Publications by authors named "Antonella Valli"
Objectives: This study aimed to assess the role of the laboratory of toxicology as a support for a correct diagnosis of intoxication through the application of a reliable analytical approach, critically designed to meet pediatric needs.
Methods: Data collected from 360 cases of suspected intoxications in pediatric patients (aged 1 day to 17 years) during the period 2018 to 2019 are presented. Toxicological analyses were performed through different techniques (immunoassay and chromatography) with parameters (limit of detection and cut-off) adjusted according to pediatric needs to produce reliable toxicological data for a wide number of prescription drugs, drugs of abuse, and poisons.
Article Synopsis
- A study analyzed 1,445 cases of suspected NPS intoxications in hospitals across Italy from 2011 to 2019 to track the rise of new psychoactive substances.
- Out of these cases, 17.0% tested positive for at least one NPS, primarily dissociatives like ketamine, followed by hallucinogens and stimulants.
- The research emphasizes the rapid evolution of NPS, the necessity for healthcare professionals to recognize these substances, and the importance of laboratory confirmations in diagnosing and addressing these public health issues.
4-Fluoromethylphenidate (4F-MPH) is an halogenated derivative of methylphenidate (MPH), a re-uptake inhibitor for dopamine and norepinephrine used for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorders. In the last few years, several compounds structurally related to MPH have been marked as new psychoactive substances (NPS) with stimulating and euphoric effects similar to the parent drug, but with more dopaminergic activity. This report represents the first case of an analytically confirmed non-fatal intoxication by 4F-MPH.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUrine and blood samples from 1730 drivers involved in road accidents (July 2012 - December 2015) were analyzed for the evaluation of driving under influence of drug of abuse according to the Lombardia Region guideline. The 22.5% (95% CI 20.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFExcitatory behavior, xerostomia, chest pain, severe dyspnea, tachycardia (150 beats/min), and mild hypertension (160/80 mm Hg) without ECG abnormalities were observed in a 20-year-old subject 6 hours after nasal insufflation (snorting) of a "legally" obtained white powdered substance sold as Synthacaine. A serum sample was found to contain MAM-2201 (11 ng/mL), a synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist, and benzocaine. The patient's symptoms improved after administration of diazepam and intravenous fluids.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Recent findings show an increase in the use of "legal highs," including the synthetic compound JWH-018, which mimics the effects of traditional cannabinoids by binding to CB1 and CB2 receptors.
- A study on CD1 mice revealed that JWH-018 lowers body temperature, locomotion, and pain response while increasing anxiety, with no major motor coordination effects.
- Mice exposed to prenatal stress exhibited reduced sensitivity to JWH-018's effects, suggesting that early stress can alter the long-term functioning and reactivity of the endocannabinoid system.