Embryonic stem cells offer new treatment for multiple sclerosis
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Scientists in the University of Connecticut's Technology Incubation Program have identified a novel approach to treating multiple sclerosis (MS) using human embryonic stem cells, offering a promising new therapy for more than 2.3 million people suffering from the debilitating disease.
The researchers demonstrated that the embryonic stem cell therapy significantly reduced MS disease severity in animal models, and offered better treatment results than stem cells derived from human adult bone marrow.
The study was led by ImStem Biotechnology Inc. of Farmington, Conn., in conjunction with UConn Health Professor Joel Pachter, Assistant Professor Stephen Crocker, and Advanced Cell Technology (ACT) Inc. of Massachusetts. ImStem was founded in 2012 by UConn doctors Xiaofang Wang and Ren-He Xu, along with Yale University doctor Xinghua Pan and investor Michael Men.
"The cutting-edge work by ImStem, our first spinoff company, demonstrates the success of Connecticut's Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine funding program in moving stem cells from bench to bedside," says Professor Marc Lalande, director of the UConn's Stem Cell Institute.
The research was supported by a $1.13 million group grant from the state of Connecticut's Stem Cell Research Program that was awarded to ImStem and Professor Pachter's lab.
"Connecticut's investment in stem cells, especially human embryonic stem cells, continues to position our state as a leader in biomedical research," says Gov. Dannel P. Malloy. "This new study moves us one step closer to a stem cell-based clinical product that could improve people's lives."
The researchers compared eight lines of adult bone marrow stem cells to four lines of human embryonic stem cells. All of the bone marrow-related stem cells expressed high levels of a protein molecule called a cytokine that stimulates autoimmunity and can worsen the disease. All of the human embryonic stem cell-related lines expressed little of the inflammatory cytokine.
Another advantage of human embryonic stem cells is that they can be propagated indefinitely in lab cultures and provide an unlimited source of high quality mesenchymal stem cells -- the kind of stem cell needed for treatment of MS, the researchers say. This ability to reliably grow high quality mesenchymal stem cells from embryonic stem cells represents an advantage over adult bone marrow stem cells, which must be obtained from a limited supply of healthy donors and are of more variable quality.
"Groundbreaking research like this furthering opportunities for technology ventures demonstrates how the University acts as an economic engine for the state and regional economy," says Jeff Seemann, UConn's vice president for research.
The findings also offer potential therapy for other autoimmune diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and type-1 diabetes, according to Xu, a corresponding author on the study and one of the few scientists in the world to have generated new human embryonic stem cell lines.
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Embryonic stem cells offer new treatment for multiple sclerosis
Global Stem Cell Therapy Industry Pipeline Analysis 2020 – Video
By daniellenierenberg
Global Stem Cell Therapy Industry Pipeline Analysis 2020
Stem Cell Therapy Industry @ http://bit.ly/1qkbHjQ.
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Stem Cell Therapy in South Korea – Video
By Sykes24Tracey
Stem Cell Therapy in South Korea
When traditional treatments fail, Stem Cell Therapy in South Korea offers hope to worldwide patients.
By: placidways
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Patient Testimonial: Stem cell therapy for Multiple Sclerosis – Video
By NEVAGiles23
Patient Testimonial: Stem cell therapy for Multiple Sclerosis
http://www.placidway.com/profile/1617/ - Stem cell therapy in Switzerland was effective for 44 year old patient who had multiple sclerosis. He explains how the side effects started to diminish...
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Patient Testimonial: Stem cell therapy for Multiple Sclerosis - Video
Lumbar disc pain one year after stem cell therapy by Dr Harry Adelson – Video
By JoanneRUSSELL25
Lumbar disc pain one year after stem cell therapy by Dr Harry Adelson
Lisa describes her outcome one year after having bone marrow stem cells injected into her degenerated and dehydrated lumbar discs by Dr Harry Adelson http://www.docereclinics.com.
By: Harry Adelson, N.D.
