biohazard

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a highly infectious, fatal prion disease that affects cervid species. One promising method for CWD surveillance is the use of detection dog-handler teams wherein dogs are trained on the volatile organic compound signature of CWD fecal matter. However, using fecal matter from CWD-positive deer poses a biohazard risk; CWD prions can bind to soil particles and remain infectious in contaminated areas for extended periods of time, and it is very difficult to decontaminate the affected areas...

Agricultural pollution with 137 Cs is an ecological threat due to its sustained half-life and radioactivity. Release of radiocesium isotopes after major nuclear power plant accidents like the Fukushima Dai-ichi and the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disasters have severely affected the surrounding growth of agricultural crops and vegetables cultivated across extensive areas. Even years after the nuclear accidents, biosafety in these agricultural fields is still questionable. Due to similarity in charge and ionic radius between radiocesium and K+ , the radionuclides are promiscuously uptaken via K+ channels expressed in plants...

BACKGROUND: Maintaining biosafety in dental practice involves the effective elimination of aerosols produced during dental treatment. OBJECTIVES: To assess the quantity of aerosols and aerobic bacteria in the air during the treatment of caries. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved 60 patients with a total of 60 molar teeth (n = 60) in the mandible who were divided into 2 groups based on caries treatment method. Group 1 (G1, n = 30) received treatment with a conventional dental turbine (W&H Synea TA-98LC; W&H, Burmoos, Austria), while group 2 (G2, n = 30) underwent treatment with an Er:YAG (erbium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet) laser (LightWalker, Fotona, Slovenia)...

BACKGROUND: The work presents the intentional use of harmful biological agents based on National Register of Biological Agents (Krajowego Rejestru Czynników Biologicznych - KRCB) collected by June 2023. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The KRCB is a central database gathering notifications of the intentional use of biological agents in risk groups 2-4 in the workplace in accordance with the regulation of the Minister of Health of December 11, 2020 amending the regulation regarding biological agents...

Screening for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is one of the most important preventative measures for cervical cancer. However, fast, convenient, and low-cost HPV detection remains challenging, especially in resource-limited settings. Here, we report a portable all-in-one device (PAD) for point-of-care testing (POCT) for HPV16 and HPV18 DNA in cervical swabs. The PAD was engineered to integrate modules for extraction-free sample lysis, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) with lyophilized reagent beads, and real-time colorimetric signal sensing into a single miniaturized device, considerably shortening the sample-to-result time to 15 min...

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy procedures are critical for screening, diagnosis and treatment of a variety of GI disorders. However, like other medical disciplines, they are a source of environmental waste generation and energy consumption. METHODS: We prospectively collected data on total waste generation, energy consumption and role of intra-procedural inventory audit of a single tertiary care academic endoscopy unit over a 2-month period (May-June 2022)...

INTRODUCTION: Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) virus and Lassa virus (LASV) are zoonotic agents regarded as high-consequence pathogens due to their high case fatality rates. CCHF virus is a vector-borne disease and is transmitted by tick bites. Lassa virus is spread via aerosolization of dried rat urine, ingesting infected rats, and direct contact with or consuming food and water contaminated with rat excreta. METHODS: The scientific literature for biosafety practices has been reviewed for both these two agents to assess the evidence base and biosafety-related knowledge gaps...

INTRODUCTION: A significant amount of uncertainty exists regarding potential human exposure to laboratory biomaterials and organisms in Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) research laboratories. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling is proposed as a way to better understand potential impacts of different combinations of biomaterials, laboratory manipulations, and exposure routes on risks to laboratory workers. METHODS: In this study, we use CFD models to simulate airborne concentrations of contaminants in an actual BSL-2 laboratory under different configurations...

INTRODUCTION: Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious infection of cloven-hoofed animals. The Biosafety Research Road Map reviewed scientific literature regarding the foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV). This project aims to identify gaps in the data required to conduct evidence-based biorisk assessments, as described by Blacksell et al., and strengthen control measures appropriate for local and national laboratories. METHODS: A literature search was conducted to identify potential gaps in biosafety and focused on five main sections: the route of inoculation/modes of transmission, infectious dose, laboratory-acquired infections, containment releases, and disinfection and decontamination strategies...

INTRODUCTION: Safe handling of biological samples sourced from wild ecosystems is a pressing concern for scientists in disparate fields, including ecology and evolution, OneHealth initiatives, bioresources, geography, veterinary medicine, conservation, and many others. This is especially relevant given the growing global research community and collaborative networks that often span international borders. Treatments to inactivate potential pathogens of concern during transportation and analysis of biospecimens while preserving molecular structures of interest are necessary...

