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Building tile-pyramids is an effective way for publishing and accessing the map visualization service of large-scale geospatial data in the web. But it is a time-consuming task in Geographic Information System (GIS) to build tile-pyramids using traditional methods. In this article, an adaptive multilevel tiles generation method is proposed, which first builds grid index for the geospatial raster dataset, and then generates tiles according to different hierarchy level numbers in the tile-pyramid. With the optimized map rendering engine implemented, a parallel tiles pyramid generation method for large-scale geospatial raster dataset is integrated into a high performance GIS platform. Proved by experiments, the new method shows acceptable applicability, stability and scalability besides its high efficiency.

Big data era expose many challenges to geospatial data management, geocomputation and cartography. There is no exception in geographic information systems (GIS) community. Technologies and facilities of high performance computing (HPC) become more and more feasible to researchers, while mobile computing, ubiquitous computing, and cloud computing are emerging. But traditional GIS need to be improved to take advantages of all these evolutions. We proposed and implemented a GIS married with high performance computing, which is called HiGIS. The goal of HiGIS is to promote the performance of geocomputation by leveraging the power of HPC, and to build an open framework for geospatial data storing, processing, displaying and sharing. In this paper the architecture, data model and modules of the HiGIS system are introduced. A geocomputation scheduling engine based on communicating sequential process was designed to exploit spatial analysis and processing. Parallel I/O strategy using file view was proposed to improve the performance of geospatial raster data access. In order to support web-based online mapping, an interactive cartographic script was provided to represent a map. A demostration of locating house was used to manifest the characteristics of HiGIS. Parallel and concurrency performance experiments show the feasibility of this system.

The solenoidal large intensity device (SoLID) is a new experimental apparatus planned for Hall A at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (JLab). SoLID will combine large angular and momentum acceptance with the capability to handle very high data rates at high luminosity. With a slate of approved high-impact physics experiments, SoLID will push JLab to a new limit at the QCD intensity frontier that will exploit the full potential of its 12 GeV electron beam. In this paper, we present an overview of the rich physics program that can be realized with SoLID, which encompasses the tomography of the nucleon in 3D momentum space from semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering, expanding the phase space in the search for new physics and novel hadronic effects in parity-violating DIS, a precision measurement of J/ψ production at threshold that probes the gluon field and its contribution to the proton mass, tomography of the nucleon in combined coordinate and momentum space with deep exclusive reactions, and more. To meet the challenging requirements, the design of SoLID described here takes full advantage of recent progress in detector, data acquisition and computing technologies. In addition, we outline potential experiments beyond the currently approved program and discuss the physics that could be explored should upgrades of CEBAF become a reality in the future.

Haiyan Chen,1 Jiamin Cao,2 Feng Zhang,2 Wei Xiong2 1Wuzhou Workers Hospital, Wuzhou, Guangxi Zhuang, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Ophthalmology, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Wei Xiong, Department of Ophthalmology, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Yuelu District, 138 Tongzipo Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 13808469035, Email weixiong420@csu.edu.cnAbstract: Growing research proves gut microbiota and thyroid autoimmunity are linked. Graves’ disease (GD), as an autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), is attributed to the production of thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) autoantibodies that bind to the thyroid follicular endothelial cells. It is well known that genetic factors, environmental factors, and immune disorders count for much in the development of GD. So far, the pathogenesis of GD is not elucidated. Emerging research reveals that the change in gut microbiota composition and its metabolites are related to GD. The gut microbial diversity is reduced in GDs compared with healthy controls (HCs). Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes account for a large proportion at the genus level. It is found that phyla Bacteroidetes increased while phyla Firmicutes decreased in Graves’ Disease patients (GD patients). Moreover, gut microbiota modulates the immune system to produce cytokines through bacterial metabolites. This article aims to find out the relation between gut microbiota dysbiosis and the development of GD. As more molecular pathways of bacterial metabolites are revealed, targeting microbiota is expected to the treatment of GD.Keywords: Graves’ Disease, gut microbiota, autoimmunity, dysbiosis, Firmicutes, bacteroidetes

