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After the use of chemical weapons, there is a gradual spontaneous decomposition of chemical warfare agents (CWAs), and only degradation products can be present at the time of sample collection. Depending on the type of parent compound, these are most often acids, alcohols, or thiols. This article deals with the development and optimization of methods for the trimethylsilylation of controlled alcohols that outperforms the currently widely used method with N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) prior to gas chromatographic identification. Thiodiglycol (TDG) was chosen as a model alcohol for the development and optimization of methods. Nine trimethylsilylating agents were tested as derivatization agents. For each reagent, the method was optimized in terms of reaction medium (seven tested solvents), reaction time, and temperature. The temporal stability of the resulting derivatives and the effect of the addition of the reaction catalyst were also monitored. Subsequently, optimal methods were applied in the derivatization of N-ethyldiethanolamine, N-methyldiethanolamine, triethanolamine, 2-diisopropylaminoethanol (DIAE), and 3-quinuclidinol. The developed methods were compared in all monitored properties with the standard BSTFA-method (in acetonitrile for 30 min at 60 °C). From the developed methods, three were selected that showed similar or better sensitivity parameters than BSTFA, and at the same time were less demanding to perform. Trimethylsilylation via trimethylsilyl cyanide (TMSCN) appears to be the most successful method. In conclusion, the selected methods were applied in the analysis of contaminated environmental and urban samples – sand, acrylic paint, asphalt-aluminum paint, and concrete. The samples were measured on both a benchtop and a field gas chromatograph. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Targeted multiple functionalization is a promising tool for developing nanocatalysts for the degradation of toxic organophosphates, present in many agrochemicals and chemical warfare. Herein, we functionalized graphene oxide with two different functional groups (thiol and imidazole), focused on two distinct anchoring sites: epoxide and carboxylic acids. The mono‐ and bifunctionalized materials showed pronounced catalytic activity in the degradation of a toxic organophosphate. This was attributed to cooperative multiple catalyses by the reactive imidazole/thiol groups and neighbouring groups (carboxylate/hydroxyl) on the nanocatalyst backbone. The best nanocatalyst was monofunctionalized via epoxides, which showed the lowest degree of functionalization and highest amount of carboxylic acids. In this case, it could benefit from a bifunctional nucleophilic and general base catalysis involving the thiol and carboxylate groups, respectively. The bifunctionalization strategy via both epoxide and carboxylic acids showed to be better than the analogue bifunctionalized solely via the carboxylic acids, evidencing the importance of the spatial distribution of the anchoring sites. Overall, the functionalization strategy varies the positioning and availability of reactive groups which directly affects the catalytic outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

International law has come a long way in outlawing chemical weapon usage during warfare. From the 1907 Hague Convention to the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention, there exists a comprehensive and mostly successful prohibition and verification regime for chemical weapons. However, the advent of modern warfare in recent conflicts in Syria and in Ukraine demonstrates compliance control is severely lacking for this form of weaponry. Consequently, there is no comprehensive accountability framework for international humanitarian law violations in the form of chemical weapon usage. Without explicit language criminalizing it, this heinous form of war crime ends up slipping under the radar. This article explores these jurisdictional gaps in both international and non-international armed conflicts and recommends ways the international community should cement its commitment to penalizing chemical weapon utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The destruction of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) is a crucial area of research due to the ongoing evolution of toxic chemicals. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), a class of porous crystalline solids, have emerged as promising materials for this purpose. Their remarkable porosity and large surface areas enable superior adsorption, reactivity, and catalytic abilities, making them ideal for capturing and decomposing target species. Moreover, the tunable networks of MOFs allow customization of their chemical functionalities, making them practicable in personal protective equipment and adjustable to dynamic environments. This review paper focuses on experimental and computational studies investigating the removal of CWAs by MOFs, specifically emphasizing the removal of nerve agents (GB, GD, and VX) via hydrolysis and sulfur mustard (HD) via selective photooxidation. Among the different MOFs, zirconium-based MOFs exhibit extraordinary structural stability and reusability, rendering them the most promising materials for the hydrolytic and photooxidative degradation of CWAs. Accordingly, this work primarily concentrates on exploring the intrinsic catalytic reaction mechanisms in Zr-MOFs through first-principles approximations, as well as the design of efficient degradation strategies in the aqueous and solid phases through the establishment of Zr-MOF structure–property relationships. Recent progress in the tuning and functionalization of MOFs is also examined, aiming to enhance practical CWA removal under realistic battlefield conditions. By providing a comprehensive overview of experimental findings and computational insights, this review paper contributes to the advancement of MOF-based strategies for the destruction of CWAs and highlights the potential of these materials to address the challenges associated with chemical warfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The book "Holding Their Breath: How the Allies Confronted the Threat of Chemical Warfare in World War II" by M. Girard Dorsey explores why chemical warfare was not widely used by the Allies during the Second World War. The author, a historian at the University of New Hampshire, examines the diplomatic and political factors that led to the avoidance of gas warfare, despite the potential for its use. The book highlights the influence of international agreements, military alliances, and national behavior in shaping the decision not to deploy chemical weapons. While the study has some methodological limitations, it provides valuable insights into the historical context and moral considerations surrounding chemical warfare during the war. [Extracted from the article]

