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Diffusion Mri Characterization Of Paranasal Sinus Masses, Fatma Elsayed Ali, Doaa Khedr Mohamed, Mohamed Magdy El-Rakhawy

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background: In ordinary clinical practice, a number of nasal cavity lesions, both neoplastic and non-neoplastic, are often seen. Because diffusion-weighted MRI imaging (DWI) captures the random migration of water protons, it provides superior characterization of tissues and their physiological processes. Therefore, the current study's goal was to use echoplanar DWI to classify malignant and non-malignant sinonasal lesions.

Methods: Fifty patients with paranasal sinus masses who were sent to Mansoura University Hospitals' Diagnostic Radiology Department for radiological examination, including a traditional MRI procedure, were included in this prospective research, Diffusion Weighted Images (DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC). The final diagnosis …

Clinical Outcomes Of Anticoagulant Therapy In Cirrhotic Patients With Benign Portal Vein Thrombosis, Dalia Elsayed Tawfik, Muhammad Abdulaty Diasty, Aya Ahmed Elboghdady, Hatem Abdel Wahab Elalfy

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is among the recognized vascular complications encountered in cirrhotic patients and may significantly influence disease progression and survival. The clinical course of PVT differs according to its etiology, particularly when hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is absent. This study was designed to assess the outcomes of benign portal vein thrombosis in cirrhotic patients.

Methods

This prospective observational study enrolled 18 cirrhotic patients diagnosed with non-malignant portal vein thrombosis. All participants underwent comprehensive clinical evaluation, laboratory investigations, and radiological assessment. Severity of liver disease was determined using the Child–Pugh classification and MELD score. Radiological imaging was utilized to …

Serum Magnesium Level And Carotid Artery Calcification And Stiffness In Dialysis Patients: Single Center Cross-Sectional Study, Kareem Ahmed Elbosaty, Alaa Abd Elaziz Sabry, Gehad Ahmad Saleh, Nehal Atef Elshabrawy

Mansoura Medical Journal

Introduction Vascular calcification is common among end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on regular dialysis, either hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. Magnesium is suggested to play a role in inhibiting that process. Recently, Mg started to be considered one of the factors that protect against vascular calcification and consequently decrease CVD mortality rate in CKD patients. Many recent studies support that role although the mechanism of that protective effect is not clear. But it is supposed to be a combination of both passive and active mechanisms. The passive one occurs through interference with calcium phosphate deposition and hydroxyapatite inhibition by phosphate binding. …

Evaluation Of Clinical Efficacy And Safety Of Topical Trifarotene Versus Topical Dapsone In Inflammatory Acne Valgaris: Split Face Interventional Study., Shaymaa E. Elmongy, Aya Mohammed Elsebaie, Azza Osama Alqurei, Noura A. Elseessy

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background: Topical Trifarotene and Dapsone both treat inflammatory acne, but they work differently and have distinct side effects.

Objective: to compare efficacy and safety between topical trifarotine 0.005% versus dapsone 5% gel for treatment of mild to moderate inflammatory facial acne vulgaris.

Methods: This split face interventional study included twenty (20) patients with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris. All the patients were treated with topical trifarotine cream 0.005 once daily at night thin layer on RT side of the face and treated with topical dapsone gel 5% once daily at any time of the day thin …

Serum Zinc Levels In Children With Complicated Community Acquired Pneumonia: A Case-Control Study, Eslam Elhendawy, Angi Alwakeel, Shimaa R. Hendawy, Amal Osman

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background Zinc performs an important part in maintaining proper immune function, and its deficiency has been connected to an increased risk of severe respiratory infections. However, there is limited data on serum zinc concentrations in children suffering from complicated community-acquired pneumonia (cCAP), particularly within the Egyptian pediatric population. Objectives This study aimed to evaluate serum zinc levels in children diagnosed with severe cCAP in comparison to healthy controls and to assess the diagnostic effectiveness of serum zinc levels in distinguishing children with cCAP. Methods This study included 100 children with severe cCAP and 100 age- and sex-matched healthy controls enrolled …

