Mayo Clinic #39;s Abba Zubair Speaking at #WSCS14
Dr. Abba Zubair, Medical Director of the Transfusion Medicine and Stem Therapy Laboratory at Mayo Clinic in Florida speaking on his topic "Application of Microgravity Expanded Stem Cells in...
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Mayo Clinic's Abba Zubair Speaking at #WSCS14 - Video
MS Stem Cell Medication Therapy Shows Promise
http://www.dailyrx.com/autologous-stem-cell-transplant-after-immunosuppressive-therapy-induced-3-year-remission-relapsing Many patients with relapsing-remitting MS treated with immune system ...
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MS Stem Cell Medication Therapy Shows Promise - Video
Released: 30-Dec-2014 1:50 PM EST Embargo expired: 1-Jan-2015 2:00 PM EST Source Newsroom: Johns Hopkins Medicine Contact Information
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Newswise Scientists from the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center have created a statistical model that measures the proportion of cancer incidence, across many tissue types, caused mainly by random mutations that occur when stem cells divide. By their measure, two-thirds of adult cancer incidence across tissues can be explained primarily by bad luck, when these random mutations occur in genes that can drive cancer growth, while the remaining third are due to environmental factors and inherited genes.
All cancers are caused by a combination of bad luck, the environment and heredity, and weve created a model that may help quantify how much of these three factors contribute to cancer development, says Bert Vogelstein, M.D., the Clayton Professor of Oncology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, co-director of the Ludwig Center at Johns Hopkins and an investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
Cancer-free longevity in people exposed to cancer-causing agents, such as tobacco, is often attributed to their good genes, but the truth is that most of them simply had good luck, adds Vogelstein, who cautions that poor lifestyles can add to the bad luck factor in the development of cancer.
The implications of their model range from altering public perception about cancer risk factors to the funding of cancer research, they say. If two-thirds of cancer incidence across tissues is explained by random DNA mutations that occur when stem cells divide, then changing our lifestyle and habits will be a huge help in preventing certain cancers, but this may not be as effective for a variety of others, says biomathematician Cristian Tomasetti, Ph.D., an assistant professor of oncology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Bloomberg School of Public Health. We should focus more resources on finding ways to detect such cancers at early, curable stages, he adds.
In a report on the statistical findings, published Jan. 2 in Science, Tomasetti and Vogelstein say they came to their conclusions by searching the scientific literature for information on the cumulative total number of divisions of stem cells among 31 tissue types during an average individuals lifetime. Stem cells self-renew, thus repopulating cells that die off in a specific organ.
It was well-known, Vogelstein notes, that cancer arises when tissue-specific stem cells make random mistakes, or mutations, when one chemical letter in DNA is incorrectly swapped for another during the replication process in cell division. The more these mutations accumulate, the higher the risk that cells will grow unchecked, a hallmark of cancer. The actual contribution of these random mistakes to cancer incidence, in comparison to the contribution of hereditary or environmental factors, was not previously known, says Vogelstein.
To sort out the role of such random mutations in cancer risk, the Johns Hopkins scientists charted the number of stem cell divisions in 31 tissues and compared these rates with the lifetime risks of cancer in the same tissues among Americans. From this so-called data scatterplot, Tomasetti and Vogelstein determined the correlation between the total number of stem cell divisions and cancer risk to be 0.804. Mathematically, the closer this value is to one, the more stem cell divisions and cancer risk are correlated.
Our study shows, in general, that a change in the number of stem cell divisions in a tissue type is highly correlated with a change in the incidence of cancer in that same tissue, says Vogelstein. One example, he says, is in colon tissue, which undergoes four times more stem cell divisions than small intestine tissue in humans. Likewise, colon cancer is much more prevalent than small intestinal cancer.
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'Bad Luck' of Random Mutations Plays Predominant Role in Cancer, Study Shows
NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Shares of stem cell therapy developerNeuralstem (CUR) rose 4.62% to $2.72 on higher-than-average volume in afternoon trading Wednesday in sympathy with peer companyBrainstorm Cell Therapeutics (BCLI) .
