When talented rugby player George Thompson went to see his doctor with a suspected match-related injury, the last thing he expected to hear was the word 'cancer'.

George Thompson had been playing rugby since the age of six, spending most of his young sporting career at Devonport Services RFC, representing Devon U15s, captaining Devon U16s and Plymouth Albion U18s, before joining the Exeter Chiefs Academy.

The 17-year-old, from Saltash, was set to join his local club, Saltash RFC, but in a devastating and unexpected blow has had to give up the sport he loves after being diagnosed with Neuroblastoma.

The rare type of cancer mostly affects babies and young children, but very occasionally is found in adolescents.

George, who is in his second year of a gas engineering apprenticeship with Plymouth Community Homes, began suffering with lower back pain and was originally told that it was believed he had ankylosing spondylitis - a long-term condition which means the spine and other areas of the body become inflamed.

But after numerous scans and tests, he was told he had the rare cancer, which had also spread to his bones and bone marrow.

He has now been transferred to Bristol Royal Hospital for children where he is undergoing chemotherapy.

George now has a 12-month plan which will include surgery, chemotherapy, blood transfusions, radiotherapy and immunotherapy.

More than 13,800 has been raised on a crowdfunding page - which you can donate to here - set up by George's auntie, Catherine Arris.

George's sister, Rosie, said the "response has been overwhelming".

She said the money will help herself, her mother Julie and father, Martin with travel costs and subsidise their lost income whilst frequently making back-and-forth trips from Cornwall to Bristol, to ensure that they are with George throughout "the intense treatment period".

Rosie said: "This will also enable George to have some quality downtime away from the hospital ward when he is well enough in-between treatments.

"It is important to us that we maintain as normal a family life as possible throughout the difficult months that lie ahead and this is now being made possible by the generosity of so many people.

"There are not enough words to thank each and every person who is supporting us."

Rosie explained that any money which remains at the end of George's treatment will be donated to Clic Sargent, The Teenage Cancer Trust and Neuroblastoma UK.

"These charities are already looking after us, providing accommodation and various support," she said.

George has already undergone four blood transfusions and it is likely he will receive further transfusions.

Rosie said: "We are all signing up to donate blood and would encourage as many people as possible to follow suit. We have seen first hand how important blood donations are.

"In such a short space of time we have been amazed by the generosity and heartfelt messages of support.

"Georges fun loving character and caring nature has been recognised by so many people, some who have never met George."

There are a number of plans for fund-raising events to take place during Georges treatment, to raise money for Clic Sargent and the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Plymouth Community Homes is set to arrange an event, as well as a team named 'Run For George' which has entered into the Mudstock Run on June 27, 2020, supported by BH Fitness.

There is also a fund-raising rugby match on April 18, 2020, which has been organised by George's uncle, Richard Thompson.

If you are interested in this story, you may be interested in the crowdfunder for the Plymouth man diagnosed with testicular cancer at just 21 years old.

Neuroblastoma is a rare type of cancer that mostly affects babies and young children.

It develops from specialised nerve cells (neuroblasts) left behind from a baby's development in the womb.

Neuroblastoma most commonly occurs in 1 of the adrenal glands situated above the kidneys, or in the nerve tissue that runs alongside the spinal cord in the neck, chest,tummy or pelvis.

It can spread to other organs, such as the bone marrow, bone, lymph nodes, liver and skin.

It affects around 100 children each year in the UK and is most common in children under the age of 5.

The cause is unknown. There are very rare cases where children in the same family are affected, but generally neuroblastoma does not run in families.

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The symptoms of neuroblastoma vary depending on where the cancer is and whether it's spread.

The early symptoms can be vague and hard to spot, and can easily be mistaken for those of more common childhood conditions.

Symptoms can include:

See a GP or contactNHS 111if you're worried your child might be seriously ill.

A number of tests may be carried out if it's thought your child could have neuroblastoma.

These tests may include:

Once these tests have been completed, it'll usually be possible to confirm if the diagnosis is neuroblastoma and determine what stage it is.

As with most cancers, neuroblastoma is given a stage. This indicates if it's spread and, if so, how far.

The staging system used for neuroblastoma is:

Knowing the stage of your child's neuroblastoma will allow doctors to decide which treatment is best.

Some babies and infants less than 18 months old with either stage L1 or Ms neuroblastoma who have no symptoms may not need any treatment, as the cancer can sometimes go away on its own.

The main treatments for neuroblastoma are:

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Promising rugby teen is told back injury actually rare cancer - Plymouth Live

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Promising rugby teen is told back injury actually rare cancer – Plymouth Live | February 7th, 2020

Machines intended to work in the body should probably be made out of cells from your body.

There are two stories I would like to tell with this edition of Business Unusual, the first is about the Darpa funded research to build robots out of living cells, the second is the incredible history of the animal that was used to build the first biological robots - Platannas.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is an agency of the American Department of Defense. It has funded many projects for military projects that in time have come to be used for civilian applications. The best-known example is the predecessor of the internet.

Why a military agency would fund research into creating living robots might be concerning but the stated objectives include managing environmental clean-ups or improving drug delivery which certainly are worthy pursuits. Of greater concern, are the ethical questions that are raised by creating new forms of a living organism. At the moment the designs dont attempt to make them self-replicating but that is part of the future plans.

Robots typically are designed and programmed to perform a specific task. Until now they would have been constructed out of non-living materials. These robots are also designed for a specific task but created from living cells. The choice of cell and the specific construction determines what action or function the living robot can perform.

One function that was attempted was movement. Starting from scratch researchers used stem cells from a frog to create skin cells and heart cells. The heart cells are muscles and so can contract while heart cells are able to do so rhythmically. Using those properties a machine learning program was tasked with testing thousands of configurations to determine which design would use the least cells to achieve the motion required. Once the best designs were determined, the living robots were constructed by researchers manipulating individual cells under a microscope.

The tiny constructed robots demonstrated that living robots designed by computer could offer an alternative to traditionally constructed machines. Future versions would look to make the constructions more complex and eventually able to self replicate.

One intended function was using a swarm of living robots with the ability to decompose plastic to be used to remove microplastics in the ocean. That may be a long way off, but if it is to become a reality the best time to start working on it is now.

Another application might be to not find plastic in the sea, but cancers in your body. Your body is already very good at doing so, but as we age and at certain times of our lives it becomes more challenging to correctly identify and kill cancer cells when they are still only tiny tumours.

This would require building robots consisting of your own body cells arranged in a way to allow them to move through the body and specifically find the corrupted cells. Adding them in numbers as we age may reduce the chance of developing tumours or even help the body recover after exposure to damaging external factors like sun damage to your skin.

This too is a long way off, but if successful and added to the many other options for extending and improving our lives then the research is most welcome.

_Image credit: Wikipedia African clawed frog_

Setting the other issues relating to building living robots aside, you might wonder why a frog from South Africa was chosen to build the first living robots.

It was not a random choice but points to a fascinating history that makes this particular frog one that has helped humanity overcome medical issues on a number of occasions.

A pregnancy test these days simply requires peeing on a stick. The reaction to a specific hormone in the urine can be isolated in minutes and let you know if you are pregnant within days of it occurring. It was not always this easy, the first method we are aware of would see a potentially pregnant woman urinate on ungerminated wheat and barley and wait a week or so to see if it germinated. Incredibly it works and was first mentioned over 3 000 years ago by the Egyptians. It was scientifically tested in the 1960s and found to be 70% accurate.

There were a variety of other methods used most on the expectation that something in the urine of females could be used to confirm pregnancy. In the 1920s it was injecting urine into female rabbits that after a day would require the examination of the rabbit ovaries. If swollen the woman was pregnant. In order to do the examination the rabbit was always killed and so the search continued for a better option.

