Journal of Biosafety and Biosecurity最新文献

West Nile virus (WNV) has afflicted various countries around the world, affecting not only humans but also non-human animals, such as horses and birds. WNV is an arbovirus that is transmitted to humans by mosquito bites. The WNV epidemic was initially localized to Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. An outbreak of WNV recently occurred in the United States (US), and is currently ongoing. This article aims to elucidate the trajectory of this ongoing outbreak in the US to inform efforts to control the recurring infection. As of November 15, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 913 cases of WNV in humans in the US, of which 639 (70%) were categorized as neuroinvasive and 274 (30%) were categorized as non-neuroinvasive disease. Health authorities should swiftly act before WNV reaches a severe level, to prevent aggravation of existing challenges amidst the coronavirus disease 2019 and monkeypox pandemics in the US. Decreasing breeding habitats, ongoing surveillance of mosquito larvae, biological and microbial larval control methods (fish and copepods), chemical control methods (larvicides), controlling adult mosquito vector populations (hot or cold aerosols), and active practice of community-based preventive measures may avoid widespread outbreaks of WNV in the US. This brief article discusses the ongoing outbreak of WNV in the US, and highlights epidemiological and preventive measures related to WNV infection.

Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) constitutes a significant global health concern characterized by its high infection rates and widespread distribution worldwide. While influenza viruses, primarily types A and B, are primary contributors to ILI cases, other respiratory viruses also play a role in its prevalence. Jakarta, Indonesia’s largest and densely populated city, has consistently reported a notable weekly number of ILI cases from 2016 to mid-2022. Intriguingly, this pattern of cases is irregular and does not exhibit a direct association with seasonal climate fluctuations. In response to this complex scenario, we have developed a SLIR mathematical model featuring a cumulative generating operator in the form of a multiple-terms sigmoid function, obtained from weekly cumulative data to derive model solutions. A total of 12 terms within the sigmoid function yielded a decent fit to the actual data spanning 339 weeks. Our correlation analysis unveiled distinct temporal relationships within the model, revealing an 8-week time lag between the dynamics of the infection rate and the latent compartment, along with a 2-week lag marking the incubation period between the latent and infected compartments. Furthermore, the effective reproduction number displayed recurrent fluctuations around a threshold of 1, indicating the endemic characteristics where infection persists within the population. This in-depth comprehension of ILI transmission dynamics and effective reproduction numbers plays a significant role in devising control measures and informed policy-making decisions.

In this paper, we briefly discuss the historical issues concerning the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) and analyse the current situation after the COVID-19 pandemic with emphasis on the new developments at 9th Review Conference of the BTWC. In particular, we discuss the mission of the new working group agreed at the review conference to identify, examine, and develop specific and effective measures, including possible legally binding measures and to make recommendations to strengthen and institutionalise the Convention in all its aspects, and compare it with productive activities associated with the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). The enhanced role for civil society in support of the BTWC is then proposed with some solid examples from our own recent projects. We hope this analysis will help to facilitate new thinking about strengthening BTWC in coming years.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has rapidly spread worldwide, posing a global medical concern. This novel RNA virus enters cells by binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2) receptors. Additionally, ACE (ACE1) polymorphisms can influence ACE2 activity and consequently affect COVID-19 patient outcomes. This study aimed to determine the genotypic and allelic frequencies of the insertion/deletion polymorphism (ACE I/D; rs4646994) in the ACE gene among Arab Jordanians. Moreover, we investigated if there is a genetic association between the allele and genotype frequencies of the rs4646994 polymorphism with respect to gender. We isolated DNA from approximately 525 blood samples for genotyping of the ACE I/D polymorphism, which was performed using a 3% agarose gel mixed with ethidium bromide. Our findings indicated a significantly higher distribution of the D allele (66%) compared with the I allele (34%) in the Jordanian population. Moreover, the DD genotype (42%) was more prevalent than the II genotype (11%). We observed a significant association in the genotypic frequency, but not the allelic frequency, between males and females. Our research has revealed the potential role of the ACE I/D variant in the increased COVID-19 morbidity and mortality rates in the Jordanian population.

