La Defensa Pasiva y su división médica de emergencia / Passive Defense and its emergency medical division / Passive Defence e sua divisão médica de emergência

Durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial el gobierno de Uruguay intentó prepararse para una eventual defensa militar del territorio y la defensa de la población civil en caso de sufrir ataques aéreos. La Defensa Pasiva, fue la estructura gubernamental que junto a la voluntad en todas las clases sociales, funcionó en todo el territorio nacional con la finalidad de proteger a la población civil de los ataques aéreos y guerra química, generando un espíritu de solidaridad a través de su División Médica de Emergencia.

During the Second World War, the government of Uruguay tried to prepare for an eventual military defense of the territory and the defense of the civilian population in case of air raids. The Passive Defense was the governmental structure that, together with the will of every social class, operated throughout the national territory with the purpose of protecting the civilian population from air raids and chemical weapons, generating a spirit of solidarity through its Emergency Medical Division.

Durante a Segunda Guerra Mundial, o governo uruguaio tentou se preparar para uma eventual defesa militar do território e para a defesa da população civil em caso de ataques aéreos. A Defesa Passiva era a estrutura governamental que, juntamente com a vontade de todas as classes sociais, operava em todo o território nacional com o objetivo de proteger a população civil de ataques aéreos e da guerra química, gerando um espírito de solidariedade por meio de sua Divisão Médica de Emergência.

Paraclinical findings in Iranian veterans exposed to sulfur mustard gas: A literature review / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Sulfur mustard (SM) causes various systemic disturbances in human beings. This study aimed to assess paraclinical changes caused by exposure to SM gas in Iranian veterans during the war between Iraq and Iran.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A literature review was carried out in international and national medical databases including ISI, Medline, Scopus, Iranmedex and Irandoc. Both Farsi and English literature were searched.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Search of the literature yielded 422 medical articles related to SM poisoning. Among them, 30 relevant articles were thoroughly reviewed. The most important reported complications were leukopenia, neutropenia, lymphopenia, eosinophilia, thrombocytopenia, increased bleeding time, positive C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF), antinuclear antibody (ANA), decreased T helper cells, natural killer cells, IL6, and IL8 levels, elevation of serum immunoglobulins, decreased levels of T3, T4 and cortisol, increased level of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), proteinuria, hematuria, and elevated liver enzymes. Also, there were some changes in chest assessments.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>SM causes profound systemic complications in victims, even years after exposure. The paraclinical changes can be observed in hematology, immune system, biochemistry, hormonal profile and some imaging studies.</p>

Thirty years of research on toxicant metabolism and toxicokinetics in China / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

Toxicant metabolism and toxicokinetics are an integrated part of toxicology. They study the absorption,targeted distribution,metabolic detoxicification or bioactivation,excretion and elimination of toxic substances after the body′s exposure via different routes,and also evaluate the effects of various factors on the disposition of poisons. The results of the studies provide essential data on the relation?ships between exposure kinetics and toxicological effect and their mechanisms. They also help to find possible targets of intoxication or detoxicification pathways,which can lead to efficient countermea?sures. In this review,the author summarized the thirty years of progress and features of the research on toxicant metabolism and toxicokinetics in China.

Study of Clinical Profile of Organophosphate Compound Poisoning with Special Reference to Electrocardiographic Changes and Electrolyte Derangements

Now a day's compound poisoning is a problem and in that, Organo phosphorus compound (OPC) poisoning is a global problem and is most common medico-toxic emergency in India and is associated with high rate of mortality, if not diagnosed early and treated adequately. We studied clinical profile, electrocardio graphic changes and electrolyte derangements in patients with OPC poisoning. We studied randomly selected 100 patients of OPC poisoning admitted within 12h of consumption[1]. Clinical profile, electrocardiographic changes and serumelectrolytes derangements wereanalyzed on outcome basis. Analysis of electrocardiographic changes will be a useful parameter in assessing prognosis of organophosphate compound poisoning patients. ECG changes like QTc prolongation are potentially dangerous and indicate the necessity of continuous cardiac monitoring[2]. Serum electrolyte derangements are not helpful in assessing prognosis in organophosphorus compound poisoning patients.

