StemCell Therapy

I saw my Doctor about my shoulder pain. He took an X-ray and told me nothing is wrong.

A more appropriate response would have been, theres nothing broken. Most sources of shoulder pain are not obvious on an X-ray. The shoulder is a remarkable joint with more movement than any other joint in our body. Thus, diagnosis of the specific cause of pain in the shoulder can be difficult.

The earliest signs of arthritis in the shoulder typically appear in the joint connecting the collar bone to the shoulder blade (acromio-clavicular or AC joint). In the absence of injury, this joint can show signs of arthritis on x-ray as early as age twenty-five. Pain associated with this joint is increased with lying on the side, using the arm at shoulder height or higher, pulling things toward you or away from your body. The pain does not make motion impossible but the use of the shoulder increases the pain.

Rotator cuff tears may be partial or complete. Risk factors for rotator cuff problems include male gender, high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol. Trauma is also a major cause, fall on shoulder or outstretched hand, shoulder dislocation, lifting or pulling heavy objects. Partial tears are more painful, full thickness tears result in loss of motion and weakness. Many partial tears do not require surgery. Full thickness tears will not heal without surgery. But with therapy, the patient may regain an acceptable motion and use, depending on the patients needs.

A cartilage ring surrounds the socket of the shoulder. This cartilage ring, the rotator cuff and the joint capsule provide a stable joint with an extensive range of motion. Tears of this cartilage ring cause pain and mechanical symptoms. They usually result from shoulder dislocation or an unexpected pulling injury to the arm. The bicipital tendon, one of two tendons to the bicep muscle is attached to this cartilage ring. Tears of the bicipital tendon are common. Usually the result of lifting heavy objects. Tears of this tendon usually do not require surgery. The patient will lose ten to fifteen percent of strength bending the elbow. A cosmetic deformity of the bicep contour will occur, but does not contribute to significant weakness.

The shoulder joint contains cartilage and is prone to developing arthritis. The onset is gradual. Primary complaint is pain. As the arthritis becomes more severe the patient will eventually lose motion. The pain is described as constant, increased with use and many times associated with painful catching and grinding.

Another frequent source of shoulder pain is actually referred from the neck. The patients neck may not hurt! The pain is typically in the back of the shoulder blade. The majority of time, the pain will go below the elbow sometimes causing numbness and tingling in the fingers. Pain that is solely due to a shoulder problem may go to the elbow but not below. Unfortunately, having an injured shoulder does not mean you dont also have a neck problem, and vice versa.

The key to minimizing shoulder pain lies in maintaining muscle fitness not only the rotator cuff, but the muscles that stabilize your shoulder blade. The shoulder allows us an incredible ability to perform complex tasks. Shoulder pain consequently can be a source of severe dysfunction.

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MEDICAL MATTERS: Shoulder pain can be early sign of arthritis or other injury - Odessa American

Five years ago, Bronnie Ware was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.

The then 45-year-old decided to take a "natural" approach to healing.

For two and a half years, Ware tried a variety of alternative remedies, including herbs from naturopaths and an alkaline-based diet, to manage the autoimmune disease that causes pain and swelling of the joints.

Her well-intentioned approach only saw her deteriorate.

"It got to the point where my one-and-a-half-year-old daughter was helping me get dressed," explains the single mother and internationally best-selling author of Five Regrets of the Dying.

She struggled to walk more than 30 metres at a time and couldn't get up and down from the floor.

"I was in horrific pain," Ware says. "I was exhausted."

Eventually she was forced to admit that her rigid resistance to conventional medicine was backfiring. She went to a GP who also practised alternative therapies including acupuncture and Ayurveda (India's traditional medicine system which incorporates nutrition, yoga, acupuncture, massage and herbal medicine).

"He said, 'OK, I understand where you're coming from but your body is in too much trauma to come back on its own now it's too far gone, you really need to try these immuno-suppressant drugs'," Ware recalls. "Reluctantly I did."

Despite her reluctance, the medicine helped.

"They gave me a lot of mobility back and freedom and it gave me a sense of hope again," she says.

"It's been a huge journey of surrendering my very rigid beliefs that this is the only way to go. The pharmaceutical medicines did have a lot of side effects but they also had a lot of other benefits that brought me back to a place where I could actually heal from."

Up to 70 per cent of Australians use complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) and about 24 per cent of adults with a chronic health condition regularly use complementary medicines to help them treat their condition, in particular for arthritis and osteoporosis.

With each year, the $4 billion industry grows. In fact, the number of people visiting a complementary health professional (most commonly a chiropractor, naturopath or acupuncturist) has increased more than 51 per cent in 10 years.

"There are some conditions where medical treatment is, in my view as a GP, non-negotiable. I think rheumatoid arthritis is one of those examples," says Dr Kerryn Phelps, who adds that delaying treatment can cause irreparable joint damage.

"Cancer treatments are another situation where I quite often have people saying 'I'm just going to battle this with the power of my mind and diet' when they've literally got no chance of surviving without chemotherapy."

Phelps, the author of The Cancer Recovery Guide, adds that there is a place for 'adjunctive therapies' as she prefers to call them. "There are many instances where recovery can be enhanced by adjunctive treatments."

There are also instances where pharmaceuticals are not the best option.

"There are lots of conditions where pharmaceutical treatments can be minimised or even eliminated if people take the right lifestyle measures," Phelps says, pointing to Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular risk factors and osteoarthritis.

"The thoughts around pharmaceutical and medical treatments changes with time and as we understand more about side effects."

Those wanting to explore different treatments should find a doctor who has an understanding of "a broad range" of options, Phelps advises.

