| 1. |
|
|
| 2. |
- Druid, H., et al.
(författare)
-
Flunitrazepam : An evaluation of use, abuse and toxicity
- 2001
-
Ingår i: Forensic Science International. - 0379-0738 .- 1872-6283. ; 122:2-3, s. 136-141
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The benzodiazepine flunitrazepam is extensively prescribed to patients with insomnia in many countries, but has also become popular among alcohol- and drug abusers. Several reports indicate that it is used as a date rape drug and suggest that it may precipitate violent behavior. Furthermore, flunitrazepam is involved in many fatal intoxications in Sweden. This study was designed and conducted to explore the negative consequences of flunitrazepam abuse in Sweden, and to assess the trends in its use and abuse. The occurrence of flunitrazepam in cases referred to the Department of Forensic Chemistry in Linköping, Sweden 1992-1998, was investigated in detail. The detections were studied separately for different groups, medicolegal death investigations, drug abuse cases, driving under influence cases, and other medicolegal cases. These data were further compared with the sales, and seizures by the Swedish Customs and the Swedish Police. During 1992-1998, 641 fatalities occurred, where the cause of death was attributed to intoxication with flunitrazepam solely (130) or in combination with other drugs, or concomittant conditions (511). In 78% of all driving under influence cases, where flunitrazepam was detected, the analyses also disclosed the presence of illicit drugs. A similar association was seen in drug abuse cases. The seizures reported by the Swedish Customs revealed a substantial and increasing illegal trade. Cases, where flunitrazepam seemingly induced violent behavior were identified, and one of these is described in some detail. It is concluded that the abuse pattern and the toxicity of flunitrazepam should be kept in mind by forensic investigators and that this panorama also should be considered when decisions about the registration and classification of flunitrazepam are made in different countries. Copyright © 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.
|
|
| 3. |
- Edston, Erik, 1948-, et al.
(författare)
-
Postmortem measurements of thyroid hormones in blood and vitreous humor combined with histology
- 2001
-
Ingår i: American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology. - : Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health). - 0195-7910 .- 1533-404X. ; 22:1, s. 78-83
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this study was to investigate whether clinical reference premortem values can be used to assess postmortem concentrations of thyroxine, triiodothyronine, and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), to compare the postmortem concentrations in blood and vitreous humor, and to study the possibility of diagnosing hyperthyroidism by comparing thyroid histologic appearance and postmortem hormone values. Biochemical analyses of free thyroxine (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), and TSH in femoral blood and vitreous humor were made in 38 cases. In 40 cases, the hormones and thyroid histologic appearance were studied, 22 had no significant pathologic changes, and 18 showed focal hyperplasia of the follicular epithelium. A positive correlation was seen between the femoral blood and vitreous humor concentrations of FT4 (R = 0.66) but not between the corresponding concentrations of FT3 and TSH. A positive correlation was also seen between FT3 and FT4 in femoral blood (R = 0.74). In cases with normal thyroid histologic appearance, 58% were found to have FT4 values >24 pmol/L (clinical reference interval 9-24 pmol/L), mean value 27.5 ▒ 9.4 pmol/L), which did not differ from the FT4 values in the cases with hyperplasia, 31.6 ▒ 15 pmol/L. Only 5% of the T3 measurements in the group with normal histologic appearance were >9 pmol/L (clinical reference interval 3-9 pmol/L). The mean value of FT3 in cases with normal histologic appearance was 3.4 ▒ 1.3 pmol/L, and in the group with hyperplasia 8.6 ▒ 6.1 pmol/L. The difference was statistically significant P < .005). It is concluded that postmortem values of FT3 and FT4 in femoral blood are fairly comparable to premortem clinical reference values, but the upper normal limit, especially for T4. has to be adjusted upward. Analysis of vitreous humor cannot be used post mortem to assess thyroid function. Histologically, hyperplastic changes correlate well with elevated FT3 in femoral blood.
|
|
| 4. |
|
|
| 5. |
|
|
| 6. |
|
|
