Poisoning In Children Research Articles

Rapid and sensitive detection of staphylococcal enterotoxin E using a time-resolved fluorescence immunochromatography assay

Staphylococcal food poisoning is a significant foodborne illness caused by staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs). Immunoassays have become the primary method for rapidly detecting harmful bacteria and toxins because of their excellent sensitivity and specificity. However, these assays have limitations in that they cannot differentiate between types of SEs and do not provide rapid, on-site, quantitative testing. In this study, a time-resolved fluorescence immunochromatography assay (TRFICA) was developed specifically for detecting staphylococcal enterotoxin E (SEE), which is commonly found in dairy products. Compared with a double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, which had a detection limit of 0.028 ng/mL, TRFICA demonstrated comparable sensitivity, enabling SEE quantification with a detection limit as low as 0.081 ng/mL in infant formula. Validation by spiking infant formula samples confirmed no cross-reactivity with analogs (recoveries ranged from 93.17% to 128.77%). Furthermore, with an 8-min reaction time and interpretation delivered by a portable TRFICA strip reader, our method demonstrates potential for use in mobile and on-site detection. This study describes a rapid, easy, and reliable method for detecting trace levels of SEE in infant formula, which could serve as an early screening tool toward preventing food poisoning in infants and children.

Paediatric opioid poisoning in the UK: a retrospective analysis of clinical enquiries to the National Poisons Information Service

ObjectiveTo evaluate a decade of reported paediatric opioid poisoning cases in the UK.MethodsThe National Poisons Information Service (NPIS) telephone enquiries database (UK Poisons Information Database) was searched for calls regarding...

Accidental Organophosphate Poisoning in a Child: A Case Report Highlighting the Importance of Early Recognition and Treatment

Background: Organophosphate (OP) poisoning is a significant global health concern, especially in developing countries where these chemicals are widely used in agriculture and household pest control. Children are particularly susceptible to accidental OP poisoning due to their inquisitive nature and immature physiology. This case report presents a child with acute muscarinic symptoms following accidental ingestion of an OP insecticide, emphasizing the importance of early recognition and treatment. Case presentation: A 9-year-old boy presented to the emergency department with vomiting, decreased consciousness, and respiratory distress 6 hours after accidentally ingesting an OP insecticide (Baygon) stored in a drinking bottle at home. He exhibited classic muscarinic symptoms, including miosis, hypersalivation, hyperlacrimation, stridor, and wheezing. The patient was treated with atropine and supportive care, resulting in the complete resolution of his symptoms. Conclusion: This case highlights the importance of early recognition and prompt management of OP poisoning in children. Atropine remains the cornerstone of treatment for muscarinic symptoms, and supportive care is crucial to prevent complications. Public health interventions aimed at educating parents and caregivers about the safe storage and handling of OP insecticides are essential to prevent accidental poisoning in children.

Management of high dose olanzapine poisoning in a young child under limited resource setting: a case report from Nepal

Introduction: Olanzapine, an atypical antipsychotic, is widely used for treating psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Accidental overdose in children is rare but can lead to severe clinical effects. This case report discusses the management of a five-year-old male who accidently ingested 180 mg of olanzapine, the highest reported dose in a child under five years. Case Presentation: A five-year-old boy accidentally ingested 180 mg of Olanzapine, resulting in loss of consciousness and central nervous system depression. He exhibited hyperglycemia, elevated lactate, and prolonged prothrombin time, but no significant cardiovascular issues. Following intubation and supportive care, including intravenous medications and mechanical ventilation, the child gradually improved. He was discharged in stable condition with follow-up instructions. Discussion: Olanzapine toxicity in children presents with a variety of symptoms, including somnolence, hypotension, and neurological impairments, which are dose-dependent. Even in case of an exceptionally high overdose, the absence of cardiovascular toxicity supports safety profile of olanzapine. Common laboratory findings include hyperglycemia, elevated liver enzymes, and metabolic disturbances. Management involves airway protection, supportive care, and monitoring, as no specific antidote exists. Prompt and appropriate care, even in severe cases under limited resource settings, can lead to favorable outcomes. Conclusion: In cases of high dose accidental olanzapine poisoning in children, it is essential to begin quick intervention and comprehensive supportive care to achieve successful outcomes and can be managed even in limited resource settings. Preventive measures are crucial to avoid such incidents and careful monitoring is essential in managing pediatric olanzapine overdose.

