Development and evaluation of portable NIR technology for the identification and quantification of Australian illicit drugs.

The efficient and accurate analysis of illicit drugs remains a constant challenge in Australia given the high volume of drugs trafficked into and around the country. Portable drug testing technologies facilitate the decentralisation of the forensic laboratory and enable analytical data to be acted upon more efficiently. Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy combined with chemometric modelling (machine learning algorithms) has been highlighted as a portable drug testing technology that is rapid and accurate. However, its effectiveness depends upon a database of chemically relevant specimens that are representative of the market. There are chemical differences between drugs in different countries that need to be incorporated into the database to ensure accurate chemometric model prediction. This study aimed to optimise and assess the implementation of NIR spectroscopy combined with machine learning models to rapidly identify and quantify illicit drugs within an Australian context. The MicroNIR (Viavi Solutions Inc.) was used to scan 608 illicit drug specimens seized by the Australian Federal Police comprising of mainly crystalline methamphetamine hydrochloride (HCl), cocaine HCl, and heroin HCl. A number of other traditional drugs, new psychoactive substances and adulterants were also scanned to assess selectivity. The 3673 NIR scans were compared to the identity and quantification values obtained from a reference laboratory in order to assess the proficiency of the chemometric models. The identification of crystalline methamphetamine HCl, cocaine HCl, and heroin HCl specimens was highly accurate, with accuracy rates of 98.4 %, 97.5 %, and 99.2 %, respectively. The sensitivity of these three drugs was more varied with heroin HCl identification being the least sensitive (methamphetamine = 96.6 %, cocaine = 93.5 % and heroin = 91.3 %). For these three drugs, the NIR technology provided accurate quantification, with 99 % of values falling within the relative uncertainty of ±15 %. The MicroNIR with NIRLAB infrastructure has demonstrated to provide accurate results in real-time with clear operational applications. There is potential to improve informed decision-making, safety, efficiency and effectiveness of frontline and proactive policing within Australia.

Pursuing drug laboratories: Analysis of drug precursors with High Kinetic Energy Ion Mobility Spectrometry.

High Kinetic Energy Ion Mobility Spectrometry (HiKE-IMS) is a technique for rapid and reliable detection of trace compounds down to ppbV-levels within one second. Compared to classical IMS operating at ambient pressure and providing the ion mobility at low electric fields, HiKE-IMS can also provide the analyte-specific field dependence of the ion mobility and a fragmentation pattern at high reduced electric field strengths. The additional information about the analyte obtained by varying the reduced electric field strength can contribute to reliable detection. Furthermore, the reduced number of ion-molecule reactions at the low operating pressure of 10 - 40 mbar and the shorter reaction times reduce the impact of competing ion-molecule reactions that can cause false negatives. In this work, we employ HiKE-IMS for the analysis of phenyl-2-propanone (P2P) and other precursor chemicals used for synthesis of methamphetamine and amphetamine. The results show that the precursor chemicals exhibit different behavior in HiKE-IMS. Some precursors form a single significant ion species, while others readily form a fragmentation pattern. Nevertheless, all drug precursors can be distinguished from each other, from the reactant ions and from interfering compounds. In particular, the field-dependent ion mobility as an additional separation dimension aids identification, potentially reducing the number of false positive alarms in field applications. Furthermore, the analysis of a seized illicit P2P sample shows that even low levels of P2P can be detected despite the complex background present in the headspace of real samples.

Assessment of illicit drug use in Seoul, the capital of South Korea for 21 days by wastewater-based epidemiology.

22 illicit drugs were monitored in Seoul, the capital of South Korea for 21 days using wastewater-based epidemiology to assess the drug usage patterns for the first time by region and social status. Among the targeted compounds, 10 were detected, with consistent detection of methamphetamine in samples over the entire sampling period. In addition, ketamine had the highest estimated consumption rate at 47.5 mg/day/1000 people, followed by methamphetamine at 12.5 mg/day/1000 people. Methamphetamine and MDMA(3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) exhibited relatively stable daily patterns, with coefficients of variation of 7.03 %, and 13.4 % respectively. Furthermore, no statistically significant differences were observed between weekends and weekdays for all compounds (Mann-Whitney Rank Sum test, p > 0.05). Statistically significant regional differences in drug consumption were observed for methamphetamine, MDMA, and ketamine (Mann-Whitney Rank Sum test, p < 0.05). These differences were found to be related to average annual income and educational levels.