A new electron scattering experiment (E12-21-003) to verify and understandthe nature of hidden sector particles, with particular emphasis on theso-called X17 particle, has been approved at Jefferson Lab. The search forthese particles is motivated by new hidden sector models introduced to accountfor a variety of experimental and observational puzzles: excess in $e^+e^-$pairs observed in multiple nuclear transitions, the 4.2$\sigma$ disagreementbetween experiments and the standard model prediction for the muon anomalousmagnetic moment, and the small-scale structure puzzle in cosmologicalsimulations. The aforementioned X17 particle has been hypothesized to accountfor the excess in $e^+e^-$ pairs observed from the $^8$Be M1, $^4$He M0, and,most recently, $^{12}$C E1 nuclear transitions to their ground states observedby the ATOMKI group. This experiment will use a high resolution electromagneticcalorimeter to search for or set new limits on the production rate of the X17and other hidden sector particles in the $3 - 60$ MeV mass range via their$e^+e^-$ decay (or $\gamma\gamma$ decay with limited tracking). In thesemodels, the $1 - 100$ MeV mass range is particularly well-motivated and thelower part of this range still remains unexplored. Our proposed directdetection experiment will use a magnetic-spectrometer-free setup (the PRadapparatus) to detect all three final state particles in the visible decay of ahidden sector particle for an effective control of the background and willcover the proposed mass range in a single setting. The use of thewell-demonstrated PRad setup allows for an essentially ready-to-run anduniquely cost-effective search for hidden sector particles in the $3 - 60$ MeVmass range with a sensitivity of 8.9$\times$10$^{-8}$ - 5.8$\times$10$^{-9}$ to$\epsilon^2$, the square of the kinetic mixing interaction constant betweenhidden and visible sectors.

Jiamin Cao, Feng Zhang, Haiyan Chen, Bingxuan Wu, Jiayang Yin, Changci Chenzhao, Wei Xiong Department of Ophthalmology, Central South University, Changsha City, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Wei Xiong, Email weixiong420@csu.edu.cnBackground: Manifestations of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) vary greatly. Few tools and indicators are available to assess TAO, restricting personalized diagnosis and treatment.Aim: To identify an aptamer targeting thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) and utilize this aptamer to evaluate clinical activity in patients with TAO.Methods: An aptamer targeting TSHR was developed by exponential enrichment and systematic evaluation of TSHR ligands. After truncation and optimization, the affinity, equilibrium dissociation constant, and serum stability of this aptamer were evaluated. The affinity of the TSHR-targeting aptamer to isolated fibrocytes was assessed, as was aptamer internalization by fibrocytes. The mechanism of binding was determined by molecular docking. The correlation between disease manifestations and the percentage of TSHR-positive cells was assessed by correlation analysis.Results: The aptamer TSHR-21-42 was developed to bind to TSHR, with the equilibrium dissociation constant being 71.46 Kd. Isolated fibrocytes were shown to bind TSHR-21-42 through TSHR, with its affinity maintained at various temperatures and ion concentrations. TSHR-21-42 could compete with anti-TSHR antibody, both for binding site to TSHR and uptake by cells after binding. In addition, TSHR-21-42 could bind to leukocytes in peripheral blood, with this binding differing in patients with TAO and healthy control subjects. The percentage of TSHR-positive monocytes, as determined by binding of TSHR-21-42, correlated positively with clinical activity score in patients with TAO, indicating that TSHR-21-42 binding could assess the severity of TAO.Conclusion: This aptamer targeting TSHR may be used to objectively assess disease activity in patients with TAO, by evaluating the percentages of TSHR positive cells in peripheral blood.Keywords: thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy, thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor, aptamer, clinical activity score, precision medicine

