StemCell Therapy

Dr. Shigeaki Hinohara,credited withbuilding the foundations of Japanese medicine and helping make Japan the world leader in longevity, often practised what he preached.

The physician, chairman emeritus of St. Luke's International University, and honorary president of St. Luke's International Hospital recommended several basic guidelines for living a long, healthy lifein an interview with Japan Times journalist Judit Kawaguchi. Among them:Don't retire. And if you must, retire much later than age 65.

In the interview he explained that the retirement age in Japan was set at 65 years old back when the average life expectancy was 68. Now, people are living much longer the average life expectancy in Japan as of 2015 was almost 84 years and so they should be retiring much later in life too.

Until a few months before his death on 18 July in Tokyo,The New York Times reports, Hinohara continued to treat patients, kept an appointment book with space for five more years, and worked up to 18 hours a day. He was 105 years old.

"He believed that life is all about contribution, so he had this incredible drive to help people, to wake up early in the morning and do something wonderful for other people," Kawaguchi, who considered Hinohara her mentor,told the BBC. "This is what was driving him and what kept him living."

"He always had today's goals, tomorrow's, and the next five years'," she said.

Hinohara'sother guidelines for living wellincluded:

Worry less about eating well or getting more sleep, and have fun.

"We all remember how as children, when we were having fun, we often forgot to eat or sleep. I believe that we can keep that attitude as adults, too. It's best not to tire the body with too many rules such as lunchtime and bedtime."

If you want to live long, don't be overweight.

(Getty Images/iStockphoto)

"For breakfast I drink coffee, a glass of milk, and some orange juice with a tablespoon of olive oil in it. Olive oil is great for the arteries and keeps my skin healthy. Lunch is milk and a few cookies, or nothing when I am too busy to eat. I never get hungry because I focus on my work. Dinner is veggies, a bit of fish and rice, and, twice a week, 100 grams of lean meat."

Don't blindly follow what your doctor says.

Picture: (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

"When a doctor recommends you take a test or have some surgery, ask whether the doctor would suggest that his or her spouse or children go through such a procedure. Contrary to popular belief, doctors can't cure everyone. So why cause unnecessary pain with surgery? I think music and animal therapy can help more than most doctors imagine."

To conquer pain, have fun.

"Pain is mysterious, and having fun is the best way to forget it. If a child has a toothache, and you start playing a game together, he or she immediately forgets the pain. Hospitals must cater to the basic need of patients: We all want to have fun. At St. Luke's we have music and animal therapies, and art classes."

Always take the stairs and carry your own belongings.

"I take two stairs at a time, to get my muscles moving."

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A Japanese doctor who studied longevity and lived to 105 said if you must retire, do it well after age 65 - The Independent

He also wrote a musical for children when he was 88 and a best-selling book when he was 101. He recently took up golf. Until a few months ago he was still treating patients and kept a date book with space for five more years of appointments.

In the early 1950s, Dr. Hinohara pioneered a system of complete annual physicals called human dry-dock that has been credited with helping to lengthen the average life span of Japanese people. Women born there today can expect to live to 87; men, to 80.

In the 1970s, he reclassified strokes and heart disorders commonly perceived as inevitable adult diseases that required treatment to lifestyle ailments that were often preventable.

Dr. Hinohara insisted that patients be treated as individuals that a doctor needed to understand the patient as a whole as thoroughly as the illness. He argued that palliative care should be a priority for the terminally ill.

He imposed few inviolable health rules, though he did recommend some basic guidelines: Avoid obesity, take the stairs (he did, two steps at a time) and carry your own packages and luggage. Remember that doctors cannot cure everything. Dont underestimate the beneficial effects of music and the company of animals; both can be therapeutic. Dont ever retire, but if you must, do so a lot later than age 65. And prevail over pain simply by enjoying yourself.

We all remember how as children, when we were having fun, we often forgot to eat or sleep, he often said. I believe we can keep that attitude as adults it is best not to tire the body with too many rules such as lunchtime and bedtime.

Dr. Hinohara maintained his weight at about 130 pounds. His diet was spartan: coffee, milk and orange juice with a tablespoon of olive oil for breakfast; milk and a few biscuits for lunch; vegetables with a small portion of fish and rice for dinner. (He would consume three and a half ounces of lean meat twice a week.)

Dr. Shigeaki Hinohara was born on Oct. 4, 1911, in Yamaguchi Prefecture, in western Japan. He decided to study medicine after his mothers life was saved by the familys doctor. His father was a Methodist pastor who had studied at Duke University.

Have big visions and put such visions into reality with courage, his father had advised him, Dr. Hinohara told the Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Network. The visions may not be achieved while you are alive, but do not forget to be adventurous. Then you will be victorious.

Dr. Hinohara graduated in 1937 from Kyoto Imperial Universitys College of Medicine. (He later studied for a year at Emory University in Atlanta.) He began practicing at St. Lukes International Hospital in 1941. (It was founded by a missionary at the beginning of the 20th century.) He became its director in 1992.

In 1970, he was flying to a medical conference in Japan when his plane was hijacked by radical Communists armed with swords and pipe bombs. He was among 130 hostages who spent four days trapped in 100-degree heat until the hijackers released their captives and flew to North Korea, where they were offered asylum.

I believe that I was privileged to live, he later said, so my life must be dedicated to other people.

After spending his first six decades supporting his family, Dr. Hinohara devoted the remainder of his life largely to volunteer work.

In 2000, he conceived a musical version of Leo Buscaglias book The Fall of Freddie the Leaf, which was performed in Japan and played Off Off Broadway in New York. He wrote scores of books in Japanese, including Living Long, Living Good (2001), which sold more than a million copies.

Until the last few months, he would work up to 18 hours a day. Using a cane, he would exercise by taking 2,000 or more steps a day. In March, unable to eat, he was hospitalized. But he refused a feeding tube and was discharged. Months later, he died at home.

Dr. Hinohara said his outlook toward life had been inspired by Robert Brownings poem Abt Vogler, especially these lines:

There shall never be one lost good! What was, shall live as before;The evil is null, is nought, is silence implying sound;What was good shall be good, with, for evil, so much good more;On the earth the broken arcs; in the heaven a perfect round.

What the poem evoked for him, he once explained, was a circle drawn so big that only the arch was visible. Seeing it in full, he said, could never be realized in his lifetime.

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Dr. Shigeaki Hinohara, Longevity Expert, Dies at (or Lives to) 105 - New York Times

Dr. Shigeaki Hinohara, whose work has been credited with helping Japan become a world leader in longevity, died July 18 at his Tokyo home, reported The New York Times. The 105-year-old physician worked until a few months before his death, treating patients, putting in 18-hour days and keeping an appointment book with his schedule for the next five years.

Was that last part optimism? Not according to what Hinohara believed and practiced. In an interview with the Japan Times written by a mentee, Judit Kawaguchi, he offered this advice: Dont retire. And if you must, retire much later than age 65.

The key to his longevity, said the physician and chairman emeritus of St. Lukes International University, was being able to make a contribution and help people. Kawaguchi told the BBC that Hinohara had this incredible drive to help people, to wake up early in the morning and do something wonderful for other people.

In the Japan Times interview, Hinohara said that Japans retirement age of 65 was set decades ago when the average life expectancy was just 68 years. With Japans life expectancy of almost 84 years in 2015, he said, retirement neednt come so much earlier in life.

In March, unable to eat, Hinohara was hospitalized. But he refused a feeding tube and was discharged home, where he died several months later. He believed that palliative care should be a priority for the terminally ill.

In the early 1950s, he pioneered a nationally embraced system of complete annual physicals called human dry-dock that has been credited with helping to lengthen the average life span of Japanese people. The physical can last several days and is a multi-discipline testing regimen that looks for lifestyle issues that could impact future health. Women born in Japan today can expect to live to 87; men, to 80.

