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Lei Tang,1,2,* Ce-Gang Fu,1,3,* Zhen-Yu Zhou,1,2 Si-Yu Jia,1 Zheng-Qiang Liu,1 Yun-Xiang Xiao,1 Hai-Dan Chen,1,2 Hui-Li Cai4 1Department of Spinal Surgery, Yichang Central People’s Hospital, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, People’s Republic of China; 2Graduate School, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Orthopedics, Haikou Orthopedic and Diabetes Hospital, Haikou Orthopedic and Diabetes Hospital of Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital, Haikou, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Hematology, Yichang Central People’s Hospital, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Hai-Dan Chen, Department of Spinal Surgery, Yichang Central People’s Hospital, China Three Gorges University, 183 Yiling Road, Yichang, 443003, Hubei Province, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 18086220025, Email chensxudylc@126.com Hui-Li Cai, Department of Hematology, Yichang Central People’s Hospital, China Three Gorges University, 183 Yiling Road, Yichang, 443003, Hubei Province, People’s Republic of China, Email caihuilitlzctg@163.comPurpose: The appropriate management of spinal tuberculosis (TB) is challenging for clinicians and the key to treat spinal TB. Surgery and long course anti-TB chemotherapy may not be necessary to all situations. This study aimed to characterize the clinical features and factors affecting treatment outcomes.Patients and Methods: A retrospective study of patients with spinal TB over a 5-year period at a teaching hospital in central China was conducted. Features of patients with spinal TB who received different treatment modalities and factors associated with patient outcomes at the end of chemotherapy were analyzed.Results: Forty-five patients (21 men and 24 women) with spinal TB were available for analysis. The mean age was 55.39 ± 14.94 years. The most common vertebral area involved was the lumbar (42.2%). The mean number of vertebrae involved was 2.20 ± 0.59. 27 patients (60.0%) received surgical treatment, of which 21 (77.8%) received radical surgical treatment. Thirty-five patients (77.8%) had achieved a favorable status. Statistically, there was no significant correlation between favorable status and surgery, but among 27 surgical patients with spinal tuberculosis, patients receiving radical surgery tended to achieve good prognosis (P = 0.010; odds ratio = 0.053; 95% confidence interval 0.006– 0.493). Moreover, there was no significant difference between long course and short course of anti-TB chemotherapy in prognosis in different treatment modalities.Conclusion: Although the patients with spinal TB who needed surgical treatment often got a better prognosis when they had radical surgery, surgery was not actually a factor for the favorable outcomes of patients with spinal TB. In different treatment modalities, there was no additional benefit in longer anti-TB chemotherapy periods.Keywords: surgical treatment, duration of anti-TB chemotherapy, retrospective study, outcome, spine, tuberculosis

Background: Despite advancements in diabetes treatment, the management of Painful Diabetic Neuropathy (PDN) remains challenging. Our previous research indicated a significant correlation between the expression and distribution of Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) in the spinal glymphatic system and PDN. However, the potential role and mechanism of liquiritin in PDN treatment remain uncertain., Methods: This study established a rat model of PDN using a combination of low-dose Streptozotocin (STZ) and a high-fat, high-sugar diet. Rats were treated with liquiritin and MCC950 (an NLRP3 inhibitor). We monitored fasting blood glucose, body weight, and mechanical allodynia periodically. The glymphatic system's clearance function was evaluated using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and changes in proteins including NLRP3, MMP-9, and AQP4 were detected through immunofluorescence and Western blot techniques., Results: The rats with painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) demonstrated several physiological changes, including heightened mechanical allodynia, compromised clearance function within the spinal glymphatic system, altered distribution of AQP4, increased count of activated astrocytes, elevated expression levels of NLRP3 and MMP-9, and decreased expression of AQP4. However, following treatment with liquiritin and MCC950, these rats exhibited notable improvements., Conclusion: Liquiritin may promote the restoration of AQP4 polarity by inhibiting NLRP3 and MMP-9, thereby enhancing the clearance functions of the spinal cord glymphatic system in PDN rats, alleviating the progression of PDN., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Jia, Yin, Xu, Li, Yan and Lin.)

Objective: Hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation (HSR) cause inflammatory responses in the gastrointestinal tract and is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality rates. Hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), a gasotransmitter with pleiotropic activity, exhibits anti-inflammatory benefits at physiological levels. However, deleterious effects are observed when its concentration increases. In this investigation, we employed a mouse model of HSR to examine the effects of an H 2 S scavenger on the gastrointestinal tract and brain, with emphasis on N-Methyl-d-Aspartate (NMDA) receptor function., Methods: Mice were immediately administered dl-propargylglycine (PAG) intragastrically as an H 2 S scavenger after HSR exposure. The O-maze and buried beads tests were used to assess compulsive- and anxiety-like behaviors. Pathological changes in the intestine were evaluated at 24 and 30 days after HSR. Subsequently, at 30 days after HSR, we examined electrophysiological and pathological changes in the amygdala., Results: Within 24 h of HSR exposure, animals treated with PAG showed significantly lower colonic injury. Additionally, compared to the HSR-treated mice 30 days after HSR, the PAG-treated mice displayed reduced buried beads, increased open-arm time, lower blood levels of Diamine Oxidase (DAO) and considerably improved ZO-1 intensity, a stronger association between the delta rhythm phase and beta activity amplitude, and lower neuroinflammatory response in the amygdala. MK-801, an NMDA receptor inhibitor, significantly reversed H 2 S-induced intestinal and cerebral injury., Conclusion: This experimental data suggests that H 2 S-induced excessive activation of NMDA receptors contributes to anxiety- and compulsive-like behaviors caused by HSR., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Background: Although liver metabolic dysfunction has been found to potentially elevate susceptibility to cognitive impairment and dementia, there is still insufficient evidence to explore the non-linear association of liver enzymes with cognitive performance. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate the non-linear relationship between liver enzymes and cognitive performance., Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 2764 individuals aged ≥ 60 who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES) between 2011 and 2014 were included. The primary data comprised liver enzyme levels (alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), AST/ALT ratio, and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT)), and cognitive performance was the major measured outcome. The associations were analyzed using weighted multivariate logistic regression, subgroup analysis, a generalized additive model, smooth fitting curves, and threshold effects., Results: The results of the fully adjusted model indicated that ALP was negatively associated with the animal fluency test (AFT) score (OR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.11-1.98), whereas ALT demonstrated a positive association with the consortium to establish a registry for Alzheimer's disease (CERAD) test score (OR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.53-0.97). Additionally, the AST/ALT ratio was negatively associated with the global cognitive test (OR = 2.39, 95% CI: 1.53-3.73), CERAD (OR = 2.61, 95% CI: 1.77-3.84), and digit symbol substitution test (DSST) scores (OR = 2.51, 95% CI: 1.57-4.02). GGT was also negatively associated with the AFT score (OR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.01-1.33) in unadjusted model. A non-linear relationship was observed between liver enzymes and the risk of cognitive impairment as assessed by the global cognitive test. Specifically, when ALP > 60 U/L, 0.77 < AST/ALT < 1.76, and 25 < GGT < 94 U/L, higher liver enzyme levels were significantly associated with an elevated cognitive impairment risk, while a lower cognitive impairment risk when ALT level was > 17 U/L., Conclusions: There is a non-linear relationship between liver enzymes and cognitive performance, indicating that liver enzyme levels should be maintained within a certain level to mitigate the risk of cognitive impairment., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2024 Zhang et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Peri-operative hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation (HSR), a severe traumatic stress, is closely associated with post-operative anxiety, depression, and cognitive dysfunction, subsequently causing a serious burden on families and society. Following the co-release of corticotropin-releasing factor and catecholamine, traumatic stress activates dopaminergic neurons, increasing the addictive behavior and neurocognitive impairment risks. This study investigates the association between cognitive dysfunction and dopaminergic neurons in the mPFC under HSR conditions. This study established an HSR model by bleeding and re-transfusion in the mice. After HSR exposure, a dopamine D1 receptor antagonist, SKF-83566, was administered intraperitoneally for three consecutive days. Novel object recognition (NOR), conditioned fearing (FC), and conditioned place preference (CPP) were used to assess cognitive changes 16 days after HSR exposure. Local field potential (LFP) in the mPFC was also investigated during the novel object exploration. Compared with the mice exposed to sham, there was a significant decrease in the object recognition index, a reduction in context- and tone-related freezing time, an increase in CPP values, a downregulation of β-power but upregulation of γ-power in the mPFC in the mice exposed to HSR. Moreover, the mice exposed to HSR showed significantly upregulated TH-positive cell number, cleaved caspase-1- and TH-positive cells, and interleukin (IL)-1β/18 expression in the mPFC compared with sham; SKF-83566 could partially reverse these alternations. The HSR caused excessive dopaminergic signaling and cognitive dysfunction in the mPFC, a condition that might be ameliorated using a dopamine D1 receptor inhibitor., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: Etomidate can induce myoclonus with an incidence of 50 ~ 85% during anesthesia induction. Dexamethasone, as a long-acting synthetic glucocorticoid, has neuroprotective effects. However, the effects of dexamethasone on the etomidate-induced myoclonus remain uncertain., Methods: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to receive etomidate (1.5 mg/kg) plus dexamethasone (4 mg/kg) (etomidate plus dexamethasone group) or etomidate (1.5 mg/kg) plus the same volume of normal saline (NS) (etomidate plus NS group). The mean behavioral scores, local field potentials and muscular tension were recorded to explore the effects of dexamethasone on etomidate-induced myoclonus. Liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometric system (LC-MS/MS), quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and western blotting were applied to analyze the levels of glutamate and γ -aminobutyric acid (GABA), the mRNA and protein expression of excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs), and plasma corticosterone levels at different time points after anesthesia., Results: Compared with the etomidate plus NS treatment, the etomidate plus dexamethasone treatment significantly decreased the mean behavioral score at 1, 3, 4, and 5 min after administration; the peak power spectral density (PSD) ( p  = 0.0197) in the analysis of ripple waves; and the glutamate level ( p  = 0.0139) in the neocortex. However, compared with etomidate plus NS, etomidate plus dexamethasone increased the expression of the neocortical proteins of EAAT1 ( p  = 0.0207) and EAAT2 ( p  = 0.0022) and aggravated the inhibition of corticosterone at 4 h ( p  = 0.0019), 5 h ( p  = 0.0041), and 6 h ( p  = 0.0009) after administration., Conclusion: Dexamethasone can attenuate the myoclonus, inhibit the glutamate accumulation, and reverse the suppression of EAATs in the neocortex induced by etomidate following myoclonus, while conversely aggravating etomidate-induced adrenal suppression., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Feng, Zhang, Jia, Guo and Jia.)

