ScienceDaily (Mar. 11, 2012) A study by Columbia researchers suggests that cells in the patient's intestine could be coaxed into making insulin, circumventing the need for a stem cell transplant. Until now, stem cell transplants have been seen by many researchers as the ideal way to replace cells lost in type I diabetes and to free patients from insulin injections.

The research -- conducted in mice -- was published 11 March 2012 in the journal Nature Genetics.

Type I diabetes is an autoimmune disease that destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The pancreas cannot replace these cells, so once they are lost, people with type I diabetes must inject themselves with insulin to control their blood glucose. Blood glucose that is too high or too low can be life threatening, and patients must monitor their glucose several times a day.

A longstanding goal of type I diabetes research is to replace lost cells with new cells that release insulin into the bloodstream as needed. Though researchers can make insulin-producing cells in the laboratory from embryonic stem cells, such cells are not yet appropriate for transplant because they do not release insulin appropriately in response to glucose levels. If these cells were introduced into a patient, insulin would be secreted when not needed, potentially causing fatal hypoglycemia.

The study, conducted by Chutima Talchai, PhD, and Domenico Accili, MD, professor of medicine at Columbia University Medical Center, shows that certain progenitor cells in the intestine of mice have the surprising ability to make insulin-producing cells. Dr. Talchai is a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Accili's lab.

The gastrointestinal progenitor cells are normally responsible for producing a wide range of cells, including cells that produce serotonin, gastric inhibitory peptide, and other hormones secreted into the GI tract and bloodstream.

Drs. Talchai and Accili found that when they turned off a gene known to play a role in cell fate decisions -- Foxo1 -- the progenitor cells also generated insulin-producing cells. More cells were generated when Foxo1 was turned off early in development, but insulin-producing cells were also generated when the gene was turned off after the mice had reached adulthood. "Our results show that it could be possible to regrow insulin-producing cells in the GI tracts of our pediatric and adult patients," Dr. Accili says.

"Nobody would have predicted this result," Dr. Accili adds. "Many things could have happened after we knocked out Foxo1. In the pancreas, when we knock out Foxo1, nothing happens. So why does something happen in the gut? Why don't we get a cell that produces some other hormone? We don't yet know."

Insulin-producing cells in the gut would be hazardous if they did not release insulin in response to blood glucose levels. But the researchers say that the new intestinal cells have glucose-sensing receptors and do exactly that.

The insulin made by the gut cells also was released into the bloodstream, worked as well as normal insulin, and was made in sufficient quantity to nearly normalize blood glucose levels in otherwise diabetic mice.

More:
New approach to treating type 1 diabetes? Transforming gut cells into insulin factories

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

"We hope this study could help us at least identify those at greatest risk of disease"... Professor Paul Haber. Photo: Nic Walker

SCIENTISTS in Sydney will investigate why some heavy drinkers are more likely than others to suffer the potentially fatal long-term effects of alcohol. It will be a world-first study, as concern increases about the failure of public health campaigns to curb drinking rates.

Up to 5000 people with alcohol-induced cirrhosis of the liver will be tested to try to identify genetic triggers of the disease. The $2.5 million international study is the largest undertaken into the deadly condition.

A professor of addiction medicine at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Paul Haber, said funding for cirrhosis research was ''relatively neglected''. It is hoped the study will also show why some people develop the disease despite relatively moderate alcohol consumption, Professor Haber said.

Advertisement: Story continues below

''People are drinking more for a number of reasons, and we hope this study could help us at least identify those at greatest risk of disease,'' he said.

He compared cirrhosis to lung cancer, in that people were ''unlucky'' to develop either disease, despite the contribution of their own behaviour.

The lead researcher, Dr Devanshi Seth, said there was ''convincing evidence'' for a genetic basis predisposing some people to develop cirrhosis from all levels of alcohol consumption.

''We think there are several genes that together can work in such a way to cause liver disease, which is also influenced by diet, mental health, viral infection and gender,'' Dr Seth said.

The US National Institutes of Health is funding the study, which will include participants from six countries, including the US, Britain and France. Patients with cirrhosis will be examined alongside decade-long heavy drinkers without the disease.

