Enzymatic detoxification: a sustainable means of degrading toxic organophosphate pesticides and chemical warfare nerve agents

2018 ◽  
Vol 93 (8) ◽  
pp. 2064-2082 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Manco ◽  
Elena Porzio ◽  
Yoko Suzumoto
Keyword(s):  
Nerve Agents ◽  
Chemical Warfare ◽  
Organophosphate Pesticides ◽  
Enzymatic Detoxification

Smart hydrogel sensor for detection of organophosphorus chemical warfare nerve agents

2016 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig M. Whitaker ◽  
Eleanor E. Derouin ◽  
Morgan B. O'Connor ◽  
Claire K. Whitaker ◽  
Jacob A. Whitaker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nerve Agents ◽  
Chemical Warfare ◽  
Smart Hydrogel

scholarly journals Detection Papers with Chromogenic Chemosensors for Direct Visual Detection and Distinction of Liquid Chemical Warfare Agents

Chemosensors ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladimír Pitschmann ◽  
Lukáš Matějovský ◽  
Kamila Lunerová ◽  
Michal Dymák ◽  
Martin Urban ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Warfare Agents ◽  
Nerve Agents ◽  
Chemical Warfare ◽  
Bromocresol Green ◽  
Ph Indicator ◽  
Nitrogen Mustards ◽  
Experimental Development ◽  
Influence Of Water ◽  
Warfare Agents ◽  
Hydrophobic Treatment

This work provides a summary of our results in the area of the experimental development of detection paper for the detection of liquid phase chemical warfare agents (drops, aerosol), the presence of which is demonstrated by the development of characteristic coloring visible to the naked eye. The basis of the detection paper is a cellulose carrier saturated with the dithienobenzotropone monomer (RM1a)–chromogenic chemosensor sensitive to nerve agents of the G type, blister agent lewisite, or choking agent diphosgene. We achieve a higher coloring brilliance and the limit certain interferences by using this chemosensor in the mix of the o-phenylendiamine-pyronine (PY-OPD). We prove that the addition of the Bromocresol Green pH indicator even enables detection of nerve agents of the V type, or, nitrogen mustards, while keeping a high stability of the detection paper and its functions for other chemical warfare agents. We resolve the resistance against the undesirable influence of water by providing a hydrophobic treatment of the carrier surface.

Comparison of the lethal effects of chemical warfare nerve agents across multiple ages

2016 ◽  
Vol 241 ◽  
pp. 167-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linnzi K.M. Wright ◽  
Robyn B. Lee ◽  
Nicole M. Vincelli ◽  
Christopher E. Whalley ◽  
Lucille A. Lumley
Keyword(s):  
Nerve Agents ◽  
Chemical Warfare ◽  
Lethal Effects

Characterization of Cholinesterases From Multiple Large Animal Species for Medical Countermeasure Development Against Chemical Warfare Nerve Agents

2019 ◽  
Vol 174 (1) ◽  
pp. 124-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin G McGarry ◽  
Kevin E Schill ◽  
Tyson P Winters ◽  
Erin E Lemmon ◽  
Carol L Sabourin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Models ◽  
Cholinergic Neurons ◽  
The United States ◽  
Nerve Agents ◽  
Chemical Warfare ◽  
Cholinesterase Inhibition ◽  
Kinetic Properties ◽  
Large Animal ◽  
Large Animal Models

Abstract Organophosphorus (OP) compounds, which include insecticides and chemical warfare nerve agents (CWNAs) such as sarin (GB) and VX, continue to be a global threat to both civilian and military populations. It is widely accepted that cholinesterase inhibition is the primary mechanism for acute OP toxicity. Disruption of cholinergic function through the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) leads to the accumulation of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Excess acetylcholine at the synapse results in an overstimulation of cholinergic neurons which manifests in the common signs and symptoms of OP intoxication (miosis, increased secretions, seizures, convulsions, and respiratory failure). The primary therapeutic strategy employed in the United States to treat OP intoxication includes reactivation of inhibited AChE with the oxime pralidoxime (2-PAM) along with the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist atropine and the benzodiazepine, diazepam. CWNAs are also known to inhibit butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) without any apparent toxic effects. Therefore, BChE may be viewed as a “bioscavenger” that stoichiometrically binds CWNAs and removes them from circulation. The degree of inhibition of AChE and BChE and the effectiveness of 2-PAM are known to vary among species. Animal models are imperative for evaluating the efficacy of CWNA medical countermeasures, and a thorough characterization of available animal models is important for translating results to humans. Thus, the objective of this study was to compare the circulating levels of each of the cholinesterases as well as multiple kinetic properties (inhibition, reactivation, and aging rates) of both AChE and BChE derived from humans to AChE and BChE derived from commonly used large animal models.

scholarly journals Novichoks: The Dangerous Fourth Generation of Chemical Weapons

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 1222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanos Franca ◽  
Daniel Kitagawa ◽  
Samir Cavalcante ◽  
Jorge da Silva ◽  
Eugenie Nepovimova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soviet Union ◽  
Former Soviet Union ◽  
Scientific Community ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Nerve Agents ◽  
Chemical Warfare ◽  
Fourth Generation ◽  
Chemical Weapons ◽  
Russian Government ◽  
Physical Chemical

“Novichoks” is the name given to the controversial chemical weapons supposedly developed in the former Soviet Union between the 1970s and the 1990s. Designed to be undetectable and untreatable, these chemicals became the most toxic of the nerve agents, being very attractive for both terrorist and chemical warfare purposes. However, very little information is available in the literature, and the Russian government did not acknowledge their development. The intent of this review is to provide the IJMS readers with a general overview on what is known about novichoks today. We briefly tell the story of the secret development of these agents, and discuss their synthesis, toxicity, physical-chemical properties, and possible ways of treatment and neutralization. In addition, we also wish to call the attention of the scientific community to the great risks still represented by nerve agents worldwide, and the need to keep constant investments in the development of antidotes and ways to protect against such deadly compounds.

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