header logo image


Page 869«..1020..868869870871..880890..»

Policy Issues in Genomics | NHGRI

September 14th, 2019 11:19 am

NHGRI is committed to driving the responsible use of genomics in society in order to advance knowledge and ensure that genomics benefits the health of all humans. To do this, we consider the ethical, legal, and social aspect of genomics research in our work, including these key issues.

In 2008, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act was passed into law, prohibiting discrimination by employers and health insurers.

Genome editing is a method that lets scientists change the DNA of many organisms, including plants, bacteria, and animals.

NHGRI wants to ensure that all populations benefit from the advances of genomics research.

Federally-funded research with human participants must comply with regulations that protect the rights and welfare of the participants.

Informed consent shows respect for personal autonomy and is an important ethical requirement in research.

There are laws and policies that serve to protect the privacy of individuals' genomic information.

Most genetic tests today are not regulated, meaning that they go to market without any independent analysis to verify the claims of the seller.

Synthetic biology is a field of science that involves redesigning organisms for useful purposes by engineering them to have new abilities.

Last updated: December 3, 2018

See the rest here:
Policy Issues in Genomics | NHGRI

Read More...

Personalized Medicine – Center for Individualized Medicine …

September 14th, 2019 11:19 am

Personalized Medicine

Better diagnoses, earlier interventions, more-efficient drug therapies, customized treatment plans. These are the promises of personalized medicine, also known as precision medicine or individualized medicine.

Individualized, precision or personalized medicine provides a genomic blueprint to determine each person's unique disease susceptibility, define preventive measures and enable targeted therapies to promote wellness.

Mayo Clinic has provided personalized or precision medicine to every one of its patients for nearly 150 years. But in recent years, advances in genomic and clinical science have created innovative opportunities to further tailor health care to each patient.

The Center for Individualized Medicine at Mayo Clinic is taking the practice of personalized medicine and applying it to the entire spectrum of health care using sophisticated methods of genomic sequencing and molecular analysis.

Personalized Medicine 101

Living better, living longer

Personalized Medicine Concepts

The Biomarker Discovery Program captures genetic information from cells and analyzes it, searching for genetic patterns to help physicians make more precise diagnoses and prescribe more effective, individualized treatments.

The Microbiome Program explores the genetic code of the body's microorganisms, using the latest techniques to profile an individual's microbiome to detect, prevent and diagnose infections and other diseases.

The Pharmacogenomics Program investigates how variations in genes affect response to medications, thereby using a patient's genetic profile to predict a drug's efficacy, guide dosage and improve patient safety.

Genomic sequencing is a process for analyzing a sample of DNA taken from your blood. In the lab, technicians extract DNA and prepare it for sequencing.

The Clinomics Program quickly moves discoveries from the research lab to the clinical setting, with practical, cost-efficient genomic tests for diagnosing and treating patients.

The Epigenomics Program investigates the role of the epigenome, examines which factors act on individual genes, and how certain changes in the epigenome affect our health.

The Center for Individualized Medicine is a strategic priority for the Campaign for Mayo Clinic.

.

See the original post:
Personalized Medicine - Center for Individualized Medicine ...

Read More...

Stem Cell Therapy in Houston, TX | National Stem Cell Centers

June 7th, 2019 2:47 pm

The doctors affiliated with National Stem Cell Centers in Houston, TX specialize in harvesting tissue and having the cells processed at our registered tissue processing lab.

The physicians follow compliant protocols where the tissue is not manipulated and there is no tissue or cell expansion.

We also do not use enzymes as per FDA guidelines.

Stem cell procedures hold great potential for the management of joint pain, arthritis, hair loss, cosmetic and other disorders as well as auto-immune, renal, and neurological disorders.

There are various types of stem cells, particularly as they pertain to potential procedures, including umbilical cord cells, adipose (fat-derived), amniotic cells, placenta, bone marrow, exosomes, and others.

The physician will go over your options during your complimentary consultation.

Dr. Baker is a general surgeon by training and a native of Northeast Texas.

His general surgery training makes him uniquely qualified as an excellent stem cell physician.

After graduating from the University of Arkansas with the highest honors,

Dr. Baker attended the University of Texas Medical School at Houston where he was awarded the prestigious Parents and Alumni Scholarship.

During medical school, Dr. Baker was selected to participate in the competitive summer research program and remained active in research throughout medical school.

Following medical school and research commitments, Dr. Baker moved to Phoenix, Arizona where he began his surgical education. It was in the Scottsdale area that Dr. Baker began to hone his artistic eye for body sculpting. Dr. Baker also garnered broad experience in regenerative medicine around this time as aesthetic improvement and restorative complementary medicine techniques often go hand in hand.

In the six years since Dr. Baker has treated thousands of cosmetic patients and a near equal quantity of functional medicine patients. He strives to remain on the cutting edge through continued education and a meticulous attention to detail for all of his patients with a willingness to think outside the box and look for options that traditional medicine might otherwise not consider.

Dr. Thiele is a General Surgeon with five years of training in general surgery.

He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Management Wound which has helped hone his hair transplant techniques including FUT, graft harvesting, recipient site making, anesthesia, pain management and wound healing.

He has worked as a Physician at the East Texas Medical Center and Mother Francis Hospital in Tyler, and served as a Physician with VOHRA Would Physicians, TeleHealth, Murdock & Applegate Recovery.

He attended medical school at the University of Texas in Galveston and trained at Mercer University in Georgia and Charleston Area Medical Center in W. Virginia.

Dr. Thiele performs the FUT as well as FUE procedures at MAXIM Hair Restoration in Houston and Dallas, Texas.

Schedule your complimentary stem cell therapy consultation today with one of our affiliated physicians in Houston, Texas, by calling (802) 278-5098 or submit the Contact Form on this page.

This location serves Houston, Sugarland, Katy, Heights, Austin, San Antonio and all of Texas.

Address:6910 Bellaire Blvd.,Building 9Houston, Texas 77074

Read more from the original source:
Stem Cell Therapy in Houston, TX | National Stem Cell Centers

Read More...

Rheumatoid arthritis – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic

June 6th, 2019 3:45 pm

Overview

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can affect more than just your joints. In some people, the condition can damage a wide variety of body systems, including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart and blood vessels.

An autoimmune disorder, rheumatoid arthritis occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body's tissues.

Unlike the wear-and-tear damage of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis affects the lining of your joints, causing a painful swelling that can eventually result in bone erosion and joint deformity.

The inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis is what can damage other parts of the body as well. While new types of medications have improved treatment options dramatically, severe rheumatoid arthritis can still cause physical disabilities.

Signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis may include:

Early rheumatoid arthritis tends to affect your smaller joints first particularly the joints that attach your fingers to your hands and your toes to your feet.

As the disease progresses, symptoms often spread to the wrists, knees, ankles, elbows, hips and shoulders. In most cases, symptoms occur in the same joints on both sides of your body.

About 40 percent of the people who have rheumatoid arthritis also experience signs and symptoms that don't involve the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis can affect many nonjoint structures, including:

Rheumatoid arthritis signs and symptoms may vary in severity and may even come and go. Periods of increased disease activity, called flares, alternate with periods of relative remission when the swelling and pain fade or disappear. Over time, rheumatoid arthritis can cause joints to deform and shift out of place.

Make an appointment with your doctor if you have persistent discomfort and swelling in your joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when your immune system attacks the synovium the lining of the membranes that surround your joints.

The resulting inflammation thickens the synovium, which can eventually destroy the cartilage and bone within the joint.

The tendons and ligaments that hold the joint together weaken and stretch. Gradually, the joint loses its shape and alignment.

Doctors don't know what starts this process, although a genetic component appears likely. While your genes don't actually cause rheumatoid arthritis, they can make you more susceptible to environmental factors such as infection with certain viruses and bacteria that may trigger the disease.

Factors that may increase your risk of rheumatoid arthritis include:

Rheumatoid arthritis increases your risk of developing:

Follow this link:
Rheumatoid arthritis - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

Read More...

How Chemotherapy Affects the Immune System

June 6th, 2019 3:44 pm

Chemotherapy is the cancer treatment most likely to weaken the immune system. Chemotherapy medicines target rapidly dividing cells, which cancer cells are but so are many of the normal cells in your blood, bone marrow, mouth, intestinal tract, nose, nails, vagina, and hair. So chemotherapy affects them, too. Cancer cells are destroyed by chemotherapy because they cant repair themselves very well. Your healthy cells typically can repair the damage from chemotherapy once treatment ends. (One notable exception is nerve cells in your hands and/or feet, which can be permanently damaged by certain chemotherapy medications a condition known as peripheral neuropathy.)

As chemotherapy medicines damage the bone marrow, the marrow is less able to produce enough red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Typically, the greatest impact is on white blood cells. When you dont have enough white blood cells, your body is more vulnerable to infection.

