StemCell Therapy

In one of the famous scenes of American animated sitcom Family Guy, which was aired on January 2008, the main character, Peter Griffin, is seen entering a stem cell research lab with half his body paralyzed, as a result of a stroke, and walking out completely healthy.

Growing a heart on a plate (PR photo)

Imagination plays an important role in dealing with stem cells. Theoretically, cells that, in a lab, can differentiate into any specialized cell present countless options of playing with the human bodyfrom treating any physical medical failure, through preparing a bank of human spare parts, to producing a new race of perfect human beings, completely flawless and immune. That is only in theory, however, at least at this stage. In practice, the possibilities inherent in stem cells are still imaginary, and using them for actual treatment is still very limited.

Torontos skyline is dotted with multi-story buildings, each with a series of elevators that fly visitors within second from the ground floor to the upper floors. The 35th floor of Eaton Centre, a shopping mall and office complex located near Dundas Squarewhich locals say is like Times Square, only a lot less impressiveoverlooks almost all parts of the Ontario provinces capital.

Using stem cells for the sake of humanity (Illustration photo: Shutterstock)

The most fascinating research has to do with cardiology. This is the field in which the ability to imagine a new era in the near future appears most palpable. Its difficult to overstate the complexity of the human heart, which is made up of different types of cells and tissues and is activated through a sequence of electrical pulses. Modern medicine has been unsuccessful so far in creating an industrial alternative for the heart, at least not one that allows a quality of life, while transplant surgery suffers from the risks of transplant rejection and a regular donor shortage. These limitations, in addition to the fact that heart diseases are very common and are one of the leading causes of death around the world, make cardiology a fertile ground for an industry of innovative medicine.

PR photo

One field in which this vision has already become a reality, at least partially, is lung therapy. Stem cell medicine holds a potential in terms of lungs suitable for transplantation, when it comes to improving of the chances that the new body wont reject the organ. The entire process, however, is complicated. Lung transplantation is only possible when the person who agreed to donate his organs in advance is declared brain dead, which makes it possible to harvest the organs before the entire body collapses, and these are pretty specific cases. In addition, in this group only 20 percent of the donated lungs are eventually transplantedas the procedure must be quick, and in most cases doctors dont have sufficient information about the lungs condition and the ability to prepare it for a transplantation which wont be rejected.

PR photo

In the stem-cell therapy labs in Toronto, the future is both present and absent. Most researchers refuse to fall into the press trap and talk about a vision for a better future in which every problem will be treated by injecting stem cells. And although the phrase growing a heart on a plate is occasionally heard, they make sure to clarify that such a situation is still far off. Nevertheless, no one will deny that stem-cell therapy is the medicine of the future.

The combination of medical and technological innovations may have brought humanity to the start of a new era, in which it will be possible to cure the body in an immensely more efficient way than in the past. But even these accomplishments highlight how little we know about the human body and how much more we need to learn and work in order to be able to unlock the full potential hiding deep within our cells.

(Translated and edited by Sandy Livak-Furmanski)

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Stem-cell therapy: The medicine of the future - Ynetnews

March 29, 2017 (A) Bio-imaging analysis to evaluate the therapeutic effect of iPS-ML producing IFN- on metastatic liver cancer. (B) Quantification of the image data shown in A. (C) Histological data indicating migration of iPS-ML (PKH26, red) into intrahepatic tumor tissues (GFP, green). Adapted from M. Sakisaka, M. Haruta, Y. Komohara, S. Umemoto, K. Matsumura, T. Ikeda, M. Takeya, Y. Inomata, Y. Nishimura, and S. Senju, "Therapy of primary and metastatic liver cancer by human iPS cell-derived myeloid cells producing interferon-," Journal of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Sciences, vol. 24, pp. 109-119, Feb. 2017. DOI: 10.1002/jhbp.422

Causes of the most common form of liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), include hepatitis B or C, cirrhosis, obesity, diabetes, a buildup of iron in the liver, or a family of toxins called aflatoxins produced by fungi on some types of food. Typical treatments for HCC include radiation, chemotherapy, cryo- or radiofrequency ablation, resection, and liver transplant. Unfortunately, the mortality rate is still quite high; the American Cancer Society estimates the five-year survival rate for localized liver cancer is 31 percent.

Hoping to improve primary liver cancer outcomes, including HCC and metastatic liver cancer, researchers from Japan began studying induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell-derived immune cells that produce the protein interferon- (IFN-). IFN- has antiviral effects related to immune response, and exhibits two antitumor activities, the JAK-STAT signaling pathway and p53 protein expression. IFN- has been used for some forms of cancer, but problems like rapid inactivation, poor tissue penetration, and toxicity prevent widespread use. To overcome that hurdle, Kumamoto University researchers used iPS cell-derived proliferating myelomonocytic (iPS-ML) cells, which they developed in a previous research project. These cells were found to mimic the behavior of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMS), which inspired the researchers to develop them as a drug delivery system for IFN- and evaluate the therapeutic effect on liver cancer in a murine model in vivo.

The researchers selected two cancer cell lines that were sensitive to IFN- treatmentone that easily metastasized to the liver after injection into the spleen, and another that produced a viable model after being directly injected into the liver. After injection, mice that tested positive for cancer (~80 percent) were separated into test and control groups. iPS-ML/IFN- cells were injected two to three times a week for three weeks into the abdomens of the test group subjects.

Livers with tumors were found to have higher levels of IFN- than those without. This was likely due to iPS-ML/IFN- cells penetrating the fibrous connective tissue capsule surrounding the liver and migrating toward intrahepatic cancer sites. The iPS-ML/IFN- cells did not penetrate non-tumorous livers, but rather stayed on the surface of the organ. Furthermore, concentrations of IFN- from 24 to 72 hours after iPS-ML/IFN- injections were found to be high enough to inhibit proliferation or even cause the death of the tumor cells.

Due to differences between species, mouse cells are not adversely affected by human IFN-, meaning that side effects of this treatment are not visible in this model. Thus, the researchers are working on a new model with the mouse equivalent of human iPS-ML/IFN, and testing its therapeutic abilities.

"Our recent research into iPS-cell derived, IFN- expressing myeloid cells should be beneficial for many cancer patients," says research leader Dr. Satoru Senju. "If it is determined to be safe for human use, this technology has the potential to slow cancer progression and increase survival rates. At this point, however, we still have much work ahead."

This research may be found in the Journal of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Sciences.

