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Castro AS, de Azevedo LS, Rodrigues CHP, Patelli ACC, Bruni AT, de Oliveira MF. Use of voltammetric and chemometric tools to develop a sensor in forensic chemistry. TALANTA OPEN 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.talo.2021.100079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
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2
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de Abreu Fontes J, Anzanello MJ, Brito JBG, Bucco GB, Fogliatto FS, Puglia FDP. Combining wavelength importance ranking to the random forest classifier to analyze multiclass spectral data. Forensic Sci Int 2021; 328:110998. [PMID: 34551367 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2021.110998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Near Infrared (NIR) is a type of vibrational spectroscopy widely used in different areas to characterize substances. NIR datasets are comprised of absorbance measures on a range of wavelengths (λ). Typically noisy and correlated, the use of such datasets tend to compromise the performance of several statistical techniques; one way to overcome that is to select portions of the spectra in which wavelengths are more informative. In this paper we investigate the performance of the Random Forest (RF) classifier associated with several wavelength importance ranking approaches on the task of classifying product samples into categories, such as quality levels or authenticity. Our propositions are tested using six NIR datasets comprised of two or more classes of food and pharmaceutical products, as well as illegal drugs. Our proposed classification model, an integration of the χ2 ranking score and the RF classifier, substantially reduced the number of wavelengths in the dataset, while increasing the classification accuracy when compared to the use of complete datasets. Our propositions also presented good performance when compared to competing methods available in the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana de Abreu Fontes
- Departamento de Engenharia de Produção e Transportes - Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Osvaldo Aranha, 99 - 5° andar, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Michel José Anzanello
- Departamento de Engenharia de Produção e Transportes - Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Osvaldo Aranha, 99 - 5° andar, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - João B G Brito
- Departamento de Engenharia de Produção e Transportes - Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Osvaldo Aranha, 99 - 5° andar, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Brandelli Bucco
- Escola de Administração - Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Washington Luiz, 855, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Flavio Sanson Fogliatto
- Departamento de Engenharia de Produção e Transportes - Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Osvaldo Aranha, 99 - 5° andar, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Fábio do Prado Puglia
- Departamento de Engenharia de Produção e Transportes - Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Osvaldo Aranha, 99 - 5° andar, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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Soares Castro A, Henrique Pinke Rodrigues C, Manoel Teles de Menezes M, Beatriz Defendi da Silva A, Thais Bruni A, Firmino de Oliveira M. Fe(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Co(II) salen Schiff base complexes: Proposal for a voltammetric sensor to analyze cocaine hydrochloride and its interferents. Forensic Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forc.2021.100347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Doyle MR, Sulima A, Rice KC, Collins GT. Interactions between reinforcement history and drug-primed reinstatement: Studies with MDPV and mixtures of MDPV and caffeine. Addict Biol 2021; 26:e12904. [PMID: 32237282 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Many drugs of abuse are mixed with other psychoactive substances (e.g., caffeine) prior to their sale or use. Synthetic cathinones (e.g., 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone [MDPV]) are commonly mixed with caffeine or other cathinones (e.g., 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylcathinone [methylone]), and these "bath salts" mixtures (e.g., MDPV + caffeine) can exhibit supra-additive interactions with regard to their reinforcing and discriminative stimulus properties. However, little is known about relapse-related effects of drug mixtures. In these studies, male Sprague-Dawley rats self-administered 0.032 mg/kg/inf MDPV or a mixture of MDPV + caffeine (0.029 + 0.66 mg/kg/inf, respectively) and then underwent multiple rounds of extinction and reinstatement testing to evaluate the influence of reinforcement history and drug-associated stimuli on the effectiveness of saline (drug-paired stimuli alone), MDPV (0.032-1.0 mg/kg), caffeine (1.0-32 mg/kg), and mixtures of MDPV:caffeine (in 3:1, 1:1, and 1:3 ratios, relative to each drug's ED50 ) to reinstate responding. Dose-addition analyses were used to determine the nature of the drug-drug interaction for each mixture. MDPV and caffeine dose-dependently reinstated responding and were equally effective, regardless of reinforcement history. Most fixed ratio mixtures of MDPV + caffeine exhibited supra-additive interactions, reinstating responding to levels greater than was observed with caffeine and/or MDPV alone. Drug-associated stimuli also played a key role in reinstating responding, especially for caffeine. Together, these results demonstrate that the composition of drug mixtures can impact relapse-related effects of drug mixtures, and "bath salts" mixtures (MDPV + caffeine) may be more effective at promoting relapse-related behaviors than the constituents alone. Further research is needed to determine how other polysubstance reinforcement histories can impact relapse-related behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle R. Doyle
