Clear Dose-effect Relationship Research Articles

Cadmium and pyrene in the soil modify the properties of earthworm-mediated soil

Earthworms are pivotal in soil ecosystems due to their crucial role in shaping soil characteristics through casts and burrow walls. Previous research has predominantly focused on the direct impact of soil pollution on live earthworms, overlooking the subsequent effects on earthworm-mediated soil, such as casts and burrow walls. Using 2D-terraria as incubation containers and the geophagous earthworm species Metaphire guillelmi, this study assessed the change in various properties of earthworm-mediated soil in both uncontaminated soils and Cd- and Pye-contaminated soils. Overall, both Cd and Pye overall improved the ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N), Olsen's phosphorus (Olsen-P) levels, and invertase and catalase activities while decreasing catalase activities in earthworm-mediated soil. They also fluctuating affected the pH, soil organic matter (SOM) content, soil urease, alkaline phosphatase activities, and microbial functional genes in the cast and burrow walls. These results indicated that earthworms remained crucial “ecosystem engineers” even in polluted soil. Additionally, differences were observed in the responses of properties between casts and burrow walls, showing unequal contributions of transit-through-gut and burrowing processes to soil modification. Specifically, transit-through-gut was found to have a more significant influence on soil NH4+-N and Olsen-P content compared to burrowing behavior. Regarding the pattern of microbial functional genes in earthworm-associated compartments, results revealed that they differed significantly in casts from those in bulk soil and burrow walls under unpolluted conditions, with pollution-enhancing disparities among compartments. Furthermore, NH4+-N and Olsen-P content, urease, and catalase activities in burrow walls and/or casts were identified as potential biomarkers for soil pollution, exhibiting a clear dose-effect relationship. Developing such biomarkers could address ethical concerns related to conventional earthworm biomarkers that require sacrificing earthworms. This study provides insights into the consequences of soil pollution on earthworm-mediated soil components, highlighting the importance of considering the indirect effects of contaminants on soil ecosystems.

Remediation of soil contaminated with tris-(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate using plant and microorganism combined technology: A greenhouse experiment

The remediation of tris-(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCIPP) -contaminated soil by the plant (ryegrass, Lolium perenne L.) and microorganism (TCIPP degrading bacteria, Ochrobactrum sp. DT-6) alone or in combination was investigated in this study. TCIPP can inhibit the growth and development of ryegrass and there is a clear dose-effect relationship. Inoculation with strain DT-6 was able to mitigate the toxic influence of TCIPP on ryegrass, but this mitigation effect was not significant. TCIPP in the soil was relatively easy to be uptaken by the ryegrass roots and migrated to the shoots. Furthermore, as the soil TCIPP concentration rose, the concentration of TCIPP in ryegrass also exhibited a corresponding increase. The biological concentration factor (BCF) ranged from 0.33 to 1.88 and the biological accumulation coefficient (BAC) ranged from 0.54 to 3.98. They all significantly decreased with higher soil TCIPP concentrations. The translocation factor (TF) values ranged from 1.55 to 2.34. Inoculation of strain DT-6 significantly reduced TCIPP concentrations in ryegrass roots, stems, and leaves as well as the values of BAC and BCF under low and medium TCIPP concentration treatment conditions, but the effect on TF values was not remarkable. The planting of ryegrass significantly raised the elimination of TCIPP from the soil to 64.6–93.3%, but the influence of inoculation with strain DT-6 on the remediation effect by ryegrass was not significant. The percentage contribution of phytoextraction to the elimination of TCIPP from soils ranged from only 0.64–5.23%.