Although most chemotherapy medications can have an impact on your immune system, how much of an impact depends on many factors, such as:

Some chemotherapy medicines are taken by mouth, in pill form, while others are given intravenously through a vein in the chest, arm, or hand at a hospital or clinic. If youre having intravenous treatment, ask that it be given on the opposite side of the body from where you had your surgery. The injection site poses some risk of infection, and since breast cancer surgery usually removes lymph nodes, you definitely want to minimize that risk on the affected side of your body. (If you had cancer in both breasts, choose the side of the body that had less extensive surgery or fewer lymph nodes removed, if possible.)

The timing of different chemotherapy regimens varies. Typically, you would take the medication(s) for one day to several days, wait a couple of weeks to give the body time to recover, and then start the cycle again. Treatment can last for anywhere from 3 to 6 months. During that time, you would be considered to be immunocompromised not as able to fight infection. After finishing chemotherapy treatment, it can take anywhere from about 21 to 28 days for your immune system to recover.

If chemotherapy is part of your treatment plan, you and your doctor should review the medications youll have and discuss potential effects on your immune system.

Before, during, and after chemotherapy, do your best to follow the common-sense ways to take care of your immune system, such as getting enough rest, eating a healthy diet, exercising, and reducing stress as much as you can. Some chemotherapy medicines can reduce your appetite and make you feel tired, so ask your doctor about ways to manage those side effects.

Before you start chemotherapy, your doctor should order a complete blood count (CBC) to check your baseline levels of different blood cells, including white blood cells. Youll continue to have this blood test done periodically throughout your treatment. When your white blood cell count is lower than normal, youre more prone to infection. Especially important is a type of white blood cell known as neutrophils, which are first responders to infection that can gobble up bacteria, fungi, and germs. Your test results will include an absolute neutrophil count, or ANC. Usually, your neutrophil levels start to drop about a week after your chemotherapy cycle begins, reach a low point in another week or so, and then slowly begin to climb again before your next cycle of treatment. Blood tests will help your doctor know if your neutrophil levels have bounced back enough in between treatments.

A normal neutrophil count is around 2,500-6,000. If yours is lower than that, and especially down to 1,000 or lower, your risk of infection is increased. If the count falls below 500, you have a condition called neutropenia, which greatly raises your risk of a serious infection.

Whatever your situation, its very important to follow specific steps for protecting yourself against infection and to promptly report any signs or symptoms of infection to your doctor. When your immune system is weak, an infection can worsen quickly and even turn life-threatening. If you have a fever higher than 100 and suspect infection but you cant reach your doctor, seek emergency medical attention.

If your neutrophil levels dont bounce back quickly enough between treatments or you develop neutropenia, your doctor may decide to:

If chemotherapy causes neutropenia accompanied by a fever, your doctor may prescribe medications called colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) or white blood cell growth factors to be given along with your remaining chemotherapy treatments. These medications can help the body produce more neutrophils and other types of white blood cells, which strengthens your ability to fight off infection. Examples include:

These are given as a series of shots in between treatment cycles. Although CSFs can reduce the risk of hospitalization due to infection, they can cause side effects such as aches in the bones, low-grade fever, and fatigue. Generally, CSFs are used in people who are on a chemotherapy regimen that more commonly causes neutropenia or for those who arent helped by an adjustment in the chemotherapy dose. Talk to your doctor to find out what is recommended for you.

Even after you finish treatment, it is important to follow steps for protecting yourself against infection until your immune system returns to normal.

See the rest here:
How Chemotherapy Affects the Immune System

Read More...

Adirondack Veterinary Service

June 5th, 2019 4:47 am

From the moment you walk through our covered porch entrance we do everything to make sure you and your pet feel at ease. Your pet gives you wholehearted and unconditional love so when they need medical care we want you to know you came to the right place. We only see one patient at a time so our doctors and staff can give you and your pet their undivided attention. We strive to make personalized care our forte!

Our practice was established in 1992 as a large animal service to local dairies and horse stables in Oneida County, New York. In the year 2000, after an extensive remodel to the building we are in, we moved to our current facility and expanded our care to include dogs and cats.

Enjoy browsing through our site. In it you will find useful information about our staff and the services we provide. In addition, there are articles about equine and pet care you can peruse. We have also provided several links to other sites that promote optimum pet and horse health. Feel free to contact us with any questions you might have about the services we offer or pet health information you might need.

Read this article:
Adirondack Veterinary Service

Read More...

Surface tethering of stem cells with H2O2-responsive anti …

June 3rd, 2019 2:50 am

JavaScript is disabled on your browser. Please enable JavaScript to use all the features on this page.Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cells are the new generation of medicine for treating numerous vascular diseases and tissue defects because of their ability to secrete therapeutic factors. Poor cellular survival in an oxidative diseased tissue, however, hinders the therapeutic efficacy. To this end, we hypothesized that tethering the surface of stem cells with colloidal particles capable of discharging antioxidant cargos in response to elevated levels of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) would maintain survival and therapeutic activity of the stem cells. We examined this hypothesis by encapsulating epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and manganese oxide (MnO2) nanocatalysts into particles comprising poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide)-block-hyaluronic acid. The MnO2 nanocatalysts catalyzed the decomposition of H2O2 into oxygen gas, which increased the internal pressure of particles and accelerated the release of EGCG by 1.5-fold. Consequently, stem cells exhibited 1.2-fold higher metabolic activity and 2.8-fold higher secretion level of pro-angiogenic factor in sub-lethal H2O2 concentrations. These stem cells, in turn, performed a greater angiogenic potential with doubled number of newly formed mature blood vessels. We envisage that the results of this study will contribute to improving the therapeutic efficacy of a wide array of stem cells.

Mesenchymal stem cells

Epigallocatechin gallate

Manganese oxide nanocatalysts

Colloidal particles

Surface tethering

Hydrogen peroxide

Recommended articlesCiting articles (0)

2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Excerpt from:
Surface tethering of stem cells with H2O2-responsive anti ...

Read More...

What Is Glaucoma? – American Academy of Ophthalmology

June 3rd, 2019 2:48 am

Glaucoma is a disease that damages your eyes optic nerve. It usually happens when fluid builds up in the front part of your eye. That extra fluid increases the pressure in your eye, damaging the optic nerve.

Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness for people over 60 years old. But blindness from glaucoma can often be prevented with early treatment.

In a healthy eye, excess fluid leaves the eye throughthe drainage angle, keeping pressure stable.

There are two major types of glaucoma.

This is the most common type of glaucoma. It happens gradually, where the eye does not drain fluid as well as it should (like a clogged drain). As a result, eye pressure builds and starts to damage the optic nerve. This type of glaucoma is painless and causes no vision changes at first.

Some people can have optic nerves that are sensitive to normal eye pressure. This means their risk of getting glaucoma is higher than normal. Regular eye exams are important to find early signs of damage to their optic nerve.

This type happens when someones iris is very close to the drainage angle in their eye. The iris can end up blocking the drainage angle. You can think of it like a piece of paper sliding over a sink drain. When the drainage angle gets completely blocked, eye pressure rises very quickly. This is called an acute attack. It is a true eye emergency, and you should call your ophthalmologist right away or you might go blind.

Here are the signs of an acute angle-closure glaucoma attack:

Many people with angle-closure glaucoma develop it slowly. This is called chronic angle-closure glaucoma. There are no symptoms at first, so they dont know they have it until the damage is severe or they have an attack.

Angle-closure glaucoma can cause blindness if not treated right away.

Visit link:
What Is Glaucoma? - American Academy of Ophthalmology

Read More...

At $2.1M, Novartis gene therapy will be worlds most …

May 30th, 2019 1:46 am

The Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved the first gene therapy for a type of spinal muscular atrophy, a lifesaving treatment for infants that will also be the most expensive drug in the world.

Known as Zolgensma, the gene therapy treats children under 2 years of age with spinal muscular atrophy, an inherited neuromuscular disease that causes progressive loss of muscle function. The most severe form of SMA causes infants to die or rely on permanent breathing support by the age of 2. The disease is caused by a defect in a gene that makes SMN, a protein necessary for the survival of motor neurons. Zolgensma uses a re-engineered virus to deliver a functional copy of the defective gene so that SMN protein can be produced.

Novartis is pricing Zolgensma at $2.125 million, or an annualized cost of $425,000 per year for five years, the company said.

advertisement

Launching Zolgensma will be a big test for Novartis and CEO Vas Narasimhan, now two years on the job. Shareholders expect the gene therapy to deliver blockbuster sales to justify the $8.7 billion that Novartis spent to acquire it last year.

To achieve commercial success, Novartis must persuade doctors who treat SMA patients that the muscle-preserving benefits from a one-time injection of Zolgensma will be durable. Complex payment and insurance reimbursement arrangements required for expensive gene therapies need to be handled deftly.

Novartis is likely to face backlash from critics who believe charging millions of dollars for any medicine no matter how effective renders it unaffordable for a healthcare system already under financial stress.

