Estimation of stature from some cephalo-facial measurements and percutaneous length of rith ulna and tibia in egyptian sample

Estimation of stature is considered as an important parameter in medic o-legal examinations. When highly decomposed, mutilated dead bodies or gragmentary remains are brought for postmortem examination, it becomes difficult to identify the deceased. The aim of the present study was attempts to develop a formula to estimate the stature of an individual using five cephalo-facial dimensions and percutaneous length of right ulna and tibia in Egyptian sample. All measurements were taken from 300 healthy individuals' [150 males and 150 females] ranging in age from 18 to 30 years. The subjects were randomly selected mostly from Al-Azhar Medical Faculty students and staff and other personnel who lived in great Cairo. Five cephalo-facial measurements and percutaneous length of right ulna and tibia were taken on each subject. The results indicated that, all the cephalo-facial measurements are strongly and positively correlated [p<0.001] with stature. The measurements of the cephalic region have strong positive correlation with stature than those of facial region. There was also a statistically significant positive correlation between stature and right ulnar and tibial lengths. The highest correlation coefficient was found with tibial length [r=0.915] in males and [r=0.951] in females. The regression analysis also showed that the cephalic dimensions and right tibial length exhibit lower values of standard error of the estimate [SEE] than those of facial dimensions and ulnar length in both sexes suggesting that the prediction of stature from the cephalic formulae that obtained from this study were checked for their accuracy and reliability not only in the sample which was originally used for making these formulae but also in another sample was taken from other cities in Egypt [Tanta and Assiut]. The difference between the mean actual stature and mean estimated stature ranges from 0.471 to 1.048 cm in males and from 0.354 to 1.669 cm in females. In conclusion, the calculated linear regression formulae also hold true for the Egyptian population from different cities in Egypt

Variability of fingerprint ridge density and pattern types in a sample of Egyptians and its application in sex determination

Fingerprints are highly individualistic and forms the basis of personal identification in forensic examinations. The aim of this research is an attempt to study the sex differences using fingerprint ridge density in Egyptian population and to determine the predominant fingerprint pattern and gender distribution among Egyptian population. The present study was done on 200 randomly picked ten-print cards representing 200 subjects, 100 males and 100 females, age ranged from 16 to 47 years. The samples were obtained from the files of the Egyptian Police Department located in Cairo-Egypt. The ridges were counted in the upper portion of the radial border of each print for all ten fingers and mean value was calculated. The results have shown that, significant sex differences were observed in the fingerprint ridge density. Females have a significantly higher ridge density than males [P<0.001]. The statistical analysis of LR [C/CI] showed that, fingerprint possessing a mean ridge density of 12 ridges /25 mm or less is most likely to be of male origin. Likewise a fingerprint having a mean ridge density of more than 13 ridges /25 mm is most likely to be of female origin. The most frequent fingerprint pattern was ulnar loop [52% in males and 54% in females] followed by whorl [39.6% in males and 38.3% in females] in this Egyptian population, while arches [plain and tented] and radial loops were least frequent pattern. There was a statistically significant difference between males and females as regards fingerprint pattern in little, index and thumb fingers [P<0.01][P<0.05] respectively. However, there was no statistically significant difference between males and females as regards ring and middle fingers. From the present study we conclude that, Egyptian females have greater ridge density than males and the most frequent pattern among Egyptian population is ulnar loop which showed sex difference in little, index and thumb fingers. The result of this study is significant and can prove to be an important tool for the forensic experts and law enforcement authorities

Induction of pancreatic thiol proteins by zinc protect against diabetogenic, oxidative and histological changes produced by arsenic toxicity in rats

Recent studies reported that, chronic arsenic exposure is always associated with an increase in the prevalence of diabetes mellitus. It is recognized that arsenic contributes to oxidative stress in several organs and systems including the islets of Langerhans through generation of reactive oxygen species [ROS]. So the current study was undertaken to elucidate the possible role of zinc as an antioxidant in the protection against diabetes mellitus induced by arsenic. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were given sodium arsenite daily at a dose of 1.5 mg/kg by gavage for 60 consecutive days. Another group of rats were injected I.P with zinc chloride 20 mg/kg for 2 days with one day interval, then was given sodium arsenite at a dose of 1.5 mg/kg by gavage every day for 60 consecutive days. Blood samples and pancreatic tissue specimens were collected from all the tested groups at the end of the experiment for biochemical evaluation and histological examination. The level of both thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TBARs] and nitric oxide [NO] were significantly elevated in arsenite treated group as compared to control group. Hyperglycemia, hyper-insulinemia and low insulin sensitivity was observed. The activity of pancreatic thioredoxin reductase [TrxR] was lower than control group. Also, the levels of metallothionein [MT] and total glutathione [GSH] in pancreas increased significantly relative to the control group indicating the presence of stress and oxidative damage, respectively. Histological sections of pancreas of arsenic treated rats showed that a large number of islets were shrunken with low number of islet cells .The number of beta-cells decreased relative to the total islet cell number compared to control. Pre-treatment with zinc chloride before arsenic administration reversed the previous biochemical parameters and histological changes. The pancreatic TBARs and NO are reduced compared with arsenite treated group. Significant decrease in glucose level and decrease the level of insulin with increase insulin sensitivity was observed. Also pre-treatment with zinc resulted significant increase in the activity of TrxR, levels of MT and GSH. Zinc chloride prevented the reduction in beta-cell and islet cell number. Also it could restore the normal morphology of the islets. The current results clearly indicate the beneficial effects of zinc chloride in both controlling hyperglycemia and the protection of the pancreatic islet cells against oxidative stress in diabetes through induction of thiol proteins which may help setting a new direction toward the development of effective treatment of diabetes mellitus