Cellular responses following ex vivo lung exposure to the nerve agent VX - Potential for additional treatment targets?

Following inhalation exposure to organophosphorus nerve agents, symptoms rapidly develop and severe respiratory symptoms, such as bronchorrhea and bronchoconstriction are the leading causes of lethality. Nerve agent-induced lung injury is little investigated and the standard treatment for symptomatic relief targets the enzyme acetylcholinesterase and muscarinic acetylcholine and GABAergic receptors. In the present study, cellular responses in lung tissue during the acute (40 min) and extended phase (24 h) following severe exposure to the nerve agent VX have been investigated using an ex vivo rat precision-cut lung slice model including electrostimulation to induce a cholinergic response.

Immediate dry decontamination using efficient absorbent materials is beneficial following skin exposure to low-volatile toxic chemicals.

In a chemical mass casualty incident requiring skin decontamination, dry removal using absorbent materials may be beneficial to enable immediate decontamination. The efficacy of absorbent materials has therefore been evaluated, alone or procedures including both dry and wet decontamination, following skin exposure to two low volatile toxic chemicals using an in vitro human skin penetration model. Additionally, removal using active carbon wipes was evaluated with or without the Dahlgren Decon solution.

Environmental attitude and affective-motivational beliefs towards sustainability of secondary school children in Germany and their associations with gender, age, school type, socio-economic status and time spent in nature.

There are warnings that human actions will lead to irreversible environmental damage if they continue at their current pace and scale. With regard to individual aspects, a pro-environmental attitude and positive affective-motivational beliefs towards sustainability represent fundamentals for a more sustainable future. However, there is little data regarding these constructs and relevant explanatory factors, especially with regard to young people.

Degradation of temporal contrast from post-pedestal interference with a chirped pulse in an optical parametric amplifier.

Pre-pedestal generation is observed in a 0.35-PW laser front end coming from a post-pedestal via instantaneous gain and pump depletion in an optical parametric amplifier during chirped-pulse amplification. Generalized simulations show how this effect arises from gain nonlinearity and applies to all optical parametric chirped-pulse-amplification systems with a post-pedestal.

Novel strains of Culex flavivirus and Hubei chryso-like virus 1 from the Anopheles mosquito in western Kenya.

Surveillance of mosquito vectors is critical for early detection, prevention and control of vector borne diseases. In this study we used advanced molecular tools, such as DNA barcoding in combination with novel sequencing technologies to discover new and already known viruses in genetically identified mosquito species. Mosquitoes were captured using BG sentinel traps in Western Kenya during May and July 2019, and homogenized individually before pooled into groups of ten mosquitoes.

Pharmacological prophylaxis with pyridostigmine bromide against nerve agents adversely impact on airway function in an rat precision-cut lung slice model.

The carbamate pyridostigmine bromide (PB) is the only fielded pharmacological prophylaxis for military use against nerve agents. Previous studies have shown differences in the PB-pretreatment efficacy for various nerve agents and in the influence of post-exposure treatment with common antidotes. In the present study, the aim was to evaluate the possibility of using an rat precision-cut lung slice model to determine the impact of PB pretreatment on VX-induced bronchoconstriction.

Final amplifier of an ultra-intense all-OPCPA system with 13-J output signal energy and 41% pump-to-signal conversion efficiency.

Optical parametric chirped-pulse amplification (OPCPA) using high-energy Nd:glass lasers has the potential to produce ultra-intense pulses (>10 W/cm). We report on the performance of the final high-efficiency amplifier in an OPCPA system based on large-aperture (63 × 63-mm) partially deuterated potassium dihydrogen phosphate (DKDP) crystals. The seed beam (180-nm bandwidth, 110 mJ) was provided by the preceding OPCPA stages.

Achieving 100 GW idler pulses from an existing petawatt optical parametric chirped pulse amplifier.

