Realization of Coronavirus Testing Kit Using a Combination of a Triangular Photonic Crystal (PhC) Structure and a 412 nm Laser Beam

The design of a Covid-19 testing kit is proposed in this research using a photonic crystal structure (PhC) and a violet laser beam. The basic principle of this structure relies on the phenomenon of absorbance reflectance and transmission at the signal of a 412 nm laser beam. Finally, the transmitted light energy through the PhC structure is the conclusive factor to detect the types of virus which is the function of the reflectance and absorbance. The reflected light energy is computed by plane wave expansion (PWE) whereas the absorbance of light energy is obtained through numerical computation. The notable advantages of this technique are that the virus related to Covid-19 can be recognized by observing the colour of transmitted energy through a photo energy meter. Finally, the outcomes of the research affirm that the sample could be Covid-19 if the output energy would be infrared (IR). Similarly, the sample could be a normal coronavirus, if the output energy would lie within the visible regime.

The Clinical Effects of Laser Acupuncture on Hospitalized Patients With Severe COVID-19: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Introduction: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was extended to the entire population in China and around the world, and its mortality rate was about 3.4%. The impact of laser therapy on chronic respiratory diseases has been shown in previous studies. This study was aimed at examining the effects of laser acupuncture (LA) on patients with severe COVID-19. Methods: In the present study, 60 patients with a positive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test were assigned to the intervention and control groups (30 patients in each group). The intervention group was treated with LA, that is, laser light with low energy on acupuncture points, once a day for five consecutive days. Results: The participants' mean age in the intervention and control groups was 48.96 ± 12.65 and 53.16 ± 12.28 respectively;70% of the patients were male and 30% of them were female. IL6 had a significant reduction in the intervention group (P value = 0.038) in comparison with the control group (P value = 0.535). Furthermore, the mean admission time in the control group was significantly higher than that in the intervention group (P value = 0.047). However, the mortality rate in the intervention group was zero, but three patients in the control group died. Conclusion: Our study showed that LA can be used as supportive therapy for routine treatment in patients with severe COVID-19. Moreover, due to LA safety and it's low cost, it could be recommended as an adjuvant to conventional therapy in patients interested in treating their disease with such a method © 2023, Journal of Lasers in Medical Sciences.All Rights Reserved.

Low-level laser therapy for treatment of severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 infection

SARS-CoV-2 is a new threat to public health due to its increased transmissibility and immune evasion. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) plays a critical role in SARS-CoV-2 infection as its serve as the virus's major entry receptor in humans. Vaccines have been authorized for emergency use to control the current pandemic and they have greatly reduced the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and mortality rates, nevertheless this coronavirus has shown the ability to endure crucial mutations that increases its infectivity which makes it likely that the virus will continue to mutate and disseminate. There is a need to find and introduce alternative and effective methods of controlling SARS-CoV-2. Notably, low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is a method of exposing cells or tissue to low levels of red and near infrared light which has a high success rate for treatment of other ailments. The aim of the study is to determine for the first time, the effects of LLLT on SARS-CoV-2 infected HEK293/ACE2 cells and compare them to uninfected ones. Both infected and uninfected HEK293/ACE2 cells were irradiated at a wavelength of 640 nm, at different doses. Then, the effects of laser irradiation on the cells and the virus were evaluated using luciferase, cytotoxicity, and cell viability assays. Preliminary results showed that irradiated uninfected cells had no changes in cell viability and cytotoxicity, while there were changes in irradiated infected cells. In addition, laser irradiation caused cell membrane damage in infected cells. Lastly, uninfected irradiated cells showed no luciferase activity while laser irradiation reduced luciferase activity in infected cells. © 2023 SPIE.

CD4+ T cells from preeclamptic patients cause hypertension, autoantibodies and cognitive dysfunction in a pregnant rat model

