Can Masks Be Reused After Hot Water Decontamination During the COVID-19 Pandemic?

Masks have become one of the most indispensable pieces of personal protective equipment and are important strategic products during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Due to the huge mask demand-supply gap all over the world, the development of user-friendly technologies and methods is urgently needed to effectively extend the service time of masks. In this article, we report a very simple approach for the decontamination of masks for multiple reuse during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Total saponins of Bolbostemma paniculatum (maxim.) Franquet exert antitumor activity against MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells via inhibiting PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.

Background: The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of the Bolbostemma paniculatum (Maxim.) Franquet (BP) active compound, BP total saponins (BPTS), on MDA-MB-231 cells, and investigate the underlying mechanism regarding BPTS-mediated attenuation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.

Methods: The effect of BPTS on cytotoxicity, induction of apoptosis and migration on MDA-MB-231 cells at three different concentrations was investigated.

Proteomic analysis of chick retina during early recovery from lens‑induced myopia.

Myopia development has been extensively studied from different perspectives. Myopia recovery is also considered important for understanding the development of myopia. However, despite several previous studies, retinal proteomics during recovery from myopia is still relatively unknown.

A CpG-methylation-based assay to predict survival in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Clear cell renal cell carcinomas (ccRCCs) display divergent clinical behaviours. Molecular markers might improve risk stratification of ccRCC. Here we use, based on genome-wide CpG methylation profiling, a LASSO model to develop a five-CpG-based assay for ccRCC prognosis that can be used with formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens.

Effect of EGb761 on light-damaged retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Aim: To investigate the protective mechanism of Gingko Biloba extract (EGb761) on the ability of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells to resist light-induced damage in a comparative proteomics study.

Methods: Human RPE cells (ARPE-19) were randomly distributed to one of three groups: normal control (NC group) and light-damaged model without or with EGb761 group (M and ME groups, respectively). The light-damaged model was formed by exposing to white light (2 200±300)lx for 6h.

Synthesis and insecticidal evaluation of novel N-pyridylpyrazolecarboxamides containing an amino acid methyl ester and their analogues.

On the basis of the commercial insecticide chlorantraniliprole, a series of novel N-pyridylpyrazolecarboxamides containing an amino acid methyl ester and their analogues were designed and synthesized. Their chemical structures were established on the basis of corresponding (1) H NMR spectroscopy, (13)C NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The insecticidal activities of the new compounds against oriental armyworm ( Mythimna separata ) and diamondback moth ( Plutella xylostella ) were evaluated.

Synthesis and biological activity of novel 1-substituted phenyl-4-[N-[(2'-morpholinothoxy)phenyl]aminomethyl]-1H-1,2,3-triazoles.

In an attempt to search for potent antifungal agents, a series of novel 1-substituted phenyl-4-[N-[(2'-morpholinothoxy)phenyl]aminomethyl]-1H-1,2,3-triazoles 5a-m was designed and synthesized via Huisgen cycloaddition reaction between various (2-morpholinoethoxy)-N-(prop-2-ynyl)aniline and different azidobenzene. Their chemical structures were characterized by (1) H NMR and elemental analysis. A cleaner reaction with milder conditions and satisfactory yields was observed in the micorwave-assisted synthesis of 4a-c.