Explore further: Scientists stimulate immune system, stop cancer growth

More information: Masataka Sakisaka et al, Therapy of primary and metastatic liver cancer by human iPS cell-derived myeloid cells producing interferon-, Journal of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Sciences (2017). DOI: 10.1002/jhbp.422

A chemical found in tumors may help stop tumor growth, according to a new study.

Scientists at EPFL have found a way to starve liver cancer cells by blocking a protein that is required for glutamine breakdownwhile leaving normal cells intact. The discovery opens new ways to treat liver cancer.

Most cases of liver cancer develop after long-term viral infection, chronic exposure to alcohol, or excessive accumulation of fat in the liver due to obesity. The liver reacts to those insults by trying to wall it off with ...

Liver cancer remains among the leading causes of cancer-related death worldwide.

Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine and Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute have discovered that high levels of the protein p62 in human liver samples are strongly associated ...

Immunotherapydeveloping treatments by boosting natural immune system responsesholds much potential in the fight against serious diseases. Now, A*STAR researchers have determined how one group of immune cells called ...

Purdue researchers are developing technology that could lead to the early detection of cervical cancer with low-cost, easy-to-use, lateral flow test strips similar to home pregnancy tests.

One reason pancreatic cancer has a particularly low survival rate is the difficulty in getting drugs to the tumour, but new knowledge of how pancreatic cancer cells invade neighbouring cells could change that.

The chemical bisphenol A, or BPA, appears to aid the survival of inflammatory breast cancer cells, revealing a potential mechanism for how the disease grows, according to a study led by researchers in the Department of Surgery ...

Researchers at Mayo Clinic have identified an interaction among proteins that allows cancer cells to grow and metastasize. They say the discovery may play a role in developing a better understanding of how tumors grow in ...

The goal of cancer therapy is to destroy the tumor or stop it from growing and spreading to other parts of the body. Reaching toward this goal, a team of researchers from various institutions, including Baylor College of ...

In many parts of the world, including Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, exposure to a fungal product called aflatoxin is believed to cause up to 80 percent of liver cancer cases. This fungus is often found in corn, peanuts, ...

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Immune cell therapy on liver cancer using interferon beta produced with stem cells - Medical Xpress

*New form of tissue engineering raises ethical questions Using a technique that avoids the use of high-dose chemotherapy and radiation in preparation for a stem cell transplant, physicians at the University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System, United States, have documented the first cure of an adult patient with congenital dyserythropoietic anemia. CDA is a rare blood disorder in which the body does not produce enough red blood cells, causing progressive organ damage and early death.

The transplant technique is unique, because it allows a donors cells to gradually take over a patients bone marrow without using toxic agents to eliminate a patients cells prior to the transplant.

This case report is published in a letter to the editor in the journal Bone Marrow Transplantation.

For many adult patients with a blood disorder, treatment options have been limited because they are often not sick enough to qualify for a risky procedure, or they are too sick to tolerate the toxic drugs used alongside a standard transplant, said Rondelli, who is also division chief of hematology and oncology and director of the stem cell transplant program at UI Health.

This procedure gives some adults the option of a stem cell transplant which was not previously available.

Also, as biological research races forward, ethical quandaries are piling up. In a report published Tuesday in the journal eLife, researchers at Harvard Medical School, United States, said it was time to ponder a startling new prospect: synthetic embryos.

In recent years, scientists have moved beyond in vitro fertilization. They are starting to assemble stem cells that can organize themselves into embryolike structures.

Soon, experts predict, they will learn how to engineer these cells into new kinds of tissues and organs.

7 hours ago Natural Health

8 hours ago Policy & Politics

8 hours ago Features

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First patient cured of rare blood disorder with stem cell transplant - Guardian

The next shoe is set to drop in the high-flying immuno-oncology space, with genetically modified cell therapies close to becoming a reality. As these therapies are forecast to quickly become one of the fastest-growing segments of the $100 billion oncology market in the next few years, investors may want to consider taking a position in this emerging field before the first therapy reaches the market.

Armed with this insight, let's consider if the small-capBellicum Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:BLCM) or the mid-capKite Pharma (NASDAQ:KITE) is the better adoptive-cell therapy stock to buy.

Image source: Getty Images.

Bellicum is a small-cap biotech developing a host of genetically modified cell-based therapies for blood disorders and various cancers. While cell-based immunotherapies are now a common feature of many pharma pipelines, Bellicum stands apart from the crowd because of itsproprietary "chemical induction of dimerization" (CID) technology that's designed to enhance the safety and efficacy profiles of these novel cancer-fighting cell therapies.

Specifically, the biotech's cellular therapies incorporate a molecular switching mechanism that can be triggered by a small molecule known asrimiducid to either induce programmed cell death (apoptosis) in the event of a safety issue, or cause the infused cells to proliferate to enhance potency.

Using its CID platform, Bellicum designed its lead T-cell therapy product candidate, BPX-501, to improve patient outcomes during a half-matched T-depleted, hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) -- a process that involves theintravenous infusion of stem cells as a way to restart the production of blood cells in patients with bone-marrow or immune-system disorders.

Although half-matched HSCT can be life-saving in many instances, this procedure does have serious life-threatening drawbacks, such as graft-versus-host-disease (GvHD) or an increased risk of infection from the eradication of T-cells before infusion. BPX-501's built-in safety switch, however, should solve this problem by lowering the risk of uncontrolled bouts of GvHD, while still allowing patients to benefit from a higher T-cell count.

The good news is that the therapy's early-stage results across a range of rare blood disorders are proving to be a game changer for many HSCT patients. As such,Bellicum is hoping to file for BPX-501's first regulatory approval in the EU by mid-2018 and nail down an acceptable regulatory pathway for the therapy in the U.S. by the middle of this year.

The downside, though, is thatthe biotech's cash runway probably isn't sufficient to see it all the way through to BPX-501's worldwide commercialization. Bellicum, after all, has around $150 million remaining in cash following its latest secondary offering, but it also has a quarterly burn rate of around $20 million that's bound to grow as its clinical activities expand into late-stage development.

After a quarter-century of development of adoptive T-cell therapies in general, Kite Pharma is now in prime position to bring the first chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (or CAR-T) therapy to market with its experimentalaggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) treatment called Axi-Cel (formerly KTE-C19). At the time of writing, Kite was expected to wrap up Axi-Cel's full regulatory filing with the FDA within just a matter of days (before the end of March), putting it well ahead of Novartis and Juno Therapeutics' rival CAR-T candidates.

