Synthetic Substance Research Articles

Competing against doping

Sport is thought of as an activity that is governed by a set of rules and that which is engaged in competitively, while doping is the idea of using banned...

Interaction of pyrene fluoroprobe with natural and synthetic humic substances: Examining the local molecular organization from photophysical and interfacial processes

The direct and indirect interaction mechanisms of pyrene with: (i) various molecular weight fractions of a synthetic humic-like substance (SyHA) and (ii) extracts of natural humic acids (NHA) from Moselle River suspended matter were investigated using quenching fluorescence and surface tension measurements. Humic materials were characterized in a previous study. The Stern–Volmer associative constants were determined from the quenching technique. Surface tension measurements revealed an increase in surface activity as a function of concentration for each humic fraction independently of the pyrene presence in solution, even during the formation of humic micelles. The results obtained suggest the possibility of specific intermolecular interactions occurring during pyrene entrapment within humic acids. In addition, we show that molecular weight, aliphatic chains (especially those containing nitrogen groups) and number of acidic groups are determinant characteristics for pollutant entrapment capacity at concentrations below the critical micellar concentration (CMC) of humic substances.

Endobronchial Administration of Tranexamic Acid for Controlling Pulmonary Bleeding

Tranexamic acid (TA) is a synthetic antifibrinolytic substance used for short-term control of bleeding. However, control of pulmonary bleeding with endobronchial administration of TA in more than 2 cases has not been attempted earlier. We tested the feasibility of endobronchial administration of TA for controlling pulmonary bleeding. This was a 2-year prospective observational trial of endobronchial TA in consecutive patients presenting with hemoptysis to our bronchoscopy unit. Patients were initially treated according to the recommendations of the Spanish National Guidelines using ice-cold saline and adrenaline. Endobronchial administration of TA was attempted in patients with uncontrolled hemoptysis before proceeding with further interventions (balloon occlusion or embolization). Forty-eight patients (37 male; mean age: 64±13 y) were treated with endobronchial TA. The causes of bleeding were divided into iatrogenic (n=28) and noniatrogenic (n=20). Among patients with noniatrogenic bleeding, malignancies (11 patients) and bronchiectasis (10 patients) were the most frequent causes of hemoptysis. In this patient group, endobronchial TA successfully controlled the bleeding in 11 subjects (39.2%). Nonresponders to endobronchial TA suffered more frequently from bronchiectasis (58.3% vs. 18.8%, P=0.039) and less frequently from malignancies (16.7% vs. 56.3%, P=0.040) as compared with responders. All patients with iatrogenic bleeding were treated successfully with endobronchial TA. No subject in either of the patient groups suffered from thrombotic events or other adverse events related to endobronchial TA administration. Patients with acute pulmonary bleeding may benefit from endobronchial instillation of TA. Further double-blinded controlled studies are necessary to confirm our results.

