From University of Massachusetts Amherst

Certain methods of decontaminating medical face masks for repeated use during the COVID-19 pandemic appear to damage the masks' integrity and protective function, according to research by a University of Massachusetts Amherst environmental health scientist.

FLIR Systems, Inc. has announced it has been awarded a full-rate production option worth $21.8 million on an indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract with the United States (U.S.) Army. FLIR will deliver its Agentase^™ C2 disclosure spray to detect G- and V-series nerve agents, highly toxic chemical warfare agents. The contract will support the Army’s Contamination Indicator/Decontamination Assurance System (CIDAS) program, a ‘program of record’ within the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense (JPEO-CBRND).

FLIR Agentase C2 spray quickly changes color on a surface if a chemical warfare agent is present. With faster and more targeted detection, military decontamination experts can locate trace levels of contamination and precisely mitigate the threat.

“Nerve agents such as VX and sarin are of vital concern to the U.S. military,” said FLIR Vice President and General Manager of Sensor Systems, Tim Durham. “Our Agentase C2 spray technology enables rapid detection of highly toxic substances while reducing the lifecycle cost of decontamination operations. FLIR is proud to continue its important work with the Army delivering solutions that help safeguard our warfighters.”

The original IDIQ contract dates to 2015 and consisted of an engineering and manufacturing development phase, followed by low-rate initial production phase. This latest award initiates the full-rate production phase. Shipments are expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2020. The contract is expected to be completed in 2025.

FLIR is currently supporting two efforts by JPEO-CBRND to field the Agentase C2 product line to the Joint Services under CIDAS. In September 2019, FLIR announced a $35.1 million contract with the U.S. Army to deliver its disclosure spray formulated for blister agents such as sulfur mustard.  

For more on FLIR’s chemical agent disclosure spray, visit www.flir.com/AgentaseC2.

A unique type of blood testing equipment manufactured by a small company in West Wales is emerging as an important tool for understanding how Covid-19 affects the body and for choosing the best treatments for patients.

Benson Viscometers designs and manufactures blood viscometers which, put simply, measure the thickness of blood. In June, doctors at Emory University in the USA, hit on the idea that blood thickness (or viscosity) might be an important pointer for deciding how to treat Covid-19 patients. They had noticed that many Covid-19 patients had unusual blood clotting that did not respond to the usual anti-clotting medication.

“We were unsettled by the fact that some patients with severe Covid-19 had atypical blood clots, even when therapeutically anticoagulated,” says Cheryl Maier, Assistant Professor of Coagulation and Transfusion Medicine, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine and medical director of Emory’s Special Coagulation Laboratory. 

“This prompted us to consider other causes of clot formation, like hyperviscosity, which can be detected by plasma viscosity testing. We found that the sickest patients with Covid-19 had the highest plasma viscosity levels, more than twice normal levels. We also found that patients with the highest viscosity levels were more likely to have a blood clot. We think that the inflammation caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection causes the hyperviscosity, which may contribute to blood clots in some patients.”

She adds that the viscosity levels in the sickest Covid-19 patients were similar to those seen in a type of blood disorder called hyperviscosity syndrome, where the high viscosity leads to dangerous sludging of the blood in the brain and other organs.

“We need larger studies to understand whether hyperviscosity is simply a marker of severe Covid-19 or actually contributing to blood clots in these patients,” she says. “Nevertheless, we’re trying to determine any beneficial role of lowering the viscosity in these patients through a treatment called plasma exchange.”

In the UK, Addenbrookes Hospital is using Benson Viscometers’ equipment to explore how best to understand and treat Covid-19. They have been carrying out the test on all suspected Covid-19 patients to establish a link between PV (plasma viscosity) and Covid-19 and to explore how plasma viscosity relates to the severity of and/or recovery from the disease.

“The tentative results so far, prior to sufficient statistical analysis, clearly show that there is an increase in the PV level associated with a positive Covid result. This is in line with what we would expect,” says Daniel Gleghorn, Senior Biomedical Scientist - Automation Lead, Clinical Haematology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

“I believe the PV test has potential as a useful marker in the diagnostic assessment of patients with suspected Covid-19 and for monitoring disease progression.”

He adds that the PV test has some important advantages over other tests that are used to detect inflammation, including cost and availability.

“From a laboratory management perspective, it is well documented that the PV test provides a more useful indicator of infection, inflammation and malignancy than the traditional ESR,” he says. “It is also a cost-effective test compared with other expensive biochemical methods, can be performed on the same EDTA tube used for a full blood count and is quick and easy to perform.

