StemCell Therapy

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Stem cells collected from fat may have use in anti-aging treatments Science Daily Adult stem cells collected directly from human fat are more stable than other cells -- such as fibroblasts from the skin -- and have the potential for use in anti-aging treatments, according to researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the ... Stem cells from fat could be used in anti-aging treatmentsUPI.com all 2 news articles »

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Stem cells collected from fat may have use in anti-aging treatments - Science Daily

Stem cells collected from human fat may have the potential for use in anti-ageing treatments, as they are more stable than fibroblasts from the skin, scientists have found.

Researchers developed a new model to study chronological ageing of fat cells.

Chronological ageing shows the natural life cycle of the cells - as opposed to cells that have been unnaturally replicated multiple times or otherwise manipulated in a lab.

In order to preserve the cells in their natural state, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania in the US developed a system to collect and store them without manipulating them, making them available for this study.

They found stem cells collected directly from human fat - called adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) - can make more proteins than originally thought.

This gives them the ability to replicate and maintain their stability, a finding that held true in cells collected from patients of all ages.

"Our study shows these cells are very robust, even when they are collected from older patients," said Ivona Percec, from University of Pennsylvania.

"It also shows these cells can be potentially used safely in the future, because they require minimal manipulation and maintenance," said Percec.

Stem cells are currently used in a variety of anti-ageing treatments and are commonly collected from a variety of tissues.

However, researchers specifically found ASCs to be more stable than other cells, a finding that can potentially open the door to new therapies for the prevention and treatment of ageing-related diseases.

"Unlike other adult human stem cells, the rate at which these ASCs multiply stays consistent with age," Percec said.

"That means these cells could be far more stable and helpful as we continue to study natural ageing," he said.

The research was published in the journal Stem Cells.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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'Stem cells from fat may have use in anti-ageing treatments' - Business Standard

Health Beat: Stem cells treat...

LOS ANGELES - Roy Woelke knows how overwhelming hair loss can be.

"It's been 30 years of concern," Woelke said. "I noticed thinning in my late 20s, and it never stops. It seems like it just goes on and on."

Woelke has had three hair replacement surgeries, but that's really just moving hair around the head and, as he said, you run out of supply.

Dr. Kenneth Williams, a hair restoration surgeon at Orange County Hair Restoration in Los Angeles, may have new hope for Woelke and millions of others. He's running a clinical trial that uses stem cells and platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, to treat baldness.

"The study is taking cells that are in our body that help to regenerate or stimulate inactive or dormant hair follicles. That is the theory behind what we're doing this procedure on," Williams explained.

Williams takes fat from the abdomen, emulsifies it and separates the stem cells, mixes it with the patient's own plasma, which has been spun down to be super concentrated. Then, with 300 shots, he injects the mixture into the scalp, twice over a three-month period.

Woelke said he hopes to get into the trial, which has five participants so far. Williams already does the procedure for paying patients who've had promising results.

Research summary - Stem cells treat baldness

"Those patients are seeing some differences in the density of the hair," Williams said. "We're waiting for the final results, which take nine to 12 months after the administration. We look to see the final results of what we're doing."

Williams hopes to publish results in two years.

Williams' trial is supported by National Institutes of Health, but not by a major pharmaceutical company yet. That means his trial is patient-funded, meaning they'll pay a reduced cost of the $2,500 to $5,800 procedure, depending on which arm of the trial is chosen.

Contact the Irvine Institute of Medicine and Cosmetic Surgery at 949-333-2999 or visit straandstudy.com for more information.

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Health Beat: Stem cells treat baldness with PRP - WFMZ Allentown

Korea's aesthetic procedures have become a big export. Some are innovative, some are questionable. Local doctors discuss their merit and the alternatives.

What

Use your stem cells to generate new cells for brighter, firmer and younger-looking skin with improved elasticity and diminished fine lines and wrinkles.

How

There are two ways: Extract the cells from the bone marrow or from abdominal and thigh fat, using syringes.

The materials are processed and purified to separate the stem cells from the other stuff.

Sometimes, the stem cells may be further cultured to increase their numbers.

The concentrate is then injected into the targeted area.

In South Korea, fat-derived stem cells are injected on the same day while bone marrow-derived ones are injected after a four-week culture, said Dr Kim Byung Gun, a plastic surgeon and director of BK Plastic Surgery Hospital in Seoul.

Local doctors say

Stem-cell therapy is not available in Singapore except in clinical trials approved by the Ministry of Health (MOH).

It is not offered for aesthetic purposes.

In its stead, Dr Low Chai Ling, medical director of The Sloane Clinic, recommended treatments using the fractional CO2 laser.

Compared with other lasers, it reaches deeper into the skin where the collagen fibres are, to immediately tighten skin and boost collagen production over the next few months.

Its depth also enables more effective treatment of deep-set wrinkles and scars.

What

Inject your own blood platelets, which have proteins known as growth factors that contribute to wound healing.

This supposedly enhances the skin's repair process, thereby treating fine lines and wrinkles for a fresher, smoother complexion with fewer blemishes. The jury is still out on the effectiveness of PRP therapy, but that hasn't detracted from its popularity in Korea.

"Koreans are more willing to try new things earlier than others," said Dr Kim.

How

About 10ml of blood is taken from the patient and placed in a centrifuge, which separates the platelets from the rest of the blood. The platelet concentrate is then injected into the face.

According to Dr Kim, who offers PRP therapy in his Seoul clinic, patients can expect to see improvements after several days, with results lasting between six and 12 months.

Local doctors say

Like stem-cell therapy, PRP therapy is available here only in clinical trials approved by the MOH. Otherwise, it is mainly used in orthopaedic clinics to aid in the recovery of sprains and muscle tears.

Dr Low suggested an alternative, Sculptra, an injectable made from poly-L-lactic acid, which encourages collagen production.

Unlike hyaluronic acid fillers that create immediate volume to give the treated areas a supple appearance, Sculptra works gradually over a few months, reducing the severity of wrinkles and restoring facial contours as collagen levels increase.

