Prevalence and some risk factors with therapeutic trial of sheep dermatophytosis in Egypt

Dermatophytosis is a fungal disease that affects the superficial skin layers and hair of farm animals all over the world including Egypt. Despite being a self-limiting disease, it has serious effects on public health and devastating economic losses due to its serious skin damage, a long course of treatment, and loss of weight. This study determines the most prevalent species of dermatophyte in sheep and identifies the incriminated species by both microscopic and culture methods with an assessment of animal and environmental risk factors. Moreover, it evaluates the effectiveness of three antifungal compounds (tioconazole cream and clotrimazole spray, and fluconazole capsule), on twenty-four naturally infected sheep. One hundred and three sheep from Sharkia and Dakahalia governorates were examined with clinically suggestive lesions from 2018 to 2019. 47.6% of the cases were positive for the dermatophyte infection either by clinical signs, microscopic or culture, or both. The highest registered infection rate is in males, at the age of ˂ 6 months, and in the winter season. Three antifungal medications are used for the first time in the treatment of ovine dermatophytosis. They are proved to have been effective in subsiding skin lesions with hair growth to return to its normal clinical state with a 100% curative rate. The treatment with preferable and easily applicable topical cures, especially tioconazole cream, is highly effective in the short run. This cream treatment is easily applicable and provides a good alternative to the traditional antifungal medication for sheep. Consequently, such treatment can reduce the possibility of spreading the infection by other animals, and may allow the adaption of efficient control measures

High Altitude Thermal Control

On September 1, 2016, a high altitude student platform (HASP) was launched from NASA’s Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility in Fort Sumner, New Mexico with 12 student payloads. The University of Bridgeport sent a robotic arm with three servo-motors and servo-motor testbed to the fringes of space. The objective was to test the motors at very low temperatures and in vacuum conditions. The payload has heaters and temperature sensors fitted on all its walls that can automatically respond to the thermal conditions to assure that the motors operate

High Altitude Student Platform

Our project focuses on the testing of critical components of the next phase of a high altitude robotic puppet that will be used on Near Space balloon missions to engage younger students (K-6). The prototype robotic puppet has been under the development at the University of Bridgeport (UB) supported by a Connecticut Space Grant College Consortium (CSGCC)

Crestal bone loss of standard implant versus platform switch implant design using minimal invasive technique

The aim of the current study was to investigate the role of the type of abutment/implant connection on the marginal bone loss around dental implant. The present study was conducted on eleven patients, six males and five females with age range from 26 to 45 years. Twenty consecutive dental implants were inserted for implant e supported restoration in the maxillary premolar area. The diameter and length of dental implants of all subjects were the same in groups, 3.7 mm diameter and 11.5 mm length. At the time of prosthetic rehabilitation, 3.8 mm abutments were connected to the all inserted dental implants. Periodontal assessment (probing depth, bleeding index, plaque index) was performed 1, 3, 6, 12, months after implant insertion. Radiographic assessment of marginal bone was performed immediately at the time of implant insertion (baseline), 3, 6 and 12 months. Statistical analysis revealed that there was a significant difference between the control group and the test group as regard the total mean of marginal bone loss. In conclusion, platform-switching concept seems to have a role in minimizing the marginal bone loss around dental implant

THE DETERMINANTS OF EXTERNAL DEMAND FOR EXPORTS OF EGYPTIAN FROZEN VEGETABLE

The problem of research is facing Egyptian exports of frozen vegetables in general, and the mixture of frozen vegetables in particular, with intense competition in foreign markets, which requires studying this problem and proposing appropriate solutions to it. Therefore, the research aimed to study means of developing and increasing agricultural exports of Egyptian frozen vegetables. The research focused on the exports of the Egyptian frozen vegetable mixture, as it was found that it ranked first among the total Egyptian exports of frozen vegetables during the period (2014-2018), where it represented about 70.1% of the total quantities. The research has reached some conclusions, including: The time trend equations for the quantity, value and price of Egyptian exports for both frozen vegetables and frozen vegetable mixtures were estimated during the period (2004-2018). It turned out that the ratio of the increase to the average in both the quantity and value of exports of frozen vegetables mixture is greater than that in the total frozen vegetables. By studying the geographical distribution, the most important importing countries for the Egyptian frozen vegetable mixture were identified during the period (2014-2018), namely Saudi Arabia, America, France. By studying the market share index of the most important importing markets for frozen vegetables mixture shows that Egypt occupies the first position in the list of countries exporting frozen vegetables mixtures in the Saudi market during the period (2010-2012) with an amount of exports estimated at about 4.9 thousand tons and a market share of about 72.2%. By studying The External of individual demand for the Egyptian frozen vegetable mixture in the Saudi market shows that an increase in the price of Egypt by 1% leads to a decrease in Egypt's exports to Saudi Arabia by 0.89%. A 1% decrease in India’s price leads to a decrease in Egypt’s exports by 0.89, meaning that there is a significant impact of price changes and that India is a competitor to Egypt within the Saudi market. The research recommended 1. Study the non-price competitive reasons, as Egypt has a competitive price advantage, yet its market share in the Saudi market is decreasing (it may be due to taste, packaging, export facilities, etc.). 2. The competitive advantage between Egypt and India is decreasing more than the other two competing countries (Spain, Belgium). 3. Focus on studying the reasons for India's increasing competitiveness of Egyptian exports. 4. There is an effect of price competition, especially with Mexican and Chinese exports, and it is recommended that this price competitive advantage be improved in favor of Egypt. 5. Italy is the largest competitor in the French market (it has a significant price impact on Egypt's exports, followed by Spain)

