Al-Quseir City Research Articles

Effective Use of Authenticity Value as a Catalyst for Coastal Intermediate Cities Development: A Case of Al-Quseir City, Egypt

The concept of Authenticity refers to a property's ability to ensure, preserve,and sustain its cultural value over time. In recent years, the UNESCO WorldHeritage Center has worked to create a conceptual framework that would providecriteria for evaluating, conserving, and managing urban heritage. Coastal cities areattractive destinations for both inhabitants and visitors all over the world. Further,intermediate coastal cities are considered to have a critical and significant basis indeveloping substantial economic and social interactions. Therefore, this researchaims to examine the potentials and values of intermediate coastal cities in Egypt toidentify practical guidelines that may efficiently enhance cities' development takingAl-Quseir city as a case study, one of the most promising coastal cities. Based onprofound theoretical and analytical studies, the authenticity concept was studiedand analyzed composing a list of indicators that illustrate the value of coastal cities.Followed by an analysis of Al-Quseir city and examining it against the authenticityadopted indicators. In addition to evaluating the Al-Quseir strategic plan todetermine to what extent it contributes to enhancing the value of the city'sauthenticity. Moreover, this study will offer an assessment framework by which thedevelopment of Al-Quseir city could be assessed.

Epidemiology of dystonia, chorea, and athetosis in Al Quseir City (Red Sea Governorate), Egypt

BackgroundMovement disorders are common neurological problems, but epidemiological studies are lacking in our locality. Type of movement disorder depends on the site of the lesion and the type of pathologic changes.ObjectiveTo estimate the prevalence rate of dystonia, chorea, and athetosis, in Al Quseir City (Red Sea Governorate), Egypt.MethodsThis study is a part of a door to door survey of major neurological disorders that was conducted in Al Quseir City, Red Sea Governorate, Egypt, on a sample size of 33,285 subjects. They were screened through 3 neurologists and 15 social workers. Then, each of the three staff members of neurology subjected positive cases to meticulous clinical evaluation separately.ResultsThirteen cases with dystonia, 7 cases with chorea and 5 cases with athetosis were found with prevalence rates of 39/100,000, 21/100,000, and 15/100,000 respectively.ConclusionPrevalence rates of dystonia, chorea, and athetosis in Al Quseir City are higher than those of the worldwide. This may be attributed to some specific environmental factors of this locality.

Prevalence of Alzheimer dementia in Upper Egypt (desert areas)

BackgroundAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is the commonest type of Dementia worldwide. It rapidly increases with aging especially over 70 years.ObjectivesThe aims of this study are to determine the prevalence of AD in Egyptian desert areas and to identify the risk factors and presenting symptoms.MethodsThis study was carried out on desert areas Al Kharga district and Al Quseir city. All population aged 50 years and more (12,508) were included through door to door survey by seven Neuropsychiatrists. They were screened by standardized questionnaire prepared specifically. Positive cases were invited to attend Assiut Univ. Hospital where clinical evaluation, according to DSM-IV R. and necessary psychometric tests were applied.ResultsOne hundred twenty-six patients with AD were diagnosed out of 12,508 people aged 50 years; yielding a prevalence of 1%. Prevalence increases with age, from 0.34% for those aged 60 ≤ 70 years to 2.9% for subjects aged 70 ≤ 80 years, and 9.74% for those aged 80 years and more. AD is more common among females than males in all ages. Eighty-five percent of diagnosed patients are of mild and moderate degrees. Hypertension (14.3%), smoking (10.3%), diabetes (8.73%), prior epilepsy (5.6%), and family history of AD (3.5%) are common risk factors. Impaired self-care (88.1%), memory loss (84.1%), impaired social judgment (77%), agnosia (58.7%), and behavioral changes (48.4%) are the most frequently encountered symptoms of AD.ConclusionPrevalence of AD was 1% for population aged 50 years and more, reaching 9.7 for patients aged > 80 years. Early onset AD (< 65 years) was recorded in 7.9%.

