Novichoks: The Dangerous Fourth Generation of Chemical Weapons.

"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.

Federal Funding for Health Security in FY2017.

This latest article in the Federal Funding for Health Security series assesses FY2017 US government funding in 5 domains critical to strengthening health security: biosecurity, radiological and nuclear security, chemical security, pandemic influenza and emerging infectious disease, and multiple-hazard and general preparedness.

Estabilidad de la hidroxocobalamina en agua para inyección como antídoto contra cianuros. Elaborado de Farmacia Militar / Stability of hydroxocobalamin in water for injection as cyanide antidote

Introducción: Los cianuros han sido utilizados como agentes de guerra química, y hoy se consideran una amenaza terrorista real. Son también la principal causa de muerte en la intoxicación por inhalación de humo de incendios en espacios cerrados. El éxito en el tratamiento de la intoxicación depende de la rapidez con la que se administren los antídotos, y con la que estos fijen el ión cianuro. La hidroxocobalamina parece ser un antídoto más apropiado que el nitrito sódico para el tratamiento empírico de la intoxicación por inhalación de humo y otras supuestas intoxicaciones por cianuros en el ámbito extra-hospitalario. Se ha estudiado la estabilidad de la hidroxocobalamina en agua para inyección a la dosis como antídoto contra cianuros y en cuatro tipos de envases diferentes. Material y Métodos: La solución inyectable se preparó por vía aséptica sin esterilización terminal, y según las especificaciones de la monografía oficial de la farmacopea de los Estados Unidos. Los cuatro tipos de envase primario utilizados fueron: ampollas de vidrio, bolsas y viales de polipropileno semirígido, y viales de plástico rígido fabricados en un copolímero olefínico complejo (COC). La determinación del contenido en hidroxocobalamina de las soluciones bajo estudio en función del tiempo, conservadas a 4º C, 25º C y 37º C, se llevó a cabo mediante cromatografía líquido-líquido de alta resolución y espectroscopia de absorción molecular. Se han utilizado otras técnicas analíticas complementarias para caracterizar la solución. Resultados: A 4º C el contenido en hidroxocobalamina de las muestras estudiadas permaneció invariable (media 99,81% ± 0,69%; p = 0,95; n = 7; t = 472 días). Resultados muy similares se obtuvieron para las muestras a 25º C (media 100,85% ± 1,79%; p = 0,95; n = 6; t = 353 días). A 37º C se produce una ligera disminución en el contenido en hidroxocobalamina de la solución envasada en ampollas (media = 92,87% ± 6,08%; p = 0,95; n = 4; t = 472 días). La solución envasada en bolsas de polipropileno sufrió un efecto de concentración por pérdida de agua a través del envase. En los dos tipos de viales estudiados el contenido en hidroxocobalamina de la solución se mantuvo en el rango de aceptación especificado en la farmacopea: 102,09% ± 0,47% a 4º C y 102,35% ± 0,60% a 37º C para los viales COC; 101,64% ± 2,16% a 4ºC y 101,19 ± 1,75% a 37º C, para los viales de polipropileno (p = 0,95). El autoclavado de la solución a 115ºC durante 30 minutos redujo el porcentaje de hidroxocobalamina a valores fuera del rango de conformidad (95-115%). Conclusiones: La solución inyectable de cloruro de hidroxocobalamina en agua para inyección a la concentración indicada como antídoto N.B.Q. contra cianuros, lista para administrar, es estable a temperaturas inferiores a 25º C, al menos durante un periodo de 15 meses. Por su inercia química y propiedades físicas, los viales de polipropileno constituyen el envase más adecuado para esta solución, que no puede ser autoclavada, y debe ser preparada por vía aséptica sin esterilización terminal (AU)

