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Stem Cell Strategy to Spinal Cord Injuries: The newest Frontier<br /><br />[http://www.kneestemcells.com Knee Stem Cell Injections] - Spinal cord injuries are injuries that happen to any level of the vertebrae. Although the hard bones with the spinal column protect the soft tissues with the spinal cord, vertebrae can nevertheless be broken or dislocated in a variety of ways and cause traumatic trouble for the spinal cord. Spinal cord injuries vary within their severity, but almost inevitably lead to various forms of compromised functionality because the spinal cord is in effect the primary pathway for information to visit around the human body. Exactly what body functions are impaired through the injury will depend on the area of the spine that has been damaged and the extent this agreement the spine may be affected. Although serious impacts including falls and automobile accidents account for many vertebrae injuries, tumors growing near the column can also damage sensitive nerve tissue and possess the same effects.<br /><br />[http://www.kneestemcells.com Knee Stem Cells] - For many years scientists have been trying to try and find a way to remedy the different 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 all, of their previously lost mobility. That treatment solutions are the use of stem cells.<br /><br />What are Stem Cells and Stem Cell Treatments?<br /><br />[http://www.kneestemcells.com Knee Stem Cell Treatment] - Stem cells are located in all multi cellular organisms and are characterized by their ability to distinguish into a diverse range of specialized cells once they divide and renew themselves. They are remarkable for their ability to regenerate themselves into almost any other human cell. Their use in the treatment of various diseases and conditions, from Leukemia to Multiple Sclerosis, is now becoming more common. Based on the condition, stem cells can be transplanted into the patient to help renew and regenerate previously damaged cells, giving patients renewed hope when, before, no reliable treatment existed.<br /><br />This principle has become being applied to treating spinal cord injuries using stem cells, plus instances where the patient has not yet experienced a complete vertebrae injury, i.e. a whole severing of the spinal cord leading to a loss of function beneath 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 />When there is trauma to the vertebrae, 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 therefore are the nerve cells the treatment helps to regenerate. The procedure usually follows three phases and often requires no longer than the usual period of around five weeks in medical care for monitoring:<br /><br />Phase one requires the harvesting of stem cells. Cellular structure 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 will be the transplantation of the stem cells. This is accomplished in one of 3 ways:<br /><br />1) Lumbar puncture - a procedure used where stem cells can 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 ensure there are no adverse side effects. The only side effects reported to date were caused by the lumbar puncture, and not the stem cell treatment itself, with only 15% of patients reporting mild headaches. During the time under medical supervision, patients undergo various physiotherapy activities as well as 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 also now a major centre for the stem cell treating many diseases and scenarios. The Chinese government has poured 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 from the contributions of experts in the united states, Germany, Japan and the UK.<br /><br />The government has also aggressively recruited high-caliber scientists trained abroad in search of its ambition to become world leader in the field. Indeed, the McLaughlin-Rotman Centre for Global Health commented that, "the government's policy of attracting highly educated Chinese nationals back to China has contributed significantly for the country's success in the field." The authors were "amazed that most the top Chinese researchers within the regenerative medicine field ended up educated in the US and the UK and gained extensive practical knowledge there in leading edge research."<br /><br />Although in the past treatment in China could have been considered risky because of lax health and safety laws, recent years have seen an increase in legislation protecting the individual, and improving the functionality of clinics. Since 2009, proof safety and efficacy through many studies is required by China's Ministry of Health for all stem cell and gene therapies, making certain Chinese clinics meet international standards inside their qualifications and methodology. At the time of January 2010, about 1,500 patients had received this treatment for spinal cord injury at one Beijing clinic alone, including roughly 1,000 foreigners.<br /><br />Additionally, China has long held a location at the forefront of stem cell research to treat 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 a rabbit, researchers from the Shanghai hospital successfully produced embryonic human cells.<br />China thus far has created at least 25 human embryonic stem cell lines (some estimate over 70 stem cell lines), four that are of a specialized type that at that time only two other groups worldwide had managed to create.<br />Harboured several human tissue types, created artificially, including blood vessel, tendon, bone, cartilage, skin, cornea and muscle fibre.<br />Furthermore, Chinese researchers are involved with a myriad of projects to help aid patients through regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy. Listed here 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 employing cord blood stem cells and oral lithium to take care of about 40 patients with spinal-cord injuries.<br />Clinical trials are underway around the use of stem cell therapies to deal with patients of strokes, artery obstruction, and liver and neural diseases.<br />Studies are underway on the potential use of stem cells to treat heart, liver and blood diseases, eye cataracts, also to combat aging.<br />Successes from the Treatment of Vertebrae Injuries in China<br /><br />Lots of people of all ages and with varying levels of injury have received stem cell treatment in China throughout the last few years. It is important to understand that not every patient will react as well as others, and that the age of the individual and the severity of the injury greatly affect the odds 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 beneath the injury site, and it was unable to control her going number 2. Within 8 months from the treatment she regained movement both in her legs, could bend her knees (even though the toes of one foot remained as 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 your neck down. Following his treatments, Razan reported in 2008 that does not only could he moved to his arms almost normally, and could feel pain in many of his fingers, he could "even feel warm and cold" sensations. He continued to add the following: "Now I will control my urine for 10 minutes and the sensation both for urine and stool is more preferable. Generally, my physique is more powerful than before."<br /><br />Donald Maricelli, a 54 years old US citizen, a break down spinal cord injury following a fall in 2002. He underwent a surgical procedure to correct his lack of sensation in his lower body, however there were complications and Donald remained in a worse state than ever before. Before arriving for treatment in China, he was still being unable to walk unaided. Following a 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 to walk without tripping. Most important to Donald was he regained control and strength in his left leg, allowing him simply to walk significant distances and stand for prolonged periods of time.<br /><br />There are numerous more success stories from patients who have received this pioneering treatment to aid correct varying levels of spinal cord injury. However, it is usually important to remember that not all patients recover the same functions in the same time frame. A lot of hard work switches into the post treatment rehabilitation, plus it takes great drive, determination and ambition make it possible for the body to get back to more regular functionality. However, the task being done by scientists and clinics in China has shown time and again that stem cells hold an essential key to the future of helping individuals with spinal cord injuries recover their lost functions. On a monthly basis, more and more people are travelling to various cities across the country that offer different packages of treatment depending on precisely what injury has been inflicted. The level of service has improved greatly in recent years, and continues to improve each month, meaning that those unfortunate enough to possess suffered spinal cord injuries need no more feel theirs is a lost cause. There exists a very real chance the standard of living of any patient can be improved with little pain, little hospital time, along with a little motivation. The existing evidence shows that stem cell therapy for vertebrae injuries is the way forward.