Archive for the ‘Skin Stem Cells’ Category

A recent article in the journal Nature credits Stanford physician-neuroscientist Sergiu Pasca, MD, with blazing a trail toward a more profound understanding of early brain development, and of what can go wrong in the process, using a cell-based research innovation he named "assembloids."

In 2015, Pasca and his colleagues published a paper in Nature Methods describing a fascinating feat: His tinkering with induced pluripotent stem cells, or iPS cells -- former skin cells transformed so that they've acquired an almost magical capacity to generate all the tissues in the body -- had borne a three-dimensional product. From these "magic" iPS cells grew a complex conglomerate of cells capable of modeling specific organs.

Pasca's particular interest was in the brain, and in the experiments detailed in the study, his lab had caused human iPS cells to multiply and differentiate into small spherical clusters of brain tissue suspended in laboratory glassware.

These clusters recapitulated the architecture and physiology of the human cerebral cortex -- the outermost layer of brain tissue, critical to perception, cognition and action. Pasca named these clusters, which grew to several millimeters in diameter and contained millions of cells, "cortical spheroids." Today, researchers around the world are using similar methodology to create models, broadly known as "organoids," to study other parts of the human body.

Two years later, in a study published in Nature, Pasca upped the ante by, first, generating a second kind of neural spheroid -- this time, representative of a deeper part of the developing forebrain called the subpallium -- and, second, by growing this kind of spheroid in conjunction with cortical spheroids, in the same dish.

To the researchers' amazement, spheroids of both types fused together, with nerve cells from subpallial spheroids migrating and poking extensions into the cortical spheroids and establishing working connections with nerve cells of a different type in the latter spheroids, just as occurs in fetal development.

"It's amazing that these cells already self-organize and know what they need to do," Pasca marveled in "Brain Balls," an article I wrote for our magazine, Stanford Medicine, a few years ago.

Pasca sensibly dubbed the two-fused-spheroid combos "assembloids," the Nature recap notes.

But why stop at two? Pasca has since created three-element assembloids composed of spheroids representative of cerebral cortex, spinal cord and skeletal muscle in order to model the circuitry of voluntary movement. He's also shown that stimulating the "cerebral cortex" spheroid can result in contraction of the "muscle" spheroid. (This accomplishment was published in Cell in late 2020.) He has explored other assembloid combinations, as well, such as the fusing of cortical spheroids with spheroids representing the striatum, a brain structure implicated in regulating our movements and responses to rewarding and aversive stimuli.

Because each spheroid begins with skin cells, they can be grown on a personalized basis -- and can therefore be extracted from patients with neurological disorders known or suspected to spring from early developmental aberrations (such as autism or schizophrenia). The cells can then be used to create models to probe these disorders' molecular, cellular and circuit-based deviations from the pathways of normal brain development, allowing scientists to study the brain in way they could never do with a living patient.

From the Nature article:

Assembloids are now at the leading edge of stem-cell research. Scientists are using them to investigate early events in organ development as tools for studying not only psychiatric disorders, but other types of disease as well.

An assembloid is by no means a complete, working brain. But, the article notes, "Pasca stands by the aphorism that all models are wrong, and some are useful. 'There's been important progress in the field in a short period of time,' he says."

Photo courtesy of the Pasca laboratory

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Stanford neuroscientist's 'assembloids' pave the way for innovative brain research - Scope

Fall is here, and now is the perfect time to upgrade your beauty routine for the cooler temperatures. Here are a few of our favorite products:

Parfums de Marly

The famed perfume house founded by Julien Sprecher will launch sensual Oriana on September 12th. Packaged in a hot pink bottle, the airy and dreamy fragrance is captivating withnotes of orange blossom, marshmallow, and Chantilly cream. Available on parfums-de-marly.com and Saks Fifth Avenue. $320.

ILONA

This innovative skincare brand continuously seeks out innovative ingredients and technologies from around the world and incorporates them into premium high-performance formulas like the BEYOND C Corrective Serum. This reincarnating serum is housed in a beautiful dual vessel package. One side is black, the other gold with each containing corrective technologies that reach maximum potency at the moment of unity.

The black side contains a novel probiotic and micronized niacin that fortifies skin defenses, intensifies cellular activity, quells inflammation, and amends blotchiness. The gold vessel contains a patented, hyper-potent, permeable form of vitamin C that helps brighten, fade age spots, even skin tone, and protect against oxidation. $132.

Heraux

This innovative product was created by Heraux Co-Founder Dr. Ben Van Handel, a Stem Cell Biologist at the University of Southern California and leading inflammaging researcher. Dr. Handel notes that Retinols are anti-inflammatory at the molecular level, acting as antioxidants and blocking hyperactivation of the immune system. HX-1, the proprietary ingredient in HerauxsMolecular Anti-Inflammaging Serum, acts to shield skin stem cells from pro-inflammaging stressors and concurrently supports the youthful function of stem cells. The regenerative program enabled by HX-1 promotes the secretion of collagen and elastin as well as improved skin barrier function.

Kimberly Fisher is a Pursuitist contributor. As a freelance writer and on-camera host, Kimberly has traveled the world and has published over 400 articles in over 44 publications including Sherman's Travel, Huffington Post, Just Luxe, Luxury Lifestyles UK, eHow, Examiner, Food Wine Travel Magazine, Luxe Beat, NiteGuide, Ocean View, and USA Today. Disclosure: Kimberly is employed by Remy Cointreau Americas.

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3 of the Best Fall Beauty Buys - Pursuitist

According to a study published in Nature, a journal, researchers have found the reason behind obesity leading to hair thinning.Also Read - Surgery For Weight Loss: What is Bariatric Surgery, How Does it Help in Reducing Weight, And Is it Safe?

They found that stem cells within hair follicles in mice given a high-fat diet behaved differently from those in mice with a standard diet. Inflammatory signals in the stem cells led to these differences, ultimately resulting in hair thinning and loss. These fascinating data shed light on the complicated link between obesity and organ dysfunction. Also Read - Study Suggests Obesity is Not Caused by Overeating, it Depends on Quality of the Food

Its well known that obesity is linked to the development of numerous diseases in humans. Heart disease, diabetes, and other ailments are extremely common in obese individuals. However, its not fully clear how body organs specifically deteriorate and lose functionality from chronic obesity. Also Read - What is a Hormonal Belly? 3 Vital Signs That Your Hormones Are The Reason Behind Your Belly Fat

In a recent study, a group of researchers from Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) used mouse model experiments to examine how a high-fat diet or genetically induced obesity can affect hair thinning and loss.

The authors found that obesity can lead to depletion of hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) through the induction of certain inflammatory signals, blocking hair follicle regeneration and ultimately resulting in loss of hair follicles.

Normally, HFSCs self-renew every hair follicle cycle. This is part of the process that allows our hair to continuously grow back. As humans age, HFSCs fail to replenish themselves leading to fewer HFSCs and therefore hair thinning.

Although overweight people have a higher risk of androgenic alopecia, whether obesity accelerates hair thinning, how and the molecular mechanisms have been largely unknown. The TMDU group aimed to address those questions and identified some of the mechanisms.

High-fat diet feeding accelerates hair thinning by depleting HFSCs that replenish mature cells that grow hair, especially in old mice. We compared the gene expression in HFSCs between HFD-fed mice and standard diet-fed mice and traced the fate of those HFSCs after their activation, said the lead author of the study Hironobu Morinaga.

We found that those HFSCs in HFD-fed obese mice change their fate into the skin surface corneocytes or sebocytes that secrete sebum upon their activation. Those mice show the faster hair loss and smaller hair follicles along with depletion of HFSCs. Even with HFD feeding in four consecutive days, HFSCs shows increased oxidative stress and the signs of epidermal differentiation, Morinaga added.

The gene expression in HFSCs from the high-fat-fed mice indicated the activation of inflammatory cytokine signalling within HFSCs. The inflammatory signals in HFSCs strikingly repress Sonic hedgehog signalling that plays a crucial role in hair follicle regeneration in HFSCs, described Emi K. Nishimura, a senior author.

The researchers confirmed the activation of the Sonic hedgehog signalling pathway in this process can rescue the depletion of HFSCs.

This could prevent the hair loss brought on by the high-fat diet, said Nishimura.

This study has provided interesting new insights into the specific cellular fate changes and tissue dysfunction that can occur following a high-fat diet or genetically induced obesity and may open the door for future prevention and treatment of hair thinning as well as for the understanding of obesity-related diseases.

(With inputs from ANI)

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Can Obesity Lead to Hair Fall? Here's What The Research Says - India.com

Facial serums are skin care products that the skin can absorb rapidly. They are formulated to contain high doses of ingredients, including actives such as vitamin C and retinol. They are not moisturizers. Instead, they are an additional step in a skin care routine selected to address specific skin concerns.

While many facial serums make claims about their benefits, limited scientific data is available to support these claims. The potential uses and benefits of a serum will depend on the ingredients and their concentration.

Many serums use active ingredients such as:

Common issues face serums claim to address include acne, rosacea, and signs of aging such as wrinkles.

One study of a facial serum targeting fine lines and wrinkles found that after 12 weeks, women showed statistically significant improvements in:

Face serums are generally considered safe. They are available without a prescription. However, because face serums deliver concentrated doses of active ingredients such as vitamin C or hyaluronic acid, people should exercise caution when trying them for the first time.

Pregnant people should exercise caution when selecting skin care products. Using products made with concentrated forms of vitamin A, such as retinol, can harm a developing fetus. Pregnant people should avoid skin care products that contain retinoids or other harmful ingredients.

People who are already using prescription or high dosage skin care products should check with their healthcare providers before using face serums to ensure they are not taking in unhealthy levels of powerful ingredients, such as retinoids.

When introducing a new active ingredient to the skin, there is a possibility of side effects such as:

If a person experiences these symptoms, they should reduce the frequency and dosage of the serum or stop using it altogether if symptoms do not reduce.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends trying just one new product, like a facial serum, at a time. Starting several new products all at once, particularly anti-aging products, can irritate the skin and make it difficult to determine which products are beneficial.

It is also helpful to perform a patch test for a week before using a new product on facial skin. A patch test involves applying small amounts of the new product on the inner forearm for a few days to check for reactions.

A skin serum will not be effective if it is not used properly. The best time to apply face serum is after cleaning the skin and before applying moisturizer.

Facial serums are concentrated, so people should only use a small amount to cover the facial skin.

Learn more about skin care routines here.

No single skin care product can address all skin health needs. To pick out the best face serum, a person should first decide what skin concern they want to address, such as wrinkles or acne.

Look for a face serum that is a good fit for individual concerns and needs. For example, a person should choose a face serum that suits their skin type, such as oily, dry, combination, or aging.

Some people may wish to find products that are hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic, which means they are less likely to cause allergic reactions or acne.

Products do not have to be expensive to be effective, and serums are available to suit various budgets.

Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based.

This is an oil-free vitamin C face serum designed for people with oily or blemish-prone skin.

SkinCeuticals claims this serum can reduce skin oiliness and wrinkles, and improve skin texture.

The ingredients include:

This serum costs $166 for a 30ml bottle.

Made with Avene Thermal Spring Water, this water-gel serum is safe for adolescents and adults.

It is suitable for oily skin and should be used after cleansing in the morning and evening.

Avena claims that this product can be used safely alongside other acne treatments and can reduce the appearance of pores.

This serum costs $28.00 for 30ml.

This antioxidant face serum is fragrance- and oil-free, and certified cruelty-free.

Drunk Elephant claims it can reduce the signs of sun damage and aging while hydrating the skin. It stays active on the skin for up to 72 hours and should be applied in the morning.

Customers must mix a powder and liquid to create the fresh activated serum.

This serum costs $78.00 for 28ml.

This face serum contains aloe, vitamin A, niacinamide, vitamin C, vitamin E, tea tree oil, and other vitamin and herbal ingredients.

Klur states that this serum may even out skin texture, helps calms inflammation, and increases skin clarity.

People should use it at night and no more than 3 times a week.

This serum costs $110.00 for 30ml.

This serum uses forms of retinoid that The Ordinary states may reduce the signs of aging better than other retinoid products, without causing irritation.

The company recommends people patch test the serum, before using it on facial skin. People should not use it in combination with other retinoid products.

Use only in the evening after cleansing, and refrigerate after opening.

This serum is vegan and free from oil, silicones, nuts, and gluten.

This low-cost serum sells for $9.80 for 60ml.

This cruelty-free skin serum contains milk protein, seaweed extract, and arnica. Ren claims it may calm and soothe the skin while reducing redness and irritation.

It should be used morning and/or night before moisturizing.

This serum costs $58.00 for 30ml.

True Botanicals claims that this anti-aging serum may reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

It uses natural antioxidants such as chebula, elderberry, ginger, and echinacea to help strengthen the skins immunity to signs of aging.

After morning and evening cleansing, users can apply one half or full drop to their faces.

This serum costs $90.00 for 30ml.

Skin Authority claims that this lightweight serum reduces the appearance of fine lines, by plumping skin folds and smoothing skin texture.

This serum is designed for use after morning cleansing.

This serum costs $155.00 for 15ml.

Peach and Lily claims that this serum can brighten the skin and reduce the appearance of dark spots.

It contains various ingredients from botanical sources, including green tea extracts, mushrooms, and arbutin. It also contains niacinamide.

It is suitable for all skin types.

This serum costs $39.00 for 50ml.

SkinCeuticals claims that this serum may reduce the appearance of dark spots and improves skin tone.

Ingredients include:

It is suitable for people with all skin types.

This serum costs $98.00 for 30ml.

Bioderma claims that this face serum may increase the skins ability to retain moisture. Made specifically for people with dry skin, it is noncomedogenic, meaning it will not block pores.

People can use this serum in the morning and evening.

This serum costs $27.99 for 40ml.

This serum is suitable for use by people with all skin types. Eminence claims that this face serum helps reduce the appearance of sun-induced skin damage.

Its active ingredients include vitamin C and other antioxidants, which work together to brighten the skin and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

This serum costs $110.00 for 30ml.

The rest is here:
12 of the best face serums 2021 - Medical News Today

A man went to a clinic in Mannheim, Germany, where tests found that the rash on his hands and elbows was in fact leukaemia cutis, where the cancer cells are in the skin tissue

Image: NEJM)

A man suffering from a nasty skin rash on his hands and elbows that looked like psoriasis found that it was actually a form of leukaemia.

The 65-year-old went to a dermatologist in Mannheim, Germany, due to the red patches that had developed on the back of his hands and arms and he later found the worrying diagnosis that it was leukaemia cutis.

Tests done at the hospital showed that he had a high white-cell count along with a low number of platelets, it is reported.

The case was published in the New England Medical Journal where it said that a diagnosis of leukaemia cutis was made.

While extremely rare, the condition means that the leukaemia cells are in the skin tissue.

It is found to happen in around three percent of leukaemia cases where the rash has been found on skin including the arms, back or face.

Image:

Other leukaemia symptoms include fever, tiredness and susceptibility to infections.

But in the case of the 65-year-old in Germany, he only had the rash on his hands and elbow.

The New England Medical Journal stated: "A diagnosis of leukemia cutis was made, and the patient was urgently referred to the oncology clinic.

"The patient received a diagnosis of chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia and underwent stem-cell transplantation.

"Two weeks after the transplantation, the patients skin changes had resolved, and the cancer has been in remission since."

Leukaemia Care UK said that usually patients who have the cancer and find rashes do not have this particular condition.

It stated: Leukaemia cutis is very rare, occurring in only about three percent of total cases of leukaemia.

"With this in mind, it is unsurprising that most lesions seen in leukaemia patients are not leukaemia cutis.

In fact, most lesions (40%) seen in leukaemia patients are caused by other complications of leukaemia.

It continued: In the rare occasion that leukaemia cutis occurs, the patient will normally have already been diagnosed with leukaemia.

"However, in seven percent of cases of leukaemia cutis, the skin lesion is the very first symptom of a blood cancer. This is sometimes referred to as aleukaemic leukaemia cutis.

Link:
Man discovers nasty red rash on his hands and elbows is potentially fatal - The Mirror

Your skin is your largest organ, which means it's well worth whatever investment you decide to put toward maintaining its health. While budget beauty can certainly get the job done, sometimes you can't help but lust after the La Mers and La Prairies of the world. Though these types of pricey productsmany of which you probably recognize from the shelfies of the ultra-rich-and-famousalmost never go on sale, right now you can snag them for seriously discounted prices as a part of the Friends and Family Saks Skin-Care Sale.

Wondering how you can suss out which products are worth the splurge? Generally, serums and oilswhich have the highest concentrations of active ingredientstend to give you the most bang for your buck. Beyond that, though, "its important to evaluate and investigate the active ingredients in each product and not simply choose a product based on its marketing, packaging, or promises," Rachel Nazarian, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, previously told Well+Good. Lucky for you, our beauty editors have done all the legwork in sorting through Saks' on-sale skin care to determine which products live up to their hefty (albeit currently discounted) price tags. Keep scrolling to shop our picks.

Photo: Estee Lauder

Este Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum Duo Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex $153.00

Originally $180, now $153

Consistently ranked as the number-one anti-aging serum in the U.S., this serum optimizes your skin natural repair process to fend off multiple signs of aging, including fine lines, wrinkles, and discoloration. Though its got a lofty price tag, it serves double duty as a skin-protecting antioxidant serum during the day and a skin-recovery anti-aging serum at night.

