Monthly Archives: February 2012

Writer/Actors Jayce and Tiffany Bartok are very familiar with the damaging effects of the neuromuscular disease “Friedreichs Ataxia.” Jayce wrote and starred in the award-winning movie, “The Cake Eaters,” starring Kristen Stewart, which features Stewart playing the role of “Georgia” who has the disease “Friedreichs Ataxia.” This grabbed Kerry Westfall's attention. Wildomar, CA (PRWEB) February 26, 2012 CEO of the Westfall Foundation, Kerry Westfall, was born with a neuromuscular disease called Friedreichs Ataxia. Friedreich's Ataxia (also called FA or FRDA) is a rare inherited disease that causes nervous system damage and movement problems. It usually begins in childhood and leads to impaired muscle coordination (ataxia) that worsens over time. Although there is no effective treatment or cure available, Friedreich's ataxia patients and families have more and more reason for real hope. In fact, that hope has been translated into increasing confidence that treatment and a cure for Friedreich's ataxia will be achieved. When Kerry watched “The Cake Eaters,” he vowed to meet and personally thank the writer, Jayce Bartok. Kerry obtained Jayces email address and told him about his video, “Commit to Your Health," he was inspired, and, although he was currently very busy producing his newest film, "Tiny Dancer,” … Continue reading →

27 February 2012 Last updated at 00:06 ET Hydrogen sulphide, the gas famed for generating the stench in stink bombs, flatulence and bad breath, has been harnessed by stem cell researchers in Japan. Their study, in the Journal of Breath Research, investigated using it to help convert stem cells from human teeth into liver cells. The scientists claimed the gas increased the purity of the stem cells. Small amounts of hydrogen sulphide are made by the body. It is also produced by bacteria and is toxic in large quantities. Therapy A group in China has already reported using the gas to enhance the survival of mesenchymal stem cells taken from the bone marrow of rats. Researchers at the Nippon Dental University were investigating stem cells from dental pulp - the bit in the middle of the tooth. They said using the gas increased the proportion of stem cells which were converted to liver cells when used alongside other chemicals. The idea is that liver cells produced from stem cells could be used to repair the organ if it was damaged. Dr Ken Yaegaki, from Nippon Dental University in Japan, said: "High purity means there are less 'wrong cells' that are … Continue reading →

Researchers have isolated egg-producing stem cells from the ovaries of reproductive age women and shown these can produce what appear to be normal egg cells or oocytes, according to a new study. The discovery "opens the door for development of unprecedented technologies to overcome infertility in women" according to the scientist who led the study. Jonathan Tilly, of Massachusetts General Hospital in the United States, said: "The primary objective of the current study was to prove that oocyte-producing stem cells do in fact exist in the ovaries of women during reproductive life, which we feel this study demonstrates very clearly." The researchers developed a precise cell-sorting technique to isolate oocyte producing stem cells (OSCs) without contamination from other cells, according to an article in the March issue of Nature Medicine. The cells were able, in the laboratory, to form cells spontaneously with characteristic features of oocytes. Further experiments on mice showed such eggs could be fertilised. Dr Tilly's team is exploring potential clinical applications from its findings which include the establishment of human OSC banks - since these cells, unlike human oocytes, can be frozen and thawed without damage - and the development of mature human oocytes from OSCs for … Continue reading →