StemCell Therapy

Innovation not necessarily comprises a scientific breakthrough but seeks the immediacy of needs to be acknowledged, asserts Rabindra Mohan Sapkota, 43, who is the chairman of Shikhar Biotech established in 2000. In conversation with Republicas Sonam Lama, he shares some of his insights on initiating the first biotechnological company in Nepal, followed by its different setbacks.

Tell us about Shikhar Biotech? Shikhar Biotech is pioneer antibody production company in Nepal which was initiated by the parent biotech company based in the United Kingdom. Our company is a spin-off of the British-Nepali venture Everest Biotech Limited, UK. We aim to manufacture and deliver the highest quality reagents and services to life-science researchers and other biotech companies worldwide.

How is Shikhar Biotech different from other biotech companies? Yes. Many experiments in Nepal are carried out on plant biotechnology but we have been conducting a specific operation on producing and manufacturing goat antibodies. With a smooth manufacture and delivery of more than 3000 antibodies till date, we believe we are attained a renowned space in the international market with our products being on long term demand. We have a strong track record of testing thousands of high quality goat polyclonal antibodies on behalf of our previous parent company. This experience has enabled us to offer this service now to other companies or researchers at competitive prices without any compromise in quality.

How does Shikhar Biotech benefit Nepal? With our company being recognized as an independent one, it has helped acquiring first hand contribution to boost the economy of Nepal. Our rigorous research and hands on activities have increased the growth in productivity. Our operations run further with promoting goat rearing in several villages such as Taulung which has earned a good source of income for the village farmers. On this note, we have gradually been able to provide technological materials such as cell lines to students of Kathmandu and Tribhuwan Universities. We are now extending our work to developing new products within Nepal.

What were the setbacks of initiating a pioneer company in Nepal? There were certain challenges since its inception as there was a congested market with people being highly unaware of biotechnological studies. So we primarily had to struggle for an access to the market outside Nepal. Moreover, limited amount of revenue and acute lack of investments occurred with the scarcity of raw materials and services. In context of Nepal, the financial crisis has been lagging us behind. However, in the case of availability of ample resources, we still fall short for research, innovation, and awareness.

What are your further plans? One of our long term plans is to include the development of testing material of vitamin D. This tester is used to detect the content of Vitamin D in a human body through antibody platform. In order to make it easily accessible and cost cheaper in Nepal, the research on producing diagnostic kits have been under high consideration. We have been conducting researches on developing the glucose tester in Nepal which would serve Nepal in the long run.

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Biotechnology company is introducing Nepal to the world market - Republica

Generex Biotechnology Corporation (OTCMKTS:GNBT) is a micro-cap biotech player that has been on the rise of late despite an avalanche of growing debt and no clear route to near term monetization. But such is the case quite often in this sector, even in the case of the best opportunities. GNBT stockis moving higher in recent days following a couple catalysts.

In the first case, the company announced a letter of intent for the acquisition of a controlling equity interest in Emmaus Life Sciences, Inc, a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery, development, and commercialization of innovative treatments and therapies, primarily for rare and orphan disease. Initial product development efforts are focused on Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), a genetic disorder. In the second case, the company just announced that it has achieved the elimination of its outstanding derivative securities.

Generex Biotechnology Corporation (OTCMKTS:GNBT) trumpets itself as a company engaged in the research, development, and commercialization of drug delivery systems and technologies.

As the company states, Generex has developed a proprietary platform technology for the delivery of drugs into the human body through the oral cavity (with no deposit in the lungs). The Companys proprietary liquid formulations allow drugs typically administered by injection to be absorbed into the body by the lining of the inner mouth using the Companys proprietary RapidMist device. Antigen Express, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Generex.

The core platform technologies of Antigen Express comprise immunotherapeutic vaccines for the treatment of malignant, infectious, allergic, and autoimmune diseases. Antigen Express has pioneered the use of specific CD4+ T-helper stimulation technologies in immunotherapy. One focuses on modification of peptides with Ii-Key to increase potency, while a second relies on inhibition of expression of the Ii protein. Antigen Express scientists, and others, have shown clearly that suppression of expression of the Ii protein in cancer cells allows for potent stimulation of T-helper cells and prevents the further growth of cancer cells.

According to company materials, Hema Diagnostic Systems, LLC (www.rapid123.com) is a rapidly growing biotechnology company involved in the development, manufacture, assembly, and distribution of diagnostics targeting primary as well as orphan infectious diseases. Hema Diagnostic Systems continues to expand its product line to meet the needs of the worldwide market. Point-of-Care test devices are made simple to use and are highly cost effective when incorporated into Hema Diagnostic Systems patented and patent pending delivery systems. The Rapid 1-2-3 Hema EXPRESS is a novel delivery system that is self-contained and easy to use.

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In thinking about the potential benefits of a controlling position in Emmaus, Dr. Yutaka Niihara, MD, MPH, Chairman and CEO of Emmaus and Executive Chairman of Generex commented: R&D efforts continue apace at Emmaus, as evidenced by these new patents securing our intellectual property portfolio. We are pleased to add diverticulosis and diabetes as prospective new indications for our PGLG product which we are currently developing for the treatment of SCD.