La Prairie Skin Caviar Skin Caviar Nighttime Oil $451.00

Originally $530, now $451

Nothing says indulgent quite like caviar, which happens to be the star ingredient in this evening oil. The luxe formula includes both caviar-derived retinol and lipids, which work together to stimulate cellular turnover and strengthen your skin barrier. Youll see stronger, smoother, and firmer skin after a single nightand the results will get even better over time.

Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum $255.00

Originally $300, now $255

Often considered the holy grail of luxury hyaluronic acid serums, its rare that youll find this stuff on sale (which means that your time to snag it is n-o-w). It contains three different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid, which penetrate and hydrate your skin at different levels, plus purslane, a natural ingredient rich in cell-renewal stimulating vitamin A and moisturizing vitamin E.

Cl de Peau Beaut La Crme $468.00

Originally $550, now $468

Believe it or not, the moisturizer encapsulated in this luxe-looking gold container is even more opulent than the packaging implies. It combines many of skin cares buzziest ingredientswrinkle-fighting retinol, hydrating hyaluronic acid, moisturizing squalane, antioxidant-rich silkwith a proprietary dark-spot-correcting blend, and leaves a luminous finish that only enhances its lavishness.

Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream PPC Cellular Renewal Rich Cream $145.00

Originally $170, now $145

Often referred to as the best skin care in the world the technology used in this moisturizer is truly unparalleled. It was initially developed to help with scarring in burn victims, but was brought to the wider market when developers realized how effective it was in aiding in overall skin health. So what makes it so special? It uses epigentic technology to deliver nutrients to specific parts of the cells to change the expression of their DNA, effectively catalyzing them to repair on their own, which improves the appearance of issues like scarring, discoloration, and wrinkles.

La Mer The Concentrate $178.00

Originally $210, now $178

Made with concentrated amounts of La Mers famed miracle broth (which is made from hand-harvested kelp) plus a stabilizing ferment that combines marine algae and seawater and holds three different types of sea minerals that help rejuvenate skin. When one of our editors tested out the concentrate for a full month, she saw her skin transform into a brighter, more even, and more hydrated version of itself, and deemed the product well worth the hefty chunk of change it will cost you.

Testament Beauty Turkish Coffee 3-in-1 Mask $58.00

Originally $68, now $58

For $58 (which, admittedly, feels like a steal compared to some of the other products on this list), this mask will give you triple beauty benefits in a single application. Finely-ground coffee seeds exfoliate and awaken skin, a combination of niacinamide and anti-inflammatory botanicals (think: safflower and sunflower) help to calm irritation, and ceramides and fatty acids aid in hydration and skin barrier strength. Its a scrub, a mask, and a moisturizer all in one, and can be used in place of multiple steps in your usual routine.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Oxygenating Night Cream $136.00

Originally $160, now $136

Your evening skin routine should be all about regeneration (fun fact: your skin repairs itself while you sleep), a process this moisturizer works to support. Its made with a blend of marine ingredients that infuse hydration, stimulate collagen production, and help ramp up your skins own antioxidant defenses, leaving you with a smoother, more supple complexion that will stay moisturized for 12 full hours after you apply.

MZ Skin Lift & Lustre Golden Elixir Antioxidant Serum $280.00

Originally $329, now $280

I count this as one of the few luxury serums in my own skin-care collection, and can confirm that its among the best that money can buy. Formulated by dermatologist Maryam Zamani, its made with a concentrated blend of stem cells, botanical extracts, and hyaluronic acid. According to clinical studies conducted by the brand, over the course of 30 days, the antioxidant-rich serum increases hydration by 25 percent, improves wrinkle depth by 16 percent, and enhances radiance by 38 percent. Personally, I love to use it as a part of my a.m. routine (or ahead of special occasions), because its gold flecks give my complexion a lit-from-within glow that looks gorgeous on its own or layered under makeup. Whats more? You can also dab it on your cheeks, brow bones, or Cupids bow as a stand-in for your go-to highlighter.

Check out the video below to find out which high-end products are a part of a dermatologist's own routine.

Want even more beauty intel from our editors? Follow our Fine Print Instagram account) for must-know tips and tricks.

Our editors independently select these products. Making a purchase through our links may earn Well+Good a commission.

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The Number 1 Serum in the U.S. Is on Sale at SaksAlong With Other Never-Discounted Buys - Well+Good

Kyoto A drug discovered through a method using induced pluripotent stem cells, or iPS cells, from sufferers of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) was effective in stopping the progression of the neurological disease in five out of nine patients in a clinical trial, a research team at Kyoto University said Thursday.

While drugs that slow down the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrigs disease, have been used in the past, this is the first time that a chronic myeloid leukemia drug called bosutinib has been found to stop its progression, according to the team.

Haruhisa Inoue, a professor of neurology at Kyoto University leading the team, said that larger clinical trials will be needed to determine if the drug can be put to practical use, but We are now looking at the possibility of being able to control ALS with the power of science.

The team reproduced the disease by culturing iPS cells derived from the skin of patients into motor neurons. They then tested a series of drug compounds on the cells to find that bosutinib was effective in slowing down the progression of ALS.

The drug was administered for around three months to nine patients who were in the early stages of the disease and showing signs of deterioration. Progression of the disease stopped in five patients during the treatment period, while four patients continued to deteriorate at the same pace as before.

A comparison of the blood samples from both sets of patients showed that they had differing amounts of a protein unique to nerve cells before the drug was administered. Researchers plan to conduct clinical trials with larger groups while adjusting the dosage and other conditions in the future.

There are about 9,000 people in Japan who suffer from ALS. The disease causes motor neurons to progressively die, resulting in paralysis, with many patients requiring a ventilator to stay alive. Its exact cause is unknown, and no fundamental treatments have been established.

In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever.By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.

PHOTO GALLERY (CLICK TO ENLARGE)

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Drug that stops ALS progression found using iPS cells from patients - The Japan Times

Photo: Francis Collins, by NIH Image Gallery, via Flickr.

Francis Collins, Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH),has just announcedhis intention to step down at the end of 2021 after more than 12 years heading the agency. The accolades are already rolling in. Noted evangelical political commentator David French, for example, rushed to praise Collins as a national treasure.

But Collinss real legacy is anything but praiseworthy, and the tendency of figures in the faith community to ignore his real record is far from admirable.

This year of all years should have made the truth about Francis Collins clear. Last month, documents were released suggesting that top National Institutes of Health (NIH) officials may haveliedwhen they denied that the NIH had funded gain of function research in Wuhan, China, that could have resulted in a pathogen that could infect humans.

After reviewing the documents, Rutgers University biologist Richard Ebright had a blistering response: The documents make it clear that assertions by the NIH Director, Francis Collins, and the NIAID Director, Anthony Fauci, that the NIH did not support gain-of-function research or potential pandemic pathogen enhancement are untruthful.

It was another blow to the reputation of Collins in a year when his agency has faced multiple scandals and controversies.

Among evangelical Christians and other people of faith in America, Collins has long been the equivalent of a rock star. But Collinss days of glory as a non-partisan role model, especially for the faith community, may be numbered and its not just because of the latest scandal over the origins of COVID-19.

In recent months, Collinss agency has become embroiled in controversies over its funding of stomach-churning medical experiments involving body parts harvested from aborted babies. The disclosures about the experiments followed Collinssrepealearlier this year of restrictions on the use of aborted fetal tissue in NIH-funded research.

Collins has also stirred controversy with his increasingly shrill attacks on unvaccinated Americans and his support for harsh mandatory vaccination policies that will require the firing of employees who choose not to be vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine.

The former head of the Human Genome Project, Collins catapulted to fame (and the cover ofTimeMagazine) in 2000 with the announcement of a working draft of the sequence of the human genome.He then became a hero to many Christians with the publication in 2006 of his bookThe Language of God, which recounted his journey from atheism to Christianity.

In an increasingly polarized national environment, Collins is one of the rare heads of a major federal agency to serve under both Republican and Democratic Presidents. Appointed by President Obama to head the NIH in 2009, Collins continued in that role under President Trump and now President Biden. He has regularly drawn praise from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. At gatherings of evangelical Christians, he has been known to strum the guitar and sing worship songs and receive the adoration of attendees. At one 2019 eventit was reportedthat conference participants lined up for selfies with him.

In 2020, Collins wasawarded the prestigious Templeton Prize, worth more than $1.3 million, for his work integrating science and faith. Previous recipients of the prize have included Mother Teresa, John Polkinghorne, Charles Colson, and Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn.

Among secular as well as religious journalists, Collins often receives what verges on fawning treatment. A writer forThe New Yorkergushedthat Collins is a model of geek cool. He likes big, noisy motorcycles, and, despite a mild manner, he is famously unself-conscious. At the unlikeliest moments, he will strap on a guitar and accompany himself in song, often a tune he has composed for the occasion.

This year, however, Collinss reputation has taken continued beatings, not just because of evasive answers about the role of the NIH in gain-of-function research in China, but also because of publicity around NIH-funded experiments that many Americans, especially people of faith, would find horrific.

In May, reports surfaced aboutmacabre NIH-funded experimentsthat utilized body parts collected fromaborted human fetuses to createhumanized mouse and rodent models with full-thickness human skin.For the experiments, researchersat the University of Pittsburghcut into tiny pieces human fetal spleen, thymus, and liver organs and then transplanted the tissues and hematopoietic stem cells into irradiated mice. Researchers also sliced off skin from the scalp of the aborted babies and then grafted the fetal skin onto the mice. In the words of the scientists: Full-thickness human fetal skin was processed via removal of excess fat tissues attached to the subcutaneous layer of the skin, then engrafted over the rib cage, where the mouse skin was previously excised.

The body parts used for these experiments were harvested from aborted human fetuses with a gestational age of 18-20 weeks. By that age, an unborn baby hasbrain wavesand abeating heart. He canhear sounds and move his limbs and eyes, and his digestion system has started to work.In other words, the human fetuses whose organs were harvested for this NIH-funded research were well-developed tiny humans, not blobs of undifferentiated cells.

In August, an additional project funded by the NIH came to light thanks to documents obtained in a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit by Judicial Watch and the Center for Medical Progress. The lawsuit was filed after Collinss NIH dragged its feet in responding.According to Judicial Watch, the documents show that theNIH has provided nearly $3 million in tax dollars to support a fetal organ harvesting operation by the University of Pittsburgh in its quest to become a Tissue Hub for human fetal tissue ranging from 6 to 42 [!] weeks gestation.

David Daleiden, president of the Center for Medical Progress,commented: The NIH grant application for just one of Pitts numerous experiments with aborted infants reads like an episode ofAmerican Horror Story. Infants in the womb, some old enough to be viable, are being aborted alive and killed for organ harvesting, in order to bring in millions of dollars in taxpayer funding.

Daleiden furtherallegedthat NIH funding was used to underwrite labor induction abortions, where the baby is pushed out of the mother whole and then killed to obtain the desired tissues. In other words, the NIH was facilitating a process where babies, some of the age of viability, [are] to be delivered alive, and then killing them by cutting their kidneys out.

Francis Collins self-identifies as an evangelical Christian, and most evangelicals as well as faithful Catholics regard abortion as the destruction of innocent human life.

So how has Collins responded to these revelations? With horror? With a pledge to investigate? With a promise to stop taxpayer funding of such research?

Since early August, Ive repeatedly tried to get Collins to answer questions about these NIH funded experiments using aborted fetal organs and tissues.Does Collins support this research funded by his agency? Does he have any ethical objections to it? How does he personally justify the research given his religious convictions? I repeatedly emailed these and other questions to the media contacts for the NIH Office of the Director.

The response? His office has refused to answer.

But its not just NIH research involving humans that has been raising controversy this year. In recent months, Collinss NIH has come under fire for fundingabusive medical experiments on dogsthat critics say were unnecessary as well as barbaric. The experiments were funded by the NIH division headed by Anthony Fauci, but that division is under the ultimate oversight of Collins. In late August, 15 members of Congresssent a letterraising questions about the research.

Again, I tried to get a response from Collins about this latest controversy. Again, he refused to respond to questions.

Ironically, while Collins is AWOL when it comes to answering basic questions about the research his agency is funding, he is more than willing to speak out on other topics, especially COVID-19, where he is now becoming a polarizing figure to many because ofincreasingly shrill advocacy of compulsory vaccination as well as his demonization of those who choose not to take a COVID-19 vaccine.

At the end of April,Collins claimedthat he would not require NIH employees to get vaccinated, and he seemed to argue for a positive approach of selling the benefits of vaccines rather than demonizing the unvaccinated or engaging in finger-wagging. Yet by early August his public posture had changed. He was nowcheerleading for compulsory vaccine requirementsimposed by private businesses as well as enthusiastically overseeing compulsory vaccinations for the very workers at the NIH that he earlier said would not face compulsory vaccination.

After President Bidens speech in September declaringwar on the unvaccinated, Collins ramped up his own rhetoric.In an appearance on MSNBC after Bidens speech, Collins firstsuggestedunvaccinated people were selfish, declaring that this is really an occasion to think about loving your neighbor, not just yourself.

Collins then branded both unvaccinated people and politicians who dont favor vaccine mandates as killers on the wrong side of history. Dismissing their views as merely a philosophical political argument that is part of the culture war, Collins complained that this philosophical political argument is killing people, including, Im sad to say, some children. We have to get past this if we really have a future as a nation.

I would like to say particularly to those leaders who are on the wrong side of this, what Lincoln said one time, Collins declared. Citizens, we will not escape history. Do you want to be looked at in the lens of that backward look ten years from now and defend what you did when in fact, we are losing tens of thousands of lives that didnt have to die?

A question for Collins: Is attacking your fellow citizens (including many fellow Christians) as heartless killers because they disagree with you on either vaccinations or vaccine mandates an example of loving your neighbor?

Whatever one thinks about COVID-19 vaccinations, Collinss over-the-top rhetoric demonizing those he disagrees with as killers is beyond the pale, especially for someone who wears his Christianity on his sleeve. As I have writtenelsewhere, his rhetoric is also based on several falsehoods.

So just how far is Collins willing to go to push coercive medicine? Thats an interesting question.

In my home state of Washington, the governor has issuedan emergency orderthat will compel private religious schools and day care centers as well as other private businesses to fire employees later this month if they wont get vaccinated. While there technically is a route for religious exemptions, it is so narrow and onerous that many religious people may not qualify.

Its now being suggested in some states that discharged employeeswont be able to get unemployment benefits. Perhaps the idea is that if the unvaccinated dont die of COVID they can die of starvation instead.

As if that werent bad enough, the unvaccinated face the denial of medical care. Also in my home state, the University of Washington medical system is now apparently denyingorgan transplantsto patients who are unvaccinated, even if those patients have a credible medical reason for not having the vaccinations.

This is pure, unadulterated social Darwinism: Brand a whole class of people as biologically unfit (in this case, the unvaccinated) and then make sure they cant receive medical care, hold jobs, or basically survive. Heap scorn on them, demonize them as killers, and stir up hatred against them so other people begin to abuse them. If Collins is truly concerned about the judgment of history, he should read a little more widely about the sorry results of demonizing entire classes of people as the enemies of society.

Let me be clear: I am not arguing here about whether people ought to get COVID-19 vaccinations, or whether those vaccinations are helpful. For the record, depending on ones risk profile, I think vaccinations are in a persons best interest. The issue is whether in the name of vaccination people should be stripped of their livelihoods, denied medical care, and demonized as enemies of society. In any morally sane universe, the policies being proposed are as immoral as they are unprecedented.

So does Francis Collins endorse depriving unvaccinated people of their right to work and to support their families? Does he endorse denying them unemployment insurance? Does he go even further and endorse denying medical care to the unvaccinated?

I again asked Collins media relations staff for answers. Again, crickets.

Although Collins likes to tout his personal faith, he appears to have very little concern for any sort of conscience rights of fellows religious believers who disagree with him.After all, he dutifully served in a previous administration that repeatedly weakenedconscience protectionsfor medical workers opposed to abortion and thatviolated federal lawby turning a blind eye when California mandated abortion coverage in all private insurance plans.

It might also be noted that as late as December 2020, Collins was still urging thatmost churches should not meet in person, even implying that they shouldnt do sountil the summer or fall of 2021.

And his current promotion of compulsory vaccinations seemingly has no qualifiers. At least, he isnt talking about any.

Collins hasconcededthat various COVID-19 vaccines used cell lines originally derived from an aborted fetus in either their production or testing, which is one reason some people have moral qualms about the vaccines. Yet you wont find Collins advocating for the conscience rights of these people. In fact, Collins has been silent in the face of attacks on religious exemptions for vaccines.

Reasonable people can disagree about whether the use of abortion-derived cell lines is a moral deal-killer for the vaccines. But thats the point: Reasonable people candisagreeabout what violates their conscience. The test of support for religious liberty is not whether you only support the right of people who agree with you.

Not being willing to stand up for the conscience rights of others to determine their own medical treatment is not morally neutral. It is a moral failure. In the words of theCatholic Bishops of Colorado, A person is morally required to obey his or her conscience, and others should respect the right of others to follow their conscience.

Alas, for those who have followed Francis Collins closely over the years, his current failures of moral leadership come as no surprise. As I will discuss in an upcoming article, Collinss career has been one long testament to moral cowardice and confusion.

