Validation of a reaction volume reduction protocol for analysis of Y chromosome haplotypes targeting DNA databases.

The use of Y chromosome haplotypes, important for the detection of sexual crimes in forensics, has gained prominence with the use of databases that incorporate these genetic profiles in their system. Here, we optimized and validated an amplification protocol for Y chromosome profile retrieval in reference samples using lesser materials than those in commercial kits. FTA® cards (Flinders Technology Associates) were used to support the oral cells of male individuals, which were amplified directly using the SwabSolution reagent (Promega). First, we optimized and validated the process to define the volume and cycling conditions. Three reference samples and nineteen 1.2 mm-diameter perforated discs were used per sample. Amplification of one or two discs (samples) with the PowerPlex® Y23 kit (Promega) was performed using 25, 26, and 27 thermal cycles. Twenty percent, 32%, and 100% reagent volumes, one disc, and 26 cycles were used for the control per sample. Thereafter, all samples (N = 270) were amplified using 27 cycles, one disc, and 32% reagents (optimized conditions). Data was analyzed using a study of equilibrium values between fluorophore colors. In the samples analyzed with 20% volume, an imbalance was observed in peak heights, both inside and in-between each dye. In samples amplified with 32% reagents, the values obtained for the intra-color and inter-color standard balance calculations for verification of the quality of the analyzed peaks were similar to those of samples amplified with 100% of the recommended volume. The quality of the profiles obtained with 32% reagents was suitable for insertion into databases.

Alcohol abusive use increases facial trauma?

BACKGROUND: Trauma is among the main death causes and morbidity in the world and is often related to the use of alcohol and its abuse has reached massive proportions, no matter if the country is developed or not, being considered as public health problem. Since there are very few randomized and prospective studies in literature about the association of facial trauma and the use of alcohol, this study aims to investigate the impact of alcohol use in facial trauma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a prospective and cross sectional study, involving facial trauma patients attended at Oral Maxillofacial Surgery Division of a State Hospital. Variables included patient's profile, trauma etiology, facial region involved, type of injury and treatment and days of hospitalization. AUDIT test was applied to identify risks and damages of alcohol use and chemical dependence. Absolute distribution, uni and mutilvaried percentages were made for data evaluation. Pearson's qui-squared and Fisher's Exact tests were also used. RESULTS: One hundred patients were evaluated. The patient's mean age was 33.50 years-old, 48% had between 17 and 29 years old, 28% had 30 to 39, and 24% 40 or more. Most of them were male (86%). The most frequent etiology was traffic accident (57%), the extraoral area was most committed (62%), the most frequent type of injury was fractures (78%) and the most affected bone was the mandible (36%). More than half of the patients (53%) had surgical treatment. 38% had their discharge from hospital right after the first attendance. The AUDIT most frequent answer was "moderate use" (46%) and use at risk (39%). There was significant difference between the use of alcohol (AUDIT) and hematoma (0.003) and number of days of hospitalization (p=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: In this study it was not observed association between alcohol consumption using the AUDIT and trauma etiology, but patient victims of traffic accidents were classified as with risk in the scale. Most of the trauma were caused by traffic accidents using motorcycles and occurred in young aged men.

Burnout syndrome in oral and maxillofacial surgeons: a critical analysis.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of burnout syndrome among Brazilian oral and maxillofacial surgeons and its relationship with socio-demographic, clinical, and habit variables. The sample of this study comprised 116 surgeons. The syndrome was quantified using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (General Survey), which defines burnout as the triad of high emotional exhaustion, high depersonalization, and low personal accomplishment. The criteria of Grunfeld et al. were used to evaluate the presence of the syndrome (17.2%). No significant differences between the surgeons diagnosed with and without the syndrome were observed according to age (P=0.804), sex (P=0.197), marital status (P=0.238), number of children (P=0.336), years of professional experience (P=0.102), patients attended per day (P=0.735), hours worked per week (P=0.350), use of alcohol (P=0.148), sports practice (P=0.243), hobbies (P=0.161), or vacation period per year (P=0.215). Significant differences occurred in the variables sex in the emotional exhaustion subscale (P=0.002) and use or not of alcohol in the personal accomplishment subscale (P=0.035). Burnout syndrome among Brazilian surgeons is average, showing a low personal accomplishment.

Development of temporomandibular joint ankylosis in rats using stem cells and bone graft.

64 male Wistar rats were used: 24 for the removal of stem cells, 4 as a control group, and 36 for the experiment, in which either stem cells or bone graft was used. The rats were divided into groups according to the type of procedure and time span (15, 30 or 60 days). The joints were submitted to histological study in order to score the ankylosis. The mean differences between initial and final maximal mouth opening (MMO) were gradually increased from 15 to 60 days, for all times of evaluation for both groups, being statistically significant at 15 days (p=0.045) in the bone-graft group. When both groups were compared, the mean differences between initial and final MMO were statistically significant at 15 days (p=0.018) and 30 days (p=0.029). In relation to the histological scores, in the bone-graft group almost all animals had intra-articular fibrosis at all times of evaluation (n=17). In the stem-cell group, there was new bone at 15 days (n=4), 30 days (n=3) and 60 days (n=4). The study model permitted the development of fibrous ankylosis in the majority of animals for both groups and no bony bridge was observed.

Treatment of chronic mandibular dislocations using a new miniplate.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dislocation is defined as an excessive forward movement of the condyle beyond the articular eminence with complete separation of the articular surfaces and fixation in that position. The aim of this study was to describe a modified miniplate designed for treating chronic mandibular dislocations and evaluate the results of its placement in one patient, who was followed for 18 months. The treatment of chronic mandibular dislocation using this modified miniplate was shown to be efficient in relation to the postoperative maximal mouth opening, recurrence and articular function.

Treatment of chronic mandibular dislocations using miniplates: follow-up of 8 cases and literature review.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dislocation is an excessive forward movement of the condyle beyond the articular eminence with complete separation of the articular surfaces and fixation in that position. This study reports 8 cases using miniplates for chronic mandibular dislocations, evaluates the results and critically reviews the literature. The sample was obtained from the records of the Oswaldo Cruz University Hospital and comprises patients undergoing chronic mandibular dislocation treatment using 2.0mm titanium miniplates between August 2002 and March 2004. Pre- and postoperative assessment included a thorough history and physical examination to determine the maximal mouth opening, presence of pain and sounds, frequency of luxations, recurrence rate and presence of facial nerve paralysis. The mean maximal mouth opening preoperatively was 42.75+/-11.53 mm and was 45.62+/-8.52 mm postoperatively. There was no facial nerve paralysis. Miniplate fracture was observed in 2 cases and there was one recurrence. Treating chronic mandibular dislocation using miniplates was shown to be efficient in relation to postoperative maximal mouth opening, recurrence and articular function, however, the possibility of the miniplate fracturing must be considered.