Book Review: PVC: Reaching for Sustainability

PVC: Reaching for Sustainability (2008), Mark Everard, PhD, IOM Communications Ltd, London, United Kingdom. Available through the British Plastics Federation, London. 269 pages, £30.00, ISBN 978-1-86125-170-1IntroductionThere are technical books written for audiences of insiders from many industries and professions. They are intended for consumption by people whose livelihoods depend on knowing in detail all the workings of their various enterprises. Then there are technical books with a broader scope, written not only to convey domain-specific knowledge, but also to reach a broader audience of stakeholders who have a vested interest in the outcome of decisions made by industry experts. PVC: Reaching for Sustainability is one such book, written by Dr. Mark Everard.A precise definition of sustainability can be argued and debated, and this term comes loaded with many preconceived notions. In his book, Dr. Everard uses the following working definition: sustainability is enabling our growing human population to live equitably within the supportive capacities of the natural world on an indefi- nite basis. The question arises, How can PVC (polyvinyl chloride) be sustainable? For many environmentalists, PVC is regarded as bad news, but this book, ultimately, is not only about PVC. It is about assumptions and values, the relationship between them, and about taking the steps necessary to achieve sustainability. He shows the reader that substantial progress within the PVC industry is not only possible but has been going on for many years; and while much remains to be done, progress in this industry can serve as a model and an inspiration to those in other industries, too.Originally a wetland and freshwater scientist with a PhD in the cycling of heavy metals through lake ecosystems, Dr. Everard has worked on aquatic management and sustainable development issues in academia, the private sector, environmental regulation, and the nongovernmental organization (NGO) sector. He has served on numerous government advisory committees in the United Kingdom, and he has written scientific papers, technical and magazine articles, and books.PVC has been looked at as a material somehow apart from all others, one that has been subject to deselection by manufacturing companies, design professionals, and other entities. Often the recommended substitute material is one that has not received any real technical scrutiny but is simply outside the media spotlight at the moment. Although it is a synthetic substance, PVC-like many other materials-is derived from abundant, although not unlimited, natural resources (in this case, common salt and oil or natural gas). Dr. Everard's book is about conceiving of the key challenges to be addressed to achieve the desired result of sustainable PVC-and other materials as well.What Is PVC?The acronym PVC refers to the polymer polyvinyl chloride, commonly known as vinyl. Finished PVC contains additives, including materials to aid in polymerization, and stabilizers, lubricants, and plasticizers to enhance its functional properties. Pigments, fillers, flame-retardants, and other additives may be used, depending on the intended application of the product.It is a thermoplastic, a material that loses its shape when heated and then becomes rigid again when cooled. These thermoplastic properties make physical recycling of PVC relatively easy, because the material can be reshaped for new uses under heating. It has been in commercial use since 1933 and now accounts for about 20% of all plastic manufactured worldwide, second only to polyethylene.PVC appears in the marketplace in both rigid and flexible forms. Rigid applications include uses in building construction, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, packaging, and domestic functions. Flexible PVC is also seen widely in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, building construction, and medical and consumer product uses. …

Pidotimod promotes functional maturation of dendritic cells and displays adjuvant properties at the nasal mucosa level

Mucosal dendritic cells (DCs) are very important in the process of antigen presentation to T cells, playing a key role in the induction of primary and secondary immune responses. Pidotimod is a synthetic substance capable of modulating immune cell functions, but the effect of pidotimod on human DCs has not been investigated yet. Here we demonstrate the ability of pidotimod to induce DC maturation and up-regulate the expression of HLA-DR and co-stimulatory molecules CD83 and CD86, which are fundamental for communication with adaptative immunity cells. Pidotimod also stimulated DCs to release high amounts of pro-inflammatory molecules such as MCP-1 and TNF-α cytokines and to drive T cell proliferation and differentiation towards a Th1 phenotype. Moreover, we demonstrate that pidotimod in vivo promotes strong and specific humoral and cellular immune response when co-administered intranasally with a model antigen. Taken together our data suggest the possibility to use pidotimod as adjuvant molecule to facilitate the activation of the innate immune system as well as to promote an effective mucosal and systemic immune response.

The synthetic substance hypoxanthine 3- N-oxide elicits alarm reactions in zebrafish ( Danio rerio)

Zebrafish, one of the preferred study species of geneticists, is gaining increasing popularity in behavioral neuroscience. This small and prolific species may be an excellent tool with which the biological mechanisms of vertebrate brain function and behavior are investigated. Zebrafish has been proposed as a model organism in the analysis of fear responses and human anxiety disorders. Species-specific cues signaling the presence of predators have been successfully utilized in such research. Zebrafish has been shown to respond to its natural alarm substance with species-typical fear reactions. However, the extraction of this alarm substance and ascertaining its consistent dosing has been problematic. A synthetic substance with a known chemical identity and molecular weight would allow precise dosing and experimental control. Previously, the chemical component, hypoxanthine 3- N-oxide, common to several fish alarm substances has been identified and has been shown to elicit alarm reactions in fish species belonging to the Osteriophysan superorder. In the current study we investigate the effect of hypoxanthine 3- N-oxide by exposing zebrafish to three different concentrations of this synthetic substance. Our results show that the substance efficaciously induces species-typical fear reactions increasing the number of erratic movement episodes and jumps in zebrafish. We discuss the translational relevance of our findings and conclude that hypoxanthine 3- N-oxide will have utility to elicit fear responses in the laboratory in a precisely controlled manner in zebrafish.

