Synthetic cannabinoids in hair-Prevalence of use in abstinence control programs for driver's license regranting in Germany.

Although the use, structural variety, and prevalence of synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) have steadily increased on the drug market, they are rarely analyzed in abstinence control programs for driver's license regranting. The aim of this study was to determine the SC prevalence in these programs by analyzing hair samples collected between March 2020 and March 2021 from various regions in Germany, mainly Bavaria (40%). Specimens were analyzed quantitatively for drugs of abuse and qualitatively for 107 SCs.

Evidence for gender differences in the Amphetamine/Methamphetamine ratio in the hair of subjects undergoing Fitness-to-Drive testing.

Background And Aims: Retrospective analysis of hair testing data provides insights in drugs abuse patterns and improves results interpretation. Cases from subjects undergoing driving fitness assessment (2010-2020) were examined to evidence patterns in methamphetamine (MA) abuse.

Materials And Methods: All cases with positive MA (≥0.

LC-QTOF-MS Presumptive Identification of Synthetic Cannabinoids without Reference Chromatographic Retention/Mass Spectral Information. I. Reversed-Phase Retention Time QSPR Prediction as an Aid to Identification of New/Unknown Compounds.

The application of Quantitative Structure-Property Relationship (QSPR) modeling to the prediction of reversed-phase liquid chromatography retention behavior of synthetic cannabinoids (SC), and its use in aiding the untargeted identification of unknown SC are described in this paper. 1D, 2D molecular descriptors and fingerprints of 105 SC were calculated with PaDEL-Descriptor, selected with Boruta algorithm in R environment, and used to build-up a multiple linear regression model able to predict retention times, relative to JWH-018 N-pentanoic acid-d5 as internal standard, under the following conditions: Agilent ZORBAX Eclipse Plus C18 (100 mm × 2.1 mm I.

LC-QTOF-MS Presumptive Identification of Synthetic Cannabinoids without Reference Chromatographic Retention/Mass Spectral Information. II. Evaluation of a Computational Approach for Predicting and Identifying Unknown High-Resolution Product Ion Mass Spectra.

Despite liquid chromatography-high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (MS2) enables untargeted acquisition, data processing in toxicological screenings is almost invariably performed in targeted mode. We developed a computational approach based on open source chemometrics software that, starting from a suspected synthetic cannabinoid (SC) determined formula, searches for isomers in different new psychoactive substances web databases, predicts retention time (RT) and high-resolution MS2 spectrum, and compares them with the unknown providing a rank-ordered candidates list. R was applied on 105 SC measured data to develop and validate a multiple linear regression quantitative structure-activity relationship model predicting RT.

Higher Creatinine Concentrations in Ethyl Glucuronide-Positive Urine Specimens Collected from Subjects in a Controlled Alcohol Abstinence Program: Is Serum Creatinine a Good Marker of Renal Function in Drinkers?

Aims: The aim of this study was to examine urine creatinine concentrations in drivers submitted to controlled alcohol abstinence programs.

Methods: Urine samples (n = 32,210) were screened for ethyl glucuronide (EtG) by immunoassay during a 2-year period. Non-negatives underwent EtG and ethyl sulfate (EtS) confirmation by coupled-column Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

Identification of phase I and II metabolites of the new designer drug α-pyrrolidinohexiophenone (α-PHP) in human urine by liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS).

Pyrrolidinophenones represent one emerging class of newly encountered drugs of abuse, also known as 'new psychoactive substances', with stimulating psychoactive effects. In this work, we report on the detection of the new designer drug α-pyrrolidinohexiophenone (α-PHP) and its phase I and II metabolites in a human urine sample of a drug abuser. Determination and structural elucidation of these metabolites have been achieved by liquid chromatography electrospray ionisation quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-QTOF-MS).

Determination of cocaine and metabolites in hair by column-switching LC-MS-MS analysis.

A method for rapid, selective, and robust determination of cocaine (CO) and metabolites in 5-mg hair samples was developed and fully validated using a column-switching liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry system (LC-MS-MS). Hair samples were decontaminated, segmented, incubated overnight in diluted HCl, and centrifuged, and the diluted (1:10 with distilled water) extracts were analyzed in positive ionization mode monitoring two reactions per analyte. Quantifier transitions were: m/z 304.

