Determination of paraquat in raw and formalin-fixed tissues by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy

ESR method was applied to determine paraquat levels in fresh and formalin-fixed tissues. Paraquat was converted to paraquat radical by adding sodium dithionite to tissue homogenates and detected by ESR. Paraquat levels of more than 0.2 micrograms/ml homogenate could be quantified with 0.1 ml of the homogenate. The use of manganese ions for standardization of paraquat signal enabled much more accurate ESR measurements because this ion was quite stable and its signal did not overlap that of paraquat. Even with tissues fixed in formalin, tissues paraquat levels were measureable after removing formalin from the tissue extract. This fact was verified by studying two cases; the tissues were kept in formalin for 1.5 years in case 1 and for 6.5 years in case 2. In both cases, the paraquat contents in tissues were 0.02-0.08 micrograms/g. In this way ESR is one of the most suitable methods in determining low levels of paraquat in tissues even after they were preserved in formalin for a long time.     

Release of tissue paraquat into formalin solution during fixation

Formalin-fixed tissues and formalin solutions are among the most frequently found materials in pathology and forensic science laboratories. However, these materials are seldom used for the identification of poisons for forensic toxicology purposes. In this study, the possibility that paraquat may be released from formalin-fixed tissues during the fixation process was investigated. However, because of the interference of formaldehyde on the reduction of paraquat with dithionite reagent, paraquat in formalin solutions was treated with ion-pair column chromatography and then determined by measuring the derivative spectrum of reduced paraquat. The results show that the interference of formalin on paraquat determination has been eliminated by the proposed method. Furthermore, a study on the formalin solutions of fixed organs in cases with suspected paraquat intoxication revealed that portions of tissue paraquat had been released into formalin during the fixation process. Moreover, the paraquat levels in formalin increased with increased storage time. Therefore, these data suggest that the combined concentrations of paraquat in the formalin-fixed tissues and formalin solutions might reflect more reliably the total paraquat in the postmortem tissues. This investigation could be of value to the forensic toxicologist, especially in cases in which no fresh tissue samples are available for analysis.     

人体组织在非缓冲福尔马林固定剂中的STR检测时限

目的评估经非缓冲福尔马林固定不同时间后的人体组织STR分型有效性,了解各种人体组织在非缓冲福尔马林固定剂中可获得完全STR分型位点的时限。方法市售40%福尔马林溶液经1∶9稀释后在室温(15～20℃)下固定人体组织,不同时间后取样。以QIAamp DNA法和IQTMDNA System法提取DNA,用quantifiler humanTaqman探针法进行DNA定量,用常规16 STR位点的AmpFSTR identifiler kit和短小片段9 STR位点的AmpFSTR Min-iFiler kit进行PCR扩增,在3100遗传分析仪进行扩增DNA片段长度检测,用GeneMapper ID v3.2对STR位点检出率进行分析。结果福尔马林固定时间、组织类型以及DNA提取方法、PCR的DNA模板终浓度均影响非缓冲福尔马林固定后人体组织STR分型效能。DNA提取用QIAgen法为优,DNA模板终浓度的最佳范围在1～3ng/μL。各类型组织在非缓冲福尔马林固定剂中的降解速率有差异,肺组织的降解速率最慢,肝、肠组织最快。固定时间在4d内的组织可以获得常规STR的完整位点数;固定时间在15d内的组织可以获得miniSTR的完整位点数。结论非缓冲福尔马林固定人体组织时间是影响STR分型的最主要因素,其次组织类型、提取方法、DNA模板浓度及STR基因座的选择也是此类降解样品成功检测的关键因素。     

Immunofluorescence detection of drugs in postmortem tissues: a new technique with potential for assessment of drug influence in cause of death

This report describes a new technique, immunofluorescence, for the detection and possible characterization of drug content in postmortem tissues. By using antisera generated against a drug-protein conjugate, the stabilization of tissue-sequestered drug is accomplished by incubation of fresh frozen sections of tissue with dilute solutions of rabbit anti-drug antibodies. Secondary incubation with a fluorescence-labeled anti-rabbit immunoglobulin labels these points of sequestration. Tissue sections so stained are examined by fluorescence microscopy. In studies with rats given graded doses of morphine sulfate, there were discernible differences in tissue binding of morphine in brain sections from animals treated "therapeutically," fatally, and chronically. Extension of these studies to human autopsy material is anticipated and potential problems are discussed. This technique offers the forensic toxicologist the potential for evaluating the drug content of tissues in situ.     

