1
|
Salles Rosa Neto N, Englert D, McAlister WH, Mumm S, Mills D, Veis DJ, Burshell A, Boyde A, Whyte MP. Periarticular calcifications containing giant pseudo-crystals of francolite in skeletal fluorosis from 1,1-difluoroethane "huffing". Bone 2022; 160:116421. [PMID: 35429657 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2022.116421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Inhalant use disorder is a psychiatric condition characterized by repeated deliberate inhalation from among a broad range of household and industrial chemical products with the intention of producing psychoactive effects. In addition to acute intoxication, prolonged inhalation of fluorinated compounds can cause skeletal fluorosis (SF). We report a young woman referred for hypophosphatasemia and carrying a heterozygous ALPL gene variant (c.457T>C, p.Trp153Arg) associated with hypophosphatasia, the heritable metabolic bone disease featuring impaired skeletal mineralization, who instead suffered from SF. Manifestations of her SF included recurrent articular pain, axial osteosclerosis, elevated bone mineral density, maxillary exostoses, and multifocal periarticular calcifications. SF was suspected when a long history was discovered of 'huffing' a computer cleaner containing 1,1-difluoroethane. Investigation revealed markedly elevated serum and urine levels of F-. Histopathology and imaging techniques including backscattered electron mode scanning electron microscopy, X-ray microtomography, energy dispersive and wavelength dispersive X-ray emission microanalysis, and polarized light microscopy revealed that her periarticular calcifications were dystrophic deposition of giant pseudo-crystals of francolite, a carbonate-rich fluorapatite. Identifying unusual circumstances of F- exposure is key for diagnosing non-endemic SF. Increased awareness of the disorder can be lifesaving.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nilton Salles Rosa Neto
- Division of Bone and Mineral Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Center for Metabolic Bone Disease and Molecular Research, Shriners Hospitals for Children - St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
| | - Daniel Englert
- Endocrinology Department, Ochsner Medical Center, New Orleans, LA 70121, USA.
| | - William H McAlister
- Pediatric Radiology Section, Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology at St. Louis Children's Hospital, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
| | - Steven Mumm
- Division of Bone and Mineral Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Center for Metabolic Bone Disease and Molecular Research, Shriners Hospitals for Children - St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
| | - David Mills
- Dental Physical Sciences, Dental Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, UK.
| | - Deborah J Veis
- Division of Bone and Mineral Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Center for Metabolic Bone Disease and Molecular Research, Shriners Hospitals for Children - St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
| | - Alan Burshell
- Endocrinology Department, Ochsner Medical Center, New Orleans, LA 70121, USA.
| | - Alan Boyde
- Dental Physical Sciences, Dental Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, UK.
| | - Michael P Whyte
- Division of Bone and Mineral Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Center for Metabolic Bone Disease and Molecular Research, Shriners Hospitals for Children - St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Nishio T, Toukairin Y, Hoshi T, Arai T, Nogami M. Simultaneous quantification by LC/ESI–MS/MS of chlorinated tyrosine derivatives in the autopsy sample of a victim of chlorine exposure. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2022; 56:102047. [DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2022.102047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
|
3
|
Abstract
ABSTRACT We present 2 cases of fatal inhalation of easily available highly volatile substances that occurred in a recreational context. Case 1 concerns an 18-year-old man who was found dead with a 25-L plastic bag pulled over his head and a whipped cream steel siphon connected to the bag. The deceased was known to previously have inhaled nitrous oxide. Autopsy results were unremarkable, toxicological analysis using static headspace gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry analysis proved the presence of nitrous oxide in lung tissue and blood. Asphyxiation was ascertained as the cause of death. Case 2 describes the death of a 54-year-old man found dead on his bed wearing a rubber gas mask. A bottle with ethyl chloride-containing cold spray was found beside him. Autopsy did not reveal relevant pathological findings; a subsequent toxicological analysis proved the presence of ethyl chloride. Respiratory arrest because of ethyl chloride inhalation was established as the cause of death. The 2 cases presented here demonstrate the danger of easily available, volatile substances with a high potential for abuse. A careful investigation of the death scene, proper specimen collection during the autopsy, and extensive toxicological tests, including headspace gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry analysis, are necessary to prove inhalation of these substances.
