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A new study from the Scripps Whittier Diabetes Institute in La Jollashows that texting could be as good as medication at improving Type 2 Diabetes management.

The study looked at a low-income Hispanic community, known to have a high-rate of diabetes.

Lower income individuals sometimes dont havethe education to know what is the right approach to taking care of diabetes," said Dr. Athena Philis-Tsimikas, who spearheaded the study.

The 63 participants who were randomly assigned to the study group received 354 texts over six months--about two to three short messages a day.

Some of the reminder texts read: "Use small plates! Portions will look larger and you may feel more satisfied after eating."

Another text said, "Time to check your blood sugar. Please text back your results."

Ninety-sixpercent of the study group participants said the text messages helped them to manage their diabetes "a lot" by the time the trial ended.

"I lost weight," said Gloria Favela, a mural artist from Valley Center. "My blood sugars dropped. They were at a really healthy level.

Published at 9:49 PM PDT on Jun 9, 2017 | Updated at 10:08 PM PDT on Jun 9, 2017

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Study Shows Texting Could Help Type 2 Diabetes Management - NBC 7 San Diego

The 77th Annual American Diabetes Association conference is set to begin today in San Diego. Running through Tuesday, the convention will highlight advances for the metabolic disease and likely bring further attention to ongoing issues that have been plaguing the space particularly, the rising cost of insulin and problems with patient adherence to treatment.

This years conference will include more than 15,000 participants looking to consume the 378 abstracts and 2,152 poster presentations. Much like the ADA conference last year, which was dominated by cardiovascular outcomes data for Eli Lilly & Co.s SGLT-2 inhibitor Jardiance (empagliflozin), some of the most pressing data will be further CV outcomes results.

The show isn't as relevant as it once was due to a dwindling diabetes pipeline, but there are still major pharma companies working diligently in the space. "This show has changed so much over the years because the business has changed so much. Diabetes drugs have really become commodities," said David Kliff long time investor, diabetic and author of industry newsletter the Diabetic Investor in an interview.

Here are several items from the conference that could get your blood sugar up:

Now that Lilly and Boehringer Ingelheim have garnered an updated label from the Food and Drug Administration for Jardiance that includes cardiovascular outcomes data from the EMPA-REG trial, other drugmakers are looking to prove that its a class-wide effect.

"If you look at Jardianceand the EMPA-REG data, which was really revolutionary it didn't really help them sales-wise," said Kliff. "This tells you about the power of the payer, it tells you that a lot of the experts believe it was a class-effect; these drugs are really becoming a commodity in a way."

Johnson & Johnson will be presenting data on Monday from its own cardiovascular outcomes trial for its SGLT-2 inhibitor Invokana (canagliflozin). The first in the class approved by the FDA, Invokana grew the market and has long been the market leader, but having outcomes data in hand has allowed Lilly and Boehringer to gain ground.

The 10,000-patient strong CANVAS clinical trial program will provide further insight into the cardiovascular benefits of one of diabetes youngest classes of drugs. Lilly and Boehringer will also be making six presentations beginning Saturday further discussing EMPA-REG.

J&J isnt the only company presenting cardiovascular outcomes data. Novo Nordisk will be presenting further data from the 7,000-patient DEVOTE study comparing its basal insulin Tresiba (insulin degludec) with long-time market leader Lantus (insulin glargine).

The initial results were announced last November and showed that Tresiba was non-inferior to Lantus although not superior. Although the Novo drug did show superiority on the secondary endpoint of hypoglycemia.

Novo Nordisk is now seeking approval from the FDA to get the info added to the label. Yet, the agency has been fairly strict with diabetes companies and hasnt considered things like hypoglycemia to be major differentiators.

Keep an eye out Monday for more insight on how the struggling Danish drugmaker might seek further differentiation from competitors.

Amgen and competitors Regeneron and Sanofi have been making headlines for two years now for their pricey cholesterol-lowering PCSK9 inhibitors. Those headlines have gotten ugly, as both Repatha (evolocumab) and Praluent (alirocumab) continue to struggle commercially. Those struggles are further compounded by the ongoing legal battle between the companies over patent rights.

Diabetes is an area that PCSK9 inhibitors have only dabbled in. The high-risk patient population has been included minimally in previous clinical trials, but new data to be presented on Sunday will focus on trials specifically geared toward diabetes patients.

Previous clinical data has shown correlations between PCSK9 levels and insulin levels, but the new studies will look at the safety, tolerability and efficacy in the glycemic-related endpoints.

If the PCSK9 inhibitors are successful in this patient population, then this could be the commercial boost that these players need to finally make a dent in the market.

Both Apple and Google have been moving beyond their respective realms of computer hardware and the internet to get into healthcare.

While neither company has yet to enter the realm of clinical trials and drug development, they are about to make a splash on the diabetes landscape. Apple has partnered up with Dexcom to bring constant glucose monitoring to the Apple Watch. This addition could be a major advancement for patient adherence, allowing patients to have easier access to glucose numbers and better monitor their blood sugar.

Meanwhile, Googles sister company Verily teamed up with Sanofi to launch OnDuo, a company meant to combine Verilys software expertise with Sanofis diabetes experience to bring disease management solutions to patients.

Both of these deals are part of a larger trend toward using technology to bring better drug adherence solutions to patients. Technology is bringing to patients tools such as smart pill bottles to help them track doses, and cell phone apps that give them reminders about both taking medications and getting to physician appointments.

One of the many symposia to be presented throughout the long-weekend will deal with the rising cost of insulin. On Saturday, conference goers will be able to hear about how the diabetes staple has risen in price and what it means for the market and patients.

Companies including Novo Nordisk, Lilly and Sanofi have been under fire even facing law suits over how insulin prices have risen in recent years.

Yet, some in the industry argue the pharma companies arent to blame, that they are just complying with market forces while dealing with a complex payment system. "This isn't simple math, it's algebra. There are just tons of variables," said Kliff. "Insulin really doesn't cost too much. People get lost in the cash-paying side of the market, which is small percentage. If you have insurance it costs like nothing. A lot of patients don't understand rebates and net prices and all these other things."

While the industry will continue to point to the third-party payers as the evil doers of pricing, expect that debate to rage on, especially as more biosimilar insulins enter the market and put further pressure on pricing dynamics.

See the article here:
ADA preview: 5 things to watch in diabetes - BioPharma Dive

A new class of type 2 diabetes drugs called SGLT2 inhibitors could increase the risk of a rare, life-threatening complication of the disease called ketoacidosis, a new study warns.

SGLT2 inhibitors include prescription medications such as canagliflozin, dapagliflozin and empagliflozin. Brand names are Invokana, Invokamet, Farxiga, Xigduo XR, Jardiance and Glyxambi.

These drugs first became available in 2013, but in 2015 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning about an increased risk for diabetic ketoacidosis when SGLT2 inhibitors are used.