"Someone who can direct them to appropriately trained allied health practitioners ... and who has an understanding of when medicine is the most appropriate treatment and how to combine those things."

Along with conventional treatment, Ware continued to care for her diet and use CAM, including a "prescription" from an Ayurvedic doctor to do something "really fun" each week.

"She said that stress is far more detrimental to our body than anything we can do with our diet so it's much better to eat a chocolate when you're happy than have a green juice every day when you're stressed," Ware says. "We have so much pressure and stress we sometimes lose the fact that life is to be enjoyed. We need joy and lightness to balance the stress and pressure on ourselves."

Ware, who details her journey in her new book Bloom, says she now has a very different attitude to health, one that embraces both the conventional and CAM.

"I was very rigid that 'I'm going to find the natural path to this' and it was just causing me so much stress so I've let go of all that nonsense now," says Ware, who is now off the meds.

"I went to some pretty low places with RA and I still live with RA but I'm jumping on a trampoline now and riding a pushbike and travelling and I've got my life back."

To launch Bloom, Ware will be touring Australia in May. For more information and tickets, go to talkingsticks.com.au

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'I was in horrific pain': Alternative remedies for rheumatoid arthritis backfire - The Sydney Morning Herald

People who see dermatologists for the skin condition psoriasis should not take the presence of joint aches and pains lightly, as the two things might be connected. The National Psoriasis Foundation notes that psoriasis is a precursor to psoriatic arthritis in 30 percent of patients.

What is psoriatic arthritis?

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that affects the rate of skin cell reproduction. People with psoriasis may experience redness, itchiness and raised bumps (plaques) of skin on various areas of their bodies. Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic form of arthritis that typically occurs in people with skin psoriasis, but also can be present in those without the skin condition, but particularly among those who have relatives with psoriasis.

The American College of Rheumatology says that psoriatic arthritis typically affects the large joints, especially the lower extremities, distal joints of the fingers and toes and the back and sacroiliac joints of the pelvis. Early recognition, diagnosis and treatment of psoriatic arthritis are crucial to relieving inflammation and preventing permanent joint damage.

Symptoms

Symptoms of psoriatic arthritis can develop gradually or quickly, and some symptoms can be severe. NPF indicates that common symptoms of psoriatic arthritis include

morning stiffness and tiredness;

tenderness, pain and swelling over tendons;

swollen fingers and toes;

reduced range of motion;

nail changes, including pitting, and

redness and pain in the eyes.

Symptoms of psoriatic arthritis are similar to rheumatoid arthritis, gout and reactive arthritis. Doctors will rule out other symptoms that may be indicative of those conditions. The American College of Rheumatology also indicates that psoriatic arthritis is typically blood test negative. The diagnosis is typically made by a rheumatologist after reviewing a clinical history and performing a physical exam.

Treatment

Doctors will need to assess symptoms before deciding on a course of treatment. Mild cases may respond to over-the-counter, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen. However, antirheumatic drugs and newer biologic drugs may be prescribed to treat more aggressive cases of psoriatic arthritis.

Corticosteroid injections can be useful for swollen joints, and surgery may be necessary to repair badly damaged joints.

Individuals who suspect their arthritis may be linked to psoriasis can first speak with a dermatologist or primary care physician. The NPF also offers a screening tool at http://www.psoriasis.org/psa-screening. TF175007

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Arthritis linked to another condition | News | thesnaponline.com - Stanly News & Press

Doing more to help those living with arthritis may not be the most top-of-mind in this provincial election, but it should be. Political will is, after all, the only thing that stands in front of the opportunity to demonstrably improve the lives of the approximately 650,000 British Columbians living with chronic arthritic pain. Its a change that every single one of us can commit to making part of our decision about who to vote for on May 9.

For most people, waking up, getting dressed, and going about their daily activities is done without a passing thought or worry. But for the 1 out of every 6 British Columbians currently living with arthritis, the chronic joint pain and stiffness associated with the condition can make even the simplest of tasks, such as brushing teeth or putting on socks, an agonizing experience. Improving the care and treatment landscape for people living with arthritis deserves much greater political attention in the upcoming provincial election.

Arthritis can strike anyone at anytime, regardless of age, physical condition or ethnic background. While many people associate the disease with old age, the fact is that more than half of British Columbians living with arthritis are under the age of 65. Arthritis is everywhere, and its impacts are a lot more serious and costly to our province than many people realize.

As it stands, inadequate supports and access to treatment options for people living with arthritis are hurting the B.C. economy. A lot has been done, but we need to see more. Currently, 1 in 4 British Columbians living with the disease of working age report not being able to work due to their condition. Many still are frequently forced to change jobs or reduce work hours, negatively impacting their careers and their livelihoods. In British Columbia, and across the country, the impact of arthritis on the economy, in terms of health care costs and lost productivity, is enormous: an estimated $33 billion each year.

In B.C., almost half of people living with arthritis report having pain that prevents them from doing everyday activities. Having the disease also translates into a three times greater likelihood of having mental health issues, including anxiety and depression, and an 80 per cent chance of having other chronic health issues, such as obesity and diabetes.

Despite all this, arthritis is a long way down the list of issues that get mentioned by political leaders during this years election campaign trail. While the province is faced with another hot-button issue - the ongoing opioid crisis - political leaders must also give due attention to people living with the disease. As part of that, they must recognize that arthritis patients need better access to effective management strategies for their chronic pain.

This includes improved access to promising new therapies, like biologic drugs. These medications have been instrumental in helping many British Columbians living with rheumatoid arthritis, and should be part of the physicians toolbox. As no single biologic therapy works for all arthritis patients, a range of choice among these therapies is critical.

