Recent Developments in Metallic Degradable Micromotors for Biomedical and Environmental Remediation Applications

Synthetic micromotor has gained substantial attention in biomedicine and environmental remediation.Metal-based degradable micromotor composed of magnesium(Mg),zinc(Zn),and iron(Fe)have promise due to their nontoxic fuel-free propulsion,favorable biocompatibility,and safe excretion of degradation products Recent advances in degradable metallic micromotor have shown their fast movement in complex biological media,efficient cargo delivery and favorable biocompatibility.A noteworthy number of degradable metal-based micromotors employ bubble propulsion,utilizing water as fuel to generate hydrogen bubbles.This novel feature has projected degradable metallic micromotors for active in vivo drug delivery applications.In addition,understanding the degradation mechanism of these micromotors is also a key parameter for their design and performance.Its propulsion efficiency and life span govern the overall performance of a degradable metallic micromotor.Here we review the design and recent advancements of metallic degradable micromotors.Furthermore,we describe the controlled degradation,efficient in vivo drug delivery,and built-in acid neutralization capabilities of degradable micromotors with versatile biomedical applications.Moreover,we discuss micromotors’efficacy in detecting and destroying environmental pollutants.Finally,we address the limitations and future research directions of degradable metallic micromotors.

Graphene-calcium carbonate coating to improve the degradation resistance and mechanical integrity of a biodegradable implant

Biodegradable implants are critical for regenerative orthopaedic procedures,but they may suffer from too fast corrosion in human-body environment.This necessitates the synthesis of a suitable coating that may improve the corrosion resistance of these implants without compromising their mechanical integrity.In this study,an AZ91 magnesium alloy,as a representative for a biodegradable Mg implant material,was modified with a thin reduced graphene oxide(RGO)-calcium carbonate(CaCO_(3))composite coating.Detailed analytical and in-vitro electrochemical characterization reveals that this coating significantly improves the corrosion resistance and mechanical integrity,and thus has the potential to greatly extend the related application field.

Efficacy of adjuvant mitomycin-C and triamcinoloneimpregnated nasal packing for endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy

●AIM:To compare the success rate and complications of adjuvant use of mitomycin C and triamcinoloneimpregnated biodegradable nasal packing(TABP)in endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy(DCR).And to evaluate the efficacy of combining intraoperative mitomycin C and TABP for endoscopic DCR.●METHODS:A total of 198 eyes of 148 patients who underwent endoscopic DCR for acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction were retrospectively analysed.The patients were randomly divided into three groups:Group A included patients treated without intraoperative mitomycin C but with TABP,Group B included patients treated without triamcinolone but with intraoperative mitomycin C and normal saline-impregnated nasal packing,and Group C included patients treated with intraoperative mitomycin C and TABP.●RESULTS:The results revealed no significant difference in the overall success rates between Groups A(86.8%)and B(89.2%;P=0.377).However,Group C(97.5%)showed a significantly higher overall success rate than Groups A and B.The incidence of granulomas was significantly lower in group C(5%)than in Groups A(20.8%)and B(15.2%;P=0.009).Other complications,such as crust,synechiae,and revision surgery,did not differ significantly among the three groups.●CONCLUSION:The combination of intraoperative mitomycin C and TABP effectively prevents granulomas and enhances surgical success rate.Additionally,there is no statistically significant difference observed between the use of mitomycin C or TABP alone.

