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Stem Cell Strategy for Spinal Cord Injuries: The newest Frontier<br /><br />[http://www.kneestemcells.com Knee Stem Cell Treatment] - Spinal cord injuries are injuries that happen to any level of the spinal cord. Although the hard bones from the spinal column protect the soft tissues with the spinal cord, vertebrae can nonetheless be broken or dislocated in many different 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 since the spinal cord is in effect the key pathway for information to visit around the human body. Exactly what body functions are impaired by the injury will depend on the location of the spine that has been damaged and the extent to which the spine may be affected. Although serious impacts for example falls and automobile accidents account for many spinal cord injuries, tumors growing near 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 years scientists have been working to try and find a way to remedy the many ailments that spinal cord injuries can bring, but with limited success. However, recently a pioneering new technologies have emerged that is helping lots of people around the world regain part, it not exclusively, 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 Cells] - Stem cells are located in all multi cellular organisms and so are characterized by their ability to differentiate into a diverse selection of specialized cells after they divide and renew themselves. They may be remarkable for their capability to regenerate themselves into any human cell. Their use in the treatment of various diseases and scenarios, from Leukemia to Multiple Sclerosis, is now becoming more common. With respect to the condition, stem cells could be transplanted into the patient to assist 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 the treatment of spinal cord injuries using stem cells, as well as in instances where the patient has not experienced a complete spinal-cord injury, i.e. a whole severing of the vertebrae 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 have trauma to the spinal-cord, myelopathy (damage to the fibres that carry messages both to and 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 task usually follows three phases and usually requires no longer when compared to a period of around five weeks in health care for monitoring:<br /><br />Phase one necessitates the harvesting of stem cells. The cells are extracted from a fetus's umbilical cord. They're then put through an activity whereby they are isolated and purified prior to being 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 three ways:<br /><br />1) Lumbar puncture - a procedure used where stem cells may be injected directly into the spine.<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 necessitates the monitoring of the patient to make certain there are no adverse unwanted effects. The only side effects reported to date were caused by the lumbar puncture, rather than the stem cell treatment itself, with only 15% of patients reporting mild headaches. During the time 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 is also now a major centre for the stem cell treating many diseases and scenarios. 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 from the contributions of experts in the USA, Germany, Japan as well as the UK.<br /><br />The government has also aggressively recruited high-caliber scientists trained abroad looking for 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 to China has contributed significantly towards the country's success in the field." The authors were "amazed that most the top Chinese researchers inside the regenerative medicine field had been educated in the US and also the UK and gained extensive working experience there in cutting edge research."<br /><br />Although before treatment in China might have been considered risky due to lax health and safety laws, recent years have seen an increase in legislation protecting the patient, and improving the functionality of clinics. Since 2009, proof of 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 inside their qualifications and methodology. As of 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 treat 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 in to the immature ovum cell of the 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 which are of a specialized type that during those times only two other groups worldwide had were able 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 presently 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 beginning phase 2 many 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 around the use of stem cell therapies to take care of patients of strokes, artery obstruction, and liver and neural diseases.<br />Research is 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 />Many people of all ages and with varying levels of injury have received stem cell treatment in China over the last few years. It is important to remember that not every patient will react and more, 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 beneath the injury site, and it was unable to control her bowel motions. Within 8 months from the treatment she regained movement in both her legs, could bend her knees (although the toes of one foot remained 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 the neck down. Following his treatments, Razan reported in 2008 that not only could he now use his arms almost normally, and might 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'm able to control my urine for 10 minutes and the sensation both for urine and stool is way better. Generally, my physique is more powerful than ever before."<br /><br />Donald Maricelli, a 54 year old US citizen, a break down spinal cord injury carrying out 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. Following a treatment, which commenced in November 2007, Donald has made significant improvements. He regained sensation throughout nearly all of his abdomen, and also the sensation in his legs also improved. Particularly significant, 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 as part of his left leg, allowing him to walk significant distances and indicate 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 exactly the same functions in the same period of time. A lot of hard work adopts the post treatment rehabilitation, also it takes great drive, determination and ambition to enable the body to get back to more regular functionality. However, the work being done by scientists and clinics in China has shown time and again that stem cells hold a critical key to the future of helping people with spinal cord injuries recover their lost functions. Every month, more and more people are visiting various cities around the country that offer different packages of treatment according to precisely what injury continues to be 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 more feel theirs is a lost cause. There is a very real chance that the standard of living of any patient can be improved with little pain, little hospital time, along with a little motivation. The current evidence shows that stem cell therapy for spinal-cord injuries is the solution.