CD4+ T Cells from Preeclamptic patients with or without a history of COVID-19 during pregnancy cause hypertension, autoantibodies and cognitive dysfunction in a pregnant rat model Objective: Preeclampsia (PE) new onset hypertension (HTN) during pregnancy, is associated with increased autoantibodies, cerebral blood flow (CBF) impaired cognitive function and memory loss. We have shown adoptive transfer of placentalCD4+T cells from PE women into athymic nude pregnant rats causesHTNand autoantibodies associated with PE.COVID-19 (CV) during pregnancy is associated with increased diagnosis of PE. However, we do not know the role of CD4+ T cells stimulated in response to CV in contributing to the PE phenotype seen patients with a Hx of CV during pregnancy. Therefore, we hypothesize that adoptive transfer of placental CD4+ T cells from patients with a CV History (Hx) during pregnancy with PE causes HTN, increased CBF and cognitive dysfunction in pregnant athymic nude recipient rats. Study Design: Placental CD4+ T cells isolated from normotensive (NP), PE, Hx of CV normotensive (CV Hx NT), and Hx of CV with PE (CV Hx+PE) at delivery. One million CD4+ T cells were injected i.p. into nude athymic rats on gestational day (GD) 12. The Barnes maze and the novel object recognition behavioral assays were used to assess cognitive function on GDs 15-19. Blood pressure (MAP) and CBF were measured by carotid catheter and laser Doppler flowmetry on GD19, respectively. A two-way ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. Result(s):MAPincreased inCVHx+PE (111 +/- 4, n = 4) and PE recipient rats (115 +/- 2 mmHg, n = 5) compared to CV Hx NT (100 +/- 4, n = 5) and NP (99 +/- 3 mmHg, n = 4, P < .05). CV Hx+PE and PE exhibited latency with errors navigating in the Barnes maze compared to CV Hx NT and NP groups. Locomotor activity was decreased in CV Hx+PE (P < .05) compared to PE, CV Hx NT, and NP groups. CV Hx+PE and PE spent more time exploring identical objects compared to CV Hx NT and NP groups. PE and CV Hx+ PE had increased CBF compared to CV Hx NT and NP rats. Conclusion(s): Our findings indicate that pregnant recipients of CD4+ T cells from PE with or without a Hx CV during pregnancy cause HTN, increased CBF and cognitive dysfunction compared to recipients of NP or NT Hx COVID-19 CD4+ T cells.

Recent progress in online detection methods of bioaerosols

The aerosol transmission of coronavirus disease in 2019, along with the spread of other respiratory diseases, caused significant loss of life and property;it impressed upon us the importance of real-time bioaerosol detection. The complexity, diversity, and large spatiotemporal variability of bioaerosols and their external/internal mixing with abiotic components pose challenges for effective online bioaerosol monitoring. Traditional methods focus on directly capturing bioaerosols before subsequent time-consuming laboratory analysis such as culture-based methods, preventing the high-resolution time-based characteristics necessary for an online approach. Through a comprehensive literature assessment, this review highlights and discusses the most commonly used real-time bioaerosol monitoring techniques and the associated commercially available monitors. Methods applied in online bioaerosol monitoring, including adenosine triphosphate bioluminescence, laser/light-induced fluorescence spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and bioaerosol mass spectrometry are summarized. The working principles, characteristics, sensitivities, and efficiencies of these real-time detection methods are compared to understand their responses to known particle types and to contrast their differences. Approaches developed to analyze the substantial data sets obtained by these instruments and to overcome the limitations of current real-time bioaerosol monitoring technologies are also introduced. Finally, an outlook is proposed for future instrumentation indicating a need for highly revolutionized bioaerosol detection technologies.

Laser: A boon during the COVID pandemic in aerosol mitigation - A systematic review

The scientific community was always intrigued by the indoor air quality in dental offices. The unexpected emergence of the COVID pandemic has put greater challenges on dental professionals. Shortly after the declaration of coronavirus as a pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020, the American Dental Association abstained the dental society from providing routine dental procedures. An evidence-based review of the literature was conducted electronically using three databases, PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar between January 2005 to December 2021. Three articles were selected for the qualitative analysis out of 41 screened articles from the databases. The evidence suggests that there is a significant reduction in aerosol generation with laser when compared to conventional treatment modalities. Laser-assisted treatment procedures bring the dentist and patients a step closer to providing safe dental treatments and reducing the risk of transmission of disease.

Comparing the Use of Virtual Models vs. Fieldwork in Developing Geomatics Skills in Undergraduate Engineering Education during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Undergraduate students enrolled in Civil Engineering, Architecture, and Urban Planning (CAU) must develop competencies in Geomatics and Topography (G&T) as part of their learning process. During this time, theoretical concepts are traditionally taught with field practice using specialized tools such as a theodolite, laser level, and total station. Due to the environmental restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, traditional field practice (TFP) was suspended, preventing access to equipment and study areas. The use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Virtual Reality (VR), have been explored in the last decade for educational purposes. This paper studies the benefits of using these tools for developing G&T skills. This research aimed to assess students' learning outcomes using a traditional G&T teaching method and a new methodology based on Virtual Field Practice (VFP) for CAU students. The methodology provides a virtual study area for the CAU student by integrating point clouds derived from photogrammetry and terrestrial laser scanning. It also assesses their learning results and compares them against a control group using a validated instrument. Findings suggest continuing with fieldwork for a greater understanding and correct application of G&T concepts by students, and using virtual models as an efficient way to complement the acquisition of spatial information in the teaching-learning process. Until the publication of this article, we found no evidence in the literature at the undergraduate level of applying exercises like those proposed. © 2023 IEEE.