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Lumbar disc pain one year after stem cell therapy by Dr Harry Adelson - Video
Stem Cell Expert Explains How Experimental Regenerative Medicine Therapies Can Regrow Damaged Heart Muscle
By daniellenierenberg
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Newswise LOS ANGELES (June 17, 2014) Stem cell therapy for cardiovascular disease isnt a medical pipe dream its a reality today, although patients need to better understand the complex science behind these experimental treatments, according to the chief of Cardiology for the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute.
In a 17-minute TEDxGrandForks talk now available on YouTube.com, Timothy D. Henry, MD, known for his innovative work in developing stem cell treatments for advanced heart disease patients, said he understands why so many are confused about the latest scientific findings.
Most people today get our information from sound bites, and the issues surrounding stem cells are too complex to be fully explained in a single catchy phrase, Henry said, adding, We have far too much controversy about stem cells and far too much hype.
Stem cell science has become a political dividing line with many opposing research into stem cells derived from human embryos, Henry said. However, he said, todays leading-edge clinical research focuses on stem cells derived from adults that can be scientifically programmed to become a specialized cell, such as a heart cell or a brain cell, thereby avoiding the ethical questions involved in embryonic research.
Very few of the cells we give actually become muscle or actually become blood vessels, Henry said. What they do is increase growth factors and encourage natural cells in the body to generate new, healthy tissue.
The Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, directed by Eduardo Marbn, MD, PhD, is a world leader in studying the use of stem cells to regenerate heart muscle in patients who have had heart attacks. In 2009, Cedars-Sinai physicians conducted the first infusion of stem cells into heart attack patients, using stem cells grown from the patients own heart tissue. The resulting study, published in February 2012 in The Lancet, showed that patients who underwent the stem cell procedure experienced a significant reduction in the size of the scar left behind by a heart attack. Patients also experienced a sizable increase in healthy heart muscle following the experimental stem cell treatments.
Currently, Henry is co-directing a new stem cell study with Raj Makkar, MD, director of Interventional Cardiology. The national trial, called ALLSTAR, uses heart cells from unrelated donors in an effort to reverse lasting tissue damage after a heart attack.
During his talk, Henry also expressed concern for patients who might be taken advantage of by unscrupulous clinics outside of the United States that offer stem cell cures for everything from neurological diseases to baldness. Patients also need to understand that stem cell science has a long way to go before regenerative medicine treatments are widely available.
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Stem Cell Expert Explains How Experimental Regenerative Medicine Therapies Can Regrow Damaged Heart Muscle
MP calls for bone marrow champions
By daniellenierenberg
By Ian Dipple Wednesday 18 June 2014 Updated: 18/06 11:28
REDDITCH residents have been urged to join the bone marrow register to help the fight against blood cancer.
Anthony Nolan and Redditch MP Karen Lumley have joined forces for the appeal. For the first time the charity has mapped the bone marrow register across the UK by local area.
In Redditch there are more than 562 people willing to donate their stem cells or bone marrow to save the life of a stranger.
However it is well below the average of 796 per Parliamentary constituency and is ranked 467th out of 650.
Two thirds of UK patients in need of a transplant will not find a matching donor from their family. Anthony Nolan helps them find an unrelated donor but can currently only match half of all requests.
Mrs Lumley said: "I want to see many more of my constituents join this fight. Im hunting for more crusaders to sign up today, so we can fight blood cancer together. It is something truly heroic to give a stranger a second chance at life. This is why Im proud to champion this cause to my constituents."
Ann OLeary, head of register development at Anthony Nolan, added: "Donating is an incredibly selfless thing to do and will give someone with blood cancer their best chance at survival."
Anyone aged 16 to 30 and in good health can join the bone marrow register. It involves filling out a simple online form and spitting into a tube.
Visit http://www.anthonynolan.org/superhero for more information.
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MP calls for bone marrow champions
Could 'editing' genes be the key to curing HIV? Giving patients altered blood cells could make them resistant to the …
By raymumme
It's possible to alter genetic material of stem cells to provide HIV resistance A DNA sequence can be removed from the cells and replaced with another The replacements can be taken from people with natural HIV resistance These altered stem cells can then be used to create HIV-resistant white blood cells
By Emma Innes
Published: 07:57 EST, 11 June 2014 | Updated: 12:03 EST, 11 June 2014
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HIV could be cured by genetically editing stem cells, researchers believe.
