Macroeconomic Variables, Government Effectiveness and Sovereign Credit Rating: A Case of Egypt

Sovereign credit rating reflects the country ability to meet its financial obligations (at present and in future) on its maturities, therefore, it is an important indicator that concerns international financial institutions and foreign investors who are interested in foreign direct investment in order to know the minimum expectation of risks that can be faced in specific country. This paper aims to i) examine the effect of macroeconomic variables on the Egyptian sovereign credit rating (SCR) and ii) also investigate the impact of investment environment (measured by government effectiveness) on the SCR using the dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS) method over the period from 1990 to 2014.  The results indicate that GDP growth, inflation, fiscal balance, reserves, current account balance, public domestic debt, and the government effectiveness have a significant impact on the sovereign credit rating in Egypt. This study has important implications for investors and policymakers

HEAT TOLERANCE IN SOME BREAD WHEAT GENOTYPES UNDER TWO SOWING DATES

A 7x7 half diallel cross along with their parental wheat cultivars were evaluated under two sowing dates (19th Nov. and 17th Dec.).The results revealed that mean squares due to sowing dates, genotypes and genotypes x sowing dates interaction were significant for most of the studied traits. Delaying sowing date to Dec. reduced all studied characters compared to the normal sowing date except electrolyte leakage which increased by delaying sowing date. Heterosis over better parents showed that, the best hybrids under stress condition were Misr 2 X Giza 168 and Sids 1 X Giza 168   for grain yield / plant and some of other studied traits.  General and specific combining ability mean squares indicated the importance of both additive and non-additive gene effects in the inheritance of the studied traits with few exceptions. However, the additive effect was more important than the non-additive effects in the inheritance of days to 50% heading, plant height, No. of spikes/ plant,No. of kernels / spike and 1000-kernel weight while, the non-additive effects were more important than the additive effects in the inheritance of electrolyte leakage and flag leaf area. The best general combiner parents for grain yield / plant and some of other studied traits were Gemmeiza 11 and Giza 168under stress condition. The best hybrids for SCA effects were Sakha 93 X Sids 1, Gemmeiza 11 X Giza 168, Misr 2 X Giza 168 and Sids 1 X Giza 168 under stress condition for grain yield / plant and some of other studied traits. The crosses Gemmeiza 11 X Giza 168   (HSI 0.36), Gemmeiza 7 X Giza 168   (HSI 0.58) and Sakha 93 X Giza 168   (HSI 0.60) have recorded the lowest values of heat susceptibility index (HSI), indicating their tolerance to heat stress (late sowing date)

In vivo evaluation the efficiency of nitazoxanide with cationic Gemini surfactant on Cryptosporidiosis

