PUBLIC RELEASE DATE: 28-Jul-2014 Contact: Jeffrey Norris jeffrey.norris@ucsf.edu 415-502-6397 University of California - San Francisco A new stem-cell discovery might one day lead to a more streamlined process for obtaining stem cells, which in turn could be used in the development of replacement tissue for failing body parts, according to UC San Francisco scientists who reported the findings in the current edition of Cell. The work builds on a strategy that involves reprogramming adult cells back to an embryonic state in which they again have the potential to become any type of cell. The efficiency of this process may soon increase thanks to the scientists' identification of biochemical pathways that can inhibit the necessary reprogramming of gene activity in adult human cells. Removing these barriers increased the efficiency of stem-cell production, the researchers found. "Our new work has important implications for both regenerative medicine and cancer research," said Miguel Ramalho-Santos, PhD, associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences and a member of the Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research at UCSF, who led the research, funded in part by a prestigious NIH Director's New Innovator Award. The earlier discovery that it was possible … Continue reading →

Lung Institute - Patient Testimonial: Jean H., Houston, TX Jean H. is a COPD patient that lives in Texas. She has had frequent symptoms of wheezing and coughing since being diagnosed with COPD. After having researched and receiving a stem cell treatment... By: Lung Institute … Continue reading →

Video will begin in 5 seconds. While stem cells have many applications in treating bone tumors and early leukaemia and lymphoma cases Dr Tony Bartone says patients undergoing unproven treatments are taking "life into a Tatts Lotto" situation. Authorities are warning of the risks of unproven stem cell treatments available in Australia and overseas after the death of an Australian woman in Russia. Brisbane mother-of-two Kellie van Meurs travelled to Moscow for treatment for a rare neurological disorder called Stiff Person Syndrome but died from a heart attack while undergoing the controversial treatment on July 19. Her death - and the continued marketing of stem cell tourism by groups including Adult Stem Cell Foundation - prompted warnings that manyof the therapies on offer are untested and not acceptedby mainstream science. Stem Cells Australia's head of education, ethics, law and community awareness Megan Munsie said a proliferation of private clinics combined with a growing consumer base was a potentially dangerous mix. Advertisement ''This sad case illustrates that some people are prepared to take the risk,'' she said. ''But people should balance their high hopes with the acknowledgement that there is a risk.'' She also cautioned that treatment decisions should be based … Continue reading →

Video will begin in 5 seconds. While stem cells have many applications in treating bone tumors and early leukaemia and lymphoma cases Dr Tony Bartone says patients undergoing unproven treatments are taking "life into a Tatts Lotto" situation. Authorities are warning of the risks of unproven stem cell treatments available in Australia and overseas after the death of an Australian woman in Russia. Brisbane mother-of-two Kellie van Meurs travelled to Moscow for treatment for a rare neurological disorder called Stiff Person Syndrome but died from a heart attack while undergoing the controversial treatment on July 19. Her death - and the continued marketing of stem cell tourism by groups including Adult Stem Cell Foundation - prompted warnings that manyof the therapies on offer are untested and not acceptedby mainstream science. Stem Cells Australia's head of education, ethics, law and community awareness Megan Munsie said a proliferation of private clinics combined with a growing consumer base was a potentially dangerous mix. Advertisement ''This sad case illustrates that some people are prepared to take the risk,'' she said. ''But people should balance their high hopes with the acknowledgement that there is a risk.'' She also cautioned that treatment decisions should be based … Continue reading →

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Monica Lovelace's pride and joy are her two children. But life as a mom in Modesto was disrupted by epileptic seizures, which she struggled with for most of her adult life. "My heart is racing like crazy, and then I black out," said Lovelace. But all that changed when Lovelace became one of the early patients to get an implantable device that helps control seizures. She was part of a clinical trial at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco. "The device is implanted in a small dent in the skull that we create," said Dr. Peter Weber with California Pacific Medical Center. It's called the NeuroPace and works as an electronic stimulator to read signals in the brain that come before an epileptic seizure. "When it senses those signals, it sends another small electrical pulse back to that area to try to abort the seizure," said Dr. Weber. Once implanted, the NeuroPace is tuned to the brain waves with the help of external software. Dr. Weber says the device was effective in more than 60 percent of patients -- reducing many seizure rates by half. The results were so encouraging, the FDA approved NeuroPace for … Continue reading →