U.S. scientists say they have already demonstrated that it is possible to alter the genetic material of some stem cells.
This in turn provides HIV resistance, they report.
A new 'genome editing' technique could be the key to curing HIV. Image shows HIV in human tissue
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Could 'editing' genes be the key to curing HIV? Giving patients altered blood cells could make them resistant to the ...
Stemologica – Video
By daniellenierenberg
Stemologica
Researchers have verified that when included in our skin creams, the Uttwiler Sptlauber Swiss apple stem cells will communicate with you have skin #39;s stem ce...
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Obesity & Weight (Stem Cell Therapy) – Video
By Sykes24Tracey
Obesity Weight (Stem Cell Therapy)
The subject matter of this video Obesity Weight.
By: Mohammad Sadique
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Obesity & Weight (Stem Cell Therapy) - Video
Stem cell therapy | stem cells laboratory chip osteoarthritis – Video
By JoanneRUSSELL25
Stem cell therapy | stem cells laboratory chip osteoarthritis
http://www.arthritistreatmentcenter.com A 3 D lab chip for osteoarthritis... learn more next... Living human cartilage grown on lab chip In Business Standard...
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Stem cell therapy | stem cells laboratory chip osteoarthritis - Video
A.P.REYES, MD ~U.S.SENATOR, LEGALIZING STEM CELL THERAPY IN U.S.A. – Video
By Sykes24Tracey
A.P.REYES, MD ~U.S.SENATOR, LEGALIZING STEM CELL THERAPY IN U.S.A.
I created this video with the YouTube Slideshow Creator (http://www.youtube.com/upload)
By: Arturo Reyes
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A.P.REYES, MD ~U.S.SENATOR, LEGALIZING STEM CELL THERAPY IN U.S.A. - Video
Spinal Kinetics and Dr. Kenneth Pettine Initiate US FDA Clinical Trial of M6(R)-C Artificial Cervical Disc at Arete …
By Sykes24Tracey
SUNNYVALE, CA and JOHNSTOWN, CO--(Marketwired - Jun 11, 2014) - Spinal Kinetics, the designer and manufacturer of the M6 Artificial Disc, and Kenneth A. Pettine, MD, a leading spine surgeon in northern Colorado, announced completion of the initial series of M6-C implantsas part of a US FDA Clinical Trial at Arte Surgical Center in Johnstown, Colorado.To date, four patients have received the innovative artificial disc at Arte and are among the first treated nationwide.
Dr. Pettine is the only surgeon in Colorado enrolling for the FDA trial and one of only a select number of centers in the US.The trial compares single-level cervical disc replacement to single-level cervical fusion.The M6-C artificial disc represents next generation technology in artificial cervical disc design. "We are very excited to participate in this important clinical trial," said Dr. Kenneth Pettine, M6-C Clinical Trial Investigator and co-Founder of Arte Surgical Center and The Spine Institute at Rocky Mountain Associates in Orthopedic Medicine (Johnstown, CO)."The M6-C has established a phenomenal track record overseas, and we are happy to finally bring this advancement to our patient base here in the US for this clinical study."
The M6-C artificial cervical disc is designed to help patients suffering from degenerative disc disease of the spine, a common cause of chronic neck and arm pain. The M6 technology provides an alternative to spinal fusion and is designed to restore natural physiologic motion to the spine. The M6 is the only artificial disc that replicates the anatomic structure and biomechanics of a natural disc by incorporating both an artificial nucleus and annulus.
"Spinal Kinetics is proud to collaborate with Dr. Kenneth Pettine at the Spine Institute and the team at Arte Surgical Center on this important milestone event," said Tom Afzal, President and CEO of Spinal Kinetics, Inc."Spine surgeons and patients across the US have asked for access to this leading edge disc technology, and we are excited to start the process toward FDA approval by working with key Surgeon/Investigators like Dr. Pettine and innovative Spine Centers like Arte."
