What are bone marrow and hematopoietic stem cells? Bone marrow is the soft, sponge-like material found inside bones. It contains immature cells known as hematopoietic or blood-forming stem cells. (Hematopoietic stem cells are different from embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cells can develop into every type of cell in the body.) Hematopoietic stem cells divide to form more blood-forming stem cells, or they mature into one of three types of blood cells: white blood cells, which fight infection; red blood cells, which carry oxygen; and platelets, which help the blood to clot. Most hematopoietic stem cells are found in the bone marrow, but some cells, called peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs), are found in the bloodstream. Blood in the umbilical cord also contains hematopoietic stem cells. Cells from any of these sources can be used in transplants. What are bone marrow transplantation and peripheral blood stem cell transplantation? Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) and peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) are procedures that restore stem cells that have been destroyed by high doses of chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. There are three types of transplants: Why are BMT and PBSCT used in cancer treatment? One reason BMT and PBSCT are used in … Continue reading →

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) March 31, 2015 This June 13th, a distinguished group of Ph.Ds, M.Ds and Professors from the top U.S and International Medical Schools will come together in Santa Monica, California, to share their latest research on the application of stem cell therapy in treatments and cures for blinding eye diseases. The symposium is organized and funded by the Ocular Research Symposia Foundation, Inc. (ORSF), an independent nonprofit that has been convening intimate meetings of top experts in the field of eye research since 2002 to move the research discussed forward at an accelerated pace. Gerald J. Chader, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Ocular Stem Cell Project in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Southern California, and Dr. Michael Young of Harvard Medical School are co-chairs of this year's symposium. "ORSF has the unique ability to bring together experts in the key foundational issues of stem cell research, as well as a range of clinical applications," states Dr. Chader. "Beyond the academic presentations on stem cell therapy relating to glaucoma, corneal diseases, macular degeneration and other incurable eye diseases, the participants will devote time to discussing strategies to move the most promising research forward toward clinical … Continue reading →

Contact Information Available for logged-in reporters only Nearly a Decade Apart, Husband and Wife Get Lifesaving Heart Implant to Prevent Strokes Its been nearly a decade since Gheorghe Sandru received the heart implant that changed his life. Sandru, 85, was the first patient enrolled in a Cedars-Sinai clinical trial for a tiny implant known as the WATCHMAN Device. It reduces the risk of deadly strokes in patients with erratic heartbeats by closing a pouch in the heart where blood pools, preventing clots from traveling out of the heart and into the body. Now its his wifes turn. Maria Sandru, 87, was one of the nations first two patients to receive the WATCHMAN device since the Food and Drug Administration approved it March 13. CONTACT: Sally Stewart, 310-248-6566; Email sally.stewart@cshs.org Exercise Linked to Improved Erectile and Sexual Function in Men Men who exercise more have better erectile and sexual function, regardless of race, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine. While past studies have highlighted the relationship between better erectile function and exercise, African-American men have been underrepresented in this literature. This study is the first to link the benefits of exercise in relation to improved … Continue reading →

BOISE - Ten-year-old Alexis Carey has a rare but intractable form of epilepsy, Dravet Syndrome. The genetic disease causes severe and multiple seizures, which often leave parents guessing if the terror of watching their child seize up will pass or turn fatal. Her Boise family learned that oil extracted from marijuana had helped other children and wanted to see if it would help Alexis too. "Parent to parent, when you're in a small community and 10 people that you know are all having success, that's no longer anecdotal," Clare Carey, her mother, said. "That's hope." But Idaho's stringent marijuana laws do not allow for medicinal use. The family began lobbying lawmakers to decriminalize the oil almost two years ago. Now, they've got some legislative backers and an upcoming hearing, as Idaho joins a larger movement to loosen laws to allow the use of marijuana extract oil. Twelve states have legalized the oil while still banning medical marijuana. Virginia legalized the oil Feb. 26. In Utah, lawmakers have given initial approval to let those with chronic and debilitating diseases consume edible marijuana products, while still banning smoking. Marijuana extract oil first received attention when a Colorado family fought and won for … Continue reading →

(MENAFN - Qatar News Agency) Sidra Medical and Research Center (Sidra) Thursday announced its support to Purple Day. Purple Day, observed March 26, bids to increase awareness on epilepsy worldwide. Sidra Interim Chief of Paediatric Neurology Dr. Khaled Zamel said, "Sidra supports global healthcare and educational initiatives, including those related to disorders like epilepsy, to help raise awareness and educate the public." Epilepsy is a disorder of the brain that causes seizures. These seizures are the result of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Epilepsy occurs in a quarter of patients worldwide. Accurate and timely diagnosis is essential, Dr Zamel said. Sidra will check this condition in paediatric patients at its Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU). The six-bed EMU facility will enable the Sidra team to accurately diagnose epilepsy and monitor patients' conditions to ensure that they receive the best possible treatment and care. Epilepsy affects people of all ages. It is common in children and older adults. World Health Organization (WHO) estimates the proportion of the general population with active epilepsy at a given time is four to 10 per 1000 people, Sidra said. (QNA) View post: Sidra Backs Purple Day to Raise Epilepsy Awareness … Continue reading →

One in 54 Utah kids has autism and one in four of them cannot speak. The Carmen B. Pingree Autism Center for Learning has launched a fund-raising campaign to help more children develop communication skills necessary for mainstream functioning. Bloomua Enlarge photo SALT LAKE CITY One in 54 Utah kids has autism the second highest prevalence in the nation and 1 in 4 cannot or will not speak. "A lot of our kids cannot communicate basic wants or needs," said Julia Hood, director of the Carmen B. Pingree Autism Center of Learning, a specialty service of Valley Mental Health that serves children with autism across the Wasatch Front up to age 17. "If they have a stomach ache or a headache, they can't tell you. Sometimes they'll act out behaviorally," she said, adding that some parents don't experience their child's first word until well into the elementary education years, which is a long time to go without knowing how that child feels. Now the school that has a waiting list of 200 children hopes to increase its ability to help more children and soon provide an in-home treatment service where parents can learn how to provide help to their autistic … Continue reading →