Study of the prevalence of some substances of abuse among some injured patients admitted to tanta university emergency hospital

Trauma remains the leading cause of death among young adults, excessive alcohol and drug consumption are not only significant contributors to this epidemic, but are also independent predictors of injury recidivism [repeated trauma]. In the present study one hundred injured patients with different types of injuries were randomly selected from Tanta University Emergency Hospital. Trauma sheet was done for every patient. Ten ml urine was obtained from each patient at the time of admission and before receiving any kind of treatment whether medical or surgical. Then, toxicological screening for some common substances of abuse [cannabinoids, benzodiazepines, opiates amphetamines and barbiturates] were done for every patient by using multi drug panel enzyme immunoassay [EIA] test. Toxicological screening of urine samples of the studied injured patients for drug of abuse revealed that the overall prevalence of positive screen was 50% of the total injured patients. Single substance abuse was reported in 52% of the positive cases for substance of abuse and poly-substances abuse incidence was 48%. Cannabinoids were the most prevalent substance of abuse and was found in 32% of the patients. Benzodiazepines were present in 28% of the injured patients followed by barbiturates 16%, opiates 8% and lastly amphetamines 2%. The majority of drug abusers had accidental and homicidal injuries. Road traffic accidents[34%] followed by violence [28%] are the main causes of injury among studied patients. There was a high prevalence of repeated injury and previous admissions for traumatic injuries among injured patients who were positive for substances of abuse

sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for determination of ABH blood type of semen stains stored under various conditions using anti- p84 monoclonal antibody as a marker of blood group substance in semen

Semen samples were obtained from 42 volunteer donors. The ABO and Lewis blood type of each semen donor were determined by conventional hemaglutination test. ABO blood type of each semen sample was determined by performing a Sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] in which p84 [which is a protein with ABO antigenic activity isolated from human seminal plasma] is captured with an anti-p84 monoclonal antibody. It was found that the concentration of p84 in semen was independent of the secretion status. The status can be determined as non-secretor when p84 but not the individual blood group substance [BGS] activity was detected. To determine the stability of BGS activity on p84, dried semen stains were prepared on 3 filter papers by blotting 100 micro L of semen on each one and allowing them to dry. After that, the first, second and third stains were kept at 2 degree sign, 20 degree sign and 25 degree sign respectively after dividing each one into 4 equal parts where part one,two, three and four of each stain were stored at its corresponding temperature for one hour, one month, 10 months and 36 months respectively. Each part was then cut into squares of different sizes and subjected to the Sandwich ELISA to detect the P84 activity of dried semen stain. After one hour at 20 degree sign and 25 degree sign, 62.29% and 34.42% of the original BGS activity was recovered. However after 36 months at 2 degree sign, 78.68% of p84 activity still remained. So, it could be hypothesized that the temperature affects the detection of the BGS activity on p84 in dried semen stain rather than the duration of storage. BGS activity on P84 could be detected from the pieces of 0.5x0.5 cm2 even after storage for up to 36 months under various environmental conditions. It could be concluded that this Sandwich ELISA offers a sensitive and specific method for determining the ABO blood type of semen samples obtained from sexual assault victims and of dried semen stains kept under various environmental conditions

Prediction of sex and stature of Egyptians by radiographic measurements of metacarpals and proximal phalanges of thumb and index fingers among Egyptians