Introduced internationally in 2006, M6 technology has quickly become the market leader in Europe and other international markets and is available in over 27 countries worldwide. With approximately 30,000 implants to date, the M6 has become the disc of choice among leading spine surgeons around the world.In the U.S., Spinal Kinetics has successfully completed an FDA approved pilot study of the M6-C and subsequently received approval from the FDA to initiate the current clinical trial.
For more information on potential enrollment in the M6-C Clinical Trial, please contact Kira Sniff at ksniff@rmaortho.com, or (970) 669-8881 ext 229.
About Degenerative Disc Disease Between adjacent vertebra throughout the spine is an intervertebral disc; a shock-absorbing pillow that helps maintain proper spacing, stability, and motion within the spine.Each disc has a fibrous outer band called the annulus fibrosus that encases a central, gel-like substance called the nucleus pulposus.The nucleus and annulus work together to absorb shock, help stabilize the spine, and provide a controlled range of motion between adjacent vertebra.Often brought on by aging, the spine begins to show signs of wear and tear and the discs can dry out and shrink.This degenerative process can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves and may cause neck, arm and back pain and other painful conditions such as spinal stenosis or a herniated disc.
About Spinal Kinetics Founded in 2003, Spinal Kinetics is a privately held medical device company focused on developing innovative and practical solutions for treatment of diseases of the spine. The M6-C cervical and M6-L lumbar artificial discs have rapidly established themselves among the leading artificial discs available due to their unique biomechanical properties that replicate the motion of a natural disc.The company is located in Sunnyvale, California.
About Kenneth A. Pettine, MD Dr. Kenneth Pettine co-founded The Spine Institute at Rocky Mountain Associates in Orthopedic Medicine. He has an extensive background in spinal surgery, research, and rehabilitation. Dr. Pettine is a board certified fellowship trained spine surgeon.He is the recipient of numerous honors, a distinguished speaker at national and international symposiums, and the author of nearly 20 research publications. He has been the principal investigator for 16 FDA studies involving non-fusion implants, biologics, and stem cells. For information on Dr. Pettine and The Spine Institute visit http://www.spinerevolution.com
About Arte Surgical Center Arte is a pain management and orthopedic/ spine ambulatory surgical facility in Johnstown, CO, that is licensed and joint commission accredited. We provide our patients with quality outpatient and inpatient surgical care in a safe and friendly environment. For information on the Arte Surgical Center, please visit http://www.aretesurgicalcenter.com
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Spinal Kinetics and Dr. Kenneth Pettine Initiate US FDA Clinical Trial of M6(R)-C Artificial Cervical Disc at Arete ...
Lipids Help to Fight Leukemia
By daniellenierenberg
16.06.2014 - (idw) Universitt Basel
T cells use a novel mechanism to fight leukemia. They may recognize unique lipids produced by cancer cells and kill tumor cells expressing these lipid molecules. A study conducted by researchers at the University of Basel shows that a tumor-associated lipid stimulates specific T cells, which efficiently kill leukemia cells both in vitro and in animal models. The results have been published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine. Leukemias are cancer diseases affecting blood cells . Acute leukemias prevent development of normal bold cells and thereby are severe life-threatening diseases. Current therapy for acute leukemias is based on chemotherapy that eradicates tumor cells followed by bone-marrow stem cell transplantation that reconstitutes the patient with healthy blood cells. In some cases, leukemia cells survive this treatment and start to re-grow. A major aim of many studies is finding novel and efficient ways to detect and eradicate leukemia cells before a second outbreak of the disease.
More punch against tumor cells
T lymphocytes are major contributors to fight against leukemias. T cells may recognize and become activated by tumor-specific protein antigens in some instances produced in large amounts only by tumor cells. These protein antigens are also called tumor-associated antigens (TAA) and stimulate specific T cells, which in turn kill leukemia cells. However, protein TAA accumulation can be drastically reduced by variant leukemia cells and some TAA may change their structure, thus preventing recognition by T cells and facilitating tumor immune evasion.
