Port-Said Governorate Research Articles

Endoparasitic Diseases in Relation to Heavy Metal Pollution among Some Marine Fishes in Port-Said Governorate

This study was carried out to detect the endoparasites affecting Pomatomus saltatrix, Caranx rhonchus,Platycephalus indicus and Epinephelus aeneus collected from Port Said Province at different seasons. The highest infestation rate was in P. saltatrix(89%) followed by C. rhonchus (75%), P. indicus(68%) and E. aeneus (57%). The isolated parasites were represented as nematodes (Anisakis simplex, Hysterothylacium aduncum and Philometra saltatrix), cestodes (Plerocercoides of Scolex pleuronectis) and acanthocephalan parasites (Andracantha tandemtesticulata and Hesterosentismongcia). Seasonal prevalence, detection of iron, lead and copper in water and histopathological picture were also recorded and discussed.

Characterization of Staphylococcus Aureus of Animal Origin in Nosocomial Infection

This study discussed the prevalence of S. aureus in some hospitals in Port-Said governorate and the possibility impact of the S. aureus isolates from foods of animal origin on nosocomial infections by genetic relatedness between isolates from foods and infected patients. The bacteriological examination of 355 samples reveals of S. aureus in 28 from 255 total samples taken from hospitals kitchens with percentage 11% and 48 S. aureus isolates from 100 swabs of infected patients with percentage 48%, the antibiotic sensitivity test of most isolates revealed multidrug resistant S. aureus strains. Used random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) patterns to determine genetic relatedness among S. aureus isolates that revealed genetic relatedness among the isolates and give indication about the possibility to impact of S. aureus isolates from foods of animal origin in human infections.

A Study of Some Chemical and Microbial Properties of Labenah Sold in Suez Canal Area

This research was carried to evaluate the quality of labenah (concentrated yoghurt) sold in Suez canal province by determining some chemical and microbial properties of sixty samples, collected from different places in Ismailia and Portsaid Governorate in between December 2013 and July 2014 . The chemical examination revealed that the mean value of Titratable acidity percent, total solids, fat and salt content was 1.934±0.076 %, 32.21±0.56 %, 16.93±0.60 % and 2.15±.03% respectively. The results showed that 25 % and 35 % of samples did not comply with the (GSO) and (S.D.) respectively. Bacteriological examination of samples declared that the mean value of total Mesophyilic, Psychrotophic, Coliforms and Escherichia coli count was 3.18x105± 6.1x104, 9.2x106 ± 2.4x105, 1.13x104±1.63x103 , and 3x103 ± 3.7x102 respectively. Salmonella were not detected in all the examined samples of labenah. Mycological examination of samples revealed that, yeast and mould count were high in all samples with mean value of 4.5x104± 9x103 , 5.3x103±1.4x103 , respectively. The results revealed that the more frequent isolated yeast was the candida albican and candida tropicalis, while the most frequent isolated molud was Aspergillus and Mucor spp. Public health importances of isolated micro-organisms as well as measures for improving the quality of the product were discussed.

Occupational exposure to second hand smoke and respiratory and sensory symptoms: A cross-sectional survey of hospital workers in Egypt

Exposure to Second Hand Smoke (SHS) has been associated with an increased risk of respiratory symptoms, upper and lower respiratory tract diseases and an increased risk of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The majority of cases of mortality and morbidity is attributable to exposure of adults to SHS and is related to cardiovascular diseases and lung cancer. In Egypt, comprehensive smoke-free laws exist, however, in many workplaces they are poorly enforced consequently exposing workers to the detrimental health hazards of SHS. We aimed at determination of workplace exposure to Second Hand Smoke (SHS) and its association with respiratory and sensory irritation symptoms in hospital workers in Port-said governorate in Egypt. A cross-sectional face to face survey was conducted by the use of a standardised questionnaire among 415 adult hospital workers; representing 50% of all employees (81% response rate); recruited from 4 randomly selected general hospitals in Port-said governorate in Egypt. All hospitals employees reported exposure to SHS - on average 1.5 (SD = 2.5) hours of exposure per day. After controlling for potential confounders, exposure to SHS at work was significantly associated with an increased risk of wheezes (OR = 1.14, p < 0.01), shortness of breath (OR = 1.17, p < 0.01), phlegm (OR = 1.23, p < 0.01), running and irritated nose (OR = 1.14, p < 0.01) as well as a sore, scratchy throat (OR = 1.23). These findings point out that workplace exposure to SHS is evident in hospitals in Port-said governorate and that workers are adversely affected by exposure to it at work. This underlines the importance of rigorous enforcement of smoke-free policies to protect the workers' health in Egypt.

DEVELOPMENT OF A TOPPING MACHINE TO SUIT MECHANICAL HARVESTING OF SUGAR BEET

In this research work an attempt has been analysed the mechanical performance of a developed machine which can be used to remove the sugar beet leaves in the reclaimed lands before mechanical harvesting operation. The study was carried out in Port-Said Research Station, Port-Said Governorate, during April 2013. Three different speeds of PTO 540, 725 and 1000 rpm, three various forward speeds 0.48, 1.0 and 1.68 m/sec. and three different levels of cutting 3, 6 and 10 cm were conducted to evaluate the machine and assess its mechanical efficiency. Development of this machine aims to avoid spoiling roots during mechanical harvesting. Primary study was carried out to estimate the lost part during traditional topping operation, which shows that the percentage of loss in the weight reached on average 6.2%. The obtained data indicated that PTO speed of 1000 rpm, forward speed of 0.48 m/s and cutting level of 10 cm is the best treatments, which increased the topping efficiency up to 88%.

EFFECT OF COMPOST ON MAIZE (Zea mays) YIELD AND SOME CLAY SOIL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES UNDER DEFICIT IRRIGATION

Field experiments were conducted for two seasons in the clay soil located at South of Sahl El-Hosainiya Research Station, Port-Said Governorate, Egypt. Maize (zea mays) was used as an experimental plant. The current work aims to asses effect of compost application as organic amendment at rates of zero (C0), 5.5(C1), 11.0(C2), and 16.5(C3) Mg f-1 (1 Mg megagram= 106 g i.e. metric ton); under irrigation using two water levels of full irrigation (I1) of 3300 m3 f-1, and deficit irrigation (I2) of 2640 m3 f-1 (80% of full irrigation). Grain yield in non-amended treatments was 1.788 to 2.482Mg f-1 while it was 2.757 to 6.316 Mg f-1 in compost- amended treatments. Water-use efficiency (in kg grains/m3 water) was 0.542 to 0.940 for non-amended treatments and 0.835to 2.392for those compost-amended treatments causing, average increases of 34.1, 161, and 92.9% for the C1, C2, and C3, respectively. The deficit irrigation 12 surpassed the full one I1 by 58.3%. Soil moisture curves at tensions of 0.01 up to 15.00 atm and available water (AW) increased due to compost. Compost had a slight effect on total porosity, but affected the distribution of pore size fractions creating more water-useful pores (i.e. the quickly drainable-, slowly-, drainable- and water-holding-pores) and decreasing the less-water-useful ones (i.e. the fine capillary pores). Aggregation and aggregate stability increased by compost; the high rate gave 6.8% large aggregates while the no compost gave 4.3% only.