Qualitative Analysis of Origins and Evolution of an Elastomeric #Respirator Program

Elastomeric respirators (elastomerics) may serve as one alternative to disposable N95 respirator use in healthcare. We explored factors which drove elastomeric adoption and continued use in a large academic medical center. We conducted semi-structured and focus group interviews in 2015 with a) 11 leadership key informants (KIs) with involvement in the respiratory protection program (RPP) when elastomerics were introduced and b) 11 healthcare workers (HCWs) recruited from hospital departments assigned to use elastomerics. Interview transcripts and responses were open-coded to capture emergent themes, which were collapsed into broader categories and iteratively refined. Factors identified by leadership KIs as influencing elastomeric adoption included: 1) N95 shortages during 2009’s H1N1 influenza pandemic and 2) the presence of trained, certified safety professionals who were familiar with respiratory protection requirements. Factors identified as influencing ongoing use of elastomerics included: 1) cleaning/decontamination practices, 2) storage, 3) safety culture, 4) HCW respirator knowledge, and 5) risk perception. HCW users expressed dissatisfaction related to breathing, communication and cleaning of elastomerics. Other themes included convenience use of N95s rather than assigned elastomerics, despite perceptions that elastomerics are more protective. Through semi-structured and focus group interviews, we learned that 1) leadership introduced elastomerics due to necessity but now face challenges related to ongoing use, and 2) HCWs were not satisfied with elastomerics for routine care and preferentially used N95s because they were conveniently available at point of use. Although the impetus behind incorporation of elastomerics was clear, the most complex themes related to sustainability of this form of RPP. These themes were used to inform a broader questionnaire and will address the utility of elastomerics as a feasible and acceptable practical alternative to N95s in healthcare.
REFERENCE:
Hines, Stella E et al. “Qualitative Analysis of Origins and Evolution of an Elastomeric Respirator-Based Hospital Respiratory Protection Program.” Journal of the International Society for Respiratory Protection 34.2 (2017): 95–110. Print.

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LAB RULES - Dua Lipa "New Rules" Parody

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRDApYgvDqQ

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Mechanisms of ultraviolet disinfection and chlorination of Escherichia coli

Traditional culture methods may underestimate the tolerance of microorganisms to disinfectants because of the existence of viable but nonculturable or sublethally injured cells after disinfection. The selection of a strict method is crucial for the evaluation of disinfection performance. The actions of 2 typical disinfectants - ultraviolet (UV) and chlorine - on the fecal indicator Escherichia coli were investigated by the detection of culturability, membrane permeability, metabolic activity, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), and messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA). During UV disinfection, the irreversible damages in the cell membrane and cellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) were negligible at low UV doses (<80mJ/cm2). However, membrane permeability was damaged at low doses of chlorine (<5mg/L), leading to leakage of cellular ATP. Our study showed that a slight lesion in DNA was detected even at high doses of UV (400mJ/cm2) and chlorine (>5mg/L) treatments. The decay of mRNA was more rapid than that of DNA. The degradation level of mRNA depended on the choice of target genes. After exposure to 50mJ/cm2 UV dose or 5mg/L chlorine for 30min, the DNA damage repair function (RecA mRNA) was inhibited. The mRNA involved in the DNA damage repair function can be a potential indicator of bacterial viability.
REFERENCE:
Xu L, Zhang C, Xu P, Wang XC. Mechanisms of ultraviolet disinfection and chlorination of Escherichia coli: Culturability, membrane permeability, metabolism, and genetic damage. J Environ Sci (China). 2018 Mar;65:356-366. doi:  10.1016/j.jes.2017.07.006. Epub 2017 Jul 16.

