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Stem cell therapy improves lives of pets

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An unprecedented stem cell procedure that's been used on athletes overseas is now helping to improve the quality of life for mans best friend.

The technique is only available at one animal hospital in Louisiana.

Dale Landry loves his dog, Ratchet, unconditionally. He said he's a friend who's stuck by him through many of life's adventures.

"He comes to my office; he's a very active dog. He's done water sports until about two years ago, rides in the boat, rides the Seado. He actually used to wakeboard with me," Landry said.

Ratchet has been a little less active lately. The almost 15-year-old labrador mix has recently been suffering from joint pain and hip arthritis.

"He's been more and more hunched in the back and crouched down in the hind end, so you could definitely tell he was having a little trouble getting up in the morning," said Dr. Gordy Labbe of the Metairie Small Animal Hospital.

Ratchet has been taking medication and has undergone laser treatments for a year, but Labbe tried a new option Wednesday in the form of stem cell therapy.

It's a breakthrough technique that has yet to be used on small animals. It's a new tool available to veterinarians to combat osteoarthritis and give hope to improving quality of life of canines, felines and equine patients.

Labbe is one of the 450 veterinarians across the nation to implement this American Veterinary Medical Association approved procedure.

The Metairie Small Animal Hospital is the only clinic in the state of Louisiana that offers the in-house technology.

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Stem cell therapy improves lives of pets

Physiology of Sodium and Potassium Balance (Renin, Angiotensin, Aldosterone, and ADH) – Video

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Physiology of Sodium and Potassium Balance (Renin, Angiotensin, Aldosterone, and ADH)
A review of the normal physiology of sodium, potassium, and water. Major topics covered include the renin angiotensin aldosterone system, the hypothalamic pi...

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Physiology of Sodium and Potassium Balance (Renin, Angiotensin, Aldosterone, and ADH) - Video

Turns out you can learn a lot from a belly button

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Salisbury, North Carolina

Catawba College News Service

SALISBURY It turns out you can learn a lot about microbiology by simply sampling the bacteria from a belly button. Catawba College students enrolled in Dr. Carmony Hartwigs microbiology and immunology course last spring swabbed their own navels and discovered a new bacterial world.

Hartwig says her class went wild when offered the chance to have some inquiry-based fun. Twenty students worked to emulate an N.C. State University research project studying belly button bacterial biodiversity done in conjunction with the N.C. Science Museum in Raleigh (Huclr et al., 2012; in the lab of Robert Dunn).

The original (NCSU) project used a high-throughput genetic sequencing method to look at identification of bacterial species from isolated individual navel cultures. I decided that since the students were in the process of learning microbial identification techniques through testing unknown bacteria this would be a fantastic opportunity to characterize one isolated bacterial colony from their own sample using both microscopy and biochemical tests.

We also decided to perform genetic sequencing of the students samples, which taught the students not only genetics-based laboratory skills, but bioinformatics techniques using known genetic information to get identification of an unknown species.

Hartwig explained that the DNA from each students belly button bacteria was isolated and then a probe was run for a specific and conserved 16S rRNA sequence. Of the samples sequenced we successfully generated over 50 percent clean and identifiable DNA sequence; fantastic for the first time our students attempted this kind of project, she added, noting that the biology department is doing a smaller inquiry-based modification to this project in the introductory molecules and cells course.

Senior Linda Castillo of China Grove was one of Hartwigs students and expressed her enthusiasm for the project. The belly button project was a great way to build skills required in a research environment. While we were performing this small research experiment, we learned the techniques to build and form many types of bacterial cultures. We awaited the results and problem-solved if something went awry.

Not only did Dr. Hartwig teach us the necessary for class, but she expanded it to give us a taste of what research really consists of. Each step of the way, we were curious to see what sort of bacteria each of us grew on our skin and were anxious to see the results making the experience all the more worthwhile and enjoyable!

When we began the experiment some of us were rather skeptical of the probability that we would get interesting results. This couldnt have been farther from the truth. After taking samples from our own belly buttons and culturing the bacteria, we were amazed to see that the type of bacteria from one student to the next varied greatly. We learned many laboratory techniques throughout this project and Dr. Hartwig did an amazing job of making us see lab as an exciting experience rather than work we were required to do, senior Juliana Conte of Hampton, Ontario, explained. It was interesting to take something that was on our bodies, culture it and analyze our results. Overall, it was a great experience.