Folate Supplementation

Article AbstractLetter to the Editor Sir: In the September 2008 issue of the Journal, Stahl reviews L-methylfolate as a possibly helpful adjunctive antidepressant agent,1 and Mischoulon and Fava briefly review the evidence that folates, including folic acid, a stable synthetic substance, could be useful augmenting antidepressant agents. However, there is some evidence of possibly harmful or, at the least, disappointing effects of folate supplementation. There has long been a concern that folate supplementation might mask, or even worsen, the manifestations of B12-deficiency anemia. L-Methylfolate may be less likely to do this than folic acid.

Effect of Some Slimming Drugs on Some Biochemical and Physiological Parameters of Albino Rats

Background:The slimming drugs differ in their nature, where apple-lite is a fully natural substance, mirapro-N is a chemical substance and tenuate is a synthetic foamy filler substance. The study aimed to search the physiological and biochemical changes accompanied with these drugs on rats. Methods:Forty adult male albino rats (130±20g) were divided into four groups, ten on each treated group and ten for the control one. The apple-lite group treated with 3.5mg/100 g body weight, the mirapro-N group treated with 0.14mg/100g body weight and the tenuate group treated with 0.1 mg/100 g body weight. Results: The treated groups showed a significant changes in the lipid and protein profiles, enzymatic activities, in the skin folds and the percentage of body weight compared to the control group. In conclusion, the slimming drugs showed a change in skin folds thickness and in percentage of organ’s weight to body weight and also showed a deflection in the investigated biochemical parameters.

Optimizing recovery of peptides from an octadecylsilyl (ODS) cartridge

An analytical procedure has been studied in detail to optimize the recovery of the radiolabeled and unlabeled synthetic peptides substance P and methionine-enkephalin from a reversed phase octadecylsilyl disposable cartridge, which is one of the first steps to preferentially enrich peptides from a biologic matrix. Our previous research on biologic peptides indicated the need for the present study. The column flow-rate was found to be one of the most important experimental parameters; and its effect on the recovery of those two synthetic peptides was determined by the measurement of recovered radioactivity and by high performance liquid chromatography u.v. detection. The accuracy and reproducibility of the flow-rate affected recovery, and it was necessary to regulate the flow-rate with a syringe infusion pump. Recovery was optimum using a slow rate for both sample application and elution. Furthermore, a slow elution was more important than a slow rate of sample application. Such basic recovery studies on individual synthetic peptides are required before undertaking peptide extractions from biologic matrices.

Sweat as an Alternative Matrix for Amphetamines and MethylenEdioxy Derivatives Analysis

Analysis of drugs and metabolites in biological alternative matrices such as sweat is getting importance in forensic toxicology for workplace drug testing, criminal justice, drug abuse treatment and sport doping control programs. The consumption of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), or “ecstasy”, a commonly abused synthetic psychoactive substance as well as other sympathomimetic amines including amphetamine and methamphetamine is widespread and increasingly popular among young people in the United States and Europe, becoming a very serious public health problem. This paper reviews the use of sweat samples for amphetamines and methylenedioxy derivatives analysis, methodologies and studies involved subjects and controlled administration of MDMA. According to guidelines for drug monitoring using sweat as alternative specimens proposed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in 2004, requirements for a positive sweat test include amphetamines screen test with ≥ 25 ng/patch, and a confirmation cutoff of 25 ng/patch for amphetamines and methylenedioxy derivatives. A review of the indexed literature found respectively limits of detection and quantification ranging from 0.72 ng/patch to 5 ng/patch and from 1.4 ng/patch to 5 ng/patch for all analytes.