Prof. Gennaro De Libero and his team from the Department of Biomedicine at the University of Basel has identified a new approach that might help to make the immune system more efficient in recognizing leukemia cells. His research team is studying T cells that specifically recognize lipid antigens since several years. Together with colleagues in Italy, China and Singapore, the Swiss team has identified a new lipid that accumulates in leukemia cells and that stimulates specific T cell responses. The new lipid methyl-lysophosphatidic acid (mLPA) is very abundant in several forms of human leukemias and is the first example of a lipid TAA.
The published study also shows that it is possible to isolate human T cells that specifically recognize and kill mLPA-expressing leukemia cells in in vitro tests. When these T cells were transplanted into mice, they also displayed great in vivo therapeutic efficacy against leukemia cells.
An important feature of mLPA is that differently from protein TAA, it does not change its structure, and remains abundant in leukemia cells. The Swiss team is now investigating, whether mLPA can be used to target leukemia cells in addition to protein TAA. This type of immunotherapy may be extremely beneficial in preventing relapses of the disease after chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation. It opens new avenues to novel non-invasive cancer immunotherapies.
Original source Marco Lepore, Claudia de Lalla, S. Ramanjaneyulu Gundimeda, Heiko Gsellinger, Michela Consonni, Claudio Garavaglia, Sebastiano Sansano, Francesco Piccolo, Andrea Scelfo, Daniel Hussinger, Daniela Montagna, Franco Locatelli, Chiara Bonini, Attilio Bondanza, Alessandra Forcina, Zhiyuan Li, Guanghui Ni, Fabio Ciceri, Paul Jen, Chengfeng Xia, Lucia Mori, Paolo Dellabona, Giulia Casorati, and Gennaro De Libero
Further information Prof. Gennaro De Libero, University of Basel, Department of Biomedicine, phone: +41 61 265 23 65, email: gennaro.delibero@unibas.ch Dr. Lucia Mori, University of Basel, Department of Biomedicine, phone: +41 61 265 23 27, email: lucia.mori@unibas.ch Weitere Informationen:http://www.jem.org/cgi/doi/10.1084/jem.20140410 - Abstract
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Lipids Help to Fight Leukemia
Cord blood infusion saves woman's life
By Sykes24Tracey
LOS ANGELES (KABC) --
Amanda Canale doesn't take time with her daughter and niece for granted. She's just happy to feel good.
"I've been in the hospital, and I've been sick my whole life," Amanda said.
Amanda was born with a rare blood disorder that required daily shots.
"Basically, I have no white blood cells," Amanda said. "I have no immune system at all."
At 23, she developed leukemia and was given two weeks to live. She desperately needed a bone marrow transplant, but family members weren't matches. Her doctor suggested an umbilical cord blood transplant.
"The cord was a perfect match and it was available, so it was the right solution for her," Edward Agura, MD, Medical Director of Bone Marrow Transplantation, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, said.
Cord blood contains stem cells that regenerate. Mothers of newborns can save their child's own blood or donate it. More than 30,000 transplants have been performed worldwide. However, because the blood comes from a tiny newborn, there's not much of it.
"The cord blood is rare, precious and few, and yet is more potent in its ability to grow," Dr. Agura said.
Now, doctors at Baylor are treating patients by combining cord blood from multiple donors. They've found this increases the number of stem cells and provides faster recovery. Amanda's transfusion was from a baby whose mother donated six years earlier. The procedure completely cured her cancer and blood disorder.
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Cord blood infusion saves woman's life
NH Teen In Recovery After International Search For Bone Marrow Donor
By LizaAVILA
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BOSTON (CBS) Behaylu Barry is on the mend at home in Stratham, New Hampshire, after 34 days at Boston Childrens Hospital.
Behaylu, 13, received a bone marrow transplant in an effort to rebuild his immune system, compromised by a rare blood disorder.
I didnt feel like I had anything at all until I started doing something, said Behaylu of his aplastic anemia, diagnosed in February.
The star athlete scored seven goals in a January soccer game but a week later, felt exhausted and out of breath. Nose bleeds and infected cuts led his parents to believe something was seriously wrong. When doctors told Midori and Aidan Barry that Behaylu would need a bone marrow transplant, it was terrifying to hear.