Effect of PVC microplastics on soil microbial community and nitrogen availability under laboratory-controlled and field-relevant temperatures

Microplastics have been reported to affect soil microbiota and nitrogen cycling under controlled temperature conditions, but their impact under field temperature regimes remains unclear. In this study, we compared the impacts of plasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC) microplastics in an acidic agricultural soil at laboratory-controlled (25 °C) and field-relevant (outdoor ambient, 2–26 °C) temperature conditions. The results showed that changes in soil indicators were roughly the same under the two temperature conditions after 30 d, with increased NH4+-N content and urease activity, decreased NO3−-N content, potential nitrification rate and ammonia-oxidizing archaea abundance, unaltered bacterial abundance, and significant shifts in bacterial community composition. Probably because microbial activity differed at different temperatures, clear discrepancies were also observed: 1) the lowest observed effect concentration was 0.1 % w/w at 25 °C while it was 0.05 % w/w at ambient temperature; 2) a clear dose-effect relationship was observed at 25 °C but not at ambient temperature; and 3) in addition to a range of bacterial taxa that were commonly influenced by microplastics (e.g., Bradyrhizobium, Burkholderia-Caballeronia-Paraburkholderia, Sinomonas, and Sphingomonas), Amycolatopsis, Nocardia and unclassified Saccharimonadales were more responsive at 25 °C while Bacillus and Mycobacterium for ambient temperature. The findings provide insights into the interaction of microplastics with soil microbes under different temperatures and help to understand the threshold values of plasticized PVC microplastics in soil ecosystems.

Toxic Effects and Mechanism of Pefloxacin on the Early Life Stage of Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Pefloxacin (PFLX) is a type of fluoroquinolone (FQ) that has been widely used in aquaculture and animal husbandry. It is also a new kind of pseudo-persistent pollutant, which has some toxic effects. In this study, zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos were used as exposure models to analyze the toxicity of PFLX. The results showed that PFLX was absorbed on the outer membrane surface at the beginning, and then a few PFLX slowly entered the cytoplasm. The adsorption complied with the Langmuir isotherm adsorption model. The surface morphology of the embryonic membrane was changed. PFLX exposure had no effect on fetal autonomous movement, but it significantly inhibited the embryo hatching rate. After PFLX exposure, the embryo and larval survival rates showed a clear dose–effect relationship. Though PFLX exposure did not cause teratogenic toxicity, it still affected cardiovascular function. The potential toxicity mechanism and developmental toxicity of PFLX to zebrafish were revealed. These results could be important for studies concerning FQ toxicology.

Do both timing and duration of screen use affect sleep patterns in adolescents?

Sleep duration has declined in adolescents over the last 30 years and screen use has been identified as a risk factor. Studies have examined the duration of screen use and screen-based activities but have not differentiated between evening and night-time use. Cross sectional questionnaire survey of adolescents recruited in schools. Sleep habits on school nights and weekends, symptoms of insomnia and daytime repercussions were recorded using an online questionnaire administered in the classroom setting. Sleep deprivation (<7 hours in bed /night), school night sleep restriction (≥2 hours difference in sleep duration on school nights vs weekends), excessive sleepiness (score >6 on a visual analogue scale), duration of screen use and timing of screen use (evening vs after bedtime) were determined. 2513 students (53.4% female, median age 15 years) were included. 20% were sleep deprived and 41% sleep restricted. A clear dose effect relationship in a model controlling for age, sex, school level and sociodemographic class was seen with all levels of night-time screen use on sleep deprivation and sleep restriction (>2 hours use sleep deprivation OR 5.23[3.03-9.00]. sleep restriction OR 2.05[1.23-3.42]) and > 2 hours evening use (>2 hours use sleep deprivation OR 2.72[2.15-3.44] sleep restriction OR 1.69[1.36-2.11]) but not moderate evening use. All night-time use and > 2 hours evening use increased the risk of insomnia, non refreshing sleep, and affected daytime function (daytime sleepiness, lack of energy and irritability). Both duration of screen use and timing are associated with adverse effects on sleep and daytime functioning in adolescents. More than 2 hours evening use and all night-time use should be avoided.

Both Natural and Induced Anti-Sda Antibodies Play Important Roles in GTKO Pig-to-Rhesus Monkey Xenotransplantation.

