Stony Brook tests stem cells on heart patient


"Doctors at Stony Brook University Medical Center are testing a notion that only a few years ago was nothing more than a tantalizing question: Can stem cells zero in on cardiac muscle damaged in a heart attack and force it to regenerate?

"These cells have the ability to protect the tissues and to regenerate tissue, and that's what is needed after a heart attack," said Dr. Luis Gruberg, director of Stony Brook's catheterization laboratories, and principal investigator of the project."

It will be interesting to see if anything comes from this experiment - the story is from Newsday and the money quote is:

"Stem cells are blank slates capable of morphing into specialized cells.

Kenney was infused with a type of stem cell known as mesenchymal cells, those drawn from an adult donor, and capable of transforming into muscle. Once infused through an intravenous line, the cells, Gruberg said, seek out inflammation and home in. Inflammation is abundant at the site of blockage."

1,500 Workers in L.I. Diocese Will Receive Buyout Offers

"The Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre plans to offer buyouts to 1,500 of its 6,000 employees next month as part of a cost-cutting plan to save its schools and parishes amid stagnant revenue and rising demand for charitable services, church officials said Tuesday."

This is a sad thing for all involved, especially given the job market today. I hope that those who will lose their job will recover.