The point is that Kite is set to be the first company to establish a foothold in a brand-new oncology market that should easily be worth hundreds of billions in sales over the next decade. Moreover, Axi-Cel's first indication isn't a token one. If approved as a later-line treatment for aggressive NHL, this novel cell therapy is expected to haul in between $181 million and $482 million in 2018, depending on its price and the scale of Kite's initial commercial launch.

Having said that, Kite is far from a slam-dunk buy. Like all other CAR-T therapies to date, Axi-Cel does have serious life-threatening side effects, including cytokine release syndrome and neurologic toxicity, and this therapy lacks a top-flight molecular safety switch. So while its overall risk-vs.-reward profile may warrant an approval, there's no telling how doctors will view the therapy's clear-cut trade-offs in the real world.

Kite must also overcome the inherent problems associated with manufacturing an adoptive T-cell therapy on a commercial scale. Put simply, you have to be able to harvest a patient's own T-cells, ship them to your production facility to genetically modify them, and then ship them back to the clinic where the patient is being treated. That's not an impossible feat to overcome, but it's also a far cry from simply brewing a batch of pills, or even manufacturing most other biological-based drugs.

On the bright side, Kite is in a fairly strong financial position, exiting the most recent quarter with over $414 million in cash and no debt. And that's before the company rolled out a $410 million public stock offering in the first quarter of 2017. So the company should have the resources to executeAxi-Cel's commercial launch if it gains an approval later this year, as well as continue advancing its other clinical candidates.

While Kite's possible first-mover advantage is certainly important, Bellicum appears to have the best-in-class technology with its CID platform. And that's absolutely key.

The underlying reason adoptive-cell therapies took so long to move from the bench to the market is their deadly side effects. Kite, for its part, has been able to reduce these life-threatening side effects to manageable levels in the clinic, but that's not a guarantee this line will hold once Axi-Cel is used more broadly.

Juno Therapeutics'lead clinical candidate, JCAR015, after all, was ultimately shelved after it apparently led to ahandful of deaths in a trial for adult patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and that's been par for the course with these therapies.In other words, history is not on Kite's side when it comes to the current generation of CAR-T therapies.

So Bellicum's next-generation adoptive-cell therapy product candidates -- along with Juno and Kite's, for that matter -- that incorporate more robust safety features are probably the way to go if you're looking to invest in this emerging space. Point blank: This rush to market for a technology with known safety issues is a highly questionable strategy that has the potential to backfire in a big way.

In all, Bellicum comes out the winner in this match because of its patience and better long-term prospects from a safety standpoint.

George Budwell has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Juno Therapeutics. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Better Buy: Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. vs. Kite Pharma - Motley Fool

Retinopathy is any damage to the retina of the eyes, which may cause vision impairment.[1] Retinopathy often refers to retinal vascular disease, or damage to the retina caused by abnormal blood flow.[2]Age-related macular degeneration is technically included under the umbrella term retinopathy but is often discussed as a separate entity. Retinopathy, or retinal vascular disease, can be broadly categorized into proliferative and non-proliferative types. Frequently, retinopathy is an ocular manifestation of systemic disease as seen in diabetes or hypertension.[3] Diabetes is the most common cause of retinopathy in the U.S. as of 2008[4]Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in working-aged people.[5] It accounts for about 5% of blindness worldwide and is designated a priority eye disease by the World Health Organization.[6]

The two most common causes of retinopathy include diabetic retinopathy and retinopathy of prematurity. Diabetic retinopathy affects about 5 million people and retinopathy of prematurity affect about 50,000 premature infants each year worldwide.[6][7]Hypertensive retinopathy is the next most common cause affecting anywhere from 3 to 14% of all non-diabetic adults.[8]

The development of retinopathy can be broken down into proliferative and non-proliferative types. Both types cause disease by altering the normal blood flow to the retina through different mechanisms. The retina is supplied by small vessel branches from the central retinal artery.[9] Proliferative retinopathy refers to damaged caused by abnormal blood vessel growth.[10] Normally, angiogenesis is a natural part of tissue growth and formation. When there is an unusually high or fast rate of angiogenesis, there is an overgrowth of blood vessels called neovascularization. In the non-proliferative type, abnormal blood flow to the retina occurs due to direct damage or compromise of the blood vessels themselves. Many causes of retinopathy may cause both proliferative and non-proliferative types, though some causes are more associated one type.

Non-proliferative retinopathy is often caused by direct damage or remodeling of the small blood vessels supplying the retina.[9] Many common causes of non-proliferative damage include hypertensive retinopathy, Retinopathy of prematurity, Radiation retinopathy, solar retinopathy, and retinopathy associated with Sickle cell disease.

There are three main mechanisms of damage in non-proliferative retinopathy: blood vessel damage or remodeling, direct retinal damage, or occlusion of the blood vessels. The first mechanism is indirect damage by altering the blood vessels that supply the retina. In the case of hypertension, high pressures in the system causes the walls of the artery to thicken, which effectively reduces the amount of blood flow to the retina.[9] This reduction in flow causes tissue ischemia leading to damage. Atherosclerosis, or hardening and narrowing of blood vessels, also reduces flow to the retina. The second mechanism is direct damage to the retina usually caused by free radicals that causes oxidative damage to the retina itself.[11] Radiation, solar retinopathy, and retinopathy of prematurity fall under this category. The third common mechanism is occlusion of blood flow. This can be caused by either physically blocking the vessels of the retinal artery branches or causing the arteries to narrow.[2] Again, the end result is reduced blood flow to the retina causing tissue damage. Sickle cell disease compromises blood flow by causing blood to sludge, or thicken and flow slowly, through the retinal arteries. Other disorders that cause hyperviscosity syndrome may also cause blood sludging. Lastly, clots or central artery thrombosis directly blocks flow to the retina causing the cells to die.

Proliferative retinopathy is the result of aberrant blood flow to the retina due to blood vessel overgrowth, or neovascularization. These pathologically overgrown blood vessels are often fragile, weak, and ineffective at perfusing the retinal tissues.[12] These weak, fragile vessels are also often leaky, allowing fluids, protein, and other debris to leech out into the retina. They are also prone to hemorrhage due to their poor strength. This makes proliferative types of retinopathy more risky since vessel hemorrhaging often leads to vision loss and blindness.[13] Many of the causes mentioned in non-proliferative retinopathy may also cause proliferative retinopathy at later stages. Angiogenesis and neovascularization tend to be a later manifestation of non-proliferative retinopathy. Many types of non-proliferative retinopathies result in tissue ischemia or direct retinal damage. The body responds by trying to increase blood flow to damaged retinal tissues.[14]Diabetes mellitus, which causes diabetic retinopathy, is the most common cause of proliferative retinopathy in the world.[15]

Genetic mutations are rare causes of certain retinopathies and are usually X-linked including NDP family of genes causing Norrie Disease, FEVR, and Coats disease among others. There is emerging evidence that there may be a genetic predisposition in patients who develop retinopathy of prematurity and diabetic retinopathy.[16][17] Trauma, especially to the head, and several diseases may cause Purtscher's retinopathy.

