StemCell Therapy

What if someone told you that theres a disease you could catch where you couldnt feel any symptoms coming on? And that this occurs every 1.2 seconds somewhere in the world?

What if you were stricken with this disease then there would be a 5% chance youd lose a limb within a year and a 50-70% chance youd be dead in five years? What if you were told that this problem cost more than the five most expensive cancers in the U.S. but far less than one one-thousandth of comparative federal and private funding is spent on attacking it?

Ladies and gentlemen, please allow me to introduce you to the humble diabetic foot ulcer. While the problem may strike at the end of the body, far away from the heart or the brain, its effects are far-reaching.

I have spent my career treating and researching the lower extremity complications of diabetes. Based on my research and experience, I believe our society could eliminate immeasurable suffering if we collectively paid more attention to this problem.

OK, I know this isnt a sexy topic. Foot wounds are ugly. Many people who have them are poor. But bear with me. They are a reality for far too many Americans and people across the globe. The ages of these patients are bimodal, in that there is one population of people who are old and getting older. Conversely, with more and more people being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes earlier, there is a population that is younger than ever being afflicted with wounds, infections and amputation. Ignoring the problem is an example of ignoring the needs of a silent and vulnerable population.

About 31 million people in the U.S. have diabetes, and about half a billion worldwide.

Diabetic foot ulcers develop because people with diabetes slowly lose the gift of pain. Over many years, people with diabetes lose feeling in their extremities. This occurs first and generally most profoundly in their feet.

Once this occurs, people with diabetes might wear a hole in their foot, just as you or I might wear a hole in a sock or shoe. This hole is called a diabetic foot ulcer.

About half the time, the ulcer will become infected. This increases the risk of further tissue damage and, in the face of frequent vascular disease, high-level amputation. Often all of this occurs with few, if any, symptoms until it is too late.

There is also good news. Studies have suggested that high-level amputations seem to decrease when interdisciplinary care is in place, regardless of the country.

Interdisciplinary teams consist of podiatric and vascular surgeons, the so-called Toe and Flow model. The concept is simple; these two specialists, can manage a great deal of the medical, surgical and biomechanical aspects of healing and aftercare.

When we add core physical therapy to this, then the threesome (what we in the field call Toe, Flow and Go) is really quite formidable. For example, our clinics at the University of Southern California and Rancho Los Amigos in Los Angeles have active participation from more than eight specialists ranging from plastic surgery to prosthetics/orthotics, to occupational therapy to nutrition to general practice to infectious disease to diabetology to nurse case management.

Truly, it takes a village to preserve a limb.

It has long been said in wound care that its not what one puts on a wound that heals it, but what one takes off. That maxim is absolutely true in the diabetic foot. Protection of the wound is key.

The gold standard for protecting the wound has been, believe it or not, to put the patient into a special cast. This device works so well because it protects the foot in a process known as offloading, or taking the burden off the foot. By its design, this cast is not easy to remove.

While this has been my personal favorite device to heal these foot wounds, patients dont like it and most doctors dont, either. In fact, fewer than 2% of centers in the country use this as their primary means of offloading. Reasons for this include fear of putting an open wound into a cast (even though the data largely refute this), the time required to apply and remove it and patients being miserable in a hot and heavy device.

Very recently, tech company offshoots have begun to partner with prosthetic/orthotic companies to create next-gen devices that can coax patients into wearing their protective device rather than forcing it upon them. They are using phone calls and a smartwatch.

After focusing on offloading pressure, the next question is what can be done to heal the wound.

Technologies ranging from fancy vacuums, to donated placental tissue, to repurposing blood cells into a dressing to topical oxygen systems have shown recent promise. Active research is being conducted with stem cell sheets consisting of specialized cells seeded on a clear sheet, spread-on skin, and gene therapy.

As challenging as healing the wound heals, the real challenge is whats next. Following healing, 40% of foot wounds will recur in one year, about two-thirds at three years, and nearly three out of four at five years.

At USC, along with colleagues in the National Health Service in the U.K., we have developed remission clinics designed to extend and promote an active life for this high-risk patient population.

This has also been combined with things like smart insoles, socks and home-based bathmats that can identify wounds before they occur. These technologies will likely initially be subscription-based but may expand beyond that.

Diabetic foot ulcers are common, complex and costly. Theyre sinister in that they come on quietly. Perhaps, though, it is now up to us to alert our own families, communities and leaders to this condition. It is, I believe, only by teaming up that we can stem the tide and preserve not only limbs, but extend lifespan, healthspan and hope.

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See the article here:
Diabetic foot wounds kill millions, but high-tech solutions and teamwork are making a difference - The Conversation US

In autologous stem cell and non-stem cell based therapies, an individuals cell is cultured and then re-introduced to the donors body. Used for the treatment of various bone marrow diseases, autologous stem cell and non-stem cell based therapies allows patients to have normal bone marrow, which gets destroyed in chemotherapy. The various diseases that can be treated with the help of autologous stem cell and non-stem cell based therapies include: multiple myeloma, aplastic anemia, non-Hodgkins lymphoma, Parkinsons disease, Hodgkins lymphoma, thalassemia, and diabetes. Thus, the demand for this therapy is projected to rise over the coming years.

The report is a thorough analysis of theAutologous Stem Cell and Non-Stem Cell Based Therapies Market. Comprising an in-depth analysis of the various factors boosting and inhibiting the growth of the market, this report is a key to making profitable decisions by investing in the correct segment and sub-segment, which is anticipated to make the most progress in the future.

Autologous Stem Cell and Non-Stem Cell Based Therapies Market: Trends and Opportunities

One of the key drivers for this market is the rise in the prevalence of cancer and diabetes among people across all age groups. Moreover, the growing geriatric population is another factor, which is likely to create a heightened demand for autologous stem cell and non-stem cell based therapies. Favorable reimbursement policies across several nations are also aiding the growth of this market.

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Players in the market are striving to achieve therapies that are not only safe and effective but also affordable and easy to use. Players are also investing in extensive research and development so as to speed up the treatment process of autologous stem cell and non-stem cell based therapies. While currently this treatment is quite expensive, government bodies are expected to take up initiatives and make the therapy affordable in the years to come. This is expected to drive the market in the future.

On the other hand, challenges faced by the global autologous stem cell and non-stem cell based therapies market include risks and complications associated with the therapy, such as diarrhea, hair loss, nausea, severe infections, vomiting, heart complications, and infertility.

Autologous Stem Cell and Non-Stem Cell Based Therapies Market: Geographical Analysis

By geography, North America, trailed by Europe is leading in the autologous stem cell and non-stem cell based therapies market, on account of the minimization of risks associated with the therapy. Also, these therapies are highly in demand owing to their ability to treat a large number of infectious diseases. The fact that autologous stem cell and non-stem cell based therapies do not require an outside donor, makes it more convenient and less infectious. All these factors are boosting the growth of the market in North America.

Asia Pacific is projected to show the most promising growth in the years to come with high demand from China, Vietnam, Malaysia, and India. The demand is expected to be high as autologous stem cell and non-stem cell based therapies help in the effective treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Sophisticated healthcare infrastructure and favorable tax and reimbursement policies are also expected to aid the growth of the Asia Pacific autologous stem cell and non-stem cell based therapies market.

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Autologous Stem Cell and Non-Stem Cell Based Therapies Market: Companies Mentioned

Some of the leading players operating in the autologous stem cell and non-stem cell based therapies market are Fibrocell Science, Inc., Aastrom Biosciences, Dendreon Corporation, NeoStem, Inc., BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics, Regeneus Ltd., and Genzyme Corporation.

Here is the original post:
Autologous Stem Cell and Non-Stem Cell Based Therapies Market to Observe Strong Development by 2023 - Montana Ledger

Global Blood Therapeutics, Inc. (GBT) confirmed that the FDA has approved Oxbryta (voxelotor) tablets for the treatment of sickle cell disease in adults and children 12 years of age and older. According to the company press release, Oxbryta is the "first and only FDA-approved sickle hemoglobin polymerization inhibitor, a new class of therapy."

Earlier, the company presented updates on corporate developments on 10/8/2019 at its Analyst & Investor Day. Global Blood is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company having expertise in blood biology and structural and medicinal chemistry. The company's lead product candidate is voxelotor ('GBT440), an oral, once-daily therapy, designed to modulate hemoglobin affinity for oxygen for the treatment of sickle cell disease (SCD). SCD is an inherited blood disorder caused by a genetic mutation in the beta-chain of hemoglobin, leading to the formation of abnormal hemoglobin known as sickle hemoglobin (HbS).

HbS polymerizes forming rigid rods within a red blood cell (RBC). The inflexible polymer rods arranged in a sickle shape, cause hemolytic anemia (destruction of RBCs) that can result in multi-organ damage and even early death. This sickling process blocks capillaries and small blood vessels. Blocked bloodflow to organs results in inadequate oxygen delivery (hypoxia) to body tissues, which makes the SCD patients suffer recurrent and unpredictable episodes of severe pain, ultimately leading to physical and psychosocial disabilities. Voxelotor is designed to inhibit HbS polymerization.

Voxelotor had been granted priority review for the treatment of SCD, with PDUFA date set to February 26, 2020. Priority review shortens the FDA review time from the standard 10 Months to 6 months. The accelerated approval 3 months ahead of PDUFA speaks for the importance of this novel drug in the eyes of the FDA.

The NDA was based on data from the multi-national Phase 3 HOPE study, which demonstrated statistically significant and sustained improvements in hemoglobin with voxelotor. Looking at the critical need for new SCD treatments, the U.S. FDA earlier granted Breakthrough Therapy, Fast Track, Orphan Drug and Rare Pediatric Disease designations to voxelotor for the treatment of patients with SCD. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has also included voxelotor in its Priority Medicines (PRIME) program, while the European Commission (EC) has designated voxelotor as an orphan medicinal product for the treatment of patients with SCD.

Design: The efficacy and safety of two dose levels of voxelotor, 1500 mg and 900 mg, administered orally once daily, was compared with placebo in persons with SCD in a multicenter, Phase 3, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial "HOPE." The percentage of participants who had a hemoglobin response, defined as an increase of more than 1.0 g per deciliter from baseline at week 24 in the intention-to-treat analysis was the primary endpoint. 274 participants in total were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive a once-daily oral dose of 1500 mg of voxelotor, 900 mg of voxelotor, or placebo. Most participants had sickle cell anemia (homozygous hemoglobin S or hemoglobin S0-thalassemia), and approximately two thirds were receiving hydroxyurea at baseline.

