Stem Cell Clinic

Fighting arthritis: Researchers edit stem cells to fight inflammation – Kasmir Monitor

By adminApril 29, 2017Stem Cell Medicine

In a major development, researchers have developed a cartilage that fights inflammation caused by arthritis and other chronic conditions, using the gene-editing technique called CRISPR. For the breakthrough, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine converted skin cells from the tails of mice into stem cells. They then used the gene-editing tool CRISPR to remove a gene involved in inflammation and replace it with one that produces anti-inflammatory drug. They called the resulting cells as SMART cells, which stands for Stem cells Modified for Autonomous Regenerative Therapy. "Our goal is to package the rewired stem cells as a vaccine for arthritis, which would deliver an anti-inflammatory drug to an arthritic joint but only when it is needed," said Farshid Guilak, Professor at Washington University School of Medicine, and senior author of a study published online in the journal Stem Cell Reports. "To do this, we needed to create a 'smart' cell," Guilak said. According to the study, SMART cells, develop into cartilage cells that produce a biologic anti-inflammatory drug that could replace arthritic cartilage and simultaneously protect joints and other tissues from damage that occurs with chronic inflammation. Many current drugs used to treat arthritis attack an inflammation-promoting molecule called tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). But the problem with these drugs is that they are given systemically rather than targeted to joints. As a result, they interfere with the immune system throughout the body and can make patients susceptible to side effects such as infections. "We want to use our gene-editing technology as a way to deliver targeted therapy in response to localised inflammation in a joint, as opposed to current drug therapies that can interfere with the inflammatory response through the entire body," Guilak said. The research has been published in the journal Stem Cell Reports.

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Fighting arthritis: Researchers edit stem cells to fight inflammation - Kasmir Monitor

California’s $3-billion bet on stem cells faces final test – Nature.com

By adminApril 29, 2017Stem Cell Medicine

Xianmin Zeng/Buck Inst.

Nerve cells derived from human stem cells, in work supported by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine.

When California voters approved US$3billion in funding for stem-cell research in 2004, biologists flocked to the state, and citizens dreamed of cures for Parkinsons disease and spinal-cord injuries. Now, the pot of money one of the biggest state investments in science is running dry before treatments have emerged, raising questions about whether Californians will pour billions more into stem-cell research.

If they dont, that could leave hundreds of scientists without support, and strand potentially promising therapies before they reach the market. Its an issue of great concern, says Jonathan Thomas, chair of the board for the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) in Oakland.

CIRM is now doling out its final $650million, and its leaders are seeking money from the private sector to carry projects beyond 2020, when the money will run out. Advocates are also surveying voters to determine whether a new request for funding stands a chance in state elections next year. But critics argue against this way of funding research.

California voters saw major opportunities for stem cells in 2004 when they passed Proposition 71, which included an agreement to create the corporation that became CIRM. The move was a reaction to then-US president George W. Bushs decision in 2001 to restrict federal funds for work on human embryonic stem cells.

Since CIRM rolled out its first grants in 2006, it has funded more than 750 projects and reported alluring results from clinical trials. In March, a trial partially funded by CIRM showed that nine out of ten children born with severe combined immunodeficiency or bubble-boy disease a potentially lethal condition in which a persons immune system does not function properly, were doing well up to eight years after treatment (K.L.Shaw etal. J. Clin. Invest. http://doi.org/b6bp; 2017). They no longer need injections to be able to go to school, play outside or survive colds and other inevitable infections.

A dozen facilities constructed by CIRM have helped to push California to the forefront of research on ageing and regenerative medicine. Many grant recipients were early-career academics who had not been able to enter the stem-cell field previously because of the federal restrictions which were loosened in 2009 and the high cost of getting started in this kind of work. That barrier makes it difficult for researchers to gather the preliminary data typically required to win grants from the US National Institutes of Health (NIH).

To milk its remaining $650 million, CIRM partnered last year with the contract-research organization QuintilesIMS in Durham, North Carolina, to carry out clinical trials. CIRM leaders hope that this move will help to guide 40 novel therapies into trials by 2020.

