9568D镰孢霉作用于死态龙血树形成血脂的研究

Fusarium 9568D, which belongs to Fusarium moniliforme , was isolated from the roots of Dracaena cochinchinensis in the suburb of Monglian, Yunnan Province of China. High activities of β glucosidase and cellulase were detected in the broth of Fusarium 9568D. The strain was inoculated in abiotic branch and wood of Dracaena cochinchinensis . After 4～5 months of culture, red resin emerged in the inoculated points. UV IR spectrum analysis and antibiotic assay demonstrated that this resin almost resembled the natural blood resin.

影响沉积物中有孔虫丰度的死态因素探讨

根据近年野外调查和室内研究，本文探讨了影响沉积物中有孔虫丰度值的诸死态因素，死态因素乃指环境对死亡后的生物体产生各种变化作用的自然因素。研究表明溶解作用和搬运作用对沉积中有孔虫丰度有极为重要的影响作用。同时，沉积作用和成岩作用也是不容忽视的影响因素。充分考虑这些因素。

死态学与古死态学——研究生物死亡后与环境关系的科学

常听有“生态学”和“古生态学”,现在又有了“死态学”和“古死态学”。事实上动植物死亡后,生命虽已结束,但作为有机体,仍然是地球生态系统的一部分,于是仍是人们考察的对象。埋葬学和考古学已为死态学和古死态学的研究奠定了基础。一个新的研究领域正在开拓。

Correlation between angiotensinogen gene and primary hypertension with cerebral infarction in the Li nationality of China

Objective To investigate the relationship of four single nucleotide polymorphism （SNP） haplotypes in the angiotensinogen （AGT） gene to the primary hypertension with or without cerebral infarction in the Li nationality of Hainan, China. Methods Total 300 subjects were allocated into three different groups： Groupl, 100 patients who have primary hypertension; Group 2, 100 patients who have primary hypertension with cerebral infarction; and control group, 100 healthy individuals. The genotypes of all subjects were determined by PCR-sequencing to analyze the four poly- morphisms at position - 152 （G-A）, -20 （A-C）, - 18 （C-T）, and -6 （A-G） in the promoter region of AGT. Results The frequen- cies ofCT genotype of AGT-18 and T allele in Group 1 （P = 0.003, P = 0.004） and Group 2 （P = 0.002, P = 0.002） were both significantly higher than in healthy controls. The frequency of G allele of AGT-6 was significantly higher in Group 2 than in the control group （P = 0.016）, while there is no significant difference between Group 1 and the control. Haplotype analysis revealed that H6 haplotype frequency which included -20C and -6G was significantly increased in Group 2 （P = 0.003） compared with the control group, while H5 haplotype frequency which included -20C and -18T was signifi- cantly increased in Group 1 （P = 0.006） versus the control. Conclusion The -20 （A-C） and - 18 （C-T） of the AGT may play an important role in pathogenesis of primary hypertension; and -20 （A-C）, -18 （C-T）, and -6 （A-G） may be the genetic risk factors for the onset of primary hypertension with cerebral infarction in the Li nationality of Halnan, China.

Morphological Changes in Nucellar Cells Undergoing Programmed Cell Death (PCD) During Pollen Chamber Formation in Ginkgo biloba

Programmed cell death (PCD) of the nucellar cells at the micropylar end is involved in pollen chamber morphogenesis in Ginkgo biloba L. A development-course observation of the morphological changes in the nucellar cells undergoing PCD to form pollen chamber was performed. During the PCD, the nucellar cells degraded their cellular components through an orderly progression. Through the vactiolation, the cytosol was engulfed by the enlarging vacuole, leaving out various organelles, which remained morphologically integrated. As the vacuolation continued, the vacuole collapsed with the breakage of the tonoplast and the cytosol disappeared completely. Organelles were subsequently destroyed. Ultimately, nucellar cells digested away all of their cytoplasm, leaving with cell walls. They became collapsed as the nucellus developed. Intracellular membranes were strikingly changed, playing a role in leading to cell death. Some of these noticeable changes were the appearance of multivesicular body, multicycle-like membranes, membrane-bounded bodies containing some organelles, tonoplast rupture and numerous vesicles. The dehiscence of the apical epidermis, resulting in the opening, appeared to have followed two different pathways with one involving a specific epidermal cell autolysis and the other by detachment from middle lamella of two neighboring epidermal cells without cell autolysis. The specific epidermal cells had been dead prior to the dehiscence of the apical epidermis, which marked the sites of the dehiscence followed. In view of the changes in the cellular morphology, a process of nucellar cell PCD in the course of the pollen chamber formation was demonstrated.