Collapse
|
4
|
Tomić M, Šetka M, Vojkůvka L, Vallejos S. VOCs Sensing by Metal Oxides, Conductive Polymers, and Carbon-Based Materials. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 11:552. [PMID: 33671783 PMCID: PMC7926866 DOI: 10.3390/nano11020552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
This review summarizes the recent research efforts and developments in nanomaterials for sensing volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The discussion focuses on key materials such as metal oxides (e.g., ZnO, SnO2, TiO2 WO3), conductive polymers (e.g., polypyrrole, polythiophene, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)), and carbon-based materials (e.g., graphene, graphene oxide, carbon nanotubes), and their mutual combination due to their representativeness in VOCs sensing. Moreover, it delves into the main characteristics and tuning of these materials to achieve enhanced functionality (sensitivity, selectivity, speed of response, and stability). The usual synthesis methods and their advantages towards their integration with microsystems for practical applications are also remarked on. The literature survey shows the most successful systems include structured morphologies, particularly hierarchical structures at the nanometric scale, with intentionally introduced tunable "decorative impurities" or well-defined interfaces forming bilayer structures. These groups of modified or functionalized structures, in which metal oxides are still the main protagonists either as host or guest elements, have proved improvements in VOCs sensing. The work also identifies the need to explore new hybrid material combinations, as well as the convenience of incorporating other transducing principles further than resistive that allow the exploitation of mixed output concepts (e.g., electric, optic, mechanic).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Milena Tomić
- Institute of Microelectronics of Barcelona (IMB-CNM, CSIC), Campus UAB, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain;
- Department of Electronic Engineering, Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), Campus UAB, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Milena Šetka
- CEITEC—Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, 61200 Brno, Czech Republic;
| | - Lukaš Vojkůvka
- Silicon Austria Labs, Microsystem Technologies, High Tech Campus Villach, Europastraβe 12, A-9524 Villach, Austria;
| | - Stella Vallejos
- Institute of Microelectronics of Barcelona (IMB-CNM, CSIC), Campus UAB, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain;
- CEITEC—Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, 61200 Brno, Czech Republic;
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Außergewöhnlicher Suizid bei Selbstfesselung unter laufender Butangaszufuhr. Rechtsmedizin (Berl) 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s00194-019-00340-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
6
|
Schäfer N, Schmidt P, Kettner M, Verhoff MA, Potente S, Ramsthaler F. Missbrauch leicht flüchtiger Substanzen („Schnüffelstoffe“). Rechtsmedizin (Berl) 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s00194-019-0335-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
|
7
|
Shintani-Ishida K, Tsuboi H, Ichioka H, Ikegaya H. Comparison of postmortem butane distribution between two fatal butane poisoning cases. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2018; 35:69-72. [DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2018.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
|
8
|
Medico-legal implications of toluene abuse and toxicity. Review of cases along with blood concentrations. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2018; 34:48-57. [DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2018.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Revised: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
|
9
|
Sato T, Nishioka H, Tsuboi K, Katagi M, Miki A, Saito T, Abe S, Nomura M, Kitagawa M, Tsuchihashi H, Suzuki K. Detection of butane gas inhalation at 16 days after hypoxic encephalopathy: A case report. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2017; 29:34-37. [DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2017.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2017] [Revised: 09/22/2017] [Accepted: 09/30/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|
10
|
Alunni V, Gaillard Y, Castier F, Piercecchi-Marti MD, Quatrehomme G. Death From Butane Inhalation Abuse in Teenagers: Two New Case Studies and Review of the Literature. J Forensic Sci 2017; 63:330-335. [PMID: 28718908 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.13520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Revised: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 03/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The ready availability of butane makes butane abuse frequent. Fatalities are rare. This study presents two cases of death by butane overdose. The postmortem analyses were carried out using headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. It revealed femoral blood butane concentrations of 18 and 22 mg/L, respectively, as well as specific combinations of adjuvants in each victim. In one of the victims, brain and fatty tissue also contained butane, pointing to chronic consumption. The originality of this study is to show that the identification of specific combinations of adjuvants can be helpful for identifying the brand of deodorant used. Also, sampling the skin and mucosa can help identify the method of drug delivery. The histological examination documented both the direct toxic effect of the gas on the respiratory mucosa and signs of chronic abuse. Volatile substance intoxications should be systematically considered in case of sudden death in a teenager.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Véronique Alunni
- Forensic Pathology and Forensic Anthropology Department, Faculté de Médecine, Institut Universitaire d'Anthropologie Médico-légale, Avenue de Valombrose, 06107, Nice Cedex 2, France
