UCI Team Discovers Bone Marrow Stem Cells’ Potential In Stroke Recovery

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By Estel Grace Masangkay

Bone marrow stem cells may help in stroke recovery, according to a team of researchers from the University of California, Irvines Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center.

Neurologist Dr. Steven Cramer and biomedical engineer Weian Zhao together analyzed 46 studies evaluating the use of a type of multipotent adult stem cells mostly processed from the bone marrow called mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) in animal models of stroke. Results showed that MSCs were superior to control therapy in 44 out of the 46 studies.

Dr. Cramer said Stroke remains a major cause of disability, and we are encouraged that the preclinical evidence shows [MSCs] efficacy with ischemic stroke. MSCs are of particular interest because they come from bone marrow, which is readily available, and are relatively easy to culture. In addition, they already have demonstrated value when used to treat other human diseases.

The MSCs effect on functional recovery was shown to be robust regardless of other factors such as dosage, time of administration relative to the stroke onset, or administration method. An earlier report focusing on MSC mechanisms of action explained how the cells were attracted to the injury sites and began releasing a wide range of molecules in response to signals emitted by the damaged areas. The molecules in turn stimulate several activities including blood vessel creation for enhanced circulation, protection of vulnerable cells, brain cell growth, and others. The MSCs also fostered an environment conducive to brain repair.

We conclude that MSCs have consistently improved multiple outcome measures, with very large effect sizes, in a high number of animal studies and, therefore, that these findings should be the foundation of further studies on the use of MSCs in the treatment of ischemic stroke in humans, said Dr. Cramer.

The UCI teams analysis appeared in the April 8 issue of Neurology.

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UCI Team Discovers Bone Marrow Stem Cells' Potential In Stroke Recovery

New thinking on brain-science therapies could help foster kids

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Therapies based on brain science and limited use of antipsychotic medications are the answer for thousands of foster kids whose traumatic childhoods have left them with depression and extreme aggression, according to a growing number of experts. Many children taking antipsychotic medications do not have psychosis but trauma-induced behavioral problems with symptoms that mimic mental illness, researchers and child advocates said.

Those symptoms are controlled through potent antipsychotics and antidepressants including Risperdal, Abilify and Zoloft, drugs sometimes prescribed to children for "off-label" reasons outside the realm of Food and Drug Administration recommendations.

Foster kids in 2012 were prescribed anti-psychotics at 12 times the rate of other children on government insurance, which has raised alarms that the drugs are overprescribed to a vulnerable group.

The drugs are among a broader class of mood-altering medications called psychotropics that are prescribed to more than one-quarter of the 16,800 foster children in Colorado. Antipsychotics are the most powerful of the group and have been linked to weight gain and diabetes in children, among other problems.

Momentum in the field of neurological, trauma-based therapies for children is building, and state child welfare programs including in Colorado are reacting by trying to reform their systems to make sure abused and neglected children are receiving appropriate therapy.

The progress is difficult to quantify, however. Colorado does not track how much it spends on trauma-focused therapies, but government insurance claims show the average annual Medicaid spending on psychotropic medications for foster children is $2,295 per child.

There is evidence in Colorado, though, that therapies focused on fixing developmental problems in children's brains caused by trauma are working.

At a Denver residential treatment center for children whose behavior is so explosive many were kicked out of foster homes, therapists try to change the way the kids' brains work and often with lower doses of medication than children were taking when they arrived. The average age of children at Mount Saint Vincent center is 9, and the average number of placements in the system by the time they arrive is six.

Most of the kids at Mount Saint Vincent, a former orphanage in northwest Denver, come full of psychotropic medications, some taking three or four at once to control their outbursts and settle their minds.

Soon after they arrive, consulting psychiatrists and therapists re-evaluate their dosages and try to lower them, sometimes switching to milder drugs from Risperdal to the more benign Clonodine, for example.

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New thinking on brain-science therapies could help foster kids

Workington Comets beaten again by Edinburgh in League Cup

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Last updated at 12:01, Monday, 14 April 2014

Workington Comets 43 Edinburgh 50: Edinburgh Monarchs heaped more misery on Workington Comets after beating them for the second time in just 24 hours with a 50-43 victory at Derwent Park.

Rene Bach

Comets endured a torrid evening in Scotland on Friday when they were beaten 55-38 by Edinburgh and the Monarchs claimed the double when they took four points away from Workington on Saturday night.

