Longevity of size-dependent particle removal performance of do-it-yourself box fan air filters.

Filtration performance of do-it-yourself (DIY) box fan filters deployed across a university campus was assessed over an academic year. Four DIY air filters were constructed from box fans and air filters with a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) of 13 and deployed in four spaces (two laboratories that include sources of particles and two offices). They were operated 9 hours daily with a programmable timer and were continuously monitored with power meters.

Emissions from Hydrogen Peroxide Disinfection and Their Interaction with Mask Surfaces.

A rise in the disinfection of spaces occurred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as an increase in people wearing facial coverings. Hydrogen peroxide was among the recommended disinfectants for use against the virus. Previous studies have investigated the emissions of hydrogen peroxide associated with the disinfection of spaces and masks; however, those studies did not focus on the emitted byproducts from these processes.

Bronchogenic cyst with concurrent chronic suppurative bronchopneumonia in a 10-year-old German shepherd dog.

A 10-year-old spayed female German shepherd dog was transferred for acute respiratory distress and a bulla-like pulmonary lesion identified on referral radiographs. Computed tomography (CT) imaging identified a bronchiole from a dilated left cranial lobar bronchus terminating into a partially fluid-filled, cyst-like pulmonary lesion and surrounding multilobar pulmonary hyperattenuation. After failure of medical management, a left cranial lung lobectomy was done.

Polypharmacy Management in a Gender Perspective: At the Heart of the Problem: Analysis of Major Cardiac Diseases, SARS-CoV-2 Affection and Gender Distribution in a Cohort of Patients in Internal Medicine Ward.

Background: COVID-19 patients with any pre-existing major cardio-vascular disease (CVD) are at the highest risk of viral infection and of developing severe disease. The pathophysiological mechanism is characterized by the viral link to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and the involvement of the endothelial system with the release of cytokines and the inflicting of direct damage to the myocardium, the induction of microthrombosis, and the initiation of alterations in oxygen diffusion. The aim of the study is to analyze the clinical course and outcomes in patients (gender-stratified) with pre-existing major CVD.

Bleach Emissions Interact Substantially with Surgical and KN95 Mask Surfaces.

Mask wearing and bleach disinfectants became commonplace during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bleach generates toxic species including hypochlorous acid (HOCl), chlorine (Cl), and chloramines. Their reaction with organic species can generate additional toxic compounds.

A novel VOC breath tracer method to evaluate indoor respiratory exposures in the near- and far-fields; implications for the spread of respiratory viruses.

Background: Several studies suggest that far-field transmission (>6 ft) explains a significant number of COVID-19 superspreading outbreaks.

Objective: Therefore, quantifying the ratio of near- and far-field exposure to emissions from a source is key to better understanding human-to-human airborne infectious disease transmission and associated risks.

Methods: In this study, we used an environmentally-controlled chamber to measure volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released from a healthy participant who consumed breath mints, which contained unique tracer compounds.

Primum non Nocere: How to ensure continuity of care and prevent cancer patients from being overlooked during the COVID- 19 pandemic.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread to all countries since December 2019, triggering a pandemic within weeks of the initial outbreak. Doctors were presented with the challenge of having to reimagine the traditional hospital organisation in order to effectively manage patients.

Patients And Methods: During the months of the COVID-19 pandemic our Institution was assisted by a call-center (CC) that triaged cancer patients planned for follow-up in our outpatient clinics: C1 (for female cancers), C2 (for gastrointestinal, urogenital, and thoracic tumours), and D1 (for melanoma and for patients with tumours in over 5 years follow up).

A novel VOC breath tracer method to evaluate indoor respiratory exposures in the near- and far-fields.

Several studies suggest that far-field transmission (> 6 ft) explains the significant number of COVID-19 superspreading outbreaks. Therefore, quantitative evaluation of near- and far-field exposure to emissions from a source is key to better understanding human-to-human airborne infectious disease transmission and associated risks. In this study, we used an environmentally-controlled chamber to measure volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released from a healthy participant who consumed breath mints, which contained unique tracer compounds.

The EurOPDX Data Portal: an open platform for patient-derived cancer xenograft data sharing and visualization.

Background: Patient-derived xenografts (PDX) mice models play an important role in preclinical trials and personalized medicine. Sharing data on the models is highly valuable for numerous reasons - ethical, economical, research cross validation etc. The EurOPDX Consortium was established 8 years ago to share such information and avoid duplicating efforts in developing new PDX mice models and unify approaches to support preclinical research.

Room-level ventilation in schools and universities.

Ventilation is of primary concern for maintaining healthy indoor air quality and reducing the spread of airborne infectious disease, including COVID-19. In addition to building-level guidelines, increased attention is being placed on room-level ventilation. However, for many universities and schools, ventilation data on a room-by-room basis are not available for classrooms and other key spaces.

Nanoscopic Study of Water Uptake on Glass Surfaces with Organic Thin Films and Particles from Exposure to Indoor Cooking Activities: Comparison to Model Systems.

Water uptake by thin organic films and organic particles on glass substrates at 80% relative humidity was investigated using atomic force microscopy-infrared (AFM-IR) spectroscopy. Glass surfaces exposed to kitchen cooking activities show a wide variability of coverages from organic particles and organic thin films. Water uptake, as measured by changes in the volume of the films and particles, was also quite variable.

A Quantitative Risk Estimation Platform for Indoor Aerosol Transmission of COVID-19.

