International Journal of Medical Toxicology and Forensic Medicine
Volume:14 Issue: 4, Autumn 2024

We reviewed the literature on forensic genetics from 1991 to 2022, emphasizing short tandem repeats. The objectives were to assess the caliber of research and draw attention to issues facing scientists and practitioners.

Except for China, a metrological study was performed on forensic literature from 1991 to 2022 using the Web of Science (WoS).

The “journal of forensic sciences” had 380 papers that were the most read out of 2139 publications in the study. Also, “forensic science international: Genetics” had the most citations. Analysis with R software showed that 2001 was the peak publication year. “Journal of forensic sciences” and Budowle B were the most prolific. “Forensic science international: genetics” and Heller MJ received the most citations, and “forensic science”, “STRs”, and “DNA typing” were among the frequently used keywords.

The study could help scientists understand the trends of short tandem repeats based on forensic science research by highlighting the top ten research institutions, funding prospects, authors, and high-citation journals to anticipate future research directions.

Alcohol is a risk factor for liver diseases. There is a correlation between alcohol consumption and fatty liver disease. Experiences have shown gene expression alteration in the liver following alcohol consumption. Since the molecular mechanism of connection between alcohol consumption and fatty liver disease needs a clear perspective, this study aims to explore the significant genes that are targeted by alcohol in the liver of mice.

Gene expression profiles of mice livers fed with alcohol were retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and compared with the control samples. Data are pre-evaluated with the GEO2R program, and the significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) are analyzed via gene expression evaluations and regulatory network assessment.

Among the 25619 dysregulated genes, 78 significant DEGs were pointed out. Gene expression analysis showed that most extremely dysregulated genes are up-regulated and belong to the cytochrome P450 genes family. Finally, cytochrome P450 and glutathione S-transferase genes family, as well as hydroxy-delta-5-steroid dehydrogenase, 3 beta- and steroid delta-isomerase 4, were introduced as the critical targeted genes.

In conclusion, detoxification of xenobiotics, cellular metabolism and homeostasis, the pathogenesis of some liver diseases, synthesis of several prostaglandins and steroid hormones, and inflammation fibrosis in the liver are possibly associated with alcohol consumption.

We aimed to evaluate the impact of radiofrequency electromagnetic waves (RF-EMW) with wavelengths equivalent to mobile phones on semen parameters and expression levels of spermatogenesis-related genes in rats.

A total of 20 male adult Wistar rats weighing approximately 180 g were randomly allocated to two study groups in this controlled, parallel-design study. The case group was exposed to RF-EMW. The gene’s expression was assessed by real-time PCR for five target genes: ZBTB16, SCP3, ACR, ITGA6, and PRM1.

The DNA fragmentation index (DFI) assessment reveals a significant difference between the cases and the control group. There was a two-fold increase in ACR gene expression than in the RF-EMW exposure group. The contradictory result was seen in the other four genes, which showed that gene expression decreased to about 0.3 for PRM1 and SCP3, 0.5 for ITGA6, and 0.7 for ZBTB16. Sperm motility was not significantly different between the two groups, but morphology in the case group revealed higher abnormalities than in the control group.

We recommend reducing exposure time to radiofrequency waves, and keeping cell phones away from our bodies as far as possible is safer. Additional studies are required to support our data.

Methanol poisoning has increased in some countries after the recent coronavirus pandemic. This study aimed to investigate the clinical and paraclinical findings of patients with methanol poisoning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on patients diagnosed with methanol poisoning in Imam Reza and Hasheminezhad hospitals who were hospitalized from the beginning of March 2019 to the end of April 2020. Clinical and paraclinical data were extracted from patients’ files and subsequently categorized into three groups: deceased patients, living patients without complications, and living patients with complications.

Out of 107 patients included in the study, 20(18.69%) died, 50(46.7%) were discharged without complications, and 37(34.6%) with complications. The most frequent clinical symptoms in the patients were blurred vision (62.6%), lethargy (62.6%), nausea (43%), vomiting (41.1%), abdominal pain (15.9%), dizziness (11.2%), and dyspnea (6.5%). According to the multivariate logistic regression analysis, reduced pH (OR=0.007, P=0.009) and blurred vision symptoms (OR=5.096, P=0.007) significantly predicted complications. Based on univariate logistic regression, hypoxemia (OR=35.90, P=0.002), coma (OR=22.34, P<0.001), high creatinine (OR=62.39, P<0.001), and low pH (OR=0.001, P<0.001) had the greatest impact in predicting mortality.

This study shows the clinical and paraclinical characteristics of methanol poisoning during the COVID-19 pandemic, identifying critical predictors of complications and mortality, including low pH, blurred vision, hypoxemia, coma, and high creatinine levels.

Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) is a clinical syndrome with reproductive and endocrine disorders. This study aimed to examine the effect of crocin on oxidative stress, gene expression, oocyte maturation, and embryo quality in DOR patients who underwent a controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) cycle.

