Wang Baoqiang: the Man-Child Bumpkin in Chinese Comedy Films

Wang Baoqiang is a Chinese comedian well known for his bumpkin man-child characters. Whereas critics worry that the return of the man-child in Hollywood comedy signals a retreat from responsibility, I will argue that Wang’s man-child roles in the films Lost on Journey (2010) and Lost in Thailand (2012) not only bring about laughter but also challenge the neoliberal entrepreneurial subjectivity which informs the norms of masculinity in China. Such subjectivity is embodied by the contrasting anxious middle-class roles played by Xu Zheng in these films.Wang Baoqiang est un comédien chinois bien connu pour ses personnages d’homme-enfant « plouc ». Alors que les critiques s’inquiètent du regain de la figure de l’homme-enfant dans les comédies hollywoodiennes, qu’ils perçoivent comme essentiellement régressive, je soutiens que les rôles d’homme-enfant de Wang dans Lost on Journey (2010) et Lost in Thailand (2012) ne visent pas seulement à provoquer le rire, mais servent également à remettre en question la subjectivité entrepreneuriale néolibérale qui informe les normes de la masculinité en Chine, incarnée dans ces films par les hommes anxieux de classe moyenne interprétés par Xu Zheng

Hepcidin Regulation by BMP Signaling in Macrophages Is Lipopolysaccharide Dependent

Hepcidin is an antimicrobial peptide, which also negatively regulates iron in circulation by controlling iron absorption from dietary sources and iron release from macrophages. Hepcidin is synthesized mainly in the liver, where hepcidin is regulated by iron loading, inflammation and hypoxia. Recently, we have demonstrated that bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-hemojuvelin (HJV)-SMAD signaling is central for hepcidin regulation in hepatocytes. Hepcidin is also expressed by macrophages. Studies have shown that hepcidin expression by macrophages increases following bacterial infection, and that hepcidin decreases iron release from macrophages in an autocrine and/or paracrine manner. Although previous studies have shown that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can induce hepcidin expression in macrophages, whether hepcidin is also regulated by BMPs in macrophages is still unknown. Therefore, we examined the effects of BMP signaling on hepcidin expression in RAW 264.7 and J774 macrophage cell lines, and in primary peritoneal macrophages. We found that BMP4 or BMP6 alone did not have any effect on hepcidin expression in macrophages although they stimulated Smad1/5/8 phosphorylation and Id1 expression. In the presence of LPS, however, BMP4 and BMP6 were able to stimulate hepcidin expression in macrophages, and this stimulation was abolished by the NF-κB inhibitor Ro1069920. These results suggest that hepcidin expression is regulated differently in macrophages than in hepatocytes, and that BMPs regulate hepcidin expression in macrophages in a LPS-NF-κB dependent manner

Concomitant Hepatorenal Dysfunction and Malnutrition in Valvular Heart Surgery:Long-Term Prognostic Implications for Death and Heart Failure

BACKGROUND: Strategies to improve long-term prediction of heart failure and death in valvular surgery are urgently needed because of an increasing number of procedures globally. This study sought to report the prevalence, changes, and prognostic implications of concomitant hepatorenal dysfunction and malnutrition in valvular surgery. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 909 patients undergoing valvular surgery, 3 groups were defined based on hepatorenal function (the modified model for end-stage liver disease excluding international normalized ratio score) and nutritional status (Controlling Nutritional Status score): normal hepatorenal function and nutrition (normal), hepatorenal dysfunction or malnutrition alone (mild), and concomitant hepatorenal dysfunction and malnutrition (severe). Overall, 32%, 46%, and 19% of patients were classified into normal, mild, and severe groups, respectively. Over a 4.1-year median follow-up, mild and severe groups in-curred a higher risk of mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 3.17 [95% CI, 1.40–7.17] and HR, 9.30 [95% CI, 4.09– 21.16], respectively), cardiovascular death (subdistribution HR, 3.29 [95% CI, 1.14– 9.52] and subdistribution HR, 9.29 [95% CI, 3.09– 27.99]), heart failure hospitalization (subdistribution HR, 2.11 [95% CI, 1.25– 3.55] and subdistribution HR, 3.55 [95% CI, 2.04– 6.16]), and adverse outcomes (HR, 2.11 [95% CI, 1.25– 3.55] and HR, 3.55 [95% CI, 2.04– 6.16]). Modified model for end-stage liver disease excluding international normalized ratio and controlling nutritional status scores improved the predictive ability of European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (area under the curve: 0.80 versus 0.73, P<0.001) and Society of Thoracic Surgeons score (area under the curve: 0.79 versus 0.72, P=0.004) for all-cause mortality. One year following surgery (n=707), patients with persistent concomitant hepatorenal dysfunction and malnutrition (severe) experienced worse outcomes than those without.  CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant hepatorenal dysfunction and malnutrition was frequent and strongly linked to heart failure and mortality in valvular surgery