Impaired long-term memory, a complication of traumatic stress including hemorrhage shock and resuscitation (HSR), has been reported to be associated with multiple neurodegenerations. The ventral tegmental area (VTA) participates in both learned appetitive and aversive behaviors. In addition to being prospective targets for the therapy of addiction, depression, and other stress-related diseases, VTA glutamatergic neurons are becoming more widely acknowledged as powerful regulators of reward and aversion. This study revealed that HSR exposure induces memory impairments and decreases the activation in glutamatergic neurons, and decreased β power in the VTA. We also found that optogenetic activation of glutamatergic neurons in the VTA mitigated HSR-induced memory impairments, and restored β power. Moreover, hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), a gasotransmitter with pleiotropic roles, has neuroprotective functions at physiological concentrations. In vivo, H 2 S administration improved HSR-induced memory deficits, elevated c-fos-positive vesicular glutamate transporters (Vglut2) neurons, increased β power, and restored the balance of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate in the VTA. This work suggests that glutamatergic neuron stimulation via optogenetic assay and exogenous H 2 S may be useful therapeutic approaches for improving memory deficits following HSR., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest All authors certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest,or non-financial competing interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript by any of the authors., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Abnormal activation of astrocytes in the amygdala contributes to anxiety after hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation (HSR). Nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB)-associated epigenetic reprogramming of astrocytic activation is crucial to anxiety. A bioactive monomer derived from Epimedium icariin (ICA) has been reported to modulate NF-κB signaling and astrocytic activation., Purpose: The present study aimed to investigate the effects of ICA on post-HSR anxiety disorders and its potential mechanism of action., Methods: We first induced HSR in mice through a bleeding and re-transfusion model and selectively inhibited and activated astrocytes in the amygdala using chemogenetics. Then, ICA (40 mg/kg) was administered by oral gavage once daily for 21 days. Behavioral, electrophysiological, and pathological changes were assessed after HSR using the light-dark transition test, elevated plus maze, recording of local field potential (LFP), and immunofluorescence assays., Results: Exposure to HSR reduced the duration of the light chamber and attenuated open-arm entries. Moreover, HSR exposure increased the theta oscillation power in the amygdala and upregulated NF-κB p65, H3K27ac, and H3K4me3 expression. Contrarily, chemogenetic inhibition of astrocytes significantly reversed these changes. Chemogenetic inhibition in astrocytes was simulated by ICA, but chemogenetic activation of astrocytes blocked the neuroprotective effects of ICA., Conclusion: ICA mitigated anxiety-like behaviors induced by HSR in mice via inhibiting astrocytic activation, which is possibly associated with NF-κB-induced epigenetic reprogramming., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest All authors certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest, or non-financial competing interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript by any of the authors., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Graptolites, fossils significant for evolutionary studies and shale gas exploration, are traditionally identified visually by taxonomists due to their intricate morphologies and preservation challenges. Artificial intelligence (AI) holds great promise for transforming such meticulous tasks. In this paper, we demonstrate that graptolites can be identified with taxonomist accuracy using a deep learning model. We construct the most sophisticated and largest professional single organisms image dataset to date, which is composed of >34,000 images of 113 graptolite species annotated at pixel-level resolution to train the model, develop, and evaluate deep learning networks to classify graptolites. The model's performance surpassed taxonomists in accuracy, time, and generalization, achieving 86% and 81% accuracy in identifying graptolite genus and species, respectively. This AI-based method, capable of recognizing minute morphological details better than taxonomists, can be integrated into web and mobile apps, extending graptolite identification beyond research institutes and enhancing shale gas exploration efficiency., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2023 The Authors.)

Background: Visually evaluating liver function is a hot topic in hepatology research. There are few reliable and practical visualization methods for evaluating the liver function in vivo in experimental studies. In this study, we established a multimodal imaging approach for in vivo liver function evaluation and compared healthy mice with chronic alcoholic liver injury (cALI) model mice to explore its potential applicability in experimental research., Methods: In vivo fluorescence imaging (IVFI) technology was utilized to visually represent the clearance of indocyanine green from the liver of both healthy mice and mice with cALI. The reserve liver function was evaluated via IVFI using the Cy5.5-galactosylated polylysine probe, which targets the asialoglycoprotein receptor of hepatocytes. Hepatic microcirculation was assessed through laser speckle perfusion imaging of hepatic blood perfusion. The liver microstructure was then investigated by in vivo confocal laser endomicroscopy imaging. Finally, hepatic asialoglycoprotein receptor expression, histology, and the levels of serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were measured., Results: In vivo multimodal imaging results intuitively and dynamically showed that indocyanine green clearance [mean ± standard deviation (SD): 30.83±14.71, 95% confidence interval (CI): 20.3 to 41.35], the fluorescence signal intensity (mean ± SD: 1,217.92±117.63; 95% CI: 1,148.38 to 1,290.84) and fluorescence aggregation area (mean ± SD: 5,855.80±1,271.81; 95% CI: 5,051.57 to 6,653.88) of Cy5.5-galactosylated polylysine targeting the asialoglycoprotein receptor, and hepatic blood perfusion (mean ± SD: 1,494.86±299.33; 95% CI: 1,316.98 to 1,690.16) in model mice were significantly lower than those in healthy mice (all P<0.001). Compared to healthy mice, the model mice exhibited a significant decline in liver asialoglycoprotein receptor expression (mean ± SD: 219.03±16.34; 95% CI: 208.97 to 230.69; P<0.001), increased serum alanine aminotransferase (mean ± SD: 149.70±47.89 U/L; 95% CI: 81.75 to 128.89; P=0.01) and aspartate aminotransferase levels (mean ± SD: 106.30±36.13 U/L; 95% CI: 122.01 to 180.17; P=0.021), hepatocyte swelling and deformation, disappearance of the hepatic cord structure, partial necrosis, and disintegration of hepatocytes. The imaging features of fluorescence signals in liver regions, hepatic blood perfusion and microstructure were biologically related to hepatic asialoglycoprotein receptor expression, serum indices of liver function, and histopathology in model mice., Conclusions: Utilizing in vivo multimodal imaging technology to assess liver function is a viable approach for experimental research, providing dynamic and intuitive visual evaluations in a rapid manner., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at https://qims.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/qims-23-122/coif). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (2023 Quantitative Imaging in Medicine and Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Acupuncture can improve the symptoms of alcohol-induced bodily injury and has been accepted by the World Health Organization. In this study, in vivo fluorescence imaging (IVFI) was applied to display and evaluate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on liver function (LF) in mice with chronic alcoholic liver injury (cALI)., Methods: IVFI of the Cy5.5-galactosylated polylysine (Cy5.5-GP) probe targeting the liver asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR) and liver indocyanine green (ICG) clearance was performed to visually evaluate the effect of EA at ST36 and BL18 on liver reserve function and hepatic metabolism in mice with cALI. In addition, changes in ASGPR expression, serum indexes of LF, and hepatic morphology were observed., Results: After EA at ST36 and BL18, the ASGPR-targeted fluorescence signals (FS) in the liver increased significantly in cALI mice ( p  < 0.05) and exhibited relationships with liver ASGPR expression, liver ICG clearance, liver histology, and serum marker levels of LF in cALI mice undergoing EA intervention., Conclusions: As displayed by IVFI, EA at ST36 and BL18 appears to improve liver reserve function and inhibit the development of liver injury in mice with cALI. EA may have potential as a treatment strategy to protect against ALI.