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Turns out you can learn a lot from a belly button

Chapter 08 Microbial Genetics and Genetic Engineering – Cowan – Dr. Mark Jolley – Video

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Chapter 08 Microbial Genetics and Genetic Engineering - Cowan - Dr. Mark Jolley
Chapter 08 Microbial Genetics and Genetic Engineering - Cowan - Dr. Mark Jolley Dr. Mark Jolley, Cowan, Microbiology, Eagle Gate College, Provo College, Micr...

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Genetic engineering course wins Science magazine prize

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Public release date: 26-Sep-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Natasha Pinol npinol@aaas.org 202-326-6440 American Association for the Advancement of Science

Biology students at the University of Minnesota take a course in their very first semester in which they propose their own gene-based solution to a problem. Among the projects they have worked on was a camouflage military suit that could change color through the use of a gene that allows an octopus to camouflage itselfa technology that happened to be developed by the U.S. military a few years later.

"We've got these undergrads who propose amazingly practical, valuable, doable and sophisticated projects," Sue Wick, director of biology major undergraduate studies at the University of Minnesota and one of four professors there who developed the course.

Because of its effectiveness at teaching undergraduates how to think like professional biologists, the Genetic Engineering Proposal curriculum module has been chosen to receive the Science Prize for Inquiry-Based Instruction.

The Science Prize for Inquiry-Based Instruction (IBI) was developed to showcase outstanding materials, usable in a wide range of schools and settings, for teaching introductory science courses at the college level. The materials must be designed to encourage students' natural curiosity about how the world works, rather than to deliver facts and principles about what scientists have already discovered. Organized as one free-standing "module," the materials should offer real understanding of the nature of science, as well as provide an experience in generating and evaluating scientific evidence. Each month, Science publishes an essay by a recipient of the award, which explains the winning project. The essay about the Genetic Engineering Proposal, written by course co-creators Wick, Mark Decker, David Matthes and Robin Wright, will be published on September 27.

"We want to recognize innovators in science education, as well as the institutions that support them," says Bruce Alberts, editor-in-chief emeritus of Science. "At the same time, this competition will promote those inquiry-based laboratory modules with the most potential to benefit science students and teachers. The publication of an essay in Science on each winning module will encourage more college teachers to use these outstanding resources, thereby promoting science literacy."

From its inception, the Genetic Engineering Proposal course module has applied one main principle: that students should do biology, rather than just read about it. This idea was familiar to Wick, even when she was taking high school biology at her Milwaukee, Wisc., all-girls high school. Her teacher, a former medical technologist, made sure her students' science education was inquiry-based.

"There was inquiry, the idea of exploring, that we didn't know everything, that there were still so many things to discover, to explore and find out about," Wick says.

With her teacher's encouragement, Wick participated in a National Science Foundation summer high school program, took Advanced Placement biology, and ultimately went on to earn a PhD in the biological sciences.

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Genetic engineering course wins Science magazine prize

Joseph Purita, M.D. and Maritza Novas, R.N., M.S.N of Stem Cell Training, Inc., Keynote Speakers at Anti-Aging and …

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Miami (PRWEB) September 25, 2013

Two specialists from Stem Cell Training, Inc., a division of the Global Stem Cells Group, were invited keynote speakers at last months prestigious 7th annual World Meeting of the Australian Academy for Anti-Aging Medicine in Melbourne, Australia.

Joseph Purita, M.D. and Maritza Novas R.N., M.S.N., were in Melbourne August 24th and 25th for the two-day conference, focusing their discussions on stem cell medicine and its anti-aging applications. Purita and Novas joined other leaders from the worlds medical community to share cutting edge research and techniques from multiple medical streams to present groundbreaking advances in evidence-based, best-practice protocols for the early detection, prevention and treatment of obesity, metabolic disorders, related diseases and premature decline.

