Attempt of scopolamine-facilitated robbery: an original case of poisoning by inhalation confirmed by LC –MS/MS and review of the literature
ConclusionsScopolamine poisoning remains rare, as its half-life is short; blood and urine should be collected as soon as possible for toxicological analysis. This case is, to our knowledge, the first described case of inhaled scopolamine robbery attempt, with quantitative toxicological findings. (Source: Forensic Toxicology)
Source: Forensic Toxicology - July 30, 2019 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
Evidence of enzyme-mediated transesterification of synthetic cannabinoids with ethanol: potential toxicological impact
ConclusionsThese novel ethyl esters may be useful additional markers of cannabinoid administration, and especially so if they prove to have longer half-lives than their parent compounds. (Source: Forensic Toxicology)
Source: Forensic Toxicology - July 12, 2019 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
Metabolism of the benzodiazepines norflurazepam, flurazepam, fludiazepam and cinolazepam by human hepatocytes using high-resolution mass spectrometry and distinguishing their intake in authentic urine samples
ConclusionsBased on the results, hydroxy metabolites for norflurazepam,N-(hydroxyethyl), desethyl and didesethyl for flurazepam, hydroxy for fludiazepam and glucuronides andN-(hydroxyethyl) for cinolazepam are recommended for monitoring. While flurazepam, fludiazepam and cinolazepam were metabolised by hepatocytes at side chain, norflurazepam was not, which seems to indicate that hepatocytes have difficulty in modifying the benzene/diazepine rings of some 1,4-benzodiazepines. As for confirming the intake of norflurazepam, the urine ratio of 3-hydroxy-norflurazepam/norflurazepam might be the key; a high ratio might be corre...
Source: Forensic Toxicology - July 2, 2019 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
What are the limitations of methods to measure carbon monoxide in biological samples?
ConclusionsAn alternative biomarker is needed, such as determining the total amount of CO in blood. Although further research is required, we recommend that toxicologists consider all sources of error that can alter COHb concentrations, and in more challenging cases, they should use GC –MS methods to confirm the results obtained by spectrophotometry. (Source: Forensic Toxicology)
Source: Forensic Toxicology - June 30, 2019 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
Case report on two-cathinones abuse: MPHP and N -ethyl-4 ′methylnorpentedrone, with a fatal outcome
ConclusionsThe number of fatalities related to cathinones use is expected to increase in the coming years. This manuscript reports useful analytical data about MPHP, one of its metabolites (4 ′-carboxy-PHP) and 4-MEAP. (Source: Forensic Toxicology)
Source: Forensic Toxicology - June 16, 2019 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
Fatal intoxication with N -ethylpentylone: a case report and method for determining N -ethylpentylone in biological material
ConclusionThe developed method enables the determination ofN-ethylpentylone with high sensitivity and selectivity. The method was used to make determinations in biological material in the case of fatal intoxication withN-ethylpentylone. (Source: Forensic Toxicology)
Source: Forensic Toxicology - June 3, 2019 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
A pilot study of non-targeted screening for stimulant misuse using high-resolution mass spectrometry
ConclusionsNon-targeted analysis of stimulants by PCA as applied to athlete urine samples was demonstrated for the first time to be capable of flagging positive samples in sport competitions, showing its promise as a complementary screening tool alongside classical methods and as a straightforward approach for selecting samples for long-term storage. (Source: Forensic Toxicology)
Source: Forensic Toxicology - June 2, 2019 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
Determination of ocfentanil and W-18 in a suspicious heroin-like powder in Belgium
ConclusionThe unknown powder tested positive for ocfentanil and W-18. To the authors ’ best knowledge this is the first case of the combined detection of these two new psychoactive substances in the same powder. We additionally demonstrate the advantage of building an in-house reference library beyond retention time. (Source: Forensic Toxicology)
Source: Forensic Toxicology - June 2, 2019 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
Norcarfentanil: carfentanil misuse or remifentanil treatment?
ConclusionsIn the first two cases, norcarfentanil was present as the metabolite of carfentanil, whereas in the last case, norcarfentanil was the metabolite of remifentanil. Without the identification of remifentanil, confusion could occur, and norcarfentanil could be attributed to carfentanil misuse. (Source: Forensic Toxicology)
Source: Forensic Toxicology - May 31, 2019 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
In vitro and in vivo human metabolism of a synthetic cannabinoid EAM-2201 detected by LC –quadrupole-ion trap-MS/MS and high-resolution LC–Orbitrap-MS/MS
ConclusionsTwelve metabolites of a synthetic cannabinoid, EAM-2201, were tentatively identified in human hepatocytes in vitro, and in human liver and urine specimens in vivo for the first time. There was a distinct difference in metabolism profile between the in vitro and in vivo results. (Source: Forensic Toxicology)
Source: Forensic Toxicology - May 30, 2019 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
Rapid and robust speciation/quantitative analysis of arsenous acid and related metabolites in serum by liquid chromatography –inductively coupled plasma-tandem mass spectrometry
ConclusionsA rapid, sensitive, interference-free and robust speciation/quantitative analysis of toxic arsenous acid and related metabolites in serum by LC –ICP-MS/MS was developed. To our knowledge, this is the first report to use LC–ICP-MS/MS for analysis of arsenic species in human blood/serum samples. (Source: Forensic Toxicology)
Source: Forensic Toxicology - May 30, 2019 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
CYP2B6 , ABCB1 and OPRM1 profile in a stillborn affected by chronic methadone intoxication
(Source: Forensic Toxicology)
Source: Forensic Toxicology - May 16, 2019 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
Spectroscopic characterization and crystal structures of four hydrochloride cathinones: N -ethyl-2-amino-1-phenylhexan-1-one ( hexen, NEH ), N -methyl-2-amino-1-(4-methylphenyl)-3-methoxypropan-1-one ( mexedrone ), N -ethyl-2-amino-1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)pentan-1-one ( ephylone ) and N -butyl-2-amino-1-(4-chlorophenyl)propan-1-one ( 4 - chlorobutylcathinone )
ConclusionsX-ray crystallography is especially useful for identifying the new and unknown designer drugs and their enantiomeric forms. (Source: Forensic Toxicology)
Source: Forensic Toxicology - May 13, 2019 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
Hyperreflexia induced by XLR-11 smoke is caused by the pyrolytic degradant
ConclusionsThe hyperreflexic effect of XLR-11 degradant is mediated by the CB1 receptor and possibly by GABAergic function. (Source: Forensic Toxicology)
Source: Forensic Toxicology - May 6, 2019 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
Suicidal deaths due to helium inhalation
ConclusionsDeaths due to helium asphyxiation are still a problem for modern forensic toxicology. Most current methods for collecting biological specimens and identifying the gas seem to be insufficient to give definite opinions in cases of helium asphyxiation. More attempts should be made to modify these methods in order to improve and facilitate detection and quantitative determination of helium and other inert gases. (Source: Forensic Toxicology)
Source: Forensic Toxicology - May 6, 2019 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