Enter Lancelot Hogben, an English researcher lecturing in Cape Town in the early 1930s. He advised a student to consider using the local platanna as a potential for use as a model organism for biological tests. His hunch proved correct with Hillel Shapiro and Harry Zwarenstein creating the test to use the frog to indicate pregnancy.

The frog would be injected and in hours if the woman was pregnant would produce eggs. Not only was it accurate, but it also would not harm the frog which was easy to keep in a lab and would live for over a decade. As a result, the remarkable frog was exported around the globe and provided the answer to the question, am I pregnant, to the largest population explosion in our history. Most baby boomers parents and indeed many baby boomers would have found out if they were pregnant thanks to this strange-footed frog.

Xenopus literally means strange foot, frogs typically dont have claws which is why the African clawed frog got the name and as for Platanna, that may be a reference to the frog being very flat - plat in Afrikaans.

Given its widespread use for pregnancy and acceptance as a good species for embryonic development when researchers attempted to clone an organism, this frog was once again a key in understanding the process. In 1958, Xenopus was cloned not from splitting an embryonic cell which was the original method, but by using the DNA from an adult specialised cell which replaced the original DNA in a frog egg. The method proved successful and paved the way to allow Dolly the sheep to be cloned from an adult sheep cell in 1996.

We owe a huge debt of gratitude to six species that for a variety of reasons have helped us understand biological processes and how best to deal with disease and the efficacy of drugs. There are nematode worms, fruit flies, zebrafish, chickens, mice and the African clawed toad.

These six animals are our real guinea pigs.

Image credit: Xenobot - Tuft University & University of Vermont

This article first appeared on 702 : Biological robots, that is a thing now

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Biological robots, that is a thing now - CapeTalk

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Biological robots, that is a thing now – CapeTalk | February 6th, 2020

Background

Today's biologic quarry is the hair follicle, depicted on the left. While we all take hair for granted (perhaps the lyric "you don't know what you got till it's gone" is applicable), it is a complex structure lying within the skin. Stem cells are responsible for its growth and coloration, more about them shortly, and the milieu of hormones, as well as cell mediators, controls where hair grows along with its texture. In addition to housing a sebaceous gland, hair follicles have muscles, the arrector pili, responsible for raising your hair, as in the phrase "hair-raising scare," which is a real thing.

Hair follicles go through stages of growth (anagen), rest (telogen), loss (catagen and exogen), as well as renewal (kenogen). The bulbous area at the bottom of the follicle contains those previously mentioned stem cells. Hair follicle stem cells (HFSC) derived embryologically from the same layer as our skin produces a new hair follicle. In contrast, melanocyte stem cells (MeSC) derived from the layer that forms our nervous system, provides pigment to color the hair. During anagen, these stem cells are active; otherwise, they just hang out.

The Study

Looking at the pictures of our recent Presidents over two-terms suggests that stress is involved. But how? To find an answer, the researchers made use of black-coated mice, in a series of increasingly focused experiments.

So yes, my children's antics did turn my hair grey, a hair color I have earned, but not directly. It required the assistance of my sympathetic nervous system. And it may explain why some people under stress retain their hair color; they may well have more of the melanocyte stem cells to burn through. It also points towards the belief that our autonomic nervous system, of which the sympathetics are one component, has a role in cell differentiation and tissue maintenance. Perhaps being more chill can adds days to your life as well as less grey in your hair.

[1] I attribute my hair loss, on the other hand, to my wife.

Source: Hyperactivation of sympathetic nerves drives depletion of melanocyte stem cells Nature DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-1935-3

Image of hair follicle courtesy ofHelix84derivative work in Wikimedia

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Why Does Hair Turn Grey? - American Council on Science and Health

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Electron micrograph showing ridges and grooves on MAP hydrogel microbeads caused by developing stem cells.

Courtsey of Daniel Alge

Baby diapers, contact lenses and gelatin dessert. While seemingly unrelated, these items have one thing in common theyre made of highly absorbent substances called hydrogels that have versatile applications. Recently, a type of biodegradable hydrogel, dubbed microporous annealed particle (MAP) hydrogel, has gained much attention for its potential to deliver stem cells for body tissue repair. But it is currently unclear how these jelly-like materials affect the growth of their precious cellular cargo, thereby limiting its use in regenerative medicine.

In a new study published in the November issue of Acta Biomaterialia, researchers at Texas A&M University have shown that MAP hydrogels, programmed to biodegrade at an optimum pace, create a fertile environment for bone stem cells to thrive and proliferate vigorously. They found the space created by the withering of MAP hydrogels creates room for the stem cells to grow, spread and form intricate cellular networks.

Our research now shows that stem cells flourish on degrading MAP hydrogels; they also remodel their local environment to better suit their needs, said Daniel Alge, assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering. These results have important implications for developing MAP hydrogel-based delivery systems, particularly for regenerative medicine where we want to deliver cells that will replace damaged tissues with new and healthy ones.

MAP hydrogels are a newer breed of injectable hydrogels. These soft materials are interconnected chains of extremely small beads made of polyethylene glycol, a synthetic polymer. Although the microbeads cannot themselves cling to cells, they can be engineered to present cell-binding proteins that can then attach to receptor molecules on the stem cells surface.

Once fastened onto the microbeads, the stem cells use the space between the spheres to grow and transform into specialized cells, like bone or skin cells. And so, when there is an injury, MAP hydrogels can be used to deliver these new cells to help tissues regenerate.

However, the health and behavior of stem cells within the MAP hydrogel environment has never been fully studied.

MAP hydrogels have superior mechanical and biocompatible properties, so in principle, they are a great platform to grow and maintain stem cells, Alge said. But people in the field really dont have a good understanding of how stem cells behave in these materials.

To address this question, the researchers studied the growth, spread and function of bone stem cells in MAP hydrogels. Alge and his team used three samples of MAP hydrogels that differed only in the speed at which they degraded, that is, either slow, fast or not at all.

First, for the stem cells to attach onto the MAP hydrogels, the researchers decorated the MAP hydrogels with a type of cell-binding protein. They then tracked the stem cells as they grew using a high-resolution, fluorescent microscope. The researchers also repeated the same experiment using another cell-binding protein to investigate if cell-binding proteins also affected stem cell development within the hydrogels.

To their surprise, Alges team found that for both types of cell-binding proteins, the MAP hydrogels that degraded the fastest had the largest population of stem cells. Furthermore, the cells were changing the shape of the MAP hydrogel as they spread and claimed more territory.

In the intact MAP hydrogel, we could still see the spherical microbeads and the material was quite undamaged, Alge said. By contrast, the cells were making ridges and grooves in the degrading MAP hydrogels, dynamically remodeling their environment.

The researchers also found that as the stem cells grew, the quantity of bone proteins produced by the growing stem cells depended on which cell-binding protein was initially used in the MAP hydrogel.

Alge noted that the insight gained through their study will greatly inform further research and development in MAP hydrogels for stem-cell therapies.

Although MAP hydrogel degradability profoundly affects the growth of the stem cells, we found that the interplay between the cell-binding proteins and the degradation is also important, he said. As we, as a field, make strides toward developing new MAP hydrogels for tissue engineering, we must look at the effects of both degradability and cell-binding proteins to best utilize these materials for regenerative medicine.

Other contributors to the research include Shangjing Xin from the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Texas A&M and Carl A. Gregory from the Institute for Regenerative Medicine at the Texas A&M Health Science Center.

This research was supported by funds from theNational Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseasesof the National Institutes of Health.

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Researchers Explore Hydrogels That Are Promising Materials For Delivering Therapeutic Cells - Texas A&M University

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Researchers Explore Hydrogels That Are Promising Materials For Delivering Therapeutic Cells – Texas A&M University | February 5th, 2020

There are two stories I would like to tell with this edition of Business Unusual, the first is about the Darpa funded research to build robots out of living cells, the second is the incredible history of the animal that was used to build the first biological robots - Platannas.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is an agency of the American Department of Defense. It has funded many projects for military projects that in time have come to be used for civilian applications. The best-known example is the predecessor of the internet.

