Common Substances Research Articles

A nationwide Swedish retrospective study on poisoning deaths between the years 2000 and 2022.

Approximately 1% of Sweden's 90 000 annual deaths were reported caused by poisoning. In this study, we aim to describe this poisoning population's characteristics, autopsy frequency and results of toxicology testing. A national cohort study based on Swedish national registers. All deceased subjects older than 18 years with poisoning as the cause of death registered between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2021 were included. Causes of death according to primary ICD-10 code were analysed along with the substances found in forensic chemistry testing. There were 27 057 poisonous deaths during the study periods 2 018 495 adult deaths. Subjects deceased due to poisoning had a median age of 53 years, and 18 838 (70%) were men. A private home was the most reported location of death (52%). In total, 23 260 (87%) did undergo some sort post-mortem examination. Drugs (synthetic narcotics, opioids, heroin) caused 12 448 (46%) deaths, and alcohols explained 9056 cases (33%). Positive toxicological tests were found in 22 550 (83%) of the subjects. The most common separate substances were ethanol, zopiclone and nordazepam. Poisoning caused 1.3% of Swedish deaths. Men in their 50s were the most common victims, and their deaths were often cause by synthetic narcotics, other opioids or alcohol. The autopsy frequency was lower than expected for poisonous deaths.

Enhanced 3D-printed Matrix for Electrocatalytic Detection: A Practical and Simple Electrochemical Platform

AbstractIn this work, we proposed a novel 3D-printed manufactured electrode system. A project was developed and optimized, compatible with commercially available potetiostats. Additive manufacturing included the modification of the pseudo-reference electrode by electrodeposition of silver and its subsequent oxidation to the Ag/AgCl form. Then the system was tested using electrochemical techniques to check the application as a universal electroactive platform. As an example, we checked the detection of paracetamol as a common substance from non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Finally, the system was compared to available commercial carbon electrodes, considering the screen-printed electrode (SPE no.1 and SPE no.2) and the glassy carbon electrode (GCE), showing higher sensitivity and linearity range compared to commercial screen-printed systems. The novelty of the proposed platform unveils a new way of common, simple, budget, and fast obtaining a universal electroactive platform for electrochemical research, keeping high-performance parameters.

Analysis of Different Strains Fermented Douchi by GC×GC-TOFMS and UPLC–Q-TOFMS Omics Analysis

Douchi is a kind of soybean-fermented food in China. To explore the common and differential compounds in different Douchi, Douchi was fermented by Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus arrhizus, and Bacillus circulans, respectively, and co-fermented by the three strains in this study. The common and characteristic flavor compounds and common and characteristic non-volatile components of different strains of fermented Douchi were explored through GC×GC-TOFMS and UPLC–Q-TOFMS omics analysis. The result suggested that Pyrazines, ketones, and alkenes such as tetramethyl-pyrazine, 2,5-dimethyl pyrazine, furaneol, 2,3-butanedione, gamma-terpinene might contribute to the basic flavor of the Douchi fermented by A. niger, R. arrhizus, and B. circulans. Peptides, amines, and flavonoids, such as N–acetylhistamine, 7,3′,4′–trihydroxyflavone, (3S,8As)-3-isobutylhexahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine-1,4-dione might contribute to the basic function of the above three Douchi. The common metabolic pathways involved in the fermentation were isoflavonoid biosynthesis, flavonoid biosynthesis, etc. Ketones and esters such as 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4H-pyran-4-one, 3-octanone, 5-methylfurfural and nonanal contributed to the unique flavor, while betaine, oleanolic acid, saikosaponin D and leucine might contribute to the unique function of A. niger fermented Douchi. Alkenes, pyrazine, and ketones such as α-terpinene, ethyl-pyrazine, dihydro-3-methyl-2(3H)-furanone, and linalool might contribute to unique flavor, while cordycepin, 2-Phenylacetamide might contributed to the unique function of R. arrhizus fermented Douchi. The unique flavor of B. circulans fermented Douchi might derived from ketones and esters such as 3-acetyl-2-butanone, 2-tridecanone, propionic acid-2-phenylethyl ester, while vitexin, astragalin, and phenethylamine might contribute to the unique function. Compared with single-strain fermented Douchi, the flavor substances and non-volatile components in multi-strain fermented Douchi were more abundant, such as hexadecanoic acid methyl ester, benzeneacetic acid ethyl ester, 9,12-octadecadienoic acid ethyl ester, nuciferine, and erucamide. It was speculated that there were common and differential substances in Douchi fermented by Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus arrhizus, and Bacillus circulans, which might contribute to the basic and unique flavor and function. Compared with single-strain fermented Douchi, the flavor substances and metabolites in multi-strain fermented Douchi were more abundant. This study provided a reference for the research of flavor and functional substances of Douchi.

