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Tobacco and alcohol use during pregnancy is a serious public health concern, resulting in adverse obstetrical and neonatal outcomes including miscarriage, preeclampsia, low birth weight, preterm delivery, fetal growth restriction, decreased head circumference, placenta abruption, and facial abnormalities. Meconium is a good matrix for in utero drug exposure assessment in pregnancies carried to term. Although meconium formation begins as early as 13 weeks, other methods must assess earlier exposure. In this study, we examined whether analysis of fetal liver and placenta from electively terminated pregnancies utilizing solid-phase extraction could determine exposure patterns during the second trimester.Continue Reading
UCT's long chain C30 SPE was employed to analyze drugs in bottlefly larvae. The research aimed to determine whether varying concentrations of warfarin impacts the development of blue bottlefly larvae and to determine whether warfarin levels in this organism can be correlated to drug concentrations in tissues eaten by the larvae. This research was presented by Richard L. Harries et al., at the UKIAFT annual meeting in Dublin.Continue Reading
In a study published in Drug Testing and Analysis, J. Czerwinska et al., (doi: 10.1002/dta.2525), developed a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method using UCT's Selectra® PFPP LC column for the simultaneous quantification of mephedrone and five of its phase I in human whole blood after extraction with UCT's Xtrackt® solid phase extraction (SPE) columns. Mephedrone's stability in whole blood has been previously investigated but this is the first-time stability of its metabolites has been assessed, indicating -20°C to be the recommended storage condition for all analytes.Continue Reading
In a recent paper published in Journal of Analytical Toxicology (doi: 10.1093/jat/bky077), authored by Mohammad Ali Al Saad et al., UCT's Clean Screen®DAU was employed to extract opiates from whole blood. This method was validated for the simultaneous determination of codeine, morphine, 6-acetylmorphine (6-MAM), hydrocodone and hydromorphone in human blood samplesContinue Reading
UCT's famous Clean Screen® DAU was used to extract fentanyl and 18 additional compounds from whole blood samples. A fit-for-purpose method validation adapted from SWGTOX was performed by assessing the following criteria over five days: bias, precision, linear dynamic range, interferences and carryover.Continue Reading
In a recent paper authored by Wan-Ning Lee et al, published in Food Chemistry ((2018) 256 319-326) UCT's Enviro-Clean® 521 solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridges were used to analyze 40 conventional and emerging DBPs in fresh cut produce wash water by modified EPA methods. The authors reported that good recoveries (60–130%) were achieved for most DBPs in deionized water and in lettuce, strawberry and cabbage wash water. The method detection limits are in the range of 0.06–0.58 μg/L for most DBPs and 10–24 ng/L for nitrosamines in produce wash water.Continue Reading
In a recent paper published in Drug Testing and Analysis, UCT's Xtract® solid phase extraction sorbent was used to extract a diverse range of new psychoactive substances (NPS) from samples of waste water. Temporal trends were found in wastewater with distinct tendencies for synthetic cathinones visible over the period studied.Continue Reading
In a recent study by Guillermo Alberto Keller et al., published in Journal of Opioid Management , UCT's Clean Screen® DAU was used to extract Propoxyphene (DPX) and norpropoxyphene (NPX) from human plasma and analyzed by GC-MS. Plasma samples (500 µl) were treated with a strong alkali hydroxide to form NPX amide and extracted using CSDAU203. The recovery of the procedure was higher than 81%.Continue Reading
In a recent paper authored by Navaneetha Santhanam et al, published in Biomaterials ((2018) 166 64-78), UCT's specialty chemical 3-trimethoxysilyl propyl diethylenetriamine (DETA), an amine-terminated alkylsilane, was employed to promote cell adhesion. This study was designed to develop and evaluate a prototype of a drug-screening platform for neuromuscular junctions at different modes of operation: presynaptic and/or postsynapticContinue Reading
In a recent study authored by Ibraheem M. Attafi et al., published in the Arab Journal of Forensic Sciences & Forensic Medicine ((2018) 7(1) 922-930)), a postmortem case report aimed to identify and determine the concentration of cathine and cathinone in different body organs and green chewed plants found in the mouth of the deceased. Extraction of the khat compounds was performed using UCT's Clean Screen® DAU in conjunction with LC-MS/MS quantitative analysis to confirm that samples were positive for cathinone and cathine.Continue Reading
In a recent study published in Drug Testing and Analysis (DOI: 10.1002/dta.2378), authored by Heather K. Knych et al, UCT's Clean Screen® DAU was employed to extract grapiprant following oral administration to exercised thoroughbred horses. Grapiprant is a newly approved non‐ cyclooxygenase inhibiting non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug that has demonstrated efficacy and safety in other species. As long‐term use of these drugs can adversely impact the health of the horse, anti‐inflammatories with a more favorable safety profile are warranted.Continue Reading
UCT's XtrackT® solid phase extraction sorbent (XRDAH506) was employed in a validated method to isolate several illicit drugs from urban waste water samples in South Australia. The occurrence of five drugs of abuse in raw influent and treated effluent wastewater was investigated over a period of 1 year in Adelaide. Results showed that all the targeted drugs were on average incompletely removed by wastewater treatment, with removal performance highest for morphine (94%) and lowest for MDMA (58%).Continue Reading
In a recent paper published in Food Chemistry by Claudio Alister et al., (oi: https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.foodchem.2018.06.090), A UCT's QuEChERS blend containing 4 g magnesium sulfate (MgSO4), 0.5 g of disodium citrate (C6H6Na2O7), 0.5 g of trisodium citrate (Na3C6H5O7) and 1 g of sodium chloride (NaCl) was employed in the primary extraction of pesticides from prunes. In the secondary clean up stage, 1.5 g MgSO4 and 0.25 g of PSA (UCT Selectra®) were used.Continue Reading
In a recent paper authored by Lia D. Murty et al., published in Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.8b00963), UCT's Clean Up® solid phase extraction silica was employed in the study of co-exposure of the mycotoxins Lolitrem B and Ergovaline in steers fed perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) straw. Past research showed a strong linear correlation between levels of the two mycotoxins in ryegrass.Continue Reading
In a recent study, authored by Susan Luong et al., (Forensic Science International ((2018), 285 93-104)) UCT's derivatizing reagent O-Bis(trimethylsilytrifluoroacetamide) containing 1% trimethylchlorosilane (BSTFA (1% TMCS)) was employed to assist with the gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) analysis of a cadaveric break down product. In this research, a human cadaver was placed on the surface of a designated plot at the Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research (AFTER), the only human decomposition facility in Australia. The natural process of decomposition was allowed to progress over fourteen days during the summer.Continue Reading
3-Methylfentanyl (3-MF) has reappeared in the United States illicit drug market for the first documented time since 1988. In a paper authored by Melissa F. Fogarty et al., published in Drug Testing and Analysis (doi: 10.1002/dta.2414) an analytical method was developed and validated using UCT's flagship sorbent Clean Screen® DAU (130 mg/ 3 mL). Liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry was the instrument of choice for the analysis of (±)- cis-3-MF and (±)-trans-3-MF in blood specimens. The linear dynamic range of this method was 0.1-10 ng/mL.Continue Reading
Methoxyacetylfentanyl and cyclopropylfentanyl are two of the newest illicit opioids that are infiltrating the heroin market. They both have been reported by the Drug Enforcement Administration in their third quarter report of 2017 to have been chemically identified seven and five times, respectively. In a recent paper authored by Melissa F. Fogarty et al., published in Journal of Analytical Toxicology (doi: 10.1093/jat/bky035), an analytical method was developed and validated to extract fentalogs from whole blood samples using UCT's Clean Screen ® DAU. The method used LC-MS/MS for the quantitation of fentanyl, norfentanyl and 17 fentanyl analogs.Continue Reading
Haloxyfop is a selective herbicide that is used to protect crops such as potatoes and carrots against persistent grasses. In a recent paper authored by Urairat Koesukwiwat et al., (Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry https://doi.org/10.1007/s0021), the authors developed and validated a simple method for total haloxyfop analysis in infant formula and related ingredient matrices using UCT's QuEChERS and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).Continue Reading
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are widely used in the manufacturing of various industrial and consumer products including nonstick food packaging, stain repellents and aqueous film-forming foams. In a recent paper published in Chemosphere ( (2018) 199 168-173) by Adcharee Karnjanapiboonwong et al., UCT's QuEChERS extraction salts (4,000 mg MgSO4/1,000 mg NaCl) were employed to extract PFAS and other carboxylic acid compounds from earthworms. This was the first study on earthworms in PFAS-spiked soil at background concentrations. It was found that PFASs can be detected in earthworms even in the 0.1 mg kg1 soil treatment after 21-day exposure.Continue Reading
Mitragynine is a novel psychoactive substance (NPS) that has emerged as a designer opioid. Also known as kratom , it possesses both stimulant-like and sedative effects due to dual-binding of α-adrenergic and μ-opioid receptors. This herbal remedy is readily available online and can cause adverse effects including tachycardia, agitation, tremors, hallucination and death. In a recent article published in Journal of Analytical Toxicology by Trista H. Wright, UCT's flagship sorbent, Clean Screen® DAU, was employed to extract the drug from whole blood. The author reports that a suspect in a driving under the influence case admitted to using Mitragynine to a drug recognition expert (DRE) officer.Continue Reading
Elena Lendoiro et al., published in Forensic Science International (/doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2018.03.023) on the use of UCT's Clean Screen® EtG solid phase extraction sorbent to determine the ethyl glucuronide (EtG) content of drivers suspected of alcohol/drugs driving cases under voluntary conditions. A validated analytical method for EtG was established which had a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 5 pg/mg of hair. It was found that 22 hair samples were positive for EtG where concentrations (20.7-1254.1pg/mg) were higher than the Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) cut-off for chronic alcohol consumption (≥30 pg EtG per mg of hair) in 21 cases.Continue Reading
Brazil is one of the largest veterinary markets in the world, and aquaculture, in particular fish farming, is the fastest growing sector of animal food production in the country. In fish farming, antimicrobials, including sulfonamides, are used for the treatment of bacterial diseases. Sulfonamides belong to an important group of synthetic antimicrobial agents that have been used in human and veterinary medicine for over 60 years. Recently, these drugs have been extensively employed in animals intended to produce food for human consumption.
