Análise morfoestrutural de biomateriais para auxílio no processo de identificação humana / Morphostructural analysis of biomaterials for assistance in the human identification process

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar as alterações de biomateriais restauradores e protéticos submetidos a temperaturas elevadas para o estabelecimento de parâmetros físicos que auxiliem nos casos de identificação humana em corpos carbonizados. A amostra do estudo experimental in vitro foi composta por 40 corpos de prova dividida em quatro grupos: GI (corpos de prova de cimentos de iônomero de vidro químico), GII (amálgamade prata), GIII (resina composta híbrida) e GIV (liga de cobre alumínio). Os corpos de prova foram submetidosa temperaturas de 300°C, 500°C, 700°C e 900°C. Após a incineração, os biomateriais foram submetidos a análises macroscópicas sobre as modificações de estrutura, coloração, forma e estabilidade dimensional e os dados analisados pela Análise de Variância e teste de Dunn (p<0,05). Os dados obtidos demonstraram em relação à radiopacidade uma diferença estatisticamente significante para as médias de densidade radiográfica no GI entre as temperaturas 700°C e 900°C; GIV entre as temperaturas 300°C e 900°C; 500° e 900°C. O GII atingiu seu ponto de fusão à 700ºC com aspecto pulverulento e lojas isoladas de mercúrio a 900°C. O GIII apresentou mudança estrutural nas temperaturas à 700°C e 900°C. No GIV não se constatou modificações relevantes. Assim, pode-se coligir que a resina composta micro hibrida e o amálgama apresentam severas alterações morfoestruturais enquanto o ionômero de vidro e o cobre alumínio não sofrem mudanças significativas em suas características originais. As alterações sofridas pelos materiais fornecem dados relevantes para o auxilio no processo de identificação humana de corpos carbonizados.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes of restorative and prosthetic biomaterials subjected to high temperatures for the establishment of physical parameters that assist in cases of charred bodies in human identification. The sample of the experimental in vitro study was composed by 40 specimens divided into 4 groups: GI (specimens of cements of ionomer of chemical glass), GII(silver amalgam), GIII (hybrid composite resin) and GIV (copper alloy aluminum). The specimens were subjected to temperatures of 300°C, 500°C, 700°C and 900°C. After incineration the biomaterials were submitted macroscopic analysis on changes of structure, color, shape and dimensional stability and all data were analyzed by ANOVA and Dunn’s test (p <0.05). Regarding the radiopacity there was statistically significant difference for the mean radiographic density in GI temperatures within 700°C and 900°C; GIV temperatures within 300°C and 900°C, 500°C and 900°C. The GII has reached its melting point at 700ºC with powdery appearance and isolated stores of mercury at 900°C. The GIIIhad structural change at 700°C and 900°C. In GIV it not observed significant changes. Thus, one cangather that the micro hybrid composite resin and amalgam exhibit severe morpho structural changes while the glass ionomer aluminum and copper does not undergo significant changes in their original characteristics. The changes undergone by materials provide relevant data to aid in the identification process of human bodies charred.

Management of hazardous pharmaceutical waste generated from health care facilities

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency [USEPA], a number of drug entities and pharmaceutical formulations, generated in health care facilities, meet the definition of hazardous waste, including epinephrine, warfarin, nicotine, and seven chemotherapeutic agents. This study has been carried out to assess the hazardous pharmaceutical waste generation in one large multi-specialty hospital in Alexandria for the ultimate objective of recommending an environmentally sound management plan for this waste. Alexandria University Main Hospital was selected for the study. A checklist containing the names of the drugs that are considered hazardous upon disposal was developed. Data concerning the generation and the management of this waste were collected using 2 questionnaire forms. The study revealed that ten hazardous pharmaceuticals are generated from the hospital departments. They are Epinephrine, m-cresol, phenol, silver sulfadiazine, multi-mineral formulations containing Cr and Se, warfarin, cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil, melphalan, and daunomycin. These drugs, as well as the other pharmaceutical waste, are managed as infectious waste: collected in yellow bags, stored in the storage area for infectious waste, and transported by the Private Company responsible for solid waste management in Alexandria Governorate to treatment by shredding and autoclaving prior to ultimate landfill. Consequently, the study recommended a hazardous pharmaceutical waste management plan taking into consideration other equally hazardous drugs such as all chemotherapeUtic agents, mutagenic or teratogenic substances, endocrine disruptors, and immunosuppressant drugs. Thermal destruction of all these drugs would provide the highest level of best management practice available at this time. The ash resulting has to be tested and eventually disposed in a lined hazardous waste landfill