Comets captain Rene Bach scored the most points on the night, with 14, and Josh Grajczonek impressed with 11 points from five races.

But it turned out to be a battle of the reserves, with Edinburgh reserve pair Steve Worrall and Justin Sedgmen out-riding and out-scoring Workingtons Chris Mills and Ashley Morris.

Worrall was on top of his game and recorded 13 points from seven races, with Sedgmen claiming six points.

Whereas, Mills endured an evening of mechanical problems with his bike and picked up zero points, and Morris could only muster four points.

But the evening got off to a great start for Comets with a 4-2 win in the opening race.

Grajczonek was fastest out of the gate with team-mate Mason Campton hot on his heels, but former Comet Craig Cook overtook Campton on the third lap.

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Workington Comets beaten again by Edinburgh in League Cup

Gameday: Comets at Adirondack

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April 13, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL) Utica Comets UTICA COMETS (33-30-5-4) @ LAKE ERIE MONSTERS (29-32-1-9)

Glens Falls Civic Center, 5pm

Radio: 94.9 K-Rock

Tonight's Game: The Comets are in need of their third straight victory to remain in the thick of the playoff hunt, as they travel to Glens Falls to take on the Adirondack Phantoms for their final road contest of the season. Courtesy of two wins in Lake Erie, Utica has moved to within two points of eighth place in the Western Conference.

When They Last Met: The Utica Comets came up just short in the third period, as they dropped a tough 4-3 decision to the Adirondack Phantoms on Friday Feb. 28.Brandon DeFazio, Kent Huskins and Colin Stuart each scored for Utica, while Joacim Eriksson was denied his fifth victory of the month, as the Galve, Sweden native turned aside 21 of 25 shots in defeat.

Comets Outlook: In what goes down as another comeback for the ages, the Utica Comets earned an essential two points on Friday evening in Lake Erie, with a 3-2 shootout victory over the Monsters. Jeremy Welsh and Cal O'Reilly each scored for the Comets, who improved to 33-30-5-4. Alex Friesen, who had an assist during regulation, potted the game-winning goal during the first round of the shootout, while Brandon DeFazio also scored in the shootout session for Utica. Joe Cannata collected his tenth victory of the season with 28 saves on 30 shots, in addition to a perfect four of four during the shootout.

Phantoms Outlook: Although they had a contest scheduled last evening in Bridgeport, the Phantoms saw their game postponed due to ice conditions. On Friday evening, Adirondack dropped a 4-1 decision to the Worcester Sharks, with Brandon Alderson potting the only Phantoms goal. Center Freddie Hamilton and blueliner Adam Comrie recorded a goal and an assist apiece for the Sharks. Cal Heeter made 28 saves on 31 shots but took the defeat, while Harri Sateri was victorious with a 33 save effort.

Flair For The DramatiCal: Center Cal O'Reilly scored the goal that saved Utica's season on Friday night, as he tied the game in Lake Erie with his sixth of the season with just 1:58 to play. O'Reilly's goal extended his point streak to six games overall and nine games on the road. The Comets are 21-9-4 this season when O'Reilly records at least one point and 6-1-1 when he has a multi-point night.

Hakuna Cannata: Netminder Joe Cannata made 28 saves on Friday and has now lost just two times over his past eleven appearances. The Wakefield, MA native has allowed more than two goals just once over that time span. Cannata has amassed a .937 save percentage over his run and has seen his number for the season rise to .905. The Merrimack College graduate's goals against average has also dropped to 2.87.

Ring Jere-er: Center Jeremy Welsh remained hot against the Monsters, as his third period goal was his fifth over his past seven games. Welsh, who had just two goals this season prior to his run, also has points in seven of his past eight contests. When Welsh has found the score sheet this season, the Comets have compiled a 9-2-3 record.

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Gameday: Comets at Adirondack

Sufferers of skin disease in plea

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Tuesday, April 15, 2014

A group of psoriasis patients is urging the government to improve its system of medication.

Psoriasis is a disease that causes red and scaly patches on the skin.

It typically affects the outside of the elbows, knees or scalp and also itches, burns and stings.

Dermatologist Yeung Chi-keung said it is still not clear what causes psoriasis, though it is related to a disorder of the immune system.

"It is a common dermatological illness. It is not related to personal hygiene and is not infectious," Yeung said.

Gary Lai Hing-kwan, 43, a sufferer who is chairman of the Hong Kong Psoriasis Patients' Association, said those affected are generally prescribed with topical steroids for six months.

