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Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy Before and After Stem Cell Therapy – Video

By Stem Cell Treatment


Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy Before and After Stem Cell Therapy
Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy Improvement in a week after Stem Cell Therapy He is a known case of Myotonic MD with history of gradual onset of progressive lower extremities muscle weakness since age of 25 years. He also has history of delayed milestones. His weakness is progressive in nature. He falls while walking so walks with human support only. He has complaints of early fatigue and slurred speech due to tongue hypertrophy. He has atrophy of proximal muscles of all extremities. He has modified independence in almost all ADL. Neurologically, hypotonic, hyporeflexic. On examination: lower limb distal muscles are 0/5 on MMT while proximal muscles are having 2++/5 on MMT. Upper extremities left side proximal muscles are 1++/5 while right side proximal muscles are 3 #713;/5, distal muscles are 3++/5 in upper extremities. Functionally, modified independence in all ADL. On FIM he scores 99. After Stem Cell Treatment 1. His face looks more fresh. 2. His neck used to fall back previously but now he can control his neck well in each movement. 3. Back muscle strength has improved. 4. Bridging is better now. He can lift his back more up now which he couldn #39;t do at all. 5. His stamina has improved. 6. His shoulder strength has improved. Shoulder shrugging is better now. Active shoulder flexion, range of motion is more now. 7. Side lying to sitting he can do without any support which was not possible before. 8. Drooling of saliva from mouth in night is completely stopped. 9. His legs used ...

By: neurogenbsi

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Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy Before and After Stem Cell Therapy - Video

Alternatives to knee replacement… fibroblast growth factor as an aid to stem cell cartilage repair – Video

By Stem Cell Treatment


Alternatives to knee replacement... fibroblast growth factor as an aid to stem cell cartilage repair
http://www.stemcellsarthritistreatment.com In our series on alternatives to knee replacement, let #39;s go over some of the growth factors needed for cartilage growth and maintenance... let #39;s talk about Fibroblast growth factor Fibroblast growth factors (FGF) are proteins that play a major role in the development of normal cartilage and bone. Genetic mutations that cause deficiencies of this protein result in significant skeletal abnormalities. In rat studies, FGF has demonstrated impressive abilities to stimulate cartilage repair in osteoarthritis. On the other hand FGF, under certain circumstances has been shown to inhibit the effects of other growth factors such as Insulin-like growth factor. Its use as an adjunctive ingredient in the application of mesenchymal stem cells for cartilage repair bears watching. http

By: Nathan Wei

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Alternatives to knee replacement... fibroblast growth factor as an aid to stem cell cartilage repair - Video

Obama: science should trump politics

By Stem Cell Treatment

President Obama, lifting an eight-year limit on federal funding of stem cell research, today portrayed his decision as part of a broader move to focus on science instead of politics.

Besides signing an executive order (read it here) reversing the Bush administration restrictions, Obama is also issuing a presidential memorandum (read it here) directing the head of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to develop a strategy for restoring scientific integrity to government decision making.

The goal, the president said: "To ensure that in this new administration, we base our public policies on the soundest science; that we appoint scientific advisers based on their credentials and experience, not their politics or ideology; and that we are open and honest with the American people about the science behind our decisions."

On embryonic stem cell research in particular, Obama acknowledged the religious-based opposition. But he said there is an ethical way to do such research.

"Rather than furthering discovery, our government has forced what I believe is a false choice between sound science and moral values," he said in the East Room of the White House, filled with advocates of stem cell research who cheered and applauded his annoucement. "In this case, I believe the two are not inconsistent. As a person of faith, I believe we are called to care for each other and work to ease human suffering. I believe we have been given a capacity and will to pursue this research -- and the humanity and conscience to do so responsibly."

Under Bush's order, taxpayer money could only be used for research on a small number of stem cell lines created before Aug. 9, 2001. Since, hundreds more stem cell lines have been created, but off-limits to federal funding.