Effects of freezing and frozen storage on histological characteristics of canine tissues

Frozen tissues were studied histologically to determine what changes were produced by freezing. Samples of brain, lung, liver, small intestine, and kidney from 20 stray dogs were treated in 3 ways: formalin fixation (control), frozen for 2 days plus formalin fixation, or frozen for 7 days plus formalin fixation. Major histological changes caused by freezing were loss of staining, extracellular fluid accumulation, cell shrinkage, fractures, hemolysis, and hematin formation. Lesser changes included loss of bronchial cilia, prominence of collagen in alveolar septa and meninges, and intracellular vacuolization of epithelial cells. Although these changes were annoying, adequate visualization of the tissues was usually possible.     

Determination of drug levels in larvae of Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) reared on rabbit carcasses containing morphine

This study concerns the determination of morphine concentrations in fly larvae reared on rabbits administered different concentrations of morphine and a correlation between concentrations of the drug in larvae and tissues. Three rabbits (R1, R2 and R3) were given dosages of 12.5, 25.0 and 50.0 mg/h of morphine over a 3 h period via continuous ear artery perfusion. These dosages and time of perfusion were calculated to create tissue concentrations of morphine similar to those encountered in human death due to overdose. Morphine blood level plateau was attained after 1 h of perfusion. A fourth rabbit was used as a control. To evaluate drug concentrations, tissues were sampled using a coelioscopic technique. Approximately 400 eggs of Lucilia sericata, all of the same age category, were placed in eyes, nostrils and mouth of each rabbit carcass. Larvae and puparia were regularly collected from each rabbit for toxicological analysis. The concentrations of the drug in the tissues sampled were determined to be similar to those normally encountered in human overdoses and were correlated with the dosage of morphine that had been administered. Morphine was detected in all larvae and pupae fed on tissues from carcasses administered morphine, except for puparia from the colony fed on the R1 animal which received 12.5 mg/h dosage of morphine. All samples from the control rabbit were negative for morphine. Concentrations of morphine in larvae reared on rabbit carcasses containing morphine were 30 to 100 times lower than the concentrations found in the tissues. A correlation between the tissue concentrations and larval concentrations was found in only 3rd instar larvae (80 to 140 h following hatching). No correlations were found between administered dosages, tissue concentrations and younger larvae, prepuparial larvae or puparia.     

改良醋酸铵盐析法提取福尔马林固定石蜡包埋组织DNA

目的采用改良醋酸铵盐析法提取福尔马林固定石蜡包埋组织DNA,并评价其应用价值。方法取死后24h内人体肾组织用10%中性福尔马林溶液固定7d,石蜡包埋。采用酚/氯仿法、Chelex-100法及改良醋酸铵盐析法提取DNA。经用紫外分光光度计法、AGE及PCR-PAGE检测比较不同方法提取DNA的质量。结果改良醋酸铵盐析法、酚/氯仿法、Chelex-100法OD260/OD280比值分别为1.962±0.195、2.110±0.470、1.018±0.124,两两比较均有显著性差异(P<0.05);3种方法提取DNA含量(μg)分别为0.515±0.447、0.328±0.345、5.346±1.994;AGE电泳图谱可印证上述结果;PCR-PAGE检测显示改良醋酸铵盐析法提取DNA的谱带清晰度好于其它两种方法。结论改良醋酸铵盐析法更适合微量福尔马林固定石蜡包埋组织样本DNA的提取。     

甲醛固定组织中DNA提取与扩增技术的初步研究

目的：探索从甲醛固定组织中提取并扩增DNA的方法。方法：采用高pH缓冲液,结合有机溶剂法抽提DNA,选择扩增片段较短的DQa位点作为检测位点。结果：甲醛固定组织中的DNA降解程度随浸泡时间的延长而加重,但浸泡1、5、10个月的3份心脏组织均获得了240bp的扩增产物。     

Triton X-100快速提取甲醛固定、石蜡包埋组织内DNA的方法

目的建立一种快速提取甲醛固定、石蜡包埋组织内DNA的方法。方法利用TritonX-100一步提取甲醛固定、石蜡包埋组织内DNA,并具体研究了不同浓度TritonX-100对提取后DNA-STR分型效果的影响。结果成功地一步提取出甲醛固定、石蜡包埋组织内DNA,浓度为1%的TritonX-100提取效果较好。结论利用TritonX-100提取甲醛固定、石蜡包埋组织内的DNA,为快速提取DNA提供了有效的途径,是法科学领域中一种值得推荐的方法。     

Microscopic diagnosis from frozen canine tissues

Frozen tissues were studied microscopically to determine their value for diagnostic purposes. Sections were taken from lung, liver, kidney, small intestine, and brain of ten diseased dogs that died or were euthanatized. Some tissues were frozen, held for two or seven days, and then formalin-fixed. Tissues that were formalin-fixed immediately served as controls. Freezing changes such as transudate, cell shrinkage, fractures, hemolysis, and hematin formation were a nuisance, but usually did not prevent making a diagnosis. Viral inclusions, microfilaria, fibrosis, and intestinal bacteria remained distinct.     

