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Volume 5, no. 2, e00245-20, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1128/mSystems.00245-20. After original publication of this article, the following changes were made. Page 5, first paragraph, line 18: HEPA filters are rated to remove at least 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 μm (51). Most residential and commercial buildings utilize MERV-5 to MERV-11, and in critical health care settings, MERV-12 or higher and HEPA filters are used. MERV-13 filters have the potential to remove microbes and other particles ranging from 0.3 to 10.0 μm. Most viruses, including CoVs, range from 0.004 to 1.0 μm, limiting the effectiveness of these filtration techniques against pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2 (52). Furthermore, no filter system is perfect. Recently,.... was changed to HEPA filters are rated to remove at least 99.97% of particles at 0.3 μm in size, representing the most penetrating particle size (51). Most residential and commercial buildings utilize MERV-5 to MERV-11, and in critical health care settings, MERV-13 or higher and HEPA filters are used. MERV-13 filters have the potential to remove microbes and other particles ranging from 0.3 to 10.0 μm. Most viruses, including CoVs, range from 0.004 to 1.0 μm (52). However, viruses are rarely observed as individual particles, but instead are expelled from the body already combined with water, proteins, salts, and other components as large droplets and aerosols. Thus far, SARS-CoV-2 has been observed in aerosolized particles in a spectrum of sizes including 0.25 to 0.5 μm (96), necessitating high efficiency filtration techniques to reduce the transmission potential of pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2. However,.... Page 6, third paragraph, second sentence: Even though viral particles are too small to be contained by even the best HEPA and MERV filters, ventilation precautions can be taken to ensure the minimization of SARS-CoV-2 spread. was changed to Viruses are frequently found associated with larger particles (e.g., complexes with water, proteins, salts, etc.) in a range of sizes. Even though some of these particles have been identified in sizes that could potentially penetrate high efficiency filters, ventilation and filtration remain important in reducing the transmission potential of SARS-CoV-2. Page 10, Acknowledgments, first sentence: “We thank Jason Stenson and Cassandra Moseley for comments on the manuscript” was changed to “We thank Jason Stenson, Richard Corsi, Cassandra Moseley, and Linsey Marr for comments on the manuscript.

With the rapid spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that results in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), corporate entities, federal, state, county, and city governments, universities, school districts, places of worship, prisons, health care facilities, assisted living organizations, daycares, homeowners, and other building owners and occupants have an opportunity to reduce the potential for transmission through built environment (BE)-mediated pathways. Over the last decade, substantial research into the presence, abundance, diversity, function, and transmission of microbes in the BE has taken place and revealed common pathogen exchange pathways and mechanisms. In this paper, we synthesize this microbiology of the BE research and the known information about SARS-CoV-2 to provide actionable and achievable guidance to BE decision makers, building operators, and all indoor occupants attempting to minimize infectious disease transmission through environmentally mediated pathways. We believe this information is useful to corporate and public administrators and individuals responsible for building operations and environmental services in their decision-making process about the degree and duration of social-distancing measures during viral epidemics and pandemics.

COVID-19 has caused global chaos in economic, social, and environmental aspects and has threatened sustainability development. Resilience is needed to maintain a sustainable development process. The built environment can be a means to achieve both resilience and sustainable development. As a part of the built environment, the house must be able to protect its occupants and ensure sustainability during the pandemic. This research focused on detecting and analyzing the impacts and spatial issues due to COVID-19, working from home, and school from home in Indonesia. The data was collected using questionnaires and interviews. The analytical methods were descriptive analysis and narrative analysis. The results show that COVID-19 has caused changes in home activities, a need for new spaces, and an increased consumption of water and electricity. The spatial risk of COVID-19 transmission at home occurs due to the position of the bathroom in the middle, the insufficient number of bathrooms, no natural ventilation, lack of access to the terrace/garden/balcony, time of space usage, and the number of space users. The results also reveal that work from home (WFH) and school from home (SFH) activities have negative impacts on spatial conflicts, time management, ability to concentrate and be productive, and consumption of tools/equipment for parents. There is no problem with room temperature, lighting, and noise. According to the results, the researcher suggests having a good spatial configuration, more than one bathroom, heat insulation, windows, natural ventilation, a rainwater collection system, rooftop solar power plants, and smart home devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: The risks of breast cancer in African American (AA) women associated with inherited mutations in breast cancer predisposition genes are not well defined. Thus, whether multigene germline hereditary cancer testing panels are applicable to this population is unknown. We assessed associations between mutations in panel-based genes and breast cancer risk in 5054 AA women with breast cancer and 4993 unaffected AA women drawn from 10 epidemiologic studies.Methods: Germline DNA samples were sequenced for mutations in 23 cancer predisposition genes using a QIAseq multiplex amplicon panel. Prevalence of mutations and odds ratios (ORs) for associations with breast cancer risk were estimated with adjustment for study design, age, and family history of breast cancer.Results: Pathogenic mutations were identified in 10.3% of women with estrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast cancer, 5.2% of women with ER-positive breast cancer, and 2.3% of unaffected women. Mutations in BRCA1, BRCA2, and PALB2 were associated with high risks of breast cancer (OR = 47.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 10.43 to >100; OR = 7.25, 95% CI = 4.07 to 14.12; OR = 8.54, 95% CI = 3.67 to 24.95, respectively). RAD51D mutations were associated with high risk of ER-negative disease (OR = 7.82, 95% CI = 1.61 to 57.42). Moderate risks were observed for CHEK2, ATM, ERCC3, and FANCC mutations with ER-positive cancer, and RECQL mutations with all breast cancer.Conclusions: The study identifies genes that predispose to breast cancer in the AA population, demonstrates the validity of current breast cancer testing panels for use in AA women, and provides a basis for increased referral of AA patients for cancer genetic testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. This study undertook to examine relationships between nonsedentary activity level, time spent watching television (TV)/videocassette recorder (VCR), and risk of overweight among men. Methods. Men participating in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study were mailed surveys. Cross-sectional analyses examined the prevalence and odds of being over- weight; prospective analyses determined cumulative incidence rates and relative risks of becoming over-weight over 2 years of follow-up. Results. Cross-sectionally, odds of being overweight were 50% (95% confidence interval [1] = 45%, 55%) lower for men in the highest quintile of nonsedentary activity level when compared with men in the lowest quintile. Among men watching 41 or more hours of TV/VCR per week, the odds of being overweight were 4.06 (95% CI = 2.67, 6.17) times greater than those for men watching no more than 1 hour per week. Prospectively, higher levels of nonsedentary activity and lower levels of TV/VCR viewing were independently associated with lower relative risks for becoming overweight between survey years. Conclusions. Both a lack of nonsedentary activity and time spent watching TV/VCR contribute to the development of overweight in men. Sedentary and nonsedentary activities represent separate domains, each with independent risks for over-weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]