Wide-band VCOs in SiGe production technology operating up to about 70 GHz

Multipurpose VCOs with wide tuning range and oscillation frequencies up to 74 GHz (on wafer) and 69 GHz (mounted chip, with output buffer), respectively, have been fully integrated in a commercial SiGe production technology. To the best of the authors' knowledge these are record values for commercially available Si-based technologies, despite the moderate transistor f(T) (62 GHz). The oscillation frequency can easily be dropped down to 41.5 GHz by cutting interconnection lines in the upper metallization layer. The phase noise obtained depends on the frequency range chosen and is sufficiently low for the intended applications

SiGe Chips mit integrierter elektronischer Signalverarbeitung fuer 10 und 40 Gbit/s faseroptische Uebertragungssysteme (MEDEA A 208 GIGACHIPS). Teilvorhaben: Entwicklung von SiGe-Transistormodellen und Entwurf von Schluesselbausteinen Abschlussbericht

SIGLEAvailable from TIB Hannover: F01B1576 / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekBundesministerium fuer Bildung und Forschung, Berlin (Germany)DEGerman

Nonsustained Ventricular Tachycardia Is Independently Associated With Sustained Ventricular Arrhythmias in Nonischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Background: Spontaneous nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) on Holter, VT inducibility during electrophysiology study, and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) have been associated with sustained ventricular arrhythmias (SVAs) in nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). This study aimed to analyze whether these parameters carry independent prognostic value for spontaneous SVA in DCM.Methods: Between 2011 and 2018, patients with the DCM clinical spectrum and documented SVA, suspected SVA, or considered to be at intermediate or high risk for SVA were enrolled in the prospective Leiden Nonischemic Cardiomyopathy Study. Patients underwent a comprehensive evaluation including 24-hour Holter, LGE-CMR, and electrophysiology study. Holters were assessed for the presence of NSVT (>= 3 beats; rate, >= 120 bpm; lasting 0.05). During 4.0 +/- 1.8 years of follow-up, SVA occurred in 39 patients (34%). NSVT (HR, 4.47 [95% CI, 1.87-10.72]; P=0.001) and VT inducibility (HR, 3.08 [95% CI, 1.08-8.81]; P=0.036) were independently associated with SVA during follow-up. A bivariable model including only noninvasively acquired parameters also allowed identification of a high-risk subgroup (ie, those with both NSVT and LGE on CMR). The findings remained similar when only patients without prior SVA were included.Conclusions: In patients with DCM, NSVT on Holter and VT inducibility during electrophysiology study predict SVA during follow-up independent of LGE on CMR. NSVTs may serve as an initiator, and sustained VT inducibility indicates the presence of the substrate for SVA in DCM.Clinical epidemiolog

Nonsustained Ventricular Tachycardia Is Independently Associated With Sustained Ventricular Arrhythmias in Nonischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Background: Spontaneous nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) on Holter, VT inducibility during electrophysiology study, and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) have been associated with sustained ventricular arrhythmias (SVAs) in nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). This study aimed to analyze whether these parameters carry independent prognostic value for spontaneous SVA in DCM.Methods: Between 2011 and 2018, patients with the DCM clinical spectrum and documented SVA, suspected SVA, or considered to be at intermediate or high risk for SVA were enrolled in the prospective Leiden Nonischemic Cardiomyopathy Study. Patients underwent a comprehensive evaluation including 24-hour Holter, LGE-CMR, and electrophysiology study. Holters were assessed for the presence of NSVT (>= 3 beats; rate, >= 120 bpm; lasting 0.05). During 4.0 +/- 1.8 years of follow-up, SVA occurred in 39 patients (34%). NSVT (HR, 4.47 [95% CI, 1.87-10.72]; P=0.001) and VT inducibility (HR, 3.08 [95% CI, 1.08-8.81]; P=0.036) were independently associated with SVA during follow-up. A bivariable model including only noninvasively acquired parameters also allowed identification of a high-risk subgroup (ie, those with both NSVT and LGE on CMR). The findings remained similar when only patients without prior SVA were included.Conclusions: In patients with DCM, NSVT on Holter and VT inducibility during electrophysiology study predict SVA during follow-up independent of LGE on CMR. NSVTs may serve as an initiator, and sustained VT inducibility indicates the presence of the substrate for SVA in DCM

Analysis of biomarker expression in severe endometriosis and determination of possibilities for targeted intraoperative imaging

<p>Objective: To evaluate the expression of biomarkers in endometriotic tissue in order to determine the most promising molecules for targeted intraoperative imaging. Methods: Tissue samples were obtained from 18 patients with endometriosis. The intensity and pattern of expression of the following biomarkers were assessed by immunohistochemistry: C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4), epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), estrogen receptor (ER), folate receptor alpha (FR-alpha), hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1 alpha), progesterone receptor (PR), and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A). The Target Selection Criteria scoring system was used to select the most promising biomarkers for intraoperative imaging. Results: Expression of OCCR4, EpCAM, ER, PR, and VEGF-A was scored as strong in endometriotic epithelium. Expression of FR-alpha was detected in 94.4% of samples, whereas HIF-1 alpha was expressed in just 5.6% of samples. Of note, CXCR4, ER, and VEGF-A were also expressed in surrounding healthy tissue, thus reducing the target-to-background ratio. Conclusion: Of the 7 biomarkets assessed in the present study, EpCAM, FR-alpha, and VEGF-A seem the most promising for targeted intraoperative imaging of endometriosis. (C) 2012 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.</p>