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Guidance for Evaluating the Safety of Experimental Releases of Mosquitoes

Experimental releases of mosquitoes are performed to understand characteristics of populations related to the biology, ability to transmit pathogens, and ultimately their control. In this article, we discuss considerations related to the safety of experimental releases of living mosquitoes, applying principles of good practice in vector biology that protect human health and comfort. We describe specific factors of experimental releases of mosquitoes that we believe are critical to inform institutional biosafety committees and similar review boards to which proposals to conduct mosquito release experiments have been submitted. In this study, “experimental releases” means those that do not significantly increase vector capacity or nuisance biting relative to the unperturbed natural baseline. This document specifically does not address releases of mosquitoes for ongoing control programs or trials of new control methods for which broader assessments of risk are required. It also does not address releases of transgenic or exotic (non-native) mosquito species, both of which require particular regulatory approval. Experimental releases may include females and males and evaluation must consider their effects based on the number released, their genotype and phenotype, the environment into which they are released, and postrelease collection activities. We consider whether increases of disease transmission and nuisance biting might result from proposed experimental releases against the backdrop of natural population size variation. We recommend that experimental releases be conducted in a manner that can be reasonably argued to have insignificant negative effects. Reviewers of proposals for experimental releases should expect applicants to provide such an argument based on evidence from similar studies and their planned activities. This document provides guidance for creating and evaluating such proposals.
REFERENCE;
Benedict, Mark Q. et al. “Guidance for Evaluating the Safety of Experimental Releases of Mosquitoes, Emphasizing Mark-Release-Recapture Techniques.” Vector Borne and Zoonotic Diseases 18.1 (2018): 39–48. PMC. Web. 23 Mar. 2018.

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Recommendations for Laboratory Containment and Management of Gene Drive Systems in Arthropods

V

ersatile molecular tools for creating driving transgenes and other invasive genetic factors present regulatory, ethical, and environmental challenges that should be addressed to ensure their safe use. In this article, we discuss driving transgenes and invasive genetic factors that can potentially spread after their introduction into a small proportion of individuals in a population. The potential of invasive genetic factors to increase their number in natural populations presents challenges that require additional safety measures not provided by previous recommendations regarding accidental release of arthropods. In addition to providing physical containment, invasive genetic factors require greater attention to strain management, including their distribution and identity confirmation. In this study, we focus on insects containing such factors with recommendations for investigators who are creating them, institutional biosafety committees charged with ensuring safety, funding agencies providing support, those managing insectaries handling these materials who are responsible for containment, and other persons who will be receiving insects—transgenic or not—from these facilities. We give specific examples of efforts to modify mosquitoes for mosquito-borne disease control, but similar considerations are relevant to other arthropods that are important to human health, the environment, and agriculture.
REFERENCE:
Benedict, Mark Q. et al. “Recommendations for Laboratory Containment and Management of Gene Drive Systems in Arthropods.” Vector Borne and Zoonotic Diseases 18.1 (2018): 2–13. PMC. Web. 23 Mar. 2018.
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A New Approach to Evaluating the Risk–Benefit Equation for Dual-Use and Gain-of-Function Research of Concern

In the twenty-first century, biology faces a problem that has previously vexed other disciplines such as physics, namely the prospect that its knowledge domain could be used to generate biological agents with altered properties that enhanced their weapon potential. Biological weapons bring the additional dimension that these could be self-replicating, easy to manufacture and synthesized with commonly available expertise. This resulted in increasing concern about the type of research done and communicated, despite the fact that such research often has direct societal benefits, bringing the dual-use dilemma to biology. The conundrum of dual use research of concern was crystallized by the so-called “gain-of-function” type of experiments in which avian influenza viruses were endowed with new properties in the laboratory such as increased virulence and the capacity for mammalian transmission. After more than a decade of intensive discussion and controversy involving biological experiments with dual-use potential, there is no consensus on the issue except for the need to carry out such experiments in the safest conditions possible. In this essay, we review the topic with the hindsight of several years and suggest that instead of prescribing prohibitions and experimental limitations the focus should be on the importance of scientific questions at hand. We posit that the importance of a scientific question for medical and scientific progress provides a benchmark to determine the acceptable level of risk in biological experimentation.

