Hair Samples Research Articles

Post mortem chiral analysis of MDMA and MDA in human blood and hair

Drug-related fatalities in the EU are predominantly associated with opioids. MDMA (Ecstasy) consumption results in fewer lethal intoxications despite its widespread use. This study investigates MDMA-related fatalities, focusing on enantiomer ratios of MDMA and its metabolite MDA to explore the role of metabolism in fatal outcomes.MDMA induces euphoria, increased empathy, and physiological effects such as tachycardia, hypertension, and hyperthermia. Metabolism mainly involves CYP1A2 and CYP2D6, with polymorphism of the latter influencing metabolism rates. Our institute observed several MDMA-related fatalities, which prompted an investigation into the potential role of inefficient drug metabolism in these cases.A novel quantitative chiral analysis method was developed and validated for MDMA, MDA, amphetamine and methamphetamine enantiomers in human blood. Analysis of post mortem blood samples from eleven MDMA-related fatalities exhibited a wide range of concentrations and enantiomer ratios. Variability in R/S MDMA ratios, however, could be linked to the time period of metabolism. Hair analysis revealed high MDMA concentrations in all segments, irrespective of prior drug abuse anamnesis. Therefore, hair analysis may not be suitable for the assessment of past drug use in ecstasy-related fatalities.The results indicated that elevated levels of the MDMA enantiomer are correlated with longer survival times in cases of intoxication. However, there was no clear evidence for slowed MDMA metabolism as a cause of lethal intoxications. While challenges remain due to the diversity of cases, this study contributes valuable insights into ecstasy intoxications, aiding future interpretation of post mortem analysis.

Inference of forensic body fluids/tissues based on mitochondrial DNA copy number: a preliminary study.

The inference of body fluids and tissues is critical in reconstructing crime scenes and inferring criminal behaviors. Nevertheless, present methods are incompatible with conventional DNA genotyping, and additional testing might result in excessive consumption of forensic scene materials. This study aims to investigate the feasibility of distinguishing common body fluids/tissues through the difference in mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn). Four types of body fluids/tissues were analyzed in this study - hair, saliva, semen, and skeletal muscle. MtDNAcn was estimated by dividing the read counts of mitochondrial DNA to that of nuclear DNA (RRmt/nu). Results indicated that there were significant differences in RRmt/nu between different body fluids/tissues. Specifically, hair samples exhibited the highest RRmt/nu (log10RRmt/nu: 4.3 ± 0.28), while semen samples showed the lowest RRmt/nu (log10RRmt/nu: -0.1 ± 0.28). RRmt/nu values for DNA samples without extraction were notably higher (approximately 2.9 times) than those obtained after extraction. However, no significant difference in RRmt/nu was observed between various age and gender groups. Hierarchical clustering and Kmeans clustering analyses showed that body fluids/tissues of the same type clustered closely to each other and could be inferred with high accuracy. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the simultaneous detection of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA made it possible to perform conventional DNA analyses and body fluid/tissue inference at the same time, thus killing two birds with one stone. Furthermore, mtDNAcn has the potential to serve as a novel and promising biomarker for the identification of body fluids/tissues.

Rapid and Effective Determination of Ethyl Glucuronide in Hair by Micro Extraction by Packed Sorbent (MEPS) and LC-MS/MS.

Ethyl glucuronide (EtG) in hair is a reliable biomarker of alcohol consumption habits. Due to its small concentration incorporated into hair, analytical methods sensitive enough to reliably quantify EtG in this matrix are required. Sample preparation is critical in hair analysis, especially for EtG, for which extraction efficiency and matrix effect can strongly influence the results; furthermore, miniaturized methods are sought, to reduce solvent use and times of sample preparation. A micro extraction by packed sorbent (MEPS) procedure coupled to a high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for quantitation of EtG in human hair samples. Fifty milligrams of hair samples were cut into snippets and extracted in water. The cleanup of the extract was carried out by using a MEPS syringe packed with anion exchange sorbent (SAX); all parameters for conditioning, washing, loading and eluting steps were optimized and the eluted aqueous volume was directly injected in the LC-MS/MS system operating in the negative ionization mode. The method was fully validated assessing LOD, LOQ, calibration curve, repeatability, accuracy, matrix effect and carryover. The method was subsequently applied to QCs and authentic hair samples. The developed MEPS method is quick and effective, with low solvent purchase and discard costs, allowing the differentiation between social drinkers and chronic excessive alcohol consumers, according to the cut-offs established by the Society of Hair Testing (SoHT).

