Viral Dynamic Surveillance in COVID-19 Patients: A Cohort Study.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a potentially fatal pneumonia caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), especially those of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants and infection has affected over 700 million people globally. Methods: This retrospective, descriptive study included 118 patients admitted with SARS-CoV-2 infection as confirmed by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: The median duration of detectable SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with high ALT, AST, and PLT/LYMPH, or low CD4+, CD8+, and PLT/MONO was considerably longer. In the risk factor model, multivariate analysis was performed for the estimation of ALT (HR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.36-0.81), AST (HR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.34-0.93), CD4+ (HR,0.77; 95% CI, 0.48-1.24), CD8+ (HR,0.64; 95% CI, 0.37-1.11), PLT/LYMPH (HR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.76-1.77), and PLT/MONO (HR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.43-0.94). Conclusions: The longer viral RNA duration was associated with a higher International Prognostic Index score (p = 0.0013), demonstrating for the first time that multivariate features of the bioindicators closely associated with SARS-CoV-2-infected patients clear the virus.

Photo-Induced Multiple-State Memory Behaviour in Non-Volatile Bipolar Resistive-Switching Devices.

The recent discovery of non-volatile resistive-switching memory is a promising phenomenon for the semiconductor industry and electronic device technology. In our work, CaWO4 nanoparticles were synthesised through a one-step hydrothermal reaction. A resistive-switching memory device with Ag/CaWO4/fluorine-doped tin oxide structure was prepared. This device presents photo-induced multiple-state memory behaviour at room temperature. This study is valuable for exploring multi-functional materials and their applications in photo-controlled multiple-state non-volatile memories.

Influences of Electromagnetic Energy on Bio-Energy Transport through Protein Molecules in Living Systems and Its Experimental Evidence.

The influences of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on bio-energy transport and its mechanism of changes are investigated through analytic and numerical simulation and experimentation. Bio-energy transport along protein molecules is performed by soliton movement caused by the dipole-dipole electric interactions between neighboring amino acid residues. As such, EMFs can affect the structure of protein molecules and change the properties of the bio-energy transported in living systems. This mechanism of biological effect from EMFs involves the amino acid residues in protein molecules. To study and reveal this mechanism, we simulated numerically the features of the movement of solitons along protein molecules with both a single chain and with three channels by using the Runge-Kutta method and Pang's soliton model under the action of EMFs with the strengths of 25,500, 51,000, 76,500, and 102,000 V/m in the single-chain protein, as well as 17,000, 25,500, and 34,000 V/m in the three-chain protein, respectively. Results indicate that electric fields (EFs) depress the binding energy of the soliton, decrease its amplitude, and change its wave form. Also, the soliton disperses at 102,000 V/m in a single-chain protein and at 25,500 and 34,000 V/m in three-chain proteins. These findings signify that the influence of EMFs on the bio-energy transport cannot be neglected; however, these variations depend on both the strength and the direction of the EF in the EMF. This direction influences the biological effects of EMF, which decrease with increases in the angle between the direction of the EF and that of the dipole moment of amino acid residues; however, randomness at the macroscopic level remains. Lastly, we experimentally confirm the existence of a soliton and the validity of our conclusion by using the infrared spectra of absorption of the collagens, which is activated by another type of EF. Thus, we can affirm that both the described mechanism and the corresponding theory are correct and that EMFs or EFs can influence the features of energy transport in living systems and thus have certain biological effects.

[Preparation and Characterization of Manganese and Fluorine Co-Modified Hydroxyapatite Composite Coating].

Titanium and titanium alloys have been widely used as orthopedic, dental implants and cardiovascular stents owing to their superior physical properties. However, titanium surface is inherently bio-inert, thus could not form efficient osseointegration with surrounding bone tissue. Therefore, to improve the surface property of titanium implant is significantly important in clinical application. Manganese and fluorine co-doped hydroxyapatite (FMnHAP) coatings were prepared on titanium substrate by electrochemical deposition technique. The as-prepared coatings were examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) tests. The results indicated that the FMnHAP coatings take the morphology of nanoscale-villous-like, the composite coating becomes more compact. The FTIR test indicated that the symmetry of bending vibration modes of hydroxyl changed, simulated body fluid immersion test proved that the FMnHAP coatings had induce carbonate-apatite formation, indicating that the composite coating possess excellent biocompatibility. In the electrochemical corrosion testing, the FMnHAP coatings showed stronger corrosion resistance than pure Ti.