While urging Congress to give more money to stem cell research, Obama is leaving to Congress the particularly controversial issue of whether taxpayer money should be used to experiment on embryos themselves. A congressional ban has been in place since 1996. He also made clear he opposes cloning for human reproduction.

The president also said that while stem cell research holds much promise in the treatment of spinal cord injuries, diabetes, and Parkinsons disease, there is no certainty.

"But that potential will not reveal itself on its own," Obama said. "Medical miracles do not happen simply by accident. They result from painstaking and costly research from years of lonely trial and error, much of which never bears fruit, and from a government willing to support that work.

"Ultimately, I cannot guarantee that we will find the treatments and cures we seek," he added. "No president can promise that. But I can promise that we will seek them -- actively, responsibly, and with the urgency required to make up for lost ground. Not just by opening up this new frontier of research today, but by supporting promising research of all kinds, including groundbreaking work to convert ordinary human cells into ones that resemble embryonic stem cells.

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Obama: science should trump politics

FRC's Dr. David Prentice Congratulates Kansas Senate for Passing Ethical Stem Cell Therapy Bill

By Uncategorized

WASHINGTON, March 1, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --Family Research Council (FRC) Senior Fellow Dr. David Prentice, a native Kansan, congratulated the Kansas state senate for passing S.B. 199, a bill that would establish the Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center, a regional hub to advance and deliver adult and cord blood stem cell therapies to patients and serving as a resource for adult and cord blood stem cells for therapies. The Center would also inform professionals and the public about such therapies.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080930/FRCLOGO)

Dr. Prentice, a cell biologist who was selected by George W. Bush's Council on Bioethics to write a comprehensive review of adult stem cell research in 2004, testified before the Kansas Senate Committee on Public Health and Welfare in support of S.B. 199 on Feb. 25. Dr. Prentice additionally serves as adjunct professor of molecular genetics at the John Paul II Institute at the Catholic University of America, and formerly served as professor of life sciences at Indiana State University and adjunct professor of medical and molecular genetic at Indiana University School of Medicine.

The bill will now go to the Kansas House of Representatives for consideration.

In his testimony Dr. Prentice said:

"There are significant opportunities right now for Kansas to benefit from the establishment of a center of excellence specializing in the application of adult stem cell therapies for certain diseases, as well as educating physicians as well as the public about the advantages and availability of stem cell treatments.

"Kansas is moving forward as a potential leader in the area of adult and cord blood stem cell therapies. Estimates are that KU Med has done over 1,000 adult stem cell transplants, from bone marrow as well as a growing number from umbilical cord blood. These include stem cell transplants for various cancers and leukemias, but also initiating clinical trials to treat heart damage. Much more is possible.

"Kansas is well-positioned to become a leader in this area, and a global resource. The potential benefits for patients are incalculable. I urge you to support S.B. 199."

To read Dr. Prentice's testimony, click here: http://www.frc.org/testimony/testimony-of-dr-david-prentice-before-the-committee-on-public-health-and-welfare-kansas-senate

SOURCE Family Research Council

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FRC's Dr. David Prentice Congratulates Kansas Senate for Passing Ethical Stem Cell Therapy Bill

Post Regenexx Stem Cell Treatment Results for JR’s Knee | Rejuv Medical, Minnesota – Video

By Stem Cell Treatment


Post Regenexx Stem Cell Treatment Results for JR #39;s Knee | Rejuv Medical, Minnesota
JR Burgess had a sport related knee injury. JR, went to Joel Baumgartner, MD to under go the stem cell injections for regenerative growth in his knee. Rejuv Medical has been following JR #39;s incredible results and recovery from the stem cell procedure that he has had done at Rejuv Medical of Saint Cloud, MN. http://www.rejuvmedical.com

By: Rejuv Medical

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Post Regenexx Stem Cell Treatment Results for JR's Knee | Rejuv Medical, Minnesota - Video

