Use of ANCHOR viruses to validate radiative, physical and chemical decontamination systems in operational conditions.

On the detection of foodborne viral contamination in edible seaweeds.

Selected human enteric viruses and viral indicators in drinking-water sources and treated waters: a review on prevalence and monitoring methods.

Self-validated SARS-CoV-2 detection via an automated DNA molecular machine-regulated ECL/SERS signal switching platform.

Viral Contaminants in a Philippine Wastewater Treatment Plant: Quantification and Treatment Reduction.

Targeting and self-assembling peptides mimic fibrinogen coagulation for alleviating hypofibrinogenemia.

Advancements in cell-based foods require materials that meet the highest food safety standards. Conventional cell dissociation agents, such as animal-derived trypsin, pose significant risks including viral contamination and allergenicity, which hinder their use in food production. To overcome this challenge, we propose a food regulatory pre-check framework, which prioritizes regulatory compliance before functional testing. Following this framework, we developed iDisper, a novel food-grade animal-free cell dissociation reagent composed of approved food additives (papain and trisodium citrate). Specifically, an optimized formulation containing 2mg/mL papain demonstrated a dissociation efficacy and viability comparable to those of commercial agents in primary avian cells. Furthermore, iDisper demonstrated 8-month stability at -20 °C. This study validated the proposed framework as an effective strategy for developing safe and practical reagents for the cell-based food industry.

ABSTRACT This article explores the role of the COVID‐19 virus in changing healthcare policies in Wales and their effects on pandemic inequalities. It draws on the analysis of policy documents and key informant interviews with government and healthcare officials in Wales conducted during the cross‐European study on the varying impacts of pandemic responses on vulnerable groups. Its contribution lies in the development of ‘viral thinking’ to reconsider both the biomedical approaches that overestimated rational pandemic responses and biopolitical interventions driven by the neoliberal logic of commodification of healthcare provision exacerbating patterns of exclusion. The analysis of viral contamination of Welsh healthcare is split into three parts and builds on post‐structuralist conceptualisations of the virus and its interactions with the state in the form of coding, decoding and production of surplus value. The virus disturbed the linear logic of the healthcare system and attempts to make it visible by coding it in biological or economic terms, and exposed the discriminatory politics of viral coding naturalising death and justifying the orders of inclusion and exclusion. Our findings also illustrate viral decoding that blurred the boundaries between humans and non‐humans, underscored the limitations of biopolitical management of life, indifference and naturalisation of inequalities in Welsh healthcare. The virus also produced collective and hybrid configurations of forces that undermined the key functions of healthcare as well as created new alliances, unusual forms of co‐existence and expressive responses to illness and death. The paper concludes with reflections on the possibilities of viral thinking to resist fixed categories of inequality and embrace virality as a potentially transformative mode of political thought and organisation.

In the world of zoonotic virus, Nipah virus is one of the severe pathogenic virus and very much responsible for neurological disorders and highly respiratory diseases with increasing mortality rates. To dominate this fatal virus specific antiviral therapeutic system is required, that’s why searching for the novel inhibitors are very much needed.This study represent a flavonoids, Isorhamnetin, a phytochemical of Acacia catechu wans deployed as an potent actsnhibitor against candidate Glycoprotein of Nipah virus (PBD:2vsm) via analysis of Molecular docking. Autodock software gave the result of molecular docking (dlg file) and that showed the binding affinity was -6.32 kcal/mol. This result indicate the protein interaction of binding site was stable.Structural demonstration of the isorhamnetin was shown by SwissAdme and according to that this phytochemical connect with 2vsm, the macromolecule with multiple hydrogen and hydrophobic bonds interactions with the residues including Asn557, Ser561, Lys560, Leu552, and Val555. This study also highlighted the Structure–activity relationship (SAR) analysis by giving importance of hydroxyl and methoxy groups in enhanced binding affinity and stability. According to findings it may suggest that as a inhibitor, isorhamnetin act as a promising character against Nipah virus contamination.

