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Readable research linked to original sources
Browse normalized, publication-ready research with direct links to its evidence and source.
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Readable research linked to original sources
Browse normalized, publication-ready research with direct links to its evidence and source.
83 articles
Newest firstNew psychoactive substances (NPS), especially synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRA), are increasingly smuggled into prisons via infused mail. Consumption of those substances by inmates in prisons is associated with increased aggression, violence, and organized crime. Onsite detection of infused mail often is challenging. Because the infused papers do not show any visible stains or olfactory changes, physi…
Open article record in new tab ↗Semi-synthetic cannabinoids are a class of new psychoactive substances (NPSs) with structural similarities to the main psychoactive phytocannabinoid Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) found in Cannabis sativa L. The first semi-synthetic cannabinoids, which were used as legal substitutes for marijuana, were Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ8-THC) and hexahydrocannabinol (HHC). Δ8-THC emerged around 2019 on the recreational…
Tauopathies are neurodegenerative disorders characterized by intracellular accumulation of abnormal tau encoded by MAPT, yet their molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood. We aimed to identify proteomic signatures associated with the primary tauopathies corticobasal degeneration (CBD) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), as well as the secondary tauopathy Alzheimer's disease (AD), and to character…
Hair analysis is a well-established matrix in forensic toxicology, offering a valuable alternative or complement to traditional matrices in diverse contexts, including drug-facilitated crimes (DFC), elder abuse, and accidental exposure in children. However, objective interpretation of hair drug concentrations remains challenging due to significant inter-study variability, even for identical compounds. This study i…
An innovative software tool for the rapid and efficient simulation of the metabolism of new psychoactive substances (NPS) was developed, based on the open-source project mzmine, and applied. NPS are compounds designed to mimic the psychotropic effects of established illicit drugs while circumventing drug legislation. These compounds are developed solely regarding their desired effects, thus possibly leading to har…
Open article record in new tab ↗The detection of drugs of abuse in biological and non-biological matrices remains a cornerstone of forensic, clinical, and public health investigations. Traditional matrices such as urine and blood provide short-term evidence of drug intake, while alternative specimens such as hair offer extended detection windows, and oral fluid provides a reliable indicator of recent drug intake comparable to blood. This review…
Open article record in new tab ↗The increasing global consumption of pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs, particularly new psychoactive substances, has resulted in their continuous release into aquatic environments, raising concerns regarding potential adverse effects on ecosystems and human health. In this study, a dispersive micro-solid-phase extraction using customized extraction devices was developed in combination with liquid chromatography-h…
Forensic entomologists estimate minimum post-mortem intervals (PMImin) by measuring the development of larvae on decomposing bodies. Entomotoxicology assumes significance when the deceased had ingested drugs, as these may alter insect development and consequently the accuracy of PMImin estimations. 5F-ADB, ADB-BUTINACA, and MDMB-4en-PINACA are potent synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists and drugs of abuse, link…
Vaping cannabis liquids is a convenient method of cannabis consumption, and is considered to be a less harmful alternative to smoking cannabis. However, vaping cannabis carries its own health risks, with many uncertainties, especially concerning the presence of metal particles in vape liquids. The heterogeneous distribution of these particles within the liquid matrix poses analytical challenges in measurement repr…
Synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) are a large and continuously evolving group of new psychoactive substances (NPS). Recently, many different nitrile-containing SCRAs have emerged on the illicit market, two of which have been found to release cyanide during metabolism. This can produce symptoms similar to those of cyanide poisoning, contributing to the toxicity of these SCRAs. Notified by the EU Early…
Background Pulpitis, which is often triggered by caries and trauma, is a significant clinical challenge due to its prevalence. This research aims to uncover potential metabolic biomarkers for pulpitis and map out the implicated metabolic pathways, thereby laying a foundation for enhanced diagnostic and preventive strategies. Methodology We analyzed pulp samples from 12 participants (six who had pulpitis and six wh…
Open article record in new tab ↗The use of differential mobility spectrometry at low pressure coupled to liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-vDMS-MS) was investigated for the analysis of 13 drugs of abuse (DoA) including the following: cocaine, ecgonine methyl ester, cocaethylene, benzoylecgonine, norcocaine, tramadol, isomeric pairs of metabolites; O-desmethyl-cis-tramadol and N-desmethyl-cis-tramadol, and cannabinoids: Δ9-tetrahydrocan…
Open article record in new tab ↗Cannabidiol (CBD) has shown promise in treating cancers with an inflammatory microenvironment. Although it has been demonstrated that IL-1β induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of MCF-7 cells and CBD reverts this process, in restoring the epithelial non-invasive phenotype, there is limited understanding of how this cannabinoid regulates these processes. In this work, MCF-7 cells were induced to adopt an…
Metabolite fingerprint profiling is a robust tool for verifying suppliers of authentic botanical ingredients. While comparative studies exist, few apply identical conditions across multiple species; this study utilized a cross-species comparison to identify versatile solvents despite biochemical variability. Multiple solvents were used for sample extraction prior to analysis by proton NMR and liquid chromatography…
Cannabinoid molecules are the family of molecules that bind to the cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) of the human body and cause changes in numerous biological functions including motor coordination, emotion, and pain reception. Cannabinoids occur either naturally in the Cannabis Sativa plant or can be produced synthetically in the laboratory. The need for accurate analytical methods for analyzing cannabinoid mo…
Open article record in new tab ↗Liquid chromatography paired with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is the gold standard in measurement of endocannabinoid concentrations in biomatrices. We conducted a systematic review of literature to identify advances in targeted LC-MS/MS methods in the period 2017-2024. We found that LC-MS/MS methods for endocannabinoid quantification are relatively consistent both across time and across biomatrices. Recent…
Open article record in new tab ↗The quantification of harmful elements in cannabis is a relevant analytical task that requires metrological tools to ensure the reliability of the measurement results. This work reports the preparation and characterization of a certified reference material (CRM) for toxic elements-arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb)-in pulverized, lyophilized cannabis leaf tissue. To prepare the CRM INM-040-1, a portion of d…
Open article record in new tab ↗Synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) continue to show high prevalence on the new psychoactive substances drug market. Around 2019-2020, new SCRAs bearing a cumyl moiety emerged: Cumyl-CBMEGACLONE and Cumyl-NBMEGACLONE, carrying a cyclobutyl methyl (CBM) and a norbornyl methyl moiety (NBM) attached to the γ-carbolinone core. These were followed by Cumyl-NBMINACA, the indazole carboxamide analog of Cumyl-…
This study investigates the prevalence of substance use among victims and perpetrators involved in clinical forensic cases. Urine samples from 455 individuals aged 18 and above, collected in 2019, were analyzed using two LC-MS-based analytical methods and an HS-GC-FID method for the most frequently reported substances of abuse and medication. Data from case documents, encompassing gender, age, and the individual's…
Open article record in new tab ↗The global sleep aids market has grown significantly due to rising stress and increased awareness of sleep's importance. Melatonin, available in the EU as a prescription or over-the-counter medicine, depending on the country, is also permitted in dietary supplements with country-specific limits. Recent reports indicate concerning levels of excessive melatonin in EU dietary supplements, necessitating accurate quant…