Why a military agency would fund research into creating living robots might be concerning but the stated objectives include managing environmental clean-ups or improving drug delivery which certainly are worthy pursuits. Of greater concern, are the ethical questions that are raised by creating new forms of a living organism. At the moment the designs dont attempt to make them self-replicating but that is part of the future plans.

Robots typically are designed and programmed to perform a specific task. Until now they would have been constructed out of non-living materials. These robots are also designed for a specific task but created from living cells. The choice of cell and the specific construction determines what action or function the living robot can perform.

One function that was attempted was movement. Starting from scratch researchers used stem cells from a frog to create skin cells and heart cells. The heart cells are muscles and so can contract while heart cells are able to do so rhythmically. Using those properties a machine learning program was tasked with testing thousands of configurations to determine which design would use the least cells to achieve the motion required. Once the best designs were determined, the living robots were constructed by researchers manipulating individual cells under a microscope.

The tiny constructed robots demonstrated that living robots designed by computer could offer an alternative to traditionally constructed machines. Future versions would look to make the constructions more complex and eventually able to self replicate.

One intended function was using a swarm of living robots with the ability to decompose plastic to be used to remove microplastics in the ocean. That may be a long way off, but if it is to become a reality the best time to start working on it is now.

Another application might be to not find plastic in the sea, but cancers in your body. Your body is already very good at doing so, but as we age and at certain times of our lives it becomes more challenging to correctly identify and kill cancer cells when they are still only tiny tumours.

This would require building robots consisting of your own body cells arranged in a way to allow them to move through the body and specifically find the corrupted cells. Adding them in numbers as we age may reduce the chance of developing tumours or even help the body recover after exposure to damaging external factors like sun damage to your skin.

This too is a long way off, but if successful and added to the many other options for extending and improving our lives then the research is most welcome.

_Image credit: Wikipedia African clawed frog_

Setting the other issues relating to building living robots aside, you might wonder why a frog from South Africa was chosen to build the first living robots.

It was not a random choice but points to a fascinating history that makes this particular frog one that has helped humanity overcome medical issues on a number of occasions.

A pregnancy test these days simply requires peeing on a stick. The reaction to a specific hormone in the urine can be isolated in minutes and let you know if you are pregnant within days of it occurring. It was not always this easy, the first method we are aware of would see a potentially pregnant woman urinate on ungerminated wheat and barley and wait a week or so to see if it germinated. Incredibly it works and was first mentioned over 3 000 years ago by the Egyptians. It was scientifically tested in the 1960s and found to be 70% accurate.

There were a variety of other methods used most on the expectation that something in the urine of females could be used to confirm pregnancy. In the 1920s it was injecting urine into female rabbits that after a day would require the examination of the rabbit ovaries. If swollen the woman was pregnant. In order to do the examination the rabbit was always killed and so the search continued for a better option.

Enter Lancelot Hogben, an English researcher lecturing in Cape Town in the early 1930s. He advised a student to consider using the local platanna as a potential for use as a model organism for biological tests. His hunch proved correct with Hillel Shapiro and Harry Zwarenstein creating the test to use the frog to indicate pregnancy.

The frog would be injected and in hours if the woman was pregnant would produce eggs. Not only was it accurate, but it also would not harm the frog which was easy to keep in a lab and would live for over a decade. As a result, the remarkable frog was exported around the globe and provided the answer to the question, am I pregnant, to the largest population explosion in our history. Most baby boomers parents and indeed many baby boomers would have found out if they were pregnant thanks to this strange-footed frog.

Xenopus literally means strange foot, frogs typically dont have claws which is why the African clawed frog got the name and as for Platanna, that may be a reference to the frog being very flat - plat in Afrikaans.

Given its widespread use for pregnancy and acceptance as a good species for embryonic development when researchers attempted to clone an organism, this frog was once again a key in understanding the process. In 1958, Xenopus was cloned not from splitting an embryonic cell which was the original method, but by using the DNA from an adult specialised cell which replaced the original DNA in a frog egg. The method proved successful and paved the way to allow Dolly the sheep to be cloned from an adult sheep cell in 1996.

We owe a huge debt of gratitude to six species that for a variety of reasons have helped us understand biological processes and how best to deal with disease and the efficacy of drugs. There are nematode worms, fruit flies, zebrafish, chickens, mice and the African clawed toad.

These six animals are our real guinea pigs.

Image credit: Xenobot - Tuft University & University of Vermont

Read more here:
Biological robots, that is a thing now - 702

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Biological robots, that is a thing now – 702 | February 5th, 2020

Thankfully, as a society we are now better aware of the importance of good mental health. Self-care has become a hotly talked about topic in recent years, with the power of yoga, meditation and journaling at the forefront of many discussions. However, whilst these activities do help to keep a lot of people grounded and happy, they aren't for everyone. It's super important to discover what type of self-care works best for you. For some, this might be an evening in, spent playing on some great bingo sites, while for others it might be going swimming, or taking time to cook up some delicious and healthy meals. We are all different and have different things that make us feel happy and relaxed. But, there are certainly a handful of general and simplistic things that make most of us feel our best.

Cut Back on Social Media

Without a doubt, there are lots of great benefits to social media, but too much screen time can leave us feeling disheartened and pretty blue. The constant barrage of perfectly filtered photos that appear on Instagram are bound to knock many people's self-esteem whether we consciously realise it or not. It's actually really difficult to go online and not compare yourself to others, so whilst it's nice to now and again see what our friends, colleagues and various different celebs are up too, too much time spent looking into the online lives of others is surely going to get you down in the long run. It is also thought that time spent on social media before bed can prevent us from getting a good night's sleep, which is another very important factor contributing to our health and wellness. It is sadly easy to miss out on living truly in the moment because of the distractions that our screens create. Staying away from social media more often in 2020 is without a doubt a kind thing to do for ourselves.

Get Exercising

Exercise is hugely important for both the health of our bodies and our minds, but that doesn't mean you have to hit the gym for hours on end in order to be kinder to yourself. There are many different types of exercise out there to choose from, from competitive sport, to jogging, to walking, to horse riding, to pilates, or even to running around a giant assault course if you so choose. There's a type of exercise out there suitable for everyone and getting into the habit of regular exercise will help to boost your overall mood and decrease your stress levels.

Eat Well

Like exercise, eating a healthy and well-balanced diet is not only important for the body but also the mind. Being deficient in certain nutrients, like magnesium for example, can contribute to feelings of anxiety and depression. Whether you are vegan, vegetarian, follow a keto diet or eat a bit of everything, it's important to understand what nutrients are in certain foods and make sure you eat sensibly and include a varied range of food types. Ordering in takeaways too often and snacking on too many sweets, crisps and chocolate can all too quickly end up taking its toll on your mental state as well as your physical state. However, it's of course important to allow yourself to indulge every now and then and not be too strict with yourself. Really, it's all about moderation.

Read, Watch Greats Films, Listen to Music You Love

Sometimes when we get into a bit of a rut, we forget to indulge in down time. Spending an evening reading a great book or watching our favourite film can really help us to unwind and feel re-energised. Listening to music on the way to and from work can also help to boost your mood and leave you feeling empowered.

Meet Up with Friends and Family

Spending time with the people we love and care about is so important to our mental well-being. It's an opportunity to get any worries off your chest and have a good laugh. Shutting yourself away from people is never a good thing in the long-term. If you don't have many close friends, which isn't at all uncommon in this day and age, then you can easily meet people who share the same interests as you at various different evening classes and clubs.

Being kinder to yourself should always be a priority. A lot of us beat ourselves up for a range of silly and ridiculous things, and we don't put enough time into making ourselves feel great. 2020 is the year to stop being mean to yourself and start helping yourself to feel empowered and truly content in life.