Evaluation Of Sodium Butyrate As An Anti-Fibrotic Agent In Experimental Schistosomiasis Mansoni Infection, Rania Eladl Hassan, Manar Ezzelarab Ramadan, Nora Ibrahim Aboulfotouh, Ramy Ahmed Abdelsalam Sallam, Basma Hamed Othman, Soha Ibrahim Awad

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background: Schistosomiasis is a prominent neglected tropical disease that is caused by Schistosoma mansoni, and it is characterized by granuloma formation, which advances to hepatic fibrosis and serious liver damage. The standard medication is praziquantel (PZQ), but it has minimal effect on larvae and no effect on fibrosis which is a main pathological feature in schistosomiaiss. So, new alternatives were suggested, such as sodium butyrate (SB), which is a fatty acid salt with medicinal qualities.

Objective: This study investigated the anti-fibrotic effect of sodium butyrate (SB) in a mouse model of S. mansoni-induced liver immunopathology using …

Study Of Serum Zinc And Copper Levels In Type 2 Diabetic Patients With And Without Nephropathy, Hayam Elmetwally, Ahmed Almenshawy, Alaa Sabry, Rania Bahriz

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background: Diabetic Nephropathy (DN) is one of the most important microvascular complications of Diabetes mellitus (DM). The purpose of this study was to look at how changes in serum zinc and copper levels relate to the incidence of diabetic nephropathy in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: The type of the study is an observational case-control study. This observational case control study was conducted over a period of one year and included 90 adult subjects. Subjects were categorized into three equal parties. Patients without nephropathy who had type 2 diabetes were included in Group I (n=30) . Patients …

Intelligence Quotient In Egyptian Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Yomna Sh. Abdrabouh, Zeinab A. Gomaa, Mohammed A. Elwasify, Ibrahem H. Elkalla

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects cognitive functioning in children, yet evidence remains limited in Middle Eastern populations regarding comprehensive IQ evaluation and associated clinical characteristics. This study aimed to assess verbal, non-verbal, and total IQ in Egyptian children with ADHD and examine their associations with sociodemographic, developmental, educational, and clinical factors while identifying factors associated with IQ classification.

Methods: A cross-sectional observational study enrolled 150 Egyptian children aged 6-12 years diagnosed with ADHD according to DSM-5 criteria with IQ above 80 at Mansoura University Hospital from February 2022 to October 2023. Intellectual functioning was evaluated using the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale, …

Short Term Outcome Of Endovenous Microwave Ablation For Treatment Of Small Saphenous Vein Incompetence: A Single Center Experience, Diaa M. Elawady, Mohamed Shetiwy, M Farag Kamel, Tamer Khafagy

Mansoura Medical Journal

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of using Endovenous Microwave Ablation (EMA) to treat primary small saphenous vein (SSV) incompetence.

Methods: The study was conducted on consecutive limbs with primary SSV incompetence confirmed by Duplex study and had CEAP clinical class C2–C6, between February 2024 and July 2025 at a tertiary referral center. Patients were treated with EMA using the ECO Microwave System Co (Nanjing, China). Primary endpoint included technical success whereas secondary endpoints included post-procedural complications and VCSS changes.

Results: A total of 23 patients and 24 limbs were included. Technical success was achieved in all patients. During …

Coexistence Between Ci And Feminization Inducing Symbionts: A Theoretical Perspective, Dylan Thorp

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Endosymbiotic bacteria that manipulate the reproduction of their host are abundant in arthropods. Theoretical efforts to model these bacteria have seldom included symbionts that feminize their hosts, and those that do have assumed an environmental sex determination system. Here, I expand upon other theoretical works to model the dynamics of a host population with an XX/X0 sex determination system that contains separate CI and feminization inducing symbionts. I found that coexistence cannot occur without double infection, consistent with previous models. However, I also found that without double infection, the presence of the feminizing symbiont can facilitate the spread of the …

Evaluation Of Tactile Cueing Embedded In An Aviation Headset On Pilot Altitude Control, Nicholas D. Wilson, Jessica Van Bree, Matthew Cleveland, Sunny Charakuru, Thomas Petros, Richard Ferraro, Kouhyar Tavakolian

