Sex estimation using paranasal sinus discriminant analysis: a new approach via cone beam computerized tomography volume analysis.

Sex estimation is an important step for subject identification in forensic medicine, to which paranasal sinuses may contribute, as they remain intact even upon severe damage to the skull and other bones. Cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT) is an excellent tool in the examination of these structures. The present study aimed to evaluate the maxillary, frontal and sphenoidal sinuses through a discriminant analysis to determine the sex correlations with foramen magnum measurements were also assessed. Two-hundred cranial CBCT scans were analysed. The volume of the maxillary, frontal and sphenoidal sinuses were measured using the ITK-SNAP software (4.0.2). Student's t test and the Mann-Whitney test were applied for the descriptive analysis of independent samples, and data were subjected to discriminant analysis. The volumes of the maxillary, frontal and sphenoidal sinuses of female subjects were smaller than those of male subjects (p < 0.001). Upon summing up the volumes of the evaluated paranasal sinuses, the chances to correctly determine an individual's gender are 96.2% and 92.7% for males and females, respectively. When correlating said values with foramen magnum measurements, sex identification chances increase to 100%. Thus, adult paranasal sinus volumes analysed by CBCT may be useful for sex identification when summed together and correlated with foramen magnum measurements.

Therapeutic effect of andiroba oil (Carapa guianensis Aubl.) against oral mucositis: an experimental study in golden Syrian hamsters.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the healing activity of andiroba (Carapa guianensis Aubl.) against oral mucositis (OM) induced by 5-fluorouracil in golden Syrian hamsters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 122 animals were randomized and divided into six groups: andiroba oil 100%, andiroba oil 10%, andiroba oil 10% refined, no treatment group, all n = 28; and negative control (NC) and cyclophosphamide (CPA) groups, both n = 5. OM was induced by intraperitoneal administration of 60 mg/kg 5-FU on days 0, 5 and 10 followed by mechanical trauma on the oral mucosa on days 1 and 2. From day 1 to day 15, the animals of the andiroba group were treated three times a day. On days 4, 8, 12 and 15, the mucosa was photographed and removed for clinical and histopathological analysis. The bone marrow of the femur was removed and the micronucleus test was performed to evaluate the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. The data were subjected to analysis of variance, followed by the Tukey and Bonferroni test. RESULTS: Treatment with 100% andiroba oil reduced the degree of OM compared to that reported in the other groups (p < 0.05). Andiroba oil at both concentrations was not cytotoxic, but treatment with 100% andiroba oil showed a genotoxic potential (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Frequent administration of andiroba oil accelerated the healing process in an experimental model of 5-fluorouracil-induced OM. However, the genotoxicity of andiroba in other cell systems and under other conditions are being tested. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The use of andiroba in topical form may be associated with reduced intensity of OM. Seek therapeutic alternatives to minimize the pain and suffering that these side effects cause cancer patients is an important scientific step.