@article { author = {Moheb, Naema and El Rayes, Ahmed and Geriesh, Mohamed and Kaiser, Mona and Gadou, Hisham}, title = {Geologic Factors Controlling Urban Planning of Ismailia City, Suez Canal Province, Egypt}, journal = {Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {1-6}, year = {2015}, publisher = {Egyptian Society for Environmental Sciences}, issn = {1687-5052}, eissn = {2090-2786}, doi = {}, abstract = {The present research aims to assess the geologic determinants influencing sustainable urban planning of Ismailia City at the Suez Canal Province. GIS data integration was utilized to specify geologic factors influencing the 2010 strategic urban plan. Field observations, chemical properties of shallow groundwater and remote sensing data were integrated using Geographic Information Systems. The acquired satellite images in this research were selected to be within 1990-2014 time span. It is noticed that some environmental problems which are originated following the development of urban and industrial projects in Ismailia City in addition to the extension of informal unmanaged settlement areas. These include waterlogging, salinization and land subsidence. The results of chemical analyses of water indicate exceedance of sulphate content which causes salt crust problem and severely affects the foundation resistance. Also, unexpected urban sprawl produces unplanned urban extensions which are strongly suffered by waterlogging and land subsidence. Change detection emphasized that the newly cultivated land, salt crust and informal settlement areas increased during 1990-2014 period. However, waterlogged areas decreased within the same time period. Consequently, this study recommends considering the geological determinants and environmental factors in any future planning.}, keywords = {Geologic factors,GIS,Groundwater chemistry,Ismailia,Remote Sensing,Urban Planning,waterlogging,Soil salinization}, url = {https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18392.html}, eprint = {https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18392_a7428b0e6c9274c4adf22bd3a658fa6f.pdf} } @article { author = {Tag, Hend and Ali, AL Shimaa and Abdelwahab, Moshira and Nabil, Zohour}, title = {Hypoglycemic, antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant effects of ginger and alpha-lipoic acid in experimentally diabetic rats}, journal = {Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {7-15}, year = {2015}, publisher = {Egyptian Society for Environmental Sciences}, issn = {1687-5052}, eissn = {2090-2786}, doi = {}, abstract = {Ginger and alpha-lipoic acid have recently gained attention as a potent antioxidant. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the possible therapeutic effects of daily oral administration of ginger and alpha-lipoic acid on diabetic rats. 42 Male albino rats (150-180gm) were divided into 7 groups; control, olive oil (vehicle) control, alloxan induced diabetic (DM), ginger-treated (GN), alpha-lipoic acid -treated (ALA), diabetic rats treated with ginger (DM+GN) and diabetic rats treated with alpha-lipoic acid (DM+ALA). After 5 weeks of GN and ALA administration (50 and 30 mg/kg b. wt respectively), hematological, biochemical and histological parameters were investigated. Diabetic rats exhibited a significant decrease in erythrocytic parameters as well as significant increase of fasting blood sugar (FBS), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), total cholesterol (TCh), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), and a decrease in the level of high density lipoprotein (HDL). In addition, diabetic rats showed a significant decrease in hepatic GSH and an increase in the content of malondialdehyde (MDA). The administration of GN and ALA caused a significant decrease in FBS, HbA1c, TCh, TG, and LDL- cholesterol, concomitant with a significant increase in HDL-cholesterol was recorded. Moreover, GN and ALA administration blunted the increase in MDA and stimulated the GSH production in the liver of diabetic rats. The findings of this study indicated that injection of GN and ALA corrected the erythrocytic parameters, lipid profile, blood sugar level in diabetic rats and showed antioxidative properties. Additionally, the therapeutic effect of GN and ALA was confirmed with histopathological examination of pancreas. It could be postulated that; (i) GN and ALA have protective and anti-hyperglycemic effects and (ii) overall anti-diabetic effects of ALA are better than those of GN, at least in this experimental condition.