scholarly journals Xylazine detected in unregulated opioids and drug administration equipment in Toronto, Canada: clinical and social implications

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeanette M. Bowles ◽  
Karen McDonald ◽  
Nazlee Maghsoudi ◽  
Hayley Thompson ◽  
Cristiana Stefan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
High Resolution Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Opioid Overdose ◽  
Drug Markets ◽  
Dynamic Nature ◽  
The North ◽  
Rapid Responses ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Drug Checking

Abstract Background The North American opioid overdose crisis is driven in large part by the presence of unknown psychoactive adulterants in the dynamic, unregulated drug supply. We herein report the first detection of the psychoactive veterinary compound xylazine in Toronto, the largest urban center in Canada, by the city’s drug checking service. Methods Toronto’s Drug Checking Service launched in October 2019. Between then and February 2021, 2263 samples were submitted for analysis. The service is offered voluntarily at harm reduction agencies that include supervised consumption services. Samples were analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry or liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry. Targeted and/or untargeted screens for psychoactive substances were undertaken. Results In September 2020, xylazine was first detected by Toronto’s Drug Checking Service. Among samples analyzed from September 2020 to February 2021 expected to contain fentanyl in isolation (610) or in combination with methamphetamine (16), xylazine was detected in 46 samples (7.2% and 12.5% of samples, respectively). Samples were predominantly drawn from used drug equipment. Three of the samples containing xylazine (6.5%) were associated with an overdose. Conclusion We present the first detection of xylazine in Toronto, North America’s fourth-largest metropolitan area. The increased risk of overdose associated with use of xylazine and its detection within our setting highlights the importance of drug checking services in supporting rapid responses to the emergence of potentially harmful adulterants. These data also highlight the clinical challenges presented by the dynamic nature of unregulated drug markets and the concomitant need to establish regulatory structures to reduce their contribution to overdose morbidity and mortality.

scholarly journals Diverse Psychotropic Substances Detected in Drug and Paraphernalia Samples Submitted to Drug Checking Services in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, October 2019-April 2020

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristy Scarfone ◽  
Nazlee Maghsoudi ◽  
Karen McDonald ◽  
Cristiana Stefan ◽  
Daniel R Beriault ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Liquid Chromatography ◽  
High Resolution Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Synthetic Cannabinoids ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
People Who Use Drugs ◽  
Opioid Overdose ◽  
High Potency ◽  
Market Monitoring ◽  
Drug Checking

Abstract BackgroundThe opioid overdose crisis has generated innovative harm reduction and drug market monitoring strategies. In Toronto, Ontario, Canada, a multi-site drug checking service (DCS) pilot project was launched in October 2019. The project provides people who use drugs with information on the chemical composition of their substances, thereby increasing their capacity to make more informed decisions about their drug use and avoid overdose. DCS also provides real-time market monitoring to identify trends in the unregulated drug supply. MethodsSample data were obtained through analyses of drug and used paraphernalia samples submitted anonymously and free of charge to DCS in downtown Toronto from October 10, 2019 to April 9, 2020, representing the first six months of DCS implementation. Analyses were conducted in clinical laboratories using ultra high performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-HRMS), and liquid chromatography or gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS, GC-MS) techniques. ResultsOverall, 555 samples were submitted, with 49% (271) of samples that were found to contain high-potency opioids, of which 87% (235) also contained stimulants. Benzodiazepines or related drugs were also found in 21% (116) of all samples, and synthetic cannabinoids in 1% (7) of all samples. Negative effects (including overdose) were reported for 12% (69) of samples submitted for analysis.ConclusionsToronto’s DCS identified a range of high-potency opioids with stimulants, benzodiazepines and related drugs, and a synthetic cannabinoid, AMB-FUBINACA. This information can inform a range of evidence-informed overdose prevention efforts.

scholarly journals Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry and High-Sensitivity Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Screening of Classic Drugs and New Psychoactive Substances and Metabolites in Urine of Consumers

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 4000
Author(s):  
Emilia Marchei ◽  
Maria Alias Ferri ◽  
Marta Torrens ◽  
Magí Farré ◽  
Roberta Pacifici ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Gas Chromatography ◽  
Mobile Phase ◽  
High Performance ◽  
High Resolution Mass Spectrometry ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
New Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Resolution Mass

