Barb85Glynda758

Stem Cell Strategy to Spinal Cord Injuries: The New Frontier<br /><br />[http://www.kneestemcells.com Knee Stem Cell Treatment] - Spinal cord injuries are injuries that occur to any level of the spinal-cord. Although the hard bones from the spinal column protect the soft tissues from the spinal cord, vertebrae can nonetheless be broken or dislocated in a variety of ways and cause traumatic injury to the spinal cord. Spinal-cord injuries vary in their severity, but almost inevitably result in various forms of compromised functionality because the spinal cord is in effect the main pathway for information traveling around the human body. Exactly what body functions are impaired by the injury will depend on the region of the spine which has been damaged and the extent to which the spine has been affected. Although serious impacts such as falls and automobile accidents account for many spinal cord injuries, tumors growing close to the column can also damage sensitive nerve tissue and possess the same effects.<br /><br />[http://www.kneestemcells.com Knee Stem Cells] - For decades scientists have been working to try and find a way to remedy the many ailments that spinal cord injuries can bring, though limited success. However, in recent years a pioneering new technologies have emerged that is helping thousands of people around the world regain part, if not completely, of their previously lost mobility. That treatment solutions are the use of stem cells.<br /><br />Exactly what are Stem Cells and Stem Cell Treatments?<br /><br />[http://www.kneestemcells.com Knee Stem Cell Injections] - Stem cells are simply in all multi cellular organisms and so are characterized by their ability to tell apart into a diverse selection of specialized cells once they divide and renew themselves. They're remarkable for their ability to regenerate themselves into almost any other human cell. Their use within the treatment of various diseases and scenarios, from Leukemia to Ms, is now becoming more common. Based on the condition, stem cells can be transplanted into the patient to aid renew and regenerate previously damaged cells, giving patients renewed hope when, before, no reliable treatment existed.<br /><br />This principle is now being applied to the treatment of spinal cord injuries using stem cells, plus instances where the patient has not experienced a complete spinal cord injury, i.e. an entire severing of the spinal-cord leading to a loss of function below the 'neurological' level. There has been positive results in helping patients recover greater sensory and physiological ability.<br /><br />Spinal Cord Injury: How Stem Cell Treatment Works<br /><br />If you find trauma to the spinal-cord, myelopathy (damage to the fibres that carry messages back and forth from the brain) has occurred. These 'myelinated fibre tracts' are the focus of stem cell treatment, and so are the nerve cells that the treatment helps to regenerate. The process usually follows three phases and often requires no longer than the usual period of around five weeks in medical treatment for monitoring:<br /><br />Phase one involves the harvesting of stem cells. Cells are extracted from a fetus's umbilical cord. They're then put through an activity whereby they are isolated and purified before they are finally cultured to become suitable for clinical use.<br /><br />Phase two is the transplantation of the stem cells. This is achieved in one of 3 ways:<br /><br />1) Lumbar puncture - a process used where stem cells could be injected directly into the backbone.<br /><br />2) Intravenous injection- stem cells are injected to the patient's vein.<br /><br />3) Tissue injection - direct injection into target tissues.<br /><br />Phase three necessitates the monitoring of the patient to make sure there are no adverse negative effects. The only side effects reported to date were caused by the lumbar puncture, and not the stem cell treatment itself, just 15% of patients reporting mild headaches. In the period under medical supervision, patients undergo various physiotherapy activities and other treatments as necessary.<br /><br />Stem Cell Research and Treatment in China<br /><br />China is fast-becoming a world leader in stem cell research, and is now a major centre for your stem cell treating many diseases and conditions. The Chinese government has poured many millions of dollars into research on regenerative medicine, understanding that investment has really borne fruit within the last few years. As a result of this expanded investment, Chinese contributions to scientific journals on regenerative medicine topics leapt from 37 in 2000 to 1,116 in 2008, exceeded only by the contributions of experts in america, Germany, Japan and also the UK.<br /><br />The government has also aggressively recruited high-caliber scientists trained abroad looking for its ambition to become world leader inside the field. Indeed, the McLaughlin-Rotman Centre for Global Health commented that, "the government's policy of attracting highly educated Chinese nationals returning to China has contributed significantly to the country's success inside the field." The authors were "amazed that almost all the top Chinese researchers inside the regenerative medicine field have been educated in the US as well as the UK and gained extensive practical knowledge there in innovative research."