Theres also competition. Spinraza, approved in late 2016 and sold by Biogen, has already been used to successfully treat thousands of patients with severe and milder forms of SMA. The drug requires regular spinal infusions costing $750,000 in the first year and $375,000 annually thereafter, for life. Sales last year totaled $1.7 billion. Zolgensma may be more convenient than Spinraza, but Roche is developing a daily pill for SMA called risdiplam that could reach the market in 2020.

The FDA approved Zolgensma to treat children under 2 diagnosed with SMA, regardless of genetic mutation. In its pivotal clinical trial and an ongoing clinical trial, a majority of the infants and young children injected once with Zolgensma remained alive, could breathe on their own, and showed improvements in motor milestones like being able to sit up without support.

Zolgensma is markedly better than any other therapy out there, particularly in the clinical trials of type 1 that weve released, Narasimhan told STAT in a recent interview. Clearly, parents will know right away that this is a medicine that performs extremely, extremely well in these infants and has this kind of marked effect on their well-being.

In its announcement, acting FDA Commissioner Ned Sharpless said the approval marks another milestone in the transformational power of gene and cell therapies to treat a wide range of diseases.

A survey of 30 doctors currently treating SMA patients, conducted by the analysts at Jefferies, found that 30% would use Zolgensma in newly diagnosed SMA patients one year after launch. Doctors were also interested in trying combinations of Zolgensma and Spinraza. Jefferies is forecasting Zolgensma sales to reach $2.6 billion, above the $1.9 billion consensus peak sales estimate.

Biogen disagrees, not surprisingly. On a recent conference call, executives argued that even with Zolgensmas arrival, Spinraza remains the standard of care treatment for SMA, based on the drugs broader label and more than 7,000 patients treated, some for as long as six years. Spinraza is approved for all types of SMA from the sickest type 1 infants to adults with milder forms of the disease where loss of muscle function starts later and is more gradual.

Biogen welcomes additional therapeutic options to help individuals with this rare disease, the company said in a statement issued after Zolgensmas approval. We are proud to have helped more than 7,500 people with SMA. Spinraza continues to be the only treatment available for a broad age range of patients with SMA.

Dr. John Brandsema, a pediatric neurologist at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, has treated SMA patients with Spinraza and Zolgensma. He believes comparisons are premature.

Theres a reluctance on the part of the academic community to directly compare the patients from the gene transfer trial [Zolgensma] to the patients from the nusinersen [Spinraza] trial. They were different in their inclusion criteria, in their age at initiation of therapy and in some of the outcome measures that were being studied, Brandsema told STAT. I think you really need real-world experience to be able to do comparisons to that level and we dont have real-world experience yet with gene transfer. Brandsema has received consulting fees from Biogen and AveXis, the biotech company that developed Zolgensma and was acquired by Novartis.

Dr. Ed Smith, an SMA expert at Duke University, said awareness of Zolgensma is already high among his patients and their caregivers.

I will say that talking to the patients and families who are doing Spinraza currently, many of them are eagerly awaiting the option potentially for a one time dose of a gene therapy if thats an option for them, Smith told STAT. Most of them that Ive asked, and Ive asked most of them, sort of eagerly await this as an option and want to know, is it going to be an option for me.

About that $2.1 million Zolgensma sticker price: Novartis defends its pricing decision, calling the treatment highly cost effective and fair and reasonable given the benefit demonstrating in clinical trials. Novartis pointed out that chronic injections of Spinraza cost more than $4 million over five years.

Novartis said it is working with insurers to implement pay-over-time and outcomes-based agreements to accelerate patient access and reimbursement for Zolgensma.

Significantly, Novartis wont get pushback from the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review, a nonprofit that has become an unofficial force in the country for assessing the economic benefits of new medicines. On Friday, ICER endorsed Novartis pricing strategy. An updated ICER cost-effectiveness analysis found that Zolgensma, at $2.1 million, was just slightly higher than its value-based pricing benchmark. A previous ICER analysis pegged the justifiable cost of Zolgensma at $1.5 million.

Zolgensma is dramatically transforming the lives of families affected by this devastating disease, and given the new efficacy data for the pre-symptomatic population, the price announced today falls within the upper bound of ICERs value-based price benchmark range, said Dr. Steven D. Pearson, president of ICER.

Peter Bach, director for the center for health policy and outcomes at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, is troubled by Zolgensmas price and believes ICERs updated cost-effectiveness analysis takes too many liberties.

You can look at this in either of two ways. Its an amazing treatment and only a few kids will need it so a million here and million there is not worth more than shoulder shrug, he said. Or we have a big problem. Biopharma has been entirely redirected to rare diseases because the market will tolerate any price and the FDA will require pretty minimal data.

Read more from the original source:
At $2.1M, Novartis gene therapy will be worlds most ...

Read More...

Novartis’ gene therapy Zolgensma will cost $2.1 million

May 30th, 2019 1:46 am

Dr. Vasant Narasimhan, CEO of Novartis, speaking at the Healthy Returns conference in New York City on May 21, 2019.

Astrid Stawiarz | CNBC

The Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved Novartis' $2.1 million gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy making it the world's most expensive drug.

The therapy, Zolgensma, is a one-time treatment for spinal muscular atrophy, a muscle-wasting disease and leading genetic cause of infant mortality that affects one in every 11,000 births. Novartis had previously said it could price the treatment between $1.5 million to $5 million.

Novartis said the treatment will cost $2.1 million or $425,000 a year spread out over five years. The company said it's "working closely with insurers to create 5-year agreements based on success of the treatment as well as other novel pay-over-time options." It's currently in "advanced discussions" with more than 15 insurers on payment options. Shares of Novartis were up nearly 4% late-afternoon Friday.

This marks a new era in medicine where new therapies can cure patients in a single treatment but at a high price. Insurers and governments will need to figure out how to pay for these therapies and society will need to decide whether any drug, even lifesaving ones, are worth millions of dollars.

"Zolgensma is a historic advance for the treatment of SMA and a landmark one-time gene therapy," Novartis CEO Vas Narasimhan said a statement Friday. "Our goal is to ensure broad patient access to this transformational medicine and to share value with the healthcare system."

In rationalizing the expensive price, Novartis said the one-time treatment costs 50% less than the 10-year cost of current chronic management of the disease.

"We believe by taking this responsible approach, we will help patients benefit from this transformative medical innovation and generate significant cost savings for the system over time," said Narasimhan, who has called for new ways to pay for innovative gene therapies.

The Institute for Clinical and Economic Review, which evaluates drug prices, earlier this year said Zolgensma was worth up to only $1.5 million. On Friday, ICER said that after further studying the clinical results and the FDA's approval, it decided Zolgensma's price "falls within the upper bound of ICER's value-based price benchmark range."

"Insurers were going to cover Zolgensma no matter the price, and Novartis has spoken publicly about considering prices that approached $5 million," ICER President Steven Pearson said in a statement. "It is a positive outcome for patients and the entire health system that Novartis instead chose to price Zolgensma at a level that more fairly aligns with the benefits for these children and their families."

Another current treatment for spinal muscular atrophy for children and adults is Biogen's Spinraza, which has a list price of $750,000 for the first year and $375,000 annually thereafter. Biogen's stock was down more than 1% on Friday.

"As a global leader in the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy, a life threatening, devastating disease, Biogen welcomes additional therapeutic options to help individuals with this rare disease," Biogen said in a statement.

Acting FDA Commissioner Ned Sharpless lauded the approval, saying in a statement that it marked "another milestone in the transformational power of gene and cell therapies to treat a wide range of diseases. With each new approval, we see this exciting area of science continue to move beyond the concept phase into reality."

View post:
Novartis' gene therapy Zolgensma will cost $2.1 million

Read More...

Centre For Sight – Eye Care Centre | Top Eye Hospital In India

May 30th, 2019 1:45 am

Established in 1996, Centre for Sight is a leading eye care provider in India. Since its inception, Centre for Sight has been guided by patient centric values of efficiency, precision, compassion and integrity.

Centre for Sight won the prestigious Frost & Sullivan award as the Eye care provider company of the year 2010 & 2014, an affirmation of its values. Centre for Sight was awarded the prestigious FICCI Healthcare Excellence award for Operational Excellence in 2012.

ET Now Leaders of tomorrow national award for Business Excellence in 2014. Awarded Best Single Specialty Hospital Chain 2016 at Businessworld 3rd Healthcare Summit & Awards. Dr. Mahipal S Sachdev, chairman & MD CFS group of hospitals receives lifetime achievement Award at Times Health achiever Delhi NCR 2017.

Also the hospital was awarded best single specialty hospital in the same conclave. These awards are recognition of our committed efforts to make eye care a super specialty in India.

47

Centers across 32 cities

15

Super Specialities 2016

Continued here:
Centre For Sight - Eye Care Centre | Top Eye Hospital In India

Read More...

