Walter Vycudilik

Detection of mustard gas bis(2-chloroethyl)-sulfide in urine

Extraction procedure and detection of bis(2-chloroethyl)sulfide from urine samples of two patients are described using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Concentrations are found in the low ppb-range. The result is discussed in connection with the reactivity of this substance and the corresponding metabolites.

Detection of bis(2-chlorethyl)-sulfide (Yperite) in urine by high resolution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Bis(2-chlorethyl)-sulfide (Yperite) could be detected by GC/MS in urine samples, concentration ranging from 1 to 30 ppb. These results were supported by high resolution mass spectral data.

Discovery of decomposed and mummified corpses in the domestic setting--a marker of social isolation?

Mass media reports attribute the occurrence of decomposed or mummified corpses in a domestic setting mainly to an increasing social isolation of elderly people. Not much is known about the demographic and medical conditions under which individuals are found months or even years after death in their homes. For this study, autopsy reports of individuals found dead and mummified or decomposed between 1993 and 1997 with those from 1963 to 1967 were retrospectively analyzed. Between 1993 and 1997, a total number of 320 individuals were found decomposed at home compared to 412 such cases between 1963 and 1967. The proportion of individuals older than 64 years was significantly higher during the 1990s study period. Furthermore, the proportion of deaths attributable to natural causes was significantly lower during the 1990s, whereas the rate of suicides was nearly three times higher.

Suicide of a body packer

The smuggling of illicit drugs by means of body packing has become a common problem at European airports. Europe is considered to be the fastest growing market for cocaine worldwide, and the air route is the most frequently used method of trafficking cocaine. Smuggling illicit drugs by use of body packing is considered to be a high toxicological hazard because of the risk of leakage or a package bursting. We report about the first case of suicide of a body packer by re-ingesting the content of excreted cocaine packages. The consequence of this case is that the death scene investigation and autopsy assessments in case of a body packers death should always consider the possibility of re-ingested packages. Detention personnel should be instructed by forensic and criminalistic experts to take preventive measures.

SUICIDAL CHLOROQUINE POISONING : CLINICAL COURSE, AUTOPSY FINDINGS, AND CHEMICAL ANALYSIS

Suicidal overdose of chloroquine is rare. We present a 14-year-old girl who was admitted to our Emergency Department after intentional ingestion of 7.5 g of chloroquine base followed by cardiac and respiratory arrest. Despite early mechanical ventilation, cardiac support, and treatment with high doses of diazepam, the patient died. Laboratory investigation indicated disseminated intravascular coagulation confirmed by petechial hemorrhages in the leptomeninges at autopsy, a finding that has not previously been described. Postmortem tissue analysis demonstrated early drug distribution to the medulla oblongata and cerebellum.

[Isolation of drugs from blood with macroreticular resins (author's transl)].

The use of Amberlite XAD resins for isolation of drugs from blood without preliminary precipitation of proteins is described. Compared with the usual methods of precipitation this method gives better yields and cleaner extracts in a shorter time. In combination with specific methods of detection, e.g. with GC and Nitrogen detector, the use of XAD promises to be efficient in the screening for drugs in the forensic and clinical field.ZusammenfassungDie Anwendung von Amberlite-XAD-Harzen zur Isolierung von Arzneimitteln aus Blut ohne vorausgehende Eiweißfällung wird beschrieben. Verglichen mit dem herkömmlichen Fällungsverfahren werden in kürzerer Zeit bessere Ausbeuten und reinere Extrakte erhalten. In Verbindung mit einem spezifischen Nachweisverfahren, z. B. GC mit Stickstoffdetektor, erscheint die Verwendung von XAD als ein wirksames Screening-Verfahren im forensischen und klinischen Bereich.The use of Amberlite XAD resins for isolation of drugs from blood without preliminary precipitation of proteins is described. Compared with the usual methods of precipitation this method gives better yields and cleaner extracts in a shorter time. In combination with specific methods of detection, e.g. with GC and Nitrogen detector, the use of XAD promises to be efficient in the screening for drugs in the forensic and clinical field.

Direct Current Auditory Evoked Potentials During Wakefulness, Anesthesia, and Emergence from Anesthesia

Direct current auditory evoked potentials (DC-AEPs) are a sensitive indicator of depth of anesthesia in animals. However, they have never been investigated in humans. To assess the potential usefulness of DC-AEPs as an indicator of anesthesia in humans, we performed an explorative study in which DC-AEPs were recorded during propofol and methohexital anesthesia in humans. DC-AEPs were recorded via 22 scalp electrodes in 19 volunteers randomly assigned to receive either propofol or methohexital. DC-AEPs were evoked by binaurally presented 2-s, 60-dB, 800-Hz tones; measurements were taken during awake baseline, anesthesia, and emergence. Statistical analysis included analysis of variance and discriminant analysis of data acquired during these three conditions. About 500 ms after stimulus presentation, DC-AEPs could be observed. These potentials were present only during baseline and emergence—not during anesthesia. Statistically significant differences were found between baseline and anesthesia and between anesthesia and emergence. In conclusion, similar effects, as reported in animal studies of anesthetics on the DC-AEPs, could be observed in anesthetized humans. These results demonstrate that DC-AEPs are potentially useful in the assessment of cortical function during anesthesia and might qualify the method for monitoring anesthesia in humans. IMPLICATIONS This study demonstrates the potential of direct current auditory evoked potentials for monitoring depth of anesthesia in humans.

