Jialian Xu

Abstract Achieving high strength and robust osteogenesis simultaneously remains a challenge for biodegradable orthopedic materials. Here we show that incorporating trace rare-earth (RE) elements into a Zn-Li-Mn system bridges this gap. By forming REZn11-13 intermetallic phases, we engineer a bimodal grain structure that elevates tensile strength to 772 MPa and bending strength to 1207 MPa, approaching the level of medical-grade titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) while retaining biodegradability.

Introduction Different guidelines, criteria, and articles recommend diverse tests for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), and the research on this subject is continuously updated, creating further confusion.1, 2 Positive cultures of tissues or joint fluids extracted from patients are the most intuitionistic evidence supporting direct PJI diagnosis, but the high rates of delayed or missed diagnosis is the main constraint.