Anti-doping Research Articles

How do Sector Level Factors Influence Trust Violations in Not-for-Profit Organizations? A Multilevel Model

The proliferation of violations within industry sectors (e.g., banking, doping in sport, abuse in religious organizations) highlights how trust violations can thrive in particular sectors. However, scant research examines how macro institutional factors influence micro level trustworthy conduct. To shed light on how sectoral features may influence trust violations in organizations, we adopt a multilevel perspective to investigate the perceived causes of trust violations within the not-for-profit (NFP) sector, a sector that has witnessed a number of high-profile trust breaches. Drawing on interviews with board members and senior executives of NFPs with cross-sectoral experience, we analyze the causes of trust violations to inductively develop a conceptual model of the multilevel factors contributing to trust violations in NFPs. Our model highlights how trust violations have their roots in sectoral-level factors, which trickle-down to influence the ethical infrastructure at the organizational-level, and in turn individual-level factors and violations. We identify how three NFP sectoral features influence trustworthy behavior: corporatization, resource scarcity, and assumed moral integrity. Our findings speak to the importance of looking beyond the organization to understand both the causes and prevention of trust violations and developing the concept of sector-level ethical infrastructure.

Forensic Drug Analysis

Abstract: Forensic toxicology is a gathering of related disciplines that cooperate to help distinguish and break down medications and toxins for clinical and legitimate use. Forensic drug analysis isn’t just used in the coroner’s office; Additionally, it can be used to identify drugs in hospitalized patients who were admitted following a suspected poisoning (emergency clinical toxicology), drug-facilitated crimes in which drugs are used to sedate or poison, drugs and driving, and drugs used in human performance (i.e., drugs in sport). Toxicology labs should be furnished with the right devices, be authorize, and have sufficient information to lead deliberate toxicological investigations of drugs of revenue and to offer the ensuing appropriate translations important for legal cases

Steroids in Lupus: Enemies or Allies.

Glucocorticoids are the gold standard treatment for reducing immune activation and inflammation in a wide range of inflammatory and systemic autoimmune diseases. Glucocorticoids have potent and fast actions that quickly relieve some symptoms and lower mortality in some life-threatening conditions, but they also have side effects that limit the duration of treatment and the dose used. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by the involvement of numerous organs and systems and the production of autoantibodies. Most current treatments include the use of corticosteroids and immunosuppressive medications. Glucocorticoids in SLE have been classically used not only to induce remission or treat an acute situation but also as maintenance therapy. During the last decades, new approaches to managing SLE have emerged, but corticosteroids continue to be part of all therapeutic regimes. There is more and more evidence about the side effects related to the use (or abuse) of steroids and their relationship with the accrual damage. In this manuscript, we try to make a critical review of the published literature about the benefit and side effects/damage that can be attributed to the use of glucocorticoids.

Международно-политические аспекты противодействия дискриминационным санкциям против Российской Федерации после Олимпийских игр 2014 года

The article examines political aspects of the development of the doping scandal in international sports, which began after the 2014 Olympic Games. The accusations made against the Russian Federation for creating and supporting an institutionalized system of doping use point to the unprecedented nature of the information company. Despite the obvious political background of the doping scandal and the noticeable flaws of the charges, Russian sports functionaries were unable to fully exploit the potential of the political information counteraction company. The imperfections of the World Anti-Doping Agency and the influence of political interests on sports are considered. The main directions for preventing the influence of political aspects of various countries on the activities of the IOC in the field of sports are revealed. Ways are proposed for the unification of international regulation of law enforcement in the activities of international institutions for the development of world sports. Solutions are proposed under which it is possible to consolidate international political efforts to develop mutually beneficial conditions for the development of the international Olympic movement and improve the global political climate of sports diplomacy.

Doping in Teams: A Simple Decision Theoretic Model

Background. There are many examinations of doping in individual sports but less so in team sports. Methods. A simple decision theoretic model is constructed and analysed for the doping incentives and decisions of team member in professional sports. Results. Depending on the detection probability and the punishment of dopers, team sports members do not dope at all, at a medium or at the maximal level. The whole team has a higher incentive than an individual team member that at least some of its members dope. Conclusion. The doping incentives are different in team sports compared to individual sports. That there are less proven cases of doping in team sports could be because doping is less effective or because the incentives to cover it are higher than in individual sports. Keywords: decision, doping, incentive, sport, team.

