Age estimation is fundamental in forensic examinations, either in legal conditions that including living people or to identify skeletal remains. The mandible gives better growth than the other facial bones and presents morphological alterations that relate to size and remodeling during human growth. Previous studies have reported the use of facial reconstruction by three dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) for individual identification. The aim of this study was to investigate role of 3D-CT in age estimation from mandible of a sample of Libyan Population in Tripoli. This study was conducted in National Cancer Institute, Tripoli, Libya on 200 adults for 6 months (from the beginning of January to the end of June, 2020). All subjects were subjected to 3D-CT scan to assess seven mandibular parameters which were gonial angle, ramus length, minimal ramus breadth, coronoid height, gonion-gnathion length, bicondylar breadth and bigonial length. The results showed significant positive correlation between gonial angle, gonion-gnathion length and age. While, there was significant negative correlation between ramus length, bigonial length and age either in total, male and female samples. By simple linear regression equations, age can be estimated from mandibular parameters proven to be statistically significant with highest R 2 (coefficient of determination) were gonial angle and ramus length either in total, male and female samples. Additionally, there were no significant differences between actual age and estimated age by gonial angle and ramus length either in total, male and female samples. It can be concluded that age can be estimated from mandibular metric parameters measured by 3D-CT with high degree of accuracy.

This study aimed to determine the effect of dietary supplementation of coconut oil levels on some physiological and immunological responses in ducklings during growing period (28-89 day of age). A total number of 120 Domyati ducklings, 28-day old were used, weighted 530-545 g and divided into four experimental groups, each of three replicates to determine the effects of feeding diets contained different levels of coconut oil (CO) as a medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) source. The experimental groups were arranged as follows: The first as a control group (G1) which received basal diet without any supplementation, while the second, third and fourth groups (G2, G3 and G4) were received diet contained CO by 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 %, respectively. The results revealed that, percentages of heterophils and lymphocytes were significantly (P≤0.01) lower and higher, respectively, for Domyati ducklings in G4 than those in the control group (G1). Some blood hematological values (Hb and RBCs) did not significantly affected by different CO levels. The ratio of hetrophil to lymphocytes (H/L) was significantly (P≤0.01) lower for Domyati ducklings in G2 and G4 than those in G1. Spleen and thymus indexes were significantly (P≤0.05) increased in treated groups compared to the control one. Moreover, dietary CO levels caused to increase the values of plasma IgG, IgM and IgA concentrations than that of the control group. The different dietary levels of CO significantly influence the lipid peroxidation (LPO) by decreasing MDA values. Conclusively, ducklings fed diet supplemented with 1.5 or 2% CO had heavy immune organs weights, and high plasma levels of immunoglobulins, which collectively suggested as an improvement in the immune response.

The escalated use of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) in various fields increased risk of human and environmental exposure. Spleen accounts for a crucial role in both innate and adaptive immunity and represents a potential target for nanoparticles toxicity. The aim of this study was to investigate the immunotoxic effect of sub-acute oral exposure to CuO NPs on spleen of adult male albino rats. Thirty rats were divided into two main groups. Group (I) control which was subdivided into two groups (10 rats each): (IA) negative control and (IB) positive control (received deionized water). Group II received CuO NPs (125 mg/kg). Animals were orally gavaged with treatments on a daily base for 28 days. At the end of experiment, blood samples on EDTA were used to assess number of red blood corpuscles (RBCs), hemoglobin (Hb%), platelets (PLT), white blood cells count (WBCs), and differential leucocyte count (neutrophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes). Serum samples were analyzed for total IgG and IgM levels. Thereafter, spleens were resected to assess levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-4 (IL-4). Number of T-Lymphocyte subpopulation (CD4+, CD8+ and CD19+) and histopathology (H&E) were also determined. The results of the present study revealed that CuO NPs significantly decreased RBCs, Hb%, PLT, WBCs and lymphocytes% and significantly increased neutrophils% and monocytes%. Also, a significant reduction in total IgG and IgM in serum was detected. Furthermore, spleens of CuO NPs treated group demonstrated significant elevation in MDA, TNFα., and CD8+. Meanwhile, SOD, IL4, CD4+, CD19+ and CD4+ /CD8+ ratio were significantly decreased. Structural damage was indicated by reduced number and cellularity of lymphoid follicles, as well as, congestion of red pulps. It can be concluded that the immune function of spleen was intoxicated by CuO NPs mostly due to oxidative stress mechanism and inflammation.

Fipronil (FPN) is phenylpyrazole insecticide extensively used to control a wide variety of pests. Betanin (BET) is a natural colorant with promising antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. This study aimed to investigate the potential protective effect of BET on FPN induced nephrotoxicity in adult male albino rats. Forty rats were assigned into 4 equal groups; Group I (Control); Group II (BET) received 20 mg/kg b.wt/day; Group III (FPN) received 4.8 mg/kg b.wt/day; and Group IV (BET/FPN). All treatments were given orally for 90 days. At the end of experiment, blood samples were collected for analysis of serum urea and creatinine. Kidneys were harvested for determination of kidney injury molecule-1(KIM-1) level; gene expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO-1); oxidative stress biomarkers including malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl content (PCC), catalase activity (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and reduced glutathione (GSH). Histopathological examination and immunohistochemical investigation of Nrf2, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and caspase-3 were also undertaken. The results revealed kidney dysfunction, downregulation of Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO-1 genes, redox imbalance, structural damage, decreased Nrf2 and increased NF-κB immune-expression, in addition to strong caspase-3 immunoreactivity in FPN-treated group. In the combined group, BET co-administration resulted in functional and structural amelioration, up-regulation of Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO-1 genes, mitigation of redox imbalance, and strong anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects. In conclusion, BET via activation of Nrf2-HO-1/NQO-1 pathway, exhibits beneficial antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects against FPN-induced nephrotoxicity.

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