Optimization and validation of a procedure using the dried saliva spots approach for the determination of tobacco markers in oral fluid

Exposure to tobacco smoke is one of the most common causes of premature death worldwide and is the cause of 8 million deaths annually. We have developed, optimized, and validated a procedure for the detection of nicotine, cotinine and trans-3-hydroxycotinine (biomarkers of tobacco exposure) in oral fluid using the dried saliva spots sampling approach and gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry, thus allowing the distinction between active and passive smokers. For optimization, four parameters were evaluated, namely extraction solvent, extraction solvent volume, extraction time and spots drying time. During method validation, the parameters selectivity, linearity, precision and accuracy, recovery, stability, and dilution factor were assessed. Linearity was obtained for all target analytes in the concentration range of 10–200 ng/mL allowing the quantification of compounds up to 1000 ng/mL considering the dilution factor. The method recoveries ranged from 29.2% to 43.30% for nicotine, 66.60–89.10% for cotinine and 80.30–92.80% for trans-3-hydroxycotinine, while achieving intra-day, inter-day and intermediate precision and accuracy values never higher than 10.37% and ±6.62% respectively for all compounds. The herein described analytical method is the first to allow the determination of tobacco biomarkers in oral fluid using dried saliva spots, which is considered a sensitive, simple and low-cost alternative to conventional methods.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Optimization and validation of an analytical method for the determination of opiates in urine using microextraction by packed sorbent

Comunicação apresentada no 13º Encontro Nacional de Cromatografia, 2023According to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), approximately 1.3 million individuals have used opiates, both for medical and illicit purposes1, presenting a significant public health challenge2,3. To address this issue, methods for quantifying these substances are needed. Urine is a commonly employed matrix in clinical and forensic toxicological analyses due to its ease of collection and ample availability. Its short detection window is particularly effective for monitoring recent drug exposure4,5. This study aimed to optimize a method for determining tramadol, codeine, morphine, 6-acetylmorphine, 6- acetylcodeine, and fentanyl in urine samples (250 μL). The process involved centrifugation, acid hydrolysis, and extraction using microextraction by packed sorbent (MEPS). MEPS offered a rapid, environmentally friendly, and reusable extraction technique6. All parameters that influence the extraction were previously optimized. The method was validated following international guidelines, demonstrating excellent linearity [1 to 1000 ng/mL for all compounds, except for fentanyl (10 to 1000 ng/mL), with coefficients of determination of at least 0.99], and presenting coefficients of variation and bias ≤ 15% for precision and accuracy, except for the lowest calibrator (≤ 20%). Recoveries obtained ranged from 17 to 107%, with lowest percentages for morphine (12 to 17%). Despite the low extraction efficiency obtained for morphine, it was possible to detect concentrations as low as 1 ng/mL for all compounds, except for fentanyl (10 ng/mL). The method was successfully applied to real samples from consumers of these substances. This is the first method to use MEPS and GC-MS/MS for the simultaneous determination of these six opioids in urine samples.N/

Analysis of opiates in urine using microextraction by packed sorbent and gas Chromatography- Tandem mass spectrometry

Opiates recreational consumption has always been a concern in society, public health, and in clinical toxicology analysis. The aim of this study was to develop and fully validate an analytical method, which was simple and rapid for the determination of tramadol, codeine, morphine, 6- acetylcodeine, 6-monoacetylmorphine and fentanyl using gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. The procedure includes the use of microextraction by packed sorbent for sample clean-up. A mixed mode sorbent was used, allowing the minimal use of solvents. The method was validated in urine samples, with the ability to detect and quantify all analytes with satisfactory linearity (in the range of 1 – 1000 ng/mL for all analytes, except for fentanyl (10–1000 ng/mL)). Extraction efficiency varied from 17 to 107%, which did not impair sensitivity, taking into account the low LLOQs obtained (1 ng/ mL for all analytes; and 10 ng/mL for fentanyl). The developed procedure proved to be fast, selective, and accurate for use in routine analysis, with a low volume of sample (250 µL).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Insights into the Bioactivities and Chemical Analysis of Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle

ReviewMany species of the so-called exotic plants coexist with native species in a balanced way, but others thrive very quickly and escape human control, becoming harmful—these are called invasive alien species. In addition to overcoming geographic barriers, these species can defeat biotic and abiotic barriers, maintaining stable populations. Ailanthus altissima is no exception; it is disseminated worldwide and is considered high risk due to its easy propagation and resistance to external environmental factors. Currently, it has no particular use other than ornamental, even though it is used to treat epilepsy, diarrhea, asthma, ophthalmic diseases, and seborrhoea in Chinese medicine. Considering its rich composition in alkaloids, terpenoids, sterols, and flavonoids, doubtlessly, its use in medicine or other fields can be maximised. This review will focus on the knowledge of the chemical composition and the discovery of the biological properties of A. altissima to understand this plant better and maximise its possible use for purposes such as medicine, pharmacy, or the food industry. Methods for the extraction and detection to know the chemical composition will also be discussed in detailinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Insights into the bioactivities and chemical analysis of Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle

Many species of the so-called exotic plants coexist with native species in a balanced way, but others thrive very quickly and escape human control, becoming harmful—these are called invasive alien species. In addition to overcoming geographic barriers, these species can defeat biotic and abiotic barriers, maintaining stable populations. Ailanthus altissima is no exception; it is disseminated worldwide and is considered high risk due to its easy propagation and resistance to external environmental factors. Currently, it has no particular use other than ornamental, even though it is used to treat epilepsy, diarrhea, asthma, ophthalmic diseases, and seborrhoea in Chinese medicine. Considering its rich composition in alkaloids, terpenoids, sterols, and flavonoids, doubtlessly, its use in medicine or other fields can be maximised. This review will focus on the knowledge of the chemical composition and the discovery of the biological properties of A. altissima to understand this plant better and maximise its possible use for purposes such as medicine, pharmacy, or the food industry. Methods for the extraction and detection to know the chemical composition will also be discussed in detail.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

An Update on the Implications of New Psychoactive Substances in Public Health

Funding: The Associate Laboratory Institute for Health and Bioeconomy–i4HB (project LA/P/0140/2020) which are financed by National Funds from FCT/MCTES. Ana Y. Simão and Mónica Antunes acknowledge the PhD fellowships from FCT (2020.05765.BD). Publisher Copyright: © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.The emergence of new psychoactive substances has earned a great deal of attention, and several reports of acute poisoning and deaths have been issued involving, for instance, synthetic opiates. In recent years, there have been profound alterations in the legislation concerning consump-tion, marketing, and synthesis of these compounds; rapid alert systems have also been subject to changes, and new substances and new markets, mainly through the internet, have appeared. Their effects and how they originate in consumers are still mostly unknown, primarily in what concerns chronic toxicity. This review intends to provide a detailed description of these substances from the point of view of consumption, toxicokinetics, and health consequences, including case reports on intoxications in order to help researchers and public health agents working daily in this area.publishersversionpublishe

La personalidad del terrorista: una contribución para su comprensión

El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la experiencia existencial del terrorista y, además, describir las interacciones socio-históricas que fundamentan su especificidad. Participaron tres sujetos, varones, 50 y 72 años de edad, que estuvieran involucrados en actividades terroristas en el pasado. Los participantes fueron seleccionados a partir de un muestreo transversal (muestreo de bola de nieve en comparación con el uso de intermediarios) después de la definición de los criterios para la inclusión en el estudio. Se ha realizado una entrevista con un libelo estructurado preguntas abiertas. Los datos fueron analizados de acuerdo con la propuesta metodológica Aprensão de los Sentidos (Significado y Dirección) (Aguiar y Ozella, 2006, 2013). Los resultados sugieren que la vivencia del terrorista puede entenderse de la siguiente manera: los adultos jóvenes, con un fondo sociocultural concreto, enmarcado en una realidad socio-histórico particular y un tiempo específico, que sirven como justificación de la necesidad de una acción (por mecanismos de desarrollo críticos, por ejemplo, la ideología y ser antisistema… frente a la crisis de identidad psicosocial) con oportunidades sociales y educativas diferenciadas en relación con su entorno familiar, sin evidencia de períodos de psicopatología y que hoy se insertan en lo que se espera el ciclo de la vida que están (la edad adulta madura o tercera edad).The aim of this study was to analyze the existential experience of the terrorist, and to describe the socio-historical interactions that base their specificity as well. Three male, aged 50 and 72, who were involved in terrorist activities in the past, were assessed. The participants were selected from a cross-sampling method (snowball sampling versus use of intermediaries) after defining the criteria for inclusion in the study. An interview with a libel structured open questions was used. Data were analyzed according to the methodological proposal Senses Capture (Meaning and Senses) (Aguiar and Ozella, 2006, 2013). The results suggest that the existential experience of the terrorist can be understood as follows: young adults, with a particular socio-cultural background, framed in a particular reality and socio-historical time, which serves as a justification for the need for action (for developmental critical mechanisms as, for example, the ideology and the be anti in the face of psychosocial identity crisis) with social and educational opportunities differentiated from their environment of origin, which do not mention existence of psychopathology periods and are currently properly inserted in what is expected to the cycle of life they are in (mature adulthood or 3rd age).O objetivo do presente estudo foi o de analizar a experiencia vivencial do terrorista e, complementarmente, descrever as interseccionalidades socio-históricas que consubstanciam a sua especificidade. Participaram 3 sujeitos, do sexo masculino, com idades compreendidas entre os 50 e os 72 anos, que estiveram envolvidos em atividades terroristas no passado. Os participantes foram selecionados a partir de um método de amostragem cruzado (snowball sampling versus recurso a intermediários) após definição dos critérios de inclusão no estudo. Foi utilizada uma entrevista, com um libelo estrutrado de questões abertas. Os dados foram analizados de acordo com a proposta metodológica da Aprensão dos Sentidos (Significado e Sentido) (Aguiar e Ozella, 2006, 2013). Os resultados sugerem que a vivência experiencial do terrorista pode ser compreendida do seguinte modo: jovens adultos, com um determinado background socio-cultural, enquadrado numa determinada realidade e tempo sociohistoricos, que servem de justificação para a necessidade de acção (por mecanismos desenvolvimentistas críticos como, por exemplo, a ideología e o antistablishment em face de crise psicossocial identitária) com oportunidades sócio-educativas diferenciadas relativamente ao seu meio de origem, que não referem existencia de períodos de psicopatología e que hoje se encontram inseridos no que é expectável para o ciclo de vida em que se encontram (adultícia madura ou 3ª idade)