Aptamer-controlled gold nanozyme sensor for fluorescent and colorimetric dual-channel detection of methamphetamine.

Methamphetamine (METH) is the second abused drug which affects abusers' health and induces social crimes, developing novel methods with high sensitivity and selectivity for METH detecting is still challenging. In this paper, a colorimetric and fluorescent dual-channel sensor for METH has been constructed. We combine the enzyme-mimic catalytic activity of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) with high target specificity of METH aptamer to create a nanosensor (Apt-GNP), in the presence of METH, the absorption of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (OxTMB) at 650 nm enhanced with METH concentration increasing, while the absorption characteristic peak of GNPs at 530 nm remained almost unchanged. The ratio of A650nm/A530nm and METH concentration had a good linear relationship when METH concentration was in the range of 5-50 µM, and the corresponding linear equation is A650nm/A530nm = 0.00727CMETH (µM) + 0.783 with R2 = 0.997 and LOD = 0.40 µM (LOD = 3σ/s, n = 11). Interestingly, the fluorescence emission of Rhodamine B (RB) overlaps with the absorption spectrum of OxTMB which represents the content of METH and the fluorescence signal of RB can be quenched through internal filtering effect (IEF). Hence, when RB was doped to the detection system, the decay of RB fluorescence can reflect the concentrations change of METH. Accordingly, the linear equation is F/FR = -0.00751CMETH (µM) + 0.895 with R2 = 0.993 and LOD = 0.40 µM, where F was the fluorescence of the analytical solution at 580 nm with METH and FR was fluorescence of RB control solution. The dual-channel sensor can measure METH in serum and artificial urine successfully which is potential to be applied in drug-using crime sites and provide direct evidence to law enforcement officials.

Methamphetamine detection using portable capillary electrophoresis coupled with a swab-based extraction device.

Methamphetamine (MA) is one of the most virulent illicit drugs that can be synthesized from household materials leading to its prevalent trafficking and local manufacturing in clandestine drug laboratories (clan labs). The significant problems of tracing MA in clan labs and monitoring drug abusers lie in the lag time between sample collection and analysis and the number of tests done. Capillary electrophoresis (CE) is a rapid separation technique amenable to miniaturization and field testing. Herein, we developed a simple transient isotachophoretic (tITP)-CE method to detect MA and its precursor pseudoephedrine (PSE) in clan labs and non-invasive biological fluids. The method was implemented on the ETD-100, a commercial fully automated portable CE instrument with an integrated swab-based extraction system. Within 2 min of insertion of the swab, MA and PSE were automatically extracted with a leading electrolyte (LE) and then separated on covalently modified capillaries. The ETD-100 showed a limit of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) of MA 0.02 and 0.05 µg/swab and 0.02 and 0.06 µg/swab of PSE, with an enhancement factor of 118 and 328, respectively, when compared to a normal non-tITP injection. The intra and inter-day relative standard deviation in terms of migration time were in the range of 0.75-1.93 % for both MA and PSE and were 2.0-2.4 % for both MA and PSE peak height. The method was demonstrated with the detection of spiked MA and PSE on different household materials as well as in non-invasive biological fluids with a recovery above 60 %.

A systematic approach to the analysis of illicit drugs for DNA with an overview of the problems encountered.