Hinohara also connected strokes and heart disease to lifestyle ailments that were often preventable. And he believed that patients should be treated as individuals and that knowing a patient was essential to understanding the best way to treat an illness.

In addition to maintaining vitality through work, Hinohara had several other guiding principles leading to greater longevity. They included:

Have fun.It was best not to tire the body with too many rules such as lunchtime and bedtime, he said. He encouraged people to worry less about eating well or getting more sleep, and just go have fun.We all remember how as children, when we were having fun, we often forgot to eat or sleep. I believe that we can keep that attitude as adults, too.

Dont be overweight.His own diet was simple and he maintained a steady weight of 130 pounds. He said his breakfast was coffee, a glass of milk, and some orange juice with a tablespoon of olive oil in it. Olive oil is great for the arteries and keeps my skin healthy, he said. Lunch was milk and a few cookies, or skipped altogether when he was too busy at work to eat it. Dinner consisted of vegetables and small portions of fish and rice. Twice he week he ate 100 grams of lean meat.

Dont always listen to your doctor.Doctors cannot cure everything. It behooves patients to ask the doctor directly whether he would recommend a surgery or invasive test to their spouse or child. Why cause unnecessary pain with surgery? Hinohara asked.

Music and animals are good for you. I think music and animal therapy can help more than most doctors imagine.

Fun conquers pain.Pain is mysterious, and having fun is the best way to forget it. If a child has a toothache, and you start playing a game together, he or she immediately forgets the pain. Hospitals must cater to the basic need of patients: We all want to have fun. At St. Lukes we have music and animal therapies, and art classes.

Always take the stairs and carry your own belongings.Hinohara took the steps two at a time just to get his muscles moving. With the aid of a cane, he would exercise by taking 2,000 or more steps a day.

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Doctor Who Lived To 105 And Studied Longevity Credited His Own To Working - HuffPost

REDLANDS >> What is Vernal McCalls secret to longevity?

Behaving yourself, said the local woman days before her 107th birthday on Monday.

McCall may be new to the Mission Commons family, but Saturday there will be a birthday celebration complete with cake and a visit from friends and family.

McCall, the third oldest of her 11 siblings, was born on July 31, 1910 in Kansas.

At 16, McCall and family made their way to California in a 1924 Ford Model T and remained.

Several of my family members still live (in Kansas), she said. They have a lot of respect for one another.

She married her husband Wesley on New Years Day in 1932. The couple were married for close to 51 years before his death on Christmas Eve in 1984.

The couple had one daughter, Sharyn Krauch of Cherry Valley, who cared for her mother for several years before McCall moved to the Redlands-based retirement facility.

McCall wore many hats as a teacher, librarian for the Riverside school system, and an office clerk for Childrens Home, a nonprofit that provided care for boys and girls who didnt have anyone to take care of them, she said. When her husband was in the service, she stayed by his side, Krauch said.

She loved to travel with her husband. Some popular destinations were Italy and Russia, and traveling all over the U.S.

McCall often stays to herself, but she is a an active crocheter. Krauch said her mother has created dozens of gifts for family and friends through her craft.

And while quiet, she does have a sense of humor.

Shes quite observant, Krauch said.

McCall is also woman of God who reads the Bible each morning, her daughter said, and believes peace can help sustain our future.

Another tip obey your parents, she said.

As for turning 107, McCall finds humor in the thought.

What else could I do but be alive or be dead, she said.

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Redlands woman turning 107 talks key to longevity - Redlands Daily Facts

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Among them they have clocked up a combined age of 1,075 years, earning the 13 Donnelly siblings from Northern Ireland a place in the record books. Scientists are studying the brothers and sisters, whose ages range from 72 to 93, but they insist the secret of their remarkable longevity is a twice-daily diet of porridge at their farm in County Armagh. We reveal all about the hearty breakfast classic.

In the UK porridge is traditionally made from oats but youll find different versions in almost every culture around the world. In fact porridge is any grain simmered in liquid to become a hot meal. In the US grits is a version of porridge, while in China congee is made from boiling up rice and water. In Wales porridge is known as uwd, while in Ireland porridge mixed with whiskey was a remedy for the common cold. In Jamaica porridge is sold by street hawkers by the cup, using coconut milk combined with oats.

Porridge can be traced back to medieval times when it was also known as porage. One popular brand, Scotts, still uses the ancient term on its boxes which feature a kilted man. Historically Scottish households kept porridge drawers where the food could be stored and solidify, to be eaten later cold. In England a popular dish from the times of Richard II was pea porridge which included herbs and onions.

The recipe for porridge is much-debated. Scots will tell you that true porridge is made from only oats, water and a pinch of salt simmered gently for 10 minutes. Milk can be served on the side. However its also common to mix in a little milk to make the blend creamier. Unless youre a strict traditionalist almost anything goes try adding a handful of raisins or a spoonful of honey. Purists recommend soaking porridge oats overnight to improve consistency. However theres one thing on which everyone is agreed: lumpy porridge is a no-no.

The story of Goldilocks, who almost came to a sticky end after eating the bears porridge then falling asleep, was written by Poet Laureate Robert Southey. The fable first appeared in 1837 as The Story Of The Three Bears featuring the line: Whos been eating my porridge?

Because it is cheap to make and filling porridge became a staple prison food. Hence the term doing porridge which is thought to have originated in the 1950s. In 2006 there was an outcry among inmates when it was announced that porridge was being phased out in favour of packs of cereal to save money on cooking. The popular BBC sitcom Porridge, starring Ronnie Barker, Richard Beckinsale and Fulton Mackay, ran from 1974 to 1977.

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Ancient custom has it that porridge should only be stirred clockwise. Stirring anti-clockwise will invite the devil into your breakfast. Another old wives tale has it that porridge should be eaten while standing as that way it will fill you up more.

As the Donnellys will testify porridge is very healthy. Its high in fibre and protein, proven to lower bad cholesterol and is good for the heart. It takes a while for the body to digest so energy is released slowly making you feel fuller for longer. A 1984 study of 100,000 people by Harvard Universitys school of public health concluded that eating porridge and other whole grains can help you live longer.

A spurtle is a wooden implement dating from the 15th century thats specifically for stirring porridge. Its stick-like design means it doesnt drag the mixture, as a spoon would, and it can be used for breaking up lumps the enemy of porridge. Traditionally a thistle is carved at the top of a spurtle. The World Porridge-making Championships, held annually since 1994 in the village of Carrbridge in the Cairngorms national park in Scotland, feature a golden spurtle as the first prize.

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Celebrities who have sung the praises of porridge over the years include Madonna, Nicole Kidman, Kylie Minogue and Bill Gates. Singer Marianne Faithfull once said: The food thats never let me down in life is porridge. Former PM David Cameron said that he choked on his porridge when he heard a US commentator describe Birmingham as a totally Muslim city.

Porridge was carried to the North and South poles respectively by explorers Richard Byrd and Roald Amundsen and has been taken into space by US astronauts. Archive footage of Buzz Aldrin joking with Mike Collins about his reliance on oatmeal during the Apollo 11 mission to the moon has been used by Quaker in a recent advertising campaign.

The average bowl of porridge contains only about 170 calories. Usually made from rolled oats the most common variety are Pinhead oats, giving the dish its slightly chewy texture. For a finer texture ground oats, also known as oatmeal, can be used.

Doctor Johnsons dictionary definition of porridge oats in the 18th century was: A grain which in England is given to horses but in Scotland supports the people. Robert Burns wrote in praise of porridge: The halesome parritch, chief o Scotias food. A travel writer visiting Scotland in the late 18th century was astonished to see that farm labourers ate the dish three times a day. George Orwell noted that Scotlands gifts to the world were whisky, golf and porridge, while more recently porridge appears in the Ian Dury song Reasons To Be Cheerful.

