Toxicological Examination Research Articles

Multi-target methodology for the screening of blood specimens in drug-facilitated sexual assault cases

The forensic investigation of drug-facilitated sexual assaults (DFSA) requires the toxicological examination of biological matrices to detect possible substances in victims. Whole blood is an important sample since it is the only one available for analysis in a considerable percentage of cases. A new screening methodology was developed for the detection of 96 compounds related to DFSA in blood. Sample treatment was based on a procedure combining protein precipitation and phospholipid removal before HPLC-MS/MS analysis. The new method operates in scheduled multiple reaction monitoring (sMRM) mode and uses the hybrid operating of the third quadrupole as an ion trap. The blood samples preparation was studied comparing four different protein precipitation treatments and two widely used extraction techniques as solid phase extraction and liquid-liquid extraction. The analytical performance of the screening method was evaluated in terms of selectivity and limits of detection. Finally, successful results were obtained applying the new method to the analysis of fifteen samples from real cases of the National Institute of Toxicology and Forensic Sciences.

Multiple Fatal Intoxications Caused by Improper Consumption of an Alcoholic Para-Pharmaceutical Product

Ingestion of cheap para-pharmaceuticals (such as disinfectants, deodorizing solutions, etc.) which are designed only for external use is an unfortunate habit encountered in the recent decades in the economically disadvantaged areas of Romania inhabited by poor, uninformed, and sanitary uneducated population. These para-pharmaceutical products are based on different concentrations of ethanol. Occasionally, the manufacturer modifies the product formula, or worse omits on the label that the ethanol was replaced with methanol, resulting in mass poisoning with a large number of casualties. The authors present a case of mass poisoning by methanol that occurred during one month and resulted in 40 cases of methanol intoxication. Only 5 out of the 40 victims survived the intoxication. All the dead victims underwent medico-legal autopsy which revealed only general features, liable to poisoning. The toxicological examination result was positive for methanol in all the cases. All the intoxicated victims were homeless; they were heavy ethanol consumers, especially of the product rubbing alcohol. The male: female ratio was 31:4 and the age range was between 25 and 70 years old, with an average of 50 years. All the victims were hospitalized in deep coma, showing obvious pathological changes specific to chronic ethanol consumption. Conclusions: some alcoholic para-pharmaceutical products manufactured for external use are ingested by chronic ethanol drinkers. When these products contain methanol, they can cause severe intoxication followed by an impressively large number of deaths.

Hepatotoxicity After Exposure to Tebuconazole: A Case Report and Brief Review

: A 48-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with complaints of productive cough, anorexia, and sweating from two weeks ago. Laboratory studies revealed an increased level of liver enzymes. The work-up of serological markers was negative for both infectious and non-infectious causes of hepatitis. He denied smoking, alcohol consumption, occupational exposures, and illicit drug use. Interestingly, he had a history of contact with an antifungal toxin called tebuconazole about 15 days before admission. In toxicological examinations using gas chromatography with a nitrogen-phosphorus detector, the cause of poisoning was revealed to be fungicide tebuconazole. To confirm the causal relationship between toxin and hepatitis, exposure avoidance and repeated testing were considered. Complete recovery was achieved in all clinical symptoms and laboratory findings. We suggest that tebuconazole-induced hepatitis should be considered in farmers exposed to this fungicide.

Ecological and Toxicological Examination of Soils in the Territory Polluted by Industrial Emissions of Mining and Metallurgical Enterprises

The monitoring studies of the ecological state of soils of agricultural lands in the area of operation of the mining and smelting enterprise OJSC MMC Pechenganikel, located in the North-Western part of the Kola Peninsula, are presented. Planning of the survey (creation of a digital cartographic base) was carried out in a GIS environment using raster archive data and Earth remote sensing data. The accuracy of soil sampling within the boundaries of the selected elementary areas and contours was ensured by the use of GPS navigators. A significant excess of the APC content of Cu, Ni, As in the studied samples was established. Based on the survey results, cartograms were compiled using the GIS software package.

Anticoagulant Rodenticides Poisonings in Humans and Animals – Short Review

Anticoagulant rodenticides (AR) are among the most commonlyused rodent control pesticides. The current second-generationrodenticides in worldwide use are referred to as superwarfarins.These substances have relatively low toxicity to humans but significanttoxicity to animals, including pets.AR work at the level of hepatocytes by blocking the synthesisof plasma coagulation factors II, VII, IX, and X as well as proteinsC, S, and Z, resulting in severe coagulation disorders predominantin the clinical picture.Deaths associated with AR poisoning are the result of haemorrhagesinto the gastrointestinal tract, peritoneal cavity, or intracranialcavities.Medico-legal diagnosis of AR poisonings is based on the clinicalpicture, autopsy, and histopathological and toxicological examinations.

