A recent article in the journal Nature credits Stanford physician-neuroscientist Sergiu Pasca, MD, with blazing a trail toward a more profound understanding of early brain development, and of what can go wrong in the process, using a cell-based research innovation he named "assembloids."

In 2015, Pasca and his colleagues published a paper in Nature Methods describing a fascinating feat: His tinkering with induced pluripotent stem cells, or iPS cells -- former skin cells transformed so that they've acquired an almost magical capacity to generate all the tissues in the body -- had borne a three-dimensional product. From these "magic" iPS cells grew a complex conglomerate of cells capable of modeling specific organs.

Pasca's particular interest was in the brain, and in the experiments detailed in the study, his lab had caused human iPS cells to multiply and differentiate into small spherical clusters of brain tissue suspended in laboratory glassware.

These clusters recapitulated the architecture and physiology of the human cerebral cortex -- the outermost layer of brain tissue, critical to perception, cognition and action. Pasca named these clusters, which grew to several millimeters in diameter and contained millions of cells, "cortical spheroids." Today, researchers around the world are using similar methodology to create models, broadly known as "organoids," to study other parts of the human body.

Two years later, in a study published in Nature, Pasca upped the ante by, first, generating a second kind of neural spheroid -- this time, representative of a deeper part of the developing forebrain called the subpallium -- and, second, by growing this kind of spheroid in conjunction with cortical spheroids, in the same dish.

To the researchers' amazement, spheroids of both types fused together, with nerve cells from subpallial spheroids migrating and poking extensions into the cortical spheroids and establishing working connections with nerve cells of a different type in the latter spheroids, just as occurs in fetal development.

"It's amazing that these cells already self-organize and know what they need to do," Pasca marveled in "Brain Balls," an article I wrote for our magazine, Stanford Medicine, a few years ago.

Pasca sensibly dubbed the two-fused-spheroid combos "assembloids," the Nature recap notes.

But why stop at two? Pasca has since created three-element assembloids composed of spheroids representative of cerebral cortex, spinal cord and skeletal muscle in order to model the circuitry of voluntary movement. He's also shown that stimulating the "cerebral cortex" spheroid can result in contraction of the "muscle" spheroid. (This accomplishment was published in Cell in late 2020.) He has explored other assembloid combinations, as well, such as the fusing of cortical spheroids with spheroids representing the striatum, a brain structure implicated in regulating our movements and responses to rewarding and aversive stimuli.

Because each spheroid begins with skin cells, they can be grown on a personalized basis -- and can therefore be extracted from patients with neurological disorders known or suspected to spring from early developmental aberrations (such as autism or schizophrenia). The cells can then be used to create models to probe these disorders' molecular, cellular and circuit-based deviations from the pathways of normal brain development, allowing scientists to study the brain in way they could never do with a living patient.

From the Nature article:

Assembloids are now at the leading edge of stem-cell research. Scientists are using them to investigate early events in organ development as tools for studying not only psychiatric disorders, but other types of disease as well.

An assembloid is by no means a complete, working brain. But, the article notes, "Pasca stands by the aphorism that all models are wrong, and some are useful. 'There's been important progress in the field in a short period of time,' he says."

Photo courtesy of the Pasca laboratory

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Stanford neuroscientist's 'assembloids' pave the way for innovative brain research - Scope

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Facial serums are skin care products that the skin can absorb rapidly. They are formulated to contain high doses of ingredients, including actives such as vitamin C and retinol. They are not moisturizers. Instead, they are an additional step in a skin care routine selected to address specific skin concerns.

While many facial serums make claims about their benefits, limited scientific data is available to support these claims. The potential uses and benefits of a serum will depend on the ingredients and their concentration.

Many serums use active ingredients such as:

Common issues face serums claim to address include acne, rosacea, and signs of aging such as wrinkles.

One study of a facial serum targeting fine lines and wrinkles found that after 12 weeks, women showed statistically significant improvements in:

Face serums are generally considered safe. They are available without a prescription. However, because face serums deliver concentrated doses of active ingredients such as vitamin C or hyaluronic acid, people should exercise caution when trying them for the first time.

Pregnant people should exercise caution when selecting skin care products. Using products made with concentrated forms of vitamin A, such as retinol, can harm a developing fetus. Pregnant people should avoid skin care products that contain retinoids or other harmful ingredients.

People who are already using prescription or high dosage skin care products should check with their healthcare providers before using face serums to ensure they are not taking in unhealthy levels of powerful ingredients, such as retinoids.

When introducing a new active ingredient to the skin, there is a possibility of side effects such as:

If a person experiences these symptoms, they should reduce the frequency and dosage of the serum or stop using it altogether if symptoms do not reduce.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends trying just one new product, like a facial serum, at a time. Starting several new products all at once, particularly anti-aging products, can irritate the skin and make it difficult to determine which products are beneficial.

It is also helpful to perform a patch test for a week before using a new product on facial skin. A patch test involves applying small amounts of the new product on the inner forearm for a few days to check for reactions.

A skin serum will not be effective if it is not used properly. The best time to apply face serum is after cleaning the skin and before applying moisturizer.

Facial serums are concentrated, so people should only use a small amount to cover the facial skin.

Learn more about skin care routines here.

No single skin care product can address all skin health needs. To pick out the best face serum, a person should first decide what skin concern they want to address, such as wrinkles or acne.

Look for a face serum that is a good fit for individual concerns and needs. For example, a person should choose a face serum that suits their skin type, such as oily, dry, combination, or aging.

Some people may wish to find products that are hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic, which means they are less likely to cause allergic reactions or acne.

Products do not have to be expensive to be effective, and serums are available to suit various budgets.

Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based.

This is an oil-free vitamin C face serum designed for people with oily or blemish-prone skin.

SkinCeuticals claims this serum can reduce skin oiliness and wrinkles, and improve skin texture.

The ingredients include:

This serum costs $166 for a 30ml bottle.

Made with Avene Thermal Spring Water, this water-gel serum is safe for adolescents and adults.

It is suitable for oily skin and should be used after cleansing in the morning and evening.

Avena claims that this product can be used safely alongside other acne treatments and can reduce the appearance of pores.

This serum costs $28.00 for 30ml.

This antioxidant face serum is fragrance- and oil-free, and certified cruelty-free.

Drunk Elephant claims it can reduce the signs of sun damage and aging while hydrating the skin. It stays active on the skin for up to 72 hours and should be applied in the morning.

Customers must mix a powder and liquid to create the fresh activated serum.

This serum costs $78.00 for 28ml.

This face serum contains aloe, vitamin A, niacinamide, vitamin C, vitamin E, tea tree oil, and other vitamin and herbal ingredients.

Klur states that this serum may even out skin texture, helps calms inflammation, and increases skin clarity.

People should use it at night and no more than 3 times a week.

This serum costs $110.00 for 30ml.

This serum uses forms of retinoid that The Ordinary states may reduce the signs of aging better than other retinoid products, without causing irritation.

The company recommends people patch test the serum, before using it on facial skin. People should not use it in combination with other retinoid products.

Use only in the evening after cleansing, and refrigerate after opening.

This serum is vegan and free from oil, silicones, nuts, and gluten.

This low-cost serum sells for $9.80 for 60ml.

This cruelty-free skin serum contains milk protein, seaweed extract, and arnica. Ren claims it may calm and soothe the skin while reducing redness and irritation.

It should be used morning and/or night before moisturizing.

This serum costs $58.00 for 30ml.

True Botanicals claims that this anti-aging serum may reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

It uses natural antioxidants such as chebula, elderberry, ginger, and echinacea to help strengthen the skins immunity to signs of aging.

After morning and evening cleansing, users can apply one half or full drop to their faces.

This serum costs $90.00 for 30ml.

Skin Authority claims that this lightweight serum reduces the appearance of fine lines, by plumping skin folds and smoothing skin texture.

This serum is designed for use after morning cleansing.

This serum costs $155.00 for 15ml.

Peach and Lily claims that this serum can brighten the skin and reduce the appearance of dark spots.

It contains various ingredients from botanical sources, including green tea extracts, mushrooms, and arbutin. It also contains niacinamide.

It is suitable for all skin types.

This serum costs $39.00 for 50ml.

SkinCeuticals claims that this serum may reduce the appearance of dark spots and improves skin tone.

Ingredients include:

It is suitable for people with all skin types.

This serum costs $98.00 for 30ml.

Bioderma claims that this face serum may increase the skins ability to retain moisture. Made specifically for people with dry skin, it is noncomedogenic, meaning it will not block pores.

People can use this serum in the morning and evening.

This serum costs $27.99 for 40ml.

This serum is suitable for use by people with all skin types. Eminence claims that this face serum helps reduce the appearance of sun-induced skin damage.

Its active ingredients include vitamin C and other antioxidants, which work together to brighten the skin and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

This serum costs $110.00 for 30ml.

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12 of the best face serums 2021 - Medical News Today

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A man went to a clinic in Mannheim, Germany, where tests found that the rash on his hands and elbows was in fact leukaemia cutis, where the cancer cells are in the skin tissue

Image: NEJM)

A man suffering from a nasty skin rash on his hands and elbows that looked like psoriasis found that it was actually a form of leukaemia.

The 65-year-old went to a dermatologist in Mannheim, Germany, due to the red patches that had developed on the back of his hands and arms and he later found the worrying diagnosis that it was leukaemia cutis.

Tests done at the hospital showed that he had a high white-cell count along with a low number of platelets, it is reported.

The case was published in the New England Medical Journal where it said that a diagnosis of leukaemia cutis was made.

While extremely rare, the condition means that the leukaemia cells are in the skin tissue.

It is found to happen in around three percent of leukaemia cases where the rash has been found on skin including the arms, back or face.

Image:

Other leukaemia symptoms include fever, tiredness and susceptibility to infections.

But in the case of the 65-year-old in Germany, he only had the rash on his hands and elbow.

The New England Medical Journal stated: "A diagnosis of leukemia cutis was made, and the patient was urgently referred to the oncology clinic.

"The patient received a diagnosis of chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia and underwent stem-cell transplantation.

"Two weeks after the transplantation, the patients skin changes had resolved, and the cancer has been in remission since."

Leukaemia Care UK said that usually patients who have the cancer and find rashes do not have this particular condition.

It stated: Leukaemia cutis is very rare, occurring in only about three percent of total cases of leukaemia.

"With this in mind, it is unsurprising that most lesions seen in leukaemia patients are not leukaemia cutis.

In fact, most lesions (40%) seen in leukaemia patients are caused by other complications of leukaemia.

It continued: In the rare occasion that leukaemia cutis occurs, the patient will normally have already been diagnosed with leukaemia.

"However, in seven percent of cases of leukaemia cutis, the skin lesion is the very first symptom of a blood cancer. This is sometimes referred to as aleukaemic leukaemia cutis.

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Man discovers nasty red rash on his hands and elbows is potentially fatal - The Mirror

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Kyoto A drug discovered through a method using induced pluripotent stem cells, or iPS cells, from sufferers of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) was effective in stopping the progression of the neurological disease in five out of nine patients in a clinical trial, a research team at Kyoto University said Thursday.

While drugs that slow down the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrigs disease, have been used in the past, this is the first time that a chronic myeloid leukemia drug called bosutinib has been found to stop its progression, according to the team.

Haruhisa Inoue, a professor of neurology at Kyoto University leading the team, said that larger clinical trials will be needed to determine if the drug can be put to practical use, but We are now looking at the possibility of being able to control ALS with the power of science.

The team reproduced the disease by culturing iPS cells derived from the skin of patients into motor neurons. They then tested a series of drug compounds on the cells to find that bosutinib was effective in slowing down the progression of ALS.

The drug was administered for around three months to nine patients who were in the early stages of the disease and showing signs of deterioration. Progression of the disease stopped in five patients during the treatment period, while four patients continued to deteriorate at the same pace as before.

A comparison of the blood samples from both sets of patients showed that they had differing amounts of a protein unique to nerve cells before the drug was administered. Researchers plan to conduct clinical trials with larger groups while adjusting the dosage and other conditions in the future.

There are about 9,000 people in Japan who suffer from ALS. The disease causes motor neurons to progressively die, resulting in paralysis, with many patients requiring a ventilator to stay alive. Its exact cause is unknown, and no fundamental treatments have been established.

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Drug that stops ALS progression found using iPS cells from patients - The Japan Times

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Photo: Francis Collins, by NIH Image Gallery, via Flickr.

Francis Collins, Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH),has just announcedhis intention to step down at the end of 2021 after more than 12 years heading the agency. The accolades are already rolling in. Noted evangelical political commentator David French, for example, rushed to praise Collins as a national treasure.

But Collinss real legacy is anything but praiseworthy, and the tendency of figures in the faith community to ignore his real record is far from admirable.

This year of all years should have made the truth about Francis Collins clear. Last month, documents were released suggesting that top National Institutes of Health (NIH) officials may haveliedwhen they denied that the NIH had funded gain of function research in Wuhan, China, that could have resulted in a pathogen that could infect humans.

After reviewing the documents, Rutgers University biologist Richard Ebright had a blistering response: The documents make it clear that assertions by the NIH Director, Francis Collins, and the NIAID Director, Anthony Fauci, that the NIH did not support gain-of-function research or potential pandemic pathogen enhancement are untruthful.

It was another blow to the reputation of Collins in a year when his agency has faced multiple scandals and controversies.

Among evangelical Christians and other people of faith in America, Collins has long been the equivalent of a rock star. But Collinss days of glory as a non-partisan role model, especially for the faith community, may be numbered and its not just because of the latest scandal over the origins of COVID-19.

