Reaching a postmortem diagnosis of hypothermia is challenging in forensic practice. Therefore, this study was conducted to detect the histopathological, histochemical and biochemical changes that occur in adult albino rats following exposure to induced fatal hypothermia. Twenty-four adult albino rats were divided into the negative control, moderate hypothermia, severe hypothermia and hypoxia groups. Rats in the control group were euthanized when those in the moderate hypothermic group died. Blood samples were collected via heart puncture, and the cerebrum, heart, suprarenal gland, kidney, liver and skeletal muscle were removed to investigate the biochemical, histochemical and histopathological changes. Postmortem assessment depicted significant changes in lipid peroxidation, represented by increased malondialdehyde levels in the studied organs of the rats in hypothermic and hypoxia groups. Histopathological examination of the rats' organs revealed degeneration and necrosis in the hypothermia and hypoxia groups. Sections taken from the severe hypothermic rats revealed a loss of normal cardiac tissue architecture, necrotic changes in the pyramidal cells in the cerebral cortex, and massive necrosis, mainly in the tubules of the renal cortex and medulla. These findings suggest that histological changes might be used as biochemical markers for postmortem diagnosing of fatal hypothermia, particularly in severe hypothermic conditions.
KEY POINTS• Death by hypothermia is a serious public health problem worldwide.• Confirming a diagnosis and determining the cause of death in cases of hypothermia are among the most difficult practices in forensic medicine. • Death by hypothermia might be associated with structural abnormalities in various organs. • Studies using different tissue staining techniques will enable an overall illustration of the role of histopathological changes in body organs as indicators of hypothermia.
Introduction: Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is utilized to enhance appetite and there is rising solicitude that MSG has a role in the evolution of hepatic disturbances. Propolis has been notified to have a considerable role in the amelioration of hepatic toxicity. Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the protective effect of propolis on hepatotoxicity induced by MSG. Materials and methods: Forty-eight male rats were divided into four equal groups (Gp). GpI was served as a control, GpII was treated orally with propolis (90mg/kg bw) and GpIII was treated with MSG (97 mg/kg bw). GpIV was treated with MSG and propolis in the same doses as GpII and GpIII. All agents were administrated orally once daily for 6 weeks. Then, rats were sacrificed and blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis. Liver tissues were harvested for histopathological and histochemical examinations with determination of oxidative markers. Results: The results showed that the levels of ALT, AST, and ALP significantly augmented in MSG-treated rats whereas serum albumin level significantly declined. Rats' exposure to MSG increased oxidative parameters; malondialdehyde (MDA) in the tissue, in parallel with decreased antioxidant enzymes levels as well as histopathological damages in the hepatic tissue. The administration of propolis highly mitigated the hepatotoxic influences of MSG based on biochemical and histological alterations. Conclusion: In summary, the study obviously indicates that MSG-induced hepatic toxicity could be protected by propolis administration and such beneficial properties could be attributed to the polyphenolic compounds present in these natural products.
A survey was conducted on a sample representative of the entire Beheira governorate to identify high-risk areas of vitamin A deficiency [VAD] and assess xerophthalmia prevalence. The study also tested the reliability of a household cluster survey for assessing xerophthalmia prevalence. A trained ophthalmologist examined 10, 664 children. The results showed that VAD was present in the region, but did not appear to be a public health problem. Ocular signs of VAD were more prevalent among older children, suggesting an improvement in socioeconomic conditions and health care over the past few years. The household cluster survey appeared to be a reliable method for assessing xerophthalmia prevalence in the region
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