Determination of drug levels in larvae of Protophormia terraenovae and Calliphora vicina (Diptera: Calliphoridae) reared on rabbit carcasses containing morphine

Two species of blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) were reared on tissues from rabbits administered different dosages of morphine. These species, Protophormia terraenovae and Calliphora vicina are among the first wave of insects colonizing a dead body. Two series of 3 rabbits were given dosages of 10, 20, and 40 mg/h of morphine over a 3 h period via ear artery perfusion. A morphine blood level plateau was attained after 1 h of perfusion. Two other rabbits were used as controls. Samples of tissues collected from rabbits using a coelioscopic technique were determined to have morphine concentrations similar to those encountered in human overdoses and were correlated with dosages of morphine administered. All samples from control rabbits were negative for morphine. Larvae and puparia of both species were regularly collected from each rabbit for toxicological analysis. Concentrations of morphine in larvae reared on rabbit carcasses containing morphine were significantly lower than concentrations found in the tissues. There was a decrease in concentration in morphine observed in transition from feeding 3rd instar larva to puparium. A correlation between larval concentration and tissue concentration was found only in feeding 3rd instar larvae.     

Hair as a specimen to document tetramethylene disulfotetramine exposure

Tetramethylene disulfotetramine (tetramine) is a rodenticide that has been banned for many years in China. Since 2005, inhabitants of a village in the Henan Province have been suffering from grand mal seizures. To investigate the possibility of tetramine as the cause, we developed a method to determine tetramine in human hair. Sample preparation involved external decontamination, frozen pulverization, and ultrasonication in 2 mL ethyl acetate in the presence of cocaine-d3 as an internal standard. The method exhibited good linearity; calibration curve was linear over a range of 0.1-20 ng/mg hair. The limit of detection for the assay was 0.05 ng/mg hair. Except for one subject (No. 4), all head and pubic hair samples were positive for tetramine. The concentrations of tetramine in pubic hair were significantly higher than those in the same subjects' head hair samples. Because of a long retention in body, segmental head hair analysis cannot provide an accurate exposure history of tetramine in the body.     

Detection of drugs using XAD-2 resin. II:Analysis of liver in medical examiner's cases

Liver tends to concentrate drugs in quantities generally higher than those found in blood or other body compartments. This fact as well as the general availability of liver in postmortem cases makes it an important specimen for comprehensive toxicologic investigation. A scheme for the analysis of liver for drugs with tissue hydrolysis, XAD-2 resin extraction, and TLC has been developed and the parameters affecting recovery have been studied. The hydrolysis of liver specimens at various pH conditions resulted in an improved recovery for morphine by using pH 2 (2N hydrochloric acid). Recoveries of barbiturates, codeine, and meperidine were essentially the same at pH 2 and pH 3. A considerable loss (22 to 55%) was observed for four drugs (pentobarbital, morphine, codeine, and meperidine) as a result of drug binding to the tissue pellets during the process of centrifuging the liver homogenates. This method is recommended as a comprehensive screening procedure for drugs in liver tissue. For quantitative purposes, however, it is necessary to determine a correction factor for all the losses occurring at the various steps of the procedure. This procedure compared favorably with other procedures for liver analysis reported in literature.     

Determination of tetramethylenedisulfotetramine in human urine with gas chromatograph-flame thermionic detection coupling with direct immersed solid-phase micro-extraction

An analytical method for determination of tetramethylenedisulfotetramine (tetramine) in human urine by gas chromatography-flame thermionic detection (GC-FTD) coupling with a direct immersed solid-phase micro-extraction (DI-SPME) was developed. The enrichment effects of three fiber coatings of SPME for tetramine were compared. Results showed that the enrichment effect of polar 85 microm polyacrylate (PA) coating was better than that of apolar 100 and 7 microm polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) coatings. Other experimental parameters, such as ionic strength, volume, temperature of sample solution and time for extraction, time and temperature for desorption, were also optimized. The correlation coefficient of the calibration curve was 0.9998 in the range of 0.082-41.0 ng/mL for tetramine. The limit of quantitation of tetramine in urine was 0.082 ng/mL. In this method, the sample pretreatment is simple and convenient. As a monitoring means, it has been successfully applied to detection of tetramine toxicosis in criminal cases, as well as clinical therapy of poisoned sufferer.     