Bob Klein, the property developer who put Proposition 71 on the ballot and established CIRM, isnt waiting for the money to run out. He leads an advocacy group, Americans for Cures, which will soon poll voters to see whether they would approve another $5 billion in funding. If it looks like at least 70% of Californians support that plan, hell start a campaign to put another initiative on the ballot in 2018.

Klein hopes that Californians will rise in support of science at a time when the Trump administration has proposed drastic cuts to the NIH budget. If public enthusiasm is not so strong, Klein says, hell aim for the 2020 elections, when voter turnout should be higher because it will coincide with the next presidential race.

Currently, CIRMs leaders are seeking other sources of support. The majority of our projects will not be ripe for interest from big pharma and the venture-capitalist community by the time we run out of funds, Thomas says. He has been courting large philanthropic foundations and wealthy individuals to raise money to continue the work.

John Simpson, who directs stem-cell oversight work at the advocacy group Consumer Watchdog in Washington DC, plans to oppose any effort to extend CIRM. I acknowledge their scientific advances, but we should not let a flawed process go further, he says. Simpson dislikes the model of using a vote to secure research funding through public bonds, because then the state lacks budgetary control.

Oversight of CIRM has been a problem in the past. In 2012, the US Institute of Medicine found that some scientists vetting grant proposals for CIRM had conflicts of interest. In response, CIRM altered its procedures but the public still felt betrayed. Jim Lott, a member of the state board that oversees CIRMs finances, says that he is not satisfied with the changes. He also argues that CIRM may not have been strategic enough in directing research. Some people say if they had a better focus, they might have achieved cures.

But researchers argue that expectations for cures after only a decade are unrealistic, given the typical pace of drug development. It would be a catastrophe for California if people say CIRM did not do what it was expected to do, says Eric Verdin, president of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging in Novato, California. Theyve built the foundation for the field and attracted people from around the world you cant just now pull the plug.

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California's $3-billion bet on stem cells faces final test - Nature.com

WSU basketball player set to undergo five hour stem cell surgery – Dayton Daily News

By adminApril 29, 2017Stem Cell Medical Center

Ryan Custer, the Wright State University basketball player injured diving into a makeshift pool near Miami University, is out of surgery and recovering in his room, according to a social media page dedicated to his progress.

Doctors informed the family that the procedure went well, according to posts to the Facebook page from Custers father. Custer is the third person in the world to get a 20 million-count stem cell injection, his father said. Doctors estimate it will take a period of 60 to 90 days before any results will show.

UPDATE April 28 @ 10:40 a.m.:

Ryan Custer, the Wright State basketball player who was injured diving into a makeshift pool near Miami University, is scheduled to undergo an extensive stem cell operation this morning at 11 a.m.

George Custer, Ryans father, released on facebook the details of this procedure stating,We are of course nervous, but Ryan is in good hands and Dr. Fessler told us although they have to open up his first incision on the back of his neck it is a lot less dangerous than his fusion surgery. George Custer also advised that Ryan will have 20 million stem cells injected into his neck.

Additionally, HBO is going to be at the hospital interviewing the Custer family and filming the actual procedure. George Custer said he will be give an update on Ryans procedure later in the day.

EARLIER: George and Kim Custer, the parents of injured Wright State basketball player Ryan Custer, held a brief press conference Tuesday to afternoon at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center to give an update on their sons condition and what lies ahead.

George, who got emotional multiple times during his 3 1/2 minute statement, said Ryan is being considered for a stem cell study at Rush University in Chicago.

We just found out he leaves Friday morning at 8 oclock, he said. Theres no guarantees, but hell be evaluated for five days and hopefully hell pass the test that theyre going to give him and hell receive an injection. And then hell be there seven to nine days afterward for further evaluation. At that time hell go to an in-patient rehabilitation facility.

Ryan fractured his C5 vertebrae April 8 when he jumped into a makeshift pool during a party at Miami University. He was air-lifted to the UC Medical Center, where he is still recovering after doctors removed vertebrae fragments and shaved the C3, C4, C5 and C6 vertebrae.

George said the family is encouraged by some of the small improvements Ryan has made recently.

Over the past few days hes shown some improvement in his touch and movement. Hes able to feel his fingers to the touch and he has slight movement in his fingertips. Right now he has hardly any feeling below his legs, although he has felt us rub the top of his feet and he said theres been some tingling in his thighs and his feet.

