Egyptian Environment Research Articles

Towards bridging wheat gap in Egypt by using cassava, quinoa and guar as supplements for the production of balady bread

As Egypt is the largest wheat importer globally, the government is aiming to find alternatives to reduce wheat imports and to cultivate reclaimed lands. Comparative studies were conducted to investigate the effect of substituting portions of wheat flour with quinoa, cassava and guar flours at levels of 20%, 30%, and 5%, respectively, on chemical, rheological and sensory characteristics of the Egyptian balady bread that is currently produced from wheat only and to enhance its nutritional and baking quality. The study was carried out in the Agricultural Research Center, Egypt. Results proved that guar gave poor sensory characteristics, in addition to its insignificant substitution level (5%). Substituting wheat flour with 20% quinoa resulted in elevating protein, fat and fiber percentages than that of wheat flour (16.4, 2.15 and 1.01%, respectively). Bread made from quinoa–wheat blend gave the lowest fungal count and the highest shelf life (8 days), but resulted in significant changes in stability, volumes, texture, and structure. Substituting wheat with 30% cassava gave the highest carbohydrate content, didn’t change any of the rheological properties and no significant difference was noticed between wheat flour and 30% cassava–wheat bread in all sensory tests. Substituting wheat with quinoa or cassava at the above-mentioned percentages is acceptable and appropriate in terms of their flavor. Although cassava has higher substitution level than that of quinoa, still, we recommend expanding quinoa cultivation in Egypt due to its acceptability, suitability to the Egyptian environment, health benefits, low input cost and more importantly its high protein and fiber contents.

Cost stickness and earnings predictability: Evidence from

This study aims to investigate the relationship between the cost stickness and the earnings predictability. By exploring the stickness on the cost of goods sold and the selling and general and administrative cost, then exploring the effect of causes represented in asset intensity and economic growth on the level of cost stickness. Finally, investigating the relationship between cost stickness and the earnings predictability in the Egyptian environment. Using a sample of 162 firm year observations to the period 2015-2017 on the Egyptian stock exchange, I found the stickness on the cost of goods sold and I cannot found it in the selling and general and administrative cost, Besides I found effective role for the causes represented in asset intensity and economic growth in increasing the stickness of cost of goods sold whereas it haven’t any role on the selling and general and administrative cost. Finally, I found negative relationship between cost stickness and earnings predictability in the egyptian environment.

THE APPLICABILITY OF THE TRADITIONAL CIVIL LIABILITY RULES ON ENVIORNMENTAL CASES IN THE ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT

Environmental pollution and its legal cases should become a priority in the agenda of reform and development taking place in the Arab Republic of Egypt. The first steps to preserve and protect the environment against pollution is to establish an appropriate and effective legal framework for providing such protection. Acordingly, the purpose of this research is to examine the civil liability rules stipulated in the Egyptian Civil Code in order to propose appropriate legal rules that suits the special nature of environmental issues so that an effective legal protection for the Egyptian environment be provided. This examination shall be made through following analytical descriptive method. The descriptive method shall be applied in order to describe and examine the legal rules stipulated in the civil and environmental laws in Egypt through referring to set of books and scientific theses that triggered the same subject matter of this research. Then, the analytical method that is based on the inductive and deductive approach shall be followed through referring to the European reports and studies that examine and analyze the problem of the research as well as analyzing the environmental cases that has been reviewed by the Egyptian Cassation Court in order to determine the effectiveness of the application of traditional civil liability rules on environmental cases. The researchers concluded that the number of civil environmental cases reviewed by the Egyptian Cassation Court is very few and it has become indispensable to issue special legal rules governing the civil liability of environmental damage that shall be consistent with the special nature of environmental damage because sufficiency by applying traditional general rules of civil liability will not provide the necessary protection to prevent pollution and environmental degradation.

