Detection of a Prethrombotic State in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Using a Clot Waveform Analysis

Background: Although hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is frequently associated with thrombosis, it is also associated with liver cirrhosis (LC) which causes hemostatic abnormalities. Therefore, hemostatic abnormalities in patients with HCC were examined using a clot waveform analysis (CWA). Methods: Hemostatic abnormalities in 88 samples from HCC patients, 48 samples from LC patients and 153 samples from patients with chronic liver diseases (CH) were examined using a CWA-activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and small amount of tissue factor induced FIX activation (sTF/FIXa) assay. Results: There were no significant differences in the peak time on CWA-APTT among HCC, LC, and CH, and the peak heights of CWA-APTT were significantly higher in HCC and CH than in HVs and LC. The peak heights of the CWA-sTF/FIXa were significantly higher in HCC than in LC. The peak times of the CWA-APTT were significantly longer in stages B, C, and D than in stage A or cases of response. In the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the fibrin formation height (FFH) of the CWA-APTT and CWA-sTF/FIXa showed the highest diagnostic ability for HCC and LC, respectively. Thrombosis was observed in 13 HCC patients, and arterial thrombosis and portal vein thrombosis were frequently associated with HCC without LC and HCC with LC, respectively. In ROC, the peak time×peak height of the first derivative on the CWA-sTF/FIXa showed the highest diagnostic ability for thrombosis. Conclusion: The CWA-APTT and CWA-sTF/FIXa can increase the evaluability of HCC including the association with LC and thrombotic complications.

The Evaluation of Clot Waveform Analyses for Assessing Hypercoagulability in Patients Treated with Factor VIII Concentrate

BACKGROUND

Regular prophylactic therapy has become an increasingly common treatment for severe hemophilia. Therefore, hypercoagulability-a potential risk factor of thrombosis-is a cause for concern in hemophilic patients treated with a high dose of FVIII concentrate. In clot waveform analysis (CWA)-thrombin time (TT), a small amount of thrombin activates clotting factor VIII (FVIII) instead of fibrinogen, resulting in FVIII measurements using CWA-TT with a small amount of thrombin.

METHODS

The coagulation ability of patients treated with FVIII concentrate or emicizumab was evaluated using activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), TT and a small amount of tissue factor-induced FIX activation assay (sTF/FIXa) using CWA.

RESULTS

The FVIII activity based on CWA-TT was significantly greater than that based on the CWA-APTT or chromogenic assay. FVIII or FVIII-like activities based on the three assays in plasma without emicizumab were closely correlated; those in plasma with emicizumab based on CWA-TT and chromogenic assays were also closely correlated. CWA-APTT and CWA-TT showed different patterns in patients treated with FVIII concentrates compared to those treated with emicizumab. In particular, CWA-TT in patients treated with FVIII concentrate showed markedly higher peaks in platelet-rich plasma than in platelet-poor plasma. CWA-APTT showed lower coagulability in hemophilic patients treated with FVIII concentrate than in healthy volunteers, whereas CWA-sTF/FIXa did not. In contrast, CWA-TT showed hypercoagulability in hemophilic patients treated with FVIII concentrate.

CONCLUSIONS

CWA-TT can be used to evaluate the thrombin bursts that cause hypercoagulability in patients treated with emicizumab. Although routine APTT evaluations demonstrated low coagulation ability in patients treated with FVIII concentrate, CWA-TT showed hypercoagulability in these patients, suggesting that the evaluation of coagulation ability may be useful when using multiple assays.

