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Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Jul 2022On-site detection and initial identification of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) remain difficult despite the many available devices designed for this type of analysis.... (Review)
Review
On-site detection and initial identification of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) remain difficult despite the many available devices designed for this type of analysis. Devices using well-established analytical techniques such as ion mobility spectrometry, gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, or flame photometry, in addition to unquestionable advantages, also have some limitations (complexity, high unit cost, lack of selectivity). One of the emerging techniques of CWA detection is based on acoustic wave sensors, among which surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices and quartz crystal microbalances (QCM) are of particular importance. These devices allow for the construction of undemanding and affordable gas sensors whose selectivity, sensitivity, and other metrological parameters can be tailored by application of particular coating material. This review article presents the current state of knowledge and achievements in the field of SAW and QCM-based gas sensors used for the detection of blister agents as well as simulants of these substances. The scope of the review covers the detection of blister agents and their simulants only, as in the available literature no similar paper was found, in contrast to the detection of nerve agents. The article includes description of the principles of operation of acoustic wave sensors, a critical review of individual studies and solutions, and discusses development prospects of this analytical technique in the field of blister agent detection.
Topics: Blister; Chemical Warfare Agents; Humans; Nerve Agents; Quartz Crystal Microbalance Techniques; Sound
PubMed: 35957163
DOI: 10.3390/s22155607 -
Journal of Chromatography. A Jan 2021Commercial gas chromatograph-mass spectrometers, one of which being Inficon's HAPSITE® ER, have demonstrated chemical detection and identification of nerve agents...
Commercial gas chromatograph-mass spectrometers, one of which being Inficon's HAPSITE® ER, have demonstrated chemical detection and identification of nerve agents (G-series) and blistering agents (mustard gas) in the field; however most analyses relies on self-contained or external calibration that inherently drifts over time. We describe an analytical approach that uses target-based thermal desorption standards, called focusing agents, to accurately calculate concentrations of chemical warfare agents that are analyzed by gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry. Here, we provide relative response factors of focusing agents (2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide, diisopropyl fluorophosphate, diethyl methylphosphonate, diethyl malonate, methyl salicylate, and dichlorvos) that are used to quantify concentrations of tabun, sarin, soman, cyclosarin and sulfur mustard loaded on thermal desorption tubes (Tenax® TA). Aging effects of focusing agents are evaluated by monitoring deviations in quantification as thermal desorption tubes age in storage at room temperature and relative humidity. The addition of focusing agents improves the quantification of tabun, sarin, soman, cyclosarin and sulfur mustard that is analyzed within the same day as well as a 14-day period. Among the six focusing agents studied here, diisopropyl fluorophosphate has the best performance for nerve agents (G-series) and blistering agents (mustard gas) compared to other focusing agents in this work and is recommended for field use for quantification. The use of focusing agent in the field leads to more accurate and reliable quantification of Tabun (GA), Sarin (GB), Soman (GD), Cyclosarin (GF) and Sulfur Mustard (HD) than the traditional internal standard. Future improvements on the detection of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive materials (CBRNE) can be safely demonstrated with standards calibrated for harmful agents.
Topics: Chemical Warfare Agents; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Mustard Gas; Organophosphates; Organophosphorus Compounds; Reference Standards; Sarin; Soman
PubMed: 33360649
DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2020.461784 -
Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2023Organic selenocyanates (RSeCN) are among the most reactive and biologically active Se species, often exhibiting a pronounced cytotoxic activity against mammalian cells...
Organic selenocyanates (RSeCN) are among the most reactive and biologically active Se species, often exhibiting a pronounced cytotoxic activity against mammalian cells and microorganisms. Various aromatic selenocyanates have been synthesized and, similar to some of the most Reactive Sulfur Species (RSS), such as allicin, found to be active against a range of bacteria, including , and , and fungi, including , , , and , even via the gas phase. The highest antimicrobial activity has been observed for benzyl selenocyanate, which inhibited the growth of all bacteria considerably, even at the lowest tested concentration of 50 µM. Notably, neither the analogues thiocyanate (BTC) nor isothiocyanate (BITC) show any of these activities, rendering this selenium motif rather special in activity and mode of action. Eventually, these findings advocate a range of potential applications of organic selenocyanates in medicine and agriculture.
