Harmonics-assisted optical phase amplifier.

The change in the relative phase between two light fields serves as a basic principle for the measurement of the physical quantity that guides this change. It would therefore be highly advantageous if the relative phase could be amplified to enhance the measurement resolution. One well-known method for phase amplification involves the use of the multi-photon number and path-entangled state known as the NOON state; however, a high-number NOON state is very difficult to prepare and is highly sensitive to optical losses.

Sclederma of Poria cocos exerts its diuretic effect via suppression of renal aquaporin-2 expression in rats with chronic heart failure.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Sclederma of Poria cocos (Hoelen) has been used as a diuretic in traditional Asian medicine. However, the underlying mechanism by which Sclederma of Poria cocos (hoelen) exerts its diuretic effect has not been well identified. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of Sclederma of Poria cocos (hoelen) in rats with chronic heart failure (CHF) induced by acute myocardial infarction and to investigate the underlying mechanisms.

[Effects of losartan on left ventricular hypertrophy and plasma transforming growth factor-beta1 in elderly patients with hypertension].

Objective: To investigate the effects of losartan on left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and plasma transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) in elderly patients with essential hypertension (EH).

Methods: The elderly patients with EH were divided into two groups, namely EH+LVH group and EH group according to the data of echocardiogram. The systolic and diastolic blood pressures of the patients were monitored.

[Value of C-reactive protein in the diagnosis of arteriosclerosis in patients with essential hypertension].

Objective: To evaluate the value of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the diagnosis of arteriosclerosis in patients with essential hypertension.

Methods: This study included 771 patients with essential hypertension and 243 healthy individuals, and all the subjects were measured for carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and serum CRP level using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The value of CRP in the diagnosis of arteriosclerosis in patients with essential hypertension was evaluated according to the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve, and the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity was evaluated with cfPWV> or =9 m/s as the golden diagnostic standard.

[Mechanisms of losartan for inhibition of myocardial fibrosis following myocardial infarction in rats].

Objective: To investigate the effect of losartan on cardiac mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) mRNA in rats after acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Method: AMI was induced in male SD rats by ligation of the left coronary artery. The survived rats were randomly divided into AMI group, losartan group, and sham-operated group.