In recent months, Collinss agency has become embroiled in controversies over its funding of stomach-churning medical experiments involving body parts harvested from aborted babies. The disclosures about the experiments followed Collinssrepealearlier this year of restrictions on the use of aborted fetal tissue in NIH-funded research.

Collins has also stirred controversy with his increasingly shrill attacks on unvaccinated Americans and his support for harsh mandatory vaccination policies that will require the firing of employees who choose not to be vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine.

The former head of the Human Genome Project, Collins catapulted to fame (and the cover ofTimeMagazine) in 2000 with the announcement of a working draft of the sequence of the human genome.He then became a hero to many Christians with the publication in 2006 of his bookThe Language of God, which recounted his journey from atheism to Christianity.

In an increasingly polarized national environment, Collins is one of the rare heads of a major federal agency to serve under both Republican and Democratic Presidents. Appointed by President Obama to head the NIH in 2009, Collins continued in that role under President Trump and now President Biden. He has regularly drawn praise from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. At gatherings of evangelical Christians, he has been known to strum the guitar and sing worship songs and receive the adoration of attendees. At one 2019 eventit was reportedthat conference participants lined up for selfies with him.

In 2020, Collins wasawarded the prestigious Templeton Prize, worth more than $1.3 million, for his work integrating science and faith. Previous recipients of the prize have included Mother Teresa, John Polkinghorne, Charles Colson, and Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn.

Among secular as well as religious journalists, Collins often receives what verges on fawning treatment. A writer forThe New Yorkergushedthat Collins is a model of geek cool. He likes big, noisy motorcycles, and, despite a mild manner, he is famously unself-conscious. At the unlikeliest moments, he will strap on a guitar and accompany himself in song, often a tune he has composed for the occasion.

This year, however, Collinss reputation has taken continued beatings, not just because of evasive answers about the role of the NIH in gain-of-function research in China, but also because of publicity around NIH-funded experiments that many Americans, especially people of faith, would find horrific.

In May, reports surfaced aboutmacabre NIH-funded experimentsthat utilized body parts collected fromaborted human fetuses to createhumanized mouse and rodent models with full-thickness human skin.For the experiments, researchersat the University of Pittsburghcut into tiny pieces human fetal spleen, thymus, and liver organs and then transplanted the tissues and hematopoietic stem cells into irradiated mice. Researchers also sliced off skin from the scalp of the aborted babies and then grafted the fetal skin onto the mice. In the words of the scientists: Full-thickness human fetal skin was processed via removal of excess fat tissues attached to the subcutaneous layer of the skin, then engrafted over the rib cage, where the mouse skin was previously excised.

The body parts used for these experiments were harvested from aborted human fetuses with a gestational age of 18-20 weeks. By that age, an unborn baby hasbrain wavesand abeating heart. He canhear sounds and move his limbs and eyes, and his digestion system has started to work.In other words, the human fetuses whose organs were harvested for this NIH-funded research were well-developed tiny humans, not blobs of undifferentiated cells.

In August, an additional project funded by the NIH came to light thanks to documents obtained in a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit by Judicial Watch and the Center for Medical Progress. The lawsuit was filed after Collinss NIH dragged its feet in responding.According to Judicial Watch, the documents show that theNIH has provided nearly $3 million in tax dollars to support a fetal organ harvesting operation by the University of Pittsburgh in its quest to become a Tissue Hub for human fetal tissue ranging from 6 to 42 [!] weeks gestation.

David Daleiden, president of the Center for Medical Progress,commented: The NIH grant application for just one of Pitts numerous experiments with aborted infants reads like an episode ofAmerican Horror Story. Infants in the womb, some old enough to be viable, are being aborted alive and killed for organ harvesting, in order to bring in millions of dollars in taxpayer funding.

Daleiden furtherallegedthat NIH funding was used to underwrite labor induction abortions, where the baby is pushed out of the mother whole and then killed to obtain the desired tissues. In other words, the NIH was facilitating a process where babies, some of the age of viability, [are] to be delivered alive, and then killing them by cutting their kidneys out.

Francis Collins self-identifies as an evangelical Christian, and most evangelicals as well as faithful Catholics regard abortion as the destruction of innocent human life.

So how has Collins responded to these revelations? With horror? With a pledge to investigate? With a promise to stop taxpayer funding of such research?

Since early August, Ive repeatedly tried to get Collins to answer questions about these NIH funded experiments using aborted fetal organs and tissues.Does Collins support this research funded by his agency? Does he have any ethical objections to it? How does he personally justify the research given his religious convictions? I repeatedly emailed these and other questions to the media contacts for the NIH Office of the Director.

The response? His office has refused to answer.

But its not just NIH research involving humans that has been raising controversy this year. In recent months, Collinss NIH has come under fire for fundingabusive medical experiments on dogsthat critics say were unnecessary as well as barbaric. The experiments were funded by the NIH division headed by Anthony Fauci, but that division is under the ultimate oversight of Collins. In late August, 15 members of Congresssent a letterraising questions about the research.

Again, I tried to get a response from Collins about this latest controversy. Again, he refused to respond to questions.

Ironically, while Collins is AWOL when it comes to answering basic questions about the research his agency is funding, he is more than willing to speak out on other topics, especially COVID-19, where he is now becoming a polarizing figure to many because ofincreasingly shrill advocacy of compulsory vaccination as well as his demonization of those who choose not to take a COVID-19 vaccine.

At the end of April,Collins claimedthat he would not require NIH employees to get vaccinated, and he seemed to argue for a positive approach of selling the benefits of vaccines rather than demonizing the unvaccinated or engaging in finger-wagging. Yet by early August his public posture had changed. He was nowcheerleading for compulsory vaccine requirementsimposed by private businesses as well as enthusiastically overseeing compulsory vaccinations for the very workers at the NIH that he earlier said would not face compulsory vaccination.

After President Bidens speech in September declaringwar on the unvaccinated, Collins ramped up his own rhetoric.In an appearance on MSNBC after Bidens speech, Collins firstsuggestedunvaccinated people were selfish, declaring that this is really an occasion to think about loving your neighbor, not just yourself.

Collins then branded both unvaccinated people and politicians who dont favor vaccine mandates as killers on the wrong side of history. Dismissing their views as merely a philosophical political argument that is part of the culture war, Collins complained that this philosophical political argument is killing people, including, Im sad to say, some children. We have to get past this if we really have a future as a nation.

I would like to say particularly to those leaders who are on the wrong side of this, what Lincoln said one time, Collins declared. Citizens, we will not escape history. Do you want to be looked at in the lens of that backward look ten years from now and defend what you did when in fact, we are losing tens of thousands of lives that didnt have to die?

A question for Collins: Is attacking your fellow citizens (including many fellow Christians) as heartless killers because they disagree with you on either vaccinations or vaccine mandates an example of loving your neighbor?

Whatever one thinks about COVID-19 vaccinations, Collinss over-the-top rhetoric demonizing those he disagrees with as killers is beyond the pale, especially for someone who wears his Christianity on his sleeve. As I have writtenelsewhere, his rhetoric is also based on several falsehoods.

So just how far is Collins willing to go to push coercive medicine? Thats an interesting question.

In my home state of Washington, the governor has issuedan emergency orderthat will compel private religious schools and day care centers as well as other private businesses to fire employees later this month if they wont get vaccinated. While there technically is a route for religious exemptions, it is so narrow and onerous that many religious people may not qualify.

Its now being suggested in some states that discharged employeeswont be able to get unemployment benefits. Perhaps the idea is that if the unvaccinated dont die of COVID they can die of starvation instead.

As if that werent bad enough, the unvaccinated face the denial of medical care. Also in my home state, the University of Washington medical system is now apparently denyingorgan transplantsto patients who are unvaccinated, even if those patients have a credible medical reason for not having the vaccinations.

This is pure, unadulterated social Darwinism: Brand a whole class of people as biologically unfit (in this case, the unvaccinated) and then make sure they cant receive medical care, hold jobs, or basically survive. Heap scorn on them, demonize them as killers, and stir up hatred against them so other people begin to abuse them. If Collins is truly concerned about the judgment of history, he should read a little more widely about the sorry results of demonizing entire classes of people as the enemies of society.

Let me be clear: I am not arguing here about whether people ought to get COVID-19 vaccinations, or whether those vaccinations are helpful. For the record, depending on ones risk profile, I think vaccinations are in a persons best interest. The issue is whether in the name of vaccination people should be stripped of their livelihoods, denied medical care, and demonized as enemies of society. In any morally sane universe, the policies being proposed are as immoral as they are unprecedented.

So does Francis Collins endorse depriving unvaccinated people of their right to work and to support their families? Does he endorse denying them unemployment insurance? Does he go even further and endorse denying medical care to the unvaccinated?

I again asked Collins media relations staff for answers. Again, crickets.

Although Collins likes to tout his personal faith, he appears to have very little concern for any sort of conscience rights of fellows religious believers who disagree with him.After all, he dutifully served in a previous administration that repeatedly weakenedconscience protectionsfor medical workers opposed to abortion and thatviolated federal lawby turning a blind eye when California mandated abortion coverage in all private insurance plans.

It might also be noted that as late as December 2020, Collins was still urging thatmost churches should not meet in person, even implying that they shouldnt do sountil the summer or fall of 2021.

And his current promotion of compulsory vaccinations seemingly has no qualifiers. At least, he isnt talking about any.

Collins hasconcededthat various COVID-19 vaccines used cell lines originally derived from an aborted fetus in either their production or testing, which is one reason some people have moral qualms about the vaccines. Yet you wont find Collins advocating for the conscience rights of these people. In fact, Collins has been silent in the face of attacks on religious exemptions for vaccines.

Reasonable people can disagree about whether the use of abortion-derived cell lines is a moral deal-killer for the vaccines. But thats the point: Reasonable people candisagreeabout what violates their conscience. The test of support for religious liberty is not whether you only support the right of people who agree with you.

Not being willing to stand up for the conscience rights of others to determine their own medical treatment is not morally neutral. It is a moral failure. In the words of theCatholic Bishops of Colorado, A person is morally required to obey his or her conscience, and others should respect the right of others to follow their conscience.

Alas, for those who have followed Francis Collins closely over the years, his current failures of moral leadership come as no surprise. As I will discuss in an upcoming article, Collinss career has been one long testament to moral cowardice and confusion.

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The Appalling Moral Failure of Francis Collins - Discovery Institute

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Hematopoietic somatic cell Transplantation (HSCT) may be a specialized sort of blood somatic cell transplant therapy. The term hematopoietic refers to the function of the stem cells in citizenry . Stem cell refers to specialized somatic cell types which are capable of developing into specific cells like bone, muscle, blood, and nerve cells.

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Hematopoietic somatic cell transplantation are often utilized in the treatment of certain cancers of the blood or bone marrow, like myeloma or leukemia. High prevalence of such diseases is predicted to assist in growth of the hematopoietic somatic cell transplantation (HSCT) market. consistent with Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 176,200 people within the US are expected to be diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma in 2019.

The hematopoietic somatic cell transplantation (HSCT) market in North America is witnessing high growth, due to high adoption of allogeneic hematopoietic somatic cell transplant. Around 30,000 patients undergo allogeneic hematopoietic somatic cell transplant annually within the us .

Hematopoietic cell transplantation is that the transplantation of stem cells, generally derived from bone marrow, duct , or peripheral blood. It also can be allogenic, autologous or syngeneic. the foremost common sort of somatic cell transplant is that the allogenic transplant, which is actually the method of harvesting such stem cells that have the power to become many various specialized cell types, like bone, kidney, heart, liver, lungs, pancreas, nervous, and immune cells. However, approximately 20% to 85% of the patients develop acute Graft Versus Host Disease that affects the skin, gut, or liver. Such scenario hinders the expansion of hematopoietic somatic cell transplantation (HSCT) market.

There are different methods of transplant. just in case of a basic transplant, the stem cells are directly transplanted into an individuals veins, while a minimal invasive procedure also referred to as a micro-implantation requires the injection of the cells into the patients veins. supported the precise needs of the patient, the precise sort of transplant is completed . for instance , a toddler who has undergone bone marrow transplantation can continue to possess other somatic cell types utilized for an equivalent purpose. this is often one among the foremost commonly performed sorts of transplants.

High prevalence of red blood cell anemia is additionally expected to assist in growth of the hematopoietic somatic cell transplantation (HSCT) market. Specially created somatic cell therapies are often utilized in the treatment of red blood cell anemia. These cells are basically taken from the bone marrow of the person then induced to make a thick, jelly like substance. The patient will got to take medicine for a couple of days after the procedure to assist his bodily process the cells.

Hematopoietic cell transplantation has its own set of complications, which limit the expansion of the hematopoietic somatic cell transplantation (HSCT) market. a number of these include infection, allergies , bleeding, and scarring. Infection can occur if theres a severe immune deficiency. The patient also will need to take antibiotics to clear up the infections. If the stem cells are used, they need to be grown under very strict conditions to avoid rejection. Most surgeons attempt to perform this transplant first on those people that suffer from serious diseases like leukemia or cancer as these are the people that stand the simplest chance to achieve success .

Competitive Landscape

Key players operating in the Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) Market are Pluristem Therapeutics Inc., CellGenix GmbH, Regen Biopharma Inc., Lonza Group, Kiadis Pharma, Taiga Biotechnologies, Inc., Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Escape Therapeutics, Inc., Bluebird Bio, Talaris Therapeutics, Inc., Marker Therapeutics Inc., and Stempeutics Research Pvt Ltd.

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Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) Market by Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2021-2027) UNLV The Rebel Yell - UNLV The Rebel Yell

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Senescent immune system cells are potentially among the most harmful of all senescent cells because they spread tissue damage and rapid aging across other body organs and systems. That is what a team of NIA-supported scientists at the University of Minnesota Medical School discovered through research using a mouse model that accelerated immune system aging by hindering DNA repair. The team recently published these findings in Nature.

