Stem cell research has long been seen as a new frontier for disease therapeutics. By coaxing stem cells to form 3D miniature lung structures, University researchers are helping explain why.

In a collaborative study, University researchers devised a system to generate self-organizing human lung organoids, or artificially-grown organisms. These organoids are 3D models that can be used to better understand lung diseases.

Jason Spence, the assistant professor of internal medicine and cell and developmental biology, who was a senior author of the study, said one of the key implications of these lungs is the controlled environment they offer for future research.

These mini lungs will allow us to study diseases in a controlled environment and to develop and test new drugs, he said.

Specifically, Spence said, scientists will be able to take skin samples from patients with a particular form of a lung disease, reprogram the cells into stem cells and then generate lung tissue for further study. He said by analyzing the disease in a controlled environment, researchers can gain insight into the progression of various diseases and then tailor drugs for treatment.

Rackham student Briana Dye was also a lead author of the study. She said the team manipulated numerous signaling pathways involved with cell growth and organ formation to make the miniature lungs.

First, Dye said the scientists used proteins called growth factors to differentiate embryonic stem cells into endoderm, the germ layer that gives rise to the lungs. Different growth factors were then used to cause the endoderm to become lung tissue.

We add specific growth factors, proteins that turn on pathways in the cells, that will then cause them to lift off the monolayer so that we have this 3D spherical tissue, she said.

Previous research has used stem cells in a similar manner to generate brain, intestine, stomach and liver tissue. Dye said one of the advantages of stem cell research is its direct path to studying human tissue.

We have worked with many animal models in the past, Dye said. Animal models present obstacles because they dont exactly behave the way human tissue and cells do. This is why stem cells are so promising.

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Research develops mini-lung structures

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) - The state stem cell agency, California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM),awarded a pair of grants totaling more than $7 million to UC Davis School of Medicine researchers who are working to develop stem cell therapies for spina bifida and chronic diabetic wounds. The funding is part of what the agency considers "the most promising" research leading up to human clinical trials using stem cells to treat disease and injury. Diana Farmer, professor and chair of surgery at UC Davis Medical Center, is developing a placental stem cell therapy for spina bifida, the common and devastating birth defect that causes lifelong paralysis as well as bladder and bowel incontinence. She and her team are working on a unique treatment that can be applied in utero - before a baby is born -- in order to reverse spinal cord damage. Roslyn Rivkah Isseroff, a UC Davis professor of dermatology, and Jan Nolta, professor of internal medicine and director of the university's Stem Cell Program, are developing a wound dressing containing stem cells that could be applied to chronic wounds and be a catalyst for rapid healing. This is Isseroff's second CIRM grant, and it will help move her research closer to having a product approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that specifically targets diabetic foot ulcers, a condition affecting more than 6 million people in the country. The CIRM board, which met in Berkeley today, has high hopes for these types of research that the agency funded in this latest round of stem cell grants. "This investment will let us further test the early promise shown by these projects," said Jonathan Thomas, chair of CIRM's governing board. "Preclinical work is vital in examining the feasibility, potential effectiveness and safety of a therapy before we try it on people. These projects all showed compelling evidence that they could be tremendously beneficial to patients. We want to help them build on that earlier research and move the projects to the next level." The CIRM grants are designed to enable the UC Davis research teams to transition from preclinical research to preclinical development over the next 30 months to be able to meet the FDA's rigorous safety and efficacy standards for Investigative New Drugs. As the former surgeon-in-chief at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, Farmer helped pioneer fetal surgery techniques for treating spina bifida before birth. The condition, also known as myelomeningocele, is one of the most common and devastating birth defects worldwide, causing lifelong paralysis as well as bowel and bladder incontinence in newborns. Farmer has been investigating different stem cell types and the best way to deliver stem cell-based treatments in the womb for the past six years. She and her research colleagues recently discovered a placental therapy using stem cells that cures spina bifida in animal models. That discovery requires additional testing and FDA approval before the therapy can be used in humans. With the CIRM funding, Farmer and her team plan to optimize their stem cell product, validate its effectiveness, determine the optimal dose and confirm its preliminary safety in preparation for human clinical trials. Isseroff, who also serves as chief of dermatology and director of wound healing services for the VA Northern California Health Care System, has long been frustrated by the challenges of treating the chronic, non-healing wounds of diabetics. In 2010, she and Nolta received a CIRM grant to begin developing a bioengineered product for treating chronic diabetic wounds. Foot ulcers, in particular, affect about 25 percent of all diabetic patients and are responsible for most lower-limb amputations. Isseroff and her research team created a treatment using stem cells derived from bone marrow (mesenchymal stem cells) along with a FDA-approved scaffold to help regenerate dermal tissue and restart the healing process. Their studies found the technique to be highly effective for healing wounds in animal models. With this latest CIRM grant, Isseroff's team will refine their therapeutic technique by determining the safest dosage for regenerating tissue and testing their product in skin-wound models that closely resemble those in diabetic humans. Nolta also plans to create a Master Cell Bank of pure and effective human mesenchymal stem cells, and establish standard operating procedures for use in diabetic wound repair. The results of their efforts will enable UC Davis to move closer to FDA approval for human clinical trials in the next two and a half years. "These amazing research efforts are giant steps forward in turning stem cells into cures," said Nolta, who also directs the UC Davis Institute for Regenerative Cures in Sacramento. "This preclinical research is the most crucial, and often the toughest, stage before we move scientific discoveries from the laboratory bench to the patient's bedside. We are now poised as never before to make a big difference in the lives of people with spina bifida and non-healing diabetic wounds." For more information, visit UC Davis School of Medicine at http://medschool.ucdavis.edu.

