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Stem cell scientists reveal 'unethical' work pressures

By Stem Cell Medical Center

From "paradigm changer" to "sloppy and irresponsible". In just two months, two papers revealing a simple way to turn adult cells into embryonic-like stem cells went from being heralded as ground-breaking to being investigated over their credibility.

Stem cell research is touted as the way to a medical revolution, but all too often accusations of poor practice arise. To glean some insight into why, New Scientist asked 1000 stem cell researchers from around the world to answer an anonymous survey about the pressures of their work. More than 110 replied. Some admitted to faked results, others told of unethical behaviour from superiors, and several placed the blame on high-profile journals.

Just over half believe stem cell research is under greater scrutiny than other biomedical fields. "It is because the implications for therapeutics are greater than in other areas," said one researcher. Almost a fifth said this affects their work. Some said it made them more rigorous, while others said they feel forced to find clinical applications too soon.

Sixteen per cent said they have felt pressure to submit a paper that was incomplete or contained unverified information. "There is a tremendous pressure to publish, in order to receive funding. Shortcuts are, therefore, not unusual," said one respondent. "It happens when we know competitors are going to publish the same story," admitted a principal investigator.

Several researchers said they felt pressure to publish or perish. "You have to rush things out or miss critical career fellowships," said one.

Three people said they had felt pressure from peers or superiors to falsify data, or to do something they consider unethical, and five people said "yes" when asked if they or a colleague had ever falsified or augmented data that ended up in a published paper. "I know of numerous instances where fellows with, at times, the knowledge of their mentors, have published falsified data," said one professor.

View a pdf of the full results of the survey

Superiors received some of the blame. "Supervisors and mentors get very excited about data, but some people then become scared to tell them it could not be validated later," said an assistant professor. One postdoc blamed mistakes in his lab's papers on inadequate handling of medical statistics. One professor said: "Sometimes one's job is called into question, and superiors have been known to try and force premature publication and take credit for findings... when they don't even know the content of the work."

Misinterpretation of results was a common concern. "[People] deliberately ignore inconvenient data in order to support their likely erroneous conclusions," said one assistant professor.

The results echo a 2009 study that spanned all scientific fields, says Ivan Oransky, co-founder of website Retraction Watch. In that, 2 per cent admitted to falsification or fabrication, and about a third admitted to other questionable research practices.

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Stem cell scientists reveal 'unethical' work pressures

Woman to undergo stem cell procedure to treat multiple sclerosis

By Uncategorized

LAKE MARY, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35 ORLANDO) -

A 26-year-old mother of two is about to embark on a medical journey that could stop her multiple sclerosis in its tracks. The disease, which attacks the central nervous system, affects more than 400,000 Americans.

There is no cure for multiple sclerosis, but Heather Nicole Burke believes the stem cell replacement procedure she is about to undergo could make a big difference.

Burke contacted FOX 35, because she wants others to know that the procedure. When Burke got news that her insurance would cover the still-experimental procedure, "I looked at my phone, and I was like, 'This is real! I'm going to get my life back! I'm going to be OK! I'm going to be able to take care of my children!'"

Burke will soon travel from Florida to Chicago for a multi-step stem cell therapy that could stop her disease from progressing.

Dr. Richard Burt, the chief or immunotherapy at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, and his team will use Burke's stem cells to reset her immune system.

"It generates an immune system that ends up -- in the process of doing that -- developing a tolerance to self which puts the disease in remission," Burt explained.

Burt has been performing the experimental procedure on humans since 2008. He said he sees only seven percent of patients relapse. Burt said he often finds insurance companies are willing to pay for the therapy.

"The majority of the time insurance does pay many of the major carriers pay. Medicare pays. Medicaid in the state of Illinois pays. It's a rare carrier that doesn't pay," Burt said.

Burke said her insurance will cover all of the $150,000 procedure. He called that a bargain, considering she is on 19 medications, one of which costs her insurance company $200,000 each year.

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Woman to undergo stem cell procedure to treat multiple sclerosis

Stem cell treatment helps in soccer player's recovery

By Stem Cell Treatment

ORLANDO, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35 ORLANDO) -

Watching Natasha Merangoli run drills, you wouldn't guess that two years ago, doctors said she'd never play soccer again.

"Playing soccer just sets your mind free," she said, adding that it was "devastating" when she was told she might not be able to play the sport.

In December of 2012, Natasha Hurt her ankle and didn't think much of it, though she was playing and living in constant pain.