Joseph Moscato, Generex President & CEO, stated: I am gratified by the confidence Emmaus has expressed in Generex in providing this leeway to allow us to consummate the reorganization of our capital structure which will set the stage for our future successes.

That said, our sense is that the biggest catalyst in recent action may actually be the cap table move through undercutting the companys derivative liabilities.

As noted in the companys most recent release, the consequent reduction in the number of shares coming into the market and the termination of the attendant price protection provisions will unburden the Company. In addition, the elimination of the derivative liability will greatly improve the Companys balance sheet. Thus unencumbered, and with a reinvigorated management team and Board of Directors, the Company will proceed to execute its business plans and to attract value investors.

The chart shows just under 290% piled on for shareholders of the listing during the trailing month. Market participants may want to pay attention to GNBTstock. Generex has a track record that includes a number of dramatic bounces. Whats more, the company has witnessed a pop in interest, as transaction volume levels have recently pushed just shy of 410% above its longer run average levels. Since we last covered the name, the stock has moved 58% higher.

Now commanding a market cap of $15.8M, GNBT has virtually no cash on the books, which compares with a mountain of current liabilities, in excess of $9 million. One should also note that debt has been growing over recent quarters. The company is pre-revenue at this point. This may be a very interesting story and we will look forward to updating it again soon. For continuing coverage on shares of GNBT stock, as well as our other hot stock picks, sign up for our free newsletter today and get our next hot stock pick!

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Generex Biotechnology Corporation (OTCMKTS:GNBT) Pushes Higher on New Catalysts - The Oracle Dispatch

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Cellect Biotechnology Ltd. (Nasdaq: APOP) announced today positive final results from its clinical trial of ApoGraft in healthy donors. The studys primary objective was to validate the Company's propriety method of stem cell selection by going through the process of production and characterization with ApoGraft, and was conducted on samples obtained in collaboration with two leading medical centers in Israel, The Schneider Children's Medical Center and the Rambam Medical Center.

Cellects technology enables the use of stem cells for regenerative therapies by eliminating mature cells while leaving the stem cells unharmed using a natural process occurring in the human body, apoptosis (programed cell death), which orders cells to commit suicide. Cellects validated scientific platform, and the focus of its 7 families of patents, is that the apoptosis command destroys primarily mature cells, while stem cells remain alive and flourishing. This process allows for natural enrichment of stem cells, thus enabling stem cell-based therapies or transplantation to possess an abundance of quality stem cells with little to no risk of rejection or other complications, such as Graft versus Host Disease (GvHD).

The study included 104 healthy donors of blood stem cells. The samples (collected under approval of Helsinki committees) represented 5% of a graft used for transplantation into patients. The grafts were processed allowing stem cell production for transplantation with Cellects ApoGraft. The use of the ApoGraft resulted in a significant increase in the death of mature immune cells, primarily T Lymphocytes, without compromising the quantity and quality of stem cells. The process takes only a few hours as compared to days of complex and expansive lab work with traditional methods, is anticipated to be extremely cost effective in comparison to current approaches, and has the potential to significantly reduce the risk of GvHD.

Dr. Yaron Pereg, Cellects Chief Development Officer, commented: These results from processing human stem cells for bone marrow transplantation using ApoGraft clearly demonstrated that Cellects proprietary platform could improve the outcome of stem cell transplantations in patients suffering from hematological malignancies.

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Cellect Biotechnology (APOP) Announces Positive Results of Clinical Trial of ApoGraft - StreetInsider.com

BBC News

The people with arthritis struggling to work - BBC News BBC News Some 600,000 people with arthritis are missing out on the opportunity to work, according to the charity Arthritis Research UK. BBC presenter Julian Worricker, ... and more »

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The people with arthritis struggling to work - BBC News - BBC News

February 22, 2017

Psoriasis is a lifelong disease that is associated with significant cosmetic and physical disability and puts patients at increased risk for many major medical disorders. A multidisciplinary team of researchers at the University of Calgary, Canada, have found that psoriasis patients who developed depression were at a 37% greater risk of subsequently developing psoriatic arthritis, compared with psoriasis patients who did not develop depression. Their findings are published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.

Psoriasis is a long-lasting inflammatory skin disease characterized by red, itchy, and scaly patches of skin. Approximately 8.5% of psoriasis patients have psoriatic arthritis, which is characterized by psoriasis plus inflammation of and around the joints.

"For many years, the rheumatology and dermatology communities have been trying to understand which patients with psoriasis go on to develop psoriatic arthritis and how we might detect it earlier in the disease course," explained senior investigator Cheryl Barnabe, MD, MSc, of the McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health and the O'Brien Institute for Public Health, Cumming School of Medicine, at the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Depression is common among patients with psoriasis. Based on recent laboratory work demonstrating that major depressive disorder is associated with increased systemic inflammation, the team of researchers hypothesized that psoriasis patients who develop depression are at increased risk of subsequently developing psoriatic arthritis.

Investigators used The Health Improvement Network (THIN), a primary care medical records database in the United Kingdom, to identify over 70,000 patients with a new diagnosis of psoriasis. Through follow-up records, they identified individuals who subsequently developed depression and those who developed psoriatic arthritis. Patients were followed for up to 25 years or until they developed psoriatic arthritis.