Decontamination properties of nanoscale metal oxides against chemical warfare agents / 国际药学研究杂志

Objective To elevated the decontam ination properties of commercial nanoscale metal oxides against chemical warfare agents (CWA), and provide more foundation for the satisfactory materials of CWA decontamination. Methods Some nanocrystals of commercial metal oxides such an MgO, TiO2, ZnO and zinc nickel ferrite compound had been chosen to compare their decontamination properties. The nanocrystals were mixed with three representative compounds, sulfur mustard (HD), soman (GD) and S-(2-diisopropylaminoethyl) O-ethyl methylphosphonothioate (VX) at room temperature and natural light. The analogous experiments were conducted without addition of nanocrystals as negative control. After a fixed time, the samples were then analyzed by the methods of T-135, Schoeneman reaction and conversion method to determine the content of CWA. The decontamination properties of nanocrystals were compared with negative control. Results The chosen nanoscale metal oxides excepted nanoscale MgO had good decontamination properties against HD, and they all could decontaminate GD quickly. Nanoscale TiO2 had superior decontamination properties against GD and HD. At the room temperature and natural light, HD was completely decontaminated within 20 hours and GD was completely decontaminated within 4 hours by nanoscale TiO2. The nanocrystals of metal oxides didn′t decontaminate VX effectively. Compared to the activated clay group, nanoscale MgO had superior decontamination properties against VX over other nanocrystals (P<0.05), but the percentage of degradation was lower than 20% within 7 h. Conclusion The chosen nanoscale TiO2 has superior decontamination properties against GD and HD than others in natural condition, but it isn′t a promising agent for the decontamination of VX.

Convergence of chemistry and biology and its impact on CWC and BWC / 军事医学

Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) are the two important international conventions in the disarmament field ,aimed to eliminate chemical and biological weapons by prohibiting the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling and use of these weapons .Recently, research and development of sci-ence and technology continue to advance rapidly .A key feature is convergence of science disciplines .This has become a new force to speed up development of science and economy .In particular , the convergence of chemistry and biology , together with the rapid advances in life sciences , has been evident in its remarkable contribution to the developments of pharmaceutics, health care, green chemistry and environmental protection .On the other hand, the convergence of chemistry and biology also has significant implications for the implementation of CWC and BWC .In this article, we summarize the new trends in the convergence of chemistry and biology and its impact on the conventions .

Functional electrospinning nanofibers in protection clothing for biological and chemical warfare agents / 医疗卫生装备

The performances and characteristics of the functional electrospinning nanofibers were introduced in the field of protection against biological and chemical warfare agents, whose present situation, prospects and advantages were summarized. It's suggested that the functional nanofibers might contribute to increasing the protection ability of the textile against the biological and chemical agents. The difficulty and future trends of the functional nanofibers were analyzed also.

Decontamination properties of nanoscale metal oxides against chemical warfare agents / 国际药学研究杂志

Objective To elevated the decontamination properties of commercial nanoscale metal oxides against chemical warfare agents (CWA), and provide more foundation for the satisfactory materials of CWA decontamination. Methods Some nanocrystals of commercial metal oxides such an MgO, TiO2, ZnO and zinc nickel ferrite compound had been chosen to compare their decontamination properties. The nanocrystals were mixed with three representative compounds, sulfur mustard (HD), soman (GD) and SI 2-diisopropylaminoethyl) O-ethyl methylphosphonothioate (VX) at room temperature and natural light. The analogous experiments were conducted without addition of nanocrystals as negative control. After a fixed time, the samples were then analyzed by the methods of T-135, Schoeneman reaction and conversion method to determine the content of CWA. The decontamination properties of nanocrystals were compared with negative control. Results The chosen nanoscale metal oxides excepted nanoscale MgO had good decontamination properties against HD, and they all could decontaminate GD quickly. Nanoscale TiO2 had superior decontamination properties against GD and HD. At the room temperature and natural light, HD was completely decontaminated within 20 hours and GD was completely decontaminated within 4 hours by nanoscale TiO2. The nanocrystals of metal oxides didn't decontaminate VX effectively. Compared to the activated clay group, nanoscale MgO had superior decontamination properties against VX over other nanocrystals (P<0.05), but the percentage of degradation was lower than 20% within 7 h. Conclusion The chosen nanoscale TiO2 has superior decontamination properties against GD and HD than others in natural condition, but it isn't a promising agent for the decontamination of VX.