Background: Perioperative neurocognitive disorders (PND), such as delirium and cognitive impairment, are commonly encountered complications in aged patients. The inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is aberrantly synthesized from reactive astrocytes following inflammatory stimulation and is implicated in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases. Additionally, the activation of NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is involved in PND. Herein, we aimed to investigate whether the NLRP3-GABA signaling pathway contributes to the pathogenesis of aging mice's PND., Methods: 24-month-old C57BL/6 and astrocyte-specific NLRP3 knockout male mice were used to establish a PND model via tibial fracture surgery. The monoamine oxidase-B (MAOB) inhibitor selegiline (1 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally administered once a day for 7 days after the surgery. PND, including impulsive-like behaviors and cognitive impairment, was evaluated by open field test, elevated plus maze, and fear conditioning. Thereafter, pathological changes of neurodegeneration were explored by western blot and immunofluorescence assays., Results: Selegiline administration significantly ameliorated TF-induced impulsive-like behaviors and reduced excessive GABA production in reactive hippocampal astrocytes. Moreover, astrocyte-specific NLRP3 knockout mice reversed TF-induced impulsive-like and cognitive impairment behaviors, decreased GABA levels in reactive astrocytes, ameliorated NLRP3-associated inflammatory responses during the early stage, and restored neuronal degeneration in the hippocampus., Conclusions: Our findings suggest that anesthesia and surgical procedures trigger neuroinflammation and cognitive deficits, which may be due to NLRP3-GABA activation in the hippocampus of aged mice., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background: This study aimed to analyze the predictive value of multi-slice spiral computed tomography (CT) perfusion imaging for upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension. A total of 62 patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension and 28 healthy individuals were included. The results showed that multi-slice spiral CT perfusion imaging had a significant predictive value for upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension. The vascular area, number of vascular cross-sections, and gastric coronary vein diameter (GCVD) showed high predictive values, with the vascular area having the best predictive value., Aim: To investigate the predictive accuracy of multi-slice spiral CT perfusion imaging for upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension., Methods: This study included 62 patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension (disease group) and 28 healthy individuals (control group). The disease group was further divided into two subgroups: Group A ( n = 27, bleeding) and group B ( n = 35, no bleeding). All patients underwent multi-slice spiral CT perfusion imaging at our hospital, and we compared various parameters such as liver blood flow, vein size, number of blood vessels, and blood vessel area between the two groups. We employed statistical analysis to identify factors associated with upper gastrointestinal bleeding and created a graph comparing the predictive value of different factors for bleeding., Results: We found no difference in hepatic artery (HAP) levels among the three groups (all P > 0.05). The portal vein levels in groups A and B were much lower than in the control group; group A was much lower than group B (all P < 0.05). The HAP perfusion index levels in groups A and B were much higher than in the control group; group A was much higher than group B (all P < 0.05). The portal vein diameter, splenic vein diameter, and GCVD levels in groups A and B were much higher than in the control group; those in group A were much higher than those in group B (all P < 0.05). The number of blood vessels and blood vessel area in groups A and B were much higher than in the control group; those in group A were much higher than those in group B (all P < 0.05). The statistical method showed a strong link between GCVD, number of blood vessels, blood vessel area, and upper gastrointestinal bleeding (odds ratio = 1.275, 1.346, 1.397, P < 0.05). The graph showed that GCVD, number of blood vessels, and blood vessel area could predict bleeding well, with blood vessel area having the best prediction power., Conclusion: That multi-slice spiral CT perfusion imaging can predict upper gastrointestinal bleeding well in patients with cirrhosis and high blood pressure in the portal vein. GCVD, number of blood vessels, and blood vessel area had high prediction power. The blood vessel area had the best prediction power, with an area under the curve of 0.831., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: We declare that there are no conflicts of interest., (©The Author(s) 2023. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Cognitive and memory dysfunction, a common sequela of traumatic brain injury (TBI), places a heavy social and economic burden on individuals, families, communities, and countries. Although the potent anti-tumor effects of spautin-1, a novel autophagy inhibitor, have been documented in malignant melanoma, little is known regarding its efficacy on alleviation of cognitive and memory dysfunction. Here, we describe the effect of spautin-1 administration on cognitive and memory impairment post-TBI, and reveal its underlying mechanism of action., Methods: We first induced mild TBI in mice through Feeney's weight-drop model, then immediately administered spautin-1 (10 mmol/μl, 2 μl) into the left lateral ventricle. Behavioral and pathological changes were assessed at 24 h, 7 and 30 days after TBI by analyzing neurological severity scores (NSS), novel objective recognition (NOR), Morris water maze (MWM) test, recording of local field potential (LFP), as well as western blot, and immunofluorescence assays., Results: Mild TBI not only reduced recognition index and times crossing platform, but also aggravated neuronal injury, including reduced MAP2, GAD2, VGlut2, and CHAT intensity. It also elevated activated microglia and CD86-occupied areas in TMEM119-positive cells, but suppressed θ, β, and γ oscillation power in the hippocampal CA1. However, spautin-1 administration significantly reversed these changes, whereas AC-DEVD-CHO an inhibitor of caspase-3 partially blocked the neuroprotective effects of spautin-1., Conclusion: Spautin-1 administration mitigates mild TBI-induced cognitive and memory dysfunction in mice, potentially through activation of caspase-3., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest All authors certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest, or non-financial competing interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript by any of the authors.

Micro-nano bubbles (MNBs) play important roles in the reduction of membrane fouling during membrane separation; however, such improvements are always attributed to the reduced concentration polarization on the surface of membranes and little attention has been paid on the variations of physicochemical properties of the feed caused by MNBs. In this study, the separation efficiencies of the feed containing humic acid (HA), bovine serum albumin (BSA), sodium alginate (SA) or dyes can be improved by MNBs during ultrafiltration, and the normalized fluxes can be maximally increased to 139% and 127% in the dead-end and cross-flow modes, respectively in the treatment of HA solution. We further reveal that the decreased apparent viscosity of the feed in the presence of MNBs is the key factor that enhances the normalized flux during ultrafiltration. This study gives new insight on the importance of MNBs in membrane separation and provides valuable clues for other chemical processes., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This paper introduced the research ideas and methods for the development of the national standard, "Pure moxa stick". According to the orientation of product standard and related documents, on the basis of extensive investigation and in consultation with manufacturers and experts, the problems encountered in this standard development were solved. The general technical requirements were specified in association with the basic experimental data. The technical requirements should not only conform to the current technological status of moxa sticks production, but also present a certain of innovation. The innovation of this standard lies in the concepts of the ratio of leaves to floss, the ratio of whole plant to floss, density, etc. Besides, the main technical requirements of "Pure moxa stick" have been specified, i.e. material, shape and structure, combustion characteristics, physical and chemical characteristics. The development of national standard "Pure moxa stick" contributes to the favorable exploration and practice of the standardization of traditional Chinese medicine and provides the effective reference for the further stan-dardization of acupuncture and moxibustion.

Although synthesis of oligoaniline (OANI) by persulfate and aniline has been investigated in the recent years, the impact of phenol on the synthesized soluble OANI is still not clear. In this study, our results indicate that phenol and pH mediate the production of the blue water-soluble OANI (OANI blue ) in the reaction between sodium persulfate (SPS) and aniline under alkaline conditions, and the yields of OANI blue increase with increasing concentrations of phenol and pH values. Quenching experiments rule out the contributions of SO 4 ˙ - and ˙OH to aniline oxidation and imply that the non-radical activation of SPS is an important pathway in the formation of OANI blue . MALDI-TOF-MS analysis indicates that phenol apparently inhibits the polymerization degree of aniline in that the molecular weights of OANI blue gradually decrease from 1586.4 to 684.6 when phenol is increased from 0 to 2.0 mM. FTIR and Raman analyses confirm the structure of aniline oligomers in OANI blue and indicate that phenol inhibits the phenazine-like structure in OANI blue and facilitates the transformation of benzenoid rings to quinoid rings in the oxidation products. However, simultaneous activation of SPS by phenol and aniline is likely to occur in the reaction system with the formation of PhNH˙, as indicated by DFT calculations. The high scavenging reactivity of phenol towards both PhNH 2 ˙ + and PhNH˙ implies that PhNH 2 ˙ + and PhNH˙ are not the intermediates in the formation of OANI blue . DFT calculations also reveal that apart from the one-electron transfer pathway between aniline and SPS, the two-electron transfer pathway is also likely to occur in the presence of phenol, resulting in the formation of PhNH + /PhN˙˙ without producing PhNH 2 ˙ + and PhNH˙. The produced PhNH + /PhN˙˙ intermediates then couple with aniline, PhNH + , aminophenyl sulfate and its hydrolysate to form dimers, trimers, oligomers, and eventually OANI blue . This study not only describes a novel method to prepare water-soluble OANI, but also gives new insight on the importance of phenol in the production of OANI blue .

