Comparison of the early curative effect in patients undergoing mechanical vs. bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement with concomitant annuloplasty by the Nicks procedure

Background The probability of prosthesis-patient mismatch(PPM)is high in aortic valve replacement surgery for small aortic valve annulus,which increases the postoperative prosthetic valve transvalvular pressure gradient.Concurrent aortic annuloplasty is a commonly applied surgical procedure,but there is currently no uniform standard or guideline on the type of prosthetic valve that should be used during surgery.Therefore,this study aimed to analyze whether there was any difference in the short-term prognosis between the choice of mechanical valves and bioprosthetic valves during aortic valve replacement surgery with concomitant aortic annuloplasty by the Nicks procedure.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted based on the clinical data from 55 patients undergoing aortic valve replacement surgery with concomitant annuloplasty by the Nicks procedure at the Cardiac Surgery Department of Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital from November 2021 to December 2023.In this study,all patients received aortic annuloplasty by the Nicks procedure.Among these patients,30 were in the mechanical valve group,while the other 25 were in the bioprosthetic valve group.Data including left ventricular end-diastolic/endsystolic diameters,left ventricular ejection fraction,interventricular septal thickness,left ventricular posterior wall thickness,transvalvular pressure gradient,left ventricular fractional shortening,and left ventricular mass index were collected 1 week preoperatively and 1 week and 3 months postoperatively.Information on gender,age,body surface area,types of perioperative complications,operation time,complication rates,and outcomes was also collected.Results Among the 55 patients enrolled in this study,4 died.The main causes of death included postoperative low cardiac output syndrome,severe pulmonary infection,and multi-organ dysfunction.Meanwhile,there was a statistically significant difference in left ventricular end-diastolic diameter between the mechanical valve group and the biological valve group 1 week after surgery.However,differences in other indicators such as aortic crossclamp duration,cardiopulmonary bypass duration,postoperative ventilator support duration,postoperative intensive care unit(ICU)stay,total postoperative hospital stay,and echocardiography results 1 week and 3 months postoperatively were not significant between the two groups.Conclusions For patients undergoing aortic annuloplasty by the Nicks procedure in the aortic valve replacement surgery,the postoperative recovery time is not significantly different between the bioprosthetic and mechanical valve groups.Additionally,there is no notable difference in the improvement of left ventricular function or the reduction of PPM incidence between the two types of valves.[S Chin J Cardiol 2024;25(1):29-37].

基于SOPC的商品信息查询系统设计与实现

随着CPU性能的大幅提升,嵌入式系统的设计已经进入了更广泛的领域。在单一芯片上采用更合理的设计工艺、集成更多逻辑功能的SOC(片上系统)设计方式,已经成为了一个技术发展的趋势。其中SOPC(片上可编程系统)因为它的软件可编程的特性,更为许多嵌入式系统开发人员所青睐。本文介绍了一套基于ALTERA公司的NIOSII嵌入式CPU开发的GPRS商品信息查询系统。该系统根据SOPC的设计思想,采用ALTERA公司的NIOSII软核处理器、Telit公司的GSM模块、Atmel公司的射频基站芯片集成设计实现了GPRS无线数据通信、非接触式IC卡读写、商品信息查询显示等功能。论文从硬件设计与软件设计两个方面介绍了系统的开发流程。

Listen to Wise Old Man The Archetype of Nick Caraway in The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby has been one of the most discussed topics,researchers has explored it from various aspects.In the researches,Nick Carraway was mainly seen as a narrator,and the research are mostly focus on the shift of his narrative prospective.Few people noticed that he was totally fit into the definition of the " wise old man".This paper tries to put an eye on the archetype of the hero Nick Carraway,whose figure is thought as in the archetype of the " wise old man".

From Death To Death:Some Thoughts about Indian Camp by Ernest Hemingway

Based on Indian Camp, the thesis probes into the death complex of Ernest Hemingway from the visual angle of Nick,the protagonist of the novel, death complex shown in Hemingway's works and Nick, the archetype of Hemingway respectively.

DNA随机存储器的设计

近年来,生物大分子在模拟计算领域的研究已经取得了很大的突破,无论是理论模型的研究,还是生化实验的验证,生物分子计算机正蓬勃地展现出它的无可限量的发展前景.DNA随机存储器的研究在整个生物分子计算机研究中是一个重要分支.DNA随机存储器以环状单链DNA分子为存储介质,以4种碱基(腺嘌呤adenine、鸟嘌呤guanine、胞嘧啶cytosine和胸腺嘧啶thymine)对信息进行编码;以DNA分子与各种生化酶(Nicking核酸内切酶、核酸外切酶、聚合酶)间的生化反应来模拟数据的读取和写入.

Intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging for monitoring chemotherapeutic efficacy in gastric cancer

AIM: To assess intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging (IVIM-DWI) for monitoring early efficacy of chemotherapy in a human gastric cancer mouse model.METHODS: IVIM-DWI was performed with 12 b-values (0-800 s/mm2) in 25 human gastric cancer-bearing nude mice at baseline (day 0), and then they were randomly divided into control and 1-, 3-, 5- and 7-d treatment groups (n = 5 per group). The control group underwent longitudinal MRI scans at days 1, 3, 5 and 7, and the treatment groups underwent subsequent MRI scans after a specified 5-fluorouracil/calcium folinate treatment. Together with tumor volumes (TV), the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and IVIM parameters [true water molecular diffusion coefficient (D), perfusion fraction (f) and pseudo-related diffusion coefficient (D*)] were measured. The differences in those parameters from baseline to each measurement (ΔTV%, ΔADC%, ΔD%, Δf% and ΔD*%) were calculated. After image acquisition, tumor necrosis, microvessel density (MVD) and cellular apoptosis were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin (HE), CD31 and terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining respectively, to confirm the imaging findings. Mann-Whitney test and Spearman’s correlation coefficient analysis were performed.RESULTS: The observed relative volume increase (ΔTV%) in the treatment group were significantly smaller than those in the control group at day 5 (ΔTVtreatment% = 19.63% ± 3.01% and ΔTVcontrol% = 83.60% ± 14.87%, P = 0.008) and day 7 (ΔTVtreatment% = 29.07% ± 10.01% and ΔTVcontrol% = 177.06% ± 63.00%, P = 0.008). The difference in ΔTV% between the treatment and the control groups was not significant at days 1 and 3 after a short duration of treatment. Increases in ADC in the treatment group (ΔADC%treatment, median, 30.10% ± 18.32%, 36.11% ± 21.82%, 45.22% ± 24.36%) were significantly higher compared with the control group (ΔADC%control, median, 4.98% ± 3.39%, 6.26% ± 3.08%, 9.24% ± 6.33%) at days 3, 5 and 7 (P = 0.008, P = 0.016, P = 0.008, respectively). Increases in D in the treatment group (ΔD%treatment, median 17.12% ± 8.20%, 24.16% ± 16.87%, 38.54% ± 19.36%) were higher than those in the control group (ΔD%control, median -0.13% ± 4.23%, 5.89% ± 4.56%, 5.54% ± 4.44%) at days 1, 3, and 5 (P = 0.032, P = 0.008, P = 0.016, respectively). Relative changes in f were significantly lower in the treatment group compared with the control group at days 1, 3, 5 and 7 follow-up (median, -34.13% ± 16.61% vs 1.68% ± 3.40%, P = 0.016; -50.64% ± 6.82% vs 3.01% ± 6.50%, P = 0.008; -49.93% ± 6.05% vs 0.97% ± 4.38%, P = 0.008, and -46.22% ± 7.75% vs 8.14% ± 6.75%, P = 0.008, respectively). D* in the treatment group decreased significantly compared to those in the control group at all time points (median, -32.10% ± 12.22% vs 1.85% ± 5.54%, P = 0.008; -44.14% ± 14.83% vs 2.29% ± 10.38%, P = 0.008; -59.06% ± 19.10% vs 3.86% ± 5.10%, P = 0.008 and -47.20% ± 20.48% vs 7.13% ± 9.88%, P = 0.016, respectively). Furthermore, histopathologic findings showed positive correlations with ADC and D and tumor necrosis (rs = 0.720, P < 0.001; rs = 0.522, P = 0.007, respectively). The cellular apoptosis of the tumor also showed positive correlations with ADC and D (rs = 0.626, P = 0.001; rs = 0.542, P = 0.005, respectively). Perfusion-related parameters (f and D*) were positively correlated to MVD (rs = 0.618, P = 0.001; rs = 0.538, P = 0.006, respectively), and negatively correlated to cellular apoptosis of the tumor (rs = -0.550, P = 0.004; rs = -0.692, P < 0.001, respectively).CONCLUSION: IVIM-DWI is potentially useful for predicting the early efficacy of chemotherapy in a human gastric cancer mouse model.

Decreased apoptosis in advanced-stage/high-grade hepatocellular carcinoma complicating chronic hepatitis C is mediated through the downregulation of p21 ras

Objective and background： Although p21 ras has been reported to be upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma complicating chronic hepatitis C type I, p21 ras has a different role in advanced stages, as it has been found to be downregulated. The goal of this study was to investigate the status of p21 ras in early-stage/low-grade and late-stage/high-grade hepatocellular carcinoma and its possible link to apoptosis. Material and methods： Thirty-five cases each of chronic HCV hepatitis type 4 （group I） and cirrhosis with hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） complicating chronic HCV hepatitis （groups Ⅱ and Ⅲ） were immunohistochemically evaluated using a p21 ras polyclonal antibody. The apoptotic index was determined in histologic sections using the terminal deoxynncleotidyl transferase-mediated d-UTP biotin nick end labeling （TUNEL） assay. Results： Significant differences （P=0.001） were detected in p21 ras protein expression between the three groups. A near 2-fold increase in p21 ras staining was observed in the cirrhotic cases compared to the hepatitis cases, and p21 ras expression was decreased in the HCC group, p21 ras expression correlated with stage （r=0.64, P--0.001） and grade （r=-0.65, P=0.001） in the HCC group and grade in the HCV group （r=0.44, P=0.008）. Both p21 ras expression and TUNEL-LI were significantly lower in large HCCs compared to small HCCs （P=0.01 each）. The TUNEL values were negatively correlated with stage in the HCC group （r=-0.85, P=0.001）. The TUNEL values were also negatively correlated with grade in both the HCV and HCC groups （r=0.89, P=0.001 and r=0.53, P=0.001, respectively）. The p21 ras scores were significantly correlated with the TUNEL-LI values in the HCC group （r=0.63, P=0.001） and HCV group （r=0.88, P=0.001）. Conclusions： p21 ras acts as an initiator in HCC complicating type 4 chronic HCV and is downregulated with HCC progression, which most likely promotes tumor cell survival because it facilitates the downregulation of apoptosis with tumor progression.

JNK3 involvement in nerve cell apoptosis and neurofunctional recovery after traumatic brain injury

Increasing evidence has revealed that the activation of the JNK pathway participates In apoptosis o1 nerve cells and neurological function recovery after traumatic brain injury. However, which genes inI the JNK family are activated and their role in traumatic brain injury remain unclear. Therefore, in this study, in situ end labeling, reverse transcription-PCR and neurological function assessment were adopted to investigate the alteration of JNK1, JNK2 and JNK3 gene expression in cerebral injured rats, and their role in celt apoptosis and neurological function restoration. Results showed that JNK3 expression significantly decreased at 1 and 6 hours and 1 and 7 days post injury, but that JNK1 and JNK2 expression remained unchanged. In addition, the number of apoptotic nerve cells surrounding the injured cerebral cortex gradually reduced over time post injury. The Neurological Severity Scores gradually decreased over 1,3, 5, 14 and 28 days post injury. These findings suggested that JNK3 expression was downregulated at early stages of brain injury, which may be associated with apoptosis of nerve cells. Downregulation of JNK3 expression may promote the recovery of neurological function following traumatic brain injury.

phytoestrogens/insoluble fibers and colonic estrogen receptor β: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

AIM:To assess the safety and effect of the supplementation of a patented blend of dietary phytoestrogens and insoluble fibers on estrogen receptor (ER)-β and biological parameters in sporadic colonic adenomas. METHODS:A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial was performed. Patients scheduled to undergo surveillance colonoscopy for previous sporadic colonic adenomas were identified, and 60 eligible patients were randomized to placebo or active dietary intervention (ADI) twice a day, for 60 d before surveillance colonoscopy. ADI was a mixture of 175 mg milk thistle extract, 20 mg secoisolariciresinol and 750 mg oat fiber extract. ER-β and ER-α expression, apoptosis and proliferation (Ki-67 LI) were assessed in colon samples. RESULTS:No adverse event related to ADI was recorded. ADI administration showed a significant increases in ER-β protein (0.822 ± 0.08 vs 0.768 ± 0.10, P = 0.04) and a general trend to an increase in ER-β LI (39.222 ± 2.69vs 37.708 ± 5.31,P = 0.06), ER-β/ER-α LI ratio (6.564 ± 10.04 vs 2.437 ± 1.53, P = 0.06), terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (35.592 ± 14.97 vs 31.541 ± 11.54, P = 0.07) and Ki-67 (53.923 ± 20.91 vs 44.833 ± 10.38, P = 0.07) approximating statistical significance. A significant increase of ER-β protein (0.805 ± 0.13 vs 0.773 ± 0.13,P = 0.04), mRNA (2.278 ± 1.19vs 1.105 ± 1.07, P < 0.02) and LI (47.533 ± 15.47 vs 34.875 ± 16.67,P < 0.05) and a decrease of ER-α protein (0.423 ± 0.06vs 0.532 ± 0.11,P < 0.02) as well as a trend to increase of ER-β/ER-α protein in ADI vs placebo group were observed in patients without polyps (1.734 ± 0.20 vs 1.571 ± 0.42, P = 0.07). CONCLUSION:The role of ER-β on the control of apoptosis, and its amenability to dietary intervention, are supported in our study.

Gambogic acid induces apoptosis and inhibits colorectal tumor growth via mitochondrial pathways

AIM: To investigate the effect of gambogic acid(GA) on apoptosis in the HT-29 human colon cancer cell line. METHODS: H-29 cells were used for in vitro experiments in this study. Relative cell viability was assessed using MTT assays. Cell apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase d UTP nick end labeling and Hoechst 33342 staining, and quantified by flow cytometry. Cellular ultrastructure was observed by transmission electron microscopy. Real-time PCR and Western blot analyses were used to evaluate gene and protein expression levels. For in vivo experiments, BALB/c nude mice received subcutaneous injections of HT-29 cells in the right armpit. When well-established xenografts were palpable with a tumor size of 75 mm3, mice were randomly assigned to a vehicle(negative) control, positive control or GA treatment group(n = 6 each). The animals in the treatment group received one of three dosages of GA(in saline; 5, 10 or 20 mg/kg) via the caudal vein twice weekly, whereas animals in the negative and positive control groups were given equal volumes of 0.9% saline or 10 mg/kg docetaxel, respectively, via the caudal vein once weekly. RESULTS: The cell viability assay showed that GA inhibited proliferation of HT-29 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner after treatment with GA(0.00, 0.31, 0.62, 1.25, 2.50, 5.00 or 10.00 μmol/L) for 24, 48 or 72 h. After 48 h, the percentage of apoptotic cells in cells treated with 0.00, 1.25, 2.50 and 5.00 μmol/L GA was 1.4% ± 0.3%, 9.8% ± 1.2%, 25.7% ± 3.3% and 49.3% ± 5.8%, respectively. Ultrastructural analysis of HT-29 cells treated for 48 h with 2.5μmol/L GA revealed apoptotic bodies and condensed and fragmented nuclei. Levels of caspase-8,-9 and-3 m RNAs were significantly increased after treatment with GA(1.25, 2.50 or 5.00 μmol/L) for 48 h(P < 0.05 for all). Protein levels of apoptosis-related factors Fas, Fas L, FADD, cytochrome c, and Apaf-1 were increased in GA-treated cells, whereas levels of pro-caspase-8,-9 and-3 were significantly decreased(P < 0.05 for all). Furthermore, GA significantly and dose-dependently inhibited the growth of HT-29 tumors in a mouse xenograft model(P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: GA inhibits HT-29 proliferation via induction of apoptosis. The anti-cancer effects are likely mediated by death receptor(extrinsic) and mitochondrial(intrinsic) pathways.

Inhibition of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injuryinduced apoptosis:nicotiflorin and JAK2/STAT3 pathway

Nicotiflorin is a flavonoid extracted from Carthamus tinctorius.Previous studies have shown its cerebral protective effect,but the mechanism is undefined.In this study,we aimed to determine whether nicotiflorin protects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury-induced apoptosis through the JAK2/STAT3 pathway.The cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury model was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion.Nicotiflorin（10 mg/kg） was administered by tail vein injection.Cell apoptosis in the ischemic cerebral cortex was examined by hematoxylin-eosin staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase d UTP nick end labeling assay.Bcl-2 and Bax expression levels in ischemic cerebral cortex were examined by immunohistochemial staining.Additionally,p-JAK2,p-STAT3,Bcl-2,Bax,and caspase-3 levels in ischemic cerebral cortex were examined by western blot assay.Nicotiflorin altered the shape and structure of injured neurons,decreased the number of apoptotic cells,down-regulates expression of p-JAK2,p-STAT3,caspase-3,and Bax,decreased Bax immunoredactivity,and increased Bcl-2 protein expression and immunoreactivity.These results suggest that nicotiflorin protects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury-induced apoptosis via the JAK2/STAT3 pathway.

The expression of Fas, FasL and their biological behavior in human cervical carcinoma

Objective： To investigate the relationship between the expression of Fas and Fas ligand （FasL） and its biological behavior in human cervix carcinoma. Methods： Immunohistochemisty technique was used to detect the expression of Fas and FasL in 47 cases of cervical carcinoma, 16 cases of cervical interaepithelial neoplasia, 10 cases of chronic cervicitis and 10 cases of normal cervix. TUNEL technique was used to observe the apoptic cells in 47 cases of cervical carcinoma. Retrospective study was carried out to find the relationship between the expression of Fas and FasL and cell apoptosis, clinical stage, pathological classification, lymph node metastasis, prognosis and age. Results： The expression of Fas and FasL was significantly different in different cervix （P 〈 0.01）, and also related to the degree of differentiation, lymph node metastasis and prognosis （P 〈 0.05）. But had no relation with clinical stage or age （P 〉 0.05） ; Cervix carcinoma cells apoptosis in different pathological classification appeared negative relation （Rs=-0.35, P 〈 0.05 ）. Cervix carcinoma cell apoptosis was significantly higher in Fas-positive and FasL- positive than that in Fas-negative and FasL-negative （P 〈 0.05）. By retrospective investigation, Fas-negative and FasL-positive were related to poor prognoses of the patients with cervical carcinoma （P 〈 0.05 ）. Conclusion： The development of apoptosis in cervix carcinoma has a promoting regulation function in Fas and FasL expression. Gene treatment can alter apoptosis abnormality, thus induce apoptosis in cancerous cell expressing Fas and FasL. Fas or FasL may be taken as a marker in the prognostic character- ization.

An Analysis on the Maturity of Nick in The Great Gatsby

Nick Carraway is one of the main characters as well as the narrator in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. This paper applies the theory of Bildungsroman and analyzes the changes of Nick in characters, conscience as well as responsibilities from the following aspects: guides of maturity and epiphany during maturity, and reveals his ultimate maturity both physically and mentally after epiphany, thus shows the changes and maturity of him.

The Neglected Protagonist:The Functions of the Role Nick Carraway in The Great Gatsby

In F. Scott Fitzgerald's world famous novel The Great Gatsby, Nicolas"Nick"Carraway is not only a first-person narrator, but also a convincing narrator, an emotion depositor, and a structure organizer. He is the figure of equal weight with Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan, the two conceived protagonists in this book.

Characteristics and mechanisms of Ni(Ⅱ) removal from aqueous solution by Chinese loess

Nickel is a toxic heavy metal among trace elements which has a detrimental impact on living organisms. There is growing need of finding an economic and effective solution for Ni(Ⅱ) immobilization in environments. Chinese loess was selected as adsorbent to remove Ni(Ⅱ) from aqueous solution. Adsorbent dosage, reaction time, solute concentration, temperature, and solution p H also have influences on efficiency of Ni(Ⅱ) removal. The monolayer adsorption capacity of loess towards Ni(Ⅱ) is determined to be about 15.61 mg/g. High temperature and p H favor the removal of Ni(Ⅱ) using Chinese loess soil and the optimal dosage of loess is determined to be 10 g/L. The kinetics and adsorption isotherms of the adsorption process can be best-fitted with the pseudo second order kinetics and Langmuir isothermal model, respectively. The thermodynamic analysis reveals that the adsorption process is spontaneous, endothermic and the system disorder increases with duration. Nickel ions can be removed with the removal efficiency of 98.5% at p H greater than or equal to 9.7. Further studies on loess and Ni(Ⅱ) laden loess(using X-Ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) and Ni(Ⅱ) species distribution at various p H have been conducted to discuss the adsorption mechanism. Loess soils in China have proven to be a potential adsorbent for Ni(Ⅱ) removal from aqueous solutions.

“X”档案——访英国x光摄影师Nick Veasey

1901年,Wilhelm Konrad von Rontgen因为发现了x射线而获得那年的诺贝尔奖,这个发现也彻底改变了诊断医学的面目.……

THE DNase-1 SENSITIVE REGIONS IN GENOMES OF BURKITT' S LYMPHOMA CELLS

This article reported the distribution of DNase-1 sensitive regions in genomes of three Burkitt's lymphoma cell lines, P3HR-1, Raji and Ramos cell lines using a new method of in situ nick translation of chromosomes substituted completely by BrdU. The results showed that the Blym locus on chromosomes In three cell lines and the c-myc locus on chromosomes in P3HR-1 were the DNase-1 sensitive regions and found that the rearrangemental sites of chromosomes present in three Burkltt' s lymphoma cell lines were sensitive to DNase-1 digestion, Indicating that c-myc, bcl-1 genes located at the rearrangemental sites and the Blym gene in Burkltt' s lymphoma are the active genes having the capability of expression.

Discovering Nick:An Analysis of the Narrative Features in The Great Gatsby

Fitzgerald tells the story in The Great Gatsby through the dramatized narrator, or the character in the play which helps this novel become a classic one. In this paper, the endeavor is to discover Nick Carraway both as a character and a narrator from the perspective of impersonal narration.

Improved preprocessed Yaroslavsky filter based on shearlet features

An improved preprocessed Yaroslavsky filter（IPYF）is proposed to avoid the nick effects and obtain a better denoising result when the noise variance is unknown.Different from its predecessors,the similarity between two pixels is calculated by shearlet features.The feature vector consists of initial denoised results by the non-subsampled shearlet transform hard thresholding（NSST-HT）and NSST coefficients,which can help allocate the averaging weights more reasonably.With the correct estimated noise variance,the NSST-HT can provide good denoised results as the initial estimation and high-frequency coefficients contribute large weights to preserve textures.In case of the incorrect estimated noise variance,the low-frequency coefficients will mitigate the nick effect in cartoon regions greatly,making the IPYF more robust than the original PYF.Detailed experimental results show that the IPYF is a very competitive method based on a comprehensive consideration involving peak signal to noise ratio（PSNR）,computing time,visual quality and method noise.