Risk factors for operative morbidity and mortality in gastric cancer patients undergoing total gastrectomy

AIM： To study the risk factors for morbidity and mortality following total gastrectomy. METHODS： We retrospectively reviewed the records of 125 consecutive patients who underwent total gastrectomy for gastric cancer at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine between January 2003 and March 2008. RESULTS： The overall morbidity rate was 20.8% （27 patients） and the mortality rate was 3.2% （4 patients）. Morbidity rates were higher in patients aged over 60 [odds ratio （OR） 4.23 （95% confidence interval （CI） 1.09 to 12.05）], with preoperative comorbidity [with vs without, OR 1.25 （95% CI 1.13 to 8.12）], when the combined resection was performed [combined resection vs total gastrectomy only, OR 2.67 （95% CI 1.58 to 5.06）]. CONCLUSION： Age, preoperative comorbidity and combined resection were with the rate of morbidity gastric cancer. independently associated after total gastrectomy for

A good death from the perspective of healthcare providers from the internal medicine department in Shanghai:A qualitative study

Objective:This study aimed to explore the understanding of healthcare providers working in the internal medicine department in Shanghai regarding a good death.Methods:The data of the study was collected using face-to-face semi-structured interviews.Through purposive sampling,16 physicians and 13 nurses who had experiences of caring for adult patients with life-threatening illnesses at the end-of-life stage in Shanghai were interviewed.The interviews were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.Results:Six characteristics of a good death emerged:no suffering,companionship and care,no worries or concerns,dying with dignity,involvement and acceptance,and less impact on the family.Eighteen categories were identified:dying without experiencing suffering;being relieved of symptoms and suffering;being relieved of psychological suffering;avoiding the use of futile treatment and resuscita-tion;being cared for and accompanied by family;receiving good health care;having a meaningful life without regrets;making good arrangements for family issues;having a chance to say goodbye;having a quality life before death;dying in a decent environment;the personal will to be respected;maintaining the integrity of the body;death of the patient being accepted by the family and healthcare providers;the death occurred despite the best efforts to care for the patient;limited financial and care burden;shortly affected quality of life of the patient;and improved family cohesion.Conclusion:Family members’early involvement in caring for patients at the end-of-life stage helps achieve a good death.For patients with a terminal illness,avoiding unnecessary medical treatment and resuscitation could be the first step in achieving better patient death and promoting the development of advanced care planning in the mainland of China.

The perceptions on good death of the older adults in the semi-urban community:A qualitative study

Objective This study aimed to explore the perceptions of good death of the older adults living in Bang Nang Li Sub-District,Amphawa District,Samut Songkhram Province,Thailand.Method The data of the study was collected using in-depth interviews between October 2019 to January 2020.The data collected a total of 14 older adults who had firsthand experience in caring for terminally ill patients were recruited for the study.Content analysis was employed to analyze qualitative data.Results The results of this study revealed the perceptions of good death which were categorized into three main themes and eight sub-themes,including 1)death without suffering(not suffering from life support devices,dying with care);2)natural death(death with the end of life expectancy,death with illness or ailments);and 3)death without the worries(preparation for death,spiritual and belief practice toward preparation for death,family and property management before death,death among family members and at their familiar place).Conclusion The findings of this research provided the insight to clarify the understanding of the perceptions on a good death of older adults.The findings can be used to support the practice and management of nursing education and health care providers who have to be involved in palliative care for terminally ill older adults.

