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Proteins, cells and bacteria adhering to the surface of medical devices can lead to thrombosis and infection, resulting in significant clinical mortality. Here, we report a zwitterionic polymers-armored amyloid-like protein surface engineering strategy we called as “armored-tank” strategy for dual functionalization of medical devices. The “armored-tank” strategy is realized by decoration of partially conformational transformed LZM (PCTL) assembly through oxidant-mediated process, followed by armoring with super-hydrophilic poly-2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (pMPC). The outer armor of the “armored-tank” shows potent and durable zone defense against fibrinogen, platelet and bacteria adhesion, leading to long-term antithrombogenic properties over 14 days in vivo without anticoagulation. Additionally, the “fired” PCTL from “armored-tank” actively and effectively kills both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial over 30 days as a supplement to the lacking bactericidal functions of passive outer armor. Overall, this “armored-tank” surface engineering strategy serves as a promising solution for preventing biofouling and thrombotic occlusion of medical devices.

Continuous dynamic recrystallization (CDRX) is widely acknowledged to occur during hot forming and plays a significant role in microstructure development in alloys with moderate to high stacking fault energy. In this work, the flow stress and CDRX behaviors of the TC18 alloy subjected to hot deformation across a wide range of processing conditions are studied. It is observed that deformation leads to the formation of new low-angle grain boundaries (LAGBs). Subgrains rotate by absorbing dislocations, resulting in an increase in LAGB misorientation and the transition of some LAGBs into high-angle grain boundaries (HAGBs). The HAGBs migrate within the material, assimilating the (sub)grain boundaries. Subsequently, an internal state variable (ISV)-based CDRX model is developed, incorporating parameters such as the dislocation density, adiabatic temperature rise, subgrain rotation, LAGB area, HAGB area, and LAGB misorientation angle distribution. The values of the correlation coefficient (R), relative average absolute error (RAAE), and root-mean-square error (RMSE) between the anticipated true stress and measured stress are 0.989, 6.69%, and 4.78 MPa, respectively. The predicted outcomes demonstrate good agreement with experimental findings. The evolving trends of the subgrain boundary area under various conditions are quantitatively analyzed by assessing the changes in dynamic recovery (DRV)-eliminated dislocations and misorientation angles. Moreover, the ISV-based model accurately predicts the decreases in grain and crystallite sizes with higher strain rates and lower temperatures. The projected outcomes also indicate a transition from a stable and coarse-grained microstructure to a continuously recrystallized substructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Necrotizing fasciitis is a rare, severe, rapidly progressing disease with a high mortality rate. We report a case of a 72-year female with erythematous pemphigus who developed erythema, swelling and ulceration on right vulva, groin, and thigh. The early clinical manifestations of the patient were nonspecific and easily misdiagnosed as cellulitis. However, upon the occurrence of ulceration and necrosis, deep fungal infection, pyoderma gangrenosum or lymphoproliferative disorders were considered. The pathology suggested IgG4-related diseases, plasmacytoma et al. But at last, surgical exploration and postoperative pathology confirmed the diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis. The patient recovered after multiple aggressive surgical debridement procedures and antibiotic therapy and the patient has been followed up for 2 years without recurrence. Clinicians should be vigilant about the possibility of necrotizing fasciitis in patients with erythema, pain, rapid ulceration of skin and soft tissue, particularly in immunocompromised individuals with long-term use of immunosuppressive agents. It is crucial for saving life by early multi-disciplinary consultation, prompt diagnosis, and aggressive treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many methods, including single factor index method, Nemero comprehensive index method, potential ecological risk index method and geoaccumulation index method, have been employed to evaluate soil heavy metal pollution. However, no well-developed or standard method has yet been established. Herein, 77 samples of farmland soil in south Jining were collected and analyzed. The results show that average concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn in the samples were 16.7, 0.270, 88.4, 33.0, 0.050, 40.4, 29.3 and 89.1 mg/kg, respectively. The values of Hg and Cd were 1.50 and 1.39 times higher than the benchmark value of the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain and values of other elements were 0.26-0.52 times higher than the benchmark value. All of the samples were evaluated by bivariate correlation analysis method, and the results show that soils are polluted by Hg. The enrichment coefficient method and geoaccumulation method were employed to evaluate the pollution level of 8 elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn) in the target area soil. Both results show that there was light accumulation of Hg and Cd, while other elements were at normal levels. Combining heavy metal concentration in the selected area, the biotoxicity index of heavy metals, ecological effect and environmental effect, and the potential biological hazard index method were applied to evaluate the biological risk. The results show that the potential hazard sequence is as follows: Hg>Cd>As>Cu>Pb>Ni>Cr>Zn with obvious differences to the accumulation level. Although there was only light accumulation of Hg and Cd, their potential hazards contributed up to 81.26% of the total contribution of potential ecological risk index. The result was schematized by using MapGIS. It showed that about 6.83% of the selected area had the problem of strong or very strong potential ecological risk, and the remainder was at the medium level. Despite the junction of Fuxing River, Yaolou River and Jinghang canal faced the problem of very strong potential biological risk. According to the investigation on the anthropogenic emission sources in the research area, it was found that the risk had positive correlation with coal mining activities. Therefore, taking effective measures to remedy the polluted soil, especially the remediation of the Hg and Cd pollution, will be of great significance to prevent the further deterioration of the soil environment.