Epigenetic regulation of gene expression has proven to be a good biomarker for gene expression profiling. In the present study, Real-time PCR and Methylation level were performed to compare the levels of Leptin and IGF gene expression on 20 Maghrabi female camels exposed to variable temperatures (winter and summer). The results showed that hypermethylation prevailed in winter than in summer. A different profile was obtained in summer for both the two genes under study, as the hypomethylation was globally predominant. It could be concluded that the seasonal variations and conditions of the external environment in which the animal lives affect the various proteins in gene expression for each of the two genes (leptin and insulin-like growth factor). Where there is an inverse relationship between gene expression and methylation level. This means that the drop of temperature in winter leads to an increase of the methylation level (hypermethylation); resulting in a decrease in gene expression (down-regulation). On the other hand, temperature was rising during the summer, leads to the decrease of methylation level (hypomethylation) resulting in an increase in gene expression (upregulation) of the above-mentioned genes.

Animal genetic resources are essential components of agriculture development. They have contributing to food and agriculture for more than 12000 years. Sheep is one of the small livestock of choice in Egypt, where sheep meat production is more important than fiber production. Egyptian sheep population increased by 66.7% from 1961 to 2005. There are three major breeds in Egypt; Rahmani, Ossimi, Barki. Barki ewes are sexually maturer earlier compared with Rahmani and Ossimi ewe lambs. For increasing sheep meat production, the number of born lambs should be increased. This will be achieved through increasing both ovulation rate and litter size, these traits are genetically controlled. So studying genes affecting ovulation rate and litter size, which are known as fecundity genes, become imperative. Since 1980, there has been increasing interest in the identification and utilization of major genes for prolificacy in sheep. Mutations that increase ovulation rate have been reported in the BMPR-1B (bone morphogenetic protein 1B receptor), BMP15 (Oocyte-derived bone morphogenetic protein 15) and GDF9 (growth differentiation factor 9) genes, and others are known to exist from the expressed inheritance patterns although the mutations have not been pinpointed. Concerning the types of Fecundity genes in sheep (FecB, FecX and FecGH) the FecB was found to result from a mutation in the BMPR-1B (bone morphogenetic protein 1B receptor) (COGNOSAG, 1989), and is considered to be single mutation, duplication, or deletion event (Montgomery et al., 1992) that is expresses in oocytes and granulosa cells. Fec B is a dominant single autosomal gene located in chromosome 6, which has an additive effect on ovulation rate. One copy of FecB increases ovulation rate by about 1.5 fold and two copies of 3.0 fold. These extra ovulations in turn increase litter size by 1.0 and 1.5 fold (Davis, 2004). It is hypothesized that this mutation might reduce the signaling through the receptors of granulosa cells (Wilson et al., 2001) . The mutation that cause super prolificacy and the mutant sheep are characterized by precocious differentiation of ovarian follicles, leading to the production of large numbers of ovulatory follicles that are smaller in diameter than wild-type follicles. The Booroola merino was the first breed of sheep where ovulation rate and litter size were shown to be affected by segregating major gene (Piper et al., 1985). Four different fecundityX-linked gene, mutations have been discovered but each produced the same phenotype with four different alleles (FecXI, FecXH, FecXG, FecXB ). These are X-linked genes that increase ovulation rates in heterozygotes and cause infertility which might due to streak ovaries in homozygotes. (Davis, 2004) All these mutations can be detected directly by a PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism RFLP (Davis et al., 2002). This study aimed to investigate the presence of the FecB and FecXI mutations in the main two Egyptian sheep breeds (Ossimi and Barki) through DNA studies using both the simple sequence repeats and forced restriction fragment length polymorphysim techniques by screening these two breeds for the presence of the Booroola fecundity genes.

In this paper, development of self-consolidated high strength lightweight steel fiber concrete (SCHSLWSFC) with local materials in the United Arab Emirates is discussed. The experimental investigation consisted of two phases. Phase I dealt with the development to achieve workability, density, and strength targets with different steel fiber percentages. Evaluation of the mechanical properties was conducted in Phase II. Results from both phases showed that volumetric steel fiber percentages up to 0.65% could be used to achieve a SCHSLWSFC mix which has a 28-day compressive strength of 53 MPa (7600 psi) and density of 1950 kg/m³ (121 lb/ft³). Results of the experimental investigation will be presented and discussed.