Identity and biology of Aganaspis daci (Weld) (Hymenoptera: Figitidae), recently introduced to Egypt for biological control of Bactrocera zonata (Diptera: Tephritidae)

The peach fruit fly, Bactrocera zonata (Saunders, 1841), (Diptera: Tephritidae), is a serious polyphagous pest of tropical and subtropical fruits. In Egypt, the fly was first detected in 1997 and has since become widespread over most of the Egyptian provinces, causing serious damage to many fruit crops, particularly mango, guava, peach, apricot and citrus. In 2008, the larval-pupal koinobiont endoparasitoid, Aganaspis daci (Weld, 1951) (Hymenoptera: Figitidae, Eucoilinae) was introduced to Egypt via Hawaii for evaluation. The parasitoid is a dominant natural enemy of several Bactrocera species from Southeast Asia, the native region of B. zonata. To evaluate the potential of A. daci for biocontrol of B. zonata, this study investigated distinguishing features of A. daci in different stages, developmental periods, reproductive output, and optimal rearing protocols under laboratory conditions of 25 ± 1°C, 54 – 65% RH, and 14L:10D photoperiod, using B. zonata as hosts. The parasitoid Aganaspis daci went through four instars and developed into the ectoparasitic phase late in the third instar, as the larva developed one pair of functional thoracic spiracles. Total developmental period averaged 23.3 days, and males eclosed two days earlier than females. Realized fecundity of mated females averaged 39.6 offspring per female (range 32 – 55) and progeny sex ratio was 1:1. Longevity of honey fed females and males averaged 18.8 and 17.3 days, respectively. A. daci showed relative potential as a biological control agent against B. zonata in Egypt and was propagated for several generations before it was approved for release in 2009. Field recovery was reported one month following its liberation in guava orchard at Al-Arish district, North Sinai Province, with 1.6 – 8% initial rate of parasitism. Further studies, on its adaptation to the new Egyptian environment and efficacy against B. zonata under field conditions are in progress. This study provides important baseline information on the morphological and biological attributes of A. daci and the rearing method provides a basis for the development of a mass rearing protocol for augmentative parasitoid releases.

Development of Accounting and Auditing in Egypt: Origin, Growth, Practice and Influential Factors

The accounting and auditing profession is affected by the environment in which it operates. That environment includes a variety of accounting and non–accounting factors. The influential factors may provide a better understanding of present accounting practices, and its future improvement tendencies and, consequently, may lead to the growth and development of the accounting and auditing profession. The main objective of this paper is to identify and investigate the environmental factors that affect the origin, growth, development, and practice of the accounting and auditing profession in Egypt, as an emerging country. This paper explores a comprehensive set of these influential factors such as existing laws and regulations, religious and cultural values, economic and political conditions, financial markets, and privatization programs. The paper also analyzes these factors to perceive their impact on the accounting and auditing profession in Egypt. These factors do vary from one country to another. Notably, there are several reasons for choosing Egypt to investigate the relation between the accounting and auditing profession and its environment. One of these reasons is that Egypt is a country with an emerging economy that has numerous foreign investment prospects. Moreover, the business environment in Egypt encountered a radical change throughout recent years. The Egyptian setting has been dynamic and developing through various economic, financial, legal, cultural and political frameworks that, apparently, influenced the accounting and auditing profession. Therefore, this paper aims to provide a better understanding of the accounting and auditing profession and its environment in Egypt and other similar countries experiencing economic and political reform with promising investment opportunities. This study concludes that political, economic, institutional, legal and cultural factors contribute to the development of the accounting and auditing profession in Egypt. Moreover, privatization led to reforming Egypt's financial reporting regulations and setting the corporate governance policy framework. The conclusions of this study could be of interest to other countries, particularly developing countries that desire to improve the quality of their accounting and auditing profession.

Towards Sustainability: Smart Cities In The Egyptian Environment, How Much Smart To Be Smart?

