Acidified nitrite

New studies at AACC 2023 Annual Scientific Meeting could change lives, improve drug safety. ANAHEIM, Calif., July 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Two studies featured today at the 2023 AACC Annual Scientific Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo highlight advances that could boost the accuracy of marijuana tests and provide vital information for addressing the opioid epidemic. The first describes a promising method for determining when urine samples have been tampered with to evade a positive result for marijuana. The second found that more than half of fentanyl samples contained novel psychoactive substances that could heighten the drug's danger. The legalization of marijuana in many states and the emergence of the fentanyl crisis have underscored the need for accurate and reliable drug tests. As marijuana use becomes more prevalent, researchers are focused on improving the detection methods used for legal, medical, and workforce drug tests. For example, many labs want help identifying when urine samples have been manipulated to avoid a positive result for marijuana. Deaths from opioid overdoses have been steadily climbing in the U.S. since 2020, in part due to the spread of the powerful narcotic fentanyl. At the same time, there has been a rise in the prevalence of novel psychoactive substances, which are often added to drugs sold as fentanyl to enhance potency. These substances can raise the risk of overdose and death. "Dilute-and-Shoot" Method Detects Manipulated THC Samples A scientific team led by Yubo Chai, MD/PhD, at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, devised a method to counteract the drug-masking effects of common adulterants in marijuana tests. The researchers gathered 5 urine samples positive for both delta 8- and 9-THC-COOH, which are active ingredients of cannabis. They treated them with the adulterant nitrite or strong acid adulterants and found that the compounds quickly degraded both of the ingredients and the internal standard. The team then implemented a "dilute-and-shoot" workflow that combines a tandem- mass spectrometry method and liquid chromatography separation system. The system can determine whether a urine sample is truly negative or only appears so because it has been degraded by nitrite. The method was further validated with an additional crop of 12 specimens that contained delta 8-THC-COOH, delta 9-THC-COOH, or both. "Our unique dilute-and-shoot method can separate and quantify delta 8- and 9-THC-COOH," Chai said. "As a result, labs will be able to distinguish between true negative delta 8- and 9-THC-COOH results from specimens adulterated with nitrite, as the latter lack peaks for both the analytes and the internal standard." Chai noted that their study only tested samples adulterated with sodium nitrite. He calls for further work with samples tainted with other compounds such as peroxide and potassium nitrite. Study Sheds Light on "Designer" Substances in Fentanyl In another study, a group led by Gemma Campbell at Aegis Sciences Corp. in Nashville set out to evaluate how common novel psychoactive substances are in fentanyl tests. Studying 200 urine and oral fluid samples gathered from individuals in 30 U.S. states who tested positive for fentanyl, the scientists performed additional testing for designer opioids, benzodiazepines, synthetic marijuana, and other substances. Strikingly, 117 of the samples (58.5%) tested positive for at least one novel psychoactive substance. Almost 38% of the samples tested positive for xylazine, which possesses opioid-like effects but can't be reversed by naloxone, a life-saving medication that blocks the effects of opioid overdose. Nearly half (47%) of the samples contained other designer opioids, and 8% tested positive for designer benzodiazepines, which can prove deadly when combined with opioids outside of medical settings. "The timeliest finding as it relates to the danger of today's illicit drug supply was finding xylazine in 38% of the fentanyl samples," said study scientist Andrew Holt, Pharm.D, at Aegis Sciences Corp. "Depending on where drug testing occurs, an understanding of the other substances present in the illicit drug supply can change the approaches to harm reduction with communities and individuals," he added. About the 2023 AACC Annual Scientific Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo The 2023 AACC Annual Scientific Meeting offers 5 days packed with opportunities to learn about exciting science from July 23-27 in Anaheim, California. Plenary sessions will explore microbiome-directed therapies for undernutrition, big data for practicing precision medicine, healthcare equity, cardiovascular disease in women, and promising sickle cell disease treatments. At the Clinical Lab Expo, more than 900 exhibitors will fill the show floor of the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California, with displays of the latest diagnostic technology, including but not limited to COVID-19 testing, artificial intelligence, point-of-care, and automation. About the Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (ADLM) Dedicated to achieving better health through laboratory medicine, ADLM (formerly AACC) brings together more than 70,000 clinical laboratory professionals, physicians, research scientists, and business leaders from around the world focused on clinical chemistry, molecular diagnostics, mass spectrometry, translational medicine, lab management, and other areas of progressing laboratory science. Since 1948, ADLM has worked to advance the common interests of the field, providing programs that advance scientific collaboration, knowledge, expertise, and innovation. For more information, visit . Bill Malone AACC Director, Communications & News Publications (p) 202.835.8756 [email protected] Molly Polen AACC Senior Director, Communications & PR (p) 202.420.7612 (c) 703.598.0472 [email protected] SOURCE ADLM