Comparative immobilization of antibodies on modified screen-printed graphite electrodes

Immobilization of polyclonal antibodies was studied on native screen-printed graphite electrodes (SPEs) and variously modified electrodes. SPEs coated with didodecylammonium bromide (DDAB, a synthetic membranelike substance) films with gold nanoparticles gave the maximum electrochemical response. DDAB and gold nanoparticle films strongly changed the surface morphology, and the electrochemical signal became more intense and stable. This immobilization method increased the concentration of immobilized antibodies while their activity was retained. The detection limit of the enzymatic label (horseradish peroxidase) was 0.02 ng/L of sample.

Suppressive effects of a quinoxaline-analogue (Rob 803) on pathogenic immune mechanisms in collagen-induced arthritis

The anti-arthritic effects of the synthetic compound 9-chloro-2,3 dimethyl-6-(N,N-dimetylamino-2-oxoethyl)-6H-indolo[2,3-b] quinoxaline (Rob 803) was evaluated by treating Dark Agouti rats with collagen-induced arthritis using three different protocols. Daily subcutaneous treatment with 40 mg/kg/day of Rob 803 from the day of immunization and 14 days forward suppressed arthritis severity significantly and delayed the onset of clinical arthritis. In contrast, similar treatment initiated when individual rats had developed clinical disease (at a score of 2 points) did not suppress disease. Oral treatment with 35 mg/kg/day of Rob 803 from the day of immunization and 21 days forward resulted in a trend towards disease suppression. In vitro analysis of rats treated subcutaneously with Rob 803 revealed an inhibition of T cell proliferation but no effect on the generation of an anti-CII immunoglobulin G response. Further in vitro analysis demonstrated that Rob 803 also inhibited the generation of nitric oxide in macrophages, although at higher concentrations than needed for inhibitory effects on T cell proliferation. Thus we report that early subcutaneous administration of the synthetic substance Rob 803 has anti-rheumatic effects that are probably mediated by affecting the proliferative capacity of lymph node T cells. Rob 803 should be considered as a new candidate substance for anti-rheumatic treatment.

Effect Of Some Slimming Drugs On Haematological And Some Vital Signs Of Albino Rats

Some of slimming drugs had been withdrawn from markets so, the present study was conducted to follow the effect of three different anorexic drugs; on the haematological and physical parameters of adults albino rats. The used drugs differ in their nature, where the first one i.e., apple-lite is a fully natural substance, the 2 nd one i.e., mirapront-N. is a chemical substance and the 3 rd one i.e., tenuate is a synthetic foamy filler substance. Fourty adult male albino rats (130  20g) were randomly divided into four groups, ten on each treated group and ten for the first group which conserved as control group. The 2 nd group was treated daily with apple-lite (3.5mg/ 100g.b.wt), the 3 rd group was treated daily with mirapro-N (0.14mg/100g.b.wt) and the 4 th group was treated daily with tenuate (0.1 mg/100g.b.wt). Haematological parameters (RBCs, WBCs count, haemoglobin content (Hb), hematocrit value (Hct%), mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell heamoglobin (MCH) and mean cell heamoglobin concentration (MCHC) were detected after 30 days of treatment and also after 15 days of the last treatment as a recovery period. Also, body weight, percent of organs weight/body weight, skin-fold thickness and some vital measurements i.e. heart beats, respiratory rate and rectal temperature were recorded after the same periods of treatment and recovery. Haematological studies revealed that RBCs count, total WBCs count, Hb and Hct values were significantly decreased in the three groups treated daily with anorexic drugs for 30 days. These changes aere also recorded after the recovery period except in apple-lite treated group which showed insignificant change in RBCs and Hb after the recovery period. The calculated mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) recorded significant increase in apple-lite after treated and recovery periods, while non significant changes in MCHC were observed after mirapro-N and tenuate groups after treatment 30 daysfor 30 days but significant increase of MCHC was recorded after the recovery period of tenuate treated group. Skin-fold thickness of the three regions tested (gluteal, back and belly) revealed significant decrease in all the treated groups except the belly region in apple-lite treated group which showed insignificant decrease after treatment for 30 days. Significant decrease of skin-fold thickness of different regions still present after the recovery period of 15 days in the three treated groups except the back region of mirapro-N and the belly region of apple-lite- treated rats which showed insignificant decrease. Percent of organs weight/body weight were affected according the type of tested drug, while apple-lite- caused non significant changes, mirapro-N caused significant increase in hepatosomatic ratio and cardiosomatic ratio, and significant decrease in gonadosomatic ratio. On the other hand, tenuate resulted in a significant increase in percentage weight of kidneys and hepatosomatic ratio and significant decrease of gonadosomatic ratio after treatment for 30 days. After the recovery period, apple-lite revealed significant decrease in brain/b.wt. ratio, while mirapro-N still affected kidneys, gonadosomatic ratio and brain and tenuate still affected gonadosomatic ratio and brain; they recorded significant decrease. The physical measurement of vital signs, i.e. heart rate, respiratory rate and rectal temperature recorded insignificant change after treatment with apple-lite, mirapro-N and tenuate for 30 days, but significant increase of rectal temperature was recorded in the tenuate group of the treated rats. After recovery period insignificant changes in heart rate, respiratory rate and rectal temperature of the treated rats were observed in the three treated groups.