A descriptive medico-legal study of female deaths in cairo governorate, Egypt

BackgroundMortality is conditioned by biological, political and social factors, as well as by culturally defined behaviors and attitudes that historically characterize the stage of development of a country or a region. Women are often in great danger, where they should be safest. Violence against women is the most pervasive yet the least recognized human rights violation in the world. It is a profound health problem and femicide, is often the tragic end-point of violence. Females represent more than half of the Egyptian population, however, they remain vulnerable. Aim of the studyTo describe and analyze data obtained from Zeinhom Morgue records in Cairo, regarding female deaths, throughout two years. To evaluate female deaths regarding age, cause, manner of death, location, perpetrator and motive. To describe the incidence of female homicides and their related injury patterns. To identify the risk factors and nature of violence from victimologic point of view. Finally, to describe the manner of death whether natural, homicidal, suicidal or accidental aiming for early identification of vulnerable females so that actions can be taken to prevent further mortality. Subjects and MethodsThis is a national two year retrospective descriptive mortuary based study. The study population comprised of all adult females, aged 18 years and older, whose death was suspicious and medico-legal examination was ordered. Each investigation included a detailed case history, investigation, gross examination, histo-pathological and toxicological examinations. Data was collected from autopsy reports, hospital records and police records. From the available data the victim profile was made. ResultsAll female deaths aged 18 years and older were retrospectively reviewed for 2 years at Zeinhom morgue of Medico-legal Authority from a total of 1858 autopsy cases. The most common manner of death was homicide. The commonest cause of death in homicides was due to sharp traumatic injuries. Natural death was the least common manner of death and ischemic heart disease constituted the commonest cause. Falling from height was the most common method of suicidal related deaths. Regarding poisoned cases, insecticides and carbon monoxide were the most common detected poisons. According to the cause of death (trauma), blunt trauma injuries were the most common. Falling from height constituted the largest percent of cases under this group. Conclusion and recommendationsFemales in the third decade of life with blunt injuries to the head and neck were the majority of adult female autopsies. Homicide was the most common manner of female death using sharp instruments after domestic arguments mainly by a spouse or relative. Accidental death came second mainly due to post-operative complications. In cases of suicide, falling from height was the commonest cause followed by poisoning. These findings could be useful for forensic pathologists and healthcare promoters in predicting and preventing female deaths. Moreover, this emphasizes the need for raising public awareness about the scale of female violence problem in our society. The results of this study indicates that, by not only a strong legal support network, but also by opportunities for economic independency, essential education and awareness, alternative accommodation and a change in attitude and mindset of society, judiciary, legislature, executive, men and most importantly women themselves can lower or even prevent such deaths specially suicidal.

Safety Evaluation and In-vitro Antioxidant Activity of Exopolysaccharide Produced by an Indigenous Species of Pleurotus pulmonarius RDM9

Higher fungus is capable of producing exopolysaccharides of different and unique sugar moieties. This property offers the use of EPS in various food and cosmetic applications. This study was designed to ensure that the EPS obtained from Pleurotus pulmonarius is safe for human consumption and is proposed to be used as a bioemulsifier and bioflocculant in food applications. Toxicological examination showed no sign of toxicity and mortality after treating BALB/c mice for consecutively 14 days by administering respective dose of EPS (100I¼l of sterilized PBS for control group and a dose of 50-400 mg EPS/kg in a constant volume of 100I¼l PBS for the test groups) via orogastric gavage. No significant change was recorded in body mass, morphology and behaviour of animals. Both ALT and AST activity were not affected by EPS in treated mice and hence the liver physiology was found to be normal. Histopathological examination of liver, kidney and small intestine showed no significant change in the morphology of the organs. The antioxidant capacity of purified EPS from P. pulmonarius was studied in in-vitro conditions by studying different biochemical methods and the results revealed that the test EPS showed a strong total antioxidant capacity and H 2 O 2 scavenging activity.

