A new method for detecting diatoms in human organs

A new method for diatom detection is described. It includes an ultrasonic irradiation procedure with the use of a tissue solubilizer. The method is easy to carry out and is less time-consuming than previous techniques.     

A screening method for urinary methamphetamine--latex agglutination inhibition reaction test

Methamphetamine in urine samples from abusers was detected by the latex agglutination inhibition reaction test with latex-antibody (Latex-Ab) and latex-methamphetamine (Latex-MA) reagents. Anti-methamphetamine antibody was produced in rabbits by immunization with bovine serum albumin (BSA)-methamphetamine conjugate. Latex particles were coated with antibodies or with rabbit serum albumin (RSA)-methamphetamine conjugate to obtain Latex-Ab and Latex-MA reagents, respectively. The results are read at 4-5 min after mixing the latex reagents. The sensitivity of this method for methamphetamine was 0.4 micrograms/ml urine. Methamphetamine analogs (methylephedrine, amphetamine, phentermine, methoxyphenamine, ephedrine, beta-phenylethylamine, OH-methamphetamine, OH-amphetamine, and OH-ephedrine) all cross-react in varying degrees, while glucosiurea and albuminurea give false positive results in the tests. Though attention must be paid to these effects this simple and rapid test is suitable for the mass screening of urine samples.     

Trace analysis of peroxide explosives by high performance liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-APCI-MS/MS) for forensic applications

An HPLC-APCI-MS(/MS) method for the (trace) analysis of the most commonly encountered peroxide explosives, hexamethylenetriperoxidediamine (HMTD) and triacetonetriperoxide (TATP), has been developed. With this method, HMTD and TATP have been analyzed in the same run. (Pseudo-)molecular ions of these peroxides have been obtained as base peak under the same condition. A series of product ions was produced from these pseudo-molecular ions ([HMTD - 1]+ and [TATP + NH4]+) in the MS/MS analysis. We also pioneered in showing that a TATP molecular ion [TATP + H]+ can be observed with HPLC-MS/MS. The limit of detection for HMTD and TATP was 0.26 and 3.3 ng, respectively, on column by HPLC-MS in the Full Scan mode and 0.08 and 0.8, respectively, by HPLC-APCI-MS/MS in Selected Reaction Monitoring (single mass unit) mode. The method presented has been applied successfully for the identification of peroxides in the bulk solid state (powder sample), as well as in post-blast extracts originating from a forensic case. For the post-blast extracts, the use of tandem MS has been shown clearly to be of crucial importance for the identification and detection of the peroxide explosives.