Survey and distribution of rodent inhabiting eight districts at Gharbia governorate, Egypt

Rodent individuals were noticed in buildings from eight districts viz., Samannoud, El-Mahala, Tanta, Elsanta, Zifta, Bassuon, Kotor and Kafr-El-Zayat districts during two years at Gharbia Governorate, Egypt. The residents noticed 193, 146, 112, 109, 102,  82, 77 and 34 rodent  individuals in Samannoud, El-Mahala, Tanta, Elsanta, Zifta, Bassuon, Kotor and Kafr-El-Zayat  districts respectively during from January 2014 to December 2016 at Gharbia Governorate. There was no significant difference between number of rodent during study period (years), but there was significant difference among places and months. Rodents recorded in Elsanta and Tanta distracts were Rattus rattus (Linn.), Rattus rattus frugivorous (Rafinesque) and Rattus rattus alexandrines (Geoffray) and Rattus norvegicus Berk., and Mus musculus Linn., belonging to two genera (Rattus and Mus) from family Muridae. There was no significant difference between number of rodent during (cities, years and species) but there was significant difference between number of rodent during months and locations. These results could be used in the Integrated Pest Management program to control the rodents.This work proved the presence of R. rattus (Linn.);(R.rattus frugivorous (Rafinesque) and R. rattus alexandrines (Geoffray)] followed by R. norvegicus Berk., and Mus musculus Linn., belonging to two genera (Rattus and Mus) from family Muridae, were recorded in Elsanta and Tanta distracts at Gharbia Governorate.  R. norvegicus Berk.; R. rattus frugivorous (Rafinesque) followed by. R. rattus alexandrines (Geoffray); were recorded in Elsanta and Tanta districts. The highest number of R. norvegicus Berk., were recorded 6 individuals during Summer and Winter seasons in 1st year while 8 individuals were recorded during Autumn in 2nd year from AL-Santa district. The highest number of R. norvegicus Berk., (8 individuals) were recorded during Spring season in 1st year while 5 individuals were recorded during Winter and Spring  seasons in 2nd year from Tanta distract. The highest number of R.rattus frogivorus (Rafinesque) were recorded 5 individuals during Spring season in1st year while 6 individuals were recorded during Winter season in 2nd year from Al-Santa district. The highest number of R. rattus frogivorus (Rafinesque),(4 individuals) were recorded during Summer seasonin1st year while  4 individuals were recorded during Summer, Autumm and Winter seasons in 2nd year from Tanta district.The highest numbers of R. rattus alexandrines (Geoffray) were recorded 5 individuals during Spring season in1st year while 6 individuals were recorded during Spring in 2ndyear from Al-Santa district. The highest number of R. rattus alexandrines (Geoffray).,(4 individuals) were recorded during Summer season in 1st year while 4 individuals were recorded during Summer, Autumm and Winter seasons in 2nd year from Tanta district. There were no significant difference between number of rodent during (Cities, Years and Species) but there were significant difference between number of rodent during months and locations. 

Potential Effect of Biochar on Soil Properties, Microbial Activity and <i>Vicia faba</i> Properties Affected by Microplastics Contamination

Microplastics (MPs) contamination is an emerging issue globally; however, adverse impacts of MPs on soil, plants and microbial activity have not been intensively studied. In this study, the potential effect of different levels of MPs (1.5, 7.5, 15%) has been investigated on soil properties, plant properties (Vicia Faba) and microbial activities through a pot experiment. The effect of biochar (BC: 2%) to mitigate the adverse effects of MP has also been examined. Soil properties (pH, EC, OM, CaCO3 and some elements) have significantly differed due to contamination of soil by MPs as well as by adding BC to the soil. The pH and CaCO3 were significantly increased more than in the control, while EC, TDS, available P, Mn and Fe were significantly decreased lower than the control, which implies adsorption on microplastic. Plant properties, such as enzymes, chlorophyll and fresh and dry weight in roots, were adversely affected by MPs contamination; however, BC mitigated this effect, especially with low contamination levels of MPs. The fresh and dry weight of the shoot was not significantly affected by MPs. The cytogenetic analysis showed that the mitotic index was significantly reduced compared to the control (9.39%), while BC increased the mitotic index at 1.5% MPs (7.11%) although it was less than the control. The percentage of abnormalities of V. faba root tip cells under different levels of MPs was significantly increased more than the control; however, BC mitigated this effect, especially at 7.5% MPs. The total count of bacteria and fungi even in soil or in the rhizosphere area did not follow a clear trend; however, the effect of BC was clear in increasing their activities. Microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen were also significantly affected by MPs and BC. In this study, the BC level was low, however, it mitigated some adverse effects of MPs, especially at 1.5 and 7.5% of MPs. Thus, the BC could be promising in mitigating the negative impacts of MPs when applied with suitable levels that need more future studies

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study

Background: Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods: The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18-49, 50-69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results: NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year. Conclusion: As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population