StemCell Therapy

Sashank Prasad MD(Dr. Prasad of Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.) Jonathan D Trobe MD,editor.(Dr. Trobe of the University of Michigan has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.)Originally released July 14, 1997; last updated June 6, 2018; expires June 6, 2021

This article includes discussion of cortical blindness, Anton syndrome, Anton-Babinski syndrome, cerebral blindness, cortical visual impairment, and geniculocalcarine dysfunction. The foregoing terms may include synonyms, similar disorders, variations in usage, and abbreviations.

Overview

Cortical blindness refers to visual loss due to bilateral lesions of the geniculocalcarine pathways in the brain. Patients with cortical blindness may or may not be aware of their visual deficits. When they are unaware of the extent of visual loss (often confabulating their responses), the clinical presentation is termed Anton syndrome. Etiologies of cortical blindness are numerous and diverse. In this article, the author discusses the diagnosis of cortical blindness and its various causes.

Key points

Cortical blindness is a term used to encompass visual loss from lesions of the retrogeniculate pathways. Pupillary responses are spared in a patient with cortical blindness because they rely on synaptic reflexes through the brainstem and do not require cortical inputs.

Patients with cortical blindness due to occipital lesions may be unaware of their visual deficits. If so, the clinical presentation is termed Anton syndrome.

Brain MRI is an important diagnostic test to determine the cause of cortical blindness, but not all causes produce MRI abnormalities.

When infarction is suggested by MRI, the diagnostic work-up should be aimed at identifying cardioembolism and other causes of stroke.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome may cause cortical blindness and is associated with severe preeclampsia or eclampsia, hypertension, and use of certain medications.

Nonorganic visual loss should be considered a diagnosis of exclusion but can be suggested by examination findings that violate physiological patterns of visual loss.

Historical note and terminology

"Cortical blindness" is generally used to refer to visual loss due to bilateral dysfunction of the occipital visual cortex (striate cortex or V1). Some patients will exhibit unawareness of the extent of visual loss; this remarkable clinical state is termed "Anton syndrome" in reference to Gabriel Anton, who described this phenomenon in 1899 (Anton 1899). For lesions not isolated to the cortex, including the subcortical visual pathways, the term "cerebral blindness" may be more appropriate. The term "cortical visual impairment" has also been introduced (particularly in the pediatric population) when visual deficits are incomplete (Good et al 1994). Nevertheless, because the term "cortical blindness" continues to be in common use, it will be retained in this discussion.

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Cortical blindness - MedLink

Editor's note: This is the second article in a two-part series on the ongoing stakeholder discussions regarding the One Nation, One Poll proposal, called for by the Law Commission. Read part I here

***

The proposal to conduct Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections simultaneously, presently undergoing stakeholder consultation, led by the Law Commission of India, is yet to reckon with the question of whether simultaneous elections would damage the federal structure or any other basic feature of the Constitution.

Leaving this question open, at the tail-end of its Draft Working Paper, the Law Commission has laid out ways to ensure concurrent terms for the Lok Sabha and Assemblies (how to stave off dissolution of the House when a no-confidence motion is passed, or when there is a hung verdict in the election), and proposed some election scheduling options (all elections are held either together in 2019 and 2024, alongside the Lok Sabha elections, or in 2019 and 2021-22, such that elections are held every two and a half years, with state Assembly terms accordingly modified). Without testing the proposal against constitutional principles like democracy or federalism, the Law Commission has put the cart before the horse by suggesting amendments on the logistics of how to conduct simultaneous elections.

So what if we had simultaneous elections at the birth of India?

But first, it is crucial to address the Law Commission's and NITI Aayog's oft-repeated claim that simultaneous elections are somehow acceptable because "elections to Lok Sabha and all state Legislative Assemblies were held simultaneously between 1951 and 1967." To use our history in this way is flatly inaccurate and incorrect. First, several states had to go to polls in between the General Elections of 1951-52, 1957, 1962 and 1967 due to varied circumstances. Moreover, it is one thing for concurrent elections to take place organically, by virtue of the Centre and the states having commenced their democratic existence together under the Indian Constitution, and quite another, for simultaneous elections to be enforced, inorganically, in the way that is presently sought.

The birth of the Republic of India, was not a "coming together" of States as autonomous, pre-existing political units. As BR Ambedkar explained to the Constituent Assembly, "... though India was to be a federation, the Federation was not the result of an agreement by the States to join in a Federation and that the Federation not being the result of an agreement no State has the right to secede from it."

Representational image. AP

This statement is best understood in contrast with the United States of America, which was born from thirteen colonies coming together to sign the Declaration of Independence. Of the 50 states presently part of the United States, only eleven ratified the Constitution in 1787-88, two ratified the Constitution well after the first Congress was elected and convened, and other territories entered a country that was already governed by the US Federal Constitution. On the other hand, the Indian situation represents a "holding together" or unification of many socio-politically and culturally disparate political units under the terms of the Constitution of India. The Constitution took effect at the same time (more or less) for the princely States, the British provinces as well as the newly constituted Union Government Sikkim being the exception.

Now, the Indian Constitution governs the States and the Centre alike withregard to elections and political representation, unlike the Constitution of the United States, which governs only the Federal Government. So, the simultaneity of Central and State elections, 1951 onwards, to whatever extent, was a result of the Indian Constitution becoming effective at the same moment for the States and the Union Government. That situation cannot be compared with the present effort to forcefully ensure elections are simultaneously held at the Centre and the states. The deliberate transition from status-quo back to concurrent elections, and the enforced nature of concurrent elections are unconstitutional, even if simultaneity of elections in and of itself is permissible.

Enforced concurrent elections

To enforce concurrent elections, premature dissolution of the Lok Sabha or state assemblies must be prevented. In the case of a successful motion of no-confidence, Law Commission proposes that movers of the no-confidence motion propose an alternative government through a "motion of confidence". Likewise, in the case of a hung verdict after elections, it is proposed that all parties decide the leader of the Housewhich would require a relaxation in the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution "only for formation of a stable government".

To permit the movers of a no-confidence motion to propose an alternative government, is to say that voters' choice only matters in deciding the origin of a government but not the continued survival of a government. This might appear to be democratic to the extent that the new government will be accountable to Parliament by winning a vote of confidence. But there is a second aspect of democratic accountability: the Parliament must answer to citizens, and needs to enjoy our continued confidence. In putting an alternate government into power through a "motion of confidence", parliamentarians will be forced to act according to the will of their political party. However, when MPs are answerable to their political parties, nothing ensures that they are similarly answerable to citizensthe voters who elected them into power, for the simple reason that political parties are not answerable to voters.

In India, citizens vote for candidates who contest polls on a party ticket they have obtained, unless they run as independents.There are no rules which dictate guidelines as to who might get the ticket.We do not have a system of party "primaries"wherein voters choose a candidate to ultimately contest the main General Electionson that party's ticket from the pool of candidates seeking that partys endorsement. In short, political parties are not democratic in their internal structure and organisation. To make matters worse, the Tenth Schedule forces all elected members of a House to vote in line with the party whip, on threat of disqualification from the House.

In effect, during elections, voters either choose the individual whose capabilities they trust, thus risking an implicit vote for the candidates political party, or they choose the political party they wish to see in government, thus risking an implicit vote for an incompetent candidate. No system exists for voters to choose which candidate gets a party ticket from the political party they wish to see in government. Political parties, therefore, are not anchored to voter preferences once their candidates are elected as parliamentarians, until the next election cycle.

