Measuring Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha and Interleukin-1 Beta Levels in Mustard Gas Exposed Patients

Sulfur mustard (SM) is an alkalizing chemical which has been used mostly as a weapon all over the world. Sulfur mustard can cause damages to many organs, especially the skin, respiratory system and the eyes. Generally, many complications of mustard gas result from its alkalizing potency and reaction with cellular components like DNA, RNA, proteins and lipid membranes. The damages caused by SM will lead to many complications which persist during the lifespan of exposed subjects. Pro-inflammatory cytokines including especially TNF-α and IL-1β can cause systemic inflammatory reactions and vast changes like altered cell signaling, migration, cytokine production changes and fever. This study was designed to analyze cytokine levels in mustard-gas-exposed people’s serum in the war between Iraq and Iran, who had the chronic dry-eye symptoms compared to the normal group, 30 years after exposure. In this study, 25 veterans who were exposed to mustard gas were compared to 25 healthy people as control group. The veterans with concurrent involvement of eye, lung, and skin were selected. We used ELISA method to assess the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in serum of people in both groups. All the results analyzed with T-test in SPSS 17 statistical software. The mean levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in serum of chemical exposed veterans were 52.3 ± 1.4 pg/ml and 3.43 ± 0.3 pg/ml while in the control group were 19.5±1.3 pg/ml and 2.25 ± 0.2 pg/ml, respectively. In the control group, the serum pro-inflammatory cytokine levels were significantly lower than the exposed group (P < 0.05). This study showed that there is a meaningful difference between TNF-α and IL-1β serum levels in the SM exposed group compared to the control group. There are some differences between the present study and others. However, studies on local inflammatory changes in these patients are also limited and need more reviews.

Evaluation of IL-6 and IL-8 in Tear Fluid of Sulfur Mustard Gas-Exposed Patients with Eye Lesions

The purpose of this study is to compare the levels of IL-6, 8 in tear fluids of people exposed to mustard gas in the war between Iraq and Iran who had the chronic dry-eye symptoms compared to the normal group. In this study, 25 of the patients who were exposed to mustard gas and had chronic dry eye symptoms were compared to 25 patients as control group, consisting of 25 people who had common chronic dry eye symptoms with blepharitis and 25 healthy people as normal group. The levels of IL-6 and IL-8 in tear fluid of people of these three groups were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results for levels of IL-6 (P = 0.002) and IL-8 (P = 0.001) in tear fluid of patients in comparison with normal group show a significant increase. The differences were considered statistically significant at P < 0.05. The effect of exposure to mustard gas on eyes of chemical-injured veterans destroyed meibomian glands which paved the way for evaporative type of dry-eye. As a result, the cited ILs in the tear fluid of these patients increased and resulted in later eye-impairments.

Mustard Gas Massacres and Atrocities Committed by Italy in 1939 Against the Inhabitant of Menz, Merhabete, and Jamma in Amesegna Washa/Zeret Cave

Following the 1934 Wal Wal incident which was used as a pretext for the second Italo-Ethiopian war, Italy had used prohibited chemical weapons in different battles. Among the chemical warfare agents Italy had used mustard gas, the most deadly poison gas and chemical available, against Ethiopian fighters. Nevertheless, the five year Italian rule over Ethiopia was not a peaceful experience of colonial rule. They were continuously harassed by Ethiopian patriots and had to live entrenched in their isolated fortifications. Sadly, Italy had committed several crimes against humanity. In this case, Ametsegna Washa, some call it “the cave of Zeret” was one of the forgotten massacres which happened in 1939, where up to more than 5,500 Ethiopians were gassed and machine-gunned. This paper, therefore, attempted to describe and analyze the forgotten massacres of the inhabitant of Menz, Merhabete, and South Wollo provinces in Ametsegna Washa (The cave of Zeret) by Fascist Italy in 1939. In doing so, the study employed qualitative research in which empirical data were collected from primary and secondary data. Primary data were gathered through qualitative field research observation, key informant interview with direct victims and their descendants, elders and experts at Menz keya gebreal woreda tourism office. Secondary data were gathered from books, published and unpublished journals, and historical records of the patriot. In view of that, the study employed qualitative method of data analysis in particular descriptive narration. The findings of the study shows that through the approval of Badoglio to use chemical weapons, the fascist soldiers had thrown several barrel with a mustard gas through the mouth of the cave then they attacked the mouth of the cave with artillery and machine-gun fire, and as a result more than 5,500 peoples have lost their live while those escaped from the massacre had faced a number of problems. The survival of the catastrophic massacre had faced physical injury which includes blindness, skin related problem, respiratory problem and as a result they had lived their remaining age with misery. This study, therefore, calls for the need of further investigation in the area. Along this, the place is not well-protected and, therefore, the government as well as the other concerning bodies should give serious attention in preserving and memorizing the historical cave.