[Preparation of chitosan/strontium-substituted hydroxyapatite films on titanium and its FTIR characteristics].

Chitosan/strontium-substituted hydroxyapatite (CHI/SrHAP) coatings were prepared on titanium substrate by electrochemical deposition technique containing Sr2+, Ca2+, PO4(3-) and Chitosan. The as-prepared coatings were examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) tests. The results indicate that the CHI/SrHAP coatings take the morphology of flake-like rather than the needle-like crystal , and the composite coating becomes more compact. The FTIR test indicates that the typical vibration absorption peaks of chitosan (amide I and amide II) emerged, simulated body fluid immersion test proved that the CHI/SrHAP coatings had induced carbonate-apatite formation, indicating that the composite coating possesses excellent biocompatibility. In the electrochemical corrosion testing, that the CHI/SrHAP coatings showed stronger corrosion resistance than pure Ti.

[Study of adsorption and desorption of behaviors of Pb2+ on thiol-modified bentonite by flame atomic absorption spectrometry].

A comparative analysis of the functional groups and surface structure of the Ca-bentonite (RB) and thiol-modified bentonite (TMB) were characterized by means of FTIR and SEM. The absorptive property of Pb2+ on TMB and RB and its influential factors was studied and the conditions for the adsorption were optimized by using FAAS method. Then the conditions for desorption of Pb2+ from the TMB by using simulated acid rain were studied and the contrast analysis of absorptive stability of Pb2+ on TMB and RB was given. The results showed that the adsorption rate of Pb2+ by TMB could reach more than 98%, when the initial Pb2+ concentration was 100 mg.L-1, the liquid-solid ratio was 5 g.L-1, pH was 6. 0, KNO3 ionic strength was 0. 1 mol.L-1 and adsorption period was 60min at 25 C. The saturated adsorption capacity of TMB was 67.27 mg.g-1; it's much more than that of RB (9.667 mg.g-1). The adsorption of Pb2+ on TMB follows Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models well. Desorption experiments of Pb2+ from TMB with simulated acid rain (pH 3. 50) were done, and the desorption rate was 0. The results showed that TMB has a strong adsorption and fixation capacity for PbZ+; it is adapted to lead contaminated soil for chemical remediation.

Characterisation, corrosion resistance and in vitro bioactivity of manganese-doped hydroxyapatite films electrodeposited on titanium.

This work elucidated the corrosion resistance and in vitro bioactivity of electroplated manganese-doped hydroxyapatite (MnHAp) film on NaOH-treated titanium (Ti). The NaOH treatment process was performed on Ti surface to enhance the adhesion of the MnHAp coating on Ti. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that the MnHAp coating had needle-like apatite crystals, and the approximately 10 µm thick layer was denser than HAp. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis revealed that the MnHAp crystals were Ca-deficient and the Mn/P molar ratio was 0.048. X-ray diffraction confirmed the presence of single-phase MnHAp, which was aligned vertically to the substrate. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated the presence of phosphate bands ranging from 500 to 650 and 900 to 1,100 cm(-1), and a hydroxyl band at 3,571 cm(-1), which was characteristic of HAp. Bond strength test revealed that adhesion for the MnHAp coating was more enhanced than that of the HAp coating. Potentiodynamic polarisation test showed that the MnHAp-coated surface exhibited superior corrosion resistance over the HAp single-coated surface. Bioactivity test conducted by immersing the coatings in simulated body fluid showed that MnHAp coating can rapidly induce bone-like apatite nucleation and growth. Osteoblast cellular tests revealed that the MnHAp coating was better at improving the in vitro biocompatibility of Ti than the HAp coating.

