| 1. |
- Hoiseth, G., et al.
(författare)
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Evaluating the hip-flask defence using analytical data from ethanol and ethyl glucuronide. A comparison of two models
- 2020
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Ingår i: Forensic Science International. - : ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD. - 0379-0738 .- 1872-6283. ; 316
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aim: Claimed intake of alcohol after a traffic incident, called the hip-flask defence, can be objectively assessed by different methods. One of them is the use of two consecutive ethanol concentrations in urine and the ratio between ethanol concentrations in urine and blood. Another one is the concentrations of ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and ethyl sulphate (EtS) in blood and their ratio to ethanol. The experimental basis for both these models is from single dose studies only. The aim of this study was therefore to describe the kinetics of ethanol, EtG and EtS after ingestion of two repeated doses of ethanol and to investigate the usefulness of the different models for the assessment of the hip-flask defence. Methods: Thirty-five subjects ingested a first dose of 0.51 g of ethanol per kilo body weight, and two hours later a second dose (the hip-flask drink) of 0.25, 0.51 or 0.85 g of ethanol per kilo body weight. Ten urine and 17 blood samples were collected and analysed for ethanol, EtG and EtS using fully validated methods. It was investigated if all subjects fulfilled the criteria for recent drinking, according to the two different models, when using the samples collected 180-240 minutes after start of first dose drinking. According to the first model, increase in urinary ethanol concentrations and a ratio UAC/BAC below 1.3 indicated recent drinking. According to the second model, increase in blood EtG concentrations and a ratio ethanol (g/kg)/EtG (mg/L) above 1 indicated recent drinking. Results: All subjects in the high dose group fulfilled all criteria for recent drinking. One subject in the medium dose group and nine subjects in the low dose group failed to show increasing UAC and/or a UAC/ BAC ratio below 1.3. One subject in the low dose group failed to show increasing concentrations of blood EtG, but all subjects showed a ratio ethanol/EtG above 1. Conclusions: The present study showed, by the use of experimental data, that both two models used to investigate the hip-flask defence can be used, but only when the hip-flask dose is sufficiently high. (C) 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V.
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| 2. |
- Kronstrand, Christoffer, et al.
(författare)
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Evaluating the hip-flask defence in subjects with alcohol on board: An experimental study
- 2019
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Ingår i: Forensic Science International. - : ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD. - 0379-0738 .- 1872-6283. ; 294, s. 189-195
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Driving under the influence of alcohol is a major problem for traffic-safety and a popular defence argument is alleged consumption after driving, commonly referred to as the hip-flask defence. Forensic toxicologists are often called as expert witnesses in drinking and driving cases where the suspect has claimed the hip-flask defence, to assess the credibility of the explanation. Several approaches to help the expert have been introduced but the scientific data used to support or challenge this is solely based on data from controlled single doses of ethanol administered during a short time and in abstinent subjects. In reality, we believe that even in drinking after driving cases, the subject many times has alcohol on board at time of the hip-flask drink. This questions the applicability of the data used as basis to investigate the hip-flask defence. To fill this knowledge gap, we aimed to investigate how blood and urine ethanol kinetics vary after an initial drinking session of beer and then a subsequent hip-flask drink of three different doses of whiskey. Fifteen subjects participated in the study and each provided 10 urine samples and 17 blood samples over 7 h. The initial drink was 0.51 g ethanol/kg and the second was either 0.25, 0.51, or 0.85 g/kg. Our data suggested that the difference between the ethanol concentrations in two consecutive urine samples is a more sensitive parameter than the ratio between urine and blood alcohol to detect a recent intake when ethanol from previous intakes are already present in the body. Twelve subjects presented results that fully supported a recent intake using the criteria developed from a single intake of ethanol. Three subjects showed unexpected results that did not fully support a recent intake. We conclude that data from one blood sample and two urine samples provide good evidence for investigating the hip-flask defence even if alcohol was on board at the time of the hip-flask drink. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 3. |
- Kronstrand, Robert, et al.