Brainstorm intends to release the final results from its Phase 2a trial of its stem cell therapy NurOwn on Monday. The company describes NurOwn as an "autologous, adult stem cell therapy technology" designed to treat ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.
The company will host a conference call on Monday to discuss the results.
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One Reason Neuralstem (CUR) Stock is Rising Today
NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Shares ofBrainstorm Cell Therapeutics (BCLI) soared 20.88% to $4.69 on higher-than-average volume in morning trading Wednesday ahead of the biotech company's data release on Monday.
Brainstorm intends to release the final results from its Phase 2a trial of its stem cell therapy NurOwn on Monday. The company describes NurOwn as an "autologous, adult stem cell therapy technology" designed to treat ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.
The company will host a conference call on Monday to discuss the results.
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Jim Cramer and Stephanie Link reveal their investment tactics while giving advanced notice before every trade.
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Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics (BCLI) Stock Rises Ahead of ALS Treatment Trial Data Release
[ Japan ] RIKEN: STAP cells were ES cells
An investigative panel under Japan #39;s RIKEN institute says samples of so-called STAP stem cells were actually embryonic stem cells. The independent panel has been investigating the claims by...
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[ Japan ] RIKEN: STAP cells were ES cells - Video
PLoS ONE : Live Cell Imaging of the Nascent Inactive X Chromosome during the Early...
KeSimpulan | Live Cell Imaging of the Nascent Inactive X Chromosome during the Early Differentiation Process of Naive ES Cells towards Epiblast Stem Cells. Aurlia Guyochin et al. (2014),...
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PLoS ONE : Live Cell Imaging of the Nascent Inactive X Chromosome during the Early... - Video
Abstract: Adipose tissue is an abundant source of mesenchymal stem cells, which have shown promise in the field of regenerative medicine. Furthermore, these cells can be readily harvested in large numbers with low donor-site morbidity. During the past decade, numerous studies have provided preclinical data on the safety and efficacy of adipose-derived stem cells, supporting the use of these cells in future clinical applications. Various clinical trials have shown the regenerative capability of adipose-derived stem cells in subspecialties of medical fields such as plastic surgery, orthopedic surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and cardiac surgery. In addition, a great deal of knowledge concerning the harvesting, characterization, and culture of adipose-derived stem cells has been reported. This review will summarize data from in vitro studies, pre-clinical animal models, and recent clinical trials concerning the use of adipose-derived stem cells in regenerative medicine.
Introduction
In the field of regenerative medicine, basic research and preclinical studies have been conducted to overcome clinical shortcomings with the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). MSCs are present in adult tissues, including bone marrow and adipose tissue. For many years, bone marrow-derived stem cells (BSCs) were the primary source of stem cells for tissue engineering applications (Caplan, 1991; Pittenger et al., 1999; Caplan, 2007). However, recent studies have shown that subcutaneous adipose tissue provides a clear advantage over other stem cell sources due to the ease with which adipose tissue can be accessed as well as the ease of isolating stem cells from harvested tissue (Schffler et al., 2007). Initial enzymatic digestion of adipose tissue yields a mixture of stromal and vascular cells referred to as the stromal-vascular fraction (SVF) (Traktuev et al., 2008). A putative stem cell population within this SVF was first identified by Zuk et al. and named processed lipoaspirate (PLA) cells (Zuk et al., 2001; Zuk et al., 2002).
There is no consensus when it comes to the nomenclature used to describe progenitor cells from adipose tissue-derived stroma, which can sometimes lead to confusion. The term PLA refers to adipose-derived stromal cells and adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) and describes cells obtained immediately after collagenase digestion. Accordingly, the term ASC will be used throughout this review.
