Along northern-central Egypt, the oil accumulation and entrapment were mainly controlled by variable parameters including the stratigraphic architecture, sedimentary features, and tectonic evolutions. The present paper presents a new model for oil occurrences in the Abu Roash G Member (Cenomanian) along Gindi, Abu Gharadig and to a few extents the Beni Suef basins, in the northern-central part of the Western and Eastern Deserts of Egypt. The studied concessions include the Wadi El Rayan, East Bahariya and El Diyur (Gindi basin and Abu Gharadig basins, Western Desert) and the Ghariboun (Beni Suef Basin, Eastern Desert) fields. Twenty sedimentary facies were recorded from the studied subsurface sections of the Abu Roash G Member and grouped into three facies associations. A new depositional model is achieved where estuarine, open marine, deltaic distributaries, and tidal channel deposits are the main facies associations recorded in the studied Abu Roash "G". These deltaic and channel deposits occurred as an arch like form between open marine and estuarine deposits. These deltaic and tidal channel sandstone deposits act as a good reservoir to accumulate oil from nearby areas. As well, these areas were subjected to the well-known Syrian arch compressional deformation that affected northern Egypt during the Mesozoic, up to late Senonian time. A regional NE-SW oriented fold system took place, forming NE-SW oriented ridges in addition to the dextral strike-slip movement that took place along these ridges because of this compressional deformation.To sum up, oil accumulation in the studied Abu Roash G Member was mainly controlled by facies distribution mainly of channel sandstone enhanced by the tectonic movements (Syrian Arc System) affecting the areas studied.

The Faiyum Depression basin was fed by the Nile River during high-flow seasons in the Holocene. A large freshwater lake persisted in the basin during most of the Holocene. The geological setting and geomorphological characteristics of this basin has made it a topic in North African hydrology, climate, and environment, especially in Egypt. The ancient shore sediments today are fragmentary, discontinuous, and suffer from extensive erosion but substantial records of the ancient lake remain. Continuous sediment records from drill cores provided a near complete record of the Holocene history of Faiyum Lake. The recovered sedimentary sequence of one core F3-08 consists of predominantly siliciclastic lacustrine facies divisible into six informal units. Petrographic analysis provides high resolution evidence of major hydrological changes affecting the lake system. In the early-middle Holocene this lake persisted but with a lower water level and thicker sediment layers. The middle Holocene Lake experienced repetitive variations in lake level as the amount of Nile water entering the depression fluctuated. During the late Holocene, the lake level dramatically lowered in part due to the construction of earthen dams during the late Holocene and to changes in the Nile headwaters.

The Faiyum depression was linked to the Nile River and involved a broad freshwater lake, during most of the Holocene.Grain-size analysis of the lacustrine sediments along 22.7 m long core F3-08 of the Faiyum paleolake has been carried out to expose the mode of transportation, energy, and hydrodynamic conditions, as well as the environmental conditions.The recovered sedimentary sequence consists of predominantly siliciclastic lacustrine facies divided into six informal units.The grain size analysis of the studied sediments shows slight changes in the composition of the sediment mixture between silt and clay with rare occasional sand lenses.The variation in the standard deviation between well-sorted to poorly sorted sediments and from fine skewed to coarse skewed under leptokurtic to platykurtic nature exposes the environmental implications.Bivariate cross plots of grain size parameters, mode of transportation (C-M diagram), and linear discrimination functions (LDF) designate the fluvial nature of sediments and the riverine input.The depositional processes were aquatically controlled through active energy processes of the Nile flood.The graded suspension and suspension with rolling mode (saltation) are both the prime factors for transportation, where the sediments were deposited and reworked by turbidity actions, within a shallow agitated environment.

