Relationship between homocysteine and chronic total coronary occlusion: a cross-sectional study from southwest China.

BACKGROUND: Chronic total coronary occlusion is among the most complex coronary artery diseases. Elevated homocysteine is a risk factor for coronary artery diseases. However, few studies have assessed the relationship between homocysteine and chronic total coronary occlusion. METHODS: 1295 individuals from Southwest China were enrolled in the study. Chronic total coronary occlusion was defined as complete occlusion of coronary artery for more than three months. Homocysteine was divided into quartiles according to its level. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models, receiver operating characteristic curves, and subgroup analysis were applied to assess the relationship between homocysteine and chronic total coronary occlusion. RESULTS: Subjects in the higher homocysteine quartile had a higher rate of chronic total coronary occlusion (P < 0.001). After adjustment, the odds ratio for chronic total coronary occlusion in the highest quartile of homocysteine compared with the lowest was 1.918 (95% confidence interval 1.237-2.972). Homocysteine ≥ 15.2 µmol/L was considered an independent indicator of chronic total coronary occlusion (odds ratio 1.53, 95% confidence interval 1.05-2.23; P = 0.0265). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.659 (95% confidence interval, 0.618-0.701; P < 0.001). Stronger associations were observed in elderly and in those with hypertension and diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated homocysteine is significantly associated with chronic total coronary occlusion, particularly in elderly and those with hypertension and diabetes.

Automatic bifurcation detection utilizing pullback characteristics of bifurcation in intravascular optical coherence tomography.

Bifurcation detection in coronary arteries is significant since it influences the treatment strategy selection and optimization. Bifurcations are also reliable landmarks for image registration. Intravascular optical coherence tomography (IVOCT) is a high-resolution imaging modality that is very useful in percutaneous coronary intervention stenting optimization. We present a bifurcation identification method utilizing pullback characteristics for IVOCT, which can effectively identify the bifurcations with a small size. The longitudinal view of the pullback will appear as an outward discontinuity in the bifurcation area. By detecting this discontinuity, bifurcation can be identified with high accuracy. We also use the normal vectors method to extract the ostium of bifurcation. We compare the proposed method with the widely-used distance transformation method by clinical 5302 IVOCT images from 22 pullbacks. The average metrics of true positive rate (TPR), true negative rate (TNR), positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) for the proposed method are 86.97%, 98.50%, 85.56%, and 98.67%, respectively. TPR, PPV, and NPV by the proposed method are improved by 40.24%, 9.31%, 3.90%, and TNR is on par compared with the distance transformation method. Especially in the small bifurcation identification, TPR of the proposed method is 64.71% higher than the distance transformation method with a bifurcation area ratio less than 0.2.

Analysis and reduction of noise-induced depolarization in catheter based polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography.

In catheter based polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT), a optical fiber with a rapid rotation in the catheter can cause low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), polarization state instability, phase change of PS-OCT signals and then heavy noise-induced depolarization, which has a strong impact on the phase retardation measurement of the sample. In this paper, we analyze the noise-induced depolarization and find that the effect of depolarization can be reduced by polar decomposition after incoherent averaging in the Mueller matrix averaging (MMA) method. Namely, MMA can reduce impact of noise on phase retardation mapping. We present a Monte Carlo method based on PS-OCT to numerically describe noise-induced depolarization effect and contrast phase retardation imaging results by MMA and Jones matrix averaging (JMA) methods. The peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR) of simulated images processed by MMA is higher than about 8.9 dB than that processed by JMA. We also implement experiments of multiple biological tissues using the catheter based PS-OCT system. From the simulation and experimental results, we find the polarization contrasts processed by the MMA are better than those by JMA, especially at areas with high depolarization, because the MMA can reduce effect of noise-induced depolarization on the phase retardation measurement.

Jujing Zhuyu decoction inhibits apoptosis in rats with asthenozoospermia by regulating the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway.