Purita, a lead trainer for Stem Cell Training, Inc. and a pioneer in the use of stem cells in orthopedics, graduated from Georgetown University Medical School and has been with the Boca Raton Orthopedic Group since 1981. He is a Global Stem Cell Group Advisory Board member and a member of the following organizations:

Purita is Board Certified by the following organizations:

Novas received her Medical Degree from the Medical School of University of Havana, completed her post-doctoral training and residency program in Family Medicine at the University of Phoenix, and is a member in good standing with the American Academy of Anti-aging medicine. She specializes in Functional Medicine, Age Management, Bio-identical Hormone Therapy, Weight Control and Rejuvenation. Novas has been a certified Adistem Specialist for more than four years.

Novas is a lead trainer with Stem Cell Training, Inc., having successfully trained and certified more than 150 physicians globally. She is also a member of Stem Cell Training, Inc.s of research and development team, and has assisted in the development of new proprietary adipose and bone marrow protocols currently being used in the companys comprehensive courses.

For more information, visit the Stem Cell Training, Inc. website, email info(at)stemcelltraining(dot)net, or call 305-224-1858.

About Global Stem Cells Group: Global Stem Cells Group, Inc. is the parent company of six wholly owned operating companies dedicated entirely to stem cell research, training, products and solutions. Founded in 2012, the company combines dedicated researchers, physician and patient educators and solution providers with the shared goal of meeting the growing worldwide need for leading edge stem cell treatments and solutions. With a singular focus on this exciting new area of medical research, Global Stem Cells Group and its subsidiaries are uniquely positioned to become global leaders in cellular medicine.

Global Stem Cells Groups corporate mission is to make the promise of stem cell medicine a reality for patients around the world. With each of GSCGs six operating companies focused on a separate research-based mission, the result is a global network of state-of-the-art stem cell treatments.

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Joseph Purita, M.D. and Maritza Novas, R.N., M.S.N of Stem Cell Training, Inc., Keynote Speakers at Anti-Aging and ...

Startups do promising work in drug development, stem cell therapy and advanced diagnostics

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The author has posted comments on this articleBiswarup Gooptu, ET Bureau | Sep 25, 2013, 09.19AM IST NEW DELHI: Demand for quality healthcare and easier access to capital have led to the launch of many startups working in such areas as new drug development, stem cell therapy and advanced diagnostics. This has made the sector one of the most vibrant in India's entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Delhi-based Invictus Technology, which develops drugs for cancer care, is due to begin pre-clinical trials. "These platinum-based drugs will be less toxic and more effective," said Shiladitya Sengupta, 40, cofounder of the startup launched in 2011. "We are not looking at simply treating cancer, we are looking to cure it," said Sengupta who is an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. This is the third startup that he has cofounded after Mitra Biotech, a Bangalore-based company that develops technology for personalised cancer therapy and Vyome Biosciences, which addresses skin diseases.

Entrepreneurs like Sengupta are targeting India's $78 billion ( Rs 48,984 crore) healthcare market, which is one of the most under-penetrated globally.

Twenty-four-year-old Zoya Brar quit her job at Google India last year to set up Core Diagnostics, along with colleague Arghya Basu, 27. The company offers high-end diagnostic services for cardiology and oncology,

"In this space, it is the pipeline that matters, not revenue, when it comes to establishing valuation," said Brar whose startup has already received Rs 27 cr of seed funding from Artiman Ventures. The company is now looking to expand into endocrinology and full and partial genome sequencing services.

"There are some very innovative ideas coming out of India, but early investors need to take more risks in backing the ventures," said Amit Varma, managing partner of Quadria Capital, a healthcare-focused private equity fund.

Invictus has garnered venture capital funding in spite of not generating much cash flow. Backed by Navam Capital and Aarin Capital, the company is looking to earn revenue by licensing its product across markets by 2015.

"It's a valuation play. We want to come out with India's first blockbuster cancer drug, and if phase-I trials are successful, then the company can be valued at between $100 million ( Rs 628 cr) and $150 million ( Rs 942 cr)," said Sengupta. Support is also coming from large pharma companies and hospital chains.

Stempeutics Research, which offers affordable stem cell-based therapeutics for the treatment of osteoarthritis and cirrhosis of the liver, is backed by the Manipal Group which runs a network of educational institutions and hospitals in Karnataka.

