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Stem cells have the potential to cure a number of medical disorders

March 11, 2011 By 12 Comments

Only a few breakthroughs have been made in the field of biomedical sciences without controversies. Use of stem cell technology has triggered the hottest debate between scientists and the ethical groups. Ethical groups are opposing stem cell technology, particularly embryonic stem cell technology, as it involves the destruction of living human embryos.

 

However, new scientific breakthroughs have revealed that menstrual blood is an easy available and rich source of stem cells that are as potent as other adult cells found in other sources such as bone marrow.

 

Menstrual blood stem cells have the astonishing potential into several cell types in the body during the early stage of life. They serve the purpose of internal repairing and replacing of dying or dead cells. When a stem cell divides, each new cell possesses the potential either to become a specialized cell with a new function such as a brain cell, or to remain a stem cell.

 

As the menstrual blood has now been discovered as the source of abundant stem cells, the possibility of treating several potential medical disorders and diseases got a massive boost. During each monthly menstrual cycle, a woman shed billions of stem cells that can be easily accumulated, processed and cryo preserved to be used in several future potential cellular therapies. Self-renewing stem cells bridge the gap between the origin of the body, i.e. fertilized egg and the adult body it becomes. Vital menstrual blood stem cells that possess the potential to replenish and renew worn out, damaged as well as diseased tissues.

 

The research has proved the need to preserve menstrual blood, which has so far been discarded as biological, unhygienic waste, because it is a source of stem cells that could potentially be used to test new drugs. New medications can be tested on these before using them on humans for treating cellular diseases. Stem cells greatest potential is their capability of generating transplantable tissues and organs that could be used to replace below par or damaged tissue and organs. Currently, donated tissues or organs are transplanted to replace ailing or damaged organs, but the demand always outstrips supply.

 

Furthermore, stem cells have the potential either to cure or ameliorate a wide number of medical disorders and diseases such as acute leukemia, osteoporosis, spinal cord injury, stroke, burns, inherited metabolic disorders, refractory anemia, Alzheimer’s diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease and diabetes. Medical researchers hope that one day stem cells would be used to cure even different types of currently incurable cancers.

 

Menstrual blood banks are being set up to allow women to store their own stem cells to insure their future health. Thus there is a convincing reason for women to store menstrual blood astheir vital menstrual blood could empower them to take control of not only their own future health, but also of their first-degree relatives such as children and parents.

This article is written by Akmol, This is having topics on Menstrual blood stem cells, preserve menstrual blood, store menstrual blood, and for more information please visit: www.celle.com.


Article from articlesbase.com

This Howard Hughes Medical Institute video features Nadia Rosenthal, senior scientist at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, as she discusses recent discoveries concerning the location and characteristics of adult stem cells. Human tissues vary in their ability to heal and regenerate. The nervous system, for instance, has weak powers of regeneration, while the skin is quick to make new cells for repair. The heart is the most important muscle in the body and yet has feeble regenerative capabilities. But newly emerging research has increased our understanding of regeneration. Find out how cutting-edge research may change the way we approach stem cells.
Video Rating: 4 / 5

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Mother’s bone marrow could cure her unborn baby of genetic diseases

February 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Mother’s bone marrow could cure her unborn baby of genetic diseases
A ‘miracle’ stem cell cure that treats potentially deadly blood diseases in babies while they are still in the womb has been developed by scientists.
Read more on Daily Mail

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Cognitive behavioral therapy – the cure for insomnia

January 23, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Article by John Scott





There’s nothing worse than waking up at 3 in the morning, knowing you are not going to get back to sleep. There you are, lying in pitch darkness, frustrated the day has already begun for you. Now, let’s be straightforward about this. Insomnia has been around for centuries. It’s nothing new. What has changed are the pressures of life. In the good old days, most people went to bed when it got dark and woke with the dawn. This was a simple routine and most closely matched the behavior locked into our genes. When we were based in caves, sending out hunters and gatherers, we were daylight creatures. As farmers, nothing changed. It’s all the fault of the people who invented cities. They started staying up during the night to eat, drink and have fun. Once you combine artificial light with entertainment, there’s a whole new world tempting people to explore. This breaks the habits of generations and puts pressure on people to fit in work, play and sleep. For those who are supposed to rise and go to work in the morning, staying up late at night causes problems. As babies, our parents put us to bed in the early evening. The same routine continues for children for as long as possible – until all the temptations and distractions prove too much. That’s when the good sleep habits are lost, and the catnapping fit-in-what-you-can-when-you-can mentality gets started.