- Department of Pharmacology The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio San Antonio Texas USA
- Research Service South Texas Veterans Health Care System San Antonio Texas USA
| | - Agnieszka Sulima
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch NIDA and NIAAA Bethesda Maryland USA
| | - Kenner C. Rice
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch NIDA and NIAAA Bethesda Maryland USA
| | - Gregory T. Collins
- Department of Pharmacology The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio San Antonio Texas USA
- Research Service South Texas Veterans Health Care System San Antonio Texas USA
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Chagas FO, Hespanhol MC, da Silva LHM, Patrício PR, Maldaner AO, Soares TS, Castro ASB, Marinho PA. An optical sensor for the detection and quantification of lidocaine in cocaine samples. Analyst 2020; 145:6562-6571. [PMID: 32780050 DOI: 10.1039/d0an01246g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
An optical sensor (OS) was synthesized by mixing 10,12-pentacosadiinoic acid (PDA) with a triblock copolymer for use in the detection/quantification of lidocaine (LD) in seized cocaine hydrochloride (seized CH) samples. In the presence of LD, the OS presented a chromatic transition from blue to red, while no chromatic transition was observed for other typical cocaine adulterants or cocaine hydrochloride. Isothermal titration calorimetry analysis revealed specific interactions between the PDA molecules of the OS and the LD molecules, with these interactions being enthalpically favorable (-1.20 to -36.7 kJ mol-1). Therefore, the OS color change only occurred when LD was present in the sample, making the OS selective for LD. Consequently, LD was successfully detected in seized CH samples, irrespective of the type of adulteration. The OS was used for the quantification of LD in seized CH samples containing different adulterants, providing a linear range of 0.0959 to 0.225% (w/w), a precision of 7.2%, an accuracy ranging from -10 to 10%, and limits of detection and quantification of 0.0110% (w/w) and 0.0334% (w/w), respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francielle O Chagas
- Grupo de Análises e Educação para a Sustentabilidade (GAES), Instituto Nacional de Ciências e Tecnologias Analíticas Avançadas (INCTAA), Departamento de Química, Centro de Ciências Exatas e Tecnológicas, Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV), Viçosa, MG 36570-900, Brazil.
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A brief overview on the importance of analyzing drug adulterants in the treatment of non-fatal overdose and substance use disorder of street cocaine. Forensic Toxicol 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s11419-020-00548-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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7
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Fiorentin TR, Logan BK, Martin DM, Browne T, Rieders EF. Assessment of a portable quadrupole-based gas chromatography mass spectrometry for seized drug analysis. Forensic Sci Int 2020; 313:110342. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Revised: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Peck Y, Clough AR, Culshaw PN, Liddell MJ. Multi-drug cocktails: Impurities in commonly used illicit drugs seized by police in Queensland, Australia. Drug Alcohol Depend 2019; 201:49-57. [PMID: 31181437 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Revised: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Impurities in commonly used illicit drugs raise concerns for unwitting consumers when pharmacologically active adulterants, especially new psychoactive substances (NPS), are used. This study examines impurities detected in illicit drugs seized in one Australian jurisdiction. METHODS Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services provided analytical data. Data described the chemical composition of 9346 samples of 11 illicit drugs seized by police during 2015-2016. Impurities present in primary drugs were summarized and tabulated. A systematic search for published evidence reporting similar analyses was conducted. RESULTS Methamphetamine was the primary drug in 6608 samples, followed by MDMA (1232 samples) and cocaine (516 samples). Purity of primary drugs ranged from ∼30% for cocaine, 2-CB and GHB to >90% for THC, methamphetamine, heroin and MDMA. Methamphetamine and MDMA contained the largest variety of impurities: 22 and 18 