Influence of laser parameters on the microstructures and surface properties in laser surface modification of biomedical magnesium alloys

Biodegradable implants from magnesium(Mg)alloys have emerged in the biomedical field especially in the orthopedic and cardiovascular stent applications owing to their low density,high specific strength,excellent machinability,good biocompatibility,and biodegradability.The primary shortcoming of Mg-based implants is their low corrosion resistance in the physiological environment,which results in premature mechanical integrity loss before adequate healing and the production of excessive hydrogen gas,which is harmful to the body tissues and negatively affects the biocompatibility of the implant.Laser surface modification has recently received attention because it can improve the surface properties such as surface chemistry,roughness,topography,corrosion resistance,wear resistance,hydrophilicity,and thus cell response to the surface of the material.The composition and microstructures including textures and phases of laser-treated surfaces depend largely on the laser processing parameters(input laser power,laser scan velocity,frequency,pulse duration,pressure,gas circulation,working time,spot size,beam focal position,and laser track overlap)and the thermophysical properties of the substrate(solubility,melting point,and boiling point).This review investigates the impacts of various laser surface modification techniques including laser surface melting,laser surface alloying,laser cladding,laser surface texturing,and laser shock peening,and highlights their significance in improving the surface properties of biodegradable Mg alloys for implant applications.Additionally,we explore how different laser process parameters affect its composition,microstructure,and surface properties in each laser surface modification technique.

The influence of yttrium and manganese additions on the degradation and biocompatibility of magnesium-zinc-based alloys:In vitro and in vivo studies

The repair and regeneration of bone defects are highly challenging orthopedic problems.Recently,Mg-based implants have gained popularity due to their unique biodegradation and elastic modulus similar to that of human bone.The aim of our study is to develop a magnesium alloy with a controllable degradation that can closely match bone tissue to help injuries heal in vivo and avoid cytotoxicity caused by a sudden increase in ion concentration.In this study,we prepared and modified Mg-3Zn,Mg-3Zn-1Y,and Mg-2Zn-1Mn by hot extrusion,and used Mg-2.5Y-2.5Nd was as a control.We then investigated the effect of additions of Y and Mn on alloys'properties.Our results show that Mn and Y can improve not only compression strength but also corrosion resistance.The alloy Mg-2Zn-1Mn demonstrated good cytocompatibility in vitro,and for this reason we selected it for implantation in vivo.The degraded Mg-2Zn-1Mn implanted a bone defect area did not cause obvious rejection and inflammatory reaction,and the degradation products left no signs of damage to the heart,liver,kidney,or brain.Furthermore,we find that Mg-2Zn-1Mn can promote an osteoinductive response in vivo and the formation of bone regeneration.

Highly Elastic,Bioresorbable Polymeric Materials for Stretchable,Transient Electronic Systems

Substrates or encapsulants in soft and stretchable formats are key components for transient,bioresorbable electronic systems;however,elastomeric polymers with desired mechanical and biochemical properties are very limited compared to nontransient counterparts.Here,we introduce a bioresorbable elastomer,poly(glycolide-co-ε-caprolactone)(PGCL),that contains excellent material properties including high elongation-at-break(<1300%),resilience and toughness,and tunable dissolution behaviors.Exploitation of PGCLs as polymer matrices,in combination with conducing polymers,yields stretchable,conductive composites for degradable interconnects,sensors,and actuators,which can reliably function under external strains.Integration of device components with wireless modules demonstrates elastic,transient electronic suture system with on-demand drug delivery for rapid recovery of postsurgical wounds in soft,time-dynamic tissues.

A functional tacrolimus-releasing nerve wrap for enhancing nerve regeneration following surgical nerve repair

Axonal regeneration following surgical nerve repair is slow and often incomplete,resulting in poor functional recovery which sometimes contributes to lifelong disability.Currently,there are no FDA-approved therapies available to promote nerve regeneration.Tacrolimus accelerates axonal regeneration,but systemic side effects presently outweigh its potential benefits for peripheral nerve surgery.The authors describe herein a biodegradable polyurethane-based drug delivery system for the sustained local release of tacrolimus at the nerve repair site,with suitable properties for scalable production and clinical application,aiming to promote nerve regeneration and functional recovery with minimal systemic drug exposure.Tacrolimus is encapsulated into co-axially electrospun polycarbonate-urethane nanofibers to generate an implantable nerve wrap that releases therapeutic doses of bioactive tacrolimus over 31 days.Size and drug loading are adjustable for applications in small and large caliber nerves,and the wrap degrades within 120 days into biocompatible byproducts.Tacrolimus released from the nerve wrap promotes axon elongation in vitro and accelerates nerve regeneration and functional recovery in preclinical nerve repair models while off-target systemic drug exposure is reduced by 80%compared with systemic delivery.Given its surgical suitability and preclinical efficacy and safety,this system may provide a readily translatable approach to support axonal regeneration and recovery in patients undergoing nerve surgery.