Retinopathy is diagnosed by an ophthalmologist or an optometrist during eye examination. Stereoscopic fundus photography is the gold standard for the diagnosis of retinopathy. Dilated fundoscopy, or direct visualization of the fundus, has been shown to be effective as well.[18]

Many patients often do not have symptoms until very late in their disease course. Patients often become symptomatic when there is irreversible damage.[19] Symptoms are usually not painful and can include:

Treatment is based on the cause of the retinopathy and may include laser therapy to the retina. Laser photocoagulation therapy has been the standard treatment for many types of retinopathy. Evidence show that laser therapy is generally safe and improves visual symptoms in sickle cell and diabetic retinopathy.[20][21] In recent years targeting the pathway controlling vessel growth or angiogenesis has been promising. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) seems to play a vital role in promoting neovascularization. Using anti-VEGF drugs (antibodies to sequester the growth factor), research have shown significant reduction in the extent of vessel outgrowth. Evidence supports the use of anti-VEGF antibodies, such as bevacizumab or pegaptanib, seems to improve outcomes when used in conjunction with laser therapy to treat retinopathy of prematurity.[22] The evidence is poorer for treatment of diabetic retinopathy. Use of anti-VEGF drugs did not appear to improve outcomes when compared to standard laser therapy for diabetic retinopathy.[23]

Telemedicine programs are available that allow primary care clinics to take images using specially designed retinal imaging equipment which can then be shared electronically with specialists at other locations for review.[24] In 2009, Community Health Center, Inc. implemented a telemedicine retinal screening program for low-income patients with diabetes as part of those patients annual visits at the Federally Qualified Health Center.[25]

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Retinopathy - Wikipedia

Robin Frape and Julie Binnigton are setting off on an epic walk to raise awareness of RP blindness. Picture by Chris Cornford.

TWO hikers are going to be setting off on the trek of a lifetime on Friday to raise awareness for RP blindness, a degenerative eye condition that affects the retina.

Robin Frape, 48, and Julie Binnington, 50, of St Thomas Street, Ryde, are setting off on a walk that will take them all over the world.

Robin has retinitis pigmentosa (RP) blindness and the couple plan to walk indefinitely until his vision degenerates to a point where he can no longer continue.

"I want to create as many visual memories as I can, while I still have my vision," said Robin, who was forced to retire early from his job as a hydrographic surveyor.

Robin's peripheral vision has diminished and his central vision has been severely damaged. He is legally blind in his right eye and has many distorted spots in his left.

They will start by walking out their front door in Ryde on Friday and will walk around the Isle of Wight, cross over to Lymington, walk the length of the UK, cross over to Northern Ireland, trek down to the South of Ireland then fly over to mainland Europe and keep going.

"We are going to cover as many countries as we can. There is no set end date, we are just going to keep going," Julie said.

The adventure is all in order to raise awareness and support for RP blindness, a condition that many people know very little about.

The condition is almost always passed on genetically and affects different people in different ways, including the severity and rate of degeneration.

They are raising money for RP Fighting Blindness. Anyone can donate at http://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/walking-terra-firma and follow their progress on Facebook at Walking Terra Firma for Blindness RP.

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Isle of Wight man facing blindness plans to walk the world to make memories and raise awareness - Isle of Wight County Press

By Sola Ogundipe

The Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria in collaboration with Pfizer Specialities and Glaucoma Society of Nigeria held a walk from the National Stadium to Ojuelegba in Lagos early on Saturday March 18, 2017 to sensitise members of the public about Glaucoma, the 2nd leading cause of blindness worldwide and in Nigeria.

It was the climax of the week-long series of activities aimed at creating awareness about glaucoma, in commemoration of the 2017 World Glaucoma Week with the theme Beat Invisible Glaucoma. Over 70 million people suffer glaucoma worldwide with 10 million already blind.

Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and Head, Glaucoma Services and Acting Head of the Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine,/Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Adeola Onakoya, called on all Nigerians, especially those aged 30 and above to go for regular eye screening to detect and treat eye problems, particularly glaucoma, early.

We are walking for glaucoma essentially to sensitise people to the disease. Our T-shirts are adorned with the message Get your eyes tested for glaucoma, so that people would know that there is an eye disease called glaucoma. Studies show that only 5 per cent of Nigerians know about glaucoma and it is among those that are being treated for the disorder.

The message is that you should get your eyes tested so you do not go needlessly blind from glaucoma. It is asymptomatic and life-long. If untreated, the possibility of blindness is very high, Onakoya cautioned.

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Regular eye tests prevent blindness from glaucoma, says Onakoya ... - Vanguard

With excellent mechanical and chemical stability, the Kromasil EternityXT materials offer first-rate separation power and loadability for purification from low to high pH. Kromasil EternityXT C8 and C18 materials can operate up to pH 12, making it possible to run basic compounds under extreme conditions to improve purification productivity and reduce costs. These products support discovery, development and production departmental goals in the purification of a low molecular weight pharmaceuticals, peptides and biotechnology products.

The exceptional structure of Kromasil EternityXT C18 and C8 materials makes it possible to regenerate the material in-column, carrying out cleaning in place (CIP) even at 1 M NaOH, if so required. While this high concentration NaOH treatment is a standard in bio chromatography and until now only conceivable with polymer resins, Kromasil EternityXT materials open up the spectrum of purification options as its C8 and C18 materials resist up to 1 M NaOH.

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Purification of Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Products with Kromasil EternityXT Stationary Phase - Labmate Online

NEW YORK, March 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Use this report to:- Analyze existing and future agricultural biotechnology products and technologies that will be commercially important. - Receive a qualitative and quantitative description of the agricultural biotechnology industry. - Highlight key market and industry trends, as well as quantify the main market segments. - Receive information on agricultural biotechnologies, market applications, industry structure and competitive dynamics.

Highlights- The global market for agricultural biotechnology reached $29.2 billion in 2016. This market should reach $32.1 billion in 2017 and $53.7 billion in 2022, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.8%. - Genomic-enabled products as a segment reached $24.1 billion in 2016, and should reach nearly $26.5 billion in 2017 and $43.7 billion in 2022, with a CAGR of 10.6%.

