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ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces Sep 2022The peroxidase-like catalytic activity of various nanozymes was extensively applied in various fields. In this study, we have demonstrated the preparation of Fe-doped...
The peroxidase-like catalytic activity of various nanozymes was extensively applied in various fields. In this study, we have demonstrated the preparation of Fe-doped MoS (Fe@MoS) nanomaterials with enhanced peroxidase-like activity of MoS in a co-catalytic pathway. In view of Fenton reaction, the peroxidase-like Fe@MoS nanozyme prompted the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide (HO) to a reactive hydroxyl radical (·OH). The efficient decomposition of HO in the presence of Fe@MoS has been employed toward the antibacterial activity and detoxification of mustard gas simulant. The combined effect of Fe@MoS and HO showed remarkable antibacterial activity against the drug-resistant bacterial strain methicillin-resistant and with the use of minimal concentration of HO. Fe@MoS was further applied for the detoxification of the chemical warfare agent sulfur mustard simulant, 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide, by selective conversion to the nontoxic sulfoxide. This work demonstrates the development of a hybrid nanozyme and its environmental remediation from harmful chemicals to microbes.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Chemical Warfare Agents; Escherichia coli; Hydrogen Peroxide; Hydroxyl Radical; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Molybdenum; Mustard Gas; Peroxidase; Peroxidases; Sulfoxides
PubMed: 36122369
DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c11245 -
Free Radical Biology & Medicine Dec 2020In the long and intensive search for effective treatments to counteract the toxicity of the chemical warfare (CW) agent sulphur mustard (H; bis(2-chloroethyl) sulphide),... (Review)
Review
In the long and intensive search for effective treatments to counteract the toxicity of the chemical warfare (CW) agent sulphur mustard (H; bis(2-chloroethyl) sulphide), the most auspicious and consistent results have been obtained with the drug N-acetylcysteine (NAC), particularly with respect to its therapeutic use against the effects of inhaled H. It is a synthetic cysteine derivative that has been used in a wide variety of clinical applications for decades and a wealth of information exists on its safety and protective properties against a broad range of toxicants and disease states. Its primary mechanism of action is as a pro-drug for the synthesis of the antioxidant glutathione (GSH), particularly in those circumstances where oxidative stress has exhausted intracellular GSH stores. It impacts a number of pathways either directly or through its GSH-related antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which make it a prime candidate as a potential treatment for the wide range of deleterious cellular effects that H is acknowledged to cause in exposed individuals. This report reviews the available literature on the protection afforded by NAC against the toxicity of H in a variety of model systems, including its efficacy in treating the long-term chronic lung effects of H that have been demonstrated in Iranian veterans exposed during the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988). Although there is overwhelming evidence supporting this drug as a potential medical countermeasure against this CW agent, there is a requirement for carefully controlled clinical trials to determine the safety, efficacy and optimal NAC dosage regimens for the treatment of inhaled H.
Topics: Acetylcysteine; Chemical Warfare Agents; Glutathione; Humans; Iran; Mustard Gas
PubMed: 32980537
DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2020.09.020 -
Plant Biology (Stuttgart, Germany) Jun 2022Cadmium (Cd), a pervasive noxious heavy metal, is a key threat to agricultural system. It is rapidly translocated and has detrimental effects on plant growth and...
Cadmium (Cd), a pervasive noxious heavy metal, is a key threat to agricultural system. It is rapidly translocated and has detrimental effects on plant growth and development. Hydrogen sulphide (H S) is emerging as a potential messenger molecule for modulating plant tolerance to Cd. Salicylic acid (SA), a phenolic signalling molecule, can alleviate Cd toxicity in plants. The present study investigated the mediatory role of H S (100 µM) and SA (0.5 mM), individually and in combination, in modulating antioxidant defence machinery and nutrient balance to impart Cd (50 µM) resistance to mustard. Accumulation of Cd resulted in oxidative stress (TBARS and H O ), mineral nutrient imbalance (N, P, K, Ca), decreased leaf gas exchange and PSII efficiency, ultimately reducing plant growth. Both H S and SA independently attenuated phytotoxic effects of Cd by triggering antioxidant systems, enhancing the nutrient pool, eventually leading to improved photosynthesis and biomass of mustard plants. The positive effects were more pronounced under combined application of H S and SA, indicating a synergistic relationship between these two signalling molecules in mitigating the detrimental effects of Cd on nutrient homeostasis and overall health of mustard, primarily by boosting antioxidant pathway. Our findings provide new insights into H S- and SA-induced protective mechanisms in mustard plants subjected to Cd stress and suggest their combined use as a feasible strategy to confer Cd tolerance.