Background: Cyanide has been used as an agent for chemical warfare, and today it is also a credible terrorism threat agent. Cyanide poisoning is the first cause of death in victims of smoke inhalation from enclosed space fires. Successful treatment for acute cyanide poisoning depends upon rapid antidotes administration, and fixation of the cyanide ion by antidotes. Hydroxocobalamin seems to be a more appropriate antidote than sodium nitrite for empiric treatment of smoke inhalation and other suspected cyanide intoxication victims in the out-of-hospital setting. Stability of hydroxocobalamin in water for injection at cyanide antidote dose has been studied throughout the time and in four types of containers. Methods: The parenteral solution was prepared by aseptic procedures without terminal sterilization, and according to the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) specifications. Four types of primary containers were used: glass ampoules, semi-rigid polypropylene bags and vials, and rigid plastic vials made of COC. Hydroxocobalamin content and other parameters from the studied solutions, conserved at 4º C, 25º C and 37º C was carried out using molecular spectrometry, liquid-liquid chromatography and others assays. Results: A 4º C the hydroxocobalamin content in the studied samples was invariable (mean 99,81% ± 0,69%; p = 0,95; n = 7; t = 472 days). Very similar results were obtained for samples at 25º C (mean 100,85% ± 1,79%; p = 0,95; n = 6; t = 353 days). At 37º C there was an small decrease in the ampoules hydroxocobalamin content (mean = 92,87% ± 6,08%; p = 0,95; n = 4; t = 472 days). The solution in polypropylene bags suffered a concentration due to water permeation through the container. Both types of vials had hydroxocobalamin contents in the USP specifications (95-115%). Steam sterilization at 115º C for 30 minutes turned hydroxocobalamin content out of specifications. Conclusion: The parenteral solution of hydroxocobalamin in water for injection at the dose of NBC cyanide antidote, ready to use, is stable at temperature below 25ºC, at least for 15 months. Because of the chemical inertia and physical properties, the polypropylene vials are the more appropriated containers for this parenteral solution, which has to be prepared by aseptic procedures without terminal sterilization (AU)

[Sanitary and chemical protection during the Great Patriotic War].

During the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945) there was a real danger of use by German armies of the chemical weapon against staff of Red Army. However German command didn't risked to go on conducting large-scale chemical war against the USSR that rescued from painful death millions person. A principal cause of this decision was well organized and technically provided system of antigas protection in Red Army, including precisely organized actions of sanitary-chemical protection, qualitative preparation of military doctors on these questions and presence at them effective antidotes and other means of treatment of injuries by fighting poison gases.

Artificial noses.

The mammalian olfactory system is able to detect many more odorants than the number of receptors it has by utilizing cross-reactive odorant receptors that generate unique response patterns for each odorant. Mimicking the mammalian system, artificial noses combine cross-reactive sensor arrays with pattern recognition algorithms to create robust odor-discrimination systems. The first artificial nose reported in 1982 utilized a tin-oxide sensor array. Since then, however, a wide range of sensor technologies have been developed and commercialized. This review highlights the most commonly employed sensor types in artificial noses: electrical, gravimetric, and optical sensors. The applications of nose systems are also reviewed, covering areas such as food and beverage quality control, chemical warfare agent detection, and medical diagnostics. A brief discussion of future trends for the technology is also provided.

Antidotes and treatments for chemical warfare/terrorism agents: an evidence-based review.

This article reviews the evidence supporting the efficacy of antidotes used or recommended for the potential chemical warfare agents of most concern. Chemical warfare agents considered include cyanide, vesicants, pulmonary irritants such as chlorine and phosgene, and nerve agents. The strength of evidence for most antidotes is weak, highlighting the need for additional research in this area.

[New approaches to early diagnosis of chronic organophosphorus chemicals intoxication in workers at chemical weapons extermination objects].

Mass spectrum analysis revealed differences in general contents of low-molecular peptides spectrums in chemical weapons extermination object staffers, in comparison with the reference group. Findings are that serum paraoxonase activity in chemical weapons extermination object staffers in significantly increased.