The purpose of this study is to provide models for discrimination of sex and estimation of stature of Egyptians using the thumb and index metacarpals and proximal phalanges of left and right hands. Standard posteroanterior radiographs were taken from 202 living unrelated Egyptians [102 males and 100 females]. A series of maximum lengths, maximum base, head and mid-shaft widths were obtained from the radiographs of each bone using the computer programs, Corel Draw [Vergin 10] and adobe photoshop [Vergin 7.0 ME]. The functional discriminant analysis for sex discrimination of each parameter has shown that, the maximum basal widths of the left thumb and index metacarpals are the measurements of greatest sex difference as they correctly classified sex by 85.9 and 85% respectively. W hen t he m easurements of each bone were used collectively, the left thumb metacarpal was the bone of greatest sex difference as it correctly classified sex by 87%. In this study stature was regressed on the basis of the selected variable for each bone to derive equations for estimation of stature. The results of this study confirm that the thumb and index metacarpals and proximal phalanges are good skeletal components from which it is possible to discriminate sex and estimate stature

study of changes in sperm mitochondrial electron transport chain [ETC] enzymes activities, ultrastructure and motility among lysergic acid [LSD] users

Lysergic acid diethylamide [LSD] is considered the primary drug that makes up the hallucinogen class. This is the first study to report on the effect of LSD abuse on ultrastructure and electron transport chain enzymes activities of sperms of LSD users. In this study, it was hypothesized that LSD might exert its toxic effects upon sperm cells of its users by affecting sperm mitochondrial function that might have adverse effects on sperm motility and morphology. So, the target of this study was to investigate the relationship between sperm motility and mitochondrial electron transport chain enzymes activities in LSD users. The obtained results showed that semen samples of LSD users [n = 15] have significantly lower sperm motility and lower activities of complexes I, II. III, IV and citrate synthase as compared with those of controls. Moreover, a direct and positive correlation was found in the whole population studied between spermatozoa motility and all the mitochondrial electron transport chain enzymes activities assayed [I, II III, and IV]. In addition the ultrastructure study of sperms revealed that LSD mainly induces degenerated mitochondrial sheath with large cytoplasmic droplets. In conclusion, LSD impairs sperm motility through its direct toxic effect on sperm mitochondria leading to decreased mitochondrial energy production

Testicular injury induced by exposure to electromagnetic field associated with the use of mobile phones: a biochemical and ultrastructural study

The use of mobile phones with the resulting generation of potentially harmful electromagnet fields [EMF] is the focus of public interest. The harmful effect induced by pulsed microwave, currents associated with the use of mobile phones is now considered one of the physical injuries. This study was carried out on 60 male albino rats, divided into prepubertal group [one month old] and young adult group [7 months old]. Each group was sub-divided into control group [6 animals and exposed group [24 animals] the latter was furtherly subdivided equally into 10 minutes exposed group and 20 minutes exposed group according to the duration of exposure to EMF of mobile phone. In this study there were significant increases in the premeiotic testicular enzymes [B- glucuronidase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase] and significant decreases in the post-meiotic testicular enzymes [sorbitol dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase] in the exposed groups as compared to their corresponding control groups. However the young adult exposed groups have shown significant changes in these testicular enzymes whe compared to their corresponding prepubertal exposed groups. The histopathological and ultrastructural studies have shown severe damage of the semineferous tubules and shrinkage in the tubular components of the testis that was more obvious in the 20 minutes exposed groups. After 10 minutes of exposure, the prepubertal group showed thickening and splitting of the basement membrane of seminiferous tubules with seperation of germ cells while ultrastructural examination revealed few spermatogonia with marked apoptotic changes in the form of chromatin condensation, swollen mitochondria with degenerated cristae. There was slight necrotic changes in the form of vacuolizations and active lysozomes in most of germ and Sertoli cells. In the 20 minutes exposed prepubertal group there were: decrease in the diameter of seminiferous tubules with seperation of germ cells away from the basment membrane of the seminiferous tubules, shrunken nucleous of Sertoli cells and abnormal opermatid. Also, there were marked necrotic changes in the germ an Sertoli cells indicated by marked rarifaction of the cytoplasm. However, the young adult exposed groups have shown lesser ultrastructural changes than the prepubertal exposed groups. In conclusion exposure to EMF associated with mobile phones has shown detremintal effect on the process of spermatogenesis particularly before puberty

Estimation of age and sex from radiological examination of hyoid bones in Egyptians