"It felt like someone stabbing me from the inside of my foot out," she said.

That stabbing feeling was the result of the bones in her foot dying. She was diagnosed with a condition called avascular necrosis, where the bone can't get enough blood flow. "The problem with avascular necrosis is, when the bone dies, it can collapse, and then you get a very rapid secondary degeneration," said Dr. Dennis Lox, a sports and regenerative medicine expert. "The most common cause is from trauma, but often times, athletes experience aches and pains all the time, so they just think it's going to get better. And it just doesn't."

After a few months of not getting better, several doctors told Natasha that her only option was ankle fusion surgery and to pick a new sport. Then, she met Dr. Lox. He said he could save her ankle and her soccer career, with her own stem cells.

"Stem cells hone. They hone to areas of injury," Dr. Lox said.

He showed us how he harvested stem cells from Natasha's abdomen and injected them directly into her ankle.

"Stem cells are basically cells in the body that can become other types of cells," Dr. Lox added. Transforming into cartilage and bone and bringing the dead bone back to life.

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Stem cell treatment helps in soccer player's recovery

Hip/low back arthritis; 1.5yrs later, Sandra’s results from stem cell therapy by Dr Harry Adelson – Video

By Uncategorized


Hip/low back arthritis; 1.5yrs later, Sandra #39;s results from stem cell therapy by Dr Harry Adelson
Hip/low back arthritis; 1.5yrs later, Sandra #39;s results from stem cell therapy by Dr Harry Adelson http://www.docereclinics.com.

By: Harry Adelson, N.D.

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Hip/low back arthritis; 1.5yrs later, Sandra's results from stem cell therapy by Dr Harry Adelson - Video

Stem Cell-Derived Beta Cells Under Skin Replace Insulin

By Stem Cell Medicine

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Newswise Scientists at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute have shown that by encapsulating immature pancreatic cells derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESC), and implanting them under the skin of diabetic mouse models, sufficient insulin is produced to maintain glucose levels without unwanted potential trade-offs of the technology.

The research, published online in Stem Cell Research, suggests that encapsulated hESC-derived insulin-producing cells may be an effective and safe cell replacement therapy for insulin dependent-diabetes.

Our study critically evaluates some of the potential pitfalls of using stem cells to treat insulin dependent-diabetes, said Pamela Itkin-Ansari, PhD, assistant project scientist in the UC San Diego Department of Pediatrics and adjunct assistant professor in Development, Aging and Regenerative program at Sanford-Burnham.

We have shown that encapsulated hESC-derived insulin-producing cells are able to produce insulin in response to elevated glucose without an increase in the mass or their escape from the capsule, said Itkin-Ansari. These results are important because it means that the encapsulated cells are both fully functional and retrievable.

Previous attempts to replace insulin producing cells, called beta cells, have met with significant challenges. For example, researchers have tried treating diabetics with mature beta cells, but because these cells are fragile and scarce, the method is fraught with problems. Moreover, since the cells come from organ donors, they may be recognized as foreign by the recipients immune system requiring patients to take immunosuppressive drugs to prevent their immune system from attacking the donors cells, ultimately leaving patients vulnerable to infections, tumors and other adverse events.

Encapsulation technology was developed to protect donor cells from exposure to the immune system and has proven extremely successful in preclinical studies.

Itkin-Ansari and her research team previously made an important contribution to the encapsulation approach by showing that pancreatic islet progenitor cells are an optimal cell type for encapsulation. They found that progenitor cells were more robust than mature beta cells to encapsulate, and while encapsulated, they matured into insulin-producing cells that secreted insulin only when needed.

In the study, Itkin-Ansari and her team used bioluminescent imaging to determine if encapsulated cells stay in the capsule after implantation.

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Stem Cell-Derived Beta Cells Under Skin Replace Insulin

Israel Welcomes British Minister For Discussions About Stem Cell Research Collaboration

By Stem Cell Medicine

By Liisa Vexler

The UK and Israel join forces during a two-day conference at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa, Israel this week that will focus on continued joint stem-cell therapy research. This conference is part of the second BIRAX Regenerative Medicine event, which is a project initiated by the British Council in Israel and the British Embassy.