Factibilidad y pertinencia de una estrategia pedagógica para la preparación médica especial / Feasibility and pertinence of a pedagogical strategy for the special medical training

Fundamento: la preparación del profesional de la salud para enfrentar las consecuencias de las armas químicas y biológicas en humanos, es una misión de la universidad médica cubana. Objetivo: evaluar la factibilidad y pertinencia de una estrategia pedagógica de superación profesional médica para la enseñanza del diagnóstico y tratamiento de las consecuencias del empleo de las armas químicas y biológicas en humanos. Métodos: se realizó una investigación que culminó con la aplicación de un pre-experimento pedagógico en la sede universitaria Hospital Militar de Holguín, durante el curso 2010-2011. La muestra estuvo constituida por 20 especialistas en Medicina General Integral. Se utilizaron métodos teóricos: histórico-lógico, analítico-sintético y sistémico estructural y funcional; empíricos: la encuesta, criterio de especialistas por el método Delphi; del matemático: la estadística descriptiva con distribución de frecuencias absoluta y en porcientos y la prueba de signos. Resultados: se identificaron insuficiencias en los médicos para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de las consecuencias de las armas químicas y biológicas en humanos, por lo cual se diseñó y aplicó una estrategia pedagógica para la apropiación de los conocimientos y habilidades necesarios en estos casos. Conclusiones: la estrategia elaborada permitió resolver las dificultades para el desarrollo del proceso enseñanza aprendizaje de las enfermedades que resultan del empleo de las armas químicas y biológicas, y una mejor preparación en los médicos en cuanto al diagnóstico y tratamiento de ellas. Los especialistas consideran la estrategia de muy adecuada y bastante adecuada, lo que demuestra el grado de pertinencia y relevancia para su aplicación.

Background: the professional training in order to face the consequences in human beings of the chemical and biological weapons is a mission of the Cuban medical university. Objective: to devise a strategy for the teaching of the diagnosis and treatment of the effects in human beings of the chemical and biological weapons. Methods: a research project was done that culminated in the application of a pedagogical pre-experiment at the University Venue Military Hospital of Holguín during the 2010-2011 academic year. The sample was chosen through a non-probabilistic sampling, composed of 20 specialists in Integral General Medicine. Theoretical methods were used: historical-logical, analytical-synthetic, inductive-deductive, modeling and systemic, structural and functional; empirical: Delphi method and survey; mathematical: descriptive statistics with distribution of absolute frequency and in percentage. Results: insufficiencies were identified among the doctors for the diagnosis and treatment of the effects in human beings of chemical and biological weapons, being this reason why a pedagogical strategy was designed and applied for the acquisition of the knowledge and skills that are necessary in these cases. Conclusions: the designed strategy allows to solve the difficulties for the development of the learning-teaching process of the illnesses resulting from the use of chemical and biological weapons, as well as a better training in doctors regarding their diagnosis and treatment. The specialists assessed the strategy in general as very adequate, what shows the degree of relevance and pertinence for its application.

Comparison of Dietary Macro and Micro Nutrient Intake between Iranian Patients with Long-term Complications of Sulphur Mustard Poisoning and Healthy Subjects

Background: Patients with long-term complications of sulfur mustard (SM) poisoning are often less able to undertake optimum levels of physical activity and adequately control their dietary intake. The aim of present study was to investigate the dietary intake of patients with SM poisoning in comparison to a control group. Methods: The study was undertaken on 55 Iranian male veterans, who had > 25% disabilities due to long-term complications of SM poisoning and 55 men age-matched healthy subjects. A previously validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used for measuring dietary macro/micro nutrient intake for both groups; and the results were analysed using Dietplan6 software. Results: Analysis of macro/micro nutrients in dietary intakes of the patients versus the controls showed a significantly lower intake of several nutrients including selenium and carbohydrate. On the other hand, the dietary intake of trans-fatty acids and iodine were significantly higher in these patients. Conclusion: Long-term complications of SM poisoning in the Iranian veterans induce both chemical and physical disabilities. Macro/micro nutrient intake in these patients was significantly different in comparison with matched, healthy subjects. Dietary advice for these patients should be strongly recommended to these patients in order to prevent other chronic diseases.

