RenovaCare (OTCMKTS:RCAR) and Haemonetics (NYSE:HAE) are both medical companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, risk, earnings, profitability, dividends, valuation and institutional ownership.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and price targets for RenovaCare and Haemonetics, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Haemonetics has a consensus price target of $144.40, suggesting a potential upside of 15.46%. Given Haemonetics higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Haemonetics is more favorable than RenovaCare.

Risk and Volatility

RenovaCare has a beta of 2.42, suggesting that its share price is 142% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Haemonetics has a beta of 0.79, suggesting that its share price is 21% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares RenovaCare and Haemonetics revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Haemonetics has higher revenue and earnings than RenovaCare.

Profitability

This table compares RenovaCare and Haemonetics net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

99.1% of Haemonetics shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.9% of RenovaCare shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.3% of Haemonetics shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Haemonetics beats RenovaCare on 9 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks.

RenovaCare Company Profile

RenovaCare, Inc., a development-stage company, focuses on the acquisition, development, and commercialization of autologous cellular therapies for use in medical and aesthetic applications. It is developing CellMist System for spraying a patient's own skin stem cells onto burns and wounds for self-healing; and SkinGun, a solution sprayer device for delivering the cells to the treatment area. The company was formerly known as Janus Resources, Inc. and changed its name to RenovaCare, Inc. in January 2014. RenovaCare, Inc. is based in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Haemonetics Company Profile

Haemonetics Corporation, a healthcare company, provides hematology products and solutions. The company operates through five segments: North America Plasma; Americas Blood Center and Hospital; Europe, Middle East and Africa; Asia Pacific; and Japan. It offers automated plasma collection devices and related disposables, including NexSys PCS plasmapheresis system and PCS2 equipment and disposables, plasma collection containers, and intravenous solutions, as well as information technology platforms for plasma customers to manage their donors, operations, and supply chain; and NexLynk DMS donor management system. The company also provides automated blood component and manual whole blood collection systems, such as MCS brand apheresis equipment to collect specific blood components from the donor; disposable whole blood collection and component storage sets; SafeTrace Tx and El-Dorado Donor donation and blood unit management systems; Hemasphere software that provides support for blood drive planning; and Donor Doc and e-Donor software to enhance the donor recruitment and retention. In addition, it offers hospital products comprising TEG diagnostic systems that enables clinicians to assess the coagulation status of a patient at the point-of-care or laboratory setting; TEG Manager software, which connects various TEG analyzers throughout the hospital, providing clinicians remote access to active and historical test results that inform treatment decisions; Cell Saver Elite +, a surgical blood salvage system for cardiovascular, orthopedic, trauma, transplant, vascular, obstetrical, and gynecological surgeries; OrthoPAT, a perioperative autotranfusion system for orthopedic procedures; and BloodTrack, a suite of blood management and bedside transfusion solutions that combines software with hardware components, as well as an extension of the hospital's blood bank information system. Haemonetics Corporation was founded in 1971 and is headquartered in Braintree, Massachusetts.

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Contrasting RenovaCare (OTCMKTS:RCAR) and Haemonetics (OTCMKTS:HAE) - Covington Journal

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Contrasting RenovaCare (OTCMKTS:RCAR) and Haemonetics (OTCMKTS:HAE) – Covington Journal | October 17th, 2019

The Duchess of York, affectionately known by British royal fans as Fergie, shared the cover of The Perfect World Magazine, where she can be seen giving Sir David Attenborough an honorary award. Fergie, who turns 60 today, revealed in an Instagram post that moment is one of the best of her life.

She wrote on Instagram: "Thank you all for the birthday messages! This is one of the highlights of my life."

In the cover, Fergie can be seen smiling as she hands the award, shaped like a rhino, toSir Attenborough, the world-famousEnglish broadcaster and natural historian.

Fergie andSir Attenborough attended together last September thePerfect World Foundation gala dinner, where she will present him the award.

The same award has been previously given toMark Shand, the late brother of the Duchess of Cornwall, and primatologist Dr Jane Goodall.

In the early afternoon, the Duchess of York published on Instagram another picture, showing her wearing a colourful sari.

She added in the caption: "Colourful moments"

Fergie's Instagram messages come after her former husband Prince Andrew celebrated her birthday on social media.

Earlier this morning, the Duke of Yorkpublished two identical messages dedicated to Fergie on both Instagram and Twitter.

READ MORE:How Fergie was 'forced to cancel birthday party due to crisis'

The messages read: "Wishing Sarah Ferguson a very Happy 60th Birthday!"

On Instagram, the message was accompanied by three pictures, one depicting Sarah surrounded by members of the York family, including Princess Eugenie's husband Jack Brooksbank and Princess Beatrice's fiancee Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.

The second picture shows Fergie surrounded by children supported by the charity she is a patron of, Street Child UK.

And the third snap depicts Eugenie, Beatrice and Fergie together while carrying out an engagement.

DON'T MISS

Fergie has previously spoke with enthusiasm about her approaching 60th birthday.

Speaking at a charity event held onbehalf of Street Child and hosted by Hello, the Duchess said:"I think it's really important that my life is beginning at 60, I'm so excited by it."

Outspoken Fergie also revealed she has undertaken laser treatment to her skin to look her best for her milestone birthday.

Similarly, the Duchess had laser also before the wedding of her youngest daughter Princess Eugenie, which helped to make her skin glow.

But these haven't been the only beauty treatments Fergie has undertaken in the past years.

In March this year, Fergie travelled to the Bahamas toundergo stem cell therapy - an alternative to surgery which is yet to be proven fully safe and effective on humans and is therefore not widely available in the UK.

This therapy helped her solving a painful problem related to her feet, which eventually forced her to stop wearing high heels.

I went to the Bahamas in March to have the treatment.

I think my toes were ruined by all the riding I did when I was young.

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Sarah Ferguson reveals highlight of my life as she celebrates 60th birthday - Express

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Sarah Ferguson reveals highlight of my life as she celebrates 60th birthday – Express | October 16th, 2019

Medical skin care products are used for beautifying or to address some other skin care problems. The cosmetic industry is booming and skin care forms a very huge part of this industry. The aesthetic appearance is so important that people spend a lot on skin care products and treatment. People being more technologically aware of the various new skin care products trending in the market. In addition to the aesthetic application, the medical skin care products are also used to address issues such as acne, pimples or scars.

Medical Skin Care Products Market: Drivers and Restraints

The medical skin care products is primarily driven by the need of natural based active ingredients products which are now trending in the market. Consumers demand medical skin care products which favor health and environment. Moreover, the consumers are updated with the trends so that various companies end up providing such products to satisfy the customers. For instance, a single product face mask has thousands of different variants.

This offers consumers different options to select the product depending on the skin type. Moreover, the market players catering to the medical skin care products are offering products with advanced technologies. For instance, Santinov launched the CICABEL mask using stem cell material based on advanced technologies. The stem cells used in the skin care product helps to to protect and activate the cells and promote the proliferation of skin epidermal cells and the anagenesis of skin fibrosis.

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Medical Skin Care Products Market: Segmentation

On the basis of product type the medical skin care products market can be segmented as:

On the basis of application, the medical skin care products market can be segment as:

On the basis of distribution channel, the medical skin care products market can be segment as:

Medical Skin Care Products Market: Overview

Medical skin care products are used to address basic skin problems ranging from acne to scars. There are various advancements in the ingredients used to offer skin care products to the consumers. For instance, the use of hyaluronic acid and retinoids is the latest development in the industry. The anti-aging creams are at the forefront as the help treating issues such as wrinkles, scars, acne, and sun damage. Another, product in demand is the probiotic skincare which include lactobacillus and bifidobacterium.

Medical Skin Care Products Market: Region-wise Outlook

In terms of geography, medical skin care products market has been divided into five regions including North- America, Asia- Pacific, Middle-East & Africa, Latin America and Europe. North America dominated the global medical skin care products market as international players are acquiring domestic companies to make their hold strong in the U.S. LOral is accelerating its U.S. market by signing a definitive agreement with Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. to acquire CeraVe, AcneFree and Ambi skin-care brands for US$ 1.3 billion. The acquisition is expected LOreal to get hold of the brands in the price-accessible segment. Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest growing region owing to the increasing disposable income and rising awareness towards the skin care products.

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Medical Skin Care Products Market: Key Market Participants

Some of the medical skin care products market participants are Avon Products Inc., Beiersdorf AG, Colgate-Palmolive Company, Kao Corporation, LOral S.A., Procter & Gamble, Shiseido Company, The Estee Lauder Companies Inc., Unilever PLC, Revlon, Clinique Laboratories, llc., Murad, LLC., SkinCeuticals, RMS Beauty, J.R. Watkins and 100% PURE.

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Medical Skin Care Products Market Promising Growth Opportunities over 2017 2025 - Lake Shore Gazette

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Medical Skin Care Products Market Promising Growth Opportunities over 2017 2025 – Lake Shore Gazette | October 15th, 2019

Ray almost missed it, the message that would change his life. On a Saturday in March 2018, just as he was about to take his dog for an afternoon walk, he pulled his phone from his pocket and discovered a string of voicemails. Eight years had passed since the bomb had blown up underneath him while he was on patrol in Afghanistan, five since hed first met his doctor. Hed been on the waiting list a year. He was getting impatient.

He dialed back. This is it, he thought. It has to be.

A nurse picked up. Ray needed to come to the hospital immediately, she said. They had a donor. He was getting a new penis.

Ray had carried his unseen injury for yearsalways furtive, always anxious, always wondering how anyone who found out might react. Having lost both legs in the blast didnt bother him that much; Ray often left the house in the summertime wearing shorts, his prosthetics shining in the sun. But his other injury? Aside from his parents, hardly anyone knewnot even the guys he went to war with.

For men like Ray who lose their genitals, the usual treatmentif there was anywas phalloplasty: a rolled tube of tissue, blood vessels, and nerves taken from the forearm or thigh and transplanted to the groin, an ersatz penis that needs an external pump to get erect. When he first met with plastic surgeon Richard Redett, an expert in genital reconstruction at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, phalloplasty was what he was offered. But soon after, Redett decided Ray could be a candidate for one of the worlds first full penis transplants. Not a crude substitute; the real thing.

This was actually something that could fix me, says Ray. I could go back to being normal again.

Penis transplantation is a radical frontier of modern medicine: extremely rare, expensive, and difficult to perform. Replacing a major organ like a damaged liver is one thing: it contains just one type of tissue. But grafting a penis from a deceased donor onto a living recipient is a chaotic amalgamation that entails stitching millimeters-wide blood vessels and nerves with minuscule sutures.