Biomedical rare-earth magnesium alloy:Current status and future prospects

Biomedical magnesium(Mg)alloys have garnered significant attention because of their unique biodegradability,favorable biocompatibility,and suitable mechanical properties.The incorporation of rare earth(RE)elements,with their distinct physical and chemical properties,has greatly contributed to enhancing the mechanical performance,degradation behavior,and biological performance of biomedical Mg alloys.Currently,a series of RE-Mg alloys are being designed and investigated for orthopedic implants and cardiovascular stents,achieving substantial and encouraging research progress.In this work,a comprehensive summary of the state-of-the-art in biomedical RE-Mg alloys is provided.The physiological effects and design standards of RE elements in biomedical Mg alloys are discussed.Particularly,the degradation behavior and mechanical properties,including their underlying action are studied in-depth.Furthermore,the preparation techniques and current application status of RE-Mg alloys are reviewed.Finally,we address the ongoing challenges and propose future prospects to guide the development of high-performance biomedical Mg-RE alloys.

A multi-functional MgF_(2)/polydopamine/hyaluronan-astaxanthin coating on the biodegradable ZE21B alloy with better corrosion resistance and biocompatibility for cardiovascular application

The cardiovascular diseases(CVD)continue to be the major threat to global public health over the years,while one of the effective methods to treat CVD is stent intervention.Biomedical magnesium(Mg)alloys have great potential applications in cardiovascular stents benefit from their excellent biodegradability and absorbability.However,excessive degradation rate and the delayed surface endothelialization still limit their further application.In this study,we modified a Mg-Zn-Y-Nd alloy(ZE21B)by preparing MgF_(2) as the corrosion resistance layer,the dopamine polymer film(PDA)as the bonding layer,and hyaluronic acid(HA)loaded astaxanthin(ASTA)as an important layer to directing the cardiovascular cells fate.The electrochemical test results showed that the MgF_(2)/PDA/HA-ASTA coating improved the corrosion resistance of ZE21B.The cytocompatibility experiments also demonstrated that this novel composite coating also selectively promoted endothelial cells proliferation,inhibited hyperproliferation of smooth muscle cells and adhesion of macrophages.Compared with the HAloaded rapamycin(RAPA)coating,our MgF_(2)/PDA/HA-ASTA coating showed better blood compatibility and cytocompatibility,indicating stronger multi-functions for the ZE21B alloy on cardiovascular application.

New insights on the high-corrosion resistance of UHP Mg-Ge alloys tested in a simulated physiological environment

UHP Mg-Ge alloys was recently found to provide excellent corrosion resistance.This paper provides new insights on the mechanism of improved corrosion resistance of UHP Mg-Ge alloys in Hanks’solution.The studied UHP Mg-0.5Ge and UHP Mg-1Ge alloys showed superior corrosion resistance compared to UHP Mg and WE43,with the Mg-1Ge exhibiting the best corrosion performance.The exceptional corrosion resistance of the UHP alloy is attributed to(i)Mg_(2)Ge’s ability to suppress cathodic kinetics,(ii)Ge’s capability to accelerate the formation of a highly passive layer,and the(iii)low amounts of corrosion-accelerating impurities.

