Simple Summary: Fresh water Nile tilapia can be infected by numerous parasites, which can
result in high mortality and significant economic losses. The early detection of parasites and the
improved control of the major risk factors related to infection are among the main approaches
for controlling infection. Limited information is available on fish parasites in Upper Egypt. The
present study examined the prevalence of parasitic infection among 300 fish samples collected
from different markets in Assiut Governorate, Upper Egypt, using a series of detection techniques,
including microscopic, parasitological, histopathological and morphometric methods. Moreover, the
associations of the demographic factors with the distribution of parasitic infection in Nile tilapia were
also investigated.
Abstract: Fish are a source of high-quality protein with low cholesterol, but they are susceptible to
parasitic infections, which have a significant impact on aquaculture, in addition to their zoonotic
potential. The present study estimated parasitic infections and evaluated the diversity of zoonotic
parasites in freshwater Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in Assiut Governorate, Upper Egypt. A total
of 300 samples were randomly collected from the Assiut Governorate. These fish were examined for
both ectoparasites and endoparasites, followed by the experimental infection of mice with encysted
metacercariae (EMC) for the retrieval of the adult worms. The overall prevalence of the variable
parasites was 82% (246 of 300). Both ecto- and endoparasites were detected in 41% (123 of 300) of the
examined fish. The identified ectoparasites were Gyrodactylus, Dactylogrus, Cichlidogyrus, Trichodina
and Icthyophthirius multifiliis, in 5%, 4%, 22%, 6% and 4% of the fish, respectively. The endoparasites
were trematodes (Orientocreadium batrachoides 3%), nematodes (Contracaecum. 2%), acanthocephala
(Acanthosentis tilapiae 25%) and protozoa that included Isospora and Eimeria spp., in 1% and 8% of
fish, respectively. Myxobolus was detected in 2% of the examined fish. The overall prevalence of
encysted metacercariae (EMC) was 95% (285 of 300), while infection with macroscopic EMC had a
prevalence of 37% and microscopic EMC had a prevalence of 58%. The adult worms recovered fromthe experimental infections were Prohemistomum vivax and Mesostephanus spp., which belong to the
family Cyathocotylidae. Collectively, these findings reflect the relatively high occurrence of parasites
among the studied fish, confirming the necessity of strict measures to control infection

Keywords: Nile tilapia fish; ectoparasites; endoparasites; experimental infections; Upper Egyp

Abstract: As a synthetic analog of codeine, tramadol is often prescribed to treat mild to moderate pains. This study was
designed to estimate and compare the histological effect of tramadol on testes of both juvenile and adult male albino mice. A
total number of 40 healthy male albino mice were classified into two main groups as follows: group I (juvenile group, includes
20 mice aged three weeks) subdivided equally into group Ia (control group received isotonic saline) and group Ib (tramadoltreated
group received 40 mg/kg/d tramadol orally for 30 days); group II (adult group, includes 20 mice aged two months)
subdivided equally into group IIa (control group received isotonic saline) and group IIb (tramadol-treated group). Juvenile
and adult tramadol-treated groups showed numerous testicular changes, including blood vessels congestion, widening of
intercellular spaces, vacuolization in interstitial tissues, luminal germ cells exfoliation, and increased expression of caspase-3
that indicated cellular apoptosis. In the ultrastructural examination, spermatogenic cells degenerated with the frequent
appearance of apoptotic cells. Sertoli cells showed vacuolations, large lipid droplets, and disrupted intercellular cell junctions.
These observed testicular changes were markedly observed in the juvenile group. Testicular abnormalities and apoptotic
changes can be caused by tramadol administration. These abnormalities are more common in juvenile mice.

Abstract: This study compared the cardioprotective action of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and
PUFAs in a rat model of gentamicin (GM)-induced cardiac degeneration. Male Wistar albino rats
were randomized into four groups of eight rats each: group I (control group), group II (gentamicintreated
rats receiving gentamicin intraperitoneally (IP) at dose of 100 mg/kg/day for 10 consecutive
days), group III (gentamicin and PUFA group receiving gentamicin IP at dose of 100 mg/kg/day
for 10 consecutive days followed by PUFAs at a dose of 100 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks), and group
IV (gentamicin and MSC group receiving gentamicin IP at dose of 100 mg/kg/day followed by a
single dose of MSCs (1  106)/rat IP). Cardiac histopathology was evaluated via light and electron
microscopy. Immunohistochemical detection of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), caspase-3
(apoptosis), Bcl2, and Bax expression was performed. Moreover, cardiac malonaldehyde (MDA)
content, catalase activity, and oxidative stress parameters were biochemically evaluated. Light and
electron microscopy showed that both MSCs and PUFAs had ameliorative effects. Their actions
were mediated by upregulating PCNA expression, downregulating caspase-3 expression, mitigating
cardiac MDA content, catalase activity, and oxidative stress parameters. MSCs and PUFAs had
ameliorative effects against gentamicin-induced cardiac degeneration, with MSCs showing higher
efficacy compared to PUFAs.