Electrospun transparent nanofibers as a next generation face filtration media: A review.

The development of fascinating materials with functional properties has revolutionized the humankind with materials comfort, stopped the spreading of diseases, relieving the environmental pollution pressure, economized government research funds, and prolonged their serving life. The outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has triggered great global public health concern. Face masks are crucial tools to impede the spreading of SARS-CoV-2 from human to human. However, current face masks exhibit in a variety of colors (opaque), like blue, black, red, etc., leading to a communication barrier between the doctor and the deaf-mute patient when wearing a mask. High optical transparency filters can be utilized for both personal protection and lip-reading. Thus, shaping face air filter into a transparent appearance is an urgent need. Electrospinning technology, as a mature technology, is commonly used to form nanofiber materials utilizing high electrical voltage. With the alteration of the diameters of nanofibers, and proper material selection, it would be possible to make the transparent face mask. In this article, the research progress in the transparent face air filter is reviewed with emphasis on three parts: mechanism of the electrospinning process and light transmission, preparation of transparent face air filter, and their innovative potential. Through the assessment of classic cases, the benefits and drawbacks of various preparation strategies and products are evaluated, to provide general knowledge for the needs of different application scenarios. In the end, the development directions of transparent face masks in protective gear, particularly their novel functional applications and potential contributions in the prevention and control of the epidemic are also proposed.

Screening and diagnosis of two imported malaria cases under the situation of epidemic prevention and control of COVID-19

To analyze the screening and diagnosis process of two imported malaria cases under the situation of COVID-19 epidemics in Beijing, and explore the rapid diagnosis method of malaria. During COVID-19 epidemics, the 1 st case was diagnosed with malaria in Malawi, Africa in Feb. 2020, and felt cured then returned to Beijing in March, however, the delayed diagnosis of malaria was provided due to his positive IgG and IgM to COVID-19 and associated isolation measures. The 2nd case was returned to Beijing in Oct. 2020, and found with fever as high as 40 degrees C during his isolation period for COVID-19, and the final diagnosis of malaria was made until parasitemia was found in his blood smear and other relative clinical signs appeared 8 days after the onset of fever. Both the two cases were confirmed by microscopic observations and fluorescent PCR detection. Fortunately, they recovered to health sooner after proper diagnosis and treatment. In the outbreak of a major public health event, scientific prevention and control measures are needed, carefully screening the imported infectious diseases such as malaria, and preventing the occurrence of serious consequences. To respond for the possible infection of COVID-19, more careful differential diagnosis of fever related infections should be strengthened and the awareness of malaria and other fever related infection should not be neglected.

Expression of SARS-CoV-2 Entry Factors in the Pancreas of Normal Organ Donors and Individuals with COVID-19.

Diabetes is associated with increased mortality from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Given literature suggesting a potential association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and diabetes induction, we examined pancreatic expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the key entry factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Specifically, we analyzed five public scRNA-seq pancreas datasets and performed fluorescence in situ hybridization, western blotting, and immunolocalization for ACE2 with extensive reagent validation on normal human pancreatic tissues across the lifespan, as well as those from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases. These in silico and ex vivo analyses demonstrated prominent expression of ACE2 in pancreatic ductal epithelium and microvasculature, but we found rare endocrine cell expression at the mRNA level. Pancreata from individuals with COVID-19 demonstrated multiple thrombotic lesions with SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein expression that was primarily limited to ducts. These results suggest SARS-CoV-2 infection of pancreatic endocrine cells, via ACE2, is an unlikely central pathogenic feature of COVID-19-related diabetes.