Evidence of VX nerve agent use from contaminated white mustard plants

Gravett, Matthew R.; Hopkins, Farrha B.; Self, Adam J.; Webb, Andrew; Timperley, Christopher M.; Baker, Matthew J.

doi:10.1098/rspa.2014.0076

Cited by 24 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…The general analysis procedure followed what has been described to verify the fate of VX and related products in forced contaminated soil samples submitted to different conditions during a determined period [46,47]. Some adaptations are necessary to have better results with spiking chemicals chosen, and for adequate methodology of materials and equipment available in the structure used; however, the main aspects for assurance of quality in the determinations made are verified [48].…”

Section: Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry Analysesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biodegradation of Organophosphorus Compounds Predicted by Enzymatic Process Using Molecular Modelling and Observed in Soil Samples Through Analytical Techniques and Microbiological Analysis: A Comparison

et al. 2019

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Organophosphorus compounds (OP) are chemicals widely used as pesticides in different applications such as agriculture and public health (vector control), and some of the highly toxic forms have been used as chemical weapons. After application of OPs in an environment, they persist for a period, suffering a degradation process where the biotic factors are considered the most relevant forms. However, to date, the biodegradation of OP compounds is not well understood. There are a plenty of structure-based biodegradation estimation methods, but none of them consider enzymatic interaction in predicting and better comprehending the differences in the fate of OPs in the environment. It is well known that enzymatic processes are the most relevant processes in biodegradation, and that hydrolysis is the main pathway in the natural elimination of OPs in soil samples. Due to this, we carried out theoretical studies in order to investigate the interactions of these OPs with a chosen enzyme-the phosphotriesterase. This one is characteristic of some soils' microorganisms, and has been identified as a key player in many biodegradation processes, thanks to its capability for fast hydrolyzing of different OPs. In parallel, we conducted an experiment using native soil in two conditions, sterilized and not sterilized, spiked with specific amounts of two OPs with similar structure-paraoxon-ethyl (PXN) and O-(4-nitrophenyl) O-ethyl methylphosphonate (NEMP). The amount of OP present in the samples and the appearance of characteristic hydrolysis products were periodically monitored for 40 days using analytical techniques. Moreover, the number of microorganisms present was obtained with plate cell count. Our theoretical results were similar to what was achieved in experimental analysis. Parameters calculated by enzymatic hydrolysis were better for PXN than for NEMP. In soil, PXN suffered a faster hydrolysis than NEMP, and the cell Molecules 2020, 25, 58 2 of 21 count for PXN was higher than for NEMP, highlighting the higher microbiological toxicity of the latter. All these results pointed out that theoretical study can offer a better comprehension of the possible mechanisms involved in real biodegradation processes, showing potential in exploring how biodegradation of OPs relates with enzymatic interactions.

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Section: Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry Analysesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biodegradation of Organophosphorus Compounds Predicted by Enzymatic Process Using Molecular Modelling and Observed in Soil Samples Through Analytical Techniques and Microbiological Analysis: A Comparison

et al. 2019

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“…Presenters reviewed technologies for detection of observable change that can be used for the diagnosis of plant health. These technologies might allow recognition of exposure to toxic chemicals, including nerve agents [56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68] (Fig. 3).…”

Section: Recognising Biochemical Change: "If Plants Could Talk"mentioning

confidence: 99%

Innovative Technologies for Chemical Security

2018

Chemistry International

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Advances across the chemical and biological (life) sciences are increasingly enabled by ideas and tools from sectors outside these disciplines, with information and communication technologies playing a key role across 21 st century scientific development. In the face of rapid technological change, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the implementing body of the Chemical Weapons Convention ("the Convention"), seeks technological opportunities to strengthen capabilities in the field of chemical disarmament. The OPCW Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) in its review of developments in science and technology examined the potential uses of emerging technologies for the implementation of the Convention at a workshop entitled "Innovative Technologies for Chemical Security", held from 3 to 5 July 2017, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The event, organized in cooperation with the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine of the United States of America, the Brazilian Academy of Sciences, and the Brazilian Chemical Society, was attended by 45 scientists and engineers from 22 countries. Their insights into the use of innovative technological tools and how they might benefit chemical disarmament and non-proliferation informed the SAB's report on developments in science and technology for the Fourth Review Conference of the Convention (to be held in November 2018), and are described herein, as are recommendations that the SAB submitted to the OPCW Director-General and the States Parties of the Convention. It is concluded that technologies exist or are under development that could be used for investigations, contingency, assistance and protection, reducing risks to inspectors, and enhancing sampling and analysis.

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“…(i) 14 C VM This was 98% pure by 1 H, and 99% pure by 31 P, NMR spectroscopy. 1 Labelled and unlabelled samples of the V-agents were confirmed analytically pure by mass spectrometry techniques that are reported elsewhere [19][20][21][22][23][24]. These are accredited under ISO/IEC 17 025 : 2005 and used routinely within the UK's OPCW Designated Laboratory at Dstl Porton Down.…”

Section: Vxmentioning

confidence: 99%

Toxicity and medical countermeasure studies on the organophosphorus nerve agents VM and VX

et al. 2015

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To support the effort to eliminate the Syrian Arab Republic chemical weapons stockpile safely, there was a requirement to provide scientific advice based on experimentally derived information on both toxicity and medical countermeasures (MedCM) in the event of exposure to VM, VX or VM–VX mixtures. Complementary in vitro and in vivo studies were undertaken to inform that advice. The penetration rate of neat VM was not significantly different from that of neat VX, through either guinea pig or pig skin in vitro. The presence of VX did not affect the penetration rate of VM in mixtures of various proportions. A lethal dose of VM was approximately twice that of VX in guinea pigs poisoned via the percutaneous route. There was no interaction in mixed agent solutions which altered the in vivo toxicity of the agents. Percutaneous poisoning by VM responded to treatment with standard MedCM, although complete protection was not achieved.

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Evidence of VX nerve agent use from contaminated white mustard plants

Cited by 24 publications

References 37 publications

Biodegradation of Organophosphorus Compounds Predicted by Enzymatic Process Using Molecular Modelling and Observed in Soil Samples Through Analytical Techniques and Microbiological Analysis: A Comparison

Biodegradation of Organophosphorus Compounds Predicted by Enzymatic Process Using Molecular Modelling and Observed in Soil Samples Through Analytical Techniques and Microbiological Analysis: A Comparison

Innovative Technologies for Chemical Security

Toxicity and medical countermeasure studies on the organophosphorus nerve agents VM and VX

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