A New Multi-Analyte LC-MS-MS Screening Method for the Detection of 120 NPSs and 49 Drugs in Hair.

Liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS) has been increasingly used for screening purposes in forensic toxicology. High versatility and low time/resource consumption are the main advantages of this technology. Numerous multi-analyte methods have been validated in order to face the analytical challenge of new psychoactive substances (NPSs). However, forensic toxicologists must focus the attention also on "classical" NPSs and medicines, such as benzodiazepines (BDZs) and prescription opioids. In this paper, a new method for the simultaneous detection of 169 substances (120 NPSs and 49 other drugs) in hair by LC-MS-MS is described. After the decontamination of hair samples with dichloromethane, a 20-mg aliquot of the sample was mixed with 1 mL of methanol (MeOH; 0.1% of formic acid) and then sonicated at room temperature for 2 h. The mixture was then dried under nitrogen stream and reconstituted with 100 µL of MeOH. LC separation was achieved with a 100-mm-long C18 column in 35 min, and mass acquisition was performed in dynamic multiple reaction monitoring mode and in positive ionization. The analysis results were very sensitive, with the limit of quantification ranging from 0.07 to 10.0 pg/mg. Accuracy and precision were always within the acceptable criteria. Matrix effect and recovery rate ranges were from -21.3 to + 21.9% and from 75.0 to 99.3%, respectively. The new method was successfully applied in a preliminary study on the prevalence of NPSs, BDZs and other substances in case of driving license issuance. In 14% of cases, BDZs/antidepressants (mainly trazodone, diazepam/nordiazepam and flunitrazepam) were found. Codeine, ketamine, methylone and mephedrone were also detected.

Cellulite: nature and aetiopathogenesis.

Only a limited number of studies on cellulite have been published in the international literature and many of them reach somewhat antithetical conclusions. Consequently, it is not yet possible to reconcile the extreme differences of opinion which have lingered on for years concerning the nature of this disorder, as well as its origin and even the most basic aspects of its histopathological classification. It does not even have a recognized name: in fact, the term 'cellulitis' is used in scientific English to indicate a spreading gangrenous infection of the subcutaneous cellular tissue. The other terms used from time to time [panniculitis, lipodystrophy, edematofibrosclerotic panniculitis (EFP), liposclerosis, lipoedema, etc.] have quite different morphological and pathogenetic connotations in general. Over the last few decades, three major conflicting theories have emerged in relation to the ethiopathogenesis of cellulite. These indicate, respectively, the following causes: 1. Oedema caused by excessive hydrophilia of the intercellular matrix. 2. A homeostatic alteration on a regional microcirculatory level; this pathogenetic theory is summarized in a synthetic and self-explanatory denomination: EFP. 3. A peculiar anatomical conformation of the subcutaneous tissue of women, different from male morphology. These theories must all now be updated in the light of recent advances on the sophisticated and composite physiopathology of the adipose organ - which acts not only as a control device which regulates the systematic equilibrium of energy and modulates the food intake and the metabolism of other tissue substrate through a multiple glandular secretion of hormones and parahormones.

[Peer review about gastro-esophageal reflux disease in primary care: epidemiology, diagnostic and therapeutic management]. / Revisione tra pari della malattia da reflusso gastro-esofageo in medicina generale: parametri epidemiologici e gestione diagnostico-terapeutica.

Retrospective research carried out by 29 General Practitioners in their databases, in order to evaluate the prevalence of gastro-esophageal reflux disease in its different clinical outbreaks and the incidence of new diagnosis in the last quinquennium, the diagnostic approach through instrumental examinations (endoscopy) or empirical tests (PPI test), and the therapeutical aspects, in particular concerning the usage of PPI. The prevalence has been of 3.82%, while the data concerning the incidence have pointed out a progressive increase of the diagnosis in the last quinquennium, specially for the atypical outbreaks. Moreover, it has been noted a likely excessive use of endoscopy, in the follow up as well, while less used is the IPP test. Gastroesophageal reflux disease is the most important item in the expenditure for the usage of IPP.

HOLMES: The electron capture decay of [Formula: see text]Ho to measure the electron neutrino mass with sub-eV sensitivity.

The European Research Council has recently funded HOLMES, a new experiment to directly measure the neutrino mass. HOLMES will perform a calorimetric measurement of the energy released in the decay of [Formula: see text]Ho. The calorimetric measurement eliminates systematic uncertainties arising from the use of external beta sources, as in experiments with beta spectrometers. This measurement was proposed in 1982 by A. De Rujula and M. Lusignoli, but only recently the detector technological progress allowed to design a sensitive experiment. HOLMES will deploy a large array of low temperature microcalorimeters with implanted [Formula: see text]Ho nuclei. The resulting mass sensitivity will be as low as 0.4 eV. HOLMES will be an important step forward in the direct neutrino mass measurement with a calorimetric approach as an alternative to spectrometry. It will also establish the potential of this approach to extend the sensitivity down to 0.1 eV. We outline here the project with its technical challenges and perspectives.

[Evaluation of the presence of warfarin-resistant rats in the city of Reggio Calabria]. / Valutazione della presenza di ratti resistenti al Warfarin nella città di Reggio Calabria.

The aim of this work was to examine the possible presence, in the city of Reggio Calabria, of rats resistant to anticoagulant rodenticides. To carry out such an investigation trappings were effected in four sectors of the city characterized by different urban structures. The data collected were utilized, in a first phase, to obtain evaluation indexes of the state of rat infestation which turned out to be quite worrying. Applying the W.H.O. methods it resulted that 8,6% of the captured rats, all belonging to the species Rattus norvegicus, is resistant to anticoagulants. Keeping in mind the sites where these specimens were captured, this resistance phenomenon seems to be present in all the urban territory.

Keratocyst, conservative treatment: case report.

The odontogenic keratocyst is now designated as a keratocystic odontogenic tumor and is defined as a benign uni- or multicystic, intraosseus tumor of odontogenic origin, with a characteristic lining of parakeratiniezed tumour as a better reflects is neoplastic nature. This case report presents the marsupialization procedure for the treatment of a keratocystic lesion.