Biological Hazards Research Articles

Advancements in Non-Thermal Processing Technologies for Enhancing Safety and Quality of Infant and Baby Food Products: A Review.

Breast milk is the main source of nutrition during early life, but both infant formulas (Ifs; up to 12 months) and baby foods (BFs; up to 3 years) are also important for providing essential nutrients. The infant food industry rigorously controls for potential physical, biological, and chemical hazards. Although thermal treatments are commonly used to ensure food safety in IFs and BFs, they can negatively affect sensory qualities, reduce thermosensitive nutrients, and lead to chemical contaminant formation. To address these challenges, non-thermal processing technologies such as high-pressure processing, pulsed electric fields, radio frequency, and ultrasound offer efficient pathogen destruction similar to traditional thermal methods, while reducing the production of key process-induced toxicants such as furan and 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfural (HMF). These alternative thermal processes aim to overcome the drawbacks of traditional methods while retaining their advantages. This review paper highlights the growing global demand for healthy, sustainable foods, driving food manufacturers to adopt innovative and efficient processing techniques for both IFs and BFs. Based on various studies reviewed for this work, the application of these novel technologies appears to reduce thermal processing intensity, resulting in products with enhanced sensory properties, comparable shelf life, and improved visual appeal compared to conventionally processed products.

Development of Fusion-Based Assay as a Drug Screening Platform for Nipah Virus Utilizing Baculovirus Expression Vector System.

Nipah virus (NiV) is known to be a highly pathogenic zoonotic virus, which is included in the World Health Organization Research & Development Blueprint list of priority diseases with up to 70% mortality rate. Due to its high pathogenicity and outbreak potency, a therapeutic countermeasure against NiV is urgently needed. As NiV needs to be handled within a Biological Safety Level (BSL) 4 facility, we had developed a safe drug screening platform utilizing a baculovirus expression vector system (BEVS) based on a NiV-induced syncytium formation that could be handled within a BSL-1 facility. To reconstruct the NiV-induced syncytium formation in BEVS, two baculoviruses were generated to express recombinant proteins that are responsible for inducing the syncytium formation, including one baculovirus exhibiting co-expressed NiV fusion protein (NiV-F) and NiV attachment glycoprotein (NiV-G) and another exhibiting human EphrinB2 protein. Interestingly, syncytium formation was observed in infected insect cells when the medium was modified to have a lower pH level and supplemented with cholesterol. Fusion inhibitory properties of several compounds, such as phytochemicals and a polysulfonated naphthylamine compound, were evaluated using this platform. Among these compounds, suramin showed the highest fusion inhibitory activity against NiV-induced syncytium in the baculovirus expression system. Moreover, our in silico results provide a molecular-level glimpse of suramin's interaction with NiV-G's central hole and EphrinB2's G-H loop, which could be the possible reason for its fusion inhibitory activity.

Principles and challenges of whole cell microbial biosensors in the food industry.

Whole cell microbial biosensors (WCMB) are mostly genetically modified microorganisms used to detect target molecules as indicators of biological and chemical contaminants as well as in the identification of compounds of interest in the food industry. The specificity and sensitivity of these biosensors are achieved through the design of genetic circuits that make use of genetic sequences such as promoters, terminators, genes encoding regulatory proteins or reporter proteins, among others. Despite the advances of WCMBs for their application, significant challenges are faced, such as cell stability, regulatory restrictions, and the need to optimize response times so that they can be a competitive detection tool in the market. This review explores the technological progress, potential and limitations of WCMBs in the food industry, starting by reviewing the operating principles of biosensors. The importance of selecting appropriate chassis cells and the integration of recognition elements and transducers to maximize their effectiveness in the detection of contaminants and compounds of interest in the food industry is highlighted.

Identifying the impact of climate variables on biological and chemical contaminants of preharvest foods and their associated food safety risks: a scoping review protocol

BackgroundFoodborne and waterborne illnesses affect over four million Canadians annually and pose a preventable burden on the nation’s healthcare system. Climate change can increase the risk of such illnesses by...

