1,721,063 research outputs found
Miniaturized analytical platform for cocaine detection in oral fluids by MicroNIR/Chemometrics
No full textIn the field of forensic toxicology, the use of non-destructive and easy-to-use analytical techniques deserves remarkable attention, especially in those situations involving public health and security. In addition, the miniaturization
and portability of one-touch devices for the detection of specific threats is required more and more.
In this study, a novel on-site MicroNIR/Chemometric platform was developed to perform a real-time prediction
of cocaine and its metabolites in non pre-treated oral fluid.
Simulated oral fluids were prepared in water in order to calibrate the instrumental response and the matrix
effect was consequently evaluated by processing spiked oral fluids collected from volunteers. The procedure was
optimized using a proper experimental design taking into account the equilibrium between cocaine and benzoylecgonine
in the range 10–100 ng-ml and validated by comparing results with the reference official method
(GC-MS).
The developed method was statistically able to discriminate oral fluid samples containing cocaine from 10 to
100 ng/ml and demonstrated to be not affected by the variability of the matrix as all the blank samples of
different volunteers (smokers and non smokers, assuming caffeine, sugars, chewing-gum or alcohol) as well as
spiked oral fluids were correctly predicted by the model. In addition, results from six real samples confirmed the
feasibility of the miniaturized platform to provide a correct identification of cocaine abuse and to propose the
MicroNIR as innovative personal screening system to prevent accidents and in cases involving workplace surveillance
Considerations regarding the development and validation of chromatographic mass spectrometric methods for GHB analysis in forensic toxicology
No full textNew challenges in clinical and forensic toxicology
No full textAnalytical toxicology plays a critical role in clinical biochemistry and laboratory medicine, primarily by identifying pharmacologically active substances and xenobiotics in biological and non-biological samples. Clinical toxicology uses these results to diagnose and treat patients, while forensic toxicology applies them for legal purposes, such as drug-related deaths or criminal cases. However, clinical data can sometimes have forensic implications, necessitating adherence to strict procedures to ensure the reliability of results in legal contexts. Recent advancements in analytical toxicology have posed new challenges and opportunities, especially in detecting new psychoactive substances (NPS). These substances are difficult to detect due to their varied chemical structures and complex biological matrices. Laboratories are developing new extraction methods and use advanced technologies such as high-resolution mass spectrometry to detect a broader range of substances, including NPS. In addition to detection, metabolite profiling is key for identifying biomarkers of NPS abuse, as the pharmacokinetics of these substances are poorly understood when they first appear on the market. In silico and in vitro models are used to predict NPS metabolism, aiding in finding reliable biomarkers for consumption. NPS can have serious toxic effects on the central nervous system, including agitation, euphoria, and hypertension, with few studies addressing their pharmacological impacts. Research suggests that NPS may interfere with neuronal excitability and alter ion channel activity, potentially leading to neurological damage. Overall, the continuous advancement of analytical techniques and growing understanding of NPS metabolism are crucial for addressing the public health and legal challenges posed by these substances
Ethyl-glucuronide and ethyl-sulfate in placental and fetal tissues by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry
No full textThe aim of this study was to develop a method for the determination of ethyl-glucuronide (EtG) and ethyl-sulfate (EtS), two direct ethanol metabolites, in early placental and fetal human tissues, as potential biomarkers of transplacental ethanol transfer from the mother to the fetus. Placental and fetal tissue samples were obtained from women undergoing voluntary termination of pregnancy at 12 weeks of gestation. Samples were deproteinized and directly injected into a liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) system. Limits of detection of 13.0 and 23.0 pmol/g and lower limits of quantification of 22.0 and 40.0 pmol/g were reached for EtG and EtS, respectively. Inter- and intraday imprecision and accuracy were always lower than 15%. The method was applied to 70 samples (35 placentas and 35 fetal tissues). Of 35 samples, 4 samples collected from 4 women tested positive for EtG and EtS, always showing higher concentrations for EtG. The placenta/fetal tissue ratio for EtG was 2.9 +/- 0.9, whereas EtS showed a ratio of 1.7 +/- 0.7. Preliminary results suggest that these metabolites are present in both tissues. Further studies should now corroborate the hypothesis, not yet confirmed, that transplacental transfer of ethanol takes place not only for the parent compound but also for EtG and Et
“Tranq-dope”: The first fatal intoxication due to xylazine-adulterated heroin in Italy
Full text linkBackground and aims: The number of xylazine-involved overdose deaths tremendously increased from 2019 onwards in the US. This is due to the "tranq-dope" trend consisting in mixing opioids with the sedative to reduce drug manufacturing costs and enhance their effects. In this study, we report the first fatality involving xylazine-adulterated heroin in the EU. Materials and methods: The subject was a 33-year-old Caucasian male with a documented history of drug abuse who was found dead in a public area with puncture marks at the elbow. Peripheral blood and urine were collected at the autopsy and analyzed by liquid chromatography-high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS/MS) after protein precipitation. Results: 6-Monoacetylmorphine, total/free morphine, and codeine blood concentrations of 20.3, 236/105, and 38.3 ng/mL, respectively, indicated recent heroin consumption. Methadone blood concentration was below 10 ng/mL. Alprazolam, nordiazepam, and flurazepam blood concentrations were 23.9, 61.4, and 55.0 ng/mL, respectively. Benzoylecgonine blood concentration was below 5 ng/mL. Xylazine blood and urine concentrations were 105 and 72.6 ng/mL, respectively. Conclusion: The combination of central nervous system depressants, i.e., opioids, benzodiazepines, and xylazine, was the principal cause of death by cardiorespiratory failure. The case was promptly reported to the UE Early Warning System on drugs
Ethylglucuronide and ethylsulfate in meconium and hair-potential biomarkers of intrauterine exposure to ethanol
No full textThis study investigated ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and ethyl sulfate (EtS) concentration in meconium and in maternal and neonatal hair (HEtG and HFAEEs, respectively) as potential markers of intrauterine exposure to ethanol together with meconium fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) in a cohort of 99 mother infant dyads, 49 coming from the Arcispedale of Reggio Emilia (Italy) and 50 from the Hospital del Mar of Barcelona (Spain). FAEEs, EtG and EtS were measured in meconium samples using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. A head space-solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to test HEtG and HFAEEs in hair samples from mothers and their newborns. Eighty-two meconium samples (82.8%) tested positive for EtG, 19 (19.2%) for EtS while 22 (22.2%) showed FAEEs levels higher than 2 nmol/g, the cut-off used to differentiate daily maternal ethanol consumption during pregnancy from occasional or no use. Although EtG and EtS in meconium did not correlate with total FAEEs concentration, a good correlation between EtG, EtS and ethyl stearate was observed. Moreover, EtG correlated well with ethyl palmitoleate, while EtS with ethyl laurate, myristate and linolenate. Neither maternal nor neonatal hair appears as good predictors of gestational ethanol consumption and subsequent fetal exposure in these mother-infant dyads. In conclusion, these data show that meconium is so far the best matrix in evaluating intrauterine exposure to ethanol, with EtG and EtS being potentially good alternative biomarkers to FAEE
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