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Stem Cell Strategy to Spinal Cord Injuries: The New Frontier<br /><br />[http://www.kneestemcells.com Knee Stem Cells] - Spinal cord injuries are injuries that occur to any level of the vertebrae. Although the hard bones of the spinal column protect the soft tissues from the spinal cord, vertebrae can still be broken or dislocated in many different ways and cause traumatic injury to the spinal cord. Vertebrae injuries vary in their severity, but almost inevitably lead to various forms of compromised functionality because the spinal cord is in effect the key pathway for information traveling around the human body. Just what body functions are impaired from the injury will depend on the area of the spine that has been damaged and the extent this agreement the spine has been affected. Although serious impacts such as falls and motor vehicle accidents account for many spinal cord injuries, tumors growing close to the column can also damage sensitive nerve tissue and also have the same effects.<br /><br />[http://www.kneestemcells.com Knee Stem Cells] - For many years scientists have been attempting to try and find a way to remedy the many ailments that vertebrae injuries can bring, though limited success. However, in recent years a pioneering new technology has emerged that is helping many people around the world regain part, if not completely, of their previously lost mobility. That treatment is the use of stem cells.<br /><br />Exactly what are Stem Cells and Stem Cell Treatments?<br /><br />[http://www.kneestemcells.com Knee Stem Cells] - Stem cells are located in all multi cellular organisms and so are characterized by their ability to differentiate 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 aid renew and regenerate previously damaged cells, giving patients renewed hope when, before, no reliable treatment existed.<br /><br />This principle is currently being applied to treating spinal cord injuries using stem cells, and in 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 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 are the nerve cells how 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 may be then put through a procedure whereby they are isolated and purified prior to being 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 - an operation used where stem cells could be injected directly into the spinal column.<br /><br />2) Intravenous injection- stem cells are injected in to the patient's vein.<br /><br />3) Tissue injection - direct injection into target tissues.<br /><br />Phase three involves the monitoring of the patient to ensure there are no adverse unwanted effects. The only side effects reported thus far 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 now a major centre for the stem cell treatment of many diseases and conditions. The Chinese government has poured many millions of dollars into research on regenerative medicine, and that investment has really borne fruit during 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 through the contributions of experts in the USA, Germany, Japan and also the UK.<br /><br />The government has additionally aggressively recruited high-caliber scientists trained abroad in pursuit of its ambition to become 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 returning to China has contributed significantly to the country's success within the field." The authors were "amazed that most the top Chinese researchers inside the regenerative medicine field have been educated in the US and also the UK and gained extensive practical knowledge there in cutting edge research."<br /><br />Although previously treatment in China may have been considered risky as a result of lax health and safety laws, the past few years have seen an increase in legislation protecting the patient, and improving the functionality of clinics. Since 2009, proof safety and efficacy through clinical trials is required by China's Secretary of state for Health for all stem cell and gene therapies, ensuring that Chinese clinics meet international standards within their qualifications and methodology. At the time of January 2010, about 1,500 patients had received botox cosmetic injections for spinal cord injury at one Beijing clinic alone, including roughly 1,000 foreigners.<br /><br />In addition to this, 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 a rabbit, researchers from the 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 of which are of a specialized type that during those times only two other groups worldwide had was 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 aid 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 beginning phase 2 many studies 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 on the use of stem cell therapies to deal with patients of heart attacks, artery obstruction, and liver and neural diseases.<br />Studies are underway on the potential utilization of stem cells to deal with heart, liver and blood diseases, eye cataracts, also to combat aging.<br />Successes from the Treatment of Vertebrae Injuries in China<br /><br />Many people of all ages and with varying examples of injury have received stem cell treatment in China during the last few years. It is important to understand that not every patient will react and more, and that the age of the individual and the severity of damages greatly affect the odds of recovery. However, there have 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 underneath the injury site, and was unable to control her bowel movements. Within 8 months from the treatment she regained movement both in her legs, could bend her knees (even though the toes of one foot were still paralyzed) and was even capable of walk with crutches.<br /><br />Razvan Iordache, a Romanian citizen aged 30, travelled to China for a number of bouts of stem cell treatment following a major accident while diving right into a river that left him paralyzed from the 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 several of his fingers, he could "even feel warm and cold" sensations. He went on to add the following: "Now I can control my urine for 10 minutes and the sensation for urine and stool is way 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 using a fall in 2002. He underwent a surgical procedure to correct his lack of sensation in his lower body, however there have been complications and Donald remained in a worse state than before. Before arriving for treatment in China, he was still unable to walk unaided. Following a 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 returned, helping him to walk without tripping. Most significant to Donald was that he regained control and strength in the left leg, allowing him just to walk significant distances and indicate prolonged periods of time.<br /><br />There are many more success stories from patients who've received this pioneering treatment to assist correct varying levels of spinal cord injury. However, it is usually important to remember that not all patients recover exactly the same functions in the same time period. A lot of hard work adopts the post treatment rehabilitation, and it takes great drive, determination and ambition to enable 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 very important key to the future of helping people with spinal cord injuries recover their lost functions. On a monthly basis, more and more people are going to various cities across the country that offer different packages of treatment according to precisely what injury has been inflicted. The level of service has improved greatly recently, and continues to improve every month, meaning that those unfortunate enough to have suffered spinal cord injuries need will no longer feel theirs can be a lost cause. There's a very real chance that the standard of living of any patient could be improved with little pain, little hospital time, along with a little motivation. The existing evidence shows that stem cell therapy for spinal-cord injuries is the answer.