With political parties being internally undemocraticand externally unanswerable to voters, creation of an alternate government through a motion of confidence is partisan and undemocratic, since the electorate has no say in the matter.Likewise, in the case of a hung verdict, the Law Commission proposes a relaxation of Tenth Schedule norms such that all parties can together choose a leader of their House without being restrained by the Whip. However, hung verdicts are where the threats of defections and loss of majority in the House loom largest on a party. Relaxing Tenth Schedule norms here is to permit parliamentarians to vote against their party affiliation and "defect" to another party.

However, parliamentarians can never know whether they won the election in their constituency based on votes for their individual worth or a vote to see their political party in power. Permitting defection is to ignore the electorates choice yet again, particularly that section of voters who chose candidates for the party she represented.

In short, enforced concurrent elections violates representative democracy, a basic feature of our Constitution.

The outcome of concurrent elections impairs federalism

The composition of the Rajya Sabha is determined by the composition of the States legislatures and is crucial for federalism because of its power to enable Parliament to make laws on matters in the State List.The interests of the State were assumed to be taken care of in the Upper House by virtue of itsstructure andcomposition andthe political process of election a feature of "cooperative federalism". Therefore, to alter this political process by holding elections concurrently at the Centre and in states, is to alter the feature that is meant to protect federalism in the Rajya Sabha.

Data - such as this study by IDFC - shows that scheduling of State elections determines the likelihood of the same party being elected both at the Centre and the state-level. Unfortunately, IDFC concludes that "when presented with an option to choose different parties for the Lok Sabha and state, with all other things being equal, a vast majority of voters did not exercise that choice. Leveraging this, NITI Aayog dismisses their concerns, suggesting self-assuredly, that unless simultaneity of elections can be established as the cause of the same party winning at both levels of government, the mere correlation between the two events is not good evidence.

However, studies have contradicted IDFCs assumptions of the non-discerning voter. Voters deliberately reward the same party at the Centre and State, depending on the timing of the election.

Timing is everything

Psephologists like Yogendra Yadav have found that the national ruling party gains support in state elections that are held earlier in their term during the honeymoon period but lose ground as their term progresses.

The explanation of this phenomenon runs thus: since "voters are likely to credit the state ruling party and not the national ruling party" when States spend more money on programmes, national ruling parties are inclined to spend more on states whose governments are controlled by their own party. As states get more funds when they are governed by the same party at the Centre, state voters deliberately ensure the same party holds power at both levels. However, their incentives to do so are highest when the Centre's term has just commenced, so as to maximise the States gains in the five years of the Centre's term.Two or three years into their term, state voters may not be sure if the national ruling party will return to power, and, therefore, may not be too inclined to vote for the same party at the state level.National ruling parties' advantage in state elections in the first two years, turns into a disadvantage by their third year in government."

Since timing of elections in state is crucial in deciding whether the national ruling party comes to power in states, holding simultaneous polls would ensure one party dominance over the nation.

Voters choice must be respected, even if the outcome of their vote hurts federalism. Normatively, there is no reason why a vote for the national incumbent at the state level is worse than a vote against it.However, with the knowledge that several studies show that timing of State elections is, in most cases, a determinant of the national ruling party's success in states, enforcing simultaneous elections would amount to wilful blindness to its federalism-impairing consequences.

With inputs from Krupakar Manukonda

The author is a Bangalore-based lawyer, currently working on teaching democracy and active citizenship through experiential learning. She tweets @MaLawdy

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One Nation, One Poll proposal is completely blind to the ...

I'm 51, and I've multiple sclerosis since 18 years.The desease has not been too agressive in the first 14 years, but it has worsened in the last 4 years. It is secondary progressive form. My main symptoms are bladder and bowel difficulties, as well as erection problems, and to a lesser extend fatigue and spasticity in the legs.I've never had any medical treatment, as my neurologist says it doesn't work with secondary progressive MS. I'm just careful with what I eat : no animal fat, first pressure oils, organic fruits and vegetables. I'm also having various food supplements such as primerose oil, selenium, and stemenhance.

I went to the Stem Cell Institute in Panama (cellmedicine.com/locations.asp) in march 2010 for a two week treatment. I decided to tell the story of my experience on this forum, specially for those who are considering going for such therapy.

The people at the SCI were nice, friendly, and professional. Everything was well organised, with a taxi picking me up at my hotel always right on time.The different places where the treatment took place were very clean.I've had 5 intracathetal injections, and 2 intraveinous injections.The intracathetal used cells from umbilical cords, while the intraveinous were using stem cells from my own fat (obtained from a mini-liposuction).The treatment was not painful, except for the mini-liposuction which was a littleunpleasant.The treatment costed me 22500 US$. With the travel (from France) and accomodation expenses for me and the accompanying person, the total amount was approximately 26000 US$.

Unfortunately, 6 months after the treatment, I still don't feel any improvement.(but the treatment has not worsened my condition either).

Of course this is only my own experience, and others probably have indeed been improved.Now I'm just hoping that the new theory on CCSVI will eventually be the solution ...

Good luck to all of you who are in the same quest as I am.Zaz

See the rest here:
My experience with stem cells therapy in Panama - MSWorld

How Stem Cell Therapy Saves Patients with Kidney Failure

Stem cells are original cells that can differentiate into tissue functional cells. Abnormal creatinine level reflects kidney function decline (kidney cells necrosis), so stem cell treatment is conducted to replenish the absolute number of kidney cells to promote kidney function. Two type of stem cells will be used in your case, one is for promoting kidney function, and another is to replenish effective blood volume to alleviate your decrease in HGB level. Adult stem cells are transfused into the body through intravenous drip, like blood transfusion, and then stem cells reach the kidneys through blood circulation. This conduction requires no surgical operation. One stem cell treatment takes about one hour.

As mentioned above, stem cells reach the kidneys through blood circulation, which requires certain blood flow into kidneys or, in other words, certain remaining kidney function. Thousands of patients received stem cell therapy in our hospitals. The curative effect is closely related to patients remaining kidney function. For end stage kidney failure patients, this therapy helps them get rid of dialysis or reducing the frequency of dialysis. For early stage kidney failure patients, this therapy blocks kidney function from further decline and promotes and maintains kidney function to near normal level, so the patient can live a normal life without worrying about kidney function decline to end stage.

Stem Cells Therapy Offers New Hope For Kidney Disease Patients

Kidney failure or Renal failure is a serious medical condition where the kidneys fail to properly filter toxins and waste material from circulating blood. The two forms are acute and chronic where chronic kidney disease or health problems may cause renal failure. Problems associated with kidney problems include abnormal fluid and acid levels in the body, abnormal levels of potassium, calcium, phosphate. Long-term kidney problems have significant affects on other diseases, such as cardiovascular disease.

Stem Cell Treatment is the newest method in treating mild to end-stage kidney failure. Stem Cell Therapy is really effective in treating kidney failure. Usually people with End-Stage Kidney Failure should take dialysis and kidney transplantation. Stem cell treatment should be done before such drastic measures but can be done after and help patients off dialysis.

The stem cells have two characteristics: self- renew and differentiation. When Stem Cells Transplant into kidneys and human body, it will proliferate and differentiate into healthy immunocyte. The stem cells can rebuild your immune function, make your body produce antibodies, and express its immune function. So this pathogenic antibody was inhibited, so as to achieve the goal of regulating and controlling immune. At the same time, the stem cells constantly repair nephrocyte; the glomerular basement membranes also will be repaired. The symptoms such as urinary protein and occult blood will gradually disappear.