The Cenozoic basin of the tectonically-active Bahariya region (Western Desert, Egypt) contains a unique paleoenvironmental, paleotectonic and paleoclimatic record displaying a large variety of sedimentary facies, stratigraphic discontinuities, and geochemical changes. This study deals with the sedimentary evolution and tectono-stratigraphic modelling of shallow marine Upper Eocene glaucony facies (Upper Hamra Formation) that changes upward into a sequence of Oligocene continental fluviatile sandstone-calcrete (Radwan Formation) and then into Miocene lacustrine-palustrine deposits (Continental Carbonate Unit). The tectonic instability of the Bahariya basin can be deduced from occurrence of sedimentary discontinuities, development of pedogenic features, and unconformable relations among rock units. Both sedimentation pattern and facies distribution seem to have been controlled by fault activity through time. Two types of glaucony facies (pelloidal and massive smectitic glaucony) were deposited in a narrow sub-basin along main faults reaching the basin center. These faults also conditioned the deposition of the Oligocene fluviatile sandstone and Miocene lacustrine-palustrine carbonates. A transition from greenhouse (global warming event of the Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum) to icehouse climatic conditions (Eocene-Oligocene climatic cooling) is probably represented by the deposition of the shallow marine glaucony facies during the Priabonian. Semi-arid to sub-humid conditions were dominant during the formation of the Oligocene calcretes and the Miocene lacustrine-palustrine carbonates. The latter carbonate deposits consist of basal thin-bedded chert deposits displaying hydro-plastic sedimentary structures that are possibly coeval with the Miocene basaltic extrusions along faulted and low-lying areas. We conclude that both paleoclimate and intraplate tectonic activity related to the Red Sea rifting influenced the pattern of sea level, continental drainage, sedimentation rate and clastic supply since the Priabonian up to the middle Miocene in the Bahariya basin.

The present study provides new insights into the distribution and characteristics of copper-bearing Paleozoic clastic-carbonate units, Araba and Um Bogma formations in southwestern Sinai, Egypt. Malachite, azurite, atacamite, chrysocolla, and cuprite occur as disseminations or stratiform, layer-parallel streaks, and lenticular bodies that are intercalated with vanadiferous sandstones in the middle unit of the Araba Formation. The vanadiferous sandstones are rich in mottramite, mimetite, duftite, beudantite, descloizite and vanadinite. The Um Bogma Formation is characterized by uncommon chalcanthite, antlerite, malachite, chrysocolla, covellite, and chalcocite in addition to traces of pyrite and barite. These ore minerals occur as acicular, fibrous, fracture-filling, disseminated, and pore-filling patches and are associated with Mn-minerals. Copper minerals form also thin laminae in the manganiferous and black organic-rich shales of the Um Bogma Formation. Copper and vanadium minerals are disseminated in the arkose, subarkose, sublitharenite, graywacke, shale, siltstone and dolostone members of the host formations. Elevated copper concentrations (up to 5.04 wt%) and vanadium (<= 362.3 ppm) are associated with high CaO and MgO contents in the intergranular patches and discontinuous laminae. In the Um Bogma Formation, the mineralized layers show high contents of MnO (up to 84.27 wt%) and Fe2O3 (up to 72.1 wt%), Ba (0.03-2.86 wt%), S (up to 0.452 wt%) and Ni (0.012-0.041 wt%). Mineralogical and textural characteristics of the studied rocks indicate that copper and vanadium minerals in the Araba Formation are related to supergene processes and telodiagenesis after oxidation of sulfides and dissolution of feldspar grains and carbonate cement in the clastic rocks most probably during the Upper Devonian-Lower Carboniferous Hercynian event. In the Um Bogma Formation, copper mineralization is a su-pergene alteration of hydrothermal Fe-Mn minerals and associated primary Cu-Zn sulfides. Hydrothermal fluids likely mobilized several metals, i.e., Fe, Mn, and Cu, within dissolved and karstified carbonates in the Um Bogma Formation.

The research aimed to study the potential use of Egyptian Paleozoic raw building materials collected from the Abu Darag area, on the western side of the Gulf of Suez, for the manufacture of clay building bricks.Clay and sand samples have been collected from the Carboniferous Abu Darag Formation exposed in the investigated area and have been characterized mineralogically, chemically, physically using different analytical methods and techniques.Through the experimental work, three clay-based mixes have been formulated to prepare cylindrical briquettes with different proportions of sand (10%, 15%, and 20% by weight).The lab-made briquettes after drying were fired at 750 ºC, 800 ºC and 850 ºC in an electrical furnace.Physico-mechanical properties of the fired briquettes have been determined according to ASTM standards and evaluated according to the Egyptian Code 204-2014.The ceramic tests showed that the briquettes color changed to dark brownish red with increasing sand content and firing temperature and the sound of all briquettes are dull.The compressive strength increased with temperature and decreased with sand addition.Also, as iron content (found in sand) increased, the formed phases changed from amphiboles to pyroxenes.The findings indicated that the briquettes of 10% of sand at a sintering temperature equal / over 800 ºC have good technological properties and met the allowable requirements of the Egyptian code for building clay bricks that used as non-load bearing walls.

