Aerosolized Hydrogen Peroxide Decontamination of N95 Respirators, with Fit-Testing and Viral Inactivation, Demonstrates Feasibility for Reuse during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

In response to the demand for N95 respirators by health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, we evaluated decontamination of N95 respirators using an aerosolized hydrogen peroxide (aHP) system. This system is designed to dispense a consistent atomized spray of aerosolized, 7% hydrogen peroxide (HO) solution over a treatment cycle. Multiple N95 respirator models were subjected to 10 or more cycles of respirator decontamination, with a select number periodically assessed for qualitative and quantitative fit testing.

Genome Sequence of the Virulent Model Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Strain McKrae Demonstrates the Presence of at Least Two Widely Used Variant Strains.

Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) strain McKrae was isolated in 1965 and has been utilized by many laboratories. Three HSV-1 strain McKrae stocks have been sequenced previously, revealing discrepancies in key genes. We sequenced the genome of HSV-1 strain McKrae from the laboratory of James M.

Alphaherpesvirus Genomics: Past, Present and Future.

Alphaherpesviruses, as large double-stranded DNA viruses, were long considered to be genetically stable and to exist in a homogeneous state. Recently, the proliferation of high-throughput sequencing (HTS) and bioinformatics analysis has expanded our understanding of herpesvirus genomes and the variations found therein. Recent data indicate that herpesviruses exist as diverse populations, both in culture and , in a manner reminiscent of RNA viruses.

evolution of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) reveals selection for syncytia and other minor variants in cell culture.

The large dsDNA virus herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) is considered to be genetically stable, yet it can rapidly evolve in response to strong selective pressures such as antiviral treatment. Deep sequencing has revealed that clinical and laboratory isolates of this virus exist as populations that contain a mixture of minor alleles or variants, similar to many RNA viruses. The classic virology approach of plaque purifying virus creates a genetically homogenous population, but it is not clear how closely this represents the mixed virus populations found in nature.

Identification of virus-encoded microRNAs in divergent Papillomaviruses.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNAs that regulate diverse biological processes including multiple aspects of the host-pathogen interface. Consequently, miRNAs are commonly encoded by viruses that undergo long-term persistent infection. Papillomaviruses (PVs) are capable of undergoing persistent infection, but as yet, no widely-accepted PV-encoded miRNAs have been described.

Differentiated Human SH-SY5Y Cells Provide a Reductionist Model of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Neurotropism.

Neuron-virus interactions that occur during herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection are not fully understood. Neurons are the site of lifelong latency and are a crucial target for long-term suppressive therapy or viral clearance. A reproducible neuronal model of human origin would facilitate studies of HSV and other neurotropic viruses.

Human Cytomegalovirus Can Procure Deoxyribonucleotides for Viral DNA Replication in the Absence of Retinoblastoma Protein Phosphorylation.

Unlabelled: Viral DNA replication requires deoxyribonucleotide triphosphates (dNTPs). These molecules, which are found at low levels in noncycling cells, are generated either by salvage pathways or through de novo synthesis. Nucleotide synthesis utilizes the activity of a series of nucleotide-biosynthetic enzymes (NBEs) whose expression is repressed in noncycling cells by complexes between the E2F transcription factors and the retinoblastoma (Rb) tumor suppressor.

Identification, validation, and characterization of noncanonical miRNAs.

Many eukaryotes and some viruses encode microRNAs (miRNAs), small RNAs that post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression. While most miRNAs are generated through the activity of RNA Polymerase II (RNAP II) and subsequent processing by Drosha and Dicer, some viral miRNAs utilize alternative pathways of biogenesis. Some members of the herpesvirus and retrovirus families can direct synthesis of miRNAs through RNAP III transcription rather than RNAP II and can utilize atypical enzymes to generate miRNAs.

Cyclin-dependent kinase-like function is shared by the beta- and gamma- subset of the conserved herpesvirus protein kinases.

The UL97 protein of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV, or HHV-5 (human herpesvirus 5)), is a kinase that phosphorylates the cellular retinoblastoma (Rb) tumor suppressor and lamin A/C proteins that are also substrates of cellular cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks). A functional complementation assay has further shown that UL97 has authentic Cdk-like activity. The other seven human herpesviruses each encode a kinase with sequence and positional homology to UL97.

Simian virus 40 T/t antigens and lamin A/C small interfering RNA rescue the phenotype of an Epstein-Barr virus protein kinase (BGLF4) mutant.

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded viral protein kinase, EBV-PK (the BGLF4 gene product), is required for efficient nuclear viral egress in 293 cells. However, since EBV-PK phosphorylates a number of different viral and cellular proteins (including lamin A/C), the relative importance of each target during lytic viral replication remains unclear. We show here that an EBV PK mutant (PKmut; containing stop codons at residues 1 and 5 in EBV-PK) is highly defective for release of infectious virus from 293 cells but not 293T cells.