Jujing Zhuyu decoction (JZD) is a traditional Chinese medicine that effectively improves sperm motility. However, the molecular mechanism of JZD on asthenozoospermia still remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the effect of JZD on the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway in an asthenozoospermia rat model. Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups-control, tripterygium glycosides (GTW) model, JZD-low (JZD-L), JZD-medium (JZD-M), and JZD-high (JZD-H) groups (n = 12/group). GTW was used to generate the asthenozoospermia model. The JZD-L, JZD-M, and JZD-H groups were administered 5, 10, or 15 g kg-1  day-1 of JZD granules respectively, for 4 weeks. Testicular tissue morphology was examined using histological staining, while sperm count was determined using manual and computer-aided semen analyses. Apoptosis of spermatogenic cells was detected with the TUNEL assay, and the expression of proteins and genes related to mitochondrial apoptosis was detected using western blotting and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction respectively. Histomorphological evaluation revealed superior seminiferous tubule structure and arrangement as well as improved spermatogenic cell morphology in the JZD-L, JZD-M, and JZD-H groups compared to those in the model group. Moreover, semen quality and the apoptotic index were significantly improved in the JZD-L, JZD-M, and JZD-H groups compared to those in the model group. Additionally, the mRNA expression and protein abundance of Apaf-1, Bax, Cyto-c, and caspase-3 was reduced, while those of Bcl-2 were increased in all JZD groups compared to those in the model group. JZD reduces the apoptosis rate of sperm cells and significantly promotes sperm survival by regulating the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. This mechanism provides experimental support for the treatment of asthenozoospermia by JZD.

Differences in the clinical presentation, management, and in-hospital outcomes of acute aortic dissection in patients with and without end-stage renal disease.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have evaluated the clinical presentation, management, and outcomes of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) presenting with acute aortic dissection (AAD) in real-world clinical practice. Thus, this study investigated the clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes of AAD patients with ESRD. METHODS: A total of 217 patients were included. We evaluated the differences in the clinical features, management, and in-hospital outcomes of patients with and without a history of ESRD presenting with AAD. RESULTS: A history of ESRD was present in 71 of 217 patients. Patients with ESRD had atypical clinical manifestations (p < 0.001) and were more likely to be managed medically compared with patients without ESRD (p = 0.002). Hypertension and type B aortic dissection were significantly more common among patients with ESRD. Moreover, patients with ESRD had lower leucocyte and platelet counts than patients without ESRD in laboratory findings (p < 0.001). However, hospitalization days and in-hospital mortality were similar between the two groups (p > 0.05). Multivariate analysis identified Type A aortic dissection as an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality among patients without ESRD (OR, 13.68; 95% CI, 1.92 to 98.90; P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights differences in the clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes of AAD patients with ESRD. These patients usually have atypical symptoms and more comorbid conditions and are managed more conservatively. However, these patients have no in-hospital survival disadvantage over those without ESRD. Further studies are needed to better understand and optimize care for patients with ESRD presenting with AAD.

Alterations in gut microbiota of abdominal aortic aneurysm mice.

BACKGROUND: The gut microbiome plays an important role in various cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis and hypertension, which are associated with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). METHODS: Here, we used 16S rRNA sequencing to explore gut microbiota in C57BL ApoE-/- mice with AAAs. A mouse model of abdominal aortic aneurysms was induced with angiotensin II (Ang II) (1000 ng/min per kg). On day 28 after the operation, fecal samples were collected and stored at - 80 °C until DNA extraction. We determined the relative abundances of bacterial taxonomic groups using 16S rRNA amplicon metabarcoding, and sequences were analyzed using a combination of mother software and UPARSE. RESULTS: We found that the gut microbiome was different between control and AAA mice. The results of correlation analysis between AAA diameter and the gut microbiome as well as LEfSe of the genera Akkermansia, Odoribacter, Helicobacter and Ruminococcus might be important in the progression of AAAs. CONCLUSIONS: AAA mice is subjected to gut microbial dysbiosis, and gut microbiota might be a potential target for further investigation.

Mechanisms of enhanced hexavalent chromium removal from groundwater by sodium carboxymethyl cellulose stabilized zerovalent iron nanoparticles.

