International Journal of Medical Toxicology and Forensic Medicine

Background: Chemical intoxication of dietary origin is one of the significant public health problems confronting the global community. Cyanide is a very toxic chemical that reacts and forms a stable complex with iron in ferric cytochrome oxidase, inhibiting its role in oxidative phosphorylation. Adsorbents are carbon materials that attract poisons to their surface, thus preventing their absorption into the gastrointestinal system. This study aims to determine the effect of adsorbents prepared from plant biomass on the di sposition of cyanide in albino Wistar rats.
Methods: A total of 30 male Wistar rats were used for the study. The rats were randomly assigned to 5 groups of 6 rats per group. A single dose of 3 mg/kg potassium cyanide was administered orally to rats in the groups. After 15 minutes, all rats in each group were given activated charcoal from different sources. Blood samples were collected serially from the albino rats in each group for cyanide assays following standard procedures. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Bonferroni post hoc test using SPSS software, version 24.0. P<0.05 were considered to be statistically significant.
Results: In all groups, the highest blood cyanide level was reached at the 30-minute (0.5 h) mark, and from there, the blood cyanide levels declined till day 21. At the 30-minute mark, the highest blood cyanide concentration (34.41±0.65 µmol/L) was seen in group 1 rats, followed by group 4 rats (32.54±0.40 µmol/L). The lowest blood cyanide level (30.45±0.21 µmol/L) was seen in group 5 rats.
Conclusion: The study demonstrated that the administration of activated charcoal samples prepared from coconut shells, castor oil seed shells, and plantain peels minimized the absorption of cyanide and the consequent toxicity in Wistar rats exposed to a sublethal dose of cyanide.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the primary cause of death and a significant contributor to disability. Atherosclerosis cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD) are responsible for high mortality rates, causing millions of deaths each year. The most important avoidable cause of ASCVD and death is cigarette smoking. This study examined the relationship between 10-year ASCVD in smokers with 25(OH)D and metabolic profiles.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Beheshti Hospital in Kashan City, Iran. A total of 144 smokers between the ages of 40 and 75 participated in this study. Addiction and cardiovascular specialists evaluated the patient health questionnaire, and the appropriate tool was used to quantify the 10-year ASCVD risk. Nitric oxide (NO), γ-glutamyl-l-cysteinyl-glycine (GSH), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and 25(OH)D were determined, too.
Results: About 93% of the 144 participants in this study were men and their mean age was 52.6±8.56 years. The average risk of ASCVD was 10.44±8.72%. Patients’ lifetime and 10-year risk for ASCVD was significantly and negatively correlated with blood 25(OH) D, HDL, GSH, NO and TAC (P<0.05) and positively with TG, LDL, Hs-CRP, smoking duration, and number of cigarettes (P<0.05). Additionally, a negative correlation was seen between the amount of 25(OH)D and the amount of time spent smoking (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that with increased levels of vitamin D, HDL cholesterol, NO, glutathione, and TAC, the risk of developing atherosclerotic CVD was reduced over 10 years. Also, the risk of developing ASCVD over the next 10 years increased with increased levels of TC, LDL-c, TG, Hs-CRP levels and duration and amount of smoking and hypertension.

Background: Forensic odontology utilizes dental evidence to identify individuals in criminal investigations and disasters and to determine age and gender. This study aimed to evaluate the awareness of forensic odontology among dentists in Saudi Arabia and pinpoint potential areas for enhancing education and practice.
Methods: A survey involving 266 dentists in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia was conducted. The survey evaluated the dentists’ understanding of forensic odontology concepts, perspectives on the field, and readiness to manage forensic cases.
Results: The findings indicate that the dentists firmly grasped the fundamental principles of forensic odontology. Nevertheless, gaps in knowledge exist, especially in alternative identification methods, solved forensic cases, and child abuse protocols. The dentists showed a keen interest in additional training in forensic odontology and endorsed incorporating the field into the dental undergraduate curriculum.
Conclusion: This research offers an overview of the present level of forensic odontology knowledge within the dental field. Although the general performance is positive, recognizing and resolving knowledge gaps with specific interventions can enhance the integration of this important field in dental practice. Forensic odontology plays a significant role in raising awareness among dentists in Saudi Arabia.