}, keywords = {Ginger,alpha-lipoic acid,hypoglycemic,Lipid profile,antioxidants,alloxan,Rats}, url = {https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18393.html}, eprint = {https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18393_ebcda5252bca7d0d463dd49393124001.pdf} } @article { author = {Geriesh, Mohamed and El-Rayes, Ahmed and Gomaa, Ramadan and Kaiser, Mona and Mohamed, Marwa}, title = {Geoenvironmental Impact Assessment of El-salam Canal on the Surrounding Soil and Groundwater Flow Regime, NorthWestern Sinai, Egypt}, journal = {Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {17-29}, year = {2015}, publisher = {Egyptian Society for Environmental Sciences}, issn = {1687-5052}, eissn = {2090-2786}, doi = {}, abstract = {El-Salam Canal is one of the major irrigation projects being implemented in Northern Sinai in 1998. About 400,000 feddans are reclaimed on the eastern side of Suez Canal by this project. Water supply of El-Salam canal has been driven from Damietta branch of the river Nile and two agricultural drains, located to the east of Nile Delta. Land sat TM data are used to examine the impact of El-Salam canal on El-Tina Plain. The optimum three-band combinations were selected to monitor land-use changes for the periods of 1984–2003 and 2003–2014.Water quality is determined based on chemical, physical, biological and isotopic contents to provide a full description of the various constituents that may affect the water-use and recharge history of groundwater. Data integration indicates that the area is under threat from four types of hazards including; Water logging; soil salinization; water pollution; and sea shore erosion of Mediterranean coast. The results display that, the wetlands area had increased from25km2 (2.4%) in 1984 to 180km2 (18%)in 2014 along El-Tina Plain. Urbanized and cultivated areas were significant in 2014, covering about 89 km2. Several factors control the land-cover changes, including groundwater level rise, inadequate drainage distribution and increasing of fish farms. Soil properties strongly support the high susceptibility to water logging and soil salinization due to the duplex soil texture along El-Tina Plain.}, keywords = {El-Salam Canal,El-Tina Plain,Groundwater,shoreline erosion,Soil salinization,waterlogging}, url = {https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18394.html}, eprint = {https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18394_29474e140ba21345c4695b407c39e582.pdf} } @article { author = {El Ayouty, Mayada and Hassanean, Hashim and Zayed, Rawia and Mesbah, Mostafa and Ibrahim, Amany}, title = {Molecular and pharmacological investigation of Stipagrostis scoparia growing in North Sinai}, journal = {Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {31-36}, year = {2015}, publisher = {Egyptian Society for Environmental Sciences}, issn = {1687-5052}, eissn = {2090-2786}, doi = {}, abstract = {Although many plants of Poaceae family attracted several investigators regarding their pharmacological aspects, there is almost no report on the pharmacology of Stipagrostis scoparia. Accordingly, it was necessary to carry out pharmacological study on the wild Egyptian plant which grows in North Sinai and selectively discriminate the plant using Random Amplified Polymorohic DNA technique. RAPD DNA analysis of the plant was performed using ten decamer primers. It showed distinguishable bands and generated 72 fragment patterns. The analysis of RAPD data can select the use of primers Z-02, C-17 and Z-08 for the selective discrimination of Stipagrostis scoparia growing in Egypt. Concerning the biological studies, the methanolic extract of Stipagostis scoparia exhibited significant analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities after in-vivo assays. Results obtained on assessing the long-term anti-hyperglycemic effect revealed a significant reduction in blood glucose level in Alloxan-diabetic rats treated with the methanolic extract. Prolonged administration of the methanolic extract significantly decreased the level of liver enzymes in carbon tetrachloride-intoxicated rats. According to the acute toxicity studies it was found that the methanolic extract of Stipagrostis scoparia is safe up to 7 g/kg b.wt.