Clinical characteristics and toxicological spectrum analysis of 493 cases of acute poisoning in children

ObjectiveThis retrospective study aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics and toxicological spectrum of acute poisoning in children treated at our pediatric intensive care unit. The findings provide a basis for the treatment and prevention of acute poisoning in children.MethodsClinical data of hospitalized children aged 0 to14 years with acute poisoning, treated between January 2015 and December 2023, were collected and analyzed. The analysis included the types of poisoning, sex and age distribution of children, routes and causes of poisoning, time from poisoning to medical consultation, length of hospital stays, and treatment outcomes.ResultsAmong the 493 cases of acute poisoning in children, pesticide poisoning (n = 252, 51.1%) was the most common type, followed by medication poisoning (n = 182, 36.9%). Chemical poisoning accounted for 7.7% (n = 38), while food poisoning and inhalation of harmful gases accounted for 3.0% (n = 15) and 1.2% (n = 6), respectively. The main route of poisoning was oral ingestion (n = 477, 96.8%), while accidental ingestion accounted for a large proportion (n = 379, 79.4%), and adolescents aged 11 to 14 years accounted for 20.6% (n = 98).Apart from the predominance of girls attempting suicide by self-administering antipsychotic medications (n = 88, 75.9%) due to depression, there was no significant difference in sex distribution among other types of poisoning children. The highest incidence of poisoning except children who self-administer antipsychotic drugs occurred in children aged 1–3 years (n = 267, 54.2%) and 8–14 years (n = 135, 27.4%), with the highest proportion in the preschool age group. The average time from poisoning to medical consultation was 33.4 ± 54.9 h, and majority of children received treatment within 48 h after poisoning (n = 423, 85.8%). The overall effective treatment rate was 96.8%.ConclusionAcute poisoning in children has complex and diverse causes, with accidental ingestion being the main route. Prevention should be emphasized, including strengthening child safety education and improving parental supervision. Moreover, psychological health education is crucial for adolescents during their puberty. In the event of acute poisoning, prompt medical consultation and appropriate treatment are necessary to mitigate adverse outcomes.

Lead poisoning as a differential diagnosis in pediatric patients with chronic abdominal pain: a case–control study in Tehran-Iran

BackgroundChronic abdominal pain is a potential symptom of lead poisoning, which is often challenging to diagnose. This case–control study aimed to evaluate blood lead levels in pediatric patients with chronic abdominal pain.MethodsThe case–control study was conducted on 190 pediatrics who presented to the Children's Medical Center Hospital clinics, Tehran between April 2021- 2023. The children were divided into two groups: the case group, consisting of 81 patients with chronic abdominal pain, and the matched control group; 109 children without any gastrointestinal symptoms. The statistical analysis of the data was performed using STATA 16. A multiple logistic regression model was used to assess the association of different independent variables with chronic abdominal pain.ResultsThere was no significant difference between mean (± standard deviation [SD]) of age (8.80(2.7) years vs. control group: 9.23(3.9) years), sex, and BMI (16.55(4.6) vs. 17.32(4.7)) of the patients with chronic abdominal pain (case group) and the control group, whereas the mean weight was remarkably low in patients with chronic abdominal pain: 27.25(± 12.1) kg vs. 31.70(± 14.7) kg (P value = 0.028). Fifty-nine percent of children with chronic abdominal pain had serum lead levels ≥ 10 µg/dL. The mean (SD) of blood lead levels was statistically high in the case group: 11.09 (± 5.35) µg/dL vs. control group: 8.26 (± 5.01) µg/dL) (P value ≤ 0.05). The appetite level was significantly low in the case group: 3.8 (± 2.5) vs. control group 5.4 (± 1.3).ConclusionsLead poisoning could be a possible cause of children's chronic abdominal pain. Regarding the high rate of lead poisoning in children exerting appropriate measures to reduce their exposure to lead is necessary.

