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Stem cell-filled implant restores some spinal cord …

By Dr. Matthew Watson

Stem cell-filled implants helped repair spinal cord damage in animals, according to a study led by UC San Diego scientists. If all goes well, the implants with neural stem cells could be ready for testing in human patients in a few years.

Rats with completely severed spinal cords regained some voluntary motion after getting the implants, said the study, published Monday in the journal Nature Medicine. The study is online at j.mp/ucsdspine.

They were able to move the joints of their lower legs, said study co-author Dr. Mark Tuszynski. They couldn't support their weight very well, but they could move the legs around the joints. If one were to project what this means to humans, it might mean that the legs are still weak, but that with an assist they would be able to control them.

The next step is to repeat the procedure in monkeys, said Tuszynski, director of the Translational Neuroscience Institute at UC San Diego School of Medicine.

If successful, it would fulfill one of the biggest hopes for stem cell therapy.

Repairing spinal cord injuries has long been a major goal of the states stem cell program, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, or CIRM. The agency was formed in 2004 with the passage of Prop. 71. The late actor Christopher Reeve figured prominently in the campaign for Prop. 71.

While there have been encouraging reports of individual spinal cord injury patients benefiting from stem cell-based therapy, no such treatment has been approved as safe and effective. So scientists at UCSD and elsewhere are trying to make a treatment that can be reliably replicated.

Another study with neural stem cells without the implant has shown benefit in monkeys after spinal cord injury, Tuszynski said. This work is closer to the clinical stage.

The rat implants were constructed by 3D bioprinting of a biologically compatible hydrogel, which is mostly made up of water. These 2-millimeter-wide implants contain tiny channels that guide growth of neural stem cells, also called neural progenitor cells. The cells matured into neurons and reconnected severed nerves, Tuszynski said.

Besides guiding growth, the implants allowed blood vessels to grow, nourishing the newly formed cells. This process, called vascularization, has been hard to achieve in growing new tissue. But with the biologically compatible implants, vascularization occurred spontaneously.

The implants also protected the neural stem cells from the inflammatory damage associated with a fresh injury.

This is a nice marriage of the technology of bioengineering and 3D printing with stem cell biology to treat a really important human disease that needs better therapy, Tuszynski said.

Implants can be quickly custom-made for human spinal cord injuries, according to the study. Researchers bioprinted implants of 4 centimeters within 10 minutes. These were made according to MRI scans of real human spinal cord injuries.

Two other UCSD study authors, Shaochen Chen and Wei Zhu, have co-founded a San Diego startup, Allegro 3D, to commercialize the rapid bioprinting technology. Allegro is doing this independently of the spinal cord injury research.

We will be talking to people to find a partner, said Chen, a founding co-director of the Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Center at UC San Diego. It takes money, time and effort, so it won't be done in a university setting.

The neural stem cells are produced from a lineage of human embryonic stem cells. This lineage was one of the original certified while George W. Bush was president.

The researchers treat the cells with their own cocktail of growth chemicals that coax them into becoming spinal cord neural stem cells, which cant become any other kind of cell besides types of spinal cord cells.

When these cells are placed at the injury site, with or without the implant, the stem cells complete development.

Importantly, these cells grow axons, the long fibers that carry nerve signals, Tuszynski said. They extend out of the implant and into the spinal cord below the injury. They relay signals that cross synapses, the tiny gaps between nerve cells.

Because the cells arent from the patient, the body may tend to reject them. So patients receiving these cells will need immunosuppressive therapy, he said.

Newer classes of immune-suppressing drugs now available are safer and better tolerated than earlier ones, Tusyznski said.

We think patients would stay on them for awhile, he said.

The research was funded by the National Institutes of Health; the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine; and the Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Medical Research Foundation.

UCSD also hosts ongoing stem cell-based clinical trials for spinal cord injuries and other diseases. More information can be found at the Sanford Stem Cell Clinical Center, reachable at j.mp/ucsdssc.

Stem Cell Treatment Cardiovascular Disease, Heart Disease …

By Dr. Matthew Watson

Cardiovascular disease, also called heart disease, is a broad medical term used to describe a group of conditions that affect the blood vessels or the heart. It is the most common cause of death worldwide.1

Conditions of cardiovascular disease include:

The Stem Cells Transplant Institutein Costa Rica, uses adult autologous stem cells for the treatment of cardiovascular disease (heart disease). The symptoms of cardiovascular disease will depend on the specific type of heart disease.

Treatment at the Stem Cells Transplant Institute could help improve the symptoms of cardiovascular disease such as:

Heart disease and cardiovascular disease are often used interchangeably. These terms refer to a group of conditions that affect the blood vessels and heart. Valvular heart disease affects how the valves pump blood flow in and out of the heart. Cardiomyopathy affects the contractions of the heart muscle. Heart arrhythmias are disturbances in the electrical conduction making the heart beat irregular. Coronary artery disease is the most common cause of cardiovascular disease and stem cell therapy may be an effective treatment.

Coronary artery disease is caused by atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque, causing a narrowing or blocking the blood vessels in the coronary arteries. Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease. Atherosclerosis can lead to chest pain, heart attack or stroke.

Coronary arteries carry oxygen rich blood to the heart. Plaque is caused by the presence of cholesterol, calcium, fat, and other substances in the blood. When plaque builds up in the blood vessels it narrows the arteries causing them to harden and weaken, reducing the amount of oxygen rich blood to the heart. As a result, the heart cannot pump blood effectively to the rest of the body potentially leading to heart failure and ultimately death.

If the plaque building up in the coronary arteries breaks, a blood clot forms around the plaque. If the clot cuts off the blood flow to the heart muscle completely, the heart muscle is unable to get the necessary oxygen and nutrients causing a part of the heart muscle to die. The result is a heart attack or myocardial infarction,

Coronary artery disease, high blood pressure or a previous heart attack can lead to the onset of heart failure. Heart failure is a chronic, progressive disease typically caused by another heart condition resulting in the heart muscle losing its ability to supply the rest of body with enough blood and oxygen.

Atherosclerosis can also cause peripheral artery disease. Peripheral arterial disease occurs when the narrowed peripheral arteries cannot send enough blood flow to the extremities, usually the legs. The most common symptoms of peripheral artery disease are; cramping, pain, and/or tiredness in the leg or hip muscles during exertion. The most severe symptom of peripheral artery disease is critical limb ischemia, pain at rest due to reduced blood flow to the limb.

Approximately 85% of strokes are ischemic strokes. Atherosclerosis is the most common cause of ischemic stroke. If the arteries become too narrow due to plaque buildup, the blood cells may collect and form a clot. A larger clot can block the artery where it is formed (thrombotic stroke) while a smaller clot may travel until it reaches an artery closer to the brain (embolic stroke). When the arteries to your brain become narrow or blocked, the required blood flow is reduced resulting in stroke. Other causes of ischemic stroke are clots due to an irregular heartbeat or heart attack.

Stem cell therapy at the Stem Cells Transplant Institute may be a good alternative for patients seeking a safe, non-surgical treatment for cardiovascular disease.

Notably, adult stem and progenitor cells including.mesenchymal stem cells have progressed into clinical trials and have shown positive benefits.5

Stem cell transplantation uses healthy cells to promote the repair of damaged cells and regeneration of healthy and functional cells to repair injured tissue.1 The therapeutic effect of stem cell transplantation in patients with cardiovascular disease may be due to the paracrine effect. The theory is transplanted stem cells repair damaged tissue by releasing factors that promote regeneration of healthy stem cells, reduce inflammation, promote the growth of new blood vessels, inhibit cell death, and reduce hypertrophy.1

The results of initial research using mesenchymal stem cell transplantation:

Heart Failure

Adipose derived stem cells improve left ventricular function, promote angiogenesis, lower fibrosis, and decrease inflammation. Several months following treatment, stem cells continue to migrate to the heart muscle regenerating and renewing healthy heart function. Stem cell therapy cannot help all patients with cardiovascular disease but for many patients stem cell therapy combined with lifestyle modification may be a safe, effective, non-surgical alternative treatment.

Lifestyle changes that can help improve cardiovascular disease include:

The Stem Cells Transplant Institute uses autologous mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Autologous means the stem cells are collected from the recipient so the risk of rejection is virtually eliminated. Mesenchymal stem cells are one type of adult stem cells that are found in a variety of tissues including; adipose tissue, lung, bone marrow, and blood. Mesenchymal stem cells have several advantages over other types of stem cells; ability to migrate to sites of tissue injury, strong immunosuppressive effect, and better safety after infusion.2,3 Mesenchymal stem cells are a promising treatment for cardiovascular disease. Treatment at the Stem Cells Transplant Institute may improve the symptoms and long-term complications of cardiovascular disease.

A team of stem cell experts developed an FDA approved method and protocol for harvesting and isolating adipose derived stem cells for autologous reimplantation. The collection and use of adult stem cells does not require the destruction of embryos and for this reason, more U.S. federal funding is being spent on stem cell research.

The stem cells are administered intravenously.

Costa Rica has one of the best healthcare systems in world and is ranked among the highest for medical tourism. Using the most advanced technologies, the team of experts at The Stem Cells Transplant Institute believes in the potential of stem cell therapy for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. We are committed to providing personalized service and the highest quality of care to every patient. Contact us to see if stem cell therapy may be a treatment option for you.

1.Sun R.Advances in stem cell therapy for cardiovascular disease (Review). National Journal of Mol. Med. 38: 23-29, 2016. 2 Hare JM, Fishman JE, Gerstenblith G, DiFede Velazquez DL, Zambrano JP, Suncion VY, Tracy M, Ghersin E, Johnston PV, Brinker JA, et al: Comparison of allogeneic vs autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells delivered by transendocardial injection in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy: the POSEIDON randomized trial. JAMA 308: 2369-2379, 2012.3 Miyahara Y, Nagaya N, Kataoka M, Yanagawa B, Tanaka K, Hao H, Ishino K, Ishida H, Shimizu T, Kangawa K, et al: Monolayered mesenchymal stem cells repair scarred myocardium after myocardial infarction. Nat Med 12: 459-465, 2006. 4 Mazo M, Planat-Bnard V, Abizanda G, Pelacho B, Lobon B, Gavira JJ, Peuelas I, Cemborain A, Pnicaud L, Laharrague P, et al: Transplantation of adipose derived stromal cells is associated with functional improvement in a rat model of chronic myocardial infarction. Eur J Heart Fail 10: 454-462, 2008. 5 Stem cell-based therapies to promote angiogenesis in ischemic cardiovascular disease Luqia Hou,1,2 Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 310: H455H465, 2016. 6 Kinnaird T, Stabile E, Burnett MS, Lee CW, Barr S, Fuchs S, Epstein SE. Marrow-derived stromal cells express genes encoding a broad spectrum of arteriogenic cytokines and promote in vitro and in vivo arteriogenesis through paracrine mechanisms. Circ Res 94: 678685, 2004. 7 Kinnaird T, Stabile E, Burnett MS, Shou M, Lee CW, Barr S, Fuchs S, Epstein SE. Local delivery of marrow-derived stromal cells augments collateral perfusion through paracrine mechanisms. Circulation 109: 15431549, 2004.

