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Recently, Egypt had seismic activity. These seismic events have affected the stability of minarets, especially historical ones. Weight is one of the minaret's main stability factors. The main objective of the current research is to perform a three-dimensional (3D) assessment of an existing minaret, determine its accurate spatial model, document its current condition, examine its stability in the event of earthquakes, and identify the requisite measures to safeguard the minaret from any potential damage. The masonry to construct the minaret was used by extracting and examining specimens of this substance to determine its physical characteristics. The current work created three-dimensional models of the Abou-Ghanam El-Bialy minaret using a terrestrial laser scanner (TLS) to document its current condition, as well as minaret was subjected to a free vibration analysis using 3D finite element modeling. Finally, the minaret's seismic behavior was assessed utilizing mode forms, base responses, and normal stresses. The surveying method effectively documented the Minarets' existing case. The 3D seismic analysis showed that the minaret responded dynamically to earthquake loading, with mode shapes, base reactions, and normal stresses being crucial characteristics. Based on these data, we may suggest procedures to protect the minaret during seismic events.
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CX3CL1-CX3CR1 pathway may be one of the future treatment targets to delay the progression of end-stage renal diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the CX3CR gene polymorphism in Egyptian patients with ESRD and its relation to fractalkine blood level. The study included 100 patients with ESRD on dialysis, 61 males and 39 females with mean age 51.02 ± 7.8 years. The V2491 genotype revealed a significant increase in the frequency of GG genotype in healthy control (83%) compared to patients [69%] with a significant increase in GA in patients [30%] compared to control subjects [15%], P = 0.03. T280M study showed a statistically significant prevalence of TT genotype in healthy control subjects [86%-OR 95% CI 1.7] compared to patients [70%] with a significant increase in the prevalence of TA in patients [29%] compared to control subjects [13%], P = 0.01. There was a significant increase in fractalkine levels in genotypes GA + AA [503.04±224.1] pg/ml compared to genotype GG [423.6 210.3], P = 0.03. Moreover, there was a significant increase in the blood level of fractalkine in genotype TA + AA [498.8 219.6] compared to genotype TT [426.8±212.8], P = 0.05. In conclusion, our study showed that both V2491-GA genotype and T280M-TA are associated with potential risk for end-stage renal disease in Egyptian patients.
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Cystic echinococcosis is an important cosmopolitan parasitic zoonosis that causes public health and economic problems in Egypt. The present study was undertaken to identify genotypes of hydatid cyst (HC) DNA isolated from different animal isolates and to identify the genotype of secondary hydatid cysts (HCs) developed in rabbits experimentally infected with camel HC for detection of any genetic mutation. In the present study, we extracted DNA from the germinal layers of 8 HCs collected from 3 camels, 1 cattle, 1 sheep and 3 donkeys in addition to 3 secondary HCs collected from rabbits experimentally infected with camel HC. PCR amplification of the ITS1 gene of all examined samples showed an amplified DNA band at 1115 bp. The partial nucleotide sequences of the ITS1 gene of all isolates were aligned and compared with the reference sequences of the genotypes G1-G8 in GenBank. The camel and rabbit samples were identified as Echinococcus canadensis genotype 6 (G6), while the cattle and sheep samples belonged to E. granulosus sensu stricto (G1). The donkey isolates belonged to E. equines (G4). Alignment of the ITS1 partial nucleotide sequences of the camel HCs and rabbit secondary HCs isolates with the G6 partial nucleotide sequence in GenBank was performed. Both camel HCs and rabbit secondary HCs isolates exhibited the same sequence identity matrix, which indicated the absence of mutation in the rabbit secondary HCs. It can be concluded that camel and rabbit samples were identified as E. canadensis (G6), the cattle and sheep samples belonged to E. granulosus sensu stricto (G1) and donkey isolates belonged to E. equines (G4). No mutation occurred during HCs transmission from camel to rabbit.
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BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease worldwide. Microalbuminuria is the cornerstone for the diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy. However, it is an inadequate marker for early diagnosis. MicroRNAs are not only new and promising markers for early diagnosis but also, but they may also play a role in the prevention of disease progression. METHODS: This study included ninety patients with type 2 DM in addition to 30 control subjects. MicroRNA-451 expression in blood and plasma using real-time PCR was evaluated in addition to the classic diabetic nephropathy markers (serum creatinine, urinary albumin, and eGFR). RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the studied groups versus control regarding serum creatinine, eGFR, urinary, and plasma microRNA-451 with p=0.0001. Patients with eGFR 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 showed a significantly higher plasma microRNA-451 (29.6 ± 1.6) and significantly lower urinary microRNA-451 (21 ± 0.9) in comparison to patients with eGFR >60 ml/min/1.73 m2 and p=0.0001. eGFR showed a positive correlation with urinary microRNA-451 and negative correlation with both plasma microRNA-451 and urinary albumin. Both plasma and urinary microRNA-451 are highly sensitive and specific markers for chronicity in diabetic nephropathy patients with sensitivity of 90.9% and 95.5% and specificity of 67.6% and 95.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: MicroRNA-451 is a promising early biomarker for chronic kidney disease in diabetic nephropathy with high sensitivity and specificity.