Breathing Clean Air: Navigating Indoor Air Purification Techniques and Finding the Ideal Solution.

The prevalence of airborne pathogens in indoor environments presents significant health risks due to prolonged human occupancy. This review addresses diverse air purification systems to combat airborne pathogens and the factors influencing their efficacy. Indoor aerosols, including bioaerosols, harbor biological contaminants from respiratory emissions, highlighting the need for efficient air disinfection strategies. The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the dangers of airborne transmission, highlighting the importance of comprehending how pathogens spread indoors. Various pathogens, from viruses like SARS-CoV-2 to bacteria like Mycobacterium (My) tuberculosis, exploit unique respiratory microenvironments for transmission, necessitating targeted air purification solutions. Air disinfection methods encompass strategies to reduce aerosol concentration and inactivate viable bioaerosols. Techniques like ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI), photocatalytic oxidation (PCO), filters, and unipolar ion emission are explored for their specific roles in mitigating airborne pathogens. This review examines air purification systems, detailing their operational principles, advantages, and limitations. Moreover, it elucidates key factors influencing system performance. In conclusion, this review aims to provide practical knowledge to professionals involved in indoor air quality management, enabling informed decisions for deploying efficient air purification strategies to safeguard public health in indoor environments.

Incidence of residual biologic debris and contamination of reused bipolar vessel sealing devices after ethylene oxide sterilization following splenectomy.

The aim of the present study was to quantify the amount of biologic debris present within disposable bipolar vessel sealing devices after each use for canine splenectomies and determine the aerobic bacterial load of the debris following instrument resterilization with ethylene oxide. Prospective observational clinical study. Client-owned dogs (n = 40) presenting to a single specialty hospital for open, routine, or emergency splenectomies. A total of 16 bipolar vessel sealing devices were randomly assigned to undergo one, two, three, or four splenectomies, manual hand cleanings, and ethylene oxide sterilizations before being dismantled. After final use and sterilization, each handset was agitated in phosphate-buffered saline before disassembly, which was submitted for aerobic culture. Following aseptic disassembly, all biological residue was photo-documented, collected, quantified using a subjective scoring system, and submitted for culture. Biologic debris was present within the inner mechanics of all devices, specifically under the blade used for vessel transection. A linear increase in debris was not appreciated amongst devices used once versus devices used multiple times. None of the devices nor any of the biologic debris cultured positive following sterilization with ethylene oxide. The presence of biologic debris was documented after the initial use of disposable bipolar vessel sealing devices, but no devices or debris yielded positive culture results following ethylene oxide sterilization after splenectomies. Increased risk of iatrogenic surgical site contamination from reused vessel sealing devices is unlikely when they have been cleaned and sterilized with ethylene oxide after up to four splenectomy surgeries.

Operational management of water quality to prevent physical, chemical, and microbial contaminations in hydroponic cultivation

ABSTRACT The overarching aim of the present research is to manage the quality of surface water and irrigation water in hydroponic cultivation, which is one of the sustainable modern agricultural methods. It fully covered the control of physical, chemical, and biological contamination within the recommended standard range from river water to irrigation water. Initially, to deal with the corresponding contamination levels, the performance of the combination of coagulation and flocculation, rapid sand filter, ultrafiltration, and ultimately reverse osmosis methods were examined. By optimizing the pre-treatment section of coagulation and flocculation with jar tests, more than 90% removal of colloidal materials was achieved. Following the optimization of pre-treatment section, an 18.7% reduction in water consumption was observed. Finally, through the examination of the irrigation system and monitoring of both physical and biological contaminations, alongside the optimization of the greenhouse's recycled water disinfection system, preventive measures inhibiting the irrigation system clogging were implemented. The findings of the current research exhibited the removal of over 99% of these contaminations yielding a 99% reduction in the occurrence of irrigation system clogging.