}, keywords = {Stipagrostis scoparia,RAPD analysis,analgesic,Anti-inflammatory,Anti-oxidant}, url = {https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18395.html}, eprint = {https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18395_bb3824b11c468e79b44314de75a86128.pdf} } @article { author = {El-Bakary, Neveen and Abd-Allah, Gamal and Bassiony, Shimaa}, title = {Comparative morphological, histological and ultrastructural study of the kidney of Cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) and Squacco heron (Ardeola ralloides) birds}, journal = {Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {37-47}, year = {2015}, publisher = {Egyptian Society for Environmental Sciences}, issn = {1687-5052}, eissn = {2090-2786}, doi = {}, abstract = {Osmoregulation is one of the most important factors determine the presence of vertebrates in its habitat. The renal morphology, histology and ultrastructure of two species of the family Ardeidae, Cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) as a terrestrial bird (from Nahia and Mansurya) and Squacco heron (Ardeolaralloides) as aquatic bird (from Manzala lake) were examined. The results were obviously varied, the Cattle egret from Nahia in comparing with the Cattle egret from Mansurya have a few number of reptilian-type nephrons, numerous mammalian- type nephrons. The renal corpuscles have narrowest filtration slits. On the other hand, the Squacco heron showed numerous reptilian-type nephrons, a few number of mammalian-type nephrons, the renal corpuscle has numerous and widest filtration slits and thin basal lamina to increase the filtration surface area. Results illustrated the ability of the Cattle egret to adapt to its terrestrial environment, as these characteristics limit the glomerular filtration rate. On the contrary, the Squacco heron well adapted to its aquatic environment by increasing the glomerular filtration rate.}, keywords = {}, url = {https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18397.html}, eprint = {https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18397_d51dc43fb1b21bf8b11d9ba508ae851d.pdf} } @article { author = {Mansour, Basma and El-Rayes, Ahmed and Kaiser, Mona}, title = {The Impacts of Human Activities on the Hydrogeological Regime of East Nile Delta, Egypt}, journal = {Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {49-61}, year = {2015}, publisher = {Egyptian Society for Environmental Sciences}, issn = {1687-5052}, eissn = {2090-2786}, doi = {}, abstract = {Human activities contribute numerous hydrogeological threats including waterlogging, soil salinization and water pollution in East Nile Delta region. Landsat Thematic Images were utilized to detect the environmental changes in the study area during the last three decades. Remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems data were integrated to monitor and measure surface areas of agricultural and urban developments. Risk assessment maps were constructed for waterlogging and soil salinization threats. The results cleared that both evaporation from logged and flood irrigation water surfaces cause up to 30% of water loss. The logged areas increased from 25km2 in 1984 to 180km2 in 2014 along the El-Tina plain which represents the most threated zone. The total changes of waterlogging cover at east Nile Delta varies between 930km2 in 1989, 685km2 in 1998 after the construction of El-Salam Canal and 1044km2 in 2014. The total estimated water loss by direct evaporation was up to 23.6Mm3/year. Following the construction of El-Salam Canal in 1998, water and drainage effluents into Manzala Lake were decreased creating shrinkage in its surface area by 45%. Consequently, water quality of Manzala Lake was severely deteriorated due to the throwing of municipal and irrigational sewages.}, keywords = {Nile Delta,Human Impacts,waterlogging,Soil salinization,Risk assessment,Problem Management}, url = {https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18402.html}, eprint = {https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18402_842a59960aa27f2394199807615ce33f.pdf} } @article { author = {Nafea, Elsayed}, title = {Floristic Composition of the Plant Cover at Surt Region in Libya.