Background: The dental profession faces a significant risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) contamination, highlighting the crucial role dentists play in controlling HBV cross-contamination. Objectives: To delve into various aspects related to HBV infection control among dentists including assessment of knowledge, examination of preventive measures, and exploration of attitudes. Methodology: In this observational cross-sectional study, a total of 100 dentists were interviewed regarding their knowledge, practice, and attitude towards HBV-positive patients in Sulaimaniyah city, Iraq between January 2024 to 2025. Data collection was carried out using google forms and later was inserted into Microsoft excel and IBM SPSS for analysis. Results: Majority of participants were aged 36-40 years (36%), married (51%), held a Master's degree (42%), had their own clinic (79%), being vaccinated for HBV (87%), received 3 doses of vaccination (61%), checked for antibodies after vaccination (55%), and had 2-7 years in practice (34%). There were a significant association between knowledge, attitude and practice (p=0.000), as 50% exhibited good knowledge, 2% had good attitude, and 20% has good practice. Overall, the majority of individuals had fair to good levels of knowledge, while attitudes and practices toward oral health varied, with a significant portion demonstrating poor levels. Also, a significant association (p<0.05) between knowledge and each of gender, age and qualification were seen, while attitude was significantly related to marital status only (p=0.032), and practice had no significant association with either variable. Conclusion: The strong association between knowledge, attitude and practice has important implications for healthcare policies and interventions. It suggests that improving dentists' knowledge about HBV may positively influence their attitudes towards HBV-positive patients and lead to better practices in terms of patient care and infection control measures.

The expanding toolkit of insect cell culture: a new era in biotechnology.

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is one of the most critical neurotrophic factors in the nervous system and plays an important role in regulating neuronal growth, development, differentiation, and survival, as well as the regeneration and repair of damaged nerves. Currently, the main active component of pharmaceutical NGF products in China is mouse-derived nerve growth factor (mNGF). However, mNGF may cause allergic reactions and carries the risk of animal virus contamination. This study used the tobacco BY-2 cell expression platform to produce bioactive recombinant human nerve growth factor (rhNGF), aiming to overcome the limitations associated with mNGF. The human NGF gene was introduced into BY-2 cells via genetic engineering, and PCR analysis confirmed its integration into the cell genome. Western blotting results demonstrated that rhNGF was successfully expressed at 166 μg/L in BY-2 cells, and the recombinant protein induced PC12 cell differentiation and promote TF1 cell proliferation, confirming its favorable biological activity. The results of this study paves the way for the use of tobacco BY2 cells as an effective production system for active human nerve growth factor. Our work not only provides a feasible plant-based expression strategy for obtaining safe and low-immunogenicity human NGF, but also lays a technical foundation for utilizing plant cell platforms to produce other complex therapeutic proteins.

Biomonitoring is a common method for assessing chemical contamination. In France, Dreissena polymorpha (zebra mussel) and Gammarus fossarum (a freshwater crustacean) are widely used species. This study aimed to compare, for the first time, their effectiveness in monitoring viral contamination, specifically F-specific RNA bacteriophages (FRNAPH) and noroviruses. Laboratory experiments showed that D. polymorpha accumulated six times more infectious FRNAPH than G. fossarum. Field exposures confirmed these findings, revealing that only mussels accumulated detectable levels of FRNAPH and norovirus genomes. Additionally, the viral concentrations in D. polymorpha reflected a gradient of fecal contamination across sites. These results demonstrate that D. polymorpha is significantly more effective than G. fossarum for monitoring viral contamination of fecal origin in freshwater environments, making it the more suitable species for such biomonitoring efforts.

The mpox outbreak caused by clade Ib monkeypox virus (MPXV) spread rapidly in Central and East Africa and led the World Health Organization to declare the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). In response, China implemented enhanced surveillance measures; nevertheless, an ostensibly asymptomatic returning traveler with repeatedly negative screening tests initiated China's first documented clade Ib mpox transmission cluster. We conducted a comprehensive epidemiological, clinical, environmental, and genomic investigation to characterize the transmission pattern and inform public health response strategies. Quantitative PCR, serological testing and whole-genome sequencing were performed on human and environmental samples to confirm infection and assess viral contamination. Four epidemiologically linked individuals were identified, including one imported index case, two first-generation confirmed cases resulting from unprotected heterosexual contact with the index case, and one suspected second-generation case associated with intimate contact (overnight co-sleeping). No fever was documented during clinical assessment or follow-up; two cases presented with rash, and one had inguinal lymphadenopathy. Whole-genome sequencing confirmed infection with clade Ib MPXV. All 158 throat swabs collected from general (non-sexual) contacts tested negative. Among 314 environmental samples, 25 of 62 samples collected from case residences were MPXV qPCR-positive, whereas all 252 samples from public settings were negative. These findings demonstrate that clade Ib mpox transmission can occur from an apparently asymptomatic returning traveler despite repeated negative entry screening, underscoring the limitations of symptom-based or entry-point screening alone and the need for enhanced, risk-based surveillance, diagnostic testing, and targeted prevention strategies.