8 Hare JM, Fishman JE, Gerstenblith G, DiFede Velazquez DL, Zambrano JP, Suncion VY, Tracy M, Ghersin E, Johnston PV, Brinker JA, Breton E, Davis-Sproul J, Schulman IH, Byrnes J, Mendizabal AM, Lowery MH, Rouy D, Altman P, Wong Po Foo C, Ruiz P, Amador A, Da Silva J, McNiece IK, Heldman AW, George R, Lardo A. Comparison of allogeneic vs autologous bone marrowderived mesenchymal stem cells delivered by transendocardial injection in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy: the POSEIDON randomized trial. JAMA 308: 23692379, 2012.

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January 13th, 2019

Adult Hearts Lack Cardiac Stem Cells – genengnews.com

By Dr. Matthew Watson

A cell-by-cell search for cardiac stem cells has come up empty, suggesting that previous studies hinting at the existence of cardiac stem cells were mistaken. More significantly, the absence of cardiac stem cells indicates that heart muscle that is lost due to a heart attack cannot be replaced.

The sobering finding was reported by scientists based at the Hubrecht Institute, which is located in the Netherlands. The scientists, led by Hans Clevers, group leader at the Hubrecht Institute and professor of molecular genetics at the University Medical Center Utrecht, published their work this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Along with colleagues from cole Normale Suprieure de Lyon and the Francis Crick Institute London, the Hubrecht Institute scientists described how they applied the broadest and most direct definition of stem cell function in the mouse heart: the ability of a cell to replace lost tissue by cell division. In the heart, this means that any cell that can produce new heart muscle cells after a heart attack would be termed a cardiac stem cell.

In an attempt to find cardiac stem cells, the scientists generated a cell-by-cell map of all dividing cardiac cells before and after a myocardial infarction using advanced molecular and genetic technologies. Details of this work appeared in the PNAS article, which is titled, Profiling proliferative cells and their progeny in damaged murine hearts.

Cycling cardiomyocytes were only robustly observed in the early postnatal growth phase, while cycling cells in homoeostatic and damaged adult myocardium represented various noncardiomyocyte cell types, the articles authors indicated in a prepublication version of their paper. Proliferative postdamage fibroblasts expressing follistatin-like protein 1 (FSTL1) closely resemble neonatal cardiac fibroblasts and form the fibrotic scar. Genetic deletion of FSTL1 in cardiac fibroblasts results in postdamage cardiac rupture.

Ultimately, the researchers found no evidence for the existence of a quiescent circulating stem cell population, for transdifferentiation of other cell types toward cardiomyocytes, or for proliferation of significant numbers of cardiomyocytes in response to cardiac injury.

Most tissues of animals and humans contain stem cells that come to the rescue upon tissue damage: they rapidly produce large numbers of daughter cells to replace lost tissue cells. Cardiac tissues, however, appear to behave differently. According to the new study, the damaged heart incorporates many types of dividing cells, but none that are capable of generating new heart muscle. In fact, many of the false leads of past studies can now be explained: cells that were previously named cardiac stem cells now turn out to produce blood vessels or immune cells, but never heart muscle. Thus, the sobering conclusion is drawn that heart stem cells do not exist.

The authors make a second important observation. Connective tissue cells (also known as fibroblasts) that are intermingled with heart muscle cells respond vigorously to a myocardial infarction by undergoing multiple cell divisions. In doing so, they produce scar tissue that replaces the lost cardiac muscle.

While this scar tissue contains no muscle and thus does not contribute to the pump function of the heart, the fibrotic scar holds together the infarcted area. Indeed, when the formation of the scar tissue is blocked, the mice succumb to acute cardiac rupture. Thus, while scar formation is generally seen as a negative outcome of myocardial infarction, the authors stress the importance of the formation of scar tissue for maintaining the integrity of the heart.

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January 13th, 2019

Stem Cell Transplantation for Spinal Cord Injuries …

By Dr. Matthew Watson

In terms of scientific advances, the discovery and use of Stem Cells to treat disease and injury, rank as critical milestones in the field of Medicine.

If any single medical advancement can be said to be revolutionary then it is Regenerative Medicine and the use of Stem Cells. Stem Cells in their most basic form are undifferentiated and have the ability to differentiate into any type of specialised cell.

Stem Cell Therapy is used as a repair system for the body that has been affected by either disease or injury. Stem Cell Transplantation for Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) patients has the potential to forever change how SCIs are viewed and how future interventions will be handled.

The greater majority of Spinal Cord Injuries are particularly harrowing since they happen without warning. Most are the result of motor vehicle accidents, physical assaults, industrial accidents and falls. It takes literally less than a second for one to move from an able-bodied state to partial or complete paralysis.

The use of walking aids such as crutches and walking frames played an important role in helping patients with incomplete SCIs to move around, however, we are already at a point where medical advancement has provided effective long term solutions where the source of treatments is within the human body itself.

Recent trials have compared the effects of Stem Cell Transplantation to those of Rehabilitation Treatment for patients with SCI. These studies involved 377 patients grouped into 10 randomised controlled trials. Some patients received only Stem Cell Therapy while others had the Stem Cell Transplantation combined with Rehabilitation Therapy. Observable developments were recorded in different areas: neurological function (sensory and locomotor functions), urination function, daily living activities and the appearance of any side effects.

The studies concluded that Stem Cell Therapy is a safe and efficient treatment for SCI. The primary action of the therapy, which was to produce measurable changes in the spinal cord, turned out positive. As a result of the Stem Cell Therapy spinal cord repair was apparent. Further,axon remyelination (or resheathing of denuded nerve cells) was observed. It was further determined that Stem Cell Therapy improved sensory and bladder functions.

Whereas a Spinal Cord Injury once meant a life sentence in a wheelchair, the advent of stem cells is bound to change this narrative. Through the use of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs), SCIs are now firmly within the scope of treatable conditions. MSCs are particularly effective in the treatment and management of SCIs as they are also able to regulate the immune systems reaction to the injury. Equally important, MSCs also have the capability to differentiate cell types including astrocytes (which are glial cells of the central nervous system) and neurons, which are responsible for transmitting nerve impulses.

A comprehensive treatment protocol that includes Stem Cell Therapy and supportive therapies such as Aquatic Therapy, Physiotherapy, Acupuncture, Occupational Therapy and others, as determined by the doctor, produces quantifiable results in various areas. Improvement is observable in balance, coordination and motor function, sensation, bowel and bladder control and sexual function. Other areas of improvement include a lessening of neuropathic pain and an increase in strength and improved muscle mass, among others.

To learn more about our Stem Cell Treatments, do get in touch and a patient representative shall guide you at your earliest convenience.

H/T:National Center for Biotechnology Information

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January 10th, 2019

FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics to Establish New Production …

By Dr. Matthew Watson

- Accelerating the practical application of treatments that apply iPS cells towards the early industrialization of regenerative medicine- Making the high quality and highly efficient production of iPS cells a reality

January 4, 2019FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics, Inc.

FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics, Inc. (FCDI), a US subsidiary of FUJIFILM Corporation (President: Kenji Sukeno) and a leader in the development and manufacture of human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells and tissue-specific cells differentiated from iPS cells, will establish a new cGMP-compliant* production facility with an investment of about 21 million US dollars in order to enhance its production of iPS cells for cell therapy. The facility is scheduled to begin operations during fiscal year ending March 2020.FCDI will use the iPS cells produced at this facility to accelerate development of its regenerative medicine products. In addition, by also conducting contract development and manufacturing of iPS cells and iPS cell-derived differentiated cells, it will expand its business and scale to the industrial stage.

Regenerative medicine is drawing interest as a solution for unmet medical needs. There are high expectations for the practical application of treatments that utilize iPS cells, as these cells possess totipotency and the capacity for infinite reproduction, making it possible to produce a large volume of diverse cells. To fulfill the promise of cell therapy, sophisticated techniques and know-how are required to culture, induce differentiation in, and control the quality of cells.

FCDI will be establishing a new production facility equipped with cell culture facilities appropriate for the production of a large volume of cells, as well as culture facilities appropriate for small-scale, diverse production, and a system capable of highly precise cell quality analyses. By also harnessing world-class technologies for the initialization and induction of differentiation in iPS cells and Fujifilm's advanced engineering technology and image analysis technology, the facility will be capable of efficiently producing high-quality iPS cells.Going forward, FCDI will use the high-quality iPS cells produced at this facility to accelerate the development of regenerative medicine products in the areas of age-related macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, Parkinson's disease, heart diseases, and cancer. FCDI will also contribute to the realization and spread of treatments that utilize iPS cells by widely conducting the contract development and manufacturing of iPS cells and iPS cell-derived differentiated cells.

Currently, FCDI provides iPS cells and iPS cell-derived differentiated cells to public institutions, major pharmaceutical companies, and academia including the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine** and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute*** while accelerating the development of its regenerative medicine products. FCDI will continue to harness its accumulated data, technologies, and know-how related to iPS cells, working together with academic institutions and corporations around the world and utilize the technologies and know-how of Fujifilm group companies including Fujifilm, Japan Tissue Engineering Co., Ltd., FUJIFILM Wako Pure Chemical Corporation, and Irvine Scientific Sales Company, Inc. to further expand its iPS cell-based business and contribute to the elevation of regenerative medicine business to the industrial stage.

Overview of the New Facility

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January 9th, 2019

CTERP International Conference – 2018: About

By Dr. Matthew Watson

CTERP INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCEApril 11-13, 2018Moscow, Russia

In recent years there have been rapid advances in applying the discoveries in cell technologies field into medical practice. Cell technologies are progressing as the result of multidisciplinary effort of scientists, clinicians and businessmen,with clinical applications of manipulated stem cells combining developments in transplantation and gene therapy.Challenges address not only thetechnology itself but also compliancewith safety and regulatory requirements.

The Conference will provide a platform for scientists from basic and applied cell biology fields, practical doctors, and biotech companies to meet and share their experience, to discuss the research associated with developing biomedical clinical products and translating this research into novel clinical applications, challenges of such translational efforts and foundation of bioclusters assisting further developments in cell technology.

The official language of the conference is English.

Conference materials will be published in the Russian Journal of Developmental Biology.

Please download your abstracts in accordance with the journal guidelines (english, russian) for authors provided on their website.