Methylthiomethylierung von Anilinen und Phenolen, 4. Mitt.: Zur Struktur von N-Aryl-S,S,-dialkylsulfimiden

ZusammenfassungZur Charakterisierung von N-Aryl-S,S-dialkylsulfimiden wurden IR-, UV- und1H-NMR-Spektren sowie Dipolmoment-messungen herangezogen. Die IR-Spektren zeigen eine charakteristische Bande bei 890–920 cm−1, welche einer N−S-Valenzschwingung zugeordnet werden kann. Die UV-Spektren beweisen eine Wechselwirkung zwischen dem aromatischen und dem N−S-Bindungssystem; ein Einfluß von Substituenten am N-Arylring auf die Frequenzlage der charakteristischen IR-Bande bzw. auf die Lage der S-Methylprotonensignale im1H-NMR-Spektrum ist ebenfalls beobachtbar, wenn auch die Effekte relativ gering bleiben. Sterisch gehinderte Sulfimide zeigen charakteristische Abweichungen, die auf eine Verdrehung des aromatischen Ringes schließen lassen. N-Aryl-S,S-dialkylsulfimide können als Verbindungen mit stark polarer NS-pπd−π-Doppelbindung und relativ hoher Elektronendichte am Stickstoff beschrieben werden.AbstractN-Aryl-S,S-dialkyl sulfimides were characterized by IR, UV and1H-NMR data, and by their dipole moments. The IR spectra show a characteristic absorption at 890–920 cm−1, which has been assigned to a N−S stretching vibration. UV spectra prove conjugation between the aromatic system and the NS bond system; substituents on the N-aryl ring influence the frequency of the characteristic IR absorption as well as the position of the signals for S-methyl protons in the1H-NMR spectra, though the effects observed are relatively small. Sterically hindered sulfimides show characteristic differences, indicating distortion of the aromatic ring. N-Aryl-S,S-dialkyl sulfimides are considered to represent compounds with a strongly polar NS-pπ−dπ double bond, and with a relatively high electron density at the nitrogen atom.

Vergleichende Morphinbestimmung an Gehirnteilen mittels kombinierter GC/MS

SummaryComparison of the morphine concentrations in the medulla oblongata and the cerebellum provides information on the interval between morphine administration and death. If this period is short, the ratio of CMed:CCereb is below 1. The ratio is above 1 if a number of hours have passed at least. The balance of the morphine concentrations is achieved within a few hours. Results have been achieved by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis in about 100 autopsy cases.ZusammenfassungDie vergleichende Morphinbestimmung in der Medulla oblongata und im Cerebellum erlaubt einen Hinweis auf die Zeitspanne zwischen Morphinaufnahme und Todeszeitpunkt. Das Konzentrationsverhältnis CMed.:CCereb. ist kleiner als 1, wenn diese Zeitdifferenz kurz ist; liegen zwischen Aufnahme und Tod zumindest viele Stunden, ist der Quotient größer als 1. Eine Gleichverteilung der Morphinkonzentration entsteht im Verlauf von wenigen Stunden. Die Ergebnisse basieren auf der Untersuchung von etwa 100 Obduktionsfällen; die Morphinkonzentrationen wurden mittels GC/MS bestimmt.

Die basenkatalysierte Umlagerung von N-Aryl-S,S-dialkylsulfimiden zu o-Alkylthioalkylanilinen

Rearrangement of N-aryl-S.S-dimethyl sulfimides in toluene/triethyl amine yields high amounts of o-methylthiomethylated anilines. Rearrangement in ethanol without addition of base proceeds faster, but yields also the original aniline as by-product. 2.6-Di-substituted N-aryl sulfimides yielded on analogous rearrangement cyclohexadiene imines. The rearrangement of N-aryl-S.S-dialkyl sulfimides is slower than that of the S-methyl derivatives, and yielded in one case high amounts of N-alkylthioalkyl product formed via 1.2-migration. The results offer some informations on the mechanism of methylthiomethylations of anilines and phenols.ZusammenfassungDie Umlagerung von N-Aryl-S,S-dimethylsulfimiden in Toluol/Triäthylamin liefert in hohen Ausbeuten o-Methylthiomethylaniline. In Alkohol verläuft die Umlagerung ohne Zusatz von Basen rascher, als Nebenreaktion läuft aber die Spaltung zu dem zugrunde liegenden aromatischen Amin ab. 2,6-Di-substituierte N-Arylsulfimide ergeben durch analoge Umlagerung Cyclohexadienimine. Die Umlagerung von N-Aryl-S,S-dialkylsulfimiden erfolgt langsamer als die der S-Methylderivate; sie führte in einem Fall in hohen Ausbeuten zu einem durch 1,2-Wanderung entstandenen N-Alkylthioalkylprodukt. Die Ergebnisse liefern Aufschlüsse über den Mechanismus von Methylthiomethylierungen von anilinen und Phenolen.