Aerosol transmission has played a significant role in the transmission of COVID-19 disease worldwide. We developed a COVID-19 aerosol transmission risk estimation model to better understand how key parameters associated with indoor spaces and infector emissions affect inhaled deposited dose of aerosol particles that convey the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The model calculates the concentration of size-resolved, virus-laden aerosol particles in well-mixed indoor air challenged by emissions from an index case(s).

Glass surface evolution following gas adsorption and particle deposition from indoor cooking events as probed by microspectroscopic analysis.

Indoor surfaces are extremely diverse and their interactions with airborne compounds and aerosols influence the lifetime and reactivity of indoor emissions. Direct measurements of the physical and chemical state of these surfaces provide insights into the underlying physical and chemical processes involving surface adsorption, surface partitioning and particle deposition. Window glass, a ubiquitous indoor surface, was placed vertically during indoor activities throughout the House Observations of Microbial and Environmental Chemistry (HOMEChem) campaign and then analyzed to measure changes in surface morphology and surface composition.

Accumulation of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate from polyvinyl chloride flooring into settled house dust and the effect on the bacterial community.

Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) is a plasticizer used in consumer products and building materials, including polyvinyl chloride flooring material. DEHP adsorbs from material and leaches into soil, water, or dust and presents an exposure risk to building occupants by inhalation, ingestion, or absorption. A number of bacterial isolates are demonstrated to degrade DEHP in culture, but bacteria may be susceptible to it as well, thus this study examined the relation of DEHP to bacterial communities in dust.

Overview of HOMEChem: House Observations of Microbial and Environmental Chemistry.

The House Observations of Microbial and Environmental Chemistry (HOMEChem) study is a collaborative field investigation designed to probe how everyday activities influence the emissions, chemical transformations and removal of trace gases and particles in indoor air. Sequential and layered experiments in a research house included cooking, cleaning, variable occupancy, and window-opening. This paper describes the overall design of HOMEChem and presents preliminary case studies investigating the concentrations of reactive trace gases, aerosol particles, and surface films.

A Polyphenol-Based Multicomponent Nutraceutical in Dysmetabolism and Oxidative Stress: Results from a Pilot Study.

To assess short-term efficacy and safety of a multicomponent nutraceutical (MCN) on dysmetabolism and oxidative stress, a pilot prospective observational study was performed on 21 individuals (12 men and 9 women) who took, for 60 days, 2 tablets per day of an MCN based on antioxidants and metabolism regulators: hydroxytyrosol (15 mg), maqui (300 mg), amla (200 mg), monacolin K (10 mg), berberine (245 mg), astaxanthin (0.5 mg), coenzyme Q10 (100 mg), and folic acid (200 mcg). On day 0 (T0) and day 60 (T60), all participants underwent laboratory tests related to lipid profile, carbohydrate metabolism, oxidative stress, and cellular inflammation.

Field-to-laboratory analysis of clay wall coatings as passive removal materials for ozone in buildings.

Ozone reacts readily with many indoor materials, as well as with compounds in indoor air. These reactions lead to lower indoor than outdoor ozone concentrations when outdoor air is the major contributor to indoor ozone. However, the products of indoor ozone reactions may be irritating or harmful to building occupants.

Relationship between vapor intrusion and human exposure to trichloroethylene.

Trichloroethylene (TCE) in groundwater has the potential to volatilize through soil into indoor air where it can be inhaled. The purpose of this study was to determine whether individuals living above TCE-contaminated groundwater are exposed to TCE through vapor intrusion. We examined associations between TCE concentrations in various environmental media and TCE concentrations in residents.

Influence of environmental factors on removal of oxides of nitrogen by a photocatalytic coating.

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) emitted from combustion processes have elevated concentrations in large urban areas. They cause a range of adverse health effects, acid rain, and are precursors to formation of other atmospheric pollutants, such as ozone, peroxyacetyl nitrate, and inorganic aerosols. Photocatalytic materials containing a semi-conductor that can be activated by sunlight, such as titanium dioxide, have been studied for their ability to remove NOx.

Intravenous lipid emulsion therapy in three cases of canine naproxen overdose.

Objective: To report a case series of canine naproxen overdoses successfully treated with intravenous lipid emulsion therapy (IVLE).

Series Summary: Three dogs were presented for acute ingestion of naproxen and were treated with IVLE. Baseline and post treatment serum naproxen concentrations were measured.

Benefit-cost analysis of commercially available activated carbon filters for indoor ozone removal in single-family homes.

This study involved the development of a model for evaluating the potential costs and benefits of ozone control by activated carbon filtration in single-family homes. The modeling effort included the prediction of indoor ozone with and without activated carbon filtration in the HVAC system. As one application, the model was used to predict benefit-to-cost ratios for single-family homes in 12 American cities in five different climate zones.

Modeling ozone removal to indoor materials, including the effects of porosity, pore diameter, and thickness.

We develop an ozone transport and reaction model to determine reaction probabilities and assess the importance of physical properties such as porosity, pore diameter, and material thickness on reactive uptake of ozone to five materials. The one-dimensional model accounts for molecular diffusion from bulk air to the air-material interface, reaction at the interface, and diffusive transport and reaction through material pore volumes. Material-ozone reaction probabilities that account for internal transport and internal pore area, γ(ipa), are determined by a minimization of residuals between predicted and experimentally derived ozone concentrations.