Identification of three novel new psychoactive substances 4F-AB-BUTINACA, AB-PHETINACA, and 2F-NENDCK.

The identification of new psychoactive substances (NPS) is an active and cutting-edge topic in forensic science. With the emergence of a large number of NPS, their timely identification to prevent spread can pose a challenge to clinical and forensic toxicology laboratories. Three emerging NPS had been identified in recently seized materials, including two synthetic cannabinoids [N-(1-amino-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl)-1-(4-fluorobutyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide (4F-AB-BUTINACA) and N-(1-amino-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl)-1-phenethyl-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide (AB-PHETINACA)] and a ketamine-like substance [2-(2-fluorophenyl)-2-(ethylamino) cyclohexan-1-one(2F-NENDCK)]. The three compounds were first identified by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). These data may assist forensic analysts in analyzing the same substances or their homologous compounds.

[DNA aptamer selection in vitro for determining ketamine by FluMag-SELEX].

OBJECTIVE: To select specific DNA aptamer for determining ketamine by FluMag-SELEX. METHODS: Based on magnetic beads with tosyl surface modification as solid carrier and ketamine as target, a random ssDNA library with total length of 78 bp in vitro was compounded. After 13 rounds screening, DNA cloning and sequencing were done. Primary and secondary, structures were analyzed. The affinity, specificity and Kd values of selected aptamer were measured by monitoring the fluorescence intensity. RESULTS: Two ssDNA aptamers (Apt#4 and Apt#8) were successfully selected with high and specific abilities to bind ketamine as target with Kd value of 0.59 and 0.66 µmol/L. The prediction of secondary structure was main stem-loop and G-tetramer. The stem was the basis of stability of aptamer's structure. And loop and G-tetramer was the key of specific binding of ketamine. CONCLUSION: FluMag-SELEX can greatly improve the selection efficiency of the aptamer, obtain the ketamine-binding DNA aptamer, and develop a new method for rapid detection of ketamine.