Publications by authors named "M Focardi"

The abuse of oxycodone (OC) as a "recreational" drug has increased in the last two decades the risk of fatalities. We report two drug-related deaths in which OC intoxication was considered the cause of death. Two brothers, a 19-year-old male (Subject 1) and a 27-year-old male (Subject 2), were found dead in their bedroom, lying on their beds.

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Background: Accurate risk stratification for patients with non-dilated left ventricular cardiomyopathy (NDLVC) remains challenging due to lack of dedicated clinical trials. This post-hoc analysis aims to delineate the arrhythmic risk and assess the incremental value of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging in the DERIVATE (CarDiac MagnEtic Resonance for Primary Prevention Implantable CardioVerter DebrillAtor ThErapy) study cohort meeting the NDLVC diagnostic criteria.

Methods: Patients with NDLVC from DERIVATE registry were identified in the absence of left ventricular (LV) dilatation and in the presence of non-ischaemic LV scarring ("fibrotic NDLVC") or isolated LV systolic dysfunction (LV ejection fraction <50%) without fibrosis ("hypokinetic NDLVC").

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The age estimation of skeletal remains still represents a central issue not only for the reconstruction of the so-called "biological profile," but mostly for the palaeodemographic investigation. This research aims at verifying the feasibility of the adult age estimation method developed on living people by Pinchi et al. (2015 and 2018), for estimating the age at the death of 37 subjects from ancient populations found in two different Italian necropolis of archaeological interest (Mont'e Prama and Florence, X-IX century B.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study investigates the distribution of the synthetic cathinone MDPHP in post-mortem specimens of a 30-year-old man, highlighting high concentrations in urine and gastric content, suggesting potentially lethal levels.
  • - Various toxicological analyses, including gas chromatography and liquid chromatography, were used to measure MDPHP and other substances, with no evidence of recent cocaine injection found.
  • - Findings indicated that MDPHP levels were significantly higher compared to previously reported fatal cases, leading the researchers to conclude that the individual's death was likely due to MDPHP overdose.
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Infantile occult exposure to cocaine in domestic environments represents a complex clinical and medico-legal problem, which can be associated with abuse and neglect and with potential short- and long-term health risks for children. The authors present a retrospective study on 764 children under 14 years old who accessed the Emergency Department of IRCCS Meyer from 2016 to 2023 and were included in the GAIA (Child and Adolescent Abuse Group) protocol for suspected maltreatment and abuse, and for which a urine toxicology analysis was performed. The aim is to discuss the medico-legal implications and highlight the need for a thorough evaluation and management of such situations.

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