Gangrenous cholecystitis is a kind of acute cholecystitis, whose course of disease progresses rapidly, early diagnosis is difficult and mortality is high, and clinicians are prone to misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis in clinical work.However, gangrenous cholecystitis has been ignored in various guidelines.This paper systematically summarized the pathogenesis, pathological manifestations, epidemiology, clinical diagnosis and treatment of gangrenous cholecystitis, hoping to provide a complete and clear diagnosis and treatment process for clinicians.

Thiosulfate (S 2 O 3 2- ) is an important ligand to complex metal cations, however, the reactivity of metal-thiosulfate complexes has barely been mentioned. In this study, the reactivity of the Cu(II)-S 2 O 3 2- system in the reduction of Cr(VI) was investigated. Kinetic results show that the reduction rates of Cr(VI) decrease with increasing pH values from 3.0 to 5.0, and 94.3% and 97.5% of 10 mg L -1 Cr(VI) was rapidly reduced within 1 min at pH 3.0 and within 30 min at pH 5.0, respectively at the molar ratio of Cu(II):S 2 O 3 2- of 0.05. We rule out the contributions of S species of tetrathionate (S 4 O 6 2- ) and sulfite (SO 3 2- ) to Cr(VI) reduction and point out that the produced Cu(I) in the Cu(II)-S 2 O 3 2- system is the key reductant that mediates the reduction of Cr(VI). We suggest that complexation between Cu(II) and S 2 O 3 2- with the formation of Cu II (S 2 O 3 ) 2 2- is the pre-requisite for the formation of Cu I (S 2 O 3 ) n 1-2n , which plays an important role in Cr(VI) reduction, accompanied by the re-oxidation of Cu(I) to Cu(II) by Cr(VI), achieving the rapid redox cycling of Cu(II)-Cu(I)-Cu(II). Such a redox cycle also mediates the denitrification process of NO 2 - to NH 3 /NH 4 + under weakly acidic conditions. This study enriches our understanding on the reducing reactivity of the Cu(II)-S 2 O 3 2- system and the importance of the Cu(II)-Cu(I)-Cu(II) redox cycle towards environmental oxidizing contaminants., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Aim: To observe the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central foveal thickness (CFT) repeatedly after the intravitreal injection of conbercept (IVC) for treating cystoid macular edema (CME) in branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) and explore the relationship between the duration of CME and visual outcome., Methods: Subgroup analysis was performed to compare short-term (within 90d of CME onset) and long-term (over 90d of CME onset) macular edema in BRVO. After an initial IVC, a pro re nata (PRN) strategy was performed according to the recurrence of CFT or decrease of BCVA. Analysis of variance using repeated measurements, statistical analysis following indicators including BCVA and CFT collected at baseline and 1, 3, and 6mo after IVC., Results: Among the 60 cases included in this retrospective study, 36 were short-term CME, and 24 were long-term CME. There were statistical significances between and within groups of the BCVAs at different time points ( P <0.001). The interaction was found between group and time ( P =0.006), indicating the difference in the speed of BCVA improvement between groups. In particular, the improvement speed of BCVA in the short-term CME group was faster than that in the long-term CME group. There were significant differences between and with groups of the CFT at different time points ( P <0.001). However, the interaction between group and time in relation to CFT had no significant differences ( P =0.59)., Conclusion: IVC treatment for CME following BRVO is effective and safe. The duration of CME before treatment is a significant predictor of the visual outcomes of patients with BRVO. The improvement of vision might be faster with early IVC treatment than with delayed treatment., (International Journal of Ophthalmology Press.)

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an increasing global public health concern, but its impact on the salivary proteome is still unclear. To evaluate the effect of glycemic levels in middle-aged and elderly individuals with T2DM on salivary proteomics, we compared the differences by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Unstimulated whole saliva samples from 8 T2DM patients with good glycemic control (G group, HbA1c <6.5%) and 16 patients with poor control (P group, HbA1c ≥6.5%) were analyzed by LC-MS/MS in the data-independent acquisition mode (Clinical register number: ChiCTR1900023582.). After functional annotation, cluster analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were carried out to screen and evaluate candidate proteins. A total of 5,721 proteins were quantified, while 40 proteins differed significantly. In the P group, proteins involved in oxidative stress-related processes were upregulated, whereas proteins related to salivary secretion were downregulated. The combination of thioredoxin domain-containing protein 17, zymogen granule protein 16B, and FAM3 metabolism regulating signaling molecule D yielded an area under the curve of 0.917 which showed a robust ability to distinguish the P and G groups. In conclusion, poorly controlled hyperglycemia may affect salivary proteins through various pathways, including oxidative stress and glandular secretion. Furthermore, the differentially expressed proteins, especially the three proteins with the best differentiation, might serve as an anchor point for the further study of hyperglycemia and oral diseases., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Jia, Zhang, Sun, Yuan and Zheng.)

Abstract: With the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the importance of vaccines in epidemic prevention and public health has become even more obvious than ever. However, the emergence of multiple severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 variants worldwide has raised concerns about the effectiveness of current COVID-19 vaccines. Here, we review the characteristics of COVID-19 vaccine candidates in five platforms and the latest clinical trial results of them. In addition, we further discuss future directions for the research and development of the next generation of COVID-19 vaccines. We also summarize the serious adverse events reported recently after the large-scale vaccination with the current COVID-19 vaccines, including the thromboembolism caused by the AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines., (Copyright © 2021 The Chinese Medical Association, produced by Wolters Kluwer, Inc. under the CC-BY-NC-ND license.)

COVID-19 vaccines from multiple manufacturers are needed to cope with the problem of insufficient supply. We did two single-center, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 1 and phase 2 trials to assess the safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of a recombinant COVID-19 vaccine (Sf9 cells) in healthy population aged 18 years or older in China. Eligible participants were enrolled, the ratio of candidate vaccine and placebo within each dose group was 3:1 (phase 1) or 5:1 (phase 2). From August 28, 2020, 168 participants were sequentially enrolled and randomly assigned to receive the low dose vaccine, high dose vaccine or placebo with the schedule of 0, 28 days or 0, 14, 28 days in phase 1 trial. From November 18, 2020, 960 participants were randomly assigned to receive the low dose vaccine, high dose vaccine or placebo with the schedule of 0, 21 days or 0, 14, 28 days in phase 2 trial. The most common solicited injection site adverse reaction within 7 days in both trials was pain. The most common solicited systematic adverse reactions within 7 days were fatigue, cough, sore throat, fever and headache. ELISA antibodies and neutralising antibodies increased at 14 days, and peaked at 28 days (phase 1) or 30 days (phase 2) after the last dose vaccination. The GMTs of neutralising antibody against live SARS-CoV-2 at 28 days or 30 days after the last dose vaccination were highest in the adult high dose group (0, 14, 28 days), with 102.9 (95% CI 61.9-171.2) and 102.6 (95% CI 75.2-140.1) in phase 1 and phase 2 trials, respectively. Specific T-cell response peaked at 14 days after the last dose vaccination in phase 1 trial. This vaccine is safe, and induced significant immune responses after three doses of vaccination., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the hemorheology and hepatic microcirculation in mice with chronic alcoholic liver injury (cALI), so as to explore the microcirculation mechanism of EA underlying regulating liver function in cALI mice., Methods: Forty Kunming mice were randomly assigned to control, model, acupoint EA and non-acupoint EA groups, with 10 mice in each group. The cALI model was established by gavage with 50% ethanol (15 mL/kg，2 times per day with 8 hours' interval) for 28 d. Mice in the acupoint EA group received EA at bilateral "Zusanli" (ST36) and "Ganshu"(GB11) for 20 min, once daily for 14 d. And mice in the non-acupoint EA group received EA the spot about 1 cm lateral to GB11 and 0.5 cm lateral to ST36 respectively for 20 min, once daily for 14 d. The hepatic blood perfusion (HBP) of mice was detected by laser speckle perfusion imaging. The index of hemorheology, serum markers of liver function and hepatic histology in mice were observed by automatic blood rheometer, automatic bio-analysis machine and H.E. staining, respectively., Results: Compared with the control group, the HBP of the model group was significantly decreased ( P <0.05); the low-cut whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, and erythrocyte sedimentation level were significantly increased （ P <0.05）, and the red blood cell deformation index was significantly decreased ( P <0.05); serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) increased significantly ( P <0.05) in the model group. Hepatocyte steatosis accompanied by inflammatory cell infiltration and focal necrosis was observed in the model group. After EA at ST36 and GB11, and in comparison with the model group showed that the HBP was significantly increased ( P <0.05); the low-cut whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and serum GGT were significantly decreased ( P <0.05), and the red blood cell deformation index was significantly increased ( P <0.05）; the degree of fatty degeneration in the liver tissue was reduced, and the focal necrosis was reduced. The plasma viscosity, erythrocyte sedimentation rate were significantly decreased ( P <0.05), and the red blood cell deformation index was significantly increased in the non-acupoint EA group relevant to the model group ( P <0.05). The erythrocyte sedimentation rate and the red blood cell deformation index of the acupoint EA group was significantly lower than that of the non-acupoint EA group ( P <0.05)., Conclusion: EA at ST36 and GB11 could improve the hemorheological disorder and the hepatic microcirculation, and inhibit the deve-lopment of liver injury in cALI mice.

