Comparison of the analytical capabilities of the BAC Datamaster and Datamaster DMT forensic breath testing devices

The State of Michigan uses the Datamaster as an evidential breath testing device. The newest version, the DMT, will replace current instruments in the field as they are retired from service. The Michigan State Police conducted comparison studies to test the analytical properties of the new instrument and to evaluate its response to conditions commonly cited in court defenses. The effects of mouth alcohol, objects in the mouth, and radiofrequency interference on paired samples from drinking subjects were assessed on the DMT. The effects of sample duration and chemical interferents were assessed on both instruments, using drinking subjects and wet-bath simulators, respectively. Our testing shows that Datamaster and DMT results are essentially identical; the DMT gave accurate readings as compared with measurements made using simulators containing standard ethanol solutions and that the DMT did not give falsely elevated breath alcohol results from any of the influences tested.     

ALDH2基因多态性与乙醇代谢及外周乙醛积蓄程度的关系

目的了解不同乙醛脱氢酶2（acetaldehydedehydrogenase2,ALDH2）基因型人群饮酒后,其乙醇药代动力学和外周乙醛积蓄程度。方法收集无血缘关系的志愿者14名,采集静脉血液并且通过聚合酶链反应限制性片段长度多态性技术提取DNA并检测ALDH2基因型,按一定剂量饮酒后,以顶空气相色谱法于不同时间点同时测定血中乙醇及乙醛的含量并计算药代动力学参数。结果根据电泳结果,野生组为5名野生纯合型ALDH2＊1／＊1个体．突变组为9名突变杂合型ALDH2＊1／＊2个体,血中乙醇和乙醛分别在0～1570．7μg/mL和0～5．1772μg／mL范围内线性关系良好。突变组乙醇及乙醛药时曲线下面积（AUC）以及乙醇的末端消除半衰期（tl／2Z）均大于野生组,乙醇的经生物利用度校正的表观消除率（CL／F）小于野生组（P〈0．05）。结论饮酒后,ALDH2＊I／＊2突变组受酶活性抑制影响,血中乙醇和乙醛代谢减慢,造成外周乙醛的蓄积,从而进一步强化其在体内的作用。     

Alcohol intoxication may exacerbate the effects of blunt cranial trauma through changes in brain free magnesium levels

Moderate to high levels of alcohol decrease brain intracellular free magnesium concentration, a factor known to be critical in brain injury. Phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to examine changes to brain free magnesium concentration after blunt cranial trauma in alcohol-intoxicated rats. Rats exposed acutely or chronically to alcohol sufficient to increase blood alcohol levels to between 150 and 350 mg/dL demonstrated a brain free magnesium level that was 20-50% less than in nonintoxicated animals (p < 0.01). After injury, brain free magnesium levels declined more rapidly and to a greater extent in alcohol-affected animals than in nonintoxicated control animals (p < 0.001). As both preinjury depletion of magnesium and degree of magnesium decline after brain injury have been associated with poor recovery, these findings suggest that moderate to severe alcohol intoxication may predispose the brain to a worse outcome by reducing brain free magnesium levels, both before and after injury.     

急性乙醇中毒者体内乙醇动力学研究

根据乙醇在体内的代谢动力学特点,本文建立了研究急性乙醇中毒者血液乙醇动力学数学模型,其表达式为:x(t)=x_0(1-e-~(kat))-k_bt。从该数学模型可求得乙醇在体内的吸收速率常数(K_a)和消除速率常数(K_b),从而可以获得体内乙醇浓度动态变化曲线。所以,饮用乙醇饮料后的时刻乙醇浓度(x(t))均可由曲线中查得。实验研究证实,以该数学模型导出的参数与实验获得的结果相一致。     

Interpretation of blood alcohol concentration in maritime accidents—A case report

The human element is increasingly acknowledged as an important factor contributing to accidents at sea. Alcohol and drug abuse is becoming an increasing problem among seafarers in the last few years. Recently we registered a few similar maritime accidents on the Adriatic coast. During the analysis of these incidents, it became apparent that the consumption of alcohol on duty was the main cause of the ship being stranded. We report a maritime accident recently happened in port of Rijeka, where the merchant ship stranded on the main breakwater. During the investigation, forensic alcohol analysis established that master's consumption of alcohol on duty was the main cause of the incident. The BAC–UAC relation we found was not physiologically possible, so further diagnostic workup demonstrated that urine was diluted. Various issues are being discussed, such as urine dilution, retrograde calculation, elimination rate, two subsequent blood samples, drinking after the accident, as well as prevention measures. Our observations indicate a need for stricter and more precise legislation as well as more frequent police control that will hopefully result in prevention of serious maritime accidents caused by alcohol consumption. In our opinion, better understanding of the above mentioned apparent problems in navigation rules and maritime law regulations can prevent similar accidents from happening in the future. Accidents like the one described cause double damage for society: due to acute health problems of the crew and navigation safety, as well as due to the long-term harmful consequences such as suspension of career on ship board and early retirement of employees.     

