Development of a new multi-analyte assay for the simultaneous detection of opioids in serum and other body fluids using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Abstract A liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method using electrospray ionization in positive ionization mode was developed for the simultaneous detection of multiple opioid-type drugs in plasma. The presented assay allows the quantitative determination of alfentanil, buprenorphine, codeine, desomorphine, dextromethorphan, dextrorphan, dihydrocodeine, dihydromorphine, ethylmorphine, fentanyl, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, methadone, morphine, naloxone, naltrexone, oxycodone, oxymorphone, pentazocine, pethidine, pholcodine, piritramide, remifentanil, sufentanil, and tramadol as well as the metabolites 6-monoacetylmorphine, bisnortilidine, morphine-3-glucuronide, morphine-6-glucuro…

Detection of the synthetic drug 4-fluoroamphetamine (4-FA) in serum and urine.

Abstract 4-Fluoroamphetamine (4-FA) was detected in the blood and urine of two individuals suspected for driving under the influence (DUI). The test for amphetamines in urine subjected to immunoassay screening using the CEDIA DAU assay proved positive. Further investigations revealed a 4-FA cross-reactivity of about 6% in the CEDIA amphetamine assay. 4-FA was qualitatively detected in a general unknown screening for drugs using GC/MS in full scan mode. No other drugs or fluorinated phenethylamines were detected. A validated GC/MS method was established in SIM mode for serum analysis of 4-FA with a limit of detection (LOD) of 1 ng/mL and a lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) of 5 ng/mL. Int…

Häufigkeit, Altersabhängigkeit und Geschlechtsverteilung des Fersensporns

In 1027 lateral radiograms of the ankle in a Caucasian population, 161 plantar and/or dorsal calcaneal spurs (15.7%) were diagnosed. Plantar spurs were more common than dorsal spurs (11.2 and 9.3% respectively). Prevalence of both spurs increases considerably with the rising age. Dorsal spurs appear slightly earlier than plantar spurs. The spur frequencies are similar in left and right feet. The plantar spurs were significantly (p < 0.0001) more common in women than in men in general, while dorsal spurs were more frequent in men than in women up to the age of 70. The previously reported higher frequencies of plantar and dorsal calcaneal spurs in women than in men are probably a result of a …

Detection of  9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and Amphetamine-Type Stimulants in Oral Fluid Using the Rapid Stat  Point-of-Collection Drug-Testing Device

The Rapid Stat assay, a point-of-collection drug-testing device for detection of amphetamines, cannabinoids, cocaine, opiates, methadone, and benzodiazepines in oral fluid, was evaluated for cannabis and amphetamine-type stimulants. The Rapid Stat tests (n = 134) were applied by police officers in routine traffic checks. Oral fluid and blood samples were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol, amphetamine, methamphetamine, methylenedioxymethamphetamine, methylenedioxyethylamphetamine, and methylenedioxyamphetamine. The comparison of GC-MS analysis of oral fluid with the Rapid Stat results for cannabis showed a sensitivity of 85%, a spec…

Identification of sub-μs isomeric states in the odd-odd nucleus 178Au

The neutron-deficient gold (Z=79) isotopes in the vicinity of the neutron midshell N=104 provide prolific examples of shape coexistence and isomerism at low excitation energy. They can be probed via a number of different experimental techniques. In this study, two new isomeric states with half-lives of 294(7) and 373(9) ns have been observed in the neutron-deficient odd-odd nuclide 178Au (N=99) in an experiment at the RITU gas-filled separator at JYFL, Jyväskylä. This result was achieved due to the use of a segmented planar germanium detector with a high efficiency at low energies. By applying the recoil-decay tagging technique, they were assigned to decay to two different long-lived α-deca…

Lichen sclerosus Mistaken for Sexual Abuse – Prevention of Victimization

This case report describes the forensic examination of 7 girls aged between 4-11 years with suspected sexual abuse. The children had been reported by local pediatricians, hospital physicians or authorities such as the youth welfare office and police due to mucosal changes in the anogenital area. All children presented with a clearly delimited, porcelain-like white discoloration of the skin in the anal and genital area with atrophic conversion to parchment-like skin. The markedly vulnerable skin exhibited very different manifestations of hemorrhagic dermal and mucosal defects in the area of the labia, the clitoris, the perineum and the perianal region. The hymen was intact in all cases. The …

Concentrations of  9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and 11-Nor-9-Carboxytetrahydrocannabinol in Blood and Urine After Passive Exposure to Cannabis Smoke in a Coffee Shop