Sulfur dioxide (SO2), a chemical produced from the burning of sulfur-containing materials, has a long history in chemical warfare. While it was largely used during ancient sieges, there were numerous proposals to weaponize it for the open battlefield in the early modern age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insects have adapted to a multitude of environmental conditions, including the presence of xenobiotic noxious substances. Environmental microorganisms, particularly rich on ephemeral resources, employ these noxious chemicals in a chemical warfare against predators and competitors, driving co‐evolutionary adaptations. In order to analyse how environmental microbes may be driving such evolutionary adaptations, we experimentally evolved Drosophila melanogaster populations by exposing larvae to the toxin‐producing mould Aspergillus nidulans that infests the flies' breeding substrate. To disentangle the effects of the mycotoxin Sterigmatocystin from other substrate modifications inflicted by the mould, we used the following four selection regimes: (i) control without fungus, (ii) A. nidulans wild type, (iii) a mutant of A. nidulans ΔlaeA with impaired toxin production, (iv) synthetic Sterigmatocystin. Experimental evolution was carried out in five independent D. melanogaster populations each, for a total of 11 generations. We further combined our evolution experiment with transcriptome analysis to identify evolutionary shifts in gene expression due to the selection regimes and mould confrontation. Populations that evolved in presence of the toxin‐producing mould or the pure mycotoxin rapidly adapted to the respective conditions and showed higher viability in subsequent confrontations. Yet, mycotoxin‐selected populations had no advantage in A. nidulans wild type confrontation. Moreover, distinctive changes in gene expression related to the selection‐regime contrast were only associated with the toxin‐producing‐fungus regime and comprised a narrow set of genes. Thus, it needs the specific conditions of the selection agent to enable adaptation to the fungus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rich land of Erythrae in the coast of Asia Minor attracted the attention of the Ionian king Codrus. An oracle demanded the presence of the murky deity Hecate for him to conquer the city. Priestess Chrysame was sent by Thessalians to set the strategy of the clash. The young sorceress poisoned a sacred bull who turned mad, later to be released toward the camp of Erythraeans. The beast was captured and sacrificed. In the feast that followed, all ate a piece of his flesh and went crazy, stimulated by the poison, an easy prey for the army of Codrus. The deleterium used by Chrysame is unknown, but her strategy shaped the origin of biowarfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novichok is the name given to the group of nerve agents created stealthily in the later phases of the Cold War by the Soviet Union. Constitute the fourth generation of chemical warfare agents; like other nerve agents, they are organophosphorus compounds designed to be incurable and undetectable. The mechanism of action is based on the non-competitive and irreversible inhibition of acetylcholinesterase. Due to their enormous toxicity, Novichoks have become attractive targets for terrorists. However, little information is known about the identity of nerve agents. Furthermore, these compounds have never been submitted to the Chemical Weapons Convention. Our article aspires to provide a general overview of Novichoks knowledge. As part of this, we reviewed the available literature data to answer the question, what are Novichoks? In addition to the physical and chemical properties of A-agents, synthesis, mechanism of action, and toxicity of nerve agents were also reviewed. We hope that this review will highlight the tremendous threat posed by nerve agents and will inspire further studies on the interdisciplinary aspects of these compounds. Highlights: Novichoks, an extremely life-threatening nerve agents. General overview of the information on Novichoks: physical and chemical properties, mechanism of action and toxicity data. Novichoks should be treated as a separate group of chemical warfare compounds due to their hazardous properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prosecution of the crimes of the Imperial Japanese Army's Unit 731 are often compared to the prosecution of the crimes of the Nazi doctors. These comparisons emphasize immunity for the Japanese, whereas the Nazis were prosecuted for their actions. However, this comparison is an inaccurate one. While both trials look similar on the surface, their composition, scope, and framework were different. Conscious of the fact they were establishing international criminal precedent, the United States' case against the Nazi doctors relied on military chain of command to prove strong legal responsibility for human experimentation crimes. In contrast, the United States avoided prosecuting Unit 731 because they could not replicate the same clear legal framework used to successfully prosecute the Nazis. The Soviet Union recognized the strategic implications of the United States' decision not to try Unit 731 and saw an opportunity to strike a moral blow, not only by convicting Japanese military members at the Khabarovsk Trial, but also by immediately publishing the court's proceedings internationally. Rather than focusing on the morality of who was punished by whom, understanding the military structures as identified through these different court proceedings could enable prevention of crimes against humanity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has become increasingly important to monitor environment contamination by such chemicals as chemical warfare agents (CWAs) and industrial toxic chemicals (TICs), as well as radiation hazards around and inside collective protection facilities. This is especially important given the increased risk of terrorist or military attacks. The Military Institute of Chemistry and Radiometry (MICR) has constructed and developed the ALERT device for the effective monitoring of these threats. This device uses sensors that detect chemical and radiological contaminations in the air. The CWA detector is an ion mobility spectrometer, TICs are detected by electrochemical sensors, and radiation hazards are detected via Geiger–Muller tubes. The system was designed to protect the crew from contamination. When chemical or radioactive contamination is detected at the air inlet for the shelter, air filtration through a carbon filter is activated. At this time, the air test procedure at the filter outlet is started to test the condition of the filter on an ongoing basis. After detecting contamination at the filter outlet, the system turns off the air pumping and the service can start the procedure of replacing the damaged carbon filter. This paper presents the results of laboratory testing of the ALERT gas alarm detector, which showed high measurements for important parameters, including sensitivity, repeatability, accuracy, and speed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unprovoked invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation has resulted in the largest humanitarian crisis in Europe since World War II. As fighting intensifies throughout Ukraine, there is an increasing concern that the Russian Federation may consider the direct use of chemical or radiological weapons against military personnel and civilians in Ukraine. Despite prohibition of chemical weapons from the Chemical Weapons Convention of 1997, recent evidence has demonstrated that state actors will continue to use these agents as weapons of war and terror, despite publicly denying their use. We review chemical weapons produced and used by the Russian Federation (or its allies) to identify plausible risks in the Russian war in Ukraine. We also provide rapid assessment and treatment guidelines to recognize and manage these acute exposures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

