Metabolomics-derived biomarkers for biosafety assessment of Gd-based nanoparticle magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents.

With the rapid development of nanotechnology and biomedicine, numerous gadolinium (Gd)-based nanoparticle MRI contrast agents have been widely investigated. Due to the unique physicochemical properties of nanoparticles and the complexity of biological systems, the biosafety of Gd-based nanoparticle MRI contrast agents has been paid more and more attention. Herein, for the first time, we employed an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight/mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-QTOF/MS)-based metabolomics approach to investigate the potential toxicity of Gd-based nanoparticle MRI contrast agents. In this work, NaGdF4 and PEG-NaGdF4 nanoparticles were successfully constructed and selected as the representative Gd-based nanoparticle MRI contrast agents for the metabolomics analysis. Based on the results of metabolomics, more metabolic biomarkers and pathways were identified in the NaGdF4 group than those in the PEG-NaGdF4 group. Careful analysis of these metabolic biomarkers and pathways suggested that NaGdF4 nanoparticles induced disturbance of pyrimidine and purine metabolism, inflammatory response, and kidney injury to a certain extent compared with PEG-NaGdF4 nanoparticles. These results indicated that Gd-based nanoparticle contrast agents modified with PEG had better biosafety. Additionally, it was demonstrated that the discovery of characteristic metabolomics biomarkers induced by nanoparticles would provide a new approach for biosafety assessment and stimulate the development of nanomedicine.

Capacity and needs assessment of veterinary services in Vietnam in biosecurity, biosafety and One Health.

The Asia-Pacific region is recognised as an epicentre of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs), of which 75% are zoonotic in nature. Vietnam is recognised as a potential hotspot for zoonotic EIDs. There is a growing recognition that progress towards global health security requires greater focus on collaboration between the human health and animal health sectors to control diseases at their animal source and prevent against human health impacts. Assessment of veterinary epidemiology capacity in Vietnam is paramount to strengthening the health security of Asia-Pacific. This study aims to evaluate the national capacity and needs of veterinary services in Vietnam in biosecurity, biosafety and One Health. A cross-sectional, convergent mixed-methods study was conducted between November 2020 and April 2021. An online questionnaire was administered to government-employed field veterinarians. Descriptive analyses and logistic regression models were performed using survey responses to understand capacity in the field. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with stakeholders in veterinary services including government, academia, research institutes, non-profit and international organisations. Coding and thematic analysis using a deductive approach was used for data collected from interviews to contextualise findings from the survey and understand institutional capacity. In total, 178 field veterinarians completed the online survey and 25 stakeholders were interviewed. The majority of participants had reported receiving training in biosecurity and biosafety, including use of personal protective equipment. Most respondents reported practicing good biosecurity measures (92%) and good biosafety measures (88%). Physical and socioeconomic barriers to practicing biosecurity were reported to be prevalent for smallholder farmers, which may suggest a gap in the capacity of veterinary services to provide cost-effective and practical biosecurity strategies. Seventy five percent of participants had never or rarely participated in One Health approaches in the field in the last 12 months and 69% reported further training as a high priority. There was a knowledge gap reported amongst district and commune-level veterinary staff about the need for, and awareness of multisectoral collaboration. Respondents that completed postgraduate qualifications in epidemiology or Field Epidemiology Training Programs (adjusted OR: 3.06; 95% CI: 1.01, 9.23, p = 0.046) and had longer job tenure between 10-12 years (OR: 10.38; 95% CI: 3.06, 35.15, p = <0.001) were more likely to have higher levels of experience in One Health. This study identified gaps in knowledge, attitudes and adoption of practices related to biosecurity, biosafety and One Health specifically in lower-level or less experienced veterinary staff without further training opportunities in epidemiology. These findings enable prioritisation of training, policy, and planning activities to further enhance the national capacity of veterinary services in Vietnam.

Exploration of risk analysis and elimination methods for a Cr(VI)-removal recombinant strain through a biosafety assessment in mice.