Improving corrosion resistance of additively manufactured WE43 magnesium alloy by high temperature oxidation for biodegradable applications

Laser powder bed fusion(L-PBF)has been employed to additively manufacture WE43 magnesium(Mg)alloy biodegradable implants,but WE43 L-PBF samples exhibit excessively rapid corrosion.In this work,dense WE43 L-PBF samples were built with the relativity density reaching 99.9%.High temperature oxidation was performed on the L-PBF samples in circulating air via various heating temperatures and holding durations.The oxidation and diffusion at the elevated temperature generated a gradient structure composed of an oxide layer at the surface,a transition layer in the middle and the matrix.The oxide layer consisted of rare earth(RE)oxides,and became dense and thick with increasing the holding duration.The matrix was composed ofα-Mg,RE oxides and Mg_(24)RE_(5) precipitates.The precipitates almost disappeared in the transition layer.Enhanced passivation effect was observed in the samples treated by a suitable high temperature oxidation.The original L-PBF samples lost 40%weight after 3-day immersion in Hank’s solution,and broke into fragments after 7-day immersion.The casted and solution treated samples lost roughly half of the weight after 28-day immersion.The high temperature oxidation samples,which were heated at 525℃ for 8 h,kept the structural integrity,and lost only 6.88%weight after 28-day immersion.The substantially improved corrosion resistance was contributed to the gradient structure at the surface.On one hand,the outmost dense layer of RE oxides isolated the corrosive medium;on the other hand,the transition layer considerably inhibited the corrosion owing to the lack of precipitates.Overall,high temperature oxidation provides an efficient,economic and safe approach to inhibit the corrosion of WE43 L-PBF samples,and has promising prospects for future clinical applications.

Interplay of laser power and pore characteristics in selective laser melting of ZK60 magnesium alloys:A study based on in-situ monitoring and image analysis

This study offers significant insights into the multi-physics phenomena of the SLM process and the subsequent porosity characteristics of ZK60 Magnesium(Mg)alloys.High-speed in-situ monitoring was employed to visualise process signals in real-time,elucidating the dynamics of melt pools and vapour plumes under varying laser power conditions specifically between 40 W and 60 W.Detailed morphological analysis was performed using Scanning-Electron Microscopy(SEM),demonstrating a critical correlation between laser power and pore formation.Lower laser power led to increased pore coverage,whereas a denser structure was observed at higher laser power.This laser power influence on porosity was further confirmed via Optical Microscopy(OM)conducted on both top and cross-sectional surfaces of the samples.An increase in laser power resulted in a decrease in pore coverage and pore size,potentially leading to a denser printed part of Mg alloy.X-ray Computed Tomography(XCT)augmented these findings by providing a 3D volumetric representation of the sample internal structure,revealing an inverse relationship between laser power and overall pore volume.Lower laser power appeared to favour the formation of interconnected pores,while a reduction in interconnected pores and an increase in isolated pores were observed at higher power.The interplay between melt pool size,vapour plume effects,and laser power was found to significantly influence the resulting porosity,indicating a need for effective management of these factors to optimise the SLM process of Mg alloys.

Optimization of Diesel and Crude Oil Degradation in a Ghanaian Soil Using Organic Wastes as Amendment

Soil contamination by hydrocarbons poses numerous environmental, health and agricultural problems. The degradation of these pollutants can occur naturally but very slowly. It is therefore generally necessary to stimulate this degradation by different means. Thus, this study aimed to improve the bio-degradation of diesel and crude oil in a Ghanaian soil by biostimulation. For this, the sampled soil was characterized by standard methods and contaminated with diesel and crude oil at a proportion of 1% (w/w). Then, contaminated soil samples were supplemented with biochar-compost, poultry manure or cow dung at the proportion of 10% (w/w). Periodically, fractions of these samples were taken to evaluate the density of hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria (HUB) and the residual quantities of diesel or crude oil. The characteristics of the soil used show the need for supplementation for better degradation of hydrocarbons. The results of the study show that supplementing the soil with organic substrates increases HUB loads in soils contaminated by diesel and crude oil. They also show that the residual quantities of diesel and crude oil are generally significantly lower in supplemented soils (p = 0.048 and p < 0.0001 respectively). In addition, the study shows that degradation was generally greater in soils contaminated by diesel compared to those contaminated by crude oil, especially at the end of the study.