In 2013, when Ray first went to Johns Hopkins, there was no precedent for such a transplant. Since then, only four patients have had one.

South African urologist Andre Van der Merwe completed the first-ever successful transplant in 2014, sewing a donor penis onto a 21-year-old whose own had turned gangrenous after a grisly circumcision. In 2016, doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital transplanted a donor organ onto 64-year-old Thomas Manning, who had lost his penis to cancer. A year later, Van der Merwe and his team at Tygerberg Academic Hospital in Cape Town repeated their procedure on a 41-year-old victim of another circumcision gone wrong. Ray became patient number four.

After getting off the phone with the nurse that Saturday afternoon, he went into action. With military precision, Ray called his parents, packed the items he would need, boarded his dog, and made his way to the hospital. He checked in, as requested, at 1:30 on Sunday morning. At 2 a.m. Monday, he lay anesthetized on an operating table. And 14 hours after that, Redett and his team had completed the procedure. It was the most extensive penis transplant ever performed, and the first for a military veteran anywhere in the world.

Ray had been a US Navy corpsman trudging through Afghanistan when Taliban fighters ambushed his squad in 2010. As he rushed to give first aid to a downed soldier, he stepped on a roadside bomb. I remember everything froze and I was upside down, he says. I remember thinking a quick thought: This isnt good. And then I was on my back. The butchers bill was steep: both of his legs up to and including the thigh were blasted off, along with his penis, his scrotum, and an upside-down-U-shaped chunk of his abdominal wall. Only a handful of people know the full extent of his injuries.

Two years later, while he was learning to walk on prosthetic legs, his urologist at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center referred him to the reconstructive surgery group at Johns Hopkins.

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At the time, Hopkins was a leader in vascularized composite allotransplantation, more commonly called VCA surgery. Its used in face, hand, armand penis transplants, taking multiple types of tissue from a donor and hooking up blood vessels and nerves so they work for the recipient. In December 2012, Hopkins surgeons completed their first bilateral arm transplant, on an infantryman who had lost both his arms and legs to a roadside bomb. If anyone could help Ray, it was these surgeons.

At their first meeting, Redett talked about phalloplasty, which didnt excite Ray much. He resolved to go through with it, thinking it was the only choice. Yet Redett soon changed course, deciding that Ray was a better candidate for a transplant.

In fact, it was probably the only surgical fix given the extent of the damage. Van der Merwe calls Rays procedure the most complex to date, largely because of the scope of his injury. To repair it, Hopkins doctors didnt just transplant the penis itself. They also transplanted the donors scrotum and extensive amounts of tissue from the thigh and lower abdomen.

When I heard they wanted to do it, I felt this huge sigh of relief, says Ray.

For him, it was almost either you do this transplant, or you live the rest of your life with your defect, Redett says.

Jared Soares

Ray, who is now in his mid-30s, is a thin man of average height, with touches of gray in his beard and a wobbly gait, a result of the prosthetics he now calls his legs. He hasnt discussed his surgery since April 2018, when he gave a short interview to the New York Times. But this March, one year after his surgery, he agreed to talk to me so long as MIT Technology Review protected his identity. (His name has been changed in this article.) He did so, he says, because he wants other veterans to know about their options.

And many others are affected. A total of 1,367 American infantrymen sustained significant genital injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan between 2001 and 2013. Such hidden wounds of war represent a relatively new problem. Bombs from below used to be a death sentence, but better body armor and modern casualty care ensure that more wounded soldiers surviveand more of them with devastating genital-urinary trauma. In a report last year, military urologists wrote that groin injuries have increased to a level never before reported in the history of war.

The US Department of Defense recognized the problem as long ago as 2008, when it set up an institute to research various reconstructive transplants. Eventually, the TOUGH ProjectTrauma Outcomes and Urogenital Healthplaced a figure on it: among infantrymen with genital urinary injuries from Iraq and Afghanistan, 502 were injured so severely that a penis transplant might be their only recourse.

Quantifying the number of such injuries is easy. Outlining the psychological toll they take on guys in their 20s and 30s is much harder.

Even those closest to the trauma, like Timothy Tausch, have to use anecdotes to explain. Hes an Army lieutenant colonel and director of trauma and male reconstructive urology at Walter Reed. As soon as they wake up, theyre not asking about where their legs are, he says. Theyre asking where the testicles and the penis are. You cant put a number on how significantly this affects one of these wounded warriors lives.

Yet some experts wonder if the procedure is really necessary. Kidney and heart transplants save lives, but someone who lost a penis isnt going to die without a new one. Getting one may even be inviting a different set of psychological issues. (It bears mentioning that a poorly documented transplant attempt happened in 2006 in China, but the 44-year-old recipient apparently demanded reversal after his wife panicked, shocked at the idea he had someone elses penis.) In the months following Rays surgery, Hiten Patel, a chief resident at the Johns Hopkins Brady Urological Institute, wrote that a penis transplant lacks both life-saving and life-enhancing properties when compared to a readily available alternative in phalloplasty.

Others argue that for young men devastated by their wounds a transplant is, in fact, both life-saving and life-enhancing. Suicide risk among US veterans is already high: one study found that those deployed between 2001 and 2007 were 41% more likely to take their lives than civilians. Ray himself entertained thoughts of suicide after his injury. The idea gradually faded once he realized he could have gone to war and died; instead he was alive, on the first step of a long climb back.

Even though we do a pretty good job with phalloplasty reconstruction, its still a quantum leap to put on a real penis, says Curtis Cetrulo, one of the surgeons who operated on Thomas Manning in 2016. Phalloplasty recipients, for example, may regain some erotic sensation, but they must use a pump to achieve an erection or have intercourse.

Ray wouldnt say the transplant saved his life, exactly, but it has improved it.

This surgery was a way for me to overcome that little subconscious voice or whatever it was that would always keep me feeling different from everyone else, he says. It was one of those injuries that really stresses you out and you think, Why would I keep going? I guess I always just kept this real hope that theres an answer out there.

Several hours before the hospital contacted Ray, Richard Redett had received a phone call of his own. He had gotten it enough times before to know the words by heart: We may have a donor.

Usually such calls were dead ends: the potential transplant almost never met Redetts strict criteria. For Rays surgery to stand a chance, the donor had to be a young, healthy guy; the organ had to be a good color match and average in size; and, crucially, it had to be no more than two hours away, so that once it had been removed from the donors brain-dead but still living body, it could be brought to Johns Hopkins before it started decaying.

If you do an arm transplant, we know exactly how long that will hold up on ice. But nobody really knows that for a penis, he says.

I remember everything froze and I was upside down.

This particular call on that Saturday in March was more promising. There was a brain-dead patient nearby who was donating his organs, including his penis. Over a rapid string of conversations, Redett evaluated the patients medical history and determined when his team could get there. By the afternoon, Redett knew he had his donor.

Still, no doctor had ever worked with a graft as large as the one Ray required. To transplant a penis, you need the two dorsal arteries and the two dorsal veins from the donor. Fortunately, Rays two penis nerves were intact. But to transplant the abdominal wall and scrotum, even more veins are necessary. Fail to take those, and the new scrotum and abdominal tissue will die, along with much of the skin of the penis.

Over five years, Redett and his team had deciphered the topography of penis transplantation with cadavers and food coloring. It was basically a grand perfusion experiment: inject dye into the blood vessels of a dead man, and watch for blush on the skin to know which vessels are required as part of the transplant. We were injecting every blood vessel we could find down in the region with blue and red food color, he says. We just needed to know which vessels, and we needed to get very quick, very efficient, and very safe. We knew this had the potential to be a very long operation.

On the Sunday afternoon, his team boarded a chartered jet to meet their donor (the donors identity and the state hes from cant be disclosed). At 6 p.m., they entered the procurement room. Other doctors and medical staff, 25 in all, were there grabbing solid organs: lungs, heart, kidneys, liver. Its a bloody choreography, finding your place in an organ procurement. Redett and his team sliced into and isolated the lower abdominal wall, thigh tissue, scrotum, and penis, dissected out the requisite arteries and veins, and let the other doctors take what organs they needed before finishing.

Once they had removed and packed Rays graft, nothing else mattered except speed. Bodily tissue begins to break down the instant its deprived of blood. If enough toxins are released, the tissue can swell so much it asphyxiates. Its why you throw transplants on ice, as Redetts crew did for their Learjet flight back to Baltimoreit delays the breakdown process.

Its also why surgeons train, practice, and visualize their maneuvers. Redetts team had already run dry rehearsals of their procedure. In the operating room, they had set up the table where Ray would lie, figured out where the ice machine went, placed the optical microscope Redett would use, and even tested every power outlet to make sure they wouldnt short a circuit.

As the team ate snacks from their go-bags on the plane back to Hopkins, other surgeons wheeled Ray into the operating theater. By this time it was 11 p.m. on Sunday, almost 24 hours after he had arrived at the hospital. They prepared him by removing all the diseased tissue and exposing the blood vessels, nerves, urethra, and penile stump. At 2 a.m. Monday, Redett and his fellow surgeons took their placessome standing above Ray, the rest tending to the graft at another tableand steeled themselves. The gravity of his mission consumed Redetts thoughts.

We felt very confident we could do it, but we had never done it, he says. If youre not anxious for something like that, youre not thinking hard enough.

In the Johns Hopkins operating room, a surgical microscope with a craned neck like a brachiosaurus magnified the view by up to 20 times, enabling Redett to see the very tip of the needle-point instruments that hold the sutures for stitching together vessels barely two millimeters thick.

The threads are smaller than a human hair, he says. Unless youre under a scope, you cant really even see it.

They began by sewing Rays urethra onto the donors. Then came the arteries and veins that bring blood to the skin of the abdominal wall, scrotum, and penis shaft. Next they sutured Rays penile nerves, which were buried deep underneath his pelvic bone, to the nerves of the donor penis. Finally, Redetts team stitched together the skin.

You know how to do it, but until that last blood vessel is hooked up and you release the clamps and blood flows through itI mean, thats a huge sigh of relief, says Redett.

A kidney transplant usually takes three hours. The first penis transplant surgery in 2014 took nine. Redetts team needed an additional five hours to complete Rays transplant. In a surgery that long, doctors are allowed to take bathroom breaks, and even slug some coffee. Redett did neither.

Ray's first memory after he came out of the anesthesia was the heat. His room was warm to help keep his transplant at body temperature. It wasnt until two days later that Ray looked down and saw his new penis for the first time.

It was swollen and still had a lot of healing to do, he says. In the back of your mind, you know this is a transplant, and you wonder if its going to be too much for you to handle. Once I went through with the surgery, all of those concerns just went away.