Egypt, as a developing country, is facing many environmental, social, and economic issues in its cities. Those issues are the challenges for The Egyptian government to achieve sustainability and improve inhabitants' quality of life in the future cities vision of the nation. The fourth cyber-physical revolution and the growing exponentially innovations of information and communications technologies (ICT) were the catalyst for the Egyptian stakeholders to target the sustainable smart city concept for the new future Egyptian cities generation. The research aims to characterize the smart concept for the Egyptian environment by proposing an ICT architecture for the smart city model within the Egyptian cities and highlight the innovative ICT that it will affect the future performance of such smart cities. The research attempts also to identify the main Egyptian smart initiatives that would offer appropriate sustainable solutions and improve the quality of life of the Egyptian inhabitants. To achieve the research objectives the innovative ICT installation requirements were studied to propose a compatible ICT architecture for the future city structure and an interview for experts were statistically analyzed to determine the Smart city initiatives and smart component systems prioritization for the future generation Egyptian cities. The research concluded that there is no unique standards of the city smartness concept and a community requirements study must be considered before deciding the smart initiatives and the smart systems components to be installed. The research determines that nowadays mobility, infrastructure and governance are the main smart initiatives of smartness for the Egyptian cities. Water and energy smart components of infrastructure initiative and the solid waste smart component systems of the environmental initiative are the main requirements for the Egyptian cities. Other smart component system requirements depend on the city concerns and the quality of life state of economic district level of the city.

The Impact of Corporate Governance on the Value of the Company in the Egyptian Stock Market

This research aims to examine the relationship between corporate governance and the value of the company in the stock market, using a sample of non-financial companies listed on the Egyptian stock exchange for the period of four years 2015-2018. The study was conducted on companies registered in the Egyptian stock market, but after the exclusion of financial institutions because they are subject to special rules for disclosure and transparency and oversight, where a sample of non-financial companies will be selected at random. And You will get the necessary data for the applied research through the financial statements and reports of the Board of Directors and reports to the audit committees of listed companies in the Egyptian stock market during the period from 2015 and 2018, and the researcher will depend on the method of regression analysis to test the research hypotheses. The research problem stems from the need to answer the following questions: 1. Does corporate governance affect the level of the company’s performance? 2. Does the performance of the company’s affect value in the stock market? 3. Does corporate governance affect the value of the company in the stock market? The research is aimed at theoretical apartment: to identify the general framework for corporate governance in the light of the latest standards and studies and analyze the most important studies that have looked at the relationship between corporate governance and performance level of the company, as well as studies that looked at the relationship between corporate governance and the company’s value in the stock market in order to benefit from the findings of previous studies in this regard. The paper presents the results of an empirical analysis, studies the impact of corporate governance on the value of the company in the Egyptian stock market, which showed that there is a positive relationship, but not significant between the corporate governance index and the ratio of market value to book value per share, and the results indicate that there is a positive relationship, but not significant between the corporate governance index and the percentage of Tobin’s Q. The results of the research can be useful through its response to the theme, which is a vital and important as it tests the relationship between corporate governance mechanisms and the performance of the company and its value in the stock market with the application in the Egyptian environment. Keywords: corporate governance, firm value, and firm performance.

Genetic identification and optimization of novel β-glucosidase-producing Lysinibacillus sphaericus QS6 strain isolated from the Egyptian environment

Background and objective β-Glucosidase-producing bacteria are potential sources for biotransformation of lignocellulose biomass and agricultural wastes into biofuels. The aim was the isolation, screening, molecular identification, and optimization of highly efficient β-glucosidase-producing bacteria under different growth conditions. Materials and methods Cellulose-degrading bacteria were isolated and screened for β-glucosidase enzymes. Then, they were identified by phenotypic and genotypic identification. Optimization for β-glucosidase production was studied under different culture conditions. Results and conclusion Highly efficient β-glucosidase-producing strain QS6 was selected and identified morphologically and biochemically as Lysinibacillus sp. using 16 s rDNA gene sequencing approach and bioinformatics analysis. Strain QS6 was most similar to Lysinibacillus sphaericus, with similarity of 98%. Phylogenetic analysis was done to determine the relationship of strain QS6 with different strains of genus Lysinibacillus sp. It indicated that the suitable culture conditions of producing β-glucosidase were the culture temperature of 35°C, the initial pH of 7.0, the incubation time of 24 h, and 1% inoculum size. While studying the effect of carbon sources on β-glucosidase production, it was found that cellobiose (1%w/v) was the best carbon source for inducing β-glucosidase production. Moreover, the nitrogen source peptone at 0.5% w/v was optimum for β-glucosidase production by this bacterium. L. sphaericus QS6 was found to be sensitive to antibiotics (amoxicillin, streptomycin, tetracycline, cefadroxil, kanamycin, chloramphenicol, ampicillin, erythromycin, and tobramycin). Moreover, in-vitro antibacterial bioassay of the most potent β-glucosidase-producing strain (QS6) showed high antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli (1.9 cm) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa 1.0 cm). A promising Lysinibacillus sp. completely identified as L. sphaericus QS6 (GenBank MN493725.1) is an efficient source of β-glucosidase production.

