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Stem Cell Strategy to Spinal Cord Injuries: The New Frontier<br /><br />[http://www.kneestemcells.com Knee Stem Cell Injections] - Spinal cord injuries are injuries that eventually any level of the vertebrae. Although the hard bones of the spinal column protect the soft tissues with the spinal cord, vertebrae can nevertheless be broken or dislocated in many different ways and cause traumatic trouble for the spinal cord. Spinal cord injuries vary within their severity, but almost inevitably result in various forms of compromised functionality because the spinal cord is in effect the primary pathway for information traveling around the human body. Exactly what body functions are impaired through the injury will depend on the location of the spine that has been damaged and the extent that the spine may be affected. Although serious impacts for example falls and automobile accidents account for many vertebrae 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 Cell Injections] - For decades scientists have been trying to try and find a way to remedy the many ailments that spinal-cord injuries can bring, however with limited success. However, lately a pioneering new technologies have 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 />What exactly are Stem Cells and Stem Cell Treatments?<br /><br />[http://www.kneestemcells.com Knee Stem Cell Treatment] - Stem cells are found in all multi cellular organisms and are characterized by their ability to tell apart into a diverse selection of specialized cells after they divide and renew themselves. They are remarkable for their ability to regenerate themselves into just about any human cell. Their use in the treatment of various diseases and conditions, from Leukemia to Ms, is now becoming more common. Based on the condition, stem cells could 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 currently being applied to the management of spinal cord injuries using stem cells, plus instances where the patient has not experienced a complete spinal cord injury, i.e. a whole severing of the spinal-cord leading to a loss of function below the 'neurological' level. There has been good success 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 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 are the nerve cells the treatment helps to regenerate. The process usually follows three phases and often requires no longer than a period of around five weeks in medical treatment for monitoring:<br /><br />Phase one involves the harvesting of stem cells. The cells are extracted from a fetus's umbilical cord. They may be then put through an activity 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 accomplished in one of 3 ways:<br /><br />1) Lumbar puncture - an operation used where stem cells can be injected directly into the backbone.<br /><br />2) Intravenous injection- stem cells are injected into 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 negative 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 along with 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 your stem cell management 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 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 year 2000 to 1,116 in 2008, exceeded only from the contributions of experts in america, Germany, Japan as well as the UK.<br /><br />The government has additionally 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 back to China has contributed significantly towards 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 as well as the UK and gained extensive working experience 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 individual, and improving the functionality of clinics. Since 2009, proof safety and efficacy through many studies is required by China's Secretary of state for Health for all stem cell and gene therapies, ensuring that 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 />In addition to this, China has long held a place at the forefront of stem cell research to deal with all manner of conditions. A few 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 a 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 in those days 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 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, start phase 2 many studies to test the efficacy and safety of utilizing 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 take care of patients of strokes, artery obstruction, and liver and neural diseases.<br />Studies are underway on the potential usage of stem cells to take care of heart, liver and blood diseases, eye cataracts, also to combat aging.<br />Success Stories from the Treatment of Spinal Cord 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 patient and the severity of the damage greatly affect the chances 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 it was unable to control her going number 2. Within 8 months with the treatment she regained movement in the her legs, could bend her knees (even though 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 many bouts of stem cell treatment following a major accident while diving into a river that left him paralyzed from your neck down. Following his treatments, Razan reported in 2008 that does not only could he are now using his arms almost normally, and could feel pain in a number of of his fingers, he could "even feel warm and cold" sensations. He continued to add the following: "Now I can control my urine for 10 mins and the sensation for both urine and stool is much better. Generally, my entire body is more powerful than before."<br /><br />Donald Maricelli, a 54 year old US citizen, suffered a spinal cord injury following a fall in 2002. He underwent surgery to correct his not enough sensation in his lower body, however there was complications and Donald stayed in a worse state than ever before. Before arriving for treatment in China, he had been unable to walk unaided. Following a treatment, which commenced in November 2007, Donald has made significant improvements. He regained sensation throughout nearly all 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 critical to Donald was that 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 many more success stories from patients who have received this pioneering treatment to aid correct varying examples of spinal cord injury. However, it will always be important to remember that not all patients recover the same functions in the same time period. 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 job being done by scientists and clinics in China indicates time and again that stem cells hold an essential key to the future of helping people who have spinal cord injuries recover their lost functions. Each month, more and more people are visiting various cities around the country that offer different packages of treatment based on precisely what injury may be inflicted. The level of service has improved greatly lately, and continues to improve each month, meaning that those unfortunate enough to have suffered spinal cord injuries need no longer feel theirs is really 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 current evidence shows that stem cell therapy for vertebrae injuries is the way forward.