Beverly Hills Orthopedic Institute Now Offering Stem Cell Procedures for Shoulder Injuries to Help Patients Achieve …

Beverly Hills, California (PRWEB) May 28, 2014

The Beverly Hills Orthopedic Institute is now offering stem cell procedures for patients with shoulder injuries to help achieve pain relief and avoid surgery. For individuals with rotator cuff tears, shoulder dislocations and tendonitis, the injections may heal the condition and get patients back into desired activities. For more information and scheduling, call (310) 247-0466.

When a person sustains a shoulder injury traumatically such as a rotator cuff tear or a shoulder dislocation, chronic pain may result ending up in a need for surgery. Surgery is often successful, however, there are significant risks and a potential lengthy recovery period.

As a Double Board Certified Los Angeles orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Raj has been a pioneer in stem cell procedures for shoulder injuries along with degenerative arthritis. He said, "Regenerative medicine procedures for shoulder injuries have been revolutionary. If you look at what happened to a professional dancer like Mark Ballas recently on Dancing With the Stars where he dislocated his shoulder, stem cell therapy can help stabilize the joint."

The stem cell procedures are performed as an outpatient and involve one of two methods. The first involves bone marrow derived stem cells, which are harvested directly from the patient, immediately processed, and then injected into the shoulder. The therapy contains concentrated stem cells and growth factors.

The second therapy option involves amniotic derived stem cells, which contain no embryonic stem cells and therefore avoid any ethical concerns. The amniotic fluid is processed at an FDA regulated lab, causes no rejection issues and is rich with stem cells, growth factors and hyaluronic acid.

Said Dr. Raj, "The combination of stem cells, growth factors, hyaluronic acid and cytokines in the fluid has been amazing for healing shoulder injuries. We've been able to help a lot of patients avoid the need for surgery and get back to high level athletic activities much sooner than with a surgery and associated rehab!"

Beverly Hills Orthopedic Institute accepts most insurance plans. Dr. Raj is an ABC News Medical Correspondent and a WebMD medical expert. For more information about the stem cell therapy and to make appointments, call (310) 247-0466.

See more here:
Beverly Hills Orthopedic Institute Now Offering Stem Cell Procedures for Shoulder Injuries to Help Patients Achieve ...

Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission Funds 31 New Research Proposals in 2014

The Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission(Commission) has completed its review of the 151 applications received in response to itsFY 2014 Requests for Applications(RFAs). The board of directors of the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) approved the Commissions recommendation to fund 31 new proposals with the Maryland Stem Cell Research Funds (MSCRF) $10.4 million FY2014 budget. These projects show promise of contributing to cures for some of todays most debilitating diseases and conditions such as diabetes, vascular disease, schizophrenia, sickle cell anemia, chronic pain, Alzheimers, Parkinsons, osteoarthritis, depression, autism, and epilepsy.

Since its establishment in 2006, the Commission has had the goal of promoting State-funded stem cell research and cures through grants to public and private entities in the State. The Commission was able to recently announce the stories of two Johns Hopkins Hospital patients who were cured of sickle cell disease, lupus and bone marrow failure from research funded by the MSCRF. To read the MSCRF success stories of patients Yetude Olagbaju and Lilly Boyer, click here and here.

Each year, the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund produces and supports results and research that is leading to advancements in modern medicine right here in Maryland, saidGovernor Martin OMalley. I congratulate this years grant recipients and look forward to the contributions they make to the improved health and wellbeing of our citizens.

This years MSCRF awards include:

1 Pre-Clinical Research Award This funding mechanism provides up to $500,000 over up to three years and is designed for companies conducting pre-clinical research in Maryland that seek to advance medical therapies in the State. The award in this category will focus on diabetes.

7 Investigator-Initiated Research Awards These grants provide up to $200,000 of direct costs per year, for up to three years, and are designed for Maryland investigators who have preliminary data to support their hypotheses. The awardees in this category will focus on vascular disease, peripheral nerve trauma, schizophrenia, major depression, sickle cell anemia, traumatic optic nerve injuries, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, chronic pain and bone defects.

