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A method for analysis of various biotoxins and biological modifiers based on electrospray ionization-ion mobility spectrometry (ESI-IMS) and Raman spectroscopy was established. A database of 26 kinds of white powders, including alkaloids such as aconitine and tetrodotoxin, biological modifiers such as bradykinin, substance P and their structural analogs, biotoxins such as conotoxins, α-bungarotoxin, ricin and common white powder such as salt, flour and bovine serum albumin was constructed. Six pattern recognition algorithms of linear discriminant analysis (LDA), quadratic discriminant analysis (QDA), k-nearest neighbor (kNN), naive bayesian (NB), classification tree (CT) and support vector machine (SVM) were used to classify the single spectrum and the fusion data based on this database. The results showed that the recognition accuracy of different methods was 76.0%–97.2%, among which the fusion recognition algorithm based on the SVM model achieved the highest recognition accuracy of 97.2%. Besides, the difference of recognition accuracy was analyzed in this study. This method could also distinguish multiple structural analogues of the two biological modifiers, and was suitable for the rapid identification of unknown white powder.

We sought to compare the clinical and radiologic outcomes after anterior cervical surgery between zero-profile (Zero-P) cage and plate-cage construct (PCC).One-hundred and sixteen patients with single-level cervical disk herniation who underwent anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion between May 2015 and March 2017 were enrolled. They were divided into a Zero-P group (61 cases) and a PCC group (55 cases). At 1, 6, 12, and 24 months after the operation, routine follow-up evaluation was recommended including visual analog scale score and Japanese Orthopaedic Association score. The lateral x-ray film was performed at 1 and 24 months postoperatively.All 116 patients successfully completed the operation and achieved bone fusion. While there was no significant difference in the amount of bleeding between the 2 groups, the operation time of the Zero-P group was significantly shorter than that of the PCC group with statistically difference. The visual analog scale score and Japanese Orthopaedic Association score of the 2 groups at each follow-up interval postoperatively were significantly improved compared with that before operation; the difference was statistically significant (P0.05, respectively). While all the C2-7 cervical curvature, segmental Cobb angle, and height of adjacent vertebral body were lost at the 24-month follow-up, the significant difference was observed in the Zero-P group (P0.05, respectively).Compared with the Zero-P system, the PCC system provides a comparable clinical outcome. Although it showed the disadvantages in controlling the operation time and surgical bleeding, the radiologic outcome was better at the 2-year follow-up.

Based on the density functional theory, the photocatalytic water splitting reaction has been studied over the monolayer MoS2 alloying with MoSe2, MoTe2 and WS2 under stress condition. The calculated results show that the monolayer MoS2 alloyed with MoSe2, MoTe2 and MoWS2 under the compressive stress condition can increase the band gap and improve the position of CBM (conduction band minimum) band edge to enhance the efficiency of photocatalytic water splitting. The calculated energy band and density of states show that the alloy elements form energy band instead of isolated energy level, which has little effect on carrier life.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) has a poor prognosis in spite of advanced MRI guided treatments today. Routine MRI using conventional TMRI characterization is often qualitative and lacks reproducibility. Using standardized MRI phantoms we have normalized retrospective records of 12 radioresistant GBM patients that underwent radiation therapy (RT) with concomitant and adjuvant temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy followed by serial MR imaging with gadolinium contrast.We have identified key variables like hardware, software and protocol variation and have standardized those using test phantoms at five MR systems. We suggest GBM growth during the treatment period can be linked to normalized MRI signal and its fluctuations from session to session and from magnet to magnet by using an ROI derived standard deviation that corresponds to heterogeneity of the tumor MRI signal and changes in magnetic susceptibility. The time period observed in our patient group for peak standard deviations is approximately halfway through the tumor course and may correspond to a growth of more aggressive MES subtype of cells. To model the GBM heterogeneity we performed in vitro TStandard deviation as a measure of magnetic susceptibility may be collectively linked to the changes in texture, cell fractions (biological) and trapped contrast media (vascular as well as artifactual consequences) and should be evaluated as a potential biomarker of GBM aggressiveness than the overall MRI signal intensity from a GBM.