Violent deaths among elderly in Attica, Greece: A 5-year survey (2011–2015)

According to World Health Organization (WHO) estimations, approximately 6 million people lose their lives yearly due to some kind of injury, while one-third of these incidents are due to violent acts. Violent deaths include accidents (road traffic accidents, drownings, falls, heat effects etc), suicides as well as homicides. Elderly people seem to be at greater risk due to their special characteristics as a vulnerable social group.The aim of this study was to investigate violent deaths (accidents, suicides and homicides) among elderly people in Attica, Greece, during the period 2011–2015 by examining manner of death with respect to demographic data (gender and age) and toxicological examination results. A total of 546 violent deaths among people over 65 years old were included in this study. Autopsy findings along with toxicological examination results were collected from the archives of the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.The findings of the study showed that most of the victims were male (63.74%). The overwhelming majority of violent deaths (425 cases) were accidents, 92 cases suicides, and the remaining 29 cases homicides. Drowning was the leading cause of all accidental deaths, followed by road traffic accidents. Hangings prevailed among violent suicide methods and asphyxiation presented as a predominant homicide method.

Extensive study on electrocution at the Bureau of Legal Medicine of Milan (1993-2017): Determination of the current mark with scanning electron microscope/energy-dispersive X-ray analysis on paraffin-embedded samples.

Literature on electrocution in Italy is limited. The authors have focused their attention on the use of scanning electron microscope/energy-dispersive X-ray analysis in order to evaluate the current mark even on paraffin-embedded samples. A total of 24,104 autopsies were performed at the Section of Legal Medicine of Milan (1993-2017); all cases of death caused by electrocution (low and high voltage) were selected. We assessed a regular histological examination, a toxicological examination and detected metallisation with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis on paraffin-embedded tissues of typical current marks. We collected 27 high-voltage fatalities and five cases of low-voltage suicide electrocution; the technique revealed itself as sensitive. In all cases, microscopic examination highlighted the typical signs of electric current and thermal damage but the histochemical specific stainings for copper and iron gave negative results. Scanning electron microscope/energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, assessed on these same samples, even when paraffin-embedded, however, enabled us to detect these elements and differentiate between the various metal residues involved in the electrocution process. Based on their experience, authors advise the use of scanning electron microscope/energy-dispersive X-ray analysis on electrocution deaths to provide information for forensic diagnosis.

MODERN ALTERNATIVE TOXICOLOGICAL RESEARCH METHODS AND PROSPECTS OF THEIR USE IN PRACTICAL ACTIVITIES

Based on literature review and own experience, grounds for necessity of toxicological assessment of goods and ecological state are given. As industry and economical activity develops, new chemicals, materials and goods appear, the problem of environmental protection and human chemical safety is becoming increasingly crucial. According to the legislation of most civilized countries, including Russian Federation, all chemicals, materials, goods, industrial waste and consumption residue which are potentially dangerous for humans must pass toxicological expert examination. Classical toxicological study techniques of chemicals, products and goods containing them, are labor-and time-consuming, expensive and as a rule require a lot of laboratory animals of various species. Moreover, the use of mammals is embarrassing from an ethical point of view. Therefore in late decades a search for new alternative techniques and instruments which could reliably reflect the effect of various toxicants on human body is actively being carried out. Sanitary-toxicological methods are shown to be predominantly used for the quality assessment and regulation of the production and environmental objects, especially in perfumes and cosmetics examination due to the prohibition of testing of cosmetics and its ingredients on animals in European Union countries. General characteristics and availability of the determination of the toxicity with the use of alternative testing techniques, such as computer toxicity simulation (in silico techniques), grouping of similar chemicals into categories, laboratory research (in chemico, ex vivo, in vitro methods) are reported. Characteristics of up-to-date alternative techniques which are most widely used in sanitary-toxicological studies are shown.

Psychotropic substance abuse and fitness to hold a driving license in Italy

Objective: Driving under the influence (DUI) of psychotropic substances is a serious and widespread problem in road safety. All countries try to reduce the impact with legislative controls over the criteria to regain a driver’s license after suspension. In many European countries there are mandatory clinical and toxicological examinations required before a license is regranted. In Italy, individuals convicted of driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol must undergo a mandatory medico-legal and forensic toxicological examination prior to regranting of a license. This article reports on the prevalence, trends, and implications of psychotropic substances detected in more than 5,000 subjects submitted to driving license reissuance in the period 2011–2016.Methods: The study involved taking a clinical history, medical examination, and toxicological analysis of both urine and hair samples.Results: There was no change in the prevalence of psychoactive substances in the period 2011–2016. Cocaine was found most often (60%), followed by cannabinoids (15%) and opiates (9%). Methadone and amphetamine stimulants accounted for less than 5% each. Benzodiazepines were present in 15% of samples throughout the period.Conclusion: Cocaine and cannabinoids were the most used substances in the analyzed population, alone and in combination. Benzodiazepines were the most commonly detected prescription medication, raising questions about prescribed medication and driving risk that are not addressed by current legislation.