Laboratory studies were carried out to determine the efficacy of ozone (O3) technology as a management tool against larvae of Ephestia cautella, Plodia interpunctella, Trogoderma granarium and Tribolium castaneum. In addition, some biochemical changes and ultrastructural alterations in the above-mentioned larvae were studied. Larval mortality of the four species increased as concentration and exposure periods increased. Complete mortality was observed after 8 h. The LT50–99 values of ozone gas against the larvae decreased as concentration increased. Caterpillars were more sensitive to O3 than grubs. Data also showed that the effective effect of ozonation towards the four larval species indicated that not all insects had the same sensitivity to ozone gas. There was a significant increase in super oxide dismutase (SOD) levels in E. cautella and T. castaneum subjected to LT50 of ozone. Moreover, there was a significant decrease in nitric oxide concentration in both larvae after LT50 of ozone exposure. Ozone-treated larvae suffered from heterogeneous muscles with degenerated nuclei. The neurosecretory cells were found with accumulated neurosecretory materials. The neuropil glia appeared loose and vacuolated. Antenna appeared with loose sinus, and there were no artery nor trachea found. The mushroom body of brain calyces appeared with distributed Kenyon cells. The cuticular layer was degenerated. The tracheae were collapsed. Thus, ozone gas may be used as a clean and safe agent to fight these pests.

Objective: The aim of the present randomized clinical study was to evaluate the distalization and intrusion effect of an Infra-zygomatic mini-screws supported appliance and compare it with high pull headgear appliance in treatment of growing patients with class II malocclusion. Methodology: 22 growing boys aged between (10 to 12 years) with class II div 1 malocclusion randomly divided to 2 equal groups. The first group treated with high pull headgear with acrylic splint and the second one treated with an Infra-zygomatic mini-screws supported appliance. The treatment duration was 8 months for both groups. Lateral cephalometric radiographs were taken before and after the treatment for each patient to be analyzed. Results: The maxillary first molar distalization was 2.58±2.31 mm in head gear group and 1.53±2.83 mm in mini-screws group. There was no significant maxillary first molar intrusion in both groups. There were no significant differences between the two groups. Conclusions: the mini-screws supported appliance can be used as the fixed replacement of the removable high pull headgear appliance with no need for patient cooperation.

Polymetallic mineralization hosted by rift marginal carbonate preserves a comprehensive archive that enables reconstruction of the initiation and evolution of rifting. The present study focuses on a Miocene shallow marine succession and related polymetallic (Fe-Mn-Zn) ores at the Um Greifat area along the Red Sea coast in the Central Eastern Desert of Egypt. The study area represents a unique Early-Middle Miocene syntectonic marginal carbonate platform of shallow marine and coastal plain facies. The carbonate-clastic succession comprises two units, lower and upper, that are separated by a magnesite bed. Dolomitization, karstification, fracturing and brecciation are the main diagenetic features, which allow reconstructing fluctuations of sea level induced by tectonic uplift and rifting. The polymetallic nonsulfide mineralization comprises mainly Fe-Mn-Zn oxides, forming a stratiform and strata-bound ore bodies in the lower unit of the succession and/or lenticular and cavernous masses in the upper unit. The mineralogy is dominated by chalcophanite, hetaerolite, goethite, hematite and smithsonite besides zincite, pyrolusite, cryptomelane, franklinite, coronadite, quartz and alunite-natroalunite. Less common siderite, pyrite and chalcopyrite are observed. Crystal morphologies, texture and distribution of the ferromanganese minerals were modified depending on the textures, porosity, open-spaces and discontinuities of their host carbonate. The mode of occurrence, texture, mineralogy and geochemistry of the polymetallic ores suggest a two epigenetic-supergene origin. The early stage encompassed precipitation of sulfides, silica and/or circulation of highly acidic metal-rich hydrothermal solutions through faulted carbonate blocks. Dissolution and intensive oxidation of primary sulfides, Fe+2 and Mn+2 in oxic and supergenetic conditions resulted in the formation of polymetallic oxides that represent the late stage. Major uplifting and exhumation by the Red Sea extension, along with circulation of low-temperature hydrothermal fluids through faulted areas, initiated ore mineral precipitation under near-neutral to mildly acidic conditions. The interplay of diagenesis, deformation, tectonism and hydrothermalism was likely enhanced by rift-induced geothermal activity in the Red Sea basin and adjacent areas.