The reality is we havent had time to think about it. Youre a parent. You go into campaign mode, said Aidan. That campaign lead the Barrys back to a village in Ethiopia where they first met Behaylu in 2007. Then 6-years-old, his biological parents couldnt afford to care for Behaylu so they put him up for adoption. Though the Barrys had three grown children of their own, they brought Behaylu home and eventually began assisting his other siblings still in Africa.
We thought we were helping them. We never thought theyd help us, said Aidan of the familys quick response to the Barrys request for cheek swabs, in an attempt to find a bone marrow donor for Behaylu. Two of his five siblings were perfect matches. Rediat, 16, and Eden, 10, quickly came to the United States.
The trio had two weeks to reconnect, even attending a New England Revolution game when the team was gracious enough to donate box seats. Behaylus compromised immune system makes it dangerous for him to be exposed to crowds.
During the visit, doctors decided Rediat should be the bone marrow donor. The two brothers underwent the painful procedure in May. Behaylu also received chemotherapy. Now his body is building a new immune system with the help of stem cells from Rediat.
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NH Teen In Recovery After International Search For Bone Marrow Donor
H-E-B promotes store brand skin care line
By raymumme
H-E-B's private label skin care line is the retailers Beauty Pick of the Month.
The formula for EverVescence by H-E-B includes Uttwiler Spatlauber Swiss Apples, which contain stem cells that help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and tired skin.
The line includes: Redefining Eye Cream, Redefining Face Serum and Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15.
As the beauty pick of the month, the line is promoted on heb.com and social media.
The Beauty Pick of the Month is also reviewed by members of H-E-B's beauty panel, which includes H-E-B's employees as well as beauty bloggers.
Among the reviews:
"The eye cream is like a spa treatment with a cooling effect that sinks in and feels fabulous, wrote "Cheryl," online editor for heb.com. Now I can pick up my skincare products at my HEB.
Meanwhile, Liz, H-E-Bs digital marketing manager, said she would recommend all three items to others:
"I used all three as directed and found my skin was softer, she said. The smell was light and not unpleasant like other products I have tried. The products did not irritate my sensitive skin.
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H-E-B promotes store brand skin care line
Jordans stem-cell law can guide the Middle East
By raymumme
In January, Jordan passed a law to control research and therapy using human stem cells derived from embryos the first such regulation in the Arab and Islamic region. I was part of the group headed by Abdalla Awidi Abbadi, director of the Cell Therapy Center at the University of Jordan in Amman, that initiated the call for the law and later drafted it. Stem-cell research is a hot topic for Jordan because of the kingdoms status as a health-care hub that draws patients from abroad. It is already one of few countries in the Middle East with regulations for protecting people who participate in clinical trials. This latest law should serve as an example to other countries in the region.
The new rules ban private companies from using human embryonic stem (ES) cells in research or therapies. Such work will be allowed only in government organizations or publicly funded academic institutions in Jordan, which have higher levels of transparency than private firms and are supervised by the health ministry and a specialized committee. The law also bans payment for donations of stem cells and eggs, and says that modified and manipulated cells are not to be used for human reproduction. There is no current research on human ES cells in Jordan; this is a pre-emptive step.
Much of the controversy and disagreement over work on stem cells worldwide arises from the different views of the major religions on the earliest stages of life. Although the use of human ES cells is opposed by the Roman Catholic Church and some Protestant denominations, it is generally supported by the Jewish community and accepted in many Muslim countries. There is no consensus on when human embryonic life begins, but the majority of Muslim scholars consider it to start 40120 days after conception and therefore hold the view that a fertilized egg up to 5days old has no soul it is not human life but biological life. So for many, there is no ethical problem in the Islamic faith with using an early embryo to produce stem cells.
All our discussions in Jordan have concluded that stem-cell research is permissible in Islam.