Background: This study aims to investigate the effects of strategic nutrient management, incorporating absorbent nano-superpolymer, growmore fertilizer, iron, and zinc on the growth and phytochemical composition of Agave marginata L. in Shiraz City, Iran. Following a conceptual framework for nutrient management, the study primarily aims to enhance the plant’s saponin content, a bioactive compound with significant therapeutic potential and potential toxicological risks, while examining other qualitative and quantitative growth parameters.
Methods: A completely randomized design assessed the effects of varying levels of growmore fertilizer, iron, zinc micronutrients, and absorbent nano-superpolymer against a control. Measured parameters included stem height, diameter, fresh and dry weight, and phytochemical concentrations, such as hecogenin, saponins, and chlorophyll to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the treatments.
Results: The interventions demonstrated statistically significant enhancements in multiple measured traits, particularly saponin concentration, which is critical for the plant’s medicinal potential. While the focus remains on the therapeutic benefits of enhanced saponin levels, the study also emphasizes the necessity for toxicological assessments. The results of the first year showed an increase in chlorophyll content with the first level of growmore treatment, further amplified in the second year, indicating a cumulative effect of nutrient management on the plant’s phytochemical profile and potential health benefits.
Conclusion: This study highlights the critical role of precise nutrient management in improving the medicinal quality and yield of A. marginata L., with a clear positive correlation between targeted fertilization strategies and enhanced phytochemical profiles relevant to medical applications. The results suggest significant potential for A. marginata L. in pharmaceutical development, with future research necessary to conduct comprehensive toxicological evaluations to ensure safe therapeutic use.

Background: Since the first use of DNA analysis in biological samples in a criminal case, a revolution in forensic investigations was created by a sub-field called forensic genetics. Also, today, it is possible to identify people by creating databases of the genetic identity of people in society and matching them with the genetic profile extracted from unknown samples. One of the applications of genetics banks is to identify the bodies in accidents such as traffic accidents where the body cannot be recognized in terms of appearance. For this purpose, by taking a biological sample from the body and extracting its genetic profile, it can be matched with the genetic profile of the person already registered in the genetic bank, and the unknown body can be identified.
Case Presentation: Seventeen bodies that died due to car accidents and could not be identified in terms of appearance were referred to the legal medicine organization of Ilam Province, Iran, to determine the cause of death and identification. After taking muscle samples from all bodies due to the lack of a sizeable genetic bank in Iran, the first-degree families of the claimant bodies were invited to take blood samples for identification. Unknown bodies related to car accidents were successfully identified by using muscle samples from unknown bodies and comparing them with blood samples from first-degree families.
Conclusion: Nevertheless, with the creation and development of DNA data banks for all people, there is no need for the presence of the first-degree family in such incidents, and by comparing the unknown samples in the DNA data banks, it is possible to identify the unknown bodies more accurately, quickly and at a lower cost. Right now, we have a DNA data bank for criminals in Iran. However, the creation of a DNA data bank for everyone is emphasized in this study due to various applications, such as identifying unidentified bodies.

Background: The postmortem pink teeth phenomenon (PTP) is a notable change in tooth color, resulting in a pinkish hue after death. Observed in various forensic contexts, including drowning, poisoning and physical trauma, the correlation between PTP and specific causes of death has remained ambiguous.
Case Presentation: This study discusses two cases involving cadavers exhibiting the PTP, where we conducted an analysis of pink teeth alongside other findings concerning the postmortem interval.
Conclusion: A comprehensive analysis of PTP requires consideration of various forensic elements. The phenomenon is closely associated with decomposition processes and is often observed in water immersion cases. A multidisciplinary approach involving forensic medicine and odontology is essential for understanding the physiological changes after death and assessing the potential significance of PTP as a postmortem indicator. By integrating these diverse aspects, forensic investigators can gain deeper insights into the circumstances surrounding death. Although PTP is not pathognomonic for any specific cause of death, it serves as a valuable indicator that can assist in forensic investigations. Further studies are necessary to clarify its implications in various forensic contexts and enhance its application in medico-legal assessments.