Detection of Chemical Warfare Agents by Differential Mobility Spectrometry and Drift-time Ion Mobility Spectrometry Hybrid Technology / 分析化学

Using a novel hybrid technology combined differential ion mobility spectrometry ( DMS) with drift time ion mobility spectrometry DMS-IMS2 , we detected the typical chemical warfare agent simulants dimethyl methylphosphonate ( DMMP ) and methyl salicylate ( MS) . With carrier gas 800 mL/min and DMS RF voltage 1100 V, the chemical warfare agents DMMP and MS could be detected and characterized by DMS-IMS2 under DIMS mode. In addition, DMS-IMS2 is capable to monitor positive and negative ions of DMMP and MS simultaneously, and provides the two-dimensional separation parameters DMS compensation voltage ( CV) and IMS drift time ( Td ) , which provides more information for the identification of two chemical warfare agents. DMS-IMS2 has potential application in on-site detection and instrument miniaturization due to its advantages including small size, low power consumption and rapid response time.

Detection of Chemical Warfare Agent Simulants by UV Photoionization High-Field Asymmetric Ion Mobility Spectrometry / 分析化学

Accurate diffusion was used to get low concentrations samples, and then the samples were detected by UV photoionization high-field asymmetric ion Mobility spectrometry ( UV-FAIMS ) . The samples were chemical warfare agent simulants ( CWAS) vapor:dimethyl methylphosphonate ( DMMP ) , dimethyl sulfoxide ( DMSO) , tributyl phosphate ( TBP ) and dimethyl sulfoxide ( DMF) . The results of FAIMS spectra data were analyzed by separation of spectra at different dispersion voltage ( DV ) and compensation voltage ( CV ) . A two-dimensional spectrum of α2 and α4 of CWAS was established. It was shown that FAIMS could identify CWAS well and have a good sensitivity. Take DMMP as a example, the detection limit was better than 0. 55 μg/L.

Application of Two-dimensional 1H-31P Inverse NMR Pulse Sequence in Detection of Organophosphorus Chemical Warfare Agents and Related Compounds / 分析化学

Combined pulsed-field gradient, shaped pulses, and product operator calculations (algorithm), two-dimensional 1 H-31 P hetero-nuclear multiple quantum coherence ( HMQC) pulse sequence was established with the aid of C language. The result showed that coherent transfer path selection could be achieved by adjusting the ratio of two gradient strength ( g1 , g2 ) . The best ratio of g1 and g2 was -5:4 . The HMQC method based on the above sequence can be used for identifying the alkyl groups coupling with phosphorous nucleus. For the different alkyl groups, the sensitivity of this method decreased in the order methyl>isopropyl>ethyl>propyl. The limit of detection was about 10 mg/L. This method can be directly used for the screening and identification of phosphorus chemical warfare agents and related compounds.

Practice on medical support in dealing with abandoned chemical weapons by Japanese army in China / 解放军医学杂志

Japanese abandoned chemical weapons (JACWs) are a momentous and eventful historical issue for both China and Japan. Large quantities of chemical weapons abandoned by the Japanese invaders still remain on Chinese soil after 1945 when Japanese invaders were defeated and surrendered. Up to date, JACWs have been found in 19 provinces (cities or districts) of mainland China. The types of JACWs include chemical bombs, chemical aerial bombs, gas cylinders and loose packed barrels. The types of toxic agents include mustard gas, irritant agents, choking agents, systemic poisoning agents and etc. In order to eliminate JACWs to reduce injuries produced by toxic agents, Chinese government, in cooperation with Japanese government, organized a special troop to search, excavate, retrieve, and destroy JACWs. Up to date, about 50,000 pieces of poisonous chemical had retrieved and destroyed. The first operation was officially begun in Nanjing in October 2010. The main points of medical support on the operation of destroying JACWs include proper treatment of the newly discovered patients caused by JACWs, preparedness for handling the emergency medical rescue, and to actively p rovide routine medical support for JACWs operation field.