Photothermally Active Core-Shell Catalyst Based on UiO-66 and Polydopamine for Highly Effective Detoxification of Nerve Agents

A new, photothermally active, catalytic composite (Fe₃O₄@PD@UiO-66) based on UiO-66 and polydopamine (PD) was prepared for the decomposition of chemical warfare agents (CWAs). An iron oxide nanoparticle was introduced to enable rapid recovery after the reaction. The PD layer enabled conversion of the absorbed light into heat under infrared (IR) irradiation and increased the reaction temperature, thereby increasing the reaction rate. Dendrimer-functionalized silica particles (NH₂-DS) were used as heterogeneous catalyst regenerators instead of N-ethylmorpholine. Under IR irradiation, a mixture of Fe₃O₄@PD@UiO-66 and NH₂-DS was effective as a heterogeneous catalyst for degrading DMNP, with a 5 min half-life in water. Without IR irradiation, the half-life of DMNP was 45 min using the same catalyst mixture. Various bases including arginine, histidine, and D4 were directly modified on the surface of Fe₃O₄@PD@UiO-66 and used without NH₂-DS or N-ethylmorpholine in order to compare their reactivities. Furthermore, a mixture of Fe₃O₄@PD@UiO-66 and NH₂-DS was used for the decomposition of nerve agents, including sarin (GB), soman (GD), and VX, under IR-LED irradiation. Remarkably, GB was effectively decomposed with a half-life of 4.2 min, and GD demonstrated a half-life of 8.7 min. VX was hydrolyzed with a half-life of 14.0 min.

Semiconductor Gas Sensors for Detecting Chemical Warfare Agents and Their Simulants

On-site detection of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) can be performed by various analytical techniques. Devices using well-established techniques such as ion mobility spectrometry, flame photometry, infrared and Raman spectroscopy or mass spectrometry (usually combined with gas chromatography) are quite complex and expensive to purchase and operate. For this reason, other solutions based on analytical techniques well suited to portable devices are still being sought. Analyzers based on simple semiconductor sensors may be a potential alternative to the currently used CWA field detectors. In sensors of this type, the conductivity of the semiconductor layer changes upon interaction with the analyte. Metal oxides (both in the form of polycrystalline powders and various nanostructures), organic semiconductors, carbon nanostructures, silicon and various composites that are a combination of these materials are used as a semiconductor material. The selectivity of a single oxide sensor can be adjusted to specific analytes within certain limits by using the appropriate semiconductor material and sensitizers. This review presents the current state of knowledge and achievements in the field of semiconductor sensors for CWA detection. The article describes the principles of operation of semiconductor sensors, discusses individual solutions used for CWA detection present in the scientific literature and makes a critical comparison of them. The prospects for the development and practical application of this analytical technique in CWA field analysis are also discussed.

The Detection of Hypercoagulability in Patients with Acute Cerebral Infarction Using a Clot Waveform Analysis

A few studies concerning hypercoagulable states have sufficiently been reported in patients with acute cerebral infarction (ACI), as ACI is generally considered to be caused by platelet activation. Clot waveform analyses (CWA) for activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and small amount of tissue factor FIX activation assay (sTF/FIXa) were examined in 108 patients with ACI, 61 patients without ACI, and 20 healthy volunteers. CWA-APTT and CWA-sTF/FIXa showed that the peak heights were significantly higher in ACI patients without anticoagulant therapy than in healthy volunteers. Absorbance exceeding 78.1 mm on the 1^st DPH in the CWA-sTF/FIXa showed the highest odds ratio for ACI. The peak heights were significantly lower in the CWA-sTF/FIXa of ACI patients receiving argatroban therapy than in those of ACI patients without anticoagulant therapy. CWA can suggest a hypercoagulable state in ACI patients and may be useful for monitoring the need for anticoagulant therapy.