This article is adapted from the February issue of Her World magazine.

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Thinking of a Korean beauty fix?, Latest Others News - The New Paper - The New Paper

Americans spend between one and four billion dollars a year treating hair loss.

Now, four surgeons in the U.S. are testing a stem cell treatment in a non-surgical procedure.

Overseas trials in Japan and Egypt are already showing some success.

Its been 30 years of concern, Roy Woelke said.

Woelke knows how overwhelming hair loss can be.

I noticed thinning in my late twenties, and it never stops. It seems like it just goes on and on, Woelke detailed.

Hes had three hair replacement surgeries, but thats really just moving hair around the head, and as he says, you run out of supply.

Kenneth Williams, D.O., a hair restoration surgeon at Orange County Hair Restoration in Los Angeles, California, may have new hope for Woelke and millions of others.

Hes running a clinical trial that uses stem cells and platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, to treat baldness.

The study is taking cells that are in our body that help to regenerate or stimulate inactive or dormant hair follicles," Williams explained. "That is the theory behind what were doing this procedure on.

Williams takes fat from the abdomen, emulsifies it and separates the stem cells, mixes it with the patients own plasma which has been spun down to be super concentrated. Then with 300 shots, injects the mixture into the scalp, twice over a three-month period.

Woelke hopes to get into the trial, which has five participants so far.

Williams already does the procedure for paying patients whove had promising results.

Those patients are seeing some differences in the density of the hair," Williams said. "Were waiting for the final results, which take nine to 12 months after the administration. We look to see the final results of what were doing.

He hopes to publish results in two years.

Williams trial is supported by NIH, but not by a major pharmaceutical company yet. That means his trial is patient-funded, meaning theyll pay a reduced cost of the $2,500 to $5,800 procedure, depending on which arm of the trial is chosen.

Contact the Irvine Institute of Medicine and Cosmetic Surgery at (949) 333-2999 or visit http://www.straandstudy.com for more information.

Published at 5:46 PM CST on Feb 17, 2017 | Updated at 5:50 PM CST on Feb 17, 2017

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Stem Cells Treat Baldness with PRP | NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth - NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

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How many times have you been told to eat your carrots to help your eyes? Its an axiom that parents, grandparents, teachers, and pediatricians have passed down to children for ages. Well, it turns out that carrots arent going to magically improve your eyesight or make you more able to see at night any more than drinking milk is going to give you the ability to fly (which would be very cool, to be honest).

There is, of course, scientific data to back up that if you have a vitamin A deficiency (which can cause loss of eyesight) then eating carrots will help restore your vision, but thats not going to work for anyone who isnt suffering from a lack of the vitamin in their system. And its not the only fruit or vegetable to help in this situation. You could eat a carrot to boost your vitamin A levels Carrots have high amounts of beta-Carotene but you could also eat sweet potatoes, dark leafy greens, winter squashes, lettuce, dried apricots, cantaloupe, bell peppers, fish, liver, and tropical fruits to boost your vitamin A. Either way, youre not seeing in the dark.

So where did the idea that carrots would improve your vision or give you night vision even come from? Fake news World War II propaganda. The British had developed an onboard radar system which allowed their fighter pilots to spot German planes coming in for bombing raids under the cover of night. When the Brits were pushed on how they were able to shoot down the aircraft, they said it was because they were feeding their fighter aces carrots which it improved their night vision to X-Men like levels. Seriously, well except for the X-Men part.

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The Fascinating Origins Of The 'Carrots Give You Night Vision' Myth Have Been Revealed - UPROXX

Older adults are at a higher risk for diabetes and pre-diabetes than younger Americans. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one in every four Americans over the age of 60 has diabetes, and with age comes greater risks for complications. Diabetes can lead to heart attacks, strokes, blindness, kidney disease, amputations and even death.

However, studies show it is never too late to make changes to improve a persons health. Motivated adults ready to make lifestyle changes can slow the progression of diabetes and avoid or delay complications.

To help adults who want to get better control of their diabetes, Mountain-Pacific Quality Health, the Medicare quality innovative network-quality improvement organization (QIN-QIO) for Montana, Montana State University Teton County Extension and the Montana Geriatric Education Center are partnering together to offer a series of six, free diabetes classes. These classes provide fun, informative and interactive ways to help people with diabetes or pre-diabetes (high blood sugar)

understand diabetes and how it affects the entire body;

manage diabetes in a way that makes sense for them and their individual health goals;

become more informed members of their health care teams, as they continue to work with their doctors, diabetes educators and other health care providers to improve their health.

The classes support, not replace, professional self-management diabetes education. While the classes are designed for people with Medicare, anyone with diabetes or pre-diabetes is welcome to attend.

The series kicks off Tuesday, March 7, from 6:45 to 7:45 PM, in the Alice Gleason Room at the Choteau/Teton Public Library at 17 Main Ave. N. Classes then meet every Tuesday through April 18, excluding Tuesday, March 21. Anyone interested in attending these classes can register by calling (406) 466-2492 or emailing teton@montana.edu

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Live Healthy with Diabetes: Free Diabetes Classes - Fairfield Sun Times

Makayla Mattei, 15, went missing from her Virginia home on Friday morning. Her mom is worried that a stranger online lured her daughter to Georgia. Makayla is diabetic.

Ellison Barber and 11Alive , WUSA 12:54 PM. EST February 21, 2017

DUMFRIES, VA (WUSA9) - The family of a missing 15-year-old is afraid their daughter is with a stranger she met on the internet.They are originally from Atlanta and the mom said it is possible the teen may try to make her way toward Georgia.

"We haven't seen her. We haven't heard from her," said Chermene Shaw. "It feels like someone just ripped my heart out of my chest and there's a hole."

Shaws daughter, Makayla "Kayla" Phyllis Mattei, was last seen on Friday morning when she left to attend school at Forest Park High School in Dumfires, Virginia. Shaw says Makayla did not show up for school and hasn't been seen or heard from since.