Shipeng Chen,1– 3 Mengna Li,1– 3 Changning Xue,1– 3 Xiangting Zhou,1– 3 Jianxia Wei,1– 3 Lemei Zheng,1– 3 Yumei Duan,1– 3 Hongyu Deng,1 Faqing Tang,1 Wei Xiong,1– 3 Bo Xiang,1– 3 Ming Zhou1– 3 1NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Key Laboratory of Oncotarget Gene, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, People’s Republic of China; 2Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, People’s Republic of China; 3The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Ming Zhou; Bo Xiang, Email zhouming2001@163.com; xiangbolin@csu.edu.cnPurpose: Cinobufotalin injection has obvious curative effects on liver cancer patients with less toxicity and fewer side effects than other therapeutic approaches. However, the core ingredients and mechanism underlying these anti-liver cancer effects have not been fully clarified due to its complex composition.Methods: Multidimensional network analysis was used to screen the core ingredients, key targets and pathways underlying the therapeutic effects of cinobufotalin injection on liver cancer, and in vitro and in vivo experiments were performed to confirm the findings.Results: By construction of ingredient networks and integrated analysis, eight core ingredients and ten key targets were finally identified in cinobufotalin injection, and all of the core ingredients are tightly linked with the key targets, and these key targets are highly associated with the cell cycle-related pathways, supporting that both cinobufotalin injection and its core ingredients exert anti-liver cancer roles by blocking cell cycle-related pathways. Moreover, in vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed that either cinobufotalin injection or one of its core ingredients, cinobufagin, significantly inhibited cell proliferation, colony formation, cell cycle progression and xenograft tumor growth, and the key target molecules involved in the cell cycle pathway such as CDK1, CDK4, CCNB1, CHEK1 and CCNE1, exhibit consistent changes in expression after treatment with cinobufotalin injection or cinobufagin. Interestingly, some key targets CDK1, CDK4, PLK1, CHEK1, TTK were predicted to bind with multiple of core ingredients of cinobufotalin injection, and the affinity between one of the critical ingredients cinobufagin and key target CDK1 was further confirmed by SPR assay.Conclusion: Cinobufotalin injection was confirmed to includes eight core ingredients, and they play therapeutic effects in liver cancer by blocking cell cycle-related pathways, which provides important insights for the mechanism of cinobufotalin injection antagonizing liver cancer and the development of novel small molecule anti-cancer drugs. Keywords: cinobufotalin injection, liver cancer, cinobufagin, network pharmacology, cell cycle, core ingredients

In our quest to understand the nature of dark matter and discover itsnon-gravitational interactions with ordinary matter, we propose an experimentusing a \pbo ~calorimeter to search for or set new limits on the productionrate of i) hidden sector particles in the $3 - 60$ MeV mass range via their$e^+e^-$ decay (or $\gamma\gamma$ decay with limited tracking), and ii) thehypothetical X17 particle, claimed in multiple recent experiments. The searchfor these particles is motivated by new hidden sector models and dark mattercandidates introduced to account for a variety of experimental andobservational puzzles: the small-scale structure puzzle in cosmologicalsimulations, anomalies such as the 4.2$\sigma$ disagreement between experimentsand the standard model prediction for the muon anomalous magnetic moment, andthe excess of $e^+e^-$ pairs from the $^8$Be M1 and $^4$He nuclear transitionsto their ground states observed by the ATOMKI group. In these models, the $1 -100$ MeV mass range is particularly well-motivated and the lower part of thisrange still remains unexplored. Our proposed direct detection experiment willuse a magnetic-spectrometer-free setup (the PRad apparatus) to detect all threefinal state particles in the visible decay of a hidden sector particle allowingfor an effective control of the background and will cover the proposed massrange in a single setting. The use of the well-demonstrated PRad setup allowsfor an essentially ready-to-run and uniquely cost-effective search for hiddensector particles in the $3 - 60$ MeV mass range with a sensitivity of8.9$\times$10$^{-8}$ - 5.8$\times$10$^{-9}$ to $\epsilon^2$, the square of thekinetic mixing interaction constant between hidden and visible sectors. Thisupdated proposal includes our response to the PAC49 comments.

