Prediction of sex from incomplete and decomposing skeletal remains is vital in establishing the identity of an unknown individual. The purpose of this study is to assess the applicability of external and medullary parameters of third and fourth metacarpals using multi-detector computed tomography in sex determination in Egyptian population. All measurements showed significant sexual differences (P < 0.05). By simple discriminant analysis, mediolateral diameter of midshaft of the third metacarpal showed the highest percentage of accuracy (69%) in sex determination. This study concluded that metacarpals are useful bones for sex determination and also it imposes new forensic standards for determination of sex in Egyptian metacarpals using various discriminant equations.

Background There has been a long interest in investigating the relationship between heat shock protein (HSP) expression and the evidence of neuronal damage in the most susceptible brain areas after seizures. So, the present study aimed to assess heat shock protein (HSP70) in children with seizures (febrile seizures and epilepsy), and to find out the cutoff point of this marker that may help in confirming epilepsy diagnosis. The present study has been conducted to evaluate serum levels of HSP70 in children with epileptic and febrile seizures and to compare these results to that of healthy children. Materials and Methods A prospective study included 85 children (32 females and 53 males) in Children and Maternity Unit, Minia University Hospital, Minia, Egypt. Children were subdivided into three groups, group (I) included 30 children with epilepsy, group (II) included 30 children with febrile seizures, and group (III) included 25 healthy children that served as a control group. HSP70 assay was performed for all included children using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. Results The overall results revealed significant high serum HSP70 levels in epilepsy and febrile seizures groups when compared with control group (p < 0.001). Also, HSP70 serum levels were significantly higher in epilepsy group than in febrile seizures group (p < 0.001). Serum HSP70 level at a cutoff point > 170 ng/L showed 60% sensitivity and specificity equal to 83.3% in prediction of epilepsy. Conclusion HSP70 level was significantly higher in epileptic and febrile seizures children than normal healthy children, and HSP70 may be beneficial in confirming the diagnosis of epilepsy.

Background: Neonatal sepsis is the most important cause of morbidity and mortality in the neonatal period. Late onset sepsis (LOS) is defined as infection occurring after 1 week of life and is often more insidious in onset. Antimicrobial proteins and peptides (APPs) were found to be lower in newborns than in adults. Although APPs could be important to protect newborns from infections during the first weeks of life, upregulation of human beta defensin 2(HBD2) might be reduced in preterm infants due to the immaturity of the immune system.HBD-2 is particularly effective against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, such as E. coli and S. aureus, respectively. Aim of the work:The aim of this work is to detect and evaluatecord blood HBD2 in late onset sepsis in preterm, near-term and full term neonates.Methods: This is aclinical comparative follow up study, carried out on 120 neonates; 40 preterm neonates (group I), 40 near term (group II), 40 full term (group III). All neonates were subjected to clinical examination, laboratory investigations; CBC, CRP, cord blood HBD2 and serum HβD2 during the first 30 days follow up.Results: the cord blood levels of HβD2, showed the lowest level in group Ifollowed by group II and the highest level was in group III. The cutoff point of cord blood HβD2 for prediction of LOS was determined for each group. Conclusion: Low level of HBD2 in cord blood is accompanied with increased incidence of LOS in neonates especially in preterm and low birth weight neonates than in full term ones. Cord Human Beta Defensin-2 as an Early Predictor of Late onset Neonatal Sepsis Keywords:Late onset sepsis, Neonates, CordHβD2 Research Article Open Access IntroductionNeonatal sepsis is a type of neonatal infection and refers to the presence of a bacterial blood stream infection (BSI) (such as meningitis, pneumonia, pyelonephritis, or gastroenteritis) and it is the most important cause of morbidity and mortality in the neonatal period [1].Preterm neonates are at risk of suffering from severe infections particularly in the first month of life due to their low immunity against infections. Immaturity of the immune system makes neonatal sepsis more common in preterm than full term and in Caesarean Section (CS) than spontaneous vaginal delivery (SVD) [2].Early onset sepsis (EOS) is defined as the onset of sepsis during the first 3 days of life and is mostly caused by vertical transmission of bacteria from the mother to her infant during the intrapartum period [3]. Late onset sepsis (LOS) is defined as infection that occurs during the first week of life and is caused by the transmission of pathogens acquired postnatally and is often more insidious in onset [4].Antimicrobial proteins and peptides (APPs) are cationic molecules that are released by neutrophils, monocytes, and macrophages. APPs are also produced within the skin and at mucosal surfaces by epithelial cells in the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and urinary tract. They are present in the body fluids, including saliva, tears, nasal secre...

Background: Epilepsy is the most common serious neurological disorder worldwide. Epilepsy is a chronic brain disorder affecting 3.5-5/1000 children in developed countries with 41-187/100,000 cases reported every year. It increases the incidence of complications and mortality. Generalized convulsive seizures (GCSs) are associated with high demands on the cardiovascular system, thereby facilitating cardiac complications. SuPAR is an emerging marker of cardiovascular disease burden. Objectives: Aim of the study: To assess suPAR levels in childhood epilepsy in pediatric department of neurology, El-Minia university children and maternity hospital. Methods: This was a case control study. Our children (6 to 60 months), who were divided into 2 groups; 30 children known epileptic and 30 children who were not epileptic and had no history of previous seizures or any illness that may induce convulsions or simulate epilepsy, served as control group matched in age and sex. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for suPAR levels. The studied groups: were subjected to careful detailed history taking, complete clinical examination, electroencephalography (EEG) and laboratory investigations including: suPAR, complete blood count (CBC), Creactive protein (CRP) and renal function tests. Results: Plasma concentrations of suPAR were statistically insignificantly higher in epileptic children than the other group (P 0.300). There were statistically male predominance (56.7%) > female (43.3%) regarding the gender of the epileptic children. There was a weak negative not significant correlation between suPAR and the age of the child (r -0.093, p 0.396) and also, HB and suPAR (r -0.120, p 0.275). While there were weak positive not significant correlation between; TLC and SuPAR (r 0.152, p 0.164) and also, between platelet count and suPAR (r 0.073, p 0.504) . Conclusion: The higher level of SuPAR in small number of epileptic patients may be due to brain inflammation effect and /or early cardiac injury.