Analytical and biomedical applications of microfluidics in traditional Chinese medicine research

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has significant benefits in the prevention and treatment of diseases due to its unique theoretical system and research techniques. However, there are still key issues to be resolved in the full interpretation and use of TCM, such as vague active compounds and mechanism of action. Therefore, it is promising to promote the research on TCM through innovative strategies and advanced cutting-edge technologies. Microfluidic chips have provided controllable unique platforms for biomedical applications in TCM research with flexible composition and large-scale integration. In this review, the analysis and biomedical applications of microfluidics in the field of TCM are highlighted, including quality control of Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs), delivery of CHMs, evaluation of pharmacological activity as well as disease diagnosis. Finally, potential challenges and prospects of existing microfluidic technologies in the inheritance and innovation of TCM are discussed.Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V.

SARS-CoV-2 VACCINE-INDUCED T CELL RESPONSES IN CANCER PATIENTS UNDERGOING TREATMENT

Background: mRNA vaccines have proven useful in protecting vulnerable populations against SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, certain therapeutics, specifically those used in cancer treatment, reduce mRNA vaccine-induced humoral responses against SARS-CoV-2. The effects on T cell responses are not well characterized. Here, we evaluate SARS-CoV-2 spike-specific T cell responses over the course of one year in solid tumor patients in BC, Canada. Method(s): 18 female, solid-tumor patients from the BC Cancer Agency were enrolled in this prospective, cohort study, with 7 patients receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy and 11 patients receiving non-cytotoxic treatments. Whole blood was collected 1-month (T1) and one-year +/- 1-month (T2) post series completion (2 mRNA doses). Antigen-induced marker assays (AIM assays) were used to quantify CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses, where whole blood was stimulated with ancestral or omicron SARS-CoV2 Spike peptide pools or unstimulated for 48 hours at 37degree C, fluorescently stained for activation markers CD25 and OX40 (CD4+ T cells) or CD69 and CD137 (CD8+ T cells), and analyzed using a 5-laser flow cytometer. Phenotyping of antigen-specific CD4+ T cells was done in parallel to assess the frequency of spike-specific Tregs, Th1, Th2, Th9, Th17, and Th17.1 cells. Result(s): All individuals had detectable levels of spike-specific CD4+ T cells at T2, while only 72.2% of individuals had detectable levels of spike-specific CD8+ T cells. Treatment type did not significantly impact the magnitude or phenotype of T cell responses, including those to Omicron. However, increased age was associated with decreased ancestral CD8+ T cell responses at T2. Further, ancestral and omicron responses were significantly different at T2, with decreased magnitude and altered phenotype of omicron-specific CD4+ T cells. Conclusion(s): Here, we report that solid tumor patients, treated with either chemotherapy or biologics, mount robust T cell immunity to SARS-CoV-2 following vaccination. Additional data is needed to determine if these responses correlate with antibody levels and clinical illness.

XXII International Conference and School on Quantum Electronics: "Laser Physics and Applications”

The International School on Quantum Electronics "Laser Physics and Applications” was held for the first time as far back as 1980. Since then it has taken place biennially and has become an important international event in the field of laser physics and laser applications attracting participants from many countries, especially from south-eastern Europe. Traditionally, its program includes lectures delivered by prominent scientists dealing with investigations of basic physical phenomena, processes of interaction of laser radiation with matter and latest scientific results obtained in the research areas of quantum electronics and optics, as well as the technological practical applications of new ideas, devices, instruments and laser systems. Special attention is paid to the active participation of students and young scientists who have the opportunity to present their results and meet and share experience with outstanding professionals in their particular fields of research.The topics include the following:• Laser-matter interactions• Laser spectroscopy and metrology• Laser remote sensing and ecology• Lasers in biology and medicine• Laser systems and nonlinear optics• Alternative techniques for material synthesis and processingThe 22nd edition of the ICSQE was held as a virtual forum due to the restrictions related to COVID-19 pandemic from September 19th to 23rd, 2022. The Institute of Electronics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, located in Sofia, Bulgaria, hosted the conference organization. The Big Blue Button on-line system was used as a technical platform for the meeting. The technical sessions of the International School on Quantum Electronics included 22 invited talks (30 min + 5 min Q&A), a Mini-Symposium "Extreme light infrastructure”, 11 oral contributions (30 min + 5 min Q&A) and in total 51 poster presentations divided into 5 sessions (1 hour each). The platform was available 24 hours, allowing discussions in addition to the technical program. The total number of participants was 90 from 16 countries.The XXII International Conference and School on Quantum Electronics: "Laser Physics and Applications” was held by the financial support from the Bulgarian National Science Fund under Project No. KP-06-MNF/4, 20.07.2022.List of Committees, International Advisory Committee, Program Committee, Local Organizing Committee, Lecturers, Oral Presentations, Poster Presentations are available in this pdf.