Exceptional growth factors for cartilage in osteoarthritis- wnts! – Video

By Stem Cell Treatment


Exceptional growth factors for cartilage in osteoarthritis- wnts!
http://www.stemcellsarthritistreatment.com Cartilage repair and growth requires multiple key factors. Among these are Wnts. Wnts are proteins involved in the development of the skeleton and control cartilage growth. However, Wnt, if control of its effects are lost, can lead to diseases characterized by either excess bone and cartilage growth or inadequate bone and cartilage growth. So the judicious application of growth factors when it comes to stem cell treatment for osteoarthritis must take this into account. http

By: Nathan Wei

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Exceptional growth factors for cartilage in osteoarthritis- wnts! - Video

Osiris Therapeutics Establishes Direct Sales Force for Grafix®

By Stem Cell Treatment

COLUMBIA, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. (OSIR), the leading company focused on developing and marketing stem cell products to treat serious medical conditions, announced today the introduction of a proprietary, direct sales force for Grafix, a premium cellular repair matrix for serious wounds including diabetic foot ulcers. The team of biologics sales professionals will initially be deployed in 10 major metropolitan areas throughout the United States and is expected to double over the coming year. Field representatives are supported by the Osiris medical affairs staff and a world-class team of stem cell scientists. This organization will enable Osiris to offer wound care practitioners a uniquely sophisticated service, only available from the cell therapy leader with 20 years of experience in the space.

"The decision to take Grafix into the wound care market with our own proprietary sales force was based upon a number of factors, including meaningful progress being made in reimbursement and favorable market dynamics," said Frank Czworka, Executive Director, Wound Care of Osiris Therapeutics. "However, the primary driver behind this initiative is the positive clinical results our physicians and surgeons are experiencing with Grafix. We continue to invest significant resources in Grafix to further demonstrate the clinical benefit it offers patients while favorably impacting overall healthcare costs. A product of this importance deserves a specialized, highly trained sales force."

In 2012, Osiris announced that it had received transitional pass-through status from the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services ("CMS"), with C-Codes being designated for Grafix. More recently, specific codes were added to the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System, or HCPCS code set, for GrafixPRIME and GrafixCORE. These product-specific Q-Codes will assist healthcare providers in seeking coverage for their patients. The Q-Codes that have been established for GrafixPRIME and GrafixCORE are Q4133 and Q4132, respectively.

Grafix has been the focus of active research in the fields of chronic wounds and burns. A 62-patient pilot study, presented at the Desert Foot 9th Annual High Risk Diabetic Foot Conference, was conducted in documented chronic wounds recalcitrant to treatment with standard of care and advanced therapies. The data demonstrated a 70% probability of wound closure by week 12, with a median time to closure of 5.6 weeks. Importantly, closure required a median of only 3 applications of Grafix, resulting in a potential savings over more costly treatments.

Clinical research for Grafix is continuing, including a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial for the treatment of non-healing diabetic foot ulcers. The study is actively enrolling up to 266 patients across 20 sites within the U.S.

About Grafix

Grafix is a human cellular repair matrix containing living stem cells for acute and chronic wound repair. It is a flexible, conforming membrane that provides a high quality source of living mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and growth factors directly to the site of the wound. Grafix is produced by BioSmartTM Intelligent Tissue Processing of human placental membrane. The manufacturing process maintains the integrity of the extracellular matrix, the viability of the neonatal MSCs, and the biologically active growth factors.

About Osiris Therapeutics

Osiris Therapeutics, Inc., having developed the worlds first approved stem cell drug, Prochymal, is the leading stem cell company. The company is focused on developing and marketing products to treat medical conditions in inflammatory, cardiovascular, orthopedic and wound healing markets. In Biosurgery, Osiris currently markets Grafix for burns and chronic wounds, and Ovation for orthopedic applications. Osiris is a fully integrated company with capabilities in research, development, manufacturing and distribution of stem cell products. Osiris has developed an extensive intellectual property portfolio to protect the company's technology, including 50 U.S. and 156 foreign patents.