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Stem Cell Grants for Spina Bifida and Diabetic Wound Treatments

Madison-based stem cell company Cellular Dynamics InternationalInc. is being acquired by Tokyo-based Fujifilm Holdings Corp., the companies announced in a news release Monday.

The deal was described as "an all-cash tender offer to be followed by a second step merger," with Fujifilm buying all shares of CDI stock for $16.50 per share, valuing the deal at about $307 million.

The offer is a premium of 108 percent to to CDI's closing stock price on Friday.

When the deal is completed, CDI will continue to run its operations in Madison and Novato, California as a consolidated subsidiary of Fujifilm. CDI had 155 employees at the end of 2014.

The deal, which is expected to close during the second quarter, has been approved by the boards of both companies.

"CDI has become a leader in the development and manufacture of fully functioning human cells in industrial quantities to precise specifications,"Robert J. Palay, Chairman and CEO of CDI, said in the release. "CDI and Fujifilm share a common strategic vision for achieving leadership in the field of regenerative medicine. The combination of CDI's technology with Fujifilm's technologies, know-how, and resources brings us ever closer to realizing the promise of discovering better, safer medicines and developing new cell therapies based on iPSCs."

CDI was founded in 2004 and listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange in July 2013. The company had global revenues of $16.7 million in the year ended Dec. 31, 2014.

Fujifilm has successfully transformed its business structure for growth by expanding from traditional photographic film to other priority business fields. Positioning the healthcare business as one of its key growth areas, Fujifilm is seeking to cover "prevention, diagnosis, and treatment" comprehensively.

CDI's technology platform enables the production of high-quality fully functioning human cells, including induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), on an industrial scale. Customers use CDI's products, among other purposes, for drug discovery and screening, to test the safety and efficacy of their small molecule and biological drug candidates, for stem cell banking, and in the research and development of cellular therapeutics. CDI's proprietary iCell product catalogue encompasses 12 different iPSC based cell types, including iCell Cardomyocytes, iCell Hepatocytes, and iCell Neurons. During 2014 CDI sold to 18 of 20 top biopharmaceutical companies.

Tapping into technologies and know-how accumulated as a result of leading the field of photographic films, Fujifilm has developed highly-biocompatible recombinant peptides6 that can be shaped into a variety of forms for use as a cellular scaffold7 in regenerative medicine8 in conjunction with CDI's products. Fujifilm has been strengthening its presence in the regenerative medicine field over several years, including by acquiring a majority of shares of Japan Tissue Engineering Co., Ltd. (J-TEC) in December 2014.

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Stem cell firm Cellular Dynamics being acquired by Japanese company for $307 million

Pompano Beach, Florida (PRWEB) March 30, 2015

The top stem cell therapy practice in South Florida, Center of Regenerative Orthopedics, is now offering procedures to help patients avoid the need for hip and knee replacement. The procedures are partially covered by insurance and are offered by a highly skilled, Board Certified Orthopedic doctor in an outpatient setting. Call (954) 399-6945 for more information and scheduling.

Stem cell procedures for joint arthritis and pain are now mainstream and represent a cutting edge option for patients. Most nonoperative joint treatments do not actually alter the course of the disease, rather, simply act as a proverbial bandaid for relief. Stem cells, on the other hand, have the capacity to actually repair and regenerate damaged tissue such as cartilage, tendon and ligament.

Degenerative and rheumatoid arthritis affects tens of millions of Americans. Stem cell procedures have been showing excellent results for pain relief and functional improvements in small studies. By having the procedures partially covered by insurance, it makes them convenient for the general public to obtain the cutting edge option.

Joint replacement should be considered a last resort option for treatment. While typically successful, there are potential complications and they are not meant to last forever. In addition, there is minimal downtime after the stem cell procedures. Joint replacements take months to recover from afterwards.

Center of Regenerative Orthopedics is located in Pompano Beach, and sees patients throughout South Florida as well as from all over the United States. Call (954) 399-6945 to schedule with the top stem cell clinic in South Florida.

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Center of Regenerative Orthopedics in South Florida Now Offering Stem Cell Therapy to Help Avoid Hip and Knee ...

