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Stem Cell Strategy for Spinal Cord Injuries: The brand new Frontier<br /><br />[http://www.kneestemcells.com Knee Stem Cell Treatment] - Spinal cord injuries are injuries that occur 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 nevertheless be broken or dislocated in a variety of ways and cause traumatic injury to the spinal cord. Spinal cord injuries vary within their severity, but almost inevitably lead to various forms of compromised functionality as the spinal cord is in effect the primary pathway for information to visit around the human body. Exactly what body functions are impaired from the injury will depend on the area of the spine which has been damaged and the extent to which the spine continues to be affected. Although serious impacts including falls and automobile accidents account for many spinal cord injuries, tumors growing near 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 decades scientists have been working to try and find a way to remedy the many ailments that spinal-cord injuries can bring, however with limited success. However, in recent years a pioneering new technologies have emerged that is helping thousands of people around the world regain part, it not exclusively, of their previously lost mobility. That treatment methods 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 simply in all multi cellular organisms and therefore are characterized by their ability to differentiate into a diverse array of specialized cells after they divide and renew themselves. They're remarkable for their ability to regenerate themselves into just about 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. Based on the condition, stem cells could 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, plus instances where the patient hasn't experienced a complete vertebrae injury, i.e. a whole severing of the vertebrae leading to a loss of function beneath 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 />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' are the focus of stem cell treatment, and therefore are the nerve cells the treatment helps to regenerate. The process usually follows three phases in most cases 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. Cells are extracted from a fetus's umbilical cord. They are then put through a process 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 - a procedure used where stem cells may 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 ensure there are no adverse negative effects. The only side effects reported up to now were caused by the lumbar puncture, and never the stem cell treatment itself, with simply 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 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 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 2000 to 1,116 in 2008, exceeded only through the contributions of experts in america, Germany, Japan as well as the UK.<br /><br />The government has also aggressively recruited high-caliber scientists trained abroad in pursuit of its ambition to become a 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 to China has contributed significantly for the country's success in the field." The authors were "amazed that the majority the top Chinese researchers within the regenerative medicine field had been educated in the US as well as the UK and gained extensive working experience there in leading edge research."<br /><br />Although previously treatment in China may have been considered risky because of 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, 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 deal with 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 to the immature ovum cell of the rabbit, researchers from a 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 in those days 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 involved with a myriad of projects to assist aid patients through regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy. Here are several projects underway within Chinese institutions: <br /><br />ChinaSCINet, a consortium of 27 medical facilities, are beginning phase 2 clinical trials to test the efficacy and safety of employing cord blood stem cells and oral lithium to treat about 40 patients with vertebrae injuries.<br />Clinical trials are underway about the use of stem cell therapies to deal with 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, and 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 examples of injury have received stem cell treatment in China during the last few years. It is important to remember that not every patient will react and more, and that the age of the individual and the severity of the damage greatly affect the likelihood 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 underneath the injury site, and was unable to control her bowel movements. Within 8 months from the treatment she regained movement in the her legs, could bend her knees (even though 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 several bouts of stem cell treatment following any sort of accident while diving 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 may feel pain in several of his fingers, he could "even feel warm and cold" sensations. He proceeded to add the following: "Now I will control my urine for 10 mins and the sensation for urine and stool is much better. Generally, my physique is more powerful than 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 an operation to correct his lack of sensation in his lower body, however there was complications and Donald was left in a worse state than ever before. Before arriving for treatment in China, he had been unable to walk unaided. Pursuing the treatment, which commenced in November 2007, Donald has created significant improvements. He regained sensation throughout the majority of his abdomen, as well as the sensation in his legs also improved. Particularly crucial, the sensation on the bottom of his feet returned, helping him simply to walk without tripping. Most critical to Donald was which he regained control and strength as part of his left leg, allowing him just 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 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 frame. A lot of hard work switches into the post treatment rehabilitation, plus 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 indicates 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 travelling 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 lately, and continues to improve every month, meaning that those unfortunate enough to possess suffered spinal cord injuries need no longer feel theirs can be a lost cause. There's 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 spinal cord injuries is the answer.