Chromium (Cr) contamination poses serious threats to the environment and human health. Thus, batch and column experiments were performed to investigate hexavalent chromium [Cr (VI)] removal from solution and porous media using nanoscale zerovalent iron nanoparticles (NZVI) stabilized by sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). Batch experiments indicated that the mass ratio of Fe/CMC = 1, the presence of 150-200 mg L-1 CMC and lower ionic strength led to optimum Cr (VI) removal in aqueous solution. Column experiments demonstrated that Cr (VI) removal was enhanced with decreasing solution pH and increasing CMC-NZVI concentration. The presence of CMC can increase Cr (VI) removal by NZVI in both aqueous solution and porous media by complexation precipitation of Cr (VI) compounds and better dispersion of NZVI. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis revealed that an appropriate amount of CMC supported the redox reaction of Cr (VI) and NZVI. The removal of Cr (VI) through columns was 20.8% and 88.5% under no additional CMC and optimized CMC content, respectively. However, Cr (VI) removal decreased to 64.6% under excessive CMC content. The CMC modified NZVI nanoparticles were characterized by XRD, XPS and TEM techniques. These findings imply that CMC can be used as an effective stabilizer on NZVI which can in turn be applied for the efficient removal of Cr (VI) from industrial wastewater and groundwater.

LITAF Enhances Radiosensitivity of Human Glioma Cells via the FoxO1 Pathway.

Lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor alpha factor (LITAF), also called p53-induced gene 7 (PIG7), was identified as a transcription factor that activates transcription of proinflammatory cytokines in macrophages in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Previous studies have identified LITAF as a potential tumor suppressor in several neoplasms, including prostate cancer, B-NHL, acute myeloid leukemia, and pancreatic cancer. However, the expression and function of LITAF in human glioma remain unexplained. The present study aimed to analyze the regulation of LITAF in gliomas. Data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database revealed that LITAF mRNA expression in glioma tissues was higher than that in normal brain tissues, and lower LITAF expression in gliomas showed a good prognosis in patients who received radiotherapy, by Kaplan-Meier analysis. In our collected specimens, however, LITAF showed low expression in glioma tissues compared to that in the normal brain tissue. Proliferation and apoptosis of glioma cells were not affected by knockdown or overexpression of LITAF in glioma U251, U373, and U87 cells, but LITAF was able to enhance the radiosensitivity of glioma cells. Furthermore, we found that LITAF enhanced radiosensitivity via FoxO1 and its specific downstream targets BIM, TRAIL, and FASLG. Taken together, our present results demonstrate that LITAF expression is decreased in glioma tissues and might enhance radiosensitivity of glioma cells via upregulation of the FoxO1 pathway.

An efficient light on-off one-pot method for the synthesis of 3-styryl coumarins from aryl alkynoates.

An efficient one-pot stepwise method to synthesize 3-styryl-4-arylcoumarins from simple alkynoates is demonstrated. On the basis of the control experiments, a possible mechanism involving light-driven radical cyclization and Pd-catalysed cross-coupling processes for this synthesis method is proposed. The results of X-ray analysis and spectroscopy experiments prove that the substituent effect has a significant influence on the absorption and emission properties of the synthesized 3-styryl coumarins.

Preparation of a Sustained-Release Nebulized Aerosol of R-terbutaline Hydrochloride Liposome and Evaluation of Its Anti-asthmatic Effects via Pulmonary Delivery in Guinea Pigs.

An aerosolized liposome formulation for the pulmonary delivery of an anti-asthmatic medication was developed. Asthma treatment usually requires frequent administration of medication for a sustained bronchodilator response. Liposomes are known for their sustained drug release capability and thus would be a suitable delivery system for prolonging the therapeutic effect of anti-asthmatic medication. Liposomes prepared by thin film hydration were loaded with a model drug, R-terbutaline hydrochloride(R-TBH), using an ammonium sulfate-induced transmembrane electrochemical gradient. This technique provided an encapsulation efficiency of up to 71.35% and yielded R-TBH liposomes with a particle size of approximately 145 ± 20 nm. According to stability studies, these R-TBH liposomes should be stored at 4°C before usage. Compared to R-TBH solution, which showed 90.84% release within 8 h, liposomal R-TBH had a cumulative release of 73.53% at 37°C over 192 h. A next generation impactor (NGI) was used to analyze the particle size distribution in the lungs of R-TBH liposome aerosol in vitro at 5°C. The therapeutic efficacy of the nebulized aerosol of the R-TBH liposomes was assessed via pulmonary delivery in guinea pigs. The results showed that, compared to the R-TBH solution group, the R-TBH liposome group had a prolonged anti-asthma effect.

