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Observation | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyEffectiveness of Face Masks in Preventing Airborne Transmission of SARS-CoV-2Airborne simulation experiments showed that cotton masks, surgical masks, and N95 masks provide some protection from the transmission of infective SARS-CoV-2 droplets/aerosols; however, medical masks (surgical masks and even N95 masks) could not completely block the transmission of virus droplets/aerosols even when sealed.
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyMolecular Evolution of Human Coronavirus 229E in Hong Kong and a Fatal COVID-19 Case Involving Coinfection with a Novel Human Coronavirus 229E GenogroupSince its first appearance in the 1960s, the genetic diversity and evolution of human coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E) have been relatively understudied. In this study, we report a fatal case of COVID-19 coinfected with HCoV-229E in Hong Kong.
Research ArticlePrimer, Pipelines, Parameters: Issues in 16S rRNA Gene SequencingIn 16S rRNA gene sequencing, certain bacterial genera were found to be underrepresented or even missing in taxonomic profiles when using unsuitable primer combinations, outdated reference databases, or inadequate pipeline settings. Concerning the last, quality thresholds as well as bioinformatic settings (i.e., clustering approach, analysis pipeline, and specific adjustments such as truncation) are responsible for a number of observed...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyAspergillus fumigatus Strain-Specific Conidia Lung Persistence Causes an Allergic Broncho-Pulmonary Aspergillosis-Like Disease PhenotypeAllergic broncho-pulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) patients often present with long-term colonization of Aspergillus fumigatus. Current understanding of ABPA pathogenesis has been complicated by a lack of long-term in vivo fungal persistence models.
PerspectiveWhy Are Viruses Spiked?Many viruses, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), have a structure consisting of spikes protruding from an underlying spherical surface. Research in biological and colloidal sciences has revealed secrets of why spikes exist on virus surfaces.
Research Article | Applied and Environmental ScienceGenetic Modification of Sodalis Species by DNA TransductionA large number of economically important insects maintain intimate associations with maternally inherited endosymbiotic bacteria. Due to the inherent nature of these associations, insect endosymbionts cannot be usually isolated in pure culture or genetically manipulated.
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyNew Insights and Enhanced Human Norovirus Cultivation in Human Intestinal EnteroidsHuman noroviruses (HuNoVs) are highly contagious and cause acute and sporadic diarrheal illness in all age groups. In addition, chronic infections occur in immunocompromised cancer and transplant patients.
Research Article | Ecological and Evolutionary ScienceGenomic Background Governs Opposing Responses to Nalidixic Acid upon Megaplasmid Acquisition in PseudomonasNumerous studies have demonstrated that gene transfer events (e.g., plasmid acquisition) can entail a variety of costs that arise as by-products of the incorporation of foreign DNA into established physiological and genetic systems. These costs can be ameliorated through evolutionary time by the occurrence of compensatory mutations, which stabilize the presence of a horizontally transferred region within the genome but which also may...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyPredominance of Atopobium vaginae at Midtrimester: a Potential Indicator of Preterm Birth Risk in a Nigerian CohortGiving birth too soon accounts for half of all newborn deaths worldwide. Clinical symptoms alone are not sufficient to identify women at risk of giving birth too early, as such a pragmatic approach to reducing the incidence of preterm birth entails developing early strategies for intervention before it materializes.
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologySingle-Molecule Dynamics at a Bacterial Replication Fork after Nutritional Downshift or Chemically Induced Block in ReplicationAll cells need to adjust DNA replication, which is achieved by a well-orchestrated multiprotein complex, in response to changes in physiological and environmental conditions. For replication forks, it is extremely challenging to meet with conditions where amino acids are rapidly depleted from cells, called the stringent response, to deal with the inhibition of one of the centrally involved proteins or with DNA modifications that arrest...