In a recent paper authored by Katia Nunes et al., published in Journal of Analytical Methods in Chemistry (doi.org/10.1155/2018/4506754), a multiresidue method for detecting and quantifying sulfonamides (sulfapyridine, sulfamerazine, sulfathiazole, sulfamethazine, sulfadimethoxine, sulfamethoxazole, and sulfamethoxypyridazine) and trimethoprim in tilapia fillet (Oreochromis niloticus) was developed and validated using UCT's QuEChERS clean-up products in conjunction with liquid chromatography- mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).Continue Reading
UCT would like to extend our warmest congratulations to Mariem Al Bouwalda for winning the 2018 UCT sponsored "Best Overall Chemistry Performance" in the specialized field of Nanotechnology. Mariem is a student at the Dublin Institute of Technology's School of Chemistry & Pharmaceutical Sciences. She was presented with the prestigious award celebrating student research and ingenuity on February 22nd, 2018.
Once again, on behalf of everyone at UCT, Congratulations Mariem on your outstanding work and we wish you all the luck in your future scientific endeavors!Continue Reading
In produce processing, water used to wash both fresh and fresh-cut produce is commonly treated with sanitizers for the purpose of controlling pathogens and minimizing microbial cross-contamination. Chlorine-based sanitizers are most commonly used for produce processing in the food industry (FAO/WHO, 2008). While chlorine's efficacy in controlling pathogens is well recognized, one of the main concerns is the reactivity of chlorine with organic and inorganic substances to generate harmful disinfection bi-products (DBPs) and emerging DBPs of concern including haloacetonitriles, halonitromethanes, haloacetamides, and nitrosamines (NISAMs). Monitoring these DBPs is necessary to protect food safety but comprehensive analytical methods have been lacking.
In a recent paper authored by Wan-Ning Lee et al., published in Food Chemistry (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2018.02.134), UCT's Enviro-Clean® 521 sorbent (200 mg/ 6 mL) was employed to analyze DBPs and NISAMs in food wash water.Continue Reading
Analysis of umbilical cord samples offers forensic toxicologists a method for evaluating maternal drug intake patterns. These matrices may be an uncommon sample for many laboratories, but for those that are tasked with the challenge, solid phase extraction offers the most efficient methodology for the analysis of said compounds.
In recent paper authored by Amy Alexander et al., in Journal of Analytical Toxicology (doi: 10.1093/jat/bky009), UCT's flagship sorbent Clean Screen®DAU (CSDAU020) was employed to analyze samples of umbilical cord taken from two monozygotic twins. It was found that the umbilical cord from newborn #1 was positive for hydromorphone only (1.06 ng/g), and the umbilical cord from newborn #2 was positive for hydromorphone (0.81 ng/g) and benzoylecgonine (5.41 ng/g).Continue Reading
For many forensic toxicologists, studying the biological pathways of illicit drugs is important if offering interpretation to the submitting agents. One of the most common drugs seen by forensic toxicologists on a routine basis is cocaine. The pharmacokinetic profile of oral cocaine has not been fully characterized and prospective data on oral bioavailability is limited. In a recent paper published in Journal of Analytical Toxicology (doi: 10.1093/jat/bky007) by Marion A.Coe, set al., a within-subject study was performed to characterize the bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of oral cocaine. This study was performed using UCT's most famous solid phase extraction (SPE) sorbent Clean Screen DAU®(ZSDAU020) to extract the compound and metabolites.Continue Reading
Several deaths in the US and Europe have been attributed to U-47700 both alone, and in combination with other drugs. In a presentation given at the recent SOFT-TIAFT conference in Boca Raton by M.L. Zaney et al., postmortem cases from a regional medical examiners laboratory in Florida, USA were presented in which U-47700 was detected either in blood or drug paraphernalia. In the study, whole blood specimens were extracted using UCT's flagship Clean Screen® DAU solid phase extraction (SPE) columns.Continue Reading
Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) is hosting its Spring 2018 Medical Cannabis Educational Summit. UCT, in conjunction with Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, will be leading a symposium for those who work in cannabis testing laboratories or are looking to start one. Talks will be given on sample preparation, chromatography, quantitation of cannabinoids and the regulation of cannabis. The event will provide scientific insight into the ever expanding cannabis market. Click below to register and learn more about the event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/medical-cannabis-educational-summit-tickets-39125969829?aff=HACCWebsiteContinue Reading
In a presentation at the recent joint annual meeting of Society of Forensic Toxicologists (SOFT) and The International Association of Forensic Toxicologists (TIAFT) held in Boca Raton, Florida, USA, Jamie Foss et al., employed UCT's famous flagship sorbent, Clean Screen® DAU (CSDAU 130 mg/3 mL), in a study concerning the determination of matrix suppression in blood/urine samples by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The study involved the solid phase extraction (SPE) of benzoylecgonine, carboxy-THC, Fentanyl, 6-monoacetyl morphine, and hydrocodone and the related matrix effects.Continue Reading
In a recent paper authored by Kraig E. Strayer et al., published in ACS Omega ((2018) 3 514-23), UCT's famous flagship sorbent Clean Screen ® DAU was employed to extract fentanyl analogs from whole blood. The authors describe the development and validation of a solid phase extraction (SPE) process combined with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry-based method for the multiplex detection of 24 illicitly manufactured fentanyl analogues and metabolites in whole blood at concentrations as low as 0.1−0.5 ng per mL using the UCT sorbent.Continue Reading
UCT would like to extend our warmest congratulations to Sara Demspey, Timothy Lau, and Raquel Leblanc - Winners of the 2017 SOFT Excellence in SPE Awards. This award appropriately reflects the recent outstanding contributions they made to the field of Solid Phase Extraction in Forensic Science.Continue Reading
Amphetamines Type Substances (ATS), which include amphetamine (AMP), methamphetamine (MA), 4-methylamphetamine (4-MA), 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-ethylamphetamine (MDEA), cathinone (CAT), and ephedrine (EPH), are widely acknowledged as common identified drugs of abuse. Alternative, new-age synthetic cathinones such as methcathinone (MC) and mephedrone (MEP) are frequently observed in forensic toxicology cases but were originally marketed as "bath salts". In a new paper authored by Khaled M Mohamed and Abdulsallam Bakdash published in Analytical Chemistry Insights ((2017) 12 1–16), UCT's high-puritiy fluoroacyl derivatization reagents were employed in the analysis of ATS extracted from oral fluid (OF) samples using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).Continue Reading
Environmental analysts are often tasked with the evaluation of illicit and prescription drugs in wastewater samples in an attempt to better understand the epidemiology of a populated area. Due to the challenging consistency of this matrix, clean-up is often vital in order to achieve accurate detection. In a recent paper authored by Richard Bade et al., published in Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry (doi.org/10.1007/s0021), UCT's Xtrackt®, large-particle, solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridges (XRDAH506) were utilized for the detection of licit and illicit drugs in wastewater samples in Southern Australia.Continue Reading
For many forensic toxicologists working with active drugs, the parent substrates may not be present in biological matrices, only the metabolites. From these metabolites, the parent drug may be assessed. This is typically performed by characterization of both the parent and metabolites. In a recent paper authored by Courtney Campbell et al., in Journal of Analytical Toxicology (doi: 10.1093/jat/bkx067), a validated method for the characterization of degradation products formed from selected phenothiazine drugs was employed utilizing solid-phase extraction (SPE) and UCT's XCEL1 (130 mg in 48 well plate format).Continue Reading
Many contaminants are now entering the composition of industrial and domestic products (personal care products, cosmetics, detergents, etc.). Following a massive and varied use of these products, significant amounts of pollutants can be found at different levels of the water cycle, particularly in urban areas. Healthcare facility discharges, by their nature, are often considered as non-domestic effluent, which can provide significant pollution comparatively to other domestic sources. In a recent paper authored by Alexandre Bergé et al., published in Environmental Science and Pollution Research (doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-0470-8), UCT's mixed-mode anion exchange solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridges, CUNAX2 (200 mg/ 3 mL), were employed for the extraction/preconcentration of surfactants in waste water samples.Continue Reading