A Case of Acute Psychosis Triggered by Anabolic Steroid Abuse

Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology ISSN 1470-3947 (print) | ISSN 1479-6848 (online)

Putting Russia's Ban in Historical Perspective: A Curated Interview

Putting Russia's Ban in Historical Perspective: A Curated Interview

From Anti-doping-I to Anti-doping-II: Toward a paradigm shift for doping prevention in sport.

Doping remains an intractable issue in sport and occurs in a complex and dynamic environment comprising interactions between individual, situational, and environmental factors. Anti-doping efforts have previously predominantly focused on athlete behaviours and sophisticated detection methods, however, doping issues remain. As such, there is merit in exploring an alternative approach. The aim of this study was to apply a systems thinking approach to model the current anti-doping system for four football codes in Australia, using the Systems Theoretic Accident Model and Processes (STAMP). The STAMP control structure was developed and validated by eighteen subject matter experts across a five-phase validation process. Within the developed model, education was identified as a prominent approach anti-doping authorities use to combat doping. Further, the model suggests that a majority of existing controls are reactive, and hence that there is potential to employ leading indicators to proactively prevent doping and that new incident reporting systems could be developed to capture such information. It is our contention that anti-doping research and practice should consider a shift away from the current reactive and reductionist approach of detection and enforcement to a proactive and systemic approach focused on leading indicators. This will provide anti-doping agencies a new lens to look at doping in sport.

Diagnostic validity of peptic ulcer perforation scoring system in predicting mortality in patients with perforated peptic ulcer at a tertiary care hospital in India

Background: One of the prevalent ailments impacting the population of India is peptic ulcer. Although generally benign in its course, it can cause dangerous complications such as perforation and bleeding. Perforation is a life-threatening complication of the peptic ulcer. The status of patients may suddenly deteriorate if they wait too long to seek hospital care or if a diagnosis is delayed due to an unusual presentation. For triage and risk classification, it is critical to accurately and promptly identify high-risk surgical perforated peptic ulcer patients. Aims and Objectives: Perforations in peptic ulcer disease are known to cause considerable morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to verify the reliability of the peptic ulcer perforation (PULP) score in predicting patient death after surgery for PULP. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study included 50 PULP patients who underwent surgery and analyzed the data until discharge or death at tertiary care university hospital in India. Results: The mortality rate observed was 24%. Elderly population, raised serum creatinine, liver cirrhosis, steroid abuse, pre-operative shock, and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASAs) grade were identified as risk factors for poor post-operative prognosis. The area under curve for mortality prediction was 0.947 for PULP score. Conclusion: Poor outcome was significantly higher in the elderly, patients with raised serum creatinine, pre-operative shock, and ASA. PULP score proved to be a more precise indicator of mortality. A larger study inclusive of other mortality risk prediction models would help formulate a more accurate and population specific scoring system.

The Multidimensional Sportspersonship Orientation Scale (MSOS-25) Cultural Adaptation in Kenya

In the course of my work so far, I have repeatedly emphasised and drawn attention to the loss of morality and value in societies, which affects sports in all areas of life. Today we are far from the original values of the sport and the ideals of Baron Coubertin, from fair play as a pure game. Perhaps the best in the sports segment is fraud, fur, and doping scandals. There are some attitude tests in the international literature to measure sportsmanship, cheating, and fair play, which are internationally validated questionnaires and/or scales. My present work is intended to present the first quantitative results of comprehensive, larger-scale research. In my study, the results of the Multidimensional Sportspersonship Orientation Scale (MSOS-25) are presented. The research questions were that significant differences could be detected between men and women on each subscale; How do young people relate to sportspersonship; Do school type and sport participation significantly influence this; What is the relationship between each scale as a function of age? The research was completed by 1208 students. 59% of the respondents studied in higher education and 41% in public education in primary or secondary schools. In terms of gender ratio, 46% were boys, and 54% were girls. Only Kenyan state-funded institutions participated in the sample. Based on the results, it can be said that the adaptation of the questionnaire was successful for MSOS-25; Cronbach’s alpha had a value of 0.742. Age is not a differentiator factor for either questionnaire; however, gender and school type already show significant differences.

