Is methylone a new public health threat in Spain?

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s871-s871
Author(s):  
E. Monteagudo ◽  
M. de Dios ◽  
A. Trabsa ◽  
M. Grifell ◽  
L. Galindo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Bath Salts ◽  
Energy Control ◽  
New Public Health ◽  
New Public ◽  
Report Analysis ◽  
Competing Interest

IntroductionDue to the continuous search for new, legal, less expensive, and more powerful highs by drug users, the synthesis of novel cathinone derivatives has become a fruitful industry, leading to a fast emergence of new alternative substances every year. Methylone (3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylcathinone) is one of the substances that rapidly emerged as the main ingredient of “bath salts”, becoming readily accessible on the Internet. This fact has raised concerns about its potential harmfulness.ObjectivesThe aim of the present study is to analyze the presence of methylone in samples delivered to energy control from 2014 to 2015 in Spain.MethodsA total of 8324 samples were assessed from June 2014 to May 2015. Only those samples acquired as methylone were studied. They were analyzed by energy control, a Spanish harm reduction NGO that offers the possibility of analyzing the substances that users report. Analysis was done by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.ResultsTen users reported to have acquired methylone (0.12%). The most used source for acquiring it was the Internet (60%). Other sources included a friend or relative (10%), home-delivered (10%) or undetermined (20%). There was no peak of consume as 50% were acquired in 2014 and 50% in 2015.DiscussionAccording to the results, the presence of methylone in our samples is extremely low. Therefore, despite the fact that methylone monitorization is ought to be carried out, this substance is not expected to be an emerging issue concerning Public Health and no further clinical research should be done.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Ethylone: A synthetic cathinone emerging in Barcelona

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s860-s860
Author(s):  
M. de Dios ◽  
E. Monteagudo ◽  
A. Trabsa ◽  
M. Grifell ◽  
L. Galindo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Drugs Of Abuse ◽  
Sample Selection ◽  
Drug Market ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Bath Salts ◽  
Energy Control ◽  
Report Analysis ◽  
Synthetic Cathinone ◽  
Competing Interest

IntroductionSynthetic cathinones, the active component in “bath salts”, have surfaced as a popular alternative to other illicit drugs of abuse, such as cocaine, MDMA (ecstasy), and methamphetamine, due to their potent psychostimulant and empathogenic effects.ObjectivesTo describe the presence of Ethylone in samples delivered to energy control from 2014 to 2015 in Spain.MethodsThe total number of samples analyzed from 2014 to 2015 was 8324. Only those samples containing ethylone were studied. They were analyzed by energy control, a Spanish harm reduction NGO that offers the possibility of analysing the substances that users report. Analysis was done by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.ResultsFrom June 2014 to December 2015, 8324 samples were delivered to EC. From this samples 28 (0.336%) contained ethylone. Twelve (0.144%) were delivered as MDMA, representing a 0.783% of the samples delivered as such, and only one sample (0.012%) delivered as MDMA presented ethylene as an adulterant along with MDMA. Other 6 samples (0.072%) were delivered as ethylone and 10 samples (0.120%) were delivered as unknown pills.DiscussionEthylone consumption is found to be an emerging issue according to the results of our samples, an increase of such is found during 2015. This might be traduced as an increase of ethylone in the drug market, but a sample selection bias should be considered as samples were voluntary delivered by consumers. An alarming phenomenon is that in some occasions ethylone is sold as MDMA, but effects take longer to occur and last longer, which may lead to an overdose if used as MDMA.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

The cat and the mouse game: Is there a shift towards more dangerous substances in the cathinone illicit market?

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s863-s863
Author(s):  
M. Grifell ◽  
L. Galindo ◽  
M. Ventura ◽  
E. Ribera ◽  
P. Quintana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Harm Reduction ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Central Nervous System Toxicity ◽  
Energy Control ◽  
New Family ◽  
Illicit Market ◽  
Toxicity Potential ◽  
Competing Interest ◽  
System Toxicity

IntroductionAfter mephedrone's ban in March 2010 new cathinones proliferated widely, even a new branch of atypical derivatives was launched into the market, represented by MDPV. The cardiovascular and central nervous system toxicity draws attention to this new family of cathinones, also known as pyrovalerones. MDPV was scheduled in 2011, leading to the apparition of Alpha-PVP from which there is little information.ObjectivesThe aim of the present study is to describe the evolution of different cathinones in the samples delivered for analysis to the harm reduction NGO energy control from March 2009 to March 2016 in Spain.MethodsEnergy control is a Spanish harm reduction NGO that offers to drug users the possibility of analyzing the substances they intend to consume. From March 2009 to March 2016 a total of 24,528 samples were analyzed by the NGO from which 760 contained cathinones. Substance analysis was done by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry.ResultsFrom 2009 to 2016, cathinones represented a 2.82% from all analyzed samples. From March 2009 to March 2010, only 5 different cathinones were detected, in this same period methylone (n = 16; 37.20%) and mephedrone (n = 17; 39.53%) represented 76% of analyzed cathinones (n = 43). From March 2015 to March 2016, 132 cathinones were detected: methylone and mephedrone represented only 19.69%, giving prominence to clephedrone (n = 25; 18.93%) and Alpha-PVP (n = 24; 18.18%).ConclusionsThe evolution of synthetic cathinones detected by energy control is consistent with the evolution described in the literature. From 2009 to 2016, the cathinones detected diversify and new substances with higher toxicity potential appear.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