REFERENCE:
Imperiale, Michael J., and Arturo Casadevall. “A New Approach to Evaluating the Risk–Benefit Equation for Dual-Use and Gain-of-Function Research of Concern.” Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology 6 (2018): 21. PMC. Web. 23 Mar. 2018.

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Re-creation of Horsepox Virus: Dual use research of concern #DURC #Viruela

mSphere is publishing two commentaries on a controversial topic: should the horsepox virus have been reconstructed? A group led by David Evans at University of Alberta was funded by the company Tonix Pharmaceuticals, Inc., in New York to build this virus as a potential step toward a new smallpox vaccine (1).
This work occurs at a time when much attention is being paid to dual use research of concern (DURC): research that is performed due to its potential benefit, but the results of which could potentially be misused for nefarious purposes. In this case, the debate focuses on the benefit of a new smallpox vaccine versus the risk that someone may unleash variola virus itself, the causative agent of smallpox, on a largely unvaccinated human population. There is no argument against the fact that the eradication of smallpox was one of the greatest achievements of the public health community.
The two articles posted today come from Gregory Koblentz at George Mason University, who argues that this work was poorly justified on two fronts, scientifically and commercially (2), and from Diane DiEuliis and Gigi Gronvall from National Defense University and the Center for Health Security at Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, respectively, who discuss this study in the larger context of how the risks and benefits of dual use research are assessed and managed (3). (mSphere asked the leadership of Tonix to submit a manuscript, but we received no response.)
It is our intent at mSphere to publish similar pairs of articles on controversial and cutting edge topics in the future. We are keeping our eyes open for such opportunities and welcome your ideas for potential areas that should be addressed.
These are important discussions to have, not just among those of us who pay daily attention to biosafety and biosecurity, but among the broader scientific community as a whole and especially the microbial science community. I think you will find these articles to be both thoughtful and thought-provoking.

REFERENCES:

1. Noyce RS, Lederman S, Evans DH. 2018. Construction of an infectious horsepox virus vaccine from chemically synthesized DNA fragments. PLoS One 13:e0188453. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0188453.
2. Koblentz GD. 2018. A critical analysis of the scientific and commercial rationales for the de novo synthesis of horsepox virus. mSphere 3:e00040-18. doi:10.1128/mSphere.00040-18. [Cross Ref]
3. DiEuliis D, Gronvall GK. 2018. A holistic assessment of the risks and benefits of the synthesis of horsepox virus. mSphere 3:e00074-18. doi:10.1128/mSphere.00074-18.
4. Imperiale, Michael J. “Re-Creation of Horsepox Virus.” mSphere 3.2 (2018): e00079–18. PMC. Web. 23 Mar. 2018.

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Recreational Water and Infection

This paper reviews the latest evidence provided by epidemiological studies and quantitative microbial risk assessments (QMRAs) of infection risk from recreational water use. Studies for review were selected following a PubMed search for articles published between January 2010 and April 2014. Epidemiological studies show a generally elevated risk of gastrointestinal illness in bathers compared to non-bathers but often no clear association with water quality as measured by faecal indicator bacteria; this is especially true where study sites are impacted by non-point source pollution. Evidence from QMRAs support the lack of a consistent water quality association for non-point source-impacted beaches. It is suggested that source attribution, through quantified microbial source apportionment, linked with appropriate use of microbial source tracking methods should be employed as an integral part of future epidemiological surveys.

REFERENCE:
Fewtrell L, Kay D. Recreational Water and Infection: A Review of Recent Findings. Curr Environ Health Rep. 2015 Mar;2(1):85-94. doi: 10.1007/s40572-014-0036-6. Review.

