Estimativa de idade em esqueletos fetais: análise de quatro casos periciais / Age estimation in fetal skeletons: analysis of four forensic cases

Antropologia Forense é uma área da antropologia biológica que pode ser definida como o estudo científico de restos e/ou ossadas humanas, corpos ou parte de corpos que precisam de identificação. Quando uma ossada imatura é encontrada, é possível que ela seja confundida com ossos animais, devido às semelhanças nos formatos e tamanho dos ossos. Além disso, a avaliação da viabilidade fetal está relacionada à estimativa de idade e esses dados também são relevantes em contextos jurídicos, quando se envolvem temas como aborto ou infanticídio. O objetivo desse estudo foi descrever a utilização de um tradicional método de estimativa de idade (Fazekas e Kósa, 1978) em esqueletos fetais e verificar sua aplicabilidade no contexto local, com as amostras do Núcleo de Medicina e Odontologia Legal (NUMOL) de João Pessoa/PB. De acordo com o método, foram mensurados 6 ossos longos (úmero, rádio, ulna, fêmur, tíbia e fíbula) de 4 esqueletos disponíveis. O menor esqueleto analisado teve sua idade estimada entre 18 e 20 semanas e o maior 40 semanas. No único esqueleto catalogado do acervo, a estimativa de idade mostrou-se efetiva, abrangendo a idade real. Nesse contexto, alerta-se para a necessidade de se estabelecer corretamente a idade fetal em casos forenses, o que possibilita responder questionamentos jurídicos, sobretudo quanto à viabilidade da vida intrauterina, trazendo luz as possibilidades de possíveis crimes de aborto ou infanticídio. Ademais, o estudo mostrou-se como um norteador nos trabalhos periciais com a difusão do método, sua execução e aplicação. Contudo, faz-se necessário que novos estudos sejam desenvolvidos buscando a confiabilidade do método com base em ossadas locais e atuais

Forensic Anthropology is a field of biological anthropology that can be defined as the scientific study of human remains and/or bones, bodies or body parts that require identification. When immature bones are found, they may be mistaken for animal bones due to similarities in shape and size. In addition, fetal viability assessment is related to age estimation, and this data is also relevant in legal contexts, when issues such as abortion or infanticide are involved. The objective of this study was to describe the use of a traditional age estimation method (Fazekas and Kósa, 1978) in fetal skeletons and to verify its applicability in the local context, using samples from the Nucleus of Legal Medicine and Dentistry (NUMOL) in João Pessoa/PB, Brazil. According to the method, six long bones (humerus, radius, ulna, femur, tibia, and fibula) from four available skeletons were measured. The smallest skeleton analyzed had its age estimated between 18 and 20 weeks, and the largest was 40 weeks. In the only cataloged skeleton in the collection, the age estimation was effective, encompassing the real age. In this context, the need to establish fetal age correctly in forensic cases is emphasized, which makes it possible to answer legal questions, especially regarding the viability of intrauterine life, shedding light on the possibilities of possible crimes of abortion or infanticide. Moreover, the study proved to be a guide in forensic work with the dissemination of the method, its execution, and application. However, it is necessary to develop new studies seeking the reliability of the method based on local and current skeletal remains

In vitro antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of Anacardium occidentale L. extracts and their toxicity on PBMCs and zebrafish embryos.

This study evaluated the in vitro antimicrobial and immunomodulatory action of crude extracts from Anacardium occidentale L. (cashew tree) leaves and bark, and to determine their toxicity to peripheral-blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and to zebrafish embryos and larvae. Chemical analysis of extracts was performed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR). The antibacterial activity was evaluated against selected bacteria strains by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). Cytotoxicity of the extracts was assessed using resazurin method, while the effect on production of ROS by PMN leukocytes was measured by luminol. Embryotoxicity to zebrafish was assessed using the fish embryo acute toxicity test (FET) and quantification of toxicity marker enzymes (AChE, LDH, and GST). 1H-NMR results showed anacardic acid as the main component of the extracts. All bacterial species tested were sensitive to the extracts, with MICs ranging from 312.5 to 10,000 µg/mL. Streptococcus mutans and Escherichia coli were the most susceptible species. The extracts promoted cell viability above 75% at concentrations from 1.25 to 80 µg/mL. Both extracts reduced zymosan-induced ROS (p < 0.05) at concentrations of 1, 8, and 80 µg/mL compared to the control. In vivo, there were embryotoxic effects in zebrafish embryos exposed to both extracts through the presence of lethal and sublethal endpoints. The samples also acted by inhibiting the activities of biomarker enzymes. The A. occidentale L. bark and leaf extracts showed antimicrobial potential and modulated ROS production in vitro, but these also showed embryotoxic effects to zebrafish.

Toxicological Parameters of a Formulation Containing Cinnamaldehyde for Use in Treatment of Oral Fungal Infections: An In Vivo Study.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to define the safety and toxicity of both isolated and embedded cinnamaldehyde using a pharmaceutical formulation for the treatment of oral fungal infections in an in vivo study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Acute toxicity was assessed in studies with Galleria mellonella larvae and Danio rerio embryos (zebrafish), and genotoxicity was assessed in a mouse model. The pharmaceutical formulation (orabase ointment) containing cinnamaldehyde was evaluated for verification of both in vitro antifungal activity and toxicity in keratinized oral rat mucosa. RESULTS: In Galleria mellonella larvae, cinnamaldehyde was not toxic up to the highest dose tested (20 mg/kg) and presented no genotoxicity up to the dose of 4 mg/kg in the model using mice. However, it was found to be toxic in zebrafish embryos up to a concentration of 0.035 µg/mL; LC50 0.311; EC50 0.097 (egg hatching delay); and 0.105 (Pericardial edema). In the orabase antifungal susceptibility test, cinnamaldehyde exhibited activity in concentrations greater than 200 µg/mL. As for safety in the animal model with rats, the orabase ointment proved to be safe for use on keratinized mucosa up to the maximum concentration tested (700 µg/mL). CONCLUSIONS: At the concentrations tested, cinnamaldehyde was not toxic in vertebrate and invertebrate animal models and did not exhibit genotoxic activity. In addition, when used in the form of an ointment in orabase, having already recognized antifungal activity, it was shown to be safe up to the highest concentration tested.