Effects of morphine in decomposing bodies on the development of Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

This study concerns the effects of morphine in tissues on the rate of development of Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) using those tissues as a food source. Lucilia sericata is a species of fly commonly found on human corpses in Europe during the early stages of decomposition and thus of forensic interest. Three rabbits were administered 12.5, 25.0 and 50.0 mg/h of morphine chlorhydrate via ear perfusion over a period of 3 h. These dosages and duration of perfusion were calculated to give tissue concentrations of morphine similar to those encountered in fatal human overdoses. A fourth rabbit was used as a control. Following administration of the drug, rabbits were sacrificed and 400 eggs of Lucilia sericata, all of the same age, were placed in the eyes, nostrils and mouth of each rabbit. Developing larvae were sampled daily to determine growth rate and weight. Puparia and emerging adult flies were also sampled. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Student's T-test. Results of this study show that an underestimation of the postmortem interval of 24 h is possible if the presence of morphine in tissues is not considered. This study demonstrates again the necessity of considering the possible effects of drugs in tissues on insect growth rates when estimating the postmortem interval using entomological techniques.     

Detection of drugs using XAD-2 resin. I:Choice of resin, chromatographic conditions, and recovery studies

Amberlite XAD-2, a nonionic polystyrene divinylbenzene resin, was first used for the analysis of drugs in urine and a number of reports have described the development at optimal conditions for extraction, including type of resin columns, pH conditions, and eluting solvents. XAD-4 and XAD-7 resins were compared to the similarly structured XAD-2 resin and no significant advantage over the XAD-2 resin for drug screening was observed. A quantity of 5 to 6 g of resin was found to have sufficient capacity for the extraction of 200 ml of pentobarbital solution (1 mg/100ml). A column flow rate of approximately 15 ml/min (gravitational flow) was sufficient for analysis and slower rates were not more efficient. A mixture of ethyl acetate and 1,2-dichloroethane (3:2) was found to give best overall recovery (66 to 94%) of drugs, the resulting extracts being reasonably free of interfering substances. A pH value of 8.5 is recommended as optimum for comprehensive analysis of acidic and basic drugs. Recovery studies were conducted on spiked samples to determine drug losses occuring during various steps in the XAD-2 extraction procedure for four acidic (amobarbital, secobarbital, pentobarbital, and phenobarbital) and four basic (morphine, codeine, meperidine, and methadone) drugs. A relatively small amount (0 to 5%) of the drugs was not adsorbed by the resin and amounts varying from 6 to 40% failed to be desorbed by the eluting solvent. Additional losses occurred during the removal and analysis of TLC spots. Recovery of drugs from aqueous solutions analyzed with the XAD-2 resin were compared to recoveries reported in the literature with other XAD-2 resin methods for the extraction of drugs from urine. Recovery of phenobarbital, morphine, and codeine improved by 4 to 23% while recoveries of amobarbital, pentobarbital, secobarbital, methadone, and meperidine were 4 to 28% less efficient when compared to literature data.     

Detection of diatom in formalin-fixed tissue by proteinase K digestion

The diatoms detection has been proposed to be useful in the diagnosis of drowning. Enzymatic digestion of unfixed lung tissues and other organs with proteinase K is widely employed to detect diatoms. Handling unfixed organs or blood from the bodies with some infectious diseases could prove to be dangerous. In this study, we examined the application of enzymatic digestion for diatom detection to formalin-fixed lung obtained at autopsy. Furthermore, we assessed the effect of hydrogen peroxide on the contamination of the lung specimen with foreign bodies inhaled in the course of drowning, smoking, or air pollution. Formalin-fixed lung was heated in 0.01 M Tris–HCl buffer (pH 7.5) containing sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) (tissue lysis-buffer), with or without glycine. Thereafter, the lung was subjected to enzymatic digestion with proteinase K. A part of formalin-fixed or unfixed samples digested with proteinase K were incubated with hydrogen peroxide at 80 °C for 6 h or 12 h, while the residues were processed without incubation. Formalin-fixed samples heated in tissue lysis-buffer with glycine could be digested with proteinase K; further, the number and proportion of diatoms detected in both formalin-fixed and unfixed samples were observed to be similar. The results suggest that enzymatic detection of diatoms can be applied to formalin-fixed organs by heating the samples in glycine-containing tissue lysis-buffer. As the use of formalin-fixed tissue for diatom detection can decrease risk of contamination by pathogenic organisms during the course of enzymatic digestion, the method presented in this study would be beneficial, to some extent, to individuals performing diatom analysis. Moreover, our results suggest that archival organs stored in formalin solution could be available in diatom detection over a long time-period following autopsies. Clearer image of diatoms was observed in the specimen incubated with hydrogen peroxide for 6 h, in which inhaled foreign bodies were discolored, than those not subjected to incubation. Therefore, incubation of sample digested with hydrogen peroxide in the limited time would be helpful for quantitative and qualitative diatom analysis.     