The present study deals with the stratigraphy, petrography and fades analysis of the stratigraphic succession of Mitla-El Giddi stretches (west Central Sinai, Egypt). Lithostratigraphically, the study area is covered by a thick succession extending from Late Jurassic to early Eocene time. This succession is subdivided into the Masajid Formation (Upper Jurassic (Oxfordian) at the base followed upwardly by the Risan Aneiza Formation (Lower Cretaceous (? Aptian- Albian), the Galala Fm. (Cenomanian), the Abu Qada Formation (lower Turonian), the Buttum Formation (middle Turonian), the Wata Formation (middle-upper Turonian), the Themed Formation (Coniacian-Santonian), the Sudr Chalk (Campanian-Maastrichtian), the Mitla Formation (= Esna Shale) (Paleocene-lower Eocene), the Thebes Formation (lower Ypresian) and the Minia Formation (upper Ypresian) at top. The Aptian - Albian Risan Aneiza Formation is first recorded at G. El Hamra in the study area. As well, a new formational name (the Mitla Formation) is used to describe the Paleocene - lower Eocene unit equivalent to the Esna Shale due to variation in lithology mainly represented by chalky limestone and argillaceous limestone. Many unconformities, represented by variable sedimentologic features, i.e., red paleosols, conglomerates, crustified laminated limestone and glauconitic facies were investigated and mostly attributed to the Syrian Arc System. The petrographic investigations especially for the lithified rocks revealed eighteen limestone microfacies, three dolostone microfacies and four sandstone microfacies, besides the non-lithified shale, sandy shale, clay and marl lithofacies. The recognized facies and their related paleoenvironments document lateral and common vertical transition between inner, middle and outer ramp setting. These facies could be subdivided into eight associations that are related to six depositional environments: peritidal flat/beach clastics, peritidal flat carbonates, lagoonal clastics, lagoonal carbonates, high energy shoal of ooids and patch reefs (oolitic shoal), intertidal-subtidal open marine, storm influenced subtidal open marine (mid-ramp) and hemipelagic outer ramp facies. The study indicates that, the area was controlled by a long-term transgressive phase and several higher order sea level fluctuations during the deposition of the studied succession. The main factors controlling the ramp deposition and the described events are; structure control mainly Syrian Arc deformation, eustatic sea level fluctuations combined with environmental influences such as autochthonous carbonate productivity-siliciclastic supply and paleorelief conditions.

The present work deals with the mineralogical and geochemical investigations of radioactive minerals and rare earth elements associated with granitic pegmatites at Gabal El Fereyid area exposed in the south Eastern Desert of Egypt. The study area is occupied by tonalite and monzogranites, the latter is intruded by pegmatites with a distinctive distribution of economically important mineralization. The studied pegmatitic bodies occur as veins that are ranging in size from few meters to 25 m long and their width usually less than 7 m; although small pockets are present. The latter display zoning structure (concentric layering) consisting of feldspar-rich zones enveloping pockets of mica (mainly muscovite) and all zoning internal quartz core. Field work using gamma spectroscopy measurements over these pegmatites shows that some bodies are radiometrically anomalous, especially the muscovite-rich zones. The mineralogy and geochemistry (trace and rare earth elements contents) of the radioactive zones in such pegmatites were achieved. Mineral characterization of the highly radioactive zones shows enrichment in thorite, uranothorite, ishika-waite, samarskite and fergusonite minerals. The spectrometric measurements of the studied pegmatites show that they possess the highest content of radioelements as well. They show enrichment in large ion lithophile elements (LILE; Pb, Rb, Sr) and high field strength elements (HFSE; Y, Zr, Th, U, Nb) and depletion in K, P and Ti. The studied granitic pegmatites indicate moderate to large negative Eu anomaly and show clear M-type tetrad effect of REE. The mineralogical and geochemical signature of investigated pegmatites represents a NYF-type (Niobium-Yttrium-Fluorine family), whereas the enrichment of rare element is an indication of high degrees of fractional crystallization of a suite of volatile-rich magmas. Uranium and thorium mineralization in the studied pegmatite are related to magmatic (syngenetic) origin with hydrothermal (epigenetic) input. The magmatic mineralization is evidenced by occurrence of thorite and zircon, whereas the hydrothermal activity is represented by alteration of feldspars and formation of pyrite and iron oxides associated with the radioactive minerals. The high levels of radioactivity and rare earth elements mineralization in the studied granitic pegmatite bodies make them a target to exploration and to enlarge the potentiality of the highly mineralized localities.

