MedWorm Tags: cells

Mother Of 6 Winning Battle Against Leukemia Thanks To New Method

Cord Blood News — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 19:35:25 +0100

Thanks to umbilical cord blood cells and a new way to increase the number of cells exponentially, this Colorado mother of 6 is on her way to getting better. After giving birth prematurely she began chemotherapy treatments as well an infusion of almost 2.3 billion ( thats billion with a B!!) new cells harvested from umbilical cord blood. It seems that this could be the wave of the future, and although this is still in its experimental stages, there is hope for this mom and many others. You can continue reading here. watch this video for a comprehensive look at umbilical cord blood banking. {Click here for a free information packet and special coupon for MAZE Cord Blood Laboratories! } (Source: Cord Blood News)

Preparing Your Child to Be a Big Sibling

Cord Blood News — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 14:50:38 +0100

Preparing for a new baby? You’ll also have to prepare your firstborn for life with a newborn sibling. Here’s how to get him ready for (and even looking forward to) the newbaby’s debut and — his debut as a big sibling.It is one of those terribly frightening thoughts, that your older child will become the demon child once your newborn arrives. There are several ways to introduce the new baby and give the your older one big brother/sister responsibilities so that he is involved and welcoming of your nest addition. Read more at this terrific article on www.whattoexpect.com {Click here for a free information packet and special coupon for MAZE Cord Blood Laboratories! } (Source: Cord Blood News)

Penn’s Genetically Modified T Cells Create Antitumor Effect In Mice With Folate Positive Ovarian Cancer; Clinical Trial Pending

Libby's H*O*P*E* — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 22:50:23 +0100

In a recent issue of Cancer Research, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania showed for the first time that engineered human T cells can eradicate deadly human ovarian cancer in immune-deficient mice. A clinical trial involving the modified T cells is expected to be announced within the next few months. In a recent issue of Cancer Research, Daniel [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*)

Cord blood bill signed into Florida law

Cord Blood News — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 18:21:42 +0100

According to the Orlando Sentinel, a new bill in Florida last month requires health care providers to educate their clients about cord blood banking options, including public and private banks. In addition, the Florida Department of Health website has now included a link to a non commercial site, www.parentguidecordblood.org which explains the process of collecting cord blood at birth, the options, costs and accreditation. On this site is a cost comparison chart explaining initial and yearly costs for some private cord blood banks. Once you have done research on each bank, try to find the one that has no yearly fee, it will ultimately cost much less over the span of 20 years. You can read more about it , here. {Click here for a free information packet and specia...

Is Your Brain Shrinking ?

Doctor Kalitenko antiaging blog — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 17:51:16 +0100

A new study has shown that human brains tend to shrink over time; but that the brains of monkeys do not. Shrinkage of the brain means that there are a loss of cells, but why is it that monkeys do not experience this – yet humans do? It is suggested that this shrinkage may be the price we must pay for our extended lifespans, but could it be something else? The exposures and diet of a monkey are of course vastly different than that of our own – which opens the door to other explanations. Could it be toxicity instead of an extended life? For example: MSG, a common food additive – kills neurons in the brain, while other compounds such as Mercury and lead are brain toxic. How to protect yourself from toxins: Stay away from mercury: fish, amalgams for fillings. Stay away from...

Lasers Spur Bone Marrow Stem Cells To Do Heart Repair

FuturePundit — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Laser light summoned the stem cells from out of the dark bone marrow to do battle in the heart of the beast. Prof. Oron, who has long used low level lasers to stimulate stem cells to encourage cell survival and the formation of blood vessels after a heart attack, was inspired to test how laser treatments could also work to heal the heart. He and his fellow researchers tried different methods, including treating the heart directly with low level lasers during surgery, and "shining" harvested stem cells before injecting them back into the body. But he was determined to find a simpler method. After a low-level laser was "shined" into a person's bone marrow an area rich in stem... (Source: FuturePundit)

10 ways grandparents can stay out of trouble

Cord Blood News — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 16:14:55 +0100

Being a grandparent is easy, you get to lavish all the love and hugs to your new grandchild and then you get to leave. Or not. Its a slippery slope being a grandparent these days. There is so much information on the internet about pregnancy, labor and delivery, cord blood banking, and child rearing that it is dizzying. Things are different now than they were ‘back in the day’ and as grandparents you must learn to move forward with your child and grandchild in order to promote a successful grand-parenting experience for everyone. Here is a great article about how to do just that. {Click here for a free information packet and special coupon for MAZE Cord Blood Laboratories! } (Source: Cord Blood News)

Facebook Lets Expectant Parents Add Unborn Children to Friends & Family

Cord Blood News — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 15:31:08 +0100

Expectant parents can announce the good news to their Facebook friends via a brand new Facebook family member status option. We’ve told you about the online blogging FB journal set up by some expectant parents. This new section allows parents to be to update their pregnancy, including due dates, photos and perhaps the baby’s name. Once added, the unborn child is listed alongside family members on the user’s profile, and a notification is posted on the user’s Facebook wall. Is this TMI? Or just another way to enjoy your pregnancy? Its all about social media these days, so it seems appropriate to continue on this road. We are living in the virtual world, why not take advantage of it?? {Click here for a free information packet and special coup...

Why do I need prenatal vitamins, and how do I pick the best kind?

Cord Blood News — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 18:20:02 +0100

If your body is lacking in certain vitamins and minerals, taking prenatal vitamins is a must. Besides the obvious like calcium and iron, it is very very important to make sure you get enough folic acid. This helps to reduce the risk of neural tube defects,such as spina bifida among others. Making sure you are healthy inside and out during your pregnancy can only increase your chances of a having a healthy baby. If you are planning on becoming pregnant, make sure to start taking your prenatal vitamins before you try to conceive. It can only help !! For answers from the community of thebump.com, you can read more suggestions and answers here. {Click here for a free information packet and special coupon for MAZE Cord Blood Laboratories! } (Source: Cord Blood...

Fun Ways to Announce your Pregnancy

Cord Blood News — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 17:51:11 +0100

How did you tell your significant other about your pregnancy? How did you tell your parents/in-laws? There are so many different ways to surprise people with your announcement, that you can make that special moment a very unique one indeed. You can prepare a romantic dinner or make a funny video. If they are away on business or deployed you might think about sending a care package with some baby items in it. However you do it you will always remember the look on their faces, surprise, happiness and joy all rolled into one. You can read here for some more inventive ideas. {Click here for a free information packet and special coupon for MAZE Cord Blood Laboratories! } (Source: Cord Blood News)

A.M. Vitals: Pfizer Likely to Spin Off, Not Sell, Animal-Health Business

WSJ.com: Health Blog — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 12:48:04 +0100

Choosing a Spinoff: Pfizer is more likely to spin off its animal health division than to sell it, the WSJ reports, citing people familiar with the matter. The pharma company is still likely to entertain offers for the business, which could be worth as much as $15 billion, but tax and antitrust considerations make it unlikely it will opt for a sale and will instead prepare to spin it off, the paper says. Preemptive Strike: An Institute of Medicine report on the medical-device approval pathway known as 510K isn’t due out until tomorrow, but already industry supporters are gearing up to challenge the report and the panel that authored it, the New York Times reports. The Washington Legal Foundation, for example, claims the panel is biased because it lacks representation from industry, in...

VBAC — or Not VBAC?

Cord Blood News — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 16:55:41 +0100

It used to be the norm, that once you had a Caesarian section, you always had to have one. Not any more. However, opinions differ greatly when it comes to VBAC decision. VBAC is now considered a safe option for most women expecting twins, moms who have had two prior c-sections with a transverse incision, and even for those with an unknown incision type. Recovery for VBAC is usually faster which means a shorter stay in the hospital. This is a decision for you and your doctor together. If you feel you want to try, about 80 % of VABCs are successful. If you like the odds, then go for it, if you choose to have another section, remember its only important that the baby arrive safely. Read more here from Heidi Murkoff of Whattoexpect.com . {Click here for a fr...

