Morphological changes in human head hair subjected to various drug testing decontamination strategies

Morphological changes in hair subjected to decontamination protocols were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) as part of the National Laboratory Certification Program's (NLCP) efforts to develop proficiency testing materials in support of Federal Workplace Drug Testing programs. Hair from five different donors was evaluated. Hair samples were subjected to three decontamination protocols: (1) aqueous phosphate buffer, (2) methanol or (3) methylene chloride as models for aqueous, alcohol and polar organic solvent protocols, respectively. Under these protocols, samples of hair were treated for 225 min (aqueous), 15 min (alcohol), or 15 min (polar organic). After decontamination, hair strands were sputter coated with gold/palladium (AuPd) and observed by SEM. Modest lifting of cuticle scales was observed in hair treated with methanol and methylene chloride consistent with some changes to the cell membrane complex (CMC) between cuticle scales. Damage resulting from aqueous buffer treatment ranged from substantial degradation to apparent complete loss of cuticle scales. Fracture structures consistent with cuticle damage were also observed. Each decontamination protocol had a different impact on the cuticle of the hair shaft.     

Perceived Social Support among Bullies,Victims, and Bully-Victims

Research indicates that social support plays a protective role among adolescents, but little research has explicitly evaluated its function among youth involved in bullying. Accordingly, this study examined relations among social support, bully/victim status, and psychological distress in a sample of 784 ethnically diverse youth. We assessed differences in perceived social support across bully/victim subtypes, and evaluated peer and maternal social support as protective factors among victims, bullies, and bully-victims. Youth were classified as uninvolved (61.6%), as bullies (14.3%), as victims (12.5%), and as bully-victims (11.6%). Uninvolved youth reported the most peer and maternal social support and the least anxiety/depression. Multivariate analyses revealed that there was a significant interaction between bully/victim groups and peer social support. Specifically, bullies, victims, and bully-victims who reported moderate peer social support also indicated the least anxiety/depression. Results highlight the importance of encouraging youth to develop and effectively use peer support networks as part of bullying intervention programs.

Methanol Detected in a Subdural Hematoma as an Embalming Artifact

Analysis of subdural hematomata has been used to suggest antemortem drug concentrations, with the assumption that materials within the hematoma are less subject to metabolism or degradation during any survival period and postmortem interval. We report the case of an 87‐year‐old woman whose death had not been reported to the coroner's office until postembalming. Autopsy revealed a traumatic brain injury with subdural hematoma causing a mass effect. Testing of the clot indicated a methanol concentration of 51.8 mg%. No additional analyses were detected. These findings suggest that methanol can be present in a postmortem hematoma sample, yet not represent a poisoning. Our findings also suggest that while the interior of hematomata do not necessarily represent completely “protected space” from postmortem diffusion of some blood constituents, such diffusion is not facile, and analysis may still provide useful indications of antemortem drugs present, if not actual concentrations.