The use of the new psychoactive substances is continuously growing and the implementation of accurate and sensible analysis in biological matrices of users is relevant and fundamental for clinical and forensic purposes. Two different analytical technologies, high-sensitivity gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) were used for a screening analysis of classic drugs and new psychoactive substances and their metabolites in urine of formed heroin addicts under methadone maintenance therapy. Sample preparation involved a liquid-liquid extraction. The UHPLC-HRMS method included Accucore™ phenyl Hexyl (100 × 2.1 mm, 2.6 μm, Thermo, USA) column with a gradient mobile phase consisting of mobile phase A (ammonium formate 2 mM in water, 0.1% formic acid) and mobile phase B (ammonium formate 2 mM in methanol/acetonitrile 50:50 (v/v), 0.1% formic acid) and a full-scan data-dependent MS2 (ddMS2) mode for substances identification (mass range 100–1000 m/z). The GC-MS method employed an ultra-Inert Intuvo GC column (HP-5MS UI, 30 m, 250 µm i.d, film thickness 0.25 µm; Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA, USA) and electron-impact (EI) mass spectra were recorded in total ion monitoring mode (scan range 40–550 m/z). Urine samples from 296 patients with a history of opioid use disorder were examined. Around 80 different psychoactive substances and/or metabolites were identified, being methadone and metabolites the most prevalent ones. The possibility to screen for a huge number of psychotropic substances can be useful in suspected drug related fatalities or acute intoxication/exposure occurring in emergency departments and drug addiction services.

scholarly journals First Evidence of “Earth Wax” Inside the Casting Molds from the Roman Era

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (14) ◽  
pp. 4259
Author(s):  
Klára Jagošová ◽  
Jan Jílek ◽  
Pavel Fojtík ◽  
Ivan Čižmář ◽  
Miroslav Popelka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
High Resolution Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Intermediate Stage ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Organic Residue ◽  
Organic Residues ◽  
Pyrolysis Gas ◽  
Main Component ◽  
Solids Analysis ◽  
Ceramic Casting

This research was focused on the analysis of material composition and organic residues present in three molds found in the Moravian region (Czech Republic) belonging to the Roman era. X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy pointed out the possible remelting of Roman objects in Barbarian territory. The analysis of organic residues retrieved from the internal part of mold #2 by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry proved the presence of ozokerite wax (“earth wax”). Consequent analysis of this organic residue by Atmospheric Solids Analysis Probe–ion mobility spectrometry–high-resolution mass spectrometry (ASAP-IMS-HRMS) confirmed the presence of ceresin, the main component of ozokerite. Ceresin was also detected in a sample of the organic residue from mold #1. Note that this is the first application of ASAP-IMS-HRMS in archaeological research. The remains of earth wax in molds suggest the production of wax models as an intermediate stage for the production of lost-wax ceramic casting molds.

scholarly journals Comparison of a GC-Orbitrap-MS with Parallel GC-FID Capabilities for Metabolomics of Human Serum

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Biswapriya B. Misra ◽  
Ekong Bassey ◽  
Michael Olivier
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Human Serum ◽  
Ion Trap ◽  
High Resolution Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Chemical Space ◽  
Metabolite Identification ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Good Correspondence ◽  
Orbitrap Ms

AbstractGas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) platforms for use in high throughput and discovery metabolomics have heavily relied on time of flight (ToF), and low resolution quadrupole and ion trap mass spectrometers and are typically run in electron ionization (EI) modes for matching spectral libraries. Traditionally, detectors such as flame ionization detection (FID), have also helped in identification and quantification of compounds in complex samples for diverse clinical applications, i.e., fatty acids. We probed if combination of FID in line with a high-resolution instrument like a GC-Orbitrap-MS may confer advantages over traditional mass spectrometry using EI.We used a commercially available human serum sample to enhance the chemical space of serum using an advanced high resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS) platform (QExactive Orbitrap-MS) with an FID feature for confident metabolite identification to assess the suitability of the platform for routine clinical metabolomics research. Using the EI mode, we quantified 294 metabolites in human serum using GC-Orbitrap-MS. These metabolites belonged to 89 biological pathways in KEGG. Following a sample split, using an in-line FID analysis, 1117 peaks were quantified. Moreover, representative peaks from FID and their corresponding MS counterparts showed a good correspondence when compared for relative abundance.Our study highlights the benefits of the use of a higher mass accuracy instrument for untargeted GC-MS-based metabolomics not only with EI mode but also orthogonal detection method such as FID, for robust and orthogonal quantification, in future studies addressing complex biological samples in clinical set ups.