Climate change induced salinization and quality deterioration of groundwater resources in Pakistan; Current scenario and future prospects

Climate change has triggered various catastrophic events including groundwater salinization resulted in quality deterioration worldwide leading to the environmental degradation and posed threat to natural ecosystems. Pakistan is among the countries severely affected by the climate change. Most of the Pakistani depends on groundwater resources for drinking and irrigation purposes but no clear policy exists regarding judicious extraction and usage of groundwater. Over extraction and exploitation of groundwater along with climate change events have deteriorated the quality of groundwater in Pakistan and most of the part is salinized and has excess of soluble salts and other chemical, physical and biological contaminants. This paper reviews the impacts of climate change on salinization and groundwater quality and possible remedies and solution for this problem especially with the perspective of Pakistan. It is the need of the hour of the time to introduce climate smart agricultural practices at farmer level to stop overexploitation of natural resources and to reduce the agriculture share to climate change. Policies should be developed and existing policies should be strictly implemented for the judicious use of surface water and ground water resources to avoid the risks of water scarcity in near future.

Raman spectroscopy - a visit to the literature on plant, food, and agricultural studies.

Raman spectroscopy, a fast, non-invasive, and label-free optical technique, has significantly advanced plant and food studies and precision agriculture by providing detailed molecular insights into biological tissues. Utilizing the Raman scattering effect generates unique spectral fingerprints that comprehensively analyze tissue composition, concentration, and molecular structure. These fingerprints are obtained without chemical additives or extensive sample preparation, making Raman spectroscopy particularly suitable for in-field applications. Technological enhancements such as surface-enhanced Raman scattering, Fourier-transform-Raman spectroscopy, and chemometrics have increased Raman spectroscopy sensitivity and precision. These and other advancements enable real-time monitoring of compound translocation within plants and improve the detection of chemical and biological contaminants, essential for food safety and crop optimization. Integrating Raman spectroscopy into agronomic practices is transformative and marks a shift toward more sustainable farming activities. It assesses crop quality - as well as the quality of the food that originated from crop production - early plant stress detection and supports targeted breeding programs. Advanced data processing techniques and machine learning integration efficiently handle complex spectral data, providing a dynamic and detailed view of food conditions and plant health under varying environmental and biological stresses. As global agriculture faces the dual challenges of increasing productivity and sustainability, Raman spectroscopy stands out as an indispensable tool, enhancing farming practices' precision, food safety, and environmental compatibility. This review is intended to select and briefly comment on outstanding literature to give researchers, students, and consultants a reference for works of literature in Raman spectroscopy mainly focused on plant, food, and agronomic sciences. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

PHYSICAL STABILITY AND SAFETY TESTING OF COSMETIC FORMULATIONS CONTAINING COLLAGEN FROM CATFISH (PANGASIUS SP.) SWIM BLADDER

Objective: Collagen is a fibrous protein that confers strength and flexibility on bone and other body tissues, such as the skin and tendons, and is the main component of the extracellular matrix. It is used in cosmetics for its anti-aging activity. The primary source of commercial collagen is pig skin, but its use is imperfect due to halal concerns and the risk of biological contamination. Therefore, this research was conducted to identify alternate sources of collagen derived from fish. This study used the swim bladders of catfish that were not consumed and sought to separate the collagen from and use it in a safe anti-ageing serum for humans. Methods: Three formulations of 1%, 2%, and 3% collagen were developed in the laboratory using experimental methods. The three formulations were then evaluated for physical stability and in vivo irritation. Results: Physical quality testing showed that the 1%, 2%, and 3% formulations remained stable at room, low, and high temperatures. However, in the irritation test, the 2% and 3% formulations resulted in mild erythema after 24, 48, and 72 h under constant conditions. Conclusion: The 1% formula was confirmed stable and safe.