Due to the restricted nature of illicit drugs, it is difficult to conduct research surrounding the analysis of this drug material for any potential DNA in sufficient quantities acceptable for high numbers of replicates. Therefore, the current research available in peer reviewed journals thus far regarding analysing illicit drugs for DNA has been performed under varying experimental conditions, often using surrogate chemicals in place of illicit drugs. The data presented within this study originated from the analysis of genuine illicit drugs prepared both in controlled environments and those seized at the Australian border (and therefore from an uncontrolled environment) to determine if DNA can be obtained from this type of material. This study has been separated into three main parts (total n=114 samples): firstly, methamphetamine synthesised within a controlled environment was spiked with both saliva and trace DNA to determine the yield following DNA extraction; secondly, methamphetamine also synthesised in a controlled environment but on a larger scale was tested for the amount of DNA added incidentally throughout the synthesis, including the additional steps of recrystallising, homogenising and "cutting" the drug material to simulate preparation for distribution; and thirdly, the detection of human DNA within samples of cocaine and heroin seized at the Australian border. The DNA Fast Flow Microcon Device was utilised to concentrate all replicates from the same source into one combined extract to improve the DNA profiles for the samples where no DNA spiking occurred. Full STR profiles were successfully obtained from drug samples spiked with both saliva and trace DNA. Methamphetamine was present in the final DNA extracts and caused incompatibilities with the quantification of DNA using Qubit. The yields of DNA from drugs not spiked with DNA sources were much lower, resulting in 36 % of samples yielding alleles where all others did not. These results were not unexpected given these were realistic drug samples where the history of the drug material was unknown. This is the first study to obtain DNA profiles from genuine illicit drug material in both controlled and uncontrolled environments and indicates that the analysis of illicit drugs for DNA is an avenue worth pursuing to provide information which can in turn assist with disrupting the supply of these drugs. Given that DNA profiling is carried out worldwide using essentially the same systems as described within this study, the potential for impact is on a national and international scale.

Nationwide assessment of illicit drug consumption patterns in South Korea using wastewater-based epidemiology during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2022).

Illicit drugs have become a crucial global social issue, with South Korea experiencing a continuous increase in the number of offenders and drug smuggling. This study employed wastewater-based epidemiology to investigate consumption patterns of 8 illicit drugs and their 7 metabolites during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2022) in South Korea. Ten compouds were detected in the wastewater influent. Methamphetamine (METH) was prevalent in samples, followed by amphetamine and ecstasy (MDMA). Interestingly, MDMA and ketamine (KET), which were not detected in previous Korean studies conducted before COVID-19 pandemic, were detected in this study. METH exhibited the highest consumption rates, decreasing from 16.6 to 12.4 mg/day/1000 people between 2020 and 2022, while MDMA increased over the three years (mean: 1.16, 1.24, and 1.62 mg/day/1000 people in 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively) (p < 0.05). Significant correlations were identified between regional income levels and the consumption rates of METH (p < 0.01), MDMA (p < 0.01), and KET (p < 0.05). Furthermore, METH and MDMA consumption rates in cities were positively correlated with the number of drug offenders arrested and local clubs in those cities. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into shaping regulatory policies related to illicit drugs and future studies.

Assessing daily patterns in stimulant use during the COVID-19 pandemic in Melbourne, Australia using wastewater analysis.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, one of Australia's biggest cities, Melbourne, experienced three major isolation ("lockdown") periods in 2020 (160 days) and in 2021 (111 days) which makes it one of the most locked down cities world-wide. This study assessed how the pandemic affected temporal trends in methamphetamine, MDMA and cocaine consumption using wastewater-based epidemiology. Daily samples were collected for most of 2020 and 2021 (n = 660 days). Concentrations were measured using direct-injection LC-MS/MS and back-calculated to consumption estimates. Results indicate that methamphetamine use was increasing before the first lockdown and decreased after the end of the first lockdown in 2020. Methamphetamine trends appeared to have remained steady throughout the second lockdown period before increasing steeply after it ended. For most of 2020, cocaine use remained steady, with an increase after the second lockdown. MDMA use decreased after the start of the first lockdown and remained steady throughout most of 2020 and 2021. In comparison to 2020, trends in 2021 were less variable and stimulant use did not appear to be as associated with COVID-19 restrictions. Overall, this study was able to show the impact of lockdown periods and the related social restrictions on illicit stimulant use. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATION: Illicit drugs are hazardous chemicals, of concern both to humans and the environment. While studies have been undertaken to understand their temporal trends, this work utilizes wastewater-based epidemiology and daily sampling to provide a comprehensive understanding of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the use of methamphetamine, MDMA and cocaine on one of the most locked-down cities in the world. Understanding the consequences of this significant intervention on illicit drug use could provide valuable insights into its potential environmental impact.

