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At least 703 records · Page 39Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

The critical role of the Poison Center in the recognition, mitigation and management of biological and chemical terrorism.

Nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) terrorism counter measures are a major priority with healthcare providers, municipalities, states and the federal government. Significant resources are being invested to enhance civilian domestic preparedness through training in anticipation of a NBC terroristic incident. The key to a successful response, in addition to education, is integration of efforts as well as thorough communication and understanding the role that each agency would play in an actual or impending NBC incident. In anticipation of a NBC event, a regional counter-terrorism task force was established in southwestern Pennsylvania to identify resources, establish responsibilities and coordinate the response to NBC terrorism. Members of the task force include first responders, hazmat, law enforcement (local, regional, national), government officials, health departments, the statewide emergency management agency and the regional poison information center. The poison center is one of several critical components of a regional counter-terrorism response force. It can conduct active and passive toxicosurveillance and identify sentinel events. To be responsive, the poison center staff must be knowledgeable about biological and chemical agents. The development of basic protocols and a standardized staff education program is essential. The use of the RaPID-T (R-recognition, P-protection, D-detection, T-triage/treatment) course can provide basic staff education for responding to this important but rare consultation to the poison center.

Bioterrorism↗
PubMed2001

DNA profiling of trace evidence--mitigating evidence in a dog biting case.

A young girl was the victim of a severe dog attack. An animal, suspected of having caused the attack, was later impounded for investigation. Microclots of blood, recovered from the dog's fur, were analyzed by STR DNA. Results showed that this blood was not related to the biting. Other forensic evidence--hairs, fibers, and odontology--failed to connect a particular animal to the attack. The implications of these findings for the dog and its owners are discussed as well as other forensic methods for resolving such cases.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Nuclear, biological, and chemical training in the U.S. Army Reserves: mitigating psychological consequences of weapons of mass destruction.

Weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their associated delivery systems pose a major threat to the national security of the United States. The Department of Defense is pursuing a number of activities to counter paramilitary and terrorist threats from nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) agents. These efforts include supporting, training, and equipping the U.S. Army Reserves (USAR) for the medical management of physical injuries and psychological trauma resulting from the use of NBC weapons both in the United States and overseas. The USAR will play an important role in responding to a WMD incident because most of the Army's support assets are in the USAR. The USAR is training to perform its mission in an NBC-contaminated environment by engaging in realistic WMD exercises using state-of-the-art protective equipment and medical support. Realistic training builds confidence in medical defenses and in NBC protective equipment. This translates into accomplishing the mission while minimizing the psychological and physical casualties in an NBC-contaminated battlefield or in support of a WMD terrorist incident.

Biological Warfare↗
PubMed2002

Allogeneic reconstitution after nonmyeloablative conditioning: mitigation of graft-versus-host and host-versus-graft reactivity by anti-CD44v6.

T-cell maturation is accelerated in transgenic mice expressing rat CD44v4-v7 on T cells, the effect being blocked by anti-CD44v6. This finding suggested functional activity of CD44v6 in thymocyte development. We tested the hypothesis by antibody blocking and using mice with targeted deletion of CD44v6/v7 exon products (CD44v6/v7(-/-)). When lethally irradiated CD44v6/v7-competent (CD44v6/v7(+/+)) mice were reconstituted syngeneically, higher numbers of CD44v6/v7(-/-) than CD44v6/v7(+/+) BMC were required for survival, the period of reconstitution was prolonged, and regain of immunocompetence was delayed. Similar findings were observed in lethally irradiated, anti-CD44v6-treated syngeneic CD44v6/v7(+/+) hosts. Thus, CD44v6/v7 supports maturation and expansion of hematopoietic progenitor cells. Surprisingly, reconstitution with CD44v6/v7(-/-) BMC or anti-CD44v6 treatment of the nonlethally irradiated allogeneic CD44v6/v7(+/+) host had only a minor impact on survival rates. When nonlethally irradiated CD44v6/v7(-/-) hosts received an allogeneic graft, survival rates were improved. These phenomena have been a result of reduced GvH reactivities when the donor was CD44v6/v7(-/-) and reduced HvG reactivities in the CD44v6/v7(-/-) host. Thus, although a deficit or blockade of CD44v6/v7 has a negative impact on hematopoietic reconstitution, a transient blockade will be of benefit for the allogeneically reconstituted host because of a strong reduction in GvH and HvG reactivities.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Promotion of well-switching to mitigate the current arsenic crisis in Bangladesh.