Prevalence of migraine in Upper Egypt

BackgroundMigraine is a significant health problem due its frequency and accompanying morbidity.ObjectivesThis study aims to estimate the prevalence of migraine headache among the population of Al-Quseir city (Upper Egypt) and its impact on the patients’ life.MethodsThis study is part of a door-to-door survey of major neurological disorders in Al-Quseir city, Red Sea Governorate. All inhabitants (n = 33,285 persons) were screened through door to door by three specialists of neurology. Then, positive cases were subjected to clinical and neurological examination by three staff members of neurology each separately. Respondents were identified as suffering from migraine with aura, migraine without aura, and probable migraine as defined by the diagnostic criteria of the International Headache Society (IHS). Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS) questionnaire was used to assess the impact of the disease on the patients’ daily life.ResultsWe identified 911 patients suffering from migraine. The lifetime prevalence was 3.38/100 with male prevalence of 1.95/100 and female prevalence of 4.8/100. The highest prevalence figures were found during early adult life (18–40 years) among both genders reaching a total prevalence of 4.77/100 (2.89/100 for male and 6.53/100 for female). Among migraine patients, most of the attacks recorded were of moderate to severe intensity (97%) although virtually 66% of migraine patients reported that headache significantly interfered with their daily activities.ConclusionLifetime prevalence of migraine is 3.38/100. Migraine headache has a deleterious impact on the patient’s functional and wellbeing.

Spectrum of epilepsy - prevalence, impact, and treatment gap: an epidemiological study from Al-Quseir, Egypt.

BackgroundEpidemiology continues to be an important research tool in the study of epilepsy and related disorders, providing a better understanding of the frequency, causes, and natural history of the disorder.ObjectiveTo estimate the prevalence of epilepsy in Al-Quseir, Red Sea Governorate, Egypt, and its magnitude of treatment gap.MethodsThe study was part of a door-to-door study, including every door, to screen all inhabitants in Al-Quseir (33,818 inhabitants) by three specialists of neurology and 15 female social workers (for demographic data collection) using a standardized screening questionnaire. All suspected cases were subjected to detailed history, clinical examination, and electroencephalogram. Neuroimaging studies and estimation of serum drug level were done in select cases if needed.ResultsThe study revealed that the lifetime prevalence rate of epilepsy in Al-Quseir is 5.5/1,000, with the highest peak during early childhood, while that of active epilepsy is 3.3/1,000 population. The annual incidence rate is 48/100,000, and the age-specific incidence rate has a U-shaped pattern with two peaks of incidence in early infancy and elderly life. Localization-related epilepsy is the most frequently encountered type (58.8%). The treatment gap of epilepsy in Al-Quseir is 83.8%.ConclusionThe lifetime prevalence of epilepsy in Al-Quseir city, Red Sea Governorate, was 5.5/1000.

Prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Al Quseir city, Red Sea Governorate, Egypt.

BackgroundMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and disabling disorder with considerable social effects and economic sequelae. It is one of the major causes of disability in young adults.ObjectivesThis study aimed at detecting the prevalence of MS among the population of Al Quseir city.MethodsThis study is a part of door-to-door survey of major neurological disorders that was conducted in Al Quseir city, Red Sea Governorate, Egypt. The sample size was 33,285 persons. The youngest patient was 17 years old. The number of people at and above 17 years of age was 21,827. They were screened by three neurologists. Then, the positive cases were subjected to meticulous clinical evaluation by three staff members of Department of Neurology, Assiut University Hospital, Egypt. Essential investigations were done.ResultsA total of three cases of MS were diagnosed with an age-specific prevalence ≥17 years of 13.7/100,000.