Of all the drugs plaguing analytical forensic toxicologists, the newer psychoactive substances (NPS) are the most challenging. One of the older NPS's is the Synthetic Piperazines (SP) class. While circumventing legislative controls, SP's are encountered as "legal" alternatives to ecstasy. Forensic toxicologists often meet unforeseeable challenges that may delay quantitative analysis of these compounds in biological fluids. Enzymatic reactions, matrix interferences and limited knowledge of analyte stability further complicate interpretation of calculated concentrations in the wide range of matrices submitted to the laboratory for analysis. In a recent paper published in Journal of Analytical Toxicology by Timothy Lau et al., (doi: 10.1093/jat/bkx090) the stability of SP's in human blood under various storage conditions over time was investigated using UCT's famous flagship sorbent Clean Screen® DAU for the extraction process.Continue Reading
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Separation Science has developed its fourth online eSeminar focusing on advances in forensics and toxicology. Taking place in two sessions, one each on 28 and 30 November 2017, this two-day online educational event will provide forensic scientists, toxicologists and those who work in laboratories within the forensic and toxicology industries with updates and guidance on the latest methods, protocols, processes and applications of chromatography, mass spectrometry and related techniques with key experts providing practical insights into their respective fields.
Our very own Forensic Technical Specialist, Tina Fanning, will be presenting in conjunction with an extensive panel of additional key experts in the field. The e-Seminar will comprise 7 presentations over 2 sessions featuring UCT's platform topic, "A Modified QuEChERS Approach for the Extraction of Common Prescription and Illicit Drugs from Liver Prior to LC/MS-MS Analysis." Click below to register for this exciting and informative event:
http://webinar.sepscience.com/advances-in-forensics-and-toxicology-eseminar-formContinue Reading
Of the challenges facing forensic toxicologists working in the post mortem field, the analysis of decomposed or skeletal remains for the presence and concentrations of drug compounds may be the most difficult. The use of bone as a matrix for toxicological analysis has been investigated extensively since 2000. These studies, involving both human and animal remains, have shown a wide variability in detected drug and metabolite levels across different bone types. Interpretation of toxicological measurements in bone is also complicated by the inability to properly determine analyte recovery from bone tissue. In a recent study published in Drug Testing and Analysis by H. M. Cornthwaite et al., (doi: 10.1002/dta.2327), UCT's world famous Clean Screen FASt® solid phase extraction sorbent in 96 well plate format (100 mg bed mass) was employed to extract tramadol (TRAM), dextromethorphan (DXM) and their respective metabolites from skeletal remains.Continue Reading
The determination of original source of use-related residues on prehistoric stone tools is especially challenging, due to issues related to preservation, contamination and multiple source residue the contributions. To increase confidence in this process, an analytical workflow was developed by Susan Luoing et al., published in Analytical Methods (2017, 9, 4349) which included a sampling strategy that retains spatial information of the recovered residues and enables monitoring of environmental contamination; and a sensitive and selective gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/ MS) procedure to quantify non-volatile low molecular weight lipids on stone artefacts. Representative aliquots were spiked with internal standards. After extraction of the lipids and evaporation of the extracts, the samples were derivatized with UCT's MSTFA (N-Methyl-N-trimethylsilyltrifluoroacetamide) containing 1%TCMS (1% trimethylchlorosilane) silylation reagent.Continue Reading
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), in particular perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), have been widely studied due to their persistence, distribution, toxicity and bio-accumulation in humans and the environment. These compounds can enter the environment through landfills (products containing stain repellents, food packaging), wastewater treatment plants (industry waste) and from the use of firefighting foams (aqueous film-forming foams [AFFFs]). In a recent study by Susan Genualdi et al., (FOOD ADDITIVES & CONTAMINANTS: PART A, 2017 https://doi.org/10.1080/19440049.2017.1361046 ), UCT's QuEChERS kits (AOAC 2007.1, 6 g MgSO₄ with 1.5 g NaCl) and dispersive SPE (dSPE) sorbent (0.9 g MgSO₄, 0.3 g primary secondary amine [PSA], 0.15 g graphitized carbon black [GCB]) and were used for the extraction of PFAS in cranberries.Continue Reading
In a new paper authored by Szabolcs Sofalvi et al., published in Journal of Analytical Toxicology ((2017) 41 473–483), a validated method for the extraction of fentanyl, norfentanyl, acetyl fentanyl, carfentanil, 2-furanyl fentanyl and 3-methylfentanyl was reviewed using Clean Screen® DAU and LC-MS/MS to identify these novel compounds along with their corresponding concentrations.
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The analysis of hair provides forensic toxicologists with several significant benefits in casework. Not only is it utilized when more conventional matrices such as blood and urine are not available, but also it provides an approximate timeline of drug use. Hair analysis is particularly useful in cases of child custody, workplace drug testing or in drug facilitated sexual assault cases. In a new paper authored by Lorna A Nesbit et al., published in Journal of Analytical Toxicology (doi: 10.1093/jat/bkx053) a group of NPS compounds (25B-, 25C- and 4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxy-N-[(2-methoxyphenyl)methyl]-benzeneethanamine) and 25I-NBOMe, using 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxy-N-[(2-methoxyphenyl)methyl]-benzeneethanamine (25B-NBOMe)-D3, were analyzed using UCT's flagship SPE sorbent Clean Screen® DAU (CSDAU133).Continue Reading
In recent years, the abuse of newer psychoactive substances (NPS) such as synthetic cathinones or 'bath salts' has become a major public health concern. These compounds were initially sold legally and labeled "not for human consumption." Three popular drugs of this type are methylone, mephedrone, and 3, 4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV). Unfortunately, there is currently no information available on the teratogenicity of these compounds, or of the extent to which they cross the placenta. In a recent paper authored by Lauren G. Strange et al., published in the journal Neurotoxicology and Teratology ((2017) 63 9–13) this issue was addressed by employing UCT's flagship sorbent Clean Screen® DAU followed by analysis utilizing HILIC LC-MS/MS. The purpose of this study was to examine the pharmacokinetic profile of the 'bath salts' in a pregnancy model using an animal model.Continue Reading
In a recent paper authored by Jana H.Johansson et al, published in the journal Emerging Contaminants ((2017) 3 46-53)), UCT's world famous Clean Up® QAX sorbent was employed in a study involving the analysis of PFOS, especially water-to-air transfer of branched and linear perfluorooctanoic acids (PFOA).UCT is known around the world for the production of the finest sorbents for environmental type extractions and PFOS are now gaining recognition as compounds of environmental interest. In this study, the volatilization of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was measured experimentally at a range of pH values using a validated laboratory method published by the authors.Continue Reading
In a recent paper authored by Nicolás Fernández et al., published in Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry (DOI: 10.1002/rcm.7933), the researchers describe a new method in which UCT's flagship sorbent, Clean Screen® DAU (CSDAU303), was used for the simultaneous quantification of Meperidine, its main metabolite Normeperidine,Tramadol, Propoxyphene, and its main metabolite Norpropoxyphene in plasma samples.Continue Reading
Marijuana, known for its euphoric and relaxing properties, continues to be the most commonly abused illicit drug globally. While the substance has numerous desirable affects like those noted above, long-term use has been shown to result in impaired memory, cognitive skills and psychomotor function through the psychoactive properties of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and its hydroxylated metabolite (THC-OH). UCT has been at the forefront of the analysis and quantification of THC and THC-OH in biological fluids through the use of the Clean Screen® THC sorbent and extraction column.Continue Reading
UCT would like to extend our warmest congratulations to Sara McGrath at FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition for winning the 2017 NACRW Excellence in Sample Prep Award sponsored by UCT. The winning poster presentation was entitled, "Strategies for Extraction and Purification of Tetrodotoxin and Saxitoxin from Fish Filets with LC-MRM/MS Analysis."
