伊夫林·沃前期社会讽刺小说中漫画式人物的形象分析

本文通过《衰亡》中的保尔、《邪恶的躯体》中的亚当和《一捧尘土》中的托尼分析了伊夫林·沃前期社会讽刺小说中三个具有代表性的漫画式人物.自卑、天真的保尔成为混浊社会与道德沦丧的牺牲品,蒙昧幼稚的亚当受欺、受辱,最后只能自甘堕落屈身在浊臭的躯体中求生,而自恋守旧的托尼则迷失在精神废墟里难以自拔.伊夫林·沃早期作品创作的这些漫画式人物形象对小说鞭挞人性的堕落和讽刺社会的丑恶起到了强烈的渲染作用.

Photoperiod Control of Apical Bud and Leaf Senescence in Pumpkin ( Cucurbita pepo ) Strain 185

Short_day (SD) induced the plant senescence in pumpkin ( Cucurbita pepo Linn.) strain 185. Structural assay, gene expression and a series of biochemical analyses were performed to analyze the senescence mechanism in pumpkin strain 185 exposed to SD. Two aspects of important changes initiated in SD exposure contributed to the senescence process. SD functionally led to the initiation of the apical transformation from vegetative to reproductive growth, and then programmed cell death (PCD) in the apical meristem, causing the loss of vigorous growth activity. Moreover, SD treatment resulted in the formation of a great number of dying cells in mesophyll tissue later in the development compared with the phenotype of plants under long_day (LD) conditions. During the senescence process, high expression of nuclease is an important molecular event. These results indicate that the initiation of senescence process in pumpkin stain 185 plants is closely related to the death of cells in apical meristem and mesophyll.

Modulatory Effect of Pollen Extract on Apoptosis of Lymphocytes in the Elderly

Aim In this study, we investigated the changes of lymphocyte subpopulationand apoptosis process of lymphocytes in the elderly, and the modulatory effect of pollen extract(PE) on apoptosis. Methods Lymphocyte phenotypes were detected using indirect immunofluorescencetechnique. The proliferation responses were determined by MTT method. Flow cytometry and automaticimage analysis were performed to evaluate the apoptosis of lymphocytes. Results The proliferationresponses of lymphocytes in the elderly were lower than that in young adults. Decreased CD_(45) RA^+cells and increased CD_(45) RO^+ cells were found in lymphocyte population of aged people, comparedwith that of young adults. The CD_(45) RO^+ cells were prone to apoptosis. There is an inhibitoryeffect of PE on apoptosis of lymphocytes in the elderly. Conclusion It is implied that thesusceptibility of lymphocyte in the elderly to apoptosis depends on activation, so called,activation-induced cell death. Present results suggest that apoptosis of lymphocytes in aged peopleplay an important role in the pathogenesis of immunosenescence. Thus, a possibility is open fordevelopment of apoptosis-modulating drugs from pollen.

Ultrastructural Features of Nucleus Degradation During Programmed Cell Death of Starchy Endosperm Cells in Rice

Ultrastructural features of nucleus degradation during programmed cell death (PCD) of starchy endosperm cells in rice ( Oryza sativa L.) were observed using transmission electron microscopy. Several distinct morphological features of PCD have been found in the developing starchy endosperm cells, e.g. nucleus deformation, chromatin condensation, nuclear envelope disruption, and nuclear matrix leakage. DNA ladder displayed a smear of large DNA fragments from nucleus and evident bands of small DNA fragments (140-180 bp) from both nucleus and cytoplasm. In contrast with the rapid nucleus degradation, cell organelles in cytoplasm, such as rough endoplasmic reticulum, amyloplast, and mitochondrion, maintained their metabolic functions for a longer time. Seed reserves were continually synthesized and accumulated in the starchy endosperm cells despite the nucleus degradation during the PCD process. These results suggest that starchy endosperm cells remain active during reserve material synthesis and accumulation in the PCD process. The specific relationships between nucleus and cytoplasm in the developing endosperm cells and the morphological changes of nucleus in the endosperm PCD process were also discussed.