variants, respectively. Drug adulteration patterns were broadly similar to those found elsewhere, including NPS, but in some primary drugs impurities were found which had not been reported elsewhere. Psychostimulants were adulterated with each other. Levamisole was a common impurity in cocaine. Psychedelics were adulterated with methamphetamine and NPS. Opioids were quite pure, but some samples contained methamphetamine and synthetic opioids. CONCLUSIONS Impurities detected were mostly pharmacologically active adulterants probably added to enhance desired effects or for active bulking. Given the designer nature of these drug cocktails, the effects of the adulterated drugs on users from possible complex multi-drug interactions is unpredictable. Awareness-raising among users, research into complex multi-drug effects and ongoing monitoring is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshimi Peck
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, 14-88 McGregor Road, Smithfield, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Alan R Clough
- College of Public Health, Medical and Vet Sciences, James Cook University, 14-88 McGregor Road, Smithfield, Queensland, Australia
| | - Peter N Culshaw
- Forensic Chemistry, Forensic and Scientific Services, Queensland Health, 39 Kessels Road, Coopers Plains, 4108, Queensland, Australia
| | - Michael J Liddell
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, 14-88 McGregor Road, Smithfield, Queensland, Australia
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Fiorentin TR, Fogarty M, Limberger RP, Logan BK. Determination of cutting agents in seized cocaine samples using GC–MS, GC–TMS and LC–MS/MS. Forensic Sci Int 2019; 295:199-206. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2018.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2018] [Revised: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Zou H, Chen G, Zhou S. Design, synthesis and biological activity evaluation of benzoate compounds as local anesthetics. RSC Adv 2019; 9:6627-6635. [PMID: 35518493 PMCID: PMC9060930 DOI: 10.1039/c9ra00476a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Tetracaine and pramocaine were used as the lead compounds to design benzoate compounds. The combination principle was used to design the target molecule, and the target molecule was modified by bioisostere formation and modification with alkyl groups. In this research, a total of 16 compounds were designed and synthesized. In the process of synthesis, we selected a route with high total yields, mild conditions and simple operation. Three steps were used in the synthesis of the new target compounds, namely, alkylation, esterification and alkylation. The newly designed target compounds were evaluated via surface anesthesia, infiltration anesthesia, block anesthesia and acute toxicity tests. The results of biological activity experiments showed that compounds 4d, 4g, 4j, 4k, 4n, and 4o had a good local anesthetic effect, and the results of acute toxicity tests showed that the target compounds had low toxicity. Tetracaine and pramocaine were used as the lead compounds to design benzoate compounds.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiying Zou
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Hainan Normal University
- Haikou 571158
- China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Medicinal Plant Chemistry of Ministry of Education
| | - Guangying Chen
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Hainan Normal University
- Haikou 571158
- China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Medicinal Plant Chemistry of Ministry of Education
| | - Shiyang Zhou
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Hainan Normal University
- Haikou 571158
- China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Medicinal Plant Chemistry of Ministry of Education
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Zhou S, Huang G, Chen G. Synthesis and biological activities of local anesthetics. RSC Adv 2019; 9:41173-41191. [PMID: 35540039 PMCID: PMC9076432 DOI: 10.1039/c9ra09287k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Local anesthetics are mainly used in stomatology, ophthalmology, gynecology and surgery to temporarily relieve pain. Local anesthetics act on nerve endings or around nerve trunks, and are combined with specific sodium ion (Na+) channel sites on the nerve membrane. They can affect the membrane potential by reducing Na+ passage through sodium ion channels, thus blocking the generation and conduction of nerve impulses, reversibly blocking the generation and conduction of sensory nerve impulses. Local anesthetics are used for convenience in local surgical operations and treatments. Herein, we mainly review the research progress on local anesthetics and discuss the important aspects of design, synthesis and biological activity of various new compounds. Local anesthetics are mainly used in stomatology, ophthalmology, gynecology and surgery to temporarily relieve pain.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyang Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Medicinal Resource Chemistry of Ministry of Education
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Hainan Normal University
- Haikou 571158
- China
| | - Gangliang Huang
