Predicting the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors monotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a machine learning method based on multidimensional data.

Immunotherapy has improved the prognosis of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but only a small subset of patients achieved clinical benefit. The purpose of our study was to integrate multidimensional data using a machine learning method to predict the therapeutic efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) monotherapy in patients with advanced NSCLC. We retrospectively enrolled 112 patients with stage IIIB-IV NSCLC receiving ICIs monotherapy. The random forest (RF) algorithm was used to establish efficacy prediction models based on five different input datasets, including precontrast computed tomography (CT) radiomic data, postcontrast CT radiomic data, a combination of the two CT radiomic data, clinical data, and a combination of radiomic and clinical data. The 5-fold cross-validation was used to train and test the random forest classifier. The performance of the models was assessed according to the area under the curve (AUC) in the receiver operating characteristic curve. Survival analysis was performed to determine the difference in progression-free survival (PFS) between the two groups with the prediction label generated by the combined model. The radiomic model based on the combination of precontrast and postcontrast CT radiomic features and the clinical model produced an AUC of 0.92±0.04 and 0.89±0.03, respectively. By integrating radiomic and clinical features together, the combined model had the best performance with an AUC of 0.94±0.02. The survival analysis showed that the two groups had significantly different PFS times (p<0.0001). The baseline multidimensional data including CT radiomic and multiple clinical features were valuable in predicting the efficacy of ICIs monotherapy in patients with advanced NSCLC.

Splenectomy does not affect mouse behaviors.

The spleen is critical for immunity. It is the largest immune organ and immune center in the peripheral system. While the relationship between behavior and immunity has been demonstrated in physiology and diseases, the role of the spleen in behavior is not clear. To investigate the effects of the spleen on behaviors, we performed a refined splenectomy procedure on C57BL/6J mice and performed an open field test, circadian rhythm test, elevated plus maze, sucrose preference test, and Barnes maze test. Splenectomy did not induce changes in general locomotion, circadian rhythms, learning and memory, or depression/anxiety-related behaviors. To further investigate the effects of spleen on stress susceptibility, we established mouse models of depression through chronic unpredictable mild stress. The behavioral performances of mice subjected to splenectomy showed no differences from control animals. These findings suggest that splenectomy does not cause changes in baseline behavioral performance in mice.

Asymmetric Bromoaminocyclization and Desymmetrization of Cyclohexa-1,4-dienes through Anion Phase-Transfer Catalysis.

The catalytic enantioselective desymmetrizing bromoaminocyclization of prochiral cyclohexa-1,4-dienes has been achieved by using chiral anion phase-transfer catalysis, providing a range of enantioenriched cis-3a-arylhydroindoles bearing an all-carbon quaternary stereocenter in good yields (up to 78%) and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 97% ee). Furthermore, the potential application of this methodology to natural product total synthesis was demonstrated by the asymmetric synthesis of (+)-Mesembrane.

Proposal of Two New Combinations, Twenty New Species, Four New Genera, One New Family, and One New Order for the Anamorphic Basidiomycetous Yeast Species in Ustilaginomycotina.

Two hundred and forty-four ustilaginomycetous yeast or yeast-like strains were isolated from the soil, skin of animals or humans and plant materials during the past 20 years. Among them, 203 strains represent 39 known species, whereas 41 strains represent several novel species based on the sequence analyses of the rDNA genes [18S rDNA, Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) regions, 26S rDNA D1/D2 domain] and three protein genes (RPB1, RPB2, and TEF1). In this study, one new order, one new family, four new genera, twenty new species, and two new combinations were proposed. They are Franziozymales ord. nov., Franziozymaceae fam. nov., Baueromyces gen. nov., Franziozyma gen. nov., Guomyces gen. nov., Yunzhangomyces gen. nov., Baueromyces planticola sp. nov., Franziozyma bambusicola sp. nov., Gjaerumia cyclobalanopsidis sp. nov., Gjaerumia pseudominor sp. nov., Jamesdicksonia aceris sp. nov., Jaminaea lantanae sp. nov., Kalmanozyma hebeiensis sp. nov., Langdonia ligulariae sp. nov., Meira hainanensis sp. nov., Meira pileae sp. nov., Meira plantarum sp. nov., Phragmotaenium parafulvescens sp. nov., Sporisorium cylindricum sp. nov., Sympodiomycopsis europaea sp. nov., Tilletiopsis lunata sp. nov., Tilletiopsis pinicola sp. nov., Yunzhangomyces clavatus sp. nov., Yunzhangomyces cylindricus sp. nov., Yunzhangomyces qinlingensis sp. nov., Yunzhangomyces orchidis sp. nov., Guomyces nicotianae comb. nov., and Yunzhangomces scirpi comb. nov.