Judge rejects lawsuit to stop federal funding of embryonic stem cell research

Mary Meets Dolly — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 16:34:40 +0100

In a reversal of a previous ruling, U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth has rejected the case brought by two adult stem cell scientists to halt the federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. Theresa Deisher, co-founder of the Sound Choice Pharmaceutical Institute, and James L. Sherley, a biological engineer at Boston Biomedical Research Institute claim that their research is negatively impacted by the National Institiutes of Health funding of embryonic stem cell research. They rightly argue that the NIH has limited funds for stem cell research. Money that is granted to embryonic stem cell research is not only prohibited by the Dickey Amendment but is money that could be spent on adult stem cell research instead. The Dickey-Wicker Amendment is a ver...

Harlem Hospital Promotes Collection of Life-Saving Umbilical Blood

Cord Blood News — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 16:45:06 +0100

Since its inception in December, the Harlem Hospital has collected 20 units of cord blood, well above their expectations and a desperately needed boost in the African-American and Latino communities where donations of bone marrow and cord blood lag severely behind that of whites. Umbilical cord blood has unique characteristics that make it desirable for transplants. Of the 9 million potential bone marrow donors on the national registry, only 650,000 — or 7 percent — are African American. Caucasians make up almost 80 percent of the national donor registry . It’s a disparity that leaves African Americans, Latinos, Asians and Native Americans at risk of dying from diseases that might be treated, said Dr. Edgar Mandeville, director of Obstetrics and Gynecolo...

Five Tips To Protect The Most Sensitive Skin

Better Health — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 21:00:24 +0100

Baby skin is sun-sensitive. Everyone wishes they had baby skin. It feels so soft and smooth; it’s perfectly adapted to induce us adults to want to clean their diaper, no matter how many times they dirty them. Like their big eyes and cute noses, baby skin is part of the whole package of being adorable. But like their eyes, their skin, however beautiful, is immature. Baby skin is thinner, has less natural moisturizers and has fewer pigment cells, making it more vulnerable to the environment than adult skin. This is important especially in summer. How often do you see babies running around on the beach with just a diaper on? Although they seem indestructable, they are more vulnerable than the adult holding the pail and shovel. Studies have shown that up to 83% of babies get sunburned their ...

New Contrast Agent Provides Better In Vivo Imaging Of Bacteria

Better Health — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 12:00:13 +0100

A new contrast agent based on maltodextrin has been developed at Georgia Tech that can provide in vivo imaging of bacteria with a sensitivity two orders of magnitude greater than previously achieved. Unlike most previous methods, the new probes are able to enter bacterial cells by pretending to be food, while avoiding being ingested by the mammalian cells. From Georgia Tech: Maltodextrin-based imaging probes consist of a fluorescent dye linked to maltohexaose, which is a major source of glucose for bacteria. The probes deliver the contrast agent into bacteria through the organism’s maltodextrin transporter, which only exists in bacterial cells and not mammalian cells. In experiments using a rat model, the researchers found that (more…) *This blog post was originally publi...

Cord Blood Banking – a decision for Mom and Dad

Cord Blood News — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 19:11:57 +0100

Examiner.com/Grand Rapids MI has just posted a comprehensive article explaining cord blood banking, its uses and what to look for if you are choosing to bank your baby’s cord blood privately as well as publicly. The author, Nancy Zielinski, is an expert in the fields of public and sexual health. You can read more here. (Source: Cord Blood News)

Biology's new "supermodel" induced pluripotent stem cells

Mary Meets Dolly — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 16:28:25 +0100

At least that is what The Scientist is calling them. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) are adult cells that have been reprogrammed back to a pluripotent state. A pluripotent cell is simply a cell can become most or all of the 200 cell types of the body. iPSCs behave like embryonic stem cells, which are naturally pluripotent, but iPSCs not require the destruction of an embryo. They are the perfect alternative to therapeutic cloning or somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). SCNT creates a cloned embryo that would be destroyed for the pluripotent stem cells inside. Many scientists have called SCNT "the most promising" way to make pluripotent stem cells because it would create embryonic stem cells that are a genetic match to a patient. The problem with SCNT is that to ...

Must-Know Tips for Summer Safety

Cord Blood News — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 18:53:09 +0100

Have you seen the summer forecast across the country???? The heat wave started in the West and is gradually moving towards the East Coast. Here are a few suggestions on how to have fun, safely, in the sweltering summer heat…. If you go to the beach, earlier in the morning and later in the afternoon after 4:00 are the best times to keep you and your family from sunburn. Remember, you still need sunscreen but the sun is at its hottest mid-day. Wearing a hat and a lightweight cover-up are 2 excellent ways to prevent sunburn as well. Wearing a hat can prevent sunstroke, when your body cannot manage its temperature. Re-apply, re-apply, re-apply…..we’re talking sunscreen….. an SPF above 30 or 40 is generally considered adequate. If you go to th...

What Is an Umbilical Cord Blood Transplant?

Cord Blood News — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 18:52:53 +0100

An umbilical cord blood transplant is a procedure used to treat various forms of blood disease, such as leukemia, certain types of anemia, and other forms of cancer. The umbilical cord contains stem cells, which can develop into healthy blood cells. Cord blood for an umbilical cord blood transplant can be used from the patient’s own umbilical cord, if it was banked, or from a donor’s cord blood. Banking your baby’s umbilical cord blood is very important in case your child ever needs it. There are many diseases it can help such as cerebral palsy, leukemias, myeloldysplastic syndromes (pre-leukemia) lymphomas, Erythrocyte, and other bone cancers. Read here for more extensive information on wisegeek.com If you go to this non commercial site and check out the comp...

Stem Cell Therapy Reduces Angina Incidence

FuturePundit — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

The objective of the trial was to determine whether delivery of autologous (meaning one's own)... (Source: FuturePundit)

New nanosurface a better way to grow adult stem cells

Mary Meets Dolly — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 19:06:25 +0100

Adult stem cell therapy requires that stem cells be harvested, then grown in a lab to sufficient quantities to allow for reinjection. This is called culturing. Scottish scientists had created a surface with tiny pits that allow adult stem cells to culture more effectively. From BBC News:A new plastic surface which overcomes the difficulties associated with growing adult stem cells has been developed, according to scientists....The new "nano-patterned" surface was created using a manufacturing process similar to that used to make Blu-ray discs.The surface is covered with tiny pits, which the researchers said made it more effective in allowing stem cells to grow and spread into useful cells for therapy.... The process of culturing is made difficult because stem cells grown on...