}, journal = {Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {63-71}, year = {2015}, publisher = {Egyptian Society for Environmental Sciences}, issn = {1687-5052}, eissn = {2090-2786}, doi = {}, abstract = {The goals of the present study were to record and document the floristic composition of the plant cover at Surt region in Libya during spring 2010 to summer 2011 and to use the obtained data in the sustainable development of Surt region. The flora of coastal habitats at Surt, Libya (salt marshes, sand dunes and non cultivated sandy lands) comprises 231 species, related to 147 genera and belonging to 37 families. Among the recorded species 123 annuals, 105 perennials and 3 biennials, family Poaceae comprises 27 species (11.69%),both of Asteraceae and Fabaceae includes 26 species for each (11.26%) these three families were the main leading families representing collectively about 34.21% (79 species) of the total number of the recorded species in the study area. The coastal habitats in the Mediterranean coast of Surt are characterized by their specific floristic composition and dominant communities where the salt marsh habitat was represented by 66 species and dominated by: Suaeda pruinosa Lang cover percentage (90%), Arthrocnemum macrostachyum (Moric.)K. Koch (85%), Halocnemum strobilaceum (Pall.) M. Bich. (85%), Tamarix nilotica (Ehrenb.) Bunge (85%), Zygophyllum album L. (75%). On the other hand the sand dune habitat was represented by 143 species and dominated by Echinops spinosus L. (80%), Moltkiopsis ciliata (Forssk) I.M. Johnest.(80%), Calotropis procerra W. T. Aiton (77%), Panctarium maritimum L.( 75% ), Silene succulenta Forssk (75%). Heliotrobium curassavicum L. (40%). The non cultivated sandy land was represented by 90 species and dominated by: Chenopodium murale L. (85%), Bassia indica L. (85%) Amaranthus graezicans L. (80%), Cynanchum acutum L. (75%). The most common life forms were the Therophytes which represented by 141 species (61%) of the total recorded species followed by Cryptophytes 32 species (13.9%). Hemicryptophytes and Chamaephytes were represented by 24 species (10.3%) and Phanerophytes 10 species (4.3%). This study is considered as the pioneer study at Surt area and may be fruitful in further studies and in sustainable development of Surt.}, keywords = {Flora,salt marsh,sand dunes,Soil,life forms,costal habitats,Surt,Libya}, url = {https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18403.html}, eprint = {https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18403_37c687e375b9144800a15704e68ebad7.pdf} } @article { author = {Mansour, Samira and Elshahedy, Mohammed and Rabie, Tarik and Fetaih, Hamdy and Obaid, Jamil}, title = {Post-vaccination studies on mice vaccinated against uropathogenic Escherichia coli}, journal = {Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {73-79}, year = {2015}, publisher = {Egyptian Society for Environmental Sciences}, issn = {1687-5052}, eissn = {2090-2786}, doi = {}, abstract = {Vaccination is one of the most important strategies for fighting infection. The efficiency of vaccination is determined by many tests that evaluate the immune response vaccine elicit. Here Uropathogenic E. coli vaccines were evaluated by challenge test, indirect haemagglutination test, histopathology, haematology and biochemistry measurements. The results indicate to the benefit of inactivated polyvalent whole cell vaccine and adjuvant-use in immunopotentiation of vaccine. Many measures were used as a good indication and correlated to effectiveness of vaccine as post–vaccination antibody titer, total leukocytic count, neutrophil percent and total protein. Also the histopathology results for dead mice give clear clue to the interpretation of challenge test results.}, keywords = {albumin,antibodies,Leukocytes,monovalent,polyvalent,protein,vaccine}, url = {https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18405.html}, eprint = {https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18405_4bd90174240c1ba61d05fdb363ee8657.pdf} } @article { author = {Ahmed, Mohammed}, title = {A decade of Sea Cucumber Fishing in Egypt, a Boom and Bust Case Study}, journal = {Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {81-85}, year = {2015}, publisher = {Egyptian Society for Environmental Sciences}, issn = {1687-5052}, eissn = {2090-2786}, doi = {}, abstract = {Invertebrate's fisheries have expanded both in term of values and catch worldwide in the last few years. Bech-de-Mer or dried sea cucumber (Holothiriedae) is highly valuable in the Asian market and the high demand for the Egyptian species led to overexploitation and change in species composition, in this study we assesses the ecological impact of sea cucumber fishing along the Egyptian coast of the Red sea after 10 years (from 2004 to 2014) of sea cucumber fishing, re visiting six different areas along the Egyptian coast of the Red Sea and before and after the overexploitation process. Over 10 year's period, the abundance of 6 commercial sea cucumber species declined dramatically, with some commercial species been totally removed from certain areas. Our results showed a significant change in species composition of sea cucumber and the replacement by non- commercial species to the commercial species as a result of overfishing activities.