Phoenix, Arizona (PRWEB) March 30, 2015

Arizona Pain Specialists, are now offering stem cell therapy to help patients avoid hip and knee replacement. The outpatient treatments at Arizona Pain Stem Cell Institute have been exceptionally effective and are administered by Board Certified pain doctors at ten locations Valleywide. Call (602) 507-6550 for more information and scheduling.

Over the past few years, stem cell therapy for hip and knee arthritis has become mainstream. The treatment involves either bone marrow derived or amniotic derived stem cells, neither of which involve fetal tissue. The previous ethical concerns over fetal tissue and embryonic stem cells are not an issue with these treatments, as neither are involved.

The stem cell procedures are outpatient and exceptionally low risk. The stem cells, growth factors, and additional proteins in the treatments are essential for the regeneration and repair of damaged soft tissues such as tendons, ligaments and arthritic cartilage.

Although hip and knee replacement have shown exceptionally good resuts, they are not risk free procedures. They are also not meant to last forever and should be avoided until absolutely necessary.

The procedures are available throughout the Valley with Arizona Pain Specialists highly skilled, Board Certified pain management doctors in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, East Valley and West Valley. Simply call (602) 507-6550. Research studies are available as well.

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Arizona Pain Stem Cell Institute Now Offering Stem Cell Therapy to Help Patients Avoid Hip and Knee Replacement

Aminah Sagoe

Aminah Sagoe recently developed a skincare range called Emmaus. She opens up on why she set up the brand

Q: How did you delve into skincare treatment?

A: The inspiration came about while I was trying to treat my skin condition called keratosis pilaris, aka chicken skin. It is a common skin condition that causes rough patches and small, acne-like bumps, usually on the arms, thighs, cheeks and buttocks. The bumps are usually white, sometimes red, and generally do not hurt or itch. The condition can be frustrating because it is difficult to treat. In my quest to find a cure, I developed a skin care range to treat the condition. I have always been a product junkie.

Q: How long did this take?

A: It took 22 months of research to come up with these products. It has been very hectic but we kept going with the flow. It can be used by both sexes and it is the first natural skincare line in this part of the world to mix plant stem cells with natural ingredients. It can be used by people with eczema, psoriasis, scaly skin and uneven skin tone but it doesnt bleach. The ingredients are extremely healthy and safe for the skin. The three step range consists of the pampering smiling beads body wash, touch of love mini towels and a soothing softness bliss body lotion that nourishes and protects the skin

Q: What does Emmaus mean?

A: It is a biblical word and signifies a rebirth or a new beginning. I am a convert; I was born a Muslim but I am now a Christian. I got converted after I got married to my husband who is a Christian. I was in my late 20s when I picked up the Bible, read it and believed. Believing in Christ has brought me so much joy, peace and clarity.

Q: What are some of the challenges you faced while developing the products?

A: The formulation took so long to be formulated because it is made up of natural products and preservatives. At some point, we had issues where one product will interact with another and that took a lot of time to fix. The products do not bleach or alter your skin colour. The process took 15 months to complete.

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I dont have time for glamour Aminah Sagoe

Deltona retiree Paul Jaynes was heartbroken when his 9-year-old Labrador, Cookie, suddenly stopped walking last year. The once-athletic dog struggled to stand and, if she moved at all, collapsed after a few steps.

He carried his 90-pound companion to his truck, drove her to the vet and braced himself for the bad news. Surely she couldn't live like this.

Instead, his veterinarian told him about a newly available procedure involving stem cells. In a single day, the vet said, they could remove the cells from Cookie's fatty tissues, process them and re-inject them into her joints. She could go home immediately.

"It was very dramatic," Jaynes says. "The day after surgery, she was standing. She was hesitant, but she was standing and walking a little. I thought: 'Are you kidding me?' Within a week, she was almost back to her old self."

That was last September, and six months later Cookie is still going strong, Jaynes says. While he has no doubts about the treatment, though, some veterinarians worry that marketing of stem-cell therapy for animals has gotten ahead of the scientific research needed to validate its use.

The results, while sometimes promising, are not universal.

"Most of what you hear is anecdotal 'Oh, I tried this, and it helped my dog,'" says Dr. Jeffrey Peck, a veterinary surgeon at Affiliated Veterinary Specialists, based in Maitland. "This has grown in its marketing exponentially greater than it has grown in evidence."

Much of his practice is in orthopedics typically, dogs with hip dysplasia or arthritis. He tried using stem-cell therapy with his patients in 2008 but dropped it after a dozen cases in which he saw no improvement.

"I don't refuse to do it if a client really wants to try, but I give them my disclaimer," he says. "I tell them: 'I don't think I'm going to hurt anything. But I doubt I'm going to help anything either.'"

At $1,400 to $3,000 for the procedure, most pet owners opt out, he says.