[FTIR spectra investigation of rat tissues exposure to infrared light].

Structure of biological molecules may change when exposure to electromagnetic field, the change can be recognized from the change of the infrared spectrum. The present paper studied microstructure of rat blood, testis and brain after its exposure to infrared light for 30 days via their FTIR characteristics within the 1 700 - 1 000 cm(-1) range, and the authors also analysed biological characteristics of tissue microstructure with infrared light exposure on rat by their second derivative spectra. Mechanisms of biological effects induced by infrared light were further explored through the findings. All the results indicate that the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy can be used to analyze infrared light exposure for biological tissue microstructure.

[Effects of PEMF on fluorescence spectra of rats serum].

To investigate the relationship between the fluorescence spectra of serum and the brain injury effect, the alteration of fluorescence emission in serum was collected by fluotescence spectroscopy, the pathologic changes in the rat brain were obvious by histopathology after exposure to PEMF. Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomized into sham exposed and PEMFs exposed groups. After exposure to PEMF (3.5 ns rising time, 14 ns pulse width, and amplitude up to 200 kV/400 kV at 1 Hz repetitive rate) at 0.5, 1, 3, 6 and 12 h, the expression of S100B and the fluorescence spectra in serum were detected, the changes in brain morphology were observed. The results showed that the fluorescence intensity of 400 kV groups were higher than 200 kV groups at different time points after exposure to PEMF. It suggests that the extent of brain injury was associated with the pulse frequency. The trends of fluorescence spectra in serum coincide with the expression of S100B and pathologic changes. It shows that fluorescence spectroscopy could apply to analysis of the effect of brain injury after exposure to PEMF.

[Preparation of fluoridated hydroxyapatite coatings on titanium by electrolytic deposition and its FTIR characteristics].

Fluoridated hydroxyapatite coatings (FHAP) were prepared on titanium substrate by electrochemical deposition technique containing Ca2+, PO4(3-), and F(-) ions. The deposition was all conducted at a constant current of 0.9 mA for 60 min at 60 degrees C. The as-prepared coatings were examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy-dispersive Xray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Xray diffraction (XRD) tests. The results indicate that the FHAP cryatals take the morphology of nanoscale-rodlike cone rather than the micron-daisy petal, and the composite coating becomes more compact. The FTIR test indicates that the symmetry of stretching and bending vibration modes of hydroxyl changed, simulated body fluid immersion test proved that the FHAP coating had induced carbonate-apatite formation, indicating that the composite coating possesses excellent biocompatibility.

[FTIR spectra investigation of rat sensitive tissues exposure to ELF-EMF].

Nonthermal effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) are related to changes in the microstructure of biological tissues after exposure to electromagnetic radiation. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis method can effectively study the mechanisms of biological effects of electromagnetic radiation. The present paper studies the characteristics of sensitive tissues of rat after ELF-EMF exposure. FTIR analysis of sensitive tissues of control group and experimental group showed that 50 Hz, 0.75 mT ELF-EMF exposure for 20 days can affect molecular level of the rat testis, blood and brain. Experimental results show that regular changes in absorption peak positions and intensity in the spectra of sensitive tissue may be caused by exposure to ELF-EMF, therefore, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy is an effective means to study mechanism of biological effects of electromagnetic fields.

Investigation of biological property of nanohydroxyapatite materials.

The biological effects of nanohydroxyapatites and its cell toxicity have been studied using the MTT and ALP method, infrared spectrum of absorption and electrophoresis method, respectively. The nanohydroxyapatites are prepared and made by using sol-gel method, in which the parameters of process and reaction are controlled as: pH > 9, Ca/P = 1.67, sintering temperature of 1100 degrees C and sintering time 2 hours. Studied results show that nanohydroxyapatites can interact with human serum albumin and change its second structure and weight of molecules. We find that the nanohydroxyapatites and complex of nanoHAP + nanoCrO2 can all restrain the proliferation of MG63 cells, but their toxicities are first degree or minor, the toxicity of the complex is smaller than that of pure nanohydroxyapatites.

