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Di Candia D, Giordano G, Boracchi M, Bailo P, Primignani P, Piccinini A, Zoja R. Chemical investigation of biological trace evidence; toxicological screening of waste residues obtained from DNA extraction processes. Int J Legal Med 2024; 138:721-730. [PMID: 37968478 PMCID: PMC11003886 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-023-03119-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
In a forensic scenario, if biological stains are found in very small quantities, these are usually collected for DNA analyses, considered essential for the forensic investigation and thus excluding possible investigations by other forensic disciplines as forensic toxicology. We developed an experimental study to evaluate the feasibility of analyzing DNA extraction residues obtained from DNA extraction procedures to perform toxicological analysis, with the aim to extract both genetic and toxicological information without affecting or compromising the genetic sample and/or DNA extraction. DNA extraction from four blood samples (fortified with 5 molecules of interest with a final concentrations of 1 µg/mL, 100 ng/mL, 10 ng/mL and 5 ng/mL, respectively) were analyzed with QIAGEN QIAmp® DNA Mini kit. Three waste residues collected from the DNA extraction were analyzed for the toxicological investigation via Solid-Phase Extraction and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry analyses (Thermo Scientific™ TSQ Fortis™ II Triple-Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer). The analytical investigation revealed that our analytes of interest were detected in two different residues of the DNA extraction procedure, allowing both genetic and toxicological analyses without affecting the DNA identification. At last, the experimental protocol was applied to a hypothetical case, with encouraging results and allowing the identification of our molecules of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Di Candia
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Biomediche Per La Salute, Istituto Di Medicina Legale E Delle Assicurazioni, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Gaia Giordano
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Biomediche Per La Salute, Istituto Di Medicina Legale E Delle Assicurazioni, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy.
| | - Michele Boracchi
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Biomediche Per La Salute, Istituto Di Medicina Legale E Delle Assicurazioni, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Bailo
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Biomediche Per La Salute, Istituto Di Medicina Legale E Delle Assicurazioni, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Primignani
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Biomediche Per La Salute, Istituto Di Medicina Legale E Delle Assicurazioni, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Piccinini
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Biomediche Per La Salute, Istituto Di Medicina Legale E Delle Assicurazioni, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Riccardo Zoja
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Biomediche Per La Salute, Istituto Di Medicina Legale E Delle Assicurazioni, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy
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The Good Nurse. J Perinat Neonatal Nurs 2023; 37:84-85. [PMID: 36707752 DOI: 10.1097/jpn.0000000000000712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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Method of identification: Catching serial killers. Forensic Sci Int 2022; 337:111377. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2022.111377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Di Candia D, Boracchi M, Gentile G, Giordano G, Zoja R. Histological paraffin-embedded block: a good alternative specimen to detect the use of opiates at least 20 years ago. Forensic Toxicol 2022; 40:302-311. [PMID: 36454408 PMCID: PMC9715498 DOI: 10.1007/s11419-022-00614-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Since the solely certain remnants of a performed autopsy are formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples, stored in the archives of every institute of legal medicine, we managed to extract molecules of toxicological interest from these specimens. METHODS We assessed the analysis of ten fresh liver samples collected from heroin-related deaths and then histologically processed the same samples. The embedded blocks were then extracted by means of a new extracting method and the eluates were measured. We also selected five toxicological cases of heroin-related fatalities that were examined 20 years ago, collected the toxicological result documents of the analysis that were carried out at the time and then processed the corresponding FFPE liver samples that were stored in the archives. RESULTS We managed to isolate heroine-related metabolites from 20-year-old paraffin-embedded blocks and calculated ratios to evaluate the performance of our new extraction. CONCLUSIONS According to our study, it is feasible to carry out a toxicological examination on old histological samples and, therefore, this matrix can be considered as a new alternative specimen for chemical-analytical evaluations of past cases or when fresh samples are not available anymore. The new extractive method was evaluated as efficient in treating these complex, paraffin-embedded samples. It was surprising that the target compounds could be quantitated from FFPE bocks created as long as 20 years ago.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Di Candia
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute-Sezione di Medicina Legale e delle Assicurazioni, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via L. Mangiagalli 37, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Michele Boracchi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute-Sezione di Medicina Legale e delle Assicurazioni, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via L. Mangiagalli 37, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Guendalina Gentile
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute-Sezione di Medicina Legale e delle Assicurazioni, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via L. Mangiagalli 37, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Gaia Giordano
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute-Sezione di Medicina Legale e delle Assicurazioni, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via L. Mangiagalli 37, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Riccardo Zoja
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute-Sezione di Medicina Legale e delle Assicurazioni, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via L. Mangiagalli 37, 20133 Milan, Italy
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Bolte K, Dziadosz M, Kono N, Vennemann B, Klintschar M, Teske J. Determination of drugs in exhumed liver and brain tissue after over 9 years of burial by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry-Part 2: Benzodiazepines, opioids, and further drugs. Drug Test Anal 2021; 13:1318-1330. [PMID: 33723920 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
In this publication, benzodiazepines, opioids, and further drugs were analyzed in exhumed brain and liver tissue samples in 116 cases (total) after 9.5-16.5 years of burial. Solid phase extraction followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was applied. Data from literature is listed summarizing the detectability of the presented analytes after a certain time of burial. In our study, 60% of the analyzed benzodiazepines, 100% of the opioids, and 82% of further drugs were detectable. Only the benzodiazepines lorazepam, nitrazepam, flunitrazepam, and its metabolite norflunitrazepam, and the drugs butylscopolamine, metronidazole, and omeprazole were not detectable at all. Percentage of positive findings (total, and separately for brain and liver tissue) and postmortem period are listed for each analyte. Correlation of detectability depending on postmortem period and condition of tissue are presented exemplarily for midazolam. No substantial correlation was observed. Despite a long time of burial, most benzodiazepines, opioids, and further drugs were detectable in the examined tissue samples. Our results may be a good support for future exhumations in which toxicological analyses are relevant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Bolte
- Institute for Forensic Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Marek Dziadosz
- Institute for Forensic Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Naomi Kono
- Institute for Forensic Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Benedikt Vennemann
- Institute for Forensic Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Michael Klintschar
- Institute for Forensic Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jörg Teske
- Institute for Forensic Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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Patocka J, Nepovimova E, Wu W, Kuca K. Digoxin: Pharmacology and toxicology-A review. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2020; 79:103400. [PMID: 32464466 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2020.103400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2020] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside used as drug in case of heart problems, including congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation or flutter, and certain cardiac arrhythmias. It has a very narrow therapeutic window of the medication. Digoxin is toxic substance with well known cardiotoxic effect. In this work, pharmacology and toxicology of digoxin are summarized; Its pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, available acute toxicity data (different species, different administration routes) are summarized in this article. Moreover, its treatment side effect and human poisonings are thoroughly discussed. Finally, appropriate therapy regimen is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiri Patocka
- Faculty of Health and Social Studies, Department of Radiology and Toxicology, University of South Bohemia Ceske Budejovice, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Eugenie Nepovimova
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Wenda Wu
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China.
| | - Kamil Kuca
- Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.
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Sajantila A, Budowle B. Postmortem medicolegal genetic diagnostics also require reporting guidance. Eur J Hum Genet 2014; 24:329-30. [PMID: 25469540 DOI: 10.1038/ejhg.2014.247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Antti Sajantila
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Hjelt Institute, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Institute of Applied Genetics, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - Bruce Budowle
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Institute of Applied Genetics, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA.,Center of Excellence in Genomic Medicine Research (CEGMR), King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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