Although cranial and pelvic bones are the preferred skeletal materials used by forensic anthropologists to assign unknown individuals to their most age and sex together with long bones. In the present study the hyoid bone was investigated as another tool for estimating age and sex especially when these skeletal remains are unavailable. There is considerable age variation in fusion of the greater cornua to the hyoid body. Although the proportion of people with bilateral fusion steadily increases with increasing age, many elderly individuals have either unilateral or bilateral nonfusion. Hyoid bones radiographs [n=130] of both sexes were examined. Their ages ranged from 15-75 years for males with mean value of 42.3 +/- 15.40 and from 16-60 for females with mean value of 39.85 +/- 12.41. The radiographs converted into digital images using a high resolution scanner and an image analysis system was used to take a series of certain measurements on each bone. In addition, the degree of fusion of the greater cornua to the hyoid bodies was recorded. The study revealed that non-fusion is more common in men than in women and that no bilateral fusion was recorded before the age of 35 years in either sex. The measurements of the right variables taken from hyoid bones are the measurements of greatest sex difference as they correctly classify sex by 81.5%

sandwich Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for Determination of ABH Blood type of semen stains stored under various conditions using anti-p84 monoclonal antibody as a marker of blood group substance in semen

Semen samples were obtained from 42 volunteer donors. The ABO and Lewis blood type of each semen donor were determined by conventional hemaglutination test. ABO blood type of each semen sample was determined by performing a Sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] in which p84 [which is a protein with ABO antigenic activity isolated from human seminal plasma] is captured with an anti-p84 monoclonal antibody. It was found that the concentration of p84 in semen was independent of the secretion status. The status can be determined as non-secretor status. The status can be determined as non-secretor when p84 but not the individual blood group substance [BGS] activity was detected. To determine the stability of BGS activity on p84, dried semen stains were prepared on 3 filter papers by blotting 100 micro L of semen on each one and allowing them to dry. After that, the first, second and third stains were kept at 2 °C, 20 °C and 25 °C respectively after dividing each one into 4 equal parts where part one, two, three and four of each stain were stored at its corresponding temperature for one hour, one month, 10 months and 36 months respectively. Each part was then cut into squares of different sizes and subjected to the Sandwich ELISA to detect the P84 activity of dried semen stain. After one hour at 20 °C and 25 °C, 62.29% and 34.42% of the original BGS activity was recovered. However after 36 months at 2 °C, 78.68% of p84 activity still remained. So, it could be hypothesized that the temperature affects the detection of the BGS activity on p84 in dried semen stain rather than the duration of storage. BGS activity o P84 could be detected from the pieces of 0.5 x 0.5 cm[2] even after storage for up to 36 months under various environmental conditions. It could be concluded that this Sandwich ELISA offers a sensitive and specific method for determining the ABO blood type of semen samples obtained from sexual assault victims and of dried semen stains kept under various environmental conditions

P53 expression and single strand DNA breakage as a measure of 8-methoxypsoralen and ultraviolet-a radiation [PUVA] induced genotoxicity

