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Constituent profiling of ecstasy seizures by GC-MS after joint derivatization with MSTFA and MBTFAEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Letter to the EditorDOI 10.1007/s11419-009-0080-3Authors Pinjia Meng, Chinese People’s Public Security University Department of Forensic Science Muxidi Nanli 1# Xicheng District, Beijing 100038 P.R. ChinaPierre Margot, University of Lausanne Institute de Police Scientifique Lausanne-Dorigny Switzerland Journal Forensic ToxicologyOnline ISSN 1860-8973Print ISSN 1860-8965 (Source: Forensic Toxicology)
Source: Forensic Toxicology - October 2, 2009 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

Capsaicin, an active ingredient in pepper sprays, increases the lethality of cocaineEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract Since 1992, California police have been using pepper sprays containing oleoresin capsicum (OC) as a nonlethal method to subdue delirious or violent individuals. Capsaicin is a primary ingredient in OC spray. From January 1993 to June 1995, at least 20 deaths in California were associated with OC and stimulant drug (cocaine, amphetamines, or ephedrines) exposure. Based on this background, we hypothesized a direct potentiation of cocaine toxicity by capsaicin. We performed animal experiments and also reviewed human data involving capsaicin and stimulants. The lethal effects of capsaicin administered w...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - October 2, 2009 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

Homicide involving Aconitum tuberous root: LC-MS-MS analysis of Aconitum alkaloids and their hydrolysates in formalin-fixed tissuesEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
We describe a homicide case involving Aconitum tuberous roots, in which formalin-fixed solid tissues were analyzed for diester-type Aconitum alkaloids and their hydrolysates by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS). The specimens were taken from a cadaver 12 days after death, and preserved in formalin solution for 5 years. Polymer-based solid-phase extraction was employed for sample cleanup. This procedure allowed detection of 0.10 ng/g for each of the spiked alkaloids from the formalin-fixed liver by quadrupole LC-MS-MS, and 10 pg/g for benzoylaconine and benzoylmesaconine by ion-trap LC-MS-MS. Sub-...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - August 7, 2009 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

Application of thermoresponsive HPLC to forensic toxicology: determination of barbiturates in human urineEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method has been developed for assays of five barbiturates in human urine using a new thermoresponsive polymer separation column, which is composed of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide). By elevating the column temperature from 10°C to 50°C, the barbiturates metharbital, primidone, phenobarbital, mephobarbital, and pentobarbital became well separated by this method. The five barbiturates showed good linearity in the range of 0.2–10 μg/ml. Good accuracy, precision, and recoveries for these drugs were obtained at 1 and 5 μg/ml urine. The method with this n...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - June 23, 2009 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

Importance of sildenafil analysis for drug screening of postmortem specimens: demonstration of five autopsy cases involving sildenafilEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Letter to the EditorDOI 10.1007/s11419-009-0077-yAuthors Wonkyung Yang, National Institute of Scientific Investigation 331-1, Sinwol-7-dong, Yangcheon-gu Seoul 158-707 Republic of KoreaSooyeun Lee, National Institute of Scientific Investigation 331-1, Sinwol-7-dong, Yangcheon-gu Seoul 158-707 Republic of KoreaYoungshik Choi, National Institute of Scientific Investigation Central District Office Daejeon Republic of KoreaHeesun Chung, National Institute of Scientific Investigation 331-1, Sinwol-7-dong, Yangcheon-gu Seoul 158-707 Republic of Korea Journal Forensic ToxicologyOnli...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - June 23, 2009 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

Determination of triazolam and its metabolites 1-hydroxymethyltriazolam and 4-hydroxytriazolam in eight autopsy cases by GC-MSEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract Triazolam (Trz) concentrations in body fluids and organ tissues of eight autopsy cases were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Blood Trz concentrations in seven out of eight cases ranged from less than 2 to 274 ng/g. The distribution of Trz in various organ tissues could be demonstrated in four cases. These distribution data are useful for cadavers that lack blood in forensic autopsy cases. In addition, urinary levels of 1-hydroxymethyltriazolam and 4-hydroxytriazolam, the main metabolites of Trz, were also determined with and without β-glucuronidase treatment by GC-MS for ...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - June 23, 2009 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

