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Reliable and traceable quantification of cannabinoids is essential for forensic, regulatory, and quality control applications involving cannabis-derived products. However, the limited availability of certified reference materials (CRMs), particularly for minor cannabinoids such as cannabinol (CBN), remains a major analytical challenge. In this work, an integrated analytical and preparative strategy is presented for the production and characterization of Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ⁹-THC) and CBN CRM candidates. Quantification of cannabinoids was performed by ¹H quantitative NMR using the PULCON method, providing traceable mass fraction values with well-defined uncertainties. To overcome the low natural abundance of CBN, a simple iodine-mediated oxidative conversion of Δ⁹-THC to CBN was developed directly in cannabis extracts, enabling substantial enrichment of CBN and facilitating its subsequent isolation. The impact of this strategy was demonstrated by a more than one order of magnitude increase in isolated CBN yields compared to direct plant-based extraction. The feasibility of producing cannabinoid and plant-based cannabis CRMs was evaluated through homogeneity and transport stability studies conducted within a metrological framework. Overall, this work establishes a practical and metrologically sound framework to produce cannabinoid and plant-based cannabis reference materials, supporting reliable and comparable cannabinoid measurements suitable for forensic and regulatory applications.

The opioid crisis remains a significant public health concern, necessitating the development of sensitive and reliable analytical methods for drug detection. This study aimed to develop and validate a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the simultaneous detection and quantification of fentanyl, buprenorphine, oxycodone, morphine, tramadol, and tapentadol in plasma and oral fluid. The method was validated according to FDA guidelines, assessing selectivity, linearity, precision, accuracy, matrix effect, extraction efficiency, stability, carryover, and dilution integrity. The lower limits of quantification (LLOQs) were established at 0.1 ng/mL for fentanyl, 1.2 ng/mL for tramadol, and 0.6 ng/mL for the remaining opioids, demonstrating high sensitivity. The method exhibited excellent precision and accuracy, with coefficients of variation below 15% for intra-day, inter-day, and intermediate precision analyses. Extraction efficiencies exceeded 90% for most analytes, and matrix effects remained within acceptable limits. Real-world application to authentic plasma and oral fluid samples confirmed the method's robustness and reliability. Oral fluid concentrations were detectable across all target opioids, although plasma-oral fluid ratios showed some compound-dependent variability. These findings highlight the potential of oral fluid as a non-invasive complementary matrix to plasma for opioid monitoring, with relevant implications for forensic toxicology and clinical drug monitoring.

Chemical identification of adhesive remains on prehistoric stone tools is of great interest for archaeologists, as the residues contain interesting information on tool use and the exploitation of natural resources by hominins. Adhesives were used to form a wrapping around the stone tool to protect the hand from the sharp edges and improve grip, or to secure a handle out of organic material to the stone tool. This invention, of adding a handle to a stone tool, marks a fundamental change in prehistoric technology. Adhesives can be manufactured from readily available exudates, like pine resin, but could also be man-made, in the case of birch tar that is obtained by dry distillation of birch bark. The glueing properties of the adhesives could be enhanced with the addition of an additive (e.g. charcoal, ochre, beeswax). Given that adhesive manufacture is considered to indicate planning abilities and complex thought, its identification in archaeological assemblages is important for understanding the evolution of human cognition. However, given long-term burial, organic residues on stone tools are generally significantly degraded, which raises numerous chemical challenges and interpretative difficulties that need to be tackled through close collaboration between archaeologists and chemists. Without this interaction between two vastly different research fields, studies can suffer from an overinterpretation of analytical data or a lack of understanding of the archaeological context. This review discusses the main pitfalls encountered in the chemical analysis of prehistoric adhesives and offers analytical recommendations to avoid them. Applying the analytical practices as proposed here will increase the reliability and credibility of the analytical results and allow a strong chemical foundation for the archaeological interpretations. The main focus is on the use of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the chemical identification of prehistoric adhesives; however, other commonly used analytical techniques are also briefly discussed.

