Monitoring Addiction to Pregabalin in Northern Algeria by Using Hair Testing.

Pregabalin (PGB) is a novel gamma-aminobutyric acid analog that has been recently approved for the treatment of partial-onset seizures, neuropathic pain, and fibromyalgia. Although PGB presents a low potential for abuse in comparison to other scheduled drugs, the literature reports its potential misuse, especially among individuals with former or current drug addiction. The present study aimed to develop and validate a novel method for the determination of PGB in hair to perform a retrospective observational study on the misuse of this drug in a population of addicted subjects from Northern Algeria.

propofol permeation across nasal mucosa: A proof-of-concept study for outpatient light sedation via nasal route.

Background And Purpose: Aiming to achieve light sedation via intranasal administration, this study showed that propofol (PPF) did not permeate across the rabbit nasal mucosa ex vivo from its marketed emulsion for injection.

Experimental Approach: Dilution of the emulsion with methyl-β-cyclodextrin in saline solution increased propofol solubility in water and diffusion across the nasal epithelium.

Key Results And Conclusion: Despite these positive effects of the cyclodextrin, the amount of PPF permeated was minimal in 3 h, exceeding the formulation residence time in the nose.

Post-mortem formation of ethanol: Is 1-propanol a reliable marker? A proof-of-concept study using an in vitro putrefactive environment setup.

Ethanol is the psychoactive substance identified most frequently in post-mortem specimens. Unfortunately, interpreting post-mortem ethanol concentrations can be difficult because of post-mortem alcohol redistribution and the possibility of post-mortem alcohol neogenesis. Indeed, in the time interval between death and sample collection, the decedent may be exposed to non-controlled environments for an extended period, promoting microbial colonization.

Recommendations on the measurement and use of the alcohol consumption biomarker CDT. A position paper from the IFCC Working Group on CDT standardisation.

Background: Carbohydrate deficient transferrin (CDT) is a biomarker for excessive alcohol consumption utilized in clinical and forensic medicine and workplace testing. Previously, many different analytical methods for CDT were used and the measurand varied considerably, making direct comparison of test results difficult. To end this confusion, the IFCC established a working group on CDT standardisation (WG-CDT) which completed its tasks in 2017.