First Successful Implantation Of A Synthetic Trachea

Better Health — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 18:00:16 +0100

Clinicians at Karolinska University Hospital in Sweden are reporting that they successfully performed the world’s first implantation of a synthetic trachea. The organ was created from a biocompatible scaffold that was seeded with the 36 year old patient’s own stem cells inside a Harvard Bioscience bioreactor. The patient had been suffering from late stage tracheal cancer. Despite maximum treatment with radiation therapy, the tumor had reached approximately 6 cm in length and was extending to the main bronchus. It was progressing and almost completely blocked the trachea. Since no suitable donor windpipe was available, (more…) *This blog post was originally published at Medgadget* (Source: Better Health)

Advice I’m tired of hearing…

Cord Blood News — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 18:29:33 +0100

Sometimes, people just say the wrong thing, other times they say nothing at all. Giving advice to a pregnant woman is never, ever, a good idea, even if you have the best of intentions. People mean well, but there are times during pregnancy that we just want to make the important decisions that are right for us. Topics from having pain medications during labor and delivery, to breast feeding are very personal indeed. Read here for one woman’s take on getting advice from other new moms, and people who think their advice is the last word.. {Click here for a free information packet and special coupon for MAZE Cord Blood Laboratories! } (Source: Cord Blood News)

Embryonic stem cell trial begins to "treat" macular degeneration

Mary Meets Dolly — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 17:42:55 +0100

Last year the FDA gave Geron approval to begin trials with cells derived from embryonic stem cells on patients with recent spinal cord injury. Now the second trial with embryonic stem cell derivatives has begun. This time two women with different kinds of macular degeneration have been injected with these cells in what is being called a trial to "treat" eye disease. From the LA Times:Stem cell clinical trials to treat eye diseases begin at UCLAAfter more than 20 years of research, doctors at UCLAs Jules Stein Eye Institute have begun treating the first patients in clinical trials for two progressive eye diseases that cause blindness: dry age-related macular degeration and Stargardts macular dystrophy.The patients were given an injection of specialized eye cells that wer...

What are Umbilical Stem Cells?

Cord Blood News — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 19:20:54 +0100

Cord-Blood Banking Here is an excerpt from an article on kidshealth.org After a baby is delivered, the mother’s body releases the placenta, the temporary organ that transferred oxygen and nutrients to the baby while in the mother’s uterus. Until recently, in most cases the umbilical cord and placenta were discarded after birth without a second thought. But during the 1970s, researchers discovered that umbilical cord blood could supply the same kinds of blood-forming (hematopoietic) stem cells as a bone marrow donor. And so, umbilical cord blood began to be collected and stored. What are blood-forming stem cells? These are primitive (early) cells found primarily in the bone marrow that are capable of developing into the three types of mature blood cells present in our blood �...

Prenatal Massage Tips to Relieve Headaches, Fatigue, Nausea & more…

Cord Blood News — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 19:08:13 +0100

The quiet, the calm, the massage, the alone time…… When you are pregnant, your body can ache, you may get headaches from hormones or exhaustion. You might feel nauseous and over all malaise. If you have the time try to get a prenatal massage. During pregnancy, women suffer from all sorts of discomforts. Unfortunately, traditional medicine offers few ways of alleviating these problems. By learning how to soothe aches and pains with safe, therapeutic massage techniques, moms-to-be can learn to better cope with the changes of pregnancy. Learning how to take charge of her own pregnancy can help an expecting mom feel healthier, more energetic, and more in-control physically and mentally. You can read more here to learn how to de-stress and take care of YOU! {Click...

AABB SmartBrief: Mismatched cord blood transplants can be effective

The Daily Sign-Out — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 18:09:16 +0100

Studies: Mismatched cord blood, marrow transplants can be effective Results of transplants with unrelated umbilical cord blood or mismatched bone marrow were comparable with results of transplants that used fully matched tissue, according to two studies involving patients with advanced leukemia or lymphoma. The studies, reported in Blood, found that the one-year survival rate for those who had unrelated cord-blood transplant was 54% and 62% for those who underwent mismatched bone marrow transplant. "Taken together, these results set the stage for a multicenter, randomized phase III trial to evaluate the relative risks and benefits" of such regimens, the researchers said. MedPage Today (7/9) (Source: The Daily Sign-Out)

RNA Reprograms Brain Cells Into Heart Muscle Cells

FuturePundit — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Some U Penn researchers injected RNA from heart cells into astrocytes and fibroblasts and in each case the cells converted into the cell type that the RNA came from. PHILADELPHIA - For the past decade, researchers have tried to reprogram the identity of all kinds of cell types. Heart cells are one of the most sought-after cells in regenerative medicine because researchers anticipate that they may help to repair injured hearts by replacing lost tissue. Now, researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania are the first to demonstrate the direct conversion of a non-heart cell type into a heart cell by RNA transfer. Working on the idea that the signature of a cell is defined... (Source: FuturePundit)

NASCAR drivers promote banking cord blood at Florida Hospital event

Cord Blood News — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 16:59:25 +0100

Below is an excerpt from an article in the Orlando Sentinel about cord blood, its uses, and how people can go about understanding its benefits and even why they should bank it in the first place. “On a lawn beneath Florida Hospital’s Walt Disney Pavilion, NASCAR drivers and their cars were on hand Thursday morning to promote a new program that banks umbilical-cord blood. Beyond the cars, cameras and festival atmosphere is a new partnership between the hospital and a group that collects and stores cord blood from new mothers for procedures that can cure as many as 70 diseases. The program at Florida Hospital will allow pregnant women to donate their cord blood after they deliver their babies. That blood is rich in stem cells, the versatile cells that ca...

Sciatica During Pregnancy

Cord Blood News — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 16:45:44 +0100

sci·at·i·ca –noun 1. pain and tenderness at some points of the sciatic nerve, usually caused by a prolapsed intervertebral disk; sciatic neuralgia. 2. any painful disorder extending from the hip down the back of the thigh and surrounding area. Unfortunately, sciatica is one of the most painful types of back pain and is common in pregnancy. It usually occurs when the baby shifts or moves and lands on a nerve. Tips to alleviate the pain might include, getting off your feet , if only for a little while, while sitting, raise one leg on a step stool or a pile of books. You can read more here for other tips and helpful hints to ease the pain of sciatica. (Source: Cord Blood News)

July is Cord Blood Awareness Month!!!!

Cord Blood News — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 16:45:35 +0100

July is Cord Blood awareness month. What exactly is cord blood? Umbilical cord blood is the blood collected from the umbilical cord immediately following the birth of a child. This blood provided nourishment for the baby during pregnancy, but once the baby is delivered, umbilical cord blood is no longer necessary. Umbilical cord blood is rich in multipotent hematopoietic “stem cells” (or blood stem cells). These cord blood stem cells produce the cellular ingredients necessary for the blood and the immune system. When the umbilical cord blood cells are transplanted into patients, they can help restore the immune and blood systems to help fight diseases and replace diseased blood. Collecting your child’s umbilical cord blood and saving it in a cord blood ban...

Dadchelor’ parties celebrate pregnancy with male bonding and beers

Cord Blood News — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 18:03:56 +0100

So our SO’s are feeling a little neglected so they came up with a great way to bond and share beer. What could be better? Dad-to-be parties — also called “dadchelor,” or “forefather” parties — have become more popular in the past few years. For the most part, these aren’t sleazy retreads of “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” bachelor bashes. Instead, participants say, this new male-bonding ritual is all about welcoming a major milestone that, for today’s hands-on dads, is even more life-changing than marriage. Read the rest of the article here. These days men are just as excited to become Dads and they have just as many apprehensions as we do. Perhaps given a place to hang as an informal gathering, they can get informati...

10 Things You Should Never Say to a Pregnant Woman

Cord Blood News — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 16:59:54 +0100

As any pregnant woman knows, once you’re with child, it seems like everyone’s got something to say. And while it’s often with the best intentions, some people don’t seem to realize that they’re talking to a very hormonal, uncomfortable, and extremely hungry woman-on-the-verge, whose emotions are so whacked out that she’ll either burst into tears or cut you. Right now, it’s not a good time! You can read here for a list of what NOT to say.. {Click here for a free information packet and special coupon for MAZE Cord Blood Laboratories! } (Source: Cord Blood News)

Smoking in pregnancy tied to child’s cholesterol

Cord Blood News — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 20:30:16 +0100

A new study reported by Reuters from the European Heart Journal describes the effects on children whose mothers smoked while they are pregnant. The study indicates that smoking in pregnancy can lead to lower levels of HDL or ‘good’ cholesterol thus making them more prone to heart disease later in life. “Our results suggest that maternal smoking ‘imprints’ an unhealthy set of characteristics on children while they are developing in the womb, which may well predispose them to later heart attack and stroke,” said David Celermajer, a professor of cardiology at the University of Sydney. Read here for more information {Click here for a free information packet and special coupon for MAZE Cord Blood Laboratories! } (Source: Cord Blood Ne...