There are few studies on the effects of copper chlorophylline (Cu-chl) and magnesium chlorophylline (Mg-chl) on the cellular level, physiological parameters and DNA damage to Culex pipiens larvae. These parameters may be conducive to larval death as a result of photosensitisation reaction after feeding on these photosensitisers and being exposed to light. This study focuses on the impact of Cu-chl and Mg-chl on ultrastructural damage and cellular alteration, immune parameters and DNA damage. The results showed a significant change in the phenoloxidase activity as a function of photosensitiser concentrations. The ultrastructure of midgut tissues revealed obvious damages in different cellular levels. There was no significant effect on DNA. So, it can be concluded that Cu-chl and Mg-chl caused C. pipiens larvae death via the physical damage of larval tissues, and the direct effect on biochemical and physiological parameters of larval viability. Healthy DNA molecules, after the larval treatment, reflected no chance for the undesired mutation of the sublethal concentration of Cu-chl and Mg-chl.

Dorzolamide hydrochloride is frequently administered for the control of the intra-ocular pressure associated with glaucoma. The aim of this study is to develop and optimize self-assembled nanostructures of dorzolamide hydrochloride and L-α-Phosphatidylcholine to improve the pharmacokinetic parameters and extend the drug pharmacological action. Self-assembled nanostructures were prepared using a modified thin-film hydration technique. The formulae compositions were designed based on response surface statistical design. The prepared self-assembled nanostructures were characterized by testing their drug content, particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, partition coefficient, release half-life and extent. The optimized formulae having the highest drug content, zeta potential, partition coefficient, release half-life and extent with the lowest particle size and polydispersity index were subjected to further investigations including investigation of their physicochemical, morphological characteristics, in vivo pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles. The optimized formulae were prepared at pH 8.7 (F5 and F6) and composed of L-α-Phosphatidylcholine and drug mixed in a ratio of 1:1 and 2:1 w/w, respectively. They showed significantly higher Cmax, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] at the aqueous humor with extended control over the intra-ocular pressure, when compared to the marketed product; Trusopt®. The study introduced novel and promising self-assembled formulae able to permeate higher drug amount through the cornea and achieve sustained pharmacological effect at the site of action.

Diabetes mellitus type two (T2DM) is one of the most extensive diseases in the world. Herbal therapy remains a possible adjunct therapy to sustain better glycemic control and reduce complications arising from diabetes. In order to evaluate the curative impacts of olive leaf extract (OLE) on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats, twenty-four Wistar male adult rats were divided into four equal groups; control, diabetic control (45 mg/kg STZ), normal rats treated with OLE (17.8 mg/kg b.wt.), and diabetic rats treated with OLE (45 mg/kg STZ + 17.8 mg/kg b.wt.). The OLE extract was investigated for in vitro antioxidant activity using the DPPH• assay. The phenolic, tannin, and flavonoid contents were determined. The activity of GPX, SOD, and GSH in RBC lysate, CAT in plasma and MDA in serum were measured. The OLE prevented the decrease in GSH and kept MDA around the normal range in the treated diabetic rats. The current study suggests that OLE might be used safely to ameliorate T2DM and its accompanying oxidative stress.