ATHLETES HEALTH IN INTERNATIONAL SPORT FEDERATIONS MAIN DOCUMENTS PARTICIPATING AT 2021 OLYMPIC GAMES IN TOKYO

The International Olympic Committee sets the direction for the development of sport, and international sports federations are responsible for incorporating that direction into their rules to maintain their presence at the Olympics. At the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games, 33 international sports federations represented with their sports. We have analyzed the statutes of 33 international sports federations based on the keywords "health", "medicine", "doping" and "injuries". Doping is mentioned in all major documents, health is omitted by 30% of federations, medicine is not mentioned by 21% of federations, and only eight international sports federations mention injuries, representing 24% of federations. From the data on doping and injuries in sports, we can conclude that doping is a minor problem compared to injuries. The main reason for acute and chronic injuries could be related to the technical rules for practicing the sport, not to the constitution. If the number of injuries is to be reduced, the technical rules should be changed first, as the injury statistics per sport show.

Development of Nafion/single-walled carbon nanotube integrated arrays for the rapid detection of salbutamol doping.

Salbutamol (SAL), a drug originally intended for the treatment of bronchial and pulmonary diseases, has repeatedly been used for doping in competitive sports. Herein, an integrated array (NFCNT array) that prepared by template-assisted scalable filtration using Nafion-coated single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) is presented for the rapid field detection of SAL. Spectroscopic and microscopic measurements were used to confirm the introduction of Nafion onto the surface of the array and to analyze the resulting morphological changes. The effects of Nafion addition on the resistance and electrochemical properties of the arrays (e.g., the electrochemically active area, charge-transfer resistance, and adsorption charge) are also discussed in depth. With an electrolyte/Nafion/SWCNT interface and moderate resistance, the NFCNT-4 array prepared containing 0.04wt% Nafion suspension exhibits the greatest voltammetric response to SAL. Subsequently, a possible mechanism for the oxidation of SAL was proposed, and a calibration curve in the range of 0.1-15 μM was established. Finally, the NFCNT-4 arrays were applied to the detection of SAL in human urine samples with satisfactory recoveries.

Occurrence, consumption level, fate and ecotoxicology risk of beta-agonist pharmaceuticals in a wastewater treatment plant in Eastern China

Beta-agonist pharmaceuticals are widely used in humans and livestock for disease treatment, legal or illegal growth promotion in food animals, bodybuilding, weight loss, and sports doping. The occurrence of beta-agonists in wastewater treatment plants and their subsequent environmental impacts require greater attention. This study determined the levels of 12 beta-agonists in a wastewater treatment plant and evaluated their ecotoxicological risks as well as consumption levels and risks to human health. Among the 12 selected beta-agonists, all were detected in wastewater and 11 in sludge. In most cases, the concentrations of beta-agonists were higher in spring than in summer. Their total average daily mass loads per capita in the influent and effluent were 1.35μg/d/p and 2.11μg/d/p, respectively. The overall removal efficiencies of individual beta-agonists ranged from -295.3 to 71.2%. Ecotoxicological risk assessment revealed a low risk to daphnid and green algae from the levels of fenoterol and the mixture of 12 selected beta-agonists in the effluent. The daily consumption levels of individual beta-agonists per capita were 0.028-1.200μg/d/p. Regular monitoring of beta-agonists in municipal sewage systems and their risk assessment based on toxicological data are urgently required in the future.

Evaluation of alternative gas chromatographic and mass spectrometric behaviour of trimethylsilyl-derivatives of non-hydrolysed sulfated anabolic steroids.

Sulfated metabolites have shown to have potential as long-term markers (LTMs) of anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) abuse. The compatibility of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with trimethylsilyl (TMS)-derivatives of non-hydrolysed sulfated steroids has been demonstrated, where, after derivatisation, generally, two closely eluting isomers are formed that both have the same molecular ion [M-H2 SO4 ]•+ . Sulfated reference standards are in limited commercial availability, and therefore, the current knowledge of the GC-MS behaviour of these compounds is mainly based on sulfating and analysing the available standard reference material. This procedure can unfortunately not cover all of the current known LTMs as these are often not available as pure substance. Therefore, in theory, some metabolites could be missed as they exhibit alternative behaviour. To investigate the matter, in-house sulfated reference materials that bear resemblance to known sulfated LTMs were analysed on GC-MS in their TMS-derivatised non-hydrolysed state. The (alternative) gas chromatographic and mass spectrometric behaviour was mapped, evaluated and linked to the corresponding steroid structures. Afterwards, using fraction collection, known sulfated LTMs were isolated from excretion urine to confirm the observed findings. The categories that were selected were mono-hydroxy-diones, 17-methyl-3,17-diols and 17-keto-3,16-diols as these are commonly encountered AAS conformations. The ability to predict the GC-MS behaviour of non-hydrolysed sulfated AAS metabolites is the corner stone of finding new metabolites. This knowledge is also essential, for example, for understanding AAS detection analyses, for the mass spectrometric characterization of metabolites of new designer steroids or when one needs to characterize an unknown steroid structure.