| | - Yvan Gaillard
- Laboratory of Analytical Toxicology, 800 avenue Marie Curie, 07800, La Voulte sur Rhône, France
| | - François Castier
- Forensic Pathology and Forensic Anthropology Department, Faculté de Médecine, Institut Universitaire d'Anthropologie Médico-légale, Avenue de Valombrose, 06107, Nice Cedex 2, France
| | | | - Gérald Quatrehomme
- Forensic Pathology and Forensic Anthropology Department, Faculté de Médecine, Institut Universitaire d'Anthropologie Médico-légale, Avenue de Valombrose, 06107, Nice Cedex 2, France
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Monteiro C, Proença P, Tavares C, Castañera A, Corte Real F. Interference of anesthetics in blood alcohol analysis by HS-GC-FID: A case report. Forensic Sci Int 2016; 265:65-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2016.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2015] [Revised: 01/04/2016] [Accepted: 01/07/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
|
12
|
El Balkhi S, Coutaz-Fluck C, Moreau F, Paraf F, Gaulier JM. Is it worth carrying out determination of N-butane in postmortem samples? A case report and a comprehensive review of the literature. Int J Legal Med 2015; 130:1223-9. [PMID: 26364197 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-015-1260-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2015] [Accepted: 09/02/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this article is to illustrate the importance of N-butane determination in postmortem samples through a case report and to propose actions and precautions to be taken into consideration when butane is suspected to be involved in cases of death. The case concerns a 15-year-old boy found dead after sniffing a cigarette lighter refill. Toxicological investigation revealed the presence of butane in the heart and femoral blood (1280 and 1170 μg/L, respectively), in the gastric contents (326 μg/L), and in the liver (1010 μg/kg) and lung tissues (210 μg/kg). Propane was present only in the blood samples at concentrations tenfolds lower.Butane can be involved in three kinds of fatalities: deliberate inhalations including volatile substance abuse (VSA), involuntary exposure, and homicides. A fatal outcome of butane inhalation can be caused by asphyxia and/or cardiac arrhythmia. In the context where butane exposure is evidenced by non-toxicological investigations, the usefulness of the determination of butane in postmortem samples is often questionable. However, it is admitted that butane-related deaths are generally underreported. Several difficulties including sample handling and storage, substantial variation in tissue concentrations, and lack of a lethal threshold make the interpretation of butane results challenging. In our opinion, systematic toxicological methods should be developed in order to analyze butane, at least when it concerns a typical VSA victim, even when butane is not actually suspected to be the cause of death.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Souleiman El Balkhi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Limoges, 87042, Limoges Cedex, France.
| | - Caroline Coutaz-Fluck
- Department of Forensic medicine, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Limoges, Limoges, France
| | - Fanny Moreau
- Department of Forensic medicine, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Limoges, Limoges, France
| | - François Paraf
- Department of Forensic medicine, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Limoges, Limoges, France
| | - Jean-Michel Gaulier
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Limoges, 87042, Limoges Cedex, France.,Unit of Toxicology, University Hospital of Lille, Lille, France
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Medico legal investigations into sudden sniffing deaths linked with trichloroethylene. J Forensic Leg Med 2015; 34:81-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2015.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2014] [Revised: 03/06/2015] [Accepted: 05/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
|
14
|
Chen PS, Tseng YH, Chuang YL, Chen JH. Determination of volatile organic compounds in water using headspace knotted hollow fiber microextraction. J Chromatogr A 2015; 1395:41-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2015.03.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2015] [Revised: 03/24/2015] [Accepted: 03/24/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
|
15
|
Seetohul LN, De Paoli G, Maskell PD. Volatile substance abuse: fatal overdose with dimethylether. J Anal Toxicol 2015; 39:415. [PMID: 25845604 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkv032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- L Nitin Seetohul
- Centre for Forensic and Legal Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 4HN, UK
| | - Giorgia De Paoli
- Centre for Forensic and Legal Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 4HN, UK
| | - Peter D Maskell
- Centre for Forensic and Legal Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 4HN, UK
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Amadasi A, Mastroluca L, Marasciuolo L, Caligara M, Sironi L, Gentile G, Zoja R. Death due to acute tetrachloroethylene intoxication in a chronic abuser. Int J Legal Med 2015; 129:487-93. [DOI: 10.1007/s00414-015-1143-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2014] [Accepted: 01/09/2015] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
|
17
|
Qualitative and quantitative analysis of a group of volatile organic compounds in biological samples by HS-GC/FID: application in practical cases. Forensic Sci Int 2014; 243:137-43. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2014.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2013] [Revised: 06/30/2014] [Accepted: 07/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
|
18
|
