Association of masking policies with mask adherence and distancing during the SARS-COV-2 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Quantification of the impact of local masking policies may help guide future policy interventions to reduce SARS-COV-2 disease transmission. This study's objective was to identify factors associated with adherence to masking and social distancing guidelines. METHODS: Faculty from 16 U.S. colleges and universities trained 231 students in systematic direct observation. They assessed correct mask use and distancing in public settings in 126 US cities from September 2020 through August 2021. RESULTS: Of 109,999 individuals observed in 126 US cities, 48% wore masks correctly with highest adherence among females, teens and seniors and lowest among non-Hispanic whites, those in vigorous physical activity, and in larger groups (P < .0001). Having a local mask mandate increased the odds of wearing a mask by nearly 3-fold (OR = 2.99, P = .0003) compared to no recommendation. People observed in non-commercial areas were least likely to wear masks. Correct mask use was greatest in December 2020 and remained high until June 2021 (P < .0001). Masking policy requirements were not associated with distancing. DISCUSSION: The strong association between mask mandates and correct mask use suggests that public policy has a powerful influence on individual behavior. CONCLUSIONS: Mask mandates should be considered in future pandemics to increase adherence.

Cryptic Biosynthesis of the Berkeleypenostatins from Coculture of Extremophilic Penicillium sp.

Coculture fermentation of Penicillium fuscum and P. camembertii/clavigerum yielded berkeleypenostatins A-G (1-7) as well as the previously reported berkeleylactones A-H, the known macrolide A26771B, citrinin, and patulin. As was true with the berkeleylactones, there was no evidence of the berkeleypenostatins in either axenic culture. The structures were deduced from analyses of spectral data, and the absolute configuration of berkeleypenostatin A (1) was determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Berkeleypenostatins A (1) and E (5) inhibited migration of human pancreatic carcinoma cells (HPAF-II). Both compounds were tested by the NCI Developmental Therapeutics Program. In the NCI 60 cell five-dose screen, berkeleypenostatin E (5) was the more active of the two, with 1-10 µM total growth inhibition (TGI) of all leukemia cell lines, as well as the majority of colon, CNS, melanoma, ovarian, prostate, renal, and breast cancer cell lines.