Browsing by Author "Almodovar, Sharilyn (TTUHSC)"
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Item Mask Material Filtration Efficiency and Mask Fitting at the Crossroads: Implications during Pandemic Times(2021) Ardon-Dryer, Karin (TTU); Warzywoda, Juliusz (TTU); Tekin, Rumeysa (TTU); Biros, Jnev (TTU); Almodovar, Sharilyn (TTUHSC); Weeks, Brandon L. (TTU); Hope-Weeks, Louisa J. (TTU); Sacco, Albert Jr (TTU)The COVID-19 pandemic triggered the widespread use and need for respirators and face masks for the healthcare workers and public. In this study, several generally available respirators and mask designs were fit tested, and their materials were evaluated for filtration efficiency using 250 nm polystyrene latex particles. Efficiency testing was performed for 2 and 0.5 h at low (2.6 L min–1) and high (7.4 L min–1) airflows, respectively, using ~17.4 cm2 material area. As expected, all N95 and KN95 respirators passed the fit test, and their materials showed efficiencies > 95% for the entire experiment at both airflows. Of the three air filters used in the 3D-printed Montana masks, only the HEPA filter had a filtration efficiency > 95% at both airflows. Regardless of the insert material, the Montana mask failed all fit tests. Homemade duckbill masks made of Halyard H600 sterilization wrap and WypAll X80 reusable wipe also failed the fit test, and both filter materials had an average filtration efficiency < 95% at high airflows. To explain the filtration efficiency results, the structure and composition of all filter materials were determined using FE-SEM, and IR and Raman spectroscopy. In conclusion, when highly efficient materials are used in masks that do not fit the users properly, the potential of these materials to protect the users from aerosols is compromised. Therefore, the mask design is as important as the filtration efficiency of the mask material.Item Mice with humanized immune system as novel models to study HIV-associated pulmonary hypertension(2022) Rodriguez-Irizarry, Valerie J. (TTUHSC); Schneider, Alina C. (TTUHSC); Ahle, Daniel (TTUHSC); Smith, Justin M.; Suarez-Martinez, Edu B.; Salazar, Ethan A. (TTUHSC); McDaniel Mims, Brianyell (TTUHSC); Rasha, Fahmida (TTUHSC); Moussa, Hanna (TTU); Moustaid-Moussa, Naima (TTU); Pruitt, Kevin (TTUHSC); Fonseca, Marcelo; Henriquez, Mauricio; Clauss, Matthias A.; Grisham, Matthew B. (TTUHSC); Almodovar, Sharilyn (TTUHSC)People living with HIV and who receive antiretroviral therapy have a significantly improved lifespan, compared to the early days without therapy. Unfortunately, persisting viral replication in the lungs sustains chronic inflammation, which may cause pulmonary vascular dysfunction and ultimate life-threatening Pulmonary Hypertension (PH). The mechanisms involved in the progression of HIV and PH remain unclear. The study of HIV-PH is limited due to the lack of tractable animal models that recapitulate infection and pathobiological aspects of PH. On one hand, mice with humanized immune systems (hu-mice) are highly relevant to HIV research but their suitability for HIV-PH research deserves investigation. On another hand, the Hypoxia-Sugen is a well-established model for experimental PH that combines hypoxia with the VEGF antagonist SU5416. To test the suitability of hu-mice, we combined HIV with either SU5416 or hypoxia. Using right heart catheterization, we found that combining HIV+SU5416 exacerbated PH. HIV infection increases human pro-inflammatory cytokines in the lungs, compared to uninfected mice. Histopathological examinations showed pulmonary vascular inflammation with arterial muscularization in HIV-PH. We also found an increase in endothelial-monocyte activating polypeptide II (EMAP II) when combining HIV+SU5416. Therefore, combinations of HIV with SU5416 or hypoxia recapitulate PH in hu-mice, creating well-suited models for infectious mechanistic pulmonary vascular research in small animals.