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Low pathogenic avian influenza virus (AIV) serotype H9N2 affected many commercial flocks in the Middle East including Egypt beginning from the last decade. Therefore, the present study was an attempt to better understand the situation of H9N2 virus in Egypt as well as to assess the pathogenicity of Egyptian H9N2 avian influenza virus in experimentally infected commercial broiler chickens. Out of 100 examined broiler flocks, 32 flocks were detected to be infected with LPAI H9N2 (32%). The phylogenic analysis revealed that, all the H9N2 virus isolates in this study were belonging to viruses from G1 lineage with more close relationship to the Israeli strains. After challenge, respiratory manifestations (rals, sneezing with nasal and ocular discharge), whitish to greenish diarrhea, depression and anorexia were noticed with 20% mortality. Furthermore, the virus caused remarkable decrease in the average body weight (290g) in the infected group compared to the uninfected group. High viral RNA was detected in tracheal swabs through 1 to 15 days' post infection (dpi) by RT-qPCR, in which, the copy number was 1.152 x 104 copies, 7.89 x 103 & 5.2 x 102 copies / 200 μl dilutions at 4th day, 11th and 15th day post challenge, respectively. On histopathological examination, lymphocyte depletion in the thymus, follicular atrophy and cystic follicles in the bursa of Fabricius were seen which lead to immunosuppression. This study indicated that the H9N2 virus isolated from a natural outbreak was of low pathogenicity under experimental conditions. Continuous shedding by the infected birds by oral and cloacal routes without any clinical signs might cause undetected spread of the virus under field conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic-related measures in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region have resulted in many lifestyle modifications, including changes in diet and food buying patterns among adults. However, the pandemic has impacted women and men differently and exacerbated existing socio-economic and gender inequalities. Indeed, numerous studies conducted worldwide have shown that the COVID-19 pandemic had a disproportionately negative impact on women compared to males. Therefore, this paper aims to analyze the effects of COVID-19 on women's food behaviors in three countries of the North Africa sub-region, namely, Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia. The study was based on an online poll conducted by SurveyMonkey from 15 September to 5 November 2020, with 995 participants. The outcomes of the research found that when compared to men, (1) women tend to consume more food out of fear, anxiety, or boredom; (2) women prefer to eat more unhealthy food; (3) women tend to stockpile a greater amount of food; and (4) women tend to modify their shopping habits more often. The findings should inform gender-sensitive strategies and policies to address the negative impacts of the pandemic and foster transition towards healthier diets and resilient food systems during the recovery period.

A wide range of endocrine disruptor compounds are routinely discharged to the ecosystem. Water contaminated with these compounds has a potential effect on the reproductive physiology of aquatic organisms as well as humans. In the present study, we tested the effect of the steroid estrogen, 17β-estradiol, on Biomphalaria alexandrina, a snail species that is widely distributed in Egypt and that acts as an intermediate host for the human blood fluke, Schistosoma mansoni. The effects of exposure to 0.3 mg/L and 1 mg/L 17β-estradiol on fecundity (M X ) and reproductive rate (R 0 ) of B. alexandrina were recorded. In addition, levels of steroid sex hormones and antioxidants in the hemolymph and ovotestis (OT) of exposed snails were measured. Histopathological changes in the OT of B. alexandrina were also investigated. Exposure to 0.3 mg/L and 1 mg/L 17β-estradiol caused a significant increase in the number of egg masses per snail after 3 weeks and 1 week of exposure for the two tested concentrations compared with unexposed controls. An increase in the levels of progesterone hormone was recorded in the hemolymph of exposed snails in comparison with unexposed controls. Additionally, levels of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione (GSH) were increased in the hemolymph and OT tissues of snails after 2 and 4 weeks of exposure. Histopathological sections in the OT revealed an increase in the oocyte and a decrease in the sperm densities after 2 weeks and this effect was restored to normal conditions after 4 weeks of exposure to both tested concentrations. The current results indicate that B. alexandrina is sensitive to 17β-estradiol and can therefore be used as bioindicator and model organism for the assessment of water pollution with endocrine disruptor compounds.

