Egyptian Field Research Articles

Evaluation of New Sources of Resistance to Wheat Stripe Rust (Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici), under Egyptian Field Conditions

Evaluation of New Sources of Resistance to Wheat Stripe Rust (Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici), under Egyptian Field Conditions

Behavior of Thiophanate Methyl and Propiconazole in Grape and Mango Fruits Under the Egyptian Field Conditions.

This research aims at determining residues of thiophanate methyl and propiconazole in grape and mango fruits as an indication for their persistence in this environmental compartment. Fruit extracts were analyzed for thiophanate methyl using High Performance Liquid Chromatography and using Gas Chromatography Electron Capture Detector (GC/ECD), respectively. The results indicated that propiconazole had a less environmental impact since propiconazole had shorter residue half-lives which were 1.24 and 1.19 days in grape and mango fruits, respectively, while thiophanate methyl had half-lives of 2.49 and 2.64 days in mango and grape, respectively. The degradation rates of propiconazole in grape and mango fruits did not change significantly and neither did those of thiophanate methyl. According to the maximum residue level, the pre-harvest intervals of propiconazole were set to be 3 and 7 days for grape and mango fruits, respectively, and the pre-harvest intervals for thiophanate methyl were 15 days for both grape and mango fruits. Propiconazole was generally considered to be less hazardous to humans and will leave the environment less altered because of its faster degradation than that of thiophanate methyl.

Toxicity and kinetic studies of H+, K+-ATPase sensitivity to cyfluthrin and fenpropathrin in Egyptian field populations of Spodoptera littoralis

Toxicity of two pyrethroids (cyfluthrin and fenpropathrin) against cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis, larvae werecollected from heavily sprayed fields in different areas in Dakahlia and El-Beheira Governorate. H+, K+-ATPase (protonpump)activity was measured in laboratory (lab.) strain and compared with enzyme activities for other collected strains. Thesensitivity of H+, K+-ATPase activity was measured by I50 values. The I50 values of cyfluthrin were 0.24; 0.46; 0.54; 0.65, and0.68 μM for lab; Abo-Hommos; Shobrakheet; Aga, and El-Senbellaween strains respectively, while I50 values offenpropathrin were 0.44; 0.58; 0.66; 0.84, and 0.87 μM for lab and four field strains respectively. Also, proton-pump enzymekinetic parameters, Km (Michaelis-Menten kinetics, constant) and Vmax (maximum velocity) values and the inhibitionconstant (Ki) were determined. The obtained data proved that cyfluthrin and fenpropathrin compounds were competitiveinhibitors of proton-pump activity. Results indicated that, the pyrethroid have shown potentiality against larvae of S.littoralis, so, these pyrethroids may be effect of a novel mechanism of action for inhibition of proton-pump activity, theserecommended for S. littoralis larvae control. It could be concluded that the use of pyrethroid, may avoid increasing ofresistance by effect of new mode of action where they disrupt the development of target pest, Therefor proton-pump may playan important role the mode of action of these pesticides in future.

Cytokines Evaluation of Different Mareks Disease Virus Vaccines in Broiler Chickens

Marek's disease is an immune suppressive disease that threatens poultry industry. It is controlled by vaccination against MDV. However, the post-vaccination immune mechanisms remain vague. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the transcripts of the cellular immune responses of two commercial vaccines (CVI988 and HVT strains) compared to control non-vaccinated chickens through the analyses of several cytokine responses. The mRNA was extracted from the bursa of Fabricius and thymus, sampled at 7, 14 and 21 days post-immunization (PI) of both vaccinated and control groups. Several pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine gene expressions were analyzed using RT-PCR. Early significant up-regulation of IFN-γ, a pro-inflammatory cytokine was observed. Also, upregulation of other cytokines like IL-1β and IL-6 was observed at different time points along with minimal non-significant expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in both of vaccinated groups. Meanwhile, a late upregulation of the anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10 was only noticed by 21 day PI. These findings show that both vaccinal strains mimic the natural infection by inducing early cell-mediated inflammatory responses, while devoid the long-term immune suppressive effect of natural infection. Additionally, vaccination triggers anti-tumor cell-mediated responses as indicated by the late increase of IL-10 expression. Furthermore, the observed cytokine responses following CV1988 strain supports its previously reported efficacy over HVT strain, making the Rispens vaccine more suitable candidate for Egyptian field conditions. Additionally, the early observed up-regulation of IFN-γ cytokine nominates its administration as an adjuvant with the Rispens vaccine; this may provide synergistic immunomodulatory capacities to the available vaccines and better levels of protection.