VX is one of the chemical warfare agents that attack victims' nervous systems and ultimately lead to their death. Upon VX exposure, circulating proteins in the bloodstream can be modified with VX that may produce diagnostic VX adducts. Thus, these adducts would be key evidence for the forensic investigation against chemical warfare or terrorism. In this study, we discovered a list of potential blood protein biomarkers for VX exposure. To do so, we employed high‐resolution mass spectrometry‐based proteomics and identified 18 VX‐adducted proteins with 32 adduct sites from VX‐treated human plasma samples. Furthermore, we examined these targets using a data‐independent acquisition method and obtained eight practically detectable biomarkers. Our results may serve as a valuable resource for verifying nerve agent exposure under chemical attack. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Joined to the Hawaiian Islands by ocean currents and winds, Kalama Atoll (named Johnston by the United States) emerges from the sea 825 miles southwest of Honolulu. Over a period of 165 years, in furtherance of the U.S. imperial project, Kalama has been rendered both conservation frontier and island laboratory for an extraordinary amount of nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons. This article examines U.S. imperial governance at Kalama, an unincorporated U.S. territory, and how military ruination of Kalama has produced new military natures that call for observation and protection. Introducing a rubric of "conservation by ruination," we highlight how a coalescing of toxic destruction and conservation efforts functions as a continuous geopolitical claim to the atoll, and how imperial formations at the atoll are weaved through technoscientific and multispecies assemblages. In essence, what is conserved in conservation by ruination is not wildlife, habitats, or nature, but empire itself. Kalama is a post-apocalyptic cyborg assemblage of bleached coral skeletons and radioactive debris, dioxin-laden leachate and crazy ants; a cacophonous ecology of weathered concrete and rusted metal, inhabited by seabirds and steadily dissolving into the sea. But it is also an atoll that remains connected to the islands and peoples of Oceania, and which is neither lost, small, isolated, or ruined. We therefore end the article by speculating on restoration of this atoll whose imperial formations capture not only its spaces, but also its futures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, various poisoning incidents have been reported, involving the alleged use of the so-called Novichok agents, resulting in their addition to the Schedule I list of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Warfare (OPCW). As the physicochemical properties of these agents are different from the 'classical' nerve agents, such as VX, research is needed to evaluate whether and to what extent existing countermeasures are effective. Here, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of RSDL® (Reactive Skin Decontamination Lotion Kit) for the neutralization of percutaneous toxicity caused by Novichok agents, both in vitro and in vivo. Experiments showed the three selected Novichok agents (A230, A232, A234) could be degraded by RSDL lotion, but at a different rate. The half-life of A234, in the presence of an excess of RSDL lotion, was 36 min, as compared to A230 (<5 min) and A232 (18 min). Following dermal exposure of guinea pigs to A234, application of the RSDL kit was highly effective in preventing intoxication, even when applied up until 30 min following exposure. Delayed use of the RSDL kit until the appearance of clinical signs of intoxication (3–4 h) was not able to prevent intoxication progression and deaths. This study determines RSDL decontamination as an effective treatment strategy for dermal exposure to the Novichok agent A234 and underscores the importance of early, forward use of skin decontamination, as rapidly as possible. • Novichok agents (A230, A232, A234) could be degraded by RSDL lotion, but at a different rate. • RSDL kit was highly effective in preventing intoxication, even when applied up until 30 min following exposure. • Delayed use of the RSDL kit until the appearance of clinical signs of intoxication (3–4 h) was not effective. • Repeat decontamination by RSDL may prevents acetylcholine esterase inhibition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since its first employment in World War I, chlorine gas has often been used as chemical warfare agent. Unfortunately, after suspected release, it is difficult to prove the use of chlorine as a chemical weapon and unambiguous verification is still challenging. Furthermore, similar evidence can be found for exposure to chlorine gas and other, less harmful chlorinating agents. Therefore, the current study aims to use untargeted high resolution mass spectrometric analysis of chlorinated biomarkers together with machine learning techniques to be able to differentiate between exposure of plants to various chlorinating agents. Green spire (Euonymus japonicus), stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), and feathergrass (Stipa tenuifolia) were exposed to 1000 and 7500 ppm chlorine gas and household bleach, pool bleach, and concentrated sodium hypochlorite. After sample preparation and digestion, the samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography high resolution tandem mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS/MS) and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). More than 150 chlorinated compounds including plant fatty acids, proteins, and DNA adducts were tentatively identified. Principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) showed clear discrimination between chlorine gas and bleach exposure and grouping of the samples according to chlorine concentration and type of bleach. The identity of a set of novel biomarkers was confirmed using commercially available or synthetic reference standards. Chlorodopamine, dichlorodopamine, and trichlorodopamine were identified as specific markers for chlorine gas exposure. Fenclonine (Cl-Phe), 3-chlorotyrosine (Cl-Tyr), 3,5-dichlorotyrosine (di-Cl-Tyr), and 5-chlorocytosine (Cl-Cyt) were more abundantly present in plants after chlorine contact. In contrast, the DNA adduct 2-amino-6-chloropurine (Cl-Ade) was identified in both types of samples at a similar level. None of these chlorinated biomarkers were observed in untreated samples. The DNA adducts Cl-Cyt and Cl-Ade could clearly be identified even three months after the actual exposure. This study demonstrates the feasibility of forensic biomarker profiling in plants to distinguish between exposure to chlorine gas and bleach. [Display omitted] • Novel chlorinated biomarkers in vegetation were analyzed by LC-HRMS/MS. • LDA facilitated classification of plants exposed to either chlorine gas or bleach. • Chlorinated DNA and protein adducts were identified using reference standards. • DNA adducts in plants could be detected more than three months after exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The retropepsin (PR) of the Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) plays, as in other retroviruses, a crucial role in the transition from the non-infective viral particle to the infective virion by processing the polyprotein Gag. PR is expressed as an immature precursor associated with Gag, after an occasional −1 ribosomal frameshifting event. Self-hydrolysis of PR at specific N- and C-terminal sites releases the monomer that dimerizes giving rise to the active protease. We designed a strategy to express BLV PR in E. coli as a fusion protein with maltose binding protein, with a six-histidine tag at its N-terminal end, and bearing a tobacco etch virus protease hydrolysis site. This allowed us to obtain soluble and mature recombinant PR in relatively good yields, with exactly the same amino acid composition as the native protein. As PR presents relative promiscuity for the hydrolysis sites we designed four fluorogenic peptide substrates based on Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) in order to characterize the activity of the recombinant enzyme. These substrates opened the way to perform kinetic studies, allowing us to characterize the dimer-monomer equilibrium. Furthermore, we