A handheld fluorescent lateral flow immunoassay platform for highly sensitive point-of-care detection of methamphetamine and tramadol.

The escalating issue of drug abuse poses a significant threat to public health and societal stability worldwide. An on-site drug detection platform is vital for combating drug abuse and trafficking, as it eliminates the need for additional tools, extensive processes, or specialized training. Therefore, it is imperative to develop a fast, sensitive, non-invasive, and reliable multiplex drug testing platform. In this study, we have presented a silica core@dual quantum dot-shell nanocomposite (SI/DQD)-based fluorescent lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) platform for the highly sensitive and simultaneous point-of-care (POC) detection of methamphetamine (MET) and tramadol (TR). A 3D-printed attachment was designed to integrate optical and electrical components, facilitating the miniaturization of the instrument and reducing both cost and complexity. The device's advanced hardware and effective fluorescence extraction algorithm with waveform reconstruction enable swift, automatic noise reduction and data analysis. SI/DQD nanocomposites were utilized as fluorescent nanotags in the LFIA strips due to their outstanding luminous efficiency and robustness. This LFIA platform achieves impressive detection limits (LODs) of 0.11 ng mL-1 for MET and 0.017 ng mL-1 for TR. The method has also successfully detected MET and TR in complex biological samples, demonstrating its practical application capabilities. The proposed fluorescent LFIA platform, based on SI/DQD technology, holds significant promise for the swift and accurate POC detection of these substances. Its affordability, compact size, and excellent analytical performance make it suitable for on-site drug testing, including at borders and roadside checks, and open up new possibilities for the design and implementation of drug testing methods.

Brain homogenate stability for stimulant drugs.

Brain can be a useful specimen for toxicology testing as it is a protected and isolated organ with lower metabolic activity than other tissues, but there is currently no published data supporting the stability of stimulant drugs in prepared brain homogenates. Brain homogenates were evaluated to determine the stability of the following stimulant drugs: amphetamine, benzoylecgonine, bupropion, cocaethylene, cocaine, ephedrine, methylenedioxyamphetamine, methylenedioxymethamphetamine, methamphetamine, and phentermine. Four different homogenates were prepared at a 1:4 dilution with deionized water and fortified at 500 ng/mL of: cocaine without sodium fluoride, cocaine with 1% sodium fluoride, stimulant drugs other than cocaine without sodium fluoride, and stimulant drugs other than cocaine with 1% sodium fluoride. The fortified homogenates were aliquoted into 13 × 100-mm screw cap tubes and stored at room temperature (∼20°C), refrigerated (2-8°C), or frozen (<-5°C) and analyzed in triplicate on Days 0, 1, 3, 7, 14, 30, 60, and 90. Analytes were considered stable as long as the difference in analyte/internal standard response ratio from Day 0 was less than 20% and the peaks met qualitative acceptance criteria. All analytes were stable for up to 90 days when stored frozen with or without sodium fluoride and had variable stability at all other evaluated conditions.

An electrochemical aptasensor for methylamphetamine rapid detection by single-on mode based on competition with complementary DNA.