Statistical analysis showed that patients with psoriasis who developed major depressive disorder were at 37% greater risk of subsequently developing psoriatic arthritis compared with patients who did not develop depression, even after accounting for numerous other factors such as age and use of alcohol.

The study highlights the need for physicians to manage patients with psoriasis to identify and address depression. This could include rapid, effective treatment of psoriasis and psychosocial management of the cosmetic burden of psoriasis. The study also draws into question the biological mechanisms by which depression increases the risk for developing psoriatic arthritis. These mechanisms may include altered systemic inflammation as a consequence of depression, or even the role of lifestyle behaviors such as physical activity or nutrition, which are typically worsened by depression, and which may place an individual at risk for psoriatic arthritis.

"There is a tendency to think of depression as a purely 'psychological' or 'emotional' issue, but it also has physical effects and changes in inflammatory and immune markers have been reported in depressed people," commented Scott Patten, MD, PhD, the O'Brien Institute for Public Health, Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, Cumming School of Medicine. "Depression may be a risk factor for a variety of chronic conditions and this research is an example of how big data approaches can identify these associations."

Laurie Parsons, MD, of the Cumming School of Medicine, added: "It is evident to physicians who treat patients with psoriasis, that there is a significant psychological and social burden associated with this disease, which is reflected in an increase in the rates of depression. This study brings us a little closer to understanding the role of chronic inflammation as a systemic player in both the physical and psychological manifestations of psoriasis and underscores the need for closer attention to symptoms of depression in this group of patients."

"This study raises important questions on the role of systemic inflammation, which is also elevated in depression, in driving a disease phenotype, which needs to be confirmed in clinical cohorts," concluded Dr Barnabe.

Explore further: Higher risk for depression with psoriasis

More information: "Depression Is Associated with an Increased Risk of Psoriatic Arthritis among Patients with Psoriasis: A Population-Based Study," by Ryan T. Lewinson, PhD, Isabelle A. Vallerand, PhD, Mark W. Lowerison, MSc, Laurie M. Parsons, MD, Alexandra D. Frolkis, PhD, Gilaad G. Kaplan, MD, MPH, Andrew G.M. Bulloch, PhD, Mark G. Swain, MD, MSc, Scott B. Patten, MD, PhD, and Cheryl Barnabe, MD, MSc, Journal of Investigative Dermatology, volume 137, issue 4 (April 2017) dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jid.2016.11.032

(HealthDay)There is an increased risk of depression among women with psoriasis, according to a study published online July 17 in the British Journal of Dermatology.

(HealthDay)Gastric bypass, but not gastric banding, is associated with reduced risk of psoriasis, progression to severe psoriasis, and psoriatic arthritis, according to a study published online Dec. 21 in JAMA Surgery.

(HealthDay)The incidence of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is 2.7 cases per 100 psoriasis patients, with risk factors including severe psoriasis phenotype and low level of education, according to a study published in the April ...

The chronic inflammatory skin condition psoriasis was associated with the risk of major depression, although the risk was unrelated to the severity of the disorder, according to an article published online by JAMA Dermatology.

(HealthDay)Patients with psoriasis are at higher risk of developing arrhythmia, even after controlling for other risk factors, according to a study published in the September issue of the Journal of the American Academy ...

Those experiencing psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis are at higher risk for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and cardiovascular death, according to a multi-institutional study led byPenn ...

A research team led by scientists from Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) has carefully scrutinized the immune cells from patients with rheumatoid arthritis, revealing a striking new subset of T-cells that collaborate with ...

Combining a drug for rheumatoid arthritis with one that targets the chikungunya virus can eliminate the signs of chikungunya arthritis in mice in the disease's earliest stage, according to researchers at Washington University ...

About one million Americans each year undergo total knee or hip replacements, but complications bring as many as 1 in 12 back to the hospital and result in higher use of post-acute services within 90 days.

Using a novel approach for imaging the movement of immune cells in living animals, researchers from the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases (CIID) have identified what appear ...

Older adults who suffer from arthritis need to keep moving to be functionally independent. But in an examination of a goal that is daunting for most of this aging population, a new Northwestern Medicine study found that performing ...

(HealthDay)Everybody believes running can leave you sore and swollen, right? Well, a new study suggests running might actually reduce inflammation in joints.

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Depression puts psoriasis patients at significantly greater risk of ... - Medical Xpress

Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include a dull ache in the hand or forearm, which can sometimes spread to the upper arm, a sensation in the hand which feels similar to pins and needles.

Other symptoms also include dry skin, swelling or changes in the skin colour of the hand, becoming less sensitive to touch and weakness of the muscles at the base of the thumb.

Experts have said symptoms can get worse first thing in the morning - or even late at night and can stop people getting to sleep.

GETTY

What is CTS?

Arthritis Research UK said carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition in which the median nerve is squeezed where it passes through the wrist.

It added: The median nerve controls some of the muscles that move the thumb; it also carries information back to the brain about sensations in your thumb and fingers.

The nerve controls sensation and movement in the hands.

