Ethiopian Dam Optimum Hydraulic Operating Conditions to Reduce Unfavorable Impacts on Downstream Countries

As noted by several researchers, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Blue Nile River is expected to have unfavorable consequences for downstream countries like Egypt and Sudan. To limit GERD's negative effects on downstream countries, its operation should be secure, and its upstream water level should be ideal. However, none of the studies carried out the ideal operating scenarios from the perspective of controlling the number of gate openings. Accordingly, this study evaluates the optimal operating scenarios of the GERD and its impact on downstream countries by adopting a mathematical model to analyze the number of gates that can be opened and the depth of opening during different filling years. The paper also presents an environmental impact assessment of some GERD significant factors during construction, filling, and operation, with the goal of developing a mitigation strategy. The results showed that opening 5 gates at 4.56 m over a 10-year filling period would be the safest, most accepted, and most advantageous for Ethiopia and downstream countries. Moreover, creating a water-saving management plan in Egypt to overcome GERD's negative impacts would cost 877 billion Egyptian pounds. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2022-08-09-011 Full Text: PD

Collagen types I and II distribution: a relevant indicator for the functional properties of articular cartilage in immobilised and remobilised rabbit knee joints

The objective of the present work was to study changes in collagen type I and type II distribution in the articular cartilage of immobilised and remobilised rabbit knee joints. Twenty-four adult male rabbits were divided into three groups. One of the groups was a control group with free movement. The right knee joints of animals of the other two groups were immobilised for 4 weeks, followed by a period of 10 weeks of remobilisation for animals of group 3. Collagen type I and type II in the articular cartilage of tibial medial condyle of the right knee joint were estimated immunohistochemically in all groups. A degenerative process was evident after 4 weeks of immobilisation of rabbit knee joint leading to a partial shift in the density of collagen composition from type II to type I. After a period of 10 weeks of remobilisation, regenerative processes, evidenced by a restoration of collagen type II to normal, proceeded on top of degenerative processes, evidenced by the significantly higher content of collagen type I compared with normal. The present study pointed to the importance of assessment of collagen distribution as a relevant indicator for the functional properties of articular cartilage in immobilised and remobilised joints

A COMPARISON OF DUCK AND CHICKEN EGG YOLK FOR CRYOPRESERVATION OF EGYPTIAN BUFFALO BULL SPERMATOZOA

Abstract Cryopreservation of domestic animal spermatozoa has been widely used for artificial insemination and egg yolk is one of the most commonly used cryoprotectants during the freezing-thawing process

Noninvasive ventilation with add-on fiberoptic bronchoscopy in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Introduction Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is a valuable treatment for acute respiratory failure, which has many advantages and lessens the risk of tracheal intubation with its associated complications. Retained bronchial secretions are one of the most common causes of NIV failure and even can contraindicate its use. Aim The aim was to assess the therapeutic utility of fiberoptic bronchoscopy as an add-on therapy in patients with acute respiratory failure on NIV, in a trial to decrease the possibility of invasive ventilation. Patients and methods Patients with COPD were divided randomly into two groups: group I (20 patients) was subjected to NIV and medical therapy, and group II (20 patients) was subjected to NIV, medical therapy, and fiberoptic bronchoscopy for suctioning the retained secretions while on NIV. The cardiorespiratory parameters and complications were recorded during and after the procedure. Results A total of 26 (65%) male and 14 (35%) female patients were enrolled in the study, with mean age of 47.55±11.56 years (range: 27–68 years). The mean duration of bronchoscopy was 3.5–7 min (range: 5.2±1.2 min) with no major complications. The amount of the aspirated secretions was 17.55±5.96 ml (range: 9–29 ml). There was significant difference on follow-up between the two groups regarding mean pH, PaO2/FiO2, and PaCO2, with more obvious improvement in group II than group I and with better outcome. Conclusion Bronchoscopy on NIV in patients with COPD with acute respiratory failure and copious bronchial secretions can be an alternative to intubation with all its associated risks

Transbronchial bullous volume reduction in COPD patients

Introduction: COPD patients with advanced disease achieve minimal or no control despite proper medical therapy that necessitates more radical approach. The bullae accentuate the altered elastic properties of the emphysematous lung and contribute to the expiratory flow limitation. Objective: The aim was to evaluate the therapeutic utility and safety of transbronchial volume reduction of emphysematous bullae in COPD patients. Patients & methods: At the site of entry, the air from the bulla was aspirated slowly, and then 10 cm of autologous blood was instilled into the bulla before the needle was withdrawn. Clinical, functional & radiological assessment of bulla volume and the incidence of adverse events were evaluated. Results: 12 male patients were enrolled in this study with mean age (±SD) 47 ± 5.6 years. The procedure was well tolerated and not associated with any serious complications. Improvements (clinically, functionally and radiologically) three months after the procedure were more obvious in patients with bullous volume 515 ml. Conclusions: Intra-bullous blood instillation could be an effective and safe volume reduction technique of emphysematous bullae