Here is the original post:
The Appalling Moral Failure of Francis Collins - Discovery Institute

Many brands manufacture eye creams for people who experience eye bags, dark circles, puffiness, and wrinkles. Some are allergy-safe and are also suitable for those who wear contact lenses.

This article explores what eye creams are and what to consider when buying a skin care product for the eye area. It also reviews a range of products available for purchase online and discusses some safety precautions.

Eye creams are cosmetic products specifically formulated for use on the delicate skin around the eyes. Eye creams can help hydrate and brighten the skin and sometimes improves its firmness.

The skin surrounding the eyes is thinner than the skin on the rest of the face. As a result, it may be more prone to dryness, the negative effects of environmental pollution, and sun damage.

Additionally, when a person blinks or uses facial expressions, the skin around the eyes can develop lines, wrinkles, and crows feet.

Some benefits a person may get from using eye creams may include:

However, there are some risks. For example, they may not be suitable for people who wear contact lenses. They could also irritate the skin,

The following are some factors individuals can look for when choosing an eye cream:

Our writer chose the following eye creams based on online research and customer review sites.

Please also note that the writer has not tested these products. All information in this article is research-based, and we do not intend to recommend certain products over others.

Size: 0.5 ounces (oz)

Skin types: All

Eminences eye cream contains snow mushroom, which reportedly pulls moisture into the skin and enhances its elasticity and barrier function.

Eminence states that the other ingredients promote hydration, reduce puffiness, and the appearance of under-eye bags.

In addition, the company claims it does not test its products on animals, and that this eye cream is soy and gluten-free.

Size: 0.5 oz

Skin types: Dry, normal, and sensitive

This SkinCeuticals product is a hydrating cream reportedly suited to individuals who have signs of aging around the eyes, such as crows feet and under-eye bags.

Its main ingredients include soy isoflavones, vitamin E, and silymarin. SkinCeuticals claims these ingredients help improve the skins firmness and nourish dry skin as they restore essential lipids.

Size: 0.33 oz

Skin type: Very sensitive skin

Avnes lightweight eye cream contains chamomile and dextran sulfate. According to the companys website, these ingredients may help with soothing sensitive skin and reducing puffiness.

This eye cream also includes hyaluronic acid to help hydrate the skin.

Size: 0.5 oz

Skin types: All

This Avne eye cream has four main ingredients, including retinaldehyde, hyaluronic acid, dextran sulfate, and thermal spring water.

The company claims these ingredients smooth fine lines and wrinkles, reduce the appearance of puffiness and dark circles, and soften the skin.

Size: 8.4 oz

Skin type: Sensitive skin

This product is a liquid toning lotion with a lightweight texture. Bioderma claims this cream provides a hydrating and refreshing effect.

The company also states that the ingredients in this cream reduce discomfort from dryness and lessen the appearance of visible redness.

The Bioderma website states that users can apply this lotion to their face and eye area after cleansing, and they can use the cream in the morning or evening.

Size: 0.5 oz

Skin type: Sensitive

According to customer reviews, Skin Authoritys Dramatic Eye Lift is a gel featuring a lightweight consistency. The company claims it is nongreasy, does not clog pores, and moisturizes the skin.

The product description states this cream helps lift sagging eyelids, lighten dark circles, and increase the skins firmness.

Its ingredients include evening primrose seed extract, grapefruit extract, and bergamot oil.

Size: 0.5 oz

Skin type: Dry skin

This eye gel aims to moisturize the skin and contains hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is naturally present in the skin and helps keep the skin hydrated by binding to water molecules.

Neutrogena claims its formula is noncomedogenic, does not clog pores, and has undergone testing by ophthalmologists.

Size: 0.5 oz

Skin type: Dry

The ingredients present in the Neocutis Lumire Riche eye cream include caffeine, sodium hyaluronate, and glycyrrhetinic acid. Neocutis claims these ingredients reduce puffiness, provide hydration, and brighten the skin.

In addition, the company says this product is suitable for people who wish to reduce the appearance of their wrinkles, crows feet, and dark circles.

The company has designed this cream to be noncomedogenic and states the product has also undergone testing by ophthalmologists and dermatologists.

Size: 0.5 oz

Skin type: Dry and delicate skin

Ormedic has formulated this eye gel to provide hydration to dry and delicate skin.

It contains quinoa extract, which reportedly helps reduce puffiness and the appearance of under-eye bags. The website also states that the product uses fermented black tea and plant stem cells, which feature anti-aging properties.

Size: 0.5 oz

Skin types: All

Revision Skincares DEJ eye cream aims to provide intense hydration and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, redness, and sagging.

According to the website, individuals should apply a pearl-sized amount to the under-eye area and along the orbital bone twice per day.

Size: 0.5 oz

Skin types: All

This natural cream formula uses chamomile, green tea, and ginkgo biloba leaf extract to minimize the appearance of puffiness, fine lines, and dark circles around the eyes.

Skin Authority states this product helps the skin retain moisture, while people can use it on their upper eyelid and brow line.

Size: 1 oz

Skin type: All types

This products main ingredient is hyaluronic acid. Although it is naturally present in the skin, its natural function does not involve hydrating the skin.

As a result, this formula uses three forms of hyaluronic acid, which the manufacturer combines with vitamin B5 to help plump the skin and deliver intense moisture.

Additionally, this product is reportedly lightweight, oil-free, and vegan-friendly.

The Ordinary also states it does not test finished products on animals.

Size: 0.5 oz

Skin types: All

This CeraVe cream contains ceramides to maintain the skins natural barrier and hyaluronic acid to retain the skins existing moisture.

CeraVe also uses niacinamide to calm the skin.

CeraVe uses Multivesicular Emulsion (MVE) technology to provide time-released delivery of particular ingredients in cosmetic creams. In this eye cream, MVE technology helps the skin stay hydrated throughout the day.

According to a 2016 evaluation, MVE techniques in skin care products have links to improved acne.

CeraVe claims this product has undergone testing by ophthalmologists. It is also allergy-tested and noncomedogenic. Additionally, the company states it is suitable for individuals with acne-prone skin.

See the original post here:
13 of the best eye creams 2021 - Medical News Today

Senescent immune system cells are potentially among the most harmful of all senescent cells because they spread tissue damage and rapid aging across other body organs and systems. That is what a team of NIA-supported scientists at the University of Minnesota Medical School discovered through research using a mouse model that accelerated immune system aging by hindering DNA repair. The team recently published these findings in Nature.

Cellular senescence is defined as a condition in which a cell no longer has the ability to proliferate. These damaged cells resist the bodys usual system of disposal and then linger, excreting chemicals that spread inflammation and damage to neighboring normal cells.

For this study, the team made a cell-specific knockout of the gene Ercc1, which controls a protein crucial for DNA repair. Ercc1 was removed in blood-based young stem cells that normally develop into white blood cells cells important for immunity but the gene was expressed normally in all other tissues. This enabled the research team to understand whether senescence in the immune system affects other cells in the body. The engineered mice seemed healthy up until their adulthood (around three months) but then aged rapidly. At age five months, they biologically resembled 2-year-old mice, which is approximately equivalent to an 80-year-old human.

The prematurely older mice had a host of age-related conditions such as osteoporosis; visual and hearing impairment; and high blood pressure, even though the change was limited to cells of the immune system. The senescent immune system cells also spread age-related damage to other organs and tissues in the body, including the liver, lungs, and kidneys. Without the Ercc1 gene, the mice had lost much of their ability to repair DNA in these immune cells and thus experienced a build-up of inflammation and damage in other tissues.

The scientists saw this rapid aging and spread of damage throughout the body as evidence that senescent immune system cells are potentially among the most dangerous of all senescent cell types in the aging body. Because immune cells circulate throughout the body, when they become senescent, they can easily expose a wider range of organs and tissues to inflammation and other damaging factors, unlike more stationary senescent cells such as those in the skin.

The team also studied and confirmed some mechanisms that contribute to senescence in the immune system. First, they showed that senescent immune cells trigger and drive senescence elsewhere in the body by observing senescence triggered across systems in young mice after transplanting spleen cells from old mice into them. Next, they observed that when immune cells from young healthy mice were transplanted into older mice, senescence was reduced, providing further evidence that old immune cells lose function. The scientists also used the drug rapamycin, which tamps down the inflammatory secretions from senescent cells, to show that reducing senescence improved immune function.

While the field of senescence is still very far from any reliable application for humans, the investigators aim to pursue follow-up efforts to pinpoint a precise type of senolytic a drug that selectively clears senescent cells from the body to target reducing immune system senescence as a potential future intervention to aid healthy aging. They hope to conduct additional studies in this realm to find new immune system biomarkers to help gauge which people are at the highest risk for senescence-related tissue damage and faster aging, and thus would be candidates to benefit from senolytic therapies.

This work was supported by NIH grants P01 AG043376, RO1 AG063543, R56 AG059676, U19 AG056278, P01 AG062413, R56 AG058543 and R01 AG044376.

Reference: Yousefzadeh, Matthew J et al. An aged immune system drives senescence and ageing of solid organs. Nature vol. 594,7861 (2021): 100-105. doi:10.1038/s41586-021-03547-7

Here is the original post:
Senescent immune cells spread damage throughout the aging body - National Institute on Aging

Moms IL-6 rewires babys gut immunity

Most infections that occur during pregnancy are mild and transient. However, whether such pathogen encounters can shape the long-term trajectory of the offsprings immune system remains unclear. Lim et al. infected pregnant mice with the common food-borne pathogen Yersinia pseudotuberculosis (YopM) (see the Perspective by Amir and Zeng). Although the infection was maternally restricted and short-lived, the offspring harbored greater numbers of intestinal T helper 17 cells into adulthood. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) mediated this tissue-restricted effect by acting on the fetal intestinal epithelium during development. Although offspring from mothers infected with YopM or injected with IL-6 showed enhanced resistance to oral infection with Salmonella Typhimurium, they also exhibited higher susceptibility toward enteric inflammatory disease.

Science, abf3002, this issue p. eabf3002; see also abl3631, p. 967

One fundamental property of the immune system is its ability to develop memory of previous encounters, resulting in enhanced responsiveness to subsequent challenges. This phenomenon includes not only the adaptive immune system but also innate cells and tissue stem cells. The concept of host imprinting by infection leading to altered responses to subsequent challenge is of particular interest in the context of pregnancy, which represents a fundamental developmental window for the immune system.

Most infections encountered by mammals, including those experienced during pregnancy, are mild and transient. How these infections shape offspring tissue immunity and tissue predisposition to inflammatory disorders in the long term remains to be addressed.

Infection of timed-pregnant dams (day 10.5) with an attenuated strain of the food-borne pathogen Yersinia pseudotuberculosis (yopM) was transient and maternally restricted. Adult offspring of previously infected dams harbored a higher number of T helper 17 (TH17) cells but no other cell subsets in the small and large intestinal lamina propria. No changes were observed at other barrier tissues. Transfer of transgenic T cells specific for a commensal antigen revealed that maternal infection affected the offspring intestinal milieu in a manner that enhanced TH17 cell reactivity toward the microbiota. Cross-fostering experiments demonstrated that the increased TH17 cells resulting from maternal infection was imprinted in utero. Among various inflammatory mediators, the cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) was significantly increased in the serum of dams infected with yopM. Injection of IL-6 alone to pregnant dams significantly increased TH17 cell numbers within the guts of offspring. Conversely, blockade of IL-6 in infected dams prevented this increase in offspring. Furthermore, injection of IL-6 to germ-free pregnant dams and conventionalization of their offspring after weaning revealed that prenatal establishment and postnatal maintenance of IL-6mediated tissue imprinting are independent of the maternal microbiota but allow the offspring to mount enhanced TH17 cell responses to postnatal microbiota exposure.

IL6RA was expressed in all fetal intestinal epithelial cells, and specific deletion of IL6RA from epithelial cells significantly reduced Th17 responses within the gut of offspring from IL-6exposed dams. Using complementary approaches, including assay for transposase-accessible chromatin with high-throughput sequencing (ATAC-seq) and single-cell RNA sequencing, we found that increased IL-6 during pregnancy had immediate effects (on fetal cells) and long-term effects (in the adult offspring) on epithelial stem cell chromatin accessibility and downstream epithelial cell function, particularly increased expression of genes encoding for antigen presentation machinery and antimicrobial peptides.

Altered epithelial activation status suggested the possibility that this phenomenon may be associated with enhanced antimicrobial defense. To address this, we used an acute model of oral infection with Salmonella Typhimurium. Offspring from dams previously infected with yopM or injected with IL-6 during pregnancy developed enhanced resistance to Salmonella oral infection and dissemination. No differences were observed in controlling cutaneous Candida albicans infection, further supporting the idea that maternal imprinting of offspring is restricted to the gut compartment. However, enhanced exposure to IL-6 during pregnancy was associated with enhanced gut pathology in the context of nave T cell transfer and dextran sulfate sodiummediated colitis.

Our work proposes that a transient, mild infection encountered during prenatal development can impose lasting alterations to gut epithelial stem cells, resulting in an altered threshold of activation and enhanced resistance to gut infection. The impact of maternal infection was tissue specific and predominantly mediated by a single cytokine, IL-6, acting on epithelial stem cells during fetal development. Although this phenomenon can be coopted by the fetus to develop optimal immune fitness, altered offspring immunity imposed by maternal infection comes at the cost of enhanced susceptibility to mucosal inflammation.

The direct response of fetal intestinal epithelial cells to IL-6 during maternal infection confers an enduring epigenetic memory to adult intestinal epithelial stem cells. As such, offspring epithelial cells exhibit enhanced reactivity toward the microbiota and heightened ability to control oral infection. However, these responses come at the cost of greater predisposition to gut inflammation.

The immune system has evolved in the face of microbial exposure. How maternal infection experienced at distinct developmental stages shapes the offspring immune system remains poorly understood. Here, we show that during pregnancy, maternally restricted infection can have permanent and tissue-specific impacts on offspring immunity. Mechanistically, maternal interleukin-6 produced in response to infection can directly impose epigenetic changes on fetal intestinal epithelial stem cells, leading to long-lasting impacts on intestinal immune homeostasis. As a result, offspring of previously infected dams develop enhanced protective immunity to gut infection and increased inflammation in the context of colitis. Thus, maternal infection can be coopted by the fetus to promote long-term, tissue-specific fitness, a phenomenon that may come at the cost of predisposition to inflammatory disorders.

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Prenatal maternal infection promotes tissue-specific immunity and inflammation in offspring - Science Magazine

A patient recently came in to our dermatology clinic with a rash and a story similar to so many others. He had been out camping with friends a few days earlier and helped carry some logs to stoke the fire. Little did he know he was going to pay for lending a helping hand. A couple days later, red patches appeared on his forearms and chest, which soon began to itch miserably and form water blisters.

If you have ever spent any time outdoors in the woods, working in the yard, even at the edges of a playground maybe youve experienced something similar after encountering poison ivy. Its not easy to forget.

Poison ivy is found everywhere in the continental U.S., mostly in Eastern and Midwestern states. Unfortunately for us humans, it is a hardy plant that can grow under many different conditions. Its favorite places are in wooded areas, gardens and roadsides with partial shade or full sunlight.

And despite being a nuisance to people, poison ivy is an important member of the ecosystem. Its leaves, stems and berries are food for animals, and its vines can be shelter for small animals like toads and mice, even helping them climb trees. Climate change is turning out to benefit poison ivy, allowing for larger and more irritating plants.

You can usually spot poison ivy by its infamous three dull or glossy green leaves coming off a red stem. Sometimes there are flowers or fruits coming off the end of a branch.

Despite its name, poison ivy is not poisonous. It carries an oily sap on its leaves and stems called urushiol, which is irritating to most peoples skin. In fact, 85% to 90% of people are allergic to poison ivys urushiol to some degree, while the rest lack sensitivity to this oil. You can occasionally see the urushiol oil as black spots on poison ivy leaves. Urushiol is what gives poison oak and poison sumac their evil power, too.

Touching poison ivy directly is obviously a bad idea. You can even get into trouble by touching clothing, pets or anything else that has brushed against the plant and picked up some of the urushiol. If a contaminated object isnt cleaned, the urushiol will remain lying in wait it can still cause a rash after hours, days or even years. Another danger is smoke from burning poison ivy, which can also affect your skin, as well as your nose, mouth, windpipe and lungs if you breathe it in.

Poison ivys rash can come in many forms, from small, red bumps to blisters or red patches. Whichever way it shows up, it is almost always mindbogglingly itchy.

When you get poisoned, you wont know right away. It can take anywhere from four hours to 10 days for the rash to appear, depending on how much urushiol gets on your skin, how sensitive you are to it and how many times you have been exposed to poison ivy previously.

Between exposure and itchy anguish, your body goes through a complex identification and reaction process. When the oil gets into your skin, your immune systems sensor cells recognize urushiol as foreign to your body. These sensor cells then call in protector cells to the area, warning them of the invasion. The protector cells defend your body against the intruder by attacking the urushiol in the skin. Unfortunately, some of your bodys normal skin cells are casualties of this war, which is what leads to the itchiness and swelling of a poison ivy rash.

Your protector cells will then sit near the skin for many years and stand guard for urushiol if it ever shows up again. If it does, they remember having encountered this bad guy before, and their response is often faster and more powerful than the first time.

This rash is a type of allergic contact dermatitis in the same family as the rashes some people get from wearing jewelry or metal belt buckles or from using certain fragrances or cosmetics.