Evaluation of Accidental and Intentional Pediatric Poisonings: Retrospective Analysis of Emergency Medical Service Interventions in Wroclaw, Poland.

Background/Objectives: Poisonings among children are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and present a significant challenge for emergency medical services (EMS). The aim of this study was to analyze the types of substances causing poisonings and the intention of poisonings in children, providing detailed information on the most common causes of poisonings in different age groups. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted analyzing medical records of pediatric patients under the care of emergency medical services (EMS) in Wroclaw, Poland, between 2015 and 2017. The study included all patients under 18 years old diagnosed with poisoning. Data collected included age, sex, cause of poisoning, location of the incident, neurological status (GCS), and the type of healthcare facility. Results: The study included 484 patients, with a mean age of 13 years. The largest age group was 16-18 years (44%), and the majority were female (58%). The most common causes of poisonings were alcohol (29.3%), medications (26%), and intoxicants (24.8%). Over half of the incidents occurred at home (52.5%). Intentional poisonings constituted 75% of cases, particularly involving alcohol (38.6%), intoxicants (32%), and medications (26.7%). Accidental poisonings were mainly due to household chemicals (28.7%) and carbon monoxide (27%). The differences in causes and locations of poisonings were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our study showed that the most common causes of poisonings among children were alcohol, medications, and intoxicants. Poisonings most frequently occurred at home, especially with medications, while outside the home, alcohol and intoxicants were predominant. This study was not registered.

Assessment of acute poisoning in children using poisoning severity scores: A cross-sectional study at Damietta General Hospital Egypt

Acute poisoning is a prevalent health issue, particularly among children, due to their natural curiosity and tendency to explore. This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the characteristics, causes, clinical presentation, and outcomes of acute intoxication in children at Damietta General Hospital, Egypt. We included 106 pediatric patients (aged under 18 years) with a clear history or clinical signs of acute poisoning. Data collection encompassed sociodemographic information, type of poison, mode of poisoning, and clinical outcomes. Poison Severity Score (PSS) was employed to assess the severity. The most affected age group was preschool children (3–6 years), accounting for 41.5 % of cases, with males representing 52.8 %. Accidental poisoning constituted 83 % of cases, with household cleaning products (34 %) and petroleum products (18.9 %) being the most common toxic agents. Clinical outcomes revealed that 33 % of patients experienced morbidity, with electrolyte imbalances being the most prevalent complication. The overall cure rate was 94.3 %, while the mortality rate was 5.7 %. This study highlights the significance of parental education and preventive measures, especially in rural areas, to reduce the risk of pediatric poisoning. The PSS proved useful in guiding clinical care, supporting its further use in pediatric toxicology settings.

Evaluation of the Clinical and Paraclinical Symptoms of Children Intoxicated With Amphetamines in Akbar Hospital of Mashhad, Iran 2021-2022.