Objectives: Type III Interferons, interleukin (IL)-29 and IL-28A, have been implicated in the inflammatory response of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Increasing evidence suggests an important role of neutrophils in the pathogenesis of RA. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the expression of the receptor of these type III interferons, IL-28R1, on the neutrophils of RA patients, and further explored the roles of IL-29 and IL-28A on neutrophil activity., Methods: Neutrophils were extracted from peripheral blood of patients who met the diagnostic criteria for RA and healthy controls. The serum levels of IL-29 and IL-28A in RA patients and healthy controls were examined by enzyme-linked immunoassay, and the expression of IL-28R1 on neutrophils was determined by flow cytometry. A transwell assay was performed to determine the chemotactic ability of IL-29 and IL-28A to neutrophils in RA patients., Results: The serum IL-29 but not IL-28A levels were significantly elevated in RA patients, and neither was correlated with RA disease activity. IL-28R1 levels on neutrophils were significantly (p < 0.001) elevated in patients with RA (51.85% (36.10%, 67.03%)) compared with those of healthy controls (4.13% (3.54%, 7.96%)), and IL-29 and IL-28A had a significant chemotactic effect on neutrophils from the peripheral blood of RA patients., Conclusion: IL-29 and IL-28A play an important role in regulating neutrophils which participate in the pathogenesis of RA. Therefore, inhibiting IL-29 and IL-28A may be a new therapeutic strategy for RA. Key points • The IL-28R1 levels were increased in neutrophils of RA patients, suggesting its potentially important role in the pathogenesis of RA. • IL-29 and IL-28A induce the migration of neutrophils that participate in the development of RA.

Conversion of aniline wastes to value-added products is always a promising method to treat aniline wastewater. In this study, a selective oxidation of aniline contaminants by Bi 2·15 WO 6 was carried out under visible light and alkaline conditions. Kinetic results show that the oxidation rates of aniline increase with increasing pH values under visible light. UV-vis absorption spectra and GC-MS analysis confirm that azobenzene is the primary oxidation product with aminophenol and N,N'-diphenylhydrazine as the secondary products. The analyses from Mott-Schottky, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), transient photocurrent and photoluminescence (PL) further indicate that OH - promotes the separation and transfer of photogenerated electron-hole pairs on the surface of Bi 2·15 WO 6 , thus facilitating oxidation of aniline. Quenching experiments and electron spin resonance (ESR) analysis confirm that h + is the predominant specie in the Bi 2·15 WO 6 system and aniline radical cation (PhNH 2 •+ ) is an important intermediate. The Hammett and ΔBDE N-H plots further reveal that e - abstraction from aniline with the formation of PhNH 2 •+ , followed by H + abstraction from PhNH 2 •+ with the formation of anilino radicals (PhNH • ), is the prerequisite for the formation of N,N'-diphenylhydrazine, which is then oxidized to azobenzene via the hydrogen-abstraction pathway. This work provides a cost-effective method to selectively oxidize aniline to azobenzene., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To evaluate and share the novel method for recruiting participants in clinical trials of vaccines in emergency situations. Methods: To publish recruitment notice in local areas of Wuhan through websites and medium, and guide interested persons to log in to the"Clinical Trials of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Reservation and Health Declaration System"to appoint and register their health information. The "Health Declaration System" provides each volunteer evaluation and risk levels to preliminarily exclude those who do not meet the inclusion criteria. Researchers review the qualified volunteers by telephone, organize them to go to the vaccination site, and finally conduct a strict medical screening to determine the final subjects. Results: A total of 4 819 people and 5 132 people registered in the Phase Ⅰ and Phase Ⅱ recruitment system respectively, with men 2 912 (60.43%) and 2 887 (56.25%) more than women 1 907 (39.57%) and 2 245 (43.75%), mostly in the 20-39 age group, with 3 211 (66.63%) and 3 966 (77.28%). All 13 districts in Wuhan have interested residents to participate clinical research.The initial qualified rate of the Phase Ⅱ recruitment system was higher than that of Phase Ⅰ, with men 2 047 (70.28%) and 2 135(73.95%), higher than women 1 083 (56.80%) and 1 472 (65.57%); 440 and 689 people were reviewed by telephone in Phase Ⅰ and Phase Ⅱ respectively, and the number of verified volunteers was about 440 (35.00%) and 689 (67.20%); Of the 201 603 people who arrived at the vaccination site, 12 and 26 of them were positive for the SARS-CoV-2 antibody with an antibody positive rate of 6.00% and 4.31% respectively. Conclusion: The novel method for recruiting subjects in this clinical study is efficient and reliable, and the recruitment situation of Phase Ⅰ had set a good example for Phase Ⅱ but the medium-and long-term compliance of subjects and the separation of willingness and behaviors still need to be further studied.

