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M Erkens

Publications and source records attributed to M Erkens.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Detection of non-prescription heroin markers in urine with liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry.

The planned introduction of a prescription heroin program in Germany created a need for differentiation between non-prescription and prescribed diamorphine use. The following substances were chosen as markers of non-prescription heroin: acetylcodeine (AC); its metabolites codeine (C) and codeine 6-glucuronide (C6G); papaverine (P); and noscapine (N). Typical heroin markers diamorphine (DAM) and its metabolites monoacetylmorphine (MAM) and morphine (M) were also determined. The drugs were extracted from urine samples with solid-phase extraction (C18) using standard 200-mg columns and 96-well microplates (100 mg). The extracts were examined with liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (positive ionization) in two isocratic systems. Selected ion monitoring procedures were applied for protonated molecular masses and characteristic fragments of drugs involved. The limits of detection were in the range of 0.5-1 ng/mL urine. The occurrence of selected heroin markers was investigated in 25 urine samples collected from heroin abusers (road traffic offenders and overdosed patients). C6G was found in all samples, C in 24 samples, N in 22 samples, MAM in 16 samples, P in 14 samples, DAM in 12 samples, and AC in 4 samples. The appearance of these compounds in urine reflects their pharmacokinetic properties and the composition of non-prescription heroin.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Evolving concepts in breast reconstruction with latissimus dorsi flaps: results and follow-up of 121 consecutive patients.

Breast reconstruction using autologous tissue is increasingly gaining in interest. A review of results obtained from a series of consecutive patients undergoing breast reconstruction with the latissimus dorsi flap (LDF) was carried out to evaluate the effects of the authors' refinements to the procedure. Data collected during the perioperative course and a minimum follow-up of 12 months in 121 patients (mean age, 47 years; 50% with previous radiotherapy) who underwent treatment from 1994 to 1998 were analyzed retrospectively. In addition, a structured interview was conducted to evaluate patient satisfaction. Eighteen different surgeons in one teaching hospital were involved in the operative procedures. No patient was referred to the intensive care unit. An additional implant was used in 25% of patients. With the exception of the occurrence of seroma, the complication rate was low (seroma, 60%; bleeding, 4%; hematoma, 5%; minor wound dehiscence, 3%; wound infection, 2%). No flap was lost. Donor site morbidity was extremely low; 90% of patients had no complaints. The result of surgery was rated as excellent or good by 59% of patients, 89% would undergo this type of breast reconstruction again, and 91% would recommend it to other women. Refinements that improved the technique substantially included incision lines exclusively in the bra line, improved flap volume resulting from the harvest of an extended fat pad, and quilting sutures to reduce the formation of seroma. In the current study, endoscopic muscle harvest did not represent an improvement in procedure. The technique of breast reconstruction with the LDF has been improved substantially during the past few years, and provides the plastic surgeon with an excellent, safe, and consistently successful method for breast reconstruction.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Honey with Psilocybe mushrooms: a revival of a very old preparation on the drug market?

In 1996 samples of suspicious honey preparations were confiscated at the Dutch-German border. The labels on the 50 ml jars indicated that the honey contained Stropharia cubensis (better known as Psilocybe cubensis). The jars were filled with honey with a ca. 1 cm layer of fine particles on the top. The particles were collected and subjected to microscopic and chemical analysis. By microscopy mushroom tissue (plectenchym) and spores typical for the genus Psilocybe were identified in all samples. The HPLC analysis with atmospheric pressure mass spectrometry and diode array detection revealed psilocine but psilocybine was not found. The quantitative analysis was very difficult due to the matrix problems. A search showed that the honey with Psilocybe can be purchased in Dutch coffee shops without any limitations although psilocine and psilocybine belong to listed substances according to Dutch law.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗
PubMed1997

Determination of morphine and its 3- and 6-glucuronides, codeine, codeine-glucuronide and 6-monoacetylmorphine in body fluids by liquid chromatography atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry.

A selective assay of morphine-3-glucuronide (M3G), morphine-6-glucuronide (M6G), morphine, codeine, codeine-6-glucuronide (C6G) and 6-monoacetylmorphine (6-MAM) based on liquid chromatography atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (LC-APCI-MS) is described. The drugs were extracted from serum, autopsy blood, urine, cerebrospinal fluid or vitreous humor using C18 solid-phase extraction cartridges and subjected to LC-APCI-MS analysis. The separation was performed on an ODS column in acetonitrile-50 mM ammonium formate buffer, pH 3.0 (5:95), using a flow-rate gradient from 0.6 to 1.1 ml/min (total analysis time was 17 min). The quantitative analysis was done using deuterated analogues of each compound. Selected-ion monitoring detection was applied: m/z 286 (for morphine, M3G-aglycone and M6G-aglycone), 289 (for morphine-d3, M3G-d3-aglycone and M6G-d3-aglycone), 300 (for codeine and C6G-aglycone), 303 (for C6G-d3-aglycone), 306 (for codeine-d6), 328 (for 6-MAM), 334 (for 6-MAM-d6), 462 (for M3G and M6G), 465 (for M3G-d3 and M6G-d3), 476 (for C6G) and 479 (for C6G-d3). The limits of quantitation were: 1 microg/l for morphine, 2 microg/l for 6-MAM, 5 microg/l for M3G, M6G and codeine and 200 microg/I for C6G. The recovery ranged from 85 to 98% for each analyte. The method appeared very selective and may be used for the routine determination of opiates in body fluids of heroin abusers and patients treated with opiates.