See the article here:
Search for genetic clues to cruel lottery of drink-induced cirrhosis

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

24-02-2012 07:37 This is a beautiful image of human brain cells, which can now be grown from adult skin cells. Under the Microscope is a collection of videos that show glimpses of the natural and man-made world in stunning close-up. They are released every Monday and Thursday and you can see them here: bit.ly Yichen Shi: "Brain neural stem cells derived from human skin cells: these stem cells express typical marker genes of brain neocortical stem cells, such as Pax6 (Red fluorescent labeled), and form a rosette structure resembling the transection of the neural tube." The entire image is about 250 ?m across (a really thick bit of human hair). More info: http://www.cam.ac.uk en.wikipedia.org Picture taken by Yichen Shi in the Livesey Lab http://www.gurdon.cam.ac.uk Voice over by Fred Lewsey. Music by Peter Nickalls: http://www.peternickalls.com

Excerpt from:
Under the Microscope #12 - Video

Recommendation and review posted by sam

ScienceDaily (Mar. 11, 2012) A study by Columbia researchers suggests that cells in the patient's intestine could be coaxed into making insulin, circumventing the need for a stem cell transplant. Until now, stem cell transplants have been seen by many researchers as the ideal way to replace cells lost in type I diabetes and to free patients from insulin injections.

The research -- conducted in mice -- was published 11 March 2012 in the journal Nature Genetics.

Type I diabetes is an autoimmune disease that destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The pancreas cannot replace these cells, so once they are lost, people with type I diabetes must inject themselves with insulin to control their blood glucose. Blood glucose that is too high or too low can be life threatening, and patients must monitor their glucose several times a day.

A longstanding goal of type I diabetes research is to replace lost cells with new cells that release insulin into the bloodstream as needed. Though researchers can make insulin-producing cells in the laboratory from embryonic stem cells, such cells are not yet appropriate for transplant because they do not release insulin appropriately in response to glucose levels. If these cells were introduced into a patient, insulin would be secreted when not needed, potentially causing fatal hypoglycemia.

The study, conducted by Chutima Talchai, PhD, and Domenico Accili, MD, professor of medicine at Columbia University Medical Center, shows that certain progenitor cells in the intestine of mice have the surprising ability to make insulin-producing cells. Dr. Talchai is a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Accili's lab.

The gastrointestinal progenitor cells are normally responsible for producing a wide range of cells, including cells that produce serotonin, gastric inhibitory peptide, and other hormones secreted into the GI tract and bloodstream.

Drs. Talchai and Accili found that when they turned off a gene known to play a role in cell fate decisions -- Foxo1 -- the progenitor cells also generated insulin-producing cells. More cells were generated when Foxo1 was turned off early in development, but insulin-producing cells were also generated when the gene was turned off after the mice had reached adulthood. "Our results show that it could be possible to regrow insulin-producing cells in the GI tracts of our pediatric and adult patients," Dr. Accili says.

"Nobody would have predicted this result," Dr. Accili adds. "Many things could have happened after we knocked out Foxo1. In the pancreas, when we knock out Foxo1, nothing happens. So why does something happen in the gut? Why don't we get a cell that produces some other hormone? We don't yet know."

Insulin-producing cells in the gut would be hazardous if they did not release insulin in response to blood glucose levels. But the researchers say that the new intestinal cells have glucose-sensing receptors and do exactly that.

The insulin made by the gut cells also was released into the bloodstream, worked as well as normal insulin, and was made in sufficient quantity to nearly normalize blood glucose levels in otherwise diabetic mice.

See original here:
New approach to treating type 1 diabetes? Transforming gut cells into insulin factories

Recommendation and review posted by sam

Public release date: 11-Mar-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Karin Eskenazi ket2116@columbia.edu 212-342-0508 Columbia University Medical Center

NEW YORK, NY -- A study by Columbia researchers suggests that cells in the patient's intestine could be coaxed into making insulin, circumventing the need for a stem cell transplant. Until now, stem cell transplants have been seen by many researchers as the ideal way to replace cells lost in type I diabetes and to free patients from insulin injections.

The researchconducted in micewas published 11 March 2012 in the journal Nature Genetics.

Type I diabetes is an autoimmune disease that destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The pancreas cannot replace these cells, so once they are lost, people with type I diabetes must inject themselves with insulin to control their blood glucose. Blood glucose that is too high or too low can be life threatening, and patients must monitor their glucose several times a day.

A longstanding goal of type I diabetes research is to replace lost cells with new cells that release insulin into the bloodstream as needed. Though researchers can make insulin-producing cells in the laboratory from embryonic stem cells, such cells are not yet appropriate for transplant because they do not release insulin appropriately in response to glucose levels. If these cells were introduced into a patient, insulin would be secreted when not needed, potentially causing fatal hypoglycemia.

The study, conducted by Chutima Talchai, PhD, and Domenico Accili, MD, professor of medicine at Columbia University Medical Center, shows that certain progenitor cells in the intestine of mice have the surprising ability to make insulin-producing cells. Dr. Talchai is a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Accili's lab.