C[sbnd]C rupture in key monosaccharides and succedent redox in supercritical ethanol

The valorisation of biomass is crucial to establish a sustainable society and reduce the over dependence on fossils. On the other hand, the origins of fossils were both inorganic and organic including biomass, which contains organic substances found in nature and undergoes a series of natural evolutions, where the most common substance in biomass decay is ethanol. Here we report the conversion of biomass derived xylose, fructose, and glucose in supercritical ethanol to simulate the natural processes under specific conditions. Through both theoretical simulation and experiments including 13C-labeled reaction with NMR, we found that CC breakage and self-redox reactions occurred obtaining a variety of functional molecules like ethyl lactate, ethyl glycolate, 1,1-diethoxyethane, etc. without other catalyst. Ethanol acted simultaneously as solvent, catalyst, and reactant. The increased reversible ionization of ethanol under supercritical conditions produced much higher concentration of CH3CH2O– and CH3CH2OH2+, where the basic CH3CH2O– priorly catalysed the isomerization and Cα-Cβ cleavages of both the monosaccharides and derived intermediates, as well as the intermolecular and/or intramolecular Cannizzaro redox reactions, whereas the acetic CH3CH2OH2+ catalysed the dehydration, acetal reaction, etc. This study provides mechanistic clues to understand the origin of fossil and to take new biorefinery strategies.

CLAREAMENTO DENTAL DE CONSULTÓRIO: UMA REVISÃO DE LITERATURA

White teeth are considered ideal for an aesthetic smile. In this way, the search for teeth whitening became the most searched dental procedure for patients. For that, the technique of teeth whitening provides fast results and comfort for the patients. This work treats a narrative literature review that searches to describe techniques of teeth whitening in the clinic, with the bibliographical survey in the following databases BVS, MEDLINE e Google Scholar, in the years of 2014 to 2024. From the selected studies, it was evaluated that the success of the teeth whitening is related to the properties of the whitening agent to infiltrate the dental structure and at the time the substance acts. For this, the most common substances are the hydrogen peroxide and the carbamide peroxide, varying in concentrations according to the technique indicated by the dentist. The clinic's teeth whitening is a procedure safe and efficient and the main disadvantage is the sensibility, which can be treated with the use of methods of desensitizers and laser.

Co-use of psychedelics with other substances: Findings from the global psychedelic survey.

While most psychedelic substances are considered to carry a relatively low risk of acute or long-term harm, co-use with other psychoactive substances may increase health and social harm. Using a large international survey of adults who use psychedelics, we sought to comprehensively characterize psychedelic co-use. We used data from the 2023 Global Psychedelic Survey, a web-based survey of adults ⩾21 with lifetime use of psychedelics. We explored patterns of co-use (prevalence, secondary substances used, timing, and motives of co-use) and examined sociodemographic and psychedelic use-related characteristics associated with co-use overall and by specific psychedelics. In total, 5370 respondents were included in this analysis, of whom 3228 (56.3%) reported typically co-using at least one of the 11 psychedelic substances of interest, with co-use lowest for ayahuasca (14.8%) and highest for nitrous oxide (54.5%). Cannabis and alcohol were the most common secondary substances. Depressants were the only secondary substance class that increased in use following psychedelic experiences. Greater experience with psychedelics was significantly associated with co-use, as was using for recreational purposes or to reduce/substitute the use of other substances. Personal exploration and therapeutic purposes for psychedelic use were negatively associated with co-use. In this detailed analysis of psychedelic co-use, we observed high rates of co-use with certain psychedelics, specifically when used recreationally. Our findings highlight psychedelic-specific consumers for whom harm reduction messaging around co-use practices may be best tailored. Further research is justified to assess whether specific patterns of co-use might reduce or increase potential harms.