Once again, on behalf of everyone at UCT, Congratulations Sara on your outstanding research!
The correlation of drugs in decomposed human remains and animals is very useful for forensic toxicologists working with complex matrices that go beyond post mortem samples. In a recent paper published in Journal of Analytical Toxicology, Lucas M. Morrison et al.,(doi: 10.1093/jat/bkx040) employed UCT's famous Xcel I SPE sorbent to extract Dextromethorphan (DXM) and its primary metabolite (DXT) from the remains of rats. They analyzed DXM and DXT in skeletal remains of rats following acute (ACU, 75 mg/kg, IP, n = 10) or three repeated (REP, 25 mg/kg, IP, n = 10, 40-minute intervals) doses of DXM.Continue Reading
In a new paper by Lori Smith et al, published in the Journal of Food and Agricultural Chemistry (DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.7b02280), a wide and diverse range of anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) were analyzed in rodent liver samples using UCT's dispersive SPE (d-SPE) tubes for sample clean-up. ARs are used to control rodent populations, acting as vitamin K antagonists by inhibiting vitamin K epoxide reductase. Consequently, formation of prothrombin and related blood-clotting factors (VII, IX and X) are blocked, causing massive hemorrhage and mortality.Continue Reading
UCT is well-recognized for its flagship solid phase extraction (SPE) sorbent Clean Screen® DAU. This acclaimed sorbent is employed by many forensic toxicology laboratories for the extraction of drugs and metabolites from biological matrices, including the increasingly encountered novel psychoactive substances (NPS). In a new paper authored by C.Mitchell-Mata in Journal of Analytical Toxicology (doi: 10.1093/jat/bkx048), CSDAU206 was used to extract 3- and 4-methoxyphencyclidine (3-MeO-PCP, 4-MeO-PCP) in forensic cases.Continue Reading
UCT, the first company to commercialize the QuEChERS technique, still maintains its support for facilities around the world analyzing food samples for the detection of herbicides, pesticides, and insecticides. The most widely used class of the insecticides in last twenty years are neonicotinoids, which act as receptor agonists of nicotinic acetylcholine. In a paper published in Journal on Processing and Energy in Agriculture by P. Jovanov et al., (2017) 21, 53-55)), UCT's famous QuEChERS buffered sample extraction kit , ECQUEU750CT, and general dispersive cleanup kit, ECMPS15CT, were used in the extraction of honey samples taken from the Province of Vojvodina, Poland, for the presence of neonicotinoids.Continue Reading
Driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) has become a growing issue nationwide and likewise in Orange County (OC), California. In research published in Journal of Forensic Sciences by K. Declues et al., UCT's famous Clean Screen® THC SPE cartridges were used to extract cannabinoids from samples of whole blood taken from apprehended drivers in OC over a two-year period. In this study (Part II of a two stage study), a comparison was conducted of examined objective signs, eye examinations and physiological indicators with their relationship to the presence of identified concentrations of THC.Continue Reading
UCT's flagship solid phase extraction (SPE) sorbent, Clean Screen® DAU, has been employed by countless forensic toxicology laboratories for the extraction of various drugs and metabolites from biological samples. In a recent paper published in Journal of Chromatographic Science (doi: 10.1093/chromsci/bmx045) by A.A. Salem et al, this acclaimed sorbent (130 mg in 3 mL format) was effectively utilized to isolate β-blockers and β2-agonists from human plasma and urine.Continue Reading
In the field of animal sports toxicology, UCT is recognized around the world as the premier manufacturer of the finest sorbents for the extraction of steroids and other doping agents in equine urine. In a recent paper published in Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis by H.D.Shin et al., (doi= 10.1016/j.jpba.2017.06.036) a high throughput method for simultaneous screening of anabolic steroids and their metabolites (4-esterendione, trenbolone, boldenone, oxandrolone, nandrolone, methandrostenolone, testosterone, 1-androstendione, ethisterone, normethandrolone, methyltestosterone, 16β-Hydroxystanozolol, epitestosterone, bolasterone, norethandrolone, danazol, stanozolol and androstadienone) in equine urine was developed using UCT's large particle Xtrackt® SPE sorbent (XRDAH203).Continue Reading
Since the introduction of Fentanyl as a legitimate medication, UCT has been at the forefront of assisting forensic toxicology facilities with the finest solid-phase extraction (SPE) sorbents and methodologies to extract and concentrate the drugs efficiently. With the recent emergence of newer potent analogs in the illicit community, UCT has expanded upon its existing sample preparation methods to include these novel, structurally similar derivatives. In a new paper authored by E.N.Shoff et al., published in Journal of Analytical Toxicology (doi: 10.1093/jat/bkx041), the determination of fentanyl analogs and other opioids in postmortem cases is thoroughly detailed employing Clean Screen® DAU solid-phase extraction cartridges as an integral part of this methodology.Continue Reading
UCT is recognized around the world for its outstanding support of forensic toxicologists/ toxicology facilities and understanding the many challenges that face analysts on a day to day basis. Some of the major obstacles are the extraction and analysis of new synthetic cathinones in blood by GC-MS. In a recent paper published in Analytical Methods ((2017) 9 2732) by K. A. Alsenedi and C.Morrison, samples of whole blood were extracted using UCT's flagship sorbent Clean Screen® ZSDAU020 and eluted with a methylene chloride-isopropanol-ammonium hydroxide solution. Following evaporation, the residues were modified with six acylation reagents and compared for their derivatization potential.Continue Reading
UCT in recognized around the world not only for manufacturing the finest solid phase extraction (SPE) sorbents, but also providing scientific support for clinical and forensic toxicology accounts worldwide. UCT's FASt (Filter & Shoot) sorbent has recently been utilized in the analysis of the novel pharmaceutical tianeptine in forensic toxicological urine samples by S.K Dempsey et al., in Journal of Analytical Toxicology (doi: 10.1093/jat/bkx034) .Continue Reading
UCT is recognized around the world as the first company to commercialize the use of the QuEChERS technique for use in pesticide and herbicide analysis. While supplying a large diversity of commonly available clean-up sorbents, UCT is sole supplier of ChloroFiltr®, a novel polymeric based sorbent designed for the removal of chlorophyll from acetonitrile extracts without compromising on the recovery of planer pesticides.