Development and sharing of model approaches to national science policies can enable States Parties to effectively raise awareness about the security dimensions of life science research and to promote research integrity and the responsible use of science, as well as enhancing accountability practices among practitioners and fostering access to emerging capabilities in science and technology. It is also important to incorporate convergent domains of scientific endeavors in biological and particularly computer and information sciences, upon which the life sciences increasingly depend. Indeed, the rapid development of science and technology may be outpacing necessary ethical and regulatory practices. Thus, governments and civil society often struggle to anticipate emerging capabilities and to identify and implement appropriate oversight mechanisms, particularly for activities that occur outside the direct oversight of government programs. However, these efforts are critical for public health and serve as an extremely powerful action to counter the use of biological weapons.

The mpox (previously monkeypox) outbreak in more than 100 non-endemic countries in 2022 posed a serious global health concern. Mpox is emerging as a global public health threat from a seemingly neglected disease. A42R profilin-like protein from mpox virus (PDB ID: 4QWO) could be a preferred target lead. The binding affinity of commonly used drugs/mAbs (tecovirimat, brincidofovir, cidofovir) for A42R profilin-like protein was examined in silico through molecular docking. Further, the results were compared with those of the phytochemicals curcumin, rutin, and theaflavin. Tecovirimat (−7.31 kcal/mol, IC₅₀ = 4.39 µM) and theaflavin (−6.99 kcal/mol, IC₅₀ = 7.54 µM) had the highest affinities. Molecular dynamics simulation of the theaflavin–4QWO complex was performed to ascertain the stability of ligand–protein interactions in natural charge, molecular electrostatic potential, and frontier molecular orbital analyses. The predicted QSAR and pharmacokinetic properties of all compounds were evaluated to find a suitable candidate for designing and developing new drugs. The evaluated log P values for brincidofovir and tecovirimat were higher than those of the other drugs in the QSAR study. Theaflavin had an impressive log P of 4.77, which hints at its high biological activity. The findings recommend further in vitro experimental validation to develop potential low-cost mpox therapies.

Biochemistry, hematology and serology laboratories produce very heterogeneous discharges capable of polluting water, soil and the environment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the physico-chemical quality of the ashes, effluents and the range of equipment that produce the much effluent and pollutions.

This is a descriptive and cross-sectional study of 82 laboratories followed by the sampling of effluents from automatons. The physico-chemical parameters and trace elements are determined according to French Standardization Association (AFNOR) standards and used atomic absorption spectrometers and molecular absorption spectrometers. The Mindray hematology automaton is used for 64.7% and 81.5% of the cans are used to collect waste. Semehow 77.8% of discharges are released into sinks without adequate treatment in 42.6% of cases. Chemical analyses show that trace elements (TE) levels in effluents range from 5.89 ± 0.21 to 105.80 ± 0.96 μg/L for Arsenic; from 5.62 ± 0.34 to 6.53 ± 0.49 μg/L for Cadmium; 0.70 ± 0.01 to 10.63 ± 1.17 μg/L for Mercure and 35.72 ± 1.88 to 61.98 ± 5.15 μg/L for Plomb. pH ranges from 7.17 ± 0.65 to 8.3 ± 1.35 with total dissolved salts (TDS) range from 3260.20 ± 401.68 to 17117.41 ± 265.37 mg/L. All averages of contamination indices (CI) and polymetallic contamination indices (PCI) for post-incineration ashes are greater than 1.5 with the exception of Hg (0.22). For effluents, in addition to polymetallic contamination indices (PCI), CI in hematology effluents (1.09), all CI are less than 1. Hematology effluents have a lower pH and are much more mineralized and concentrated in trace elements while those from biochemistry and serology appear to be similar. However, the effluents of Biochemistry and Serology are more basic and concentrated in Suspended Solids with higher values obtained in Biochemistry. Although the physico-chemical parameters comply with WHO standards, discharges from automatons deserve appropriate treatment before their disposal.

Since its emergence, SARS-CoV-2 virus, the causative agent of COVID-19, has undergone over three years of evolutionary changes. Throughout this evolutionary process, multiple variants, such as Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron, have emerged, leading to widespread outbreaks and pandemics. A comprehensive analysis of the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 over the past three years reveals its progression through three distinct stages.