Jiamin Cao, Feng Zhang, Wei Xiong Department of Ophthalmology, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Feng Zhang; Wei Xiong, Department of Ophthalmology, the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, People’s Republic of China, Email fengz2022@csu.edu.cn; weixiong420@csu.edu.cnAbstract: Aptamers are widely applied to diagnosis and therapy because of their targeting. However, the current progress of research into aptamers for the treatment of eye disorders has not been well-documented. The current literature on aptamers was reviewed in this study. Aptamer-related drugs and biochemical sensors have been evaluated for several eye disorders within the past decade; S58 targeting TGF-β receptor II and pegaptanib targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are used to prevent fibrosis after glaucoma filtration surgery. Anti-brain-derived neurotrophic factor aptamer has been used to diagnose glaucoma. The first approved aptamer drug (pegaptanib) has been used to inhibit angiogenesis in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy (DR), and its efficacy and safety have been demonstrated in clinical trials. Aptamers, including E10030, RBM-007, AS1411, and avacincaptad pegol, targeting other angiogenesis-related biomarkers have also been discovered and subjected to clinical trials. Aptamers, such as C promoter binding factor 1, CD44, and advanced end products in AMD and DR, targeting other signal pathway proteins have also been discovered for therapy, and biochemical sensors for early diagnosis have been developed based on aptamers targeting VEGF, connective tissue growth factor, and lipocalin 1. Aptamers used for early detection and treatment of ocular tumors were derived from other disease biomarkers, such as CD71, nucleolin, and high mobility group A. In this review, the development and application of aptamers in eye disorders in recent years are systematically discussed, which may inspire a new link between aptamers and eye disorders. The aptamer development trajectory also facilitates the discovery of the pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies for various eye disorders.Keywords: aptamer, ophthalmology, targeting therapy, early diagnosis

This paper describes a new modeling framework for microscopic to reservoir-scale simulations of hydraulic fracturing and production. The approach builds upon a fusion of two existing high-performance simulators for reservoir-scale behavior: the GEOS code for hydromechanical evolution during stimulation and the TOUGH+ code for multi-phase flow during production. The reservoir-scale simulations are informed by experimental and modeling studies at the laboratory scale to incorporate important micro-scale mechanical processes and chemical reactions occurring within the fractures, the shale matrix, and at the fracture-fluid interfaces. These processes include, among others, changes in stimulated fracture permeability as a result of proppant behavior rear-rangement or embedment, or mineral scale precipitation within pores and microfractures, at µm to cm scales. In our new modeling framework, such micro-scale testing and modeling provides upscaled hydromechanical parameters for the reservoir scale models. We are currently testing the new modeling framework using field data and core samples from the Hydraulic Fracturing Field Test (HFTS), a recent field-based joint research experiment with intense monitoring of hydraulic fracturing and shale production in the Wolfcamp Formation in the Permian Basin (USA). Below, we present our approach coupling the reservoir simulators GEOS and TOUGH+ informed by upscaled parameters from micro-scale experiments and modeling. We provide a brief overview of the HFTS and the available field data, and then discuss the ongoing application of our new workflow to the HFTS data set.

The PRad experiment has credibly demonstrated the advantages of thecalorimetric method in e-p scattering experiments to measure the protonroot-mean-square (RMS) charge radius with high accuracy. The PRad result,within its experimental uncertainties, is in agreement with the small radiusmeasured in muonic hydrogen spectroscopy experiments and it was a criticalinput in the recent revision of the CODATA recommendation for the proton chargeradius. Consequently, the PRad result is in direct conflict with all modernelectron scattering experiments. Most importantly, it is 5.8% smaller than thevalue from the most precise electron scattering experiment to date, and thisdifference is about three standard deviations given the precision of the PRadexperiment. As the first experiment of its kind, PRad did not reach the highestprecision allowed by the calorimetric technique. Here we propose a new (and)upgraded experiment -- PRad-II, which will reduce the overall experimentaluncertainties by a factor of 3.8 compared to PRad and address this as yetunsettled controversy in subatomic physics. In addition, PRad-II will be thefirst lepton scattering experiment to reach the Q^2 range of 10^{-5} GeV^2allowing a more accurate and robust extraction of the proton charge radius. Themuonic hydrogen result with its unprecedented precision (~0.05%) determines theCODATA value of the proton charge radius, hence, it is critical to evaluatepossible systematic uncertainties of those experiments, such as the laserfrequency calibration that was raised in recent review articles. The PRad-IIexperiment with its projected total uncertainty of 0.43% could demonstratewhether there is any systematic difference between $e-p$ scattering and muonichydrogen results. PRad-II will establish a new precision frontier in electronscattering and open doors for future physics opportunities.