Special attention must also be given to First Nations people, where the prevalence of arthritis is five times higher, and to people all across British Columbia living in rural and remote communities. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential to preventing the permanent joint destruction associated with arthritis; however, many people living outside of urban areas face difficulties receiving timely diagnosis and care. There is an urgent need for improved access to specialist expertise and local supports, including homecare, to improve mobility and decrease pain for these underserved populations.

During this election campaign, when candidates knock on your door put them on the spot when it comes to arthritis. Ask them where they stand and whether, if elected, theyre willing to commit resources and embrace new policies to ease the pain of those living with the pain of this disease. Arthritis may not be the number one issue on the minds of candidates. But for 1 in 6 voters, its the number one issue in their lives.

Christine Basque, Executive Director of the BC Division of The Arthritis Society

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Arthritis can strike anyone at anytime, regardless of age, physical condition or ethnic background - BCLocalNews

The link between weather and aches and pains may not be such an old wives tale after all.

Retired college lecturer Nora Boswell, 68, has arthritis and is one of 13,000 people taking part in a research project called Cloudy With A Chance Of Pain.

Run by Manchester University and Arthritis Research UK, it is studying the connection between flare-ups and weather.

Here Nora, tells how technology is helping her manage her arthritis .

My mother had bad arthritis in her knees and ten years ago mine started playing up. When Id go down stairs, Id get a sharp pain in my kneecaps. Then it became more debilitating.

Nora, from Thornton, West Yorks, continued: I often walk into the village but I started struggling downhill. It wasnt a real surprise when an X-ray revealed arthritis .

Doctors say I may have deterioration in my shoulders and spine.

I dont like taking painkillers. Theyre a short-term fix. But regular exercise has helped me so much.

I use a Fitbit activity tracker to walk 250 steps an hour and as many squats as possible. Ive got to keep my muscles going.

Arthritis Research UK has excellent exercise routines to help manage pain.

On their website I found an article asking for volunteers for a citizen science four-year study called Cloudy With A Chance of Pain. The results will be out next spring.

Early data revealed people reported less time in severe pain across three UK cities from February to April but pain increased again in June.

Its long been a bit of an old wives tale that the weather can makes aches and pains worse. My chiropractor said many more clients come in after certain weather conditions in pain but there was no proof.

I thought it was great someone was researching it so signed up and downloaded the app.

Ive been logging my pain scale every day on my smartphone while my phone is automatically collecting hourly local weather data. It asks questions, such as how stiff you feel, and you can move a dial to the appropriate level. Ive noticed pain is worse if its damp. We had a long, damp autumn and I got fed up as I couldnt go out for walks.

Hot weather also has a negative affect on it. My husband John and I went on holiday to France and it was very hot.

After two days, I ached. And when we had a hot spell back in the UK my arthritis flared up. So summer beach holidays are out and we go in autumn.

I cant wait to see the results of the study. Until then Ill continue to exercise. I go for a walk most days or use the cross trainer at home. I also go to a pilates class once a week.

If you have arthritis , its also important to pace yourself. Yes, everything takes longer but youll be in less discomfort.

Some people might be OK waiting for someone to give them a pill but youve got to help yourself too.

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Feeling under the weather? Arthritis sufferer explores whether link between aches and weather is valid - Mirror.co.uk

An artist's impression of the reengineered cell that produces an anti-inflammatory drug when it encounters inflammation (Credit: Ella Marushchenko)

Combining two cellular-editing processes, researchers have developed cartilage that fights inflammation. The scientists hope that the breakthrough could eventually lead to localized injections that combat arthritis or perhaps a vaccine that would eliminate the condition altogether.

Like many of the biology breakthroughs happening today, the WU researchers started with stem cells. To be more accurate, they actually started with skin cells from the tails of mice and converted them into stem cells. They then used a gene-editing technique called CRISPR to remove a gene involved in inflammation and replace it with one that releases an anti-inflammatory drug. The resulting cells are known as SMART cells, which stands for Stem cells Modified for Autonomous Regenerative Therapy.

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"Our goal is to package the rewired stem cells as a vaccine for arthritis, which would deliver an anti-inflammatory drug to an arthritic joint but only when it is needed," said Farshid Guilak, the senior author of a paper about the work and a professor of orthopedic surgery at Washington University School of Medicine. "To do this, we needed to create a 'smart' cell."

As part of the current fight against arthritis, there are several drugs that work to eliminate an inflammatory molecule called tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). The issue with such drugs, however, is that they work throughout the entire body, rather than only at the site of inflammation, and can have an impact on the body's overall immune system.

To change this dynamic, the researchers replaced the gene that expresses TNF-alpha with one that inhibits it by releasing a drug, basically converting the cells from those that create inflammation to those that fight it. "We hijacked an inflammatory pathway to create cells that produced a protective drug," said Jonathan Brunger, a postdoctoral fellow in cellular and molecular pharmacology at the University of California, San Francisco. They then coaxed these cells to grow into cartilage in the lab which, they found, was successful in combating inflammation.

The hope is that injecting the cells into areas afflicted by arthritis, the new anti-inflammatory cartilage could replace the old cartilage. This would effectively create a vaccine against the condition, as the newly engineered cells would only release the anti-inflammatory drug when inflammation is present such as during an arthritic flare-up and turn off the release of the drug when the flare subsides.

Additionally, the researchers also engineered the new cells to light up when they responded to inflammation so that they could track their response in the body. The cells are now being tested in mice with rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory disorders and the researchers think that the method of combining stem cells with CRISPR could help fight other diseases as well.