Topics: Antioxidants; Cadmium; Hydrogen Sulfide; Mustard Plant; Nutrients; Oxidative Stress; Salicylic Acid
PubMed: 34516728
DOI: 10.1111/plb.13322 -
Proteome Science Aug 2022Understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of ocular injured induced by mustard gas can help better identify complications and...
Understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of ocular injured induced by mustard gas can help better identify complications and discover appropriate therapies. This study aimed to analyze the proteomics of tears of chemical warfare victims with mustard gas ocular injuries and compare it with healthy individuals. In this case-control research, 10 mustard gas victims with long-term ocular difficulties (Chronic) were included in the patient group, while 10 healthy persons who were age and sex matched to the patients were included in the control group. Schirmer strips were used to collect the tears of the participants. Proteomics experiments were performed using the high-efficiency TMT10X method to evaluate the tear protein profile, and statistical bioinformatics methods were used to identify the differently expressed proteins. 24 proteins had different expressions between the two groups. Among these 24 proteins, 8 proteins had increased expression in veterans' tears, while the remaining 16 proteins had decreased expression. Reactome pathways were used to look at proteins with various expressions, and 13 proteins were found to be engaged in the immune system, 9 of which were effective in the innate immune system, and 5 proteins were effective in the complement cascade. Ocular mustard gas exposure may cause a compromised immune system on the eye's surface, exposing the cornea to external and endogenous infections, and eventually causing corneal opacity and reduced vision.
PubMed: 35948930
DOI: 10.1186/s12953-022-00195-1 -
Analytica Chimica Acta May 2021Sulfur mustard (SM, also called as mustard gas (HD)) is a persistent and highly toxic gas used as chemical weapon in wars and military conflicts. Moreover, owing to its...
Sulfur mustard (SM, also called as mustard gas (HD)) is a persistent and highly toxic gas used as chemical weapon in wars and military conflicts. Moreover, owing to its simple structure and easy synthesis, it is the most likely chemical agent used by terrorists. For this reason, it is vital important to develop a facile, rapid and reliable detection system for SM. In this paper, we have developed four quinoline-2-thiones as fluorescent probes, 2a-2d, for the detection of SM and its analogues, half sulfur mustard (CEES) and a nitrogen mustard NH1. In the presence of KOH, these quinoline-2-thiones deprotonated to quinoline-2-thiophenol anions, which react with SM and its analogues rapidly to form quinoline-2-thiethers with highly efficient fluorescence, giving turn-on fluorescence response. The sensing products with CEES were isolated and fully characterized, thereby, the sensing mechanism was firmly established. The fluorescent probes with 4-trifluoromethyl group, 2b and 2d, exhibit rapid response to SM, CEES and NH1 (within 1 min at 60 °C for CEES and NH1), high sensitivity (limit of detection, 50 nM for SM and 20 nM for NH1) and high selectivity. Furthermore, polymer film test strips were fabricated with probe-embedded poly(ethylene oxide) for the detection of CEES vapor. These test strips displayed a rapid response (<4 min) to gaseous CEES with high sensitivity (0.2 ppm) and high selectivity. These results show that fluorescent probes 2b and 2d have a good application prospect in the field detection of mustard gas.
PubMed: 33867036
DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2021.338440 -
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine Jun 2022The use of chemical weapons in terrorist attacks, though rare, remains a significant challenge and concern due to their ability to inflict mass casualties. Chemical...
