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This study proposed the use of polyaniline–alkaline copper carbonate composites as anti-corrosion and anti-biofouling concrete additives and established a set of high-dispersion preparation methods for this composite additive. The effects of polyaniline–alkaline copper carbonate composites in concrete were investigated in marine environments via the preparation of concrete specimens, actual sea suspension experiments, concrete mechanical property tests, and biological attachment avoidance tests. The experimental results showed that (1) the yield of the chemical reactions leading to the preparation of the composite was above 96.46% with a good output. The composite was hydrophilic. The addition of ethylene carbonate as a surfactant and the mixing of the composite into the concrete in a suspension form enabled uniform dispersion of the composite. (2) In the sea waters of Zhoushan, China, bio-attachment was mainly dominated by barnacles and sea anemones. Polyaniline–alkaline copper carbonate composites had good anti-bio-attachment properties and could significantly reduce the amount of bio-attachment in concrete. (3) When the additive content was less than 0.20% of the concrete mass, it did not negatively affect the mechanical properties of the concrete specimens and exerted anti-corrosion and anti-biofouling effects. This reduced the strength loss of concrete and increased the service life of the concrete specimens in the ocean. To ensure the best application effect of the compound in concrete, the recommended content of the compound is 0.05–0.15% of the concrete mass.

Additional file 2: Model informed consent form

Additional file 1: SPIRIT 2013 checklist. Recommended items to address in a clinical trial protocol and related documents.

BACKGROUND:Spinal cord injury induces inflammatory responses that include the release of cytokines and the recruitment and activation of macrophages and microglia. Neuroinflammation at the lesion site contributes to secondary tissue injury and permanent locomotor dysfunction. Dexmedetomidine (DEX), a highly selective α2-adrenergic receptor agonist, is anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective in both preclinical and clinical trials. We investigated the effect of DEX on the microglial response, and histological and neurological outcomes in a rat model of cervical spinal cord injury. METHODS:Anaesthetised rats underwent unilateral (right) C5 spinal cord contusion (75 kdyne) using an impactor device. The locomotor function, injury size, and inflammatory responses were assessed. The effect of DEX was also studied in a microglial cell culture model. RESULTS:DEX significantly improved the ipsilateral upper-limb motor dysfunction (grooming and paw placement; P