Insights into the genetic evolution of duck hepatitis a virus in Egypt

Duck hepatitis virus (DHV) is one of the commercially important diseases of ducklings worldwide. It is an acute and highly infectious disease of ducklings caused by three different sero-types (1–3) of duck hepatitis A virus (DHAV), and serotype 1 is the most common in poultry. To date, little is known about the prevalence and genetic characterisation of DHAV-1 in Egypt. In the current study, isolation and complete genomic analyses of DHAVs circulating in commercial duck farms in different Egyptian governorates were conducted. A total of eighteen samples were collected from six Egyptian governorates of 3–11 days old ducklings (Pekin and Mullard) with a his-tory of nervous signs and high mortality rates. Five out of eighteen (5/18) samples were screened positive for the DHAV-1 based on the VP1 gene. These samples were individually used for virus isolation in embryonated duck embryos (EDE), followed by complete genome sequencing. Phylo-genomic analyses showed that DHAV serotype I; genotype I were diversified into four different groups (1, 2, 3 and 4). Most of the recent circulating Egyptian DHAV strains are clustered within group 4, while isolates characterised within this study were clustered within group 1. Recombination analyses revealed that the emergence of a new recombinant virus—DHAV-1 strain Egypt-10/2019—through recombination. Likewise, the selective pressure analyses showed the existence, inside or near areas of the viral attachment or related functions, of positive scores highlighting the importance of natural selection and viral evolution mechanism at different protein domains. The findings of this study provide updated information on the epidemiological and genetic features of DHAV-1 strains and underscore the importance of DHAV surveillance as well as re-evaluation for currently used vaccines

On the fourth-order accurate compact ADI scheme for solving the unsteady Nonlinear Coupled Burgers' Equations

The two-dimensional unsteady coupled Burgers' equations with moderate to severe gradients, are solved numerically using higher-order accurate finite difference schemes; namely the fourth-order accurate compact ADI scheme, and the fourth-order accurate Du Fort Frankel scheme. The question of numerical stability and convergence are presented. Comparisons are made between the present schemes in terms of accuracy and computational efficiency for solving problems with severe internal and boundary gradients. The present study shows that the fourth-order compact ADI scheme is stable and efficient

Evaluation of sesamum gum as an excipient in matrix tablets

In developing countries modern medicines are often beyond the affordability of the majority of the population. This is due to the reliance on expensive imported raw materials despite the abundance of natural resources which could provide an equivalent or even an improved function. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of sesamum gum (SG) extracted from the leaves of Sesamum radiatum (readily cultivated in sub-Saharan Africa) as a matrix former. Directly compressed matrix tablets were prepared from the extract and compared with similar matrices of HPMC (K4M) using theophylline as a model water soluble drug. The compaction, swelling, erosion and drug release from the matrices were studied in deionized water, 0.1 N HCl (pH 1.2) and phosphate buffer (pH 6.8) using USP apparatus II. The data from the swelling, erosion and drug release studies were also fitted into the respective mathematical models. Results showed that the matrices underwent a combination of swelling and erosion, with the swelling action being controlled by the rate of hydration in the medium. SG also controlled the release of theophylline similar to the HPMC and therefore may have use as an alternative excipient in regions where Sesamum radiatum can be easily cultivated

Distribution of triterpanes and steranes biomarkers as indication of organic matters input and depositional environments of crude oils of oilfields in Gulf of Suez, Egypt

Eight crude oils collected from different oilfields distributed within the northern, central and southern Gulf of Suez basin to detect the distribution of triterpanes and steranes biomarkers as indication of organic matter input and depositional environments of crude oils and lithology of organic matters. This achieved throughout the application of gas chromatography mass spectrometry analysis. The results revealed that the Gulf of Suez samples are believed to be of marine organic matter input deposited under anoxic depositional environment. Off shore samples S3 and S4 from Central Province of Gulf of Suez basin show low maturity levels, while the other samples which were of higher maturity levels. Keywords: Triterpanes, Steranes, Crude oils, Gulf of Suez, Egyp

Fingerprinting of biomarker characteristics of some Egyptian crude oils in Northern Western Desert as evidence for organic matter input and maturity level assessment

This study describes the fingerprinting of crude oils from different Egyptian oil formations using gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The samples were obtained from Gindi, Abu El gharadig, south deep Abu El gharadig, Dahab- Merier and Faghur basins from Western Desert. Diagnostic biomarkers parameters applied in this study provide evidences about the source of organic matter, the depositional environment and maturity of the studied oils. The results showed that the crude oils of Faghur basin are believed to be originated from mixed source predominately terrestrial with chief contribution of clastic rocks deposited under oxic conditions. However, the crude oils from Gindi, Abu El gharadig, South deep Abu El gharadig and Dahab- Merier basins were generated from marine carbonate source rock deposited under anoxic depositional environment. Keywords: Egypt, Biomarkers, GC–MS, Depositional environment, Maturity, Western Deser