Results: The Phase 3 study met the primary endpoint with nearly 60% of patients achieving >1 g/dL increase in Hb vs. placebo (p<0.001). A significantly higher percentage of participants had a Hb response in the 1500-mg voxelotor group (51%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 41 to 61) than in the placebo group (7%; 95% CI, 1 to 12), in the intention-to-treat analysis. Anemia worsened between baseline and week 24 in more placebo-treated participants than in each voxelotor dose group.

At week 24, the 1500-mg voxelotor group had significantly greater reductions from baseline in the indirect bilirubin level and percentage of reticulocytes than the placebo group. Adverse events (AEs) of grade 3 or above occurred in 26%, 23% and 26%, in the 1500-mg voxelotor group, the 900-mg voxelotor group, and the placebo group respectively. Most AEs were not treatment emergent either with the trial drug or placebo. Voxelotor increased hemoglobin levels and reduced markers of hemolysis significantly. The results are consistent with inhibition of HbS polymerization.

(Image source: Company presentation)

The company in agreement with the U.S. FDA, has already designed the post approval, confirmatory study of voxelotor, utilizing TCD flow velocity as the primary endpoint.

There are millions of SCD patients worldwide with 90,000 to 100,000 in the U.S. and about 60,000 in Europe. SCD is a congenital disease, with symptoms and organ damage starting in the early years of life. It is estimated that worldwide 250,000 to 300,000 children are born annually with SCD, which is concentrated in populations of African, Middle Eastern and South Asian descent. SCD treatment is costly, with average annual cost in the U.S. being more than $200,000 for an adult, which can lead to aggregate expense of more than $8 million over an assumed 50-year lifespan. Newborn screening, which is required by all states in the U.S., and development of new therapeutics is hence a critical need of the market.

GBT raised approximately $197.8 million in net proceeds from a public offering in June 2019 and related over-allotment option exercise in July 2019. GBT had cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaling to $731.7 million as of 6/30/2019. Looking at the cash burn of about $61 million in the most recent quarter ending 6/30/2019, GBT's fund position seems to be at an adequate level to carry through the commercialization of voxelotor, and other development activities without further dilution of the stock. Insiders sold a negligible, less than 15000 shares in the last 52 weeks. Institutional holding increased over 2% in 2Q-2019.

The company awarded more than $200,000 in grants to five nonprofit organizations as part of the Access to Excellent Care for Sickle Cell Patients Pilot Program (ACCEL). The grant funding will support projects to improve access to high-quality healthcare for SCD patients in the U.S. The company has launched two SCD awareness campaigns while also hiring all commercial leads as of 1H-2019.

Voxelotor does not have a direct competition as it is attacking the root cause of SCD with a new first-in-class therapy. It faces indirect competition from (1) Bristol-Myers Squibb's (BMY) hydroxyurea (DROXIA or Hydrea) and its generic form, which are approved for "reducing the frequency of painful crises and need for blood transfusions in patients with sickle cell anemia for the treatment of adults with SCD," and (2) Endari (L-glutamine oral powder), marketed by Emmaus (OTCQB: EMMA), approved for the reduction of acute complications in SCD patients of age five years and above. GBT will also face competition from one-time therapies for patients with severe SCD, like hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, gene therapy and gene editing.

bluebird bio, Inc. (BLUE) has a gene therapy candidate in clinical development - LentiGlobin BB305, which the company plans to pursue on an accelerated development path. Pfizers (PFE) rivipansel is in a Phase 3 trial however it failed the treatment goals. Novartis (NVS) crizanlizumab (SEG101), an anti-P-selectin monoclonal antibody for the prevention of vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs) in patients with SCD is in clinical development with a breakthrough designation. The U.S. FDA has accepted for a priority review of crizanlizumab based on its Phase 2 SUSTAIN study results. Estimated PDUFA date is 1/15/2020. GBT also has an anti-P-selectin monoclonal antibody therapy inclacumab, in clinical development, under worldwide, exclusive but non-diagnostic license from Roche (OTCQX:RHHBY).

Various patents covering voxelotor, including its composition of matter, methods of use and a polymorph of voxelotor will expire between 2032 and 2035. Patents that may issue from GBTs pending patent applications relating to voxelotor in the United States or from corresponding foreign patent applications, if issued, are expected to expire between 2032 and 2037. Some patents related to voxelotor are held jointly with the Regents of the University of California.

GBTs other risk is competition. For a long time, Lentiglobin has been talked about as a major competition, and while it is aimed as a curative treatment, it is expensive, and still in a much earlier stage, with the Phase 2/3 trial in planning stage only. Crizanlizumab is also not a real competition either, because it is a downstream therapeutic approach compared to GBTs.

The stock price was near the midpoint of the 52-week high and low before the approval. The approval has pushed the price up by about 20% in the time since the original version of this article was written. However, I strongly believe there's considerably more upside to this stock as the drug gets to the market in the next couple of weeks and starts generating revenue.

Thanks for reading. At the Total Pharma Tracker, we do more than follow biotech news. Using our IOMachine, our team of analysts work to be ahead of the curve.

That means that when the catalyst comes that will make or break a stock, weve positioned ourselves for success. And we share that positioning and all the analysis behind it with our members.

Disclosure: I/we have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Read more here:
Global Blood Therapeutics: Oxbryta Is Finally Approved - Seeking Alpha

Job Description

Junior Research Fellow (JRF)for Translational Research - Stem Cell-based Neural Tissue Engineering Project:

Title of the Project: Human dental pulp stem cells as a multifaceted tool for accelerating neural regenerationDuration: 3 YearsLocation: Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore

Qualification:

M.Sc/ M. Tech (Biomaterials, Tissue Engineering, Biotechnology, Biology, and Biomedical Sciences) with a minimum of 55% marks.

Skill set required:

Candidate with work experience in biomaterial synthesis, scaffold fabrication and stem cell culture is desirable.

Stipend: Rs.20,000/- per month (consolidated)

Work functions of the JRF: The JRF will be required to do full time research related to this specific project, in particular biomaterial synthesis and characterization, scaffold fabrication, biological assays, dental stem cell culture.

Principal Investigator:

Dr.Murugan RamalingamCentre for Biomaterials, Cellular and Molecular Theranostics (CBCMT)School of Mechanical EngineeringVellore Institute of Technology (VIT),Vellore 632014

Send your resume along with relevant documents pertaining to the details of qualifications, experience and latest passport size photo on or before (30/11/2019) through online http://careers.vit.ac.in.

No TA and DA will be paid for appearing for the interview.

Shortlisted candidates will be called for an interview at a later date which will be intimated by email.

Salary:Not Disclosed by RecruiterIndustry:Education / Teaching / TrainingFunctional Area:Teaching, Education, Training, CounsellingRole:Trainee

Keyskills

stem cellsbiotechnologybiologybiomaterials

Desired Candidate Profile

Please refer to the Job description above

Education-

UG:B.Tech/B.E. - Bio-Chemistry/Bio-Technology, Biomedical, B.Sc - BiologyPG:M.Tech - Bio-Chemistry/Bio-Technology, Biomedical, MS/M.Sc(Science) - Biotechnology, Biology

Company Profile

Vellore Institute of Technology

VIT was established with the aim of providing quality higher education on par with international standards. It persistently seeks and adopts innovative methods to improve the quality of higher education on a consistent basis.The campus has a cosmopolitan atmosphere with students from all corners of the globe. Experienced and learned teachers are strongly encouraged to nurture the students.

Link:
Junior Research Fellow for Stem Cell-Based Neural Tissue Engineering Project job with VELLORE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY | 187070 - Times Higher...

The tooth is a biological organ and consists of multiple tissues including the cementum, dentin, enamel, and pulp. Dental caries, Periodontal disease, and tooth fracture are the three main factor for tooth loss. Tooth Regeneration is the specialty concerned with the treatment of dental diseases such as a cavity, periodontal disease and fracture of the tooth. Dental caries is also known as tooth decay is the main oral health problems in most of the industrialized countries. Facial trauma also the major cause of tooth loss. Tooth loss leads to people mentally and physically disturb and it also affect the self-confidence and quality of life. Tooth regeneration is the process of individual tissue and the whole tooth development. Basically, it is the process of restoring the loss of natural teeth. Tooth regeneration is stem cell-based regenerative medical procedure which is used in stem cell biology sector and tissue engineering. There are two approaches used in the build of new whole teeth, in vivo implantation of tooth germ cells which were previously generated from stem cells and grow in vitro cells and another organotypic culture is an appropriate technique for the generation of teeth. The process of tooth regeneration imitates the natural tooth development using stem cells. In another way instead of whole teeth regeneration, Different part of the teeth regenerates such as Enamel regeneration, Dentin regeneration, Pulp regeneration, and periodontal regeneration.

Globally increasing incidence and prevalence of dental problems such as a cavity, periodontal disease, and tooth fracture are the major factors driving the growth of the Tooth Regenerations market. Innovative new techniques in Tooth regeneration such as cell homing, cell transplantation is expected to increase the acceptance of Tooth Regenerations. Tooth regeneration not only regrowth the entire tooth but also the restoration of individual components of the tooth such as dentin, cementum, enamel and dental pulp and these individual regeneration process is anticipate the boost the market growth of tooth regeneration market. Dental implantation also increases the growth of tooth regeneration market. People are very keen interested in the tooth regeneration and they are also giving more importance to the aesthetic aspects of dental products, which is expected to increase the Tooth Regenerations and dental market over the forecast period. The increasing demand for a customized Tooth Regeneration with the specifications and other dental decorative installations is the key factor anticipated to propel the demand for Tooth Regenerations worldwide.

