Age estimation and sex determination from lumbar vertebral morphometry by magnetic resonance image [MRI]

Estimation of age and determination of sex are very important in forensic medicine. The present study aimed to detect the reliability of age estimation and sex determination based on lumbar vertebral measurements of some Upper Egypt population. Evaluation of the lumbar indices in 121 cases [63 males, 58 females: 26 - 48 years old] was clone. For lumbar vertebrae [L2 and L4], anterior height, central height, posterior height and anieroposierior diameter measurements [H[a], H[c], H[p] and D respectively] were performed by MRI. These measurements were used to calculate the anterior wedge index [H[a]/ H[r] the biconcavity index [H[L]/ H[p]] and the compression index [H[r]/ D]. The values of each of the three indices far both lumbar vertebrae of females were higher than those of the same vertebrae in males. The H[t]/H[p] and H./H[]r] ratios were increased by increasing age for both L2 and L4 In males and females. While, Hp/D decreased with age at L2 and L4 in females only. Regarding to changes in these indices with age, in males for L2, the value of anterior wedge index [H[a]/H[p]] was statistically significant [p

Protective effect of aminoguanidine against cyclosporine induced nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity in rats: histological and biochemical study

Cyclosporine A [CsA] is a potent and effective immuno-suppressive agent used to prevent rejection in organ transplant surgery and autoimmune diseases. Its use is frequently accompanied by nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity. The present study was designed to investigate the possible protective effect of aminoguanidine on Cyclosporine induced nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity in male albino rats. A total of sixty healthy adult male albino rats were used divided into four equal groups in this study. Group I rats served as control treated with distilled water orally only, group II was treated with CsA in a dose of 25mg/kg orally daily for 21 days, group III treated with CsA concurrently with aminoguanidine in doses of 25 and 20mg/kg orally daily for 21 days respectively and group IV was treated with olive oil orally [vehicle for CsA]. Rats were sacrificed 24 hs after last dose, blood, kidney and liver samples were taken. Histopathological examination by light and electron microscopic, immunohistochemistry for active caspase-3 were done. Besides, biochemical measurement; serum nitric oxide level and kidney and liver functions tests were done. CsA oral administration for 21 days significantly increased serum nitric oxide level impaired the renal and hepatic function tests and markedly distorted the renal and hepatic morphology in light and electron microscopic examination. Aminoguanidine administration improved serum nitric oxide level, kidney and liver function tests and preserved renal and hepatic morphological structures. Aminoguanidine has a protective effect against Cyclosporine induced nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity

Postmortem detection of methylphenidate [ritalin] in different tissues and organs of rats

In this study, methylphenidate [Ritalin] was detected and estimated in postmortem specimens at different time intervals after treatment of rats with a single toxic dose of the drug Albino Wistar rats of both sexes were injected with Ritalin I.P in a dose of 170 mg/kg.The animals were then divided into 2 groups. Rats of group A were sacrificed 30 min after injection and those of group B were sacrificed 3 hours after injection. Ritalin was detected and measured in rat tissues immediately after sacrification and after 2 weeks 2, 4, 6 and 7 months of putrefaction. By means of colour tests, the drug was detected in brain, liver and kidney tissues immediately after sacrification in both groups of animals. Also, the drug was detected in the brain tissue of group A after 2 weeks and in the kidney tissue of group B animals after 2 months of putrefaction. The drug was not detected in the heart and muscle tissues of both groups of animals at all postmortem intervals. In addition, thin layer analysis detected the drug in all tissues immediately after sacrification in both group of animals. The concentration of the drug in the brain tissues as measured by high performance liquid chromatography was found to be higher in group A than in group B animals immediately after sacrification and after 2 weeks of putrefaction. Through the whole interval of putrefaction, the concentration of the drug in kidney tissues was higher in group B and in the liver and heart tissues was similar in both groups. It is concluded that ritalin toxicity can be diagnosed by postmortem detection and measurements of the drug concentration in brain, liver, kidney, heart and muscle in a period less than 7 months after death

Identification of sex depending on radiological examination of foot and patella

The present work was carried out to investigate the possibility of the estimation of sex from some radiological measurements among a known cross section of Egyptian population. Lateral and anteroposterior radiographs of the right foot and knee were made on 160 living unfractured and non pathological individuals comprising 80 males and 80 females aged 25-65 years. Two measurements on right patella [maximum height and maximum width] and two measurements of metatarsal bones [length and mid shaft diameter] were used to determine sex by univariate and multivariate discriminant analysis. The study revealed significant sex differences, based on these measurements taken on patella or metatarsal bones. One function associating two parameters [length and mid shaft] of the third metatarsal bone obtained the highest value of correct sex determination with a rate of 100% accuracy. The study suggested that the radiographs of the knee and foot are convenient, rapid, cheap and noninvasive means for estimating sex