PubMed: 36830201
DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12020290 -
Disaster Medicine and Public Health... Oct 2023To summarize presentations and discussions from the 2022 trans-agency workshop titled "Overlapping science in radiation and sulfur mustard (SM) exposures of skin and...
Overlapping Science in Radiation and Sulfur Mustard Exposures of Skin and Lung: Consideration of Models, Mechanisms, Organ Systems, and Medical Countermeasures: Overlapping science in radiation and sulfur mustard injuries to lung and skin.
PURPOSE
To summarize presentations and discussions from the 2022 trans-agency workshop titled "Overlapping science in radiation and sulfur mustard (SM) exposures of skin and lung: Consideration of models, mechanisms, organ systems, and medical countermeasures."
METHODS
Summary on topics includes: (1) an overview of the radiation and chemical countermeasure development programs and missions; (2) regulatory and industry perspectives for drugs and devices; 3) pathophysiology of skin and lung following radiation or SM exposure; 4) mechanisms of action/targets, biomarkers of injury; and 5) animal models that simulate anticipated clinical responses.
RESULTS
There are striking similarities between injuries caused by radiation and SM exposures. Primary outcomes from both types of exposure include acute injuries, while late complications comprise chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and vascular dysfunction, which can culminate in fibrosis in both skin and lung organ systems. This workshop brought together academic and industrial researchers, medical practitioners, US Government program officials, and regulators to discuss lung-, and skin- specific animal models and biomarkers, novel pathways of injury and recovery, and paths to licensure for products to address radiation or SM injuries.
CONCLUSIONS
Regular communications between the radiological and chemical injury research communities can enhance the state-of-the-science, provide a unique perspective on novel therapeutic strategies, and improve overall US Government emergency preparedness.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Mustard Gas; Lung; Skin; Burns, Chemical; Biomarkers
PubMed: 37852927
DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2023.176 -
Respiratory Care Sep 2015Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) has been shown to improve numerous clinical measures in subjects with COPD, including gas exchange, exercise tolerance, dyspnea,...
BACKGROUND
Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) has been shown to improve numerous clinical measures in subjects with COPD, including gas exchange, exercise tolerance, dyspnea, hospitalizations, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and functional status. Although useful for classical COPD, NIV has not been validated specifically as a treatment option for mustard airway disease. Our aim was to assess the efficacy of NIV in subjects with severe mustard airway disease.
METHODS
This study was performed over the course of 12 months on 20 subjects with severe mustard airway disease (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease criteria). Subjects were selected from the pulmonary clinic of Baqiyatallah Hospital in Tehran, Iran. Body mass index, lung function, dyspnea, exercise tolerance, HRQOL, sleep quality, and hospitalization measures were assessed before and after NIV treatment.
RESULTS
NIV improved HRQOL (P = .03) and sleep quality (P = .06) in very severe subjects and reduced hospitalizations (P = .003) and exacerbations (P = .01) in severe subjects. Chest imaging studies showed that these subjects had heterogeneous airway disease, the main finding of which was bronchiolitis obliterans.
CONCLUSIONS
NIV can be used as an effective new palliative method in the treatment of mustard airway disorders. Subjects with very severe and severe disease benefitted differently from NIV.
Topics: Adult; Body Mass Index; Bronchiolitis Obliterans; Chemical Warfare Agents; Exercise Tolerance; Female; Hospitalization; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Mustard Gas; Noninvasive Ventilation; Palliative Care; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Quality of Life; Radiography; Sleep; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 25989812
DOI: 10.4187/respcare.02900 -
Supporting discovery and development of medical countermeasures for chemical injury to eye and skin.Experimental Eye Research Aug 2022Vesicants, from vesica (Latin for blister), can cause local and systemic toxicity. They include the chemotherapy drug nitrogen mustard and chemical warfare agents sulfur...