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The Gleneagles Hotel in the north of Scotland serves porridge laced with raspberries and Drambuie when it hosts dignitaries. Chefs have also added langoustines to sex up porridge but Heston Blumenthal went a step too far for some when he began serving his snail porridge. On the island of St Kilda, in the Outer Hebrides, puffins used to be added .

Devils Porridge was an explosive concoction, containing gun powder, used in the First World War. It was made by munitions girls and their dangerous work is commemorated at the Devils Porridge Museum in the Scottish borders. The term was coined by Sherlock Holmes author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who visited the original factory near Gretna.

World Porridge Day is held every year on October 10 and raises funds for starving children throughout the world.

Market researcher Mintel says 49 per cent of the UK population eat porridge for breakfast at least sometimes, while one in five has it daily. It has been calculated that every year 47 million gallons of porridge are eaten in the UK.

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World's oldest family reveals that the secret behind their longevity: Porridge - Express.co.uk

A couple of things stood out last week when Kevin led our group through the entire process of receiving the pages from the editorial staff to the moments when it gets bundled up and heads out the door to carriers.

When Bonnie Banas arrived recently for her final meeting with our Reader Advisory Board, she did a little show and tell.

Banas, who lives in Canton, has a special history with The Canton Repository. She's not only a longtime subscriber to our print product, she also starred in a stage play that detailed the paper's 200 year history. Called "The Bicentennial Project," it featured several actors who each played numerous roles that depicted events covered by the Rep. One of Banas' roles was as Ida Saxton McKinley. Mrs. McKinley was the granddaughter of John Saxton, who was the founder and first publisher of The Canton Repository, which at the time of its birth on March 30, 1815, was called The Ohio Repository.

Banas showed me a book that the Rep had published Aug. 1, 1953. It showed off the different departments within the building, including advertising, classifieds, circulation, editorial and the press. As we paged through the pages showing off the old press, she said her neighbor had loaned her the book. He was a former pressman for the paper, and told her he worked in the days of "hot type," when the words on the newspaper pages were set by hand.

I told her to be sure to compare the photos in the book with what she was about to see during a tour of our press and production facilities. The tour always takes place during the last meeting for each Advisory Board. The next group is set to kick off at the end of August, and will run through January.

Each tour is guided by a guy who easily takes a spot among the best tour guides or docents I've ever followed around. Kevin Ackerman is GateHouse Ohio's vice president of operations. In an age when titles don't come close to telling the job someone actually performs, I will need to list just some of Kevin's reponsibilities. He manages the press operations in Canton and at The Times Reporter in New Philadelphia; the production facilities, where the ads are inserted into the paper; the composing facilities, where each day's paper is output and many ads are designed; and, the buildings where we work. Much like most workers these days, there are at least 40 other jobs on his plate, too.

Kevin's given this tour to five Advisory Board groups so far, and every one is a little different than the others. I'm lucky, because I've taken in all the tours and learned so much.

A couple of things stood out last week when Kevin led our group through the entire process of receiving the pages from the editorial staff to the moments when it gets bundled up and heads out the door to carriers.

One of our group members asked what type of paper is used for our newsprint. Great question. I've been in this business for 25 years, and have been reading papers for about 20 years longer than that, and I never thought to ask that question!

Spruce.

Our paper comes from Canada, as most newsprint used in the United States does. Kevin said that it's grown on enormous forests that operate a rotation process. Once trees are cut for production of paper, more trees are planted and grown. It's a constant process.

Kevin is one of the hardest working guys I've met. He's here days, nights, weekends, early mornings and late at night. Turns out, the second thing I learned the other day, he learned that work ethic at a young age.

A native of East Canton, Kevin headed off to college at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. He said he is very much a small-town guy, and because the Art Institute is in the city, he wasn't able to get comfortable. He called his dad a little bit into his first year and told him that he was coming home. He didn't quit, though.

No, Kevin drove every day to Pittsburgh for his classes, then headed home to East Canton. After a few years, he graduated, never missing a day of classes along the way. Oh, and he also worked during those days at the Rep in the circulation department.

Impressive.

Earlier, I mentioned Bonnie's lesson in how the method of printing the newspaper has changed. I think, too, about how Kevin's jobs have changed over that time.

All of our tasks have shifted so much over time. Most of the technical lessons I learned in school have become obsolete over my 25 years, while the newsgathering rules such as fairness and fact-checking are more important than ever. "M" and "W" are always going to be the widest letters in the alphabet, while "I" will always be the skinniest. We no longer use wax to affix our stories to pages that get photographed by an enormous camera before it heads off to about three other steps before it reaches the press.

Efficiency has helped to speed up our ability to get the news out there for our readers, and experienced staff members, like Kevin Ackerman, will always be the backbone of our product.

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Laura Kessel: Press tour a lesson in how longevity brings efficiency - Canton Repository

Brain stem cells keep us young

Silvia Riccardi/SPL

By Jessica Hamzelou

YOUR brain may be to blame for your ageing body. A small cluster of stem cells in the brain seems to help mice stay young, and injecting extra stem cells helps them live longer. One day anti-ageing drugs might be able to replicate the effect in people.

Ageing is a complicated process, involving DNA damage, chronic inflammation, and worn-out cells, but we dont yet know which of these has the biggest impact on ageing. Dongsheng Cai at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York has been investigating the role of the brain in ageing, since it controls most of our bodily functions.

His team previously found that the hypothalamus, which releases hormones that affect other organs, seems to affect how mice age. By interfering with a molecular pathway in the hypothalamus, the team extended the lifespan of mice by 20 per cent.

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Cais team wondered whether stem cells here might influence ageing. Although stem cells in the hypothalamus create new neurons throughout life, the team noticed that mice start losing them in middle age about 10 or 11 months old. By the time mice are 2 years old around 70 in human years the cells are basically all gone, says Cai.

Mice age faster if these stem cells are destroyed. There was a decline in learning and memory, coordination, muscle mass, endurance and skin thickness, says Cai. The mice died a few months earlier than untreated animals.

But injecting the hypothalamus with extra stem cells, taken from the brains of newborn mice, slowed down this premature ageing, and gave mice an extra two to four months of life (Nature, DOI: 10.1038/nature23282).

First the team had to modify the stem cells so that they kick-started an anti-inflammatory pathway in the mice, otherwise the cells died and the injections didnt work. This suggests that it may be inflammation that usually causes the death of stem cells in the brain as we age.

The team found that the injected stem cells secreted a particularly large amount of microRNAs. These are small molecules that can affect the way genes work, and the types of microRNA in our blood are known to vary according to age. Cai isnt sure how the stem cell microRNAs might be working, but they seem to reduce biological stress and inflammation, he says.

Cai thinks his teams findings could one day lead to a treatment for ageing. Once the microRNAs have been identified, it might be possible to develop drugs that mimic their effects, he says.

This may have the potential to become a therapy in about 30 years, says Richard Faragher at the University of Brighton, UK, who says other teams are already working towards microRNA drug treatments. An alternative strategy would be to target inflammation more generally. I can see us taking multiple approaches, says Faragher.

This article appeared in print under the headline Stem cell boost slows down ageing

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Stem cells in the brain's hypothalamus help mice stay young - New Scientist

Sutro BiopharmasSTRO-001eliminates or significantly slows the growth ofnon-Hodgkin lymphoma and multiple myeloma tumors, studies in mice indicate.

Sutro expects the results to support its investigational new drug application for STRO-001. The U.S. Federal Drug Administration must approve the application before the company can start clinical trials of the therapy. It is planning a Phase 1 trial in early 2018.

STRO-001, an antibody drug conjugate, targets the surface protein CD74. It is found inup to 90 percent of malignant B-cells, but almost no normal tissue. After binding to a cell with CD74, the drug releases a toxic payload that kills the cell.