The gastrointestinal progenitor cells are normally responsible for producing a wide range of cells, including cells that produce serotonin, gastric inhibitory peptide, and other hormones secreted into the GI tract and bloodstream.

Drs. Talchai and Accili found that when they turned off a gene known to play a role in cell fate decisionsFoxo1the progenitor cells also generated insulin-producing cells. More cells were generated when Foxo1 was turned off early in development, but insulin-producing cells were also generated when the gene was turned off after the mice had reached adulthood.

"Our results show that it could be possible to regrow insulin-producing cells in the GI tracts of our pediatric and adult patients," Dr. Accili says.

Read the original here:
A new approach to treating type I diabetes? Gut cells transformed into insulin factories

Recommendation and review posted by sam

05-03-2012 00:04

See original here:
Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Presentation - Video

Recommendation and review posted by sam

22-02-2012 21:12 see also sens.org - mitworld.mit.edu - techtv.mit.edu NEW : check out our facebook-community page NEW join and share cutting edge lectures and debates http://www.facebook.com

See the article here:
Dr. Aubrey de Grey - Regenerative Medicine Against Aging 2/2 - Video

Recommendation and review posted by sam

Washington, March 11 (IANS) A genetic deletion helps work up a smarter brain by not only growing more brain cells during ageing but also making anti-depressants more effective in lower doses, a study reveals.

Deleting the Nf1 gene in mice improves neurogenesis (the process by which brain cells are generated), which in turn makes those in the test group more sensitive to the effects of anti-depressants.

"The significant implication of this work is that enhancing neurogenesis sensitizes mice to anti-depressants -- meaning they needed lower doses of the drugs to affect 'mood,'" said Luis Parada, from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Centre.

It also appears to have anti-depressive and anti-anxiety effects of its own that continue over time, added Parada, director of the Kent Waldrep Centre for Basic Research on Nerve Growth and Regeneration and senior study author, The Journal of Neuroscience reported.

Just as in people, mice produce new neurons throughout adulthood, although the rate declines with age and stress, said Parada, according to a university statement.

Studies have shown that learning, exercise, shock therapy and some anti-depressants can increase neurogenesis. The steps in the process are well known but the cellular mechanisms behind those steps are not.

The researchers used a sophisticated process to delete the gene that codes for the Nf1 protein only in the brains of mice, while production in other tissues continued normally.

Researchers found that the test group mice formed more neurons over time compared to others, and that young mice lacking the Nf1 protein required much lower amounts of anti-depressants to counteract stress.

Link:
Delating a gene works up smarter brain

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

London, March 11 (ANI): Scientists have discovered a gene that triggers plants to become dormant at night and controls flowering.

Computer models of cress plants genes showed how 12 genes work together to set plants' internal clocks, according to University of Edinburgh researchers.

They found that a protein, known as TOC1, previously associated with helping plants to wake up, dampened down gene activity at night.

Professor Andrew Millar said "it was a big change in thinking".

Plants, animals and even bacteria go through a daily 24-hour routine, known as a circadian rhythm, which allow them to make tiny adjustments as daylight changes, and adapt to changing seasons.

"Just like humans you should think about plants having rhythms," said Prof Millar.

"Having a biological clock is particularly important for plants to prepare for daylight and at night-time [to] store energy for growth.

"We now understand how the dozen or so genes work and are typical to particular times of the day," Prof Millar stated.

The Edinburgh-led study was published in Molecular Systems Biology.

Prof Millar said the results would help further research into the flowering of other plants - particularly crops such as wheat, barley and rice.

Follow this link:
Gene that controls flowering in plants identified

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

DIAMOND BAR - Is it appropriate to use emerging synthetic genomic engineering technology to build new forms of "life"? Should genetic engineering techniques and processes be used in agriculture?

These were some of the issues debated by Brahma Tech students at Diamond Bar High last week. The great debate was part of a week of competition for the Technology Student Association.

The Brahmas recently became the first high school in California to join the national organization, according to technology teacher Alina Gallardo.

More than 150,000 middle and high school students throughout America belong to the association. Members learn about technology through competitions, events and conferences.

Sophomore Alice Jin spearheaded the effort to join the Technology Student Association.

"I found out about it on the Internet, then talked to my classmates about forming a local chapter," the 16-year-old explained.

Diamond Bar has more than 400 students in the Brahma Tech Academy. The academy is a specialized math, science and technology program with four career paths.

"Students also have to do 150-hour internships with high-tech companies," Gallardo explained.