The surgery wasnt just technically complex; it also required weighing various ethical questions. For example: if they were giving Ray a scrotum, should they give him testicles too? The answer was no: transferring sperm-generating tissue might have made it possible for Ray to have the donors genetic kids. (In the end, the donor had not given consent to use his sperm.)

Another matter was the prospect of lifelong immunosuppression. In penis transplant surgeries, its critical: Van der Merwe had to cut off half of the penis he transplanted in 2014 because the patient stopped taking his medication and rejection set in.

The world is not designed for a guy like me, says Ray.

The team came up with a novel answer to this problem. In a procedure spearheaded by Gerald Brandacher, scientific director of the reconstructive transplantation program at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, bone marrow and stem cells from the donors vertebral bones were isolated in the lab. Two weeks after his transplant, Ray was injected with a large amount of the donors bone marrow cells.

In organ transplants of any type, recipients are typically given a cocktail of immunosuppressant drugs every day. Ray, on the other hand, requires just one pill.

Its kind of like reeducating the immune system, says Brandacher. It allows us to minimize the need for immunosuppression but not completely stop it.

Minimizing the drugs needed after a transplant, in fact, may be what really got the US military interested in surgery like Rays. Immunosuppressants ensure that the body doesnt attack a new organ, but they also weaken the immune system and can lead to toxic complications like kidney failure. For a heart or lung, the trade-off is obvious: immune problems versus death. For a penis, the question is more muddled.

If we can get to a point where we have therapy that doesnt require that level of toxicity, the calculus changes completely, says Lloyd Rose, a former program manager for rehabilitative medicine research in the US Army. Then a transplant can become a surgery for anybody whos missing a hand or a foot or a face or a penisor anything.

If vets with transplants have to take fewer pills, it means fewer complications as they get older, and an easier life. It also saves the government money in the long term. The issue is so important to the military that the $12 million Congress appropriates each year for the Armed Forces Institute of Regenerative Medicine is now spent primarily on immunosuppressive researchnot on paying for things like penis transplants.

On a hot afternoon last April, a year after his surgery, I met Ray for the first time. He balanced his modest frame on his partmetal, part-polymer prosthetic legs, and in his left hand he carried a cane. Even with the support, he picked his way gingerly along the sidewalks until we made our way over to a public bench near a coffee shop.

When I got hurt, one thing I did realize is that the world is not designed for a guy like me, being blown up, he told me matter- of-factly. I knew then I would have to change myself to fit the world.

While he doesnt hide his prosthetics when we met, he wore gym shortshis unseen injury still causes him some consternation. Its not that he hasnt accepted his new penis. On the contrary, Ray doesnt seem to think about it as a donor organ at all. Its just that so few people know what happened to him, and hes not quite ready, and may never be ready, to identify himself.

It may not necessarily be that people are going to say bad things about it, he says. But its just one of those things. Its a private thing.

Jared Soares

Still, those around him recognized a change. A close friend of Rays, one of the few who know, says she noticed a little boost following the procedure. It was such a profound wound, there was a no-light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel kind of feeling, she says. Now hes much more confident Its this feeling of being whole again.

In some ways, Ray is still figuring out how his transplanted organ will shape the contours of his life. Hes not dating at the moment, and knowing that he cant be a biological father, he wonders if that will deter women who may want to start a family.

In other ways, the surgery has made a huge difference to his daily emotional state. Hes more outgoing, less afraid to meet new people, and more fit, mentally and physically, piecing back together a life interrupted. Important questionssuch as whether hes able to pee standing up (he can), whether he gets erections (he does)already have answers.

He told me, which was the best news I could hear, that it feels normal, says Redett.

It took six months before the nerves of his transplanted penis started firing. Stitching nerves together isnt like splicing a wire; a nerve cells axons, the long threads along which impulses are sent from one cell to another, have to grow all the way out to the organ theyre supplying. Now, more than a year removed from surgery, those nerve signals have grown only stronger. Im still getting sensation back. Its pretty close, Ray says. This is not going to be a quick fix, but Ive seen improvement over time.

Where penis transplant surgery for wounded veterans goes is still up in the air. South Africas Van der Merwe, the originator of the transplant, says the VCA procedure itself is now proven; its future depends on other matters. Theres the problem of who pays, and of finding appropriate donors. And then theres the immunosuppression issue that the military is trying to solve.

The risks of immunosuppression in many peoples minds also outweigh the benefit of doing an arm, or a face, or a genital transplant, Redett says. We disagree, but that will slow down progress.

Ray barely blinked when I asked him some of these questions at our second meeting, in July. Dealing with immunosuppression, he says, is easy: he takes a pill and washes his hands frequently. Guys who need it and can handle it, he says, should get a transplant. He feels no ambivalence about that phone call, when doctors told him they were ready to sew on the donor penis for which he had waited five years.

I dont regret it, Ray says. It was one of the best decisions I ever made.

Andrew Zaleski, a writer based near Washington, DC, covers science, technology, and business.

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Meet the wounded veteran who got a penis transplant - MIT Technology Review

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Meet the wounded veteran who got a penis transplant – MIT Technology Review | October 15th, 2019

The members of the British royal family are always in the public eye. They cant blow their noses without people hearing about it. But with so much attention, comes even more scrutiny.

The royals are under pressure to be perfect at all times. Every move they make is photographed by the paparazzi and the public isunforgiving. Even after they gave birth, people expected both Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton to be back to their normal thin frames in a matter of days.

When celebrities are feeling the pressure to keep up appearances, many of them seek out plastic surgery procedures. Does the royal family do the same?

For many people, the Duchess of Cambridge is the epitome of style and grace. Youd be hardpressed to find a photo of Middleton looking less than perfect. Because of this, people have often wondered if the future Queen Consort has had any work done.

Earlier this year, Dr. Munir Somji of Dr. Medi Spa Clinic in London claimed that Middleton was one of his clients.

He shared before and after pictures of the Duchess on his Instagram.

Our Kate loves a bit of baby Botox, he wrote under the photos, which have since been deleted.

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The Duchess of Cambridge, Patron of the @Natural_History_Museum, visited the Angela Marmont Centre for UK Biodiversity to hear how it is championing and helping to protect UK wildlife. The Angela Marmont Centre (AMC) is a unique scientific hub located in the Natural History Museum, and is dedicated to the study of the UKs natural world. The AMC helps public visitors identify their finds, provides vital training in wildlife identification, and leads research and citizen science projects that are helping to transform our understanding of over 80,000 species of wildlife known to exist in the UK today. With populations of many UK species declining, and a significant proportion threatened with local extinction, the AMC brings together a host of individuals and organisations all dedicated to building understanding of the UKs wildlife, so that it can be better protected for future generations. AMC staff work with colleagues from across the Natural History Museum to carry out a range of scientific research to study how and why the UKs wildlife is changing. This ranges from applying ground-breaking scientific techniques, including analysis of environmental DNA through to detecting and identify the miniscule insects and microorganisms that play an important role in healthy environments. At the AMC today The Duchess viewed some of the Museums specimens and saw DNA sequencing live in action.

A post shared by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on Oct 9, 2019 at 5:20am PDT

Note the reduction of fine lines on the forehead, he continued. But also note the depression of the medial (middle part) brow but elevation of the lateral tail of the brow.

So many people started believing the rumor that Kensington Palace gave a statement to the New York Post.

A spokesperson for the palace said that the post by Dr. Somji was categorically not true and in addition, The Royal Family never endorse commercial activity.

One royal who has been open about the procedures shes had done is the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson.

Ive had a lot of help to look like this at 60! she said in an interview withDaily Mail.

Ive started the laser treatment, but its not finished yet, she continued. The collagen needs to rebuild. I hope it will all be done by my birthday.

She also had this treatment before her daughter, Princess Eugenies, wedding last year. The procedure was done by Dr. Gabriela Mercik in a facility in London.

I dont like the frozen look, Ferguson said of why she chooses more natural procedures. Im so animated and I like to be myself. I dont like the thought of needles and am very glad if I look well and happy Im really happy to be open about what Ive had done.

Originally, the Duchess tried botox but has since switched to less invasive procedures, like her most recent treatment which refines the skins texture.

Shes also had mesotherapy, which is a non-surgical cosmetic treatment.

I need to repair the damage that was done on the beach when I was a child, she continued. Its why I had the mesotherapy, the vitamin cocktail to hydrate and boost the skin.

Not only does Ferguson get work done on her face, but she makes sure her feet are perfect as well!

I think my toes were ruined by all the riding I did when I was young, she said. They shaved the bone here. And implanted stem cells, 20 million of them taken from my midriff, into my feet to make new cartilage. It takes about six months to heal but now I can walk in heels!

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Which Plastic Surgery Procedures Have Members of the Royal Family Had Done? - Showbiz Cheat Sheet

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CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AVROBIO, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVRO) (the Company) today announced that the first patient has been dosed in the Companys AVR-RD-04 investigational gene therapy program for cystinosis, a devastating lysosomal storage disease, in an ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trial sponsored by academic collaborators at the University of California San Diego. The gene therapy is derived from the patients own hematopoietic stem cells, which are genetically modified to produce functional cystinosin, a crucial protein that patients with cystinosis lack.

The trial will enroll up to six patients with cystinosis, a rare inherited disease caused by a defect in the gene that encodes for cystinosin. The cystinosin protein enables transport of the amino acid cystine out of lysosomes. When it is absent, cystine accumulates and crystalizes, causing progressive damage to the kidneys, liver, muscles, eyes and other organs and tissues. Cystinosis affects both children and adults; they face shortened life spans and often painful symptoms, including muscle wasting, difficulty breathing, blindness and kidney failure.

Cystinosis is a debilitating and progressive disease, and new treatment options are sorely needed. The current standard of care does not avert deterioration; at best, it can attenuate symptoms. Thats why gene therapy is particularly exciting: It has the potential to change the course of disease -- and the lives of patients -- by addressing the underlying cause of cystinosis, said Birgitte Volck, MD, PhD, President of Research and Development at AVROBIO. We believe we can engineer patients own stem cells so they sustainably produce the functional protein that is needed to prevent a toxic buildup of cystine and halt progression of the disease. We are so pleased that this investigational gene therapy is now in the clinic in collaboration with Dr. Stephanie Cherqui at UC San Diego.

The single-arm trial will enroll four adults and a potential follow-on cohort of two adults or adolescents at least 14 years of age who are currently being treated with cysteamine, the standard of care for cystinosis. If started at an early age and taken on a strict dosing schedule, cysteamine can delay kidney failure. However, the treatment regimen is highly burdensome, with side effects that can be severe and unpleasant, and many patients find it difficult to adhere to this treatment regimen. Even if compliance is high, cysteamine therapy cannot prevent kidney failure or avert other complications.