Identification of N,N-dimethylamphetamine formed by methylation of methamphetamine in formalin-fixed liver tissue by multistage mass spectrometry

Methamphetamine is methylated in the presence of unbuffered formalin solutions within hours at room temperature. The product, N,N-dimethylamphetamine, is also found in human liver exposed to methamphetamine followed by incubation with formalin. In the present study, a direct mass spectrometric method was developed to identify N,N-dimethylamphetamine in human liver before and after treatment with formalin. Human liver samples were obtained from four deaths that were investigated by the West Virginia Office of Chief Medical Examiner. Full toxicological analysis was conducted on samples from the decedents and methamphetamine was among the positive findings in each case. The method used to expose liver tissue to formaldehyde involved treating a small piece of liver from each case with formalin solution (20% v/v) for 24 h at room temperature. The formalin treated tissues were homogenized and the resulting suspension was sonicated for 5 min, and then centrifuged. Supernatant aliquots were directly analyzed by electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry without chromatographic isolation. Positive ion multistage mass spectra recorded in MS, MS/MS and MS/MS/MS (MS3) modes were used to confirm the presence of N,N-dimethylamphetamine and methamphetamine in the mixture. Liver tissue not treated with formalin did not contain a detectable level of N,N-dimethylamphetamine. Decreases in methamphetamine concentrations in liver tissue resulting from treatment with formalin were measured using deuterium-labeled methamphetamine as internal standard. The method can be completed in less than 2 h on thawed tissue. The results suggest that the process of fixing tissues with formalin may lead to false negative findings for methamphetamine.     

甲醛溶液固定对ICP-MS检测电流损伤皮肤金属化的影响

目的探讨应用电感耦合等离子体质谱（inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry ICP-MS）技术检测甲醛溶液固定后电流损伤皮肤中金属元素。方法利用黄铜、铁电极材料以220V交流电电击兔子后肢,电损伤皮肤分别进行甲醛溶液固定1周、6个月后,应用ICP-MS对电流损伤皮肤中金属元素进行测定。结果与对照组皮肤比较,黄铜电击组皮肤中检测出Cr、Ni、Cu、Zn、Pb含量升高（P〈0.05）;固定1周、6个月后仍可检测出Cr、Ni、Cu、Zn、Pb成分,其中Cr、Cu、Zn、Pb含量电击组与固定组差异无统计学意义。与对照组比较,铁电击后皮肤中检测出Fe、Cr、Mn、Ni元素含量升高（P〈0.05）;固定组（1周和6个月）后Fe、Cr、Ni元素含量与电击组差异无统计学意义。结论 ICP-MS可作为检测电流损伤皮肤中金属元素的有效方法,甲醛溶液固定后触电皮肤仍可进行沉积的金属元素检测,且固定对皮肤金属元素的含量影响较小,该方法仍可为电流损伤诊断提供依据。     

福尔马林固定组织SNP与STR检测的比较

目的检测经长期福尔马林固定的组织降解情况,并比较组织中SNP与STR的检出率。方法本文对24例经福尔马林固定、-20℃保存5年的组织样本,采用Quantifiler?Trio DNA定量试剂盒检测样本DNA的降解系数及浓度,运用55-SNPs SNa Pshot复合分型体系和Power Plex?21试剂盒分别进行SNP与STR检测。结果大部分样本降解系数在1~8,发生不同程度的降解。与未降解样本相比,SNP分型完全一致,检出率为100%;其中8例样本STR分型存在33个等位基因丢失,降解系数均大于2.6,且75.8%的等位基因片段长度大于300bp。当样本检测出16个STR基因座时,似然率与54个SNP相当。当样本检出大于17个STR时,似然率大于54个SNP。STR基因座片段长度与等位基因检出率之间呈负相关。除2例样本降解系数较小却发生等位基因丢失外,其余样本降解系数与等位基因检出率之间呈负相关。结论经福尔马林长期固定的组织DNA易降解,检测SNP明显优于STR,但需要更多的SNP以提高个体识别能力。