George also made a point to clarify that Ryan did not injure himself by diving off a balcony or through someones legs into the makeshift pool during an April 8 party at Miami University, as was stated in the police report.

Ryan is in good spirits but also nervous and scared for his future, George said, adding Hes not sure whats going to happen. But weve assure him hes not going to make this journey alone. Well be right there with him.

George and Kim, who did not take questions, wrapped the press conference by thanking everyone for their prayers and donations, and they asked that those prayers continue.

The more prayers we have, maybe God will answer our prayers and give him the healing he needs, George said. The only answers we can come up with through this whole terrible situation is that Ryan has and will be an inspiration to other people. Hes a very special kid and everyones going to see how tough, determined and resilient his spirit truly is.

Lab-grown ‘mini-brains’ mimic brain development – Spectrum

By adminApril 29, 2017Embryonic Stem Cells

Download PDF Multicolored mind: Fluorescent markers pinpoint cells inside a 'mini-brain' grown from human stem cells.

M. Renner et al. / The EMBO Journal

A new method for examining lab-grown mini-brains reveals structures like those in the human brain1.

Mini-brains, also known as cerebral organoids, can provide clues to brain development. To build them, scientists coax clusters of stem cells into becoming neurons and other brain cells. They can even start with skin cells from a person with autism to see how the persons genes influence the mini-brains structure. But researchers debate how closely mini-brains resemble human brains.

In the new study, published 10 March in The EMBO Journal, researchers probed the cellular and regional structure of 104 mini-brains grown from human embryonic stem cells. They first froze the mini-brains and cut them into ultra-thin sections, which they mounted onto glass slides. They then labeled the sections with different combinations of colored fluorescent tags that are specific to certain cell types, and imaged the sections using an automated scanner.

The tags revealed a mixture of cells, including mature neurons and star-shaped support cells called astrocytes. The mini-brains are irregular blobs with small inner chambers, but the researchers found that they contain complex tissues.

A region within each mini-brain resembles the human forebrain, which governs complex cognitive tasks such as integrating sensory information. This region often develops as a folded, ribbon-like structure near the outside of the organoid. It contains layers of cells like those seen in the human cortex.

The researchers used a chemical cocktail to render some of the mini-brains transparent. This revealed bridges of tissue that connect different parts of the forebrain-like region.

The researchers also examined mini-brains at various time points from 33 to 160 days old, when their cells are fully mature. The cells matured into neurons and other brain cells at a speed and in a sequence similar to those in the developing human brain.

Some mini-brains formed patches of cells that secrete chemical cues that spur the development of certain cell types or delineate regions. These patches are similar to so-called organizing centers in the developing human brain.

The method revealed significant variability in the size and location of the forebrain. This may arise from when and where the organizing centers form, or whether they form, the researchers say.

CRISPR-SMART Cells Regenerate Cartilage, Secrete Anti-Arthritis Drug – Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News

By adminApril 29, 2017Uncategorized

We have anti-arthritis drugs. What we lack is the ability to deploy them when and where they are needed in the body. The drugs would be far more effective, and occasion fewer side effects, if they were to appear only in response to inflammation, and only in the joints. If the drugs could be delivered so painstakinglyso smartlythey wouldnt have to be administered systemically.

Although conventional drug delivery systems may be unable to respond to arthritic flares with such adroitness, cells may have better luckif they are suitably modified. Stem cells, for example, have been rewired by means of gene-editing technology to fight arthritis. These stem cells, known as SMART cells (Stem cells Modified for Autonomous Regenerative Therapy), develop into cartilage cells that produce a biologic anti-inflammatory drug. Ideally, the new cartilage cells will replace arthritic cartilage, and the biologic will protect against chronic inflammation, preserving joints and other tissues.

SMART cells of this sort were prepared by scientists based at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The scientists initially worked with skin cells taken from the tails of mice and converted those cells into stem cells. Then, using the gene-editing tool CRISPR in cells grown in culture, they removed a key gene in the inflammatory process and replaced it with a gene that releases a biologic drug that combats inflammation.