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Stem-cell therapy for dogs draws support, detractors

Ask Dr. Lemper | Stem Cell Therapy Treatments
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/lemperpaincenters Submit a question https://bit.ly/askdrlemper Continuing #39;Ask Dr Lemper #39;, Dr. Lemper answers the following question: Do you think...

By: Dr. Brian Lemper, D.O.

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Ask Dr. Lemper | Stem Cell Therapy Treatments - Video

Delray Beach, FL (PRWEB) March 27, 2015

Inspired by the latest advances in skin aging, BABORs Research and Innovation Center has developed a groundbreaking new skincare innovation: the anti-aging collection ReVersive, with the ultra-effective RE-YOUTH COMPLEX.

ReVersive is unique, as it contains a high-performance formula with four active ingredients that interact in perfect synergy. Designed as a complete anti-aging system, ReVersive restores youthful radiance and luminosity, leaving the complexion looking firmer and smoother with a beautifully even appearance.

VISIBLE EFFECTS FOR TIMELESSLY BEAUTIFUL SKIN

In a recent study conducted by the independent research organization, Derma Consult, the ReVersive collection showed impressive results. Testing was conducted on 100 women, aged 35 to 67, and in just 4 weeks time users reported the following exciting results:

99% MORE YOUTHFUL APPEARANCE 87% ENHANCED RADIANCE 90% FIRMER SKIN

THE RE-YOUTH COMPLEX

Telovitin: Keeps cells younger for longer Telovitin, an active ingredient based on Nobel Prize-winning research, combats skin aging at its source: cell activity. It protects the telomeres (the ends of the chromosomes) and thus extends the life cycle of the skin cells.

Agicyl: Activates defenses against skin aging This multifunctional active ingredient, which is extracted from the stem cells of the Alpine plant Globularia cordifolia, prevents the break down of the collagen fibers so that the skin retains its elasticity. It also neutralizes free radicals and environmental aggressors.

Lumicol: Creates luminosity and radiance The active radiance-boosting ingredient Lumicol, which is extracted from microalgae, can activate a protein that destroys these dark pigmentation and age spots to ensure an even-looking complexion and restore radiance.

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BABOR Launches Innovative Anti-Aging Collection ReVersive

EVEN without surgery, one can now experience a dramatic improvement and even cure on health concerns such as diabetes, cancer, HIV, and cardiovascular diseases. This is through the stem cell technology and telomere science.

Dr. Marc Lavaro Jr., an expert on general & ocular oncology, general & ocular pharmacology, pediatric ophthalmic medicine, and Science of Epigenetics said these new technology are considered as breakthrough which repairs and rejuvenates the cells.

Lavaro, head of a molecular biology research in Gifu Prefecture, Japan and Osato Research Institute, Tokyo Japan stressed that stem cell is a kind of cell that can duplicate all kinds of cell which is why it can repair a damaged heart for instance.

In his book entitled 278+ Growth Factors which he is set to publish, he also mentioned that there are also certain organs which do not regenerate like the heart and brain but through stem cells it can revitalize.

Growth factors are stem cell stimulators that address medical conditions including diseases. Each growth factor is equivalent to 1 disease. For example, in a tumor kidney problem, stem cells produce growth factors to combat it.

Another technology is the telomere science under science of Epigenetics. Telomere is part of the chromosome and it protects it. It is responsible for the cell division and daily produces new cell to replace the dead cells.

Ang cell natin is designed to last forever but and pag-ikli ng telomere ang cause of sickness. Pero pwede na siyang marepair. Activator enzyme siya kaya reverse telomere rejuvenate cell, Lavaro explained.

The good news is the stem technology is now in the market and it comes in the form of liquid gel, capsule, and syrup. This is produced by Jeunesse , an exclusive patent pending stem cell technology advance technology, science of epigenetics, and stem cell science technology. It is also cheaper compared to the old stem technology wherein one has to pay for at least 700,000 to more than one million pesos per shot.

Jeunesse is a product of medical research conducted by Dr. Nathan Newman, the father of stem cell technology and world renowned for his cosmetic surgery and innovator of stem cell lift cutting edge cosmetic surgery, without cutting.

Dapat conscious tayo sa health natin at alamin ang tinatake natin if nagwowork talaga o hype lamang ng company, Lavaro added.

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Sungduan: Growth factors

An injection of a patient's bone marrow stem cells during rotator cuff surgery significantly improved healing and tendon durability, according to a study presented today at the 2015 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).

Each year in the U.S., more than 2 million people have rotator cuff surgery to re-attach their shoulder tendon to the head of the humerus (upper arm bone). Rotator cuff tears can occur during a fall or when lifting an extremely heavy object; however, most tears are the result of aging and overuse.