It’s true there are some excellent drugs on the market that can knock you out and keep you asleep during the night. But becoming dependent on a pill bottle is not a good long-term solution, particularly when some people suffer adverse side effects from these drugs. The best solution lies in relearning the sleep habits of children. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) teaches strategies to overcome sleep problems. It begins by capturing real information about your current sleep patterns. Never assume everyone can or should sleep eight hours a night. Some people continue to function well even though only sleeping six or seven hours. This involves you removing any unnecessary anxiety you have – the more anxious you become, the harder it is to fall asleep. CBT teaches relaxation techniques to calm your worries, reduce stress and take a more positive view of your lifestyle. There is also a full audit of your home to ensure the sleeping environment encourages sleep. This involves addressing problems of noise, light from outside, temperature control, and so on. The idea is to maximize comfort.

The remainder of the four-to-eight week courses teach you how to fall asleep more quickly and how to react when you reawaken. CBT is not a quick fix. It takes time to relearn old habits. It can also be expensive. Not all private health plans cover this type of therapy. As a final thought, neither the drugs nor CBT will prevail if there is an underlying cause like an overactive thyroid or depression. Always see your doctor to find out which treatment is going to work best for you. The simple short-term fix comes from ambien, the world’s leading brand of drug to help you sleep. Used wisely over short periods of time, ambien can allow you to catch up on your sleep and restore your lifestyle. Buy ambien for effective treatment. Use CBT for the best long-term cure.

About the Author

Amazed by the professional approach with which John Scott explores the subject of the article? Visit http://www.bestsleepingpill.net/new/cognitive-behavioral-therapy.html to read more articles from John Scott in which he shares his point of view on many other topics.

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Will Stem Cells Eventually Cure All Disease?

May 26, 2009 By 9 Comments

Article by Stephanie McIntyre





Few areas of medical research are generating as much interest as stem cells. There are several reasons why they are receiving so much scientific attention. They are able to divide into copies of themselves. They’re unspecialized. And they can produce other cell types.

Unlike other cell types, stem cells can divide into identical copies of themselves, and can do so for the life of the organism. Other specialized cell types are unable to do this. When they are damaged they cannot create replacement cells of the same type.

Stem cells are unspecialized. They don’t have tissue-specific functions or properties like red blood cells or nerve cells. They can’t oxygenate the body or make parts of it move or carry nerve impulses. They can however through a process called differentiation, divide and produce or give rise to other specialized cell types (blood cells, heart muscle cells, etc.)

Of great interest to scientists is the ability of stem cells to replicate many times over (proliferate), and remain unspecialized until called upon to differentiate into a specific cell type for repair of the body. Understanding this process is key to controlling the differentiation process and growing specific cells for, among other things, cell-based therapies.

A large part of the research effort is on the ability of stem cells to replace damaged cells in the body. As stem cells can, under the right conditions, be induced to become other cell types, they may be used to replace cells damaged or lost to injury or disease. It’s thought that there is the potential to produce, through continued research, cures for diseases such as Parkinson’s and diabetes, or to repair devastating injuries to the spinal cord.

Stem cells come in two varieties. The type that can differentiate into any adult cell type (pluripotent), or those that are limited in the types they can become (multipotent). Pluripotent stem cells are found in very early development organisms and multipotent stem cells among differentiated cells of the body.

The pluripotent cells used in research are derived from mammalian embryos in the very early stages of development (4-6 days old). Human embryos for stem cell research are those that are the result of in-vitro fertilization and donated, they are not from intra-uterine fertilization. These embryonic stem cells can potentially become each (more than 200) of the bodies cell types.

This ability to produce other cell types makes them a source for regenerative medicine and tissue replacement therapies. Though no treatments have been derived from embryonic stem cells yet, this is not unusual for any early research field so it’s still very promising.

Multipotent stem cells are found throughout the various tissue types of the body including cord blood. Though unspecialized, they can only produce cells of they type in which they are found. They repair and maintain those types of cells. Blood forming adult stem cells in the bone marrow repair and replace blood cell types like red blood cells and white blood cells and platelets. Retinal stem cells only replace and repair the retina. While it was generally believed that multipotent cells can only produce a limited number of different cells, recent research seems to indicate that they may not be as limited as previously thought.

Because stem cells can repair and replace damaged tissues, they are considered to be important to regenerative medicine (growing and replacing damaged tissue, or making natural healing work faster). Understandably there is a great deal of work being done in this area.

Stem cell research has given hope to many suffering from untreatable or incurable diseases and injuries that an answer to their health issues may be on the horizon. While these new therapies may be years away, science is making steady progress in understanding the process that make stem cells so promising. One can only be encouraged by the progress made so far and hopeful that all of the optimistic projections are realized.

