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Guizolfi T, Zardo G, Barbieri RA, Aguzzoli C, Kramer A, de Almeida RM, Moura S. What's in drugs freely used by Brazilian truck drivers - "Rebites"? Determination of target and nontarget compounds by high-resolution mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance. J Forensic Sci 2024; 69:1449-1455. [PMID: 38706115 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.15538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Highways, the lifeline of the Brazilian economy, transport approximately 75% of the country's economic activity, highlighting its importance. However, professional drivers, accustomed to long daily journeys, make use of tablets widely available in Gas Station, which are known as "Rebites," which could contain a mixture of legal and illegal compounds. Thus, this study aims at the chemical characterization of these through different analytical methods. Initially, we performed a comprehensive screening of compounds present in seven samples collected across the country using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). The findings revealed caffeine as the main compound, alongside theophylline, lidocaine, and clobenzorex, among others. In the next step, we employ quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance (qNMR) to quantify the caffeine content in the tablets. The results indicated a caffeine concentration ranging between 14% and 31% (m/m), which may imply a daily overdose of this compound from around four tablets. In summary, this investigation provides a chemical characterization of real samples of "Rebites" freely obtained along Brazilian highways. Caffeine emerged as the predominant active compound, with its concentration determined by qNMR analysis. The notable presence of caffeine, combined with other stimulants, depressants, and hallucinogens, underscores the need for strict quality control measures regarding "Rebites" to safeguard public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tainara Guizolfi
- LBIOP - Laboratory of Biotechnology of Natural and Synthetics Products, Technology Department, Biotechnology Institute, University of Caxias Do Sul, Caxias do Sul, Brazil
| | - Giovana Zardo
- LBIOP - Laboratory of Biotechnology of Natural and Synthetics Products, Technology Department, Biotechnology Institute, University of Caxias Do Sul, Caxias do Sul, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo A Barbieri
- Laboratório Central de Microscopia - LCMIC, Universidade de Caxias Do Sul, Caxias do Sul, Brazil
| | - Cesar Aguzzoli
- Laboratório Central de Microscopia - LCMIC, Universidade de Caxias Do Sul, Caxias do Sul, Brazil
| | - Airton Kramer
- Instituto Geral de Perícia - Governo Do Estado Do Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Rafael Menck de Almeida
- Innovatox Análises e Pesquisas LTDA, Sorocaba, Brazil
- Synthetica Pesquisa e Análises Técnicas, Capela do Alto, Brazil
| | - Sidnei Moura
- LBIOP - Laboratory of Biotechnology of Natural and Synthetics Products, Technology Department, Biotechnology Institute, University of Caxias Do Sul, Caxias do Sul, Brazil
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Song CH, Jia W, Liu CM, Hua ZD, Meng X, Zhao YB, Li T, Cai LS, Zhao X. New trends of new psychoactive substances (NPS)-infused chocolate: Identification and quantification of trace level of NPS in complex matrix by GC-MS and NMR. Talanta 2023; 255:124257. [PMID: 36630788 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2023.124257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
For the first time, the identification and quantification of trace level of new psychoactive substances (NPS) in a complex chocolate matrix have been reported. Since the beginning of 2022, suspected NPS-infused chocolate samples confiscated in inbound packages have been continuously sent to our laboratory for analysis. The qualitative gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) results were verified by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and 19F NMR to distinguish between potential aromatic isomers. A total of 11 NPS including deoxymethoxetamine, 3-OH-PCP, 6-APB, 4-APB, 4-OH-MiPT, 3-FEA, 2-FEA, 3-MMC, bromazolam, 2-FDCK, and ADB-BUTINACA were detected in 65 seized chocolate samples. A general 1H quantitative NMR (1H qNMR) method for quantification of 297 types of NPS in complex chocolate matrixes was devised for the first time after rigorous analysis of various critical features of merit, including suitable deuterated solvent, internal standard, quantitative peaks, and instrument acquisition parameters. Validation of the method using six different types of NPS afforded limits of detection of 0.05-0.1 mg/mL, limits of quantification of 0.01-0.03 mg/mL, repeatability and reproducibility lower than 0.5% and 3.6%, recoveries of 91.7%∼104.4%, and absence of matrix effect. The quantitative analysis of 65 seized chocolate samples by 1H qNMR and 19F qNMR showed that the content of NPS was in the range of 0.5 mg/g∼44.1 mg/g. Generally, the developed qNMR method was simple, fast, precise, and can be performed without reference materials of NPS. Since the type and content of NPS are relatively random, chocolate consumers will face huge health risks. Therefore, this new trend of NPS-infused chocolate deserves and requires more attention from national NPS monitoring departments as well as forensic laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Hui Song
- China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei Jia
- Key Laboratory of Drug Monitoring and Control, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center, Ministry of Public Security, P.R.C.; National Anti-Drug Laboratory of China; Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Cui-Mei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Drug Monitoring and Control, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center, Ministry of Public Security, P.R.C.; National Anti-Drug Laboratory of China; Beijing, 100193, China.
