Phospholamban pentamers attenuate PKA-dependent phosphorylation of monomers.

Phospholamban (PLN) is a key regulator of cardiac contraction and relaxation through its inhibition of the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA2a). The inhibitory effect is attenuated upon protein kinase A (PKA) dependent phosphorylation of PLN. PLN exists in an equilibrium of pentamers and monomers.

Platelet adhesion receptors do not modulate infarct volume after a photochemically induced stroke in mice.

Photochemically induced cerebral infarction has been considered a clinically relevant model for ischemic stroke. We evaluated various transgenic mice to study the role of platelet adhesion molecules in this model. Infarction to the sensorimotoric cortex was induced by erythrosin B and laser light.

Chlamydia pneumoniae serology: comparing a commercial enzyme immunoassay and microimmunofluorescence test in patients with cardiovascular disease.

Chlamydia pneumoniae has been associated with cardiovascular disease and the detection of C. pneumoniae antibodies has subsequently challenged many cardiovascular investigators. The micro-immunofluoresence (MIF) test is considered the gold standard for detection of C.

Stenosis detection in forearm hemodialysis arteriovenous fistulae by multiphase contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography: preliminary experience.

Purpose: To assess the feasibility and accuracy of multiphase contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CE-MRA) in patients with dysfunctioning hemodialysis arteriovenous fistulae (AVF), using digital subtraction angiography (DSA) as the standard of reference.

Materials And Methods: Fifteen patients with dysfunctioning AVF (eight radiocephalic and seven graft AVF) underwent CE-MRA. Dysfunction was defined as a flow decline of more than 25% in 1 month measured by dilutional flow measurements.

Chlamydia pneumoniae serology is associated with thrombosis-related but not with plaque-related microembolization during carotid endarterectomy.

Background And Purpose: Chlamydia pneumoniae has repeatedly been associated with atherosclerotic disease. Our study was designed to clarify whether this association is based on C pneumoniae-induced transformation of a stable into an unstable atherosclerotic plaque or on stimulation of hypercoagulability leading to increased thrombotic arterial occlusions by C pneumoniae infection. Transcranial Doppler ultrasonographic monitoring of the middle cerebral artery during carotid endarterectomy offers the opportunity to study, before removal of the plaque, atherothrombotic emboli dislodging from an unstable carotid plaque (plaque-related emboli) and emboli related to (excessive) thrombus formation at the endarterectomy site after removal of the plaque and restoration of flow (thrombosis-related emboli).

The enabler right ventricular circulatory support system for beating heart coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Background: Beating heart coronary artery bypass graft surgery of the left anterior descending, diagonal, and right coronary artery can be performed safely with the Octopus Stabilization System. However, tilting of the heart, which is necessary to reach the obtuse marginal and distal right coronary arteries, causes hemodynamic instability. This study was performed to investigate the possible role of the Enabler right ventricular circulatory support system in counteracting this instability.

Long-term effects of recombinant human erythropoietin on macro- and microcirculation in chronic hemodialysis patients.

Recombinant human erythropoietin therapy (ReHuEpo) at short term leads to an increase in systemic vascular resistance and to a decrease in cardiac index and skin microcirculatory flow. Long-term adaptive changes might occur. We studied the effects of ReHuEpo therapy on macrocirculation and skin microcirculation in 8 normotensive and normovolemic hemodialysis patients before and after, respectively, 4 and 14 months of treatment.