Background: This is the first randomised controlled trial for assessment of the immunogenicity and safety of a candidate non-replicating adenovirus type-5 (Ad5)-vectored COVID-19 vaccine, aiming to determine an appropriate dose of the candidate vaccine for an efficacy study., Methods: This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial of the Ad5-vectored COVID-19 vaccine was done in a single centre in Wuhan, China. Healthy adults aged 18 years or older, who were HIV-negative and previous severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection-free, were eligible to participate and were randomly assigned to receive the vaccine at a dose of 1 × 10 11 viral particles per mL or 5 × 10 10 viral particles per mL, or placebo. Investigators allocated participants at a ratio of 2:1:1 to receive a single injection intramuscularly in the arm. The randomisation list (block size 4) was generated by an independent statistician. Participants, investigators, and staff undertaking laboratory analyses were masked to group allocation. The primary endpoints for immunogenicity were the geometric mean titres (GMTs) of specific ELISA antibody responses to the receptor binding domain (RBD) and neutralising antibody responses at day 28. The primary endpoint for safety evaluation was the incidence of adverse reactions within 14 days. All recruited participants who received at least one dose were included in the primary and safety analyses. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04341389., Findings: 603 volunteers were recruited and screened for eligibility between April 11 and 16, 2020. 508 eligible participants (50% male; mean age 39·7 years, SD 12·5) consented to participate in the trial and were randomly assigned to receive the vaccine (1 × 10 11 viral particles n=253; 5 × 10 10 viral particles n=129) or placebo (n=126). In the 1 × 10 11 and 5 × 10 10 viral particles dose groups, the RBD-specific ELISA antibodies peaked at 656·5 (95% CI 575·2-749·2) and 571·0 (467·6-697·3), with seroconversion rates at 96% (95% CI 93-98) and 97% (92-99), respectively, at day 28. Both doses of the vaccine induced significant neutralising antibody responses to live SARS-CoV-2, with GMTs of 19·5 (95% CI 16·8-22·7) and 18·3 (14·4-23·3) in participants receiving 1 × 10 11 and 5 × 10 10 viral particles, respectively. Specific interferon γ enzyme-linked immunospot assay responses post vaccination were observed in 227 (90%, 95% CI 85-93) of 253 and 113 (88%, 81-92) of 129 participants in the 1 × 10 11 and 5 × 10 10 viral particles dose groups, respectively. Solicited adverse reactions were reported by 183 (72%) of 253 and 96 (74%) of 129 participants in the 1 × 10 11 and 5 × 10 10 viral particles dose groups, respectively. Severe adverse reactions were reported by 24 (9%) participants in the 1 × 10 11 viral particles dose group and one (1%) participant in the 5 × 10 10 viral particles dose group. No serious adverse reactions were documented., Interpretation: The Ad5-vectored COVID-19 vaccine at 5 × 10 10 viral particles is safe, and induced significant immune responses in the majority of recipients after a single immunisation., Funding: National Key R&D Programme of China, National Science and Technology Major Project, and CanSino Biologics., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: A vaccine to protect against COVID-19 is urgently needed. We aimed to assess the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of a recombinant adenovirus type-5 (Ad5) vectored COVID-19 vaccine expressing the spike glycoprotein of a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) strain., Methods: We did a dose-escalation, single-centre, open-label, non-randomised, phase 1 trial of an Ad5 vectored COVID-19 vaccine in Wuhan, China. Healthy adults aged between 18 and 60 years were sequentially enrolled and allocated to one of three dose groups (5 × 10 10 , 1 × 10 11 , and 1·5 × 10 11 viral particles) to receive an intramuscular injection of vaccine. The primary outcome was adverse events in the 7 days post-vaccination. Safety was assessed over 28 days post-vaccination. Specific antibodies were measured with ELISA, and the neutralising antibody responses induced by vaccination were detected with SARS-CoV-2 virus neutralisation and pseudovirus neutralisation tests. T-cell responses were assessed by enzyme-linked immunospot and flow-cytometry assays. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04313127., Findings: Between March 16 and March 27, 2020, we screened 195 individuals for eligibility. Of them, 108 participants (51% male, 49% female; mean age 36·3 years) were recruited and received the low dose (n=36), middle dose (n=36), or high dose (n=36) of the vaccine. All enrolled participants were included in the analysis. At least one adverse reaction within the first 7 days after the vaccination was reported in 30 (83%) participants in the low dose group, 30 (83%) participants in the middle dose group, and 27 (75%) participants in the high dose group. The most common injection site adverse reaction was pain, which was reported in 58 (54%) vaccine recipients, and the most commonly reported systematic adverse reactions were fever (50 [46%]), fatigue (47 [44%]), headache (42 [39%]), and muscle pain (18 [17%]. Most adverse reactions that were reported in all dose groups were mild or moderate in severity. No serious adverse event was noted within 28 days post-vaccination. ELISA antibodies and neutralising antibodies increased significantly at day 14, and peaked 28 days post-vaccination. Specific T-cell response peaked at day 14 post-vaccination., Interpretation: The Ad5 vectored COVID-19 vaccine is tolerable and immunogenic at 28 days post-vaccination. Humoral responses against SARS-CoV-2 peaked at day 28 post-vaccination in healthy adults, and rapid specific T-cell responses were noted from day 14 post-vaccination. Our findings suggest that the Ad5 vectored COVID-19 vaccine warrants further investigation., Funding: National Key R&D Program of China, National Science and Technology Major Project, and CanSino Biologics., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Bi2+xWO6 is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly photocatalyst that shows high reactivity in the oxidation of various contaminants under visible light. However, under alkaline conditions, the reactive oxidative species in the Bi2+xWO6 system are still not clear yet. In this study, it is observed that the oxidation rates of As(iii) increase with increasing pH values in the Bi2.15WO6 system. Photoluminescence and the Mott-Schottky analyses confirm that OH- promotes the separation and transfer of photogenerated electron-hole pairs over Bi2.15WO6, thus facilitating the oxidation of As(iii). Electron spin resonance spectra analysis and quenching experiments rule out contributions of •OH, O2˙-, 1O2 and superoxo species to As(iii) oxidation and indicate that surface -OOH and/or H2O2 are indeed the predominant species under alkaline conditions. The improved production of H2O2 by H-donors such as glucose and phenol, as well as the UV-vis diffuse reflectance and Raman analyses, further confirms the formation of surface -OOH on Bi2.15WO6 under alkaline conditions. In the dark, the significant higher oxidation rate of As(iii) by H2O2-Bi2.15WO6 than that by H2O2 alone reveals that surface -OOH, instead of H2O2, plays an important role in As(iii) oxidation. This study enriches our understanding of the diversity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the Bi2.15WO6 system and gives new insight into the mechanism involved in the oxidation of As(iii) under alkaline conditions.

This case examines perioperative suspension of a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order during surgery. The commentary considers the appropriateness of DNR orders; types of DNR order suspension in the context of alternative anesthesia techniques; and what is required from a surgeon, anesthesiologist, and patient or surrogate to reach a decision expressing the patient's best interest. It concludes by offering communication recommendations based on joint discussion and decision sharing., (© 2020 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved.)

Objective: To display the low hydraulic resistance channel along the running course of the Conception Vessel (CV) by using in vivo fluorography, so as to provide evidence for the existence of meridians of traditional Chinese medicine from the aspect of interstitial fluid channel., Methods: A total of 24 male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, namely CV-low impedance spots (CV-LIS), CV-low hydraulic resistance points (CV-LHRP) and non-meridian points (NMP) groups ( n ＝8 in each group). The CV-LIS (the imaged line between the xiphoid process and symphysis pubis), CV-LHRP (lateral and parallel to LIS) and NMP (lateral and parallel to CV-LHRP) were detected by using meridian detector and biofluid resistance meter, respectively. Sodium fluorescein solution (1%) was injected into the spot (A-spot, upper 1/5 of the CV-LIS), and one of the NMP (about 1 cm lateral and parallel to the A-spot, and the mid-point between the Kidney and Stomach meridian running courses) by using a microsyringe for observing the migration trace of sodium fluorescein., Results: After injection of fluorescein, the migration trace of fluorescein appeared along the CV-LIS and CV-LHRP lines, and only local diffusion was found in the NMP group. The migration trace lengths along the CV-LIS and CV-LHRP were significantly longer than that of the NMP group ( P <0.01), and the migration width of CV-LIS and CV-LHRP groups was significantly smaller than that of the NMP group ( P <0.01). The migration speed of CV-LIS and CV-LHRP groups was significantly higher than that of the NMP group ( P <0.01)., Conclusion: Fluorography is able to be used to display the running course of CV, possibly supporting the existence of meridians from the interstitial fluid channel and providing a new method for visualization of meridians.

The Mn II (HCO 3 - )-H 2 O 2 (Mn II -BAP) system shows high reactivity toward oxidation of electron-rich organic substrates; however, the predominant oxidizing species and its formation pathways involved in the Mn II -BAP system are still under debate. In this study, we used the Mn II -BAP system to oxidize As(III) in that As(III), Mn 2+ , and HCO 3 - are common components in As(III)-contaminated groundwater. Kinetic results show that Mn II (HCO 3 - ) n [including Mn II (HCO 3 ) + and Mn II (HCO 3 ) 2 ] is a key factor in the Mn II -BAP system to oxidize As(III). Quenching experiments rule out contributions of OH • and 1 O 2 to As(III) oxidation and reveal that O 2 •- and the oxidizing species generated from O 2 •- play predominant roles in the oxidation of As(III). We further reveal that the MnO 2 + (HCO 3 - ) n intermediate generated in the reaction between Mn II (HCO 3 - ) n and O 2 •- , instead of O 2 •- , is the predominant oxidizing species. Although CO 3 •- also contributes to As(III) oxidation, the high reaction rate constant between CO 3 •- and O 2 •- indicates that CO 3 •- is not the predominant oxidizing species in the As(III)-Mn II -BAP system. In addition, the presence of Mn(III) further indicates the important Mn(II)-Mn(III) cycling in the Mn II -BAP system. We therefore suggest two important roles of Mn II (HCO 3 - ) n in the Mn II -BAP system: (i) Mn II (HCO 3 - ) n reacts with H 2 O 2 to form the Mn III (HCO 3 ) 3 intermediate, followed by a subsequent reaction between Mn III (HCO 3 ) 3 and H 2 O 2 to produce O 2 •- ; (ii) Mn II (HCO 3 - ) n can also stabilize O 2 •- with the formation of MnO 2 + (HCO 3 - ) n . MnO 2 + (HCO 3 - ) n is an electrophilic reagent and plays the predominant role in the oxidation of As(III) to As(V).

We sought to compare the characteristics and clinical significance of neutrophil extracellular traps in gingival samples from patients with periodontitis and those with gingivitis. The clinical indexes of gingival samples from patients with periodontitis and gingivitis were measured; the expression of TNF-alpha and IL-8 was measured by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR; and the expression of TLR-8 and MMP-9 was measured by western blotting assays. Chemotaxis, phagocytosis and phagocytic activity of neutrophils were measured. Compared with the healthy group, the expression of TNF-α and IL-8 in the periodontitis group and the gingivitis group increased significantly (p < 0.05), and TNF-α in the gingivitis group was significantly lower than that in the healthy group (p < 0.05). The expression of IL-8 in the periodontitis group was significantly higher than that in the periodontitis group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the expression of TLR-8 and MMP-9 in the periodontitis group was different from that in the gingivitis group and the healthy group, and the expression of TLR-8 and MMP-9 in the gingivitis group was significantly different from that in the healthy group (p < 0.05). In addition, the neutrophil mobility index in healthy people was 3.02 ± 0.53, that in the periodontitis group was 2.21 ± 0.13, and that in the gingivitis group was 2.31 ± 0.12. In conclusion, the chemotaxis of neutrophils in gingival samples of patients with periodontitis and gingivitis was decreased, the phagocytotic ability and activity of neutrophils were reduced, and the release of the extracellular trap-releasing inducible factors TNF-alpha and IL-8 also declined.

