Fatal intoxication because of trihexyphenidyl

Trihexyphenidyl (THP) is an anticholinergic agent with forensic toxicological interest. We present a case of a 59-year-old woman with a history of paranoid disorder, who was found dead in the house where she lived alone. The autopsy findings revealed no marked pathological changes. Toxicological analysis based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis revealed THP and its major metabolite (hydroxy-THP) in blood and urine, with THP concentrations of 0.053 and 0.560 mg/L, respectively. The blood and urine ethanol concentrations were low 0.096 and 0.100 g/L, respectively. Based on these results, we determined the cause of death to be THP poisoning. It is suggested that rare case of death associated with THP overdosage should be taken in conjunction with central nervous system depressants (benzodiazepines, ethanol) and/or with other pathological disorders. Thus, our case could not be supportive for this allegation.     

Application of three spectrometric methods to total selenium determination in postmortem material in a case of acute selenium compound poisoning

Three spectrometric methods, that is, spectrofluorimetry (SF), atomic absorption spectrometry with electrothermal atomization (ET-AAS), and atomic fluorescence spectrometry with hydride generation (HG-AFS) were used for the determination of total selenium in biological samples taken from postmortem material in a case of acute selenium compound poisoning. The precision of the SF, ET-AAS, and HG-AFS methods (RSD, n=10) was found to be in the ranges of 10.0-15.0, 3.0-6.0 and 1.0-1.5%, respectively, and the detection limit was 10.0, 4.0, and 0.1 μg/L of Se, respectively. In the case of HG-AFS, the analytical procedure takes less time and is less laborious than the other methods considered. The obtained results show the usefulness of the HG-AFS method as a supplementary analytical tool to the SF and ET-AAS methods with respect to the determination of selenium as well as the possibility of using this method as a primary one in forensic toxicology practice.     

甲基苯丙胺和乙醇在染毒大鼠体内联用的实验研究

目的研究甲基苯丙胺（MA）和乙醇联合应用在急性、亚急性染毒大鼠体内的情况。方法以MA1.0 mg/kg剂量对慢性自由饮酒大鼠多次腹腔注射,分别建立急性、亚急性染毒大鼠模型;处死后即时检测血中乙醇浓度、体液和组织样品中MA的浓度。结果多次注入MA药后,亚急性中毒大鼠体内的MA浓度高于急性中毒大鼠;急性和亚急性联合中毒大鼠体内MA浓度均高于急性和亚急性单一药物组。结论无论是否联用乙醇,14d内增加注射次数会在大鼠体内产生不同程度的MA残留;与乙醇联用可加速MA在大鼠体内的吸收,其药物浓度的升高程度随生物样品不同存在差异。     

Autopsy Findings in Botulinum Toxin Poisoning

Abstract: In the United States, foodborne botulism is most commonly associated with home‐canned food products. Between 1950 and 2005, 405 separate outbreaks of botulism were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Approximately 8% of these outbreaks were attributed to commercially produced canned food products. Overall, 5–10% of persons ingesting botulinum toxin die. Few reports exist pertaining to autopsy findings in cases of foodborne botulism. Here, we report the autopsy findings of a man who died after a prolonged illness caused by botulinum toxin exposure likely attributable to a commercially prepared food source. Despite extensive testing, our histopathologic findings were nonspecific. We therefore conclude that the forensic pathologist must become familiar with the neurotoxicity syndrome associated with this illness. Maintaining vigilance for botulism by carefully reviewing the decedent’s clinical history will aid in the early identification and control of outbreaks, either foodborne or terrorism‐related.     