The scope for adaptive capacity in emergency departments: modelling performance constraints using control task analysis and social organisational cooperation analysis

Patient flow between the emergency department (ED) and hospital wards becomes problematic when bed availability is limited. To better understand the constraints that shape patient flow and everyday work in the ED, we applied Control Task Analysis (i.e. Contextual Activities Template, CAT) and Social Organisational Cooperation Analysis (SOCA) phases from the Cognitive Work Analysis framework to identify ways in which to optimise patient flow. The model and analysis were created through observations in the ED of clinicians (e.g. nurses, doctors), and professional staff (e.g. ward personnel, clerks). The CAT and SOCA-CAT models illustrate workspaces, patient journey phases, and patient volume within the department that are heavily loaded with tasks and human and non-human agents performing these tasks, while others are underutilised. The findings suggest that an ED's adaptive capacity could be strengthened through the integration of additional human and non-human agents allowing the redistribution of clinical and non-clinical tasks. Practitioner Summary: Workflow in EDs is constrained by uneven geographical distribution of activities, insufficient adaptive support during critical patient journey phases and periods of high patient volume. Adaptive capacity could be strengthened by additional human and non-human agents in combination with a redistribution of tasks, supporting seamless successful structural and behavioural adaptation in ED.

Clot Waveform Analysis Demonstrates Low Blood Coagulation Ability in Patients with Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

BACKGROUND

Although platelets, which contain large amounts of phospholipids, play an important role in blood coagulation, there is still no routine assay to examine the effects of platelets in blood coagulation.

METHODS

Hemostatic abnormalities in patients with thrombocytopenia, including those with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), were examined using clot wave analysis (CWA)-small-amount tissue-factor-induced FIX activation (sTF/FIXa) and thrombin time (TT).

RESULTS

Although there were no marked differences in the three parameters of activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) between normal healthy volunteers and typical patients with ITP, the peak heights of the CWA-sTF/FIXa were markedly low in patients with ITP. The three peak times of the CWA-sTF/FIXa in patients with a platelet count of ≤8.0 × 10¹⁰/L were significantly longer than those in patients with a platelet count > 8.0 × 10¹⁰/L and the peak heights of the CWA-sTF/FIXa in patients with a platelet count of ≤8.0 × 10¹⁰/L were significantly lower than those in patients with >8.0 × 10¹⁰/L. The peak heights of the CWA-APTT in patients with ITP were significantly lower than in patients with other types of thrombocytopenia. The three peak heights of the CWA-sTF/FIXa in ITP patients were significantly lower than those in patients with other types of thrombocytopenia. The CWA-TT showed lower peak heights and longer peak times in patients with ITP in comparison to patients with other types of thrombocytopenia.

CONCLUSIONS

The CWA-sTF/FIXa and CWA-TT results showed that blood coagulation is enhanced by platelets and that the blood coagulation ability in ITP patients was low in comparison to healthy volunteers and patients with other types of thrombocytopenia.

A Clot Waveform Analysis Showing a Hypercoagulable State in Patients with Malignant Neoplasms

(1) Objective: hypercoagulability in patients with malignant neoplasm were evaluated to examine the relationship with thrombosis. (2) Methods: clot waveform analysis (CWA)—activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and CWA—small amount of tissue factor induced FIX activation (sTF/FIXa) assays were performed in 92 patients with malignant neoplasm and the relationship between hypercoagulability and thrombosis was retrospectively examined. (3) Results: The study population included 92 patients with malignant neoplasms. Twenty-six (28.3%) had thrombotic diseases and 9 (9.8%) patients died within 28 days after the CWA. The peak time of the CWA-APTT could not show hypercoagulability in patients with malignant neoplasms. There were almost no significant differences in the peak times of the sTF/FIXa among patients with malignant neoplasms and healthy volunteers. In contrast, the peak heights of the CWA-sTF/FIXa in patients with various malignant neoplasms were significantly higher than those in healthy volunteers. Furthermore, among patients with malignant neoplasms, the peak heights of the sTF/FIXa in patients with thrombosis were significantly higher than those in patients without thrombosis. (4) Conclusions: although the routine APTT cannot evaluate the hypercoagulability, the peak heights of CWA-sTF/FIXa were significantly high in patients with malignant neoplasms, especially in those with thrombosis, suggesting that an elevated peak height of the CWA-sTF/FIXa may be a risk factor for thrombosis.

