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Objective: In epilepsy, early diagnosis, accurate determination of epilepsy type, proper selection of antiseizure medication, and monitoring are all essential. However, despite recent therapeutic advances and conceptual reconsiderations in the classification and management of epilepsy, serious gaps are still encountered in day‐to‐day practice in Egypt as well as several other resource‐limited countries. Premature mortality, poor quality of life, socio‐economic burden, cognitive problems, poor treatment outcomes, and comorbidities are major challenges that require urgent actions to be implemented at all levels. In recognition of this, a group of Egyptian epilepsy experts met through a series of consecutive meetings to specify the main concepts concerning the diagnosis and management of epilepsy, with the ultimate goal of establishing a nationwide Egyptian consensus. Methods: The consensus was developed through a modified Delphi methodology. A thorough review of the most recent relevant literature and international guidelines was performed to evaluate their applicability to the Egyptian situation. Afterward, several remote and live rounds were scheduled to reach a final agreement for all listed statements. Results: Of 278 statements reviewed in the first round, 256 achieved ≥80% agreement. Live discussion and refinement of the 22 statements that did not reach consensus during the first round took place, followed by final live voting then consensus was achieved for all remaining statements. Significance: With the implementation of these unified recommendations, we believe this will bring about substantial improvements in both the quality of care and treatment outcomes for persons with epilepsy in Egypt. Plain Language Summary: This work represents the efforts of a group of medical experts to reach an agreement on the best medical practice related to people with epilepsy based on previously published recommendations while taking into consideration applicable options in resource‐limited countries. The publication of this document is expected to minimize many malpractice issues and pave the way for better healthcare services on both individual and governmental levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to examine viruses associated with gastrointestinal illnesses in ducks collected from four governorates in Egypt (Sharkia, Gharbia, Dakahlia, and Qaliobia) during 2021-2022. These ducks underwent comprehensive clinical examinations and post-mortem analyses. All the flocks exhibited various forms of diarrhea. Additionally, 59.5% of the duck flocks manifested respiratory symptoms, while 57% showed uneven growth, locomotory dysfunction (42.8%). Post-mortem findings consistently included enteritis in all examined flocks. To directly identify viruses associated with digestive illnesses, 42 aseptic intestine samples were obtained from recently deceased or sacrificed ducks. PCR analysis identified four positive samples out of the 42 (9.5%), with one containing Avian Rotavirus (AvRV) and three carrying Muscovy Duck Parvovirus (MDPV). Additionally, histopathological examination of the liver and intestine from PCR-positive flocks showed findings consistent with those typically observed in MDPV infections. This study concluded that the primary viruses associated with digestive illnesses in Egyptian ducks are MDPV and AvRV. Importantly, this research represents the first-ever detection of Rotavirus in ducks in Egypt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown had a significant effect on people's lifestyles and dietary habits resulting in a possible negative health impact, particularly for patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The objective of the study was to assess the changes in dietary habits and lifestyle and how these relate to glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), who attended Zagazig Diabetes Clinic, Sharkia Governorate, Egypt, during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 402 patients with T2D were included in this cross-sectional study. A semistructured questionnaire was used to collect information on socioeconomic status, dietary habits, lifestyle changes, and previous medical history. Weight and height were also measured, and hemoglobin A1C levels before and after lockdown were compared. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS. To determine statistical significance, Chi-square test was used for categorical variables whereas, paired t-test or McN-Nemar test, as appropriate, was used to compare change in HbA1c before and after lockdown. Ordinal logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with weight change, whereas binary logistic regression was used to determine factors related with glycemic control. RESULTS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, 43.8% of the studied groups consumed more than their usual diet with an increase in fruits, vegetables, and immunity-boosting food; 57% depended on home-cooked food, 48.3% did not practice exercise. About 57% reported to have gained weight, 70.9% suffered from mental stress, and 66.7% reported inadequate sleep. Collectively, there was a statistically significant decrease in the percentage of good glycemic control in the studied groups (28.1% vs. 15.9%) before and after the COVID-19 lockdown, respectively (P < 0.001). Weight gain, physical inactivity, mental stress, and inadequate sleep were significantly associated with poor glycemic control. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on the lifestyle and dietary habits of the studied groups. Therefore, it is very important to ensure better diabetes management in this critical period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Fayoum Journal of Agricultural Research & Development / Maǧallaẗ Al-Fayūm lil Buḥūṯ wa Al-Tanmiyyaẗ Al-Zirāʿiyyaẗ is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Wheat is a strategic crop in Egypt. Its local consumption is increasing continuously accordingly; Egypt has become the largest wheat importer worldwide. The sustainable approach for increasing wheat productivity is probably through organic additives. For this reason, animal, chicken and plant residues were collected from an experimental farm for preparation of (1) plant residue compost (PRC) via composting a mixture of air-dried and chopped rice and soybean straw at a rate of 1:1 and (2) animal residue compost (ARC) via composting a mixture of chicken and cattle manure at a rate of 1:1. The main aim of this study is to compare between the implications of amending a clayey soil with animal versus plant residues for improving soil physical and chemical characteristics. Also, this study considers the changes in soil fertility owing to these additives, hence their outcomes on wheat growth and productivity. To achieve this goal, a field investigation was conducted following a split-split design in which the two types of composts were plotted in main plots while the rates of compost application (15 and 25 Mg per hectare) were plotted in subplots. Non-amended control plots were also included for data comparison. All plots were cultivated with wheat seeds in winter 2018 and received the recommended doses of NPK fertilizers to compare between the two types of composts as conditioners not as fertilizers. The experiment lasted for 160 days until maturity. All composts improved considerably soil physical (soil bulk density, total porosity, saturated hydraulic conductivity and penetration resistance) and chemical (soil organic matter and CEC) characterises, especially with increasing their rate of application. In this concern, the results of the two types of composts were comparable. Also, these additives boosted grain and straw yields, yield components (spike length, spike weight, number of spikelets/spike, 100-grain weight). Moreover, they enriched soils with N, P, K, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu in available forms; hence raised their contents within wheat shoots and grains, with superiority for ARC versus PRC. There were significant positive correlations between shoot and grain yields in relation to the nutritional status of these plant parts. Accordingly, organic additives, especially animal residues, should be included in the coming sustainable approaches for increasing wheat production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patient safety (PS) has been identified as a significant healthcare challenge. A good safety attitude helps healthcare workers (HCWs) to decrease medical errors. Aim: This study aimed to assess the PS attitude and identify its determinants among HCWs. Setting: This study was conducted in Sharqia Governorate at different levels of health care. Methods: This was a comparative cross-sectional study that involved240 HCWs selected after using a multistage cluster sampling technique from Sharqia Governorate. In ordertto assess the respondents' attitudes towards PS, the modified Chinese Safety Attitudes Questionnaire (CSAQ) was used. Results: The scale with the highest percentage of positive responses, on average, was safety climate (49.59%). The study found a statistically significant association between the level of health care and mean scores of 'teamwork climate, perception of management, job satisfaction, working conditions, and stress recognition' and the overall CSAQ score. In regression analysis, the highest degree of education and job type were significant predictors of PS attitude among the HCWs under study (p = 0.031 and 0.011, respectively). Conclusion: According to the study's findings, PS is low among HCWs in both healthcare units and hospitals, with a significantly higher score among hospital workers than among primary care workers. All PS composites need improvement starting with regular assessment of PS culture along with continuous monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Fayoum Journal of Agricultural Research & Development / Maǧallaẗ Al-Fayūm lil Buḥūṯ wa Al-Tanmiyyaẗ Al-Zirāʿiyyaẗ is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Parsley (Petroselium crispum L.) is commonly used for its flavor, desired nutritional contents, and other health benefits. However, since the profile of a recently introduced curly-leafed parsley cultivar in Egypt has not