Papi L, Chericoni S, Bresci F, Giusiani M. Fatal acute poisoning from massive inhalation of gasoline vapors: case report and comparison with similar cases. J Forensic Sci 2013; 58:552-5. [PMID: 23278468 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.12041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2011] [Revised: 12/13/2011] [Accepted: 02/02/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
We describe a case of an acute lethal poisoning with hydrocarbons resulting from massive accidental inhalation of gasoline vapors. The victim, a 50-year-old man was found unconscious inside a control room for the transport of unleaded fuel. Complete autopsy was performed and showed evidence of congestion and edema of the lungs. Toxicological investigation was therefore fundamental to confirm exposure to fumes of gasoline. Both venous and arterial blood showed high values of volatiles in particular for benzene (39.0 and 30.4 μg/mL, respectively), toluene (23.7 and 20.4 μg/mL), and xylene isomers (29.8 and 19.3 μg/mL). The relatively low values found in the lungs are consistent with the fact that the subject, during the rescue, underwent orotracheal intubation followed by resuscitation techniques, while the low concentrations for all substances found in urine and kidneys could point to a death that occurred in a very short time after first contact with the fumes of gasoline.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Papi
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Forensic Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, 56126, Italy
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Dell CA, Seguin M, Hopkins C, Tempier R, Mehl-Madrona L, Dell D, Duncan R, Mosier K. From benzos to berries: treatment offered at an Aboriginal youth solvent abuse treatment centre relays the importance of culture. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY. REVUE CANADIENNE DE PSYCHIATRIE 2011; 56:75-83. [PMID: 21333034 DOI: 10.1177/070674371105600202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
First Nations and Inuit youth who abuse solvents are one of the most highly stigmatized substance-abusing groups in Canada. Drawing on a residential treatment response that is grounded in a culture-based model of resiliency, this article discusses the cultural implications for psychiatry's individualized approach to treating mental disorders. A systematic review of articles published in The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry during the past decade, augmented with a review of Canadian and international literature, revealed a gap in understanding and practice between Western psychiatric disorder-based and Aboriginal culture-based approaches to treatment and healing from substance abuse and mental disorders. Differing conceptualizations of mental health and substance abuse are discussed from Western psychiatric and Aboriginal worldviews, with a focus on connection to self, community, and political context. Applying an Aboriginal method of knowledge translation-storytelling-experiences from front-line workers in a youth solvent abuse treatment centre relay the difficulties with applying Western responses to Aboriginal healing. This lends to a discussion of how psychiatry can capitalize on the growing debate regarding the role of culture in the treatment of Aboriginal youth who abuse solvents. There is significant need for culturally competent psychiatric research specific to diagnosing and treating First Nations and Inuit youth who abuse substances, including solvents. Such understanding for front-line psychiatrists is necessary to improve practice. A health promotion perspective may be a valuable beginning point for attaining this understanding, as it situates psychiatry's approach to treating mental disorders within the etiology for Aboriginal Peoples.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Colleen Anne Dell
- Department of Sociology and School of Public Health, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Abstract
This special issue of Substance Use & Misuse addresses the public health issue of volatile substance misuse (VSM), the inhalation of gases or vapors for psychoactive effects, assessing the similarities and differences in the products misused, patterns, prevalence, etiologies, and impacts of VSM by examining it through sociocultural epidemiology, neuroscience, and interventions research. The Canadian, US, and Australian guest editors contend that, when compared with other drugs used at a similar prevalence, VSM has attracted relatively little research effort. The authors and editors call for further research to develop evidence-based policies and comprehensive interventions that respect culture and context-specific knowledge.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Colleen Anne Dell
- Department of Sociology & School of Public Health, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
|
22
|
Abstract
In the investigation of sudden death in adults, channelopathies, such as long QT syndrome, have risen to the fore in the minds of forensic pathologists in recent years. Examples of these disorders are touched upon in this review as an absence of abnormal findings at postmortem examination is characteristic and the importance of considering the diagnosis lies in the heritable nature of these conditions. Typically, a diagnosis of a possible channelopathy is evoked as an explanation for a 'negative autopsy' in a case of apparent sudden natural death. However, the one potential adverse effect of this approach is that subtle causes of sudden death may be overlooked. The intention of this article is to review and discuss potential causes of sudden adult death (mostly natural) that should be considered before resorting to a diagnosis of possible channelopathy. Nonetheless, it becomes apparent that many of the potential causes of sudden death can have a genetic basis. Thus, it becomes an important consideration that there may be a genetic basis to sudden death that extends beyond the negative autopsy.
