THE US IS #1! -Another STEM CELL first for the US!

THE US IS #1! -Another first for the US!

The article below is entitled:

“The Leader in Stem Cell Research? The US.”

What a bunch of   *$&#X%!  We are only the leader in “consumption of embryonic stem cells used for research”.  We are in fact about 8 years behind most of the developed world in stem cell research.  What else are we #1 in?

#1 consumer of the stem cells that have shown the least potential for treatment (embryonic)!

#1 consumer of environmentally damaging and war causing oil!

#1 consumer of cocaine (shipped from Colombia through Mexico and the Caribbean), Colombian heroin, and Mexican heroin and marijuana!

What do you say we load up my SUV with cocaine and heroin, have a slammin party, OD on drugs and die young!  We might as well cause embryonic stem cells won’t produce cures for diseases anytime soon!

If only we could afford it.  Our country’s bank account is $-568,800,000,000 ranking us 188th in the world.  Not to worry, we still have a good chance of dying before needing stem cells.  The WHO ranks our health system at 37th, our life expectancy is 30th in the world, infant mortality is 34th in the world and this is all with our Health Expenditures as a % of GDP being almost the highest in the world (we are ranked #2).   Now that’s money well spent.

And we’ll all probably be shot soon anyway.  We are ranked 78th in intentional homicides (and in this category, #1 is good).

HOORAY FOR THE U.S.A.! What’s not to love? – dg

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The Leader in (EMBRYONIC) Stem Cell Research? The US.

Which country gets the most embryonic stem cells for research?

The US.

The graph below comes from our research at Stanford (with my collaborators at Mayo Clinic and the University of Michigan), featured on the cover of the March issue of the journal Cell Stem Cell. We examined the world’s largest stem cell banks, in Wisconsin and at Harvard University. Twice as many shipments go to US researchers compared to rest of the world. The worldwide demand by scientists for embryonic stem cells is very strong. Way, way stronger than for credit default swap derivatives.

via The Leader in Stem Cell Research? The US. « The Stem Cell.

CATCH UP! – New stem cell technique brings Parkinson’s cure closer

Chasing a cure for Neurological Disease

“New” stem cell technique brings Parkinson’s cure “closer”???? CATCH UP!  There are treatment centers around  the world that have been treating Parkinson’s disease with adult stem cells for years. -dg

New stem cell technique brings Parkinson’s cure closer

By David Derbyshire

Last updated at 11:07 AM on 06th March 2009

Unlike previous attempts to create stem cells, the American team of researchers did not need to create and destroy human embryos

A technique that turns human skin into healthy brain cells could offer hope to thousands of Parkinson’s disease patients, scientists said today.

Researchers believe that injections of these cells could reverse damage caused by the degenerative brain disease – and ease some of its most distressing symptoms.

It is the first time that scientists have ‘reprogrammed’ ordinary skin cells into becoming stem cells using this technique – and then turned them into healthy brain cells.

The brain cells produced dopamine, the chemical lacking in people suffering form Parkinson’s disease.

Unlike previous attempts to create stem cells, the American team of researchers did not need to create and destroy human embryos.

They were also able to make the cells free of cancer causing genes – a massive problem with previous experiments.

via New stem cell technique brings Parkinson’s cure closer | Mail Online.

CATCH UP! – Stem-cell company makes strides in cardiac treatment

“Second phase of trial will come to the U.S. (and Rochester) in the middle of 2010, if the FDA agrees to it”

Dear 1 to 2 million cardiac patients who die per year.  Good news, Phase 2 of the trial is coming in 2010 and phase 4 of the trial will be finished in about another 5 years…oh, right, you’ll be dead by then.  Never mind.

In the meantime, Germany, Thailand, etc. have been successfully treating heart disease with adult stem cells for almost a decade.  – DG

3/5/2009 8:05:03 AM -By Jeff Kiger

Backed by Mayo Clinic research and investment, a Belgium biotechnology firm is testing a new treatment using stem cells to repair hearts,.