Chronic stress is gradually accumulated and peaks prior the occurrence of Takotsubo Syndrome: preliminary results based on hair cortisol concentration

Abstract Background Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is frequently triggered by stressful events suggesting that increased sympathetic activity has a role in its pathophysiology. Hair cortisol concentration (HCC) is a promising biomarker of excess chronic stress by measuring cortisol secreted into hairs over several weeks. Purpose We explored whether premorbid ongoing stress over several weeks assessed by HCC at 2 weeks intervals is associated with the occurrence of TTS. Methods A case-control prospective study was performed by recruiting 18 consecutive TTS patients and 36 age- and sex-matched individuals free from cardiovascular or psychiatric disease. Hair samples were collected from participants vertex. Provided that 1 cm of hair represents cortisol levels over ~1 month period, 2.5 cm of hair samples, with many strands each, were cut in equal parts of 0.5 cm, representing cortisol levels in time intervals of 0-15, 15-30, 30-45, 45-60 and 60-75 days prior to hair collection. Results All TTS patients were women with a mean age of 71.8±11.2 years. HCC was significantly higher in TTS group versus controls starting from 45 days prior to the event (Figure 1A). Based on the linear mixed effects model, HCC was higher in the TTS group compared to controls at any time point and increased over time starting from 75 days prior to the event, while the rate of increase was significantly higher in TTS versus controls (beta of interaction = 0.48; 95%CI: 0.36 – 0.60; p < 0.001). The model explained a high percentage of the variance (conditional R2 = 0.885). The plot of the predicted HCC over time by diagnosis group is shown in Figure 1B. Conclusions Our preliminary data suggest that accumulation of chronic stressful events may cause hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysregulation and hyperactivity leading to HCC increase, and this might be implicated in the pathophysiology of TTS.Figure 1.Plot of observed and predicted HCC

Identification of genetic variants associated with exercise-induced atrial fibrillation in high-performing racehorses

Abstract Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia in athletes. Despite a lower burden of classical cardiovascular risk factors, the prevalence of AF in athletes is comparable to that in the general population of similar age (~13%, mean age 65.5), suggesting that exercise-induced AF may have different underlying mechanisms. The prevalence of AF in thoroughbred (TB) and standardbred (STB) racehorses is also relatively high (~5%), suggesting exercise as an independent risk factor. Due to selective breeding and complete control of pedigrees, racehorses are well-suited for genetic studies. Common and rare genetic variation explain a substantial part of AF variance, but no study has identified genetic variants associated with exercise-induced AF in any species. Objective In this project, we aimed to use the racehorse as a model to identify genetic variants associated with exercise-induced AF, and in a future study, possibly replicate the results in human athletes. Here we present preliminary results from the genome-wide association study (GWAS) of AF in racehorses. Methods We collected blood or hair samples from 181 STB and TB racehorses in which 71 had paroxysmal or persistent AF verified by ECG. We extracted DNA and performed whole-genome genotyping using a commercial equine genotyping platform (670k markers). We phased and imputed un-genotyped markers and increased the sample size of the control group, using publicly available equine data from similar breeds from the European Nucleotide Archive. We conducted a GWAS of 7.85 million markers in 71 cases and 296 controls using PLINK2 with covariates adjusted for population stratification, batch and sex. Results We identified one significant locus downstream of the protocadherin gene PCDH18 associated with AF in racehorses. The same locus has been associated with the ECG-trait P-wave terminal force in humans. Changes in P-wave terminal force is associated with increased atrial size, delayed interatrial conduction, left ventricular fibrosis and left atrial function, and considered a good predictor of AF occurrence. Several non-significant but interesting signals were also identified including the genes SLC6A15 (amino acid transport), MYBPH (myosin binding), MYF6 and MYOG (myoblast differentiation). Conclusion In these preliminary results, we have identified a new genetic locus associated with AF in racehorses. In addition, we have identified several candidate genes for further studies to elucidate the genetic background of exercise-induced AF. We aim to replicate our findings in a population of human athletes. Our results may aid the development of risk prediction tools for exercise-induced AF and new drugs for tailored treatment of AF in general.

