Sterilization and Filter Performance of Nano- and Microfibrous Facemask Filters - Electrospinning and Restoration of Charges for Competitive Sustainable Alternatives.

Facemask materials have been under constant development to optimize filtration performance, wear comfort, and general resilience to chemical and mechanical stress. While single-use polypropylene meltblown membranes are the established go-to material for high-performing mask filters, they are neither sustainable nor particularly resistant to sterilization methods. Herein an in-depth analysis is provided of the sterilization efficiency, filtration efficiency, and breathing resistance of selected aerosol filters commonly implemented in facemasks, with a particular focus on the benefits of nanofibrous filters.

COMPARISON OF HAND-REARED PRONGHORN () MILK REPLACER COMPOSITIONS AND GROWTH RATES.

Hand-rearing protocols for nondomestic ungulates used for research, zoological parks, and reintroduction to the wild are evaluated on the basis of implementation practicality, gastrointestinal disturbances, survival to weaning, and growth rates compared with those of dam-raised individuals. Although species-specific protocols utilizing milk replacers formulated for nondomestic ungulates have been reported, no such protocols have been published for pronghorn (Antilocapra americana). Five pronghorn fawns were fed Day One 30/40 Black Tail Deer plus Lactobacillus acidophilus probiotics four times per day with Day One Ultra Boost (all products from Fox Valley Animal Nutrition, Inc, Huntley, IL 60142, USA) added at one feeding per day and weighed twice per week for up to the first 16 wk of life.

Transmission Rates of UV-A and Green Light in an ex vivo Corneal Cross-linking Model for Infectious Keratitis.

Purpose: To investigate the light transmission (LT) of UV-A and green light through infected corneas saturated with riboflavin or rose bengal in an ex vivo porcine model for infectious keratitis.

Setting: University of Zurich and EMPA.

Design: Laboratory study.

Bridging the gap: Innovative human-based in vitro approaches for nanomaterials hazard assessment and their role in safe and sustainable by design, risk assessment, and life cycle assessment.

The application of nanomaterials in industry and consumer products is growing exponentially, which has pressed the development and use of predictive human in vitro models in pre-clinical analysis to closely extrapolate potential toxic effects in vivo. The conventional cytotoxicity investigation of nanomaterials using cell lines from cancer origin and culturing them two-dimensionally in a monolayer without mimicking the proper pathophysiological microenvironment may affect a precise prediction of in vitro effects at in vivo level. In recent years, complex in vitro models (also belonging to the new approach methodologies, NAMs) have been established in unicellular to multicellular cultures either by using cell lines, primary cells or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and reconstituted into relevant biological dimensions mimicking in vivo conditions.