What is ahimsa meat? Scientists create fat-free, boneless …

May 29th, 2019 10:46 am

DNA

'Ahimsa meat' is the latest type of meat in the Indian market which researchers claim do not need the rearing and slaughter of animals. The meat, which was synthesised from stem cells, was created in Hyderabad in a joint effort by Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) and National Research Centre on Meat (NRCM), reports The Times of India.

The researchers said that the synthetic meat will look, taste and feel the same. Different types of meat can be produced, including chicken and mutton. They added that the nutritional content of the meat will be the same as the natural ones.

However, this meat will be boneless and fat-free. By producing this type of meat, the scientists hope that there would be a reduction in the carbon footprint and they will contribute to animal welfare.

The laboratories were given a budget of Rs 4.5 crore to develop the meat. Maneka Gandhi, a known animal rights activist, had asked to start producing synthetic meat on a commercial scale in five years.

Humane Society of India, which is one of the top promoters of synthetic meat, claimed that the government's investment in the project is the largest compared to any other country.

What do international meat suppliers have to say?

Peter Verstrate, the CEO of Dutch company Mosa Meat, told Labiotech that by moving towards synthetic meat, methane emissionswould reduce. Along with this, 95 per cent of water spent on rearing the farm animals could be saved.

"We have billions of animals that are being raised and are being eaten. If you can just reduce that 10 per cent, 20 per cent it would be massive on the environment, but we don't expect that to be done within 10 years. The only thing that is now on our horizon is just stopping the growth of animal consumption. If we can just do that it will be a huge win," said Daan Luining, the CTO of Meatable, cultured meat company in Denmark.

Study suggests ultra-processed foods could increase risk of cancer

Visit link:
What is ahimsa meat? Scientists create fat-free, boneless ...

Read More...

Stem Cell Therapy – Cellaxys

May 27th, 2019 3:46 am

Why havent you heard about this before?

In the grand scheme of things, stem cell therapy is still relatively new. More importantly, its still rapidly evolving.

While its been used by practitioners for roughly 50 years now, it was mostly blood cancer cases that seemed to have a positive response to stem cell treatment.

It wasnt until recently that practitioners have proved how universally effective stem cells can be in regenerating tissue after injuries or restoring the effects of natural wear-and-tear.

Our bodies are made of cells.

Muscle cells construct the muscle tissue. Nerve cells are the building blocks for the nervous system. In other words, all of the cells in our body have a specific set of functions.

Except stem cells. Their job is to regenerate other types of cells, should the need occur.

Stem cells are the silent hero that continuously repairs and regenerates all of our body parts. They act as the source that generates new, specialized cells, which can quickly adapt to an injury or natural wear-and-tear. The firemen who also happen to rebuild the house.

It can be a bit of a confusing subject, so why dont we kick things off with an analogy?

For example, think of a stem cell as a young human being.

As a child, you have complete freedom over what you can become. You can choose to be a physics teacher, play in a professional soccer team, or to head a successful business.

Over time, you make choices based on your decision. Young professors will read a lot of books, aspiring athletes will enroll to their local soccer team, and the entrepreneurs will open lemonade stands.

Enough time passes, and each of these kids will no longer have the same freedom of choicethey will be specialized.

The teacher could never learn to kick the ball as well as the soccer player, who could never build a multi-million dollar business. Each of them would be effective in their own areas, but they would have lost their ability to change function.

Stem cells behave very similarly.

One of the main properties of a stem cell is that they can transform into any other type of cell, taking on its functions and properties.

Namely, there are 7 main types of body cells:

A stem cell can become any one of these cells. Once they do, they reach maturity and function as the designated cell type.

In fact, this regenerative process happens all the time without us knowing.

One of the common myths we hear is that stem cells are some new invention that scientists have mixed in their laboratories, and are now looking to inject them into poor test subjects as a part of their grand experiment with the human race.

While some stem cells used in therapy do come from external sources (read: not from your own body), wed like to emphasize that stem cells are a natural building block of our bodies. Theyve always been therewe just werent aware of what they do and how to use them in therapy.

Current practical and academic research shows that stem cells are present in the:

Given that stem cells are spread all over our body, you might sense that theyre there for a reason.

The reason is that our bodies regenerate all the time without us knowing. Us and lizards, it turns out, were not so different after all.

Skin, for example, we regenerate fully within 2-3 weeks. As in, every month we get a new set of skin. We shed our skin seamlessly throughout the day.

Some of our inner organs also have amazing regenerative capabilities.

Liver, for example, is known to be extremely good at regenerating. So good, in fact, that it could regenerate fully from just a quarter (25%)[7] of the full organ mass.

The inner lining of our intestines, called the epithelium, regenerates fully every 5-7 days, too.

The point ismost of our body parts have innate regenerative abilities, powered by stem cells.

However, were not on par with the reptiles yet in the regeneration game.

Most of our body parts they need help to regenerate properly.

Thats where stem cell therapy comes in.

We wont go all technical about the mechanics of stem cells, but a couple of core things you should know before you read anything else:

In fact, it is three distinctive properties[8] that set stem cells apart from the rest:

If youve heard stories about stem cells, they were probably about how they are harvested.

Namely, you might have heard a notion that in order to get stem cells, you have to kill an embryo.

Let us shed some light on the topic.

What you need to know:

Embryonicor omnipotentstem cells are at the very core of the controversy surrounding the entire area of stem cell therapy.

As their name suggests, they are gathered from embryos in the early stages of growth. They develop in eggs fertilized in in vitro fertilization[9]clinics, and are subsequently donated for research after receiving consent from the donor herself.

Scientists take particular interest in embryonic stem cells because of their vast potential. In theory, they have the ability to transform into most any type of body cell, in unlimited quantities. Ethical or not, it can at least be understood why academics are so fascinated with embryonic stem cells.

In practice, however, these cells are not used.

For one, its illegal to do so[10] in the US and many other countries. Only closely monitored and highly regulated research projects can use specified amounts of embryonic stem cells for experimentation.

But then, you should also know that we have not yet figured out how to use embryonic stem cells in therapy safely. Once that day comes, however, societies across the world will have important ethical questions to solve.

What you need to know:

Adult stem cellsalso known as pluripotent stem cellshave been used in therapy since 1956.

Pluripotent stem cells are more limited in their differentiative and multiplicative abilities. That is, they cannot multiply an infinite amount of times, or transform into any other type of cells. There are limitations.

Major advancements in stem cell therapy are closely linked to these limitations. As we learn more about different sources of adult stem cells and about how to use them in therapy, we find new practical applications to treat diseases and injuries.

At first, scientists and practitioners have operated under the notion that adult stem cells could mostly be found in the bone marrowa soft, spongy tissue inside our bones, responsible for generation of new blood cells.

For this reason, the first stem cell transplants addressed various blood diseasessuch as leukemia. They did so successfully. (Yes, bone marrow transplant is also a stem cell transplant procedure.)

It wasnt until 2010 that adult stem cell therapy was acknowledged as a possible solution to many of our musculoskeletal problems and a viable alternative to surgical orthopaedic treatments. Once the first person received a stem cell transplant[11] to treat spinal injury, the orthopaedic world has changed for good.

What you need to know:

First things first: the ethical question.

Youve got this rightthere are stem cells in the umbilical cord of every newborn, and they can be used in therapy.

Since umbilical cord is no longer needed by the parents after birth, some of them choose to donate the cord for research and therapy purposes.

Certified clinic partners, such as ourselves, receive pre-specified doses of umbilical cord stem cells (in amounts of 5, 15 or 30 million) to be used in therapy.

Why would we want to use umbilical cord stem cells? Arent our own bone marrow and adipose tissue enough?

Well, in some cases, theyre not. This highly varies on a case-by-case basis, but some major considerations may include:

Can umbilical cord stem cells be rejected by your body, given their foreign nature?

While properly tested and securely harvested umbilical stem cells do not pose direct threat to the patients healththey do come in pre-specified amounts from a partner FDA approved clinic. Which means, we do not control the entire process from start to finish.

For this reason, we often steer patients towards autologousor your ownstem cells, since these pose no risk at all.

For now, its safe to say that umbilical cord stem cells are a good alternative to stem cells of your own, when, for some reason, the latter cant be used for therapy.

The science behind stem cells is as complicated as is it exciting.

The therapy itself, however, is remarkably simple. That is one of its major appeals.

There are many cultural references to what stem cell therapy might one day become. The cure-all; an injection of cells that could treat any disease and heal any injury, for anyone.

Heres how it goes in real life.

Depending on the chosen source of stem cellswhether its the patients bone marrow, adipose tissue (fat) or an umbilical cordthe first stage of stem cell therapy is to actually collect them.

With bone marrow stem cells:

With adipose tissue stem cells:

With umbilical cord stem cells:

This part is another source of controversy.