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Osiris Therapeutics Establishes Direct Sales Force for Grafix®

OHSU Doernbecher Scientists First To Grow Liver Stem Cells In …

By Stell Cell Research

New mouse research in Nature raises hope that human liver stem cells can be similarly grown, transplanted

For decades scientists around the world have attempted to regenerate primary liver cells known as hepatocytes because of their numerous biomedical applications, including hepatitis research, drug metabolism and toxicity studies, as well as transplantation for cirrhosis and other chronic liver conditions. But no lab in the world has been successful in identifying and growing liver stem cells in culture using any available technique until now.

In the journal Nature, physician-scientists in the Pap Family Pediatric Research Institute at Oregon Health & Science University Doernbecher Childrens Hospital, Portland, Ore., along with investigators at the Hubrecht Institute for Developmental Biology and Stem Cell Research, Utrecht, Netherlands, describe a new method through which they were able to infinitely expand liver stem cells from a mouse in a dish.

This study raises the hope that the human equivalent of these mouse liver stem cells can be grown in a similar way and efficiently converted into functional liver cells, said Markus Grompe, M.D., study co-author, director of the Pap Family Pediatric Research Institute at OHSU Doernbecher Childrens Hospital; and professor of pediatrics, and molecular and medical genetics in the OHSU School of Medicine.

In a previous Nature study, investigators at the Hubrecht Institute, led by Hans Clever, M.D, Ph.D., were the first to identify stem cells in the small intestine and colon by observing the expression of the adult stem cell marker Lgr5 and growth in response to a growth factor called Wnt. They also hypothesized that the unique expression pattern of Lgr5 could mark stem cells in other adult tissues, including the liver, an organ for which stem cell identification remained elusive.

In the current Nature study, Grompe and colleagues in the Pap Family Pediatric Research Institute at OHSU Doernbecher used a modified version of the Clever method and discovered that Wnt-induced Lgr5 expression not only marks stem cell production in the liver, but it also defines a class of stem cells that become active when the liver is damaged.

The scientists were able to grow these liver stem cells exponentially in a dish an accomplishment never before achieved and then transplant them in a specially designed mouse model of liver disease, where they continued to grow and show a modest therapeutic effect.

We were able to massively expand the liver cells and subsequently convert them to hepatocytes at a modest percentage. Going forward, we will enlist other growth factors and conditions to improve that percentage. Liver stem cell therapy for chronic liver disease in humans is coming, said Grompe.

The study, In vitro expansion of single Lgr5+ liver stem cells induced by Wnt-driven regeneration, was funded by National Institutes of Health Grant R0I DK05192.

Investigators who contributed to this research include: Grompe, Craig Dorrell, Annelise Haft, Pap Family Pediatric Research Institute, OHSU Doernbecher Childrens Hospital; Clever, Meritxell Huch, Sylvia Boj, Johan van Es, Vivian Li, Mare van de Wetering, Toshiro Sato, Karien Hamer, Nobuo Sasaki, Robert Vries, Hubrecht Institute for Developmental Biology and Stem Cell Research; and Milton Finegold, Texas Childrens Hospital Houston.

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OHSU Doernbecher Scientists First To Grow Liver Stem Cells In ...

‘Holy Grail’ of stem cell research discovered – Stem Cell Clinic …

By Stell Cell Research

Washington, February 27 (ANI): Scientists have developed sugar-coated scaffolding to improve stem cell technology to cure some of the worlds incurable diseases and conditions.

Stem cells have the unique ability to turn into any type of human cell, opening up all sorts of therapeutic possibilities for diseases from Alzheimers to diabetes.

But how to encourage stem cells to turn into the particular type of cell required to treat a specific disease is the problem that scientists are facing now.

