Sterilization Induced Changes in Polypropylene-Based Ffp2 Masks.

In the context of the SARS-CoV2 pandemic and because of the surgical and FFP2 mask (equivalent to the American N95 masks) shortages, studies on efficient sterilization protocols were initiated. As sterilization using irradiation is commonly used in the medical field, this method was among those that were evaluated. In this work, we tested irradiation under vacuum and under air (under both γ-rays and e-beams), but also, for acceptance purposes, undertook washing prior to the e-beam irradiation sterilization process.

Controlled Heat and Humidity-Based Treatment for the Reuse of Personal Protective Equipment: A Pragmatic Proof-of-Concept to Address the Mass Shortage of Surgical Masks and N95/FFP2 Respirators and to Prevent the SARS-CoV2 Transmission.

The coronavirus infectious disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to an unprecedented shortage of healthcare resources, primarily personal protective equipment like surgical masks, and N95/filtering face piece type 2 (FFP2) respirators. Reuse of surgical masks and N95/FFP2 respirators may circumvent the supply chain constraints and thus overcome mass shortage. Methods, design, setting, and measurement: Herein, we tested the effects of dry- and moist-air controlled heating treatment on structure and chemical integrity, decontamination yield, and filtration performance of surgical masks and FFP2 respirators.

"Click" conjugation of peptide on the surface of polymeric nanoparticles for targeting tumor angiogenesis.

Purpose: Angiogenesis plays a critical role in tumor growth. This phenomena is regulated by numerous mediators such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). CBO-P11, a cyclo-peptide, has proven to specifically bind to receptors of VEGF and may be used as targeting ligand for tumor angiogenesis.

Mechanism of the coupling of diazonium to single-walled carbon nanotubes and its consequences.

On the tube: The coupling of diazonium ions onto single-walled carbon nanotubes is shown to proceed through a radical chain reaction by kinetic analysis of the absorption peak drop (see picture). Radical species are also revealed by ESR. Metallic (m) nanotubes play a special catalytic role in the functionalization of semiconducting (sc) nanotubes.