The present study aimed to evaluate the genotoxic effect of insect growth regulators (IGRs) pyriproxyfen and novaluron on the fully grown larvae and 1-day-old pupae of Bactrocera zonata. The genotoxic investigations occurred on the whole body cells of adults that emerged from the fully grown larvae in sand treated with lethal concentrations (LC50= 0.96, 11.4 ppm of pyriproxyfen and novaluron, respectively) and those emerged from the 1-day-old pupae in sand treated with lethal concentrations (LC50 = 4.5, 6200 ppm of pyriproxyfen and novaluron, respectively). Comet assay is the technique used in this study. The comet assay (SCGE-single-cell gel electrophoresis) is often used in measurements of the level of DNA strand breaks in individual eukaryotic cells as a rapid, sensitive and inexpensive method. However, the IGR is considered to have little human toxicity because humans do not make chitin and do not make or use the hormones that insects use in moulting, but it was noticed that IGR-treated insects resulted a significant increase in DNA damage values expressed as tail length (TL), tail moment (TM) and DNA tail% in the body cells compared to the control insects. These results mean that workers should be careful when using IGRs in the field due to the conservation of genes and pathways affecting key biological processes between flies and humans.

This paper deals with the geological and geochemical characterization of ironstone deposits encountered in two different sedimentary successions (upper Cretaceous and lower Cenozoic) in northern Bahariya, Egypt. The ironstones occur as uneconomic thin bands, lenses and concretionary beds in Cenomanian elastic rocks of the Bahariya Formation and as economic iron ore associated with Eocene carbonate depositional units. The ironstones contain similar iron-bearing minerals, mainly goethite and hematite, which display a variety of fabrics, i.e. concretionary, massive, stromatolitic-like, oolitic, pisolitic, reniform aggregates, boxwork, liesegang, geode-like and brecciated. The iron-rich minerals preferentially replaced and/or cemented the primary and diagenetic (mainly dolomite) carbonates. Preservation of fabrics, sedimentary structures and thickness of the precursor carbonates is conspicuous. Whole-rock composition of the Cretaceous ironstones shows lower Fe(2)O(3)and MnO contents and relative enrichment in detrital-derived elements, namely Al, Zr and Nb, when compared with the Eocene ironstones, the latter showing enrichment in Fe, Mn, Si, and Ba oxides as well as Cu, Zn, Ni and Sr trace elements. Total REE content in the Cretaceous ironstones ranges widely from 70 to 348 ppm whilst the Eocene ironstones show quite low content, mostly from 1.96 to 31 ppm. Post Archean Australian Shale (PAAS)-normalized patterns of the upper Cretaceous ironstones display flat REE patterns, with small positive Eu and Pr, slightly negative Y and Ce anomalies which are close to unity and intermediate Nd concentrations (between 10 and 100 ppm). In contrast, PAAS-normalized REE + Y patterns of the Eocene ironstones display LREE positive slope with enriched flat HREE trend as well as negative Ce anomaly, positive Y and Eu anomalies, and low Nd concentration (in general less than 10 ppm). Geochemical data along with sedimentary features of the upper Cretaceous and Eocene ironstones in Bahariya point to different origins in the two ironstone types, the former having been originated diagenetically whereas the latter were constrained by hydrothermal fluids. A syngenetic marine origin is ruled out for any of the studied ironstones. Higher amount of detrital derived elements as well as higher REE concentration in the upper Cretaceous ironstones than in the Eocene ironstones suggest some contribution from the associated elastic sediments. The negative Ce anomaly determined in both types indicates anoxic iron-rich solution that passed to oxidized surface. The presence of positive Y and Eu anomalies in the Eocene ironstones suggests that iron precipitation was favoured by hydrothermal reducing conditions, when slightly acidic fluids reached oxidizing alkaline waters.

