Sexual dimorphism in Egyptians' ribs

The right 4th cartilages of 116 Egyptian cadavers [82 males and 34 females, mean age = 41 +/- 19] were examined radiographically to elucidate the sex differences in the pattern of calcification. The study showed 2 patterns of calcification which were either marginal or central. The marginal pattern was observed in 45.1% of the male specimens and 5.9% of the female specimens with predictive value for male sex equal to 94.9%, while the central calcification pattern was observed in 47.1% of the female specimens with 100% predictive value of female sex. The samples were divided into 3 groups; young group [age < 30 years], old [>/ 30 years] and total [combined] group. Direct osteometric measurements including superior-inferior [SI] height and anterior-posterior [AP] breadth were obtained from the sternal end of the right fourth rib and analyzed by means of stepwise discrimination function analysis. It was found that the accuracy sex determination varied from 58.93% [51.4% and 73.7% for males and females, respectively] in the young to 87.5% [90.9% and 80% in males and females, respectively] in the old group and 79.81% [74.3% and 91.2% for males and females, respectively] in the combined total group

Potential definition of the time of death from postmortem autolytic changes in human sweat glands

This study demonstrates postmortem autolytic alterations in the morphology of sweat glands at cellular and subcellular levels and identifies parameters which may contribute in determining the time of death. Serial skin samples were obtained from the ventral surface of the arms of 30 corpses at intervals of 3, 6, 9 and 12 hrs after death to be compared with seven antemortem normal skin samples that served as controls. Examination was carried out using light microscopy [for haematoxylin and eosin, PAS stained sections and toluidine blue stained semithin sections] and electron microscopy. Electron microscopy proved to be useful for identifying alterations which were found to be specific for each of the considered chronologic stage. Appearance of chromatin clumping, decrease in secretory granules and glycogen content were evident 3 hrs after death. Increased lipofuscin granules was observed 6 hrs after death. Changes in cell membrane appeared 9 hrs after death, while degenerative changes in the nuclei and nuclear membrane occurred 12 hrs after death

Enhancement of bleomycin induced cytoggenetic damage in blood cultures after griseofulvin therapy

Griseofulvin [GF], a naturally occurring food contaminant and a widely prescribed cheap and effective antifungal drug, was tested for its potential mutagenicity using the conventional cytogenetic method to assess the frequency of chromosomal aberrations [CA] in the cultured blood cells of GF treated patients receiving the drug in a dose of 12.5 mg/kg/d. Fourteen patients complaining of Tinea capitis and corporis were divided into two groups according to the duration of therapy [four to six weeks and eight weeks]. Ten healthy control subjects of matched age and sex, who did not receive GF served as blood donors for bleomycin [BLM] tests. It might be considered as a co-mutagen, when there is concomitant exposure of patients receiving GF therapy for a long duration to any radiomimetic agent, as GF amplified their cytogenetic damage. The study recommended the integration of bleomycin test for chromosomal fragility with other cytogenetic assays during the evaluation of the genotoxicity of any chemical agent, as it reflects its possible interaction with any radiomimetic agent

Computer-based methods for accurate bite mark analysis

The study was carried out on 24 adult male volunteers, who were asked to make experimental bite marks [each in his forearm]. Full arch rubber base impressions were taken for the upper and lower jaws and accurate mould of the bite mark lesion was obtained using light and heavy body rubber base impressing materials. Then casts were created by pouring the impressions with dental stone. The overlays were produced using computer-based method by direct scanning of the study casts, computer-based method by direct image capture using digital video camera, hand tracing of the casts, xerographic imaging of the casts and radiopaque wax impression method. Surface area and rotation of the biting edges of the anterior teeth corresponding bite mark lesions were measured and compared. The computer-based method was determined to be the most accurate representative of the biting edges of the teeth as evident from the highest correlation coefficient yielded between the biting teeth and the corresponding bite mark lesion regarding the surface area and rotation

Peroxidative damage and cancer colon risk in animals fed repeatedly heated cotton seed oil

The present study was conducted experimentally to assess the potential health hazards of ingesting repeatedly heated frying oil. Ten male albino rats were fed rodent chow containing 20% [w/w] of either fresh or repeatedly heated oil for three months. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance concentrations [TBARS] were significantly higher in repeatedly heated oil samples compared to fresh oil samples. Feeding rats with repeatedly heated oil resulted in significant increase in heptosomatic and nephrosomatic indices with significantly higher serum levels of alkaline phosphates activity and urea creatinine as compared to those fed with fresh oil indicating to nutritional hepatic and renal cellular impairment

Histopathological and ultrastructural changes in opiate-related deaths

This study was carried out to highlight histopathological and ultrastructuralchanges in livers, kidneys and lungs of 35 opiate related fatalities. Thestudy also included a comparative study of ten accidental fatalities ofhealthy subjects served as controls. The study revealed that causes of deathin the selected series of autopsy were opiate intoxication [57%], violence[suicide, homicide or accidental, 17%] and medical complications [26%] aspneumonia and acute renal failure. The mean concentrations of morphine inblood were 20.5 +or- 3.7, 2.8 +or- 0.94 and 3.36 +or- 1.1 ug/dL in the threegroups, respectively. Light microscopic examination of the liver revealedcentrilobular sinusoidal dilatation with thickening of perisinusoidal wall andvenular wall in all cases of opiate abuse. However, in the lung, evidence ofpulmonary edema was observed in 86% of the cases with intraalveolar red bloodcells and birefringent materials and siderophages were present in 93% of thecases. Examination of renal tissue showed histologic signs of toxic acutetubular necrosis in 20% of the cases, while other cases showed evidences ofmembranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. Electron microscopic examination ofliver sections revealed that ultrastructural changes may occur as a result ofeither sinusoidal dilatation secondary to terminal hepatic vein damage or adirect cellular effect of the drug causing perisinusoidal fibrosis