“There is also the benefit of a less complicated and reliant supply chain for consumables and reagents. This has been significantly affected for other tests (CRP, procalcitonin and Interleukin-6) where this is not the case due to a worldwide increase in demand and the effects of lockdowns on distribution networks.”

Meanwhile, Health Services Laboratories in London is also on the case. HSL is a partnership between the Australian company TDL (The Doctors Laboratory), UCLH (University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust), The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust and North Middlesex University Hospital.

HSL’s flagship laboratory, 'The Halo' in London (one of the largest pathology laboratories in Europe) is using the plasma viscosity test to monitor inflammatory status in certain groups of Covid-19 patients, and is exploring the possibility that high inflammatory markers might indicate the need for alternative strategies for stroke prevention in these patients.

“The aim is to get an overall insight on the reoccurrence of strokes despite patients being on antiplatelet medication and to identify the battery of tests available that can help in these cases,” says Deepak Singh, Head of Department, Haematosis, at Health Service Laboratories.

For Benson Viscometers, these developments have led to heightened interest in the clinical analysers the company has been making for over 20 years. Demand for viscosity testing has now risen so much in the light of Covid-19 that the company is about to take on an additional development premises in Haverfordwest.

Bernie Benson, who created Benson Viscometers, is pleased to see his equipment helping to shape the understanding of Covid-19 and the development of effective treatments.

"It is encouraging to see the growing intensity and vigour of interest in blood and blood plasma viscosity which has been generated by the demand for answers on how to combat the coronavirus," he says. " We are able to apply our ingenuity and ability to adapt and respond to the rapidly changing demands and needs generated as a result of this global pandemic.

“The plasma and serum viscosity test is highly valued and routinely used by many eminent UK hospitals for a range of conditions, and it is exciting to see how blood viscosity tests are now being utilised in the USA."

Looking to the future, there is clear potential that the wider use of these blood tests will lead to a significant improvement in the outcome for critically ill patients and that the high value of this approach will be recognised.

“Covid-19 is not going away, well at least not for the next few years,” says Daniel. “There is however, a need for a diagnostic and prognostic testing strategy not just for the short term, but for many years ahead. If it can be proven that a PV test can be used as part of a diagnostic algorithm, possibly as a positive predictive indicator for Covid-19 it may then form part of a recognised battery of tests for this purpose.

“In addition, determining the prognostic value of PV will hopefully provide an aid to clinicians showing a potential improvement or deterioration in the patient’s condition. The clinicians can then act appropriately in a timely manner. Plasma viscosity at point of care for these patients may also be a possibility.”

Federal Resources are pleased to announce new dates for Experience FR, so save the date, this is an event not to be missed. 02.23.2021-02.26.2021 

The purpose of ExperienceFR is to showcase the latest industry-leading technology and solutions available to end users, program managers and procurement specialists. This experience is designed to help these decision makers meet their operational requirements efficiently and cost-effectively. This event provides all attendees quality training and education in both structured classroom environments and open area training demonstrations. These classroom and hands-on learning experiences focus on topics related to technology, procurement, and response tactics. All training courses are instructed by experienced Subject Matter Experts from military and local government agencies.

Patriot One Technologies Inc. (TSX: PAT) (OTCQX: PTOTF) (FRANKFURT: 0PL) (“Patriot One” or the “Company”), is pleased to announce a development partnership with ecoMine Technologies Corporation (ecoMine) to  advance ecoMine’s innovative, low-cost, on-the-spot pathogen screening technology.  ecoMine’s technology platform has significant potential in this current pandemic, (especially when it comes to enabling the safe return to work across multiples sectors of the economy) as well as a broad range of other pathogen detection applications beyond COVID19.

ecoMine has been selected by Canada’s Digital Technology Supercluster (the “ Supercluster”) as a feasibility project under its  recent COVID19 program, to enable the proof of concept  development and prototyping of COVID19 antigen screens, integrated into a secure digital assurance platform to provide a holistic approach to workplace health and public safety.

“We are delighted to be working with ecoMine, which is allowing us to carry out our mission to create safer communities by detecting threats facing our global citizens,” expressed Martin Cronin, CEO of Patriot One.  “This-on-the-spot screening solution – ecoScreen – is highly innovative and has the potential to become a significant element within our expanding PATSCAN Platform and will assist our resellers and their end client users to build safe environments within their facilities.”

“Partnering with Patriot One Technologies on this Covid19 Program was ideal,” said Rob Greene, CEO of ecoMine.  “Patriot One is an AI-driven technology firm that has the deep technical expertise to help us create secure data architectures based on our on-the-spot-screening solution, and they have a powerful network of security system integrators able to work with property owners to create safe, secure locations for their staff, customers and partners.”

