Ricardo Henrique Alves da Silva

A utilização de imagens na identificação humana em odontologia legal

Este artigo de revisao sistematica tem por objetivo citar os metodos de identificacao humana por meio daradiologia, utilizados em odontologia legal. Para isso, realizou-se revisao de literatura com 19 trabalhos se-lecionados dentre 45 encontrados, apos aplicacao de criterios de inclusao. Ha diversas tecnicas radiologicasque podem ser utilizadas para auxiliar na identificacao humana, tanto individual como geral, incluindo adeterminacao do genero, do grupo etnico e, principalmente, da idade. A analise de radiografias e tomogra-fias ante-mortem e post-mortem tornou-se uma ferramenta fundamental nos processos de identificacao emodontologia legal, principalmente com o refinamento das tecnicas adquiridas com o avanco da propria radio-logia e com a incorporacao da informatica. Conclui-se que a partir do conhecimento adequado dos metodosdisponiveis, o profissional em odontologia legal pode optar pelo metodo que melhor preencha as caracteris-ticas necessarias para o sucesso da identificacao, tendo cuidado na aplicacao correta da tecnica e na inter-pretacao precisa das informacoes obtidas.Unitermos: Radiologia; Odontologia legal; Identificacao humana.The present systematic review article is aimed at describing radiological methods utilized for humanidentification in forensic dentistry. For this purpose, a literature review was undertaken, and out of 45 papers,19 were selected in accordance with inclusion criteria. Several radiological techniques can be used to assistin both individual and general identification, including determination of gender, ethnic group and, mainly,age. The analysis of ante-mortem and post-mortem radiographic and tomographic images has become anessential tool for human identification in forensic dentistry, particularly with the refinement of techniquesresulting from developments in the field of the radiology itself as well as the incorporation of informationtechnology resources to the technique. It can be concluded that, based on an appropriate knowledge on theavailable methods, forensic dentists can choose the best method to achieve a successful identification witha careful application of the technique and accurate interpretation of data.Keywords: Radiology; Forensic dentistry; Human identification.

Queen signals in a stingless bee: suppression of worker ovary activation and spatial distribution of active compounds

In most species of social insect the queen signals her presence to her workers via pheromones. Worker responses to queen pheromones include retinue formation around the queen, inhibition of queen cell production and suppression of worker ovary activation. Here we show that the queen signal of the Brazilian stingless bee Friesella schrottkyi is a mixture of cuticular hydrocarbons. Stingless bees are therefore similar to ants, wasps and bumble bees, but differ from honey bees in which the queens signal mostly comprises volatile compounds originating from the mandibular glands. This shows that cuticular hydrocarbons have independently evolved as the queens signal across multiple taxa, and that the honey bees are exceptional. We also report the distribution of four active queen-signal compounds by Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) imaging. The results indicate a relationship between the behavior of workers towards the queen and the likely site of secretion of the queens pheromones.

Use of DNA technology in forensic dentistry

The established importance of Forensic Dentistry for human identification, mainly when there is little remaining material to perform such identification (e.g., in fires, explosions, decomposing bodies or skeletonized bodies), has led dentists working with forensic investigation to become more familiar with the new molecular biology techniques. The currently available DNA tests have high reliability and are accepted as legal proofs in courts. This article presents a literature review referring to the main studies on Forensic Dentistry that involve the use of DNA for human identification, and makes an overview of the evolution of this technology in the last years, highlighting the importance of molecular biology in forensic sciences.

Cárie dentária em população ribeirinha do Estado de Rondônia, Região Amazônica, Brasil, 2005/2006

This study aimed to analyze dental caries patterns among riverine people from Rondonia State, Brazil (Machado and Preto rivers) in 2005 and 2006. A total of 469 subjects were examined, using the World Health Organization form, under natural light, using a wooden tongue depressor and CPI probe in cases of doubts about the presence of dental caries. The results were: 4-5-year age bracket, dmtf = 4.30 and 19.64% caries-free; 6-10 years, DMTF = 1.04, dmtf = 3.52 and 17.05% caries-free; 12 years, DMTF = 2.65 and 30.76% caries-free; 18 years, DMTF = 5.41 and 19.51% caries-free; 35-44 years, DMTF = 17.74 and 2.98% caries-free; 65-74 years, DMTF = 21.56 and 4.34% caries-free. When each component was analyzed separately in the dmtf and DMTF indices, decay was most prevalent in the 0-3, 4-5, 6-10, 12, and 18-year brackets. However, in young and older adults, the most prevalent component was missing teeth. In conclusion, the study population showed a high dental caries index, thus highlighting the need for educational, preventive, and curative measures.