The use of Psoralen combined with exposure to ultraviolet - A radiation [PUVA] is a long-term major treatment for a number of skin diseases as well as for controlling graft versus host reaction. Although PUVA treatment is highly effective, careful follow-up cohort studies have shown that it greatly increases the risk for the development of hepatotoxicity, immunotoxicity and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Strategies to reduce the risk of these toxic effects particularly cancer development in PUVA treated population is highly desirable. Because of the complexity of the processes involved in photocarcinogenesis, it is clear that more information particularly regarding its genotoxic effects is needed at cellular and molecular levels in order to develop optimal protection against photocarcinogenic risks related to UVA exposure. In the present study we used single cell gel electrophoresis assay [comet assay] to determine DNA damage, mainly strand breaks and alkali labile sites in the DNA molecule of lymphocytes of 3 groups of persons. Group [1] consisted of 30 patients treated with oral Psoralen while group [2] consisted of 30 patients treated with bath PUVA therapy, each group was then subdivided according to the number of sessions into less than and more than 30 PUVA sessions treated subgroups. Group [3] consisted of 15 healthy individuals served as control. The results indicated that patients treated by oral PUVA for more than 30 sessions have shown significant increase in the percentage of damaged and strongly damaged DNA spots of lymphocytes measured by comet assay as compared to their corresponding values in bath PUVA treated group, while there was insignificant increase in the percentage of damaged DNA spots of lymphocytes from patients treated by less than 30 sessions of oral PUVA therapy as compared to its corresponding percentages in the group of patients treated by bath PUVA therapy. P53 started to accumulate after at least 18 sessions of oral PUVA therapy while in patients under bath PUVA therapy it was not detected until they reached 25 sessions. The intensity of P53 bands increased as the number of sessions increased. The present study documented that, oral PUVA therapy is more genotoxic than bath PUVA therapy especially with cumulative doses. In conclusion, early detection of the genotoxic effects of PUVA therapy could be achieved by detection of DNA damage using comet assay together with the analysis of P53 expression status

Bhang induced immunotoxicity among high school and university students in Egypt

The discovery of specific cannabinoid receptors in the immune system and a family of endogenous ligands of these receptors provides basis for understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of cannabis-induced immunotoxicity. The present study was conducted on 90 non smoker males of high school and university students living in Tanta city of comparable age and socio-economic lifestyle. They were divided into, a control group [30 males] and a bhang user group [60 males], that used bhang by eating its sweetly juice after boiling with little water and drying in an oven, "fola". The bhang group was divided equally into 2 subgroups, subgroup I used bhang for 6-24 months [average 19 +/- 1.2] and subgroup 2 used bhang for 24 to 36 months [average 31 +/- 1.7]. The immunotoxic effects of using bhang appears in the form of significant decrease in serum immunoglobulins [IgG and 1gM], C3 and C4 complement protein concentrations [p<0.05]. In addition, our results demonstrated a significant decrease in absolute number of functionally different subsets of peripheral blood mononuclear lymphocytes, T and B lymphocytes and natural killer cells in bhang users as compared to controls [p<0.05]. Moreover, the fatty acid amide hydrolase [EAAH] showed significant decrease in bhang users as compared to controls and in subgroup 2 as compared to sub-group 1 [p < 0.05] indicating that the decrease in FAAH protein level is closely related to the duration of bhang use. Positive correlations were found between FAAH level and the absolute number of mononuclear cells [T, B lymphocytes and NK cells] among bhang user subgroups. The present study is the first study to report on the effect of bhang on complement proteins and immunoglobulins in humans. Our study revealed that bhang-induced immunotoxicty could be attributed to increased activity of cannabinoid receptors due to decrease in FAAH protein

Evaluation of the toxic effect of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on semen of infertile workers in diesel and engine workshops: a prospective controlled study