It attracts students like 17-year-old Drew Liu. "I want to major in bioengineering in college," the senior said.

Liu was one of the group of students competing in technology week. Earlier, the techies made videos. Participants had to write, shoot and edit

Continued here:
Students at Diamond Bar's Brahma Tech debate genomic engineering ethics

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

To: HEALTH, MEDICAL AND NATIONAL EDITORS

MANHASSET, N.Y., March 9, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A collaborative group of investigators has joined together to identify five genetic variations associated with Crohn's disease (CD) and Jewish individuals of Eastern and Central European decent, who are also known as Ashkenazi Jews. These findings were published in the March issue of PLoS Genetics.

CD causes inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract and can be both painful and debilitating, and sometimes may lead to life-threatening complications. CD is two-to-four times more prevalent among individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish decent compared to non-Jewish Europeans. The study conducted at multiple institutions across the world, including the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, was an important step toward understanding the genetic reasons for this higher prevalence.

"This large collaborative study made it possible to define more precisely the genetic contributions to Crohn's disease that are enriched in the Ashkenazi Jewish population, which has carried a higher risk for this disorder," said Peter K. Gregersen, head of the Robert S. Boas Center for Genomics and Human Genetics at the Feinstein Institute. "The study identified genetic regions that hadn't been discovered before, and if additional studies of these regions are conducted there is a chance that biological pathways affecting susceptibility to Crohn's disease could be found and novel treatments could be developed."

About Crohn's Disease (CD)

CD causes inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract, which can lead to abdominal pain, severe diarrhea and malnutrition. CD can be both painful and debilitating, and sometimes may lead to life-threatening complications. There currently is no cure for CD, but available therapies can greatly reduce the signs and symptoms of CD.

About the Study

About The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research

SOURCE The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research

-0-

Follow this link:
Researchers Discover Five Genetic Variations Associated with Crohn's Disease in Ashkenazi Jews

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

dfsdf

Research sheds new light on human evolution and will help with gorilla conservation

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY For the first time, scientists have been able to compare the genomes of all four living great apes humans, chimpanzees, gorillas and orang-utans after completing the genome sequence for the gorilla the last genus of the living great apes to have its genome decoded.

Researchers announced the completion of the genome process last week, confirming that chimpanzee are our closest living relatives, but they also said that much of the human genome more closely resembles the gorilla than it does the chimpanzee genome.

The gorilla genome is important because it sheds light on the time when our ancestors diverged from our closest evolutionary cousins, said Aylwyn Scally, of the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. It also lets us explore the similarities and differences between our genes and those of gorilla, the largest living primate, said Scally, lead author of the paper that announced the findings.

Using DNA from Kamilah, a female western lowland gorilla, we assembled a gorilla genome sequence and compared it with the genomes of the other great apes. We also sampled DNA sequences from other gorillas in order to explore genetic differences between gorilla species.

The study provides a unique perspective on human origins and is an important resource for research into human evolution and biology, as well as for gorilla biology and conservation.

The team searched more than 11,000 genes in human, chimpanzee and gorilla for genetic changes important in evolution. Humans and chimpanzees are genetically closest to each other over most of the genome, but the team found many places where this is not the case. 15 percent of the human genome is closer to the gorilla genome than it is to chimpanzee, and 15 percent of the chimpanzee genome is closer to the gorilla than human.

In all three species, genes relating to sensory perception, hearing and brain development showed accelerated evolution and particularly so in humans and gorillas.

Read the rest here:
Genetics: Scientists finish mapping gorilla genome

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIF. In Silicon Valley, the line between computing and biology has begun to blur in a way that could have enormous consequences for human longevity.

Bill Banyai, an optical physicist at Complete Genomics, has helped make that happen. When he began developing a gene sequencing machine, he relied heavily on his background at two computer networking startup companies. His digital expertise was essential in designing a factory that automated and greatly lowered the cost of mapping the three billion base pairs that form the human genome.

The promise is that low-cost gene sequencing will lead to a new era of personalized medicine, yielding new approaches for treating cancers and other serious diseases. The arrival of such cures has been glacial, however, although the human genome was originally sequenced more than a decade ago.

Now that is changing, in large part because of the same semiconductor industry manufacturing trends that opened up consumer devices such as the PC and the smartphone: exponential increases in processing power and transistor density are accompanied by costs that fall at an accelerating rate.

As a result, both new understanding and new medicines will arrive at a quickening pace, according to the biologists and computer scientists.

