(RTTNews.com) - Baxter International Inc. (BAX) said it has initiated a phase III pivotal clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of adult autologous CD34+ stem cells to increase exercise capacity in patients with chronic myocardial ischemia. Chronic myocardial ischemia is one of the most severe forms of coronary artery disease, causing significant long-term damage to the heart muscle and disability to the patient. The company said that the trial will enroll approximately 450 patients across 50 clinical sites in the United States, who will be randomized to one of three arms, namely treatment with their own autologous CD34+ stem cells, treatment with placebo (control), or unblinded standard of care. The primary objective is to evaluate the efficacy of treatment with CD34+ stem cells to improve the functional capacity of patients with chronic myocardial ischemia, as measured by a change in total exercise capacity at 12 months following treatment. Efficacy will be measured by a change in total exercise capacity during the first year following treatment and safety data will be collected for two years. The company noted that the trial is being initiated based on the phase II data, which indicated that injections of patients' own CD34+ stem … Continue reading →

SUNRISE, Fla., Feb. 28, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bioheart, Inc. (BHRT.OB) announced that the company will conduct the ANGEL trial using adipose (fat) derived stem cell technology or LipiCell(TM) at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Bioheart recently applied to the FDA to begin trials using adipose derived stem cells in patients with chronic ischemic cardiomyopathy. "Dr. Joshua Hare and the University of Miami are world leaders in the field of stem cell research," said Mike Tomas, President and CEO of Bioheart. "We look forward to working with these acclaimed experts and bringing the LipiCell(TM) technology to patients in the U.S." The clinical protocol of the ANGEL trial is designed to assess the safety and cardiovascular effects of intramyocardial implantation of autologous adipose derived stem cells (LipiCell(TM)) in patients with chronic ischemic cardiomyopathy. Joshua Hare, MD, Director of the Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine is the principle investigator of the clinical program. The Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute was established to capitalize on pioneering work in the use of adult stem cells for the repair of malfunctioning human organs. The goal of the Institute is to find new treatments for heart … Continue reading →

Experts discuss stem cell banking ethics, policies By Noimot Olayiwola Staff Reporter Umbilical cord blood banking and transplantation, issues of ethics and policy as well as regulations governing stem cell banking were some of the high points of discussion during a session on ‘Stem Cell Banking’ at the Qatar International Conference on Stem Cells Science and Policy, underway at the Qatar National Convention Centre. Sharing the Saudi Arabia experience on umbilical cord blood transplantation during a presentation, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre’s blood bank (transfusion & donor services) director and of the Stem Cell Cord Blood Bank at the department of pathology and laboratory medicine, Dr Hind al-Humaidan, noted that the transplantation of allogeneic (taken from different individuals of the same species) bone marrow has been successfully used in the treatment of high risk or recurrent hematologic malignancies, bone marrow failure syndromes, selected hereditary immunodeficiency states and metabolic disorders. “Early in the history of bone marrow transplantation, it was clear that access to a suitable donor was a major obstacle severely limiting the use of this potentially curative treatment modality. Although using an HLA (human leukocyte antigen) sibling donor is the best choice for transplantation, not all patients … Continue reading →

DEERFIELD, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX - News) announced today that it has initiated a phase III pivotal clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of adult autologous (an individual’s own) CD34+ stem cells to increase exercise capacity in patients with chronic myocardial ischemia (CMI). Chronic myocardial ischemia (CMI) is one of the most severe forms of coronary artery disease, causing significant long-term damage to the heart muscle and disability to the patient. It is often diagnosed based on symptoms of severe, refractory angina, which is severe chest discomfort that does not respond to conventional medical management or surgical interventions. “The prospect of using a person’s own adult stem cells to restore and repair blood flow in CMI is a very exciting concept based on a biological regenerative approach,” said Norbert Riedel, Ph.D., Baxter’s chief science and innovation officer. “The goals of this phase III trial are aligned with Baxter’s overall mission to develop life-saving and life-sustaining therapies and it will help us determine if the therapy can make a meaningful difference for CMI patients.” The trial will enroll approximately 450 patients across 50 clinical sites in the United States, who will be randomized to one of three … Continue reading →