- Active Carbohydrate Research Institute
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Green Synthesis and Application
- College of Chemistry
- Chongqing Normal University
- Chongqing 401331
| | - Guangying Chen
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Medicinal Resource Chemistry of Ministry of Education
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Hainan Normal University
- Haikou 571158
- China
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Fiorentin TR, Krotulski AJ, Martin DM, Browne T, Triplett J, Conti T, Logan BK. Detection of Cutting Agents in Drug‐Positive Seized Exhibits within the United States. J Forensic Sci 2018; 64:888-896. [DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.13968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Revised: 11/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Taís R. Fiorentin
- The Center for Forensic Science Research and Education at the Fredric Rieders Family Foundation 2300 Stratford Ave Willow Grove PA 19090
| | - Alex J. Krotulski
- The Center for Forensic Science Research and Education at the Fredric Rieders Family Foundation 2300 Stratford Ave Willow Grove PA 19090
| | - David M. Martin
- Drug Enforcement Administration Educational Foundation 2020 Pennsylvania Ave Washington DC 20006
| | - Thom Browne
- The Colombo Plan 31 Wijerama Mawatha Colombo 7 Sri Lanka
| | - Jeremy Triplett
- Kentucky State Police Central Forensic Laboratory 100 Sower Blv Frankfurt KY 40601
| | - Trisha Conti
- Vermont Forensic Laboratory 45 State Drive Waterbury VT 05671
| | - Barry K. Logan
- The Center for Forensic Science Research and Education at the Fredric Rieders Family Foundation 2300 Stratford Ave Willow Grove PA 19090
- NMS Labs 3701 Welsh Road Willow Grove PA 19090
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da Silva AF, Grobério TS, Zacca JJ, Maldaner AO, Braga JW. Cocaine and adulterants analysis in seized drug samples by infrared spectroscopy and MCR-ALS. Forensic Sci Int 2018; 290:169-177. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2018.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Revised: 07/07/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Wavenumber selection method to determine the concentration of cocaine and adulterants in cocaine samples. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2018; 152:120-127. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2018.01.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Revised: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Steinmetz A, Steffens L, Morás AM, Prezzi F, Braganhol E, Saffi J, Ortiz RS, Barros HMT, Moura DJ. In vitro model to study cocaine and its contaminants. Chem Biol Interact 2018; 285:1-7. [PMID: 29475069 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2018.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2017] [Revised: 01/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Cocaine is one of the most popular illicit drug worldwide. Due its great addictive potential, which leads to euphoria and hyperactivity, it is considered a public health concern. At the central nervous system, the drug acts inhibiting catecholamine re-uptake. It is now known that in addition to the toxicity of the drug itself, the contaminants present in the street drug have raised concern about the harmful effects on health. Toxicological in vivo and in vitro studies have demonstrated the toxic effects of cocaine correlated with the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which in turn lead to oxidative damage to the cells. Therefore the aim of this work was to propose an in vitro model that reunites the main parameters of toxicity of the cocaine already observed in the literature so far, and we tested this model using cocaine and seizure cocaine sample (SCS), kindly provided by Federal Police of Brazil. For that, we used a C6 glioblastoma cells and evaluated cell death, oxygen reactive species induction, oxidation of macromolecules as membrane lipids and DNA and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential after cocaine exposure. The results showed that cocaine can decrease cellular viability in a dose-dependent way in the C6 cell immortalized and astrocytes primary culture. Cocaine also induced cellular death by apoptosis. However, in the seizure cocaine sample (SCS), the predominant cell death was due to necrosis. Using dichlorofluorescein (DCF) assay, we confirmed ROS production after cocaine exposition. In agreement with these findings, occurred an increasing in MDA production, as well as increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity. The induction of DNA damage was observed after cocaine. Our results demonstrate the occurrence of mitochondrial dysfunction by depolarization of mitochondrial membrane as a consequence of cocaine treatment. In summary, these results demonstrated that cocaine can induce reactive oxygen species formation, leading to oxidative stress. As a consequence of this unbalance, DNA damage, lipidic peroxidation and loss of mitochondrial membrane occurred, which could be an answer to cell death observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Steinmetz
- Laboratório de Genética Toxicológica, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de, Porto Alegre, RS, 90050-170, Brazil.
