Evaluation of optical parameters for a microminiature Rb vapor cell in a dual-beam SERF magnetometer.

In the spin-exchange relaxation-free (SERF) magnetometer of a perpendicular pump-probe configuration, the pump and probe beam characteristics significantly affect the performance. In this paper, an efficient evaluation of optical parameters to improve the sensitivity of a miniature magnetometer has been presented. We have determined the pump light's optimal intensity and wavelength through theoretical analysis and the zero-field resonance experiments.

Optimized gas pressure of an Rb vapor cell in a single-beam SERF magnetometer.

We present a theoretical and experimental study of a single-beam spin-exchange relaxation-free magnetometer in Rb vapor cells under different nitrogen gas pressures. The spin relaxation rate is a key component to limit the magnetic sensitivity, and the zero-field resonance method was used to measure the spin relaxation rates of different alkali metal cells. Simultaneously, in a single-beam spin-exchange-relaxation-free (SERF) magnetometer, we demonstrated that the fundamental magnetic field sensitivity was also limited by the pumping light intensity.

Comparison of rotational atherectomy and modified balloons prior to drug-eluting stent implantation for the treatment of heavily calcified coronary lesions.

The optimal strategy for lesion preparation in heavily calcified coronary lesions (HCCL) prior to drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation remains debatable. This study sought to compare the performance of rotational atherectomy (RA) and modified balloon (MB)-based strategy in patients with HCCL receiving current-generation DES.This retrospective study comprised 564 consecutive patients who underwent RA (n = 229) or MB (n = 335) for HCCL at our hospital and were treated with DES.

Magainin-modified polydopamine nanoparticles for photothermal killing of bacteria at low temperature.

Photothermal therapy (PTT) is a promising method to kill bacteria because of the broad-spectrum of antibacterial activity and the ability of spatiotemporal regulation. In the previously reported systems, light induced high temperature (˜70 °C) was essential for effectively killing of bacteria, which, however, would also damage nearby nontarget cells or tissues. Here we report photothermal nanoparticles (NPs) for more targeting and killing bacteria at a relative low temperature.

Paracrine effects of bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells: cyclooxygenase-2/prostacyclin pathway in pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Background: Endothelial dysfunction is the pathophysiological characteristic of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Some paracrine factors secreted by bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells (BMEPCs) have the potential to strengthen endothelial integrity and function. This study investigated whether BMEPCs have the therapeutic potential to improve monocrotaline (MCT)-induced PAH via producing vasoprotective substances in a paracrine fashion.

[Safety and efficacy of transradial percutaneous coronary intervention for unprotected left main coronary artery lesions with 6 French guiding catheter].

Objective: To investigate the safety, medium-term and long-term efficacy of transradial percutaneous coronary intervention for unprotected left main coronary artery lesions with 6 French guiding catheter.

Methods: Sixty-one patients with unprotected left main coronary artery lesions were treated by 6 French transradial percutaneous coronary intervention between January 2008 and December 2009. The mean age of patients was (66.

Breviscapine inhibits high glucose-induced proliferation and migration of cultured vascular smooth muscle cells of rats via suppressing the ERK1/2 MAPK signaling pathway.

Aim: To investigate the influences of breviscapine, a flavonoid extracted from Erigeron breviscapus, on the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) cultured in a high glucose medium and the underlying mechanisms.

Methods: VSMCs were isolated from thoracic aortas of male Sprague-Dawley rats and cultured in vitro. Cell proliferation was evaluated using Counting Kit-8 cell viability assay.

[Effects of proton pump inhibitors on in-stent restenosis in patients receiving clopidogrel: a retrospective analysis].

Objective: To determine the effect of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) on in-stent restenosis (ISR) in patients receiving clopidogrel therapy.

Methods: Total 439 patients underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were enrolled in the study,including 250 post-PCI patients discharged on clopidogrel alone and 189 patients discharged on clopidogrel with PPI. The in-stent restenosis (ISR) ratio of the patients in these two groups were observed.

[Study on the terahertz spectrum of Haojiami].

Haojiami is a very effective drug to treat malaria, and as a result of its unique drug efficacy, it is widely used in the clinical medicine. It was studied experimentally by terahertz (THz) time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS), and the characteristic absorption spectra were obtained in the range of 0.2 to 3.

Breviscapine ameliorates cardiac dysfunction and regulates the myocardial Ca(2+)-cycling proteins in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

To investigate the influence of breviscapine on the cardiac structure and function in diabetic cardiomyopathy rats as well as the expression of protein kinase C (PKC) and Ca(2+)-cycling proteins expression. Diabetes was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin and the control rats were injected with saline. After the induction of diabetes for 4 weeks, the animals were divided into different groups: (1) normal rats as control; (2) diabetic rats; (3) diabetic rats with administration of breviscapine (10 or 25 mg kg(-1) day(-2)).

Breviscapine ameliorates hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes induced by high glucose in diabetic rats via the PKC signaling pathway.

Aim: To investigate the influence of breviscapine on high glucose-induced hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes and the relevant mechanism in vitro and in vivo.