The Egyptian Bacillus thuringiensis isolate (M5) produce crystal proteins that is toxic against insects was irradiated with UV light to induce mutants. Upon testing 10 of the resulting mutants for their toxicity against cotton leafworm larvae, the three mutants 62, 64 and 85 proved to be the most toxic ones. Upon testing these mutants along with their parental isolate by SDS-PAGE analysis of spores-crystals proteins as well as vegetative cells proteins, new induced bands appeared in the three mutants by UV radiation and also they showed disappearance of some other bands as compared with the wild type isolate. Multiplex PCR technique, with five sets of specific primers, was used to detect the three types of cryI genes cryIAa, cryIAb and cryIAc. Results showed that these three genes exist, as distinctive bands, in the wild type isolate (M5) as well as in mutants 62 and 85, while the mutant 64 had two distinctive bands of cryIAb and cryIAc genes, and a faint band of cryI Aa gene. Finally, these results revealed that mutant 62 is considered as the promising mutant since it is UV resistant, highly toxic against Spodoptera littoralis and active against a wide range of Lepidopteran insects. Keywords—Bacillus thuringiensis, biological control, cry1 genes, multiplex PC, SDSPAGE analysis.

Three Egyptian camel breeds were used in the present study (Sudani, Falahi and Maghrabi). These breeds were identified depending on biochemical and molecular genetic fingerprinting of each breed by using protein polymorphism and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) for mitochondrial DNA. Eight primers were amplified for the detection of genetic polymorphism in these breeds using mitochondrial DNA as template. The results of protein analysis indicated that the least polymorphic breed was Maghrabi (17.4%) followed by Sudani breed (40.9%), while the highest was Falahi breed (41.7%). However, when mitochondrial DNA was analyzed, the highest polymorphic ratio was seen in Maghrabi breed (87.3%), while Falahi (84.3%) and Sudani (84.2%) breeds. The similarity index depending upon combination of protein and mtDNA analyses indicated that similarity values between Sudani and Falahi breeds was 0.53, Sudani and Maghrabi breeds was 0.45 and Falahi and Maghrabi breeds was 0.42. The dendrogram was constructed to show the phylogenetic relationships among the three breeds.

Banana (Musa sp.) is considered as one of the most important fruit crops worldwide as well as in Egypt. The main goal of this study was to construct the open reading frame (ORF) of banana bunchy top nanovirus (BBTV)-DNA-3 that encodes the viral coat protein (cp) gene for banana transformation. The previously sequenced BBTV-G-DNA-3-ORF that cloned into plasmid pH1 was used as a template for PCR amplification using two specific primers containing Bam H1 site. A new plasmid called pRHA1 containing the amplified ORF under the control of maize polyubiquitin (ubi) promoter was created. The bar gene (herbicide-resistance gene as a selectable marker) cassette (bar gene, Cauliflower mosaic caulimovirus (CaMV) 35S promoter and nos terminator) was released from plasmid pAB6 using Hind III-digestion and subcloned into the Hind III-digested plasmid pRHA1 to create the plasmid pRHA2 via the microprojectile bombardment transformation system. The plasmid pRHA2 was successfully introduced in the applied banana cultivar. Leaf painting test was conducted to confirm the expression of the bar gene in the putative transformed banana lines. The presence and expression of BBTV-G-cp gene were also detected using some molecular (polymerase chain reaction and dot blot using a cold DNA probe) and serological (ELISA and western blot) techniques, respectively, in the obtained transgenic banana lines.

Molecular diagnostic tests are commonly used to diagnose avian influenza virus because they are sensitive, rapid and cost effective. However, continuous shift and drift of avian influenza viruses and H5N1 in particular, is a real challenge for development of specific genetic based detection techniques. Furthermore, most of current molecular diagnostic commercial kits rely on the detection of H5 and/or N1 genes without the presence of the M1 gene which represents the most conservative gene in the type A avian influenza viruses (AIV). This enable spread of undetected mutants.In the present investigation we have optimized a primer set for polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based detection of influenza A viruses H5, N1 and M1 genes that was validated with a panel of influenza A virus reference strains representing H5, H7, H9 and H13. Specificity test was carried out by the use of eight type A AN subtypes (H5N1, H5N2, H5N9, H7N1, H7N3, H7N7, H9N2 and H13N6). Results showed that this protocol is capable of produce two distinguished bands represents the H5 and N1 genes in the duplex format. While, it generated three distinguished bands represents the H5, N1 and M1 genes (in the triplex format). Moreover, the specificity test showed that the used primers do not have cross-reactivity with the AN subtypes other than H5N1. In addition, Sensitivity test revealed that the duplex format has a similar sensitivity limit as the triplex one.