Single nucleotide polymorphism in the tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene affects inflammatory bowel diseases risk

AIM: To investigate the role that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter of the tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) gene play in the risk of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) in a New Zealand population, in the context of international studies. METHODS: DNA samples from 388 patients with Crohn's disease (CD), 405 ulcerative colitis (UC), 27 indeterminate colitis (IC) and 201 randomly selected controls, from Canterbury, New Zealand were screened for 3 common polymorphisms in the TNF-α receptor: -238 G→A, -308 G→A and -857C→T, using a TaqmanR assay. A meta-analysis was performed on the data obtained on these polymorphisms combined with that from other published studies. RESULTS: Individuals carrying the -308 G/A allele had a significantly (OR = 1.91, χ2 = 17.36, P < 0.0001) increased risk of pancolitis, and a 1.57-fold increased risk (OR = 1.57, χ2 = 4.34, P = 0.037) of requiring a bowel resection in UC. Carrying the -857 C/T variant decreased the risk of ileocolonic CD (OR = 0.56, χ2 =4.32, P = 0.037), and the need for a bowel resection (OR = 0.59, χ2 = 4.85, P = 0.028). The risk of UC was reduced in individuals who were smokers at diagnosis, (OR = 0.48, χ2 = 4.86, P = 0.028). CONCLUSION: TNF-α is a key cytokine known to play a role in inflammatory response, and the locus for the gene is found in the IBD3 region on chromosome 6p21, known to be associated with an increased risk for IBD. The -308 G/A SNP in the TNF-α promoter is functional, and may account in part for the increased UC risk associated with the IBD3 genomic region. The -857 C/T SNP may decrease IBD risk in certain groups. Pharmaco- or nutrigenomic approaches may be desir- able for individuals with such affected genotypes.

TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR-ALPHA POLYMORPHISM AND SECRETION IN MYASTHENIA GRAVIS

Objective To analyze the relationship between tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) gene promoter -308 polymorphism and myasthenia gravis (MG) in Chinese and analyze secretion of TNFα in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in MG patients. Methods A biallelic polymorphism at position -308 in the promoter of TNFα gene was screened by PCR amplification and NcoI recognition site. One hundred and twenty-three MG cases and 115 healthy controls were included in this study. MG patients were classified to different groups according to clinical type, age at onset, and sex respectively. PBMC were isolated from 20 patients and 20 healthy controls, and then cultured in the presence or absence of phytohemag- glutinin (PHA) and acetycholine receptors (AchR). The supernatants were harvested after incubation and stored until TNFα was assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results The frequency of TNFα-308 allele 2 (A) was found significantly increase in MG patients and showed a trend especially in late onset (≥ 40 years) and male patients (P < 0.05). The allele A had no relationship with thymic pathogenesis in MG patients. But frequency of allele A was significantly higher in general type than in ocular type (P < 0.05). MG patients had a higher inducible level of TNFα by PHA and AchR, and could be down regulated after treatment. Conclusion Polymorphism in TNFα gene promoter -308 is associated with onset of MG. The microsatellite allele TNFα2 confer risk for the development of MG in Chinese patients. MG patients have a higher inducible level of TNFα.

POLYMORPHISMS OF THE HUMAN LIPOPROTEIN LIPASE GENE:POSSIBLE ASSOCIATION WITH LIPID LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH CORONARY HEART DISEASE IN BEIJING AREA

The polymorphisms(Pvu Ⅱand Hind Ⅲ) on the lipoprotein lipase(LPL) gene locus was investigated in a sample of 100 patients surviving previous myocardial infarction and 100 age matched healthy individuals selected from Han Chinese of Beijing area.In patient group a strong association was found between H+allele of Hind Ⅲ polymorphism and raised TG levels(P<0.01).In control group P-P-genotype was observed to be associated with higher TG levels compared with P+P genotype of Pvu Ⅱ polymorphism(P<0.05).Combination of H+H+ genotype with P-P-genotype showed the highest TG levels among all nine kinds of genotype combinations in patient group(P<0.01).However,comparison of distribution of alleles and genotypes of these polymorphisms between patient group and control group demonstrated no significant difference. Our data suggest that the polymorphisms at the LPL gene,as the linkage markers with an aetiologic mutation at or around LPL gene,may constitute one of the genetic determinants for the population variation in plasma TG levels,as well as for the common dyslipidemia in Chinese population.

