162 research outputs found

    RADIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS IN FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGY. FRACTURE HEALING AND DATING

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    The accurate dating of bone fractures constitutes a critical component of trauma analysis in forensic anthropology and the research in this field represents to date a challenging opportunity to apply scientific knowledge and methods to real problems of society, including also global humanitarian and human rights issues. However, the literature review performed in order to describe the state of the art in fracture healing and dating showed that forensic studies are scarce and that the assessment of fractures lacks consensus about both the definition of fracture healing and the duration of the fracture healing process. Thus, the aim of the present PhD project, including two research lines, was to acquire a better knowledge of the process of bone remodeling both in the living and the dead with regard to the timing of injury as well as to evaluate the applicability of high-resolution radiological techniques for objective dating of the healing phase of the fracture. The 1 st retrospective study, dedicated to the living, was based on digital radiographs from the largest adult living population ever analyzed and was aimed not only at examining time frames for healing of bone fractures but also at investigating the effect of variables, including age, sex, bone type and number of fracures on the timing of healing stages of traumatic skeletal lesions. For these purposes a multivariable model was built, which showed a significant association between the healing stages and the variables analyzed, so that a dynamic nomogram was preliminary proposed to predict a time interval since fracture from digital radiographs. The 2 nd experimental study, dedicated to the dead, was based on dry human bones presenting calluses of different known age in order to preliminary assess the potential of an advanced and non-destructive imaging technology, like microcomputed tomography (micro-CT), in order to obtain a future objective dating of the healing phase of the fracture on post-cranial human bone calluses of known age. The results not only demonstrated the potential utility of micro-CT to obtain a wealth of qualitative details about the microstructure of the callus but also to reach an objective fracture dating, laying promising foundations for further studies on this topic in light of the highlighted existence of a certain trend of some parameters of trabecular microstructure relative to the age of the callus, including the degree of anisotropy, the connectivity and the trabecular spacing

    Contact Lens Wear Induces Alterations of Lactoferrin Functionality in Human Tears

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    The tear film is a complex matrix composed of several molecular classes, from small metal ions to macromolecules. Contact lens (CL) wear can affect the protein homeostasis of the tear film, by accumulating deposits on the CL surface and/or altering their structural and functional properties. This work investigates the effect of CL wear on lactoferrin (Lf), one of the most abundant tear proteins, known as an unspecific biomarker of inflammation. Tears from eight volunteers were collected and analyzed after alternated periods of CL wear and without CL. The experimental approach is to probe Lf into unprocessed human tears by the peculiar fluorescence emission originating from complex formation of Lf with terbium (Tb3+) at the iron-binding sites. The experimental data indicate that CL wear does not significantly affect the total amount of Lf. On the other hand, Lf affinity for Tb3+ is reduced upon CL wear, suggesting relevant changes in Lf structure and possible alterations of protein functionality. Future studies based on this approach will help define CL features (material, lens-care solution, wearing time, etc.) with minimal effects on tear protein activity, in order to obtain more biocompatible and comfortable devices

    Application of Paper-Based Microfluidic Analytical Devices (µPAD) in Forensic and Clinical Toxicology: A Review

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    The need for providing rapid and, possibly, on-the-spot analytical results in the case of intoxication has prompted researchers to develop rapid, sensitive, and cost-effective methods and analytical devices suitable for use in nonspecialized laboratories and at the point of need (PON). In recent years, the technology of paper-based microfluidic analytical devices (μPADs) has undergone rapid development and now provides a feasible, low-cost alternative to traditional rapid tests for detecting harmful compounds. In fact, μPADs have been developed to detect toxic molecules (arsenic, cyanide, ethanol, and nitrite), drugs, and drugs of abuse (benzodiazepines, cathinones, cocaine, fentanyl, ketamine, MDMA, morphine, synthetic cannabinoids, tetrahydrocannabinol, and xylazine), and also psychoactive substances used for drug-facilitated crimes (flunitrazepam, gamma- hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), ketamine, metamizole, midazolam, and scopolamine). The present report critically evaluates the recent developments in paper-based devices, particularly in detection methods, and how these new analytical tools have been tested in forensic and clinical toxicology, also including future perspectives on their application, such as multisensing paper-based devices, microfluidic paper-based separation, and wearable paper-based sensors