The Global Tooth Regenerations market is segmented on the basis of application, Demographics, technique and by End user

Based on the Application type Tooth Regenerations market is segmented as:

Based on the Demographic Tooth Regenerations market is segmented as:

Based on the Technique, Tooth Regenerations market is segmented as:

Based on the end user Tooth Regenerations market is segmented as:

According to WHO, approx.30% the geriatric population is affected by the complete loss of teeth. Rapidly increasing Dental cavities and periodontal diseases are the major drivers in the Tooth Regenerations market. The global Tooth Regenerations market by application is expected to be dominated the market of Tooth Regenerations, out of which Enamel segment is expected to generate maximum revenue share over the forecast period. By end user, Tooth Regenerations market is expected to be dominated by dental clinics and hospitals. The manufacturers in the concerned market are focusing on manufacturing advanced products for better patient compliance and make the procedure easier. The market of tooth regeneration is anticipated to boost by stem cell regeneration technology.

The global Tooth Regenerations market is expected to be dominated by North America due to higher adoption and significant geriatrics population which also increase the demand for dental service for Dental caries and Periodontal disease. Europe is expected to be the second most lucrative Tooth Regenerations market due to rising funds for research for the growing patient population. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest growing Tooth Regenerations market due to rapidly increasing incidence of dental surgery, general prosthetic fixation. Latin America and Middle East & Africa are expected to be the least lucrative market due to Low awareness regarding the use of Tooth Regenerations technology and comparatively less developed healthcare infrastructure in major regions.

Examples of some of the market participants in the global Tooth Regenerations market identified are DENTSPLY Implant, Unilever, Datum Dental, Institut Straumann AG, Keystone Dental, Inc., Zimmer Biomet, Wright Medical Group N.V., Integra LifeSciences, CryoLife, Inc, BioMimetic Therapeutics, Inc, Cook Group and among others.

Read more:
Tooth Regenerations Market: Global Industry Trend Analysis 2013 to 2017 and Forecast 2018 2026 - Statsflash

Stem Cell Banking Market 2019 Industry report provides detailed statistics and accurate market figures, viz. market share, CAGR, gross margin, and those related to revenue, production, consumption, and sales. It also provides a regional analysis of the global Stem Cell Banking market to unveil key opportunities available in different parts of the world. This all analyzed data will help a new player and existing players to take a critical decision.

Get Sample Copy of this Report @ https://www.orianresearch.com/request-sample/1369382

The key players profiled in the market include: Cord Blood Registry Systems, Cordlife, Cryo-Cell International, Cryo-Save AG, LifeCell International, StemCyte, ViaCord, Global Cord Blood, Smart Cells International and Vita34

The global Stem Cell Banking market was estimated to be valued at USD XX million in 2018 and is projected to reach USD XX million by 2026, at a CAGR of XX% during 2019 to 2026. Growing awareness on the therapeutic potential of stem cells coupled with the increasing investments in stem cell-based research will aid in augmenting the market growth. However, high operational costs of stem cell banking and stringent regulations will impede the market growth during the analysis period.

The global stem cell banking market is segmented on the basis of source, application, service type and region. Based on source the market is segmented into Placental Stem Cells (PSCs), Human Embryo-derived Stem Cells (hESCs), Bone Marrow-derived Stem Cells (BMSCs), Adipose Tissue-derived Stem Cells (ADSCs), Dental Pulp-derived Stem Cells (DPSCs) and other stem cell sources. Based on application the market is segmented into personalized banking applications, clinical applications, hematopoietic disorders, autoimmune disorders, other diseases, research applications, disease treatment studies, life science research and drug discovery. Based on service type the market is segmented into sample collection & transportation, sample processing, sample analysis and sample preservation & storage. Based on region, it is studied across North America Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America and Middle East and Africa.

No of Pages: 121

Key Benefits of the Report:

* Global, regional, by type, storage capacity, and by end user wise market size and their forecast from 2015-2026

* Identification and detailed analysis on key market dynamics, such as, drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges influencing growth of the market

* Detailed analysis on product outlook with market specific Porters Five SSDs analysis, PESTLE analysis, and Value Chain, to better understand the market and build expansion strategies

* Identification of key market players and comprehensively analyze their market share and core competencies, detailed financial positions, key product, and unique selling points

* Analysis on key players strategic initiatives and competitive developments, such as joint ventures, mergers, and new product launches in the market

* Expert interviews and their insights on market shift, current and future outlook, and factors impacting vendors short term and long term strategies

* Detailed insights on emerging regions, by type, storage capacity, and by end user with qualitative and quantitative on premise and facts

The encrypted hard drives market is primarily segmented based on type, by storage capacity, by end user, and region.

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On the basis of source, the market is split into:

* Placental Stem Cells (PSCs)

* Human Embryo-derived Stem Cells (hESCs)

* Bone Marrow-derived Stem Cells (BMSCs)

* Adipose Tissue-derived Stem Cells (ADSCs)

* Dental Pulp-derived Stem Cells (DPSCs)

* Other Stem Cell Sources

Based on end user, the market is divided into:

* Personalized Banking Applications

* Clinical Applications

* Hematopoietic Disorders

* Autoimmune Disorders

* Other Diseases

* Research Applications

* Disease Treatment Studies

* Life Science Research

* Drug Discovery

On the basis of service type, the market is split into:

* Sample Collection & Transportation

* Sample Processing

* Sample Analysis

* Sample Preservation & Storage

These enterprises are focusing on growth strategies, such as, technological advancements, expansions, acquisitions, and agreements & partnerships to expand their operations across the globe.

Target Audience:

* Stem Cell Banking Manufacturers

* Industry Participants and Associations

Research Methodology:

The market is derived through extensive use of secondary, primary, in-house research followed by expert validation and third party perspective, such as, analyst reports of investment banks. The secondary research is the primary base of our study wherein we conducted extensive data mining, referring to verified data sources, such as, white papers, research and regulatory published articles, technical journals, trade magazines, and paid data sources.

For forecasting, regional demand & supply factors, recent investments, market dynamics including technical growth scenario, consumer behavior, and product trends and dynamics, and product capacity were taken into consideration. Different weightages have been assigned to these parameters and quantified their Market impacts using the weighted average analysis to derive the Market growth rate.

The market estimates and forecasts have been verified through exhaustive primary research with the Key Industry Participants (KIPs), which typically include:

* Manufacturers

* Suppliers

* Distributors

* Government Body & Associations

* Research Institutes

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Stem Cell Banking Market Size, by Source (Placental Stem Cells), by Application (Personalized Banking Applications), by Service Type (Sample...

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The global cell separation market is poised to grow by USD 7.12 billion during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of over 17% during the forecast period. Request Free Sample Pages

Read the 142-page research report with TOC on "Cell Separation Market Analysis Report by End-User (Academic institutions and research laboratories; Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies; and Hospitals and clinical testing laboratories), by Geography (North America, Europe, Asia, and ROW), and Segment Forecasts, 2020 - 2024"

The market is driven by the increasing use of cell separation in cancer research. In addition, the rising focus on personalized medicine is anticipated to further boost the growth of the cell separation market.

The increasing use of cell separation in cancer research will be one of the major drivers in the global market. Over the last few years, cell separation has been used along with imaging, proteomics, and molecular biological methods to identify and characterize cancer stem cells. This helps in the early diagnosis of tumors, monitoring of circulating tumor cells, and evaluation of intratumor heterogeneity. Also, the incidence of cancer is increasing rapidly, especially amongst women. Cervical and breast cancers are the most common types in the world. The rising incidence of cancer is encouraging further research in the field. Moreover, advances in computer techniques, optics, and lasers introduced a new generation of cell separation techniques which are capable of high speed processing of single cell suspensions. These factors will boost the global cell separation market growth during the forecast period of 2020-2024.

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Major Five Cell Separation Market Companies:

Akadeum Life Sciences

Akadeum Life Sciences owns and operates the businesses under various segments such as T cell isolation kits, B cell isolation kits, red blood cell products, Streptavidin products, and CD45 products. The product offered by the company is human T Cell isolation kit. This product uses streptavidin-conjugated BACS microbubbles and biotinylated antibodies for cell separation.

Becton, Dickinson and Co.

Becton operates the business under three segments, which include BD medical, BD life sciences, and BD interventional. The companys key offering include the BD IMag cell separation magnet. This product is used to attract labeled cells to the adjacent walls of tubes, allowing the removal of the supernatant, which contains unlabeled cells.

Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc.

Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc. has business operations under various segments, namely life science and clinical diagnostics. The product offered by the company is the ddSEQ single-cell isolator. This product is offered as an automated device to process hundreds to tens of thousands of cells per day.

Cell Microsystems, Inc.

Cell Microsystems, Inc. operates the business under three segments, which include CellRaft AIR System, CytoSort Array, and CellRaft System for inverted microscopes. The companys key offerings include the CellRaft AIR System. This product is available with an automated precision X-Y stage and a microscope with three-channel fluorescence imaging capabilities. It is designed to reduce the time taken for cell separation.

Danaher Corp.

Danaher Corp. operates the business through the following segments: Life Sciences, Diagnostics, Dental, and Environmental & Applied Solutions. The companys key offering in the cell separation market include Avanti J-26S XP. This product is offered as a centrifuge, which includes the elutriation particle separation functionality.

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Global Cell Separation Market 2020-2024 | Evolving Opportunities with Akadeum Life Sciences and Becton, Dickinson and Co. | Technavio - Business Wire

Stem Cell Banking Market Global Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities, Trends, and Forecasts: 20192026Overview: Stem cells are undifferentiated biological cells that can distinguish into specialized cells, tissue, or an organ. The process of storing these stem cells for the treatment of life-threatening diseases in the future is called stem cell banking. Nearly 500 stem cell banks are functioning globally, and every bank is now striving harder to increase their market share. Stem cell banking has applications in cerebral palsy, thalassemia, leukemia, diabetes, autism, and others. Cerebral palsy holds the major share of nearly quarter of the market share among the various applications. Private stem cell banks are implementing innumerable publicizing strategies to upsurge their product visibility among people.

Key Players: Esperite, Caladrius Biosciences, Via Cord, CBR Systems, Smart Cells, Life Cell, China Cord Blood, Cryo-Cell, StemCyte, Cordvida, ViaCord, Cryoviva, and other predominate & niche players.

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The market is driven by factors such as easy method of extraction of stem cells from the samples, increasing birth rate, increased awareness of stem cell therapeutics, and increasing potentials of stem cell treatment. Alongside, the collaboration among the cord blood banks, increasing investments and fundings, and automation of procedures for the banking of stem cells are providing opportunities for the growth of the stem cell banking market. However, intense competition, high operating costs, changes in legal regulations, and high entry barriers are the major factors hampering the market growth.

