Tabun (O-ethyl-N,N-dimethyl phosphoramidocyanidate) belongs to highly toxic organophosphorus compounds misused as chemical warfare agents for military as well as terroristic purposes. It differs from other highly toxic organophosphates by its chemical structure and by the fact that tabun-inhibited acetylcholinesterase is extraordinarily difficult to reactivate. The potency of trimedoxime and ot...

We investigated interactions of bispyridinium para-aldoximes N,N'-(propano)bis(4-hydroxyiminomethyl) pyridinium bromide (TMB-4), N,N'-(ethano)bis(4-hydroxyiminomethyl)pyridinium methanosulphonate (DMB-4), and N,N'-(methano)bis(4-hydroxyiminomethyl)pyridinium chloride (MMB-4) with human erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase phosphorylated by tabun. We analysed aldoxime conformations to determine the ...

Elevated exposures to polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants have been linked to developmental neurotoxicity in children and endocrine disruption in adults. A growing body of evidence shows that children’s bodies have higher levels of PBDEs than adults’, possibly because of greater hand-to-mouth activity. One of the largest studies to date of PBDE uptake in children provides impo...

Objective: Organophosphorus compounds (OPs) are common causes of poisonings. Atropine and oximes are pharmacological antidotes of OPs. However, because of their adverse effects and insufficient performance, several other compounds have been evaluated as adjuvant therapy. HESA-A is a herbal-marine drug that contains material from Carum carvi (Persian cumin), Penaeus latisculatus...

A sensitive dip-and-read test strip for the determination of mercury in aqueous samples based on the inhibition of urease reaction by the ion has been developed. The strip has a circular sensing zone that containing two layers: the top layer is a cellulose acetate membrane where urease is immobilized on it; the bottom layer is a pH indicator wafer that is impregnated with urea. The principle of...

A 32-year-old male with acute organophosphate poisoning developed hyperglycaemia, glycosuria and ketonuria soon after admission to hospital. Serum amylase estimations suggested a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. He required insulin therapy to control his hyperglycaemia and the organophosphate poisoning was successfully managed by artificial ventilation, an infusion of pralidoxime and intermitte...