The French study, of which a portion appeared in the September 2014 issue of International Orthopaedics, included 90 patients who underwent rotator cuff surgery. Researchers tried to make the two groups as equivalent as possible based on rotator cuff tear size, tendon rupture location, dominate shoulder, gender and age. Forty-five of the patients received injections of bone marrow concentrate (BMC) mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) at the surgical site, and 45 had their rotator cuff repaired or reattached without MSCs.

Patient ultrasound images were obtained each month following surgery for 24 months. In addition, MRI images were obtained of patient shoulders at three and six months following surgery, and at one year, two years, and 10 years following surgery.

At six months, all 45 of the patients who received MSCs had healed rotator cuff tendons, compared to 30 (67 percent) of the patients who did not receive MSCs. The use of bone marrow concentrate also prevented further ruptures or retears. At 10 years after surgery, intact rotator cuffs were found in 39 (87 percent) of the MSC patients, but just 20 (44 percent) of the non-MSC patients.

In addition, "some retears or new tears occurred after one year," said Philippe Hernigou, MD, an orthopaedic surgeon at the University of Paris and lead study author. "These retears were more frequently associated with the control group patients who were not treated with MSCs.

"While the risk of a retear after arthroscopic repair of the rotator cuff has been well documented, publications with long-term follow-up (more than three years) are relatively limited," said Dr. Hernigou. "Many patients undergoing rotator cuff repair surgery show advanced degeneration of the tendons, which are thinner and atrophic (more likely to degenerate), probably explaining why negative results are so often reported in the literature, with frequent post-operative complications, especially retear. Observations in the MSC treatment group support the potential that MSC treatment has both a short-term and long-term benefit in reducing the rate of tendon retear."

Story Source:

The above story is based on materials provided by American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.

Link:
Stem cells may improve tendon healing, reduce retear risk in rotator cuff surgery

Tampa, FL. (PRWEB) March 26, 2015

This month, the Lung Institute has started treating people suffering from chronic lung diseases with stem cells extracted from their bone marrow. This treatment protocol is added to the two other treatment options offered by the Lung Institute: venous (blood-derived) and adipose (fat-derived) stem cell therapy.

The bone marrow and adipose treatments offer the highest concentration of stem cells and allow for the cells to be reintroduced directly into the lungs through a nebulizer. Given this added benefit, most patients in the past opted to receive the adipose treatment over venous. However, many patients have other medical conditions that preclude them from choosing the adipose treatment. Since the number of stem cells harvested from a bone marrow procedure matches that of the adipose procedure, patients that have previously only qualified for the venous procedure are now eligible for a treatment option that produces the highest chance of success.

Patients are often surprised by the simplicity of these minimally invasive procedures, but with cutting-edge technology and the patient-centric clinical team at the Lung Institute, patients can rest assured that they are in good hands. Throughout the entire treatment process, patients have the opportunity to get any questions immediately answered by our knowledgeable medical staff. The Lung Institute clinical team remains in contact with patients after treatment and works together with the patients physician and pulmonologist to create a strong support system for the patient.

About the Lung Institute At the Lung Institute, we are changing the lives of hundreds of people across the nation through the innovative technology of regenerative medicine. We are committed to providing patients a more effective way to address pulmonary conditions and improve their quality of life. Our physicians, through their designated practices, have gained worldwide recognition for the successful application of revolutionary minimally invasive stem cell therapies. With over a century of combined medical experience, our doctors have established a patient experience designed with the highest concern for patient safety and quality of care. For more information, visit our website at LungInstitute.com, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or call us today at (855) 313-1149.

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Lung Institute Announces New Treatment with Bone Marrow

LAS VEGAS, March 26, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- An injection of a patient's bone marrow stem cells during rotator cuff surgery significantly improved healing and tendon durability, according to a study presented today at the 2015 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).

Each year in the U.S., more than 2 million people have rotator cuff surgery to re-attach their shoulder tendon to the head of the humerus (upper arm bone). Rotator cuff tears can occur during a fall or when lifting an extremely heavy object; however, most tears are the result of aging and overuse.

The French study, of which a portion appeared in the September 2014 issue of International Orthopaedics, included 90 patients who underwent rotator cuff surgery. Researchers tried to make the two groups as equivalent as possible based on rotator cuff tear size, tendon rupture location, dominate shoulder, gender and age. Forty-five of the patients received injections of bone marrow concentrate (BMC) mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) at the surgical site, and 45 had their rotator cuff repaired or reattached without MSCs.

Patient ultrasound images were obtained each month following surgery for 24 months. In addition, MRI images were obtained of patient shoulders at three and six months following surgery, and at one year, two years, and 10 years following surgery.

At six months, all 45 of the patients who received MSCs had healed rotator cuff tendons, compared to 30 (67 percent) of the patients who did not receive MSCs. The use of bone marrow concentrate also prevented further ruptures or retears. At 10 years after surgery, intact rotator cuffs were found in 39 (87 percent) of the MSC patients, but just 20 (44 percent) of the non-MSC patients.