To study impact of drug abuse in adolescence

Adolescent drug usage can lead to a variety of outcomes that are different from those associated with adult drug use. Alcohol is a common illicit substance in youth, and the molecular mechanisms behind alcohol-induced neuro inflammation, brain injury, and behavioural dysfunction caused by ethanol are not fully understood. In the adult brain, alcoholism is associated with a higher chance of neuropsychiatric diseases. Adolescent alcohol use can cause long-lasting modifications to the control of cytokines and the sensitivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which can impact neuropathology and behaviour long into adulthood... Synthetic androgens used for muscle and strength gain, especially in adolescence, are called alcoholic androgenic steroids (AAS). Adult neuropathology and alcoholism can be prevented and treated using AAS, an anabolic steroid.

Incidence and Outcomes of Pregnant Trauma Patients With Positive Urine Toxicology: A Southern California Multicenter Study.

Background: The use of illicit substances during pregnancy has increased 4-fold in the past two decades, negatively impacting both mother and fetus. The rate and clinical outcomes of substance use in pregnant trauma patients (PTPs) are not well studied. We sought to evaluate clinical outcomes of PTPs with positive urine toxicology, hypothesizing a higher rate of in-hospital maternal complications for PTPs with a positive urine toxicology ((+)Utox) compared to those testing negative ((-)Utox). Methods: PTPs (≥18years old) were included in this multicenter retrospective study between 2016 and 2021. We included patients with known urine toxicology results and compared (+)Utox vs (-)Utox PTPs. Results: From 852 PTPs, 84 (9.8%) had a (+)Utox with the most common illicit substance being THC (57%) followed by methamphetamine (44%). (+)Utox PTPs had higher rates of blunt head injury (9.5% vs 4.2%, P = .028), extremity injury (14.3% vs 6.5%, P = .009), domestic violence (21.4% vs 5.9%, P < .001), suicide attempt (3.6% vs 0.3%, P < .001), and uterine contractions (46% vs 23.5%, P < .001). Abnormal fetal heart tracing, premature rupture of membranes and placental injury were similar between groups (all P > .05). The rate of maternal complications was similar in both groups (all P > .05). Conclusion: In this study, the rate of (+)Utox in PTPs was 9.8%. The (+)Utox group had similar rates of maternal complications but more commonly experienced uterine contractions which may be related to the physiology of drugs such as methamphetamines. PTPs with (+)Utox also more commonly were victims of domestic violence and suicide attempt, which merits further prevention research efforts.

A high-efficiency and selective fluorescent assay for the detection of tetracyclines

Tetracyclines (TCs) rank second globally in the use of animal infection therapy and animal husbandry as growth promoters among all antibiotics. However, large amounts of TCs residue in food products and more than 75% of TCs are excreted into the environment, causing adverse effects on the ecological system and human health. It has been challenging to simultaneously realize low-cost, rapid, and highly selective detection of TCs. Here, inspired by the fluorogenic reactions between resorcinol and catecholamines, we find the fluorescence quenching ability of tetracycline (TC) and firstly propose a fluorescent “turn-off” detection of TC using dopamine and 4-fluororesorcinol. The optimal reaction condition for the fluorescent assay is investigated and the optimized probe showed a good limit of detection (LOD of 1.7 µM) and a wide linear range (10 µM to 350 µM). Moreover, this fluorescent assay proved to be an effective tool for detecting TC in river, Sprite, and beer samples, which represent the aquatic environments and food and may contain tetracyclines residues. Finally, the high selectivity of the method for TC has been confirmed by eliminating the interference from common substances. The proposed strategy provides a high-efficiency and selective solution for the detection of TCs in environment and food and the application fields of this fluorescent assay could be further expanded in the future.

Detection and Characterization of Online Substance Use Discussions Among Gamers: Qualitative Retrospective Analysis of Reddit r/StopGaming Data.