15 Exploratory Research Awards These grants provide up to $100,000 of direct costs per year, for up to two years, and are designed for Maryland researchers who are new to the stem cell field (young investigators and scientists from other fields), or for exploratory projects that have little or no preliminary data. FY 2014 awards in this category will address such topics as cord blood transplant in blood diseases, leukemias and cancers, Alzheimers, anemias, hematopoietic stem cell transportation, inflammatory bowel diseases, osteoarthritis, Parkinsons, epilepsy, diabetic retinopathy, Hutchinsons-Gilford progeria syndrome, leukodystrophy, Autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, bone defects and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

8 Post Doctoral Fellowship Awards - These grants provide up to $55,000 per year, for up to two years, including direct and indirect costs and fringe benefits, and are designed for post-doctoral fellows who wish to conduct human stem cell research in Maryland. FY 2014 awards in this category will address such topics as double cortex syndrome, schizophrenia, dry eye syndrome, stroke, osteporisis, organ transplantation, and Parkinsons.

We are very proud of the research we have supported. The cures we have contributed to are a testament to the importance of the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund, saidRabbi Avram Reisner, Chair of the Commission. This round of awardees holds the promise to one day change the lives of those suffering from complex and debilitating diseases and conditions. The future of modern medicine is taking place today in Maryland thanks in-part to this critical program.

For a complete list of the names of the Principal Investigators (PIs), their project titles and institutions, please visithttp://www.mscrf.org/content/awardees/2014Awardees.cfm.

Original post:
Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission Funds 31 New Research Proposals in 2014

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: MS Breakthrough …

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a devastating disease for many who become afflicted with the diseases progressive form, often in the prime of their lives, with no cure and when the effectiveness of established MS treatment is so often disappointing. Discouragement can lead to pinning premature hope on unproven therapies that seem to hold promise.

For example, withchronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI or CCVI) the so-called liberation therapy developed by Italian researcher Paolo Zamboni in 2008, Dr. Zamboni hypothesized that compromised flow of blood in the veins draining the central nervous system played a role as the cause or in the development of multiple sclerosis, and devised a procedure dubbed liberation therapy by the media that involves angioplasty (stenting) of key veins in an attempt to improve blood flow.

CCSVI was and still is greeted with skepticism within the medical community, and Wikipedias entry on the topic notes that Dr. Zambonis first published research was neither blinded nor did it have a comparison group, and that Dr. Zamboni also did not disclose his financial ties to Esaote, manufacturer of the ultrasound specifically used in CCSVI diagnosis.

The so-called liberation procedure has also been criticized for possibly resulting in serious complications and deaths while its benefits have not been proven, with the United States Food and Drug Administrations position being that it is not clear if CCSVI exists as a clinical entity, and that these treatments may cause more harm. Wikipedia notes that CCSVI research has been fast-tracked, but researchers thus far still have been unable to confirm whether CCSVI has a role in causing MS, consequently raising serious objection to the hypothesis of CCSVI originating multiple sclerosis. Research continues, and a 2013 study found that CCSVI is equally rare in people with and without MS, while narrowing of the cervical veins is equally common.

This writer is personally aware of specific cases in which CCSVI has seemed to result in substantial improvement in MS symptoms, and others where it proved ineffective. The jury, as they say, is still out, but a cautious approach seems to be prudent.

Likewise for another controversial new therapy being advocated for MS and other autoimmune diseases, known as high-dose immunosuppressive therapy with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in MS and other autoimmune diseases, in which clinicians destroy the patients immune system with chemotherapy, and then reboot it with stem cells. Dr. Denis Federenko of the A.A. Maximov Hematology and Cell Therapy Department of the National Pirogov Medical Surgical Centre in Russia specializes in this treatment, pointing out that conventional therapies do not provide satisfactory control of multiple sclerosis; hormonal therapy helps to limit acute manifestations of the disease, but doesnt stop its progression; and Interferon therapy may help some patients, but in most cases it does not provide a stable long-term effect.