In the present study the gene responsible for the degradation of (1,2$ DCE), designated dhlA gene, from the E coli strain HB101 has been introduced successfully into Sphingomonas paucimobolis strain UT26 in order to construct a hybrid biodegradative pathway capable of degradation of both the high and low molecular weight chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbon (HCH) and the low molecular weight ones (1,2$ DCE). The stable transfer and expr ession of dhlA gene into the host strain Sphingomonas paucimobolis UT26 has been confirmed on the molecular level via colorimetric method, Sodium Dodecyle Sulfate$ Polya crylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS$PAGE), and plasm id profile. Moreover, genetic fingerprinting of both the wild type and the transconjugant strains have been carried out via Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD$PCR). Th e promissing genetically improved strain could be used in pulluted ereas of chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons and the system described here could be also used for improvement other Bioremediable strains.

Bacillus thuringiensis produces unique crystalline cytoplasmic inclusion bodies during the process of sporulation. Both spores and inclusion bodies are released upon lysis of the parent bacterium at the end of sporulation and if ingested these spores and crystals act as poisons for certain insects. Therefore, B. thuringiensis is referred to as a stomach poison. Twenty five isolates of B. thuringiensis were tested for the presence of both crystal protein by a microscopic examination and the cryI (Aa) gene using PCR. The microscopic examination revealed that nine of the 25 isolates had the bipyramodial shaped crystal protein, a distinguishing feature of B. thuringiensis, and which is active against insects of the order Lepidoptera. Detection of the cryI (Aa) gene with PCR, using specific primers CJI-1 and CJI-2, revealed that all nine isolates which have crystal protein, also had the cryI (Aa) gene. Screening of these isolates with the cotton leaf worm (Spodoptera littoralis, order Lepidoptera) showed that M5, ATCF and M8 isolates were the most toxic. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Four microsatellite markers were used to investigate genetic variations among and within three Egyptian sheep breeds; Rahmani, Ossimi, and Saidi. The four microsatellites were OARAE101, BM1329, INRA63 and OARFCB20. All markers tested were found to be polymorphic. The total observed numbers of alleles in the three breeds were 5, 7, 12 and 12 for the four markers respectively, while polymorphism information content (PIC) was 0.660, 0.755, 0.574, and 0.847, respectively. The three breeds showed significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The genetic distance test showed that the three breeds had the same cluster of origin but Rahmani showed separate sub-cluster while Ossimi and Saidi are separated together from the other sub-cluster. The average gene diversity was 0.75 for all studied breeds.

Seven microsatellite markers were used to study genetic diversity of three Egyptian (Egyptian Baladi, Barki and Zaraibi) and two Italian (Maltese and Montefalcone) goat breeds. The microsatellites showed a high polymorphic information content (PIC) of more than 0.5 in most of the locus-breed combinations and indicated that the loci were useful in assessing within- and between-breed variability of domestic goat (Capra hircus). The expected heterozygosity of the breeds varied from 0.670 to 0.792. In the geographically wider distributed Egyptian Baladi breed there were indications for deviations from random breeding. Analysis of genetic distances and population structure grouped the three Egyptian goat breeds together, and separated them from the two Italian breeds. The studied Mediterranean breeds sampled from African and European populations seem to have differentiated from each other with only little genetic exchange between the geographically isolated populations.

The present study was carried out to investigate genetic diversity in Nile-Delta and Southern-Egypt buffalo populations in comparison with the Italian buffalo utilizing two microsatellite multiplexes. A total of 104 animals classified into three groups were used, 28, 38 and 38 representing the Nile-Delta, Southern-Egypt and Italian buffalo, respectively. The 15 studied microsatellites were CSSM38, CSSM70, CYP21, CSSM42, CSSM60, MAF65, BM0922, CSSM19, INRA006, ETH02, BM1706, BMC1013, CSSM47, INRA026 and CA004. All studied microsatellites showed allelic polymorphism. Number of polymorphic alleles ranged between 4 alleles (CSSM38, CSSM70 and CYP21) and 11 alleles (CA004). Pairwise Chi-square test for Nile Delta and Southern Egypt showed significant differences in allelic distribution at five loci, CSSM70, CSSM38, BM0922, ETH02 and BM1706. Italian buffalo showed the lowest percentage of observed heterozygotes (65%), while the Southern Egypt showed the highest (71%). Both the Italian and the Delta populations deviated significantly (P<0.05) from HW equilibrium. Italian buffalo is relatively the most inbred population while the Southern-Egypt buffalo is the only outbred population. High level of genetic differentiation (FST estimates) between the Italian group and each of the Delta and Southern-Egypt group (0.083 and 0.076, respectively) was observed while Southern-Egypt group showed a lower level of genetic differentiation with the Delta group (0.014). Italian buffalo had the greatest genetic distance values with the two Egyptian groups (0.25 and 0.23) while much lower values between the Southern-Egypt and the Delta groups (0.06) was observed. Genetic variation between the Italian buffalo and the Egyptian buffalo was detected in 14 (out of 15) microsatellite loci. While a lower level (than that between Egyptian and Italian) of genetic variation between Southern-Egypt and Delta buffalo populations was expressed by 5 loci. It was concluded that the Southern-Egypt buffalo could be considered as distinct population from the Delta buffalo. In addition, Southern-Egypt group, being the only group with non-significant global deviation from HW equilibrium, the most heterozygous, and the only outbred population as well, is expected to respond more favorably to selection.

