Numerical density of delta-opioid receptor expressing neurons in the frontal cortex of drug-related fatalities

In animal experiment and in cell culture, chronic morphine treatment has been followed by a reduction as well as an increase of the delta-opioid receptor (OR) number. The present postmortem morphometric study of morphine-related fatalities of drug addicts (n=12, 22-35 years old, with blood unconjugated morphine levels from 27.1 to 407 ng/ml, m.v. 176.9 ng/ml) versus a non-addicted control group (n=13, 10-44 years old) is intended to examine whether chronic opiate exposure also affects the numerical density of deltaOR expressing neurons in the human neocortex (area 10 according to Brodmann (Vergleichende Lokalisationslehre der Grosshirnrinde (1909) Johann Ambrosius Barth, Leipzig)). For the immunohistochemical procedure, vibratome sections (100 microm) were incubated with a monoclonal antibody against the deltaOR diluted 1:100, and immunoreactive sites were visualized using an immunoperoxidase protocol. The numerical densities of OR expressing and Nissl-stained neurons were assessed morphometrically (camera lucida drawings). In both collectives, the anti deltaOR immunoreactivity was predominantly localized in pyramidal neurons of layers (L) II/III and V as well as in round and ovoid neurons of L VI. In the drug-related fatalities, the density of neurons expressing deltaOR protein amounted for 2515+/-240/mm(3), in the control group for 2616+/-204/mm(3), thus displaying no statistically significant difference. These findings go along with the binding behavior of opioid ligands in postmortem brains of heroin addicts revealing similar receptor densities and affinities in the control subjects and addicts.     

Recent developments in cornea transplantation (1997-1999)

Between 1997 and 1999 a steady increase in cornea donations was achieved, but the number of transplantations remained stable because many grafts did not pass quality control. Intermediate organ culture of entire bulbi was examined as a possible solution to reduce post-mortem times and increase suitability for transplantation.     

Synthesis of 2,3- and 3,4-methylenedioxyphenylalkylamines and their regioisomeric differentiation by mass spectral analysis using GC-MS-MS

3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) derivatives are increasingly abused central nervous system stimulants with neurotoxic properties. In recent years a number of controlled substance analogs (designer drugs) with high structural variety reached the illegal market making their identification an arduous task. The underivatized compounds give very similar or even virtually identical electron impact mass spectra containing mainly intense C(n)H(2n+2)N(+) immonium ions. Using tandem mass spectrometry (MS-MS) the additional structural information contained in the collision induced dissoziation (CID) mass spectra of molecular ions using electron impact (EI) and especially chemical ionization (CI) allowed an unequivocal differentiation of 18 studied regioisomeric 1-(methylenedioxyphenyl)-2-propanamines and 1-(methylenedioxyphenyl)-2-butanamines.Further synthetic methods are presented for 1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-N-propyl-2-butanamine, N-isopropyl-1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2-butanamine and four 1-(2, 3-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2-butanamines. N-alkylated 1-(3, 4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2-butanamine compounds (e.g. MBDB) are also known to be abused psychoactive agents (entactogenes) without the sympatomimetic effects of the 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamines.     

Semi-automatic analysis of fire debris

Automated analysis of fire residues involves a strategy which deals with the wide variety of received criminalistic samples. Because of unknown concentration of accelerant in a sample and the wide range of flammable products, full attention from the analyst is required. Primary detection with a photoionisator resolves the first problem, determining the right method to use: the less responsive classical head-space determination or absorption on active charcoal tube, a better fitted method more adapted to low concentrations can thus be chosen. The latter method is suitable for automatic thermal desorption (ATD400), to avoid any risk of cross contamination. A PONA column (50 mx0.2 mm i.d.) allows the separation of volatile hydrocarbons from C(1) to C(15) and the update of a database. A specific second column is used for heavy hydrocarbons. Heavy products (C(13) to C(40)) were extracted from residues using a very small amount of pentane, concentrated to 1 ml at 50 degrees C and then placed on an automatic carousel. Comparison of flammables with referenced chromatograms provided expected identification, possibly using mass spectrometry. This analytical strategy belongs to the IRCGN quality program, resulting in analysis of 1500 samples per year by two technicians.     

Report of the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENSFI): formulation and testing of principles to evaluate STR multiplexes

This paper describes a collaborative exercise organised under the auspices of the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI). The purpose of this EU (European Union) funded group is to carry out research to enable STR loci to be compared between European laboratories, ultimately leading to the formation of a pan-European database. Accordingly, an exercise was designed to evaluate a prototype STR multiplex system manufactured by Applied Biosystems (ABD). Each laboratory was sent 12 samples to analyse along with a multiplex kit. Of specific interest was the definition of parameters to define the efficiency of the system. Stutter, split allelic peaks (differing by one base), pull-up, heterozygous balance and between locus balance were all objectively measured. Once the important parameters are defined it is possible to directly compare performances of different multiplexes and the different laboratories carrying out the tests. Since the multiplex used was a prototype system, this exercise cannot be regarded as a proficiency test.     

十三年来美国对泰国的“援助”

近几年来美国把对泰国援助中一部分“贈欵”改为貸欵,泰报认为是援助減少了。作者认为貸欵也是援助,但可能使泰国经济发展計划降低要求或中止,言外之音是希望增加“贈欵”。     

越南的少数民族問題

这是一篇替法帝国主义統治越南时期的少數民族政策辯护的文章。它把法帝国主义“分而治之”的反动政策說成是“善意好心”的,把法帝国主义所頒布的使越南泰族脫离越南,直接与法兰西联邦联系的法律,說成是符合民族特点和民族愿望的。它也透露了目前南越西原地区少數民族对吳庭艳集团的不滿,对越南民主共和国的民族政策的响往。但它却歪曲那些少數民族的意志,說他們热烈地怀念法国人。文章的观点是反动的,但可以看出帝国主义是如何欺騙当地少數民族的。