Granular aluminium as a superconducting material for high-impedance quantum circuits.

Superconducting quantum information processing machines are predominantly based on microwave circuits with relatively low characteristic impedance, about 100 Ω, and small anharmonicity, which can limit their coherence and logic gate fidelity. A promising alternative is circuits based on so-called superinductors, with characteristic impedances exceeding the resistance quantum R = 6.4 kΩ.

Rapid nonlinear image scanning microscopy.

Image scanning microscopy (ISM) doubles the resolution of a conventional confocal microscope for super-resolution imaging. Here, we describe an all-optical ISM design based on rescanning microscopy for two-photon-excited fluorescence and second-harmonic generation that allows straightforward implementation into existing microscopes. The design offers improved sensitivity and high frame rates relative to those of existing systems.

The use of paclitaxel coated balloon (PCB) in acute coronary syndrome of small vessel de novo lesions: an analysis of a prospective 'real world' registry.

Background: Paclitaxel-coated balloon (PCB) angioplasty in small vessel de novo lesions has favourable outcome and appears to be an alternative to stent implantation. However there is limitted data on its use specifically in small vessel acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Methods: We analyse patients data from the SeQuent Please Small Vessel 'PCB only' Registry.

The CYP2J2 G-50T polymorphism and myocardial infarction in patients with cardiovascular risk profile.

Background: Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme 2J2, an epoxygenase predominantly expressed in the heart, metabolizes arachidonic acid to biologically active eicosanoids. One of the CYP2J2 products, 11, 12-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid, has several vasoprotective effects. The CYP2J2-G-50T-promotor polymorphism decreases gene expression and is associated with coronary artery disease.

How good are experienced interventional cardiologists at predicting the functional significance of intermediate or equivocal left main coronary artery stenoses?

Background: Decisions for coronary revascularisation are frequently based on visual assessment of the severity of a stenosis. In patients with intermediate left main stem lesions clinical decision making based on FFR is safe and feasible. This study was performed to assess the accuracy of visual angiographic assessment of intermediate or equivocal left main coronary artery (LMCA) stenoses by experienced interventional cardiologists when taking fractional flow reserve (FFR) measurements as the gold standard.

Cytochrome P450 epoxygenase CYP2J2 and the risk of coronary artery disease.

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme 2J2, an epoxygenase predominantly expressed in the heart, metabolizes arachidonic acid to biologically active eicosanoids. One of the CYP2J2 products, 11,12-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid, has several vasoprotective effects. A frequent promoter polymorphism of CYP2J2 decreases gene expression and is associated with coronary artery disease.

Heart failure in elderly patients.

Several structural and functional changes contribute to heart failure in elderly patients: an age dependent increase in sympathetic nervous activity, left ventricular wall diameter, myocardial fibrosis and apoptosis, micro- and macrovascular coronary sclerosis, aortic stiffness. As a consequence, diastolic, but also systolic heart failure is a frequent finding in elderly patients. The relation of systolic to diastolic heart failure is clearly shifted towards diastolic heart failure in elderly patients, especially in women.

Doppler echocardiographic prediction of recurrent atrial fibrillation following cardioversion.

Background: Cardioversion for atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with impairment of left atrial mechanical function and increased risk of thrombus formation with subsequent embolisation. Measuring atrial mechanical function is of interest to determine the individual risk of thromboembolism and the risk of recurrent AF.

Methods: We included 112 consecutive patients with AF and planned cardioversion.

Vascular protective effects of cytochrome p450 epoxygenase-derived eicosanoids.

Cytochrome P450 epoxygenases metabolize arachidonic acid to biologically active eicosanoids. Primary epoxidation products are four regioisomers of cis-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (EET), 5,6-, 8,9-, 11,12-, and 14,15-EET. One of the predominant epoxygenase isoforms involved in EET formation belongs to the CYP2 gene family.

Risk of coronary artery disease associated with polymorphism of the cytochrome P450 epoxygenase CYP2J2.

Background: Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2J2 is expressed in the vascular endothelium and metabolizes arachidonic acid to biologically active epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs). The EETs are potent endogenous vasodilators and inhibitors of vascular inflammation. However, it is not known whether genetic polymorphisms of CYP2J2 are associated with increased cardiovascular risks.

Prehospital therapy with the platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor eptifibatide in patients with suspected acute coronary syndromes: the Bochum feasibility study.

Study Objectives: To assess the practical application and safety of prehospital antithrombotic therapy with the glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitor eptifibatide for patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or myocardial infarction (MI).

Design: Open-labeled pilot study. Patients with typical chest pain who were seen within 6 h of the onset of symptoms were enrolled in the mobile emergency ambulance.

Lipophilic statins interfere with the inhibitory effects of clopidogrel on platelet function--a flow cytometry study.

Aims: Clopidogrel is a pro-drug which is converted to an active, unstable drug by cytochrome P450 (CYP). The active drug irreversibly blocks one specific platelet adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP) receptor (P2Y12). It has been recently suggested that the most abundant human CYP isoform, 3A4, activates clopidogrel.

Tranilast inhibits cytokine-induced nuclear factor kappaB activation in vascular endothelial cells.

Tranilast [N-(3,4-dimethoxycinnamoyl)anthranilic acid] inhibits vascular inflammation. However, the relevant anti-inflammatory mechanisms are not completely understood. We studied the effects of tranilast on nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB)-dependent endothelial cell adhesion molecule expression and transcriptional regulation.

Inhibition of major histocompatibility complex class II gene transcription by nitric oxide and antioxidants.

Interferon (IFN)-gamma facilitates cellular immune response, in part, by inducing the expression of major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) molecules. We demonstrate that IFN-gamma induces the expression of HLA-DRA in vascular endothelial cells via mechanisms involving reactive oxygen species. IFN-gamma-induced HLA-DRA expression was inhibited by nitric oxide (NO) and antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, and N-acetylcysteine.

Cloning of CYP2J2 gene and identification of functional polymorphisms.

CYP2J2 is abundant in cardiovascular tissue and active in the metabolism of arachidonic acid to eicosanoids that possess potent anti-inflammatory, vasodilatory, and fibrinolytic properties. We cloned and sequenced the entire CYP2J2 gene (approximately 40.3 kb), which contains nine exons and eight introns.