Simple analysis of naphthalene in human whole blood and urine by headspace capillary gas chromatography with large-volume injectionEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract A very simple method for analysis of naphthalene in human whole blood and urine by headspace gas chromatography (GC) is presented. It does not require solid-phase microextraction or cryogenic trapping devices, but needs only a conventional capillary GC instrument with flame ionization detection. The advantage of the method is that as much as 5 ml of headspace vapor can be injected into a GC instrument in splitless mode for sensitive detection. After heating a diluted whole blood or urine sample containing naphthalene and 1-methylnaphthalene (internal standard, IS) in a 7.0-ml vial at 80°C for 30 mi...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - May 29, 2009 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

High throughput chiral analysis of urinary amphetamines by GC-MS using a short narrow-bore capillary columnEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
We report very rapid and simultaneous chiral analysis of urinary amphetamine-type stimulants (ATSs), including amphetamine, methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, and 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine, using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with a simple procedure. A urine sample containing ATSs was subjected to extractive derivatization on a diatomaceous earth tube with trifluoroacetyl-l-prolyl chloride in a single step. The concentrated sample was analyzed by GC-MS, using a short narrow-bore capillary column (10 m × 0.1 mm i.d.) in split injection mode. All c...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - May 16, 2009 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

Simultaneous analysis of mitragynine, 7-hydroxymitragynine, and other alkaloids in the psychotropic plant “kratom” (Mitragyna speciosa) by LC-ESI-MSEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
In this study, a method for simultaneous analysis of mitragynine, 7-OH-mitragynine, and other indole alkaloids (speciogynine, speciociliatine, and paynantheine), present in the raw materials and commercial products of kratom, was developed using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS). By this method, mitragynine, 7-OH-mitragynine, and the other alkaloids were detected in 11 of the 13 products. The content of mitragynine in the products ranged from 1% to 6%, and that of 7-OH-mitragynine from 0.01% to 0.04%. Because 7-OH-mitragynine is much more potent than morphine, M. speciosa abuse...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - May 10, 2009 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

Rapid nondestructive screening for melamine in dried milk by Raman spectroscopyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract Melamine is a raw ingredient for the manufacture of plastics, but it is frequently misused by adding it to food to raise the nitrogen content, thereby giving the false impression of a high protein content. Varied amounts of melamine were added to samples of dried milk obtained from five manufacturers in Japan. The samples were illuminated by a small cross section of a laser beam and the scattered light was examined. The presence of melamine in milk could be immediately detected without any chemical or physical alteration of the milk by interpreting its Raman scattering spectra. Among the many Raman ...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - May 10, 2009 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

Application of the Cozart DDS system to postmortem screening of drugs of abuse in vitreous humorEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This study evaluated the use of Cozart DDS for postmortem screening of some drugs of abuse in vitreous humor (VH) prior to forensic autopsies. The Cozart DDS is an on-site drug detection system that has been validated for oral fluid. Seventy-one VH specimens were obtained from cadavers. Causes of death included injury, drug poisoning, natural disorders, and traffic accidents. The samples were tested for cannabis, cocaine, opiate, amphetamine, and methamphetamine. Thirty-three of 71 samples were positive for drugs of abuse (42% for cocaine, 28% for cannabis, 26% for opiates, and 3% for methamphetamine). The positive sp...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - April 30, 2009 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

An in vitro study on the metabolic interaction between ethanol and caffeine at high concentrations using human liver microsomesEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
In this study, we conducted in vitro experiments to examine the interaction between ethanol and CA at high concentrations by observing mixed-function oxidation reaction using human liver microsomes. After incubation of the mixtures, CA and its three main metabolites theobromine (3,7-dimethylxanthine, TB), paraxanthine (1,7-dimethylxanthine, PX), and theophylline (1,3-dimethylxanthine, TP) were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. As results, the production of PX, the main metabolite of CA, was consistently inhibited by 24%–53% (P < 0.05) by high ethanol concentrations (20...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - March 31, 2009 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