Though recombinant strains are increasingly recognized for their potential in heavy metal remediation, few studies have evaluated their safety. Moreover, biosafety assessments of fecal-oral pathway exposure at country as well as global level have seldom analyzed the health risks of exposure to microorganisms from a microscopic perspective. The present study aimed to predict the long-term toxic effects of recombinant strains by conducting a subacute toxicity test on the chromium-removal recombinant strain 3458 and analyzing the gut microbiome. The available disinfection methods were also evaluated. The results showed that strain 3458 induced liver damage and affected renal function and lipid metabolism at 1.0 × 1011 CFU/mL, which may be induced by its carrier strain, pET-28a. Strain 3458 poses the risk of increasing the number of pathogenic bacteria under prolonged exposure. When 500 mg L-1 chlorine-containing disinfectant or 250 mg L-1 chlorine dioxide disinfectant was added for 30 min, the sterilization rate exceeded 99.9 %. These findings suggest that existing wastewater disinfection methods can effectively sterilize strain 3458, ensuring its application value. The present study can serve a reference for the biosafety evaluation of the recombinant strain through exposure to the digestive tract and its feasibility for application in environmental pollution remediation.

[Government modernisation of the 'old' pharmaceutical business (2008-2011). Report 2. Pharmaceutical future and biosafety].

This series of articles is devoted to an analysis of the drug safety policy of the Russian Federation. The second communication focuses on the history of strategy development and choice of tactics for pharmaceutical industry modernisation, the spectrum of interests of the concept-makers and the contradictions between the approaches. Based on journal publications and oral interviews, the authors traced the process of creating a regulatory agreement between political authorities and professional groups on power sharing and management delegation after the recognition of the pharmaceutical market as an object of state security.

Assessment of the infrastructure of a COVID-19 unit and health professionals' perception about safety attitudes / Avaliação da infraestrutura de uma unidade COVID-19 e a percepção de profissionais de saúde sobre as atitudes de segurança / Evaluación de la infraestructura de una unidad COVID-19 y la percepción de los profesionales de la salud sobre las actitudes de seguridad

Background and objectives: does the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit have a favorable structure to sanitize the hands of health professionals? What is the perception of health professionals about the organizational safety of that sector? It aims to assess the structure for hand hygiene in an Intensive Care Unit for patients with COVID-19 and the perception of safety attitude by health professionals. Methods: an analytical, cross-sectional study with 62 health professionals from a university hospital in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. The unit structure commands for hand alignment and safety attitudes were used. Results: flaws were found in the infrastructure that can hinder and prevent hand hygiene by professionals at the point of care. The safety attitude was impaired in all domains. No difference was found between the median scores regarding professional categories. Conclusion: investment is urgently needed in improving infrastructure with alcoholic preparation supply at the point of assistance. The study demonstrates the negative impact of the perception of low management involvement in patient safety actions and poor infrastructure for hand hygiene.(AU)

Justificativa e objetivos: a Unidade de Terapia Intensiva COVID-19 possui estrutura favorável para a higienização das mãos dos profissionais de saúde? Qual a percepção dos profissionais de saúde acerca da segurança organizacional do referido setor? Tem como objetivo avaliar a estrutura para higiene das mãos de uma Unidade de Terapia Intensiva destinada a pacientes com COVID-19 e a percepção da atitude de segurança pelos profissionais de saúde. Métodos: estudo analítico, transversal, com 62 profissionais de saúde de um hospital universitário do estado de Mato Grosso, Brasil. Foram utilizados os questionários de estrutura da unidade para higienização das mãos e o de atitudes de segurança. Resultados: constataram-se falhas na infraestrutura que podem dificultar e impedir a realização da higiene das mãos pelos profissionais no ponto da assistência. A atitude de segurança esteve prejudicada em todos os domínios. Não foi encontrada diferença entre as medianas dos escores com relação às categorias profissionais. Conclusão: se faz urgente o investimento na melhoria da infraestrutura com fornecimento de preparações alcoólicas no ponto da assistência. O estudo demonstra o impacto negativo da percepção do baixo envolvimento da gestão nas ações de segurança do paciente e infraestrutura precária para higiene das mãos.(AU)