BACKGROUND
The use of chemical weapons in terrorist attacks, though rare, remains a significant challenge and concern due to their ability to inflict mass casualties. Chemical attacks remain a topic of interest for Disaster Medicine (DM) and Counter-Terrorism Medicine (CTM) specialists and are clearly an area in need of enhanced preparedness. This study aims to provide an epidemiological description of all terrorism-related attacks using chemical agents as a primary weapon, sustained from 1970 - 2019. These data will be useful in the development of education programs in CTM and provide an insight into how best to prepare for potential attacks in the future.
METHODS
Data collection was performed using a retrospective database search through the Global Terrorism Database (GTD). The GTD was searched using the internal database search functions for all events using chemical weapons as a primary attack method from January 1, 1970 - December 31, 2019. Years 2020 and 2021 were not yet available at the time of the study. The GTD also details the specific chemical used, when known, in the summary of incidents. Results were exported into an Excel spreadsheet (Microsoft Corp.; Redmond, Washington USA) for analysis.
RESULTS
A total of 292 terrorist attacks involving chemical agents as a primary attack method were recorded from 1970 - 2019, registering 284 deaths and 13,267 injuries. Acid (52) was the most commonly used chemical agent, followed by "unspecified poison" (43), "unknown chemical agents" (29), "unspecified gas" (27), tear gas (27), chlorine gas (24), cyanide (21), mercury (9), pepper spray or mace (9), mustard gas (8), insecticide or 1080 (8), diphenylamine chloroarsine (7), phosphate or phosphorous (3), sodium hydroxide or corrosive liquid (3), sarin (2), "unspecified drugs" (2), VX nerve gas and other nerve gas (2), pesticides (2), cleaning chemicals/paint thinner (2), ammonia (2), anesthesia agent (1), arsenic (1), chlorine and mustard gas mix (1), phenarsazine chloride (1), rat poison (1), unknown irritative gas (1), hydrochloric acid and sodium cyanide mix (1), unknown white powder (1), antiseptic dye (1), and chlorine gas and white phosphorous mix (1).
CONCLUSION
The use of chemical weapons in warfare, though prohibited by the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), remains a rare but concerning terrorist attack methodology. In recent years, there have been more instances where potentially deadly chemicals have been used in civilian settings. Dual use industrial chemicals, in particular, pose a significant concern. Acid was the most commonly used chemical weapon in 52 attacks. Tear gas, chlorine, and cyanide were each used in over 20 attacks. Both DM and CTM specialists advocate for better preparedness and response training for intentional events in civilian settings.
Topics: Animals; Chlorine; Cyanides; Disaster Planning; Humans; Mustard Gas; Nerve Agents; Rats; Retrospective Studies; Terrorism
PubMed: 35392992
DOI: 10.1017/S1049023X22000528 -
Disaster Medicine and Public Health... Nov 2023Development of medical countermeasures (MCM) to mitigate and/ or treat the pulmonary complications associated with exposure to chemical, radiological, and/ or nuclear... (Review)
Review
Development of medical countermeasures (MCM) to mitigate and/ or treat the pulmonary complications associated with exposure to chemical, radiological, and/ or nuclear weapons is a national, public health preparedness posture priority in the United States (US). Pulmonary exposure to either sulfur mustard vapor or radiation causes oxidative damage, vascular injury, hyperinflammation, and pro-fibrotic signaling cascades that lead to life-threatening and potentially debilitating lung disease. There is no MCM currently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to mitigate and/ or treat lung injury caused by sulfur mustard or radiation exposure. Thus, there remains a major unmet public health need for development of threat-agnostic, host-directed therapeutics that target common pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the progression of acute and/ or late lung injury independent of the etiology of disease. This review describes the clinical manifestations and underlying mechanisms of sulfur mustard and radiation-induced lung injury and regulatory considerations for MCM development under the non-traditional Animal Rule pathway.