This is the first time Makayla has ever left home, Shaw told WUSA9, and she's afraid the teen did it because of someone she met on the internet.

A few months ago, Shaw said she noticed her daughter talking to someone through social media.

"We believe she was talking to someone that she believed to be her age We think that this may be an adult, Shaw explained. "They don't live around here. They don't go to school anywhere."

Makayla has diabetes and needs insulin injections. Shaw said when her daughter left home she had medication with her, but she might not use it properly and she does not have a phone.

The mom took her phone away when she noticed her daughter talking to the stranger, and she had started to look through it.

"I had already taken it from her to look into. Even to hand off to the police initially, because my concern already was that there was possibly an adult trying to maybe even lure my child. It seemed so farfetched at the time, she said.

"You know your great fear, you think is to not have your child near to you but to not have them near to you and have them near to someone that possibly means them harm - I feel paralyzed."

Shaw says she and her family have spent days handing out missing flyers to as many people as they can.

"I want Makayla to know that we love her. Everyone is looking for her. Your family. We miss you, Shaw said. "We just want you to come home. If anyone has my daughter - we will find you. I will never stop looking until I get my baby back."

Makaylawas last seen wearing jeans, a pink hoodie, and carrying a dark book bag with the words Georgia State University on the front pocket.

Shaw said the family moved to Dumfries about a year ago. They are originally from Atlanta and Shaw said it is possible Makayla may try to make her way toward Georgia.

If you have any information about Makayla's whereabouts, please contact the Dumfries Police Department at (703)-792-6500.

( 2017 WUSA)

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Missing teen with diabetes believed to be headed to Georgia - 11alive.com

February 21, 2017 by Mark Derewicz Top Row: Heart arteries in normal mice, diabetic mice, and normal mice with deleted IRS-1 gene. Bottom row: when artery is wounded, diabetic mice with less IRS-1 and normal mice with deleted IRS-1 gene show much greater blockage due to over-proliferation of smooth muscle cells. Credit: Clemmons Lab, UNC School of Medicine

People with diabetes are at high risk of developing heart disease. Despite knowing this, scientists have struggled to trace the specific biology behind that risk or find ways to intervene. Now, UNC School of Medicine researchers have hunted down a possible culprit - a protein called IRS-1, which is crucial for the smooth muscle cells that make up veins and arteries.

According to a study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, too little of IRS-1 causes cells to revert to a "dedifferentiated" or stem-cell like state, and this may contribute to the buildup of plaque in the heart's arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis, which increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other forms of heart disease.

"When diabetes is poorly managed, your blood sugar goes up and the amount of this protein goes down, so the cells become subject to abnormal proliferation," said senior author David R. Clemmons, MD, Sarah Graham Kenan Professor of Medicine at the UNC School of Medicine. "We need to conduct more studies, but we think this cell pathway may have significant implications for how high blood glucose leads to atherosclerosis in humans."

The research could bring scientists one step closer to finding drugs to help stave off heart disease in people with diabetes, who are twice as likely to have heart disease or experience a stroke, as compared to people without diabetes. People with diabetes also tend to experience major cardiac events at a younger age.

The study focused on the cells that form the walls of veins and arteries, known as vascular smooth muscle cells. The main function of these cells is to contract whenever the heart beats, helping to push oxygen-rich blood to the body's tissues. When plaque builds up along the arterial walls, these cells gradually lose their ability to contract.

In their previous work, Clemmons and colleagues discovered that diabetes can trigger an abnormal cell signaling pathway that causes vascular smooth muscle cells to proliferate, which contributes to atherosclerosis. But their attempts to correct the abnormal signaling pathway didn't seem to completely solve the problem, leading them to suspect another factor.

In the new study, the team found that IRS-1 acts as an inhibitor of the abnormal signaling pathway thereby keeping the vascular smooth muscle cells differentiated, or specialized. In the absence of IRS-1, the cells revert to a stem-cell like state, which in turn activates the abnormal signaling pathway and promotes cell proliferation.

In people with diabetes, the presence of IRS-1 is strongly influenced by how well - or how poorly - blood sugar is kept in check. Previous studies have shown that patients who frequently or consistently have high blood sugar show dramatic reductions in IRS-1. The new study is the first to link this reduction with a predisposition for heart disease.

"The study suggests that you can't just inhibit the abnormal signaling, which we've already figured out how to do," Clemmons said. "Our work suggests you probably have to restore the normal signaling pathway, at least to some extent, in order to completely restore the cells to normal cell health, differentiation, and functioning."

As a next step, the Clemmons lab will look for things that might stimulate the synthesis of this protein even in the presence of high blood glucose.

To prove that IRS-1 acts as a brake on the abnormal signaling pathway that leads to cell proliferation, the team conducted experiments in three different types of mice: healthy mice, diabetic mice, and nondiabetic mice that were genetically engineered to produce no IRS-1. The scientists made a small incision in the blood vessels of the animals and then watched to see how the vascular smooth muscle cells reacted. In healthy mice, the incision stimulated wound healing but little cellular proliferation. In both the diabetic animals and the nondiabetic IRS-1 deficient animals, the researchers observed a marked increase in abnormal cellular proliferation.

The findings suggest that it may be possible to counteract the deleterious effects of high blood sugar on atherosclerosis by developing drugs that boost IRS-1.

Clemmons said the activities of IRS-1 might also play a role in other diabetes complications, such as eye and kidney disease. The researchers plan to study those potential links.

Explore further: Researchers use stem cells to regenerate the external layer of a human heart

A process using human stem cells can generate the cells that cover the external surface of a human heartepicardium cellsaccording to a multidisciplinary team of researchers.

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According to the American Heart Association, approximately 2,200 Americans die each day from heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular diseases. The most common cause is blocked blood vessels that can no longer supply ...

