(RTTNews.com) - An important clinical trial, which evaluated the use of autologous bone-marrow-cell therapy in patients with chronic ischemic heart failure, has failed to meet the prespecified end points of improvement in most measures of heart function, according to the results presented at the American College of Cardiology 2012 Scientific Sessions. The trial dubbed, FOCUS - a phase II study, is the largest study to date to investigate if a patient's own bone marrow cells improved myocardial perfusion, reduced left ventricular end-systolic volume or enhanced maximal oxygen consumption in patients with coronary artery disease or LV dysfunction, and limiting heart failure or angina. The FOCUS trial was undertaken by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute-sponsored Cardiovascular Cell Therapy Research Network. Ninety two patients with chronic ischemic heart disease , having a left ventricular ejection fraction of 45% or less, a perfusion defect by single-photon emission tomography, or SPECT, who were no longer candidates for revascularization, were enrolled in the trial. Sixty one patients in the study were administered bone marrow cells through transendocardial injections while thirty one patients were administered placebo. An assessment of primary endpoints at 6 months has revealed that there is no statistically significant difference between … Continue reading →

The country's fledgling autism organizations are short of professional staff and government support, a survey released on Sunday shows. More than half of the autism organizations, or rehabilitation centers, covered in the survey in South China were founded by parents of autistic children, and they raised 75 percent of their initial funding on their own, according to the Shenzhen Autism Society and One Foundation charity, which co-organized the survey. About 91 percent of the operating costs of these groups are paid by the families of autism sufferers, the report said. The report is part of a larger national report to be released on April 2, which is 5th World Autism Awareness Day. The national report, the first of its kind in China, is based on 2,092 questionnaires completed by 56 autism organizations, 988 parents of autistic patients, 510 employees of autism organizations and 538 community organizers. Two-thirds of the questionnaires were submitted from South China. Liao Yanhui, the secretary-general of the Shenzhen Autism Society, said: "Autism treatment in China faces many difficulties, but there is no statistical support in this field. So we started systematic research in 2009 with financial support from One Foundation." Wang Ming instructs an autistic 3-year-old … Continue reading →

The country's fledgling autism organizations are short of professional staff and government support, a survey released on Sunday shows. More than half of the autism organizations, or rehabilitation centers, covered in the survey in South China were founded by parents of autistic children, and they raised 75 percent of their initial funding on their own, according to the Shenzhen Autism Society and One Foundation charity, which co-organized the survey. About 91 percent of the operating costs of these groups are paid by the families of autism sufferers, the report said. The report is part of a larger national report to be released on April 2, which is 5th World Autism Awareness Day. The national report, the first of its kind in China, is based on 2,092 questionnaires completed by 56 autism organizations, 988 parents of autistic patients, 510 employees of autism organizations and 538 community organizers. Two-thirds of the questionnaires were submitted from South China. Liao Yanhui, the secretary-general of the Shenzhen Autism Society, said: "Autism treatment in China faces many difficulties, but there is no statistical support in this field. So we started systematic research in 2009 with financial support from One Foundation." Wang Ming instructs an autistic 3-year-old … Continue reading →

The Hernando High School Interact Club has been giving one particular campaign the red-carpet treatment. Members and sponsors, though, are also looking to shine with another color. To celebrate World Autism Awareness Day April 2, a "Light It Up Blue" event is being planned at the Hernando Square from 6 to 8 p.m. The school will be lit up blue Sunday and businesses across the city are going to receive the same treatment as grants from several organizations, including the Mississippi RiverKings' Assists for Autism, have helped purchase the bulbs. "I've been going out and talking to all the businesses and getting them to get onboard with it," said Margaret Brennan, who along with fellow sophomore Maryasa England and freshman Anthony Veliz have been pounding the pavement. "Most people have been really excited about it." Added co-sponsor Angela Gregg: "We've been supplying them (bulbs) to businesses around the town, and we'll supply them to anyone who wants them if they contact us." "Service Above Self" is the Interact slogan and the project has been rolling for several months. It's one that's close to co-sponsor Holly Neel, whose 4-year-old nephew, Connor, is affected. "Most people around here have not heard of … Continue reading →

(RTTNews.com) - An important clinical trial, which evaluated the use of autologous bone-marrow-cell therapy in patients with chronic ischemic heart failure, has failed to meet the prespecified end points of improvement in most measures of heart function, according to the results presented at the American College of Cardiology 2012 Scientific Sessions. The trial dubbed, FOCUS - a phase II study, is the largest study to date to investigate if a patient's own bone marrow cells improved myocardial perfusion, reduced left ventricular end-systolic volume or enhanced maximal oxygen consumption in patients with coronary artery disease or LV dysfunction, and limiting heart failure or angina. The FOCUS trial was undertaken by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute-sponsored Cardiovascular Cell Therapy Research Network. Ninety two patients with chronic ischemic heart disease , having a left ventricular ejection fraction of 45% or less, a perfusion defect by single-photon emission tomography, or SPECT, who were no longer candidates for revascularization, were enrolled in the trial. Sixty one patients in the study were administered bone marrow cells through transendocardial injections while thirty one patients were administered placebo. An assessment of primary endpoints at 6 months has revealed that there is no statistically significant difference between … Continue reading →