For people with cystinosis, there are no healthy days. They must take dozens of pills a day, around the clock, just to stay alive. It is a relentless disease and we urgently need new treatments, said Nancy J. Stack, President of the Cystinosis Research Foundation, which supported development of the gene therapy with more than $5.4 million in grants to Dr. Cherquis lab at UC San Diego. We believe that we are now an important step closer to the potential cure that our community has been working toward for many years.

The trials primary endpoints are safety and tolerability, assessed for up to two years after treatment, as well as efficacy, as assessed by cystine levels in white blood cells. Secondary endpoints to assess efficacy include changes in cystine levels in the blood, intestinal mucosa and skin and cystine crystal counts in the eye and skin. Efficacy will also be evaluated through clinical tests of kidney function, vision, muscle strength, pulmonary function and neurological and psychometric function, as well as through assessments of participants quality of life after treatment. The trial is funded by grants to UC San Diego from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) as well as the Cystinosis Research Foundation.

This investigational gene therapy starts with the patients own stem cells, which are genetically modified so that their daughter cells can produce and deliver functional cystinosin to cells throughout the body. With this approach we aim to prevent the abnormal accumulation of cystine that causes so many devastating complications, said Stephanie Cherqui, PhD, an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at UC San Diego School of Medicine, and consultant to AVROBIO. We have been working toward this trial for years and we are grateful for all the support that brought us to this moment.

About AVR-RD-04

AVR-RD-04 is a lentiviral-based gene therapy designed to potentially halt the progression of cystinosis with a single dose of the patients own hematopoietic stem cells. The stem cells are genetically modified so they can produce functional cystinosin with the aim of substantially reducing levels of cystine in cells throughout the patients body. Before the infusion of the cells, patients undergo personalized conditioning with busulfan to enable the cells to permanently engraft. The Phase 1/2 clinical trial is being conducted under the name CTNS-RD-04 by AVROBIOs academic collaborators at the University of California, San Diego.

About Cystinosis

Cystinosis is a rare, inherited lysosomal storage disorder characterized by the accumulation of cystine in all the cells of the body, resulting in serious and potentially fatal damage to multiple organs and tissues and the shortening of patients life spans. The kidneys and eyes are especially vulnerable; more than 90% of untreated patients require a kidney transplant before age 20. An estimated 1 in 170,000 people are diagnosed with cystinosis.

About AVROBIO, Inc.

AVROBIO, Inc. is a leading, Phase 2 gene therapy company focused on the development of its investigational gene therapy, AVR-RD-01, in Fabry disease, as well as additional gene therapy programs in other lysosomal storage disorders including Gaucher disease, cystinosis and Pompe disease. The Companys plato platform includes a proprietary vector system, automated cell manufacturing solution and a personalized conditioning regimen deploying state-of-the-art precision dosing. AVROBIO is headquartered in Cambridge, MA and has offices in Toronto, ON. For additional information, visit http://www.avrobio.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by words such as aims, anticipates, believes, could, estimates, expects, forecasts, goal, intends, may, plans, possible, potential, seeks, will and variations of these words or similar expressions that are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the therapeutic potential of our product candidates, the design, commencement, enrollment and timing of ongoing or planned clinical trials, including the ongoing Phase 1/2 trial of the Companys AVR-RD-04 investigational gene therapy, the anticipated benefits of our gene therapy platform, the expected safety profile of our product candidates, timing and likelihood of success of our current or future product candidates, and the market opportunity for our product candidates. Any such statements in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Results in preclinical or early stage clinical trials may not be indicative of results from later stage or larger scale clinical trials and do not ensure regulatory approval. You should not place undue reliance on these statements, or the scientific data presented.

Any forward-looking statements in this press release are based on AVROBIOs current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry as well as managements current beliefs and expectations of future events only as of today and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those set forth in or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risk that any one or more of AVROBIOs product candidates will not be successfully developed or commercialized, the risk of cessation or delay of any ongoing or planned clinical trials of AVROBIO or our collaborators, the risk that AVROBIO may not realize the intended benefits of our gene therapy platform, including the features of our plato platform, the risk that our product candidates or procedures in connection with the administration thereof will not have the safety or efficacy profile that we anticipate, the risk that prior results, such as signals of safety, activity or durability of effect, observed from preclinical or clinical trials, will not be replicated or will not continue in ongoing or future studies or trials involving AVROBIOs product candidates, the risk that we will be unable to obtain and maintain regulatory approval for our product candidates, the risk that the size and growth potential of the market for our product candidates will not materialize as expected, risks associated with our dependence on third-party suppliers and manufacturers, risks regarding the accuracy of our estimates of expenses and future revenue, risks relating to our capital requirements and needs for additional financing, and risks relating to our ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for our product candidates. For a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties, and other important factors, any of which could cause AVROBIOs actual results to differ materially and adversely from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see the section entitled Risk Factors in AVROBIOs most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as discussions of potential risks, uncertainties and other important factors in AVROBIOs subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. AVROBIO explicitly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except to the extent required by law.

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AVROBIO Announces First Patient Dosed in Phase 1/2 Trial of Gene Therapy for Cystinosis - Business Wire

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Its hard to study the human brain. It is the most complex in the animal kingdom with its massive collection of neurons, 80-100 billion to be exact, three times more than chimpanzees. Research relating our brains to the brains of mice and monkeys can only go so far. And because of this complexity, scientists often came up short when studying diseases such as schizophrenia, autism, and Alzheimers in the brains of monkeys and mice.

Enter minibrains.

Minibrains are small clusters of human brain cells that can be grown in a Petri dish. Floating through the agar, these small gray lumps dont look particularly impressive, but they are allowing scientists to study actual living human brain tissue in ways they couldnt before.

Minibrains may look just like pea-sized gray globules, but once they started producing brainwaves, they received a lot of attention.

Growing these minibrains gives scientists a chance to study a host of psychological issues and diseases, and perhaps make advancements that they would not have made previously. Minibrains will even be sent to space to study how the human brain develops in zero-G.

But then came the surprise. These lab-grown brains started producing brainwaves.

These brainwaves, equivalent to brain wave patterns in a pre-term infant, were seen by a group of researchers at the University of California San Diego. They reported in a recent paper in Cell Stem Cell that these minibrains began showing neural activity after two months, and in four to six months, they reached levels of neural activity never before seen in a lab. At ten months, they were equivalent to pre-term babies, complete with lulls and flutters of activity.

Dan Zhang, a 4th year MD, PhD student, examines minibrains through a microscope. (Photo by Jessica Kourkounis for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Minibrains are created by using stem cells, in this case, human skin cells. When stem cells are placed in a conducive environment, they can develop into any organ.

But minibrains are still a far cry from a full human brain. To develop into a mature brain, these minibrains would need to communicate with other areas of a larger brain and have some sort of connection with the outside world. But this might not be far off. Already, scientists have given minibrains retinal cells so they can sense light.

While some note that these minibrains are nowhere near real human brains, others begin to feel uneasy at seeing this neural activity. What does it mean? In this quickly developing field, how soon will these minibrains develop even further? There is an ethical code when dealing with animals in the lab - should this code apply to minibrains too? Could they one day feel pain, have memories, or even become self-aware?

There is now a need for clear guidelines for research, says Dr. Nita Farahany and collaborators in a 2018 Letter to Nature. They point out that as research develops and these minibrains become more advanced, it is less far-fetched to believe that one day these minibrains might have some sort of sentience or feelings such as pleasure or pain. The benefits of minibrain research are promising, but they caution, to ensure the success and social acceptance of this research long term, an ethical framework must be forged now, while brain surrogates remain in the early stages of development.

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Minibrains Grown In The Laboratory Produce Brainwaves. Now What? - Forbes

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Minibrains Grown In The Laboratory Produce Brainwaves. Now What? – Forbes | October 12th, 2019

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Ahead of her 60th birthday on TuesdaySarah Fergusonhas opened up about her cosmetic treatments at the hands of her friendDr.GabrielaMercik- an aesthetician who has given her everything from laser facelifts to organic fillers.

In a candid interview with the Daily Mail, Ferguson and Mercik talked about thecosmetic procedures the Duchess of York has had done over the years,with Ferguson revealing she was Mercik'sguinea pig with new treatments.

The pair spoke to The Daily Mail about their close relationship, as well as Fergusons history with both invasive and non-invasive procedures including botox, mesotherapy and even stem cell therapy - specifically for Fergusons feet.

Sarah Ferguson in October 2019 (Getty Images for BFI)

Ferguson said she was comfortable talking about her treatments, sayingIm really happy to be open about what Ive had done.

Sarah Ferguson in 2010 (Getty Images)

Ferguson revealed in the interview that she used to get Botox, however as technology has advanced shes opted to move away from it. She explained, I had Botox a long time ago when there was nothing else available.

With her aesthetician calling it passe now, Ferguson added, I really dont like the frozen look. Im so animated and I like to be myself. I dont like the thought of needles and am very glad if I look well and happy.

Botox is a cosmetic procedure which is designed to help diminish wrinkles and fine lines, by injecting a chemical solution with a micro needle into specific target areas.

Sarah Ferguson in 2019 (PA)

It was revealed in the Daily Mail that Ferguson started getting mesotherapy in 2013, though she has since moved away from it in favour of other treatments.

Ferguson said that she had chosen mesotherapy to tackle sun damage, saying, I need to repair the damage that was done on the beach when I was a child. Its why I had the mesotherapy, the vitamin cocktail to hydrate and boost the skin.

According to HealthLine, mesotherapy involvesinjecting a mixture of vitamins, enzymes, hormones, and plant extracts. Designed to tighten skin and rejuvenate it, it also removes excess fat and is used by people to do everything from reduce cellulite, diminish wrinkles and tighten loose skin.

HealthLine continues, The technique uses very fine needles to deliver a series of injections into the middle layer (mesoderm) of skin. The idea behind mesotherapy is that it corrects underlying issues like poor circulation and inflammation that cause skin damage.

(Getty Images for GFI)

Following this, Ferguson chose to move onto organic fillers.

Face fillers are designed to both fade wrinkles as well as plump up parts of your face that you want to add volume to. In the case of Fergusons, hers were organic and were described as being non-invasive injectables.

Sarah Ferguson in 2017 (Getty Images)

One of Fergusons more unusual facial procedures involved something called a thread lift. She explained, Before I had it done I thought,Oh this is going to be painful, but it wasnt bad. My skin responded well. I think if you look at photos of me after I had it done, I look much better.

However, Mercik added that Ferguson had since swapped the threads for laser because its non-invasive.

Both Ferguson and Mercik explained what a thread lift involves. Patients have medical threads inserted into the skin to create a supportive mesh that pulls the face upwards - with the threads dissolving after 6-8 months and results lasting two years.