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Alternative Funding Options To Get Your Dream Business Off The Ground - SWAAY

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Alternative Funding Options To Get Your Dream Business Off The Ground – SWAAY | February 5th, 2020

Contrary to what you've probably (definitely) read on the internet, there is at least one benefit to the month with an average national contiguous temperature of 32 degrees. It is that you are automatically granted the excuse to send that "raincheck? lol" text any chilly evening you so choose, and instead snuggle up with your ugliest jogger sweatpants, a glass of Rioja, and brand-new skincare products. (It's called self-care, look it up.)

With the plethora of face creams, cleansers, serums, treatments, and oils hitting the market this February, however, it can be hard to decide which formulas are truly deserving of your Friday night. That's why we've asked our beauty editors to share their favorite at-home spa-day indulgences ahead, so you can stock up on the skincare products worth canceling all your plans for this month. (Well, at least until your friends start responding with the eye roll emoji.)

Link:
17 Brand-New Skincare Products Our Editors Are Using to the Very Last Drop This Month - POPSUGAR

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on 17 Brand-New Skincare Products Our Editors Are Using to the Very Last Drop This Month – POPSUGAR | February 4th, 2020

I think it was around the time I was in high school that I learned that people were using stem cells to repair otherwise diseased organs. Science is crazy, right? But now, I see plant stem cells touted as skin-care ingredients in beauty productsall the timeand immediately my mind goes back to the laboratories. WTF are they actually?

The term stem cells is a generic phrase which refers to a special type of cell in an organism that can develop into many different types of cells, explains cosmetic chemist Perry Romanowski. Embryonic stem cells can be developed into all types of human cells like nerve cells, skin cells, muscle cells, etc. Its important to know that these are human cells that are specific to an individual.

In laymans terms, theyre undifferentiated cells that have not chosen a path as to what cells they are going to be yet, adds Purvisha Patel, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Visha Skincare. More specifically, however, Im looking at plant stem cellswhich are different, but have somewhat similar functions. In plants, these cells live in the meristems of plants, says Dr. Patel. They help and regenerate live plants after they have an injury.

The similarity comes in how the cells act, though. Stem cells have the ability to self renew and self repair, just like human stem cells, says Ginger King, cosmetic chemist. The difference is that the plant ones actually have stronger antioxidant properties than human cells because plants are stationary. They have to protect themselves from the insults of weather.

Thats where the benefits to your skin come into playthese cellular components of plants are packed with antioxidants, which helps your skin to fend off free radicals that might otherwise aim to damage it. Plant stem cell benefits to the skin include anti-aging, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, says King.

These cellular components of plants are protective, and that translates when you apply one to your face.

But while we use the term stem cell it doesnt necessarily mean theyre alive like in the lab. When in skin-care products, the stem cells are not live, but you get the same benefits of antioxidants, amino acid content, and ability to boost collagen synthesis from these stem cell extracts, says King.

Original studies on plant stem cells on skin came using Swiss apple stem cells, according to Dr. Patel. Stem cell extracts were found to reverse the aging process of cultured fibroblasts, she explains. One of the first specific studies showed a decrease in the appearance of crows feet after extract administration. Other studies have followed, and it seems that the major benefit of plant stem cells is in the repair of the skin. These extracts may be beneficial as an anti-aging agent, especially if mixed with tissue exfoliating agents such as retinol, bakuchiol and alpha-hydroxy acids.

That said, even though experts affirm the skin benefits of plant stem cells, Romanowski says to take it with a grain of salt: In my opinion, stem cells are put into cosmetics because consumers hear the words stem cells and think it must refer to some type of advanced biomedical technology, he says. In reality, theyre just plant extracts, albeit super potent ones in many cases.

To find them on beauty product labels, King says to look for the words cell culture extract. Or the packaging will market it as a main ingredient. Product labels will usually have words stem cell on the product to show that they have the extract in them, says Dr. Patel. Other words such as phyto cells, plant extracts, and fruit extracts may be used on the label as well. Remember as with all skin-care ingredients, not all products are created equal and not all plants show efficacy with their stem cells. Look for brands that have clinical trials and results to back up the claims.

To shop the plant stem cell extracts for your own regimen, Ive rounded up some of the most noteworthy products, below.

Other ingredients to add to your skin-care regimen include some form of retinol, along with a trusty vitamin C serum.

Original post:
The low-down on plant stem cells in skin care | Well+Good

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on The low-down on plant stem cells in skin care | Well+Good | February 3rd, 2020

Legends from around the world feature characters whose sadness turns their hair grey overnight. Bizarre as they appear to be, those stories actually include an element of truth. Researchers at Harvard University confirmed that stress can indeed lead to grey hair and discovered the reasons behind it.

In a study published in Nature, the authors found that the nerve cells involved in the fight-or-flight response cause permanent damage to the pigment-regenerating stem cells in hair follicles in mice. This finding advances our understanding of how stress impacts the hair, moving researchers one step closer to blocking its negative effects.

To discover the cause of grey hair, researchers tested and eliminated different possible sources. They initially hypothesized immune attacks on pigment-producing cells were the cause, but mice without immune cells were still susceptible to grey hair.

They proceeded to other theories such as cortisol, the hormone elevated by stress. The theory of cortisol was disproved by further experiments on mice. After the mice lost their abilities to produce cortisol, they could still grow grey hairs under stress.

After several rounds of the process of elimination, the scientists landed on the sympathetic nerve system, which is responsible for the body's fight-or-flight response, as the culprit. Sympathetic nerves branch out into every hair follicle on the skin. When stressed, the nerves will release chemicals that are taken up by nearby stem cells, activating them into pigment-generating cells used to color the hair. An excess amount of pigment-generating cells will be activated when under stress, and the pigment reservoirs of these cells will be prematurely depleted. Once depleted, there are no longer cells that can color ones hair.

This finding helps scientists move towards moderating or blocking the effects of stress. In stressful environments, people are going to get grey hair at an earlier age. Currently, there are over 1.5 million posts with the hashtag #Greyhair on Instagram, and research in 2018 shows that 32 percent of British women under the age of 30 have already started to go grey. Indeed, grey hair is beginning to impact even those in their 20s. Even though factors like nutrition, medication, and genetics also play essential roles in greying hair, stress might have the greatest impact overall.

The relationship between stress, hair, and stem cells could also lead to new discoveries about how stress affects organ functions and blood vessels in comparison to stem cells. Scientists across many disciplines hope to ultimately exploit this relationship to find a way to control stem cells.

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Stressful situations cause grey hair - CMU The Tartan Online

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Stressful situations cause grey hair – CMU The Tartan Online | February 3rd, 2020

During his teen years, Longview native Heath Jordan said, he struggled with skin problems such as rosacea and acne.

Ive always had fair skin, he said, and he sought treatment at a dermatologist. I had a lot of blemishes and outbreaks.

He didnt let his conditions get under his skin. Jordan, 25, said challenges with his own skin inspired him to launch Tend + Temple out of his home in Forth Worth while pursuing a business degree at Texas Christian University.

That was a natural choice for me, he said of the business idea. I learned about skin care.

Jordan, son of Charlotte Hatley and the late Ken Jordan, said he came up with the name for his fledgling business after consulting a branding company that also devised a marketing plan.

He has developed three products with a chemist and dermatologist: a moisturizer, retinol mask (with a Vitamin A formula) and a facial cleanser.

All the products are contained in a tube and use plant stem cells and organic aloe, Jordan said. He also uses exotic ingredients such as snow algae and sea buckthorn oil.

Jordan said his skin-care line will be helpful for both men and women, athletes and people with a variety of skin types.

He plans to market the products at first to three target demographic groups: active-military or veterans (Jordan served in the Air Force), people on the go such as millennials and members of the LGBTQ community. He said he will offer discounts to teachers, active-duty military, veterans and first responders.

Im already talking to some businesses about eventually carrying the brand, he said. Online marketing will come later, then theyll be going into independent pharmacies and medical spas.