Sulphur Mustard Induced Oxidative Stress and Its Prevention by Sodium 2, 3-Dimercapto Propane Sulphonic Acid (DMPS) in Mice

Sulphur mustard [bis(2 chloro ethyl) sulfide] (SM), a bifunctional alkylating agent has been frequently used as a chemical warfare agent. In the present study, the effects of sodium 2 3 dimercaptopropane sulphonic acid (DMPS) on some biochemical and histological parameters in mice, exposed to 1/4LC 50 concentration of SM vapor (10.5 mg/m\+3) were examined over a period of seven days. Exposure of SM resulted in a significant loss of blood, hepatic and pulmonary glutathione (GSH) and an elevation of hepatic and pulmonary oxidized glutathione (GSSG). These biochemical changes were accompanied by a number of histopathological alterations. The most prominent was congestion and degeneration in viscera and obliteration of chromatin material. These biochemical and histopathological changes were less marked in animals pre administered with DMPS followed by DMPS exposure indicating some protective value of the thiol (DMPS) against SM induced oxidative injury in mice.

Comparison of performance of Ni-Mo/γ-alumina catalyst in HDS and HDN reactions of main distillate fractions

A bimetallic nickel-molybdenum catalyst supported on γ-alumina was synthesized by the two-step incipient wetness impregnation technique.The activity of the prepared Ni-Mo/γ-alumina catalyst was evaluated in a down flow fixed-bed microreactor.In this way,hydrodesulfurization(HDS)and hydrodenitrogenation(HDN)reactions of the main distillate fractions of crude oil were assessed.XRD,SEM,TPR,ICP-OES,BET-BJH and nitrogen adsorption/desorption methods were used for characterizing the synthesized Ni-Mo/γ-alumina catalyst.The active metals with Ni/Mo mass ratio of 0.23 and total metal of 13.7 wt% were loaded on the support,similar to the commercial industrial catalyst.The performance tests were conducted at 3.0 MPa(for light naphtha and heavy naphtha)and at 4.5 MPa(for kerosene and gas oil).The results revealed that the total sulfur conversion of the light naphtha,heavy naphtha,kerosene and gas oil fractions was 98.3%,95%,91.7% and 90.1%(after 24 h),respectively.

Histomorphological and Histochemical Alterations Following Short-term Inhalation Exposure to Sulfur Mustard on Visceral Organs of Mice

Toxic effects of inhaled sulfur mustard (SM) on the histology of visceral organs was investigaed by exposing mice to 84. 6mg/m3 for 1h duration, using controlled single exposure conditions. A progressive fall in body weight from third day onwards was noticed. Light microscopic examination of the pulmonary tissue of these animals at 6 h post exposure revealed that the tracheobronchial epithelium remained intact, but was infiltrated by inflammatory cells. By 24 h post exposure, the mucosecretory cells were destroyed. The indanunatory reaction was maximum at 48 h. By 7th day post exposure there was swelling and vacuolation of lung parenchymal cells and thrombi formation. In addition SM caused congestion and hemorrhage at alveolar level. SM also caused granulovacuolar degeneration with perinuclear clumping of the cytopasm of hepatocytes and renal parenchymal cells. Renallesions were chazacterized by congestion and hemorrhage. Among visceral tissues, maximum atrophywas observed in spleen. Distribution of lesions increased with post exposure period. The maximum lesions were observed at 7th day post-exposure.

气相色谱-三重四极杆串联质谱检测尿样中芥子气代谢产物硫二甘醇亚砜

目的基于对糜烂性毒剂芥子气(HD)中毒后尿液样本的溯源性分析需求,建立芥子气染毒尿样的样品前处理方法,以及气相色谱-三重四极杆串联质谱检测硫二甘醇亚砜(TDGO)的高灵敏度和专属性检测方法。方法依次采用盐酸酸化、阳离子交换固相萃取、七氟丁酰咪唑(HFBI)衍生方法处理尿样,气质联用分析采用DB-17MS弹性石英毛细管柱(30m×0.25mm×0.25μm),柱温程序为50℃(2 min),20℃/min,280℃(5min),采用选择反应监测(SRM)模式扫描,以离子对m/z 531→241、m/z 317→241进行定性检验。结果经过对前处理方法和分析条件的优化,TDG0检测限(LOD)低于1.0 ng/mL。结论本方法灵敏、高效,解决了目前芥子气染毒检材中痕量硫二甘醇亚砜难以检验的技术难题,应用于禁止化学武器组织(OPCW)举办的首次生物医学考试中,成功对未知尿样中硫二甘醇亚砜进行了检验。