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

This study evaluated the effectiveness of tactile cueing integrated into a pilot’s headset on pilot altitude control during simulated instrument conditions. Pilots typically rely on visual and auditory inputs to maintain situational awareness, but in high-workload or instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), these channels can become overloaded. One underutilized alternative for alerting is a tactile cueing apparatus. Using an X-Plane simulation of a Piper Archer equipped with a G-1000 avionics suite, 39 FAA-certified pilots flew two precision approaches. The experimental group (n = 20) received haptic cues via ear seal-embedded tactors when deviating from assigned altitude or glideslope. The control group …

Construction-Phase Leed Compliance In Egypt: Development Of A Rule-Based Expert System For Contractor Decision Support, Mohamed R. Ahmed, Atef A. Ragab, Sameh Y. Mahfouz

Mansoura Engineering Journal

This study develops a rule-based expert system implemented in Python to support contractors in achieving LEED BD+C: New Construction v4 certification during the construction phase in Egypt. The research identifies and validates construction-phase obstacles affecting LEED compliance through a structured questionnaire targeting building contractors in Egypt. The questionnaire process was conducted in two stages: a pilot survey was used to screen and refine the initially identified obstacles, while the main survey was used to validate the practical relevance of the retained obstacles within the Egyptian construction context. In parallel, the study analyzes construction-phase prerequisites and credits relevant to contractors through …

Element-Based Predictive Modeling Of Hydrothermal Liquefaction Bioproducts Derived From Corn Stover, Isamu Umeda, Meicen Liu, Yi Zheng, Jiefu Wang, Zhiwu Wang, Sandeep Kumar

Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

The hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) process offers an energetic advantage over pyrolysis because it does not require prior drying of the biomass feedstock. However, there are significant challenges in simultaneously estimating both the yields and characteristics of products from the HTL of biomass with theoretical support. This study developed a unique element-based kinetic model to predict the yields, higher heating values, and fuel characteristics of solid residue and heavy bio-oil, based on the temperature, residence time, solid loading, and elemental composition (C, H, N, and O) of corn stover. Furthermore, the model predicted the weights of dissolved carbon and nitrogen in …

Harnessing Activated Sludge For The Treatment Of Hydrothermal Liquefaction Wastewater: A Proof-Of-Concept Study, Cyrus Li, Jiefu Wang, Meicen Liu, Yi Zheng, Sandeep Kumar, Isamu Umeda, Chandan Mahata, John Norton

Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Although hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) is the leading technology in converting wet biomass into bioenergy, the treatment of its toxic-laden aqueous phase wastewater presents a major challenge on its path toward commercial viability. This study presents the first-ever assessment of sewage sludge-fed HTL wastewater (SS-HTLWW) treatment and toxic compound removal using municipal activated sludge (AS) by optimizing its cultivation condition. It was found that AS with optimized pretreatment can remove up to 91.2% of the soluble chemical oxygen demand (sCOD) in SS-HTLWW, of which up to 82% can be attributed to biological mineralization and adsorption of sCOD by AS. Conventional bioprocess …

Chesapeake Bay Water Clarity: Challenges And Successes, Jessica S. Turner, Carl T. Friedrichs, David B. Parrish, Kelsey A. Fall

OES Faculty Publications

The Chesapeake Bay is a large estuarine system spanning multiple jurisdictions and serves as a model for estuarine health worldwide. Historically, nutrient loading degraded water quality, prompting the need for regulation. Water clarity, one component of water quality, is vital for benthic communities and serves as a key indicator of overall ecosystem health. Here, physical resuspension and salinity gradients, nutrient and sediment inputs, production of organic detritus by phytoplankton, and benthic communities all interact to drive clarity patterns, with high spatial variability. Trends over the last 50 years show improvement, though with a temporary increase in organic detritus in response …

A Tale Of Two Microbialities: Stromatolites And Microbially Induced Sedimentary Structures, Nora Noffke, Stanley M. Awramik