    Polimorfismos bioquímicos e o relacionamento genético entre raças suínas brasileiras e estrangeiras criadas no Brasil

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    The genetic variability of 14 protein systems encoded by 15 structural loci was investigated in blood samples of Piau and Caruncho pig breeds. The results were compared with those obtained previously for samples of Landrace, Large White, Duroc and Mouro. The degree of genetic variability obtained for Piau (He=0.114) was similar to that estimated for other breeds reared in Brazil (Landrace, He=0.116; Large White, He=0.119; Duroc, 0.095; Mouro, He= 0.130). Caruncho showed the lowest variability (He= 0.056). The gene frequencies at the polymorphic loci were used to evaluate the usefulness of these systems for paternity testing and the combined probabilities of paternity exclusion were estimated at 58% for the Piau and 36% for the Caruncho breed. Analysis of genetic distances revealed that the greatest similarity observed was between Piau and Landrace (D=0.042). Caruncho showed the greatest divergence among all breeds compared and the distances between this breed and others range from 0.107 (with Landrace) to 0.176 (with Duroc). The tree constructed by UPGMA and Rogers Distance gave a topology in which Piau and Mouro joined with the European breeds (Landrace and Large White) whereas Caruncho was separated from all the other breeds. The results of the analysis of the Caruncho samples should be interpreted with caution since the number of animals studied was small.Foi investigada a variabilidade genética de 14 sistemas protéicos codificados por 15 locos estruturais em amostras de sangue de suínos das raças Piau e Caruncho. Os resultados foram comparados com àqueles obtidos previamente para amostras de Landrace, Large White, Duroc e Mouro. O grau de variabilidade genética obtida para Piau (He=0,114) foi similar àquelas estimadas para outras raças criadas no Brasil (Landrace, He=0,116; Large White, He=0,119; Duroc, 0,095; Mouro, He= 0,130). Caruncho apresentou a menor variabilidade (He= 0,056). A partir das freqüências gênicas dos locos polimórficos, foi calculada a eficiência de cada sistema para testes de paternidade e as probabilidades combinadas de exclusão de paternidade foram estimadas em 58% para Piau e 36% para Caruncho. Análises das distâncias genéticas revelaram que a raça mais próxima da Piau foi a Landrace (D=0,042). Caruncho apresentou as maiores divergências em relação a todas as raças comparadas, que variaram de 0,107 (com Landrace) a 0,176 (com Duroc). A árvore construída através de UPGMA e Distância de Rogers mostrou uma topologia na qual Piau e Mouro se uniram as raças Européias (Landrace e Large White), e Caruncho está separado de todas as demais raças. Os resultados das análises das amostras de Caruncho devem ser interpretados com cautela, uma vez que o número de animais estudados foi pequeno

    Capillary electrophoresis of hair proteins modified by alcohol intake in laboratory rats

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    Abstract A capillary zone electrophoretic method was used to obtain profiles of solubilized rat hair keratin proteins. The same methodology was used to reveal the presence of additional protein peaks in alcohol-consuming rats. Two types of separation were investigated. Alkali-solubilized keratins from hair of rats treated for 5 weeks with 5% ethanol and 2 weeks with 10% ethanol (instead of drinking water) and from controls were analysed. Whereas under alkaline conditions (pH 9.2, 50 mM borate) an additional fraction of "low-sulphur" keratins with the highest anodic mobility of this keratin category was shown in alcohol-treated animals, acid electrophoresis carried out at pH 3.5 in phosphate buffer (50 mM) revealed the presence of two sharp peaks absent in the controls. These findings were confirmed by two-dimensional separations of carboxymethylated keratin samples. An attempt was made to identify further one of the newly occurring fractions in alcohol-consuming animals. It was revealed that the tryptic hydrolysate of "low-sulphur" proteins obtained from alcohol-consuming animals contained a peptide not found in controls

    The alcohol used for cleansing the venipuncture site does not jeopardize blood and plasma alcohol measurement with head-space gas chromatography and an enzymatic assay