Vesicants, from vesica (Latin for blister), can cause local and systemic toxicity. They include the chemotherapy drug nitrogen mustard and chemical warfare agents sulfur mustard, Lewisite, and phosgene oxime. These agents are commonly released in vapor form and consequently, eyes and skin are the most vulnerable. The ocular and cutaneous injuries can be acute, subacute, or chronic, and can predispose casualties to secondary deleterious effects. Underlying these broad organ responses are shared and tissue-specific cellular and molecular biological cascades that attempt to counteract such chemical injuries. Depending on the severity of the chemical insult, biological responses often lead to inadequate wound healing and result in long-term pathology instead. Exposure to other toxic industrial chemicals such as acrolein, chloropicrin, and hydrogen fluoride, can also cause prominent eye and skin damage. There are currently no FDA-approved drugs to counteract these injuries. Hence, the possibility of a mass casualty emergency involving these chemicals is a major public health concern. Recognizing this critical challenge, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is committed to the development of medical countermeasures to advance national health and medical preparedness against these highly toxic chemicals. Here, we provide an overview of various HHS funding and scientific opportunities available in this space, emphasizing parallels between eye and skin response to chemical injury. We also discuss a main limitation of existing data and suggest ways to overcome it.
Topics: Burns, Chemical; Chemical Warfare Agents; Humans; Mechlorethamine; Medical Countermeasures; Mustard Gas; Skin; United States
PubMed: 35716762
DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2022.109156 -
Basic & Clinical Pharmacology &... Feb 2017Among the most readily existing chemical warfare agents, sulphur mustard (SM), also known as mustard gas, is the most commonly used agent owing to its ease of synthesis... (Review)
Review
Investigating Prevalence and Pattern of Long-term Cardiovascular Disorders in Sulphur Mustard-exposed Victims and Determining Proper Biomarkers for Early Defining, Monitoring and Analysis of Patients' Feedback on Therapy.
Among the most readily existing chemical warfare agents, sulphur mustard (SM), also known as mustard gas, is the most commonly used agent owing to its ease of synthesis and stockpiling. Unprotected exposure mostly results in debilitation rather than lethal injuries, leaving an exposed victim incapacitated for days to even months. Although acute toxicity of sulphur mustard has been fairly established, the long-term post-exposure effects either chronic or short-term but significant are still evolving. A total of 30,000 Iranian victims of the Iran-Iraq imposed war have now - after 30 years - formed the key population demonstrating long-term effects from sulphur mustard exposure. Recent studies have shown that the prevalence of several long-term cardiovascular disorders (CVDs) has significantly increased among SM-exposed victims including coronary artery disorders (CAD), coronary artery ectasia (CAE), congestive heart failure (CHF) and myocardium abnormalities. The more important point is the lack of a determinant biomarker for early screening, recognizing, treating, monitoring and estimating exposed victims' response to applied therapy. Additionally, unidentified risk factors significantly decrease the chance of a successful therapy and result in undesired failure of a comprehensive therapeutic strategy. In this MiniReview, we examined the literature in detail to evaluate relevant reports considering long-term cardiovascular complications of SM, detecting possible risk factors and determining possible preventing events.
Topics: Anti-Infective Agents; Antidotes; Biomarkers; Cardiovascular Diseases; Chemical Warfare Agents; Cytokines; Early Diagnosis; Humans; Inflammation Mediators; Mustard Gas; Oxidative Stress; Predictive Value of Tests; Prevalence; Prognosis; Time Factors
PubMed: 27607565
DOI: 10.1111/bcpt.12666 -
Annals of Burns and Fire Disasters Sep 2014This report describes a case of burn injury following exposure to sulfur mustard, a chemical agent used in war. A review of the diagnostic characteristics, clinical...
This report describes a case of burn injury following exposure to sulfur mustard, a chemical agent used in war. A review of the diagnostic characteristics, clinical manifestations, and therapeutic measures used to treat this uncommon, yet extremely toxic, entity is presented. The aim of this report is to highlight the importance of considering this diagnosis in any war victim, especially during these unfortunate times of rising terrorist activities.