Stem Cell Treatment is characterized with safety, simpleness and effectiveness. Above all, there are no side effects with Stem Cell Treatment or harm to kidneys.

Type of Injection - Local Injection x 2 times Intravenous (IV) Injection x 2 times

Adjuvant Therapy :

Rehabilitation therapy Chinese traditional medicine to recuperate

The payment includes:Stem cell implantation :Physiotherapy and occupational therapy sessions, from Monday to Friday,Traditional Chinese medicineAccommodation for the patient AND for 1 or 2 accompanying family members.General medical services ; Doctor's visits and examinations, laboratory tests, etc

Foreign patient services:

Our international department team helps our foreign patients handle all the communication aspects of getting medical treatment in a foreign country. Staff is ready to help with everything from communicating with the medical team, nurses, and caregivers to daily needs like shopping, going to the bank, or making visa arrangements. We also provide transportation from the airport to the hospital upon arrival and make all necessary arrangements for transportation to the airport upon completion of the treatment.

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Stem Cell Therapy for Kidney Failure-Hope Medical Group

Welcome

The Leeds Genetics Laboratory incorporates Molecular Genetics, Cytogenetics and a Molecular Oncology Diagnostic Facility. The laboratory is supported by the Translational Genomics Unit. The service is based at St Jamess Hospital and is part of the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

The laboratory provides genetic analysis for inherited and acquired diseases for the population of Yorkshire. Services are also available nationally, as part of the UK Genetic Testing Network (UKGTN), and on an international basis.The Laboratory is accredited by UKAS for its established services.

This website is aimed primarily at health workers as an information resource.

Cytogenetics, Molecular Oncology and Whipples Referral Forms

Molecular Genetics Referral Forms

Letter to users re: changes to Whipple disease service

Letter to users re: change to testing strategy for recurrent miscarriage patients

Change to format of oncology reports:

Please note that from 01/01/18 solid tumour and molecular oncology results will be reported and integrated into cellular pathology reports. Separate reports from the Leeds Genetics Lab will no longer be issued.

Cytogenetic Enquiries:0113 2065419 leedsth-tr.Cytogenetics@nhs.net

Molecular Enquiries:0113 2065205 leedsth-tr.dna@nhs.net

Mon - Fri 8:30am - 5:00pm

For more information about schedules of our services covered under UKAS accreditation, please see

E Schedule 8105 (Cytogenetics); and E Schedule 8096 (Molecular Genetics)

For more information about the scope of our work please visit the British Society for Genetic Medicine website.

Link:
Leeds Genetics Laboratory - Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

The use of stem cells in the treatment of heart failure cases is currently being investigated. Cardiovascular disease is the #1 killer in the United States accounting forone third ofall deaths.Heart disease kills more people than cancer, HIV, diabetesor trauma. Many advances in medical and surgical treatment of heart disease have contributed to a growing number of patients in their 70s and 80s with congestive heart failure. An estimated 1% of the Western world has congestive heart failure, including over 5 million Americans with an additional 550,000 new cases each year. Patients with advanced heart failure who require hospitalization, have a 50% mortality within the first fiveyears.The patients with significant coronary artery disease can sometimes undergo coronary artery bypass surgery or percutaneous coronary intervention to open up blocked arteries. Below is an example of a patient evaluated for heart failure and was found to have severe coronary disease. He later underwent bypass surgery.In addition, current medical treatment of patients with congestive heart failure include proven beneficial medicine such as beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, angiotensinIIreceptor blockers, angiotensin IIreceptor blocker Neprilysin inhibitors and diuretics. When appropriate, resynchronization of the right and left ventricles can be accomplished with special types of pacemaker and can be combined with a defibrillator (BiV-ICD). However, even after following all of these guideline proven therapies, some patients still run out of options and continue to have severe and debilitating congestive heart failure. Below is an example of a patient with severe heart failure symptoms despite having normal coronaries and a BiV-ICD.Heart transplant is a last resort for end stage heart disease.There is a very low number of donor hearts and transplant programs have very restricted eligibility criteria leaving a large number patients with very few options.There are reasons to believe that regenerative therapy could really help patients with congestive heart failure. Multi-potent cardiac stem cells exist in the heart and participate in the normal turnover of heart muscle cells and small blood vessels.A heart attack kills heart muscle which is made of millions of heart cells. The question is: Would regenerative therapy be able to replace those heart cells or cardiac myocytes?Thousands of patients have been enrolled in clinical trials to address this question. Regenerative or stem cell therapy has been shown to be safe. Modest benefits have been demonstrated but the mechanism has not been completely elucidated. So far, there is no evidence that cells regenerate from the transplanted stem cells. Animal studies have shown that only 1% of the stem cells injected into the heart tissue are detectable after 1 month. The clinical benefits observed appeared to be due to arelease of growth factors which triggers endogenous repair of the heart cells and inhibits cell death and fibrosis resulting in increased performance of the heart muscle.

An example of an abnormal echocardiogram.

Comments are purely for informational purposes and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Disclaimer

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Stem Cells in the Treatment of Heart Failure MyHeart

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In this impressive, meticulously researched study of the exciting new developments in gene therapy, geneticist and journalist Lewis (Human Genetics) looks closely at the history of setbacks plaguing the treatment of rare genetic diseases as well as recent breakthroughs...Yet with each success, as Lewis recounts in this rigorous, energetic work, possibilities in treating HIV infection and dozens of other diseases might be around the next corner. Publisher's Weekly (starred review)

A fascinating account of groundbreaking science and the people who make it possible. Kirkus

Ricki Lewis gives us the inspiring story of gene therapy as told through Corey's eyes--literally. Her book delves into the challenges modern medicine faces--both in its bitter disappointments and great successes--but it goes much deeper than that. With empathy and grace, Lewis shows us the unimaginable strength of parents with sick children and the untiring devotion of the physicians who work to find the forever fix' to save them. But best of all Lewis gives us a story of profound hope. Molly Caldwell Crosby, author of The American Plague: The Untold Story of Yellow Fever, the Epidemic that Shaped Our History and Asleep: The Forgotten Epidemic that Remains One of Medicine's Greatest Mysteries

The Forever Fix is a wonderful story told by one of our most gifted science and medical writers. In the tradition of Siddhartha Mukherjee's The Emperor of All Maladies, Ricki Lewis explains complex biological processes in extremely understandable ways, ultimately providing crucial insights into the modeling of disease and illustrating how gene therapy can treat and even potentially cure the most challenging of our health conditions. Dennis A. Steindler, Ph.D., former Executive Director of the McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida

Ricki Lewis has written a remarkable book that vividly captures the breathtaking highs and devastating lows of gene therapy over the past decade while giving ample voice to all sides -- the brave patient volunteers, their parents and physicians. The Forever Fix is required reading as we dare to dream of curing a host of genetic diseases. Kevin Davies, Founding editor of Nature Genetics; author of The $1,000 Genome and Cracking the Genome

In 'The Forever Fix,' Ms. Lewis chronicles gene therapy's climb toward the Peak of Inflated Expectations over the course of the 1990s. A geneticist and the author of a widely used textbook, she demonstrates a mastery of the history. The Wall Street Journal

An engaging and accessible look at gene therapy. Times Union

Medical writer Ricki Lewis interweaves science, the history of medical trial and error, and human stories from the death in 1999 of teenager Jesse Gelsinger, from a reaction to gene therapy intended to combat his liver disease, to radical successes in some children with adenosine deaminase deficiency. Nature

Lewis adeptly traverses the highs and lows of gene therapy and explores its past, present, and future through the tales of those who've tested its validity. The Scientist

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The Forever Fix: Gene Therapy and the Boy Who Saved It ...

