Research on quantitative detection technology of raccoon-derived ingredient adulteration in sausage products.

This project presents a quantitative detection method to identify raccoon-derived ingredient adulteration in sausage products. The specific copy gene of the raccoon was selected as the target gene. According to the specificity of its primer and probe, the quantitative detection method of raccoon microdrops by droplet digital PCR was established. In addition, the accuracy of the proposed method was verified by artificially mixed samples, and the applicability of this method was tested based on the commercially available products. The experimental results indicate that the raccoon mass (M) and raccoon-extracted DNA concentration have a good linear relationship when the sample content is 5-100 mg, and there is also a significant linear relationship between DNA content and DNA copy number (C) with R 2 = .9982. Therefore, using DNA concentration as the median signal, the conversion equation between raw raccoon mass (M) and DNA copy number (C) could be obtained as follows: M = (C + 177.403)/16.954. The detection of artificially mixed samples and commercial samples shows that the method is accurate and suitable for quantitative adulteration detection of various sausage products in the market.

Salvianolic acid B attenuates diabetic nephropathy through alleviating ADORA2B, NALP3 in flammasome, and NFκB activity.

Diabetic nephropathy is one of the microvascular complications of diabetes. This study is aimed at investigating the role and mechanisms of salvianolic acid B (Sal B) in diabetic nephropathy. High glucose (HG)-induced human renal tubular epithelial HK-2 cells were treated with Sal B, BAY-60-6583 (agonist of adenosine 2B receptor), or PSB-603 (antagonist of adenosine 2B receptor) for 24 h. Adenosine A2b receptor (ADORA2B), NACHT, leucine-rich repeat (LRR), and pyrin (PYD) domains-containing protein 3 (NALP3), and nuclear factor Kappa B (NFκB) expressions, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were examined. Following 6 weeks of Sal B treatment, db/db mice blood and kidney tissue were harvested for biochemical detection with hematoxylin-eosin (H&E), Masson's, periodic acid schiff (PAS), and Sirius red staining and detection of ADORA2B, NALP3, NFκB, interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß), and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) activity. NFκB, NALP3, and ADORA2B were found to be downregulated in Sal B treated HK-2 cells exposed to high glucose (HG), accompanied by elevated levels of MMPs and reduced intracellular ROS production. Sal B-treated diabetic mice had the improvement in body weight, water intake, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and liver and kidney function. Altogether, Sal B attenuates HG-induced kidney tubule cell injury and diabetic nephropathy in diabetic mice, providing clues to other novel mechanisms by which Sal B is beneficial in diabetic nephropathy.

Cooperative membership and farmers' environment-friendly practices: Evidence from Fujian, China.

This study investigates the relationship between Chinese farmers' propensity to adopt environment-friendly practices and their membership in cooperatives. Based on data collected in 2021 from the Fujian China Household Survey, the Endogenous Switching Probit model (ESP) is applied to account for unobserved factors that could simultaneously affect farmers' cooperative membership and their willingness to adopt environment-friendly practices. First, the results indicate that a cooperative membership has a positive impact on the level of farmers' interest in green production practices. Second, there is evidence of some heterogeneity (based on both observable and unobservable characteristics) in the impact of cooperative membership; the higher the farmers' capital returns, the more prominent the role of cooperatives in guiding these farmers. Third, participation in cooperatives is conducive to raising farmers' interest in green production. The overall conclusion is that a cooperative membership raises the Chinese farmers' willingness to adopt environment-friendly practices.