Sutro tested STRO-001 on tissue samples collected from patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, and mantle cell lymphoma.

The company presented the findings at theAmerican Association for Cancer Research annual meetingin Washington in April. STRO-001 eliminated malignant plasma B-cells in mice with multiple myeloma mice, researchers said. And the mice remained tumor-free through the four-month study, while placebo-treated mice died within 35 days.

Sutro is now reporting that STRO-oo1 eliminates tumor cells or significantly delays tumor growth in mice with large B-cell lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma.

In addition, the therapy led to mice with mantle cell lymphoma living longer than mice treated with a placebo, whose disease continued to progress.

Combining STRO-001 with the chemotherapies Levact (bendamustine) and Rituxan (rituximab) was more effective against diffuse large B-cell lymphoma tumors than chemo alone, the team added.

They reported the results in June atthe 14th International Conference on Malignant Lymphomain Lugano, Switzerland, and at the 22nd Congress of the European Hematology Associationin Madrid. Thepresentation was titled STRO-001, a Novel Anti-CD74 Antibody Drug Conjugate (ADC) for Treatment of B-Cell Non-Hodgkins Lymphomas (NHL).

STRO-001 also reduced multiple myeloma activity, or even eradicated the cancer, in mice, Sutro said.

In another presentation at the hematology convention, it reported that129 days after receiving STRO-001, none of the mice in a myeloma study had cancer in their bone marrow. In contrast, control animals died within 35 days, with half their bone marrow filled with myeloma cells.

The presentation was titled Targeting CD74 in Multiple Myeloma with a Novel Antibody Drug Conjugate (ADC), STRO-001.

These results are the clearest, most compelling evidence that STRO-001 performs effectively in multiple malignant B-cell lines and animal tumor models, Bill Newell, CEO of Sutro, said in a press release.

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STRO-001 Eliminates or Slows Growth of Myeloma and Lymphoma in Mice, Studies Show - Myeloma Research News

(MENAFN Editorial) Essential Health Stem Cell is pleased to announce they offer regenerative therapy to patients looking to feel younger and be more active. These therapies use stem cells derived from umbilical cord samples and offer a non-surgical alternative to turning back the hands of time.

More individuals are looking for the safest, least invasive ways to restore the painless function and strength in their knees, shoulder, and other areas, theyve always wanted. While many people turn to chiropractic care and medical options, they dont have the same regenerative properties as stem cells offer. With the cutting-edge technological advances in extracting stem cells from umbilical cord blood samples, Essential Health Stem Cell strives to give patients access to the latest treatments for the best possible results.

Patients who undergo these stem cell therapies through Essential Health Stem Cell will be able to enjoy their regular daily activities right away, unlike with other surgical options. Stem cell therapy is painless, risk free and has no negative short or long-term effects. Their professional staff strives to give each of their patients the quality care they require to get the results theyre looking for.

Anyone interested in learning about these regenerative therapies can find out more by visiting the Essential Health Stem Cell website or by calling 1-336-230-2255.

About Essential Health Stem Cell : Essential Health Stem Cell is a medical provider that offers stem cell therapies designed to regenerate the body and help individuals live a more youthful lifestyle. Their regenerative therapies are designed to help patients achieve their health goals with less risk than many of the surgical options. These treatments are cutting-edge and dont have the same negative effects as other treatments.

For more information visit us our website http://www.ehstemcell.com.

Company : Essential Health Stem Cell Contact : David Gibson Address : 526 North Elam Avenue, #101, Greensboro, NC 27403 Phone : 1-336-230-2255 Email : Website : http://www.ehstemcell.com

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Essential Health Stem Cell Offers Regenerative Therapy - MENAFN.COM

UNDERSTANDING MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the disease is thought to affect more than 2.3 million people worldwide, that number may be a significant under estimate since MS is not a reportable disease and no centralized reporting system exists at this time. Also, MS can be difficult to diagnose. Since there is no single test for MS, the diagnosis can be missed, delayed or even incorrect.

In MS, the immune system malfunctions destroying the myelin which is the fatty substance that coats and protects nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord. Often times, the myelin is compared to the insulation coating that surrounds electrical wires. When the surrounding protective myelin is damaged and the nerve fibers are exposed, the messages traveling along the nerve become slow or potentially blocked. In some cases, the nerve becomes damaged.

Adult stem cells are potentially the most diverse and effective healing agents ever known and have been proven to treat an astounding variety of conditions, ranging from injuries to chronic, debilitating diseases. Over million adult stem cell treatments and counting have been perform and many have improved health and quality of life for patients with unmet clinical needs.

Groundbreaking research related to adult stem cell therapy for slowing MS disease and for repairing damage to the nervous system has shown much progress. At StemGenex Medical Group, our staff has personally witnessed how the use of adipose-derived stem cells (from fat tissue) have improved the quality of life of many patients seen for Multiple Sclerosis. Weve felt inspired by how these patients have responded to StemGenexs integrated healthcare approach to treating MS.

Stem cells are highly potent healing agents in the body and have shown therapeutic effects through a wide range of modalities. We frequently hear from patients who are extremely grateful for the relief and improved quality of life they have experienced following stem cell therapy for Multiple Sclerosis.

In any type of treatments for MS, it is essential to address the underlying cause of autoimmunity through modulating the immune system in addition to repairing damaged neurological tissue.The primary causes contributing to the progression of Multiple Sclerosis is due to the bodys autoimmune attack against the central nervous system causing damage to the nerve fibers and their protective myelin sheath, resulting in demyelination. Groundbreaking research indicates adipose-derived stem cells have the potential to address these two main causes that contribute to the progression of Multiple Sclerosis by inhibiting the immune attack against the central nervous system and stimulating regeneration damaged tissue in the body. Adipose-derived stem cell treatment has the ability to address both fundamental causes of the disease by selectively homing to areas in the body of damaged tissue and repair function and healing.

According to research, adipose-derived stem cells have the potential to be excellent candidates for Multiple Sclerosis for two main reasons:

Woman Battling Multiple Sclerosis Sees Improvements from Stem Cell Therapy

We often hear from patients who are extremely grateful for the relief they have experienced following adipose-derived stem cell treatment. Patients have reported the following improved quality of life benefits associated with Multiple Sclerosis:

Through customized, targeted stem cell treatment plans, our goal is to offer patients access to adult stem cell treatment that has the potential to significantly improve ones quality of life. Stem cell therapy consists of a very simple and brief liposuction procedure where the patients adipose (fat) tissue is extracted from patients body in our AAAHC accredited surgical center by accomplished board certified physicians. Through our proprietary protocols, the adipose tissue is then processed by laboratory technicians in our on-site state-of-the-art laboratory. The stem cells are then comfortably infused back into the patients body, which takes place in a comprehensive one-day outpatient procedure in our distinguished stem cell treatment facility.

Currently, Multiple Sclerosis medications only offer treatment and therapy for the symptoms of the disease. These drugs may help with symptoms, but only at the expense of serious, often life-endangering side effects.

Unfortunately, there is no standard medical treatment for the two main causes that contribute to the progression of the disease which include the bodys autoimmune attack against the central nervous system, and the resulting demyelination. Majority of MS drugs focus on addressing symptoms for only one of the primary causes of progression. Current MS drugs are designed to suppress, alter, or slow down the activity of the bodys immune system; however, these drugs do not address the regeneration of the lost myelin.

Stem cell therapy has been shown to help both primary causes of the disease progression by repairing and regenerating damaged tissue, modulating the immune system and slowing down inflammation. In the near future, it is anticipated that stem cell treatment will potentially surpass conventional drug therapy.