The purpose of this study is to prove the toxic effect of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons [PAHs] on semen of infertile workers in diesel and petrol engine repair workshops. Urine and semen samples from 20 male workers exposed to hydrocarbons in diesel and petrol engines repair workshops for at least 2 years were collected. Urinary excretion of urinary 1-hydroxyrene [1-OHP], the most reliable indicator for PAHs exposure, was measured. Semen analysis and annexin -V bioassay were performed for all workers [during exposure and one year after precaution against exposure] and non-exposures [control] to document the toxic effect of PAHs exposure. PAHs exposed males showed six fold increase in 1-OHP excretions as compared to the control group. While semen volume is the same in both groups, there was significant increase in the percentage of non-aggregated sperms between the exposed and the control groups [45 +/- 26.17 and 11 +/- 7, respectively]. There was significant decrease in sperm count [Million / ml] in the exposed than the control group [44.4 +/- 37.79 and 110 +/- 55, respectively]. Asthenozospermia was found either alone or in combination with other abnormalities in 55% of the ejaculates from exposed workers, whereas, it was found alone in only 15% of the control group. Normal forms of the sperms and semen's viscosity were found significantly lower in the exposed group as compared to control group. The mean value of apoptotic sperm cells that have positive annexin-V was 42.5 +/- 14.09, while; the control group has shown no apoptotic sperm cells. Moreover, necrotic sperm cells were significantly increased in semen of exposed workers when compared to semen of control group [5.5 +/- 3.8 and 1.1 +/- 0.05, respectively]. Workers who had longer duration of exposure to PAHs had higher levels of urinary 1-OHP, percentage of annexin-V cells, lower sperm counts, lower motility, increased percentage of aggregated sperms and decreased percentage of normal sperm [r: 0.48, 0.45, -0.74, -0.79, 0.46, and 0.69, respectively]. On the other hand, after one year of precaution against exposure to PAHs all the above-mentioned parameters were spontaneously improved; level of urinary 1-OHP, ejaculate volume, nonspecific aggregate, sperm count, sperm motility, normal sperm form and sperm vitality [2.4 +/- 0.9, 3.5 +/- 1.6, 15 +/- 9.6, 56.5 +/- 30, 55 +/- 15, 60 +/- 25 and 70 +/- 23, respectively]. This study documented the deleterious toxic effect of PAHs on semen of exposed males in diesel and engine workshops that could be reversed by stoppage of exposures. However a study on a bigger number of patients is required to assess the exposure time to induce changes in semen parameters and the time needed for reversal of the toxic effect of the PAHs. Furthermore, longer follow up is recommended to evaluate the fertility of those workers

effect of chronic lead exposure on the course of Schistosomiasis and the protective effect of the antioxidant preparation Antox

In the present study, 80 adult male hamsters were used; 20 of them were divided equally into non-infected non-treated control group and chronic lead exposed group, that was given lead acetate intraperitoneally dissolved in distilled water, 2 mg/kg/day for 7 weeks. Then, two experiments were carried out on the remaining animals. Each experiment [included 30 animals] was divided equally into three groups. Experiment A was carried out on the following groups: Schistosoma mansoni infected group, Schistosoma mansoni infected and chronic lead exposed group and Schistosoma mansoni infected, chronic lead exposed and Antox-treated group. Experiment B was done following the previous design, except that infection was carried out by Schistosoma haematobium cercaria. The study revealed significant reduction in oxidative stress parameters as well as blood and hepatic lead levels and in hepatic 8-oxodeoxyguanosine phosphate level after giving the antioxidant Antox to the Schistosoma infected and chronic lead exposed groups. However, the administration of the antioxidant Antox to Schistosoma infected and chronic lead exposed groups has insignificantly increased all the parasitological parameters

Caspase-3 activity as an early marker of lead-induced immunotoxicity

This study included 80 adult males. They were nonsmokers, non- drug abusers and nonalcoholic and not occupationally exposed to lead. They were divided into four equal groups according to residency and workplace. The subjects in group I were living on the highway and working in the city,those in group 2 were living and working in the city, in group 3 were living and working in the villages and group 4 were living in the villages and working in the city. Mean blood lead level was significantly higher in the subjects who were living on the highway and working in the city [23.8 +/- 5.6 g/dl] as compared with all other groups. Caspase-3 activity showed significant increase in the subjects of the first group [0.305 +/- 0.09] when compared with all other groups. However, the study revealed that as the blood lead level increased than 18.35 g/dl, it showed significant positive correlation to lymphocyte caspase-3 activity

Apoptotic DNA fragmentation and oxidative stress induced by the antioxidant food additive butylated hydroxytoluene in liver cells of sprague Dawley rats: the protective effect of vitamine E acetate