This list focuses on abbreviations and acronyms commonly used in veterinary practice and supplements the standard and widely available reference sources such as Gales Acronyms, Initialisms & Abbreviations Dictionary. It is intended for use by veterinary students, researchers, practitioners, and librarians.

The initial selection of abbreviations and acronyms was based on The Merck Veterinary Manual, Seventh Edition, published by Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J, U.S.A., 1991. The list continues to be supplemented using many other sources such as Guide to Veterinary Medical Terminology by Phillip E. Cochran, published by American Veterinary Publications, Inc., Goleta, CA.

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Veterinary Abbreviations & Acronyms Guide Veterinary ...

PUBMED NLM ID: 101586297 | Index Copernicus Value: 84.95 The Journal of Stem Cell Research & Therapy is an open access journal that showcases seminal research in the field of stem cell therapy. As stem-cells are flag-bearers of translational research, the field has an interdisciplinary feel by including oncology, clinical research, medicine and healthcare under the aegis of stem-cell therapy. It also includes scientific research related to the auxiliary areas of Biology by prioritizing scholarly communication milieu and transfers expert knowledge synthesized from the ever burgeoning stem-cell literature. In order to create such impactful content, the Journal of Stem Cell Research & Therapy brings together an expert Editorial Board, which comprises of noted scholars in the field of Cell Biology. Every single article is subjected to rigorous peer review by illustrious scientists. In addition to Research Articles, the Journal also publishes high quality Commentaries, Reviews, and Perspectives aimed at synthesizing the latest developments in the field, and putting forward new theories in order to provoke debates amongst the scholars in the field. The journal thus maintains the highest standards in terms of quality and comprehensive in its approach.The journal aims to provide the authors with an efficient and courteous editorial platform. The authors can be assured of an expeditious publishing process. In this regard, the journal also provides advance online posting of the accepted articles. The Journal of Stem Cell Research & Therapy ensures barrier-free, open access distribution of its content online and thus, helps in improving the citations for authors and attaining a good impact factor.

Scholarly Journal of Stem Cell Research & Therapy is using online manuscript submission, review and tracking systems of Editorial Manager for quality and quick review processing. Review processing is performed by the editorial board members of Journal of Stem Cell Research and Therapy or outside experts; at least two independent reviewers approval followed by editor approval is required for acceptance of any citable manuscript.

It is an undifferentiated cell which is capable of transforming into more cells of same type or multiple other types. They are found in multicellular organisms. They can differentiate into cells of blood, skin, heart, muscles, brain etc. In adult human being, they replenish the dead cells of various organs. Stem cells are being used for treatment of various diseases like diabetes, arthritis, few cancers, bone marrow failure etc.

Related Journals of Stem Cell

Insights in Stem Cells, Fertilization: In Vitro - IVF-Worldwide, Reproductive Medicine, Genetics & Stem Cell Biology,Stem Cells, Cell Stem Cell, Stem Cells and Development, Stem Cell Reviews and Reports, Current Stem Cell Research and Therapy, Stem Cell Research

They can develop into any cell type or organ in the body. A single totipotent stem cell can give rise to an entire organism. Fertilized egg or a zygote is the best example. Zygote divides and produces more totipotent cells. After 4 days the cells lose totipotency and become pluripotent.

Related Journals ofTotipotent Stem Cells

Breast Cancer: Current Research, Cancer Diagnosis, Reproductive Medicine, Genetics & Stem Cell Biology, Stem Cell Research and Therapy, Stem Cells International, Stem cells translational medicine, Current Protocols in Stem Cell Biology

They can differentiate into any cell type in the human body. Embryonic stem cells are mostly pluripotent stem cells. They have the ability to differentiate into any of three germ layers: endoderm, mesoderm, or ectoderm.

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Cancer Science & Therapy, Cervical Cancer: Open Access, Reproductive Medicine, Genetics & Stem Cell Biology, Stem Cell Reports, Hematology/ Oncology and Stem Cell Therapy, Journal of Stem Cells, International Journal of Stem Cells

These are multipotent stem cells normally found in the bone marrow and are derived from mesenchyme. They differentiate into adipocytes, chondrocytes, osteoblasts, myocytes and tendon. MSCs can also be extracted from blood, fallopian tube, fetal liver and lungs.

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Insights in Stem Cells, Fertilization: In Vitro - IVF-Worldwide, Reproductive Medicine, Genetics & Stem Cell Biology, Journal of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Stem Cells and Cloning: Advances and Applications, International Journal of Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Research

They are the multipotent stem cells derived from mesoderm and located in red bone marrow. They are responsible for production of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. HSCs give rise to myeloid lineage (which forms erythrocytes, eosinophils, basophils, neutrophils, macrophages, mast cells and platelets) and lymphoid lineage (which forms T-lymphocytes, plasma cells and NK cells).

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They can differentiate into more than one cell type, but only into a limited number of cell types. Hematopoietic stem cells are considered multipotent as they can differentite into red blood cells, platelets, white blood cells but they cannot differentiate into hepatocytes or brain cells.

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Cells with stem cell like abilities have been observed breast cancer, colon cancer, leukemia, melanoma, prostate cancer which can form new cells and lead to tumorigenesis. They cause relapse and metastasis by giving rise to new tumors. Scientists are developing methods to destroy CSCs in place of traditional methods which focus on bulk of cancer cells.

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Head and Neck Cancer Research, Lung Cancer Diagnosis & Treatment, Genetics & Stem Cell Biology, Cancer Research, Nature Reviews Cancer, Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Clinical Cancer Research, Cancer Cell, Cancer, International Journal of Cancer, British Journal of Cancer

They are derived from Hematopoietic stem cells. They differentiate into Erythrocyte progenitor cell (forms erythrocytes), Thrombocyte progenitor cell (forms platelets) and Granulocyte-Monocyte progenitor cell (forms monocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils, dendritic cells).

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They are the self-renewing, multipotent stem cells in the nervous system that differentiate into neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. They repair the nervous system after damage or an injury. They have potential clinical use the management of Parkinsons disease, Huntingtons disease and multiple sclerosis.

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Oncology & Cancer Case Reports, Prostate Cancer, Reproductive Medicine, Genetics & Stem Cell Biology, Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, Cortex; a journal devoted to the study of the nervous system and behavior, Child's Nervous System, Journal of the Peripheral Nervous System, Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry

They are derived from embryo in the blastocyst stage. They are pluripotent stem cells. They give rise to all derivatives of the three primary germ layers: endoderm (stomach, colon, liver, pancreas, intestines etc.), mesoderm (muscle, bone, cartilage, connective tissue, lymphatic system, circulatory system, genitourinary system etc.) and ectoderm (brain, spinal cord, epidermis etc.).

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Embryonic stem cells are derived from the fetus are used in treatment of various diseases. As ESCs are pluripotent, they can differentiate into any cell type. Researchers are able to grow ESCs into complex cells types like pancreatic -cells and cardiocytes. Fetal cell therapy is generating lot of controversy from religious groups and ethics committees.