La personalidad del terrorista: una contribución para su comprensión

El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la experiencia existencial del terrorista y, además, describir las interacciones socio-históricas que fundamentan su especificidad. Participaron tres sujetos, varones, 50 y 72 años de edad, que estuvieran involucrados en actividades terroristas en el pasado. Los participantes fueron seleccionados a partir de un muestreo transversal (muestreo de bola de nieve en comparación con el uso de intermediarios) después de la definición de los criterios para la inclusión en el estudio. Se ha realizado una entrevista con un libelo estructurado preguntas abiertas. Los datos fueron analizados de acuerdo con la propuesta metodológica Aprensão de los Sentidos (Significado y Dirección) (Aguiar y Ozella, 2006, 2013). Los resultados sugieren que la vivencia del terrorista puede entenderse de la siguiente manera: los adultos jóvenes, con un fondo sociocultural concreto, enmarcado en una realidad socio-histórico particular y un tiempo específico, que sirven como justificación de la necesidad de una acción (por mecanismos de desarrollo críticos, por ejemplo, la ideología y ser antisistema… frente a la crisis de identidad psicosocial) con oportunidades sociales y educativas diferenciadas en relación con su entorno familiar, sin evidencia de períodos de psicopatología y que hoy se insertan en lo que se espera el ciclo de la vida que están (la edad adulta madura o tercera edad).The aim of this study was to analyze the existential experience of the terrorist, and to describe the socio-historical interactions that base their specificity as well. Three male, aged 50 and 72, who were involved in terrorist activities in the past, were assessed. The participants were selected from a cross-sampling method (snowball sampling versus use of intermediaries) after defining the criteria for inclusion in the study. An interview with a libel structured open questions was used. Data were analyzed according to the methodological proposal Senses Capture (Meaning and Senses) (Aguiar and Ozella, 2006, 2013). The results suggest that the existential experience of the terrorist can be understood as follows: young adults, with a particular socio-cultural background, framed in a particular reality and socio-historical time, which serves as a justification for the need for action (for developmental critical mechanisms as, for example, the ideology and the be anti in the face of psychosocial identity crisis) with social and educational opportunities differentiated from their environment of origin, which do not mention existence of psychopathology periods and are currently properly inserted in what is expected to the cycle of life they are in (mature adulthood or 3rd age).O objetivo do presente estudo foi o de analizar a experiencia vivencial do terrorista e, complementarmente, descrever as interseccionalidades socio-históricas que consubstanciam a sua especificidade. Participaram 3 sujeitos, do sexo masculino, com idades compreendidas entre os 50 e os 72 anos, que estiveram envolvidos em atividades terroristas no passado. Os participantes foram selecionados a partir de um método de amostragem cruzado (snowball sampling versus recurso a intermediários) após definição dos critérios de inclusão no estudo. Foi utilizada uma entrevista, com um libelo estrutrado de questões abertas. Os dados foram analizados de acordo com a proposta metodológica da Aprensão dos Sentidos (Significado e Sentido) (Aguiar e Ozella, 2006, 2013). Os resultados sugerem que a vivência experiencial do terrorista pode ser compreendida do seguinte modo: jovens adultos, com um determinado background socio-cultural, enquadrado numa determinada realidade e tempo sociohistoricos, que servem de justificação para a necessidade de acção (por mecanismos desenvolvimentistas críticos como, por exemplo, a ideología e o antistablishment em face de crise psicossocial identitária) com oportunidades sócio-educativas diferenciadas relativamente ao seu meio de origem, que não referem existencia de períodos de psicopatología e que hoje se encontram inseridos no que é expectável para o ciclo de vida em que se encontram (adultícia madura ou 3ª idade)