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CTERP International Conference - 2018: About

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January 4th, 2019

Bone marrow suppression – Wikipedia

By Dr. Matthew Watson

Bone marrow suppressionSynonymMyelotoxicity, myelosuppression

Bone marrow suppression also known as myelotoxicity or myelosuppression, is the decrease in production of cells responsible for providing immunity (leukocytes), carrying oxygen (erythrocytes), and/or those responsible for normal blood clotting (thrombocytes).[1] Bone marrow suppression is a serious side effect of chemotherapy and certain drugs affecting the immune system such as azathioprine.[2] The risk is especially high in cytotoxic chemotherapy for leukemia.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), in some rare instances, may also cause bone marrow suppression. The decrease in blood cell counts does not occur right at the start of chemotherapy because the drugs do not destroy the cells already in the bloodstream (these are not dividing rapidly). Instead, the drugs affect new blood cells that are being made by the bone marrow.[3] When myelosuppression is severe, it is called myeloablation.[4]

Many other drugs including common antibiotics may cause bone marrow suppression. Unlike chemotherapy the effects may not be due to direct destruction of stem cells but the results may be equally serious. The treatment may mirror that of chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression or may be to change to an alternate drug or to temporarily suspend treatment.

Because the bone marrow is the manufacturing center of blood cells, the suppression of bone marrow activity causes a deficiency of blood cells. This condition can rapidly lead to life-threatening infection, as the body cannot produce leukocytes in response to invading bacteria and viruses, as well as leading to anaemia due to a lack of red blood cells and spontaneous severe bleeding due to deficiency of platelets.

Parvovirus B19 inhibits erythropoiesis by lytically infecting RBC precursors in the bone marrow and is associated with a number of different diseases ranging from benign to severe. In immunocompromised patients, B19 infection may persist for months, leading to chronic anemia with B19 viremia due to chronic marrow suppression.[5]

Bone marrow suppression due to azathioprine can be treated by changing to another medication such as mycophenolate mofetil (for organ transplants) or other disease-modifying drugs in rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn's disease.

Bone marrow suppression due to anti-cancer chemotherapy is much harder to treat and often involves hospital admission, strict infection control, and aggressive use of intravenous antibiotics at the first sign of infection.[citation needed]

G-CSF is used clinically (see Neutropenia) but tests in mice suggest it may lead to bone loss.[6][7]

GM-CSF has been compared to G-CSF as a treatment of chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression/Neutropenia.[8]

In developing new chemotherapeutics, the efficacy of the drug against the disease is often balanced against the likely level of myelotoxicity the drug will cause. In-vitro colony forming cell (CFC) assays using normal human bone marrow grown in appropriate semi-solid media such as ColonyGEL have been shown to be useful in predicting the level of clinical myelotoxicity a certain compound might cause if administered to humans.[9] These predictive in-vitro assays reveal effects the administered compounds have on the bone marrow progenitor cells that produce the various mature cells in the blood and can be used to test the effects of single drugs or the effects of drugs administered in combination with others.

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January 3rd, 2019

What is a Bone Marrow Transplant (Stem Cell Transplant …

By Dr. Matthew Watson

A bone marrow transplant, also called a stem cell transplant, is a treatment for some types of cancer. For example, you might have one if you have leukemia, multiple myeloma, or some types of lymphoma. Doctors also treat some blood diseases with stem cell transplants.

In the past, a stem cell transplant was more commonly called a bone marrow transplant because the stem cells were collected from the bone marrow. Today, stem cells are usually collected from the blood, instead of the bone marrow. For this reason, they are now often called stem cell transplants.

A part of your bones called bone marrow makes blood cells. Marrow is the soft, spongy tissue inside bones. It contains cells called hematopoietic stem cells (pronounced he-mah-tuh-poy-ET-ick). These cells can turn into several other types of cells. They can turn into more bone marrow cells. Or they can turn into any type of blood cell.

Certain cancers and other diseases keep hematopoietic stem cells from developing normally. If they are not normal, neither are the blood cells that they make. A stem cell transplant gives you new stem cells. The new stem cells can make new, healthy blood cells.

The main types of stem cell transplants and other options are discussed below.

Autologous transplant. This is also called an AUTO transplant or high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell rescue.

In an AUTO transplant, you get your own stem cells after doctors treat the cancer. First, your health care team collects stem cells from your blood and freezes them. Next, you have powerful chemotherapy, and rarely, radiation therapy. Then, your health care team thaws your frozen stem cells. They put them back in your blood through a tube placed in a vein (IV).

It takes about 24 hours for your stem cells to reach the bone marrow. Then they start to grow, multiply, and help the marrow make healthy blood cells again.

Allogeneic transplantation. This is also called an ALLO transplant.In an ALLO transplant, you get another persons stem cells. It is important to find someone whose bone marrow matches yours. This is because you have certain proteins on your white blood cells called human leukocyte antigens (HLA). The best donor has HLA proteins as much like yours as possible.

Matching proteins make a serious condition called graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) less likely. In GVHD, healthy cells from the transplant attack your cells. A brother or sister may be the best match. But another family member or volunteer may also work.

Once you find a donor, you receive chemotherapy with or without radiation therapy. Next, you get the other persons stem cells through a tube placed in a vein (IV). The cells in an ALLO transplant are not typically frozen. This way, your doctor can give you the cells as soon as possible after chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

There are 2 types of ALLO transplants. The best type for each person depends on his or her age, health, and the type of disease being treated.

Ablative, which uses high-dose chemotherapy

Reduced intensity, which uses milder doses of chemotherapy

If your health care team cannot find a matched adult donor, there are other options. Research is ongoing to determine which type of transplant will work best for different people.

Umbilical cord blood transplant. This may be an option if you cannot find a donor match. Cancer centers around the world use cord blood.

Parent-child transplant and haplotype mismatched transplant. These types of transplants are being used more often. The match is 50%, instead of near 100%. Your donor might be a parent, child, brother, or sister.

Your doctor will recommend an AUTO or ALLO transplant based mostly on the disease you have. Other factors include the health of your bone marrow and your age and general health. For example, if you have cancer or other disease in your bone marrow, you will probably have an ALLO transplant. In this situation, doctors do not recommend using your own stem cells.

Choosing a transplant is complicated. You will need help from a doctor who specializes in transplants. You might need to travel to a center that does many stem cell transplants. Your donor might also need to go. At the center, you will talk with a transplant specialist and have an examination and medical tests.

Before a transplant, you should also think about non-medical factors. These include:

Who can care for you during treatment

How long you will be away from work and family responsibilities

If your insurance pays for the transplant

Who can take you to transplant appointments

Your health care team can help you find answers to these questions.

The information below tells you the main parts of AUTO and ALLO transplants. Your health care team usually does the steps in order. But sometimes certain steps happen in advance, such as collecting stem cells. Ask your health care team what to expect before, during, and after a transplant.

Part 1: Collecting your stem cells

During this part, you get injections of a medication to raise your number of stem cells.Your doctor may collect stem cells through your veins using standard IVs or a catheter, which is placed in a large vein in the chest. This stays in place throughout your stay at the hospital. The catheter is used to give chemotherapy, other medications, and blood transfusions.

Time: Several days

Where it is done: Clinic or hospital building. You do not need to stay in the hospital overnight.

Part 2: Transplant treatment

You get high doses of chemotherapy, and rarely, radiation therapy.

Time: 5 to 10 days

Where it is done: A clinic or hospital. At many transplant centers, people need to stay in the hospital for the duration of the transplant, usually about 3 weeks. At some centers, a person receives treatment in the clinic and can come in every day.

Part 3: Getting your stem cells back

This part is called the stem cell infusion. Your health care team puts your stem cells back in your blood through the transplant catheter.

Time: Each infusion usually takes less than 30 minutes. You may receive more than 1 infusion.

Where it is done: A clinic or hospital.

Part 4: Recovery

You take antibiotics and other drugs. You get blood transfusions through your transplant catheter, if needed. This is also when your health care team helps with any transplant side effects.

Time: Approximately 2 weeks

Where it is done: A clinic or hospital. You might be staying in the hospital.

Part 1: Collecting stem cells from your donor

During this part, the health care team gives your donor injections of a medication to increase white cells in the blood, if the cells are collected from blood. Some donors will donate bone marrow in the operating room during a procedure which takes several hours.

Time: Varies based on how the stem cells are collected

Where it is done: A clinic or hospital

Part 2: Transplant treatment

You get chemotherapy with or without radiation therapy.

Time: 5 to 7 days

Where it is done: Many ALLO transplants are done in the hospital.

Part 3: Getting the donor cells

This part is called the stem cell infusion. Your health care team puts the donors stem cells in your blood through the transplant catheter. It takes less than 1 hour. The transplant catheter stays in until after treatment.

Time: 1 day

Where it is done: A clinic or hospital

Part 4: Recovery

During the recovery, you receive antibiotics and other drugs. This includes medications to prevent graft-versus-host disease. If needed, you get blood transfusions through your catheter. This is also when your health care team takes care of any side effects from the transplant.

After the transplant, people visit the clinic frequently at first and less often over time.

Time: It varies.For an ablative transplant, people are usually in the hospital for about 4 weeks in total.For a reduced intensity transplant, people are in the hospital or visit the clinic daily for about a week.

The words successful transplant might mean different things to you, your family, and your health care team. Below are 2 ways to measure transplant success: Your blood counts are back to safe levels. A blood count is the number of red cells, white cells, and platelets in your blood. A transplant makes these numbers very low for 1 to 2 weeks. This causes risks of:

Infection from low numbers of white cells, which fight infections

Bleeding from low numbers of platelets, which stop bleeding

Tiredness from low numbers of red cells, which carry oxygen

Doctors lower these risks by giving blood and platelet transfusions after a transplant. You also take antibiotics to help prevent infections. When the new stem cells multiply, they make more blood cells. Then your blood counts improve. This is one way to know if a transplant is a success.

It controls your cancer. Doctors do stem cell transplants with the goal of curing disease. A cure may be possible for some cancers, such as some types of leukemia and lymphoma. For other people, remission is the best result. Remission is having no signs or symptoms of cancer. After a transplant, you need to see your doctor and have tests to watch for any signs of cancer or complications from the transplant.

Talking often with your health care team is important. It gives you information to make decisions about your treatment and care. The following questions may help you learn more about stem cell transplant:

Which type of stem cell transplant would you recommend? Why?

If I will have an ALLO transplant, how will we find a donor? What is the chance of a good match?

What type of treatment will I have before the transplant? Will radiation therapy be used?

How long will my treatment take? How long will I stay in the hospital?

How will a transplant affect my life? Can I work? Can I exercise and do regular activities?

How will we know if the transplant works?

What if the transplant does not work? What if the cancer comes back?

What are the short-term side effects that may happen during treatment or shortly after?

What are the long-term side effects that may happen years later?

What tests will I need later? How often will I need them?

If I am worried about managing the costs of treatment, who can help me with these concerns?

Side Effects of a Bone Marrow Transplant (Stem Cell Transplant)

Bone Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy

Donating Bone Marrow is Easy and Important: Here's Why

How Umbilical Cord BloodCan Save Someone's Life

Bone Marrow Transplants and Older Adults: 3 Important Questions

Be the Match: About Transplant

Be the Match: National Marrow Donor Program

Blood & Marrow Transplant Information Network (BMT InfoNet) National Bone Marrow Transplant Link (nbmtLINK)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Learn About Transplant as a Treatment Option

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December 30th, 2018

Spinal Cord Injury Explained – Mad Spaz Club

By Dr. Matthew Watson

Injury to the spinal cord can be caused by acute (sudden) or chronic (developing) trauma as well as medical conditions. Frequent causes of chronic compression injuries are herniated disks and primary or secondary tumors. Compromised blood perfusion, the delivery of nutritive arterial blood to capillary bed, as in anterior spinal cord syndrome can also be severely detrimental to spinal cord function. However the most damaging Spinal Cord Injury is one of acute trauma resulting in permanent paralysis.

