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.

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.

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.