TORONTO, March 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arch Biopartners Inc. (“Arch” or the “Company”) (TSX Venture: ARCH and OTCQB: ACHFF), announced today that it received approval from the Turkish Ministry of Health, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (MoH) to recruit up to twenty additional patients into the Phase II trial of its lead drug LSALT peptide (Metablok), targeting acute lung injury and acute kidney injury caused by inflammation in patients with severe cases of COVID-19. The approval from the MoH doubles the number of patients allowed into the Turkish arm of the trial from twenty to forty. The first twenty patients in Turkey have already been recruited into the trial and have completed treatment. Patient recruitment is expected to resume this week in two hospital sites in Istanbul and Ankara. Recent data have shown a second surge in new COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations in Turkey, with a new pandemic high of over 32,000 daily infections reported on March 29, 2021. Turkey experienced a similar surge in daily infections during December 2020. Hospitalization rates are currently at approximately 1% of infected cases, once again putting a strain on the Turkish hospital system. Patient recruitment in this 60-patient phase II trial continues in four clinical sites in Canada and the USA, with 46 patients recruited to date between North America and Turkey. “We appreciate the support of the Turkish Ministry of Health and the enthusiasm of our clinical sites in Turkey to recruit more patients into our trial during this difficult pandemic,” said Richard Muruve, CEO of Arch. About the Phase II trial for LSALT Peptide The Phase II trial is an international, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, proof of concept study of LSALT peptide (Metablok) as prevention of organ inflammation known to trigger acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) or new variants of the virus. ARDS is the leading cause of death in COVID-infected patients. AKI has been observed in approximately 35% of patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 and is also a leading cause of mortality.1 The composite primary endpoint of the Phase II trial reflects the severe effects often experienced by hospitalized COVID-19 patients and deemed appropriate for LSALT peptide’s novel mechanism of action in blocking consequential inflammation in the lungs, kidneys, and other organs. Additional information about the Phase II trial can be found at: The Phase II results will be used to design the Phase III program, including greater patient numbers to more fully evaluate efficacy and safety in hospitalized patients at risk to inflammation in the lungs, kidneys or liver. About COVID-19 COVID-19 is the disease caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 that emerged in China in late 2019. Severe complications from COVID-19 are in large part due to excessive host immune responses to the virus that result in progressive lung inflammation and acute respiratory distress syndrome that often requires mechanical ventilation and critical care1. Patients with severe COVID-19 also experience multiple organ dysfunction including acute kidney injury, liver dysfunction, cardiac failure, and blood abnormalities. Treatment of severe COVID-19 has been primarily supportive, relying heavily on respiratory, infectious diseases, and critical care medicine. Survival rates and health care system capacity could both be improved with new treatments that prevent the severe manifestations of COVID-19, such as worsening lung inflammation (ARDS) and AKI experienced by patients infected with SARS-CoV-22 or the many variants that have emerged globally in recent months. 1 Hirsch JS et al. Acute kidney injury in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Kidney Int. 2020 doi: . 2 J. S. Ayres, Sci. Adv 10.1126/sciadv.abc1518 (2020) About Arch Biopartners Arch Biopartners Inc. is a clinical stage company focused on the development of innovative technologies that have the potential to make a significant medical or commercial impact. Arch is developing a pipeline of new drug candidates that inhibit inflammation in the lungs, liver and kidneys via the dipeptidase-1 (DPEP-1) pathway for multiple medical indications. Continuing under development in the Arch portfolio are: AB569, a potential new treatment for antibiotic resistant bacterial infections in wounds and the lungs; and ‘Borg’ peptide coatings that increase corrosion resistance and decrease bacterial biofilm on various medical grade metals and plastics. For more information on Arch Biopartners, its technologies and other public documents Arch has filed on SEDAR, please visit . The Company has 61,462,302 common shares outstanding. Forward-Looking Statements All statements, other than statements of historical fact, in this news release are forward looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, statements regarding the future plans and objectives of the Company. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. These and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements are based on the estimates and opinions of management on the dates they are made and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this notice. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements should circumstances or management’s estimates or opinions change. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release For more information, please contact: Richard Muruve Chief Executive Officer Arch Biopartners, Inc. 647-428-7031 info@archbiopartners.com