obtained kinetic evidence for the existence of a conformational change that enables the interaction with the substrate. These results constitute a starting point for the elucidation of the kinetic properties of BLV-PR, and may be relevant not only to improve the chemical warfare against this virus but also to better understand other viral PRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aims to explore the healthcare utilization (HCU) and expenditures from complementary health insurance among Iranian people who survived sulfur mustard (SM) exposure during the Iran-Iraq war. Methods: This study was conducted between March 21, 2018 and March 21, 2019 using secondary data. Data on the HCU and expenditure of war survivors after their exposure to SM were obtained from the Iran Veterans and Martyr Affair Foundation (VMAF) database and the national complementary insurance organization that covers their medical expenses. Multiple linear and zero-inflated poison regression (ZIP) models were used to estimate the costs and HCU. Analyses were performed in R software version 3.6.3. Results: Among 58880 survivors who were included in study, 36383 (61.7%) used at least one service during a year. The total frequency of HCU was 15.6 services per person per year. The annual mean medical cost of each survivor was US$807.6 (±2901.2). The highest number of utilizations was related to medicine and physician visits. The highest median cost was related to rehabilitation (US$151.7), medical equipment (US$84.5), medicine (US$83.3) and inpatient services (US$ 48.8). With increasing age, disability, weight, severity of injury in lung or eye injuries, the rate of health service utilization rose significantly. Conclusion: Over 30 years after the Iran-Iraq war, Iranian people who were exposed to SM and survived still suffer from injuries and pose a significant drain on healthcare resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atomically precise metal clusters are attractive as highly efficient catalysts, but suffer from continuous efficiency deactivation in the catalytic process. Here, we report the development of an efficient strategy that enhances catalytic performance by electropolymerization (EP) of metal clusters into hybrid materials. Based on carbazole ligand protection, three polymerized metal‐cluster hybrid materials, namely Poly‐Cu14cba, Poly‐Cu6Au6cbz and Poly‐Cu6Ag4cbz, were prepared. Compared with isolated metal clusters, metal clusters immobilizing on a biscarbazole network after EP significantly improved their electron‐transfer ability and long‐term recyclability, resulting in higher catalytic performance. As a proof‐of‐concept, Poly‐Cu14cba was evaluated as an electrocatalyst for reducing nitrate (NO3−) to ammonia (NH3), which exhibited ≈4‐fold NH3 yield rate and ≈2‐fold Faraday efficiency enhancement compared to that of Cu14cba with good durability. Similarly, Poly‐Cu6Au6cbz showed 10 times higher photocatalytic efficiency towards chemical warfare simulants degradation than the cluster counterpart. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atomically precise metal clusters are attractive as highly efficient catalysts, but suffer from continuous efficiency deactivation in the catalytic process. Here, we report the development of an efficient strategy that enhances catalytic performance by electropolymerization (EP) of metal clusters into hybrid materials. Based on carbazole ligand protection, three polymerized metal‐cluster hybrid materials, namely Poly‐Cu14cba, Poly‐Cu6Au6cbz and Poly‐Cu6Ag4cbz, were prepared. Compared with isolated metal clusters, metal clusters immobilizing on a biscarbazole network after EP significantly improved their electron‐transfer ability and long‐term recyclability, resulting in higher catalytic performance. As a proof‐of‐concept, Poly‐Cu14cba was evaluated as an electrocatalyst for reducing nitrate (NO3−) to ammonia (NH3), which exhibited ≈4‐fold NH3 yield rate and ≈2‐fold Faraday efficiency enhancement compared to that of Cu14cba with good durability. Similarly, Poly‐Cu6Au6cbz showed 10 times higher photocatalytic efficiency towards chemical warfare simulants degradation than the cluster counterpart. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The new descriptive models are developed to describe various roll-up and stepwise 1.1.1.2-Tetrafluoroethane breakthrough curves. • A new method is built up to predict 1.1.1.2-Tetrafluoroethane breakthrough curves under higher moisture content. Gas mask and filter adsorber designs are mainly determined by the accurate breakthrough time calculated by fitting descriptive models to breakthrough curves in military chemistry. Currently, in most practical environments, the highly toxic fluoride gas/vapor breakthrough curves with roll-up and/or stepwise breakthrough structures in the C / C 0 < 1.0 range usually occur, which is induced by the existence of pre-adsorbed water vapor. Common and easily modified descriptive breakthrough models have a significant shortcoming in that they are not able to simultaneously fit the above complex breakthrough curves and explain gas desorption, enhanced adsorption again, and stepwise adsorption in the competitive adsorption process. This study adapts three modified descriptive models by introducing a dimensionless breakthrough coefficient to fit roll-up and stepwise 1.1.1.2-Tetrafluoroethane (R134a) breakthrough curves under humid conditions. Results reveal that correlation coefficients between the model and R134a breakthrough data are higher than 0.98, demonstrating that the novel adaptation successfully accounted for R134a desorption, enhanced R134a adsorption again, and R134a stepwise adsorption without significantly increasing the complexity of implementing the models. Further, through relationship curves between fitting parameters and moisture contents, R134a breakthrough curves on activated carbons under a wider moisture content range were successfully predicted. It will greatly reduce the cost of toxic experimentation and improve experimental safety factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • ESIPT based fluorescent chemodosimeter for swift detection of triphosgene. • Highly selective fluorescence quenching response with triphosgene in solution and vapour phase. • The response was quick and sensitive with a response time of 20 s and LOD of 1.3 ppb. • Eco-friendly test strips yield reliable detection of phosgene vapour with distinct fluorescence change. • Real-time application demonstrated by monitoring spillage in soil sample by a reliable test strip. We have developed a glowing fluorescent chemodosimeter that utilizes excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) through a one-step synthesis process. This innovative chemodosimeter exhibited remarkable selectivity and sensitivity in detecting triphosgene, achieving a limit of detection (LOD) of 41 nM. The strong fluorescence of this probe at 504 nm was significantly quenched by triphosgene. This phenomenon is attributed to the formation of a new adduct upon the addition of guest, which restricts the ESIPT process and ultimately completely extinguishes the fluorescence. Furthermore, we have successfully extended the utility of this probe to determine trace amounts of triphosgene in soil samples of varying composition in solution and strip-based experiments. Notably, our chemodosimeter demonstrates effectiveness across a spectrum of soil types, detecting micromolar levels of triphosgene in complex soil matrices with a LOD of 1.59 µM. the promising sensing of triphosgene in complex soil system hold potential detection of extremely toxic chemical warfare presence in the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on nerve gas sensing using indium-doped tin oxide nanoparticles.