Ferguson explained, Its like garden trellising for sweet peas. You insert the threads under the skin with a fine needle and they hold everything up. They also encourage collagen production. It takes a couple of months, then the sweet peas bloom!

Mercik went into more technical details, explaining, We inserted nano peptides (synthetic growth factors) under the skin which, with the synthetic threads, stimulate collagen production.

Sarah Ferguson at Princess Eugenie's wedding (Getty Images)

Sarah Ferguson revealed that she personally swears by Merciks 6-Dimension Ultimate Laser Treatment facelift. Revealing to the Daily Mail that she much prefers it to Botox, Ferguson explained that she had actually had it done by Mercik prior to her daughter Princess Eugenies wedding.

She explained, Above all, it was being joyful for Eugenie that made me look good. But Id had some laser treatment on my face which helped, too.

She also added that she was undergoing it at the moment, ahead of her birthday on Tuesday. She said, Ive started the laser treatment, but its not finished yet. The collagen needs to rebuild. I hope it will all be done by my birthday.

Merciks laser facelift is non-invasive, pain-free, involves no recovery time and accomplished in no more than 90 minutes. It reportedly helps promote the skins natural production of youth-restoring collagen and is said to continue the work as the weeks pass.

Following a sunscreen-averse childhood (which involved Fergusons mother thinking Nivea moisturiser was sunscreen), Ferguson revealed that she was now very careful about preventing sun damage now - especially after her father and best friend died of skin cancer. She explained, It made me realise you have to look after your skin just as much as your other organs. It isnt just about aesthetics. We have to think about our skin health.

Thats why I dont go in the sun now, she continued. The tan I have is out of a bottle. Fake.

One of Fergusons more recent procedures includes a trip off to the Bahamas, which saw her undergo stem cell therapy to improve her feet. She explained, I think my toes were ruined by all the riding I did when I was young. They shaved the bone here and implanted stem cells 20 million of them taken from my midriff into my feet to make new cartilage.

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Sarah Ferguson opens up about years of plastic surgery from Botox to fillers to stem cell therapy - Evening Standard

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(Image: Four Seasons) By Chloe Pek October 11, 2019

Need a different type of getaway? From DNA and blood testing to harvesting your own stem cells, these facilities might make you want to forgo your usual spa retreats

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With so many resorts offering customised retreats tailored to every individual, today's well-travelled spa-goers are no longer satisfied with one-size-fits-all programmes. But beyond personalising activities and treatments to your fitness goals, these destinations are taking bespoke programmes to the next levelones that look into your genetic makeup and medical health to "biohack" your way to beauty and wellness.

(Related: The Tatler 10: Asia's Top Wellness Retreats)

Surrounded by the tropical rainforest in Nusa Dua, south Bali, Revivo Wellness Resort is an intimate retreat that offers 16 Balinese-style suites within three villas. The resort offers a regular schedule of three-day immersive programmes depending on individual goals, from relaxation to weight loss, as well as bespoke retreat programmes. And if you would like to take the personalisation to the next level, Revivo offers three DNA-centric plans that you can add to your programme.

In collaboration with DNA test provider GenePlanet, the Nutrifit and Nutrifit Premium plans offer individually tailored nutritional advice and lifestyle plans, based on your unique DNA makeup. Youll also return with a comprehensive report with analysis from up to 58 different DNA tests to facilitate your wellness goals. Beauty junkies can opt for the Nutriskin plan, which advises on skincare rituals, cosmetics, and diets to achieve optimum skin health.

revivoresorts.com

Surrounded by tropical gardens and white-sand beaches on Mexicos beautiful Riviera Nayarit, the newly renovated Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita offers guest rooms and suites, as well as private beach-front retreats for travellers. Besides a breathtaking oceanside golf-course, the resort also boasts the award-winning Apuane Spa, offering everything from signature massages to holistic therapies.

It is also the only spa in Four Seasons collection that offers DNA testing. Based on results from a simple cheek swab, wellness curators at the resort will create a custom programme that is tailored to your fitness goals and optimal for your genetic makeup, with recommendations to improve your health and diet.

fourseasons.com

(Related: 5 Women's Only Retreats For The Solo Female Traveller)

A preventive health and anti-ageing clinic in Switzerland, Nescens Clinique de Genolier is a luxury destination for medical tourists, overlooking Lake Geneva and the Alps. Programmes include La Cure Nescens, targetted at weight loss; Better-Aging Program which targets lifestyle issues like weight loss, fitness, detox and stress through spa treatments; and the new Nescens Stem Cell Advanced Program, which harnesses your own stem cells to combat signs of ageing.

The programme comprises a very in-depth check-up that includes physical examination, laboratory tests, diagnostic imaging, and cardiology to detect any underlying conditions. Then, following medical consultations with the specialists, a plastic surgeon will extract lipid content via liposuction. Your own stem cells are then separated and re-injected into problem areas together with lipofilling and hydrating mask treatments, to stimulate collagen production and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

nescens.com

Tucked in a secluded cove by the Caribbean sea, BodyHoliday Saint Lucia is an all-inclusive fitness and spa resort that offers an extensive collection of wellness amenities, including an Ayurvedic temple, wellness centre, freshwater pools, fitness studios, as well as a BodyScience Clinic.

The clinics BodyScience Plus programme offers an in-depth analysis that begins prior to your arrival, requiring guests to complete an online health survey, DNA tests, and other diagnostics recommended by the clinics doctors, such as blood and urine tests. When you arrive, you will receive a personalised plan that will include Ayurvedic meals, a schedule of activities such as yoga, personal training or meditating, and also spa treatments. The programmes are specific to various wellness goals such as digestive health, weight loss, detox, destress and more.

thebodyholiday.com

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Biohack Your Way To Beauty And Health Using Your DNA And Stem Cells At These Wellness Retreats Around The World - Singapore Tatler

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This article, written byKatharine Sedivy-Haley, University of British Columbia, originally appeared on The Conversation and is republished here with permission:

When I was applying to graduate school in 2012, it felt like stem cells were about to revolutionize medicine.

Stem cells have the ability to renew themselves, and mature into specialized cells like heart or brain cells. This allows them to multiply and repair damage.

If stem cell genes are edited to fix defects causing diseases like anemia or immune deficiency, healthy cells can theoretically be reintroduced into a patient, thereby eliminating or preventing a disease. If these stem cells are taken or made from the patient themselves, they are a perfect genetic match for that individual, which means their body will not reject the tissue transplant.

Because of this potential, I was excited that my PhD project at the University of British Columbia gave me the opportunity to work with stem cells.

However, stem cell hype has led some to pay thousands of dollars on advertised stem cell treatments that promise to cure ailments from arthritis to Parkinsons disease. These treatments often dont help and may harm patients.

Despite the potential for stem cells to improve medicine, there are many challenges as they move from lab to clinic. In general, stem cell treatment requires we have a good understanding of stem cell types and how they mature. We also need stem cell culturing methods that will reliably produce large quantities of pure cells. And we need to figure out the correct cell dose and deliver it to the right part of the body.

Embryonic, 'induced and pluripotent

Stem cells come in multiple types. Embryonic stem cells come from embryos which makes them controversial to obtain.

A newly discovered stem cell type is the induced pluripotent stem cell. These cells are created by collecting adult cells, such as skin cells, and reprogramming them by inserting control genes which activate or induce a state similar to embryonic stem cells. This embryo-like state of having the versatile potential to turn into any adult cell type, is called being pluripotent.

However, induced pluripotent and embryonic stem cells can form tumours. Induced pluripotent stem cells carry a particularly high risk of harmful mutation and cancer because of their genetic instability and changes introduced during reprogramming.

Genetic damage could be avoided by using younger tissues such as umbilical cord blood, avoiding tissues that might contain pre-existing mutations (like sun-damaged skin cells), and using better methods for reprogramming.

Stem cells used to test drugs

For now, safety concerns mean pluripotent cells have barely made it to the clinic, but they have been used to test drugs.

For drug research, it is valuable yet often difficult to get research samples with specific disease-causing mutations; for example, brain cells from people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Researchers can, however, take a skin cell sample from a patient, create an induced pluripotent stem-cell line with their mutation and then make neurons out of those stem cells. This provides a renewable source of cells affected by the disease.

This approach could also be used for personalized medicine, testing how a particular patient will respond to different drugs for conditions like heart disease.

Vision loss from fat stem cells

Stem cells can also be found in adults. While embryonic stem cells can turn into any cell in the body, aside from rare newly discovered exceptions, adult stem cells mostly turn into a subset of mature adult cells.

For example, hematopoietic stem cells in blood and bone marrow can turn into any blood cell and are widely used in treating certain cancers and blood disorders.

A major challenge with adult stem cells is getting the right kind of stem cell in useful quantities. This is particularly difficult with eye and nerve cells. Most research is done with accessible stem cell types, like stem cells from fat.

Fat stem cells are also used in stem cell clinics without proper oversight or safety testing. Three patients experienced severe vision loss after having these cells injected into their eyes. There is little evidence that fat stem cells can turn into retinal cells.

Clinical complications

Currently, stem cell based treatments are still mostly experimental, and while some results are encouraging, several clinical trials have failed.

In the brain, despite progress in developing treatment for genetic disorders and spinal cord injury, treatments for stroke have been unsuccessful. Results might depend on method of stem cell delivery, timing of treatment and age and health of the patient. Frustratingly, older and sicker tissues may be more resistant to treatment.

For eye conditions, a treatment using adult stem cells to treat corneal injuries has recently been approved. A treatment for macular degeneration using cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells is in progress, though it had to be redesigned due to concerns about cancer-causing mutations.

A path of cautious optimism

While scientists have good reason to be interested in stem cells, miracle cures are not right around the corner. There are many questions about how to implement treatments to provide benefit safely.

In some cases, advertised stem cell treatments may not actually use stem cells. Recent research suggests mesenchymal stem cells, which are commonly isolated from fat, are really a mixture of cells. These cells have regenerative properties, but may or may not include actual stem cells. Calling something a stem cell treatment is great marketing, but without regulation patients dont know what theyre getting.

Members of the public (and grad students) are advised to moderate their excitement in favour of cautious optimism.

Katharine Sedivy-Haley, PhD Candidate in Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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BEYOND LOCAL: Expert recommends 'path of cautious optimism' about the future of stem cell treatment - ElliotLakeToday.com

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New York (AFP)

Creating meat from cells is no longer the realm of science fiction: a Russian cosmonaut did it aboard the International Space Station, and it is just a matter of time before these products arrive in supermarkets.

Tests carried out in space in September led to the production of beef, rabbit and fish tissue using a 3D printer.

