Scientists have known for some time that Down Syndrome, the most common chromosomal abnormality, is caused by an additional chromosome #21. However, new fetal stem cell research is demonstrating that it is not only the presence of this additional chromosome, but also what the genes are missing, that may impede the development of a Down Syndrome brain.All 50 Secrets of the Sequence videos have an accompanying classroom-tested lesson that encourages students to further explore the video topics. Each lesson includes background information, state and national science standards, discussion questions and answers, teacher notes and an activity that will ensure a hands-on, “minds-on” experience. To see lessons for this series, visit www.pubinfo.vcu.edu
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Citation Details Title: Advanced heart failure patients significantly improved after being injected with fe
This digital document is an article from Internal Medicine News, published by Thomson Gale on October 1, 2005. The length of the article is 536 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details Title: Fetal stem cells reported to boost failing hearts: a small pilot study in Ecuador finds benef
Medra Inc | Dr William C Rader : The Power of Fetal Stem Cells to reverse a child’s fatal disease.
Azzore Veterinary Specialists is pleased to announce a new minimally invasive treatment for dogs with chronic hip dysplasia: BioScaffold implantation. Bioscaffold is engineered collagen which allows the patient’s naturally produced stem cells to function like fetal stem cells, decreasing inflammation and modifying diseased cartilage, bone and connective tissue to a more normal healthy state. In a series of clinical trials, dogs with chronic hip dysplasia had significantly decreased pain and improved function for over 9 months time with a single implant. Ideal candidates for this procedure would be dogs that are not candidates for total hip replacement due to costs or age, or dogs that are not tolerant of NSAID therapy. Before and after video.
New discoveries in the field of stem cell research have frequently appeared in the news and in scientific literature. Research in this area promises to lead to new therapies for cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and a wide variety of other diseases.
This two-volume reference integrates this exciting area of biology, combining the prerequisites for a general understanding of adult and embryonic stem cells, the tools, methods, and experimental protocols needed to study and characterize stem
In the expanding world of biotechnology, cells taken from aborted fetuses are seen as a promising resource for developing a variety of medical curesalthough their use has sparked intense controversy. This program examines stem cell and fetal tissue research programs in the United States, Japan, and China and highlights the ethical concerns that surround these projects. Explaining why stem cells cultivated from embryonic or fetal tissue are useful for transplant work and for developing treatments
Blood stem cell, leukemia link illuminated in UCSF-led study
A UCSF-led team has discovered at least one key reason why blood stem cells are susceptible to developing the genetic mutations that can lead to adult leukemia. Their finding also may explain, they say, why some other age-related hematological disorders develop. Read more on UCSF News Office
Merlin Protein Found To Control Liver Stem Cells, Prevent Tumor Development
A protein known to be involved in a rare hereditary cancer syndrome may have a role in the regulation of liver stem cells and the development of liver cancer. In the August 15 issue of Genes & Development, a Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) research team describes finding that the protein called merlin, encoded by the NF2 (neurofibromatosis type 2) gene, controls the activity of adult stem … Read more on Medical News Today
Merlin Protein Found To Control Liver Stem Cells, Prevent Tumor Development
A protein known to be involved in a rare hereditary cancer syndrome may have a role in the regulation of liver stem cells and the development of liver cancer. In the August 15 issue of Genes & Development, a Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) research team describes finding that the protein called merlin, encoded by the NF2 (neurofibromatosis type 2) gene, controls the activity of adult … Read more on redOrbit
This is the first handbook on the whole field of stem cell research covering (1) molecular and cellular fundamentals, (2) clinical applications and (3) GMP processing. It provides a timely overview of the potential and plasticity of adult stem cells. With its focus on standardization and quality control of cell lines suited for processing and clinical trials, the book features novel therapeutic approaches that offer great promise for new ways of treating neural, hematological and cardiovascular
Fetal stem cells are extracted from the developing tissues and organs of a terminated fetus. A fetus contains a relatively large supply of stem cells which are needed for growth and maturation.
There are a few issues with using fetal stem cells for treatment purposes:
1. There is an ethical and moral debate regarding the use of fetal tissue for treatment and research purposes.
2. There is a risk of tissue rejection (similar to the rejection in a heart, liver or blood transplant).
Embryonic stem cells:
Embryonic stem cells are extracted from a human egg that has been fertilized by a sperm. These stem cells are pluripotent; this means that they can transform into any cell type found in the body with no restrictions or limitations. Embryonic stem cells can easily be matured into any functional adult cells and have the potential to treat diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Diabetes, Cancer and more.
Two main issues surrounding the use of embryonic stem cells for treatment purposes:
1. The ethical and moral debate regarding the use of a fertilized human egg for research and treatment purposes.
2. The potential for tissue rejection (similar to the rejection in a heart, liver or blood transplant).
Adult stem cells:
Adult stem cells are the reserve supply of cells extracted from adult organs and tissues. Their function is to repair damaged cells. Adult stem cells are semi-programmed, for instance, a skin stem cell cannot develop into a heart muscle cell. They can only develop into skin cells.
Cord blood stem cells are extracted from the umbilical cord. They can only transform into different types of blood cells. Cord blood stem cells can be used to treat a number of blood related diseases and cancers.
In using a patient’s own stem cells the risk of rejection is minimized and the process is less invasive as compared to the extraction of bone marrow. The curative benefits of cord blood stem cells have not yet been realized.
Recent progress in stem cell research
Recently, there have been discoveries suggesting that cord blood stem cells and other adult stem cells, under the right circumstances, may be conditioned to transform into organ cells. On Feb. 11, 2008, in an early online edition of the research journal Proceedings of the National Academy of the Sciences, UCLA researchers published their progress regarding genetic alteration of human skin cells to create cells that are nearly identical to human embryonic stem cells.
Cord blood stem cells have been used to treat a variety of different diseases. A list of common treatments is available at www.mazecordblood.com/cordblood-transplant.htm. In addition, a number of researchers are working on a variety of exciting treatments using cord blood. These include treatments for diabetes and cerebral palsy.
In Barcelona on June 2008, doctors implanted a newly constructed windpipe into a 30 year old patient. The windpipe was partially constructed with tissue grown from the patient’s own adult stem cells. This is one of the first transplants in which the doctors created a functional, biological structure that can’t be rejected. This advancement eliminates the need for anti-rejection drugs, which can often be accompanied by side effects such as high blood pressure, cancer and kidney failure. Details of the Clinical transplantation of a tissue-engineered airway can be found online in The Lancet medical journal.
These examples of stem cell treatment illustrate the healing potential of stem cell research.
Read a more detailed version of this article. http://www.mazecordblood.com/stem-cell-white-paper.htm
Michael A. Werner, MD is the clinical director of M.A.Z.E. Cord Blood Laboratories, www.mazecordblood.com. He is a specialist in the cryobanking (freezing) of health products. He personally oversees the cord blood banking process at M.A.Z.E. Dr. Werner is on the faculty of NYU College of Medicine, the New York Medical College and Einstein College of Medicine. He earned his medical degree from the University of California at San Francisco and completed his residency at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Manhattan.
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