Physical properties of nano-HAs/ZrO2 coating on surface of titanium materials used in dental-implants and its biological compatibility.

A gradient composite coating on the surface of titanium materials, which are used in dental implants, is prepared using an electric-chemical method. The physical properties of the composite coating and its strength of combining with titanium material are studied by the scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive spectrum and X-ray diffraction analysis, etc. The results show that the nanohydroxyapatite/ZrO2 composite coating is uniformly deposited and formed on the surface of titanium materials, its strength of combining with titanium surface reaches 16.3 MPa, which is determined by the tensile test. The immersion experiment shows that a new matter of carbonate-apatite is distributed uniformly on the surface of the composite coating of nanohydroxyapatite/ZrO2. The cell experiment of cultivate exhibits that the osteoblasts MG-63 is also grown well on the surface of the composite coating. These results indicate that the nanohydroxyapatite/ZrO2 composite coating on the surface of titanium materials has a good biological activity and compatibility and could be used in the dental-implants.

The properties of bio-energy transport and influence of structure nonuniformity and temperature of systems on energy transport along polypeptide chains.

A new theory of bio-energy transport along protein molecules in living systems, where the energy is released by hydrolysis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), is proposed based on some physical and biological reasons. In the new theory, the Davydov's Hamiltonian and wave function of the systems are simultaneously modified and extended. A new interaction has been added into Davydov's Hamiltonian. The wave function of the excitation state of single particles for the excitons in the Davydov model is replaced by a new wave function of two-quanta quasicoherent state. In such a case, the bio-energy is transported by the new soliton, which differs from the Davydov's soliton. The soliton is formed through self- trapping of two excitons interacting amino acid residues. The exciton is generated by vibrations of amide-I (CO stretching) arising from the energy of hydrolysis of ATP. The properties of the new soliton are extensively studied by analytical method and its lifetime is calculated using the nonlinear quantum perturbation theory and a wide ranges of parameter values relevant to protein molecules. The lifetime of the new soliton at the biological temperature 300 K is enough large and belongs to the order of 10⁻¹° s, or τ/τ0≥700, in which the soliton can transports over several hundreds amino acid residues. These studied results show clearly that the new soliton is thermally stable and has so larger lifetime that it can play an important role in biological processes. Thus the new model is a candidate of the bio-energy transport mechanism in protein molecules. In the meanwhile, the influences of structure nonuniformity in protein molecules and temperature of the systems on the states and properties of the soliton transport of bio-energy are numerically simulated and studied by the fourth-order Runge-Kutta method. The structure nonuniformity arises from the disorder distributions of masses of amino acid residues, side groups and impurities, which results also in the fluctuations of the spring constant of protein molecules, dipole-dipole interaction between the neighboring amides, exciton-phonon (vibration of amino acids)interaction, chain-chain interaction among the three channels and ground state energy of the systems. We investigated the behaviors and states of the new solitons in a single protein molecular chain and α-Helix protein molecules with three channels under influences of the structure nonuniformity. We prove first that the bio-energy is transported by a soliton, which can move without dispersion, retaining its shape, velocity and energy in a uniform and periodic protein molecule. When the structure nonuniformity exists, although the fluctuations of the spring constant, dipole-dipole interaction constant, exciton-phonon coupling constant and ground state energy and the nonuniformity distributions of masses of amino acid residues can change the states and properties of motion of new soliton, they are still quite stable and very robust against these structure nonuniformities, i.e., even there are a larger structure nonuniformity in the protein molecules, the new solitons cannot be still dispersed. If the effects of thermal perturbation of medium on the soliton in nonuniform proteins is considered again, the new soliton can transport also over a larger spacing of 400 amino acids and has a longer time period of 300 ps, it is still thermally stable up to 320 K under the influence of the above structure nonuniformities. However, the new soliton disperses in the case of a higher temperature of 325 K and in more large structure nonuniformity. Thus, we determine that the new soliton's lifetime and critical temperature are 300 ps and 320 K, respectively. These results are also consistent with analytical data obtained via quantum perturbed theory. For α-Helix protein molecules with three channels, the results obtained show that the structure nonuniformity and quantum fluctuation can change the states and features of the new solitons, for example, the amplitudes, energies and velocities of the new soliton are decreased, but the solitons have been not destroyed, they can still transport steadily along the molecular chains retaining energy and momentum. When the quantum fluctuations are larger, such as, structure disorders and quantum fluctuations of 0.67<α(K)<2, ΔW=±8%W¯, ΔJ=±1%J¯, Δ(χ1+χ2)=±3%(χ¯1+χ¯2) and ΔL=±1%L¯ and Δɛ0=ɛ|ß(n)|, ɛ=0.1 meV, |ß(n)|<0.5, the new soliton is still stable. Therefore, the new solitons are quite robust against these nonuniform effects. However, they will be dispersed or disrupted in cases of very large structure nonuniformity. When the influence of temperature on solitons is considered, we find that the new solitons can transport steadily over 333 amino acid residues in the case of a long time period of 120 ps, in which the soliton can retain its shape and energy to travel forward along protein molecules after their mutual collision at the biological temperature of 300 K. However, the soliton disperses in cases of higher temperatures 325 K under action of a larger structure disorder. Thus, its critical temperature is about 320 K. When the effects of structure nonuniformity and temperature are considered simultaneously, then the new soliton has still high thermal stability and can transport also along the protein molecular chains retaining its amplitude, energy and velocity, they will disperses in the larger fluctuations, for example, 0.67 M¯

