Biologically active taxanes, present in small- to medium-sized evergreen conifers of various Taxus species, are widely used for their antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, but mostly for their antitumour effects used in the treatment of solid tumours of the breast, ovary, lung, bladder, prostate, oesophagus and melanoma. More of the substances found in Taxus plant extracts have medical potential. Therefore, at the beginning of this review, we describe the methods of isolation, identification and determination of taxanes in different plant parts. One of the most important taxanes is paclitaxel, for which we summarize the pharmacokinetic parameters of its different formulations. We also describe toxicological risks during clinical therapy such as hypersensitivity, neurotoxicity, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, haematological, skin and renal toxicity and toxicity to the respiratory system. Since the effect of the drug-form PTX is enhanced by various Taxus spp. extracts, we summarize published clinical intoxications and all fatal poisonings for the Taxus baccata plant. This showed that, despite their significant use in anticancer treatment, attention should also be focused on the risk of fatal intoxication due to ingestion of extracts from these plants, which are commonly found in our surroundings.

Objectives: Traumatic injuries are one of the severe health problems of our time. In the 21st Century, approximately 4.5 million people worldwide die each year due to trauma. Computed tomography (CT) is widely used to diagnose injuries and offers information on the specific location and extent of organ and tissue damage. In cases of severe trauma, whole-body CT is increasingly used as a standard diagnostic technique. An autopsy is the final diagnostic examination and is still considered the gold standard in diagnostic methods in medicine. The aim of the study was to assess the reliability and accuracy of CT scan results, as well as limits in detecting trauma for forensic purposes. It aims to compare traumatic findings in the antemortem CT results to those observed at autopsy. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective–prospective study involving 510 deaths due to trauma. We compared selected traumatic changes in the antemortem CT scan results with the autopsy findings. We obtained data with a detailed analysis of autopsy protocols, photographic documentation from the autopsies, and the interpretation of CT scans from medical documentation. In cases of discrepancies in the findings, we borrowed CT scans, which were repeatedly reviewed by clinical radiologists. Results: By comparing the findings of selected injuries detected by antemortem CT and autopsy, we found a correlation of findings in 75.3% and a discrepancy of findings in 24.7% in a set of 510 cases. After repeated targeted assessment of CT images by clinical radiologists in cases of discrepancies in the findings, which were detected by autopsy and undescribed by CT, the discrepancy decreased to 17%. Conclusions: The results of the study are comparable with data from many studies and professional publications. They show that CT compared to autopsy is a good method for diagnosing gunshot wounds to the head and bone fractures, with a limited diagnosis of cranial base fractures, while an autopsy is better for detecting minor injuries to organs and soft tissues.

Ahyahuasca is a term commonly used to describe a decoction prepared by cooking the bark or crushed stems of the liana Banisteriopsis caapi (contains β-carbolines) alone or in combination with other plants, most commonly leaves of the shrub Psychotria viridis (contains N,N-dimethyltryptamine-DMT). More than 100 different plants can serve as sources of β-carbolines and DMT, which are the active alkaloids of this decoction, and therefore it is important to know the most accurate composition of the decoction, especially when studying the pharmacology of this plant. The aim was to summarize the latest sensitive methods used in the analysis of the composition of the beverage itself and the analysis of various biological matrices. We compared pharmacokinetic parameters in all of the studies where decoction of ayahuasca was administered and where its composition was known, whereby minimal adverse effects were observed. The therapeutic benefit of this plant is still unclear in the scientific literature, and side effects occur probably on the basis of pre-existing psychiatric disorder. We also described toxicological risks and clinical benefits of ayahuasca intake, which meant that the concentrations of active alkaloids in the decoction or in the organism, often not determined in publications, were required for sufficient evaluation of its effect on the organism. We did not find any post-mortem study, in which the toxicological examination of biological materials together with the autopsy findings would suggest potential lethality of this plant.

The most common suicide methods vary slightly from country to country, partly related to the availability of effective means. Societal development over the years and especially the advent of the Internet has enabled the sudden spread of new suicide methods. Recently, especially since 2019, intentional sodium nitrite poisoning has appeared on many social networks as an increasingly popular method of suicide. There was performed a retrospective-prospective study of the autopsy protocols of the Medico-Legal Departments of the Healthcare Surveillance Authority in Slovakia, in a period of 15 years (2008-2022). We performed the analysis of cases of death due to nitrite poisoning, focusing on cases of intentional self-harm. In all selected cases, we present complete information, including photo documentation from the place of death, as well as the results of the performed autopsy and the results of additional laboratory examinations. We did not record any fatal cases of unintentional, accidental consumption of sodium nitrite in Slovakia, nor any fatal cases of homicidal poisoning by this substance. However, there were three cases of intentional self-harm (completed suicide) by sodium nitrite poisoning (in 2019, 2020 and 2022). The correct diagnosis of the cases of sodium nitrite poisoning deaths is possible only based on evaluating all the information obtained, a thorough examination of the body and the crime scene, and the correct interpretation of the findings found during a subsequent autopsy and the results of the toxicological analysis.