The United Kingdoms minister of state for universities and science, David Willetts, is on the list of conference attendees. This list also includes approximately 300 of Israels most prominent research scientists and 80 attendees from Britain who are involved in the research on stem cell therapies to treat chronic and degenerative diseases such as type 1 (juvenile) diabetes, heart disease, Parkinsons and Alzheimers. It will also be attended by 300 leading Israeli scientists and 80 British scientists, whose research is advancing the fight against devastating illnesses, such as type 1 diabetes, heart diseases, Parkinsons and Alzheimers. The conference co-chairs are Chris Mason, University Colleges chairman of regenerative medicine bioprocessing at University College, and former chief scientist of Israel, Ehud Gazit.

The UK and Israel have committed 10 million to stem cell research to be invested over the course of five years. To date, BIRAX has provided funding for seven British and Israeli large research projects looking at stem cell therapies for multiple sclerosis, liver disease and Parkinsons.

Britains Minister Willets will officially open the second call for proposals during the conference, with Prime Minister David Cameron having launched the initiative during his recent Israeli visit. This call for proposals will provide funding for innovative research in stem cell therapies for cardiovascular disease, type 1 diabetes, Parkinsons and Alzheimers.

British ambassador to Israel Matthew Gould said, This conference will bring together British and Israeli scientists working with stem cells. Our goal is that they will form collaborations to develop cures for some of the worlds most common diseases. Israel and Britain are both at the forefront of stem cell research. Building a stronger partnership between the two countries will be to the benefit of both and has the potential to transform lives around the world. The first conference was hugely successful, and led to some amazing joint research. We have high hopes for this one.

On behalf of the Israeli research community, Technion president Peretz Lavie said his institution is thrilled to play host to the second BIRAX Regenerative Medicine conference.

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Israel Welcomes British Minister For Discussions About Stem Cell Research Collaboration

Stemedica Announces International Educational Collaboration With Smart Living

By Stem Cell Medicine

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) March 26, 2014

Stemedica Cell Technologies, Inc., a specialty biopharmaceutical company that manufactures best-in-class allogeneic adult stem cells and Smart Living, a subsidiary of Smart Global, a $2 billion (USD) globally diversified conglomerate, are pleased to announce an international educational collaboration.

Smart Living currently organizes dynamic One World educational conferences designed to introduce breakthrough technologies and educational programs focused on health care and regenerative medicine to countries throughout the world. High profile leaders in medicine, science, business, education, government and community organizers are brought together at these international forums to participate in presentations, discussions and educational programs.

Stemedica, a global leader in regenerative medicine focused on stem cell research and clinical trials, has been selected to introduce breakthrough technologies in the dynamic field of stem cells and their role in translational medicine.

In addition to the educational outreach, Smart Living is making significant advances in health care with its Smart Health City model. This model, anticipated to go global, was developed to be an all-inclusive health care destination offering services including multispecialty hospitals, medical office buildings, medical rehabilitation centers, international patient care centers, medical education and training, clinical research, on campus staff residence, research and technology center. The first of these Health Cities is on 15 acres located in Saket in the heart of Delhi, India.

Swati Saxena, MD, Programme Director at Smart Living said, What makes Smart Living a unique concept is that it provides integrated and converged facilities where strong scientific evidence is paired with health and wellness initiatives in a step-by-step methodic fashion guided by medical experts.

Dr. Bhupendra Kumar (BK) Modi, PhD, Chairman Smart Global and Founder of Smart Living said, We are delighted to make an investment into, and to collaborate with, Stemedica. Our objective is to implement sophisticated technologies, advance new and improved innovations and encourage research for the betterment of the health of society. As Smart Living continues its worldwide educational efforts to promote health and wellbeing, Stemedicas leadership in the regenerative medicine movement is an ideal fit for our efforts.

Roger A. Howe, PhD, Stemedicas Executive Chairman said about the collaboration, This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to Dr. Modis One World educational forums. As an active participant in these forums, we will be able to promote healthier lifestyles in communities around the world. Stemedica, together with Smart Living, will emphasize the importance of new innovations that lead to medical breakthroughs in regenerative medicine, including Stemedicas stem cell technologies.

As part of the collaboration, Mr. Ozi Amanat, Smart Global Chief Investment Officer will become a business advisor to Stemedica. In accepting the appointment, Mr. Amanat said, Im honored to be working with Stemedica and its leadership. Stemedica is poised to bring the power and potential of regenerative medicine to the world. Stemedicas leadership in this field is exciting and I look forward to supporting their continued growth as well as creating maximum value to both organizations.

Smart Living has made an undisclosed investment in Stemedica.