(författare)
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Incidence of opiates, amphetamines, and cocaine in hair and blood in fatal cases of heroin overdose
- 1998
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Ingår i: Forensic Science International. - 0379-0738 .- 1872-6283. ; 92:1, s. 29-38
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The purpose of the present study was to investigate the occurrence in hair, of some drugs of abuse in deaths caused by heroin overdose, in comparison to findings in blood. Blood, urine and hair samples were obtained during routine post mortem examinations. Samples were analysed for amphetamines, opiates, and cocaine. Immunometric drug screening was performed in urine and positive results confirmed with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) of blood samples. All hair samples were analyzed with GC–MS. Hair samples were either incubated with methanol for determination of opiates and cocaine, or dissolved in sodium hydroxide for determination of amphetamines. All 19 blood samples were positive for morphine (0.04–0.4 μg g−1) and ten were also positive for 6-acetylmorphine (0.003–0.02 μg g−1). Thirteen of the hair samples were positive for 6-acetylmorphine and seven of which were positive also for morphine. Concentrations ranged from 0.3–7.4 and 0.3–1.3 (ng mg−), respectively. Amphetamine was found in three blood samples (0.04–1.2 μg g−1) and in eleven hair samples (0.4–18.3 ng mg−). Cocaine was determined in one blood sample (0.03 μg g−1) and two hair samples (0.7–6.5 ng mg−). Out of the nineteen cases studied, eight showed chronic multi drug use on the basis of the results of hair analysis. In six subjects no opiates could be detected in hair, suggesting; “first” or occasional intake of heroin, which could be a contributing factor to the overdose death, because of lack of tolerance. We conclude that analysis of hair can be a useful complement to analysis of more conventional autopsy material, especially when investigating overdose deaths and previous histories of drug use and abuse.
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| 4. |
- Kronstrand, Robert, et al.
(författare)
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The metabolism of the synthetic cannabinoids ADB-BUTINACA and ADB-4en-PINACA and their detection in forensic toxicology casework and infused papers seized in prisons
- 2022
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Ingår i: Drug Testing and Analysis. - : Wiley. - 1942-7603 .- 1942-7611. ; 14:4, s. 634-652
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Early warning systems detect new psychoactive substances (NPS), while dedicated monitoring programs and routine drug and toxicology testing identify fluctuations in prevalence. We report the increasing prevalence of the synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist (SCRA) ADB-BUTINACA (N-[1-amino-3,3-dimethyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl]-1-butyl-1H-indazole-3-carbox-amide). ADB-BUTINACA was first detected in a seizure in Sweden in 2019, and we report its detection in 13 routine Swedish forensic toxicology cases soon after. In January 2021, ADB-BUTINACA was detected in SCRA-infused papers seized in Scottish prisons and has rapidly increased in prevalence, being detected in 60.4% of the SCRA-infused papers tested between January and July 2021. In this work, ADB-BUTINACA was incubated with human hepatocytes (HHeps), and 21 metabolites were identified in vitro, 14 being detected in authentic case samples. The parent drug and metabolites B9 (mono-hydroxylation on the n-butyl tail) and B16 (mono-hydroxylation on the indazole ring) are recommended biomarkers in blood, while metabolites B4 (dihydrodiol formation on the indazole core), B9, and B16 are suitable biomarkers in urine. ADB-4en-PINACA (N-[1-amino-3,3-dimethyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl]-1-[pent-4-en-1-yl]-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide) was detected in Scottish prisons in December 2020, but, unlike ADB-BUTINACA, prevalence has remained low. ADB-4en-PINACA was incubated with HHeps, and 11 metabolites were identified. Metabolites E3 (dihydrodiol formed in the tail moiety) and E7 (hydroxylation on the linked/head group) are the most abundant metabolites in vitro and are suggested as urinary biomarkers. The in vitro potencies of ADB-BUTINACA (EC50, 11.5 nM and ADB-4en-PINACA (EC50, 11.6 nM) are similar to that of MDMB-4en-PINACA (EC50, 4.3 nM). A third tert-leucinamide SCRA, ADB-HEXINACA was also detected in prison samples and warrants further investigation.