The condition typically occurs in people with type 1 diabetes. And while it is uncommon in people with type 2 diabetes, case reports have shown it can occur with type 2 disease, according to the study authors.

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Some diabetes patients are begging doctors for free samples of life-saving insulin because of costs. Between 2002 and 2013, the price of insulin ...

Ketoacidosis can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, shortness of breath and swelling in the brain. Left untreated, the condition can be fatal, the researchers said.

The new study "essentially confirms what doctors had already suspected," said diabetes expert Dr. Stanislaw Klek, an endocrinologist at NYU Winthrop Hospital in Mineola, N.Y.

"Fortunately, the rate of diabetic ketoacidosis is still very low and should not prevent the usage of this medication class," he added. "It is important to be aware of this potential complication and monitor for symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis, particularly during periods of illness."

In the new study, researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston analyzed data from 40,000 people with type 2 diabetes. They found that those taking SGLT2 inhibitors were twice as likely to develop diabetic ketoacidosis than those taking another class of diabetes drugs called DPP4 inhibitors (drugs such as Januvia and Onglyza).

Still, the risk to any one patient remains very slim, the researchers stressed. They estimated that among patients taking an SGLT2 inhibitor, only about 1 in every 1,000 patients would develop ketoacidosis.

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A new World Health Organization report says that cases of diabetes have skyrocketed, quadrupling from 108 million worldwide in 1980 to over 420 m...

The findings were published June 8 in theNew England Journal of Medicine.

Even though diabetic ketoacidosis is uncommon, doctors need to closely monitor type 2 diabetes patients for signs and symptoms of the complication, said study author Dr. Michael Fralick. He's from Brigham and Women's division of pharmacoepidemiology and pharmacoeconomics.

"This is a side effect that's usually seen in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus -- not type 2 -- so doctors are not 'on the lookout' for it," Fralick said in a hospital news release. "That means that the risk of this side effect might actually be even higher than what we found due to misdiagnosis/under-recording."

Dr. Minisha Sood is an endocrinologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. Reviewing the findings, she explained that SGLT2 inhibitors "have been a welcome addition to the arsenal of glucose [blood sugar]-lowering medications. They lower blood glucose by increasing the amount of glucose eliminated through the urine."

But the drugs may interfere with levels of a particular hormone, glucagon, which in turn leads to an unhealthy rise in acids called ketones. "When ketone acids build up in the system, this can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis," Sood explained.

She agreed that patients and doctors should be alert to the rare but potential risk for diabetic ketoacidosis, especially in the early weeks after a person starts taking an SLGT2 inhibitor.

But Sood believes the study findings are not reason for patients to immediately switch to another form of diabetes medication.

"SLGT2 inhibitors work extremely well to control diabetes [and they have the added benefit of lowering blood pressure and weight as well] so the benefits definitely outweigh the risks of therapy," she said.

Read more:
Diabetes drugs linked to higher risk for rare but deadly complication ... - CBS News

Its become a punchline in the tech industry that every start-up is out to change the world. When it comes to medical technology, however, some of the biggest names in Silicon Valley are poised to do just that.

Apple, Google and Amazon have announced or are reported to be developing cutting-edge technologies for managing diabetes, one of the fastest-growing chronic illnesses, affecting more than 420 million people worldwide.

Experts say were at the dawn of a new era of personal technology for a variety of chronic conditions, including diabetes, heart disease and hypertension.

It really isnt a surprise youd see companies like Apple and Google focusing on this, said Mike Matson, a senior analyst at the investment firm Needham & Co. Theyre always looking for new opportunities for growth and healthcare is a big market.

Managing a chronic condition can depend on easy access to data, he said. If youre a Google or Apple, you know how to manage data.

The latest diabetes-related tech endeavor to be announced is the Alexa Diabetes Challenge, which focuses on finding ways for the Amazon Echo smart speaker and its Alexa digital assistant to assist people with Type 2 diabetes in living healthier lives.

Type 2 is by far the most common form of diabetes, frequently associated with obesity. Roughly 95% of the nearly 30 million Americans with diabetes are Type 2.

The Alexa challenge features a $125,000 grand prize for whoever comes up with the best diabetes app for the Amazon Echo, as well as $25,000 each for up to five finalists. Funding is being provided by the drug company Merck, manufacturer of the Type 2 meds Januvia and Janumet.

Not surprisingly for the tech industry, the contest boasts a very fast pace. It was announced in April. The deadline for submissions was last month. Finalists will be announced in July. Demos of selected apps will be conducted in September and a grand prize winner will be announced in October.

Its thus entirely possible that people with diabetes may be using some of these apps by the end of the year. An Amazon spokeswoman declined to comment.

Theres so much information for diabetes management available, said Sara Holoubek, chief executive of Luminary Labs, a New York consulting firm thats organizing the Alexa Diabetes Challenge on behalf of Merck and Amazon. So why is it still so hard to get that information? Maybe we can change that.

Alexas voice control is the key. Whereas someone newly diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes might not know where to start in researching and managing the disease, being able to ask Alexa basic questions may help get people on the right track.

What can I eat? How much exercise should I get? Holoubek said, citing some of the unknowns that suddenly arise with a diabetes diagnosis. Normally youd ask your endocrinologist or diabetes educator. Alexa could be like having an educator in your home.

But thats just a start. Holoubek said Merck and Amazon envision a networked household that incorporates various smart devices. For example, a person with Type 2 diabetes might weigh himself on a smart scale, which would transmit data to the Echo. The persons blood-glucose monitor would do likewise.

Now imagine if the person asks Alexa if it would be OK to eat some potato chips. Alexa theoretically would be able to calculate the effect this could have on his or her blood sugar. The system would be able to suggest how much activity would be needed to balance things out or, better still, come up with a more healthful snack.

I have Type 1 diabetes the autoimmune form that requires daily insulin injections and managing the disease is a full-time job. I already have some very cool gizmos. I wear a glucose sensor on my torso that sends data to my iPhone, which in turn feeds my blood sugar level to my Pebble smartwatch for easy viewing.

I have an Amazon Echo at home. It would be awesome if I could simply ask Alexa what my blood sugar is if Im puttering around the house without my watch on, or if Im in any danger of my sugar level crashing.

How great would it be if I could ask Alexa how many carbs are in a plate of spaghetti carbonara? Or even have Alexa calculate my insulin dose before a meal?

To be sure, theres much testing to be done and federal approvals to be obtained before such systems are handling anything like that. But the Alexa Diabetes Challenge offers a clear indication that the tech industry is pushing boundaries.

Apple reportedly is busy on this front as well, but, as usual, the company is keeping its cards close to the vest.

According to recent, anonymously sourced reports, Apple is devoting significant resources, and big bucks, to giving its Apple Watch the ability to monitor blood sugar without a sensor being inserted under the skin (such as the one I use).