There is a big myth (mouthfed by marketers) that stem cells are somehow modified before transplantation.

Not only is this incorrect, it is also illegal. FDA has a clear policy[53] that only minimal manipulation[12] can be allowed in stem cell transplantation.

What exactly is minimal manipulation? Here is the answer:

This is very important, because chemically or otherwise manipulating stem cells before transplantation means its virtually impossible to predict how these cells would predict once in the patients body.

Its also important to emphasize that we do not multiply stem cells in the lab through manipulation.

All stem cells are naturally pre-programmed to divide a specific number of times:

The multiplication itself can happen in lab conditions or in the patients bodybut we have nothing to do with that. The cells themselves do the work.

So, then, what do we do before transplantation? Here is a quick rundown:

And thats basically it! We dont do any chemical or biological manipulation. Since stem cells already know what to do, theres no reason to interfere with their biological structure without compromising safety.

This is where the true magic happens.

A concentrated sample of activated stem cells is transplanted right into where theyre needed most: the injury site or chronic illness area. This is what has proven transformative in chronic and acute musculoskeletal diseases, such as arthritis and spinal injury.

Once again, the procedure is really simple:

Since theres no surgical incision (stem cell therapy is a non-invasive procedure), patients usually do not experience any serious side effects. Some soreness and pain are witnessed at times.

Its really that simple.

Want to activate your bodys natural ability to heal itself?

Consider Stem Cell Therapy.

Fill out the form below and one of our specialists will get in touch with you regarding your pain problem.

Stem cell therapy isnt just a radical improvement in medicine; its a much needed one, too.

See, for the longest time, patients acute and chronic musculoskeletal injuries were faced with two groups of treatment options:

The downsides of surgery are the main reason why stem cell therapy has gained so much attention recently.

Due to the invasive nature of surgical intervention, these types of treatments always put patients at a serious risk.

From catching an infection at the incision site to the formation of blood clots which could lead to a heart attack, surgical intervention poses an entire array of health hazards[13].

Hip surgery, in particular, is an extremely dangerous endeavour.

One 2012 study found that as many as 35% of patients report unfavorable long-term pain[14] within a 5 year period after the surgery.

A more recent 2018 Finnish review discovered that as many as 4.6% of all hip surgery patients and 10% of all hip replacement patients[15] experience significant post-operational complications.

It also concluded that a number of conditionsincluding Parkinsons, osteoarthritis, rheumatic diseases, and a number of mental illnessesincrease the chance of a complication.

What is more, there is an up to 3% chance for nerve damage[16] during hip replacement, and an estimated 18% chance of fracturing one of your musculoskeletal components. Still think its worth the risk?

Spinal surgery also deserves a hall-of-fame spot in the area of surgical complications.

During a 2015 study of 95 test subjects who underwent a lower spine surgery, 23% of them experienced significant complications[17] including infections, blood clot formation and nerve injury.

Visit link:
Stem Cell Therapy - Cellaxys

Read More...

Integrative Medicine Oregon Whole Health

May 23rd, 2019 9:56 pm

If you still wonder about your next medical appointment, and are not certain whom to call for your basic medical care and needs, stop here. Analyze your choices. Look at what medicine has for you to offer. Look back and study the history of medicine. Study how medicine is practiced in various nations and cultures.

Wondering about choices in medical treatment? Should it be Allopathic? Ayurveda? Acupuncture? Conventional? Alternative and Complementary? European Botanical Medicine? Naturopathic Medicine? Homeopathic? Chiropractic? Chinese Herbal Medicine? Light therapy? Gene therapy? Balneotherapy? Krenotherapy? Hydrotherapy? Psychotherapy?

New medical research methods, utilizing the best of scientific discoveries, explain the scientific basics of the healing power of vitamins, herbs and other natral cures. At the same time millions of people are discovering gentler and kinder treatment options, ones that tap the enormous therapeutic power of nature and natural remedies.

Numerous attempts to create synthetic alternatives to potent herbal remedies often fail, as natural remedies are often too complex to be re-created in the best of pharmaceutical laboratories. On the other hand, some semi-synthetic alternatives of botanical products have become prescription drugs. Many of these have side effects, however, and so are available by prescription only.

In the meantime, the art and science of growing high quality botanical products and manufacturing natural remedies has been perfected, assuring a steady supply of premium quality natural supplements and treatments. Of the great importance to me is also the fact that botanical medicines are based on naturally growing plants that have no negative environmental impact, unless someone will wander into poorly charted territory of genetically engineered foods and plants. Those may bring on biological disasters by contamination by cross-pollination of native and valuable agricultural plants.

Botanical medicines are in general very safe and most of them have absolutely no known side effects. While they may be available as nonprescription products, they should still be used with respect and complete knowledge, as many of them are potent drugs.

European and Chinese medical practices do not recognize an "alternative medicine": there, the acupuncture, the use of botanical products and vitamins are considered to be an integral part of their conventional medicine. European countries (in example) have vast scientific and clinical experience with the use of botanical medicines that spans over several centuries. Meditation, yoga, drinking various mineral waters (krenotherapy), microclimate therapy, sanatoriums and preventoriums are all effectively used by physicians in many countries to help their patients heal, recover, or at least get much better. This must be combined, when appropriate, with carefully selected allopathic treatments.

I agree. In my opinion, botanical medicine and vitamin use, based on good science is not alternative or alien, but a basic and integral part of Medicine, and it always has been.

On the other hand unsafe treatments modalities, natural or synthetic, should be rejected after careful scrutiny and without prejudice.

Our goal at the Oregon Center for Integrative Medicine is to empower you. We will help you identify your individual problems and needs through a careful history review, detailed medical examination, and any appropriate tests. We combine the best possible preventive measures and the power of clinical nutrition with the most effective and also the gentlest possible treatment modalities.

Our mission is to help you to maintain or achieve, safely, optimum health.

Curious to know what is or what is not Primary Prevention in regards to breast cancer?

Mammogram, as well as thermography (frequently used in Europe), is excellent for detecting small or large tumors that are already present. Instead, a diet low in animal and saturated fats, and rich in fruits and especially cruciferous vegetables, whole grains, and soy products would be considered primary prevention.

Breast cancer presently affects one out of nine women. Exercise, weight control, drinking plenty of pesticide-free water, and supplementation of vitamin E, selenium, and certain other potent and extremely safe nutrients qualify as excellent prevention of this condition.

In addition to the above, I urge you to perform monthly breast self-examinations. Yearly mammograms (or thermograms, used in Europe and recently available in the US) are valuable methods of early detection.

According to a Swedish study recently presented in Neurology journal, elderly people with low levels of folic acid and vitamin B-12 have an increased risk of developing Alzheimers disease.

Other conditions are also implicated in compromising mental status. Those are: untreated hypothyroidism, head trauma and cerebrovascular accidents.

Elevated homocysteine level, which I find frequently in patients with extensive coronary heart disease, is another culprit. This genetic lack of a certain enzyme allowing conversion of the amino acid methionine into a harmless substance, with consequent accumulation of homocysteine, is also considered a significant risk factor for diabetes and hypertension. Homocysteine level is also found to be elevated in people with Alzheimers disease, vascular dementia, so-called age-related memory loss, ulcerative colitis, Crohns disease, and depression. Further studies will better explain this relationship.

Meanwhile, homocysteine level may be corrected through dietary changes, especially by adopting a vegetarian or vegan diet and taking folic acid, vitamin B-12, B-6 and in some resistant cases, additional supplements. It is also prudent to avoid substances and drugs that are known to lower the bodys ability to absorb vitamin B-12.

Be proactive. Detect and correct vitamin and mineral deficiencies. There is no point in enduring premature graceful aging when a condition may be preventable or reversible.

According to the studies of 30,000 U.S. men conducted by Ascherio A et al and published in November of 1992, men (this particular study involved men) who consumed more than 24 gm of fiber per day had a 57% lower incidence of hypertension, as compared to those who consumed less than 12 gm per day.

Men who consumed more than 400 mg of magnesium per day had a 49% lower incidence of hypertension, as compared to those with intakes of less than 250 mg per day.

Men who consumed more than 3.6 gm of potassium per day had a 54% lower incidence of hypertension compared to those with intakes of less than 2.4 gm per day.

Calcium consumption of over 1100 mg per day resulted in a 17% lower incidence of hypertension than consumption of less than 500 mg per day. Patients were followed for 4 years to observe long term effects.

Good sources of fiber and magnesium are whole grains, fruits, nuts and vegetables. One of the best sources of calcium are dark green vegetables. Among dairy products, yogurt delivers the most calcium.

Magnesium deficiency in the U.S.A. is of epidemic proportions. This condition affects about 70 percent of people of all ages. The cause? We consume extensively processed foods that are nutrient and magnesium-poor. It is the lack of magnesium that is contributing to deadly forms of arrhythmias, severe agitation, atrial fibrillation-related strokes, painful muscle spasms, devastating blood clots, chronic migraines not responding well to treatment, and many more. It is pitty that hypomagnesemia, the condition so easy to diagnose and correct contributes to so much disability, misery and death.

