, encroachment of natural habitats, and climate change negatively affect wildlife. In this study, the effects of human influence on Wadi Hagul, an unprotected area in the north of the Egyptian Eastern Desert that has recently been subjected to blatant encroachments of vegetation, were studied. The most important of these threats is the construction of the new road Al-Galala–Wadi Hagul–Zafarana. In Wadi Hagul, 80 species are reported in this study; the most represented plant families are Asteraceae (15 species) and Brassicaceae (6 species). Perennial, chamaephyte and Saharo-Arabian species were recorded in the highest percentage. Detrended canonical correspondence analysis showed that latitude, longitude, altitude, silt, sand contents, pH, and CO32− content are the factors that have the highest effect on vegetation distribution in the studied stands. Several invasive and alien species such as Euphorbia prostrata have been listed; these species typically have a negative effect on native species. The Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI) indicated a decrease in plant cover during the study period, as compared to previous years. In 2013 and 2020, SAVI ranged from −0.02 to 0.42 and from −0.18 to 0.28, respectively. Recently, the violation and destruction of wildlife have increased, therefore, preserving it along with general biodiversity has become an urgent necessity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The performance of modified hemispheric solar still was investigated. • Multi additives were applied: V-corrugated basin, black cotton wick, paraffin wax PCM, and sheep fat PCM. • The freshwater productivity was maximumly augmented by 39.6 %. • The thermal performance improvement reached 39.75 % (energy) and 44.04 % (exergy). • The freshwater price was reduced by 17.5 % using all additives. Solar still is a developing solar desalination method that has been introduced to face the shortage of freshwater with low energy consumption. However, this method is challenged by its low productivity. Therefore, the following work aimed to improve the freshwater productivity and reduce the produced water price. Herein, the performance of a hemispheric solar still equipped with four alternative combinations was experimentally studied; and its thermo-economic performance was assessed. The experimental work had four stages, firstly the distiller's flat basin was replaced by a V-corrugated basin. Secondly, the corrugated basin was covered with a black cotton wick material. Thirdly, paraffin wax, as a phase change material (PCM), was contained under the wick-coated corrugated basin for latent thermal storage purpose. Finally, paraffin was replaced with sheep fat PCM. Each modified distiller was compared to a conventional one from 8 A.M. until 9 P.M. under the climate conditions of Suez City, Egypt lies at (29. 5825 °N, 32.5734°E) in terms of the thermal performance, daily productivity, and freshwater price. The four cases showed increasing in the daily productivity by ratios of 11 %, 25.7 %, 34.1 %, and 39.6 % respectively. The fourth case showed the best water productivity and thermal performance. It had daily productivity of 4737.5 mL/m2 and 45 % thermal efficiency. Furthermore, the thermal performance in terms of the thermal and exergy efficiencies improved by 39.75 % and 44.04 %, whereas the average total heat transfer coefficient increased by 5.5 %. Moreover, the freshwater price was 0.0137 $/L, likewise, 17.5 % cost reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We compared the results of holmium laser and pneumatic intracorporeal lithotripsy for large ureteric calculi in terms of efficacy, safety and complications., Methods: The study was conducted between April 2009 and October 2010. 80 patients divided into two equally matched groups were included in a prospective randomized trial including patients with a ureteric stone size of 0.5-2 cm. A holmium laser with a 550-μm fiber was employed in the laser lithotripsy (LL) group. The Swiss Lithoclast was used in the pneumatic lithotripsy (PL) group., Results: Mean stone size was comparable in both groups, namely 13.1 mm in the PL group and 12.9 mm in the LL group. The early stone-free rate was equal in both groups, while the delayed stone-free rate was 95% in LL and 85% in PL. Stone migration occurred in 12 PL cases and in 5 LL cases. Ureteric perforation occurred in 3 LL cases and in 2 PL cases. Ureteric stricture occurred in 1 case following LL., Conclusion: Both PL and LL are effective and safe modalities in treating large ureteric stones with minor insignificant differences. A pneumatic system may be more efficient with regard to the cost-benefit ratio, which was not studied in the present work; further studies should address this issue., (Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.)