Search

The comprehensive detection of new psychoactive substances, including synthetic cannabinoids along with their associated metabolites in biological samples, remains an analytical challenge. To detect these chemicals, untargeted approaches using appropriate bioinformatic tools such as molecular networks are useful, albeit it necessitates as a prerequisite the identification of a node of interest within the cluster. To illustrate it, we reported in this study the identification of synthetic cannabinoids and some of their metabolites in seized e-liquid, urine, and hair collected from an 18-year-old poisoned patient hospitalized for neuropsychiatric disorders. A comprehensive analysis of the seized e-liquid was performed using gas chromatography coupled with electron ionization mass spectrometry, 1H NMR, and liquid chromatography coupled with high resolution tandem mass spectrometry combined with data processing based on molecular network strategy. It allowed researchers to detect in the e-liquid known synthetic cannabinoids including MDMB-4en-PINACA, EDMB-4en-PINACA, MMB-4en-PINACA, and MDMB-5F-PICA. Compounds corresponding to transesterification of MDMB-4en-PINACA with pentenol, glycerol, and propylene glycol were also identified. Regarding the urine sample of the patient, metabolites of MDMB-4en-PINACA were detected, including MDMB-4en-PINACA butanoic acid, dihydroxylated MDMB-4en-PINACA butanoic acid, and glucurono-conjugated MDMB-4en-PINACA butanoic acid. Hair analysis of the patient allowed the detection of MDMB-4en-PINACA and MDMB-5F-PICA in the two investigated hair segments. This untargeted analysis of seized materials and biological samples demonstrates the utility of the molecular network strategy in identifying closely related compounds and metabolites of synthetic cannabinoids. It also emphasizes the need for developing strategies to anchor molecular networks, especially for new psychoactive substances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pharmaceuticals and drugs of abuse are organic micropollutants of emerging concern in both surface and groundwater worldwide. These compounds are considered to be pseudo‐persistent because of their continuous release into water systems. The presence of these compounds in the environment at any concentration poses a potential risk to nontarget organisms. The main sources of these contaminants are wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and combined sewer overflows (CSOs). The primary goal of our study was to identify and quantify a panel of 28 commonly prescribed pharmaceuticals (mood‐altering drugs, cardiovascular drugs, antacids, antibiotics) and high‐prevalence drugs of abuse (cocaine, amphetamines, opioids, cannabis) in river water samples collected from 19 locations in the Hudson and East rivers in New York City. The second goal was to investigate the possible source (WWTP or CSOs) of these micropollutants. Samples were collected weekly from May to August 2021 (n = 224) and May to August 2022 (n = 232), and placed at −20 °C until analysis by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The most frequently detected analytes in 2021 were metoprolol (n = 206, 92%), benzoylecgonine (n = 151, 67%), atenolol (n = 142, 63%), and methamphetamine (n = 118, 53%), and in 2022 the most frequently detected were methamphetamine (n = 194, 84%), atenolol (n = 177, 76%), metoprolol (n = 177, 76%), and 2‐ethylene‐1,5‐dimethyl‐3,3‐diphenylpyrrolidine (n = 159, 69%). Measured concentrations ranged from the limit of detection (0.50–5.00 ng/L) to 103 ng/L. More drugs and higher concentrations were detected in water contaminated by Enterococci (>60 most probably number) and after rainfall, indicating the influence of CSOs. The presence of drugs in samples with little to no Enterococci and after dry weather events indicates that WWTPs contribute to the presence of these substances in the river, probably due to a low removal rate. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:1592–1603. © 2024 SETAC [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the transformation of environmental contaminants and the importance of understanding the reaction mechanisms, identifying novel products, and assessing the environmental implications. It highlights the challenges posed by synthetic substances released into the environment and the potential for these chemicals to transform into unknown products that may be more toxic or persistent than the parent compound. The article emphasizes the need for appropriate analytical techniques to detect and identify these transformation products. Several studies are highlighted that employ innovative analytical techniques to uncover the formation, occurrence, and environmental implications of transformation products in various contexts. The research presented in this series contributes to our understanding of emerging and novel organic contaminants and provides insights for improving environmental risk assessment. [Extracted from the article]

Kratom leaves, consumed by millions worldwide as tea or ground leaf powder, contain multiple alkaloids, with mitragynine being the most abundant and responsible for most effects. Mitragynine is a partial µ-opioid receptor agonist and competitive antagonist at κ- and δ-opioid receptors; however, unlike morphine, it does not activate the β-arrestin-2 respiratory depression pathway. Due to few human mitragynine data, the largest randomized, between-subject, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-escalation study of 500–4000 mg dried kratom leaf powder (6.65–53.2 mg mitragynine) was conducted. LC-MS/MS mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine plasma concentrations were obtained after single and 15 daily doses. Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine Cmax increased dose proportionally, and AUC was slightly more than dose proportional. The median mitragynine Tmax was 1.0–1.3 h after single and 1.0–1.7 h after multiple doses; for 7-hydroxymitragynine Tmax, it was 1.2–1.8 h and 1.3–2.0 h. Steady-state mitragynine concentrations were reached in 8–9 days and 7-hydroxymitragynine within 7 days. The highest mean mitragynine T1/2 was 43.4 h after one and 67.9 h after multiple doses, and, for 7-hydroxymitragynine, it was 4.7 and 24.7 h. The mean 7-hydroxy-mitragynine/mitragynine concentration ratios were 0.20–0.31 after a single dose and decreased (0.15–0.21) after multiple doses. These mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine data provide guidance for future clinical kratom dosing studies and an interpretation of clinical and forensic mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reproductive costs must be balanced with survival to maximize lifetime reproductive rates; however, some organisms invest in a single, suicidal bout of breeding known as semelparity. The northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus) is an endangered marsupial in which males, but not females, are semelparous. Northern quolls living near mining sites on Groote Eylandt, Northern Territory, Australia, accumulate manganese (Mn) in their brains, testes, and hair, and elevated Mn impacts motor performance. Whether Mn is associated with other health declines is yet unknown. In the present study we show that male and female northern quolls with higher Mn accumulation had a 20% reduction in immune function and a trend toward reduced cortisol concentrations in hair. The telomere lengths of male quolls did not change pre‐ to postbreeding, but those with higher Mn levels had longer telomeres; in contrast, the telomeres of females shortened during the breeding season but recovered between the first year and second year of breeding. In addition, the telomeres of quolls that were recaptured declined at significantly higher rates in quolls with higher Mn between prebreeding, breeding, and/or postbreeding seasons. Future research should determine whether changes in cortisol, immune function, or telomere length affect reproductive output or survival—particularly for semelparous males. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:74–86. © 2023 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Drug testing typically follows a one-size-fits-all approach that is inadequate in some clinical scenarios, such as child maltreatment, neglect, and unintentional drug exposure. Results from immunoassay-based testing, which are non-specific, insensitive, and far from comprehensive, can lead to unintended consequences for children and their families. Objectives: The objective of this retrospective case series study is to evaluate the utility of real-time (0–1 day) comprehensive drug testing as an alternative to immunoassay-based testing in the pediatric acute care setting. Methods: Comprehensive drug testing results obtained by mass spectrometry testing and associated medical data for all pediatric cases (0–12 years) at one institution from 2019 to 2022 were included in the analysis. The final case series (n = 7) included all cases from patients

Glyphosate is an inhibitor of the shikimate pathway in plants and the most widely used broad-spectrum herbicide. Due to the abundance of its use, there exists a necessity to measure the levels both in humans and in the environment to control the nefarious outcomes of its use. The appropriateness, selectivity, and the specifi city of the employed analytical methods are crucial for the reliability of the resultant deductions when conducting biomonitoring studies on possible exposure to chemicals, whether the samples are biological or environmental in nature. The aim of this study is to evaluate the analytical techniques used to monitor glyphosate levels in human and environmental samples. A detailed web-based literature search was conducted to gather data on the analytical techniques used for glyphosate determination. The most preferred authentic samples are blood, urine, and milk. Environmental samples include plants, soil, and water. Among widely used analytical techniques used to detect glyphosate are High Performance Liquid Chromatography, Liquid Chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry, Gas Chromatography – Tandem Mass Spectrometry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Depending on the sample and study, the most suitable analytical method has been selected. A critical evaluation and publication of pre-existing literature on analytical methods in glyphosate-based herbicide detection will thus aid all relevant researchers in the determination of an appropriate, selective, and specific methodology

Metabolomics in clinical toxicology aim at reliably identifying and semi-quantifying a broad array of endogenous and exogenous metabolites using dedicated analytical methods. Here, we developed a three-step-based workflow to investigate the metabolic impact of the antidepressant drug venlafaxine in a poisoned patient who developed life-threatening cardiac failure managed with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Both targeted quantitative and untargeted semi-quantitative metabolomic analyses using liquid chromatography hyphenated to high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry were performed to determine the plasma kinetics of venlafaxine, O-desmethyl-venlafaxine, and N-desmethyl-venlafaxine and to identify sixteen different venlafaxine-derived metabolites including one unknown (i.e., venlafaxine conjugated to a hexosyl-radical), respectively. Correlations between the quantitative metabolomic data and annotated endogenous metabolites suggested impaired amino acid and lipid metabolism, Krebs cycle, and kynurenine pathway. This preliminary study represents a first step towards a more extensive application of toxicometabolomics in clinical toxicology and a useful workflow to identify the biomarkers of toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Medicinal plants are among highly consumed natural drugs. Many herb shops produce and sell this products without any license. Traditional herbal distillates are widely used in Iran, so, the aim of this study was to determine ethanol and methanol concentrations in handmade herbal distillates in Tehran herb shops. Materials and methods: A total of 140 samples from 14 traditional handmade herbal distillates were obtained from Tehran herb shops and analyzed using headspace gas chromatography. Results: In this study, no sample contained ethanol. Peppermint distillate had significantly higher methanol content (334.62±153 ppm) compared with other distillates (P