In addition, "some retears or new tears occurred after one year," said Philippe Hernigou, MD, an orthopaedic surgeon at the University of Paris and lead study author. "These retears were more frequently associated with the control group patients who were not treated with MSCs.

"While the risk of a retear after arthroscopic repair of the rotator cuff has been well documented, publications with long-term follow-up (more than three years) are relatively limited," said Dr. Hernigou. "Many patients undergoing rotator cuff repair surgery show advanced degeneration of the tendons, which are thinner and atrophic (more likely to degenerate), probably explaining why negative results are so often reported in the literature, with frequent post-operative complications, especially retear. Observations in the MSC treatment group support the potential that MSC treatment has both a short-term and long-term benefit in reducing the rate of tendon retear."

Study abstract

View 2015 AAOS Annual Meeting disclosure statements

About AAOS

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Stem cells may significantly improve tendon healing, reduce retear risk in rotator cuff surgery

Beneath several blankets and a stuffed giraffe in her UC San Francisco hospital bed, 11-year-old Myla Cunanan is resting after a morning of dialysis to treat a kidney-related complication from her bone marrow transplant last year.Myla is sedated and tired, but not enough to silence her spritely personality.Mom, you put the cover on backwards! she exclaimed, disassembling her iPhone from its case and flipping it around as her mother, Leyna Cunanan, laughed and lovingly stroked the hand of her youngest daughter.She makes us all brave around her, Leyna said of her daughter. She knows that there is a purpose for her for being here. Tuesday marked one year to the day since Myla was diagnosed with myeloid sarcoma, a rare cancer in which a solid collection of leukemic cells occur outside of the bone marrow. The last year also thrust Myla into the spotlight as she and her family sought to find a bone marrow donor, a mission that turned out to be impossible due to a severe lack of Asian donors worldwide.Myla is Filipino-American, and when doctors told her after three rounds of chemotherapy in spring 2014 that she urgently needed a bone marrow transplant, her family learned just how difficult it is to find a match.In fact, Asians comprise just 6 percent of donors with Be The Match Registry, the largest and most diverse marrow registry in the world.The rarer your ethnic subtype is, at least in the U.S., the less likely we are to find you a good donor, said Dr. Christopher Dvorack, who has treated Myla since last year and is an assistant professor of clinical pediatrics in the Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Blood and Marrow Transplant at UC San Francisco.Last summer, her family registered about 300 donors through drives at their church, Mylas school and local shopping centers, and shared Mylas plight on social media with a photo of Myla holding a sign that reads, Will you marrow me?But a match was not found, and by August, doctors told Mylas family they would need to use a half-match donor, which was Mylas father.There are two main ways to donate bone marrow. The first is to have needles inserted into hip bones to extract a small amount of bone marrow. The second requires four days of injections of medicine designed to stimulate bone marrow and cause it to release stem cells from the bone marrow into the blood.The problem with half-match donors is the patients immune system can reject the donated bone marrow, which is what happened to Myla, Dvorack explained.She initially did well, she then later developed a complication that has kept her in the hospital, he said.The complication, thrombotic microangiopathy with renal involvement, means Mylas kidneys function less than 15 percent. She was subsequently diagnosed as chronic kidney disease Stage 5, and has been receiving hemodialysis several times a week.But her family remain advocates for the need for more bone marrow donors, particularly among ethnic minorities.We didnt find a match for Myla ... but we would like to continue to [hold] drives for other patients, her mother said.Ruby Law, a recruitment director for the Asian American Donor Program based in Alameda, worked with Myla and her family last year to seek a donor and said their efforts have extended beyond simply finding a match.Mylas family is very passionate about raising awareness of marrow and blood stem cell donation, Law said.Since Mylas most recent hospitalization, which began a week before Thanksgiving, her mother has lived with her at UCSF. Myla was among the 126 patients transferred from the UCSF Parnassus Campus to the new complex at Mission Bay on Feb. 1.Recently, Myla has been writing a book to help other kids going through similar journeys.When you read this book, I want you to think positive always, the last line of the opening letter states.And that pretty much sums up Mylas attitude, according to her doctor and family. Despite having been hospitalized for the majority of the past year, Myla insists she has plenty to be thankful for. While hospitalized, Myla has held book, bracelet and band-aid drives.There are days, of course, when she doesnt feel good, her mother said. But she always thinks about other people. She likes to give.To sign up as a donor, visit http://www.aadp.org or call (510) 568-3700.

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One year after cancer diagnosis, Bay Area girl continues to highlight need for Asian bone marrow donors

My bone marrow began sending me messages long before I Learned to listen..I was exhausted, pale, drained, and tired all of the time. I eventually landed myself in the emergency room, and was handed a full membership to the cancer club. I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, an incurable blood cancer.

My bone marrow began sending me messages long before I Learned to listen..I was exhausted, pale, drained, and tired all of the time. I eventually landed myself in the emergency room, and was handed a full membership to the cancer club. I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, an incurable blood cancer.