Justificación y objetivos: ¿La Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos COVID-19 cuenta con una estructura favorable para la higiene de manos de los profesionales de la salud? ¿Cuál es la percepción de los profesionales de la salud sobre la seguridad organizacional en ese sector? Tiene como objetivo evaluar la estructura para la higiene de manos en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos destinada a pacientes con COVID-19 y la percepción de actitudes de seguridad por parte de los profesionales de la salud. Métodos: estudio transversal analítico con 62 profesionales de la salud de un hospital universitario en el estado de Mato Grosso, Brasil. Se utilizaron los comandos de la estructura de la unidad para la alineación de las manos y las actitudes de seguridad. Resultados: se encontraron fallas en la infraestructura que pueden dificultar e impedir la realización de la higiene de manos por parte de los profesionales en el punto de atención. La actitud de seguridad se vio afectada en todos los dominios. No se encontró diferencia entre las medianas de las puntuaciones con respecto a las categorías profesionales. Conclusión: urge invertir en mejorar la infraestructura con el suministro de preparados alcohólicos en el punto de atención. El estudio demuestra el impacto negativo de la percepción de una baja implicación de la dirección en las acciones de seguridad del paciente y una infraestructura deficiente para la higiene de manos.(AU)

Saúde mental e atuação de psicólogos hospitalares brasileiros na pandemia da covid-19 / Health and works of brazilian hospital psychologists in the covid-19 pandemic / Salud mental y actuación de psicólogos en hospitales brasileños en la pandemia del covid-19

Em março de 2020 a situação causada pela covid-19 foi elevada à categoria de pandemia, impactando de inúmeras formas a vida em sociedade. O objetivo deste estudo foi compreender os impactos da pandemia na atuação e saúde mental do psicólogo hospitalar, profissional que atua nos espaços de saúde e tem experienciado mais de perto o sofrimento dos doentes e dos profissionais de saúde frente à covid-19. Trata-se de um estudo exploratório-descritivo com 131 psicólogos que atuam em hospitais. Os profissionais foram convidados a participar através de redes sociais e redes de contatos das pesquisadoras, utilizando-se a técnica Bola de Neve. Foram utilizados dois questionários, disponibilizados na plataforma Google Forms, um abordando os impactos da pandemia sentidos pelos profissionais e outro referente ao sofrimento psíquico. Os dados foram analisados a partir de estatísticas descritivas e inferenciais. Foram observados impactos na atuação de quase a totalidade dos participantes, constatada a necessidade de preparação dos profissionais para o novo cenário, a percepção de pouco apoio institucional e quase metade da população estudada referiu-se a sintomas de sofrimento psíquico considerável desde o início da pandemia. É fundamental dar atenção a sinais e sintomas de sofrimento psíquico, procurando evitar o adoecimento de uma categoria profissional que se encontra na linha de frente do combate aos danos psicológicos da pandemia e cuja própria saúde mental é pouco abordada na literatura.(AU)

In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic breakout hugely impacted life in society. This study analyzes how the pandemic impacted hospital psychologists' mental health and performance, professional who more closely experienced the suffering of patients and health professionals in this period. An exploratory and descriptive study was conducted with 131 hospital psychologists. Professionals were invited to participate through the researchers' social and contact networks using the Snowball technique. Data were collected by two questionnaires available on the Google Forms platform, one addressing the impacts felt by professionals and the other regarding psychic suffering, and analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics. Results showed that almost all participants had their performance affected by the need to prepare for the new scenario, the perceived little institutional support. Almost half of the study sample reported considerable psychological distress symptoms since the beginning of the pandemic. Paying attention to signs and symptoms of psychic suffering is fundamental to avoid compromising a professional category that is on the front line of combating the psychological damage caused by the pandemic and whose own mental health is little addressed by the literature.(AU)