Drought and Salinity Alter Adaptive Molecular Response in Two Genetically unlike Egyptian Rice Cultivars

Egypt, the largest rice producer in the near east and North Africa, reached the point where the insufficient irrigation water (drought) and its low quality (saline) imposed serious limitations on rice production. Understanding molecular adaptive mechanisms through studying the expression profile of wide range of different stress-marker genes can consolidate breeding programs aimed to develop certain rice varieties capable of fitting in challenging agro-ecosystems. Rice is notoriously sensitive to drought and salinity but there is variation within examined rice varieties represented in two genetically unlike Egyptian rice commercial cultivars: Sakha 106 (Japonica) and Giza 179 (Indica/Japonica). The two Egyptian rice genotypes were submitted to osmotically equivalent doses of drought (mimicked by mannitol) and/or salinity (triggered by NaCl). The observed significant alternations in the transcriptional response among 14 stress-related genes displayed a genotype dependent and stress specific pattern. The expected knowledge might enhance the background about how rice plants differ in sensing and restoring its adaptive mechanisms in response to drought and salinity, two kind of stresses that frequently co-occur in the Egyptian agricultural environment. KEYWORDS: Rice, drought, salinity, japonica, indica, stress-marker genes, quantitative PCR

Molecular detection of three gastroenteritis viruses in an urban sewage treatment plant and river water in Egypt

In this study, the prevalence of astrovirus (AstV), norovirus (NoV), and group C rotaviruses (RVC) were described in urban sewage, sewage sludge, river water, and sediment samples from Egypt. AstV, NoV, and RVC were detected in 58.3%, 33.3%, and 25% of the raw sewage samples; in 33.3%, 25%, and 16.6% of the treated sewage samples; and in 66.6%, 16.6%, and 8.3% of the sludge samples, respectively. On the other hand, AstV, NoV, and RVC were detected in 25%, 16.6%, and 8.3% of the river water samples and in 16.6%, 8.3%, and 0% of the river sediment samples, respectively. The study revealed that AstV genogroup B and NoV genogroup I are the most frequent genotypes in the Egyptian environment. Furthermore, the peak prevalence of AstV and RVC in river water and raw sewage samples was found in winter months however there was no clear seasonality for NoV spread

The impact of organizational trust on psychological contract fulfillment in the Private Sector educational Environment in Egypt

The impact of organizational trust on psychological contract fulfillment in the Private Sector educational Environment in Egypt

Antimicrobial, antidermatophytic, and cytotoxic activities from Streptomyces sp. MER4 isolated from Egyptian local environment

BackgroundRecently, actinomycetes have attracted the attention of researchers worldwide. They can produce secondary metabolites with antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antitumoral properties.ResultsStreptomyces sp. MER4 (accession no. KM099241) was isolated from the pyramid region, Giza, Egypt. This strain was previously mentioned for its ability to produce antidermatophytic bioactive metabolites. Scale-up fermentation and fractionation of the extract has been established using different solvents. The ethanol fraction exhibited a considerable antidermatophytic effect (19.8, 21.2, and 20.3 mm for Trichophyton mentagrophyes, Microsporum canis, and Microsporum gypseum, respectively), antimicrobial (10, 8, 7, 9, and 9 mm for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, Bacillus subtilis, and Aspergillus niger, respectively), and cytotoxic activity (inhibition of 78.48%). Further purification of the ethanol fraction was done, and one promising compound was produced. This compound was intensely characterized and elucidated by studying its spectral date including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and liquid chromatography mass spectroscopy (LC/MS). The produced compound was identified as JBIR-58 (salicylamide) derivative compound.ConclusionsStreptomyces sp. MER4 has been identified genetically and screened for its ability to produce bioactive compound with antibacterial antitumor and antidermatophytic agent. The scale-up fermentation, purification, and structure elucidation led to pure compound named salicylamide derivatives JBIR-58 from the fermentation broth of Streptomyces sp. MER4.