Market Analysis: The Stem Cell Banking Market is estimated to witness a CAGR of 16.4% during the forecast period 20192026. The market is analyzed based on three segments, namely product types, end-users, and regions.Regional Analysis: The regions covered in the report are North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World (RoW). North America is set to be the leading region for the stem cell banking market growth followed by Europe. Asia Pacific and RoW are set to be the emerging regions. India, China, and Japan are set to be the most attractive destinations due to the large untapped market.

Product Types Analysis: The stem cell banking market by products is segmented into umbilical cord blood & cord tissue, and adult stem cell banking. The umbilical cord blood & tissue occupies the major share in the market and is also expected to grow at a fast CAGR during the forecast period. The dental stem cell banking and menstrual blood stem cell banking are the latest diversifications in the stem cell banking market. The market is also witnessing various mergers, acquisitions, and collaborations among the top players, which is defining the future of the global stem cell banking market.

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Competitive Analysis: These days, stem cell banks exist in most of the developed and developing nations. Around 450 companies are publicizing cord blood banking services internationally, which signifies intense competition in the market. Globally, China Cord Blood Corporation (CCBC) is expected to be the fastest growing stem cell bank worldwide and in the US, it is Amricord. In 2014, the company Amricord achieved 2,200% growth rate from 2011-2013. Future Health Biobank, American Cryostem, Adicyte, Adisave, Celltex, and Vault Stem currently hold around two-thirds of the Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC) storage market. However, at present, these companies are still trivial but are swiftly intensifying. Cryostem witnessed its revenue to nearly double in 2016 from $400,000 to almost $800,000.

Benefits: The report provides complete details about the usage and adoption rate of stem cell banking in various regions. With that, key stakeholders can know about the major trends, drivers, investments, vertical players initiatives, government initiatives toward the stem cell therapy and banking adoption in the upcoming years along with the details of commercial devices available in the market. Moreover, the report provides details about the major challenges that are going to impact on the market growth. Additionally, the report gives complete details about the key business opportunities to key stakeholders to expand their business and capture the revenue in the specific verticals to analyse before investing or expanding the business in this market.

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Table of Contents

Global Stem Cell Banking Market Research Report

Chapter 1 Global Stem Cell Banking Market Overview

Chapter 2 Global Economic Impact on Industry

Chapter 3 Global Market Competition by Manufacturers

Chapter 4 Global Production, Revenue (Value) by Region

Chapter 5 Global Supply (Production), Consumption, Export

Chapter 6 Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type

Chapter 7 Market Analysis by Application

Chapter 8 Manufacturing Cost Analysis

Chapter 9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers

Chapter 10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders

Chapter 11 Market Effect Factors Analysis

Chapter 12 Market Forecast

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Stem Cell Banking Market Size, Share, Growth, Future Prospects, Competitive Analysis and Forecast To 2026 - Med News Ledger

A new study by Rutgers University researchers suggests that two genes expressed in the intestinal cells that line the inside of the colon may also be involved in cancer development.

Recent studies have shown that intestinal stem cells can increase in animals on a high fat Western diet, potentially explaining an elevated cancer risk from such a diet.Diet being able to control cell proliferation is an interesting research development, particularly the convergence of dietary factors and dysregulated gene signaling driving malignant transformations and promoting an adenoma-to-adenocarcinoma progression.

This new study suggests a novel connection between HNF4A and HNF4G genes, diet and cancer.Genetic expression of HNF4 has previously been shown by to be heavily influenced by the gut microbiota, which in turn can influence a multitude of intestinal disorders.

Non-host gene regulation was further explored in this study by using a high fat diet to test how these genes work, and the researchers discovered they help co-regulate stem cell proliferation, as well as help intestine cells burn dietary fat. This was done by isolating cells from knockout and control mice and observing intestine stem cell proliferation under conditions of high fat and control. Mice that had both HNF4A and HNF4G knocked out were unable to have their stem cells proliferate under high fat conditions.

Intestinal stem cells undergo constant renewal and fuel the continuous turnover of the lining of the intestine. People naturally lose millions of intestinal cells daily, much like they lose skin cells. If this rate of replication is not closely controlled, it can quickly lead to malignancy. Lack of proliferation can be very problematic for the colon and damaging to lower layers of cells.

This [research] is important because scientists have shown that when theres too much dietary fat in the intestine, stem cell numbers increase, boosting susceptibility to colon cancer, said senior author Michael Verzi, an associate professor in the Department of Genetics in the School of Arts and Sciences at Rutgers UniversityNew Brunswick.

Rutgers scientists believe HNF4A and HNF4G help stem cells burn fat, providing them energy. By linking gene activation, cell replication number, diet and cancer risk, scientists might be able to better understand the cancer development process in high risk patients. Going forward, the researchers plan to continue studying whether these two genes alter stem cell numbers and cancer risk alongside a high fat diet, said Verzi.

Colorectal cancer (of the colon or rectum) is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, over 100,000 Americans will be diagnosed with colon cancer this year. This cancer is also the second most deadliest in the United States, but due to a combination of increased screening and heightened awareness the death rate has been dropping. However, in patients under the age of 55, the death rate of colon cancer has increased each year by 1% since 2007. Approximately 50,000 colon cancer patients are expected to die in 2019.

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New Link Discovered Between Cells That Burn Fat and Colon Cancer - Clinical OMICs News

Imagine going from being an active individual to not being able to move any part of your body at all.

For Chris Barr, that was his reality when life came to a sudden halt for him two years ago.

Its exactly like it is in the movies where, you know, its like a fish-eye lens opening up. And the doctor says -- Youre paralyzed from the neck down. And you had a really bad neck injury, Chris told Good Morning America.

It was a day like any other for Chris who was out surfing, but things took a turn when he woke up in a hospital bed not remembering what happened last.

The prognosis was -- was bad, said Chris. And bad meaning, you know, probably a 95% to 97% chance that Ill have nothing below my neck.

After the doctor delivered the devastating news that his surfing accident left him with spinal cord injuries, Chris felt hopeless about the life ahead without motion and freedom -- ultimately wanting to end his life and even asked his wife, Debbie, for permission to pull the plug.

But Debbie convinced her husband not to give up so easily and asked him to give it a little more time despite the odds -- and he agreed.

One day at a time, Debbie was there every step of the way in rehab and physical therapy sessions to make small improvements. Things were looking up when he was able to move a toe, his leg and even his hands, but then the progress plateaued.

You ask yourself, Is that all there is? Is this all the further Im gonna go? Is this -- is this it? said Chris.

It wasnt until the Barrs received a phone call from Dr. Mohamad Bydon when things began looking up again.

Bydon, a spinal cord researcher, was leading an innovative trial at the time at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. On the phone, he told Chris about his potentially historic trial that would include him as part of a 10 patient study.

Bydon explained that the trial would take stem cells from Chriss own stomach fat and would be injected into his spinal cord to regenerate and repair the injury -- something unheard of and never done with stem cells before.

Despite the uncertainties that came with being patient number one for the procedure, Chris was game.

You -- you gotta understand its -- you know, youve got absolutely nothing to lose, said Chris. I mean, this is exactly why I stuck around was to do something. Listen -- you know, I feel blessed to have the opportunity to participate in this. You know, whatever happened I was, Yeah, lets do this.

In just a short amount of time after the procedure, Chris said he saw improvements quickly when he first started getting feeling back in his legs -- something he hadnt experienced for almost a year.

After we treated him, the improvements started to come quickly, said Byron. And small things, being able to tie his shoes, you know, things that werent happening.

But, as was the hope with the procedure, Chris surprised everyone -- and even himself -- when he started walking.

Now, Chris milestone has proving that Bydons procedure is a potentially groundbreaking one for spinal cord injuries.

This is a first step in developing a breakthrough, Bydon told ABC News' Will Reeve, who is the director of The Christopher Reeve Foundation, a non-profit foundation "dedicated to curing spinal cord injury," according to its website. The foundation, named in honor of Will Reeve's late father, was not involved in the funding of Bydon's research.

Bydon's research at the Mayo Clinic is a very early Phase 1 study that only includes 10 people and patient response has varied, according to Bydon.

While there is still yet no cure for spinal cord injury, for Chris, the procedure has been a step forward.

I dont know if these are -- are baby steps, or you know, Neil Armstrong steps, he said. But theyre absolutely steps in the right direction.

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Man paralyzed from the neck down walks again thanks to a new medical innovation - ABC News

It is an honor to help support the Arthritis Foundation and to work closely with the Orthohealing Center.

POWAY, Calif. (PRWEB) November 26, 2019

Personalized Stem Cells, Inc (PSC), a human adipose-derived stem cell company, recently sponsored an event put on by the Arthritis Foundation and hosted by Dr. Steven Sampson and Dr. Danielle Aufiero of the Orthohealing Center in Los Angeles, California. The event, which took place on October 23, 2019, highlighted the ongoing efforts to promote research, educate the public, and provide support to people with arthritis.

Event attendees included medical doctors, physical therapists, chiropractors, and other medical professionals. Dr. Sampson presented current and evolving regenerative and stem cell therapies, including PSCs FDA approved clinical trial to treat osteoarthritis in the knee with a persons own stem cells. The Orthohealing Center is one of several approved clinical trial sites and is currently screening and enrolling patients in the clinical trial.

PSC CEO, Michael Dale, stated, It is an honor to help support the Arthritis Foundation and to work closely with the Orthohealing Center. The Foundation and the Orthohealing Center have worked together for many years advocating and spreading awareness for arthritis patients.

PSC provides stem cell therapy for clinical trial investigators and their patients, working within the FDA cell therapy regulations in order to assure consistent manufacturing, quality tested cells, as well as clinical trial and manufacturing oversite for safety and efficacy. PSC was founded by Robert Harman, DVM, MPVM and Michael Dale, both of whom also co-founded VetStem Biopharma and are both experienced serial entrepreneurs.

About Personalized Stem Cells, Inc.Personalized Stem Cells was formed in 2018 to advance and legitimize human regenerative medicine. This privately held biopharmaceutical enterprise, based near San Diego (California), offers qualified physicians who enroll, an FDA compliant autologous stem cell product (from patients own fat tissue) for use in FDA approved clinical trials. PSC is driving development and adoption of stem cell and regenerative medicine within the FDA-IND process by providing cGMP manufactured, quality tested cells, and well-defined clinical trials. PSC has licensed a portfolio of over 70 issued patents in the field of regenerative medicine.