[Analysis of a Chinese pedigree affected with Hereditary Fâ « deficiency due to compound heterozygous variants of F12 gene].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the laboratory phenotype and molecular pathogenesis in a Chinese pedigree affected with Hereditary coagulation factor Ⅻ (FⅫ) deficiency. METHODS: A male proband admitted to Ningbo No.2 Hospital on July 17, 2021 due to chronic gastritis and members of his pedigree (7 individuals from three generations) were selected as the study subjects. Prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), FⅧ activity (FⅧ: C), FⅨ activity (FⅨ: C), FⅪ activity (FⅪ: C), FⅫ activity (FⅫ: C), and FⅫ antigen (FⅫ: Ag) were determined. All of the exons, exon-intronic boundaries, as well as the 5'- and 3'-untranslated regions of the F12 gene were subjected to Sanger sequencing. Candidate variants were verified by cloning sequencing. The effect of candidate variants on the protein function was analyzed by bioinformatics software. RESULTS: The proband, a 47-year-old male, had significantly prolonged APTT (180.0 s) and decreased FⅫ:C and FⅫ:Ag levels (< 1%). His father, mother, brother and two sons also showed certain degrees of reduction. Genetic testing revealed that the proband has harbored compound heterozygous variants of the F12 gene, namely c.1092_1093insC (p.Lys365Glnfs*69) in exon 10 and c.1792_1796delGTCTA (p.Val579Hisfs*32) in exon 14. His mother and elder son were heterozygous for the c.1092_1093ins variant, whilst his father, brother, and younger son were heterozygous for the c.1792_1796delGTCTA variant. Analysis of the promoter region of exon 1 also showed that the proband and both sons had harbored a 46T/T polymorphism, whilst other family members were 46C/T. Bioinformatic analysis suggested that the p.Val579 is a highly conserved site. Protein model analysis showed that, with the p.Val579Hisfs*32 variant, a benzene ring was added and the hydrogen bond of surrounding amino acids was changed. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, the c.1792_1796delGTCTA was classified as a pathogenic variant (PVS1+PM2_Supporting+PM4). CONCLUSION: The c.1092_1093insC (p.Lys365Glnfs*69) and c.1792_1796delGTCTA (p.Val579Hisfs*32) compound heterozygous variants of the F12 gene probably underlay the decreased FXII levels in this pedigree. Above finding has also enriched the mutational spectrum for FⅫ deficiency.

Dealloyed Porous NiFe2O4/NiO with Dual-Network Structure as High-Performance Anodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

As high-capacity anode materials, spinel NiFe2O4 aroused extensive attention due to its natural abundance and safe working voltage. For widespread commercialization, some drawbacks, such as rapid capacity fading and poor reversibility due to large volume variation and inferior conductivity, urgently require amelioration. In this work, NiFe2O4/NiO composites with a dual-network structure were fabricated by a simple dealloying method. Benefiting from the dual-network structure and composed of nanosheet networks and ligament-pore networks, this material provides sufficient space for volume expansion and is able to boost the rapid transfer of electrons and Li ions. As a result, the material exhibits excellent electrochemical performance, retaining 756.9 mAh g-1 at 200 mA g-1 after cycling for 100 cycles and retaining 641.1 mAh g-1 after 1000 cycles at 500 mA g-1. This work provides a facile way to prepare a novel dual-network structured spinel oxide material, which can promote the development of oxide anodes and also dealloying techniques in broad fields.

UPLC-Q-TOF/MS Based Plasma Metabolomics for Identification of Paeonol's Metabolic Target in Endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a common gynecological illness in women of reproductive age that significantly decreases life quality and fertility. Paeonol has been shown to play an important part in endometriosis treatments. Understanding the mechanism is critical for treating endometriosis. In this study, autologous transplantation combined with a 28 day ice water bath was used to create a rat model of endometriosis with cold clotting and blood stagnation. The levels of estradiol and progesterone in plasma were detected by ELISA, and the pathological changes of ectopic endometrial tissue were examined by H&E staining, which proved the efficacy of paeonol. For metabolomic analysis of plasma samples, UPLC-Q/TOF-MS was combined with multivariate statistical analysis to identify the influence of paeonol on small molecule metabolites relevant to endometriosis. Finally, the key targets were screened using a combination of network pharmacology and molecular docking approaches. The results showed that the pathological indexes of rats were improved and returned to normal levels after treatment with paeonol, which was the basis for confirming the efficacy of paeonol. Metabolomics results identified 13 potential biomarkers, and paeonol callbacks 7 of them, involving six metabolic pathways. Finally, four key genes were found for paeonol therapy of endometriosis, and the results of molecular docking revealed a significant interaction between paeonol and the four key genes. This study was successful in establishing a rat model of endometriosis with cold coagulation and blood stagnation. GCH1, RPL8, PKLR, and MAOA were the key targets of paeonol in the treatment of endometriosis. It is also demonstrated that metabolomic techniques give the potential and environment for comprehensively understanding drug onset processes.

Effects of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Regulation on Plant Type, Population Ecology and Sheath Blight of Hybrid Rice.