This new technology "could make long-term travel possible and renew space exploration," to Mars for example, said Didier Toubia, the head of the Israeli startup Aleph Farms, which provided cells for the tests.

"But our goal is to sell meat on Earth," he told AFP.

The idea "is not to replace traditional agriculture," he said. "It's about being a better alternative to factory farming."

- What's in a name? -

The first burger designed with cow stem cells was made by Mark Post, a Dutch scientist from Maastricht University, and presented in 2013. Several startups have since taken to the niche market.

The cost of production is still very high, and none of the products are available for sale.

The name for the meat products is still up for debate: laboratory, artificial, cell-based, cultivated.

But tastings have already taken place, and industry players are banking on small-scale commercialization taking place fairly quickly.

"It is likely to be this year," Josh Tetrick, the head of California's JUST company, which is growing meat from cells, said at a conference in San Francisco.

"Not on the market in four thousand Walmarts or in all McDonald's, but in a handful of restaurants," Tetrick said.

"The question is what do you want to put out at what cost," said Niya Gupta, founder and CEO of Fork & Goode, which is growing meat from cells in New York.

"As an industry, we are finally making progress on the science. The next step is really making progress on the engineering challenges."

The arrival of laboratory-grown meat on supermarket shelves at reasonable prices could happen in five to 20 years, according to estimates.

But it would need more investment, according to several observers. The sector attracted a total of only $73 million in 2018, according to The Good Food Institute, an organization promoting alternatives to meat and fish.

Another obstacle is regulation, which remains imprecise.

In the United States, for example, the government outlined a regulatory framework that shared oversight of cell-based foods between the Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration, but it is not yet finalized.

- Labeling -

For supporters, cell-based meat and fish products can transform the production system sustainably by avoiding the raising and killing of animals.

However, questions remain about the real environmental impact, particularly in terms of energy consumption, as well as about safety.

But "the market opportunity is enormous, especially for seafood," said Lou Cooperhouse, the CEO of startup BlueNalu.

"Global demand in the world is at an all-time high," he said of seafood, but "we have a supply problem" with overfishing, climate change and a very variable supply, coupled with "an issue with the supply itself" with, for example, the presence of mercury in some fish.

"What if we could add a third leg on the supply chain, wild caught, farm raised, cell-based?"

Created in 2018, BlueNalu is developing a technological platform that can be used to design various seafood products, mainly fish filets without bones or skin.

Scientific literature on stem cells, biological engineering or organic tissue printing already existed, said BlueNalu's chief technology officer Chris Dammann.

"We need to put the technology back together and optimize it," Dammann said.

The rise of cell-based proteins is not a major source of concern for traditional agriculture.

"It is something we need to monitor," said Scott Bennett, the director of congressional relations for the Farm Bureau organization, which represents farmers and ranchers.

Bennett said he feels "our energy would be much better spent in focusing (on) increasing the overall market shares for proteins, especially in developing countries."

"Some people for social reasons will want to buy this product. But there will always remain a market for conventional meat," he said.

"We feel as it should not be called meat, because we don't want to confuse the consumer as to what this really is. We want to make sure the labelling is very clear," Bennett added.

2019 AFP

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Artificial meat is now made in space, coming to a supermarket near you - FRANCE 24

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The only country that has stood out in creating companies to offer stem-cell therapies has been Japan, while the other countries across the globe have been struggling to achieve the same. It has been five years since Japan has been legally allowed to extract stem cells from different skin biopsies, using them in the injections for chronic and complex diseases such as heart diseases. More than 3,700 treatments have received green light as a result of the regulatory laws being passed. However, a majority of the treatments and therapies have not passed the randomised, controlled, double blind clinical trial a global standard to prove its safety and effectiveness. Not having passed the trial proves its unreliability on the outcome of the treatment altogether.

Although, in fast need of getting therapies and products commercialised, many entrepreneurs and scientists across the world are looking to enter Japan for a more rapid route of getting their business started. Therefore, looking at the rush that various companies are in, in order to commercialise their products, the government is looking to introduce a stringent policy framework for better regulatory changes. This also forces other countries to keep an eye on the regulations to ensure ethical work is being conducted.

The law requires high quality processed stem-cells in certified cell-processing centres and treatments that need to be passed through an independent ethical-review board. While the double-blind clinical trials are expensive in Japan, as claimed by Japans Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, there are many ethical issues that are involved by giving placebos to people who are suffering from illnesses. This is the reason behind the need for stringent ethical laws that do not hamper the lives of people in any way and risking their health.

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Threatening regulatory policies for the birth giver of stem-cell technology - Medical Herald

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Threatening regulatory policies for the birth giver of stem-cell technology – Medical Herald | October 11th, 2019

Of all the beauty brains we want to pick, Elle Macphersons tops the list. We want to know it ALL. The makeup she uses, her skin care routine, what she eats in the morning, how to make our hair look THAT good, her secret to defying time the whole shebang. So, when the WelleCo founder sat down with us to chat beauty and wellness, youre going to bet we asked her everything.

Get ready to take some notes - heres what a supermodels beauty routine looks like.

On her morning ritual

I am usually up with the sun and like to wake and practice some breathing and mediation. Its a routine that helps balance me from the start of the day. (I aim to not touch my phone).

I then have hot water and lemon.

My son Cy is up at 6am and while hes getting ready for school, I prepare his breakfast and I make myself aSUPER ELIXIR Greens. I find itessentialfor wellness from within. It helps my sense of vitality, strengthens the immune system, supports the digestive system andgivesmy skina healthyglow, plus it seems to curb any sugar cravings, so my moods are more stable, and my diet is more balanced.

Once Cy is off to school, Iexercise, either in my home gym or outside in the fresh morning air, then I have my breakfast.I like to keep it simple - fruit or raw oatmeal or chia seed pudding, before jumping into the shower and getting ready for the day.On the weekends Ill have a bulletproof coffeewith coconut oil and grass-fed butter. Making sure the brain has enough fats is essential for me.

I am obsessed with dry brushing and exfoliating. I useWelleCos Japanese Green Tea Salt Scruband its the first thing I do when showering. If Im feeling courageous, Ill take hot and cold showers to encourage circulation, and usinga great body cream, likeBeautycountersBody Butter in Citrus Mimosa.

After breakfast, I head to my office, usually with 32oz of homemade green vegetable juice including kale, cucumber, turmeric, garlic, lemon, ginger, live sprouts, and Romaine lettuce.I rotate the base of the juice every day between cucumber, celery, spinach and squash. It means I geta variety of nutrients and less chance of my body forming allergies.

On her skin care routine

Beauty-wise,Ilove usingDefenAgeSkincare, which I was introduced to while I was at 11 HotelsJust Agelessspa in New York City. Their products are formulatedusingAge-Repair Defensins, which are peptides that work with our master stem cells to help combat the visible signs of ageing. I love their1-Step Multi-Cleanse, an exfoliator that containsfruit enzymes (including papaya) that are gentler on the skin than acids - but just as effective.

Whilst in Australia this time,I discoveredRationaleat All Saints Clinic.For daywearI love usingtheir B3-T Tinted Superfluid SPF50,whichprovides greatprotectionandgives my skin abeautifulhealthy radiance. In the evening, I usetheDNA Night Creamfor its potent complex of vitamin A,withUniverskinP Serum,which has a bespoke compound ofingredientsdesigned to brighten and hydrate skin, as well as improvethe appearance of pigmentation.

On her go-to makeup brands

I tend to gravitate towards makeup thats subtle and good for my skin. I am enjoying theOxygenetixline that is created and used bydoctors. TheirBreathable Second Skinfoundation is beautiful to wear and great for sensitive skin. I also like theTintSkin Hydrating FoundationbyBeautycounteras it is super hydrating.Gucci Westmans new lineWestman Atelieris fantastic,too.HerVital Skin FoundationSticksare easy to use and look beautifully natural. They are formulated with plant-based actives andfeel supernatural and glowing to wear. I always have my four favourites on standby:foundation,highlighter,blushandcontour. Their packaging is amazing.

On what drives her to launch new products for WelleCo

Through my personal wellness journey, I have discovered that nothing has an impact on my wellbeing like how I nourish my body,which ishowWelleCoreally all began six years ago.We wanted tosharewith the worldthe unique combination of plant-based and Chinese herb supplements I had been taking and experiencing incredible results with.

As an Australian-based company, WelleCo believes in empowering people to positively influence their health. We call it Wellness the Australian way. All of the ingredients were chosen for their ability to work well, as team players, creating a synergistic, amplified effect when combined.

Our constant motivatoris ourloyal, progressive and curious globalcommunity. It isalwaysWelleCos aimto accompanyeach customeron theirwellness journey.No matter what their stage of life, we wantto provide the most premium solutions that areeasy for people to incorporateinto their daily regimes.

Eachof ourproductstargetspecific personalrequirements and providesolutions that benefit all stages of wellbeing, be it our range of plant-based elixirs, our organic vegetable wash orgreen tea salt body scrub.

Our most recent launch, the WelleCo SUPER BOOSTER range,isformulated with botanical extracts and nutrients for targeted support where you need it be it immune system health, liver support or stronger hair, skin and nails. Importantly, it is designed to beeasyto use and an integral step of a simple daily wellness routine. Along with The SUPER ELIXIR and NOURISHING PROTEIN range for men, women and children, our elixirsare formulated toprovidebenefits for the whole family.All you need to do is add water.

I now know, understanding the value of a plant-based diet to feed the mitochondria of the cells isvital andwe wondered if people would value the importance ofgreens andplant-basedproteins.Luckily,our customerstell us theyexperience the same beauty, health and wellness benefitsthat I do,and we are soprivilegedthey choose toincludeWelleCo intheirdailywellnessregimes.

It is this positive feedback,andthe foundation on which we built WelleCo, thatdrivesus to continue toconstantlyinnovateto ensureweareevolvingand supporting our customersindividualwellness journeys.

On her favourite WelleCo products

The SUPER ELIXIR Greens.Its our essential daily greens anda cleanfoundation for cellular and systemic support.Each of ourelixirs are an imperative part of a simple and effective three-step daily wellness routine. The first step is The SUPER ELIXIR. I have two teaspoons every morning with filtered water without fail, and I am loving our new Ginger and Lemon flavour at the moment!

AfterTheSUPER ELIXIR, I recommend our NOURISHING PROTEIN, which isa clean, complete, powdered plant protein designed by nutritional doctors for nourishing and maintaining a lean and strong body. It is the perfect mid-morning or afternoon nourishing snack. I am obsessed with thechocolate;it tastes naughty without any of the bad stuff.