A simple and rapid electrochemical sensing method with high sensitivity and specificity of aptamers was developed for the detection of methylamphetamine (MAMP). A short anti-MAMP thiolated aptamer (Apt) with a methylene blue (MB) probe at 3'-end was immobilized on the surface of a gold electrode (MB-Apt-S/GE). The electrochemical signal appeared when MAMP presenting in the sample solution competed with cDNA for binding with MB-Apt-S. Under optimized conditions, the liner range of this signal-on electrochemical aptasensor for the detection of MAMP achieved from 1.0 to 10.0 nmol/L and 10.0-400 nmol/L. LOD 0.88 nmol/L were obtained. Satisfactory spiked recoveries of saliva and urine were also obtained. In this method, only 5 min were needed to incubate before the square wave voltammetry (SWV) analysis, which was much more rapid than other electrochemical sensors, leading to a bright and broad prospect for the detection of MAMP in biological sample. This method can be used for on-site rapid detection on special occasions, such as drug driving scenes, entertainment venues suspected of drug use, etc.

Point-of-care testing of methamphetamine and cocaine utilizing wearable sensors.

The imperative for the point-of-care testing of methamphetamine and cocaine in drug abuse prevention necessitates innovative solutions. To address this need, we have introduced a multi-channel wearable sensor harnessing CRISPR/Cas12a system. A CRISPR/Cas12a based system, integrated with aptamers specific to methamphetamine and cocaine, has been engineered. These aptamers function as signal-mediated intermediaries, converting methamphetamine and cocaine into nucleic acid signals, subsequently generating single-stranded DNA to activate the Cas12 protein. Additionally, we have integrated a microfluidic system and magnetic separation technology into the CRISPR system, enabling rapid and precise detection of cocaine and methamphetamine. The proposed sensing platform demonstrated exceptional sensitivity, achieving a detection limit as low as 0.1 ng/mL. This sensor is expected to be used for on-site drug detection in the future.

Chiral analysis of amphetamine, methamphetamine, MDMA and MDA enantiomers in human hair samples.

A novel analytical method was developed for the simultaneous quantification of the R/S-enantiomers of amphetamine, methamphetamine, MDA and MDMA in hair samples using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS). This method involved a straightforward derivatization step with dansyl chloride and the use of a chiral column, enabling the separation and quantification of all eight enantiomers in a single analysis. The method exhibited excellent linearity across a concentration range of 0.03-3.00 ng/mg for each enantiomer. Precision and accuracy were within acceptable limits, with bias and relative standard deviation (RSD) values consistently below 6% and 9%, respectively. Selectivity and specificity assessments confirmed the absence of any interference from contaminants or co-extracted drugs. The method demonstrated high sensitivity, with limits of detection (LOD) below 8 pg/mg and limits of quantification (LOQ) below 19 pg/mg for all analytes. Extraction recovery exceeded 79%, and matrix effects were minimal for all analytes. Processed sample stability evaluations revealed consistent results with deviations below 11% for all analytes. Application of the method to 32 authentic human hair samples provided valuable insights into amphetamine use patterns, allowing differentiation between medical amphetamine consumption and illicit use based on enantiomeric composition. Additionally, the method detected co-use of methamphetamine, MDA or MDMA in some samples, highlighting its applicability in drug monitoring and real-life case scenarios within a forensic institute. This innovative analytical approach offers a sensitive and selective method for enantiomeric differentiation of amphetamine, methamphetamine, MDA and MDMA in human hair samples, providing a valuable tool for forensic and clinical investigations.

Modelling the amount of inputs needed for methamphetamine manufacture in Afghanistan.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The use and manufacture of methamphetamine has increased in Afghanistan in recent years. Recent research and reports have pointed to the ephedra plant, which grows wildly, as a key source of ephedrine used in the manufacture of methamphetamine. This paper aimed to estimate the relative efficiencies and scale of inputs required to manufacture methamphetamine in Afghanistan. METHODS: Monte Carlo simulations model of the amount of ephedra or cold medications needed to render a pure kilogram of methamphetamine in Afghanistan, accounting for uncertainty in ranges of key parameters informed from the literature and elsewhere. Final estimates were extrapolated to recent seizure totals. RESULTS: For dried ephedra, the median estimate is 196.8 kg (25th-75th percentiles 119.3-346.6 kg) needed to produce 1 kg of methamphetamine compared with 27.9 kg (25th-75th percentiles 21.9-36.8 kg) for cold medications. Nearly 2.7 t of methamphetamine were seized in Afghanistan in 2021. Assuming a purity range of 50%-90%, some 266-478 t of dried ephedra or 38-68 t of cold medication would need to have been processed. CONCLUSION: Simulated estimates show that considerable amounts of either ephedra or cold medication are needed to produce 1 kg of methamphetamine in Afghanistan. This raises questions about the plausibility of ephedra as the dominant source of Afghanistan's methamphetamine.