NHS Choices said: The carpal tunnel is a narrow passage in your wrist made up of small bones and a tough band of tissue which acts as a pulley for the tendons which bend the fingers.

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The median nerve controls some of the muscles that move the thumb; it also carries information back to the brain about sensations in your thumb and fingers

Arthritis Research UK

The condition can be triggered by pregnancy or injuries to the wrist.

However it can also be triggered by strenuous or repetitive work with the hands, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.

Arthritis Research UK said: One of the possible causes include any form of arthritis in the wrist if theres swelling of the wrist joint or the tendons that run through the carpal tunnel.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term condition that causes pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints and mainly affects the hands feet and wrists.

GETTY

Natalie Carter, head of research liaison and evaluation at Arthritis Research UK said: Arthritis Research is currently funding a study at Keele University to find out more about the effectiveness of common treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome, to offer the best treatment options for people affected by this painful condition. We would advise anyone worried about carpal tunnel syndrome to talk to their doctor about their treatment plan. Suggested treatment will depend on how severe the compression of the nerve is.

"There are few simple things that can alleviate symptoms such as a resting splint for your wrist, particularly at night, or a working splint if your symptoms are brought on by a particular activity. A steroid injection can be helpful, although the effect may wear off after few weeks. If theres a severe compression of the median nerve, or if the numbness and pain doesnt improve with other treatments, surgery may be the only option. This relieves pain by reducing the pressure on the median nerve. Surgery is usually completed within a day, and you can expect to recover in less than a month. For most people, the surgery is successful treating the condition. For further information on the condition and helpful exercises, visit http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org.

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Arthritis could be causing THIS common syndrome - causing ... - Express.co.uk

Efficacy of 23-Valent Pneumococcal Vaccine in Rheumatoid Arthritis Questioned Infectious Disease Advisor (registration) The 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) may not be effective for preventing pneumonia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who are at risk for infections, according to a study published in Arthritis Research & Therapy.

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Efficacy of 23-Valent Pneumococcal Vaccine in Rheumatoid Arthritis Questioned - Infectious Disease Advisor (registration)

Humans have about 15,000 inner ear-hair cells, each one picking up sound vibrations, converting them to electric signals and sending them to the brain for processing.

Over time, loud noise, medications and old age combine to kill these cells and their microscopic hairs called stereocilia which leads to hearing loss. Unlike other animals, however, humans and mammals can't regrow them. But a group of scientists based in Boston say they've figured out a way to switch on the body's cellular factories and possibly reverse hearing loss.

"The biology is there, we just need to awaken it," said Jeffrey Karp, associate professor at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School and an author on the new study appearing Tuesday in the journal Cell Reports. "For some reason there are brakes that we need to release for a short period of time to allow new hair cells to be produced."

RELATED: Can We Reverse Hearing Damage?

Karp and colleagues were able to regrow the hair cells by activating a stem cell in the cochlea called Lgr5 with a small molecule drug treatment. A similar stem cell is found in the human intestine and allows the body to regrow the exterior lining of the organ every five days.

The team also obtained a human cochlea from a patient who suffered from cancer and were able to regrow hair cells with their drug treatment.

"We don't want to provide false hope, but we are highly encouraged by this work. And our ability to produce bona fide functional hair cells is very compelling," Karp said.

The next step is taking the experimental data and starting a human clinical trial. Karp and Robert Langer of MIT are co-founders in a small startup firm, Frequency Therapeutics, that's working toward a phase I trial in the next 18 months, according to Karp.

A possible drug treatment for hearing loss could help the 360 million people worldwide who suffer from the condition.

RELATED: Why Does Loud Music Cause Hearing Loss?

"Their proposal is very novel and essentially by activating these supporting cells, a natural process will take over and a certain percentage would become hair cells capable of playing a role in the encoding of sound," said Nicolas Reed, an instructor in otolaryngology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. "I don't see any obvious negative indications right now."

Hearing loss can lead to big problems as we age, including the onset of Alzheimer's disease, falls and social isolation, according to Larry Medwetsky, chairman of our Department of Hearing, Speech and Language Sciences at Gallaudet University.

"It is not a minor matter," Medwetsky said. "Hearing loss can affect you mentally and emotionally. If you can prevent or remediate it than you can also you can restore quality of life and avoid some of these issues."

WATCH: How Did Human Hearing Evolve?

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Stem Cell Therapy Could Reverse Hearing Loss - Seeker

Portland Business Journal

Opinion: Oregon patients should beware of stem cell therapy fraud Portland Business Journal Patients in Oregon seeking accurate information about stem cell therapy have few reliable sources to guide them. It can be hard to separate scientific facts from science fiction. Query Dr. Google and you'll find a slew of clinics and a broad range of ...

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Opinion: Oregon patients should beware of stem cell therapy fraud - Portland Business Journal

CHICAGO - As a professional photographer, climbing up step ladders and walking down stairs are part of the daily grind for 65-year-old Linda Schwartz.

"There's constant activity; you're moving the whole time, really," Schwartz said

But the pain of osteoarthritis in both of her knees was making all that activity a little harder.

"I tried cortisone shots. I had something called Euflexxa," Schwartz detailed. "I was sent to physical therapy twice. I mean, I did try acupuncture in my knees, but it didn't really seem to make a difference."