The Reevaluation of Thrombin Time Using a Clot Waveform Analysis

Object: Although thrombin burst has attracted attention as a physiological coagulation mechanism, clinical evidence from a routine assay for it is scarce. This mechanism was therefore evaluated by a clot waveform analysis (CWA) to assess the thrombin time (TT). Material and Methods: The TT with a low concentration of thrombin was evaluated using a CWA. We evaluated the CWA-TT of plasma deficient in various clotting factors, calibration plasma, platelet-poor plasma (PPP), and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) obtained from healthy volunteers, patients with thrombocytopenia, and patients with malignant disease. Results: Although the TT-CWA of calibration plasma was able to be evaluated with 0.01 IU/mL of thrombin, that of FVIII-deficient plasma could not be evaluated. The peak time of CWA-TT was significantly longer, and the peak height significantly lower, in various deficient plasma, especially in FVIII-deficient plasma compared to calibration plasma. The second peak of the first derivative (1st DP-2) was detected in PPP from healthy volunteers, and was shorter and higher in PRP than in PPP. The 1st DP-2 was not detected in PPP from patients with thrombocytopenia, and the 1st DP-2 in PRP was significantly lower in patients with thrombocytopenia and significantly higher in patients with malignant disease than in healthy volunteers. Conclusion: The CWA-TT became abnormal in plasma deficient in various clotting factors, and was significantly affected by platelets, suggesting that the CWA-TT may be a useful test for hemostatic abnormalities.

Identification of Novel Simulants for Toxic Industrial Chemicals and Chemical Warfare Agents for Human Decontamination Studies: A Systematic Review and Categorisation of Physicochemical Characteristics

Chemical simulants have long been used in human trials of mass decontamination to determine the efficacy of decontamination interventions against more toxic agents. Until now, reliance has mostly been on individual chemicals as surrogates to specific agents (e.g., methyl salicylate for sulphur mustard). A literature review was conducted to identify chemicals that had been previously tested on human volunteers and that represent diverse physicochemical characteristics in order to create a repository for chemical simulants. Of the 171 unique chemicals identified, 78 were discounted for the risk they could pose to human volunteers, 39 were deemed suitable for use, and a further 54 were considered to be possible simulants but would require further research. Suitable simulants included both solid and liquid chemicals spanning a wide range of physicochemical properties including molecular weight, octanol/water partition coefficient, vapour pressure, and solubility. This review identifies an array of potential simulants suitable for use in human volunteer decontamination studies and is of relevance to future studies on systemic absorption and surface decontamination.

Cathelicidin-WA Protects Against LPS-Induced Gut Damage Through Enhancing Survival and Function of Intestinal Stem Cells

Preservation of intestinal stem cells (ISCs) plays a critical role in initiating epithelial regeneration after intestinal injury. Cathelicidin peptides have been shown to participate in regulating intestinal damage repair. However, it is not known how exactly Cathelicidin-WA (CWA) exert its function after tissue damage. Using a gut injury model in mice involving Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), we observed that CWA administration significantly improved intestinal barrier function, preserved ISCs survival, and augmented ISCs viability within the small intestine (SI) under LPS treatment. In addition, CWA administration effectively prevented proliferation stops and promoted the growth of isolated crypts. Mechanistically, our results show that the appearance of γH2AX was accompanied by weakened expression of SETDB1, a gene that has been reported to safeguard genome stability. Notably, we found that CWA significantly rescued the decreased expression of SETDB1 and reduced DNA damage after LPS treatment. Taken together, CWA could protect against LPS-induced gut damage through enhancing ISCs survival and function. Our results suggest that CWA may become an effective therapeutic regulator to treat intestinal diseases and infections.