Tao Yin,1,* Yan Lu,2,* Wei Xiong,3,* Chengdong Yu,4 Delu Yin,5 Huijing He6 1Department of Technology, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Gynecology Endocrine & Reproductive Center, National Clinical Research Center for Obstetric & Gynecologic Diseases Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College/Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Growth and Development, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Child Health Care, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 6Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Huijing He, Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, 5 Dongdansantiao, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100005, People’s Republic of China, Tel +8615010086743, Email huijing_he@ibms.pumc.edu.cn Delu Yin, Department of Child Health Care, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, 2 Yabao Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100020, People’s Republic of China, Tel +8613810349722, Email deluyin@126.comPurpose: To understand the physical and mental health status of primary healthcare providers (PHPs) including physicians, nurses and other staff and the workplace risk factors for depression, anxiety and intention-to-leave.Patients and Methods: In December 2021, a national cross-sectional survey was conducted from 62 urban communities in China, and all PHPs were invited to complete a standardized questionnaire. Information on demographic, health-related lifestyle, cardiovascular risk factors and physical health status, occupational stress and intention-to-leave was collected. Depression and anxiety were assessed using the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety/Depression Scale (SAS/SDS).Results: A total of 4901 PHPs were included. 67.0% males currently drank alcohol vs 25.3% in females; 36.0% males currently smoked cigarettes vs 1.4% in females. Notably, more than half males were overweight or obese, but this proportion was 24.2% in females. The prevalence of chronic diseases, including hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, gout, and disease clustering were higher in males than in females. The prevalence of depression and anxiety were high, 50% had depression, of whom 15.6% had moderate/severe depression. Over 15% participants had varied levels of anxiety, and approximately 4% had moderate/severe anxiety. PHPs who aged 18– 29 (OR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.05– 1.64), were males (OR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.14– 1.57), with lower professional title (comparing with staff with senior title, the ORs of the intermedium, junior and none were 1.83, 2.18 and 2.49, respectively), took charge in nursing (OR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.20– 1.65), with higher perceived stress level (OR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.41– 2.34), and suffering from severe fatigue (OR: 2.55, 95% CI: 1.99– 3.27) were more likely to have depression. Likewise, PHPs who were younger, with intermedium professional title, had higher perceived pressure level, and higher fatigue levels were more likely to have anxiety.Conclusion: The mental health of PHPs is worrisome, with a high burden of chronic diseases and occupational risk factors. Younger PHPs, nurses, and those with higher levels of work pressure and fatigue are more vulnerable to psychological problems. The high prevalence of intention-to-leave calls for strategies that relieve the workplace stress and enhance the human resource capability.Keywords: depression, anxiety, stress, intention-to-leave, COVID-19, primary healthcare