Collapse
|
23
|
Bruno P, Caselli M, de Gennaro G, Iacobellis S, Tutino M. Monitoring of volatile organic compounds in non-residential indoor environments. INDOOR AIR 2008; 18:250-256. [PMID: 18429995 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0668.2008.00528.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED A weekly monitoring campaign of volatile organic compounds (VOC), with single sampling of 24 h, was carried out in non-residential indoor environments such as libraries, pharmacies, offices, gymnasiums, etc., in order to evaluate the VOC concentrations to which people are exposed. Moreover, an outdoor sample was coupled to each indoor site to point out the influence of indoor sources. They were sampled with Radiello diffusive samplers for thermal desorption and analyzed by GC-MS. As already described in other papers, the VOC levels of most of the indoor sites were higher than that observed in the corresponding outdoor sites. For example, some sites showed a level of pollution that is ten times higher than their corresponding outdoor site. The monitored environments that had higher concentrations of the investigated VOC were the pharmacies, a newspaper stand, a copy center, and the coffee shops. Analysis of the weekly average concentrations of each pollutant and the use of literature allowed pointing out some site-specific characteristics that singled out possible sources of VOC. These results were verified analyzing the indoor-outdoor ratio (I/O) too. Newspaper stands were characterized by very high concentrations of toluene and pharmacies were characterized by high concentrations of aromatic compounds. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS Indoor air pollution caused by volatile organic compounds (VOC) might affect human health at home as well as in public and commercial buildings. The main VOC sources in indoor environments are human activities, personal care products, smoking, house cleaning products, building products, and outside pollution. To preserve human health it is necessary to evaluate the average concentrations of VOC to which people are exposed and to identify the main sources of indoor pollution by means of suitable indoor monitoring campaigns in several environments. These investigations allow pointing out the characteristic critical situations of some indoor environments or some other types of environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P Bruno
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Wille SMR, Lambert WEE. Recent developments in extraction procedures relevant to analytical toxicology. Anal Bioanal Chem 2007; 388:1381-91. [PMID: 17468854 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-007-1294-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2007] [Revised: 04/03/2007] [Accepted: 04/04/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Sample preparation is an important step in the development of an analytical method but is often regarded as time-consuming, laborious work. Optimum sample preparation leads to enhanced selectivity and sensitivity, however, and reduces amounts of interfering matrix compounds, resulting in less signal suppression or enhancement. Recent developments in extraction techniques that could be of interest in clinical and forensic toxicology, for example liquid-liquid, solid-phase, and headspace extraction, are summarized in this review. The advantages and disadvantages of several extraction techniques are discussed, to enable the reader to choose an appropriate method of extraction for his or her application. Attention is paid to current trends in analytical toxicology, for example miniaturization, high throughput, and automation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M R Wille
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Ghent University, Harelbekestraat 72, 9000 Gent, Belgium
| | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Fancy SA, Beckonert O, Darbon G, Yabsley W, Walley R, Baker D, Perkins GL, Pullen FS, Rumpel K. Gas chromatography/flame ionisation detection mass spectrometry for the detection of endogenous urine metabolites for metabonomic studies and its use as a complementary tool to nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2006; 20:2271-80. [PMID: 16810707 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.2583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Metabonomics is a relatively new field of research in which the total pool of metabolites in body fluids or tissues from different patient groups is subjected to comparative analysis. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is the technology that is currently most widely used for the analysis of these highly complex metabolite mixtures, and hundreds of metabolites can be detected without any upfront separation. We have investigated in this study whether gas chromatography (GC) separation in combination with flame ionisation detection (FID) and mass spectrometry (MS) detection can be used for metabolite profiling from urine. We show that although GC sample preparation is much more involved than for NMR, hundreds of metabolites can reproducibly be detected and analysed by GC. We show that the data quality is sufficiently high--particularly if appropriate baseline correction and time-warping methods are applied--to allow for data comparison by chemometrics methods. A sample set of urines from eleven healthy human volunteers was analysed independently by GC and NMR, and subsequent chemometrics analysis of the two datasets showed some similar features. As judged by NIST database searches of the GC/MS data some of the major metabolites that are detected by NMR are also visible by GC/MS. Since in contrast to NMR every peak in GC corresponds to a single metabolite, the electron ionisation spectra can be used to quickly identify metabolites of interest if their reference spectra are present in a searchable database. In summary, we show that GC is a method that can be used as a complementary tool to NMR for metabolite profiling of urine samples.
Collapse
|
26
|
Mondón S, Navarro V, Trullás JC, Nogué S. Inhalación de laca para el pelo: ¿una adicción peligrosa? Med Clin (Barc) 2005; 124:637. [PMID: 15871787 DOI: 10.1157/13074399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
|