一起建筑工地食堂食物中毒的行政处罚案例分析

目的通过对一起建筑工地食堂食物中毒处罚案例进行分析,探讨《中华人民共和国食品安全法》对食物中毒处罚的适用和可操作性。方法对一起建筑工地食堂食物中毒案例处罚过程进行分析讨论。结果当前缺乏对《中华人民共和国食品安全法》相关条款的司法解释,缺乏对"货值金额"等名词的定义,以及缺乏规范性文件对个别条款的补充。结论建议及时出台《中华人民共和国食品安全法》相关配套规范性文件及司法解释,增加法律的可操作性,有效遏制违法经营行为。     

胃肠外途径投毒的法医学鉴定

本文报告１３例胃肠外途径投毒的法医学鉴定，其中升汞２例（Ｉ．Ｖ．），水银１例（Ｉ．Ｖ．），氰化钾２例（Ｉ．Ｍ．和乳房下注射各１）、氰化钠１例（Ｉ．Ｖ．）、一氧化碳２例（吸入）、铬酸酐１例（阴道内塞入）、敌敌畏１例（心包腔内注射）、矮壮素１例（Ｉ．Ｍ．）、氯丙嗪１例（Ｉ．Ｖ．）和溴氰菊酯１例（Ｉ．Ｖ．）。说明经胃肠外途径引起的投毒案例并不罕见，且毒物种类增多，这在法医病理和毒理工作中应引起注意和警惕。     

吸毒死亡相关者组织病理学观察

目的研究吸毒死亡者的组织病理学特点,为此类案件的诊断提供有价值的参考资料。方法收集30例吸毒者尸体材料,进行系统尸体解剖和组织病理学检查,并结合吸毒者生前资料进行综合分析。结果体表注射痕迹、消瘦、窒息现象和重要器官病变与吸毒密切相关。30例中,20％死于疾病,33．3％死于毒品过量致急性中毒,26．7％在戒毒期间死亡,10％猝死,10％死于外来暴力。结论系统尸检和组织病理学观察在毒品相关死亡案例的诊断中有重要意义。     

大鼠博落回总碱中毒后心肌细胞Bcl-2、Bax蛋白表达

目的 观察大鼠博落回总碱中毒后不同时间段心肌细胞内Bcl-2和Bax蛋白表达情况,为博落回中毒鉴定提供分子生物学标志物. 方法 制作大鼠博落回总碱中毒实验模型,通过免疫组化染色检测技术,观测不同时间段大鼠心肌细胞内Bcl-2和Bax蛋白表达情况,并对其结果 进行图像分析. 结果 博落回总碱中毒后不同时间段心肌细胞内Bcl-2和Bax蛋白表达不同,高于正常对照组(P<0.05).结论 博落回总碱中毒症状不明显情况下,应用免疫组织化学技术检测Bcl-2和Bax蛋白表达,可作为鉴定博落回总碱中毒的辅助手段.     

小鼠急性八角枫中毒的病理学观察

目的观察急性八角枫中毒小鼠器官组织病理学变化并探讨其中毒机制。方法应用八角枫须根水煎液对小鼠灌胃急性染毒,提取组织器官经HE染色后进行病理学观察。结果实验组主要病理改变为肺泡腔出血、肺间质出血,肝窦扩张、淤血,肝细胞水肿,蛛网膜下腔出血,其他器官呈淤血、出血性改变。结论八角枫毒性作用的主要靶器官或靶组织为肺、肝和血管平滑肌;毒性作用与剂量具有相关性。     

Bromadiolone poisoning: LC-MS method and pharmacokinetic data

Abstract:  Poisoning with superwarfarins, like bromadiolone, is a growing public health problem, and the mortality is high. Pharmacokinetic data on bromadiolone in humans are however scarce, and there are no reports following repeated exposures to bromadiolone. We have developed a method for quantification of bromadiolone in whole blood, using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The analytical method is reported. Limit of detection was 0.005 mg/L and limit of quantification was 0.01 mg/L. The concentrations of bromadiolone in whole blood and plasma in serial samples from a 62-year-old woman were measured. The half-life of bromadiolone in blood was estimated to be about 6 days in the initial phase of elimination and about 10–13 days in the terminal phase. The mean plasma/blood ratio of bromadiolone was 1.7 ± 0.6. Stability testing of bromadiolone in whole blood samples after two cycles of freeze and thaw revealed that bromadiolone concentrations decreased.