| | - Luiza Steffens
- Laboratório de Genética Toxicológica, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de, Porto Alegre, RS, 90050-170, Brazil.
| | - Ana Moira Morás
- Laboratório de Genética Toxicológica, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de, Porto Alegre, RS, 90050-170, Brazil.
| | - Flávia Prezzi
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de, Porto Alegre, RS, 90050-170, Brazil.
| | - Elizandra Braganhol
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de, Porto Alegre, RS, 90050-170, Brazil.
| | - Jenifer Saffi
- Laboratório de Genética Toxicológica, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de, Porto Alegre, RS, 90050-170, Brazil.
| | - Rafael Scorsatto Ortiz
- Divisão Técnica-Científica, Policia Federal do Brasil, Porto Alegre, RS, 90160-092, Brazil.
| | - Helena M T Barros
- Laboratório de Neurofarmacologia, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de, Porto Alegre, RS, 90050-170, Brazil.
| | - Dinara Jaqueline Moura
- Laboratório de Genética Toxicológica, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de, Porto Alegre, RS, 90050-170, Brazil.
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Chary M, Yi D, Manini AF. Candyflipping and Other Combinations: Identifying Drug-Drug Combinations from an Online Forum. Front Psychiatry 2018; 9:135. [PMID: 29760666 PMCID: PMC5936764 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) refer to synthetic compounds or derivatives of more widely known substances of abuse that have emerged over the last two decades. Case reports suggest that users combine substances to achieve desired psychotropic experiences while reducing dysphoria and unpleasant somatic effects. However, the pattern of combining NPS has not been studied on a large scale. Here, we show that posts discussing NPS describe combining nootropics with sedative-hypnotics and stimulants with plant hallucinogens or psychiatric medications. Discussions that mention sedative-hypnotics most commonly also mention hallucinogens and stimulants. We analyzed 20 years of publicly available posts from Lycaeum, an Internet forum dedicated to sharing information about psychoactive substance use. We used techniques from natural language processing and machine learning to identify NPS and correlate patterns of co-mentions of substances across posts. We found that conversations mentioning synthetic hallucinogens tended to divide into those mentioning hallucinogens derived from amphetamine and those derived from ergot. Conversations that mentioned synthetic hallucinogens tended not to mention plant hallucinogens. Conversations that mention bath salts commonly mention sedative-hypnotics or nootropics while more canonical stimulants are discussed with plant hallucinogens and psychiatric medications. All types of substances are frequently compared to MDMA, DMT, cocaine, or atropine when trying to describe their effects. Our results provide the largest analysis to date of online descriptions of patterns of polysubstance use and further demonstrate the utility of social media in learning about trends in substance use. We anticipate this work to lead to a more detailed analysis of the knowledge contained online about the patterns of usage and effects of novel psychoactive substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Chary
- Department of Emergency Medicine, NewYork-Presbyterian Queens, Flushing, NY, United States
| | - David Yi
- Bronx High School of Science, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Alex F Manini
- Division of Medical Toxicology, Department of Emergency Medicine, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Flushing, NY, United States
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Rocha DP, Dornellas RM, Nossol E, Richter EM, Silva SG, Santana MHP, Munoz RAA. Electrochemically Reduced Graphene Oxide for Forensic Electrochemistry: Detection of Cocaine and its Adulterants Paracetamol, Caffeine and Levamisole. ELECTROANAL 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/elan.201700437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Diego P. Rocha
- Federal University of Uberlândia; Institute of Chemistry; 38400-902 Uberlândia, MG BrazilPhone. +55-34-3239-4143FAX: +55-34-3239-4208
| | - Rafael M. Dornellas
- Federal University of Uberlândia; Institute of Chemistry; 38400-902 Uberlândia, MG BrazilPhone. +55-34-3239-4143FAX: +55-34-3239-4208
- Fluminense Federal University; Institute of Chemistry, Department of Analytical Chemistry; 24020-141 Niterói, RJ Brazil
| | - Edson Nossol
- Federal University of Uberlândia; Institute of Chemistry; 38400-902 Uberlândia, MG BrazilPhone. +55-34-3239-4143FAX: +55-34-3239-4208