"We believe this strategy also may work for other systems that depend on a feedback loop," said Guilak. "In diabetes, for example, it's possible we could make stem cells that would sense glucose and turn on insulin in response. We are using pluripotent stem cells, so we can make them into any cell type, and with CRISPR, we can remove or insert genes that have the potential to treat many types of disorders."

The paper is published in the journal Stem Cell Reports.

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SMART cells open door to arthritis vaccine - New Atlas

The word arthritis literally means inflammation of the joints. Joints in the body occur where bones meet. Bone ends are covered by cartilage and are encased in a fluid-filled synovial membrane used to lubricate the joint. Common symptoms are generally pain, swelling, stiffness and reduced function/mobility. However, the root causes are not always the same. There are distinctive differences between Osteo Arthritis (OA: wear & tear/degenerative joint disease) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA: auto-immune/inflammatory disease). Lets explore.

Who

OA: Affects both men and women. Process can begin after the age of 40 and symptoms are often present by age of 65.

RA: More common in women and can affect anyone, at any age.

When & How

OA: Gradual onset & increase in severity. Characterized by deterioration of and decreased ability to turn over (replace) cartilage tissue. This can be due to altered enzyme activity, building block deficiency and repetitive use/damage. This results in painful friction of exposed joints rubbing together, leading to inflammation of joint lining. After much cartilage is worn away, bone spurs may develop in joint spaces.

RA: Rapid onset. Characterized by an auto-immune response that leads to a self-attack on synovial membrane, which in turn leads to its inflammation, thickening, cartilage destruction and scar tissue formation.

Number & Types of Joins Affected

OA: 1-2 joints, Asymmetrical (Not even on both sides usually one side acts up first). Affects the weight-bearing joints (i.e. knees & hips).

RA: Multiple joints, Symmetrical (Affects both sides of the body the same way). Affects the synovial joints (i.e. hands & feet) but can progress to larger joints.

Non-Joint Involvement

OA: Absent.

RA: Commonly affects other tissues throughout the body. Other symptoms include fever, depression, fatigue, etc.

Types & Causes

OA: 2 Types Primary & Secondary.

Primary Potential causes include age, obesity, high impact sports, excessive use/exercise, free radical damage, poor nutrition, dehydration.

Secondary Results from a pre-disposing factor/condition such as joint or ligament damage/abnormality, infection, previous inflammation, loss of blood supply.

RA: Single Type.

Auto-immune response (when your body breaks itself down/attacks its own tissues). Potential underlying causes include poor digestion/diet (nutrition deficiencies, imbalance of gut bacteria, leaky gut, and food sensitivities), stress, chronic inflammation, heredity/genetics, imbalanced immune system, smoking/toxins and infections or overgrowth (i.e. candida).

Did you know 56% of patients with inflammatory arthritis have an imbalance of gut bacteria?

Suggestions?

1. Symptom Relief:

2. Tissue Protection: Look for Antioxidants (Quercetin, Zinc, Pycnogenol, Selenium, Vitamin E, Grape Seed Extract)

3. Repair Nutrients:

4. Topical Ingredients: Capsaicin, MSM, Arnica, Celadrin, Menthol, Peppermint, Eucalyptus.

5. Diet Tips: Avoid nightshades (i.e. tomatoes, white potatoes, eggplant, peppers and paprika), citrus, red meat, dairy, sugar, tobacco and any potential food sensitivities as they may aggravate pain & inflammation. Drink plenty of water. Eat mineral-rich and green foods to detox & alkalize. Eat more sulfur-containing foods such as garlic, onions, asparagus, etc.

6. Lifestyle Suggestions: Attain a healthy weight, manage stress and blood sugars, do light, non-weight bearing exercises (i.e. swimming). Consider wearing Cirulating Clothing!

7. Improve Gut Health: Ensure daily Probiotics and consider supplemental L-Glutamine, Enzymes/HCL, Fibre & VITAMIN D3.

8. Modulate Immunity: Consider ingredients such as Plant Sterols, Medicinal Mushrooms or Saccharomyces Cerevisiae

9. Fight Infection (if necessary): Oregano, Silver, Garlic, Grapefruit Seed Extract

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All About Arthritis - mySteinbach.ca (blog)

Express.co.uk

Helping juvenile idiopathic arthritis sufferers -- ScienceDaily Science Daily A drug combination that could help thousands of children with arthritis has been discovered by a team of researchers. Children and adolescents with Juvenile ... Arthritis news: Condition can cause BLINDNESS in sufferers | Health ...Express.co.uk all 5 news articles »

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Helping juvenile idiopathic arthritis sufferers -- ScienceDaily - Science Daily

We have anti-arthritis drugs. What we lack is the ability to deploy them when and where they are needed in the body. The drugs would be far more effective, and occasion fewer side effects, if they were to appear only in response to inflammation, and only in the joints. If the drugs could be delivered so painstakinglyso smartlythey wouldnt have to be administered systemically.

Although conventional drug delivery systems may be unable to respond to arthritic flares with such adroitness, cells may have better luckif they are suitably modified. Stem cells, for example, have been rewired by means of gene-editing technology to fight arthritis. These stem cells, known as SMART cells (Stem cells Modified for Autonomous Regenerative Therapy), develop into cartilage cells that produce a biologic anti-inflammatory drug. Ideally, the new cartilage cells will replace arthritic cartilage, and the biologic will protect against chronic inflammation, preserving joints and other tissues.

SMART cells of this sort were prepared by scientists based at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The scientists initially worked with skin cells taken from the tails of mice and converted those cells into stem cells. Then, using the gene-editing tool CRISPR in cells grown in culture, they removed a key gene in the inflammatory process and replaced it with a gene that releases a biologic drug that combats inflammation.