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Research is being done to use stem cells for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Human embryonic stem cells may be grown in vivo and stimulated to produce pancreatic -cells and later transplanted to the patient. Its success depends on response of the patients immune system and ability of the transplanted cells to proliferate, differentiate and integrate with the target tissue.

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The procedure to replace damaged cells (in cancers, aplastic anemia etc.) with healthy stem cells of the same person or in another compatible person to restore the normal production of cells. It can either be autologous or allogeneic. Bone marrow HSCs are generally used for the transplantation.

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They are the totipotent, undifferentiated cells present in the meristems (shoot and root apices) of a plant. They never undergo aging process and can grow into any cell in the plant throughout its lifetime. They have numerous applications in production of cosmetics, perfumes, pigments, insecticides and antimicrobials.

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Several types of dental stem cells have been isolated from mature and immature teeth, exfoliated deciduous teeth and apical papilla, MSCS from tooth germs and from human periodontal ligament. They are found to be multipotent and can give rise to osteogenic, adipogenic, myogenic and neurogenic cell lineages.

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Adipose tissue is a huge source of mesenchymal stem cells which differentiate into various cell types. They can be easily extracted in large numbers by a simple lipo-aspiration. They have good application potential in regenerative medicine. ASCs are found to have the ability to differentiate into bone cells, cartilage cells, nerve cells, adipocytes etc.

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Childhood Obesity, Obesity and Eating Disorders, Reproductive Medicine, Genetics & Stem Cell Biology, International Journal of Obesity, Obesity, Obesity Surgery, Obesity Reviews, Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases, Pediatric obesity

Preservation of stem cells is critical for both research and clinical application of stem-cell based therapies. Properly preserved stem cells can be later used in the field of regenerative medicine for treating congenital disorders, heart defects etc. Currently there is no universal method for preserving stem cells and the existing methods are expensive.

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MSCs can be applied in osteoarthritis treatment through implantation and microfracture as well as intra-articular injections. Single injection studies have showed improvement from pain which decreased overtime. Multiple, regular MSC injections into joints may be necessary.

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Osteoporosis and Physical Activity, Osteoarthritis, Fertilization: In Vitro - IVF-Worldwide, Reproductive Medicine, Genetics & Stem Cell Biology, Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, Arthritis and Rheumatism, Arthritis Care and Research, Arthritis Research and Therapy, Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism

OMICS International through its Open Access Initiative is committed to make genuine and reliable contributions to the scientific community. OMICS International hosts over 700 leading-edge peer reviewed Open Access Journals and organizes over 1000 International Conferences annually all over the world. OMICS International journals have over 10 million readers and the fame and success of the same can be attributed to the strong editorial board which contains over 50000 eminent personalities that ensure a rapid, quality and quick review process. OMICS International signed an agreement with more than 1000 International Societies to make healthcare information Open Access. OMICS International Conferences make the perfect platform for global networking as it brings together renowned speakers and scientists across the globe to a most exciting and memorable scientific event filled with much enlightening interactive sessions, world class exhibitions and poster presentations.

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Journal of Stem Cell Research and Therapy - Open Access ...

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are found in the bone marrow and are responsible for bone and cartilage repair. On top of that, they can also produce fat cells. Early research suggesting that MSCs could differentiate into many other cell types and that they could also be obtained from a wide variety of tissues other than bone marrow have not been confirmed. There is still considerable scientific debate surrounding the exact nature of the cells (which are also termed Mesenchymal stem cells) obtained from these other tissues.

As of now, no treatments using mesenchymal stem cells are proven to be effective. There are, however, some clinical trials investigating the safety and effectiveness of MSC treatments for repairing bone or cartilage. Other trials are investigating whether MSCs might help repair blood vessel damage linked to heart attacks or diseases such as critical limb ischaemia, but it is not yet clear whether these treatments will be effective.

Several other features of MSCs, such as their potential effect on immune responses in the body to reduce inflammation to help treat transplant rejection or autoimmune diseases are still under thorough investigation. It will take numerous studies to evaluate their therapeutic value in the future.

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Stem Cell Therapy & Treatment - Diseases and Conditions

This information is intended for general information only and should not be considered as medical advice on the part of Health-Tourism.com. Any decision on medical treatments, after-care or recovery should be done solely upon proper consultation and advice of a qualified physician.

Stem cell cancer treatment

Stem cell cancer treatment is a type of treatment that treats cancer by using stem cell transplant, which is also called peripheral blood stem cell transplant. It is used to try and cure some types of cancer such as myeloma, lymphoma and leukemia. Stem cells are very early blood cells in the bone marrow that develop into red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. They are needed in order to survive. Your doctor can collect them from a donor or from your blood. After a high dose of treatment which leaves stem cells dead, the stem cells are replaced through an intravenous drip.

Stem cell transplant infuses healthy stem cells into the body to stimulate bone marrow growth, suppress the disease and reduce the possibility of going into remission. Stem cell transplant implies that you can have higher doses of treatment through chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Therefore, the chances of getting cured are higher.

There are two main types of stem cell transplants. You and your doctor will discuss the best choice for you.

This is also known as auto stem cell transplant. Cancer treatment using autologous stem cell transplant uses your own stem cells. It is used mainly to treat myeloma and lymphoma. There is less risk of rejection or graft-versus-host disease, whereby the new donor cells think your cells are foreign and attack them. Ina addition, engraftment is quicker ad side effects are fewer.

How It Works: Your team of doctors collect, freeze and store your own stem cells. You then undergo treatment with chemotherapy or radiation therapy after which your stem cells are thawed and transplanted back into you. You may need to go through the above process twice instead of once. This is known as a tandem or double autologous stem cell transplant.

This type of stem cell transplant is also known as allo stem cell transplant. It involves using stem cells that have been donated. It is mainly used to treat leukemia, aggressive lymphomas and autologous transplants that have failed.

How It Works: Stem cells are donated from a matched donor. You then receive treatment using chemotherapy or radiation therapy after which you receive the donor stem cells.

The type and strength of your high-dose treatment is what will influence any side effects you may have and their severity. Possible side effects include:

After having a stem cell transplant to treat your cancer, you will have regular tests to check your general health. In addition, monitoring the levels of your blood cells, you will have blood tests. Most of the side effects are worse when your blood count is at its lowest. However, as this goes up, the side effects will begin to improve. You will be able to go home when your blood count has reached a safe level.

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Stem Cell Cancer Treatment in Panama City, Panama

By: Ian Murnaghan BSc (hons), MSc - Updated: 13 Feb 2018| *Discuss

The concept of stem cells can seem a complicated one and you may have seen foreign words such as 'pluripotent' written in magazines or discussed on television. Stem cells describe all of the cells that can give rise to the different cells found in tissues. There are however, different types of stem cells. One such type is a pluripotent stem cell.

Approximately four days after fertilisation, the totipotent cells start to specialise and form a cluster of cells known as a blastocyst. The blastocyst has yet another smaller group of cells known as the inner cell mass and it is these inner pluripotent stem cells that will go on to create most of the cells and tissues in the human body. These pluripotent stem cells are therefore different than totipotent stem cells because they don't develop into a complete organism. As such, a pluripotent cell won't give rise to the placenta or other tissues that are vital for foetal development. It will still develop into the other specialised cell types in the human body, such as nerve or heart cells.