Others have tried and failed to accomplish this feat, so if Apple can pull it off, this would represent a huge breakthrough in diabetes care.

The company reportedly has dozens of biomedical researchers trying to measure blood sugar using optical sensors, perhaps implanted within the band of the Apple Watch. The sensors would shine a light through the skin that would provide readings in a painless, noninvasive fashion.

CNBC reported last month that Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook was spotted wearing a prototype glucose-tracker with his Apple Watch. As best as I can tell, Cook doesnt have diabetes, so hes apparently been using himself as a guinea pig to see how well his companys technology responds to different foods he eats.

No one at Apple got back to me.

For its part, Googles parent company, Alphabet, announced last year that its life-sciences subsidiary, Verily, was partnering with the French drug company Sanofi on a $500-million joint venture aimed at improving diabetes care. Verily has a separate partnership with the British drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline.

Among the various technologies Verily is pursuing is a smart contact lens that would monitor blood sugar levels. Its being developed in conjunction with the Swiss drug company Novartis.

Like Apple and Amazon, Google clammed up when I got in touch.

Read more:
'Alexa, what's my blood sugar level and how much insulin should I take?' - Los Angeles Times

Wayne State University has received a $3.05 million grant from the National Institute of Health for a five-year trial focused on helping parents and other caretakers assist diabetic adolescents to complete their daily care.

The trial is aimed at African-American young people diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, because they are considered to be at higher risk for poor diabetes management, according to Wayne State's website.

The five-year trial will study a computer-delivered intervention during doctor visits that reminds and motivates parents to stay involved in their child's care, the university said in a statement. During visits to the clinic, caretakers will be given a tablet on which an avatar will take them through a sort of multimedia course that includes informational video clips, testimonials, motivational content and goal-setting strategies. Test trials have already been conducted and indicate that the intervention is effective.

"Research has shown that maintaining high levels of parental involvement and supervision of daily diabetes care is a critical predictor of youth diabetes management," said Deborah Ellis, Ph.D., professor of family medicine and public health sciences in Wayne State's School of Medicine. "However, physicians do not always have time to discuss parenting behaviors during busy clinic visits."

It will be rolled out in October at the Children's Hospital of Michigan as well as three sites in Chicago, Ellis said. Between 200 and 250 African-American adolescents will be included in this trial.

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WSU gets $3 million NIH grant for improving diabetes care in youth - Crain's Detroit Business

America, do you rightfully expect our 45th president to defend and protect our constitutional freedoms or do you blandly trust him to say and do what he feels like at any moment in time? Facts are subjective to scrutiny to verify that the stated information is indeed factual. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America is a promise, sacred and cherished, to protect and defend each of us, all of us, whether this is your country of birth or country by choice. It is not allegiance to any one person regardless of their position of power. Our forefathers must have had the brilliant insight and instinct to foresee possible future consequences of any abuse of power and so none of the three branches of government (executive, legislative, judicial) could have its power left unchecked. It is called balance of power and checks and balances for that very reason. It may only take one person to be deceitful and duplicitous, but it takes at least two to activate the deception two entities, two governments, two countries it still takes two. Collusion may be corrupt or criminal or both. In any case, democracy has its very foundation in truth. It has survived and thrived in America for over 240 years that is provable; that is a fact. Thankfully, democracy is our very foundation.

So what really happened on 11/8/2016? Inquiring minds want to know. What really prompted the firing of FBI Director James Comey? Was it just another example of someone getting far too close for comfort to the truth? Truth requires transparency. Why not have an independent, nonpartisan special investigation into allegations that a foreign government was possibly involved and influenced the outcome of a presidential election in a democracy? Why are so many so terrified of the truth, and what it would reveal? Was the presidents firing of Director Comey just another way of his diversion of factual knowledge being secured when Director Comey was in search of the truth about what actually transpired between two countries with some obvious contradictions? It is not inconceivable, to me, that any individual of any country could alter the potential future of a healthy and active democracy. It felt like I was witnessing the presidential version of The Price Is Right. Director Comey is invited to Come on down and choose Door #1 (personal loyalty), Door #2 (see no evil/hear no evil) or Door #3 (conscience/integrity). Fortunately for America, Mr. Comey chose Door #3 because his allegiance is and was to one nation under God. Unfortunately, Door #3 was also the exit door to transparency and truth. Doesnt anyone else see this as obstruction of justice in seeking some definitive answers to actually proving if any criminal activity was involved, and if so, who, exactly, were the criminals involved? Perhaps when an independent investigation is initiated and completed, Americans will better appreciate our democracy. In the meantime, there are some undisputed facts that all of us need to remember:

Fact #1: America is not for sale. Not now. Not ever.

Fact #2: America is a democracy and as such our Constitution must be protected and preserved.

Fact #3: Our 45th president (and all presidents to follow) is not the CEO of America. Our nation is not a business. He is our employee for our nation, as in We the People.

Fact #4: No president is above or beyond the reach of the law, as in the I word, aka Youre fired.

Fact #5: If youre not outraged, youre not listening.

Did this president, elected only six months ago, somehow miss his high school Civics/Government 101 class or in his ignorance or arrogance has he not even read the U.S. Constitution? (Fortunately, his predecessor taught constitutional law and upheld it in highest regard.) Or is it that he believes that the world, and the United States of America, revolve around him? Incorrect assumption. To assume is to make an ASS of U not me. This so reminds me of not too many years ago when *CIA operative Valerie Plame and her husband were getting much too close to the truth about our countrys actual reasoning for invading Iraq. And then not so coincidentally her identity was accidentally leaked to a reporter, thus terminally compromising her safety and security while undermining the security of our own country. There are no coincidences. Power is a privilege but often it is used as a weapon of mass destruction. In a world of way too many warriors waging war without questioning, why are we not seeking transparency and truth? But if you actually believe the assertion that this inauguration in Washington, D.C., on 1/20/17 was attended by more people than the second inauguration of President Barack Obama in 2009, then Fact #5 is not applicable to you. Blindness, literally and figuratively, keeps you captive in the dark. However, I will trust a blind human being (without even a guide dog) over self-perpetuated blindness any day. Reality check, please. Seek answers. Find truth. Know justice.

Linda Principe lives in Thousand Oaks. *National Geographic, June 2017, Why Do We Lie?

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Blindness keeps you captive in the dark - Ventura County Reporter

HIGHLAND PARK TheFoundation Fighting Blindness,the worlds largest private funder of sight-saving retinal disease research, will host the 16thAnnual Artistry of Wine from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 22, at the Highland Park Country Club. Thistasting eventwelcomes some of the top restaurants in the Chicago area. It also includes a silent auction featuring many unique items and a sweepstakes drawing to win a chance to drive a new Tesla SUV for a long weekend.

The event benefits the foundations mission to advance research into preventions, treatments and cures for blinding retinal diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and retinitis pigments (RP)that affect more than 10 million Americans, young and old. As promising treatments move into critical human studies, the need for research funding is greater than ever.