Chengxuan Liu,1 Weijian Xiong,1 Jing Song,2 Xiaoqin Ouyang,1 Yang Fu3 1Department of Nephrology, Chongqing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China; 2Molecular Medicine and Cancer Research Centre, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Rehabilitation, Chongqing Traditional Chinese medicine Hospital, Chongqing, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Yang Fu, Department of Rehabilitation, Chongqing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, No. 6 Panxi Branch Road, Jiangbei District, Chongqing, 400021, People’s Republic of China, Email fuyang@stu.cdutcm.edu.cnIntroduction: The overall survival of patients with high-stage clear cell renal carcinoma (ccRCC) is poor. However, promising molecular-level prognostic marker is still lacking to date.Methods: We systematically evaluated the prognostic potential of immune-related long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in ccRCC. The expressions of lncRNAs were validated in clinical tissues of ccRCC. Functional experiments were performed to investigate the role of lncRNAs in ccRCC.Results: Eight hundred and ninety-three lncRNAs were differentially expressed in ccRCC and compared with normal controls and were screened out using three independent cohorts. Among them, 290 immune-related lncRNAs were identified. We identified a seven-lncRNA signature (LINC01270, FIRRE, RP11-37B2.1, RP11-253I19.3, RP11-438L19.1, RP11-504P24.9, and CTB-41I6.1) associated with the overall survival of late-stage ccRCC patients. Further multivariate Cox analysis using clinical factors as covariates showed that our lncRNA signature was an independent biomarker in training (P < 0.001, Log rank test) and validation cohorts (P = 0.003). The seven lncRNAs were closely related to the major targets (PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA4) of immune checkpoint blockade drugs, implying that they may have potential value in predicting immunotherapy response. The seven lncRNAs may play an important role in tumor-infiltrating immune cells (eg, T/B cells) and tumor progression through regulating the binding of protein receptors/complexes, as revealed by functional analysis. qRT-PCR showed that LINC01270 was upregulated in ccRCC tissues (n=20) compared with paired normal samples. Functional experiments showed that LINC01270 silencing inhibited the proliferation, invasion, and migration of ccRCC cells.Discussion: In summary, the seven-lncRNA signature has great potential in prognosis for patients with late-stage ccRCC, which could be a novel clinical biomarker. LINC01270 could be a novel therapeutic target of ccRCC.Keywords: long non-coding RNA FIRRE, prognosis, renal cell carcinoma, tumor immune

Yumin Chen,1 Wei Xiong,2,3 Ying Zhang,1 Xue Bai,1 Guoliang Cheng,1 Yifan Zhang,1 Rui Chen,1 Yinghui Guo,1 Hui Kong,1 Yue Zhang,4 Huihua Qu,5 Yan Zhao1 1School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 2School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 3Institutes of Health Research, Mayinglong Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd, Wuhan, Hubei, People’s Republic of China; 4School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 5Centre of Scientific Experiment, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of ChinaHuihua QuCentre of Scientific Experiment, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 11 Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Chaoyang District, Beijing, People’s Republic of China, Email quhuihuadr@163.comCorrespondence: Yan Zhao, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 11 Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Chaoyang District, Beijing, People’s Republic of China, Email zhaoyandr@163.comBackground: At present, people are susceptible to developing depression and anxiety disorders in response to stress. However, there is no specific medicine for anxiety. Os Draconis (OD, named “Long gu” in Chinese) are fossilized bones that have been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat neurological diseases for thousands of years. Thus, we conducted this study to determine the biological basis for the anxiolytic effect of OD.Methods: In this study, novel carbon dots (OD-CDs) from OD decoctions were discovered and separated. OD-CDs were anatomized using nanomaterials characterization methods to characterize the morphological structure, optical properties, and functional group properties. Four behavioural tests were conducted to observe the behavioural activities of mice, including the open field test (OFT), light/dark box test (LDT), elevated plus maze test (EPMT), and novelty-suppressed feeding test (NSFT), to determine its anxiolytic effects. Moreover, we assessed the possible mechanisms of the OD-CDs by detecting hormones associated with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.Results: OD-CDs were spherical and monodispersed with a narrow size distribution between 1 and 5 nm and had a yield of 3.67%. OD-CDs increased the activity time of mice in the central zone in the OFT. The mice in the experimental group showed more frequent activity in the light compartment and the open arms, in LDT and EPMT, respectively. In addition, OD-CDs shortened the feeding latency in the NSFT. Furthermore, the results after OD-CDs intervention showed a significant increase in serum serotonin (5-HT) and norepinephrine (NE). In addition, the concentrations of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ATCH), and corticosterone (CORT) were decreased.Conclusion: These results demonstrate a definite anxiolytic effect of OD-CDs and reveal the possible mechanism of action of OD-CDs’ anxiolytic effect, which supports the research of OD for neurological disorders and a promising new trend of therapeutic approach and drug development.Graphical Abstract: Keywords: Os Draconis, carbon dots, anti-anxiety, HPA axis