Breastfeeding Benefits — Add One More to the List!

Cord Blood News — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 19:53:17 +0100

It never hurts to add one more benefit to breastfeeding. According to WhattoExpect.com here is yet another good reason to breastfeed your baby. Researchers found that infants who are even briefly breastfed are 60% less likely to be affected by sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) than babies who aren’t breastfed at all. And that percentage grows the longer the baby is breastfed. You can read more here.. {Click here for a free information packet and special coupon for MAZE Cord Blood Laboratories! } (Source: Cord Blood News)

How umbilical cord blood saved one boy’s life.

Cord Blood News — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 20:59:47 +0100

Here is an article which explains that by saving their sons’ umbilical cord blood, they ultimately saved his life. The parents of Jesse F.decided to bank his cord blood ‘just in case’. Lucky for him that they did. They used his own stem cells when chemotherapy was so intense that it destroyed his bone marrow. Today, Jesse is a thriving 10 year old. Read here for more information. Banking your baby’s umbilical cord blood is very important in case your child ever needs it. There are many diseases it can help such as cerebral palsy, leukemias, myeloldysplastic syndromes (pre-leukemia) lymphomas, Erythrocyte, and other bone cancers. If you go to this non commercial sit...

Parents Make Facebook Page for Unborn Child; Becomes Online Journal

Cord Blood News — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 20:24:26 +0100

We all know about Facebook. We all know that we can re connect with old friends and make new one via this site. However, the parents of this yet unborn baby have already made a page for her and while doing so created an online journal of their nine months of pregnancy. Many days had posts of the baby girl’s progress and the daily accounting of the parents as well. Although Facebook does not allow underage children to have their own page, this was created, obviously, by her parents for good natured reasons. It became a way for their families to keep in contact with one another as well as with the parents-to-be…read more here Creating a journal helps us remember the little things, like when we first felt a kick or heard a heartbeat. In addition i...

Predicting Gestational Diabetes–Is it Possible?

Cord Blood News — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 20:24:17 +0100

Many factors play a part in predicting gestational diabetes. Being aware of the possibility that you may be at risk is the first step in being able to manage it during your pregnancy. Women with gestational diabetes have higher overall risk during pregnancy, including higher risk of cesarean delivery, neonatal intensive unit admissions, and overall serious injury at birth. Remember knowledge is power and the more you know the more you can be prepared and have the healthiest pregnancy you can have. Read more: http://technorati.com/women/article/predicting-gestational-diabetes-is-it-possible/#ixzz1PHe6OtfC {Click here for a free information packet and special coupon for MAZE Cord Blood Laboratories! } (Source: Cord Blood News)

A look back at Proposition 71

Mary Meets Dolly — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 16:46:56 +0100

Actor Brad Pitt expresses his endorsement of Proposition 71, the California Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative, at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2004.Back in 2004, California voted to fund embryonic stem cell research to the tune of $3 billion dollars, $6 billion with interest. Considering that no one had ever been treated with embryonic stem cells, Proposition 71 was an outrageous proposal. The priority for funding was to be given to embryonic stem cell research, including cloning human embryos to harvest stem cells, when adult stem cell research was already treating patients. It seemed impossible that such a large sum of hard-earned tax payer dollars was going to be spent on research that had yet to even receive an approval from the FDA for human trials. The...

1 in 4 dads suffers a ‘pregmancy’

Cord Blood News — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 16:11:10 +0100

Men have become so closely involved with their partner’s pregnancy that 23 percent report emotional and physical changes often associated with women. Research found they become more emotional, “weepy”, and suffer mood swings, nausea and even phantom pregnancy pains. Men have more involvement and are more in tuned with their partners needs and desires as well as a desire to be an involved parent. Continue reading here for additional information {Click here for a free information packet and special coupon for MAZE Cord Blood Laboratories! } (Source: Cord Blood News)

CNN reports: Should you save your child’s cord blood?

Cord Blood News — Tue, 31 May 2011 16:08:52 +0100

Is saving your child’s cord blood a wise investment for future stem cell therapy? That is the question many parents are asking when they learn they are pregnant. CNN reports via parenting.com that it is important to do your research carefully and find the appropriate cord blood bank that fits your needs. According to the article it can cost $3600 or more over the course of your 18 year investment.However, MAZE Cord Blood Laboratories is 55% less costly than other banks which charge a yearly fee to store the blood. The reason? MAZE does NOT charge an annual fee, rather, they have one price which can be paid in full or over time, and that is it. You can read here for further information. {Click here for a free information packet and special coupon for MAZE Cord Blood Labora...

Good Perfectionism versus Bad Perfectionism

World of Psychology — Mon, 16 May 2011 16:00:07 +0100

Although perfectionism undoubtedly brings me suffering and pain, I’ve come to appreciate the snobby part of my personality because it also bear gifts, especially over time. For the last three years, perfectionism has placed me in an okay spot in a terrible economy. Had I not invested so many hours into networking and writing blogs the last five or so years, sometimes on top of full-time employment and other responsibilities, I would not have a job right now. And spending a night or two recently with friends of friends I knew back in high school made me proud of all the therapy and recovery I have done since graduating. Had I not held myself to a high standard back then, I wouldn’t have quit drinking at the age of 18, and may still be hitting the bars at night. Perfectionism can even be...

TWiV 133: The HIV hideout

virology blog — Sun, 15 May 2011 21:00:14 +0100

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Rich Condit, Dickson Despommier, Alan Dove, and Kathleen Collins Vincent, Rich, Alan, and Dickson discuss the cellular reservoir of HIV-1 with Kathleen Collins, MD, PhD. Click the arrow above to play, or right-click to download TWiV #133 (42 MB .mp3, 87 minutes). Subscribe to TWiV (free) in iTunes , at the Zune Marketplace, by the RSS feed, by email, or listen on your mobile device with the Microbeworld app. Links for this episode: HIV-1 infects multipotent progenitor cells (Nature Medicine) CXCR4 is HIV-1 co-receptor in multipotent hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (Cell Host Microbe) TWiV and TWiM live at ASM General Meeting, New Orleans TWiV on Facebook Letters read on TWiV 133 Weekly Science Picks Kathleen – TRIM5 is an innate immune sen...

Good and Bad News for Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Mary Meets Dolly — Fri, 13 May 2011 21:25:11 +0100

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) are adult cells that have been reprogrammed back to an embryonic-like (pluripotent) state without creating or destroying embryos. Prolifers have been pointing to iPS cells since they were created as an alternative to destroying embryos for embryonic stem cells. Unlike embryonic stem cells that come from an embryo that is genetically different, iPS cells would be better for transplant because they would already be a genetic match to the patient. iPS cells are also an alternative to cloning embryos for stem cells. The only reason to clone an embryo to harvest stem cells would be to get embryonic stem cells that are a genetic match to the patient. iPS technology achieves the same result as cloning without any eggs and without cloning and dest...