Traumatic spinal cord injury have been classified into five categories by the American Spinal Injury Association and the International Spinal Cord Injury Classification System:

Spinal cord injury where no motor or sensory function remains in the sacral segments S4-S5.

Spinal cord injury sensory but not motor function remains below the neurological level and includes the sacral segments S4-S5. Typically a transient phase and if the person recovers any motor function below the neurological level, theyare considered motor incomplete and classified C or D.

Spinal cord injury where motor function remains below the neurological level and more than half of key muscles below the neurological level have a muscle grade of less than 3, which indicates active movement with full range of motion against gravity.

Spinal cord injury where motor function exists below the neurological level and at least half of the key muscles below the neurological level have a muscle grade of 3 or more.

Where motor and sensory scores are normal. It is possible to have spinal cord injury and neurological deficits with completely normal motor and sensory scores.

The annual incidence rate of spinal cord injury varies from country to country, ranging from 15 to 71 per million (/m). In 2008 the incidence of spinal cord injury in the United Kingdom around 13 /m, Australia 14 /m, Canadi 35 /m, China 65 /m and the United States 35 /m per year. This suggests around 40 per million or 52,000 spinal injuries occur every year globally.

Of the 12,000 new cases of paraplegia and quadriplegia that occur in the United States each year 4,000 patients die before reaching hospital. Causes of acute spinal cord injury include motor vehicle accidents, work-related accidents, recreational accidents, falls and violence (shootings and stab wounds).

Paralysis occurs our times as often in males as females where about 60% of victims are under 30 years of age and 5% under 13 years of age (the pediatric age group). Falls from a height greater than their own is the largest cause of spinal trauma amongst the pediatric age group. A long-term outcome study of patients aged 25 to 34 who had suffered acute traumatic SCI before the pediatric age showed an employment rate of 54% while the employment rate in the general population for the same age group was 84%.

Limitation or complete loss of the capability to achieve economic independence following SCI combined with additional medical costs causes severe economic hardship for many living with paralysis and their immediate family. Further limitations to living a full social life are architectural barriers, buildings only accessible by stairs and a lack of ramps on sidewalks for example.

Increased awareness through education has played a key role in resolving these barriers and those created by negative or overprotective attitudes of healthy, non-injured people toward persons with spinal cord injury. When persons with spinal cord injury cannot fully participate society suffers. Not only are ethical standards, artistic and financial contributions to society lost, huge expenses for specialised lifelong care are incurred.

80% of SCI occur in people under the age of 30. The average life-time cost of thoracic paraplegia is $1.25 million and high level cervical quadriplegia such as those on ventilators $25 million USD. In 1990 the cost for acute and long term care of surviving spinal cord injury victims was estimated at $4 billion in the United States alone.

Road traffic accidents 45%

Domestic and industrial accidents 34%

Sporting injuries 15%

Self harm and criminal assault 6%

The first known description of acute spinal cord trauma and resulting neurological deficits was in the Edwin Smith papyrus which is believed to be more than 3,500 years old. In this ancient Egyptian document Smith accurately described the clinical symptoms and traumatic effects of quadriplegia (tetraplegia) anailment not to be treated. An indication of the feelings helplessness medical practitioners suffered at the time, a doctors value measured by the extent of cure achieved.

No strategies ensuring longterm survival for patients with spinal cord injury existed. A view which prevailed well into the early 1900s. In the First World War the mortality rate for those with a spinal cord injury was 95%, mainly attributed to urinary sepsis and complications from pressure sores. Less than 1% survived for more than twenty years.

During World War II the number of casualties from spinal cord injuries both military and civilian increased dramatically in Europe. Specialized hospital units known as peripheral nerve centers developed between the wars in Germany and the United States demonstrating the advantages of concentrating special needs patients under specialized care. Great importance was placed on the unique opportunities offered by these specialized units. Gaining new insight in the natural course of the disease and further development of new therapeutic strategies.

Building on those experiences, specialized spinal cord injury units started opening throughout England in the 1940s. Mortality rates from a spinal cord injury were recorded at 35% in the 1960s. Today nearly every capital city operates an acute care spinal unit.

Dr. Ludwig Guttmann and his colleagues at the Spinal Cord Unit of Stoke Mandeville Hospital developed new treatment approaches including frequent repositioning of paralyzed patients to avoid developing bedsores, a potential source of sepsis and intermittent sterile catheterization to prevent urinary sepsis. The success in patient survival was dramatic enough to require development of completely new strategies for social reintegration of patients with spinal cord injury. Adapted workplaces and wheelchair accessible housing championed in the 1940s and 1950s by the English Red Cross has today become an integral component in the framework of social politics in most industrialized countries. Respiratory complications are now the leading cause of death in patients admitted with SCI. Secondary are heart disease, septicemia (blood poisoning), pulmonary emboli (blood clot in lungs), suicide, and unintentional injuries.

Dr. Guttmann and his colleagues viewed physical rehabilitation as the basis of social reintegration both physically and psychologically. Supporting the idea of athletic competition in disciplines adequate and adapted to the physical capacity of their patients. Starting with two teams a competition in 1948 paralleling the Olympic Games in England, the idea of competitive sports for the paralyzed developed rapidly.

In 1960 the first Paralympic Games were held in Rome. The Paralympic games were held in the same year as the Olympic Games for the able-bodied using the same facilities, a tradition that has been followed ever since. The idea of competitive sports was extended to include people with a multitude of physical handicaps other than spinal cord injury emerging as the Paralympics we know today.

In many countries initiatives have risen at communal and national levels with the intent to decrease the incidence of spinal cord trauma and offer support and advice to both those with spinal cord injuries and their families. Many generously offer financial support for scientific and clinical research.

The prevention oriented Think First initiative, Canadian-based CORD and Wheels in Motion, the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation, the U.K. Spinal Cord Trust, and the Paralyzed Veterans of America all maintain informative web sites with valuable information on the subject of spinal cord injury.

Although the overall incidence of SCI has not noticeably decreased the severity of injuries has deceased overall. Fewer now suffer complete injuries and survival rates have increased. This is mostly attributed to improvements in prehospital care including widespread instruction of first aid principles as well as the introduction of spinal cord immobilization and administration of advanced medicines during rescue and transport. Increased public awareness of risk factors leading to head trauma and spinal cord injury, the introduction of mandatory use of safety belts and installation of air bags in modern vehicles has also served to decrease trauma severity.

Until recently research suggested once spinal cord trauma had occurred nothing could be done to alter the natural course of developing pathology, that damage to the central nervous system was permanent and repair impossible. At the beginning of the twenty-first century this belief came to change in the minds of scientists, clinicians, patients and their families. Research laboratories around the world adopted two new approaches:

1. Prevention of secondary injury and repair of manifest damage. The term secondary injury describes the observation that central nervous system structures that survived the primary mechanical trauma die at a later point in time due to deterioration of the milieu (nerve ending sheath) at the site of injury.

2. The amount and severity of secondary injury damage can be significantly larger than that of the primary injury. Researchers focused on identification of substances and therapeutic methods that help minimize secondary injury effects. In the field of cell biology, isolation and manipulation of specific cell types is being undertaken in effort to induce certain cell types, including stem cells and olfactory ensheathing cells to help repair damaged central nervous system structures.

Clinical research continues to improve outcomes for those with a spinal cord injury, such as stimulators for bladder control, orthopedic correctional procedures and physical mobilization. Integration of biomedical research like pattern generators, mechanics and kinetics of movement with the latest developments in computer science and engineering has given rise to neuronal networks. Neuroprostheses are being developed which enable paraplegics to move about and walk.

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December 25th, 2018

Clinical trial of stem cell therapy for traumatic spinal …

By Dr. Matthew Watson

Mayo Clinic is enrolling patients in a phase 1 clinical trial of adipose stem cell treatment for spinal cord injury caused by trauma. The researchers already have approval from the Food and Drug Administration for subsequent phase 2A and 2B randomized control crossover trials.

Participants in the phase 1 clinical trial must have experienced a trauma-related spinal cord injury from two weeks to one year prior to enrollment. They will receive intrathecal injections of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells. No surgery or implantable medical device is required.

"That is the most encouraging part of this study," says Mohamad Bydon, M.D., a consultant in Neurosurgery specializing in spinal surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and the study's director. "Intrathecal injection is a well-tolerated and common procedure. Stem cells can be delivered with an implantable device, but that would require surgery for implantation and additional surgeries to maintain the device. If intrathecal treatment is successful, it could impact patients' lives without having them undergo additional surgery or maintain permanently implantable devices for the rest of their lives."

To qualify for the trial, patients must have a spinal cord injury of grade A or B on the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale. After evaluation at Mayo Clinic, eligible patients who enroll will have adipose tissue extracted from their abdomens or thighs. The tissue will be processed in the Human Cellular Therapies Laboratories, which are co-directed by Allan B. Dietz, Ph.D., to isolate and expand stem cells.

Four to six weeks after the tissue extraction, patients will return to Mayo Clinic for intrathecal injection of the stem cells. The trial participants will then be evaluated periodically for 96 weeks.

Mayo Clinic has already demonstrated the safety of intrathecal autologous adipose-derived stem cells for neurodegenerative disease. In a previous phase 1 clinical trial, with results published in the Nov. 22, 2016, issue of Neurology, Mayo Clinic researchers found that therapy was safe for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The therapy, developed in the Regenerative Neurobiology Laboratory under the direction of Anthony J. Windebank, M.D., is moving into phase 2 clinical trials.

Dr. Windebank is also involved in the new clinical trial for people with traumatic spinal cord injuries. "We have demonstrated that stem cell therapy is safe in people with ALS. That allows us to study this novel therapy in a different population of patients," he says. "Spinal cord injury is devastating, and it generally affects people in their 20s or 30s. We hope eventually that this novel therapy will reduce inflammation and also promote some regeneration of nerve fibers in the spinal cord to improve function."

Mayo Clinic's extensive experience with stem cell research provides important guidance for the new trial. "We know from prior studies that stem cell treatment can be effective in aiding with regeneration after spinal cord injury, but many questions remain unanswered," Dr. Bydon says. "Timing of treatment, frequency of treatment, mode of delivery, and number and type of stem cells are all open questions. Our hope is that this study can help answer some of these questions."