You may have also heard the term 'stem cell line.' Stem cells from embryos can be used to create these pluripotent stem cell 'lines,' which are grown in the laboratory or cultured from foetal tissue.

Pluripotent stem cells have a vast potential for the treatment of disease, namely because they give rise to the majority of cell types in the human body. These include muscle, blood, heart and nerve cells. Another potential use for pluripotent stem cells involves the generation of cells and tissues for use in transplantation.

Pluripotent stem cells can evolve into specialised cells that ultimately can replace diseased cells and tissues. Drug research is another area that pluripotent stem cells may benefit. Animals are a commonly used model to assess the safety and use of drugs. Instead of initially testing drugs on animals, they can be evaluated through testing on cells grown from pluripotent stem cells. Those drugs that appear tolerated and safe can then progress to testing on animals and finally, humans.

The positive uses of pluripotent stem cells are enormous but new research and ethical challenges must be taken into account before the public can reap the full benefits. For those who suffer from the many diseases that may be treated by pluripotent stem cells, additional knowledge and research will hopefully come sooner rather than later.

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Pluripotent Stem Cells

Dental Implants have been used to correct missing or damaged teeth for quite some time. However, in the past, most dental implant procedures have relied on man-made materials to create the replacement teeth. New research may just change all that. Imagine if you could essentially grow your own teeth in as little as 9 weeks. Well, new studies are doing just that.

According to the Hearty Soul:

Researchers at the University of Nottingham and Harvard University have developed a new biomaterial that they say allows damaged pulp in the tooth to regenerate itself and form a protective layer of dentin. This is a major step forward for long-term fillings and helping the tooth prevent infections which could lead to a root canal.

A root canal is given when an injury or large cavitydamages a tooth down to the core, causing infection or inflammation. The dentist numbs the tooth and drills into the infected area. They clean it from the inside then fill the canals with apermanent material known as gutta-percha before capping the crown of the tooth. Its about as fun as it sounds.

Wow, imagine being able to grow your own teeth. Not only does that seem more realistic, the procedure seems pretty straight forward and the result is your own body tissues creating what you need. So how does this work? According to the Health is Wealth of Heart, it is pretty straight forward:

Dr Jeremy Mao, the Edward V. Zegarellu Professor of Dental Medicine at Columbia University Medical Center, explains that a three-dimensional scaffold with growth factor has the potential to regenerate and regrow anatomically correct teeth within just nine weeks after the implantation.

The procedure was developed in the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory at the university. In the process, the bodys own stem cells go toward the scaffold, which consists of completely natural materials. Once the scaffold is colonized with stem cells, the tooth starts growing in the socket, and later merges with the surrounding tissue.

In this way teeth do not grow in a Petri dish, and anatomically correct teeth regenerate by using the bodys own material. This dental treatment offers a faster recovery time and, unlike implantation, a completely natural regrowth process.

While this seems pretty cool, it is not always well received by the general populous. Some do not believe in stem cell manipulation. However, it is believed that this can be a very effective and efficient way of regenerating teeth in the future. This treatment is not currently available but we do think it is something to watch in the future.

Traditional methods of using dental implants for tooth replacement or repair are still your best option. Learn more about it here.

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Dental Implants Using Stem Cells for Natural Growth

For many, a toothache may bring up their deepest and darkest fears. The reality for many is that the dentist can send you through a wave of emotions, to the point that you may end up trying to avoid your appointment entirely.

Problems with your teeth only get worse if left unattended. Thats why the large proportion of people who suffer dental anxiety end up leaving a problem unchecked until its too late. In such cases, you may eventually face the need to replace a lost tooth.

Common diseases like tooth decay and gum disease can lead to tooth loss. Traditionally, dentists have used dental bridges and dentures to replace diseased teeth. Dental implants were one of the late 20th centurys largest innovations in dental treatment. The replacement of teeth with space-age metal seems like weve reached an incredible level of technology.

Butrecent advances in stem cell research have revealed a future where dental implants could become old technology.

You might say that being a human makes us unlucky regarding how many teeth we get in our life. Over your lifetime, you have just two sets of teeth. Deciduous or baby teeth are lost by the time youre 12 or 13 years old. That means your adult teeth have to last you for the rest of your life.

Some other species, meanwhile, have unlimited teeth during their lifetimes. A shark is so fantastically unique at this they can replace teeth in just a few weeks. The idea of a shark's mouth probably leaves you cringing about the one thing more terrifying than the dentist. But sharks are proof of nature's ability to grow new teeth into adulthood.

Scientists have taken this lead and looked into the way that stem cells can be used to grow new teeth in an adult human. Nature may have significant advantages over dental implants. Dental implants, due to cost and complexity, are not a common dental procedure. A procedure involving stem cells may provide a far more accessible and affordable tooth replacement option.

Dental implants, for instance, cant be placed in people with certain conditions. Additionally, many people are fearful of the dental implant process. It requires oral surgery, which has advanced remarkably recently, but despite the rise in technology, dental implants arent without their pitfalls. Some of the potential drawbacks include the following:

So, with sharks in mind, are stem cells the future of replacing teeth?

The body contains many different types of cells. From birth, as a tiny speck, you arent equipped with all the different types of cells required in the body. Stem cells are what help you to create all the different organs and systems that make youyou. They are an undifferentiated cell capable of changing to every cell in your body.

Stem cellscan be found in most tissues of the body and help to create and replenish your body. They are usually buried deep, in difficult to find places. They are often sparse and hidden amongst cells with a similar appearance.

Scientists have found that even teeth hold a reservoir of stem cells, which are found in baby teeth and also adult teeth. These cells have the full ability to replicate themselves.

Dental stem cells may have applications in many fields of medical science due to the compatibility with the bodys immune system. One problem with inserting stem cells is the body may reject them through an immune response. But apart from having potential roles in other medical procedures, the obvious application is actually to replace teeth. Studies are beginning to show tangible pathways to tooth implantation with dental stem cells.

There has been significant progress in the use of stem cells in animal studies. Teeth have successfully grown at Kings College in London. Their research team combined human gum tissue and stem cells from mice teeth that undergo tooth formation. The cells themselves can seek out a blood supply from surrounding tissue to make a live tooth.

Other studies have had teeth successfully implanted into rats. At Harvard's Whys Institute, a research team has found success in re-growing rat teeth. They used a technique using a low-power laser to activate stem cells to regrow tooth structure.

Over at Columbia University, one study has taken it to the next step. Here, researchers were able to guide stem cells to create a three-dimensional scaffold. The results showed that an anatomically complete tooth could grow in about 9 weeks.

The big question with all of these studies is to reproduce the results in humans. Of course, performing dentistry on rats was not without its challenges. While the dentin was incredibly similar to that which grows naturally, it isn't exactly the same as humans.

The biggest challenges facing dental stem cells are reproducing reliable human clinical outcomes. Instead of replacing entire teeth, stem cells may help to heal teeth as an interim step in the dental chair.

For example, teeth are known to contain cells that can heal the dentin layers themselves. There could be some intermediate steps for stem cells to heal teeth. In tooth decay, stem cells may be able to heal a cavity before a tooth requires root canal therapy. Stem cells may be able to repair dental pulp and direct the immune system to remove tooth decay-causing bacteria.

One thing for certain is that we all contain stem cells in our teeth. Instead of simply throwing a tooth in the bin after an extraction, we may be able to extract cells for a future when they can be used to replenish a tooth.

