Introduction: Addiction is one of the serious health problems worldwide. In Egypt it is a highly growing health problem . Methamphetamine addiction is one of the most dangerous health issues as it is highly addictive drug and its abuse is strongly associated with severe aggressive behavior and violent crimes. Over the past few years; there is an alarming increase in crystal methamphetamine (Shabu) abuse in the Egyptian market. Aim of the study: To describe the clinical characteristics of crystal methamphetamine (Shabu) abuse and to detect its association with aggression and psychiatric disorders Patients and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study, it was conducted upon crystal methamphetamine abusers attending Ismailia Mental Health Clinic; they were clinically and psychologically assessed by an expert psychiatrist to determine the presence of aggressive behavior, cognitive impairment and mental health disorders. Results:The study was conducted upon 82 crystal meth abusers. Most participants are males with mean age were 27.4 years, the majority of the participants suffered from headache, numbness and tingling. The study revealed that about half of the study participants had severe degree of aggression, more than half of them had severe depression and more than three fourths had moderate and severe anxiety. Conclusion and recommendations: Crystal methamphetamine abuse is a major risk factor of aggression/violence, depression, anxiety and cognitive impairment. We should pay attention towards early detection and proper management of crystal meth abuse.
Background: Personal identification is one of the most important challenges that may face forensic scientists, especially in cases of incomplete, mutilated or even fragmented remains. Stature is one of the primary identification parameters. Previous studies were performed to estimate stature from hand and its corresponding print dimensions using different regression models. These studies highlight the importance of the presence of population-specific standards. The current study aims to develop predictive regression equations that could be used for stature estimation using anthropometric hands and their corresponding print dimensions. One hundred and fifty adult participants were enrolled in the study (75 male & 75 female). Statures were measured, and seven dimensions of each hand and its corresponding print were also measured for each participant . Results: All measurements of the male group were significantly higher. Bilateral significant differences were found in some hands and their corresponding print dimensions in both sexes. According to Karl Pearson's correlation coefficient, all measurements were significantly correlated to stature; "right-hand length" showed the strongest correlation with stature in both sexes, while "right handprint length" in females and "left handprint length" in males showed the strongest correlation with stature. Simple linear regression analysis showed that both hand and handprint lengths in both sides for both sexes had the lowest standard error of estimate, ensuring their lowest prediction error in stature estimation. Conclusion: hand and its corresponding print dimensions can be used in adult stature estimation. Further studies of people of other geographical regions in Egypt are recommended to get a biological-specific Egyptian standard.
Background: Traumatic vascular injuries are a threat to life.Peripheral vascular trauma makes up 80% of vascular injuries and remains the most important cause of many consequences for the victim, ranging from morbidity to disability. Mechanisms of vascular injury are divided into penetrating and blunt injury. Aim of the Study: To determine the pattern of intentional extremity vascular injuries from the medico-legal viewpoint and to assess different degrees of infirmity that result from these injuries. Subjects and Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted on 92 victims with intentional vascular injuries in the Forensic Medicine Authority, Cairo Department, Ministry of Justice, Egypt. Sociodemographic data was obtained from victims. A medico-legal assessment, the fate of injuries, and the degree of the resulting infirmity were assessed by a forensic expert. Results: Male predominance in all age groups was found with a mean age of 33.82 years. Over half (55%) of the victims were from urban areas. Firearms were the most commonly used causative instrument (46.7%) for inducing the vascular trauma. Upper extremity vascular injuries were more frequent (64.1%). The ulnar and femoral arteries were the most commonly injured vessels (29.3% and 15.2%, respectively). There was statically significant association between the gender and each of the injured limb (p<0.05) and side of injury (p<0.002). There was a significant relationship between accompanied injuries and the anatomical location of extremity vascular injuries (p<0.05). Conclusion: The most intentional peripheral vascular injuries were seen in young men, more frequent by using firearm weapons, the upper extremities were more liable for intentional injuries. The ulnar and femoral arteries were the most commonly injured upper and lower vessels, respectively.
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