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Analysis of the risk of acquiring infections from recreational exposure to seawater

Background: Numerous illnesses are associated with bathing in natural waters, although it is assumed that the risk of illness among bathers exposed to relatively clean waters found in high-income countries is negligible. A systematic review was carried out to quantify the increased risk of experiencing a range of adverse health outcomes among bathers exposed to coastal water compared with non-bathers.
Methods: In all 6919 potentially relevant titles and abstracts were screened, and from these 40 studies were eligible for inclusion in the review. Odds ratios (OR) were extracted from 19 of these reports and combined in random-effect meta-analyses for the following adverse health outcomes: incident cases of any illness, ear infections, gastrointestinal illness and infections caused by specific microorganisms.
Results: There is an increased risk of experiencing symptoms of any illness [OR = 1.86, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.31 to 2.64, P = 0.001] and ear ailments (OR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.49 to 2.82, P < 0.001) in bathers compared with non-bathers. There is also an increased risk of experiencing gastrointestinal ailments (OR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.12 to 1.49, P < 0.001).
Conclusions:  This is the first systematic review to evaluate evidence on the increased risk of acquiring illnesses from bathing in seawater compared with non-bathers. Our results support the notion that infections are acquired from bathing in coastal waters, and that bathers have a greater risk of experiencing a variety of illnesses compared with non-bathers.

REFERENCES:
Leonard AFC, et al. Is it safe to go back into the water? A systematic review and meta-analysis of the risk of acquiring infections from recreational exposure to seawater. Int J Epidemiol. 2018 Feb 26.  doi: 10.1093/ije/dyx281.

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Transmission of droplet-mediated respiratory diseases in airline flights

With over 3 billion airline passengers annually, the inflight transmission of infectious diseases is an important global health concern. Over a dozen cases of inflight transmission of serious infections have been documented, and air travel can serve as a conduit for the rapid spread of newly emerging infections and pandemics. Despite sensational media stories, risks of transmission of respiratory viruses in an airplane cabin are unknown. Movements of passengers and crew may facilitate disease transmission. On 10 transcontinental US flights, we chronicled behaviors and movements of individuals in the economy cabin on single-aisle aircraft. We simulated transmission during flight based on these data. This data-driven, dynamic network transmission model of droplet-mediated respiratory disease is unique.

REFERENCE:
Hertzberg VS, et al. Behaviors, movements, and transmission of droplet-mediated respiratory diseases during transcontinental airline flights. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2018 Mar 19. pii: 201711611. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1711611115.
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#WebinarAMEXBIO: Equipo de protección

Equipo de protección para laboratorios microbiológicos

1. Guantes           Abril 6, 2018
2. Batas               Abril 20, 2018
3. Respiradores   Abril 27, 2018

13:00 hrs., Cd. de México

Registro gratuito. Cupo limitado.

No se emiten constancias

PRE-REGISTRO

En esta serie de 3 seminarios en línea (webinar) se revisarán las características del equipo de protección para el manejo de microorganismos. Así mismo, se revisarán las estrategias para un uso adecuado. De la misma forma revisar la importancia de la normatividad oficial correspondiente vigente.

No se emiten constancias de asistencia.
Pre-registro por internet en: https://goo.gl/AAS1jm
Descarguen la App para escuchar este webinar AQUI.

www.amexbio.org

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Development and Testing of a Method for Validating Chemical Inactivation of Ebola Virus

Complete inactivation of infectious Ebola virus (EBOV) is required before a sample may be removed from a Biosafety Level 4 laboratory. The United States Federal Select Agent Program regulations require that procedures used to demonstrate chemical inactivation must be validated in-house to confirm complete inactivation. The objective of this study was to develop a method for validating chemical inactivation of EBOV and then demonstrate the effectiveness of several commonly-used inactivation methods. Samples containing infectious EBOV (Zaire ebolavirus) in different matrices were treated, and the sample was diluted to limit the cytopathic effect of the inactivant. The presence of infectious virus was determined by assessing the cytopathic effect in Vero E6 cells. Crucially, this method did not result in a loss of infectivity in control samples, and we were able to detect less than five infectious units of EBOV (Zaire ebolavirus). We found that TRIzol LS reagent and RNA-Bee inactivated EBOV in serum; TRIzol LS reagent inactivated EBOV in clarified cell culture media; TRIzol reagent inactivated EBOV in tissue and infected Vero E6 cells; 10% neutral buffered formalin inactivated EBOV in tissue; and osmium tetroxide vapors inactivated EBOV on transmission electron microscopy grids. The methods described herein are easily performed and can be adapted to validate inactivation of viruses in various matrices and by various chemical methods.
REFERENCE:
Alfson KJ, Griffiths A. Development and Testing of a Method for Validating Chemical Inactivation of Ebola Virus. Viruses. 2018 Mar 13;10(3). pii: E126.