New insights into the role of PML in tumour suppression

The PML gene is involved in the t（15;17） translocation of acute promyelocytic leukaemia （APL）, which generates the oncogenic fusion protein PML （promyelocytic leukaemia protein）-retinoic acid receptor alpha. The PML protein localises to a subnuclear structure called the PML nuclear domain （PML-ND）, of which PML is the essential structural component. In APL, PML-NDs are disrupted, thus implicating these structures in the pathogenesis of this leukaemia. Unexpectedly, recent studies indicate that PML and the PML-ND play a tumour suppressive role in several different types of human neoplasms in addition to APL. Because of PML＇s extreme versatility and involvement in multiple cellular pathways, understanding the mechanisms underlying its function, and therefore role in tumour suppression, has been a challenging task. In this review, we attempt to critically appraise the more recent advances in this field and propose new avenues of investigation.

Differences in the predictive value of red cell distribution width for the mortality of patients with heart failure due to various heart diseases

Background Increased red blood cell distribution width （RDW） is associated with adverse outcomes in patients with heart failure （HF）. The objective of this study was to compare the differences in the predictive value of RDW in patients with HF due to different causes. Methods We retrospectively investigated 1,021 HF patients from October 2009 to December 2011 at Fuwai Hospital （Beijing, China）. HF in these patients was caused by three diseases; coronary heart disease （CHD）, dilated cardiomyopathy （DCM） and valvular heart disease （VHD）. Patients were followed-up for 21 ~ 9 months. Results The RDW, mortality and survival duration were significantly different among the three groups. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the cumulative survival decreased significantly with increased RDW in patients with HF caused by CHD and DCM, but not in those with HF patients caused by VHD. In a multivariable model, RDW was identified as an independent predictor for the mortality of HF patients with CHD （P 〈 0.001, HR 1.315, 95% CI 1.122-1.543）. The group with higher N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide （NT-proBNP） and higher RDW than median had the lowest cumulative survival in patients with HF due to CHD, but not in patients with HF due to DCM. Conclusions RDW is a prognostic indicator for patients with HF caused by CHD and DCM; thus, RDW adds important information to NT-proBNP in CHD caused HF patients.

Antiviral therapy for hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma after radical hepatectomy

Objective： To assess the effect of antiviral therapy for hepatitis B virus （HBV）-related hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） after radical hepatectomy. Methods： A total of 478 HBV-related HCC patients treated by radical hepatectomy were retrospectively collected. Patients in the treatment group （n=141） received postoperative lamivudine treatment （100 rag/d）, whereas patients in the control group （n=337） did not. Recurrence-free survival （RFS） rates, overall survival （OS） rates, treatments for recurrent HCC and cause of death were compared between the two groups. Propensity score matching （PSM） analysis was also conducted to reduce confounding bias between the two groups. Results： The 1-, 3-, and 5-year RFS rates didn＇t significantly differ between the two groups （P=0.778）; however, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates in the treatment group were significantly higher than those in the control group （P=0.002）. Similar results were observed in the matched data. Subgroup analysis showed that antiviral treatment conferred a significant survival benefit for Barcelona Clinical Liver Cancer stage A/B patients. Following HCC recurrence, more people in the treatment group were able to choose curative treatments than those in the control group （P=0.031）. For cause of death, fewer people in the treatment group died of liver failure than those in the control group （P=0.041）. Conclusion： Postoperative antiviral therapy increases chances of receiving curative treatments for recurrent HCC and prevents death because of liver failure, thereby significantly prolonging OS, especially in early- or intermedian-stage tumors.