Inhibition of Renin-Angiotensin System Reverses Endothelial Dysfunction and Oxidative Stress in Estrogen Deficient Rats

BACKGROUND: Estrogen deficiency increases the cardiovascular risks in postmenopausal women. Inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and associated oxidative stress confers a cardiovascular protection, but the role of RAS in estrogen deficiency-related vascular dysfunction is unclear. The present study investigates whether the up-regulation of RAS and associated oxidative stress contributes to the development of endothelial dysfunction during estrogen deficiency in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Adult female rats were ovariectomized with and without chronic treatment with valsartan and enalapril. Isometric force measurement was performed in isolated aortae. The expression of RAS components was determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting method while ROS accumulation in the vascular wall was evaluated by dihydroethidium fluorescence. Ovariectomy increased the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT(1)R), NAD(P)H oxidase, and nitrotyrosine in the rat aorta. An over-production of angiotensin II and ROS was accompanied by decreased phosphorylation of eNOS at Ser(1177) in OVX rat aortae. These pathophysiological changes were closely coupled with increased oxidative stress and decreased nitric oxide bioavailability, culminating in markedly impaired endothelium-dependent relaxations. Furthermore, endothelial dysfunction and increased oxidative stress in aortae of OVX rats were inhibited or reversed by chronic RAS inhibition with enalapril or valsartan. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The novel findings highlight a significant therapeutic benefit of RAS blockade in the treatment of endothelial dysfunction-related vascular complications in postmenopausal states

The postsocialist cross in rural China : a case study of Gan Xiao'er's religious features

This dissertation is a case study of three feature films directed by Gan Xiao’er, a Chinese independent filmmaker. I argue that these films are set apart from other independent films in China because they center on the representations of Chinese Christianity in rural areas in the postsocialist era of China, which is a subject matter under-represented in mainstream media as well as independent cinema in China. Gan’s feature films have also illustrated the social and cultural problems during the Reform period, themes which have been avoided by mainstream media but featured in independent cinema. Gan’s films are also characterized by responses to social and cultural issues from a Christian perspective. I also argue that the representations of Christianity in Gan’s films are ambiguous as both the positive and negative sides of the religion are portrayed. Such portrayals have generated a critique from within Christianity, concerning the religion’s entanglement with the social, cultural and political forces in the postsocialist context. Moreover, the three feature films of Gan’s have not only illustrated the exterior of Chinese Christianity, including the religious institution and activities of Christians, but also formulated an in-depth investigation of the inner spiritual quest of Chinese villagers and Christians.published_or_final_versionLiterary and Cultural StudiesMasterMaster of Art

Bilateral Xanthogranulomatous Pyelonephritis

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis is an uncommon form of chronic bacterial pyelonephritis characterized by the destruction of renal parenchyma and the presence of granulomas, abscesses, and collections of lipid-laden macrophages (foam cells) replacing the renal parenchyma. This case report illustrates the clinical course of bilateral diffuse xanthogranulo-matous pyelonephritis with a subtle manifestation in contrast to those typically presenting with fever, flank pain or urinary tract infection. The patient therefore received supportive treatment for 18 months without hemodialysis, instead of the curative treatment, bilateral nephrectomy, which would have caused immediate loss of residual renal function and dependence on hemodialysis