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Personalized Stem Cells, Inc. Sponsors Arthritis Foundation Event in Los Angeles - PR Web

Injections of stem cellseither a patients own or from a donorinto the hearts of people with cardiac conditions has been shown in some cases to improve heart function. How the cells help has been a mystery. A paper in Nature today (November 27) shows that activation of an innate immune response can explain, and even recapitulate, the beneficial effects of stem cell transplants in the hearts of mice.

The findings suggest stem cells may not be required to boost cardiac repair, but some researchers argue that, by finally providing a mechanistic explanation, the study supports the use of cell therapy.

This work is paradigm-shifting because it demonstrates a mechanism to explain a perplexing phenomenon that has intrigued cardiologists as a result of decades of cardiac stem cell trials, writes cardiologist Jonathan Epstein of the University of Pennsylvanias Perelman School of Medicine in an email to The Scientist. Now the focus can shift from injecting cells into the heart to understanding how to modulate the immune system so that heart function is improved, continues Epstein, who was not involved in the study.

The idea of applying stem cells, derived from the bone marrow or elsewhere, to the heart to fix damage caused by myocardial infarction or cardiovascular disease has been the subject of intense pre-clinical and clinical investigations for the best part of two decades, and yet the field is highly controversial. Aside from the retractions of fraudulent papers that misguided the larger heart regeneration community for years, the observed benefits of cell transplant therapies are generally modest and, because the underlying mechanism of repair is unknown, there is a lack of consensus about which of the many types of stem cells and delivery approaches might work best, as well as which types of patients may benefit.

A better knowledge of the mechanism would drive better clinical trial design, says Jeffery Molkentin, a cardiovascular biologist at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center who led the latest project. Indeed, he says, if mechanistic studies had been done up-front then we would have been much further along in the clinical trials [at this point].

For transplanted cells to produce functional benefits in the heart, its likely the cells would need to remain there after injection. So Molkentins team studied a variety of stem cell types injected into mice to see if any of them ever engrafted in the heart, he says. We had a list of five of the most prominent ones and none of the five ever engrafted, and they were all cleared within less than two weeks and sometimes within five or six days. But, the team did spot something else happening. In all [cases], he says, there was this really noticeable inflammatory response.

The team then showed that whether they injected live stem cells, dead stem cells, or zymosana potent activator of the innate immune systeminto the hearts of mice that had been given an experimental myocardial infarction, functional improvement of the heart occurred. By contrast, an injection of cyclosporinewhich suppresses the innate immune systemafter the cell delivery eliminated the beneficial effects.

The team went on to show that in the injured hearts of mice that received cell therapy or zymosan treatment there was evidence of improved muscle mechanical properties as well as scar remodeling and reduction. Both treatments recruited certain subtypes of macrophages that experiments indicated were driving this remodeling.

A heart attack triggers innate immunity automatically, prompting the essential scarring without which the heart would rupture, says Molkentin. The cell therapy (or zymosan treatment), being delayed by one week, does not exacerbate this initial inflammation, he says, but instead somehow realigns the healing process and makes for a better scar.

It seems like it optimize[s] the properties of the area around the scar and the contractility of that area, Molkentin says, but we dont know exactly why yet. . . . Were trying to figure this out.

Whatever the precise mechanism, the study shows the importance of the immune system, says Paul Riley of the University of Oxford who studies regenerative medicine but was not involved in the research. Its certainly very important for the field to be aware of this [finding], he continues. It will stimulate further interest in targeting or modulating, or thinking about the way the immune response . . . can effect more optimal function and repair after acute myocardial infarction.

If the results hold true in humans, it could have implications for any future trials in which patients might receive immunosuppression to prevent cell rejection, suggests Riley. Although its not thought any such trials are currently underway, according to Molkentin and Joshua Hare, a cardiologist and stem cell researcher at the University of Miami who was not involved in the study, if embryonic stem cells were ever approved for trial they would require immunosuppressives, Hare says.

Hare has been involved in a number of stem cell therapy trials and sees the paper not as evidence that the stem cells themselves arent necessary, but instead as a mechanistic explanation for the fact that they do work. It is often the case in medicine, he says, that once a treatment is in use, we change our perspective on how they work. Fundamentally, he says, we know that the cells are working, and that theyre safe. He therefore thinks the paper supports the field and . . . substantiates that we were on the right track. That said, he adds, If someone takes these findings and comes up with a better approach, a safer approach, a more efficacious approach, thats great.

R.J. Vagnozzi et al., An acute immune response underlies the benefit of cardiac stem-cell therapy,Nature, doi:10.1038/s41586-019-1802-2,2019.

Ruth Williams is a freelance journalist based in Connecticut. Email her atruth@wordsbyruth.comor find her on Twitter @rooph.

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Activation of the Immune System Underlies Cardiac Cell Therapies - The Scientist

A newborn immune system responds to HIV infection less effectively than a more mature one, so an HIV-positive baby should be started on antiretroviral therapy as soon after birth as possible, new research suggests.

Although treatment early in life was known to be advantageous, the study, published Wednesday in Science Translational Medicine, shows the immune systems response in detail for the first time. The study could energize efforts to treat newborns with HIV, several experts say, and it may help pave the way for an eventual long-lasting treatment or even a cure.

In the study, 10 HIV-positive newborns in Botswana were started on antiretroviral therapythe gold-standard treatment for HIVwithin hours or days of birth instead of the more typical four months. If an HIV-positive pregnant woman is receiving treatment, and the amount of virus in her body is well controlled, she will not pass the disease on to her baby, although the infant will have antibodies to HIV in his or her bloodstream. If the mothers disease is not well controlled, the baby may be born with HIV.

To look for HIV-positive babies, the team screened more than 10,000 newborns using very small amounts of blood. The researchers identified 40 who were HIV-positive and began treating them with a three-drug cocktail within days of birth. The study reported on 10 of those babies, who are now almost two years old, and compared them with HIV-positive babies who did not receive treatment until four months of age.

The early treated babies fared much better in measures of viral levels in their bloodstream and lower levels of immune activity, which predicts the course of the disease, according to the study, which was conducted by a research team at the Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Brigham and Womens Hospital, and the Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership in Botswana. The babies coped well with the drug regimen, with only one having to discontinue therapy because of side effects, said Roger Shapiro, a seniorauthor of the paper and an immunologist at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, in a news conference on Tuesday.

The stakes are high for getting these babies treated, says Pat Flynn, an infectious disease specialist at St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., who was not involved in the new study. HIV infection can have devastating neurological consequences, likely because of ongoing inflammation in the brain.

Every day, between 300 and 500 babies in sub-Saharan Africa are infected with HIV, according to the studys authors, who cite data from the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). Up to half of them will die by age two if they do not receive antiretroviral therapy. Infants infected in utero face even worse outcomes than those infected during birth or breastfeeding, said Mathias Lichterfeld, a co-author and an infectious disease specialist at the Ragon Institute and Brigham and Womens in the news conference. Putting all HIV-positive pregnant women on antiretroviral therapy is the best way to prevent them passing the virus to their babies, but many such women face barriers to accessing treatment, Shapiro said.

Scientists have known since a study published in 2008 that treating HIV-positive babies as early as possible leads to better outcomes, but the new paper provides a very comprehensive scientific rationale for why that is the case, says Sten Vermund, dean of the Yale School of Public Health and a pediatrician and infectious disease epidemiologist, who was not involved in the new research. As soon as possible might be too late. We really would be better treating right at birth.

Compared with the immune system of an older baby or an adult, Vermund says, the newborn immune system is much more immature but developing at a breakneck pace. Thats why infants are particularly vulnerable to intrauterine infections, which include toxoplasmosis, rubella, syphilis and Zika. And, he says, HIV can be added to that list, given the findings of this study.

Unfortunately, Vermund says, it is unrealistic to think that most HIV-positive babies born in sub-Saharan Africa could be treated soon after birth. The science is terrific, he says of the new paper, but it may not have much effect in the real world. The clinical relevance in Africa is not at all obvious to me, Vermund adds.

In most countries in sub-Saharan Africa, infants are tested for HIV at four to six weeks of age, Shapiro said in the conference. This practice enables doctors to catch babies who are infected during pregnancy, at delivery or very early in life,but it missesthe chance to start treatment immediately if the child is infected at birth. Adding a second test at birthas South Africa now doeswould be complicated and expensive, he conceded, but thats really the direction that the rest of the world should be following.

Yet even something that is simple in the U.S.such as drawing blood from a newborn, taking the blood to a lab, and getting results back to the clinic and the familyremains a major barrier to identifying those babies who are infected very early on, Flynn says. Instead it may make sense to determine women who are at high risk for transmitting HIV and put their infants on therapy even before the test results can be returned. But even then, maintaining stocks of antiretroviral drugs continues to be an issue in sub-Saharan Africa, she says, with funding streams to pay for medications being uncertain.

In the U.S., no more than about 50 babies are born each year to mothers who did not know they were HIV-positive, and they are generally identified at birth, Vermund says. The new study should stimulate obstetricians and pediatricians to be especially aggressive in promptly diagnosing and treating those newborns, Vermund says.

The research team plans to follow the babies and track how much viral reservoir they continue to carry. In a natural experiment in the U.S., the so-called Mississippi Baby was thought to be cured when her HIV remained undetectable for two years after stopping therapy. But then the disease rebounded, suggesting that early aggressive therapy is not a cure.

To improve long-term treatment of HIV-positive children, the researchers hope to put some of the babies on so-called broadly neutralizing antibodieswhich can recognize and block many types of HIV from entering healthy cells. They want to see if, long-term, these antibodies can substitute for the antiretroviral regimen, which is costly and cumbersome and comes with significant side effects.

Yvonne Maldonado, an expert in pediatric infectious diseases and epidemiology at Stanford University, who was not part of the new study, says the real benefit of the new study may not be in how it impacts the care of newborns with HIV but rather in the insights it offers into the HIV reservoirs that remain in the body even during treatment. This is really geared toward How do you get to the cure? rather than How do you treat babies? she says.