Such conclusions are not easy to reach. Many Muslim countries consider legislation and bioethics principles to be based on three pillars of Islamic law. The first is the Quran. The second is Sunnah, or the legislative decisions of the Prophet Muhammad. The third is ijmaa the consensus of Muslim scholars and ijtihad, the concept that every adequately qualified scholar has the right to independently solve problems. On the basis of these pillars, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia have drawn up guidelines on stem-cell research, but they are not legally binding.
Jordans stem-cell law is the product of years of discussions by committees comprising scientists, physicians, Arabic-language experts, lawyers and Muslim and Christian theologians. The issues that arose confusion between stem cells and embryonic stem cells, for instance were discussed and resolved. We consulted with both the National Committee for Science and Technology Ethics and the education ministry. The final law was approved by the council of Muslim scholars, the Majlis Al-Iftaa.
The council agreed with a 2003 decision (fatwa) by Muslim scholars that allows the use of human ES cells from permissible sources including legally produced excess fertilized eggs from invitro fertilization. The decision to ban private companies from using these cells was driven by concerns that the work would encourage termination of pregnancies, which is illegal in Jordan unless the mothers life or health is at risk. The council was clear that the new law must forbid human reproductive cloning and should not allow embryos to be created from the sperm and eggs of unmarried couples.
The distinction drawn between the various sources of stem cells earlier in the discussion process allowed the Majlis Al-Iftaa to take a more permissive approach to techniques using stem cells that are not derived from human embryos. For example, somatic-cell nuclear transfer (in which a patients DNA is transplanted into an unfertilized human egg that has no nucleus) and induced pluripotent stem cells, which are made from adult cells, can be worked on by the private sector under the new rules.
The therapeutic use of bone-marrow transplantation including transplants of blood-forming stem cells is well established in Jordan. Such procedures are already regulated by existing laws on medical practice, so the new law makes a clear distinction between these techniques and human ES-cell therapy.
The legislation not only covers all current aspects of stem-cell research and use, but also leaves room for later modification. It mandates the creation of a national committee that, among other things, will take responsibility for laying out specific regulations for stem-cell banking in accordance with international standards.
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Jordans stem-cell law can guide the Middle East
Scientists find trigger to decode the genome
By Sykes24Tracey
Scientists from The University of Manchester have identified an important trigger that dictates how cells change their identity and gain specialized functions.
And the research, published in Cell Reports, has brought them a step closer to being able to decode the genome.
The scientists have found out how embryonic stem cell fate is controlled which will lead to future research into how cells can be artificially manipulated.
Lead author Andrew Sharrocks, Professor in Molecular Biology at The University of Manchester, said: "Understanding how to manipulate cells is crucial in the field of regenerative medicine which aims to repair or replace damaged or diseased human cells or tissues to restore normal function."
During the research the team focused on the part of the cellular genome that gives a gene its expression known as the 'enhancer'. This controls the conversion of DNA from genes into useful information that provides the building blocks that determine the structure and function of our cells.
Different enhancers are active in different cell types, allowing the production of distinct gene products and hence a range of alternative cell types. In the current study, the team have determined how these enhancers become active.
Professor Sharrocks said: "All of us develop into complex human beings containing millions of cells from a single cell created by fertilization of an egg. To transit from this single cell state, cells must divide and eventually change their identity and gain specialised functions. For example we need specific types of cells to populate our brains, and our recent work has uncovered the early steps in the creation of these types of cells.
"One of the most exciting areas of regenerative medicine is the newly acquired ability to be able to manipulate cell fate and derive new cells to replace those which might be damaged or lost, either through old age or injury. To do this, we need to use molecular techniques to manipulate stem cells which have the potential to turn into any cell in our bodies."
But one of the current drawbacks in the field of regenerative medicine is that the approaches are relatively inefficient, partly because scientists do not fully understand the basic principles which control cell fate determination.
"We believe that our research will help to make regenerative medicine more effective and reliable because we'll be able to gain control and manipulate cells -- thus our understanding of the regulatory events within a cell shed light on how to decode the genome," concluded Professor Sharrocks.