Video games have rapidly become mainstream in recent decades, with over half of the US population involved in some form of digital gaming. However, concerns regarding the potential harms of excessive, disordered gaming have also risen. Internet gaming disorder (IGD) has been proposed as a tentative psychiatric disorder that requires further study by the American Psychological Association (APA) and is recognized as a behavioral addiction by the World Health Organization. Substance use among gamers has also become a concern, with caffeinated or energy drinks and prescription stimulants commonly used for performance enhancement. This study aimed to identify substance use patterns and health-related concerns among gamers among a population of Reddit users. We used the public streaming Reddit application programming interface to collect and analyze all posts from the popular subreddit, r/StopGaming. From this corpus of posts, we filtered the dataset for keywords associated with common substances that may be used to enhance gaming performance. We then applied an inductive coding approach to characterize substance use behaviors, gaming genres, and physical and mental health concerns. Potential disordered gaming behavior was also identified using the tentative IGD guidelines proposed by the APA. A chi-square test of independence was used to assess the association between gaming disorder and substance use characteristics, and multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze whether mental health discussion or the mention of any substance with sufficient sample size was significantly associated with IGD. In total, 10,551 posts were collected from Reddit from June 2017 to December 2022. After filtering the dataset for substance-related keywords, 1057 were included for further analysis, of which 286 mentioned both gaming and the use of ≥1 substances. Among the 286 posts that discussed both gaming and substance use, the most mentioned substances were alcohol (n=132), cannabis (n=104), and nicotine (n=48), while the most mentioned genres were role-playing games (n=120), shooters (n=90), and multiplayer online battle arenas (n=43). Self-reported behavior that aligned with the tentative guidelines for IGD was identified in 66.8% (191/286) posts. More than half, 62.9% (180/286) of the posts, discussed a health issue, with the majority (n=144) cited mental health concerns. Common mental health concerns discussed were depression and anxiety. There was a significant association between IGD and substance use (P<.001; chi-square test), and there were significantly increased odds of IGD among those who self-reported substance use (odds ratio 2.29, P<.001) and those who discussed mental health (odds ratio 1.64, P<.03). As gaming increasingly becomes highly prevalent among various age groups and demographics, a better understanding of the interplay and convergence among disordered gaming, substance use, and negative health impacts can inform the development of interventions to mitigate risks and promote healthier gaming habits.

B-301 Deciphering Neuropathy features in the Context of Nitrous Oxide abuse: An Integrated Analysis of Electrophysiology and Metabolism

Abstract Background Nitrous oxide (N2O), used medically for its analgesic and anxiolytic properties, has emerged as a common recreational substance, leading to a rise in chronic toxicity cases. N2O abuse induces peripheral neurological damage with a spectrum of clinical presentations, ranging from mild sensory disturbances to severe motor deficits. Neurological complications from N2O include axonal and demyelinating neuropathies, leading to diagnostic and prognostic challenges. The pathophysiology of N2O toxicity is linked to functional inactivation of vitamin B12, resulting in biochemical and electrophysiological alterations. This study aims to enhance understanding of N2O pathophysiology by examining metabolic changes in consumers with axonal and demyelinating patterns. Methods This study included 35 patients with recent N2O abuse (last declarative consumption within the past week) who were treated at Lille University Hospital between March 2020 and April 2023 and underwent electromyography. The collected clinical features encompassed sensory symptoms, motor weakness, gait abnormalities and deep tendon reflexes. Patients were classified based on clinical phenotypes, distinguishing between length-dependent and non-length dependent, sensory or sensory-motor involvement and their peripheral neuropathy disability (PND) score (ranging from I to IV). Neurophysiological data analysis followed the criteria of Hadden et al. to identify patients with demyelinating criteria, while those lacking demyelinating criteria were categorized as “axonal” in the neuropathy group. Simultaneously, biochemical evaluations of serum vitamin B12 and B9 by CLIA methods (Roche), along with plasma homocysteine by LC/MS/MS and CLIA methods (Snibe), methylmalonic acid (MMA), and methionine by LC/MS/MS, were systematically performed for all patients. Results 40% of the selected patients exhibited demyelination criteria. The demyelinated group showed a significantly higher disability PND score compared to the axonal group (3.0 and 2.2, respectively; p-value = 0.028). Elevated levels of homocysteine and methylmalonic acid were found in all patients. Interestingly, plasma concentrations of homocysteine were significantly higher in the group of patient with axonal outcomes compared to the demyelinating group (90 µM and 114 µM; p-value = 0.04), suggesting an involvement of homocysteine in the type of lesion related to N2O abuse. Conclusions This study highlights the diverse electrophysiological manifestations of N2O-induced neuropathy and highlight the potential role of metabolic parameters as biomarkers to understand the pathophysiology. Indeed, lower hyperhomocysteinemia levels were observed in demyelinating patterns, highlighting a potentially biochemical difference between the groups: plasma homocysteine could also be used as a marker of neurological severity. The homocysteine assay used in these conditions must enable the patient to be managed rapidly: it would therefore be preferable to use rapid methods such as immunoanalysis. On the other hand, plasma methylmalonic acid did not differ between groups, which also suggests that other mechanisms have yet to be identified in the pathophysiology of N2O abuse.