Topics: Mustard Gas; Animals; Medical Countermeasures; Models, Animal; Disease Models, Animal; Humans; Chemical Warfare Agents
PubMed: 37937347
DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2023.180 -
Analytical Methods : Advancing Methods... Jun 2023Sulfur mustard (SM) is an important chemical warfare agent (CWA) and has been used frequently in various conflicts. It is important to develop a facile, rapid, sensitive...
Sulfur mustard (SM) is an important chemical warfare agent (CWA) and has been used frequently in various conflicts. It is important to develop a facile, rapid, sensitive and selective detection method for SM. In this work, we constructed a novel fluorescent probe PCS capable of generating active sensing species for rapid and selective detection of SM and its simulant CEES (2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide). PCS exhibits excellent chemical and photostability and can generate reactive species for rapid (within 90 s, at 60 °C) and selective detection of SM and CEES in solution with high sensitivity (∼nM level). Moreover, PCS could enable the detection of mustards . A test strip with PCS and KOH was prepared and realized the sensitive and selective detection of CEES in the gas phase. In addition, the PCS probe can realize facile and rapid detection of CEES-contaminated surfaces by spraying its sensing system (ethanol solution containing PCS and KOH). The sensing mechanism was well demonstrated through the separation and characterization of the sensing product.
Topics: Mustard Gas; Fluorescent Dyes; Chemical Warfare Agents
PubMed: 37264865
DOI: 10.1039/d3ay00350g -
Gene Sep 2019Sulfur mustard (SM) is a destructive and harmful chemical agent for the eyes, skin and lungs that causes short-term and long-term lesions and was widely used in Iraq war... (Review)
Review
Sulfur mustard (SM) is a destructive and harmful chemical agent for the eyes, skin and lungs that causes short-term and long-term lesions and was widely used in Iraq war against Iran (1980-1988). SM causes DNA damages, oxidative stress, and Inflammation. Considering the similarities between SM and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) pathogens and limited available treatments, a novel therapeutic approach is not developed. Gene therapy is a novel therapeutic approach that uses genetic engineering science in treatment of most diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In this review, attempts to presenting a comprehensive study of mustard lung and introducing the genes therapy involved in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphasizing the pathways and genes involved in the pathology and pathogenesis of sulfur Mustard. It seems that, given the high potential of gene therapy and the fact that this experimental technique is a candidate for the treatment of pulmonary diseases, further study of genes, vectors and gene transfer systems can draw a very positive perspective of gene therapy in near future.
Topics: Animals; Genetic Therapy; Humans; Lung; Lung Injury; Mustard Gas; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 31323308
DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2019.143968 -
Journal of Hazardous Materials Aug 2021Mustard gas has been used as a chemical warfare agent for a century, and is the most likely chemical weapon used in wars or by terrorists. Thus, it is important to...
Mustard gas has been used as a chemical warfare agent for a century, and is the most likely chemical weapon used in wars or by terrorists. Thus, it is important to develop a facile, rapid and highly selective method for the detection of mustard gas. In this paper, two fluorescent probe molecules, 4-mercaptocoumarins, have been developed for rapid and sensitive detections of SM and its analogues (CEES and NH1) in both solutions and gas phase. The sensing reaction is a nucleophilic addition at three-membered hetercyclic sulfonium/ammonium formed from SM, CEES/NH1 in ethanol. Two fluorescent probes (4-mercaptocoumarins, ArSH) in ethanol deprotonate to form thiophenol anions (ArS) resulting from their low pKa values (3.2-3.4), and the nucleophilic addition of the anion ArS generates the corresponding thioethers, giving a turn-on fluorescence response. The thiophenol anion can fast sense SM, CEES and NH1 (within 1-4 min) with high sensitivity (~nM level) at 60 °C, and high selectivity through adding a tertiary amine, and two probes exhibit excellent chemical and photostability in detection systems. Furthermore, a facile test strip with the sensor was fabricated for the detection of CEES vapor with rapid response (3 min), high sensitivity (9 ppb) and high selectivity.
Topics: Chemical Warfare Agents; Fluorescent Dyes; Mustard Gas
PubMed: 33894438
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125789