OES Faculty Publications

Microbialites are biosedimentary structures built by microbial mats. Five microbialite groups are distinguished: stromatolites, thrombolites, dendrolites, leiloites and microbially induced sedimentary structures (MISS). This contribution discusses the two most abundant microbialite groups in marine settings, stromatolites and MISS. Microbial interactions with clastic sediment are very similar in both stromatolite and MISS formation. However, in stromatolites, syngenetic carbonate production caused by photoautotrophic and heterotrophic metabolisms and by calcimicrobes also takes place. More so, carbonate may precipitate within the extracellular polymeric substances. Due to the various carbonate forming processes as well as recrystallisation, the microscopic mat fabrics within stromatolite laminae are rarely …

Microbial Mats In Dinosaur Ichnocoenoses, Nora Noffke, Paul C. Murphy, Roger C. Buntin, Martin G. Lockley

OES Faculty Publications

Until now, the significance of microbial mats in preservation of dinosaur tracks and in reconstructing the palaeoenvironment in which dinosaurs roamed was rarely studied. Dinosaur tracks are commonly found close to ancient aquatic bodies where moist sediment had once allowed footstep registration. At such sites, epibenthic or endobenthic microbial mats may have developed as well and may have led to exquisite track preservation. Microbial mats in coastal, lacustrine or flood plain environments cause 'microbially induced sedimentary structures—MISS', which are micobialites found in sandy or evaporitic settings. The microbial structures record environmental parameters including meteorological conditions that existed at the time …

Recirculated Submarine Groundwater Discharge Dominates Nutrient Inputs And Enhances Eutrophication Risk In A Coastal Lagoon, Júlia Rodriguez-Puig, Clara Ruiz-González, Marc Diego-Feliu, Irene Alorda-Montiel, Aaron Alorda-Kleinglass, Daniel Romano-Gude, Andrea G. Bravo, Júlia Dordal-Soriano, Javier Gilabert, Sophia Bergeler, Celine Lavergne, Gemma Casas, Marisol Manzano, Jordi Garcia-Orellana, Valentí Rodellas

OES Faculty Publications

Submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) is a widely recognized pathway for nutrient transport to coastal systems. Prior studies overlook the unique biogeochemical signatures of different SGD pathways, neglecting their differences in biogeochemical transformations and spatiotemporal factors. Here, we present an integrated assessment of nutrient delivery through three SGD pathways (fresh SGD, long‐scale recirculated SGD, and short‐scale porewater exchange), alongside surface water inputs, to evaluate their seasonality and impact on nutrient dynamics in a coastal lagoon. We conducted five field surveys in March, July, and November 2021, July 2024, and March 2025 in the Mar Menor lagoon, an ecosystem facing severe ecological …

Modeling Upper Ocean Ecosystem Dynamics In Response To Interannual Sea-Ice Variability In The Western Antarctic Peninsula, Catherine R. Czajka, Jessica S. Turner, Sharon Stammerjohn, Heather H. Kim, Oscar Schofield, Benjamin T. Saenz, Scott C. Doney

OES Faculty Publications

In the Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP), marine plankton dynamics are tightly linked to the interannual variability in environmental conditions, including phenological shifts in sea-ice seasonality. To explore these linkages, we use a 1-dimensional vertical ocean-ice-ecosystem model (KPP-Eco-Ice, or KEI) that simulates physical and ecosystem conditions at a continental shelf mooring location in the Palmer Long Term Ecological Research program sampling grid. KEI allows for year-round examination of the ecosystem in a region where in situ observations on the shelf are limited to January. Comparisons are made between seasonal sea-ice retreat, mixed layer depth, primary productivity, and phytoplankton relative abundance, grazing, …

Unintended Consequences Of Estuarine Management Within The Trajectory Of Recovery: Examples From The Chesapeake Bay, Jessica S. Turner, Fei Da, Molly M. Mitchell

OES Faculty Publications

Estuaries are vital ecosystems that support biodiversity, human populations, and economic activities such as fisheries, aquaculture, and tourism. Managing estuarine systems often involves interventions to regulate sediment and nutrient inputs with the goal of improving water quality, and subsequently the economic values of the estuary. However, these management strategies can produce unintended consequences. The Chesapeake Bay is an estuary recovering from eutrophication which provides clear case studies for these patterns. In the Chesapeake Bay, decreased sediment inputs, resulting from shoreline stabilization and watershed modifications, can impair marsh resilience to sea level rise and disrupt sediment-light-algal interactions affecting water clarity. Likewise, …