Sda, produced by the B4GALNT2 enzyme, has been recognized as an important xenoantigen for pig-to-nonhuman primate xenotransplantation. However, little is known about Sda expression in pigs and its immunogenicity in xenotransplantation. In this study, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from wildtype, GTKO (with high, moderate, and low Sda expression), GTKO/β4GalNT2KO, GTKO/CMAHKO, or GTKO/CMAHKO/β4GalNT2KO pigs. Anti-pig IgM/IgG binding and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) to pig PBMCs was measured by flow cytometry using pooled rhesus monkey sera (n=20) or human sera (n=20). As compared to wild-type pigs (n=12), GTKO pigs (n=17) had a significantly higher mean level of Sda expression on PBMCs and showed a greater individual difference in expression. Both the overall binding of monkey serum IgM/IgG antibody to GTKO pig PBMCs and CDC against these PBMCs decreased significantly with a progressive reduction in Sda expression, showing a clear dose-effect relationship. Both the monkey serum antibody binding and CDC decreased significantly after the additional deletion of Sda, whereas the binding of human serum antibody and CDC against the GTKO pig PBMCs were markedly reduced after the deletion of Neu5Gc in the pigs. In addition, anti-Sda antibody accounted for > 50% of the induced anti-non-Gal antibody at the time of rejection in two rhesus monkeys that received GTKO/hCD55 pig kidney xenotransplantation, and the anti-Sda antibody showed significant cytotoxic activity against GTKO pig cells. We conclude that both natural and induced anti-Sda antibodies play important roles in GTKO pig-to-rhesus monkey xenotransplantation, thus providing further evidence for GTKO/β4GalNT2KO pigs as the preferred organ source for rhesus monkeys as a preclinical model of xenotransplantation.

Pharmacodynamic evaluation of the XOR inhibitor WN1703 in a model of chronic hyperuricemia in rats induced by yeast extract combined with potassium oxonate

Hyperuricemia is a common disease caused by a disorder of purine metabolism, which often causes hyperlipidemia and other metabolic diseases. WN1703 was demonstrated to be an effective xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) inhibitor in our previous study. Here, we evaluated the pharmacodynamic effect of WN1703 on rats suffering from chronic hyperuricemia accompanied by disorders of lipid metabolism. We discovered that WN1703 was an efficacious uric acid (UA)-lowering compound. Simultaneously, it had effect on relieving renal injury, regulating lipid metabolism by reducing levels of triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, increasing levels of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and improving renal and liver lesions. WN1703 also exhibited anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity by alleviating the increasing trend of levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and malondialdehyde, and improving the activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. WN1703 appeared to be more effective than febuxostat in inhibiting XOR and had higher antioxidant activity. In general, the pharmacologic action of WN1703 showed a clear dose–effect relationship.

Dosing 225Ac-DOTATOC in patients with somatostatin-receptor-positive solid tumors: 5-year follow-up of hematological and renal toxicity

PurposeThe aim of this retrospective analysis is to estimate the most appropriate single cycle and cumulative doses of 225Ac-DOTATOC in patients treated for somatostatin-receptor-expressing cancers.Methods225Ac-DOTATOC was administered to thirty-nine patients with various somatostatin-receptor-positive tumors. Baseline and follow-up 68Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT, lab tests, and renal scintigraphy were obtained. Patients received long-term follow-up either at the local cancer center or in close collaboration with external oncologists. Acute and chronic hematological toxicity was evaluated quantitatively over time. Long-term follow-up of creatinine was used to approximate the annual loss of estimated GFR (eGFR).ResultsDose-dependent acute hematological toxicity was seen at single doses above 40 MBq or repeated doses greater than approximately 20 MBq 225Ac-DOTATOC at 4 month intervals. Treatment-related kidney failure occurred in 2 patients after a delay of >4 years but was independent of administered radioactivity, and other clinical risk factors were important contributors to renal decline. In general, the annual decline of eGFR among patients did not follow a clear dose-effect relationship even in patients with previous β-therapy. An average eGFR-loss of 8.4ml/min (9.9%) per year was observed which is similar to the experience with β-therapy studies.ConclusionTreatment activities of approx. 20 MBq per cycle (4 monthly repetition) and cumulative doses up to 60–80 MBq generally avoided both acute and chronic grade 3/4 hematotoxicity in patients with advanced stage malignancies. Chronic renal toxicity was observed at these doses, but pre-existing renal risk factors were important co-factors. These data represent a starting point for additional research to more precisely define safety thresholds of 225Ac-DOTATOC.