تُعرض الإصابة بداء خفيات الأبواغ حياة العديد من الأشخاص للخطر وخصوصا المصابين بنقص المناعة، تحديدا مرضى فيروس نقص المناعة البشرية.  يُعد النيتازوكسانيد أحد الأدوية العلاجية الرئيسية المستخدمة في علاج داء الكريبتوسبوريديوسس. ومع ذلك، فهو ضعيف الذوبان في الماء ، مما يحد من فائدته وفعاليته في المرضى الذين يعانون من نقص المناعة. يحتوي الفاعل بالسطح على طابع برمائي وهذا يشير إلى قدرتها على تحسين قابلية الذوبان في الماء للعقار المضاد للماء. يتعلق بحثنا بتركيب مواد خافضة للتوتر السطحي من الجوزاء الموجبة الجديدة والتي لديها القدرة على تحسين قابلية ذوبان عقار نانازوكسيد. لذلك قمنا بتوليف مواد خافضة للتوتر السطحي توأمية موجبة.  N1,N1,N3,N3-tetramethyl-N1,N3-bis(2-octadecanamidoethyl)propane-1,3-diaminium bromide (CGSPS18) و  2,2‘-(ethane-1,2-diylbis(oxy))bis(N-(2-octadecanamidoethyl)-N,N-dimethyl-2-oxoethane-1-aminium) dichloride (CGSES18)   وتأكيد تركيبها الكيميائي بالطرق الطيفية المختلفة وكذلك دراسة خصائص السطح والسمية لها. بالإضافة إلى ذلك، تمت دراسة فعالية نيتازوكسانيد في الفئران المصابة بإضافة ثلاث جرعات مختلفة من المواد الخافضة للتوتر السطحي. لمعرفة تأثير النيتازوكسانيد والمواد الخافضة للتوتر السطحي معا، تم حساب العدوى بالطفيليات قبل العلاج وبعده ، كما تم فحص الأنسجة المعوية والكبدية والرئوية. في هذه الدراسة وجد أن الجمع بين عقار نيتازوكسانيد مع المواد الخافضة للتوتر السطحي وخاصة المركب (CGSPS18) بتركيز 25٪ زاد من الفعالية وأدى إلى انخفاض بنسبة 90.8٪. أظهر فحص الأنسجة المرضية أن المجموعة التي عولجت بعقار نيتازوكسانيد مع CGSPS18 أظهرت أفضل النتائج التي أظهرت نمطًا زغبيًا طبيعيًا تقريبًا. أظهرت هذه الدراسة زيادة في فعالية النيتازوكسانيد عند دمجه مع المواد الخافضة للتوتر السطحي ، وهذا يشير إلى مستقبل واعد لاستخدام المواد الخافضة للتوتر السطحي كعامل مساعد لتعزيز فعالية النيتازوكسانيد في علاج داء خفيات الأبواغ في المرضى الذين يعانون من نقص المناعة ، وخاصة مرضى فيروس نقص المناعة البشرية.Infection with cryptosporidiosis endangers the lives of many people with immunodeficiency, especially HIV patients. Nitazoxanide is one of the main therapeutic drugs used to treat cryptosporidiosis. However, it is poorly soluble in water, which restricts its usefulness and efficacy in immunocompromised patients. Surfactants have an amphiphilic character which indicates their ability to improve the water solubility of the hydrophobic drugs. Our research concerns the synthesis of new cationic Gemini surfactants that have the ability to improve the solubility of the drug Nanazoxide. So, we synthesized cationic Gemini surfactants. N1,N1,N3,N3-tetramethyl-N1,N3-bis(2-octadecanamidoethyl)propane-1,3-diaminium bromide (CGSPS18) and 2,2‘-(ethane-1,2-diylbis(oxy))bis(N-(2-octadecanamidoethyl)-N,N-dimethyl-2-oxoethane-1-aminium) dichloride (CGSES18) and the detection of their chemical composition by spectroscopic methods, as well as studying the properties of their surfaces and their toxicity. Furthermore, the efficacy of nitazoxanide in infected mice was studied in conjunction with three different doses of surfactants. To assess the effect of nitazoxanide and surfactants, the infection was parasitologically counted before and after treatment, and the intestinal, liver, and lung tissues were also examined histopathologically. In this study, it was found that the combination of the drug nitazoxanide with surfactants, especially the compound (CGSPS18) at a concentration of 25% increased the efficacy and resulted in a percentage reduction of 90.8%. Histopathological examination revealed that the group treated with the drug nitazoxanide in combination with CGSPS18 showed the best results exhibiting an almost normal villous pattern. This study demonstrated an increase in the effectiveness of nitazoxanide when combined with surfactants, and this suggests a promising future for the use of surfactants as an adjunct to enhance the effectiveness of nitazoxanide for the treatment of cryptosporidiosis in immunocompromised patients, particularly HIV patients

Exchange Rate Volatility and Trade: An Empirical Investigation from the Egyptian Economy

The main aim of this paper is to assess empirically the impact of exchange rate volatility (ERV) on the export and import functions in reference to Egypt’s major trading partners over the period of 1980–2016. Estimates of a cointegration relationship are obtained using the ARDL model. The conditional variance of the GARCH (1,1) model is taken as a proxy for exchange rate fluctuation. The observed outcomes reveal a significant negative coefficient of volatility on export and a non-significant positive coefficient on import. Indeed, this finding supports the traditional view that higher volatility will decrease export. To avoid the negative consequences of ERV, policymakers should shift from the concept of specialization based on the comparative advantage to competitive advantage and focus on the diversification of Egyptian exports while avoiding risks associated with market concentration by exploring potential opportunities that would increase trade openness by expanding Egypt’s trade with other countries, especially with low and middle-income and emerging countries

In Vivo Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Bacterial and Anti-Diarrhoeal Activity of Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract

BACKGROUND: Ziziphus jujuba belongs to family Rhamnaceae widely distributed in subtropical and tropical countries. It is used traditionally for several pharmacological purposes including anti-inflammation, antidiarrhoeal and antibacterial, as well as tonic and sometimes as hypnotic (sedative).AIM: To determine the in vivo antidiarrhoeal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities of Z. jujuba fruit ethanolic extract.METHOD: The fruit was macerated and extracted by 95% (v/v) ethanol. The antidiarrhoeal activity was evaluated using castor oil and Escherichia coli induced diarrhoea mouse model. The antidiarrhoeal and antibacterial activity was investigated at graded doses (400-1200 mg/kg). The anti-inflammatory effects were tested using the carrageenan-induced paw oedema in female Wistar rats. Rat’s treatment groups received tragacanth, 100 mg/kg diclofenac sodium, 800 mg/kg, 1200 mg/kg or 1600 mg/kg of an ethanolic extract of Z. jujuba (EEZJ). All treatment groups were fed with the compounds one hour before carrageenan injection at of rat’s paw. Also, the EEZJ was further analysed by HPLC-PDA system for identification of the presence of betulinic acid and quercetin.RESULTS: EEZJ different doses did not show inhibitory activity against castor oil induced diarrhoea except for the higher (1200 mg/kg) dose. However, the frequency of defecation of stools and watery stool were reduced significantly when compared to control group (P ≤ 0.05 and P ≤ 0.01 respectively), resulted in overall 67% inhibition of diarrhoea. Our anti-inflammatory results demonstrated that EEZJ was able to inhibit the carrageenan-induced paw oedema in rats to a significant degree (p ≤ 0.05) and the paw volume and thickness of both left and right paw were affected compared to the negative control group.CONCLUSION: EEZJ possesses antidiarrhoeal and antibacterial activity in a dose depending manner and may provide a pharmacological basis for its clinical use in diarrheal diseases. The activity may partially be due to the presence of betulinic acid and quercetin

Prevalence of the Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Coagulase-Positive-and Negative-Staphylococcus in Chicken Meat Retailed to Consumers

The use of antibiotics in farm management (growing crops and raising animals) has become a major area of concern. Its implications is the consequent emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and accordingly their access into the human food chain with passage of antibiotic resistance genes (ARG) to the normal human intestinal microbiota and hence to other pathogenic bacteria causative human disease. Therefore, we pursued in this study to unravel the frequency and the quinolone resistance determining region, mecA and cfr genes of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci (MRCNS) and methicillin-susceptible coagulase-negative staphylococci (MSCNS) isolated from the retail trade of ready-to-eat raw chicken meat samples collected during one year and sold across the Great Cairo area. The 50 Staphylococcus isolated from retail raw chicken meat were analyzed for their antibiotic resistance phenotypic profile on 12 antibiotics (penicillin, oxacillin, methicillin, ampicillin-sulbactam, erythromycin, tetracycline, clindamycin, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim and vancomycin) and their endorsement of the quinolone resistance determining region, mecA and cfr genes. The isolation results revealed 50 isolates, CPS (14) and CNS (36), representing ten species (S. aureus, S. hyicus, S. epidermedius, S. lugdunensis, S. haemolyticus, S. hominus, S. schleiferi, S. cohnii, S. intermedius and S. lentus). Twenty seven isolates were methicillin-resistant. Out of the characterized 50 staphylococcal isolates, three were MRSA but only 2/3 carried the mecA gene. The ARG that bestows resistance to quinolones, β-lactams, macrolides, lincosamides and streptogramin B (MLS(B)) in MRSA and MR-CNS were perceived. According to the available literature, the present investigation was a unique endeavor into the identification of the quinolone-resistance-determining-regions, the identification of MRSA and MR-CNS from retail chicken meat in Egypt. In addition, these isolates might indicate the promulgation of methicillin, oxacillin and vancomycin resistance in the community and imply food safety hazards

Preterm Small Gestational Age Newborns: Impact on Renal Size and Function

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate the size and function of the kidney in high-risk premature small gestational age (PT/SGA) newborns. Furthermore, estimation of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was done by comparing Cystatin C-based method with the creatinine –based method in those preterm newborns. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 20 PT/SGA and controls (20 preterm appropriate for gestational age [PT/AGA] and 20 full-term [FT] newborns). Serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and cystatin C were determined on days 3 and 7 of the study for all newborn infants. GFR was assessed by cystatin C-based method and creatinine-based method. Evaluation of the renal size by ultrasound was done on day 7 of neonatal life. RESULTS: A significant difference was found in the length and transverse diameter of both kidneys, comparing PT/SGA group with PT/AGA and FT group. Cystatin C on day 3 of PT/SGA group had a significant difference than PT/AGA and FT group. Estimation of GFR (eGFR) calculated by filler Zappitelli, Grubb, Larsson, and Dorum formulae of PT/SGA group had a significant difference comparing with PT/AGA and FT group on days 3 and 7. CONCLUSION: PT/SGA newborns have reduced renal size and immature renal function. Cystatin C is a marker for renal function superior to creatinine as it is not affected by body mass index, gestational age, and birth weight. Cystatin C-based eGFR is more accurate and more sensitive to minor changes in GFR than creatinine-based equation

Economic factors influencing zoonotic disease dynamics: demand for poultry meat and seasonal transmission of avian influenza in Vietnam