Hair cortisol concentration, a biomarker of stress, is gradually increased in patients with acute myocardial infarction before the acute episode

Abstract Background/Introduction Chronic stress is considered to be an important element of residual cardiovascular risk and modern guidelines recommend its systematic assessment and treatment. Its pathophysiologic contribution, however, in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was not, until recently, easy to elucidate. This arises from difficulties in objectively quantifying stress levels using conventional research methods, like questionnaires. Purpose The purpose of our study was to measure stress levels at the days preceding an acute myocardial infarction using a solid biomarker, Hair Cortisol Concentration (HCC). Methods 102 consecutive patients with AMI (71 patients with ST-elevation Myocardial Infarction [STEMI] and 31 with Non ST-elevation Myocardial Infarction) from our institution were recruited for this study. We took hair samples from them to precisely measure HCC, which reflects cumulative cortisol levels for the time period preceding the acute event. We also did full clinical, biochemical and psychological evaluation. HCC levels were then compared with 50 age-matched healthy controls. Results To assess the temporal trend of HCC in hair segments, corresponding to specific time periods, we fitted linear mixed models. The mixed effects linear model including the main effects of time and group (AMI versus controls) and their interaction showed that cortisol concentration in hair increased over time with higher rate of increase in AMI patients versus controls (beta of interaction = 3.57; 95%CI: 1.74, 5.40; p < 0.001) The model explained a high percentage of the variance (conditional R2=0.940). No other baseline variable had a significant effect when added to the basic model. There was no significant difference between STEMI and NSTEMI (beta of interaction = 1.15; 95%CI: -1.330, 3.59; p = 0.358) Conclusions Hair cortisol levels, presumably reflecting stress levels, were gradually increasing before an acute myocardial infarction with higher rate of increase in patients compared to healthy controls. There was no significant difference between STEMI and NSTEMI patients. Picture 1. Predicted hair concentrations of cortisol over time prior to the event, based on linear mixed models.

Animal family discrimination from hair using ATR-FTIR and machine learning methods for applications in illegal wildlife trafficking.

Wildlife forensics plays a pivotal role in the combating illegal trafficking, supporting biodiversity conservation, and aiding in the identification of animals in wildlife. Animal hair, often found in trafficking crimes, serves as vital biological evidence that can provide significant information for animal identification. This study proposes a novel method integrating machine learning classifiers with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy in attenuated total reflectance (ATR) mode to enhance the effectiveness of animal identification in wildlife forensic casework. Additionally, compound microscopy has also been utilized as a preliminary tool to perform morphological analysis of hair samples from four animal families, including Bovidae, Cervidae, Elephantidae, and Felidae. Further, chemical profiling through spectral data revealed significant overlapping peaks between family Bovidae and Cervidae. The classification experiment provides the random forest (RF) classifier as the most effective for family discrimination model. This research offers valuable insights for wildlife forensics by improving the identification accuracy of unknown hair samples, thus enhancing the overall effectiveness in forensic investigations.

No effect of infant nursery rearing on laboratory rhesus monkey dams’ social behavior or long-term cortisol profiles

While the behavioral and physiological impacts of nursery rearing in laboratory-housed infant monkeys have been well characterized, to date no studies have examined the impact on nonhuman primate dams of their infants being removed for rearing in the nursery. Despite the lack of evidence on the topic, anti-animal research groups often cite mother-infant separation and infant nursery rearing (NR) as a welfare concern for laboratory monkey mothers. As such, important policy decisions regarding research activities may result without adequate evidence. Therefore, we designed this study to examine behavioral and hormonal responses in laboratory monkey dams, who were part of independent long-term longitudinal studies, in response to their infants being NR or mother-peer-reared (MPR). We assessed social, self-care, environmental exploration, and abnormal behaviors for 30 days before and 30 days after parturition in rhesus monkey dams (Macaca mulatta, N=49). Infants were randomly assigned to be either NR (N = 27) or MPR (N = 22). We also analyzed hair samples for cortisol concentrations three times across the study period (Pregnancy, Neonatal Period, Peak Lactation). Dams of NR infants showed no gross behavioral differences relative to dams of MPR infants (all p’s>0.05). Dams of MPR infants showed expected increases in social grooming and social contact, and concomitant decreases in foraging and locomotion, in the 30 days post-partum compared to the 30 days pre-partum (p<0.01). Dams whose infants were NR or MPR showed no differences in hair cortisol concentrations across the study period (p>0.05). We conclude that, with respect to the behavioral and endocrine measures we assessed, nursery rearing of their infants is not detrimental to the welfare of laboratory-housed macaque dams.