Neutralization of organophosphates is an issue of public health and safety, involving agrochemicals and chemical warfare. A promising approach is the nucleophilic neutralization, scope of this review, which focuses on the molecular nucleophiles: hydroxide, imidazole derivatives, alpha nucleophiles, amines and other nucleophiles. A reactivity mapping is given correlating the pathways and reaction efficiency with structural dependence of the nucleophile (basicity) and the organophosphate (electrophilic centers, P=O/P=S shift, leaving and non‐leaving group). Reactions extremely unfavorable (>20 years) can be reduced to seconds with various nucleophiles, some which are catalytic. Although there is no universal nucleophile, a lack of selectivity in some cases accounts for plenty of versatility in other reactions. The ideal neutralization requires a solid mechanistic understanding, together with balancing factors such as milder conditions, fast process, selectivity and less toxic products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the poetics of resistance in Katharsis: la revista literaria del Putumayo. Established during the occupation of southwestern Colombia by right-wing paramilitary forces (1997–2006), Katharsis describes itself as both the "literary door to Putumayo" and a "strategy of resisting war." While cultural studies have offered valuable insights into the acts of witnessing, mediating, and critiquing violence in Colombia, the question of resistance – a concept situated between thought and action, representation and concrete practice – remains understudied. I propose that Katharsis engages in "subterranean resistance", or a strategy of working beneath the surface of what is visibly political to promote other ways of thinking, feeling, and living in militarised spaces. By critically engaging the relational space of territory, Katharsis constructs modes of representing and inhabiting Putumayo that diverge from the territoriality of paramilitarism. The magazine anchors subterranean resistance in a "life politics" (Lyons2016) that situates human life within the more-than-human ecologies of the selva. In doing so, it links Putumayo to other geographies negatively impacted by extractivism, chemical warfare, and parastate violence across the Global South. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In April of 1915, the German-Jewish chemist Fritz Haber supervised the first deployment of industrialized chemical weapons against French colonial troops. The uncertain nature of the attack, both in its execution and outcome, led many German military men to question the controllability of poison gas. Over the next three decades, Germans would continue this line of inquiry, as aero-chemical attacks appeared increasingly imminent. This article narrates the German search for control over chemical weapons between the world wars, revealing the ways in which interwar techno-nationalists tied the mastery of poison gas to ethno-racial definitions of Germanness. Under the Nazis, leaders in civilian aero-chemical defense picked up this interwar thread and promoted a dangerous embrace of gas that would supposedly cull the technically superior Germans from other lesser races. Although this vision of a chemically saturated world did not suffuse German society, such logic did play out in the gas chambers of the Holocaust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexible polymer (polyvinyl alcohol, PVA) nanofibres achieved with electrospinning and loaded with picosecond laser-ablated gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) were utilized as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates. The fabricated polymer nanofibres and Au NPs were characterized by UV–Visible absorption, field emission scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques. The PVA–Au NPs SERS substrates were used to detect the dye methylene blue (MB 5 µM) and a chemical warfare agent simulant (methyl salicylate) using a portable Raman spectrometer. The flexible PVA–Au NPs nanofibre exhibited a good sensitivity with enhancement factors of >104 and a high reproducibility (RSD ~10%). These flexible substrates could be extended for SERS studies of various explosive and other hazardous molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chlorine gas is one of the highly produced chemicals in the USA and around the world. Chlorine gas has several uses in water purification, sanitation, and industrial applications; however, it is a toxic inhalation hazard agent. Inhalation of chlorine gas, based on the concentration and duration of the exposure, causes a spectrum of symptoms, including but not limited to lacrimation, rhinorrhea, bronchospasm, cough, dyspnea, acute lung injury, death, and survivors develop signs of pulmonary fibrosis and reactive airway disease. Despite the use of chlorine gas as a chemical warfare agent since World War I and its known potential as an industrial hazard, there is no specific antidote. The resurgence of the use of chlorine gas as a chemical warfare agent in recent years has brought speculation of its use as weapons of mass destruction. Therefore, developing antidotes for chlorine gas-induced lung injuries remains the need of the hour. While some of the pre-clinical studies have made substantial progress in the understanding of chlorine gas-induced pulmonary pathophysiology and identifying potential medical countermeasure(s), yet none of the drug candidates are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In this review, we summarized pathophysiology of chlorine gas-induced pulmonary injuries, pre-clinical animal models, development of a pipeline of potential medical countermeasures under FDA animal rule, and future directions for the development of antidotes for chlorine gas-induced lung injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existence of chemical weapons (blister and nerve agents) is an unfortunate reality of the modern world. The usage of these chemical agents by rogue states or terrorist groups has showcased their ugly faces in the past and even in recent years. Despite extensive and strenuous efforts by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to eliminate chemical warfare agents (CWAs) by the prohibition of their production and the destruction of their stockpiles, many countries still possess them in enormous quantities. Given the potential threat from these lethal agents, it is imperative to have a foolproof chemical sensor and detection system, which should consist of readily deployable chemical probes that can operate with high specificity and sensitivity. Over the last decade, our group has been engaged in designing and developing novel field-deployable sensing techniques by exploring approaches based on supramolecular tools, which can result in excellent specificity, sensitivity, high speed, portability and low cost. In this article, I describe our group's journey and success stories in the development of chemical warfare detection protocols, detailing the range of unique chemical probes and methods explored to achieve the specific detection of individual agents under real environmental conditions. It is interesting to note that the combination of three molecular probes (SQ, Fc and LH2) could simply achieve the detection of all CWAs at room temperature in one go without the need for nonportable and expensive instruments. The ease and generality of these techniques/methods suggest great promise for the highly specific chemical sensing of almost the entire class of CWAs. In this paper, a brief introduction is first provided to present the basic chemistry related to CWAs and the importance of supramolecular chemistry in the