Details of this work appeared April 27 in the journal Stem Cell Reports, in an article entitled Genome Engineering of Stem Cells for Autonomously Regulated, Closed-Loop Delivery of Biologic Drugs. The article describes how modified stem cells grew into cartilage and produced cartilage tissue. The engineered cartilage, the scientists reported, was protected from inflammation.

Using the CRISPR/Cas9 genome-engineering system, we created stem cells that antagonize IL-1- [interleukin-1] or TNF-- [tumor necrosis factor-] mediated inflammation in an autoregulated, feedback-controlled manner, wrote the authors of the Stem Cell Reports article. Our results show that genome engineering can be used successfully to rewire endogenous cell circuits to allow for prescribed input/output relationships between inflammatory mediators and their antagonists, providing a foundation for cell-based drug delivery or cell-based vaccines via a rapidly responsive, autoregulated system.

Many current drugs used to treat arthritisincluding Enbrel (etanercept), Humira (adalimumab), and Remicade (infliximab)attack TNF-, an inflammation-promoting molecule. But the problem with these drugs is that they are given systemically rather than targeted to joints. As a result, they interfere with the immune system throughout the body and can make patients susceptible to side effects such as infections.

"We want to use our gene-editing technology as a way to deliver targeted therapy in response to localized inflammation in a joint, as opposed to current drug therapies that can interfere with the inflammatory response through the entire body," said Farshid Guilak, Ph.D., the paper's senior author and a professor of orthopedic surgery at Washington University School of Medicine. "If this strategy proves to be successful, the engineered cells only would block inflammation when inflammatory signals are released, such as during an arthritic flare in that joint."

Dr. Guilak's team encoded the stem/cartilage cells with genes that made the cells light up when responding to inflammation, so the scientists easily could determine when the cells were responding. Recently, the team began testing the engineered stem cells in mouse models of rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.

If the work can be replicated in animals and then developed into a clinical therapy, the engineered cells or cartilage grown from stem cells would respond to inflammation by releasing a biologic drugthe TNF- inhibitorthat would protect the synthetic cartilage cells that Dr. Guilak's team created and the natural cartilage cells in specific joints.

"When these cells see TNF-, they rapidly activate a therapy that reduces inflammation," Dr. Guilak explained. "We believe this strategy also may work for other systems that depend on a feedback loop. In diabetes, for example, it's possible we could make stem cells that would sense glucose and turn on insulin in response. We are using pluripotent stem cells, so we can make them into any cell type, and with CRISPR, we can remove or insert genes that have the potential to treat many types of disorders."

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CRISPR-SMART Cells Regenerate Cartilage, Secrete Anti-Arthritis Drug - Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News

Stem cells edited to fight arthritis: Goal is vaccine that targets ... Science Daily Using CRISPR technology, a team of researchers rewired stem cells' genetic circuits to produce an anti-inflammatory arthritis drug when the cells encounter ... and more »

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Stem cells edited to fight arthritis: Goal is vaccine that targets ... - Science Daily

Landslide, Bridge Closure in Big Sur Result in Modified Route

LOS ANGELES Following lengthy review, organizers of the Arthritis Foundation California Coast Classic (CCC) Bike Tour presented by Amgen have announced a route change. This years 8-day flagship fundraising ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles takes place Sept. 9-16 and registration is currently open.

The new routing is for days 3 and 4, and is a bypass around the Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge on Highway 1 in Big Sur, which became structurally unstable after heavy storms caused a landslide last winter. The California Transportation Department (CalTrans) tore down the bridge in March and is building a replacement slated for completion in Sept. 2017.

While wed prefer to keep our traditional route, said Shannon Marang Cox, ride director for the CCC Bike Tour, our main priorities are rider safety and preserving the essence of the CCC riding experience. Chances are very slim that the bridge will be ready by early September, so weve decided to plan on our alternate course through Carmel Valley. The route is incredible, offering views of rivers, pastures, vineyards and mountains. Next year, well return to our original course, so this is a once-in-a-lifetime year to ride CCC.

In true Arthritis Foundation spirit, we explored many options and are forging ahead with a plan, Marang Cox continued. Weve consulted with our route team, taken several scouting trips, and kept in regular contact with CalTrans to find out whether or not the bridge will be done in time. In order to plan properly, we have to make the call now.

Days 1 and 2 of the 2017 California Coast Classic remain unchanged, as riders depart from Pier 39 in San Francisco and travel along the Pacific coast to Santa Cruz, then Monterey. On Day 3, cyclists will ride the famed 17-Mile Drive, and

then head southeast to new territory, pedaling through the bucolic Carmel Valley, alongside the Salinas River and trees draped in Spanish moss. The ride will stop for an overnight in King City.

The Day 4 route traverses the rolling Santa Lucia Mountain foothills and takes riders on a spin between Lake San Antonio and Lake Nacimiento on the way to their overnight stop in Paso Robles, which is known for hot springs and world-class wineries. On Day 5, the riders rejoin the original CCC route into Oceano, continuing to Buellton, and Ventura, and arriving in Los Angeles on Saturday, Sept. 16.

In developing our alternate route, we selected roads that provide the exceptional rider experience that CCC is known for, said Eli Campbell, CEO of Sentio Cycling, which provides logistics assistance to CCC. The bypass adds about 45 miles and an additional 2,700 of elevation gain, pending final permitting. Our 2017 route will rival previous years and offer a top-notch and rewarding experience for all.

Registration for the California Coast Classic, named one of The 30 Best Road Biking Trips by Outside Magazine, is capped at 250 riders and expected to sell out again in 2017. The eight-day, full-service, fully supported ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles raises funds to support the research, advocacy, and programs of the Arthritis Foundation. It is open to beginner and experienced riders who commit to a fundraising goal. More information is available at arthritis.org/CaliforniaCoastClassic.