Impact of frailty on approach to colonic resection: Laparoscopy vs open surgery

AIM To understand the influence of frailty on postoperative outcomes for laparoscopic and open colectomy. METHODS Data were obtained from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program(2005-2012) for patients undergoing colon resection [open colectomy(OC) and laparoscopic colectomy(LC)]. Patients were classified as non-frail(0 points), low frailty(1 point), moderate frailty(2 points), and severe frailty(≥ 3) using the Modified Frailty Index. 30-d mortality and complications were used as the primary end point and analyzed for the overall population. Complications were grouped into major and minor. Subset analysis was performed for patients undergoing colectomy(total colectomy, partial colectomy and sigmoid colectomy) and separately for patients undergoing rectal surgery(abdominoperineal resection, low anterior resection, and proctocolectomy). We analyzed the data using SAS Platform JMP Pro version 10.0.0(SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, United States). RESULTS A total of 94811 patients were identified; the majority underwent OC(58.7%), were white(76.9%), andnon-frail(44.8%). The median age was 61.3 years. Prolonged length of stay(LOS) occurred in 4.7%, and 30-d mortality was 2.28%. Patients undergoing OC were older(61.89 ± 15.31 vs 60.55 ± 14.93) and had a higher ASA score(48.3% ASA3 vs 57.7% ASA2 in the LC group)(P < 0.0001). Most patients were non-frail(42.5% OC vs 48% LC, P < 0.0001). Complications, prolonged LOS, and mortality were significantly more common in patients undergoing OC(P < 0.0001). OC had a higher risk of death and complications compared to LC for all frailty scores(non-frail: OR = 4.7, and OR = 4.67; mildly frail: OR = 2.51, and OR = 2.47; moderately frail: OR = 2.94, and OR = 2.02, severely frail: OR = 2.37, and OR = 2.34, P < 0.05) and an increase in absolute mortality with increasing frailty(non-frail 0.68% OC, mildly frail 1.39%, moderately frail 3.44%, and severely frail 5.83%, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION LC is associated with improved outcomes. Although the odds of mortality are higher in non-frail, there is a progressive increase in mortality with increasing frailty.

Association of polymorphism of tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene promoter region with outcome of hepatitis B virus infection

AIM： To determine whether -238G/A and -857C/T polymorphisms of tumor necrosis factor-alpha （TNF-α）, gene promoter and hepatitis B （HB） viral genotypes were associated with outcomes of HBV infection. METHODS： A total of 244 HBV self-limited infected subjects, 208 asymptomatic carriers, and 443 chronic HB patients were recruited to conduct a case-control study. TNF-α -238G/A and -857C/T gene promoter polymorphisms were examined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism （PCR-RFLP）, and HBV genotypes were examined by nested PCR. RESULTS： The positive rate of HBV DNA in asymptomatic carder group and chronic HB group was 46.6% and 49.9%, respectively. HBV genotype proportion among the asymptomatic carriers was 2.1% for genotype A, 25.8% for genotype B, 68.0% for genotype C, and 4.1% for genotype B＋C mixed infection, and 0.9% for genotype A, 21.7% for genotype B, 71.5% for genotype C, 5.9% for genotype B＋C mixed infection in chronic HB group. There was no significant difference in genotype distribution between the asymptomatic carrier group and chronic HB group （X^2 = 1.66, P = 0.647）. The frequency of -238GG genotype in self-limited group was 95.1%, significantly higher than 90.7% in chronic HB group and 89.0% in asymptomatic carrier group （P = 0.041 and P = 0.016, respectively）.The frequency of TNF-α-857 CC in chronic HB group was 79.7%, significantly higher than 64.4% in asymptomatic carrier group and 70.9% in self-limited group （P〈0.001 and P = 0.023, respectively）. A multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that TNF-α-238GA and -857CC were independently associated with chronic HB after gender and age were adjusted.CONCLUSION： TNF-α promoter variants are likely to play a substantial role in the outcome of HBV infection.

MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES OF RATS MUSCLES AT VARIOUS POSTMORTEM INTERVALS BY SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY

The aim of this study was to observe the morphological changes of muscle in the process of rigor mortis. The quadriceps of 40 rats at various postmortem intervals were observed under the scanning electron microscope(SEM) and the light microscope by phosphotungstic acid haematoxylin(PTAH) stain. The results showed that the striations of muscle were blurred within 4 h, but they became apparent from 6 h to 24 h after death. The authors suggest that this phenomenon be associated with the increased resistance of muscle against the postmortal changes. The observations by scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy have revealed that the muscles do contract in the process of rigor mortis because the distance between two Z lines shortens and the I band narrows, compared with those in anaesthetised animals. The basic biochemical process for the formation of rigor mortis is the same as that of muscle contraction except that the former happens postmortem and the latter antemortem.

THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN TUMOR NECROSIS FACTORαGENE POLYMORPHISM AND ASTHMA

Objective.In this study,we investigated the hypothesis that tumor necrosis factor(TNF)α-308gene polymorphism might be of the genetic predisposition to asthma and asthma phenotypes.Methods.TNFα-308gene polymorphism was genotyped in221random unrelated Northern Chinese population(comprising125asthmatics and96healthy controls)and52individuals from12asthmatic families with Han ethnic by using polymerase chain reaction(PCR)-restriction fragment length polymor-phism(RFLP).Methacholine(Mch)broncho-challenge test,bronchial reversibility test and lung function were underwent in all asthmatics.Results.TNFα-3082homozygosity was present at a significantly higher frequency in asthmatics than that in controls(20.8%vs11.4%,P<0.05,OR2.259),the TNF allele2was also higher in asthmatics compared with controls(0.42vs0.33,P<0.01).TNFα-3082homozygosity was an weak independent risk factor for asthma etiology(OR0.226,P<0.05).Moreover,patients carrying TNFα-3082homozy-gosity had less responsive to inhaledβ 2 -agonist in20minutes than patients carrying other two genotypes(24.1%vs29.5%vs38.8%,P<0.05).Linkage analysis didn’t support that TNFαgene was linked to asthma (Likelihood of odds,LOD<1)based on familial data.Conclusion These results suggest that TNFα-3082homozygosity may be of a component contribut-ing to the genetic predisposition to asthma ,and airway responsiveness toβ2 -agonist.

Instability and Death of Spiral Wave in a Two-Dimensional Array of Hindmarsh-Rose Neurons

Spiral wave could be observed in the excitable media, the neurons are often excitable within appropriateparameters. The appearance and formation of spiral wave in the cardiac tissue is linked to monomorphic ventriculartachycardia that can denervate into polymorphic tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. The neuronal system oftenconsists of a large number of neurons with complex connections. In this paper, we theoretically study the transitionfrom spiral wave to spiral turbulence and homogeneous state (death of spiral wave) in two-dimensional array of theHindmarsh-Rose neuron with completely nearest-neighbor connections. In our numerical studies, a stable rotating spiralwave is developed and selected as the initial state, then the bifurcation parameters are changed to different values toobserve the transition from spiral wave to homogeneous state, breakup of spiral wave and weak change of spiral wave,respectively. A statistical factor of synchronization is defined with the mean field theory to analyze the transition fromspiral wave to other spatial states, and the snapshots of the membrane potentials of all neurons and time series of meanmembrane potentials of all neurons are also plotted to discuss the change of spiral wave. It is found that the sharpchanging points in the curve for factor of synchronization vs. bifurcation parameter indicate sudden transition fromspiral wave to other states. And the results are independent of the number of neurons we used.