In a recent paper published in Environmental Science and Technology Letters by E.M.Peterson et al., (DOI: 10.1021/acs.estlett.7b00123), ChloroFiltr® is put to use for the analysis of neonicotinoids on wildflowers close in proximity to cattle feed yards.Continue Reading
Recently Arcadia University's Forensic Science Program did an Internship Spotlight on Stephanie Oddi, UCT's 2016-2017 intern. We would like to share her feedback from her experience here below and also thank her for all the valuable time and contributions she has provided to our internal R&D efforts. Best of luck Stephanie as you move forward in the forensic community! We wish you nothing but the best - From Your UCT Mentors!Continue Reading
Over the past two decades, prescription and illicit opioid use has led to changes in public health policy to address the increasing number of opiate/ opioid-related deaths. UCT's flagship sorbent, Clean Screen® DAU, is recognized as the finest solid phase extraction (SPE) sorbent for opiate/opioid extraction and analysis from biological samples. In a new paper published in Journal of Forensic Sciences (House Publication of American Academy of Forensic Sciences) JFS doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.13511 by Love et al., cases submitted for analysis to Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office between 2004 through 2015 were extracted utilizing UCT's DAU column, where heroin was identified as a significant contributor or as the primary cause of death.Continue Reading
UCT is pleased to be attending for the first time Emirates Forensic, the Middle East region's largest event on Forensic Science and Forensic Medicine. Emirates Forensic will be held from 2nd to 4th of April 2017 in Sheikh Maktoum Hall of the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre. The show is being organized by INDEX Conferences & Exhibitions Org. Est along with its strategic partner, Dubai Police. Stop by BOOTH A05 to learn more about UCT's latest product offerings and collaborations.Continue Reading
UCT is known in the industry as the premier manufacturer of Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) sorbents. Many of these clean-up products are commonly utilized in the food safety and public protection markets, for example in the detection of Ractopamine (RAC) in animal feed. RAC is a phenylethanolamine that has been approved for use as a feed additive in some countries to enhance leanness in animal selected species. It is used with the purpose of increasing the rate of weight gain, improving feed efficiency and increasing carcass leanness. Despite these benefits, the use of RAC has been related to adverse effects in cardiovascular and central nervous systems of animals and consumers. In a paper authored by Caldeira et al., published in the journal Accreditation and Quality Assurance ((2017) 22,91–96), an analytical method was developed and validated based on extracting RAC with acetate buffer, hydrolyzing with β-glucuronidase and a purifying by SPE using UCT's world renowned flagship SPE sorbent Clean Screen® DAU.Continue Reading
Preliminary studies have shown that the QuEChERS technique should be considered as a reliable alternative when extracting multiple drug classes from challenging biological matrices. The project described here, explores a modified universal QuEChERS approach for sample clean-up in post-mortem liver, coupled with LC-MS detection, for the analysis of several common prescription and illicit drugs. Read more here.Continue Reading
The recently released annual report by the Environmental Working Group found that nearly 70% of samples of 48 types of conventionally grown produce were contaminated with pesticide residues. This year, strawberries remained at the top of the list of produce with the highest concentration of pesticides, while sweet corn and avocados were ranked as having the lowest concentration. For all your pesticide residue detection needs visit https://sampleprep.unitedchem.com/products/quechers. To read more about the recently released report, click here.Continue Reading
UCT is recognized for its support for the forensic toxicology community not only domestically, but abroad. This is demonstrated in a new article published in the journal Toxicologie Analytique & Clinique authored by Dr.J Long et al.,(http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.toxac.2016.11.003 2352-0078). In this paper, the authors utilize UCT's famous Clean Screen ® DAU solid phase extraction column (ZSDAU020) to extract remifentanil, a short acting fentanyl analogue, from post mortem blood samples. This is believed to be the first report of a concentration of remifentanil in postmortem blood.Continue Reading
The piece documents a brief history of the QuEChERS extraction method and its application in pesticide residue testing for cannabis. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dhUaURgContinue Reading
UCT is world renowned for its support for analysts and scientists working in the area of environmental food protection for the public utilizing any of our Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) or QuEChERS ("quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe") sorbents and pre-packed pouches. In a recent paper by L. Han et al., working with Dr. S. Lehotay at US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USA) in the journal Food Control (2016) 66 27-282), an easy and reliable high-throughput analysis method was developed and validated for 192 diverse pesticides and 51 environmental contaminants (13 Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) congeners, 14 Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), 7 Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) congeners, and 17 novel flame retardants) in cattle, swine, and poultry muscle.Continue Reading
UCT Inc., is known around the world as the premier manufacturer of Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) sorbents. It's support for analysts performing testing in the field of environmental sample testing for public protection has been a core activity for over thirty years. In a recent paper published in Environmental Science Water Research & Technology ((2016), 2, 502) by D.L.McCurry et al., UCT's Enviro Clean® activated carbon SPE columns were employed to extract and analyze NMDA from water.Continue Reading
UCT is proud to support Emerald Scientific's 2017 annual conference which is devoted to the deep exploration and discussion of the science of cannabis, including analytical testing, extraction and infusion sciences, cultivation sciences, clinical applications, inter-lab comparison and proficiency testing, state regulations, industry standardization, and more. Please join us all week at BOOTH 132 to learn more about our latest product offerings including QuEChERS products and well-plates geared towards the analysis of cannabis and edible products, Selectra® HPLC columns, GC liners, Selectra-Sil® Dervatizing Reagents, and Ultra Flash® Flash Chromatography Purification offerings.Continue Reading
In the agricultural community, there are thousands of pesticides that could be potentially used to protect crops. In a recent paper published in Journal of Food and Agricultural Chemistry (J. Agric. Food Chem. (2017) 65, 473,493) by J.Wang et al., (Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Calgary, Canada), UCT's Enviro Clean QuEChERS Pouches were used in conjunction with Enviro Clean 15mL dSPE centrifuge tubes for targeted screening of 448 pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables.Continue Reading
UCT is excited to participate in the 9th Annual MSACL Conference & Exhibit. Stop by BOOTH 1 to learn about all our latest product offerings and collaborations, including our HPLC columns, QuEChERS products geared towards the analysis of cannabis and edible products, Abalonase®/ Abalonase®+ Purified Beta Glucuronidase, as well as our full line of sample preparation products, reagents, and accessories.Continue Reading
UCT is known around the world as the first company to commercialize the QuEChERS ((Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) approach and is proud to support facilities involved in food safety testing using this technique. In a new paper published in Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.6b05051) by S. Genualdi et al., (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Maryland, USA) the simultaneous analysis of 3- monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) and 1,3 dichloropropane-2-ol (1,3-DCP) was executed in asian style sauces. In this report UCT's extraction mylar pouches (AOAC Blend) which include 6 g MgSO4 with 1.5 g of sodium acetate and dSPE clean-up pouches containing 400 mg of PSA and 400 mg of C18 were employed to perform the QuEChERS extraction prior to analysis of 3-MCPD and 1,3-DCP. This new method utilized direct analysis of the extract without derivatization using gas chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). The developed method was applied to 60 genuine soy sauce samples to determine if concentrations have changed since the FDA limit was set in 2008.Continue Reading
UCT is known around the world for its support of clinical pharmacologists and their studies as they look for the finest sorbents to perform the extractions. In a recent paper by Adam L. Halberstadt (Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego), UCT's flagship sorbent Clean Screen® DAU (ZSDAU020) was employed in the study involving the interactions between monoamine oxidase inhibitors and the hallucinogen 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior (2016) 143 1–10).Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are often ingested together with tryptamine hallucinogens, but relatively little is known about the consequences of their combined use.Continue Reading
Of all the analytical methods available to forensic toxicologists, testing for cannabinoids is one most requested extraction approaches via the technical support team. In a recent paper authored by Nicolas Fernandez et al., from Universidad de Buenos Aires published in Acta Toxicol. Argent. ((2016) 24 (2): 116-127) UCT's world famous Clean Screen® THC was employed as the extraction sorbent in an accurate, reproducible, and validated gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method for the quantitation of 11-nor-9-carboxy- Δ9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (THCCOOH), the major metabolite of Δ9 -tetrahydrocannabinol in urine.Continue Reading