Optical parametric chirped-pulse-amplification produces two broadband pulses, a signal and an idler, that can both provide peak powers >100 GW. In most cases the signal is used, but compressing the longer-wavelength idler opens up opportunities for experiments where the driving laser wavelength is a key parameter. This paper will describe several subsystems that were added to a petawatt class, Multi-Terawatt optical parametric amplifier line (MTW-OPAL) at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics to address two long-standing issues introduced by the use of the idler, angular dispersion, and spectral phase reversal.

The current status of environmental forensic science in the member institutes of the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI).

The paper presents the results of a questionnaire survey carried out by The Forensic laboratory of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI-FL), aiming to get an overview of the current status of environmental forensic science (EFS) and environmental crimes investigation in the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI). A questionnaire was sent out to 71 ENFSI member institutes and the response rate was 44%. The results of the survey indicate that the issue of environmental crime is taken seriously in most participating countries, but a need for improvement in the approach to the issue was identified.

Comparison of skin decontamination strategies in the initial operational response following chemical exposures.

In mass casualty incidents including hazardous chemical skin exposure, decontamination is the primary intervention to avoid systemic uptake of the toxic compound. The protocol needs to be both simple and efficient to enable a rapid response and avoid delay of patient management. In the present study, decontamination strategies included in the initial operational response were evaluated following human skin exposure in vitro to four different contaminants.

Evidence of orthohantavirus and leptospira infections in small mammals in an endemic area of Gampaha district in Sri Lanka.

Background: Orthohantaviruses and leptospira are emerging zoonotic pathogens of high public health significance. The epidemiology of orthohantavirus infections and leptospirosis is similar and presents related clinical pictures in humans. However, a paucity of data on actual reservoir hosts for orthohantaviruses and leptospira exists.

Design and characterization of "flow-cell" integrated-flow active cooling for high-average-power ceramic optics.

We used COMSOL Multiphysics to design a prototype actively cooled "flow-cell" substrate targeted at high-average-power applications, fabricated the prototype from cordierite ceramic, and tested the substrate under load in our thermal loading test stand. Sub-aperture testing revealed average-power handling up to 3.88-W/cm absorbed power density, in excellent agreement with model predictions.

Supplemental treatment to atropine improves the efficacy to reverse nerve agent induced bronchoconstriction.

Exposure to highly toxic organophosphorus compounds causes inhibition of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase resulting in a cholinergic toxidrome and innervation of receptors in the neuromuscular junction may cause life-threatening respiratory effects. The involvement of several receptor systems was therefore examined for their impact on bronchoconstriction using an ex vivo rat precision-cut lung slice (PCLS) model. The ability to recover airways with therapeutics following nerve agent exposure was determined by quantitative analyses of muscle contraction.

Changes in dementia diagnoses in Sweden during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused large disruptions to healthcare systems. Refocus on COVID-19 related care might have contributed to indirect effects on other healthcare areas. Care focused on acute conditions have been negatively affected although research into the effects on chronic and care intensive patient groups such as patients with dementia diseases is lacking.

Effect of the pump beam profile and wavefront on the amplified signal wavefront in optical parametric amplifiers.

We present a theoretical and experimental analysis of the signal phase introduced by the pump-beam wavefront and spatial profile during optical parametric amplification (OPA) process. The theory predicts the appearance of an additional wavefront in the amplified signal beam that is proportional to the spatial derivative of the pump-beam wavefront. The effect of the pump-beam profile on the signal-beam wavefront is also investigated.

The Sydney declaration - Revisiting the essence of forensic science through its fundamental principles.

Unlike other more established disciplines, a shared understanding and broad acceptance of the essence of forensic science, its purpose, and fundamental principles are still missing or mis-represented. This foundation has been overlooked, although recognised by many forensic science forefathers and seen as critical to this discipline's advancement. The Sydney Declaration attempts to revisit the essence of forensic science through its foundational basis, beyond organisations, technicalities or protocols.

Do cold weather temperatures affect the efficacy of skin decontamination?

Skin decontamination in cold weather temperatures might be challenging due to the aggravating circumstances. However, no information is available on the efficacy of commonly used procedures in winter conditions. Therefore, the efficacy of the reactive skin decontamination lotion (RSDL) and soapy water decontamination following skin exposure to the nerve agent VX was evaluated at three ambient air temperatures (-5°C, -15°C and room temperature).