For all of human history, humans have not had the readout of the software that makes them alive, said Larry Smarr, director of the California Institute of Telecommunications and Information Technology, a research centre that is jointly operated by the University of California, San Diego, and the University of California, Irvine.

Once you make the transition from a data poor to data rich environment, everything changes, said Smarr, who is a member of the Complete Genomics scientific advisory board.

Complete Genomics, based in Mountain View, is one of more than three dozen firms hastening to push the cost of sequencing an entire human genome below $1,000. The challenge is part biology, part chemistry, part computing, and in Complete Genomics case, part computer networking.

Complete Genomics is a classic Silicon Valley startup story. Even the gene sequencing machines, which are housed in a 4,000-square-foot room bathed in an eerie blue light, appear more like a traditional data centre than a biology lab.

In 2005, when Clifford Reid, a successful Silicon Valley software entrepreneur, began to assemble his team, he approached Banyai and asked if he was interested in joining a gene sequencing startup. Reid, who was also trained in physics and math, had spent a year as an entrepreneur-in-residence at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he had become a convert to bioinformatics, the application of computer science and information technologies to biology and medicine.

The rest is here:
Gene sequencing falls to $5,000

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

06-03-2012 19:59 Visit http://www.pmwcintl.com for more info

More:
Brett Davis: Personalized Medicine: Humanity's Ultimate Big Data Challenge - Video

Recommendation and review posted by sam

06-03-2012 07:55 In the Center for Regenerative Medicine at Mayo Clinic, interdisciplinary teams of physicians and scientists are developing treatments aimed at healing damaged tissues and organs from within, offering solutions and hope for people who have conditions that today are beyond repair. The Center for Regenerative Medicine is developing treatments to regrow damaged cells in patients with diabetes; heart, liver and lung diseases; neurological disorders; hand, face and other injuries; and congenital anomalies.

Continue reading here:
Regenerative medicine: Healing from within - Mayo Clinic - Video

Recommendation and review posted by sam

Editor's Choice Academic Journal Main Category: Heart Disease Also Included In: Cardiovascular / Cardiology;Stem Cell Research Article Date: 09 Mar 2012 - 4:00 PST

email to a friend printer friendly opinions

Current Article Ratings:

The paper's lead author, Kenneth Chien from Harvard University in the USA explains:

Until now, clinical trials have been based on heart attacks, chronic heart failure as well as dilated cardiomyopathy, but regardless of the fact that regenerative therapies that are based on various non-cardiac cell types seem to be safe, their efficacy has not yet been tested in a clinical trial.

However, possible new targets and treatment strategies are now emerging due to recent progress in cardiac stem cell research and regenerative biology.

Scientists used to think that the heart only has a minimal capacity for self-renewal and saw no prospect in reversing the loss of healthy heart muscle and function. This perception has been altered because of recent findings, such as the discovery of several distinct embryonic progenitor cell types of which some are found in the heart.

A certain number of these cells can be activated in people with cardiac injuries and are now targeted by scientists to develop novel cardiac regenerative therapeutics either by delivery of the cells, or by new methods that activate expansion and conversion of functioning heart cells.

For instance, clinical studies conducted a short while ago demonstrated that scar formation following a heart attack can be reduced by taking cells from the patient's own heart tissue. Even though it remains uncertain whether the delivered cells are indeed stem cells, these studies nevertheless demonstrate that this is a small, educational step towards the goal of utilizing the heart's potential for self-healing.

There is still a lot of work to be done. The complexity of the heart means that in order to restore its function requires more than just regenerating one cell type, it also means that the native structure of the heart needs to be recreated.

View original post here:
Heart Disease Stem Cell Therapies - Development Must Come From Several Specialties

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Stem cells are widely researched for their therapeutic use. An important potential application of human stem cells, through a more complete understanding of the genetic and molecular controls of cell division and differentiation, is the generation of cells and tissues that could be used for cell-based therapies. The use of embryonic and adult-derived stem cells for cardiac repair is a particularly active area of research. The first Series paper highlights insights gained from clinical trials of adult stem cells, together with fundamental scientific advances in cardiac stem cell and regenerative biology. New targets and strategies for regenerative therapies are being identified, including discoveries related to intrinsic cardiac regeneration, renewal factors that can trigger regeneration, and tissue-engineering technology. These discoveries are beginning to change the way investigators view the scientific and clinical position of cardiovascular regenerative therapy. Furthermore, advances in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine have established a foundation on which the functional replacement of whole organs and complex tissues such as skeletal muscle, trachea, and oesophagus seems possible.

