2) This study evaluated different face masks and household materials to see how well they could filter out small particles like those from COVID-19. The researchers found that medical-grade surgical and N95 masks were the most effective, filtering out over 90% of particles.
3) Commercial cloth masks didn't perform as well, but the researchers discovered that layering certain household materials could achieve similar high filtration levels.
For example, using two layers of high-quality bedsheets plus two layers of ...
4) ...a high-efficiency furnace filter material resulted in 95% filtration. This shows that with the right combination of common materials, people can make their own effective masks at home, without needing to use scarce medical supplies.
5) The researchers also looked at how easy it was to breathe through the different masks and materials. They used a "quality factor" that balanced both filtration and breathability. This provided practical guidance on creating comfortable yet protective homemade masks.
6) The key takeaway is that the general public can make their own highly effective face coverings using readily available household items.
Thanks for reading 🙏
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
2) The putamen is a subcortical brain structure that plays a crucial role in cognitive processes like planning, decision-making, and the execution of actions. It is part of the basal ganglia system and is particularly vulnerable to neurological impacts.
3) This study of 43 adults with prior COVID-19 found those with more persistent symptoms had smaller putamen volumes. Specific symptoms like lack of appetite, muscle aches, cognitive issues most linked to reduced putamen.
The PROLONGED JOURNEY of SARS-COV-2 in ESTABLISHING ITSELF as the LEADING HUMAN PATHOGEN
(4th part)
Continuing with the theme of epistatic interactions :
The fitness of SARS-CoV-2 is influenced by the properties of its RBD through epistatic effects pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pn…
2) The study developed a biophysical model that links the molecular properties of the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD) to the virus's fitness and ability to spread.
The key finding is that the interactions between different RBD mutations (called epistasis) play ...
3) ...a crucial role in determining the virus's fitness. While many individual mutations may enhance the virus's ability to infect cells or evade antibodies, certain combinations of mutations can actually be detrimental.
2) This systematic review synthesizes evidence from 56 studies on the relationship between COVID-19 vaccination and post-COVID-19 conditions (PCC). The main findings are:
▶️ Pre-infection COVID-19 vaccination appears to reduce the risk of developing PCC, with
77% adjusted VE ...
3) ... estimates (vs unvaccinated) being statistically significant and protective (7-95% range).
▶️ The protective effect of pre-infection vaccination was observed regardless of vaccine type, number of doses, PCC definition, predominant variant, and severity of acute infection.
IF WE COULD PREVENT the SARS-COV-2 virus from ENTERING OUR CELLS, we could BLOCK the INFECTION.
(3rd part)
Viral interference between SARS-COV-2 and influenza A viruses : H3N2 not H1N1, strongly interfered with Omicron through the action of IGSs journals.plos.org/plospathogens/…
2) The study investigated the interactions between SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A viruses, focusing on the Omicron variant and a contemporary H3N2 strain, as well as the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 D614G strain and the 2009 H1N1 pandemic strain.
3) A key aspect examined was the role of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) in the viral interference observed. ISGs are genes that are upregulated in response to interferons (IFNs) and play an important antiviral function.
IF WE COULD PREVENT the SARS-COV-2 virus from ENTERING OUR CELLS, we could effectively BLOCK the INFECTION.
(2nd part)
What are the roles of pH and Ca2+ in the process of viral entry?
A wonderful new study 💯👍 cell.com/structure/abst…
2) The study used advanced microscopy techniques to directly observe how the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein changes shape during the process of infecting cells.
3) The key findings are:
▶️ The spike protein can spontaneously switch between three different 3D structures, allowing it to remain flexible and avoid getting stuck in one configuration.
▶️ Acidic conditions, like those found in the cell's digestive compartments, push the spike