Jordan said he plans to formally launch Tend + Temple in June, but first he has to raise financing. Hes launched a campaign on the online fundraising tool Kickstarter that closes at 11:59 p.m. Feb. 29. His goal is raising $60,000.

That will complete the launch and get everything ready and stuff, Jordan said. Ive been using my own money.

If he does not raise the full amount through Kickstarter, Jordan said he would return the money to the contributors. However, he is determined to get his business going, and cited growing up with parents who encouraged ambitions.

There was nothing I could never do, they always kind of instilled in me and my sister (Mackenzie), he said.

His Spanish teacher at Pine Tree High School, Jenny Enriquez, said she recalls Jordan as being a hard worker.

I do not think Spanish was his favorite subject, said Enriquez, now a stay-at-home mom who has remained in touch with Jordan. Even if he struggled with the materials, he was always one of those students who was determined. He was going to get the grade he wanted.

Enriquez said Jordan stayed after class and sought extra credit.

And he remains determined. He joined the Air Force four days after graduating from high school and served six and a half years as a medic before his discharge. He now is a sophomore at TCU.

Once launched, he said, his plan is to expand the skin-care line over the next five years.

Id eventually like to branch off into other product categories such as food and beverages, Jordan said.

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College student from Longview seeks to make the grade with skin-care startup - Longview News-Journal

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on College student from Longview seeks to make the grade with skin-care startup – Longview News-Journal | February 3rd, 2020

John T Lear,1 Axel Hauschild,2 Eggert Stockfleth,3 Nicholas Squittieri,4 Nicole Basset-Seguin,5 Reinhard Dummer6

1Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, UK; 2Klinik Fr Dermatologie, Venerologie Und Allergologie Universittsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany; 3Universittshautklinik Bochum, Bochum, Germany; 4Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc., Princeton, NJ, USA; 5Department of Dermatology, Hpital Saint Louis, Paris, France; 6Skin Cancer Center University Hospital, Zrich, Switzerland

Correspondence: John T LearUniversity of Manchester, 46 Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UKTel +44 161 276 4173Fax +44 161 276 8881Email john.lear@srft.nhs.uk

Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS), or Gorlin syndrome, is a rare hereditary disease characterized by the development of multiple cutaneous basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) from a young age.1 Loss-of-function germline mutations in the hedgehog-related patched 1 (PTCH1) tumor suppressor gene are the most common cause of NBCCS.1 The hedgehog signaling pathway plays a major role in embryonic development, and in adulthood, is involved in the renewal and maintenance of distinct tissues, including hair follicles, muscle stem cells, and gastric epithelium.2 Its abnormal activation is thought to drive the formation of both sporadic BCCs and those resulting from NBCCS.1 Patients with NBCCS inherit one inactive copy of PTCH1 and then acquire a second-hit mutation, resulting in hedgehog pathway activation and BCC formation.1 Mutations in Suppressor of fused (SUFU) or the PTCH1 homolog PTCH2 have also been found in a subset of patients meeting criteria for NBCCS.1,3

This work is published and licensed by Dove Medical Press Limited. The full terms of this license are available at https://www.dovepress.com/terms.php and incorporate the Creative Commons Attribution - Non Commercial (unported, v3.0) License.By accessing the work you hereby accept the Terms. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. For permission for commercial use of this work, please see paragraphs 4.2 and 5 of our Terms.

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Efficacy and Safety of Sonidegib in Adult Patients with Nevoid Basal C | CCID - Dove Medical Press

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Efficacy and Safety of Sonidegib in Adult Patients with Nevoid Basal C | CCID – Dove Medical Press | February 3rd, 2020

The market analysis and insights included in the Cosmetic Skin Care market report presents key statistics on the market status of global and regional manufacturers and is an essential source of guidance which provides right direction to the companies and individuals interested in the industry. To prosper in this competitive market place, businesses are highly benefited if they adopt innovative solutions such as this Cosmetic Skin Care market research report. This wide-ranging market research report acts as a backbone for the success of business in any sector. The market drivers and restraints have been explained in the report with the use of SWOT analysis.

Global cosmetic skin care market is set to witness a substantial CAGR of 5.5% in the forecast period of 2019- 2026. The report contains data of the base year 2018 and historic year 2017. Increasing self-consciousness among population and rising demand for anti- aging skin care products are the factor for the market growth.

Global Cosmetic Skin Care Market By Product (Anti-Aging Cosmetic Products, Skin Whitening Cosmetic Products, Sensitive Skin Care Products, Anti-Acne Products, Dry Skin Care Products, Warts Removal Products, Infant Skin Care Products, Anti-Scars Solution Products, Mole Removal Products, Multi Utility Products), Application (Flakiness Reduction, Stem Cells Protection against UV, Rehydrate the skins surface, Minimize wrinkles, Increase the viscosity of Aqueous, Others), Gender (Men, Women), Distribution Channel (Online, Departmental Stores and Convenience Stores, Pharmacies, Supermarket, Others), Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa) Industry Trends and Forecast to 2026 ;

Complete report on Global Cosmetic Skin Care Market Research Report 2019-2026 spread across 350 Pages, profiling Top companies and supports with tables and figures

Market Definition: Global Cosmetic Skin Care Market

Cosmetic skin care is a variety of products which are used to improve the skins appearance and alleviate skin conditions. It consists different products such as anti- aging cosmetic products, sensitive skin care products, anti- scar solution products, warts removal products, infant skin care products and other. They contain various ingredients which are beneficial for the skin such as phytochemicals, vitamins, essential oils, and other. Their main function is to make the skin healthy and repair the skin damages.

Key Questions Answered in Global Cosmetic Skin Care Market Report:-

Our Report offers:-

Top Key Players:

Market Drivers:

Market Restraints:

Key Developments in the Market:

Customize report of Global Cosmetic Skin Care Market as per customers requirement also available.

Market Segmentations:

Global Cosmetic Skin Care Market is segmented on the basis of

Market Segmentations in Details:

By Product

By Application

By Gender

By Distribution Channel

By Geography

North America

Europe

Asia-Pacific

South America

Middle East & Africa

Competitive Analysis: Global Cosmetic Skin Care Market

Global cosmetic skin care market is highly fragmented and the major players have used various strategies such as new product launches, expansions, agreements, joint ventures, partnerships, acquisitions, and others to increase their footprints in this market. The report includes market shares of cosmetic skin care market for Global, Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific, South America and Middle East & Africa.

About Data Bridge Market Research:

Data Bridge Market Researchset forth itself as an unconventional and neoteric Market research and consulting firm with unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are determined to unearth the best market opportunities and foster efficient information for your business to thrive in the market. Data Bridge endeavors to provide appropriate solutions to the complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process.

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Cosmetic Skin Care Market Enhancement And Its growth prospects forecast 2019 to 2026 - Dagoretti News

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Cosmetic Skin Care Market Enhancement And Its growth prospects forecast 2019 to 2026 – Dagoretti News | February 3rd, 2020

At left, image shows white blood cells (red) from one of the X-CGD clinical trial participants before gene therapy. At right, after gene therapy, white blood cells from the same patient show the presence of the chemicals (blue) needed to attack and destroy bacteria and fungus.

UCLA Broad Stem Cell Research Center/Nature Medicine

University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA) researchers are part of an international team that reported the use of a stem cell gene therapy to treat nine people with the rare, inherited blood disease known as X-linked chronic granulomatous disease, or X-CGD. Six of those patients are now in remission and have stopped other treatments. Before now, people with X-CGDwhich causes recurrent infections, prolonged hospitalizations for treatment, and a shortened lifespanhad to rely on bone marrow donations for a chance at remission.

"With this gene therapy, you can use a patient's own stem cells instead of donor cells for a transplant," said Dr. Donald Kohn, a member of the Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at UCLA and a senior author of the new paper, published Jan. 28 in the journal Nature Medicine. "This means the cells are perfectly matched to the patient and it should be a much safer transplant, without the risks of rejection."

