Comparative Study of the Neurotoxic Effects of Pregabalin Versus Tramadol in Rats.

In Egypt, both pregabalin and tramadol misuse increased in the last decade. Although many studies have confirmed the neurotoxic effects of tramadol, those of pregabalin are understudied. The aim of the study is to evaluate the neurotoxic effects of pregabalin compared with tramadol. Thirty male albino rats were included in this experimental study, and they were randomly allocated into three equal groups: group I (normal saline), group II (tramadol misuse), and group III (pregabalin misuse). All rats received the commenced drugs for 1 month. Open field tests were performed on the day of scarification, and after that, cortical samples were taken for immunohistochemical analysis and quantification of dopamine receptors' gene expression. The drug misuse groups showed a significant decrease in weight gain at the end of the study. Open field testing showed the upper hand of controls regarding all of the tested parameters. Tramadol has a more negative impact on the locomotor parameters compared with pregabalin. Both drugs induced relatively low dopamine-1 receptor (D1Rs) expression to dopamine-2 receptors (D2Rs), mimicking the schizophrenia model. Both tramadol and pregabalin were associated with neurotoxic effects in male albino rats. These effects were less noticed with pregabalin. It is suggested that long-term abuse may end in psychosis.

DNA fragmentation, caspase 3 and prostate-specific antigen genes expression induced by arsenic, cadmium, and chromium on nontumorigenic human prostate cells.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers and the second cause of cancer-related deaths among men. Metals are recognized as chemical carcinogens where chronic exposures to such metals are implicated in the development of cancer, including prostate cancer. This in vitro study demonstrates the relative death sensitivity of prostatic (RWPE-1) cells to arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and chromium (Cr) as environmental pollutants through its apoptotic effects and the effect of these chemicals on prostate-specific antigen (PSA) gene expression as a marker for their carcinogecity. RWPE-1 cells were divided into three groups that were treated with As, Cd, and Cr in three replicates, at three different concentrations for each metal for 48 h. A control group consisted of untreated RWPE1 cells was used. Apoptosis was assessed using comet assay and caspase 3 gene expression; meanwhile, PSA gene expression was evaluated by semiqualitative real-time PCR (RT-PCR). One of the novel findings of this study is that arsenic and cadmium at low concentrations decreased apoptosis of RWPE-1 cells in a concentration-dependent manner while chromium induced significant concentration-dependent increase in apoptosis. Yet, at the highest concentrations, apoptosis was relatively more induced by all chemicals. Arsenic was the most chemical inhibiting apoptosis in RWPE-1 cells at low concentration. While at the moderate and highest concentrations, cadmium was the most inhibiting chemical of RWPE-1 cells' apoptosis. No distinct differences between treated and untreated cells for PSA gene expression were observed. It can be concluded that As and Cd, at low concentrations, can reduce apoptosis of prostatic cells in a concentration-dependent manner while chromium induced it; however, all metal salts used in this study did not induce PSA gene expression.

Homicidal injuries during January and February, 2011 in Mansoura City, Egypt.

Studies dealing with analyzing cases of violence are very important, as these can be prevented to a high percentage. The aim of this study was to analyze the pattern of homicidal injuries compared to other causes of traumatic injuries in the population of Dakahlia province-Egypt during January and February, 2011 through reviewing cases' primary reports. In addition, the present work aimed to document traumatic injuries during the 25th January Egyptian revolution, 2011 in Mansoura City. Reports were reviewed for the available data including age, sex, residence as well as type, site, cause and mode of traumatic injuries. Out of 2270 cases' reports, 63.3% were from the Mansoura University Emergency hospital. Among the cases, 77.4% were males and 54.3% were from rural areas. Assaults (28%) were the 2nd leading cause of injuries preceded by road traffic accidents (29.8%). The commonest reported injuries due to assaults were cut wounds, contusions, firearm injuries and stab wounds while the commonest areas injured were the head, hands and chest. Assault injuries especially firearm injuries were more frequent during and shortly after revolution. Guns which are prohibited by law and other sharp and pointed instruments were freely used, a condition that is highly preventable by enforcing stringent laws.

Dental age estimation in Egyptian children, comparison between two methods.

The need to estimate age of living individuals is becoming increasingly more important in both forensic science and clinical dentistry. The study of the morphological parameters of teeth on dental radiographs of adult humans is more reliable than most other methods for age estimation. Willems and Cameriere methods are newly presented methods. The aim of this work was to evaluate the applicability of using these methods for Egyptian children. Digitalized panoramas taken from 286 Egyptian children (134 boys, 152 girls) with age range from 5 to 16 years were analyzed. The seven left permanent mandibular teeth were evaluated using the two methods. The results of this research showed that dental age estimated by both methods was significantly correlated to real age. However, Willems method was slightly more accurate (98.62%) compared to Cameriere method (98.02%). Therefore, both methods can be recommended for practical application in clinical dentistry and forensic procedures on the Egyptian population.

Ranitidine as an alcohol dehydrogenase inhibitor in acute methanol toxicity in rats.

Methanol poisoning is a hazardous intoxication characterized by visual impairment and formic acidemia. The therapy for methanol poisoning is alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) inhibitors to prevent formate accumulation. Ranitidine has been considered to be an inhibitor of both gastric alcohol and hepatic aldehyde dehydrogenase enzymes. This study aimed at testing ranitidine as an antidote for methanol acute toxicity and comparing it with ethanol and 4-methyl pyrazole (4-MP). This study was conducted on 48 Sprague-Dawley rats, divided into 6 groups, with 8 rats in each group (one negative control group [C1], two positive control groups [C2, C3] and three test groups [1, 2 and 3]). C2, C3 and all test groups were exposed to nitrous oxide by inhalation, then, C3 group was given methanol (3 g/kg orally). The three test groups 1, 2 and 3 were given ethanol (0.5 g/kg orally), 4-MP (15 mg/kg intraperitoneally) and ranitidine (30 mg/kg intraperitoneally), respectively, 4 hours after giving methanol. Rats were sacrificed and heparinized, cardiac blood samples were collected for blood pH and bicarbonate. Non-heparinized blood samples were collected for formate levels by high performance liquid chromatography. Eye balls were enucleated for histological examination of the retina. Ranitidine corrected metabolic acidosis (p = .025), decreased formate levels (p = .014) and improved the histological findings in the retina induced by acute methanol toxicity.