Background: The aim of the work is to define the morphological peculiarities of the pelvic autonomic nervous system (ANS) and their importance in the clinical and surgical interventions in the lesser pelvis. Material and methods: Anatomical variations in the formation of the pelvic ANS were observed in 20 cadavers. The study included 17 men (85%), aged 18 to 84, and 3 women, aged 27 to 86. The average age was 53.8 years. The subjects most often died by violent death in car accidents, by asphyxia, or by sudden death. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Health Care Surveillance Authority, Bratislava, Slovakia. We studied cadavers without congenital or detected anomalies, cancer, deformities of the body, or spinal or abdominal surgeries within 24 h of death. We observed a relationship between the dimensions and the number of ganglia, as well as the number and course of nerve branches and anastomoses. In the pelvic area, we observed the hypogastric plexus superior, hypogastric plexus inferior, and the truncus sympathicus. In all cadavers, we clarified the lumbosacral plexuses after evisceration. In the lumbosacral region, the roots were defined based on their participation in the formation of the plexuses. To show the intimate relationship between both systems, we also focused on the details of the structure (rami communicantes) related to the connections of the ANS with the spinal nervous system. Results: Anatomical variations in the formation of the pelvic ANS were observed in all cases. We included cases with more than two truncus sympathicus ganglia as the segmental type. The segmental form occurred in 14 (70%) cases, and was concentrated in 6 (30%) cases. Rami communicantes provided anastomoses to the spinal nerves. Small ganglia were observed on the rami communicantes. With the concentrated type, we observed the division of the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. With the segmental and concentrated forms, symptoms of the “diffuse form” may occur, which we observed in all cases. We observed significant right-left asymmetry and differences in the formation of ganglia and anastomoses. Conclusions: This study allowed us to identify and describe the morphological peculiarities of the pelvic ANS and their possible influence on the clinical picture. Asymmetry and dependence of their occurrence on the type of ANS was observed. The variations were frequent. Their preoperative diagnosis is difficult to impossible. The absence or lack of intraoperative vigilance can lead to the damage of pelvic ANS during operations and blockades of the pelvic plexus. The acquired knowledge can be helpful in clarifying clinical signs and symptoms of these conditions.

Background/Objectives: Hanging is the most common method of suicide in most countries worldwide. It is characterized by high lethality, technical simplicity, and typical autopsy findings. Autopsy plays a crucial role in determining the cause and mechanism of death. While external injuries are relatively consistent, internal findings show considerable variability in the literature. The aim of this prospective study was to analyze 660 cases of suicidal hanging over a ten-year period, focusing on the occurrence of forensically relevant internal autopsy findings. Methods: The study was conducted at the Department of Forensic Medicine in Bratislava between 2015 and 2024. All cases underwent standardized complete autopsy, including histology, toxicology, and analysis of death circumstances. Recently reported thoracic aortic adventitial hemorrhages described in 2024 were evaluated only in a targeted subset of cases examined between July and December 2024. Statistical evaluation was performed using the chi-square test to identify associations between internal findings and suspension type, knot location, age, sex, and body weight. Results: The argent line was present in 61.1% of cases, most frequently with posterior knot placement and complete suspension. Neck muscle hemorrhages occurred in 53.8%, predominantly at the periosteal-clavicular attachment of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, with higher incidence in complete and anterior suspension. Amussat’s sign was observed in 10.2% of cases, and Etienne-Martin’s sign in 1.1%. Fractures of the laryngo-hyoid complex were present in 49.7%, mainly in cases with complete suspension and posterior knot location. Cervical spine injuries were detected in 2.6%, predominantly in older males and with anterior knot placement. Simon’s hemorrhages occurred in 35.2%, mainly in younger individuals and complete suspension. Hemorrhages in the intestinal wall were detected in 7.4%, and rectal hemorrhages in 1.1% of cases. In the targeted 2024 subset, no thoracic aortic adventitial hemorrhages were identified. Conclusions: The findings suggest the forensic relevance of several internal findings associated with hanging, while emphasizing that the results were obtained using a uniform and consistently applied autopsy protocol. They also indicate the need for further research, particularly regarding recently reported adventitial hemorrhages of the thoracic aorta, which were assessed only in a limited subset of cases during the final months of the study and were not identified in our material.