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Abstract Targeted ultraviolet (UV) phototherapy has been used in the management of a wide variety of dermatological clinical conditions including moderate to severe psoriasis unresponsive to topical therapies, vitiligo, severe atopic dermatitis and lymphoproliferative disorders. To date there are no uniform, standardised guidelines for the selection and decontamination process for UV personal protective equipment (PPE) and facial shields used in phototherapy. In the current climate, Coronavirus 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, standards regarding all decontamination and disinfection processes are under significant scrutiny. In terms of the UV‐PPE and facial shields used in phototherapy, careful disinfection procedures need to be implemented to ensure that the decontamination practice is effective enough to neutralise the virulent virus whilst maintaining maximal protection to the user from UV‐rays and safeguard the equipment from damage during the cleaning process. The aim of this report is to provide an evidence based review of the current and international practice standards guiding the selection, use and decontamination processes of UV facial shields in phototherapy. The complications and concerns that the COVID‐19 pandemic has had on this practice is highlighted. As such, we performed a comprehensive evaluation of the literature to provide recommendations as to the most effective, time efficient and safest practices for disinfection and decontamination of UV facial shields used in phototherapy during these unprecedented times.

Polyglutamylation is a dynamic posttranslational modification where glutamate residues are added to substrate proteins by 8 tubulin tyrosine ligase-like (TTLL) family members (writers) and removed by the 6 member Nna1/CCP family of carboxypeptidases (erasers). Genetic disruption of polyglutamylation leading to hyperglutamylation causes neurodegenerative phenotypes in humans and animal models; the best characterized being the Purkinje cell degeneration (pcd) mouse, a mutant of the gene encoding Nna1/CCP1, the prototypic eraser. Emphasizing the functional importance of the balance between glutamate addition and elimination, loss of TTLL1 prevents Purkinje cell degeneration in pcd. However, whether Ttll1 loss protects other vulnerable neurons in pcd, or if elimination of other TTLLs provides protection is largely unknown. Here using a mouse genetic rescue strategy, we characterized the contribution of Ttll1, 4, 5, 7, or 11 to the degenerative phenotypes in cerebellum, olfactory bulb and retinae of pcd mutants. Ttll1 deficiency attenuates Purkinje cell loss and function and reduces olfactory bulb mitral cell death and retinal photoreceptor degeneration. Moreover, degeneration of photoreceptors in pcd is preceded by impaired rhodopsin trafficking to the rod outer segment and likely represents the causal defect leading to degeneration as this too is rescued by elimination of TTLL1. Although TTLLs have similar catalytic properties on model substrates and several are highly expressed in Purkinje cells (e.g. TTLL5 and 7), besides TTLL1 only TTLL4 deficiency attenuated degeneration of Purkinje and mitral cells in pcd. Additionally, TTLL4 loss partially rescued photoreceptor degeneration and impaired rhodopsin trafficking. Despite their common properties, the polyglutamylation profile changes promoted by TTLL1 and TTLL4 deficiencies in pcd mice are very different. We also report that loss of anabolic TTLL5 synergizes with loss of catabolic Nna1/CCP1 to promote photoreceptor degeneration. Finally, male infertility in pcd is not rescued by loss of any Ttll. These data provide insight into the complexity of polyglutamate homeostasis and function in vivo and potential routes to ameliorate disorders caused by disrupted polyglutamylation.

Pangolins are the most trafficked mammal in the world, and all eight species are listed under CITES Appendix I. DNA-based wildlife forensic techniques are recognized as an important component of investigating a pangolin seizure. In particular, determining the species of pangolin in a seizure will 1) confirm the presence of pangolin to establish the legality of any trade, and 2) ensure appropriate laws are applied to their fullest extent in a prosecution. Furthermore, valuable intelligence data, such as determining the geographic provenance of samples, can be produced through analysis of pangolin seizures. Despite the immense scale of the pangolin trade, standardized wildlife forensic techniques for testing pangolin seizures are in their infancy. To address this, here, we present a standardized genetic marker suitable for species identification of all eight pangolin species, and outline practical strategies for sampling large-volume pangolin scale seizures. We assessed the repeatability, reproducibility, robustness, sensitivity and phylogenetic resolution of this species identification test. Critically, the assay was tested in four wildlife forensic laboratories involved in testing pangolins. Additionally, we demonstrated the test’s utility to conduct geographic provenance analysis of Phataginus tricuspis samples. We analysed five large-volume pangolin scale seizures in Malaysia, which elucidated key target species, poaching hotspots, and trafficking routes. Phataginus tricuspis was the most commonly identified species (88.8%) from the seizure samples, and 84.3% of these P. tricuspis individuals were likely sourced from western central Africa. We expect the implementation of the techniques presented in this paper will improve enforcement of pangolin trafficking crimes.

Tigers are killed to supply a demand for many wildlife products despite a ban on commercial international trade. As populations decrease, products from substitute species (i.e. lions and leopards) have been fraudulently sold as tiger. DNA forensic techniques are needed to definitively identify tiger in order to secure prosecutions although this is complicated by the presence of numts. Therefore, we have developed and validated a CO1 genetic marker that preferentially amplifies the mtDNA CO1 region and excludes the nuclear CO1 pseudogene, which we expect to be of use in tiger forensic casework.

Proficiency tests are an important practice in forensic laboratories. However, the range of species available for wildlife forensic proficiency testing is currently limited, especially for laboratories in Africa and Asia where CITES-listed species are frequently tested. Here we present a proof of concept of a novel sample type for use in proficiency testing based on textured vegetable protein impregnated with the synthetic DNA of a target species. This sample can act as a substitute for animal tissue and can be shipped internationally without CITES and/or biosecurity permits. This simple procedure can help laboratories ensure compliance with international standards and guidelines.

The aim of this study is to conduct a novel life cycle assessment (LCA) process for a window-mounted building attached photovoltaic panel that is used as a photovoltaic integrated shading (PVIS) device, using GaBi software. Also, the study takes into consideration three different scenarios of the LCA process to reach the most environmentally-friendly system. The three scenarios differ mainly in the end of life processes phase, which in response affects the inputs of the stages within the LCA process. The newly proposed end of life phases are disposing the wastes in the landfill scenario, recycling scenario and recovery scenario. The results showed that the 30 Wp PVIS is environmentally wise to apply to buildings. For the three proposed scenarios, the highest emissions are generated during the production and end of life phases. Consequently, the recycling and the recovery scenarios are more environmentally-friendly in the long run compared to the landfill scenario.