Review:DNA-damage response network at the crossroads of cell-cycle checkpoints, cellular senescence and apoptosis

Tissue homeostasis requires a carefully-orchestrated balance between cell proliferation, cellular senescence and cell death. Cells proliferate through a cell cycle that is tightly regulated by cyclin-dependent kinase activities. Cellular senescence is a safeguard program limiting the proliferative competence of cells in living organisms. Apoptosis eliminates unwanted cells by the coordinated activity of gene products that regulate and effect cell death. The intimate link between the cell cycle, cellular senes- cence, apoptosis regulation, cancer development and tumor responses to cancer treatment has become eminently apparent. Extensive research on tumor suppressor genes, oncogenes, the cell cycle and apoptosis regulatory genes has revealed how the DNA damage-sensing and -signaling pathways, referred to as the DNA-damage response network, are tied to cell proliferation, cell-cycle arrest, cellular senescence and apoptosis. DNA-damage responses are complex, involving “sensor” proteins that sense the damage, and transmit signals to “transducer” proteins, which, in turn, convey the signals to numerous “effector” proteins implicated in specific cellular pathways, including DNA repair mechanisms, cell-cycle checkpoints, cellular senescence and apoptosis. The Bcl-2 family of proteins stands among the most crucial regulators of apoptosis and performs vital functions in deciding whether a cell will live or die after cancer chemotherapy and irradiation. In addition, several studies have now revealed that members of the Bcl-2 family also interface with the cell cycle, DNA repair/recombination and cellular senescence, effects that are generally distinct from their function in apoptosis. In this review, we report progress in understanding the molecular networks that regulate cell-cycle checkpoints, cellular senescence and apoptosis after DNA damage, and discuss the influence of some Bcl-2 family members on cell-cycle checkpoint regulation.

Real-time simulation and mechanistic analysis of a squall line case in East China

The characteristics and influence of the dynamical, thermal, and microphysical processes of a squall line are studied using the WRF model. This squall line occurred in the Yangtze and Huaihe river basins in Anhui Province on 5 July 2013. The active cold pool and the downdraft caused by the rear inflow contribute to the development of the squall line. The cold pool develops strongly, moves ahead of the storm, and then cuts off the supply of the warm air to the updraft, leading to the storm＇s demise. Analysis of the microphysics budget shows that snow crystals contribute to the rainfall rate most during the evolution of the squall line. The heating effect is predominant at the high level,whereas cooling plays an important role at the low level. A typical stratified ‘seeder–feeder＇ structure of the cloud exists primarily in the convective region of the squall line. The heights of the cloud ice and snow layers decrease continuously with time, and both the seeder and feeder cloud decrease dramatically in the dissipation stage, which leads to the reduced rainfall rate.

The association between frailty of older stroke patients during hospitalization and one-year all-cause mortality:A multicenter survey in China

Objective:Frailty is a common geriatric syndrome defined as multiple deficits,impairing the capacity to figure out insult.Previous studies have reported a significant association between frailty and mortality in stroke patients.This study aimed to explore the association between frailty and mortality among older Chinese stroke patients.Methods:This study was a secondary analysis of a multicenter prospective cohort study conducted in older Chinese inpatients from October 2018 to February 2020,and patients with a primary diagnosis of stroke including hemorrhage and ischemia,were included in our study.Frailty of older inpatients with stroke from six hospitals was measured by the FRAIL scale,and a one-year follow-up was performed by well-trained nurses of these hospitals via telephone.Multivariable logistic regression was used to detect the association between frailty and one-year mortality.Results:A total of 530 stroke patients with an average age of 72.94(SD¼5.79)years were included in the present study.There were 37(7.0%)hemorrhagic strokes and 493(93.0%)ischemic strokes,with 228(43.0%)females in this population.The prevalence of frailty was 22.5%.In the logistic regression model with adjustment for age,sex,instrumental activities of daily living(IADL),basic activities of daily living(ADL),education,history of falls,BMI,smoking,alcohol consumption,low handgrip strength,type of stroke and polypharmacy,stroke patients with frailty had an increased risk of one-year mortality compared to those without frailty(OR¼3.38,95%CI:1.22e9.37,P¼0.019).Conclusion:Our study indicated that frailty was an independent risk factor for one-year all-cause mor-tality among older stroke patients in China.Frailty may be an essential factor for clinicians to consider before making a comprehensive treatment,and corresponding mixed interventions,including exercise training and nutritional programs,need to be conducted among older stroke patients.

