Asphalt contains a complex mixture of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This work aimed firstly to assess the dermatotoxic and carcinogenic risk associated with chronic PAHs exposure, and secondly to investigate the causal relationship between PAHs exposure and cancer through studying the effect of PAHs on apoptosis. This effect was studied by examining the expression pattern of P53, Bax and Bcl-2 apoptotic proteins in skin specimens from road paving workers. The study was conducted on one hundred and fifty two male subjects classified into 122 asphalt fumes exposed workers (tested group) and 30 non exposed workers (control group); careful skin examination and skin biopsies were obtained from all participants after written consent. Biopsies were examined histopathologically and immunohistochemically. SPSS version 15.0 was used for statistical analysis. Results showed that 71 (58.19%) PAHs exposed workers had erythema, itching, excoriations, chronic dermatitis, chemical keratosis, keratoacanthoma (KA) and nine (7.38%) exposed workers had squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Imunohistochemically, wild type P53 was significantly higher in epidermal keratinocytes of PAHs exposed normal uninvolved (non lesional) skin (t=0.51, P=0.04) and mutant type P53 was significantly higher in SCC cases (t=4.79, p=0.003) when compared with control. A significant increase in Bax expression was observed in all asphalt exposed workers when compared with the control (t=2.73, P=0.03). A significant decrease in Bcl-2 expression was noted in PAHs exposed un-involved skin (t=2.49, P=0.047) while none of the 9 tested SCC cases were positive for Bcl-2. It could be concluded that chronic exposure to PAHs fumes in asphalt workers may increase the risk for developing dermatotoxic and/ or cancer through disturbing apoptosis. Although PAHs exposure can disturb P53, Bax and Bcl-2 apoptotic protein, more extensive researches on other factors involved in controlling apoptosis as Bcl-xl, Caspase family and Fas are to be undertaken.
Smoke inhalation injury is associated with high incidence of pulmonary complications as it represents a major cause of mortality after major burn injury. Burn is associated with release of inflammatory mediators which ultimately cause local and distant pathophysiological effects. The present study investigated the effect of smoke inhalation or\and burn injury on the antioxidants status in the lungs in a rat model to simulate an inhalation injury as might be encountered by firefighters and burn victims. Seventy five rats were equally randomized to five groups: Sham group, smoke inhalation injury group, burn group, sham burn group, and smoke burn group. At the end of the exposure protocol rats were killed by cervical decapitation and the lungs were removed completely and processed for histopathological and biochemical analysis by measuring lung antioxidant enzyme activities: Malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPs) level, as an index of lipid peroxidation. Grossly, results showed that rats´lungs in the smoke inhalation group and the smoke burn group showed multiple hemorrhagic spots. Light microscopic examination showed localized and diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. Two rats in the burn group had evidence of pneumonia and lung abscesses. Biochemically, results showed that both smoke inhalation and burn injury significantly elevated lung MDA and glutathione peroxidase levels when compared with controls. The combined smoke and burn group resulted in a more significant rise in both antioxidant levels indicating a higher level of lipid peroxidation. SOD level was significantly lowered on exposure to both conditions when compared to control. SOD level was significantly lower in the combined injury group when compared to either smoke or burn alone. In conclusion; the above data provide evidence that inhalation injury with and without burn decrease tissue antioxidant capacity and increase tissue peroxidative injury.
Sex and stature identification from different parts of the body help in solving crime mysteries related to human identity. Estimation of stature becomes equally important along with other parameters like age and sex. The aim of this study was to determine whether foot length can be used in accurate sex and stature identification among people sample from Upper Egypt or not. The study was conducted on one hundred and twenty healthy Egyptian subjects from Minia city; 67 males with age ranged from 22-40 years and 53 females with age ranged from 20-38 years. Foot length and stature were accurately measured for each case by right angle triangle and weight and height scales indicator (health care provider). The collected data were statistically analyzed. The results showed that males had significantly greater mean value for foot length than females. Correct sex can be predicted from foot length with 90% accuracy. For all subjects; foot length showed strong positive correlation coefficients with stature. Males had slightly higher but moderate correlation coefficients than females. A regression formula was designed to calculate stature for Egyptians. It was concluded that foot length could be relied on to determine sex and stature accurately among Egyptians.
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