En marzo de 2020, la situación provocada por el COVID-19 se caracterizó como pandemia e impactó el mundo de diversas maneras. El objetivo de este estudio fue comprender los impactos de la pandemia en la salud mental y la actuación del psicólogo en los hospitales, uno de los profesionales que trabaja en espacios sanitarios y que ha experimentado más de cerca el sufrimiento de pacientes y profesionales sanitarios frente al COVID-19. Este es un estudio exploratorio descriptivo, realizado con 131 psicólogos que trabajan en hospitales. Los profesionales recibieron la invitación a participar a través de las redes sociales y redes de contactos de las investigadoras, mediante la técnica snowball. Se utilizaron dos cuestionarios disponibles en la plataforma Google Forms: uno sobre los impactos de la pandemia en los profesionales y el otro sobre el sufrimiento psíquico. Los datos se analizaron a partir de estadísticas descriptivas e inferenciales. Se observaron impactos en el trabajo de casi todos los participantes, la necesidad de preparación de los profesionales para este nuevo escenario, la percepción de poco apoyo institucional, y casi la mitad de la población estudiada reportaron sentir síntomas de considerable angustia psicológica desde el inicio de la pandemia. Es esencial prestar atención a los signos y síntomas del sufrimiento psíquico, buscando evitar la enfermedad de una categoría profesional que está a la vanguardia de la lucha contra el daño psicológico de la pandemia y cuya propia salud mental se aborda poco en la literatura.(AU)

A Multilingual Tool for Standardized Laboratory Biosafety and Biosecurity Assessment and Monitoring.

Control of infectious diseases requires the handling of infectious materials by both clinical and public health laboratories with exposure risks for laboratory personnel and environment. A comprehensive tool for assessing the capacity to manage these risks could enable the development of action plans for mitigation. Under the framework of the Global Health Security Agenda action package for biosafety and biosecurity, the authors developed a tool dedicated to assessing laboratory biosafety and biosecurity. The Biosafety and Biosecurity Laboratory Assessment Tool (BSS LAT) assesses the status of all laboratory biosafety core requirements across 10 different modules. It consists of a standardized spreadsheet-based tool that provides automatic scoring. It is designed to support national, regional, and global efforts to strengthen biosafety in clinical, public health, and veterinary laboratories. The BSS LAT was first used in Burkina Faso in collaboration with the African Society for Laboratory Medicine and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to support the country in strengthening their biorisk management system. Since then, it has been successfully used in other countries (ie, Armenia, Burundi, Cameroon, Ghana, Guinea, Kazakhstan, Liberia), various settings (medical and veterinary laboratories), and translated into several languages (eg, English, French, Russian). The BSS LAT is a multipurpose tool that assists with standardization of biosafety and biosecurity requirements for all laboratories working with infectious materials, serves as a self-assessment guide for laboratories to develop improvement plans and reinforce capacities, and serves as a training guide for individual laboratories and networks or at the national level. The BSS LAT can also be used as a monitoring tool for the assessment of biosafety and biosecurity across all laboratories working with infectious materials at the national, regional, and global levels.

Strengthening Biorisk Management Capacities in Burkina Faso: Contribution of the Global Health Security Agenda.

The Global Health Security Agenda and the International Health Regulations (2005) recommend that countries strengthen the capacity of their national laboratory systems to comply with the International Health Regulations. To efficiently and effectively direct these efforts, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-in collaboration with the Ministry of Health Directorate of Laboratories, the African Society for Laboratory Medicine, and Integrated Quality Laboratory Service-assessed Burkina Faso's national laboratory system using the World Health Organization Laboratory Assessment Tool. Based on gaps observed in biorisk management, the Biosafety and Biosecurity Laboratory Assessment Tool (BSS LAT) was developed to assess 10 public laboratories handling dangerous pathogens. This tool uses a specific scoring matrix with quantitative output. Composite assessment scores for the 9 primary modules (capacity areas) were reported, with the highest scores reported in cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, waste management (42%), and good laboratory practices (40%), and the lowest scores in biosecurity/biosafety (33%), documents/regulations (18%), emergency management (16%), and risk management (5%). To address challenges identified in the assessments, a set of activities was planned with a focus on biorisk management. Results from an evaluation conducted 1 year later, using the BSS LAT, showed an increase in the average score of all indicators from 25% to 45% and an increase in the biorisk management module score from 5% to 35%. This evaluation process was a decisive step toward strengthening the capacity of the laboratory system in Burkina Faso. Global Health Security Agenda investments and activities have made a lasting impact on improving biosafety and biosecurity in public health laboratories. To ensure sustainability, a strong laboratory quality management program based on a mentorship system is greatly needed.