| | - Zhen-Dong Hua
- Key Laboratory of Drug Monitoring and Control, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center, Ministry of Public Security, P.R.C.; National Anti-Drug Laboratory of China; Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Xin Meng
- Key Laboratory of Drug Monitoring and Control, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center, Ministry of Public Security, P.R.C.; National Anti-Drug Laboratory of China; Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yan-Biao Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Drug Monitoring and Control, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center, Ministry of Public Security, P.R.C.; National Anti-Drug Laboratory of China; Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Tao Li
- Key Laboratory of Drug Monitoring and Control, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center, Ministry of Public Security, P.R.C.; National Anti-Drug Laboratory of China; Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Le-Si Cai
- National Anti-Drug Laboratory Beijing Regional Center, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Xia Zhao
- National Anti-Drug Laboratory Beijing Regional Center, Beijing, 100101, China
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Balcaen M, Ventura M, Gil C, Luf A, Martins D, Cunha M, Tögel-Lins K, Wolf D, Blanckaert P, Deconinck E. Challenges in Drug Surveillance: Strengthening the Analysis of New Psychoactive Substances by Harmonizing Drug Checking Services in Proficiency Testing. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:4628. [PMID: 36901637 PMCID: PMC10002093 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Drug checking is a proven harm reduction strategy and provides real-time information on the market of new psychoactive substances (NPS). It combines chemical analysis of samples with direct engagement with people who use drugs (PWUD), giving the ability to increase preparedness and responsiveness towards NPS. Next to that, it supports rapid identification of potential unwitting consumption. However, NPS cause a toxicological battle for the researchers, as factors such as the unpredictability and quick shift of the market complicate the detection. METHODS To evaluate challenges posed towards drug checking services, proficiency testing was set up to evaluate existing analytical techniques and investigate the capability to correctly identify circulating NPS. Twenty blind substances, covering the most common categories of substances, were analyzed according to the existing protocols of the existing drug checking services, including several analytical methods such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography with diode array detector (LC-DAD). RESULTS The proficiency test scores range from 80 to 97.5% accuracy. The most common issues and errors are mainly unidentified compounds, presumably due to no up-to-date libraries, and/ or confusion between structural isomers, such as 3- and 4-chloroethcathinone, or structural analogs, such as MIPLA (N-methyl-N-isopropyl lysergamide) and LSD (D-lysergic acid diethylamide). CONCLUSIONS The participating drug checking services have access to adequate analytical tools to provide feedback to drug users and provide up-to-date information on NPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margot Balcaen
- Unit Illicit Drugs, Lifestyle and Chronic Diseases, Scientific Direction Epidemiology, Sciensano, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Mireia Ventura
- Energy Control, Associació Benestar i Desenvolupament, 08041 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Gil
- Energy Control, Associació Benestar i Desenvolupament, 08041 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anton Luf
- Clinical Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18–20, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Mar Cunha
- Kosmicare, 1170-283 Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Danny Wolf
- Legal-high-Inhaltsstoffe, 60439 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Peter Blanckaert
- Unit Illicit Drugs, Lifestyle and Chronic Diseases, Scientific Direction Epidemiology, Sciensano, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Eric Deconinck
- Service Medicines and Health Products, Scientific Direction Physical and Chemical Health Risks, Sciensano, J. Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
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Cunha RL, Oliveira CDSL, de Oliveira AL, Maldaner AO, do Desterro Cunha S, Pereira PAP. An overview of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) in northeast Brazil: NMR-based identification and analysis of ecstasy tablets by GC-MS. Forensic Sci Int 2023; 344:111597. [PMID: 36801502 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2023.111597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The actual illicit market for synthetic drugs is characterized by a wide variety of psychoactive substances of different chemical and pharmacological classes, such as amphetamine-type stimulants and new psychoactive substances. The knowledge about its chemical composition, as well as the nature and quantity of the active substances present, is important for emergency care in intoxication cases by these substances and to establish adequate chemical and toxicological analysis procedures in forensic laboratories. The aim of this work was to study the prevalence of amphetamine-type stimulants and new psychoactive substances in the states of Bahia and Sergipe, in the northeast region of Brazil, involving samples of drugs seized by the local police forces from 2014 to 2019. In a total of 121 