ASCs exhibit stable growth and proliferation kinetics and can differentiate toward osteogenic, chondrogenic, adipogenic, myogenic, or neurogenic lineages in vitro (Zuk et al., 2002; Izadpanah et al., 2006; Romanov et al., 2005). Furthermore, a group has recently described the isolation and culture of ASCs with multipotent differentiation capacity at the single-cell level (Rodriguez, et al., 2005).
Using these attractive cell populations, recent studies have explored the safety and efficacy of implanted/administrated ASCs in various animal models. Furthermore, clinical trials using ASCs have been initiated in some medical subspecialties. This review summarizes the current preclinical data and ongoing clinical trials and their outcomes in a variety of medical fields.
Characterization and Localization
ASCs express the mesenchymal stem cell markers CD10, CD13, CD29, CD34, CD44, CD54, CD71, CD90, CD105, CD106, CD117, and STRO-1. They are negative for the hematopoietic lineage markers CD45, CD14, CD16, CD56, CD61, CD62E, CD104, and CD106 and for the endothelial cell (EC) markers CD31, CD144, and von Willebrand factor (Zuk et al., 2002; Musina et al., 2005; Romanov et al., 2005). Morphologically, they are fibroblast-like and preserve their shape after expansion in vitro (Zuk et al., 2002; Arrigoni et al., 2009; Zannettino et al., 2008).
The similarities between ASCs and BSCs may indicate that ASCs are derived from circulating BSCs, which infiltrate into the adipose compartment through vessel walls (Zuk et al., 2002; Zannettino et al., 2008; Brighton et al., 1992; Canfield et al., 2000; Bianco et al., 2001). On the other hand, according to a recent theory, these stem cells are actually pericytes (Traktuev et al., 2008; Chen et al., 2009; Crisan et al., 2008; Zannettino et al., 2008; Tintut et al., 2003; Abedin et al., 2004; Amos et al., 2008). Pericytes around microvessels express alpha-smooth muscle actin (-SMA) as well as certain MSC markers (CD44, CD73, CD90, CD105); however, they do not express endothelial or hematopoietic cell markers (Chen et al., 2009). Pericytes adhere, proliferate in culture, sustain their initial antigenic profile, and can differentiate into bone, cartilage and fat cells (Chen et al., 2009). Moreover, injected MSCs migrate to the blood vessels in vivo and become pericytes (Chen et al., 2009). Considering the above-mentioned data, it can be speculated that pericytes are the ancestors of MSCs, but this does not mean that all MSCs are descendants of pericytes (Chen et al., 2009) or that all pericytes are necessarily stem cells (Lin et al., 2008; Traktuev et al., 2008; da Silva et al., 2008; Abedin et al., 2004; Tintut et al., 2003; Zannettino et al., 2008; Amos et al., 2008).
Traktuev et al. (2008) defined a periendothelial pericyte-like subpopulation of ASCs. These cells were CD34+, CD31-, CD45-, and CD144- and expressed mesenchymal cell markers, smooth muscle antigens, and pericytic markers, including chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (NG2), CD140a, and CD140b (PDGF receptor and , respectively) (Traktuev et al., 2008; Amos et al., 2008). However, Lin et al. (2008) could not co-localize CD34 and CD104b, and thus concluded that CD34+/CD31- cells of adipose vasculature are not pericytes.
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Adipose-derived Stem Cells: Current Findings and Future ...
Stem Cells An outline CME (12-2014) by Dr Gamal Bakhaat
A CME on "Stem Cells" conducted in Aljouf College of Medicine by Dr Gamal Bakhaat. Graphed by: Dr Khaled A Abulfadle .
By: Dr Khaled A Abulfadle
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Stem Cells An outline CME (12-2014) by Dr Gamal Bakhaat - Video
The body has evolved ways to get rid of faulty stem cells. A University of Colorado Cancer Center study published in the journal Stem Cells shows that one of these ways is a "program" that makes stem cells damaged by radiation differentiate into other cells that can no longer survive forever. Radiation makes a stem cell lose its "stemness." That makes sense: you don't want damaged stem cells sticking around to crank out damaged cells.
