Public release date: 18-Jun-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ] Contact: Aaron Lohr alohr@endocrine.org 240-482-1380 The Endocrine Society Similar genetic variations occur in both overweight newborns and obese adults, a large study finds. The results will be presented Tuesday at The Endocrine Society's 95th Annual Meeting in San Francisco. "Our data suggest that adult obesity and newborn adiposity share, in part, a common genetic background," said study lead author Reeti Chawla, MD, fellow in pediatric endocrinology at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago and the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, in Chicago, IL. "Allowing earlier identification of high-risk newborns may allow for earlier interventions to take place to possibly prevent obesity later in life. " Obesity has become an epidemic worldwide. In the United States alone, more than one-third of adults are obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Excess weight and obesity are related to numerous health problems, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke and some cancers. Since being obese in childhood increases the risk of adult obesity, medical researchers are interested in identifying early risk factors, or genetic markers, to help predict who is at greater risk for weight gain. … Continue reading →

Stem cell birthday 4 By: John Plumb … Continue reading →

Dad birthday stem cell By: John Plumb … Continue reading →

Public release date: 17-Jun-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ] Contact: David McKeon dmckeon@nyscf.org 212-365-7440 New York Stem Cell Foundation NEW YORK, NY (June 17, 2013) A team from the New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) Research Institute and the Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center of Columbia University has generated patient-specific beta cells, or insulin-producing cells, that accurately reflect the features of maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY). The researchers used skin cells of MODY patients to produce induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, from which they then made beta cells. Transplanted into a mouse, the stem cell-derived beta cells secreted insulin in a manner similar to that of the beta cells of MODY patients. Repair of the gene mutation restored insulin secretion to levels seen in cells obtained from healthy subjects. The findings were reported today in the Journal of Clinical Investigation. Previous studies have demonstrated the ability of human embryonic stem cells and iPS cells to become beta cells that secrete insulin in response to glucose or other molecules. But the question remained as to whether stem cell-derived beta cells could accurately model genetic forms of diabetes and be used to develop and test potential therapies. "We focused on MODY, … Continue reading →

NYSCF AND COLUMBIA RESEARCHERS DEMONSTRATE USE OF STEM CELLS TO ANALYZE CAUSES AND TREATMENT OF DIABETES Using patient-specific stem cells to correct deficient insulin-producing cells Newswise NEW YORK, NY (June 17, 2013) A team from the New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) Research Institute and the Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center of Columbia University has generated patient-specific beta cells, or insulin-producing cells, that accurately reflect the features of maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY). The researchers used skin cells of MODY patients to produce induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, from which they then made beta cells. Transplanted into a mouse, the stem cell-derived beta cells secreted insulin in a manner similar to that of the beta cells of MODY patients. Repair of the gene mutation restored insulin secretion to levels seen in cells obtained from healthy subjects. The findings were reported today in the Journal of Clinical Investigation. Previous studies have demonstrated the ability of human embryonic stem cells and iPS cells to become beta cells that secrete insulin in response to glucose or other molecules. But the question remained as to whether stem cell-derived beta cells could accurately model genetic forms of diabetes and be used to develop and test … Continue reading →

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwired - Jun 17, 2013) - VistaGen Therapeutics, Inc. (OTCQB: VSTA), a biotechnology company applying stem cell technology for drug rescue, predictive toxicology and drug metabolism assays, presented key developments involving its CardioSafe 3D and LiverSafe 3D bioassay systems in poster presentations at the 11th Annual Meeting of the International Society of Stem Cell Research(ISSCR), the largest forum for stem cell and regenerative medicine professionals from around the world, held June 12 to 15, 2013, in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Hai-Qing Xian, Senior Scientist, presented VistaGen's poster entitled "Cardiotoxicity Assessment of Anti-Cancer Kinase Inhibitors using Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocyte Based Assays," which detailed important developments demonstrating that CardioSafe 3D, VistaGen's high throughput, human heart cell-based bioassay, is a clinically predictive system for preclinical cardiac safety screening of anti-cancer drug candidates, including small molecule kinase inhibitors (KIs), a new category of drugs that have revolutionized cancer therapy due to decreased systemic toxicity and increased target cell efficacy compared to classic cancer drugs, as well as other therapeutic compounds. VistaGen demonstrated the utility of CardioSafe 3D to detect cardiac toxicities of well-known anti-cancer KIs, including imatinib, dasatinib, sunitinib, erlotinib and temsirolimus, which have been associated with adverse clinical cardiac … Continue reading →

Sarasota, Florida (PRWEB) June 18, 2013 After almost 20 years of performing regenerative treatments in the field of non surgical orthopedics, Wellington Chen, M.D., will begin conducting clinical trials for many degenerative diseases using adipose-derived stem cell therapy in Sarasota, Florida. The independent review board of the International cell medicine society is responsible for overseeing these trials. Advanced Rejuvenation will treat patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and osteoarthritis following the IRB-approved protocols. Advanced Rejuvenation will be using adult autologous stem cells, harvested from the patients own adipose (fat) tissue or bone marrow if fat is not available. Because patients are receiving their own cells, there is no risk of rejection. As of 2007, over 9,000 studies have shown the safety using these cell lines. Autologous stem cell therapy are your bodies repair men. They are circulated throughout your body and as soon as there is a need for them, chemical messages trigger them to migrate to the area and do their magic. They are both immune modulating and also regenerative which makes them a great therapeutic agent for osteoarthritis and COPD. Numerous studies have shown them to have the capacity to grow new cartilage, muscle, ligaments, glands … Continue reading →