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Scientists find trigger to decode the genome
New Stem Cell Based Treatment for COPD; Nebulized Pure PRP System Uses Blood Growth Factors That Can Trigger Healing …
By raymumme
Sarasota, FL (PRWEB) June 12, 2014
Nebulized Pure PRP may offer COPD sufferers a less expensive and an effective alternative to stem cell therapy. When normal injury occurs, platelets are stimulated to release growth factors, cytokines and other immune system components in what is called the inflammatory phase of healing. In the lungs, platelets can adhere to injured or inflamed endothelial cells where they start the healing process. It is believed that by increasing the number of platelets in the lungs through this method, it is possible to decrease inflammation and accelerate the healing process in the lungs. Platelets are vehicles for the delivery of growth factors (PDGF, TGF-, IGF, EGF, VEGF) that induce proliferation of fibroblasts, osteoblasts and endothelial cells, promoting and accelerating healing of hard and soft tissues.
Autologous Platelet Rich Plasma also contains fibrin, fibronectin and vitronectin that act as cell adhesion molecules for lung epithelial migration. Autologous Platelet Rich Plasma treatment has been evaluated in various medical disciplines including orthopaedics, wound healing, neurosurgery, dentistry as well as cosmetic, plastic and cardiothoracic surgery. Nebulized Pure PRP treatment holds much promise and is being researched for its applications.
This new medical advance can bring effective and affordable healthcare to many patients with COPD. It is also attractive because the patients own blood is used thus, limiting the potential for disease transmission.
Our key product differentiation is to enable the Pure PRP treatment to be applied to patients who are suffering from COPD. COPD is the most dangerous disease in the elderly, affecting more than 200 million people across the globe. COPD is considered to be the cause of about 3 million deaths annually. This is a life-threatening disease caused by many reasons such as smoking, pollution, dust, irritants, genetic disorders, etc. It is associated with the excess production of sputum and an inflammation which obstructs the airways and results in breathing problems.
Though there is no cure for COPD, the condition can be controlled with the help of treatments. Stem cell therapy which has proved to be one of the most successful treatments for many chronic health conditions like heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, etc., has given a ray of hope in favor of COPD. Stem cells are known for their regenerative properties which help in the development of the tissues and blood cells. These cells are of two types: embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. Embryonic stem cells can be derived from blastocyst which is a type of embryo; whereas adult stem cells are found in the bone marrow, skin, umbilical cord, placenta and many other tissues. Embryonic stem cells are derived and are grown in cell culture for research and development. But adult stem cells, once removed from the body, divide with great difficulty which makes the treatment difficult to perform. The stem cells are either from the person itself who needs it which is known as autologous stem cell or they can be received from a donor which is known as allogeneic stem cell.
Cells donated by the donor may or may not be accepted by the bodys immune system. Hence, using ones own stem cells reduces the chances of rejection. In COPD, the tissues and cells of the lungs are destroyed, which causes various types of complications. Hence, with the help of stem cell therapy, the destroyed or damaged cells can be regenerated and new lung tissues can be formed. According to the procedure followed by the International Stem Cell Institute (ISCI); San Diego, California, adipose tissue is removed from the patient and is processed with a combination of platelet rich plasma which contains growth factors that help in the process of cell multiplication and development. This helps in COPD treatment as whenever the lungs need repair, about 80% of the stem cells reach the repairing site through the circulatory system. When the blood passes through the lungs, stem cells get trapped in the space where there is damage. The stem cells then start multiplying and repairing the tissue. The recovery does not take place immediately, but improvement can be noticed in 3 to 6 months. It helps in the suppression of inflammation, improves breathing and cures many pulmonary complications. Our Nebulized Pure PRP System aims to support this proposition to treat COPD patients. Treatments run about $1,000 and insurance does not currently pay for this treatment.
Contact our office at (941) 330-8553 to find out more about how Nebulized Pure PRP can offer you relief from symptoms of COPD. Also we are at http://advancedwellness.us/blog2/nebulized-platelet-rich-plasma-prp-for-asthma-copd-and-systemic-growth-effects-in-athletics/
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New Stem Cell Based Treatment for COPD; Nebulized Pure PRP System Uses Blood Growth Factors That Can Trigger Healing ...