Responsabilidade civil do cirurgião-dentista: a importância do assistente técnico

INTRODUCTION: The dentists liability can be understood as the criminal, civil, ethical and administrative obligation that they have in their professional exercise. Thus, when producing a harmful result to the patient, due to imprudence, ineptitude or recklessness, the dentists will be liable to the foreseen penalties on the Civil Code, where the compensation will be obligatory to satisfy the damage according to the reached consequence. In these types of processes, the involved parts will be able to contract a technical assistant to supply the respective lawyers about biological, technician and professional knowledge. AIM: This paper aim to report about the technical assistants importance, in the performance of each one of the involved parts in a civil process. CONCLUSION: It is necessary a major knowledge, by dentists, about legal and ethical aspects in the professional activity.

Application of MALDI Mass Spectrometry in Natural Products Analysis

This article presents the utility of mass spectrometry with a MALDI ionization source in natural products analysis. The advantages and drawbacks of this technique for natural products analyses will be presented and discussed. In addition, the structural determination of secondary metabolites using MALDI-MS/MS will be explored, which can guide MALDI experimental methods and stimulate new research in this area. Finally, several important approaches for MALDI data processing will be discussed.

X-chromosome genetic variation in São Paulo State (Brazil) population

Abstract As data on X-chromosomal short tandem repeats (X-STRs) for the Brazilian population are scarse, the aim of this study was to determine the allele frequencies of five X-STRs (DXS6854, DXS7424, DXS101, DXS6808 and DXS7132) in the São Paulo State, Brazil. No deviations from the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium were observed, with the exception of DXS101. The forensic efficiency parameters demonstrated that DXS101 was the most informative marker. Population comparisons revealed that the X-STR profile sampled in the state of São Paulo was more similar to European and African populations than Asiatic populations reported in this work.

Correlation between maxillary central incisor crown morphology and mandibular dental arch form in normal occlusion subjects

The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the morphology of the mandibular dental arch and the maxillary central incisor crown. Cast models from 51 Caucasian individuals, older than 15 years, with optimal occlusion, no previous orthodontic treatment, featuring 4 of the 6 keys to normal occlusion by Andrews (the first being mandatory) were observed. The models were digitalized using a 3D scanner, and images of the maxillary central incisor and mandibular dental arch were obtained. These were printed and placed in an album below pre-set models of arches and dental crowns, and distributed to 12 dental surgeons, who were asked to choose which shape was most in accordance with the models and crown presented. The Kappa test was performed to evaluate the concordance among evaluators while the chi-square test was used to verify the association between the dental arch and central incisor morphology, at a 5% significance level. The Kappa test showed moderate agreement among evaluators for both variables of this study, and the chi-square test showed no significant association between tooth shape and mandibular dental arch morphology. It may be concluded that the use of arch morphology as a diagnostic method to determine the shape of the maxillary central incisor is not appropriate. Further research is necessary to assess tooth shape using a stricter scientific basis.

Oral fluid as an alternative matrix to determine ethanol for forensic purposes

The present work aimed to evaluate whether it is possible to use oral fluid to monitor alcohol in drivers. In a control experiment the subjects ingested beer with an alcoholic percentage of 4.7%, in an amount that furnished 0.5 g ethanol per kg of body weight. Volunteers urine, oral fluid, and breath were collected at 10, 30, 60, and 90 min after alcohol intake. Urine and oral fluid were analyzed by gas chromatography with FID (Flame Ionization Detector); breath was analyzed by Alcotest 7410 (Dräger). The absorption profiles correlated well. The Pearson correlation value between samples of oral fluid and urine, and oral fluid and exhaled air, was close to 1, showing that oral fluid is a promising matrix to monitor drivers in traffic or involved in accidents.

Perceptions of undergraduate students on the use of animals in practical classes

animals have been used for years in practical classes of health and natural sciences to teach physiological or pathophysiological phenomena, observe effects of drug administration, acquire knowledge of internal anatomy, and develop technical skills for surgical procedures. A growing number of