Strategies to detect trace methamphetamine contamination on hard surfaces: Assessing realistic performance of commercially available presumptive tests and a laboratory-based LC-MS/MS method.

Recreational methamphetamine production and heavy use can result in dwelling contamination that is difficult to detect. First responders and public health officials may use commercially available trace methamphetamine detection (presumptive) test kits to understand apparent and hidden dangers in impacted dwellings. Here, we assessed the limit of detection (LOD) of several commercially available presumptive test kits using simulated contaminated hard surfaces. Pyrex petri dishes were spiked with aliquots of methanolic methamphetamine solutions to reach desired simulated contamination levels. Commercially available presumptive tests were conducted according to manufacturer instructions and using included sample preparation materials, when available. Additionally, a laboratory-based liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS) trace methamphetamine quantification method was developed and validated using the EZSTATSG2 tool. For the LC-MS/MS method, samples were collected using 2-ply alcohol prep pads and methamphetamine was extracted using a 1:1 (v:v) methanol: water solution. Most presumptive tests considered were able to detect trace levels of methamphetamine extracted from hard surfaces, with LOD ranging from 0.10-15.00 µg/sample. Comparatively, the laboratory-based LC-MS/MS LOD was 0.05 µg/sample and limit of quantitation was 0.10 µg/sample. The LC-MS/MS method may be useful when the presence of dust or other contaminants interferes with presumptive test interpretation or reliability. Costs of presumptive tests varied from several dollars to tens of dollars, which is included alongside LOD results to aid stakeholders in identifying which test(s) are the best fit for purpose. Therefore, first responders, public health officials, and other stakeholders have several options for assessing trace methamphetamine contamination.

Be aware of (R)-methamphetamine: Negative immunoassay versus positive confirmation analysis.

The amphetamine-type stimulant methamphetamine exists in two enantiomeric forms, (S)-methamphetamine and (R)-methamphetamine, which are both psychoactive but with the (S)-enantiomer being more potent than the (R)-enantiomer. Illicit methamphetamine encountered in Europe is typically a racemic mixture of both enantiomers and enantiopure (S)-methamphetamine, respectively. However, herein we report two cases with proven enantiopure (R)-methamphetamine consumption with moreover both cases remaining undetected by immunoassay screening. Inconspicuous immunoassay findings can be traced back to a considerably higher sensitivity and concentration-dependent cross-reactivity of the applied drug of abuse assay for the (S)-enantiomer of methamphetamine compared with the (R)-enantiomer, and this limitation should be well known by users of immunoassay drug tests.

Death from methamphetamine intoxication in a body stuffer.

A 28-year-old man was admitted dead to the emergency department of the regional hospital. All resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful in this case. Attending officers stated that he was suspected of possessing drugs at the time of arrest and had taken them quickly to cover up. Upon arrival at the hospital, signs of violence were noted all over his body. During the autopsy, two large blue plastic packages were found in the antrum of the stomach. The first was 6.3 × 2.2 cm and had two tight knots, while the second was 7.6 x 1.7 cm and had a single knot. Both packages were irregularly shaped and contained tablet debris that was clearly leaking, as a large amount of gastric juice was present in both packages. A confirmatory forensic toxicology analysis revealed toxic concentrations of methamphetamine in the blood of the dissected case. The patient died of acute methamphetamine intoxication associated with a severe stress condition resulting from violent resistance during arrest.

Five cases of unintentional exposure to BZO-4en-POXIZID among nightclub attendees in New York City.

