Tourism Development of the Cultural Heritage and Archaeological Sites within the National Project for Urban Sustainable Development in Egypt

Egypt is located on the north-eastern side of Africa. Egypt has many archaeological sites classified in the World Heritage List. Tourism development of the Cultural Heritage, historical locations and archeological sites supporting the National Economy and Local Society. Egypt also has a massive number of cultural-historical landmarks and unique architectural constructions such as the great pyramids of Giza, Saqqara, Dahshur and Abusir; the temples of Luxor, Aswan, and Abu Simbel; the valley of the kings, and other extraordinary monumental attractions that worth studying. The study throws light on the tourism development of the Cultural Heritage, historical landmarks, and archeological sites that consider one of the essential resources supporting the National Economy and Local Society. Egypt has always relied on tourism and its historical sights to raise its Economy by developing archaeological sites and historical locations

Eco-structured biosorptive removal of basic fuchsin using pistachio nutshells: A definitive screening design-based approach

Biosorptive removal of basic fuchsin (BF) from wastewater samples was achieved using the recycled agro-wastes of pistachio nut shells (PNS). Seven adsorbents were developed; raw shells (RPNS) and the thermally activated biomasses at six different temperatures (250–500 °C). Two measures were implemented to assess the performance of utilized adsorbents; %removal (%R) and adsorption capacity (qe). RPNS proved to be the best among the tested adsorbents. A smart approach, definitive-screening design (DSD) was operated to test the impact of independent variables on the adsorption capacity of RPNS. pH, adsorbent dose (AD), dye concentration (DC), and stirring time (ST), were the tested variables. Analysis of variance (ANOVA), control, and quality charts helped establishing regression model. Characterization was performed using Fourier- transform infrared (FT-IR)/Raman spectroscopies together with thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analyses. The surface area and other textural properties were determined using the Brunauer Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis. Removal of 99.71% of BF with an adsorption capacity of 118.2 mg/g could be achieved using a factorial blend of pH 12, 100 mg/50 mL of RPNS, and 250 ppm BF for 20 min. Equilibrium studies reveal that the adsorption is physisorption with adsorption energy of 7.45 kJ/mol as indicated by Dubinin-Radushkevich (DR) and Langmuir isotherms. Moreover, adsorption follows pseudo-second-order kinetics with respect to BF and is controlled by the adsorption rate.This work was made possible by Qatar University Internal Student Grant [QUST-2-CAS-2019-18] from Qatar University. The statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors. The publication of this article was funded by the Qatar National Library.Scopu

Molecular epidemiology of Plasmodium species prevalent in Yemen based on 18 s rRNA

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Malaria is an endemic disease in Yemen and is responsible for 4.9 deaths per 100,000 population per year and 43,000 disability adjusted life years lost. Although malaria in Yemen is caused mainly by <it>Plasmodium falciparum </it>and <it>Plasmodium vivax</it>, there are no sequence data available on the two species. This study was conducted to investigate the distribution of the <it>Plasmodium </it>species based on the molecular detection and to study the molecular phylogeny of these parasites.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Blood samples from 511 febrile patients were collected and a partial region of the 18 s ribosomal RNA (18 s rRNA) gene was amplified using nested PCR. From the 86 positive blood samples, 13 <it>Plasmodium falciparum </it>and 4 <it>Plasmodium vivax </it>were selected and underwent cloning and, subsequently, sequencing and the sequences were subjected to phylogenetic analysis using the neighbor-joining and maximum parsimony methods.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Malaria was detected by PCR in 86 samples (16.8%). The majority of the single infections were caused by <it>P. falciparum </it>(80.3%), followed by <it>P. vivax </it>(5.8%). Mixed infection rates of <it>P. falciparum </it>+ <it>P. vivax </it>and <it>P. falciparum </it>+ <it>P. malariae </it>were 11.6% and 2.3%, respectively. All <it>P. falciparum </it>isolates were grouped with the strain 3D7, while <it>P. vivax </it>isolates were grouped with the strain Salvador1. Phylogenetic trees based on 18 s rRNA placed the <it>P. falciparum </it>isolates into three sub-clusters and <it>P. vivax </it>into one cluster. Sequence alignment analysis showed 5-14.8% SNP in the partial sequences of the 18 s rRNA of <it>P. falciparum</it>.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Although <it>P. falciparum </it>is predominant, <it>P. vivax</it>, <it>P. malariae </it>and mixed infections are more prevalent than has been revealed by microscopy. This overlooked distribution should be considered by malaria control strategy makers. The genetic polymorphisms warrant further investigation.</p