Synthesis of ultrathin WSe2 nanosheets and their high-performance catalysis for conversion of amines to imines.

Tungsten diselenide (WSe2) is the material with the lowest thermal conductivity in the world. Most physical methods are used for the synthesis of tungsten diselenide. Here, a simple colloidal method is reported for the synthesis of WSe2 nanosheets. The composition, valence, size, morphology and properties of the samples were characterized and measured. Results showed that the obtained WSe2 nanosheets with a thickness of 0.7 nm had strong blue fluorescence. Significantly, the synthesized WSe2 nanosheets exhibited excellent catalytic activity for the aerobic coupling of amines to imines, with 100% yield under visible light irradiation and air atmosphere. As a photocatalyst, it exhibited excellent recyclability, and maintained a high yield after 5 cycles. It was found that this reaction could also happen in the presence of natural light by slightly extending the reaction time. Moreover, H2O was used as a solvent in the catalytic process, avoiding expensive and toxic organic solvents. This work provides an efficient, economical and sustainable process for the synthesis of imines and shows the great potential of WSe2 nanosheets as photocatalysts for organic synthesis.

Creation of a rabbit model for intrauterine adhesions using electrothermal injury.

The pathogenesis and therapeutic treatment of intrauterine adhesions (IUAs) remain unsolved, highlighting the need for stable and effective experimental animal models. In this study, uterine electrocoagulation of twenty-one female New Zealand White rabbits was carried out to establish an IUA model. As rabbits have two completely separate uterine horns, each rabbit had its own internal control: one uterine horn was given an electrothermal injury (Group A, n=21), and the contralateral uterine horn received no treatment and served as the control (Group B, n=21). The endometrial morphology, number of endometrial glands, area of endometrial fibrosis, and number of implanted fetuses were compared between the two groups. In Group A, the numbers of endometrial glands on Days 7 and 14 and the number of implanted fetuses were significantly lower than those in Group B (P<0.05, P<0.05, and P<0.01, respectively), while the ratio of the area with endometrial stromal fibrosis to the total endometrial area was significantly increased (P<0.01). These results suggest that this method of electrothermal injury is effective for the establishment of a rabbit IUA model between 7 and 14 d after surgery.

Colloidal Synthesis and Thermoelectric Properties of CuFeSe2 Nanocrystals.

Copper-based chalcogenides that contain abundant, low-cost and environmentally-friendly elements, are excellent materials for numerous energy conversion applications, such as photocatalysis, photovoltaics, photoelectricity and thermoelectrics (TE). Here, we present a high-yield and upscalable colloidal synthesis route for the production of monodisperse ternary I-III-VI2 chalcogenides nanocrystals (NCs), particularly stannite CuFeSe2, with uniform shape and narrow size distributions by using selenium powder as the anion precursor and CuCl2·2H2O and FeCl3 as the cationic precursors. The composition, the state of valence, size and morphology of the CuFeSe2 materials were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), respectively. Furthermore, the TE properties characterization of these dense nanomaterials compacted from monodisperse CuFeSe2 NCs by hot press at 623 K were preliminarily studied after ligand removal by means of hydrazine and hexane solution. The TE performances of the sintered CuFeSe2 pellets were characterized in the temperature range from room temperature to 653 K. Finally, the dimensionless TE figure of merit (ZT) of this Earth-abundant and intrinsic p-type CuFeSe2 NCs is significantly increased to 0.22 at 653 K in this work, which is demonstrated to show a promising TE materialand makes it a possible p-type candidate for medium-temperature TE applications.

Nine-hole Peg Test and Ten-meter Walk Test for Evaluating Functional Loss in Chinese Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease.