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Reunión Anual de la Red Suiza de Bioseguridad 2018 #SBNet

La Red Suiza de Bioseguridad, realizará del 23 al 24 de Agosto, 12th Applied Biosafety Meeting, en el Palazzo dei Congressi, en Lugano, Suiza. 

INFORMES Y REGISTRO:
PROGRAMA
http://www.swissbiosafety.ch

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Infection Prevention and Control Measures in the Emergency Department

This document has been prepared in connection with Action 8 of the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux’ (MSSS) Plan d’action sur la prévention et le contrôle des infections nosocomiales 2010-2015 [2010-2015 Action plan for healthcare-associated infections prevention and control](4). Its purpose is to make recommendations for IPC in the emergency departments of Québec’s hospitals. The recommendations are primarily intended for general and specialized hospital centres. They will have to be adapted according to the facility’s mission, the patient population served and various local epidemiological factors. The recommendations in the document are categorized under the different areas of the emergency department (Appendix 1) and integrate Health Canada’s three-tier hierarchy of IPC controls: engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment (Appendix 2). Engineering control recommendations should be given priority when constructing new emergency departments or renovating existing emergency departments. An action plan should be developed to ensure these recommendations are integrated into future work.
REFERENCE:
Infection Prevention and Control Measures in the Emergency Department. Comité sur les infections nosocomiales du Québec (CINQ). Institut national de santé publique du Québec, 2015.

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Occupational Hazards in the Thai Healthcare Sector

Healthcare personnel work in vulnerable conditions that can adversely impact physical and/or mental health. This paper aims to synthesize the state of knowledge on work-related illnesses, injuries, and risks experienced by Thai healthcare workers. We found that Thai healthcare personnel, like others worldwide, are at risk for injury related to needle sticks and sharp instruments; infectious diseases due to biological hazards exposure such as airborne pathogens and patient secretions; muscle pain due to workload and long duration of work; and psychological disorders related to stressful working conditions. Because detailed surveillance data are limited for the Thai healthcare workforce, we recommend that additional surveillance data on Thai healthcare workers’ health outcomes be collected. Future research efforts should also focus on evidence-based interventions in order to develop methods to prevent and treat occupational health injuries and illnesses acquired in the workplace for Thai healthcare sector workers.
REFERENCE:
Tipayamongkholgul, Mathuros et al. “Occupational Hazards in the Thai Healthcare Sector.” New solutions : a journal of environmental and occupational health policy : NS 26.1 (2016): 83–102. PMC. Web. 5 Mar. 2018.


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Certification & validation of biosafety level-2 & biosafety level-3 laboratories in Indian settings & common issues

MIT Lab (render)

With increasing awareness regarding biorisk management worldwide, many biosafety laboratories are being setup in India. It is important for the facility users, project managers and the executing agencies to understand the process of validation and certification of such biosafety laboratories. There are some international guidelines available, but there are no national guidelines or reference standards available in India on certification and validation of biosafety laboratories. There is no accredited government/private agency available in India to undertake validation and certification of biosafety laboratories. Therefore, the reliance is mostly on indigenous experience, talent and expertise available, which is in short supply. This article elucidates the process of certification and validation of biosafety laboratories in a concise manner for the understanding of the concerned users and suggests the important parameters and criteria that should be considered and addressed during the laboratory certification and validation process.
REFERENCE