The second paper discusses a novel approach for the replacement of complex tissues and whole organs involving the use of three-dimensional biological scaffolds made of allogeneic or xenogeneic extracellular matrix derived from non-autologous sources. End-stage organ failure is a key challenge for the medical community because of the ageing population and the severe shortage of suitable donor organs available. Equally, few therapeutic options are available for injuries to or congenital absence of complex tissues such as the trachea, oesophagus, or skeletal muscle. Three-dimensional extracellular matrix scaffolds populated with autologous cells have been used successfully for the repair and reconstruction of complex tissues and provide a promising basis for the engineering of whole organs and other tissues.

Stephen F Badylak, Daniel J Weiss, Arthur Caplan, Paolo Macchiarini

Read more:
Stem Cells

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

(CNN) -

A Florida cardiologist could have his medical license revoked by state authorities who have accused him of performing illegal stem cell therapy on a patient who died during the procedure.

Florida's Department of Health ordered the emergency suspension of Zannos Grekos' medical license Wednesday, accusing the Bonita Springs doctor of violating an emergency order against using stem cell treatments in Florida and causing the death of an unidentified elderly patient. Grekos can appeal the order.

According to the license suspension order, Grekos performed a stem cell treatment this month on the patient, who was suffering from pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary fibrosis. Both diseases restrict blood flow to the heart.

"During said stem cell treatment, patient R.P. suffered a cardiac arrest and died," the suspension order said.

CNN first investigated Grekos' activities in 2009, when he said he was using stem cell therapy for a company called Regenocyte Therapeutic. His profile, listed on the company's website, describes Grekos as having "extensive experience in the field of stem cell therapy" and says he "was recently appointed to the Science Advisory Board of the United States' Repair Stem Cell Institute."

At the time of CNN's interview, Grekos said he extracted stem cells from patients and then sent the blood to Israel for laboratory processing. That processing, he said, resulted in "regenocytes," which he said would help heal crippling diseases, mostly associated with lung problems.

The president of the International Society of Stem Cell Research, Dr. Irving Weissman, told CNN at the time that "there is no such cell."

"There is nothing called a regenocyte," he said.

After CNN's initial report, Grekos said the name was "advertising" and was not intended to be scientific.

Read the original post:
Patient dies during procedure

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

(CNN) -

A Florida cardiologist could have his medical license revoked by state authorities who have accused him of performing illegal stem cell therapy on a patient who died during the procedure.

Florida's Department of Health ordered the emergency suspension of Zannos Grekos' medical license Wednesday, accusing the Bonita Springs doctor of violating an emergency order against using stem cell treatments in Florida and causing the death of an unidentified elderly patient. Grekos can appeal the order.

According to the license suspension order, Grekos performed a stem cell treatment this month on the patient, who was suffering from pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary fibrosis. Both diseases restrict blood flow to the heart.

"During said stem cell treatment, patient R.P. suffered a cardiac arrest and died," the suspension order said.

CNN first investigated Grekos' activities in 2009, when he said he was using stem cell therapy for a company called Regenocyte Therapeutic. His profile, listed on the company's website, describes Grekos as having "extensive experience in the field of stem cell therapy" and says he "was recently appointed to the Science Advisory Board of the United States' Repair Stem Cell Institute."

At the time of CNN's interview, Grekos said he extracted stem cells from patients and then sent the blood to Israel for laboratory processing. That processing, he said, resulted in "regenocytes," which he said would help heal crippling diseases, mostly associated with lung problems.

The president of the International Society of Stem Cell Research, Dr. Irving Weissman, told CNN at the time that "there is no such cell."

"There is nothing called a regenocyte," he said.

After CNN's initial report, Grekos said the name was "advertising" and was not intended to be scientific.

The rest is here:
Doctor accused of illegal stem cell therapy suspended

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

FRIDAY, March 9 (HealthDay News) -- The first gene linked to an often painful neck disorder has been identified by researchers.

Adult-onset primary cervical dystonia, which is characterized by involuntary twisting of the neck, occurs in about 30 of every 100,000 people, previous research has reported.

In this new study, researchers conducted a genetic analysis of a patient with the condition, his identical twin whose neck also twisted and family members, some of whom also had the disorder. The investigators pinpointed a mutation in the CIZ1 gene, which produces a protein expressed in certain nerve cells in the brain and appears to be involved in cell cycle activities.

However, the researchers did not identify the cellular mechanism associated with cervical dystonia.

The study findings were released online in advance of publication in an upcoming print issue of the Annals of Neurology.