The study also shows that this same safeguard of "programmed mediocrity" that weeds out stem cells damaged by radiation allows blood cancers to grow in cases when the full body is irradiated. And by reprogramming this safeguard, we may be able to prevent cancer in the aftermath of full body radiation.
"The body didn't evolve to deal with leaking nuclear reactors and CT scans. It evolved to deal with only a few cells at a time receiving dangerous doses of radiation or other insults to their DNA," says James DeGregori, PhD, investigator at the CU Cancer Center, professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics at the CU School of Medicine, and the paper's senior author.
DeGregori, doctoral student Courtney Fleenor, and colleagues explored the effects of full body radiation on the blood stem cells of mice. In this case, radiation increased the probability that cells in the hematopoietic stem cell system would differentiate. Only, while most followed this instruction, a few did not. Stem cells with a very specific mutation were able to disobey the instruction to differentiate and retain their "stemness." Genetic inhibition of the gene C/EBPA allowed a few stem cells to keep the ability to act as stem cells. With competition from other, healthy stem cells removed, the stem cells with reduced C/EBPA were able to dominate the blood cell production system. In this way, the blood system transitioned from C/EBPA+ cells to primarily C/EBPA- cells.
Mutations and other genetic alterations resulting in inhibition of the C/EBPA gene are associated with acute myeloid leukemia in humans. Thus, it's not mutations caused by radiation but a blood system reengineered by faulty stem cells that creates cancer risk in people who have experienced radiation.
"It's about evolution driven by natural selection," DeGregori says. "In a healthy blood system, healthy stem cells out-compete stem cells that happen to have the C/EBPA mutation. But when radiation reduces the heath and robustness (what we call 'fitness') of the stem cell population, the mutated cells that have been there all along are suddenly given the opportunity to take over."
Think about it in terms of chipmunks and squirrels: reducing an ecosystem's population of chipmunks may allow squirrels to flourish -- especially if the way in which chipmunks are reduced changes the ecosystem to favor squirrels, similar to how radiation changes the body in a way that favors C/EBPA-mutant stem cells).
These studies don't just tell us why radiation makes hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) differentiate; they also show that by activating a stem cell maintenance pathway, we can keep it from happening. Even months after irradiation, artificially activating the NOTCH signaling pathway of irradiated HSCs lets them act "stemmy" again -- restarting the blood cell assembly line in these HSCs that would have otherwise differentiated in response to radiation.
When DeGregori, Fleenor and colleagues activated NOTCH in previously irradiated HSCs, it kept the population of dangerous, C/EBPA cells at bay. Competition from non-C/EBPA-mutant stem cells, with their fitness restored by NOTCH activation, meant that there was no evolutionary space for C/EBPA-mutant stem cells.
"If I were working in a situation in which I was likely to experience full-body radiation, I would freeze a bunch of my HSCs," DeGregori says, explaining that an infusion of healthy HSCs after radiation exposure would likely allow the healthy blood system to out-compete the radiation-exposed HSC with their "programmed mediocrity" (increased differentiation) and even HSC with cancer-causing mutations. "But there's also hope that in the future, we could offer drugs that would restore the fitness of stem cells left over after radiation."
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Reprogramming stem cells may prevent cancer after radiation
An experimental treatment that uses a patient's own stem cells may offer new hope for people with multiple sclerosis.
In a small clinical trial, patients experienced long-term disease remission after undergoing a transplant of their own hematopoietic stem cells. This type of cell is responsible for the formation of blood in the body and are typically derived from bone marrow. The patients also took high-dose immunosuppressive drugs.
The paper, published Monday in JAMA Neurology, reports on the third year of a five-year study. A total of 24 patients with active relapsing-remitting MS were enrolled in the trial. With this type of MS, patients have points when their disease is active followed by periods when they do not experience any symptoms.
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Dr. Jon LaPook goes inside the trial and approval process for an experimental treatment using stem cells designed to make Multiple Sclerosis pati...