Mechanisms of γ-hydroxybutyric acid production during the early postmortem periodEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract Although postmortem production of γ-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) has been confirmed, its production pathways and substrates have not been sufficiently clarified. To confirm that the residual enzymes are involved in GHB production during the early postmortem period, endogenous GHB concentrations in the postmortem blood and liver samples obtained from charred cadavers were compared with those from noncharred cadavers within 50 h after death. The endogenous GHB concentrations in blood and the livers of charred cadavers were significantly lower than those of noncharred cadavers, showing that heat denatura...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - March 24, 2009 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

Identification of a cannabimimetic indole as a designer drug in a herbal productEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract A cannabimimetic indole has been identified as a new adulterant in a herbal product being sold illegally in Japan for its expected narcotic effect. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses indicated that the product contained two major compounds. One was identified as a cannabinoid analog (1RS,3SR)-3-[4-(1,1-dimethyloctyl)-2-hydroxyphenyl]cyclohexan-1-ol (1) by direct comparison with the authentic compound, which we reported previously. The other compound (2) showed a molecular weight of 341 daltons, and accurate mass spectral measurements showed its el...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - March 20, 2009 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

Construction of calibration-locking databases for rapid and reliable drug screening by gas chromatography-mass spectrometryEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract Unique calibration-locking databases were constructed for rapid and semiquantitative drug screening by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS). In addition to the free-drug database of 127 drugs, a drug database with acetylating reagents was constructed to increase the number of detectable compounds in the analysis by GC-MS; 156 drugs, including 30 drugs of abuse, 42 hypnotics and their metabolites, 18 antipsychotic drugs, 15 antidepressants, and 12 antipyretic analgesic agents, were registered with parameters, such as the mass spectrum, retention time, qualifier ion/target ion percentage, and c...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - February 7, 2009 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

A fatality due to inhalation of 1,1-difluoroethane (HFC-152a) with a peculiar deviceEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract A man aged in his thirties was found dead in his room, wearing a gas mask connected with two plastic bags. An empty canister of Air Duster was in one of the plastic bags. Toxicological analysis by gas chromatography (GC)-mass spectrometry and GC-flame ionization detection revealed the presence of 1,1-difluoroethane (HFC-152a), which is a component of the Air Duster aerosol. Quantitative analysis showed that the concentration of 1,1-difluoroethane in his heart blood was as high as 546 μg/ml. The cause of death was diagnosed as acute poisoning by 1,1-difluoroethane. It was supposed that he abused the...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - February 5, 2009 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

Sensitive determination of arsenite and arsenate in plasma by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry after chelate formationEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
In this study, a simple, rapid, and sensitive method was developed for As3+ in plasma using electrospray ionization (ESI) tandem mass spectrometry (MS-MS). After washing plasma with trichloroethylene (TCE), As3+ in the aqueous layer was reacted with pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (PDC, C4H8NCSS-), and the produced As(PDC)3 was extracted with methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK); a 1-µl aliquot of the MIBK layer containing As(PDC)3 was introduced into the MS-MS instrument in the direct-flow injection mode. Other arsenic compounds such as As5+, monomethyl arsonic acid, dimethyl arsinic acid, arsenobetaine, arsenocholine, and tetrame...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - February 1, 2009 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

Roles of polymorphic enzymes CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 for in vitro metabolism of amitriptyline at therapeutic and toxic levelsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract The metabolism of the tricyclic antidepressant amitriptyline was studied in vitro in the presence of the main metabolite nortriptyline to simulate the steady state with amitriptyline and nortriptyline present in the ratio 1:1. The metabolism of the active metabolite nortriptyline in the presence of amitriptyline was also studied. The contribution of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6, CYP2C19, and CYP3A4 was assessed by in vitro experiments at therapeutic (5 μM) and toxic (50 μM) concentrations for amitriptyline or nortriptyline with human liver microsomes (HLM). The results indicated that nortriptyline ac...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - January 22, 2009 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