While the researchers believe that CIZ1 is one genetic cause of the disorder, it's likely that other genes linked to cervical dystonia will be found, according to Dr. Ryan Uitti, a neurologist at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla.

There are a number of treatments for cervical dystonia. The most common is botulinum toxin injections, which incapacitate the nerve in the affected muscle and eliminate chronic pain and muscle pulling/contraction.

But some people with the condition don't realize that it is unusual and that they should seek medical help, Uitti noted.

"They think they slept wrong at some point, or, because the twisting might straighten out with another maneuver, such as walking backwards, they might actually [not be taken seriously]," Uitti said in a Mayo Clinic news release.

More information

Read this article:
Researchers ID Gene for Neck Disorder

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Psoriasis affects up to 7.5 million Americans, making it the most prevalent autoimmune disease in the country, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation.

An autoimmune disease means the immune system is functioning abnormally by attacking the body it is normallymeant to protect. In the case of psoriasis, the immune system dysfunction affects skin cell growth, resulting in chronic, visible inflammation. Psoriasis is a non-contagious diseasethat typically first occurs between the ages of 15 and 35.

Here is a guide to understanding psoriasis:

Overview The human body is constantly losing and replacing skin cells. Newly produced cells grow at the bottom layer of the skin, and they take around one month to develop and rise to the skins surface. Theabnormally aggravated immune system causes this skin production to enter overdrive, and skin cells are produced and move to the surface in one to two weeks. This excess skin begins to accumulate, forming the visible scales and inflammation that characterize psoriasis.

Types There are various types of psoriasis, distinguished by their visible characteristics. While usually only one type will appear at a time, an individual with psoriasis candevelop another form if triggered. Plaque psoriasis accounts for most cases of the disease. It is markedby raised, inflamed lesions with silver-white patches called scales, generally found on the elbows, knees, scalp and lower back. Guttate psoriasis occurs as red spots on the skin, appearing on the trunk and limbs, and they are usually thinner thanplaque lesions. Inverse psoriasisappears on skin foldsaround the armpits, groin, breasts, genitals and buttocks. It shows up as bright-red lesions that are smooth and shiny instead of scaly. Pustular psoriasis appears as pus-filled white blisters that are non-infectious. Erythodermic psoriasis results insevere inflammation that causes the skin toappear widely red. It is particularly dangerous and should be addressed immediately, as a flare-up could result in protein and fluid loss.

Symptoms Psoriasis is characterized by skin lesions and inflammation. Additional symptoms can include genital lesions in males, arthritis, nail damage or severe dandruff. The presence of psoriasis also makes an individual more susceptible to other serious disorders. Many people with psoriasis also have psoriatic arthritis, marked by jointpain and swelling.Other chronic conditions that can occur with psoriasis include cardiovascular disease, certain types of cancer and depression.An individual with psoriasis should work continuouslywith a health care professional to prevent these illnesses from developing.

Cause Psoriasis is believed to be the result of genetic and non-genetic factors. The National Psoriasis Foundation reports that a child with one parent with psoriasis has a 10 percent chance of inheriting the disease. This number jumps if both parents have the disease, resulting in a 50 percent chance of being diagnosed.Because not everyonewith the genesfor psoriasis develops it, researchers believe triggers act ascatalysts for the disease. Some medications may trigger psoriasis. This is particularly true of lithium, which is primarily used to treat psychiatric disorders. Psoriasis triggers are different for everyone, but common causes include stress or skin injuryan effect known as the Koebner phenomenon.

Treatment Treatment will depend on the severity of the psoriasis.Different therapies may includetopical treatments, light therapyandmedication. Topical treatments are applied directly to the skin just like a lotion. These ointmentscan help slow down cell growth as well as alleviate itchiness or inflammation. Light therapy, also calledphototherapy, involves a prescribed and controlled regimen of exposing the skin to ultraviolet rays. When topical treatments and phototherapy are inadequate, health care professionals may prescribe medication to help control skin cell growth.

Continued here:
Psoriasis caused by genetics, external triggers

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire -03/09/12)- The newest player in the regenerative medicine (RM) field in Canada is taking a collaborative approach to commercializing stem cell and biomaterials products. The Centre for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine (CCRM) has created an industry consortium that is working together to address real-life bottlenecks in their RM product pipelines.

CCRM's scientific leadership is recognized by the global RM community as being world-leading. According to Michael May, CEO of CCRM, partnering with industry completes the puzzle. "By working with industry, CCRM captures business expertise that informs product development and commercialization. We already had access to some of the best scientific minds in the field and now we have access to seasoned industry experts. This is key to our success and will accelerate product development."

