A. Heyndrickx

Thin Layer Chromatography as a Routine Appropriate Technique for the Determination of Bipyridylium Herbicides in Post Mortem Human Tissues

A thin layer chromatographic procedure for the detection of bipyridylium compounds in post-mortem human tissues is described. To verify the suitability of the method, human biological samples originating from two fatal poisoning cases, are analyzed. In the first case, an amount of Gramoxone® (Paraquat) was taken orally. Death occurred after ± 30 hours without any specific treatment. The second case is concerned with an ingestion of Reglone® (Diquat), followed by death after 5 days of intensive care treatment.

Report of a human fatality due to amphetamine

A pathological report and toxicological examination of an uncommon case of fatal amphetamine poisoning are presented. Amphetamine was quantified in different tissues by thin-layer chromatography and spectrophotofluorometry after fluorigenic labeling of amphetamine with 4-chloro-7-nitrobenzo-2,1,3-oxadiazole (NBD-Cl).The distribution study of amphetamine showed an extremely high concentration of amphetamine in urine and blood; fairly small amounts were found in the contents of the stomach and small intestine. These figures could indicate that the subject had taken amphetamine over a long period and that his death was probably caused by intravenous injection of amphetamine.ZusammenfassungDie anatomisch-pathologische und chemisch-toxikologische Untersuchung einer ungewöhnlichen Intoxikation mit Amphetamin wird beschrieben.Die quantitative Analyse von Amphetamin erfolgte in verschiedenen Organen und Körperflüssigkeiten durch Dünnschichtchromatographie und Spektrophotofluorometrie nach Kupplung von Amphetamin mit 4-Chloro-7-nitrobenzo-2,1,3-oxadiazol (NBD-Cl).Es wurden sehr hohe Konzentrationen in Harn und Blut und nur geringe Mengen Amphetamin in Magen- und Dünndarminhalt festgestellt. Die Ergebnisse sprechen für eine intravenöse Amphetamin-Injektion in tödlich wirkender Menge.

Fatal Diazinon Poisoning in Man

A case of fatal diazinon poisoning is reported and a gas chromatographic method for detection and determination of the poison in human tissues is described. Concentrations found in the stomach, small intestine, brain, liver, kidney and lung are given.

The conversion of a standard gas chromatograph to a fused silica capillary system: applications in human toxicology and tropical medicine.

A simple and inexpensive modification of the injection port and detector configuration of a standard gas chromatograph, equipped with a nitrogen-phosphorus detector, permits the installation of a fused silica capillary column. Different ways of connecting the column to the injector and its impact on the interchangeability of the columns are discussed. The application of the system to toxicological determinations of clinical and forensic interest has been investigated, using a direct injection technique. The method allows the quantitative determination of different alkaloids and drugs in human biological samples in the low nanogram range, with reliable reproducibility and linear response.

The excretion in urine of four insecticidal carbamates and their phenolic metabolites after oral administration to rats.

Abstract4 insecticidal carbamates: 3-methyl, 5-isopropylphenyl N-methyl-carbamate (Promecarb), 4-methylthio, 3,5 dimethylphenyl N-methylcarbamate (Mesurol), 4-dimethylamino, 3,5 dimethylphenyl N-methylcarbamate (Zectran), and 4-benzothienyl N-methyl-carbamate (Mobam) were orally administered to male Wistar rats.The excretion of the unchanged products was followed in 24 hrs urine collections. The corresponding phenols of the different carbamates could be identified as metabolites by gaschromatography-mass spectrometry.These metabolites were quantified afterward by gas-liquid chromatography.In all cases only minor quantities of unchanged products and metabolites were excreted in the urine over the 48 hrs after administration.Zusammenfassung4 insecticide Carbamate: 3-Methyl, 5-isopropylphenyl N-methyl-carbamate (Promecarb), 4-Methylthio, 3,5 dimethylphenyl N-methylcarbamate (Mesurol), 4-Dimethylamino, 3,5 dimethylphenyl N-methylcarbamate und 4-Benzothienyl N-methyl-carbamate wurden einmalig peroral an männliche Wistar-Ratten verabreicht.Geringe Mengen der unveränderten Produkte wurden im Harn gefunden bis 48 Std nach der Verabreichung. Verschiedene phenolische Metaboliten wurden durch Gaschromatographie-Massenspektrometrie identifiziert und danach quantitativ bestimmt.In allen Experimenten wurden nur geringe Mengen der unveränderten Insecticide und ihrer phenolischen Metaboliten ausgeschieden.

Recent developments in GC column technology. An illustration of its interest in forensic toxicology

Abstract Since the introduction of capillary columns for gas chromatography, column production technology passed through a continuous development, which finally resulted in the investigation of columns drawn from fused quartz or fused silica, and the use of thin-wall flexible capillaries. With the ready availability of these types of columns, forensic analytical toxicologists are switching over more and more from packed to capillary column gas chromatography. The advantages and the superior chromatographic properties are clearly demonstrated, applying capillary GC to the toxicological analysis of illicit heroin samples and the examination of extracts of biological human samples for drugs of abuse.

Pharmacokinetic parameters of mescaline in rabbits

SummaryBy means of a highly specific and sensitive mass fragmentographic method mescaline was measured in rabbit plasma samples, taken at various points after an i.v. injection. The pharmacokinetic behaviour conformed to the two-compartment open model. Half-life times of alpha and beta phases, velocity constants and steady-state distribution volumes of four subjects are reported.

Toxicological Determination of Heroin and Morphine in Urine of Man

For many years there have been difficulties in the determination of Heroin and its metabolites in drug addicts. For this purpose, different extraction procedures and determinations, such as Thin layer chromatography and Gas chromatography were studied. The results of this research are discussed.

Insulin Murders : Isolation and Identification by Radio-Immunoassay after Several Months of Inhumation

A rather limited number of papers in the literature describe homicides or suicides by insulin poisoning. Until 1969 only about 40 had been reported (Stofer 1970) and since then very few have been added (Sturner and Putnam 1972,Stefan 1975, Dickson et al 1977, Gennaro and Van Norman 1973). Almost all cases are characterized by lack of sensitivity (bioassay methods) and of valuable quantitative data and by the fact that the experiments had been carried out on relatively fresh post mortem specimens, i.e. taken before burial.

A Mass Fragmentographic Method for the Determination of Mescaline in Biological Fluids

Mescaline or 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethylamine is an alkaloid isolated in 1896 from the peyote cactus, Lophophora williamsii. The drug was named after the Mescalero Apaches of the Great Plains, who had developed a religious peyote rite. In 1918 several peyote churches of North American Indians joined together and formed the Native American Church.