STUDY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES BCC Research's goal for this study is to determine the specific applications and forecast global market demand for agricultural biotechnology products over a five-year period from 2017 through 2022. The main objective is to characterize and quantify the agricultural biotechnology products market by product type, geography, and purpose. In addition, the report analyzes the industry structure, competitors, strategic alliances, and intellectual property landscape. A total of 70 companies in the industry are profiled.

Agricultural biotechnology markets analyzed in this report include biotechnology tools, genomics enabled products, and biologicals. Biotechnology tools include DNA sequencing, biochips, RNA interference, synthetic biology, and genome editing. Genomics enabled products include biotech seeds and synthetic biology-enabled products. Biologicals include biopesticides, biostimulants, and genetic biologicals.

A key objective of the report is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the agricultural biotechnology industry, with an emphasis on products and technologies that are commercially important in the 2017 to 2022 time-period. Market segments with rapid growth rates are highlighted, as well as those segments with large market potential. This analysis provides a quantitative basis and market context for companies to make strategic choices about participation in the agricultural industry.

The study will be particularly useful to those companies developing new genomics or proteomics technologies; discovering and development novel seed traits; doing plant breeding; interested in using novel biotechnologies in agriculture; or working inadvanced biotechnology fields like genome editing, synthetic biology, RNA interference, biochips, or DNA sequencing.

The study will also be useful to government agencies or institutions that are developing strategic initiatives for a country's agriculture policy and/or industry.

REASONS FOR DOING THE STUDY

Agriculture is a fundamental and strategic component for a country. As a result, agricultural technologies provide competitive geographic advantage and are highly desirable. Biotechnologies address the pressing industry need for higher crop yields. Agricultural biotechnology is a key and growing component of the global agriculture industry and is thus of interest to a wide audience.

This report seeks to provide a qualitative and quantitative description of the agricultural biotechnology industry so that emerging market opportunities can be identified and exploited by the reader.

The report does this by examining the main product applications and markets, helping companies to prioritize product opportunities and strategic opportunities. The report highlights key market and industry trends, as well as quantifying the main market segments. The reader is thus able to better understand industry structure and changes occurring in the industry.

Rapid changes in technology-intensive fields such as DNA sequencing, genome editing, and synthetic biology are driving new products and applications in agriculture. These developments create unique market opportunities. This report analyzes these trends and their impact on future markets for agricultural products.

Based on these market and technology dynamics, it is especially timely to examine the agricultural biotechnology industry.

INTENDED AUDIENCE

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This study examines and analyzes existing and future agricultural biotechnology products and technologies that will be commercially important.

Markets are presented by product type, crop type, and geographical region. Important market segments covered include the main biotechnologies (DNA sequencing, biochips, RNA interference, synthetic biology tools, and genome editing tools) as well as synthetic biology-enabled chemicals and biofuels, biotech seeds, and biologicals.

In-depth coverage is provided for agricultural biotechnologies; growth driving forces; market applications; industry structure and competitive dynamics; companies and industry alliances; future market potential and product sales forecasts for the period 2017 through 2022. The report forecasts the future value of agricultural biotechnology products by product type and geography.

This report will be of particular interest to agriculture, chemicals, bio-energy, and biotechnology companies; as well as suppliers of genomics tools, synthetic biology, RNA interference, and DNA sequencing products. It will also be of interest to professionals within governments, think tanks, and regulatory agencies to understand the end uses of these technologies in agriculture.

SCOPE AND FORMAT

The study scope includes key agricultural biotechnology tools (i.e., next generation DNA sequencing, biochips, RNA interference, synthetic biology tools and genome editing tools); synthetic biology-enabled chemicals and biofuels; biotech seeds; and biologicals.

BCC analyzes these technologies and products to determine present and future market sizes, and forecasted growth from 2017 through 2022. The report also discusses industry strategic alliances, industry structures, competitive dynamics, patent status, and market driving forces.

BCC provides in-depth coverage of the agricultural biotechnology industry structure, including genomics technology providers (e.g., genome editing, NGS, microarray companies); major seed companies; biotech traits companies; synthetic biology tools companies; companies developing plant feedstocks; and agricultural biologicals companies. It provides an in-depth analysis of major industry acquisitions and alliances during 2015 and 2016.

70 agricultural and biotechnology companies are profiled in this report.

METHODOLOGY

BCC Research examined key users and producers in each of the enduser market segments and technology fields that will be commercially important during the next five years. Discussions with industry thought leaders, as well as secondary market research was performed.

Based on our analysis, we project the future applications of agricultural biotechnologies in the major enduser market segments and by technology type, and forecast sales revenues for 2017 through 2022.

INFORMATION SOURCES

BCC Research performed primary and secondary research for this report. Primary sources included key industry companies and leading research institutions. In addition, data were compiled from secondary sources, including company websites and industry, trade and government publications. Read the full report: http://www.reportlinker.com/p0958100-summary/view-report.html

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Agricultural Biotechnology: Emerging Technologies and Global ... - Yahoo Finance

By Nicolas Chahine, InvestorPlace Contributor|Mar 28, 2017, 11:13 am EDT

It would seem that the toxicity that the iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology Index (ETF) (NASDAQ:IBB) were suffering on Wall Street is waning. Until recently, the political headlines were a threat to all healthcare and biotech stock holders.The thesis that biotech stocks are untouchable, however, is no longer the dark cloud that it was.

So can I buy the IBB long from here with confidence? Not in my opinion. I think that trading the IBB should fit into a bullish macro scenario, which we may no longer have. Equity markets are near all-time highs with few catalysts that are not yet priced in. Traders quickly priced in the fiscal spending and legislative advantage that President Trump promised. This week we saw the first promise die, so the onus is now on the bulls to prove they can deliver the rest.

Click to EnlargeSo to say the least, the perfectly bullish scenario has some rebuilding to do. This creates an opportunity to take a short-term bearish bet on the IBB. I can do this without spending any out-of-pocket money.

Before you label me a bear, I am merely shorting the near-term price action and not the fundamentals of any components within the IBB. In fact, I will leverage their value to pay for my bet.

The Trade: Buy the IBB June $280/$275 debit put spread for $1.30. This is a bearish trade that could triple my money if IBB falls through my spread before mid-June. The cost of entry is my maximum potential loss. I usually like to hedge my bets, and in this case, I will sell downside risk against the value of the IBB. The trick is to find proven support zones.

