Dyan363Danica262

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 spinal-cord. Although the hard bones with the spinal column protect the soft tissues with the spinal cord, vertebrae can nonetheless be broken or dislocated in a number of ways and cause traumatic problems for the spinal cord. Spinal cord injuries vary inside their severity, but almost inevitably result in various forms of compromised functionality because the spinal cord is in effect the key pathway for information to travel around the human body. Just what body functions are impaired by the injury will depend on the region of the spine that has been damaged and the extent this agreement the spine has been affected. Although serious impacts for example falls and car accidents account for many spinal-cord injuries, tumors growing near to the column can also damage sensitive nerve tissue and have the same effects.<br /><br />[http://www.kneestemcells.com Knee Stem Cells] - For years scientists have been attempting to try and find a way to remedy the various ailments that vertebrae injuries can bring, though limited success. However, recently a pioneering new technologies have emerged that is helping many 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 exactly are Stem Cells and Stem Cell Treatments?<br /><br />[http://www.kneestemcells.com Knee Stem Cell Injections] - Stem cells are found in all multi cellular organisms and therefore are characterized by their ability to tell apart into a diverse array of specialized cells when they divide and renew themselves. They may be remarkable for their ability to regenerate themselves into any human cell. Their use within the treatment of various diseases and types of conditions, from Leukemia to Multiple Sclerosis, is now becoming more common. With respect to 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 is now being applied to treating spinal cord injuries using stem cells, as well as in instances where the patient has not yet experienced a complete vertebrae injury, i.e. a complete severing of the spinal-cord leading to a loss of function underneath the 'neurological' level. There has been good success in helping patients recover greater sensory and physiological ability.<br /><br />Vertebrae Injury: How Stem Cell Treatment Works<br /><br />If you find trauma to the spinal-cord, myelopathy (damage to the fibres that carry messages to and from the brain) has occurred. These 'myelinated fibre tracts' will be the focus of stem cell treatment, and so are the nerve cells that the treatment helps to regenerate. The procedure usually follows three phases in most cases requires no longer when compared to a period of around five weeks in medical treatment for monitoring:<br /><br />Phase one necessitates the harvesting of stem cells. The cells are extracted from a fetus's umbilical cord. They are then put through a procedure whereby they are isolated and purified prior to being finally cultured being suitable for clinical use.<br /><br />Phase two is the transplantation of the stem cells. This is done in one of 3 ways:<br /><br />1) Lumbar puncture - an operation 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 requires the monitoring of the patient to make sure there are no adverse side effects. The only side effects reported to date were caused by the lumbar puncture, and never the stem cell treatment itself, with only 15% of patients reporting mild headaches. In the period 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 it is now a major centre for the stem cell management of many diseases and types of conditions. The Chinese government has poured millions of dollars into research on regenerative medicine, and that investment has really borne fruit in the last few years. As a result of this expanded investment, Chinese contributions to scientific journals on regenerative medicine topics leapt from 37 in year 2000 to 1,116 in 2008, exceeded only from 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 in search of its ambition to turn into a world leader within 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 to the country's success inside 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 working experience there in innovative research."<br /><br />Although before treatment in China may have been considered risky because of 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, evidence of safety and efficacy through numerous studies is required by China's Ministry of Health for all stem cell and gene therapies, making sure Chinese clinics meet international standards in 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 spot at the forefront of stem cell research to treat all manner of conditions. A few of China's notable contributions to stem cell research are: <br /><br />By transferring the nucleus of your human skin cell into the immature ovum cell of your rabbit, researchers from your Shanghai hospital successfully produced embryonic human cells.<br />China to date 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 managed to create.<br />Harboured several human tissue types, created artificially, including circulatory, tendon, bone, cartilage, skin, cornea and muscle fibre.<br />Furthermore, Chinese researchers are currently involved with a myriad of projects to assist 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 beginning phase 2 numerous studies to test the efficacy and safety of employing cord blood stem cells and oral lithium to deal with about 40 patients with vertebrae injuries.<br />Clinical trials are underway about the use of stem cell therapies to treat patients of heart attacks, artery obstruction, and liver and neural diseases.<br />Research is underway on the potential utilization of stem cells to deal with heart, liver and blood diseases, eye cataracts, and also to combat aging.<br />Success Stories from the Treatment of Spinal Cord Injuries in China<br /><br />Many people of all ages and with varying examples 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 individual and the severity of the damage greatly affect the odds of recovery. However, there were 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 underneath the injury site, and was unable to control her bowel motions. Within 8 months from the treatment she regained movement in both her legs, could bend her knees (even though the toes of one foot remained as paralyzed) and was even capable of 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 right into a river that left him paralyzed from your neck down. Following his treatments, Razan reported in 2008 that does not only could he now use his arms almost normally, and may feel pain in several of his fingers, he could "even feel warm and cold" sensations. He went on to add the following: "Now I'm able to control my urine for 10 mins and the sensation for both urine and stool is much better. Generally, my system is more powerful than before."<br /><br />Donald Maricelli, a 54 yr old US citizen, a break down spinal cord injury following a fall in 2002. He underwent surgery to correct his lack of sensation in his lower body, however there were complications and Donald was left in a worse state than before. Before arriving for treatment in China, he was still being unable to walk unaided. Pursuing the treatment, which commenced in November 2007, Donald makes significant improvements. He regained sensation throughout most of his abdomen, and the sensation in his legs also improved. Particularly significant, the sensation on the bottom of his feet came back, helping him simply to walk without tripping. Most critical to Donald was that he regained control and strength as part of his left leg, allowing him to walk significant distances and are a symbol of prolonged periods of time.<br /><br />There are lots of more success stories from patients who've received this pioneering treatment to aid correct varying degrees of spinal cord injury. However, it will always be 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 to allow the body to get back to more regular functionality. However, the job being done by scientists and clinics in China shows time and again that stem cells hold a critical key to the future of helping individuals with spinal cord injuries recover their lost functions. On a monthly basis, more and more people are visiting various cities across the country that offer different packages of treatment depending on precisely what injury continues to be inflicted. The level of service has improved greatly recently, and continues to improve monthly, meaning that those unfortunate enough to have suffered spinal cord injuries need will no longer feel theirs can be a lost cause. There exists a very real chance that the standard of living of any patient may be improved with little pain, little hospital time, plus a little motivation. The existing evidence shows that stem cell therapy for spinal cord injuries is the way forward.