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INTRODUCTION: Postoperative acute kidney injury is associated with a higher mortality, a more complicated hospital course with longer hospital stay. Urinary kidney injury molecule 1 may play an important role as an early predictor of acute kidney injury post-cardiopulmonary in open heart surgery. METHODS: We evaluated 45 patients who underwent open heart surgery from January 2016 to June 2016. Both urinary kidney injury molecule 1 and serum creatinine were evaluated before operation and 3hs and 24hs after operation. Acute kidney injury was diagnosed according to Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes, 2012 guidelines. RESULTS: In this study, 27 patients developed acute kidney injury. The three hour-post-surgery urinary kidney injury molecule 1 was significantly higher in the acute kidney injury group (P<0.015) and, at the same time, we did not find any significant difference in the serum creatinine levels between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Although serum creatinine is still the gold standard for diagnosis of acute kidney injury searching for other new markers is mandatory. Urinary kidney injury molecule 1 can be used as simple noninvasive and specific biomarker for early diagnosis of acute kidney injury.
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Pesticides constitute the major source of potential environmental hazard to man and animal as they are present and concentrated in the food chain. This study was conducted on 136 samples of water, sediment and fish for detection and determination of pesticide residues in this ecosystem. Highly significant differences were found in levels of Indian, heptachlor, endrin, dieldrin, P,P'-DDE and propoxur in River Nile water when compared with that of Manzala Lake. Levels of Indian, endrin, malathion and diazinon were significantly higher in soil sediment of Manzala Lake, while the levels of heptachlor, aldrine, P,P'-DDE, DDT, parathion, propoxur and zectran were significantly higher in soil sediment of River Nile. Boury fish of Manzala Lake contained higher levels of heptachlor, aldrin, P,P'-DDE and malathion, while boury fish of River Nile contained a higher level of zectran only. This survey, thus indicated that Manzala Lake and even the River Nile which was used as control are heavily contaminated with chlorinated hydrocarbons (Indian, heptachlor, aldrin, endrin, dieldrin, P,P'-DDE and DDT), organic phosphorus compounds (malathion, dimethoat, diazinon and parathion) and carbamate pesticides (propoxur and zectran).
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Peixes/metabolismo , Carne/análise , Resíduos de Praguicidas/análise , Praguicidas/análise , Poluentes do Solo/análise , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análise , Agricultura , Animais , Cromatografia Gasosa , Egito , Eletroquímica , Água Doce/análiseRESUMO
To our knowledge, echocardiographic assessment of children with empyema has not been reported previously in the literature. Two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography were performed in 47 children with acute (n = 23) and chronic (n = 24) empyema and 34 control subjects. Echocardiography demonstrated pericardial effusion in 11 of 47 patients (23 percent). Those with acute empyema had significantly thicker pericardium (p < 0.009) than control subjects. Tricuspid regurgitation was present in 21 of 47 patients (45 percent). The mean right ventricular internal dimension in diastole was significantly larger in patients with acute (p < 0.00002) and chronic (p < 0.006) empyema than that of control subjects. The mean tricuspid pressure gradients indicated an elevated mean right ventricular systolic pressure with increased calculated mean pulmonary arterial systolic pressures of children with acute empyema (38.5 +/- 6.4 mm Hg) and chronic (39.8 +/- 5.6 mm Hg) empyema than the normal mean (20 +/- 4 mm Hg). Children with chronic empyema had significantly less mean left ventricular internal dimension in diastole (p < 0.005) and left ventricular internal dimension in systole (p < 0.02) than control subjects. Strikingly, their mean left ventricular mass was also significantly less (p < 0.05) than that of subjects with either acute empyema or control subjects. These results provide baseline data for follow-up of children with acute and chronic empyema.
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Ecocardiografia , Empiema Pleural/complicações , Cardiopatias/diagnóstico por imagem , Doença Aguda , Cardiomegalia/diagnóstico , Cardiomegalia/etiologia , Pré-Escolar , Doença Crônica , Ecocardiografia Doppler , Feminino , Cardiopatias/etiologia , Humanos , Hipertensão Pulmonar/diagnóstico , Hipertensão Pulmonar/etiologia , Masculino , Insuficiência da Valva Tricúspide/diagnóstico , Insuficiência da Valva Tricúspide/etiologiaRESUMO
The characteristics of ten N2(C2H2)-fixing Bacillus strains, isolated from Egyptian soils, were investigated. The isolates were not completely identical to any of the described species in the 8th Edition of BERGEY's Manual. However, two strains were closely related to B. cereus, five strains were tentatively characterized as B. licheniformis and three strains with swollen sporangia and thick-walled endospores shared their main characteristics with B. circulans. A comparison between these bacilli and other known nitrogen-fixing Bacillus species revealed major differences in culture characteristics and C2H2-reducing activities. This suggests that the Bacillus isolates described here are new nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
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Bacillus/metabolismo , Fixação de Nitrogênio , Microbiologia do Solo , Acetileno/metabolismo , Bacillus/classificação , Egito , OxirreduçãoRESUMO
This study examines nodulation and some aspects of N2 fixation by Casuarina equisetifolia growing in Egypt. Plants examined were 2 to 10 years of age, and all were nodulated. Nodules varied from young meristematic lobes on lateral roots to clusters occasionally reaching 10 cm in diameter; they had the characteristic features of the Myrica/Casuarina type. Nodules became brown, woody and lost their N2-fixing activities in the late summer months. Acetylene reduction was used to assay nodule activity. Maximum rates of N2(C2H2) fixation were observed at 35 degrees C. Acetylene reduction by excised nodules was linear for 6 hours, then slowly declined and finally ceased after 10 hours. Variations in N2(C2H2) fixation rates due to season and time of day were also examined. Active fixation was recorded throughout different seasons of the year, except in the late summer months. Diurnal fluctuations showed that N2(C2H2) fixation was higher at night than during the day or afternoon. The results are discussed and compared to the findings of other investigators.