People with any form of diabetes are at greater risk of developing cardiovascular conditions than people without the disease. Moreover, if they undergo an operation to open up a clogged artery by inserting a "stent" surgical ...

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People with diabetes are at high risk of developing heart disease. Despite knowing this, scientists have struggled to trace the specific biology behind that risk or find ways to intervene. Now, UNC School of Medicine researchers ...

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A new study by researchers at King's College London has found that patients with diabetes suffering from the early stages of kidney disease have a deficiency of the protective 'anti-ageing' hormone, Klotho.

Why do some people get Type 2 diabetes, while others who live the same lifestyle never do?

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I was diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes and put on Metformin on June 26th, 2016. I started the ADA diet and followed it 100% for a few weeks and could not get my blood sugar to go below 140. Finally i began to panic and called my doctor, he told me to get used to it. He said I would be on metformin my whole life and eventually insulin. At that point i knew something wasn't right and began to do a lot of research. On August 13th I found Lisa's diabetes story (google " HOW EVER I FREED MYSELF FROM THE DIABETES " ) I read that article from end to end because everything the writer was saying made absolute sense. I started the diet that day and the next morning my blood sugar was down to 100 and now i have a fasting blood sugar between Mid 70's and the 80's. My doctor took me off the metformin after just three week of being on this lifestyle change. I have lost over 30 pounds and 6+ inches around my waist in a month

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Thinly traded nano cap Cellect Biotechnology Ltd. (APOP +19.4%) jumps on more than a 4x surge in volume in response to its announcement of positive results from a Phase 1 study aimed at validating its proprietary method of stem cell selection called ApoGraft. The process allows for the natural enrichment of stem cells that can be used in cell therapies or transplantation with significantly less risk of rejection.

The study was conducted on blood stem cells donated by 104 healthy subjects. Each sample represented a 5% graft. ApoGraft, used for only a few hours, produced a significant increase in the death of mature immune cells without compromising the quality and quantity of stem cells.

The Companys technology is expected to provide pharma companies, medical research centers and hospitals with the tools to rapidly isolate stem cells for in quantity and quality that will allow stems cell-related treatments and procedures. Cellects technology is applicable to a wide variety of stem cells related treatments in regenerative medicine and that current clinical trials are aimed at the cancer treatment of bone marrow transplantations.

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Early-stage study validates Cellect Bio's method of stem cell selection; shares ahead 19% - Seeking Alpha

Scientists have coaxed sound-sensing cells in the ear, called "hair cells," to grow from stem cells. This technique, if perfected with human cells, could help halt or reverse the most common form of hearing loss, according to a new study.

These delicate hair cells can be damaged by excessive noise, ear infections, certain medicines or the natural process of aging. Human hair cells do not naturally regenerate; so as they die, hearing declines.

More than 20 million Americans have significant hearing loss resulting from the death or injury of these sensory hair cells, accounting for about 90 percent of hearing loss in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In the new study, scientists at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology reported that they isolated stem cells from a mouse ear, discovered how to get them to multiply in a laboratory setting, and then converted them into hair cells. Their previous efforts, in 2013, produced only 200 hair cells. With a new technique, however, the research team has increased this number to 11,500 hair cells that were grown from one mouse ear. [Inside Life Science: Once Upon a Stem Cell]

Their paper describing the stem cell advance appears today (Feb. 21) in the journal Cell Reports.

Jeffrey Corwin, an expert on hair-cell regeneration and a professor of neuroscience at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, who was not part of this new research, called it "a very impressive studyby a dream team of scientists" and "a big advance" in the pursuit of regenerating these sensory hearing cells in humans.

Hair cells grow in bundles in the inner ear, and are so named because they look like hairs. Many hair cells within the ear are involved in balance, not hearing. But in the cochlea, the hearing organ deep in the ear canal, there are two kinds of specialized hair cells: outer hair cells, which amplify pitch and enable humans to discern subtle differences in sound; and inner hair cells, which convert sound into electrical signals sent to the brain. Humans have two cochleae (one in each ear), and each has only about 16,000 hair cells.

In fish, birds, lizards and amphibians, cochlear hair cells that die can be regenerated in as fast as a few days. However, in mammals, for the most part, the cells cannot regenerate except for mice and other small mammals when they are newly born. But since so many species can naturally regenerate hair cells from a stem cell precursor, including some newborn mammals, many researchers have been motivated to find a way to rekindle hair-cell regeneration in adult mammals and, of course, in humans, Corwin said.

The new research was done by a team led by Albert Edge, director of the Tillotson Cell Biology Unit at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and professor of otolaryngology at Harvard Medical School in Boston.

In 2012, Edge's group discovered stem cells in the ear called Lgr5+ cells. These cells are also found in the gut, where they actively regenerate the entire lining of human intestines every eight days. The research team soon found a way to coax the Lgr5+ cells to differentiate into hair cells, instead of intestinal cells. But the process was slow, and the yield was low.

Now, the researchers have increased the yield dramatically by inserting a new step. After removing Lgr5+ cells from mice, the researchers first get them to divide in a special growth medium. This step produced a two-thousandfold increase in Lgr5+ cells, Edge told Live Science. Then, the researchers moved these stem cells into a different kind of growth culture and added certain chemicals to turn the Lgr5+ cells into hair cells. [7 Ways the Mind and Body Change With Age]

These laboratory-grown hair cells appear to have many of the characteristics of actual inner and outer hair cells, although they might not be fully functional, Edge said. The most immediate use for this new technique will be to create a large set of the cells to test drugs and to identify compounds that can heal damaged hair cells or regrow them and restore hearing, Edge said.

Scientists have had difficulty testing drugs on large batches of actual hair cells because there are so few in mammalian ears and they are deep in the cochlea, hard to extract, Edge said.

The researchers have reason to believe the technique to regenerate fully functional hair cells in humans could someday work. As reported in their paper, the team tested the technique on a sample of healthy ear tissue from a 40-year-old patient who underwent a labyrinthectomy (removal of parts of the inner ear) to access a brain tumor. The adult human stem cells isolated from this tissue also multiplied and differentiated into hair cells, although not as robustly as the mouse cells did.

