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- Olanzapine: challenges in toxicological results interpretationPublication . Costa Lopes, Miguel; Abreu, Ana; Nascimento, João; Sardinha, Mário; Castañera, Antonio; Fonseca, Suzana; Franco, João; Nikolić, DobrilaFatal intoxications are a topic of great relevance in today's society and a massive challenge for pathologists all over the world. In post-mortem investigations it is often challenging to determine if and which drug(s) caused the death due to the post-mortem processes in a body. This study evaluates forensic fatal cases with positive blood levels for the antipsychotic Olanzapine. The aim of this study is to characterize the sample of such forensic autopsy cases and try to correlate the Olanzapine concentrations with the manner of death and cause of death attributed in the reports. We performed a retrospective, observational and descriptive study, analyzing the reports of forensic autopsies performed in the South Branch of the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, in Lisbon, Portugal, from 2013 until 2015. A total of 53 forensic autopsy cases characterized by the presence of Olanzapine were analyzed. Blood Olanzapine concentrations ranged from 10ng/ml to 4363ng/ml. The following variables were collected: sex, age, place of death, number of days between death and autopsy, clinical history, signals of putrefaction, cause of death, manner of death and ancillary tests performed, such as toxicological and histological exams. This study raises the need of awareness for the most common limitations that forensic pathologists face in the interpretation of toxicological results and indicate the need to create a reference table for each substance with our casuistic.
- UPLC MS/MS Method for the Analysis of Cardiovascular Medications in Putrefied Specimens obtained from an Exhumation AutopsyPublication . Simões, Susana; Castañera, Antonio; Dias, Mário
- Selection criteria for weighting factor in linear regressionPublication . Costa, Pedro; Simões, Susana; Castañera, Antonio; Franco, João; Teixeira, Helena
- Drug Related Deaths (DRD) – Data collectionPublication . Castañera, Antonio
- Mass Spectrometry and Workflow in Forensic ToxicologyPublication . Castañera, Antonio; Simões, Susana
- Post mortem toxicology higher concentrations and a place for cocainePublication . Castañera, Antonio
- New Psichoactive Substances – Un desafio para los laboratórios de toxicología forensePublication . Castañera, Antonio; Simões, Susana
- Mobile assisted consumption room in Porto under tenderPublication . Castañera, Antonio
- Quantification of Δ9-THC, 11-OH-THC and THCCOOH by SPE and GC-MS-MS in whole blood samples for forensic purposesPublication . Castro, André Lobo; Tarelho, Sónia; Quintas, Maria José; Costa, Pedro; Melo, Paula; Castañera, Antonio; Dias, MárioIntroduction: Cannabis sativa represents the most frequently abused illicit drug around the world. Its abuse represents a major issue in terms of public health, not only due to its physical and psychological effects in terms of individual behaviour, but also due to consequences in terms of impairment, mainly as to driving capabilities is concerned. Detection and accurate quantification at low levels, namely for 9-THC and 11-OH-THC, seems crucial, in terms of response of a forensic toxicology laboratory to answer to legal requirements. The aim of this work considers the analytical validation for detection and quantification of 9-THC, 11-OH-THC and THCCOOH in whole blood samples, in vivo and post-mortem, for forensic purposes. Material and methods: The method included an SPE procedure with HLB OASIS® (WATERS) cartridges, derivatization with BSTFA:TMCS 99:1 (SUPELCO) and an hyphenated instrumental technique based in a GC-450 gas chromatograph coupled to a MS-300 triple quadrupole mass detector (BRUKER). Results: The procedure included a chromatographic run, with full separation of the three compounds, and the MS-MS detection was characterized by two product-ions (289 m/z ; 305 m/z), obtained from the parent-ion 371 m/z. The ion 289 was used for quantification. The respective tri-deuterated substances were used as internal standards. The validation included several parameters, as specificity/selectivity (with 0% of False Positives and False Negatives), LOD and LOQ (1 ng/mL to all compounds), linearity (1 – 100 ng/mL to all compounds), extraction recovery, carryover, inter and intra-day run precision (both under 15%), among others. Discussion: The developed method has shown to be fit to purpose, with good results in terms of increased sensibility and detection limits, due to an optimal response from the analytical equipment, based on tandem MS technology. The LOD and LOQ are compatible with reference values for positive real samples, namely applied to traffic roadside testing. This method has been applied to the laboratory routine, representing an effective improvement in terms of the lab response to legal requirements.
- Madeira and Azores regions, cluster of a-PHP a-PiHP related deathsPublication . Castañera, Antonio; Margalho, Cláudia