Featured tasting stations at the event include: Bella Via, Bent Fork Bakery, Coopers Hawk Winery & Restaurant, Copper Fiddle Distillery, Half Day Brewing Company, Highland Park Country Club, KOVAL Distillery, La Macchina Caf, Maggianos Little Italy, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Onion Garden, Park Street, Pinstripes, Revolution Brewery, Spin-Spun Gourmet and Wildfire.

Artistry of Wine Co-Chairs and Foundation Fighting Blindness National Trustees Joel and Barbara Stone of Highland Park have two sons affected with Retinitis Pigmentosa. When our first son, Michael, was diagnosed we were told there is no treatment or cure for his degenerating retinal disease, says Barbara. Today there is still no cure, but thanks to the promising research funded by the Foundation Fighting Blindness, there is hope for a brighter future for all those affected with these blinding diseases.

About Foundation Fighting Blindness

The Foundation Fighting Blindness isa national non-profit organization driving the research that will lead to preventions, treatments and cures for retinitis pigmentosa, age-related macular degeneration, Usher syndrome and the entire spectrum of retinal diseases that affect more than 10 million Americans. Since 1971, the Foundation has raised nearly $700 million as the leading non-governmental funder of inherited retinal research. Breakthrough Foundation-funded studies using gene therapy have restored significant vision in children and young adults who were previously blind, paving the way for additional clinical trials to treat a variety of retinal diseases. The Foundation also has nearly 45 chapters that provide support, information and resources to affected individuals and their families in communities across the country.

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North Shore Restaurants Come Together to Fight Blindness on June ... - Daily North Shore

Normangee Star

Puma Biotechnology Inc (PBYI) Releases Quarterly Earnings Results, Beats Expectations By $0.09 EPS The Cerbat Gem Puma Biotechnology logo Puma Biotechnology Inc (NYSE:PBYI) issued its earnings results on Wednesday, May 10th. The biopharmaceutical company reported ($1.97) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the Thomson Reuters' consensus ... Puma Biotechnology (PBYI) Given Daily Media Impact Score of 0.33Stock Observer Royal Bank of Canada Analysts Give Puma Biotechnology Inc (PBYI) a $40.00 Price TargetTranscript Daily Puma Biotechnology's (PBYI) Buy Rating Reaffirmed at Stifel NicolausNormangee Star all 8 news articles »

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Puma Biotechnology Inc (PBYI) Releases Quarterly Earnings Results, Beats Expectations By $0.09 EPS - The Cerbat Gem

Huntingdon, Huntingdon County, Pa. - A Huntingdon boy has raised more than $11,000 to find a cure for a disease he's battling every single day.

Jonathon Schneider is just like any other nine-year-old boy.

He's active and loves to play soccer.

The only thing that makes sports a little harder is his juvenile arthritis.

So, he's raising money for research.

"This walk, I raise money to find a cure. There's probably a cure out here somewhere."

The arthritis started in his knees, then spread to his hips and hands.

Jonathon's mom Melissa says the arthritis was triggered by a tick bite which caused Lyme disease.

"After the Lymes was totally gone the pain was there, the swelling was still there and it ended up being this is arthritis."

Last year, Jonathon participated in an arthritis walk and raised $5,000.

This year he wants to double that goal.

"So I thought I would try $10,000 I did it and people helped and that," he explained.

Between his personal fundraiser page and his team page, he's topped that goal.

"That was amazing, just friends and families, moose lodges and friends we've met along the way that have said who doesn't even know Jonathon, just hands us money and says put this towards his walk," said Melissa proudly.

This year Jonathon had a big accomplishment at the Arthritis Walk in Pittsburgh.

He did made it one whole mile but it wasn't an easy one.

"It hurt and it didn't feel the best on my knees and at night time I got a little cranky because when my knees hurt I get a little cranky."

Jonathon's team is still collecting donations for arthritis research.

Donations will be accepted until June 15th.

Click here for the team pageand here for Jonathon's page.

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Boy raises more than 10k for arthritis research - WTAJ

By Robert Ashley, M.D.

A: Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is an organic sulfur-containing compound naturally found in plants such as Brussels sprouts, garlic, asparagus, kale, beans and wheat germ. It can also be found in horsetail, an herbal remedy. MSM, which has been touted as a treatment for arthritis, is related to a similar compound, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), that has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. MSM may have anti-inflammatory properties as well, but different from those associated with aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs). Unlike DMSO, which is a liquid applied at room temperature, MSM is a white crystalline compound -- hence the reference to "crystals."

As for whether it works, let's look at the evidence. A 2011 study performed in Israel assessed its impact on 50 people with arthritis of the knee. Twenty-five patients took a placebo, while 25 took 1.125 grams of MSM three times per day for 12 weeks. At 12 weeks, symptoms had worsened by 14 percent in the placebo group, but had improved by 20 percent in the MSM group. Pain had increased by 9 percent in the placebo group, but had decreased by 21 percent in the MSM group. Note that in this 12-week study, users noted no side effects.

A 2006 study also assessed MSM's impact on people with arthritis of the knee, with 25 people receiving a placebo and the other 25 receiving a 3-gram dose of MSM twice a day. At 12 weeks, pain had decreased by 25 percent in the MSM group, and by 13 percent in the placebo group. The physical function of the knee also improved with the use of MSM, but stiffness improved only slightly as compared to the placebo. This higher dose of MSM was associated with the mild side effects of bloating and constipation. One interesting note: The study authors found no change in inflammatory markers with MSM.

Lastly, a 2004 study from India compared the use of MSM, the use of glucosamine, the use of a combination and the use of a placebo for arthritis of the knee. After 12 weeks, patients who took 500 milligrams of MSM three times a day reported a significant reduction in pain and swelling of the knee. This was also seen in the group who took glucosamine. Those who took the combination of both MSM and glucosamine reported an additive benefit in regard to pain and swelling.

Granted, these are small studies, but they do show a slight benefit from MSM, but even milder than from Tylenol or NSAIDs. In these studies, the medication was used every day for 12 weeks, so I would assume that you would have to take MSM daily for a long period to see the benefit.

One important caveat: We don't know if there are any long-term side effects with MSM. If you do try it, start with 500 to 1,000 milligrams three times per day. That dose can be found in any drug or vitamin store.

Robert Ashley, M.D., is an internist and assistant professor of medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles. Send your questions to askthedoctors@mednet.ucla.edu, or write: Ask the Doctors, c/o Media Relations, UCLA Health, 924 Westwood Blvd., Suite 350, Los Angeles, CA, 90095. Owing to the volume of mail, personal replies cannot be provided.

If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us. We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom.

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ASK THE DOCTORS: Organic compound MSM could help arthritis ... - Bennington Banner (subscription)

Richard and Louise Blanchfield, who have developed a healthy cook book with recipes which helped Richard (Andrew Cawley / DC Thomson)

LOUISE Blanchfield watched as her husband Richard struggled to pull himself up from the chair.