"It's like the rubber on the tire, so as you start to lose the rubber in your tire and the rim hits the road, that's what happens when you have bone on bone arthritis and you've lost all the cartilage in your knee," explained Dr. Adam Yanke, an orthopedic surgeon at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.

Yanke enrolled Schwartz in an experimental new therapy that involved injecting amniotic fluid that contained stem cells donated by healthy mothers into the knees of osteoarthritis patients.

"Between the two of those, they're a potent anti-inflammatory and they also have growth factors that help promote healing or healthy growth of tissue," Yanke said.

It was, by far, the most effective pain treatment that Schwartz has tried. Unlike cortisone shots, there are no side-effects. The pain relief has so far lasted up to a year.

Research summary - Stem cell therapy for osteoarthritis

"It was a very gradual feeling of it's a little bit better, it's a little bit better, and then realizing, wow, it's really pretty good," said Schwartz.

The one drawback is the therapy is not for patients whose arthritis is so bad it requires knee replacement surgery. Even though it's still in the experimental stage, Yanke offers the stem cell treatment to his patients, but at a cost of $2,200 a shot, it is not yet covered by insurance.

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Health Beat: Stem cell therapy for osteoarthritis - WFMZ Allentown

UPI.com

Stem cells collected from fat may have use in anti-aging treatments Science Daily Adult stem cells collected directly from human fat are more stable than other cells -- such as fibroblasts from the skin -- and have the potential for use in anti-aging treatments, according to researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the ... Stem cells from fat could be used in anti-aging treatmentsUPI.com all 2 news articles »

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Stem cells collected from fat may have use in anti-aging treatments - Science Daily

Stem cells collected from human fat may have the potential for use in anti-ageing treatments, as they are more stable than fibroblasts from the skin, scientists have found.

Researchers developed a new model to study chronological ageing of fat cells.

Chronological ageing shows the natural life cycle of the cells - as opposed to cells that have been unnaturally replicated multiple times or otherwise manipulated in a lab.

In order to preserve the cells in their natural state, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania in the US developed a system to collect and store them without manipulating them, making them available for this study.

They found stem cells collected directly from human fat - called adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) - can make more proteins than originally thought.

This gives them the ability to replicate and maintain their stability, a finding that held true in cells collected from patients of all ages.

"Our study shows these cells are very robust, even when they are collected from older patients," said Ivona Percec, from University of Pennsylvania.

"It also shows these cells can be potentially used safely in the future, because they require minimal manipulation and maintenance," said Percec.

Stem cells are currently used in a variety of anti-ageing treatments and are commonly collected from a variety of tissues.

However, researchers specifically found ASCs to be more stable than other cells, a finding that can potentially open the door to new therapies for the prevention and treatment of ageing-related diseases.

"Unlike other adult human stem cells, the rate at which these ASCs multiply stays consistent with age," Percec said.

"That means these cells could be far more stable and helpful as we continue to study natural ageing," he said.

The research was published in the journal Stem Cells.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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'Stem cells from fat may have use in anti-ageing treatments' - Business Standard

Health Beat: Stem cells treat...

LOS ANGELES - Roy Woelke knows how overwhelming hair loss can be.

"It's been 30 years of concern," Woelke said. "I noticed thinning in my late 20s, and it never stops. It seems like it just goes on and on."

Woelke has had three hair replacement surgeries, but that's really just moving hair around the head and, as he said, you run out of supply.

Dr. Kenneth Williams, a hair restoration surgeon at Orange County Hair Restoration in Los Angeles, may have new hope for Woelke and millions of others. He's running a clinical trial that uses stem cells and platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, to treat baldness.

"The study is taking cells that are in our body that help to regenerate or stimulate inactive or dormant hair follicles. That is the theory behind what we're doing this procedure on," Williams explained.

Williams takes fat from the abdomen, emulsifies it and separates the stem cells, mixes it with the patient's own plasma, which has been spun down to be super concentrated. Then, with 300 shots, he injects the mixture into the scalp, twice over a three-month period.

Woelke said he hopes to get into the trial, which has five participants so far. Williams already does the procedure for paying patients who've had promising results.

Research summary - Stem cells treat baldness

"Those patients are seeing some differences in the density of the hair," Williams said. "We're waiting for the final results, which take nine to 12 months after the administration. We look to see the final results of what we're doing."

Williams hopes to publish results in two years.

Williams' trial is supported by National Institutes of Health, but not by a major pharmaceutical company yet. That means his trial is patient-funded, meaning they'll pay a reduced cost of the $2,500 to $5,800 procedure, depending on which arm of the trial is chosen.

Contact the Irvine Institute of Medicine and Cosmetic Surgery at 949-333-2999 or visit straandstudy.com for more information.

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Health Beat: Stem cells treat baldness with PRP - WFMZ Allentown

Korea's aesthetic procedures have become a big export. Some are innovative, some are questionable. Local doctors discuss their merit and the alternatives.

What

Use your stem cells to generate new cells for brighter, firmer and younger-looking skin with improved elasticity and diminished fine lines and wrinkles.

