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

Possible teratogenic effects of antiepileptics in albino rats: comparative study between old and new generations: part I

All of the antiepileptic drugs [AEDs] are either known or suspected of being teratogenic. The possible mechanism of teratogenicity is likely to be multiple for the same drug. This is of major concern for all women with epilepsy using these drugs are delicately balanced between seizure control and the adverse effects the AEDs. The use of conventional AEDs eg. Carbamazepine control more than two thirds of the epileptic patients. In recent years, the number of commercially available AEDs has steadily increased eg. lamotrgine and levetiracetam.160 pregnant female albino rats were used in this study. Animals were classified randomly into eight groups; each group contained 20 pregnant female rats. Negative control group received nothing and positive control group received normal saline. Treated groups: each group received either the therapeutic dose or 1/4 LD50 of carbamazepine, lamotrigine or levetriacetam. The drugs were given by gastric tube from 6[th] day up to the 19[th] day of gestation. Teratological evaluation:the fetuses [both living and dead] in each group were weighted their crown rump length measured and morphological examination included: Head size and shape, orofacial development, vertebral column tail and abdomen, umbilicus and external genitalia Maternal findings showed high death rate in 1/4 LD50 of lamotrigine treated group; weight gain was dose dependant with highest effect in the lamotrigine treated groups. The fetal findings showed highest embrolethality and least litter siza in lamotrigine treated groups; while the fetal growth determined by weight gain and crown rumplength was retarded more in carbamazepine and lamotrigine treated groups than in levetiracetam treated groups. The morphological findings revealed that the highest percentage of congenital anomalies were in the dose of 1/4 LD50 of lamotrigine followed by carbamazepine and levetiracetam. The AEDs are potentially teratogenic and in utero exposure can increase the risk of adverse outcomes in off springs born epileptic mothers. The new AED lamotrigine caused gross fetal retardation even in therapeutic dose. Levetiracetam caused growth retardation in the therapeutic dose more than carbamazepine in the corresponding dose although it had the best effect on maternalparameters. As regard the congenital anomalies lamotrigine was the safest durg in the therapeutic dose

comparative histological and biochemical study on the use of vitamins C, E and alpha lipoic acid either separately or in combination on acute hepatic toxicity with malathion

Malathion is one of the most popular organophosphorous insecticides. Free radical damage is an important direct or indirect factor involved in malathion poisoning. The objective of the present study was to estimate the role of vitamin C, vitamin E and alpha-lipoic acid either individually or in combination, in amelioration of acute hepatic toxicity induced by malathion. Sixty adult male albino rats were divided into six equal groups. Group iserved as control. Group 2 received malathion [1000 mg/kg body weight] once orally. Group 3 received malathion+ vit.C [200 mg/kg] once i.p. Group 4 received malathion+ vit. F [150mg/kg] once i.m. Group 5 received malathion+ alpha-lipoic acid [25mg/kg] once i.p. Group 6 received malathion+ vit. C+ vit.E+ aipha-liopic acid. Animals of all groups were sacrificed after 24 hours. Histological examination of the liver was performed. Biochemical assay of superoxide dismutase [SOD] activity and total thiols as antioxidant indices, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TBARS] as an index of lipid peroxidation [oxidative stress indices], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alanine amino transferase [ALT], total protein, albumin and globulin as liver function tests was done. Light and electron microscopic examination of liver of group 2 exhibited foci of altered cells with dense nuclei and vacuolated cytoplasm, mononuclear cell infiltrations in portal areas, electron lucent areas in the cytoplasm of the hepatocytes, marginaton of nuclear chromatin. Biochemical analysis showed a significant increase in the serum levels of SOD, total thiols, TBARS, AST, ALT, total protein and globulin as compared to control. Treatment by any of the antioxidants variably reduced the hepatic structural changes induced by malathion, while combined treatment resulted in a significant degree of recovery. There was significant decrease in serum levels of all biochemical parameters when treated with one or combination of antioxidants [vitamin C, F or u lipoic acid]. Combination of the previous antioxidants could be used as helpful therapeutic line in treatment of acute hepatic toxicity with malathion rather than their use separately