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HIV-Positive Babies Fare Better When Treatment Starts at Birth - Scientific American

Millions get the flu every year, and getting the yearly flu vaccine is far and away the best way to protect against it. But medical researchers have discovered that for the more than two-thirds of Americans who are overweight or obese, the vaccine doesnt seem to work as well, NPR reports.

Health officials first noticed the pattern during the 2009 flu pandemic, when they observed that the disease was especially bad for those who were significantly overweight. For some reason, the virus was able to grow to higher concentrations in obese patients, even spreading deeper into their lungs,Stacey Schultz-Cherry, an infectious disease specialist at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, told NPR.

Besides getting people sicker, this also made them more likely to spread the disease, which is bad news for public health. When researchers studied the phenomenon more closely they found that the breath of obese patients contained more virus particles and that overweight people could spread the virus for an extra day, on average, compared to those with lower body weight.

Now, researchers are trying to figure out why so they can make the flu vaccine more effective.

Melinda Beck, a professor of nutrition at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, is studying how obesity impacts the immune system. Beingsignificantly overweight changes a persons metabolism, which impacts a range of bodily functions and canhamper the immune system.When we get sick, proteins in our bloodstream called antibodies attack viruses, while other cells, called T cells, also help fight disease. These T cells are what fail in the case of obese patients, Beck told NPR.

Beck has studied this phenomenon in mice and says the loss of T cell function is similar to whats observed in the elderly. So, a "30-year-old obese person has the immune cells that look a lot like what you might expect in an 80-year-old individual," Beck told NPR. She thinks T cells could explain why the flu vaccine doesnt work as well for significantly overweight people and the elderly.

Schultz-Cherry is part of an effort to develop a new vaccine that will work better for these vulnerable groups. Developing this new flu shot is likely to take years, but Schultz-Cherry emphasized that this is no reason not to get the vaccine in the meantime, as its still our best chance of avoiding a disease that infected between 37 and 43 million people last flu season.

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Flu shots are less effective for overweight people - The Hill

A recent study has reported that rapamycin, a drug that has long served as an immune suppressor, may also slow aging in human skin.

The small clinical trial found that regular application of rapamycin to the backs of the hands appears to reduce wrinkles and sagging and improve skin tone.

After 8 months, most of the hands that had received rapamycin treatment showed an increase in collagen and lower levels of a marker of aging in skin cells compared with a placebo.

In a recent Geroscience paper, the researchers conclude that rapamycin treatment showed a "clear impact" on skin aging at both the molecular and clinical levels.

The team that led the trial comes from Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA, where senior study author Christian Sell, Ph.D., is an associate professor of biochemistry and molecular biology.

Since discovering rapamycin in the soil of Easter Island half a century ago, scientists have found that the bacterial antifungal compound has many effects in the body.

The drug, which takes its name from Rapa Nui, the native term for the Pacific island, can suppress the immune system and prevent cell replication in mammals.

A major mechanism through which rapamycin interacts with cells is the aptly-named mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR). Studies have linked the disruption of this pathway to cancer, obesity, and diabetes, as well as genetic and neurological conditions.

An earlier study by Sell and colleagues had demonstrated that rapamycin could improve cell function and slow aging in cultured cells.

Other researchers have also shown that by blocking TOR proteins in yeast cells, rapamycin causes the yeast to grow smaller cells that live longer.

"If you ramp the pathway down, you get a smaller phenotype," explains Sell.

Scientists have also discovered that rapamycin can slow aging in flies, worms, and mice.

"When you slow growth, you seem to extend lifespan and help the body repair itself at least in mice," Sell continues, noting, "This is similar to what is seen in calorie restriction."

The new investigation, however, is the first to demonstrate an anti-aging effect in living human tissue.

For the study, which took the form of a clinical trial, the team recruited 13 volunteers who were over 40 years of age.

They asked the participants to apply rapamycin cream to the back of one hand and a placebo cream to the back of the other hand every 1 or 2 days before bedtime.

The participants attended evaluation visits every 2 months for 8 months. During the visits, investigators took photographs to evaluate skin wrinkles and general appearance.

The participants also gave blood samples at the 6-month visit and underwent a skin biopsy of both hands at the 8-month visit.

Tests on the blood samples showed that the rapamycin had not entered the participants' bloodstream.

At the end of 8 months, most of the hands that had received rapamycin treatment showed an increase in collagen and a reduction in p16 protein.

Collagen is a protein that gives skin its structure, and p16 is a measure of cell senescence, or deterioration through aging. Skin that has more senescent cells is more wrinkled.

Skin that has higher levels of p16 carries a greater risk of infection and also tends to tear more easily and heal more slowly. These are all signs of dermal atrophy, a skin condition that is common in older people.

Investigations of p16 have shown that human cells release the protein as part of a stress response that occurs following cell damage. These studies have also demonstrated that p16 can function as a tumor suppressor, a type of protein that stops cell growth and division happening too fast or in an uncontrolled way.

Cancer develops when cells begin to behave abnormally. This can happen as a result of a mutation that causes cell processes to go awry. As a tumor suppressor, p16 slows down the cell cycle, promoting aging instead of cancer.

"When cells age, they become detrimental and create inflammation," comments Sell.

"That's part of aging," he continues, adding, "These cells that have undergone stress are now pumping out inflammatory markers."

The researchers point out that the new findings are just the early stage of their research, and they need to do a lot more before they can say how best to apply rapamycin to delay aging.

They foresee applications that include improving human performance and extending lifespan.

These would require developing a form of the drug that works at much lower doses than those used to prevent organ rejection and treat cancer.

Sell, and another team member are shareholders of a pharmaceutical company that holds the license for the technology, for which there are two patents pending.

"As researchers continue to seek out the elusive 'fountain of youth' and ways to live longer, we're seeing growing potential for the use of this drug."

Christian Sell, Ph.D.

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Rapamycin has anti-aging effect on human skin - Medical News Today

Data published in the European Journal of Nutrition indicated that daily consumption for three months of the probiotic combination which is commercially available as Probi Defendum by young children in day care led to absences from day care of 1.7 days, compared to 2.4 days in the placebo group, with the severity score of the respiratory tract infections was also decreased in the probiotic group.

The current study provides for the first-time evidence that Lactobacillus plantarumHEAL9 and Lactobacillus paracasei8700:2 reduce the severity of common colds in children as reflected in symptom relief, reduced need for medication during the study and reduced absence from day care due to sickness, wrote the researchers from Probi AB in Sweden.

The study adds to an ever-growing body of science supporting the potential immune health benefits of probiotics. Although the effects are often strain-specific, a recent economic modeling study reported that reductions in the incidence and duration of flu-like respiratory tract infections in the US as a result of probiotic supplements may translate into over $1 billion of costs savings.

Data published in Frontiers in Pharmacology indicated that probiotics may reduce the duration of the infection, the use of antibiotics, and missed days at work, all of which would translate into significant cost savings for the US population.

The new study used two specific strains: Lactobacillus plantarum HEAL9 and Lactobacillus paracasei 8700:2. The potential immune health benefits of these strains have been tested in adults, to mixed results. The new study is the first time the combination has been tested in children.

The researchers recruited 131 healthy children attending day care between the ages of one and six and randomly assigned them to receive either the Probi Defendum product or placebo on aspects of common cold.

Results from the 106 children who completed the study indicated that daily probiotic consumption significantly reduced the severity of the symptom nasal congestion/runny nose, compared to placebo.

In addition, the probiotic use reported less concomitant medication use, compared to placebo.

The results also supported a reduction in absences from day care, a reduction in the overall severity per day in the children, and a reduction in crying more than usual for the children receiving the probiotic, compared to placebo.

Commenting on the potential mechanism(s) of action, the researchers noted that Lactobacillus paracasei 8700:2 and strains genetically similar to Lactobacillus plantarum HEAL9 may induce innate cell-mediated immune functions and activate T-lymphocytes (white blood cells that play a role in the immune system).

Big changes are coming to how many of the most popular and commercially important probiotics are classified. The nameLactobacillusis instantly recognizable to many consumers and healthcare professionals, but the genus is extremely diverse and includes 251 species. Scientists have been working for years on this reclassification, and these changes will have significant impacts on many areas, from labeling to scientific publications and IP.

Join NutraIngredients-USA for a FREE educational webinar about this topic:Lactobacillus: What Brands Need to Know About the Taxonomic Changes, will take place on December 11 at 12:30pm Eastern/ 9:30am Pacific. For more information and to register, please clickHERE.

Source: European Journal of NutritionPublished online ahead of print, doi: 10.1007/s00394-019-02137-8Evaluation of the efficacy of Lactobacillus plantarumHEAL9 and Lactobacillus paracasei8700:2 on aspects of common cold infections in children attending day care: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical studyAuthors: I. Lazou Ahrn et al.

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Probiotic combination shows immune health benefits for children in day care - NutraIngredients-usa.com

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana University researchers have identified a mechanism involving the body's ability to resist fungal infection. The work could help advance research on cancer therapies that use the body's own immune system to fight disease.

In a study published Nov. 21 in the journal of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, IU scientist Yan Yu and colleagues found that two immune receptors -- named Dectin-1 and TLR2 -- must work together to trigger an inflammatory response that resists fungal infection.

The threat of fungal infection was recently highlighted in the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's release of the 2019 AR Threats Report on Nov. 14, which for the first time included several antibiotic resistant fungi, such as Candida auris.

The PNAS study's leaders compared the use of two receptors to trigger immune response against fungus to the use of two identification codes, versus a single password, in online security -- a form of authentication popularly known as "dual login."

"It was previously known that Dectin-1 and TLR2 enhanced each other's function to achieve maximal immune response against fungal infection," said Yu, a professor in the IU Bloomington College of Arts and Sciences' Department of Chemistry. "But nobody had been able to pinpoint the mechanism by which immune cells manage the receptors to regulate the anti-fungal inflammatory response."

In order to fight infections, immune cells -- also known as white blood cells -- must first identify outside pathogens, which triggers a "search and destroy" response throughout the body. As part of this process, immune cells reply upon specific combinations of immunoreceptors to accurately and effectively detect foreign bodies.

If this process fails, Yu said, people are left vulnerable to life-threating diseases. She added that identifying the specific receptors whose "passwords" work together to regulate proper immune responses may help lead to new treatments for these diseases, as well as improve existing cancer immunotherapies.