The Bank: Sell the IBB Jan $200 put and collect $3 per contract. The current 30% price buffer gives this leg a 90% theoretical chance of success. As long as IBB stock stays above my January sold strike, any premium I recover from selling the June debit put spread would be pure profit. Having no out-of-pocket risk makes managing this trade relatively easy.

Fair warning: Selling puts is risky, so only do it if you are willing and able to own the IBB shares at the strike price.

Nicolas Chahine is the managing director of SellSpreads.com. Learn options as easy as 1-2-3 here. As of this writing, he did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities. You can follow him on Twitter at @racernicand stocktwits at@racernic.

Article printed from InvestorPlace Media, http://investorplace.com/2017/03/short-the-ishares-nasdaq-biotechnology-index-etf-ibb-etf/.

2017 InvestorPlace Media, LLC

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IShares Nasdaq Biotechnology Index: Short the Near-Term Action in ... - Investorplace.com

OTTAWA, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Canada's biotech industry today welcomed the federal budget and its measures supporting the advancement of Canadian innovation in biotechnology centered sectors such as health/bio-sciences, clean technology and agri-food. Importantly the budget proposes support for the acceleration of innovation through the establishment of sector specific superclusters, including health/bio-sciences, agri-food and clean technology.

"The core of our industry is innovation - much of it coming out of universities. The Budgets focus on innovation and creating super clusters in biotechnology centered fields including health/bio-sciences, agri-food, and clean technology recognizes Canadas strengths in these areas and the enormous opportunity for the economy in successfully advancing biotechnology innovation. Today's commitments will result in products and therapies of the future and will accelerate the use of biotechnology in supporting the global competitiveness of Canadas traditional cornerstone economic sectors of agriculture, forestry, mining, energy and advanced manufacturing," commented Andrew Casey, President and CEO BIOTECanada.

Drawing on the nation's rich legacy of research, Canada now has an opportunity to become one of the worlds most successful modern biotech regions by transitioning its traditional industries into the new economy while drawing on its considerable strength of its investment in research. From universities, small mid-sized companies, hospitals and public research agencies across the country, Canadian biotech scientists make up the ecosystem ensuring Canadas biotechnology sector thrive.

Importantly, Canada already has in place many of the components necessary for global competitiveness and success in biotechnology. Indeed, Canada is home to a number of regional clusters which bring together: world-class universities and research institutes; biotech entrepreneurs; a significant multinational industry presence; and, a highly educated workforce. All told, the Canadian national biotech ecosystem is an economic strength that positions Canada well to compete in the emerging global bio-economy. The Budget will help harness many of these strengths to accelerate Canadas biotechnology innovation progress.

BIOTECanada looks forward to working with the federal government over the months ahead, offering a coordinated set of recommendations and mechanisms for the announced programs. Implementation consultations are key to ensuring the commitments realize the potential they offer to the biotechnology industry.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170322006371/en/

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BIOTECanada: Federal Budget Strengthens Biotechnology Industry Ecosystem Building Canadian Economy - Yahoo Finance

Dr. Richard Meredick will give a free talk about Living with Arthritis, Thursday, March 30, 6:30 p.m. at Northern Inyo Healthcare Districts Birch Street Annex, 2957 Birch St., Bishop.

Dr. Meredick, a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon, will discuss the causes of arthritis as it is seen in active populations such as ours. Learn about the signs, symptoms and popular treatment options to reduce pain and discomfort.

The 2017 Healthy Lifestyle Talks series is presented by Northern Inyo Healthcare District. Dr. Meredick specializes in Sports Medicine/Arthroscopy, and Joint Preservation.

About Northern Inyo Healthcare District: Founded in 1946, Northern Inyo Healthcare District features a 25-bed critical access hospital, a 24-hour emergency department, a primary care rural health clinic, a diagnostic imaging center, and clinics specializing in womens health, orthopedics and neurology, pediatrics and allergies and general surgery. Continually striving to improve the health outcomes of those who rely on its services, Northern Inyo Healthcare District aims to improve our communities one life at a time. One team, one goal, your health.

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NIHD talk Thursday on 'Living with Arthritis' - Sierra Wave

Home Anti-Aging Arthritis Early arthritis symptoms you should know

Having arthritis pain can be quite a nuisance. It hampers our day, making the most mundane takes difficult and subjecting us to unnecessary agony. But the pain associated with arthritis isnt the only symptom people have to endure.

In a lot of cases, people notice other things showing up before they ever have pain, says Kevin Shea, an orthopedic surgeon at St. Lukes Health System in Boise.

While arthritis may be seen as one entity, there are actually hundreds of different types, and each person diagnosed with the condition may present with an entirely different constellation of symptoms from the next, making each case unique.

Being aware of the symptoms arthritis sufferers may present allows you and your doctor to possibly slow down its progression. Early detection can allow for the use of anti-inflammatory medication or certain lifestyle changes to help preserve normal functioning. The following are a list of non-pain-related symptoms that are associated with arthritis to keep a look out for.

Stiffness: Arthritis often manifests as joint stiffness. You try to bend or straighten the joint, and it feels tight or full, Shea says. It may also be hard to move to one side. Stiffness tends to be worse early in the day, getting better as the day goes on.

Swelling: This symptom can be appreciated by comparing two joints side by side: for example, both wrists, or both knees. Assuming no other injuries or trauma has occurred, if one joint appears bigger or puffier than the other, it could indicate arthritis. Swelling often accompanies joint stiffness

Catching or grinding: This is the feeling that your joints or tendons are somehow tied up or catching on one another. Sometimes a patient will notice the catching or grinding, and then the pain will come later, Shea explains.

Fatigue: A prominent symptom of rheumatoid arthritis whereby the bodys immune system attacks the joints. It can lead to inflammation, both locally around the joint and systemically throughout the body. Systemic inflammation can leave individuals feeling symptoms of fatigue.

Fever or loss of appetite: Systemic inflammation not only reduces energy levels as previously mentioned but it can also result in flare-ups, or periodic increases in inflammation that can lead to a fever and loss of appetite.

Poor range of motion: It goes without saying that pain tends to inhibit movement, and that is definitely the case with arthritis pain. Doing simple household chores or your favorite hobbies become exponentially more difficult due to uninvited paina hallmark of arthritis.

These are some early signs associated with arthritis. It is important to speak with you doctor if you feel like you have any of these early symptoms, as they will help guide you to make the best choice for treatment options and best overall recovery.