Amphetamine poisoning in children is a significant public health concern due to its potential for severe adverse effects on physical and mental health. In this article, we describe a case series of 29 children under the age of 14 presenting with sympathomimetic toxidrome due to confirmed amphetamine poisoning. In this cross-sectional study, children (1 month to 14 years old) who were hospitalized in the emergency and pediatric departments of Imam Reza and Akbar Hospital in Mashhad from the beginning of April 2021 to September 2022 were identified with the diagnosis of amphetamine poisoning. Their demographic, clinical, and paraclinical (laboratory and electrocardiogram) information, which was included in the relevant checklists, were analyzed and reported. Out of 29 children included in the study, 18 (62%) were male and the rest were female. The average age of children was 44.75 ±43.9 months; most of them were less than 4 years old. In all patients, glasgow coma scale (GCS) was 15. In 25.92% of cases (8 patients) blood pressure was above the 90% percentile for age and sex, 82.60% (24 cases) were tachycardia, 72.41% crying (21 cases), 86.20% were restless (25 cases), 10.34% tremor (3 cases), 10.34% had body pain (3 cases), and 6.89% (2 cases) had delusions. None of the subjects had a seizure. The serum level of creatine phosphokinase was on average 771.99 ± 966 units/L. All children had an increase in creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and 25.9% of children had an increase in CPK to more than 1000 units/L. Based on the results, in children with symptoms such as restlessness, crying, and tachycardia, poisoning with amphetamine group substances should be included in the differential diagnosis list, and also measuring CPK and investigating the possible occurrence of rhabdomyolysis in cases of poisoning of children with amphetamine seems necessary.

Antipsychotic Drug Poisoning in Children Under 12 Years Old in Loghman-Hakim Hospital During 2016-2022

Background: Unintentional pediatric poisoning with antipsychotic medications represents an important clinical entity. This study aimed to evaluate the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and outcomes of antipsychotic poisoning among children presenting to a referral hospital.Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study reviewed medical records of children &lt;12 years old hospitalized for antipsychotic drug poisoning at Loghman Hakim Hospital in Tehran from 2015-2016. Data extracted included demographic details, agent and dose ingested, clinical findings, treatments administered, and patient dispositions.Results: 141 cases were identified, comprising 2.3% of all pediatric poisonings. Patient ages ranged from 6 months to 12 years (mean 5.5 years), with a male predominance (52.5%). The most common offending agents were risperidone (53.2%) and olanzapine (13.4%). Unintentional exposures accounted for 72.3% of cases. Central nervous system (CNS) effects like somnolence (61.7%) and dysarthria (19.1%) were most prevalent. Significant toxicity was infrequent; no fatalities occurred. Mean length of stay was 2 days for uncomplicated admissions. Conclusion: Antipsychotic poisoning in children chiefly involves atypical agents with a largely benign course. Risperidone predominated due to prescribing patterns. Somnolence represented the principal clinical manifestation. With reasonable supportive care, favorable outcomes are achievable in the pediatric population.

DRUGS SAFETY IN CHILDREN

Background: There is a need to promote drug-related safety in children and prevent them from drug-related toxicities. Understanding pediatric pharmacology, drug dosing, and physiological differences between children and adults is crucial for ensuring safe and effective pediatric care. Objectives: The focus of the current review is the safety and efficacy of drugs in children that involve medication errors and adverse drug reactions. The present study includes awareness of past medication-related incidents, off-label drug usage, inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions, adverse reactions to over-the-counter drugs, and cases of pharmaceutical poisoning in children. Methodology: Pertinent literature databases from search engines like Google Scholar and PubMed were retrieved and analyzed, and WHO and FDA guidelines were followed. Results: The literature survey showed that these problems can be overcome by taking safety measures and following evidence-based practice recommended by the FDA, reducing dosing errors, and preventing ADRs. The Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act (BPCA) and Pediatric Research Equity Act (PREA) has made efforts in conducting drug research and improving pediatric labelling. Conclusion: A warning showing more recent information about contraindications must be mentioned in pharmaceutical labelling so the patient and doctors would be better aware of drug contraindications and their adverse effects.

Lead and arsenic intoxications by traditional and alternative medicine: men are more sensitive than women.