The Russian proponents of this approach to treating MS contend that chemotherapy eliminates the cause of the disease the autoimmune T-cells that are responsible for nerve tissue damage. Then the patient is transplanted with his/her own (autologous) stem cells, which were collected and frozen in advance. They say that over the past decade more than 700 patients have received this treatment, which they claim may stop progression of the disease in most patients and prevent further deterioration of their quality of life, and that MS patients will not need any maintenance therapy after transplantation. Claimed efficiency of high-dose immunosuppressive therapy with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in multiple sclerosis approximates 75%-80%, and is most effective in young patients with rapidly progressing multiple sclerosis in its early stages, when the leading mechanism of the damage to the nervous system is autoimmune inflammation. In later stages of the disease, after irreversible damage is done, they caution that transplantations effect is limited.

In an opinion statement entitled Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation as a treatment option for aggressive multiple sclerosis (Curr Treat Options Neurol. 2013 Jun;15(3):270-80. doi: 10.1007/s11940-013-0234-9) published in the journal Current Treatment Options in Neurology, N. Pfender, R. Saccardi, and R. Martin of the Department of Neurology at University Hospital Zurich in Zurich, Switzerland, observe that Despite the development of several injectable or oral treatments for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), it remains difficult to treat patients with aggressive disease, and many of these continue to develop severe disability.

The authors observe that over the last two decades, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT or HSCT) has been explored, and clinical studies have shown that aHSCT is able to completely halt disease activity in the majority of patients with aggressive RRMS, and that research on the mechanisms of action supports that aHSCT indeed leads to renewal of a healthy immune system.

The rest is here:
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: MS Breakthrough ...

Stem cell research on campus grows after $3M boost

Provided

Aparna Mahadevan, left, a graduate student in Natasza Kurpios' lab, discusses a research poster with Vimal Selvaraj, assistant professor in animal science, at the daylong Stem Cell Retreat May 17 on campus.

Unlocking knowledge about how organisms develop and repair, stem cell research holds great promise for future therapies for injuries and conditions, from infertility and Alzheimers to heart failure and cancer. As part of its mission to promote cross-campus interactions and enhance training in stem cell biology at Cornell, the Cornell Stem Cell Program (CSCP) held its second Stem Cell Retreat May 17 on campus.

About 85 members of the Cornell stem cell research community attended the event, which featured keynote speaker Dr. Lawrence Goldstein, director of the Stem Cell Program at University of California, San Diego, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, speaking on using stem cells to treat Alzheimers disease.

Stem cell research involves a wide breadth of disciplines, said Dr. Alexander Nikitin, professor of pathology at Cornells College of Veterinary Medicine and leader of CSCP. This retreat is one example of how weve been able to foster the communications and collaborations across fields necessary to more fully understand and harness the potential of stem cells.

More than 40 laboratories at Cornell are affiliated with CSCP. Its faculty is supported by more than $42 million in research funding devoted to projects with major stem cell and regenerative medicine components. Coordinating activities of investigators involved in stem cell research, the CSCP provides resources for stem-cell research, promotes cross-campus interactions, and enhances teaching and training in stem cell biology.

Recently CSCP researchers Professor John Schimenti and Nikitin received $3 million from the New York State Stem Cell Science program of the New York State Department of Health to support the Stem Cell Modeling and Phenotyping Core.

The core expands existing mammalian reprogramming and transgenesis facilities and adds new components, such as genomic editing, stem cell pathology and stem cell optical imaging. Thus it provides state-of-the art capabilities for scientists to generate stem cells, modify genes in highly specific ways, create transgenic research animal models for basic and clinical research, analyze pathology of these animal models with high diagnostic and microscopic resolution, and study individual stem cells in live animals or in man-made environments.

The core consists of the Stem Cell and Transgenics Core Facility (directed by Schimenti), the Core Stem Cell Pathology Unit (directed by Nikitin) and the Core Stem Cell Optical Imaging Unit (directed by Associate Professor Warren Zipfel). Their combined resources and services integrate advanced animal modeling and phenotyping, the study of how genes affect physical traits.