My third stepis our SLEEP WELLE Calming Tea. I have always had quite a lot oftrouble sleeping, so thistea hasnow become my nightly ritual.It is blended with natural herbs including valerian, hops and skullcap to calm the mind and help the body rest, rejuvenate and recover.Be prepared for a very deep and restorative sleep! Its truly amazing.

On her all-time favourite beauty indulgence

I am more a wellness girl to be honest. For me its not about beautifying, but more about wellness, being toned and moisturisedwith soft skin.

I was lucky to experience the most amazing wellness experience this year at Kamalaya, Koh Samui. It is a stunning Wellness Sanctuary and Holistic Spa where you can completely reset the mind and body in a beautiful and calming environment. I love their personalised approach and the focus on restorative and healing treatments, body movement and nutrition. The treatments and philosophy, food and environment were some of the best I have ever experienced. It was a wonderful combination between eastern and western treatments and I although I was there for a week, I could easily have stayed three! I was never bored and felt better as the days went on.

My biggest weekly indulgence is Sheila Perez coming to my house to do the Sheila Perez Method lymphatic drainage and sculpting. I would have her two to three times a week if I could, but for now we have a standing once a week appointment.

I lovemyTherasageThera360Portable Infrared Saunatoo.It assists the detox process, strengthens the immune system and encourages circulation and glowing skin.

On the beauty essentials she packs when travelling overseas

I love myRimowacabin bag. It fits a weeks worth of essentials,which is perfect becauseI love not packing too much stuff its so liberating.

Most importantly for travel is doubling up on my SUPER ELIXIR Greens. I always travel with Immune System Support with Kakadu Plum SUPER BOOSTERS, which I have on their own with water, or combined with my SUPER ELIXIR. Formulated with vitamin C from Kakadu plum and acerola cherry as well as medicinal herbs, they provide immune defence for fighting inflammation and supporting immune system health.

Our NOURISHING PROTEIN is always a must when I am on the road, as often I cant find quality quick and easy food and snacks. NOURISHING PROTEIN is formulated using a combination of organic pea and organic brown rice proteins, as well as herbal extracts, vitamins, minerals and pre and probiotics. It is fantastic for helping energy levels and I find it really fills me up. Its easy to take too, which of course is essential when you are travelling. Just add water, shake and sip.

I stick to my usual skin care routine. I love David de Rothschilds Lost Explorer skin careproducts. It is a super-efficient range and packaged in a travel size so it fits in my suitcase perfectly. And for something more robust the Rationale collection of serums and face creams are the right size for traveling, plus extra efficient and truly work.

My beauty style is always very natural. I dont like to wear a lot of makeup, so my beauty routine is very pared-back and simple. My favourite beauty look is one that starts with a dewy, healthy complexion. I dont tend to wear foundation, but if I need a little coverage, I apply (with my fingers) a touch of Westman AtelierVital Skin Foundation, but only where I need it. For a touch of colour, I smooth onRMS Rose Lip2CheekandPat McGrath Skin Fetishcheek shine for just the right amount of definition.They all come in travel-friendly packaging and are super easy to stow in my bag.

On the kind of beauty and wellness products we would find in her suitcase

For me, beauty comes from the inside out -so first things first -SUPER ELIXIR Greens. Our ultimate ingestible beauty formula is just the right blendof premiumplant-based nutrients that work together to address acidity in the body and nourish right down to cellular level, which really helps the body recover from thestressof travel andI really find helpsreduce jet lag.Ineverfly without mySUPER ELIXIR travel sachetstucked safely in my makeup bag for quick pick-me-ups. I have a SUPER ELIXIRbefore I board, whilst Im in the air, and another as Im landing.

I always pack a NOURISHING PROTEIN TravelSet. I have one daily, blended with water. It helpsensure Ieat as cleanly as possibleandassistswith energy levels and adjusting to a new time zone.It also ensures I always have a healthy snack on hand when options are limited.

I also try to remember to wear broad-spectrum SPF sunscreen every day, especially when out on the reflective ocean sun. Rationale make a great one and I love Dr Barbara Sturm products, particularly her Sun Drops and serums as well as sunblock.

Oh,and Ialways have a tube of LucasPapaw Ointmentstashed away to puton my lips and cuticles. Its very moisturising and very Aussie!

On her favourite career highlight

WelleCo is the combination of wanting to create a business and wanting to enable inner and outer beauty for everyone. I think its fair to say that we all aspire to having a successful business and to make money. But I believe there is also a sort of Holy Grail of business which consists of doing what you love with purpose, making a difference, and making a profit doing it. Its very fulfilling. Andso,this is what we are seeking to achieve with WelleCo creating quality products that are simple to integrate into peoples lives, and that helpthembalancetheir inner and outer beauty. The most exciting thing iswe are reallyonly just getting started!

Being a co-founder, director and shareholder of WelleCo has been very fulfilling but the most joy comes from supporting our team in making the highest quality sustainable plant-based products that help people in their daily life.

On whats next

We have so many exciting things on the horizon for WelleCo,andIm so grateful for where I am, and what Im doing in my life. It is a privilege to be in a position to be able to impact and share with people some of the things Ive learned. And the major one has been the understanding that our bodies areincredible,and they can heal and thrive if given the right environment.

Want more celebrity beauty secrets? Check out the beauty products Phoebe Burgess cant live without, and Shelley Crafts biggest skin sin.

Main image credit: @ellemacpherson

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Elle Macpherson Shares Her Health And Beauty Secrets | BEAUTY/crew - BEAUTYcrew

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Elle Macpherson Shares Her Health And Beauty Secrets | BEAUTY/crew – BEAUTYcrew | October 11th, 2019

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The "3D Bioprinting Market by Component (3D Bioprinters (Microextrusion, Inkjet, Laser), Bioink (Natural, Synthetic, Hybrid)), Material (Hydrogel, Living Cells), Application (Skin, Drug Research), End user (Biopharma, Academia) - Global Forecast to 2024" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The 3D bioprinting market is projected to reach USD 1,647 million by 2024 from USD 651 million in 2019, at a CAGR of 20.4% from 2019 to 2024.

The growth in this market is mainly driven by technological advancements in 3D bioprinters and biomaterials, increasing the use of 3D bioprinting in the pharmaceutical and cosmetology industries, and rising public and private funding to support bioprinting research activities. On the other hand, a shortage of skilled professionals and high development and production costs are hampering the growth of this market.

The major players in the market include Organovo Holdings Inc. (US), CELLINK (Sweden), Allevi Inc. (US), Aspect Biosystems Ltd. (Canada), EnvisionTEC GmbH (Germany), Cyfuse Biomedical K.K. (Japan), Poietis (France), TeVido BioDevices (US), Nano3D Biosciences, Inc. (US), ROKIT Healthcare (South Korea), Digilab Inc. (US), regenHU (Switzerland), GeSiM (Germany), Advanced Solutions Life Sciences (US), and Regenovo Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (China) among others.

Microextrusion technology commanded the largest share of 3D bioprinters segment owing to technological advancements

The component segment of the 3D bioprinting market is segmented into 3D bioprinters and bioinks. The 3D bioprinters market is further sub-segmented on the basis of technology into magnetic 3D bioprinting, laser-assisted bioprinting, inkjet 3D bioprinting, microextrusion bioprinting, and other technologies; whereas bioinks segment is further sub-segmented into natural, synthetic, and hybrid bioinks. The microextrusion bioprinting technology has commanded the largest share of the market in 2019 due to technological advancements in the segment and the increasing research activities.

The drug discovery research application segment accounted for the largest share of the 3D bioprinting market in 2019

In terms of applications, the 3D bioprinting market is segmented into research applications and clinical applications. The demand for research applications is further sub-segmented into drug research, regenerative medicine, and 3D cell culture. Among these, the drug research segment accounted for the largest share of the market in 2019, owing to the growing adoption of 3D bioprinting technology by biopharmaceutical companies. While, in terms of clinical applications, the market is segmented into skin, bone & cartilage, blood vessels, and other clinical applications.

Based on material, living cells segment commanded the leading market share in 2019

Based on material, the 3D bioprinting market is broadly segmented into hydrogels, extracellular matrices, living cells, and other biomaterials. Increasing R&D activities for the use of living cells in 3D bioprinting is driving the growth of the living cells segment. Living cells have the ability to fabricate patient-specific tissues in a defined manner. With advances in 3D bioprinting, scientists and researchers are making use of living cells as a biomaterial in 3D bioprinting. These cells can be used to print living tissues as well as organ structures for surgical implantations. However, ethical issues associated with the use of stem cells in 3D bioprinting might hamper the growth of the segment.

The US 3D bioprinting market to hold prominent market share over the forecast period

On the basis of region, the 3D bioprinting market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World (Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa). The US held a significant share of the global 3D bioprinting market in 2019. Factors such as new product launches and technological advancements in 3D bioprinting technology and the presence of key players in the region are driving the growth of the 3D bioprinting market in the US. Moreover, extensive research activities and funding for 3D bioprinting will further fuel the market growth in the US.

Market Dynamics

Drivers

Restraints

Opportunities

Challenges

Companies Mentioned

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/y3b5p7

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Global 3D Bioprinting Market Outlook, 2019-2024 - Market Anticipated to Reach $1.64 Billion by 2024 - ResearchAndMarkets.com - Business Wire

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Global 3D Bioprinting Market Outlook, 2019-2024 – Market Anticipated to Reach $1.64 Billion by 2024 – ResearchAndMarkets.com – Business Wire | October 11th, 2019

Jenni Murray is spot on staying slim can take its toll on your features, says Christa DSouza

I do love Jenni Murray. For telling it like it is. For those of you not aware of the comments she made at the Henley literary festival, let me recap for you. She recalled the advice given to her by Barbara Cartland Jenni, you know, when you get older you sacrifice your face or your figure. Dont sacrifice your face, just sit down a lot. Murray went on to explain how, despite having gone through a gastrectomy to lose weight, she had, at the age of 69, decided to follow Babss advice because she didnt want to end up looking like Nigel Lawson. And thats no insult to Nigel Lawson, she went on to say in her mellifluous, unbitchy way, but you know, when he

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Do you have 'diet face'? It's everywhere | Times2 - The Times

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Do you have ‘diet face’? It’s everywhere | Times2 – The Times | October 11th, 2019

Want to get rid of a keloid? Here we are with easyand simple keloid removal home remedies that you must try. Keloid is a type of raised scar which appears where the skin had an injury. Skin burn, cut or severe acne cause a scar and some of keloids continue to grow for years.

Baking soda helps to shed the damaged and dead cells. Prepare a mixture of baking soda and diluted hydrogen peroxide. Apply the paste on the keloid affected area with the help of cotton balls and leave it for 30 minutes. Later, wash it off with water and apply any night cream moisturizer. For best results, repeat this process 2-3 times a day for a fewweeks.