Analgesics, Opioid↗
PubMed1995

Internally concealed cocaine: analytical and diagnostic aspects.

Thirty persons arrested at Frankfurt airport for smuggling internally concealed cocaine in 1993/1994 were investigated. An X-ray examination (in all 30 cases), immunochemical examination of urine (in 27 cases) and of saliva (in 20 cases) was performed in parallel. An X-ray examination gave positive results in all examined persons. EMIT cocaine metabolite assay (cut off 300 ng benzoylecgonine (BE)/mL) was positive in eight urine samples. After reducing the cut off to 150 ng BE/mL urine, eleven samples were classified as positive. The results were confirmed by means of chromatographic determinations. These findings showed limited role of immunological examination of urine as a screening test in suspected smuggling of internally concealed drugs. All saliva samples showed negative immunochemical results. The number of concealed containers ranged from 44 to 135 per person. The amount of cocaine hydrochloride found in particular cases ranged from 242 to 1050 g net weight, divided into containers weighing from 5.7 to 13.8 g. Drug packages were obviously machine-made. The packages smuggled by a particular person were uniform. However, a distinct interpersonal variability in drug packages was observed, in regard to the number of protective layers (4-7), size, weight, and cocaine purity. This may be helpful for the identification of production site. The leaching of cocaine from selected containers was investigated in a stirring bath and was independent of the conditions applied.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic database of retention indices and UV spectra of toxicologically relevant substances and its interlaboratory use.

An HPLC identification system based on a 1-nitroalkane retention index scale and secondary retention index standards is described. The retention index values and spectral data for 383 toxicologically relevant compounds (therapeutic and illicit drugs, environmental toxins and endogenous compounds) are given. The retention data may be directly applied in any laboratory using any reversed-phase, base-deactivated column, provided that the standardized procedure is observed.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗
PubMed1994

[A correlation between level of blood alcohol and repeated offense].

Statistical analysis of 46,972 recorded blood samples and the relevant BAC classification revealed the following points: 1. A correlation between the BAC level at the time of the first offence and the probability of a recurrence could not be proved. 2. Most recurrences took place within three years. 3. The probability of a recurrence rises with the number of offences.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Fluid absorption and circulating endotoxins during transurethral resection of the prostate.

Recent publications report increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality after transurethral prostatic resection (TURP). Repeated breath-ethanol monitoring with a new infrared device permits a highly sensitive peroperative registration of fluid absorption. A prospective study in 52 patients revealed surprisingly high rates of intravascular fluid loads without clinical manifestations. Only 4 patients developed clinical signs of the TUR syndrome. Immunological work-up in 41 patients demonstrated circulating endotoxins and significant rise of endogenous tumour necrosis factor (TNF) in 3 of these patients. In 11 patients transient endotoxins could be detected during resection under prophylactic parenteral antibiosis. In the face of less invasive approaches to benign prostatic hyperplasia, close intraoperative monitoring and antibiotic coverage should be demanded as a routine procedure during TURP. Elective surgery should be delayed until appropriate antibiotic therapy has been given.

Absorption↗
PubMed1992

The screening for common drugs of abuse in whole blood by means of EMIT-ETS and FPIA-ADx urine immunoassays.

The purpose of the paper was to compare the performance of ETS (EMIT) and ADx (FPIA) analyzers for screening blood samples for drugs of abuse after 2 alternative pretreatment procedures (acetone precipitation and ultrafiltration). Cannabinoids, benzodiazepines and benzoylecgonine were not detectable with both assays after ultrafiltration. The detectability of morphine in blood ultrafiltrates was distinctly lower than after acetone precipitation. The comparison of results obtained with ETS and ADx after acetone precipitation showed that ETS assay is slightly more sensitive but ADx is slightly more reproducible. Both assays may be used for blood examination with similar cut-off values. The ETS analyzer gave much better analytical performance (speed, flexibility) and lower reagent costs than the ADx analyzer.

Acetone↗
PubMed1984

[Fatal E 605 poisoning following intravenous administration].

Lethal toxification by organophosphate insecticides like E-605 are mostly the result of oral ingestion for the purpose of suicide or accidental ingestion by inhalation. An unusual case is reported of E-605 poisoning by injection into the basilic vein. Referring to this case, our findings on distribution of the noxa are presented and discussed.

Adult↗