No evidence hunting bait increases American black bear population growth in Maine, USA

AbstractAmerican black bear (Ursus americanus) populations are increasing throughout much of North America. Use of multiple harvest methods, including hunting over bait, is intended to increase harvest success rates to meet harvest and population management objectives. However, black bear population growth can be influenced by food availability, and some speculate the use of bait may inadvertently increase bear abundance through food resource supplementation. We collected hair from black bears captured from 2005–2019 and a selection of potential food items, including those used as bait from 3 study areas in Maine, USA, with different levels of human influence. We used stable isotope analysis of the black bear hair and food item samples to evaluate the contribution of different identified food groups to the diet of individual bears. We found no evidence that greater contribution of human food resources, including bait, increased the number of cubs per litter for reproductive females or that human foods comprised a greater part of the diet in years when natural food resources were less abundant. Approximately 69% of black bear harvest occurred over bait. We found the probability of reproductive‐age females to be harvested increased with average representation of human foods with high carbon enrichment (including bait) in their diet, but the relationship was weak, likely because of sampling constraints. Additionally, the probability of being harvested was greater in years when natural food resources were scarce. We conclude that bait is not available on the landscape in large enough amounts or for a sufficient amount of time in Maine to substantially influence female reproduction. Our results indicate hunting over bait is an effective tool in a state that is attempting to maintain a stable bear population via harvest, and dispels conjecture that hunting over bait may increase cub production and offset the intention of harvest.

Occupational exposure assessment of heavy metals in human scalp hair among tannery workers in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia: Indication of pollution

Ethiopia, is one of the African countries, has immense potential for skins and hides for the leather industries, which will play a crucial role in converting nations into manufacturing-driven economies through industrialization. The chemicals applied in the tanning process are a serious concern for employees and the community if proper safety measures are not taken. The pollution status of employees working in Anbessa and Bahir Dar tannery factories was evaluated by collecting hair samples. After the hair samples washed with acetone, and deionized water, the hair samples were digested with 4 mL of HNO3 and 2 mL of HClO4 for 1:30 h at 250 °C. The levels of metals (Cr, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, and Cd) were subsequently analyzed using a Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (FAAS). The mean concentrations of Cu, Ni, Zn, Pb, and Cr in the Anbessa tannery factory workers were 17.34–22.75, 16.38–35.03, 235.4–369.2, 30.46–67.31, and 97.56–189.18, respectively, in the various working departments of the factory. Similarly, the concentrations of Cu, Ni, Zn, Cd, Pb, and Cr in the hair of Bahir Dar tannery workers were 30.1–105.9, 17.88–62.20, 216.9–762.1, 0.35–5.21, 33.42–91.42, and 118.5–305.7, respectively. Chromium was found to be the most accumulated metal next to Zn with in both tannery workers that highlighted significant occupational health risks. The principal component analysis (PCA) analysis provide an insights into the interactions between occupational factors and metal exposure. In conclusion, the results of hair analysis from the employees of tannery factories indicates alarming levels of metal exposure, especially for zinc and chromium, which might pose health problems in long time exposure. Thus, it's critical to monitor occupational activities that can harm human health and the environment.

Heavy Metal Analysis Using Inductively Couple Plasma – Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) on Hair of Breast Cancer Patients

Heavy metals can be found in everyday environments and can enter the human body through food, water, and air. Heavy metals are categorized into three groups by the World Health Organization (WHO): essential elements such as Copper (Cu), Chromium (Cr), Cobalt (Co), Iron (Fe), and Zinc (Zn); potentially essential elements like Manganese (Mn) and Nickel (Ni); and potentially toxic elements such as Cadmium (Cd) and Lead. (Pb). The heavy metal is a systemic poison that causes organ dysfunction in humans. The aim of this research is to analyze the levels of heavy metal elements Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), and Zinc (Zn) in the hair of breast cancer patients. The method used to measure heavy metal content is Inductively Coupled Plasma – Optical Emission Spectrometry. (ICP-OES). The levels of heavy metal elements Cu, Fe, and Zn in five hair samples from breast cancer patients differ from the standards GBW07601 and IAEA-086. The levels of Cu and Fe in breast cancer patients are lower than the standard, while the level of Zn is higher than the standard.