Traditional and alternative medicines are widely used around the world and include for example herbal medicine, Ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine, and indigenous therapies. Due to the long history and the mostly natural origin of traditional remedies, it is often assumed that they are harmless, but in recent decades more and more case reports have been published in which traditional medicine has caused metal poisoning. This paper provides an analysis of published cases in which patients have suffered metal poisoning due to traditional or alternative medicines. A systematic literature search was performed on PubMed, whereby 210 patient cases from a total of 102 case reports and 30 case series were identified and then analyzed about various aspects. Most of the traditional medicines involved come from Asia and are mainly contaminated with lead and arsenic. The analyzed patient cases show a high degree of heterogeneity with regard to age, sex, intake reason, symptoms, and severity of intoxication. The metal intoxication itself and the cause of the poisoning often remained unrecognized for a long time, which resulted in many patients undergoing unnecessary diagnostic methods and ineffective therapeutic approaches before the correct diagnosis was made. The evaluation of the available patient cases revealed a higher sensitivity to metal poisoning in children compared to adults and a higher sensitivity in men compared to women. Anemia and basophilic stippling were frequently observed and became more common as the metal content in the blood increased. Hopefully, this paper raises awareness of the potential dangers of traditional and alternative medicines, both from the patient's and the doctor's perspective, so that in case of intoxication, treatment can be initiated quickly using the correct diagnostic methods. As ingested metals do not only circulate in the blood but also accumulate in soft tissues and bones, long-term monitoring is necessary to ensure that patients make a full recovery. Doctors should be aware that, in contrast to common belief, men are more sensitive to this type of intoxication than women, necessitating particular attention for diagnosis and treatment.

Acute poisoning in children in Chengdu, China: a retrospective study (2019–2022)

ObjectiveTo analyze the characteristics of children with acute poisoning admitted to emergency departments in the southwestern region of China.MethodsData were retrospectively collected from the hospital information system in Chengdu, West China Second Hospital from January 2019 to December 2022 and the frequency and substance of pediatric poisoning, clinical management and outcome were described in this study.ResultsA total of 2036 cases with acute poisoning aged from 0–14 years were included, of these, 272 were hospitalized, with 40 admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit. The incidence was slightly higher in boys than girls (51.2% vs. 48.8%). The most common route of poisoning was the digestive system (99.3%), and the majority were accidental poisonings (92.7%). Medications were the most common toxic substances (62.1%), followed by pesticides (12.4%) and household cleaners (8.8%). The proportion of toxic substances varied among different age groups, with household cleaners being the most common in infants, and pesticides in other age groups, excluding medications.ConclusionChildren in early childhood accounted for most acute poisoning cases, mostly due to unintentional ingestion of a single substance. Female adolescents were the most common patients intentionally ingested toxic substances, mainly psychotropic drugs.

Acute Poisoning Among Children Admitted to Alexandria Poison Center, Egypt: Patterns and Predisposing Factors.

Acute poisoning in children is a major public health problem worldwide. Children poisoning ranksamong the top unintentional injuries in children aged less than four years. This paper aimed to describe the pattern and characteristics of acute poisoning incidents, estimate the percentage of medication poisoning among those children and highlight the possible risk factors. All children aged below 10 years admitted to Alexandria Poison Centre (APC) with acute poisoning from the July1, 2022, to December 31, 2022, were included in the study. A pre-designed structured interviewing questionnaire was used to collect data: socio-demographic data of the poisoned child and his/her caregiver, medical history of the poisoned child and family members, history of previous poisoning incidents in the family, details of the poisoning incident including causative agent, route of poisoning, scene of poisoning, time interval to reach APC and the first aid done. 350 children admitted to APC were included in our study, of which 59% (n=208) of poisoned children were males with mean age 3.14 ± 2.28years. The types of poisoning found were 46.6% chemical compounds, 31.4% medication, 18% household and 4% food poisoning. Most of the children were poisoned orally. High education of caregiver, urban residence and the presence of chronic disease within a family member were significantly associated with medication poisoning while low education of caregiver, drug addiction, having chronic disease among a family member and the presence of previous poisoning accident in the family were significantly associated with poisoning with chemical compounds. The study found that acute poisoning is more common among young male children in Alexandria; the chemical compounds came first as the main source of poisoning followed by the medication poisoning.