Determination of some NSAIDs content in meat by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most widely used group of drugs worldwide for pain relief, anti-inflammation, blood clot prevention, and fever reduction, but they can cause some side effects bad for health if used incorrectly. NSAIDs are on the list of drugs that must be monitored according to Council Directive 96/23/EC. The fact that NSAIDs are also used in animals for anti-inflammation, fever reduction, and pain relief raises concerns that animal products such as meat, eggs, and milk may be contaminated with NSAIDs, affecting human health if consumed like eating right. Therefore, developing a method to analyze NSAIDs in meat products is necessary, contributing to assessing the quality of meat products currently circulating on the market. In this study, 4 common substances in the NSAIDs group were studied and identified by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) using a Symmetry C18 chromatographic column with an ESI (+) positive electron spray ionization source and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The validity of the method was confirmed according to the guidelines of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC). The results showed that the method has good specificity, the linearity range from 5.0 to 100 &amp;micro;g/kg, the detection limit of 1.5 &amp;micro;g/kg, the quantification limit of 5.0 &amp;micro;g/kg; precision and accuracy with relative standard deviation (RSD) less than 11% and recoveries ranging from 81.1 to 111%, meeting AOAC requirements. The method was used to analyze the content of NSAIDs in 15 meat samples in Hanoi. The results showed that 7 samples showed tolfenamic acid exceeding the quantitative limit of the method.

Hispidol Regulates Behavioral Responses to Ethanol through Modulation of BK Channels: A Novel Candidate for the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is the most common substance use disorder and poses a significant global health challenge. Despite pharmacological advances, no single drug effectively treats all AUD patients. This study explores the protective potential of hispidol, a 6,4'-dihydroxyaurone, for AUD using the Caenorhabditis elegans model system. Our findings demonstrate that hispidol-fed worms exhibited more pronounced impairments in thrashes, locomotory speed, and bending amplitude, indicating that hispidol exacerbated the detrimental effects of acute ethanol exposure. However, hispidol significantly improved ethanol withdrawal behaviors, such as locomotory speed and chemotaxis performance. These beneficial effects were absent in slo-1 worms (the ortholog of mammalian α-subunit of BK channel) but were restored with the slo-1(+) or hslo(+) transgene, suggesting the involvement of BK channel activity. Additionally, hispidol increased fluorescence intensity and puncta in the motor neurons of slo-1::mCherry-tagged worms, indicating enhanced BK channel expression and clustering. Notably, hispidol did not alter internal ethanol concentrations, suggesting that its action is independent of ethanol metabolism. In the mouse models, hispidol treatment also demonstrated anxiolytic activity against ethanol withdrawal. Overall, these findings suggest hispidol as a promising candidate for targeting the BK channel in AUD treatment.

Prevalence of substance use among inpatients in two tertiary care hospitals in Tehran

ABSTRACT Background Non-medical use of substances among hospitalized patients is a significant medical challenge, disrupting effective patient care particularly in chronic disease conditions. Therefore, this study looked at how often patients admitted to two hospitals in Tehran might use substances. Methods The present study is a descriptive, cross-sectional research. 286 patients admitted to 12 departments of Rasoul Akram and Firoozgar hospitals in Tehran, were selected by simple random sampling. The WHO ASSIST tool was utilized to quantify the frequency of substance use across different categories. Results Our data revealed a lifetime, and recent (past three months) substance use frequency of 87.4% and 83.6% respectively. The most common substances among men were tobacco (81%), opioids (58%), and alcohol (48%), while sedatives (66%), tobacco (48%), and opioids (46%) were the most common substances among women. Young patients (18–39 years) had a history of substance use across all measured drug categories. The highest frequency of drug use was observed in psychiatry, neurology, orthopedics, and surgery departments. Conclusion Our research revealed a relatively high prevalence of drug use among hospitalized patients. These findings underscore the importance of integrating assessments for non-medical drug use and addiction disorders alongside patients’ existing illnesses to ensure comprehensive patient care.

Linking Community-based Substance Use Disorder Treatment to Health Administrative Data: understanding vulnerable populations.