Sleeping and pregnancy

Cord Blood News — Fri, 13 May 2011 17:52:37 +0100

Two words which become elusive as the months go on. Sleep and Pregnancy. For a safer pregnancy, make sure to sleep on your left side as it increases blood flow and nutrients to the baby. For the first twenty weeks it is safe to sleep on your back but after that it isn’t advisable because of the pressure your body puts on your arteries. Also, it’s perfectly fine to use an electric blanket when you’re pregnancy, just make sure your body temperature does not go above 120 degrees. Here are some great tips on how to get the best and safest sleep during your pregnancy. {Click here for a free information packet and special coupon for MAZE Cord Blood Laboratories! } (Source: Cord Blood News)

Using Music to Relieve Depression

World of Psychology — Fri, 13 May 2011 15:37:54 +0100

Caught in a terrible conundrum of whether I should break my diet over New York Super Fudge Chunk or Chunky Monkey at Ben and Jerry’s yesterday, I was reading the different fliers pinned to the community bulletin board inside this 200 square feet of ice-cream heaven. One flier read: “Got the blues? Learn to play them!” I don’t know whether to blame the kids or my depression for my stupidity (the death of my brain cells in the prefrontal cortex), but I had to read these seven words four times (that’s 28 words) before I understood the message, which is an important one: Music can help treat depression. Back before my Prozac and Zoloft days, music was my sole therapy. I pounded out Rachmaninoff’s “Prelude to C Sharp Minor” as a way of processing...

Are Home Pregnancy Tests Accurate?

Cord Blood News — Tue, 10 May 2011 17:22:45 +0100

Finding out you are pregnant is one of the most exciting things about having a baby. But how soon is it to take a test? and how accurate can they be at such an early stage. Are there some which are more accurate than other? Woahhhhh! These are all great questions which can be answered in a comprehensive article written by our friends over at Whattoexpect.com .Here is an article on the best way to get accurate information on whether you are pregnant or not. Click here for more information. Once your pregnancy is confirmed by a home test you should schedule an appointment with your ob/gyn to start a good vitamin and healthy eating regiment. This is also a great time to start doing research on banking your child’s cord blood. Click here for a co...

Chicago Bulls Forward praises stem cell transplant

Cord Blood News — Mon, 09 May 2011 19:06:39 +0100

Chicago Bulls forward Carlos Boozer’s son was diagnosed with sickle cell anemia. He and his wife (at the time) decided to have stem cells transplanted from a healthy sibling to Carmani, who has the disease. Its been 4 years since then and all is well with the little boy once diagnosed with the devastating disease. “It teaches you how precious life really is,” Boozer said, remembering the profound effect of witnessing families losing their children. “You can’t really sweat the things that don’t matter.” You can read the entire article here. THere are many diseases that can be treated with stem cells and the list is growing all the time. Read here for a list of conditions treated with stem cells and consider banking your newbo...

Pharmalot… Pharmalittle… Good Morning

Pharmalot — Thu, 05 May 2011 12:09:04 +0100

Good morning and nice to see you again. A busy morning here on the Pharmalot corporate campus, where we have been hustling various short people off to the local school house for some learning. To cope, we are, of course, sipping that needed cup of stimulation. Please feel free to join us. Meanwhile, we are gearing up for another busy day of phone calls and our own version of R&D. And so here are some tidbits as you gear up for your own challenges. Hope all goes well and be in touch… Allergan Licenses Drug For Retinal Disease (Reuters) Osteoporosis Drug Linked To Rare Thigh Fractures (Wall Street Journal) Ranbaxy May Pay $1B Fine For Manufacturing Problems (Economic Times) Glaxo Is Ready To Settle Another 1,000 Avandia Lawsuits (Bloomberg News) Merck And Astra Asthma Pills As Goo...

CBS’ The Doctors on Stem Cells and Cord Blood

Cord Blood News — Wed, 04 May 2011 19:11:28 +0100

On the most recent episode of The Doctors on CBS is an awesome segment about stem cells and cord blood. The Doctors answer a question from a women deciding whether she should store her third child’s cord blood. The collective answer was a resounding ‘yes’. They speak about the overwhelming and positive potential of stem cells and cord blood. If stored, your family is protected should the need for a stem cell transplant arise. The Doctors call it insurance. Hope that you have it if necessary, just like any other insurance. They explain that the benefits outweigh the costs and to make sure the company you choose is accredited and approved by the FDA. In addition, they note that some companies charge a yearly fee, however, MAZE Cord Blood Bank charges only a...

Catholic scientists trail blazing in cardiac adult stem cells

Mary Meets Dolly — Wed, 04 May 2011 01:07:18 +0100

From the Catholic Sentinel:LOS ANGELES Dr. Eduardo Marban, director of the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute in Los Angeles, and his wife Linda Marban, research manager for Cedars-Sinais Board of Governors Heart Stem Cell Center, are blazing a new trail in adult cardiac stem-cell research.In a first-ever clinical trial, a small sample of a patients own heart tissue is used to grow specialized heart stem cells. The stem cells are then injected back into the patients heart in an effort to repair and re-grow healthy muscle in a heart that has been injured by heart attack.The trial could start a new era of treating heart disease, which is the No. 1 killer of men and women in the United States. If cardiac regeneration is possible, then people who suffer heart attacks might be able to achiev...

Catholic scientist trail blazing in cardiac adult stem cells

Mary Meets Dolly — Wed, 04 May 2011 01:07:18 +0100

May is Pregnancy Awareness Month

Cord Blood News — Tue, 03 May 2011 20:40:23 +0100

IF you are pregnant, or are planning to become pregnant shortly, May is Pregnancy Awareness Month. Created by an author and lifestyle expert, Anna Getty, and producer and mompreneur Alisa Donner.Four initiatives for pregnancy awareness are education, exercise, nutrition and wellness. The idea was ’born’ while trying to integrate these elements into our daily lives while we are pregnant. Hopefully they will continue after labor and delivery and become second nature in our everyday lives. Read this article for more information. Remember also to research and choose a cord blood bank where you can store your baby’s umbilical cord blood with no monthly fee. {Click here for a free information packet and special coupon for MAZE Cord Blood ...

Appeals Court Says Embryonic Stem-Cell Research Can Proceed

WSJ.com: Health Blog — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 17:43:59 +0100

Embryonic stem cells under a microscope. The direction of stem-cell research has been uncertain since August, when a U.S. judge ruled the federal government couldn’t pay for any research that involved destroyed embryos. As our colleagues at the WSJ’s Law Blog report, however, an appeals court has reversed that ruling. Here’s the appeals court’s full decision. As the Law Blog writes, of the 2-1 decision by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals: The Circuit Court said the National Institutes of Health reasonably concluded that government funding for embryonic stem-cell research is not prohibited by a 1996 law that bars the use of federal money for research in which an embryo is destroyed. Writing for the majority, Judge Douglas Ginsburg wrote that the balance of equit...

The facts about cord blood banking

Cord Blood News — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 17:36:40 +0100

The big day has arrived, your contractions are minutes apart, and you’re on your way to the hospital. The idea of finally getting to hold your perfect baby in your arms helps you through the contractions. Already your mind is dancing with visions of your baby’s future — first smile, first tooth, first word, first step, holidays, and sporting events. The furthest thoughts from your mind are the first illness or, should the unspeakable happen, your child ever became seriously ill. No parent wants to think their child might get sick someday but it is wise to consider the possibility. There is a decision available when your baby is born that could greatly influence his future health. It’s the decision to bank your infant’s cord blood. So much media attent...

An in depth look at prenatal screening tests

Cord Blood News — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 17:00:58 +0100

Deciding what tests you want to have while you’re pregnant can be mind boggling. You can choose no testing at all with the thought that you wouldn’t terminate the pregnancy anyway. Or you can choose blood tests only because they are less invasive. You can also choose to have all the tests with the idea that knowing before hand is a comfort for you. This is one of the most personal decisions you will ever make during your pregnancy. Usually a pregnant women can have a basic screening test followed by a diagnostic test to confirm or deny the earlier results. They are usually more conclusive. Other tests may include an amniocentesis, where fluid is removed and analyzed for possible genetic defects. In addition, many women have rou...

