use of spectrophotometer in indentification of bloodstains: abnormal haemoglobins

The present work was designed to apply an easy as well as low- cost method forboth identification and aging of human blood stains with abnormal hemoglobins. This study was conducted on 68 blood stains. Hemoglobin as well as hemoglobinelectrophoresis were done for the whole blood samples. The remaining of eachblood sample was then spread, in equal amounts, on cotton fabrics, dried atroom temperature, and stored in filter paper envelops. Blood hemoglobincurves were drawn and the alpha ratio was calculated for all the specimens atintervals of 1, 3, 7, 14, 30 and 60 days. There was a significant differencein the mean alpha ratio between subjects with abnormal hemoglobins whencompared with the control group. There was as well a significant negativecorrelation between the mean alpha ratio and time in all the studied groups. The present work showed that an absorption spectrum of a minute speck of bloodcan prove that the substance under examination is blood. Furthermore, therate at which the alpha ratio decreases might be of more value in aging ofblood stains than the alpha ratio itself

Effect of carbaryl and dichlorvos on reproductive system of male albino rats

The current study was designed to assess the toxic responses of dichlorvos and carbaryl on male reproductive system of growing rats Daily doses of 1/100 LD[50] of either insecticides were given by gavage to immature rats for 10 and 15 weeks. Our results revealed that both insecticides have adverse effects on the reproductive system of male rats through: decreased weights of testis, epididymis and accessory sex organs, impairment of sperm cell characters [declined epididymal sperm count, percent of live cells and sperm motility and increased dead and abnormal sperms], the degenerative changes of testicular tissue and alteration of the physiological hormonal balance. Dichlorvos treated rats showed significant decrease in serum concentration of testosterone, FSH and LH, while the effect of carbaryl exposure was restricted to testosterone level alteration. Histological examination of the liver, kidney and testis of the treated rats revealed degenerative changes of hepatocytes, glomerular atrophy, and destruction of seminiferous tubules, respectively. All results were directly proportionate with the period of exposure

study of placental distribution and transfer of lead and cadmium in urban and rural inhabitants

Distribution of lead and cadmium was studied in 10 placentas. Samples were taken from 3 different lobules [central, paracentral and peripheral] and lead and cadmium concentrations were determined. Our results revealed that both metals were distributed uniformly in the placenta as there were no significant differences between the tested samples [P > 0.05].Lead and cadmium concentrations were also determined in homogenized placental samples, maternal blood and umbilical cord blood from urban areas [n = 25] and rural areas [n = 25] in Cairo and Giza. Our results showed that the levels of lead and cadmium in the maternal and umbilical cord blood were significantly higher in urban population than in rural ones. Moreover, the mean lead concentration in the placenta was 1.5 and 2.3 times higher than that in the maternal and cord blood, while placental cadmium concentration was 1.6 and 1.3 times higher than that in the maternal and cord blood respectively. Therefore, it is concluded that the placenta is a suitable material for monitoring environmental lead and cadmium exposure and its placating effect is unable to totally prevent the foetus from exposure to these metals, thus we suggest that the pregnant women should avoid occupations where exposure to these elements is possible especially for urban population which is considered to be high risk group especially for lead exposure

Adverse health effects of gasoline in service station workers

In the present study, the possible relationship between occupational exposure to gasoline and renal, hepatic as well as immunological alterations were investigated. 42 gasoline station workers were compared to 20 administrative workers [controls] regarding their renal functions [urea, creatinine and urinary microalbumin], hepatic functions [total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase -ALT-, aspartate aminotransferase -AST- and serum albumin] and immunological assessment [serum immunoglobulin levels, chemotaxis, phagocytosis and lymphocyte blastogenesis]. The results obtained show a significant increase of urinary microalbumin in the exposed workers, compared to matched unexposed controls. However, no significant changes were recorded in the serum urea or creatinine levels in the exposed group. Serum ALT and AST were significantly higher in exposed in relation to non-exposed workers, meanwhile, no significant differences were observed as regards the serum bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase between the comparable groups. Moreover, our results show that gasoline exposed workers exhibited significant decrease in the tested immunological parameters as compared to the control group. These data point to significant impairment in renal, hepatic and immunological functions by gasoline exposure