Objective: To analyze the contamination of avian influenza virus (AIV) in poultry related environment in Shaanxi Province, and provide reference for the improvement of local avian influenza prevention and control. Methods: The relevant environments in 10 prefecture-level cities in Shaanxi from 2020 to 2024 (including urban and rural live poultry markets, large-scale poultry breeding farms, areas with small-scale poultry breeding houses, and slaughter houses and processing plants, etc.), were selected as surveillance points. External environmental samples such as poultry manure, surface swabs of poultry cages, poultry drinking water, and swabs of chopping boards were collected monthly. The subtypes of AIV were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR, and finally descriptive analysis was conducted according to the surveillance time, area, site and sample type. Statistical analysis was performed by using software SPSS 25.0. Results: The annual average positive rate of AIV in poultry related environments was 3.54% (466/13 152) in Shaanxi from 2020 to 2024. Exhibiting two distinct positive rate peaks, with slight variation with years. AIV was mainly detected in the Loess Plateau area in northern Shaanxi (8.10%, 221/2 728) and the Qinba Mountain area in southern Shaanxi (3.34%, 121/3 622). The surveillance sites with relatively high positive rates included urban and rural live poultry markets (7.50%, 219/2 920) and poultry slaughtering and processing houses (7.19%, 32/445). The sample types with relatively high positive rates included swabs of chopping boards (10.95%, 81/740) and poultry cleaning wastewater (7.39%, 37/501), the differences were significant (P<0.001). In the positive samples, H9N2 virus was detected in all years, indicating that it was the most common subtype (81.76%, 381/466). Conclusions: From 2020 to 2024, the contamination of H9N2 AIV existed widely in poultry related environments in Shaanxi. The urban and rural live poultry markets and poultry slaughtering and processing houses in the Loess Plateau area in northern Shaanxi and the southern Qinba Mountain area in southern Shaanxi were the key places for the prevention and control avian influenza. It is necessary to strengthen the surveillance for the contamination of AIV in the poultry related environments. In the areas with high incidences, active and effective intervention measures should be taken in the places at high risk to reduce the risk of avian influenza outbreaks in humans and poultry.

To investigate the contamination status of foodborne viruses in fresh fruits, vegetables, and their ready-to-eat (RTE) products sold in Shijiazhuang, China, a total of 365 samples were collected from farmers' markets, fresh produce stores, and large supermarkets between 2024 and 2025. Samples were tested for Norovirus (NoV) GI, NoV GII, Hepatitis A virus (HAV), Paslahepevirus balayani (HEV), Classic Human astrovirus (HAstV), and Sapovirus (SaV) using quantitative multiplex real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (MRT-qPCR). Overall, foodborne viruses were detected in 93 samples (25.48%, 93/365). Detection rates of NoV GI, NoV GII, HAV, HEV, HAstV, and SaV were 11.78% (43/365), 9.04% (33/365), 0.27% (1/365), 4.93% (18/365), 0.27% (1/365), and 2.19% (8/365), respectively, with Norovirus being the dominant contaminant. The mixed contamination rate was 2.47% (9/365), mainly involving dual-virus contamination. Contamination was highest in coriander (32.50%, 13/40), followed by cherry tomatoes (31.82%, 21/66) and blueberries (30.77%, 20/65). The detection rate of foodborne viruses in fresh produce (26.89%, 89/331) was higher than that in RTE products (11.76%, 4/34) (χ2 = 7.170, P < 0.05), and significantly higher in summer (42.31%, 33/78) than in other seasons (20.91%, 60/287) (χ2 = 14.80, P < 0.01). Additionally, there was no significant difference in contamination rates among samples collected from different sources (χ2 = 2.95, P > 0.05). This study provides the first characterization of foodborne virus contamination in commercially available fresh fruits and vegetables and their RTE products in Shijiazhuang, highlighting potential public health risks and supporting strengthened food safety surveillance.