How

There are two ways: Extract the cells from the bone marrow or from abdominal and thigh fat, using syringes.

The materials are processed and purified to separate the stem cells from the other stuff.

Sometimes, the stem cells may be further cultured to increase their numbers.

The concentrate is then injected into the targeted area.

In South Korea, fat-derived stem cells are injected on the same day while bone marrow-derived ones are injected after a four-week culture, said Dr Kim Byung Gun, a plastic surgeon and director of BK Plastic Surgery Hospital in Seoul.

Local doctors say

Stem-cell therapy is not available in Singapore except in clinical trials approved by the Ministry of Health (MOH).

It is not offered for aesthetic purposes.

In its stead, Dr Low Chai Ling, medical director of The Sloane Clinic, recommended treatments using the fractional CO2 laser.

Compared with other lasers, it reaches deeper into the skin where the collagen fibres are, to immediately tighten skin and boost collagen production over the next few months.

Its depth also enables more effective treatment of deep-set wrinkles and scars.

What

Inject your own blood platelets, which have proteins known as growth factors that contribute to wound healing.

This supposedly enhances the skin's repair process, thereby treating fine lines and wrinkles for a fresher, smoother complexion with fewer blemishes. The jury is still out on the effectiveness of PRP therapy, but that hasn't detracted from its popularity in Korea.

"Koreans are more willing to try new things earlier than others," said Dr Kim.

How

About 10ml of blood is taken from the patient and placed in a centrifuge, which separates the platelets from the rest of the blood. The platelet concentrate is then injected into the face.

According to Dr Kim, who offers PRP therapy in his Seoul clinic, patients can expect to see improvements after several days, with results lasting between six and 12 months.

Local doctors say

Like stem-cell therapy, PRP therapy is available here only in clinical trials approved by the MOH. Otherwise, it is mainly used in orthopaedic clinics to aid in the recovery of sprains and muscle tears.

Dr Low suggested an alternative, Sculptra, an injectable made from poly-L-lactic acid, which encourages collagen production.

Unlike hyaluronic acid fillers that create immediate volume to give the treated areas a supple appearance, Sculptra works gradually over a few months, reducing the severity of wrinkles and restoring facial contours as collagen levels increase.

This article is adapted from the February issue of Her World magazine.

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Thinking of a Korean beauty fix?, Latest Others News - The New Paper - The New Paper

Americans spend between one and four billion dollars a year treating hair loss.

Now, four surgeons in the U.S. are testing a stem cell treatment in a non-surgical procedure.

Overseas trials in Japan and Egypt are already showing some success.

Its been 30 years of concern, Roy Woelke said.

Woelke knows how overwhelming hair loss can be.

I noticed thinning in my late twenties, and it never stops. It seems like it just goes on and on, Woelke detailed.

Hes had three hair replacement surgeries, but thats really just moving hair around the head, and as he says, you run out of supply.

Kenneth Williams, D.O., a hair restoration surgeon at Orange County Hair Restoration in Los Angeles, California, may have new hope for Woelke and millions of others.

Hes running a clinical trial that uses stem cells and platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, to treat baldness.

The study is taking cells that are in our body that help to regenerate or stimulate inactive or dormant hair follicles," Williams explained. "That is the theory behind what were doing this procedure on.

Williams takes fat from the abdomen, emulsifies it and separates the stem cells, mixes it with the patients own plasma which has been spun down to be super concentrated. Then with 300 shots, injects the mixture into the scalp, twice over a three-month period.

Woelke hopes to get into the trial, which has five participants so far.

Williams already does the procedure for paying patients whove had promising results.

Those patients are seeing some differences in the density of the hair," Williams said. "Were waiting for the final results, which take nine to 12 months after the administration. We look to see the final results of what were doing.

He hopes to publish results in two years.

Williams trial is supported by NIH, but not by a major pharmaceutical company yet. That means his trial is patient-funded, meaning theyll pay a reduced cost of the $2,500 to $5,800 procedure, depending on which arm of the trial is chosen.

Contact the Irvine Institute of Medicine and Cosmetic Surgery at (949) 333-2999 or visit http://www.straandstudy.com for more information.

Published at 5:46 PM CST on Feb 17, 2017 | Updated at 5:50 PM CST on Feb 17, 2017

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How many times have you been told to eat your carrots to help your eyes? Its an axiom that parents, grandparents, teachers, and pediatricians have passed down to children for ages. Well, it turns out that carrots arent going to magically improve your eyesight or make you more able to see at night any more than drinking milk is going to give you the ability to fly (which would be very cool, to be honest).

There is, of course, scientific data to back up that if you have a vitamin A deficiency (which can cause loss of eyesight) then eating carrots will help restore your vision, but thats not going to work for anyone who isnt suffering from a lack of the vitamin in their system. And its not the only fruit or vegetable to help in this situation. You could eat a carrot to boost your vitamin A levels Carrots have high amounts of beta-Carotene but you could also eat sweet potatoes, dark leafy greens, winter squashes, lettuce, dried apricots, cantaloupe, bell peppers, fish, liver, and tropical fruits to boost your vitamin A. Either way, youre not seeing in the dark.