The present study examined and characterized the apoptosis induced by the phenolic lipophilic antioxidant food additive butylated hydroxytoluene [BHT] in liver cells of Sprague-Dawley rats. The role which might be played by lipid peroxides and reactive oxygen species [ROS] in controlling this hepatocyte apoptosis was assessed. Apoptosis was evaluated by DNA fragmentation detected by ELISA programmed cell death technique, which was confirmed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Feeding the animals 0.2% BHT supplemented food for four months resulted in characteristic DNA laddering pattern, thus providing an evidence that apoptosis is the major mechanism of cell death in liver tissues. Furthermore, lipid peroxides levels measured as malondialdehyde [MDA] in liver tissue homogenates and intracellular ROS levels were significantly increased in the 0.2% BHT fed animal group. Feeding the animals 0.4% vitamin E acetate added to the 0.2% BHT supplemented food for four months resulted in improvement of the DNA fragmentation and reduction in the oxidative stress induced by BHT. These findings may further suggest that BHT-induced apoptosis in liver cells is mediated by oxidative stress mechanism

Gonadotoxicity induced by exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in engine repair workshops

This study has documented the gonadotoxic effect of exposure to hydrocarbons in workers of diesel and petrol engine repair workshops as measured by urinary 1-hydroxypyrene [1-OHP], semen analysis study and annexine-V bioassay. Twenty workers exposed to hydrocarbons in diesel and petrol engine repair workshops were included in this study. They showed nearly six-fold increase in 1-OHP excretion [the most reliable indicator for PAHs exposure] as compared with the control group [20 males of the workers' relatives of matched age and socioeconomic standard]. The study revealed a significant correlation between the relative number of sperm cells that expressed PS [annexine-V positive cells] and duration of exposure to hydrocarbons, low sperm count, diminished motility and the urinary 1-OHP levels of the exposed workers. This study recommended biomonitoring of urinary excretion of 1-OHP in workers exposed to hydrocarbons as a screening test and to use the annexine-V binding assay as an early measure of gonadotoxicity induced by toxic exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Phenotyping of peptidase a in hair root sheaths obtained from Egyptian population sample

In this study, peptidase A [pep A] was successfully typed in hair root sheaths obtained from 320 unrelated Egyptian population sample of both sexes using electrophoresis technique. In each case, hair sample was typed first for pep A and confirmed by typing blood from the same donor. Peptidase A activity was found in 300 of the samples and the other 20 samples showed no activity as they had no outer root sheath indicating that enzyme activity was present only in sheath material. Three phenotypes of peptidase A were controlled by two alleles. The most frequent phenotype was pep A1-1, while the least frequent one was pep A2-2. The most frequent allele was pep A*1 with a frequency of 0.806. The phenotypic distribution of peptidase A in the Egyptian population sample was in a close agreement with that predicted by Hardy-Weinberg equation

comparative study of the drumstick

The drumstick is a particular chromatin structure in the neutrophils of various mammalian females. In the present study comparison was done between drumsticks of normal 50 human females and 70 animal females of seven different groups, including cats, dogs, rabbits, albino rats, cows, buffaloes and sheeps, each group consisted of ten animals. Fresh and dried blood films were done and stained for all females. In fresh blood the drumsticks were clearly detected in neutrophils with 3-5 lobes in human and 3-7 lobes in animals. They were formed of a basophilic dense homogeneous chromatin drum, often with central sapce, and attached to one nuclear lobe by a thread-like chromatin stick. There were Only oval and round shapes in all females, and highly significant low drumstick frequency was found in human than in animals but no significant differences were present between human and animal drum diameter and stick length. In dried blood, drumsticks were present after one and two months in some neutrophils with normal nuclei, but without cell membranes. They were identical in structure and shape to those of fresh blood, its frequency could not be estimated, and slight changes occurred in their dimensions. After three months, neutrophils with normal nuclei were completely absent. Lastly it was concluded that drumstick frequency could be successfully used for identification of only fresh human female blood, while its presence is useful for sex identification

