scholarly journals The Emergence of Deschloro-N-ethyl-ketamine, a Ketamine Analog, in Drug Seizures and Drug Driving Cases in Hong Kong

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (8) ◽  
pp. 886-895 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wing-Chi Cheng ◽  
Kwok-Leung Dao
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Driving Under The Influence ◽  
Crystalline Solid ◽  
Blood Levels ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Physical Form ◽  
Severe Impairment ◽  
Drug Purity ◽  
Lower Drug ◽  
Drug Seizure

Abstract The study reports the detection of a newly emerged drug, deschloro-N-ethyl-ketamine (2-oxo-PCE), an analog of ketamine, through forensic drug and toxicological examinations of exhibits from drug seizure cases and blood samples taken from drivers of driving under the influence of drug (DUID) cases, respectively, in Hong Kong. The submission of 2-oxo-PCE in both types of cases was firstly encountered in October 2017. A total of 31 drug seizure cases (52 items) and 4 DUID cases were found positive with 2-oxo-PCE till October 2018. Drug seizures with 2-oxo-PCE found were all in physical form (mostly in powdery or crystalline solid), resembling those samples commonly found with ketamine but having much lower purity. Although the majority of the relevant items was found with 2-oxo-PCE as the only psychoactive substance (36 items, ~69%) or as a mixture with ketamine (10 items, ~19%), other psychoactive substances including methamphetamine, methylenedioxymethamphetamine and pentylone have also been encountered (6 items, 12%). For the four DUID cases, 2-oxo-PCE and its metabolite, deschloronorketamine, were detected in all blood samples. The 2-oxo-PCE concentrations in the four blood samples were in the range of 0.08–0.31 μg/mL, being higher than the concentrations of deschloronorketamine (in the range of 0.04–0.09 μg/mL) for each sample. The 2-oxo-PCE levels found were generally lower than the ketamine levels found in reported DUID cases. With items found with 2-oxo-PCE, which were physically indistinguishable from ketamine but having lower drug purity in seizures, the lower 2-oxo-PCE blood levels with more severe impairment signs observed for the drivers in DUID cases, it is not unreasonable to speculate that users might have taken it as ketamine without knowing of its real identity and hence was adversely affected by the more potent 2-oxo-PCE.

scholarly journals Trends in amphetamine and benzodiazepine use among drivers arrested for drug impaired driving in Norway 2000-2009

2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stig Tore Bogstrand ◽  
Gerrit Middelkoop ◽  
Asbjørg S. Christophersen
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Driving Under The Influence ◽  
Impaired Driving ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
The Past ◽  
Single Substance ◽  
Total Prevalence ◽  
Benzodiazepine Use ◽  
Drug Seizure

The patterns of drug use among drivers suspected for driving under the influence of non-alcohol drugs have changed over the past ten years. The aim of this study was to describe trends in single substance prevalence and total prevalence of benzodiazepines and amphetamines in blood samples from apprehended drivers, and compare findings with statistics of drug seizure by year. The sample represented totally 39935 apprehended drivers, varying from about 3500 to 4800 each year between 2000 and 2009. The study found that after 2002 the prevalence of benzodiazepine has ranged from 52 to 57% among all apprehended drivers. There have been major changes in single substance prevalence, and the changes are similar to the changes in benzodiazepine seized by the police. There was no significant changes in the prevalence of amphetamines from 2000 to 2009 (35-43%), but the most prevalent stimulant has shifted from amphetamine to methamphetamine in both police seizures and blood samples from apprehended drivers. A combination of benzodiazepines and amphetamines was commonly detected in samples from apprehended drivers.

Arterio-Venous Differences in the Components of the Fibrinolytic Enzyme System

1966 ◽  
Vol 16 (01/02) ◽  
pp. 032-037 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Ogston ◽  
C. M Ogston ◽  
N. B Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Plasminogen Activator ◽  
Enzyme System ◽  
Venous Blood ◽  
Fibrinolytic Enzyme ◽  
Blood Levels ◽  
Activator Concentration ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Arterial Blood ◽  
Male Subjects

Summary1. The concentration of the major components of the fibrinolytic enzyme system was compared in venous and arterial blood samples from male subjects.2. The plasminogen activator concentration was higher in venous blood and the arterio-venous difference increased as its concentration rose, but the ratio of the arterial to venous level remained constant.3. No arterio-venous difference was found for anti-urokinase activity, antiplasmin, plasminogen and fibrinogen.4. It is concluded that venous blood determinations of the components of the fibrinolytic enzyme system reflect satisfactorily arterial blood levels.

scholarly journals Enhancing Form-Based Code: A parametric approach to urban volumetric morphology in high density cities