Incidence and clinical predictors of outcome of Bell′s palsy, Al-Quseir City, Red Sea Governorate, Egypt

Background Bell's palsy (BP) is one of the most common causes of acute-onset unilateral facial weakness. Through this study we aimed to estimate the incidence of BP in Al-Quseir City, Red Sea Governorate, Egypt. Patients and methods A project was undertaken to assess the epidemiology of major neurological disorders. A total of 33 285 eligible patients were screened through a door-to-door survey (every door) by three specialists in neurology and 15 social workers. All patients were subjected to detailed history taking and a meticulous neurological examination by means of a specific questionnaire designed for this study. Results Within 1 year, 27 patients were diagnosed with BP. This yielded an incidence rate of 98.9/100 000 population (aged 9 years and older). The incidence was higher in the male population than in the female population (116.4 and 81.2/100 000, respectively). Age-specific incidence of BP showed that its peak was between the ages of 18 and 60 years. About 78% of patients with BP recovered completely within 6 months after onset. There was no significant difference between male and female patients. Conclusion The incidence rate for BP was 98.9/100 000 among those aged 9 years and older. Most affected cases were older than 18 and less than 60 years.

Epidemiology and clinical presentation of stroke in Upper Egypt (desert area).

BackgroundStroke is a common cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Four out of five strokes occur in the low- and middle-income countries. This study aims to find lifetime prevalence of stroke in Upper Egypt and to identify clinical presentations and possible risk factors of stroke in this population.MethodsThis is a door-to-door (every door) study conducted on all inhabitants in Al Kharga district (representative of western desert) and Al Quseir city (representative of eastern desert). The study was conducted in two stages, and every stage consisted of three phases (screening, diagnostic, and investigatory).ResultsThe total lifetime prevalence of stroke was 8.5/1,000 in the population aged 20 years and more. It increased with advancing age and was higher among males than females among all age groups except in the childbearing period (20 years to <40 years of age). Lifetime prevalence of ischemic stroke (7.2/1,000) was higher than hemorrhagic stroke (1.1/1,000). Hemiparesis and hemiplegia were the commonest presentation of stroke. Headache, vomiting, and vertigo were found to be significantly more common accompaniments of hemorrhagic stroke. The most common risk factor was hypertension, followed by hyperlipidemia and diabetes mellitus.ConclusionThe total lifetime prevalence of stroke in the population aged 20 years and more in Upper Egypt (desert area) lies within the range that is recorded in developing countries. Clinical presentation and risk factors are similar to those recorded from developing and developed countries.

Cerebral palsy in Al-Quseir City, Egypt: prevalence, subtypes, and risk factors.

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most frequent cause of motor handicap. The present door-to-door survey was conducted in Al-Quseir City, Egypt, to investigate the epidemiology of CP. All inhabitants were screened by three neurologists. Medical and neurological examinations were performed for all residents and suspected cases of CP were confirmed by meticulous neurological assessment, brain magnetic resonance imaging, electroencephalography, and testing with the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale. Forty-six of 12,788 children aged ≤18 years were found to have CP, yielding a childhood prevalence of 3.6 (95% confidence interval 1.48–2.59) per 1,000 live births. Five adults (aged 19–40 years) among 13,056 inhabitants had CP, giving an adult prevalence of 0.4 (95% confidence interval 0.04–0.72) per 1,000. The risk factors for CP identified in this study were premature birth, low birth weight, neonatal jaundice, neonatal seizures, and recurrent abortion in mothers of children with CP.

Prevalence of dementia in Al-Quseir city, Red Sea Governorate, Egypt [Corrigendum

Prevalence of dementia in Al-Quseir city, Red Sea Governorate, Egypt [Corrigendum] El Tallawy HN, Farghly WM, Badry R, et al. Clinical Interventions in Aging. 2014;9:9–14.On page 13, before the Disclosure statement the following section was omitted.AcknowledgmentWe acknowledge LundBeck Pharmaceutical company, Middle East for their support in conducting this research.Read the original article