Chronic Alcohol Abuse Leads to Low Bone Mass with No General Loss of Bone Structure or Bone Mechanical Strength,

Chronic alcohol abuse (CAA) has deleterious effects on skeletal health. This study examined the impact of CAA on bone with regard to bone density, structure, and strength. Bone specimens from 42 individuals with CAA and 42 individuals without alcohol abuse were obtained at autopsy. Dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DEXA), compression testing, ashing, and bone histomorphometry were performed. Individuals with CAA had significantly lower bone mineral density (BMD) in the femoral neck and significantly lower bone volume demonstrated by thinner trabeculae, decreased extent of osteoid surfaces, and lower mean wall thickness of trabecular osteons compared to individuals without alcohol abuse. No significant difference was found for bone strength and structure. Conclusion: CAA leads to low bone mass due to a decrease in bone formation but with no destruction of bone architecture nor a decrease in bone strength. It is questionable whether this per se increases fracture risk.     

人体组织两种简易保存法DNA抽提效果的比较研究

比较研究人体不同组织在不同保存条件下DNA抽提效果。取冷冻保存和50％乙醇固定保存的各种组织，用有机溶剂抽提法提取DNA。用50％乙醇固定保存的人体不同组织在校长时期内仍可获得与新鲜冷冻组织相近的DNA抽提效果，经卡方检验二者无明显差异（X2≤0．21，P≥0．995）。乙醇保存法简便易行，DNA产量高，效果好，适用于各种特殊情况下的组织保存。     

The association of alcohol-induced blackouts and grayouts to blood alcohol concentrations

The primary aim of this study was to investigate the association between measured blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and the presence and degree of amnesia (no amnesia, grayout, or blackout) in actively drinking subjects. A secondary aim was to determine potential factors other than BAC that contribute to the alcohol-induced memory loss. An interview questionnaire was administered to subjects regarding a recent alcohol associated arrest with a documented BAC greater than 0.08 g/dL for either public intoxication, driving under the influence, or under age drinking was administered. Demographic variables collected included drinking history, family history of alcoholism, presence of previous alcohol-related memory loss during a drinking episode, and drinking behavior during the episode. Memory of the drinking episode was evaluated to determine if either an alcohol-induced grayout (partial anterograde amnesia) or blackout (complete anterograde amnesia) occurred. Differences in (1) mean total number of drinks ingested before arrest, (2) gulping of drinks, and (3) BAC at arrest were found for those having blackouts compared with no amnesia; while differences in drinking more than planned were found between the no amnesia and grayout groups. A strong linear relationship between BAC and predicted probability of memory loss, particularly for blackouts was obvious. This finding clinically concludes that subjects with BAC of 310 g/dL or greater have a 0.50 or greater probability of having an alcoholic blackout.     

体内乙醇含量测定结果的法医学评价

近年来涉及酒后行为的案件增多,但对体内乙醇含量及有关问题的系统性描述较少。本文从体内乙醇的分布代谢规律、毒性作用机理及体内生成机制等方面,根据乙醇含量的测定结果从酒后时间、摄入乙醇总量、精神状态与行为能力控制、死亡原因及方式等几方面系统地进行分析,找出其中蕴含的法医学信息,以供同行参考。     

基于超高效液相色谱-高分辨质谱联用技术研究苦参醇提物致大鼠肝毒性的尿液代谢组

目的 观察苦参醇提物（Sophora flavescens alcohol extract,SFAE）对大鼠尿液代谢轮廓的影响,探讨SFAE可能的肝毒性机制。方法 将雄性SD大鼠分为3组,每组6只,分别灌胃给予SFAE 0、1.25、2.5 g/kg,14 d后,采用超高效液相色谱-高分辨质谱（ultra-performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry,UPLC-HRMS）检测大鼠尿液中代谢物的变化。采用主成分分析（principal components analysis,PCA）和正交偏最小二乘法判别分析（orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis,OPLS-DA）对组间代谢物进行多元统计分析,筛选潜在的生物标志物,并分析相关的代谢通路。结果 3组大鼠尿液中代谢物在14 d后得到很好的区分,发现并鉴定出15个主要的差异代谢物,其中N6,N6,N6-三甲基-L-赖氨酸、胆酸、甘氨胆酸、脱氧胆酸、马尿酸和肌酸与肝脏毒性关系密切,二氢鞘氨醇和酮戊二酸表达水平降低,其余13种差异代谢物表达水平升高,苦参主要干扰大鼠体内胆汁酸代谢、能量代谢和氨基酸代谢等代谢通路。结论 SFAE对大鼠产生肝毒性,且肝毒性与给药剂量呈正相关。