Evaluation of buprenorphine LUCIO immunoassay versus GC-MS using urines from a workplace drug testing program.

The buprenorphine (BUP) LUCIO Nal Von Minden screening assay was evaluated. Urine samples from subjects enrolled in a workplace drug testing program were screened according to the manufacturer's instruction using a Roche COBAS Integra 800 analyser. For gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) confirmatory analysis, samples were submitted to enzymatic hydrolysis with β-glucuronidase and mixed-mode solid-phase extraction.

Incorporation of methamphetamine and amphetamine in human hair following controlled oral methamphetamine administration.

Background: Although hair testing is well established for the assessment of past drug exposure, uncertainties persist about mechanisms of drug incorporation into hair and interpretation of results. The aim of this study was to administer methamphetamine (MAMP) under controlled conditions as a model drug to investigate drug incorporation into human hair.

Material And Methods: Seven volunteers with a history of stimulant use received 4×10 mg (low) doses of sustained release S-(+)-MAMP HCl within 1 week, with weekly head hair samples collected by shaving.

Rapid and robust confirmation and quantification of 11-nor-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid (THC-COOH) in urine by column switching LC-MS-MS analysis.

A method for the rapid and robust confirmation of 11-nor-∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid (THCA) in urine involving basic hydrolysis with NaOH and direct injection of the hydrolysate in a column-switching LC-MS-MS system was developed and validated. THCA-d3 was used as internal standard. Detection was performed in negative-ion mode by monitoring the transitions from the [M-CO(2) ]- ion m/z 299.

[Assessment of fitness to drive in correlation with narcotic and psychotropic drug use. Epidemiologic study in Verona].

Driving under the influence of drugs is a serious problem for road traffic safety. According to the Italian Road Traffic Code, the driving licence must not be issued to anyone who abuses, is addicted to, or suffers for dependence to illicit or psychotropic drugs. The diagnosis of such clinical conditions is performed by Provincial Medical Commissions of the Public Health Service also on the basis of drugs of abuse testing results on urine and/or hair samples.

Prevalence of drug abuse among workers: strengths and pitfalls of the recent Italian Workplace Drug Testing (WDT) legislation.

Background: In 2008 a Workplace Drug Testing (WDT) law became effective in Italy for workers involved in public/private transportation, oil/gas companies, and explosives/fireworks industry with the aim to ensure public safety for the community.

Aims: To examine and elaborate WDT data collected on a large group of workers (over 43,500) during March 2009-February 2010 in order to highlight pros and cons and to draw suggestions for policies in the field.

Setting: Northern Italy.

Screening for pharmaco-toxicologically relevant compounds in biosamples using high-resolution mass spectrometry: a 'metabolomic' approach to the discrimination between isomers.

High-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) enables the identification of a chemical formula of small molecules through the accurate measurement of mass and isotopic pattern. However, the identification of an unknown compound starting from the chemical formula requires additional tools: (1) a database associating chemical formulas to compound names and (2) a way to discriminate between isomers. The aim of this present study is to evaluate the ability of a novel 'metabolomic' approach to reduce the list of candidates with identical chemical formula.

Effect of bleaching on ethyl glucuronide in hair: an in vitro experiment.

Introduction: Ethyl glucuronide in hair (HEtG) has recently gained great attention, because of its high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of chronic alcohol abuse. Due to its high polarity hydrophilicity, a strong hair treatment followed by a shampooing may lead to removal/degradation of this molecule from hair matrix.

Aim: To set up an in vitro study in order to evaluate the ability of bleaching of modifying HEtG test results.

Serum/whole blood concentration ratio for ethylglucuronide and ethyl sulfate.

Serum/blood (S/B) concentration ratios for ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and ethyl sulfate (EtS) are missing from the literature, and the aim of this study was to determine these ratios in samples from patients at admission to an alcohol rehabilitation clinic. Two blood samples were collected simultaneously, and EtG and EtS were analyzed in whole blood and serum, respectively, using a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method. Separate calibration standards were prepared in both whole blood and serum for the calculation of whole blood and serum concentrations, respectively.