That was June 23, 2009.

As it turned out I was very fortunate. I beat the statistical odds and circumstances were in my favour. After four months of chemo and steroids, I was able to use my own stem cells in what is called an autologous stell cell transplant.

My stem cell transplant was a journey to my very core. It's like witnessing a rebirth. It's awe-inspiring and essential. Visualizing those 'yellow' cells stream their way back into my bone marrow opened my eyes to the singular power stem cells bring into our world.

But I was also reminded of Michael Pinto the undertaker in Bombay.

'Grave Problems Resurrected here'

That's so not gonna happen. Not on my resurrection.

My passage through illness taught me that the knowledge of the curative properties of stem cells needs to be shared to offer hope of renewed life. If you knew what medical science can do with stem cells, and if you saw what I did in the labs, through microscropes, you too would feel like using both hands to scoop those secrets out into the world.

Occasionally I gloss over my past cancer club membership--my treatment, my illnessbut then I am remember what a profound reboot my body has gone through, and I remember why. It's true that the deepest crises are moments of great opportunity; an event that shocks you into seeing with your heart. It is a place that combines survival with celebration.

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My message in a bottle, writes Lisa Ray

A federal public servant has lost a legal bid to have taxpayers pay for experimental stem cell treatment on his dodgy knees.

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal has knocked back an appeal by Customs officer Vic Kaplicas to force insurer Comcare to pay $13,400 for the new treatment, instead saying he could have a tried-and-tested double knee replacement.

But the 49-year-old border official says he worries he cannot pass his department's fitness tests if he undergoes the knee replacements, which will leave him unable to run.

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The former triathlete, who had to give up his sport because of his bad knees, said he was keen to avoid the "radical but effective" replacements for as long as possible.

Mr Kaplicas hurt his left knee working at Sydney's Mascot Airport in 2000, then injured his right knee 10 years later at Kingsford-Smith.

He managed the pain in his knees, which have since developed osteoarthritis, for years using over-the-counter painkillers, physio, exercises and injections but Mr Kaplicas' doctors say a more permanent solution is now needed.

In June 2012, Sydney knee specialist Sam Sorrenti asked Comcare to pay for bilateral knee stem cell assisted arthroscopic surgery for Mr Kaplicas.

The cost of the procedure was estimated at $13,464.00 for arthroscopy, stem cell harvesting and injection, and a "HiQCell procedure".

Dr Sorrenti said the knee replacements were not a good idea for a man of Mr Kaplicas' age, arguing the new knees would last 15 years at best, were intended for older people who are less concerned with physical activity, and left no further options.

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No stem cell treatment for public servant's dodgy knee

Irvine, Calif., March 26, 2015 -- Leslie Thompson of the Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center at UC Irvine has been awarded $5 million by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine to continue her CIRM-funded effort to develop stem cell treatments for Huntington's disease.

The grant supports her next step: identifying and testing stem cell-based treatments for HD, an inherited, incurable and fatal neurodegenerative disorder. In this project, Thompson and her colleagues will establish an HD therapy employing human embryonic stem cells that can be evaluated in clinical trials.

Over the past seven years, Thompson, a UCI professor of psychiatry & human behavior and neurobiology & behavior, and her team have used CIRM funding to produce stem cell lines "reprogrammed" from the skin cells of individuals carrying the Huntington's genetic mutation in order to study the disease. In addition, they conducted basic and early-stage transitional studies to develop a stem cell-based technique to treat areas of the brain susceptible to HD.

"These stem cells offer a possible long-term treatment approach that could relieve the tremendous suffering experienced by HD patients and their families," said Thompson, who's also affiliated with UCI's Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND). "We appreciate CIRM and the millions of people in the state of California for generously supporting breakthrough stem cell research."

With this award, CIRM has granted Thompson $10.3 million for her HD work. Overall, UCI has received $105 million from the state-funded agency.

Thompson said that her group has identified a highly promising neural stem cell line that shows disease-modifying activity in HD mice. These neural stem cells were grown from human embryonic stem cells at UC Davis. The researchers also will conduct essential preclinical efficacy and safety studies in HD mice with these cells.

Over the span of the 2-year grant, Thompson said, the goal is to finalize work that will lead to a pre-investigational-new-drug meeting with the Food & Drug Administration and a path forward for clinical trials with the neural stem cells.

"This investment will let us further test the early promise shown by these projects," said Jonathan Thomas, chair of the CIRM governing board. "Preclinical work is vital in examining the feasibility, potential effectiveness and safety of a therapy before we try it on people. These projects all showed compelling evidence that they could be tremendously beneficial to patients. We want to help them build on that earlier research and move the projects to the next level."

HD is a devastating degenerative brain disorder with no disease-modifying treatment or cure. Current approaches only address certain symptoms of HD and do not change its course.