Between books and politics: Cairo International Book Fair as a field configuring event

ABSTRACTThis article analyses the Cairo International Book Fair as a “field configuring event” (FCE), namely, as a recurrent mass event that both reflects the social fields surrounding it and contributes to the shaping of these fields. More specifically, it is argued that the Cairo International Book Fair constitutes a major FCE in Egyptian society, which plays a significant role, not only in the publishing field and in the cultural and economic fields at large, but also in the political field. Focusing on the political field, the article traces how the Cairo International Book Fair in recent decades both reflected key struggles and developments in the Egyptian political field and affected these struggles. In the 1980s, the fair served as a platform for voicing and negotiating various positions toward Egypt’s relations with Israel; in the 1990s, it served as a platform for negotiating the relations between Islamists and Liberals; and in the 2000s, it served as a platform for negotiating the “permitted” level of criticism toward Mubarak’s regime. The article thus shows that the Cairo International Book Fair constitutes a useful prism for examining developments in the Egyptian political field over the years.

Whole Body Vibration Exposure During Operation of Rice Combine Harvester under Egyptian Field Conditions

The main target of this investigation is to study the effect of different working conditions during rice harvesting on the combine harvester operators WBV exposure under actual Egyptian field conditions. Data were measured and collected for four types of rice combine harvester and three methods of planting; manual transplanting, mechanical transplanting and direct sowing. Sixteen representative healthy rice combine harvester operators were selected for this study. Parameters of frequency-weighted vibration acceleration in root mean square (RMS), vibration dose value of weighted r.m.s acceleration, (VDV(8)kZ), heart pulses rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), work related body pain (WRBP), stand height and weight of operators were evaluated. Vibration measurements were performed according to (ISO 2631-1: 1997). Field experiments were conducted in a statistically designed layout (completely randomized design) and were conducted at the applied research farm of RiceMechanizationCenter, Meet Eldeba, Kafr El-Sheikh governorate and other farms beside, in the 2016 grown seasons of rice crop. The obtained results indicated that the yanmer combine harvester used for the field planted by manual transplanting at soil moisture content of 20.38 % recorded the highest WBV data of the vibration dose value of weighted r.m.s acceleration, VDV(8)kZ magnitude, while the largest single orthogonal axis is in the axis (Z) which exceeded both of exposure action and exposure limit values. This causes a high risk on the operator body which increases the heart rate and blood pressure, followed by the Daedong combine harvester for the field planted by manual transplanting at soil moisture content of 20.42 %. On the other hand, the WBV parameters recorded the lowest values for Claas combine harvester used in the field planted by direct sowing at soil moisture content of 20.67 %., consequently there is no risk on the operator and also the heart rate and blood pressure. Using rubber spring during rice harvesting by yanmer combine harvester results in a decrement percentages in the WBV values and so heart rate and blood pressure. The maximum WRBP values were obtained during harvesting rice by yanmer combine harvester for the field planted by manual transplanting, followed by harvesting rice by Daedong combine harvester for the field planted by manual transplanting and harvesting rice by Class combine harvester for the field planted by direct sowing the recorded WRBP values were 13.1, 12.4 and 6.6 (Borg scale CR—10 scale.) respectively. Results showed that there are significant differences between the frequency-weighted RMS acceleration, vibration dose value of weighted r.m.s acceleration, VDV(8)kZ, heart rate and blood pressure during studied different farm operations.

Mixture of Natural Antioxidants can Improve Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) Nucleopolyhedrovirus, (Baculoviridae) Stabilty Under Egyptian Field Conditions

Mixture of Natural Antioxidants can Improve Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) Nucleopolyhedrovirus, (Baculoviridae) Stabilty Under Egyptian Field Conditions

Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometric methods for the determination of spinosad, thiacloprid and pyridalyl in spring onions and estimation of their pre-harvest interval values

Two liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometric methods were developed and validated to determine spinosyn A and D, thiacloprid and pyridalyl in spring onions cultivated under Egyptian field conditions. The degradation rates, the pre-harvest interval (PHI) values and the half-life values of the three pesticides were estimated. QuEChERS was used for sample preparation and the separation was performed on an X-Bridge C18 column with ACN-formic acid 0.1% as the mobile phase. Linear range, method detection limits (MDLs), precision, recovery and matrix effects were estimated. The multi-residue MDLs ranged from 0.02μg/kg (spinosyn A & D) to 0.05μg/kg for pyridalyl. All the investigated pesticides showed high degradation rates. For spinosad the half-life value was 1.2days, for thiacloprid it reached 2.2days and for pyridalyl 4.4days. Furthermore, the calculated PHI values, according to the maximum residue levels set by the EU, were 0days for spinosad, 9.8days for thiacloprid and 39.4days for pyridalyl.