Related Reading:

11 best essential oils for arthritis: Control arthritis and inflammation

Living with arthritis? Simple lifestyle and exercise tips to improve your joint health

http://www.prevention.com/health/7-surprising-arthritis-symptoms

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Early arthritis symptoms you should know - Bel Marra Health

CreakyJoints, an advocacy group for persons with arthritis, has launched ArthritisPower, a patient research registry for those with joint, bone and inflammatory skin conditions.

The registry is available via a free mobile app for iPhone and Android devices. The organization is financially supported by industry, government and private foundations, says Seth Ginsberg, president of CreakyJoints and co-founder of the Global Healthy Living Foundation.

Significant support also came from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, a not-for-profit nongovernmental organization authorized and funded in the Affordable Care Act. CreakyJoints also is part of PCORnet, the National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network.

The ArthritisPower registry is part of the interconnected PCORnet collaboration of patient groups, registries and health systems, Jeffrey Curtis, MD, a professor of rheumatology and immunology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, said in a statement. That means that as ArthritisPower grows, researchers can access specific data from our network and connect that information with data from other PCORnet networks, so that larger health questions can be asked and information can be utilized across patient populations.

Also See: Coalition forms to fight proposed NIH budget cuts

Were entering an era where patients speak up about what they want researchers to investigate, and researchers can use big data to answer those questions, Curtis continued. The more people who join and share information about their symptoms and treatments, the more quickly we are able to find answers.

ArthritisPower launched as a beta site in 2015 with 2,500 individuals downloading the mobile app and providing feedback on features. These early adopters provided 250 suggestions that were incorporated into the second version, built in an informatics unit at an undisclosed university, and now widely available.

CreakyJoints has been offering content online for two decades, serving more than 100,000 membersits web site has about 1 million visitors a year, Ginsberg notes. Now in the mobile era, it is offering additional services, enabling patients to track symptoms and treatments while also participating in research trials.

Patients can share information with their physicians, track results over time to determine when a new treatment starts to affect their symptoms, record personal insights in a journal to give context to flare-ups or improvements, send secure messages in private circles to communicate with others, and donate their health information to support research if they wish, Ginsberg explains.

Now, CreakyJoints is exploring how to scale the arthritis platform to also support research on how patients with diabetes or other autoimmune diseases are handling their conditions.

Further, Ginsberg says, the effort wants to expand to support other diseases. We want to get it right, he adds. We expect 10,000 users in a year, and then start looking at results and whats new.

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Fight against arthritis enlist patients with mobile tools - Health Data Management

NDTV

Potential of stem cell therapy to repair lung damage -- ScienceDaily Science Daily A new study has found that stem cell therapy can reduce lung inflammation in an animal model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cystic ... Study shows potential of stem cell therapy to repair lung damageEurekAlert (press release) Stem Cell Therapy May Help Treat Lung Inflammation and Damage: StudyNDTV all 10 news articles »

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Potential of stem cell therapy to repair lung damage -- ScienceDaily - Science Daily

Nohla Therapeutics is tapping the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) for its expertise in cell therapy GMP and manufacturing so that it can scale up clinical trials manufacture of NLA101, Nohla's Phase IIb-stage off-the-shelf universal donor stem and progenitor cell therapy for hematologic cancers. The firm will also work with UC Davis to further optimize the NLA101 manufacturing process, with a view to future commercial production.

Under terms of the collaboration and manufacturing agreement, UC Davis will carry out manufacturing and quality control testing of NLA101 at the UC Davis Institute of Regenerative Cures (IRC) cGMP Cell Therapy Manufacturing Facility in Sacramento, CA. Nohla has sublicensed office and laboratory space at the Oak Park Research Center next to the IRC, which will act as a warehouse and distribution center for supplying the IRC with raw materials and for storing NLA101 for distribution to the clinical trials sites. The collaboration will enable the production of enough NLA101 to supply clinical trials evaluating NLA101 in hematopoietic cell transplant and for treating chemotherapy-induced neutropenia.

This collaboration allows Nohla to capitalize on the expertise at UC Davis to scale manufacturing for NLA101 and increase our ability to supply product for multiple clinical trials, commented Kathleen Fanning, president and CEO at Nohla.

Lars Berglund, M.D., Ph.D., associate vice chancellor for biomedical research and vice dean for research at UC Davis School of Medicine, added, We are particularly excited to partner with Nohla for the development of this groundbreaking technology as it demonstrates our commitment to work with innovative companies developing lifesaving therapies.

Nohla was established in 2015 to exploit technology developed at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, which enables the Notch-mediated ex vivo expansion and directed differentiation of cord blood stem and progenitor cells into off-the-shelf universal donor cell therapies that can be used on demand without human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matching in recipients.

The lead product NLA101 has been evaluated in more than 100 patients at high risk of severe infection and other complications after chemotherapy or cord blood transplantation. A Phase IIb study is ongoing in patients undergoing myeloablative cord blood transplant for leukemia and other blood cancers. Nohla is also planning to start a Phase II study in patients undergoing high-dose chemotherapy for acute myelogenous leukemia (AML).

In November 2016, Nohla raised $43.5 million in a Series A financing round, taking total investment in the company to $64.5 million.

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Nohla and UC Davis Ink Manufacturing Deal for Off-the-Shelf Donor Stem Cell Therapy - Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News

Age-related Macular Degeneration, or AMD, is a degenerative disease of the the Macula Lutea, represented in red, the central area of the retina. BSIP / UIG via Getty Images

Now researchers at the Italian Institute of Technology in Genoa and the University of California, San Diego have crafted artificial retinas that can be implanted entirely inside the eye, which offer hope to those with macular degeneration.

The devices are only experimental prototypes with many years of additional research and development likely before they might be ready for commercial use. But

She's not alone in that assessment.

"This is definitely a game changer," Dr. Kapil Bharti, an investigator at the National Eye Institute in Bethesda, Maryland who is not involved with the research, says. "Previous versions of these work in a very, very low-resolution range. Patients were practically still blind and incapacitated as far as everyday tasks were concerned. These promise that patients could become more independent."

When healthy, retinal cells transmit visual information to the brain. As these cells die off, AMD sufferers lose their central vision. The new prosthesis is designed to be implanted onto the back wall of the eye, where it absorbs light and transforms it into an electrical signal that stimulates the still-active retinal cells to restore vision.

Related:

When the prosthesis was tested in rats, the animals' pupils constricted in response to exposure to light. The researchers were unable to determine how well the rats were able to see, if at all, but they noted that the animals' eyes continued to react to light more than six months after the implant was installed.

"We hope to replicate in humans the excellent results obtained in animal models," Pertile said. The team will conduct human trials later this year.

