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Family of proteins offers promise as ischemic stroke treatment, preclinical trial finds

A preclinical trial has found that boosting a naturally occurring protein family may reduce damage from ischemic strokes. The study, published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation, discovered that administering supplemental IAIP after an ischemic stroke reduced the size of the damaged area and improved functional recovery.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateSep 1, 2021

New method visualizes blood flow in the brain down to 1 blood cell

Researchers have developed a dye-free method to visualize blood flow in the brain, allowing for detailed mapping of small capillaries and assessing blood flow rates. The technique has potential applications in understanding cardiovascular diseases, tumor growth, and targeted drug delivery.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalThe European Physical Journal Plus·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 26, 2021

Pregnant women with COVID-19 face higher risk of pre-eclampsia, study shows

A review of scientific literature found pregnant women infected by SARS-CoV-2 have a higher risk of developing pre-eclampsia due to reduced ACE2 availability. ACE2 plays a crucial role in placental development, blood pressure control, and fetal development, making its impairment more susceptible to serious complications.

Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors: Next big thing in blood flow measurement

Researchers developed a novel detector system using superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors to measure cerebral blood flow. The SNSPD-DCS system showed significant improvement in signal-to-noise ratio compared to conventional SPAD-based DCS, allowing for clearer detection of arterial pulses.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalNeurophotonics·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2021

New research lifts the lid on cardiac microvascular dysfunction and could help many patients with unexplained heart disease

A new study found that 44% of micro-arteries from patients had abnormal myogenic tone, associated with excessive caldesmon presence and poor cell alignment. This abnormality affects blood supply within the heart and other organs, impacting quality of life and life expectancy.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalCardiovascular Research·TypeObservational study·DateAug 9, 2021

Mount Sinai ophthalmologists develop new technique to assess progression of sickle cell retinopathy

Researchers used OCT angiography to image patients with sickle cell retinopathy and found that sequential imaging can help assess disease progression and treatment effectiveness. The study showed that untreated patients had more flickering blood vessels, indicating a higher risk of permanent blockage.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalBiomedical Optics Express·DateMay 10, 2021

Newly discovered immune cell function vital to healing

Researchers at Uppsala University have discovered that macrophages, a common immune cell, play a crucial role in re-establishing blood flow in damaged tissue. This finding could lead to the development of new treatments for cardiovascular diseases by increasing local concentrations of signal substances in damaged muscles.

SourceUppsala University·JournalCirculation Research·DateApr 23, 2021

No-Cath forecast

Researchers at MUSC developed an AI software to predict CAD blockages' significance without catheterization. The software analyzes CT images of heart vessels and plaques, estimating blood flow and identifying high-risk features. This noninvasive method saves time, costs, and risks for patients and clinicians.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalInternational Journal of Cardiology·DateApr 21, 2021

Some neurons target tiny cerebral blood vessel dilation

A team of Penn State engineers found a connection between nitric oxide-expressing neurons and changes in arterial diameters in mice, shedding light on brain function and aging. The researchers discovered that approximately half of the dynamic range in blood vessel diameter is controlled by a small group of neurons.

Blood flow recovers faster than brain in micro strokes

A Rice University study reveals that blood flow to the brain recovers faster than brain function after a microstroke. The research used advanced neural monitoring technology to measure both blood flow and neuronal recovery simultaneously, showing a significant disconnect between the two processes.

SourceRice University·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 22, 2020

3D VR blood flow to improve cardiovascular care

Biomedical engineers at Duke University developed a massive fluid dynamics simulator to model blood flow through the full human arterial system, providing guidance for treatment plans. A new graphical user interface called Harvis allows clinicians to easily explore options without expertise in computer science.

SourceDuke University·JournalJournal of Computational Science·DateMay 13, 2020

How cardiorespiratory function is related to genetics

An international team of researchers has identified genes related to cardiorespiratory function during acute periodic breathing, a condition that occurs in most humans at high altitudes. The study found that genetic variants affecting the response to insufficient oxygen impact the coordination between heart and lung functions.

SourceLancaster University·JournalThe Journal of Physiology·DateFeb 27, 2020

Right place, right time

Researchers at Harvard Medical School have discovered a control mechanism in the brains of mice that ensures adequate blood flow to areas of heightened neural activity. The study found that arteries actively regulate neurovascular coupling and that the protein Mfsd2a plays a critical role in this process.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature·DateFeb 19, 2020

Reducing the risk of blood clots in artificial heart valves

Researchers have identified a mechanism that contributes to clot formation in mechanical heart valves. By modifying the valve's design, turbulent vortices can be eliminated, reducing the risk of blood clots and strokes. This breakthrough could lead to life without blood thinners for thousands of people with artificial heart valves.

SourceUniversity of Bern·JournalPhysical Review Fluids·DateJan 13, 2020

Respiration key to increase oxygen in the brain

Researchers discovered that exercise increases brain oxygenation by packing more oxygen into the bloodstream, contradicting the long-held assumption that blood is always completely saturated with oxygen. This breakthrough sheds new light on the dynamic relationship between respiration and cerebral oxygenation.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 4, 2019