Medico legal investigations into sudden sniffing deaths linked with trichloroethylene

Rapid detection of depression by volatile organic compounds from exhalation

Depression is a pervasive and often undetected mental health condition, which poses significant challenges for early diagnosis due to its silent and subtle nature. To evaluate exhaled volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as non-invasive biomarkers for the detection of depression using a virtual surface acoustic wave sensors array (VSAW-SA). A total of 245 participants were recruited from the Hangzhou Community Health Service Center, including 38 individuals diagnosed with depression and 207 control subjects. Breath samples were collected from all participants and subjected to analysis using VSAW-SA. Univariate and multivariate analyses were employed to assess the relationship between VOCs and depression. The findings revealed that the responses of virtual sensor ID 14, 44, 59, and 176, which corresponded respectively to ethanol, trichloroethylene or isoleucine, octanoic acid or lysine, and an unidentified compound, were sensitive to depression. Taking into account potential confounders, these sensor responses were utilized to calculate a depression detection indicator. It has a sensitivity of 81.6% and a specificity of 81.6%, with an area under the curve of 0.870 (95% CI = 0.816-0.923). Conclusions: exhaled VOCs as non-invasive biomarkers of depression could be detected by a VSAW-SA. Large-scale cohort studies should be conducted to confirm the potential ability of the VSAW-SA to diagnose depression.

An Overview of Physiologically-Based Pharmacokinetic Models for Forensic Science

A physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model represents the structural components of the body with physiologically relevant compartments connected via blood flow rates described by mathematical equations to determine drug disposition. PBPK models are used in the pharmaceutical sector for drug development, precision medicine, and the chemical industry to predict safe levels of exposure during the registration of chemical substances. However, one area of application where PBPK models have been scarcely used is forensic science. In this review, we give an overview of PBPK models successfully developed for several illicit drugs and environmental chemicals that could be applied for forensic interpretation, highlighting the gaps, uncertainties, and limitations.

Putting China on the couch: Reflections on the development of psychohistory in China

In the process of reconstructing the history of Chinese psychology, psychohistory once drew little attention. Although applying psychological tools to historical studies has not been a new research method for Chinese historians, when it comes to psychohistory in its modern sense, it inevitably sounds exotic and novel to Chinese academia. However, the significance of psychohistory, especially the one with practical relevance, should not be underestimated. Thus, the history and the deficiency of psychohistory need to be clarified. Based on the macro-historical logic, the development of psychohistory in China can be recounted and divided into four stages, namely (1) before 1902, the pre-scientific stage of psychohistory, (2) 1902-1949, the introduction of modern psychohistory, (3) 1949-1978, the tortuous and lopsided development of psychohistory, and (4) 1978-present, the revival of diverse approaches in psychohistory. The possibilities of psychohistory as we find in such a process, in all its reality, reside in the fact that it could combine the history of ideas with reality and the history of society with ideas, which would undoubtedly improve our understanding of the intertwinement of the human psyche and the social mechanisms, in brief, the historical dynamics. In addition, psychohistory could also help solve psychological problems that the populations in modern times are currently facing. Despite all of these virtues, in terms of indigenization (particularization), generalization (universalization), trans-regional communication, and disciplinary institutionalization, there is still some way for psychohistory in China to go.

Two Cases of Fatal Inhalation of Easily Available "Recreational" Substances

ABSTRACT

We present 2 cases of fatal inhalation of easily available highly volatile substances that occurred in a recreational context. Case 1 concerns an 18-year-old man who was found dead with a 25-L plastic bag pulled over his head and a whipped cream steel siphon connected to the bag. The deceased was known to previously have inhaled nitrous oxide. Autopsy results were unremarkable, toxicological analysis using static headspace gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry analysis proved the presence of nitrous oxide in lung tissue and blood. Asphyxiation was ascertained as the cause of death. Case 2 describes the death of a 54-year-old man found dead on his bed wearing a rubber gas mask. A bottle with ethyl chloride-containing cold spray was found beside him. Autopsy did not reveal relevant pathological findings; a subsequent toxicological analysis proved the presence of ethyl chloride. Respiratory arrest because of ethyl chloride inhalation was established as the cause of death. The 2 cases presented here demonstrate the danger of easily available, volatile substances with a high potential for abuse. A careful investigation of the death scene, proper specimen collection during the autopsy, and extensive toxicological tests, including headspace gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry analysis, are necessary to prove inhalation of these substances.

Endocrine disruptors also function as nervous disruptors and can be renamed endocrine and nervous disruptors (ENDs)

Endocrine disruption (ED) and endocrine disruptors (EDs) emerged as scientific concepts in 1995, after numerous chemical pollutants were found to be responsible for reproductive dysfunction. The World Health Organization established in the United Nations Environment Programme a list of materials, plasticizers, pesticides, and various pollutants synthesized from petrochemistry that impact not only reproduction, but also hormonal functions, directly or indirectly. Cells communicate via either chemical or electrical signals transmitted within the endocrine or nervous systems. To investigate whether hormone disruptors may also interfere directly or indirectly with the development or functioning of the nervous system through either a neuroendocrine or a more general mechanism, we examined the scientific literature to ascertain the effects of EDs on the nervous system, specifically in the categories of neurotoxicity, cognition, and behaviour. To date, we demonstrated that all of the 177 EDs identified internationally by WHO are known to have an impact on the nervous system. Furthermore, the precise mechanisms underlying this neurodisruption have also been established. It was previously believed that EDs primarily function via the thyroid. However, this study presents substantial evidence that approximately 80 % of EDs operate via other mechanisms. It thus outlines a novel concept: EDs are also neurodisruptors (NDs) and can be collectively termed endocrine and nervous disruptors (ENDs). Most of ENDs are derived from petroleum residues, and their various mechanisms of action are similar to those of "spam" in electronic communications technologies. Therefore, ENDs can be considered as an instance of spam in a biological context.

Challenges in Laboratory Detection of Unusual Substance Abuse: Issues with Magic Mushroom, Peyote Cactus, Khat, and Solvent Abuse

Drug abuse is a worldwide problem. Although commonly abused drugs can be identified during routine urine drug testing, less commonly abused drugs may escape detection. These less commonly abused drugs not only include some designer drugs such as synthetic cannabinoid but also include abuse of psychedelic magic mushroom (active ingredients: psilocybin and psilocin), peyote cactus (active ingredient: mescaline), and khat plants (active ingredient: cathinone). Moreover, solvent and glue abuse is gaining popularity among teenagers and young adults which may even cause fatality. Amphetamine/methamphetamine immunoassay has a low cross-reactivity with psilocin. Cathinone, if present in the urine, can be detected by amphetamine/methamphetamine immunoassay due to cross-reactivity of cathinone with assay antibody. Currently there is one commercially available immunoassay which is capable of detecting synthetic cathinone known as bath salts as well as mescaline. However, gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry as well as liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS)-based method is available for confirmation of the active ingredients present in magic mushroom, peyote cactus, and khat plant. Such chromatography-based methods also offer more sensitivity and specificity compared to an immunoassay.