Impairment of μ-calpain activation by rhTNFR:Fc reduces severe burn-induced membrane disruption in the heart.

Stress cardiomyopathy is a major clinical complication after severe burn. Multiple upstream initiators have been identified; however, the downstream targets are not fully understood. This study assessed the role of the plasma membrane in this process and its relationship with the protease μ-calpain and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α).

CaMKII/calpain interaction mediates ischemia/reperfusion injury in isolated rat hearts.

Previous studies indicated that Ca/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII), a kinase involved in the modulation of ryanodine receptor activity, activates Ca-regulated protease μ-calpain to promote myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. This study was performed to explore the underlying mechanisms in CaMKII-induced calpain activation to better understand heart injury. To examine the Ca paradox and ischemia/reperfusion injury, isolated rat hearts were subjected to a Ca-free solution for 3 min, or left coronary artery occlusion for 40 min, prior to restoration of normal perfusion.

[A comprehensive analysis of potential prognostic biomarkers for MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma].

Objective: To study the differentially expressed mRNAs between MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma (NB) and non-amplified NB, to screen out the genes which can be used to predict the prognosis of MYCN-amplified NB, and to analyze their value in predicting prognosis.

Methods: NB transcriptome data and the clinical data of children were obtained from the TARGET database. According to the presence or absence of MYCN amplification, the children were divided into two groups: MYCN amplification (n=33) and non-MYCN amplification (n=121).

Calpain inhibition ameliorates scald burn-induced acute lung injury in rats.

Background: The molecular pattern of severe burn-induced acute lung injury, characterized by cell structure damage and leukocyte infiltration, remains unknown. This study aimed to determine whether calpain, a protease involved in both processes, mediates severe burn-induced acute lung injury.

Methods: Rats received full-thickness scald burns covering 30% of the total body surface area, followed by instant fluid resuscitation.

[Establishment of subcutaneously transplanted and metastatic neuroblastoma models in nude mice].

Objective: To establish a tumor-bearing nude mouse model of human neuroblastoma in order to study the mechanisms of neuroblastoma invasion and metastasis, and to investigate potential therapeutic modalities in the experimental animal models.

Methods: A human neuroblastoma cell line was cultured in vitro. 1 x 10(7) cells undergoing exponential growth were collected in 0.