Solid-phase microextraction for amphetamines in solid tissues: washing the homogenates with ethyl ether enables their measurements by GC-MS after heptafluorobutyryl derivatizationEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Letter to the EditorDOI 10.1007/s11419-008-0059-5Authors Kenji Hara, Fukuoka University Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine 7-45-1 Nanakuma Jonan-ku, Fukuoka 814-0180 JapanMasayuki Kashiwagi, Fukuoka University Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine 7-45-1 Nanakuma Jonan-ku, Fukuoka 814-0180 JapanMitsuyoshi Kageura, Fukuoka University General Medicine Research Center, Faculty of Medicine Fukuoka JapanAya Matsusue, Fukuoka University Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine 7-45-1 Nanakuma Jonan-ku, Fukuoka 814-0180 JapanShin-ichi Kubo, Fuku...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - January 22, 2009 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

8-Hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) as a possible marker of arsenic poisoning: a clinical case study on the relationship between concentrations of 8-OHdG and each arsenic compound in urine of an acute promyelocytic leukemia patient being treated with arsenic trioxideEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is an effective therapeutic agent for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). In the present study, the concentrations of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and arsenic compounds [(dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA), As(V), and As(III)] in urine of an APL patient were determined during ATO treatment. The concentrations of 8-OHdG, DMA, and MMA were increased, especially during the fi rst consolidation therapy. Signifi cant positive correlations were observed between concentrations of 8-OHdG and DMA, between concentrations of 8-OHdG and MMA, and between con...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - January 11, 2009 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

A simple method for detecting fenitrothion, its metabolite 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol, and other organophosphorus pesticides in human urine by LC-MSEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract A simple liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method was developed and carefully validated for quantitation of fenitrothion, its metabolite 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol, and five other organophosphorus pesticides (acephate, cyanophos, methidathion, ethyl p-nitrophenyl phenylphosphonothioate, and malathion) in human urine samples. Following deproteinization by acetonitrile, the extracts were injected into an LC system and quantitated by MS in the negative ionization mode. The limits of detection were in the range of 0.25–0.75 μg/ml for each analyte, and the method was validated on its accurac...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - December 30, 2008 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

Simultaneous analysis of aconitine, mesaconitine, hypaconitine, and jesaconitine in whole blood by LC-MS-MS using a new polymer columnEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract A detailed procedure has been established for simultaneous analysis of aconitine, mesaconitine, hypaconitine, and jesaconitine in whole blood using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS). The method uses a new unique polymer column (Shodex ODP2 HP-4B) for separation, which enabled the injection of relatively crude organic extracts without complicated pretreatments. Quantitation was made by mass chromatography with each product ion referenced against dextromethorphan as internal standard. Aconitine and its three analogues showed good linearity over the range of 1.25–40 ng/ml; the...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - December 28, 2008 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

High-throughput determination of theophylline and caffeine in human serum by conventional liquid chromatography-mass spectrometryEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract Automated high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) with backflush column-switching was established for ultra-fast determination of theophylline and caffeine. A 400-μl portion of serum sample diluted with ultrapure water was injected and transferred to an Oasis HLB cartridge used as a precolumn for extraction. After switching the valves, the analytes trapped in the precolumn were eluted in the backflush mode and separated with a Chromolith Performance RP-18e column (C18-bonded monolithic silica); the compounds in column effluents were then detected by atmospheric pressure ch...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - December 11, 2008 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

Breath-alcohol analyzers and simulator solutions: a commentary on a deficient explanation of test resultsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Letter to the EditorDOI 10.1007/s11419-008-0057-7Authors Dominick A. Labianca, University of New York (CUNY) Department of Chemistry, Brooklyn College of The City Brooklyn New York 11210 USA Journal Forensic ToxicologyOnline ISSN 1860-8973Print ISSN 1860-8965 (Source: Forensic Toxicology)
Source: Forensic Toxicology - December 5, 2008 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

Four nonfatal and six fatal cases of opiate use: utility of morphine, its metabolites, and their ratios in blood specimensEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract Four nonfatal and six fatal cases of opiate use are presented with careful toxicological analysis. Levels of morphine (M), 6-monoacetylmorphine (6-MAM), morphine-6-glucuronide (M6G), and morphine-3-glucuronide (M3G) in blood specimens were measured by the sophisticated method of liquid chromatography (LC)-electrospray ionization (ESI)-tandem mass spectrometry (MS-MS). Fatal cases were characterized by much higher levels of free M than the nonfatal cases; this caused lower ratios of M6G/M and M3G/M in the fatal cases when compared with the nonfatal cases. Among the six fatal cases, the M6G/M ratios w...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - November 6, 2008 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