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UCI team gets $5 million to create stem cell treatment for Huntington's disease

Stem Cell Therapy For Multiple Sclerosis
Back for round 2. After treatment in 2014 Beverly had improvement in her energy level, balance, walking and had colors come into her vision for the first time in 10 years. Beverly went blind...

By: Stem Cell Patient

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Stem Cell Therapy For Multiple Sclerosis - Video

Bobby Chia (Foto by Allan Defensor)

THERE is a lot of hype going on in some circles about stem cell therapy: Is it a cure-all? Is it the elusive fountain of youth?

Wikipedia definesstem cell therapy as the use of stem cells to treat or prevent a disease or condition.The process involves the administration of live whole cells or maturation of a specific cell population in a patient for the treatment of the disease as has been done in bone marrow transplants.

Bobby Chia, a Thai national who was in Cebu for a brief visit, said that stem cell therapy has been done in Villa Medica, Germany, since the 1960s. He learned about it 10 years ago when his mother had cancer and he looked around for the best medical care for her and found it in Villa Medica. It made her so much better (she can even play tennis now) that four years ago, Chia bought the clinic being run by Dr. Geoffrey Huertgen, a third generation doctor of that clinic.

The stem cell can be taken from the patient himself, but Chia says this stem source is naturally as old as the patient himself. Villa Medica chooses to use stem cells from fetuses of sheep (he said that stem cells from any mammal would be the same, but sheep stem cells are the ones more readily available). The process for Villa Medica, says Chia, involves the designing of a cocktail of stem cells to address whatever needs correction. If the eyes are not good, we choose the eyes. If the ears are not good, we choose the ears. If the heart is not good, we choose the heart. The procedure has been known to treat diseases and ailments like Parkinsons, diabetes, hypertension, migraine, allergies etc.

It (stem cell therapy) does not make you 18 years old all over again but it energizes you; from not being able to walk to walking again. It gives you a better quality of life. It is not a quick cure, but for a lot of people it is. We offer a choice for people who have no hope, Chia shares. But my main target is people who are not sick, Chia states, referring to athletes, models, professionals who want to have a better quality of life.

Chia says there are four doctors in Villa Medica. Since the cell therapy is patient-specific, the patient needs to stay four days and four nights at the clinic: for a detox program, for physical check-up, for interview, for determining the cocktail of stem cells to be used and how. The result, Chia says,is not immediate. It may take six weeks or even longer for the stem cells to do their work.

Chia says he has had about 150 patients coming from Cebu. Leaf through the pages of the local papers, one of them might just be there!

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on March 27, 2015.

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On stem cell therapy, benefits

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Newswise (New York March 25, 2015) Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)adult cells reprogrammed back to an embryonic stem cell-like statemay better model the genetic contributions to each patient's particular disease. In a process called cellular reprogramming, researchers at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have taken mature blood cells from patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and reprogrammed them back into iPSCs to study the genetic origins of this rare blood cancer. The results appear in an upcoming issue of Nature Biotechnology.

In MDS, genetic mutations in the bone marrow stem cell cause the number and quality of blood-forming cells to decline irreversibly, further impairing blood production. Patients with MDS can develop severe anemia and in some cases leukemia also known as AML. But which genetic mutations are the critical ones causing this disease?

In this study, researchers took cells from patients with blood cancer MDS and turned them into stem cells to study the deletions of human chromosome 7 often associated with this disease.

With this approach, we were able to pinpoint a region on chromosome 7 that is critical and were able to identify candidate genes residing there that may cause this disease, said lead researcher Eirini Papapetrou, MD, PhD, Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

Chromosomal deletions are difficult to study with existing tools because they contain a large number of genes, making it hard to pinpoint the critical ones causing cancer. Chromosome 7 deletion is a characteristic cellular abnormality in MDS and is well-recognized for decades as a marker of unfavorable prognosis. However, the role of this deletion in the development of the disease remained unclear going into this study.

Understanding the role of specific chromosomal deletions in cancers requires determining if a deletion has observable consequences as well as identifying which specific genetic elements are critically lost. Researchers used cellular reprogramming and genome engineering to dissect the loss of chromosome 7. The methods used in this study for engineering deletions can enable studies of the consequences of alterations in genes in human cells.

Genetic engineering of human stem cells has not been used for disease-associated genomic deletions, said Dr. Papapetrou. This work sheds new light on how blood cancer develops and also provides a new approach that can be used to study chromosomal deletions associated with a variety of human cancers, neurological and developmental diseases.

Reprogramming MDS cells could provide a powerful tool to dissect the architecture and evolution of this disease and to link the genetic make-up of MDS cells to characteristics and traits of these cells. Further dissecting the MDS stem cells at the molecular level could provide insights into the origins and development of MDS and other blood cancers. Moreover, this work could provide a platform to test and discover new treatments for these diseases.

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Mount Sinai Researchers Discover Genetic Origins of Myelodysplastic Syndrome Using Stem Cells