Jacqueline L. Stair

Phenomenon of new drugs on the Internet: The case of ketamine derivative methoxetamine

On the basis of the material available both in the scientific literature and on the web, this paper aims to provide a pharmacological, chemical and behavioural overview of the novel compound methoxetamine. This is a dissociative drug related to ketamine, with a much longer duration of action and intensity of effects. A critical discussion of the availability of information on the web of methoxetamine as a new recreational trend is here provided. Those methodological limitations, which are intrinsically associated with the analysis of online, non‐peer reviewed, material, are here discussed as well. It is concluded that the online availability of information on novel psychoactive drugs, such as methoxethanine, may constitute a pressing public health challenge. Better international collaboration levels and novel forms of intervention are necessary to tackle this fast‐growing phenomenon. Copyright

Promoting innovation and excellence to face the rapid diffusion of Novel Psychoactive Substances in the EU: the outcomes of the ReDNet project

The recent emergence of new psychoactive compounds (novel psychoactive substances (NPS)) has raised prominent challenges in the fields of drug policy, substance use research, public health and service provision. The Recreational Drugs European Network project, funded by the European Commission, was implemented to improve the information stream to young people and professionals about effects/risks of NPS by identifying online products and disseminating relevant information through technological tools.

Immobilized peptides/amino acids on solid supports for metal remediation*

Recently,a significant amount of work has focused on metal binding by natural systems for various applications. This review will focus on the utility of amino acids, short peptides, and proteins that have been immobilized onto solid supports for use in metal binding. These systems include single amino acids, poly-amino acids, and peptides immobilized onto supports such as silica, polymer resins, and membranes. Also included are the studies involving the use of immobilized amino acids in ion-exchange chromatography.

5,6-Methylenedioxy-2-aminoindane: from laboratory curiosity to 'legal high'.

The fully synthetic ‘legal high’ 5,6‐methylenedioxy‐2‐aminoindane (MDAI) is an analogue of 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine. Although developed in the 1990s, it was not widely abused until 2010. However, mephedrone was banned in the UK in April 2010, and almost immediately, MDAI was widely advertised as a legal alternative. This paper provides both an overview of the current state of knowledge of MDAI and a critical analysis of online available information relating to its psychoactive effects, adverse reactions and use in combination with other drugs.

Sensor materials for the detection of proteases.

The concept of generic and tunable sensor materials for the detection of proteases based on the thin film degradation of peptide cross-linked dextran hydrogels was explored. Hydrogel cross-links were formed via simple imine linkages between aldehyde groups in oxidized dextran and a peptide sequence susceptible to protease cleavage. Degradation of the hydrogel films was monitored in this study using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). The sensor material was developed using the protease/peptide pair of human neutrophil elastase (HNE) and Ala-Ala-Pro-Val-Ala-Ala-Lys (AAPVAAK). A direct relationship between the hydrogel degradation rate and protease activity was observed; HNE activities from 2.5 to 30Uml(-1) were detected using 25% cross-linked films. Film degradation was rapid and was complete in less than 10min for HNE activities >/=10Uml(-1). An increase in the rate of degradation by a factor of 3.5 was achieved by increasing the cross-linking density from 25% to 75%. QCM admittance data fitted with a BVD equivalent circuit showed increases in film viscoelasticity upon enzyme addition. A second protease/peptide pair of cathepsin G and Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe-Phe-Lys (AAPFFK) was tested where 25% AAPFFK cross-linked hydrogels demonstrated a rapid response at 100mUml(-1). Swapping the protease/peptide pairs to HNE/AAPFFK and cathepsin G/AAPVAAK showed low levels of cross-sensitivity further demonstrating the specificity of film degradation.

Analysis of ‘legal high’ substances and common adulterants using handheld spectroscopic techniques