Diode laser in management of loss of taste sensation in patients with post-COVID syndrome: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: Loss of taste (ageusia) is a symptom observed following recovery from COVID-19 infection. The loss of taste and smell sensation may negatively affect patients' quality of life (QoL). The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Diode Laser in managing loss of taste sensation in patients with post-COVID syndrome versus the placebo. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study sample was 36 patients who complained of persistent loss of taste sensation following COVID-19. The patients were randomly assigned to one of the two groups according to the received treatment: Group I (laser treatment) and Group II (light treatment), with each patient receiving a diode laser treatment or placebo from the same operator. Taste sensation was subjectively measured after treatment for four weeks. RESULTS: The results demonstrated a significant difference between both groups regarding taste restoration after one month (p = 0.041), with Group II having a significantly higher percentage of cases 7 (38.9%) with partial taste restoration. In contrast, a significantly higher proportion of Group I 17 cases (94.4%) had complete taste restoration (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The present study concluded that using a Diode laser 810 nm aided in a more rapid recovery from loss of taste dysfunction.

Realization of 20 Monochromatic Laser Beams Using a Photonic Crystal (PhC) Structure via the Principle of Filtering

The current work employs a Si-based one-dimensional (1-D) photonic struc-ture which delivers 20 different types of monochromatic laser beam via the filtering action. The I/P signals are essentially varying from visible to near infrared (NIR) range to justify the work. Though similar types of work related to filtering application are found in the literature, the present research deals with an output laser beam which could be deployed in different pur-poses vis-a-vis dentistry, dermatology, spectroscopy, printing, holography, barcode scanning, etc. The mechanism of this work incorporates 68 layers of SiO and Si-based 1-D optical waveguide along with their configuration where the plane wave expansion (PWE) method does fulfil the basics of the required mathematics to solve out electromagnetic wave equations. Reflec-tance and transmittance characteristics along with the absorbance are the critical parameters that substantiate the said application.

Plasma markers of Covid-19 severity: A pilot study

SARS-CoV-2 infected patients show heterogeneous clinical presentations ranging from mild symptoms to severe respiratory failure and death. Consequently, various markers reflect certain disease presentations. Our cohort included moderate (n = 10) and severe (n = 10) COVID-19 patients, and 10 healthy controls. We determined plasma levels of nine acute phase proteins by nephelometry, full-length (M65), caspase-cleaved (M30) cytokeratin 18, and ADAMTS13 (a disintegrin-like and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type-1 motif 13) by ELISA. In addition, we examined whole plasma N-glycosylation by capillary gel electrophoresis coupled to laser-induced fluorescence detection. When compared to healthy controls, COVID-19 patients had significantly lower concentrations of ADAMTS13 and albumin (ALB) but higher M30, M65, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein, alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT), ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin, and highsensitivity C-reactive protein. The concentrations of alpha1-antichymotrypsin, alpha2-macroglobulin and serum amyloid A proteins did not differ. We found significantly higher levels of AAT and M65 but lower ALB in severe compared to moderate COVID-19 patients. N-glycan analysis of the serum proteome revealed increased levels of oligomannose and sialylated di-antennary glycans, while the non-sialylated di-antennary glycan A2G2 significantly decreased in COVID-19 patients compared to controls. COVID-19-associated changes in levels and N-glycosylation of specific plasma proteins highlight involvement of different pathophysiological mechanisms and grant further investigations.

A Review on Candida Auris, an Emerging Drug-resistant Fungal Pathogen.

Candida auris, a multidrug-resistant yeast, can cause primary or secondary infections in a wide range of patients, including those diagnosed with the new coronavirus to even healthy individuals. The fungus has been reported in less than a decade on all six continents and in more than 45 countries. Ease of distribution, long shelf life, and resistance to several antifungal drugs have raised concerns about the prevention and management of patients with C. auris infection. Recent reports indicate serious challenges in identifying, understanding the mechanism of drug resistance, and preventing mortality from the infection with this microorganism. Given the prevalence of COVID-19 infection, it is important to identify patients colonized with C. auris correctly and at the early stages, to control and prevent a possible outbreak. In this article, the widespread occurrence of infections due to C. auris in the world and Iran, its clinical manifestations, risk factors, pathogenic mechanisms, diagnostic enhancements and challenges, drug resistance, treatment options, prevention, and control as well as concomitant C. auris infections in patients with COVID-19 virus, are reviewed.Copyright © 2022 Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.