People with chronic granulomatous disease, or CGD, have a genetic mutation in one of five genes that help white blood cells attack and destroy bacteria and fungus using a burst of chemicals. Without this defensive chemical burst, patients with the disease are much more susceptible to infections than most people. The infections can be severe to life-threatening, including infections of the skin or bone and abscesses in organs such as lungs, liver or brain. The most common form of CGD is a subtype called X-CGD, which affects only males and is caused by a mutation in a gene found on the X-chromosome.

Other than treating infections as they occur and taking rotating courses of preventive antibiotics, the only treatment option for people with CGD is to receive a bone marrow transplant from a healthy matched donor. Bone marrow contains stem cells called hematopoietic, or blood-forming, stem cells, which produce white blood cells. Bone marrow from a healthy donor can produce functioning white blood cells that effectively ward off infection. But it can be difficult to identify a healthy matched bone marrow donor and the recovery from the transplant can have complications such as graft versus host disease, and risks of infection and transplant rejection.

"Patients can certainly get better with these bone marrow transplants, but it requires finding a matched donor and even with a match, there are risks," Kohn said. Patients must take anti-rejection drugs for six to 12 months so that their bodies don't attack the foreign bone marrow.

In the new approach, Kohn teamed up with collaborators at the United Kingdom's National Health Service, France-based Genethon, the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health, and Boston Children's Hospital. The researchers removed hematopoietic stem cells from X-CGD patients and modified the cells in the laboratory to correct the genetic mutation. Then, the patients' own genetically modified stem cellsnow healthy and able to produce white blood cells that can make the immune-boosting burst of chemicalswere transplanted back into their own bodies. While the approach is new in X-CGD, Kohn previously pioneered a similar stem cell gene therapy to effectively cure a form of severe combined immune deficiency (also known as bubble baby disease) in more than 50 babies.

The viral delivery system for the X-CGD gene therapy was developed and fine-tuned by professor Adrian Thrasher's team at Great Ormond Street Hospital, or GOSH, in London, who collaborated with Kohn. The patients ranged in age from 2 to 27 years old; four were treated at GOSH and five were treated in the US, including one patient at UCLA Health.

Two people in the new study died within three months of receiving the treatment due to severe infections that they had already been battling before gene therapy. The seven surviving patients were followed for 12 to 36 months after receiving the stem cell gene therapy. All remained free of new CGD-related infections, and six of the seven have been able to discontinue their usual preventive antibiotics.

"None of the patients had complications that you might normally see from donor cells and the results were as good as you'd get from a donor transplantor better," Kohn said.

An additional four patients have been treated since the new paper was written; all are currently free of new CGD-related infections and no complications have arisen.

Orchard Therapeutics, a biotechnology company of which Kohn is a scientific co-founder, acquired the rights to the X-CGD investigational gene therapy from Genethon. Orchard will work with regulators in the US and Europe to carry out a larger clinical trial to further study this innovative treatment. The aim is to apply for regulatory approval to make the treatment commercially available, Kohn said.

Kohn and his colleagues plan to develop similar treatments for the other forms of CGDcaused by four other genetic mutations that affect the same immune function as X-CGD.

"Beyond CGD, there are also other diseases caused by proteins missing in white blood cells that could be treated in similar ways," Kohn said.

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6 Patients with Rare Blood Disease Doing Well after Gene Therapy Clinical Trial - Lab Manager Magazine

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on 6 Patients with Rare Blood Disease Doing Well after Gene Therapy Clinical Trial – Lab Manager Magazine | February 2nd, 2020

An intriguing experiment has led researchers to conclude that people who develop early-onset Parkinsons disease between the age of 21 and 50 may have been born with abnormal brain cells that go undetected for decades.

These disordered cells allow gradual accumulation of the -synuclein protein that forms abnormal deposits in the brain, and dysregulated lysosomal proteins that ordinarily play a role in clearing abnormal proteins from cells.

The researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center say they are investigating an FDA approved skin cancer drug they believe might help correct these abnormalities before they become symptomatic.

In other words, they suggest that early-onset Parkinsons the form of the disease that Michael J. Fox was diagnosed with at the age of 29 may be treatable or even prevented. Its an astonishing claim.

To perform the study, the research team generate pluripotent stem cells master cells that can potentially produce any cell or tissue the body needs to repair itself from blood cells of three patients with young-onset Parkinsons disease.

The patients were aged 30-39 and had no known familial history of the disease and no Parkinsons disease mutations.

When generated in the laboratory, these master cells called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). In their experiment, the Cedars-Sinai researchers described this process as taking adult blood cells back in time to a primitive embryonic state.

The team used the stem cells to produce dopamine neurons from each patient and then cultured them in a dish and analysed the neurons functions.

In Parkinsons patients, brain neurons that make dopamine a neurotransmitter that works to coordinate muscle movement become impaired or die.

Our technique gave us a window back in time to see how well the dopamine neurons might have functioned from the very start of a patients life, said Dr Clive Svendsen, PhD, director of the Cedars-Sinai Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, and the studys senior author.

According to a statement from Cedars-Sinai, the researchers detected two key abnormalities in the dopamine neurons in the dish:

Dr Svendsen said the experiment allowed the researchers to see the very first signs of young-onset Parkinsons.

It appears that dopamine neurons in these individuals may continue to mishandle alpha-synuclein over a period of 20 or 30 years, causing Parkinsons symptoms to emerge.

The investigators went further, using their iPSC to test a number of drugs that might reverse the lab-born abnormalities.

They found that that one drug, PEP005 already approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treating pre-cancers of the skin reduced the elevated levels of alpha-synuclein in both the dopamine neurons in the dish and in laboratory mice.

The drug also countered another abnormality they found in the patients dopamine neurons elevated levels of an active version of an enzyme called protein kinase C. However, the role of this enzyme version in Parkinsons is not clear.

The drug PEP005 is only available in gel form and the researchers plans to investigate how it might be delivered to the brain to potentially treat or prevent young-onset Parkinsons.

In Parkinsons disease, the symptoms including slowness of movement, rigid muscles, tremors, loss of balance and impaired mood control get worse over time. In most cases, the exact cause of neuron failure is unclear, and there is no known cure.

Just about every week, a new insight into the disease is published. Last week, The New Daily reported on new research that found living less than 50 metres from a major road or less than 150 metres from a highway has been linked to significantly higher incidence of dementia and Parkinsons disease.

In 2018, we published an exciting Australian study that suggested subject to clinical testing the inflammation of the brain that causes so much of the progressive damage in Parkinsons disease (PD) could be halted by taking a single pill each day.

Both these studies might eventually prove to be correct. But its a long wait for the more than 10 million sufferers worldwide and their families.

This latest study could be a game-changer. But it could just as easily wither on the vine. Still, better to take heart than not.

Most patients are 60 or older when they are diagnosed, about 10 per cent are between 21 and 50 years old. .

Young-onset Parkinsons is especially heartbreaking because it strikes people at the prime of life, said Dr Michele Tagliati, director of the Movement Disorders Program, vice chair and professor in the Department of Neurology at Cedars-Sinai, and co-author of the study.

This exciting new research provides hope that one day we may be able to detect and take early action to prevent this disease in at-risk individuals.

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Early onset Parkinsons might begin in the womb: Prevention a possibility - The New Daily

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Early onset Parkinsons might begin in the womb: Prevention a possibility – The New Daily | February 2nd, 2020

NEW BEDFORD The New Bedford Fire Department is mourning the death of one of their own.

On Monday morning Russ Horn, who worked for the department for over 30 years, died of occupational cancer, according to the president of New Bedford Firefighters Union, Billy Sylvia.

Sylvia said Horn, who was in his 50s, was forced to retire from the department after being diagnosed with multiple myeloma.