Anabolic–androgenic steroid abuse: psychiatric manifestations and treatment

IntroductionAnabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are synthetic derivatives of steroids which are frequently utilized in order to increase muscle mass and strength. Estimates of AAS abuse vary according to different studies. However, a global lifetime prevalence of 3.3% has been reported. The increasing illicit use of AAS over the years has raised serious public health concerns.ObjectivesTo report a clinical case of AAS abuse and review the psychopathology associated with AAS abuse and its treatment.MethodsThe authors report a clinical case and conducted a non-systematic review on the Pubmed database with the terms “anabolic-androgenic steroids”, “abuse” and “psychiatric manifestations”.ResultsA 25-year-old male patient with history of body dysmorphic disorder was admitted to the emergency services following severe psychomotor agitation and verbal and physical aggression towards his family members. He explained he had begun using AAS years prior in order to improve his physical appearance. Recently he had been administering AAS injections on a more regular basis and restricting his food and water intake. His sleep-wake cycle was disrupted and he began experiencing increasing anxiety and persecutory ideation. Additionally, increased aggression was reported and numerous conflicts with his family members took place in the weeks previous to his psychiatric observation. AAS abuse has been associated with psychiatric symptoms such as aggression and violence, mania and less commonly psychosis and suicidal ideation. Moreover, its prolonged abuse can lead to symptoms of dependence and withdrawal following suspension. A biphasic model of steroid dependence has been described. First there is a brief hyperadrenergic state with opoid-like withdrawal symptoms which is then followed by a prolonged period of depression and craving. During this phase symptoms such as fatigue, muscle and joint pain, insomnia, anxiety and depression may occur. There are no established guidelines for treatment. Acute care of agitation should follow a similar course as the one utilized in other forms of substance induced-agitation: firstly, the least invasive interventions should be implemented. If medication is required, haloperidol has been reported to be effective, although evidence is scarce. Benzodiazepines may be considered, although its use with AAS has not been reported. In regards to long term care, AAS discontinuation is vital in conjunction with proper management of withdrawal symptoms. If a patient presents symptoms of opioid-like withdrawal, treatment with clonidine may be initiated. The use of medically prescribed steroids has been suggested in order to alleviate withdrawal symptoms. Other treatment options such as human chorionic gonadotrophin and clomiphene have also been proposed.ConclusionsAAS abuse is a serious public health concern. Clinicians should be aware of its serious psychiatric effects and possible treatment courses.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Pathways to greater government accountability for breaches of their obligations in relation to doping in sport: A legal analysis.

The State doping scandal in Russia has highlighted a major discrepancy in the fight against doping in sport: on the one hand, the signatories of the Word Anti-Doping Code (federations, NADO's, etc.) are subject to a very strict regime and incur serious sanctions, while on the other hand, States, when they massively violate the rules, do not risk very important consequences in international law. For example, high ranking officials as well as the Russian state apparatus have not been affected with a few exceptions such as the Moscow antidoping laboratory. The aim of this opinion paper is to present a reflection on the different avenues that could be envisaged to make governments more accountable, especially as work is underway on the topic. The development of a true government accountability regime would allow the system to be more balanced.

Probenecid affects muscle Ca2+ homeostasis and contraction independently from pannexin channel block.