In toxicological analysis, the analytical validation method is important to assess the exact risk of contaminants of emerging concern in the environment. Syringe filters are mainly used to remove impurities from sample solutions. However, the loss of analyte to the syringe filter could be considerable, causing an underestimate of the analyte concentrations. The current study develops and validates simultaneous liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry analysis using a direct filtration method to detect four groups of contaminants of emerging concern. The adsorption of the analyte onto three different matrices and six types of syringe filters is reported. The lowest adsorption of analytes was observed in methanol (16.72%), followed by deionized water (48.19%) and filtered surface lake water (48.94%). Irrespective of the type of the matrices, the lowest average adsorption by the syringe filter was observed in the 0.45 μm polypropylene membrane (15.15%), followed by the 0.20 μm polypropylene membrane (16.10%), the 0.20 μm regenerated cellulose (16.15%), the 0.20 μm polytetrafluoroethylene membrane (47.38%), the 0.45 μm nylon membrane (64.87%) and the 0.20 μm nylon membrane (71.30%). In conclusion, the recommended syringe filter membranes for contaminants of emerging concern analysis are polypropylene membranes and regenerated cellulose, regardless of the matrix used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The active, poisonous constituents in Taxus baccata, the yew plants, are taxine alkaloids whose main action is suggested to be a block of calcium and sodium channels. The main alkaloids are taxine B (30%) and taxine A (1.3%). Symptoms can include bradycardia, bradypnea, diastolic, and cardiac standstill. The current investigation reports the analytical toxicology of human blood and urine to confirm a suspected ingestion of yew needles. This includes the qualitative detection of several yew ingredients, including the main alkaloids, the validated quantification of 3,5‐dimethoxyphenol, and the discussion of suitable analytical targets. After analyzing human specimens and yew needle extracts using the developed procedures, the five alkaloids 1‐deotaxine B, taxicatin, taxine A, taxine B, and taxine I could be detected and tentatively identified. Finally, taxine A and B can be recommended as analytical targets besides 3,5‐dimethoxyphenol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this chapter, we describe a multi-purpose, reversed-phase liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) workflow for acquiring high-quality, non-targeted exposomics data utilizing data-dependent acquisition (DDA) combined with the use of toxicant inclusion lists for semi-targeted analysis. In addition, we describe expected retention times for >160 highly diverse xenobiotics in human plasma and serum samples. The method described is intended to serve as a generic LC-HRMS exposomics workflow for research and educational purposes. Moreover, it may be employed as a primer, allowing for further adaptations according to specialized research needs, e.g., by including reference and/or internal standards, by expanding to data-independent acquisition (DIA), or by modifying the list of compounds prioritized in fragmentation experiments (MS 2 )., (© 2025. The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Glyphosate is an inhibitor of the shikimate pathway in plants and the most widely used broad-spectrum herbicide. Due to the abundance of its use, there exists a necessity to measure the levels both in humans and in the environment to control the nefarious outcomes of its use. The appropriateness, selectivity, and the specifi city of the employed analytical methods are crucial for the reliability of the resultant deductions when conducting biomonitoring studies on possible exposure to chemicals, whether the samples are biological or environmental in nature. The aim of this study is to evaluate the analytical techniques used to monitor glyphosate levels in human and environmental samples. A detailed web-based literature search was conducted to gather data on the analytical techniques used for glyphosate determination. The most preferred authentic samples are blood, urine, and milk. Environmental samples include plants, soil, and water. Among widely used analytical techniques used to detect glyphosate are High Performance Liquid Chromatography, Liquid Chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry, Gas Chromatography -- Tandem Mass Spectrometry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Depending on the sample and study, the most suitable analytical method has been selected. A critical evaluation and publication of pre-existing literature on analytical methods in glyphosate-based herbicide detection will thus aid all relevant researchers in the determination of an appropriate, selective, and specifi c methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we aimed to develop a headspace gas chromatography– –mass spectrometry method for determining the total cyanide concentration in the forensic evidences. Total cyanide content of the samples was calculated based on the hydrogen cyanide gas concentration evaporated from the liquid sample in the headspace vial. Hexacyanoferrate(II) was used for the optimization of headspace oven temperature. We have found that iron–cyanide bonds were completely degraded after 0.2 mL of the sample was treated with 1 mL of 1 M sulfuric acid under the optimized headspace conditions where the temperature and the heating time were 120 °C and 12.5 min, respectively. Satisfactory recovery results for both aqueous and blood samples were obtained. The method was linear in the range 0.05–10 μg mL-1 of cyanide which was a suitable range for toxicological investigations. The proposed method was validated and applied to the post-mortem blood samples, drinking waters, and the other forensic evidences. The proposed method can easily be performed not only in the forensic laboratories, but in the related laboratories where the total cyanide analysis is a critical issue.