Update on the Clot Waveform Analysis

The activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT)–clot waveform analysis (CWA) was previously reported to be associated with the early detection of disseminated intravascular coagulation and was also reported to be able to measure very low levels of coagulation factor VIII activity. The software program for the analysis for the APTT-CWA allows the associated first and second derivative curves (first and second DCs) to be displayed. The first and second DC reflect the velocity and acceleration, respectively. The height of the first DC reflects the “thrombin burst” and bleeding risk, while that of the second DC is useful for detecting any coagulation factor deficiency and abnormal enhancement of coagulation by phospholipids. Activated partial thromboplastin time-CWA aids in making a differential diagnosis which is difficult to do using only the routine APTT. The CWA is currently used for many applications in the clinical setting, including the monitoring of hemophilia patients and patients receiving anticoagulant therapy and the differential diagnosis of diseases.

The Evaluation of Hemostatic Abnormalities Using a CWA-Small Amount Tissue Factor Induced FIX Activation Assay in Major Orthopedic Surgery Patients

We analyzed the utility for a clot waveform analysis (CWA) of small tissue factor induced FIX activation (sTF/FIXa) assay in patients with major orthopedic surgery (including total hip arthroplasty [THA] and total knee arthroplasty [TKA]) receiving edoxaban for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE). The sTF/FIXa assay using recombinant human TF in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet-poor plasma (PPP) was performed using a CWA in the above patients to monitor the efficacy of edoxaban administration. Of 147 patients (109 THA and 38 TKA), 21 exhibited deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and 15 had massive bleeding. Increased peak heights of the CWA-sTF/FIX were observed in almost patients after surgery and prolonged peak heights of the CWA-sTF/FIX were observed in almost patients treated with edoxaban. The peak heights and times of the CWA-sTF/FIX were significantly higher and shorter, respectively, in PRP than in PPP. There were no significant differences in parameters of the CWA-sTF/FIXa between the patients with and without DVT or between those with and without massive bleeding. The peak time of CWA-sTF/FIXa were significantly longer in TKA patients than in THA patients on day 1 after surgery. The second derivative peak height of the CWA-sTF/FIXa was significantly lower in TKA patients than in THA patients on day 4. The CWA-sTF/FIX reflected hemostatic abnormalities after surgery and the administration of edoxaban, and the results were better in PRP than PPP. Further studies separately analyzing the THA and TKA subgroups should be conducted.

The Evaluation of APTT Reagents in Reference Plasma, Recombinant FVIII Products; Kovaltry® and Jivi® Using CWA, Including sTF/7FIX Assay

The FVIII activity in patients treated with several extended half-life FVIII (EHL-FVIII) agents different when various activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) reagents were used. The present study examined the difference in clot waveform analysis (CWA) findings and FVIII activity when various APTT reagents and CWA were used. The CWA including FVIII activity was measured using 12 APTT reagents, and the FIX activation based on a small amount of tissue factor assay (sTF/FIX) were examined in reference plasma (RP), EHL-FVIII (Jivi^®) and Kovaltry^®. The 3 APTT reagents were associated with high variation in the peak time and height in the CWA when analyzing low concentrations of FVIII. The peak time and height could not be measured with one APTT reagent, and there were marked differences in the CWA findings between Jivi^® and Kovaltry^® among APTT reagents. Several APTT reagents showed a markedly lower FVIII activity with Jivi^® than with Kovaltry^®. In the FVIII assay, the peak time measured with sTF/FIX did not differ markedly between Jivi^® and Kovaltry^®; however, the FVIII activity in Jivi^® (as measured by the peak height) tended to be higher than in Kovaltry^®. The CWA findings for monitoring Jivi^® varied for monitoring Jivi^® depending on the APTT reagents used, and sTF/FIX assay may be able to measure the EHL-FVIII.