Mourya DT,et al. Certification & validation of biosafety level-2 & biosafety level-3 laboratories in Indian settings & common issues. J Med Res. 2017 Oct; 146(4): 459–467. doi:  10.4103/ijmr.IJMR_974_16

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Botulinum neurotoxin–encoding plasmids can be conjugatively transferred to diverse clostridial strains #Clostridium

Most Group I Clostridium botulinum strains harbor botulinum neurotoxin (bont) genes on their chromosome, while some carry these genes (including bont/a, bont/b, and bont/f) on large plasmids. Prior work in our laboratory demonstrated that Group I BoNT plasmids were mobilized to C. botulinum recipient strains containing the Tn916 transposon. Here, we show that Tn916 is nonessential for plasmid transfer. Relying on an auxotrophic donor phenotype and a plasmid-borne selectable marker, we observed the transfer of pCLJ, a 270 kb plasmid harboring two bont genes, from its host strain to various clostridia. Transfer frequency was greatest to other Group I C. botulinum strains, but the plasmid was also transferred into traditionally nontoxigenic species, namely C. sporogenes and C. butyricum. Expression and toxicity of BoNT/A4 was confirmed in transconjugants by immunoblot and mouse bioassay. These data indicate that conjugation within the genus Clostridium can occur across physiological Groups of C. botulinum, supporting horizontal gene transfer via bont-bearing plasmids. The transfer of plasmids possessing bont genes to resistant Clostridium spp. such as C. sporogenes could impact biological safety for animals and humans. These plasmids may play an environmental role in initiating death in vertebrates, leading to decomposition and nutrient recycling of animal biomass.
REFERENCE:
Nawrocki EM, et al. Botulinum neurotoxin–encoding plasmids can be conjugatively transferred to diverse clostridial strains. Sci Rep. 2018; 8: 3100. Published online 2018 Feb 15. doi:  10.1038/s41598-018-21342-9.

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Evaluating the Sporicidal Activity of Disinfectants against #Clostridium difficile and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Spores

Spore-forming pathogenic bacteria, such as Clostridium difficile, are associated with nosocomial infection, leading to the increased use of sporicidal disinfectants, which impacts socioeconomic costs. However, C. difficile can be prevented using microorganisms such as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, a prophylactic agent that has been proven to be effective against it in recent tests or it can be controlled by sporicidal disinfectants. These disinfectants against spores should be evaluated according to a known and recommended standard. Unfortunately, some newly manufactured disinfectants like Bioxy products have not yet been tested. ASTM E2197-11 is a standard test that uses stainless steel disks (1 cm in diameter) as carriers, and the performance of the test formulation is calculated by comparing the number of viable test organisms to that on the control carriers. Surface tests are preferable for evaluating disinfectants with sporicidal effects on hard surfaces. This study applies improved methods, based on the ASTM E2197-11 standard, for evaluating and comparing the sporicidal efficacies of several disinfectants against spores of C. difficile and B. amyloliquefaciens, which are used as the test organisms. With the improved method, all spores were recovered through vortexing and membrane filtration. The results show that chlorine-based products are effective in 5 min and Bioxy products at 5% w/v are effective in 10 min. Although Bioxy products may take longer to prove their effectiveness, their non-harmful effects to hospital surfaces and people have been well established in the literature.

REFERENCE:
Uwamahoro MC et al. Evaluating the Sporicidal Activity of Disinfectants against Clostridium difficile and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Spores by Using the Improved Methods Based on ASTM E2197-11. Public Health. 2018; 6: 18. Published online 2018 Feb 5. doi:  10.3389/fpubh.2018.00018

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Containment Studies of Transgenic Mosquitoes in Disease Endemic Countries