Serum replacement with a growth factor–free synthetic substance in culture medium contributes to effective establishment of mouse embryonic stem cells of various origins

To evaluate whether serum replacement with growth factor-free synthetic substances contributed to the effective establishment of embryonic stem (ES) cells. Randomized, prospective model study. Gamete and stem cell biotechnology laboratory at Seoul National University in Korea. F1 (C57BL6 x DBA2) mice. Blastocysts of different origins were cultured in serum-replaced media. Embryonic stem cell establishment. Eight batches of ES cells were established from colony-forming inner cell mass cells after the replacement of fetal bovine serum (FBS) with synthetic knockout serum replacement (KSR) in mkDMEM. The established cells were positive for ES cell markers and formed both embryoid bodies in vitro and teratomas in vivo, but the established cell batches and control (transformed) ES cells responded differently to the culture media. Higher levels of cell viability were detected after the replacement with the 75:25 FBS-KSR mixture than with any other mixtures, and a gradual decrease in viability was detected as the KSR volume ratio was increased. The 75:25 FBS-KSR mixture-containing medium supported ES cell establishment of outbred ICR, F1, and F2 of C57BL6/DBA2; F1 parthenogenetic and ES cell-complemented tetraploid blastocysts; and single ES-cell cultures. A serum-replaced medium could be used for effective ES-cell establishment of various origins.

Long-Term Effects of Dextranomer Endoscopic Injections for the Treatment of Urinary Incontinence: An Update of a Prospective Study of 61 Patients