scholarly journals Tetrodotoxins Occurrence in Non-Traditional Vectors of the North Atlantic Waters (Portuguese Maritime Territory, and Morocco Coast)

Toxins ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marisa Silva ◽  
Inés Rodríguez ◽  
Aldo Barreiro ◽  
Manfred Kaufmann ◽  
Ana Isabel Neto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
High Performance ◽  
High Resolution Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Human Health Risk ◽  
The North ◽  
Limit Value ◽  
Continental Coast ◽  
Moroccan Coast ◽  
Puffer Fish

Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a potent alkaloid typically from tropical ecosystems, but in the last decade its presence has been more pronounced in the temperate waters of the Atlantic. In its last scientific opinion, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) stressed the need for data regarding TTX prevalence in European waters. To address EFSA’s concerns, benthic organisms such as mollusks, crustaceans, echinoderms and fish with different feeding habits were collected along the Portuguese continental coast, islands (São Miguel, Azores, and Madeira) and the northwestern Moroccan coast. A total of 165 samples were analyzed by ultra high performance liquid chromatography high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) and ultra high performance chromatography mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). Geographical tendencies were detected as follows, by descending order: S. Miguel Island (Azores), Moroccan coast, Madeira Island and Portuguese continental coast. The toxin amounts detected were significant, above the Dutch limit value established in 2017, showing the importance and the need for continuity of these studies to gain more knowledge about the prevalence of these toxins, unraveling new vectors, in order to better assess human health risk. This work represents a general overview of new TTX bearers (7) most of them in gastropods (Patella depressa, Nucella lapillus, Onchidella celtica and Aplysia depilans), followed by echinoderms (Echinus esculentus and Ophidiaster ophidianus) and puffer fish Sphoeroides marmoratus.

scholarly journals Determination of the Synthetic Cannabinoids JWH-122, JWH-210, UR-144 in Oral Fluid of Consumers by GC-MS and Quantification of Parent Compounds and Metabolites by UHPLC-MS/MS

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (24) ◽  
pp. 9414
Author(s):  
Nunzia La Maida ◽  
Manuela Pellegrini ◽  
Esther Papaseit ◽  
Clara Pérez-Mañá ◽  
Lourdes Poyatos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Oral Fluid ◽  
High Resolution Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Synthetic Cannabinoids ◽  
Screening Method ◽  
Forensic Toxicology ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Limit Of Quantification

The consumption of synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) has significantly increased in the last decade and the analysis of SCs and their metabolites in human specimens is gaining interest in clinical and forensic toxicology. A pilot study has been carried out using a combination of an initial last generation gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) screening method for the determination of JWH-122, JWH-210, UR-144) in oral fluid (OF) of consumers and an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) confirmatory method for the quantification of the parent compounds and their metabolites in the same biological matrix. OF samples were simply liquid-liquid extracted before injecting in both chromatographic systems. The developed methods have been successfully validated and were linear from limit of quantification (LOQ) to 50 ng/mL OF. Recovery of analytes was always higher than 70% and matrix effect always lower than 15% whereas intra-assay and inter-assay precision and accuracy were always better than 16%. After smoking 1 mg JWH-122 or UR-144 and 3 mg JWH-210, maximum concentration of 4.00–3.14 ng/mL JWH-122, 8.10–7.30 ng/mL JWH-210 ng/mL and 7.40 and 6.81 ng/mL UR-144 were measured by GC-MS and UHPLC-HRMS respectively at 20 min after inhalation. Metabolites of JWH 122 and 210 were quantified in OF by UHPLC-HRMS, while that of UR144 was only detectable in traces. Our results provide for the first time information about disposition of these SCs and their metabolites in consumers OF. Last generation GC-MS has proven useful tool to identify and quantify parent SCs whereas UHPLC-HRMS also confirmed the presence of SCs metabolites in the OF of SCs consumers.

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