Cardio3 Biosciences recently launched a Phase II/III clinical study of C-Cure, its new cardiac disease treatment, in Belgium and Germany. While the length of the trial depends on getting patients enrolled, it has started with the first human already undergoing the treatment.

“It is a really big step,” said Cardio3 CEO Dr. Christian Homsy from his Belgium office this week.

Under a collaborative research and licensing agreement with Mayo Clinic, Cardio3 has developed process to “differentiate” stem cells taken from a patient’s own bone marrow to grow into new heart cells and repair diseased or malformed hearts.

C-Cure is based on research by Prof. Andre Terzic and Dr. Atta Behfar at Mayo Clinic. Terzic is one of the principal investigators for the clinical study.

“Second phase of trial will come to the U.S. (and Rochester) in the middle of 2010, if the FDA agrees to it,” Homsy says.

via Postbulletin.com: Rochester, MN.

Will Rover outlive Grandma?

What does it say about the medical establishment and government when your dog can get better health care care than you can? -DG

RNL Offers a Free Stem Cell Shot for Pets for New Banking Customers

As a promotional event from RNL Bio, pet owners who register RNL’s stem cell bank for animals will have unique opportunity for free stem cell therapy for their pets.

(PRWEB) March 1, 2009 — RNL Bio, a leading stem cell firm dedicated to the commercialization of adult stem cell based therapeutics, announced today that any pet owner whose dogs, cats or even horses are registered in the stem cell bank will get free one coupon for one time stem cell therapy valid through one year.

RNL has operated a stem cell bank for animals in Rockville, Maryland. The one time processing fee for stem cell banking is only $999. The stem cells will be preserved alive in liquid nitrogen tank and hold good up to 15 years. During the preservation period, customers can claim stem cells whenever their beloved pets are in need of stem cell therapy to treat various obstinate diseases, including but not limited to osteoarthritis, spinal cord injury, heart condition, aging, kidney failure and even brain damage while they are alive. The stored cells can also be used for cloning dogs after their dogs pass away.

“I am very glad to offer new banking customers free stem cell therapy for lovely pets and you will get the wonderful experience of state of the art technology,” said Jeong Chan Ra, chief executive of RNL Bio. He added, “Stem cell has lots of potential. When your dog is alive, stem cell can be used to treat your dog’s illness. The stem cell will remain alive in our stem cell bank. When your dog passes away, the banked stem cells remain still alive. You can use them to clone your dog if you want to. We recommend our pet lover to register their pets’ stem cell while they are younger and healthier. Stem cells harvested when young have more efficiency.”

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/03/prweb2194834.htm

CATCH UP! US Medical Establishment still blind to Adult Stem Cell Benefits!

What are they waiting for?

There are hundreds of peer reviewed publications that state the extraordinary benefits of adult stem cells in treating debilitating and deadly diseases…thousands of transplants around the world that show the benefits of adult stem cell treatments…and it is too soon to judge stem cell success?

What are they waiting for?  A drug made from adult stem cells that can be patented and sold?  The first treatment from embryonic stem cells that is over 10-50 years away?  Oh, right.  This is America.  That’s exactly what they are waiting for! -DG

TOO SOON TO JUDGE STEM CELL SUCCESS??

By SHARI ROAN -Los Angeles Times -Updated: 02/26/2009 01:41:54 AM PST

Cynthia and Derak Hextell of Sacramento banked the umbilical… (LIZ O. BAYLEN/Los Angeles Times)

Walking, smiling and fidgeting, 3-year-old Dallas Hextell has become a poster child for the promise of stem cell therapy, a cutting edge treatment approach that may one day heal diseases such as diabetes, brain injury and Parkinson’s disease.

But he has also become a symbol, researchers say, of the worst side of experimental medicine: jumping to conclusions.

When Dallas was born, his parents Derak and Cynthia Hextell had arranged for a private blood bank to collect and store their son’s umbilical cord blood on the remote chance that he or another family member might some day need it.

