Chemical warfare nerve agents (CWNAs) are extremely toxic organophosphorus compounds that contain a chiral phosphorus center. Undirected synthesis of G-type CWNAs produces stereoisomers of tabun, sarin, soman, and cyclosarin (GA, GB, GD, and GF, respectively). Analytical-scale methods were developed using a supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) system in tandem with a mass spectrometer for t...

Human serum butyrylcholinesterase (Hu BChE) is a promising therapeutic against the toxicity of chemical warfare nerve agents. We have showed previously that recombinant (r) Hu BChE can be expressed at very high levels, 400 to 600 U/ml in mouse blood, by delivering the Hu BChE gene using adenovirus (Ad). Here, we report the biochemical properties of the Ad-expressed full-length and truncated rHu...

The formation of tren-based tris-urea supramolecular gels in organic solvents is perturbed by the presence of the nerve agent soman providing a new method of sensing the presence of organophosphorus warfare agents.

Dangerous organophosphorus (OP) compounds have been used as insecticides in agriculture and in chemical warfare. Because exposure to OP could create a danger for humans in the future, butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) has been developed for prophylaxis to these chemicals. Because it is impractical to obtain sufficient quantities of plasma BChE to treat humans exposed to OP agents, the production of ...

The need for effective methods for the detection and measurement of chemical warfare agents (CWA) has increased in recent years. Current stockpiles need to be monitored to ensure their safe containment. The remediation of sites containing abandoned CWAs requires analysis in support of safe removal and destruction of agents. More recently, counterterrorism efforts have underscored the need for m...

Organophosphates (OPs) and carbamates have a wide variety of applications, most commonly as pesticides used to eradicate agricultural pests or control populations of disease-carrying vectors. Some OP and carbamates have therapeutic indications such as physostigmine. Certain organophosphorus compounds, known as nerve agents, have been employed in chemical warfare and terrorism incidents. Both cl...

Chemical warfare agents were demolished by US soldiers at Khamisiyah, Iraq, in March 1991. The authors investigated postwar morbidity for Gulf War veterans, contrasting those who may have been exposed to low gaseous levels of nerve agents and those unlikely to have been exposed. Cox regression modeling was performed for hospitalizations from all causes and hospitalizations from diagnoses within...

OBJECTIVE To determine whether the health of Porton Down volunteers (PDV) has suffered as a result of their participation in medical trials, during which they were exposed to single low dose concentrations of chemical warfare agents. METHODS Data were obtained from a self-selected series of ex-Porton Down volunteers who attended the MOD's Porton Down Volunteers' Medical Assessment Programme (...

One of the Army’s primary research aims is to improve the survivability of soldiers in combat zones. One area of concern is the possibility of attack by chemical warfare agents. Current protective gear, while providing excellent protection, is heavy, bulky, and reduces the combat effectiveness of the wearer. Ideally, the next generation of protective gear will be no more cumbersome than the sta...