Identification of kinetic triplets by results of derivatographic analysis

The method for identification of the triplet of kinetic parameters of a heterogeneous reaction using the data of the derivatographic analysis is proposed. This method is characterized by high accuracy and relative simplicity and it can be effectively realized using MS Excel software

Tolerance and cross-tolerance to neurocognitive effects of THC and alcohol in heavy cannabis users

and cross-tolerance to neurocognitive effects of THC and alcohol in heavy cannabis user

Remembering Molly:Immediate and delayed false memory formation after acute MDMA exposure

The entactogen 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is increasingly being recognized for its therapeutic potential but is also widespread in nightlife settings where it may co-occur with crime. Since previous research detected impaired verbal memory during acute MDMA intoxication, understanding the drug's ramifications in an applied legal context becomes crucial. We conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to examine acute and delayed effects of MDMA (75 mg) on false memory in 60 healthy volunteers with a history of MDMA use, using three well-established false memory methods: a basic, associative word list (Deese/Roediger-McDermott (DRM)) paradigm and two applied misinformation tasks using a virtual reality crime. Memory was tested immediately (encoding and retrieval under drug influence) and 1 week later (retrieval when sober). Small MDMA-induced impairments of true memory in the word list task were detected at both time points. MDMA increased false memory for related but non-critical lures during the immediate test, and decreased false memory for critical lures after a delay. Episodic memory assessed in the misinformation tasks was not consistently affected. Findings indicate a complex memory profile but no heightened vulnerability to external suggestion in response to MDMA intoxication. Recommendations for future applied legal psychological research include adding measures of recall on top of recognition, using study designs that separate the different memory phases, and potentially testing higher doses. Further research on false memories and suggestibility using imagination procedures can also be relevant for the clinical context

Assessment of adherence to diuretics and β-blockers by serum drug monitoring in comparison to urine analysis.

Toxicological screenings for identifying antihypertensive drugs proved to be a useful tool for assessing adherence. However, misinterpretation may occur in case of highly metabolised drugs with low renal excretion, as well as for drugs with a prolonged detectability. The aim of the present study was to compare a recently developed therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) method based on serum concentrations to an urine drug detection method for assessing adherence in outpatients. Corresponding urine and blood samples were obtained at the same time from 26 outpatients without supervised medication. Urine and serum analyses were performed using established high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) methodologies. Adherence was assumed if drugs were detectable in urine or if serum concentrations were above individually calculated lower dose-related concentrations (DRC) or literature-based therapeutic reference ranges (TRR) used as cut-off, respectively. The identification of analytes in urine as well as the quantitative serum assay were performed for atenolol ( = 6 patients), bisoprolol ( = 8), nebivolol ( = 6), canrenone ( = 6, metabolite of spironolactone), hydrochlorothiazide ( = 12) and furosemide ( = 2). On the basis of drug detectability in urine, adherence was assumed in 88% of prescriptions. In 81% (DRC) and 50% (TRR) of the serum analyses the cut-off value was exceeded, which confirms patients' adherence in a lower number. Differences in adherence rates were found in five patients, mainly for β-blockers. This study suggests that assessment of adherence can be performed more precisely on the basis of serum drug concentrations with individually calculated lower DRC than by using the TRR or qualitative urinalysis

Resistant hypertension? Assessment of adherence by toxicological urine analysis

Objective: Uncontrolled hypertension under antihypertensive multidrug regimen is not necessarily always true resistance. Incomplete adherence is one of several possible causes of uncontrolled hypertension. Nonadherence remains largely unrecognized and is falsely interpreted as treatment resistance, as it is difficult to confirm or exclude objectively. This is the first study assessing adherence in patients with apparent resistant hypertension systematically via toxicological urine screening. Methods: All patients referred from primary care physicians because of uncontrolled hypertension between 2004 and 2011 were analysed. Adherence was assessed in all patients with uncontrolled hypertension despite the concurrent use of at least four antihypertensive agents by using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis for antihypertensive drugs or their corresponding metabolites in urine. Results: A total of 375 patients with uncontrolled hypertension were referred. After optimization of drug therapy and exclusion of white coat hypertension, 108 patients met criteria for resistant hypertension. Of those, 15 patients had secondary causes of hypertension and 17 achieved goal blood pressure with quadruple antihypertensive therapy. Of the remaining 76 patients, 40 patients (53%) were found to be nonadherent. Among nonadherent patients, 30% had complete and 70% had incomplete adherence; 85% of the latter had taken less than 50% of drugs prescribed. Lack of adherence was almost evenly distributed between different classes of antihypertensive drugs. Conclusion: Low adherence was the most common cause of poor blood pressure control in patients with apparent resistant hypertension, being twice as frequent as secondary causes of hypertension. Incomplete adherence was far more common than complete nonadherence; thus, assessment of adherence in patients on multiple drug regime is only reliable when all drugs are included in assessment. Assessing adherence by toxicological urine screening is a useful tool in detecting low adherence, especially in the setting of multidrug regimen as a cause of apparently resistant hypertension

Pharmacokinetic properties of the synthetic cannabinoid JWH-018 and of its metabolites in serum after inhalation

Each year, synthetic cannabinoids are occurring in high numbers in the illicit drug market, but data on their pharmacology and toxicology are scarcely available. Therefore, a pilot study was performed to assess adverse effects of JWH-018, which is one of the oldest and best known synthetic cannabinoids. Six subjects inhaled smoke from 2 and 3mg JWH-018. The drug and nine of its metabolites were analyzed in their blood samples taken during the following 12h by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MSMS). The maximum concentration of JWH-018 reached 2.9-9.9ng/ml after inhalation and markedly decreased during the next 1.5h, followed by a multiexponential decline (t1/2 in median 1.3h and 5.7h). The concentration of the pentanoic acid metabolite was slightly higher than that of the 3-, 4- and 5-hydroxypentyl metabolites and of the 6-hydroxyindol metabolite. The data also suggest a multiexponential decline and slow terminal elimination of JWH-018 and all metabolites. The detection of JWH-018 and of its metabolites in serum requires high analytical sensitivity. The pharmacokinetic properties of inhaled JWH-018 are similar to that of THC. A slow terminal elimination of drug and metabolites may lead to accumulation in chronic users