The saying leaves of three; leave them be highlights the best strategy to prevent poison ivy: avoidance. But if you do happen to come into contact with poison ivy, the first step should always be to remove and wash any clothing that has touched the plant. Gently but thoroughly wash your skin immediately with soap and water. It can also help to clean under your fingernails and cut your nails short to prevent the urushiol from spreading if you scratch your skin.

Allergic contact dermatitis from poison ivy almost always results in a rash that usually lasts two to three weeks before it completely goes away.

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It will eventually clear up on its own, but you can try some over-the-counter and home remedies to keep the itchiness and spread of the rash at bay. The blisters that form are not infected and do not normally require antibiotics. If you scratch though and it can be very hard to resist open skin can get infected.

To reduce itchiness, cool, wet compresses can help, as can a soak in a cool bath with baking soda or oatmeal bath products. Calamine lotions or creams containing menthol can also cut the itch a bit. Over-the-counter cortisone cream or ointment can be used for the first several days after contact with poison ivy to quiet down your bodys reaction and keep the rash from getting severe. Taking antihistamines like diphenhydramine at night can slightly reduce itchiness and it has the benefit of helping you sleep better.

Seeing your doctor usually is not necessary for a poison ivy rash unless it spreads over large areas, becomes infected, lasts more than three weeks or is a rare extreme case that affects your breathing.

The best offense is a good defense. When youre in the great outdoors, be careful what you touch and, when in doubt, if it has leaves of three, leave them be.

Read more:
Poison ivy can work itchy evil on your skin here's how - The Conversation US

Work-from-home, double taps, left swipes, binge-watch and reel challenges are a few of the many Internet jargons which have become our constant companions. Thanks to the pandemic and restrictions on moving freely, our work and playtime are both equal to screen time. And as satisfying and relaxing as those cat jade rolling videos might be, increasing your screen time is doing no favours to your skin.

Unlike UV rays which are invisible to the eye, High Energy Visible Light (HEV) or blue light emitted from electronic screens is visible to us. It increases the oxidative damage to our skin and is said to make it age faster. Melasma, skin discolouration, pigmentation, collagen breakdown and wrinkle formation are a few of the skin issues that might be a result of or worsen due to blue light, which is found in sun rays too. While we are yet to know the extent to which blue light from screens can affect our skin due to free radical damage, we do know that using antioxidant-rich products can help you tackle this concern. So if your skincare already includes antioxidants such as vitamin C and E, you are in the zone. And if you use mineral sunscreens that contain zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, its doing double the work by blocking UV rays and blue light to an extent. So if you use vitamin C, ferulic acid and top it with sunscreen, your skin is pretty walled up against all kinds of light damage.

Switching your phone to night mode will help your case, but including these or similar products in your routine will only do more good and no harm.

More here:
7 products that will arm your skin against blue light damage - VOGUE India

Nature of Things launched the Elemental Skincare collection in April, which features a complete ... [+] four-step facial routine.

As the summer season winds down, now is the perfect time to start thinking about how to streamline your skincare routine to keep that sun-kissed glow and stay protected from the elements all year long.

I might be biased (and, yes, I test cannabis products as part of my job) but over the past few years, Ive transitioned to an all-CBD-based face and body regimen (with the exception of Biologique RechercheLotion P50 and EltaMD sunscreen). The result? My clearest and healthiest complexion to date.

With BDSAs recent trend report forecasting the CBD beauty segment of the market to reach $720 million this year alone a 60% increase over 2020 and representing just 10% of the total CBD market the number of new brands and product launches to consider buying often at a high price tag is overwhelming.

Whether you are looking to make a complete switch to CBD or want to try just one step at a time, here are the nine best cannabis beauty launches of 2021 (so far) to help narrow your search each tried-and-tested in the challenging and drying environment of the high alpine.

*Note: This list is in alphabetical order, not ranked and will continue to get updated with new product launches through December 2021.

Vitamin C + Squalane + CBD Skin Elixir

This antioxidant-rich formula combines three superstar ingredients vitamin C, squalane and CBD to create a natural skin brightener, which targets dark spots and reduces signs of aging. Best used after moisturizer and under makeup in your morning routine, Botanika Lifes newest serum is infused with 1,000 milligrams of full-spectrum CBD extract, which helps with hydration and restore natural radiance. And dont forget to layer with sunscreen after you apply to improve sun protection.$95, botanikalife.com

Look Alive Face Moisturizer

For celebrity co-founder Kristen Bell, the havoc wreaked on her skin from the normal stresses of the day was the inspiration in creating Happy Dances debut face moisturizer. Formulated as a first line of defense barrier, this whipped, hydrating creme is light on skin, but heavy on hydration. Infused with 150 milligrams of CBD extract, its also powered by avocado oil, bisabolol with a ginger blend andfour types of hyaluronic acid. Plus, its been ophthalmologist-tested (for safe use around the eyes) and available at a more accessible price point than most CBD-based moisturizers on the market.$29, doahappydance.com

Bleu Body Wax

Khus + Khus founder Kristi Blustein is an Ayurvedic specialist, aromatherapist and herbalist experience that makes her modern herbal fusion mission stand apart among the crowded CBD beauty product space.Released earlier this year, the Bleu Body Wax is a concentrated pomade thats solid at room temperature and when warmed up in your hands, liquifies for smooth application. Each jar is packed with 225 milligrams of broad-spectrum CBD complemented by coconut, baobab seed, Marla and beeswax with essential oils like tiara flower and blue yarrow to perfume the body naturally. $77, khus-khus.com

The Rose Absolute Oil

So its not technically a CBD product pick, but Lab to Beauty turned to another cannabis compound for a second skincare collection. CBG (cannabigerol) is just one of more than 120 identified cannabinoid compounds found in the plant genus. It is known to calm inflammation, reduce blemishes, purify pores, balance sebum production and assist with cellular turnover. Concocted with Bulgarian rose extract, golden jojoba oil, moringa, immortelle and rosehip oil, this luxurious and healing formula works to fight aging, improve elasticity and deliver a youthful plump. Use The Rose Absolute Oil nightly after cleansing and toning or under your favorite foundation to boost brightness. $145, labtobeauty.com

Bump & Smooth CBD Body Serum

Lord Jones recent release is the answer to one of the most common skin issues: those mysterious mini-bumps and rough patches often inflicted by too much time in the sun. This potent resurfacing serum delivers a non-abrasive chemical exfoliation experience that reduces bumpiness and reveals smoother, brighter-looking skin thanks to 200 milligrams of full-spectrum CBD extract blended with bisabolol, hyaluronic acid, ceramides and squalane. Whether you suffer from Keratosis Pilaris (KP) or are just looking for a refresh to dull skin, Lord Jones Bump & Smooth CBD Body Serum gently removes dead cells to reveal whats underneath. $60, lordjones.com

Facial Essence

Beloved for its body care and bath immersion portfolio of products, Nature of Things introduced a skincare line earlier this year featuring a cleanser, toner, moisturizer and mask (face stone optional). While the entire four-step routine is remarkable, the Balancing Facial Essence has remained in my medicine cabinet because of its soothing, hydrating and dewy result from pure ingredient extracts like broad-spectrum CBD, Swiss apple stem cells, Korean kombu algae and French thermal water. Bonus benefits include new skin cell growth, refined pores and free radical protection. $95, natureofthings.com

Beyond Body Oil

Supercharged with 600 milligrams of hemp CBD oil per generous-sized bottle, Primas latest addition to its lineup goes way beyond your average body oil. Plant actives including omegas, phenols, antioxidants and fatty acids are meticulously combined with magnesium and helichrysum in this soothing, therapeutic formula, which actually repairs and restores the skin while also improving tone and texture. Pro-tip: Keep it in your shower for application to breathe in the aromatic blend of clove, geranium and citrus and lock in most moisture just before getting out. $56, prima.co

Hydrating Petal Cream

Best-selling CBD beauty brand Saint Jane has done it again with its first-ever face cream (previous award-winning releases in the category include The C-Drops, Bright Repair Eye Cream and Luxury Beauty Serum). Founder Casey Georgeson spent more than a year searching for the flower thats best for skin hydration and hibiscus, known as natures Botox, was ultimately selected for its efficacy in firming and restoring elasticity to the skin. Blended with 1% pure hyaluronic acid, the lightweight Hydrating Petal Cream is a joy to apply, absorbing quickly into the skin and leaving the face with a dewy finish that lasts all day. $68, saintjanebeauty.com

Glow Drops

They say beauty comes from within, so incorporating a CBD-based tincture into your regimen is a secret weapon in supercharging your skin. As the first-to-market beauty-focused elixir, Undefined Beautys Glow Drops can also be mixed into any moisturizer to achieve an extra shine. Paired with adaptogens ranging from mucuna (mood-boosting) and cordyceps (anti-inflammatory) to guava leaf (immunity-boosting) and astaxanthin (antioxidant), the tasty tangerine formula is an easy way to simplify your daily dose whether taken under the tongue or added to a beverage. Each full-size bottle includes over 600 milligrams of CBD, CBD and CBC (cannabichromene) sourced from a certified-organic, female-founded regenerative hemp farm. $48, undefinedco.com

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The Best New CBD Skincare Products Of 2021 (So Far) - Forbes

August2, 20215 min read

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

A healthy spine must be strong enough to support your entire body, yet flexible enough to allow you to move your limbs. Thats why your spine isnt just one bone, but an intricately designed set of smaller bones called vertebrae each separated by a disc of cartilage.

These discs cushion each vertebra, so they dont grind against each other and cause pain. When degenerative disc disorders set in, however, these cushions wear out. But patients can now take advantage of advanced stem-cell therapy that can heal disc tissue and reduce inflammation, alleviate chronic pain and restore flexibility and range of motion.

While surgery and medications may be treatment options, surgical procedures can be risky and many patients cannot tolerate the side effects of many medications.

Related:This Is HowStem-CellTherapy Treats Serious Brain Injuries

Thats why more patients choose stem-cell therapy a procedure that takes advantage of the bodys natural healing processes. Discover how stem-cell therapy can help you heal more quickly and enjoy a more active lifestylewith less pain.

Advanced stem-cell treatments can help a range of issues:

Another remarkable aspect of the human body is that it actually knows how to heal itself, which is why the latest advancements in stem-cell therapy offerhope to more patients to relieve pain without the need for surgery or medications that can lead to serious side effects.

Because stem cells that come from your bone marrow have the potential to become any type of cell, the body turns those stem cells into specific cells needed to heal various tissues. If you burn your skin, for example, stem cells are turned into new skin cells. If youve injured a muscle, your body uses stem cells to regenerate muscle tissue. And as discs deteriorate, your body can use stem cells to create new disc tissue to rehydrate those discs and return them to a normal shape easing pain and inflammation.

Unfortunately, stem-cell production begins to decline as we age. But with an infusion of millions of fresh new stem cells, the body can use those cells to quickly stimulate healing without the need to go under the knife or risk serious side effects from steroids or the consequences of using addictive pain killers.

Related:Former Quarterback Jim McMahon Calls AdvancedStem-CellTreatment 'Truly Miraculous'

At BioXcellerator, we treat many patients for conditions like these with exceptional results often within days and even more ongoing improvement in the months and years following treatment.

For example, we treated Superbowl champion Mark May, who told us that he noticed improvement in just one day. I feel better. My neck feels a lot better and thats only after 24 hours, May said. Im shockingly surprised about how well its gone so far.

He also said that the first night after his treatment was the first he'd slept in once place in many years.

And army veteran and WWF Hall of Famer Kevin Nash let us know that his stem-cell therapy was a life-changing experience. He said that hes suffered from chronic pain for many years, but the very day after treatment said that when he was walking, I probably passed 300 people. Its the fastest Ive probably walked since I was 30 and that was 30 years ago.

Not only that, butafter two months of stem-cell therapy, he also reported the alleviation of his 24/7 pain.

These are only a few examples of the exceptional results stem cells can offer patients with disorders and injuries in the back and the neck. But its important to realize that the stem cells that various clinics offer can vary widely in quantity and potency. Stem cells derived from the placenta or umbilical cord are considered the gold standard and are rarely available in clinics located in the United States.

Our research team has developed a proprietary protocol for harvesting and reproducing only the most potent stem cells possible. Starting with a specific type of stem cell mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from donated umbilical cordswe then test these cells for specific proteins and genes that indicate the highest potential to reduce inflammation and stimulate healing. Then, those cells are reproduced into formulations of millions of high-potency stem cells called Golden Cells for infusion into patients during treatment.

Related:High-Potency 'Golden Cells' Offer Hope to Those With Severe Brain Injuries

In addition to promoting healing of damaged discs, stem-cell therapy can also be an effective treatment for other spinal injuries and diseases, brain injuriesand many other conditions. And one common treatment benefit is that because stem cells help the body better modulate the immune system and have powerful anti-inflammatory properties, stem-cell therapy helps improve immunity, performance and longevity.

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High-Potency 'Golden Cells' Offer Hope to Those With Severe Chronic Back and Neck Pain - Entrepreneur

Colin Ray Jackson, CBE, 54, is a Welsh former sprinter and hurdling Olympic silver medal champion. Colins world record for his 60 metres hurdles stood for an incredible 27 years. As with most athletes of his calibre, Colin suffers with ongoing injuries from his sports days and will be undergoing a treatment to reduce the pain which Mike Tyson recently underwent too.

In recent years, stem cell therapy has been hailed as a miracle cure for many conditions, from wrinkles to spinal repair.

A stem cell is an immature, basic cell that has not yet developed to become, say, a skin cell or a muscle cell or a nerve cell.

There are different types of stem cells that the body can use for different purposes.

There is evidence that stem cell treatments work by triggering damaged tissues in the body to repair themselves, often referred to as regenerative therapy.

In animal studies, stem cell treatments have shown promise for various diseases, including heart disease, Parkinsons disease and muscular dystrophy.

A study undertaken by Dr Timothy McGuine found that 34 percent of athletes involved in the one-year study were more likely to report a history of knee and hip injuries.

Additionally, he found that specialised athletes, such as those competing in the Olympic games, were twice as likely to sustain a gradual onset or repetitive use injuries than athletes who did not specialise.

Dr McGuine also found that these athletes who find themselves competing year-round, stressing the same muscles and movements, and predisposed to the symptoms of burnout are at higher risk of long-term injuries.

Many doctors and athletes use stem cell therapy to treat sports injuries, such as Achilles tendinopathy or damaged knee ligaments, said Sports Health.

The site continued: While increasing in popularity, stem cell therapy is not considered standard practice by sports medicine doctors and not covered by most insurance companies.

The process of collecting stem cells is often called harvesting. Physicians usually harvest stem cells from the patients fat, blood, or bone marrow.

Many physicians who use stem cell therapy hypothesize that, when placed into a certain environment, stem cells can transform to meet a certain need.

Other sports stars who underwent stem cell therapy for long-term injuries included Cristiano Ronaldo, Rafael Nadal and most recently Mike Tyson.

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Colin Jackson health: Im in constant pain Athlete to undergo stem cell therapy to help - Express

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Genentech, a member of the Roche Group (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY), today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted the companys supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) and granted Priority Review for Tecentriq (atezolizumab) as adjuvant treatment following surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy for people with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors express PD-L11%, as determined by an FDA-approved test. The FDA is reviewing the application under the Real-Time Oncology Review pilot program, which aims to explore a more efficient review process to ensure safe and effective treatments are available to patients as early as possible. The FDA is expected to make a decision on approval by December 1, 2021.

New treatment options are urgently needed in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer to help the nearly 50% of people who currently experience a recurrence following surgery, said Levi Garraway, M.D., Ph.D., chief medical officer and head of Global Product Development. Tecentriq is the first cancer immunotherapy to show a clinically meaningful benefit in the adjuvant lung cancer setting, and were working closely with the FDA to bring this significant advancement to patients as quickly as possible.

This application is based on disease-free survival (DFS) results from an interim analysis of the Phase III IMpower010 study, the first and only Phase III study of a cancer immunotherapy to demonstrate positive results in the adjuvant lung cancer setting. The study showed that treatment with Tecentriq following surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy reduced the risk of disease recurrence or death (DFS) by 34% (hazard ratio [HR]=0.66, 95% CI: 0.50-0.88) in people with Stage II-IIIA NSCLC whose tumors express PD-L11%, compared with best supportive care (BSC). In this population, median DFS was not yet reached for Tecentriq compared with 35.3 months for BSC. Follow-up on the IMpower010 trial will continue with planned analyses of DFS in the overall intent-to-treat (ITT) population, including Stage IB patients, which at the time of analysis did not cross the threshold, and overall survival (OS) data, which were immature at the time of interim analysis. Safety data for Tecentriq were consistent with its known safety profile and no new safety signals were identified. Results from the IMpower010 trial were presented at the 2021 ASCO Annual Meeting.

About the IMpower010 study

IMpower010 is a Phase III, global, multicenter, open-label, randomized study evaluating the efficacy and safety of Tecentriq compared with BSC, in participants with Stage IB-IIIA NSCLC (UICC 7th edition), following surgical resection and up to 4 cycles of adjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy. The study randomized 1,005 people with a ratio of 1:1 to receive either Tecentriq (up to 16 cycles) or BSC. The primary endpoint is investigator-determined DFS in the PD-L1-positive Stage II-IIIA, all randomized Stage II-IIIA and ITT Stage IB-IIIA populations. Key secondary endpoints include OS in the overall study population, ITT Stage IB-IIIA NSCLC.