morphological study of iris print

This work was done on 500 phenotypically normal individuals from El Gharbia Governorate with healthy eyes, as a sample of Egyptian population, to study the different patterns of iris prints as a new rapid visual recognition method used for personal identification. The irises revealed trabecular meshwork of ridges, enclosing spaces or depressions in-between. The radially arranged ridges in the pupillary zone peripherally joined in certain manners, to form 1-3 arcade tiers ended by a collarette of variable degree of corrugation, which demarcate the pupillary from the ciliary zone. The latter, revealed larger ridges forming larger arcades, in both zones, the arcades enclosed spaces of variable shapes. So many points of comparison were obtained, depending on the collarette shape as well as the differences in the ridge arrangement, direction, apparent length and width, site of branching and number of arcade tiers. Too the differences in depression arrangement, depth, size and shape. Combination of such variables in different manners constitutes distinctive prints, with highly visible patterns and unique minutiae, which are specific for every person. This relatively new biometric has many properties, which enhance its use, as a successful identifying technique for bank security, entrance authorization for restricted areas, Olympic games and replace or supplement personal identification number, passwords and access cards. Additionally, it may be used for positive identification of high-value animal for racing or breeding

Effect of l-methionine pre-treatment on sodium valproate [depakine] toxicity induced fetal growth retardation and skeletal malformations

In this study, the effect of administration of L-methionine on fetal growthand skeletal malformations in Na valproate toxicity was examined. Navalproate were used in this study [200 mg and 600 mg/kg s.c.]. L-methioninewas given at a dose of 70 mg/kg i.p. 30 min. prior to each Na valproateadministration. All injections were given once per day from day 6 ofgestation up to day 21. The viability of the fetuses increased afteradministration of L- methionine particularly prior to 600 mg Na valproate. Moreover, administration of L-methionine improved the reduction in fetalweight and crown- rump length induced by the 2 toxic doses of Na valproate. The most common malformation of Na valproate was spina bifid. However, theincidence of spina bifid, absent mandibular angle and absent upper and lowerlimb ossific centers induced was significantly reduced whenever L- methioninewas administered before each valproate administration

Isoelectrofocusing method for detection of inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor polymorphism among Egyptians

In this study, inter-alpha inhibitor [ITI] phenotypes were demonstrated in 150unrelated Egyptian subjects using isoelectrofocusing on polyacrylamide gelwith subsequent immunofixation and silver staining. Thirteen phenotypes wereobtained in this study controlled by six alleles. The most common phenotypeswere 1/2 and 1/1 with frequency of 0.46 and 0.30, respectively, while the mostcommon alleles encountered in the present population sample were ITI*1 and ITI*2 with the frequency of 0.530 and 0.350, respectively. A rare allele ITI*6 was described with a frequency of 0.013. It was concluded that ITI protein polymorphism is of a great potential value for forensic purposes

ABH grouping of fresh and old dental pulp tissue by elution test

The ABH blood grouping was determined using the pulps of 293 teeth by theelution test. To ascertain whether or not the blood group of the extractedtooth would coincide with the actual blood group of the individual, the bloodgroups of teeth donors were identified by blood examination and used asreference samples. One hundred and twenty seven teeth were examined byelution test in the fresh state immediately after extraction, the remainingteeth [166] were left standing at room temperature and divided according tothe lapse of time after extraction into 3 groups of 49, 51 and 66 teeth to beexamined 1 to 6, 7 to 12 and 13 to 18 months after extraction, respectively. The results revealed that, in all fresh samples, there was completeconcordance between blood grouping results by elution test and those by bloodexamination giving 100% conclusive results. While in dental pulps examinedwithin 18 months after extraction, conclusive results were obtained in 93.9%,92.2% and 97% of samples examined within 6, 12 and 18 months after extraction,respectively