Entanglement for Two-Qubit Extended Werner-Like States:Effect of Non-Markovian Environments

We investigate the sudden birth and sudden death of entanglement of two qubits interacting with uncorrelated structured reservoirs. The system is initially prepared in two-qubit extended Werner-like state. We work out the dependence of the entanglement dynamics on both non-Markovian environments and the purity of initial state, and show that non-Markovian environments and the purity can control the time of the two-qubit entanglement sudden death and the reservoirs＇ entanglement sudden birth. Furthermore, under the conditions of different purity and initial entangIement, the revival of qubits＇ entanglement can manifest before, simultaneously or even after the disentanglement of their corresponding reservoirs.

APOLIPOPROTEIN(a) AND CORTICAL CEREBRAL INFARCTION

Objective. The present study aimed to elucidating the correlation of apolipoprotein(a)[apo(a)] with cerebral infarction at the levels of molecule and protein. Methods. The serum Lp(a) level, by means of ELISA, the polymorphism of apo(a) protein, by SDS PAGE/Western blotting combined with silver staining assays, and the sequence polymorphisms in 5’ control region, the first exon and intron of apo(a)gene, by PCR SSCP/AFLP assays, were detected in 85 healthy controls and 42 cases of cortical cerebral infarction. Results. The serum Lp(a) level was markedly higher in the patients(152.59±3.41 mg/L)than that in the controls(56.21±3.67 mg/L)(t=4.15, P<0.001), even between the subjects with the same apo(a) phenotype. The frequency of low molecular weight phenotype was significantly higher in the patients than that in the controls(0.5238 vs. 0.2941). There were 2 sites of sequence variance in the 5’ control region of apo(a) gene in our studied population, which were of significant difference between patients and controls, and were related to the variation of serum Lp(a) level. Conclusion. Our study found that the low molecular weight phenotype of apo(a) was closely associated with cerebral infarction, suggested that the variation of serum Lp(a) level be determined by not only the size of apo(a) gene but also its sequence, which indicated that both the size and sequence of apo(a) are associated with the susceptibility to cerebral infarction.

TRANSCRANIAL DOPPLER CHARACTERISTICS IN PERSISTENT VEGETATIVE STATUS,LOCKED-IN SYNDROME AND BRAIN DEATH

Aim. Comparison of the trascranial Doppler (TCD) characteristics of cerebral circulation in persistent vegetative status (PVS), locked in syndrome and brain death patients. Methods. Using TCD ultrasound to detect the flow velocity and waveform patterns of middle cerebral artery (MCA) and basilar artery (BA) in patients with PVS, locked in syndrome and brain death. Results. The mean velocities of middle cerebral artery (Vmca) and basilar artery (Vba) were 30.0cm/s and 24.3cm/s in PVS patients respectively, which decreased 45.0% and 14.4% in comparing with normal value. For patients with locked in syndrome, Vmca and Vba were 49.7cm/s and 9.8cm/s, which decreased 5.0% and 61.7% than the normal value respectively. These results showed that the decrease of anterior circulation was predominant in PVS, and the decrease of posterior circulation was predominant in locked in syndrome. A unique diastolic reverse flow, short peak systolic wave or undetectable flow signal in middle cerebral artery were predominant in brain death patients, which was completely different from that of either PVS or locked in syndrome. Conclusion. TCD was a valuable tool in distinguishing PVS, locked in syndrome and brain death patients according to the differences in velocities and patterns of anterior and posterior cerebral arteries.

Non-Markovian Effects on Entanglement Dynamics of Three Qubits

We investigate entanglement dynamics of three independent qubits each locally interacting with a zero-temperature non-Markovian reservoir.The effects of environment's amount of non-Markovianity or parameters in initialstates on the three-qubit entanglement dynamics are presented in detail.It is found that the entanglement of such asystem revives after a finite dark period when a proper degree of non-Markovian is present.A deep comparison to thatin two-qubit system is also made.