Childhood poisoning: a 10-year experience in a tertiary hospital in Enugu State, Nigeria

Childhood Poisoning is a common cause of emergency room presentation, more so in underdeveloped countries where it contributes to a high incidence of hospitalization with variability in morbidity and mortality. This study retrospectively assessed the sociodemographic profiles, poisoning agents, clinical features and management of cases of childhood poisoning admitted at Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Enugu. It was a 10-year retrospective study of all the cases of childhood poisoning admitted within the period of study at the Children’s Emergency Room of Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH), Enugu. The prevalence of childhood poisoning in the study was 0.3%. Of all the subjects, 78.4% were ≤5 years and more than half were males and from lower socioeconomic classes. Accidental poisoning accounted for 70.3%; the predominant agents were kerosene and organophosphates. Palm oil was used by 67.6% of the participants as an intervention before presentation. Pneumonitis was the most common complication. Patients with peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) &lt; 95% were 14 times more likely to have complications than those with SpO2 ≥ 95%. The duration of hospital stay was ≤3 in 59% of the cases and no mortality was recorded in this study.Childhood poisoning remains prevalent in our environment with kerosene being the commonest agent. Palm oil administration as a predominant pre-hospital intervention worsens outcomes. Duration of hospitalization depends on SpO2 at presentation, need for antibiotic therapy, and intention.

Prevalent Parental Practice Toward Drug Storage and Disposal.

Introduction The environment, healthcare services, and public safety can all be directly impacted by improper drug storage and disposal practices. It is unknown whether parents store drugs at home in accordance with recommended storage guidelines, despite the fact that storage conditions are strictly regulated and monitored at every stage of the drug supply chain prior to drug dispensing. Therefore, it is crucial to dispose of medications properly and store them at home to avoid the consequences. Aim The purpose of this study was to evaluate the drug storage safety measures used by parents to prevent unintentional drug poisoning in children. Methodology A structured questionnaire was used to conduct a cross-sectional, interview-based study on home medication storage, attitudes, and disposal practices between October 2023 and January 2024. We recruited parents who visited primary healthcare centers or pediatric clinics using a convenience sampling technique. Results All of the 353 returned questionnaires were valid for data entry and analysis. The mean age of the parents was 35.1 ± 11.9 years old and more than half of them 229 (64.9%) have bachelor's degrees. The majority of drugs (271, 88.6%) were stored in the fridge, followed by bedrooms (26.8%). The medication classes that were stored the most frequently were analgesics (92.2%) and antihistamines (62.1%). The majority of parents (214, 69.9%) kept medications above adult eye level, even though only 28% did not keep them in safe and secure locations like locked drawers or boxes. Eighty percent (80%) disposed of unwanted medicines by throwing them in the trash, and only 10 (2.8%) returned them to the pharmacy. Conclusions Drug storage at home encourages self-medication, which has a number of negative effects. Over time, there has been an increase in the use of medications due to a rise in people's health-seeking awareness and behavior on a global scale. Therefore, this study may be used as a guide by national policy-makers for pharmaceutical disposal and storage management. Moreover, it might help in raising public awareness of the importance of pharmacists in the society and the safe handling and storage of medications at home.

Patterns and clinical outcomes of childhood poisoning presenting to a children’s emergency department in Yenagoa, Nigeria: a 10-year retrospective study

IntroductionBackground: Childhood poisoning, characterised by exposure to toxic substances, poses a global health concern with variations across regions. Despite the importance of having current information about childhood acute poisoning in...