Construção e validação de instrumento para avaliação das medidas de biossegurança em bioterrorismo pelos bombeiros / Construction and validation of and assessment tool for biosafety measures in bioterrorism for firefighters / Construcción y validación de un instrumento para evaluar las medidas de bioseguridad en el bioterrorismo de los bomberos

Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo desenvolver e validar um instrumento de avaliação das medidas de Biossegurança adotadas pelos bombeiros militares, para a contenção dos agentes biológicos frente a um evento de bioterrorismo. Métodos: Tratou-se de um estudo descritivo de abordagem quantitativa, de desenvolvimento metodológico e do tipo de validação de conteúdo de um instrumento de avaliação. O estudo foi dividido nas fases de desenvolvimento e validação do instrumento. Para o desenvolvimento do instrumento foram feitas revisões da literatura e para a validação do instrumento foi utilizado o método Delphi. Para o estudo foram incluídos 6 juízes que avaliaram o instrumento através da escala numérica tipo Likert. Resultados: Os juízes avaliaram que o instrumento proposto está bem estruturado, possuindo boa clareza e coesão de escrita, com aplicabilidade no campo de estudo e de grande relevância, principalmente em vista a ausência desse tipo de instrumento para a população de bombeiros militares. Para avaliar a concordância entre os juízes foi utilizado o índice de Validade de Conteúdo, que alcançou 98% de concordância e o Índice de Fidedignidade Interavaliadores, que alcançou os conceitos bom e muito bom, mostrando baixa variância das respostas dos juízes, sendo estatisticamente válido. Conclusão: O estudo descreveu o processo de construção e validação do instrumento, provando ser apropriado e confiável para ser utilizado.

Objective: This study aimed to develop and validate an instrument to assess the Biosafety measures adopted by firefighters, for the containment of biological agents in the face of a bioterrorism event. Methods: This is a descriptive study with a quantitative approach, methodological development, and the type of content validation of an assessment instrument. The study was divided into instrument development and validation phases. For the development of the instrument, literature reviews were conducted and for the instrument validation, the Delphi method was used. For the study, 6 judges were included who evaluated the instrument using the Likert-type numerical scale. Results: The judges evaluated that the proposed instrument is well structured, with good clarity and cohesion of writing, with applicability in the field of study and of great relevance, especially considering the absence of this type of instrument for the military firefighter population. To evaluate the agreement between the judges, we used the Content Validity Index which reached 98% of agreement and the Interrate agreement, which reached the concepts good and very good, showing low variance of the judges' answers, being statistically valid. Conclusion: The study described the process of construction and validation of the instrument, proving to be appropriate and reliable to be used.

Objetivo: Este estudio tenía como objetivo desarrollar y validar un instrumento para evaluar las medidas de bioseguridad adoptadas por los bomberos militares para contener los agentes biológicos durante un evento de bioterrorismo. Métodos: Se trata de un estudio descriptivo de abordaje cuantitativo, de desarrollo metodológico y del tipo de validación de contenido de un instrumento de evaluación. El estudio se dividió en las fases de desarrollo y validación del instrumento. Para la elaboración del instrumento se realizaron revisiones bibliográficas y para la validación del mismo se utilizó el método Delphi. Para el estudio se incluyeron 6 jueces que evaluaron el instrumento mediante una escala numérica tipo Likert. Resultados: Los jueces evaluaron que el instrumento propuesto está bien estructurado, poseyendo buena claridad y cohesión de redacción, con aplicabilidad en el campo de estudio y de gran relevancia, especialmente en vista de la ausencia de este tipo de instrumento para la población de bomberos militares. Se utilizó el Índice de Validez de Contenido para evaluar la concordancia entre los jueces, alcanzando un 98% de acuerdo y el Índice de Fiabilidad Inter-registrador, que alcanzó conceptos buenos y muy buenos, mostrando una baja varianza en las respuestas de los jueces, siendo estadísticamente válido. Conclusión: El estudio describió el proceso de construcción y validación del instrumento, demostrando ser apropiado y confiable para ser utilizado.

Assessment of biosafety and toxicity of hydrophilic gel for implantation in experimental in vitro and in vivo models.