INTRODUCTION: Modern germicidal ultraviolet C (UVC) equipment can deliver automated UV disinfection treatment by predetermined or self-monitoring cycle. Limited information exists about the performance of such UV systems for treating SARS-CoV-2 and other viral contaminants on surfaces. Published studies differ in their approaches due to the absence of an approved test method. METHODS: The ability of germicidal UVC irradiation systems to disinfect surfaces at room and cabinet scale was assessed...

The aim of the current work was to decipher the systemic damage and biochemical defense machinery due to combined arsenic (5 mg L-1 Na3 AsO4 ) and fluoride (50 mg L-1 NaF) stress in two rice cultivars viz., IR-64 (non-aromatic) and Gobindobhog (aromatic), grown for 14 days, under 16/8 h light/dark photoperiodic cycle at 32 °C. Higher accumulation of arsenic and fluoride in Gobindobhog generated higher levels of H2 O2 that caused higher electrolyte leakage, along with malondialdehyde and methylglyoxal formation...

Face masks play a role in reducing the spread of airborne pathogens, providing that they have a good filtration performance, are correctly fitted and maintained. Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (BFE) is a key indicator for evaluating filtration performance according to both European and US standards, requiring the use of Staphylococcus aureus loaded aerosol. However, the generation and handling of a Biohazard group 2 bacterium aerosol require a careful management of the biological risk and pose limitations to the accessibility to this method...

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected workplaces in many different aspects. In this scenario, Occupational Physicians played a crucial role in assessing and managing the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and associated diseases to guarantee workers' health and the safety of workplaces. However, the pandemic experience has drawn attention to several critical issues in overall biohazard prevention and management strategies, originating from important knowledge gaps in our scientific understanding. An extensive analysis of the relevant hurdles that have emerged in our medical field can bring valuable lessons for the post pandemic future, not only in preparation for possible new pathogens with pandemic potential but also with principles and concepts applicable to managing all biological agents...

Biomedical waste (BMW), encompassing hazardous medical materials, poses environmental and public health risks if not correctly managed. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in India is a statutory organization that oversees BMW disposal standards, aimed at mitigating these hazards. BMW mismanagement is a major problem and potentially poses threats to the environment as well as public health. During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, increased use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other medical equipment was witnessed which led to a marked raised BMW generation...

Background: Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) has emerged as a new gold standard for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia; however, its steep learning curve hinders generalization of this technique. Therefore, there is a need for a benchtop HoLEP simulator to reduce this learning curve and provide training. We have developed a nonbiohazardous HoLEP simulator using modern education theory and validated it in a multicenter study. Materials and Methods: Six experts established key components for a HoLEP simulator through a Delphi consensus over three rounds including 250 questions...

Textile-based photocatalysts are the new materials that can be utilized as an effective sustainable solution for biochemical hazards. Hence, we aimed to develop a sustainable, cost-effective, and facile approach for the fabrication of photocatalytic fabric using graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3 N4 ) and ferric-based multifunctional nanocomposite. Bulk g-C3 N4 was prepared from urea by heating it at 500 °C for 2 h. The structure of ball-milled g-C3 N4 was engineered by doping with various amounts of iron (III) chloride hexahydrate solution (0...

Global warming caused by increased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions has a direct impact on human health. Gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy contributes significantly to GHG emissions due to energy consumption, reprocessing of endoscopes and accessories, production of equipment, safe disposal of biohazardous waste, and travel by patients. Moreover, GHGs are also generated in histopathology through tissue processing and the production of biopsy specimen bottles. The reduction in unnecessary surveillance endoscopies and biopsies is a practical approach to decrease GHG emissions without affecting disease outcomes...

Glyphosate (GP, N-phosphonomethyl glycine) is one of the most popular organophosphate herbicides widely used in agricultural practices worldwide. There have been extensive reports on the biohazard attributes and hormetic impacts of GP on plant and animal systems. However, the effects of GP on plant growth-promoting microbes and its ecological relevance remain unknown. Here, we show that GP does exert a hormetic impact on Burkholderia cepacia LS-044, a rice (Oryza sativa ssp. japonica cv. Tainung 71) root endophytic isolate...

During the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic in South Africa, one of many challenges included availability of control material for laboratory proficiency testing programs. Proficiency testing control material utilising live SARS-CoV-2 or RNA extracted from cell culture was either biohazardous or costly, particularly in resource limited settings. This study reports the development and application of a non-infectious SARS-CoV-2 biomimetic Mycobacterium smegmatis strain that mimics a positive result in the GeneXpert SARS-CoV-2 Xpert Xpress cartridge...