Genetic strategies for large scale pest or vector control using modified insects are not yet operational in Africa, and currently rely on import of the modified strains to begin preliminary, contained studies. Early involvement of research teams from participating countries is crucial to evaluate candidate field interventions. Following the recommended phased approach for novel strategies, evaluation should begin with studies in containment facilities. Experiences to prepare facilities and build international teams for research on transgenic mosquitoes revealed some important organizing themes underlying the concept of "facilities readiness," or the point at which studies in containment may proceed, in sub-Saharan African settings. First, "compliance" for research with novel or non-native living organisms was defined as the fulfillment of all legislative and regulatory requirements. This is not limited to regulations regarding use of transgenic organisms. Second, the concept of "colony utility" was related to the characteristics of laboratory colonies being produced so that results of studies may be validated across time, sites, and strains or technologies; so that the appropriate candidate strains are moved forward toward field studies. Third, the importance of achieving "defensible science" was recognized, including that study conclusions can be traced back to evidence, covering the concerns of various stakeholders over the long term. This, combined with good stewardship of resources and appropriate funding, covers a diverse set of criteria for declaring when "facilities readiness" has been attained. It is proposed that, despite the additional demands on time and resources, only with the balance of and rigorous achievement of each of these organizing themes can collaborative research into novel strategies in vector or pest control reliably progress past initial containment studies.
REFERENCE:
Quinlan MM, et al. Containment Studies of Transgenic Mosquitoes in Disease Endemic Countries: The Broad Concept of Facilities Readiness. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2018 Jan;18(1):14-20. doi: 10.1089/vbz.2017.2189. PubMed PMID: 29337664; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5770120.

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Invitación a publicar en Applied Biosafety Journal

http://journals.sagepub.com/home/apbb

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NOM-018-STPS-2015, Sistema armonizado para la identificación de sustancias químicas peligrosas

Objetivo
Establecer los requisitos para disponer en los centros de trabajo del sistema armonizado de identificación y comunicación de peligros y riesgos por sustancias químicas peligrosas, a fin de prevenir daños a los trabajadores y al personal que actúa en caso de emergencia.
Campo de aplicación
La presente Norma Oficial Mexicana rige en todo el territorio nacional y aplica a todos los centros de trabajo donde se manejen sustancias químicas peligrosas.
No aplica a productos terminados tales como: farmacéuticos, aditivos alimenticios, artículos cosméticos, residuos de plaguicidas en los alimentos y residuos peligrosos.
REFERENCIA:
NORMA Oficial Mexicana NOM-018-STPS-2015, Sistema armonizado para la identificación y comunicación de peligros y riesgos por sustancias químicas peligrosas en los centros de trabajo.

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Preparation of Containment Facilities for Studies of Transgenic Mosquitoes

Novel approaches to area-wide control of vector species offer promise as additional tools in the fight against vectored diseases. Evaluation of transgenic insect strains aimed at field population control in disease-endemic countries may involve international partnerships and should be done in a stepwise approach, starting with studies in containment facilities. The preparations of both new-build and renovated facilities are described, including working with local and national regulations regarding land use, construction, and biosafety requirements, as well as international guidance to fill any gaps in regulation. The examples given are for containment categorization at Arthropod Containment Level 2 for initial facility design, classification of wastes, and precautions during shipping. Specific lessons were derived from preparations to evaluate transgenic (non-gene drive) mosquitoes in West and East African countries. Documented procedures and the use of a non-transgenic training strain for trial shipments and culturing were used to develop competence and confidence among the African facility staff, and along the chain of custody for transport. This practical description is offered to support other research consortia or institutions preparing containment facilities and operating procedures in conditions where research on transgenic insects is at an early stage.
REFERENCE:
MM Quinlan et al. Studies of Transgenic Mosquitoes in Disease-Endemic Countries: Preparation of Containment Facilities. Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2018 Jan 1; 18(1): 21–30. Published online 2018 Jan 1. doi:  10.1089/vbz.2017.2192

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Detection of antimicrobial resistance in the International Space Station surface