Cast accuracy obtained from different impression techniques at different implant angulations (in vitro study)

Abstract Background Angulated implants may result in inaccurate impressions, and the impression technique may affect the accuracy of the definitive cast. This study was designed to compare the dimensional accuracy of casts obtained from three impression techniques for three definitive lower casts with implants at different angulations. Methods Three Osseolink implants were placed in three reference models with different angles (parallel, 15° and 30°). Impressions of each model were made with three techniques (n = 10 per group): indirect, unsplinted direct, and acrylic resin-splinted direct technique. Impressions were poured with type IV dental stone. Inter-implant distances were measured for casts using a coordinate measuring machine, and the deviations from the reference models (Δr) were calculated. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by post hoc tests to detect significance between groups (α = 0.05). Results This study showed that the deviations in micrometers from the reference model were the least for acrylic resin-splinted direct technique (Δr1 = 49.96, Δr2 = 50.36) versus indirect (Δr1 = 93.8, Δr2 = 90.9) and unsplinted direct techniques ((Δr1 = 67.07, Δr2 = 68.66) in 30° angulated implant situation (p value < 0.0001* for both Δr1 and Δr2). In 15° angulated implants, both the acrylic resin-splinted direct (Δr1 = 44.64, Δr2 = 45.58) and unsplinted direct techniques (Δr1 = 47.39, Δr2 = 55.28) were more accurate than indirect technique (Δr1 = 64.8, Δr2 = 68.3) (p value < 0.0001* for both Δr1 and Δr2). While in parallel condition, no difference was found between all three techniques (p value = 0.085, 0.056 for Δr1 and Δr2, respectively). Conclusions The impression technique affected the accuracy of definitive casts. The acrylic resin splinted direct technique produced the most accurate casts, followed by direct unsplinted and indirect techniques. Furthermore, implant angulation affected the impression accuracy. When implant angulation increased from parallel implants to 30°, the forces of deformation increased, which resulted in increased distortion

Expression patterns of lncRNA MALAT-1 in SARS-COV-2 infection and its potential effect on disease severity via miR-200c-3p and SIRT1

Downregulating Angiotensin Converting Enzyme2 (ACE2) expression may be a shared mechanism for RNA viruses. Aim: Evaluate the expressions of ACE2 effectors: the long non-coding RNA ‘MALAT-1’, the micro-RNA ‘miR-200c-3p’ and the histone deacetylase ‘SIRT1’ in SARS-COV-2 patients and correlate to disease severity. Sera samples from 98 SARS-COV-2 patients and 30 healthy control participants were collected. qRT-PCR was used for MALAT-1 and miR-200c-3p expression. SIRT1 was measured using ELISA. Results: In sera of COVID-19 patients, gene expression of miR-200c-3p is increased while MALAT-1 is decreased. SIRT1 protein level is decreased (P value < 0.001). Findings are accentuated with increased disease severity. Serum MALAT-1, miR-200c-3p and SIRT1 could be used as diagnostic markers at cut off values of 0.04 (95.9 % sensitivity), 5.59 (94.9 % sensitivity, 99 % specificity), and 7.4 (98 % sensitivity) respectively. A novel MALAT-1-miR-200c-3p-SIRT1 pathway may be involved in the regulation of SARS-COV-2 severity

Foraging Activity of Four Bee Species on Sesame Flowers During Two Successive Seasons in Ismailia Governorate, Egypt

Foraging activity of four bee species, Apis mellifera L., Osmia spp., Ceratina tarsataMorawitz and Xylocopa pubescens Spinola on sesame flowers was studied during two successiveseasons of 2011 and 2012. Experimental observations were made during four periodsof the day: 9:00-11:00 am, 11:00 am-1:00 pm, 1:00-3:00 pm and 3:00-5:00 pm, startingfrom initial flowering until the final session. Observation time was five minutes during eachperiod and four bee species were observed visiting each square meter area. Five spots of 1m2 area were selected randomly, and the number of different species of bees visiting wascounted for five minutes by using electronic stopwatch, voice recorder and digital videocamera. The results of the study indicated that the four bee species were most abundanton sesame flowers between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm, and between 1:00 and 3:00 pm. Amongthe bees, Apis mellifera was the predominant species, followed by Ceratina tarsata, in theseason of 2011, while a reverse order of the two was recorded in 2012. The average timespent per flower was highly significantly different among these four species