Adipose-derived stem cells, also known as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown therapeutic benefits for treating Multiple Sclerosis. Adult mesenchymal stem cells are found in several places throughout the body including adipose tissue, also known as your fat tissue. Adipose tissue includes a variety of cell types which includes the stromal-vascular fraction (SVF). The SVF contains an abundant amount of stem cells called adipose-derived stem cells and also contains high concentrations of other very beneficial components (T-regulatory cells, preadipocytes, endothelial precursor cells, anti-inflammatory macrophage) with robust anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties.

Known to be very potent, adipose-derived stem cells have the capacity to differentiate into various specialized cells in our body. They have the unique ability to produce additional cells which help other stem cells function properly and have the ability to selectively hone into areas in the body of injured tissue and repair functionality.

Committed to the science and innovation of stem cell treatment, StemGenex sponsors a clinical study registered with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for Multiple Sclerosis. The study Outcomes of Data of Adipose Stem Cells to Treat Multiple Sclerosis has been established to formally document and evaluate the quality of life changes in individuals following adipose-derived stem cell treatment.

If you are interested in learning more about the Outcomes of Data of Adipose Stem Cells to Treat Multiple Sclerosis clinical study, contact a StemGenex Medical Group Patient Advocate at 800-974-1335 or Click Here to provide your contact information.

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Multiple Sclerosis Stem Cell Treatment - StemGenex

Stem Cell Center, a subsidiary organization from the Global Stem Cells Group international network of doctors, practitioners, researchers, and other passionate stem cell research personnel, this week excitedly announced they have appointed a new medical director at both their operations in Morocco and Baghdad. Now welcoming Professor Yasser Safiani in Morocco, and Mazin Shakir Mahmood MD in Iraq, the Stem Cell Center network expanded out this week.

Borne from a passion for constantly working to expand and contribute to the study of regenerative medicine in our world today, Stem Cell Center oversees workshops, fellowships, seminars, and more for sharing the organizations new stem cell findings.

We are incredibly excited to be welcoming two greatly esteemed individuals into our network, said Benito Novas, Founder and Owner of Stem Cell Center. These are two individuals who, combined, bring more than 6-decades of immersive training and experience in medical fields, specifically regenerative medicine. We are incredibly excited to be working with them as our medical directors.

Dr. Mahmood received his Bachelors Degree from the Baghdad College of Medicine in 1988. From there, he pursued a post-graduate degree in medicine at the University of Baghdad, and went to work as an Iraqi commissioner for medical specializations, as well as a professor for the German Hear Center. In 2010, he returned to Iraq and established his private center, which is still in operation today.

Professor Sefiani completed his primary education at Guessous in 1979. From there, he pursued a scientific Bachelors Degree, and became a medical faculty member at Rabat. Today, he is an esteemed professor of cardiovascular education, and he brings with him close to 4-decades of education experience.

For more information, visit: http://stemcellcenter.net/.

About Global Stem Cells Group

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Stem Cell Center Announces Two New Medical Directors In Their Moroccan And Baghdad Offices - PRUnderground (press release)

Inflammation is the bodys attempt to protect itself by removing harmful substances as part of the bodys immune response.

It releases chemicals from the bodys white blood cells into the blood or affected tissues.

The process is essential for our infections, wounds and damaged tissue to heal.

However, if the inflammation becomes chronic - lasting for several months or years - it can cause problems.

Indeed, it can trigger a number of well known diseases and conditions.

Asthma

Its a condition where breathing becomes difficult, causing shortness of breath and chest tightness.

Inflammation of the air passages results in a temporary narrowing of the airways that carry oxygen to the lungs.

Rheumatoid arthritis

The conditions symptoms are caused by inflammation, triggering redness, swelling, warmth and pain.

Its initially triggered by a substance that gets into the joints that the body is trying to kill off.

Sinusitis

Its an inflammation and swelling of the tissue lining of the sinuses.

Normally they are filled with air, but if they become blocked with fluid, germs can trigger an infection.

Tuberculosis

Its an infectious bacterial disease that tends to affect the lungs.

Research has found inflammation to be behind its growth.

Periodontitis

It literally means: inflammation around the tooth

Its a common disease triggered by bacteria and local inflammation triggered by those bacteria.

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Immune system warning: These five conditions are because of inflammation - Express.co.uk

News Release

Thursday, July 27, 2017

NIH-funded study suggests role for specific immune cells in brain disease.

A new study suggests that T cells, which help the bodys immune system recognize friend from foe, may play an important role in Parkinsons disease (PD). The study, published in the journal Nature, was supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), part of the National Institutes of Health.

This collaboration between neuroscientists and immunologists provides important new evidence for ways in which the immune system can play a role in PD, a link that can be used to further define this interaction, said Beth-Anne Sieber, Ph.D., a program director at NINDS.

A research team led by David Sulzer, Ph.D., professor of neurology at Columbia University in New York City and Alessandro Sette, Dr.Biol.Sci., professor of infectious diseases at the La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology in California, examined the role of T cells in PD.

Drs. Sulzer and Sette, along with their colleagues, collected blood samples from 67 individuals with Parkinsons disease and 36 healthy controls. Immune cells were extracted from the samples and mixed with portions of the alpha-synuclein protein, which accumulates in the brains of people with PD and can result in cell death.

They found that T cells from people with PD responded to the presence of alpha-synuclein to a much greater degree than those gathered from the control group.

In particular, two regions of alpha-synuclein evoked reactions from T cells: a section that often contains mutations linked with PD, and a portion undergoing a chemical change that can lead to accumulation of the protein in the brain.

The researchers identified four genetic variations that were associated with T cell reactivity to alpha-synuclein. More than half of people with PD carried at least one of those variants, compared to 20 percent of controls.

These findings expose a potential biomarker for PD that may someday help in diagnosing the disease or be used to evaluate how well treatments are working, said Dr. Sette.

According to the authors, the results suggest that PD may have characteristics of an autoimmune disease, in which the immune system incorrectly attacks the bodys own cells.

As we age, proteins throughout the body undergo various molecular modifications. If they become unrecognizable, the immune system may start going after them, thinking they may be dangerous invaders, said Dr. Sulzer.

PD is a neurodegenerative disorder in which dopamine-producing brain cells die off, resulting in tremors, muscle stiffness, loss of balance and slow movement. Additional symptoms may include emotional changes and disrupted sleep.

More research is needed to learn about the interactions between immune cells and alpha-synuclein. Improved understanding of those interactions may lead to information about disease progression as well as potential connections to other neurodegenerative disorders.

This study was funded by grants from NINDS (NS38377).

For more information:https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Parkinsons-Disease-Information-Page

The NINDS is the nations leading funder of research on the brain and nervous system.The mission of NINDS is to seek fundamental knowledge about the brain and nervous system and to use that knowledge to reduce the burden of neurological disease.

About the National Institutes of Health (NIH):NIH, the nation's medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit http://www.nih.gov.

NIHTurning Discovery Into Health

ReferenceSulzer D et al. T cells of Parkinsons disease patients recognize alpha-synuclein peptides. Nature. June 21, 2017.

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Link:
Immune system may mount an attack in Parkinson's disease - NIH - National Institutes of Health (press release)

Credit: German Cancer Research Center

In order for cancer cells to successfully spread and multiply, they must find a way to avoid the body's own immune system. Scientists at the German Cancer Research Center have published an explanation for how this occurs with chronic lymphatic leukemia (CLL).

Degenerated cells cause an inflammatory reaction and influence other blood cells to the extent that the immune system is suppressed. The cells send out their messages via exosomes. The discovery by the DKFZ scientists paves the way for new therapy approaches.

Tumor cells influence their environment in order to avoid an immune response and to facilitate favorable conditions for growth. It has been known for a long time that solid tumors, those which grow as solid tissue inside an organ, manipulate macrophages, the 'big eater' cells of the immune system, for their own purposes. "Recently, we have seen increasing evidence that something similar must be happening in leukemia," says Martina Seiffert of the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg. So leukemia cells acquired by the patient through CLL could only survive in a culture cell if it also contains macrophages or monocytes, the precursors of the 'big eaters.' They serve as a form of nourishment for cancer cells.