Assessment of Biological and Chemical Contaminations in Household Taps and Filters Water in Giza Governorate, Egypt

Assessment of Biological and Chemical Contaminations in Household Taps and Filters Water in Giza Governorate, Egypt

Visual toxicity in zebrafish larvae following exposure to 2,2′,4,4′-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47), triphenyl phosphate (TPhP), and isopropyl phenyl diphenyl phosphate (IPPP)

TPhP and IPPP, alternatives to PBDEs as flame retardants, have been studied for their developmental toxicity, but their visual toxicities are less understood. In this study, zebrafish larvae were exploited to evaluate the potential ocular impairments following exposure to BDE-47, TPhP, and IPPP. The results revealed a range of ocular abnormalities, including malformation, vascular issues within the eyes, and histopathological changes in the retina. Notably, the visually mediated behavioral changes were primarily observed in IPPP and TPhP, indicating that they caused more severe eye malformations and vision impairment than BDE-47. Molecular docking and MD simulations showed stronger binding affinity of TPhP and IPPP to RAR and RBP receptors. Elevated ROS and T3 levels induced by these compounds led to apoptosis in larvae eyes, and increased GABA levels induced by TPhP and IPPP hindered retinal repair. In summary, our results indicate TPhP and IPPP exhibit severer visual toxicity than BDE-47, affecting eye development and visually guided behaviors. The underlying mechanism involves disruptions in RA signaling, retinal neurotransmitters imbalance, thyroid hormones up-regulation, and apoptosis in larvae eyes. This work highlights novel insights into the need for cautious use of these flame retardants due to their potential biological hazards, thereby offering valuable guidance for their safer applications.

Microbial contamination of spittoons and germicidal effect of irradiation with krypton chloride excimer lamps (Far UV-C 222 nm).

In dentistry, instruments, appliances, and body fluids such as saliva or blood are possible sources of infection. Although conventional antiseptic procedures effectively prevent infection, spittoons cannot be sanitized between each treated patient and are usually washed only with running water. However, there is currently no fast and efficient disinfection method that can be implemented between treatments. An optically filtered krypton chloride excimer lamp using ultraviolet light (Far UV-C) in the 200-230 nm wavelength range (innocuous to humans) has been recently used as a virus- and bacteria-inactivating technology. This study aimed to identify the bioburden of a dental spittoon and examine the susceptibility of two oral Streptococcus and two Enterococci to 222-nm Far UV-C by irradiating the spittoon with 222 nm Far UV-C for 5 min before evaluating the disinfection effect. Bacterial analysis and real-time polymerase-chain reaction testing was used to confirm the spittoon's biological contamination. Bacterial susceptibility to a 222-nm Far UV-C was determined with a graded dose irradiation test. After each treatment, the spittoon was irradiated with 222-nm Far UV-C for 5 min, and the disinfecting effect was evaluated. Microbial analysis of the spittoon's surface was performed using the Silva database. We found that > 97% of the microbes consisted of six bacterial phyla, whereas no viruses were found. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was frequently detected. The 1-log reduction value of two oral-derived Streptococci and two Enterococci species at 222-nm Far UV-C was 4.5-7.3 mJ/cm2. Exposure of the spittoon to 222-nm Far UV-C at 3.6-13.5 mJ/cm2 significantly decreased bacterial counts (p < 0.001). Irradiation with 222-nm Far UV-C at 3.6-13.5 mJ/cm2 significantly eliminates bacteria in spittoons, even when they are only rinsed with water. Hence, 222-nm Far UV-C irradiation may inhibit the risk of bacterial transmission from droplets in sink surfaces.

Metagenomics reveals the potential transmission risk of resistomes from urban park environment to human

Urban parks play a significant role in urban ecosystems and are strongly associated with human health. Nevertheless, the biological contamination of urban parks – opportunistic pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) – has been poorly reported. Here, metagenomic and 16 S rRNA sequencing methods were used to study the distribution and assembly of opportunistic pathogens and ARGs in soil and water from nine parks in Lanzhou city, and further compared them with local human gut microbiomes to investigate the potential transmission risk. Our results revealed that the most important type of drug resistance in urban parks was multidrug resistance, with various resistance mechanisms. Approximately half of ARGs were shared between human gut and park environment, and it was noteworthy that cross-species transmission might exist among some high-risk ARGs, such as mepA and mdtE, with a significant enrichment in human gut. Metagenomic binning uncovered several bacterial genomes carrying adjacent ARGs, MGEs, and virulence genes, indicating a possibility that these genes may jointly transfer among different environments, particularly from park environment to human. Our results provided a reference point for the management of environmental pollutants in urban parks.