Cellular senescence is defined as a condition in which a cell no longer has the ability to proliferate. These damaged cells resist the bodys usual system of disposal and then linger, excreting chemicals that spread inflammation and damage to neighboring normal cells.

For this study, the team made a cell-specific knockout of the gene Ercc1, which controls a protein crucial for DNA repair. Ercc1 was removed in blood-based young stem cells that normally develop into white blood cells cells important for immunity but the gene was expressed normally in all other tissues. This enabled the research team to understand whether senescence in the immune system affects other cells in the body. The engineered mice seemed healthy up until their adulthood (around three months) but then aged rapidly. At age five months, they biologically resembled 2-year-old mice, which is approximately equivalent to an 80-year-old human.

The prematurely older mice had a host of age-related conditions such as osteoporosis; visual and hearing impairment; and high blood pressure, even though the change was limited to cells of the immune system. The senescent immune system cells also spread age-related damage to other organs and tissues in the body, including the liver, lungs, and kidneys. Without the Ercc1 gene, the mice had lost much of their ability to repair DNA in these immune cells and thus experienced a build-up of inflammation and damage in other tissues.

The scientists saw this rapid aging and spread of damage throughout the body as evidence that senescent immune system cells are potentially among the most dangerous of all senescent cell types in the aging body. Because immune cells circulate throughout the body, when they become senescent, they can easily expose a wider range of organs and tissues to inflammation and other damaging factors, unlike more stationary senescent cells such as those in the skin.

The team also studied and confirmed some mechanisms that contribute to senescence in the immune system. First, they showed that senescent immune cells trigger and drive senescence elsewhere in the body by observing senescence triggered across systems in young mice after transplanting spleen cells from old mice into them. Next, they observed that when immune cells from young healthy mice were transplanted into older mice, senescence was reduced, providing further evidence that old immune cells lose function. The scientists also used the drug rapamycin, which tamps down the inflammatory secretions from senescent cells, to show that reducing senescence improved immune function.

While the field of senescence is still very far from any reliable application for humans, the investigators aim to pursue follow-up efforts to pinpoint a precise type of senolytic a drug that selectively clears senescent cells from the body to target reducing immune system senescence as a potential future intervention to aid healthy aging. They hope to conduct additional studies in this realm to find new immune system biomarkers to help gauge which people are at the highest risk for senescence-related tissue damage and faster aging, and thus would be candidates to benefit from senolytic therapies.

This work was supported by NIH grants P01 AG043376, RO1 AG063543, R56 AG059676, U19 AG056278, P01 AG062413, R56 AG058543 and R01 AG044376.

Reference: Yousefzadeh, Matthew J et al. An aged immune system drives senescence and ageing of solid organs. Nature vol. 594,7861 (2021): 100-105. doi:10.1038/s41586-021-03547-7

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Senescent immune cells spread damage throughout the aging body - National Institute on Aging

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GOLDEN, CO / ACCESSWIRE / August 31, 2021 / Vitro Biopharma, Inc. (Vitro) announced the acquisition of Fitore Nutrition (Fitore) and Infinivive MD (Infinivive). Fitore, a private company headquartered in Denver, Colorado creates clinically validated supplements and sells them direct to consumers (D2C) via their unique digital marketing platform and SEO expertise.

Infinivive, located in Cherry Creek, Colorado developed the worlds first topical cosmetic stem cell serum and is a nationally recognized company led by one of the top industry pioneers in the area of cosmetic surgery, Dr. Jack Zamora M.D.

These two acquisitions will drive significant new revenues to Vitro, funding its therapeutic pipeline and expanding Vitros overall stem cell regenerative capabilities. Vitro acquired Fitore Nutrition for $2,300,000 in a combination of notes and stock and Infinivive MD for $5,750,000 in an all-stock deal.

The acquisition of Fitore & Infinivive gives us the opportunity to leverage the revenues of both companies, increase market awareness for Vitro, and cross sell the regenerative therapies of AlloRx Stem Cells said Jack Zamora C.E.O. of Vitro Biopharma.

Vitros acquisition of Fitore and Infinivive brands makes strategic sense for Vitro as it helps to (1) leverage synergies across therapeutic outcomes and bio-supplements, (2) is consistent with managements M&A growth strategy of high growth and high margin acquisitions with a focus on ecommerce capabilities, (3) provides Vitro with a significant online presence thereby expanding Vitros branding footprint.

The integration of Fitores direct to consumer (D2C) technology platform will accelerate Vitros product penetration and brand recognition into the marketplace for all its products. To date we have had an incredibly successful partnership with Vitro with the joint development of Stemulife formerly known as STEMulize, and Spectrum +. Partnering with Vitro Biopharma only accelerates our mission as we continue to develop more life-changing products based on Vitros scientific capabilities and the expanding market demands for natural health products. said Tanner Haas C.E.O. of Fitore Inc.

Fitore and Infinivive will allow Vitro deeper access into the direct-to-consumer market channels and complement Vitros existing revenue drivers. The consolidated results of all operations are expected to drive $3-$5M in revenue over the next 12 to 18 months, a 300% plus increase in our pre-pandemic revenues. said John Evans C.F.O. and Chairman of the Board of Vitro Biopharma.

ABOUT VITRO BIOPHARMA

Vitro Biopharma is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing novel and proprietary best-in-class natural regenerative products. Vitro develops and commercializes adult stem cell technology for applications in stem cell research and drug development for the treatment of a vast variety of diseases and conditions. The companys innovative and proprietary technology platform manufactures umbilical cord derived stem cells, AlloRx Stem Cells, used in regenerative clinics to treat a variety of disease indications.

https://www.dvcstem.com/

The companies partnered clinics continue to expand and these wellness clinics utilize our cosmetic and nutraceutical products in conjunction with their regenerative therapies. A patient enjoys a beautiful foreign destination experiencing a regenerative treatment with AlloRx Stem Cells along with a spa backdrop featuring a topical cosmetic facial and supporting long term nutraceutical stem cell activator.

The offshore revenues support our clinical work in the US market. Authorization of our recent IND for COVID-19 now positions the company to move forward with Phase I and Phase II clinical trials for disease indications that have shown safety and efficacy in our offshore trials.https://www.vitrobiopharma.com/pages/pipeline

ABOUT FITORE NUTRITION

Fitore Nutrition is a direct to consumer (D2C) and SEO technology platform that creates clinically validated supplements that are formulated by world-leading doctors and stem cell scientists from Vitro Biopharma. Each Fitore nutrition ingredient is all-natural, sustainably-sourced, and of the highest-quality, manufactured in a GMP and FDA Registered facility in Commak New York. In 2021, Fitore sells its products direct to consumers through its unique digital marketing platform. Fitore Nutritions novel formulations include: Stemulife, Thought Calmer, Easy Sleep, and Spectrum +.

ABOUT INFINIVIVE MD

InfiniVive MD has created the highest quality cGMP-grade cosmetic stem cell and exosomes product line. InfiniVive MD cosmetic stem cell products contain ultra-pure mesenchymal stem cells and exosomes to be used topically by plastic surgeons, cosmetic surgeons, and aestheticians throughout the United States and internationally. Infinivive is looking to disrupt the cosmetic industry through next level skin quality results.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements herein regarding financial performance have not yet been reported to the SEC nor reviewed by the Companys auditors. Certain statements contained herein, and subsequent statements made by and on behalf of the Company, whether oral or written may contain forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are identified by words such as intends, anticipates, believes, expects and hopes and include, without limitation, statements regarding the Companys plan of business operations, product research and development activities, potential contractual arrangements, receipt of working capital, anticipated revenues, and related expenditures. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, acceptability of the Companys products in the marketplace, general economic conditions, receipt of additional working capital, the overall state of the biotechnology industry and other factors set forth in the Companys filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Most of these factors are outside the control of the Company. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as otherwise required by applicable securities statutes or regulations, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

CONTACT:

Dr. Jack Zamora, MDChief Executive Officer Vitro Biopharma, Inc.(303) 999-2130 x1www.vitrobiopharma

SOURCE: Vitro Biopharma, Inc.

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Prolymphocytic leukemia (PLL) is a very rare subtype of chronic leukemia. Although most forms of chronic leukemia progress slowly, PPL is often aggressive and can be difficult to treat.

Well walk you through what you need to know about PLL, including the symptoms, how its diagnosed, current treatment options, and more.

PLL is a rare and aggressive type of chronic leukemia.

The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 60,000 people will receive a diagnosis of leukemia in the United States in 2021.

Less than 1 percent of all people with chronic leukemia have PLL. Its most often diagnosed in people between ages 65 and 70 and is slightly more common in men than in women.

Like all types of leukemia, PLL affects blood cells. PLL is caused by the overgrowth of cells called lymphocytes. These cells usually help your body fight infection. In PLL, large immature lymphocyte cells called prolymphocytes are produced too quickly and overwhelm the other blood cells.

There are two subtypes of PLL:

PLL, like other chronic leukemias, is often found on lab work before any symptoms develop. When symptoms develop, they might include:

There are a few additional symptoms that are specific to T-PLL, which include:

Many of these are general leukemia symptoms and are also found in less serious conditions. The presence of any of these symptoms doesnt always indicate PLL.

In fact, since PLL is rare, its unlikely that its causing your symptoms.

However, its a good idea to see a healthcare professional if youve been experiencing any of these symptoms for more than a week or two.

Because PLL is very rare, it can be hard to diagnose. PLL sometimes develops from existing chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and is found during lab work when monitoring CLL.

PLL is diagnosed when more than 55 percent of the lymphocytes in your blood sample are prolymphocytes. Blood work can also be checked for antibodies and antigens that can signal PLL.

If PLL isnt found during routine blood work, a healthcare professional will order more tests if you have symptoms that might indicate PLL. These tests may include:

Currently, theres no one specific treatment for either type of PLL. Your treatment will depend on how fast your PLL progresses, the type you have, your age, and your symptoms.

Since PLL is rare, your doctor will likely come up with a treatment plan specific to your case. Healthcare professionals may often encourage people with PLL to sign up for clinical trials to try new medications.

Treatments you might receive for PLL include:

PLL is an aggressive form of chronic leukemia. Therefore, the outlook is generally poor due to how quickly it may spread. But outcomes and survival rates can vary greatly between people.

As mentioned earlier, one potential cure for PLL is a stem cell transplant, although not all people with PLL are eligible to receive stem cell transplants.

Newer treatments have improved survival rates in recent years, and research into new therapies is ongoing.

PLL is a rare type of chronic leukemia. Its most commonly diagnosed in people between 65 and 70 years old. It often progresses more quickly and is treatment-resistant than other forms of chronic leukemia.

Treatment options depend on your overall health, age, symptoms, and the type of PLL you have. People are often encouraged to take part in clinical trials to take advantage of new therapies.

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Prolymphocytic Leukemia: What Is It and How Is It Treated? - Healthline

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A patient recently came in to our dermatology clinic with a rash and a story similar to so many others. He had been out camping with friends a few days earlier and helped carry some logs to stoke the fire. Little did he know he was going to pay for lending a helping hand. A couple days later, red patches appeared on his forearms and chest, which soon began to itch miserably and form water blisters.

If you have ever spent any time outdoors in the woods, working in the yard, even at the edges of a playground maybe youve experienced something similar after encountering poison ivy. Its not easy to forget.

Poison ivy is found everywhere in the continental U.S., mostly in Eastern and Midwestern states. Unfortunately for us humans, it is a hardy plant that can grow under many different conditions. Its favorite places are in wooded areas, gardens and roadsides with partial shade or full sunlight.

And despite being a nuisance to people, poison ivy is an important member of the ecosystem. Its leaves, stems and berries are food for animals, and its vines can be shelter for small animals like toads and mice, even helping them climb trees. Climate change is turning out to benefit poison ivy, allowing for larger and more irritating plants.

You can usually spot poison ivy by its infamous three dull or glossy green leaves coming off a red stem. Sometimes there are flowers or fruits coming off the end of a branch.

Despite its name, poison ivy is not poisonous. It carries an oily sap on its leaves and stems called urushiol, which is irritating to most peoples skin. In fact, 85% to 90% of people are allergic to poison ivys urushiol to some degree, while the rest lack sensitivity to this oil. You can occasionally see the urushiol oil as black spots on poison ivy leaves. Urushiol is what gives poison oak and poison sumac their evil power, too.

Touching poison ivy directly is obviously a bad idea. You can even get into trouble by touching clothing, pets or anything else that has brushed against the plant and picked up some of the urushiol. If a contaminated object isnt cleaned, the urushiol will remain lying in wait it can still cause a rash after hours, days or even years. Another danger is smoke from burning poison ivy, which can also affect your skin, as well as your nose, mouth, windpipe and lungs if you breathe it in.

Poison ivys rash can come in many forms, from small, red bumps to blisters or red patches. Whichever way it shows up, it is almost always mindbogglingly itchy.

When you get poisoned, you wont know right away. It can take anywhere from four hours to 10 days for the rash to appear, depending on how much urushiol gets on your skin, how sensitive you are to it and how many times you have been exposed to poison ivy previously.

Between exposure and itchy anguish, your body goes through a complex identification and reaction process. When the oil gets into your skin, your immune systems sensor cells recognize urushiol as foreign to your body. These sensor cells then call in protector cells to the area, warning them of the invasion. The protector cells defend your body against the intruder by attacking the urushiol in the skin. Unfortunately, some of your bodys normal skin cells are casualties of this war, which is what leads to the itchiness and swelling of a poison ivy rash.

Your protector cells will then sit near the skin for many years and stand guard for urushiol if it ever shows up again. If it does, they remember having encountered this bad guy before, and their response is often faster and more powerful than the first time.