IntroductionMost substance use disorder (SUD) treatment occurs in community settings. Community-based SUD treatment information is rarely captured or utilized. The objective of this study was to examine the efficiency of a data linkage of community-based SUD treatment to health administrative data holdings in Ontario, Canada, and to describe sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of individuals accessing SUD services. MethodsData from community-based SUD service providers (&gt;180) from April 2015 to March 2022 were linked to administrative data holdings at ICES. Linkage rates were evaluated. Sociodemographic (age, sex, neighbourhood-level income) and clinical (substance use, physician visits, Emergency Department (ED) visits and hospitalizations) characteristics were evaluated. ResultsThe linkage rate of DATIS ICES data holdings was &gt;92% for all years (2015-2022). Of the 234,501 individuals admitted to a DATIS program, 36.1% were female, 46.2% were 25-44 years old, and 51.6% resided in the two lowest neighbourhood income quintiles. Alcohol (33.4%) was the most common substance identified. For outpatient care occurring within 1 year prior to admission, around 56.0% and 23.3% had Mental Health and Addictions (MHA) related primary care and psychiatrist visits, respectively. For acute health services, 29.8% and 14.2% had a MHA- related ED visit or hospitalization, respectively. DiscussionSUD treatment data from community settings can be successfully linked to other health administrative data. Individuals with SUD have a high rate of acute health care use, and a relatively low access to psychiatrists. SUD treatment data linkage should be used to understand how to optimize access to care for vulnerable individuals.

“I don’t need my kid to be high”: prioritizing harm reduction when using cannabis during pregnancy

BackgroundCannabis is the most common illicit substance used in pregnancy. As use continues to increase, understanding peoples’ behaviors surrounding cannabis use during pregnancy is needed to improve maternal and child health outcomes. The aim of this study was to better understand pregnant individuals' perceptions and knowledge of cannabis use and use patterns as well as the social and environmental factors that may influence their use.MethodsWe conducted interviews with 19 participants between December 2022 and March 2023. Individuals self-identified as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), were over 21 years of age, spoke English or Spanish, resided in California, and had used cannabis during pregnancy in the last 0–2 years. Using qualitative, constructivist grounded theory methods, we analyzed the contexts that contributed to participants’ lived experiences surrounding cannabis use behaviors during pregnancy.ResultsParticipants reported making conscious decisions to responsibly manage their cannabis use during pregnancy to minimize potential harm to the fetus. Participants prioritized making what they perceived to be safer adjustments to their use of cannabis: (1) changing the amount of cannabis used, (2) changing the types of cannabis products used, and (3) changing sources of cannabis procurement.DiscussionOur findings show that pregnant individuals are seeking information about safe cannabis use beyond medical supervision and are open to altering their cannabis consumption patterns. However, they are unable to find trustworthy and evidence-based harm reduction practices which can be implemented to mitigate harm to their unborn children. A harm reduction approach is needed in the field of maternal cannabis use to promote positive maternal and fetal health outcomes.ConclusionsMore data is needed on comprehensive harm reduction approaches to cannabis use during pregnancy. This requires implementation of education on these topics in healthcare settings presented by prenatal care clinicians.

Which Environmental Pollutants Are Toxic to Our Ears?-Evidence of the Ototoxicity of Common Substances.

Ototoxicity refers to the adverse effects of substances on auditory or vestibular functions. This study examines the evidence of ototoxicity's association with exposure to common environmental pollutants, as documented in toxicological profiles by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Our aim was to evaluate whether the evidence supports modifying the charting of ototoxic effects in the summary tables of these toxicological profiles and providing a guide for scientists to access these data. Health outcomes of interest included hearing loss, vestibular effects, cochlear lesions, tonal alterations, cellular damage, and ototoxicity-related outcomes (neurological, nephrotoxic, hepatic, and developmental effects). We obtained ototoxicity information for 62 substances. Hearing-related effects were reported, along with neurological effects. Overall, 26 profiles reported strong evidence of ototoxicity, including 13 substances previously designated as ototoxic by other health and safety agencies. Commonly studied outcomes included hearing loss, damage to ear anatomy, and auditory dysfunction. Vestibular dysfunction and tinnitus are rarely studied. Our findings highlight the lack of conclusive evidence of ototoxic properties for many substances, especially for pesticides and herbicides. This review supports charting the evidence of ototoxicity separately in toxicological profiles' summary tables. Improving the communication of ototoxicity-related health effects might impact their recognition and prompt further research. A stronger evidence base could support improved prevention efforts in terms of serious health outcomes.

Prenatal tobacco and alcohol exposure, white matter microstructure, and early language skills in toddlers from a South African birth cohort.

