No abstract

Hyperargininemia is a metabolic disorder biochemically characterized by tissue accumulating of arginine and other guanidino compounds. Convulsions, lethargy and psychomotor delay or cognitive deterioration are predominant clinical features of this disease. Although neurologic symptoms predominate in this disorder, their pathophysiology is still unknown. In the present study we initially investigated the in vitro effect of arginine, homoarginine, N-acetylarginine and argininic acid on acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase in hippocampus and serum of 15-, 30- and 60-day-old rats. Results showed that arginine in vitro significantly decreased acetylcholinesterase activity in hippocampus of 15-day-old rats and increased this enzyme activity in hippocampus of 60-day-old rats, homoarginine and N-acetylarginine significantly increased acetylcholinesterase activity both in hippocampus of 15- and 30-day-old rats. On the other hand, butyrylcholinesterase was inhibited by homoarginine in serum of 15-day-old rats. The influence of the antioxidants trolox and ascorbic acid on the effects elicited by arginine, homoarginine and N-acetylarginine was also studied. Results showed that these antioxidants were able to prevent the alteration on acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase activities caused by guanidine compounds studied, suggesting that alterations on these cholinesterases were probably mediated by free radicals. It is presumed that these results might be associated, at least in part, with the neuronal dysfunction of patients affected by hyperargininemia.

No abstract

Forensic dentistry, a branch of the forensic sciences, plays an important role within postmortem human identification, especially in cases of corpses that are charred, skeletonized or in an advanced state of decomposition. Identification of human remains via dental knowledge is done using a comparative technique, which is simple, inexpensive and reliable, the aim of which is to compare dental records and information recorded by dentists in clinical appointments made before an individual's death, with postmortem dental records obtained via forensic examination. In this context, the present study aims to demonstrate the importance of dental records and the effectiveness of forensic dentistry in human identification, illustrated by the report of a case that was conducted at the São Luis Coroner's Office in the Brazilian state of Maranhão. It may be concluded that dental records maintained by a dentist, when complete, properly structured and correctly archived, retain important personal information and are fundamental tools in the process of human identification.

_______________________________________________________________ RESUMOIntrodução: A identificação humana pelos arcos dentais é considerada uma forma segura para se obter um resultado, pois possuem unicidade no conjunto de características, como morfologia dos dentes, formato da arcada, presença de alterações patológicas ou terapêuticas, ausências, e anomalias numéricas, morfológicas ou posicionais. Com frequência, cadáveres encontrados na água em estágio avançado de putrefação impossibilitam a identificação papiloscópica, tornando a Odontologia Legal necessária, evitando exames mais caros e demorados, como o DNA. Os dentes e os materiais odontológicos utilizados são de grande resistência à ação do fogo e da água, e o prontuário odontológico, arquivado com o cirurgião-dentista deve conter registro de todos os procedimentos realizados no paciente em vida, bem como modelos de gesso, radiografias, fotografias e demais exames de imagem. Objetivo: O presente artigo tem como objetivo relatar o caso de um adulto afogado que teve a sua identificação confirmada através da documentação ortodôntica. Conclusão: Concluiu-se que a associação da documentação ortodôntica fornecida pelos familiares com fotos, radiografias, e pareceres, e os dados odontolegais obtidos no exame cadavérico, permitiram a confirmação da identidade do indivíduo. PALAVRAS-CHAVEOdontologia legal; Identificação humana; Afogamento.