ALSO READ:Hair Care: Here Are Four Essential And Simple Grooming Tips For Men

Aspirin, usually used for headache, is also used to get rid of keloids. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, aspirin is beneficial in the treatment of keloids. Crush 3-4 aspirin tablets and add water to prepare a smooth and thick paste. Apply the paste on a scar and wait until it gets dry. Rinse off by water and apply some olive oil or tea tree oil. Use this method once a day or every alternate day.

Extract the juice from the lemon and apply on the affected area. Leave it for about 30 minutes and later wash it with warm water. For better results follow this process every day. Because of its antioxidant property, lemon helps in quick healing of keloids.

ALSO READ:Google Ban Ads For 'unproven' Medical Treatments, Including Stem Cells

Prepare a paste of sandalwood in rosewater and apply it on the affected area before bedtime. Let it rest for the whole night and rinse off with warm water the next morning. Sandalwood, which is rich in regenerating property when mixed with rosewater, gives the best result to get rid of keloids. Repeat this process every night for one week and observe changes by yourself.

Honey, one of the best-used substances, in several skin treatments, helps in getting rid of keloids. Directly apply fresh honey on scars. Massage lightly and leave it for 30-40 minutes. Rinse it off with water and use this method for some weeks to get rid of keloids.

The above-mentioned home remedies give the best results when followed religiously. As we know keloids are difficult to treat, and hence doctors suggest to take steps soon after injury or piercing. So, whenever you notice scars, follow these steps to get rid of them.

ALSO READ:Nandita Das On Discrimination: 'Wear Your Skin Colour With Confidence'

ALSO READ:Millie Bobby Brown Slammed By Internet For Faking Skin Care Tutorial

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Skincare: Five natural remedies to get rid of keloids overnight - Republic World - Republic World

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Skincare: Five natural remedies to get rid of keloids overnight – Republic World – Republic World | October 11th, 2019

This article, written byKatharine Sedivy-Haley, University of British Columbia, originally appeared on The Conversation and is republished here with permission:

When I was applying to graduate school in 2012, it felt like stem cells were about to revolutionize medicine.

Stem cells have the ability to renew themselves, and mature into specialized cells like heart or brain cells. This allows them to multiply and repair damage.

If stem cell genes are edited to fix defects causing diseases like anemia or immune deficiency, healthy cells can theoretically be reintroduced into a patient, thereby eliminating or preventing a disease. If these stem cells are taken or made from the patient themselves, they are a perfect genetic match for that individual, which means their body will not reject the tissue transplant.

Because of this potential, I was excited that my PhD project at the University of British Columbia gave me the opportunity to work with stem cells.

However, stem cell hype has led some to pay thousands of dollars on advertised stem cell treatments that promise to cure ailments from arthritis to Parkinsons disease. These treatments often dont help and may harm patients.

Despite the potential for stem cells to improve medicine, there are many challenges as they move from lab to clinic. In general, stem cell treatment requires we have a good understanding of stem cell types and how they mature. We also need stem cell culturing methods that will reliably produce large quantities of pure cells. And we need to figure out the correct cell dose and deliver it to the right part of the body.

Embryonic, 'induced and pluripotent

Stem cells come in multiple types. Embryonic stem cells come from embryos which makes them controversial to obtain.

A newly discovered stem cell type is the induced pluripotent stem cell. These cells are created by collecting adult cells, such as skin cells, and reprogramming them by inserting control genes which activate or induce a state similar to embryonic stem cells. This embryo-like state of having the versatile potential to turn into any adult cell type, is called being pluripotent.

However, induced pluripotent and embryonic stem cells can form tumours. Induced pluripotent stem cells carry a particularly high risk of harmful mutation and cancer because of their genetic instability and changes introduced during reprogramming.

Genetic damage could be avoided by using younger tissues such as umbilical cord blood, avoiding tissues that might contain pre-existing mutations (like sun-damaged skin cells), and using better methods for reprogramming.

Stem cells used to test drugs

For now, safety concerns mean pluripotent cells have barely made it to the clinic, but they have been used to test drugs.

For drug research, it is valuable yet often difficult to get research samples with specific disease-causing mutations; for example, brain cells from people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Researchers can, however, take a skin cell sample from a patient, create an induced pluripotent stem-cell line with their mutation and then make neurons out of those stem cells. This provides a renewable source of cells affected by the disease.

This approach could also be used for personalized medicine, testing how a particular patient will respond to different drugs for conditions like heart disease.

Vision loss from fat stem cells

Stem cells can also be found in adults. While embryonic stem cells can turn into any cell in the body, aside from rare newly discovered exceptions, adult stem cells mostly turn into a subset of mature adult cells.

For example, hematopoietic stem cells in blood and bone marrow can turn into any blood cell and are widely used in treating certain cancers and blood disorders.

A major challenge with adult stem cells is getting the right kind of stem cell in useful quantities. This is particularly difficult with eye and nerve cells. Most research is done with accessible stem cell types, like stem cells from fat.

Fat stem cells are also used in stem cell clinics without proper oversight or safety testing. Three patients experienced severe vision loss after having these cells injected into their eyes. There is little evidence that fat stem cells can turn into retinal cells.

Clinical complications

Currently, stem cell based treatments are still mostly experimental, and while some results are encouraging, several clinical trials have failed.

In the brain, despite progress in developing treatment for genetic disorders and spinal cord injury, treatments for stroke have been unsuccessful. Results might depend on method of stem cell delivery, timing of treatment and age and health of the patient. Frustratingly, older and sicker tissues may be more resistant to treatment.

For eye conditions, a treatment using adult stem cells to treat corneal injuries has recently been approved. A treatment for macular degeneration using cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells is in progress, though it had to be redesigned due to concerns about cancer-causing mutations.

A path of cautious optimism

While scientists have good reason to be interested in stem cells, miracle cures are not right around the corner. There are many questions about how to implement treatments to provide benefit safely.

In some cases, advertised stem cell treatments may not actually use stem cells. Recent research suggests mesenchymal stem cells, which are commonly isolated from fat, are really a mixture of cells. These cells have regenerative properties, but may or may not include actual stem cells. Calling something a stem cell treatment is great marketing, but without regulation patients dont know what theyre getting.

Members of the public (and grad students) are advised to moderate their excitement in favour of cautious optimism.

Katharine Sedivy-Haley, PhD Candidate in Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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BEYOND LOCAL: Expert recommends 'path of cautious optimism' about the future of stem cell treatment - ThoroldNews.com

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on BEYOND LOCAL: Expert recommends ‘path of cautious optimism’ about the future of stem cell treatment – ThoroldNews.com | October 9th, 2019

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) In a dish sits a human liver.

Not removed from a person, but created from scratch.

Its not like wahoo and the next morning you think, ah, Im gonna make a human liver,' says Dr. Alejandro Soto-Gutirrez of the Pittsburgh Liver Research Center.

It took five years of trial and error but using stem cells, genetic and tissue engineering, organ cultures and a team of experts in these areas, the researchers have come up with this.

Alexandra Collin de Lhortet, Ph.D. of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine explains the process.

A rat liver gets stripped of its cells so that only the connective tissue remains.

From a small piece of human skin, the scientists pluck out stem cells and coax them into becoming human liver cells and the cells are collected.

Then theyre injected into the chamber, called a bioreactor, where they take up residence in the empty rat liver.

The entire process from gathering the cells to make a liver, to get to this point, where you have an actual mini human liver in a bioreactor, takes several months.

It will stay alive, or viable, for only a few days.

But in that short time, the researchers can try different medicines to treat the diseased liver.

You could test any sort of therapeutic by simply injecting this chemical through the system, says Dr. Collin.

In the past, animal livers played a role in this kind of research but human livers didnt always respond in the same way.

With this system, the cells have had genetic modification to recreate diseases, for example, fatty liver, a growing problem in the United States.

This technology has the potential for personalized medicine. From your skin cells, they could grow your own mini liver to figure out which medicines would work for you.

I believe its a very good biological tool to screen treatments that are not otherwise being tested in humans themselves because its dangerous, says Dr. Soto.

As its designed, it would be a long stretch to create livers for transplantation.

If you mean how far we are to make actual livers for people, I think we are very far away. Were probably many years away. But this is a good step, Dr. Soto says.

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After 5 Years Of Trials, Doctors Create Human Liver From Scratch - CBS Pittsburgh

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on After 5 Years Of Trials, Doctors Create Human Liver From Scratch – CBS Pittsburgh | October 9th, 2019

Lab-grown meat has been successfully made in space for the first time.

Cells of a cow were taken to space where they were grown into small-scale muscle tissue using a 3D bioprinter.

Israeli food technology company, Aleph Farms grew the meat on the Russian segment of the International Space Station, 248 miles away from any natural resources.

The technique could be used in the future to provide meat for people living on the space station.

Aleph Farms said that the aim of the experiment was to advance its research into meat production and prove meat can be produced without natural resources.

"In space, we don't have 10,000 or 15,000 Litres of water available to produce one Kg (2.205 Pound) of beef," Aleph Farms said.

What is lab-grown meat?

This is the world's first lab-grown beef burger in 2013 made in a Petri dish

Lab-grown meat is meat made in a laboratory without killing animals.

Animals are made up of stem cells, which form special tissue like nerve or skin cells.

Scientists worked out how to take cells from an animal - like a cow- and multiply them in a special container called a Petri dish.

Eventually from one tiny muscle cell, tens of billions of cells can be grown. These join together to form muscle tissue.

Lots of strands of muscle tissue together can form 'meat'.

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Lab-grown meat made on International Space Station for the first time - CBBC Newsround

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Lab-grown meat made on International Space Station for the first time – CBBC Newsround | October 9th, 2019

Dr Madeline Lancaster has discovered how to turn stem cells into grey matter. It could lead to treatments for autism and spinal injury

My teenage daughter asks me where Im heading. I tell her Im off to Cambridge to interview a neuroscientist who grows mini-brains in her lab. Wow, my daughter replies. That is so cool.

I recount this to Dr Madeline Lancaster, the scientist in question. She beams and says she thinks its very cool too. In her labs at the Medical Research Councils state-of-the-art Laboratory of Molecular Biology building she cant conceal her enthusiasm as she shows me the mini-brains small curd-like blobs floating in dishes of pinkish fluid. She says wow a lot.

It is these brain organoids (as in organ-like, rather than organism-like) made of living cells that have made Lancaster, 37, a big name in science since she discovered how to create

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The scientist who grows tiny brains in her laboratory - The Times

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on The scientist who grows tiny brains in her laboratory – The Times | October 9th, 2019