Photocatalytic TiO2/cement composites were prepared by a smear method with a slim thread, through floating TiO2/waterproof emulsion mixture onto the pre-wet surfaces of cement pastes/mortars. The composition, microstructure, hydrophobicity, photocatalytic properties and durability of the prepared TiO2/cement composites were systematically studied. The results showed that TiO2 particles were dispersed equally on the surfaces of the cement pastes. The TiO2/cement paste composites had good hydrophobic property with contact angle of 145.2 °C. Under UV irradiation, the photocatalytic cement pastes could almost completely degrade 10 mg L−1 Rhodamine B (RhB), methylene blue (MB) and methylene orange (MO) in 50 min. After soaking in acid or alkaline solution, the photocatalytic cement pastes had better degradation performance than before soaking. Good cycling performance was achieved for the photocatalytic cement pastes. In the aspect of durability, the photocatalytic cement mortars had good water permeation resistance, chloride penetration resistance and carbonation resistance.

Tubiechong comprises mainly Eupolyphaga and Steleophaga is widely distributed in China. It has been used in the traditional medicine systems in Asian countries specially in China，Japan and Singapore for thousand years.The aim of this work is to review the scientific work about Tubiechong regarding their ethnomedicinal uses, bioactive chemical constituents and pharmacological activities.Relevant literature of Tubiechong was collected for its traditional uses, pharmacological activities, and bioactive compounds released from inception until May 2022. The online databases such as Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Scopus, SciFinder Scholar, Springer Link, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, and VIP database were used as electronic search engines for articles with the various specific keywords. Additionally, references from ancient texts and local information such as PhD and MSc theses, books, and Chinese journals were also included.The clinical researches have revealed that Tubiechong alone has been successfully used to treat bone disease, ache, sprain, herpes zoster, paronychia and so on. Tubichong's main clinical application is to form formulations with other herbs. The most widely used 34 kinds of Chinese patent medicine containing Tubiechong were included in Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2020 Edition) for the treatment of traumatic injury, low back pain, cardiovascular disease, tumors or mass and nodule, cervical spondylopathy, osteoarthritis and psoriasis. Its other derived formulas have been used in the clinical treatment of various diseases, such as blood stasis, hepatic cirrhosis, cyclomastopathy, chronic active hepatitis, nephropathy, gynaecopathia, cancer diseases. To date, the bioactive substances reported are limited to protein and peptides, fatty acids, polysaccharides and alkaloids from Eupolyphaga sinensis Walker. So far, the pharmacological activities of Tubiechong and its various extracts have been evaluated, including anticoagulant and antithrombotic, anticancer, bone repair, immunomodulation, analgesia, antioxidant, antihyperlipidemic, antimicrobial and protective and repair functions for damage to the liver, heart, brain and skin. As an edible insect, its safety has also been confirmed by acute toxicity tests and 30-day feeding trials.Tubiechong is an important insect medicine with the effect of promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, which has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years for the treatment of trauma and abdominal lumps, and has now been clinically extended to the treatment of a variety of diseases. Its multiple pharmacological activities indicate that it has great potential for development and application. However, its chemical constituents with pharmacological activity require further excavation and detailed study. In addition, the in-depth molecular pharmacological mechanisms deserve further explanation.