Background and purpose: Medicinal plants are among highly consumed natural drugs. Many herb shops produce and sell this products without any license. Traditional herbal distillates are widely used in Iran, so, the aim of this study was to determine ethanol and methanol concentrations in handmade herbal distillates in Tehran herb shops. Materials and methods: A total of 140 samples from 14 traditional handmade herbal distillates were obtained from Tehran herb shops and analyzed using headspace gas chromatography. Results: In this study, no sample contained ethanol. Peppermint distillate had significantly higher methanol content (334.62±153 ppm) compared with other distillates (P<0.05). Also, high amounts of methanol were found in Fenugreek (321.43 ppm) and Tarragon (311.39 ppm) distillates. Pennyroyal distillate did not contain methanol and rose water had the lowest methanol content (14.61 ppm). Conclusion: Handmade herbal distillates containing high concentrations of methanol can cause health problems in regular consumers. Therefore, highly consumed herbal distillates should be monitored to determine their methanol concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute poisoning may necessitate identification of the toxic agent; however, several acutely poisoned patients are treated with minimal laboratory assistance. We investigated whether focused reference to laboratory toxicology tests conducted during a pilot project for a subregional analytical toxicology service influences treatment decisions. Patients with acute poisoning presented to the level 1 regional emergency medical center from May 2018 to April 2019 were initially reviewed. Poison samples were referred to the subregional toxicological analytical service. In total, 253 substance samples were tested among 111 patients during the study. According to the reported drug levels, 3 (1.2%) samples contained lethal doses, 49 (19%) had toxic levels, and 28 (11%) contained detectable levels of a lethal toxin or pesticide. Disagreement between the clinical assessment and laboratory analyses was found for 62 patients (fair kappa = 0.24, 56%), and they often had lower Glasgow Coma Scale, higher severity scores, older age, and less likelihood of receiving gastrointestinal decontamination. The regional analytical toxicology services were helpful for diagnostic planning and therapeutic management of acute poisoning. For seriously poisoned patients with inconsistent histories, it is necessary to reevaluate the classic therapeutic process based on the medical history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolomics in clinical toxicology aim at reliably identifying and semi-quantifying a broad array of endogenous and exogenous metabolites using dedicated analytical methods. Here, we developed a three-step-based workflow to investigate the metabolic impact of the antidepressant drug venlafaxine in a poisoned patient who developed life-threatening cardiac failure managed with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Both targeted quantitative and untargeted semi-quantitative metabolomic analyses using liquid chromatography hyphenated to high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry were performed to determine the plasma kinetics of venlafaxine, O-desmethyl-venlafaxine, and N-desmethyl-venlafaxine and to identify sixteen different venlafaxine-derived metabolites including one unknown (i.e., venlafaxine conjugated to a hexosyl-radical), respectively. Correlations between the quantitative metabolomic data and annotated endogenous metabolites suggested impaired amino acid and lipid metabolism, Krebs cycle, and kynurenine pathway. This preliminary study represents a first step towards a more extensive application of toxicometabolomics in clinical toxicology and a useful workflow to identify the biomarkers of toxicity.