But as Corwin noted about Edge's research, "You can see in their paper that they are perfecting their technique as they go along."

Follow Christopher Wanjek @wanjekfor daily tweets on health and science with a humorous edge. Wanjek is the author of "Food at Work" and "Bad Medicine." His column, Bad Medicine, appears regularly on Live Science.

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Hear This: Scientists Regrow Sound-Sensing Cells - Live Science

The condition is caused by the immune system malfunctioning and mistakenly attacking nerves in the brain and spinal cord

A GROUNDBREAKING treatment that resets the immune system could stop the spread of mutliple sclerosis in nearly half of patients, expertssay.

The risky treatment involves wiping the bodies immune system with cancer treatment and rebooting it with a stem cell transplant, but not all patients will be suitable.

Alamy

A stem cell transplant followed by aggressive chemotherapy could reset the immune system and manage the symptoms of MSThe treatment prevents symptoms of the disease worsening for five years in 46 per cent of patients, a study from Imperial College London found.

Multiple sclerosis affects around 100,000 people in the UK, and 2.3 million worldwide.

The condition is caused by the immune system malfunctioning and mistakenly attacking nerves in the brain and spinal cord.

This leads to a range of symptoms including fatigue, problems with arm and leg movement, vision and balance.

There is no cure but certain medications can help slow progression of the disease.

But a stem cell transplant, followed by aggressive chemotherapy, could change that.

Participants in the studyhad advanced forms of the disease and had not responded to any other treatment.

They were given aautologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) A process in which removes healthy stem cells from the body to allow medics to kill the remaining ones.

It aims to stop the immune system from attacking the bodys nerve cells.

The results, published in the journal JAMA Neurology, suggested some patients saw an improvement in their symptoms.

http://www.alamy.com

In the treatment, a patient is given a drug that encourages stem cells to move from the bone marrow into the blood stream, and these cells are then removed from the body.

The patient then receives high-dose chemotherapy that kills any remaining immune cells.

The stem cells are then transfused back into their body to re-grow their immune system.

Previous studies have suggested this resets the immune system, and stops it from attacking the nerve cells.

But medics warn that because thetreatment involves aggressive chemotherapy that inactivates the immune system for a short period of time, some patients died from infections.

Out of the 281 patients who received the treatment in the study, eight died in the 100 days following the treatment.

Older patients, and those with the most severe forms of the disease, were found to have a higher risk of death.

MSis a neurological condition that affects your nerves.

Its caused when your immune system isnt working properly and the coating around your nerves, called myelin, is damaged.

The protective coating helps ensure messages travel smoothly from your nerves to your brain, but when it is damaged the messages become disrupted meaning they can slow down, become distorted or not make it at all.

Once diagnosed, MS stays with you for life, but treatments and specialists can help you to manage the condition and its symptoms.

The cause is not know and there isnt yet a cure, but research is progressing fast.

Symptoms:

Treatment: According to the MS Society, more than 100,000 people in the UK have MS and symptoms usually start in your 20s and 30s, affecting more women than men.

While there is no known cure for MS, there are several ways to treats its symptoms including medication, diet, exercise and physiotherapy.

The best course of action depends on what symptoms the sufferer has.

Dr Paolo Muraro, lead author of the study, said: We previously knew this treatment reboots or resets the immune system and that it carried risks but we didnt know how long the benefits lasted.

In this study, which is the largest long-term follow-up study of this procedure, weve shown we can freeze a patients disease and stop it from becoming worse, for up to five years.

However, we must take into account that the treatment carries a small risk of death, and this is a disease that is not immediately life-threatening.

Most patients with multiple sclerosis have a type of the disease that has flare-ups, known as relapses, followed by an improvement in symptoms.

Dr Muraro said the number of years this treatment prevented symptoms from worsening wasfar greater than would be expected in untreated patients with severe forms of relapsing MS.

Dr Muraro added: These findings are very promising but crucially we didnt have a placebo group in this study, of patients who didnt receive the treatment.

We urgently need more effective treatments for this devastating condition, and so a large randomised controlled trial of this treatment should be the next step.

Dr Sorrel Bickley, head of biomedical research at the MS Society, said: This study is one of the largest to date looking at AHSCT as a treatment for MS and the findings offer some encouraging insights.

It shows that AHSCT can slow or stop progression for many years, and the treatment is most effective in people with MS who have active inflammation in their brain and spinal cord.

There are more than 100,000 people with MS in the UK, its a challenging and unpredictable condition to live with and thats why the MS Society is funding research like this to further our knowledge and find treatments for everyone.

If anyone with MS is considering AHSCT they should speak to their neurologist as a referral is needed to access this treatment via a trial or on the NHS.

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us attips@the-sun.co.ukor call 0207 782 4368

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Resetting the immune system 'stops MS in it's tracks for at least five years' - The Sun

USA Today Network Tanya Eiserer, WFAA-TV, Dallas-Fort Worth Published 12:52 a.m. ET Feb. 21, 2017 | Updated 9 hours ago

Dr. Christopher Duntsch was once an up-and-coming neurosurgeon. After a series of botched surgeries that left two patients dead and others paralyzed, he is now headed to spend the rest of his life behind bars. USA TODAY NETWORK

Christopher Duntsch(Photo: WFAA-TV)

DALLAS Life in prison.

Those were the words that Christopher Duntsch never wanted to hear.And the words that his patients and their families desperately wanted to hear.

The one-time neurosurgeon was sentenced by the 12-member jury to spend the remainder of his life behind bars Monday afternoon.

This was a voice for Kellie, said Don Martin, whose wife bled to death after one of those botched surgeries in 2012.

Travel ban concerns some in Iowa, which relies on foreign-born doctors

His daughter, Caitlin Martin-Linduff, was relieved and tearful to know Duntsch will never hurt anyone again.