This rash is a type of allergic contact dermatitis in the same family as the rashes some people get from wearing jewelry or metal belt buckles or from using certain fragrances or cosmetics.

The saying leaves of three; leave them be highlights the best strategy to prevent poison ivy: avoidance. But if you do happen to come into contact with poison ivy, the first step should always be to remove and wash any clothing that has touched the plant. Gently but thoroughly wash your skin immediately with soap and water. It can also help to clean under your fingernails and cut your nails short to prevent the urushiol from spreading if you scratch your skin.

Allergic contact dermatitis from poison ivy almost always results in a rash that usually lasts two to three weeks before it completely goes away.

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It will eventually clear up on its own, but you can try some over-the-counter and home remedies to keep the itchiness and spread of the rash at bay. The blisters that form are not infected and do not normally require antibiotics. If you scratch though and it can be very hard to resist open skin can get infected.

To reduce itchiness, cool, wet compresses can help, as can a soak in a cool bath with baking soda or oatmeal bath products. Calamine lotions or creams containing menthol can also cut the itch a bit. Over-the-counter cortisone cream or ointment can be used for the first several days after contact with poison ivy to quiet down your bodys reaction and keep the rash from getting severe. Taking antihistamines like diphenhydramine at night can slightly reduce itchiness and it has the benefit of helping you sleep better.

Seeing your doctor usually is not necessary for a poison ivy rash unless it spreads over large areas, becomes infected, lasts more than three weeks or is a rare extreme case that affects your breathing.

The best offense is a good defense. When youre in the great outdoors, be careful what you touch and, when in doubt, if it has leaves of three, leave them be.

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Poison ivy can work itchy evil on your skin here's how - The Conversation US

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Researchers at the University Hospital Dusseldorf in Germany have grown primitive eye structures on brain organoids that they had made in their lab. The growth of eye structures in the lab mirrored the one that occurs in the embryo and will help us understand how eyes develop.

The human brain is a fascinating organ and an inspiration for omputer processor developerstoo. However, studying the human brain is not that easy. It is locked up inside the skull for its active period and available for analysis only after its stops to function. Most brain development also occurs quite early in life, leaving little scope for an investigation into its development and workings. Scientists have, therefore, turned to organoids, three-dimensional tissues that can be observed in the petri-dish, to improve our understanding of the brain.

Modern research methods allow us to extract skin or blood cells from an individual and then reprogram them into stem cells. Called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), these stem cells are capable of developing into any cell type in the body. Scientists carefully modify the nutritional medium they grow in to convert them into desired cell types, even making miniaturized brain cells, if needed.

Neuroscientist Jay Gopalakrishnan at University Hospital Dusseldorf and his team of researchers are interested in studying diseases of the eye. To understand, how these diseases occur in the first place, they need to understand the process of eye development. Other researchers had previously, used iPSCs to develop optic cups, structures that lead to the development of the retina - the light-sensitive layer of cells in the eye.

The retina plays an important role in the eye. It converts the light it receives into neural signals that it transmits to the brain using the optical nerve. The brain then analyses the signals, which in common terms is called 'sight'. Since the retina works closely with the brain, Gopalkrishnan and his team decided to grow the optic cups on brain cells, that were sourced from iPSCs.

Using samples from four iPSC donors, the team first made the brain organoids and then modified its growth media to induce the formation of optic cups.These cups on mini brains not only contained retinal cells but also developed lens and corneal tissue and demonstrated connections to the brain cells. During embryonic development, the retinal cells reach out to the brain but this was never demonstrated in the lab before, until this work.

The optic cups appeared as early as 30 days into the brain development and became distinctly visible by 50 days. The timeline of the development mimicked the one that occurs inside the human embryo. Out of the 314 brain organoids that the team made, almost 73 percent developed optic cups. The study was published in Stem Cell.

Our work highlights the remarkable ability of brain organoids to generate primitive sensory structures that are light sensitive and harbor cell types similar to those found in the body, Gopalkrishnan said in a press release. For future studies, the team wants to increase the viability of the optic cups to help them study diseases of the retina.

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Lab-Grown Stem Cell 'Mini Brains' Just Developed Eyes - Interesting Engineering

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Since its launch in 2018, skincare brand Augustinus Bader has been the It girl of the luxury beauty sphere, with a star-studded fan base thats impossible to ignore.

Founded by a world-renowned stem cell specialist and backed by decades of research, its admirers include the likes of Gigi Hadid, Kim Kardashian, Alexa Chung, Meghan Markle and Jennifer Aniston. Victoria Beckham was such a fan that she decided to collaborate with the brand to create skincare for her own line, VB Beauty.

If you dont trust the opinions of A-listers alone, you may also be interested to know that Augustinus Baders range was recently voted the greatest skincare of all time by a panel of 300 industry experts, beating the likes of La Mer and Estee Lauder to the title. The brand has also just launched an initiative that allows customers to choose a five per cent donation to a charity that matters to them, on every order, which only adds to its impressive credentials.

Ready to shop now? Browse the full Augustinus Bader range at Augustinusbader.com

So what is all the fuss about, we hear you ask? Well, it all boils down to some pretty impressive science. Professor Augustinus Bader, a German-born doctor, scientist and co-founder of the eponymous brand, has dedicated 30 years of his career to researching skin healing and tissue repair. This led to him creating a medical-grade hydrogel that treats the skin of burns victims. After envisioning how the success of this treatment could be applied to commercial skincare, Bader then incorporated the same technology into all of his products, in the form of his patented Trigger Factor Complex, known as TFC8. Still with us?

TFC8 is a cocktail of 40 different ingredients, including vitamins, amino acids and synthesised molecules found naturally in the body. Based on the idea that your body has an innate code for tissue repair, the complex essentially unlocks this code, forcing your skin into healing mode and tackling ageing, damage, scarring and dullness in the process. The brand claims that this technology visibly transforms the skin, and many consumers seem to agree.

But all of this technology comes at a rather eye-watering price, with the brands cult moisturiser costing 205. With this in mind, we spent a month exclusively testing Augustinus Baders products to see if they deliver on these transformative claims.

Were kicking off with the product that secured Augustinus Baders pivot to cult status. Youve almost certainly seen this moisturiser on many a bathroom shelfie its an instantly recognisable bottle that screams luxury straight off the bat. Like everything in the brands skincare line, the cream features the coveted TFC8 complex, and we were keen to see if it lives up to the hype. Regretfully for our bank accounts, we saw near-immediate results after using this cream. Its important to note that we paired the moisturiser with both the brands cleanser and the essence, which also feature TFC8, so our results may have been accelerated, but the cream was our favourite product.

The formula glides onto the skin with ease and absorbs quickly, but theres no luxury scent here (like us, you may prefer this, whether youre sensitive-skinned or more interested in the science). The added radiance is subtle, but the main thing we noticed was how plump our skin looks straight away. The brand describes this as a cushion-y bounce and we couldnt agree more its something weve yet to replicate in the same way from any other skincare product. Longer-term results after a month of use include reduced acne scarring and texture, a more even skin tone and generally healthier-looking skin. It really does feel as though our skin has been regenerated our make-up applied far better on a smoother base and we felt confident with clearer, happier skin.

Despite such technical ingredients, unlike other potent formulas, this is extremely gentle on the skin with no tingling or irritation. On the face of it, it feels like any other moisturiser, but its the results that speak for themselves. You can tell the brand is solely focused on science-backed results as opposed to all the bells and whistles, and were happy with that. The brand also offers a richer version of this moisturiser (205, Augustinusbader.com), and while we found it slightly too heavy for our oily skin, dry skin types will love it.

Housed in a weighty glass jar, the brands cleansing balm is a treat to use. Again, theres practically no scent here, but the buttery balm removes the day with ease. After applying the nourishing formula to dry skin, simply add water to emulsify and watch the balm turn into a milky consistency.

We love how much of a multi-tasker this cleanser is, removing even the heaviest of make-up effortlessly while leaving our skin feeling hydrated and plump. At 55, theres no doubt its an expensive cleanser, but youre paying for the long-term results from the brands regenerative TFC8 technology. Weve tried plenty of cheaper cleansing balms that do the job just as well, but you wont reap the skincare benefits that this one offers.

When paired with the brands other products, our skin was much brighter and clearer. Thankfully, its non-comedogenic too, meaning this is safe to use on acne-prone skin. Despite being great at removing make-up, we did find that we needed to apply quite a lot of the balm to remove it, so given the price, wed suggest using this as a second cleanse to make the most of it.

This toner-chemical-exfoliant-essence hybrid is really putting Augustinus Baders TFC8 complex to work, as the complex formula aims to resurface the skin while balancing it. Unlike other chemical exfoliants, it feels incredibly gentle on the skin with no irritation in sight.

The signature formula triggers the skins renewal processes, essentially forcing it to repair itself. Thanks to this, we noticed reduced acne scarring and redness, and far less texture after just a couple of weeks use. The essence also features gluconolacctone, a poly-hydroxy acid (PHA) that sloughs away dead skin cells, as well as the powerhouse ingredient salicylic acid to tackle congestion and blemishes.

Although using the essence with the brands moisturiser will give you optimum results, if youre stuck between the two, wed plump for this as a starting point for treating skincare concerns such as acne scarring and signs of ageing, as it showcases Baders TFC8 complex in the most potent way.

We cant give our final thoughts without addressing the elephant in the room here: the price. Its without a doubt on the luxury end of the spectrum, but the difficulty is that these products genuinely do work for us, delivering near instant results. There are definitely more affordable products out there that will help you to target acne scarring or dullness with similar success, but the real selling point here is how plump, smooth and seriously revitalised our skin looks after use.

Few skincare products deliver on every marketing promise, but Augustinus Baders do, and if you cant trust a world-leading stem cell scientist then who can you trust. Out of the whole range, wed recommend investing in the essence as a starting point, but if your budget stretches to both, the cream and the essence together make a powerful duo that wed definitely vouch for.

For the latest discounts on skincare and other beauty offers, try the links below:

IndyBest product reviews are unbiased, independent advice you can trust. On some occasions, we earn revenue if you click the links and buy the products, but we never allow this to bias our coverage. The reviews are compiled through a mix of expert opinion and real-world testing.

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We tried 500 worth of Augustinus Bader skincare to see if it really lives up to the hype - The Independent

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Inflamed mouse stem cells located in the basal layer (red) of the epidermis and FOS (green), a near-universal stress response factor essential to inflammatory memory. Credit: Christopher Cowley

When a tissue experiences inflammation, its cells remember. Pinning proteins to its genetic material at the height of inflammation, the cells bookmark where they left off in their last tussle. Next exposure, inflammatory memory kicks in. The cells draw from prior experience to respond more efficiently, even to threats that they have not encountered before. Skin heals a wound faster if it was previously exposed to an irritant, such as a toxin or pathogen; immune cells can attack new viruses after a vaccine has taught them to recognize just one virus.

Now,a new studyinCell Stem Celldescribes the mechanism behind inflammatory memory,also commonly referred to as trained immunity,and suggests that the phenomenon may be universal across diverse cell types.

This is happening in natural killer cells, T cells, dendritic cells from human skin, and epidermal stem cells in mice, says Samantha B. Larsen, a former graduate student in the laboratory ofElaine Fuchsat The Rockefeller University. The similarities in mechanism are striking, and may explain the remitting and relapsing nature of chronic inflammatory disorders in humans.

When thinking about our immune system, we default to specific immunitythat cadre of T cells and B cells trained, by experience or vaccination, to remember the specific contours of the last pathogen that broke into our bodies. But theres a less specific strategy available to many cells, known as trained immunity. The impact is shorter-lived, but broader in scope. Trained immunity allows cells to respond to entirely new threats by drawing on general memories of inflammation.

Scientists have long suspected that even cells that are not traditionally involved in the immune response have the rudimentary ability to remember prior insults and learn from experience. The Fuchs lab drove this point home in a 2017 study published inNatureby demonstrating that mouse skin that had recovered from irritationhealed 2.5 times faster than normal skin when exposed to irritation at a later date.

One explanation, the Fuchs team proposed, could be epigenetic changes to the skin cell genome itself. During inflammation, regions of DNA that are usually tightly coiled around histone proteins unravel to transcribe a genetic response to the attack. Even after the dust settles, a handful of these memory domains remain openand changed. Some of their associated histones have been modified since the assault, and proteins known as transcription factors have latched onto the exposed DNA. A once nave cell is now raring for its next fight.

But the molecular mechanism that explained this process, and how the cell could use it to respond to types of inflammation and injury that it had never seen before, remained a mystery.

So the Fuchs lab once again exposed mice skin to irritants, and watched as stem cells in the skin changed. We focused on the regions in the genome that become accessible during inflammation, and remain accessible afterwards, says Christopher Cowley, a graduate student in the Fuchs lab. We call these regions memory domains, and our goal was to explore the factors that open them up, keep them open and reactivate them a second time.

They observed about 50,000 regions within the DNA of thestem cellsthat had unraveled to respond to the threat, but a few months later only about 1,000 remained open and accessible, distinguishing themselves as memory domains. Interestingly, many of these memory domains were the same regions that had unraveled mostprodigiouslyin the early days of skin inflammation.

The scientists dug deeper and discovered a two-step mechanism at the heart of trained immunity. The process revolves around transcription factors, proteins which govern the expression of genes, and hinges on the twin transcription factors known as JUN and FOS.

The stimulus-specific STAT3 transcription factor responds first, deployed to coordinate a genetic response to a particular genre of inflammation. This protein hands the baton to JUN-FOS, which perches on the unspooled genetic material to join the melee. The specific transcription factor that sounded the original alarm will eventually return home; FOS will float away as the tumult quiets down. But JUN stands sentinel, guarding the open memory domain with a ragtag band of other transcription factors, waiting for its next battle.