The researchers found that nearly 79 percent of the patients who underwent the procedure sustained full neurologic function for the three years following the treatment and symptoms of their disease did not progress. Additionally, patients in that time period did not develop any new lesions related to their disease.
More than 90 percent of patients did not experience disease progression, while 86 percent did not have any periods of relapse. Though a small number of patients did have side effects from the immunosuppressive drugs, they were no different than the side effects typically experienced by MS patients taking the drugs who haven't undergone stem cell therapy.
"Longer follow-up is needed to determine the durability of the response," the authors write in the study. "Careful comparison of the results of this investigation and other ongoing studies will be needed to identify the best approaches for high-dose immunosuppressive therapies for MS and plan the next clinical studies."
The authors of an accompanying editorial say the research indicates this type of therapy has potential to work on patients who do not experience disease remission with medications alone, such as immunosuppressive drugs and anti-inflammatory drugs such as corticosteroids.
However, they add that "the jury is still out regarding the appropriateness and indication" of stem cell transplants for MS patients. Stem cell therapy is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of MS. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society currently funds 15 research projects on stem cell therapies that have the potential to prevent disease activity and repair nerve damage.
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Stem cell transplant may help patients with MS
Experimental treatment kills off, then 'resets' the immune system
WebMD News from HealthDay
By Dennis Thompson
HealthDay Reporter
MONDAY, Dec. 29, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- An experimental therapy that kills off and then "resets" the immune system has given three years of remission to a small group of multiple sclerosis patients, researchers say.
About eight in 10 patients given this treatment had no new adverse events after three years. And nine in 10 experienced no progression or relapse in their MS, said lead author Dr. Richard Nash of the Colorado Blood Cancer Institute at Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center in Denver.
"I think we all think of this as a viable therapy," Nash said. "We still need to perform a randomized clinical trial, but we're all pretty impressed so far, in terms of what we've seen."
In multiple sclerosis, the body's immune system for some unknown reason attacks the nervous system, in particular targeting the insulating sheath that covers the nerve fibers, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health. People with the more common form, called relapsing-remitting MS, have attacks of worsening neurologic function followed by partial or complete recovery periods (remissions).
Over time, as the damage mounts, patients become physically weak, have problems with coordination and balance, and suffer from thinking and memory problems.
This new therapy seeks to reset the immune system by killing it off using high-dose chemotherapy, then restarting it using the patient's own blood stem cells. Doctors harvest and preserve the patient's stem cells before treatment, and re-implant them following chemotherapy.
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Stem Cell Therapy for MS Shows Promise
Stem cells grown under low oxygen. These stem cells from Stemedica are licensed to CardioCell.
Dr. David Gorski, a prominent skeptic of therapies offered outside the scientifically controlled clinical trial system, has published an extensive and critical look at the stem cell therapy Gordie Howe received in early December to help him recover from a serious stroke.
I had email exchanges with Gorski while writing my article last week on the treatment, which uses stem cells provided by San Diego-based Stemedica. Gorski, whose previous blog post at Science-Based Medicine on Howe's treatment caught my attention, follows through with an analysis of the clinical trial setup used by Novastem, a Mexican stem cell company licensed by Stemedica to use its cells.
Dr. Murray Howe and his hockey great father, Gordie Howe, on a fishing trip in Saskatchewan in 2013. / Courtesy Murray Howe
"As sympathetic as I am to the Howe family, Im sorry. I reluctantly have to say that Murray Howe really should know better," Gorski wrote. "If Gordie Howe was treated as part of a clinical trial, then Novastem should have treated him for free! Thats because if it is running a clinical trial, it should treat everyone on the trial for free. Thats the way its done ethically."
I asked Novastem president Rafael Carrillo about the financial issue for my article. Carrillo said Novastem doesn't have deep pockets like a big pharmaceutical company, so it needs to charge for the treatment to pay its expenses. Without that money, it can't afford the trial. Patients wouldn't get the opportunity to get care that could help them, Carrillo said. Moreover, this arrangement is legal under Mexican law.