This work studied how pollution impacts the ecosystem of Lake Manzala by determination of physicochemical parameters, studying biodiversity of aquatic plants and macroinvertebrates, and determining bioaccumulation of Pb, Cu, Cd & Zn in some major organisms, Biomphalaria alexandrina and Melanoides tuberculata snails and Oreochromis niloticus fish. The more near to Mediterranean Sea and to the industrial area, Port-Said and Damietta sites showed higher dissolved oxygen and conductivity than Dakahlia sites. Distribution percentage of Eichhornia crassipes is high among Port-Said and Dakahlia sites of 100 and 88%, respectively, while Lemna giba is the most abundant among Damietta sites of 60%. The maximum macroinvertebrate taxa richness was obtained at Gammalya, Dakahlia of 16 species while the maximum abundance was registered at Annanya, Damietta of 591 organisms. Gastropoda are the most distributed organisms in Lake Manzala followed by Hemiptera and Plecoptera then shrimps and scud. All the medically important snails, B. alexandrina, B. truncatus and L. natalensis were recorded in Dakahlia, but only B. alexandrina was in Damietta and Port-Said sites. The collected water samples from Damietta sites showed the highest significant Cu & Cd concentration while Port-Said samples showed the highest Pb concentration and Dakahlia showed the highest Zn concentration. The metals concentrations were higher in snail tissue and in fish liver, kidney and most of muscle samples as compared in surface water. The higher metal bioaccumulation was determined in snails collected from sites showed higher water metals concentrations. Fish muscle showed the least residues than liver and kidney for all the measured metals. Pb and Cd were more accumulated in kidneys, Cu was more accumulated in liver and Zn was accumulated in all examined fish parts in descending order as follows Kidney > liver > muscle.

This study aimed to assess the androgen receptor (AR) codon amino acids glutamine (CAG) repeats in 185 Egyptian men divided into fertile controls (n = 30), oligoasthenoteratozoospermic (OAT) men (n = 35), nonobstructive azoospermic (NOA) men (n = 120; 18 successful testicular sperm extraction (TESE) and 102 unsuccessful TESE cases). They were subjected to history taking, genital examination, semen analysis, testicular biopsies for NOA cases, serum hormones and CAG repeats by PCR. The mean AR-CAG repeats showed significant difference between NOA group compared with fertile controls or OAT groups. Nonsignificant difference was elicited between OAT group and fertile controls. In NOA cases, CAG repeats demonstrated nonsignificant difference between unsuccessful and successful TESE. AR-CAG repeats elicited significant negative correlation with sperm count, significant positive correlation with sperm normal forms percentage and nonsignificant correlations with sperm motility per cent, tested serum hormones or testicular volume. It is concluded that AR-CAG repeats in Egyptian infertile men are in the range of other international or regional studies. AR-CAG repeats have demonstrated nonsignificant difference regarding TESE outcome in NOA cases., (© 2011 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)

This study was designed to investigate the relation between occupational exposure to mercury and cardiovascular risk, as well as free radicals. The study subjects included 30 male workers exposed to mercury from a fluorescent lamp plant in Alexandria after exclusion of 12 workers with conditions that may bias the results. A matched control group of 20 male subjects were selected from a food industrial plant. The participants were subjected to interview, clinical examination, electrocardiography and R-R deep breathing variability test as a measure of cardiac autonomic function. Spot urine and venous blood samples were collected to measure mercury levels. Free radicals related markers were measured in serum namely lipid peroxide, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, catalase activity and glutathione S-transferase. Results showed significant longer electrocardiographic Q-Tc interval, which is corrected to heart rate, in exposed workers than in controls (p=0.002). The R-R deep breathing variability indices were significantly increased among exposed workers in comparison to controls (maximal variation (MV) ratio, p=0.024 & MV rate, p=0.019). The mercury levels in both urine and blood of exposed workers were significantly higher than controls (p<0.0001), with mean levels exceeding the permissible limits. Free radicals related markers revealed significant higher level of lipid peroxide, as well as significant lower levels of SOD activity, catalase activity and glutathione S-transferase among exposed workers than among controls (p<0.0001 for all). Independent relations were observed between Q-Tc and lipid peroxide, and between MV rate and SOD and catalase activities among exposed workers after adjustment for the confounders by multivariate regression analyses. These findings may suspect a cardiac autonomic dysfunction probably related to free radicals in mercury exposed workers. Also, it may through light on some preventive implications.