(1) Background: Sheath blight is one of the most economically significant rice diseases worldwide. A study was conducted in order to find the relationship and impact of the amount of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) application on the hybrid rice population microclimate and the severity of sheath blight. (2) Methods: Four N and four P application levels were used to determine their impact on plant type, temperature, and humidity variation in different positions of population and the severity of sheath blight in the later stage. (3) Results: We found that N and P application levels could affect the plant type and change the population temperature and humidity by increasing the leaf length and leaf angle. (4) Conclusions: N application had a more significant (p < 0.05) impact on the plant type. High N application caused decreased temperature (hybrid rice population), while increased humidity (especially the population base layer at grain filling stage) resulted in severe sheath blight. High P application had similar impacts; however, P application increased material and nitrogen transport in plants and reduced the severity of sheath blight.

Co3O4 Nanopetals Grown on the Porous CuO Network for the Photocatalytic Degradation.

Designing a novel photocatalytic composite for the efficient degradation of organic dyes remains a serious challenge. Herein, the multi-layered Co3O4@NP-CuO photocatalyst with unique features, i.e., the self-supporting, hierarchical porous network as well as the construction of heterojunction between Co3O4 and CuO, are synthesized by dealloying-electrodeposition and subsequent thermal treatment techniques. It is found that the interwoven ultrathin Co3O4 nanopetals evenly grow on the nanoporous CuO network (Co3O4@NP-CuO). The three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical porous structure for the catalyst provides more surface area to act as active sites and facilitates the absorption of visible light in the photodegradation reaction. Compared with the commercial CuO and Co3O4 powders, the newly designed Co3O4@NP-CuO composite exhibits superior photodegradation performance for RhB. The enhanced performance is mainly due to the construction of heterojunction of Co3O4/CuO, greatly promoting the efficient carrier separation for photocatalysis. Furthermore, the possible photocatalytic mechanism is analyzed in detail. This work provides a promising strategy for the fabrication of a new controllable heterojunction to improve photocatalytic activity.

Effects of active vitamin D on insulin resistance and islet ß-cell function in non-diabetic chronic kidney disease patients: a randomized controlled study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study is to observe the effects of active vitamin D supplementation on insulin resistance and islet ß-cell function (HOMA-ß) in patients with non-diabetic chronic kidney disease (NDCKD). METHODS: A total of 134 patients with NDCKD who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the prospective controlled study and categorized as such: 60 patients in the non-dialysis (ND) group; 36, hemodialysis (HD) group; and 38, peritoneal dialysis (PD) group. Each group was divided into two equal-numbered subgroups for vitamin D supplementation. Those in the experimental subgroups received calcitriol 0.5 ug/day orally, and were followed-up for 6 months. A total of 117 patients were followed-up, including 57 patients in the ND group; 29, HD group; and 31, PD group. Changes in the insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) and HOMA-ß index were calculated and compared at the time of enrollment and after 1, 3, and 6 months of intervention. RESULTS: (1) Mean HOMA-IR value: In the ND group, mean HOMA-IR value of the experimental group significantly decreased compared with that of the control group after 3 months of intervention (P = 0.02). In the HD and PD groups, there was no statistical difference between the experimental and control groups (P > 0.05). (2) Mean HOMA-ß index: In the ND group, mean HOMA-ß index of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group after 1 month of active vitamin D treatment (P = 0.03), and, with an extended intervention time, the index gradually increased (P < 0.001). In the HD group, mean HOMA-ß index of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group after 3 months of active vitamin D treatment (P = 0.01). Among PD patients, mean HOMA-ß index of the patients in the experimental group was higher than that of the control group after 6 months of active vitamin D treatment (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Active vitamin D supplementation improved insulin resistance and HOMA-ß after 6 months in ND patients, but only improved HOMA-ß in the dialysis patients, with no significant effect on insulin resistance.

Synthesis of Si/Fe2O3-Anchored rGO Frameworks as High-Performance Anodes for Li-Ion Batteries.

By virtue of the high theoretical capacity of Si, Si-related materials have been developed as promising anode candidates for high-energy-density batteries. During repeated charge/discharge cycling, however, severe volumetric variation induces the pulverization and peeling of active components, causing rapid capacity decay and even development stagnation in high-capacity batteries. In this study, the Si/Fe2O3-anchored rGO framework was prepared by introducing ball milling into a melt spinning and dealloying process. As the Li-ion battery (LIB) anode, it presents a high reversible capacity of 1744.5 mAh g-1 at 200 mA g-1 after 200 cycles and 889.4 mAh g-1 at 5 A g-1 after 500 cycles. The outstanding electrochemical performance is due to the three-dimensional cross-linked porous framework with a high specific surface area, which is helpful to the transmission of ions and electrons. Moreover, with the cooperation of rGO, the volume expansion of Si is effectively alleviated, thus improving cycling stability. The work provides insights for the design and preparation of Si-based materials for high-performance LIB applications.

Efficacy and Safety of CDK4/6 Inhibitors Combined with Endocrine Therapy in HR+/HER-2- ABC Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors combined with endocrine therapy (ET) for hormone receptor-positive (HR+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER-2-) advanced breast cancer (ABC) patients. METHODS: We searched clinical trials of CDK4/6 inhibitors combined with ET and calculated the clinical outcomes. RESULTS: HR+/HER-2- ABC patients treated with CDK4/6 inhibitors combined with ET had significantly prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) and improved objective response rate (ORR) and clinical benefit rate (CBR). CONCLUSIONS: CDK4/6 inhibitors combined with ET can bring more clinical benefits to ABC patients, and the safety profile is acceptable.

Effects of Clinicopathological Characteristics on the Survival of Patients Treated with PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitor Monotherapy or Combination Therapy for Advanced Cancer: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors have made unprecedented progress in the treatment of cancer. METHODS: A systemic search was conducted for randomized controlled trials that compared PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor monotherapy or combination therapy with nonimmunotherapy. Hazard ratios (HRs) of overall survival (OS) according to the sex, age, ECOG PS, smoking status, liver metastasis, PD-L1 expression, EGFR, and KRAS status of patients were analyzed. RESULTS: Totally, 13 studies with monotherapy and 5 with combination regimens were included, and the pooled HRs of OS were 0.74 (P < 0.001) and 0.64 (P < 0.001), respectively. EGFR wild-type patients could benefit from immunotherapy monotherapy (HR, 0.77; P < 0.001) while those of the mutant type had no survival benefit (HR, 1.11; P = 0.54), and the difference was statistically significant (interaction, P = 0.005). KRAS wild-type patients had no survival benefit from monotherapy (HR, 0.89; P = 0.49). For combination therapy, both male and female derived benefits but female had a significantly reduced risk of death (HR, 0.45; P < 0.001) compared with male (HR, 0.73; P < 0.001; interaction, P = 0.004). Nonsmokers derived more survival benefits from combination therapy (HR, 0.29; P < 0.001) than smokers (HR, 0.63; P = 0.001; interaction, P = 0.02). No significant difference was found between age, ECOG PS, liver metastasis, PD-L1 expression, and OS of both PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor monotherapy and combination therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Both PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor monotherapy and combination therapy significantly prolonged the OS of patients with advanced malignant tumors. EGFR status for monotherapy and sex and smoking status for combination therapy were important predictors of survival benefits.

Nucleic acid and antibody assay results in Chinese patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

AIM: To evaluate the nucleic acid and antibody test results of patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in China. METHODS: All patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection from Jan to Apr 2020were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical characteristics and laboratory test results were obtained from electronic medical records. Patients were divided into three groups based on antibody production, and compared for laboratory test results. RESULTS: Of 73 patients aged11-82 years, 12 (16.4%), 28 (38.4%), 25 (34.2%) and 8 (11.0%)were ≤ 30, 31-50, 51-70,and ≥ 71 years old, respectively. Thirty-four (46.6%) patients were male. Most individuals had mild symptoms, and no patient died during treatment. All patients were tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 in sputum and nasopharyngeal samples, and 40 (54.8%) were also tested positive in stool. Nine(12.3%) patients were re-positivefor SARS-CoV-2, as assessed by Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) after discharge. Sixty-five (89.0%) patients had IgM or IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2.Among the four age groups, there was no difference in IgG antibody production (P = 0.664).CD3, CD4, CD8 and CD19 cell counts between the antibody producing and non-producing groups showed no significant differences (all P > 0.05).The antibodies disappeared within two months in four patients. Lymphocyte count, C-reactive protein, IL-6, lactate dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase, creatinine and D-Dimer levels were similar in the three groups (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients after recovery from COVID-19 can be tested positive for SARS-CoV-2.Some patients may produce antibodies only for a short time, or even no antibodies at all.

Flexible Free-Standing CuxO/Ag2O (x = 1, 2) Nanowires Integrated with Nanoporous Cu-Ag Network Composite for Glucose Sensing.

To improve glucose electrocatalytic performance, one efficient manner is to develop a novel Cu-Ag bimetallic composite with fertile porosity and unique architecture. Herein, the self-supported electrode with CuxO/Ag2O (x = 1, 2) nanowires grown in-situ on a nanoporous Cu-Ag network (CuxO/Ag2O@NP-CuAg) has been successfully designed by a facile two-step approach. The integrated hierarchical porous structure, the tip-converged CuxO/Ag2O nanowires combined with the interconnected porous conductive substrate, are favorable to provide more reactive sites and improve ions or electrons transportation. Compared with monometallic Cu2O nanowires integrated with nanoporous Cu matrix (Cu2O@NP-Cu), the bimetallic CuxO/Ag2O@NP-CuAg composites exhibit the enhanced electrocatalytic performance for glucose. Moreover, the higher sensitivity of ~1.49 mA mM-1 cm-2 in conjunction with a wider linear range of 17 mM for the CuxO/Ag2O@NP-CuAg electrode anodized for 10 min are attributed to the synergistic effect of porous structure and bimetallic CuxO/Ag2O nanowires. Particularly, the integrated CuxO/Ag2O@NP-CuAg composites possess good flexibility, which has been reported for the first time. Accordingly, the CuxO/Ag2O@NP-CuAg with excellent glucose electrocatalytic performance and good flexibility is promising to further develop as a candidate electrode material of glucose sensors.

High specific surface area bimodal porous carbon derived from biomass reed flowers for high performance lithium-sulfur batteries.

With the advantages of excellent theoretical specific capacity and specific energy, lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery is regarded as one of promising energy storage systems. However, poor conductivity and shuttle effect of intermediate electrochemical reaction products limit its application. As good sulfur carriers, porous carbon materials can effectively remit these shortcomings. In this paper, a combination of a hydrothermal KOH activation and successive pyrolysis of biomass reed flowers is proposed to prepare a bimodal porous carbon (BPC) material with high specific surface area (1712.6 m2 g-1). The as-obtained low-cost BPC/S cathodes exhibit excellent cycling performance (908 mAh g-1 at 0.1 C after 100 cycles), good rate capability and cyclability (663 mAh g-1 at 1 C after 1000 cycles), as well as a high areal capacity (6.6 mAh cm-2 at 0.1 C after 50 cycles with a sulfur loading of 8.3 mg cm-2). Such excellent electrochemical performance was mainly ascribed to a specific bimodal porous structure with high specific surface area and plenty spaces for sulfur impregnating, which significantly reduces the escape of polysulfides during cycling and guarantees a good cycling stability. Moreover, the secondary class pores (mesopores and micropores) of the material offer plenty of small channels to improve the electronic and ionic transfer rate and, consequently, to enhance the rate capability. The as-synthesized BPC material presents a great potential as a sulfur carrier material for Li-S battery applications. In this work, we also demonstrate a simple route to develop low-cost carbon materials derived from renewable biomass which may expand and promote their use in energy storage applications.

A Ni(OH)2 nanopetals network for high-performance supercapacitors synthesized by immersing Ni nanofoam in water.

Developing a facile and environmentally friendly approach to the synthesis of nanostructured Ni(OH)2 electrodes for high-performance supercapacitor applications is a great challenge. In this work, we report an extremely simple route to prepare a Ni(OH)2 nanopetals network by immersing Ni nanofoam in water. A binder-free composite electrode, consisting of Ni(OH)2 nanopetals network, Ni nanofoam interlayer and Ni-based metallic glass matrix (Ni(OH)2/Ni-NF/MG) with sandwich structure and good flexibility, was designed and finally achieved. Microstructure and morphology of the Ni(OH)2 nanopetals were characterized. It is found that the Ni(OH)2 nanopetals interweave with each other and grow vertically on the surface of Ni nanofoam to form an "ion reservoir", which facilitates the ion diffusion in the electrode reaction. Electrochemical measurements show that the Ni(OH)2/Ni-NF/MG electrode, after immersion in water for seven days, reveals a high volumetric capacitance of 966.4 F/cm3 at a current density of 0.5 A/cm3. The electrode immersed for five days exhibits an excellent cycling stability (83.7% of the initial capacity after 3000 cycles at a current density of 1 A/cm3). Furthermore, symmetric supercapacitor (SC) devices were assembled using ribbons immersed for seven days and showed a maximum volumetric energy density of ca. 32.7 mWh/cm3 at a power density of 0.8 W/cm3, and of 13.7 mWh/cm3 when the power density was increased to 2 W/cm3. The fully charged SC devices could light up a red LED. The work provides a new idea for the synthesis of nanostructured Ni(OH)2 by a simple approach and ultra-low cost, which largely extends the prospect of commercial application in flexible or wearable devices.

The complete mitochondrial genome of a leaf roller, Eudemis lucina (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae).

The leaf roller, Eudemis lucina, is a potential pest of Quercus in East Asia. In this study, we described the complete mitochondrial genome of this species by high-throughput sequencing. The mitochondrial genome is found to be a circular molecule of 16,056 bp in length, which consisted of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes, and a non-coding control region (A + T-rich region). The A + T content is 80.5% for the whole mitogenome. All PCGs are initiated by ATN codons, except for COI which is initiated by the CGA codon. Eight PCGs use a typical stop codon of TAA, whereas the remaining PCGs use incomplete stop codon of T-- or TA-. The non-coding control region is 1013 bp and located between s-rRNA and Met-tRNA.

Complete mitochondrial genome of Phiaris dolosana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae).

We describe the complete mitochondrial genome of Phiaris dolosana. It is 15,562 bp in length, and contains 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), 2 ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs), and a 612 bp D-Loop. All PCGs start with ATN codon except for COI gene, which uses CGA as the initiation codon. Nine of 13 PCGs use a typical stop codon of TAA, the rest use incomplete stop codon of T or TA. Phylogenetic analysis of P. dolosana with other 17 leaf rollers is conducted with neighbor-joining method, the result is consistent with the conventional classification.

Novel bioactive Fe-based metallic glasses with excellent apatite-forming ability.

We demonstrate, for the first time, that the (Fe0.75B0.15Si0.1)100-xNbx (x=0, 1 and 3at.%) metallic glasses without toxic and allergic elements exhibit excellent apatite-forming ability in simulated body fluids (SBF), which is expected to be a new generation of biomaterials in stents and orthopedic implants. For the alloys without any surface treatment, spherical particles corresponding to octacalcium phosphate are spontaneously nucleated and precipitated throughout the alloy surface after immersion only for 1day, indicating that the present alloys possess an unusual high bioactivity. During the subsequent in-vitro immersion for 3days, SEM image reveals the typical 'cauliflower' morphology of bone-like hydroxyapatite (HA) with Ca/P ratio of 1.65. In addition, it is surprising to find that the in-vitro SBF immersion not only leads to the formation and growth of the apatite layer but also causes the progressive development of the underlying alloy substrate. Moreover, for the alloys immersed for 3 or 9days, the substrate alloy just beneath the apatite layer consists of a hierarchical nano/macro-porous structure through selective dissolution of the active components Fe and B in the surface. XPS analysis indicates that the apatite nucleation on the present alloys in SBF is attributed to the specific dissolution properties of the present alloys and the fast formation of Si-OH and Fe-OH or Nb-OH functional groups, followed by combination of these groups with Ca(2+) and phosphate ions.

'Standing on the Shoulders of Giants': Recontextualization in Writing from Sources.

Despite calls for more research into the writing expertise of senior scientists, the literature reveals surprisingly little about the writing strategies of successful scientist writers. The present paper addresses the gap in the literature by reporting a study that investigated the note-taking strategies of an expert writer, a Chinese professor of biochemistry. Primarily based on interview data, the paper describes the expert's recontextualization (Linell, Text 18:143-157, 1998) strategies at three levels: 'accumulating writing materials' by modifying source texts, composing from 'collections' of cut-and-pasted chunks in drafting a review article, and adopting reusable citations in sources as a 'map'. It is emphasized that through repeatedly revising his paper in light of his rhetorical intentions in a new context of meaning, the expert writer would maximally recontextualize the source-based text segments and citations in the paper, averting transgressive intertextuality (Chandrasoma et al., J Lang Identity Educ 3:171-193, 2004) as a result. The paper ends by highlighting the pedagogical implications of the study for English for Professional Academic Purposes (EPAP).