Unique design of superior metal-organic framework for removal of toxic chemicals in humid environment via direct functionalization of the metal nodes

Unique chemical and thermal stabilities of a zirconium-based metal-organic framework (MOF) and its functionalized analogues play a key role to efficiently remove chemical warfare agents (ex., cyanogen chloride, CNCl) and simulant (dimethyl methylphosphonate, DMMP) as well as industrial toxic gas, ammonia (NH₃). Herein, we for the first time demonstrate outstanding performance of MOF-808 for removal of toxic chemicals in humid environment via special design of functionalization of hydroxo species bridging Zr-nodes using a triethylenediamine (TEDA) to form ionic frameworks by gas phase acid-base reactions. In situ experimental analyses and first-principles density functional theory calculations unveil underlying mechanism on the selective deposition of TEDA on the Zr-bridging hydroxo sites (μ₃-OH) in Zr-MOFs. The crystal structure of TEDA-grafted MOF-808 was confirmed using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction (SXRPD). Furthermore, operando FT-IR spectra elucidate why the TEDA-grafted MOF-808 shows by far superior sorption efficiency to other MOF varieties. This work provides design principles and applications how to optimize MOFs for the preparation for versatile adsorbents using diamine grafting chemistry, which is also potentially applicable to various catalysis.

High resolution model for assessment of contamination by chemical warfare agents dumped in the Baltic Sea

The leakage of any substances at the sea bottom consequently leads to contamination. The polluted area will strongly depend on the type of pollution which can be dissolved, material and the physical state of the bottom layers. Although the systems that monitor the particles or pollution on the sea surface already exists, there is no similar tool for the bottom area. This work aims at developing the High Resolution Dispersion Model (HRDM) that calculates transport of the pollution in case of potential leakage from chemical ammunition dumped into the Baltic Sea. The model has been embedded into existing operational system that covers the whole region of the Baltic Sea. Thus, it consists of the three main elements: operational atmospheric model that makes calculations every day, coupled ice-ocean model covering the whole Baltic Sea area and HRDM. The horizontal resolution of the atmospheric part is about 10 km, the coupled system is driven on 2.3 km grid and HRDM is implemented on 50 m horizontal resolution. The clients are able to make integration since 2014. Access to the system is granted via REpresentational State Transfer (REST) API that separates user interface from the server site. It is possible to make simulations for instantaneous and continuous type of leakage. The results are served in binary form (as a netcdf file) and as a georeferenced tiff picture. The temporal resolution of the output data is 1 h. The HRDM consists of half-life of sulfur mustard and the results for both - with and without half-life calculations are included in the output files. The HRDM has been created as a part of Decision Support System and is not (and will not be) available for public.

Effects of platelet and phospholipids on clot formation activated by a small amount of tissue factor

INTRODUCTION

Physiological coagulation is considered to activate coagulation factor IX (FIX) by a small amount of tissue factor (TF) and activated coagulation factor VII (FVIIa) with the presence of platelets. A Clot waveform analysis (CWA) may be useful for evaluating physiological coagulation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A CWA using a small amount of TF (CWA/sTF) was performed in platelet-rich plasma (PRP), platelet-poor plasma (PPP), several phospholipids (PLs) and patients with lupus anticoagulant (LA), idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) or inhibitor for FVIII.

RESULTS

The CWA/sTF without PLs showed a shorter peak time and higher peak height in PRP than in PPP. The effect of PRP on the CWA/sTF depended on the platelet count, and PLs showed a similar effect on the CWA/sTF results in PPP. The peak time of the CWA/sTF in PRP was prolonged in patient with ITP. The CWA/sTF in PRP showed a prolonged peak time and decreased peak height of the second derivative in patient with LA. Both a shortened peak time and elevated peak height were observed in the CWA/sTF of patient with inhibitor after treatment with activated recombinant human FVII.

CONCLUSION

A CWA can be conducted using a small amount of TF and platelets or PL without contact activation and may be able to detect not only hemostatic abnormalities but also changes in platelet counts.