Compatibility Between US-BIT Norms and the Need for Local Remedies Through Relevant Egyptian Investment Laws

This article investigates the legal mechanism designed for promoting private investment in Egypt through signing Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) including adoption of the United States of America's BIT Norms Model (US BIT Norms). It also explores their compatibility with the relevant Egyptian investment laws and investigates whether these norms had any significance in the creation of an investment environment in Egypt. The article cites examples from Egyptian investment laws to see whether these norms gave birth to any conflicts. The presence of Egypt has increased before the international tribunals. This article examines the post-adoption relevant investor-Egypt disputes in order to find out whether the allegations in these disputes hint at the abuse or failure of these BIT norms and whether these cases are a potential threat to the local remedies and the domestic legal and economic system of the country.

Ancient Egyptian furniture in the light of the characteristics that led to it’s preservation till now

Woodcrafts have been known since the pre-dynastic era. Wooden furniture has been depicted on tombs since the Old Kingdom, but surviving examples of them before the modern state are rare. Where the religious belief and belief in the resurrection dictated that Egyptians provide for their afterlife in the way they used to do in their religions, so their graves were deposited with supplies and equipment, and with the pictures and drawings spread on their walls, representing all matters of their lives. Egyptian furniture reached a high level of luxury, which no people could attain in that ancient time, and if the furniture is like a mirror, it reflects the personality of any people and the degree of its civilization, and then the ancient Egyptian furniture truly reflects the Egyptian environment and its civilization. In addition, if the carpentry, since the pre-dynastic period, was dry and devoid of integrity in its refinement, but the skill of the maker and his knowledge of the properties of the material enabled him to treat this industry and this formation properly.

العمارة والطاقة وتحدیات العصر الحالى ( دراسة إشکالیة توفیر وإنتاج الطاقة فى المبانى)

The research discusses how to conserve energy in the building within the global trend, in response to the energy crisis, which is limited by the current energy sources, and increasing consumption, energy consumption in the construction sector represents a high percentage of total energy consumption in some countries, which puts on the shoulders architectural a great burden. That the design method has an effective role in energy conservation, both at the level of city planning through the construction sites and design, or at the design building and selection of building materials. Therefore, it was necessary to study and evaluate the relationship between architecture and energy by studying the extent of energy consumption and its impact on the environment and the steps taken to energy conservation in building, in this framework the research presents experience and models of energy-saving buildings and take advantage of them. - The research focuses on the study of the most important techniques to try to produce energy in addition to rationalization from renewable sources that do not adversely effect on the environment and how to employ it in the building, it is also interested in monitoring all types of renewable energies that are closely related to architecture, such as solar energy of different types, wind energy and others, And the possibility of setting rules for the architectural or environmental designer in dealing with these techniques, Which requires special specifications in the building that deals with it to provide or produce energy efficiently, The research has reached guidelines for energy saving and production frameworks that can be applied in buildings in the Egyptian environment.

