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Aim of the work:To assess the applicability of estimated levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-6, and gene expression levels of microRNAs (MiR)92a and MiR-214a in tissue homogenate (TH) of skin biopsies harvested from wound for discrimination between antemortem and post-mortem wounds and to suggest the post-injury interval (PII). Material and methods:A 2-cm skin incision was made under anesthesia and full thickness punches were obtained from wound edge immediately (C-group) and at 30min, 2-h, 6-h and 24-h after wounding in living animals (L-group) or animals were decapitated immediately after wounding and biopsies were obtained at the same periods after decapitation (D-group). Tissues were homogenized to be used for ELISA estimation of TNF-α and IL-6 levels and qRT-PCR expression levels of MiR-92a and MiR-214a.Results: TNF-α, IL-6 and MiR-92a levels were significantly higher in L-group than other groups. Estimated TNF-α and IL-6 levels showed biphasic increases at 30-min and 2h, respectively and at 24h for both, while the peak levels of MiR -214a and MiR -92a were at 2h and 6h, respectively. MicroRNAs levels showed non-significant differences between all D-group specimens. Regression analysis defined high IL-6 levels as the significant variate to identify PII as either 2h or 24h and high levels of MiR-214a could suggest PII of 2h, while high levels of MiR-92a and TNF-α as the significant variate to suggest PII of 30-min and 6h, respectively. Multivariate analysis defined high IL-6 as the persistently significant predictor for victim's vitality at wounding, while ROC curve analysis defined high MiR-214a levels as the sensitive identifier for victim's viability during wounding. Conclusion:Estimation of expression levels of MiR-92a and MiR-214a in TH might define the probable PII and differentiate antemortem from postmortem wounds, respectively. However, estimated TH levels of TNF-α and IL-6 alone are undependable for provision of knowledge about vitality and timing of wound, so combined markers might increase the accuracy of wound-dating.

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Introduction: With widespread applications of nanoparticles (NPs) including titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) in different fields, many adverse effects may threaten both environmental and medical health including the male reproductive system. Aim of this work: To examine the ameliorative effect of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and curcumin (Cur) against TiO2NPs induced testis toxicity in adult albino rats. Materials and Methods: Sixty-four adult male albino rats were classified into eight groups. Group 1: control received a regular diet, water, and normal saline. Group 2: vehicle, received corn oil. Group 3: gavaged orally with NAC (100 mg/kg). Group 4: orally gavaged with curcumin (200 mg/kg) once a day. Group 5: gavaged orally with TiO2NPs (100mg/kg) once a day. Group 6: orally gavaged once daily with TiO2NPs (100 mg/kg) and NAC (100 mg/kg). Group 7: orally received TiO2NPs (100mg/kg) and curcumin (200mg/kg) once a day. Group 8: gavaged orally TiO2NPs (100mg/kg) followed by NAC (100mg/kg) and curcumin (200mg/kg). Results: The results revealed that TiO2NPs induced a significant decrease in final body weight, weight body gain, and testis weight testicular tissues, TiO2NPs increased oxidative stress as evidenced by decreased levels of antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH) and higher levels of the lipid peroxidation marker malondialdehyde (MDA). In addition to harming the testicular histological architecture, TiO2NPs significantly decreased the levels of the sex hormones testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and folliclestimulating hormone (FSH). They also significantly decreased sperm motility, viability, cell count, and concentration. In the testicular tissues, TiO2NPs led to the downregulation of 17beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 3 (17-HSD) and the overexpression of proapoptotic gene (Bax) transcripts. Conversely, NAC and/or curcumin had a protective effect on testicular tissue. Conclusion: We propose that NAC and curcumin may be employed to lessen the toxicity and oxidative damage caused by ingesting TiO2NPs. TiO2NP exposure caused oxidative damage and morphological injury in the testis.