Kinetics of Dimethyl Methylphosphonate Adsorption and Decomposition on Zirconium Hydroxide Using Variable Temperature In Situ Attenuated Total Reflection Infrared Spectroscopy

The decomposition mechanisms of dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP), a widely used simulant for organophosphorus chemical warfare agents (CWAs), are relatively well understood from previous studies. However, there still lacks a quantitative description of DMMP decomposition kinetics under ambient conditions that is relevant for sequestration applications. We investigated adsorption and decomposition kinetics of DMMP on amorphous zirconium hydroxide (ZH) using variable-temperature in situ attenuated total reflection (ATR) infrared spectroscopy. We demonstrate that quantifying DMMP decomposition kinetics using conventional methods, where the integrated absorbance of P-O vibrational modes is monitored, can be inaccurate because these spectra are also convoluted with C-O vibrational modes from transient surface methoxy species that are not proportional to DMMP decomposition due to methanol desorption. Here, we propose to use the ρ(PCH₃) modes as an alternative way to track DMMP adsorption and decomposition reactions. On the basis of density functional theory (DFT) simulations and comparisons to relatively unreactive monoclinic zirconia (m-ZrO₂), we assign the deconvoluted components of the ρ(PCH₃) region and use it to monitor decomposition products over time at various temperatures. Because the PCH₃ group is present in many toxic organophosphorus compounds, tracking the PCH₃ bands in time-dependent IR spectra is useful for measuring surface kinetics of CWAs and their simulants on various decontamination materials.

Part 2: Forensic attribution profiling of Russian VX in food using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

This work is part two of a three-part series in this issue of a Sweden-United States collaborative effort towards the understanding of the chemical attribution signatures of Russian VX (VR) in synthesized samples and complex food matrices. In this study, we describe the sourcing of VR present in food based on chemical analysis of attribution signatures by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) combined with multivariate data analysis. Analytical data was acquired from seven different foods spiked with VR batches that were synthesized via six different routes in two separate laboratories. The synthesis products were spiked at a lethal dose into seven food matrices: water, orange juice, apple purée, baby food, pea purée, liquid eggs and hot dog. After acetonitrile sample extraction, the samples were analyzed by LC-MS/MS operated in MRM mode. A multivariate statistical calibration model was built on the chemical attribution profiles from 118 VR spiked food samples. Using the model, an external test-set of the six synthesis routes employed for VR production was correctly identified with no observable major impact of the food matrices to the classification. The overall performance of the statistical models was found to be exceptional (94%) for the test set samples retrospectively classified to their synthesis routes.

Cathelicidin-WA polarizes E. coli K88-induced M1 macrophage to M2-like macrophage in RAW264.7 cells

Immune cells - macrophages induced by E. coli K88 will lead to a pro-inflammatory response, which is important in host defense. Cathelicidin-WA (CWA) is an efficient antimicrobial peptide (AMP) and can exert immunomodulatory properties. Many studies have demonstrated that AMP can modulate cellular subsets but whether CWA can regulate macrophage polarization by transferring E. coli K88-induced M1 macrophage towards M2 one that of anti-inflammation remains unclear. In this study, E. coli K88 increased the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6, interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α and chemokine CCL3 in RAW264.7 cells with a time-dependent manner, as well as the expression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). On this basis, CWA significantly decreased the pro-inflammatory molecules but increased the anti-inflammatory mediators interleukin-4, interleukin-10 and other M2-related genes in E. coli K88-induced macrophages. Western blot analysis indicated that CWA suppressed the expression of TLR-4 and the phosphorylation of STAT1 and NF-κB which modulated M1 macrophage while induced the phosphorylation of STAT6 which activated M2 macrophage. Double staining of M1-specific CD86 and M2-specific CD206 also proved the hypothesis. These results suggested that CWA might dampen the inflammation by modulating M1 phenotype to M2 phenotype in E. coli K88-induced macrophages.