The identification of ‘legal highs’ is challenging as they often do not match their label claim and contain a wide range of impurities and/or adulterants. In addition, there is a need for techniques to be on-site, rapid and non-destructive. The feasibility of using the in-built algorithms of handheld near-infrared (NIR), Raman and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform-infrared (ATR-FT-IR) spectroscopy for the identification of ‘legal high’ substances was investigated. Spectral libraries were constructed using three substances found in ‘legal highs’ (i.e., dextromethorphan, 2-aminoindane and lidocaine) and their 50 : 50 mixtures with caffeine. Model dilution mixtures with caffeine (i.e., 5–95% m/m) and seven ‘legal high’ Internet products were used to test the method. The ‘legal high’ constituents in most of the model mixtures were identified within a minimum range of 30–60% m/m for NIR, 20–75% m/m for Raman, and 41–85% m/m for ATR-FT-IR. This demonstrates that simple library mixtures could be used to identify test substances when the concentrations are variable. Below and above these levels, the test mixtures often correlated to the component in higher concentration. Collectively, the instruments identified the main constituents in the seven Internet products with varying correlation criteria. The NIR and ATR-FT-IR provided complementary information compared to Raman when carbohydrate cutting agents were added to the product, yet the Raman showed a high fluorescence signal for three products hindering identification. These initial studies indicate the suitability of three complementary techniques for rapid identification of ‘legal high’ products. Further development of spectral libraries, algorithms, and use of alternative Raman excitation wavelengths is needed to provide adequate tools for in-field analysis by non-experts.

Intended and Unintended Use of Cathinone Mixtures

Cathinones are one of the most popular categories of new psychoactive substances (NPS) consumed. Cathinones have different pharmacological activities and receptor selectivity for monoamine transporters based on their chemical structures. They are incorporated into NPS mixtures and used with other NPS or ‘traditional’ drugs. Cathinone use represents significant health risks to individuals and is a public health burden.

Determination of Cu2+ ions release rate from antimicrobial copper bearing stainless steel by joint analysis using ICP-OES and XPS

Abstract Antibacterial Cu bearing stainless steels (CuSS) have been developed recently and their performance has attracted significant attention widely in biomedical, healthcare and environmental facilities in cross-disciplines. The antibacterial ability and its efficiency of the CuSS are associated to the rate and concentration of Cu2+ ions releases from its surface. The surface properties such as corrosion resistance are also influenced by the amount and the rate of Cu ions released. Thus, the aim of this study focused on the determination of trace release amount of Cu2+ ions from a typical copper bearing 304 stainless steel (304CuSS). Meanwhile, the release of other key elements in the material such as Cr, Fe, Ni were also examined, and found these multiple elemental releases produced a highly synergistic effect on killing bacterium. The release rate of the metals from 304CuSS was conducted by an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). In this study, the commercial 304 stainless steel (304SS) was served as a control material, while the ICP results showed that the Cu2+ ions released from 304CuSS were maintained a constant level with a release rate as low as 0·8 ppb/day/cm2. This phenomenon could be explained by a coordinating role or synergistic effects of Cu, Fe, Cr, and Ni ions. XPS surface composition analysis showed a releases contribution results in day 1 and day 14 that the reduction trend of Cu quantities in through of the surface depth of 304CuSS is consistent and comprehensible.

Elemental fingerprinting of Hypericum perforatum (St John's Wort) herb and preparations using ICP-OES and chemometrics.

St. Johns wort (SJW) (Hypericum perforatum) is a herbal remedy commonly used to treat mild depression. The elemental profiles of 54 samples (i.e., dry herbs, tablets and capsules) were evaluated by monitoring 25 elements using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The major elemental constituents in the SJW samples were Ca (300-199,000μg/g), Mg (410-3,530μg/g), Al (4.4-900μg/g), Fe (1.154-760μg/g), Mn (2.4-261μg/g), Sr (0.88-83.6μg/g), and Zn (7-64μg/g). For the sixteen elements that could be reliably quantified, principal component analysis (PCA) was used to investigate underlying patterns in the data. PCA models identified 7 key elements (i.e., Ba, Ca, Cd, Mg, Mo, Ni and Y), which described 85% of the variance in the dataset in the first three principal components. The PCA approach resulted in a general delineation between the three different formulations and provides a basis for monitoring product quality in this manner.

Survey of knowledge of legal highs (novel psychoactive substances) amongst London pharmacists

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine pharmacists’ knowledge of legal highs (novel psychoactive substances (NPS)). Design/methodology/approach – A questionnaire was handed out at two London pharmacist continuing education events in mid-2014. These events update pharmacists about developments of interest/relevance to the profession and to improve their practice. A total of 54 forms were returned; a response rate of 26 percent. Findings – Most pharmacists had poor knowledge of NPS and many considered that NPS were not important to their work, with few having had to advise customers in this area. Despite this, the majority thought that they had insufficient information about NPS. There was a negative correlation between the age of the pharmacist and knowledge of NPS. Research limitations/implications – The sample is a self-selected one drawn from registered pharmacists working in community pharmacies in northwest London, and thus does not include hospital pharmacies. Self-selection means that r...