Qualitative transformations of street-seized ecstasy over a decade: A case study in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil).

The illegal drug market is constantly evolving, with new drugs being created and existing ones being modified. Adulterants are often added to the mix, and the primary substance may be secretly replaced by a new one. Once-known tablets can now be vastly different from what they are sold as, all due to the pursuit of profit and evasion of current drug regulations. These alterations in drug composition pose a threat to society, as their effects are still not well understood. Therefore, it is crucial for police intelligence and public health development to obtain the chemical profiles of illicit drugs. This study presents the chemical fingerprinting of ecstasy tablets seized in the state of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) between 2012 and 2021. The tablet samples were weighed, extracted, diluted with methanol, and acidified before analysis using gas chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry and attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The major constituents found were MDMA and clobenzorex, with fewer occurrences of MDA, MDEA, and 2C-B. The results also indicate that the occurrence of mega-events in the study location impacted the chemical fingerprints of ecstasy. A total of 27 combinations of cutting agents, including caffeine, ephedrine, and anesthetics, were identified. Samples composed of clobenzorex were observed throughout the evaluated period in areas near highways, suggesting that this product is mainly used by truck drivers. These findings can help police intelligence units anticipate the behavior of the illicit market during major events, identify traffic routes, and support public health initiatives.

Stressful situations and factors in students of nursing in clinical practice / Situaciones y factores de estrés en los estudiantes de enfermería en la práctica clínica / Situações e fatores de estresse em estudantes de enfermagem na prática clínica

Objective.To assess the risk factors for stress in undergraduate students of nursing in clinical practice in a public university in the Northeast region of Brazil. Methods. Cross-sectional descriptive study with 116 students from the fifth to the ninth period. The bilingual KEZKAK questionnaire, validated for Portuguese, was used. Stress was considered to be present when the score was equal or superior to 2. Results. The students with stress in clinical practice were 18 to 22 years old (2.82 ± 0.98), women (2.81 ± 0.96), married (2.80 ± 0.97), and who were permanent contracted employees (2.74 ± 0.94). The factors which were most associated with stress were: Lack of competence (2.99 ± 0.88); Impotence and uncertainty (2.98 ± 0.85); and Patients seeking a closer relationship (2.93 ± 1.01). The students of the sixth period were the most vulnerable to stress (2.85±0.96). Conclusion. The studies showed the main risk factors for stress among students of nursing in their clinical practice. These results could be used in the development of strategies seeking to reduce stress in this context as well as to contribute to promoting mental health.

Objetivo.Evaluar factores de riesgo para el estrés en estudiantes de pregrado de enfermería en la práctica clínica de una universidad pública de la región nordeste de Brasil. Métodos. Estudio descriptivo transversal con 116 estudiantes del 5º al 9º período. Se utilizó el cuestionario KEZKAK validado al portugués. Se consideró que se había estrés cuando la puntación era igual o superior a 2. Resultados. Los estudiantes con estrés relacionado con la práctica clínica estaban en el grupo de 18 a 22 años (2.82 ± 0.98), eran mujeres (2.81 ± 0.96), estaban casados (2.80 ± 0.97) y trabajaban (2.74 ± 0.94). Los factores más predisponentes fueron: la falta de competencia (2.99 ± 0.88), la impotencia y la incertidumbre (2.98 ± 0.85) y que el paciente busque una relación íntima (2.93 ± 1.01). Los estudiantes del sexto período fueron los más vulnerables al estrés (2.85 ± 0.96). Conclusión. El estudio mostró cuáles eran los principales factores de riesgo para el estrés en estudiantes de enfermería en la práctica clínica. Esta información puede ser empleada para el desarrollo de estrategias que busquen la reducción de estrés en los estudiantes de enfermería en la práctica clínica y así contribuir la promoción de la salud mental.

Objetivo.Avaliar os fatores de risco para o estresse em estudantes de graduação de enfermagem em prática clínica em uma universidade pública da região nordeste do Brasil. Metodologia. Estudo descritivo de corte transversal, com 116 acadêmicos, del 5º ao 9º período. Empregou-se o questionário bilíngue KEZKAK validado para o portugués. Considerou-se estresse quando a pontuação fosse igual ou superior a 2. Resultados. Os estudantes com estresse na prática clínica encontraram-se no grupo de18 a 22 anos (2.82 ± 0.98), mulheres (2.81 ± 0.96), casados (2.80 ± 0.97), e que possuíam vínculo empregatício (2.74 ± 0.94). Os fatores mais condicionantes para estresse foram: Falta de competência (M=2.99, DP=0.88); Impotência e incerteza (M=2.98, DP=0.85); O paciente busca uma relação íntima (M=2.93, DP=1.01). Os académicos do sexto período foram os mais vulneráveis para o estresse (2.85±0.96).. Conclusão. O estudo mostrou os principais fatores de risco para o estresse entre alunos de enfermagem na sua prática clínica. Estes resultados podem ser utiizados no desenvolvimento de estrategias que busquem a redução do estresse nesse contexto, bem como contribuir para a promoção da saúde mental.

Stressful situations and factors in students of nursing in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the risk factors for stress in undergraduate students of nursing in clinical practice in a public university in the Northeast region of Brazil. METHODS: Cross-sectional descriptive study with 116 students from the fifth to the ninth period. The bilingual KEZKAK questionnaire, validated for Portuguese, was used. Stress was considered to be present when the score was equal or superior to 2. RESULTS: The students with stress in clinical practice were 18 to 22 years old (2.82 ± 0.98), women (2.81 ± 0.96), married (2.80 ± 0.97), and who were permanent contracted employees (2.74 ± 0.94). The factors which were most associated with stress were: Lack of competence (2.99 ± 0.88); Impotence and uncertainty (2.98 ± 0.85); and Patients seeking a closer relationship (2.93 ± 1.01). The students of the sixth period were the most vulnerable to stress (2.85±0.96). CONCLUSION: The studies showed the main risk factors for stress among students of nursing in their clinical practice. These results could be used in the development of strategies seeking to reduce stress in this context as well as to contribute to promoting mental health.