Deficiency of magnesium plays a role in numerous conditions, among them: atrial fibrillation, other arrhythmias, atherosclerosis (plaque formation), myocardial infarction, stroke, migraines, hypertension, kidney stones, fibromyalgia, and osteoporosis. Magnesium deficiency is very common in people who use diuretics--the commonly prescribed blood pressure medications.

Increasing magnesium intake (correction of magnesium deficiency) also improves or relieves conditions such as: anxiety, insomnia, Alzheimers disease, dementia, asthma, coronary artery spasm, chronic fatigue syndrome, leg cramps, painful myalgias including fibromyalgia, chronic lower back pain, restless leg syndrome, delirium tremens, psychosis, seizures, diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, mitral valve prolapse, PMS, and vertigo.

You can assure a good dietary supply of magnesium by consuming whole grains and apples. When blood magnesium level is too low, consider supplements in the form of highly bio-available chelates, such as magnesium citrate. Supplements in the form of micronized powder in vegetable capsules will have highest absorption rates. In the presence of magnesium (and vitamin D in sufficient amounts), calcium will be deposited where we want it to be--in the bones. However, supplementing calcium and vitamin D without enough magnesium may actually be damaging, promoting deposition of calcium in the blood vessels!

(Toronto) Low bone mineral density at the spine, but not at the hips, is associated with a high degree of coronary artery calcification. These findings were reported by Dr. Douglas P. Kiel at the annual meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research. Women with the highest bone mineral density index had the least coronary calcification.

Comment: Dr. Kiels report gives us another good reason to enjoy a daily serving of salad or other green leafy vegetables, as well as to take adequate amounts of calcium, magnesium and vitamin D. For significant bone mass loss I advise use of enhanced calcium products.

See the article here:
Integrative Medicine Oregon Whole Health

Read More...

Research With Stem Cells | American Medical Association

May 23rd, 2019 9:52 pm

Code of Medical Ethics Opinion 7.3.8

Human stem cells are widely seen as offering a source of potential treatment for a range of diseases and are thus the subject of much research. Clinical studies have validated the use of adult stem cells in a limited number of therapies, but have yet to confirm the utility of embryonic stem cells.

Physicians who conduct research using stem cells obtained from any source (established tissue, umbilical cord blood, or embryos) must, at a minimum:

(a) Adhere to institutional review board (IRB) requirements.

(b) Ensure that the research is carried out with appropriate oversight and monitoring.

(c) Ensure that the research is carried out with appropriate informed consent. In addition to disclosure of research risks and potential benefits, at minimum, the consent disclosure should address:

a. The process by which stem cells will be obtained

b. What specifically will be done with the stem cells

c. Whether an immortal cell line will result

d. The primary and anticipated secondary uses of donated embryos and/or derived stem cells, including potential commercial uses

2. For a recipient of stem cells in clinical research

a. The types of tissue from which the stem cells derive (e.g., established tissue, umbilical cord blood, or embryos)

b. Unique risks posed by investigational stem cell products (when applicable), such as tumorigenesis, immunological reactions, unpredictable behavior of cells, and unknown long-term health effects

The professional community as well as the public remains divided about the use of embryonic stem cells for either research or therapeutic purposes. The conflict regarding research with embryonic stem cells centers on the moral status of embryos, a question that divides ethical opinion and that cannot be resolved by medical science. Regardless whether they are obtained from embryos donated by individuals or couples undergoing in vitro fertilization, or from cloned embryos created by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), use of embryonic stem cells currently requires the destruction of the human embryo from which the stem cells derive.

The pluralism of moral visions that underlies this debate must be respected. Participation in research involving embryonic stem cells requires respect for embryos, research participants, donors, and recipients. Embryonic stem cell research does not violate the ethical standards of the profession. Every physician remains free to decide whether to participate in stem cell research or to use its products. Physicians should continue to be guided by their commitment to the welfare of patients and the advancement of medical science.

Physicians who conduct research using embryonic stem cells should be able to justify greater risks for subjects, and the greater respect due embryos than stem cells from other sources, based on expectations that the research offers substantial promise of contributing significantly to scientific or therapeutic knowledge.

Code of Medical Ethics: Special issues in research

Visit theEthics main pageto access additional Opinions, the Principles of Medical Ethics and more information about the Code of Medical Ethics.

More here:
Research With Stem Cells | American Medical Association

Read More...

Nature Cells stem cell treatment for Alzheimers approved …

May 23rd, 2019 3:45 am

South Korean biotechnology firm Nature Cell said Tuesday that its stem cell therapy for Alzheimers disease has been formally approved for use at Fukuoka Trinity Clinic, one of its partner hospitals in Japan.

The Seoul-based biotech firm says this is the first time for a stem cell therapy for treating Alzheimers to be commercialized anywhere in the world.

Despite the news, shares of Nature Cell early Tuesday continued a plunge initiated by recent news that the Korean Drug Ministry had rejected Nature Cells request for conditional approval for a separate osteoarthritis stem cell drug.

Shares of Nature Cell initially fellabout 18 percent in morning trading hours, but later recovered to close at 43,700 won ($40.90) on Tuesday, up 0.23 percent from the previous day.

As a result, the hospital -- a partner of the Biostar Research Institute jointly run by Nature Cell and R Bio -- will be able to start offering the firms stem cell therapies to patients within this month, it said.

In Japan, stem cell therapies are not considered drugs, but fall under therapeutic technology.

To begin providing stem cell therapies, a hospital must obtain the approval of a board of regenerative medicine specialists who review the drugs efficacy and safety, as well as patient risks and benefits.

Once approval is granted, it is delivered to the Japanese Drug Ministry for recordkeeping. Then, the hospital can begin commercially offering the stem cell treatments to patients at the facility.

Stem cells -- progenitor cells able to develop into various types of tissue -- are viewed as key to the field of regenerative medicine, which helps the body repair itself.

Stem cell therapies are engineered by extracting stem cells from the patients tissue, incubating the cells, then administering them intravenously to the patient.

So far, Nature Cell has developed stem cell therapies including Joint Stem, targeting osteoarthritis, and Astro Stem for Alzheimers disease, both of which have concluded phase 2 clinical trials in the US.

In Korea, the drugmaker finished phase 2 trials for Joint Stem and sought to obtain sales approval from the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, based on a fast-track approval procedures that allows drugs targeting rare or severe irreversible diseases to be commercialized early, before conducting phase 3 trials.

However, the Korean drug regulator rejected Nature Cells submission, citing insufficient clinical evidence -- the firm had tested out its drug on only 13 patients in the US -- to prove the drugs efficacy and safety.

By Sohn Ji-young (jys@heraldcorp.com)

Read the rest here:
Nature Cells stem cell treatment for Alzheimers approved ...

Read More...

What Is Color Blindness? – American Academy of Ophthalmology

May 19th, 2019 10:52 pm

Color blindness occurs when you are unable to see colors in a normal way. It is also known as color deficiency. Color blindness often happens when someone cannot distinguish between certain colors. This usually happens between greens and reds, and occasionally blues.

In the retina, there are two types of cells that detect light. They are called rods and cones. Rods detect only light and dark and are very sensitive to low light levels. Cone cells detect color and are concentrated near the center of your vision. There are three types of cones that see color: red, green and blue. The brain uses input from these cone cells to determine our color perception.

Color blindness can happen when one or more of the color cone cells are absent, not working, or detect a different color than normal. Severe color blindness occurs when all three cone cells are absent. Mild color blindness happens when all three cone cells are present but one cone cell does not work right. It detects a different color than normal.

There are different degrees of color blindness. Some people with mild color deficiencies can see colors normally in good light but have difficulty in dim light. Others cannot distinguish certain colors in any light. The most severe form of color blindness, in which everything is seen in shades of gray, is uncommon. Color blindness usually affects both eyes equally and remains stable throughout life.

Color blindness is usually something that you have from birth but you can also get it later in life. Change in color vision can signify a more serious condition. Anyone who experiences a significant change in color perception should see an ophthalmologist.

See the original post here:
What Is Color Blindness? - American Academy of Ophthalmology

Read More...