PHILADELPHIA Epilepsy affects more than 50 million people worldwide. The disorder is caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain that can bring about seizures, changes in awareness or sensation and behavior. Despite multiple attempts to control seizure activity with medication, three million Americans suffer from recurrent, spontaneous epileptic seizures, the onset of which cannot be predicted or detected in advance. A team of researchers from Penn and the Mayo Clinic has challenged the best minds in science and machine learning to improve devices to treat epilepsy with two competitions to detect and predict seizure onset. The Seizure Detection and Prediction Challenge, an international competition sponsored by the American Epilepsy Society (AES), National Institutes of Healths National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and the Epilepsy Foundation, challenges experts to detect and predict seizure activity accurately. In the first phase, seizure detection, contestants are charged with analyzing retrospective prolonged intracranial EEG data recorded from four dogs with naturally occurring epilepsy and from eight patients with medication-resistant seizures during evaluation for epilepsy surgery. The contestant or group that can identify the earliest EEG changes leading to seizures with the fewest false alarms wins $8,000. A second phase, the seizure prediction … Continue reading →

US Rep Scott Perry Currently, more than 300,000 children in American suffer from some form of epilepsy. Many of these children experience more than 100 violent seizures a day any one of which could be fatal without proper care. U.S. Representative Scott Perry introduces legislation today, the Charlottes Web Medical Hemp Act of 2014, to ensure that children and individuals with epilepsy and other debilitating seizure disorders have access to life-changing Cannabidiol (CBD) Oil and therapeutic hemp. There is anecdotal evidence that CBD oil has been shown to reduce the amount and duration of seizures in children suffering from epilepsy and other seizure disorders. This legislation would enable individuals access to this potentially life-saving supplement without having to split up families geographically in order to receive treatment. Earlier this year I was approached by three local families whose children suffer from severe epilepsy, said Rep. Perry. As a father, I cant imagine how helpless and crestfallen Id feel to be essentially out of options, without any significant way to help my child; and these families live with this circumstance every single day. Their heartbreaking situations compelled me to act at the federal level to enable their access to a supplement … Continue reading →

(Courtesy photo) Whether you are new to the world of autism, are familiar with treatment options, or are a veteran who has "been there, done that," this book is for you. Discoveries about possible etiologies and promising therapies are emerging so quickly that you are sure to learn something new. Outsmarting Autism by Licensed Professional Counselor Patricia S. Lemer guides you step-by-step with practical information from a variety of fields that families, specialists, and educators can put to use immediately, 7:30 p.m., Boulder Book Store, 1107 Pearl St., Boulder, $5; 303-447-2074. ACTIVISM "The Environment: Saving the Future" Trident Booksellers & Caf in Boulder presents Alternative Radio's David Barsamian on "The Environment: Saving the Future." Barsamian has turned up the volume this year. In 2014 he has spoken at over thirty universities, conferences, peace groups, bookstores and benefit gatherings in the U.S. and Canada. His lifework in radio and print journalism has broadened the minds of millions of people, 7:30 p.m., Trident Booksellers & Cafe, 940 Pearl St., Boulder, free ; 303-443-3133. ARTS & CRAFTS Art + Maps Exhibit Works by four local and regional artists are exhibited with items from the Map Library collection. Corresponding maps range from antique maps … Continue reading →

New Jersey (PRWEB) July 28, 2014 Childrens Specialized Hospital and Kohls Cares announces the launch of The Kohls Autism Awareness community hub the first web platform giving families access to resources regarding autism spectrum disorder and community life. This virtual town will provide its visitors a new way to explore the many resources related to autism education and community life. The Kohls Autism Awareness community hub is a unique virtual map that provides individuals with autism, their family members, caregivers, professionals, service providers, and any other member of the community with practical information, tools, and resources. http://www.childrens-specialized.org/kohlsautismawareness Childrens Specialized Hospital is the nations largest pediatric rehabilitation hospital dedicated to serving children with a variety of special needs, including autism. The hospital is the states largest provider of autism services including community education, medical research, early diagnosis and treatment. Childrens Specialized Hospital will be the first hospital in the nation providing this type of virtual community hub. The site provides access to resources for community-based information and downloadable multimedia videos that are all in one place and are just a click away. Once on the site, there will be a variety of different links to discover all sorts of information and … Continue reading →

Santa Monica, CA (PRWEB) July 29, 2014 Professionals Treatment at Promises welcomes SallyAnn Cross, LCSW, as its executive director. In this role, Ms. Cross will oversee the addiction treatment program for professionals as well as collate systems and processes and streamline quality assurance and utilization management. Ms. Cross holds two masters degrees, one in multicultural counseling from Buffalo State University, and a masters of social work from California State University, Long Beach. She is also a licensed clinical social worker. Her areas of expertise include relapse prevention, harm reduction and cognitive behavioral therapy. She has worked with diverse populations, including, but not limited to, individuals with substance use disorders and co-occurring disorders, HIV and AIDS, battered women and children, autism spectrum disorders, and severely emotionally disturbed adolescents. We are very excited to have SallyAnns expertise on our Promises team, said Nanci Stockwell, LCSW, MBA, Promises regional vice president for California. SallyAnn has almost 30 years of experience in the field of social work including more than 20 in management. She has a lot of enthusiasm for the treatment of chemical dependency and her wisdom in the field makes her a perfect fit for our professionals program. Professionals Treatment at Promises … Continue reading →