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What is biotechnology? – Definition from WhatIs.com

Posted: Published on August 27th, 2015

Biotechnology is the use of biological processes, organisms, or systems to manufacture products intended to improve the quality of human life. The earliest biotechnologists were farmers who developed improved species of plants and animals by cross pollenization or cross breeding. In recent years, biotechnology has expanded in sophistication, scope, and applicability. The science of biotechnology can be broken down into subdisciplines called red, white, green, and blue. Red biotechnology involves medical processes such as getting organisms to produce new drugs, or using stem cells to regenerate damaged human tissues and perhaps re-grow entire organs. White (also called gray) biotechnology involves industrial processes such as the production of new chemicals or the development of new fuels for vehicles. Green biotechnology applies to agriculture and involves such processes as the development of pest-resistant grains or the accelerated evolution of disease-resistant animals. Blue biotechnology, rarely mentioned, encompasses processes in marine and aquatic environments, such as controlling the proliferation of noxious water-borne organisms. Biotechnology, like other advanced technologies, has the potential for misuse. Concern about this has led to efforts by some groups to enact legislation restricting or banning certain processes or programs, such as human cloning and embryonic stem-cell research. There is also … Continue reading →

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Natural Treatment of Eczema – Dr. Weil

Posted: Published on August 26th, 2015

What is eczema? Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic allergic condition in which the skin develops areas of itchy, scaly rashes. What are the symptoms of eczema? Eczema can occur on almost any part of the body but is most common on the face, scalp, inside of elbows, knees, ankles, and hands. It typically appears as extremely itchy patches on the skin. Eczema can get worse when scratched; in fact, itchy skin may appear normal until scratched; the irritating action may then cause the characteristic rash and scales to develop. Other symptoms include: Scratching can introduce infectious agents into the skin, leading to secondary complications including bacterial infection and permanent scars. What are the causes of eczema? Eczema is caused by a reaction similar to that of an allergy and can promote chronic inflammation. The condition will often wax and wane and accompany other allergic conditions such as asthma. In some cases, a specific substance, such as certain soaps, detergents, or metals, dust mites, and animal dander, can trigger eczema. For many people, however, there is no known allergen that causes this reaction. Eczema can be worsened by dry climates, exposure to water, temperature changes, and stress. … Continue reading →

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Types of stem cell transplants for treating cancer

Posted: Published on August 26th, 2015

In a typical stem cell transplant for cancer very high doses of chemo are used, often along with radiation therapy, to try to destroy all the cancer cells. This treatment also kills the stem cells in the bone marrow. Soon after treatment, stem cells are given to replace those that were destroyed. These stem cells are given into a vein, much like a blood transfusion. Over time they settle in the bone marrow and begin to grow and make healthy blood cells. This process is called engraftment. There are 3 basic types of transplants. They are named based on who gives the stem cells. These stem cells come from you alone. In this type of transplant, your stem cells are taken before you get cancer treatment that destroys them. Your stem cells are removed, or harvested, from either your bone marrow or your blood and then frozen. To find out more about that process, please see the section Whats it like to donate stem cells? After you get high doses of chemo and/or radiation the stem cells are thawed and given back to you. One advantage of autologous stem cell transplant is that you are getting your own cells back. … Continue reading →

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Stem Cell Research – Stem Cell Treatments – Treatments …

Posted: Published on August 24th, 2015

COMPARE CORD BLOOD BANKS Choosing the right stem cell bank for your family is rarely a quick decision. But when you review the facts, you may find it much easier than you expected. Keep Reading > 1. The collection of cord blood can only take place at the time of delivery, and advanced arrangements must be made. Cord blood is collected from the umbilical cord immediately after a babys birth, but generally before the placenta has been delivered. The moment of delivery is the only opportunity to harvest a newborns stem cells. 2. There is no risk and no pain for the mother or the baby. The cord blood is taken from the cord once it has been clamped and cut. Collection is safe for both vaginal and cesarean deliveries. 3. The body often accepts cord blood stem cells better than those from bone marrow. Cord blood stem cells have a high rate of engraftment, are more tolerant of HLA mismatches, result in a reduced rate of graft-versus-host disease, and are rarely contaminated with latent viruses. 4. Banked cord blood is readily accessible, and there when you need it. Matched stem cells, which are necessary for transplant, are difficult to … Continue reading →

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Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and …

Posted: Published on August 24th, 2015

What Is Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy? Muscular dystrophies are a group of diseases that make muscles weaker and less flexible over time. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most common type. Its caused by flaws in the gene that controls how the body keeps muscles healthy. The disease almost always affects boys, and symptoms usually begin early in childhood. Children with DMD have a hard time standing up, walking, and climbing stairs. Many eventually need wheelchairs to get around. They can also have heart and lung problems. Although there isn't a cure, the outlook for people with DMD is better than it has ever been. Years ago, children with the disease usually didnt live beyond their teens. Today, they live well into their 30s, and sometimes into their 40s and 50s. There are therapies that can ease symptoms, and researchers are looking for new ones, as well. DMD is caused by a problem in one of your genes. Genes contain the information your body needs to make proteins, which carry out many different body functions. If you have DMD, the gene that makes a protein called dystrophin is broken. This protein normally keeps muscles strong and protects them from injury. The … Continue reading →