The findings were published in the journal

The researchers in San Diego have taken a different approach to solving AMD that they think can restore vision to resolutions as sharp as a healthy eye.

There, engineers have partnered with Nanovision Biosciences Inc. to

Images of individual nanowires and groups of nanowires. Each wire can produce an electric current when hit by light. UC San Diego

"We want to create a new class of devices with drastically improved capabilities to help people with impaired vision," Silva said.

The findings were reported in

Neither of the implants is able to restore color to vision yet, and Bharti has questions about the durability of organic eye implants. But, he says, "Those are things that can be easily worked out and can be done in the coming future. Overall, this is very exciting."

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This Tiny Device Is a 'Game Changer' for People Facing Blindness ... - NBCNews.com

March 27, 2017 8:47 PM By Stephanie Stahl

PHILADELPHIA (CBS)Changing the perception of blindness is the mission of a Bucks County mother who has two blind children.

And for her efforts, Kristin Smedley is being honored.

She has been invited to speak at a prestigious event called Risk Takers, Change Makers.

Kristin fits both of those descriptions and the title of her talk is How I Learned To See Through The Eyes Of My Sons.

Her sons Mitchell and Michael are blind but that hasnt held them back very much.

It doesnt stop the Bucks County brothers from playing a round of air hockey.

Theyve learned to play not by watching the puck but by listening for it.

Sight is not what should hold anyone back, its just a minor inconvenience, says Mitchell.

Mitchell is 13 years old and his big brother is 17 years old.

They were both born with a rare inherited eye disease called Leber congenital amaurosis or LCA.

Having 2 blind kids, initially that was the most devastating news, said Kristin.

But that devastation turned into amazement for Kristin as she learned how well her boys could adapt and even excel.

Michael is an accomplished musician and is involved with school productions.

Sometimes at school they look at me and say, Wait, youre the blind kid running the lights yeah and you send the blind kid on the cat walk, says Michael. So theres nothing you cant do.

The stuff they can do is unbelievable, says Kristin.

Shes writing a book called Thriving Blind and has a big following on Facebook helping other families with blind children.

Kristin started a foundation called Curing Retinal Blindness that raises money for research.

Shes organizing a fundraiser and is putting the finishing touches on the presentation shes been invited to give at a TEDx event which highlights innovative ideas.

Its like that dream come true moment, says Kristin.

TED stands for technology, entertainment and design.

Shes excited to share her message of conquering fear and understanding that blindness can be powerful.

She says those are lessons she learned from her sons.

Their brains work at a higher level than ours too. she said. Because my son Michael will say, youre so distracted, you sighted people are all distracted by the stuff you see, focus mom focus, its amazing.

The boys are enrolled in regular classes at school.

They use a Braille notepad and have big plans for a future that include college and big careers.

For Michael and Mitch, being blind isnt much of a consideration.

I really dont think its that big of an issue, says Mitch.

Kristins TEDx speech is March 30 in New York City.

Invitations to speak at TEDx are very selective and prestigious and the event will be giving Kristins message a big international forum.

Stephanie Stahl, CBS 3 and The CW Philly 57s Emmy Award-winning health reporter, is featured daily on Eyewitness News. As one of the television industrys most respected medical reporters, Stephanie has been recognized by community and he...

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Bucks County Mother On A Mission To Change The Perception Of Blindness - CBS Philly

The government is set to change a four-decade-old definition of blindness to bring it in line with the WHO criteria and ensure the Indian data on blindness meets the global estimates.

As defined under the National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB), a person unable to count fingers from a distance of six metres is categorised as "blind" in India, against the WHO's stipulation of three metres.Promila Gupta, NPCB Deputy Director General said,

We will bring the definition of blindness at par with the WHO's criteria. Because of the current definition, we project a higher figure of blind people from India at any international forum. Thus India gets presented in a poor light compared to other countries.

Also, she said, the data "we generate under the programme cannot be compared with the global estimates as other countries are following the WHO criteria".

Uniformity in the definition across various regions of the world is a pre-requisite for facilitating collection of population-based data on prevalence of blindness and estimating its global burden, Gupta said. Further, India has to achieve the goal set by WHO, which recommends reducing the blindness prevalence of the country to 0.3 percent of the total population by 2020.

Praveen Vashist, in-charge, Community Ophthalmology at Dr R P Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences at AIIMS said,

The Vision 2020 recommends reducing the prevalence of blindness to 0.3 per cent by the year 2020 to achieve the elimination of avoidable blindness. It will be extremely difficult to achieve the WHO goal using the NPCB definition since we will be addressing an extra four million individuals, blind due to refractive errors. By adopting the blindness criteria of WHO, India can achieve the goal.

The Health Ministry is also planning to change the nomenclature of NPCB to the National Programme for Control of Visual Impairment and Blindness.

The idea is to further strengthen the programme by focussing not only on the blind persons but also those with some kind of visual impairment. It urges the member states to strengthen national efforts to prevent avoidable visual impairment through better integration of eye health into national eye health plans and service delivery," Gupta added.

She said India currently has around 12 million blind people against 39 million globally-- which makes India home to one-third of the world's blind population. The current definition of blindness was adopted at the time of the inception of the NPCB in 1976.

The probable reason for keeping six meters as cut-off for defining blindness in India was to include economic blindness cases which referred to a level of blindness which prevents an individual to earn his or her wages. In contrast, the WHO definition adopts a criteria for blindness that is which hampers the routine social interaction of a person (social blindness), Gupta said.

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India changes four-decade-old definition of blindness to meet WHO criteria - YourStory.com

Researchers in Italy and California have created a device to help treat people with debilitating retinal diseases, NBC News reports.

The devices artificial retinas that can be implanted entirely inside the eye were crafted by researchers at the Italian Institute of Technology in Genoa and the University of California, San Diego. The devices are still in the experimental stage and are only developmental prototypes as researchers have years of work to do before getting them ready for commercial use.

But there's great potential to help people who suffer from age-related macular degeneration, which causes damage to the macula, a small spot near the center of the retina and the part of the eye needed for sharp, central vision.

"This is definitely a game changer," Dr. Kapil Bharti, an investigator at the National Eye Institute in Bethesda, Maryland who was not involved with the research, told NBC News. "Previous versions of these work in a very, very low-resolution range. Patients were practically still blind and incapacitated as far as everyday tasks were concerned. These promise that patients could become more independent."

2017 Newsmax. All rights reserved.

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Report: Device Could Help With People Facing Blindness - Newsmax