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Yingyi Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
High Density ◽  
Original Form ◽  
Human Society ◽  
Parametric Modelling ◽  
Physical Form ◽  
Urban Regulation ◽  
Modelling System

<p>Parametric tools have been broadly implemented in Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry. Recently, an increasing volume of research finds that parametric tools also have the capability to facilitate large-scale planning and urban design. Much of this research, however, focuses on parametric representation or environment simulation. There is insufficient research about using parametric tools to enhance urban regulation. Parametric tools can provide smart design procedures by integrating strategies, solutions and expressions in one system. They may allow alternative approaches to urban regulation that conventional tools do not process.  This research aims to create a parametric modelling system to aid urban regulation. The system offers a visualised coding interface to manipulate parameters and achieve interactive performance feedback at the early stage of urban regulation. Form-Based Code uses the modelling system in this research. It generates a specific morphology by controlling physical form with less focus on land use. With the rise of New Urbanism, Form-Based Code has been used in various American regulation projects. This research extends the application of Form-Based Code, adopting it for urban-peripheral environments outside of the USA. High-density cities where provide the volumetric morphology context is important for this work. Tsim Sha Tsui area of Hong Kong works as an experimental site.  The feasibility of parametric urban regulation is examined by developing a parametric modelling system for Form-Based Code in Hong Kong. Understanding the site’s form characteristics, the transect matrix of Form-Based Code is expanded by incorporating multi-layered zone types and regulating plans. Embedding the zones into parametric modelling software Rhinoceros 3D and Grasshopper 3D, a regenerative prototype works to create real-time scenarios responding to parameters, rules and geometry constraints. The results of parametric urban regulation are evaluated by both Form-Based Code standards and local urban regulation standards to assess its feasibility in context.  This research demonstrates that the parametric modelling system for Form-Based Code has both technological and implemental potential to work as an alternative approach to urban regulation, especially in complex developments. Form complexity is a reflection of sophisticated human-society systems and the sequential evolution of a dynamic morphology. Form-Based Code is enhanced by the parametric modelling system to describe and regulate form complexity in a logical manner. Additionally, although parametric Form-Based Code processing is based on the original Form-Based Code, it is not limited to that. Describing urban regulation with visualised models bridges specialists and the public in community demonstrations and code assembling. The parametric modelling system has a positive impact on resolving challenges, predicting outcomes, and applying urban regulation innovation to the volumetric morphology of high-density cities in Asia.</p>

Biochemical and haematological changes associated with short periods of work in draught oxen

1989 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 375-384 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Anne Pearson ◽  
R. F. Archibald
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Blood Cells ◽  
Inorganic Phosphate ◽  
White Blood Cells ◽  
Blood Parameters ◽  
Blood Levels ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Haematological Changes ◽  
Work Done ◽  
Friesian Cattle

ABSTRACTBlood samples were taken from three Brahman × Friesian cattle while they walked for 1 h daily on a treadmill pulling 20 or 25 kg weights suspended in a cage. Heart rate and energy expenditure during work were closely correlated. The work had no significant effect on blood levels of red cells, haemoglobin, packed cell volume, total protein, albumin, glycerol, urea, Mg, Ca, Na, K and chloride. White blood cells, glucose, lactate, free fatty acids, P-hydroxybutyrate and inorganic phosphate were affected by work although the changes were shortlived and values had returned to resting levels 75 min after work finished. The changes were similar in each animal and indicated work done by draught cattle is largely at a submaximal level. Apart from lactate no blood parameters were identified that could be usefully used to compare performance.

HOURLY FLUCTUATIONS IN THE BLOOD LEVELS OF MELATONIN, PROLACTIN, LUTEINIZING HORMONE, FOLLICLE-STIMULATING HORMONE, TESTOSTERONE, TRI-IODOTHYRONINE, THYROXINE AND CORTISOL IN RAMS UNDER ARTIFICIAL PHOTOPERIODS, AND THE EFFECTS OF CRANIAL SYMPATHECTOMY

1982 ◽  
Vol 92 (2) ◽  
pp. 237-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. A. LINCOLN ◽  
O. F. X. ALMEIDA ◽  
H. KLANDORF ◽  
R. A. CUNNINGHAM
Keyword(s):  
Follicle Stimulating Hormone ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Blood Levels ◽  
Blood Concentrations ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Change In The Mean ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Cervical Ganglia ◽  
Short Days