New Insights in the Biodegradability and the Ecotoxicological Effects of Solar Products Containing Mineral and Chemical UV-Filters on Marine Zoo- and Phytoplanktons: An in silico and in vitro Study

Background: Cosmetic formulations, and particularly solar products which contain mineral and chemical UV-filters, are often suspected of causing harmful effects on marine fauna and flora. After the publication of our work in 2019 concerning the ecotoxicological effects of such formulations on corals (Seriatopora hystrix), we here provide some new information about the biodegradability and the ecotoxicological effects of these products on marine zoo- and phytoplankton. Therefore, we choose to realize in silico and in vitro studies of the biodegradability of several solar products but also to evaluate the ecotoxicological effects of these products on one phytoplankton, i.e. Phaeodactylum tricornutum, and one zooplankton, i.e. Acartia tonsa, of a great importance for sea species survival (notably as sources of food). Materials and methods: Two different approaches were used to study the biodegradability of the tested products: One in silico method and an in vitro one. 2 solar products were involved in the in silico study which consisted in the determination of the degradation factor (DF) of each ingredient of the tested formulas in order to finally obtain their estimated biodegradability percentage. Already available data concerning each ingredient coupled to a computer model developed with one of our partners were used to achieve this study. The in vitro study involved 8 formulas containing UV-filters and was led by following the OECD 301 F guidelines. Ecotoxicological studies of 7 of the formulas containing UV-filters were for their part realized by following the ISO 10253 guidelines for the experiments led with Phaeodactylum tricornutum, and the ISO 14669 guidelines for the experiments led with Acartia tonsa. In these studies, the effect of each tested product on crustaceans’ mortality and algal growth inhibition was assessed. Results: The in silico study predicted that formulas containing chemical UV-filters display a high biodegradability (superior to the threshold value of 60% given by the OECD 301 F guidelines). In the in vitro part of our work, the 8 tested formulas showed a biodegradability slightly inferior to the one predicted in the in silico experiments. Therefore, in order to evaluate if these calculated biodegradability value could have significant harmful effects on zoo- or phytoplankton, we studied the effect of our products regarding the growth inhibition on Phaeodactylum tricornutum and the mortality on Acartia tonsa. In this last part of the study, all the tested products were classified as “non ecotoxic” following an internal classification based on Part 4 entitled “Environmental Hazards” of Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), 9th edition (2021). Conclusions: These results are notably in line with those published by our teams in 2019 on the effects of solar cosmetic products on corals and seem to confirm that formulas containing mineral and chemical UV-filters can be daily used without displaying significant noxious effects on marine fauna and flora. .

Cloning and expression of the first gene for biodegrading microcystin LR by Sphingopyxis sp.USTB-05

Harmful cyanobacterial blooms are a growing environmental problem worldwide in natural waters, the biodegradation is found to be the most efficient method for removing microcystins 0VICs） produced by harmful cyanobacteria. Based on the isolation of a promising bacterial strain of Sphingopyxis sp. USTB-05 for biodegrading MCs, we for the first time cloned and expressed a gene USTB-O5-A （HM245411） that is responsible for the first step in the biodegradation of microcystin LR （MC-LR） in E. coli DH5ct, with a cloning vector of pGEM-T easy and an expression vector of pGEX-4T-1, respectively. The cell-free extracts （CE） of recombinant E. coli DH5ct containing USTB-O5-A had high activity for biodegrading MC-LR. The initial MC-LR concentration of 40 mg/L was completely biodegraded within 1 hr in the presence of CE with a protein concentration of 0.35 mg/mL. Based on an analysis of the liquid chromatogram-mass spectrum （LC-MS）, the enzyme encoded by gene USTB-O5-A was found to be active in cleaving the target peptide bond between 3-amino-9-methoxy-2,6, 8-trimethyl-10-phenyl-deca-4,6-dienoic acid （Adda） and arginine of MC-LR, and converting cyclic MC-LR to linear MC-LR as a first product that is much less toxic than parent MC-LR, which offered direct evidence for the first step on the pathway of MC-LR biodegradation by Sphingopyxis sp. USTB-05.