When irritation strikes again, JUN is ready. It rapidly recruits FOS back to the memory domain, and the duo charges into the fray. This time, no specific transcription factor is necessary to respond to a particular type of inflammation and get the ball rolling. The system unilaterally activates in response to virtually any stressalacrity that may not always benefit the rest of the body.

Trained immunity may sound like a boon to human health. Veteran immune cells seem to produce broader immune responses; experienced skin cells should heal faster when wounded.

But the same mechanism that keeps cells on high alert may instill a sort of molecular paranoia in chronic inflammation disorders. When the Fuchs lab examined data collected from patients who suffer from systemic sclerosis, for instance, they found evidence that JUN may be sitting right on the memory domains of affected cells, itching to incite an argument in response to even the slightest disagreement.

These arguments need not always be disagreeable, as animals benefit by healing their wounds quickly and plants exposed to one pathogen are often protected against others, says Fuchs. That said, chronic inflammatory disorders may owe their painful existence to the ability of their cells to remember, and to FOS and JUN, which respond universally to stress.

The scientists hope that shedding light on one possible cause of chronic inflammatory disease may help researchers develop treatments for these conditions. The factors and pathways that we identify here could be targeted, both in the initial disease stages and, later, during the relapsing stages of disease, says Cowley. Larsen adds: Perhaps these transcription factors could be used as a general target to inhibit the recall of the memories that cause chronic inflammation.

Reference: Establishment, maintenance, and recall of inflammatory memory by Samantha B. Larsen, Christopher J. Cowley, Sairaj M. Sajjath, Douglas Barrows, Yihao Yang, Thomas S. Carroll and Elaine Fuchs, 27 July 2021, Cell Stem Cell.DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2021.07.001

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How Cells Use Memories of Past Inflammation To Respond to New Threats - SciTechDaily

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on How Cells Use Memories of Past Inflammation To Respond to New Threats – SciTechDaily | August 6th, 2021

Genetic conditions occur when there is a mutation in one or multiple genes. Read on to know about some of the common genetic blood disorders.

Written by Editorial Team | Updated : August 5, 2021 10:01 PM IST

Genes form the blueprint of our body, i.e., it instructs our physical and functional attributes and makes us who we are! Let's just pause for a moment to understand that these genes are also responsible at times for genetic anomalies or disorders that may affect the health of an individual.

These genetic conditions occur when there is a mutation in one or multiple genes. You can inherit a gene mutation from one or both the parents or may also acquire it during your lifetime. These conditions if go undetected, does lead to a lifelong battle for many. However, early diagnosis can help clinicians plan prompt treatment and management options to improve the quality of life of affected individuals. Hence, it is imperative to have a comprehensive genetic evaluation of the baby right after birth to check for any hidden disorders that are not apparent at the time of birth.

Dr Chirayu Padhiar, Senior Medical Director, LifeCell International Pvt Ltd shares insights on the common genetic blood disorders in the country and also discusses the available diagnosis as well as treatment options. He says, "genetic diversity along with founder effects and consanguineous marriages have been attributed to the high prevalence of genetic disorders in India. Thalassemia and sickle cell anaemia are two major genetic blood disorders that result in a long-lasting impact on the health and wellbeing of the affected individuals."

Sickle cell anaemia is a type of sickle cell disease in which haemoglobin, the protein that transports oxygen throughout the body, is affected, which in turn jeopardises proper blood flow throughout the body. It is an inherited blood disorder that is passed down through families via mutated genes.

Red blood cells are normally disc-shaped and flexible enough to move freely through blood vessels. However, when a person is diagnosed with sickle cell disease, their red blood cells are usually crescent or "sickle" shaped. Since these cells cannot easily pass through blood vessels, they can obstruct blood flow to the rest of your body.

Symptoms of sickle cell disease usually appear in early childhood, at about 5-6 months of age. This disorder is distinguished by a low count of red blood cells (anaemia), infections, swelling in the hands and feet, and periodic episodes of pain. Symptoms vary from person to person. Some people experience only minor symptoms, while others are frequently hospitalised for more serious complications.

Couples who have a prerequisite knowledge that they have the disorder, or are 'carriers of the mutated gene should consider genetic counselling and testing to prevent passing the disorder to their children. This knowledge helps to make the right reproductive decisions for a healthy pregnancy and baby. Parents of newborns can also consider newborn screening right after birth to provide the early and right treatment.

As sickle cell disease is a chronic illness, patients usually take drugs their entire life. The drugs are not a curative treatment for the disorder but help manage the symptoms that accompany the disease. Frequent blood transfusions may also be prescribed. Depending on the severity of the disease and availability of the donor blood stem cell transplant may also be carried out.

Recent studies also show the emergence of stem cell transplants as a curative treatment for Sickle Cell Anemia. The Indian healthcare market touted to be as advanced as its western counterparts, has been successful in numerous stem cell transplants as a curative treatment for sickle cell anaemia.

Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder that occurs when the body does not produce enough haemoglobin. It occurs due to a defective gene that is involved in the production of haemoglobin. When thalassemia is referred to as 'alpha' or 'beta', it refers to the portion of haemoglobin that is not produced by default in the body. When there is insufficient haemoglobin, the body's red blood cells do not function properly and do not last for long, resulting in a significantly lower number of healthy red blood cells in the bloodstream.

Children are affected by this condition when they inherit the defective gene from one or both parents. When a child inherits the defective gene from both parents, the child will develop thalassemia major. The affected child may develop symptoms of severe anaemia within the initial years of their life.

However, if the child inherits only one defective gene, then the child has thalassemia minor and is a carrier. This fact, thus, underlines the importance of genetic counselling and prenatal tests in carriers.

Not all affected individuals will show symptoms. In fact, some symptoms may start appearing in later stages of childhood or adolescence. People with less severe conditions may not know until being diagnosed with mild symptoms of anaemia, fatigue, the appearance of yellow skin, delayed growth, or iron overload.

India has the largest number of children with thalassemia major in the world. The figure becomes more staggering with about 1 to 1.5 lakhs children and almost 42 million carriers of beta-thalassemia. The majority of children with moderate to severe thalassemia develop symptoms within the first two years of their life. Blood tests help reveal anaemia and the presence of abnormal haemoglobin. Advanced genetic tests can also be used to analyze mutated genes to diagnose the severity and type of condition. Additionally, detection of an enlarged spleen might also be an important factor in diagnosis.

Couples planning a baby or in early pregnancy can choose a genetic carrier screening to assess the risk of passing on the thalassemia or other genetic conditions to their babies.

Depending on the severity and the type of thalassemia, the doctors may recommend transfusions, medications, or surgeries to remove the spleen or transplants. Mild forms of thalassemia including thalassemia minor, don't usually require any specific treatment. Hematopoietic (blood) transplants can be curative in thalassemia major cases. However, a majority of the patients are unable to find HLA-matched siblings. Moreover, with a growing number of one-child families and a meagre 25% chance of finding an HLA-matched sibling, finding a suitable donor may become a challenge. An increasing number of parents are, therefore, turning towards alternative stem cell preservation models including community banking, in order to gain access to a repository of unrelated cord blood units.

India has pioneers in stem cell banking and genetic testing like LifeCell which excel in prenatal and newborn screening, helping couples understand their child's health status. Timely diagnosis has helped many couples make better reproductive decisions and provide the prompt and right treatment to their children. Most importantly, having a positive outlook towards life, gaining support from friends and family, and consulting your doctor regarding optimal lifestyle and management choices can help simplify your journey.

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Common Genetic Blood Disorders And How They Are Treated - TheHealthSite

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Common Genetic Blood Disorders And How They Are Treated – TheHealthSite | August 6th, 2021

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Stemson Therapeutics announced today the closing of a DCVC Bio-led $15 million Series A financing to advance development of Stemsons proprietary therapeutic solution to cure hair loss. Genoa Ventures, AbbVie Ventures and other investors join in supporting Stemsons efforts to restore human hair growth with a novel cell regeneration technology using the patients own cells to generate new hair follicles.

In addition, Kiersten Stead, Ph.D., Co-Managing Partner at DCVC Bio and Jenny Rooke, Ph.D., Managing Director at Genoa Ventures will join Stemsons Executive Chairman Matt Posard and Chief Executive Officer and co-founder Geoff Hamilton on the board of directors. Dr. Stead invests in early-stage companies that build novel deep tech businesses in the life sciences. Stead received a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology & Genetics and an MBA in finance from the University of Alberta. Dr. Rooke is founder and Managing Director at Genoa Ventures where she specializes in early-stage companies innovating at the convergence of technology and biology. Rooke received a Ph.D. in Genetics from Yale University and a degree in physics from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

We are excited and honored to welcome DCVC Bio and a fantastic syndicate of investors to the Stemson team. The Series A funding will help us optimize our solution for human skin structure and environment so we can go into our first human clinical trial with high confidence for a positive outcome. We have the technical and biological building blocks to successfully address hair loss that overcomes failures of past therapies, said Hamilton. The addition of key venture capital investors DCVC Bio, Genoa Ventures and AbbVie Ventures broadens and strengthens our investor base. DCVC Bio and Genoa Ventures are successful early-stage development investors, and I am pleased to welcome Dr. Stead and Dr. Rooke, our newest board members, to the team. In addition, the AbbVie Venture investment comes on the heels of an initial seed investment from Allergan Aesthetics in 2020, and the continued industry interest in our technology is encouraging.

Globally, hundreds of millions of men and women suffer from various forms of hair loss. Though there are many possible causes of hair loss, including chemotherapy, autoimmune disease, scarring, and genetics, all can result in a loss of self-esteem and cause depression, anxiety and other mental health disruption for those affected. The hair restoration market is expected to exceed $13.6 billion by 2028, and no solution today is capable of generating an unlimited new supply of healthy follicles for patients in need.

Almost 30 years have passed since the last FDA-approved hair loss treatment, yet millions still suffer the physical and mental impact of losing their hair each year, stated Dr. Stead. Stemsons novel stem cell engineering platform has the potential to cure hair loss once and for all, treating not only the physical symptoms of this complex problem, but the mental burden as well.

"The team at Genoa is impressed with Stemsons vision to blend biology and technology and apply it beyond traditional biotech," added Dr. Rooke. "By combining exciting advancements in iPSCs with novel technologies in materials and data sciences, Stemson exemplifies the kind of chimeric teams Genoa seeks to support on their journey to become a category-defining company."

The Series A financing brings the total funding raised to date to $22.5 million and allows Stemson to further the next stage of research and development of its cell engineering platform, where is it being combined with bioengineered material and robotic delivery as a novel solution for natural hair replacement. Currently, Stemsons research and development efforts are focused on developing an optimized solution for human skin structure environment in larger animal models. Stemsons Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC) based technology is capable of producing the cell types required to initiate hair follicle growth and have been successfully tested in small animal models.

About Cell Regeneration Technology

Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSC) have the unique capability to replicate indefinitely and give rise to all cell types of the human body, including the cell types required for repair. iPSC-based technology is capable of producing the cell types required to initiate hair follicle growth. As a new therapeutic platform, iPSCs represent an emerging area of regenerative cell therapy. Stemson is one of a growing number of companies at the forefront in developing iPSC-based treatments.

About DCVC Bio

For over twenty years, DCVC and its principals have backed brilliant entrepreneurs applying Deep Tech, from the earliest stage and beyond, to pragmatically and cost-effectively tackle previously unsolvable problems in nearly every industry. DCVC Bio specializes in supporting life sciences platform companies at the intersections of engineering and therapeutics, industrial biotechnology and agriculture. For more information, please visit https://www.dcvc.com/companies.html#dcvc-bio

About Genoa Ventures

Genoa Ventures invests in early-stage companies working at the convergence of biology & technology to accelerate the pace of innovation, transform industries, and solve some of the most fundamental challenges to life. Genoa, identifies opportunities early and focuses its investments and expertise to empower the next great category-defining companies. The Genoa team has a unique chimeric blend of experience from scientific research and discovery to executive management in the life sciences and technologies sectors. The team applies this diverse experience to provide expert guidance to its companies and stellar returns to its investors.

About AbbVie Ventures

AbbVie Ventures is the corporate venture capital group of AbbVie. We are a strategic investor, investing exclusively in novel, potentially transformational science aligned with AbbVie's core R&D interests. We measure success primarily by the extent to which our investments foster innovation with potential to transform the lives of patients that AbbVie serves. AbbVie Ventures enables its portfolio companies with both funding as well as access to AbbVie's internal network of experts across all phases of drug development, from drug discovery through commercialization. For more information, please visit http://www.abbvie.com/ventures

About Stemson Therapeutics

Stemson Therapeutics is a pre-clinical stage cell therapy company founded in 2018 with a mission to cure hair loss by leveraging the regenerative power of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. Based on the breakthrough innovation by Stemson Therapeutics co-founder, Dr. Alexey Terskikh, Stemson uses iPSC to regenerate the critical cells required to grow hair and which are damaged or depleted in patients suffering from hair loss. The iPSC-derived cells are used to grow de novo hair follicles, offering a new supply of hair to treat people suffering from various forms of Alopecia. Today, there are no available treatments capable of growing new hair follicles. Stemsons world class team of scientists, advisors and collaborators are passionate about delivering a scientifically based, clinically tested cure for hair loss to the millions of hair loss sufferers who seek help for their hair loss condition. Stemson Therapeutics is headquartered in San Diego, CA. For more information, please visit http://www.stemson.com.