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Acetileno/metabolismo , Fixação de Nitrogênio , Plantas/metabolismo , Ritmo Circadiano , Egito , Cinética , Oxirredução , Plantas/anatomia & histologia , Plantas/microbiologia , Estações do AnoRESUMO
Salt tolerance of five rhizobia strains was examined in broth cultures. Five levels of NaCl concentration were used and the optical density was taken as a measure for the vigour of bacterial growth. Rhizobium leguminosarum and R. meliloti were tolerant to high levels of salinity and growth curves in saline broth showed a similar pattern to the control level. Rhizobium japonicum, cowpea Rhizobium, and R. trifolii were intolerant to salt and showed a strong growth retardation with increasing salt concentration. Growth was inhibited at high levels of salinity. It is suggested that rhizobia sensitivity to salts may be partly responsible to the inhibition of nitrogen fixation by legumes growing under salt stress.
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Rhizobium/efeitos dos fármacos , Cloreto de Sódio/farmacologia , Meios de Cultura , Resistência Microbiana a Medicamentos , Rhizobium/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Especificidade da EspécieRESUMO
The fungal and bacterial flora of the leaf surfaces of five plants growing in Egypt were studied. The fungal flora showed seasonal fluctuations with at least one peak. Twenty three genera with fifty three species were found, Aspergillus and Penicillium being most common. Other fungi showed variable percentages of the total count. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria were not isolated from the phyllosphere of the five plant species. Micrococci were most predominant among the epiphytic bacteria. Spore-forming bacteria and actinomycetes were less frequent on the leaf surfaces of the associalte plants.
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Bactérias/isolamento & purificação , Fungos/isolamento & purificação , Plantas/microbiologia , Actinomyces/isolamento & purificação , Aspergillus/isolamento & purificação , Aspergillus flavus/isolamento & purificação , Aspergillus fumigatus/isolamento & purificação , Aspergillus niger/isolamento & purificação , Cladosporium/isolamento & purificação , Egito , Fusarium/isolamento & purificação , Micrococcaceae/isolamento & purificação , Neurospora/isolamento & purificação , Penicillium/isolamento & purificação , Estações do Ano , Especificidade da EspécieRESUMO
1. Leptadenia pyrotechnica (Forsk.) Decne. is a leafless tree growing under, adverse arid conditions in the valleys of the Eastern Desert in Egypt. 2. The plant cover in areas inhabited by this species is very low and amounts to only 1% in some localities. In such an open vegetation competition between roots is lacking and each root system monopolizes a huge volume of soil. 3. The root system of a small Leptadenia bush penetrates to a depth of 11.5 m and has a lateral extension of 10 m. The root system exploits about 850 m3 of soil. The distribution of the roots and their branching is closely related to the availability of the soil moisture in the different strata. 4. The available soil moisture is not uniform throughout the whole profile. Depending on the average available soil moisture at the different depths, the total available moisture in the soil volume occupied by the root system of Leptadenia bush is found to be about 23000 kg. 5. The annual water output by the studied bush is found to be 5700 kg. This means that the available water in the soil occupied by the root system is sufficient to supply the plant for a period of four years without replenishment by rainfall. 6. The present study shows that the plant can live safely for several years under the severe conditions of the desert. The plant possesses some characteristics which help it to keep its water balance positive through increased absorption.
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1. Leptadenia pyrotechnica (Forsk.) Decne. grows in valleys of the Eastern Desert in Egypt where the climatic and edaphic drought is very severe. 2. The transpiration rate is low in winter months and rises by the onset of summer. The rise in transpiration rate is not comparable with that of the evaporation. 3. The maximum transpiration rate is generally attained earlier than the maximum of the evaporating factors, specially in summer. The transpiration curves show a rapid decrease after this maximum despite the continuous rise of the evaporating power of the atmosphere. This points to an effective stomatal regulation. 4. The osmotic pressure ofLeptadenia is relatively low. The osmotic pressure values show narrow daily and seasonal fluctuations. 5. Leptadenia pyrotechnica is one of the most drought resistant plants. Its xeromorphic leafless habit implies reduction in the transpiring surface, while its deep extensive roots and low transpiration rate ensure a favourable water balance. The mechanisms of drought resistance in this plant were discussed.