Two cases of diquat poisoning in adolescent children

Diquat (DQ) is among the most widely used herbicides, and its intake can cause severe systemic toxicity that manifests rapidly. The resultant symptoms can cause the dysfunction of a range of tissues and organs,. As there is no specific antidote for diquat poisoning and the efficacy of extant treatments is suboptimal, physicians must acquire a more comprehensive understanding of the most effective approaches to managing affected patients. Relative few studies have been published to date focused on diquat poisoning in pediatric patients. In this report, we compare two similar cases of juvenile diquat poisoning with dynamic changes in clinical manifestations, laboratory values, and imaging results. For the first time, the difference in whether to perform blood flow perfusion and the time difference of initiation of hemoperfusion had a clear clinical difference in the subsequent effects of diquat poisoning in children with diquat poisoning. Limited evidence is available regarding the efficacy of early hemoperfusion for diquat poisoning; however, the differences in clinical outcomes articulated here highlight the benefits of early and timely hemoperfusion therapy in the treatment of DQ toxicity in children, in conjunction with primary supportive care in the management of DQ poisoning in children.

On the performance of Sargassum-derived calcium alginate ion exchange resins for Pb2+ adsorption: batch and packed bed applications

Driven by climate change and human activity, Sargassum blooming rates have intensified, producing copious amount of the invasive, pelagic seaweed across the Caribbean and Latin America. Battery recycling and lead-smelter wastes have heavily polluted the environment and resulted in acute lead poisoning in children through widespread heavy metal contamination particular in East Trinidad. Our study details a comprehensive investigation into the use of Sargassum (S. natans), as a potential resource-circular feedstock for the synthesis of calcium alginate beads utilized in heavy metal adsorption, both in batch and column experiments. Here, ionic cross-linking of extracted sodium alginate with calcium chloride was utilized to create functional ion-exchange beads. Given the low quality of alginates extracted from Sargassum which produce poor morphological beads, composite beads in conjunction with graphene oxide and acrylamide were used to improve fabrication. Stand-alone calcium alginate beads exhibited superior Pb2+ adsorption, with a capacity of 213 mg g−1 at 20 °C and pH 3.5, surpassing composite and commercial resins. Additives like acrylamide and graphene oxide in composite alginate resins led to a 21–40% decrease in Pb2+ adsorption due to reduced active sites. Column operations confirmed Alginate systems’ practicality, with 20–24% longer operating times, 15 times lower adsorbent mass on scale-up and 206% smaller column diameters compared to commercial counterparts. Ultimately, this study advocates for Sargassum-based Alginate ion-exchange beads as a bio-based alternative in Trinidad and developing nations for dealing with heavy metal ion waste, offering superior heavy metal adsorption performance and supporting resource circularity.Graphical

Applicability of a Chemiluminescence Immunoassay to Screen Postmortem Bile Specimens and Its Agreement with Confirmation Analysis.

Bile has emerged as an alternative matrix for toxicological investigation of drugs in suspected forensic cases of overdose in adults and intoxications in children. Toxicological investigation consists in screening and, subsequently, confirming the result with specific techniques, such as liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). As there is no screening test on the market to test postmortem bile specimens, the novelty of this study was in investigating the applicability of a chemiluminescence immunoassay, designed for other matrices and available on the market, on bile and validate its use, testing the agreement with LC-MS/MS analysis. Bile specimens were obtained from 25 forensic cases of suspected death from overdose and intoxication. Sample preparation for bile screening consists simply in centrifugation and dilution. Confirmation analysis allows simultaneous identification of 108 drugs and was validated on bile. Kappa analysis assessed a perfect agreement (0.81-1) between the assays for benzodiazepines, methadone, opiates, cocaine, oxycodone, cannabinoids, buprenorphine and pregabalin; a substantial agreement (0.41-0.6) was reported for barbiturates. No agreement was assessed for amphetamines, due to an abundance of putrefactive amines in postmortem specimens. In conclusion, this fast and easy immunoassay could be used for initial screening of bile specimens, identifying presence of drugs, except amphetamines, with reliability.