PubMed: 26170794
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal of Ophthalmic & Vision Research 2015To evaluate the effectiveness of topical cyclosporine A 0.05% for treatment of mustard gas-induced ocular surface disorders with special attention to conjunctival goblet...
PURPOSE
To evaluate the effectiveness of topical cyclosporine A 0.05% for treatment of mustard gas-induced ocular surface disorders with special attention to conjunctival goblet cell density in patients with severe dry eye.
METHODS
This prospective clinical study included 20 eyes of 20 patients previously exposed to mustard gas with dry eye syndrome unresponsive to artificial tears. Before and after treatment with topical cyclosporine A 0.05% twice daily for 3 months, subjects were evaluated for improvement in symptoms using the ocular surface disease index (OSDI) and signs by tear breakup time (TBUT), Schirmer test and measurement of superior bulbar conjunctival goblet cell density. Limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) and the degree of corneal squamous cell metaplasia were also assessed before and after treatment.
RESULTS
Before treatment, mean OSDI score, Schirmer test I value and mean TBUT were 42.8 ± 6.1, 4.2 ± 1.2 mm and 2.5 ± 1.3 s, respectively. After 3 months of treatment with topical cyclosporine A, these scores reached 36.4 ± 5.2, 5.8 ± 1.6 mm and 4.9 ± 2.1 s, respectively showing a statistically significant improvement (P < 0.001) in all parameters. Mean goblet cell density was 23.3 ± 17.1/high power field (hpf) at baseline which was significantly increased to 47.7 ± 16.1/hpf at the end of the study (P < 0.001). There was no improvement, however, in corneal conjunctivalization, LSCD and the degree of corneal squamous cell metaplasia based on impression cytology reports (P > 0.05).
CONCLUSION
Treatment with topical cyclosporine A 0.05% in patients with severe dry eye due to mustard gas injury increases goblet cell density in the bulbar conjunctiva and improves symptoms of the disease.
PubMed: 26005548
DOI: 10.4103/2008-322X.156089 -
American Journal of Physiology. Lung... Jun 2017To investigate apoptosis as a mechanism of sulfur mustard (SM) inhalation injury in animals, we studied different caspases (caspase-8, -9, -3, and -6) in the lungs from...
To investigate apoptosis as a mechanism of sulfur mustard (SM) inhalation injury in animals, we studied different caspases (caspase-8, -9, -3, and -6) in the lungs from a ventilated rat SM aerosol inhalation model. SM activated all four caspases in cells obtained from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) as early as 6 h after exposure. Caspase-8, which is known to initiate the extrinsic Fas-mediated pathway of apoptosis, was increased fivefold between 6 and 24 h, decreasing to the unexposed-control level at 48 h. The initiator, caspase-9, in the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis as well as the executioner caspases, caspase-3 and -6, all peaked ( < 0.01) at 24 h; caspase-3 and -6 remained elevated, but caspase-9 decreased to unexposed-control level at 48 h. To study further the Fas pathway, we examined soluble as well as membrane-bound Fas ligand (sFas-L and mFas-L, respectively) and Fas receptor (Fas-R) in both BALF cells and BALF. At 24 h after SM exposure, sFas-L increased significantly in both BALF cells ( < 0.01) and BALF ( < 0.05). However, mFas-L increased only in BALF cells between 24 and 48 h ( < 0.1 and < 0.001, respectively). Fas-R increased only in BALF cells by 6 h ( < 0.01) after SM exposure. Apoptosis in SM-inhaled rat lung specimens was also confirmed by both immunohistochemical staining using cleaved caspase-3 and -9 antibodies and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining as early as 6 h in the proximal trachea and bronchi, but not before 48 h in distal airways. These findings suggest pathogenic mechanisms at the cellular and molecular levels and logical therapeutic target(s) for SM inhalation injury in animals.
Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; Caspases; Enzyme Activation; Fas Ligand Protein; Immunohistochemistry; In Situ Nick-End Labeling; Inhalation Exposure; Lung; Male; Mustard Gas; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Signal Transduction; Solubility; Time Factors; fas Receptor
PubMed: 28360112
DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00281.2015