ABSTRACT
As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves and new variants emerge, the development of more efficient identification approaches of variants is urgent to prevent continuous outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2. Field-effect transistors (FETs) with two-dimensional (2D) materials are viable platforms for the detection of virus nucleic acids (NAs) but cannot yet provide accurate information on NA variations. Herein, 2D Indium selenide (InSe) FETs were used to identify SARS-CoV-2 variants. The device's mobility and stability were ensured by atomic layer deposition (ALD) of Al2O3. The resulting FETs exhibited sub-fM detection limits ranging from 10(-14) M to 10(-)(8) M. The recognition of single-nucleotide variations was achieved within 15 min to enable the fast and direct identification of two core mutations (L452R, R203M) in Delta genomes (p < .01). Such capability originated from the trap states in oxidized InSe (InSe1-xOx) after ALD, resulting in traps-involved carrier transport responsive to the negative charges of NAs. In sum, the proposed approach might highly provide epidemiological information for timely surveillance of the COVID pandemic.
ABSTRACT
The SARS-CoV-2 virus, the pathogen causing COVID-19, has caused more than 200 million confirmed cases, resulting in more than 4.5 million deaths worldwide by the end of August, 2021. Upon detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), multiple signaling cascades are activated, which ultimately leads to innate immune response such as induction of type I and III interferons, as well as other antiviral genes that together restrict viral spread by suppressing different steps of the viral life cycle. Our understanding of the contribution of the innate immune system in recognizing and subsequently initiating a host response to an invasion of SARS-CoV-2 has been rapidly expanding from 2020. Simultaneously, SARSCoV-2 has evolved multiple immune evasion strategies to escape from host immune surveillance for successful replication. In this review, we will address the current knowledge of innate immunity in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection and highlight recent advances in the understanding of the mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 evades a host's innate defense system.
ABSTRACT
Plastic waste caused by the extensive usage of face masks during COVID-19 pandemic has become a severe threat to natural environment and ecosystem. Herein, an eco-friendly approach to repurpose face mask waste for clean water production via solar thermal evaporation is proposed. By taking advantage of its interwind structure, face mask holds the promise to be an ideal candidate material for constructing photothermal evaporator. In-situ surface modifications are performed successively with polyvinyl alcohol and polypyrrole to improve its wettability and solar absorption (97%). The obtained face mask-based evaporator achieves significantly enhanced solar efficiency (91.5%) and long-term salt-rejection stability. The harvested clean water befits plant growing to enable farming on sea surface. A floating photothermal evaporation prototype is then developed to demonstrate autonomous solar ocean farming, with plants successfully cultivated over time. As such, the proposed strategy provides a promising solution towards ecological sustainability by tapping multiple benefits.
ABSTRACT
Amid the global outbreak and epidemic of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), it is urgent to find effective and safe therapies against COVID-19. Preliminary clinical studies on COVID-19 showed that chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine were effective. However, it is necessary to pay attention to medication application of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, since they have a large volume of distribution, a long half-life and the risk of adverse reactions of retinopathy with the long-term application of larger doses. In order to better understand these two drugs in current medical practice, this article outlines the history of clinical application and development of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, focusing on their pharmacokinetic characteristics and adverse reactions as well as the recent use against COVID-19 and their potential pharmacological action mechanism. It is hoped that this article can contribute to clinical use. © 2020 Chinese Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology. All rights reserved.