Ventilator-associated lower respiratory tract infections: Etiology and diagnosis.

Objective. To review a literature published over the past 5 years and our own data on the etiology of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI), antimicrobial resistance and its relationships between sepsis and choice of appropriate antibiotic therapy. Materials and methods. National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (NNIS) criteria were used to diagnose LRTI. A review of the articles regarding LRTI from the Russian and international English language journals published over 6 years was performed. Identification of microorganisms was performed by culture over the period of 2003-2013;since 2014, MALDI-TOF MS method was used for this purpose. Results. Despite the ongoing policy to limit the use of antimicrobial therapy in the ICUs, there is an increase in carbapenemase-producing isolates in the ICUs from 2.2% (2018) to 11.7% (2020, 9 months). Along with the trend to increase in carbapenemase-producing pathogens causing LRTI, their variability is also increasing. In particular, it applies to strains producing carbapenemases OXA-48 or combination of OXA- 48 with KPC;with the trend to combined production of carbapenemase beginning at 2019. Conclusions. Carbapenemase producers are becoming more widespread in the ICU settings, including the lower respiratory tract in mechanically ventilated patients. Practitioners didn't get used to associate VAP with the Sepsis-3 criteria. The changes in etiology include the increased rate of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales and non-fermenting Gram-negative bacteria, primarily Acinetobacter spp., in Russia. It's due to improved quality of respiratory support and increased consumption of carbapenems, tigecycline and polymyxins. Significant increase of OXA-48-producing pathogens is likely to be associated with a poor compliance with temporary guidelines on COVID-19 with regard to antibiotic therapy.Copyright © 2021, Interregional Association for Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. All rights reserved.

Can we predict HoLEP surgery operating times for a given prostate volume to enhance theatre utilization?

Introduction & Objectives: Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) has the strongest evidence base for bladder outlet surgery, despite its steep learning curve. Rapid enucleation rates can be achieved in established hands with day-case surgery being the norm in service delivery. We have previously shown the validity of such a model. With the post Covid surgical backlog we have developed a tool to support theatre utilization based on established surgeon specific operating room (OR) times for a given prostate volume in our unit based on almost 1100 cases. Material(s) and Method(s): Four HoLEP naive surgeons completed 1096 HoLEPs over 7.5 years using a 50 Watt (W) Holmium laser (Auriga XL, Boston Scientific Inc., Piranha morcellator, Richard Wolf). Pre and post-operative data including TRUS/MRI volume, flow rate, residual volume, international prostate symptom score, quality of life, stop-clock enucleation, morcellation and total operating room (OR) times, hospital stay, histology, haemoglobin, creatinine, sodium and catheter times were prospectively recorded. Mentorship was provided by a senior 100W HoLEP surgeon from an adjoining hospital. Result(s): The data was independently analysed by a bio-statistician (IN). Statistical regression analysis of unit and surgeon specific OR times vs prostate volume were used to produce predictive linear graphs of OR times (mins) for a given prostate volume for individual surgeons and the unit. [Figure presented] Conclusion(s): Use of surgeon-specific and unit specific OR times allows the opportunity to maximize theatre operating schedules to help tackle the post Covid surgical backlog. We encourage this process for index specialist procedures across units.Copyright © 2023 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Small Businesses in the US: A Longitudinal Study from a Regional Perspective

Small businesses have suffered disproportionately from the COVID-19 pandemic. We use near-real-time weekly data from the Small Business Pulse Survey (April 26, 2020 - June 17, 2021) to examine the constantly changing impact of COVID-19 on small businesses across the United States. A set of multilevel models for change are adopted to model the trajectories of the various kinds of impact as perceived by business owners (subjective) and those recorded for business operations (objective), providing insights into regional resilience from a small business perspective. The findings reveal spatially uneven and varied trajectories in both the subjectively and the objectively assessed impact of COVID-19 across the U.S., and the different responses to the pandemic shock can be explained by evolving health situations and public policies, as well as by the economic structure and degree of socioeconomic vulnerability in different areas. This study contributes to scholarship on small businesses and regional resilience, as well as identifying policies and practices that build economic resilience and regional development under conditions of global pandemic disruption. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of International Regional Science Review is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)