In addition to experience, Mayo Clinic brings to this clinical trial the strength of its multidisciplinary focus. The principal investigator, Wenchun Qu, M.D., M.S., Ph.D., is a consultant in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Mayo Clinic's Minnesota campus, as is another of the trial's investigators, Ronald K. Reeves, M.D. Dr. Dietz, the study's sponsor, is a transfusion medicine specialist. Also involved is Nicolas N. Madigan, M.B., B.Ch., BAO, Ph.D., a consultant in Neurology at Mayo Clinic's Minnesota campus.

The study team is in discussions with U.S. military medical centers to enroll patients, and discussing additional collaboration with international sites, potentially in Israel or Europe, for future phases of the study.

"At Mayo Clinic, we have a high-volume, patient-centered multidisciplinary practice," Dr. Bydon says. "That allows us to do the most rigorous scientific trial that is in the best interests of our patients."

Mayo Clinic. Adipose Stem Cells for Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury (CELLTOP). ClinicalTrials.gov.

Staff NP, et al. Safety of intrathecal autologous adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells in patients with ALS. Neurology. 2016;87:2230.

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December 24th, 2018

Stem Cell Therapy for Spinal Cord Injury- Treatment for …

By Dr. Matthew Watson

Stem Cell Therapy for Spinal Cord Injury-Spinal cord injury is one of the progressively degenerating, crippling disorders attributing towards the dislocation of bones and vertebrae; which is a general result of trauma and/or injury.

The accidental injury generally damages connecting nerves internally; in order to halt the back and forth communication between brain and rest of the body parts. This communication gap is the primary cause of partial or complete loss of movement, paralysis as well as numbness. Apparently, many times it has also been evident that spinal cord may get affected not because of the injury but because of different types of nerve infection; which if ignored for a longer time, may allow unusual bleeding in between the spaces around the spinal cord. Some of the common forms of these notable infections are spinal stenosis, spina bifida, etc.

A person with a potential threat to severe spinal cord damage should be hospitalized for an intensive care unit immediately. Stabilization of blood pressure, lung function, and prevention of further damage to the spinal cord; should be emphasized with immediate effect. Other injuries are as well to be looked at; for an accidental damage.

Experts may prescribe some routine tests, in order to detect the extent of injuries. These tests can be

Classification of SCI is generally based on the extent of pain and loss of movement, associated with the damage. Moreover, when the damage is associated with neuronal loss, nerve locations and anumber of nerves that have been damaged can as well be referred to classify spinal cord injury.

The recovery period for patients suffering from spinal cord injury is dependent upon the level of injury, muscular strength and the type of injury; but in general, the notable recovery period can be anytime between 4-6 months.

Through conventionally demonstrated medicines, it is generally impossible to completely cure spinal cord damage or paralytic aftereffects of injury. In fact, the anti-inflammatory medicines that have been prescribed conventionally can affect other vital organs of the body, due to continuous hormonal modifications. Although with the advent of stem cells through the science of regenerative medicine has proven to be very helpful in offering a definite cure for SCI and other orthopedic related illnesses. The potential ability of these stem cells to be differentiated into neurons has been well studied and confirmed through different scientific literature and the same hypothesis can be applied to treat and restore back the functional attributes of damaged spinal cord.

Thus, stem cells and their regenerative powers can potentially work to solve the internal mysteries of spinal cord injury; but the extent of recovery and therapeutic outcome are still the challenges that are being faced by the medical fraternities.

For further queries regardingstem cell therapy for spinal cord injury, feel free to connect us at+91-96543 21400 or info@advancells.com. You can also connect us through Advancells Enquiry.

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December 23rd, 2018

Cardiac Regeneration, Stem Cells | Research | Baylor …

By Dr. Matthew Watson

Theme Leaders

James Martin, M.D. Ph.D.Professor, Molecular PhysiologyResearch Interest - Hippo, Wnt, Bmp signaling in development, regeneration, heart disease

Todd Rosengart, M.D., F.A.C.S.Chair/Professor, SurgeryResearch Interest - Cardiac regeneration, cardiac gene therapy, angiogenesis

Members of Theme Six are developing stem cell and cellular reprogramming strategies to treat cardiovascular diseases such as infarction in situ. The goal is to use viral vectors to induce transdifferentiation of cardiac fibroblasts and myofibroblasts into functionalcardiomyocytes in situ in a patients heart. We are modeling and developing the processes in rats, pigs, and in human cardiac fibroblasts. The hope is to have options available for clinical trials within 3-5 years.

Members of Theme Six are involved in research aimed at improving heart function after different types of injury and in particular the devastating loss of heart muscle after myocardial infarction. One current approach is to investigate gene pathways, many of which are important in heart development, that enhance the ability of cardiac muscle to respond to injury. Recent exciting findings have shown that manipulations of specific genetic pathways, such as the Hippo pathway, enhance heart repair. Current investigations in this area include uncovering the molecular mechanisms underlying improved heart repair in order to develop novel therapies.

Another exciting approach involves in vivo reprogramming of cardiac fibroblasts into cardiac muscle as a way to enhance heart function after ischemic injury. This novel method was inspired by the observation by Yamanaka that fibroblasts can be reprogrammed to pluripotent cells in cultured cells. Important recent work has shown that providing a cocktail of factors to cardiac fibroblasts results in conversion of those fibroblasts into cardiac muscle. Current efforts are directed at improving the efficiency of in vivo reprogramming with the goal of using this approach in therapy, recognizing that use of this strategy in human cells will likely be more challenging than in rodent and other non-human strains. The combination of angiogenic pretreatment of scar with this strategy appears to be critical to its success.

Sadek HA, Martin JF, Takeuchi JK, Leor J, Nei Y, Giacca M, Lee RT. Multi-investigator letter on reproducibility of neonatal heart regeneration following apical resection. Stem Cell Reports. 2014; 3(1): 1.

Yen ST, Zhang M, Deng JM, Usman SJ, Smith CN, Parker-Thornburg J, Swinton PG, Martin JF, Behringer RR. Somatic mosaicism and allele complexity induced by CRISPR/Cas9 RNA injections in mouse zygotes. Dev Biol. 2014; 393(1): 3-9.

C. Thomas Caskey, M.D. - FACP, FRSC Schizophrenia disease genes

Katarzyna Cieslik, Ph.D. - Cardiac mesenchymal progenitors

Austin Cooney, Ph.D. - Nuclear receptor regulation of embryonic stem cell function

Thomas Cooper, M.D. - Alternative splicing in cardiac development and disease

Mary Dickinson, Ph.D. - Role of fluid-derived mechanical forces in vascular remodeling and heart morphogenesis

Mark Entman, M.D. - Molecular mechanisms of cardiac injury and repair, inflammatory signaling

Charles Fraser, M.D. - Congenital heart surgery outcomes, bioengineering and assist devices

Peggy Goodell, M.D. - Hematopoietic stem cells, epigenetic modifications

Jeffrey Jacot, Ph.D. - Regenerative therapies for congenital heart disease

Sandra Haudek, Ph.D. - Circulating monocytic fibroblast precursors, cardiac hypertrophy

George Noon, M.D. - Transplant and assist devices

JoAnn Trial, Ph.D. - Origins of fibroblasts in cardiac injury healing

Peter Tsai, M.D., FACS - Custom-fenestrated endovascular stents to repair aortic transections or aneurysms

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December 23rd, 2018

Cardiac Stem Cells – Cedars-Sinai

By Dr. Matthew Watson

Preclinical Research

Scientists are developing novel therapeutics for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases using cardiac-derived stem cells in mice and large-animal models. Three current projects are studying:

ExosomesOur researchers are isolating exosomes from specialized human cardiac-derived stem cells and finding that they have the same beneficial effects as other types of stem cells. In mice models, our research shows that exosomes produce the same post-surgery benefits, such as decreasing scar size, increasing healthy heart tissue and reducing levels of chemicals that lead to inflammation. This research suggests that exosomes convey messages that reduce cell death, promote growth of new heart muscle cells and encourage the development of healthy blood vessels.

Mechanisms of Heart Regeneration by Cardiosphere-Derived CellsInvestigators seek to understand the basic mechanisms of coronary artery disease in preclinical disease models. We hope to gather novel mechanistic insights, enabling us to boost the efficacy of stem cell-based treatments by bolstering the regeneration of injured heart muscle.

Biological PacemakersUsing an engineered virus carrying T-box (TBx18), Cedars-Sinai researchers are reprogramming heart muscle cells (cardiomyoctes) into induced sinoatrial node cells in pigs. Cedars-Sinai research shows that these new cells generate electrical impulses spontaneously and are indistinguishable from sinoatrial node or native pacemaker cells. Investigators believe this could be a viable therapeutic avenue for pacemaker-dependent patients afflicted with device-related complications.

Researchers hope to someday incorporate therapeutic regeneration as a regular treatment option for a broad range of cardiovascular disorders, such as myocardial infarctions, heart failure, refractory angina and peripheral vascular disease. Through the Regenerative Medicine Clinic at the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, several cardiac stem cell trials are underway. They include:

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December 20th, 2018

Adult Stem Cells Treat Spinal Cord Injury | News | Spinal …

By Dr. Matthew Watson

Laura Dominguez-Tauer is a living, breathing example of what it takes to overcome adversity. An oil spill on a San Antonio freeway is blamed for the car crash that sent Laura and her brother directly into a retaining wall in 2001. As she lay tangled in the middle of the car, she heard a paramedic say, get a neck brace, she has a broken neck.

I didnt feel anything. I couldnt move my arms, I couldnt move my hands,

Laura was paralyzed from the neck down. I didnt feel anything. I couldnt move my arms, I couldnt move my hands, Laura said.

While others might have given up, Laura and her family started immediately searching for answers. They learned about adult stem cells and the promising results for spinal cord injury patients. In 2010, Laura joined a handful of other spinal cord patients and received an adult stem cell transplant. The transplant was a success.

Laura says, Before the stem cell procedure, I wasnt able to move very much. And then after the procedure Im able to get up. Im able to stand and walk around a little bit with help. The stem cell procedure made my upper body a lot stronger. I can feel my entire body now.

Laura went to work making herself stronger. Through physical therapy and a lot of hard work, she grew stronger and stronger. Instead of feeling sorry for herself, she opened a gym called Beyond the Chair. We opened Beyond the Chair to help people with any type of neurological disability whether its spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, strokes. We dont turn anybody away. Were going to help people.

In 2010, she met a young man, fell in love and was married. Then came a big surprise. I found out I was pregnant in April of 2016 and I was in disbelief, says Laura. We heard his heartbeat for the first time, and it was kind of like, oh my gosh, this is such a dream come true, its a miracle.

Young Joshau, named after his father, is what Laura is focused on now. She still helps run Beyond the Chair, but her days are mostly spent being a mom and promoting adult stem cell research.

Says Laura, a lot of people ask me about my experience with stem cells. I always tell them that at the end of the day the decision is up to them. But I promote them, I believe in them, I experienced it.

I think having the adult stem cell procedure was the best decision that Ive ever made.(Quote) I think that its been very beneficial, its helped me out so much, Laura said. My hope is that I can help other people and encourage other people. And spread the word about adult stem cells.