Museum Professionals’ Perceptions of Chemical and Biological Hazards and Risks in Museum Work Environments in Finland

Limited research has explored museum professionals’ perceptions of workplace hazards and risks, despite the presence of various health threats in museum work environments. This study aims to identify perceived chemical and biological hazards and contributing factors in Finnish museum workplaces. Utilizing data from two surveys and qualitative content analysis, it uncovers a range of perceived hazards, often linked to collection storage facilities, historical buildings, and museum collections. Mold, indoor air quality, and dust are central concerns. While recognizing chemical hazards in collections proves challenging, accident-related and ergonomic hazards receive broad recognition. Workplace hazards are perceived to be rooted in systemic and cultural factors, encompassing haphazard management, recurring themes of neglect, limited safety knowledge, and negative attitudes. Enhancing workplace safety in museums necessitates a comprehensive approach, including support and education for leaders and other professionals, improved work practices and storage facilities, and increased budgetary support.

Ochratoxin A and microbiological contamination of craft beers made in Cuenca, Ecuador

Craft beers are usually produced on a small scale following atypical recipes and processes to achieve flavor innovation. Beers’ hop composition offers a natural protection against biological contamination. Nevertheless, mycotoxins, such as ochratoxin A, can persist through the brewing process into the final product. In this study, the microbiological quality (aerobic mesophilic bacteria, mold, and yeast) via plate counts and ochratoxin A occurrence by HPLC-FLD were assessed in 42 samples of craft beer brewed in Cuenca, Ecuador. Aerobic mesophilic bacteria were present in 92.8% of analyzed samples and ranged from 6.6 to 8.4 log CFU mL-1. Mold and yeast were present in 95.2% of craft beers, ranging between 6.6 and 8.2 log CFU mL-1. Ochratoxin A was detected in 24% of craft beer samples, from which Ale type beers showed the highest contamination (0.03-0.51 ng mL-1). None of the craft beer samples presented levels of ochratoxin A contamination above the permitted limit; while in most of the samples, microbiological contamination exceeded the reference limits applied for industrial beer. Although craft beer production does not follow a standardized process, to ensure the safety of this popular alcoholic beverage, minimum requirements for microbiological and chemical contaminants must be considered as well as further research into control and mitigation strategies throughout brewing.

Hazard Identification Risk Assessment Onsite Survey for External Human-Induced Events Aspect of the Nuclear Power Plant in West Kalimantan, Indonesia

Every stage of the West Kalimantan Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) building process prioritizes safety. The external, human-induced events (HIE) aspect is one part of the NPP site survey, as some risks in the site evaluation procedure could compromise the safety of the activity implementers. As a result, a risk assessment study relating to occupational safety and health (OSH) is necessary. This study aims to determine the quantity of risk from NPP site survey activities in terms of the HIE aspect. The risk assessment method involves a literature review and collecting data from field verification using a quantitative method that refers to the risk assessment based on BATAN Standard 006.1:2019 to support the implementation of the OSH management system. Following that, the analysis begins with a hazard risk identification risk analysis to determine the risk probability scale and consequence scale acquisition that may result from the hazards. The research findings from the conducted assessment of risk related to the nonroutine HIE site survey show ergonomic, mechanical, and biological hazards that were developed during the preparation, field review, and reporting processes. The risk rating is category A, with a risk scale of 2, indicating acceptable risk and effective control measures. These data and information support site evaluation license requirements for Indonesia as it plans for the construction of NPPs.

Extracellular Vesicle-Inspired Minimalist Flexible Nanocapsules Assembled with Whole Active Ingredients for Highly Efficient Enhancement of DC-Mediated Tumor Immunotherapy.