About the Author

The team of Wendell M. Bryant Jr. and Stephanie McIntyre
frequently write on topics concerning heath and well being.
For more information on <a
href=”http://www.CordBloodUpdate.com cord blood banking
and donation visit http://www.CordBloodUpdate.com.

Stem cell research is not just a political fight for me — it’s deeply personal. Watch my video, then upload your own.
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Stem Cells: A Miracle Cure

March 30, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Article by Sachin Darekar





Stem cell cures have taken the medical world by storm. Diseases which were earlier considered fatal or incurable, are now being evaluated for treatment with stem cells that are obtained from the human body. Stem cells are essentially those which have the potential to develop into many different cell types in the body during early life and growth. These cells can be distinguished from other cell types on the basis of two important characteristics. The first being, these cells are unspecialized and thus capable of renewing themselves through cell division, in spite of long periods of inactivity. And second, these unspecialized cells can be induced to become tissue or organ specific cells that have special functions, when treated under certain physiological and experimental conditions. Scientists have primarily worked with two kinds of stem cells; namely, embryonic stem cells and somatic, adult or non-embryonic stem cells.
Stem cells are further classified on the basis of their potency, which essentially describes how many types of cells a certain stem cell can transform into. Stem cells can be divided into totipotent, pluripotent, multipotent and oligopotent and unipotent cells. Totipotent and pluripotent stem cells are those which have not yet begun differentiating and can be developed into any other type of cells. Multipotent are those which have already begun differentiating into a general type of cell, and can be developed into several cell types of a particular “family” of cell types. Oligopotent stem cells are capable of differentiating into only a limited type of cells, while unipotent stem cells can only reproduce indefinitely into their own type. Stem cells can be found in embryos, the umbilical cord and certain tissues of a fully developed body such as the bone marrow.
Stem cell-based therapies can work in the area of cardiac disorders, neural degeneration, spinal cord injuries, metabolic disorders, hematological diseases, oncological diseases, skin pigmentation disorders and burns and wound management. There are four firms that are looking towards expanding their hold in the Indian stem cell market. These are Reliance Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd. which is an initiative of Reliance Industries Ltd, LifeCell International Pvt. Ltd., Regenerative Medical Services Pvt. Ltd. and Cryo-Save India Pvt. Ltd. Of these, Reliance Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd. has already developed ReliNethra, which is an autologous limbal stem cells graft that can be used to restore or improve vision.
ReliNethra is essentially a culture of limbal epithelial stem cells on a human amniotic membrane which is then used to renew the ocular surface of an eye damaged due to chemical or thermal burns, severe microbial keratitis or contact-lens induced keratopathy. Reliance Life Sciences also offers the facility of a stem cell cord blood repository, which offers both public and family banking services. The stem cell enriched cord blood repository offers various programs which includes ReliCord -S, which is a sibling donor program that involves private banking; ReliCord – Superior, which allows cord blood, 1 million stem cells and cord tissue banking; ReliCord – M50, which allows cord blood, 50 million stem cells and cord tissue banking; and ReliCord – A, which is a public banking donor program wherein patients can access grafts from the repository that would be required for transplants.

About the Author

Reliance Life Sciences is the biotechnology research and development arm of the Reliance Group with services such as a cord blood bank and clinical research services center. Reliance also has an institute dedicated to Life Sciences.

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Cord Blood Stem Cell Breakthroughs: Cure For Diabetes?

March 24, 2009 By 15 Comments

Article by Alvin Toh





Cord blood, also called placental blood, is the blood that remains in the placenta and umbilical cord following birth, after the umbilical cord is cut. Generally, this blood is disposed of with the placenta and umbilical cord. There is much controversy regarding the use of stem cell research as it pertains to the use of embryos. However, there have been new scientific breakthroughs in the field of stem cell research using cord blood stem cells from living babies.

A team of South Korean researchers, headed by Prof. Kang Kyung-sun of Seoul National University, has successfully grown pancreatic beta cells from umbilical cord blood stem cells of newborn babies. The stem cells are able to secrete insulin, the hormone necessary for treatment of diabetes. The ability of cord blood stem cells to differentiate, or change into other types of cells in the body is a new discovery that holds great promise for improving the treatment of some of the most common diseases including diabetes. This achievement would be highlighted by The Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, the U.S.-based weekly, that documents breakthrough papers in biotechnology.

Similar breakthroughs have been achieved by scientists throughout the world. Researchers at the University of Newcastle, in Dublin, produced a ‘mini liver’ from cord blood stem cells. The technique will be developed to create a full-sized, fully functioning liver. Tissues from mini-livers will be used to test new drugs. Researchers are hopeful that within five years, pieces of the tissue can be used to repair damaged livers and within 15 years, actual liver transplants may be done using lab-grown livers made from cord blood. This is a significant achievement that can potentially develop treatments for liver diseases.