Relationship between Self -efficiency by values and job satisfaction among Faculty staff members of Home Economics, Al-Azhar University

The universities are considered one of the most important educational institutions in the present era, given the importance of the role played by university education in the development of societies and the importance of the role of university faculty members in building and preparing a generation that manages all the facilities of the country and determines its future policy. Achieving its objectives depends on the material and administrative capabilities, the adequacy of faculty members, and their job satisfaction, because their satisfaction reflects the effects on their good performance and their dedication to work, which explains the increasing interest in studying job satisfaction among the teaching staff of universities, as the faculty members who enjoy the greatest satisfaction are more able to carry out their duties effectively. Research Problem: the results of some studies that find in a low level of job satisfaction among faculty staff members in universities and a desire to in light some variables that may contribute to raising job satisfaction in the Arab environment in general and the Egyptian environment in particular. Research Aim: The research aimed to identify the relationship between self-efficiency by values and job satisfaction among Faculty staff members of Home Economics Al-Azhar university. Research Importance: 1 - The extent of his contribution in determining the level of self - management values for staff members of the Faculty of Home Economics Al - Azhar University. 2- The extent of his contribution in determining the level of job satisfaction for the members of the teaching staff of the Faculty of Home Economics, Al-Azhar University. Research Methodology: The research followed the analytical descriptive method in the construction of the research tools and their application to the research sample and its procedures. Research Sample: The sample consisted of 115 staff members, from 7 branches of Faculty of Home Economics Al-Azhar university, Nutrition and Food Science, Clothing and Textile, Family and Childhood Institutions Management, Food Technology, Biological and Environmental Sciences, Education, Rural Family development. Research Tools: Two Questioners developed and administrated to the sample, The validity and reliability of them were assured through referees and applying them to a pilot group. After applying the study tools on the sample of the study and making the necessary statistical analyses by the SPSS processes such as T-test, Correlation, One way ANOVA. Research Results: The results were, Direct Relationship between self-efficiency and job satisfaction, There were statically differences between self-efficiency and job satisfaction depending on the department in favor of Educational department, And due to years of experience in favor of Faculty members who range of experience were (10 -15) years, And due to academic rank variable in favor of Faculty staff members who are (PHD.), And due to presence of children in favor of Faculty members who have no children. were statically differences between self-efficiency and job satisfaction depending on family type in favor of Faculty members who have core families, And due to status in favor of Faculty members who are not married.

Examining the factors obstructing startups and small businesses’ success: An empirical study concerned with the Egyptian business environment

Examining the factors obstructing startups and small businesses’ success: An empirical study concerned with the Egyptian business environment

MEASURING THE ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL REVENUES TO ENLARGE IN THE PRODUCTION OF NON EDIBLE VEGETABLE OILS TO PRODUCE BIO-FUELS IN EGYPT

The study aimed at measuring the economic and environmental revenue for the expansion of the production of non-edible vegetable oils for the purpose of producing biofuels. Research and studies are in Egypt to produce bio-fuel as an alternative to diesel and gasoline but have not yet been produced for commercial purposes. Energy is a key element for economic development, however, the traditional form of energy is fossil fuel energy. There are several reasons to search for alternative sources of traditional energy: (Economic objective); concern about climate change (environmental goal); low cost of renewable energies (economic target), and support for agricultural producers (agricultural and economic objective). As a result of many reasons, the most important of which is the expected oil depletion by the end of the 21st century, the rise in oil prices and the negative effects of toxic emissions from fossil fuels on the environment and climate. Therefore, it was necessary to search for alternative renewable sources such as solar, wind and bioenergy. The production of biofuels is related to the agricultural sector. In order to benefit from the enormous potential that it enjoys in terms of abundance of untapped desert lands and desolate land and water resources for the production of biofuel as a source of renewable energy has been studying the energy crops suitable for the production of biofuel Three plants were selected to be suitable for agriculture in the Egyptian environment and suitable for agriculture in desert and desert lands and sewage water. This is because there is no conflict between food and energy. The environmental impact of energy crops and the effect of biofuel production on energy crops on both land use change, On water, on agricultural soils, on biological diversity, study of the economic impact and production costs of biofuels (biogasoline and biodiesel) in the two ways of cracking and the method of extraction from the cost of growing energy crops until the stage of obtaining biogasoline and biodiesel. The study reached several results: Biofuel production is not a priority for the government and the government must establish a sound legislative framework and strict procedures to support its production in a sustainable manner. Egypt has abundant sources of bio-fuel production represented in land, water, labor and qualified cadres. Lack of accurate data on the assessment of the agricultural, environmental, social and economic impacts of bio-fuels produced from both Jojoba, Jatropha and Al-Kharoua. There are no success stories on the production of bio-fuels from the non edible vegetable oils of Jojoba, Jatropha and castor plants. Therefore, the government should interact with stakeholders and companies to disseminate the right information to make good decisions.