Regioselective phosphinylation of coumarins under green LED irradiation and its mechanism.

The regioselective synthesis of 3-phosphinylated coumarins in moderate to excellent yields was developed via an EY/BPO-mediated cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) reaction under green LED irradiation. The results of control experiments showed that the active intermediate, a P-centered radical, might be obtained through energy transfer and electron transfer processes.

Study of pH Stability of R-Salbutamol Sulfate Aerosol Solution and Its Antiasthmatic Effects in Guinea Pigs.

Currently, all commercial available nebulized salbutamol in China is in its racemic form. It is known that only R-salbutamol (eutomer) has therapeutic effects, while S-salbutamol (distomer) may exacerbate asthma after chronic use. Therefore, it is an unmet clinical need to develop R-salbutamol as a nebulized product that is more convenient for young and old patients. In our study, a stable aerosol solution of R-salbutamol sulfate was established, and its antiasthmatic effects were confirmed. The decomposition rate and racemization effect of the R-salbutamol sulfate solution were evaluated over a pH range from 1 to 10 (except pH=7, 8) at 60°C. The aerodynamic particle size of the R-salbutamol sulfate solution and commercial RS-salbutamol sulfate solution were both tested in vitro by Next-Generation Impactor (NGI) in 5°C. Laser diffractometer was used to characterize the droplet-size distribution (DSD) of both solutions. We next conducted an in vivo animal study to document the antiasthmatic effect of R-salbutamol aerosol sulfate solution and determine the relationship to RS-salbutamol. The results showed that the R-salbutamol sulfate solution was more stable at pH 6. In vitro comparison studies indicated that there was no distribution difference between R-salbutamol sulfate solution and the commercial RS-salbutamol solution. The animal results showed that R-salbutamol was more potent than RS-salbutamol against the same dose of histamine challenge. Unlike commercial RS-salbutamol, which was acidified to a pH of 3.5 to extend bench life but may cause bronchoconstriction in asthmatic patients, the neutralized R-salbutamol solution was more suitable for clinic use.

Development of a liquid formulation of poorly water-soluble isosteviol sodium using the co-solvent technology.

An intravenously injectable liquid formulation of the poorly water-soluble isosteviol sodium (ISVNa) that has a great clinical potential for cardiovascular diseases was developed using the co-solvent technology. The pH and composition of the co-solvent were optimized to obtain a stable liquid formulation (termed as STVNa) based on saline at pH 10.0 containing 25% (v/v) of ethanol and 20% (v/v) of propylene glycol. STVNa was physicochemically stable upon storage for more than 3 months under various conditions. In vitro studies showed that STVNa did not induce hemolytic effects up to 9.1% (v/v) after 3 h of incubation and it was cytocompatible up to 50 µg/mL in H2C9 cells. Furthermore, STVNa showed acceptable safety and pharmacokinetic parameters comparable with those of ISVNa in saline (dissolved at 60 °C) upon i.v. injection in Wistar rats. Overall, the results demonstrated that STVNa is a promising formulation of ISVNa for clinical translation.

Ammonia removal and simultaneous immobilization of manganese and magnesium from electrolytic manganese residue by a low-temperature CaO roasting process.

A large amount of open-dumped electrolytic manganese residue (EMR) has posed a severe threat to the ecosystem and public health due to the leaching of ammonia (NH4+) and manganese (Mn). In this study, CaO addition coupled with low-temperature roasting was applied for the treatment of EMR. The effects of roasting temperature, roasting time, CaO-EMR mass ratio and solid-liquid ratio were investigated. The most cost-effective and practically viable condition was explored through response surface methodology. At a CaO: EMR ratio of 1:16.7, after roasting at 187 °C for 60 min, the leaching concentrations of NH4+ and Mn dropped to 10.18 mg/L and 1.05 mg/L, respectively, below their discharge standards. In addition, the magnesium hazard (MH) of EMR, which was often neglected, was studied. After treatment, the MH of the EMR leachate was reduced from 60 to 37. Mechanism analysis reveals that roasting can promote NH4+ to escape as NH3 and convert dihydrate gypsum to hemihydrate gypsum. Mn2+ and Mg2+ were mainly solidified as MnO2 and Mg(OH)2, respectively. This study proposes an efficient and low-cost approach for the treatment of EMR and provides valuable information for its practical application.