| | - Eduardo M. Richter
- Federal University of Uberlândia; Institute of Chemistry; 38400-902 Uberlândia, MG BrazilPhone. +55-34-3239-4143FAX: +55-34-3239-4208
| | - Sidnei G. Silva
- Federal University of Uberlândia; Institute of Chemistry; 38400-902 Uberlândia, MG BrazilPhone. +55-34-3239-4143FAX: +55-34-3239-4208
| | - Mário H. P. Santana
- Unidade Técnico-Científica -; Departamento de Polícia Federal em MG; 38408-663 Uberlândia, MG Brazil
| | - Rodrigo A. A. Munoz
- Federal University of Uberlândia; Institute of Chemistry; 38400-902 Uberlândia, MG BrazilPhone. +55-34-3239-4143FAX: +55-34-3239-4208
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18
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Sena LCS, Matos HR, Dórea HS, Pimentel MF, de Santana DCAS, de Santana FJM. Dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction based on solidification of floating organic drop and high-performance liquid chromatography to the analysis of cocaine’s major adulterants in human urine. Toxicology 2017; 376:102-112. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2016.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Revised: 03/05/2016] [Accepted: 04/25/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Collins GT, Abbott M, Galindo K, Rush EL, Rice KC, France CP. Discriminative Stimulus Effects of Binary Drug Mixtures: Studies with Cocaine, MDPV, and Caffeine. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2016; 359:1-10. [PMID: 27493274 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.116.234252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Illicit drug preparations often include more than one pharmacologically active compound. For example, cocaine and synthetic cathinones [e.g., 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV)] are often mixed with caffeine before sale. Caffeine is likely added to these preparations because it is inexpensive and legal; however, caffeine might also mimic or enhance some of the effects of cocaine or MDPV. In these studies, male Sprague-Dawley rats were trained to discriminate 10 mg/kg cocaine from saline, and the discriminative stimulus effects of cocaine, caffeine, and MDPV were evaluated alone and as binary mixtures (cocaine and caffeine, MDPV and caffeine, and cocaine and MDPV) at fixed-dose ratios of 3:1, 1:1, and 1:3 relative to the dose of each drug that produced 50% cocaine-appropriate responding. Dose-addition analyses were used to determine the nature of the drug-drug interactions for each mixture (e.g., additive, supra-additive, or subadditive). Although additive interactions were observed for most mixtures, supra-additive interactions were observed at the 50% effect level for the 1:1 mixture of cocaine and caffeine and at the 80% effect level for all three mixtures of cocaine and caffeine, as well as for the 3:1 and 1:3 mixtures of cocaine and MDPV. These results demonstrate that with respect to cocaine-like discriminative stimulus effects, caffeine can function as a substitute in drug preparations containing either cocaine or MDPV, with enhancements of cocaine-like effects possible under certain conditions. Further research is needed to determine whether similar interactions exist for other abuse-related or toxic effects of drug preparations, including cocaine, synthetic cathinones, and caffeine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory T Collins
- Departments of Pharmacology (G.T.C., M.A., K.G., E.L.R., C.P.F.) and Psychiatry (C.P.F.), University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, and South Texas Veterans Health Care System (G.T.C.), San Antonio, Texas; and Chemical Biology Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (K.C.R.)
| | - Megan Abbott
- Departments of Pharmacology (G.T.C., M.A., K.G., E.L.R., C.P.F.) and Psychiatry (C.P.F.), University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, and South Texas Veterans Health Care System (G.T.C.), San Antonio, Texas; and Chemical Biology Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (K.C.R.)
| | - Kayla Galindo
- Departments of Pharmacology (G.T.C., M.A., K.G., E.L.R., C.P.F.) and Psychiatry (C.P.F.), University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, and South Texas Veterans Health Care System (G.T.C.), San Antonio, Texas; and Chemical Biology Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (K.C.R.)
| | - Elise L Rush
- Departments of Pharmacology (G.T.C., M.A., K.G., E.L.R., C.P.F.) and Psychiatry (C.P.F.), University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, and South Texas Veterans Health Care System (G.T.C.), San Antonio, Texas; and Chemical Biology Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (K.C.R.)
