Human exposure to cadmium (Cd) may induce severe effects in different organs. Recent studies suggest that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are closely involved in the pathophysiological mechanisms of Cd-related diseases. This study evaluated the use of lncRNA (ENST00000414355) as an expression signature of Cd exposure and assessed its ability to modulate DNA damage and apoptosis by measuring the expression of ATM serine/threonine kinase (ATM) and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) in Cd-exposed workers. A total of 139 (74 non-smokers and 65 smokers) participants from a Cd battery manufacturer were included in the study. Venous blood samples were collected to determine the blood Cd level and detect blood ENST00000414355 and its target gene (ATM) using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Mitochondrial membrane potential was used to assess the Cd effect on mitochondrial permeability. Our results indicated a significant positive correlation between blood Cd level and lncRNA-ENST00000414355 and ATM expression and a significant negative correlation between blood Cd level and ΔΨm ( p < 0.0001). Moreover, significant correlations were observed between the expression of lncRNA-ENST00000414355 and ATM expression and ΔΨm ( p < 0.0001). Statistical significance was found in the blood Cd level, lncRNA-ENST00000414355 expression, ATM expression, and ΔΨm ( p < 0.0001) between smokers and non-smokers. This study confirmed the upregulation of the lncRNA-ENST00000414355 expression, DNA damage-checkpoint-related gene (ATM), and decreased ΔΨm in Cd-exposed workers. Thus, lncRNA-ENST00000414355 may serve as a valuable biomarker for the exposure and toxicity of Cd.

Background: Research on stem cells has become one of the most promising and advanced scientific topics. Nevertheless, there is a lack of this type of research in the field of forensic diagnostics. Age estimation is one of the main worked-on issues in forensic practice and research. Still, there is a need to explore new complementary reliable methods. This study aimed to detect the possibility of age estimation via age-associated alteration of RIF-1 (Replication timing regulatory factor 1), TCL1A (T-cell leukemia/lymphoma-1A), and TERT (Telomerase reverse transcriptase) gene expression in rats bone marrow stem cells. Methods: Isolation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells from rats were undertaken at different ages; 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 weeks old. RNA extraction was performed then total RNA was reverse transcribed to cDNA to detect the quantitative expression of RIF-1, TLC1A, and TERT by using the qRT-PCR then immunoblotting. Results: There were statistically significant increases in RIF1 and TCL1A mRNA and protein expression and a decrease in TERT mRNA and protein expression with age. Conclusion: Our results showed that the mRNA and protein expression of RIF-1, TCL1A, and TERT in bone marrow cells of rats could be useful indicators for age estimation in forensic practice.

Objectives:Digit ratio (2D:4D ratio), the ratio between the length of the second and fourth fingers, is considered a putative biomarker of prenatal testosterone exposure relative to estrogen exposure, consequently it has been linked to several behaviors within the personality such as academic performance, nicotine and alcohol misuse, and also with other behaviors. Our aim is to investigate any possible association between 2D:4D ratios and tramadol dependence. Participants and Methods:A group of 99 male patients with tramadol dependence [diagnosed by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV)] were interviewed and their digital ratios were (2D:4D ratios) measured, then the findings were compared with 99 healthy males. Results:Patients with tramadol dependence had lower 2D:4D ratios of their right and left hands when compared with those without tramadol use disorder. There was no significant correlation between 2D:4D ratio and age of patients, age of onset, duration, and amount of tramadol use. Conclusion:These findings suggest that high prenatal exposure to testosterone levels could be associated with tramadol dependence as detected by a lower 2D:4D ratio.

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to find a mathematical relation that would be able to determine the existence of brain edema with a certain degree of accuracy, away from the subjective impressions of each examiner.Patients and MethodsThe analyzed study sample consists of 100 brains that underwent forensic autopsy in the Egyptian Forensic Medicine Authority, Zagazig department, from January 2017 to June 2018. Measurements of morphometric parameters of the skull were used to determine the volume and diameters of the cranial cavity. Subjects were divided histologically into 2 groups according to the presence or absence of brain edema.ResultsUsing this methodological approach, 88% of the brains would be correctly classified as edematous, and 12% would be incorrectly classified as edematous. It was found that the mean ± SD value of brain weight was 1377.1 ± 124.5 g. The mean ± SD value of the brain volume was 1319.7 ± 58.5 cm3. The mean value of brain density was 1.04 ± 0.09 g/dL. It was found that there was a significant difference between subjects with brain edema and those without brain edema regarding measured and estimated brain weight, brain volume, and brain density. There was no statistically significant difference between age and sex regarding brain weight, brain volume, longitudinal diameter, width, and height of the skull.ConclusionsThe study results will significantly facilitate the daily routine macroscopic assessment of brain edema based on scientifically determined principles. However, any estimation must still be used with caution and in combination with clinical information and macroscopic and histological findings.

Background: Recently, there has been a remarkable increase in manhandling to physicians and vandalism in hospitals by patients and their relatives; moreover. There is a continuous increase in medical malpractice allegations. This high sense of insecurity among physicians caused them to practice defensive medicine, which could be positive or negative. Defensive medicine practicing has harmful effects on both the patients and the resources. Aim: This work was done to assess the prevalence of defensive medicine practicing among Kasr Alainy hospital residents. Methods: A questionnaire that includes ten "yes or no" questions was circulated manually among the residents, where the number of "yes" answers in the questionnaire is considered directly proportional to the sense of insecurity among the responders and more than 4 'yes' answers were considered sense of insecurity. Results: 88.9% of responders had more than four yes answers in the questionnaire, and the median number of yes answers was 7. There was a significant difference regarding the specialty where surgical specialties had a higher score than non-surgical specialties. Conclusion: Behaviors indicating defensive medicine practice and sense of insecurity showed high prevalence among the studied sample of Egyptian residents.