design of new protocols with new insights. The manipulation of molecular probes is then debated towards the development of a system for the chromo-fluorogenic sensing of CWAs without interference from most relevant analytes. Finally, the outlook of open challenges and the future developments of this rapidly evolving field is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Famed for trench and gas warfares, The Great War engaged 17 million animals. Horses made up 16 million; the remaining million was an admixture, primarily mules, donkeys, cats, dogs, camels, pigeons, canaries, and goldfish. In the war between the Allied Powers (England, France, Russia) and Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire, Bulgaria), animals transported goods, moused trenches, carried messages, assisted medics, were war mascots, and detected Cl-based gases. Having survived bomb and gas, the canine mascot, Rags, would warn of impending shell attacks by flopping over on his side! This research was initially inspired by Franz Marc's woodcut print, The Birth of Horses (Geburt der Pferde), on exhibit at LACMA in 2018. The artist did not survive the war. Further research revealed the contemporaneous photograph, German Soldiers and Donkey wearing gas masks [1]. Upon subsequent research, enter Lutz Haber's opus, The Poisonous Cloud, which featured a typeset plot of casualties versus number of gas shells launched. After reconstructing the original data, the final regression analysis was a second order model (R²=0.62 p-value<0.001) that eclipsed the original (R²=0.27). This paper explores one confluence of the interrelated animals, art, history, and chemistry, thereby also illuminating the statistical model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The norm against chemical weapons (CW) is considered to be a strong and universal restraint against poisonous methods of warfare. Yet the repeated CW attacks during the Syrian civil war have raised questions about the robustness of this international norm. Under what conditions do third parties emphatically sanction violators of the norm? Adopting a historical approach, we analyse the discursive and contextual dynamics characterising the CW attacks since the early twentieth century. Employing process tracing, we consult a variety of rich archival resources including primary language documents to study a number of historical cases including late colonial wars during the interwar period, and Middle Eastern civil wars since the late twentieth century. Building on Judith Butler's distinction of grievable and ungrievable lives and Didier Fassin's notion of politics of life, we argue that the anti-CW norm has never had universal status and always remained conditional on a hierarchy of victims. CW attacks targeting certain groups have been more readily justifiable and generated ineffective and inconsistent third-party reactions. Consequently, certain groups, who are implicitly or explicitly perceived to be outside the pale of civilised order, remain more vulnerable to CW attacks than others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Lewisite is a chemical warfare agent intended for use in World War and a potential threat to the civilian population due to presence in stockpiles or accidental exposure. Lewisite-mediated skin injury is characterized by acute erythema, pain, and blister formation. N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is an FDA-approved drug for acetaminophen toxicity, identified as a potential antidote against lewisite. In the present study, we have explored the feasibility of rapid NAC delivery through transdermal route for potentially treating chemical warfare toxicity. NAC is a small, hydrophilic molecule with limited passive delivery through the skin. Using skin microporation with dissolving microneedles significantly enhanced the delivery of NAC into and across dermatomed human skin in our studies. Microporation followed by application of solution (poke-and-solution) resulted in the highest in vitro delivery (509.84 ± 155.04 µg/sq·cm) as compared to poke-and-gel approach (474.91 ± 70.09 µg/sq·cm) and drug-loaded microneedles (226.89 ± 33.41 µg/sq·cm). The lag time for NAC delivery through poke-and-solution approach (0.23 ± 0.04 h) was close to gel application (0.25 ± 0.02 h), with the highest for drug-loaded microneedles (1.27 ± 1.16 h). Thus, we successfully demonstrated the feasibility of rapid NAC delivery using various skin microporation approaches for potential treatment against lewisite-mediated skin toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The public image of chemistry is both positive and negative; positive because of its application in all human affairs (industry, agriculture, medicine, etc.), and negative for its connection with dangerous chemicals (explosives, poisons). Therefore, a good populariser of chemistry has not only to praise but also to defend chemistry to bring it forth to the common people. The fulfilment of both these requirements is clearly visible in the opus of the leading Croatian populariser of chemistry in the 20th century, Fran Bubanović (1883–1956), the first chemistry professor at the Zagreb School of Medicine (1917). He took pains to persuade the reader that chemistry is not dangerous and difficult to learn but rather a major vehicle for the progress of a nation, and especially an underdeveloped nation, as was Croatia in his time. In this contribution, the general causes of the fear of chemistry and chemicals (chemophobia) were also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to their high surface area, high concentration of active metal sites, and water stability, zirconium(VI)‐based metal–organic frameworks (Zr‐MOFs) have shown excellent activity in the hydrolysis of organophosphorus nerve agents (OPNs). In this regard, for the first time, two topologically different Zr‐MOFs (Zr‐fcu‐tmuc and Zr‐bcu‐tmuc, constructed from the same organic and inorganic building blocks; fcu=face‐centered cubic, bcu=body‐centered cubic) have been rationally chosen to investigate the effect of network topology on the catalytic hydrolysis of the nerve agent simulant, dimethyl 4‐nitrophenyl phosphate (DMNP). A remarkable enhancement in the hydrolysis rate of DMNP was observed with Zr‐bcu‐tmuc, reducing the half‐life more than three‐fold compared with Zr‐fcu‐tmuc. Greater accessibility of the active ZrVI sites in the 8‐connected bcu net compared with the 12‐connected fcu leads to a faster hydrolysis of DMNP on Zr‐bcu‐tmuc. Interestingly, the higher activity of Zr‐bcu‐tmuc was also confirmed by its higher fluorescence sensitivity towards DMNP (limit of detection (LOD)=0.557 μm) compared with Zr‐fcu‐tmuc (LOD=1.09 μm). The results show that controlling the desired topology of Zr‐MOFs is a useful strategy for improving their performance in the detection and catalytic detoxification of OPNs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungus-growing attine ants are under constant threat from fungal pathogens such as the specialized mycoparasite Escovopsis , which uses combined physical and chemical attack strategies to prey on the fungal gardens of the ants. In defence, some species assemble protective microbiomes on their exoskeletons that contain antimicrobial-producing Actinobacteria. Underlying this network of mutualistic and antagonistic interactions are an array of chemical signals. Escovopsis weberi produces the shearinine terpene-indole alkaloids, which affect ant behaviour, diketopiperazines to combat defensive bacteria, and other small molecules that inhibit the fungal cultivar. Pseudonocardia and Streptomyces mutualist bacteria produce depsipeptide and polyene macrolide antifungals