Caracterización morfológica de pelos de guardia de seis especies mamíferos pequeños no voladores del occidente de Ecuador

This study presents the morphological characterization of guard hairs from six species of small non-flying mammals. Guard hair samples were obtained from both live individuals and museum specimens, with cuticular and medullary impressions made from the middle portions of the shafts and shields, respectively. A total of 112 samples were collected from the following species: Marmosa simonsi, Metachirus myosorus, Sigmodon peruanus, Aegialomys xanthaeolus, Rattus sp., and Mus musculus. This information can be used for taxonomic identification and, for instance, in the identification of prey items in carnivore and nocturnal raptor diet studies, which are areas lacking information in western Ecuador.

Intergenerational transfer of binge eating-like behavior: The additive impact of juvenile stress

Binge eating (BE) is consuming large amounts of food in a short time, while experiencing loss of control over eating behavior. BE can be hereditary, and juvenile stress (JS) may contribute to its onset. We examined the impact of JS on BE-like behavior, in an animal model of intergenerational BE. Twenty-four female Wistar rats received 2-h access to palatable food (PF) three or five times a week (3 TW or 5 TW) for 4 weeks, followed by the open field test (OFT). At postnatal day (PND)27–29, female offspring either underwent JS (O-JSC) or not (O-CC). At PND51-53, offspring's stress levels were assessed behaviorally. At PND70-85, offspring received 2-h access to PF three times a week to assess their BE-like tendency. Hair samples were collected afterwards. Compared to 5 TW, 3 TW had a greater binge size. In the elevated plus maze and dark\\light box, in O-JSC, offspring of 3 TW (O-3TW) spent less time in the open arms and lit area compared to O-5TW. O-3TW consumed more PF than O-5TW. O-JSC consumed more than O-CC. O-3TW-JSC had higher hair CORT levels than O-3TW-CC and O-5TW-JSC. This study highlights the interplay between maternal and offspring experiences, allowing for the study of underlying mechanisms.

Occupational exposure assessment of heavy metals among construction workers in Rawalpindi Pakistan

Construction is one of the primary drivers of development and economic activity in Pakistan. Many activities are performed at the construction site including cement mixing, carpentry, and painting. Workers working in these activities are exposed to toxic heavy metals. Due to exposure to these heavy metals, subjects are at high risk of developing diseases mainly respiratory diseases. Human hair and nail samples of construction workers in Rawalpindi, Pakistan were collected to assess the heavy metals. Heavy metals such as Al, As, Cd, Cr, Ni, K, Pb, and Zn were analyzed in the hair and fingernails of the construction workers. To determine the level of selected heavy metals, Inductively Coupled Plasma optical emission spectrometry was used. Results revealed that Al was the highest with a mean concentration of 7.54 μg/g in all three groups. Whereas Cd was below the detection limit. Heavy metal concentration was high in hair (1.77 μg/g) in two groups including cement mixing and carpentry. However, in the carpentry group heavy metal concentration was high in nails (1.19 μg/g). Additionally, the workers of the carpentry group have higher metal concentrations when compared to the other two groups and this group was at high risk of toxic metal exposure. After the correlation analysis, the results revealed that age was significantly correlated to body burden of metals (r = 0.496, p ≤ 0.05). Moreover, some of the heavy metals in hair and nails were significantly correlated with each other. Since all groups, especially carpenters, show high levels of heavy metals, there is a need for regular monitoring of heavy metals at construction sites. Most importantly, the implementation of training programs is needed to raise awareness among construction workers.

An unusual lowest elevation record of snow leopard (Panthera uncia) in Nepal.

The snow leopard, Panthera uncia, is a flagship species of the mountainous region in South and Central Asia. In Nepal Himalayas, the species is distributed from 3000 to 6000 m. The present finding of a snow leopard on 23 January 2024 at an elevation of 146 m. in Charghare, Urlabari of Morang District was an unusual record. This is the first recorded case of a snow leopard at such a lower elevation. Fortunately, the leopard was rescued promptly and subsequently transferred to the Central Zoo, located in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur for further treatment. Following its rescue, two snow leopard scats were collected within a week from the enclosure. These scats were then analyzed using fecal analysis techniques to identify the prey hair remains in the scats. The analysis revealed that the leopard had consumed naur (Pseudoys nayaur) and unidentified rodent species, as evidence by the hair samples present in the scats. Additionally, several claws, likely from small mammals were also recorded which remain unidentified. This finding strongly suggests that the snow leopard had descended from its usual higher elevations. It is plausible that the leopard may have lost its way and ended up in densely populated human settlements. This has opened a new avenue for research in this area. There is now a pressing need for joint collaborative research to assess the corridors and connectivity crucial for the survival of these magnificent species.