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Stemson Therapeutics Secures $15M Series A Funding to Cure Hair Loss - Business Wire

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Stemson Therapeutics Secures $15M Series A Funding to Cure Hair Loss – Business Wire | July 22nd, 2021

Dr. Bill Cimikoski, Medical Director of Utah Stem Cellsjoined Surae on The Daily Dish to discuss the BodyTite and Facetite procedures. He tells Surae that these procedures are excellent for getting rid of unwanted fat, while at the same time shrink wrapping the skin so that any loose skin is simultaneously tightened at the same time.

For some individuals, there may only be minimal (or none at all) fat to extract and it might be only necessary to tighten the skin. Depending on the area Utah Stem Cells are treating, they often see that in some individuals, there isnt really any fat to speak of and their patients are just looking for skin tightening and this is an excellent way to achieve that goal!

Unfortunately, on the other hand, some patients do have a large amount of fat in certain areas and then this device is also accompanied by liposuction. This is where they can suck the fat in addition to tightening the loose skin at the same time.This procedure is called Radio Frequency assisted Liposuction. At Utah Stem Cells they also offer High Definition Radio Frequency assisted liposuction to sculpt abs.

They offer many different treatments for different areas of the body, including the following:

All procedures are in-office and with only small holes or needle punctures, which heal completely without scarring. There is no need for general anesthesia and all are completed with lidocaine fluid although they do offer nitrous oxide, ketamine, and other methods to keep people comfortable and less anxious.

As a special gift, anyone who calls in after viewing The Daily Dish today will be entitled to $200 off any procedure.

To find out more about how Dr. Bill Cimikoski and Utah Stem Cells can help you, visit their website or you can give them a call at Phone number: (801) 999-4860

This article contains sponsored content.

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Learn how to remove unwanted fat with procedures beyond liposuction - ABC 4

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Learn how to remove unwanted fat with procedures beyond liposuction – ABC 4 | July 22nd, 2021

Blood cancers are not like other cancers. Unlike a cancer that affects one region of the body, such as lung cancer afflicting the lungs, blood cancers affect the entirety of the body because blood flows throughout it. Blood cancers do not form a lump or tumor in a specific organ, potentially making blood cancers more difficult to detect.

Blood contains various components. Red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, and platelets all combine to make blood. Blood cancers, which include lymphoma, leukemia and myeloma, affect different components of the blood and interfere in different ways with the normal function of blood in the body.

Lymphoma affects the lymphatic system, which includes white blood cells called lymphocytes. These cells help protect the body against infection, advises the health site OnHealth. Leukemia originates inside of the bone marrow. Production of an overabundance of white blood cells may impede the marrows ability to make sufficient red blood cells and plasma, states the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Myeloma affects plasma cells, a type of white blood cell that fights off infection. When they become cancerous, the affected white blood cells can manufacture an abnormal protein that may damage organs and bodily systems.

Individuals affected with lymphoma, leukemia or myeloma may not feel a tumor, but they can look out for other symptoms. These include:

Frequent infections;

Coughing or chest pain;

Fever or chills;

Ongoing weakness or fatigue;

Shortness of breath;

Night sweats; and/or

Itchy skin or rash.

Even though blood cancers differ from other cancers in the way they present and what parts of the body they affect, they often are initially treated in the same way. SurvivorNet, a cancer survivor resource, says chemotherapy and radiation can target these cancers. Stem cell transplant, also known as bone marrow transplant, is a much more common treatment for blood cancers. Stem cells may be extracted from the patient or received from a donor.

Those who suspect the presence of blood cancers should consult with a doctor who can order blood tests to form a diagnosis.

We are making critical coverage of the coronavirus available for free. Please consider subscribing so we can continue to bring you the latest news and information on this developing story.

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What sets blood cancers apart from other cancers? | Lifestyles | washtimesherald.com - Washington Times Herald

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on What sets blood cancers apart from other cancers? | Lifestyles | washtimesherald.com – Washington Times Herald | July 22nd, 2021

After a year under the hatch, this summer 2021, glowing, luminous and radiant is the go-to gorgeous look that American women want !

For whatever face you have to show the world today, moisturizing oil replenishes your skin, repairing damage from UV and boosting your natural glow with an astonishing amount of benefits- which is formulated to re-energize your look as it tones and refines pores. Many viewers have asked my expert advice on the best ways to approach and achieve a dewy summer complexion that will leave skin luminously smooth on the path to corporate ascension during business hours as well as summer social activities.

In the summer, I can simply suggest that less is more. Radiant glow is the way to go with a delicate added dose of a real-to-the-feel modified bronzer and a fresh coral blush. This season, in addition to eating fruits and vegetables. drink lots of water to replenish the skin. Be mindful to get in a sweaty cardio sesh to increase blood flow and that healthy look from within which ultimately surfaces in the face to improve skin texture and tone for a natural radiant complexion.

Protect your skin from the sun:

As I mentioned earlier, I know everyone just wants to get out and see the world again but you must take protection from the sun. Bronzing face drops is your answer to a bronzed face without the risks of sun exposure. Integrated into your skincare routine your tan can now be customizable, buildable, and most importantly, fake, without looking fake.

Exfoliation is essential for smoothskin. I recommend to exfoliate once or twice a week to remove deadskincells and leaveskin glowing. This season, a unique blend of supercharged ingredients have been expertly formulated to deeply moisturize and restore the skins natural balance, revealing a clear and radiant glow.

If you're looking for a moisturizer with a luminous finish, then read below where I have curated a Forbes list of super-hydrating product offerings infused withtechnicall advanced hyaluronic acidand pearl articlesthat blur, reflect, and enhance your complexion to make you look instantly more radiant than ever!

+ Lux Unfiltered:

For a natural color and glow.

+ Lux UnfilteredNo.12 Bronzing Face Drops is your answer to a bronzed face without the risks of sun exposure. N12 seamlessly integrates into your skincare routine without disrupting your process or products. It is fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, compatible with all skin types, and loaded with antioxidants. Your tan is now customizable, buildable, and most importantly, fake, without looking fake. Recommended to mix with your desired number of drops with your face moisturizer and apply to clean skin.$42

AbsoluteJOI:

The new Daily Hydrating Moisturizing Cream is the first of its kind, a nutrient-rich 2-in-1 tinted ... [+] moisturizer specifically crafted for women of color for everyday use.

AbsoluteJOI-The new Daily Hydrating Moisturizing Cream is the first of its kind, a nutrient-rich 2-in-1 tinted moisturizer specifically crafted for women of color for everyday use. The Daily Hydrating Moisturizing Cream leaves no white cast a common problem for people with melanin-rich skin. $42.00

AJ Crimson Beauty:

AJC Universal Finishing Powder in Toasted Cinnamon

AJ Crimson Beauty-AJ Crimson Beauty's Universal Finishing Powders are perfect for all skin tones. Great to use to set your makeup for a Matte or Semi Matte Skin Finish. Can Be Used to set Foundation, Concealer, Contour, Highlight or Tattoo cover! Available in a range of colors including Neutral Matte, Bamboo, Rick Umber and Toasted Cinnamon. $35

Beauty Bakerie:

Swatches of the Beauty Bakerie InstaBake Aqua Glass Foundation in Shades 301N to 325N.

Beauty BakerieBeauty Bakerie always makes strides to be inclusive towards people of color and provides a wide shade range for all skin tones. Lack of darker shades in complexion products is a huge issue in the cosmetics industry, and Beauty Bakerie brings a revolutionary shade range to the table with the InstaBake Aqua Glass Foundation. The shades are listed from Dark to Light to put darker complexions first. $34.00

Bespoke:

Luxury CBD, but affordable for every budget.

Bespoke-Manuka Honey and Bespokes Potent CBD, infused in one amazing product with an astonishing amount of benefits. The Manuka Honey + CBD cream for hands and body offers you the healing benefits of Manuka honey, the inflammatory and pain support of CBD, plus the soothing, calming properties of menthol extract. Bespoke sources our Manuka honey from New Zealand. But not all Manuka is equal. We source only the purest honey with an Ultra Premium Grade Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) of 15+. Youre getting exceptionally high-quality Manuka along with the superior CBD youve come to trust Bespoke Extracts for. This topical treatment will enhance your skincare regimen. Use sparingly on sore, dry skin, or when experiencing muscle or joint pain. Manuka Honey + CBD Cream will nourish your skin and provide supportive care to soft tissues. $59

Circumference:

The gentle cleanser is powered by olive leaf extract, derived from byproduct harvested in California ... [+] that would otherwise go to waste.

Circumference- The second formula born from the Waste-NotSourcing Initiative - this Daily Regenerative Gel Cleanser is powered by upcycled olive leaves, in partnership with California-made, Brightland. Last fall, Circumference approached the modern essentials pantry brand to take the byproduct - that have no use in the olive oil making process - and slow-extract for bioactive nutrients. After the process was complete and the formula was perfected, mulch was returned to their farms for the following seasons compost - completing the circular economy.$48

CocoBaba:

CocoBaba Coconut Butter Mousse, Coconut Body Oil, and Coconut Oil Scrub.

CocoBaba- CocoBaba is the new all-natural, vegan skincare line for women founded by Emma Heming Willis. CocoBaba was originally conceptualized when Emma was pregnant with her first daughter and was in search for an all-natural coconut oil-based product line to nourish and soothe her skin but could not find one. After 4 years in the making, the brand finally launched earlier this year and while its targeted toward moms and moms-to-be, its great for anyone! As summer approaches and we spend more time outside, its time to pay extra attention to our skin and make sure its nourished and protected to maintain that beautiful summer glow all season long!

All CocoBaba products are made with pure, certified organic coconut oil, and are 100% vegan, dermatologically tested, and completely free of silicones, parabens, and mineral oils. The Coconut Butter Mousse is a natural, effective way to nourish skin with this whipped blend of coconut, chia, sunflower, and jojoba oil. The Coconut Body Oil is silky but never greasy, this natural beauty secret uses 100% raw certified organic coconut oil to lock in moisture. And finally, the Coconut Oil Scrub is an all-natural exfoliant made with real coconut husk and apple seed. $54.99

EiR NYC:

Surf Mud Body Oil

EiR NYC-As with all EiR suncare products, Surf Mud Body Oil is made with 100% Reef Safe Ingredients. Surf Mud Body Oil is a tinted tanning oil with Antioxidant-rich hydrating oil combined with zinc and chocolate to deeply moisturize and increase blood flow to the skin, and enhance your bronze-y sun-kissed look.$35

Elaluz:

Camila never leaves home without her All Day Beauty Water and neither should you keep your skin ... [+] glowing and give it a refreshing boost on-the-go all summer long!

Elaluz -When Elaluz founder Camila Coelho created The All Day Beauty Water she knew she wanted a versatile product she could use throughout the day to keep her skin glowing and nourished. Enriched with Brazilian superfood ingredients like Guarana & Papaya Extracts and Buriti & Bataua Oils, this instant skin boost is formulated to re-energize your look as it tones and refines pores. Use it before makeup to prep, post-application to set, or whenever you need an instant boost of radiance. $49 USD

Hey Dewy:

Get the cutest, facial humidifier today - your skin and hair will thank you for it.

Hey Dewy- Bring this portable USB humidifier with you wherever you go for continual hydration at your desk for work, overnight while you sleep or on-the-go to your dream destination. You can also nourish your skin with Hey Dewy before, after or even during your beauty routine. Our portable facial humidifier is our flagship product that is the foundation of our brand and purpose. It serves as the conduit to wellness via water and humidification, as well as the means to giving 10% to Clean Water initiatives like The Water Project. $39

Hydra Bloom:

Moonshine Coconut Illuminizer helps bring out your inner glow by adding a gorgeous highlight to your ... [+] cheekbones, eyes and decolletage.

Hydra Bloom-This skin perfector suits all skin tones. Made with Coconut and natural shimmering minerals and Vitamin E and Australian Flower Essences this illuminizer will have you glowing. $28.00

James Read Tan:

Tan Easy-to-apply and can be tailored to your liking perfect to achieve that faux post-vacation ... [+] tan while quarantining.

James Read Tan-Concentrated onthe-go multi-vitamin gel tanning drops that you can add to your SPF or moisturizer. Formulated with powerful antioxidants and Vitamin complexes combined with key anti-ageing skincare ingredients to gently brighten, smooth and tan your skin. Formulated to improve the skins natural defense against free radicals, stimulate collagen synthesis and gives you a natural looking glow. Enriched with Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe Vera, Natural Caramel and self-tan for the ultimate glow.$33

Kura Skin:

Kura Skin

Kura Skin-Kura Skin curates clean, personalized skincare routines just for you. Kura analyzes your age, location, existing product usage, skin types and concerns through a proprietary, high-tech algorithm to build your own skincare routine. Designed for all genders and ethnicities, you wont end up with a drawer full of samples youll never touch, or worse, a product that irritates your skin. Kura only curates nontoxic, cruelty-free, nutrient-dense, effective indie brands for healthy, glowing skin.Individual products starting at $28

lilah b.:

Moisturize, balance and prime with lilah b.s Aglow Priming Oil

lilah b. -A three-in-one serum, moisturizer, and primer that can be worn alone or under makeup creating a smooth, flawless canvas for long-wear makeup application. Aglow Priming Oil is a fast-absorbing, silicone-free priming face oil that nourishes and hydrates skin. Formulated with a nutrient-rich trio of tamanu, jojoba and sweet almond oils to soften, smooth and comfort the skin. Infused with grape seed extract to help improve skin firmness and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Enriched with purple tea extract to improve skin texture and tone for a natural radiant complexion. The perfect dose of nourishment to prep skin with an effortless glowing finish. $68

Luzern:

Hydrate, soothe and boost luminosity with Luzerns new Alpine Rose Glacial Serum Masque.