been studied, an experiment was conducted to compare three harvest dates in terms of the weight, essential oil (EO) content and yield, and the concentrations of major components in the whole herb, leaf, and stem parts. The results showed that the highest herb and leaf yields were obtained from the second harvest, but the first harvest gave the highest stem yield. The highest EO content and yield were obtained from the first harvest. The major EO components obtained from the three parts were β-phellandrene, α-terpinolene, 1,3,8-p-menthatriene, myristicin, and elemicin. The highest concentrations of α-terpinolene, myristicin, and elemicin were obtained from the whole herb; but the highest β-phellandrene and 1,3,8-p-menthatriene were obtained from the leaf and the stem. The findings revealed that the yield, EO content and yield, and concentration of the major components varied with harvest day and part of the plant. These results can be used to determine when and where to extract EO to maximize the desired content, yield, or component. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The General Organization of the Veterinary Services in Egypt has adopted a sheeppox vaccination policy to control lumpy skin disease (LSD) in cattle. Over the course of the last two years, recurrent outbreaks were reported, with animals showing severe clinical signs and consequentially higher fatalities than that of cases reported in previous LSD outbreaks. A total of 1050 cattle showing typical clinical signs suggestive of LSD were clinically and pathologically investigated during 2017–2018. Skin nodules were collected and lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) was screened in collected skin samples using PCR for the RPO-30 gene. Furthermore, the entire P32 protein coding gene was sequenced. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry of the skin nodules were also conducted. The obtained results showed an overall mortality rate of 6.86%. LSDV was confirmed in all the examined nodules as evidenced by immunohistochemistry and positive PCR amplification of the RPO30 gene. Sequencing analysis of the P32 gene revealed a highly conserved nature and genetic stability of the LSDV. The results of the present study show that the current vaccination protocol was not effective for a multitude of reasons. These results also serve as evidence for a strong recommendation of an amendment of homologous vaccine use aside from a complete coverage of cattle populations in order to reduce the incidence of LSD among cattle population in Egypt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Multiple genetic variants in combination with various environmental risk factors have been implicated. This study aimed to investigate the association of twelve thrombotic and atherosclerotic gene variants in combination with other environmental risk factors with CAD risk in a preliminary sample of Egyptian CAD patients.Methods: Twenty three consecutive CAD patients undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography and 34 unrelated controls, have been enrolled in the study. Genotyping was based on polymerase chain reaction and reverse multiplex hybridization. Five genetic association models were tested. Data distribution and variance homogeneity have been checked by Shapiro-Wilk test and Levene test, respectively; then the appropriate comparison test was applied. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used for correlation analysis and logistic regression has been performed to adjust for significant risk factors. Clustering the study participants according to gene-gene and gene-environment interaction has been done by Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA).Results: The univariate analysis indicated that the five variants; rs1800595 (FVR2; factor 5), rs1801133 (MTHFR; 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase), rs5918 (HPA-1; human platelet antigen 1), rs1799752 (ACE; angiotensin-converting enzyme), and rs7412 and rs429358 (ApoE; apolipoprotein E) were significantly associated with CAD susceptibility under different genetic models. Multivariate analysis revealed clustering of the study population into three patient groups (P) and one control group. FVR2 was the most variant associated with CAD patients, combined with the factor V Leiden (FVL) variant in P1 cluster and with both ACE and MTHFR 667C > T in P2. Whereas, P3 was mostly affected by both MTHFR 667C > T and FXIII (factor 13) V89L mutations. When combined with traditional risk factors, P1 was mostly affected by dyslipidemia, smoking and hypertension, while P2 was mostly affected by their fasting blood sugar levels and ApoE variant.Conclusions: Taken together, these preliminary results could have predictive value to be applied in refining a risk profile for our CAD patients, in order to implement early preventive interventions including specific antithrombotic therapy. Further large scale and follow-up studies are highly recommended to confirm the study findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chromatographic fractionation of the acetone extract of Micromeria nervosa , resulted in the isolation