Recycling of Date Pits Into a Green Adsorbent for Removal of Heavy Metals: A Fractional Factorial Design-Based Approach

Date pits (DPs) have been recycled into a low-cost adsorbent for removing of selected heavy metals (HMs) from artificially contaminated aqueous solutions. Adsorption of targeted HMs, both by raw date pits (RDP) and burnt date pits (BDP) was tested. Results showed that BDP is more efficient as an adsorbent and mostly adsorbing Cu(II). A novel approach; fractional factorial design (2k−p – FrFD) was used to build the experimental pattern of this study. The effects of four factors on the maximum percentage (%) of removal (Y) were considered; pH, adsorbent dose (AD), heavy metal concentration (HMC), and contact time (CT). Statistically significant variables were detected using Pareto chart of standardized effects, normal and half-normal plots together with analysis of variance (ANOVA) at 95.0 confidence intervals (CI). Optimizing (maximizing) the percentage (%) removal of Cu(II) by BDP, was performed using optimization plots. Results showed that the factors: pH and adsorbent dose (AD) affect the response positively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to study the surface morphology of both adsorbents while fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was employed to get an idea on the functional groups on the surface and hence the adsorption mechanism. Raman spectroscopy was used to characterize the prepared adsorbents before and after adsorption of Cu(II). Equilibrium studies show that the adsorption behavior differs according to the equilibrium concentration. In general, it follows Langmuir isotherm up to 155 ppm, then Freundlich isotherm. Free energy of adsorption (ΔGad) is −28.07 kJ/mole, when equilibrium concentration is below 155 ppm, so the adsorption process is spontaneous, while (ΔGad) equals +17.89 kJ/mole above 155 ppm, implying that the process is non-spontaneous. Furthermore, the adsorption process is a mixture of physisorption and chemisorption processes, which could be endothermic or exothermic reactions. The adsorption kinetics were described using a second order model.Funding. This work was made possible by UREP award [UREP 20-116-1-020] from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of The Qatar Foundation). The statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors

High frequency of Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine resistance marker (pfcrt T76 mutation) in Yemen: An urgent need to re-examine malaria drug policy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Malaria remains a significant health problem in Yemen with <it>Plasmodium falciparum </it>being the predominant species which is responsible for 90% of the malaria cases. Despite serious concerns regarding increasing drug resistance, chloroquine is still used for the prevention and treatment of malaria in Yemen. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of choloroquine resistance (CQR) of <it>P. falciparum </it>isolated from Yemen based on the <it>pfcrt </it>T76 mutation.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross-sectional study was carried out among 511 participants from four governorates in Yemen. Blood samples were screened using microscopic and species-specific nested PCR based on the 18S rRNA gene to detect and identify <it>Plasmodium </it>species. Blood samples positive for <it>P. falciparum </it>were used for detecting the <it>pfcrt </it>T76 mutation using nested-PCR.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The prevalence of <it>pfcrt </it>T76 mutation was 81.5% (66 of 81 isolates). Coastal areas/foothills had higher prevalence of <it>pfcrt </it>T76 mutation compared to highland areas (90.5% <it>vs </it>71.8%) (p = 0.031). The <it>pfcrt </it>T76 mutation had a significant association with parasitaemia (p = 0.045). Univariate analysis shows a significant association of <it>pfcrt </it>T76 mutation with people aged > 10 years (OR = 9, 95% CI = 2.3 - 36.2, p = 0.001), low household income (OR = 5, 95% CI = 1.3 - 19.5, p = 0.027), no insecticide spray (OR = 3.7, 95% CI = 1.16 - 11.86, p = 0.025) and not sleeping under insecticide treated nets (ITNs) (OR = 4.8, 95% CI = 1.38 - 16.78, p = 0.01). Logistic regression model confirmed age > 10 years and low household income as predictors of <it>pfcrt </it>T76 mutation in Yemen <it>P. falciparum </it>isolates.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The high prevalence of <it>pfcrt </it>T76 mutation in Yemen could be a predictive marker for the prevalence of <it>P. falciparum </it>CQR. This finding shows the necessity for an in-vivo therapeutic efficacy test for CQ.<it> P. falciparum </it>CQR should be addressed in the national strategy to control malaria.</p