To treat sphincteric deficiency in children endoscopic bladder neck injections may avoid or salvage more complex procedures. A prospective study to assess the efficacy of bladder neck injections of dextranomer based implants (Deflux(R)) was done in a 7-year period in 61 patients. From September 1997 to September 2004 we enrolled in the study 41 males and 20 females 5 to 18 years old with severe sphincteric incompetence, including exstrophy-epispadias in 26, neuropathic bladder in 27, bilateral ectopic ureters in 5, and miscellaneous in 3. Preoperative evaluation consisted of medical history, urine culture, urinary tract ultrasound and videourodynamics. This evaluation was repeated 6 months and 1 year after treatment, and yearly thereafter. Of the patients 17 underwent 2 and 4 underwent 3 treatment sessions to achieve a definitive result. At each evaluation the case was considered cured-a dryness interval of 4 hours between voids or CIC, significantly improved-minimal incontinence requiring no more than 1 pad daily and no further treatment required, and treatment failure-no significant, long lasting improvement. Videourodynamics were mainly useful to study the evolution of bladder capacity, activity and compliance. Followup after the last injection was 6 to 84 months (mean 28). Mean injected volume per session was 3.9 cc (range 1.6 to 12). Postoperative complications were temporary dysuria in 2 patients nonfebrile urinary tract infection in 10, orchid-epididymitis in 1 and urinary retention with pyelonephritis in 1. The incidence of dryness or improvement during followup was 79% (48 of 61 patients) at 1 month, 56% (31 of 55) at 6 months, 52% (24 of 46) at 1 year, 51% (18 of 35) at 2 years, 52% (16 of 31) at 3 years, 48% (12 of 25) at 4 years, 43% (9 of 21) at 5 years, 36% (4 of 11) at 6 years and 40% (2 of 5) at 7 years. The success rate according to pathological condition was similar in cases of neuropathic bladder and the exstrophy-epispadias complex (48% and 53%, respectively). The success rate in re-treated cases was 38%. After treatment a contracted bladder developed in 6 patients. Also, of the 35 patients with at least 2 years of followup an increase in capacity of at least 50% was observed in 12 of 18 with an initially small bladder. No side effects related to the substance were observed. Endoscopic treatment for pediatric severe sphincteric deficiency with dextranomer implant, a nontoxic, nonimmunogenic, nonmigratory synthetic substance, was effective up to 2 years in half of the patients. Subsequently at up to 7 years of followup a slow decrease in efficacy was observed and treatment remained beneficial in 40% of the patients.

Cutaneous sarcoidal granulomas developing after facial cosmetic filler in a patient with newly diagnosed systemic sarcoidosis

Artecoll is a recently developed permanent synthetic cosmetic filler substance, composed of 80% bovine collagen and 20% polymethylacrylate (PMMA) microspheres of 32-40 mum in diameter. It is used for the augmentation of deep wrinkles and is to be injected subdermally. We report the development of granulomas at the site of Artecoll injections in the face in a 48-year-old woman who had pulmonary sarcoidosis. There were features consistent of both sarcoid and foreign-body granuloma, typical of those reported previously with Artecoll. We postulate that the PMMA foreign material contained within Artecoll acted as a stimulus for the development of the cutaneous sarcoid granulomas.

Detection of testosterone, nandrolone and precursors in horse hair

Growing interest among several horse-breeder associations has initiated the development of a screening procedure to test for anabolic agents in hair, which has the advantage over blood and urine specimens of allowing long-term detection. An analytical method was established to monitor in tails or manes several anabolic substances available as veterinary medicines or as so-called nutritional supplements (clenbuterol, different esters or prohormones of nandrolone and testosterone). The analytical procedure to detect steroids in hair samples consists of the following steps: decontamination of the hair strand or segment with methanol/water (1:1), milling, extraction of the hair material in an ultrasonic bath using methanol, purification by liquid-liquid extraction (n-pentane/methanol, 25:1) and HPLC cleanup, derivatisation of the relevant LC fractions with MSTFA, and measurement using GC-MS/MS technique. The first objective of our study was the detection of exogenous nandrolone (nortestosterone, NT) in the horse hair; therefore nandrolone-associated compounds [nandrolone dodecanoate administered intramuscularly (i.m.) and a mixture of 4-estrenediol and 4-estrenedione, transdermal] were administered to four geldings. The highest concentrations of NT following i.m. treatment were measured after 10 days in a 2-cm hair segment (up to 18 pg/mg); NT was detectable for up to 120 days and in some cases up to 330 days in tail hair (limit of detection 0.3 pg/mg). Following transdermal application, nandrolone as well as the administered prohormones were identified in tail and mane until the latest sampling at 3 months. Furthermore, untreated stallions (128) were investigated to estimate the range of endogenous levels of NT and testosterone (T) in hair. Maximum values of 3 pg/mg (NT) and 1 pg/mg (T) were quantified originating from endogenous formation in the male horse. Additionally, a possible relationship between steroid concentrations in hair specimens and the age of stallions was appraised. NT and T were not detected in hair samples of control geldings. Following nandrolone treatment of geldings, highest values in hair exceeded the endogenous amount detected in untreated stallions. Therefore comparison of concentrations measured in control samples with the estimated endogenous levels could give a clue to exogenous application in cases of abnormally high amounts of NT or T. The possibility of the evaluation of threshold values is discussed as a means to verify an exogenous administration of NT and T in hair samples. Furthermore, the detection of a synthetic substance in hair, e. g. the parent steroid ester by itself, would be unequivocal proof of an exogenous origin of NT or T and the previous medication of the stallion.