So where did the idea that carrots would improve your vision or give you night vision even come from? Fake news World War II propaganda. The British had developed an onboard radar system which allowed their fighter pilots to spot German planes coming in for bombing raids under the cover of night. When the Brits were pushed on how they were able to shoot down the aircraft, they said it was because they were feeding their fighter aces carrots which it improved their night vision to X-Men like levels. Seriously, well except for the X-Men part.

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The Fascinating Origins Of The 'Carrots Give You Night Vision' Myth Have Been Revealed - UPROXX

Older adults are at a higher risk for diabetes and pre-diabetes than younger Americans. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one in every four Americans over the age of 60 has diabetes, and with age comes greater risks for complications. Diabetes can lead to heart attacks, strokes, blindness, kidney disease, amputations and even death.

However, studies show it is never too late to make changes to improve a persons health. Motivated adults ready to make lifestyle changes can slow the progression of diabetes and avoid or delay complications.

To help adults who want to get better control of their diabetes, Mountain-Pacific Quality Health, the Medicare quality innovative network-quality improvement organization (QIN-QIO) for Montana, Montana State University Teton County Extension and the Montana Geriatric Education Center are partnering together to offer a series of six, free diabetes classes. These classes provide fun, informative and interactive ways to help people with diabetes or pre-diabetes (high blood sugar)

understand diabetes and how it affects the entire body;

manage diabetes in a way that makes sense for them and their individual health goals;

become more informed members of their health care teams, as they continue to work with their doctors, diabetes educators and other health care providers to improve their health.

The classes support, not replace, professional self-management diabetes education. While the classes are designed for people with Medicare, anyone with diabetes or pre-diabetes is welcome to attend.

The series kicks off Tuesday, March 7, from 6:45 to 7:45 PM, in the Alice Gleason Room at the Choteau/Teton Public Library at 17 Main Ave. N. Classes then meet every Tuesday through April 18, excluding Tuesday, March 21. Anyone interested in attending these classes can register by calling (406) 466-2492 or emailing teton@montana.edu

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Live Healthy with Diabetes: Free Diabetes Classes - Fairfield Sun Times

Makayla Mattei, 15, went missing from her Virginia home on Friday morning. Her mom is worried that a stranger online lured her daughter to Georgia. Makayla is diabetic.

Ellison Barber and 11Alive , WUSA 12:54 PM. EST February 21, 2017

DUMFRIES, VA (WUSA9) - The family of a missing 15-year-old is afraid their daughter is with a stranger she met on the internet.They are originally from Atlanta and the mom said it is possible the teen may try to make her way toward Georgia.

"We haven't seen her. We haven't heard from her," said Chermene Shaw. "It feels like someone just ripped my heart out of my chest and there's a hole."

Shaws daughter, Makayla "Kayla" Phyllis Mattei, was last seen on Friday morning when she left to attend school at Forest Park High School in Dumfires, Virginia. Shaw says Makayla did not show up for school and hasn't been seen or heard from since.

This is the first time Makayla has ever left home, Shaw told WUSA9, and she's afraid the teen did it because of someone she met on the internet.

A few months ago, Shaw said she noticed her daughter talking to someone through social media.

"We believe she was talking to someone that she believed to be her age We think that this may be an adult, Shaw explained. "They don't live around here. They don't go to school anywhere."

Makayla has diabetes and needs insulin injections. Shaw said when her daughter left home she had medication with her, but she might not use it properly and she does not have a phone.

The mom took her phone away when she noticed her daughter talking to the stranger, and she had started to look through it.

"I had already taken it from her to look into. Even to hand off to the police initially, because my concern already was that there was possibly an adult trying to maybe even lure my child. It seemed so farfetched at the time, she said.

"You know your great fear, you think is to not have your child near to you but to not have them near to you and have them near to someone that possibly means them harm - I feel paralyzed."

Shaw says she and her family have spent days handing out missing flyers to as many people as they can.

"I want Makayla to know that we love her. Everyone is looking for her. Your family. We miss you, Shaw said. "We just want you to come home. If anyone has my daughter - we will find you. I will never stop looking until I get my baby back."

Makaylawas last seen wearing jeans, a pink hoodie, and carrying a dark book bag with the words Georgia State University on the front pocket.

Shaw said the family moved to Dumfries about a year ago. They are originally from Atlanta and Shaw said it is possible Makayla may try to make her way toward Georgia.

If you have any information about Makayla's whereabouts, please contact the Dumfries Police Department at (703)-792-6500.

( 2017 WUSA)

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Missing teen with diabetes believed to be headed to Georgia - 11alive.com

February 21, 2017 by Mark Derewicz Top Row: Heart arteries in normal mice, diabetic mice, and normal mice with deleted IRS-1 gene. Bottom row: when artery is wounded, diabetic mice with less IRS-1 and normal mice with deleted IRS-1 gene show much greater blockage due to over-proliferation of smooth muscle cells. Credit: Clemmons Lab, UNC School of Medicine

People with diabetes are at high risk of developing heart disease. Despite knowing this, scientists have struggled to trace the specific biology behind that risk or find ways to intervene. Now, UNC School of Medicine researchers have hunted down a possible culprit - a protein called IRS-1, which is crucial for the smooth muscle cells that make up veins and arteries.