The Bangalore-based venture is currently conducting Phase-II trials in India and Malaysia for three products: Stempeucel, which focuses on treating cardiovascular, orthopaedics and respiratory diseases; Stempeutron, a device used for cosmetic therapy and Stempeucare that helps in skin regeneration.

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Startups do promising work in drug development, stem cell therapy and advanced diagnostics

Pets Best Insurance Announces Stem Cell Therapy and Regenerative Veterinary Medicine by Vet-Stem, Inc. Covered by …

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Poway, California (PRWEB) September 24, 2013

Vet-Stem, Inc., the world's leading Regenerative Veterinary Medicine company, is pleased to announce that Pets Best Insurance plans provide coverage for Regenerative Stem Cell Therapy. Pets Best Insurance knows that with pets come vet bills, especially when a pet is suffering from the pain of injury or arthritis. Pets Best Insurance wants the best for pets and their owners and Vet-Stem offers the best in regenerative medicine for them. Pets suffering from pain of osteoarthritis, joint issues, and injuries of the muscle, tendon and ligament can now be given stem cell therapy.

Vet-Stem first offered stem cell therapy for dogs and cats in 2007. One of the success stories and stem cell advocates is part of the Pets Best Insurance family, Jetta, owned by Greg McDonald, CEO of Pets Best Insurance.

Jack L. Stephens, DVM and President/Founder of Pets Best Insurance talks about Gregs experience: "Our CEO had a wonderful experience utilizing Vet-Stem therapy in his twelve year old lab. He loved throwing, and she loved chasing, a ball every evening. But as she aged, she just could not do it due to severe arthritis. Surgery was not a viable alternative and he asked me about stem cell therapy. I told him we had seen claims with the treatment and it was covered with our insurance. He had it done, her condition very much improved and she was able to chase the ball again. Pets Best Insurance provides full coverage for Vet-Stem Regenerative Cell Therapy, in fact we were early adopters of providing coverage and paying for the therapy. Any procedure performed by practicing veterinarians that helps pets, we are in favor of.

"We are proud that so many dog owners and veterinarians have placed their trust in Vet-Stem Cell therapy. We feel a great sense of accomplishment knowing that there are thousands of dogs and dog owners who have experienced the benefit of stem cell technology. This practical and beneficial application of technology puts stem cell therapy into the present day instead of a future theoretical concept. The fact that Pets Best provides coverage for our therapy is an added plus and makes this a viable treatment option for many more pet owners," said Robert Harman, DVM, MPVM, Founder and CEO of Vet-Stem.

For more information about Pets Best Insurance visit http://www.petsbest.com

About Vet-Stem, Inc. Vet-Stem, Inc. was formed in 2002 to bring regenerative medicine to the veterinary profession. The privately held company is working to develop therapies in veterinary medicine that apply regenerative technologies while utilizing the natural healing properties inherent in all animals. As the first company in the United States to provide an adipose-derived stem cell service to veterinarians for their patients, Vet-Stem, Inc. pioneered the use of regenerative stem cells in veterinary medicine. The company holds exclusive licenses to over 50 patents including world-wide veterinary rights for use of adipose derived stem cells. In the last decade over 10,000 animals have been treated using Vet-Stem, Inc.s services, and Vet-Stem is actively investigating stem cell therapy for immune-mediated and inflammatory disease, as well as organ disease and failure. For more on Vet-Stem, Inc. and Veterinary Regenerative Medicine visit http://www.vet-stem.com or call 858-748-2004.

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Pets Best Insurance Announces Stem Cell Therapy and Regenerative Veterinary Medicine by Vet-Stem, Inc. Covered by ...

The American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M) Concluded Four-Day Event in Boston This Past Weekend

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Boca Raton, FL (PRWEB) September 25, 2013

The American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M) hosted over 500 healthcare practitioners this past weekend. In addition to the several lectures given by distinguished medical experts, conference attendees also got the opportunity to experience dozens of exhibition booths as well as a mix and mingle networking reception, sponsored by several of the exhibiting companies.