The Arthritis Foundation is the Champion of Yes. Leading the fight for the arthritis community, the Foundation helps conquer everyday battles through life-changing information and resources, access to optimal care, advancements in science, and community connections. The Arthritis Foundations goal is to chart a winning course, guiding families in developing personalized plans for living a full life and making each day another stride towards a cure.

The Arthritis Foundations California Coast Classic Bike Tour, The Ride of a Lifetime, is one of four Arthritis Bike Classic events staged on the West Coast. It began in 2001 and is the flagship fundraising bike tour of the Arthritis Foundation, raising over one million dollars annually. Beginner and experienced cyclists are welcome on the 8-day, fully supported 525-mile journey down the coast of California from San Francisco to Los Angeles. For more information, please visit arthritis.org/CaliforniaCoastClassic.

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Arthritis Foundation's Coast Classic Bike Tour Changes Course - Aptos Times

More than 200 walkers are expected to lace up their shoes for the Arthritis Foundations Walk to Cure Arthritis, beginning at 8 a.m. May 20 at Woodlawn High School.

Arthritis is the nations leading cause of disability and affects 1.2 million residents of Louisiana, including 6,000 children, a news release said.

Special guests will include youth honoree Charlotte Collins; adult honoree Danielle Thibodaux; corporate chairman Dr. Joseph E. Broyles, of the Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge; and medical honoree Dr. Stephen Pollet, of The Baton Rouge Clinic.

Walk to Cure Arthritis provides people the opportunity to experience the power of standing together and giving back to the community. Together, Baton Rouge can Walk to Cure Arthritis and help us reach our goal of raising $45,000 to help find a cure for this disease, Broyles said.

Visit walktocurearthritis.org/batonrouge or call Sara Morthland at (337) 540-0615 to register.

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Walk to Cure Arthritis slated for May 20 at Woodlawn High School - The Advocate

GETTY

Uveitis - a condition causing inflammation in the middle layer of the eye - is most common in those aged 20 to 59, and affects two to five people in every 10,000 in the UK each year.

If left untreated, the inflammation can cause blindness, and according to Prevent Blindness its one of the leading causes of loss of sight in the world in those of working age.

Many cases are linked to problems with the immune system, including arthritis.

One type, juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), was the subject of a breakthrough study which discovered a new way to prevent children with arthritis and eye disease losing their sight.

GETTY

The results of the trial revealed how the drug could reduce eye inflammation and stop serious complications, including blindness.

The results of the trial - the first of its kind in the world, and funded by Arthritis Research UK and the National Institute for Health Research - revealed how a drug called Adalimumab, in combination with Methotrexate, could reduce eye inflammation and stop serious complications, including blindness.

In fact, the findings, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, were so ground-breaking the trial was stopped early due to convincing evidence.

It has already led to changes in guidelines, and the drug has since been approved by NHS England for use, set to help thousands of people.

Professor Ramanan from University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust and University of Bristol said: Uveitis in children is an important cause of loss of vision. This study demonstrates the benefit of Adalimumab in children with uveitis. This is the first randomised trial of its kind worldwide and the results will have a major impact in children with uveitis all around the world."

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The study authors found 75 per cent of children with JIA-associated uveitis who were treated with Adalimumab experienced a significant reduction in eye inflammation.

Stephen Simpson, director of research and programmes at Arthritis Research UK said: We are thrilled of the outcome of this trial and the huge promise it heralds for transforming the quality of life for the large numbers of children with JIA-associated uveitis. This trial is an impressive example of how investing in exceptional science can ultimately help change how treatment is delivered with direct and immediate benefit for patients.

In those of any age with arthritis, the condition can affect one or both eyes and may develop suddenly, or gradually over a few days.

According to the NHS, symptoms include eye pain, eye redness, sensitivity to light, blurred or cloudy vision and loss of peripheral vision.

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Uveitis may not also affect the whole eye - just part.

It can be at the front of the eye, middle of the eye and back of the eye, and the symptoms may vary for each.

Currently the main way to treat uveitis is using steroid medication. Eye drops are used if the front of the eye is affected, while injections, tablets and capsules are used to treat it at the middle and back.

While uveitis can affect anyone, a study this month published in JAMA Ophthalmology found those with psoriasis are at an increased risk of developing it.

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Arthritis news: Condition can cause BLINDNESS in sufferers - Express.co.uk

By Staff

New research out of The Universities of Manchester and East Anglia shows that people living with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) experience significant improvement in their daily lives due to early and more aggressive treatment of the disease.

The Arthritis Research UK study examined 20 years of data between 1990 and 2010. A total of 602 patients participated in the study led by James Gwinnutt, from The University of Manchester and Dr. Suzan Verstappen University of Manchester.

Participants were recruited to the Norfolk Arthritis Register and assessed at regular intervals over the course of 20 years.

They found that patients who were prescribed disease modifying drug therapies such as sulfasalazine, methotrexate and steroids within 6 months of symptom onset experienced significantly better ability to walk, grip and dress themselves over the course of 20 years compared, to patients who were treated later.

This research shows that patients who received treatment early after symptom onset had similar levels of disability over the subsequent 20 years compared to patients who were judged by clinicians not to require treatment, after accounting for the differences in disease severity between the groups, Gwinnutt said.

Though there is a broad range in terms of how people are affected by the disease, the number of patients whose lives have improved has increased thanks in part to early treatment. The good news is that early intervention has become more and more common in the NHS over these past 20 years. In the early 1990s early intervention would happen in about 30% of cases. Nowadays, that figure is probably more like 60-70%. Theres no reason why this improvement could not extend further, he added.

