Frequency-domain compression imaging for extending the field of view of infrared thermometers.

We propose a computational imaging technique for expanding the field of view of infrared thermometers. The contradiction between the field of view and the focal length has always been a chief problem for researchers, especially in infrared optical systems. Large-area infrared detectors are expensive and technically arduous to be manufactured, which enormously limits the performance of the infrared optical system. On the other hand, the extensive use of infrared thermometers in COVID-19 has created a considerable demand for infrared optical systems. Therefore, improving the performance of infrared optical systems and increasing the utilization of infrared detectors is vital. This work proposes a multi-channel frequency-domain compression imaging method based on point spread function (PSF) engineering. Compared with conventional compressed sensing, the submitted method images once without an intermediate image plane. Furthermore, phase encoding is used without loss of illumination of the image surface. These facts can significantly reduce the volume of the optical system and improve the energy efficiency of the compressed imaging system. Therefore, its application in COVID-19 is of great value. We design a dual-channel frequency-domain compression imaging system to verify the proposed method's feasibility. Then, the wavefront coded PSF and optical transfer function (OTF) are used, and the two-step iterative shrinkage/thresholding (TWIST) algorithm is used to restore the image to get the final result. This compression imaging method provides a new idea for the large field of view monitoring systems, especially in infrared optical systems.

Oral Liushen pill for patients with COVID-19: A prospective randomized controlled trial.

We examined the efficacy and safety of Liushen pill combined with basic treatment for patients with COVID-19. In total, 181 patients hospitalized with COVID-19, classified as asymptomatic mild type, were randomly divided into the experimental (n = 91) and control (n = 90) groups and were administered placebo (Maizao decoction) and Maizao decoction and Liushen pill, in addition to standard care, respectively. The negative conversion rate of nucleic acid (Day 7), hospital discharge rate (Days 8, 10, and 14), symptom disappearance rate (Days 3, 5, and 7), inflammatory cytokine levels, and adverse events were compared between the groups. The negative viral conversion rate was significantly higher in the experimental than in the control group (48.35 vs. 31.11%, p < 0.05). Subgroup analysis showed a similar significant trend when the Ct value was ≤30 at baseline. After 10 days, the hospital discharge rate was significantly higher in the experimental than in the control group (69.23 vs. 53.33%, p < 0.05). After 3-day medication, the headache symptoms significantly disappeared in the experimental (88.57%) compared to the control group (63.33%) (p < 0.05). After 5 days, the symptom disappearance rates of headache and cough were significantly higher in the experimental (97.14%) than in the control group (97.14 vs. 80.00, p < 0.05; 82.65 vs. 58.93%, p < 0.01, respectively). Posttreatment, the procalcitonin level was significantly lower in the experimental than in the control group (0.09 ± 0.00 vs. 0.14 ± 0.05 ng/L; p < 0.05). There were no significant between-group differences in clinical safety test indices. Early intervention with Liushen pill improved cough and headache and increased negative viral conversion and discharge rate.

Effect of liushen capsules (pill) on antiviral activity of COVID-19 in vitro and in patients with positive nucleic acid for more than 14 days

Objective To observe the efficacy and safety Liushen Capsules(Pill,LSP) combined with basic therapy on patients with coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19) and positive nucleic acid for more than 14 days, and to test the in vitro antiviral effect of LSP. Methods To test the in vitro antiviral effect against the omicron(B.1.1.529) variant, its half-maximal inhibitory concentration(IC50) was determined by cytopathic effect test. The protocol was registered in Chinese Clinical Trial Registry(No. ChiCTR2200057532). Totally 50 patients who tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARSCoV-2), who were asymptomatic or had mild symptoms, were randomly divided into experimental group(26 cases) and control group(24 cases). The control group was given a basic treatment, and the experimental group was given LSP in conjunction with the basis treatment. The average negative time, negative conversion rate, immunological indices(IgG,IgM), and adverse events during treatment were compared between the two groups. Results The IC50 of LSP against SARS-CoV-2(omicron strain)was 0.194 8 g/mL. The average negative time of the virus in the experimental group [(5.03+or-2.41)d] was significantly lower than that in the control group [(6.46 +or-2.32)d,P<0.05]. After five days treatment, the negative conversion rate of the experimental group [57.36%(15/26)] was significantly lower than that of the control group [57.36%(15/26),P<0.05]. During the treatment, the negative conversion rate of the experimental group was always higher than that of the control group(P< 0.05). There was no significant difference in adverse reactions between the two groups(P>0.05). Conclusions LSP have an antiviral effect on SARS-CoV-2 in vitro, combined with basic therapy has certain curative effects on patients with positive nucleic acid for more than 14 days, and it can significantly shorten the negative conversion time of nucleic acid and negative rate, and improve the immune function of patients.

SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid positive rate among close contacts of the patients infected with novel Coronavirus in China: a meta-analysis

The aim this meta-analaysis was to understand the current status of nucleic acid positivity rate of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in close contacts of novel coronavirus-infected patients in China. The literature related to SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid testing in close contacts of novel coronavirus-infected patients in China was searched in PubMed, EMbase, China Journal Full-text Data Base (CNKI), Wanfang Science and Technology Journal Full-text Database, and Veep Chinese Science and Technology Journal Full-text Database (VIP) from December 2019 to December 2020. 24 December 2019-2020. The quality of the literature was evaluated with reference to the revised American Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) statement. StataSE15.0 software was used for meta-analysis, combined positive rates were calculated using the Freeman-Tukey double inverse sine conversion method, subgroup analysis was performed according to sex, age, infected person relationship, mode of infection and frequency of exposure, and sensitivity analysis and Egger's method was used to test for publication bias. Results A total of 11 publications were included, with a total sample size of 24 906 cases. The SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid positivity rate in the close contact population of novel coronavirus-infected patients was 5.42% (95% CI: 3.57%-7.64%), and subgroup analysis showed that the positivity rate was 4.35% in males and 6.36% in females;the positivity rate was 5.88% in the 0-9 years group and 4.76% in the 10-59 years group. The positive rates were 5.88% for the 0-9 years group, 4.76% for the 10-59 years group and 8.73% for the =60 years group;13.42% for family members and 2.09% for others;11.44% for people living together, 9.90% for meals and 1.95% for other modes of infection;and 1.32%, 6.12% and 9.60% for occasional, normal and frequent contacts, respectively. The differences between the subgroups were statistically significant (?2 = 37.89 to 809.90, all P < 0.05). The sensitivity analysis suggested stable results and the Egger's test for publication bias was not statistically significant (t=0.93, P=0.376). Conclusion Close contacts of novel coronavirus-infected individuals in the Chinese region have a positive rate for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid.

Comparison of initial clinic characteristics of hospitalized patients in Suzhou City during the COVID-19 Omicron wave with ancestral variant wave.

BACKGROUND: Recently, the SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern, Omicron (B.1.1.529), was identified as responsible for a novel wave of COVID-19 worldwide. Here, we compared initial clinical features of hospitalized COVID-19 patients during recent wave (Omicron Variant) with those in ancestral variant wave (2020). METHODS: This is a cohort study of electronic health record (EHR) data from a signal center in the China. The clinical data of 116 cases of Omicron hospitalized in 2022 and 87 cases hospitalized in 2020 were collected. The comparisons were performed with the Mann-Whitney U test, Fisher exact test or the chi-square test, and multivariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Clinically, compared with 2020-cohort, Omicron-cohort was more inclined to cluster in younger population and had more nonsymptomatic (25.0%) and nonsevere cases, as well as suffered from comparable extrapulmonary complication. Radiologically, although the major computed tomography (CT) findings of both cohorts were ground-glass opacities (GGOs), crazy-paving pattern was relatively less seen in the Omicron-cohort. Based on multiple logistic regression analysis, Omicron-cohort was associated with a lower risk of complaining with fever, the presence of lung opacity, and increased Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score. CONCLUSION: This study provided the data of different patterns of clinic characteristics and reduced severity from infections that occurred in Omicron variant as compared with the outbreak of the epidemic in 2020 wave (ancestral variant).

Study of the Inactivated COVID-19 Vaccine Contamination in Vaccination Sites — Zigong City, Sichuan Province, China, January, 2021

Vaccines are a crucial weapon in combating the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. At present, China is in a critical period of COVID-19 vaccination, and most of the approved vaccines are developed by inactivated vaccine technology, which contains the complete nucleic acid sequence of the virus (1-2). The inactivated COVID-19 vaccine may contaminate people and environments during the vaccination process, thus triggering a false alarm of the COVID-19 surveillance system. In this study, we selected some vaccination sites to assess the intensity and distribution of vaccine contamination.;;Before field study, we used Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) method with kits that produced by Da An Gene and ZJ Bio-Tech to estimate the signal strength of inactivated COVID-19 vaccine (SinovacBiotech). The average Cycle threshold (Ct) value of ORF1Ab /N gene of the vaccine solution was 15.30±0.77, while the Ct value of the kit’s positive control was 28.01±2.38.