Conjugates of p -hydroxymethamphetamine and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxymethamphetamine in blood obtained from methamphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine users: analysis by LC-MS-MSEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract A detailed procedure for simultaneous analysis of methamphetamine (MA), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and their metabolites including the conjugates in whole blood by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS-MS) has been established. The methods were well validated and applied to users’ blood specimens. The blood concentrations of MA users (n = 11) ranged from <1.0 to 131 ng/ml (from <6.1 to 794 nM) for p-hydroxymethamphetamine (p-OHMA), from <2.0 to 46.7 ng/ml (from <5.9 to 137 nM) for p-OHMA-glucuronide (p-OHMA-Glu), and from 3.8 to ...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - October 28, 2008 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

Distribution of zolpidem in body fluids and organ tissues in five autopsy casesEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract We investigated the distribution of zolpidem throughout femoral vein blood, urine, stomach contents, the brain, lung, liver, and kidney in five autopsy cases using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Four out of the five cases showed toxic levels of zolpidem. Only one case showed a lethal blood level. The zolpidem concentrations in solid organ tissues were generally several times higher than that in blood. Among four solid organ tissues, the differences in concentration were not drastic; they were similar or within the same order of magnitude except for one case. These results suggested that measu...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - October 25, 2008 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

In vivo study on the roles of cytochrome P450 enzymes for metabolism of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (Ecstasy) in ratsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract Some major metabolic pathways of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) have been shown to be dependent on cytochrome P450 (CYP) isozymes by in vitro studies. The aim of this study was to clarify the roles of these CYP enzymes for in vivo metabolism of MDMA with respect to two pathways using rats: N-demethylation of MDMA to 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) and O-demethylenation of MDMA to 3,4-dihydroxymethamphetamine (HHMA)followed by O-methylation to 4-hydroxy-3-methoxymethamphetamine (HMMA). Rats were pretreated with phenobarbital (PB, 80 mg/kg i.p.) or β-naphthoflavone (BNF, 80 mg/kg i.p.) o...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - October 23, 2008 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

A fatal case of poisoning by lormetazepamEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract Lormetazepam is a benzodiazepine widely used as a hypnotic for management of insomnia. It is considered to be a safe drug when not combined with alcohol or other psychoactive substances. Indeed, we could neither fi nd its toxic nor lethal concentrations in the literature. In the present article, we report a fatal case in which lormetazepam and its metabolite lorazepam were the only drugs found in body fl uids. The concentration measured in blood was more than 100 times higher than the therapeutic one. Therefore, we concluded that the death was due to the drug and that the measured levels could be re...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - October 16, 2008 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

Simultaneous analysis of acephate and methamidophos in human serum by improved extraction and GC-MSEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract A detailed procedure for simple and rapid analysis of acephate, an organophosphorous pesticide, and its metabolite methamidophos in human serum by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was established. The method included solid-phase extraction with activated charcoal, which gave high recoveries of both analytes. After validation of the method, it was successfully applied to a serum sample obtained from an actual poisoning case. The present method seems very useful, especially in forensic and environmental toxicology. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Short CommunicationDOI 10.1007/s11419-008-0...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - October 16, 2008 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

Discrimination and identification of regioisomeric β-keto analogues of 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamines by gas chromatography-mass spectrometryEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract Very recently, β-keto derivatives of 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamines (MDAs) have appeared on the illicit drug market. In the present study, we synthesized three isomers of β-keto derivatives of MDAs, 2-methylamino-1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)butan-1-one (bk-MBDB), 2-ethylamino-1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl) propan-1-one (bk-MDEA), and 2-dimethylamino-1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)propan-1-one (bk-MDDMA), and measured their electron ionization mass spectra without and with trifluoroacetyl (TFA) derivatization using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Although the spectral profiles of the three...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - September 27, 2008 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