In the last year CSCP-affiliated faculty members have published 130 manuscripts, including 53 that resulted directly from travel awards and seed funding from CSCP, and were published in such renowned journals as Nature, Science, Developmental Cell and PNAS. In 2013 CSCP gave seven travel awards and two seed grants to spur research, and hosted six seminars by invited stem cell experts and nine Stem Cell Work in Progress meetings, at which investigators from labs from across campus gather to share current work.

The rest is here:
Stem cell research on campus grows after $3M boost

Stem Cells Market By Application (Regenerative Medicine), By Technology (Acquisition, Sub-Culture), By Product (Adult …

San Francisco, California (PRWEB) May 22, 2014

The global market for stem cells is expected to reach USD 170.15 billion by 2020, according to a new study by Grand View Research, Inc. Growing prevalence of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular and liver disease, diabetes and cancer coupled with the presence of high unmet medical needs in these disease segments is expected to drive market growth during the forecast period. Moreover, increasing government support pertaining to funding R&D initiatives and the growing demand for medical tourism and stem cell banking services is expected to boost the demand for stem cells over the next six years. The future of this market is expected to be driven by opportunities such as the growing global prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases, increasing demand for contract research outsourcing services and the substitution of animal tissues by stem cells in the

The stem cells technology market was valued at USD 12.88 billion in 2013 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 12.0% during the forecast period. This market was dominated by the cell acquisitions technology segment in terms of share in 2013 owing to the fact that this technology serves as the foremost step to process involving stem cells culture. The global stem cell acquisition technology market is expected to reach USD 10.88 billion by 2020, growing at a CAGR of over 14.0% over the next six years.

The report Stem Cells Market Analysis By Product (Adult Stem Cells, Human Embryonic Cells, Pluripotent Stem Cells), By Application (Regenerative Medicine, Drug Discovery and Development) And Segment Forecasts To 2020, is available now to Grand View Research customers at http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/stem-cells-market

Request Free Sample of this Report @ http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/stem-cells-market/request

Further key findings from the study suggest:

Browse All Biotechnology Market Reports @ http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry/biotechnology

For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global stem cells market on the basis of product, application, technology and region:

Latest Reports Published By Grand View Research:

Global Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) Market Expected to Reach USD 10.87 Billion by 2020 (https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/polymethyl-methacrylate-pmma-industry)

Excerpt from:
Stem Cells Market By Application (Regenerative Medicine), By Technology (Acquisition, Sub-Culture), By Product (Adult ...

Sabathia could actually miss 8-12 weeks: Doc

The Yankees would be lucky to get CC Sabathia on the mound in two months, let alone six weeks, according to one doctor familiar with the stem-cell procedure Sabathia underwent last week.

He may be able to practice by then, but I dont think hell be back in the majors before eight-to-12 weeks, said Dr. Selene Parekh, associate professor of surgery in the Division of Orthopaedic Surgery at Duke Orthopaedics.

Perhaps more importantly, there is so little history regarding the stem-cell injection done by Dr. James Andrews, its difficult to know what to expect.

Since stem cells are naturally occurring, the idea is that by injecting them into Sabathias knee, his body will be able to create new cells to get the knee healthier.

Its a big leap of faith, Parekh said.

Dr. Alexis Colvin, orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, said there have been promising studies done regarding stem cells ability to reduce cartilage damage, as opposed to cortisone, which only provides pain relief.

Sabathia underwent a stem-cell procedure for his knee that could keep him off the mound longer than the Yankees want.Photo: Getty Images

Parekh said it was similar to the procedures Alex Rodriguez and Kobe Bryant had done in Germany, and Dr. Andrews was bringing the technology to the United States.

Unfortunately, the only way to know if its working is by symptoms, Parekh said.

And if not?

More here:
Sabathia could actually miss 8-12 weeks: Doc

Beverly Hills Orthopedic Institute Now Offering Stem Cell Procedures for Cartilage Damage in Joints

Beverly Hills, CA (PRWEB) May 19, 2014

The top Beverly Hills orthopedic surgeon is now offering stem cell procedures for cartilage damage in joints. The procedures have been showing excellent potential for helping repair arthritis damage in joints along with focal defects due to trauma or sporting injuries. Call (310) 438-5343 for more information and scheduling.