Details of this work appeared April 27 in the journal Stem Cell Reports, in an article entitled Genome Engineering of Stem Cells for Autonomously Regulated, Closed-Loop Delivery of Biologic Drugs. The article describes how modified stem cells grew into cartilage and produced cartilage tissue. The engineered cartilage, the scientists reported, was protected from inflammation.

Using the CRISPR/Cas9 genome-engineering system, we created stem cells that antagonize IL-1- [interleukin-1] or TNF-- [tumor necrosis factor-] mediated inflammation in an autoregulated, feedback-controlled manner, wrote the authors of the Stem Cell Reports article. Our results show that genome engineering can be used successfully to rewire endogenous cell circuits to allow for prescribed input/output relationships between inflammatory mediators and their antagonists, providing a foundation for cell-based drug delivery or cell-based vaccines via a rapidly responsive, autoregulated system.

Many current drugs used to treat arthritisincluding Enbrel (etanercept), Humira (adalimumab), and Remicade (infliximab)attack TNF-, an inflammation-promoting molecule. But the problem with these drugs is that they are given systemically rather than targeted to joints. As a result, they interfere with the immune system throughout the body and can make patients susceptible to side effects such as infections.

"We want to use our gene-editing technology as a way to deliver targeted therapy in response to localized inflammation in a joint, as opposed to current drug therapies that can interfere with the inflammatory response through the entire body," said Farshid Guilak, Ph.D., the paper's senior author and a professor of orthopedic surgery at Washington University School of Medicine. "If this strategy proves to be successful, the engineered cells only would block inflammation when inflammatory signals are released, such as during an arthritic flare in that joint."

Dr. Guilak's team encoded the stem/cartilage cells with genes that made the cells light up when responding to inflammation, so the scientists easily could determine when the cells were responding. Recently, the team began testing the engineered stem cells in mouse models of rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.

If the work can be replicated in animals and then developed into a clinical therapy, the engineered cells or cartilage grown from stem cells would respond to inflammation by releasing a biologic drugthe TNF- inhibitorthat would protect the synthetic cartilage cells that Dr. Guilak's team created and the natural cartilage cells in specific joints.

"When these cells see TNF-, they rapidly activate a therapy that reduces inflammation," Dr. Guilak explained. "We believe this strategy also may work for other systems that depend on a feedback loop. In diabetes, for example, it's possible we could make stem cells that would sense glucose and turn on insulin in response. We are using pluripotent stem cells, so we can make them into any cell type, and with CRISPR, we can remove or insert genes that have the potential to treat many types of disorders."

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CRISPR-SMART Cells Regenerate Cartilage, Secrete Anti-Arthritis Drug - Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News

Regenerative Medicine Minnesota Biobusiness Award Winners Named – Twin Cities Business Magazine

By adminApril 29, 2017Uncategorized

One of the best ways to get a handle on which biomedical research is on a fast track to commercialization is by looking at the winners of the annual Biobusiness Awards handed out by Regenerative Medicine Minnesota, a publicly-funded initiative set up in 2014 to help build on the states leadership position in the emerging industry. Regenerative medicine is broadly defined as developing ways to replace, restore or regenerate damaged or malfunctioning cells and tissues. Most often it is through the use of stem cells, which can be transformedinto many different types of cells, such as skin cells, brain cells and lung cells. Regenerative medicine thus is presenting completely new ways to treat and manage chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart failure, and degenerative nerve, bone and joint conditions. As scientific techniques are refined and regenerative medicine develops into a potentially major industry, Minnesota has a head start thanks to the expertise of the Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota. Representatives of those two institutions sit on the board of Regenerative Medicine Minnesota (RMM), which was established by the Minnesota Legislature three years ago. The initiative was endowed with a $43.6 million allocation over a 10-year span with a mission to find and fund the best ideas in regenerative medicine. Its goals are to create an educated public and a specialized workforce; develop an environment to attract and support biotechnology industry; build the infrastructure to deliver new medical therapies; and ultimately, bring those discoveries and new treatments to Minnesotans throughout the state. For health care industry analysts and investors, probably the most germane of the six categories of RMM grants are the Biobusiness Awards, which supply up to $100,000 for projects to develop Minnesota businesses and technologies that deliver regenerative medicine products, devices, and services. This can include such things as buying research equipment, product testing, hiring personnel, building capacity, etc. In that regard, the award winners projects are in expansion mode, and so are more likely to be advancing toward commercialization. The 2017 Biobusiness Award winners were announced this month. Heres a rundown:

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Regenerative Medicine Minnesota Biobusiness Award Winners Named - Twin Cities Business Magazine

Four New Types Of Human Blood Cell Discovered – IFLScience

By adminApril 29, 2017Uncategorized

The human body is probably the most studied biological system ever. Youd think that by now wed know all there is to know about our lungs, skin, and kidneys. But time and again, scientists keep uncovering yet another facet of our own make-up. Now, researchers have discovered four new types of blood cells that we didnt know existed.

Previously, types of blood cells have been identified based on the particular proteins they express on their surfaces, but this technique can miss difficult-to-identify or rare classes of blood cells. To refine this, the researchers have used something called single-cell genomics, which allows them to look in detail at the differences in gene expression between different cells. In doing so, they gaina much more accurate picture as to what cell types exist.

By doing this, they have been able to uncover four new classes of white blood cells. A crucial part of the immune system, white blood cells are subdivided into different types that play different roles in the fight against infection. This latest study, published inScience, has found two new types of dendritic cells and two new types of monocyte cells.

Dendritic cells play a crucial role in linking the innate immune system, which involves the defences such as skin and membranes that help fight infection, and the adaptive immune system, in which specialized cells process and eliminate pathogens,as well asretain a memory should they face the same infection again. The role of the dendritic cells is to take up fragments of the antigen infecting the body and then present parts of it on their surface to educate T-cells, which then hunt down and kill the pathogen.

The monocyte cells provide a different role within the immune system. They are the largest type of white blood cell, and can go on to form what are known as macrophages, which go to the site of infection and gobble up and digest the pathogens, removing them from the body.

In this study, scientists have used cutting-edge technologies to find that there are many more types of cell than we originally thought," explains Divya Shah, from Wellcomes Infection and Immunobiology team, who helped fund the study. "The next step is to find out what each of these cell types do in our immune system, both when were healthy and during disease.

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Four New Types Of Human Blood Cell Discovered - IFLScience

New study reveals how embryonic cells make spinal cord, muscle and bone – Medical Xpress

By adminApril 29, 2017Uncategorized

April 28, 2017 Neurons (red) and muscle cells (green) produced from NMPs in the laboratory. Credit: James Briscoe, Francis Crick Institute

A study from scientists at the Francis Crick Institute, the Max-Delbrck Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin and the University of Edinburgh sheds new light on the cells that form spinal cord, muscle and bone tissue in mammalian embryos.

This discovery paves the way for generating these tissues from stem cells in the laboratory and could lead to new ways of studying degenerative conditions such as motor neuron disease and muscular dystrophy.

In embryos, the spinal cord, muscle and skeleton are produced from a group of cells called NMPs (neuro-mesodermal progenitors). These cells are few in number and exist only for a short time in embryos, despite giving rise to many tissues in the body. Their scarcity and inaccessibility has made studying NMPs challenging. Now, by using the latest molecular techniques, the research team has for the first time deciphered gene activity in NMPs. They used an advanced technique called single-cell transcriptional profiling, which analyses individual cells to provide a detailed picture of gene activity in every cell.

The technique allowed the team to establish a molecular signature of NMPs and to show that NMPs produced from stem cells in petri dishes in the laboratory closely resemble those found in embryos. This enabled the team to use lab-grown NMPs to learn more about these cells and how they make spinal cord, muscle and bone tissue. By manipulating the cells in petri dishes and testing the function of specific genes, the researchers re-constructed the regulatory mechanism and formulated a mathematical model that explains how NMPs produce the appropriate amounts of spinal cord and musculoskeletal cells.

Dr James Briscoe, who led the research from the Francis Crick Institute said:

"For embryonic development to progress smoothly, NMPs must make the right types of cells, in the right numbers at the right time. Understanding how cells such as NMPs make decisions is therefore central to understanding embryonic development. Single cell profiling techniques, including the ones we used in this study, are giving us unprecedented insight into this problem and offering a new and fascinating view of how embryos produce the different tissues that make up adults."