seized and analyzed samples, in which ecstasy tablets predominated (n = 101), nineteen substances were identified using GC-MS and 1D NMR techniques, comprising classical synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances (NPS). In order to determine the composition of ecstasy tablets, an analytical method based on GC-MS was applied after validation. Analyzes of 101 ecstasy tablets showed that MDMA was the main substance, being found in 57% of the samples, in amounts between 27.3 and 187.1 mg per tablet. In addition, mixtures of MDMA, MDA, synthetic cathinones and caffeine were observed in 34 samples. These results demonstrate that the variety of substances found and the composition of seized materials in northeast Brazil is similar to other studies carried out previously in other Brazilian regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Leal Cunha
- Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal da Bahia - UFBA, Salvador, BA, Brazil; Instituto de Análises e Pesquisas Forenses, Polícia Científica, Aracaju, SE, Brazil
| | | | | | - Adriano Otávio Maldaner
- Instituto de Química, Universidade de Brasília - UnB, Brasília, DF, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Criminalística, Polícia Federal - INC/PF, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Silvio do Desterro Cunha
- Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal da Bahia - UFBA, Salvador, BA, Brazil; INCT de Energia e Ambiente, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Pedro Afonso P Pereira
- Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal da Bahia - UFBA, Salvador, BA, Brazil; Centro Interdisciplinar de Energia e Ambiente (CIEnAm), Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil; INCT de Energia e Ambiente, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil; Centro Universitário SENAI CIMATEC, Salvador, BA, Brazil.
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Draper SL, McCarney ER. Benchtop nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in forensic chemistry. MAGNETIC RESONANCE IN CHEMISTRY : MRC 2023; 61:106-129. [PMID: 34286862 DOI: 10.1002/mrc.5197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a powerful technique well known for its ability to elucidate structures and analyse mixtures and its quantitative nature. However, the cost and maintenance of high field NMR instruments prevent its widespread use by forensic chemists. The introduction of benchtop NMR spectrometers to the market operating at 40-80 MHz have a small footprint, are easy to use and cost much less than high field instruments, which makes them well suited to meet the needs of forensic chemists. These modern low field spectrometers are often capable of running multiple nuclei including 1 H, 13 C, 19 F and 31 P; 2D NMR experiments and advanced experiments such as solvent suppression and diffusion-ordered spectroscopy (DOSY) are possible. This has resulted in a number of publications in the area of forensic chemistry using benchtop NMR spectroscopy in the last 5 years that was previously missing from the literature. This mini review summarises this research including examples of benchtop NMR being used to identify and quantify compounds relevant to forensics and some advanced methods that may be used to overcome some of the limitations of these instruments for forensic analysis. Further validation and automation are likely required for widespread uptake of benchtop NMR in industry; however, it has been demonstrated as a useful complement to other analytical techniques commonplace of forensic laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L Draper
- Ferrier Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
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Liu CM, Hua ZD, Song CH, Jia W. Identification and analytical characterization of N-propyl norbutylone, N-butyl norbutylone, N-benzyl norheptedrone, and N-pyrrolidinyl-3,4-DMA. Drug Test Anal 2023; 15:47-57. [PMID: 35985772 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
In this study, the analytical characterization of three cathinones and one N-pyrrolidinyl-substituted amphetamine derivative is described: 1-([3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl])-2-(propylamino)butan-1-one (N-propyl norbutylone 1), 1-([3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl])-2-(butylamino)butan-1-one (N-butyl norbutylone 2), 2-(benzylamino)-1-phenylheptan-1-one (N-benzyl norheptedrone 3), and 1-(1-[3,4-dimethoxyphenyl]propan-2-yl)pyrrolidine (N-pyrrolidinyl-3,4-DMA 4). The identification was based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-MS), gas chromatography-orbitrap MS (GC-Orbitrap-MS), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR). GC-Orbitrap-MS, with higher mass accuracy, benefit more on the accurate structure elucidation of product ions compared with the low-resolution GC-MS. The collision-induced dissociation (CID) and electron ionization (EI) pathways of these compounds were examined to assist forensic laboratories in elucidating the structure of new psychoactive substances (NPS) with similar structure in their case work. In addition, electron activated dissociation (EAD) was applied to analyze N-benzyl norheptedrone, which showed only one product ion in the CID mode. The result showed that for compound with limited product ions in the CID mode, the EAD mode can give more complementary information for structure elucidation. In addition, quantitative NMR (qNMR) was applied for the quantification of four powdered/crystal and two herbal blend seized samples. To our knowledge, no analytical data about the compounds 3 and 4 have appeared until now, making this the first report on these compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cui-Mei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Drug Monitoring and Control, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center, Ministry of Public Security, P.R.C., Beijing, China