Association between hyperuricemia and chronic total coronary occlusion in non-chronic kidney disease populations: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic total coronary occlusion (CTO) is an extremely hazardous condition that leads to various clinical phenomena and complications and results in social and economic burdens. Hyperuricemia (HU) is often associated with atherosclerosis. Few studies, however, have investigated the risk of CTO in individuals with HU and the role of traditional cardiovascular risk factors in this setting. METHODS: A cohort of 1245 individuals without chronic kidney disease from southwest China who underwent coronary angiography between February 2018 and June 2021 were enrolled. CTO was defined as a total occlusion of any coronary artery or arteries for more than 3 months. HU was defined as a serum uric acid level of ≥420 µmol/L in men and ≥360 µmol/L in women. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models and subgroup analyses were applied to assess the relationship between HU and CTO. RESULTS: After adjustment, HU was noted to be associated with a 1.47-fold increase in the risk of CTO [odds ratio (OR), 1.47; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.06-2.58; P = 0.026]. As a continuous variable, uric acid was an independent predictor of CTO (OR, 1.002; 95% CI, 1.001-1.004; P = 0.047). Subgroup analyses showed that the risk of CTO was higher among individuals under 65 years of age (OR, 2.77; 95% CI, 1.3-5.89), nonobese individuals (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.16-3.1), and those with dyslipidemia (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.04-3.11), while sex, smoking, hypertension, and diabetes did not show similar effects. Interaction analyses revealed no interaction among subgroups. CONCLUSION: Among individuals residing in southwest China, HU was associated with an increased risk of CTO in non-CKD individuals, especially those under 65 years of age and nonobese and dyslipidemic individuals.

Effects of electronic personal health information technology on American women's cancer screening behaviors mediated through cancer worry: Differences and similarities between 2017 and 2020.

Backgrounds: Thanks to their accessibility and low cost, electronic personal health information (ePHI) technologies have been widely used to facilitate patient-physician communication and promote health prevention behaviors (e.g. cancer screening). Despite that empirical evidence has supported the association between ePHI technology use and cancer screening behaviors, the underlying mechanism through which ePHI technology use influences cancer screening behaviors remains a topic of discussion. Objective: This study investigates the relationship between ePHI technology uses and cancer screening behaviors of American women and examines the mediating role of cancer worry. Methods: Data for this study were from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) collected in 2017 (HINTS 5 Cycle 1) and 2020 (HINTS 5 Cycle 4). The final sample included 1914 female respondents in HINTS 5 Cycle 1 and 2204 in HINTS 5 Cycle 4. Mann-Whitney U test, two-sample t-test, and mediation analysis were performed. We also referred to the regression coefficients generated by min-max normalization as percentage coefficients (bp) for the comparison. Results: This study reports increased usage of ePHI technologies (from 1.41 in 2017 to 2.19 to 2020), increased cancer worry (from 2.60 in 2017 to 2.84 in 2020), and a stable level of cancer screening behaviors (from 1.44 in 2017 to 1.34 in 2020) among American women. Cancer worry was found to mediate the ePHI effect on cancer screening behaviors (bp = 0.005, 95% confidence interval [0.001, 0.010]) in a positive complementary mediation in 2020. Conclusions: The research findings support a positive association between ePHI technology use and cancer screening behaviors, and cancer worry has been identified as a salient mediator. An understanding of the mechanism that prompts US women's cancer screening practices provides practical implications for health campaign practitioners.

Autopsy analysis reveals increased macrophage infiltration and cell apoptosis in COVID-19 patients with severe pulmonary fibrosis.