Seiffert's team has now discovered how the interplay between leukemia cells and monocytes becomes a catalyst for cancer development. "We know that the so-called PD-L1 receptor occurs more frequently on the surface of these nourishing cells, and suppresses the immune response," says Seiffert. "What we have here is a so-called immune checkpoint, which prevents excessive immune responses." In this case, however, the immune response is suppressed so much that the cancer cells can multiply unopposed. In addition, the monocytes send out semiochemicals, which belong to the inflammation response of the immune system and support the growth and multiplication of the cancer cells.

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The question has been how the leukemia cells can manipulate the monocytes in their environment. The scientists initially presumed that exosomes might play a rolethese are little bubbles which are transmitted from cells to their surrounding environment. They help cells communicate with each other and influence each other's behavior. The blood plasma of CLL patients does, in fact, exhibit a larger number of exosomes sent out by leukemia cells. The analysis of these exosomes has shown that among other things, they contain Y RNA. This is a class of short RNA molecules with little-understood functions.

In order to evaluate the effect of the Y RNA, the scientists treated monocytes and macrophages of humans and mice with suspect exosomes, as well as purified Y RNA from those exosomes, in a culture dish. In both cases, the cells changed similarly to how they would in CLL patients. "They carry more PD-L1 receptors to their surface and emit semiochemicals thst accelerate the immune response and create favorable growth conditions for leukemia cells," explained Franziska Haderk, principal author of the publication.

Another discovery: The Y RNA message of the so-called toll-like receptors 7 and 8 (TLR7/8) is found in the monocytes. These serve to register foreign RNA, such as from pathogens, and to activate the immune response. At the same time, the activation of the toll-like receptors also strengthens the immune inhibitor PD-L1. "This creates an environment that supports the survival of the cancer cells and recruits cells of the immune system, but at the same time, stops an effective response of the immune cells via the PD-L1," says Haderk.

The DKFZ researchers have identified multiple new therapeutic approaches. In addition to a suppression of the PD-L1 receptor, it is conceivable to inhibit the recognition of the Y RNA message. "This could succeed by adding TLR inhibitors such as Chloroquin, a medication used for malaria and rheumatic inflammation," explained Seiffert. In experiments with mice given CLL cells, the agent was able to suppress the reproduction of cancer cells markedly. "That makes Chloroquin an interesting candidate for a combination therapy along with other agents," said Seiffert.

Explore further: New types of blood cells discovered

More information: F. Haderk el al., "Tumor-derived exosomes modulate PD-L1 expression in monocytes," Science Immunology (2017). immunology.sciencemag.org/look 6/sciimmunol.aah5509

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Cancer cells put the brakes on immune system - Medical Xpress - Medical Xpress

Spectral Design/ShutterstockIn the 20th century, an estimated 300 million people died from Smallpox. The disease scourged humanity for upwards of 12 millenniaand was finally eradicated in 1980, thanks, in part, to cows, or rather, a disease which afflicted cows.

In 1796, Edward Jenner brought forth a theory, a proposed solution to Smallpox, an epidemic which was, at the time, killing approximately 300,000 Europeans per year.

His theory was based on the observation that milkmaids who contracted cowpox would never go on to contract Smallpox. Why not infect people with Cowpox, a treatable disease, to prevent them from contracting Smallpox, which was basically a death sentence? Suddenly, Jenner had the first vaccine on his hands. (Here are 10 vaccine myths you can safely ignore.)

(The term vaccine actually comes from the scientific name for Cowpox, Variolae vaccinae)

And now, two centuries later, cows may be serving as a key to solving another one of historys deadliest diseases: HIV.

A study published in Nature showed that the immune system of cows was able to adapt and combat HIV at an unprecedented ratea rate which basically rendered the disease toothless. Cows were able to neutralize 20 percent of the virus strains after 42 days, and 96 percent after 381 days.

Dr. Devin Sok, one of the researchers involved in the study told the BBC that the cows response blew our minds, especially when put into perspective to typical HIV response, It was just insane how good it looked, in humans it takes three-to-five years to develop the antibodies were talking about.

The study did not produce a vaccine or treatment quite yet, but the results certainly are encouraging. (By the way, are your teens up to date on their vaccines? They probably arent.)

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This Animal's Immune System Holds the Clue for an HIV Vaccine, According to Science - Reader's Digest

In boosting the effectiveness of our immune system, we might already be practising many of the right habits, but it does not hurt to have a reminder of what we should be doing while learning new information about the immune system.

The four key areas that we should always pay attention to are food, exercise, hormonal balance and nutrition.

This week, we discuss hormonal balance and nutrition.

Balance your hormones

It is easy to forget how hormonal balance can impact your immune systems response to external attacks.

The thyroid and adrenal glands, two key hormone-producing parts of our internal system, play a big role in many immune system-activating functions.

Imbalances in oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone can also impact immune responses negatively, be it overproduction or low levels of hormones.

Briefly, heres how different types of hormones help boost the immune system.

The adrenal glands produce hormones that are needed for metabolic function. This includes DHEA, the most prolific hormone that influences the production of oestrogen, testosterone and cortisol.

DHEA levels can drop when you are stressed or tired, causing your white blood cell count to also drop, lowering your immune response.

Thyroid health affects our developmental, cardiovascular and metabolic function, all of which are important to an effective immune system. Low thyroid levels disrupt the bodys response to viruses and slows response to inflammation.

Oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone levels all affect the activity of B-cells and T-cells lymphocytes that are integral to the disease-fighting mechanism of your immune system.

Low levels of oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone have its consequences, but it should also be noted that an overproduction of each hormone can cause problems like autoimmune diseases.

Its not easy to fully understand what is happening inside your body, but a few telling symptoms of hormone imbalance include tiredness, low moods and weight gain, amongst others.

Hormonal balance does not have a one-size-fits-all solution. If you suspect hormonal imbalance, seek a doctors advice.

Depending on your age, hormone replacement therapy might be recommended, but instead of synthetic hormones, ask him or her about bio-identical hormones a term for hormones that have the same chemical structure as naturally-occurring hormones.

Get the right amount of nutrients

Good nutrition is essential for a strong immune system, which offers protection from seasonal illnesses such as the flu, and other health problems, including arthritis, allergies, abnormal cell development and cancers.

Help protect yourself against infection and boost your immunity by including the following nutrients in your eating plan.

Protein is part of the bodys defense mechanism. Eat a variety of proteins including seafood, lean meat, poultry, eggs, beans, peas, soy products, unsalted nuts and seeds.

Vitamin A helps regulate the immune system and protects against infections by keeping skin and tissues in the mouth, stomach, intestines and respiratory system healthy.

Get this immune-boosting vitamin from foods such as sweet potatoes, carrots, kale, spinach, red bell peppers, apricots, eggs or foods labeled vitamin A fortified such as milk or cereal.

Vitamin C protects you from infection by stimulating the formation of antibodies and boosting immunity. Include more of this healthy vitamin in your diet with citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruit and tangerines, or red bell pepper, papaya, strawberries, tomato juice, or foods fortified with vitamin C, such as some cereals.

Vitamin E works as an antioxidant, neutralises free radicals and may improve immune function.

Include vitamin E in your diet with fortified cereals, sunflower seeds, almonds, vegetable oils (such as sunflower or safflower oil), hazelnuts and peanut butter

Zinc helps the immune system work properly and may help wounds heal. It can be found in lean meat, poultry, seafood, milk, whole grain products, beans, seeds and nuts.

Other nutrients, including vitamin B6, folate, selenium, iron, as well as prebiotics and probiotics, may also influence immune response.