Fusion genes are a series of typical tumor biomarkers that can induce dysregulated gene expression and generate oncogenic proteins, both of which contribute to malignant transformation. Consequently, their detection is crucial for early cancer diagnosis, treatment selection, and prognostic evaluation. However, the existing fusion gene detection techniques remain constrained by time-consuming protocols, labor-intensive sample processing, and dependence on sophisticated instrumentation. To overcome these challenges, we present a rapid and portable photothermal biosensing platform utilizing DNA sandwich nanozymes (DSNs). The DSN integrates dual functionalities: a highly specific recognition probe for the BCR-ABL fusion gene, and a peroxidase-mimetic nanozyme that catalyzes the 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB)-H₂O₂) redox reaction, producing both visible colorimetric signals and quantifiable photothermal effects. This strategy enables sensitive detection of the BCR-ABL fusion gene, providing a valuable tool for the early diagnosis and minimal residual disease monitoring of chronic myeloid leukemia.

Indoor air pollution caused by fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) can be mitigated by indoor ornamental plants, however phytoremediation efficiency is limited by stress-induced declines in plant function. Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) are known to mediate plant-plant communication and induce stress resistance, but their role in PM_2.5 tolerance remains unexplored. Here, we investigated whether BVOCs enhance plant tolerance and PM_2.5 removal efficiency from cigarette smoke in Episcia cupreata (Gesneriaceae). Plants exposed to PM_2.5 exhibited reduced photosynthetic pigments and elevated malondialdehyde (MDA), indicating oxidative stress. PM_2.5-stressed plants emitted distinct BVOCs profiles particularly monoterpenes, with limonene increasing 6.1-fold and eucalyptol 1.7-fold. Exogenous application of these volatiles demonstrated dose-dependent effects: optimal concentrations (25 ppm) significantly accelerated PM_2.5 removal, mitigated oxidative damage, and maintained chlorophyll and carotenoid levels compared to non-primed controls. Metabolomics revealed that volatile monoterpenes priming upregulated zeatin biosynthesis, arginine and proline metabolism, supporting cytokinin and osmoprotectants biosynthesis to prepare for PM_2.5 stress. Together, these findings demonstrate that, in E. cupreata, limonene and eucalyptol act as airborne chemical signals that enhance PM_2.5 phytoremediation capacity under cigarette smoke conditions by mitigating oxidative stress and promoting osmoprotection. This study provides the first evidence of BVOC-mediated enhancement of PM_2.5 removal by plants, suggesting that volatile monoterpenes priming is a promising strategy for improving indoor PM_2.5 pollution mitigation using plant-based systems.

Although concerns have been raised about the health and environmental impacts of e-cigarettes (vapes), little is known about the latest, fourth generation of disposable pod devices. In this study, e-liquids from 44 used and three new e-cigarettes from different manufacturers and of different flavours were extracted in dilute nitric acid and analysed for metal(loid)s by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. While some metal(loids) (e.g., As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Mn, V) were rarely detected and concentrations never exceeded 10 mg per kg of e-liquid, others (Al, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) exhibited variable concentrations that spanned several orders of magnitude. Of particular concern were contents of Ni and Pb or Cu and Zn that regularly exceeded 100 mg kg^-1 or 1000 mg kg^-1, respectively. Leaching from metallic components of e-cigarettes in contact with the e-liquid could account for the presence of Ni but not Cu, Pb and Zn. Strong correlations between the latter elements and an increase in their concentration with decreasing extract mass suggested that e-liquids are generally contaminated by Cu, Pb and Zn and that concentrations in residual liquids progressively increase as e-cigarettes are used. Exposure to the user is unclear but mass balance calculations comparing e-liquids from new and used products of the same brand and flavour suggest that, per device, up to 8000 μg, 500 μg and 6000 μg of Cu, Pb and Zn, respectively, could be inhaled. Residual e-liquids enriched in these metals also pose a localised environmental hazard on improper disposal and an occupational risk during storage, handling and component dismantling. Better monitoring and regulation of harmful metals in e-liquids more generally are called for.