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Volatile substance abuse in order to "get high" is a widespread problem especially among adolescents and young-adults, with significant rates of morbidity and mortality. Despite the studies conducted on this topic, collection and preservation of volatile substances in forensic context is still a matter of debate: there are several scientific papers describing materials and procedures for volatile substance sampling while performing post mortem examinations and how they influence the development of the forensic case. Most of the proposed techniques involve the use of specific, and sometimes expensive, gas tight materials that are not always available. The aim of this paper is to share a simple method for rapid and effective volatile substance sampling that can be used in both evident and suspected VSA-related deaths. The strength of this procedure is to be applicable even in cases when specific gas tight instruments for sampling, collection and preservation of volatile substances are not available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Screening for lung cancer with modern imaging technology may decrease lung cancer mortality, but encouraging results have only been obtained in uncontrolled studies. Objectives: To explore the effect of screening with low-dose spiral computed tomography (LDCT) on lung cancer mortality. Secondary endpoints are incidence, stage at diagnosis, and resectability. Methods: Male subjects, aged 60 to 75 years, smokers of 20 or more pack-years, were randomized to screening with LDCT or control groups. All participants underwent a baseline, once-only chest X-ray and sputum cytology examination. Screening-arm subjects had LDCT upon accrual to be repeated every year for 4 years, whereas controls had a yearly medical examination only. Measurements and Main Results: A total of 2,811 subjects were randomized and 2,472 were enrolled (LDCT, 1,276; control, 1,196). After a median follow-up of 33 months, lung cancer was detected in 60 (4.7%) patients receiving LDCT and 34 (2.8%) control subjects (P = 0.016). Resectability rates were similar in both groups. More patients with stage I disease were detected by LDCT (54 vs. 34%; P = 0.06) and fewer cases were detected in the screening arm due to intercurrent symptoms. However, the number of advanced lung cancer cases was the same as in the control arm. Twenty patients in the LDCT group (1.6%) and 20 controls (1.7%) died of lung cancer, whereas 26 and 25 died of other causes, respectively. Conclusions: The mortality benefit from lung cancer screening by LDCT might be far smaller than anticipated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]