One-year variation in quantity and properties of microplastics in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and cockles (Cerastoderma edule) from Aveiro lagoon

As filter feeders, marine bivalves inhabiting estuarine and coastal areas are directly exposed to microplastics (MPs) in water. To assess whether MPs number, and their shape, size, colour, and polymer type present in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and cockles (Cerastoderma edule) varied over one year, bivalves were collected over the year of 2019 in the lower part of the coastal Aveiro lagoon, Portugal. After extraction from the bivalve's whole-body soft tissues, a subset of the visually inspected particles was randomly separated for identification using the Fourier-transform mid-infrared (FT-MIR) spectroscopy. A fraction of the inspected particles, 26-32% of particles >100 μm, and 59-100% of smaller ones were confirmed as MPs. Concentrations varied within the intervals of 0.77-4.3 items g-1 in mussels and 0.83-5.1 items g-1 in cockles, with the lowest values observed in January. In winter, the accumulation of large-sized fibers was composed of a mixture of plastic types, which contrasted against the most abundant MPs in summer consisting mainly of polyethylene of diverse size classes and shapes. Temperature decrease registered in winter might have triggered a lower filtration rate, resulting in lower MPs concentrations in the whole-soft body tissues of organisms. Different properties of MPs found in bivalves between January-February and August-September appear to reflect changes in the characteristics of MPs available in the Aveiro lagoon.

Evaluation of Influence of Arthroscopy on the Range of Mandibular Movements Based on Medical Records

The Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome (TJDS) is a group of pathologies that affect the temporomandibular joint, mastication muscles, and attached structures, 1 of the leading causes of orofacial pain. Arthroscopy is a technique used as a method of treatment for TJSD. This was a retrospective cohort study, and data were collected from the medical records of patients with TJDS. The diagnosis of TJDS was established based on computed tomography and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging tests, and clinical examination. All patients, who underwent arthroscopy, were operated on by the same surgeon in 2020. The variables analyzed in this study were: maximum mouth opening, laterality, and protrusion of patients undergoing arthroscopy at time intervals of 30, 90 days, and 6 months after surgery. Data from anamnesis of the medical records and findings on clinical examination were used to verify whether there was any correlation with good postoperative evolution. Afterward, these data were compared and submitted to statistical analysis (Wilcoxon (nonparametric and paired) and Mann-Whitney (nonparametric, unpaired) tests) to verify the degree of correlation between them. It could be concluded that in this sample, arthroscopy reduced the degree of pain in patients, increased mouth opening amplitude, and did not influence laterality and protrusion. The use of previous medication was correlated with a slight decrease in postoperative pain; patients who had undergone previous orthodontic treatment showed better results regarding maximum mouth opening without pain; patients who had previously felt pain on professional palpation had greater maximum mouth opening with and without pain after arthroscopy, and patients with noise at professional auscultation had greater maximum mouth opening without pain. Further studies should be conducted, with larger samples, associated with complementary exams (computed tomography and nuclear magnetic resonance) before and after arthroscopy.

Evaluation of the accuracy of virtual planning in bimaxillary orthognathic surgery: Systematic review

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the accuracy of virtual planning in bimaxillary orthognathic surgery in bone by comparing the mean linear and angular measurements of the surgical plan with the actual surgical result. Electronic databases, MEDLINE via PubMed, Web of Science, SCOPUS, the Cochrane Library, grey literature, and the American clinical trials registry (www.ClinicalTrials.gov), were accessed as search engines. The studies consisted of publications on the assessment of accuracy in virtual planning in bimaxillary orthognathic surgery between 2010 and 2020. After application of the eligibility criteria, 26 articles were included, and their quality was evaluated using the methodological index for non-randomised studies (MINORS) tool and Cohen's kappa statistic in the MedCalc program (MedCalc Software Ltd). Evidence obtained by comparing the planning and surgical results, both in the maxilla and mandible, showed that there is great accuracy in virtual planning in bimaxillary orthognathic surgery.

Craniofacial injuries by firearms projectiles: An analysis of 868 deaths in the five regions of Brazil

Firearms injuries have a legal and medico-legal importance, and are especially lethal when they reach the craniofacial regions of the victim. The present study aims to identify the characteristics of craniofacial lesions resulting from firearm projectiles, to register the most affected craniofacial regions by this type of injury and to verify the demographic profile of the victims. A retrospective study was carried out on the autopsy records produced in the first semester of 2015, in five Institutes of Legal Medicine in Porto Velho, situated in the cities of João Pessoa, Vitória, Porto Alegre and Brasília. Data extracted included sex, skin color and age of the victim, craniofacial region reached, shooting distance, shape and size of the injuries and manner of death (homicide, suicide or accident). Based on the 868 reports analyzed, it was possible to observe 1700 entrance lesions of firearm projectiles in craniofacial regions. Among cases of known manner of death, homicides were the most frequent (97.0%). It was observed a higher frequency of male victims (93.3%), mixed race (62.0%), between the ages of 12 and 29 years (59.4%). In all cases considered as suicide or accident there was only one entrance wound, but in 82.8% of the homicides there were multiple gunshot wounds. The craniofacial most affected regions were temporal (25.2%) and occipital (19.8%). The most common sites of projectiles exit were the temporal (25.3%) and parietal (16.1%). All cases of suicide were related to contact shot (69.2%) or close-range shot (30.8%), and among the homicides the distant range shots were more frequent (54.0%). The shape of entrance wounds was mostly circular (56.8%) and oval (31.3%), and among the exit injuries, the lesions were irregular (43.3%) and starry (24.1%). The entrance wounds showed smaller sizes than the exit lesions (p < 0.0001). The data obtained are useful for guiding research that takes into account craniofacial trauma caused by firearm projectiles, makes it possible to compare this data with those of other countries and can base investigative conclusions based on the analyzes discussed in the present work.

Computational Approach to Identify Different Injuries by Firearms

Complications arise in the analysis of gunshot wounds to the maxillofacial region, when neither the projectile nor the gun is found at the crime scene. We simulated 5- and 15-cm firing distances at a human mandible to investigate the external morphology of entrance wounds based on fire range. The ammunition models, .40-caliber S&W, .380-caliber, and 9 × 19-mm Luger, were constructed with free-form NURBS surfaces. In a dynamic simulation, projectiles were fired against mandibular body 3D model at 5 and 15 cm. All entrance wounds presented oval aspect. Maximum diameter and von Mises stress values were 16.5 mm and 50.8 MPa, both for .40-caliber S&W fired at 5 cm. The maximum energy loss was 138.4 J for .40 S&W fired at 15 cm. In conclusion, the mandible was most affected by .40-caliber S&W and morphological differences were observable in holes caused by different incoming projectile calibers fired at different distances.