In vitro performance of a biodegradable zinc alloy adjustable-loop cortical suspension fixation for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Anterior cruciate ligament(ACL)injuries of the knee are one of the most common and serious athletic injuries.The widely used cortical suspension fixation buttons for ligament reconstruction are permanent implants,particularly those made from conventional steel or titanium alloys.In this study,a biodegradable Zn-0.45Mn-0.2Mg(ZMM42)alloy with the yield strength of 300.4 MPa and tensile strength of 329.8 MPa was prepared through hot extrusion.The use of zinc alloys in the preparation of cortical suspension fixation buttons was proposed for the first time.After 35 d of immersion in simulated body fluids,the ZMM42 alloy fixation buttons were degraded at a rate of 44μm/a,and the fixation strength was retained(379.55 N)in the traction loops.Simultaneously,the ZMM42 alloy fixation buttons exhibited an increase in MC3T3-E1 cell viability and high antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.These results reveal the potential of biodegradable zinc alloys for use as ligament reconstruction materials and for developing diverse zinc alloy cortical suspension fixation devices.

Diabetic ketoacidosis complicated with intussusception: a case report

Intussusception is relatively rare in adults but common in children.[1,2]An untreated intussusception often causes intestinal obstruction,intestinal perforation,peritonitis,and shock.[3]Diabetic ketoacidosis(DKA)is the most common acute hyperglycemic emergency in uncontrolled type 1 diabetes(T1DM).[4]More than 60%of DKA patients experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea,vomiting,and abdominal pain,[5,6]which sometimes lead to the neglect of other serious underlying conditions.Although delayed gastric emptying,intestinal obstruction,electrolyte imbalance,and metabolic acidosis are associated with DKA,the underlying mechanism has not been fully elucidated.[7]This study aimed to report a DKA patient complicated with intussusception.

Geochemistry, geochronology and Hf isotope of granitoids in the Chinese Altai: Implications for Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt

The Chinese Altai in northwestern Xinjiang has numerous outcrops of granitoids which provide critical information on accretionary orogenic processes and crustal growth of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt.Zircon U-Pb ages, Hf-isotopic compositions and whole-rock geochemistry of monzogranite and granodiorites in the Qinghe County are employed to elucidate Paleozoic tectonics of the Chinese Altai. Granodiorites have crystallization ages of 424.6 ± 3.1 Ma(MSWD = 0.23) and 404.0 ± 3.4 Ma(MSWD = 0.18);monzogranite was emplaced in the early Permian with a crystallization age of 293.7 ± 4.6 Ma(MSWD = 1.06). Both granodiorites and monzogranite are I-type granites with A/CNK ratios of 0.92 -0.97 and 1.03 -1.06, respectively. They also show similar geochemical features of high HREE and Y contents, low Sr contents and Sr/Y ratios, as well as enrichment of Cs, Rb, Th and U, and depletion of Nb, Ta, P and Ti.These geochemical features indicate that the monzogranite and granodiorites were formed in an arc setting related to subduction. The gneissic monzogranites display high SiO_2 and K_2 O contents, and belong to the high-K calc-alkaline series. In the chondrite normalized REE distribution pattern, the monzogranite samples exhibit enrichment of LREE with strong negative Eu anomalies(σE u =0.44 -0.53), zircon εHf(t) values from +7.24 to +12.63 and two-stage Hf model ages of 463 -740 Ma. This suggests that the monzogranite was generated from the mixing of pelitic and mantle material. The granodiorite samples are calc-alkaline granites with lower contents of Si O_2 and Na_2 O + K_2 O, higher contents of TiO_2, Fe_2O_3~t, MgO and CaO compared to the monzogranite samples. They also show enrichment of LREE and moderate negative Eu anomalies(σE u= 0.54 =0.81), as well as slightly higher differentiation of LREE than that of HREE. The425 Ma granodiorite has zircon εHf(t) values from -0.51 to +1.98 and two-stage Hf model ages of 1133 -1240 Ma, whereas the 404 Ma granodiorite displays those of +2.52 to +7.50 and 816 -1071 Ma.Geochemistry and zircon Hf isotopic compositions indicate that granodiorites were formed by partial melting of juvenile lower crust. Together with regional geology and previous data, the geochemical and geochronological data of the monzogranite and granodiorites from this study suggest long-lived subduction and accretion along the Altai Orogen during ca. 425 -294 Ma.

Machine learning design of 400 MPa grade biodegradable Zn-Mn based alloys with appropriate corrosion rates

The commonly used trial-and-error method of biodegradable Zn alloys is costly and blindness.In this study,based on the self-built database of biodegradable Zn alloys,two machine learning models are established by the first time to predict the ultimate tensile strength(UTS)and immersion corrosion rate(CR)of biodegradable Zn alloys.A real-time visualization interface has been established to design Zn-Mn based alloys;a representative alloy is Zn-0.4Mn-0.4Li-0.05Mg.Through tensile mechanical properties and immersion corrosion rate tests,its UTS reaches 420 MPa,and the prediction error is only 0.95%.CR is 73μm/a and the prediction error is 5.5%,which elevates 50 MPa grade of UTS and owns appropriate corrosion rate.Finally,influences of the selected features on UTS and CR are discussed in detail.The combined application of UTS and CR model provides a new strategy for synergistically regulating comprehens-ive properties of biodegradable Zn alloys.