Advance in Research on Biological Function and TranscriptionalControl of Heat Shock Proteins

The regulation of heat shock transcription factor to heat shock protein expression and the newest knowledge about the effect of heat shock protein on aging,immune response and the balance of cell survival and apoptosis are summarized in the paper.

Effects of a nurse-led heart failure clinic on hospital readmission and mortality in Hong Kong

Background Heart failure （HF） is a physically and socially debilitating disease that carries the burden of hospital re-admission and mortality. As an aging society, Hong Kong urgently needs to find ways to reduce the hospital readmission of HF patients. This study evaluates the effects of a nurse-led HF clinic on the hospital readmission and mortality rates among older HF patients in Hong Kong. Methods This study is a retrospective data analysis that compares HF patient in a nurse-led HF clinic in Hong Kong compared with HF patients who did not attend the clinic. The nurses of this clinic provide education on lifestyle modification and symptom monitoring, as well as titrate the medications and measure biochemical markers by following established protocols. This analysis used the socio-demographic and clinical data of HF patients who were aged 〉 65 years old and stayed in the clinic over a six-month period. Results The data of a total of 78 HF patients were included in this data analysis. The mean age of the patients was 77.38 ± 6.80 years. Approximately half of the HF patients were male （51.3%）, almost half were smokers （46.2%）, and the majority received 〈 six years of formal education. Most of the HF patients （87.2%） belonged to classes II and III of the New York Heart Association Functional Classification, with a mean ejection fraction of 47.15± 20.31 mL. The HF patients who attended the clinic （n = 38, 75.13 ± 5.89 years） were significantly younger than those who did not attend the clinic （n = 40, 79.53 ± 6.96 years） （P = 0.04）, and had lower recorded blood pressure. No other statistically significant difference existed between the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of the two groups. The HF patients who did not attend the nurse-led HF clinic demonstrated a significantly higher risk of hospital readmission [odd ratio （OR）： 7.40; P 〈 0.01] than those who attended after adjusting for the effect of age and blood pressure. In addition, HF patients who attended the clinic had lower mortality （n = 4） than those who did not attend （n = 14）. However, such a difference did not reach statistical significance when the effects of age and blood pressure were adjusted. A signifi- cant reduction in systolic blood pressure IF （2, 94） = 3.39, P = 0.04] and diastolic blood pressure [F （2, 94） = 8.48, P 〈 0.01] was observed among the HF patients who attended the clinic during the six-month period. Conclusions The finding of this study suggests the important role of nurse-led HF clinics in reducing healthcare burden and improving patient outcomes among HF patients in Hong Kong.

Global and Regional Trends and Projections of Infective Endocarditis-Associated Disease Burden and Attributable Risk Factors from 1990 to 2030

Objective To forecast the future burden and its attributable risk factors of infective endocarditis(IE).Methods We analyzed the disease burden of IE and its risk factors from 1990 to 2019 using the Global Burden of Disease 2019 database and projected the disease burden from 2020 to 2030 using a Bayesian age-period-cohort model.Results By 2030,the incidence of IE will increase uncontrollably on a global scale,with developed countries having the largest number of cases and developing countries experiencing the fastest growth.The affected population will be predominantly males,but the gender gap will narrow.The elderly in high-income countries will bear the greatest burden,with a gradual shift to middle-income countries.The incidence of IE in countries with middle/high-middle social-demographic indicators(SDI) will surpass that of high SDI countries.In China,the incidence rate and the number of IE will reach 18.07 per 100,000 and 451,596 in 2030,respectively.IEassociated deaths and heart failure will continue to impose a significant burden on society,the burden on women will increase and surpass that on men,and the elderly in high-SDI countries will bear the heaviest burden.High systolic blood pressure has become the primary risk factor for IE-related death.Conclusions This study provides comprehensive analyses of the disease burden and risk factors of IE worldwide over the next decade.The IE-associated incidence will increase in the future and the death and heart failure burden will not be appropriately controlled.Gender,age,regional,and country heterogeneity should be taken seriously to facilitate in making effective strategies for lowering the IE disease burden.