A Field Study on Safety Performance of Apron Controllers at a Large-Scale Airport Based on Digital Tower.

The innovative concept of digital tower provides a new solution for reducing the construction and operation costs of airports with adverse natural environments, poor intervisibility conditions, or sparse traffic. However, it leads to changes in the situational awareness of air traffic controllers and to challenges in safety performance. To research the safety performance of apron controllers at a large-scale airport applying a digital tower, a field study was conducted at Baiyun International Airport in Guangzhou, China. In this study, we established a comprehensive index system from the perspective of situational awareness, which provided measurements on the areas of interests, gaze and physiological features, and vigilance of controllers. Three modules were compared: a physical tower module, a digital tower module with a large panoramic screen, and a digital tower module with a small panoramic screen. The differences in the safety performances of apron controllers are discussed in two aspects: adaptability and reliability. The results indicated that the apron controllers at the three modules performed different cognition patterns, but similar cognition effort was paid toward maintaining performance. Furthermore, the significant vigilance decrement of controllers exists between after-duty and before-duty, but with no significant difference among the three modules. In conclusion, apron controllers at a large-scale airport could obtain effective safety performances based on a digital tower that were no less than those from a physical tower.

Application of Non-Invasive Ventilator in Treatment of Severe COVID-19 Patients.

BACKGROUND: Since December 2019, there has been a global outbreak of COVID-19. As of the end of July 2020, more than 600,000 deaths had been reported globally. The purpose of this paper is to further explore the application of non-invasive ventilation in severe COVID-19 patients. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted to included 57 confirmed COVID-19 patients, among which 36 cases were severe. According to different oxygen inhalation methods, they were divided into non-invasive ventilator assisted ventilation group with 21 cases (group A) and 15 cases of nasal catheter oxygen inhalation group (group B). The data of respiration (RR), heart rate (HR), partial arterial pressure of oxygen (PaO2), partial arterial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2), and oxygenation index (OI) before the treatment of noninvasive ventilator assisted ventilation or nasal catheter oxygen treatment at 24, 48, and 72 hours of treatment of the 2 groups were collected and analyzed to determine whether the above indicators were statistically different in each time period. RESULTS: After 24 hours of treatment with noninvasive ventilator assisted ventilation in group A, RR gradually decreased, PaO2 and OI were significantly higher than before treatment, while after 24 hours of treatment, PaO2, RR, HR and other indexes in group B showed no significant improvement, and OI increased gradually after 48 hours of treatment, with statistically significant difference compared with that before treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Early adoption of non-invasive ventilation can effectively improve the hypoxic state of patients with severe COVID-19. The combination of underlying diseases will not prolong the use of non-invasive ventilation.

Household Clusters of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Infection in Suzhou, China.

OBJECTIVES: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an emerging virus causing substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide. We performed a cross-sectional investigation of SARS-CoV-2 clusters in Suzhou to determine the transmissibility of the virus among close contacts and to assess the demographic and clinical characteristics between index and secondary cases. METHODS: We review the clustered patients with SARS-CoV-2 infections in Suzhou between 22 January and 29 February 2020. The demographic and clinical characteristics were compared between index and secondary cases. We calculated the basic reproduction number (R 0) among close contacts with SLI model. RESULTS: By 22 February, 87 patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection were reported, including 50 sporadic and 37 clustered cases, who were generated from 13 clusters. On admission, 5 (20.8%) out of 24 secondary cases were asymptomatic. The male ratio of index cases was significantly higher than that of secondary cases. Additionally, the index cases were more likely to have fever and increased CRP levels than the secondary cases. The R 0 values of clusters displayed a significantly declining trend over time for all clusters. The relative risk of infection in blood-related contacts of cases versus unrelated contacts was 1.60 for SARS-CoV-2 (95% CI: 0.42-2.95). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, SARS-CoV-2 has great person-to-person transmission capability among close contacts. The secondary cases are more prone to have mild symptoms than index cases. There is no increased RR of secondary infection in blood relatives versus unrelated contacts. The high rate of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections highlights the urgent need to enhance active case finding strategy for early detection of infectious patients.