Eight adult Soay rams (four control and four cranially sympathectomized by removal of the superior cervical ganglia) were exposed to alternating 16-week periods of short days of 8 h light: 16 h darkness (8L : 16D) and long days (16L : 8D) for more than 3 years, and the changes in the diameter of the testes were recorded. Once during short days and once during long days blood samples were collected hourly for 28 h, and the concentrations of melatonin, prolactin, FSH, LH, testosterone, tri-iodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and cortisol were measured by radioimmunoassay. In the control rams the testes were reduced in size during long days compared to short days, and the blood concentrations (24-h mean values) of FSH, LH and testosterone were decreased. The levels of prolactin were much increased, while there was no significant change in the mean levels of melatonin, T3, T4 and cortisol. During both photoperiods there was considerable hour-to-hour variation in all eight hormones indicative of episodic secretion, as well as a consistent variation related to the time of day which was most pronounced for melatonin and T3. There was a clear difference in the daily profile of plasma melatonin levels between short and long days. In the superior cervical ganglionectomized rams there were no significant changes in the size of the testes or in the hormone titres between short and long days. Compared to the controls the plasma levels of LH, FSH, testosterone and prolactin were in the intermediate range. Some consistent diurnal variation was evident in the levels of all the hormones measured, with a pattern similar to the controls for a few of the hormones (e.g. T3) but quite different for others (e.g. melatonin).

Effects of moderate- to high-level physical performance on blood levels of cardiac biomarkers in extreme conditions of Antarctica

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristian Brat ◽  
Zdeněk Merta ◽  
Pavel Ševčík
Keyword(s):  
Physical Performance ◽  
Venous Blood ◽  
Cardiac Cells ◽  
Cardiac Biomarkers ◽  
Blood Levels ◽  
Extreme Conditions ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
High Level

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of extreme climatic conditions (particularly cold) on levels of cardiac biomarkers after moderate- to high-level physical performance in members of the 6th and 7th Czech Antarctic Scientific Expeditions during their field work in Antarctica. A study evaluating performance-related changes in levels of cardiac biomarkers in extreme conditions of Antarctica. A total of 35 venous blood samples were collected and analyzed from 17 subjects. The first series of blood samples were collected prior to physical performance, the second 8 to 12 hours post-exercise. The third series of samples were collected only in those subjects where pathological values were detected previously. In 1 subject (12.5%), an increase in NT-proBNP level lasting 24 hours was present after physical performance. Interestingly, none of the individuals had a rise in TnT and DD blood levels following physical exertion. We didn’t find changes in TnT and DD blood levels comparable with changes reported in athletes after a marathon. In only one subject, transitional elevation od NT-proBNP was present. This finding might be due to protective effects of cold on cardiac cells. The effects of physical performance and of work in polar regions should be better investigated in future studies.

Automated repetitive microsampling of blood: growth hormone profiles in conscious male rats

1986 ◽  
Vol 111 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. G. Clark ◽  
G. Chambers ◽  
J. Lewin ◽  
I. C. A. F. Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Male Rats ◽  
Small Samples ◽  
Blood Levels ◽  
Small Animals ◽  
Donor Blood ◽  
Collection Method ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Gh Secretion ◽  
Fraction Collector ◽  
Heparinized Saline

ABSTRACT A system is described for the automatic collection of small samples of blood from conscious rats. Rats bearing chronic indwelling i.v. catheters were connected via swivels to a multichannel peristaltic pump, solenoid valves and a fraction collector. A microcomputer controlled the operations involved in the removal of blood and its deposition into a fraction collector for subsequent direct radioimmunoassay for GH. Blood samples of 10–20 μl could be collected, into a total volume of 100 μl heparinized saline, from up to eight rats simultaneously every few minutes for many hours. This collection method avoided major blood loss and did not require transfusions of donor blood to maintain blood volume. Using a doublelumen cannula it was possible to inject or infuse into the animals while sampling blood. The system was used to investigate in detail the secretion of GH in conscious male rats. The 3-hourly endogenous secretory rhythm of GH was maintained for up to 44 h with episodes of GH secretion being multicomponent. Endogenous secretion was suppressed by constant i.v. infusions of somatostatin, with repetitive sampling showing in detail a rapid rebound secretion of GH after terminating the somatostatin infusions. Four injections of a fragment of GH-releasing factor, given at 3-hourly intervals, produced entrained GH responses, but the subsequent recovery of endogenous GH pulsing was delayed for up to 12 h. This method for the automatic microsampling of blood in small animals gives a very detailed description of the blood levels of hormones secreted in a highly episodic fashion, and could be widely applicable to other endocrine studies. J. Endocr. (1986) 111, 27–35

Concentrations of Diazepam and Nordiazepam in 1000 Blood Samples From Apprehended Drivers—Therapeutic Use or Abuse of Anxiolytics?