Cannabinoid concentrations in blood and urine after passive exposure to cannabis smoke under real-life conditions were investigated in this study. Eight healthy volunteers were exposed to cannabis smoke for 3 h in a well-attended coffee shop in Maastricht, Netherlands. An initial blood and urine sample was taken from each volunteer before exposure. Blood samples were taken 1.5, 3.5, 6, and 14 h after start of initial exposure, and urine samples were taken after 3.5, 6, 14, 36, 60, and 84 h. The samples were subjected to immunoassay screening for cannabinoids and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), 11-nor-hydroxy-Delta(9)-tetra…

Identification of a 6.6μs isomeric state in 175Ir

An experiment has been performed to study excited states in the neutron-deficient nucleus 175Ir via the use of the JUROGAM II high-purity germanium detector array and the RITU gas-filled separator at JYFL, Jyväskylä. By using isomer tagging, an isomeric state with a half-life of 6.58(15) μs has been observed in 175Ir for the first time. It has been established that the isomer decays via a 45.2 (E1)–26.1 (M1) keV cascade to new states below the previously reported ground state in 175Ir with Iπ = (5/2−). We now reassign this (5/2−) state to the isomeric state discovered in this study. peerReviewed

In vitro production of GHB in blood and serum samples under various storage conditions

Abstract The in vitro production of GHB was observed in freshly collected, untreated whole blood samples using glass BD-Vacutainers and polypropylene S-monovettes. GHB concentrations were determined daily over a period of one week and after 3, 6 and 9 weeks again. Furthermore, the GHB concentration in 40 untreated random whole blood samples stored at 4 °C for a longer period of time (10 samples 12 month, 10 samples 24 month and 20 samples 36 month) was also determined. For comparison, the in vitro production of GHB in freshly collected and prepared serum samples was observed. GHB serum concentrations were determined three times over a period of one week and once again after six weeks. Sampl…

Identification of a 6.6μs isomeric state in Ir175

Tödliche Hundebisse im Sektionsgut rechtsmedizinischer Institute

Hundebisse werden im angelsachsischen Raum als ernstes medizinisches, soziales und legislatorisches Problem angesehen, wohingegen in der deutschsprachigen Literatur nahezu keine Angaben uber die Inzidenz derartiger, insbesondere letal ausgehender Verletzungen zu finden sind. Zur Gewinnung von Daten uber todliche Hundebiss-Vorfalle in einem ungefahr 10 Jahre umfassenden Zeitraum wurde ein Fragebogen an alle rechtsmedizinischen Institute in Deutschland, der Schweiz und Osterreich versandt. Aus 13 Instituten wurden 20 Falle berichtet, unter denen 11-mal als Todesursache Verbluten und 3-mal eine schwere Infektion genannt wurden. Funfmal war es zu einem Schadel-Hirn-Trauma und 7-mal zu einer Hal…

Identification of sub- μs isomeric states in the odd-odd nucleus Au178

The neutron-deficient gold (Z=79) isotopes in the vicinity of the neutron midshell N=104 provide prolific examples of shape coexistence and isomerism at low excitation energy. They can be probed via a number of different experimental techniques. In this study, two new isomeric states with half-lives of 294(7) and 373(9) ns have been observed in the neutron-deficient odd-odd nuclide Au178 (N=99) in an experiment at the RITU gas-filled separator at JYFL, Jyvaskyla. This result was achieved due to the use of a segmented planar germanium detector with a high efficiency at low energies. By applying the recoil-decay tagging technique, they were assigned to decay to two different long-lived α-deca…

Population of a low-spin positive-parity band from high-spin intruder states in 177Au: The two-state mixing effect

The extremely neutron-deficient isotopes 177,179Au were studied by means of in-beam ?-ray spectroscopy. Specific tagging techniques, ?-decay tagging in 177Au and isomer tagging in 179Au, were used for these studies. Feeding of positive-parity, nearly spherical states, which are associated with 2d3/2 and 3s1/2 proton-hole configurations, from the 1i13/2 proton-intruder configuration was observed in 177Au. Such a decay path has no precedent in odd-Au isotopes and it is explained by the effect of mixing of wave functions of the initial state. © 2020

Population of a low-spin positive-parity band from high-spin intruder states in Au: The two-state mixing effect

The extremely neutron-deficient isotopes $^{177,179}$Au were studied by means of in-beam γ-ray spectroscopy. Specific tagging techniques, α-decay tagging in $^{177}$Au and isomer tagging in $^{179}$Au, were used for these studies. Feeding of positive-parity, nearly spherical states, which are associated with 2d3/2 and 3s1/2 proton-hole configurations, from the 1i13/2 proton-intruder configuration was observed in $^{177}$Au. Such a decay path has no precedent in odd-Au isotopes and it is explained by the effect of mixing of wave functions of the initial state.