Effects of biochar and thermally treated biochar on Eisenia fetida survival, growth, lysosomal membrane stability and oxidative stress

Despite its known positive impacts when added to soil, the negative effects of biochar on earthworms are not fully understood. Here, we investigated the toxicity of nine biochars of three feedstock origins, animal (cow dung), plant (corncob) and microorganism (sewage sludge), produced at three pyrolysis temperatures (350 °C, 550 °C and 750 °C) on earthworms. Vermitoxicity was first assessed using acute toxicity test, neutral red retention time (NRRT) assay and oxidative stress response assay. Furthermore, we evaluated whether the thermal treatment of biochars could reduce their vermitoxicity using an acute toxicity assay. We found that, according to LC50 and earthworm weight loss, cow dung biochar was more toxic than corncob or sewage sludge biochar; thus, production feedstock is apparently important to biochar vermitoxicity. Furthermore, NRRTs indicated cow dung biochar disrupted lysosomal membrane stability in earthworm coelomocytes, providing further evidence for the toxicity of this biochar to earthworms. Disturbed antioxidant enzyme activities and elevated malondialdehyde content showed that earthworm suffer oxidative stress, also implying a potential vermitoxicity. However, thermal treatment of cow dung biochar substantially improved its LC50 and decreased earthworm weight loss, implying that the PAHs in this biochar might be damage factors and that heating could reduce the potential toxicity of biochar. Besides, NRRT assay was first used to evaluate the effects of biochar on earthworms and clear dose-effect relationships indicated that NRRT assay might be a useful tool for assessing the potential negative effects of biochar. Overall, given the different effects of various biochars, including toxicity, reported here, our findings will help improve understanding of biochar vermitoxicity mechanisms, serve to improve biochar ecological risk assessments and provide a reference for the proper application of biochar amendments.

PM2.5 induced apoptosis in endothelial cell through the activation of the p53-bax-caspase pathway

Exposure to airborne fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Nevertheless, a comprehensive understanding of the underlying biological mechanisms by which PM2.5 exposure induces or aggravates CVDs remain insufficiently clear. In the present study, the flow cytometry was employed to investigate the apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) induced by PM2.5 in culture. The underlying apoptotic pathway was also studied through the determination of the protein expression and activation of p53, Bax, Bcl-2, caspases-9, -7, -3, and PARP by western blot. The results showed that PM2.5 could significantly induce the apoptosis of HUVECs at the tested concentrations (0.2, 1, 5, 25 μg mL−1), compared with the negative control (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). The apoptotic rate of HUVECs increased with the elevating levels of PM2.5 exposure, showing a clear dose-effect relationship. Moreover, the increasing phosphorylation of p53, decreasing ratio of Bcl-2/Bax, and enhancing activation of the downstream proteins caspase-9, -7, -3 and PARP, were also observed with the increasing concentrations of PM2.5 administration in the western blot, indicating that the intracellular approach of apoptosis, the p53-Bax-caspases pathway, is the major way of PM2.5-induced apoptosis in HUVECs. In conclusion, these results suggested that induction of EC apoptosis is an important mechanism by which ambient PM2.5 exposure poses adverse effects on the cardiovascular system.

Effects of pyrene exposure on immune response and oxidative stress in the pearl oyster, Pinctada martensii

