Cardiovascular Research:Using nanoparticles to combat arteriosclerosis ♦ Using skin to save the hear ♦ Detecting when, why deadly blood clots form

Using nanoparticles to combat arteriosclerosis In industrialized countries, a high number of people suffer from arteriosclerosis -- with fatal consequences: Deposits in the arteries lead to strokes and heart attacks. Researchers have now developed a method for guiding replacement cells to diseased vascular segments using nanoparticles. They demonstrated in mice that the fresh cells actually exert their curative effect in these segments. However, much research remains to be done prior to use in humans.

Detecting when, why deadly blood clots form A better assay for testing blood's clotting tendency, also known as hemostasis, has been devised. Researchers say it could one day prove lifesaving in a variety of clinical situations in which a patient's health is jeopardized by abnormal blood coagulation and platelet function.

Using skin to save the heart Cell therapies for heart ailments involve transplanting over a billion heart cells to the patient's heart. Many of these cells fail to engraft, however, compromising the benefits. One reason for the poor engraftment is that normally the heart cell population is a mixture of cells with different maturation. Researchers have now identified an ideal maturation stage that enhances engraftment and may reduce the number of cells required for therapy.

Potential heart disorder cause, treatment identified A novel therapy tested scientists for treating a fatal heart disorder in dogs might ultimately help in diagnosing and treating heart disease in humans. The team also identified potential causes of inherited dilated cardiomyopathy or "weak heart."