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| 5. |
- Axelsson, Magnus A. B., et al.
(författare)
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Retrospective identification of new psychoactive substances in patient samples submitted for clinical drug analysis
- 2022
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Ingår i: Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology. - : Wiley. - 1742-7835 .- 1742-7843. ; 131:5, s. 420-434
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- New psychoactive substances (NPS) are life threatening through unpredictable toxicity and limited analytical options for clinicians. We present the retrospective identification of NPS in raw data from a liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS)-based multidrug panel analysis on 14 367 clinical oral fluid samples requested during 2019 mainly by psychiatric and addiction care clinics. Retrospectively analysed NPS included 48 notified originally in 2019 by the European Union Early Warning System (EU EWS) and 28 frequently reported in Sweden. Of 88 included NPS, 34 (mitragynine, flualprazolam, 3F/4F-α-P(i)HP, etizolam, 4F-MDMB-BINACA, cyproheptadine, 5F-MDMB-PICA, isotonitazene, isohexedrone, MDPEP, N-ethylpentedrone, tianeptine, flubromazolam, 4′-methylhexedrone, α-P(i)HP, eutylone, mephedrone, N-ethylhexedrone, 5F-MDMB-PINACA, ADB-BUTINACA, 3-methoxy PCP, 4F-furanylfentanyl, 4F-isobuturylfentanyl, acrylfentanyl, furanylfentanyl, clonazolam, norfludiazepam, 3F-phenmetrazine, 3-MMC, 4-methylpentedrone, BMDP, ethylphenidate, methylone and α-PVP) were identified as 219 findings in 84 patients. Eight NPS notified in 2019 were identified, five before EWS release. NPS occurred in 1.20% of all samples and 1.53% of samples containing traditional drugs, and in 1.87% of all patients and 2.88% of patients using traditional drugs. NPS use was more common in men and polydrug users. Legal (not scheduled) NPS were more used than comparable illegal ones. Retrospective identification could be useful when prioritizing NPS for clinical routine analysis and when studying NPS epidemiology. © 2022 Nordic Association for the Publication of BCPT (former Nordic Pharmacological Society). Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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| 6. |
- Barmano, Neshro, 1980-, et al.
(författare)
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The association between alcohol consumption, cardiac biomarkers, left atrial size and re-ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation referred for catheter ablation
- 2019
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Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - San Francisco, CA, United States : Public Library of Science. - 1932-6203. ; 14:4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundInformation on alcohol consumption in patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of atrial fibrillation (AF) is often limited by the reliance on self-reports. The aim of this study was to describe the long-term alcohol consumption, measured as ethyl glucuronide in hair (hEtG), in patients undergoing RFA due to AF, and to examine potential associations with cardiac biomarkers, left atrial size and re-ablation within one year after the initial RFA.MethodsThe amount of hEtG was measured in patients referred for RFA, and a cut-off of 7 pg/mg was used. N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and the mid-regional fragment of pro atrial natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP) were examined and maximum left atrium volume index (LAVI) was measured. The number of re-ablations was examined up to one year after the initial RFA. Analyses were stratified by gender, and adjusted for age, systolic blood pressure, body mass index, presence of heart failure and heart rhythm for analyses regarding NT-proBNP, MR-proANP and LAVI and heart rhythm being replaced by type of AF for analyses regarding re-ablation.ResultsIn total, 192 patients were included in the study. Median (25th– 75th percentile) NT-proBNP in men with hEtG ≥ 7 vs. < 7 pg/mg was 250 (96–695) vs. 130 (49–346) pg/ml (p = 0.010), and in women it was 230 (125–480) vs. 230 (125–910) pg/ml (p = 0.810). Median MR-proANP in men with hEtG ≥ 7 vs. < 7 pg/mg was 142 (100–224) vs. 117 (83–179) pmol/l (p = 0.120) and in women it was 139 (112–206) vs. 153 (93–249) pmol/l (p = 0.965). The median of maximum LAVI was 30.1 (26.7–33.9) vs. 25.8 (21.4–32.0) ml/m2 (p = 0.017) in men, and 25.0 (18.9–29.6) vs. 25.7 (21.7–34.6) ml/m2 (p = 0.438) in women, with hEtG ≥ 7 vs. < 7 pg/ml, respectively. Adjusted analyses showed similar results, except for MR-proANP turning out significant in men with hEtG ≥ 7 vs. < 7 pg/mg (p = 0.047). The odds ratio of having a re-ablation was 3.5 (95% CI 1.3–9.6, p = 0.017) in men with hEtG ≥ 7 vs. < 7 pg/mg, while there was no significant difference in women.ConclusionsIn male patients with AF and hEtG ≥ 7 pg/mg, NT-proBNP and MR-proANP were higher, LA volumes larger, and there was a higher rate of re-ablations, as compared to men with hEtG < 7 pg/mg. This implies that men with an alcohol consumption corresponding to an hEtG-value ≥ 7, have a higher risk for LA remodelling that could potentially lead to a deterioration of the AF situation.