Dr Natalie Carter, head of research liaison and evaluation at Arthritis Research UK, said:

Rheumatoid arthritis is an incredibly painful condition that can be diagnosed at any age and can have an impact on a persons everyday life. This study confirms how important early diagnosis and the commencement of treatment is. It is also encouraging to hear about the progress that has been made over the last 20 years. Now the scientific community must continue to build on this so that together we can continue to harness the power of exceptional science and make everyday life better for all people with arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes joint inflammation and pain.

More:
Study Reveals Important Advance for Newly Diagnosed Rheumatoid Arthritis Sufferers - National Pain Report

Rheumatoid arthritis: Obesity skews markers of inflammation - Nature Nature.com BMI is positively associated with an elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) level and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ... and more »

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Rheumatoid arthritis: Obesity skews markers of inflammation - Nature - Nature.com

26 April 2017 Early treatment gets better results for rheumatoid arthritis Researchers found that patients who were treated within six months of developing the first signs of rheumatoid arthritis did better in the long run.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune condition distinguished by inflammation of the peripheral joints of the hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, hips, knees and feet, usually on both sides of the body.

Treating rheumatoid arthritis early may make for better outcomes, a new study suggests.

Early death less likely

Patients who were treated within six months of developing the first signs of the autoimmune disease did better in the long run and were less likely to suffer early death, British researchers found.

The findings stem from an analysis of more than 600 patients who were initially diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) between 1990 and 1994. They were tracked for over 20 years.

Over the study time frame, investigators assessed key symptoms of RA, such as swollen and/or tender joints, and indications of disability. All deaths were also noted.

The research team found that patients who started treatment for RA within the first half-year after the first symptoms surfaced tended to have no greater levels of disability over a 20-year period than patients who required no treatment.

A better future

And while roughly 44% of the patients died during the study period, the team observed that early treatment translated into a notably lower mortality risk.

The findings were published online in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatology.

"This research emphasises the importance of early treatment and the long-term benefits of early treatment," study author Dr Suzanne Verstappen, from the University of Manchester, said in a journal news release.

"In the early 1990s," she added, "when this study started, only 30% of patients received early treatment, but this number has increased significantly in the last decade.

"It's expected that in the next 10 years, newly diagnosed patients will have a better future with respect to functional ability, less severe disease activity and improved quality of life," Verstappen said.

Read more:

Risks of rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis vs. osteoarthritis

Symptoms of osteoarthritis

Professor Asgar Ali Kalla completed his MBChB (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) degree in 1975 at the University of Cape Town and his FRCP in 2003 in London. Professor Ali Kalla is the Isaac Albow Chair of Rheumatology at the University of Cape Town and also the Head of Division of Rheumatology at Groote Schuur Hospital. He has participated in a number of clinical trials for rheumatology and is active in community outreach. Prof Ali Kalla is an expert in Arthritis for Health24.

The information provided does not constitute a diagnosis of your condition. You should consult a medical practitioner or other appropriate health care professional for a physical exmanication, diagnosis and formal advice. Health24 and the expert accept no responsibility or liability for any damage or personal harm you may suffer resulting from making use of this content.

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Early treatment gets better results for rheumatoid arthritis | Health24 - Health24

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Pepe Casaas, a 71-year-old Cuban peasant, gets rid of the discomfort of his arthritis by allowing himself to be stung by a scorpion.

The venom has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties which reduce his pain.

He keeps up to four scorpions near his house so he can guarantee being able to sting himself when he feels the arthritis returning, which is usually once a month.

Casaas told EFE: "The sting doesn't hurt me a bit. And if they're using it as a treatment for cancer in Cuba, it has to be good.

"About eight years ago, I started with this scorpion stuff. My bones were beginning to hurt me, arthritis, and it helped me to feel comfortable.

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I couldn't brush my teeth, or comb my hair. I got a scorpion, squeezed it, and it stung me twice, and look: my arm's doing fine.

Pepe Casaas

Casaas arthritis had got so bad it was impacting on his daily life, and so he decided to find his own solution.

He explained: I couldn't brush my teeth, or comb my hair. I got a scorpion, squeezed it, and it stung me twice, and look: my arm's doing fine.

Before that, he had used bee stings as a remedy, having come from a family of beekeepers - but he soon graduated onto the larger animal.

While it might seem an unconventional way to treat the condition, scorpion venom is used as an ingredient in Cuban medication.

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It is the main component in Vidatox, a homeopathic medicine prescribed for easing pain and other cancer symptoms.

Around 17,000 bottles are sold over the counter in Cuba and in 15 other countries around the world, and 65,000 people have used it for alleviating cancer pain.

Dr. Fabio Linares told EFE: A very important use of Vidatox, which we want to promote, is that of an analgesic and anti-inflammatory, for use against cancer, given that any osteoarthritic process such as rheumatism can be treated with this medication.

Linares says Casaas feels better after the scorpions sting because of its analgesic effect, and due to the venom stimulating the body's natural curative mechanisms and immune system.

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In fact, such is Cubas belief in the healing powers of scorpion venom, it started clinical trials in 2006 to test whether it could treat cancer.

So far they have found patients quality of life has significantly improved.

Ways of treating arthritis in the UK, according to Arthritis Research UK, include pain-relief drugs, physical therapies such as physiotherapy, and surgery.

Currently 10 million people in the UK are suffering with arthritis, and despite its associations with the elderly, it affects people of all ages.

Excerpt from:
Arthritis cure: Would you use THIS extreme treatment to ease the pain? - Express.co.uk

Nathan Pensini wants to generate awareness about a little-known condition his daughter has.

