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A successful randomized, double- blinded, placebo-controlled phase 2 clinical trial using an intramyocardial injection of a patient’s own CD34 stem cells as treatment for refractory angina was performed at 22 centers across the United States, showing promising results.

Initially, pre-clinical studies provided evidence that a patient’s own CD34+ stem cells (CD34), could stimulate new vessel formation in those patients suffering from ischemic myocardium. Consequently, a phase 1, first-in-human trial was completed providing even further evidence of feasibility, safety and increased bioactivity in those patients with CCS class 3 and 4 angina. The phase 2 study, designed to test the ability of a patient’s own stem cells (CD34 cells) to improve blood flow to the heart, could show the ability to improve heart function and reduce the possibility of events such as hospitalizations and heart failure in patients with refractory angina. A total of 167 patients were randomized and completed the injection procedure, and 162 patients completed the six-month evaluation.

“The results from this study provide the first significant evidence that a patient’s own stem cells can actually be used as a treatment for their heart disease:’ said Dr. Douglas Losordo, lead author from Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois. “This study provides some hope for those patients with currently untreatable angina to be more active with less pain.

As a phase 2 study this program indicates how this strategy can be executed on a large scale at sites across the country. A program of this size has never been done in any stem cell cardiac study and is critically important if such a therapy is going to be effectively delivered.

It also provides information about appropriate endpoints regarding suitability and sample size of this therapy for a phase 3 efficacy study, the final study that will ultimately determine if the treatment works.

The XDA ATOM Exec is a huge improvement over previous xdas. First it looks very handsome with its dark matte exterior, like something designed by Hugo Boss.

The Atom Exec is about the size of the xda II Mini, but with a slightly smaller 2.7- inch screen. It must be said the phone also has a nice heft to it; it feels well balanced when you hold it.

When it comes to features this smartphone packs them in. But the big :etdown first: it’s not 3G-enabled yet. What will make you forget that is that it features every important phone feature out there. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and infrared connectivity.

MP3 and video playback, a 2-megapixel camera, and some features corporate IT departments would swoon for. Another letdown: the audio jack is the 2.5mm kind. In otherwords – like Treos past you will need an adapter louse regular headphones.

Windows Mobile 5 (as well as a lot of PocketPC software) is beautiful. When using the default Windows and 02 display settings you will see blue and black colors which are soothing to the eyes — albeit hard to read in daylight. The cxec is also just as fast as regular Nokias —not the fast ones. Good thing it has a 520MHz Intel processor because it’ll certainly need all the speed it can muster.