The aim of this study was to investigate the different markers of stress in nail industry. Blood and urine biological samples were collected from 30 exposed workers and 30 age and sex matched control subjects from the administrative department of the same factory. The total antioxidant activity (Dmax) and lipid peroxidation was analyzed in blood. The level of catecholamines in the urine was also determined The median level of Dmaxwas significantly lower in the exposed workers (87.12) compared with that of the control (115.85) (p < 0.01). Also the level of lipid peroxidation was significantly lower in the exposed workers (44.5) compared with that of the control (74.0) (p < 0.01). The median level of urinary catecholamines was significantly higher in the exposed workers (295) compared with that of controls (37.5). Attention should be paid to the necessity of the application of the different biological markers of stress in different sectors of industry especially in nail industry.

The aim of this study was to investigate the respiratory enzymatic changes among workers in glue industries. Blood and urine samples were collected from 30 exposed workers and 30 age and sex matched control subject from the administrative department of the same factory. Different respiratory enzymes were analyzed in blood. The level of urinary phenol was also determined. The median level of different respiratory enzymes (catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and carbonic unhydrase) were significantly higher in the exposed workers compared to control subjects. Also the median level of urinary phenol was significantly higher in exposed workers compared with that of controls. Attention should be paid to the different occupational health hazard, existing in different types of glue industries.

This study was carried out to evaluate the biological monitoring of occupational exposure to benzene and toluene in a total number of 31 male exposed workers and 30 control subjects. The present study showed a statistically significant higher level of biological indices of exposure (p < 0.01) of phenol and hippuric acid in urine of workers exposed to benzene and toluene than control subjects. Significant changes (p < 0.05, 0.01) in the levels of hematological and biochemical findings have been observed among exposed workers and control group. In addition, statistically significant higher levels of Mg, Mn and Ca were found among workers exposed to benzene and toluene while statistically significant lower levels of serum iron (p < 0.05) have been observed. No significant variations could be detected in the level of Zn and Cu between exposed and control subjects.

This study aims to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices of expectant mothers in relation to ante-natal care in Assiut and to find out factors affecting their knowledge. Attitudes and practices. The present study was carried out in the ante-natal clinic at Assiut General Hospital and three Maternal and Child Health Centers in Assiut. Fifty women were selected from each of the previously mentioned settings. A specially designed interview sheet was used to collect the necessary data. It was consisted of four parts. The first part included questions related to individual features of women, the second part included questions related to their family features, the third part concerned with previous obstetrical history of women and their acceptance of pregnancy and the fourth part included questions related to knowledge, attitudes and practices of expectant mother in relation to ante-natal care. The findings of the present study revealed that one quarter of the study sample (25.5%) lacked basic and essential knowledge about ante-natal care, most of older women (88.2%) were more likely to have poor knowledge in relation to ante-natal care, the higher educated women (66.7%) were more likely to have good knowledge about ante-natal care compared to 33.5% of lower educated women. It was also observed that the majority of working women (90%) were more likely to have good ante-natal care knowledge compared to housewives (10%). Most of the primigravida women (88.2%) were more likely to have poor knowledge in relation to ante-natal care compared to 11.8% of women whose gravidity was less than 5.

The clinical features of 78 patients with SLE seen in Cairo and Glasgow are reviewed. Raynaud's phenomenon was recorded more frequently here than in previous series. The value of serial measurements of anti-DNA antibodies, C3 and C4 in the management of SLE is discussed. Although antibodies to native DNA paralleled the disease course in only a minority of SLE patients anti-DNA antibodies were present during all major SLE exacerbations and could be diagnostically useful. Serious systemic infections complicating the management of SLE patients could occur and their diagnosis is discussed.