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| 7. |
- Bastami, Salumeh, et al.
(författare)
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Influence of genetic polymorphism on tramadol pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Purpose: There is a significant interindividual variation in the response to tramadol (TRA), which can partly be explained by genetic variation. The main purpose of this study was to determine if there is a correlation between the metabolic ratio of O-desmethyltramadol (ODT) to TRA (MR) and time after drug administration. We also studied the association between genetic polymorphisms in CYP2D6, OPRM1 and ABCB1 and pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of TRA.Methods: Nineteen healthy volunteers were randomized into two groups receiving a single dose of either 50 or 100 mg of orally administrated TRA. Blood samples were collected prior to dosing and up to 72 h after drug intake. The subjects were asked to report drug related symptoms (DRS) during the experimental day.Results: We found a positive correlation between MR and the time after drug intake for both intermediate metabolizers (IMs) and extensive metabolizers (EMs). For the only poor metabolizer (PM) with detectable ODT levels the MR was almost constant. The AUC MR and Cmax MR were associated with CYP2D6 genotype, showing the highest mean values for EMs. Multiple regression analysis showed that 56% of the variation in AUC MR could be explained by CYP2D6 alone and 78% by investigated SNPs altogether. There was great interindividual variation in DRS, but no associations could be found between DRS and investigated polymorphisms.Conclusions: MR can be used for estimation of the time of drug intake when the CYP2D6 genotype is known and taken into consideration. The influence of genetic polymorphisms in ABCB1 and OPRM1 requires further study. We propose that pharmacogenetics should be taken into consideration when interpreting clinical pharmacology and forensic toxicology results, more specifically CYP2D6 genotypes when interpreting the pharmacokinetics of TRA.
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| 8. |
- Bastami, Salumeh, et al.
(författare)
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Pharmacogenetic aspects of tramadol pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics after a single oral dose
- 2014
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Ingår i: Forensic Science International. - : Elsevier. - 0379-0738 .- 1872-6283. ; 238, s. 125-132
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The major purpose of this study was to elucidate if genotyping can facilitate interpretations of tramadol (TRA) in forensic case work, with special regard to the estimation of the time of drug intake and drug related symptoms (DRS). The association between genetic polymorphisms in CYP2D6, OPRM1 and ABCB1 and pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of TRA was studied. Nineteen healthy volunteers were randomized into two groups receiving a single dose of either 50 or 100 mg of orally administrated TRA. Blood samples were collected prior to dosing and up to 72 h after drug intake. The subjects were asked to report DRS during the experimental day. We found a positive correlation between the metabolic ratio of O-desmethyltramadol (ODT) to TRA and the time after drug intake for both CYP2D6 intermediate metabolizers and extensive metabolizers. For the only poor metabolizer with detectable ODT levels the metabolic ratio was almost constant. Significant associations were found between the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) and three of the investigated ABCB1 single nucleotide polymorphisms for TRA, but not for ODT and only in the 50 mg dosage group. There was great interindividual variation in DRS, some subjects exhibited no symptoms at all whereas one subject both fainted and vomited after a single therapeutic dose. However, no associations could be found between DRS and investigated polymorphisms. We conclude that the metabolic ratio of ODT/TRA may be used for estimation of the time of drug intake, but only when the CYP2D6 genotype is known and taken into consideration. The influence of genetic polymorphisms in ABCB1 and OPRM1 requires further study.