A Definition of Blindness – National Federation of the Blind

May 19th, 2019 10:52 pm

Future ReflectionsSpecial Issue: Low Vision and Blindness 2005

(back) (contents) (next)

by Kenneth Jernigan

Kenneth Jernigan

Editor's Note: It may seem odd to begin a special issue about low vision with a definition of blindness, but sometimes the fastest route to a destination is not the most direct. As you read this issue, you will find the words low vision, visually impaired, partially sighted, legally blind (and maybe a few others) used interchangeably with the word blind. Over the decades professionals have often attempted to establish definitions for these terms based on a hierarchy of degree of vision loss; all of those attempts failed. In other words, there is no one accepted definition of, for example, "low vision" or "visually impaired." But the National Federation of the Blind does not view this as a problem. Dr. Kenneth Jernigan, president of the NFB from 1968 to 1986 and an active leader of the organization right up to his death in 1998, explained it this way:

Before we can talk intelligently about the problems of blindness or the potentialities of blind people, we must have a workable definition of blindness. Most of us are likely familiar with the generally accepted legal definition: visual acuity of not greater than 20/200 in the better eye with correction or a field not subtending an angle greater than 20 degrees. But this is not really a satisfactory definition. It is, rather, a way of recognizing in medical and measurable terms something which must be defined not medically or physically but functionally.

Putting to one side for a moment the medical terminology, what is blindness? Once I asked a group of high school students this question, and one of them replied--apparently believing that she was making a rather obvious statement--that a person is blind if she "can't see." When the laughter subsided, I asked the student if she really meant what she said. She replied that she did. I then asked her whether she would consider a person blind who could see light but who could not see objects--a person who would bump into things unless she used a cane, a dog, or some other travel aid and who would, if she depended solely on the use of her eyesight, walk directly into a telephone pole or fire plug. After some little hesitation the student said that she would consider such a person to be blind. I agreed with her and then went on to point out the obvious-that she literally did not mean that the definition of blindness was to be unable to see.

I next told this student of a man I had known who had normal (20/20) visual acuity in both eyes but who had such an extreme case of sensitivity to light that he literally could not keep his eyes open at all. The slightest amount of light caused such excruciating pain that the only way he could open his eyes was by prying them open with his fingers. Nevertheless, this person, despite the excruciating pain he felt while doing it, could read the eye chart without difficulty. The readings showed that he had "normal sight." This individual applied to the local Welfare Department for Public Assistance to the Blind and was duly examined by their ophthalmologist. The question I put to the student was this: "If you had been the ophthalmologist, would you have granted the aid or not?"

Her answer was, "Yes."

"Remember," I told her, "under the law you are forbidden to give aid to any person who is not actually blind. Would you still have granted the assistance?" The student said that she would. Again, I agreed with her, but I pointed out that, far from her first facetious statement, what she was saying was this: It is possible for one to have "perfect sight" and still in the physical, literal sense of the word be blind.

I then put a final question to the student. I asked her whether if a sighted person were put into a vault which was absolutely dark so that he could see nothing whatever, it would be accurate to refer to that sighted person as a blind man. After some hesitation and equivocation the student said, "No." For a third time I agreed with her. Then I asked her to examine what we had established.

1. To be blind does not mean that one cannot see. (Here again I must interrupt to say that I am not speaking in spiritual or figurative terms but in the most literal sense of the word.) 2. It is possible for an individual to have "perfect sight" and yet be physically and literally blind. 3. It is possible for an individual not to be able to see at all and still be a sighted person.

What, then, in light of these seeming contradictions is the definition of blindness? In my way of thinking it is this: One is blind to the extent that the individual must devise alternative techniques to do efficiently those things which he would do if he had normal vision. An individual may properly be said to be "blind" or a "blind person" when he has to devise so many alternative techniques--that is, if he is to function efficiently--that his pattern of daily living is substantially altered. It will be observed that I say alternative not substitute techniques, for the word substitute connotes inferiority, and the alternative techniques employed by the blind person need not be inferior to visual techniques. In fact, some of them are superior. The usually accepted legal definition of blindness already given (that is, visual acuity of less than 20/200 with correction or a field of less than 20 degrees) is simply one medical way of measuring and recognizing that anyone with better vision than the amount mentioned in the definition will (although he may have to devise some alternative techniques) likely not have to devise so many such techniques as to alter substantially his patterns of daily living. On the other hand, anyone with less vision than that mentioned in the legal definition will usually (I emphasize the word usually, for such is not always the case) need to devise so many such alternative techniques as to alter quite substantially his patterns of daily living.

It may be of some interest to apply this standard to the three cases already discussed:

First, what of the person who has light perception but sees little or nothing else? In at least one situation he can function as a sighted person. If, before going to bed, he wished to know whether the lights are out in his home, he can simply walk through the house and "see." If he did not have light perception, he would have to use some alternative technique--touch the bulb, tell by the position of the switch, have some sighted person give him the information, or devise some other method. However, this person is still quite properly referred to as a blind person. This one visual technique which he uses is such a small part of his overall pattern of daily living as to be negligible in the total picture. The patterns of his daily living are substantially altered. In the main he employs alternative techniques to do those things which he would do with sight if he had normal vision--that is, he does if he functions efficiently.

Next, let us consider the person who has normal visual acuity but cannot hold his eyes open because of his sensitivity to light. He must devise alternative techniques to do anything which he would do with sight if he had normal vision. He is quite properly considered to be a "blind person."

Finally, what of the sighted person who is put into a vault which has no light? Even though she can see nothing at all, she is still quite properly considered to be a "sighted person." She uses the same techniques that any other sighted person would use in a similar situation. There are no visual techniques which can be used in such circumstances. In fact, if a blind person found herself in such a situation, she might very well have a variety of techniques to use.

I repeat that, in my opinion, blindness can best be defined not physically or medically but functionally or sociologically. The alternative techniques which must be learned are the same for those born blind as for those who become blind as adults. They are quite similar (or should be) for those who are totally blind or nearly so and those who are "partially sighted" and yet are blind in the terms of the usually accepted legal definition. In other words, I believe that the complex distinctions which are often made between those who have partial sight and those who are totally blind, between those who have been blind from childhood and those who have become blind as adults are largely meaningless. In fact, they are often harmful since they place the wrong emphasis on blindness and its problems. Perhaps the greatest danger in the field of work for the blind today is the tendency to be hypnotized by jargon.

(back) (contents) (next)

Here is the original post:
A Definition of Blindness - National Federation of the Blind

Read More...

Blindness by Ginger Scott

May 19th, 2019 10:52 pm

It takes a while to know who you really are. And when you lose your way, sometimes its hard to find it again.

Charlie Hudson was on the verge of figuring that out when her dadthe only parent and friend she ever haddied suddenly. She was barely 18, and she was alone. So she went for easyplaying life safe, running away from a home that harbored nothing but bad memories an

Charlie Hudson was on the verge of figuring that out when her dadthe only parent and friend she ever haddied suddenly. She was barely 18, and she was alone. So she went for easyplaying life safe, running away from a home that harbored nothing but bad memories and challenges and loving a man who would take her away from it all forever.

Its funny how chance takes over when you need it most. And thats exactly what brought Cody Carmichael into her life. A former motocross super star, Cody was now happy to be living the blue collar life, spending his days finishing up school and his nights under the hood of some classic car, just trying to keep everything his father taught him alive. Cody and Charlie were living parallel lives, until they finally collided. And the moment he smiled at her, Charlie knew he was the one who would change everything. But was she willing to take the risk?

Cody saw through it all. He saw herall of her. But would letting him in be too much to take? And if Charlie let herself love himreally love himcould he love her back?

Read the rest here:
Blindness by Ginger Scott

Read More...

Journal of Nanomedicine and Nanotechnology- Open Access …

May 19th, 2019 10:50 pm

NLM ID: 101562615SJR H Index:16SJR 2017: 0.35ICDS 2017: 3.8

Nanomedicine is the application of nanotechnology which made its debut with greatly increased possibilities in the field of medicine. Nanomedicine desires to deliver research tools and clinically reformative devices in the near future.

Journal of Nanomedicine & Nanotechnology covers wide varieties of topics such as molecular nanotechnology, nanosensors, nanoparticles, nanodrugs, Nanomaterials, nanobiotechnology, nanobiopharmaceutics, nanoelectronics, nanorobotics, etc.. The journal includes a wide range of fields in its discipline to create a platform for the authors to make their contribution towards the journal and the editorial office promises a peer review process for the submitted manuscripts for the quality of publishing.

The journal is using Editorial Manager System for quality peer review process. Editorial Manager is an online manuscript submission, review and tracking systems. Review processing is performed by the editorial board members of Journal of Nanomedicine & Nanotechnology or outside experts; at least two independent reviewers approval followed by editor approval is required for acceptance of any citable manuscript. Authors may submit manuscripts and track their progress through the system, hopefully to publication. Reviewers can download manuscripts and submit their opinions to the editor. Editors can manage the whole submission/review/revise/publish process.

The Journal of Nanomedicine & Nanotechnology is a scientific journal which provides an opportunity to share the information among the medical scientists and researchers. The main function of open access publishing platforms is to present the content online, making it available to all, and link this information with useful scientific data.The Journal of Nanomedicine & Nanotechnology aims to publish articles bimonthly and is one of the best open access journals of scholarly publishing.