As stem cell procedures for joint arthritis and cartilage damage become mainstream, Beverly Hills Orthopedic Institute is leading the way in helping patients achieve pain relief and avoid major surgery. Dr. Raj is the Double Board Certified Medical Director at the practice, and has been named one of the top LA orthopedic surgeons on several occasions.

Dr. Raj treats patients ranging from professional athletes to weekend warriors, to grandparents and celebrities. With exceptional experience in treating extremity joints with stem cell procedures, Dr. Raj is the "go to" regenerative medicine doctor in LA and Beverly Hills.

Multiple types of procedures are performed. The first option involves the patient's own bone marrow derived stem cells, which is a low risk, outpatient procedure. The bone marrow is immediately processed to concentrate the stem cells and injected into the problem joint.

The second type of procedure involves amniotic derived stem cells. These are harvested from consenting donors after scheduled c-sections and then processed at an FDA regulated lab. The amniotic derived fluid has been used over 20,000 times worldwide and is very rich in stem cells and growth factors.

Dr. Raj is an ABC News Medical Correspondent along with a WebMD medical expert. For those in need of pain relief and surgery avoidance with arthritis and cartilage defects, Dr. Raj at Beverly Hills Orthopedic Institute is the top choice in Los Angeles.

Call (310) 438-5343 for more information and scheduling.

Originally posted here:
Beverly Hills Orthopedic Institute Now Offering Stem Cell Procedures for Cartilage Damage in Joints

Scientists Get Closer to the Stem Cells That May Drive Cancers

THURSDAY, May 15, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Although the very concept of cancer stem cells has been controversial, new research provides proof that these distinct types of cells exist in humans.

Using genetic tracking, researchers found that a gene mutation tied to cancer's development can be traced back to cancer stem cells. These cells are at the root of cancer and responsible for supporting the growth and progression of the disease, the scientists report.

Cancer stem cells are able to replenish themselves and produce other types of cancer cells, just as healthy cells produce other normal cells, the study's British and European authors explained.

"It's like having dandelions in your lawn. You can pull out as many as you want, but if you don't get the roots they'll come back," study first author Dr. Petter Woll, of the MRC Weatherall Institute for Molecular Medicine at the University of Oxford, said in a university news release.

The researchers, led by a team of scientists at Oxford and the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, said their findings could have significant implications for cancer treatment. They explained that by targeting cancer stem cells, doctors could not only get rid of a patient's cancer but also prevent any remaining cancer cells from sustaining the disease.

The study, published May 15 in Cancer Cell, involved 15 patients diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), a type of cancer that often develops into acute myeloid leukemia, a form of blood cancer.

The researchers examined the cancer cells in the patients' bone marrow. Four of the patients were also monitored over time. One patient was followed for two years. Two patients were followed for 30 months and another patient was monitored for 10 years.

According to the researchers, in prior studies citing the existence of cancer stem cells, the lab tests that were used to identify these cells were considered by many to be unreliable.

However, "In our studies we avoided the problem of unreliable lab tests by tracking the origin and development of cancer-driving mutations in MDS patients," explained study leader Sten Eirik Jacobsen, of Oxford's MRC Molecular Haematology Unit and the Weatherall Institute for Molecular Medicine.

According to the research, a distinct group of MDS cells had all the characteristics of cancer stem cells, and only these particular cancer cells appeared able to cause tumor spread.

Read the rest here:
Scientists Get Closer to the Stem Cells That May Drive Cancers

A Fetal Enzyme Helps Stem Cells Recover From Limb Injuries

April Flowers for redOrbit.com Your Universe Online

Nearly two million Americans a year suffer from ischemia reperfusion injuries. A wide variety of scenarios can be caused by these injuries that result in restricted blood flowfrom traumatic limb injuries, to heart attacks, to donor organs. Restoring the blood flow to an injured leg, for example, seems like it would be a good idea. A new study from Georgia Regents University, however, suggests that restoring the flow could cause additional damage that actually hinders recovery.