First author of the study Dr Mina Gouti, from the Max-Delbrck Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin said:

"Improving our understanding of NMPs doesn't only answer an important developmental biology question but also holds great promise for regenerative medicine. It takes us a step closer to being able to use tissue from patients with diseases that affect muscles and motor neurons in order to study the causes and progress of these diseases. Being able to grow cells in the laboratory that faithfully resemble those found in the body is crucial for this."

The paper, A gene regulatory network balances neural and mesoderm specification during vertebrate trunk development, is published in Developmental Cell.

Explore further: Researchers turn stem cells into somites, precursors to skeletal muscle, cartilage and bone

More information: Mina Gouti et al. A Gene Regulatory Network Balances Neural and Mesoderm Specification during Vertebrate Trunk Development, Developmental Cell (2017). DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2017.04.002

Adding just the right mixture of signaling moleculesproteins involved in developmentto human stem cells can coax them to resemble somites, which are groups of cells that give rise to skeletal muscles, bones, and cartilage ...

Researchers at the University of Maine MicroInstruments and Systems Laboratory (MISL), in collaboration with The Jackson Laboratory, have developed a new microfluidic tool that reproduces in the laboratory the same physiochemical ...

Cedars-Sinai scientists are seeking to build an improved stem-cell model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to accelerate progress toward a cure for the devastating neurological disorder. Their findings demonstrate that ...

esearchers from Hokkaido University in Japan together with an international team of scientists implanted specialized embryonic stem cells into the severed spinal cords of rats. The stem cells, called neural progenitor cells, ...

Caltech scientists have converted cells of the lower-body region into facial tissue that makes cartilage, in new experiments using bird embryos. The researchers discovered a "gene circuit," composed of just three genes, that ...

New research has unravelled the mystery of how mitochondriathe energy generators within cellscan withstand attacks on their DNA from rogue molecules.

A team of researchers at Sahlgrenska Academy has managed to generate cartilage tissue by printing stem cells using a 3-D-bioprinter. The fact that the stem cells survived being printed in this manner is a success in itself. ...

A gene previously identified as critical for tumor growth in many human cancers also maintains intestinal stem cells and encourages the growth of cells that support them, according to results of a study led by Johns Hopkins ...

Using new gene-editing technology, researchers have rewired mouse stem cells to fight inflammation caused by arthritis and other chronic conditions. Such stem cells, known as SMART cells (Stem cells Modified for Autonomous ...

Researchers hope to one day use stem cells to heal burns, patch damaged heart tissue, even grow kidneys and other transplantable organs from scratch. This dream edges closer to reality every year, but one of the enduring ...

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New study reveals how embryonic cells make spinal cord, muscle and bone - Medical Xpress

The irrefutable success of stem cell treatments Miami’s Community … – Miami’s Community Newspapers

By adminApril 29, 2017Stem Cell Treatment

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In my opinion, one of the hardest things to accept is a new type of medical treatment, particularly when it changes the philosophy, parameters and overall results that we are expecting and basically used to receiving. Stem cells are undoubtedly no exception to this rule.

About six weeks ago, Eduardo K (a Cuban doctor with a Masters Degree from the University of Pittsburg in internal medicine and nephrology), brought his wife Maria to our institute, in order to assess the possibility of using stem cells to cure the severe chronic pain in her ankle; a pain so severe that it was basically hindering her ability to walk. Dr. K also expressed his extreme hesitation and concerns about having his wife involved in an invasive ankle surgery at this stage of her adult life.

However, while conducting our usual examining process, reviewing her medical records and MRIs and thoroughly discussing my overall recommendations about a potential stem cell transplant, I quickly realized that Dr. K was not a true believer in Stem Cell therapies, since he thought that there was not much medical evidence of their actual effectiveness and he ultimately also confessed that his wife had basically dragged him to accompany her to this particular appointment.

