Effects of Various Physical and Chemical Disinfection Methods on the Fine Particle Collection Efficiency of N95 Respirators and Surgical Masks.

Several studies have reported on the effectiveness of various disinfection methods for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and their applicability to the disinfection of N95 respirators and surgical masks. To date, there have been no reports on the decontamination of deep in the intermediate layers of the multilayered structure. In this study, the conditions required for decontamination of such layers were simulated by considering the thickness and shape of N95 respirators or surgical masks (samples).

Kinetic properties and substrate inhibition of α-galactosidase from Aspergillus niger.

The recombinant AglB produced by Pichia pastoris exhibited substrate inhibition behavior for the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl α-galactoside, whereas it hydrolyzed the natural substrates, including galactomanno-oligosaccharides and raffinose family oligosaccharides, according to the Michaelian kinetics. These contrasting kinetic behaviors can be attributed to the difference in the dissociation constant of second substrate from the enzyme and/or to the ability of the leaving group of the substrates. The enzyme displays the grater kcat/Km values for hydrolysis of the branched α-galactoside in galactomanno-oligosaccharides than that of raffinose and stachyose.

Qualitative analysis of the perception and acceptability of pathogen transport among housewives using focus group interviews.

We conducted focus group interviews to understand how residents of Japan feel about the transport of pathogens. Twelve randomly selected housewives, who had no special knowledge regarding the topic before the interview, expressed their opinions in 2 separate meetings regarding pathogen transport. The results of the interviews were analyzed by the KJ method.

Cytokine regulation in SARS coronavirus infection compared to other respiratory virus infections.

The pathogenesis of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is poorly understood and cytokine dysregulation has been suggested as one relevant mechanism to be explored. We compared the cytokine profile in Caco2 cells after infection of SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) with other respiratory viruses including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza A virus (FluAV), and human parainfluenza virus type 2 (hPIV2). Interferon (IFN) system (production and response) was not suppressed by SARS-CoV infection.

Serum-dependent expression of promyelocytic leukemia protein suppresses propagation of influenza virus.

The rate of propagation of influenza virus in human adenocarcinoma Caco-2 cells was found to negatively correlate with the concentration of fetal bovine serum (FBS) in the culture medium. Virus replicated more rapidly at lower FBS concentrations (0 or 2%) than at higher concentrations (10 or 20%) during an early stage of infection. Basal and interferon (IFN)-induced levels of typical IFN-inducible anti-viral proteins, such as 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase, dsRNA-activated protein kinase and MxA, were unaffected by variation in FBS concentrations.