Tobacco and alcohol are the two most common substances used during pregnancy, and both can disrupt neurodevelopment, resulting in cognitive and behavioral deficits including language difficulties. Previous studies show that children with prenatal substance exposure exhibit microstructural alterations in major white matter pathways, though few studies have investigated the impact of prenatal substance exposure on white matter microstructure and language skills during the toddler years. In this study, 93 children (34 exposed to alcohol and/or tobacco) aged 23 years from the Drakenstein Child Health Study, South Africa, completed Expressive and Receptive Communication assessments from the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (BSID-III) and underwent diffusion MRI scans. Diffusion images were preprocessed, and 11 major white matter tracts were isolated. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) were extracted for each white matter tract. Linear regression was used to examine differences between the tobacco/alcohol exposed group and unexposed controls for FA, MD, and language scores, as well as relationships between brain metrics and language. There were no significant group differences in language scores or FA. Children with alcohol or tobacco exposure had lower average MD in the splenium of the corpus callosum compared to unexposed controls. Significant interactions between prenatal substance exposure and language scores were seen in 7 tracts but did not survive multiple comparisons correction. Our findings show that prenatal alcohol and/or tobacco exposure appear to alter the relationship between white matter microstructure and early language skills in this population of toddlers, potentially laying the basis of language deficits observed later in older children with prenatal substance exposure, which may have implications for learning and interventions.

A cross-sectional study to assess the pattern of work-related musculoskeletal disorder among class-IV workers of tertiary care centres in central India

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are typically characterized by persistent pain and limitations in mobility and dexterity. They are highly prevalent and are the leading cause of severe long-term pain and physical disability. Providing stress-management training, encouraging regular breaks, and offering physical therapy and other treatments can alleviate the physical symptoms of work-related MSDs (WMSDs). Objectives were to assess the prevalence and patterns of WMSDs among class-IV workers and to identify the key factors contributing to WMSDs. Methods: The study was conducted at the Hamidia Hospital and Gandhi Medical College Bhopal. 350 class IV workers were selected using random sampling, and data were collected by direct interview. Results: Among all housekeeping staff, 82% showed symptoms of MSDs. Pain was predominantly reported in the lower back (49.3%), followed by the lower leg (32.9%). Among the 350 participants, 72 experienced mental stress manifested as difficulty falling asleep, restlessness, and anxiety. Gutkha, followed by smoking, was the most common substance abused by Class IV workers, which correlated with musculoskeletal pain. Participants with a BMI&lt;18.5 and 25-29.99 reported more MSD pain compared to those with a normal BMI (18.5-24.99). Additionally, workers who did not exercise or exercised only 1-2 times a month experienced higher levels of pain. Conclusions: Class IV workers face physically demanding tasks, so regular breaks should be advised. Promoting literacy can aid in the prevention and early detection of MSDs. Basic interventions and counselling are essential to prevent chronic pain, mental stress, and the development of MSDs.

High-performance liquid chromatography coupled to Orbitrap mass spectrometry for screening of common new psychoactive substances and other drugs in biological samples.

The complexity of the drug market and the constant updating of drugs have been challenging issues for drug regulatory authorities. With the emergence of new psychoactive substances (NPS) and the nonmedical use of prescription drugs, forensic and toxicology laboratories have had to adopt new drug screening methods and advanced instrumentation. Using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with Orbitrap mass spectrometry, we developed a screening method for common NPS and other drugs. Two milliliters of mixed solvent of n-hexane and ethyl acetate (1:1, v:v) were added to 500 μL of blood or urine sample for liquid-liquid extraction, and methanol extraction was used for hair samples. The developed method was applied to 3897 samples (including 332 blood samples, 885 urine samples, and 2680 hair samples) taken from drug addicts in a province of China during 2019-2021. For urine and blood samples, the limits of detection (LODs) ranged from 1.68 pg/mL to 10.7 ng/mL. For hair samples, the LODs ranged from 3.30 × 10-5 to 4.21 × 10-3 ng/mg. The matrix effects of urine, blood, and hair samples were in the range of 47.6%-121%, 39.8%-139%, and 6.35%-118%, respectively. And the intra-day precision was 3.5%-6.0% and the inter-day precision was 4.18%-9.90%. Analysis of the actual samples showed an overall positive detection rate of 58.9%, with 5.32% of the samples indicating the use of multiple drugs.