The human intervertebral disc as a source of DNA for molecular identification.

Genetic analyses such as STR-typing are routinely used for identification purposes in forensic casework. Although genotyping techniques only require a minimum amount of DNA to provide a genetic profile, DNA quality differs not only between but also within tissues during ongoing decomposition. Initiated by a recent case where, due to the constitution of the body, preferred tissue was not available or only resulted in a partial and not usable DNA profile, the analysis of intervertebral discs as a source of DNA was considered.

Acute or chronic pulmonary emphysema? Or both?-A contribution to the diagnosis of death due to violent asphyxiation in cases with pre-existing chronic emphysema.

The diagnosis of death due to violent asphyxiation may be challenging if external injuries are missing, and a typical acute emphysema (AE) "disappears" in pre-existing chronic emphysema (CE). Eighty-four autopsy cases were systematically investigated to identify a (histo-) morphological or immunohistochemical marker combination that enables the diagnosis of violent asphyxiation in cases with a pre-existing CE ("AE in CE"). The cases comprised four diagnostic groups, namely "AE", "CE", "acute and chronic emphysema (AE + CE)", and "no emphysema (NE)".

Molecular clocks in ancient proteins: Do they reflect the age at death even after millennia?

Age at death estimation in cases of human skeletal finds is an important task in forensic medicine as well as in anthropology. In forensic medicine, methods based on "molecular clocks" in dental tissues and bone play an increasing role. The question, whether these methods are applicable also in cases with post-depositional intervals far beyond the forensically relevant period, was investigated for two "protein clocks", the accumulation of D-aspartic acid (D-Asp) and the accumulation of pentosidine (Pen) in dentine.

Age estimation based on different molecular clocks in several tissues and a multivariate approach: an explorative study.

Several molecular modifications accumulate in the human organism with increasing age. Some of these "molecular clocks" in DNA and in proteins open up promising approaches for the development of methods for forensic age estimation. A natural limitation of these methods arises from the fact that the chronological age is determined only indirectly by analyzing defined molecular changes that occur during aging.

Pharmacokinetic interaction of intravenous fentanyl with ketoconazole.

Fentanyl is primarily metabolized by CYP3A, but has also been suggested to act as a weak inhibitor of CYP3A. We investigated the influence of CYP3A inhibition by ketoconazole on the pharmacokinetics of intravenously administered fentanyl and the effect of fentanyl on CYP3A activity. A prospective, open-label, randomized, monocentre, crossover study was conducted in 16 healthy volunteers.

Quantitative low-volume assay for simultaneous determination of fentanyl, norfentanyl, and minor metabolites in human plasma and urine by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

A rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) method for simultaneous quantification of fentanyl (F), norfentanyl (NF), despropionylfentanyl (DPF), and hydroxynorfentanyl (OHNF) in human plasma and urine specimens has been developed and validated according to international guidelines. Analytes were extracted from 250-μL plasma or urine by liquid-liquid extraction. OHNF in urine affords a second extraction step and analysis with a different column.