Order recognition by Schubert polynomials generated by optical near-field statistics via nanometre-scale photochromism.

Irregular spatial distribution of photon transmission through a photochromic crystal photoisomerized by a local optical near-field excitation was previously reported, which manifested complex branching processes via the interplay of material deformation and near-field photon transfer therein. Furthermore, by combining such naturally constructed complex photon transmission with a simple photon detection protocol, Schubert polynomials, the foundation of versatile permutation operations in mathematics, have been generated. In this study, we demonstrated an order recognition algorithm inspired by Schubert calculus using optical near-field statistics via nanometre-scale photochromism.

Comparison of the measured pre-ejection periods and left ventricular ejection times between echocardiography and impedance cardiography for optimizing cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Background: The pre-ejection period (PEP) and left ventricular ejection time (LVET) are easily measured by impedance cardiography (ICG). We hypothesized that the PEP/LVET measured by ICG would correlate with that measured by echocardiography, and that PEP/LVET measured by ICG would be useful for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) optimization.

Methods: Newly CRT implanted patients were optimized by echocardiography.

Effect of glycemic state on postprandial hyperlipidemia and hyperinsulinemia in patients with coronary artery disease.

Both postprandial hyperlipidemia and hyperinsulinemia have been thought to play an important role in the development of atherosclerosis, and to be a potent risk factor for cardiovascular event. To examine effects of glycemic state on postprandial hyperlipidemia and hyperinsulinemia in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), a total of 112 consecutive male pati ents with angiographically confirmed CAD were loaded with a high-fat and high-glucose test meal. CAD patients were divided into three groups as "non-diabetic", "prediabetic", and "diabetic" CAD groups.

Different postprandial lipid metabolism and insulin resistance between non-diabetic patients with and without coronary artery disease.

Background: Postprandial hyperlipidemia and hyperinsulinemia have been thought to play an important role in the development of atherosclerosis. Diabetes mellitus (DM) has an impact on lipid metabolism, however, little is known about the relationship between the postprandial lipid and glucose metabolism in normoglycemic patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: To compare the postprandial lipid and glucose metabolism in normoglycemic patients with and without CAD, a total of 36 normoglycemic patients: 19 patients with stable CAD (CAD group, age 60.

Rho-kinase inhibition ameliorates metabolic disorders through activation of AMPK pathway in mice.

Background: Metabolic disorders, caused by excessive calorie intake and low physical activity, are important cardiovascular risk factors. Rho-kinase, an effector protein of the small GTP-binding protein RhoA, is an important cardiovascular therapeutic target and its activity is increased in patients with metabolic syndrome. We aimed to examine whether Rho-kinase inhibition improves high-fat diet (HFD)-induced metabolic disorders, and if so, to elucidate the involvement of AMP-activated kinase (AMPK), a key molecule of metabolic conditions.

Stent implantation and optical frequency domain imaging with carbon dioxide for chronic total occlusion in the superficial femoral artery.

A 68-year-old female was presented with claudication in the left lower leg. She underwent angiography with carbon dioxide (CO2) because she had a history of anaphylactic shock to iodinated contrast medium. It revealed total occlusion of the left superficial femoral artery (SFA), and subsequently endovascular therapy (EVT) was performed by an antegrade approach from the left common femoral artery.

Contrast stainings outside the stents of the superficial femoral artery after polymer-free drug-eluting peripheral stents implantation.

A 65-year-old man with occlusion of the left superficial femoral artery (SFA) underwent the endovascular therapy (EVT). A successful EVT was performed with three paclitaxel-eluting peripheral stents (Zilver PTX®) implanted in the left SFA. Angiography 1 year later showed an exudation of contrast outside the stent struts, and intravascular ultrasound, and optical coherence tomography also showed incomplete stent apposition with remarkable positive vascular remodeling.

Role of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and collagen metabolism in right ventricular remodeling due to pulmonary hypertension.

Background: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) causes elevated right ventricular (RV) systolic pressure, RV remodeling and finally RV failure to death. However, the mechanisms of RV remodeling in PH remain to be fully elucidated.

Methods And Results: RV autopsy samples from 6 PH patients with RV failure against 3 age- and sex-matched controls were first examined.

Successful outside-the-stent stenting for an occluded primary stented superficial femoral artery.

A 61-year-old man with in-stent occlusion of the superficial femoral artery (SFA) underwent the endovascular therapy using a subintimal technique. The wire was intentionally advanced into the subintimal space next to the occluded stent in the SFA, and a stent was implanted in a double barrel fashion outside of the in-stent occlusion site. The procedure was performed without any complications and with the successful angiographic and intravascular ultrasound imaging results.

A case report of very late stent thrombosis observed simultaneously in all three vessels 5 years after sirolimus-eluting stent implantation.

A 67-year-old man with recent myocardial infarction underwent a total of five sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) implantation for three vessels stage by stage. A follow-up angiography showed no significant restenosis except one in the side branch. Thereafter, he had remained asymptomatic.

Anti-atherogenic effects of the combination therapy with olmesartan and azelnidipine in diabetic apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.

Many studies have aimed to identify anti-atherogenic agents in cardiovascular medicine. We have recently demonstrated that the combination therapy with olmesartan (OLM), an angiotensin II receptor blocker, and azelnidipine (AZL), a dihydroprydine calcium-channel blocker, improves endothelial function in diabetic Apolipoprotein-deficient (ApoE(-/-)) mice. In the present study, we examined whether this combination therapy also inhibits atherosclerosis in mice.

Essential role of bone marrow for microvascular endothelial and metabolic functions in mice.

Rationale: We have previously demonstrated that the importance of endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) increases as the vessel size decreases and that endothelium-derived hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) is an EDHF in animals and humans, for which endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is the major source. Recent studies have suggested the important role of the bone marrow (BM) in modulating cardiovascular and metabolic functions.

Objective: We aimed to examine whether BM plays a role in modulating microvascular endothelial and metabolic functions in mice, and if so, to elucidate the mechanisms involved.

Mechanisms for enhanced endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor-mediated responses in microvessels in mice.

Background: Endothelium-derived relaxing factors play an important role in cardiovascular homeostasis. Among them, endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) is important especially in microcirculation. It has previously been demonstrated that endothelium-derived hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) is an EDHF in animals and humans and that endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) plays diverse roles as a nitric oxide (NO) generating system in conduit arteries and as an EDHF/H(2)O(2) generating system in microvessels.