Aquatic Macrophytes As Nature-Based Solutions: Challenges And Opportunities Across Inland And Coastal Waters, Morgan Botrel, Roxane Maranger, Lindsay L. Trottier, Mathieu Cusson, Lars L. Iverson, Fanny Noisette, Christian Nozais, Katrine Turgeon, Andrea Bertolo, Thibaud André-Alphonse, Simon Bélanger, Arthur De Grandpré, Jean-Olivier Goyette, Sabine Hilt, Ladd Johnson, Valérie Langlois, Martin Laporte, Félix Lauzon, Brigitte Légaré, Anne Ola, Marie-Pomme Presne-Poissant, Matthieu Prugne, Caroline Susini, Richard Zimmerman

OES Faculty Publications

Macrophytes are foundation species whose use as nature-based solution (NbS) in aquatic ecosystems can help reduce climate change impacts while mitigating biodiversity loss. The discrepancy in research and application of macrophytes as NbS across inland and marine coastal ecosystems is an opportunity to expand the concept and learn from different approaches. We report on an initiative uniting marine and freshwater scientists that compared knowledge on macrophytes as NbS across realms, identified advances and gaps in their use, and synthesized challenges and opportunities for application. We conducted a bibliometric analysis and an expert participatory exercise around recent review papers. We reveal …

Microplastics Suppress Copepod Grazing Of The Harmful Algal Bloom-Forming Dinoflagellate, Alexandrium Catenella, Megan Ladds, Christopher Gobler

OES Faculty Publications

While harmful algal blooms (HABs) are prominent occurrences in coastal zones where microplastic concentrations are maximal, the manner in which microplastics may influence food webs and HABs is poorly understood. This study explored how polystyrene microplastics affected copepod grazing of the saxitoxin-synthesizing harmful dinoflagellate, Alexandrium catenella, as well as a non-toxic dinoflagellate, Gymnodinium aureolum. Experiments were performed using multiple densities of microplastics (250 – 10,000 mL^–¹) of differing sizes (4 and 10 µm), as well as multiple densities of microalgae in microplates. The addition of 10 µm microplastics at densities of 1000 – 10,000 beads mL^{– …}

Independent And Interactive Effects Of Stack Height And Heel Width On Spatiotemporal Parameters, Knee Joint Kinetics, And Ground Reaction Forces During Running, Hao Cai

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This study investigated the independent and interactive effects of stack height (SH) and heel width (HW) on lower-extremity biomechanics during running. Specifically, the study examined how variations in midsole geometry influenced spatiotemporal parameters, knee joint kinetics, and ground reaction forces (GRF). Twelve recreational runners (8 males, 4 females) completed treadmill running trials at 16 km/h under nine shoe conditions that systematically varied in SH (25, 45, and 65 mm) and HW (81, 93, and 105 mm). Lower-extremity kinematics were collected using a Theia3D markerless motion capture system, and GRF data were recorded using an instrumented treadmill. A two-way repeated-measures ANOVA …

Influence Of Footwear Geometry On Lower Limb Stiffness During Running, Hongjiao Duan

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This study examined how footwear geometry, specifically stack height and heel width, influences lower-limb stiffness during treadmill running. Twelve recreationally active runners completed treadmill running trials at 4.44 m/s in nine prototype shoe conditions that differed in stack height (25, 45, and 65 mm) and heel width (81, 93, and 105 mm). Vertical stiffness, leg stiffness, and sagittal-plane hip, knee, and ankle joint stiffness were calculated from synchronized markerless motion capture and force data. A two-way repeated-measures ANOVA (stack height X heel width) was used to test footwear effects. Leg stiffness was not significantly affected by stack height or heel …

Impact Of Tactical Breathing On Marksmanship And Cognitive Function After Anaerobic Fatigue In Law Enforcement Personnel, Jackson D. Gilleland