Novel opioids in the illicit drug supply, such as the "nitazene" group of synthetic opioids, present an ongoing public health problem due to high potency and respiratory depressant effects. We describe three patients in whom N-piperidinyl etonitazene, a compound not previously reported in human exposure, was detected after suspected opioid overdose. Other substances that these patients tested for included fentanyl, cocaine, levamisole, phenacetin, benzoylecgonine, para-fluorofentanyl, presumptive heroin (tested as 6-monoacetylmorphine (6-MAM), morphine, and codeine), and tramadol. This is a case series of patients with acute opioid overdose enrolled in an ongoing multicenter prospective cohort study. Data collected included reported substance use, clinical course, naloxone dose and response, outcome, and analytes detected in biological samples. Between October 6, 2020 and October 31, 2021, 1006 patients were screened and 412 met inclusion criteria. Of these, three patients (age 33–55) tested positive for N-piperidinyl etonitazene at one site in New Jersey over a period of three days in July 2021. Two patients reported the use of cocaine; one reported the use of heroin and alprazolam. All three patients received naloxone with improvement in their mental status (2 milligrams (mg) intranasally (IN); 8 mg IN; 0.08 mg intravenous (IV)). Two of three received subsequent doses for recurrence of opioid toxicity (0.4–0.6 mg IV). One patient was diagnosed with pneumonia and admitted to the intensive care unit, one was discharged from the Emergency Department (ED), and one used additional drug while in the ED and required admission for a naloxone infusion. None developed organ damage or sequelae. These cases represent a local outbreak of a novel "nitazene" opioid. Public health toxicosurveillance should incorporate routine testing of this emerging class of synthetic compounds in the illicit drug supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pesticides are chemical or biological agents used to repel or kill pests. Pesticides are potent and lethal toxic substances that are also being infamously used for homicidal purposes due to their easy availability and rapid action. In this review, we look at 21 articles related to homicidal pesticide poisoning in the literature with an emphasis on fatal doses, routes of administration, and profiles of victims and perpetrators. Organophosphates and rodenticides were the most commonly used classes of pesticides, and ingestion was the most common route of administration; however, other modes of administration, such as through intraperitoneal injection, were also reported. Interestingly, we have noticed that victims involved in homicidal poisoning were mostly in close relationships with perpetrators. Most perpetrators were either spouses or other immediate family members. Abiding by the regulations that govern the production, sale, and use of pesticides and proper documentation of the related trail can help control the prevalence of homicidal pesticide poisoning. Recognition of the distinct morbid anatomy of the poisoning cases, alongside a high index of suspicion in cases that fit the profile, is essential for forensic analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Detection of active pharmaceutical ingredients in herbal drugs has been described in numerous studies. However, few reports have been published in relation to the analysis of counterfeit herbal supplements for the detection of synthetic drugs in Iran. Aims: To analyze herbal drugs used as sexual performance enhancer from forensic and analytical toxicology point of view. Methods: Eighty herbal drugs gathered from herbal shops in Bushehr city, Iran were analyzed. High-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry were used for detecting and identifying the chemical structures of probable active pharmaceutical ingredients as adulterants. Results: Among 80 samples, 23% contained only sildenafil. Three samples contained sildenafil, tramadol, and diazepam in combination with each other reported for the first time. Conclusions: This study substantiates regular analysis of purported herbal drugs is needed for more effective quality control and health promotion.

Purpose: To develop a reliable method for qualitative determination of amphetamines in biological samples, that combines simplicity, sensitiveness and robustness. Optimization of the method should be carried out in order to meet the needs of forensic expertise as daily routine. Material/Methods: Analytical identification was done by menas of gas chromatography – mass spectrometry. Validation was carried out using certified analytical standards. Results: Sample preparation procedure has been simplified. Only common reagents are needed. Solid phase extraction (SPE) has been used for initial purification of biological samples. Additional derivatization (PFPA) has been shown to be of major importance. Limit of detection (LOD) in blood samples has been determined to be as low as 25 ng/mL for amphetamine (AMP) and 10 ng/mL for methamphetamine (MET). Results are given within 100 minutes.

Purpose: To develop a simple yet sensitive, reliable and robust method for qualitative determination of cocaine and a series of its tropane metabolites in biological samples (blood, urine, etc.). The method should be optimized for routine forensic expertise in analytical toxicology. Material/Methods: Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) has been used as the method for analytical identification. Certified analytical standards were used as a reference material for validation. Results: Sample preparation procedure has been simplified and organized in such a way, that only common reagents are required. Initial matrix purification is done by means of solid phase extraction (SPE), during which a carefully chosen set of simple solvents is applied. Additional derivatization (BSTFA/MTBSTFA) has been shown to be of a major importance for benzoylecgonine determination. Limit of detection (LOD) has been determined to be as low as 50 ng/mL for cocaine and 25 ng/mL for benzoylecgonine. Results are given within 90 minutes.