Representing energy efficiency diagnosis strategies in cognitive work analysis

This article describes challenges encountered in applying Jens Rasmussen's Cognitive Work Analysis (CWA) framework to the practice of energy efficiency Monitoring & Targeting (M&T). Eight theoretic issues encountered in the analysis are described with respect to Rasmussen's work and the modeling solutions we adopted. We grappled with how to usefully apply Work Domain Analysis (WDA) to analyze categories of domains with secondary purposes and no ideal grain of decomposition. This difficulty encouraged us to pursue Control Task (ConTA) and Strategies (StrA) analysis, which are under-explored as bases for interface design. In ConTA we found M&T was best represented by two interlinked work functions; one controlling energy, the other maintaining knowledge representations. From StrA, we identified a popular representation-dependent strategy and inferred information required to diagnose faults in system performance and knowledge representation. This article presents and discusses excerpts from our analysis, and outlines their application to diagnosis support tools.

Efficacy of scalp hair decontamination following exposure to vapours of sulphur mustard simulants 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulphide and methyl salicylate

Chemical warfare agents are an actual threat and victims' decontamination is a main concern when mass exposure occurs. Skin decontamination with current protocols has been widely documented, as well as surface decontamination. However, considering hair ability to trap chemicals in vapour phase, we investigated hair decontamination after exposure to sulphur mustard simulants methyl salicylate and 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulphide. Four decontamination protocols were tested on hair, combining showering and emergency decontamination (use of Fuller's earth or Reactive Skin Decontamination Lotion RSDL^®). Both simulants were recovered from hair after treatment, but contents were significantly reduced (42-85% content allowance). Showering alone was the least efficient protocol. Concerning 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulphide, protocols did not display significant differences in decontamination efficacy. For MeS, use of emergency decontaminants significantly increased showering efficacy (10-20% rise), underlining their usefulness before thorough decontamination. Our results highlighted the need to extensively decontaminate hair after chemical exposure. Residual amounts after decontamination are challenging, as their release from hair could lead to health issues.

Evaluation of the efficacy of a portable LIBS system for detection of CWA on surfaces

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a laser-based optical technique particularly suited for in situ surface analysis. A portable LIBS instrument was tested to detect surface chemical contamination by chemical warfare agents (CWAs). Test of detection of surface contamination was carried out in a toxlab facility with four CWAs, sarin (GB), lewisite (L1), mustard gas (HD), and VX, which were deposited on different substrates, wood, concrete, military green paint, gloves, and ceramic. The CWAs were detected by means of the detection of atomic markers (As, P, F, Cl, and S). The LIBS instrument can give a direct response in terms of detection thanks to an integrated interface for non-expert users or so called end-users. We have evaluated the capability of automatic detection of the selected CWAs. The sensitivity of our portable LIBS instrument was confirmed for the detection of a CWA at surface concentrations above 15 μg/cm(2). The simultaneous detection of two markers may lead to a decrease of the number of false positive.

Practitioner versus analyst methods: a nuclear decommissioning case study

A requirement arose during decommissioning work at a UK Magnox Nuclear Power Station to identify the hazards involved in removing High Dose Rate Items from a Cartridge Cooling Pond. Removing objects from the cooling pond under normal situations is a routine event with well understood risks but the situation described in this paper is not a routine event. The power station has shifted from an operational phase in its life-cycle to a decommissioning phase, and as such the risks, and procedures to deal with them, have become more novel and uncertain. This raises an important question. Are the hazard identification methods that have proven useful in one phase of the system lifecycle just as useful in another, and if not, what methods should be used? An opportunity arose at this site to put the issue to a direct test. Two methods were used, one practitioner focussed and in widespread use during the plant's operational phase (the Structured What-If method), the other was an analyst method (Cognitive Work Analysis). The former is proven on this site but might not be best suited to the novelty and uncertainty brought about by a shift in context from operations to decommissioning. The latter is not proven on this site but it is designed for novelty and uncertainty. The paper presents the outcomes of applying both methods to a real-world hazard identification task.