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Background: Tactical breathing is commonly used in law enforcement training to regulate stress, yet limited evidence exists regarding its acute effectiveness following physical fatigue. Purpose: To examine whether a brief tactical breathing intervention improves shooting performance and heart rate variability (HRV) following anaerobic fatigue in law enforcement officers. Methods: Thirty-eight officers completed baseline HR/HRV and a shoot/no-shoot scenario, followed by a maximal 500-m row and post-fatigue shooting. Participants were assigned to either a control group or a tactical breathing group, which received brief instruction and coaching before post-testing. Results: No significant between-group differences were observed for A-zone accuracy, shot time, …

Assessing Climate-Driven Shifts In Floral Resource Availability For Bees On Barrier Islands In The Southeastern U.S., Hannah Brown

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Climate change can alter the timing of bee and angiosperm phenology, potentially reshaping the seasonal availability of floral resources for bee species. Although plant-pollinator phenology has been widely studied in temperate systems, less is known about these dynamics in subtropical coastal ecosystems, such as barrier islands in the southeastern United States. In this study, we examined climate-driven changes in bee activity and floral resource availability across 16 barrier-island sites spanning from Florida to Virginia. Using museum bee occurrence records, herbarium-derived flowering phenology models, site-specific floristic inventories, and published bee-plant interaction data, we estimated species-specific bee activity periods and daily floral …

Comparison Of 2000-Meter Row Prediction To Measured Vo2peak During Gxt, Andrew S. Ashley

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

BACKGROUND: Aerobic capacity is essential for the performance of military personnel and first responders. Traditionally, graded exercise tests (GXTs) with metabolic gas analysis have been the criterion-referenced method for assessing aerobic fitness. However, treadmill running and cycle ergometers may not fully reflect the whole-body demands required in tactical environments. Rowing-based assessments and the currently commercially available VO2max prediction formula are widely used across tactical organizations as practical field measures, and most tactical operators are considered inexperienced rowers, which has been minimally examined. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to compare measured VO2peak from a rowing GXT with estimated VO2max …

Assessing The Diversity And Composition Of Crayfish Assemblages In The Ogeechee River Basin, Reginald Turner

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Crayfish assemblage composition in the southeastern United States is understudied relative to other aquatic taxa, such as aquatic insects and fishes, and the Coastal Plain watersheds of that region are particularly underrepresented in the contemporary literature on this topic. For example, although 38% of the crayfish species in Georgia are considered “species of greatest conservation need,” most of the distributional data used to make these designations are outdated, with some dating back over 50 years. This thesis sought to update our understanding of the contemporary distributions of crayfish species within the Ogeechee River Basin (ORB), a watershed in southeastern Georgia …

Examining Firefighter Perceptions Of Stress And Recovery Across A Shift And Engagement In Recovery Activities, Nathan T. Ebersole

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The occupational demands of firefighting, such as fire suppression and rescue tasks, working in hazardous conditions, inconsistent sleep patterns, and exposure to traumatic events, can lead to work-related injuries, burnout, and feelings of isolation. To date, there is limited research on the impact of a single work-shift on firefighter perceptions of stress and recovery and the recovery activities that may influence these perceptions. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a single work-shift on firefighter perceptions of stress and recovery status as well as the recovery activities firefighters choose to engage in. Forty-three firefighters across …

Sexual Dimorphism In The Immune Defense Mechanisms Against A Systemic Bacterial Infection In The Cat Flea (Ctenocephalides Felis), Ashley Lynch

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Fleas defend against infection through the activation of both humoral and cellular innate immune responses. Previous research in female cat fleas demonstrated increased immune activity following a systemic bacterial infection. However, comparable data for males and sex-based comparisons are limited. In this study, we investigated differences in innate cellular immune responses between male and female cat fleas following systemic infection with Gram-negative Escherichia coli. Bacterial load was quantified using colony-forming units 24 h post-infection. Immune function was assessed via phagocytic index and capacity. Survival and total circulating hemocyte counts were evaluated across infected, sterile-injected, and untreated groups. Male fleas …