http://medicalxpress.com/ en-us Medical Xpress internet news portal provides the latest news on Health and Medicine. (Medical Xpress)—By studying the underlying differences in gene expression during healing after a bone break in young versus aged mice, Jaimo Ahn, MD, PhD, assistant professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, and his colleagues aim to find specific pathways of fracture healing in humans. The team of researchers will present their findings in a poster presentation beginning Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at the 2013 American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons annual meeting in Chicago. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-03-differences-bone-mice-seniors.html Surgery Thu, 21 Mar 2013 08:09:55 EST news283072188 Using adult stem cells is a good way of culturing better-quality cartilage to repair worn hips and knees. New cartilage that has good properties can be grown in particular by cultivating adult stem cells in combination with a small quantity of cells from the patient's own cartilage. In the long run this increases the likelihood of a cartilage implant being successful, provided it is carried out in time. These are the findings put forward by PhD student Nicole Georgi, who did her research at the University of Twente's MIRA Institute for Biomechanical Technology and Technical Medicine. She is to receive her PhD on March 22. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-03-cartilage-stem-cells.html Medical research Thu, 21 Mar 2013 08:06:27 EST news283071954 When a research team in China evaluated the efficacy and safety of using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) expanded from the bone marrow of non-self-donors to treat patients experiencing poor graft function (PGF) after receiving transplants of non-self-donated blood stem cells (allo-HSCT), they found that the mesenchymal stem cells were both safe and effective for treating primary and secondary PGF. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-03-third-party-blood-stem-cell-transplantation.html Medical research Mon, 18 Mar 2013 13:43:50 EST news282833021 Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells cultivated on the surface of nanofibrous meshes could be a novel therapeutic strategy against post-prostatectomy erectile dysfunction (ED), conclude the authors of a study which is to be presented at the 28th Annual EAU Congress later this week. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-03-stem-cells-transplantation-technique-high.html Medical research Fri, 15 Mar 2013 03:00:04 EST news282498950 In laboratory studies, Johns Hopkins researchers say they have found that stem cells from a patient's own fat may have the potential to deliver new treatments directly into the brain after the surgical removal of a glioblastoma, the most common and aggressive form of brain tumor. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-03-stem-cells-human-adipose-tissue.html Cancer Tue, 12 Mar 2013 17:00:09 EST news282323032 A signaling molecule that helps stem cells survive in the naturally low-oxygen environment inside the bone marrow may hold clues to helping the cells survive when the going gets worse with age and disease, researchers report. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-03-molecule-stem-cells-focus-bone.html Medical research Fri, 08 Mar 2013 11:30:19 EST news281964592 When a research team from Denmark and Sweden compared the therapeutic capabilities of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) versus bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSCs) obtained from a single 84 year-old male donor with ischemic coronary disease to regeneratively treat myocardial infarction in a rat model, they found that the ASCs preserved more cardiac function in the test rats while neither stem cell type induced myocardial angiogenesis (blood vessel growth.) http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-02-stem-cell-source-important-factor.html Medical research Wed, 13 Feb 2013 17:01:59 EST news279997302 (Medical Xpress)—Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine have discovered that a protein called Jagged-1 stimulates human stem cells to differentiate into bone-producing cells. This protein could help both human and animal patients heal from bone fractures faster and may form the basis of treatments for a rare metabolic condition called Alagille syndrome. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-02-uncover-pathway-bone-growth.html Medical research Wed, 13 Feb 2013 11:05:27 EST news279975915 Rush University Medical Center is conducting the nation's first clinical study of an innovative stem cell drug, Cartistem, to repair knee cartilage damaged by aging, trauma or degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-01-stem-cell-therapy-knee-cartilage.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Thu, 24 Jan 2013 15:45:10 EST news278264701 Stem cells can be grown on biocompatible scaffolds to form complex tissues such as bone, cartilage, and muscle for repair and regeneration of damaged or diseased tissue. However, to function properly, the cells must often grow in a specific pattern or alignment. An innovative method for creating a stretched polymer scaffold that can support complex tissue architectures is described in an article in Tissue Engineering, Part C, Methods. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-01-d-biomimetic-scaffolds-regeneration-complex.html Medical research Thu, 10 Jan 2013 14:38:52 EST news277051106 Korean researchers believe that the 'DJ-1 protein' can be used to promote the formation of new bone tissue in patients suffering from osteoporosis by improving communication between bone making cells (osteoblasts) and blood vessel (endothelial) cells. The research was published in Nature Communications. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-01-uncovers-protein-bones.html Medical research Thu, 10 Jan 2013 06:27:44 EST news277021658 Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) can develop into bone cells and are useful for tissue engineering and regeneration. However, when grown in the laboratory they quickly lose their ability to continue dividing and they die. A method for genetically engineering hMSCs so they become immortal and still retain their ability to become bone cells is described in an article published in BioResearch Open Access. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-12-method-long-lived-stem-cells-bone.html Medical research Tue, 04 Dec 2012 11:59:32 EST news273844751 Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), are a newly emerging cellular therapy being tested in approximately 250 clinical trials worldwide to help repair damaged tissues, such as injured heart muscle following a heart attack. The problem is that when culture-expanded MSCs are injected into the circulation, they have trouble gaining access to the inflamed tissues—exactly where their help is needed. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-11-reveals-insights-aid-therapeutic-mesenchymal.html Medical research Thu, 15 Nov 2012 13:12:21 EST news272207529 (HealthDay)—For patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM), allogeneic bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are safe; and delivery of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMC) to patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has no effect on the recovery of left ventricular function, according to two studies published online Nov. 6 in the Journal of the American Medical Association to coincide with presentation at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2012, held from Nov. 3 to 7 in Los Angeles. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-11-aha-allogeneic-stem-cells-ischemic.html Cardiology Wed, 07 Nov 2012 06:10:01 EST news271488294 Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have found that microscopic particles containing proteins and nucleic acids called exosomes could potentially protect the fragile lungs of premature babies from serious lung diseases and chronic lung injury caused by inflammation. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-10-microscopic-packets-stem-cell-factors.html Medical research Wed, 31 Oct 2012 16:36:24 EST news270920175 In recent years investigators have discovered that breast tumors are influenced by more than just the cancer cells within them. A variety of noncancerous cells, which in many cases constitute the majority of the tumor mass, form what is known as the "tumor microenvironment." This sea of noncancerous cells and the products they deposit appear to play key roles in tumor pathogenesis. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-10-discovery-reveals-important-clues-cancer.html Cancer Thu, 11 Oct 2012 13:44:38 EST news269181849 Two studies in the current issue of Cell Transplantation (21:6), now freely available on-line, demonstrate how the use of magnetic particles are a factor that can positively impact on the targeted delivery of transplanted stem cells and to also provide better cell retention. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-09-therapeutic-impact-cell-transplantation-aided.html Medical research Mon, 24 Sep 2012 12:41:19 EST news267709267 Biju Parekkadan saw his future in the plight of a newborn thousands of miles away. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-09-body-disease.html Medical research Mon, 03 Sep 2012 09:44:58 EST news265884286 Scientists at the University of Glasgow are working to harness the regenerative power of stem cells to improve orthopaedic implant surgery. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-09-stem-cell-powered-implant-revolutionize-orthopedic.html Surgery Mon, 03 Sep 2012 07:51:32 EST news265877485 Duke researchers may have found a promising stem cell therapy for preventing osteoarthritis after a joint injury. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-08-stem-cells-post-injury-arthritis.html Arthritis & Rheumatism Fri, 10 Aug 2012 10:44:03 EST news263814221 A pregnant woman's blood stream contains not only her own cells, but a small number of her child's, as well, and some of them remain in her internal organs long after the baby is born. Understanding the origin and identity of these cells is vital to understanding their potential effects on a mother's long-term health. For example, fetal cells have been found at tumor sites in mothers, but it is unknown whether the cells are helping to destroy the tumor or to speed its growth. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-06-fetal-cells-migrate-maternal-pregnancy.html Medical research Wed, 06 Jun 2012 16:00:41 EST news258217179 A substance in human mesenchymal stem cells that promotes growth appears to spur restoration of nerves and their function in rodent models of multiple sclerosis (MS), researchers at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine have found. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-05-growth-factor-stem-cells-spur.html Neuroscience Mon, 21 May 2012 09:33:42 EST news256811615 Breast cancer stem cells wear a cell surface protein that is part nametag and part bull's eye, identifying them as potent tumor-generating cells and flagging their vulnerability to a drug, researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center report online in Journal of Clinical Investigation. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-05-scientists-marker-breast-cancer-stem.html Cancer Wed, 16 May 2012 09:18:34 EST news256378708 (HealthDay) -- Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) activate a mechanism involving coupling of FAS/FAS ligand to induce T cell apoptosis and immune tolerance, according to an experimental study published online April 26 in Cell Stem Cell. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-05-mechanism-idd-benefit-stem-cells.html Medical research Wed, 02 May 2012 15:40:01 EST news255188355 (Medical Xpress) -- A research team from drug maker Novartis has discovered a compound that spurs cartilage growth in mice. As they describe in their paper published in the journal Science, the team has found that when a compound with molecules of kartogenin in it comes in contact with certain kinds of stem cells, chondrocytes develop, resulting in new cartilage growth, possibly paving the way perhaps, to a long sought treatment for osteoarthritis. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-04-team-compound-spur-cartilage-growth.html Medical research Fri, 06 Apr 2012 09:50:50 EST news252924623 Among patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing living-related kidney transplants, the use of bone-marrow derived mesenchymal (cells that can differentiate into a variety of cell types) stem cells instead of antibody induction therapy resulted in a lower incidence of acute rejection, decreased risk of opportunistic infection, and better estimated kidney function at 1 year, according to a study in the March 21 issue of JAMA. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-03-stem-cells-adults-donor-kidney.html Medical research Tue, 20 Mar 2012 16:29:21 EST news251479748 (Medical Xpress) -- University of Queensland scientists have developed a world-first method for producing adult stem cells that will substantially impact patients who have a range of serious diseases. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-02-breakthrough-stem-cell.html Medical research Mon, 13 Feb 2012 06:26:37 EST news248336784 In a study to be presented today at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine's annual meeting, The Pregnancy Meeting, in Dallas, Texas, researchers will report that early transplantation of human placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells into the lateral ventricles of neonatal rats with birth-related brain damage is possible, and that the donor cells can survive and migrate in the recipient's brain. The study was designed to have the rat's brain damage mimic brain injury in infants with very low birth weight. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-02-neurologic-rats-stem-cell-transplant.html Medical research Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:20:01 EST news248073922 University of Illinois researchers determined that an adult stem cell present in muscle is responsive to exercise, a discovery that may provide a link between exercise and muscle health. The findings could lead to new therapeutic techniques using these cells to rehabilitate injured muscle and prevent or restore muscle loss with age. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-02-triggers-stem-cells-muscle.html Medical research Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:39:51 EST news247754383 A research team led by UC Davis Health System scientists has developed a novel technique to enhance bone growth by using a molecule which, when injected into the bloodstream, directs the body's stem cells to travel to the surface of bones. Once these cells are guided to the bone surface by this molecule, the stem cells differentiate into bone-forming cells and synthesize proteins to enhance bone growth. The study, which was published online today in Nature Medicine, used a mouse model of osteoporosis to demonstrate a unique treatment approach that increases bone density and prevents bone loss associated with aging and estrogen deficiency. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-02-method-stem-cells-bone-formation.html Medical research Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:55:56 EST news247744547