Clinical data indicates that SARS-CoV-2 infection-induced respiratory failure is a fatal condition for severe COVID-19 patients. However, the pathological alterations of different types of respiratory failure remained unknown for severe COVID-19 patients. This study aims to evaluate whether there are differences in the performance of various types of respiratory failure in severe COVID-19 patients and investigate the pathological basis for these differences. The lung tissue sections of severe COVID-19 patients were assessed for the degree of injury and immune responses. Transcriptome data were used to analyze the molecular basis in severe COVID-19 patients. Severe COVID-19 patients with combined oxygenation and ventilatory failure presented more severe pulmonary fibrosis, airway obstruction, and prolonged disease course. The number of M2 macrophages increased with the degree of fibrosis in patients, suggesting that it may be closely related to the development of pulmonary fibrosis. The co-existence of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the pulmonary environment could also participate in the progression of pulmonary fibrosis. Furthermore, the increased apoptosis in the lungs of COVID-19 patients with severe pulmonary fibrosis may represent a critical factor linking sustained inflammatory responses to fibrosis. Our findings indicate that during the extended phase of COVID-19, antifibrotic and antiapoptotic treatments should be considered in conjunction with the progression of the disease.

Neutralizing IL-8 potentiates immune checkpoint blockade efficacy for glioma.

Malignant gliomas are largely refractory to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy. To explore the underlying immune regulators, we examine the microenvironment in glioma and find that tumor-infiltrating T cells are mainly confined to the perivascular cuffs and express high levels of CCR5, CXCR3, and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1). Combined analysis of T cell clustering with T cell receptor (TCR) clone expansion shows that potential tumor-killing T cells are mainly categorized into pre-exhausted/exhausted and effector CD8+ T subsets, as well as cytotoxic CD4+ T subsets. Notably, a distinct subpopulation of CD4+ T cells exhibits innate-like features with preferential interleukin-8 (IL-8) expression. With IL-8-humanized mouse strain, we demonstrate that IL-8-producing CD4+ T, myeloid, and tumor cells orchestrate myeloid-derived suppressor cell infiltration and angiogenesis, which results in enhanced tumor growth but reduced ICB efficacy. Antibody-mediated IL-8 blockade or the inhibition of its receptor, CXCR1/2, unleashes anti-PD-1-mediated antitumor immunity. Our findings thus highlight IL-8 as a combinational immunotherapy target for glioma.

Self-Efficacy, Proxy Efficacy, Media Literacy, and Official Media Use in COVID-19 Pandemic in China: A Moderated Mediation Model.

Purpose: COVID-19 pandemic is a significant threat toward the public health. However, the discussion of the mechanism of media literacy's effect in fighting against pandemic is limited. Thus, this study aims to explore the mechanism with a sociocognitive perspective. Methods: A survey was administrated to 420 college students in China. PROCESS macro of SPSS was applied to analyze the data and test the moderated mediation effect. Results: The moderated mediation model of media literacy, proxy efficacy, self-efficacy, and official media use was tested and supported. Official media use was a negative moderator on the association between media literacy and proxy efficacy. Conclusion: The study explored the media literacy's role as a determinant of proxy efficacy and self-efficacy, which contributed to the sociocognitive theory.

The high efficient Sb(III) removal by cauliflower like amorphous nanoscale zero-valent iron (A-nZVI).

In this study, cauliflower like amorphous nanoscale zero-valent iron (A-nZVI) was prepared and its performance on the removal of Sb(III) was investigated and compared with that of nZVI. The results indicated that the removal of Sb(III) by nZVI and A-nZVI followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm model, but the removal of Sb(III) by A-nZVI was more stable and its removal capacity (558.2 mg/g) is much higher than that of nZVI (91.3 mg/g). Moreover, the effects of initial Sb(III) concentration, initial pH and anions such as Cl-, NO3-, SO42-, PO43-, and AsO43- were also investigated. A-nZVI showed extremely high selectivity towards Sb(III) in that 500 mg/L of AsO43- and PO43- shows little impact on its removal, while the removal of Sb(III) by nZVI was almost inhibited under the same condition. The combination of SEM-EDS, XPS, XRD and FTIR revealed the removal of Sb(III) by nZVI and A-nZVI were synergistic effects of oxidation and adsorption, but less Sb(III) (39.5%) was oxidized by A-nZVI. More γ-FeOOH and γ-Fe2O3 were formed at the surface of A-nZVI during the reaction. Both oxides have high affinity toward Sb(III), which might cause the higher removal capacity and selectivity for the removal of Sb(III) by A-nZVI. In conclusion, A-nZVI showed great potential for the remediation of Sb(III) in groundwater.