As always, I respectfully explained the reality that stem cells actually repair the damaged cartilage in a microscopic type fashion and thus, while this repair process would not be clearly reflected immediately on future X-rays, I assured them that the pain she was suffering from will soon subside and possibly even completely disappear. In addition, I expressed that I was extremely confident that she would also regain her mobility skills after the procedure, even if this improvement could not be easily detected via a radiological image.

Since Marias options were somewhat limited, added to the fact that months of traditional physical therapy, injections, medications and previous surgeries had completely failed her, Dr. K finally agreed to grant his wifes wishes to have her stem cell transplant (from her own bone marrow and fat) performed, although he was still very skeptical about the process and was showing little enthusiasm.

This morning, both of them attended our follow up appointment (six weeks after the procedure) and surprisingly, Maria and Dr. K happily confirmed that she felt at least 60 percent better, something that no previous traditional medical treatments had been able to accomplish. It was then that I explained to them that her stem cells had acted much faster than expected (something that possibly taught Dr. K an interesting lesson).

As we began to say our goodbyes, the doctor told me (first in English, then in Spanish) that: in spite of my skepticism about stem cell therapies, I can personally attest that the successful results seen on my wife have been irrefutable, and with a smile on both of their faces, they gratefully thanked my staff and I for this amazing improvement.

As I continued to replay the words expressed by this doctor over and over in my mind, I quickly realized how truly incredulous human beings tend to be, with most of us often needing to fail several times at accomplishing something before being able to realize and accept that we were truly mistaken in the first place!

So if you, a friend or relative would like to receive Stem Cell or PRP treatments, please call us at 305-598-7777. For information visit: http://www.stemcellmia.com (available in both English and Spanish), or watch our amazing video-testimonies on our YouTube Chanel and also please follow us on Facebook and Twitter. If you would like to ask a question directly to Dr. Castellanos, please do so via his direct email: stemdoc305@gmail.com.

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Benefit to defray cost of stem cell treatment set for May 7 – WatertownDailyTimes.com

By adminApril 29, 2017Stem Cell Treatment

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CARTHAGE To help defray the costs of a Carthage natives stroke treatment, friends and family will host a benefit from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday, May 7, at the Bassett-Baxter American Legion Post 789, 415 West St.

A stroke left Cynthia Wright completely paralyzed, unable to speak and to swallow on Thanksgiving Day 2015. After treatment, she regained her speech and some movement but was still weak on her left side. After a year, she recovered somewhat being able to walk and talk but her left arm and hand were still not functioning.

Ms. Wright, who now lives in Redwood, said she walks daily to regain her strength and coordination. She has been able to return to work, overseeing operations at five locations in the state Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Department.

I did the best I could with what I have Im not one to sit around and mope, she said.

To Ms. Wright, a member of St. James Family Choir, the loss of her singing voice was as tragic as losing the use of her arm.

I cant put into words how bad I felt losing my singing voice that was the worst part for me, she said.

Ms. Wright also had sung for private events and had been active in the Carthage Little Theater, including playing the lead in Funny Girl in the 1990s.

After seeing a television news report about the use of stem cell treatments to reverse the effects of strokes, Ms. Wright had hopes for a more complete recovery. She was approved for treatment at StemGenex Medical Group in California.

The treatment involved harvesting her own stem cells and injecting the treated cells into her arm, leg and through her nostrils.

She said the treatment was not bad at all and only took a couple of hours to complete after the harvesting on the first day.

Some results have been noticed more arm movement and better speech but she said it could take three to six months to see real results, which would come a little at a time.

Since the treatment is not FDA approved, Ms. Wright had to come up with the $16,000 needed for the treatment plus travel expenses.

Entertainment at the benefit will be provided by the Amarillo Band, a country/rock band from Watertown, who will host a band jam also featuring Dirty Sally, the Britton Brothers and Southbound. Food.

There will also be 50/50 raffles, a wine pull and a Chinese auction.

We wanted to do this for Cindy to show our love and support, said Tamara Charette, Ms. Wrights sister and the events organizer.

She said they are still seeking donations of auction items; donors can call 315-493-1794 to make arrangements.

The benefit committee is also selling raffle tickets for a half of a cow from Noltzs of Lowville. The winning ticket will be drawn at the benefit.

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Benefit to defray cost of stem cell treatment set for May 7 - WatertownDailyTimes.com