Every community needs to plan and prepare for the risks of HazMat, CBRN, and mass casualty incidents. These emergency plans should include policies for quick and efficient decontamination of contaminated victims. DQE, the leader in portable decontamination systems, introduces the MasCas II Decontamination Shower, a durable, lightweight, multi-victim decon shower with a fast-deploying design for technical decontamination. The MasCas II Decon Shower fits in two carry bags, quickly sets up, offers a level of privacy, and allows multiple individuals to move through the decon process at the same time.

Every community needs to plan and prepare for the risks of HazMat, CBRN, and mass casualty incidents. These emergency plans should include policies for quick and efficient decontamination of contaminated victims. DQE, the leader in portable decontamination systems, introduces the MasCas® II Decontamination Shower, a durable, lightweight, multi-victim decon shower with a fast-deploying design for technical decontamination. The MasCas II Decon Shower fits in two carry bags, quickly sets up, offers a level of privacy, and allows multiple individuals to move through the decon process at the same time.The MasCas II Decontamination Shower unit is constructed of strong polymer materials and the "quick-connect" couplings and color-coded shower frame parts enable fast and simplified assembly. The portable decontamination shower design is fully collapsible for compact storage and transport in only two vinyl carry bags. Deploying in either a four or two-stall configuration to accommodate a stretcher, the MasCas II Decontamination Shower is the optimal portable solution for efficient mass decontamination of non-ambulatory patients who are unresponsive, have life-threatening injuries, or need extensive accommodations. The quick-clean spray nozzles allow users to finetune the spray direction. Simultaneously decontaminate several individuals with vinyl privacy dividers separating each decon stall.

More information on DQE’s line of decontamination showers is available at dqeready.com/Decon

From naru.org.uk

Two important new NARU guidance publications will be published in late June for use by all Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) staff in all ten English NHS ambulance services.

The NARU National Ambulance Service CBRN/HAZMAT Guidance significantly updates the original 2014 version and aims to support a consistent and structured approach by NHS ambulance resources as part of a multi-agency response to CBRN incidents, such as the poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko in 2006 or the Salisbury Novichok poisoning in 2018.#

The NARU Guidance on Dealing with Radiological Incidents and Emergencies is a revision of the original National Health Service (NHS) guidance issued in March 2010 and takes into account operational feedback from Ambulance Trusts and consultation with Partner Agencies. It is also aligned to the Joint Emergency Services Interoperable Programme (JESIP) where applicable.

The guidance set out in this document aims to meet the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work (HaSaW) Act 1974, Ionising Radiations Regulation 2017 and accompanying Approved Code of Practice (IRR17) and the Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public information) Regulations 2019 (REPPIR).

It is applicable to the planning, preparation and response to operations and incidents where radiation may be encountered, giving rise to the potential for exposure to ambulance personnel and/or contaminated patients.

This includes deliberate acts that may cause infrastructure failure and/or mass patients, as well as incidents at nuclear and non-nuclear premises and during the transportation of radioactive materials. It will assist in ensuring a safe and coordinated emergency service response to such incidents.

The two documents will be published onto the central PROCLUS reference library which is only accessible to serving NHS ambulance HART team members and ambulance service EPRR staff here: https://ambulance.pro-clus.co.uk.

Officials at one of the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) are investigating the potential exposure of employees to plutonium.

LANL confirmed on Monday July 6th that 15 workers were being evaluated after a breach involving a glovebox that was being used to handle plutonium. 

The June 8 incident at the lab’s plutonium facility was recently made public in a weekly report by inspectors with an independent safety board that monitors activities at federal labs around the country.

In a statement issued to The Associated Press it was stated that the area inside the plutonium facility was secured, there was no risk to public health or safety, and that “Laboratory employees responded promptly and appropriately and cleared the room in a safe manner."

At this point in time it is unknown how long the review will take, and what changes might be made to ensure another breach does not happen.

GSK and Medicago have announced a collaboration to develop and evaluate a COVID-19 candidate vaccine combining Medicago’s recombinant Coronavirus Virus-Like Particles (CoVLP) with GSK’s pandemic adjuvant system. CoVLPs mimic the structure of the virus responsible for COVID-19 disease, allowing them to be recognised by the immune system. Use of an adjuvant can be of particular importance in a pandemic situation as it may boost the immune response and reduce the amount of antigen required per dose, allowing more vaccine doses to be produced and therefore contributing to protect more people.