The manufacturing and consumption of drugs of addiction has increased globally and their widespread occurrence in the environment is an emerging concern. This study evaluated the phytotoxicity of three compounds: methamphetamine, codeine and morphine; commonly reported in Australian urban water, to the aquatic plant Lemna minor under controlled conditions. L. minor was sensitive to lower drug concentrations when administered in multi-compound mixtures (100–500 µg L−1) than when applied individually (range 600–2500 µg L−1), while no adverse effects were observed at environmentally-relevant concentrations (1–5 µg L−1) detected in wastewater effluent. In conclusion, the results show that the concentrations of these compounds discharged into the environment are unlikely to pose adverse phytotoxic effects. These three compounds are known to be the most stable of their group under such conditions indicating that with this respect it is safe to use recycled water for existing regulated reclaimed purposes including agricultural or parklands irrigation or replenishing surface and groundwater. However, more research on the analysis of methamphetamines and opiates in municipal effluents is needed to reassure the likely environmental hazard of these neuroactive drug classes to aquatic organisms. Given the ever-growing production and aquatic disposal of discharge wastewater globally, this study provides timely and valuable insights into the likely drug-related impacts of effluent disposal on aquatic plants in receiving environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fast and simple approach to overcome challenges in emergency toxicological analysis, using ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐MS/MS) has been developed, for the detection of analytes in blood and urine samples from the following drug classes: analgesics, benzodiazepines, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, drugs of abuse, and pesticides. These substances are relevant in the context of emergency toxicology in Brazil. The sample preparation procedure was relatively easy and fast to perform. The method was fully validated giving limits of in the range of 0.5 and 20 ng mL−1 for blood and urine samples. The intraday and interday precision and accuracy were considered adequate for all analytes once the relative standard deviation (RSD) (%) was lower than 20% for quality control (QC) low and lower than 15% for CQ medium and high. The developed method was successfully applied to 320 real samples collected at the Poison Control Center of São Paulo, and 89.1% have shown to be positive for some of the analytes. This confirms its applicability and importance to emergency toxicological analysis, and it could be very useful in both fields of clinical and forensic toxicology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transition from presumptive (immunoassay) drug screening to definitive screening has continued in the practice of analytical toxicology. Development of a ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS) screening method for over sixty drugs and metabolites (analytes) in urine has been reported by the authors and has been applied in probation, drug court, social services, chemical dependency, pain management and addiction medicine casework. Testing by the definitive screening method has increased both the rate and diversity of initial-positive drug findings, due to the lower positive thresholds and wider panel of analytes. Use of definitive screening in forensic casework, however, requires retesting of initial-positive analytes using a second method based upon a different analytical technique with at least equivalent sensitivity and selectivity. Consequently, a UPLC–MSE/TOF method for confirmation of the initial-positive analytes has been adapted; the method is for targeted confirmation and is based upon an alternate mass spectrometry technology and column separation. Both the initial screen and the confirmatory analysis employ threshold accurate calibration for normalization of matrix effects, without the use of stable isotopes. Validation and application of the complete workflow, in forensic urine drug testing casework, is reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several families of higher fungi contain mycotoxins that cause serious or even fatal poisoning when consumed by humans. The aim of this review is to inventory, from an analytical point of view, poisoning cases linked with certain significantly toxic mycotoxins: orellanine, α- and β-amanitin, muscarine, ibotenic acid and muscimol, and gyromitrin. Clinicians are calling for the cases to be documented by toxicological analysis. This document is therefore a review of poisoning cases involving these mycotoxins reported in the literature and carries out an inventory of the analytical techniques available for their identification and quantification. It seems indeed that these poisonings are only rarely documented by toxicological analysis, due mainly to a lack of analytical methods in biological matrices. There are many reasons for this issue: the numerous varieties of mushroom involved, mycotoxins with different chemical structures, a lack of knowledge about distribution and metabolism. To sum up, we are faced with (i) obstacles to the documentation and interpretation of fatal (or non-fatal) poisoning cases and (ii) a real need for analytical methods of identifying and quantifying these mycotoxins (and their metabolites) in biological matrices.