Im just so grateful from the bottom of my heart, she said. This will not bring my mother back, but it is some sense of justice for the all the families, for all of the victims.

Duntsch, 44, is the first surgeon known to be sentenced to prison for a botched surgery. He was convicted of injury to an elderly person in the 2012 surgery on Mary Efurd that put her in a wheelchair.

Duntsch was once an up and coming neurosurgeon. He did not make his mark, just not the one that he expected.

This defendant single-handedly ruined their lives, and he gave each of them a life of pain, prosecutor Michelle Shughart told jurors in closing statements.

For weeks, jurors heard the accounts of patients who had been maimed or paralyzed in bungled surgeries. Kellie Martin and Floella Brown died. Jurors also heard from doctors, nurses and other medical professionals who testified theywere shocked by what they saw Duntsch do during and after those surgeries.

So why didnt he stop? Shughart said. Because of greed. Because he owed people a lot of money. He wanted to live the high life and a neurosurgeon makes big bucks. Why didnt he stop? Because he had no conscience. He doesnt care what he has left in his wake.

Jurors heard from Duntschs father, mother, brother and a family friend who sought to appeal to the sympathies of the jury.

Duntsch grew up in a middle-class family. His mom was a teacher. His dad is a physical therapist. He was the eldest of four.

They described him as the bright, precocious little boy who had taken care of a sick bird and loved dogs. They showed photos of him as a baby, as a toddler, and as a boy getting a soccer ball for Christmas. They talked about how he doted on his two little boys.

His father, Don Duntsch, spoke with pride about how his son had once been one of the top authorities on stem cells and had done ground-breaking cancer research.

He said his son called him upset after several of the botched surgeries. He said he had no doubt that his son cared about his patients.

In the end, he blamed pride for his sons downfall.

I think what happened is that as things began to fall apart, the only thing he knew was to try harder, Don Duntsch said.

His younger brother, Nathan, said he had spoken to Duntschs friend and former employee, Jerry Summers, who was left a quadriplegic after one of the botched surgeries. He said that Summers had broken down in to uncontrolled crying and said, I know your brother would never do this to me on purpose.

His father says Christopher Duntsch is a humbled man.

Hes been devastated, Don Duntsch said. He has nothing. Hes lost everything.

Melinda Lehmann, his defense attorney, said Duntsch was a scapegoat for a medical establishment that just kept hiring him and putting him in operating rooms.

Is it right for him go to away, to be thrown away when all of them profited? she said of the hospitals that hired him. They all have blood on their hands.

The jury came back with their verdict in about an hour.

For Mary Efurd, it was sweet justice for the man who ruined her life.

This is what I wanted, she said. This what Ive waited for four and half years.

Follow Tanya Eiserer on Twitter: @tanyaeiserer

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Doctor convicted of botched surgery gets life sentence - USA TODAY

In typical leftist arrogance and denial, Sweden's former Prime Minister Carl Bildt, denied there was anything wrong with Sweden on Twitter after President Trump made reference to the sad state of the European country.

During a rally in Florida, Trump said You look at whats happening in Germany, you look at whats happening last night in Sweden. Sweden. Who would believe this? Sweden. They took in large numbers. Theyre having problems like they never thought possible.

MORE: 10 stories that prove Sweden is the world's most PATHETIC country

Sweden? Terror attack? What has he been smoking? Questions abound, Bildt tweeted out, somehow equating what Trump said with a terrorist attack. But I guess this is what happens when the only search engine you use happens to be The Pirate Bay.

While it is unknown what event Trump was originally talking about, he explained himself on Twitter by saying, My statement as to what's happening in Sweden was in reference to a story that was broadcast on Fox News concerning immigrants & Sweden.

Not exactly the most optimal choice of words by The President, but the problems with Sweden far outweigh Trump's lightning jump in chain of thought. It's nothing new for him. And neither are the issues with Sweden and the denial on full display.

What complete utter cucks like Carl Bildt do is pretend there's nothing wrong. They deny, deny, deny and it gets to a point where even they believe themselves.

Sweden is by far the biggest joke of the western world. It's the shining example of how NOT to do immigration. You see, how things should be is when someone comes to your country, they assimilate into your culture, not the other way around. Alas, in Sweden, the latter occurs.

In fact, crime rates for migrants in Sweden are easily manipulated, as shown by reports that the Swedish government is covering up huge migrant crime sprees.

In a super viral Facebook post earlier this month, a 47-year-old veteran police officer revealed just how bad things are in the ultra-liberal country.

I've handled Monday-Friday this week: rape, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, rape-assault and rape, extortion, blackmail, off of, assault, violence against police, threats to police, drug crime, drugs, crime, felony, attempted murder, Rape again, extortion again and ill-treatment, Peter Springare wrote.

MORE: Sweden is actually trying to kill its language by replacing 'Standard Swedish' with 'migrant-inclusive accent'

Suspected perpetrators; Ali Mohammed, mahmod, Mohammed, Mohammed Ali, again, again, again Christopher... what is it true. Yes a Swedish name snuck on the outskirts of a drug crime, Mohammed, Mahmod Ali, again and again, he added.

Countries representing the weekly all crimes: Iraq, Iraq, Turkey, Syria, Afghanistan, Somalia, Somalia, Syria again, Somalia, unknown, unknown country, Sweden. Half of the suspects, we can't be sure because they don't have any valid papers. Which in itself usually means that they're lying about your nationality and identity.

So, while Journalist Ami Horowitz says the Swedish government is deliberately covering up migrant crime, Carl Bildt linked to an article claiming to 'debunk' Sweden migrant myths along with the caption To whom it might concern: here is what is happening in Sweden. All in all a rather pleasant place.

Why anyone would believe someone who puts his head in the sand over a groundbreaking journalist is beyond me. But this is very typical for the rape capital of Europe as a whole.