Corrosion and corrosion-fatigue behavior of magnesium metal matrix composites for bio-implant applications:A review

Recently,the topic of bioresorbable metals,with much focus on magnesium for bone implant applications,has been an area of considerable investigation.Indeed,it could be argued that magnesium is the most promising biodegradable material currently being studied for use as an orthopedic skeletal fixation and joint replacement hardware.However,the fast degradation rate of magnesium-based materials in the physiological environment negatively affects their mechanical integrity and hence limits their biomedical use.The most critical conditions may occur when the implant is subjected to a corrosive physiological environment and a fluctuating load during daily activities.Hence,numerous studies have been published on the synthesis,alloying,and coating of magnesium to control degradation rate and increase strength and durability.Among the materials and strategies employed to achieve these goals,magnesium-based biocomposites have exhibited superior mechanical properties and acceptable biocompatibility.However,there is a lack of understanding of their corrosion and corrosion-fatigue behavior.Such understanding is necessary to qualify these new materials for various bio-implant applications.To this end,this paper reviews the recent advances in the corrosion and corrosion-fatigue behavior of magnesium-based biocomposites.It also provides a comprehensive discussion of different factors that influence the biocompatibility,corrosion,fatigue,and corrosion-fatigue of magnesium-based biocomposites as potential implant materials.This study emphasizes that despite the abundance of various studies on the corrosion behavior of magnesium-based biocomposites,there is an imperative need for more fatigue and corrosion-fatigue studies.

Eco-friendly biodegradable polyurethane based coating for antibacterial and antifouling performance

Biofouling, which comprises the absorption of proteins and the adhesion of bacteria to the surface of living entities, is a severe concern for the maritime sector since it ultimately leads to hydrodynamic drag,resulting in a higher increase in fuel consumption. As a result, polymer resins are crucial in the marine sector for anti-biofouling coatings. In this work, the poly(caprolactone-ethylene glycol-caprolactone)-p olyurethane(PECL-PU) are prepared through ε-caprolactone(CL), poly(ethylene glycol)(PEG), 4,4'-methylene bis(cyclohexyl isocyanate) and 1,4 butanediol. Our study demonstrate that the PECL-PU copolymer degraded in artificial seawater(5.21%), enzymatic solution(12.63%), and seawater(13.75%)due to the presence of PEG segments in the laboratory-based test under static condition. Because the addition of PEG segments are increased the polymer's amorphous area and decreased the crystallization of the polycaprolactone(PCL) in the copolymer, as demonstrated by differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, and water contact angle studies. Therefore, the hydrolysis rates of PECL-PU were higher than the caprolactone-co-polyurethane(CL-PU). The antifouling test showed that PECL-PU3 copolymer had about 90.29% protein resistance, 85.2% Escherichia coli(E. coli) reduction and 94.61% marine diatom Navicula incerta reduction comparison to the control. We have developed an eco-friendly and inexpensive promising degradable polyurethane for reduction of bacterial biofilm, which can preserve the formation of biofouling on marine coating under practical sea conditions.

Biodegradation Behavior of Starch in Simulated White Water System of Old Corrugated Cardboard Pulping Process