<br /><br />Although previously treatment in China may have been considered risky due to lax health and safety laws, the past few years have seen an increase in legislation protecting the sufferer, and improving the functionality of clinics. Since 2009, proof of safety and efficacy through clinical trials is required by China's Ministry of Health for all stem cell and gene therapies, making sure Chinese clinics meet international standards within their qualifications and methodology. By January 2010, about 1,500 patients had received laser hair removal for spinal cord injury at one Beijing clinic alone, including roughly 1,000 foreigners.<br /><br />Additionally, China has long held a place at the forefront of stem cell research to deal with all manner of conditions. Some of China's notable contributions to stem cell research are: <br /><br />By transferring the nucleus of a human skin cell into the immature ovum cell of the rabbit, researchers from your Shanghai hospital successfully produced embryonic human cells.<br />China up to now has created at least 25 human embryonic stem cell lines (some estimate over 70 stem cell lines), four which are of a specialized type that at that time only two other groups worldwide had were able to create.<br />Harboured several human tissue types, created artificially, including circulation system, tendon, bone, cartilage, skin, cornea and muscle fibre.<br />Furthermore, Chinese researchers are currently involved with a myriad of projects to help aid patients through regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy. Below are several projects underway within Chinese institutions: <br /><br />ChinaSCINet, a consortium of 27 medical facilities, are starting phase 2 clinical trials to test the efficacy and safety of using cord blood stem cells and oral lithium to treat about 40 patients with spinal cord injuries.<br />Clinical trials are underway on the use of stem cell therapies to deal with patients of cardiac arrest, artery obstruction, and liver and neural diseases.<br />Research is underway on the potential use of stem cells to take care of heart, liver and blood diseases, eye cataracts, and to combat aging.<br />Successes from the Treatment of Spinal Cord Injuries in China<br /><br />Lots of people of all ages and with varying degrees of injury have received stem cell treatment in China over the last few years. It is important to keep in mind that not every patient will react as well as others, and that the age of the patient and the severity of damages greatly affect the chances of recovery. However, there has been many success stories from both Chinese citizens and foreigners.<br /><br />Before her treatment began in January 2006, Ms. Pai, 38, from Shenyang couldn't move her body below the injury site, and was unable to control her bowel motions. Within 8 months from the treatment she regained movement in the her legs, could bend her knees (even though the toes of one foot remained paralyzed) and was even able to walk with crutches.<br /><br />Razvan Iordache, a Romanian citizen aged 30, travelled to China for many bouts of stem cell treatment following a major accident while diving in to a river that left him paralyzed from the neck down. Following his treatments, Razan reported in 2008 that does not only could he now use his arms almost normally, and could feel pain in several of his fingers, he could "even feel warm and cold" sensations. He continued to add the following: "Now I'm able to control my urine for 10 mins and the sensation for urine and stool is much better. Generally, my entire body is more powerful than before."<br /><br />Donald Maricelli, a 54 yr old US citizen, suffered a spinal cord injury following a fall in 2002. He underwent surgery to correct his lack of sensation in his lower body, however there was complications and Donald was left in a worse state than before. Before arriving for treatment in China, he had been unable to walk unaided. Pursuing the treatment, which commenced in November 2007, Donald makes significant improvements. He regained sensation throughout most of his abdomen, as well as the sensation in his legs also improved. Particularly crucial, the sensation on the bottom of his feet went back, helping him just to walk without tripping. Most critical to Donald was which he regained control and strength in his left leg, allowing him to walk significant distances and stand for prolonged periods of time.<br /><br />There are numerous more success stories from patients that have received this pioneering treatment to aid correct varying degrees of spinal cord injury. However, it is always important to remember that not all patients recover the same functions in the same time period. A lot of hard work adopts the post treatment rehabilitation, also it takes great drive, determination and ambition to allow the body to get back to more regular functionality. However, the job being done by scientists and clinics in China has shown time and again that stem cells hold a very important key to the future of helping people who have spinal cord injuries recover their lost functions. Every month, more and more people are visiting various cities across the country that offer different packages of treatment based on precisely what injury has been inflicted. The level of service has improved greatly in recent years, and continues to improve monthly, meaning that those unfortunate enough to have suffered spinal cord injuries need no longer feel theirs can be a lost cause. There is a very real chance the standard of living of any patient could be improved with little pain, little hospital time, plus a little motivation. The existing evidence shows that stem cell therapy for vertebrae injuries is the answer.