| | - Kenner C Rice
- Departments of Pharmacology (G.T.C., M.A., K.G., E.L.R., C.P.F.) and Psychiatry (C.P.F.), University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, and South Texas Veterans Health Care System (G.T.C.), San Antonio, Texas; and Chemical Biology Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (K.C.R.)
| | - Charles P France
- Departments of Pharmacology (G.T.C., M.A., K.G., E.L.R., C.P.F.) and Psychiatry (C.P.F.), University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, and South Texas Veterans Health Care System (G.T.C.), San Antonio, Texas; and Chemical Biology Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (K.C.R.)
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The cutting of cocaine and heroin: A critical review. Forensic Sci Int 2016; 262:73-83. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2016.02.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2015] [Revised: 02/06/2016] [Accepted: 02/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Analysis of cocaine and its adulterants in drugs for international trafficking seized by the Brazilian Federal Police. Forensic Sci Int 2015; 247:48-53. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2014.11.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2014] [Revised: 11/18/2014] [Accepted: 11/30/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Marcelo M, Mariotti K, Ferrão M, Ortiz R. Profiling cocaine by ATR–FTIR. Forensic Sci Int 2015; 246:65-71. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2014.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2014] [Revised: 10/31/2014] [Accepted: 11/13/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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A green method for the determination of cocaine in illicit samples. Forensic Sci Int 2014; 237:70-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2014.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2013] [Revised: 01/21/2014] [Accepted: 01/23/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Floriani G, Gasparetto JC, Pontarolo R, Gonçalves AG. Development and validation of an HPLC-DAD method for simultaneous determination of cocaine, benzoic acid, benzoylecgonine and the main adulterants found in products based on cocaine. Forensic Sci Int 2014; 235:32-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2013.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2013] [Revised: 11/18/2013] [Accepted: 11/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Magalhães EJ, Nascentes CC, Pereira LS, Guedes ML, Lordeiro RA, Auler LM, Augusti R, de Queiroz MEL. Evaluation of the composition of street cocaine seized in two regions of Brazil. Sci Justice 2013; 53:425-32. [DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2013.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2012] [Revised: 05/14/2013] [Accepted: 05/28/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Cole C, Jones L, McVeigh J, Kicman A, Syed Q, Bellis M. Adulterants in illicit drugs: a review of empirical evidence. Drug Test Anal 2010; 3:89-96. [PMID: 21322119 DOI: 10.1002/dta.220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2010] [Revised: 09/30/2010] [Accepted: 10/01/2010] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Widespread public perception is that illicit drugs contain substances that are a serious risk to health, even though adulterants are often not considered in clinical or forensic toxicology. This review attempts to present an evidence-based overview of adulterants in illicit drugs, and their associated toxicity. Adulterants are deliberately added to increase bulk, enhance or mimic a pharmacological effect, or to facilitate drug delivery. Those present unintentionally are as a result of poor manufacturing techniques. From the reports gathered, adulterants are predominantly substances which are readily available, commonly being caffeine, procaine, paracetamol, and sugars. These are likely to have minimal impact on users' health at low dosages. Other adulterants, particularly in injectable drugs, have the potential to cause serious health issues, but the quantities reported, such as strychnine in heroin, are not life-threatening. The most commonly identified bacterial contaminants identified are Bacillus and Clostridium species. When death or serious illness due to adulteration occurs, circulation of information is particularly vital, such as in the USA regarding heroin and cocaine adulterated with fentanyl, and in Scotland recently regarding anthrax contaminated heroin. The complex interactions of supply, demand, and control of illicit drugs have a tangible impact on their adulteration. Continuing vigilance and the circulation of information is, therefore, desirable as a public health issue. As part of that strategy, analyses performed for adulterants needs to be encouraged, which are considerably limited in number and scope at the moment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Cole
- Liverpool John Moores University, Centre for Public Health, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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Maietti S, Castagna F, Molin L, Ferrara SD, Traldi P. Cocaine adulterants used as marker compounds. JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY : JMS 2009; 44:1124-1126. [PMID: 19306299 DOI: 10.1002/jms.1578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
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