UCT QuEChERS cited in Perfluoroalkyl Substances Paper - PFAS's have recently received increased research attention, particularly concerning aquatic organisms in regions of exposure to Aqueous Film Forming Foams (AFFFs). In a paper recently published in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (DOI: 10.1002/etc.3726) by H.A. Lanza et al., (Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA) six PFASs, including perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), were extracted from whole fish composites via UCT QuEChERS extraction kits.Continue Reading
In 2003, the QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) method was developed as a way to improve conventional sample preparation for multi-residue pesticide analysis in a variety of difficult matrices. While the methodology was initially invented for the food testing industry, it has recently caught the attention of several other types of analytical laboratories including the post-mortem drug testing communities.Continue Reading
Compared to other classes of drugs, benzodiazepine abuse is relatively uncommon. However, there has been an upward trend of using them along with other drugs, such as alcohol and opioids, in order to achieve an enhanced overall high.Continue Reading
The number of products marketed as "legal alternatives to cannabis" or "legal highs" have dramatically increased in popularity in recent years. It can be a real challenge for testing labs to keep up with the new, synthetic cannabinoids. Although these compounds are ever-changing, they are derived from "template structures", which are ideal candidates for clean-up via solid phase extraction (SPE).Continue Reading
It's no surprise that oral fluid drug testing has gained recent popularity in forensic and clinical laboratories. Not only is it easier to acquire from a sample collection perspective, but also, it's much less invasive when comparing the measures utilized to solicit urine and blood samples.Continue Reading
It goes without saying that fentanyl related overdoses and deaths were a major public health issue across the United States in 2016 and will continue to be in the upcoming year. Forensic toxicologists need fast and accurate extraction methodologies in order to not only identify fentanyl but also additional novel analgesics that may be isolated in casework screening protocols.Continue Reading
Even within states where recreational cannabis has not been legalized, government funded crime laboratories are seeing an uptick in seized plant and edible cannabis cases. While toxicology sections are equipped with the tools needed to extract said samples if tasked with this additional work, drug chemistry units may struggle to treat the various edible forms, tinctures and waxes that appear in their laboratory.Continue Reading
Multiple strategies can be used to derivatize opiates prior to analysis on GC-MS. A variety of both silylation and acylation reagents can be used to best accomplish this, including either BSTFA (with 1% TMCS) or Propionic Anhydride (PIA).Continue Reading
The hydrolysis of morphine-3-glucuronide and various other conjugated drug classes such as benzodiazepines and synthetic cannabinoids is routinely fast and efficient. Other compounds prove to be more difficult to covert, such as codeine-6-glucuronide, due to the nature of the chemical bonds at hand and the configuration of the enzyme to the substrate.Continue Reading
The ability to separate complex mixtures of structurally similar compounds within one method is highly desirable. Additionally, compounds of related structures may also be isobaric with similar fragmentation, rendering them unidentifiable by MS/MS. In these cases, it is essential that these compounds be baseline separated chromatographically.Continue Reading
While these compounds have been major players in a toxicological setting for quite some time, there still appears to be a generalized struggle to precipitate and extract them efficiently from whole blood. Not only is the ratio of acetonitrile to blood sample critical for proper precipitation of these highly protein-bound compounds, but also the speed in which it's added along with the working temperature of the solvent at hand.Continue Reading
Ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and ethyl sulfate (EtS) are conjugated ethanol biomarkers. Due to their highly polar nature (log P of 1.51 and 0.62, respectively) and lack of retention on a traditional reversed phase HPLC column, their analysis is typically plagued by significant ion suppression when using a standard Dilute & Shoot approach.Continue Reading
"During the first weekend of December, nine people died of apparent drug overdoses in and around Kensington, a neighborhood in northern Philadelphia. Those deaths came just weeks after the city, which has become a "mecca" for addicts, saw 50 overdoses — five of them fatal — in one day on November 17. Philadelphia, and the neighborhood of Kensington in particular, has become a focal point for the US's deepening opioid crisis. " Read More Here: http://www.businessinsider.com/opioid-heroin-fentanyl-overdose-crisis-philadelphia-2016-12Continue Reading
UCT is well recognized in the analytical testing field for manufactoring the finest silica and polymeric based sorbents. Most recently, The Styre Screen ® SPE column line has been utilized in a paper authored by R.C. Kevin et al., (University of Sydney, Australia) in the journal Forensic Toxicology (doi:10.1007/s11419-016-0330-0) where urinary cannabinoid concentrations were measured during nabiximols (Sativex®)-medicated inpatient cannabis withdrawal. The hydrolysed samples containing (CBD, THC, THC-COOH, and 11-OH-THC) were directly loaded onto Styre Screen® (SSTHC063) SPE columns. This paper demonstrates the efficiency of UCT's polymeric Styre Screen® sorbents in the analysis of cannabinoids, and why researchers working in the field of cannabinoid analysis turn first to UCT for the finest in silica and polymeric sorbents.Continue Reading
In the fields of both human and animal toxicology, UCT Inc., is world renowned for its manufacture of the finest SPE sorbents. This is most eloquently demonstrated in an article published in Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics ((2016) 39, 469–477) by H.K. Knych et al., (UCSF, Davis) detailing the pharmacokinetics of methocarbamol and phenylbutazone in exercised thoroughbred horses. Methocarbamol (MCBL) commonly used in performance horses for the treatment of skeletal muscle and phenylbutazone (PBZ), another commonly used drug in performance horses, were both extracted and analyzed using UCT's flagship sorbent Clean Screen®DAU (CSDAU 130 mg/3 mL). This paper shows that when researchers working in the area of equine toxicology need the finest SPE sorbents for their extractions, they routinely turn to UCT as their first choice.Continue Reading
UCT will be closed for the holidays on November 24th-25th. Normal business hours will resume on Monday, November 28th. We wish you the happiness of good friends, the joy of a happy family, and the wonder of the holiday season. Have a memorable Thanksgiving!Continue Reading
As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them - President John F. KennedyContinue Reading
One of the more recent prescription drugs being abused illicitly is Fentanyl. This compound induces pharmacological effects and abuse liability comparable to other prescription opioids and heroin. A surge in fentanyl-related fatalities has been periodically reported throughout the USA. In an article published in the Special Issue of the Journal of Analytical Toxicology (JAT) by a team lead by Prof. B. A. Goldberger ((2016) 40:588–594), UCT's flagship sorbent Clean Screen® DAU was employed to extract and analyze post mortem blood samples for fentanyl.Continue Reading
UCT is proud to support Canncon's 2016 annual conference which unites cannabis industry experts, instrument manufacturers, testing labs, research scientists, medical practitioners, policy makers and interested novices. Please join us all week at BOOTH 100 and several other educational platforms to learn more about our latest product offeringsContinue Reading
The compound list for forensic and animal toxicologists to identify, confirm and quantify is constantly increasing. In a recent paper published in Analytical Methods ((2016, 8: 1789) Cawley et al., used UCT's Xtrackt ® SPE column to isolate 2,5-dimethoxy-N- (2-methoxybenzyl)phenethylamine (NBOMe) compounds from samples of equine urine in a validation study to develop a workflow procedure developed for non-targeted analysis using a commercial differential analysis software platform.Continue Reading
UCT is well known for its support of the forensic toxicology community across the globe. With this in mind, UCT notes that USA's Drug Enforcement Administration is placing the substance thiafentanil (4-(methoxycarbonyl)-4-(N-phenmethoxyacetamido)-1-[2-(thienyl)ethyl]piperidine), including its isomers, esters, ethers, salts and salts of isomers, esters and ethers into Schedule II of the Controlled Substances Act effective 26 August 2016.Continue Reading
UCT is excited to participate in the 252nd American Chemical Society National Meeting & Exposition from Aug 21-23rd at the Philadelphia Convention Center. Stop by BOOTH 306 to learn about our 2016 newly launched Ultra Flash® Purification columns! UCT will be featuring 3 distinct lines: standard silica/bonded phase columns, ILOK® format columns conducive for manual assembly and column stacking, and, most notable, our spherical high pressure columns rated up to 400 psi. Our Ultra Flash® Purification line is 100% leak-free, 100% compatible with all flash instrumentation currently in the marketplace, and provided in an extensive range of sizes. Stop by to learn more!Continue Reading
UCT is excited to launch our new SpinFiltr™ approach to dSPE clean-up! Our dual chamber approach features built in submicron filtration and allows the user to simply discard the top device containing unwanted matrix and sorbent following centrifugation. Additional sample volume is recovered without worrying about the disruption of centrifugation layers. UCT is taking the hassle out of dSPE. Try a sample today out of our initial 5 available configurations! Get more details by visiting: https://sampleprep.unitedchem.com/media/at_assets/tech_doc_info/SpinFiltr_Flyer_2016_1.pdf or by checking out our recent NACRW poster presentation featuring this product: https://sampleprep.unitedchem.com/media/at_assets/tech_doc_info/NACRW_Poster_2016.pdfContinue Reading