About lung cancer

According to the American Cancer Society, it is estimated that more than 235,000 Americans will be diagnosed with lung cancer in 2021, and NSCLC accounts for 80-85% of all lung cancers. Today, about half of all people with early lung cancer still experience a cancer recurrence following surgery, but treating lung cancer early, before it has spread, may help prevent the disease from returning and provide people with the best opportunity for a cure.

About Tecentriq (atezolizumab)

Tecentriq is a monoclonal antibody designed to bind with a protein called PD-L1. Tecentriq is designed to bind to PD-L1 expressed on tumor cells and tumor-infiltrating immune cells, blocking its interactions with both PD-1 and B7.1 receptors. By inhibiting PD-L1, Tecentriq may enable the re-activation of T cells. Tecentriq may also affect normal cells.

Tecentriq U.S. Indications

Tecentriq is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with:

A type of lung cancer called non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

A type of lung cancer called small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

It is not known if Tecentriq is safe and effective in children.

Important Safety Information

What is the most important information about Tecentriq?

Tecentriq can cause the immune system to attack normal organs and tissues in any area of the body and can affect the way they work. These problems can sometimes become severe or life threatening and can lead to death. Patients can have more than one of these problems at the same time. These problems may happen anytime during their treatment or even after their treatment has ended.

Patients should call or see their healthcare provider right away if they develop any new or worse signs or symptoms, including:

Lung problems

Intestinal problems

Liver problems

Hormone gland problems

Kidney problems

Skin problems

Problems can also happen in other organs.

These are not all of the signs and symptoms of immune system problems that can happen with Tecentriq. Patients should call or see their healthcare provider right away for any new or worse signs or symptoms, including:

Infusion reactions that can sometimes be severe or life-threatening. Signs and symptoms of infusion reactions may include:

Complications, including graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), in people who have received a bone marrow (stem cell) transplant that uses donor stem cells (allogeneic). These complications can be serious and can lead to death. These complications may happen if patients undergo transplantation either before or after being treated with Tecentriq. A healthcare provider will monitor for these complications.

Getting medical treatment right away may help keep these problems from becoming more serious. A healthcare provider will check patients for these problems during their treatment with Tecentriq. A healthcare provider may treat patients with corticosteroid or hormone replacement medicines. A healthcare provider may also need to delay or completely stop treatment with Tecentriq if patients have severe side effects.

Before receiving Tecentriq, patients should tell their healthcare provider about all of their medical conditions, including if they:

Patients should tell their healthcare provider about all the medicines they take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

The most common side effects of Tecentriq when used alone include:

The most common side effects of Tecentriq when used in lung cancer with other anti-cancer medicines include:

Tecentriq may cause fertility problems in females, which may affect the ability to have children. Patients should talk to their healthcare provider if they have concerns about fertility.

These are not all the possible side effects of Tecentriq. Patients should ask their healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information about the benefits and side effects of Tecentriq.

Report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Report side effects to Genentech at 1-888-835-2555.

Please see http://www.Tecentriq.com for full Prescribing Information and additional Important Safety Information.

About Genentech in cancer immunotherapy

Genentech has been developing medicines to redefine treatment in oncology for more than 35 years, and today, realizing the full potential of cancer immunotherapy is a major area of focus. With more than 20 immunotherapy molecules in development, Genentech is investigating the potential benefits of immunotherapy alone, and in combination with various chemotherapies, targeted therapies and other immunotherapies with the goal of providing each person with a treatment tailored to harness their own unique immune system.

In addition to Genentechs approved PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitor, the companys broad cancer immunotherapy pipeline includes other checkpoint inhibitors, individualized neoantigen therapies and T cell bispecific antibodies. For more information visit http://www.gene.com/cancer-immunotherapy.

About Genentech in lung cancer

Lung cancer is a major area of focus and investment for Genentech, and we are committed to developing new approaches, medicines and tests that can help people with this deadly disease. Our goal is to provide an effective treatment option for every person diagnosed with lung cancer. We currently have five approved medicines to treat certain kinds of lung cancer and more than 10 medicines being developed to target the most common genetic drivers of lung cancer or to boost the immune system to combat the disease.

About Genentech

Founded more than 40 years ago, Genentech is a leading biotechnology company that discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes medicines to treat patients with serious and life-threatening medical conditions. The company, a member of the Roche Group, has headquarters in South San Francisco, California. For additional information about the company, please visit http://www.gene.com.

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FDA Grants Priority Review to Genentech's Tecentriq as Adjuvant Treatment for Certain People With Early Non-small Cell Lung Cancer - Business Wire

The day before he was euthanized by veterinarians in March of 2018, Sudan collapsed in the dirt at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya, where he had lived since 2009. He was worn out and in pain.

At age 45, Sudan was the final progenitor of the earths most endangered animal species: the northern white rhinoceros. As the last male northern white in the world, he was both a global icon for conservation and a two-and-a-half-ton targetbecause the horn of even the most precious rhino is not safe from poachers. He lived out his final years under 24/7 armed protection at the conservancy, along with two of his female relatives.

Half a world away, Barbara Durrant felt it. She had never met Sudan, but she knew Nola. Most people in San Diego knew Nola, though not the way Durrant did. Nola was a northern white rhinoceros, one of only four that remained by the middle of the last decade, along with Sudan and his kin. She lived at the Nikita Kahn Rhino Rescue Center, located at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, about 30 miles north of the city, and not far from where Durrant reports to work every day at the zoos Wildlife Biodiversity Bank.

Nola had also been euthanized, after age and infection caught up with her, in 2015. She was 41.

She was just the most amazing animal, says Durrant, recalling Nolas wide mouth, her skin the color of clay stone, and her distinctive horn, which curved toward the ground. Its not only losing that animal that you know personally and you love; its another step in losing the whole species.

Damon Casarez

Durrant is director of reproductive sciences at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and one of a handful of scientists around the world who are trying to save the northern white rhino. In Europe, another group, under the direction of wildlife researcher Thomas Hildebrandt, is also working on the problem. And while their scientific approaches may be slightly divergent, the scientists end goal is the same: to rescue the northern white rhino before the bell of extinction rings.

Hildebrandt is the project head for BioRescue, an international consortium of scientists and conservationists. His group is harvesting eggs from female rhinos in Kenya; eventually the team hopes to create embryos using the frozen sperm of long-deceased northern white rhino males.

Meanwhile, Durrants team in San Diego is undertaking an ambitious bioengineering challenge. Inside the Wildlife Biodiversity Bank is the Frozen Zoo, a cryopreserve where 10,000 still-living skin cells from 1,100 different animal species are stored in tanks of liquid nitrogen at extremely low temperatures. Among them are 12 cell lines taken from 12 different northern white rhinos, dating back to 1979.

The Frozen Zoo is a cryopreserve where 10,000 still-living skin cells from 1,100 different animal species are stored in tanks of liquid nitrogen.

As recently as two decades ago, the next step amounted to the stuff of science fiction: taking those skin cells, reprogramming them into sperm and egg, combining them in a test tube, and then implanting that embryo into a surrogate host. Recreating a whole new northern white rhino. And then another, and another, and then, once nature took its course, dozens more. Breathing life back into that which is dead. De-extinction, in other words, the purposeful resurrection of animals that have died off. Animals like Sudan.

People are seeing a species go extinct right before their eyes, says Durrant. Can we really even make a dent? The answer is, well, we have to. We have to do this.

Astronomical costs and enormous risks stand in the way. An investment of at least $20 million is required to realize the ultimate goal of reconstituting a population of wild northern white rhinoceroses. Retrieving oocytes (eggs) is a delicate endeavor, because if scientists puncture blood vessels near the uterus, the animal will bleed to death. And preserving a species through bioengineering is a fraught, messy process, one that calls into question the sophistication of current reproduction techniques and the merits of meddling with nature.

If the project succeeds, it would be a scientific breakthrough like no other. What was once outside the realm of possibility is almost within our grasp. At some point in the not-too-distant future, a rhinoceros calfa cultivated northern whitemay very well take its first steps.

Ann and Steve Toon / Alamy Stock Photo

Of the worlds five rhino species, the northern whiteone of two subspecies of white rhinosdrew the short straw. Northern whites once roamed East and Central Africa, enjoying an herbivorous lifestyle with few natural predators. Humans prized them for their horns, which can grow over four feet. In Europe circa 1900, rhino horn was fashioned into ornamental accoutrements, like walking sticks and pistol grips. It remains a common ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine, which prescribes powdered rhino horn mixed with boiling water as a cure for fever, gout, and rheumatism.

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Poaching and war rapidly thinned their numbers, from the thousands to the hundreds to the tens. Nola arrived in San Diego in 1989; by the end of that decade, fewer than 40 northern whites remained in the northeast corner of what is today the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The last northern white was spotted in the wild in 2006. By then, the only survivors were those that had been relocated to zoos in the 1970s. They included Sudan, his daughter, Najin, her daughter, Fatu, and another bull, Suni, who were all taken to Kenyas Ol Pejeta Conservancy in 2009. They were the eligible breeders, yet no calves were born. Suni died four years before Sudan.

Four became three, then three became two, and now only Najin and Fatu remain. They are old and getting older, and even if they could mate, veterinarians have determined that neither is capable of carrying a pregnancy to term. Its a foregone conclusion then, yes? The line of northern white rhinos dies with Najin and Fatu.

TONY KARUMBAGetty Images

Sometimes we feel kind of helpless, says Durrant. Were battling such a huge wave of extinction.

Southern white rhinos, on the other hand, largely escaped their cousins misfortune. There were fewer than 100 remaining in the late 1800s, but a tenacious conservation effort followed and continues today. More than 20,000 of these rhinos currently roam the earth, mostly in South Africa. The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has six females, which will play a crucial role in its effort to produce a pure northern white rhino. Summarizing the idea is easy enough: An embryo made of northern white sperm and egg is implanted into a surrogatea female southern white rhino. Sixteen months later, a northern white calf is born.

I can say pretty clearly that this would be the first time a robot has ever been used in animals like this.

Durrant and her colleagues have already cleared several hurdles in the past five years. Using ultrasound technology, the team deciphered the inner workings of the rhinos reproductive system. Mapping the cervix was a key first step. A rhino cervix is a tight, convoluted maze of rings, a foot of anatomy thats fairly common to the two subspecies. Navigating it can be tricky. To practice, the zoo artificially inseminated two southern white females in 2018 using preserved southern white male sperm. Two healthy calves, Edward and Future, were born in 2019.

Damon Casarez

When female rhinos are ovulating, circulating estrogen helps relax the rings of the cervical tissue. For that reason, Durrant and her team were able to inseminate the zoos rhinos by hand. The future embryo transfer, however, will be much tougher. Once the team has produced a viable pure northern white rhino embryo, they will stimulate ovulation in one of the southern white rhinos residing at the Safari Park. Then theyll have to wait another 10 days to let the embryo mature in vitro before implantation. But the surrogates estrogen levels will have decreased by then, causing her cervix to tighten once more. Navigating it by hand will be impossible, because the risk of severely damaging cervical tissue is too great. Instead, Durrant and her team are currently collaborating with roboticists at the University of California San Diego to develop a workaround.

I can say pretty clearly that this would be the first time a robot has ever really been used in animals in any kind of major computation effort like this, says Michael Yip, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at UCSD and director of the Advanced Robotics and Controls Laboratory.

Courtesy UCSD Jacobs School of Engineering

Yips lab is outfitting a noodlelike catheter with miniaturized robotic controls. Imagine a tiny metal cylinder, thinner than the circumference of a headphone jack and sheathed in a flexible filament. A camera on one end will give zoo workers a view of where theyre going, while a PlayStation-like controller will bend the catheter with sub-millimeter precisionenough to ensure that they can navigate the rings without scraping tissue or puncturing blood vessels.

Well do very little, if any, tissue damage, but well be able to get through that tightened-down cervix, Durrant says.

In March 2020, Durrant completed the zoos first oocyte pickups. Because the scientists had already done the ultrasound mapping, they had a clear idea of where the ovaries and follicles were located.

Eggs were collected from each of their six southern white females using a four-foot-long double-lumen (two channeled) needle, which is capable of flushing out the follicles and sucking out the oocytes. They collected a total of 22; in the lab, each oocyte was fertilized with a single sperm. In the end, while half of the fertilized oocytes matured, none developed into blastocysts, the final stage of embryo growth. But the effort allowed the researchers to start piecing together some novel rhino science: What nutrients do rhino embryos need, in vitro, to mature?

This was a critical juncture in the teams de-extinction work, as valuable practice for the fertilization procedure to come. You dont transfer an embryo on the initial try. Fail to navigate the cervical maze, and you might damage tissue, imperiling the pregnancy. Fail to mature a reprogrammed egg into a blastocyst, and theres no embryo to even transfer. Everything Durrants team has done with southern whites is a dress rehearsal for the premiere event, when it finally comes time to make a southern white female the surrogate mother of the main character: a northern white rhino embryo.

Damon Casarez

Damon Casarez

The task of generating the sperm and egg falls to the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliances Marisa Korody, a conservation geneticist who is trying to create stem cells from the functionally extinct northern white rhinos. She starts with cryopreserved fibroblasts, cells that compose the connective structural tissue of all animals. The Frozen Zoo has fibroblasts generated from skin samples of 12 different northern whiteseight of which are unrelatedthat contain enough genetic diversity to save the species. These fibroblasts are then reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cellsthat is, cells that can turn into any cell type in the body. By directing these stem cells to specific developmental paths, the researchers can generate primordial germ cells, precursors to what eventually become sperm and eggs.

This is as far as the science goesat least for now, and at least with rhinos. Korody is optimistic shes managed to generate the germ cells. Generating northern white rhino sperm and northern white rhino egg, though, is a long-term process, one that involves figuring out the hormones and growth signals needed to get the germ cells to differentiate further.

Maybe in 10 years or so, well be close, she says.

Damon Casarez

Its a different strategy from the one Thomas Hildebrandt and BioRescue are focused on right now. While the team in San Diego is trying to generate northern white rhino embryos from cells, BioRescue is attempting to fertilize eggs collected from Fatu and Najin with cryopreserved northern white rhino sperm.

We can use this approach to transfer the embryos into a southern white rhino surrogate, and then let the calf grow up with Najin and Fatu, says Hildebrandt, who also leads the department of reproduction management at the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research in Germany.

In 2019, Hildebrandts team accomplished a scientific first: It transferred a rhino embryo fertilized in vitro into the uterus of a female rhino. In this case, it was a southern white. As of July 2021, BioRescue has completed seven southern white rhino embryo transfers.

In the next few years, Hildebrandt says, BioRescue will be ready to transfer a northern white rhino embryo into a surrogate southern white female.

In the 55-million-year evolutionary history of the rhino, 10 years is nothing but a heartbeat. In the here and now, however, a decade is enough time to exacerbate an annihilation crisis thats already underway.

In 2019, a landmark report from the United Nations revealed that a million animal and plant species are careening toward extinction. A subsequent report issued by the World Wildlife Fund in 2020 indicated that wildlife populations have declined by two-thirds in the past half century due to human activities; deforestation, insecticides, and poaching are all complicit. Various species we hardly think of but are nonetheless important for humans and ecosystems to thrive are in the crosshairs.

If we can think of this as a leaky bucket right now, the bucket is pouring out water and more and more species are falling out, says Tierra Curry, a senior scientist with the nonprofit Center for Biological Diversity, based in Arizona. Trying to put a couple more species back in the bucket isnt going to fix the problem.

Criticism of de-extinction efforts often begins with something like Currys premise. Her preference would be to fight like hell for everything still alive. After all, the natural world is at the brink, but animals arent the problem.

Instead, the ultimate problem is uniquely and definitely humans, says Ross MacPhee, a curator in the mammalogy department of the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Theres no way to guarantee that a population of northern white rhinos wouldnt need around-the-clock protection the way Najin and Fatu do today. Southern white rhinos, despite their resurgence, are already considered a species on the way to endangered, as lust for rhino horn continues unabated. Some horns fetch a purse of $300,000. How much might a rare northern white rhino horn go for?

While the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance hopes to generate a self-sustaining population of northern white rhinos back in part of their native range, Durrant says that would only happen if its safe to put the animals there. But not making the effort isnt an option, she says.

Everything is connected, says Durrant. When you take any species, plant or animal, out of an ecosystem, it starts to unravel.

As it stands now, most of the African species of rhinosthe southern white and black rhinosare concentrated mainly in southern Africa. Very few black rhinos are roaming around central Africa where northern white rhinos once predominated: The pointed mouth of the black rhino is good for eating branches and leaves, while the wide mouth of the white rhino is better adapted for grazing on grass.

Scientists keenly interested in saving the northern white rhino often cite the good that such a keystone species provides. A megafauna creature like the white rhino directly and indirectly affects the well-being of dozens of other creatures. By eating long grass, they help keep vegetation at a reasonable level so predators can see their prey. Their feet carve avenues in the grass so prey can escape. Their droppings fertilize the grass and provide nutrients for insects. Its a tiny biosphere where nonhuman life thrives. Upset the balance, and that life has to migrate elsewhere. Maybe to urban ecosystems. Maybe carrying disease.

Damon Casarez

Under any other circumstances, a group of people kneeling around Fatu inside the Ol Pejeta Conservancy would be a cause for concern. But on this Sunday in December 2020, the scientists and veterinarians in attendance were monitoring Fatu as she lay under general anesthesia. Near her backside was Hildebrandt. He was collecting eggs.