BACKGROUND: The 9-hole peg test (9-HPT) and 10-meter walk test (10-MWT) are commonly used to test finger motor function and walking ability. The aim of this present study was to investigate the efficacy of these tests for evaluating functional loss in Chinese Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease. METHODS: Thirty-four Chinese CMT patients (CMT group) from August 2015 to December 2016 were evaluated with 9-HPT, 10-MWT, CMT disease examination score, overall neuropathy limitation scale (ONLS), functional disability score, and Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Thirty-five age- and gender-matched healthy controls (control group) were also included in the study. Student's nonpaired or paired t-test were performed to compare data between two independent or related groups, respectively. The Pearson test was used to examine the correlations between recorded parameters. RESULTS: The mean 9-HPT completion time in the dominant hand of CMT patients was significantly slower than that in the healthy controls (29.60 ± 11.89 s vs. 19.58 ± 3.45 s; t = -4.728, P < 0.001). Women with CMT completed the 9-HPT significantly faster than men with CMT (dominant hand: 24.74 ± 7.93 s vs. 33.01 ± 13.14 s, t = 2.097, P = 0.044). The gait speed of the average self-selected velocity and the average fast-velocity assessed using 10-MWT for CMT patients were significantly slower than those in the control group (1.03 ± 0.18 m/s vs. 1.44 ± 0.17 m/s, t = 9.333, P < 0.001; 1.31 ± 0.30 m/s vs. 1.91 ± 0.25 m/s, t = 8.853, P < 0.001, respectively). There was no difference in gait speed between men and women. Both 9-HPT and 10-MWT were significantly correlated with the ONLS, functional disability score, and BBS (P < 0.05 for all). CONCLUSION: The 9-HPT and 10-MWT might be useful for functional assessment in Chinese patients with CMT.

Shaking stress aggravates burn-induced cardiovascular and renal disturbances in a rabbit model.

The aim of this study was to address the effects of shaking stress (a.k.a. physical agitation) on burn-induced remote organ injury and to evaluate the application of delayed fluid resuscitation to treat severe burns under shaking conditions. Healthy adult male rabbits, weighing 2.50±0.40 kg, were randomly assigned to the following groups: control group, burn group, and burn+shaking group. One half of burned animals received a 6-h delayed fluid resuscitation and the other half remained untreated. Cardiovascular hemodynamics and functional and pathological changes of the heart and kidney were examined. Compared to normal controls, untreated burned animals showed decreased hemodynamic parameters, increased serum lactic acid, and severe myocardial inflammation. The burn-induced hemodynamic abnormalities and cardiac injury were aggravated by shaking stress. Burn injury led to reduced urine volume, elevated serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen, and formation of erythrocyte casts in renal tubules. Shaking stimulation worsened the burn-associated functional and pathological changes of the kidney. Fluid resuscitation markedly mitigated cardiac and renal injury in burned animals, and, to a lesser extent, in the presence of shaking stimulation. Shaking stimulation aggravates burn-induced cardiovascular and renal disturbances. Delayed fluid resuscitation attenuates cardiac and renal damages in burn injury under shaking conditions.

Protective effects of enalapril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, on multiple organ damage following scald injury in rats.

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of enalapril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, on multiple organ damage after scald injury. Healthy adult rats (half male and half female; 8-12 weeks old) were randomly assigned to the following treatments: sham operation, scald injury, and intraperitoneal enalapril (1, 2, and 4 mg/kg body weight) treatment after scalding. At 1, 12, and 24 H postscald, left ventricular and aortic hemodynamics were measured using a multichannel physiological recorder. Functional and pathological changes of the heart, liver, and kidney were examined by biochemical and histological methods. Compared with sham controls, untreated scalded animals showed decreased hemodynamic parameters and increased myocardial angiotensin II, serum creatine kinase heart isoenzyme, and serum cardiac troponin I and histopathological inflammation in the myocardium 12 H postscald. These hemodynamic, functional, and pathological changes were attenuated by 1 mg/kg enalapril. Enalapril reversed scald-induced elevations in aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen, and blood creatinine 12 H postscald, and ameliorated focal necrosis in the liver and erythrocyte cast formation in renal tubules. However, higher doses of enalapril yielded less or no improvement in organ dysfunction. Enalapril at 1 mg/kg attenuates scald-induced multiple organ damage in rats.