SAN DIEGO, CA and PORTLAND, OR--(Marketwire -02/28/12)- Medistem Inc. (Pinksheets: MEDS.PK - News) announced today its Annual "Evening with Medistem" Event will take place in Portland, Oregon on March 7th, 2012. The event is being hosted by Vladimir Zaharchook, Vice Chairman at Medistem, Inc., and will feature stem cell luminaries and pioneers working with Medistem including Dr. Amit Patel, Director of Regenerative Medicine at University of Utah and the first person to administer stem cells into patients with heart failure, Dr. Michael Murphy, Vascular Surgeon at Indiana University and Principal Investigator for Medistem's FDA clinical trial in patients with risk of amputation, and Dr. Alan Lewis, former CEO of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, advisory board member of Medistem. In 2007 Medistem discovered an entirely new type of stem cell, the Endometrial Regenerative Cell (ERC). This cell has proven it is a "universal donor" and can be used to treat many more conditions compared to other types of stem cells. The company received FDA clearance to begin clinical trials in September of 2011 for critical limb ischemia, a condition that is associated with amputation. Medistem is also running a Phase II clinical trial for heart failure using the new stem … Continue reading →

27-02-2012 12:23 SmartLifePublishing.com This book is about my autistic son and what I've done to bring him back to us. I wrote this for parents who are short on both time and money. It's a simple autism treatment approach that has so tremendously helped my son that he went from being completely non-verbal to bi-lingual. What I do literally takes less than 10 minutes per day and while you need to purchase some nutritional products, it's very affordable. The book documents my son's progress over the period of 6 years. For me, it took as long as it did because I had to learn each step on my own, but you may get quicker results for your child because you'll be able to implement more quickly as you'll already have all the information in your hands. I sincerely hope this information helps your family as it has mine. youtu.be This is for people looking for information on autism, autism therapies, autism treatment, autism treatments, autism therapy, autism spectrum disorders, autism diet, autism parenting, autism recovery Read the original post: Autism | Easy Autism Treatment | Autism Therapies | Autism Diet | Autism Spectrum Disorder - Video … Continue reading →

MONTREAL - Montreal Canadiens great Jean Beliveau suffered a stroke late Monday and is in stable condition in hospital, the Habs announced Tuesday. Beliveau, 80, is undergoing tests and treatment and remains under observation at Montreal General Hospital. His wife of 59 years, Elise, also had a stroke in recent months but has recovered. Beliveau, a former Canadiens captain and a 10-time Stanley Cup winner, has had health issues over the years. He needed surgery last June because of abdominal aneurysms. In January 2010, he also had a stroke. He spent 18 days in hospital and doctors replaced his pacemaker, which had been installed in 1996. The native of Trois Rivieres, Que., needed radiation treatment in 2000 when a cancerous tumour was discovered in his neck. During his career with the Canadiens, Beliveau had 507 goals and 712 assists in 1,125 regular-season games, along with 79 goals and 97 assists in 162 playoff games. He retired in 1971. Beliveau was made a Companion of the Order of Canada in 1998. Read the original here: Beliveau suffers stroke … Continue reading →

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Increased awareness about the signs and symptoms of stroke has likely contributed to a steady decrease in stroke deaths in Houston and Texas over the past few years. However, the disease is still the fourth leading cause of death in the United States and the leading cause of long-term disability. To continue raising awareness about this devastating disease, the T.L.L. Temple Foundation and The Methodist Hospital System are hosting the sixth annual Methodist Stride4Stroke 5K Walk/Run at Rice University on March 3. The event is expected to attract more than 4,000 people and raise approximately $600,000 for stroke education and outreach. “Stride4Stroke is now in its sixth year and has impacted the greater Houston area in ways we never imagined. We couldn’t have made this happen without the generosity and support of the T.L.L. Temple Foundation,” said Dr. Marc L. Boom, president and CEO of The Methodist Hospital System. Methodist’s 5K Walk/Run is part of a comprehensive initiative called Taking Strides4Stroke: Community Stroke Awareness Campaign. Led by the Methodist Neurological Institute (NI), the campaign promotes education and awareness of stroke symptoms, treatment, prevention and research. Since the creation of the Stride4Stroke campaign in 2007, Methodist’s stroke educators have … Continue reading →