BACKGROUND: The assessment of biosafety of pharmacologically active substances is crucial for determining the feasibility of their medical use. There are controversial issues regarding the use of substances of different origins as implants. METHODS: We have conducted the comprehensive studies to determine the in vivo toxicity and in vitro genotoxicity of new generation of hydrophilic gel for implantation (production name of the substance "Activegel") to detail its characteristics and assess its biosafety. RESULTS: In vivo studies have shown the absence of clinical manifestations of intoxication in animals and no abnormalities in their physiological condition, general and biochemical blood tests. Evaluation of the site of the gel application showed no inflammatory reaction and evidenced on normal state of tissues of animal skin. The results of the genotoxicity test indicated that the gel did not affect the parameters of DNA comets and the formation of micronuclei, accordingly, had no genotoxic effect on human peripheral blood lymphocytes. When studying the effect of the gel on malignantly transformed cells in vitro, it was found that the gel for implantation did not change the proliferative activity and viability of human breast cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS: Comprehensive in vitro and in vivo study using various experimental model systems showed that the hydrophilic gel for implantation "Activegel" is non-toxic.

Biosafety risk assessment and risk control of clinical laboratory in designated hospitals for treating COVID-19 in Chongqing, China.

BACKGROUND: If a nucleic acid preservation solution containing viral inactivators is used, the biosafety risk in the process of detecting the nucleic acid of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) will be low. Patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 are sent to designated hospitals for treatment in China, except for detecting nucleic acid of SARS-CoV-2, other laboratory tests such as bacterial culture may also be carried out while the patients are being treated. However, in addition to nucleic acid testing, biosafety risks in the testing of these items for patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) might be ignored. Therefore, we identified and evaluated risks in these detection processes and formulated appropriate, but not excessive control measures for biosafety risk, to improve the work efficiency and prevent biosafety accidents. METHODS: Biosafety risks in all laboratory tests for COVID-19 patients were identified and evaluated according to the risk severity and occurrence probability. Subsequently, the corresponding control measures for biosafety risk were formulated according to the identified risk. Hereafter, risk monitoring was carried out. RESULTS: More than 32 risks in the entire laboratory testing process were identified and evaluated, and the residual risk after the implementation of the control measures was acceptable. CONCLUSIONS: The biosafety risk assessment of laboratories in designated hospitals for treating COVID-19 should be re-implemented before testing specimens for COVID-19 patients. Risk management by risk monitoring is even more important, as it can prevent the occurrence of biosafety incidents and can continuously improve risk management.

Uso de precauciones estándar durante la atención de pacientes en un programa de especialización / Application of standard precautions during patient care in a specialization program

Introducción: Con el aumento de las enfermedades infectocontagiosas durante la atención en salud, la aplicación de normas de bioseguridad es fundamental para evitar contaminación cruzada. Los estudiantes de programas de Especialización Profesional durante la atención de pacientes deben cumplir una serie de normas denominadas precauciones estándar. Objetivo: Determinar el grado de uso de las precauciones estándar por estudiantes de un programa de especialización durante la atención de pacientes. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo. El tamaño de la muestra fue de 15 estudiantes del Programa de Especialización Profesional en Endodoncia de la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad de Chile, divididos en dos grupos, diurno (8-17 h) y vespertino (18-22 h), que firmaron un consentimiento informado para participar. Fueron evaluados en 4 dimensiones: "lavado de manos", "barreras de protección" (guantes, mascarilla, gorro, lentes protectores, pechera), "control de riesgos de accidentes cortopunzantes y salpicaduras", y "manejo de materiales y superficies". Se estableció un 60 por ciento para determinar cumplimiento mínimo de la norma comparando ambos grupos. Resultados: En el lavado de manos ambos grupos no alcanzaron el cumplimiento mínimo de la norma, con un promedio de 12 por ciento. Para "barreras de protección" ambos grupos lograron el cumplimiento mínimo, con un promedio de 63 por ciento. En "control de riesgos de accidentes cortopunzantes y salpicaduras" y "manejo de superficies", ninguno de los grupos alcanzó el cumplimiento mínimo en estas dimensiones, con un porcentaje de cumplimiento de 50 % y 43 por ciento respectivamente. Conclusiones: La mayoría de los estudiantes del Programa de Especialización Profesional en Endodoncia no aplican correctamente todas las precauciones estándar durante la atención. Es necesario reforzar en los estudiantes los contenidos relacionados con la bioseguridad y aumentar la supervisión y exigencia en su cumplimiento por parte de los docentes(AU)