As a clinical trial, this study involved 34 DOR patients trying to conceive by assisted reproductive technique who were divided into two groups (17 each): An intervention group receiving crocin (15 mg, once daily, for 12 weeks) and a control group receiving a placebo (tablets with the same form of the drug). Pre- and post-intervention, demographic information was gathered, and hormonal levels (follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and estradiol (E2)) were measured. In the subsequent COH cycle, oocyte maturation, embryo quality, level of both superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in follicular fluid, expression of GDF9, BMP15, and Nrf2 genes in granulosa cells were measured.

The collected data as a comparison between groups showed alteration of criteria in the intervention group as follows: Significant reduction of FSH (P<0.01), increased level of SOD in the follicular fluid (P<0.0001), decreased level of oxidative stress in the granulosa cells (P<0.0001), increased expression of Nrf2 gene (P<0.08), and of GDF9, BMP15 genes (P<0.0001) in the granulosa cells. The rate of oocyte maturation and embryo quality were significantly higher in the intervention group compared to the control group (P<0.05 and P<0.005, respectively).

Our study discussed how the Krocina supplement can slow down the progression of the disease by reducing the level of FSH, and oxidative stress, increasing the maturation rate of oocytes, and increasing the quality of embryos in women with DOR. Further research is needed to investigate the effect of crocin in improving fecundity for women with DOR.

Agriculture is one of the most hazardous occupations, employing around 60% of India’s workforce. Agricultural workers face occupational hazards in the form of physical, chemical, biological, mechanical, ergonomic, psychosocial, and so on. This study assessed the physical, chemical, biological, and mechanical health hazards among agricultural workers.

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 agricultural workers selected through multistage random sampling in a rural area to assess their occupational hazards.

Physical hazards were the most common hazards reported by 390 workers (97.5%), followed by mechanical hazards by 200(50%), and biological hazards by 79(19.7%). Chemical hazards were noted in 136(86.4%) out of 155 participants who used chemicals in the form of pesticides and insecticides.

All agricultural workers experience one or the other types of occupational hazards. These hazards have a bearing on the quality of life among the agricultural workers who form the primary workforce in our country and contribute significantly to the economy. It is crucial to ensure a robust health information system to track down and respond to agricultural workers’ various health events, develop and implement a need-based intervention program through the formal healthcare system, and prevent and avert occupational health hazards in this group.

Ethanol and methanol poisoning pose significant clinical challenges due to their overlapping clinical presentations. This literature review and consensus statement aim to provide evidence-based guidelines for differentiating these two poisonings.

We conducted a comprehensive literature review of relevant literature, including individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis, to assess clinical, laboratory, and diagnostic findings in cases with ethanol and methanol poisoning. A literature review was also performed to gather case series of electrocardiograms of ethanol and methanol poisoning. We synthesized the evidence and convened an expert panel to develop consensus-based recommendations.

Based on the literature review and IPD analysis, cases of methanol poisoning often present later than 24 hours after alcohol consumption, emphasizing the importance of assessing patients with delayed referrals. Methanol-poisoned patients are frequently awake and responsive after 12 hours of ingestion, but symptoms alone do not reliably differentiate between the two poisonings. Declines in visual acuity and symptoms are strongly associated with methanol poisoning and should prompt immediate hospitalization and ophthalmic examination. Oliguria and anuria are more common in cases of methanol poisoning, warranting detailed urinary symptom assessment and close monitoring of urinary output. Electrocardiograms are essential for all alcohol poisoning patients, with non-sinus rhythm suggesting methanol poisoning. Arterial blood gas analysis, with low pH values, favors methanol poisoning. However, blood sugar levels alone cannot definitively determine the type of poisoning. Laboratory point-of-care tests to diagnose methanol in serum are urgently needed.

This literature review and consensus statement offer guidance for healthcare providers facing cases of alcohol poisoning where point-of-care testing methods of blood alcohol concentrations are unavailable. A comprehensive assessment, considering clinical history, physical examination, laboratory data, and specialized evaluations such as ophthalmic examination and electrocardiograms, is essential for accurately differentiating ethanol and methanol poisoning.

There is no doubt that Alzheimer disease (AD) is one of the most deadly and expensive diseases in the world today. It accounts for the majority of patients with dementia. The disease is caused by a combination of environmental and genetic factors, and identifying effective environmental factors can play a significant role in controlling and preventing this disease. Heavy metals (HMs) can be ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin by the human body. As a result of HM accumulation in the body, many organs, including the nervous system, are adversely affected. Accordingly, memory, cognition, and learning functions may be negatively affected. In recent years, there has been considerable interest in the effect of HMs on AD, and several studies have examined how HMs affect brain function and AD. During this study, we will review these studies and examine how HMs may influence AD development. As a result of the limitations of traditional methods in identifying HM toxicity, this study discusses artificial intelligence (AI) and its advantages and limitations as a tool for determining HMs associated with AD.