Search

Abstract: The Mainz lattice QCD group is currently carrying out simulations of lattice QCD with the aim of making predictions for a wide range of phenomenologically relevant Standard Model properties. Here we present progress in understanding and controlling systematic effects in the computation of the pion vector form factor and the leading hadronic contribution to the lepton anomalous magnetic moment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Following the introduction of limit values for blood alcohol and breath alcohol concentrations of 0.5 g/kg and 0.25 mg/L, respectively, as provided under s. 24 a of the German Road Traffic Act the question is whether also breath alcohol concentrations can be back calculated to the time of the traffic offence in cases where it is definite that the person to be examined is in the period of alcohol elimination. To this end, a study was performed in which 56 healthy volunteers consumed 0.5, 0.8 and 1.0 g of ethanol mixed with fruit juice per kilogram of body weight over a period of 10–20 min. Calculations included all 391 pairs of concurrent blood alcohol and breath alcohol concentration values obtained after 2 h following the end of drinking. All volunteers exceeded the peak value of the alcohol curve. The measured values included were above 0.1 g/kg and 0.05 mg/L. For an average intake of alcohol of 0.88 g/kg the following regression lines were calculated for the period starting 2 h after the end of drinking: blood alcohol concentration [g/kg]=1.318-0.172 h and breath alcohol concentration [mg/L]=0.589-0.079 h. Subtracting the simple standard deviation from the mean value yielded hourly degradation rates above 0.1 g/kg and above 0.05 mg/L, respectively. Subtracting two standard deviations, the values fell below this level in both cases. In fact, back calculation of breath alcohol concentrations based on 0.05 mg/h seems to be possible for traffic offences if certain conditions are complied with, such as the use of Evidential 7110, a calibrated breath alcohol analyser approved by the Federal Physical–Technical Laboratory for measuring the breath alcohol concentration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Pholedrine (4′-hydroxymethamphetamine) is a cardiovascular agent exerting hypertensive and adrenergic effects. High doses may cause a drop in the peripheral circulation blood flow and increase blood pressure, heart rate and body temperature up to a state of central respiratory paralysis. A 15-year-old girl who suffered from heavy agitation and hallucinations was admitted to the intensive care unit in a comatose state. The clinical findings included a maximum heart rate of 170 bpm and a body temperature of 43.8 °C. Resuscitation measures were in vain and abandoned after approximately 2 h. A toxicological emergency analysis using GC/MS revealed a considerable amount of pholedrine in blood and urine. A method for determining pholedrine in human body fluids utilizing high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with a turbo ion-spray source was developed, using D11-methamphetamine and D5-methylenedioxymethamphetamine as internal standards. Samples were prepared by SPE extraction using SPEC-C18AR/MP3® columns, which yielded the best extraction recovery (67%). Chromatographic separation was achieved at pH 5 on an RP-18 stationary phase applying gradient elution from 50 to 70% of B (methanol/acetonitrile 3/1 (v/v), 0.02% acetic acid) in A (5 mM ammonium acetate/acetonitrile 95/5 (v/v), 0.02% acetic acid). Supra-pure acetic acid was added to the post-column effluent with a flow rate of 0.2 μl/min to optimize ionization. Detection was carried out in the positive ionization, multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The chromatograms showed no interference from other substances. The limit of detection (LOD, S/N=3) of pholedrine was 0.8 ng/ml and its lower limit of quantification (LLOQ, S/N=10) 3 ng/ml. The calibration curve was linear (r=0.999) in the range 1–100 ng/ml. Samples with higher concentrations were diluted to suit the working range. The intra-day R.S.D. between 5 and 80 ng/ml were 3.8–8.7% and the inter-day R.S.D. between 5 and 100 ng/ml were 6.7–10.7%. The pholedrine concentrations in blood and urine collected when the girl was still alive were 16.1 μg/ml (R.S.D. 10.5%) and 1120 μg/ml (R.S.D. 8%), respectively. In post-mortem samples, they were 23.0 μg/ml (R.S.D. 5.1%) in heart blood and 27.3 μg/g (R.S.D. 6.6%) in the liver. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]