Maria Isabel S. Santos

Bio: Maria Isabel S. Santos is an academic researcher from Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. The author has contributed to research in topics: Piperaceae & Peperomia blanda. The author has an hindex of 5, co-authored 6 publications receiving 166 citations.

Changing patterns of drug and alcohol use in fatally injured drivers in Washington State.

Abstract: We have previously reported on patterns of drug and alcohol use in fatally injured drivers in Washington State. Here we revisit that population to examine how drug use patterns have changed in the intervening 9 years. Blood and serum specimens from drivers who died within 4 h of a traffic accident between February 1, 2001, and January 31, 2002, were analyzed for illicit and therapeutic drugs and alcohol. Drugs when present were quantitated. Samples suitable for testing were obtained from 370 fatally injured drivers. Alcohol was detected above 0.01 g/100 mL in 41% of cases. The mean alcohol concentration for those cases was 0.17 g/100 mL (range 0.02-0.39 g/100 mL). Central nervous system (CNS) active drugs were detected in 144 (39%) cases. CNS depressants including carisoprodol, diazepam, hydrocodone, diphenhydramine, amitriptyline, and others were detected in 52 cases (14.1%), cannabinoids were detected in 47 cases (12.7%), CNS stimulants (cocaine and amphetamines) were detected in 36 cases (9.7%), and narcotic analgesics (excluding morphine which is often administered iatrogenically in trauma cases) were detected in 12 cases (3.2%). For those cases which tested positive for alcohol c. 40% had other drugs present which have the potential to cause or contribute to the driver's impairment. Our report also considers the blood drug concentrations in the context of their interpretability with respect to driving impairment. The data reveal that over the past decade, while alcohol use has declined, some drug use, notably methamphetamine, has increased significantly (from 1.89% to 4.86% of fatally injured drivers) between 1992 and 2002. Combined drug and alcohol use is a very significant pattern in this population and is probably overlooked in DUI enforcement programs.

Unusual Chromenes from Peperomia blanda

Abstract: From the methanol extract of the aerial parts of Peperomia blanda (Piperaceae), two chromenes were isolated and characterized mainly through application of 2D-NMR spectroscopy. The structures were 2S-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)-6-formyl-8-hydroxy-2,7-dimethyl-2H-chromene and 2S-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)-5-hydroxy-6-formyl-2,7-dimethyl-2H-chromene named as blandachromenes I and II, respectively.

3-Ishwarone, a rare ishwarane sesquiterpene from Peperomia scandens Ruiz & Pavon: structural elucidation through a joint experimental and theoretical study.

Abstract: 3-Ishwarone, (1), a sesquiterpene with a rare ishwarane skeleton, was isolated from Peperomia scandens Ruiz & Pavon (Piperaceae). Its structure was unambiguously determined by 1D- and 2D-NMR and infrared analyses, as well as by comparative theoretical studies which involved calculations of 13C-NMR chemical shifts, using the Density Functional Theory (DFT) with the mPW1PW91 hybrid functional and Pople's 6-31G(d) basis set, and of vibrational frequencies, using the B3LYP hybrid functional and triple ζ Dunning's correlation consistent basis set (cc-pVTZ), of (1) and three of its possible diastereomers, compounds 2-4.

Countermeasures That Work: A Highway Safety Countermeasure Guide for State Highway Safety Offices [Second Edition, 2007]

Abstract: This guide is a basic reference to assist State Highway Safety Offices (SHSOs) in selecting effective, science-based traffic safety countermeasures for major highway safety problem areas. The guide: describes major strategies and countermeasures that are relevant to SHSOs; summarizes their use, effectiveness, costs, and implementation time; and provides references to the most important research summaries and individual studies. The guide contains a chapter for each problem area. Each chapter begins with a brief overview of the problem area's size and characteristics, the main countermeasure strategies, a glossary of key terms, and a few general references. Next a table lists specific countermeasures and summarizes their use, effectiveness, costs, and implementation time. Each countermeasure is then discussed in approximately one page. Some countermeasure areas are covered in more depth that others due to the availability of published research. For example, impaired driving has a long and rich research history while other topics, such as driver distraction and fatigue, have received less attention. Highway safety problem areas covered include the following: alcohol-impaired driving, seat belts, aggressive driving and speeding, distracted and fatigued driving, motorcycle safety, young drivers, older drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

Methamphetamine: History, Pathophysiology, Adverse Health Effects, Current Trends, and Hazards Associated with the Clandestine Manufacture of Methamphetamine

Abstract: eveloped as an amphetamine derivative, methamphetamine quickly ecame a popular medication during the 1940s and 1950s, prescribed for variety of indications Extensive diversion of methamphetamine during he 1960s and an increasing awareness of the adverse health effects ssociated with methamphetamine led to the withdrawal of most of the ndications for licit methamphetamine use and declines in legal producion of the drug However, the illicit manufacture of methamphetamine ncreased to meet the demand for methamphetamine, and methamphetmine abuse has increased with variable geographic penetrance over the ast 30 years Methamphetamine is an indirect sympathomimetic agent that is distinuished from amphetamine by a more rapid distribution into the central ervous system (CNS), resulting in the rapid onset of euphoria that is the esired effect for those abusing the drug Increases in monoamine eurotransmission are responsible for the desired effects—wakefulness, nergy, sense of well-being, and euphoria—as well as the excess ympathetic tone that mediates many its adverse health effects Methamphetamine is associated with adverse effects to every organ ystem Although the most significant morbidity and mortality occur ecause of cardiovascular effects, such as myocardial infarction and ypertensive crisis, no organ system remains unscathed by methamphet-