Sex specific relationships between infants' mental rotation ability and amiotic sex hormones.

Sex differences in mental rotation, robust in adults, have recently been reported for infants' looking times although the pattern of results is not completely conclusive. In this context, organizational effects of gonadal steroids affecting the neural circuitry underlying spatial cognition could be (partly) responsible for the early sex difference. In the present study testosterone and estradiol levels measured in amniotic fluid via ultra performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry were used to examine the role of prenatal sex hormones on infants' looking times during mental rotation.

Combined Analysis of Metabolomes, Proteomes, and Transcriptomes of Hepatitis C Virus-Infected Cells and Liver to Identify Pathways Associated With Disease Development.

Background & Aims: The mechanisms of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, liver disease progression, and hepatocarcinogenesis are only partially understood. We performed genomic, proteomic, and metabolomic analyses of HCV-infected cells and chimeric mice to learn more about these processes.

Methods: Huh7.

Prenatal testosterone exposure is associated with delay of gratification and attention problems/overactive behavior in 3-year-old boys.

Sex differences in self-control become apparent during preschool years. Girls are better able to delay their gratification and show less attention problems and overactive behavior than boys. In this context, organizational effects of gonadal steroids affecting the neural circuitry underlying self-control could be responsible for these early sex differences.

Detection of the designer benzodiazepine metizolam in urine and preliminary data on its metabolism.

Designer benzodiazepines provide an attractive alternative to prescribed benzodiazepines for abuse purposes as they are readily available via the Internet without control. Metizolam was ordered via the Internet and a 2 mg blue tablet was orally administered to a 54-year-old man. Urine samples were collected over 6 days in polypropylene tubes.

Fatal Combination with 3-Methylmethcathinone (3-MMC) and Gamma-Hydroxybutyric Acid (GHB).

We reported the case of 69-year-old man who was discovered dead at a friend's home. 3-Methylmethcathinone (3-MMC) and poppers (alkyl nitrites) were found at the scene by the police. Autopsy specimens including peripheral and cardiac blood, urine, gastric content, bile and hair were sent to our laboratory to document a possible death involving abuse of drugs.

PON3 knockout mice are susceptible to obesity, gallstone formation, and atherosclerosis.

We report the engineering and characterization of paraoxonase-3 knockout mice (Pon3KO). The mice were generally healthy but exhibited quantitative alterations in bile acid metabolism and a 37% increased body weight compared to the wild-type mice on a high fat diet. PON3 was enriched in the mitochondria-associated membrane fraction of hepatocytes.

Simultaneous measurement of endogenous cortisol, cortisone, dehydroepiandrosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in nails by use of UPLC-MS-MS.

Steroid hormone concentrations are mostly determined by using different body fluids as matrices and applying immunoassay techniques. However, usability of these approaches may be restricted for several reasons, including ethical barriers to invasive sampling. Therefore, we developed an ultra-performance LC-MS-MS method for high-throughput determination of concentrations of cortisol, cortisone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and DHEA sulfate (DHEAS) in small quantities of human nails.

Dehydroepiandrosterone in nails of infants: a potential biomarker of intrauterine responses to maternal stress.

Easily accessible biomarkers for fetal stress biology are lacking. We here explore whether quantification of major fetal steroids, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) or DHEA sulfate (DHEAS), with liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry in infant nails is a tool to assess fetal stress biology in response to maternal stressful life events during pregnancy. Sufficient nail (≥ 1 mg) was available from 80 infants (93% of those providing samples).

Sexual abuse and anti-wrinkle cream: evidence from octocrylene.

We report an alleged case of sexual assault in which an anti-wrinkle cream could have been used as a lubricant. Three anorectal samples taken from the victim were given to us in an attempt to document the presence of remains of the cream involved. After examining the composition of the cream, octocrylene (OCT) was selected as the most relevant marker for this analysis.

Determination of cannabinoids in whole blood by UPLC-MS-MS.

An ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS-MS) method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), 11-hydroxy-Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (11-OH-THC), and 11-nor-9-carboxy-Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-COOH) in whole blood. Samples were prepared by protein precipitation followed by solid-phase extraction. Data were acquired using positive electrospray ionization and multiple reaction monitoring.

Testing for GHB in hair by GC/MS/MS after a single exposure. Application to document sexual assault.

Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, or GHB, is a substance naturally present within mammal species. Properties of neurotransmitter or neuromodulator are generally given to this substance. GHB is therapeutically used as an anesthetic, but can be used for criminal offenses (date-rape drug).