Abstract In forensic toxicology, scientists are faced with complex samples and trace concentrations of low-dose legal and illegal drugs. To enable accurate and sensitive analysis, a thorough sample preparation step is crucial. In the context of green chemistry, sample preparation techniques are rapidly evolving. Microextractions are introduced to avoid the use of large solvent volumes and obtain high analyte enrichment. Another trend is the search for alternative solvents to replace toxic and volatile organic solvents. Ionic liquids (ILs) - liquid salts - are proposed as promising alternatives, thanks to their low volatility, low flammability, good thermal and chemical stability. Moreover, the IL structure can be altered by combining different cations and anions, resulting in ILs with optimized physicochemical properties for the extraction of a specific analyte. This review describes the current state of microextraction techniques that apply ILs for the extraction of forensically relevant drugs in biological samples. Highlights • An overview of general ionic liquid physicochemical features is provided. • Benefits of using ionic liquids as extraction sorbents or solvents are discussed. • Ionic liquid-based forensic toxicological analytical methods are reviewed. • An outlook on the applicability of ionic liquids in forensic toxicology is given. • Challenges associated with ionic liquid-based extractions are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The present study aimed to develop a highly sensitive label-free electrochemical aptasensor for the detection of Diazinon (DZN), as one of the most widespread organophosphorus compounds. The aptasensor was assembled using screen-printed gold electrode modified by thiolated aptamers which were immobilized on gold nanoparticles (Au NPs). Optimum deposition time, in which the highest electrochemical response occurred, was found in 150 s. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry were used to characterize electrochemical properties of the novel aptasensor. Electrochemical detection was carried out through differential pulse voltammetry in [Fe(CN) 6 ]3-/4- solution. Fluctuation of the current was examined in the DZN concentration range of 0.1–1000 nM. According to the results, the designed aptasensor provided an extremely lower limit of detection (0.0169 nM) compared with HPLC and other colorimetric techniques for DZN detection. The present highly specific designed aptasensor doesn’t interact with other analytes in the real sample. Consequently, the present aptasensor is easy to use and relatively inexpensive with a good sensitivity, stability, and reproducibility for this application. We are now evaluating all approaches to make a portable device for fast and sensitive quantification of DZN and related OPs. Highlights • Electrochemical aptasensor for determination of Diazinon. • Gold nanoparticles-modified screen-printed gold electrode. • To make a portable and fast sensitive device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychoactive illicit drugs are widely used all over the world. Due to the high demand for illicit drugs, adulteration of substances with poisonous and active pharmaceutical ingredients is a common phenomenon in some countries. Lead and other active pharmaceutical ingredients are among adulterants added to illicit drugs intentionally. In the present study, we analyzed four major abused street drugs in Iran's drug black market (opium, Iranian crack, ecstasy tablets, and crystal methamphetamine) to assess active pharmaceutical ingredients and determine a quantitative assay of lead. A total of 40 psychoactive drugs were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, and flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. The results demonstrated that psychoactive drugs were adulterated with different drug categories, such as tramadol, ketamine, methadone, acetaminophen, and caffeine. Lead was found in all analyzed samples, ranging from 9-90 ppm. The smallest lead level was detected in methamphetamine samples. Iranian crack samples contained the highest amount of lead. Psychoactive illicit drugs were adulterated with different drug classes and also lead. Lead-adulterated psychoactive drugs are among the new sources of exposure to lead, while illicit drugs' contamination with different drugs may present a health hazard for drug-abusing patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the turn of the century, the synthesis, availability, and use of new psychoactive substances (NPS) have been increasingly reported worldwide, being considered a complex global phenomenon. As most NPS are not detected in routine drug screening, extra efforts have been made to develop new analytical methods for the detection of these compounds, with several approaches being successfully applied and reported in the literature. The increased traffic of NPS is often related to the limited capacity for detecting and monitoring these compounds, which makes it essential to explore in detail both conventional and more recent approaches to prospect novel sensing strategies and develop in-the-field sensors that are able to detect NPS in a time-efficient manner, within a wide range of concentrations, and in a variety of sample matrices, such as biological samples, wastewater, powders, crystals, and post-mortem specimens. In this context, this review aims to provide an overview of the state of the art in the identification and analytical detection of cathinones, a considerable group within NPS, as well as a critical discussion of the most frequently described sample preparation techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Nowadays with the growing popularity of herbal