Growth pattern and turnover of carbon and nitrogen measured by stable isotope ratios in the hair of sika deer (Cervus nippon).

Hair is known to preserve diet history and other physiological information during its growth period and is often used in chemical analyses. However, the growth patterns and turnover of hair vary according to the animal species or habitat, so understanding these patterns in the target animal is necessary for interpreting the results of hair analyses. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the growth pattern and dietary information of winter coat hair in captive sika deer (Cervus nippon). Experiments involving hair-staining and shaving were conducted to elucidate the growth pattern of sika deer hair. A diet-switching experiment was conducted to ascertain what dietary information is reflected in the carbon and nitrogen stable isotope values of the deer winter coat. Hair samples collected from each body site (head, shoulder, back, and hip) were analyzed using an elemental analyser interfaced with an isotope-ratio mass spectrometer. The winter coat grows from early September to early November, and then stops after that. During the growth period of the winter coat, the hair of the shoulder and back grew at a constant rate. The carbon and nitrogen stable isotope values of hair reflected the deer's feeding history during hair growth, but there seemed to be a time lag in the hip hair. The results suggest that the guard hair of the shoulder is suitable for hair analysis in sika deer. The obtained information on growth patterns and isotopic change of hair from captive sika deer according to diet be useful for interpreting the results of future analyses using hair samples of wild deer.

How does anthropogenic food influence the trophic ecology of Rocky Mountain Red Fox?

Abstract Providing novel food subsidies to wildlife can influence behavior, resource use, disease dynamics, and food web interactions. Studies examining impacts of anthropogenic food have primarily occurred in urban landscapes where anthropogenic resources are consistently accessible. National parks, however, experience similar issues regarding wildlife exploiting anthropogenic food, but access to anthropogenic food is contingent on human visitation, which can fluctuate dramatically between seasons. We evaluated how fluctuating availability of anthropogenic food and demographic factors influenced the isotopic niche of Rocky Mountain Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes macroura) at the population and individual level in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. From 2016 to 2021, we assessed diet-related questions by collecting 55 whisker samples and 52 hair samples from 40 unique individuals and analyzed them using stable isotope analysis (δ13C and δ15N). We discovered that Rocky Mountain red foxes have a broad isotopic niche, with seasonal differences in their consumption of anthropogenic food. Contrary to our expectations, foxes demonstrated increased reliance on anthropogenic food (higher δ13C values) during winter months, whereas natural food consumption or dietary mixing was more prominent in summer months. Natural food scarcity could be driving foxes to seek out more anthropogenic food in the winter, whereas the increased abundance of natural food items in the summer could result in a lower need for foxes to supplement their diet with anthropogenic food. Adults had consistently higher δ13C values relative to juveniles, indicating either intraspecific variation in boldness or dominance leading to increased exploitation of anthropogenic food, which could be a learned behavior coinciding with habituation. Finally, we observed that increasing densities of human features within the home range of a fox was a strong predictor of anthropogenic food reliance at the individual level. Our work provided a deeper understanding of the trophic ecology of Rocky Mountain Red Fox in relation to human activity in a nature preserve, and equipped managers with insight into potential patterns associated with food-conditioned foxes.