A new class of synthetic cannabinoids called OXIZIDs has emerged in recent years. This class consists of compounds with oxindole cores and hydrazide/hydrazone linker moieties and has often been described as being designed to circumvent a Chinese class-wide ban that was effective as of 1 July 2021. However, through hair testing of nightclub attendees in New York City-a high-risk population for recreational drug use-we have evidence suggesting exposures to an OXIZID called BZO-4en-POXIZID (4en-pentyl MDA-19) prior to the effective ban. Through analysis of 6 cm segmented hair samples from attendees collected in 2021, we detected five cases of exposure. Specifically, we detected a cluster of three cases based on hair samples collected on 20 June 2021, and then two additional cases from samples collected on 16 July 2021. Four of these hair samples were long enough to analyze two 6 cm hair segments (representing approximately two 6-month timeframes) and three of four of these cases tested positive for repeated exposure (for an estimated exposure over 6 months prior to hair collection). All cases included young adult females reporting past-year cannabis use but all tested negative for tetrahydrocannabinol exposure. Three cases also reported past-year use of cocaine, ecstasy, and/or ketamine, and four cases tested positive for exposure to cocaine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), methamphetamine and/or eutylone. These subjects were exposed to BZO-4en-POXIZID-likely as an adulterant in other drugs, and these cases are among the first documented cases which occurred approximately half a year before the Chinese legislative ban.

[Rapid detection of four amphetamine-type drugs in hair by pulsed direct current electrospray mass spectrometry].

Amphetamine-type drugs are synthetic compounds with an amphetamine parent structure. These compounds cause addiction, central nervous system excitation, and hallucinations. The number of drug users worldwide has gradually increased because amphetamine-type drugs can be synthesized in a simple and artificial manner. The current methods for anti-drug screening and toxicant identification are limited by the large quantity and variety of the drug analytes and long detection times. Thus, the development of broad-spectrum, rapid, and high-throughput detection methods is an urgent necessity. In addition, conventional amphetamine-type drug test samples, such as blood and urine, are only suitable for short-term drug identification. Hair has the advantages of easy preservation, stability, and a long detection window, which can compensate for the deficiencies of body-fluid-based test materials. Hair samples can reflect long-term drug use, which is beneficial for tracing drug sources, and has become an important means of providing evidence in court. Because most laboratory instruments are unable to perform the rapid on-site detection of amphetamine-type drugs in hair, establishing a high-throughput, qualitative and quantitative rapid on-site detection method is necessary. In this study, pulsed direct current electrospray ionization (Pulsed-DC-ESI) coupled with mass spectrometry was used for the rapid detection of four amphetamine-type drugs (amphetamine, methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) in hair. Methanol was used as the extraction solvent, and the grinding method was used for extraction. The pretreatment process included cutting, grinding, and centrifugation. The pretreatment time for each sample was about 10 min. Multiple samples could be processed in batches, greatly improving the efficiency of analysis. Pulsed-DC-ESI is an ambient ionization technology that can be conducted via direct injection without chromatographic separation. The tip of the spray capillary tube was immersed 1 cm below the surface of the sample solution to allow absorption via the capillary effect. When the spray capillary tube contained 1 µL of the sample solution, detection was performed. Pulsed-DC-ESI generates an electrospray at the same frequency as the mass spectrum, thereby avoiding the problem of sample wastage, which often occurs in traditional ESI. The portable mass spectrometer used for analysis is a linear ion trap mass spectrometer. The parameters of Pulsed-DC-ESI, such as the inner diameter of spray capillary tip, spray voltage, and distance between electrode and solution, were optimized based on the mass spectral responses of the amphetamine-type drugs. The optimized ion source conditions included a inner diameter of spray capillary tip of 25 µm, spray voltage of 2 kV, and the distance between electrode and solution of 20 mm. The optimal sample solvent was methanol. The optimized method can achieve simultaneous detection of the four amphetamine-type drugs within 20 s. The linear ranges of amphetamine, methamphetamine, and the two other drugs were 1-25, 1-100, and 1-50 ng/mg, respectively. The limits of detection and quantification of the four drugs in hair were 0.1-0.2 and 1 ng/mg, respectively. All linear correlation coefficients were greater than 0.99, and the average spiked recoveries were 86.6%-114.7%. The intra-day precisions were 4.14%-7.34%, and the inter-day precisions were 3.71%-8.43%. The proposed method was used to screen 2000 samples provided by various testing institutions. A total of five samples were positive for methamphetamine, which is consistent with the results of conventional forensic identification methods. Thus, the developed method can be used for the rapid detection of amphetamine-type drugs.

