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A 3 × 2 factorial experiment was designed to evaluate the effect of different ratios of fish meal (FM): sunflower meal (SFM) with or without exogenous xylanase supplementation on growth, feed utilization, digestive enzymes activities, apparent digestibility, intestinal and liver morphology and chemical composition of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Three isonitrogenous (329.80 g/kg of crude protein) and isoenergetic (18.46 MJ/kg gross energy) experimental diets were formulated as SFM1 (FM:SFM = 2:1), SFM2 (FM:SFM = 1:1) and SFM3 (FM:SFM = 1:2) based on protein content. Each diet was supplemented with 0 or 0.5 g/kg of exogenous xylanase and was fed to triplicate groups of twelve fish (with initial weight, 1.31 ± 0.02 g) for 84 days. After 84 days of feeding period, the highest weight gain, specific growth rate, protein efficiency, protein productive value and the best feed conversion ratio were recorded in fish fed either SFM1 or SFM2 supplemented with exogenous xylanase. Whereas lowest growth performance was recorded in fish fed SFM2 and SFM3 un‐supplemented with xylanase. The highest activities of chymotrypsin, trypsin, lipase, amylase, alkaline phosphatase and cholecystokinin were observed in fish fed SFM1 and SFM2 diets supplemented with xylanase. The highest ADCs of dry matter, protein, lipid and digestible energy were recorded in fish fed SFM1 and SFM2 diets supplemented with exogenous xylanase. Supplementation of exogenous xylanase improved muscularis mucosa thickness, height of mucosal folds and enterocytes of intestinal fish. Addition of exogenous xylanase increased the calcium and phosphorus retention. Results of this study indicated that the addition of exogenous xylanase to diet containing high inclusion level of sunflower meal improved growth, digestive enzymes, nutrient digestibility, histological morphometric of liver and intestine and nutrient retention.

River Nile Damietta branch The present study was carried out at El-Kanater El-Khayria & Talkha stations, Damietta branch of the River Nile. The concentrations of heavy metals (iron, zinc, copper, cadmium and manganese) in water and their accumulations in organs (muscles, gills, liver and kidneys) of Oreochromis niloticus fish were determined seasonally during year 2016. Also, the histopathological alterations in the same organs of selected fish samples were studied during the same year. The obtained results showed an increase in heavy metals concentrations in water collected from investigated area and these concentrations followed an abundance of: Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu > Cd. These metals accumulated in some organs of the studied fish and caused histopathological alteration in these studied organs. The histopathological alteration included degeneration, necrosis, edema, hemorrhage, hemolysis, hemosiderin, parasitic forms and hyperplasia in selected organs. Those changes were observed in all studied organs at the two stations during the period of study with severe degree at Talkha station during hot seasons. So, it is necessary to treat the polluted water before its discharging into the Damietta branch to protect fish and human beings from the dangers of pollution.

Background: This study was conducted to assess the therapeutic effect of Myrrh on Diethylnitrosamine (DEN)induced hepatocarcinogenesis (HCC) in male albino rats. Methods: Fifty male albino rats were divided into five groups (10 rats each). Group 1 (control group) received distilled water. Group 2 (positive control) was injected intraperitoneally with DEN (55 mg/kg b.w) twice a week for two weeks, while group 3 (DOX) received doxorubicin i.p (10 mg/ kg b.w) after concomitant with DEN twice a week for four weeks. Groups 4 and 5 received a low dose of Myrrh (250 mg/kg b.w) and a high dose of Myrrh (500 mg/kg b.w) respectively daily for four weeks after the induction with DEN. The sera were used to estimate the liver enzymes (ALT, AST, and ALP), Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and Tumor necrosis factor-ἁ (TNF-ἁ). Also, the liver tissues were collected to determine the oxidative stress markers in addition to the histopathological and immunohistochemical investigations. Results: The results showed that the induction of DEN causes a significant increase in the level of liver enzymes (ALT, AST, and ALP), AFP and TNF-ἁ as well as produce oxidative stress indicated by increasing of malondialdehyde (MDA) with the reduction in TAC and glutathione (GSH). Meanwhile, there are noticeable histopathological lesions with loss of hepatic architecture. This was accompanied by a significant increase of immunohistochemical markers; Caspase-3, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1), and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) percentage area. The treatment of DEN rats with DOX reduced the alterations in most parameters. A marked amelioration of all parameters in a dose-dependent manner of Myrrh to the values almost near to those of the control group. Conclusion: Our data revealed that Water extract of Myrrh (C. molmol) has a potential therapeutic effect in attenuation of HCC induced DEN.

Background The identification of semen stain is one of the most common human stains that can provide crucial information for crime scene reconstruction and forensic investigation. In sexual assault cases semen identification helps to prove victim’s allegations it also provides a material for DNA analysis that generate the genetic profile of the alleged suspect. The rapid Stain Identification of Human Semen (RSIDTM-Semen) bioassay is designed to detect specifically the presence of human semenogelin. Test development is completed within 10 minutes and can detect as little as 2.5 nL of human semen and it does not cross-react with other human or nonhuman tissues. The detection protocol can be completely integrated into the procedures for DNA extraction and analysis. Aim To assess the efficacy of RSIDTM – Semen strip test for the detection of human semen under some different variables (different fabrics, different time intervals and mixed with vaginal secretions) in order to be used in the routine forensic work of sexual assault cases and for further personal identification. Methodology: Semen samples were collected from four male participants. Vaginal specimens were collected from four female participants on cotton, linen or nylon-tipped swabs (2 swabs from each female). Each semen sample was divided into two portions; one used for semen only test group and the other mixed with vaginal secretions for the mixed test group. One of the fabrics tipped vaginal swab was mixed with semen for the mixed test group and the other used as a positive control group to test the sensitivity and specificity of the RSIDTM – Semen strip. The semen samples were deposited over different fabrics at the same time. All the samples were left to dry for 15 minutes at room temperature then extracted and analyzed according to the protocol designed for The Rapid Stain Identification Test (RSIDTM – Semen). The collected samples were studied as two test groups and one control group. Each of the previous groups, was categorized into 4 subgroups (a, b, c and d) according to the time interval of semen extraction (zero (on the spot), 2, 4, 6 and 10 days respectively). Results Semen could be identified in 100% of tested samples of the semen only group as well as of the combined semen and vagina group over cotton and linen fabrics at all the different tested time intervals. However, semen extracted from nylon fabric was identified in tested samples of the semen only group and of the combined semen and vagina group only at zero time only and couldn’t be identified at the rest of tested time intervals. Conclusion the current study evidenced that the new RSIDTM-semen kit is a reliable method for semen identification over different types of fabrics even in the presence of vaginal secretions. It also resists environmental factors up to 10 days.