7 Tips for Coping with Finals

World of Psychology — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 15:45:49 +0100

It’s that time again if you’re a college or graduate student — time for finals. It’s also time to self-sabotage, to get in your own way in terms of effective studying. We stress out more than usual, even when we’re on top of the material, because of the anxiety surrounding test-taking. But you don’t have to stress out about final exams. You can actually do better (and feel better about your performance) if you keep the stress at bay and focus on simple study skills over the next few weeks. Here’s a few tips for coping with finals to get you started. None of these are going to be eye-opening or stuff you don’t already know… But sometimes we need to be reminded of the things we already know, to drive home their importance. 1. Schedule yo...

Ways to keep your pregnancy healthy and green.

Cord Blood News — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 16:34:13 +0100

From the moment you find out that you are pregnant, your mind is going in 1000 different directions. First and foremost, usually, is how to have a healthy pregnancy, labor and delivery. There are a few things you can do immediately which add to yours as well as your baby’s health.First, drink plenty of water and although you might be inclined to use those nifty water bottles, the truth is that the water in them is not as regulated than that of tap water. Buyer beware. Next, find those vegetables! Shop local if you can and remember to always wash them right before you eat them. They will stay fresher longer that way. Whenever possible, walk instead of using the car. You will get the exercise you need while helping the environment as the same time. If you ...

Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)

Inside Surgery — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 06:00:43 +0100

Pathophysiology group of disorders (at least nine different variants) in which a hematopoietic stem cell becomes neoplastic or alternately an individual lineage of stem cells (e.g., erythrocytes, monocytes, granulocytes, or megakaryocytes) becomes neoplastic Signs and Symptoms 1) usually presents with signs of anemia – pallor, fatigue, weakness 2) splenomegaly 3) hepatomegaly 4) hemorrhage in GI tract and CNS if platelets are < 20,000/dL 5) dyspnea owing to infiltration of lung by leukocytes 6) secondary infections 7) gingival hyperplasia Characteristic Test Findings Bone marrow – 1) by definition, > 30% of nucleated cells are blasts Laboratory – 2) anemia 3) thrombocytopenia 4) neutrophilia (but total leukocyte count may be increased or decreased) Histology/Gross Patholo...

Pregnancy dreams and what they mean….

Cord Blood News — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 18:04:21 +0100

Remember those vivid dreams of forgetting the baby somewhere? Or that he looks like a furry animal? Dreams are usually a manifestation of lack of sleep and/or stressful situations. During your pregnancy, you may experience some of these unusual dreams. Not to worry, though, according to this article nearly three quarters of all pregnant women admit to having strange dreams. Because your dreams may be negative does not necessarily mean you’re going to be a bad mom. It just means that perhaps your REM (rapid eye movement) may be disturbed causing these weird dreams. In any case, read here for some introspective meanings of dreams. (Source: Cord Blood News)

Cord Blood Banking Pros and Cons

Cord Blood News — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 16:56:22 +0100

Choosing where and how to bank your baby’s umbilical cord blood often brings many questions to light. For instance, if a transplant is needed, and you’ve stored your baby’s cord blood in a public facility, finding a match can be difficult. Private banks may charge a yearly fee after an initial payment. You might want to find one that only charges a one time fee. After all, there are private banks and public banks and each has its own list of positives and negatives. Listed here are answers to some basic questions to help you make an informed decision on cord blood banking. (Source: Cord Blood News)

12 Important Questions To Ask a Potential Pediatrician

Cord Blood News — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 16:42:51 +0100

During the middle trimester of pregnancy, its important to start coordinating all post birth lists. Choosing a pediatrician can be difficult if you haven’t received a recommendation. Because we all have different parenting styles and have different needs, babble.com has come up with 12 questions you might ask a pediatrician as you are interviewing them. Yes, that’s right YOU are interviewing them!! You might want to find out their opinion is on cord blood banking, whether or not they know of certain banks which provide the service without a yearly fee. Or you may want to find out their willingness or unwillingness to prescribe antibiotics, what their opinion of breast-feeding vs bottle feeding is or how their parenting advice compares with your own. Read he...

Just For Expecting Dads – Sex and Pregnancy

Cord Blood News — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 14:05:19 +0100

This article cites possible problems and answers to these very sensitive questions. It covers all the bases from sexual positions to high risk pregnancies. Remember to include the expectant Dad in the important decisions regarding Cord Blood Banking. Click on the link here for information about it that you might forward to him. Here is a video by Dr. Michael Werner explaining in detail the process and the successes of umbilical cord blood banking. Read here for more information. (Source: Cord Blood News)

Human heart grown with adult stem cells

Mary Meets Dolly — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 16:15:14 +0100

This is very interesting. Researchers in Minnesota have grown a human heart from adult stem cells. Hear that Minnesota? No cloning was used. As far as I can see not one Minnesota newspaper has picked up this story. Here is a tip: spend less time arguing about SCNT and more time talking about and supporting this kind of research. From The Daily Mail:Scientists are growing human hearts in laboratories, offering hope for millions of cardiac patients.American researchers believe the artificial organs could start beating within weeks.The experiment is a major step towards the first grow-your-own heart, and could pave the way for livers, lungs or kidneys to be made to order.The organs were created by removing muscle cells from donor organs to leave behind tough hearts of conn...

Earth Day and what YOU can do!

Cord Blood News — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 16:53:54 +0100

In the United States and in countries around the world, Earth Day is a time when adults and children alike honor the planet by learning what they can do to protect and clean up the environment, raise awareness about environmental health issues, and gather public support for positive change. There are many ways in which you can get involved in your own community. FIrst and foremost, Practicing the 4 Rs whenever possible: reduce, recycle, and re-buy and reuse. And speaking of reusing, consider banking your baby’s cord blood for use at a later time if necessary. Cord blood is the blood left over in your baby’s umbilical cord immediately after birth. Your practitioner harvests the blood in a quick, easy, and painless procedure. Just like any insurance, pray that you have it but pray t...

Skills Your Baby Learns from Story Time

Cord Blood News — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 15:29:34 +0100

This article acknowledges that just because we know the basics about reading to your child,perhaps a little more information could be helpful, especially if this is your first child. It explains how frequently your should read to your child, how it helps in their vocabulary and listening skills and also their focus and attention skills. A truly helpful article. Read more here. Before you give birth it is highly recommended that you do some of your own reading on birth plans, basic infant care and cord blood banking. For each of these, do your own research and find the best one for you. When deciding on a cord blood bank, choose the bank that has no yearly costs and is FDA accredited, and read here for a comparison between public and private banks.You can also listen here as ...

Green pregnancy: Protect your baby from outside toxins

Cord Blood News — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 15:14:23 +0100

Having a “green pregnancy” isn’t about morning sickness. During the nine months of pregnancy, more women are paying attention to what’s going on outside of the womb, in an effort to protect the health of their baby inside the womb. Every day there seem to be more and more ways to protect yourself and your baby from external health hazards. We all know the hazards from second hand smoke and the consequences it has. But there are unseen hazards you may be unaware of. From a ‘green’ diet to ‘green’ cleaning products you can learn more to protect yourself and your LO. This is an outstanding article explaining the green-ness of pregnancy. While your are making sure you have a heathy pregnancy, remember to do your research on cord blood banking. and find...