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health issue. In an effort to minimize this threat to astronauts, who may be immunocompromised and thus at a greater risk of infection from antimicrobial resistant pathogens, a comprehensive study of the ISS “resistome’ was conducted. Using whole genome sequencing (WGS) and disc diffusion antibiotic resistance assays, 9 biosafety level 2 organisms isolated from the ISS were assessed for their antibiotic resistance. Molecular analysis of AMR genes from 24 surface samples collected from the ISS during 3 different sampling events over a span of a year were analyzed with Ion AmpliSeq™ and metagenomics. Disc diffusion assays showed that Enterobacter bugandensis strains were resistant to all 9 antibiotics tested and Staphylococcus haemolyticus being resistant to none. Ion AmpliSeq™ revealed that 123 AMR genes were found, with those responsible for beta-lactam and trimethoprim resistance being the most abundant and widespread. Using a variety of methods, the genes involved in antimicrobial resistance have been examined for the first time from the ISS. This information could lead to mitigation strategies to maintain astronaut health during long duration space missions when return to Earth for treatment is not possible.
REFERENCE:
Urbaniak C, et al. Detection of antimicrobial resistance genes associated with the International Space Station environmental surfaces. Sci Rep. 2018; 8: 814. doi:  10.1038/s41598-017-18506-4

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Rapid deployment of a mobile biosafety level-3 laboratory in Sierra Leone during the 2014 #Ebola virus epidemic

A Mobile Biosafety Level-3 Laboratory (MBSL-3 Lab) and a well-trained diagnostic team were dispatched to Sierra Leone to assist in Ebola virus disease (EVD) diagnosis when the largest outbreak of EVD to date emerged in West Africa in 2014. This setup allowed for the diagnosis of suspected EVD cases in less than 4 hours from the time of sample receiving. The laboratory was composed of three container vehicles and was equipped with advanced ventilation system, communication system, electricity and gas supply system. Multiple safety precautions were strictly applied to reduce exposure risks. A total of 1,635 suspected EVD cases were evaluated from September 28 to November 11, 2014, and none of the staff members was infected with Ebola virus or other pathogens. The China mobile laboratory was thus instrumental in the EVD outbreak response by providing timely and accurate diagnostics. Therefore, the MBSL-3 Lab played a significant role in establishing a suitable laboratory response capacity during the emergence of EVD in Sierra Leone.

REFERENCE:
Zhang, Yi et al. “Rapid Deployment of a Mobile Biosafety Level-3 Laboratory in Sierra Leone during the 2014 Ebola Virus Epidemic.” Ed. Brian Bird. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases 11.5 (2017): e0005622. PMC. Web. 4 Jan. 2018.


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Assessing infection control practices to protect health care workers and patients

Transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) in health settings threatens health care workers and people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. Nosocomial transmission is reduced with implementation of infection control (IC) guidelines. The objective of this study is to describe implementation of TB IC measures in Malawi. We conducted a cross-sectional study utilizing anonymous health worker questionnaires, semi-structured interviews with facility managers, and direct observations at 17 facilities in central Malawi. Of 592 health care workers surveyed, 34% reported that all patients entering the facility were screened for cough and only 8% correctly named the four most common signs and symptoms of TB in adults. Of 33 managers interviewed, 7 (21%) and 1 (3%) provided the correct TB screening questions for use in adults and children, respectively. Of 592 health workers, only 2.4% had been screened for TB in the previous year. Most (90%) reported knowing their HIV status, 53% were tested at their facility of employment, and half reported they would feel comfortable receiving ART or TB treatment at their facility of employment. We conclude that screening is infrequently conducted and knowledge gaps may undercut its effectiveness. Further, health care workers do not routinely access TB and HIV diagnostic and treatment services at their facility of employment.
REFERENCE:
Flick, Robert J. et al. “Assessing Infection Control Practices to Protect Health Care Workers and Patients in Malawi from Nosocomial Transmission of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis.” Ed. Sarah L Pett. PLoS ONE 12.12 (2017): e0189140.

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