According to a patient blog on the Dana Farber Cancer Institutes website, Horn was diagnosed with cancer of plasma cells in 2014 after a minor slip at work sent him to the emergency room. There they discovered he had two broken ribs and a punctured lung as a result of the cancer already attacking his bones.

After receiving stem cell transplants and participating in clinical trials, Horn retired from the department in 2017.

Firefighters face a 1.53 times greater risk of getting multiple myeloma, according to the Firefighter Cancer Support Network.

Sylvia said he has seen a lot of cancer diagnoses among his colleagues in his 14 years as a firefighter, its adding up really quickly... its more than a handful.

We have active guys dealing with this, we have guys that are contracting it after retirement... studies show how much more susceptible we are, Sylvia said.

Its more than just the smoke theyre breathing thats putting them at risk, according to Sylvia; firefighters also can end up absorbing things through their skin and some of its coming from the gear thats supposed to protect us.

The issue is affecting firefighters across the country, Sylvia said, Were learning more and more, trying to get it under control, but theres still a lot of work that can be done.

Sylvia said Horns family has been proactive about making firefighters aware of their cancer risk and teaching them what to look for and the importance of early cancer screenings.

He was a very strong individual, both mentally and physically, Sylvia said of Horn, Eventually it just took its toll.

In 2019, Horn told Dana-Farber, Id do it all again, referring to his 30 years as a firefighter. This has been really hard, but having the guys behind me 100 percent makes it all a little easier.

Both the New Bedford Fire Department and the union have updated their profile pictures on Facebook to include a black stripe over their logos, honoring Horn.

In a post to the unions Facebook page announcing Horns passing, Sylvia said, Russ was the perfect example of what a firefighter, husband, father, and friend, that anyone could ever be. He was surrounded by his family, friends, brother and sisters firefighters throughout his fight and now beyond.

Sylvia closed the post with, We Love You Russ, Well see you again At the Big One.

On their own Facebook page the New Bedford Fire Department posted, "Our hearts are broken as we learned this morning that our retired brother, FF Russell Horn has lost his brave and courageous battle. We will never forget you and we will keep your family in our thoughts and prayers."

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

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New Bedford firefighter dies of occupational cancer - SouthCoastToday.com

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on New Bedford firefighter dies of occupational cancer – SouthCoastToday.com | February 2nd, 2020

The Cosmetic Skin Care report makes available a thoughtful overview of product specification, technology, product type and production analysis taking into account major factors such as revenue, cost, and gross margin. The report is sure to offer brilliant solution to the challenges and problems faced by industry. This business document comprises of extensive study about miscellaneous market segments and regions, emerging trends, major market drivers, challenges and opportunities in the market. This Cosmetic Skin Care business document also displays the key developments in the industry with respect to current scenario and the approaching advancements.

Global cosmetic skin care market is set to witness a substantial CAGR of 5.5% in the forecast period of 2019- 2026. The report contains data of the base year 2018 and historic year 2017. Increasing self-consciousness among population and rising demand for anti- aging skin care products are the factor for the market growth.

Global Cosmetic Skin Care Market By Product (Anti-Aging Cosmetic Products, Skin Whitening Cosmetic Products, Sensitive Skin Care Products, Anti-Acne Products, Dry Skin Care Products, Warts Removal Products, Infant Skin Care Products, Anti-Scars Solution Products, Mole Removal Products, Multi Utility Products), Application (Flakiness Reduction, Stem Cells Protection against UV, Rehydrate the skins surface, Minimize wrinkles, Increase the viscosity of Aqueous, Others), Gender (Men, Women), Distribution Channel (Online, Departmental Stores and Convenience Stores, Pharmacies, Supermarket, Others), Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa) Industry Trends and Forecast to 2026 ;

Complete report on Global Cosmetic Skin Care Market Research Report 2019-2026 spread across 350 Pages, profiling Top companies and supports with tables and figures

Market Definition: Global Cosmetic Skin Care Market

Cosmetic skin care is a variety of products which are used to improve the skins appearance and alleviate skin conditions. It consists different products such as anti- aging cosmetic products, sensitive skin care products, anti- scar solution products, warts removal products, infant skin care products and other. They contain various ingredients which are beneficial for the skin such as phytochemicals, vitamins, essential oils, and other. Their main function is to make the skin healthy and repair the skin damages.

Key Questions Answered in Global Cosmetic Skin Care Market Report:-Our Report offers:-

Top Key Players:

Market Drivers:

Market Restraints:

Key Developments in the Market:

Customize report of Global Cosmetic Skin Care Market as per customers requirement also available.Market Segmentations:Global Cosmetic Skin Care Market is segmented on the basis of

Market Segmentations in Details:By Product

By Application

By Gender

By Distribution Channel

By GeographyNorth America

Europe

Asia-Pacific

South America

Middle East & Africa

Competitive Analysis: Global Cosmetic Skin Care Market

Global cosmetic skin care market is highly fragmented and the major players have used various strategies such as new product launches, expansions, agreements, joint ventures, partnerships, acquisitions, and others to increase their footprints in this market. The report includes market shares of cosmetic skin care market for Global, Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific, South America and Middle East & Africa.

About Data Bridge Market Research:Data Bridge Market Researchset forth itself as an unconventional and neoteric Market research and consulting firm with unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are determined to unearth the best market opportunities and foster efficient information for your business to thrive in the market. Data Bridge endeavors to provide appropriate solutions to the complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process.Contact:Data Bridge Market ResearchTel: +1-888-387-2818Email:corporatesales@databridgemarketresearch.com

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Cosmetic Skin Care Market 2020: Overview, Trends, Opportunities, Impact of Drivers, Key Vendors, Types, Applications, Forecast by Focusing Companies...

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Cosmetic Skin Care Market 2020: Overview, Trends, Opportunities, Impact of Drivers, Key Vendors, Types, Applications, Forecast by Focusing Companies… | February 2nd, 2020

NEW YORK Last month, Cytovia Therapeutics unveiled two partnerships in succession: one with the New York Stem Cell Foundation, and one with Justin Eyquem's laboratory at the University of California, San Francisco. These partnerships, which contain a three-year research agreement between the three institutions, will support Cytovia's foray into developing natural killer (NK) cell-based therapies for cancer.

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Cytovia's CAR NK Alliance With NYSCF, UCSF Aims to Overcome Negative Side Effects of CAR T Drugs - Precision Oncology News

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Cytovia’s CAR NK Alliance With NYSCF, UCSF Aims to Overcome Negative Side Effects of CAR T Drugs – Precision Oncology News | January 31st, 2020

Parkinson's disease comes with slowness, rigidity, tremors, and loss of balance due to an insufficiency of the dopamine that coordinates muscle movement. This disease, of which the rate of diagnosis is rising, occurs when the neurons responsible for producing dopamine malfunction or die. About 500,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson's each year.

Most of the time, Parkinson's disease is a condition of the elderly, diagnosed in people 60 and older. However, about 10% of the time, it's detected in people between 21 and 50. "Young-onset Parkinson's is especially heartbreaking because it strikes people at the prime of life," says Michele Tagliati, an author of a new study from Cedars-Sinai.

The study of brain cells from Parkinson's younger victims has found that the misbehaving neurons are present long before diagnosis typically taking some 20 or 30 years to produce detectable symptoms and may even be present prior to birth. The revelation raises hope for combatting Parkinson's because there's already an approved drug that can mitigate the damage done by the troublemaking neurons before the disease ever appears.

The research is published in the journal Nature Medicine.

Image source: Kateryna Kon/Shutterstock

The authors' investigation began with an examination of neurons based on cells from young-onset Parkinson's (YOPD) patients who had no known mutations. From the cells, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) were generated and differentiated into dishes containing cultures of dopamine neurons. Senior study author Clive Svendsen says, "Our technique gave us a window back in time to see how well the dopamine neurons might have functioned from the very start of a patient's life."

