Energy metabolism disorders and potential therapeutic drugs in heart failure

Heart failure (HF) is a global public health problem with high morbidity and mortality. A large number of studies have shown that HF is caused by severe energy metabolism disorders, which result in an insufficient heart energy supply. This deficiency causes cardiac pump dysfunction and systemic energy metabolism failure, which determine the development of HF and recovery of heart. Current HF therapy acts by reducing heart rate and cardiac preload and afterload, treating the HF symptomatically or delaying development of the disease. Drugs aimed at cardiac energy metabolism have not yet been developed. In this review, we outline the main characteristics of cardiac energy metabolism in healthy hearts, changes in metabolism during HF, and related pathways and targets of energy metabolism. Finally, we discuss drugs that improve cardiac function

Screening of Adulterants in Slimming Herbal Formulation by FTIR Analysis

Herbal formulations are used worldwide during these days specifically as the remedy of some commonly occurring health problems such as diabetes, obesity and digestive disorder. As the use and demand of these herbal formulations have increased, cases of adulteration of herbal formulations with synthetic pharmaceuticals have also increased. The main reason behind the adulteration in herbal formulation with the synthetic drug is to get commercial gain by increasing effectiveness of the herbal formulation. As the use of herbal slimming formulation is on the rise in India due to increasing problem of obesity, therefore, the main aim of the present study is to analyze the herbal slimming formulations present in the Indian market for the presence of synthetic pharmaceuticals by FTIR method. Out of 20 herbal slimming formulations analysed, 7 herbal slimming samples were detected with the presence of synthetic drugs such as Modafinil, Salbutamol, Phenolphthalein and Caffeine. In our study, FTIR has proven an effective method for screening of synthetic pharmaceutical in Herbal formulations.

Hacer bien una fecha: entre el cuidado y la maximización del placer en consumidores de drogas sintéticas / Doing right the fest: between care and maximization of pleasure in synthetic drugs users / Fazendo a festa: entre o cuidado e a maximização do prazer em usuários de drogas sintéticas

Resumen En este artículo analizamos los procesos de vulnerabilidad y las prácticas de cuidado individuales y grupales en relación a los consumos de drogas de jóvenes que asisten a fiestas electrónicas en la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Los resultados provienen de una investigación cualitativa más amplia en la que realizamos entrevistas individuales a jóvenes de entre 18 y 25 años y grupos focales que estuvieron conformados por grupos preexistentes de amigos. En contraposición a la idea de un "descontrol generalizado" y a cierta banalización del consumo de sustancias, el análisis de las experiencias de los jóvenes nos permitió observar el desarrollo de estrategias de control de los riesgos que son inherentes a estos consumos. Estas estrategias concurren, en muchas ocasiones, con la maximización de las experiencias sensoriales placenteras. Partiendo de algunos conceptos de la Salud Colectiva y la Teoría Social, analizamos las experiencias de consumo de drogas sintéticas de los jóvenes para abordar los sentidos asociados a las instancias de cuidado y las demandas por cuidado emergentes; las estrategias que emplean para la maximización del placer; y las sabidurías prácticas que despliegan y el diálogo de éstas con los conocimientos del campo de la biomedicina.

Abstract In this article we analyze the vulnerability processes and the individual and group care practices related to drug consumption on young people that go to electronic music festivals in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The findings come from a wider qualitative research project. For the construction of the empirical evidence, we interviewed young people from 18 to 25 years and we conducted focus groups with preexistent groups of friends that hang out together. In opposition to the idea of a generalized lack of control and a certain banalization of drug use, the analysis of young people experiences showed how they develop strategies to control the risks that are inherent to this drug use. These strategies frequently go together with the maximization of pleasurable sensorial experiences. Employing some theoretical concepts from the Collective Health and the Social Theory, we analyze the experiences of synthetic drug use by young people to approach the meanings that are associated with care practices and the emerging demands for care; the strategies that they employ to maximize the pleasure; and the practical knowledge that they develop and its dialogue with the knowledge that comes from the field of the biomedicine.