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| 9. |
- Beck, Olof, et al.
(författare)
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First evaluation of the possibility of testing for drugged driving using exhaled breath sampling
- 2019
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Ingår i: Traffic Injury Prevention. - : TAYLOR & FRANCIS INC. - 1538-9588 .- 1538-957X. ; 20:3, s. 238-243
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: Driving under the influence of psychoactive drugs causes an increased risk for accidents. In combating this, sobriety tests at the roadside are common practice in most countries. Sampling of blood and urine for forensic investigation cannot be done at the roadside and poses practical problems associated with costs and time. An alternative specimen for roadside testing is therefore warranted and the aerosol particles in exhaled breath are one such alternative.Methods: The present study investigated how the exhaled breath sample compared with the routine legal investigations of blood and urine collected from suspects of drugged driving at 2 locations in Sweden. Exhaled breath was collected using a simple filter collection device and analyzed with state-of-the-art mass spectrometry technique.Results: The total number of cases used for this investigation was 67. In 54 of these cases (81%) the results regarding a positive or negative drug test result agreed and in 13 they disagreed. Out of these, the report from the forensic investigation of blood/urine was negative in 21 cases. In 6 of these, analytical findings were made in exhaled breath and these cases were dominated by the detection of amphetamine. In 7 cases a positive drug test from the forensic investigation was not observed in the breath sample and these cases were dominated by detection of tetrahydrocannabinol in blood. In total, 45 samples were positive with breath testing and the number of positives with established forensic methods was 46.Conclusion: The promising results from this study provide support to exhaled breath as a viable specimen for testing of drugged driving. The rapid, easy, and convenient sampling procedure offers the possibility to collect a drug test specimen at the roadside. The analytical investigation must be done in a laboratory at present because of the need for a highly sensitive instrument, which is already in use in forensic laboratories. The analytical work is not more challenging than for blood or oral fluid and should not cause an increase in cost. However, more studies need to be done before exhaled breath drug testing can be applied routinely for drugged driving investigation.
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| 10. |
- Bendroth, Peter, et al.
(författare)
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Comparison of ethyl glucuronide in hair with phosphatidylethanol in whole blood as post-mortem markers of alcohol abuse
- 2008
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Ingår i: Forensic Science International. - : Elsevier BV. - 0379-0738 .- 1872-6283. ; 176:1, s. 76-81
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Ethyl glucuronide (EtG) is a direct metabolite of ethanol and has been used as a marker of alcohol abuse in both urine and hair. This study investigated the value of EtG testing in post-mortem hair for diagnostic improvement of alcohol abuse in forensic medicine. Material from 70 consecutive medico-legal autopsies was collected in accordance with the recommendations on ethics by the Swedish National Board of Forensic Medicine. A method for determination of EtG in hair samples was developed using ultra performance liquid chromatography/electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC/ESI-MS/MS; LOQ, 2.5 pg/mg). The result of the EtG analysis was compared with the findings of phosphatidylethanol (PEth) in femoral whole blood, as measured by high performance liquid chromatography with an evaporative light-scattering detector (HPLC–ELSD; LOQ, 0.22 μmol/l). Evaluation of liver histology and anamnestic evidence of alcohol abuse of the deceased were taken in consideration for the interpretation. Measurable levels of EtG were present in 49 of the 70 autopsy cases whereas PEth was present in 36. Thirty-nine cases had EtG levels above the cutoff limit (≥30 pg/mg) compared with 29 for PEth (≥0.7 μmol/l). Fifteen cases had EtG as exclusive indicator for alcohol abuse compared with four cases for PEth. These findings suggest that measurements of EtG in hair may provide improved diagnostic information on alcohol abuse, due to a long retrospective time-window for detection and stability of EtG in hair in the decaying cadaver. However, an EtG level below the cutoff does not completely exclude previous alcohol abuse.
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