OBJECTIVE: To survey tube wells and households in Araihazar upazila, Bangladesh, to set the stage for a long-term epidemiological study of the consequences of chronic arsenic exposure. METHODS: Water samples and household data were collected over a period of 4 months in 2000 from 4997 contiguous tube wells serving a population of 55000, the position of each well being determined to within +/- 30 m using Global Positioning System receivers. Arsenic concentrations were determined by graphite-furnace atomic-absorption spectrometry. In addition, groundwater samples collected every 2 weeks for an entire year from six tube wells were analysed for arsenic by high-resolution inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. FINDINGS: Half of the wells surveyed in Araihazar had been installed in the previous 5 years; 94% were privately owned. Only about 48% of the surveyed wells supplied water with an arsenic content below 50 micro g/l, the current Bangladesh standard for drinking-water. Similar to other regions of Bangladesh and West Bengal, India, the distribution of arsenic in Araihazar is spatially highly variable (range: 5-860 micro g/l) and therefore difficult to predict. Because of this variability, however, close to 90% of the inhabitants live within 100 m of a safe well. Monitoring of six tube wells currently meeting the 50 micro g/l standard showed no indication of a seasonal cycle in arsenic concentrations coupled to the hydrological cycle. This suggests that well-switching is a viable option in Araihazar, at least for the short term. CONCLUSIONS: Well-switching should be more systematically encouraged in Araihazar and many other parts of Bangladesh and West Bengal, India. Social barriers to well-switching need to be better understood and, if possible, overcome.

Arsenic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Mitigating the ill effects of maternal incarceration on women in prison and their children.

Maternal incarceration has deleterious effects on children, families, and society, but child welfare professionals historically have paid limited attention to maternal incarceration. Two recent changes have required the reevaluation of that stance: the dramatic increase in the number of women in prison, and the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997. This article discusses the reality of maternal incarceration, analyzes one prison's attempt to provide programs to support inmate mothers and their children, and makes policy and program recommendations.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Radiation dose reduction to medical staff during vertebroplasty: a review of techniques and methods to mitigate occupational dose.

STUDY DESIGN: Case crossover design was conducted. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the current study was to determine the radiation exposure level of operators performing fluoroscopically assisted vertebroplasty and to determine optimal techniques to reduce this exposure. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The use of ionizing radiation to provide quality imaging during minimally invasive orthopedic procedures has dramatically increased. One such procedure, vertebroplasty, which is the percutaneous fixation of fractured vertebrae with polymethylmethacrylate, requires the use of ionizing radiation of biplanar fluoroscopy. The adverse effects of excessive radiation exposure to occupational personnel may not be realized for several years. METHODS: Twelve months of occupational dose data for a single operator were evaluated and correlated to the modifications of practice habits implemented and shielding techniques used to reduce the operator's exposure while maintaining adequate image quality. RESULTS: Before the implementation of radiation-reduction procedures, the average whole-body dose per vertebroplasty procedure was 1.44 mSv/vertebrae, and the measured hand dose was 2.04 mSv/vertebrae. After implementation of radiation-reducing procedures and shielding techniques, the average whole-body dose per vertebroplasty procedure was 0.004 mSv/vertebrae, and the average hand dose was 0.074 mSv/vertebrae. Testing of the shielding device indicated a significant reduction in whole-body and hand doses. For the fluoroscopic modes investigated, the shielding used resulted in reductions ranging from 42.9% to 86.1%. CONCLUSION: It is critical that operators performing vertebroplasty procedures have a fundamental understanding of radiation physics and radiation protection to minimize radiation exposure.

Fluoroscopy↗