2012 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 198-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan W. Jones ◽  
Anita Holmgren
Keyword(s):  
Total Concentration ◽  
Forensic Toxicology ◽  
Parent Drug ◽  
Driving Under The Influence ◽  
Primary Metabolite ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Frequency Distributions ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Capillary Column Gas Chromatography ◽  
The Right

Using an in-house forensic toxicology database, we selected 1000 cases of driving under the influence of drugs (DUIDs) over a 12-month period if diazepam (D) and nordiazepam (ND) were both present in the blood samples. Quantitative analysis of D and ND in blood was done by solvent extraction (butyl acetate) and capillary column gas chromatography (GC) with a nitrogen–phosphorous (N-P) detector. The limits of quantitation of this analytical method for D and ND in blood were 0.05 mg/L. The correlation between D and ND concentrations in blood was statistically significant ( r = .58, P < .001), as expected for a parent drug and its primary metabolite. However, the frequency distributions were markedly skewed to the right with mean (median) and highest concentrations of 0.37 (0.20) and 6.1 mg/L for D and 0.39 (0.20) and 5.6 mg/L for ND. The mean (median) total concentration (D + ND) was 0.76 mg/L (0.50 mg/L), and the concentration ratios D/ND and ND/D were 1.29 (median 0.95) and 1.41 (median 1.06), respectively. In 90 cases (9%), the concentration of D in blood exceeded 0.83 mg/L, which corresponds to an upper therapeutic limit in plasma (∼1.5 mg/L), assuming a plasma/blood distribution ratio of 1.8:1.

Neighbourhood in a High Rise, High Density City: Some Observations on Contemporary Hong Kong

2002 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 215-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ray Forrest ◽  
Adrienne La Grange ◽  
Yip Ngai-Ming
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Sense Of Belonging ◽  
Contemporary Literature ◽  
High Density ◽  
New Town ◽  
High Rise ◽  
The People ◽  
Physical Form ◽  
The Analects ◽  
Neighbourhood Perceptions

Most of the contemporary literature on the neighbourhood comes from US or European sources where there are sharp contrasts with East Asian cities in terms of the physical form, residential densities and in relation to ideas of community and kinship. This paper reports on a study carried out in Hong Kong which was designed to explore the extent to which western preoccupations with neighbourhood resonate in a high rise, high density Chinese city. As a precursor to a larger scale study interviews were carried out with fifteen individuals in three contrasting locations: a New Town estate, an older, inner city area and a middle class housing estate. The interviews explored inter alia neighbourhood perceptions, ideas of community, sense of belonging and sense of place among contemporary Hong Kong residents. When Yuan Ssu became Confucius' steward he was given nine hundred measures of grain, which he declined. The Master said, ‘Can you not find a use for it in helping the people in your neighbourhood?’ (The Analects, Book VI).

Results of In Vivo Biological Tests Performed on a Mg-0.8Ca Alloy

2017 ◽  
Vol 745 ◽  
pp. 50-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Razvan Adam ◽  
Horia Orban ◽  
Elisa Plopeanu ◽  
Dan Voinescu ◽  
Adrian Barbilian
Keyword(s):  
Magnesium Alloy ◽  
Histopathological Examination ◽  
Hepatic Function ◽  
Thigh Muscle ◽  
Blood Levels ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Musculoskeletal Tissue ◽  
Alloy Type

Biodegradable magnesium-based alloys shows good prospects in their use as biodegradable orthopedic materials. The aim of this study is to demonstrate good biocompatibility and lack of local and systemic toxicity of some experimental implants made by magnesium alloy type Mg-Ca 0,8 [%wt]. The study was conducted by implanting some experimental pins made by magnesium alloy type Mg-Ca 0,8 [%wt] in bone, proximal femur and intramedullary tibia, and in thigh muscle of the rabbits. Also, we follow the evolution of blood levels of Mg, Ca, blood counts, liver and kidney function. The evolution of the experience animals was followed for 6 weeks by radiologic imaging, and taking blood samples. After 6 weeks, we obtain after euthanasia of animal experience the harvest blood samples, and musculoskeletal tissue samples for histopathological examination. The histopathology results have not demonstrated peri-implant cytotoxicity, bone and muscle cells being viable. Fibrosis at tissue implant border was minimal showing a good integration. There were no pathological increases in blood levels of Mg and Ca, or changes in blood counts, as well as no change in renal or hepatic function. All this experimental results demonstrates that the magnesium alloy type Mg-Ca 0,8 [%wt] represent a promising solution in orthopedic surgery, proving to be safe, with a high degree of biocompatibility, and without toxic effects.

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