Tight control of skeletal muscle contractile activation is secured by the excitation-contraction (EC) coupling protein complex, a molecular machinery allowing the plasma membrane voltage to control the activity of the ryanodine receptor Ca2+ release channel in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membrane. This machinery has been shown to be intimately linked to the plasma membrane protein pannexin-1 (Panx1). We investigated whether the prescription drug probenecid, a widely used Panx1 blocker, affects Ca2+ signaling, EC coupling, and muscle force. The effect of probenecid was tested on membrane current, resting Ca2+, and SR Ca2+ release in isolated mouse muscle fibers, using a combination of whole-cell voltage-clamp and Ca2+ imaging, and on electrically triggered contraction of isolated muscles. Probenecid (1 mM) induces SR Ca2+ leak at rest and reduces peak voltage-activated SR Ca2+ release and contractile force by 40%. Carbenoxolone, another Panx1 blocker, also reduces Ca2+ release, but neither a Panx1 channel inhibitory peptide nor a purinergic antagonist affected Ca2+ release, suggesting that probenecid and carbenoxolone do not act through inhibition of Panx1-mediated ATP release and consequently altered purinergic signaling. Probenecid may act by altering Panx1 interaction with the EC coupling machinery, yet the implication of another molecular target cannot be excluded. Since probenecid has been used both in the clinic and as a masking agent for doping in sports, these results should encourage evaluation of possible effects on muscle function in treated individuals. In addition, they also raise the question of whether probenecid-induced altered Ca2+ homeostasis may be shared by other tissues.

An analysis of the sports performance enhancing substances available on the darknet

Despite the efforts of anti-doping agencies to control doping in sport, the use of performance enhancing substances (PES) and methods remains an intractable issue. Potentially heightening the problem is the emergence of the darknet which provides an anonymous online method for obtaining PES. Despite numerous investigations of PES availability via the regular internet, there is currently little understanding of their availability on the darknet. The aim of this study was to conduct a descriptive analysis of the availability, quantity, cost, and forms of substances included in the 2021 WADA International Standard Prohibited List that are for sale within darknet markets within a 12-week period. A search of substances that are included on the prohibited list was conducted across various darknet trading locations. The search revealed multiple anabolic agents; peptide hormones, growth factors, related substances, and mimetics; hormone and metabolic modulators; and diuretic and masking agents available for purchase on the darknet. The search also revealed the costs, the form (pills, injectables, gels), and available quantities of PES. Given the breadth of products available, it was concluded that the procurement of PES via the darknet presents anti-doping agencies with a novel and challenging problem. Anti-doping agencies and law enforcement could develop strategies to monitor darknet activities and consult cybercrime experts as a part of their toolkit for enforcing anti-doping behaviours. Further research investigating darknet activity of athletes and support personnel is required.

Operation “Ryanair”

Aim. To reveal the essence, content, goals, objectives and methods of the special operation of the American special services related to the emergency landing of a Ryanair aircraft at the airport in Minsk, as a result of which the KGB of the Republic of Belarus detained oppositionists R. Protasevich and S. Sapega.Methodology. The study was carried out using the methods of analysis, synthesis, generalization and interpretation of the results.Results. It has been established that, in terms of its scheme and manner of execution, the “Ryanair case” is identical to the operation “Doping Scandal with WADA” carried out by the US intelligence agencies against the Russian Federation in 2015–2018. The goal of the Ryanair operation is the same as in the WADA scandal: make those who were repeatedly caught in a lie admit the allegations on all counts; the form of the operation is an operational experiment (provocation). Thus, the Ryanair operation is a combination of techniques, methods and tricks previously worked out by US intelligence in a whole series of operations against the Russian Federation.Research implications. Information about the latest forms and methods of organizing and conducting information operations, such as Operation Ryanair (carried out by the US intelligence agencies against Belarus), can be used in the work of state bodies responsible for organizing a systemic counteraction to informational aggression by foreign states, and will also be of use to political scientists, political technologists and specialists in counteracting destructive political technologies.

Effects and Withdrawal of Drug Addiction

Drug addiction is very common among people. Thousands of people are now suffering from cocaine addiction. Nicotine addiction may be one of the most common in the world, but many people underestimate the health hazards of nicotine. This report, presents nicotine in four parts: harms and addiction; research; conclusions, and further implications. Because nicotine is not like most banned drugs on the market-nicotine cannot be absorbed directly, people must be exposed to nicotine through a certain medium. The most common and intuitive way is through smoking, secondhand smoke, and e-cigarettes. However, most people don’t start smoking because of nicotine addiction, so the authors of this paper conducted experiments on why people start smoking late. Through self-made questionnaires and online experimental surveys, the results showed people were exposed to smoking because of environmental factors, social factors, psychological factors, and so on. People were exposed to nicotine for too long due to their addiction to cigarettes, which evolved into an addiction to nicotine. In the later stage, due to the addictive nature of nicotine, people no longer smoke because of the original addiction to smoking, but because they want to meet the needs of nicotine.