Third molar maturity index (I3M) assessment according to different geographical zones: a large multi-ethnic study sample.

Identification of living undocumented individuals highlights the need for accurate, precise, and reproducible age estimation methods, especially in those cases involving minors. However, when their country of origin is unknown, or it can be only roughly estimated, it is extremely difficult to apply assessment policies, procedures, and practices that are accurate and child-sensitive. The main aim of this research is to optimize the correct classification of adults and minors by establishing new cut-off values for four different continents (Africa, America, Asia, and Europe). For this purpose, a vast sample of 10,701 orthopantomographs (OPTs) from four continents was evaluated. For determination and subsequent validation of the new third molar maturity index (I3M) cut-off values by world regions, a cross-validation by holdout method was used and contingency tables (confusion matrices) were generated. The lower third molar maturity indexes, from both left and right side (I3ML and I3MR) and the combination of both sides (I3ML_I3MR) were calculated. The new cut-off values, that aim to differentiate between a minor and an adult, with more than 74.00% accuracy for all populations were as follows (I3ML; I3MR; I3ML_I3MR, respectively): Africa = (0.10; 0.10; 0.10), America = (0.10; 0.09; 0.09), Asia = (0.15; 0.17; 0.14), and Europe = (0.09; 0.09; 0.09). The higher sensitivity (Se) was detected for the I3ML for male African people (91%) and the higher specificity (Sp) of all the parameters (I3ML; I3MR; I3ML_I3MR) for Europeans both male and female (> 91%). The original cut-off value (0.08) is still useful, especially in discriminating individuals younger than 18 years old which is the goal of the forensic methods used for justice.

The role of women in Forensic Odontology / O papel da mulher na Odontologia Forense

This literature review aims to name the influential female pioneers who broke the conservative barriers in place for their gender and set the standards for those who followed in their paths as either dentists or forensic odontologists, with the purpose of increasing the visibility of their identities, feats, and positions of authority, hence, diminishing the states of exclusion that may be still practiced towards the recognition of their contributions to dentistry. It is our expectation that contemporary female forensic dentists can, by accessing this reading, acknowledge and promote the female performance in the forensic field, from its beginning to the present time, and be reassured of the representation and the excellence of women in it. We anticipate that all these professionals' names will not be mentioned due to lack of information from sound resources or unawareness. We also hope to witness similar literature reviews in the future

Esta revisão de literatura tem como objetivo nomear as influentes pioneiras que romperam as barreiras conservadoras de gênero e estabeleceram os padrões para aquelas que seguiram seus caminhos como dentistas forenses ou odontolegistas, com o objetivo de aumentar a visibilidade de suas identidades, feitos e posições de autoridade, diminuindo, assim, os estados de exclusão que ainda podem ser praticados para o reconhecimento de suas contribuições para a Odontologia. É nossa expectativa que as odontolegistas contemporâneas possam, ao acessar essa leitura, reconhecer e promover a atuação feminina no campo forense, desde o seu início até os dias atuais e ter a certeza da representação e da excelência da mulher nela. É possível que outros nomes não foram mencionados por falta de informação segura ou desconhecimento. Também esperamos testemunhar revisões de literatura semelhantes no futuro

Dental autopsy recommendations in SARS-CoV-2 infected cases.

Unidentified human remains with unknown medical history can always pose biological hazards to forensic pathologists and odontologists, including hepatitis C, HIV infection, Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), hemorrhagic fever viruses such as Ebola, meningitis and now Sars-Cov2. The pandemic of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has reached 185 Countries with an increasing number of deaths. Forensic pathologists and odontologists may find themselves having to perform an identification autopsy to confirmed or suspected Sars-Cov2 positive deaths. By respecting the entire set of universal precautions and recommendations the highlighted risks can be minimized, and best practice in human identification should always be a priority for human rights of the dead. The following article is a summary of the recommendations for conducting dental autopsies and management of suspected COVID-19 cases.

Age estimation and comparison by dental and skeletal maturity in the age range of 9-18 years in the Mumbai region.

BACKGROUND: Age estimation is crucial in the identification of juveniles in conflicts with law, survivor of sexual assault, sportsperson, and civil cases. AIMS: To estimate and compare the age (9-18 years) by dental and skeletal maturity in the Mumbai region. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 70 cases from 9 to 18 years of age were studied in 1 year in the urban population of the Mumbai region. Among 70 cases, 45 were males and 25 were females. Orthopantomogram and elbow joint radiographs were taken to assess the dental age through modified Demirjian's method and the radiological age through Sangma et al. staging method, respectively. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Data were analyzed using SPSS Statistics Version 26; descriptive statistics and regression statistics were used in the study. RESULTS: Dental age by Demirjian's method in males with standard deviation was 15.25 (2.17), with a mean difference of 1.08 and significant P = 0.03. However, in females, dental age by Demirjian's method with standard deviation was 14.30 (1.94) with a mean difference of 0.74 and insignificant P = 0.07. Interclass correlation coefficient of dental age with chronological age, in males and females, showed 0.85 and 0.87 correlation, respectively. Correlation between the skeletal maturity and the dental age was reflected by the association of Demirjian stage 9 in the second molar with radiological stage 5 in males and stage 4 in females. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that Demirjian's method shows a significant correlation and P value for the age estimation in males of the Mumbai region.

Cholesterol homeostasis and cell proliferation by mitogenic homologs: insulin, benzo-α-pyrene and UV radiation.

Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) is known to promote the unregulated proliferation of cells that is progression of cancer. We aimed to investigate the effect of mitogens on the expression of cell cycle proteins, nuclear cholesterol and cell proliferation. We observed that insulin and benzo-α-pyrene (BaP) induced the expression of Low-Density Lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) on HepG2 cells, thereby enhancing the uptake of LDL. The internalized LDL increased the concentration of cholesterol in the cytoplasm and nucleus of the cell. At the same time, insulin and BaP also stimulated the expression of cell cycle proteins viz., Cyclin E and Cdk2, and thus induced more incorporation of Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) in cultured cells indicating increased DNA synthesis. Increased expression of cell cycle proteins and DNA synthesis are the indications of DNA replication and new cell synthesis. This suggests a link between the enhanced nuclear cholesterol concentration and new cell formation. On the other hand, UV irradiation with selectively given dose of cell death eventually decreases nuclear cholesterol concentration and LDLR expression. Reduced LDLR shows low functional activity. This, again, repeated the plausibility of the same link between intracellular cholesterol concentration and cell population. The biasness of adverse effect observed by UV irradiation has been compromised by inactivating LDLR with anti-LDLR antibody, resulting in similar effects on Cyclin E expression in the cultured cells. Hence, we concluded that in all the conditions, LDLR expression was found to be a translational event of its transcription factor, SREBP-2, by the induction of insulin, BaP and UV irradiation.

Effect of processing techniques on nutritional composition and antioxidant activity of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seed flour.

Fenugreek (Pusa Early Bunching) seeds were processed by using different processing methods viz. soaking, germination and roasting. Raw and processed fenugreek seed flours were analyzed for nutritional composition, anti- nutritional, and antioxidant activity. Raw fenugreek seed flour contained higher amount of dietary fiber (45.4 %) followed by 41.7 % in soaked seed flour, 40.9 % in roasted fenugreek seed flour and 31.3 % in germinated fenugreek seed flour. Processing of fenugreek seeds improved in vitro starch digestibility and in vitro protein digestibility. Soaking, germination and roasting enhanced total phenolic content and the antioxidant activity of fenugreek seed flour as compared to raw fenugreek seed flour. The phenolic content of soaked, germinated and roasted fenugreek seed flours was 54.4, 80.8 and 48.5 mg of gallic acid equivalents/g of sample in contrast to raw fenugreek seed flour (45.4 mg of gallic acid equivalents/g of sample). The antioxidant activity of the extracts of soaked, germinated and roasted fenugreek seed flours was 60.7 %, 73.9 % and 32.0 % whereas as the raw fenugreek seed flour exhibited 18.1 % antioxidant activity. Processing of fenugreek seeds also decreased phytic acid content significantly (P < 0.05) as compared to raw seeds.

Reciprocal coordination of a combination oral contraceptive containing desogestrel+ethinyl estradiol on the expression of LOX-1 and LDLR in placental trophoblast cells.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the consistency of antiatherosclerotic potential of a combination oral contraceptive steroid (ethinyl estradiol+desogestrel) by rating its effect on the differential expression of the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and lectin-like oxidized LDL (LOX-1) receptor. STUDY DESIGN: Cells from placental trophoblast cell line (JAR) and differentiated primary placental trophoblast cells isolated from term human placentae were used for this study. Expressions of LOX-1 and LDLR were assessed by immunoblot and immunocytochemistry assays. Differential effects of the constituent steroids in the combination of ethinyl estradiol and desogestrel were verified on the expression profile of the receptors. RESULTS: Desogestrel opposed the effect of ethinyl estradiol on LOX-1 expression, and when used in combination, the combination oral contraceptive reduced the expression of LOX-1 in contrast to LDLR. The characteristic change in the expressions of LOX-1 and LDLR showed an antiatherosclerotic improvisation at the unique combination of ethinyl estradiol (10 ng/mL) and desogestrel (20 ng/mL). CONCLUSION: The aforesaid combination of ethinyl estradiol and desogestrel keeps LOX-1 and LDLR reciprocally expressed in antiatherosclerotic mode.

Effect of a combination oral contraceptive (desogestrel+ethinyl estradiol) on the expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor and its transcription factor (SREBP2) in placental trophoblast cells.

BACKGROUND: This in vitro study deals with the effect of a combination oral contraceptive steroid - desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol - on the expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and its transcription factor (SREBP2) in assessing the functional effectiveness of the LDLR. STUDY DESIGN: Differentiated primary placental trophoblast cells isolated from term human placentae and cells from Jar cell line were used for the study. Low-density lipoprotein receptor and SREBP2 expressions were assessed by immunocytochemistry and immunoblot assays with and without combination contraceptive steroid challenge. Functional activity of LDLR was studied by rating the profile of cellular uptake of fluorescent Dil-LDL (1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanin perchlorate-LDL). Quantitation of Dil-LDL was done spectrofluorometrically. RESULTS: Variation of concentration(s) of either of the components of a combination preparation (desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol) showed a comparable change in the expressions of LDLR and SREBP2 to attain their optimal levels. Maximum expression and a significant functional effectiveness were observed at a unique combination of desogestrel (20 ng/mL) and ethinyl estradiol (10 ng/mL). CONCLUSION: The stimulatory effect of a combination contraceptive steroid on LDLR expression is an associated phenomenon of the contraceptive-mediated stimulation of SREBP2 expression.