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MS Diagnosis Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms that Resulted in

Posted: Published on August 24th, 2015

Is it MS?. Thomas Northcut / Getty Images Updated August 04, 2014. Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Board. Multiple sclerosis symptoms are confusing and mysterious. If you are reading this, you either are having symptoms that you suspect might be multiple sclerosis (MS), or you know that you have it and are wondering if what you are experiencing is yet another way that your disease is surprising you. MS is a complicated disease. Many of the symptoms, such as fatigue, dizziness, tremor, pain or cognitive problems, are difficult to link to MS, as they are hard to quantify and common to many other diseases. I had all of the symptoms listed above (as well as many more) and saw at least seven or eight doctors for them over a span of 15 years before receiving my diagnosis of MS. The list below outlines some of the major MS symptoms, but there are more than 50 symptoms that fit the bill. Fortunately, there are medications to modify the MS disease course and management strategies for the symptoms of MS. Remember, in many patients, the symptoms will remit (resolve or partially resolve) after some period of … Continue reading →

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Anatomy – SpineUniverse

Posted: Published on August 23rd, 2015

The spinal column, better known as your backbone, is a strong yet flexible multipurpose structure. It holds the weight of your head and torso and allows you to move in many directions. If it were nothing but a straight, inflexible rod, we'd walk like robots from bad B-movies. Instead, the flexible spine (moved and supported by muscles) enables us to twist and hit a golf ball and bend over to tie our shoes. The bony spinal column surrounds your spinal cord much like a conduit around an electrical cord. It protects the all-important spinal cord, a bundle of nerves that run from your brain through your spinal column and branch out to the rest of the body. Technically speaking, the spinal column includes 34 bones. Twenty-four bones are articulated vertebrae bones (a singular bone is a vertebra). At the bottom of the spinal column are the remaining bones, the naturally fused vertebrae of the sacrum and coccyx, which join with your pelvis (hip bones). When healthcare professionals refer to the spine, they're generally talking about the 24 vertebrae that form an elegant, double-S shaped line. Definition Articulation refers to the motion that occurs between joints. For example, certain facet joints … Continue reading →

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Ulcerative Colitis – National Library of Medicine – PubMed …

Posted: Published on August 23rd, 2015

Evidence reviews Fish oil for the treatment of active ulcerative colitis Ulcerative colitis is an inflammation of the large intestine that causes diarrhea, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding and fever. Since there is no cure for the disease the aim of treatment is to cause a reduction of the unpleasant and painful signs and symptoms. Current, proven, treatment options for active ulcerative colitis include corticosteroids, aminosalicylates, immunosuppressive and biological agents. However, these drugs can cause side effects. New treatments which cause fewer side effects are being sought. Fish oil, which is rich in omega3 fatty acids may reduce inflammation and decrease the need for antiinflammatory drugs in patients with ulcerative colitis. Six studies looking at the effects of fish oil in active ulcerative colitis were included in the review. Study quality was mostly poor. One small study showed a positive benefit for the treatment of active ulcerative colitis. However, this result should be interpreted with caution due to small study size and poor study quality. Due to limited data there is not enough information available to determine whether fish oil treatment is effective for induction of remission in ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitis is a chronic relapsing inflammatory disorder of the large … Continue reading →

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Stem Cell Assays Reproducible Research on Stem Cells

Posted: Published on August 22nd, 2015

Cells Weekly is a digest of the most interesting news and events in stem cell research, cell therapy and regenerative medicine. Cells Weekly is posted every Sunday night! 1. Update on fetal tissues donation/trade scandal StemExpress the company, which resells fetal tissues to researches, announced termination of partnership with US Planned Parenthood. From California Stem Cell Report blog: We value our various partnerships but, due to the increased questions that have arisen over the past few weeks, we feel it prudent to terminate activities with Planned Parenthood. While we value our business relationship with Planned Parenthood, that work represents a small percentage of our overall business activity and we must focus our limited resources on resolving these inquiries. Im skipping mass media coverage, but interesting discussion on the subject was posted by top medical journal NEJM this week. In the first piece, entitled Fetal Tissue Fallout, Alta Charo criticized sting operation of anti-abortionists to discredit Planned Parenthood and highlights the value of fetal tissue research: By using the publics unfamiliarity with the history and realities of fetal tissue research as a back door for attacking Planned Parenthood, abortion opponents have added millions of people to the collateral damage of the … Continue reading →

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Basics of Stem Cell Research

Posted: Published on August 22nd, 2015

What is a stem cell? A stem cell is an immature cell that has the potential to become specialized into different types of cells throughout the body. There are two basic types of stem cells: adult stems cells and embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are produced when a newly fertilized egg begins to divide. These stem cells can become any type of cell in the body. Adult stem cells somewhat of a misnomer because they can also be found in infants and children are stem cells that reside in already developed tissue. These stem cells can act like a repair system, dividing regularly to provide new specialized cells to take the place of those that die or are lost. Tissues where adult stem cells have been found include the brain, blood, muscle, skin and bone. Research with adult stem cells has been limited due to the difficulty in growing and differentiating them under laboratory conditions. Why are stem cells important from a medical perspective? For decades, researchers have been studying the biology of stem cells to figure out how development works and to find new ways of treating health problems. Because stem cells can give rise to any tissue … Continue reading →

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