Resumo Neste artigo analisamos os processos de vulnerabilidade e as práticas de cuidado individual e grupal relacionados ao consumo de drogas em jovens que frequentam festivais de música eletrônica em Buenos Aires, Argentina. Os resultados vêm de um projeto de pesquisa qualitativa mais amplo. Para a construção da evidência empírica, entrevistamos jovens de 18 a 25 anos e conduzimos grupos focais com grupos preexistentes de amigos que saem juntos. Em oposição à ideia de um descontrole generalizado e de certa banalização do uso de drogas, a análise das experiências dos jovens mostrou como eles desenvolvem estratégias para controlar os riscos inerentes a esse uso de drogas. Essas estratégias frequentemente acompanham a maximização de experiências sensoriais prazerosas. Empregando alguns conceitos teóricos da Saúde Coletiva e da Teoria Social, analisamos as experiências do uso de drogas sintéticas pelos jovens para abordar os significados que estão associados às práticas de cuidado e às demandas emergentes por cuidado; as estratégias que eles empregam para maximizar o prazer; e o conhecimento prático que desenvolvem e o diálogo com o conhecimento que vem do campo da biomedicina.

Anxiety and depression symptoms in Brazilian sexual minority ecstasy and LSD users / Sintomas de ansiedade e depressão em brasileiros não heterossexuais usuários de ecstasy e LSD

Abstract Background This study examined drug use patterns and psychiatric symptoms of anxiety and depression among young Brazilian sexual minority ecstasy and LSD users and compared findings with those reported for their heterosexual peers. Method This cross-sectional study employed targeted sampling and ethnographic mapping approaches via face-to-face interviews conducted at bars and electronic music festivals using an adapted, semi-structured version of the Global Appraisal of Individual Needs questionnaire. The sample comprised 240 male and female young adults who had used ecstasy and/or LSD in the 90 days prior to the interview and who were not on treatment for alcohol and drug abuse. Results Of the 240 subjects enrolled (mean age: 22.9±4.5 years), 28.7% were gay or bisexuals. Multivariate regression analysis showed that the prevalence of depression symptoms in the past 12 months in the sexual minority group was 37% higher than among heterosexuals (prevalence ratio [PR]=1.79; 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 1.03-3.11; p=0.037). Conclusion Strategies should be developed to assess and address individual needs and treatment approaches should be tailored to address depressive symptoms in young, sexual minority club drug users.

Resumo Introdução Este estudo examinou os padrões de uso de drogas e os sintomas psiquiátricos de ansiedade e depressão entre brasileiros não heterossexuais usuários de ecstasy e/ou LSD e comparou os achados com aqueles relatados por seus pares heterossexuais. Método Este estudo transversal empregou amostragens direcionadas e abordagens de mapeamento etnográfico através de entrevistas presenciais realizadas em bares e festivais de música eletrônica usando uma versão adaptada e semiestruturada do questionário de Avaliação Global de Necessidades Individuais. A amostra incluiu 240 adultos jovens do sexo masculino e feminino que haviam usado ecstasy e/ou LSD nos 90 dias anteriores à entrevista e que não estavam em tratamento para abuso de álcool e drogas. Resultados Dos 240 sujeitos incluídos (idade média: 22,9±4,5 anos), 28,7% eram homossexuais ou bissexuais. A análise de regressão multivariada mostrou que a prevalência de sintomas de depressão nos últimos 12 meses no grupo não heterossexual foi 37% superior à dos heterossexuais [razão de prevalência (RP) = 1,79; intervalo de confiança de 95% (IC95%) 1.03-3.11; p=0,037]. Conclusão Estratégias devem ser desenvolvidas para avaliar e abordar as necessidades individuais, e as abordagens de tratamento devem ser adaptadas para sintomas depressivos em usuários de drogas jovens e não heterossexuais.

Rapid Detection of Medicine Based on New Dielectric Barrier Discharge Ionization Mass Spectrometry / 分析化学

Currently, rapid detection of effective components in synthetic drugs and herbal medicine remains an important and difficult issue of medicine research. A novel ionization technique, called dielectric barrier discharge ionization ( DBDI ) , has strong ionization ability, and is suitable for weak polar substances. Besides, this technique possesses many intrinsic advantages, such as simplicity, rapidity, no complicated sample pretreatment, etc. In this study, a new DBDI ion source, based on single electrode technique, was used to detect four weak polar synthetic drugs. The results showed that the protonated molecular ions [ M+H]+of four weak polar synthetic drugs were observed obviously. What′s more, the DBDI ion source was also used for the rapid analysis of Radix Aconiti and Radix Aconiti Preparata pieces without any sample pretreatment. The result showed that the protonated molecular ions [M+H]+ and fragment ions [M+H-60]+of aconitine, hypaconitine, and mesaconitine were detected in Radix Aconiti. And only the fragment ions [M+H-60]+were detected in Radix Aconiti Preparat. The researches indicated that diester aconitine and monoester aconitine were the main effective components of Radix Aconiti Radix and Aconiti Preparat, respectively. The new DBDI ion source provided a fast and reliable method to identify effective components of medicine, showing a broad application prospects in synthetic drugs and herbal medicine research.