Support network: Rachelle and Jim Sanderson, Paul Martin and Alyssa, Nathan, Adrian and Cassie Pensini.

NATHAN Pensini knows better than most the pain which Ironman competitors face when they climb Matthew Flinders Drive.

But he also knows its nothing compared to the pain 17-year-old daughter Alyssa has to deal withevery day.

She was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis at the age of 11 and its whythis yearsIronman Australia will have added meaning for him.

Every time I go out I realise the painthat lasts for 10-12 hours or a few days after Ironmanfor every competitoris the type of pain Alyssa goes through every day, he said.

Thats the main driver for us.

Pensini has a great team of people racing alongside him this year in training partner Paul Martin along with Jim and Rachele Sanderson and brother and sister in law Adrian and Cassie.

One in 1000 Australians has juvenile arthritis who have attendedcamps in the last two years.

One is Camp Footloose, an Arthritis and Osteoporosis NSW initiative, which gives children with juvenile arthritis the chance to have fun and achieve personal success in sport and other outdooractivities at their own pace.

Juvenile arthritisis a serious, persistent medical conditionof childhood.

Its surprising how many people have this condition, he said.

Every time I go out I realise the pain that lasts for 10-12 hours or a few days after Ironman for every competitor is the type of pain Alyssa goes through every day. - Nathan Pensini

We dont know if its genetically linked or whether it is caused by eating a certain type of food.

Pensini and his brother first generated awareness about the condition when they competed in the 2015 Ironman.

He said it gatheredamazing support two years ago and now they want to build on that.

Kids are starting to be diagnosed with it from as early as 18 months old now, he said.

Weve got to get awareness out there soI want to make this as recognised as the Jane McGrath Foundation.

Tohelp the Pensinis raise awareness about the condition, for every $50 donated, people will go into the draw to win a mountain bike.

To donate, visit https://racingforjuvenilearthritis.gofundraise.com.au/ or visit the GoFundraise website.

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Ironman pain nothing compared to juvenile arthritis: Pensini - Camden Haven Courier

Shares of Eli Lilly (LLY) were lower by 2.89% to $81.01 on heavy trading volume Tuesday afternoon, after the drug manufacturing company offered no new details as to when the FDA might approve its rheumatoid arthritis drug baricitinib.

The drug won European approval but U.S. regulators rejected it earlier this month. "The FDA specifically stated that additional clinical data are needed to determine the most appropriate doses and to further characterize safety concerns across treatment arms," the company said in a statement.

Eli Lilly was asked on a conference call if it believed it was likely the drug would be approved this year or next, Reuters reported.

"We can't give an estimate on this year or next until we meet with the FDA," the company responded.

Additionally, the company posted better than expected 2017 first quarter adjusted earnings of 98 cents per share on revenue of $5.23 billion. Revenue was roughly in-line with expectations, while EPS beat by 2 cents per share.

What will move markets this quarter and how should investors position themselves ahead of time? Jim Cramer sat down with four of TheStreet's top columnists recently to get their views. Click here to listen to his latest Trading Strategies roundtable with them and read their advice for stocks, bonds, forex and gold.)

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Eli Lilly Stock Falls on Continued Arthritis Drug Approval Delay - TheStreet.com

By Bill Berkrot

(Reuters) - Eli Lilly and Co on Tuesday provided no new information on how long U.S. regulators might delay approval of its closely watched rheumatoid arthritis drug after its surprise rejection by the Food and Drug Administration this month.

Lilly shares, which have outperformed its rivals this year, fell 3 percent to $80.83 even though the U.S. drugmaker reported a slightly higher-than-expected quarterly profit.

"Maybe people are trying to understand where the near-term upside is going to come from," said Credit Suisse analyst Vamil Divan, adding that investors may be taking profit while waiting for clarity on baricitinib.

Lilly reiterated that it was disappointed and disagreed with the FDA assessment on baricitinib, particularly since the medicine won European approval. It said it hoped in the next 60 days to meet with the agency, which had requested more data.

On a conference call with analysts, Lilly was asked whether it was likely in 2017 or 2018 to satisfy FDA concerns outlined in the letter denying approval.

"We can't give an estimate on this year or next until we meet with the FDA," said Christi Shaw, head of Lilly Bio-Medicines.

The FDA asked for more data on proper dosing and safety information on the medicine developed with Incyte Corp.

Lilly expressed confidence it could attain its minimum goal of 5 percent annual revenue growth even without baricitinib approval this year.

Excluding special items, Lilly said it earned 98 cents per share in the first quarter, topping the analysts' average estimate by 2 cents, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

Guggenheim Securities analyst Tony Butler said the results benefited from an animal health acquisition, which "makes the beat look less glamorous."

He did call sales of newer diabetes drug Trulicity "tremendous." If baricitinib was approved, he added, "I don't think the stock would be down."

Trulicity, which competes with Novo Nordisk blockbuster Victoza, brought in $372.9 million in the quarter, well ahead of Wall Street estimates of about $328 million.

Lilly maintained its full-year forecast for earnings of $4.05 to $4.15 per share, excluding items.

Revenue rose 7.5 percent to $5.23 billion, roughly in line with expectations.

Other new products with strong sales included Taltz for psoriasis and cancer drug Cyramza. The company called Cyramza sales for gastric cancer in Japan "phenomenal" but acknowledged competitive challenges from immuno-oncology drugs for lung cancer in the United States.

(Reporting by Bill Berkrot in New York and Ankur Banerjee in Bengaluru; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn)

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Lilly gives no time frame on arthritis drug delay; shares fall - Yahoo Finance