| | - Zhen-Dong Hua
- Key Laboratory of Drug Monitoring and Control, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center, Ministry of Public Security, P.R.C., Beijing, China
| | | | - Wei Jia
- Key Laboratory of Drug Monitoring and Control, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center, Ministry of Public Security, P.R.C., Beijing, China
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The application of 19F NMR spectroscopy for the analysis of fluorinated new psychoactive substances (NPS). Forensic Sci Int 2022; 340:111450. [PMID: 36152449 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2022.111450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
In this study, fluorine-19 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (19F NMR) served as a highly specific tool for identification of fluorinated new psychoactive substances (NPS) as well as a suitable analytical method for the accurate quantification of fluorinated NPS in different seized samples. In the first part of the study, 19F NMR spectroscopy of a number of different fluorinated NPS, including 51 synthetic cannabinoids, 8 synthetic cathinones, 7 phenethylamines, 8 fentanyl analogues, and 9 other types of compounds was conducted. The chemical shifts and multiplet of the primary fluorides (RCH2F), fluorobenzenes (ortho-ArF, meta-ArF, and para-ArF), and trifluoromethylbenzenes (ArCF3) were discussed in detail to illustrate the role of 19F signals as special fingerprints in assisting the structure identification of fluorine-containing NPS. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the largest evaluation of fluorinated NPS compounds by 19F NMR. The second part of this study dealt with the problems encountered in the 19F quantification procedure and the criteria to be considered for successful quantification by 19F NMR. General high field (HF)- and low field (LF)- 19F qNMR methods for the quantification of fluorinated NPS were established after the thorough discussion of NMR spectrum acquisition and processing parameters such as: transmitter frequency offset (O1P), spin-lattice relaxation time (T1), and different baseline correction methods. The limit of quantifications (LOQs) for HF-19F qNMR varied between 0.1 mg/mL and 0.2 mg/mL, and for LF-19F qNMR varied between 1.0 mg/mL and 2.0 mg/mL. The limit of detections (LODs) for HF-19F qNMR varied between 0.03 mg/mL and 0.06 mg/mL, and for LF-19F qNMR varied between 0.3 mg/mL and 0.6 mg/mL. Finally, the developed methods were applied for the quantification of fluorinated-NPS in seventeen herbal blends, e-liquid, tablet, and powder NPS seizures.
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Liu CM, Jia W, Meng X, Hua ZD. Identification and quantification of 10 indole/indazole carboxamide synthetic cannabinoids in 36 herbal blends by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. J Forensic Sci 2021; 66:2156-2166. [PMID: 34431514 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Herbal blends containing synthetic cannabinoids have become popular alternatives to marijuana. The number of synthetic cannabinoids and speed of their emergence enable this group of compounds particularly challenging in terms of detection, monitoring, and responding. In this work, both gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) methods were developed for the identification and quantification of synthetic cannabinoids in herbal blends. Ten types of indole/indazole carboxamide synthetic cannabinoids, which showed different types of substitutions connected to nitrogen of the indole/indazole carboxamide, were detected in 36 herbal blends. The GC-MS fragmentation routes of indole/indazole carboxamide synthetic cannabinoids were discussed in detail for structure identification purpose. The concentration range of synthetic cannabinoid in 36 herbal blends was 1.9-50.6 mg/g using GC-MS method, while 1.5-49.0 mg/g by NMR method. Nicotine in herbal blends was quantified by NMR method without using reference material, and showed a variation of 5.3-44.7 mg/g. For quantitative analysis, NMR method showed great advantage in the absence of reference material, while GC-MS method showed great merit for multiple-compound analysis when reference material was available. Therefore, for the quantitative analysis of new emerged synthetic cannabinoid in herbal blends, different methods could be chosen by considering whether reference material is available, as well as the number and types of synthetic cannabinoids detected in a single sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cui-Mei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Drug Monitoring and Control, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center, Ministry of Public Security, P.R.C, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Jia
- Key Laboratory of Drug Monitoring and Control, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center, Ministry of Public Security, P.R.C, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Meng
- Key Laboratory of Drug Monitoring and Control, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center, Ministry of Public Security, P.R.C, Beijing, China
| | - Zhen-Dong Hua
- Key Laboratory of Drug Monitoring and Control, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center, Ministry of Public Security, P.R.C, Beijing, China
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