Analysis of amphetamine, methamphetamine, methylenedioxyamphetamine and methylenedioxymethamphetamine in whole blood using in-matrix ethyl chloroformate derivatization and automated headspace solid-phase microextraction followed by GC-MSEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract The in-matrix alkyl chloroformate derivatization method for amphetamine, methamphetamine, methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), and methylene-dioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) was adapted for use with the whole blood matrix. This derivatization method was followed by automated headspace (HS)-solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The sensitivity of this method, expressed as limit of detection, was approximately 10 ng/ml for these analytes tested in the blood matrix, which was sufficient to detect toxic concentrations of amphetamines in blood. The limit of ...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - September 23, 2008 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

Determination of Urine Luck in urine using electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometryEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract A simple, rapid and sensitive method using tandem mass spectrometry (MS-MS) has been developed for the determination of chromate Cr6+ in urine. Cr6+ is a substantial component of Urine Luck, which is used to conceal the presence of drugs in urine. Cr6+ was complexed with diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC) and extracted with isoamyl alcohol in the presence of citric acid. Then a 1-μl aliquot of isoamyl alcohol containing Cr-DDC complex was directly injected into an MS-MS instrument without chromatographic separation. The quantification was performed using selected reaction monitoring at m/z 363.8 of produc...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - September 16, 2008 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

A case of sudden death after gingival injection of a therapeutic dose of lidocaine: distribution of lidocaine in whole blood and various tissuesEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
We report a case of sudden death after gingival injection of lidocaine, which made us suspect overdosing or anaphylactic shock. Using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), we measured the lidocaine concentrations in whole blood and tissues including the gingivae. The lidocaine concentration in blood (0.70 μg/ml) was lower than the therapeutic level. Lidocaine levels distributed to various organs were also low. Among them, the lung showed the highest level, followed by the liver, brain, and spleen. The concentrations in the gingivae with and without pus were 938 μg/g and 1048 μg/g, respectively. Together ...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - June 3, 2008 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

GC-MS assay for acetaminophen in human hair segmentsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract A detailed procedure for sensitive analysis of acetaminophen (APAP) in human hair segments by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry is reported. The limit of quantitation was as low as 0.1 ng/mg. The linear concentration range of the assay was 0.1–10 ng/mg. The interday and intraday coefficients of variation were below 10%. The method was successfully applied to hair analysis of APAP in an actual poisoning case. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Short CommunicationDOI 10.1007/s11419-008-0044-zAuthors Takeshi Saito, Tokai University School of Medicine Emergency and Critical Care Medicine 143 ...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - May 21, 2008 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

Cannabinoid contents in cannabis products seized in São Paulo, Brazil, 2006–2007Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract A rapid and simple method was optimized for determination of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and cannabinol (CBN) contents in cannabis products by gas chromatography with flame-ionization detection (GC-FID), using diazepam as internal standard. All parameters of validation of the method such as linearity, intraassay precision, and limits of detection and quantification of the analytes were satisfactory. Using the described method, cannabinoid contents of 55 cannabis product samples seized in São Paulo City, Brazil, in 2006 and 2007 were measured. Δ9-THC content in marijuana a...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - May 21, 2008 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

Utility of disk solid-phase extraction for whole blood samples: analysis of some tetracyclic antidepressants by gas chromatography with nitrogen-phosphorus detectionEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract Four tetracyclic antidepressants, maprotiline, mianserin, mirtazapine, and setiptiline, were extracted from human whole blood and plasma samples by disk solid-phase extraction with Empore C18 cartridges. They were determined by gas chromatography (GC) with nitrogen-phosphorus detection. Recoveries of maprotiline, mianserin, mirtazapine, and setiptiline spiked into whole blood or plasma were more than 83%. Regression equations for the four drugs showed excellent linearity in the range of 25–1000 ng in 0.2 ml whole blood and in 0.5 ml plasma. The limits of detection for the drugs were 4.1–18.2 ng ...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - May 18, 2008 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