In a study published by the University of Minnesota, researchers discovered that some umbilical cord blood cells possess similar characteristics to primitive stem cells. According to Walter Low, Ph.D., senior investigator of the study and professor of Neurosurgery and the Stem Cell Institute at the University of Minnesota, this major discovery is crucial to understanding how cord blood stem cells can restore brain function after injury such as in stroke. In a laboratory test, cord blood stem cells were transplanted into rodents with controlled strokes. The results: some limb function was restored and the size of brain lesions was reduced. Cord blood stem cells developed into neuron-type cells, similar to those found in the brain. They also stimulated nerve fibers in the brain, thus the regained function in rats. This finding will significantly help advance the development of stroke research.

Stem cell technology has been advancing forward in leaps and bounds. The breakthroughs in cord blood stem cell research can substantially speed up the development of treatments for life-threatening diseases and debilitating conditions. Cord blood stem cell research avoids much of the controversy and problems associated with embryonic stem cell research.

About the Author

Cord blood stem cell transplant is becoming increasingly important for treatment of life-threatening diseases and debilitating conditions. Umbilical cord blood stem cells are less prone to rejection than bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cells. Get daily updated resources on umbilical cord blood at http://www.storingcordblood.com/art-cure

Missouri native and cancer survivor Sheryl Crow speaks out in support of the Missouri Coalition for Stem Cell Research.
Video Rating: 4 / 5

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Can Stem Cell Research Cure Tinnitus?

February 15, 2009 By 24 Comments

Are you having buzzing or other sounds in your ear more or less constantly?  The condition is Tinnitus and it’s debilitating.  When I first started having ringing in my ears I thought their must be a cure.  

Before I share with you what I’ve done to minimize my Tinnitus, let’s look at the latest research with stem cells.

I found there were many things I could do that worked for others but found none of them really helped. The latest hope is stem cell research.  The question is can stem cell research cure tinnitus?  

The research, hopefully, will result in a new cure for tinnitus.  Stem cells would be taken from embryos and changed to different types of cells.  The idea is that cells from nerves could be grown in the ear.  

Tinnitus or T is often linked to damage done to the ear.  It could have been exposure to loud sounds, a blow or other causes.  I’m a musician and I think it’s due to standing next to the drummer for hours and being regularly deafened by the sound of the cymbals.  

Researchers are looking into ways of regrowing the hair cells in the ear as a cure for T.  Currently there is no way to regrow these cells but the hope is that stem cells can cause these cells to regenerate and these would replace the damaged cells.  

Today the results of stem cell testing are exciting but it may take 10 years before the treatment is available.  So what can Tinnitus sufferers do in the meantime?

There are many folk remedies and even surgery is a possibility.  The problem is that some people have had some good results with various remedies and for others nothing seems to work.

My main problem was not sleeping because of a constant buzzing. It wasn’t a huge problem during the day but kept me from getting a full night’s sleep.  Ear plugs sometimes helped if I slept in certain positions.  Other times nothing worked.

I read everything I could get my hands on about possible remedies including dietary changes, exercise and even considered ramming my head into the wall a few times.

Can you imagine what it would be like to have your bed in the middle of a really busy airport runway?  I guarantee you wouldn’t be sleeping much.  Tinnitus symptoms are said to be made worse by lack of sleep.  It’s not a pretty scenario.

I finally found a combination of herbal and holistic remedies which is working for me.  I can’t say I’m cured yet but it’s so much better.  I even have 3 or 4 nights a week where the T doesn’t visit me anymore.

I’m gradually getting better and what a difference it’s making in my life.  The question as to can stem cell research cure tinnitus is still impossible to know.  Visit www.lifewithouttinnitus.info to see what is working for me today.


Article from articlesbase.com

Premieres Tuesday, January 15, 2008 on Independent Lens, a weekly series airing on PBS. Terra Incognita is a feature length documentary featuring the story of Dr. Jack Kessler, the current chair of Northwestern University’s Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences. When Kessler was invited to head up the Neurology Department at Northwestern, his focus was on using stem cells to help cure diabetes. However, soon after his move to Chicago, Allison — then age 15, was injured in a skiing accident and paralyzed from the waist down. In the moments following the accident, Dr. Kessler made the decision to change the focus of his research to begin looking for a cure for spinal cord injuries using embryonic stem cells. Through Kessler’s story, we bring the stem cell debate to the public for discussion. The film follows the constantly evolving interplay between the promise of new discoveries, the controversy of modern science and the resilience and courage of people living every day with devastating disease and injury.

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