Rapid Detection of Medicine Based on New Dielectric Barrier Discharge Ionization Mass Spectrometry / 分析化学

Currently, rapid detection of effective components in synthetic drugs and herbal medicine remains an important and difficult issue of medicine research. A novel ionization technique, called dielectric barrier discharge ionization ( DBDI ) , has strong ionization ability, and is suitable for weak polar substances. Besides, this technique possesses many intrinsic advantages, such as simplicity, rapidity, no complicated sample pretreatment, etc. In this study, a new DBDI ion source, based on single electrode technique, was used to detect four weak polar synthetic drugs. The results showed that the protonated molecular ions [ M+H]+of four weak polar synthetic drugs were observed obviously. What′s more, the DBDI ion source was also used for the rapid analysis of Radix Aconiti and Radix Aconiti Preparata pieces without any sample pretreatment. The result showed that the protonated molecular ions [M+H]+ and fragment ions [M+H-60]+of aconitine, hypaconitine, and mesaconitine were detected in Radix Aconiti. And only the fragment ions [M+H-60]+were detected in Radix Aconiti Preparat. The researches indicated that diester aconitine and monoester aconitine were the main effective components of Radix Aconiti Radix and Aconiti Preparat, respectively. The new DBDI ion source provided a fast and reliable method to identify effective components of medicine, showing a broad application prospects in synthetic drugs and herbal medicine research.

Los nuevos empresarios: Trayectoria del uso a la venta de drogas en contextos de fiesta / The new businessmen: Pathways from drug use to drug dealing in party contexts

Drugs use at party contexts has increased in recent decades. Drugs dealing facilitates consumer access to substances, whose sales practices vary according to drugs use, places for the consumption and the drug social function. Drug dealing is socially constructed from a set of practices ranging from reasons to dealing and those related to the consolidation as a common practice. The aim of this research was to describe and analyze the drugs users' experience in party contexts, about their dealer's construction process. An interpretative multiple-case study with the snowball technique was carried out to get the participants. The information was obtained by a semi-structured interview and nonparticipant observation at the dealing places. The information obtained points out the group's participation on the selection of the dealer as the initiation of drugs dealing, the extroversion features and communication skills as an important profile to be a dealer; specially, the capability to satisfy the group's emotional request through the drugs. Also, benefits as acceptation, protection and the warmth from the group and the economical earning. The dealer/businessmen consolidation is socially constructed according to the new identity assumed, the group participation and the specific activities as a business.

El uso de drogas en contextos de fiesta se ha incrementado en las últimas décadas. El narcomenudeo facilita el acceso a sustancias de consumo, cuyas prácticas de venta varían conforme a la droga de uso, los espacios de consumo y la función de la droga en los grupos que la consumen. La venta de drogas implica una serie de prácticas que la construyen y que incluyen los motivos del inicio de venta, el proceso de desarrollo y las relacionadas con la consolidación de la venta como práctica habitual. El objetivo de esta investigación fue describir y analizar la experiencia de usuarios de drogas en contextos de fiesta respecto al proceso en que se construyen como dealers. Para lo anterior, se realizó un estudio interpretativo de casos múltiples, empleando la técnica de "bola de nieve" para captar a los participantes. La observación se obtuvo por medio de una entrevista semiestructurada y la observación no participante en escenarios de venta. Se obtuvo información relacionada con los elementos del salto del uso a la venta como la elección del dealer por el grupo, su perfil para ser elegido como la extroversión y habilidades de comunicación; y sobre todo su capacidad para satisfacer la demanda de emociones de los miembros de su grupo por medio de las drogas de venta. Además, de la aceptación, protección y afecto del grupo y las ganancias económicas. La consolidación como dealer/empresario se construye conforme se asumen una nueva identidad, la participación del grupo y las actividades específicas de la empresa.