Disclaimer: StemCellResearchFacts.org is committed to educate about adult stem cell clinical trials and treatments which are validated by published research and approved by the U.S. FDA or similar international agencies. Clinical trials may not be effective for all patients or conditions. We are not a research or clinical facility and do not provide clinical trials or treatments.

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December 14th, 2018

Stem cell and bone marrow transplants – NHS

By Dr. Matthew Watson

A stem cell or bone marrow transplant replaces damaged blood cells with healthy ones. It can be used to treat conditions affecting the blood cells, such as leukaemia and lymphoma.

Stem cells arespecial cells produced bybone marrow (aspongytissue found in the centre of some bones) that can turn into different types of blood cells.

The 3 maintypes of blood cellthey can become are:

A stem cell transplant involves destroying any unhealthy blood cells and replacing them with stem cells removed from the blood or bone marrow.

Stem cell transplants are used to treat conditions in which the bone marrow is damaged and is no longer able to produce healthy blood cells.

Transplants can also be carried out to replace blood cells that are damaged or destroyed as a result of intensive cancer treatment.

Conditions that stem cell transplants can be used to treat include:

A stem cell transplant will usually only be carried out if other treatments haven't helped, the potential benefits of a transplant outweigh the risks and you're in relatively good health, despite your underlying condition.

A stem cell transplant can involve taking healthy stem cells from the blood or bone marrow of one person ideally a close family member with the same or similar tissue type (see below) and transferring them to another person. This is called an allogeneic transplant.

It's also possible to remove stem cells from your own body and transplant them later, after any damaged or diseased cells have been removed. This is called an autologous transplant.

Astem celltransplant has 5 main stages. These are:

Having a stem cell transplant can be an intensive and challenging experience. You'll usually need to stay in hospital fora month or more until the transplant starts to take effect and itcan takea year or 2 to fully recover.

Read more about what happens during a stem cell transplant.

Stem celltransplants arecomplicated procedures with significant risks. It's important that you're aware of both the risks and possible benefits before treatment begins.

Possible problems that can occur during or after the transplant process include:

Read more about the risks of having a stem cell transplant.

Ifit isn't possible to use your own stem cells for the transplant (see above), stem cells will need to come from a donor.

To improve the chances ofthetransplant being successful, donated stem cells need tocarry a special genetic marker known as a human leukocyte antigen (HLA) that'sidentical or very similar to that of the person receiving the transplant.

The best chance of getting a match is from a brother or sister, or sometimes another close family member. If there are no matches in your close family,a search of theBritish Bone Marrow Registry will be carried out.

Most peoplewill eventually find a donor in the registry,although a small number of people may find it very hard or impossibleto find a suitable match.

The NHS Blood and Transplant website and the Anthony Nolan website have more information about stem cell and bone marrow donation.

Page last reviewed: 09/08/2018Next review due: 09/08/2021

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December 1st, 2018

Bone Marrow & Stem Cell Transplant | IU Health

By Dr. Matthew Watson

To prepare your body for bone marrow or stem cell transplant, youll be treated with high doses of chemotherapy with or without radiation to destroy cancerous cells. Some healthy cells may also be destroyed, which can cause unpleasant side effects. These side effects typically go away after a few weeks.

Once this preparation is complete, new stem cells will be transplanted through your veins and the cells will make their way to your bone marrow. These stem cells will mature into healthy marrow, to produces healthy blood and immune cells.

Stem cells transplants can come from your own bone marrow (autologous) or a donors marrow (allogeneic). Whether autologous or allogeneic stem cells are used depends on your condition, and the procedures have some differences.

Uses your own stem cells. Before chemotherapy, your stem cells are collected by apheresis, frozen with a preservative and stored until they are needed. Because the cells are yours, theres no risk of your body rejecting the transplanted stem cells. This method is appropriate for blood-related cancers like multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin lymphomas and Hodgkin disease, as well as certain germ-cell cancers.

Use healthy cells from a donor, when an immunological effect is needed to fight your cancer. Your donor will usually be a sibling or a strong match from the national registry. If a matched sibling or unrelated donor cannot be found, cord blood stem cells or a mismatched relative donor may be used.

The donors stem cells are collected by apheresis or from the bone marrow in a surgical procedure. Youll need to take medicines to suppress your immune system to prevent rejection and keep the donors immune cells from attacking your normal cells. Donor-cell transplant is used to treat blood-related cancers like leukemias and some lymphomas or multiple myeloma, and bone marrow failure disorders like myelodysplastic syndrome and aplastic anemia.

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November 28th, 2018

Stem Cell Use in Skin Care Products? – Science of Skincare

By Dr. Matthew Watson

The science behind skin care has been progressing at a faster and faster rate of speed. Twenty years ago, had you mentioned stem cell use in association with mainstream skin care, people would have stared at you as though you had three heads and steered their children in a path far around you.

Reality today paints a much cooler picture. One where stem cells are used to treat a variety of blood and bone marrow diseases, blood cancers, and immune disorders. And we are finding stem cells, both human and plant, on the ingredients lists of some very powerful and effective skin care products. Stem cell use in skin care products is coming of age.

Stem cells are a type of cell that are found in all living things and have the glorious ability to differentiate themselves into many different types of cells. They are capable of becoming any other type of cell in that type of organism and reproducing in a controlled manner. As a result, they are the building blocks of your tissues and have the unique ability to replace damaged and diseased cells. They can proliferate for long periods, dividing themselves over and over again into millions of new cells. That means they can play a pivotal role in how skin repairs itself.

Stem cells are extremely beneficial in the natural process of healing and regeneration, says Jessica Weiser, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.

Many beauty products contain stem cells from fruits like Swiss apples, edelweiss, roses, date palms, grape, raspberry, lilac, and gotu kola that have the ability to stay fresh for long periods of times.

Human stem cells come from one of two sources: embryonic stem cells and adult (somatic) stem cells. For the case of skin care, stem cells of the adult origin are used. They remain in the body quietly in a non-dividing state for years until activated by disease or injury.

Because they play an essential role in tissue removal, stem cells residing just below the surface of the skin can help with restorative functions, such as cellular regeneration, and could play a vital role in helping to enhance our ability to repair aging skin.

You start off with an abundance of stem cells in your skin, but you lose them as you age. By the time you hit 50, youve lost about 98% of them.

The working theory is that by applying products containing stem cell extracts, you could encourage the growth of your own skins stem cells and possibly wake them up to trigger their anti-aging effects. Some research suggests that they can promote the production of collagen, which is the bodys firming protein.

Live cells need very specific conditions to remain alive and viable. Its difficult enough to maintain those conditions in a laboratory setting. Skin care products and their environments dont offer those types of conditions. When stem cells are included in skin care products, makers arent looking to provide you with live, functional cells. Extracts from the stem cells, not the actual cells themselves, are usually added to skin care products. Its not possible to maintain live stem cells in cosmetic emulsions, says Zoe Diana Draelos, a consulting professor of dermatology at the Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, North Carolina.

Most stem cell products you see on the shelf dont actually contain stem cells, but rather the proteins and amino acids that those cells secrete. Typically, if you see a product labeled as a stem cell product, youll see the stem cells key substances in the ingredients list. These include ferulic acid, ellagic acid, and quercetin. This is what your body is able to recognize and put to use to help rejuvenate and repair cells. Human stem cell byproducts (from skin or adipose tissue) seem to be the best solution for use in skin care products because of their ability to produce the same types of cellular components that your body uses naturally to maintain a youthful appearance.

Cultivating stem cells is a tedious process involving a very controlled environment without any contaminants in order to yield the most potent, stable, and pure extract. Because of this technology, the cost of stem cell products are usually greater than products without.

MDSUN is a perfect collaboration between medicine and beauty with the ability to deliver the highest quality skin care products, giving you long-lasting radiance and youth. Each formulation is effective, while free of harsh ingredients, perfumes, or chemical scent additives.

They offer multiple options incorporating powerful stem cell technology with proven effective results. The Wrinkle Smoothener reduces wrinkle depth and improves skins texture while quenching skin-damaging free radicals. It can stimulate skin repair and diminish the appearance of aging skin.

The Collagen Lift is a very potent treatment that can deliver obvious results, minimizing the appearance of wrinkles and lines, improving skin texture and tone. This luxurious gel-cream soothes redness and irritations and rejuvenates skin cells for a strong and long-lasting radiant renewal.

The Med-Eye Complex Cream visibly promotes firmness, increases blood circulation and deeply hydrates the eye area to reduce the signs of aging, lending a youthful appearance and glow.

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November 24th, 2018

Heart Failure Signs | Cardiac Stem Cell Therapies: Heart …

By JoanneRUSSELL25

Human life is dependent upon the hearts ability to pump forcefully and frequently enough, but heart failure signs can disturb its normal function. Most humans cannot live more than four minutes without a heartbeat or continuous blood-flow. At that time, brain cells begin to die because they lack adequately oxygenated blood-flow.

The human adult body requires, on average, 5.0 liters of re-circulated blood per minute. In the cardiology field, this metric is called the Cardiac Output, which is calculated as Stroke Volume (SV) x Heart Rate (HR). Another key metric is a patients Ejection-Fraction (EF %). A patients EF tells a cardiologist and other physicians if his or her heart is functioning normally or low normally. It is a measurement of ones heart contraction, with a normal EF range being 55-70%.

This number can also be combined with a patients heart rate to provide physicians with a baseline of a patients cardiac status. A normal range for an adult is 60-100 beats per minute, and this can be significantly higher during a normal pregnancy.

In this article:

For a cardiologist, cardiac metrics indicate if their services are required and allowthem to sign-off on pre-operative cardiac clearances. For other physicians, it tells them if the organ which they specialize in is being perfused adequately (for example, a nephrologist would be interested to know kidney perfusion). It can also indicate the degree to which decreased heart function may affect the severity or spread of disease.

When the heart fails to contract forcefully enough and its performance decreases to the point where its ability to circulate blood adequately is compromised (the EF% falls below 40%), this is considered heart failure. The clinical parameters of heart failure are clearly defined by the New York Heart Association (NYHA), which places patients in NYHA Class III & IV into the heart failure category.

An echocardiogram (often called an Echo), as opposed to an Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG), allows technicians and physicians to visualize the beating heart. Video clips of the heart contracting are digitally recorded, and a patients EF and Cardiac Output (CO) can be measured with several diagnostic tools (Fractional Shortening via 2D or M-Mode measurements and Simpsons Method via 2D and 3D Quantification) on a cardiovascular ultrasound system.

When an experienced echo tech or cardiologist views a failing heart, it is immediately apparent. Based on my experience reading echocardiograms, I can see that the heart walls or heart muscles (myocardium) are not contracting as vigorously as they should.

For patients with a 5% EF range, any physical movement is extremely strenuous, and they can go into cardiac arrest at any moment, which is why they are usually on cardiac telemetry in a hospital setting. Most likely, a patient with 5% EF range would be awaiting a heart transplant, unless there is a medical condition preventing them from being eligible.