SAW聚环氧氯丙烷传感器检测芥子气的研究

研究了以聚环氧氯丙烷为敏感膜的 SAW 双通道延迟线传感器对芥子气检测的实用性。实验结果表明气体浓度和膜厚之间存在一定的函数关系,并初步讨论了聚环氧氯丙烷敏感膜和芥子气之间的相互作用过程。

基于UHPLC-MS/MS分析痕量芥子气染毒血样中血红蛋白加合物

芥子气可以与血红蛋白的组氨酸侧链发生反应,生成芥子气暴露染毒的生物标志物。本研究建立了定性、定量检测痕量芥子气暴露染毒人血红蛋白加合物的方法。采用2-氯乙基乙基硫醚(2-CEES)染毒的血红蛋白溶液作为内标,用链霉蛋白酶对芥子气-珠蛋白加合物进行酶解,经PPL柱固相萃取纯化以及苄氧羰基氯(Cbz-Cl)衍生,使用超高效液相色谱-串联质谱(UHPLC-MS/MS)进行分析检测。经过优化实验条件,最终选择链霉蛋白酶的酶解温度55℃,酶解时间10.0 h,使用3.0 mL 5%甲醇水溶液淋洗,1.0 mL 50%甲醇水溶液洗脱,Cbz-Cl衍生时间30 min。结果表明,在10.0~1 000μg/L线性范围内,线性关系良好(R^2>0.997),准确度为89.8%~113%,精密度(RSD)不高于12.4%,检出限(LOD)为10.0μg/L(S/N>5)。该方法采用2对离子对进行确证,有助于痕量芥子气暴露染毒的溯源性分析,与传统酸解法相比,该方法样品处理时间短,反应条件温和、操作简单,且灵敏度可提高约150倍。

Long-term effects of mustard gas on respiratory system of Iranian veterans after Iraq-lran war： a review

To review long-term respiratory effects of mustard gas on Iranian veterans having undergone Iraq- Iran war. Electronic databases of Scopus, Medline, ISI, IranMedex, and Irandoc sites were searched. We accepted articles published in scientific journals as a quality criterion. The main pathogenic factors are free radical mediators. Preva- lence of pulmonary involvement is approximately 42.5%. The most common complaints are cough and dyspnea. Major respiratory complications are chronic obstructive pulmo- nary disease, bronchiectasis, and asthma. Spirometry re- sults can reveal restrictive and obstructive pulmonary disease. Plain chest X-ray does not help in about 50% of lung diseases. High-resolution CT of the lung is the best modality for diagnostic assessment of parenchymal lung and bronchi. There is no definite curative treatment for mus- tard lung. The effective treatment regimens consist of oxy-gen administration, use of vaporized moist air, respiratory physiotherapy, administration of mucolytic agents, bronchodilators, corticosteroids, and long-acting beta-2 agonists, antioxidants, surfactant, magnesium ions, thera- peutic bronchoscopy, laser therapy, placement of respira- tory stents, early tracheostomy in laryngospasm, and ulti- mately lung transplantation. High-resolution CT of the lung is the most accurate modality for the evaluation of the lung parenchyma and bronchi. The treatment efficacy of patients exposed to mustard gas depends on patient conditions （acute or chronic, upper or lower respiratory tract involvement）. There are various treatment protocols, but unfortunately none of them is definitely curable.

HZSM-5表面酸碱中心的表征及对芥子气的催化降解性能

采用Hammett指示剂法、表面零电荷点ZPC（Zeropointofcharge）和CO2（NH3）TPD法对HZSM-5表面酸碱中心的强度和数量进行了表征，研究了HZSM-5对芥子气（HD）催化降解，并采用GC-MS、GC—FPD等手段检测了催化降解的产物。结果表明，HZSM-5的pKa值为-3．0～-5．6，为典型的固体酸性氧化物。在25℃空气（20％～30％RH）条件下，HZSM-5能降解HD液滴，反应的假-级速率常数为5．3×10^-6s^-1。HD液滴于HZSM-5表面的降解产物主要为2-chloroethyl2-hydroxyethylsulfide（cH）和1，4-dithiane，表明HD液滴在酸中心的作用下主要发生加成-消去反应。

粒状载银活性炭滤除水中芥子气的实验研究

本文用过滤的方法探讨了粒状载银活性炭对水中芥子气(HD)的滤除作用,并与其它三种滤料进行了比较。实验证明,粒状活性炭去污染的效果明显优于模拟酶功能树脂或硅藻土,而载银炭又比不载银炭为优。一支装有18g粒状载银活性炭的滤柱能够过滤100mg/L的HD染毒水36.18L方始超标,比不载银炭的滤毒水量高12L左右,二者相差非常显著。每克粒状载银活性炭约能滤除HD182.5mg。