She pondered what the doctor had said that he wouldnt get any better, he would get worse and could be in a wheelchair by the time he was 60.

At just 41 and a father of two young children she struggled to accept his deteriorating way of life.

So she decided to do what any doting wife would: find a solution.

Five years on, Richards crippling arthritis and bowel disease have all but disappeared.

And hes grateful to Louise every single day.

I just couldnt accept that was the future for my husband, Louise said. He deserved more than that.

Richard, 46, struggled with ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease, from the age of 18.

Things got worse five years ago when it developed into secondary inflammatory arthritis.

He needed help getting dressed and couldnt cook, which was something he loved.

Scientist and physiotherapist Louise took on the role of family chef and spent her nights trawling the internet once the couples kids Megan and Alec, now 12 and 9, were tucked up in bed, determined to end her husbands agony.

Louise learned that gluten could be a major factor in inflammation, so cut that from the familys diet, then dairy.

She started to follow clean eating methods, with salads and vegetables, and introduced more fish.

It was a slow process, but within months, Richards symptoms began to improve.

A few years on and the doting dad, who works in renewable energy, has made a miraculous recovery. He now regularly plays tennis and shows virtually no signs of arthritis.

His last colonoscopy showed a normal-looking bowel and hes in remission from colitis.

In a nutshell, Richard is better, said Louise, 42. He has the occasional arthritis flare-up, like at Christmas when he falls off the dietary wagon. Well, were not perfect!

People often dont connect what they eat with their health. But anything from infertility to migraines and digestion problems can be alleviated by closer attention to diet.

Louises foodie theory led her to take a course in nutritional therapy. Shes now qualified in the field and launched her new company, The Food Physio, last year.

The couple, from Freuchie in Fife, are in the final stages of completing a cookbook, The Food Physio: Eating My Way Back to Health, filled with gluten and dairy-free recipes, all of which have been tried and tested by the Blanchfields.

They hope it will hit the shelves this summer.

Richard was a non-believer and look at him now. Hes proof that it can work, said Louise.

When youre ill, it can feel like theres no light at the end of the tunnel. But you can lie down and accept it or try to make it better and we did just that.

To pre-order the book, visit thefoodphysio.com

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How wife's clean eating plan helped husband's crippling pain from arthritis and bowel disease all but disappear - The Sunday Post

Stem Cell Therapy: Repair and Regenerate Our Bodies

$USRM

Stem Cells 101: The primary purpose of stem cells is to maintain, heal and regenerate tissues wherever they reside in the body. This is a continuous process that occurs inside the body throughout life. If we did not have stem cells, our lifespan would be about 1 hour, because there would be nothing to replace exhausted cells or damaged tissue.

Notably: any time the body is exposed to any sort of toxin, the inflammatory process causes stem cells to swarm the area to repair the damage.

While it is easy to think of stem cell therapy as some sort of magic, it is wise to implement strategies that nourish and optimize the stem cells we already have in your body.

Dr. Kristin Comella, a notable Stem Cell innovator, writes: You have to create an appropriate environment for these cells to function in. If you are putting garbage into your body and youre constantly burdening your body with toxins, your stem cells are getting too distracted trying to fight off those toxins. By creating an appropriate environment, optimizing your diet and reducing exposure to toxins, that will allow the stem cells that were putting in to really home in and focus on the true issue that were trying to treat.

The other thing weve discovered over the years is that [stem cell therapy] is not the type of thing where you take one dose and youre cured forever. Your tissues are constantly getting damaged Youre going to have to repeat-dose and use those stem cells to your advantage.

When you think about a lizard that loses its tail, it takes two years to grow back the tail. Why would we put unrealistic expectations on the stem cells that were trying to apply to repair or replace damaged tissue? This is a very slow process. This is something that will occur over months and may require repeat dosing.

Stem cells historically were isolated from bone marrow, and have been used for bone marrow transplants for cancer patients since the 1930s. However, we can get stem cells from just about any tissue in the body, every tissue contains stem cells.

Actually our marrow has very low amounts of mesenchymal stem cells, which are now believed to be the most important, from a therapeutic perspective.

Mesenchymal stem cells help trigger an immunomodulatory response or a paracrine effect, which means they send signals out to the rest of the body, calling cells to the area to help promote healing.

What weve discovered in more recent years is that a more plentiful source of stem cells is actually your fat tissue. [Body] fat can contain up to 500 times more cells than your bone marrow, as far as these mesenchymal type stem cells go.

One thing thats also critically important when youre talking about isolating the cells is the number of other cells that are going to be part of that population. When youre isolating a bone marrow sample, this actually is very high in white blood cells, which are pro-inflammatory, Ms. Comella writes.

White blood cells are part of the human immune response.

When an injury occurs, or a foreign body enters our system, white blood cells will attack. Unfortunately, white blood cells do not discriminate, and can create quite a bit of damage as they clean the area out.

Stem cells, in particular the mesenchymal cells, quiet down the white blood cells and then start the regeneration phase, which leads to new tissue. Bone marrow tends to be very high in white blood cells and low in the mesenchymal cells.

So, isolating stem cells from fat tissue is preferred not only because its easier on the patient, but fat also contains a higher population of mesenchymal cells and fewer white blood cells.

The benefit also of isolating [stem cells from] fat is that its a relatively simple procedure. Theres typically no shortage of fat tissue, especially in Americans, Dr.. Comella says. Also, as you age, your bone marrow declines with regards to the number of cells in it, whereas the fat tissue maintains a pretty high number of stem cells, even in older individuals.

Fat can be successfully harvested from just about anyone, regardless of their age or how thin they are. The procedure is done under local anesthesia, meaning that the patient stays awake. We can harvest as few as 15 cubic centimeters of fat, which is a very small amount of fat, and still get a very high number of stem cells.

A stem cell procedure can cost anywhere from $5,000 15,000, depending on what one is having done, and rarely if ever will insurance cover it.

Still, when compared it to the cost of long-term medications or the out-of-pocket cost of getting a knee replacement, stem cell therapy may still be a less expensive alternative.

Also, a single extraction will typically yield enough stem cells for 20 to 25 future treatments, should one decide to store his/her stem cells for future needs.

I think its accessible for patients, Dr.. Comella says. Its an out-patient procedure. You plan to be in clinic for about two hours; no real limitations afterwards, just no submerging in water, no alcohol, no smoking for a week. But other than that, patients can resume their normal activities and go about their regular daily lives.

She notes that patients who eat a very healthy diet, focusing on Organic and grass fed foods, have body fat that is very hearty and almost sticky, yielding high amounts of very healthy stem cells.