Comparison of ethyl glucuronide in hair with carbohydrate-deficient transferrin in serum as markers of chronic high levels of alcohol consumption.

This study was designed with the aim to compare sensitivity and specificity of ethyl glucuronide in hair (HEtG) and carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) in serum as markers of heavy drinking. Eighty-six volunteers, including teetotalers, social, and heavy drinkers, were interviewed to evaluate their ethanol daily intake (EDI) during the last 2-week and 3-month periods. HEtG determination was performed by a fully validated LC-MS-MS procedure and ranged from View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Blood kinetics of ethyl glucuronide and ethyl sulphate in heavy drinkers during alcohol detoxification.

Studies of ethyl glucuronide (EtG) blood kinetics have so far been performed on healthy volunteers with ingestion of low to moderate doses of ethanol. These data are not necessarily transferable to heavy drinkers where the consumed doses of ethanol are much higher. The aim of this study was to investigate the pharmacokinetics of EtG and ethyl sulphate (EtS) in blood in heavy drinkers after termination of alcohol ingestion.

Ethyl glucuronide in hair. A sensitive and specific marker of chronic heavy drinking.

Aims: This study aims to define a cut-off concentration for ethyl glucuronide in hair to determine if there was a history of heavy drinking.

Settings: Pavia, Italy.

Participants: We analysed hair samples from 98 volunteers among teetotallers, social drinkers and heavy drinkers, whose ethanol daily intake (EDI) was estimated by means of a written questionnaire.

Ethyl glucuronide in hair compared with traditional alcohol biomarkers--a pilot study of heavy drinkers referred to an alcohol detoxification unit.

Background: Traditional biomarkers for heavy alcohol use include serum carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT), the enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) as well as gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT). Measurement of the nonoxidative ethanol metabolite, ethyl glucuronide (EtG) in hair, has been proposed as a new marker with superior qualities. The aim of this study was to investigate the sensitivity of EtG in hair to detect heavy alcohol use compared with CDT, AST, ALT, and GGT.

Capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF-MS) applied to the analysis of illicit and controlled drugs in blood.

A new method for the determination of illicit and abused drugs in blood by capillary zone electrophoresis-electrospray ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry is proposed, in view of its application in clinical and forensic toxicology. The analytes (methamphetamine, methylenedioxyamphetamine, methylenedioxyethylamphetamine, methylenedioxymethamphetamine, methadone, cocaine, morphine, codeine, 6-acethylmorphine, benzoylecgonine) were separated with capillary zone electrophoresis by applying 15 kV within 25 min, in an uncoated fused-silica capillary (75 microm x 100 cm) using a 25 mM ammonium formate electrolyte solution (pH 9.5).

Implementation and performance evaluation of a database of chemical formulas for the screening of pharmaco/toxicologically relevant compounds in biological samples using electrospray ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Electrospray ionization (ESI)-time-of-flight (TOF) MS enables searching a wide number of pharmaco/toxicologically relevant compounds (PTRC) in biosamples. However, the number of identifiable PTRC depends on extension of reference database of chemical formulas/compound names. Previous approaches proposed in-house or commercial databases with limitations either in PTRC number or content (e.

A direct screening procedure for diuretics in human urine by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with information dependent acquisition.

Background: Diuretics are a class of compounds largely used for either therapeutic (edemas, hypertension, etc.) or illegal (doping) purposes. Probably owing to the substantial variety of their chemical structures, which makes them hardly extractable from a biological matrix in a single procedure, a quite short list of screening methods can be retrieved in the literature.

Treatments against hair loss may hinder cocaine and metabolites detection.

Recently, some of the hair samples that we routinely analyse for drugs of abuse did not produce valid results for cocaine and metabolites. A series of very intense interfering peaks with ion fragments common to cocaine (CO), and benzoylecgonine (BE) were found to cover up the "cocaine" region of the chromatogram. In one of these cases the subject declared he had used a lotion containing Minoxidil in order to prevent hair loss.