Around 20,000 to 30,000 people suffer from psoriasis, which is fourth in the 10 most common illnesses found here, and may affect children and adults.

Lai said the Hospital Authority may currently offer biologic drugs to patients, but they are not provided in the specialist out-patients' service due to the current medication system.

The association is holding a free talk on the disease on May 18. Registration may be made at psohkg@gmail.com or on 5542-6404. HILARY WONG

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Local businesses now required to post human trafficking notices

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Friday, April 11th, 2014 Issue 15, Volume 18.

Starting this month local businesses will have to post notices with information about organizations which seek to eliminate human trafficking and slavery as a result of a California Senate Bill that became law in January.

California Senate Bill 1193 will require certain types of business such as alcohol vendors, transit stations, airports and urgent care centers to post signage or a notice of some sort in both English and Spanish as well as one of nine other languages, depending upon what county the notice is posted.

The standardized notice that some businesses will need to start implementing encourages individuals engaged in activity that they cant opt out of to call either the Human Trafficking Resource Center or California Coalition to Abolish Slavery.

The following notice is what California businesses will Advertisement [ Fallbrook Mattress ] need to make visible:

"If you or someone you know is being forced to engage in any activity and cannot leave whether it is commercial sex, housework, farm work, construction, factory, retail, or restaurant work, or any other activity call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-888-373-7888 or the California Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CAST) at 1-888-KEY-2-FRE(EDOM) or 1-888-539-2373 to access help and

services."

Businesses that are required to post a notice but do not post one could be subject to a $500 fine for their first offense and a $1,000 fine for each subsequent offense, according to the wording of the

bill.

For more information about the bill and its contents, visit its corresponding page on the California State Senate website: http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201120120SB1193.

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Local businesses now required to post human trafficking notices

World Travel Radio with Phil Blizzard – "Passport to to the World" with a private jet vacation – Video

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World Travel Radio with Phil Blizzard - "Passport to to the World" with a private jet vacation
Travel presenter Phil Blizzard looks at a private jet world tour from #39;Abercrombie Kent #39; - priced at US$1.5 million for their #39;Passport to the World" trave...

By: PhilBlizzardTVDubai

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World Travel Radio with Phil Blizzard - "Passport to to the World" with a private jet vacation - Video

Voting opens ahead of World Travel Awards Europe Gala Ceremony 2014

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After an exhaustive search, World Travel Awards has revealed the nominees for its Europe Gala Ceremony 2014. Hundreds of entrants have been whittled down to the few who will proceed to the voting stage of the annual event, with industry professionals and members of the travelling public now invited to vote for nominee companies of their choice.

The results of the vote will be revealed at the Divani Apollon Palace & Thalasso, Athens, on August 2nd, where industry stakeholders from across the region will gather for the prestigious event.

The red-carpet evening is being held in partnership with the Greek Tourism Ministry, the Greek National Tourism Organisation, the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises and Divani Collection Hotels, and will include a gala dinner, top entertainment as well as the presentation of the most coveted awards in the industry.

Guests will also have the opportunity to participate in a full itinerary over the weekend, a 'journey through Greece', giving an insight into both its illustrious history and its vibrant contemporary culture.

World Travel Awards President Graham Cooke explained: "We have scoured the European continent to select the finest travel, tourism and hospitality organisations for inclusion in our list of 2014 nominees. Now it is over to you, our voters, to select the companies you deem most deserving of acclaim."

He added: "With the winners set to be announced in August, now is the time to make your mark on this prestigious event."

In the leading categories, Lufthansa will defend its title of Europe's Leading Airline from challengers including Iberia, TAP Portugal, Air France, KLM and British Airways, while Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt all go head-to-head in the fight for the title of Europe's Leading Car Rental Company.

In hospitality, keenly contested categories such as Europe's Leading New Hotel, which will this year see entries from Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace St. Petersburg, InterContinental Davos, InterContinental Marseille - Hotel Dieu, King George, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Rosewood London, Shangri-La Bosphorus, The Alpina Gstaad, The London EDITION, and W Verbier.

Niki Fotiou, Marketing & PR Manager, Divani Collection Hotels, added: "We are delighted to welcome World Travel Awards to Divani Apollon Palace & Thalasso and to Athens, Greece, for the first time. With voting now open the build up to the event has truly begun. Best of luck to all the Europe nominees and see you in August."

The full list of categories can be seen here.

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Voting opens ahead of World Travel Awards Europe Gala Ceremony 2014