At 9 months, Dallas was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a group of physical disorders related to brain injury around the time of birth. The Sacramento couple believes he improved dramatically after having an infusion of his own cord blood in July 2007 at Duke University as part of a trial of several dozen children.

The grateful couple appeared with Dallas on NBC’s “Today” show last March to alert others to the lifesaving qualities of umbilical cord blood. They have started a foundation to raise awareness about cord blood banking and are collaborating with a company to promote private banking.

But the story of one little boy has not yet changed the minds of major medical organizations. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation and other groups do not recommend private cord blood banking, because there is little evidence that the expensive process will pay off for families…!?

via TOO SOON TO JUDGE STEM CELL SUCCESS – MontereyHerald.com :.

CATCH UP! – FAT IS GOOD! (where stem cells are concerned)

laughing_buddha_on_gold_ingot

If you have the money and the interest, you can get your fat lipo’d out of your butt and injected into your face for a younger, smoother look.  And now, your fat can save your life!  A person’s own fat (adipose tissue) has been proved over many years to be a great source for stem cells.  Now Cytori has caught on.  Unfortunately, these are only pre-clinical trial trial results and the typical clinical trial lasts 7-10 years and costs $250-500 million, so…don’t hold your breath for treatments in the US anytime soon. – DG

Study Finds Adipose (Fat) Derived Stem, Regenerative Cells Significantly Reduce Mortality, Kidney Damage

February 25, 2009 9:23 AM EST

Cytori Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: CYTX) finds adipose tissue-derived stem and regenerative cells significantly reduce mortality and improve renal function in an acute kidney injury model. The preclinical results were reported today at the 14th Annual International Conference on Continuous Renal Replacement Therapies.

Acute kidney injury is a tremendous medical and financial burden to the healthcare system due to high mortality rates and the lack of effective therapies beyond supportive treatments. However, these new study findings by Cytori may lead to new therapeutic treatments using ADRCs that could reduce morbidity and mortality associated with acute kidney injury. Although this study was performed using a manual extraction technique, this potential application could be made more efficient and cost effective with the use of Cytori’s Celution(R) System to isolate clinical grade ADRCs in real time.

As part of the study design, acute kidney injury was induced in 29 preclinical research subjects by occluding blood flow into and out of both kidneys for 38 minutes. Twenty minutes after reperfusion of the kidneys, ADRCs or saline only were injected intra-arterially. All subjects were assessed daily for 7 days for markers of kidney function (serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen) and survival.

After seven days, 100% of ADRC-treated preclinical subjects survived compared to only 57% in the control group (p<0.01). The ADRC-treated subjects also showed statistically significant improvements in kidney function, as measured by serum creatinine (p<0.0001) and blood urea nitrogen levels (p<0.0001). In addition, substantial improvement in the histologic structure within the kidney was observed, as measured by a reduction in tubular cell death and epithelial shedding (p<0.0001). This study suggests that ADRCs significantly accelerate renal repair and preserve renal function, offering a potential therapeutic approach in renal reparative medicine.

Kidney disease represents an annual cost of greater than $32 billion. More than 300,000 Americans are diagnosed with acute kidney injury annually, facing prolonged hospitalization, marked increases in morbidity as well as mortality.

via StreetInsider.com – Cytori Therapeutics’ (CYTX) Study Finds Adipose Derived Stem, Regenerative Cells Significantly Reduce Mortality, Kidney Damage.

Mr. President, the Science Is Waiting

barack obama with his hands tied

Mr. President, the Science Is Waiting

Mr. President, what’s taking so long on the stem cell executive order?

OK. That’s not really fair. It’s pretty clear that you’re consumed by some very important things during your first few weeks in office. Between mortgages, financial services and auto industry bailouts, and completing your Cabinet team, the critical challenges on your plate are urgent ones that need your attention. Welcome to the White House! I for one am happy you are there.

Four weeks after the election, though, I’m just a little confused about what happened to the stem cell issue on which you were so clear in the months and years leading up to the election. I get that campaign promises are sometimes just that – and honestly, I believe that is just part of the game. Even for you…

via Katie Hood: Mr. President, the Science Is Waiting.