}, keywords = {Bech-de-mer. Sea cucumber,Red Sea,Overfishing,species composition}, url = {https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18406.html}, eprint = {https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18406_e120ba370591d61cbee8309d7a9e8a04.pdf} } @article { author = {El-Darier, Salama and Marzouk, Ream and Mabrouk, Mona and Khattab, Kholod}, title = {Phytochemical Differentiation among Fourteen Cultivars of Mango (Mangifera indica L.) Leaves from Al-Sharqia, Egypt}, journal = {Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {87-93}, year = {2015}, publisher = {Egyptian Society for Environmental Sciences}, issn = {1687-5052}, eissn = {2090-2786}, doi = {}, abstract = {The present study was performed to differentiate phytochemically among young leaves of fourteen mango cultivars (Keitt, Ewais, White Succari, Tommy Atkins, Fajri Kalan, Zebda, Alphonso, Sedeek, Naomi, Mesk, Baladi Dabsha, Baladi Arnaba, Cobania and Totapuri). The phytochemical screenings of the fourteen studied cultivars showed that Mesk cultivar contains alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, tannins, phenolics, glycosides, triterpenoids, amino acids, carbohydrates and reducing sugar with highly quantity of flavonoids, while Totapuri cultivar did not contain any of them. The other cultivars were in between presence of some compounds and absence of the others. In addition, mangiferin (mg/Kg) attained a value ranged from a minimum of about 11.5 in Baladi Dabsha cultivar to a maximum of about 1021 in Mesk cultivar. With respect to total Quercetin (mg/kg) it ranged from a minimum (zero or not detected value) in Cobania and Totapuri cultivars and a maximum of about 11.3 in Mesk cultivar. With respect to Tannins (mg/g) a minimum of about 11.3 and a maximum of about 153 was achieved by Baladi Dabsha Cultivar and Mesk cultivars, respectively. The dendrogram based on using phytochemical data ascertains three aggregations. The first assembly includes Sedeek, Naomi and Mesk cultivars. The second gathers Keitt and Ewais while the third cluster comprises Fajri Kalan, Zebda and Alphonso cultivars.}, keywords = {Phytochemical screening analysis,Mangifera indica leaves,Cultivar,mangiferin,Phenolics,HPLC analyzer}, url = {https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18407.html}, eprint = {} } @article { author = {Mahalel, Usama}, title = {Allelopathic effect of saponins isolated from Trigonella hamosa L. and Solanum lycopersicum L. on germination and growth of Allium cepa L.}, journal = {Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {95-99}, year = {2015}, publisher = {Egyptian Society for Environmental Sciences}, issn = {1687-5052}, eissn = {2090-2786}, doi = {}, abstract = {The allelopathic effect of saponins isolated from methanolic extract of Trigonella hamosa and Solanum lycopersicum (donor species) on germination and growth of Allium cepa (recipient species) was investigated in this study. Results revealed that saponins significantly inhibited seed germination and plumule growth rate of Allim cepa. Germination percentages of seeds treated with high concentration of S. lycopersicum and T. hamosa saponins (0.5 %) were 46 % and 40%, respectively, with a significant negative correlation (p< 0.05). Inhibition of growth rate was more noticed in case of seedlings treated with S. lycopersicum saponins than that treated with T. hamosa saponins. The relationship between the variation in saponins concentration and both germination and growth rate of A. cepa seedlings was significant (p< 0.05) as evaluated by ANOVA analysis.}, keywords = {Allelopathy,saponins,Solanum lycopersicum,Trigonella hamosa,Allium cepa,Growth,Germination}, url = {https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18409.html}, eprint = {https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18409_bb487e623003b1883ed6de781fc3e29b.pdf} }