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At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

The experimental study of microbial contamination of the space hardware.

The role of potential contaminants of design materials and products of space technology--aerobic and anaerobic prokaryotes (myxobacteria, eubacteria, corinebacteria, actinomyces), and eukaryotes (micromyces), psychrophilic, mesophilic and thermophilic forms, chemolythotrophic microorganisms is discussed in this paper. The methods of analysis of microbial contamination in the solution of problem of the planetary protection are considered. The necessity of the use of ultrasound at the evaluation of surface and subsurface contamination of specimens is demonstrated; methods of determination of buried contamination (with the use of organic solvents and mechanical pulverization) are discussed. The data on buried and subsurface contamination for some materials and electronic parts together with microflora resistivity to sterilizing treatment are given.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1995

Planetary protection considerations for MarsNet and Mars sample return missions.

The ESA MarsNet mission proposal consists most probably of a trio of Mars landers. These landers each contain a variety of scientific equipment. The network of stations demands for a definition of its planetary protection requirements. With respect to the MarsNet mission only forward contamination problems will be considered. Future involvement of European efforts in planetary exploration including sample returns will also raise the problem of back contamination. A tradeoff study for the overall scientific benefit with respect to the approximative cost is necessary. Planetary protection guide-lines will be proposed by an interdisciplinary and international board of experts working in the fields of both biology and planetary science. These guide-lines will have to be flexible in order to be modified with respect to new research results, e.g. on adaptation of microorganisms to extreme (space) conditions. Experiments on the survival of microorganisms at conditions of simulated Mars surface and subsurface will have to be conducted in order to obtain a baseline data collection as a reference standard for future guide-lines.

Containment of Biohazards↗
PubMed1995

Legal aspects of planetary protection for Mars missions.

The planning and execution of manned and robotic missions to Mars present a wide range of jurisprudential issues. Provisions to prevent the disruption of natural celestial environments, as well as damage to the environment of Earth by the return of extraterrestrial materials, are important components of the law applicable to mankind's activities in outer space, and have been supplemented by scientifically instituted planetary protection policies. However, divergent legal regimes may exist, as the space treaties in force are neither uniform in their provisions, nor identical as to the states which have signed, ratified, or adopted the international agreements. The legal requirements applicable to a specific mission will vary depending on the entities conducting the program and specific mission profile. This article analyzes the divergent international legal regimes together with the factors which will influence the determination of the standards of conduct which will govern manned and robotic missions to Mars.

Containment of Biohazards↗
PubMed1995

Societal issues as Mars mission impediments: planetary protection and contamination concerns.

Societal and non-scientific factors represent potentially significant impediments for future Mars missions, especially in areas involving planetary protection. This paper analyzes public concerns about forward contamination to Mars and back contamination to Earth, evaluates major areas where lack of information may lead to uncontrollable impacts on future missions, and concludes that NASA should adopt a strategy that actively plans both the generation and subsequent management of planetary protection information to ensure that key audiences obtain needed information in a timely manner. Delay or avoidance in dealing with societal issues early in mission planning will increase the likelihood of public opposition, cost increases and missed launch windows. While this analysis of social and non-scientific considerations focuses on future Mars missions, the findings are also relevant for RTG launches, nuclear propulsion and other NASA activities perceived to have health, safety or environmental implications.

Containment of Biohazards↗
PubMed2002

Good and bad examples of siting and building biosafety level 4 laboratories: a study of Winnipeg, Galveston and Etobicoke.

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate successful and unsuccessful examples of siting and building biosafety level 4 (BSL-4) facilities in North America. The paper shows that well thought-out risk communication strategies, that are proactive in nature, are needed to counteract both public trust and negative media amplification. The paper suggests that such strategies, which combine communication tools including media briefings, public fora, focus groups, tours of the proposed facility, open and frequent communication with the public as much as possible do work.

Communication↗
PubMed1999

A new direct microscopy based method for evaluating in-situ bioremediation.

A new epifluorescent microscopy based method using 5-cyano-2, 3-ditolyl tetrazolium chloride (CTC) and 5-(4,6-dichlorotriazinyl) aminofluoroscein (DTAF) was developed for quantifying total microbial biomass and evaluating levels of microbial activity. CTC is a tetrazolium dye that forms fluorescent intracellular formazan when biologically reduced by components of the electron transport system and/or dehydrogenases of metabolically active bacteria. DTAF is a fluorescein-based fluorochrome that selectively stains bacterial cell walls thereby enabling quantification of total bacterial biomass. CTC can be used in conjunction with DTAF to provide the optical resolution necessary to differentiate metabolically active cells from inactive cells in microbial populations associated with subsurface soils. The CTC/DTAF staining method has been shown to be effective for quantifying the metabolic activity of not only aerobic bacteria, but also diverse groups of anaerobic bacteria. This method allows for the rapid quantification of total and active bacterial numbers in complex soil samples without enrichment or cell elution. In this study, CTC/DTAF staining was applied to evaluate in-situ microbial activity in petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated subsurface soils from Sites 3 and 13 at Alameda Point, CA. At each site, subsurface microbial activity at two locations within contaminated plumes were examined and compared to activity at two geologically similar but uncontaminated background locations. Significant bacterial populations were detected in all soils examined, and the biomass estimates were several orders of magnitude higher than those obtained by conventional culture-based techniques. Both the total bacterial concentrations and the numbers of active bacteria in soils from contaminated areas were substantially higher than those observed in soils from background locations. Additionally, the percentages of metabolically active bacteria in the contaminated areas were consistently higher than those detected in background areas, suggesting that the enhanced microbial activity was due to microbial contaminant degradation. Although conventional heterotrophic plate counts failed to show significant microbial activity at either of the sites, soil gas carbon dioxide and methane measurements confirmed that hydrocarbon contaminant degradation was occurring in both areas. The CTC/DTAF staining protocol proved to be a rapid, reliable, and inexpensive method to evaluate the progress of in-situ bioremediation.

