Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Leila Mazdai, Matteo Fabbri, Micaela Tirri, Giorgia Corli, Raffaella Arfe, Beatrice Marchetti, Sabrine Bilel, Eva Bergamin, Rosa Maria Gaudio, Michele Rubini, Fabio De-Giorgio, Matteo Marti
Summary: In the past decade, numerous new psychoactive substances have been synthesized and added to the illicit drug market. These substances are designed to mimic the effects of traditional drugs in order to bypass regulations and increase their potency. Ongoing research is necessary to understand the acute pharmacological effects of these substances and their potential impact on public health. Additionally, long-term effects and the role of genetics and epigenetics in individual responses to these substances need further investigation.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Peipei Liu, Wenjuan Liu, Hongwei Qiao, Shan Jiang, Youmei Wang, Jie Chen, Mengxiang Su, Bin Di
Summary: This study proposes a high-throughput nail sample preparation method and a quantitative analytical method for drug intake detection in forensic toxicology investigations. The method involves cryogenic grinding and high-speed grinding to improve extraction recovery. It serves as a useful tool for large-scale surveillance of illicit drugs abuse.
ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Merve Kuloglu Genc, Selda Mercan, Murat Yayla, Tugba Tekin Bulbul, Cagdas Adioren, Sumeyye Zulal Simsek, Faruk Asicioglu
Summary: The national wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) monitoring campaign in Turkey since 2019 aimed to determine drug consumption trends. Results from monitoring in six major cities showed geographical variations in drug usage preferences, with cannabis being widely used in all cities. Significant differences in drug consumption levels among the cities were identified, except for cannabis.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
J. Tyler Davidson, Zachary J. Sasiene, Glen P. Jackson
Summary: In-source CID and beam-type CID are two methods for mass spectrometry analysis, with the former not requiring an isolation step before collisional activation, resulting in a product ion spectrum composed of fragment ions from any analyte present during the activation event, while the latter involves isolation before collision. The study results show that large fragmentor potentials for in-source CID favor the generation of more abundant lower mass product ions compared to beam-type CID.
JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fabio Gosetti, Viviana Consonni, Davide Ballabio, Marco Emilio Orlandi, Angelo Amodio, Maria Valeria Picci, Marco Visentin, Veronica Termopoli
Summary: According to the 2021 World Drug Report, there are approximately 275 million drug users and 36 million people suffering from addiction worldwide, leading to a flourishing illicit drug market. In Italy, a significant number of people (30,083) were reported for violating the Italian Law D.P.R. 309/1990. However, the forensic laboratories in Italy face challenges in completing drug analyses quickly, causing delays in the reporting process for sentencing. To address this issue, a UHPLC-MS/MS-based platform was developed at the University of Milano-Bicocca, which enables law enforcement authorities to manage street seizures and generate accurate reports efficiently.
Editorial Material
Biology
Camilla Cecannecchia, Benedetta Baldari, Andrea Cioffi
Summary: The study of bone mineral density and fracture dating based on healing processes plays a crucial role in forensic anthropology. By emphasizing the importance of these parameters, researchers aim to reconstruct biological profiles, determine time and cause of death, and minimize the impact of medication or substance abuse during life. The introduction of pharmacological history as a correction factor in bone remains analysis, backed by scientific studies, aims to enhance specificity in understanding the effects of certain therapies on bone mass and remodeling speed.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Michal Szeremeta, Karolina Pietrowska, Anna Niemcunowicz-Janica, Adam Kretowski, Michal Ciborowski
Summary: Forensic toxicology and forensic medicine are unique fields with essential legal impact, where metabolomics has emerged as a powerful tool for monitoring changes. Targeted and untargeted approaches in metabolomics allow for studying known and unknown metabolites, with statistical methods helping extract useful information.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Legal
L. Gessner, B. Madea, A. Maas, M. Kramer
Summary: This case report highlights the impact of different sampling sites on the quantification of narcotic substances, revealing the variability of results depending on the location within a syringe and emphasizing the significance of considering contamination in forensic analysis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LEGAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Automation & Control Systems
Xiaohong Chen, Xu Yang, Jing-wei Zhang, Hao Tang, Qing-hua Zhang, Ya-chen Wang, Zi-feng Jiang, Yan-ling Liu
Summary: Ink classification is the task of distinguishing unknown inks into different groups, while ink source prediction is the ability to predict the manufacturer or model of an unknown ink. This study presents an approach to predict the source of black inks using real-time mass spectrometry analysis and assesses the strength of the prediction using likelihood ratios. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in predicting ink source and calibrating the likelihood ratio.
JOURNAL OF CHEMOMETRICS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Aurelia Collados-Ros, Carmen Torres-Sanchez, Maria Dolores Perez-Carceles, Aurelio Luna, Isabel Legaz
Summary: Suicide affects people from all sociodemographic levels, age groups, and populations worldwide. This study analyzed the types and combinations of toxins found in fatal suicide victims with different suicide mechanisms. It found that drug abuse was most commonly associated with male suicides, while jumping from a height was more common among females. Toxicological analysis is crucial for understanding consumption patterns and establishing strategies to prevent suicide.
Review
Medicine, Legal
Guido Pelletti, Rafael Boscolo-Berto, Rossella Barone, Arianna Giorgetti, Clara Fiorentini, Jennifer P. Pascali, Paolo Fais, Susi Pelotti
Summary: Very few studies have examined the predictors of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) based on gender. This study aims to analyze the prevalence of DUI of drugs in men and women and evaluate gender differences in risky DUI behavior. The meta-analysis showed that men had a significantly higher prevalence of DUI for cocaine, cannabinoids, and amphetamine-like drugs compared to women. However, no differences were observed in the use of opioids and psychoactive prescription drugs. Gender-specific prevention and enforcement efforts should be developed based on these findings.
FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Annagiulia Di Trana, Diletta Berardinelli, Eva Montanari, Paolo Berretta, Giuseppe Basile, Marilyn A. Huestis, Francesco Paolo Busardo
Summary: Adulteration is a common practice in drug production, where active ingredients are intentionally added to alter drug effects and increase profits. The types of adulterants used vary over time. Constant monitoring of adulterants is crucial to protect drug consumers' health.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Samir M. Ahmad, Oriana C. Goncalves, Mariana N. Oliveira, Nuno R. Neng, Jose M. F. Nogueira
Summary: The analysis of controlled drugs in forensic matrices using microextraction-based approaches has gained considerable attention due to its simplicity, cost-benefit, and environmental sustainability. These innovative techniques are becoming increasingly relevant in monitoring priority substances, such as illicit drugs, in the forensic context. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the advantages and future trends in applying microextraction-based techniques for screening-controlled drugs in forensic settings.
Review
Medical Laboratory Technology
Lea Wagmann, Cathy M. Jacobs, Markus R. Meyer
Summary: This review discusses the methods for detecting new psychoactive substances (NPSs) using mass spectrometry and highlights the advantages and disadvantages of using common biological matrices for screening in a clinical toxicology setting. The results show that blood and urine are the most commonly used biological matrices, but other options are also available.
THERAPEUTIC DRUG MONITORING
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Arianna Giorgetti, Rossella Barone, Guido Pelletti, Marco Garagnani, Jennifer Pascali, Belal Haschimi, Volker Auwaerter
Summary: The research aims to develop and validate a targeted liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for detection of novel psychoactive substances in whole blood. The method successfully identified 132 synthetic cannabinoids, 22 synthetic opioids, and 28 other synthetic drugs, with validation showing acceptable accuracy, precision, and linearity.
DRUG TESTING AND ANALYSIS
(2022)
