Evidence regarding the components of the renin-angiotensin (Ang) system suggests that this system plays an important role in male reproduction. However, there are few data available in the literature on the effects of Ang-(1-7) on the male reproductive system. The present study investigated the effects of the genetic deletion and chronic blockage of Ang-(1-7) receptor Mas on spermatogenesis and male fertility. The localization of Mas in mouse and rat testes was determined by binding assays and immunofluorescence, whereas the testis structure and spermatogenic process were morphologically and stereologically analysed by light microscopy. Ang-(1-7) binding and immunofluorescence revealed the presence of Mas in the testes of mice and rats. Although the total numbers of Sertoli and Leydig cells per testis and Leydig cell size were similar in both wild-type and Mas -deficient mice, Mas -/-animals exhibited a significant reduction in testis weight and a greater volume of apoptotic cells, giant cells and vacuoles in the seminiferous epithelium. In both mice and rats, an increased number of apoptotic cells were found during meiosis. Due to disturbed spermatogenesis, daily sperm production was markedly reduced in Mas -/-mice.Moreover, chronic infusion of A-779 [an Ang-(1-7) antagonist] in rats significantly increased the total number of apoptotic cells and primary spermatocytes in particular stages of spermatogenesis. Taken together, these findings strongly suggest that Ang-(1-7) receptor Mas plays an important role in the regulation of spermatogenesis.

Background:The aging process of the face comprises all layers: skin, subcutaneous fat, muscles, and skeleton, and the signs of aging depend mainly on which layer is mostly affected.Objective:To evaluate the aging facial skeleton, as well as establish the sexual differences, areas with a strong predisposition to resorption, and aesthetic repercussion for better treatment approach.Methods:Skulls from the Forensic Anthropology Department of the Institute of Forensic Medicine of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, were classified according to gender and age group (i.e., <20 years, 20–50 years, >50 years). Structural changes were classified according to gender and age group.Results:Of the 241 skulls included, 192 were male skulls and 49 female. Sexual dimorphism and age-related peculiarities are described herein.Conclusions:The knowledge of the anatomy of the aging face, taking into consideration all the layers (skin, fat pads, muscles, and bones), as a whole, for the treatment of folds and shadows is vital for a better and more natural final aesthetic outcome.

Objective: to evaluate the epidemiological profile of deaths due to abdominal trauma at the Forensic Medicine Institute of Belo Horizonte, MG - Brazil. Methods: we conducted a retrospective study of the reports of deaths due to abdominal trauma autopsied from 2006 to 2011. Results: we analyzed 1.888 necropsy reports related to abdominal trauma. Penetrating trauma was more common than blunt one and gunshot wounds were more prevalent than stab wounds. Most of the individuals were male, brown-skinned, single and occupationally active. The median age was 34 years. The abdominal organs most injured in the penetrating trauma were the liver and the intestines, and in blunt trauma, the liver and the spleen. Homicide was the most prevalent circumstance of death, followed by traffic accidents, and almost half of the cases were referred to the Forensic Medicine Institute by a health unit. The blood alcohol test was positive in a third of the necropsies where it was performed. Cocaine and marijuana were the most commonly found substances in toxicology studies. Conclusion: in this sample. there was a predominance of penetrating abdominal trauma in young, brown and single men, the liver being the most injured organ.

Resumo.A violência sexual está presente em todo o mundo, acomete ambos os sexos e ocorre em todas as culturas e classes sociais. As mulheres são as principais vítimas de abuso sexual (AS), considerado um importante problema de saúde pública pelas possíveis consequências que pode gerar para a saúde. Nos casos de AS a perícia médico-legal possui o papel de buscar elementos materiais importantes na correta investigação do ocorrido, além de participar da rede integrada de atendimento à vítima. Em decorrência das lacunas no entendimento epidemiológico do AS em adultos objetivou-se analisar os laudos periciais de sexologia forense em um contexto geográfico específico, para melhor compreender as características dos periciados e os achados periciais.

Abstract. Neck trauma is associated with high morbidity and mortality. To establish the profile of death by neck trauma in the metropolitan area of Belo Horizonte (BH), Brazil, fatal cases subjected to necropsy at the Forensic Medicine Institute of BH 2006 to 2012 were evaluated. A total of 541 necropsy reports were analyzed; most victims were male (82%), single (70%) and non-white (72%). Almost half of the victims were under 30 years old (47%).Penetrating neck trauma was the most prevalent injury (74%), mainly caused by firearm projectiles (54%), and most cases were of homicide victims (67%). Alcohol consumption before death and positive drug tests were found in almost half of the cases (42% and 45%, respectively). Establishing the sociodemographic and behavioral profile of victims as well the intrinsic characteristics of this type of trauma are potentially relevant for identifying the highrisk population and for elaborating intervention strategies.