5 Ways to boost immune system during pregnancy

Cord Blood News — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 14:59:25 +0100

Cold season is upon us and if we are run down and tired we are more susceptible to infection. Because nature has a way of preparing your body for pregnancy, your immune system is being suppressed in order keep the pregnancy viable. So building your immune system is the first line of defense to stave off those winter cold germs. From eating germ fighting foods to taking supplements, you can get through your pregnancy with little or no illness. Follow this link for more information. (Source: Cord Blood News)

The Importance of Genetic Testing

Cord Blood News — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 20:24:09 +0100

Genetic diseases affect an estimated 12 million Americans, yet according to a survey of 1,000 people conducted by the Genetic Disease Foundation (GDF), while two-thirds of those surveyed were willing to and saw the benefits of undergoing genetic testing, close to 80 percent had never talked to their physician about genetic screening – an inconsistency that can have serious implications on a person’s overall health and the health of their immediate family members. Read here for an extensive article about genetic testing and questions to ask yourself and your significant if you should seek genetic testing and what to do with the results. These questions are all part of preparing yourself and your SO for the birth.Other questions may include the decision to bank your baby’s cord b...

Fetal Movement During Pregnancy

Cord Blood News — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 17:36:06 +0100

Your baby’s activity level — the kicks, rolls, and wiggles you can feel — will vary throughout your pregnancy. Here’s a trimester by trimester list what to expect when it comes to fetal movement. Although every baby is different when it comes to fetal movement, and there’s a wide range of what’s normal, it helps to take a peek into your baby’s world during pregnancy to understand what’s going on in there, and what to expect when. This very comprehensive article explains what to expect during each trimester. Put your feet up and enjoy! (Source: Cord Blood News)

Pregnancy in Women Over 40

Cord Blood News — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 17:23:22 +0100

As delayed childbirth becomes more common, more women over 40 are becoming pregnant. Recent evidence has suggested that there is an increase in complications in the last trimester of pregnancy in women over 40, even when accounting for risk factors such as maternal medical disorders (for example, diabetes and hypertension) and fetal anomalies. There are things we can do try to have uncomplicated pregnancies in women over 40 years old. To find out more read here. Banking your baby’s cord blood is an insurance plan so that if the needs arises, their own stem cells can be used. Click here for a list of some of the illnesses cord blood may be able to help. (Source: Cord Blood News)

Top 6 Things Moms Wish Dads Knew

Cord Blood News — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 17:07:22 +0100

No matter how painstakingly daddies-to-be pore over the pregnancy and parenting guides, there’s invariably a lesson or two they’ll overlook about dealing with a new baby and a postpartum woman. And, according to some new moms, guys tend to miss the same few things over and over. Here are the top things women wish new dads knew (yes, there’s an entire section dedicated to diapers) The central theme seems to be: communicate. If our SO never learned or doesn’t have that ‘gene to know how to change a diaper,’ talk, talk talk. Thats the best way NOT to fight or get angry or begin to resent them. Here is an article explaining how empathy can get you through those rough patches.. (Source: Cord Blood News)

5 Ways Women Can Save the World

Cord Blood News — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 16:40:59 +0100

In the world today we can do our part to ’save the world.’ If each person takes on just one of these ideas, the world is well on its way to becoming a better place for all of us. We need to prepare the Earth for ourselves as well as those we are leaving behind, our most important resource, of course, this is our children, our legacy . Care2.com is an amazing website which illustrates wholesome and natural living while combining that our with the everyday lives. Here is a great article about the ways in which we, as women (and men) can do our part in helping to save the world. Another very important way to give back is to find a cure for many diseases such as some childhood cancers, cerebral palsy and other spinal cord injuries. We can bank our baby’s umbilical...

Duke University ‘Ask the Expert’-Umbilical Cord Transplantation

Cord Blood News — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 17:35:44 +0100

One of the leading experts on blood and marrow transplantation, Joanne Kurtzberg, MD, was the first physician to use umbilical cord blood from unrelated donors to cure cancers and life-threatening genetic disorders and Duke University. In this recent article she answers many questions about cord blood, its benefits and what the future holds for the science of umbilical cord blood transplantation. (Source: Cord Blood News)

Can I travel during my second trimester?? The experts weigh in.

Cord Blood News — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 17:00:42 +0100

The second trimester is great for traveling, as long as you take a few precautions. Planning a vacation or weekend getaway is definitely a good way to relax and enjoy your time with your significant other. If you are planning to fly take a few precautions such as drinking a lot of water before during and after the flight and not sitting for too long in your seat. Walk up and down the aisles if necessary. ( You can be sure there will be at ONE trip to the lavatory!) Our friends over at thebump.com have answered some important questions regarding travel during the middle three months of your pregnancy. You can read here are a few tips to keep yourself (and baby!) safe and comfy on the road and in the skies. While you are away, it might be a good time to have ‘those discussionsR...

Smoking During The First Trimester of Pregnancy to Cause Serious Heart Defects in Children

Cord Blood News — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 22:31:05 +0100

We have all been told of the negative effects of smoking during pregnancy, but here is yet another article stating devastating defects in children whose mothers smoked while pregnant. The new medical study found a connection between smoking during pregnancy and certain defects such as those that obstruct the flow of blood from the right side of the heart into the lungs and openings between the upper chambers of the heart. Therefore, according to a statement released by CDC Director Thomas R. Frieden, women who are thinking about having a baby or they are already pregnant should quit smoking immediately as tobacco can affect children’s health.Read here for more information. In addition, consider banking your baby’s umbilical cord blood in the event that he/she will need it i...

The Power of Women! Happy 100th Anniversary of the International Women’s Day!!

Cord Blood News — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 21:24:44 +0100

Cheers to the women in your life, those who surround you when you need them most, the women who raised you, nursed you, yelled at you and comforted you in times of need. Yesterday was the 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day. Not that we needed a day to recognize the power of women because we’ve all seen it firsthand , but just in case you’re having one of those days, the team over at Fitpregnancy.com has a wonderful article expressing the power of women. Relax and enjoy! Also, remember those who might benefit from cord blood transplantation. Those whose lives hang in the balance of the hope that cord blood cells collected at birth just might be their only answer. Baby JOhn is such patient. Here is a short video about his successful cord blood transplant. ...

Common Painkillers may raise risk of birth defects

Cord Blood News — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 16:26:50 +0100

According to a study in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, the study indicated an association between use of the drugs and a modest risk of congenital heart defects, as well as a heightened risk for spina bifida, hydrocephaly, congenital glaucoma and gastroschisis and was reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The analysis was based on the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (1997 to 2005) including data gathered from across 10 states. CDC researchers found that between 2 percent and 3 percent of mothers who took prescription painkillers such as codeine, hydrocodone or oxycodone (Oxycontin) either just prior to becoming pregnant or early in their pregnancy, the risk of their newborn having a serious heart defect known as hypoplastic l...

10 Natural Post-Waxing Treatments for your Skin

Skin MD — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 15:36:01 +0100

Waxing your skin can lead to numerous problems ranging from skin irritation and dryness, to ingrown hairs and pimples. But treating your skin after you wax it doesn’t have to be an expensive or complicated process. If you have the funds, there are numerous products available to help treat your skin which can help reduce skin irritation and infection. Shea butter, tea tree oil, witch hazel, olive oil, and cod liver oil are all popular post-waxing treatments, but if you’re on a strict budget, that are various natural remedies known to help treat skin irritation and dryness that can be found in the back of your cupboards or even your refrigerator. Here are ten natural products that are known to help reduce skin irritation and ingrown hairs after waxing: 1. Tea bags Scientific studies ha...

Great success story on Cord Blood. Read about Baby John.

Cord Blood News — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 21:26:46 +0100

Here is an amazing story about the success of umbilical cord blood transplantation. Baby John is living proof that cord blood can be a tremendously valuable safety net for your baby. Click ‘play’ the youtube video above for the inspiring story. (Source: Cord Blood News)

Detecting Circulating Tumor Cells With Gold Nanoparticles

Better Health — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 14:00:03 +0100

Our modern armamentarium for treating cancer is impressive, but sometimes, despite our best treatments, tumor cells continue to lurk in the bloodstream, seeding metastases throughout the body. Researchers at Emory have developed a way to monitor for these circulating tumor cells using gold nanoparticles. This technique has been used before, but difficulty was encountered because white blood cells are close to the same size as some tumor cells, so they would both be tagged, necessitating a laborious multi-antibody staining process. “The key technological advance here is our finding that polymer-coated gold nanoparticles that are conjugated with low molecular weight peptides such as EGF are much less sticky than particles conjugated to whole antibodies,” says Shuming Nie, Ph.D., a profes...

