When DNA replication is challenged cells activate a DNA synthesis checkpoint, blocking cell cycle progression until they are able to overcome the replication defects. In fission yeast, Cds1 is the effector kinase of this checkpoint, inhibiting M-phase entry, stabilizing stalled replication forks and triggering transcriptional activation of S-phase genes. The molecular basis of this last effect ...

Objectives: To assess the link between perfusion, metabolism, and function in viable myocardium before and early after surgical revascularisation. Design: Myocardial blood flow (MBF, thermodilution technique), metabolism (lactate, glucose, and free fatty acid extraction and fluxes), and function (transoesophageal echocardiography) were assessed in patients with critical stenosis of the left ant...

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of epinephrine (Epi) or felypressin (Fely) contained in dental local anesthetics on myocardial oxygen balance. Methods: Male Japan White tracheotomized rabbits were anesthetized with isoflurane. Three doses of 0.18, 0.36, and 0.72 ml of 2% lidocaine hydrochloride containing 1: 80,000 Epi or 3% prilocaine hydrochloride containing 0.03 IU/...

BACKGROUND Familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCHL) is a common hereditary disorder of lipoprotein metabolism estimated to cause 10% to 20% of premature coronary heart disease. We investigated whether functional abnormalities exist in coronary reactivity in asymptomatic patients with FCHL. METHODS AND RESULTS We studied 21 male FCHL patients (age, 34.8+/-5.4 years) and a matched group of 21 he...

BACKGROUND In patients with angina and nonobstructive coronary artery disease (NOCAD), confirming symptoms due to coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) remains challenging. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) assesses myocardial perfusion with high spatial resolution and is widely used for diagnosing obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). OBJECTIVES The goal of this study was to validate ...

Evidence-based criteria for applying cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy are still scarce. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the predictive value of real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography (RT-MCE) in a preclinical canine model of ischemic cardiomyopathy who received CRT. Ischemic cardiomyopathy was produced by ligating the first di...

BACKGROUND Estrogen improves endothelial function in the coronary conduit vessels of animals; however, its effects on the coronary microcirculation have not been studied completely in humans. METHODS AND RESULTS We measured myocardial blood flow (MBF) with a PET scan at rest, during cold pressor testing (CPT), and during dipyridamole hyperemia in 54 postmenopausal women without coronary arter...

OBJECTIVES Regional myocardial blood flow (MBF) and flow reserve measurements using nitrogen-13 (N-13) ammonia positron emission tomography (PET) were compared with quantitative coronary angiography to determine their utility in the detection of significant coronary artery disease (CAD). BACKGROUND Dynamic PET protocols using N-13 ammonia allow regional quantification of MBF and flow reserve....

BACKGROUND Impaired vasodilatation capacity in patients with angina pectoris and a normal coronary arteriogram (syndrome X [SX]) has been reported. Most studies report on the response in epicardial vessels. This does not necessarily reflect compromised myocardial microcirculation. Lack of the NO precursor L-arginine has been suggested as a possible cause. METHODS AND RESULTS Myocardial blood ...

BACKGROUND Positron emission tomography (PET) enables robust and reproducible measurements of myocardial blood flow (MBF). However, the relatively limited resolution of PET till recently prohibited distinction between the subendocardial and the subepicardial layers in non-hypertrophied myocardium. Recent developments in hard- and software, however, have enabled to identify a transmural gradient...