Pyrene is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) commonly observed in aquatic ecosystems, which originates primarily from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and the use of petroleum compounds. Pyrene can cause the immune disturbance and oxidative stress, result in immunotoxicity, DNA damage, reduce reproduction significantly, and induce behavioral changes. Marine bivalves are commonly used as bioindicators for marine pollution, and hemolymph is a metabolite transfer medium for PAH pollutant. However, the vital immune indicator responses of pearl oyster Pinctada martensii hemolymph exposed to pyrene is still unclear. Thus, the immunotoxic responses of pyrene on the hemolymph of the Pinctada martensii were investigated in this study. After exposure to pyrene for 7 days, the total number of hemocytes (THC), cell membrane stability (CMS), phagocytic activity (PA) and total glutathione (GSHT) all decreased significantly. Pyrene also caused a significant increase in lipid peroxidation (LPO). Median effective concentrations (EC50) of pyrene on THC (4.5 μg L−1) and LPO (5.2 μg L−1) were lower than those for CMS (13.8 μg L−1), PA (12.1 μg L−1) and GSHT (7.2 μg L−1), which indicates that THC and LPO were more sensitive. Additionally, a clear dose-effect relationship indicated that pyrene stimulated a marked immune response, as well as oxidative stress in P. martensii, which demonstrates the subtle effects of pyrene exposure on marine invertebrates and the potential associated risk.

Unconditioned Stimulus Pre-exposure Interferes with Conditioned Taste Aversion in Rats

Pairing of a gustatory CS and the visceral US induced by lithium chloride (LiCl) results in reduction of consumption of CS solution. This reduction is termed conditioned taste aversion (CTA). Pre-exposure to CS alone prior to the conditioning disrupts the conditioning (latent inhibition) and so is pre-exposure to US. The US pre-exposure effect is hypothesized to be due to tolerance, habituation, or the associative blocking effect. We studied the dose effect of US pre-exposure on CTA. In 3 experiments, rats were exposed to 10 doses of LiCl before the CTA procedure that consisted of ingesting a saccharin solution (0.1%) followed by injection of a constant dose of LiCl (7.632mg/rat). If the pre-exposure reduced the associability of the US, the CTA should be less. Exp. 1: Pre-exposure to 4 or 8 ml/kg of 0.15M LiCl, 1, 2 or 4 days prior to CTA did not have effect. Exp. 2: Pre-exposure to 0.5, 1, 2, 16, 32 ml/kg 1-day prior disrupted CTA. Exp. 3: Pre-exposure to 1, 16, 20, 32, 40 ml/kg 2-days prior disrupted CTA. Summary: (a) The pre-exposure effect was the same whether the pre-exposure occurred 1 or 2 days prior to conditioning. (b) A clear dose-effect relationship existed. (c) The relation was not monotonic. (d) The lowest preexposure dose, 0.5ml/kg of 0.15M LiCl, not strong enough to induce CTA by itself, was effective. (e) Upon repeated pairing of CS and US, CTA became more pronounced. The results do not support the hypotheses mentioned earlier.

Effect of Cornus officinalis glycosides on the myelin basic protein in blood serum and the nerve function in Balb/c mice after sciatic nerve injury

Objective: to explore the effect of cornus officinalis glycosides(COG) on the myelin basic protein(MBP) in blood serum andthe nerve function in Balb/c mice after sciatic nerve injury. Methods : Adult male Balb/c mice were randomly divided into high-dose, middle-dose, low-dose COG groups,.Transecting and inosculating the right sciatic nerve; testing the concentration of MBP by ELISA in 3, 5 days, 1, 2, 4, 8 weeks and having electroneurophysiological detection in 4, 8 and 12 weeks after surgery respectively; making statistical analysis of the results. Results: The MBP concentration and results of lectroneurophysiological detection have clear dose-effect relationship with the COG dose. Conclusion: Through inhibiting the demyelination of the sciatic nerve , COG can lower the degree of nerve damage so that accelerating the nerve regeneration.

Brivaracetam: new compound approved for the treatment of epilepsy.

Brivaracetam was approved in the E.U. and U.S. at the beginning of 2016 for the adjunctive treatment of focal epilepsies in patients over 16 years of age. This compound is a novel high-affinity synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) ligand, with a selectivity for this protein that is 10- to 30-fold higher than that shown by levetiracetam. Preclinical studies show that brivaracetam might have a stronger anticonvulsant effect and distributes in the brain more quickly, when compared to levetiracetam. The agent has linear and simple pharmacokinetics and a low interaction potential. Six double-blind placebo-controlled studies have assessed doses from 5 to 200 mg/day. Significant efficacy has been observed from doses of 50 mg/day, but there was not a clear dose-effect relationship. Short-term tolerability was excellent with all doses. Adverse events significantly associated with brivaracetam were dizziness, somnolence, fatigue and irritability. An excellent tolerability profile has been found after administration of a formulation for intravenous use.