Over the past two years, with the permission of the Kenyan government, Hildebrandt and BioRescue have performed six separate egg pickups on Najin and Fatu. The latest one, in December 2020, yielded 14 oocytes from Fatu. Collection is done by anesthetizing the rhino and then inserting an ultrasound wand into the rectum. The wand is there only to provide a picture, a way to guide the needle that flushes out the rhinos follicles and grabs the eggs. Both times the eggs were rapidly transported to Avantea, an advanced biotechnology lab in Italy. There they were fertilized with frozen semen that had been extracted from Suni before he died. To date, BioRescue has cryopreserved nine embryos that combine northern white sperm and northern white egg.

The rhino hasnt failed in evolution. Its at the brink of extinction because humans have poached it and killed it.

Its a monumental step, one that represents the closest any group of scientists has come to bringing a northern white rhino calf into the world. Hildebrandt doesnt just consider it fascinating science; he likens it to a moral imperative. Picking and choosing which animals to de-extinct is easy when nature hasnt selected against them.

The rhino hasnt failed in evolution. Its at the brink of extinction because humans have poached it and killed it, he says. So it is actually our human responsibility to fix this problem, because we have caused it.

Courtesy Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research

While BioRescues current endeavor is separate from the work being conducted by Durrant, Korody, and others at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, the two groups are working toward common goals. Hildebrandt and his counterparts in San Diego held the first international conference on rescuing the northern white rhino in 2015 in Vienna. He says the work being conducted on pluripotent stem cells in San Diego is an important component of the overall effort. BioRescue has created embryos made with eggs from Najin and Fatu and sperm from Suni; the embryos the San Diego team hopes to create will come from multiple other northern white rhinos, which will increase the genetic diversity of a future population. In turn, that should help improve the animals overall health by serving as a safeguard against disease.

Yet Hildebrandt wants to bring a baby northern white rhino into the world as quickly as possible. While the two subspecies are related, northern white rhinos are wider, with straighter backs, flatter skulls, and a different neck structure. The differences are stark enough that a baby northern white rhino might not learn how to graze properly if it comes up in a herd of its southern white cousins. Hildebrandt wants the animal to socialize with Najin and Fatu before they, too, die. Sudans granddaughter is only in her early 20s and still playful. Najin, on the other hand, is in her early 30s, and lives with a large tumor on her abdomen.

Theres a lot of things morphologically which are links to behaviors, says Hildebrandt. The social knowledge, how to behave as a northern white rhino, is something we can preserve. But there is no way to do that unless we produce a calf very soon.

Still, a de-extinction project inevitably requires two finite resources: time and money. Hildebrandt thinks it will take about 20 years to reintroduce a healthy population of the animals back to Africa, at a cost of approximately $1 million per calf. But how much is one northern white rhino worth to the world?

Damon Casarez

Damon Casarez

Depending on BioRescues progress this year, there might be a baby northern white rhino walking with Najin and Fatu within two years. The bioengineering tools required to accomplish the incredibleresurrecting a herd of 6,000-pound animalsare here, in the hands of Durrant, Korody, Hildebrandt, and their respective teams of researchers.

We have the technology. We can rebuild them. Now comes the hardest question of all: Should we?

Its perhaps too soon to tell if a new birth in a species that is on the brink of extinction would be heralded as a success. After all, humans nearly killed off every northern white rhino in existence. Whats to say that people wont poach the animals for their horns, and do it flippantly, openly, even expectantly? You created a bunch of northern white rhinos before, we may cry out. Just do it again. This, we might incorrectly believe, is the promise of something like the Frozen Zoo. We preserve natural history, only to reanimate it according to our whims.

Yes, science can save species. But dont rely on science to save species, says Durrant. We cant do this for every species. We dont want to do this for every species. We want species to be preserved in their native habitats before they go extinct.

Cryopreservation and embryo transfers arent blueprints for managing the planet. But they might preserve a legacy that the death of Sudan left behind. If were paying attention, maybe one new rhino will wake us up.

View post:
The Bioengineering Gambit to Save the Northern White Rhino - Popular Mechanics

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Stemson Therapeutics announced today the closing of a DCVC Bio-led $15 million Series A financing to advance development of Stemsons proprietary therapeutic solution to cure hair loss. Genoa Ventures, AbbVie Ventures and other investors join in supporting Stemsons efforts to restore human hair growth with a novel cell regeneration technology using the patients own cells to generate new hair follicles.

In addition, Kiersten Stead, Ph.D., Co-Managing Partner at DCVC Bio and Jenny Rooke, Ph.D., Managing Director at Genoa Ventures will join Stemsons Executive Chairman Matt Posard and Chief Executive Officer and co-founder Geoff Hamilton on the board of directors. Dr. Stead invests in early-stage companies that build novel deep tech businesses in the life sciences. Stead received a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology & Genetics and an MBA in finance from the University of Alberta. Dr. Rooke is founder and Managing Director at Genoa Ventures where she specializes in early-stage companies innovating at the convergence of technology and biology. Rooke received a Ph.D. in Genetics from Yale University and a degree in physics from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

We are excited and honored to welcome DCVC Bio and a fantastic syndicate of investors to the Stemson team. The Series A funding will help us optimize our solution for human skin structure and environment so we can go into our first human clinical trial with high confidence for a positive outcome. We have the technical and biological building blocks to successfully address hair loss that overcomes failures of past therapies, said Hamilton. The addition of key venture capital investors DCVC Bio, Genoa Ventures and AbbVie Ventures broadens and strengthens our investor base. DCVC Bio and Genoa Ventures are successful early-stage development investors, and I am pleased to welcome Dr. Stead and Dr. Rooke, our newest board members, to the team. In addition, the AbbVie Venture investment comes on the heels of an initial seed investment from Allergan Aesthetics in 2020, and the continued industry interest in our technology is encouraging.

Globally, hundreds of millions of men and women suffer from various forms of hair loss. Though there are many possible causes of hair loss, including chemotherapy, autoimmune disease, scarring, and genetics, all can result in a loss of self-esteem and cause depression, anxiety and other mental health disruption for those affected. The hair restoration market is expected to exceed $13.6 billion by 2028, and no solution today is capable of generating an unlimited new supply of healthy follicles for patients in need.

Almost 30 years have passed since the last FDA-approved hair loss treatment, yet millions still suffer the physical and mental impact of losing their hair each year, stated Dr. Stead. Stemsons novel stem cell engineering platform has the potential to cure hair loss once and for all, treating not only the physical symptoms of this complex problem, but the mental burden as well.

"The team at Genoa is impressed with Stemsons vision to blend biology and technology and apply it beyond traditional biotech," added Dr. Rooke. "By combining exciting advancements in iPSCs with novel technologies in materials and data sciences, Stemson exemplifies the kind of chimeric teams Genoa seeks to support on their journey to become a category-defining company."

The Series A financing brings the total funding raised to date to $22.5 million and allows Stemson to further the next stage of research and development of its cell engineering platform, where is it being combined with bioengineered material and robotic delivery as a novel solution for natural hair replacement. Currently, Stemsons research and development efforts are focused on developing an optimized solution for human skin structure environment in larger animal models. Stemsons Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC) based technology is capable of producing the cell types required to initiate hair follicle growth and have been successfully tested in small animal models.

About Cell Regeneration Technology

Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSC) have the unique capability to replicate indefinitely and give rise to all cell types of the human body, including the cell types required for repair. iPSC-based technology is capable of producing the cell types required to initiate hair follicle growth. As a new therapeutic platform, iPSCs represent an emerging area of regenerative cell therapy. Stemson is one of a growing number of companies at the forefront in developing iPSC-based treatments.

About DCVC Bio

For over twenty years, DCVC and its principals have backed brilliant entrepreneurs applying Deep Tech, from the earliest stage and beyond, to pragmatically and cost-effectively tackle previously unsolvable problems in nearly every industry. DCVC Bio specializes in supporting life sciences platform companies at the intersections of engineering and therapeutics, industrial biotechnology and agriculture. For more information, please visit https://www.dcvc.com/companies.html#dcvc-bio

About Genoa Ventures

Genoa Ventures invests in early-stage companies working at the convergence of biology & technology to accelerate the pace of innovation, transform industries, and solve some of the most fundamental challenges to life. Genoa, identifies opportunities early and focuses its investments and expertise to empower the next great category-defining companies. The Genoa team has a unique chimeric blend of experience from scientific research and discovery to executive management in the life sciences and technologies sectors. The team applies this diverse experience to provide expert guidance to its companies and stellar returns to its investors.

About AbbVie Ventures

AbbVie Ventures is the corporate venture capital group of AbbVie. We are a strategic investor, investing exclusively in novel, potentially transformational science aligned with AbbVie's core R&D interests. We measure success primarily by the extent to which our investments foster innovation with potential to transform the lives of patients that AbbVie serves. AbbVie Ventures enables its portfolio companies with both funding as well as access to AbbVie's internal network of experts across all phases of drug development, from drug discovery through commercialization. For more information, please visit http://www.abbvie.com/ventures

About Stemson Therapeutics

Stemson Therapeutics is a pre-clinical stage cell therapy company founded in 2018 with a mission to cure hair loss by leveraging the regenerative power of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. Based on the breakthrough innovation by Stemson Therapeutics co-founder, Dr. Alexey Terskikh, Stemson uses iPSC to regenerate the critical cells required to grow hair and which are damaged or depleted in patients suffering from hair loss. The iPSC-derived cells are used to grow de novo hair follicles, offering a new supply of hair to treat people suffering from various forms of Alopecia. Today, there are no available treatments capable of growing new hair follicles. Stemsons world class team of scientists, advisors and collaborators are passionate about delivering a scientifically based, clinically tested cure for hair loss to the millions of hair loss sufferers who seek help for their hair loss condition. Stemson Therapeutics is headquartered in San Diego, CA. For more information, please visit http://www.stemson.com.

Read the original:
Stemson Therapeutics Secures $15M Series A Funding to Cure Hair Loss - Business Wire

FACTS AT A GLANCEEdition:9;Released:April 2021Executive Engagements:1737Companies:51 - Players covered include Axol Bioscience Ltd.; Cynata Therapeutics Limited; Evotec SE; Fate Therapeutics, Inc.; FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics, Inc.; Ncardia; Pluricell Biotech; REPROCELL USA, Inc.; Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd.; Takara Bio, Inc.; Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.; ViaCyte, Inc. and Others.Coverage:All major geographies and key segmentsSegments:Cell Type (Vascular Cells, Cardiac Cells, Neuronal Cells, Liver Cells, Immune Cells, Other Cell Types); Research Method (Cellular Reprogramming, Cell Culture, Cell Differentiation, Cell Analysis, Cellular Engineering, Other Research Methods); Application (Drug Development & Toxicology Testing, Academic Research, Regenerative Medicine, Other Applications)Geographies:World; USA; Canada; Japan; China; Europe; France; Germany; Italy; UK; Rest of Europe; Asia-Pacific; Rest of World.

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ABSTRACT-

Global Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell ((iPSC) Market to Reach $2.3 Billion by 2026Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) hold tremendous clinical potential to transform the entire therapeutic landscape by offering treatments for various medical conditions and disorders. These cells are derived from somatic cells like blood or skin cells that are genetically reprogrammed into embryonic stem cell-like state for developing an unlimited source of a diverse range of human cells for therapeutic applications. The global market is propelled by increasing demand for these cells, rising focus on researchers in the field, and their potential application in treatment of various diseases. The market growth is supplemented by rising prevalence of several chronic disorders such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer. Moreover, increasing awareness about stem cells and associated research, potential clinical applications and rising financial assistance by governments and private players are expected to contribute significantly to the market expansion. The iPSC technique is anticipated to find extensive adoption in the pharmaceutical industry for developing efficient cell sources like iPSC-derived functional cells to support drug screening and toxicity testing.

Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell ((iPSC) estimated at US$1.6 Billion in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$2.3 Billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 6.6% over the analysis period. Vascular Cells, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to record a 7.2% CAGR and reach US$835.8 Million by the end of the analysis period. After a thorough analysis of the business implications of the pandemic and its induced economic crisis, growth in the Cardiac Cells segment is readjusted to a revised 7.9% CAGR for the next 7-year period. The demand for iPSC-derived cardiac cells is attributed to diverse applications including cardiotoxicity testing, drug screening and drug validation along with metabolism studies and electrophysiology applications.

The U.S. Market is Estimated at $767.1 Million in 2021, While China is Forecast to Reach $82.4 Million by 2026The Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell ((iPSC) market in the U.S. is estimated at US$767.1 Million in the year 2021. China, the world`s second largest economy, is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$82.4 Million by the year 2026 trailing a CAGR of 8.5% over the analysis period. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at 5.5 % and 6.8% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 6.5% CAGR. North America leads the global market, supported by continuing advances related to iPSC technology and access to functional cells used in pre-clinical drug screening. The market growth is supplemented by increasing insights into the iPSC platform along with high throughput analysis for drug toxicity. The iPSC market in Asia-Pacific is estimated to post a fast growth due to increasing R&D projects across countries like Australia, Japan and Singapore.

Neuronal Cells Segment to Reach $336.9 Million by 2026In the global Neuronal Cells segment, USA, Canada, Japan, China and Europe will drive the 6.4% CAGR estimated for this segment. These regional markets accounting for a combined market size of US$202.9 Million in the year 2020 will reach a projected size of US$308 Million by the close of the analysis period. China will remain among the fastest growing in this cluster of regional markets. Led by countries such as Australia, India, and South Korea, the market in Asia-Pacific is forecast to reach US$19.8 Million by the year 2026. More

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Excerpt from:
Global Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC) Market to Reach $2.3 Billion by 2026 - PRNewswire

After a year under the hatch, this summer 2021, glowing, luminous and radiant is the go-to gorgeous look that American women want !

For whatever face you have to show the world today, moisturizing oil replenishes your skin, repairing damage from UV and boosting your natural glow with an astonishing amount of benefits- which is formulated to re-energize your look as it tones and refines pores. Many viewers have asked my expert advice on the best ways to approach and achieve a dewy summer complexion that will leave skin luminously smooth on the path to corporate ascension during business hours as well as summer social activities.

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In the summer, I can simply suggest that less is more. Radiant glow is the way to go with a delicate added dose of a real-to-the-feel modified bronzer and a fresh coral blush. This season, in addition to eating fruits and vegetables. drink lots of water to replenish the skin. Be mindful to get in a sweaty cardio sesh to increase blood flow and that healthy look from within which ultimately surfaces in the face to improve skin texture and tone for a natural radiant complexion.

Protect your skin from the sun:

As I mentioned earlier, I know everyone just wants to get out and see the world again but you must take protection from the sun. Bronzing face drops is your answer to a bronzed face without the risks of sun exposure. Integrated into your skincare routine your tan can now be customizable, buildable, and most importantly, fake, without looking fake.

Exfoliation is essential for smoothskin. I recommend to exfoliate once or twice a week to remove deadskincells and leaveskin glowing. This season, a unique blend of supercharged ingredients have been expertly formulated to deeply moisturize and restore the skins natural balance, revealing a clear and radiant glow.

If you're looking for a moisturizer with a luminous finish, then read below where I have curated a Forbes list of super-hydrating product offerings infused withtechnicall advanced hyaluronic acidand pearl articlesthat blur, reflect, and enhance your complexion to make you look instantly more radiant than ever!

+ Lux Unfiltered:

For a natural color and glow.

+ Lux UnfilteredNo.12 Bronzing Face Drops is your answer to a bronzed face without the risks of sun exposure. N12 seamlessly integrates into your skincare routine without disrupting your process or products. It is fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, compatible with all skin types, and loaded with antioxidants. Your tan is now customizable, buildable, and most importantly, fake, without looking fake. Recommended to mix with your desired number of drops with your face moisturizer and apply to clean skin.$42

AbsoluteJOI:

The new Daily Hydrating Moisturizing Cream is the first of its kind, a nutrient-rich 2-in-1 tinted ... [+] moisturizer specifically crafted for women of color for everyday use.

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AbsoluteJOI-The new Daily Hydrating Moisturizing Cream is the first of its kind, a nutrient-rich 2-in-1 tinted moisturizer specifically crafted for women of color for everyday use. The Daily Hydrating Moisturizing Cream leaves no white cast a common problem for people with melanin-rich skin. $42.00

AJ Crimson Beauty:

AJC Universal Finishing Powder in Toasted Cinnamon

AJ Crimson Beauty-AJ Crimson Beauty's Universal Finishing Powders are perfect for all skin tones. Great to use to set your makeup for a Matte or Semi Matte Skin Finish. Can Be Used to set Foundation, Concealer, Contour, Highlight or Tattoo cover! Available in a range of colors including Neutral Matte, Bamboo, Rick Umber and Toasted Cinnamon. $35

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Beauty Bakerie:

Swatches of the Beauty Bakerie InstaBake Aqua Glass Foundation in Shades 301N to 325N.

Beauty BakerieBeauty Bakerie always makes strides to be inclusive towards people of color and provides a wide shade range for all skin tones. Lack of darker shades in complexion products is a huge issue in the cosmetics industry, and Beauty Bakerie brings a revolutionary shade range to the table with the InstaBake Aqua Glass Foundation. The shades are listed from Dark to Light to put darker complexions first. $34.00

Bespoke:

Luxury CBD, but affordable for every budget.