Journal of Nanomedicine & Nanotechnology is anacademic journal which aims to publish most complete and reliable source of information on the discoveries and current developments in the mode of Research articles, Review articles, Case reports, Short communications, etc. in all areas of the field and making them freely available through online without any restrictions or any other subscriptions to researchers worldwide.

You can find a clear view of peer review process by clicking here.

Material Science Research: Material Science and NanotechnoMaterials are crucial to the performance and reliability of virtually every technology and the vitality and health of any living organism. The central theme of materials science and engineering is that the process by which a material comes into being determines its structure, which in turn controls its properties and ultimately its functional performance.

Nanotechnology is the engineering of functional systems at the molecular scale. It is the study and application of extremely small things and can be used across all the other science fields, such as chemistry, biology, physics, materials science, and engineering.

Related Journals of NanotechnologyNanoscience and Nanotechnology, Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Letters, Journal of Nanomedicine & Biotherapeutic Discovery, IEEE Transactions on Nanobioscience, Journal of Biomedical Nanotechnology, Photonics and Nanostructures - Fundamentals and Applications

Nanobiotechnology is the application of nanotechnology to the life sciences: The technology encompasses precision engineering as well as electronics, and electromechanical systems as well as mainstream biomedical applications in areas as diverse as gene therapy, drug delivery and novel drug discovery techniques.

Related Journals of NanobiotechnologyJournal of Biomedical Nanotechnology, Research Journal of Nanoscience and nanotechnology, Nature Nanotechnology Journal, Nanomaterials & Molecular Nanotechnology, Nature Nanotechnology, Nano Letters, Advanced Materials, Nano Today

A Nanocomposite is a multiphase solid material where one of the phases has one, two or three dimensions of less than 100nm, or structure having nano-scale repeat distance between the different phases that make up the material.

Related Journals of Nanocomposites

Journal of Nanomaterial and Nanotechnology, International Journal of Nanotechnology Impact Factor, Journal of Nanomedicine & Biotherapeutic Discovery, Scripta Materialia, Nanoscale, Lab on a Chip - Miniaturisation for Chemistry and Biology, Materials Science & Engineering A: Structural Materials: Properties, Microstructure and Processing

The Integrated Project Nanobiopharmaceutics aims at the development of innovative multidisciplinary approaches for the design, synthesis and evaluation of functionalised nano-carriers and nano-particle-based micro-carriers for the treatment of various diseases based on targeted, controlled delivery of therapeutic peptides and proteins (biopharmaceutics).

Related Journals of NanobiopharmaceuticsJournal of Nanomedicine & Biotherapeutic Discovery, Journal of Nanobiomedical Impact Factor, Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, Journal of Homotopy and Related Structures, Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases

Nanoelectronics is one of the major technologies of Nanotechnology. It plays vital role in the field of engineering and electronics.

Related Journals of Nanoelectronics Journal of Nanotechnology and Electrophysics, Nano Research & Applications, ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, International Journal of Nanotechnology Applications, Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Journal of Physical Chemistry C, Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology, and Medicine

Nanomedicine is the medical application of nanotechnology. Nanomedicine ranges from the medical applications of nanomaterials, to nanoelectronic biosensors, and even possible future applications of molecular nanotechnology.

Related Journals of Nanomedicine Nanomaterials & Molecular Nanotechnology, Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Journal of Biomedical Nanotechnology, International Journal of Nanomedicine, Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine, Journal of Nanomedicine Research, European Journal of Nanomedicine

Nanotoxicology is a branch of toxicology concerned with the study of the toxicity of nanomaterials, which can be divided into those derived from combustion processes (like diesel soot), manufacturing processes (such as spray drying or grinding) and naturally occurring processes (such as volcanic eruptions or atmospheric reactions).

Related Journals of NanotoxicologyNanomedicine & Nanotechnology, Nanotechnology Journal Lists, Nano Journal Impact Factor, Microscale Thermophysical Engineering, Microelectronic Engineering, Nano Biomedicine and Engineering, Nano-Micro Letters

Nanoengineering is the practice of engineering on the nanoscale. It derives its name from the nanometre, a unit of measurement equalling one billionth of a meter. Nanoengineering is largely a synonym for nanotechnology, but emphasizes the engineering rather than the pure science aspects of the field.

Related Journals of NanoengineeringJournal of Nanoresearch, Review in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Nature Nanotechnology Journal, Research & Reviews: Journal of Pharmaceutics and Nanotechnology, Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Nanomedicine and Nanobiotechnology, Nanotoxicology, Precision Engineering, Nanomedicine, Nanotechnology

The spontaneous association of molecules under equilibrium conditions into stable, structurally well-defined aggregates.

Related Journals of NanofabricationsJournal of Nanotechnology Impact Factor, Nanotechnology Journal Lists, Journal of Nano, Nanomaterials & Molecular Nanotechnology, Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, International Journal of Nanomedicine, Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology

Nanofluidics is often defined as the study and application of fluid flow in and around nanosized objects.

Related Journals of Nanofluidics Research Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Nano Journal Impact Factor, Journal of Nanotechnology and Electrophysics, Journal of Bionanoscience, Nanotechnology, Science and Applications, Journal of Nanobiotechnology, Plasmonics, Biomedical Microdevices

Nanohedron aims to exhibit scientific images, with a focus on images depicting nanoscale objects. The work ranges from electron microscopy images of nanoscale materials to graphical renderings of molecules. Scientific images lying outside the realm of nanoscience such as algorithmic art or confocal microscopy images of cells will also be considered.

Related Journals of Nanohedron Biomicrofluidics, Nanotechnology Journal Lists, Nano Journal Impact Factor, IEEE Transactions on Nanotechnology, Microfluidics and Nanofluidics, Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering

Nano Cars Into the robotics is new technology which is useful for designing robots. Difference in exisiting robotics and nano cars is this system works as nervous system where as in existing system stepper motors are used.

Related Journals of Nanocars Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Journal of Nanobiomedical Impact Factor, Review in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology,Nanomedicine & Biotherapeutic Discovery, ACS Nano, Advanced Functional Materials, Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, Biomaterials, Small, Nano Research

Nanothermite, as the name suggests, is thermite in which the particles are so small that they are measured in nanometers is an ultra-fine-grained (UFG) variant of thermite that can be formulated to be explosive by adding gas-releasing substances.

Related Journals of NanothermiteNanoscale Research Letters, Journal of Nanobiomedical Impact Factor, International Journal of Nanoscience, Microelectronics and Reliability, Journal of Nanoparticle Research, AIP Advances

A sequence of nanoscale C60 atoms arranged in a long thin cylindrical structure. Nanotubes are extremely strong mechanically and very pure conductors of electric current. Applications of the nanotube in nanotechnology include resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes and transistors.

Related Journals of NanotubesNanotechnology journals, Nature Nanotechnology Journal, Nano Journal Impact Factor, ACM Journal on Emerging Technologies in Computing Systems, Science of Advanced Materials, Journal of Nanophotonics

Having an organization more complex than that of a molecule.

Realated Journals of Supramolecule Plasmonics, Journal of Biomedical Nanotechnology, International Journal of Nanoscience, Journal of Nanobiomedical Impact Factor, Biomedical Microdevices, Biomicrofluidics, IEEE Transactions on Nanotechnology

Nanoionics is the study and application of phenomena, properties, effects and mechanisms of processes connected with fast ion transport (FIT) in all-solid-state nanoscale systems.

Related Journals of Nanoionics Journal of Nanoresearch, Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Journal of Biomedical Nanotechnology, Nanomedicine, Nanotechnology, Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, International Journal of Nanomedicine

Nanolithography is the branch of nanotechnology concerned with the study and application of fabricating nanometer-scale structures, meaning patterns with at least one lateral dimension between 1 and 100 nm.

Related Journals of NanolithographyInternational Journal of Nanotechnology, Journal of Nanotechnology Impact Factor, Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Letters, Nano Research, Scripta Materialia, Nanoscale, Lab on a Chip - Miniaturisation for Chemistry and Biology

Nanoparticles are particles between 1 and 100 nanometers in size. In nanotechnology, a particle is defined as a small object that behaves as a whole unit with respect to its transport and properties. Particles are further classified according to diameter.

Related Journals of Nanoparticles Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, International Journal of Nanoscience, Journal of Nanomaterial and Nanotechnology, Journal of Nanoparticle Research, Journal of Nanoparticles, International Journal of Nanoparticles,

Exploitation of biomaterials, devices or methodologies on the nanoscale.

Related Journals of Bionanoscience Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Journal of Nanobiomedical Impact Factor, Journal of Biomedical Nanotechnology, Recent Patents in Nanotechnology, Journal of Bionanoscience, BioNanoScience, Nanomedicine, Nanotechnology, Microporous and Mesoporous Materials

Continue reading here:
Journal of Nanomedicine and Nanotechnology- Open Access ...

Read More...

Page 869«..1020..868869870871..880890..»


2025 © StemCell Therapy is proudly powered by WordPress
Entries (RSS) Comments (RSS) | Violinesth by Patrick