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Stemedica Announces International Educational Collaboration With Smart Living

Embryonic stem cells: Reprogramming in early embryos

By Stem Cell Medical Center

9 hours ago Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) established from an interphase 2-cell SCNT blastocyst (magnification 40x). Credit: Mitalipov laboratory at OHSU

An Oregon Health & Science University scientist has been able to make embryonic stem cells from adult mouse body cells using the cytoplasm of two-cell embryos that were in the "interphase" stage of the cell cycle. Scientists had previously thought the interphase stagea later stage of the cell cyclewas incapable of converting transplanted adult cell nuclei into embryonic stem cells.

The findings by OHSU's Shoukhrat Mitalipov, Ph.D., and his team could have major implications for the science of generating patient-matched human embryonic stem cells for regenerative medicine. Human embryonic stem cells are capable of transforming into any cell type in the body. Scientists believe stem cell therapies hold promise for someday curing or treating a wide range of diseases and conditionsfrom Parkinson's disease to cardiac disease to spinal cord injuriesby replacing cells damaged through injury or illness.

Mitalipov's findings will be published March 26 in the online edition of Nature. If the new findings in mice hold true for humans, it could significantly help efforts to make rejection-proof human embryonic stem cells for regenerative therapies. That's because embryonic cells that Mitalipov's team used for reprogrammingcells in the "interphase" stageare more accessible than the traditional egg cells that are in short supply. Scientists previously had believed embryonic stem cells were capable of being produced only using the metaphase stage of egg cytoplasm.

Embryonic stem cells can be made using a process called somatic cell nuclear transfer, or SCNT, in which the nucleus from an adult cell is transferred into the cytoplasm of an unfertilized egg cell. The cytoplasmic machinery then "reprograms" that nucleus and cell into becoming an embryonic stem cell capable of transforming to any type of cell in the body.

"It has always been thought that this capacity for reprogramming ended with metaphase," said Mitalipov, senior scientist at OHSU's Oregon National Primate Research Center. "Our study shows that this reprogramming capacity remains in the later embryonic cell cytoplasm even during interphase. It looks like the factors continue working and they efficiently reprogram the cellsjust as they do in metaphase."

Many scientists have attempted to reprogram cells by interphase cytoplasm. Mitalipov and his team found success by carefully synchronizing the cell cycles of the adult cell nucleus and the recipient embryonic cytoplasm. Both had to be at an almost identical point in their respective cell cycles for the process to work, Mitalipov said.

"That was the secret," Mitalipov said. "When we did that matching, then everything worked."

Mitalipov said the next step to further his research will be to test the process in rhesus macaques.

Mitalipov has become a world scientific leader in embryonic stem cell research and in somatic cell nuclear transfer. He recently was named the director of a newly created research center at OHSUthe Center for Embryonic Cell and Gene Therapy. The center will help Mitalipov and his team accelerate their research, with expanded support from private philanthropy.

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Embryonic stem cells: Reprogramming in early embryos

Stem cell tourism takes advantage of patients, says law professor

By Stem Cell Clinic

Patients falling prey to 'stem cell tourism' may pay tens of thousands of dollars for procedures that carry no promise of success or carry grievous risks of failure, says law and bioethics Professor Alta Charo.

Photo illustration: iStock

Desperate patients are easy prey for unscrupulous clinics offering untested and risky stem cell treatments, says UW-Madison law and bioethics Professor Alta Charo, who is studying "stem cell tourism."

Stem cells are cells that can form many types of cells in the body, and that makes them inherently promising and dangerous. "Stem cell tourism" refers to people traveling, both within the U.S. and abroad, in pursuit of advertised stem cell therapies to purportedly treat a variety of medical conditions.

Alta Charo

"The evidence for therapeutic use of stem cells is very limited, except for bone marrow stem cells, but patients all over the world are convinced stem cells will cure their disease," says Charo. "While there are some very promising results in the early clinical trials for stem cell therapies using embryonic and other kinds of stem cells, the 'treatments' being advertised by these clinics are dubious, mostly ineffective, and sometimes positively harmful.

"Patients are being hoodwinked, but there are dilemmas about tackling (the 'treatments') at regulatory or political levels."

The outrage over failures in stem cell tourism is limited, Charo says. Patients may pay tens of thousands of dollars for procedures that may carry no promise of success or carry grievous risks of failure. "Most people have no reason to pay attention, and those who are paying attention are sick, so they are focused on trying anything," Charo says. "If it does not work, they are already in a bad position with plenty to think about."

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Stem cell tourism takes advantage of patients, says law professor

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