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Bespoke-Manuka Honey and Bespokes Potent CBD, infused in one amazing product with an astonishing amount of benefits. The Manuka Honey + CBD cream for hands and body offers you the healing benefits of Manuka honey, the inflammatory and pain support of CBD, plus the soothing, calming properties of menthol extract. Bespoke sources our Manuka honey from New Zealand. But not all Manuka is equal. We source only the purest honey with an Ultra Premium Grade Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) of 15+. Youre getting exceptionally high-quality Manuka along with the superior CBD youve come to trust Bespoke Extracts for. This topical treatment will enhance your skincare regimen. Use sparingly on sore, dry skin, or when experiencing muscle or joint pain. Manuka Honey + CBD Cream will nourish your skin and provide supportive care to soft tissues. $59

Circumference:

The gentle cleanser is powered by olive leaf extract, derived from byproduct harvested in California ... [+] that would otherwise go to waste.

Circumference-The second formula born from our Waste-Not Sourcing Initiative - this gentle, versatile cleanser is powered by upcycled olive leaves, in partnership with California-made, Brightland. Last fall, we approached the modern essentials pantry brand to take the byproduct - that have no use in the olive oil making process - and slow-extract for bioactive nutrients in our labs. After the process was complete and we got the formula just right, mulch was returned to us for the following seasons compost - completing the circular economy. $48

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CocoBaba:

CocoBaba Coconut Butter Mousse, Coconut Body Oil, and Coconut Oil Scrub.

CocoBaba- CocoBaba is the new all-natural, vegan skincare line for women founded by Emma Heming Willis. CocoBaba was originally conceptualized when Emma was pregnant with her first daughter and was in search for an all-natural coconut oil-based product line to nourish and soothe her skin but could not find one. After 4 years in the making, the brand finally launched earlier this year and while its targeted toward moms and moms-to-be, its great for anyone! As summer approaches and we spend more time outside, its time to pay extra attention to our skin and make sure its nourished and protected to maintain that beautiful summer glow all season long!

All CocoBaba products are made with pure, certified organic coconut oil, and are 100% vegan, dermatologically tested, and completely free of silicones, parabens, and mineral oils. The Coconut Butter Mousse is a natural, effective way to nourish skin with this whipped blend of coconut, chia, sunflower, and jojoba oil. The Coconut Body Oil is silky but never greasy, this natural beauty secret uses 100% raw certified organic coconut oil to lock in moisture. And finally, the Coconut Oil Scrub is an all-natural exfoliant made with real coconut husk and apple seed. $54.99

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EiR NYC:

Surf Mud Body Oil

EiR NYC-As with all EiR suncare products, Surf Mud Body Oil is made with 100% Reef Safe Ingredients. Surf Mud Body Oil is a tinted tanning oil with Antioxidant-rich hydrating oil combined with zinc and chocolate to deeply moisturize and increase blood flow to the skin, and enhance your bronze-y sun-kissed look.$35

Elaluz:

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Camila never leaves home without her All Day Beauty Water and neither should you keep your skin ... [+] glowing and give it a refreshing boost on-the-go all summer long!

laluz-When Elaluz founder Camila Coelho created The All Day Beauty Water she knew she wanted a versatile product she could use throughout the day to keep her skin glowing and nourished. Enriched with Brazilian superfood ingredients like Guarana & Papaya Extracts and Buriti & Bataua Oils, this instant skin boost is formulated to re-energize your look as it tones and refines pores. Use it before makeup to prep, post-application to set, or whenever you need an instant boost of radiance. $49 USD

Hey Dewy:

Get the cutest, facial humidifier today - your skin and hair will thank you for it.

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Hey Dewy- Bring this portable USB humidifier with you wherever you go for continual hydration at your desk for work, overnight while you sleep or on-the-go to your dream destination. You can also nourish your skin with Hey Dewy before, after or even during your beauty routine. Our portable facial humidifier is our flagship product that is the foundation of our brand and purpose. It serves as the conduit to wellness via water and humidification, as well as the means to giving 10% to Clean Water initiatives like The Water Project. $39

Hydra Bloom:

Moonshine Coconut Illuminizer helps bring out your inner glow by adding a gorgeous highlight to your ... [+] cheekbones, eyes and decolletage.

Hydra Bloom-This skin perfector suits all skin tones. Made with Coconut and natural shimmering minerals and Vitamin E and Australian Flower Essences this illuminizer will have you glowing. $28.00

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James Read Tan:

Tan Easy-to-apply and can be tailored to your liking perfect to achieve that faux post-vacation ... [+] tan while quarantining.

James Read Tan-Concentrated onthe-go multi-vitamin gel tanning drops that you can add to your SPF or moisturizer. Formulated with powerful antioxidants and Vitamin complexes combined with key anti-ageing skincare ingredients to gently brighten, smooth and tan your skin. Formulated to improve the skins natural defense against free radicals, stimulate collagen synthesis and gives you a natural looking glow. Enriched with Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe Vera, Natural Caramel and self-tan for the ultimate glow.$33

Kura Skin:

Kura Skin

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Kura Skin-Kura Skin curates clean, personalized skincare routines just for you. Kura analyzes your age, location, existing product usage, skin types and concerns through a proprietary, high-tech algorithm to build your own skincare routine. Designed for all genders and ethnicities, you wont end up with a drawer full of samples youll never touch, or worse, a product that irritates your skin. Kura only curates nontoxic, cruelty-free, nutrient-dense, effective indie brands for healthy, glowing skin.Individual products starting at $28

lilah b.:

Moisturize, balance and prime with lilah b.s Aglow Priming Oil

lilah b. -A three-in-one serum, moisturizer, and primer that can be worn alone or under makeup creating a smooth, flawless canvas for long-wear makeup application. Aglow Priming Oil is a fast-absorbing, silicone-free priming face oil that nourishes and hydrates skin. Formulated with a nutrient-rich trio of tamanu, jojoba and sweet almond oils to soften, smooth and comfort the skin. Infused with grape seed extract to help improve skin firmness and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Enriched with purple tea extract to improve skin texture and tone for a natural radiant complexion. The perfect dose of nourishment to prep skin with an effortless glowing finish. $68

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Luzern:

Hydrate, soothe and boost luminosity with Luzerns new Alpine Rose Glacial Serum Masque.

Luzern-Infused with precious Ruby Powder, stem cells from the treasured Alpine Rose, a proprietary peptide-ferment, and an abundance of moisture factors and nutrients, this unconventional nectar mask provides instant hydration and calm, leaving skin velvety soft, smooth, and luminous. $150

Madeca Derma:

Madeca Derma Revitalizing Overnight Sleeping Mask

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Madeca Derma-This supercharged night mask powered by propolis that helps skin recover overnight for a more youthful look by morning. $27.99

MAKE:

Gently yet effectively cleanses to remove impurities while hydrating and balancing

MAKE Succulent Skin Gream-This serum weight facial cleanser, is a pH-balanced, sulfate-free universal gel that gently cleanses skin, effectively removing dirt, oil and impurities without stripping the skin of essential moisture. Supercharged with amino acid enriched surfactants that preserve the skin barrier. Also formulated with prickly pear, cactus, agave, niacinamide and sodium hyaluronate to provide nutrients. $24

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Manna Kadar Cosmetics:

Light up your skin with an all over radiance with Sheer Glow

Manna Kadar Cosmetics-Manna Kadar Cosmetics shimmer lotion works with all skin tones. Mix with foundation, BB cream, or body lotion to create a dewy glow for that radiant and youthful look. Get that extra highlighter look applying to cheek bones and collar bones for a more pronounced look. $29

Miami Beach Bum:

Formulated with oregano, aloe and jojoba to give your skin a full reset.

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Miami Beach Bum To our marine scientist founder, self-care means being active and around water. After constantly being in wet bathing suits she developed folliculitis on her bum and was unable to find a natural solution for it. Using her chemistry background, Ayssa crafted our signature Bum + Body Cream with the mission of bringing skin health to the forefront of self-care. Now with a full collection, each product has become an essential part of Ayssas personal ritual and we hope they can become a part of everyone's unique self-care ritual as well. $45

natureofthings:

natureofthings Clarifying Facial Polish combines the purifying action of a cleanser with the ... [+] resurfacing and glow-enhancing benefits of an exfoliant.

natureofthingsClarifying Facial Polish combines the purifying action of a cleanser with the resurfacing and glow-enhancing benefits of an exfoliant. A few drops of water activate the powder into a paste (for a milder formulation, simply add more water). Nutrient-rich lava ash from the Korean island of Jeju and Kisameet Glacial Clay penetrate deep into the skin to draw out impurities and oil, unclog pores and promote overall tightness and tone. Salicylic acid, lactic acid and papaya enzyme work gently to slough off dead skin cells responsible for dull complexions and uneven texture. Colloidal oatmeal and olive oil powder soothe and moisturize. Skin looks smooth, refreshed, and primed to absorb any subsequent products. $65

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No, Thank You:

An Oil For All Day

No, Thank YouFor whatever face you have to show the world today, our moisturizing oil replenishes your skin, repairing damage from UV and boosting your natural glow. Use it as often as you like, as a little extra help to welcome all the different emotions and expressions you need to communicate every day. Our vitamin C perfectly encapsulates our approach to skincare, specifically our commitment to making sure every ingredient really earns its place in the bottle formula over fads if you will. Vitamin C is an amazing ingredient but that doesnt mean you can just add it to a product and call it a day. You have to think about quality, concentration and combination. We use a shelf-stable form of vitamin C, in the right amount (sometimes more isnt more), combined with CBD and other ingredients that enhance its effectiveness. Its a holistic approach to skincare formulation that has become the hallmark of NTY products. $85

Nourishe:

Nourishe Glowing Skin Serum

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Nourishe-This waterless, gentle facial oil to help balance breakout-prone and sensitive skin. The rich blend of 32 botanicals gives you a smooth, energized complexion, boosting skin's collagen production and elasticity at the same time. The product comes in biophotonic glass, with minimal plastic packaging to maintain potency. $24.50

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Here's How To Get The Perfect Summer Skin Glow In 2021 - Forbes

Keila Torres knew during a conference trip to Florida she was going to meet the woman who saved her life. What she didn't expect was to see someone so familiar.

Torres, 44,of Worcester, Massachusetts,desperately needed a bone marrow transplant in 2016, when she was 39, to beatacute myeloid leukemia, a cancerthat starts in the bone marrow but often moves into the blood.

A bone marrow transplant isa treatment option for people withblood cancers, such as leukemia, and it replacesunhealthy blood-forming cells with healthy ones from a donor, according to Be The Match, a nonprofit that pairs peoplewith a donor.

She had slightly less than a 50% chance, according to Be The Match. But she beat thoseodds, thanks to Palm Desert resident Odalis Trinidad.

When the two women met on June 23, Torreshad a realization. Her body had been changing since the transplant, and now it started to make sense.

"My blood type changed to Odalis blood type.I developed allergies after the transplant, and she has allergies," Torres said. "Her hair is long, beautiful and really curly, and when my hair started to grow back, it was very curly, very tight curls. When I saw her, I was like, 'Wow, that's why my hair is like that.'"

"You basically become your donor. She lives in me," she added.

Dr. Ayad Hamdan, a bone marrow transplant specialist and board certified hematologist with the Eisenhower Lucy Curci Cancer Center, explained that since new stem cells from adonor replace the stem cells in a patients bone marrow, which is the "factory of our blood cells," the patient will have the same blood type as the donor.

He added it is possible for patients to develop allergies, and"most patients who receive chemotherapy or a transplant have the experience that their hair may grow back with a different texture," but the hair follicles themselves don't change.

Not only do the two women share hair textures and occasionally stuffy noses, they're driven by their desire to inspire others to help those in need.

Most 19-year-oldsare focused on having good times with their friends, not necessarily providing life-saving donations.

Trinidadsaid she tried to donate blood as often as she could, even though the process was always a bit uncomfortable either her arm would stop pumping enough blood, or her arm would be too sensitive. During one of her visits, she noticed a poster for Be The Match and decided to do some more research.

The process to join the donor registryseemed "really easy" for Trinidad, now 24.She received a registration kit to give a swab of cheek cells and sent it back in October 2015. Then camethe waiting period.

"If you get called, you get called; if you don't, well, at least you tried, right?" the Palm Desert resident said.

People between the ages of 18 and 44 can join the Be The Match donor registry. Cells from younger donors have the best chance of successful donations, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Due to a lack of diversity on the donor registry, white patients have a better chance of finding a match on the registry than do people of other races. According to the site, African Americans have a 29% chance, Asians and Pacific Islanders 47%, Latinos 48%, Native Americans 60% and whites 79%.

In July 2015, Torres, 38 at the time, learned she was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. With two young sons, ages 15 months and 5 years old at the time, she knew she had to fight to be there for her boys. After chemotherapy, radiation, lymph node removal and a bilateral mastectomy, she was declared cancer-free a year later.

The good news, unfortunately, was spoiled in September 2016.

"I felt like I was fine. I was recovering, I was spending time with my kids, I was going to work, my hair was growing back and I felt great," Torres said. While undergoing a bone marrow biopsy, she was told "there was something wrong" with routine lab work.She remembered asking her oncologist, "What's the worst that could happen?"

"If we find leukemia," Torres recalled her oncologist saying. "When I heard leukemia, I was like, 'Oh,that's not going to be me, it's probably something else.'"

But the biopsy showed she hadacute myeloid leukemia. It isa common type of leukemia in adults, although it accounts for just 1% of all cancers,according to Cancer.org.It is also generally uncommon to find in people younger than 45. Torres was 39.

"I was in shock. I was devastated. I had already gone through so many things," Torres said, "but in the back of my head I was thinking, 'I've been through breast cancer, I can do this.'"

But the gravity of the situation didn't hit her until she met the leukemia team at Massachusetts General Hospital. Walking into one of the clinic rooms, she remembers feeling "very claustrophobic,"like she was "running out of breath."

Torres began chemotherapy atMassachusetts General, but to have a betterchance at beating leukemia, she would need a bone marrow transplant.

The two women had plenty in common even before the transplant,Torres said, almost as if Trinidad was always her"missing puzzle piece." They both have birthdays in October, mothers from Guatemala (Torres grew up there as well) and they're both mothers.

The best match for a bone marrow transplant is when a patient and donor'shuman leukocyte antigen closely match. HLA"is a marker on our stem cells thatdetermines how our immune system responds," explained Hamdan. Those markers are used by an individual's immune system to know which cells belong in the body and which ones don't, according to Be The Match.

Doctors first looked to Torres' brother to see if he was a match. Siblings have a one in four chance of being a match since half of an individual's HLA markers are inheritedfrom their mother and the other halffrom their father, according to Be The Match. About seven out of 10 people won't have a close match with a family member, as was thecase with Torres. That's when people look to thedonor registry.

After Trinidad completed her cheek swab in October 2015, she essentially forgot about it since she didn't hear back from the registry. She received a phone call a year later.

"'Hey, I don't know if you remember you signed up for this, but this is what we do and we're calling to let you know that you have a possibility of saving someone's life,'" Trinidad recalled hearing.The only information she was given was the person needing the donationwas a female, 40 years old (Torres turned 40 in October 2016) and the type of leukemia. Nothing more, not even a name.

So, yes or no? It wastime to decide.

"I called them (the next day to learn) what did I need to do, what did they need from meto make sure it could be successful," she said.

Trinidad had blood work and other tests done prior to donation day. Her family was very supportive of her decision to help save a life, she said, whileit was a bit "hard for my friends to be on board."

"We were all 19, so they were like, 'You're crazy, you don't even know them and you're going to have this whole surgery for them?'I was like, "Well, yeah, I can save someone's life,'" Trinidad recalled. "You would want someone to do it for you, so how could you not do it?"

On donation day, donorsare put undergeneral anesthesia and marrow cells are taken from the back of the pelvicbone.

"The donor lies face down, and a large needle is put through the skin and into the back of the hip bone. Its pushed through the bone to the center and the thick, liquid marrow is pulled out through the needle," according to Cancer.org.Around 10%, or 2 pints, of marrow are collected, and the procedure takes up to two hours. The donor's body replaces those cells within four to six weeks.

Trinidad described the day in December 2016 as "nerve-racking,"but not because of the giant needle.

"I know everything that they're doing to me, but I can't, I literally cannot, know her perspective, what she is going through, how it is going to get to her," she said. "During this whole procedure, I'm nervous, I'm thinking, 'I hope it works, I hope it works.'I'm a match, but her body might not (accept the cells)well. I want to be sure that I'm doing the best I can so that it's the best for her."

To begin the transplant process, a receiving patient must undergo a conditioning regimen, which includes chemotherapy and sometimes radiation, to "wipe out" their immune system and leukemia cells, according to Hamdan.On transplant day, also called Day Zero, patients receive the donated cells through a blood transfusion.From Day Zero onward, the donated cells grow and make new blood cells, which is called engraftment, according to Be The Match.

Torres, admitted to the hospital on Thanksgiving, had a week straight of chemotherapy. Day Zero, which she considers one of her birthdays and her "rebirth," was Dec. 2, 2016.

It's normal for patients to feel weak, and Torres remembers being "sick to my stomach" the first few days after the transfusion. But her red and white blood counts started growing, she said, and slowly started feeling better. She was released from the hospital on Dec. 23, just in time for the holidays.

Both women had played a big part in each other's lives, and yet they still didn't know anything about one another.