Status of dental health in chemical warfare victims: The case of Isfahan, Iran.

Background: Little evidence is available regarding the dental health of victims of chemical warfare in Iran. Therefore, in this study, we examined the decayed, missing, and filled teeth index (DMFT), community periodontal index of treatment needs (CPITN), and saliva secretion rate of chemical warfare victims living in the province of Isfahan in Iran. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was conducted with 300 chemical warfare victims as the treatment group and 300 age-matched individuals without exposure to chemical warfare as the control group. DMFT and CPITN indices and saliva secretion rate were measured and compared between the two groups. Results: Chemical warfare victims had significantly higher scores than the control group for decayed teeth (4.25±3.88 vs 3.52±2.81; P=0.009), missing teeth (8.79±9.3 vs 6.15±8.43; P<0.001), total DMFT index (17.00±6.72 vs 13.20±6.89; P<0.001), and CPTIN (2.81±0.81 vs 1.71±1.04; P<0.001). However, no significant difference was observed between the two groups in filled teeth (4.00±4.2 vs 3.59±2.48; P=0.148). The level of saliva secretion in warfare victims was significantly lower than that in the control group (1.71±0.05 vs 3.85±1.95 cc/5 min; P<0.001). Conclusion: Chemical warfare victims have relatively poor dental/oral health. Chemical injury might cause a dysfunction in saliva secretion, with decrease in saliva secretion increasing the risk for tooth decay and periodontal disorders. Further research is required to find out the exact underlying mechanisms and the factors associated with poor dental/oral health in chemical warfare victims.

A convenient first aid kit for chemical and biological agents and for radiation exposure.

The chemical and biological warfare agents are extremely toxic in nature. They act rapidly even in very small quantities and death may occur in minutes. Hence, physical and medical protection must be provided immediately to save life or avoid serious injury. A first aid kit has thus been developed for providing immediate relief from chemical and biological warfare agents (FAKCBW) with the objective of easy detection, personal decontamination, antidote for chemical warfare agents (like nerve agents, sulphur mustard, phosgene, cyanide, radiation exposure and bacterial agents), along with basic medication aid for pain, fever and inflammation. The kit box also includes a user friendly handbook with a simple standard operating procedure. In addition, the kit is rugged to withstand normal jerks, vibration and is water-proof.

Clasificación del herido por quemaduras en condiciones normales y situaciones de contingencia

Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica de las clasificaciones de pronóstico de vida del herido por quemadura en condiciones normales y situaciones de contingencia. Se analizó de forma particular la clasificación cubana de pronóstico que tiene un aval de más de 25 años de aplicación en el Servicio de Caumatología del Instituto Superior de Medicina Militar "Dr. Luis Díaz Soto" y se tuvo en cuenta el criterio de experto, con la fundamentación referida se propuso 2 clasificaciones, una para situaciones de contingencia en 3 tipos de pacientes quemados: leves, moderados y graves, así como las prioridades para la evacuación. Para tiempo de paz la clasificación se establece en 2 grupos: grupo 1- herido por quemadura hasta el 4 % y grupo 2- herido por quemadura de más de 4 %. Estas clasificaciones que se basan en la extensión, permiten un flujo más adecuado para la atención del paciente según los niveles de prioridad.

A bibliographic review of the classifications of the prognoses of life of the wounded as a result of burns under normal conditions and contingencies is made. The way used in Cuba to classify the prognosis, which has been applied at the Burns Service of "Dr. Luis Díaz Soto" Higher Institute of Military Medicine for more than 25 years, was particularly analyzed and the critreria of experts were taken into account to propose 2 classifications, one for contingencies into 3 types of burned patients: mild, moderate and severe, including the priorities for evacuation, and the other to be used in times of peace with 2 groups of patients: group 1) the wounded by burns affecting up to 4 % of the body surface, and group 2) the wounded by burns affecting more than 4 % of the body surface. These classifications that are based on the burn size allow a more adequate flow to give attention to the patient according to the levels of priority.