Dissipation of four insecticides in tomato fruit using high performance liquid chromatography and QuEChERS methodology

Insecticides play an important role in increasing agricultural production, but their extensive use has led to environmental problems including health hazards to humans. The present study was carried out to investigate the residual levels and dissipation behavior of four insecticides, namely abamectin, thiamethoxam, spinosad, and chlorpyrifos, in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) fruits under Egyptian field condition. The insecticide residues were determined after application of insecticides for three times at recommended rates. The extraction of insecticide residues was carried out by using QuEChERS method. The determination of residual levels was performed by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). Recoveries were between 85% and 130%, with relative standard deviations from 1.8% to 17.0% at two fortified levels. The dissipation rates of insecticides followed first-order kinetics (Ct = 0.2627 e-0.17t, Ct = 3.7183 e-0.275t, Ct = 0.1778 e-0.407t, Ct = 0.6074 e-0.11t for abamectin, chlorpyrifos, spinosad and thiamethoxam, respectively). The values of half-life of insecticides were 4.1, 2.5, 1.7, and 6.3 d for abamectin, chlorpyrifos, spinosad and thiamethoxam, respectively. The results indicated that tomato fruits could be safely consumed after 7, 15, < 1 and 10 d of application at recommended rates for abamectin, chlorpyrifos, spinosad and thiamethoxam, respectively, according to the recommended EU maximum residue limits (MRLs).

Dissipation of Penconazole and Imidacloprid Residues in Squash Fruits under The Egyptian Field Conditions

Dissipation of Penconazole and Imidacloprid Residues in Squash Fruits under The Egyptian Field Conditions

Social Change Between Potentiality and Actuality: Imagination in Cairo’s Alternative Cultural Spaces

Through ethnographic fieldwork and personal work experience, I develop new understandings of the cultural sector in Egypt and its relation to social, political, and economic complexities. This research explores two spaces: the Nahda Association—a community based cultural nongovernmental organization (NGO), and the Choir Project of Cairo—a placeless informal collective for mainly nonartists that invites participants to sing their everyday hopes and frustrations. Both of these spaces explicitly define themselves as alternative and critically disengaged from the dominant cultural machinery in Egypt. In this article, I present possibilities for deconstructing or challenging the hegemonic social, political, or intellectual order of the Egyptian cultural field. The two spaces constitute different stances, structures, and affiliations that make them accessible to ordinary people, opening multiple possibilities for art beyond artists, for development to be understood differently, and for resistance to reach beyond formal politics.

Common Injuries among Male Field Hockey Players According to Playing Positions

The purpose of this study was to examine injury patterns of Egyptian field hockey players and broaden the current base of knowledge by identifying the injury rates among different positions. Using interviews 75 players from eight teams were surveyed. The participating players played in the Egyptian field hockey league and were professional players. The players were categorized according their playing positions as 8 goalkeepers, 26 defenders, 24 midfielders and 17 strikers. The interview contained questions about observed and experienced injuries, cause of injuries, type of injuries and region of occurrence. Descriptive statistics were derived using SPSS (19) and statistics used frequency method to determine the percentage of all collected data. The most body region exposed to injury is the pelvic and thigh region with 21% of the total injuries, the common injuries to hockey players in upper limb is low back pain and in lower limb is cramps of posterior thigh muscles. The goalkeepers were the lowest level of injuries in current study, then come defenders and midfielders. The stickers was relatively near percentage to midfielders. The most conclusion in current study was, an attention to adequate warming up and muscles stretching during training and prior matches are vital.

Molecular Characterization of Vaccine-Derived Mutants of Avian Meta-Pneumoviruses Isolated from Turkeys in Egypt

Avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) causes acute respiratory infection in turkeys with sudden onset and rapid spread in the infected flocks. Vaccinated flocks frequently showed clinical signs typical like the non-vaccinated flocks in Egypt, this situation suggests a virulent vaccine virus was circulating in the field. Oropharyngeal and nasal sinus swabs were collected from 100 turkeys from 10 commercial farms with mild to moderate respiratory signs. Virus isolation and propagation was done in SPF embryos of chicken eggs via yolk sac inoculation and further passed in Vero cells. RT-PCR for detection of aMPV was done on field samples as well as on virus isolates. Genotyping of viruses was done through RT-PCR targeting Fusion (F) and the surface Glycoprotein (G) genes and partial sequencing of PCR products was used for genetic and phylogenetic analyses. The results were compared with two live attenuated commercial vaccines commonly used in the field. Analysis of nucleotide and amino acid sequences for F and G genes indicated that they were very closely related to each other and belonging to B subtype of aMPV isolated from Europe. The Egyptian viruses were very close to VCO3 vaccine strain, indicating their possible origin. Phylogenetic analysis indicates clustering of the Egyptian field viruses with European strains of B subtype. These results support that they may have a common progenitor from vaccine strains and suggesting evidence of reversion of attenuated vaccine virus to virulence. This is the first report describing the emergence of vaccine-derived mutants from the B subtype aMPV in broiler turkeys in Egypt.

Recent advances in dromedary camel reproduction: An Egyptian field experience

The increased importance of camel breeding in Egypt is getting obvious day after day, especially in the deserts and in newly reclaimed areas. This is mainly, due to its unique physiological characteristics which help it to survive and perform under such harsh conditions. However, it is well known that one of the major limitations in this industry is the extremely low reproductive efficiency. In our laboratory, and for more than a decade, we have conducted several studies to improve the reproductive performance of dromedary camels using modern assisted reproductive technologies. Some of these technologies were used to deal with bull camels; e.g. semen handling and processing while others were meant to manipulate the reproductive efficiency of she-camels. These include synchronization of ovulation, artificial insemination, induction of ovulation and early pregnancy diagnosis. The aim of the present review is to spot the light on recent progress in reproduction of dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Egypt, based on a comprehensive scientific experience for more than a decade.

بعض المؤشرات الإنتاجیة والاقتصادیة للزروع المصریة

Despite the multiplicity of productive fields within the agricultural sector in the Arab Republic of Egypt, it is characterized by its low productivity and its inability to meet the growing consumer demand for agricultural products within the local market, due to the multiple uses of these products in addition to the growing population. It aims to identify the production and economic indicators of the various Egyptian field and vegetable crops during the period (2010-2012) to determine the relative importance of the cultivated areas of each crop, as well as to estimate the water needs of the most important crops, as well as to estimate the net return of those crops. The study results on the descriptive and in explaining and presenting the economic variables. The results showed that the total cultivated area of ​​field crops amounted to about 10.7 million feddans, and the average per feddan share of water for various Egyptian field crops during the study period came in the forefront of the sugar cane crop, which occupies the first place in the feddan’s need for water, with an average of about 9.9 thousand. m3, and the rice crop comes in second place with an average of about 5 thousand m3, the total area of ​​vegetable crops amounted to about 1.1 million feddans. The feddan of water is at an average of about three thousand m3, and the Nile lug crops come in second place with an average of about 2.7 thousand m3, and the winter lug crops come in the last rank for the feddan's need of water.

Residual Pattern and Dietary Intake of Iprodione on Grapes under Egyptian Field Conditions: A Prelude to Risk Assessment Profile

ABSTRACTField experiments were conducted in two different locations in the Nile delta to determine the residue levels and dissipation rates of iprodione in grapes. Iprodione was applied in different rates (recommended dose and two times recommended dose) and spraying times. Analysis was carried out using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The dissipation rates of iprodione were described using first-order kinetics and the half-life ranged from 8.8 to 9.4 days. There was a sharp decrease in the amount of iprodione residues 10 days after application. At harvest time, the remaining residues of iprodione were below the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)/World Health Organization (WHO) maximum residue level (MRL) of 10 mg/kg when measured 14 days after final application. The exposure to iprodione was assessed and compared to acceptable daily intake (ADI). Based on grape consumption, the estimated daily intakes of iprodione ranged from 0.2% to 1.1% of the ADI, showing insignificant risk to consumers.

Epidemiological Study on the Impact of Vaccination Programs on Antigenic Relatedness, Genetic Characterization of Highly pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1

Two HPAI H5N1 viruses were isolated from vaccinated layer and broiler commercial poultry farms in Egypt at years 2011 and 2013; respectively. By phylogenetic analysis, the viruses fall into two genetically diverse clades: (i) A/chicken/Egypt/VRLCU67/2011 classified as a variant virus, clade 2.2.1.1; and (ii) A/chicken/Egypt/13VIR3729-4/2013 classified as a classic virus, clade 2.2.1. Cross HI-test confirmed that the reaction between the two viruses is weak; furthermore, it showed the antigenic diversity between viruses belong to different clades and antigenic groups. Antigenic relatedness was calculated between six AI antigens and their antisera representing the different clades and antigenic groups circulated in Egyptian field; including the A/chicken/Egypt/VRLCU67/2011 strain which showed very low R-values with the other viruses’ groups; ranging from 17 % to zero. Results demonstrated the genetic and antigenic diversity of the variant viruses and how can the vaccine seed be a weak point in the vaccination program that could be broken by the drifted viruses antigenically distant from the vaccine strain.