The Clean Screen® THC solid phase extraction (SPE) column is UCT's flagship THC sorbent. In a paper authored by Declues et al., (Journal of Forensic Sciences (doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.13168)) the Clean Screen THC columns were employed to analyze 1204 whole-blood samples confirmed to contain THC alone or in combination with other drugs out of nearly 5000 Orange County, California drivers suspected of driving under the influence of drugs in a extended time period. The limit of quantification (LOQ) for both THC and carboxy-THC was determined to be 2 ng/ mL in whole blood. This study using genuine drugs and driving cases demonstrates why forensic toxicologist turn time and time again to UCT's finest sorbents for their analyses.Continue Reading
One of the most difficult challenges facing forensic toxicologists is the extraction, analysis and quantification of synthetic cathinones. In a paper published in Journal of Analytical Toxicology (JAT) by Peters et al., from East Tennessee University (doi: 10.1093/jat/bkw074), UCT's flagship SPE Clean Screen® DAU was employed to extract the bathsalts from rat brain tissue. This article demonstrates the power of the Clean Screen®DAU to assist forensic toxicologists in efficiently extracting newer psychoactive compounds from very complex matrices.Continue Reading
For years, people have wondered what's killing the bees as populations of the fuzzy pollinators critical to the global food chain have fallen off. They've racked up declines of 27.4 to 42.1 percent since 2013, well above the 18.7 percent loss the USDA says is the maximum for being economically sustainable. Now a new study says it's not that they're being killed, it's that they're not being born. The world's most popular class of insecticides, "neonicotinoid" pesticides actually cuts bee sperm by 39 percent, according to researchers at the University of Bern, Switzerland.Continue Reading
UCT's most recently posted article provides a technical overview of utilizing the appropriate HPLC phase for both potency and pesticide testing in the cannabis industry. Try out one of our recommended Selectra® HPLC columns today!Continue Reading
UCT would like to extend our congratulations to Greg Mercer from the USFDA Regional Pacific Laboratory for winning the 2016 NACRW "UCT Excellence in Sample Preparation Award." The awarded poster presentation was entitled "A Simple and Effective Cleanup Procedure to Produce Quechers Extracts That Are More Compatible with Gas Chromatography" featuring UCT's Chlorofiltr® dSPE sorbent. This polymeric-based material selectively removes interfering chlorophyll from sample extracts without compromising the recovery of planer pesticides. Try a sample today!Continue Reading
One of the issues that face forensic toxicologists is the analysis of chiral drugs especially within the amphetamine type substances (ATS). In a recent paper by I. Shu et al., published in the prestigious Journal of Chromatography B ((2016) 1028:145), methamphetamine was extracted using UCT's flagship sorbent Clean Screen® DAU from hair samples. By executing an efficient sample clean-up and concentrating the extract, it allowed for the detection of the analytes in question at the concentrations normally encountered in a hair-based matrix.Continue Reading
Amphetamine-type stimulants, including methamphetamine, are the world's second most commonly used illicit drug (surpassed only by marijuana), with at least 30 million people using it regularly. In a recent paper published by D.V.Vaupel et al working with the scientists at National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), UCT's flagship sorbent Clean Screen® DAU (ZSDAU020) was employed to extract and analyze methamphetamine from the whole blood of eight male rhesus monkeys to gain a better toxilogical understanding of the long-term effects of these compounds.Continue Reading
Please note that UCT will be closed on Monday July 4th, 2016 in observance of Independence Day. We will reopen Tuesday, July 5th at 8 am EST.
We wish all of our clients a very happy and safe 4th of July holiday.Continue Reading
UCT Inc., is well-known for its commitment to support in the area of environmental analytical research. In a recent paper published in Science of The Total Environment by J-H Lee and J-H Oh ((2016) 556: 330-337), UCT's Enviro-Clean 521 cartridges were used to extract nitrosoamines from water samples originating in sewerage water plants.Continue Reading
Among the challenges that now face forensic toxicologists is the extraction, confirmation, and quantification of synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cathinones, many of which are new to both the enforcement agencies and analysts alike. UCT is at the cutting edge of not only developing methods/applications for these two emerging classes of compounds, but also supporting forensic toxicologists with their analysis through the use of Silica Clean Screen® THC and DAU sorbents and Styre Screen® polymeric HLD sorbent These chemical phases can be supplied in 1, 3, 6 and 10 mL formats with 50 to 200 mg bed masses in addition to well plate formats (48/96).Continue Reading
The abuse of and addiction to opioids and opiates such as morphine, codeine, and hydrocodone is a serious global problem that affects the health, social, and economic welfare of all societies around the world. It has been estimated that between 26.4 million and 36 million people abuse opioids worldwide, with an estimated 2.1 million people in the United States suffering from substance use disorders related to prescription opioid pain relievers. UCT has been at the forefront of toxicological analysis of opiates (those compounds originating from the poppy plant), and opioids (compounds structurally related to morphine but produced synthetically e.g hydromorphone, oxycodone, and oxymorphone) using its world renowned Clean Screen® DAU and XtrackT® sorbents.Continue Reading
UCT has been featured in a SelectScience article, "Update on Water Analysis Methods" with recent release of streamlined EPA 1694 method: Analysis of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products in Water. Check Us Out Here!
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There have been 256 fatal overdoses from illicit drugs in the first four months of this year in Canada, already more than half the 480 that occurred for all of 2015. Fentanyl's connection to those deaths has been surging at a staggering rate. As a standard basic drug with a pKa of 8.8, fentanyl is a prime candidate for strong cation exchange SPE on such sorbents as UCT's flagship cartridge Clean Screen® DAU. Fentanyl's main metabolite, norfentanyl, and its newer analogs such as acetylfentanyl are also favored by this sorbent and corresponding methodology for high quality results.Continue Reading
In this study into GHB analysis, which was published in Analytical Letters ((2016) 49:2 217–225) by Pyo et from College of Pharmacy, Kyungsung University, South Korea, solid-phase extraction (SPE) was conducted using UCT's Clean Screen GHB SPE columns (CSGHB). The recovery for gamma-hydroxybutyric acid by CSGHB was 64.5– 70.9% compared to 32.6–47.5% by liquid–liquid extraction. SPE using CSGHB also offered shorter analysis time, smaller sample quantities and solvent volumes, and better separation.Continue Reading
Of all the analytes that Forensic Toxicologists are asked to test for, THC still remains high on the list. In this recent study published in the International Journal of Legal Medicine (DOI 10.1007/s00414-016-1368-6) from the Institute of Legal Medicine (Muenster, Germany), a procedure employing UCT's Flagship THC SPE column (ZSTHC020) was developed and validated for analysis of cannabinoids.Continue Reading
In this recently published journal by Wang and Cheung in the world respected journal J.AOAC International (Volume 99, Number 2, March-April 2016, pp. 539-557(19) ) a quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERs) method for extraction of 187 pesticides in both red and white wine samples is presented using ultra-HPLC for the analysis of a wide range of pesticides. The pesticide residues were extracted from wine samples by a QuEChERS approach employing UCT's ENVIRO CLEAN salts/sorbents.Continue Reading
UCT has been featured in Select Science article, "11 Methods to Ensure Food Safety" with the recently released 'Patulin Analysis in Apple Juice' application. View the Select Science featured article and patulin application note here: http://bit.ly/1Vx47BTContinue Reading
An article titled, 'The Disposition of Oxycodone and Metabolite in Human Hair' was recently published in the Journal of Analytical Toxicology (DOI:10.1093/jat/bkv076).Continue Reading
UCT would like to extend a special thanks to all of this year's attendees at NACRW who paid visit to the booth and/or attended our sponsored lunch and learn focused on veterinary drug residue analysis.Continue Reading
This year's annual meeting of the American Association of Clinical Chemistry (AACC) is being held from July 26-30 in Atlanta, Georgia. The AACC show is the premier event for researchers and analysts in the clinical chemistry field.Continue Reading
Beginning July 1, 2015 patients in Minnesota will be able to begin to fill prescriptions for medical marijuana. The Minnesota law is one of the more restrictive nationally, with the cannabis only being able to be taken in pill, oil or liquid form.Continue Reading
UCT, Inc has seen tremendous growth internationally over the past decade. As part of efforts to better serve its channel partners and customers, UCT began exploring opportunities to expand its physical presence internationally.Continue Reading
is year the World Health Organization (WHO) dedicated the World Health Day to highlight the importance of food safety. World Health Day is celebrated annually on April 7 to mark the 1948 founding of the WHO. The theme was, "Food Safety: From Farm to Plate, Keep it Safe" highlighted the importance of keeping food safe throughout the supply chain.Continue Reading
Researchers at the University of Florida, led by Dr. Bruce Goldberger, recently published an article in the Journal of Analytical Toxicology (DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkv053). The paper investigates nine postmortem cases in which ethylone, a synthetic cathinone, was identified.Continue Reading
UCT has consistently produced high quality and reproducible organosilicon products. That commitment was ensured through rigorous manufacturing and quality assurance programs. Today we are pleased to announce that the system's upon which our quality is based have been rewarded.Continue Reading
CBS News recently reported that the state of Colorado is stepping up enforcement of testing and quarantining marijuana plants contaminated with banned pesticide materials.Continue Reading