The dynamic changes in influent and effluent streams and the shifts in effluent quality across filtration layers of membrane bioreactors (MBRs) are major challenges that hinder the generalization of machine learning (ML) models developed to predict bacterial and viral contaminants in unseen data. This paper proposes two model generalization paradigms based on lifelong and zero-shot generalization frameworks for predicting viral particles and assessing log removal values (LRVs) across two anaerobic MBRs (AnMBRs) based WWTPs located in different cities of Saudi Arabia using physicochemical parameters, virometry, and PCR-based data. The lifelong learning approach integrates a knowledge-based adaptation module with a shared dictionary and a local ML predictor for streaming and predicting viral particles with delayed output measurements. The zero-shot generalization approach is based on a dual-attention transformer model and adaptively prioritizes key input water features through temporal and input attention mechanisms for estimating viral pathogens. Both approaches ensured generalization and robustness guarantees across unseen AnMBR-based wastewater matrices (WMs) and WWTPs. We validated them by predicting adenovirus, coliphage, CrAssphage, pepper mild mottle virus, and total virus concentrations and estimating contaminant removal performances through the LRVs across various WMs and WWTPs.

Despite the widespread use of protein-based biopharmaceuticals, conventional production systems using mammalian cells and E.coli have some limitations, including the absence of post-translational modifications and potential risk of viral contamination. To address this, we investigated a novel platform using primary hemocyte culture from Yesso scallop (Mizuhopecten yessoensis) as a bioreactor, leveraging the strong activity of the OsHV-1 promoter in bivalve cells. The optimal condition for cell culture and transfection in a 12-well plate were established by adjusting the Penicillin-Streptomycin concentration, seeding cell number, hemolymph-to-medium ratio, and the volume of transfection reagent to 20 U/mL, 2 × 106 cells/well, 600 µL of diluted hemolymph to 300 µL of L-15 × 2, and 200 µL of X-tremeGENE transfection component into 900 µL of culture medium, respectively. Under these optimized conditions, recombinant human growth hormone (hGH) was successfully expressed in scallop hemocyte culture and its expression was confirmed at both mRNA and protein levels. The yield of hGH extracted from hemocyte cultures was up to 13.92 ± 4.77 pg/1 × 106 cells in a 12-well plate. We also achieved expression and secretion of human erythropoietin (hEPO) into the culture medium. This study is the first to demonstrate not only human gene expression in molluscan cells but also propose a new platform using molluscan cells for in vitro biopharmaceutical production.

To evaluate (1) HIV-1 viral load in pre- and post-processed testicular tissue samples from virally suppressed azoospermic HIV-positive men and (2) the reproductive outcome of the subsequent ICSI cycles. This single-center case series reports on all virally suppressed HIV-positive men who underwent testicular biopsy at our center between 2015 and 2023. Whenever spermatozoa were present, samples underwent washing and viral load assessment in the first and last supernatant fractions. Cryopreservation of the last pellet was performed only if the final supernatant showed undetectable viral load. Embryological and clinical outcomes of subsequent ICSI cycles were evaluated. Six virally suppressed azoospermic HIV-positive men (mean age 43.1 ± 6.8 years) underwent seven biopsies, all yielding spermatozoa. All patients had frozen sperm available for ICSI with undetectable viral load following processing. Eight ICSI cycles were performed across six couples, with fertilization and embryo utilization rates of 57.9% (33/57) and 63.6% (21/33). Three fresh single embryo transfers (three couples) resulted in one monozygotic twin delivery. Twelve frozen embryo transfers (five couples) led to four live births and one elective termination. The cumulative live birth rate per couple was 50.0% (3/6). We report cryopreservation of testicular tissue with undetectable viral load following sperm processing in virally suppressed HIV-positive men. Therapeutic application of these samples in ICSI-cycles results in successful clinical outcomes.

Viral clearance is a vital procedure in the pharma industry,safeguarding the well-being of drug products by eradicating or inactivating possible viral toxins while manufacturing.This includes a multifaceted method, along with laborious testing of raw materials, process design, optimization, and validation studies to demonstrate the effectiveness of viral clearance steps. Nowadays, this topic has become more challenging and versatile with the development of new viruses in the environment. This manuscript focuses on the potential routes of viral contamination, including viral impurities present in the master cell bank, and contaminated virus introduced during manufacturing, adventitious viruses from raw materials, principles of viral clearance, regulatory framework, design of viral clearance studies interpretation and limitations, emerging technologies and trends, viral clearance strategies such as inactivation methods: low pH, solvent/detergent, heat treatment and removal methods like chromatography, nanofiltration, precipitation and related case studies.