We can grow much better and faster stem cells from that fat than [the fat from] somebody who eats a grain-based diet or is exposed to a lot of toxins in their diet, she says. Their fat tends to be very fluffy, buttery yellow. The cells that come out of that are not necessarily as good a quality. Its just been very interesting. And of note, patients that are cigarette smokers, their fat is actually gray-tinged in color. The stem cells do not grow well at all.

What has been described above is whats called an autologous donation, meaning a person is getting the stem cells from oneself. A number of companies provide non-autologous donations using cells harvested from other people, typically women, like amniotic or embryonic mesenchymal cells.

This is an important distinction.

There are now just a couple of studies that have been published comparing an autologous source, meaning cells from you own body, to an allogeneic source, meaning cells from someone else.

So far, what has been discovered is that the autologous cells will outperform somebody elses cells inside ones body. This is not fully understood yet. It may be that the environment that ones own cells function in, and that they used to that environment. They recognize it. It is the same DNA and they can function well there.

But, once the culture is expanded and a pure population of these mesenchymal cells, not necessarily the sample thats coming right off of the liposuction, but a sample that has been taken to the lab and grown, those cells will not elicit an immune response if you use them in someone else. You could scientifically and medically use those in an unmatched person. However, there are some regulatory aspects of that with regards to the FDA.

In the US, there are a variety of new stem cell products available, referred to as amniotic, cord blood products or placenta products, which are prepared at a tissue bank. Such facilities must be registered with the FDA, and the products must undergo additional processing.

For example, they must be morselized, or snap frozen or blended in some way. Such processing typically breaks the membrane, releasing growth factors, and the resulting products are called acellular, meaning there are no living cells remaining in the sample.

The amniotic products available in the US are not so much stem cell products as they are growth factor products.

Dr. Comella notes: They can be useful in creating an immunomodulatory response, which can help to promote healing, but that still differs from the living stem cell procedures that can be done by either isolating cells from your fat or bone marrow. As a general rule, you do not achieve the clinical benefits when using an amniotic product, primarily because they do not contain living stem cells.

I want to contrast that to what are called embryonic stem cells, Dr. Comella adds. The products obtained from cord blood, from women who are having babies, are not embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are when you are first bringing the egg and sperm together. Three days after that, you can isolate what is called an inner cell mass. This inner cell mass can be used to then grow cells in culture, or that inner cell mass could eventually lead to the formation of a baby.

Those are embryonic stem cells, and those are pluripotential, meaning that they have the ability to form an entire being, versus adult stem cells or stem cells that are present in amniotic tissue, [which] are multipotential, which only have the ability to form subsets of tissue.

When youre dealing with different diseases or damaged tissue or inflammation, mostly you want to repair tissue. If somebody has damage in their knee, they dont necessarily need embryonic cells because they dont need a baby in their knee. They need new cartilage in their knee.

A common question is whether stem cells can cause overgrowth, leading to cancer or tumor formation.

As noted by Dr. Comella, this is a problem associated with embryonic stem cells, which tend to grow very rapidly and can form a teratoma because of the rapid cell growth. Adult stem cells, the cells obtained from ones own body, have growth inhibitions and will not form teratomas.

The theoretical concern that has been addressed in animal models or in petri dishes is that if you take cancer cells that are growing in a dish and apply stem cells, it may make those cancer cells grow more rapidly. But this does not translate in-vivo to humans.

If there was truly an issue with applying stem cells to a patient who has cancer, we would know about it by now, because weve been dosing cancer patients with stem cells since the 1930s. The safety profile is strong and there are tens of thousands of patients documented with these treatments, Dr. Comella says.

Another useful therapy is platelet-rich plasma (PRP).

Our peripheral blood contains platelets, which act as 1st responders when theres an injury. They come in and start the clotting mechanism, thereby preventing one from bleeding to death. They also give marching orders to other cells.

For example: platelets can command stem cells to multiply and grow, or to differentiate and form new tissue.

These platelets also have many different growth factors associated with them, which can help to promote healing and stop inflammation. PRP involves taking a blood sample and then spinning the blood in a centrifuge to isolate the platelets. The platelet-rich plasma is then injected back into the area that is inflamed.

One of the most common uses of platelet-rich plasma or PRP is in a joint. Now, platelets are going to be most successful in something that is rich in stem cells [such as] an acute or a very recent injury.

If you just hurt your knee, the first thing you should do is get PRP, because its going to help promote healing, and those platelets will attach to the surface receptors of the stem cells that are already going to the area to promote healing. It would be like putting fertilizer on your seed, which are the stem cells.

If you have something more chronic, this tends to be a stem cell-poor environment. In other words, you have osteoarthritis or youve got knee pain thats 5 years old and its been there for a long time; just putting PRP in it would be like putting fertilizer on dirt without planting a seed first.

The beauty of stem cell therapy is that it mimics a process that is ongoing in the human body all the time. Our stem cells are continuously promoting healing, and they do not have to be manipulated in any way. The stem cells naturally know how to home in on areas of inflammation and how to repair damaged tissue.

All were doing is harnessing the cells from one location where theyre sitting dormant and relocating them to exactly where we want them and we need them to work, Dr. Comella says. Basically, anything inside your body that is inflamed, that is damaged in some way, that is lacking blood supply, the [stem] cells can successfully treat.

That means orthopedics, knee injections, shoulder injections, osteoarthritis, acute injuries, anterior cruciate ligament tears in the back, back pain associated with degenerative disc disease or damaged tendons or ligaments, herniated and bulging discs. You can also use it in systemic issues, everything from diabetes, to cardiac, to lungs, any tissue organ inside your body that has been damaged.

Autoimmune diseases can also be treated. The stem cells are naturally immunosuppressant, meaning they can help quiet down an over reactive immune system and help the immune system function in a more normal way. Neurological diseases, traumatic brain injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinsons. All of these have to do with tissue thats not functioning properly. The cells can be used to address that.

It is very impressive, the list of different diseases that could benefit from this intervention.

Again, it is not magic, but one can dramatically improve the benefits of this intervention by combining it with other healthy lifestyle factors that optimize mitochondrial function, such as eating a healthy Real food diet, exercising, sleeping well, avoiding toxins and detoxifying from toxic influences.

Stem Cells for Anti-Aging: Stem cells can also be used as part of an anti-aging program.

Dr. Comella has used stem cells on herself for several years, and report feeling better now than she did 10 year ago.

She writes,The ability to reduce inflammation inside your body is basically making yourself live longer. Inflammation is what kills us all. Its what makes our telomeres shrink. Its what causes us pain and discomfort. Its what makes the tissues start to die. The ability to dose yourself with stem cells and bring down your inflammation, which is most likely caused by any sort of toxin that youve been exposed to, breathing air is exposure to toxins, this is going to lengthen your lifespan.

I typically will do a dose every six to 12 months, regardless of whats going on. If I have anything that is bothering me, if I tweak my knee at the gym, then I absolutely will come in and do an injection in my knee. I want to keep my tissue healthy for as long as possible.