There are herbs and vitamins that you can take to replenish the nutrients in your body that will help strengthen your immune system, e.g. elderberry, green tea, ginseng, Echinacea and vitamin C can be found in their original form or in supplements at the health food store.

Below are a few more nutritious foods that will help boost immunity.

Echinacea is found mainly in the United States and parts of Canada. It stimulates antibodies, reduces inflammation and is used to treat infections in Europe.

Researchers have found that Echinacea lowers the incidence of the common cold by up to 55% and shortens the recovery period for upper respiratory infections. However, it is not advisable to use Echinacea daily for more than eight weeks.

Licorice has phenolic compounds that contain antioxidant activity. One of the compounds is called beta-glycyrrhetinic acid, and it reduces inflammation and allergies.

Licorice root can slow down abnormal cell growth, decrease liver inflammation and encourage macrophage production, helping to reduce stress on the immune system.

Up to 600mg can be taken each day for up to six weeks.

Olive leaf extract contains flavonoids and phenolic compounds that have antioxidant properties.

One of those primary compounds, oleuropein, is found to delay the growth of fungus and bacteria that can damage the immune system. Up to 1,500mg can be taken each day in divided doses.

Astragalus has been around in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. Its a herb that is part of the legume family and protects against infections by activating antibodies like B-cells and T-cells, as well as macrophages that fight bacteria and viruses. About 1,000mg of astragalus can be taken daily.

Shiitake mushroom is used in Chinese medicine for herbal therapy. It can prevent bacterial strains from attacking the immune system and improve its function. Up to 400mg of shiitake mushroom can be taken each day in divided doses.

Vitamin C should be consumed every day to improve the production of lymphocytes.

A body that experiences stress usually falls low on vitamin C, but by replenishing it, your body can stave off symptoms of infection, or shorten the time one might be sick.

Up to 3,000mg of vitamin C can be supplemented each day.

Goldenseal root has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine because of its immune-enhancing properties. It is used to fight bacteria, fungi and parasites.

Goldenseal root improves immune function by increasing the activity of immunoglobulin antibodies. Up to 500mg can be taken daily in divided doses.

Elderberry is rich in antioxidants and flavonoids that activate immunity.

It can increase the production of cytokines to stimulate the immune response and decrease flu symptoms. Up to 1,500mg of elderberry can be taken daily.

Green tea is rich in catechin polyphenols and is a strong antioxidant that stimulates immunity by boosting T-cell production and encouraging macrophage activity.

Green tea also decreases the proliferation of bacterial antigens. Up to 500mg per day can be taken daily.

Grapefruit seed extract, or citrus paradisi, is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral. It has been found to inhibit the development of 67 different bacterial strains. The recommended dosage is 100mg to 300mg each day.

Nutrients are your immune regulators and impaired immunity can be enhanced by modest amounts of a combination of micronutrients as supplements.

Datuk Dr Nor Ashikin Mokhtar is a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist. For further information, visit http://www.primanora.com. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the readers own medical care. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.

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Helping immune function - Star2.com

WASHINGTON

New technology allows scientists working on new vaccines to combat infectious diseases to test their products' effectiveness on a model immune system in a laboratory, without putting the upgraded vaccine into humans.

Researchers have begun building model immune systems using human cells, and this lab technique should make early vaccine trials quicker, safer and cheaper, according to scientists in the United States and Britain involved in this novel approach. The technology also has the potential to be used to mass produce antibodies in the lab to supplement real immune systems that are compromised, or battling pathogens like Ebola.

A report announcing the new "in vitro booster vaccination" technique was published Monday in The Journal of Experimental Medicine, a prestigious peer-reviewed medical journal published by the Rockefeller University Press. The research project involved produced antibodies that attack strains of tetanus, HIV and influenza.

Selecting specific antibodies

When a pathogen invades the body, the immune system develops antibodies specific to that pathogen. The antibodies latch onto the pathogen and either flag it for destruction, disrupt the life cycle of the pathogen, or do nothing.

Before now, when scientists tried to get immune cells in the lab to produce antibodies, the cells would do so indiscriminately, producing all sorts of antibodies, not just the relevant ones. Now scientists are able to get the antibodies they specifically desire by using nanoparticles that connect antigens, the active parts of a vaccine, with molecules that stimulate the immune system.

"We can make these cells very quickly in vitro in a Petri dish to become antibody-producing cells," said a lead author of the new report, Facundo Batista. "This is quite important," he told VOA, "because until now the only way that this has been done is though vaccinating people."

Batista was one of a number of scientists involved in the study from the Ragon Institute, established in the Boston area by experts from Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, with the goal of working toward development of an effective vaccine against HIV/AIDS. Others contributing to the new report were from the Francis Crick Institute in London and other institutions.

New technique saves time, money

The new laboratory technique will save time and money. After all the work of planning, funding and getting approval for a vaccine trial in humans, "you're talking at least about three years in a best-case scenario, if you have a very promising product," said Matthew Laurens, an associate professor of pediatrics and medicine at the University of Maryland who was not associated with the study. That lengthy process will now be shortened to a matter of months.

This can eliminate, or at least greatly reduce, long and costly trials, and fewer volunteer subjects will be exposed to potentially dangerous vaccines.

The ease of testing new vaccines will also allow scientists to tinker more and better understand how vaccines work. With better understanding, they may be able to develop more sophisticated vaccines that can be effective against more pathogens those that differ as a result of genetic variations. This will be important in the fight against rapidly evolving pathogens like HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

Outside of vaccine testing, immune systems in laboratories can lead to greatly improved methods for the mass production of antibodies. Scientists have been trying to identify antibodies that can attack all strains of the Ebola virus; this new technology will improve their chances of developing an effective therapy.

Laurens, who studies malaria vaccine development at Maryland, called the research exciting.

"This would allow vaccine candidates to be tested very early and very quickly," he told VOA, "with rapid turnaround and reporting of results to either advance a vaccine candidate or tell scientists they need to go back and look for other candidates."

Link:
Test-tube Immune Systems Can Speed Vaccine Development - Voice of America

The terms complementary, alternative and integrative medicine are often used interchangeably. However, they are not the same, and each field is a distinctive approach to the treatment of disease. The following terms explain the differences between these medical fields.

Conventional medicine is the "traditional" medicine as practiced by a medical doctor (M.D.), a doctor of osteopathy (D.O.) and other allied health professionals.

Alternative medicine is used in place of, or instead of, conventional medicine. Many alternative therapies and drugs do not have scientific evidence to back up their claims of effectiveness. Some have no therapeutic benefits at all or can even be dangerous.

Complementary medicine is a group of mostly non-medical approaches to help patients cope with cancer and treatment side effects, pain, depression and anxiety.Research data has verified the benefits of many complementary therapies, including acupuncture, yoga, massage, stress reduction techniques and nutritional supplements.

Integrative medicine is the practice of combining scientifically proven complementary therapies with conventional medicine as part of a comprehensive plan to treat both the disease and its physical and emotional side effects.

Many cancer patients find relief from complementary therapies, while others have found them to be ineffective or have reported problems.Although some complementary therapies are useful for cancer patients, others may be harmful in certain situations.

We strongly encourage you to consult with your oncologist before trying any complementary therapies. It also is important to inform them about any therapies you currently use that may affect your cancer treatment.

MD Andersons Integrative Medicine Center offers many complementary therapies for cancer patients that have been shown to be safe and effective.

Originally posted here:
Alternative Medicine for Cancer - Integrative Medicine | MD ...

Western medicine once shunned alternative treatments like acupuncture, acupressure or the Indian system of Ayurveda. But the field of medicine is now taking them more seriously.