Introduction: With the increase in infectious diseases during health care, the application of biosecurity standards is essential to avoid cross-contamination. Students in Professional Specialization programs must adhere to a set of standards called standard precautions during patient care. Objective: Determine the degree of application of standard precautions by students of a specialization program during patient care. Materials and methods: A descriptive observational study was conducted. The sample size was 15 students from the Professional Specialization Program in Endodontics of the Faculty of Dentistry of the University of Chile, divided into two groups, day (8-17 h) and evening (18-22 h), who signed an informed consent to participate. They were evaluated in 4 dimensions: "hand washing", "protective barriers" (gloves, mask, hat, protective lenses, breastplate), "risks control of sharp accidents and splashes", and "handling of materials and surfaces". A 60 percent was established to determine minimum compliance with the standard by comparing both groups. Results: In handwashing, both groups did not reach the minimum compliance with the standard, with an average of 12 percent. For "protective barriers" both groups achieved minimum compliance, with an average of 63 percent. In "risk control of sharp accidents and splashes" and "surface handling", none of the groups reached the minimum compliance in these dimensions, with a compliance percentage of 50 percent and 43 percent respectively. Conclusions: Most students in the Professional Specialization Program in Endodontics do not correctly apply all standard precautions during care. It is necessary to reinforce in the students the contents related to biosecurity and to increase the supervision and demand in its fulfillment by the teachers(AU)

Assessment of biosafety and implantation feasibility of novel phakic refractive lens.

PURPOSE: We investigated the biosafety and implantation feasibility of a new phakic refractive lens (PRL) in rabbit eyes. METHODS: Short PRLs (S-PRLs), large PRLs (L-PRLs), and large-grooved PRLs (LG-PRLs), were prepared by molding medical-grade liquid silicon. The cytotoxicity and cellular adhesion of the PRLs was assessed in vitro. To assess implantation feasibility, the S-PRL, L-PRL, and LG-PRL were implanted in the posterior chamber of rabbit eyes and the relative position was assessed by optical coherence tomography. The intraocular pressures (IOP) were compared between the S-PRL, L-PRL, LG-PRL, and control groups to evaluate the PRL biosafety after implantation. RESULTS: The in vitro assays showed that cell viability and cellular adhesion in the S-PRL, L-PRL and LG-PRL groups was not significantly different to those in the control group throughout the study. After implantation into the posterior chamber of rabbit eyes, there were no obvious signs of inflammation or increases in IOP at each time point relative to the control group, demonstrating good biosafety of the PRL. The relative positions of the L-PRLs and LG-PRLs in the posterior chamber were appropriate and the retention frequencies were high. CONCLUSIONS: The newly developed LG-PRL showed good biosafety with negligible in vitro cytotoxicity, ocular inflammation, or fluctuations in IOP. The LG-PRL provided the best implantation feasibility. The grooves on the LG-PRL provided channels for aqueous humor circulation. The LG-PRL is a promising type of PRL with an appropriate size and surface structure for effective correction of refractive errors in rabbit eyes.

Efficacy and biosafety assessment of neuropeptide CAPA analogues against the peach-potato aphid (Myzus persicae).

Insect CAPA neuropeptidesare considered to affect water and ion balance by mediating the physiological metabolism activities of the Malpighian tubules. In previous studies, the CAPA-PK analogue 1895 (2Abf-Suc-FGPRLamide) was reported to decrease aphid fitness when administered through microinjection or via topical application. However, a further statistically significant decrease in the fitness of aphids and an increased mortality could not be established with pairwise combinations of 1895 with other CAPA analogue. In this study, we assessed the topical application of new combinations of 1895 with five CAPA-PVK analogues on the fitness of aphids. We found that 1895 and CAPA-PVK analogue 2315 (ASG-[ß3 L]-VAFPRVamide) was statistically the most effective combination to control the peach potato aphid Myzus persicae nymphs via topical application, leading to 72% mortality. Additionally, the combination (1895+2315) was evaluated against a selection of beneficial insects, that is, a pollinator (Bombus terrestris) and three natural enemies (Chrysoperla carnea, Nasonia vitripennis, and Adalia bipunctata). We found no significant influence on food intake, weight increase, and survival for the pollinator and the three representative natural enemies. These results could facilitate to further establish and generate CAPA analogues as alternatives to broad spectrum and less friendly insecticides.