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    IntroductionThis study aimed to establish whether an alcoholic antiseptic, wiped or not before venipuncture, may jeopardize alcohol testing with a commercial enzymatic assay and a reference head-space gas chromatography (GC) technique. Materials and methodsVenous blood was collected from 23 healthy volunteers, with two sequential procedures. In the first blood collection, 2 mL of alcoholic antiseptic (0.5% chlorhexidine, 70% ethanol) were place on a gauge pad, the venipuncture site of right arm was cleaned but the antiseptic was not let to dry before phlebotomy. In the second blood collection, 2 mL of the same alcoholic antiseptic were placed on another gauge pad, the venipuncture site of left harm was cleaned and the antiseptic was accurately cleansed before phlebotomy. Ethanol was measured with a reference GC technique in whole blood and EDTA plasma, and a commercial enzymatic assay in EDTA plasma. ResultsNo subject complained about feeling a particular itchy sensation when the alcohol was not wiped before puncturing the vein. The concentration of alcohol in all EDTA plasma samples was always lower than the limit of detection of the enzymatic assay (i.e., 2.2 mmol/L; 0.1 g/L). Similarly, alcohol concentration was also undetectable using a reference GC technique (i.e., < 0.22 mmol/L; 0.01 g/L) in EDTA plasma and whole blood. ConclusionIt seems reasonable to conclude that using ethanol-containing antiseptics before venipuncture may not be causes of spurious or false positive results of alcohol measurement at least when ideal venipunctures can be performed

    Potential of the zebrafish model for the forensic toxicology screening of NPS: A comparative study of the effects of APINAC and methiopropamine on the behavior of zebrafish larvae and mice

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    Abstract The increased diffusion of the so-called novel psychoactive substances (NPS) and their continuous change in structure andconceivably activity has led to the need of a rapid screening method to detect their biological effects as early as possible after their appearance in the market. This problem is very felt in forensic pathology and toxicology, so the preclinical study is fundamental in the approach to clinical and autopsy cases of difficult interpretation intoxication. Zebrafish is a high-throughput suitable model to rapidly hypothesize potential aversive or beneficial effects of novel molecules. In the present study, we measured and compared the behavioral responses to two novel neuroactive drugs, namely APINAC, a new cannabimimetic drug, and methiopropamine (MPA), a methamphetamine-like compound, on zebrafish larvae (ZL) and adult mice. By using an innovative statistical approach (general additive models), it was found that the spontaneous locomotor activity was impaired by the two drugs in both species: the disruption extent varied in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. Sensorimotor function was also altered: i) the visual object response was reduced in mice treated with APINAC, whereas it was not after exposure to MPA; ii) the visual placing responses were reduced after treatment with both NPS in mice. Furthermore, the visual motor response detected in ZL showed a reduction after treatment with APINAC during light-dark and dark-light transition. The same pattern was found in the MPA exposed groups only at the dark-light transition, while at the transition from light to dark, the individuals showed an increased response. In conclusion, the present study highlighted the impairment of spontaneous motor and sensorimotor behavior induced by MPA and APINAC administration in both species, thus confirming the usefulness of ZL as a model for a rapid behavioural-based drug screening

    Recent advances in the applications of CE to forensic sciences (2005-2007)

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    The present article reviews the applications of CE in forensic science covering the period from 2005 until the first part of 2007. The overview includes the most relevant examples of analytical applications of capillary electrophoretic and electrokinetic techniques in the following fields: (i) forensic drugs, toxicants and dyes, (ii) small ions of forensic interest (iii) explosives, (iv) forensic DNA, and (v) other biopolymers of forensic interest

    Il processo di revisione per il nuovo Codice di deontologia medica. Passaggi critici e punti di forza delle bozze in discussione

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    Dopo 20 anni dal primo Codice di deontologia medica nella storia repubblicana, dall\u2019edizione del 1978 il testo \ue8 stato revisionato di media ogni 7 anni , e ci\uf2 a fronte del continuo progresso scientifico in campo biomedico, del cambiamento che ha investito la relazione di cura, nonch\ue9 della sempre maggiore complessit\ue0 dell\u2019organizzazione e della gestione sanitaria. A partire da tali trasformazioni, che coinvolgono la nuova medicina anche sotto il profilo sociale e giuridico, la volont\ue0 di rimettere mano al Codice di deontologia medica si configura come un\u2019esigenza imprescindibile per una professione che voglia restare al passo con i tempi, registrarne i cambiamenti, valutare gli scenari futuri
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