Transplant recipients and donors have to wait one year before they can have direct contact with each other in the United States, according to Be The Match.

"This could only work if both of us want to know," Trinidad said."It was hard because I wanted to know her recovery, I wanted to know if it worked. What if it didn't work and they just didn't tell me anything at all?"

By the time the one-year mark came, the two women were ready to know something, anything,about each other.

It was an instant connection, almost as if they had known each other their entire lives, they both said. Finallyconnected on Facebook, they could get a glimpse of the other's family and see what they were up to. They talked and texted whenever they could.

It wasn't until a few weeks after their initial contact that Torres revealed to Trinidad that doctorsfound leukemia once again in January 2018.Torres would have to go through the transplant process all over again, but this time witha different donor.

Hamdan explained: "Transplants are most of the time the only chance for patients to be cured, and although there is a good chance of success, the cancer can come back. (It) depends on the disease, the age of the patient, the type of transplant."

Torres still wouldn't change a thing.

"She gave me life the first time around. I was able to come home and be with my kids for a year," Torres said. "Even if I had relapsed or not, Im so grateful for her for doing an act of kindness. At 20,Iwasnt thinking about stuff like that."

Trinidad, now a mother herself to3-month-old son Jimmy,said having her own child put thedonation into a whole new perspective.

"I really just am happy to give her that time with her kids. I now know how important and valued that time is," she said.

But thatwasn't the end of the journey.

They both had meeting each other in-person on their bucket lists, and when an opportunity came at aHOSA Future Health Professionals convention last month in Orlando, Floridaboth said "it was meant to be."

Representatives from Be The Match reached out to the two women and asked if they'd want to share their story to the students attending the conference. Trinidad was also a member of HOSA when she attended Palm Springs High School.

After years of texting, calling and social media lurking, they hugged on stage at the conference for quite a long time, admitted Trinidad, and "neither of us wanted to let go." She describedthe moment as "surreal,"finally seeing "the life that I gave her."

And for Torres, to see the woman who went froman anonymous lifesaver to a dear friend and a bit of a look-alike,saying thank you in-personis a moment she'll never forget.

"Theres no way that Iwill ever be able to repay her because theres no price with what she did," Torres said. "Im think I'm still kind of digesting all the emotions that came with it, but the one thing I know isIm full of gratitude for what she did for me.

Trinidad hopes more people will join the donor registry "it's so easy," she reiterated and be there to answer the call if they end up being someone's best match.

"I'm a donor because I wanted to be one," Trinidad said. "I know it required me physically giving up some bone marrow, but itsaved someones life, and I would do it again."

Torres, too, can attest to that: "If it hadnt been for her the first time around, honestly I dont think Iwould be here."

HOW TO JOIN THE BE THE MATCH REGISTRY

Visithttps://bethematch.org/to learnhow to join the registry, request a cheek swab and what the next steps are if you're a match.

Ema Sasic covers health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic.

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Palm Desert resident meets the woman whose life she saved with bone marrow transplant - Desert Sun

Stem cells are basically cells with the capacity to turn into different kinds of cells. These cells are used in the manufacture of blood, skin, heart, lungs, pancreas and a variety of other organs. They play an important role in organ transplants, tissue engineering and in the therapy of Parkinsons disease.

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In fact, stem cells harvested from the adult marrow have already helped treat some of these diseases. Scientists have succeeded in transplanting adult stem cells from the anogenital area of the male reproductive organ to patients with chronic diseases like Parkinsons disease, a disease that affects both the nervous and the cardiac systems. This procedure has proven to be very effective in treating the disease since it stimulates the production of the living cells in the diseased area. Since adult stem cells could help treat Parkinsons disease, the researchers tested their idea in animals and succeeded. Stem cells from the adult bone marrow have also shown great potential in treating diseases like arthritis, psoriasis and multiple sclerosis.

Market Dynamics

High prevalence of chronic disorders is expected to propel growth of the global stem cells market. For instance, according to the study, Prevalence of Parkinsons disease (PD) across North America, published in July 2018 in the journal Nature, the number of people suffering from PD is expected to reach 930,000 in 2020 and 1,238,000 in 2030.

R&D in stem cells is expected to offer lucrative growth opportunities for players in the global stem cells market. For instance, in December 2020, researchers from the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine demonstrated that stem cells found in amniotic fluid meet an essential test increasing their likelihood of becoming specialized cell types.

Competitive Analysis

Major players operating in the global stem cells market include, Advanced Cell Technology, Inc., Angel Biotechnology Holdings PLC, Bioheart Inc., Lineage Cell Therapeutics., BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics, Inc., California Stem Cell Inc., Global Stem Cells Group, Celgene Corporation, Takara Bio Europe AB, Cellular Engineering Technologies, Cytori Therapeutics Inc., Osiris Therapeutics, and STEMCELL Technologies Inc.

Major players operating in the global stem cells market are focused on adopting M&A strategies to enhance their market share. For instance, in October 2020, Global Stem Cells Group signed an agreement with Bioscience Cell Factory, a Dubai-based healthcare company, which will allow GSCG to act as their representatives operating in both the Middle East and Latin America.

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Stem Cells Market 2021: Rising with Immense Development Trends across the Globe by 2027 The Manomet Current - The Manomet Current

A year before the pandemic, I was diagnosed with a condition called mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS). A hallmark of the syndrome is hypersensitivities in more than one organ system: Food and other triggers can give me abdominal pain and severe diarrhea; my nose swells and I sneeze and wheeze. That sounds like allergies, but I've never tested positive on an allergy test.

Mast cells are among the immune system's first line of defense. They are abundant in the parts of the body that have close contact with the outside world, including the skin, airways, and intestines. Mast cells gone wrong cause allergic symptoms, secreting histamine and giving us itchy eyes, hives, and rashes. Less well understood is their role in modulating the responses of other immune cells. Before the pandemic, researchers had suggested that mast cell dysfunction could explain severe cases of the flu and highlighted the cells' role in shutting down inflammation in a variety of situations. In my case, probably because of a genetic peculiarity, my mast cells overreact.

I was fairly stable on my medication, and then I became sick with Covid-19. Months after the virus had passed and I no longer had pneumonia, I was still fighting fatigue and breathlessness. My symptoms also flared up erratically. On some mornings, for example, the oatmeal I had relied on for years could cause me abdominal pain. "Once the mast cell response is turned up, it doesn't wind down just because the infection is gone," explained my doctor, Leo Galland, a New York internist who specializes in difficult cases.

MCAS often seems to first emerge after a virus. Could it explain any of the symptoms of the growing group of patients with long Covid? Congress has now dedicated more than a billion dollars towards research into why so many post-Covid patients roughly a quarter, more often women still feel ill long after their infection. In Facebook groups and elsewhere, people with plausible symptoms for instance, severe lingering rashes and months of hives have been trading information about remedies for the disease. Severe fatigue after exercise suggested myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, which some say is linked to MCAS. Others became lightheaded when they stood up, which might mean they had postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). Spend an hour searching online, and you'll find papers saying POTS, too, may be a manifestation of MCAS.

But getting a workup for the syndrome can be a long ordeal. The full range of tests and treatments aren't routinely covered by insurance, leaving some patients to pay thousands of dollars out of pocket. Before you get there, you need to find a sympathetic doctor: Researchers don't agree on whether the illness is rare, or quite common.

I was lucky; Galland took me on in the 1980s. Long before the microbiome became a news item, he diagnosed me with intestinal dysbiosis a disturbed gut. We don't know why I got sick when I did, but when I showed up in Galland's office, I was a young woman on an absurdly limited diet with a myriad of fluctuating symptoms. On a trip to Tucson, as just one example, my face and arms ballooned, and then shrank on the plane home. I had been exposed to a fungus in the desert. My grandmother commiserated; when her face swelled up, her doctors in Antwerp, in the 1930s, pulled out all of her teeth. She had no explanation.

Interestingly, disturbances in the gut may be linked to severe Covid-19, and correcting them a possible path to health for long Covid sufferers. Mast cells may have a unique role in communicating with gut bacteria. In midlife, I fit the profile for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), the abdominal pain, often accompanied by diarrhea or constipation, that afflicts as much as 20 percent of the population, and often sets in after a virus. Desperate, in 2018, I had just completed a trial of hypnotherapy for IBS when my digestion took an embarrassing turn, with accidents in taxis, and I could no longer eat outside my home.

A new dietician, Tamara Duker Freuman, author of "The Bloated Belly Whisperer," helped me identify the worst offenders: foods that are high in histamine, which can be found in everything from alcohol to avocados. After further testing, Galland put me on a regime: an arsenal of mast cell modulators and anti-histamines, including Pepcid, which also blocks histamine.

And I got better.

* * *

Mast cells were first named in 1878 by a German-Jewish Nobel Prize winner, Paul Ehrlich, a father of modern immunology who is most famous for discovering the cure for syphilis. At the turn of the century, scientists discovered anaphylaxis, the classic mast cell allergic reaction. The word comes from the Greek ana (against) and phylaxis (protection). The idea that an immune response could actually hurt us, rather than protect us, came as shock. Current research about the gut and immunity may change the paradigm again.

Five decades later, in 1949, scientists described a rare genetic disorder called mastocytosis, in which mast cells produce clones, building up in the skin, bones, and other organs. It wasn't until the 1980s that researchers began to notice that mast cells could become hyper-responsive or over-activated without cloning.

On a separate track, since the 1990s, researchers have explored mast cell activity in IBS. (A clinical trial of Pepcid and Zyrtec for difficult IBS cases is currently underway at the University of Cincinnati.) Kyle Staller, director of the Gastrointestinal Motility Laboratory at Massachusetts General Hospital, now sometimes prescribes Pepcid if he sees other signs like hives, to patients who ask him to consider a histamine or MCAS issue. "I think anyone who's been following the science closely has to start wondering, 'How much could this be playing a role in that IBS patient who's in front of us on a given day?'" he told me.

Competing proposals for diagnostic criteria emerged after 2010. Both proposals say that doctors should rule out other explanations for a person's symptoms, and that symptoms should appear in a least two organ systems (in my case, it affects my gut, nose, and skin). Both proposals require lab tests but they disagree on which tests are necessary, and on the ranges that would indicate someone has MCAS, as well as other details. Because lab results are elusive, Galland and some other doctors rely on a medical history instead.

The disagreement has led to two camps. In camp one, the condition is rare; in camp two, it occurs in up to 17 percent of the adult population. Specialists in camp one say patients are misled: "More and more patients are informed that they may have [mast cell activation syndrome] without completing a thorough medical evaluation," an international group of 24 authors, led by Peter Valent, a hematologist and stem cell researcher at the Medical University of Vienna, wrote in April 2019 in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

A year later, a largely American group of 43 authors led by Lawrence Afrin, one of the earliest mast cell activation researchers, countered in the journal Diagnosis that patients are suffering and even dying from underdiagnosis. By then the pandemic had arrived, and Afrin suggested that some patients with long Covid might be experiencing MCAS.

Patients were seeing links as well. For example, the distinct POTS symptom of extreme lightheadedness, once often dismissed as a problem of anxious young women, emerged as one of the odder long Covid symptoms. POTS, which has been reported by patients who experienced Lyme and other infections, may involve histamine and several other chemicals released by mast cells. It is known to overlap with MCAS.

Last fall, when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on what it labeled multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS), the name rang bells: MCAS is clearly a multi-system inflammatory syndrome. Theoharis Theoharides, a professor of immunology at Tufts University who has studied mast cells for more than 40 years, wrote that MIS patients should be evaluated for MCAS.

Mariana Castells, director of the Mastocytosis Center at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, told me in an email that she's seen no data showing that long Covid patients have the requisite diagnostic markers of MCAS.

Observers agree that the long Covid group probably includes people with different vulnerabilities. It would be marvelous indeed, if, one day, we found a single powerful concept to understand post-viral illness.

In the meantime, you might not need to fit either group's criteria for MCAS, a difficult and chronic illness, to experience your mast cells' betraying you sometimes. "Like many, many conditions, over time we [may] learn that there's a spectrum of disease," Staller said. "It's not an all or nothing phenomenon."

Even the group that sees MCAS as rare acknowledges the existence of a less severe form of mast cell activation that does not meet MCAS criteria. Theoharides has detailed several categories of the illness. He told me that he'd guess half of patients diagnosed with IBS might have mast cell activation of some kind.

If mast cell dysfunction is truly common, I trust the online buzz to help us find out. Crowdsourcing on patient forums is here to stay. And it's good, after all, that sick people shared information, found support, and made long Covid a "thing" with ontological status.

Growing up, I had wondered if my grandmother's multiple "allergies" were real. We didn't laugh, but we didn't exactly believe her. Then it happened to me.

* * *

Temma Ehrenfeld is a writer and ghostwriter in New York drawn to philosophy and psychiatry. Her most recent book is "Morgan: The Wizard of Kew Gardens."

This article was originally published on Undark. Read the original article.

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Immune system mutiny: mast cells and the mystery of long COVID - Salon

An immunotherapy based on supercharging the immune system's natural killer cells has been effective in treating patients with recurrent leukemia and other difficult to treat blood cancers. Now, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have shown in preclinical studies conducted in mice and human cells that this type of cell-based immunotherapy also could be effective against solid tumors, starting with melanoma, a type of skin cancer that can be deadly if not caught early.

The study is published June 29 inClinical Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

In recent years, an immunotherapy called immune checkpoint inhibitors has revolutionized treatment for advanced melanoma. In one well-known example, this immunotherapy was successfully used to treat former President Jimmy Carter, whose melanoma had spread to his liver and brain.

But the therapy only works in about half of such patients. And even among those who respond well to the initial therapy, about half go on to develop resistance to it. Consequently, researchers have been seeking different ways to harness the immune system to attack melanoma cells. One possibility is to use natural killer (NK) cells, a part of the immune system's first line of defense against dangerous cells, whether cancer cells or invading bacteria.

Todd A. Fehniger, MD, PhD, a professor of medicine, and his team have had success in clinical trials treating recurrent leukemia with a patient's own natural killer cells or those from a donor. The NK cells are harvested from the patient's or a donor's blood and exposed to a set of chemical signals called cytokines that activate the cells and prime them to remember this activation. When these "cytokine-induced memory-like" NK cells are given to the patient, they are more potent in attacking the cancer because they already have been revved up, as Fehniger puts it.

"These 'revved-up' memory-like NK cells attack blood cancers quite well," said Fehniger, the study's co-senior author and an oncologist who treats patients at Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine. "But relatively little work has been done on whether these cells can be used against solid tumors. This is an unmet need in solid tumor oncology. Our study provides proof of principle that memory-like NK cells respond better than normal NK cells against melanoma, and it serves as a stepping stone to a first-in-human clinical trial of these cells in advanced melanoma."

Added co-senior author Ryan C. Fields, MD, the Kim and Tim Eberlein Distinguished Professor of Surgical Oncology: "We hope this is also a step toward harnessing NK cells against multiple solid tumors. Melanoma was a good place to start because we know it responds to immune therapy. But because many patients don't respond or develop resistance, we felt that targeting a different aspect of the immune system was a promising strategy to pursue."

The standard checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy that works well in some melanoma patients targets T cells, another type of immune cell that also frequently is harnessed against different forms of cancer. According to the researchers, patients who don't respond well or stop responding to the T cell-based standard therapy and have no other options would be good candidates for NK cell therapy.

The researchers studied human NK cells from both healthy people and from patients with melanoma and found that the cytokine-induced memory-like NK cells could effectively treat mice harboring human melanoma tumors. Tumors shrank to the point of being almost undetectable in many of the mice, and the memory-like NK cells prevented the tumors from returning in most cases for the duration of the 21-day experiment. While normal NK cells also reduced and controlled melanoma tumors, they did not do so to the same degree.

"We are currently designing a clinical trial to evaluate these NK cells in patients with advanced melanoma who have exhausted all other treatment options," Fehniger said. "We would like to investigate NK cells from a donor and, separately, a patient's own NK cells to see if the cytokine-induced memory-like NK cells offer an effective treatment option for patients with this aggressive skin cancer."

The NK cell-based immunotherapy is potentially safer than other cell-based immunotherapies because the NK cells do not trigger a cytokine storm, as is seen sometimes in CAR-T cell therapy, which often is used for blood cancers, nor do the NK cells cause graft-versus-host disease, which sometimes follows a stem cell transplant.

"Even 10 years ago, we had no effective therapies for advanced melanoma -- much like the lack of therapies for glioblastoma or advanced pancreatic cancer today," said Fields, a surgeon who treats patients at Siteman. "Checkpoint immunotherapy has revolutionized melanoma treatment, but we're still not satisfied with the 50% response rate. We want to do better, and this NK cell therapy is a promising approach. And in the future, we may be able to combine an NK cell-based therapy with checkpoint inhibition for an even better response."

Fehniger and his colleagues have worked with Washington University's Office of Technology Management to license the cytokine-induced memory-like NK cell technology to a company called Wugen. Fehniger is a co-founder of Wugen and serves on its scientific advisory board.

Reference:Marin ND, Krasnick BA, Becker-Hapak M, et al. Memory-like differentiation enhances NK cell responses to melanoma. Clin Cancer Res. 2021. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-21-0851

This article has been republished from the following materials. Note: material may have been edited for length and content. For further information, please contact the cited source.

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Cell-Based Immunotherapy May Be Effective Against Melanoma - Technology Networks