Many medical professionals participated in the American Board of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine (ABAARM) exams as well as The American Board of Anti-Aging Health Practitioners (ABAAHP) written exam.

The FAARM modules included in this event were Modules IV, VII, XVI(C), and VII, as part of the Fellowship in Integrative Cancer Therapy.

Module IV: A Metabolic and Anti-Aging Approach to Amino-Acid Fatty Acid featured presentations by Jim LaValle, PhD, CCN, ND; Ron Rothenberg, MD; Robert Rountree, MD; FAARM director Pamela Smith, MD, MS, MPH; Sahar Z. Swidan, PharmD, BCPSD; and James Wilson, ND, DC, PhD.

Module VIII: A Metabolic, Anti-Aging, and Functional Approach to Psychiatry and Cancer Therapies, Nutrition and the Athlete was led by Jim LaValle, RPh; Todd LePine, MD; Mark Rosenberg, MD; Pamela Smith, MD, MS, MPH; and Catherine Willner, MD.

Speakers for Module XVI(C): Metabolic Cardiovascular Medicine included Mimi Guarneri, MD, FACS; Joel Kahn, MD, FACP, FSCAI; Joseph Lamb, MD; Deana Minich, PhD, FACN, CN; James Roberts, MD; and Pamela Smith, MD, MS, MPH.

Integrative Cancer Therapy Modules VII: Dietary Treatments of Cancer featured Fellowship director Mark Rosenberg, MD; Dwight McKee, MD; Barry Boyd, MD; Lise Alschuler, ND; Diana Noland, RD, MPH, CCN; and Patrick Quillin, PhD, RD, CNS.

The BHRT Symposium allowed expert speakers to present on various topics relating to hormone health in men and women. Speakers included Ron Rothenberg, MD; Pamela Smith, MD, MS, MPH; Jonathan Wright, MD; Thierry Hertoghe, MD; and Jennifer Landa, MD, OB/GYN. Topics ranged from Hypothyroidism and adult hormone deficiency to sexual dysfunction and adrenal fatigue, stress and cortisol.

For more information on future A4M BHRT symposiums or fellowship modules, please call 1.888.997.0112 or visit http://www.a4m.com.

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The American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M) Concluded Four-Day Event in Boston This Past Weekend

StemCells21 to Open Second Luxury Medical Center

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StemCells21 Company will open its second 5* medical facility. The new addition will feature state-of-the-art operation rooms, Cellular medicine laboratories and compounding nutrition & Hormone laboratories. All of which will be constructed to the highest standards and all class 10,000 clean room grade.

The focus of the new facility will be treating both the inside and the outside, to achieve higher quality service and potential outcome for their clients. From the onset the company focus has been to improve clients health using regenerative cellular medicine as its primary component with various supportive therapies. Over a number of years they have been observing clients show a more youthful appearance as one of the after effects of Adipose cell therapy. This observation drove them to develop integrative treatment programs to enhance on these positive outcomes. In respect making patients "feel as good as they looked" and visa-versa.

StemCells21s second medical facility will also offer a range of Cosmetic surgical procedures, performed by their board certified Plastic Surgeons, as a stand alone treatment or along side their Regenerative medicine & wellness programs.

Key features of the new facility:

Two state-of-the-art operation theatres Autologous cell processing laboratory Compounding nutrition and hormone laboratory

The above areas will be all class 10,000 clean room standard

Modern technology equipped health check up zones Full service Dental zone Luxury private surgery recovery suites all en-suite Private treatment or family treatment rooms

The following are among some of the treatments available their facilities with the addition of their new surgical center:

Bioidentical hormone therapy Autolgous cell therapy Cell Enriched fat transfer Cosmetic and Plastic surgery Joint repair treatments Medical weight loss management Medical laser therapy Personalized Nutrition & I.V. Nutritional Therapy Skin rejuvenation Wellness coaching

Both patients with current medical conditions, and health conscious people can benefit from one of their carefully planned treatment programs, tailor made to suit their needs. Anti-aging therapies and regenerative medicine can help slow the aging process and reduce the risk of developing diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, onset of heart disease, etc.

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StemCells21 to Open Second Luxury Medical Center