Second phase refining induced optimization of Fe alloying in Zn:Significantly enhanced strengthening effect and corrosion uniformity

Many non-toxic alloying elements,such as Fe,Ca,and Sr,have negligible solid solubilities in Zn matrix,leading to formation of coarse second phase particles.They exhibit low strengthening effects but highly detrimental to ductility.So refining second phase is a common pursuit for Zn alloys.The present paper takes Zn-0.3Fe alloy suffered from coarse FeZn_(13) second phase particles as a touchstone to testify microstructure refining effect through solidification with an accelerated speed and multi-pass rolling.FeZn_(13) particles are refined from 24 to 2μm,and Zn grains are refined to 5μm.As a result,the strengthening effect of Fe is enhanced significantly,with yield strength and the ultimate tensile strength of the alloy increased from 132 to 218 MPa and from 159 to 264 MPa,respectively.Furthermore,corrosion non-uniformity and penetration are much alleviated.These results show that microstructure refinement,especially on coarse intermetallic second phases,has a great potential to improve mechanical and degradation properties of biodegradable Zn alloys.

Acute hemolytic anemia in a 34-year-old man after inhalation of a volatile nitrite “popper” product

Inhaled nitrites have been used recreationally for centuries,particularly among men who have sex with men (MSM).^([1])After inhalation,this substance quickly enters the blood;within seconds,it can produce a temporary sense of warmth and pleasure,and relax the anal sphincter to relieve the pain of anal sex.^([2,3])“Popper”and“rush”are slang terms given to drugs of the chemical class called amyl nitrite or isobutyl nitrite.Nitrites oxidize hemoglobin to methemoglobins and may increase proteolytic susceptibility of hemoglobin,leading to oxidative hemolysis.Thus,their use is associated with methemoglobinemia and hemolytic anemia,^([4])although nitrite-induced hemolytic anemia has been described only in rare cases (supplementary Table 1).^([4-9])Herein,we report a case of acute hemolytic anemia associated with the use of amyl nitrite.

食药用真菌多糖对肿瘤免疫逃逸调节作用机制研究进展

食药用真菌多糖是食药用真菌的主要天然生物活性成分,可以从多层次、多靶点调节机体的免疫功能,被认为是一种天然免疫调节剂。此前食药用真菌多糖抗肿瘤机制研究集中在提升机体的免疫力达到抑制肿瘤的目的,但近年的研究表明它可以调节肿瘤微环境,恢复机体对肿瘤以及肿瘤微环境的监视能力,提升机体对肿瘤微环境的特异性免疫应答能力,进而达到充分发挥其抑制和杀伤肿瘤的功能。我们课题组前期研究中也发现食药用菌多糖可以正向调节肿瘤小鼠外周血免疫细胞数量,促进免疫细胞浸润到肿瘤微环境中帮助机体识别及杀伤肿瘤细胞,改善肿瘤微环境免疫状态。本文在我们团队的研究工作的基础上,结合国内外文献总结食药用真菌多糖作为免疫调节剂在抑制肿瘤免疫逃逸中的生物活性,结合肿瘤微环境探讨其与肿瘤免疫的关系、作用机制和在肿瘤治疗中的作用,以期为食药用真菌多糖免疫治疗提供新思路。

Cholesterol-25-Hydroxylase Suppresses Seneca Valley Virus Infection via Producing 25-Hydroxycholesterol to Block Adsorption Procedure

Cholesterol-25-hydroxylase(CH25 H)is a membrane protein associated with endoplasmic reticulum,and it is an interferon-stimulated factor regulated by interferon.CH25 H catalyzes cholesterol to produce 25-hydroxycholesterol(25 HC)by adding a second hydroxyl to the 25 th carbon atom of cholesterol.Recent studies have shown that both CH25 H and 25 HC could inhibit the replication of many viruses.In this study,we found that ectopic expression of CH25 H in HEK-293 T and BHK-21 cell lines could inhibit the replication of Seneca Valley virus(SVV)and that there was no species difference.On the other hand,the knockdown of CH25 H could enhance the replication of SVV in HEK-293 T and BHK-21 cells,indicating the importance of CH25 H.To some extent,the CH25 H mutant without hydroxylase activity also lost its ability to inhibit SVV amplification.Further studies demonstrated that 25 HC was involved in the entire life cycle of SVV,especially in repressing its adsorption process.This study reveals that CH25 H exerts the advantage of innate immunity mainly by producing 25 HC to block virion adsorption.