[Clinical profile and non-recreational methamphetamine abuse (shabu) among stroke patients in the Philippine population]. / Perfil clínico y abuso de metanfetamina no recreativa (shabú) entre los pacientes con ictus en la población filipina.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic non-recreational use of methamphetamine (shabu) is increasing among the Filipino population in Barcelona. The Asian population presents a different stroke pattern, with a higher incidence of haemorrhage, and different vascular risk factors and health behaviours. The objective of this study is to describe the stroke profile and incidence of methamphetamine use in patients of Filipino origin admitted to our centre. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Demographic data, vascular risk factors, clinical data and prognosis were recorded. Methamphetamine exposure was analysed in plasma samples collected on admission, which were then analysed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Of a total of 6,418 stroke patients, 73 (1.1%) were identified as being of Filipino origin. The mean age was 54.4 ± 12.1 years, 54% were male and the stroke was ischaemic in 64.4% of cases. Arterial hypertension was the main risk factor. Ten (13.7%) patients tested positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine. These results confirm recent substance use prior to the stroke, mostly in men (80%). In patients who were consumers, 60% had a haemorrhagic stroke, with a poor functional prognosis at three months in 55.6% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: In our setting, patients of Filipino ethnicity admitted for stroke related to the consumption of shabu belonged a younger age bracket, with a lower prevalence of vascular risk factors and a predominance of the haemorrhagic subtype. Methamphetamine testing in Filipino stroke patients is recommended due to the high prevalence of methamphetamine use in our country.

TITLE: Perfil clínico y abuso de metanfetamina no recreativa (shabú) entre los pacientes con ictus en la población filipina.Introducción. En la población filipina de Barcelona está aumentando el consumo crónico no recreativo de metanfetaminas (shabú). La población asiática presenta un patrón de ictus diferente, con mayor incidencia de hemorragias, y diferentes factores de riesgo vascular y conductas de salud. El objetivo es describir el perfil de ictus e incidencia de consumo de metanfetaminas en pacientes de origen filipino ingresados en nuestro centro. Pacientes y métodos. Se registraron datos demográficos, factores de riesgo vascular, datos clínicos y pronóstico. Se analizó la exposición a metanfetamina en muestras de plasma recogidas en el ingreso, que se analizaron por cromatografía líquida-espectrometría de masas. Resultados. Del total de 6.418 pacientes con ictus, se identificó a 73 pacientes filipinos (1,1%). La edad media era de 54,4 ± 12,1 años, el 54% eran hombres y el ictus era isquémico en el 64,4%. La hipertensión arterial fue el principal factor de riesgo. Diez (13,7%) pacientes dieron positivo a metanfetamina y anfetamina. Estos resultados confirman un consumo reciente de sustancias previo al ictus, principalmente en hombres (80%). En pacientes consumidores, un 60% presentaba un ictus hemorrágico, con mal pronóstico funcional a tres meses en el 55,6% de los pacientes. Conclusiones. En nuestro medio, los pacientes de etnia filipina ingresados por ictus en relación con consumo de shabú presentaron un perfil de edad más joven, con menor prevalencia de factores de riesgo vascular y predominio del subtipo hemorrágico. Se recomienda la determinación de metanfetamina en los pacientes filipinos con ictus debido a la alta prevalencia del consumo de metanfetamina en nuestro país.