Once a patient falls into the heart failure range, they will be lethargic and have severe limits on activities. Other clinical manifestations of heart failure can include peripheral edema (i.e. swelling in the feet, legs, ankles, or stomach), pulmonary edema, and shortness of breath. In many cases, this can lead to depression.

In evaluating the frequency of heart failure in the U.S, statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) find that approximately 5.7 million adults are afflicted with this condition. Additionally, care for congestive heart failure costs an estimated $30.7B per year. Furthermore, the mortality rates of patients suffering from heart failure indicate its clinical severity, with 1 in 5 patients with this condition dying within a year of receiving the diagnosis.

A patient experiencing severe heart failure has limited treatment options, which are expensive, complicated, and have major lifestyle implications.

These limited options include:

Consequently, physicians need more effective weapons for treating heart failure in order to improve patients lives and reduce healthcare-related costs. CHF patients have disproportionate hospital readmission rates when compared to other major diseases.

Enter in the growing field of cardiac stem cell treatments, which introduce fundamentally new treatment options for heart failure patients. In cardiac stem cell treatments, stem cells are taken from a patients bone marrow or fat tissue in a sterile surgical procedure and injected via a catheter-wire into infarcted or poorly contracting muscular segments of the hearts main pumping chamber, the left ventricle (LV).

Over the course of a few months, the stem cells impact myocardial cells and begin to improve the contractility of the affected segments, most likely through paracrine signaling mechanisms and impacting the local microenvironment. This can bring a patients EF to low-normal or even normal levels. As a result, a patient can live a more normal life and return to many activities.

A very early clinical trial aimed at evaluating the potential and effectiveness of cardiac stem cell therapy in humans was conducted in 2006 utilizing a commercial product, VesCellTM. The parameters and results of this trial were documented in the American Heart Associations Circulation, Abstract 3682: Treatment of Patients with Severe Angina Pectoris Using Intracoronarily Injected Autologous Blood-Borne Angiogenic Cell Precursors.The subjects of this trial received an intracoronary injection of VesCellTM, an Autologous Angiogenic Cell Precursor (ACP)-based product.

The authors drew their conclusion regarding this study. VesCell therapy for chronic stable angina seems to be safe and improves anginal symptoms at 3 and 6 months. Larger studies are being initiated to evaluate the benefit of VesCell for the treatment of this and additional severe heart diseases. (Source: Tresukosol et al. Abstract 3682: Treatment of Patients with Severe Angina Pectoris Using Intracoronarily Injected Autologous Blood-Borne Angiogenic Cell Precursors. Circulation. October 31, 2006. Vol. 114, Issue Suppl 18. Link: http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/114/Suppl_18/II_786.4 )

Another early cardiac stem cell clinical trial was performed in 2009 by a Cedars-Sinai team based on technologies and discoveries made by Eduardo Marban, MD, PhD, and led by Raj Makkar, MD. In this study, they explored the safety of harvesting, expanding, and administering a patients cardiac stem cells to repair heart tissue injured by myocardial infarction.

Recently, the American College of Cardiology (ACC) also announced results of a ground-breaking clinical study to evaluate the efficacy and effectiveness of cardiac stem cell treatment for heart failure patients. As stated by Timothy Henry, M.D., Director of Cardiology at Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute and one of the studys lead authors, This is the largest double-blind, placebo-controlled stem cell trial for treatment of heart failure to be presentedBased on these positive results, we are encouraged that this is an attractive potential therapy for patients with class III and class IV heart failure.

Additionally, Dr. Charles Goldthwaite, Jr, published a whitepaper titled, Mending a Broken Heart: Stem Cells and Cardiac Repair, in which he draws the conclusion, Given the worldwide prevalence of cardiac dysfunction and the limited availability of tissue for cardiac transplantation, stem cells could ultimately fulfill a large-scale unmet clinical need and improve the quality of life for millions of people with CVD. However, the use of these cells in this setting is currently in its infancymuch remains to be learned about the mechanisms by which stem cells repair and regenerate myocardium, the optimal cell types, and modes of their delivery, and the safety issues that will accompany their use.

Clearly, there is a trend toward acceptance of cardiac stem cell therapies as an emerging treatment option. Several world-renowned institutes are now conducting clinical studies involving cardiac stem cell treatment, as well as applying for intellectual property protection (patents) pertaining to the techniques required in administrating the therapies.

The key questions at this point in time appear to be:

An important whitepaper pertaining to cardiac stem cells is Ischemic Cardiomyopathy Patients Treated with Autologous Angiogenic and Cardio-Regenerative Progenitor Cells, written by Dr. Athina Kyritsis, et al. In it, the physicians describe their objective as investigating the feasibility, safety, and clinical outcome of patients with Ischemic Cardiomyopathy treated with Autologous Angiogenic and Cardio-Regenerative Progenitor cells (ACPs).

The researchers state: In numerous human trials there is evidence of improvement in the ejection fractions of Cardiomyopathy patients treated with ACPs. Animal experiments not only show improvement in cardiac function, but also engraftment and differentiation of ACPs into cardiomyocytes, as well as neo-vascularization in infarcted myocardium. In our clinical experience, the process has shown to be safe as well as effective.

The authors also found that patients treated with this approach gained increases in cardiac ejection fraction from their starting measurements, with improvements in their cardiac ejection fraction of 21 points (75% increase) at rest and 28.5 points (80% increase) at stress. As a result of these finding, the authors conclude, ACPs can improve the ejection fraction in patients with severely reduced cardiac function with benefits sustained to six months.

In the practice of medicine, the focus should be on delivering excellent care to patients. If there are cardiac stem cell treatments available, then regulatory obstacles should be removed when sufficient clinical trial evidence has been provided to indicate safety and efficacy.

Cardiologist Zannos Grekos, MD, a pioneer in cardiac stem cell therapy since 2006, points to the vastly untapped promise of related therapies, commenting Those of us that have been involved with cardiac stem cell treatment for the last 10-plus years can see the incredible potential this approach has.

As of 2017, the U.S. healthcare system is under enormous pressure to deliver affordable healthcareto a growing population of patients, especially those who are fully or partially covered under Medicare or Medicaid (many have secondary coverage). Although we are in the infancy of its development, cardiac stem cell treatments represent a potentially powerful treatment alternative to patients with heart failure symptoms.

To learn more, view the resources below.

1) Regenocyte http://www.regenocyte.com

2) Cleveland Clinic Stem Cell Therapy for Heart Disease my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/stem-cell-therapy-heart-disease

3) Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI) hsci.harvard.edu/heart-disease-0

4) Cedars Sinai Cardiac Stem Cell Treatment http://www.cedars-sinai.edu/Patients/Programs-and-Services/Heart-Institute/Clinical-Trials/Cardiac-Stem-Cell-Research.aspx

5) Johns Hopkins Medicine Cardiac Stem Cell Treatments http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/stem_cell_research/cell_therapy/a_new_path_for_cardiac_stem_cells.html

What do you think about heart failure signs and cardiac stem cell therapies? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Up Next:European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress Presentation Reveals Results From Pre-Clinical Study Using CardioCells Stem Cells for Acute Myocardial Infarction

Guest Post: This is a guest article by Clifford M. Thornton, a Certified Cardiovascular Technologist, experienced Echocardiographer Technician, and journalist in the cardiac and medical device fields. His articles have been published in Inventors Digest, Global Innovation Magazine, and Modern Health Talk. He is enthusiastic about progress with cardiac stem cell therapies and their role in heart failure treatment.He can be reached byphone at 267-524-7144 or by email at[emailprotected].

Editors Note This post was originally published on March 14, 2017, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.

Heart Failure Signs | Cardiac Stem Cell Therapies for Heart Failure Treatment

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November 15th, 2018

Stem Cell Skin Care – anti-aging cream and hydration Serum

By NEVAGiles23

SC21 BioTech: Stem Cell Skin Care Set

SC21 nowoffers a rejuvenating stem cell skin careset that is available to help restore aging skin. At SC21, we have been able to combine human mesenchymal stem cell growth factors, polypeptide complexes, and cytokines, with our day time anti-aging cream & evening hydration serum.

Our SC21 biotechnology scientists have developed a process to isolate potent rejuvenating factors from human stem cells. By resupplying the skin with these powerful missing factors, SC21 Day & Night Stem Cell Skin Care promotes cell renewal, boosts the production of collagen and elastin, restores aging cells, and, ultimately, provides you with more youthful looking skin.

It is important to note that as we age, the stem cell population that is vital in providing healing signals to the skin dramatically diminishes. As a result of this, the rejuvenating components the skin needs to maintain its appearance lessen. By replenishing lost peptides, cytokines & growth factors with the use of a topical product on the skin, we, through the day &night skin care set, are able to effectively re-engage the skins healing process.

The SC21 day & night stem cell skin care rejuvenation set also has a complete solution for restoring aging skin. We have, through the day anti-aging cream & night hydration serum been able to use: human mesenchymal stem cell growth factors, to regenerate human tissues; polypeptide complexes, (which penetrate the epidermis, outer layer of our skin) to send signals to the skin cells and cytokines proteins to send signals between the skin cells.

Focus Ingredient of Growth Factor Skin Care:

Mesenchymal Stem Cell (MSC) Peptide Complex = 15% (cytokines, growth factors, peptide complex)

Other Key Ingredients:

Focus Ingredient of Growth Factor Skin Care:

Mesenchymal Stem Cell (MSC) Peptide Complex = 20%(cytokines, growth factors, peptide complex)

Other Key Ingredients:

Apply 2-3 pumps to clean & dry skin.

Peptides are easier explained as signaling molecules produced by cells to instruct other cells.

As cellular messengers, cytokines influence and control our biological processes from start to finish. There are hundreds of unique cytokines in the human body. Cells talk with cytokines to repair injury, repel microbes, fight infections, and develop immunity.

Growth factors, are, on the other hand, diffusible signaling proteins that stimulate the growth of specific tissues and play a crucial role in promoting cell differentiation and division.

Many modern medical advances, including stem cell breakthroughs, are made possible due to our growing understanding of cytokines & growth factors. We use modern culture techniques (the same type used to produce human insulin and other naturally occurring substances) to grow human stem cells in the laboratory to harvest their regenerative cytokines and growth factors.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which are traditionally found in the bone marrow, are used to improve function upon integration because they are self-renewing cells that have the capacity to differentiate, and are capable of replacing and repairing damaged tissues.

MSCs can consequently during culture, produce the following:

Our skin cells are biologically designed to continuously renew themselves, but, starting from our mid 20s, the skin cell renewal process slows down and our skin becomes thinner. This thinning causes us to be more prone to skin damage from external elements.

However, there are other factors that can contribute to our aging process, and in other cases even cause premature aging. Some of these factors include:

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Stem Cell Skin Care - anti-aging cream and hydration Serum

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November 14th, 2018

Stem cells for stenosis – Dr. Marc Darrow is a Stem Cell …

By Sykes24Tracey

Marc Darrow MD, JD. Thank you for reading my article. You can ask me your questions aboutthis articleusing the contact form below.