Pre-clinical results with Medicago’s CoVLP vaccine candidate demonstrated a high level of neutralizing antibodies following a single dose when administered with adjuvant.Pre-clinical results with Medicago’s CoVLP vaccine candidate demonstrated a high level of neutralizing antibodies following a single dose when administered with adjuvant.

Phase 1 clinical testing is planned to start in mid-July and will evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of three different dose levels of antigen combined with GSKs pandemic adjuvant and in parallel with an adjuvant from another company, administered on a one- and two-dose vaccination schedule, given 21 days apart.

Subject to successful clinical development and regulatory considerations, the companies aim to complete development and make the vaccine available, in the first half of 2021. Both companies will also evaluate expanding their collaboration to develop a post-pandemic vaccine COVID-19 candidate, should the need arise based on the further development of COVID-19 after the pandemic, and other infectious diseases.

The companies will use Medicago’s plant-based production platform to manufacture the COVID-19 vaccine antigen. This innovative technology uses the leaves of a plant as bioreactors to produce the S-spike protein which self-assemble into VLPs for use in the CoVLP vaccine candidate. It is highly scalable and can support the production of large amounts of vaccine in a significantly shortened timeline. Using this technology combined with GSKs proprietary adjuvant system, the companies expect to be able to manufacture approximately 100m doses by the end of 2021. By the end of 2023, a large-scale facility under construction in Quebec City, Canada, is expected to deliver up to 1 billion doses annually. The manufacturing platform has been used to produce a seasonal VLP flu vaccine and the license application is under review with the Canadian regulatory authority.The companies will use Medicago’s plant-based production platform to manufacture the COVID-19 vaccine antigen. This innovative technology uses the leaves of a plant as bioreactors to produce the S-spike protein which self-assemble into VLPs for use in the CoVLP vaccine candidate. It is highly scalable and can support the production of large amounts of vaccine in a significantly shortened timeline. Using this technology combined with GSKs proprietary adjuvant system, the companies expect to be able to manufacture approximately 100m doses by the end of 2021. By the end of 2023, a large-scale facility under construction in Quebec City, Canada, is expected to deliver up to 1 billion doses annually. The manufacturing platform has been used to produce a seasonal VLP flu vaccine and the license application is under review with the Canadian regulatory authority.

Dr Thomas Breuer, Chief Medical Officer, GSK Vaccines, said: “This agreement paves the way for an innovative vaccine option combining a scalable plant-based antigen technology with an adjuvant which has pandemic dose sparing capability. If successful, it will be awith an adjuvant which has pandemic dose sparing capability. If successful, it will be ameaningful contributor in the fight against COVID-19. We strongly believe that multiplevaccines are needed, including post-pandemic vaccines. This plant-based technology alsoshows promise beyond COVID-19 and has the potential to help prevent other infectiousdiseases.”

Dr Bruce Clark, President and CEO of Medicago, said: “We are about to begin clinical trialswith our CoVLP vaccine candidate harnessing GSKs pandemic adjuvant technology againstthe virus that causes COVID-19. This collaboration with GSK gives us access to a provenadjuvant which could enhance the effectiveness of our candidate vaccine, and also to a depthof scientific experience to support our development efforts”

GSK and Medicago have entered into a binding agreement to develop and manufacture anGSK and Medicago have entered into a binding agreement to develop and manufacture anadjuvanted COVID-19 vaccine. Medicago is a privately held company jointly owned byMitsubishi Tanabe Pharma (MTPC) and Philip Morris International (PMI), with a shareholdingratio of 67:33, respectively. PMI has signalled that it is willing to evaluate offers for itsshareholding from parties that may be better suited to help Medicago on the next phase of itsjourney and has initiated preliminary review to determine the optimal shareholding andgovernance structure for Medicago’s future success.

Rigaku Analytical Devices, the market leader in handheld 1064nm Raman technology, will provide next generation narcotics, and other illegal drug analysis, equipment to state and local law enforcement agencies through new Excel Program. The Rigaku Expanding Capabilities Equipment for Law Enforcement (EXCEL) Program is designed to provide agencies with a modular analytical method for identifying the latest illegal and dangerous drug formations and strands, while keeping officers safe.

As part of the Rigaku EXCEL Program, five different state/local agencies will be selected and presented one standard Rigaku Progeny ResQ FLX 1064nm handheld Raman analyzer. Recipients will be announced on October 30, 2020.

The Rigaku Progeny ResQ FLX 1064nm Raman analyzer provides law enforcement agencies with greater flexibility for use in the widespread opioid epidemic and increase in drug trafficking. Its utilization of 1064nm Raman technology means a rapid response of less than 1 minute, the ability to scan dirty or colored substances, and the capability to scan through packaging – keeping officers safer by avoiding exposure. The ResQ FLX analyzer includes a standard library of 1,200 compounds including narcotics, cutting agents, and household chemicals. In addition, the ResQ FLX analyzer is based off a modular platform with expandable options to select additional libraries, features, and support packages that if the needs and growth of the department.