Gorksi views this as unethical, even if it's legal. He objects to the free treatment given to Gordie Howe, because it amounts to publicity for Novastem that will attract paying customers. And even if Howe is doing better, as appears to be the case, it's not possible to tell definitively whether stem cells helped.
The U.S. system has its own flaws, Gorski says, because patient expenses not related to the clinical trial are not paid for.
"Patients who dont have health insurance will often have a huge difficulty paying for their care not related to the clinical trial and thus will have difficulties accessing cutting-edge clinical trials because they cant pay for their own regular care," Gorski wrote. "Yay, USA!"
Stemedica is offering its own U.S. trial of the therapy, but people must have had the stroke at least six months ago. That's because people make the most improvement within six months after a stroke. So delaying treatment until after that point will make it easier to detect improvement caused by the stem cell treatment.
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More about Gordie Howe's therapy
JEUNESSE Dr. Nathan Newman - Stem Cell Technology; What are stem cells and how we use them ?
Jeunesse is the world leader in stem cell technology. Dr. Nathan Newman is the creator of LUMINESCE cellular rejuvenation serum and a member of the prestigious Jeunesse Medical Advisory...
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JEUNESSE Dr. Nathan Newman - Stem Cell Technology; What are stem cells and how we use them ? - Video
Las Vegas, Nevada (PRWEB) December 29, 2014
Top Las Vegas pain management clinic, Nevada Pain, is now providing over ten effective knee arthritis treatments. New treatments include regenerative medicine therapies such as PRP and stem cell therapy. Call (702) 323-0553 for more information and scheduling.
Knee arthritis affects tens of millions of Americans, often leading to significant disability. This may make it difficult to participate in recreational activities or play with one's kids or grandkids. While a total joint replacement typically has excellent outcomes, there are potential serious complications. Therefore, the procedure should be avoided or delayed until all other options have been attempted.
Nevada Pain offers the latest, cutting edge options for knee arthritis relief. This includes platelet rich plasma therapy, known as PRP therapy, along with stem cell therapy. The stem cell therapy is offered with either bone marrow derived stem cells or amniotic derived stem cells.
Additional treatments for knee arthritis include cortisone injections, which have been a gold standard for decades. They may provide months of consistent pain relief. Hyaluronic acid injections into the arthritic knee have been shown to offer six to twelve months of pain relief to most individuals.
Knee bracing is also offered along with TENS units, physical rehabilitation, pain medications and topical pain creams. Success rates are impressive for achieving pain relief and avoiding knee surgery.
Along with treating knee arthritis pain, Nevada Pain offers therapies for all types of back and neck pain, sciatica, scoliosis, neuropathy, RSD, spinal stenosis and much more. Treatment is offered by Board Certified, Award Winning providers.
Most insurance is accepted and there are multiple locations in the greater Las Vegas area. Call (702) 323-0553 for more information and scheduling.
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Las Vegas Pain Management Clinic, Nevada Pain, Now Offering Over Ten Effective Treatments for Knee Arthritis with ...
Stem Cell Translation collaboration between Australia and Canada (Stem Cells Australia+CCRM)
By: Bienvenue! Canada Down Under
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Stem Cell Translation collaboration between Australia and Canada (Stem Cells Australia+CCRM) - Video
Stem Cells - Dr Nathan Newman, M.D
Nathan Newman, M.D. He is a world-renowned cosmetic surgeon with a fully-accredited and respected cosmetic surgery practice in Beverly Hills, California. http://antiagingbodyfunctions.jeunesseglob.
By: Sabby Jeunesse
ARTAS FUE Hair Transplant with Stem Cell Therapy at 1 year post-op
Amazing results after a FUE hair transplant by Dr. Yates with 2000 grafts using the newest ARTAS Robotic technology and newest therapy for hair restoration - Stromal Vascular Fraction Fat Transfer....