Adamantinoma of the pelvic bone, a difficult diagnosis with fatal outcome

Adamantinoma is a primary low grade malignant bone tumor that is predominantly located in the mid-portion of the tibia. The tumor is of interest for two reasons： first, there still exists considerable dispute as to the origin of the lesion and recent reports reveal that the condition is more malignant than had previously been supposed. Although cases of adamanti- noma located to the axial skeleton have been reported, this is the first case of adamantinoma located to pelvic bone in Iran. Here we present the clinical, radiological ＆ histopathological features of a 19 year-old male with painful lesion located to the right pelvic bone which was morphologically and immunohistochemically diagnosed as adamantinoma. In general, metastasis is seen in 15%-20% of patients. The spread can occur to regional nodes, lung and infrequently to skeleton, liver and brain . Several weeks after surgery, our patient＇s condition gradually worsened. A CT-scan of abdomen revealed widespread liver metastasis and the patient died due to acute liver failure. This case demonstrates that the mortality rate from adamantinoma is not always low.

Performance of Antoregldatory Senescence-inhibition Gene in Rice

The performance of wxtaraguiatory senescence-inhibition gene PSAG12-IPT in nee has been investigated in the study.422 tranagenic plants from 134 independent resistant calli were obtained from 4 rice varieties through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation.Among them,233 were positive PSAGIZ^IPT tranagenic plants identified by GUS histochemical assay and PCR analysis.Southern analysis showed the transgene was randomly integrated into rice genome,of which 42.29% was single copy.Investigations on photosynthesis function and agronomic characters of Rt generation showed that chlorophy Ⅱ content and photosynthesis rate of flag leaves in tranagenic plants,were 41.23% and 60.24% higher than the control wild-type rice,respectively.The growth duration and plant height of the tranagenic plants were similar to the control.Variations of other characters were dependent on the varieties.For the variety Millin with significant aging phenomenon in China,its total grains per hill,its seed setting rate and 1000-grain weight were increased by 40.44%,8.05% and 8.32% respectively.The results indicated that after leaf senescence of varieties liable to age was delayed,the seed setting rate and the filling degree of seeds were improved,which finally resulted in significantly increased seed yield and taomaas per hill.The new variety Wuyujing 2 without serious aging problem,was also increased in the panicles per hill,the total grains per hill,the seed yield per hill and biomass in different degrees.

Influence of Valsartan on myocardial apoptosis in spontaneously hypertensive rats

OBJECTIVE: To explore the pathogenic changes of myocardial apoptosis in heart hypertrophy during hypertension and evaluate the anti-apoptosis effect of Valsartan. METHODS: Thirty spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were divided into two groups: 15 treated with Valsartan (20 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) (SHR + Valsartan group), the others with placebo (SHR + placebo group), with 15 normal Wistar rats as control. Systolic blood pressure was measured by the tail-cuff method. The observation period was from 8 to 16 weeks of age. Cardiac apoptosis was evaluated by a Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase-Mediated dUTP-biotin Nick End Labeling (TUNEL) assay. RESULTS: Mean blood pressure values were 127 +/- 2 mm Hg in controls, 163 +/- 6 mm Hg in the SHR + Valsartan group and 193 +/- 7 mm Hg in the SHR + placebo group at 16 weeks of age, whereas the blood pressure in 8-week-old SHR and Wistar rats were 175 +/- 3 mm Hg and 125 +/- 5 mm Hg, respectively. The ratio of the heart weight over body weight declined in Wistar (3.07 +/- 0.03 mg/g) and SHR + Valsartan groups (3.22 +/- 0.19 mg/g) compared with the SHR + placebo group (4.02 +/- 0.31 mg/g) (P

L^2-Algebraic Decay Rate for Transient Birth-Death Processes

This paper is a continuation of the study of the algebraic speed for Markov processes. The authors concentrate on algebraic decay rate for the transient birth-death processes. According to the classification of the boundaries, a series of the sufficient conditions for algebraic decay is presented. To illustrate the power of the results, some examples are included.