The purpose of the EXCEL Program includes:The purpose of the EXCEL Program includes:

• To introduce the latest generation of narcotics spectrometers to law enforcement
• To improve the analysis quality of illegal drug identification performed by state/local law enforcement
• To provide presumptive testing capabilities to prioritize the backlog of samples to laboratories
• To train officers on the use of handheld analysis technology for drug analysis
• To address emerging drug formulations with handheld analytical technology
• To receive feedback from real world sample analysis

For more information about eligibility and to apply, (deadline is October 1, 2020 at midnight EDT) please visit: https://www.rigaku.com/RAD/ExcelProgram

FLIR Systems, Inc. has announced modified thermal cameras for fast and safe noncontact elevated skin temperature* screening. The FLIR EST thermal screening solutions provide frontline screening at building entries and in high traffic areas to improve safety and help curb the spread of COVID-19. The FLIR Axxx-EST, FLIR T5xx-EST, and FLIR Exx-EST series cameras are designed tosimplify the screening process, reducing the burden on screening operators and adhering to recommended social distancing guidelines.

"The new FLIR EST thermal solutions represent nearly two decades of experience designing and manufacturing thermal measurement solutions for skin temperature screening,” said Jim Cannon, Presidentand CEO at FLIR. “These cameras are our easiest cameras to set up and operate to date for skin temperature screening, requiring limited training to begin screening people more quickly and accurately".

FLIR Screen-EST Mode
The new EST cameras also introduce an enhanced, on-camera FLIR Screen-EST mode, which increases throughput by 25 percent compared to the previous version. To further improve accuracy, the updatedScreen-EST mode automatically generates a sample baseline temperature average and compares individuals’ skin temperature against that baseline, reducing measurement uncertainty from natural body temperature fluctuations and environmental effects. This mode can sound or display an alarm when the camera detects an elevated temperature above a set threshold. If the screening mode detects an individual with elevated skin temperature, they should then be evaluated using a medical device such as athermometer. In addition, the new EST cameras are compatible with the new FLIR Screen-EST desktops software announced earlier in June.

The A500-EST and A700-EST cameras are designed for permanent, fixed-mounted installations and can beThe A500-EST and A700-EST cameras are designed for permanent, fixed-mounted installations and can be deployed as a single, standalone screening station or in a network. The cameras can be connected to most video management systems while the camera housing features multiple mounting points to support tripod orpermanent installations.

FLIR T5xx-EST Series
The T540-EST and T560-EST are designed to operate in either a mobile or more permanent setting. The flexible form factor enables a cable-free mobile operation with up to four hours of battery life or hands-freeuse with an integrated tripod mount. 

FLIR Exx-EST Series
Light, ergonomically designed for handheld use, and battery-powered, the E54-EST and E86-EST offer the capability for mobile screening settings with a bright, easy-to-use integrated touchscreen display. Tripodmounts are also available for the Exx-EST models.The FLIR Axxx-EST series, T5xx-EST series, and Exx-EST series will be available for purchase worldwide inthe Third Quarter 2020 on FLIR.com and through FLIR authorized distributors.

To learn more, please visit www.flir.com/ehs

Smiths Detection today announces that it has entered into an agreement to acquire PathSensors, a leading bio-technology solutions and environmental-testing company based in Baltimore, MD. The acquisition expands Smiths Detection’s sensing capabilities across the CBRNE (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive) spectrum to respond quickly to emerging threats.

PathSensors provides high-speed, highly sensitive pathogen-detection and biothreat solutions and has developed a robust fieldable method of identifying biological threats in minutes. The company shares a similar customer base to that which Smiths Detection serves for chemical-threat detection, while also allowing for expansion into adjacencies such as food and agricultural safety.

PathSensors offers multiple assays that are already available, at an independently verified speed and sensitivity data, which offer an opportunity to develop their future potential. The transaction will enable Smiths Detection to accelerate its position in biological-detection capabilities which are important both within our current markets and beyond.

“The acquisition of PathSensors will allow us to broaden our detection capabilities within the biological spectrum, which is becoming more relevant in the current environment,” said Roland Carter, President of Smiths Detection. “This is consistent with our approach to increase our focus on investing selectively in technology and innovation for the purpose of getting closer to our customers and expanding into new adjacencies.”

The contract is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to conclude within the next four weeks.