active against Escovopsis spp. The ant nest metabolome is further complicated by competition between defensive bacteria, which produce antibacterials active against even closely related species. • Specialist fungal pathogens attack the nests of fungus-growing ants. • Ants form mutualistic relationships with defensive actinomycete bacteria. • Specialised metabolites underpin these mutualistic and antagonistic interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although chlorine (Cl2) has been used as a chemical warfare agent since World War I there is no known specific and reliable biomarker to indicate the presence of chlorine. We distinguished chlorinated human nails from unchlorinated ones using Raman spectroscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy. This research was carried out between October 2018 and July 2019 on two nail samples taken from 55 male and 104 female volunteers. One sample from each participant was chlorinated, while the second sample was used as a control. Spectral data were collected from chlorinated and unchlorinated (control) human nails using Raman and FT-IR spectroscopy. Raman measurements were made between 100 and 3200 cm−1, while FT-IR measurements were recorded over the range of 650 to 4000 cm−1. Partial least squares regression-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was used to develop classification models for each spectral instrument. Results showed that the control and chlorinated nail samples were successfully discriminated with similar results achieved with both instruments. Minor differences were observed in the performance of classification models. The FT-IR spectroscopy model (sensitivity = 95%, specificity = 99%, accuracy = 97%) was found to be more successful with a smaller margin of error (sensitivity = 95%, specificity = 99%, accuracy = 96%) compared to the Raman spectroscopy model. This method can be used successfully for both ante-mortem and post-mortem diagnosis of chlorine exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. Image 1 • N -Acetylcysteine (NAC) reduces the toxicity of sulphur mustard (H) in multiple cell types. • NAC reduces the toxic effects of H lung exposure in animal models. • Delayed (~18 yrs) NAC treatment improves lung function in individuals exposed to H. • NAC is considered to be a safe and well tolerated medication in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phosphate ester bonds are widely present in living organisms and in the environment. From the nucleic acids to the sparingly dispersed pesticides and chemical warfare residues, the phosphoester bond's stability against hydrolysis can be extremely high or exceptionally low. Recently, the enzyme‐mimicking nanomaterials, namely 'nanozyme', have been explored for their activities in hydrolytically cleaving DNA, organophosphate and their analogues. Herein in a broad perspective these nanomaterials were summarized and compared with a view to reproducing the catalysis efficiency and selectivity of natural phosphatases and nucleases. The development of biomimetic inorganic materials would not only provide potential nanomedicine for future gene editing, but also offer alternative solutions to the environmentally friendly treatment of pesticide residues and chemical warfare stockpiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient transformation of ACQ materials to AIE luminogens using simple design principles of positional isomerization and C–C bond exclusion is presented here. Consequently, the bond link, position and packing influence the photophysical properties that can be utilized in erasable secret inks, pressure sensors and chemical warfare sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sarin is a highly toxic nerve agent that was developed for chemical warfare during World War II and is used in present conflicts. Immediate effects of acute sarin exposure are established; however, whether effects persist after initial signs have subsided is debated. The National Toxicology Program (NTP) conducted a systematic review to evaluate the evidence for long-term neurological effects following acute (<24 hour) exposure to sarin. The literature search and screening process identified 32 data sets within the 34 human studies and 47 data sets within the 51 animal studies (from 6837 potentially relevant references) that met the objective and the inclusion criteria. Four main health effect categories of neurological response were identified as having sufficient data to reach hazard conclusions: (1) cholinesterase levels; (2) visual and ocular effects; (3) effects on learning, memory, and intelligence; and (4) morphology and histopathology in nervous system tissues. NTP concluded that acute sarin exposure is known to be a neurological hazard to humans in the period following exposure up to 7 days and suspected to be a hazard week to years after exposure, given a lower level of evidence in later time periods. Effects included reduced cholinesterase, visual and ocular effects, impaired learning and memory, and altered nervous system morphology. Further mechanistic, targeted animal studies, translational research, and rapid research responses after human exposures may reduce uncertainties on long-term consequences of sarin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction/purpose: The paper presents the mode of operation of the CBU-102(V) 2/B cluster bomb, weighing about 340 kg and containing bomblets with electrically conductive fibers for disabling power plants. Methods: Physical and chemical analyses of the fibers were performed. The following test methods were used for fiber characterization: a binocular microscope for determining fiber thickness and a qualitative XRF analysis performed on an XRF-MiniPal spectrometer, PANalytical. The XRFanalysis aimed at qualitative detection of the present elements, which was confirmed by a quantitative chemical analysis. Results: The semi-quantitative XRF analysis determined the content of gallium (0.007%), the peak of which was detected on the spectrum. Gallium nitride is a material that can be used as a semiconductor. The chemical analysis was performed on an atomic absorption spectrophotometer Analyst 300, Perkin Elmer. Conclusion: The instrument for differential thermal analysis and thermogravimetry (DTA/TG), NETZCH STA 409 EP (operational range from 20℃ to 1000℃), confirmed that the sample was of 50% silicate origin, non-toxic and with heavy metal content in traces. The rest of the sample is aluminum whose presence in soil can cause decline in soil fertility thus leading to decline in crop yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stimuli‐responsive materials offer new opportunities to resolve long‐standing material challenges and are rapidly gaining pivotal roles in diverse applications. For example, smart protective garments that rapidly transport water vapor and autonomously block chemical threats are expected to enable an effective new paradigm of adaptive personal protection. However, the incorporation of these seemingly incompatible properties into a single responsive system remains elusive. Herein, a bistable membrane that can rapidly, selectively, and reversibly transition from a highly breathable state in a safe environment to a chemically protective state when exposed to organophosphate threats such as sarin is demonstrated. Dynamic response to chemical stimuli is achieved through the physical collapse of an ultrathin copolymer layer on the membrane surface, which efficiently gates transport through membrane pores composed of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). The adoption of nanometer‐wide SWNTs for ultrafast moisture conduction enables a