Effects of sodium fluoride on embryogenesis of albino rat offsprings II. myocardial toxicity

Fluoride is often found in drinking water, so that ingestion of drinking water containing high concentration of fluoride is the main source of human environmental exposure worldwide.Also it occurs in foods, minerals, soils and air. So far, little information is known about the teratogenic effects of sodium fluoride on the development of species. A study was conducted on the influence of sodium fluoride [NaF]on the development of patho-morphological changes in the heart of albino rat offsprings. Three groups of adult albino rats [one male and four females] each were exposed orally to 18mg/kg of sodium fluoride in drinking water for three month. Also, one control group [one male and four females] received distilled water for the same period. By the end of exposure period, one exposed male and two females were isolated and kept in a separate cage to allow mating. Vaginal smears were taken and examined to ensure pregnancy. At 20 days of gestation, the female abdomen was opened and the whole fetuses were examined grossly for the presence of any abnormalities or birth defects then fixed in Bouin's fixative. Sagital sections were made after fixation representing the thoracic region and stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin stain then processed for histopathological assessment by light microscopy. Marked edema, hemorrhage and septal defects in rat hearts offsprings were observed grossly. Sodium fluoride induced pronounced changes on the vasculature expressed by severe dilatation of blood vessels in the thoracic region. Moreover, necrosis of the tunica intima and dystrophic calcification were observed in exposed groups compared to controls. Interstitial myocardial edema expressed by the presence of vacuoles and blue precipitation were observed. Nucleomegaly of the smooth muscle fibers as well as swelling of the myocardial fibers were also observed. In the endothelial cells lining some blood vessels were grown and projected into the lumen forming papillary folds. These observations suggest that sodium fluoride induced marked vascular and myocardial changes and could be toxic to myocardial cells

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

postulated protective role of lacidipine and verapamil against cyclosporin A-induced nephrotoxicity and its relation to P-glycoprotein expression in rat kidney

Cyclosporin-A [CsA] has markedly improved the results of transplantation and its use is extended to include autoimmune and primary renal diseases. However, the major limitation of its use is its nephrotoxicity. P-glycoprotein [P-gp] is a transmembrane efflux pump for hydrophobic, potentially toxic compounds, including CsA. CsA has been shown to increase P-gp expression in tubular and endothelial cells. Aim of Work: The aim of the present study was to elucidate the protective effect of the calcium channel blockers lacidipine and verapamil against CsA-induced nephrotoxicity and the relation of this protective effect to P-gp expression in rat kidney. This study included 7 groups, each containing 7 rats: oral saline group. intraperitoneal [IP] saline group, CsA [25 mg/kg/] group: rats received CsA IP for 14 days, lacidipine [1 mg/kg/d] group: rats received lacidipine orally for 17 days, concomitant lacidipine and CsA group: rats received lacidipine for 3 days and concomitant with CsA for another 14 days, yerapamil [0.1 mg/kg/d] group: rats received erapamil i.p for 17 days and concomitant verapamil and CsA group: rats received verapamil for 3 days and concomitant with CsA for another 14 days Serum creatinine, histopathological and immunostaining for P-gp for rat kidneys were done for all rats. This study revealed that CsA significantly raised serum creatinine, produced vacuolization and necrosis in tubular cells and increased P-gp expression. Kidneys treated with lacidipine alone revealed no significant changes biochemically and histologically. When lacidipine was given with CsA, it significantly protected the kidneys against CsA-induced nephrotoxicity and increased expression of P-gp in kidneys. Verapamil alone caused mild nephrotoxicity in the form of vacuolization and increased serum creatinine level. It also inhibited P-gp expression in rat kidneys. Verapamil given with CsA significantly ameliorated CsA nephrotoxicity and decreased P-gp expression. lacidipine had protective effect against CsA nephrotoxicity more than verapamil. Hemodynamic effect is the main effect and moreover, lacidipine may protect via P-gp over- expression