Preparation of a porphyrin-polyoxometalate hybrid and its photocatalytic degradation performance for mustard gas simulant 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide

By combining 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-chlorine)phenylporphyrin(TClPP)andα-Keggin polyoxometalate H_(5)PV_(2)Mo_(10)O_(40)(H 5 PVMo)via a simple ion-exchange method,an organic-inorganic hybrid material[C_(44)H_(28)N_(4)Cl_(4)]_(1.5)[H_(2)PMo_(10)V_(2)O_(40)]·2C_(2)H_(6)O(H_(2 )TClPP-H_(2) PVMo)was prepared and thoroughly characterized by a variety of techniques.The homogeneous photocatalytic degradation of 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide(CEES)(5μL)by H_(2) TClPP-H_(2) PVMo(1×10^(−6)mol/L)was studied in methanol and methanol-water mixed solvent(v/v=1:1),in which the degradation rate of CEES reached 99.52%and 99.14%,respectively.The reaction followed first-order reaction kinetics,and the half-life and kinetic constant in methanol and the mixed solvent were respectively 33.0min,−0.021 min−1 and 15.7min,−0.043 min−1.Mechanism analysis indicated that under visible light irradiation in the air,CEES was degraded via oxidation and alcoholysis/hydrolysis in methanol and the mixed solvent.O_(2)·−and ^(1)O_(2) generated by H_(2) TClPP-H_(2) PVMo selectively oxidized CEES into a nontoxic sulfoxide.Singlet oxygen capture experiments showed that H_(2) TClPP-H_(2) PVMo(φ=0.73)had a higher quantum yield of singlet oxygen than TClPP(φ=0.35)under an air atmosphere and visible light irradiation.

From the battlefield to the bladder: The development of thio TEPA

Effective medications for the treatment of cancer were nonexistent in the early twentieth century.Ironically the widespread use of toxic chemical weapons,chlorine and sulfur mustard gas,during the"Great War"led to the first successful chemotherapeutic treatment of cancer patients.Soon after the introduction of poisonous gas on the battlefield,reports of the resulting pancytopenia in exposed combatants appeared in the medical literature.The biologic effect of chemical weaponry on rapidly dividing cells eventually was recognized for its salutary potential in the treatment of cancer.Once this potential was appreciated,hundreds of similar compounds were synthesized and evaluated as chemotherapeutic agents.One such compound,thioT EPA,would eventually open the era of intravesical treatment of urothelial cancer.

芥子气暴露的确证:家兔皮肤染毒后血红蛋白N端缬氨酸加合物的同位素稀释-NCI-GC/MS溯源性检测

素有"毒剂之王"之称的芥子气(HD)是目前危害最大的化学战剂之一,染毒后在体内可产生不同类型的特征性生物标志物,其对中毒诊断、溯源性分析以及毒理机制等研究有着重要的意义.本文首先采用同位素稀释-NCI-GC/MS分析方法监测和鉴定了HD体外全血染毒后产生的血红蛋白N端缬氨酸加合物(HETE-Val);其次,研究了不同剂量HD(0.02～0.15LD50)经皮染毒家兔体内HETE-Val的时效、量效关系.结果表明,HETE-Val与家兔中毒剂量间有良好的量效关系,而时效关系表明染毒后15min内即可产生并检测到HETE-Val,一周内达到最大,随后逐渐下降,但至染毒后第103天仍可监测到该加合物.与血红蛋白N端缬氨酸加合反应的HD仅占HD染毒总量的～0.15‰,与家兔血液反应的HD约占HD染毒总量的～1%.表明HETE-Val是一种重要的生物标志物,并可应用于HD暴露的确证和化学武器核查的溯源性检测.

人类芥子气中毒的长期效应

芥子气是双功能烃化剂,中毒后可遗留长期效应。两伊战争中伊朗芥子气中毒人群成为芥子气长期效应研究的热点。对这些伊朗患者芥子气中毒后数年的研究表明,他们都有不同程度迟发性并发症产生,以眼、皮肤和呼吸系统为主,表现为皮肤的干燥、瘙痒和色素过度沉着,眼睛的结膜炎、角膜溃疡和视力障碍,呼吸系统的慢性支气管炎、支气管扩张和肺纤维化。此外,芥子气中毒的长期效应还与肿瘤的发生、生殖毒性、血液系统、免疫系统的影响和神经精神方面症状有关。