Atherosclerosis News and Research

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Atherosclerosis is the progressive buildup of plaque - the fatty deposits and other cells - in the inner walls of the arteries. The condition is a consequence of elevated cholesterol and for many it's a silent disease, with no visible signs or symptoms. The disease can begin in early adulthood and continues to progress for the rest of a person's life. Despite the serious nature of atherosclerosis, many people do not understand how it develops and progresses.

Discovery could provide new approaches to treat metabolic disorders

Scientists from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute have identified a novel synthetic activator of a pair of proteins that belong to a protein family playing key roles in human metabolism and immune function. The discovery could provide new and potentially more effective therapeutic approaches to diseases ranging from diabetes to osteoporosis.

20 Nov 2010

African Americans have faster rates of decline in kidney function

African Americans along with some groups of Hispanics have faster rates of decline in kidney function compared to white Americans, according to a study presented at the American Society of Nephrology's 43rd Annual Meeting and Scientific Exposition.

19 Nov 2010

Gene transfer reduces and stabilizes plaque and decreases inflammation

A plaque-fighting gene - studied in various forms by researchers at the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute for 18 years - has now been transferred intravenously to lab mice bred to model atherosclerosis (clogged arteries) in humans. Studies show the gene transfer reduced and stabilized plaque and decreased inflammation, key factors in cutting the risk of heart disease.

18 Nov 2010

PTSD doubles veteran's risk of death

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) more than doubles a veteran's risk of death from any cause and is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, according to research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2010.

18 Nov 2010

Cholesterol-lowering statin therapy benefits patients with calcium buildup in arteries

Rolling back suggestions from previous studies, a Johns Hopkins study of 950 healthy men and women has shown that taking daily doses of a cholesterol-lowering statin medication to protect coronary arteries and ward off heart attack or stroke may not be needed for everyone.

17 Nov 2010

SESAME Stent effective for patients undergoing angioplasty of SVG

A new study revealed that the novel self-expanding super-elastic all-metal endoprosthesis stent (SESAME Stent) used in patients undergoing angioplasty of degenerated saphenous vein graft (SVG) lesions has 100% acute success, low 30 day major adverse cardiac events (MACE) rates, and 9-month patency comparable to balloon expandable stents without embolic protection.

17 Nov 2010

Combination of CT scans effective in diagnosing coronary artery disease

Heart imaging specialists at Johns Hopkins have shown that a combination of CT scans that measure how much blood is flowing through the heart and the amount of plaque in surrounding arteries are just as good as tests that are less safe, more complex and more time-consuming to detect coronary artery disease and its severity.

17 Nov 2010

Diffusion Pharmaceuticals presents positive results of TSC study for PAD at American Heart Association

Diffusion Pharmaceuticals LLC today announced positive results of its Phase I/II proof-of-concept study of Trans Sodium Crocetinate (TSC) in patients suffering from walking impairment due to peripheral artery disease (PAD).

16 Nov 2010

diaDexus third quarter revenue increases 26% to $3.2 million

diaDexus, Inc., a diagnostics company focused on the development and commercialization of patent-protected in vitro diagnostic products addressing unmet needs in cardiovascular disease, today announced financial results for the third quarter of 2010.

15 Nov 2010

PGxHealth presents results from studies using FAMILION genetic testing at 2010 AHA

Clinical Data, Inc., today announced that results of studies using its FAMILION® genetic testing were presented at the 2010 American Heart Association (AHA) meeting. PGxHealth, a division of Clinical Data, together with its collaborators, presented results from the largest, most comprehensive studies of genetic variation associated with certain cardiac conditions that were revealed using FAMILION testing.

15 Nov 2010

TU/e researchers image stages of calcification process in atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is characterized by hardening and thickening of artery walls, with serious health consequences. Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) have imaged the stages in the calcification process at a nanometer scale.

15 Nov 2010

Novel mechanism regulating circadian rhythm identified

Scientists from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute have identified for the first time a novel mechanism that regulates circadian rhythm, the master clock that controls the body's natural 24-hour physiological cycle. These new findings could provide a new target not only for jet lag, shift work, and sleep disturbances, but also for disorders that result from circadian rhythm disruption, including diabetes and obesity as well as some types of cancer.

11 Nov 2010

Amarin reports $31.4 million cash balance for third quarter 2010

Amarin Corporation plc, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on cardiovascular disease, today reported its financial and operational results for the three-month period ended September 30, 2010.

10 Nov 2010

Positive results from XOMA 052 study in patients with uveitis of Behcet's disease

XOMA Ltd., a leader in the discovery and development of therapeutic antibodies, announced additional positive results from an open-label pilot study of XOMA 052 in patients with uveitis of Behcet's disease who were suffering from vision-threatening exacerbations despite maximal doses of immunosuppressive medicines.

10 Nov 2010

Researchers to determine levels of stroke risk in patients with narrowed brain arteries

Neurological researchers at Rush University Medical Center are part of a multicenter, National Institutes of Health (NIH) study to determine the levels of stroke risk and stroke recurrence in patients with narrowed brain arteries.

10 Nov 2010

BioInvent receives FDA IND clearance for BI-204 Phase II trial in cardiovascular disease

BioInvent International AB today announces IND clearance from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to initiate a Phase II study for BI-204. BI-204 is a human monoclonal antibody that specifically targets oxidized forms of a low-density lipoprotein (LDL) which has been linked to increased inflammatory processes leading to plaque formation in the blood vessel walls. BI-204 is being co-developed with Genentech for secondary prevention of cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

10 Nov 2010

DHA protects brain tissue and promotes recovery in acute ischemic stroke

Research led by Dr. Nicolas Bazan, Boyd Professor, Villere Chair, and Director of the Neuroscience Center of Excellence at LSU Health Sciences Center, has shown that Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a component of fish oil, is a powerful therapeutic agent that can protect brain tissue and promote recovery in an experimental model of acute ischemic stroke, even when treatment is delayed by up to five hours.

9 Nov 2010

Multidetector CT helps pinpoint causes of ischemic stroke

Multidetector computed tomography (CT) helps pinpoint the causes of ischemic strokes, the most common type of stroke, potentially speeding the delivery of life-saving treatments, according to a study published online and in the January issue of Radiology.

9 Nov 2010

Limiting inflammation can control accumulation of carotid atherosclerosis in RA patients

New data presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in Atlanta show that systemic inflammation and rheumatoid arthritis disease activity may contribute to the progression of atherosclerosis in people with RA. The data also show that this progression may be modified favorably by TNF inhibitors and detrimentally by glucocorticoids.

8 Nov 2010

TRPM7 protein plays a key role in maintenance of magnesium homeostasis

An international team led by researchers at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School has published new findings that demonstrate how a specific protein controls the body's ability to balance magnesium levels. Magnesium is an essential element for good health and is critical to more than 300 biochemical reactions that occur in the body.

8 Nov 2010