Reverse engineering in forensic investigations: a new approach to bite mark analysis.

The study of bite marks provides crucial elements that contribute towards identifying the biter. In many cases, it assumes importance when bite marks are detected on the body of a victim of violence, but it could also be relevant when the bite marks are seen on food substances at the crime scene. In both circumstances, comparing the bite marks with a suspect's dentition can be decisive in confirming or excluding the culpability. In this case report, a bun (bread roll) with the sign of a bite was found at the crime scene. We report a pilot study using 3D reproduction of the bite mark on the bun and dental models of the alleged biter and the victim. A reverse engineering process was used to obtain digital 3D models of the bitten bun and the dental models by taking numerous photographs and stitching them together using a software called Metashape by Agisoft. The last step was to compare the bitemark to the two dental models, evaluating the spatial distance, the degree of overlap, and the degree of interpenetration. The results confirmed the usefulness of reverse engineering in forensic investigations showing the compatibility between the victim's teeth and the bite mark on the bun.

Age estimation from dry bone measurements: evidence from a sample of soldiers exiled in two concentration camps in Bari.

The mandible undergoes remodelling and morphological alterations throughout the life of an individual, and it is subjected to sex- and age-related structural changes. Personal identification from skeletal remains represents one of the most difficult challenges for a forensic anthropologist. The study of mandibular morphology is an important aid in determining the sex and age of skeletal remains. The objective of this study was to evaluate the age-related changes of three mandibular dimensions through dry bone measurements: bigonial width, ramus height and gonial angle. A total of 93 skeletal remains were included in this study, from a group of soldiers of Yugoslav origin who lived in two concentration camps in Bari (southern Italy) during World War II. These are included in the collection of the Forensic Anthropology Laboratory of the Institute of Forensic Medicine of Bari. The measurements were recorded after comprehensive examination by a forensic anthropologist and a forensic odonto-stomatologist. The data obtained were analysed statistically using a bivariate test and a multivariate linear regression model, using the Statal 13MP software. The results indicate that the bigonial width and gonial angle vary significantly according to age. In conclusion, this study confirms that the mandible is useful for age estimation in the identification of skeletal remains using these specific mandibular measurements when performed on dry bone without radiological distortion.

Effects of a constant dose rate of terbutaline on circadian peak expiratory flow, heart rate and systolic arterial pressure in patients with asthma exacerbation.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a constant infusion rate of terbutaline on circadian bronchial peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), heart rate and arterial pressure in patients with asthma exacerbation. Fifteen hospitalized asthmatic patients (6 females and 9 males, mean age 43.3 years, mean weight 67.0 kg) were included in this study. In order to reach the desired plasma concentrations of terbutaline immediately, a pharmacokinetic simulation was done. Based on the predicted values thus obtained, an initial 5-min bolus dose of 2.94 micrograms/kg was given to all patients at 7 a.m., i.e. at the beginning of the study. Over the following 24 h (7 a.m. to 7 a.m.), 33 micrograms/kg of terbutaline was infused intravenously at a constant rate with an electric pump. Since severe acute asthma requires corticosteroids, a 40-mg injection of methylprednisolone was given to all patients at 7 a.m. PEFR, heart rate, systolic arterial pressure, side effects and plasma terbutaline levels were recorded at 7 and 10 a.m., 1, 4, 7 and 11 p.m., and 3 and 7 a.m. the following morning. Terbutaline had a significant favorable effect on asthma exacerbation but no circadian rhythm was found in PEFR. Although terbutaline was infused at a constant rate, plasma levels depended on circadian variations.

Unequal day-night terbutaline i.v. dosing in acute severe asthma: effect on nocturnal bronchial patency, heart rate, and arterial pressure.

Our study investigated the differential effects of continuous or unequal day-night terbutaline dosing on circadian bronchial patency, heart rate, and arterial pressure in severe acute asthma. Forty-five hospitalized asthmatic patients (19 women and 26 men, mean age 45.4 years, mean weight 63.5 kg) were included in this multicenter study. Three groups of patients (corresponding to three dosing schedules) were randomized; the three groups were comparable, since no statistically significant difference was detected in the age, weight, or peak expiratory flow values at the beginning of the study. In order to reach immediately the concentrations of terbutaline corresponding to the desired unequal day-night concentrations, a theoretical pharmacokinetic simulation was done to predict the outcome in terms of the plasma concentrations after the three dosing regimens; the results of this simulation allowed us to calculate the initial bolus dose to be given over 5 min to groups A, B, and C, i.e., 1.47, 2.94, and 4.41 micrograms/kg, respectively. This bolus was given to all patients at 0700 h, the beginning of the study.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Immediate and secondary prognosis of suffocation fits from post-tuberculous respiratory insufficiencies (author's transl)]. / Pronostic immédiat et secondaire des poussées asphyxiques des insuffisances respiratoires post-tuberculeuses.

Prognosis for an immediate future and up to one year of decompensation periods was comparable both in chronic bronchitic patients and in ancient tuberculous ones. The latter can be divided in two groups, "amputated" and "non-amputated", according to the main kind of sequellae, pleural and/or parenchymatous. The immediate future is identical and then, the prognosis of the "amputated" which was rather more favourable at one year progressively worsens to reach that of "non-amputated" patients.