Biological control of the onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), in open fields using Egyptian entomopathogenic nematode isolates

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) of families Heterorhabditidae and Steinernematidae are known to be effective against a variety of pests. In the present work, different EPNs that are isolated from the Egyptian environment were tested against the onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), under field conditions. The Egyptian EPNs were tested at different concentrations and against different onion thrips stages (adult and nymph). When used as a foliage spray, the tested EPN isolates were efficient against both adult and nymph stages. Differences in pathogenicity were observed within the same EPN species as in Heterorhabditis indica (EGAZ3) that caused higher reduction in population of T. tabaci (adult and nymph) after 24 and 48 h at a concentration of 10,000 infective juveniles (IJs)/ml compared to H. indica (EGAZ2) after 24 h post treatment at a concentration of 15,000 IJs/ml. The same pattern was observed with Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (HP88), where a higher reduction percent was recorded after 24 h at a concentration of 20,000 IJs/ml. On the other hand, Steinernema carpocapsae (All), S. carpocapsae (EGAZ9), and S. carpocapsae (BA2) isolates were less effective in controlling onion thrips (adult and nymph) population. In general, controlling T. tabaci at the nymphal stage was more efficient than at the adult stage (12–73% reduction at the nymph stage compared to 6–65% at the adult stage). It was also found that increasing inoculation concentration above 15,000 IJs/ml had no significant difference in controlling onion thrips populations.

Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of Antimicrobial Resistance in Escherichia coli Isolated from Raw Milk and Raw Milk Cheese in Egypt

The goal of this study was to examine antimicrobial resistance and characterize the implicated genes in 222 isolates of Escherichia coli from 187 samples of raw milk and the two most popular cheeses in Egypt. E. coli isolates were tested for susceptibility to 12 antimicrobials by a disk diffusion method. Among the 222 E. coli isolates, 66 (29.7%) were resistant to one or more antimicrobials, and half of these resistant isolates showed a multidrug resistance phenotype (resistance to at least three different drug classes). The resistance traits were observed to tetracycline (27.5%), ampicillin (18.9%), streptomycin (18.5%), sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (11.3%), cefotaxime (4.5%), kanamycin (4.1%), ceftazidime (3.6%), chloramphenicol (2.3%), nalidixic acid (1.8%), and ciprofloxacin (1.4%). No resistance to fosfomycin and imipenem was observed. Tetracycline resistance genes tetA, tetB, and tetD were detected in 53 isolates, 9 isolates, and 1 isolate, respectively, but tetC was not detected. Aminoglycoside resistance genes strA, strB, aadA, and aphA1 were detected in 41, 41, 11, and 9 isolates, respectively. Sulfonamide resistance genes sul1, sul2, and sul3 were detected in 7, 25, and 3 isolates, respectively. Of 42 ampicillin-resistant isolates, blaTEM, blaCTX-M, and blaSHV were detected in 40, 9, and 3 isolates, respectively, and 10 (23.8%) ampicillin-resistant isolates were found to produce extended-spectrum β-lactamase. Each bla gene of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing E. coli was further subtyped to be blaCTX-M-15, blaCTX-M-104, blaTEM-1, and blaSHV-12. The class 1 integron was also detected in 28 resistant isolates, and three different patterns were obtained by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Sequencing analysis of the variable region revealed that four isolates had dfrA12/orfF/aadA2, two had aadA22, and one had dfrA1/aadA1. These data suggest that antimicrobial-resistant E. coli are widely distributed in the milk production and processing environment in Egypt and may play a role in dissemination of antimicrobial resistance to other pathogenic and commensal bacteria.