Green and sustainable drug analysis – Combining microsampling and microextraction of drugs of abuse

Abstract During routine drug analysis with the Syva d.a.u. Emit immunoassays we observed a high frequency of urines with lower rates of changes in absorbance (delta A R) than the rate for a drug-free urine calibrator. Many of these urines contained salicylates. Among 40 urines with apparent salicylate concentrations between 15 and 420 mg/dL tested for benzoylecgonine (BE), 20 had delta A R < -4 (range +2 to -28 mA/min). The rates decreased with increasing salicylate: delta A R = -0.057 x (salicylate, mg/dL) -0.22 mA/min (r = 0.85, n = 40, P < 0.01). Urines from 100 control subjects (no salicylate) had mean +/- SD delta A R values of -1.05 +/- 2.2 mA/min (range +3 to -7; only two were < -4 mA/min). Although direct addition of salicylic acid (200 mg/dL) to urine specimens did not reproduce the negative bias, ingestion of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) did by -0.09 mA/min per 1 mg/dL (72.4 mumol/L) salicylate. Negative biases observed for other Emit d.a.u. assays after salicylate ingestion lead us to conclude that ingestion of therapeutic doses of aspirin may cause false-negative results for drug screens in urines by this technology.

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Comprehensive Drug Screening of Whole Blood by LC–HRMS–MS in a Forensic Laboratory

Journal of Analytical Toxicology ◽

10.1093/jat/bkaa073 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jon B Stephenson ◽

Melanie L Flater ◽

Joseph Austin ◽

Lisa T Bain ◽

Lisa A Holt ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Liquid Chromatography ◽

Drug Screening ◽

Whole Blood ◽

Drugs Of Abuse ◽

Screening Method ◽

Drug Analysis ◽

Screening Methods ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Traditional Drug ◽

Whole Blood Samples

Abstract As the number of prescriptions, over-the-counter medications and drugs of abuse continue to increase, forensic laboratories are faced with the challenge of developing more comprehensive screening methods in order to detect them in whole blood samples. Another challenge faced by forensic laboratories is detecting and identifying novel synthetic compounds as they emerge and change. Traditional drug screening methods include enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and either gas or liquid chromatography paired with mass spectrometry (GC–MS or LC–MS-MS, respectively). While these methods are good, they have their disadvantages. For example, EIA requires special reagents for each drug class, GC–MS requires extensive sample preparation, and LC–MS-MS only detects drugs on a known inclusion lists of compounds of interest. Described below is the development of a robust and comprehensive screening method for drugs in whole blood samples that eliminates the aforementioned disadvantages of the traditional methods. Using a Q Exactive Focus™ liquid chromatography–high-resolution accurate mass spectrometer (LC–HRMS-MS), a method was developed that is capable of detecting ~200 drugs at a concentration of 2 μg/L for most analytes. This method also employs a more automated data processing feature which reduces processing time. Finally, it has the added benefit of retroactive data analysis, which allows it to be used for unknown drug analysis as well. Used as an initial screening method, the comprehensive drug screen using LC–HRMS-MS has the potential to take on two of the most important challenges faced by forensic laboratories today.

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Application of mixed-mode ultra high performance liquid chromatography to forensic drug analysis

Analytical Methods ◽

10.1039/c5ay02206a ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 7 (23) ◽

pp. 9763-9772 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Cassandra Clyde ◽

Samantha Blake ◽

Stacey Obrien ◽

Ihuoma Igwilo ◽

Ira S. Lurie

Keyword(s):

High Performance Liquid Chromatography ◽

Liquid Chromatography ◽

Mixed Mode ◽

High Performance ◽

Drugs Of Abuse ◽

Drug Analysis ◽

Rapid Analysis

Methodology is presented for the rapid analysis of drugs of abuse using a single UHPLC column with orthogonal separation methods using different combinations of the same solutions in the solvent reservoir.

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Computational drug analysis of APOBEC3B enzyme: Promising cancer drug target

10.1021/scimeetings.0c01075 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Zachary Daniel Smith ◽

Bill R Miller III

Keyword(s):

Drug Target ◽

Drug Analysis ◽

Cancer Drug

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The Use of Prescription Drugs and Drugs of Abuse for Neuroenhancement in Europe

European Psychologist ◽

10.1027/1016-9040/a000228 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 20 (3) ◽

pp. 155-166 ◽

Cited By ~ 45

Author(s):

Larissa J. Maier ◽

Michael P. Schaub

Keyword(s):

Prescription Drugs ◽

Illicit Drugs ◽

Adverse Reactions ◽

Low Dose ◽

Drugs Of Abuse ◽

Mental Performance ◽

Or Education ◽

Learning Techniques ◽

Monitoring The Future ◽

Definition Of

Abstract. Pharmacological neuroenhancement, defined as the misuse of prescription drugs, illicit drugs, or alcohol for the purpose of enhancing cognition, mood, or prosocial behavior, is not widespread in Europe – nevertheless, it does occur. Thus far, no drug has been proven as safe and effective for cognitive enhancement in otherwise healthy individuals. European studies have investigated the misuse of prescription and illicit stimulants to increase cognitive performance as well as the use of tranquilizers, alcohol, and cannabis to cope with stress related to work or education. Young people in educational settings report pharmacological neuroenhancement more frequently than those in other settings. Although the regular use of drugs for neuroenhancement is not common in Europe, the irregular and low-dose usage of neuroenhancers might cause adverse reactions. Previous studies have revealed that obtaining adequate amounts of sleep and using successful learning techniques effectively improve mental performance, whereas pharmacological neuroenhancement is associated with ambiguous effects. Therefore, non-substance-related alternatives should be promoted to cope with stressful situations. This paper reviews the recent research on pharmacological neuroenhancement in Europe, develops a clear definition of the substances used, and formulates recommendations for practitioners regarding how to react to requests for neuroenhancement drug prescriptions. We conclude that monitoring the future development of pharmacological neuroenhancement in Europe is important to provide effective preventive measures when required. Furthermore, substance use to cope with stress related to work or education should be studied in depth because it is likely more prevalent and dangerous than direct neuroenhancement.

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