Sudden death due to diabetic ketoacidosis following power failure of an insulin pump: Autopsy and pump data

PurposeTo report a case in which autopsy findings and data from an insulin pump illustrate the course up to the death of a 31-year-old man with a history of type 1 diabetes mellitus who was found dead in his apartment with his insulin pump disassembled and placed in another room. MethodsAutopsy findings including histological, toxicological and biochemical examination are presented. Postmortem download of data from the insulin pump gave the history of the pump, which included blood glucose, insulin bolus, carbohydrate intake and the time course in the days to death, and the pump settings were recorded. For this case report, police reports on the death as well as hospital records were also reviewed. ResultsAt the patch for the insulin pump, nothing abnormal was found. Biochemical analysis showed glucose of 35 mmoL/L in vitreous humor fluid indicating antemortem hyperglycemia, and ketone bodies in the blood of 11.0 mmoL/L indicating ketoacidosis. Acute pulmonary hemostasis, chronic fat accumulation in the liver and acute fat accumulation in the kidneys were histological detected. There were no signs of late diabetic complications such as nephropathy or cardiovascular disease in the tissues. Insulin pump data showed that after three alarms, a power failure of the pump occurred leading to discontinuing insulin delivery, and about 48 h before the deceased was found dead, his body was depleted of insulin. ConclusionThe cause of death is believed to be diabetic ketoacidosis due to completely lack of insulin because of power failure of the insulin pump, which therefore has been a decisive factor in the cascade of events that led to death. The case is, to our knowledge, the first to illustrate a death caused by diabetic ketoacidosis which is supported by autopsy findings and by data of an insulin pump up to the time of power failure. It is a strong example of usefulness of postmortem download of data from insulin pumps to help determine the cause of death among diabetics. Forensic pathologists should therefore review data and history of the pump systematically.

Extracellular RNA, a Potential Drug Target for Alleviating Atherosclerosis, Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury and Organ Transplantation.

Extracellular RNA (eRNA), composed of mainly rRNA e.g. released upon cell injury, has previously been shown to have three main detrimental functions in the context of cardiovascular disease: (1) to promote tissue edema by activating the VEGF signal transduction cascade, disrupting endothelial tight junctions and increasing intercellular permeability; (2) to induce thrombus formation by activating the contact phase system of intrinsic blood coagulation; and (3) to increase inflammation by stimulating leukocyte adhesion and transmigration and the mobilization of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This review proposes eRNA to be a possible new drug target in cardiovascular disease. The effects of eRNA could potentially be limited by enhancing its degradation through the naturally occurring ribonuclease RNase. In acute settings such as transplantation or ischemia/reperfusion injury after myocardial infarction, this could be achieved by administering RNase intravenously; however, in chronic situations such as atherosclerosis, a new orally administrable chemical compound e.g. blocking the endogenous RNase inhibitor might be developed. In ischemia/reperfusion injury as well as in acute graft rejection, such an intervention would likely reduce edema, thrombosis, inflammation and cellular damage and hence improve survival. In atherosclerosis, antagonizing the RNase inhibitor would presumably reduce inflammation and slow plaque growth. Crucially, toxicological examinations of RNase administration did not find any adverse side effects, denoting it as potentially safe and well-tolerated. Therefore, eRNA appears to be a promising drug target in cardiovascular disease, and further investigations are required for the possible clinical use of an agent limiting its activity.

Application of TDA AAS to Direct Mercury Determination in Postmortem Material in Forensic Toxicology Examinations.