I want to stay strong. I dont want to wait until something is wrong with me. I think that this is the future of medicine. This is what were going to start to see. People will begin to get their regular doses of [their own] stem cells and itll just be common practice.

Keep in mind theres a gradual and progressive decline in the quality and the number of stem cells as we age, so if considering this approach, it would be to your advantage to extract and bank your stem cells as early on as possible. US Stem Cell provides a stem cell bank service, so one can store them until a later date when you might need them.

Your stem cells are never as young as they are right now. Every minute that you live, your telomeres are shrinking. The ability to lock in the youth of your cells today can be very beneficial for you going forward, and for your health going forward. God forbid something happens. What if you have a heart attack? Youre not going to get clearance to get a mini-lipo aspirate procedure.

If you have your cells waiting in the bank, ready for you, it becomes very easy to pull a dose and do an IV delivery of cells. Its almost criminal that were not doing this for every single one of our cardiac patients. This should be standard practice. We should be having every single patient bank their stem cells at a young age and have them waiting, ready and available. The technology is there. We have it. Im not sure why this technology is not being made available to everyone, she says.

I think stem cell therapy is very different than traditional medicine. Stem cell therapy may actually make it so that you dont have to be dependent on pharmaceutical medications. You can actually repair the tissue and thats it. This is a very different way of viewing medicine.

For a Physician in your area providing the service, you can go there. US Stem Cell can help you locate a qualified doctor.

Eat healthy, Be healthy, Live lively

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Paul A. Ebeling, polymath, excels in diverse fields of knowledge. Pattern Recognition Analyst in Equities, Commodities and Foreign Exchange and author of The Red Roadmasters Technical Report on the US Major Market Indices, a highly regarded, weekly financial market letter, he is also a philosopher, issuing insights on a wide range of subjects to a following of over 250,000 cohorts. An international audience of opinion makers, business leaders, and global organizations recognizes Ebeling as an expert.

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New York Post

Stem cell therapy will attempt to bring the dead back to life New York Post Attempts to bring people back from the dead could start in a few months, it's been reported. Bioquark, a Philadelphia-based company, has revealed it will start new stem cell therapy trials in an unidentified country in Latin America later this year.

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Stem cell therapy will attempt to bring the dead back to life - New York Post

As if the stress of senior year isnt enough of a headache, Michael Vega began his final chapter of high school with a serious concussion.

A soccer injury in May 2016 had mandated three months recovery time, stealing a summer of soccer training from the North Forsyth graduate.

It hit me hard that I couldnt play, coming in with a big concussion, said Vega, a two-time all-conference award recipient. I had to jump right back into it.

Vega, 17, was cleared to play in the final round of the Forsyth Cup last year, helping his team secure a victory in the championship round for the second year in a row, making school history.

Vega, who spent three years on the varsity team, said one of his favorite high school moments was scoring the conference-winning goal against Asheboro High School as a sophomore.

It was a great experience; theres nothing like it, said Vega, who plays goalie and center back. I knew half the guys from growing up, so its hard to say good-bye.

While Vega said he will not play soccer in college, he will continue playing with the Hispanic League.

Graduation is bittersweet, but Vega said he is glad to have AP Biology and AP Chemistry behind him and is applying to Forsyth Tech to study biotechnology.

Ive learned to surround myself with the right people and never give up, Vega said. Im excited for graduation.

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North Forsyth grad plans to study biotechnology - Winston-Salem Journal

AbbVie Inc said on Wednesday its oral rheumatoid arthritis drug succeeded in a late-stage study on patients who had not adequately responded to standard treatments.

The drug, upadacitinib, is a once-daily pill belonging to a class of drugs known as JAK inhibitors, which block inflammation-causing enzymes called Janus kinases.

Pfizer Inc's Xeljanz is the only U.S.-approved JAK inhibitor for rheumatoid arthritis a chronic inflammatory disease in which the immune system attacks tissues in the joints, affecting more than 23 million people.

AbbVie's success comes almost two months after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration rejected baricitinib, a rival JAK inhibitor developed by Eli Lilly and Co and Incyte Corp.

If approved, upadacitinib could help AbbVie lower its reliance on its flagship rheumatoid arthritis drug Humira the world's top selling medicine that will soon face competition from biosimilars in the United States.

AbbVie's shares were up 1.4 percent at $68.81 on Wednesday afternoon. They earlier hit a session high of $69.32, their highest since August 2015.

In AbbVie's 12-week study on upadacitinib, two doses of the drug were tested against a placebo on patients with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis.

AbbVie said 64 percent of patients given a 15-milligram dose and 66 percent of patients given a 30-mg dose experienced a 20 percent reduction in symptoms, measured using a commonly used rheumatoid arthritis scale.

The company said only 36 percent of patients given a placebo experienced a comparable drop in symptoms, meaning upadacitinib cleared the trial the first of six testing the drug on patients with various cases of rheumatoid arthritis.

As data from the other trials comes in, upadacitinib might prove to be more effective than Lilly and Incyte's baricitinib, Jefferies analyst Jeffrey Holford said.

Rheumatoid arthritis is currently treated with older drugs such as methotrexate, Pfizer's JAK inhibitor Xeljanz as well as injected biologics such as Amgen Inc's Enbrel and AbbVie's Humira.

Humira generated more than $16 billion in sales last year, but competition is looming. AbbVie is trying to block the launch of an FDA-approved biosimilar, made by Amgen, arguing that its patents on Humira offered protection until at least 2022.

AbbVie is also evaluating upadacitinib for several other autoimmune conditions, including psoriatic arthritis, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Holford estimated peak sales of $3.5 billion for the drug across all diseases. Pfizer's Xeljanz generated sales of $927 million last year.

2017 Thomson/Reuters. All rights reserved.

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Rheumatoid Arthritis Drug Succeeds in Trial - Newsmax

Half of the people who have rheumatoid arthritis have to change jobs, and more than one in 10haveto quit work because of the debilitating condition, it has emerged

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that attacks the cells lining a bodys joints causing them to become swollen, stiff, and painful.

Arthritis Ireland has published research showing how the lives of people are impacted by rheumatoid arthritis. Those who participated in the survey were, on average, diagnosed at about 40 years of age and had the disease for 10 years.

It shows that 50% of people surveyed had to change jobs; 17% had to retire from work, and 13% were forced to quit because of their condition.

Almost one in four (24%) reduced their working hours.

Around 40,000 people in Ireland have rheumatoid arthritis, and most (70%) are women.

There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, but early diagnosis and appropriate treatment allows many people with the condition to reduce the number of flare-ups, lead full lives, and remain at work.

Almost 200 people with rheumatoid arthritis who are being treated by a rheumatologist were included in the Harris Poll online survey for Pfizer.

The study is part of the drug companys initiative to elevate the role of the patient in the successful management of the disease.