According to a study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, too little of IRS-1 causes cells to revert to a "dedifferentiated" or stem-cell like state, and this may contribute to the buildup of plaque in the heart's arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis, which increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other forms of heart disease.

"When diabetes is poorly managed, your blood sugar goes up and the amount of this protein goes down, so the cells become subject to abnormal proliferation," said senior author David R. Clemmons, MD, Sarah Graham Kenan Professor of Medicine at the UNC School of Medicine. "We need to conduct more studies, but we think this cell pathway may have significant implications for how high blood glucose leads to atherosclerosis in humans."

The research could bring scientists one step closer to finding drugs to help stave off heart disease in people with diabetes, who are twice as likely to have heart disease or experience a stroke, as compared to people without diabetes. People with diabetes also tend to experience major cardiac events at a younger age.

The study focused on the cells that form the walls of veins and arteries, known as vascular smooth muscle cells. The main function of these cells is to contract whenever the heart beats, helping to push oxygen-rich blood to the body's tissues. When plaque builds up along the arterial walls, these cells gradually lose their ability to contract.

In their previous work, Clemmons and colleagues discovered that diabetes can trigger an abnormal cell signaling pathway that causes vascular smooth muscle cells to proliferate, which contributes to atherosclerosis. But their attempts to correct the abnormal signaling pathway didn't seem to completely solve the problem, leading them to suspect another factor.

In the new study, the team found that IRS-1 acts as an inhibitor of the abnormal signaling pathway thereby keeping the vascular smooth muscle cells differentiated, or specialized. In the absence of IRS-1, the cells revert to a stem-cell like state, which in turn activates the abnormal signaling pathway and promotes cell proliferation.

In people with diabetes, the presence of IRS-1 is strongly influenced by how well - or how poorly - blood sugar is kept in check. Previous studies have shown that patients who frequently or consistently have high blood sugar show dramatic reductions in IRS-1. The new study is the first to link this reduction with a predisposition for heart disease.

"The study suggests that you can't just inhibit the abnormal signaling, which we've already figured out how to do," Clemmons said. "Our work suggests you probably have to restore the normal signaling pathway, at least to some extent, in order to completely restore the cells to normal cell health, differentiation, and functioning."

As a next step, the Clemmons lab will look for things that might stimulate the synthesis of this protein even in the presence of high blood glucose.

To prove that IRS-1 acts as a brake on the abnormal signaling pathway that leads to cell proliferation, the team conducted experiments in three different types of mice: healthy mice, diabetic mice, and nondiabetic mice that were genetically engineered to produce no IRS-1. The scientists made a small incision in the blood vessels of the animals and then watched to see how the vascular smooth muscle cells reacted. In healthy mice, the incision stimulated wound healing but little cellular proliferation. In both the diabetic animals and the nondiabetic IRS-1 deficient animals, the researchers observed a marked increase in abnormal cellular proliferation.

The findings suggest that it may be possible to counteract the deleterious effects of high blood sugar on atherosclerosis by developing drugs that boost IRS-1.

Clemmons said the activities of IRS-1 might also play a role in other diabetes complications, such as eye and kidney disease. The researchers plan to study those potential links.

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Why do some people get Type 2 diabetes, while others who live the same lifestyle never do?

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I was diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes and put on Metformin on June 26th, 2016. I started the ADA diet and followed it 100% for a few weeks and could not get my blood sugar to go below 140. Finally i began to panic and called my doctor, he told me to get used to it. He said I would be on metformin my whole life and eventually insulin. At that point i knew something wasn't right and began to do a lot of research. On August 13th I found Lisa's diabetes story (google " HOW EVER I FREED MYSELF FROM THE DIABETES " ) I read that article from end to end because everything the writer was saying made absolute sense. I started the diet that day and the next morning my blood sugar was down to 100 and now i have a fasting blood sugar between Mid 70's and the 80's. My doctor took me off the metformin after just three week of being on this lifestyle change. I have lost over 30 pounds and 6+ inches around my waist in a month

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Researchers implicate suspect in heart disease linked to diabetes - Medical Xpress

Thinly traded nano cap Cellect Biotechnology Ltd. (APOP +19.4%) jumps on more than a 4x surge in volume in response to its announcement of positive results from a Phase 1 study aimed at validating its proprietary method of stem cell selection called ApoGraft. The process allows for the natural enrichment of stem cells that can be used in cell therapies or transplantation with significantly less risk of rejection.

The study was conducted on blood stem cells donated by 104 healthy subjects. Each sample represented a 5% graft. ApoGraft, used for only a few hours, produced a significant increase in the death of mature immune cells without compromising the quality and quantity of stem cells.

The Companys technology is expected to provide pharma companies, medical research centers and hospitals with the tools to rapidly isolate stem cells for in quantity and quality that will allow stems cell-related treatments and procedures. Cellects technology is applicable to a wide variety of stem cells related treatments in regenerative medicine and that current clinical trials are aimed at the cancer treatment of bone marrow transplantations.

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Early-stage study validates Cellect Bio's method of stem cell selection; shares ahead 19% - Seeking Alpha