Mercury is a heavy metal with high toxicity, the level of which depends on the form of the metal. One of the newer techniques for determining trace amounts of total mercury in various materials, including biological samples, is thermal decomposition, amalgamation and atomic absorption spectrometry (TDA AAS). The TDA AAS method was optimized and validated using a mercury analyzer (DMA-80). The limits of detection for mercury were 0.10 and 0.20 μg/L (nickel and quartz boats, respectively). The working range of the calibration curve was at least from 0.6 to 200 ng Hg/mL; the intra-day precision in samples (RSD)-in the range of: 1.66-6.86% (blood), 0.82-1.47% (urine) and 2.01-3.44% (hair); the inter-day precision (over 8 days): 2.51%, and 2.5% (blood spiked with 2.5 and 10 ng Hg, respectively), 5.10% and 3.16% (urine spiked with 2.0 and 6.0 ng Hg, respectively). The accuracy (as relative error, mean value) determined on the basis of the study of reference materials of blood (Seronorm Trace Elements Whole Blood L-1, L-2, L-3), urine (Seronorm Trace Elements Urine, Urine L-2), and hair (Human Hair NIES CRM No. 13) was: 2.00% (blood), 0.50% (urine) and 0.86% (hair); recovery of 2.5 ng Hg (blood): 93-97%. The method was used for the determination of mercury in 76 samples of various biological matrices, including samples of whole blood, urine, hair, bile and vitreous humor. Mercury concentrations in postmortem blood (n = 24) were in the range: 0.61-12.4 μg/L (median 3.02 μg/L); urine (n = 12): 0.16-2.19 μg/L (median 0.81 μg/L); hair (n = 14): 0.08-0.53 μg/g (median 0.22 μg/g); bile (n = 12): 1.15-7.11 μg/L (median 2.41 μg/L and vitreous humor (n = 13): 0.22-1.01 μg/L (median 0.47 μg/L). The method is suitable for the purposes of forensic toxicology analysis.

Development and validation of GLC/FID- and GLC/MS-procedures of secnidazole determination by the methods of additions

Gas-liquid chromatography is widely used in the process of forensic toxicological examinations, but data about application of GLC with flame-ionization and mass-spectrometry detection for secnidazole determination in analytical toxicology are absent.Aim. To develop GLC/FID- and GLC/MS-procedures for the quantitative determination of secnidazole and carry out step-by-step validation of the procedures developed in the variant of the method of additions.Results and discussion. The chromatographic conditions has been chosen for secnidazole determination by the method of GLC in two variants of performance with flame-ionization and mass-spectrometry detection with the temperature program changing during the analysis from 70 °C to 250 °C or 320 °C. Retention times for secnidazole are 8.97 min and 11.74 min. To prove the possibility of application of the procedures proposed in further analysis their validation has been carried out in the variant of the method of additions. Such validation parameters as in-process stability, linearity, accuracy and precision have been estimated by model solutions.Experimental part. The GLC/FID-analysis: HP 6890 Hewlett Packard; НР-1 o0.32 mm × 30 m, 0.25 μm; thermostat – 70 oС (3 min), 40 oС/min to 180 oС (2 min), 40 oС/min to 250 oС (3 min); injector – 280 oС; detector – 280 oС; volume rate of a carrier gas (helium) – 1.5 ml/min; split mode – 1 : 2. The GLC/MS-analysis: Agilent 6890N/5973N/7683; НР-5MS o0.25 mm × 30 m, 0.25 μm; DB-17MS o0.25 mm × 30 m, 0.15 μm; columns are connected sequentially through Deans switch; thermostat – 70 oС (2 min), 45 oС/min. to 210 oС, 6 oС/min to 320 oС (12.56 min); transfer line – 280 oС; ion source – 230 oС; quadrupole – 150 oС; electron impact – 70eV; 40-750 m/z; injector – 250 oС; splitless mode; inlet carrier gas (helium) pressure: 1st column – 26.06 psi, 2nd column – 19.30 psi.Conclusions. New procedures for the quantitative determination of secnidazole by the method of GLC/FID and GLC/MS have been developed. Their validation has been carried out, and acceptability for application has been shown.

Anti-hypercholesterolemic Effects and a Good Safety Profile of SCM-198 in Animals: From ApoE Knockout Mice to Rhesus Monkeys.

Although several lipid-lowering agents have been introduced for the treatment of atherosclerosis (AS), currently marketed medications have not solved the problem completely. This study aims to investigate the effects of leonurine (SCM-198) on dyslipidemia in mammals with ApoE knockout (ApoE-/-) mice, New Zealand white rabbits and senile Rhesus monkeys fed with high fat diet were dosed daily with leonurine or atorvastatin. The serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were determined. Moreover, in Rhesus monkeys, bodyweight, arterial ultrasound of right common carotid artery, Apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) and ApoB levels, hematologic and toxicological examinations were detected. Serum TC and TG in both mice and rabbits were significantly reduced by SCM-198 and atorvastatin. In the 10 mg/kg SCM-198 group of monkeys, maximum TC reduction of 24.05% was achieved at day 150, while 13.16% LDL reduction achieved at day 60, without arterial morphologic changes or adverse events. Atorvastatin (1.2 mg/kg) showed similar effects as SCM-198 in improving lipid profiles in monkeys, yet its long-term use could induce tolerance. Furthermore, leonurine suppressed genes expression of fatty acid synthesis, such as fatty acid synthase (FASN), stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD-1), sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBF) in liver in high fat diet feeding ApoE-/- mice. SCM-198, with a reliable safety profile, is of high value in improving lipid profiles in mammals, providing an alternative to a substantial population who are statin-intolerant.

Pesticide Mixture Poisoning: A Case Report

Acute pesticide poisoning is a reported as major health problem worldwide and are reported mostly in cases of suicides and cases of unintentional poisoning are less in number. A significant number of cases are encountered in forensic science laboratories for toxicological examination in which pesticide poisoning is reported. We report a case of suspected double suicide of unknown poisoning. Toxicological examination confirms the presence of five different pesticides. Such cases of forensic interest are rarely reported.

Medico-legal investigation in an explicable case of congenital central hypoventilation syndrome due to a rare variant of the PHOX2B gene

The heterozygous PHOX2B gene mutation is related to congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS). It is characterized by defective autonomous nervous system development leading to inadequate breathing response to hypoxia and hypercapnia, leading to hypoventilation especially during non-REM sleep, but also during waking in the more severe cases.Herein we report a case of sudden death in a 28-day-old child. The mother reported the infant was found lying on her own bed in the prone position. The infant was wearing a romper and lying in her crib without any blanket or other objects. At autopsy no significant pathological findings were detected. Histologically, sparse aspirated milk residues were present in some lung fields. Toxicological and microbiological examinations were within the norm. The initial postmortem investigation ruled out any readily identifiable cause of death. However, genetic analysis revealed a rare heterozygous 21bp in-frame deletion of the polyalanine coding sequences of the PHOX2B gene. In-frame contractions of the poly-Ala tract of the PHOX2B gene have already been reported in patients with symptoms suggestive of sporadic hypoventilation, apparent life-threatening events or neonatal respiratory distress.

Hepato nephropathology associated with inclusion body hepatitis complicated with citrinin mycotoxicosis in a broiler farm.

Aim:Mortality in a broiler chicken farm was investigated for identifying the cause of mortality.Materials and Methods:A broiler farm with a population of 16000 succumbed to a disease outbreak. Clinical signs, vaccination history and mortality, were recorded. Necropsy examination and microscopic examination were carried out along with toxicological and molecular studies.Results:The clinical signs in the affected broiler birds were of non-specific nature with a total mortality of 26.39%. Postmortem examination and microscopical findings revealed hepatitis with basophilic intranuclear inclusion, splenitis, myocarditis, and nephritis. Glomerulonephritis was the prominent renal pathology recorded in this study. Polymerase chain reaction test confirmed the presence of fowl adenovirus (FAdV) genome in the target organs, and toxicological examination by thin-layer chromatography revealed the presence of a toxic level of citrinin in the feed samples.Conclusion:Based on various diagnostic investigations, the mortality in the flock was attributed to inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) complicated with citrinin mycotoxicosis. Thus, apart from liver pathology which occurs in a classical IBH cases, glomerulonephritis too occurs which are also a prominent finding which pathologists often miss. Thus, kidneys should also be examined histologically to assess the microscopic tissue alterations in poultry suspected for IBH along with a mycotoxicological analysis of feed. This will definitely throw light on the synergistic pathology elicited and exhibited by FAdV and mycotoxins in the poultry.

A case report of death of an adolascent with pectus carinatum (pigeon breast) deformity due to lighter gas (butane

The usage of lighter gas (butane) and similar volatile substances is an important, common and possibly fatal public health problem among young people. A significant proportion of sudden deaths due to volatile substance usage has been reported to be caused by its cardiotoxic effect. Pectus Carinatum; is the deformity of the front chest wall that protrudes forward. While it is mildly prominent at birth, it usually increases with ages (11-15 years). It was aimed to share a case of a 17-year-old male with pigeon breast deformity with literature that his autopsy and toxicological examination showed cause of death as lighter gas inhalation.