In vitro testing for diagnosis of idiosyncratic adverse drug reactions: Implications for pathophysiology.

Idiosyncratic drug reactions (IDRs) represent a major health problem, as they are unpredictable, often severe and can be life threatening. The low incidence of IDRs makes their detection during drug development stages very difficult causing many post-marketing drug withdrawals and black box warnings. The fact that IDRs are always not predictable based on the drug's known pharmacology and have no clear dose-effect relationship with the culprit drug renders diagnosis of IDRs very challenging, if not impossible, without the aid of a reliable diagnostic test. The drug provocation test (DPT) is considered the gold standard for diagnosis of IDRs but it is not always safe to perform on patients. In vitro tests have the advantage of bearing no potential harm to patients. However, available in vitro tests are not commonly used clinically because of lack of validation and their complex and expensive procedures. This review discusses the current role of in vitro diagnostic testing for diagnosis of IDRs and gives a brief account of their technical and mechanistic aspects. Advantages, disadvantages and major challenges that prevent these tests from becoming mainstream diagnostic tools are also discussed here.

The mean lung dose (MLD) : predictive criterion for lung damage?

The purpose of this work was to prove the validity of the mean lung dose (MLD), widely used in clinical practice to estimate the lung toxicity of a treatment plan, by reevaluating experimental data from mini pigs. A total of 43mini pigs were irradiated in one of four dose groups (25, 29, 33, and 37Gy). Two regimens were applied: homogeneous irradiation of the right lung or partial irradiation of both lungs-including parts with lower dose-but with similar mean lung doses. The animals were treated with five fractions with a linear accelerator applying a CT-based treatment plan. The clinical lung reaction (breathing frequency) and morphological changes in CT scans were examined frequently during the 48weeks after irradiation. A clear dose-effect relationship was found for both regimens of the trial. However, a straightforward relationship between the MLD and the relative number of responders with respect to different grades of increased breathing frequency for both regimens was not found. A morphologically based parameter NTCPlung was found to be more suitable for this purpose. The dependence of this parameter on the MLD is markedly different for the two regimens. In clinical practice, the MLD can be used to predict lung toxicity of a treatment plan, except for dose values that could lead to severe side effects. In the latter mentioned case, limitations to the predictive value of the MLD are possible. Such severe developments of a radiation-induced pneumopathy are better predicted by the NTCPlung formalism. The predictive advantage of this parameter compared to the MLD seems to remain in the evaluation and comparison of widely differing dose distributions, like in the investigated trial.

Development and evaluation of a standardized method and atlas for contouring primary and permanent dentition.

Radiation toxicity of the dentition may present significant treatment-related morbidity in the paediatric head and neck cancer population. However, clear dose-effect relationships remain undetermined and must be predicated upon accurate structure delineation and dosimetry at the individual tooth level. Radiation oncologists generally have limited familiarity or experience with relevant dental anatomy. We therefore developed a detailed CT atlas of permanent and primary dentition. After studying this atlas, five radiation oncology clinicians delineated all teeth for each of eight different cases (selected for breadth of dental maturity and anatomical variability). They were asked to record confidence in their contours on a per-tooth basis as well as the duration of time required per case. Contour accuracy and interclinician variability were assessed by Hausdorff distance and Dice similarity coefficient. All analyses were performed using R v. 3.1.1 and the RadOnc v. 1.0.9 package. Participating clinicians delineated teeth with varying degrees of completeness and accuracy, stratified primarily by the age of the subject. On a per-tooth basis, delineation of permanent dentition was feasible for incisors, canines, premolars and first molars among all subjects, even at the youngest ages. However, delineation of second and third molars was less consistent, commensurate with approximate timing of tooth development. Within each tooth contour, uncertainty was the greatest at the level of the dental roots. Delineation of individual teeth is feasible and serves as a necessary precursor for dental dose assessment and avoidance. Among the paediatric radiation oncology community in particular, this atlas may serve as a useful tool and reference.

Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse among Cases of Road Traffic Crashes In Port-Said General Hospitals, Egypt 2014

Background: Road traffic crashes RTC are the leading injury-related cause of death among people aged 15-44 years. A clear dose-effect relationship has been demonstrated for drugs and/or alcohol use and (RTC). Aim:The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of drug and/or alcohol use in cases admitted for RTC to emergency departments in Port-said general hospitals. Methods: In this study, conducted between January to December 2014, where 1200 cases of road traffic crashes of both sexes and their age were form 18 to 65 years were examined. Toxicological screening urine test was used to detect drugs by the emergency department staff using enzyme linked Immunosorbent assay ELISA . Alcohol and drug of abuse concentration was confirmed from blood samples at the central laboratory using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry GC-MS . Results: Most of the cases were males, drivers and under 40 years of age. It was found that 70% of RTC occurred during winter, 34% at the weekend; Friday and most crashes (68%) were caused by trucks. At the time of crashes alcohol was positive in 18.3% of cases, cannabis positive in 27.5%, tramadol in 47.5%, amphetamine in 8 %, cocaine in 1.25% ,while sedative hypnotics drugs were positive in only 1.92%. Conclusion: The risk of road traffic crashes is greatly increased among drivers who tested positive for alcohol, in particular, those who had also ingested tramadol or more psychoactive drugs . Recommendations: Planning and implementing a national RTC risk management strategy for prevention of mortalities and morbidities due to driving under the influence of drugs. Toxicological screening should be done by immunoassay method followed by confirmation by GC-MS method

Dose Related Relationship of Depleted Uranium Associated with Certain Blood Electric Properties

In many radiation applications, there are clear dose effect relationships. On the other hand, there are many confusions about the radiation dose relationship that comes from depleted uranium on blood. Time study (0-16 hours) of three concentrations of uranyl acetate (1, 2 and 4 mM), which can reflect radiation dose multiplications, is used as depleted uranium on stored human blood. The exposed blood dielectric properties were measured using the three frequencies method at 25, 500 and 1000 KHz; the three doses at the different time intervals were compared. We find that some electric properties are not affected by increasing the dose during the whole time interval. No significant changes in neither the cell interior resistance nor in relative permittivity at 25, 500 and 1000 KHz at all the time interval, thus no dose relationship can be detected from them. The significant changes in plasma resistance, cell membrane capacitance and dielectric loss (at 25, 500 and 1000 KHz) are at only 9 hours of exposure and are dose related while there is no significant change at any other time interval. So we conclude that some electric properties if measured at certain time of exposure can give dose related relationship of depleted uranium on blood.

Bullying among siblings

Parents are often concerned about repeated conflicts between their daughters and sons. However, there is little empirical research of sibling bullying. To conduct a review of existing studies of sibling bullying. Are there any associations between sibling bullying and peer bullying at school? What are the consequences of sibling bullying? Is there good justification why sibling bullying has been so neglected in research? Studies of sibling relationships were reviewed. Four quantitative studies were identified that report on both sibling and peer bullying. Sibling bullying is frequent with up to 50% involved in sibling bullying every month and between 16% and 20% involved in bullying several times a week. Experience of sibling bullying increases the risk of involvement in bullying in school. Both, bullying between siblings and school bullying make unique contributions to explaining behavioral and emotional problems. There is a clear dose-effect relationship of involvement of bullying at home and at school and behavioral or emotional problems. Those involved in both have up to 14 times increased odds of behavioral or emotional problems compared to those involved in only one context or not at all. The empirical evidence is limited and studies are mostly cross-sectional studies. Nevertheless, the review suggests that for those victimized at home and at school behavioral and emotional problems are highly increased. Sibling relationships appear to be a training ground with implications for individual well-being. Strengthening families and parenting skills and increasing sibling support is likely to reduce bullying and increase well-being.