Emerging Mosquito-Borne Viruses Linked to and : Global Status and Preventive Strategies.

Emerging mosquito-borne viruses continue to cause serious health problems and economic burden among billions of people living in and near the tropical belt of the world. The highly invasive mosquito species and have successively invaded and expanded their presence as key vectors of Chikungunya virus, dengue virus, yellow fever virus, and Zika virus, and that has consecutively led to frequent outbreaks of the corresponding viral diseases. Of note, these two mosquito species have gradually adapted to the changing weather and environmental conditions leading to a shift in the epidemiology of the viral diseases, and facilitated their establishment in new ecozones inhabited by immunologically naive human populations.

Efficacy of atropine and scopolamine on airway contractions following exposure to the nerve agent VX.

Nerve agents are highly toxic organophosphorus compounds that inhibit acetylcholinesterase resulting in rapid accumulation of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) causing a cholinergic syndrome including respiratory failure. In the present study, respiratory responses and antimuscarinic treatment efficacy was evaluated ex vivo using rat precision-cut lung slices (PCLS) exposed to the nerve agent VX. The respiratory effects were evaluated either by adding exogenous ACh directly to the culture medium or by applying electric-field stimulation (EFS) to the PCLS to achieve a release of endogenous ACh from neurons in the lung tissue.

Efficient agent degradation within skin is important for decontamination of percutaneously exposed VX.

Aim Of The Study: Following percutaneous exposure to the nerve agent VX, the remaining intact agent within the skin after decontamination is of great concern. Consequently, this leads to prolonged agent release to the blood circulation resulting in sustained intoxication, which may complicate the medical management. The decontamination procedure used should therefore possess the ability for agent removal both on and within the skin.

Seewis hantavirus in common shrew (Sorex araneus) in Sweden.

Background: Rodent borne hantaviruses are emerging viruses infecting humans through inhalation. They cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and hemorrhagic cardiopulmonary syndrome. Recently, hantaviruses have been detected in other small mammals such as Soricomorpha (shrews, moles) and Chiroptera (bats), suggested as reservoirs for potential pandemic viruses and to play a role in the evolution of hantaviruses.

In vitro human skin decontamination efficacy of MOF-808 in decontamination lotion following exposure to the nerve agent VX.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have shown promising properties for removal of chemical warfare agents, in particular for material decontamination and functionalized fabrics. The MOF-properties could also be beneficial for skin decontamination, especially when exposed to highly toxic and low volatile nerve agents. In such exposures, efficient decontamination is crucial for adequate medical management.

Airway regulatory T cells are decreased in COPD with a rapid decline in lung function.

Background: Differences in the expression of regulatory T cells (Tregs) have been suggested to explain why some smokers develop COPD and some do not. Upregulation of Tregs in response to smoking would restrain airway inflammation and thus the development of COPD; while the absense of such upregulation would over time lead to chronic inflammation and COPD. We hypothesized that-among COPD patients-the same mechanism would affect rate of decline in lung function; specifically, that a decreased expression of Tregs would be associated with a more rapid decline in FEV.

Skin penetration and decontamination efficacy following human skin exposure to fentanyl.

Unintentional exposure to potent synthetic opioids during law enforcement seizures and rescue operations can potentially result in incapacitating effects or life-threatening respiratory depression. The hazard comes mainly from inhalation exposure, however, the skin contact risk should be considered. In the present study, the skin penetration of fentanyl and the efficacy of different decontamination protocols were evaluated by applying two forms of fentanyl on dermatomed human skin mounted in a diffusion cell.

Improved skin decontamination efficacy for the nerve agent VX.

Early initiated decontamination is demonstrated to be crucial to avoid systemic effects of highly toxic and low volatile agents exposed on the skin. Skin decontamination can be performed by simple procedures, such as washing with soap and water, or by using advanced decontamination products containing absorption and agent degradation properties. Reactive Skin Decontamination Lotion (RSDL) has demonstrated high efficacy to remove nerve agents from the skin.