In addition to the impact on career, most (88%) people with rheumatoid arthritis worry about the disease getting worse 65% fear they will become disabled, and 64% are concerned about the damage caused to their joints.

More than three quarters (77%) of those surveyed are currently taking prescription medicines but wish they did not have to take so many drugs.

Three out of four (76%) sometimes worry that their medication will fail and more than half (52%) wish they had more medication options.

Seven out of 10 (69%) worry that rheumatoid arthritis will negatively affect their quality of life and most (64%) fear they will not be able to live independently.

Consultant rheumatologist, Prof Doug Veale, said the research is incredibly insightful and a welcome development in identifying the needs of patients.

Arthritis Irelands head of services, Grinne OLeary, said the survey shows that quality of life is a primary concern for people with rheumatoid arthritis.

This new research identifies the need for greater services around the country to assist those with rheumatoid arthritis to live a normal, active live and to empower them to work with their specialist to manage the condition.

Irish Examiner Ltd. All rights reserved

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One in 10 arthritis sufferers quit work - Irish Examiner

fox5sandiego.com

Abused pup receives cutting-edge stem cell therapy | fox5sandiego ... fox5sandiego.com The abused orphan pup "Dwyane" who has severe disfigurements is on the road to recovery due to stem cell therapy. by Vet Stem, out of Poway. Severely abused dog receives stem cell therapy - CBS News 8 - San ...CBS 8 San Diego all 2 news articles »

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Abused pup receives cutting-edge stem cell therapy | fox5sandiego ... - fox5sandiego.com

For any given medical problem, it seems, theres a research team trying to use stem cells to find a solutionBut in one study expected to launch later this year, scientists hope to use stem cells in a new, highly controversial way to reverse death.

The idea of the trial, run by Philadelphia-based Bioquark, is to inject stem cells into the spinal cords of people who have been declared clinically brain-dead. The subjects will also receive an injected protein blend, electrical nerve stimulation, and laser therapy directed at the brain.

The ultimate goal: to grow new neurons and spur them to connect to each other, and thereby bring the brain back to life.

This isnt the first start for the trial. The study launched in Rudrapur, India, in April 2016 but it never enrolled any patients. Regulators shut the study down in November 2016 becauseIndias Drug Controller General hadnt cleared it.

Now, the company is in the final stages of finding a new location to host trials. The company will announce a trial in Latin America in coming months.

The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion, and analysis. Read full, original post: Resurrected: A controversial trial to bring the dead back to life plans a restart

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Back to life: Can controversial stem cell treatment revive brain-dead patients? - Genetic Literacy Project

Bioquark, a life science company, hopes to bring people declared as clinically brain-dead back to life through stem cells. Trials will be initiating soon.

With rapid increases in technology from human head transplants to reversing symptoms of ageing, researchers are surely setting high goals.

With their latest discovery of reversing death, the Philadelphia-based biotech company is supposed to work on its project by the end of this year.

Though the trials were expected to begin in 2016 in India, the regulators had it shut down. Now, the researchers plan on conducting considerably similar plan and will enroll 20 patients who will go through different treatments.

With the stem cells being cut off from the patients own fat or blood, a stem cell injection will be given to the patients first. Then, a protein blend will be injected into the spinal cord which is supposed to advance new neuron growth. With the intention of promoting neuron communications, the laser therapy and nerve stimulation will be conducted next for another 15 days, reported Futurism.

In the mean time, the researchers will examine behavior and EEGs both to see any indications of the treatment causing any alterations.

However, a few researchers have raised questions regarding the informed consent from the patients. They question about how will the researchers go forth with their trails and how would they complete the paperwork considering that the patients is already brain dead?

Another question raised was what if the brain activity came back and what would be the patients mental state? And what could be the possible outcomes other than extreme brain damage?

According to Science Alert, back in 2016, Stat News reported neurologist Ariane Lewis and bioethicist Arthur Caplan stated in Critical Care the trail as dubious, has no scientific foundation and suffers from an at best, ethically questionable, and at worst, outright unethical nature.

Researchers also doubt the companys techniques and believe there is no way this technique could work on someone who is brain-dead.

Researchers claim, The technique relies on there being a functional brain stem one of the structures that most motor neurons go through before connecting with the cortex proper. If there's no functional brain stem, then it can't work.

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American company brings dead people back to life - Business Recorder (press release) (registration) (blog)

June 8, 2017 This image shows human heart muscle cells growing in the 3D tissue structure. The cells have been stained with fluorescent molecules to identify the nuclei in blue, and cardiac-specific protein, in green. Credit: Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore

Researchers at the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN) of A*STAR have engineered a three-dimensional heart tissue from human stem cells to test the safety and efficacy of new drugs on the heart.

"Cardiotoxicity, which can lead to heart failure and even death, is a major cause of drug withdrawal from the market. Antibiotics, anticancer and antidiabetic medications can have unanticipated side effects for the heart. So it is important to test as early as possible whether a newly developed drug is safe for human use. However, cardiotoxicity is difficult to predict in the early stages of drug development," said Professor Jackie Y. Ying, Executive Director at IBN.

A big part of the problem is the use of animals or animal-derived cells in preclinical cardiotoxicity studies due to the limited availability of human heart muscle cells. Substantial genetic and cardiac differences exist between animals and humans. There have been a large number of cases whereby the tests failed to detect cardiovascular toxicity when moving from animal studies to human clinical trials.

Existing screening methods based on 2-D cardiac structure cannot accurately predict drug toxicity, while the currently available 3-D structures for screening are difficult to fabricate in the quantities needed for commercial application.

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To solve this problem, the IBN research team fabricated their 3-D heart tissue from cellular self-assembly of heart muscle cells grown from human induced pluripotent stem cells. They also developed a fluorescence labelling technology to monitor changes in beating rate using a real-time video recording system. The new heart tissue exhibited more cardiac-specific genes, stronger contraction and higher beating rate compared to cells in a 2-D structure.

"Using the 3-D heart tissue, we were able to correctly predict cardiotoxic effects based on changes in the beating rate, even when these were not detected by conventional tests. The method is simple and suitable for large-scale assessment of drug side effects. It could also be used to design personalized therapy using a patient's own cells," said lead researcher Dr Andrew Wan, who is Team Leader and Principal Research Scientist at IBN.

The researchers have filed a patent on their human heart tissue model, and hope to work with clinicians and pharmaceutical companies to bring this technology to market.

This finding was reported recently in the Biofabrication journal.

Explore further: Stem cell-based screening methods may predict heart-related side effects of drugs

More information: Hong Fang Lu et al. Engineering a functional three-dimensional human cardiac tissue model for drug toxicity screening, Biofabrication (2017). DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/aa6c3a

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Myelomeningocele is a severe congenital defect in which the backbone and spinal canal do not close before birth, putting those affected at risk of lifelong neurological problems. In a preclinical study published June 6th ...

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Human heart tissue grown from stem cells improves drug testing - Medical Xpress