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Objective.To investigate the efficacy of sakubactril valsartan combined with ivabradine in the treatment of heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF) in elderly patients, as well as its effect on left ventricular remodeling, and identify the predictors of recurrent cardiac and cerebrovascular events. Methods.A total of 144 HFrEF patients were randomly divided into observation group (n = 74, completed by 72 cases) and control group (n = 74, completed by 72 cases) using a random number table. The control group and the observation group were treated with ivabradine and sacubactril valsartan combined with ivabradine, respectively. After 6 months of treatment, the two groups were compared in terms of the clinical efficacy and cardiac output index (CI), left ventricular myocardial mass index (LVMI), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α),interleukin6 (IL-6) and troponin T(cTnT), serum transforming growth factor- β1 (TGF- β1), serum amino terminal brain natriuretic peptide precursor (NT-proBNP), myocardial energy metabolism (MEE) and incidence of adverse reactions before and after treatment. Recurrent adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events were assessed in both groups within 12 months of follow-up and a receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to select predictors of recurrent adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events. Results.After 6 months of treatment, the clinical efficacy of the observation group was better than that of control group (Z = -5.352, P < 0.001), The total effective rate of the observation group was higher than that of control group (χ2 = 4.765, P = 0.029). CI, LVMI, TNF-α, IL-6, cTnT, TGF-β1, NT-proBNP, and MEE in both groups were significantly improved after treatment, and the improvement in these indicators was more significant in the observation group (all P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse drug reactions between the two groups (χ2 = 0.085, P = 0.771). The levels of CI and LVMI were highly correlated with the levels of NT-proBNP, MEE, TNF- α, IL-6, cTnT and TGF- β1 in the two groups before treatment (all r > 0.90, P < 0.001). Both NT-proBNP and cTnT had high predictive efficiency and they were complementary. Conclusions.Sacubactril valsartan combined with ivabradine can improve cardiac func- tion in patients with HFrEF, enhance clinical efficacy, delay and improve ventricular remodeling. Its mechanism may be related to its inhibition of inflammatory response and myocardial fibrosis, reduction of neuroendocrine factors, alleviation of myocardial damage, and reduction of myocardial energy metabolism, indicating good safety. NT-proBNP and cTnT can be used as predictors of the recurrent cardiac and cerebrovascular events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The measurement of the seasonal and diurnal variations of Tamarix ramosissima and Populus euphratica water potentials in the southern fringe of Taklamakan Desert indicated that there was no apparent water stress for the two species during their growth period, with little change of predawn water potential and some extent decrease of midday water potential. Irrigation once or thinning had no significant effects on the water status of the plants, while groundwater appeared to be a prerequisite for the survival and growth of these species. It is very important to ensure a stable groundwater table for the restoration of Tamarix ramosissima and Populus euphratica in this area.

Change characteristics of predawn water potential, water potential daily process, and transpiration rate of Tamarix ramosissima before and after irrigation was studied in Cele oasis in the south fringe of Takelamakan Desert. The results showed that the predawn water potential (-0.93 MPa) after irrigation was higher than that before irrigation (-1.04 MPa), but there was no obvious difference. So, irrigation had certain influences on the recovery of predawn water potential of T. ramosissima. The average value of water potential daily process (-2.29 MPa) after irrigation was lower than that before irrigation (-1.69 MPa). Irrigation had no influence on the increase of water potential. The transpiration rate (0.505 mmol.m-2.s-1) after irrigation was higher than that before irrigation(0.18 mmol.m-2.s-1), and compared to the soil water content and the distribution of root system before and after irrigation, it might be resulted in underground water utilization of T. ramosissima. T. ramosissima could use the underground water with its deep root system. Surface irrigation had no significant effect on the change of water condition of T. ramosissima.

It is very important to study and grasp the water physiological characteristics of Tamarix in order to use properly and scientifically manage it. Based on the multiply studies on the water physiological characteristics of Tamarix (P-V curves, predawn water potential and water potential daily course and transpiration rate) for many years, a preliminary comment was given on the experimental methods used at home and abroad. The aims of this paper is to understand the ecological characteristics of Tamarix as fast as possible and provide theoretical bases for the restoration and re-establishment of Tamarix in the arid and semi-arid region.