The defense of the US armed forces against chemical and biological (CB) attack is transitioning from a focus on standoff detection of these threats to the concept of Early Warning (EW). In this approach an array of dual-use and low-burden dedicated use sensor capabilities are used to replace longer-range single use sensors to detect a CB attack. In this paper we discuss the use of passive broadband thermal imaging to detect chemical vapor clouds as well as a developing suite of compact UAV-borne chemical and radiological sensors for the investigation of threats detected by these indirect approaches. The sensors include a colorimetric ammonia sensor, a chemical sensor based on ion mobility spectrometry, and a radiation detector based on gamma ray scintillation. The implementation and initial field tests of each of these sensor modalities is discussed and future plans for the further development of the capability is presented.

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Purpose of reviewSerum creatinine, urea, and cystatin C are the main biomarkers used to estimate glomerular filtration rates in persons with and without chronic kidney disease (CKD). Frequent measurements of these assays are needed to identify patients with earlier stages of CKD, detect episodes of acute kidney injury (AKI), and monitor for CKD progression. However, the cumbersome, time-consuming nature of conventional laboratory-based kidney function assays limit more frequent monitoring and greater patient selfmanagement. Recent findingsNoninvasive salivary assessments of creatinine, cystatin C, and urea make it feasible to conduct frequent monitoring of kidney function in point-of-care settings, as well as in nonclinical-care settings such as at home. Additionally, fingerstick sampling can offer an alternative route of blood testing that is suitable for home-based assessments. In this review, we provide an overview of emerging data on various salivary vs. fingerstick blood assessment methods for kidney function; their accuracy in comparison to 'gold-standard' laboratory-based methods; and their respective strengths and limitations in the clinical setting. SummaryA practical, cost-effective, minimally invasive, multimarker assessment platform has the potential to circumvent the limitation of conventional laboratory blood-based testing approaches, and thereby address a major unmet need in the management of CKD patients.

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