PCP analogues in samples of Barcelona from 2009 to 2015

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S117-S117 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Angelats ◽  
L. Galindo ◽  
M. Grifell ◽  
Á. Palma ◽  
L. Martínez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Energy Control ◽  
Three Samples ◽  
Selective Ligand ◽  
Sedative Effects ◽  
Report Analysis ◽  
Indirect Indicator ◽  
Competing Interest ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Harmful Effects

IntroductionNovel psychoactive substances (NPS) use is progressively increasing year on year. The new analogues of phencyclidine are frequently sold as legal dissociative anesthetic drug with hallucinogenic and sedative effects, a legal alternative to ketamine, acting as a high affinity and selective ligand of NMDA receptor antagonists.ObjectivesTo describe the presence of 3- and 4-MeO-PCP in samples delivered to Energy Control from 2009 to 2015 in Spain.MethodsA total of 21,198 samples were analyzed from august 2009 to august 2015. Only those samples containing 4-MeO-PCP or 3-MeO-PCP were studied. They were analyzed by Energy Control, a Spanish harm reduction NGO that offers the possibility of analyzing the substances that users report. Analysis was done by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry.ResultsAll the samples resulted to be the acquired drug of the consumer. Three samples were adulterated with substances as tramadol, cocaine, acetone among others.ConclusionsThree and 4-MeO-PCP consumption is not found to be an emerging issue according to the results of our samples. Even the potential harmful effects of these dissociative drugs, our indirect indicator seems to show that consumption has not increased. A more precise monitoring would make a better approach to the real consumption and the impact of these substances in our society.Disclosure of interestThe authors declare that they have no competing interest.

New designer benzodiazepines use in Barcelona

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S874-S874
Author(s):  
S. Pérez González ◽  
M. De Dios Felis ◽  
E. Monteagudo Gimeno ◽  
D. Sanagustín Bosqued ◽  
A. Trabsa Biskri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Drug Market ◽  
Pharmacokinetic Profile ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Attractive Alternative ◽  
Energy Control ◽  
New Public Health ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Competing Interest ◽  
Designer Benzodiazepines

IntroductionNew designer benzodiazepines such as phenazepam, etizolam, diclazepam, clonazolam and flubromazolam have appeared in the recreational drug market due to that they provide an attractive alternative to prescription-only benzodiazepines as they are readily available over the Internet.ObjectiveTo describe the presence of new designer benzodiazepines in samples delivered to energy control since 2010 to 2016 in Barcelona.MethodsFrom 2010 to 2016, 24,551 samples were delivered to energy control. Among this samples 43 (0.175%) were analysed as benzodiazepines. They were analyzed by energy control, a Spanish harm reduction NGO that offers the possibility of analyzing the substances that users report. Analysis was done by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.ResultsFrom the 43 samples analyzed as benzodiazepines, 1 (2.32%) was delivered in 2010, none in 2011, 2 (4.65%) in 2012, 2 (4.65%) in 2013, 1 (2.32%) in 2014, 15 (34.88%) in 2015 and 21 (48.83%) in 2016.DiscussionThe data shows that new designer benzodiazepines use is increasing in Barcelona, especially in the last two years. Abuse an addiction to these drugs may be a new public health problem in Barcelona. Unknown side effects may appear due to lack of information about pharmacokinetic profile of these drugs.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Molecular characterization of SARS-CoV-2

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miribane Dërmaku-Sopjani ◽  
Mentor Sopjani
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Virus Genome ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Public Health Crisis ◽  
Therapeutic Drugs ◽  
New Public Health ◽  
New Public ◽  
And Function

Abstract:: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is currently a new public health crisis threatening the world. This pandemic disease is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The virus has been reported to be originated in bats and by yet unknown intermediary animals were transmitted to humans in China 2019. The SARSCoV- 2 spreads faster than its two ancestors the SARS-CoV and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERSCoV) but has reduced fatality. At present, the SARS-CoV-2 has caused about a 1.16 million of deaths with more than 43.4 million confirmed cases worldwide, resulting in a serious threat to public health globally with yet uncertain impact. The disease is transmitted by inhalation or direct contact with an infected person. The incubation period ranges from 1 to 14 days. COVID-19 is accompanied by various symptoms, including cough, fatigue. In most people the disease is mild, but in some other people, such as in elderly and people with chronic diseases, it may progress from pneumonia to a multi-organ dysfunction. Many people are reported asymptomatic. The virus genome is sequenced, but new variants are reported. Numerous biochemical aspects of its structure and function are revealed. To date, no clinically approved vaccines and/or specific therapeutic drugs are available to prevent or treat the COVID-19. However, there are reported intensive researches on the SARSCoV- 2 to potentially identify vaccines and/or drug targets, which may help to overcome the disease. In this review, we discuss recent advances in understanding the molecular structure of SARS-CoV-2 and its biochemical characteristics.

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