remedies across the world, large sections of population rely on herbal drug practitioners for their primary care. Therefore there is a need to ensure about the safety of herbal drugs and to detect adulteration with undeclared active pharmaceutical ingredients. Herbal drugs are used as first-line drug therapy in some instances. Unfortunately even if there are claims as to be natural, undeclared active pharmaceutical ingredients have been detected in these supplements. Objectives The purpose of the present study was to analyse herbal weight gain drugs collected from herb shops located in Tehran, Iran to detect hidden pharmaceutical ingredients using UHPLC and GC/MS instrumentations. Methods Sixty herbal drugs advertised as weight gain supplements were gathered from herb shops Tehran province, Iran. All samples were analysed from analytical toxicology point of view to detect undeclared active pharmaceutical ingredients. Method was validated for quantitative analysis of cyproheptadine and dexamethasone. Results Method validity parameters showed good results for quantitative analysis of pharmaceutical ingredients. Cyproheptadine, dexamethasone, sildenafil, tramadol, caffeine and acetaminophen were detected in herbal weight gain drugs. Analysed dosage forms contained cyproheptadine and dexamethasone in concentrations higher than therapeutic doses. Quantitative analysis of contaminated drugs showed that the content of pharmacologic ingredients were 0.2-67 and 5.5-10.1 mg/tablet or capsule for cyproheptadine and dexamethasone respectively. Conclusions Despite natural supplements producers' claim, herbal weight gain drugs were not natural at all. Undeclared active pharmaceutical ingredients can predispose patients to health problems and even life-threatening situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The present study investigated oil dispersant toxicity to fish species typical of the cooler regions of Canada, together with less well‐documented issues pertaining to oil dispersant monitoring. The oil dispersant toxicity of Corexit EC9500A was assessed for the freshwater fish species rainbow trout and the seawater species coho, chinook, and chum, with a final median lethal concentration (LC50) acute lethality range between 35.3 and 59.8 mg/L. The LC50 range was calculated using confirmed 0‐h dispersant concentrations that were justified by fish mortality within the first 24 h of exposure and by variability of the dispersant indicator dioctyl sulfosuccinate (DOSS) used to monitor concentrations at later time points. To investigate DOSS as an oil dispersant indicator in the environment, microcosm systems were prepared containing Corexit EC9500A, Finasol OSR52, Slickgone NS, and Slickgone EW dispersants together with diluted bitumen. The DOSS indicator recovery was found to be stable for up to 13 d at 5 °C, 8 d at 10 °C, but significantly less than 8 d at ≥15 °C. After 3 d at temperatures ≥15 °C, the DOSS indicator recovery became less accurate and was dependent on multiple environmental factors including temperature, microbial activity, and aeration, with potential for loss of solvents and stabilizers. A final assessment determined DOSS to be a discrepant indicator for long‐term monitoring of oil dispersant in seawater. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:1309–1319. © 2018 SETAC [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Obesity is one of the major problems in many countries. Herbal drugs are widely used to treat obesity. Unfortunately the majority of herbal weight loss drugs are adulterated with active pharmaceutical ingredients. The purpose of the present study was to analyse herbal weight loss drugs for the general search for pharmaceuticals. Methods sixty one herbal weight loss drugs that were collected from herb shops and internet in Kermanshah, Iran were analysed qualitatively using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Results Of the 61 weight loss products sampled, 72% were found to be adulterated with tramadol, caffeine, fluoxetine, rizatriptan, venlafaxine and methadone. Conclusion Herbal weight loss products were adulterated with controlled and legitimate drugs. Patients should be aware of the danger of using adulterated supplements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Cell immobilization is an effective method to prolong the lifetime of a microorganism and has proven feasibility in some other biosensors. Thus, we studied the use of Escherichia coli immobilized by agar, gelatin, an agar/gelatin mixture, chitosan, and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to screen toxicity electrochemically. The E. coli immobilized by PVA gel showed the highest apparent bioactivity and the longest storage time in pH 7.0 phosphate‐buffered saline solution. Furthermore, the E. coli immobilized by different gels was applied in the toxicity determination via a reported ferricyanide‐mediated electrochemical method, where 3,5‐dichlorophenol (DCP) was used as a model toxin. The E. coli immobilized by PVA showed the highest sensitivity to DCP, and the corresponding value of 50% inhibition concentration was 9.62 mg L−1. Inhibition concentrations were in the range of 6.32 to 13.75% when the E. coli immobilized by PVA was challenged by wastewater, which were comparable with values obtained with the standard luminescent bacteria method (effective inhibition were in the range 7.96–25.42% for the same samples). Given the apparent bioactivity, storage ability, and sensitivity to toxin, PVA was the best polymer to confine cells among the polymers used in the present study. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:329–335. © 2017 SETAC [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]