Introduction: The phrenic nerve normally arises from ventral rami of C3, C4 and C5. It emerges laterally to the superior portion oflateral border of scalenus anterior muscle and presents a descendent course between subclavian artery and vein. It crosses anterior to internal thoracic artery and descends through the mediastinum, until the diaphragm muscle, to supply it with motor and sensitive fibers. Matherials and Methods: A bibliographic review was conducted, based on anatomy, neuroanatomy and surgical anatomy textbooks, published in Brazil and abroad, as well as a review of scientific articles, published over the last 20 years, available on research databases PubMed, Scielo, LILACS and MEDLINE, from keywords phrenic nerve, variation and anomaly. Results: Variations of the phrenic nerve are frequent, but they are not often discussed. Thus, we aimed to conduct an actualized review over the subject. Regarding the variations in the origin of the phrenic nerve, textbooks vaguely inform that it is mainly formed by C4, but the recent cadaveric studies pointed the segments C4 and C5 as the most common origin. About the variations in its course, the most described is its passage anterior to the subclavian vein, before reaching the thorax. However, the presence of accessory phrenic nerve represents the greatestvariation, mostly arising from nerve to subclavian. There are few reports in literature about the complications associated to these variations, but some are suggested, as the possibility of causing its damage during the puncture of the subclavian vein, when the nerve descends anterior to it, which may lead to a hemidiaphragmatic paresis. When variations are present, even simple procedures may cause injuries. Conclusion: Therefore it is fundamental to know the normal anatomy and the possible variations of the phrenic nerve, in order to perform safe procedures in its topography, as well as to enable a timely recognition of complications.

A antropologia forense lida com perícias criminais de ossadas e de cadáveres carbonizados ou em avançado estado putrefativo, sendo crucial a definição do perfil biológico (PB) dos indivíduos com as estimativas de sexo, idade, estatura e ancestralidade. O exame dos ossos do quadril, do crânio e dos membros, em conjunto, apresenta maior precisão técnica nestas estimativas. Entretanto, nem sempre todos estão presentes, o que torna importante o estudo de partes isoladas para a avaliação do PB. O osso esterno é uma opção, pois resiste à decomposição e é de fácil exame. Estudo transversal com avaliação de 65 esternos secos periciados em unidade de medicina legal, buscando correlacionar seis medidas, a massa e 13 parâmetros qualitativos desse osso, a fim de ser elaborada proposta de estimativa do PB dos periciados com base no esterno. A largura da terceira esternébra e a largura/o comprimento/a massa do esterno foram significativamente maiores nos homens. Com base no grau de fusão da junção xifosternal foi criada uma equação para a estimativa da idade e com base na massa do manúbrio e no comprimento do corpo foram criadas três equações para a estimativa da estatura. A única característica que se associou à ancestralidade foi o formato do manúbrio, sendo observados manúbrios planos apenas para ancestralidade africana. Estes resultados demonstram potencial aplicação prática na estimativa do PB com base na avaliação do esterno. Entretanto, o pequeno número de casos analisados demanda que os dados obtidos sejam testados em uma amostra maior de indivíduos.

A Antropologia Forense é o ramo pericial no qual há a aplicação dos conhecimentos da antropologia física ao contexto médico legal. Quando o material a ser periciado envolve corpos carbonizados (CC), o conhecimento antropológico forense será essencial nesta análise. Perícias realizadas em CC apresentam grandes dificuldades técnicas, pois a destruição de partes do corpo pode prejudicar a análise antropológica, bem como a identificação do material periciado. Neste trabalho são apresentados dois casos de vítimas de colisões automobilísticas envolvendo os principais aspectos técnicos da autopsia de CC, com ênfase na integração entre os conhecimentos médico legais e datiloscópicos. Nos casos relatados a análise antropológica conseguiu determinar os sexos e estimar as idades ósseas. Em um deles a causa médica da morte permaneceu indeterminada e no outro foi estabelecida como politraumatismo contuso. As mãos direitas apresentavam os dedos fletidos, o que preservou parcialmente as respectivas polpas digitais da ação térmica. As técnicas utilizadas no preparo das luvas epidérmicas manuais permitiram a obtenção de adequadas impressões digitais reveladas, que ao serem comparadas com impressões padrão identificaram ambos os corpos. Os dois casos destacam a importância do trabalho integrado entre diversas áreas de conhecimento para a análise forense de CC e sua identificação.