Death of a female addict due to heroin and cocaine overdoses: a case report with multiparameter evaluationEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This study undertook a multiparameter evaluation of the death of a 21-year-old woman known to be an abuser of heroin and cocaine. The toxicological analysis of multiple postmortem specimens such as blood and hair was carried out using liquid chromatography atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-APCI-MS-MS). The blood specimens of the deceased showed the presence of opium components such as morphine and its glucuronides together with cocaine and benzoylecgonine. The detected xenobiotic levels probably explained the cause of her death resulting from combined action of unintentional illicit ...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - April 30, 2008 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

Determination of fluoride in human whole blood and urine by gas chromatography-mass spectrometryEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract We developed a simple and sensitive method for determination of fluoride in human whole blood and urine using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Fluoride was alkylated with pentafluorobenzyl bromide in a mixture of acetone and phosphate buffer (pH 6.8). The derivative obtained was analyzed by GC-MS in the positive-ion electron-impact mode. The lower limit of detection for the compound was 0.5 mg/l for both matrices. The calibration curve for fluoride was linear over the concentration range of 1–100 mg/l. The precision and accuracy of the method were evaluated, and relative standard devi...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - April 30, 2008 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

Simultaneous analysis of six phenethylamine-type designer drugs by TLC, LC-MS, and GC-MSEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract Extensive data are presented for simultaneous analysis of six phenethylamine-type designer drugs. The drugs are 2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine (2C-H), 2,5-dimethoxyamphetamine (2,5-DMA), 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine (2C-B), 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyamphetamine (DOB), 4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine (2C-I), and 4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxyamphetamine (DOI). The data include their proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra, infrared spectra, retention times detected by liquid chromatography (LC) and gas chromatography (GC), thin-layer chromatography (TLC) data using seven solvent mixture systems, elec...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - March 14, 2008 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

Studies on 1-(2-phenethyl)-4-( N -propionylanilino)piperidine (fentanyl) and its related compounds. VI. Structure-analgesic activity relationship for fentanyl, methyl-substituted fentanyls and other analoguesEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract Eleven chemically modified 1-(2-phenethyl)-4-(N-propionylanilino)-piperidine (fentanyl) analogues were synthesized and their analgesic activities were evaluated by the acetic acid writhing method in mice. Their effective dose (ED50) and lethal dose (LD50) values were compared with those of morphine and fentanyl. The synthesized fentanyl analogues were categorized into three groups: a mono-methylated group, a group in which hydrogen in the para-position of the aromatic ring bound to the propionylanilino group was substituted with F, Cl, CH3, or OCH3, and a group in which the propionyl moiety was chang...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - March 6, 2008 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

Simple and simultaneous detection of methamphetamine and dimethyl sulfone in crystalline methamphetamine seizures by fast gas chromatographyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
We present a method for simple and simultaneous determination of methamphetamine (MA) and dimethyl sulfone (DMS) in seized crystalline MA by fast gas chromatography with flame ionization detection. Samples dissolved in distilled water at 2 mg/ml were added to 80% potassium carbonate solution and extracted with dichloromethane/2-propanol (3: 1) containing diphenylmethane as internal standard. The use of a narrow-bore capillary column gave fast and complete separation of three compounds within 1.3 min. The method was fully validated and applied to quantification of MA and DMS in MA hydrochloride crystal or powdered samp...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - February 19, 2008 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

Dr. Alan Stewart Curry (1925–2007)Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Content Type Journal ArticleCategory ObituaryDOI 10.1007/s11419-007-0038-2Authors Hans Brandenberger, University of Zurich Department of Forensic Chemistry Zurich Switzerland Journal Forensic ToxicologyOnline ISSN 1860-8973Print ISSN 1860-8965 (Source: Forensic Toxicology)
Source: Forensic Toxicology - December 5, 2007 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

GC-MS detection and characterization of two laudanosine metabolites in urine as probable markers of atracurium administrationEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Letter to the EditorDOI 10.1007/s11419-007-0035-5Authors Babiker M. El-Haj, Sharjah Police Forensic Science Laboratory PO Box 29 Sharjah United Arab Emirates (UAE)Abdelkader M. Al-Amri, Sharjah Police Forensic Science Laboratory PO Box 29 Sharjah United Arab Emirates (UAE)Heyam S. Ali, Dubai Pharmacy College Dubai UAE Journal Forensic ToxicologyOnline ISSN 1860-8973Print ISSN 1860-8965 (Source: Forensic Toxicology)
Source: Forensic Toxicology - November 1, 2007 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