So, with everything in mind about how migrant crime gets covered up, the amount of migrant crimes that fall through the cracks and gets reported on is still staggering. But of course, Sweden pretends it doesn't have an issue.

Sweden has become so obsessed with pleasing its Islamic captors, bringing up Stockholm Syndrome would just be a low blow. But a deserving one nonetheless.

This is the country that takes crosses off of churches to appease Muslims.

This is the country that decides to teach children in Arabic because of a decline in migrant school performances.

This is the country that blames non-traditional gender roles for rapes.

This is the country that actually considered giving ISIS terrorists DRIVERS LICENCES if they return 'home'.

This is a country so far off the left-wing deep end, they actually had a bloody feminist snow removal program. You can't make this shit up. It's absolutely laughable to the point where you'd think it's parody. This is utterly embarrassing and any proud Swedes probably cry themselves to sleep humming Where has my country gone.

Carl Bildt's see/hear/speak no evil mindset is beyond parody. It's dangerous to the point where Sweden doesn't recognize the grave it's dug for itself. Sweden has effectively signed its own death warrant with out of control immigration and left-wing governments that could make Montreal blush, all while remaining perfectly ignorant to the world around them.

Problems will NEVER be fixed if they're never discussed.

The left's love affair with radical Islam is a match made in hell. Not to give you any ideas that you will surely implement, but how long until the cross on Sweden's flag gets replaced with a crescent moon?

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Carl Bildt's blindness to Sweden's immigration failure is dangerous and pathetic - The Rebel

We achieve this mission through many means, but our primary service is employment, which is provided to the blind and visually impaired in an Omaha-based converting operation that supplies a full line of 100 percent recycled fiber content tissue and towel products to the U.S. Government and other customers.

The largest employer of the blind and visually impaired in Nebraska and the only agency of its kind in a seven-state region, ONI offers additional services for our associates and blind neighbors in our community, including social activities, education, technology and adaptive aids training, and health and wellness programs.

The vision of ONI is to be the premier provider of choice for exceptional employment, training, and experiences that allow the blind and visually impaired to realize their personal and career goals.

Outlook Nebraska, Inc. is a private, nonprofit agency qualified as a 501(c)3 organization under the Internal Revenue code and registered as a charitable corporation in the State of Nebraska. The organization operates under the Javits-Wagner-ODay (JWOD) Act and the AbilityOne Program, which mandates the Federal government to provide preferred vendor status to agencies such as ONI who employ persons who are blind or have other significant disabilities. As a result, in addition to empowering the blind and visually impaired to achieve independence and an increased quality of life. ONI is an economic engine that brings valuable government business to the Omaha metro area.

In addition to product sales, Outlook Nebraska, Inc. is supported by donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by state and federal law. To make a donation, contact John Wick.

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Outlook Nebraska - Omaha World-Herald

MPs on Tuesday clashed with biotechnology researchers over the lifting of the GMO ban.

The law makers dismissed a call to have the ban lifted and called for development of home grown biotechnology solutions rather than imposing "foreign ideologies".

Our researchers should focus on home grown technologies that address some of the challenges farmers are facing such as aflatoxin, drought tolerant crop varieties and the stem borer pest, said Agriculture Parliamentary committee chair Noor Mohammed.

He assured local scientists that as long as they focus on need based research, the committee will lobby the government to allocate more resources.

Mohammed made the remarks during a consultative meeting between the committee and biotechnology stakeholders.

He noted that there has not been any scientific evidence on the safety of GMOs, or any guarantee that it can offer a solution to food insecurity in the country.

Read: University students want government to issue licence of GMO maize

Also read: State launches GMO labelling mark amid jitters of effect on existent ban

There is no research in the world specifically stating on the safety of the technology. Let any scientist give evidence in Kenya own up and that GMO is safe for human consumption, he said.

Mohammed stated that MPs remarks should not be construed to mean that the political class in the country is against the introduction of GMO, but warned the researchers and other experts against issuing conflicting statements.

He said all the Parliamentary committees - health, agriculture, environment, education - and all the biotechnology researchers need to work together with a view to providing a common approach regarding the issue.

Dr Margaret Karembu emphasised on the need by the government to allow application of GMO as one of the tools to taming food insecurity and enhancing agricultural productivity.

Any country that does not give opportunity to researcher will forever rely on other peoples products. GMOs have been proven safe by the World Health Organization and other global biotechnology players, said Karembu.

Willy Tonui, the National Biosafety Authority CEO, assured Kenyans that there is no GMO product in the market and that the government is vigilant in monitoring all the foreign materials that are being imported in the county.

Excerpt from:
MPs clash with biotechnology researchers over GMO ban - The Star, Kenya

Minuteman HS Receives Biotechnology Lab Grant Patch.com From Minuteman HS:Minuteman High School has landed another major grant from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center to help upgrade its Biotechnology program. The $108,172 competitive grant will enable the school to outfit its Biotechnology lab with ... and more »

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Minuteman HS Receives Biotechnology Lab Grant - Patch.com

Cellect Biotechnology Ltd. (NASDAQ: APOP)

Cellect Biotechnology is having an incredibly strong day in the market today. As soon as the session opened, the stock was already trading on overwhelmingly impressive gains. From there, we've seen a continuation of strong movement. Below, we'll talk about what we're seeing from the stock, why, and what we'll be watching for with regard to APOP ahead.

As mentioned above, Cellect Biotechnology is having an incredibly strong day in the market today. At the opening bell, the stock was already trading well into the green. Throughout the morning, we've seen a continuation of gains. At the moment (10:52), APOP is trading at $6.91 per share after a gain of $1.08 per share (18.52%) thus far today.

As is almost always the case, our partners at Trade Ideas were the first to send the alert that APOP was making a run for the top. As soon as we received the alert, the CNA Finance team started digging to see exactly what was causing the movement. It didn't take long to uncover the story. The gains are ultimately the result of a positive data release.