Considering the serious barriers/issues induced by the accumulated starch generated in white water system of old corrugated cardboard(OCC)pulping process,large amounts of accumulated starch in white water would be decomposed by microorganisms and could not be utilized,thereby resulting in severe resource wastage and environmental pollution.This study mainly explored the effects of biodegradation/hydrolysis conditions of the two types of starch substrates(native starch and enzymatically(α-amylase)hydrolyzed starch),which were treated via microorganism degradation within the simulated white water from OCC pulping system and their biodegradation products on the key properties were characterized via X-ray diffraction(XRD),Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR),and gel permeation chromatography(GPC)technologies.The effects of system temperature,pH value,starch concentration,and biodegradation time on starch biodegradation ratio and the characteristics of obtained biodegradated products from the two types of starches were studied.In addition,the effect ofα-amylase dosage on the biodegradation ratio of enzymatically hydrolyzed starch and its properties was investigated.It was found that the native starch presented a maximal degradation ratio at a system temperature of 55℃and pH value range of 5-7,respectively,the corresponding starch concentration within simulated white water system was 200 mg/L.Whereas the enzymatically hydrolyzed starch exhibited a highest degradation ratio at a system temperature of 50℃and pH value of 5.5,respectively,and the corresponding starch concentration within simulated white water system was 100 mg/L.It was verified that native starch is more readily bio-hydrolyzed and biodegradation-susceptive by microorganisms in simulated white water system of OCC pulping process,while the enzymatically hydrolyzed starch exhibits better biodegradation/hydrolysis resistance to the microbial degradation than that of native starch.This study provides a practical and interesting approach to investigate the starch hydrolysis or biodegradation behaviors in white water system of OCC pulping process,which would greatly contribute to the full recycling and valorized application of starch as a versatile additive during paperboard production.

氯霉素及其产物降解菌群在长期驯化过程中的微生物群落和关键基因演替模式

As a widespread emerging contaminant,chloramphenicol(CAP)adversely impacts ecological communities in the water environment.Biological treatment is widely used for aquatic pollutant removal,and the performance of functional microbes determines its outcome.Herein,a consortium with a powerful CAPdegrading capacity was domesticated from activated sludge.As the common degradation products of CAP,4-nitrobenzoic acid(PNB)and 2,2-dichloroacetic acid(DCA)were also used as the sole substrates for long-term domestication.The successional pattern of the microbial community and critical functional genes through the 2.5-year domestication was revealed by metagenomic analysis.Sphingomonas,Caballeronia,and Cupriavidus became the most dominant populations in the CAP-,PNB-,and DCAdegrading consortia,respectively,and they were crucial degraders of PNB and DCA.Their collaboration contributed to the high mineralization rate of CAP.PNB was transformed into protocatechuic acid(PCA)and then mineralized through meta-cleavage and ortho-cleavage pathways.Crucial functional genes involved in CAP,PNB,and DCA metabolism,including CAP acetyltransferase,CAP oxidoreductase,haloacid dehalogenases,and protocatechuate dioxygenases,were significantly enriched in consortia.p H and carbon source had significant impacts on CAP biodegradation efficiency.The domesticated consortia and isolated strains are necessary microbial resources to enhance the bioremediation of CAP-,PNB-,or DCA-polluted environments.

Corrosion characteristics of single-phase Mg-3Zn alloy thin film for biodegradable electronics

Biodegradable metals as electrodes, interconnectors, and device conductors are essential components in the emergence of transient electronics, either for passive implants or active electronic devices, especially in the fields of biomedical electronics. Magnesium and its alloys are strong candidates for biodegradable and implantable conducting materials because of their high conductivity and biocompatibility, in addition to their well-understood dissolution behavior. One critical drawback of Mg and its alloys is their considerably high dissolution rates originating from their low anodic potential, which disturbs the compatibility to biomedical applications. Herein, we introduce a single-phase thin film of a Mg-Zn binary alloy formed by sputtering, which enhances the corrosion resistance of the device electrode, and verify its applicability in biodegradable electronics. The formation of a homogeneous solid solution of single-phase Mg-3Zn was confirmed through X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. In addition, the dissolution behavior and chemistry was also investigated in various biological fluids by considering the effect of different ion species. Micro-tensile tests showed that the Mg-3Zn alloy electrode exhibited an enhanced yield strain and elongation in relation to a pure Mg electrode. Cell viability test revealed the high biocompatibility rate of the Mg-3Zn binary alloy thin film. Finally, the fabrication of a wireless heater demonstrated the integrability of biodegradable electrodes and highlighted the ability to prolong the lifecycle of thermotherapy-relevant electronics by enhancing the dissolution resistance of the Mg alloy.