The scientists observed lysosomes within the YOPD neurons malfunctioning. Since lysosomes are counted on as "trash cans" for unnecessary or depleted proteins, the castoff chemicals began to pile up. In particular, substantial accumulations of soluble -synuclein, a protein implicated in different types of Parkinson's, were seen.

Says Svendsen, "What we are seeing using this new model are the very first signs of young-onset Parkinson's,"revealing that, "It appears that dopamine neurons in these individuals may continue to mishandle -synuclein over a period of 20 or 30 years, causing Parkinson's symptoms to emerge."

The researchers also saw unexpectedly high levels of the enzyme protein kinase C in its active form, though what that has to do with Parkinson's, if anything, is unknown.

Image source: sruilk/Shutterstock

The researchers tested a number of drugs on the cultures to see if any might address the observed accumulations of -synuclein. (They performed parallel tests of laboratory mice.) One drug, PEP005, which is already approved by the FDA for treating skin pre-cancers, did effectively reduce the -synuclein buildup, both in the iPSCs and the mice.

Since PEP005 is currently administered in gel form for treating skin, the researchers are now exploring how the drug might be modified so it can be delivered directly to the brain. The team also plans follow-on research to see if their findings apply equally to forms of Parkinson's beyond YOPD.

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Can Parkinsons be prevented as it stealthily develops? - Big Think

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Can Parkinsons be prevented as it stealthily develops? – Big Think | January 31st, 2020

Are you over tired-looking winter skin? IMAGE has teamed up with Allure Beauty and Nail Spa to give TWO lucky readers the chance to win an Image SkincareRenewal Ritual Collection to transform your skin and get you spring-ready.

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Win an Image Renewal Ritual Collection worth 140 from Allure - image.ie

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Win an Image Renewal Ritual Collection worth 140 from Allure – image.ie | January 30th, 2020

Robots are pathetic. You need only watch a robot soccer fail compilation to see that humans ancient quest to build synthetic replicas of ourselves out of nuts, bolts and wiring has been a bust. Every new, groundbreaking robot inevitably turns out to be an ungodly abomination, either physically inept or utterly incapable of social interaction. Our latest attempt at a full-on humanoid, Sophia, looks like a pre-loved department store mannequin and sounds like a 2007-era chatbot dialed to the VERY DEPRESSED setting. Shed be a walking repudiation of brainless techno-optimism, if she could actually walk.

Even attempts to build simpler, dog-like droids, such as Boston Dynamics Spot, have produced robots barely worthy of the name. They dont look much better than what youd expect from an adult Erector set enthusiasts weekend garage projects. Some people find these things terrifying, but I take my cues from the manufacturers, who seem incredibly proud when one of their creations performs a task as easy as opening a door.

Imitating human intelligence in software has also proven a task more difficult than expected. Despite the well-financed wet dreams of companies like Uber, the automotive industry has begun to quietly admit that truly self-driving cars are going to happen in decades, not just a few years from now. The Blue Brain project, which received a billion euros from the EU in 2013 and promised to simulate a human brain by 2019, did not succeed. Blue Brain seems to have had some success building a 3D atlas of a mouse brain, but the projects supercomputer, which takes up an entire room, is heaving and groaning under the strain of doing the same for a human mind. Valiant efforts to simulate a transparent, one millimetre nematode called C. elegans, ongoing since 2004, have yielded similarly slow progress. C. elegans has 302 neurons. The human brain has 86 billion.

These stuff-ups are endlessly amusing to me. I dont want to mock the engineers who pour thousands of hours into building novelty dogs made of bits of broken toasters, or even the vertiginously arrogant scientists who thought they could simulate the human brain inside a decade. (Inside a decade! I mean, my god!) Well, okay, maybe I do want to mock them. Is it a crime to enjoy watching our cultures systematic over-investment in digital Whiggery get written down in value time and time again?

On the other hand, maybe the people doing this stuff have just figured out that attaching the terms robot or artificial intelligence to whatever youre up to is a great way of attracting investment from rich idiots. Sometimes I feel naive for thinking anyone takes these wild claims seriously, but that is precisely the power of a good ideology. The promises of robotics and AI are so seductive that people suspend their critical faculties. Whether you are a business like Uber striving to eliminate the messy and expensive production input known as human beings, or a normal person desperate for easy transportation or someone to keep your elderly relatives company, the way we talk about robots and AI suggests these smart solutions are just around the corner. Even people with their heads screwed on properly dont seem to understand how credulously the media hypes up their coverage of AI.

What these doomed overreaches represent is a failure to grasp the limits of human knowledge. We dont have a comprehensive idea of how the brain works. There is no solid agreement on what consciousness really is. Is it divine? Is it matter? Can you smoke it? Do these questions even make sense? We dont know the purpose of sleep. We dont know what dreams are for. Sexual dimorphism in the brain remains a mystery. Are you picking up a pattern here? Even the seemingly quotidian mechanical abilities of the human body running, standing, gripping, and so on are not understood with the scientific precision that you might expect. How can you make a convincing replica of something if you dont even know what it is to begin with? We are cosmic toddlers waddling around in daddys shoes, pretending to work at the office by scribbling on the walls in crayon, and then wondering where our paychecks are.

The world is an astonishing place, and the idea that we have in our possession the basic tools needed to understand it is no more credible now than it was in Aristotles day, writes philosopher Thomas Nagel. But accepting this epistemic knuckle sandwich doesnt mean abandoning the pursuit of robotics.

Enter the frogbot, a living machine synthesized by a research team at the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University in Boston.

Frogbots (called xenobots by their creators, a stupid name I refuse to use), are tiny little artificial animals made out of stem cells from the African clawed frog. They cant do much yet move around on two stumpy legs, carry tiny objects in a pouch but to me, they are stranger and scarier than any robot weve made out of metal and plastic.

A "frogbot" developed by researchers at Tufts University.

There are three basic steps to the frogbot process. First, stem cells that will develop into frog skin and frog heart are grown in a dish. (The proto-heart cells produce rhythmic contractions, which is how the finished frogbots move around.) Second, a computer runs an algorithm that simulates thousands and thousands of different frogbot designs in a virtual environment to see which ones are capable of whatever action you want them to perform. Finally, the designs that are likely to work are physically produced from clusters of stem cells using microsurgery, then let loose in another dish to see what they actually do. So far, they do pretty much whatever we want them to do, within reason.

This is very cool. Even though frogbots are tiny and stupid at the moment, they impress me way more than the conga line of faildroids weve managed to cobble together so far. Of course it makes sense to use materials from existing animals; weve been doing this using selective breeding techniques since the dawn of time. What are pigs or cows or sheep but frogbots built over thousands of years? The key innovation here is modelling selective evolution quickly, instead of standing around like idiots for millenia, waiting for hundreds of generations of dogs to fuck.

It makes perfect sense. Why try to reinvent the wheel when you could simply hijack biological processes that already exist? This is a classically human way of solving a problem, cleverer and yet also lazier than the futile pursuit of purely artificial robotics. A big congratulations to the scientists who figured this out, using only keen wit, a positive attitude, and a gigantic pile of money from the U.S. military research agency.

Yes, naturally this exciting new field of science is being used to develop weapons of war. This, not simply the prospect of new intelligences, is the upsetting thing about groundbreaking developments in robotics and AI. Will frogbots be a military invention that simply slides into everyday life, like the internet, canned food, and microwaves? Or will they be used to administer dangerous MKULTRA hallucinogens to innocent populations America decides are in its way? In a world controlled by a small and powerful elite that can essentially do whatever it wants, were forced to be suspicious of new technologies. Will the frogbot become bigger, smarter, and stronger? Yes, probably. Will it be my comrade? Thats another question entirely.

Eleanor Robertson is a writer and editor from Sydney, Australia.

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Robots don't have to be so embarrassing - The Outline

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Robots don’t have to be so embarrassing – The Outline | January 30th, 2020