Prevalence of dementia in Al-Quseir city, Red Sea Governorate, Egypt

Dementia is one of the most important public health problems as a result of the rapid increase in the number of elderly persons worldwide. Improvement of prevention strategies and caring for people with dementia should be undertaken. We performed a door-to-door study to screen all subjects aged 50 years and older (n=4,329 of 33,285 inhabitants) in Al-Quseir city. The screening was performed by 3 neuropsychiatrists, using a modified form of the Mini-Mental State Examination. Suspected cases were subjected to case ascertainment according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision, diagnostic criteria for dementia; full clinical assessment; psychometric assessment using Cognitive Abilities Screening Instruments, Hachinski Ischaemic Score, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale and the Geriatric Depression Scale; neuroimaging (computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging); and laboratory investigations for selected patients when indicated. The prevalence of dementia was 2.01% for participants aged 50 years or older and 3.83% for those aged 60 years or older. It increased steeply with increasing age to a maximum of 13.5% for those aged 80 years or older. Alzheimer’s dementia (48.3%) was the most common subtype, followed by vascular dementia (36.8%), dementia resulting from general medical conditions (11.5%), and last, dementia resulting from multiple etiologies (3.4%).

Prevalence of Spinal Cord Disorders in Al-Quseir City, Red Sea Governorate, Egypt

The knowledge of the prevalence of spinal cord disorders (SCD) is important to understand specific causes in each part of the worldand to allow to potentially adapt health care and public policy including law enforcement to the main causes. SCD have important personal, biopsychological, socio-economic, short-term and long-term consequences. An SCD is the underlying cause for 1 of every 40 patients admitted to a major trauma centre. The affected population consists primarily of young male adults. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and cause of SCD in Al-Quseir City, using a door-to-door method. The total of inhabitants was 33,285 in Al-Quseir City screened by 3 specialists of neurology. Suspected cases were subjected to full clinical assessment and MRI or CT of the spine. The prevalence rate of SCD was 63/100,000 for the total population. Traumatic spinal cord injury had a prevalence of 18/100,000, while non-traumatic SCD was found in 45/100,000. Degenerative cervical disc prolapse was the most common aetiology of SCD with a prevalence rate of 27/100,000.

Prevalence of trigeminal neuralgia in Al-Quseir city (Red sea Governorate), Egypt

BackgroundTrigeminal neuralgia or tic douloureux is sometimes described as the most excruciating pain known to humanity. ObjectivesTo estimate the prevalence of trigeminal neuralgia among the population of Al-Quseir city. MethodsThis study forms a part of door to door survey of major neurological disorders in Al-Quseir city, Red sea governorate, Egypt. The total population (33,285 persons) were screened through door to door (every door) by three specialists of Neurology and fifteen female social workers. Then, positive cases were subjected to clinical and neurological examination by other three staff members of neurology. Cases were identified as suffering from trigeminal neuralgia according to the diagnostic criteria of the International headache society (IHS). ResultsWe identified 4 female patients out of 13,541 persons (aged 30 years and more) suffering from trigeminal neuralgia with age specific prevalence rate of 29.5/100,000. Co-morbid depression and hypertension were observed among the affected persons.

Epidemiology of non-fatal cerebrovascular stroke and transient ischemic attacks in Al Quseir, Egypt

Background and purposeStroke is a medical emergency that can cause permanent neurological damage, complications, and disability. We aim to determine the epidemiology of non-fatal cerebrovascular stroke (CVS) and transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) in Al Quseir City, Red Sea, Egypt.MethodsThe total population (n=33,285) was screened through a door to door study by three specialists of neurology and 15 female social workers (for demographic data collection). All suspected stroke patients were subjected to a full clinical examination, computerized tomography (CT) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of their brain, blood sugar, lipogram, serum uric acid, complete blood cells, blood urea, and serum creatinine, as well as evaluated by Barthel Index and Scandinavian Stroke Scale. Carotid doppler, echocardiography, and thyroid functions were done for selected cases.ResultsCVS was recorded among 130 patients out of 19,848 subjects aged 20 years and more, yielding a total prevalence of 6.55/1,000 population. From June 1, 2010 to May 31, 2011, 36 patients were recorded to have stroke within 1-year, yielding an incidence rate of 1.81/1,000. Prevalence and incidence rates were higher among males than females, and both indices increased steadily with advancing age to reach the highest prevalence (37.02/1,000) and incidence rate (9.5/1,000) among aged persons 60 years and more.ConclusionThe prevalence of non-fatal stroke in Al Quseir city (6.55/1,000) was at the lower range of that recorded in developing countries (5–10/1,000) and slightly higher than that recorded in industrialized countries (5/1,000 population). Ischemic stroke is the most common type of stroke. The prevalence of TIAs was 0.15/1,000.