While climate is often presented as a key factor influencing the seasonality of diseases, the importance of anthropogenic factors is less commonly evaluated. Using a combination of methods-wavelet analysis, economic analysis, statistical and disease transmission modelling-we aimed to explore the influence of climatic and economic factors on the seasonality of H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in the domestic poultry population of Vietnam. We found that while climatic variables are associated with seasonal variation in the incidence of avian influenza outbreaks in the North of the country, this is not the case in the Centre and the South. In contrast, temporal patterns of H5N1 incidence are similar across these 3 regions: periods of high H5N1 incidence coincide with Lunar New Year festival, occurring in January-February, in the 3 climatic regions for 5 out of the 8 study years. Yet, daily poultry meat consumption drastically increases during Lunar New Year festival throughout the country. To meet this rise in demand, poultry production and trade are expected to peak around the festival period, promoting viral spread, which we demonstrated using a stochastic disease transmission model. This study illustrates the way in which economic factors may influence the dynamics of livestock pathogens

Associations between eight earth observation-derived climate variables and enteropathogen infection: An independent participant data meta-analysis of surveillance studies with broad spectrum nucleic acid diagnostics

Diarrheal disease, still a major cause of childhood illness, is caused by numerous, diverse infectious microorganisms, which are differentially sensitive to environmental conditions. Enteropathogen‐specific impacts of climate remain underexplored. Results from 15 studies that diagnosed enteropathogens in 64,788 stool samples from 20,760 children in 19 countries were combined. Infection status for 10 common enteropathogens—adenovirus, astrovirus, norovirus, rotavirus, sapovirus, Campylobacter, ETEC, Shigella, Cryptosporidium and Giardia—was matched by date with hydrometeorological variables from a global Earth observation dataset—precipitation and runoff volume, humidity, soil moisture, solar radiation, air pressure, temperature, and wind speed. Models were fitted for each pathogen, accounting for lags, nonlinearity, confounders, and threshold effects. Different variables showed complex, non‐linear associations with infection risk varying in magnitude and direction depending on pathogen species. Rotavirus infection decreased markedly following increasing 7‐day average temperatures—a relative risk of 0.76 (95% confidence interval: 0.69–0.85) above 28°C—while ETEC risk increased by almost half, 1.43 (1.36–1.50), in the 20–35°C range. Risk for all pathogens was highest following soil moistures in the upper range. Humidity was associated with increases in bacterial infections and decreases in most viral infections. Several virus species\u27 risk increased following lower‐than‐average rainfall, while rotavirus and ETEC increased with heavier runoff. Temperature, soil moisture, and humidity are particularly influential parameters across all enteropathogens, likely impacting pathogen survival outside the host. Precipitation and runoff have divergent associations with different enteric viruses. These effects may engender shifts in the relative burden of diarrhea‐causing agents as the global climate changes

In vitro evaluation of electroporated gold nanoparticles and extremely-low frequency electromagnetic field anticancer activity against Hep-2 laryngeal cancer cells

Introduction. The extremely-low frequency electromagnetic field (ELFEMF) has been proposed for use in cancer therapy since it was found that magnetic waves interfere with many biological processes. Gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) have been widely used for drug delivery during cancer in vitro studies due to their low cytotoxity and high biocompatibility. The electroporation of cancer cells in a presence of Au-NPs (EP Au-NPs) can induce cell apoptosis, alterations of cell cycle profile and morphological changes. The impact of ELFEMF and EP Au-NPs on morphology, cell cycle and activation of apoptosis-associated genes on Hep-2 laryngeal cancer cell line has not been studied yet. Materials and methods. ELFEMF on Hep-2 cells were carried out using four different conditions: 25/50 mT at 15/30 min, while Au-NPs were used as direct contact (DC) or with electroporation (EP, 10 pulses at 200V, equal time intervals of 4 sec). MTT assay was used to check the toxicity of DC Au-NPs. Expression of CASP3, P53, BAX and BCL2 genes was quantified using qPCR. Cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to observe cell morphology. Results. Calculated IC50 of DC Au-NPs 24.36 μM (4.79 μg/ml) and such concentration was used for further DC and EP AuNPs experiments. The up-regulation of pro-apoptotic genes (CASP3, P53, BAX) and decreased expression of BCL2, respectively, was observed for all analyzed conditions with the highest differences for EP AuNPs and ELFEMF 50 mT/30 min in comparison to control cells. The highest content of cells arrested in G2/M phase was observed in ELFEMF-treated cells for 30 min both at 25 or 50 mT, while the cells treated with EP AuNPs or ELFEMF 50 mT/15 min showed highest ratios of apoptotic cells. HE staining of electroporated cells and cells exposed to ELFEMF’s low and higher frequencies for different times showed nuclear pleomorphic cells. Numerous apoptotic bodies were observed in the irregular cell membrane of neoplastic and necrotic cells with mixed euchromatin and heterochromatin. Conclusions. Our observations indicate that treatment of Hep-2 laryngeal cancer cells with ELFEMF for 30 min at 25–50 mT and EP Au-NPs can cause cell damage inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest