价值重建与复调叙述——评何顿《抵抗者》

何顿给人的印象是都市欲望世界的叙述者或代言人。他的小说大部分以当下都市市民生活为表现对象，基本围绕“钱”和“性”两大欲望主题展开。上个世纪九十年代以来社会转型形成的商业价值观给普通市民思想带来巨大冲击，何顿的小说对此进行了真实记录，为读者描绘了一幅幅欲海浮沉的个体生存图景。对当下社会与阶层变化的敏锐感知及“还原现场”的叙述方式，使何顿赢得了不少美誉。但太靠近现实的叙述，使何顿的小说缺乏纵向的深度；同时，他的欲望书写似乎只停留在消费这一意义表层，

论《抵抗者》的隐喻价值

何顿的《抵抗者》营构的深层隐喻结构是 :诞生是神圣的 ,活着是重要的 ,不管生命是显赫腾达 ,还是平庸卑微。活着 ,是人生的第一要务 ,是人的原初本能 ,是人类永恒存在的自然共通性 ,任何剥夺生命的行为 ,都是残酷的、野蛮的。对生命的尊重、对生存的渴望与顽强坚守 ,正是人类得以繁衍发展的根本 ,是大千世界芸芸众生的最高哲学 ,也是《抵抗者》隐喻的意义与价值所在。

小说递进与历史的人——评何顿的《来生再见》

何顿的小说《来生再见》与他2002年出版的长篇小说《抵抗者》在叙述上有诸多相同、相似的内容。就区别来说,《来生再见》是适合这个时代的、经过打磨后的更为细化的《抵抗者》;但就小说的原创价值而言,《来生再见》并不是何顿的第一部具有突破性转向风格的作品,他只是略有递进地改写了自己十余年前的作品。

网络改进了我的写作方式

原来那部《抵抗者》,就是写常德会战和衡阳保卫战的。那天是清明节,记得是个非常平和的日子,我只身走近那座庄严的抗日英烈纪念碑,把我刚出版的《抵抗者》,一页页撕开,放在碑下,点燃,边烧、边默祷：我来祭奠你们,当年你们在抗击日本侵略军上很英勇,没给湖南人丢脸,我为你们写了这本拙作。不一会,上来一些游客,说一口怪怪的普通话,他们是来自中国台湾的游客,专程替自己的祖辈来衡阳,祭祀当年战死在这里的国军官兵。

Eco-friendly corrosion inhibitor from Pennisetum purpureum biomass and synergistic intensifiers for mild steel

Extracts of elephant grass （Penniseturn purpureum） blended with some intensifier halides like ammonium chloride （AMC） and potassium iodide （PTI） were investigated as corrosion inhibitor for mild steel. The corrosion process was monitored in 3.5% HCI by mass loss and electrochemical techniques at 30, 40, 50, 60 and 90 ℃. Addition of AMC and PTI increased the inhibition efficiency with the highest inhibition efficiency obtained with PTI blend- ed extract. The blends behaved as mixed type inhibitors and were spontaneously adsorbed on mild steel surface in exothermic nature. Synergistic parameters of the intensifier ions revealed cooperative effect. Kinetic data treatment indicated increase in energy barrier by intensifier ions. The results demonstrate that elephant grass extract blended with halide ions can act as alternative ecofriendly inhibitor for mild steel at elevated temperatures.

Nutritional status in relation to lifestyle in patients with compensated viral cirrhosis

AIM:To assess the nourishment status and lifestyle of non-hospitalized patients with compensated cirrhosis by using noninvasive methods.METHODS:The subjects for this study consisted of 27 healthy volunteers,59 patients with chronic viral hepatitis,and 74 patients with viral cirrhosis,from urban areas.We assessed the biochemical blood tests,anthropometric parameters,diet,lifestyle and physical activity of the patients.A homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance(HOMA-IR) value of ≥ 2.5 was considered to indicate insulin resistance.We measured height,weight,waist circumference,arm circumference,triceps skin-fold thickness,and handgrip strength,and calculated body mass index,arm muscle circumference(AMC),and arm muscle area(AMA).We interviewed the subjects about their dietary habits and lifestyle using health assessment computer software.We surveyed daily physical activity using a pedometer.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression modeling were used to identify the relevant factors for insulin resistance.RESULTS:The rate of patients with HOMA-IR ≥ 2.5(which was considered to indicate insulin resistance) was 14(35.9%) in the chronic hepatitis and 17(37.8%) in the cirrhotic patients.AMC(%)(control vs chronic hepatitis,111.9% ± 10.5% vs 104.9% ± 10.7%,P = 0.021;control vs cirrhosis,111.9% ± 10.5% vs 102.7% ± 10.8%,P = 0.001) and AMA(%)(control vs chronic hepatitis,128.2% ± 25.1% vs 112.2% ± 22.9%,P = 0.013;control vs cirrhosis,128.2% ± 25.1% vs 107.5% ± 22.5%,P = 0.001) in patients with chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis were significantly lower than in the control subjects.Handgrip strength(%) in the cirrhosis group was significantly lower than in the controls(control vs cirrhosis,92.1% ± 16.2% vs 66.9% ± 17.6%,P < 0.001).The results might reflect a decrease in muscle mass.The total nutrition intake and amounts of carbohydrates,protein and fat were not significantly different amongst the groups.Physical activity levels(kcal/d)(control vs cirrhosis,210 ± 113 kcal/d vs 125 ± 74 kcal/d,P = 0.001),number of steps(step/d)(control vs cirrhosis,8070 ±3027 step/d vs 5789 ± 3368 step/d,P = 0.011),and exercise(Ex)(Ex/wk)(control vs cirrhosis,12.4 ± 9.3 Ex/wk vs 7.0 ± 7.7 Ex/wk,P = 0.013) in the cirrhosis group was significantly lower than the control group.The results indicate that the physical activity level of the chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis groups were low.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression modeling suggested that Ex was associated with insulin resistance(odds ratio,6.809;95% CI,1.288-36.001;P = 0.024).The results seem to point towards decreased physical activity being a relevant factor for insulin resistance.CONCLUSION:Non-hospitalized cirrhotic patients may need to maintain an adequate dietary intake and receive lifestyle guidance to increase their physical activity levels.

Angiotensin-receptor blockers as therapy for mild-to-moderate hypertension-associated non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

AIM： TO evaluate insulin resistance, cytolysis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis （NASH） score （NAS） using the Kleiner and Brunt criteria in 54 patients with NASH and mild-to-moderate hypertension, treated with telmisartan vs valsartan for 20 mo. METHODS： All patients met the NCEP-ATP Ⅲ criteria for metabolic syndrome. Histology confirmed steatohepatitis, defined as a NAS greater than five up to 3 wk prior inclusion, using the current criteria. Patients with viral hepatitis, chronic alcohol intake, drug abuse or other significant immune or metabolic hepatic pathology were excluded. Subjects were randomly assigned either to the valsartan （V） group （standard dose 80 mg o.d., n = 26）, or to the telmisartan （T） group （standard dose 20 mg o.d., n = 28）. Treatment had to be taken daily at the same hour with no concomitant medication or alcohol consumption allowed. Neither the patient nor the medical staff was aware of treatment group allocation. Paired liver biopsies obtained at inclusion （visit 1） and end of treatment （EOT） were assessed by a single blinded pathologist, not aware of patient or treatment group. Blood pressure, BMI, ALT, AST, HOMA-IR, plasma triglycerides （TG） and total cholesterol （TC） were evaluated at inclusion and every 4 mo until EOT （visit 6）. RESULTS： At EOT we noticed a significant decrease in ALT levels vs inclusion in all patients and this decrease did not differ significantly in group T vs group V. HOMA-IR significantly decreased at EOT vs inclusion in all patients but in group T, the mean HOMA-IR decrease per month was higher than in group V. NAS significantly diminished at EOT in all patients with a higher decrease in group T vs group V. CONCLUSION： Angiotensin receptor blockers seem to be efficient in hypertension-associated NASH. Telmisartan showed a higher efficacy regarding insulin resistance and histology, perhaps because of its specific PPAR-gamma ligand effect.

Effect of soy protein supplementation in patients with chronic hepatitis C:A randomized clinical trial

AIM:To evaluate the effects of soy supplementation on insulin resistance,fatty liver and alanine aminotransferase(ALT) levels in non-diabetic patients with chronic hepatitis C(CHC).METHODS:In a prospective,randomized and singleblinded clinical trial,we compared patients with CHC who had casein as a supplement(n = 80)(control group),with patients who consumed a soy supplement diet(n = 80) [intervention group(IG)].Both groups received 32 g/d of protein for 12 wk.RESULTS:Patients' baseline features showed that 48.1% were overweight,43.7% had abdominal fat accumulation,34.7% had hepatic steatosis and 36.3% had an homeostasis model assessment index of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR) ≥ 3.0.Descriptive analysis showed that protein supplementation diet reduced hepatic steatosis in both groups;however,significant reductions in ALT levels occurred in the soy group.Multiple regression modeling indicated that in the presence of severe fibrosis(F3/F4),g glutamyl transferase elevation and high density lipoprotein(HDL) reduction,the intervention group had 75% less chance of developing hepatic steatosis(OR= 0.25;95% CI:0.06-0.82) and 55% less chance of presenting with an ALT level ≥ 1.5 × the upper limit of normal(ULN)(OR = 0.45,95% CI:0.22-0.89).Soy treatment did not have any effect on insulin resistance(OR = 1.92;95% CI:0.80-4.83),which might be attributed to the fact that the HOMAIR values at baseline in most of our patients were in the normal range.Advanced hepatic fibrosis,an ALT level > 1.5 × ULN and visceral fat were predictors of an HOMA-IR ≥ 3.The IG group had a reduced risk of an ALT level > 1.5 × ULN.An HOMA-IR ≥ 3.0 and HDL < 35 mg/dL were also risk factors for increased ALT.CONCLUSION:Soy supplementation decreased ALT levels and thus may improve liver inflammation in hepatitis C virus(HCV) patients;it also reduced hepatic steatosis in a subgroup of patients but did not change insulin resistance.It should be considered in the nutritional care of HCV patients.

ASSOCIATION OF INSULIN RESISTANCE AND C-REACTIVE PROTEIN WITH CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE IN PATIENTS WITH NORMAL GLUCOSE TOLERANCE

Objective To examine insulin resistance and high sensitivity C-reactive protein （hsCRP） association with clinical and angiographic severity of coronary artery disease （CAD） in patients with normal glucose tolerance. Methods In 638 consecutive patients with normal glucose tolerance, 221 had atypical chest pain and normal coronary artery （control group）, 279 had stable angina and CAD （SAP group ）, and 138 suffered acute myocardial infarction （ MI group）. The degree of CAD was further divided into borderline lesion （ lumen diameter narrowing 50% - 69% ）, significant 1-, 2- or 3-vessel disease （ luminal diameter narrowing 〉I 70% ）. Fasting serum glucose, insulin and hsCRP levels and lipid profiles were measured, and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance （ HOMA-IR ） was calculated. Multivariate analysis was performed to assess risk factors for 3-vessel disease or acute MI. Results Serum hsCRP, lipoprotein （a） levels, and insulin resistance index （IRI） were higher in AMI group than those in SAP and control groups. Serum hsCRP level and IRI were also higher in 3-vessel disease than those in other groups. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that insulin resistance, cigarette smoking, serum hsCRP, and lipoprotein （a） levels were independent risk factors for acute MI. Lipoprotein （ a ） elevation was an independent risk factor for 3-vessel disease. Conclusion Insulin resistance and high serum hsCRP level were associated with occurrence of acute MI and angiographic severity of coronary disease in patients with normal glucose tolerance.

Spleen-Yang-deficiency patients with polycystic ovary syndrome have higher levels of visfatin

OBJECTIVE:To study serum visfatin levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS)grouped by Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)patterns.To study the correlations of serum visfatin levels with homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance(HOMA-IR),fasting plasma glucose(FPG),fasting insulin(FINS),body mass index(BMI),testosterone(T),total cholesterol(TC),and triglycerides(TG).METHODS:Two hundred and twelve PCOS patients were placed into the following TCM pattern subgroups:Kidney-Yang deficiency(KYD)group,Spleen-Yang deficiency(SYD)group,stagnant Liver-Qi transforming into heat(SLQTH)group,and Kidney-Yin deficiency(KYIND)group.The correlations between serum visfatin levels and HOMA-IR,FPG,FINS,BMI,T,TC,andTG were analyzed.RESULTS:Of all patients with PCOS,there were 82in the KYD group(38.6%),67 in the SYD group(31.6%),37 in the SLQTH group(17.5%),and 26 in the KYIND group(12.3%).Visfatin levels in all PCOS subgroups were higher than those in the control group(P<0.01 or P<0.05).Among these subgroups,the visfatin levels in the SYD group were significantly higher than those in the other three TCM pattern groups(P<0.05).There were no statistical differences among the remaining three pattern groups.The levels of BMI,FINS,HOMA-IR,T,and TG were significantly higher in all subgroups than those in the control group(P<0.05).There were no significant differences in FPG and TC between all PCOS subgroups and the control group(P>0.05).The SYD group had higher levels of FINS and HOMA-IR compared with the KYD,SLQTH,and KYIND groups(P<0.05).In all subgroups,after controlling for BMI,TG,TC,and age,visfatin was positively correlated with FINS(r=0.197,P=0.015)and HOMA-IR(r=0.173,P=0.033),and was not correlated with T.CONCLUSION:KYD and SYD patterns are most common in PCOS patients.Increased visfatin is a common pathophysiologic manifestation in PCOS patients.The SYD group had the highest levels of visfatin,and visfatin was positively correlated with FINS and HOMA-IR.