La bioseguridad en el desarrollo tecnológico de las investigaciones biomédicas / Biosecurity in the technological development of biomedical research

RESUMEN La bioseguridad juega un papel importante en las investigaciones biomédicas. Es preciso conocer las medidas recomendadas para el control de enfermedades en los entornos laborales donde los trabajadores corren el riesgo de contraer enfermedades y convertirse en fuente de infección para los pacientes. El objetivo de este trabajo es contribuir con la divulgación de las medidas de bioseguridad en los laboratorios biomédicos. Se realizó una revisión sistemática de los principales artículos publicados en inglés y español en PubMed, SciELO y MEDLINE. Resulta de gran importancia la divulgación de las medidas de bioseguridad, a fin de garantizar su conocimiento por parte de los profesionales de los diferentes tipos de laboratorios. Ellos están obligados a desarrollar o adoptar un manual de operaciones o de bioseguridad que identifique los riesgos que se encontrarán o puedan producirse, y especifique las prácticas y procedimientos destinados a minimizar o eliminar las exposiciones a estos (AU).

ABSTRACT Biosecurity plays an important role in biomedical research. It is necessary to know the recommended measures for disease control in work environments where workers are at risk of contracting diseases and becoming a source of infection for patients. The aim of this work is to contribute to the dissemination of biosafety measures in biomedical laboratories. A systematic review of the main articles published in English and Spanish in PubMed, SciELO and MEDLINE was carried out. The dissemination of biosafety measures is of great importance in order to ensure their knowledge by professionals in the different types of laboratories. They have to develop or adopt a manual of operations or biosecurity that identifies the risks that will be found or may occur, and specifies the practices and procedures to minimize or eliminate exposures to them (AU).

Research in forensic medicine under the view of biosafety.

In recent years, biotechnology is gradually getting popular and is playing a significant role in human productivity and life. The consequent biosafety problems are becoming increasingly prominent. Based on the connotation and extension of biosafety, this article sorts out the biosafety contents involved in traditional and modern forensic medicine research and analyzes the risks and challenges facing forensic medicine research from the perspective of biosafety. Based on the protection of legal medical experts, the establishment of working standards, and the promotion and support of research in forensic medicine on biosafety field and other aspects, this article discusses the prospectives of forensic medicine research from a biosafety point of view, and provides the insights and references for a smooth implementation of forensic medicine practice in the future.

Biosafety assessment of Acinetobacter strains isolated from the Three Gorges Reservoir region in nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.

Acinetobacter has been frequently detected in backwater areas of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) region. We here employed Caenorhabditis elegans to perform biosafety assessment of Acinetobacter strains isolated from backwater area in the TGR region. Among 21 isolates and 5 reference strains of Acinetobacter, exposure to Acinetobacter strains of AC1, AC15, AC18, AC21, A. baumannii ATCC 19606T, A. junii NH88-14, and A. lwoffii DSM 2403T resulted in significant decrease in locomotion behavior and reduction in lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans. In nematodes, exposure to Acinetobacter strains of AC1, AC15, AC18, AC21, A. baumannii, A. junii and A. lwoffii also resulted in significant reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Moreover, exposure to Acinetobacter isolates of AC1, AC15, AC18, and AC21 led to significant increase in expressions of both SOD-3::GFP and some antimicrobial genes (lys-1, spp-12, lys-7, dod-6, spp-1, dod-22, lys-8, and/or F55G11.4) in nematodes. The Acinetobacter isolates of AC1, AC15, AC18, and AC21 had different morphological, biochemical, phylogenetical, and virulence gene properties. Our results suggested that exposure risk of some Acinetobacter strains isolated from the TGR region exists for environmental organisms and human health. In addition, C. elegans is useful to assess biosafety of Acinetobacter isolates from the environment.