Now researchers at the University of Manchesters School of Materials and Faculty of Life Sciences have developed a web-like scaffold, coated with long-sugar molecules, that enhances stem-cell cultures to do just this.

The scaffold is formed by a process known as electrospinning, creating a mesh of fibres that mimic structures that occur naturally within the body.

The teams results are particularly promising, as the sugar molecules are presented on the surface of the fibres, retaining structural patterns important in their function. The sugars are also read by the stem cells grown on the surface, stimulating and enhancing the formation of neuronal cell types.

These meshes have been modified with long, linear sugar molecules, which we have previously shown play a fundamental role in regulating the behaviour of stem cells. By combining the sugar molecules with the fibre web, we hoped to use both biochemical and structural signals to guide the behaviour of stem cells, in a similar way to that used naturally by the body. This is the Holy Grail of research into developing new therapeutics using stem cell technology, said lead author Dr Catherine Merry, from Manchesters Stem Cell Glycobiology group.

The group anticipate that the combination of the sugar molecules with the fibre web will aid both the growth of stem cells and the formation of different cell types from the stem cell population.

Possible applications include tissue engineering, where the meshes could support cells differentiating to form bone, liver or blood vessels, for example.

The meshes also have potential therapeutic implications in the treatment of diseases such as multiple osteochondroma (MO), a rare disease creating bony spurs or lumps caused by abnormal production of these sugar molecules.

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'Holy Grail' of stem cell research discovered – Stem Cell Clinic ...

Research supports promise of cell therapy for bowel disease

By Uncategorized

Feb. 28, 2013 Researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and colleagues have identified a special population of adult stem cells in bone marrow that have the natural ability to migrate to the intestine and produce intestinal cells, suggesting their potential to restore healthy tissue in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Up to 1 million Americans have IBD, which is characterized by frequent diarrhea and abdominal pain. IBD actually refers to two conditions -- ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease -- in which the intestines become red and swollen and develop ulcers, probably as the result of the body having an immune response to its own tissue.

While there is currently no cure for IBD, there are drug therapies aimed at reducing inflammation and preventing the immune response. Because these therapies aren't always effective, scientists hope to use stem cells to develop an injectable cell therapy to treat IBD.

The research findings are reported online in the FASEB Journal (the journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology) by senior researcher Graca Almeida-Porada, M.D., Ph.D., professor of regenerative medicine at Wake Forest Baptist's Institute for Regenerative Medicine, and colleagues.

The new research complements a 2012 report by Almeida-Porada's team that identified stem cells in cord blood that are involved in blood vessel formation and also have the ability to migrate to the intestine.

"We've identified two populations of human cells that migrate to the intestine -- one involved in blood vessel formation and the other that can replenish intestinal cells and modulates inflammation," said Almeida-Porada. "Our hope is that a mixture of these cells could be used as an injectable therapy to treat IBD."

The cells would theoretically induce tissue recovery by contributing to a pool of cells within the intestine. The lining of the intestine has one of the highest cellular turnover rates in the body, with all cell types being renewed weekly from this pool of cells, located in an area of the intestine known as the crypt.

In the current study, the team used cell markers to identify a population of stem cells in human bone marrow with the highest potential to migrate to the intestine and thrive. The cells express high levels of a receptor (ephrin type B) that is involved in tissue repair and wound closure.

The cells also known to modulate inflammation were injected into fetal sheep at 55 to 62 days gestation. At 75 days post-gestation, the researchers found that most of the transplanted cells were positioned in the crypt area, replenishing the stem cells in the intestine.

"Previous studies in animals have shown that the transplantation of bone-marrow-derived cells can contribute to the regeneration of the gastrointestinal tract in IBD," said Almeida-Porada. "However, only small numbers of cells were successfully transplanted using this method. Our goal with the current study was to identify populations of cells that naturally migrate to the intestine and have the intrinsic ability to restore tissue health."

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Research supports promise of cell therapy for bowel disease

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