[Effects of angiotensin (1-7) and enalaprilat on function of isolated rat heart perfused by burn serum].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate effects of angiotensin (1-7) [Ang (1-7)] and enalaprilat on function of isolated rat heart perfused by burn serum. METHODS: Eighty SD rats were used to prepare burn serum. Hearts of another 24 SD rats were isolated to reproduce Langendorff perfusion model. The rat hearts were divided into different groups with different perfusion fluids as K-H buffer group, K-H buffer containing 20% burn serum group (burn serum group), K-H buffer containing 20% burn serum and 2 microg/mL enalaprilat group (enalaprilat group), and K-H buffer containing 20% burn serum and 1 nmol/mL Ang (1-7) group [Ang(1-7) group]. The rat hearts were perfused for 30 mins with each of above-mentioned fluids in different groups. Then left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP), +/- dp/dt max, coronary flow(CF), level of creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in respective coronary effluent were determined. RESULTS: Compared with LVSP (11.2 +/- 1.0 kPa, 1 kPa = 7.5 mm Hg), +dp/dt max (642 +/- 53 kPa/s), -dp/dt max (380 +/- 61 kPa/s) and CF level in K-H buffer group, CF, LVSP (5.9 +/- 0.8, 8.0 +/- 1.1, 8.9 +/- 1.3 kPa, respectively), +dp/dt max (275 +/- 37, 454 +/- 48, 479 +/- 63 kPa/s, respectively), -dp/dt max (135 +/- 35, 219 +/- 47, 277 +/- 58 kPa/s, respectively) of burn serum group, those levels in Ang (1-7) group, and enalaprilat group were decreased obviously (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), but LVEDP, level of CK and LDH in coronary effluent were increased. Compared with those parameters in burn serum group, CF, LVSP, +/- dp/dt max of Ang (1-7) group and enalaprilat group were increased obviously (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), and LVEDP, level of CK and LDH in coronary effluent were decreased obviously (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Ang (1-7) and enalaprilat can effectively improve left ventricular function of isolated rat heart perfused by burn serum and mitigate myocardial injury.

[The effect of stimulation of toss simulated at sea on shock in severe burn rabbits].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of stimulation of toss simulated at sea on shock in severe burn rabbits. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-two rabbits were randomly divided into normal control group (NC group, n = 6), toss group (T group, with treatment of continuous toss, n = 42), burn group (B group, with treatment of burn, n = 42), burn and toss (BT group, with treatment of continuous toss after burn, n = 42). The level of Cr, BUN, HCT and LA from blood samples in T, BT, B groups were observed at 2, 6, 8, 12, 24, 36, 48 post treatment hour (PTH). The changes in urinary volume was measured during 48 PTH. The histopathologic changes in kidney were observed at above-mentioned time points. The above indices in NC group were also observed. RESULTS: The mean urinary volume in B group during the first and second 24 PTH was (2.59 +/- 0.23) and (2.86 +/- 0.29) mL/h, while that in BT group was (1.61 +/- 0.13) and (1.66 +/- 0.16) mL/h respectively, which were all lower than those in NC group (6.06 +/- 0.18 mL/h, P < 0.01). The levels of HCT and LA in BT group were obviously higher than those in B group at each time point. The levels of Cr and BUN in BT group at 24, 36, 48 PTH were significantly higher than those in B group. The histopathological observation showed the capillary vessels and mesenchymal cells of kidney glomerulus were congestive, epithelial cells in kidney tubules were swollen. The infiltration degree of inflammatory cells in kidney tubule, and the pathological changes of erythrocyte cast in BT group were more serious than those in B group. CONCLUSION: The toss simulated at sea can significantly aggravate shock and the renal damages in severe burn rabbits.

[Improving myocardial mechanics parameters of severe burn rabbits with oral fluid resuscitation].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of oral fluid resuscitation on cardiac function in severe burn rabbits. METHODS: One hundred and fifty rabbits were randomly divided into normal control group (NC group, n = 6, without treatment), burn group (B group, n = 42, without fluid therapy), immediate oral fluid resuscitation group (C group, n = 42), delayed oral fluid resuscitation group (D group, n = 30) and delayed and rapid oral fluid resuscitation group (E group, n = 30). The rabbits in B, C, D, E groups were subjected to 40% TBSA full-thickness burn, then were treated with fluid therapy immediately after burn (C group), at 6 hour after burn (D, E groups). The myocardial mechanics parameters including mean arterial pressure (MAP), left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP), LV +/- dp/dt max were observed at 2, 6, 8, 12, 24, 36 and 48 post burn hour (PBH). Urine output was also examined. RESULTS: The level of LVSP, LV +/- dp/dt max in B roup were significantly lower than those in NC group. The level of LVSP, LV +/- dp/dt max in the C and E group were singnificantly increased during 24 hour after burn. The level of LV + dp/dt max and LV-dp/dt max in C group peaked at 8 PBH (892 +/- 116 kPa/s) and at 6PBH (724 +/- 149 kPa/s) respectively. The levels of LV +/- dp/dt max, LVSP in D group at each time point were similar to B group (P > 0.05). Both the levels of LV +/- dp/dt max in E group peaked at 8 PBH. The level of LVEDP was no obvious difference between B and other groups at each time point (P > 0.05). The changes of MAP and urine output on 24 PBH in each group were similar to above indices. CONCLUSION: Effective oral fluid therapy in severe burn rabbits during 24 hours after burn can ameliorate myocardial mechanics parameters. The amount of fluid resuscitation can be estimated according to relevant formula for delayed fluid resuscitation in burn rabbits.