Bacteria↗
PubMed2003

Patient care in a biological safety level-4 (BSL-4) environment.

The greatest threats to America's public health include accidental importation of deadly diseases by international travelers and the release of biologic weapons by our adversaries. The greatest failure is unpreparedness because international travel and dispersion of biologic agents by our enemies are inevitable. An effective medical defense program is the recommended deterrent against these threats. The United States has a federal response plan in place that includes patient care and patient transport by using the highest level of biologic containment: BSL-4. The DoD has the capability to provide intensive care for victims infected with highly infectious yet unknown biologic agents in an environment that protects the caregiver while allowing scientists to study the characteristics of these new agents and assess the effectiveness of treatment. Army critical care nurses are vital in the biologic medical defense against unidentified infectious diseases, accidental occupational exposures, or intentional dispersion of weaponized biologic agents. Research that carefully advances healthcare using BSL-4 technology addresses the challenges of the human element of BSL-4 containment patient care, and BSL-4 patient transport enhances our nation's ability to address the emerging biologic threats we confront in the future.

Bioterrorism↗
PubMed1991

Risk assessment in environmental biotechnology.

Scientists in academia and industry concur that appropriate oversight and regulation for biotechnology are in the best interests of society. Field trials have not resulted in any uncontrolled hazard. Oversight should continue and useful methods for assessing risk associated with release of genetically engineered organisms to the environment have been proposed.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

The ecology and biosafety of baculoviruses.

Advances in the use of molecular techniques-particularly for virus identification, the investigation of latency and the infection process, plus the development of a theoretical framework containing a higher degree of biological realism-have pushed baculovirus ecology forward in the past few years. This has created a scenario in which many hitherto intractable questions about the behaviour of natural and genetically modified baculoviruses can now be addressed.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Increasing public involvement in enriching our fish stocks through genetic enhancement.

A total of 70%, of the world's conventional commercial fish species are now fully exploited, overexploited, depleted or recovering from depletion. This dramatic crash in the capture world fisheries production has led to problems in foods distribution, balance of payments, employment, and ecological depletion. Public support for breeding programs with terrestrial farm animals and plants in agriculture have revolutionized this industry over the past few hundred years. However, new genetic rearing technologies to improve marine animal production through aquaculture that utilize modern biology to obtain sustainable aquaculture and preserve biodiversity provide a promise to address these problems. However aquaculture has not been subject to public discussion and approval. Public involvement, not necessarily acquiescence, provide value added in the decision making process. Public understanding and involvement involves three stages. (i) Public concern over the pool of genetic information; (ii) if aquaculture is to respond to the fisheries crises with innovation, the knowledge gap between public understanding and scientific information must be bridged; and (iii) strategies must be developed for achieving this. Release of recombinant DNA to the environment, and handling exotic species, are useful case studies. Illustrations will be given of communication bridges to the public and ways to involve the public in making policy decisions.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Genetically engineered probiotics.

Probiotic micro-organisms have been used for many years. Originating as food supplements, they are now most often administered orally and offer an attractive alternative for treating of intestinal disorders. A better understanding of the mechanisms by which these micro-organisms act has now opened up possibilities for designing new probiotic strains. Through genetic engineering, it is possible not only to strengthen the effects of existing strains, but also to create completely new probiotics. These need not necessarily be composed only of bacterial products but can also include elements of regulatory systems or enzymes derived from a foreign-human-source. If designed carefully and with absolute attention to biological safety in its broadest sense, the development of genetically modified probiotics has the potential to revolutionize alimentary health.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Precautions for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a rapidly progressive, fatal disease of the central nervous system. Premortem diagnosis may or may not be conclusive. Because the etiologic agent is virulent, definition of necessary precautions for medical staff associated with such patients is needed. Transmission of CJD in animals has been found to occur after inoculation with brain, spinal cord, liver, kidney, lung, and lymph node tissues in diminishing frequency. Effective methods of sterilization and disinfection for the etiologic agent are unknown. Thus, personnel associated with supposed-CJD patients should take precautions not unlike needle precautions for hepatitis B patients. A list of guidelines is given.

Containment of Biohazards↗
PubMed1991

Physical protection against airborne pathogens and pollutants by a novel animal isolator in a level 3 containment laboratory.

A containment laboratory unit for research with aerosols of group 2 pathogenic microorganisms is described. The design criteria are based on current UK guidelines, which imply containment at group 3 level during aerosol production, storage, exposure of animals and sampling. Within the aerosol laboratory, primary containment is provided by a Henderson apparatus operating at a negative pressure to the external environment. Flexible film isolators under negative pressure are used for all hazardous microbiological work, e.g. tissue homogenization, and for housing infected laboratory rodents. A novel feature of the animal isolator is the separate ventilation of each cage, which minimizes the risk of cross-infection by aerosol transmission and ensures a similar environment within each cage. The results of an intentional release of a cloud of non-pathogenic microorganisms are presented to show the effectiveness of the containment barriers. Recommendations are given for the safe operation of a containment unit based upon practical experience.

Aerosols↗