Methods: Cultured neonatal cardiomyocytes were divided into i) control; ii) high glucose concentrations; iii) high glucose+PKC inhibitor Ro-31-8220; iv) high glucose+breviscapine; or v) high glucose+NF-kappaB inhibitor BAY11-7082. Cellular contraction frequency and volumes were measured; the expression of protein kinase C (PKC), NF-kappaB, TNF-alpha, and c-fos were assessed by Western blot or reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

[The effect of chelerythrine on the hypertrophy of cardiac myocytes of neonatal rats induced by different glucose levels and its mechanism].

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of chelerythrine on the hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes of neonatal rats induced by different glucose levels and its mechanism. Using cultured neonatal ventricular myocytes as a model, groups were divided as: control (5 mmol x L(-1)); high glucose level (10, 15, 20, and 25.5 mmol x L(-1)); high glucose level (25.

[Treatment of coronary bifurcation lesions with 6F-guiding catheter by transradial approach].

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and safety in treatment of coronary bifurcation lesions with 6F-guiding catheter by transradial approach.

Methods: Clinical data of 1258 patients who were treated with 6F-guiding catheter by transradial approach from Oct. 2003 to Feb.

The signal transduction pathway of PKC/NF-kappa B/c-fos may be involved in the influence of high glucose on the cardiomyocytes of neonatal rats.

Background: High glucose could induce structure and function change in cardiomyocytes, PKC plays a core effect in the onset and progression of diabetic cardiomyopathy, but its underlying downstream signal transduction pathway is still not completely understood.

Objectives: To study the influence of high glucose on the structure, function and signal transduction pathway of PKC (Protein Kinase C)/NF-kappaB(Nuclear factor-kappaB)/c-fos in cultured cardiomyocytes.

Methods: Using cultured cardiomyocytes of neonatal Sprague-Dawley rats as a model, groups were divided into: control group (glucose: 5 mmol/L); high glucose group (glucose: 10 mmol/L, 15 mmol/L, 20 mmol/L, 25.

[Influence of various glucose levels on the structure and function of cultured neonatal rats cardiomyocytes].

Objective: To study the influence of various glucose levels on the structure and function of cultured neonatal rats cardiomyocytes.

Method: Cultured neonatal ventricular cardiomyocytes were treated with various glucose levels for 5 days: control (5.5 mmol/L); high (25.

[Mechanism and re-ablation strategy for postablation atrial tachyarrhythmia in atrial fibrillation patients].

Objective: To investigate the mechanism and re-ablation strategy of recurrent atrial tachyarrhythmia (ATA) following circumferential ablation of pulmonary veins (PV) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: Fifteen patients with recurrent ATA following first AF ablation procedure were included in this study. Under CARTO guidance, PVs were remapped and ablated subsequently for relapse of left atrium to PV conduction.

Effect of a distal protection device on epicardial blood flow and myocardial perfusion in primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Objective: The beneficial effect of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has been well established, but there is the problem of no-reflow phenomenon which is an adverse prognostic factor in primary PCI. In the present study the effect of a distal protection device (PercuSurge GuardWire; GW) on epicardial blood flow and myocardial perfusion was evaluated.

Methods And Results: Patients with AMI were randomly divided into 2 groups, the GW and the control groups.

[Tissue Doppler imaging evaluate the effect of optimal biventricular resynchronization for congestive heart disease in left ventricular synchrony and function].

Objective: To evaluate the immediate change of left ventricular systolic performance and asynchronization between simultaneous biventricular pacing and sequential biventricular pacing by tissue synchronization imaging (TSI) and tissue velocity imaging (TVI) in patients with congestive heart failure. The effect of sequential biventricular resynchronization therapy was also observed.

Methods: Ten patients with dilated cardiomyopathy who received sequential biventricular resynchronization were enrolled.

The analysis of ultrastructure and gene expression of sarco/endoplasmic reticulum calcium handling proteins in alloxan-induced diabetic rat myocardium.

Objective: The change of mechanical properties of isolated diabetic rat papillary muscle, myocardial ultrastructure and gene expression of sarco/endoplasic reticulum calcium handling proteins in alloxan-induced diabetic rat heart was investigated.

Methods: Diabetes was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats (180-220 g) by administering a single tail-vein injection (40 mg/kg) of alloxan. The control group was injected with normal saline.

Segmental radiofrequency ablation of pulmonary vein ostia for patients with refractory paroxysmal atrial fibrillation using multi-slice spiral computed tomography guidance.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and clinical efficacy of segmental radiofrequency ablation of pulmonary vein (PV) ostia for patients with refractory paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) under multi-slice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) guidance before the procedure.

Methods: A series of 58 consecutive patients with refractory paroxysmal AF were enrolled to undergo segmental radiofrequency ablation of PV ostia. The 36 male and 22 female patients with mean age of (57.

[Alterations of myocardial ultrastructure and gene expression of calcium handling proteins in diabetic rat heart].

Objective: To investigate the ultrastructure of myocardium and gene expression of calcium handling proteins in diabetic rat heart.

Methods: Diabetes was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by a single injection of alloxanm (40 mg/kg ) and the rats in control group were injected with normal saline. At the end of 2, 4, 6 weeks after the induction of diabetes, the animals were sacrificed.