Door-to-door survey of major neurological disorders (project) in Al Quseir City, Red Sea Governorate, Egypt

A door-to-door survey, including every household, was conducted for all inhabitants of Al Quseir City (33,283), Red Sea Governorate, Egypt by three specialists of neurology as well as nine senior staff members of neurology and 15 female social workers to assess the epidemiology of major neurological disorders. Over six phases, from July 1, 2009 to January 31, 2012, screening of all eligible people in the population was carried out, by which case ascertainment of all major neurological disorders included in the study was done according to the accepted definitions and diagnostic criteria of the World Health Organization. The order of frequency of prevalence of the studied neurological disorders was dementia (3.83% for those aged > 60 years), migraine (2.8% for those aged > 8 years), stroke (6.2/1000 for those aged > 20 years), epilepsy (5.5/1000), Parkinson’s disease (452.1/100,000 for those aged > 40 years), cerebral palsy (3.6/1000 among children < 18 years), spinal cord disorders (63/100,000) dystonia (39.11/100,000), cerebellar ataxia (30.01/100,000), trigeminal neuralgia (28/100,000 for those aged > 37 years), chorea (21.03/100,000), athetosis (15/100,000), and multiple sclerosis (13.74/100,000). The incidence rates of stroke, epilepsy, and Bell’s palsy were 181/100,000, 48/100,000, and 98.9/100,000 per year, respectively.

Light and electron microscopic studies on Myxobolus egyptica sp. nov. (Myxozoa, Myxosporea), infecting the hornlip mullet Oedalechilus labiosus from the Red Sea

AbstractA new myxosporean, Myxobolus egyptica sp. nov., was described from the gills of the hornlip mullet Oedalechilus labiosus, collected from the Red Sea at Al-Quseir city, Egypt. The prevalence of infection was 12/72 (16.66%). Myxobolus egyptica was identified on the basis of spore morphometry, histology and transmission electron microscopy. It was distinguished from all previously reported Myxobolus spp. by its shape, dimensions of the mature spore 10.0 ± 0.6 (9.5–10.5) μm in length, 8.5 ± 0.4 (8.0–9.0) μm in width and 8.7 ± 0.5 (8.4–9.2) μm in thickness, polar capsules, locality and host. The parasite formed intrafilamental cyst-like plasmodia. These plasmodia caused curling and atrophy of the gill lamellae. The ultrastructural analysis revealed a double-unit plasmodial membrane which was in direct contact with the host cells and had numerous vesicles. Some mitochondria were found below this membrane. The disporic pansporoblast was earliest recognizable stage of sporogenesis. Advanced developmental stages of spores and mature spores were reported.

Auerbachia bajadi sp. n. (Myxozoa: Auerbachiidae) infecting the gallbladder of orangespotted trevally Carangoides bajad (Teleostei: Carangidae) in the Red Sea

Light microscopic description was presented for a new myxosporean species, Auerbachia bajadi. The parasite was collected from the gallbladder of orangespotted trevally Carangoides bajad (Forsskål, 1775) in Al-Quseir city, Red Sea coast, Egypt. The prevalence was 30/80 (37%) and the infection was reported as an enormous amount of free mature spores floating in the bile. Spores were club-shaped with a broad anterior part and a narrow caudal part. Shell valves were asymmetrical and the larger valve was drawn into a wide caudal projection. The mean spore measurements were 22.7 mum in total length and 9.5 mum in width. Polar capsule was single and elliptical-shaped with five polar filament turns. The polar capsule measured 9.5 mum in length and 4.5 mum in width. The spores were distinctly different from the four recorded species of genus Auerbachia. One of the cited species of this genus was excluded as it was related to genus Coccomyxa than genus Auerbachia. Also, the accurate citation date of this genus was discussed.