The theory of bio-energy transport in the protein molecules and its properties.

The bio-energy transport is a basic problem in life science and related to many biological processes. Therefore to establish the mechanism of bio-energy transport and its theory have an important significance. Based on different properties of structure of α-helical protein molecules some theories of bio-energy transport along the molecular chains have been proposed and established, where the energy is released by hydrolysis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). A brief survey of past researches on different models and theories of bio-energy, including Davydov's, Takeno's, Yomosa's, Brown et al.'s, Schweitzer's, Cruzeiro-Hansson's, Forner's and Pang's models were first stated in this paper. Subsequently we studied and reviewed mainly and systematically the properties, thermal stability and lifetimes of the carriers (solitons) transporting the bio-energy at physiological temperature 300 K in Pang's and Davydov's theories. From these investigations we know that the carrier (soliton) of bio-energy transport in the α-helical protein molecules in Pang's model has a higher binding energy, higher thermal stability and larger lifetime at 300 K relative to those of Davydov's model, in which the lifetime of the new soliton at 300 K is enough large and belongs to the order of 10(-10) s or τ/τ(0)≥700. Thus we can conclude that the soliton in Pang's model is exactly the carrier of the bio-energy transport, Pang's theory is appropriate to α-helical protein molecules.

[Rapid detection device of bacteria drug-sensitivity using electrical impedance method].

Since the bacteria metabolites in the process of growth and reproduction of can lower the resistivity characteristics of the medium, the electrical impedance method can develop a rapid detection device of bacterial drug sensitivity. The device consists of micro-organisms impedance sensors, computer systems, signal generator, resistance Anti-detection circuit, the time allocation controller, constant temperature incubator and auxiliary circuits and other components. It measures the electrical impedance of the medium, and bacteria in the culture period to obtain the impedance value of the monitor into the impedance curve. Drug sensitivity of bacteria can be determined, using this form of differential impedance curve. This detection device significantly shortened the time of bacterial drug susceptibility testing, achieving rapid drug susceptibility testing of clinical medicine, drug susceptibility testing automation and intelligence.

[Electrical impedance method for bacteriological study of drug sensitivity test].

In this study, our self-made micro-electrical impedance sensors and experimental apparatus were used to measure the impedance of bacteria-inoculated medium. Then the bacteria in the culture of all values obtained during the period were recorded into the trace impedance curve. Seeing the obvious difference in morphological change, we utilized the differed impedance curves in an attempt to estimate the morphological difference between the drug sensitivity of bacteria. The studies of clinical medicine for achieving rapid drug sensitivity test, automation and intelligentization of drug sensitivity are of practical significance.