Early this morning, Cellect Biotechnology released positive results from its clinical trial of ApoGraft(TM). The point of the study was to validate the company's proprietary method for stem cell selection. To do so, the company went through the process of production and characterization through ApoGraft. In the announcement, investors learned that the company met its primary endpoint in this study.

Moving forward, the CNA Finance team will continue to keep a close eye on APOP. In particular, we're following ongoing work with regard to ApoGraft as well as the rest of the company's pipeline. We'll keep a close eye on the news and continue to bring it to you as it breaks!

Do you want real-time, actionable news delivered to your inbox? Join the CNA Finance mailing list below!

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Cellect Biotechnology (APOP) Stock: Gaining Big On Positive Clinical Data - CNA Finance (press release)

The biotech sector has gotten a lot of attention lately both in the financial markets and in Washington. The sector, which was one of the worst performing areas of the market in 2016, posting a loss of more than 20%, has started posting gains again, and is looking like the rally may be poised to continue. The biggest play in the sector, the iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (NASDAQ:IBB), is up more than 10% on the year (its smaller equal weight counterpart, the SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (NYSEARCA:XBI), is up over 17%).

The sector has alternatively gotten good and bad news from the White House. For many months, there has been talk of lowering drug prices through open competition or price caps putting pressure on the big drug manufacturers. On the other hand, President Trump spoke recently of his desire to reform the entire drug approval process in order to "speed the approval of life-saving medications" and "cutting the red tape at the FDA." That notion was welcomed by the equity markets even though it received a tepid response from big pharma companies.

One thing working in favor of biotech right now is M&A and the big prize could be Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY). A StreetInsider article from this week called the company "in play" and listed Roche (OTCQX:RHHBY), Novartis (NYSE:NVS), Gilead (NASDAQ:GILD) and Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) all as potential buyers. Acadia Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ACAD) could also be up for grabs with Biogen (NASDAQ:BIIB) rumored to be a possible bidder. In its quarterly analyst meeting, Amgen's (NASDAQ:AMGN) CEO Bob Bradway discussed how his company was going to be on the lookout for acquisitions, both big and small.

Even Gilead, the big biotech that just caught Wall Street off guard when it significantly lowered 2017 revenue guidance due to weak sales in its hepatitis C drugs, even provided some reason for optimism. The stock dropped roughly 10% on its weak forecast, from a pre-earnings level of around $73, down to a post-announcement low in the $65 area. Since then, however, it has, somewhat surprisingly, begun rallying anew. The stock closed Friday at $70, gaining back nearly of what was lost. Does this signal something of a capitulation point and indicate that buyers are ready to return?

From a technical standpoint, the fund just broke out to the upside from a wedge pattern that has been forming over the past several months.

I wrote earlier this month that I felt the Biotech ETF could close out February above $300 if it could break through the resistance level around $285. It has and now it feels like that $300 level is well within reach.

Despite its rally so far this year, the fund is still about 13% off of its 2016 highs and 26% off of its all-time highs. Valuations in the sector look very reasonable right now as well. Thomson Reuters estimates put the forward P/E of the sector at less than 13, a level it hasn't seen in several years.

Gilead's results notwithstanding, the Q4 earnings season has been pretty good for biotech. Big players such as Amgen, Celgene (NASDAQ:CELG), Illumina (NASDAQ:ILMN) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:VRTX) - all top 10 holdings in the fund - popped strongly after announcing earnings. If the sector can continue posting generally good revenue and earnings results and get a little help from the White House along the way, this could be a nice spot to add a few shares.

Editor's Note: This article discusses one or more securities that do not trade on a major U.S. exchange. Please be aware of the risks associated with these stocks.

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This Biotech ETF Looks Primed To Rally Again - iShares Nasdaq ... - Seeking Alpha

Puma Biotechnology Inc s chart and data analysis indicates that the stock price has dropped -14.54% in the past 12 Weeks but analyzing the 6 month chart of the stock, the price of the stock has managed to drop negative and it has dropped down to -29.98% . Looking at the past 52 week period, the stock price is down -12.97% . Relative price strength is a important factor used by wealth management firms while investing in stocks because the indicator compares the stock performance with the overall market. The relative price strength of Puma Biotechnology Inc has a positive value of 4.53 compared to overall market.Puma Biotechnology, Inc. is having a Relative Strength Index of 68.39 which indicates the stock is not yet over sold or over bought based on the technical indicators.

For the current week, the company shares have a recommendation consensus of Buy. Puma Biotechnology Inc (NYSE:PBYI) has climbed 10.43% in the past week and advanced 24.81% in the last 4 weeks. In the past week, the company has outperformed the S&P 500 by 8.78% and the outperformance has advanced to 20.57% for the last 4 weeks period.

Company has reported several Insider transactions to the SEC, on Jan 24, 2017, Steven Lo (Chief Commercial Officer) sold 2,290 shares at 33.24 per share price.On Jan 24, 2017, Charles R Eyler (officer ) sold 820 shares at 33.24 per share price.On Jan 24, 2017, Richard Paul Bryce (SR VP, CLINICAL RESEARCH & DEV) sold 2,293 shares at 33.24 per share price.

Puma Biotechnology Inc (NYSE:PBYI) rose 7.76% or 2.9 points on Friday and made its way into the gainers of the day. After trading began at $37.25 the stock was seen hitting $40.5 as a peak level and $36.7 as the lowest level. The stock ended up at $40.25. The daily volume was measured at 1,377,113 shares. The 52-week high of the share price is $73.27 and the 52-week low is $19.74. The company has a market cap of $1,482 million.

Puma Biotechnology, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the acquisition, in-licensing, development and commercialization of novel therapeutics for the treatment of cancer. Its products under development include PB272 (oral neratinib) for the treatment of patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2) positive metastatic breast cancer and gastric cancer and PB272 (neratinib intravenous) for the treatment of patients with advanced cancer. Puma Biotechnology, Inc. is headquartered in Los Angeles, California.

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Stock Price of Puma Biotechnology Inc (PBYI) Increases 10.43% - Highland Mirror