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Iodine has proven to be a promising alternative to xenon as a propellant for Hall and ion thrusters. High atomic mass and favourable ionization characteristics, comparable to xenon in terms of propulsive performance, together with lower cost compared to xenon makes it an attractive option. However, its reactivity and corrosive nature raise concerns. Tests to assess material compatibility and determine whether thruster components are susceptible to corrosion are unavoidable for its safe adoption as a propellant. This paper describes the main results of an experimental campaign aimed at a qualitative assessment of the compatibility with iodine of different materials. The study included more than fifteen materials that find application in electric propulsion devices, such as cathodes, thrusters and feeding systems, including ceramics such as LaB 6 , polymers, iron and aluminum alloys, and graphite. The specimens were exposed to iodine vapor environments at temperatures reaching approximately 200 °C for extended periods (from three to over 30 h) or were directly exposed to liquid iodine. The experimental setup and results of morphological and elementary analyses are presented and discussed. The research provides some insights into the viability of using iodine as a propellant and the potential challenges associated with its corrosive properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic affected the global epidemiology of respiratory infections, including Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus (HRSV), thanks to state governments' implementation of mitigation strategies, like the promotion of face masks and lockdowns. However, after the Pandemic, the dramatic resurge of these diseases was reported worldwide. Our retrospective study, involving three Spoke Pediatric Departments, includes all the infants under one year of age hospitalized for HRSV bronchiolitis in a period before the Pandemic period (2017–2020), during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic (2020–2021), and after the Pandemic (2021–2023). The primary aim was to analyze the temporal trend of HRSV in these three periods. Then, the clinical and epidemiological characteristics were analyzed to highlight the clinical differences in the affected patients, in the severity of the infections, and in the short-term outcomes. Ultimately, we analyzed the HRSV prevalence in the global bronchiolitis hospitalization over the reported periods. Overall, we included 237 patients. Before the Pandemic, the peak was recorded in January and February, while after the Pandemic, the peak was in November and December. A higher prevalence of HRSV was demonstrated after the Pandemic compared to the period before the Pandemic; overall, no difference in severity was reported. In conclusion, an increase in HRSV cases after the Pandemic has been demonstrated with an anticipated peak, while no differences were recorded in severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Multiuse eye drops must maintain sterility and typically accomplish this by added preservatives. However, preservatives often cause harmful side effects. A gauze barrier dressing ("BIOGUARD®") recently cleared by the FDA has an immobilized poly diallyldimethylammonium chloride (p-DADMAC) coating and is an effective antimicrobial with minimal compound release into solution. To implement use of this dressing as a replacement for preservatives in multidose eye drop bottles, its ability to maintain sterility without interacting with the active ingredient (AI) of the ophthalmic medication was tested.Methods: To determine immobilized p-DADMAC's microbicidal efficacy, it was added to eye drop bottles, then contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus (SA113) bacteria. To assess interference with AI in eye drops, high performance liquid chromatography was used to determine whether the AIs timolol and dorzolamide were affected after exposure to p-DADMAC. To further investigate effects on AI, the microbicidal activity of Vigamox® (moxifoxacin) was assessed after p-DADMAC gauze exposure.Results: S. aureus bacteria were eliminated by p-DADMAC-treated gauze for all samples. The concentrations of both timolol and dorzolamide increased after exposure to p-DADMAC-treated gauze, but spectrometric analysis showed that this did not occur when the p-DADMAC-coated material was presoaked in deionized water. The microbicidial activity of moxifloxacin was unaffected by exposure to p-DADMAC-treated gauze.Conclusions: Due to its lack of effect on eye drop AI and its microbicidal efficacy, p-DADMAC treatment would make an excellent candidate for replacing preservatives in eye drops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]