Reciprocal crossing between three rabbit breeds viz., Flemish Giant, New Zealand White and Papillon was made and the F1 crossbreds were intermated within each genotype and produced the F2 crossbreds. A minimum of 7 individuals per genotype were slaughtered and DNA was isolated. DNA amplification was performed using primers for two identified genetic markers from swine to investigate their association with meat production-related genes in rabbits. Specific-PCR profile analyses revealed two alleles for swine marker SW967 with ML ranged from 63 to 110 bp. The swine marker SW967 affected significantly dressing percentage, dissected side muscle percentage, dissected side bone percentage, dissected side muscle weight to dissected side bone weight ratio and dissected side bone weight occurring in foreleg cut. This work showed the possibility of using genetic markers from swine to improve muscling traits in rabbits through marker assisted-selection.

A highly sensitive spectrofluorometric method was developed for the determination of verapamil hydrochloride (VP HCl) in pharmaceutical formulations and biological fluids. The proposed method is based on investigation of the fluorescence spectral behavior of VP HCl in micellar systems, such as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD). In aqueous solutions of borate buffer of pH 9 and 8.5, VP HCI was well incorporated into SDS and beta-CD, respectively, with enhancement of its native fluorescence. The fluorescence was measured at 318 nm after excitation at 231 nm. The fluorescence intensity enhancements were 183 and 107% in SDS and in beta-CD, respectively. The fluorescence-concentration plots were rectilinear over the range of 0.02-0.2 and 0.02-0.25 microg/mL, with lower detection limits of 5.58 x 10(-3) and 3.62 x 10(-3) microg/mL in SDS and beta-CD, respectively. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of commercial tablets and the results were in good agreement with those obtained with the official method. The method was further applied to the determination of VP HCl in real and spiked human plasma. The mean % recoveries in the case of spiked human plasma (n=4) was 92.59 +/- 3.11 and 88.35 +/- 2.55 using SDS and beta-CD, respectively, while that in real human plasma (n=3) was 90.17 +/- 6.93 and 89.17 +/- 6.50 using SDS and beta-CD, respectively. The application of the method was extended to the stability studies of VP HCl after exposure to ultraviolet radiation and upon oxidation with hydrogen peroxide.

Sixty one camels of approximately same age group belonging to Fallahy, Magrabi, Sudany and Mowaled breeds were used to measure variations in their plasma protein electrophoretic banding patterns by native gel electrophoresis. The electrophoretic patterns between and within the 4 camel breeds revealed the presence of 7 different fractions viz. immunoglobulin, post transferring, (X-globulin, transferrin, beta-globulin, albumin and post-albumin. Specific protein markers for males and females within each breed as well as between camel breeds were observed. Some pairs of breeds were also genetically characterised by specific protein marker.viz, "Mowaled and Falahi", "Sudany and Falahi" and "Sudany and Maghraby" which reflected a relationship between intra-paired breeds. Homogeneity ratios were 10.0, 16.7, 31.6 and 20.8% for Maghraby, Sudany, Falahy and Mowaled, respectively. Genetic similarity estimates varied between 0.81 and 0.88, 0.78 and 0.92, and 0.66 and 0.78 for intra-breed males, intra-breed females and as camel breeds, respectively.

The present investigation was designed to establish a transformation systems for two cultivars of faba bean (cv. G 461 and G 674). In this study, the cotyledons and shoot apex explants of the two cultivars were transformed via Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer. The Agrobacterium strain (EHA101) was transformed by introducing the pBI121 plasmid carrying NPTII and GUS genes, which was produced in a large-scale from a recombinant E. coli. The explants were then transformed by co-cultivation with the recombinant Agrobacterium in VSI liquid medium for 24 and 48 hr. Using microprojectile bombardment, the cotyledon explants and calli derived from shoot apex explants were transformed by shooting with different concentrations of the recombinant DNA plasmid at a distance of 6 cm and 1100 or 1350 psi. The transformants were selected on VSI medium with 100 mg/l kanamycin. The results showed that the DNA concentration of 500 ng/ul and 1100 psi were the most suitable conditions for explant transformation. The transformants were evaluated for the presence of NPTII by PCR and Southern blot hybridization with a DNA probe labelled with 32P, while the expression of the introduced GUS gene was determined by GUS assay.