With many people moving to cryopreserve their own cells, it may become standard to store the stem cells held in our teeth. At the moment, baby teeth and wisdom teeth are the best candidates, and these are often the ones that we are losing the most. Healthy teeth contain these fascinating cells and may perform miracles in the dental chair in the future.

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Will Stem Cells Replace Dental Implants? - verywellhealth.com

Function

The overall function of the immune system is to prevent or limit infection. An example of this principle is found in immune-compromised people, including those with genetic immune disorders, immune-debilitating infections like HIV, and even pregnant women, who are susceptible to a range of microbes that typically do not cause infection in healthy individuals.

The immune system can distinguish between normal, healthy cells and unhealthy cells by recognizing a variety of "danger" cues called danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). Cells may be unhealthy because of infection or because of cellular damage caused by non-infectious agents like sunburn or cancer. Infectious microbes such as viruses and bacteria release another set of signals recognized by the immune system called pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs).

Credit: NIAID

Neutrophil (green) ingesting Staphylococcus aureus bacteria (purple).

When the immune system first recognizes these signals, it responds to address the problem. If an immune response cannot be activated when there is sufficient need, problems arise, like infection. On the other hand, when an immune response is activated without a real threat or is not turned off once the danger passes, different problems arise, such as allergic reactions and autoimmune disease.

The immune system is complex and pervasive. There are numerous cell types that either circulate throughout the body or reside in a particular tissue. Each cell type plays a unique role, with different ways of recognizing problems, communicating with other cells, and performing their functions. By understanding all the details behind this network, researchers may optimize immune responses to confront specific issues, ranging from infections to cancer.

All immune cells come from precursors in the bone marrow and develop into mature cells through a series of changes that can occur in different parts of the body.

Skin: The skin is usually the first line of defense against microbes. Skin cells produce and secrete important antimicrobial proteins, and immune cells can be found in specific layers of skin.

Bone marrow: The bone marrow contains stems cells that can develop into a variety of cell types. The common myeloid progenitor stem cell in the bone marrow is the precursor to innate immune cellsneutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, mast cells, monocytes, dendritic cells, and macrophagesthat are important first-line responders to infection.

The common lymphoid progenitor stem cell leads to adaptive immune cellsB cells and T cellsthat are responsible for mounting responses to specific microbes based on previous encounters (immunological memory). Natural killer (NK) cells also are derived from the common lymphoid progenitor and share features of both innate and adaptive immune cells, as they provide immediate defenses like innate cells but also may be retained as memory cells like adaptive cells. B, T, and NK cells also are called lymphocytes.

Bloodstream: Immune cells constantly circulate throughout the bloodstream, patrolling for problems. When blood tests are used to monitor white blood cells, another term for immune cells, a snapshot of the immune system is taken. If a cell type is either scarce or overabundant in the bloodstream, this may reflect a problem.

Thymus: T cells mature in the thymus, a small organ located in the upper chest.

Lymphatic system: The lymphatic system is a network of vessels and tissues composed of lymph, an extracellular fluid, and lymphoid organs, such as lymph nodes. The lymphatic system is a conduit for travel and communication between tissues and the bloodstream. Immune cells are carried through the lymphatic system and converge in lymph nodes, which are found throughout the body.

Lymph nodes are a communication hub where immune cells sample information brought in from the body. For instance, if adaptive immune cells in the lymph node recognize pieces of a microbe brought in from a distant area, they will activate, replicate, and leave the lymph node to circulate and address the pathogen. Thus, doctors may check patients for swollen lymph nodes, which may indicate an active immune response.

Spleen: The spleen is an organ located behind the stomach. While it is not directly connected to the lymphatic system, it is important for processing information from the bloodstream. Immune cells are enriched in specific areas of the spleen, and upon recognizing blood-borne pathogens, they will activate and respond accordingly.

Mucosal tissue: Mucosal surfaces are prime entry points for pathogens, and specialized immune hubs are strategically located in mucosal tissues like the respiratory tract and gut. For instance, Peyer's patches are important areas in the small intestine where immune cells can access samples from the gastrointestinal tract.

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Overview of the Immune System | NIH: National Institute of ...

Merriam-Webster defines biotechnology as the manipulation (as through genetic engineering) of living organisms or their components to produce useful usually commercial products (as pest resistant crops, new bacterial strains, or novel pharmaceuticals). Although this definition could broadly cover thousands of years of agriculture and animal breeding, the term biotechnology (often abbreviated as biotech) usually means the gene engineering technology that revolutionized the biological sciences starting with Cohen and Boyers demonstration of DNA cloning in their Stanford lab in 1973.

Since the first DNA cloning experiments over 40 years ago, genetic engineering techniques have developed to create engineered biological molecules, genetically designed microorganisms and cells, ways to find new genes and figure out how they work, and even transgenic animals and plants. In the midst of this bioengineering revolution, commercial applications exploded, and an industry developed around techniques like gene cloning, directed mutagenesis, DNA sequencing, RNA interference, biomolecule labeling and detection, and nucleic acid amplification.

The biotech industry broadly segments into the medical and agricultural markets. Although enterprising biotechnology is also being applied to other exciting areas like the industrial production of chemicals and bioremediation, the use in these areas is still specialized and limited. On the other hand, the medical and agricultural industries have each undergone a biotech revolution with newand often controversial research efforts, development programs, and business strategies to discover, alter, or produce novel biomolecules and organisms using bioengineering.

Biotechnology introduced a whole new approach to drug development that did not easily integrate into the chemically-focused approach most of the established pharmaceutical companies were using. This shift precipitated a rash of start-up companies starting with the founding of Cetus (now part of Novartis Diagnostics) and Genentech in the mid-1970s.

Since there was an established venture capital community for the high-tech industry in Silicon Valley, many of the early biotechnology companies also clustered in the San Francisco Bay Area. Over the years, several hundreds of start-up companies have been founded and hot-spots have also developed in the US around Seattle, San Diego, North Carolina's Research Triangle Park, Boston, and Philadelphia, as well as a number of international locations including areas around Berlin, Heidelberg, and Munich in Germany, Oxford and Cambridge in the UK, and the Medicon Valley in eastern Denmark and southern Sweden.

Medical biotech, with revenues exceeding $150 billion annually, receives the bulk of biotech investment and research dollars. Even the term biotech is often used synonymously with this segment. This part of biotech constellates around the drug discovery "pipeline" that starts with basic research to identify genes or proteins associated with particular diseases which could be used as drug targets and diagnostic markers. Once a new gene or protein target is found, thousands of chemicals are screened to find potential drugs that affect the target.

The chemicals that look like they might work as drugs (sometimes known as "hits") then need to be optimized, checked for toxic side effects, and, finally, tested in clinical trials.

Biotech has been instrumental in the initial drug discovery and screening stages. Most major pharmaceutical companies have active target-discovery research programs heavily reliant on biotechnology, and smaller new companies such as Exelixis, BioMarin Pharmaceuticals, and Cephalon do focused drug discovery and development often using unique proprietary techniques. In addition to direct drug development, there are companies like Abbott Diagnostics and Becton-Dickenson that are looking for ways to use new disease-related genes to create new clinical diagnostics.

A lot of these tests identify the most responsive patients for new drugs coming into the market. Also, supporting research for new drugs is a long list of research and lab supply companies that provide basic kits, reagents, and equipment. For example, companies such as Life Technologies, Thermo-Fisher, Promega and a host of others provide lab tools and equipment for bioscience research, and companies such as Molecular Devices and DiscoveRx provide specially engineered cells and detection systems for screening potential new drugs.