Practical considerations for Ultraviolet-C radiation mediated decontamination of N95 respirator against SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Decontaminating N95 respirators for reuse could mitigate shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the United States Center for Disease Control has identified Ultraviolet-C irradiation as one of the most promising methods for N95 decontamination, very few studies have evaluated the efficacy of Ultraviolet-C for SARS-CoV-2 inactivation. In addition, most decontamination studies are performed using mask coupons that do not recapitulate the complexity of whole masks. We sought to directly evaluate the efficacy of Ultraviolet-C mediated inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 on N95 respirators. To that end we created a portable UV-C light-emitting diode disinfection chamber and tested decontamination of SARS-CoV-2 at different sites on two models of N95 respirator. We found that decontamination efficacy depends on mask model, material and location of the contamination on the mask. Our results emphasize the need for caution when interpreting efficacy data of UV-C decontamination methods.

Downregulation of ACE2 expression by SARS-CoV-2 worsens the prognosis of KIRC and KIRP patients via metabolism and immunoregulation.

Background: Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) allow entry of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) into host cells and play essential roles in cancer therapy. However, the functions of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in kidney cancer remain unclear, especially as kidneys are targets for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: UCSC Xena project, the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases (GSE30589 and GSE59185) were searched for gene expression in human tissues, gene expression data, and clinical information. Several bioinformatics methods were utilized to analyze the correlation between ACE2 and TMPRSS2 with respect to the prognosis of kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) and kidney renal papillary cell carcinoma (KIRP). Results: ACE2 expression was significantly upregulated in tumor tissue, while its downregulation was associated with low survival in KIRC and KIRP patients. TMPRSS2 was downregulated in KIRC and KIRP, and its expression was not correlated with patient survival. According to clinical risk factor-based prediction models, ACE2 exhibits predictive accuracy for kidney cancer prognosis and is correlated with metabolism and immune infiltration. In an animal model, ACE2 expression was remarkably downregulated in SARS-CoV-2-infected cells compared to in the control. Conclusion: ACE2 expression is highly correlated with various metabolic pathways and is involved in immune infiltration.it plays a crucial role than TMPRSS2 in diagnosing and prognosis of kidney cancer patients. The overlap in ACE2 expression between kidney cancer and SARS-CoV-2 infection suggests that patients with KIRC or KIRP are at high risk of developing serious symptoms.

Clinical characteristics and laboratory indicator analysis of 67 COVID-19 pneumonia patients in Suzhou, China.

BACKGROUND: Sudden exacerbations and respiratory failure are major causes of death in patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19) pneumonia, but indicators for the prediction and treatment of severe patients are still lacking. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 67 collected cases was conducted and included approximately 67 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia who were admitted to the Suzhou Fifth People's Hospital from January 1, 2020 to February 8, 2020. The epidemiological, clinical and imaging characteristics as well as laboratory data of the 67 patients were analyzed. RESULTS: The study found that fibrinogen (FIB) was increased in 45 (65.2%) patients, and when FIB reached a critical value of 4.805 g/L, the sensitivity and specificity、DA, helping to distinguish general and severe cases, were 100 and 14%、92.9%, respectively, which were significantly better than those for lymphocyte count and myoglobin. Chest CT images indicated that the cumulative number of lung lobes with lesions in severe patients was significantly higher than that in general patients (P < 0.05), and the cumulative number of lung lobes with lesions was negatively correlated with lymphocyte count and positively correlated with myoglobin and FIB. Our study also found that there was no obvious effect of hormone therapy in patients with severe COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the retrospective analysis, FIB was found to be increased in severe patients and was better than lymphocyte count and myoglobin in distinguishing general and severe patients. The study also suggested that hormone treatment has no significant effect on COVID-19.

Problems and solutions of personal protective equipment doffing in COVID-19.

The progress of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is still severe. While everyone has been striving very hard to combat the pandemic, some healthcare professionals have shown varying degrees of infection symptoms and even died. The Chinese Army Medical Aid Team arrived in Wuhan on January 25, 2020, and quickly entered the battle against the pandemic after a short and rigorous training. As one of the earliest medical teams to enter the pandemic area, researchers have been exploring effective infection control measures that are currently in practice. Through observation and research, it has been noticed that layers of protective equipment have a hidden danger of infection while protecting the safety of the personnel. The members of each medical team have typically focused on the standard use of personal protective equipment (PPE). However, after a long period of intensive diagnosis and treatment in clinics and due to physical exertion and tiredness, problems such as improper operation are prone to occur during the tedious PPE doffing, thereby producing a relatively high risk of infection. This study primarily analyzes PPE doffing procedures, existing problems, and measures for improvement to explore methods to improve PPE donning and doffing and reduce the risk of infection.

A Case of 2019 Novel Coronavirus in a Pregnant Woman With Preterm Delivery.

We present a case of a 30-week pregnant woman with the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) delivering a healthy infant with no evidence of COVID-19.