I want to begin this article with a case study from our recently published research in theBiomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research.

Afterphysical assessment of her lower back, we determinedher pain was generated from a lumbosacral sprain. Not the narrowing of the L1-L5,S1

She had oneBone marrow derived stem cell treatment and at first follow up two weeks after the injections,the patient experienced no pain or stiffness and reported 90% total improvement. Approximately a year after treatment, she felt evenbetter, and stated that she was able to perform aerobics and line dancing for an hour and a half a day with no pain. She reportedinfrequent stiffness, but not as severe as it was prior to treatment.

Her resting and active pain were 0/10 and functionality score was 39/40.(1)

This was one document case in the medical literature. Over the years we have helped many people avoid a stenosis surgery they did not want or possibly did not even need.

Despite the fact that many studies insist that surgical treatment is the best option for lumbar spinal stenosis, a startling study was published in the medical journal Spine. In this study, American, Canadian and Italian researchers published their evidence:

We have very little confidence to conclude whether surgicaltreatmentor a conservative approach is better forlumbarspinal stenosis, and we can provide no new recommendations to guide clinical practice. . .However, it should be noted that the rate of side effects ranged from 10% to 24% in surgical cases, and no side effects were reported for any conservativetreatment. (2)

In the above research it should be pointed out the comparison between lumbar surgery and conservative treatments did not include stem cell therapy. They included the traditional conservative treatments including physical therapy, cortisone injections, pain medications and others listed below.

One of the reasons surgery may be no better than conservative care is that the surgery tried to fix a problem that was not there: Pain.

In the medical journal Osteoarthritis and Cartilage,doctors reported that many asymptomatic individuals, those with no pain or other challenges, have radiographic lumbar spinal stenosis. In other words they only have lumbar spinal stenosis on the MRI.

The doctors noted:

A diagnosis of spinal stenosis can be frightening because of the implications that a surgery may be needed to avoid paralysis.It is important to note that in instances where stenosis is so severe that the patient has lost circulation to the legs or bladder control a surgical consult should be made immediately.

In the December 2017 edition of the medical journal Spine, doctors from the University of Pittsburgh and University Toronto reported these observations in patients seeking non-surgical treatments for lumbar spinal stenosis.

Individuals with lumbar spinal stenosis may believe misinformation and information from non-medical sources, especially when medical providers do not spend sufficient time explaining the disease process and the reasoning behind treatment strategies. Receiving individualized care focused on self-management led to fewer negative emotions toward care and the disease process. Clinicians should be prepared to address all three of these aspects when providing care to individuals with lumbar spinal stenosis.(4)

Back pain can certainly cause anxiety, depression, and catastrophizing thoughts. The people in this study wanted education and involvement in their choice of treatment. I hope I can provide some for you here in this article.

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis is a narrowing of the space between vertebrae where the spinal cord and the spinal nerves travel. It is a diagnostic term to describe lower back pain with or without weakness and loss of sensation in the legs. It is a very common condition brought on mostly by aging and the accompanying degeneration of the spine.

In the recommended surgical procedures for spinal stenosis, two choices are the most favored.

A paper published in October 2017 gives a good outline where conservative medicine is in the treatment of Lumbar stenosis. It is from doctors at the University of South Carolina

This is indeed a fair assessment of SOME of the treatment options available to patients.However, not all doctors agree. At New York University in June 2017 research, doctors wrote:

The highest levels of evidence do not support minimally invasive surgery over open surgery for cervical orlumbardisc herniation. However, minimally invasive surgery fusion demonstrates advantages along with higher revision and hospital readmission rates. These results should optimize informed decision-making regarding minimally invasive surgery versus open spine surgery, particularly in the current advertising climate greatly favoring minimally invasive surgery.(6)

Researchers at theUniversity of Sydneysay that the evidence for recommending lumbar spinal surgery as the best option to patients is lacking and it is possible that a sham or placebo surgery can deliver the same results.(7)

In the research I cited at the top of this article, doctors at the Italian Scientific Spine Institute in Milanwrote: We cannot conclude on the basis of this review whether surgical or nonsurgical treatment is better for individuals with lumbar spinal stenosis. We can however report on the high rate of effects reported in three of five surgical groups and that no side effects were reported for any of the conservative treatment options.(8)

Considering the majority of these procedures are unnecessarily being performed for degenerative disc disease alone, spine surgeons should be increasingly asked why they are offering these operations to their patients

Ateam of Japanese researchers found thatpatients with lumbar spinal stenosiswho do not improve after nonsurgical treatments are typically treated surgically using decompressive surgeryand spinal fusion surgery. Unfortunately the researchers could not determine if the surgery had any benefit either.(9)Maybe the patients problem was not the stenosis?

Now lets go to another paper that has more of an opinion: From Dr. Nancy Epstein ofWinthrop University Hospital:

Surgeons at Leiden University Medical Centre in the Netherlandsspeculate that doctors go into a diagnosis oflumbar spinal stenosis with the thought that there is osteoarthritis a bony overgrowth on the spinal nerves. Once determined, the symptoms of patients can be categorized into two groups; regional (low back pain, stiffness, and so on) or radicular (spinal stenosis mainly presenting as neurogenic claudication nerve inflammation).

In the patients who primarily complain of radiculopathy (radiating leg pain) with an stable spine, a decompression surgery may be recommendedto removebonefrom around thenerve root to give the nerve root more space.The surgeons warn of thefear that surgery to a stable spine will make it unstable.(11)

Afusion procedure to limit the movement between two vertebrae and hopefully stop the compression of nerves is another option. As mentioned by independent research above surgery for spinal stenosis should onlybe considered after conservative therapies have been exhausted.Surgical treatment of lumbar spinal disorders, including fusion, is associated with a substantial risk of intraoperative and perioperative complications,as pointed out in the research by surgeons from Catholic University in Rome.(12)

Bone growth occurs in the spine because the bone is trying to stabilize the spine from excessive movement or laxity. Fusion surgery is recommended as a means to accelerate that type of stabilization. Regenerative medicine includingPRP andStem Cell Therapy(watch the video)works in a completely different way. Theystabilize the spine by strengthening the often forgotten and underappreciated spinal ligaments and tendons.These techniques help stabilize the spine, which is imperative as unstable joints can lead to or further exacerbate the arthritis that causes spinal stenosis.

In the medical journal Insights into imaging, researchers wrote of the four factors associated with the degenerative changes of the spine that cause spinal canal stenosis:

The same research suggests that these conditions can prevent the formation of new tissue (collagen) which can initiate repair.(13)

Collagen is of course the elastic material of skin and ligaments. Here the association between collagen interruption and spinal stenosis can be made to show spinal instability can be THE problem of symptomatic stenosis.

A fascinating study on what damaged spinal ligaments can do

A fascinating study in the Asian Spine Journal investigated the relationship between ligamentum flavum thickening and lumbar segmental instability, disc degeneration, and facet joint osteoarthritis. Ligament thickening is the result of chronic inflammation. Chronic ligament inflammation is the result of a ligament injury that is not healing.

What these researchers found was a significant correlation between ligamentum flavum thickness, spinal instability and disc degeneration. More so, the worse the degenerative disc disease, the worse the ligamentum flavum thickness.(14)

PRP and stem cells address the problem of ligament damage and inflammation. Addressing these problems address the problems of spinal instability. Addressing the problems of spinal instability can address the problems of spinal and cervical stenosis.

A leading provider of bone marrow derived stem cell therapy, Platelet Rich Plasma and Prolotherapy11645 WILSHIRE BOULEVARD SUITE 120, LOS ANGELES, CA 90025

PHONE: (800) 300-9300

1 Darrow M, Shaw BS. Treatment of Lower Back Pain with Bone Marrow Concentrate. Biomed J Sci&Tech Res 7(2)-2018. BJSTR. MS.ID.001461. DOI: 10.26717/ BJSTR.2018.07.001461.

2 Zaina F, TomkinsLane C, Carragee E, Negrini S. Surgical versus nonsurgical treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis. The Cochrane Library. 2016 Jul 1.

3 Lynch AD, Bove AM, Ammendolia C, Schneider M. Individuals with lumbar spinal stenosis seek education and care focused on self-managementresults of focus groups among participants enrolled in a randomized controlled trial. The Spine Journal. 2017 Dec 12

4 Ishimoto Y, Yoshimura N, Muraki S, Yamada H, Nagata K, Hashizume H, Takiguchi N, Minamide A, Oka H, Kawaguchi H, Nakamura K. Associations between radiographic lumbar spinal stenosis and clinical symptoms in the general population: the Wakayama Spine Study. Osteoarthritis and cartilage. 2013 Jun 1;21(6):783-8.

5Patel J, Osburn I, Wanaselja A, Nobles R. Optimal treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis: an update. Current Opinion in Anesthesiology. 2017 Oct 1;30(5):598-603.

6 Vazan M, Gempt J, Meyer B, Buchmann N, Ryang YM. Minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion versus open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion: a technical description and review of the literature. Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2017 Jun;159(6):1137-1146

7Machado GC, Ferreira PH, Yoo RI, et al. Surgical options for lumbar spinal stenosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016 Nov 1;11:CD012421.

8Zaina F, Tomkins-Lane C, Carragee E, Negrini S. Surgical Versus Nonsurgical Treatment for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2016 Jul 15;41(14):E857-68.

9 Inoue G, Miyagi M, Takaso M. Surgical and nonsurgical treatments for lumbar spinal stenosis. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol. 2016 Oct;26(7):695-704. doi: 10.1007/s00590-016-1818-3. Epub 2016 Jul 25.

10 Epstein NE. More nerve root injuries occur with minimally invasive lumbar surgery: Lets tell someone. Surg Neurol Int. 2016 Jan 25;7(Suppl 3):S96-S101. doi: 10.4103/2152-7806.174896. eCollection 2016.

11Overdevest GM, Moojen WA, Arts MP, Vleggeert-Lankamp CL, Jacobs WC, Peul WC.Management of lumbar spinal stenosis: a survey among Dutch spine surgeons. Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2014 Aug 7. [Epub ahead of print]

12.Proietti L, Scaramuzzo L, Schiro GR, Sessa S, Logroscino CA. Complications in lumbar spine surgery: A retrospective analysis. Indian J Orthop. 2013 Jul;47(4):340-5. doi: 10.4103/0019-5413.114909.

13 Kushchayev SV, Glushko T, Jarraya M, et al. ABCs of the degenerative spine.Insights into Imaging. 2018;9(2):253-274. doi:10.1007/s13244-017-0584-z.

14 Yoshiiwa T, Miyazaki M, Notani N, Ishihara T, Kawano M, Tsumura H. Analysis of the Relationship between Ligamentum Flavum Thickening and Lumbar Segmental Instability, Disc Degeneration, and Facet Joint Osteoarthritis in Lumbar Spinal Stenosis.Asian Spine Journal. 2016;10(6):1132-1140. doi:10.4184/asj.2016.10.6.1132.2373

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October 14th, 2018

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