and identification of new natural furanosesquiterpene alcohol; micromeriol (1), a known sterol; β-sitosterol (2), a new natural 5-β-cholestane type; nervosane (3), two known triterpenic acids; oleanolic acid (4), and ursolic acid (5). The cytotoxicity and the antioxidant activities of the acetone extract and the isolated pure compounds (1–5) were determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the study which examines the phenotypic and molecular characterization of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) separated from broiler chicken flocks in Egypt. The study used in vivo virulence testing, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) to analyze E. coli virulence genes. Results show that avian E. coli strains from chicken flocks have demonstrated same sequence types to E. coli linked with human infection.

Background: Hepatocarcinogenesis involves alterations in p53, Bcl-2 and human Mut S homologue-2 (hMSH2) genes. In Upper Egypt, the clinicopathologic and genetic changes during hepatocarcinogensis (cirrhotic nodules (CN); macroregenerative nodules (MRN) and dysplastic nodules (DN) are unknown. Methods: To examine these issues, 48 hepatic resection specimens entailing 25 CN, 16 MRN, 23 CN and 48 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were immunohistochemically evaluated for p53, Bcl-2 and hMSH2 protein expression. Results: HCC was common in males than in females (2.6:1, P< 0.05) and with hepatitis C virus than hepatitis B virus infection (77.1% vs. 18.7%, P = 0.001). p53 expression was found in CN (3/23) and HCC (12/48). Its average weighted scores were high in DN/HCC as compared with CN (1.60 ± 0.40 and 7.20 ± 1.20, P = 0.0001). Bcl-2 expression was seen in CN, MRN, CN and HCC (7/48). Its average weighted scores were high in CN (7.60 + 1.60), HCC (6.86 + 0.85) as compared with CN (6.14 ± 0.42) and MRN (6.50 ± 0.50, P = 0.22). hMSH2 average weighted scores were reduced in HCC (7.94 ± 1.06) as compared with CN (8.47 ± 0.52), MRN (8.00 ± 1.00) and CN (8.20 ± 0.80, P>0.05). Conclusion: In Upper Egypt: (1) HCC had similar clinicopathologic features to those in the high-risk regions, and (2) alterations of the p53, Bcl-2 and hMSH2 proteins occur during hepatocarcinogensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy was recently described as an effective approach for the operative treatment of obesity, but the ideal procedure remains controversial. One of the most debated issues is the resection distance from the pylorus. We conducted this study to elucidate any potential differences in the short-term outcomes between 2 and 6 cm distance from the pylorus in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Methods: A prospective observational cohort study in a selected cohort of 96 patients was conducted from January 2018 to March 2019 in morbidly obese patients who had laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy performed at Suez Canal University Hospital. Outcome was expressed by excess weight loss percentage, resolution of comorbidities, improvement of quality of life, and incidence of complications after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. The morbidly obese patients (body mass index [BMI] > 40 kg/m2 or > 35 kg/m2 with obesity-related comorbidities) in the study were divided into two equal groups: (1) Group 1 (48 patients) underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with a 2 cm distance from the pylorus resection distance and (2) Group 2 (48 patients) underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with a 6 cm distance from the pylorus resection distance. Body weight, BMI, bariatric quality of life, lipid profile, and comorbidities were evaluated pre- and post-operatively for a duration of 12 months. Results: Statistically, no significant differences between the two study groups regarding the excess weight loss percentage, comorbidity resolution throughout the postoperative follow-up, enhancement of the quality of life score throughout the postoperative follow-up, or incidence of complications (25% in Group 1 versus 25% in Group 2, p > 0.05) were found. Conclusion: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy was an effective and safe management for morbid obesity and obesity-related comorbidities with significant short-term weight loss; it also improved weight-related quality of life and had an acceptable complication rate. The distance from the pylorus resection distance did not affect the short-term effects of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy regarding excess weight loss percentage, resolution of comorbidities, change in quality of life, or occurrence of complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ELISA for toxoplasmosis was done on 152 randomly selected individuals, 31 full term parturient and 38 aborted or prematurely delivered women. Seropositivity to specific antitoxoplasma IgG antibodies was observed in 57.9%, 58.1% and 44.7% of random, full term and aborted samples respectively. Only 10.5%, 6.5% and 23.7% were found seropositive for specific antitoxoplasma IgM, respectively. The risk of feto-maternal transmission was very high (50%).