Human identification by the analysis of palatal rugae printed in complete dentures.

The study of palatal rugae is shown to be scientifically valid to human identification due to the unique number and style of the palatal ridges. Dentures provide an array of data and specifics that allow for the individualization of their wearers. This article describes the identification of edentulous, skeletonized remains through the analysis of the palatal rugae printed on the complete upper denture and subsequent comparison with the palatal rugae of an old complete denture of an unknown missing person. The analyses focus on the form, classification, location, and size of the palatal rugae which, in conjunction with the information obtained from the anthropological examination, resulted in a positive identification of the cadaver. This method has a significant impact on the identification process, particularly when other identification methodologies and techniques cannot be implemented. This case report highlights the importance of palatal rugae in human identification in cases of edentulous cadavers.

Effect of berberine associated with photodynamic therapy in cell lines.

Cervical cancer is a serious worldwide health problem. In view of the potentially harmful effects of current conventional therapies, photodynamic therapy may be an option as it is a minimally invasive therapy and can promote selective cytotoxic activity for neoplastic cells in the target tissue., Berberine (BBR) as an isolated molecule is a natural compound that has antineoplastic properties and potential action as a photosensitizer agent. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of berberine as a photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy (PDT) protocols and observe the effects produced by this association in cervical carcinoma cells and in immortalized keratinocytes. Incubation with 2.5 µM berberine promoted less than 10 % of cellular death in both cell lines studied. In addition, by fluorescence microscopy, we demonstrated that berberine was internalized by the cells, and after a period of 48 h, it was still present in the intracellular environment preferentially localized in the cytoplasm. After photodynamic therapy using berberine as a photosensitizer and visible light activation at 447 (±10) nm, we observed a phototoxic effect, which resulted in 19.84 % cell viability for Caski cells and 47.22 % cell viability for HaCaT. Treatment with berberine associated with photodynamic therapy promoted an increase in the production of reactive species of oxygen (ROS) and caspase-3 activity, indicating a preferential cell death mechanism by caspase-dependent apoptosis. Therefore, we demonstrated that berberine is an efficient photosensitizer and that its association with photodynamic therapy may be a potential anticancer treatment strategy for cervical cancer.

[Possible role of the immune system in lead peripheral polyneuropathy. Case report]. / Possível intermediação do sistema imune na polineuropatia periférica plúmbica. Relato de caso.

This is a case report of a twenty-five years old man who developed, due to lead intoxication, a severe axonal peripheral predominantly motor neuropathy, after a shotgun injury. The projectile was retained in the right hip. Before this diagnosis had been done he was treated with corticosteroids in immunosuppressive doses and showed an improvement, but he had worsened at each attempt to interrupt the drug. Because he had also other signs of lead intoxication, such as abdominal cramps, severe anemia and seizures it was search for the blood levels of lead that was 101.2 micrograms/dl. The patient was treated with calcium disodium edetate and surgical removal of lead fragments. After that he had a good outcome with no need of corticosteroids. It is emphasized the possible relevance of the immune system on the mechanism of plumbic intoxication and the importance of the withdrawal of the lead material retained in joints.