Hepatolenticular degeneration, also named Wilson disease, is an autosomal recessive genetic disease that characterized by copper metabolism disorder. WD mainly caused by the dysfunction of mutant ATP7B variants. This review summaries the mechanisms that different mutations affect the function of ATP7B, including inducing the mislocalization of mutant proteins, affecting the interactions between proteins or domains, regulating catalytic activity of ATP7B, and modifying the splicing of ATP7B gene. Further more, the genotype-phenotype correlation of a few mutations has been reviewed. Several mutations, such as p.R778L, are considered to be associated with more serious clinical symptoms, and the differences in environmental, diet, and lifestyle habits may also have effects on the susceptibility or the onset age of the patients. The research of the pathogenesis and clinical characterization of ATP7B gene mutations in the molecular level helps to deepen the understanding of WD, and suggests that personalized treatments should be used in future clinical practice.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the main causes of death in oral diseases. With the development of nanotechnology, great progress has been made in the diagnosis and treatment of tumors in nanomedicine. Being able to carry drugs, nucleic acids, contrast agents, and so on, nano-medical technology can effectively reduce the toxicity of nano-carried materials while playing a drug role. Nano-drug delivery system can help diagnosis and treatment of OSCC. In the chemotherapy of OSCC, nano-drug delivery system can significantly increase the anti-tumor activity of drugs in drug-resistant strains resistant to chemotherapy and can achieve good curative effect. We summarized the research progress of nano-drug delivery system in OSCC by reviewing relevant literature, so as to provide some reference for relevant clinicians.

Schwertmannite (Sch), a poorly crystalline iron mineral, shows high sorption capacity to As(V). In this study, the effects of UV irradiation and oxalate on the dissolution of pure Sch, Sch with adsorbed As(V) [Sch*-As(V)] and subsequent mobilization of As(V) were investigated at pH 3.0. Under UV irradiation, the dissolved Fe(II) took the majority of the total dissolved Fe during the dissolution of Sch and Sch*-As(V). In the presence of oxalate, Fe(III)-oxalate complexes formed on Sch [or Sch*-As(V)] could be converted into Fe(II)-oxalate by photo-generated electrons under UV illumination, and more total dissolved Fe produced compared to that without oxalate. In the dark, total dissolved Fe reached the maximum value (42.64 mg L -1 for Sch) rapidly and existed as Fe(III) predominately. In addition, UV irradiation has almost no effect on the mobilization of As(V) in Sch*-As(V) in the absence of oxalate. However, in the presence of oxalate, UV irradiation resulted in the mobilization of As(V) declined by 14-36.5 times compared to that in the dark. This study enhanced our understanding on the mobilization of As(V), and UV irradiation could contribute to the immobilization of As(V) on Sch in the aquatic environments containing oxalate., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Depression is a common comorbidity in Parkinson's disease (PD) but is underdiagnosed. We aim to investigate the altered metabolic pathways of Parkinson's disease-related depression (PDD) in plasma and to identify potential biomarkers for clinical diagnosis. Consecutive patients with PD were recruited, clinically assessed, and patients with PDD identified. Fasting plasma samples were collected from 99 patients and differentially expressed metabolites and proteins between patients with PDD and PD were identified using non-targeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based metabolomics and tandem mass tag (TMT)-based proteomics analysis, followed by an integrated analysis. Based on the above results, enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA) tests were then performed to identify potential biomarkers for PDD. In clinics, patients with PDD suffered less hypertension and had lower serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein B levels when compared to the other patients with PD. A total of 85 differentially expressed metabolites were identified in metabolomics analysis. These metabolites were mainly lipids and lipid-like molecules, involved in lipid and glucose metabolic pathways. According to proteomics analysis, 17 differentially expressed proteins were identified, and 12 metabolic pathways were enriched, which were predominantly related to glucose metabolism. Integrated analysis indicated that altered lipid and glucose metabolism in PDD may induce cellular injury through oxidative stress. Additionally, plasma levels of several proteins were confirmed to be significantly altered and correlated with depressive severity. NOTCH2 may be a potential blood biomarker for PDD, with an optimal cut-off point of 0.91 ng/ml, a sensitivity value of 95.65%, and a specificity value of 81.58%. Depressive symptoms are associated with lipid and glucose metabolism in patients with PD and NOTCH2 may be a potential blood biomarker for the clinical diagnosis of PDD.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is defined as an irresistible urge to move the legs, which is usually accompanied by paresthesias or dysesthesias at least twice weekly, and affects 2%-4% of adults in Europe and North America. This systematic review assesses the current complementary and alternative options for RLS and the potential benefits of those treatments on sleep quality, mood disorder, and quality of life. A systematic search of the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases was conducted. Eighteen studies met the inclusion criterion, which included the use of the international RLS study group criteria. Complementary and alternative therapies have been found to be effective in both primary and secondary RLS. The severity of primary RLS symptoms can be significantly ameliorated by exercise training, transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation, pneumatic compression devices, light therapy, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, and acupuncture. Pneumatic compression devices and yoga also improve RLS-related disorders. Exercise training is highly efficacious in the reduction of symptom severity in uremic RLS and related effects such as poor quality of life. Endovenous laser ablation may be a good choice for patients with concurrent RLS and superficial venous insufficiency., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Due to the tumor malignancy or immunosuppressive treatment, patients with cancer in general are more susceptible to vaccine-preventable infections. The types, timing, dose of vaccination or even the immunization program for them may differ from those for the normal persons. At present, it is recommended to use inactivated vaccines for patients with cancer rather than attenuated live vaccines, Vaccinations should be avoided during immunosuppressive therapy; patients with cancer should receive double dosage of hepatitis B vaccines and two doses of inactivated influenza vaccines yearly. This paper summarizes the progress in clinical trials of vaccination for cancer patients in foreign countries, and provide reference for the development and implementation of vaccination strategy for cancer patients in China.

Parkinson's disease (PD), a progressive and age-related neurodegenerative condition, is a common neurodegenerative disorder. However, no validated biomarkers for PD have been identified to date. Accumulating evidence supports the role of proNGF-p75NTR-sortilin signaling in the neurodegeneration and pathogenesis of PD. The aim of our study was to investigate alterations in serum proNGF concentrations in PD patients and related anxiety. Seventy-seven consecutive PD patients and 39 healthy controls were enrolled, and clinical data were collected. Modified Hoehn-Yahr Staging Scale, Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), and Hamilton Anxiety (HAMA) Scale scores were assessed upon admission. Serum proNGF concentration was compared between that of PD patients and healthy controls. Pearson correlation coefficients were determined to explore the relationship between proNGF concentration and UPDRS, Hoehn-Yahr, and HAMA scores. Received operating characteristic (ROC) curves and proNGF optimal cutoff point were used to distinguish PD and related anxiety. The median concentration of proNGF was significantly lower (p = 0.000) in PD patients (94.91 ng/L, range 85.92-118.06 ng/L) compared with that of healthy controls (106.67 ng/L, range 102.39-122.06 ng/L). The optimal proNGF cutoff point for distinguishing PD patients was 102.29 ng/L, and the sensitivity and specificity values were 87.0 and 100%, respectively. proNGF concentration positively correlated with UPDRS (r = 0.281, p = 0.013), Hoehn-Yahr (r = 0.260, p = 0.023), and HAMA (r = 0.276, p = 0.015) scores. Our results indicate that serum proNGF concentration may represent a biomarker for PD and its role in the pathogenesis of PD thus warrants further investigation.