The same biotechnology used for drug development can also improve agricultural and food products. However, unlike with pharmaceuticals, genetic engineering did not generate a rash of new ag-biotech start-ups. The difference may be that, despite the technological leap forward, biotech did not fundamentally change the nature of the agricultural industry. Manipulating crops and livestock to optimize genetics to enhance utility and improve yields has been going on for thousands of years. In a way, bioengineering just provides a convenient new method.

Established agricultural companies, such as Dow and Monsanto, simply integrated biotech into their R&D programs.

Most of the focus on ag-biotech is on crop improvement, which, as a business, has been quite successful. Since the first genetically modified corn was introduced in 1994, transgenic crop staples such as wheat, soybean, and tomatoes have become the norm. Now, more than 90% of US-grown corn, soybeans, and cotton are bioengineered. Although lagging behind bioengineered plants, use of biotechnology for farm animal improvement is also pretty prevalent.

Remember Dolly, the first cloned sheep? That was in 1996. Now animal cloning is common, and it's clear transgenic farm animals are on the immediate horizon based on headlines highlighting recent developments on the Federation of Animal Societies' website. Although genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have generated a lot of controversy in recent years, ag-biotech has become pretty well established. According to the 2011 International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications' (ISAAA) 2011 report, 160 million hectares of GMO crops were planted in 2011 with sales of over $160 billion in engineered grain.

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Biotechnology and the Biotech Industry

As part of current research, work is in progress to establish a formal definition for face blindness and to have the condition formally recognised

For many people with face blindness, once they become aware of the existence of this condition, their lived experience is sufficient proof that they are affected by it. You can check out some of the common indicators of face blindness are listed in our Quiz So you think you may be face blind

However, there are also a number of routes to getting an assessment of your face recognition abilities and difficulties.

There are online tests which can give a provisional indication of whether you may have face blindness.

Famous Faces recognitionhttp://www.faceblind.org/facetests

Test my brain research toolshttp://www.testmybrain.org

These tests can help you learn more about your particular abilities or difficulties, while also participating in scientific research

For a more indepth analysis of your specific difficulties, you can contact one of the research institutes nvestigating prosopagnosia.

However, when volunteering to participate in a research project, you should be aware that research tests and projects are designed primarily for the purpose of furthering specific areas of research, rather than to give you an insight into your particular difficulties, and there is unlikely to be any follow up support.

People with Acquired Prosopagnosia (following a brain injury or trauma), may be referred to a clinical neuropsychologist working within the NHS or private practice, as part of their aftercare.

The British Psychological Society hold a directory of chartered psychologists in private practice.

Read more:
Assessment | Face Blind UK

Experts are researching ways to use stem cells to treat arthritis in the knee and other joints. Many doctors already use stem cell therapy to treat arthritis, but it is not considered standard practice.

Stem cell therapy is one of several non-surgical treatments for arthritis pain. See Knee Osteoarthritis Treatment

There is a lot of debate around stem cell treatment, and it is helpful for potential patients to understand what stem cells are and the issues surrounding their use in arthritis therapy.

Article continues below

Stem cells are located throughout the body. What makes stem cells special is that they can:

See What Are Stem Cells?

Advocates of stem cell treatments hypothesize that, when placed into a certain environment, stem cells can transform to accommodate a certain need. For example, stem cells that are placed near damaged cartilage are hypothesized to develop into cartilage tissue.

See What Is Cartilage?

Stem cells can be applied during a surgery (such as the surgical repair of a torn knee meniscus) or delivered through injections directly into the arthritis joint.

Watch: Knee Meniscus Tear Video

When administering stem cell injections, many physicians use medical imaging, such as ultrasound, in order to deliver cells precisely to the site of cartilage damage.

The most common type of stem cells used for treating arthritis are mesenchymal stem cells. Mesenchymal stem cells are usually collected from the patients fat tissue, blood, or bone marrow.

The process of collecting cells is often called harvesting.

Bone marrow is usually taken from the pelvic bone using a needle and syringe, a process called bone marrow aspiration. The patient is given a local anesthetic and may also be given a sedative before the procedure.

There are no professional medical guidelines for who can and cannot receive stem cell therapy for arthritis. For now, the decision about who gets stem cell therapy is up to patients and doctors.

See Arthritis Treatment Specialists

There is some evidence that people with severe arthritis can benefit from stem cell therapy.1 Most research indicates that younger patients who have relatively mild osteoarthritis or cartilage damage see the most benefit.2

See What Is Osteoarthritis?

Some doctors have certain criteria for recommending stem cell therapy. For example, they only recommend it to patients who are healthy and have relatively little cartilage damage. Other doctors make recommendations on a case-by-case basis.

Stem cell therapy is a promising but still unproven treatment, and will not be covered by most insurance companies.

Complete Listing of References

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Stem Cell Therapy for Arthritis

Stem Cell Therapy involves the use of stem cells to stimulate the bodys natural repair mechanisms to repair, regenerate or replace damaged cells, tissues and organs. This physician-directed therapy is very safe, ethical and does not entail the use of any fetal or embryonic cells or tissue. It has been described as the future of medicine by many prestigious groups including the National Institutes of Health and the Institute of Medicine.

The field of Stem Cell Therapy continues to evolve, focusing on cures rather than just treatments for essentially all types of chronic diseases and conditions, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease, as well as various forms of arthritis and various orthopedic problems. When cells are transplanted into a patient, they do not stay for more than a few days. However, the cells provide a large and robust stimulus to turn on native repair mechanisms. The number of stem cells present in the body and their functional capacity to repair damaged tissue declines with each advancing decade of life, and chronic diseases further impede their ability to respond to chronic injury or damage in the body. This is why research has led to new solutions, which include the use of umbilical cord blood as the source of cells, which have the most potent ability to generate new tissues without risk of rejection. We at Advanced Regenerative Orthopedics use stem cells that are supplied by an FDA-registered cord blood bank.

Stem Cell Therapy and Tissue Engineering are much simpler and effective options that use very powerful young cells to stimulate the patients own native repair mechanisms to regenerate new cartilage and bone. The physician-directed treatment at ARO is a comprehensive approach to a specific joint with the goal of reducing the disabling pain and increasing function.

At Advanced Regenerative Orthopedics, our goal is to provide minimally invasive treatments along with regenerative techniques to target your bodys natural healing ability. Used as part of our innovative, three-tiered approach, physician-directed arthritis stem cell treatment can help patients of all ages get pain relief, increase their joint mobility and enjoy a higher quality of life.

Stem cell therapy can be an effective treatment for those suffering from a broad range of arthritic conditions. By using stem cells for arthritis, Advanced Regenerative Orthopedics stimulates your bodys natural mechanism to repair, regenerate and replace damaged cells within your joints.

If you live in Tampa, Brandon, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Lakeland, Sarasota, The Villages, Ocala, or the surrounding areas and are interested in learning more about using stem cells for arthritis or any other joint condition, please contact our courteous and efficient office staff today to schedule an appointment. We look forward to discussing the benefits of physician-directed arthritis stem cell treatment with you and determining the best course of treatment to restore your joint health.

As many of our patients travel to us from outside the state of Florida for our world class procedures, our team is very familiar with managing the care & travel for remote patients.

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Stem Cell Therapy | Advanced Regenerative Orthopedics