Objective To examine effects of percutaneous endoscopic debridement and allograft via the transforaminal approach combined with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation as treatment for single-level thoracic tuberculosis. Methods This multicenter retrospective analysis included 75 patients with single-level thoracic tuberculosis who underwent percutaneous endoscopic debridement and allograft via the transforaminal approach combined with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation and were followed for >36 months between January 2012 and December 2014. Results Follow-up was 36–48 months (average 41.1 ± 2.2 months). Intraoperative blood loss was low (average 30.5 ± 7.9 mL), and bed rest time was short (average 1.5 ± 0.3 days). No recurrence was observed in all 75 patients. Except for 3 patients, almost all patients (96%) achieved grade I or II fusion in interbody bone grafting. Segmental Cobb angle was 13.5° ± 4.1° before surgery, 10.5° ± 3.7° immediately after surgery, and 11.7° ± 3.9° at 36 months of follow-up. All patients achieved complete recovery of neurologic function (American Spinal Injury Association grade E), including 15 patients with spinal cord injury (American Spinal Injury Association grade D) before surgery. The visual analog scale and 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey scores significantly improved at 1, 3, 12, and 36 months of follow-up. No complications related to internal fixation occurred within the follow-up period; complication rate was 9.0%. Conclusions Median follow-up clinical experience with percutaneous endoscopic debridement and allograft via the transforaminal approach combined with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation indicates that the technique is safe, effective, feasible, and minimally invasive.

An N-doped MnO/rGO composite (N-MnO/rGO) was successfully fabricated by a one-step hydrothermal method in which histidine and potassium permanganate (KMnO4) reacted in water containing graphene oxide, and the product was then calcinated in a nitrogen (N2) atmosphere. The N-MnO/rGO presents an excellent lithium-storage capability. It shows a high reversible specific capacity of 1020 mA h g−1 at a current density of 200 mA g−1 after 150 cycles and 760 mA h g−1 at a current density of 500 mA g−1 after 200 cycles. Meanwhile, the N-MnO/rGO sample presents a stable rate capability from 100 to 2000 mA g−1. Even at 2000 mA g−1, the electrode delivers 335 mA h g−1, which is higher than the capability for the pure MnO particles and rGO sheets. The outstanding electrochemical performances of the N-MnO/rGO electrodes may be attributed to the combined effect of the rGO with N-doping that can effectively buffer the large volume expansion of the MnO particles and can enhance the transport rates of lithium ions and electrons during lithium cycling.

p-Nitrophenol is usually present in ammonia-rich wastewaters produced by some chemical plants. In this work, the response of anammox process to long-term p-nitrophenol stress was investigated. The changes in the efficiency, sludge characteristics, and microorganisms of the anammox system under different levels of p-nitrophenol stress were examined, and the potential stress mechanisms of p-nitrophenol on anammox were further speculated. The results showed that 10-50 mg/L p-nitrophenol had no obvious impact on nitrogen removal efficiency, but stimulated the secretion of more extracellular polymeric substances. 60 mg/L p-nitrophenol caused the nitrogen removal efficiency to decrease by 64.5% in 5 days. Long-term exposure to p-nitrophenol led to 8.6% reduction in Candidatus_Kuenenia abundance and 18.4%-35.9% decrease in the expression level of anammox bacterial functional genes. Molecular simulation indicated that p-nitrophenol could bind to key enzymes of anammox. This study provides new insights into the treatment of wastewater containing p-nitrophenol or phenol by anammox.

NiO-ZnO/RGO composite was obtained by the annealing of an Ni (OH) 2 -Zn (OH) 2 /RGO precursor, which has been fabricated by in situ ultrasonic agitation. Moreover, the NiO-ZnO nanoflakes are evenly distributed on the RGO sheets based on the scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) characterization results. When the NiO-ZnO/RGO composite was used as an anode material in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the electrodes exhibited a high reversible capacity of 1017 mA h/g at a current density of 100 mA/g after 200 cycles and a specific capacity of 458 mA h/g at 500 mA/g even after 400 cycles. The electrode even reached a capacity of 185 mA h/g at a current density of 2000 mA/g. The excellent electrochemical properties of the NiO-ZnO/RGO composite might be attributable to the NiO-ZnO nanoflakes offering rich electrochemical reaction sites and shortening the diffusion length for lithium ion (Li + ), as well as the RGO sheets improving the transfer rates of Li + and electron during the charge-discharge process.