6912 Nail Fold Capillary Findings In Patients With Somatic EPAS1 Pathogenic Variants

Abstract Disclosure: H. Alkaissi: None. B. Turturice: None. J.S. Rosenblum: None. A.S. Alzahrani: None. S. Talvacchio: None. A. Derkyi: None. M. Nazari: None. H. Wang: None. I. Pinal Fernandez: None. Z. Zhuang: None. K. Pacak: None. We recently discovered a new syndrome characterized by a triad of pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma, polycythemia, and somatostatinoma (so called Pacak-Zhuang syndrome) caused by somatic gain-of-function pathogenic variants in the EPAS1 gene, encoding hypoxia-inducible factor 2α (HIF-2α). Recently, we have described additional features of this syndrome, including systemic developmental vascular malformations in patients and the mouse model [1]. Here we evaluated vascular changes in the nailfold capillaries by using video capillaroscopy in four patients, three of whom were female and carried the same pathogenic somatic EPAS1 variant allele (EPAS1A530V). The first patient is an 18-year-old female with a history of ventricular septal defect since birth, acrocyanosis, abdominal paraganglioma, left adrenal pheochromocytoma, and polycythemia. The second patient is a 64-year-old female who presented with paraganglioma without polycythemia, in whom we found the EPAS1A530V variant from hair sample, and an additional variant (EPAS1P53[1]A) in a resected paraganglioma, confirming the diagnosis. The third patient is a 33-year-old female had polycythemia, right adrenal pheochromocytoma, abdominal paragangliomas and duodenal somatostatinoma. The fourth patient is a 25-year-old male with PZS bearing a somatic EPAS1M535V pathogenic variant and an additional D536_L542 deletion, with hypoplastic left ventricle and metastatic paraganglioma who never developed polycythemia due to concomitant sickle cell-thalassemia traits. Despite the notable differences in genotype between the first three patients compared to the fourth patient, whose genotype is more complex, nailfold video capillaroscopy of all these patients showed similar phenotype—abnormal capillary structure marked by widespread dilations, megacapillaries, sporadic capillary hemorrhages, and regions with diminished capillary density. While polycythemia has been implicated in megacapillaries phenotype, two of our patients did not have polycythemia at the time of evaluation, further supporting the role of HIF-2a in angiogenesis. In conclusion, we describe nailfold capillary changes on video capillaroscopy as a non-invasive clinical sign in patients with EPAS1 pathogenic variants. Whether this finding is due to circulating angiogenic factors secreted by the tissues harboring HIF-2α mutation, or a direct effect of HIF-2α on angiogenesis remains to be determined.

Factors influencing metal concentrations in hair and nails during longitudinal follow-up of apprentice welders

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to determine factors influencing observed increased metal biomarkers of exposure levels in a group of 116 Quebec apprentice welders during a longitudinal follow-up of exposure. Analysis of 14 metals was carried out in hair, fingernail, and toenail samples taken from participants over the course of their welding curriculum at 6 different times. Personal and socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle habits, and other potential confounding factors were documented by questionnaire. Multivariate linear mixed-effect models were used to assess main predictors of metal concentrations in each biological matrix including increasing time of exposure throughout the curriculum (defined as the repeated measure “time” variable”). Significant associations between repeated measure “time” variable and metal levels in hair, fingernails, and toenails were found for chromium, iron, manganese and nickel. Significant associations with “time” were also noted for arsenic levels in hair and fingernails, and for barium, cobalt and vanadium levels in fingernails and toenails. The repeated measure “time” variable, hence increasing time of exposure throughout the curriculum, was the predominant predictor of elevated biological metal levels. Reduced spaces and simultaneous activities such as oxyfuel-cutting and welding in the same welding room were suspected to contribute to higher metal levels. Age, ethnicity, and annual household income exerted an effect on metal levels and considered as confounders in the models. Variations observed in metal levels between hair and nails of apprentice welders also emphasized the relevance and importance of performing multi-matrix and multi-element biomonitoring to assess temporal variations in biological metal concentrations during welding curriculum.

Extraction of synthetic cathinones from biological samples: A systematic review

Analysis of biological samples containing synthetic cathinones has become a significant area of interest for researchers in recent years, because synthetic cathinones can cause adverse reactions such as delusions and hallucinations. Generally, the intricate nature of the sample matrix and exceedingly low drug concentration in biological samples present significant challenges for the determination of target substances. Accordingly, scientists were dedicated to the advancement of effective sample preparation techniques to address these difficulties. However, the current reviews involved in synthetic cathinones all focused on detection methods. A systematic review focusing on sample preparation for the quantification of synthetic cathinones is still lacking. In light of that, this paper reviewed the most commonly used sample preparation techniques for synthetic cathinones. Recent advances in sample preparation techniques for synthetic cathinones in different biological samples such as blood, urine, oral fluid and hair samples were discussed. In addition, we prospected the challenges and the future perspectives of biological sample preparation techniques for synthetic cathinones determination.