To understand specifically how Dectin-1 and TLR2 trigger an immune response, Yu's team created two microparticles -- disguised as fungi -- with different binding patterns on their surface that activate these receptors. They then observed how different patterns triggered different levels of immune response.

By comparing the different patterns against the response to their "faux fungus," Yu and colleagues could see that white blood cells mounted the strongest defense when the molecules that bind to Dectin-1 and TLR2 were placed 500 nanometers apart.

"Both these receptors are regarded as important for stimulating immunity in cancer treatment," Yu said. "This discovery suggests the cancer immunotherapy could be made more effective by developing drugs that target both receptors in a single compound."

Yu added that the discovery was made possible in part by the use of Janus-particles, a nanotechnology named after the two-faced god of Roman mythology, in which two receptors are placed on opposite sides of the same particle. The researchers found that these particles triggered a weaker immune response due to their separation compared to particles where the receptors were paired evenly across their surface. As a result, Yu and colleagues concluded that close proximity played an important role in triggering a "maximal" immune response.

"The unique properties of Janus particles let us 'decouple' the receptors without affecting the rest of the experiment, which was key," she said. "No one had revealed this mechanism prior to our work."

Next, Yu said her team plans to use the study's methods to understand how the immune system resists other nonfungal infections -- as well as ultimately work toward creating new nanomaterials to enhance cancer immunotherapy.

Other authors on the paper were Wenqian Li, a Ph.D. student in biochemistry working in Yu's lab at IU, and Jun Yan at the University of Louisville School of Medicine. This study was supported by the National Institutes of Health.

Indiana University's world-class researchers have driven innovation and creative initiatives that matter for nearly 200 years. From curing testicular cancer to collaborating with NASA to search for life on Mars, IU has earned its reputation as a world-class research institution. Supported by $680 million last year from our partners, IU researchers are building collaborations and uncovering new solutions that improve lives in Indiana and around the globe.

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'Dual login' mechanism found to resist fungal infection in cells - IU Newsroom

The holidays are truly the most hectic times of the year, putting our immune systems at risk.

Most businesses have to meet end-of-year deadlines. Some of us are planning holiday shopping around travel plans. In fact, in 2018 it was predicted that a record-breaking 112.5 million people more than a third of all Americans [were] expected to travel for the entirety of the holiday season. And, then, of course, others are preparing their homes and daily routines to be upended by visiting family.

Yeah, theres a lot going on in these cold and holiday-filled months.

While we all love to visit and be visited by our loved ones and spend the holidays enjoying their company, its also important to note that staying healthy and avoiding illness is an integral part of that enjoyment. Yet, everything about the holidays from travel to holiday parties to new people in your home makes staying healthy so much more difficult.

What can you do?

First off, nobody should let the potentiality of sickness stop them from enjoying the holidays with their loved ones. So, instead of focusing on what you may catch or how much stress you may be taking on in the next sixty days, look at how you can boost your body to support you in these hectic times. Most importantly, its the time to incorporate as many plant-based immune system-boosting agents into your daily menu as possible!

kalhh/Pixabay

Theres a lot to staying healthy. The food you eat, your physical lifestyle, the amount of stress in your life on and on and on. Yet, when it comes to simply steering clear of the common cold or the flu, it all comes down to your immune system and how robust this essential weapon is.

So, how does it work?

The basics? The immune system is what keeps the bad stuff out. Its a network of organs, cells, and proteins that protects your body from outside invaders, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and toxins (chemicals produced by microbes). Breaking it down even further, youll find the innate immune system which you are born with and the adaptive immune system which you develop when your body is exposed to microbes or chemicals released by microbes. Basically, the one you come with and the one you build.

sweetlouise/Pixabay

If youre stuck on a plane, a train, a bus, or any other highly human-congested compartment, then youre most likely in the presence of one of the following (if not more) illnesses. In fact, a recent study discovered the terrifying reality that its more than 100 percent more likely for someone to catch a cold on a plane than in daily life.

Alright, so you know to expect the common cold, but what else is out there that youre most likely to catch? Read further to find out the most common illnesses that are contracted during holiday travel.

Capri23auto/Pixabay

Ive lumped these two together because, while different in how they present, the reasons for their love of the holidays is similar.

To be fair, if you havent caught a cold or the flu from a coworker, the person sitting next to you at dinner last night, or even one of your own family members, then lets just call it lucky. But, luck doesnt run so far and you just know the moment you step on that flight home, with at least a few passengers coughing and sniffling, that youll walk off the flight with more than you came with.

So, what is are these illnesses and why are they so prevalent during the holidays?

Lets start with the common cold.

A cold referred to as common cold, if you were wondering the difference, there isnt one is a viral infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract that primarily affects the nose [as well as] the throat, sinuses, and larynx. Since its a virus, theres little that you can do besides resting, eating nutritious meals, and hydrating. The problem? For some, generally those with preexisting health concerns, the common cold can develop into pneumonia, which is a very serious condition that can cause hospitalization and even death.

The flu short for influenza is a bit trickier and a lot less appealing than the common cold. The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. While the common cold generally remains benign, unless in those rare instances, the flu can oftentimes become a severe illness, and, at times, can lead to death.

Its not necessarily that the holidays bring about an uptick in the common cold, but its a combination of cold weather its believed that the immune system is compromised by cold weather and more people out and about shopping, attending parties, and traveling. Plus, take a moment before turning up your thermostat. Central heating can lower our defences by drying out the nasal mucous that prevents viruses from entering the body.

PublicDomainPictures/Pixabay

This is a less common illness, but definitely a virulent, knock-you-off-your-feet, variety.

The norovirus affectionately referred to as the winter vomiting bug is a very contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. Unfortunately, this virus is super easily transmitted via contact with an infected person, drinking contaminated water or consuming contaminated food, or even by touching contaminated surfaces then putting your unwashed hands in your mouth. Its due to the ease of spreading, lowered immune system via the cold, and a huge increase of people comingling in public spaces that causes cases of the norovirus to go up during the holidays.

The good news?

The norovirus generally clears up in only a couple of days, even though those few days are pretty unpleasant. Plus, you can enact some key habits to help avoid the bug such as frequently washing your hands, and to avoid sharing your personal items, especially things like clothing, bedding, and towels, with people who are or may be infected.

nastya_gepp/Pixabay

While theres lots more health-related discomfort to choose from in regards to the holiday months aches and pains, dry skin, Seasonal Affective Disorder, to name just a few I think one of the most pertinent that many of us suffer from, but dont talk about is stress-induced digestive upset.

We love our family and we love our friends, yet maneuvering through social events, especially when theyre lapped one-over-the-other can absolutely be stressful. On top of that, theres the work-life stress as deadlines approach before the end of the year, holiday parties to prepare for, and, of course, amidst all of this, youre most likely unable to attend to your healthy eating habits.

Simply put, youre stressed out even if youre happy during the holidays and this can cause digestive issues, increased headaches, body aches, and an uptick in anxiety and even depression. This can manifest in a variety of ways from bloating, constipation, diarrhea, cramps, and gas, to more serious digestive conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome or Inflammatory Bowel Disease, to name just a few.

Its important to listen to your body and take note of your mental state during the holidays. Try to find a quiet moment every day to honestly check in with yourself. Most likely, if your body is all of a sudden not feeling well, it may be an indicator of elevated stress.

Ajale/Pixabay

One of the many benefits of eating plant-based foods is the increased consumption of protective qualities. Most plant-based foods are naturally rich in immune system-boosting nutrients. While a well-rounded diet is a great key to overall health, there are certain nutrients that offer a bit more of a leg up when looking to kick the common cold or the flu. Plus, many of these foods can be properly packed into travel-friendly recipes. Infuse your body with protection while youre on the plane, bus, or train!

Dark Cherry Smoothie Bowl/One Green Planet

You may be sick of hearing about getting your vitamin C, yet during the holidays its as important as ever to make sure youre getting enough of this vital nutrient. This water-soluble vitamin is found in many fruits and vegetables, including oranges, strawberries, kiwi fruit, bell peppers, broccoli, kale and spinach. Along with battling high blood pressure, potentially reducing the risk of heart disease, improving absorption of iron, and protecting your brain, vitamin C is also well known for its ability to boost your immune system. How so? Vitamin C has been shown to help your white blood cells function at their optimal ability, thereby providing better defenses against foreign invaders.

Looking for the best fruits and veggies for vitamin C? While you may go directly for that navel orange, try a few of these alternative foods that are even higher in vitamin C content: acerola cherries, chili peppers, guavas, thyme, mustard spinach, kale, kiwis, Brussels sprouts, and strawberries, to name just a few.

Now you knowwhatto buy, now what do you cook? Here are some creative vitamin-C recipes to get you started!

Dark Cherry Smoothie Bowl, Superfood Kale Salad,Pomegranate Guava Smoothie, Thyme and Concord Grape Scones, Mango, Chili, and Lime Quinoa Salad, Kiwi Avocado Juice, or this Good Morning Beet Juice.

6-Ingredient Matcha Cookies/One Green Planet

Antioxidants. You hear about them everywhere. You know theyre good for your body. So, whats up with these plant-based white knight agents?

Turns out antioxidants prevent damage to immune cells by neutralizing free radicals agents in the environment that may damage your cells and reduce your immunity. Hold up, what are free radicals? These compounds can cause harm if their levels become too high in your body and theyre linked to multiple illnesses, including diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Due to the fact that plants use antioxidants in their own defenses against free radicals and oxidative damage, that means when you consume plant-based foods, youre also consuming that plants antioxidants. While your body requires certain antioxidants to live such as vitamins C and E there are other non-essential antioxidants [which] occur in food that play an important role in general health.

Where do you get antioxidants? To be honest, antioxidants are pretty much spread across the board in a plant-based diet. With that said, there are a few standouts in the crowd including berries, green tea, coffee, and dark chocolate.

It doesnt sound too hard to get to consuming these antioxidant powerhouses, does it! Here are a few holiday festive recipes to get you started amping up your immune system for your travels: Nut-Free Strawberry Vanilla Crumble Bars, Raspberry Breakfast Muffins, Blueberry-Almond Dark Chocolate Bark, 6-Ingredient Matcha Cookies, Matcha Latte, No-Bake Mocha Doughnuts With Chocolate Frosting, or this Coffee Cake Banana Bread.