[Protective effect of enalaprilat injection against early postburn organ damage in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the dose-effect relationship of enalaprilat (ENA) injection on the organ damage following early burn injury in rats. METHODS: A total of 54 SD rats were subjected to 30% total body surface area III scald injury, and were randomly divided into simple scald group (B group, with conventional fluid transfusion after scald), ENA treated group (E1, E2, E3 group, with intraperitoneal enalaprilat injection of 1, 2, 4 mg/kg after scald respectively). Other 6 rats were taken as normal control. Aortic systolic pressure (AOSP), aortic diastolic blood pressure (AODP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), angiotensin 1, blood urea nitrogen (Bun), creatinine (Cr), creatinine kinase (CK), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) of the simple scald group, E1 group, E2 group and E3 group were investigated at 6 h and 12 h post burn. RESULTS: Ang II, Bun, Cr, CK, ALT, AST levels in ENA treated group after 6 h and 12 hours were significantly lower than those of simple scald group (all P < 0.05). AOSP, AODP, MAP in ENA treated group after 6 and 12 hours were significantly higher than those of simple scald group (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Low-dose enalaprilat, injection (1 mg/kg) could alleviate organ damage in post-burned rats, but has little effect on AOSP and AODP.

[Instigating effect of shock heart on the injury to the liver, kidney and intestine at early stage of severe burn in rat].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the instigating effect of "shock heart" on injury to liver, kidney and intestine at early stage of severe burn in rat. METHODS: Fifty-six healthy male Wistar rats were enrolled in the study and randomly divided into normal control (n=8, without treatment, NC) and burn (n=48, inflicted with 30% TBSA full-thickness scald, B) groups. The rats in B group were intraperitoneally injected with Ringer's lactate solution (4 ml x kg(-1) x 1% TBSA(-1) 30 minutes after burn following the Parkland formula, and they were observed at 0.5, 1.0, 3.0, 6.0, 12.0, 24.0 post-burn hour (PBH), with 8 rats at each time point. The parameters concerning myocardial mechanics, including systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), left ventricular end diastolic pressure( LVEDP), +/-dp/dt max were recorded. The volume of blood flow in liver, kidney and intestine were detected. The serum contents of cTnI, TBA, 32-MG, DAO were determined. RESULTS: In B group, LVSP and +/- dp/dt max decreased at 1.0 PBH, SBP, DBP and MAP decreased at 3.0 PBH ,all parameters of myocardial mechanics, decreased at 6.0 PBH and still lower than those in NC group at 24.0 PBH (P < 0.01). The volume of blood flow in liver, kidney and intestine in B group were markedly decreased at 1.0 PBH, and gradually decreased during 1.0-12.0 PBH, which were still lower than those in NC group at 24.0 PBH (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Compared with that in NC group (1.71 +/- 0.07 microg/L), the serum content of cTnI in B group were increased at 0.5 PBH (2.22 +/- 0.08 microg/ L, P < 0.01), and peaked at 12.0 PBH (7.07 +/- 0.44 microg/L), and persisted at high level (4.57 +/- 0.30 microg/L) at 24.0 PBH. The serum contents of TBA at 3.0 PBH, beta2-MG at 1.0 PBH, DAO at 1.0 PBH was obviously higher than those in NC group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), which all showed ascending tendency during 1.0-12.0 PBH. CONCLUSION: Myocardial damage is earlier than other organs after severe burn, which is significantly correlated with the parameters of other organs damage and their blood flow volume. Shock heart may be one initiate factor to induce the damage of liver, kidney and intestine and decrease of their blood flow volume after severe burn.