Proof can be found in the emerging field of integrative medicine. Its approach is to combine modern medicine with alternative and complementary approaches, to take into account the whole person. Dr. Sudha Prathikanti a strong believer in integrative medicine. As the daughter of Indian immigrants, she grew up around meditation, yoga and Ayurveda. Like her father she went to medical school and more recently, established the first integrative psychiatry program at UC San Francisco's Osher Center for Integrative Medicine. She's also researched the effectiveness of using yoga to treat major depression.

PRATHIKANTI: We no longer have to have this argument about "is it in the domain of the physical or is it in the domain of the psychological?"; And then the larger question is "what is spiritual?"

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Integrative medicine seeks to mend the mind-body split | KALW - KALW

St. Luke's promoted Jennifer Viergutz to director of laboratory, replacing Jean Elton Turbes, who retired from the same position after 15 years.

Viergutz graduated from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth with a bachelor's degree in clinical laboratory science as well as dual Master of Arts and Master of Business Administration degrees. She started as a generalist at Lake View Hospital in Two Harbors 17 years ago and then moved to St. Luke's. She has held a variety of positions in the laboratory including technical specialist of the immunology section, technical services coordinator and most recently, operations manager.

Essentia Health announced the following.

Jacob Swette, a licensed acupuncturist joined the integrative medicine department at Essentia Health-Duluth Clinic in Duluth. Swette is a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine and earned his master's degree at Southwest Acupuncture College in Boulder, Colo. He's certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and licensed to practice in Minnesota by the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice.

Dr. Steven Haasken, a pediatric intensivist, joined Essentia Health-St. Mary's Children's Hospital in Duluth. Originally from Mora, Minn., Haasken earned a medical degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School in Minneapolis. He completed a residency in pediatrics at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City and a fellowship in pediatric critical care at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. He is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics in pediatrics.

Orthopaedic Associates of Duluth hired Tanner Hermes as a physician assistant. He graduated from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston with a bachelor's degree in kinesiology and health promotions in 2006, and from Arcadia University in Newark, Del., with a master's degree in medical science in 2010.

Hermes has more than 13 years of experience, with more than six years of clinical and surgical orthopaedic experience including sports medicine and joint replacement. He was previously an orthopaedic physician assistant at multiple practices in Washington state, including Orthopedic Physician Associates in Seattle and Western Washington Medical Group in Everett. While in Seattle, Hermes was the physician assistant to Dr. Edward Khalfayan, the head team physician for the Seattle Seahawks and Mariners teams.

He is a member of Physician Assistants in Orthopaedic Surgery and the American Academy of Physician Assistants. Hermes is board certified by National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.

Lakewalk Surgery Center hired Ann Fosness of Alborn as administrator. Fosness has more than 20 years of industry experience, most recently serving as director of nursing at Essentia Health East for three years. She was responsible for more than 170 managers and staff members in the operating room, post-anesthesia care unit, maternal child health, medical/surgical, inpatient rehab, telemetry, intensive care unit and emergency departments. She served on the Patient Advisory Council and formed Nurse Practice Councils in each unit to enhance patient safety and satisfaction. Before that Fosness served as director of clinic operations, clinic manager of orthopedics and nursing supervisor for Essentia Health East since 2001.

She holds a bachelor's degree in nursing and a master's degree in business administration, both from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, and is a member of Mesabi Range College Advisory Council and the Minnesota Organization of Leader in Nursing Professional Group.

The law offices of Maki, Ledin, Bick and Olson in Superior hired attorneys Joseph Rosenthal and Lucas Wyshnytzky.

Rosenthal, a Twin Ports native, is a 1999 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a 2008 graduate of City University of New York School of Law. He was a Peggy Browning Fellow at Bernstein and Lipsett in Washington, D.C. in 2007, a fellowship awarded to law students interested in pursuing a career in union-side labor law. During law school, he also worked for Service Employees International Union Local 1199P and for the New York State Attorney General's Office-Labor Bureau advocating for worker's rights issues.

Most recently Rosenthal worked in St. Paul on trial and litigation matters. He is licensed in Wisconsin and practices in the areas of criminal defense, family law, labor and employment law, and Social Security Disability.

Wyshnytzky is originally from Hawthorn Woods, Ill., and earned bachelor's degrees in political science and legal studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He interned in the Governor's Office, which led him to be hired as an external relations coordinator for the Governor's Advance Team.

He attended Marquette University Law School with a primary focus on environmental law, and served as an intern for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources-Bureau of Legal Services and for Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District. He also served as President of the Environmental Law Society.

Wyshnytzky practices in the areas of criminal defense, landlord tenant, collections, juvenile, guardianships and family law, and is active in the Superior Jaycees and PLAST-Ukrainian Scouting Organization.

AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS

Bigfork Valley Hospital in Bigfork received five-star ratings in all 11 categories for patient satisfaction in a survey coordinated by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Ninety-nine percent of Bigfork Valley patients say they would definitely recommend the hospital. More than 4,000 hospitals participated in the survey. Within Minnesota, Bigfork Valley scored at the top of 108 reporting hospitals in six of the 11 categories measuring patient perception of a hospital experience.

Hermantown Area Chamber of Commerce announced Julie Lupa was named the recipient of their Outstanding Ambassador Award during a July 19 Ambassador luncheon.

Lupa, a mortgage originator with Superior Choice Credit Union, has over 21 years of experience in the credit union mortgage lending field. She promotes homeownership in the community and is a volunteer with 1Roof Housing for homebuyer education classes. She became a new Chamber Ambassador earlier this year and quickly became a leader within the chamber's membership. She helps with monthly luncheon registration, makes sure everyone is welcomed and everything is organized. She conveys new ideas for the Ambassador Program and ways to help the Hermantown community.

Real Living Messina and Associates in Duluth was awarded a 2017 QE Top 10 Medium Companies award for exceptional customer service satisfaction. The QE Award spans 22 states and is based on the results of an independent survey limited solely to buyers and sellers who were in a real estate transaction that closed with participating real estate companies from Jan. 1, 2016 through Dec. 31, 2016. The award was created by Quality Service Certification Inc. to foster, encourage and recognize the highest levels of service quality and customer satisfaction.

St. Luke's was the recipient of an American College of Cardiology's NCDR Action Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award for 2017. St. Luke's is one of less than 200 hospitals nationwide to receive the honor.

The award recognizes St. Luke's for consistently following treatment guidelines in the Action Registry for eight consecutive quarters. Guidelines include administering aspirin upon arrival and discharge, timely restoration of blood flow to the blocked artery, smoking cessation counseling, and cardiac rehabilitation. The hospital also met a performance standard of 90 percent for specific performance measures.

Bob Falsani, Jim Balmer, Jim Peterson and Sean Quinn, partners of the law firm Falsani, Balmer, Peterson and Quinn, were recognized as 2017 Super Lawyers by Minnesota Super Lawyer magazine.

Falsani, a certified civil trial specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, has been honored 25 times. He has published more than 80 articles on worker's compensation and personal injury litigation and lectures widely on the subjects.

Balmer has been named a Minnesota Super Lawyer every year since 1998, and is a certified civil trial specialist by the NBTA and a senior civil trial specialist by the Minnesota State Bar Association. He is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocacy and has lectured extensively on trial tactics, court rules and evidentiary issues.

Peterson is a certified civil trial specialist by the NBTA and a senior civil trial specialist by the Minnesota State Bar Association. He's been named a Super Lawyer fourteen times.

Quinn has had more than 40 articles on workers' compensation and Social Security disability published and currently teaches community education classes on these subjects. He has chaired the Volunteer Attorney Programs board of directors since 2012, and is a member of the Minnesota Association of Justice board of governors, where he co-chairs their workers' compensation committee. He has been named a Super Laywer eight times.

CERTIFICATIONS/ACCREDITATIONS

Viewcrest Health Center announced registered nurse Amanda Blaskowski obtained her Nadona Certificate for Infection Prevention Board Certification.

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Biz Buzz for July 31, 2017 - Duluth News Tribune