An article titled, 'Determining Zolpidem Compliance: Urinary Metabolite Detection and Prevalence in Chronic Pain Patients' was recently published in the Journal of Analytical Toxicology (DOI: 10.1093/jat/bku068).Continue Reading
Researchers at Laurentian University (Ontario, Canada), led by Dr. James Watterson, have recently published an article examining the recovery of dextromethorphan and dextrorpan from skeletal tissue.Continue Reading
In a recently published paper, Chromatographia, DOI 10.1007/s10337-014-2726-5, researchers at the University of Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil compared different sorbents in the QuEChERS technique. The article is titled, "Comparison of Different Sorbents in the QuEChERS Method for the Determination of Pesticide Residues in Strawberries by LC–MS/MS."Continue Reading
Marilyn J Schneider, Steven J Lehotay, and Alan R Lightfield at the US Department of Agriculture recently published a paper in the journal Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry.Continue Reading
Researchers at the Republic of Korea National Forensic Service have recently published an article in the journal of the Japanese Association of Forensic Toxicology titled 'Simultaneous quantification of 37 synthetic cannabinoid metabolites in human urine by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry' (doi 10.1007/s11419-015-0265-x).Continue Reading
The original US EPA method 625 was published many years ago for the analysis of bases, neutrals and acids in municipal and industrial wastewater. The analysis uses liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) and GC/MS detection.Continue Reading
Researchers at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), led by Marilyn Huestis, PhD, have recently published an article in the journal Drug Testing and Analysis titled 'Quantification of six cannabinoid metabolites in oral fluids by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry' (doi 10.1002/dta1753).Continue Reading
Researchers at the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Memphis and Departments of Ophthalmology and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Tennessee have recently published a paper investigating the use of a feedback controlled, closed-loop system for anesthesia.Continue Reading
Researchers at the Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond, VA, USA), University of Aberdeen (Aberdeen, U.K.) and the University of Toronto (Toronto, Canada) have developed a novel pharmacological tool for the investigation of the cannabinoid receptor in mouse brain tissue using HPLC-MS-MS analysis.Continue Reading


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Search Constraints
You searched for: Subject Crime Remove constraint Subject: Crime Data type Polygon Remove constraint Data type: Polygon Year 2003 Remove constraint Year: 2003
1 entry found
Search Results
1. Police Crime Reporting Plots
2003. San Francisco Police Department Crime Reporting Plots. Derived from shapefile sent by SFPD in May 2003. San Francisco (Calif.). Department Of Telecommunications and Information Services.

subset: commoncrawl


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One of the most important factors in every interaction you'll find yourself in is the personality of you and the personality of who you're talking to. If they are congruent, the interaction is likely to go smoothly; however, if they happen to clash, it's likely the conversation will turn sour soon enough. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator presents sixteen key personality types that are selected for an individual after he or she has answered a series of questions. In the sections below, we will discuss the personality and various advantages and disadvantages of engaging in a romantic relationship with an ISTJ type, as well as their role in friendships.
To learn more about how to use personality to benefit you in business, check out this course on developing an entrepreneurial personality.
The ISTJ Personality Type is the most prevalent type to be received by those who take the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator examination. It represents a group of people who are very keen on analysis of surroundings and observation over ideology. They tend to struggle comprehending areas the fall into the category of "theory" and will often shy away from philosophical discussion. However, if they can represent that theory or idea in a concrete manner, they are unstoppable when it comes to implementing potential solutions.
As introverts, ISTJ types have a tendency to spend a great deal of time on their own. While they are fully capable of working in a group of people, their best work is done when they are expected to handle their own projects. They're often misjudged as cold and calloused towards their coworkers and friends, typically giving off the impression that they do not care what the acquaintance is saying. However, this can be explained as their reserved side coming to play and holds no truth with regards to personality.
For more information on personality and the impact it play on every aspect of each individual's life, take a look at this course on the secrets of personality.
Advantages of Dating an ISTJ Type
Dating an ISTJ type can be a great deal of fun because ISTJs exhibit quite a few characteristics that make them great significant others, including:
- Jack-of-all-trades. ISTJs often attain knowledge in a wide variety of areas, so it's likely that once one becomes romantically involved, he or she will be fascinated to know all about the new person.
- Strong willed. ISTJs take obligations very seriously and will respond to the needs of their significant other with loyalty and urgency.
- Responsible. ISTJs take pride in the fact that they always admit fault when necessary; they also take a promise as almost written contract that they seen unable and unwilling to break.
- Highly structured. This type is likely to set rules within the relationship that they intend to rigidly follow. Though this may seem like a con, it makes the ISTJ more conscious of ways in which their significant other would like the relationship to improve.
- Calm and relaxed. Two-sided arguments are not common among ISTJ types simply because this type is not prone to losing their temper. They often maintain a clear head in risky situations and are able to devise a practical solution.
- Honest. You can be sure that if your significant other falls into the ISTJ category, he or she is telling you the truth throughout the relationship.
Disadvantages of Dating an ISTJ Type
While there are quite a few positives that go along with engaging in a romantic relationship with this type, there are also several drawbacks, including:
- Stubbornness. While ISTJs are likely to admit responsibility for their actions, they are not fond of admitting that they were wrong.
- Insensitivity. Since the ISTJ prefers logic to emotion, the emotional reactivity or response of a significant other may baffle the ISTJ, causing him or her to react with passivity and appear not fully invested in the conversation.
- Judgmental. To the ISTJ, first impressions are everything. This is especially prevalent when it comes to the opinions presented by others upon meeting an ISTJ.
- Rigid. ISTJs tend to operate in a manner that is always in concordance with rules and guidelines, which presents them from being flexible when a partner bends those rules, such as if they happen to show up late to a date or not call when they claimed they would.
- Workaholics. ISTJs spend the majority of their time working on projects either for their career path, personal interests, or academics; they find it difficult to take a break, which may contribute to bitterness towards the people in their lives.
To learn more about the effects of two contrasting types coming together, check out this course that describes the trials and tribulations that come with living with differing personality styles.
ISTJ types have a tendency to be incredibly loyal to those they deem their friends. While it may take some time to earn their trust, once you've gained it, the ISTJ will without a doubt hold any secret you tell them to the grave. Because of the honesty aspect, this type ends to shy away from gossip and those who engage in it, typically preferring conversations that focus more upon the facts and concrete events on a global scale. They may come off as unaffectionate and talkative, but, despite their cold demeanor, the concept of friendship is placed high on their list of things that are necessary and important to their lives.
This personality type prefers to spend time with people who share their principles and opinions, as well as agree with the ISTJ's beliefs. The judgmental factor comes into play here when friends or acquaintances contradict something an ISTJ is fiercely adamant about. While argumentation is out of character for this type, they are quite open to engaging in a friendly debate that has potential to become heated, though not typically on the side of the ISTJ.
For more information on the ways in which your type can influence the life path you choose, take a look at this course on the psychology of personality. Also, if you're interested in learning more about questions that should be asked in order to determine an individual's personality in person, check out this blog post on personality interview questions.


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Saturday, April 6, 2013
Marc Faber : I am sure the Governments will one day take away 20-30% of my Wealth
Marc Faber : "MF Global, the depositors were also raided. It is nothing unusual. Philosophically I believe that we shouldn't have deposit insurances, blanketed insurances by governments because it would force savers to be very careful with which bank they would deposit the money. The good banks would pay very low interest and take low risks and the banks that take high risks would have high interest. By the way, in Cyrus, banks were paying very high interest like in Lebanon at the present time I can get 6% on my deposits. So the depositors should have known that something is dangerous, but I would say that the principal now is very important to understand. Until now, the bailouts in Europe and the U.S. were at the expense of the taxpayer. And from now onwards, in my view, the bailouts will also be at the expense of the asset holders, the well-to-do people. So if you have money — like I am concerned — I am sure the governments will one day take away 20-30% of my wealth." - in a recent interview
Posted by Biz TV