Hybrid in vitro diffusion cell for simultaneous evaluation of hair and skin decontamination: temporal distribution of chemical contaminants

Most casualty or personnel decontamination studies have focused on removing contaminants from the skin. However, scalp hair and underlying skin are the most likely areas of contamination following airborne exposure to chemicals. The aim of this study was to investigate the interactions of contaminants with scalp hair and underlying skin using a hybrid in vitro diffusion cell model. The in vitro hybrid test system comprised “curtains” of human hair mounted onto sections of excised porcine skin within a modified diffusion cell. The results demonstrated that hair substantially reduced underlying scalp skin contamination and that hair may provide a limited decontamination effect by removing contaminants from the skin surface. This hybrid test system may have application in the development of improved chemical incident response processes through the evaluation of various hair and skin decontamination strategies.Peer reviewedFinal Published versio

A bacterial acetyltransferase triggers immunity in Arabidopsis thaliana independent of hypersensitive response

Type-III secreted effectors (T3Es) play critical roles during bacterial pathogenesis in plants. Plant recognition of certain T3Es can trigger defence, often accompanied by macroscopic cell death, termed the hypersensitive response (HR). Economically important species of kiwifruit are susceptible to Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa), the causal agent of kiwifruit bacterial canker. Although Psa is non-pathogenic in Arabidopsis thaliana, we observed that a T3E, HopZ5 that is unique to a global outbreak clade of Psa, triggers HR and defence in Arabidopsis accession Ct-1. Ws-2 and Col-0 accessions are unable to produce an HR in response to Pseudomonas-delivered HopZ5. While Ws-2 is susceptible to virulent bacterial strain Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 carrying HopZ5, Col-0 is resistant despite the lack of an HR. We show that HopZ5, like other members of the YopJ superfamily of acetyltransferases that it belongs to, autoacetylates lysine residues. Through comparisons to other family members, we identified an acetyltransferase catalytic activity and demonstrate its requirement for triggering defence in Arabidopsis and Nicotiana species. Collectively, data herein indicate that HopZ5 is a plasma membrane-localized acetyltransferase with autoacetylation activity required for avirulence. ? 2017 The Author(s).115Ysciescopu

Human volunteer study of the decontamination of chemically contaminated hair and the consequences for systemic exposure

The decontamination of exposed persons is a priority following the release of toxic chemicals. Efficacious decontamination reduces the risk of harm to those directly affected and prevents the uncontrolled spread of contamination. Human studies examining the effectiveness of emergency decontamination procedures have primarily focused on decontaminating skin, with few examining the decontamination of hair and scalp. We report the outcome of two studies designed to evaluate the efficacy of current United Kingdom (UK) improvised, interim and specialist mass casualty decontamination protocols when conducted in sequence. Decontamination efficacy was evaluated using two chemical simulants, methyl salicylate (MeS) and benzyl salicylate (BeS) applied to and recovered from the hair of volunteers. Twenty-four-hour urinary MeS and BeS were measured as a surrogate for systemic bioavailability. Current UK decontamination methods performed in sequence were partially effective at removing MeS and BeS from hair and underlying scalp. BeS and MeS levels in urine indicated that decontamination had no significant effect on systemic exposure raising important considerations with respect to the speed of decontamination. The decontamination of hair may therefore be challenging for first responders, requiring careful management of exposed persons following decontamination. Further work to extend these studies is required with a broader range of chemical simulants, a larger group of volunteers and at different intervention times

P6: Hair desorption of the sulphur mustard simulants methyl salicylate and 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide following vapour exposure

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