Spicy Kale Chips/One Green Planet

Hand-in-hand with antioxidants is inflammation. Antioxidants are actually a wonderful component to help fight bodily inflammation. Alright, but whats up with inflammation? Youve most likely heard lots about inflammation being linked to health. In fact, Harvard Health published an article entitledInflammation: A unifying theory of disease in which they lay out the case for the linkage between chronic bodily inflammation and a vast array of diseases.

Inflammation in a nutshell in short, inflammation is part of a process that depends both on the physical actions of white blood cells and the chemicals that they produce: antibodies, cytokines, and the like. Basically, inflammation is a natural and necessary part of the immune response, yet, its been discovered that certain aggravators may cause the body to be in a state of chronic inflammation, which leads down unruly paths into disease.

Luckily, just like antioxidants, plant-based foods are also rich in anti-inflammatory agents as well! In particular, tomatoes, olive oil, green leafy veggies, nuts, and lots of fruits. Plus, there are certain spices, such as turmeric and Ceylon cinnamon, which are known to help decrease inflammation as well.

Get your anti-inflammation on this holiday season with these delightful recipes: Homemade Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Pepper and Almond Spread,No Bake Choc Squares, Almond & Date Shortbread,Roasted Cherry Tomatoes, Olive Oil and Orange Cookies,Savory Citrus Arugula Steel Cut Oatmeal, Golden Milk Frapuccino, or these Baked Kale Chips.

Spicy Carrot Clementine Juice/One Green Planet

If youre like me, then most medications upset the normal rhythm of your body including inducing nausea, causing constipation, and even aggravating heartburn. When it comes to holiday illness, in particular, the common cold, try seeking some herbal remedies instead? Herbs are an ancient source of medicines dating back to Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicinal practices.

When it comes to kicking your ailments, while traveling look to some fo the powerhouses such as ginger, garlic, and echinacea. Ginger is great for soothing a sore throat or cough and is a powerhouse when treating nausea. Garlic has a compound called allicin, which may have antimicrobial properties, and may alleviate the severity of your symptoms. Echinacea has been used for centuries and is believed to have therapeutic effects on the body due to its high levels of flavonoids.

You dont have to down bitter tinctures in order to enjoy an herbal remedy. When it comes to ginger and garlic, add these aromatic delights to your favorite holiday (or non-holiday) recipes such as thisSpicy Carrot Clementine Juice, these Ginger-Beet Moscow Mules, theseSweet Potato Fries With Maple-Tahini Garlic Dip, or this soothing Italian Minestrone.

Echinacea, on the other hand, can be used in a variety of ways, yet the most popular and effect are in supplemental form Vegan Echinacea Goldenseal Capsules or as a tincture Immune Booster with Echinacea Goldenseal.

We also highly recommend downloading ourFood Monster App, which is available foriPhone, and can also be found onInstagramandFacebook. The app has more than 15,000 plant-based, allergy-friendly recipes, and subscribers gain access to new recipes every day. Check it out!

For more Vegan Food, Health, Recipe, Animal, and Life content published daily, dont forget to subscribe to theOne Green Planet Newsletter!

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Plant-Based Immune System Boosters to Keep You Healthy During the Holidays - One Green Planet

Nov. 27, 2019 13:00 UTC

CULVER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- NantKwest, Inc. (Nasdaq: NK), a next generation, clinical-stage immunotherapy company focused on harnessing the unique power of our immune system using natural killer (NK) cells to treat cancer, infectious diseases and other diseases, today announced that on Monday, December 2, 2019, it will host a key opinion leader (KOL) meeting in New York City on the current treatment landscapes and unmet medical needs of patients with Merkel cell carcinoma, triple-negative breast cancer, solid tumors and the state-of-the-art treatment in the induction of Immunogenic Cell Death.

This event will feature presentations from KOLs George Ansstas, MD, Washington University of Medicine in St. Louis, Chaitali Nangia, MD, Chan Soon-Shiong Institute for Medicine, and Clint Allen, MD, Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, as well as Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of NantKwest.

NantKwests management team will also provide pipeline updates on their haNK and PD-L1.t-haNK programs utilizing the Companys Activated Natural Killer (aNK) cell platform to target these diseases. This platform harnesses the power of the innate immune system and is uniquely positioned to provide broadly available, off-the-shelf cell therapies capable of being administered in the outpatient setting.

Clint Allen, MD is an Associate Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Principal Investigator of the Translational Tumor Immunology Program, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, NIH. His research focuses on understanding how the immune system responds to squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, and how this can be enhanced therapeutically. He leads a large pre-clinical and clinical laboratory program focused on translational pre-clinical studies in syngeneic models of squamous cell carcinoma and the assessment of clinical trial specimens. He is the director of the inpatient Otolaryngology consultation service at the NIH Clinical Center and maintains a surgical practice for the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine based out of Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, MD.

George Ansstas, MD is an Assistant Professor of Medicine, Section of Medical Oncology, Division of Oncology at Washington University School of Medicine. Dr. Ansstas's clinical expertise includes brain tumors, neuro-oncology, skin cancer, and melanoma. He received his medical degree from University of Tishreen, Latakia, Syria in 2001. Dr. Ansstas completed a fellowship in hematology and oncology at Washington University, St. Louis.

Chaitali Nangia, MD is an Hematologist/Oncologist based in Costa Mesa, California and is affiliated with Hoag Hospital System. She received her medical degree from Lady Hardinge Medical College in New Delhi, India and completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Resurrection Westlake Medical Center in Illinois. She then completed her Fellowship in Hematology/Oncology at the Henry Ford Hospital in Michigan. She worked as an Associate Professor at University of California-Irvine and as an Associate Program Director at University of California-Irvine Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Program prior to her current role. She acted as the principal investigator for several clinical trials and has been an author of several publications.

This event is intended for institutional investors, sell-side analysts, and business development professionals only. Please RSVP in advance if you plan to attend, as space is limited. Members of the media and the public are invited to participate via the live webcast, which can be accessed through our company website at https://nantkwest.com/nantkwest-key-opinion-leader-event/. The event is expected to start at noon EST on Monday, December 2, 2019.

About NantKwest

NantKwest (NK) is an innovative, clinical-stage immunotherapy company focused on harnessing the power of the innate immune system to treat cancer and virally induced infectious diseases. We are the leading producer of clinical dose forms of off-the-shelf Natural Killer (NK) cell therapies. Our activated NK cell platform is designed to destroy cancer and virally infected cells from the body. The safety of our optimized, activated NK cells, as well as their activity against a broad range of cancers, have been tested in phase I clinical trials in Canada and Europe, as well as in multiple phase I and II clinical trials in the United States. By leveraging an integrated and extensive genomics and transcriptomics discovery and development engine, together with a pipeline of multiple, clinical-stage, immuno-oncology programs, NantKwests goal is to transform medicine by delivering living drugs in a bag and bringing novel NK cell-based therapies to routine clinical care. NantKwest is a member of the NantWorks ecosystem of companies. For more information, please visit https://nantkwest.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning or implying that NantKwest will be successful in improving the treatment of cancer. Risks and uncertainties related to this endeavor include, but are not limited to, obtaining FDA approval of NantKwests NK cells as well as other therapeutics as part of the NANT Cancer Vaccine platform as a cancer treatment.

Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, these forward-looking statements do not constitute guarantees of future performance, and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

These and other risks regarding NantKwests business are described in detail in its Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including in NantKwests Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2019. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and we disclaim any obligation to update these statements except as may be required by law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191127005192/en/

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NantKwest Hosting Key Opinion Leader Meeting on Novel Immunotherapeutic Approaches to Address the Unmet Medical Needs of Patients with Merkel Cell...

When a woman gets pregnant, there is a change in her immune system. (Source: Thinkstock/Getty)

By Dr Aparna Jha

Pregnancies usually last for about 40 weeks. If a baby is born before 37 weeks, it is known as premature birth. In such cases, the infant is too small for breathing or regulating body temperature. This can lead to brain bleeds and other organ troubles. Premature birth can also lead to disability, cognitive problems, development delays, and infant death. Many of such babies will require speech and/or physical therapy later. It can also seriously affect the health of the mother.

It has been difficult knowing the cause of preterm birth. In most of the cases, there have been no risk factors involved. Here are some risk factors for premature birth:

Some researchers believe that the immune system of a mother can play a role in predicting preterm birth. The immune system is sensitive to environmental changes. It might be the common denominator for all the factors contributing to preterm labor. For decades, all the immune-related proteins and genes involved in inflammation have been associated with preterm births. However, there has been no link in treatments or predictive tests.

When a woman gets pregnant, there is a change in her immune system. Chemicals are released into the body that stop the immune cells from attacking the cells of the embryos as the foreign invaders. After the cells are implanted into the uterus walls, decidua, a thick layer of tissue, starts forming between the embryo and the mother. Also, anti-inflammatory immune cells like regulatory T cells are used for keeping the immune system at bay.

When the woman reaches the last stage of her pregnancy, between 37 to 40 weeks, this immuno suppression is switched. All the immune cells start flooding the area and setting off a chain reaction. This triggers the contraction of the uterus. Also, due to the inflammation, enzymes are released from the cells that dissolve the membrane that surrounds the foetus. This results in the breaking and releasing of the amniotic fluid. Now, it is important that these processes happen, but not before 37 weeks.

In the American Journal of Reproductive Immunology, it was reported that inflammation involves a protein called cytokines that were present in a higher amount in the amniotic fluid of women who gave preterm birth. The higher the cytokine levels, the earlier was the delivery. Also, women with short cervix had higher levels of a cytokine named MIP-1B or Macrophage Inflammatory protein-1 beta present in their amniotic fluid.

There are thousands of contributing factors in the blood and microbiome of the mother towards preterm birth. These factors can be analysed through a system:

It is clear that these changes can be predicted earlier by researching the immune system of the mother. For solidifying the connection between the immune system and preterm birth reliable immune markers need to be detected in the blood and tied to the difference visible in the amniotic fluid. Now since every cause of preterm birth is still unknown, it is not possible to find these biological markers.

(The writer is Consultant Gynecologist and Obstetrician, Apollo Cradle, Bangalore.)

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How the immune system can predict preterm birth - The Indian Express