The members of the industry consortium represent the key sectors of the RM industry: therapeutics, devices, reagents, and cells as tools. CCRM has built three core development platforms: reprogramming, cell manufacturing, and biomaterials and tissue mimetics. The intellectual property and infrastructure of CCRM's six research institution partners and support from 20 leading RM companies will enhance Canada's already strong leadership role in the RM field.

"CCRM is uniquely positioned to meet the needs of industry and academia," explains Greg Bonfiglio, Chair of CCRM's Board of Directors. "CCRM boasts scientific expertise and state-of-the-art resources in its development lab and this combination will benefit the regenerative medicine community that can capitalize on our ability to complete projects quickly and cost competitively."

The industry consortium members are as follows:

About the Centre for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine (CCRM)

CCRM, a Canadian not-for-profit organization funded by the Government of Canada's Networks of Centres of Excellence program and six academic partners, supports the development of technologies that accelerate the commercialization of stem cell- and biomaterials-based technologies and therapies. A network of academics, industry and entrepreneurs, CCRM aims to translate scientific discoveries into marketable products for patients. CCRM launched in Toronto's Discovery District on June 14, 2011.

Read this article:
New Industry Partnership to Strengthen Regenerative Medicine Industry in Canada

Recommendation and review posted by simmons

(CNN) -

A Florida cardiologist could have his medical license revoked by state authorities who have accused him of performing illegal stem cell therapy on a patient who died during the procedure.

Florida's Department of Health ordered the emergency suspension of Zannos Grekos' medical license Wednesday, accusing the Bonita Springs doctor of violating an emergency order against using stem cell treatments in Florida and causing the death of an unidentified elderly patient. Grekos can appeal the order.

According to the license suspension order, Grekos performed a stem cell treatment this month on the patient, who was suffering from pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary fibrosis. Both diseases restrict blood flow to the heart.

"During said stem cell treatment, patient R.P. suffered a cardiac arrest and died," the suspension order said.

CNN first investigated Grekos' activities in 2009, when he said he was using stem cell therapy for a company called Regenocyte Therapeutic. His profile, listed on the company's website, describes Grekos as having "extensive experience in the field of stem cell therapy" and says he "was recently appointed to the Science Advisory Board of the United States' Repair Stem Cell Institute."

At the time of CNN's interview, Grekos said he extracted stem cells from patients and then sent the blood to Israel for laboratory processing. That processing, he said, resulted in "regenocytes," which he said would help heal crippling diseases, mostly associated with lung problems.

The president of the International Society of Stem Cell Research, Dr. Irving Weissman, told CNN at the time that "there is no such cell."

"There is nothing called a regenocyte," he said.

After CNN's initial report, Grekos said the name was "advertising" and was not intended to be scientific.

Originally posted here:
Patient dies during procedure

Recommendation and review posted by simmons

(CNN) -

A Florida cardiologist could have his medical license revoked by state authorities who have accused him of performing illegal stem cell therapy on a patient who died during the procedure.

Florida's Department of Health ordered the emergency suspension of Zannos Grekos' medical license Wednesday, accusing the Bonita Springs doctor of violating an emergency order against using stem cell treatments in Florida and causing the death of an unidentified elderly patient. Grekos can appeal the order.

According to the license suspension order, Grekos performed a stem cell treatment this month on the patient, who was suffering from pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary fibrosis. Both diseases restrict blood flow to the heart.

"During said stem cell treatment, patient R.P. suffered a cardiac arrest and died," the suspension order said.

CNN first investigated Grekos' activities in 2009, when he said he was using stem cell therapy for a company called Regenocyte Therapeutic. His profile, listed on the company's website, describes Grekos as having "extensive experience in the field of stem cell therapy" and says he "was recently appointed to the Science Advisory Board of the United States' Repair Stem Cell Institute."

At the time of CNN's interview, Grekos said he extracted stem cells from patients and then sent the blood to Israel for laboratory processing. That processing, he said, resulted in "regenocytes," which he said would help heal crippling diseases, mostly associated with lung problems.

The president of the International Society of Stem Cell Research, Dr. Irving Weissman, told CNN at the time that "there is no such cell."

"There is nothing called a regenocyte," he said.

After CNN's initial report, Grekos said the name was "advertising" and was not intended to be scientific.

See original here:
Doctor accused of illegal stem cell therapy suspended

Recommendation and review posted by simmons

06-03-2012 18:12 Visit http://www.pmwcintl.com for more info

See the rest here:
Alexis Borisy: Personalized Medicine Here and Now - Video

Recommendation and review posted by sam