Effect of Unsaturated Fatty Acids Supplementation on Productive and Reproductive Performance of Ram Lambs

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of dietary unsaturated fatty acids supplementation on productive and reproductive performance of ram lambs. In this study, 15 crossbred ram lambs (½Finnish × ½Rhamni) at 7 months of age with an average live body weight of 24.3±1.4 kg were used and divided into three groups (5 lambs each). The first group was fed the control diet (G1). While, fish oil was added to the control diet at level of 1.5 and 3% of total dry matter (DM) intake for G2 and G3, respectively. Results indicated that the average live body weight of ram lambs at the end of the experimental period was 34.2; 37 and 37 kg for G1(control), G2 and G3, respectively (P<0.05). Also, average daily gain of ram lambs was the highest level (P<0.05) in G3 (93.3 g/day) followed by G2 (90.3 g/day) and G1 (73.3 g/day). The scrotal circumferences of ram lambs significantly increased (P<0.05) in G2 and G3 (27.0 and 27.3 cm, respectively) by given dietary fish oil than control diet (24.5 cm). Body growth weight in ram lambs at 1st ejaculation was 33.4, 36.0 and 35.4 kg for control, G2 and G3, respectively (P<0.05). Testosterone concentration of ram lambs was recorded the highest level (P<0.05) in G3 (5.028 ng/ml) followed by G2 (2.542 ng/ ml) and G1 (0.664 ng/ml). In conclusion, addition of fish oil at rate of 1.5 and 3% to growing lambs improved semen characteristics and had beneficial effects on productive and reproductive performances

Wilms Tumor 1 Gene Mutations in Patients with Cytogenetically Normal Acute Myeloid Leukemia

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the prognostic impact of Wilms tumor 1 (WT1) mutations in cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia (CN-AML) among Egyptian patients. METHODS: Exons 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, and 9 of WT1 were screened for mutations in samples from 82 CNAML patients out of 203 newly diagnosed AML patients, of age ranging from 21 to 74 years, using high-resolution capillary electrophoresis. RESULTS: Eleven patients out of 82 (13.41%) harbored WT1 mutations. Mutations were detected in exon 7 (n=7), exon 9 (n=2), exon 8 (n=1), and exon 3 (n=1), but not in exons 1 or 2. There was no statistically significant difference between the WT1 mutants and wild types as regards age, sex, French-American-British subtypes, and the prevalence of success of induction remission therapy (p=0.966; 28.6% vs. 29.3%). Patients with WT1 mutations had overall survival lower than patients with the wild type (HR=1.38; 95% CI 4.79-6.86; p=0.004). CONCLUSION: CN-AML patients with WT1 mutations have poor clinical outcome. We recommend molecular testing for WT1 mutations in patients with CN-AML at diagnosis in order to improve risk stratification of those patients

Thrombophilic Risk of Factor V Leiden, Prothrombin G20210A, MTHFR, and Calreticulin Mutations in Essential Thrombocythemia Egyptian Patients

Objectives. Essential thrombocythemia (ET) is one of the myeloproliferative neoplasms characterized by a sustained elevation of platelet numbers with a tendency for thrombosis and hemorrhage. The aim of this work is to establish the relation between calreticulin, factor V Leiden, prothrombin G20210A, and MTHFR mutations in ET patients and the thrombotic risk of these patients. Methods. This study was carried out on 120 ET patients and 40 apparently healthy individuals as a control group. Results. There were increases in WBCs, PLT counts, PT, fibrinogen concentration factor V Leiden, and MTHFR mutation in ET patients as compared to the control group (P0.05) and in patients with cardiovascular risk factors versus patients with noncardiovascular risk factors (P>0.05). ET patients with factor V Leiden, prothrombin gene, and CALR mutations were more prone to thrombosis (odds ratio 5.6, 5.7 and 4.7, respectively). On the contrary, JAk2V 617F and MTHFR mutations have no effect on the thrombotic state of those patients. Conclusion. There is a significant increase risk of thrombosis in ET patients with CALR mutation, thrombophilic mutations, as well as factor V Leiden and prothrombin gene mutation with a risk of developing leukemic transformation