simultaneous boost in size‐sieving selectivity and water‐vapor permeability by decreasing nanotube diameter, thereby overcoming the breathability/protection trade‐off that limits conventional membrane materials. Adaptive multifunctional membranes based on this platform greatly extend the active use of a protective garment and present exciting opportunities in many other areas including separation processes, sensing, and smart delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There are many people who are suffering from a variety of physical and mental illnesses due to the chemical attacks. There are various technologies such as recommender systems that can identify the main concerns related to health and make efforts to address them. To design and develop a recommender system, preparation of data source of this system should be considered. The aim of this study was to determine the minimum data set for user profile or user's electronic health record in chemical warfare victims' recommender system. Methods: This applied descriptive, cross-sectional study which was conducted in 2017. A questionnaire was developed by the authors from the data elements that were collected using the data extraction form from the studied sources. Content validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by using the experts. Test–retest method was used to determine the reliability of the questionnaire. The reliability of the questionnaire with Cronbach's alpha coefficient was confirmed as 84%. The questionnaire were submitted for related experts based on Delphi method by email or in person. Data resulting from the Delphi technique with descriptive statistics methods in SPSS software were analyzed. Results: Forty-seven nonclinical data elements and 181 clinical data elements were classified. Conclusion: Determining minimum data set of user profile or electronic health record in the recommender system for chemical warfare victims helps the health authorities to implement the recommender system which demonstrates chemical warfare victims' needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organophosphorus compounds are organic compounds widely employed in agriculture as well as in chemical weapons. The use in agriculture is due to their insecticidal properties. However, in chemical warfare, the use of organophosphorus is associated with acetylcholinesterase inhibition, which promotes the cholinergic syndromes. In this line, the fast detection of this class of compound is crucial for the determination of environmental exposure. This improved detection will naturally allow for more prompt courses of treatment depending on the contaminant findings. In this perspective, the dipyrrinone oxime (1) was employed for the detection of organophosphorus compounds that are employed as nerve agents, such as cyclosarin, sarin, soman, diethyl chlorophosphate, diisopropylfluorophosphate, 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl N,N-dimethylphosphoramidofluoridate, O-ethyl-S-[2-(diethylamino)ethyl]methylphosphonothioate, O-ethyl-S-[2(diisopropylamino)ethyl] methylphosphonothioate, and O,O-diethyl-S-[2-(diethylamino)ethyl] phosphorothioate, through fluorescent emission. The thermodynamics and kinetic parameters as well as spectroscopic properties of the complexes formed for 1 and all organophosphorus compounds previously cited were investigated by means of theoretical calculations. From our findings, only the diethyl chlorophosphate, 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl N,N-dimethylphosphoramidofluoridate, and O,O-diethyl-S-[2-(diethylamino)ethyl] phosphorothioate emitted fluorescence in the hexane, toluene, chloroform, dichloromethane, methanol, acetonitrile, water, and dimethyl sulfoxide solvents. The study of the absorption wavelength with the most polar solvent showed higher values compared to apolar solvents. In the same solvent, for instance, soman in hexane showed the lowest absorption wavelength value, 324.5 nm, and DCP the highest value, 330.8 nm. This behavior was observed in other tested solvents. The thermodynamic parameters indicate negative Gibbs free energy (ΔG) values for the O-ethyl-S-[2(diisopropylamino)ethyl] methylphosphonothioate with 1 reaction. On the other hand, the sarin and cyclosarin revealed the lowest Gibbs free energy (ΔG‡) values, being kinetically favorable and presenting more reactivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction/purpose: The paper indicates the radiation doses the military personnel of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia were exposed to, and in particular the military personnel of the motorized brigades in the territory of Kosovo and Metohia on the Albanian-Yugoslav border. Methods: Gammaspectrometry measurements have confirmed that round penetrators contained depleted uranium, and the presence of alpha, beta and gamma radiation was determined by the method of dosimetric measurement. Results: The use of ammunition with 238U depleted uranium, with added plutonium, pollutes the environment, water, and soil in the long term, causing various disorders and diseases, primarily malignant ones. The radioactivity of 239Pu, compared to its toxicity, is several thousand times higher and the inhalation of plutonium dust is harmful and causes cancer. Uranium is a pyrophoric metal, toxic, radioactive and easy to ignite. Its oxides are toxic and partially soluble in water. After ignition, the round releases radioactive aerosol particles which burn in contact with the air causing short or long term damage wheninhaled. In Kosovo and Metohia, a large amount of radioactivity was measured during the NATO aggression against the FR Yugoslavia. In Metohia, radioactivity was 1,100 times that of natural background radiation. Conclusion: During the war, the Army of the FR Yugoslavia was exposed to high radioactive doses, so that among the members of the army after the war there was an increased incidence of various malignancies, many of them lethal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: War causes more death and disability than many major diseases. There are few studies in the context of the deleterious impact of war on fertility potential; therefore, in this study, we tried to review articles about the adverse effects of war on male/ female fertility potential Methods: In this study, a total of 183 articles related to the effects of war on fertility potential were examined by a systematic search using known international medical databases. Results: Among these studies, there were limited studies on the effects of war on female infertility and most studies examined the effects of war on sperm parameters and male infertility. The physical and psychological trauma of war can increase the risk of infertility in men and women. Presence of reproductive system toxins in weapons, stressful periods of war and direct damage to the reproductive system can impair the fertility of men and women. The way war affects male fertility is not clear, but the higher degree of stress during wartime seems to play an important role. Using reproductive toxicants during the war also increases the risk of impairment in reproductive function in men. Some studies have shown the harmful effects of Sulfur mustard as a war chemical toxin especially on sperm quality and male infertility. Oxidative stress induced by free radicals is a major mechanism for the direct effects of Sulfur mustard on male infertility. Conclusion: The study of past research suggests that exposure to war may be an independent risk factor for reproductive disorders and infertility in men. For female infertility, war leads to menstrual dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]