CATCH UP…with a twist! (Part 2) – Stem Cell Breakthrough Helps 85% Of Type 2 Diabetes Patients

Stem Cell Breakthrough Helps 85% Of Type 2 Diabetes Patients.  Yes this is an amazing breakthrough…but what is more amazing is that it took place a full 3 years ago!  At this rate, the US will never CATCH UP! to Dr Vina.  -  DG

CATCH UP!

Stem Cell Breakthrough Helps 85% Of Type 2 Diabetes Patients

Article Date: 07 Feb 2006 – 4:00 PST

A study carried out in Argentina by a team of researchers from a Not-For-Profit Organization called ‘Don Roberto Fernandez Vina Foundation’ (San Nicolas- Buenos Aires, Argentina) demonstrated that stem cells implanted into type 2 diabetes patients, in direct form into the pancreas, improve the production of Endogenous Insulin, increase the levels of “C Peptide”, decrease blood glucose levels and glycated hemoglobin levels faster than other treatments. 84% of the patients that had received the autologuous bone marrow cells could also abandon the drugs that stimulate insulin production or the insulin that they had been receiving previously.

There were no complications at all, demonstrating the safety of the technique, since the extraction, the cellular implants and evolution of the patients…

via Stem Cell Breakthrough Helps 85% Of Type 2 Diabetes Patients.

CATCH UP!…with a twist! (Part 1) – Stem cells implanted into pancreas of diabetic patient through an artery

I have a category entitled CATCH UP!  This article is what I am talking about.  You may be confused when you read it because while Dr Vina is implanting stem cells into the pancreas of diabetic patient and even developed the procedure…it is “fairly” common today.  Point is, check the date for when he was doing it.  Feb 2005!!  SO when I say “CATCH UP!” I mean that everyone else in the world should CATCH UP with guys like Dr Vina.  Well done Dr V!  -  DG

CATCH UP!

Stem cells implanted into pancreas of diabetic patient through an artery, Argentina – Feb 2005

Main Category: Diabetes -Article Date: 09 Feb 2005 – 10:00 PST

On January 5th, stem cells were implanted in the pancreas of a diabetic patient through a small artery that irrigates this organ – this is the first time this has ever happened anywhere in the world.

The procedure was carried out by a Team of Interventional Cardiologists from the Clinica San Nicol�s, Buenos Aires, Argentina and the Don Roberto Fern�ndez Vina Foundation. Team leaders were Drs Roberto Fern�ndez Vina, Oberdan Andrin and Francisco Vrsalovic.

The procedure was designed by Dr. Roberto Fernandez Vina.

The objective was to implant selectively some stem cells (obtained from the patient’s bone marrow) in the Pancreas, where the Beta Cells are located – hoping to regenerate the insulin producing capacity of the pancreas.

The patient was awake throughout the whole operation. The stem cells were fed through the femoral artery. Within 24 hours the patient was discharged (allowed to go home).

This is a press release from the Fundaci�n Don Roberto Fern�ndez Vi�a, Argentina

via Stem cells implanted into pancreas of diabetic patient through an artery, Argentina.

Korean Funding for Stem Cell Research Dwindling

“Korean researchers are regarded as world class in stem cell therapy to treat brain and vascular diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and atherosclerosis.”  The US is barely out of the starting blocks.  Why is that? -DG

korea

Updated Feb.20,2009 11:34 KST

Stem cell research funding from the Korean government decreased from W35 billion in 2007 to W34.4 billion last year, according to the Postech Biotech Center (US$1=W1,480).

Meanwhile, the United States invested at least W1 trillion on stem cell research, and the United Kingdom W139 billion. Japan spent W127 billion and France W63 billion. Even Singapore and South Africa made greater investment than Korea, with W46 billion and W44 billion.

Korean researchers are regarded as world class in stem cell therapy to treat brain and vascular diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and atherosclerosis. Clinical trials of stem cell therapy are expected in Korea within one or two years.

via Digital Chosunilbo (English Edition) : Daily News in English About Korea.