Rather than promoting recovery, restoring blood flow actually heightens inflammation and cell death for many of these patients.

Think about trying to hold onto a nuclear power plant after you unplug the electricity and cannot pump water to cool it down, said Dr. Jack Yu, Chief of MCGs Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. All kinds of bad things start happening.

Yu collaborated with Dr. Babak Baban, immunologist at the Medical College of Georgia and College of Dental Medicine at Georgia Regents University. Their study, published in PLOS ONE, reveals that one way stem cell therapy appears to intervene is with the help of an enzyme also used by a fetus to escape rejection by the mothers immune system.

Baban notes that previous studies have found a correlation between stem cells and recovery. The stem cells both enable new blood vessel growth and by turning down the now-severe inflammation. The new findings reveal that ndoleomine 2,3 dioxygenase, or IDO, widely known to dampen the immune response and create tolerance, plays an important role in regulating inflammation in that scenario. IDO is expressed by stem cells and numerous other cell types.

Stem cell efficiency was boosted by approximately one-third when tested on animal models comparing the therapy in normal mice versus mice missing IDO.Decreased expression of inflammatory markers, swelling and cell death were all observed. These are all associated with shorter, improved recoveries.

We dont want to turn off the immune system, we want to turn it back to normal, Baban said.

Even a brief period of inadequate blood flow, and the resulting lack of nutrients, can start problems that result in the rapid accumulation of destructive acidic metabolites, free radicals, and damage to cell structures. Mitochondria, which are the cells power plants, should be producing the energy source ATP. Instead, they quickly become fat, leaky and dysfunctional in this situation.

The mitochondria are sick; they are very, very sick, Yu said. Enormous additional stress is added to these sick powerhouses when blood flow is restored.

Follow this link:
A Fetal Enzyme Helps Stem Cells Recover From Limb Injuries

Enzyme helps stem cells improve recovery from limb injuries

While it seems like restoring blood flow to an injured leg would be a good thing, it can actually cause additional damage that hinders recovery, researchers say.

Ischemia reperfusion injury affects nearly two million Americans annually with a wide variety of scenarios that temporarily impede blood flow -- from traumatic limb injuries, to heart attacks, to donor organs, said Dr. Babak Baban, immunologist at the Medical College of Georgia and College of Dental Medicine at Georgia Regents University.

Restoring blood flow actually heightens inflammation and cell death rather than recovery for many of these patients.

"Think about trying to hold onto a nuclear power plant after you unplug the electricity and cannot pump water to cool it down," said Dr. Jack Yu, Chief of MCG's Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. "All kinds of bad things start happening."

Baban and Yu are collaborators on a study published in the journal PLOS ONE that shows one way stem cell therapy appears to intervene is with the help of an enzyme also used by a fetus to escape rejection by the mother's immune system.

Earlier studies indicate stem cells may improve recovery both by enabling new blood vessel growth and by turning down the now-severe inflammation, Baban said. The new study shows that indoleomine 2,3 dioxygenase, or IDO, widely known to dampen the immune response and create tolerance, plays an important role in regulating inflammation in that scenario. Stems cells and numerous other cell types are known to express IDO.

In fact, IDO boosted stem cell efficacy by about a third in their studies in animal models comparing the therapy in normal mice versus mice missing IDO. The researchers documented decreased expression of inflammatory markers, swelling and cell death, which correlate with a shorter, improved recovery.

That could be just what the doctor ordered for these patients, said Baban, the study's corresponding author. "We don't want to turn off the immune system, we want to turn it back to normal," he said.

Problems start with even a short period of inadequate blood and nutrients resulting in the rapid accumulation of destructive acidic metabolites, free radicals, and damage to cell structures, Yu said. Cell power plants, called mitochondria, which should be producing the energy source ATP, are among the early casualties, quickly becoming fat, leaky, and dysfunctional.

"The mitochondria are sick; they are very, very sick," Yu said. When blood flow is restored, it can put huge additional stress on sick powerhouses.

See the rest here:
Enzyme helps stem cells improve recovery from limb injuries