Factors Associated with High Prevalence of Intestinal Protozoan Infections among Patients in Sana'a City, Yemen

Intestinal protozoan diseases in Yemen are a significant health problem with prevalence ranging from 18% to 27%. The present study is a cross-sectional study aimed at determining the factors associated with the high prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections among patients seeking health care in Sana'a City, the capital of Yemen. (0.4%). Multivariate analysis using forward stepwise logistic regression based on intestinal protozoan infections showed that contact with animals (OR = 1.748, 95% CI = 1.168–2.617) and taking bath less than twice a week (OR = 1.820, 95% CI = 1.192–2.779) were significant risk factors of protozoan infections. infections being most common. Statistical analysis indicated that low personal hygiene and contact with animals were important predictors for intestinal protozoan infections. As highlighted in this study, in order to effectively reduce these infections, a multi-sectoral effort is needed. Preventive measures should include good hygienic practices, good animal husbandry practices, heightened provision of educational health programs, health services in all governorates including rural areas. Furthermore, it is also essential to find radical solutions to the recent water crises in Yemen

Molecular Characterization of Leishmania Species Isolated from Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Yemen

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a neglected tropical disease endemic in the tropics and subtropics with a global yearly incidence of 1.5 million. Although CL is the most common form of leishmaniasis, which is responsible for 60% of DALYs lost due to tropical-cluster diseases prevalent in Yemen, available information is very limited. Methodology/Principal Findings: This study was conducted to determine the molecular characterization of Leishmania species isolated from human cutaneous lesions in Yemen. Dermal scrapes were collected and examined for Leishmania amastigotes using the Giemsa staining technique. Amplification of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 1(ITS-1) gene was carried out using nested PCR and subsequent sequencing. The sequences from Leishmania isolates were subjected to phylogenetic analysis using the neighbor-joining and maximum parsimony methods. The trees identified Leishmania tropica from 16 isolates which were represented by two sequence types. Conclusions/Significance: The predominance of the anthroponotic species (i.e. L. tropica) indicates the probability of anthroponotic transmission of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Yemen. These findings will help public health authorities to build an effective control strategy taking into consideration person–to-person transmission as the main dynamic of transmissio

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever in Turkey

Nineteen cases of suspected Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever reported from Turkey

Multiple Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus Strains Are Associated with Disease Outbreaks in Sudan, 2008–2009

The tick-borne virus which causes the disease Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is known to be widely distributed throughout much of Africa, Southern Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Southern Russia. Humans contract the virus from contact with infected people, infected animals (which do not show symptoms), and from the bite of infected ticks. CCHF was recently recognized in the Sudan when several hospital staff and patients died from the disease in a rural hospital. The genetic analysis of viruses associated with the 2008 and 2009 outbreaks shows that several CCHF viral strains currently circulate and cause human outbreaks in the Sudan, highlighting CCHF virus as an emerging pathogen. The Sudanese strains are similar to others circulating in Africa, indicating movement of virus over large distances with introduction and disease outbreaks in rural areas possible. Understanding the epidemiology of zoonotic diseases such as CCHF is especially important in the Sudan given the large numbers of livestock in the country, and their importance to the economy and rural communities. It is imperative that hospital staff consider CCHF as a possible disease agent, since they are at a high risk of contracting the disease, especially in hospitals with limited medical supplies

Entomological aspects and the role of human behaviour in malaria transmission in a highland region of the Republic of Yemen

© 2016 Al-Eryani et al. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/ publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated. The attached file is the published version of the article