A comparative study of the toxic effect of ZIF-8 and ZIF-L on the colonization and decomposition of shaded outdoor mice carrions by arthropods.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are promising materials for several applications. Thus, they have been intensively reported and commercialized by several international companies. However, little is known about the fate and risk of MOFs to living organisms. Here, the toxic effect of two Zinc (Zn)-based MOFs; zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF-8) and leaf-like ZIF (ZIF-L), was tested to investigate the impact of the postmortem period of mice carrions and arthropods which found in decomposing carrions. The data analysis revealed an increase in zinc content over time. Toxicology in forensics studies biological materials for the presence of poisons, such as pharmaceuticals. The toxicology report can provide important details about the types of chemicals present in a person and whether the amount of those substances is in line with a therapeutic dose or exceeds a dangerous level. These findings conclude the possible fate and impact after mortality. This study presents the first study of the toxic effect of ZIFs materials using mice carrions and arthropods (Sarcophaga sp. Larvae) via morphological and microscopic studies compared with control, providing important biological information could aid in the environmental impact of the toxic level of MOF materials.

The teratogenic effect of pregabalin on heart, liver and kidney in rats: a light microscopic, electron microscopic and immunohistochemical study.

BACKGROUND: Pregabalin (PGB) was approved as new anti-epileptic drugs with little information about its teratogenic effect. AIM OF THE WORK: to evaluate the developmental toxicity of PGB. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 60 pregnant albino rats were divided into three groups. PGB (500 mg/kg body weight/day) was given to group II, PGB (1250 mg/kg body weight/day) was given to Group III and no medications were given to group I. The pups were normally delivered. Liver, kidney and heart specimens were prepared for histological, immunohistochemical, and morphometric studies. RESULTS: A dose of 500 mg of PGB had minimal toxic effects in the form of mild collagen deposition and moderate positive caspase-3 immunoexpression. PGB dose of 1250 mg/kg induced gross toxic effects in form of degenerated cardiac myofibres, ruptured blood vessels, vacuolations in the renal cortex, fibrosis and strong positive caspase-3 immunoexpression. CONCLUSION: PGB at dose of 500 mg/kg revealed minimal toxic changes. PGB cause embryotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner, as the higher dose induced more degenerative changes.

Thermal Effects on DNA Degradation in Blood and Seminal Stains: Forensic View.

Forensic investigations using DNA analysis have been grown rapidly. Samples retrieved from crime scene may be exposed to different conditions before proceeding. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different grades of temperature and burn on DNA extraction and typing. METHODS: Seven mL of blood and four mL of semen were collected from each volunteer. Effects of temperature grades (100 °C, 50 °C, 37 °C, 4 °C, -20 °C, and burn) on blood and seminal stain were tested. RESULTS: Bloodstains exposed to temperature grades 100 °C, 50 °C, 37 °C, 4 °C, and -20 °C can be identified using preliminary test while burnt blood stain cannot. Seminal stains exposed to temperature grades 37 °C, 4 °C, and -20 °C can be identified by Florence test while those exposed to 100 °C, 50 °C, and burn cannot. Blood and seminal stains exposed to temperature grades 100 °C, 50 °C, and burn show marked reduction in DNA concentration while maximum DNA conc could be recovered from stains exposed to temperature grade temperature. Both blood and seminal DNA was affected only in case of burn without significant difference between THO1 and Amelogenin primers. CONCLUSION: High environmental temperature affect the quantity of extracted DNA from different stains but less effect on the quality of extracted DNA. Burn affects both preliminary test, DNA quantity, and quality in stains.