Background and objective: The occurrence of cardiac electrical abnormalities such as repolarization disorders in patients with epilepsy was previously documented and may, in part, clarify the mechanism of sudden unexpected death in those patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of cardiac repolarization disorders among patients with epilepsy and whether specific demographic-or disease-related features were associated with their occurrence. Subjects and methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 1000 subjects with epilepsy who were compared with age-and sex-matched 2500 subjects without epilepsy. Clinical assessment, which included careful history taking and examination, was carried out for all participants in addition to resting 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) recording. Electrocardiograms were reviewed by experienced cardiologists. Electrocardiogram intervals were measured, and morphological abnormalities were identified using standard guidelines. Results: Repolarization abnormalities were found in 142 (14.2%) patients with epilepsy. A statistically significant elevation in percentage of corrected QT interval (QTc) prolongation (both severe and borderline) among patients with epilepsy compared with controls was documented (8.4% vs 2%, P b< 0.001). Epilepsy increased the likelihood of hosting prolonged QTc more than 4 times (95% confidence interval: 3.175-6.515; odds ratio: 4.548; P < 0.001). Affected patients were significantly older (95% confidence interval: 1.012-1.044; odds ratio: 1.027; P = 0.001), and the abnormality was significantly more prevalent among those with poor seizure control (95% confidence interval: 1.103-2.966; odds ratio: 1.809; P = 0.019). On the other hand, early repolarization (ER) pattern and Brugada type ECG pattern (BP) were significantly more prevalent in subjects without epilepsy. Conclusions: Corrected QT interval prolongation (both severe and borderline) was more prevalent among patients with epilepsy, especially if uncontrolled or elderly. Electrocardiogram should be established as a part of the diagnostic workup of epilepsy in order to identify such electrocardiographic abnormality. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

In the northern part of the Bahariya Depression (Western Desert, Egypt) the Eocene carbonate succession, unconformably overlying the Cretaceous deposits, consists of three main stratigraphic units; the Naqb, Qazzun and El Hamra formations. The Eocene carbonates are relevant as they locally host a large economic iron mineralization. This work revises the stratigraphic attribution of the Eocene formations on the basis of larger benthic foraminifers from both carbonate and ironstone beds. Eight Nummulites species spanning the late Ypresian - early Bartonian (SBZ12 to SBZ17) were identified, thus refining the chronostratigraphic framework of the Eocene in that region of Central Egypt. Moreover, additional sedimentological insight of the Eocene carbonate rocks is presented. The carbonate deposits mainly represent shallow marine facies characteristic of inner to mid ramp settings; though deposits interpreted as intertidal to supratidal are locally recognized.Dating of Nummulites assemblages from the youngest ironstone beds in the mines as early Bartonian provides crucial information on the timing of the hydrothermal and meteoric water processes resulting in the formation of the iron ore mineralization. The new data strongly support a post-depositional, structurally-controlled formation model for the ironstone mineralization of the Bahariya Depression. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

This paper gives new insight into the genesis of cherty ironstone deposits. The research was centered on well-exposed, unique cherty ironstone mineralization associated with Eocene carbonates from the northern part of the Bahariya Depression (Egypt). The economically important ironstones occur in the Naqb Formation (Early Eocene), which is mainly formed of shallow marine carbonate deposits. Periods of lowstand sea-level caused extensive early dissolution (karstification) of the depositional carbonates and dolomitization associated with mixing zones of fresh and marine pore-water. In faulted areas, the Eocene carbonate deposits were transformed into cherty ironstone with preservation of the precursor carbonate sedimentary features, i.e. skeletal and non-skeletal grain types, thickness, bedding, lateral and vertical sequential arrangement, and karst profiles. The ore deposits are composed of iron oxyhydroxides, mainly hematite and goethite, chert in the form of micro- to macro-quartz and chalcedony, various manganese minerals, barite, and a number of subordinate sulfate and clay minerals. Detailed petrographic analysis shows that quartz and iron oxides were coetaneous and selectively replaced carbonates, the coarse dolomite crystals having been preferentially transformed into quartz whereas the microcrystalline carbonates were replaced by the iron oxyhydroxides.A number of petrographic, sedimentological and structural features including the presence of hydrothermal-mediated minerals (e.g., jacobsite), the geochemistry of the ore minerals as well as the structure-controlled location of the mineralization suggest a hydrothermal source for the ore-bearing fluids circulating through major faults and reflect their proximity to centers of magmatism. The proposed formation model can contribute to better understanding of the genetic mechanisms of formation of banded iron formations (BIFs) that were abundant during the Precambrian. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.