The development of nanovaccines capable of eliciting tumor-specific immune responses holds significant promise for tumor immunotherapy. However, many nanovaccine designs rely heavily on incorporating multiple adjuvants and carriers, increasing the biological hazards associated with these additional components. Here, this work introduces novel flexible nanocapsules (OVAnano) designed to mimic extracellular vesicles, primarily using the ovalbumin antigen and minimal polyethylenimine adjuvant components. These results show that the biomimetic flexible structure of OVAnano facilitates enhanced antigen uptake by dendritic cells (DCs), leading to efficient antigen and adjuvant release into the cytosol via endosomal escape, and ultimately, successful antigen cross-presentation by DCs. Furthermore, OVAnano modulates the intracellular nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling pathway, promoting DC maturation. The highly purified antigens in OVAnano demonstrate remarkable antigen-specific immunogenicity, triggering strong antitumor immune responses mediated by DCs. Therapeutic tumor vaccination studies have also shown that OVAnano administration effectively suppresses tumor growth in mice by inducing immune responses from CD8+ and CD4+ T cells targeting specific antigens, reducing immunosuppression by regulatory T cells, and boosting the populations of effector memory T cells. These findings underscore that the simple yet potent strategy of employing minimal flexible nanocapsules markedly enhances DC-mediated antitumor immunotherapy, offering promising avenues for future clinical applications.

Strategies for Coping with Occupational Trauma: A Scoping Review of the Police Officer Context.

Occupational trauma is heightened among police officers due to their exposure to physical, biological, chemical, and psychological hazards. Sustained occupational trauma results in mental illness among members of the police, which is a public health issue of concern. This study aimed to report a scoping review of the literature on strategies employed by police officers for coping with occupational trauma around the globe. A search string, formulated from the review question of what is known about the strategies of police officers for coping with occupational trauma, was used to search for articles from databases. A total of 588 hits were screened against inclusion criteria, resulting in 36 full-text studies between 1983 and 2022 being included in this review. Data were extracted using a standardised data extraction tool. The multi-step process was used to analyse the extracted data, integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches. From this review, 'adaptive coping mechanisms', involving confrontation; 'maladaptive coping mechanisms', such as self-isolation, distancing and substance use; 'resilience', relating to mental preparation, and 'seeking support systems' from family, colleagues and professionals reflected the strategies used by police officers to cope with occupational trauma. Social stigma related to mental health disorders impacts the strategies used by police officers to cope with occupational trauma. the police management and healthcare practitioners must collaborate towards providing constructive environments that support and strengthen police officers' strategies for coping with occupational trauma.

Aquaculture sludge as feed for black soldier fly: Transfer of chemical and biological contaminants and nutrients

Aquaculture sludge (uneaten feed and faeces) is nutrient rich and has potential as feed for insects. The aim of this study was to investigate the transfer of chemical and biological contaminants, as well as nutrients, from aquaculture sludge to black soldier fly larvae. The larvae were reared on a sludge mixture made of different sludges collected from Norwegian freshwater salmonid facilities. The sludge was spiked with four common salmon pathogens: Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis Virus, Infectious Salmon Anemia virus, Yersinia ruckeri or Mycobacterium salmoniphilum. During the 15 days of growth on sludge, the black soldier fly larvae accumulated valuable nutrients including protein, fat, eicosapentaenoic acid, iron, manganese, zinc and selenium. The larvae also accumulated undesirable substances including cadmium, mercury, dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls. The concentrations of dioxins exceeded the EU maximum level set for animal feed. None of the salmon pathogens that were spiked to the sludge were detected in the black soldier fly larvae. This study reports low risk of transfer of salmon pathogens from sludge to insect larvae, and showed that the transfer of heavy metals, minerals and metalloids are in accordance with earlier studies. The large variations in levels of heavy metals between batches of sludge can cause levels in BSF exceeding the EU maximum levels, and thus indicate a need for monitoring of the proposed value chain. The transfer of dioxins from sludge to insects, reported for the first time in this paper, would be of special interest for future research, with special focus on risk mitigation.