An in vitro study on the interaction between ethanol and imipramine at high concentrations using human liver microsomesEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
In this study, we investigated the in vitro interaction between ethanol and imipramine at high concentrations by observing a mixed-function oxidation reaction using human liver microsomes. Imipramine and its three main metabolites (desipramine; 2-hydroxyimipramine, 2-OHI; 2-hydroxydesipramine, 2-OHD) were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. The production of 2-OHD, the main metabolite of imipramine, was significantly inhibited, by 15%–50% (P < 0.05), by ethanol, but that of desipramine or 2-OHI was not. These results suggest that enhanced toxicity is attained by simultan...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - October 11, 2007 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

Trace analysis of platinum in blood and urine by ESI-MS-MSEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract A simple, rapid, and sensitive method has been developed for determination of platinum (Pt) in blood and urine by tandem mass spectrometry (MS-MS). Pt4+ in wet-ashed blood or acid-treated urine was complexed with diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC), extracted with isoamyl alcohol, and acidified with oxalic acid; a 1-μl aliquot of the isoamyl alcohol layer containing the Pt-DDC complex was directly injected into the MS-MS instrument without chromatographic separation. The quantitation was performed using selected reaction monitoring at m/z 491 of the product ion Pt(DDC) 2 + , which was produced by colli...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - October 11, 2007 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

Rapid analysis of sertraline, fluvoxamine, and paroxetine in serum specimens by LC-MS-MS using a new polymer columnEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract Three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (sertraline, fluvoxamine, and paroxetine) in human serum specimens were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry using a new polymer column (Shim-pack MAYI-ODS), which enabled direct injection of crude biological samples without complicated pretreatments. Quantitation was made by mass chromatography for each product ion using dextromethorphan as internal standard. The recoveries of the three drugs from human serum were 29.2%–45.7% at 20 ng/ml and 52.0%–53.7% at 80 ng/ml. The regression equations showed good linearity for the three d...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - October 11, 2007 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

Thiosulfate in human urine following minor exposure to hydrogen sulfide: implications for forensic analysis of poisoningEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract Thiosulfate is a sulfide metabolite and a biological marker, especially in urine, of exposure to hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S). In many suspected poisoning cases, victims are known to be exposed to low concentrations of H2S, but it is difficult to establish the degree of exposure to H2S responsible for the poisoning. In such cases it is necessary to account for a possible chronic exposure signal by subtracting any background thiosulfate from the measured total. However, no data exist on the background levels of thiosulfate in individuals exposed to relatively low levels of H2S. We obtained preexposure an...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - September 17, 2007 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

GC-MS detection and characterization of thebaine as a urinary marker of opium useEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract The differentiation between legal and illegal opiate product use through the detection of marker compounds in urine is one of the most important subjects in forensic toxicology. Thebaine, an opium alkaloid, can be detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and has been suggested as a good marker of poppy seed use in differentiation from that of illicit heroin. In the present study, thebaine was targeted as a urinary marker of opium use because it is a major constituent of opium. Although thebaine lacks the conventional functional group, it was found to form a trimethylsilyl (TMS) deriv...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - August 19, 2007 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals

False-negative results for bromazepam use observed by the EMIT II Plus benzodiazepine assaysEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract During our extensive routine analyses of drugs of abuse and other drugs such as benzodiazepines using both immunoassays and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), we have noticed that the EMIT II benzodiazepine assays for urine samples sometimes gave false-negative results for bromazepam use or abuse. The negative benzodiazepine immunoassays and positive GC-MS results for bromazepam in urine could be explained by the absence (or below the detection limit) of 3-hydroxybromazepam (3HB) and the presence of 2-amino-3-hydroxy-5-bromobenzoylpyridine (AHBBP), which are the two major metabolites of b...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - August 18, 2007 Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Forensic Toxicology Source Type: journals