Dissolved natural organic matter (NOM) impacts photosynthetic oxygen production and electron transport in coontail Ceratophyllum demersum

Dissolved natural organic matter (NOM) is dead organic matter exceeding, in freshwater systems, the concentration of organic carbon in all living organisms by far. 80–90% (w/w) of the NOM is made up of humic substances (HS). Although NOM possesses several functional groups, a potential effect on aquatic organisms has not been studied. In this study, direct effects of NOM from various origins on physiological and biochemical functions in the aquatic plant Ceratophyllum demersum are presented. Environmentally relevant concentrations of NOM cause inhibitory effects on the photosynthetic oxygen production of C. demersum. Various NOM sources and the synthetic humic substance HS1500 inhibit the photosynthetic oxygen production of the plant as observed with 1-amino-anthraquinone, a known inhibitor of plant photosynthesis. 1-Aminoanthraquinone may serve as an analogue for the quinoid structures in NOM and HS. Most likely, the effects of NOM may be related to quinoid structures and work downstream of photosynthesis at photosystem (PS) II.

Simultaneous determination of nineteen hallucinogenic tryptamines/β-calbolines and phenethylamines using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography–electrospray ionisation-mass spectrometry

To investigate the trend of non-controlled drugs of abuse, simultaneous analytical methods were developed using GC–MS and LC–ESI-MS for 8 tryptamines/β-carbolines, 6 phenethylamines of typically non-controlled substances in Japan, and, additionally, five legally controlled tryptamines and phenethylamines originally found in fungi or plants. Moreover, the proposed methods were applied to analyses of these drugs in 99 kinds of products (a total number of 123 products purchased at adult shops or via the Internet over the past 2 years in Japan), which potentially advertised psychotropic/psychoactive effects. The samples were extracted with methanol under ultrasonication. After centrifugation, the extracts were filtered prior to injections. GC–MS analysis was performed using a DB-5MS capillary column. Regarding the LC–ESI-MS analysis; the separation of the target drugs was optimized on an ODS column in acetonitrile/MeOH (7:3)–10 mM ammonium formate buffer (pH 3.5)/acetonitrile (95:5) by a linear gradient program and a quantitative analysis was carried out by the monitoring of each [M + H] + in the positive ion mode of ESI-MS. As a result of the analyses using GC–MS and LC–ESI-MS, 5-MeO-DIPT (the synthetic substance known by the street name “Foxy”) was found in 8 out of the 99 kinds of products. Additionally, AMT (from brown powder), DMT (from dried plant), harmine and harmaline (from dried plant) were also found in some of the 99 products. These analytical methods could be useful for the investigation of the distribution of the non-controlled psychotropic tryptamines/β-carbolines and phenethylamines in the market.

Neurological Aspects of Substance Abuse, 2nd Edition

Edited by John Brust, 477 pp., Philadelphia, Butterworth-Heinemann, 2004, $99.00 This is the second edition of this unique monograph by John Brust. It is organized in an identical manner to the well-received first edition, published 10 years ago, but is nearly twice the length. An identical number of chapters deal with every possible synthetic or naturally-occurring substance that humans have elected to abuse. The second edition has an additional section, Chapter 2, covering the neurobiology of addiction in comprehensive …