Biosorption of uranium by Saccharomyces cerevisiae and surface interactions under culture conditions.

Few studies have focused on biosorption by microorganisms under culture conditions. To explore the biosorption of uranium by Saccharomyces cerevisiae under culture conditions, the S. cerevisiae growth curve, biosorption capacity and surface interaction under batch culture conditions were investigated in this study. The growth curve showed that uranium (<300mgL(-1)) did not markedly inhibit the growth of S. cerevisiae under short culture time. The maximum scavenging efficiency reached 92.4% under 6-10h culture conditions, and the adsorption quantity of S. cerevisiae increased with initial uranium concentration. Centrifuging and drying after biosorption caused the volume reduction ratio to reach 99%. Scanning electron microscope results demonstrated that uranium interacted with yeast cell surfaces, as well as culture medium, and produced uranium precipitate on cell surfaces. Fourier transformed infrared spectra revealed that cell walls were the major sorption sites, and -O--H, -C==O and -PO(2-) contributed to the major binding groups.

[Effects of redox state of disulfide bonds on the intrinsic fluorescence and denaturation of Trx-fused gibberellin-induced cysteine-rich protein from Gymnadnia conopsea].

In the present paper, thioredoxin-fused gibberellin-induced cysteine-rich protein from Gymnadnia conopsea, desigated as Trx-GcGASA and expressed prokaryotically, was purified and identified by using Ni(2+) -NTA affinity chromatography column and SDS-PAGE, and then its intrinsic fluorescence was investigated in the absence and presence of dithiothreitol (DTT), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), peroxide and guanidine hydrochloride (GdnHCl) by means of steady-state fluorescence spectroscopic methods. It was found that (1) at the neutral pH Trx-GcGASA had maximum fluorescence emission at 305 nm following excitation at different wavelengths varying from 250 to 280 nm, which was ascribed to the fluorescence emission from tyrosine residues. (2) The reduction of disulphide bonds lead to the changes in the relative fluorescence intensity between tyrosine and tryptophan residues from 0.7 to 1.8. (3) Both Tyr and Trp residues underwent 12%-21% decrease in fluorescence intensity with the addition of 0.5 mmol x L(-1) GSSG or 5 mmol x L(-1) peroxide. The latter was roughly consistent with the antioxidative activity reported in vivo. (4) No matter whether 1 mmol x L(-1) DTT was absent or present, the fusion protein could not be fully unfolded with lambda(max) < 350 nm following the treatment of 6 mol x L(-1) GdnHCl. (5) Fusion protein Trx-GcGASA experienced GdnHCl-induced denaturation process, and the unfolding equilibrium curve could be well fitted by using two-state model, giving the Gibbs free energy change (deltaG) of 3.7 kJ x mol(-1). However, it was not the case for reduced Trx-GcGASA protein. The aforementioned experimental results will not only provide some guides to investigate the effects of fusion partner Trx on the unfolding thermodynamics, kinetics and refolding process of Trx-GcGASA, but also will be useful for further studies on the strucuture of GA-induced cysteine-rich protein with the help of spectroscopic methods.

[Coherence resonance of a nonlinear neuron model].

Based on a nonlinear neuron model, the Poisson noise is used to imitate the noisy environments of neurons, and, further, the phenomenon of coherence resonance (CR) of a nonlinear neuron model subject to a voltage-gated channel noise and a random point trains synaptic noise is investigated. Based on the fractional noise theory and Euler schemes, the evolution of the membrane potential and the coefficient of variation (CV) of the interval-spike-interval of the neuron firing have been obtained. It is shown that, in the absence of external periodic signal, such CV can be decreased at a certain intensity of neurotransmitter arrivals trains lambda and a proper strength of the voltage-gated channel noise D, so that the coherence of the system is maximal and the phenomenon of CR can take place.