Physical, Chemical, and biotic influences on Zooplankton Composition in Zaranik Lagoon, Egypt

EnZaranik Protected Area encompasses the eastern end of Lake Bardawil: the Zaranik Lagoon. The lagoon is shallow, with numerous small islets scattered throughout it, most of which are covered with dense saltmarsh vegetation. Nitrogenous and phosphorus forms (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, orthophosphate and total phosphorus) were studied as a basic nutrient salts affected different flora and fauna of the studied area. Nitrite was depleted completely during the study period except for winter. The nitrate values were fluctuated in a relatively narrow range (23.5 – 60 µg/l). Ammonia was detected in a normal range varied between 89-172 µg/l. Both orthophosphate and total phosphorus exhibit similar distribution dynamics. A total of 45 zooplankton species belonging to 9 main groups (Protista, Copepoda, Rotifera, Cladocera, Pteropoda, Cheatognatha, Cnidaria, Appendiculariae, and meroplankton) were recorded. Copepoda were the most abundant and ubiquitous zooplankton organisms in Zaranik protectorate, forming the 63 % of total zooplankton density. Salinity showed a negative correlation with total Protista (r = - 0.77) while NH3 showed a positive correlation with total zooplankton (r = 0.68)

Long-term changes and community structure of macrobenthic Arthropoda and mollusca in Bardawill lagoon

EnLagoons are among the most productive aquatic ecosystems which for thousands of years have been exploited by man. Bardawil Lagoon is a small, hyper saline lagoon in an arid area located in the middle of Sinai’s Mediterranean coast. Long-term changes,community structure, biodiversity, biomass and abundance of Arthropoda and Mollusca were studied. Orchestia gammarella, Chironomidae larvae and Balanus perfera were recorded as dominant taxa within 15 identified Arthropoda species. The western area of the lagoon maintained the highest standing crop as a result of the flourishing of Chironomidae larvae. Arthropoda are weakly represented in the middle and eastern areas. The standing crop of the total Arthropoda shows an obvious increase from 253 and 298 indiv.m-2 during 1984 and 1986 to 711 indiv.m-2 during the present study.Branchiodonta variabilis was the dominant of 9 molluscan species. Spatially there was a tendency towards a decrease in abundance westwards. The population density of Mollusca had highly reduced from 1028 indiv.m-2 in 1984 to 671 indiv.m-2 during the present study.The present study shows that Arthropoda and Mollusca assemblages undergo dramatic changes. There is no sign of presence of 20 previously listed species in the lagoon.On the other hand, 9 species have been recorded for the first time

Clinical and laboratory spectrum of hereditary angioedema in a group of Egyptian children: a cross sectional study

Abstract Background Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a hereditary illness represented by repeated bouts of submucosal or subcutaneous edema. Types of HAE includes; HAE with deficient C1-inhibitor (type 1), HAE with dysfunctional C1-inhibitor (type 2), and HAE with normal C1-inhibitor. Data on the epidemiology of HAE in Egypt are limited. Therefore, we aimed to characterize HAE in Egyptian children, identify the morbidity, and clarify HAE's different clinical and laboratory presentations. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled pediatric patients diagnosed with HAE according to the international hereditary angioedema WAO/EAACI guidelines. We gathered laboratory data on patients' mean serum C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-INH) level and activity, C4, and IgE levels. Results We included 18 HAE patients (14 females and 4 males). They were between the ages of 6 and 18 years. The mean age upon confirmation of diagnosis was 8.4 ± 2.4 years. The mean time required to correctly diagnose HAE was 3.2 ± 1.8 years. We detected type I in 15 cases and type II in three cases. Eleven patients had a family member with HAE. In terms of previous misdiagnoses, 50% of patients were diagnosed with allergic angioedema. The median annual frequency of episodes was 17. The mean HAE attack time was 2.9 ± 1.5 days. Edema was most typically found in the face and abdomen. Trauma was the main triggering factor. We detected a significant direct relationship between severity of attack and C1-INH activity level. Conclusions This research adds a considerable clinical information about children with HAE. According to current results, there is a considerable underdiagnosis of HAE in Egypt. The detection and management of HAE can be improved by screening the relatives of HAE patients