Libiseller,K.; Pavlic,M.; Grubwieser,P.; Rabl,W.; Most cases of ecstasy overdose turn out to be accidental, whereas suicide attempts with designer drugs occur only sporadically. We report an announced suicide by means of a combination of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDEA). During autopsy, sampling for toxicological investigation (peripheral blood, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, bile and gastric contents) occurred. Serum concentrations as high as 13.33 mg/l for MDMA, 7.32 mg/l for MDEA and 0.43 mg/l for 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine were found. [Read More]

Pavlic,M.; Libiseller,K.; Grubwieser,P.; Ulmer,H.; Sauper,T.; Rabl,W.; OBJECTIVE: Several products are being widely promoted for reduction of the concentration of alcohol in the human body. One of these preparations, the fructose soft drink Outox, claims to noticeably increase the alcohol elimination rate (beta60). Theories to explain this ‘fructose effect’ are based on the assumption that NAD+, the coenzyme for alcohol dehydrogenase, is regenerated faster in the presence of fructose. METHOD: A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over study was performed with 30 volunteers in two drinking sessions each. [Read More]

Ardizzone,N.; Cappello,F.; Di Felice,V.; Rappa,F.; Minervini,F.; Marasa,S.; Marasa,L.; Rabl,W.; Zummo,G.; Sergi,C.; Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM) is a primary myocardial disease of unknown cause characterized by ventricular chamber enlargement with impaired contractile function. In familial forms of IDCM, mutations of genes coding for cytoskeletal proteins related to force transmission, such as dystrophin, cardiac actin, desmin, and delta-sarcoglycan, have been identified. Here, we report the data of a retrospective investigation carried out to evaluate the expression of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), CD34, troponin T and nestin in the myocardium of patients affected with IDCM. [Read More]

Baubin,M.; Rabl,W.; Hoke,R.S.;

• 2007*

Irwin,J.A.; Saunier,J.L.; Strouss,K.M.; Sturk,K.A.; Diegoli,T.M.; Just,R.S.; Coble,M.D.; Parson,W.; Parsons,T.J.; In an effort to increase the quantity, breadth and availability of mtDNA databases suitable for forensic comparisons, we have developed a high-throughput process to generate approximately 5000 control region sequences per year from regional US populations, global populations from which the current US population is derived and global populations currently under-represented in available forensic databases. The system utilizes robotic instrumentation for all laboratory steps from pre-extraction through sequence detection, and a rigorous eight-step, multi-laboratory data review process with entirely electronic data transfer. [Read More]