Molecular genetic identification of two bracon species based on RAPD-PCR and 16S rRNA genes

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR genomic fingerprinting and partial sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene were evaluated on two insects collected from the Egyptian field which could belong to B. hebetor and B. brevicornis to investigate their genetic relatedness and to establish the value of techniques for their identification. Nearly identical RAPD-PCR profiles and identical 467 bp fragments of the 16S rRNA genes indicated many of genetic diversity between the two insects under study. The low levels of similarity (78.21% in the partial 16S rRNA genes and 86% in RAPD-PCR) appeared between the insects B. hebetor egypt and B. brevicornis egypt. However, 16S rRNA genes and RAPD-PCR provided an effective means of differentiating between members of the taxa. Moreover, a phylogenetic tree constructed from 16S rDNA sequences showed that B. hebetor egypt clustered with the B. hebetor with a degree of similarity 92%, but B. brevicornis Egypt clustered in a separated group. However, RAPD-PCR and partial sequencing of the 16S rDNA analysis raises questions about the taxonomic positioning of the two insects isolated from the Egyptian environment.

Residues and dissipation of the pesticide emamectin benzoate under Egyptian field condition: a case study

A simple, rapid analytical procedure for the quantification of emamectin benzoate in tomato was developed using high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detector (HPLC-FLD). Emamectin benzoate residues were extracted from tomato samples with n-hexane:ethyl acetate (1:1, v/v). The method involved derivatization using trifluoroacetic anhydride and 1-methylimidazole, prior to analysis by HPLC-FLD. Limit of quantification of this method was found to be 0.01 mg/kg, while limit of detection was 0.005 mg/kg. The dissipation of emamectin benzoate on tomato was studied, and half-life (t1/2) was estimated in a field study carried out at three different locations. Emamectin benzoate was sprayed on tomato at recommended dosage. Samples of tomato were collected at 0, 1, 3, 7, 10, and 15 days after treatment. The t1/2 of emamectin benzoate when applied at the recommended doses in tomato was approximately 2.5 days. The residue of emamectin benzoate reached below the maximal residue limit (MRL) 10 days after spraying at the tested dosage. Hence, a safe pre-harvest interval of 10 days is suggested before harvesting of tomato. This study would also be helpful for the Egypt government to establish the MRL of emamectin benzoate in tomatoes and provide guidance on the proper and safe use of this insecticide.

Development of Specific LC-ESI-MS/MS Methods to Determine Bifenthrin, Lufenuron, and Iprodione Residue Levels in Green Beans, Peas, and Chili Peppers Under Egyptian Field Conditions

The dissipation of bifenthrin, lufenuron, and iprodione was studied in green beans, peas, and chilli peppers under Egyptian field conditions. For this purpose, three specific and one multi-analyte liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry methods were developed and validated according to SANCO guidelines for the determination of bifenthrin, iprodione, and lufenuron residues in the selected commodities. Sample preparation was carried out by the QuEChERs approach, and determination was performed in positive ionization mode for iprodione and bifenthrin and in negative mode for lufenuron. Optimization of the ionization parameters and the chromatographic conditions was performed for each method developed. All methods showed satisfactory performance criteria. Linear dynamic range, limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ), precision, recovery, and matrix effects were estimated, and the calculated LODs were in the micrograms-per-kilogram range, namely 0.14, 0.61, and 1.4 μg/kg for bifenthrin, lufenuron, and iprodione, respectively. Field trials were carried out in one of the biggest farms in Egypt (Blue Nile) that exports significant quantities of vegetables to the European Union (EU) countries. All the examined pesticides showed high degradation rates. The t 1/2 values for bifenthrin were 3.3, 2.1, and 9.6 days in green beans, peas, and chili peppers, respectively. For iprodione, they reached 2.4 and 14.4 days in green beans and peppers. Furthermore, the calculated pre-harvest interval (PHI) values, according to the maximum residue limits set by EU, were 0, 4, and 0 days for bifenthrin in green beans, peas, and peppers, respectively, and for iprodione, 2 days in green beans and 0 days in peppers. In case of lufenuron, no t 1/2 and PHI were estimated as no residues were found in all pea samples.