Luzern-Infused with precious Ruby Powder, stem cells from the treasured Alpine Rose, a proprietary peptide-ferment, and an abundance of moisture factors and nutrients, this unconventional nectar mask provides instant hydration and calm, leaving skin velvety soft, smooth, and luminous. $150

Madeca Derma:

Madeca Derma Revitalizing Overnight Sleeping Mask

Madeca Derma-This supercharged night mask powered by propolis that helps skin recover overnight for a more youthful look by morning. $27.99

MAKE:

Gently yet effectively cleanses to remove impurities while hydrating and balancing

MAKE Succulent Skin Gream-This serum weight facial cleanser, is a pH-balanced, sulfate-free universal gel that gently cleanses skin, effectively removing dirt, oil and impurities without stripping the skin of essential moisture. Supercharged with amino acid enriched surfactants that preserve the skin barrier. Also formulated with prickly pear, cactus, agave, niacinamide and sodium hyaluronate to provide nutrients. $24

Manna Kadar Cosmetics:

Light up your skin with an all over radiance with Sheer Glow

Manna Kadar Cosmetics-Manna Kadar Cosmetics shimmer lotion works with all skin tones. Mix with foundation, BB cream, or body lotion to create a dewy glow for that radiant and youthful look. Get that extra highlighter look applying to cheek bones and collar bones for a more pronounced look. $29

Miami Beach Bum:

Formulated with oregano, aloe and jojoba to give your skin a full reset.

Miami Beach Bum To our marine scientist founder, self-care means being active and around water. After constantly being in wet bathing suits she developed folliculitis on her bum and was unable to find a natural solution for it. Using her chemistry background, Ayssa crafted our signature Bum + Body Cream with the mission of bringing skin health to the forefront of self-care. Now with a full collection, each product has become an essential part of Ayssas personal ritual and we hope they can become a part of everyone's unique self-care ritual as well. $45

natureofthings:

natureofthings Clarifying Facial Polish combines the purifying action of a cleanser with the ... [+] resurfacing and glow-enhancing benefits of an exfoliant.

natureofthingsClarifying Facial Polish combines the purifying action of a cleanser with the resurfacing and glow-enhancing benefits of an exfoliant. A few drops of water activate the powder into a paste (for a milder formulation, simply add more water). Nutrient-rich lava ash from the Korean island of Jeju and Kisameet Glacial Clay penetrate deep into the skin to draw out impurities and oil, unclog pores and promote overall tightness and tone. Salicylic acid, lactic acid and papaya enzyme work gently to slough off dead skin cells responsible for dull complexions and uneven texture. Colloidal oatmeal and olive oil powder soothe and moisturize. Skin looks smooth, refreshed, and primed to absorb any subsequent products. $65

No, Thank You:

An Oil For All Day

No, Thank YouFor whatever face you have to show the world today, our moisturizing oil replenishes your skin, repairing damage from UV and boosting your natural glow. Use it as often as you like, as a little extra help to welcome all the different emotions and expressions you need to communicate every day. Our vitamin C perfectly encapsulates our approach to skincare, specifically our commitment to making sure every ingredient really earns its place in the bottle formula over fads if you will. Vitamin C is an amazing ingredient but that doesnt mean you can just add it to a product and call it a day. You have to think about quality, concentration and combination. We use a shelf-stable form of vitamin C, in the right amount (sometimes more isnt more), combined with CBD and other ingredients that enhance its effectiveness. Its a holistic approach to skincare formulation that has become the hallmark of NTY products. $85

Nourishe:

Nourishe Glowing Skin Serum

Nourishe-This waterless, gentle facial oil to help balance breakout-prone and sensitive skin. The rich blend of 32 botanicals gives you a smooth, energized complexion, boosting skin's collagen production and elasticity at the same time. The product comes in biophotonic glass, with minimal plastic packaging to maintain potency. $24.50

Obagi Clinical:

Exfoliate, smooth and retexturize skin with the Obagi Clinical Blue Brilliance Triple Acid Peel

Obagi Clinical-This is a one-of-a-kind facial peel that combines three potent acids to exfoliate, smooth and retexturize the skin for a more radiant-looking complexion. This powerful, award-winning at-home peel utilizes the strength of salicylic, glycolic and lactic acids to help minimize the appearance of uneven skin, reveal a brighter-looking, more youthful look, and keep pores clean. The self-neutralizing at-home peel is a 2-month series and comes with four 8mL vials - one to be used every two weeks - for a gradual peel with no downtime. $145

Obakki:

This gift set is the ultimate recipe for silky, moisturized skindeeply nourishes, restores, ... [+] soothes and helps lock in moisture. A definite favourite for all skin types.

ObakkiObakki is a purpose-led lifestyle brand that connects people through handcrafted products and artisan ware. The Moisturizing Gift Set in Earthy Scent features a deeply moisturizing trio set of Nilotica Shea Butter, Whipped Shea Lotion and the Obakki Organic Sugar Scrub. The Earthy Scent is an invigorating blend of cedar, ho wood, and grapefruit, and is a definite favourite for all skin types. All Obakki skincare products feature 100% all-natural ingredients and never contain palm oils, artificial fragrance or colourants, parabens, sulfates, or animal products. $76 USD

One Ocean Beauty:

To use, close eyes and spray hydrating mist all over the face 3 times a day

One Ocean Beauty-This refreshing mist is designed to protect against photoaging from blue light exposure. It works to repair damage, hydrate and restore skin's natural barrier to protect from urban pollution. $58

Original Hemp:

Try Original Hemp's Topical Cream to reduce inflammation and keep skin hydrated.

Original HempInfused with Organic coconut oil, argan oil, shea butter, full-spectrum hemp extract and 10+ botanicals our natural Original Hemp's Topical Cream will give a natural soothing relief while absorbing on contact. It leaves skin feeling soft, smooth and hydrated; never greasy. Cream may increase antioxidant activity and reduce free radical damage, support skin healing and protection, reduce signs of aging (wrinkles, lines, scars, damage), improve skin health and appearance. $65.99

PRESSOLOGY:

PRESSOLOGY's GOLDEN HOUR, an Ayurvedic botanical serum with a rich source of antioxidants, vitamins, ... [+] and minerals to enhance your natural glow.

PRESSOLOGY- PRESSOLOGYs GOLDEN HOUR is a multi-purpose botanical serum carefully formulated with an exclusive caliber of Ayurvedic ingredients to heal and enhance the skin's long-term health. GOLDEN HOUR is infused with seven USDA organic and vegan cold-pressed oils, making it a rich source of powerful antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that work to restore, repair, protect, and hydrate the skin. It's packed with vitamins A, B-complex, C, D, E, and F to stimulate fibroblasts, reducing fine lines and wrinkles while correcting skin tone and texture. Naturally occurring minerals like copper, iron, and selenium work to reduce hyperpigmentation and neutralize free radical damage. This plant-based serum is suitable for all skin types and versatile enough to be applied on the scalp and cuticles to encourage strong hair and nails.$38.00

Pseudo Labs:

Accentuates and highlights the natural beauty of the face with the PHreckles Kit.

Pseudo LabsPHreckles is a vegan, hypoallergenic, gluten free, cruelty free & water resistant faux freckle cosmetic that accentuates and highlights the natural beauty of the face. PHreckles melts into skin and blends with your natural complexion with almost zero effort and washes away with your daily cleanser. PHreckles Kits include a 4.3 ml PHreckles fill, a faux leather pouch and a custom Pseudo Labs pick for perfect application.$38.00

ROEN:

REN products combine a fashion-forward, innovative, glamorous approach with clean, ethical, ... [+] high-performance ingredients.

ROEN -Celebrity Makeup Artist, Kate Synnott, curated this Mothers Day Limited Edition Set your mom will absolutely love. This rosy inspired set is perfect for the mom who gravitates towards warm and cool pink tones. The 11:11 Eyeshadow Palette consists of cool hero tones designed for everyday where; Situation (soft pink), Hashtag (taupe green), Ciao! (deep fuschia), Rosie (petal pink). The Kiss My Liquid Lip Balm in Remi is a glossy nude liquid lip balm that provides the high shine of a gloss and the benefits of a balm. Disco Eye is a universally flattering eyeshadow that can be worn alone or applied as a topper to elevate and enhance your favorite shadow. Lastly, their avocado oil infused CAKE Mascara is hydrating mascara that volumizes, lengthens and lifts. $100 ($125 value)

Smashbox:

Smashbox Halo Healthy Glow All-In-one Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 25

SmashboxPrimer-powered for all-day wear & a healthy glow, this all-in-one, SPF tinted moisturizer gives you lightweight, natural-looking dewy coverage that hydrates skin for up to 24 hours. It primes, perfects, protects & hydrates in one easy step. The breathable, vegan & oil-free formula is boosted with 81% skin-caring ingredients that moisturize, condition & protect. It has rose extract, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, goji berries, gold & peptides. $36

Summer Fridays:

A shimmering blend of nourishing oils that illuminates skin for a light, sunkissed glow and is ... [+] gently scented with a warm, summertime fragrance

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Here's How To Get The Perfect Summer Skin Glow In 2021 - Forbes

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Here’s How To Get The Perfect Summer Skin Glow In 2021 – Forbes | July 7th, 2021

Keila Torres knew during a conference trip to Florida she was going to meet the woman who saved her life. What she didn't expect was to see someone so familiar.

Torres, 44,of Worcester, Massachusetts,desperately needed a bone marrow transplant in 2016, when she was 39, to beatacute myeloid leukemia, a cancerthat starts in the bone marrow but often moves into the blood.

A bone marrow transplant isa treatment option for people withblood cancers, such as leukemia, and it replacesunhealthy blood-forming cells with healthy ones from a donor, according to Be The Match, a nonprofit that pairs peoplewith a donor.

She had slightly less than a 50% chance, according to Be The Match. But she beat thoseodds, thanks to Palm Desert resident Odalis Trinidad.

When the two women met on June 23, Torreshad a realization. Her body had been changing since the transplant, and now it started to make sense.

"My blood type changed to Odalis blood type.I developed allergies after the transplant, and she has allergies," Torres said. "Her hair is long, beautiful and really curly, and when my hair started to grow back, it was very curly, very tight curls. When I saw her, I was like, 'Wow, that's why my hair is like that.'"

"You basically become your donor. She lives in me," she added.

Dr. Ayad Hamdan, a bone marrow transplant specialist and board certified hematologist with the Eisenhower Lucy Curci Cancer Center, explained that since new stem cells from adonor replace the stem cells in a patients bone marrow, which is the "factory of our blood cells," the patient will have the same blood type as the donor.

He added it is possible for patients to develop allergies, and"most patients who receive chemotherapy or a transplant have the experience that their hair may grow back with a different texture," but the hair follicles themselves don't change.

Not only do the two women share hair textures and occasionally stuffy noses, they're driven by their desire to inspire others to help those in need.

Most 19-year-oldsare focused on having good times with their friends, not necessarily providing life-saving donations.

Trinidadsaid she tried to donate blood as often as she could, even though the process was always a bit uncomfortable either her arm would stop pumping enough blood, or her arm would be too sensitive. During one of her visits, she noticed a poster for Be The Match and decided to do some more research.

The process to join the donor registryseemed "really easy" for Trinidad, now 24.She received a registration kit to give a swab of cheek cells and sent it back in October 2015. Then camethe waiting period.

"If you get called, you get called; if you don't, well, at least you tried, right?" the Palm Desert resident said.

People between the ages of 18 and 44 can join the Be The Match donor registry. Cells from younger donors have the best chance of successful donations, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Due to a lack of diversity on the donor registry, white patients have a better chance of finding a match on the registry than do people of other races. According to the site, African Americans have a 29% chance, Asians and Pacific Islanders 47%, Latinos 48%, Native Americans 60% and whites 79%.

In July 2015, Torres, 38 at the time, learned she was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. With two young sons, ages 15 months and 5 years old at the time, she knew she had to fight to be there for her boys. After chemotherapy, radiation, lymph node removal and a bilateral mastectomy, she was declared cancer-free a year later.

The good news, unfortunately, was spoiled in September 2016.

"I felt like I was fine. I was recovering, I was spending time with my kids, I was going to work, my hair was growing back and I felt great," Torres said. While undergoing a bone marrow biopsy, she was told "there was something wrong" with routine lab work.She remembered asking her oncologist, "What's the worst that could happen?"

"If we find leukemia," Torres recalled her oncologist saying. "When I heard leukemia, I was like, 'Oh,that's not going to be me, it's probably something else.'"

But the biopsy showed she hadacute myeloid leukemia. It isa common type of leukemia in adults, although it accounts for just 1% of all cancers,according to Cancer.org.It is also generally uncommon to find in people younger than 45. Torres was 39.

"I was in shock. I was devastated. I had already gone through so many things," Torres said, "but in the back of my head I was thinking, 'I've been through breast cancer, I can do this.'"

But the gravity of the situation didn't hit her until she met the leukemia team at Massachusetts General Hospital. Walking into one of the clinic rooms, she remembers feeling "very claustrophobic,"like she was "running out of breath."

Torres began chemotherapy atMassachusetts General, but to have a betterchance at beating leukemia, she would need a bone marrow transplant.

The two women had plenty in common even before the transplant,Torres said, almost as if Trinidad was always her"missing puzzle piece." They both have birthdays in October, mothers from Guatemala (Torres grew up there as well) and they're both mothers.

The best match for a bone marrow transplant is when a patient and donor'shuman leukocyte antigen closely match. HLA"is a marker on our stem cells thatdetermines how our immune system responds," explained Hamdan. Those markers are used by an individual's immune system to know which cells belong in the body and which ones don't, according to Be The Match.

Doctors first looked to Torres' brother to see if he was a match. Siblings have a one in four chance of being a match since half of an individual's HLA markers are inheritedfrom their mother and the other halffrom their father, according to Be The Match. About seven out of 10 people won't have a close match with a family member, as was thecase with Torres. That's when people look to thedonor registry.