Study Objective: To explore how pushing during labor and body mass index affect the development of postdural puncture headache in parturients who experienced dural puncture with Tuohy needles., Design: Retrospective cohort., Setting: Obstetric ward and operating rooms at a university-affiliated hospital., Patients: One hundred ninety parturients who had witnessed dural puncture with 17 or 18 gauge Tuohy needles from 1999-2014., Interventions: Patients were categorized by pushing status and body mass index (kg/m 2 ): nonobese <30, obese 30-39.99, morbidly obese 40-49.99, and super obese ≥50., Measurements: Headache, number of days of headache, maximum headache score, and epidural blood patch placement., Main Results: Compared with women who did not push, women who pushed during labor had increased risk of postdural puncture headache (odds ratio [OR], 2.1 [1.1-4.0]; P=.02), more days of headache (P=.02), and increased epidural blood patch placement (P=.02). Super obese patients were less likely to develop headache compared with nonobese (OR, 0.33 [0.13-0.85]; P=.02), obese (OR, 0.37 [0.14-0.98]; P=.045], and morbidly obese patients (OR, 0.20 [0.05-0.68]; P<.01). In a multivariate logistic regression model, lack of pushing (OR, 0.57 [0.29-1.10]; P=.096) and super obesity (OR, 0.41 [0.16-1.02]; P=.056] were no longer significantly associated with reduced risk of postdural puncture headache., Conclusions: Parturients who did not push before delivery and parturients with body mass index ≥50kg/m 2 were less likely to develop postdural puncture headache in a univariate analysis. Similar trends were demonstrated in a multivariate model, but were no longer statistically significant., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective To observe the effect of needle embedded in Neiguan (PC6) on electro- cardiogram (ECG) changes in model mini-pigs with chronic myocardial ischemia. Methods The protein shrink narrow ring (Ameroid Ring) was placed in the proximal part of the left coronary anterior descend- ing branch of 12 Chinese mini-pigs to prepare animal model. One died during the modeling. Chronic myo- cardial ischemia mini-pig models were established after 4 weeks. Successfully modeled 11 mini-pigs were divided into the test group (n =6) and the control group (n =5). Needle were embedded in Neiguan (PC6) of the test group and Zusanli (ST36) of the control group at week 4 after modeling. Electroacupuncture (EA) at corresponding acupoint twice (once before embedding and at week 2 after embedding) , 20 min each time. Changes of Q wave of ECG, heart rate, and ST-T interval were observed in the two groups be- fore and after modeling, before and after EA. Results Compared with before modeling in the same group, the absolute value of Q wave both increased in the two groups after modeling (P <0. 05, P <0. 01J. No statistical difference existed in heart rate in the two groups between before and after modeling (P> 0. 05). Compared with before needling in the same group, ST-T interval was prolonged in the test group (P <0. 05). Compared with the control group at the same time point, the absolute value of Q wave was re- duced before EA, ST-T interval was prolonged after EA in the test group (P <0. 05). No statistical differ- ence existed in heart rate between the control group and the test group before EA (P >0. 05). Conclusion Needle embedded in Neiguan (PC6) could arrive at therapeutic effect of myocardial ischemia possibly through improving myocardial blood supply.

Objective To report on the failure rate of spinal catheters placed following inadvertent dural puncture (IDP) compared with re-sited epidural catheters in the obstetric population. Research design and methods Patients who experienced IDP during epidural or combined spinal epidural placement with 17 or 18 gauge Tuohy needles for labor analgesia between 2003 and 2014 were identified using our post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) database. Patients were categorized into two groups: those who had spinal catheters inserted and those who had epidural catheters re-sited. Main outcome measure Failure rate associated with spinal or re-sited epidural catheters (defined as need for repeat block or alternative analgesic modality). Secondary outcomes were incidence of PDPH, need for epidural blood patch (EBP), and adverse events. Results A total of 109 patients were included in the final analysis; 79 ultimately had spinal catheters and 30 ultimately had re-sited epidural catheters. There were no differences between spinal catheters and re-sited epidural catheters in failure rate (22% vs. 13%, P = 0.33), incidence of PDPH (73% vs. 60%, P = 0.24), need for EBP (42% vs. 30%, P = 0.28), number of headache days, or maximum headache scores. There was also no difference in the rate of adverse events including high block levels, hypotension, and fetal bradycardia (9% vs. 7%, P = 1.0) between the two groups. Conclusions There were no differences in failure rates, PDPH outcomes, or adverse events between spinal catheters and re-sited epidural catheters following IDP in parturients receiving labor analgesia. Limitations of the study include its single-center retrospective non-randomized design, and the uneven number of patients in the two groups with a relatively small number in the re-sited epidural catheter group.

Abiotic oxidation of Fe(II) is an important pathway in the formation of Fe (oxyhydr)oxides. However, how can As(III) affect the oxidation rate of Fe(II) and the speciation of Fe (oxyhydr)oxides, and what's the extent of the newly formed Fe (oxyhydr)oxides on the removal of aqueous arsenic are still poorly understood. Oxidation of Fe(II) under neutral pH conditions was therefore investigated under different molar ratios of As:Fe. Our results suggest that co-existence of aqueous As(III) significantly slows down the oxidation rate of Fe(II). Speciation of Fe (oxyhydr)oxides is dependent on pH and As:Fe ratios. At pH 6.0, formation of lepidocrocite and goethite is apparently inhibited at low As:Fe ratios, and ferric arsenate is favored at high As:Fe ratios. At pH 7.0, lepidocrocite gradually degenerates with the increasing As:Fe ratios. At pH 8.0, arsenite significantly inhibits the development of magnetite and favors a formation of lepidocrocite. XPS analysis further reveals that more than half of As(III) is oxidized to As(V) at pH 6.0 and 7.0, whereas at pH 8.0, the rapid oxidation of Fe(II) as well as the rapid formation of Fe (oxyhydr)oxides facilitate a rapid removal of dissolved As(III) before its further oxidation to As(V)., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy for offline monitoring of alcohol extraction process of Salvia miltiorrhiza was investigated, with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) determination of value for reference. The partial least squares method was adopted to establish the tanshinone ⅡA quantitative calibration model, so as to detect extraction process of Salvia miltiorrhiza. Because the differences between batches of raw materials may endanger the robustness of the original model, the simple interval calculation (SIC) was applied in updating the near-infrared quantitative model for traditional Chinese medicine extraction process for the first time, and compared with Random Selection (RS) method. SIC's final updating results showed that root mean square with cross validation (RMSECV), root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) and residual predictive deviation (RPD) of tanshinone ⅡA were 0.006 8 g•L⁻¹, 0.005 4 g•L⁻¹ and 3.14, respectively; but RS' final updating results showed that RMSECV, RMSEP and RPD were 0.006 4 g•L⁻¹, 0.006 8 g•L⁻¹ and 2.50, respectively. This study suggested that SIC is superior to RS, and provided a research foundation for quality control and monitoring of S. miltiorrhiza extraction process in the future., Competing Interests: The authors of this article and the planning committee members and staff have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose., (Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.)

Soil available phosphorus (P) and available potassium (K) don't possess direct spectral response in the near infrared (NIR) region. They are predictable because of their correlation with spectrally active constituents (organic matter, carbonates, clays, water, etc.). Such correlation may of course differ between the soil sample sets. Therefore, the NIR calibration models with fixed structure are difficult to achieve good prediction performances for soil P and K. In this work, the method of recursive partial least squares (RPLS), which is able to update the model coefficients recursively during the prediction process, has been applied to improve the predictive abilities of calibration models. This work compared the performance of partial least squares regression (PLS), locally weighted PLS (LW-PLS), moving window LW-PLS (LW-PLS2) and RPLS for the measurement of soil P and K. The entire data set of 194 soil samples was split into calibration set and prediction set based on soil types. The calibration set was composed of 120 Anthrosols samples, while the prediction set included 29 Ferralsols samples, 23 Anthrosols samples and 22 Primarosols samples. The best prediction results were obtained by the RPLS model. The coefficient of determination (R2) and residual prediction deviation (RPD) were respectively 0.61, 0.76 and 1.60, 2.05 for soil P and K. The results indicate that RPLS is able to learn the information from the latest modeling sample by recursively updating the model coefficients. The proposed method RPLS has the advantages of wider applicability and better performance for NIR prediction of soil P and K compared with other methods in this work.

Abiotic oxidation of Fe(II) is a common pathway in the formation of Fe (hydr)oxides under natural conditions, however, little is known regarding the presence of arsenate on this process. In hence, the effect of arsenate on the precipitation of Fe (hydr)oxides during the oxidation of Fe(II) is investigated. Formation of arsenic-containing Fe (hydr)oxides is constrained by pH and molar ratios of As:Fe during the oxidation Fe(II). At pH 6.0, arsenate inhibits the formation of lepidocrocite and goethite, while favors the formation of ferric arsenate with the increasing As:Fe ratio. At pH 7.0, arsenate promotes the formation of hollow-structured Fe (hydr)oxides containing arsenate, as the As:Fe ratio reaches 0.07. Arsenate effectively inhibits the formation of magnetite at pH 8.0 even at As:Fe ratio of 0.01, while favors the formation of lepidocrocite and green rust, which can be latterly degenerated and replaced by ferric arsenate with the increasing As:Fe ratio. This study indicates that arsenate and low pH value favor the slow growth of dense-structured Fe (hydr)oxides like spherical ferric arsenate. With the rapid oxidation rate of Fe(II) at high pH, ferric (hydr)oxides prefer to precipitate in the formation of loose-structured Fe (hydr)oxides like lepidocrocite and green rust., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)