By: William Yates
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ARTAS FUE Hair Transplant with Stem Cell Therapy at 1 year post-op - Video
The competition for Maryland's stem cell research grants will be stiffer than ever as applications flood in next month, forcing officials to be more selective even as scientists worry that the state's fiscal problems and a new administration in Annapolis may mean smaller budgets in the future.
The Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission received a record 240 letters declaring intent to apply for $10.4 million in grants, officials said this month. While the majority came from researchers, more than a dozen came from startups and other companies and half a dozen for work testing therapies on humans proof that the 8-year-old program is boosting the state's biotechnology industry, officials said.
But that also means the state likely will reject more applications for the grants than in previous years. And with no funding promises from Gov.-elect Larry Hogan and state budget cuts looming, researchers worry there will be less to go around in 2016 and beyond.
The uncertainty comes just as advancements in stem cell science are making more research possible, threatening progress in Maryland even as other states surge forward, researchers said.
"In California, they have $3 billion. Here, we have $10 million a year. It is very hard," said Ricardo Feldman, an associate professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. "Not all of us who have exciting results are going to get it, and some of us who do not get funding will not be able to continue what we started, and that will be very sad."
At an annual symposium on state-funded stem cell research this month, state stem cell commission officials said they received letters of intent from a record 16 companies as well as seven proposals for clinical work and 144 proposals for "translational" work research that aims to turn basic science into viable therapies. Applications are due Jan. 15.
Historically, the awards have gone more for university research and projects that are still at least a few steps away from being used in hospitals, but the surge in commercial and clinical work is a product of the state's long-term commitment to the grants, said Dan Gincel, the stem cell research fund's executive director.
The grants help research projects advance to a stage where they can attract backers like drug companies or other for-profit investors, who are more discriminating in the projects they support since many end up going nowhere.
"A long-term commitment is extra important for something so high-risk," Gincel said. "You gain trust that this is going somewhere."
There aren't many investors for researchers to turn to early on, said Jennifer Elisseeff, a professor of biomedical engineering at the Johns Hopkins University who has been part of teams receiving $920,000 in state grants over the past two years. She and colleagues are exploring how to stimulate stem cells to regrow tissues, a project she called "kind of basic science-y but also very applied."
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Record competition for stem cell grants means tough choices for state officials
The Newport Beach Stem Cell Treatment Center provides cutting-edge care for patients with a wide variety of degenerative disorders using adult stem cell regenerative therapy. Our highly trained physicians and medical team are focused on providing you with the most innovative techniques and advanced procedures for harvesting and deploying adult stem cells from your own fat. We are also committed to clinical research and the advancement of regenerative medicine.
We are dedicated to the principles of personalized patient care and individualized attention. Our plastic surgeon, a pioneer in liposuction, and topnotch team of registered nurses and technicians are experienced in harvesting and deploying adult stem stems. In addition, our comfortable in-office surgery center is fully accredited by the Institute for Medical Quality, a division of the California Medical Association. Our goal is to provide you with the best possible care in a friendly and professional atmosphere.
Fat is the bodys most abundant repository of adult stem cells, containing thousands of times more stem cells than bone marrow. New technologies at the Newport Beach Stem Cell Treatment Center make it possible for us to remove a few ounces of a patients fat through liposuction, separate out the stem cells in a special process that yields extremely high numbers of viable cells, and return them back into the patients body via IV or injection. Performed in a physicians office under sedation and local anesthesia and using a sterile closed system technology (so the cells never come into contact with the environment), there is minimal discomfort and risk of infection. And because the cells come from the patients own body, there is no risk of rejection or disease transmission.
Posted by Mark Baldwin on Nov 28, 2012 in Cardiac / Pulmonary
Posted by Mark Baldwin on Nov 28, 2012 in Cardiac / Pulmonary
Posted by Mark Baldwin on Nov 28, 2012 in Cardiac / Pulmonary
Posted by Mark Baldwin on Nov 28, 2012 in Cardiac / Pulmonary
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Newport Beach Stem Cell Treatment Center - Stem Cell ...