After Trinidad completed her cheek swab in October 2015, she essentially forgot about it since she didn't hear back from the registry. She received a phone call a year later.

"'Hey, I don't know if you remember you signed up for this, but this is what we do and we're calling to let you know that you have a possibility of saving someone's life,'" Trinidad recalled hearing.The only information she was given was the person needing the donationwas a female, 40 years old (Torres turned 40 in October 2016) and the type of leukemia. Nothing more, not even a name.

So, yes or no? It wastime to decide.

"I called them (the next day to learn) what did I need to do, what did they need from meto make sure it could be successful," she said.

Trinidad had blood work and other tests done prior to donation day. Her family was very supportive of her decision to help save a life, she said, whileit was a bit "hard for my friends to be on board."

"We were all 19, so they were like, 'You're crazy, you don't even know them and you're going to have this whole surgery for them?'I was like, "Well, yeah, I can save someone's life,'" Trinidad recalled. "You would want someone to do it for you, so how could you not do it?"

On donation day, donorsare put undergeneral anesthesia and marrow cells are taken from the back of the pelvicbone.

"The donor lies face down, and a large needle is put through the skin and into the back of the hip bone. Its pushed through the bone to the center and the thick, liquid marrow is pulled out through the needle," according to Cancer.org.Around 10%, or 2 pints, of marrow are collected, and the procedure takes up to two hours. The donor's body replaces those cells within four to six weeks.

Trinidad described the day in December 2016 as "nerve-racking,"but not because of the giant needle.

"I know everything that they're doing to me, but I can't, I literally cannot, know her perspective, what she is going through, how it is going to get to her," she said. "During this whole procedure, I'm nervous, I'm thinking, 'I hope it works, I hope it works.'I'm a match, but her body might not (accept the cells)well. I want to be sure that I'm doing the best I can so that it's the best for her."

To begin the transplant process, a receiving patient must undergo a conditioning regimen, which includes chemotherapy and sometimes radiation, to "wipe out" their immune system and leukemia cells, according to Hamdan.On transplant day, also called Day Zero, patients receive the donated cells through a blood transfusion.From Day Zero onward, the donated cells grow and make new blood cells, which is called engraftment, according to Be The Match.

Torres, admitted to the hospital on Thanksgiving, had a week straight of chemotherapy. Day Zero, which she considers one of her birthdays and her "rebirth," was Dec. 2, 2016.

It's normal for patients to feel weak, and Torres remembers being "sick to my stomach" the first few days after the transfusion. But her red and white blood counts started growing, she said, and slowly started feeling better. She was released from the hospital on Dec. 23, just in time for the holidays.

Both women had played a big part in each other's lives, and yet they still didn't know anything about one another.

Transplant recipients and donors have to wait one year before they can have direct contact with each other in the United States, according to Be The Match.

"This could only work if both of us want to know," Trinidad said."It was hard because I wanted to know her recovery, I wanted to know if it worked. What if it didn't work and they just didn't tell me anything at all?"

By the time the one-year mark came, the two women were ready to know something, anything,about each other.

It was an instant connection, almost as if they had known each other their entire lives, they both said. Finallyconnected on Facebook, they could get a glimpse of the other's family and see what they were up to. They talked and texted whenever they could.

It wasn't until a few weeks after their initial contact that Torres revealed to Trinidad that doctorsfound leukemia once again in January 2018.Torres would have to go through the transplant process all over again, but this time witha different donor.

Hamdan explained: "Transplants are most of the time the only chance for patients to be cured, and although there is a good chance of success, the cancer can come back. (It) depends on the disease, the age of the patient, the type of transplant."

Torres still wouldn't change a thing.

"She gave me life the first time around. I was able to come home and be with my kids for a year," Torres said. "Even if I had relapsed or not, Im so grateful for her for doing an act of kindness. At 20,Iwasnt thinking about stuff like that."

Trinidad, now a mother herself to3-month-old son Jimmy,said having her own child put thedonation into a whole new perspective.

"I really just am happy to give her that time with her kids. I now know how important and valued that time is," she said.

But thatwasn't the end of the journey.

They both had meeting each other in-person on their bucket lists, and when an opportunity came at aHOSA Future Health Professionals convention last month in Orlando, Floridaboth said "it was meant to be."

Representatives from Be The Match reached out to the two women and asked if they'd want to share their story to the students attending the conference. Trinidad was also a member of HOSA when she attended Palm Springs High School.

After years of texting, calling and social media lurking, they hugged on stage at the conference for quite a long time, admitted Trinidad, and "neither of us wanted to let go." She describedthe moment as "surreal,"finally seeing "the life that I gave her."

And for Torres, to see the woman who went froman anonymous lifesaver to a dear friend and a bit of a look-alike,saying thank you in-personis a moment she'll never forget.

"Theres no way that Iwill ever be able to repay her because theres no price with what she did," Torres said. "Im think I'm still kind of digesting all the emotions that came with it, but the one thing I know isIm full of gratitude for what she did for me.

Trinidad hopes more people will join the donor registry "it's so easy," she reiterated and be there to answer the call if they end up being someone's best match.

"I'm a donor because I wanted to be one," Trinidad said. "I know it required me physically giving up some bone marrow, but itsaved someones life, and I would do it again."

Torres, too, can attest to that: "If it hadnt been for her the first time around, honestly I dont think Iwould be here."

HOW TO JOIN THE BE THE MATCH REGISTRY

Visithttps://bethematch.org/to learnhow to join the registry, request a cheek swab and what the next steps are if you're a match.

Ema Sasic covers health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic.

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Palm Desert resident meets the woman whose life she saved with bone marrow transplant - Desert Sun

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Palm Desert resident meets the woman whose life she saved with bone marrow transplant – Desert Sun | July 7th, 2021

A year before the pandemic, I was diagnosed with a condition called mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS). A hallmark of the syndrome is hypersensitivities in more than one organ system: Food and other triggers can give me abdominal pain and severe diarrhea; my nose swells and I sneeze and wheeze. That sounds like allergies, but I've never tested positive on an allergy test.

Mast cells are among the immune system's first line of defense. They are abundant in the parts of the body that have close contact with the outside world, including the skin, airways, and intestines. Mast cells gone wrong cause allergic symptoms, secreting histamine and giving us itchy eyes, hives, and rashes. Less well understood is their role in modulating the responses of other immune cells. Before the pandemic, researchers had suggested that mast cell dysfunction could explain severe cases of the flu and highlighted the cells' role in shutting down inflammation in a variety of situations. In my case, probably because of a genetic peculiarity, my mast cells overreact.

I was fairly stable on my medication, and then I became sick with Covid-19. Months after the virus had passed and I no longer had pneumonia, I was still fighting fatigue and breathlessness. My symptoms also flared up erratically. On some mornings, for example, the oatmeal I had relied on for years could cause me abdominal pain. "Once the mast cell response is turned up, it doesn't wind down just because the infection is gone," explained my doctor, Leo Galland, a New York internist who specializes in difficult cases.

MCAS often seems to first emerge after a virus. Could it explain any of the symptoms of the growing group of patients with long Covid? Congress has now dedicated more than a billion dollars towards research into why so many post-Covid patients roughly a quarter, more often women still feel ill long after their infection. In Facebook groups and elsewhere, people with plausible symptoms for instance, severe lingering rashes and months of hives have been trading information about remedies for the disease. Severe fatigue after exercise suggested myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, which some say is linked to MCAS. Others became lightheaded when they stood up, which might mean they had postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). Spend an hour searching online, and you'll find papers saying POTS, too, may be a manifestation of MCAS.

But getting a workup for the syndrome can be a long ordeal. The full range of tests and treatments aren't routinely covered by insurance, leaving some patients to pay thousands of dollars out of pocket. Before you get there, you need to find a sympathetic doctor: Researchers don't agree on whether the illness is rare, or quite common.

I was lucky; Galland took me on in the 1980s. Long before the microbiome became a news item, he diagnosed me with intestinal dysbiosis a disturbed gut. We don't know why I got sick when I did, but when I showed up in Galland's office, I was a young woman on an absurdly limited diet with a myriad of fluctuating symptoms. On a trip to Tucson, as just one example, my face and arms ballooned, and then shrank on the plane home. I had been exposed to a fungus in the desert. My grandmother commiserated; when her face swelled up, her doctors in Antwerp, in the 1930s, pulled out all of her teeth. She had no explanation.

Interestingly, disturbances in the gut may be linked to severe Covid-19, and correcting them a possible path to health for long Covid sufferers. Mast cells may have a unique role in communicating with gut bacteria. In midlife, I fit the profile for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), the abdominal pain, often accompanied by diarrhea or constipation, that afflicts as much as 20 percent of the population, and often sets in after a virus. Desperate, in 2018, I had just completed a trial of hypnotherapy for IBS when my digestion took an embarrassing turn, with accidents in taxis, and I could no longer eat outside my home.

A new dietician, Tamara Duker Freuman, author of "The Bloated Belly Whisperer," helped me identify the worst offenders: foods that are high in histamine, which can be found in everything from alcohol to avocados. After further testing, Galland put me on a regime: an arsenal of mast cell modulators and anti-histamines, including Pepcid, which also blocks histamine.

And I got better.

* * *

Mast cells were first named in 1878 by a German-Jewish Nobel Prize winner, Paul Ehrlich, a father of modern immunology who is most famous for discovering the cure for syphilis. At the turn of the century, scientists discovered anaphylaxis, the classic mast cell allergic reaction. The word comes from the Greek ana (against) and phylaxis (protection). The idea that an immune response could actually hurt us, rather than protect us, came as shock. Current research about the gut and immunity may change the paradigm again.

Five decades later, in 1949, scientists described a rare genetic disorder called mastocytosis, in which mast cells produce clones, building up in the skin, bones, and other organs. It wasn't until the 1980s that researchers began to notice that mast cells could become hyper-responsive or over-activated without cloning.

On a separate track, since the 1990s, researchers have explored mast cell activity in IBS. (A clinical trial of Pepcid and Zyrtec for difficult IBS cases is currently underway at the University of Cincinnati.) Kyle Staller, director of the Gastrointestinal Motility Laboratory at Massachusetts General Hospital, now sometimes prescribes Pepcid if he sees other signs like hives, to patients who ask him to consider a histamine or MCAS issue. "I think anyone who's been following the science closely has to start wondering, 'How much could this be playing a role in that IBS patient who's in front of us on a given day?'" he told me.

Competing proposals for diagnostic criteria emerged after 2010. Both proposals say that doctors should rule out other explanations for a person's symptoms, and that symptoms should appear in a least two organ systems (in my case, it affects my gut, nose, and skin). Both proposals require lab tests but they disagree on which tests are necessary, and on the ranges that would indicate someone has MCAS, as well as other details. Because lab results are elusive, Galland and some other doctors rely on a medical history instead.

The disagreement has led to two camps. In camp one, the condition is rare; in camp two, it occurs in up to 17 percent of the adult population. Specialists in camp one say patients are misled: "More and more patients are informed that they may have [mast cell activation syndrome] without completing a thorough medical evaluation," an international group of 24 authors, led by Peter Valent, a hematologist and stem cell researcher at the Medical University of Vienna, wrote in April 2019 in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

A year later, a largely American group of 43 authors led by Lawrence Afrin, one of the earliest mast cell activation researchers, countered in the journal Diagnosis that patients are suffering and even dying from underdiagnosis. By then the pandemic had arrived, and Afrin suggested that some patients with long Covid might be experiencing MCAS.

Patients were seeing links as well. For example, the distinct POTS symptom of extreme lightheadedness, once often dismissed as a problem of anxious young women, emerged as one of the odder long Covid symptoms. POTS, which has been reported by patients who experienced Lyme and other infections, may involve histamine and several other chemicals released by mast cells. It is known to overlap with MCAS.

Last fall, when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on what it labeled multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS), the name rang bells: MCAS is clearly a multi-system inflammatory syndrome. Theoharis Theoharides, a professor of immunology at Tufts University who has studied mast cells for more than 40 years, wrote that MIS patients should be evaluated for MCAS.

Mariana Castells, director of the Mastocytosis Center at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, told me in an email that she's seen no data showing that long Covid patients have the requisite diagnostic markers of MCAS.

Observers agree that the long Covid group probably includes people with different vulnerabilities. It would be marvelous indeed, if, one day, we found a single powerful concept to understand post-viral illness.

In the meantime, you might not need to fit either group's criteria for MCAS, a difficult and chronic illness, to experience your mast cells' betraying you sometimes. "Like many, many conditions, over time we [may] learn that there's a spectrum of disease," Staller said. "It's not an all or nothing phenomenon."

Even the group that sees MCAS as rare acknowledges the existence of a less severe form of mast cell activation that does not meet MCAS criteria. Theoharides has detailed several categories of the illness. He told me that he'd guess half of patients diagnosed with IBS might have mast cell activation of some kind.

If mast cell dysfunction is truly common, I trust the online buzz to help us find out. Crowdsourcing on patient forums is here to stay. And it's good, after all, that sick people shared information, found support, and made long Covid a "thing" with ontological status.

Growing up, I had wondered if my grandmother's multiple "allergies" were real. We didn't laugh, but we didn't exactly believe her. Then it happened to me.

* * *

Temma Ehrenfeld is a writer and ghostwriter in New York drawn to philosophy and psychiatry. Her most recent book is "Morgan: The Wizard of Kew Gardens."

This article was originally published on Undark. Read the original article.

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Immune system mutiny: mast cells and the mystery of long COVID - Salon

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Immune system mutiny: mast cells and the mystery of long COVID – Salon | July 7th, 2021