[Protective effects of enalaprilat on the myocardial kinetics in rats at early stage of severe scald].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic effects of Enalaprilat on the myocardial kinetics in rats at early stage of severe scald. METHODS: Eighty-four SD rats were inflicted with 30% TBSA full-thickness scald, and randomly divided into scald (S, with intraperitoneal injection of isotonic saline according to Parkland formula, n=30), L (n=30), M (n=12) and H (n=12) groups. The rats in L,M,H groups were intraperitoneally injected with 1,2,4 mg/kg Enalaprilat. Other 6 healthy rats were enrolled into study as control (C group). The myocardial kinetic parameters including left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP), +/- dp/dt max and the levels of A II in myocardium were observed at 1,3,6,12 and 24 post scald hour (PBH) in L and S groups,and at 6,12 PBH in M and H groups. The above indices in C group were also examined. RESULTS: The levels of LVSP, LVEDP, +/- dp/dt max in C group were higher than those in other groups during 3-24 PBH (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), while those in L,M,H groups were obviously higher than those in S group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The level of +/- dp/dt max in H group at 6,12 PBH were obviously lower than those in L and M groups. The level of A II in S group at 1 PBH was (53.0 +/- 2.6) pg/200 mg, which was significantly higher than thatin C group [(14.8 +/- 0.7) pg/200 mg, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01]; it peaked at6 PBH and lowered afterwards, and they were significantly higher than that in C group at 24 PBH (P < 0.01). The levels of A II in L group during 3-24 PBH were obviously higher than those in C group (P < 0.01), which were also lower than those in S group. The level of A II in S group was significantly higher than in L,M,H groups at 6 PBH [(145.2 +/- 14.5) pg/200 mg. vs. (65.1 +/- 0.9) pg/200 mg, (53.6 +/- 1.1) pg/200 mg, (34.2 +/- 0.9) pg/200 mg, respectively, P < 0.01]. CONCLUSION: Myocardium can be obviously damaged at early stage after severe scald,cardiac function is impaired. Enalaprilat injection (especially at low dose) can significantly ameliorate the myocardial kinetics indices, and it seems to exert a protective effect on cardiac function.

[Protective effects of administration of enalapril maleate on rat myocardial damage in early stage of burns].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the preventive and therapeutic effects of enalapril maleate (Enalaprilat) (E) on myocardial damage in early stage after burns. METHODS: A total of 60 SD rats were subjected to 30% TBSA III degree scald injury, and randomly divided into scald group (with conventional fluid transfusion after scald) and ENA group (with intraperitoneal injection of 1 mg/kg Enalaprilat after scald). Normal control consisted of 6 rats. Plasma levels of cTnI and CK-MB were determined in all the groups at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 post-scald hours (PSH) by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The pathological changes in myocardium were observed at the same time-points. RESULTS: (1) The serum level of cTnI and CK-MB in scald group were significantly higher than that of normal controls at each time-point (P < 0.01). The serum level of cTnI and CK-MB in ENA group were (1.32 +/- 0.12 microg/L to 2.47 +/- 0.22 microg/L) and (438 +/- 68 U/L to 5569 +/- 322 U/L), respectively, which were obviously lower than those in B group (6.42 +/- 0.96 microg/L to 15.10 +/- 3.69 microg/L) and (2556 +/- 74 U/L to 8047 +/- 574 U/L, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) at different time-points. (2) Compared with normal controls, cloudy swelling, stromal blood vessel dilatation and congestion inflammatory cell infiltration were observed in scald group, but these pathological changes were less marked in ENA group. CONCLUSION: Severe myocardial damage in rat occurred early after burns. Enalaprilat injection can markedly alleviate myocardial damage.

[Inhibition of survivin expression in liver cancer cells by shRNA].

OBJECTIVE: To construct the plasmid containing short hairpin RNA (shRNA) of survivin in order to suppress the expression of survivin gene in HepG2 and SMMC-7721. METHODS: Two 20 to 21 bp reverse repeated motifs of survivin target sequence with 4 bp or 8 bp spacer were synthesized respectively and inserted into plasmid pTZU6+1 to generate the plasmid pshRNA-survivin1 and pshRNA-survivin2; plasmid pEGFP-C1-survivin and pshRNA-survivin1 or pshRNA-survivin2 plasmid were cotransfected into liver cancer cell HepG2 and SMMC-7721 to detect effect of GFP expression respectively and analyze the inhibition of survivin gene. RESULTS: The recombinant plasmid pshRNA-survivin1 and pshRNA-survivin2 were successfully constructed. The recombinant plasmids suppress the survivin expression by 80% in HepG2 and SMMC-7721. CONCLUSION: The result showed that the short hairpin RNA of survivin can efficiently suppress it's expression in HepG2 and SMMC-7721.