Authenticity of XMRV integration sites

virology blog — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 04:08:00 +0100

Integration of retroviral DNA into the cellular genome is essential for the production of new infectious particles. A strong argument that the novel human retrovirus XMRV is not a laboratory contaminant is the finding that viral DNA is integrated in chromosomal DNA of prostate tumors. Nucleotide sequence analyses of 14 integration sites in prostate tumor DNAs from 9 different patients previously revealed the expected viral sequences linked to human DNA. But two of these integration sites are identical to those found in a prostate tumor cell line infected with XMRV. A search of the nucleotide sequence database with the previously identified XMRV integration site sequences revealed that 2 of the 14 sequences (from 2 patients) were identical to two XMRV integration sites in DU145 cells. This...

Homemade Exfoliator for Dry and Oily Skin

Skin MD — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 04:16:47 +0100

To keep you skin healthy and young you need to regularly moisturize your skin, tone your skin, cleanse your skin and exfoliate it. While moisturization helps in keeping the moisture to your skin, toning helps in keeping the pores of the skin clean, thus maintaining the health of the skin, exfoliation helps in the removal of the dead cells from the skin, thus giving the skin a brand new look. Exfoliation treats the blemished skin, dark marks, clogged pores, hyper pigmentation and dry skin. A few home made exfoliators that give a new lease of life to your skin A natural and home made exfoliator is the ones that work best and without any side effects in comparison to the chemically prepared exfoliating products. Exfoliator is better avoided by the people who have acne prone skin as it may inc...

Catholics and Vaccines

vactruth.com — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 15:43:51 +0100

This study has been approved as such by the Congregation and we send you, there enclosed, an English translation of a synthesis of this study. This synthesis can be brought to the knowledge of the interested officials and organisms. A documented paper on the topic will be published in the journal ‘Medicina e Morale’ edited by the Centra di Bioetica della Universita Catholica in Rome.” [emphasis added] The religious issue surrounding vaccines for Catholics is addressed in depth in the booklet, The Vaccination Question by Timothy P. Collins, MD, ($2.00) at the following web site: (http://www.angeluspress.org/oscatalog/advanced_search_result2.php…) Vactruth.com (Source: vactruth.com)

Stay-at-Home Dad Survival Guide

Cord Blood News — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 19:36:32 +0100

This article points to some of the decision points necessary to make the transition smooth and complete. (Source: Cord Blood News)

BabyBerryApps bonds babies, birth and BlackBerry

Cord Blood News — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 22:46:10 +0100

As if you really needed one more thing to keep track of your every waking pregnant moment….Here are some blackberry apps to assist in counting the number of kicks per minute/hour/day and some to help you know the exact amount of days until your due date ( as if that matters….) You can set reminders for appointments and write down questions to ask your health care provider, set alarms when you need to start researching cord blood banks and start preparing the room for the momentous occasion. We all know that memory lapses are one of the facts of life about pregnancy. Have fun! Read about more apps here (Source: Cord Blood News)

Finding The Right Name For Your Baby Can Be Difficult. Here’s How To Make The Process Simpler And More Fun

Cord Blood News — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 22:27:04 +0100

Choosing a name for your baby could be a wonderful exercise for your and your significant other. Remembering loved ones who have passed or honoring those in our families is one way we choose the name. This can get very sticky knowing your mother would want to you name him after uncle Joe (whom you never even met) or your great great grandmother gladys back in the old country…. Well first of all take a deep breath, luckily you have a few months to calm the waters. Put together a list of possibilities,even the most outrageous, and put it away for a week or two and revisit it again then. When you prepare your list of things to do while you’re pregnant and for the hospital, add it to your list of things so every time you check something off it will be right there, s...

Exercise for Back Pain During Pregnancy

Cord Blood News — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 18:20:37 +0100

This article is very clear and gives a lot of information about what to do for pregnancy related back pain.Plan carefully when you decide which method you are comfortable with in order to alleviate your back pain. As with every pregnancy, you need a plan for the unexpected as well as the normal every day ins and outs of pregnancy. Early in your pregnancy, (if not before you become pregnant) find a chiropractor or orthopedist specializing in pregnancy back pain. This is a good time to start making your “list”, questions to ask the doctor, cord blood banking and all things labor and delivery related. (Source: Cord Blood News)

Foods to ‘Get You in the Mood’ this Valentine’s Day

Cord Blood News — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 20:03:20 +0100

In general, passion-friendly foods are those that improve blood flow, support the nervous system, increase energy and raise testosterone levels (in both men and women). These are usually foods that are rich in zinc, B vitamins, proteins, amino acids or fatty acids (such as Omega 3). Eggs, steak and fruit and of course, chocolate……. who would have thought????? We all know that eating healthy during pregnancy is of the utmost importance , read here for extra info, but for a Valentine’s Day treat, why not splurge just a little!!! And speaking of splurging, when was the last time you took the time to stroke, caress and massage your significant other? Sometimes, setting the mood right can really help. Candles and oils and creams can make your Valentine’s day extra...

Top 10 Things They Should Really Warn You About Before You Get Pregnant

Cord Blood News — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 22:43:12 +0100

These posts highlight the unbelievable and sometimes totally gross and disgusting people realy should have told you BEFORE you get pregnant.You hear about the morning sickness, the wacky cravings, and even the swollen ankles before you get pregnant. But let’s be real, those symptoms are child’s play when it comes to what you’ll really have to deal with. Thebump.com has given us a laugh and a half. Read here for those very funny stories and read here for some extra humorous husband stories. (Source: Cord Blood News)

Stem cells and pluripotency articles in Development

The Daily Sign-Out — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 15:26:46 +0100

Development has updated review articles on stem cells and pluripotency that I think would be of general interest for everyone and are available to download for free. I really found the article on stem cell biology from a systems perspective especially cool. (Source: The Daily Sign-Out)

Nordstrom Announces 2011 Black History Month Initiative Company helps raise awareness of challenges for African American patients in need of bone marrow transplants

Cord Blood News — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 23:51:24 +0100

Nordstrom, Inc. announced today that it is recognizing Black History Month in 2011 by teaming up with Be The Match(R) to help raise awareness of the critical need for more African American marrow and umbilical cord blood donors. For more information about Nordstrom’s approach to recognizing Black History Month and other heritage months throughout 2011, please visit www.nordstrom.com/livingwell. (Source: Cord Blood News)

Are you superstitious about pregnancy?

Cord Blood News — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 00:08:23 +0100

Planning for your baby’s arrival can include many wonderful outings and decisions. Although there are many things you may not want to do before the eventful day, make sure to make plans in advance for banking your baby’s umbilical cord blood. It’s one of the few pre-pregnancy necessities. Preparing for your baby’s birth by painting his room, buying furniture and clothing and even a simple wine toast can make some women uncomfortable and superstitious. Some women feel they will ‘jinx’ the pregnancy. Even though many people dont wait more than a few days post pregnancy test to tell of the impending birth, many people insist on waiting 3 months or just after the end of the first trimester.Our friends over at babycenter.com have asked thei...

Yale University Scientists Synthesize Long-Sought-After Anticancer Agent

Libby's H*O*P*E* — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 07:25:18 +0100

A team of Yale University scientists has synthesized for the first time a chemical compound called “lomaiviticin aglycon, ” which led to the development of a new class of molecules that appear to target and destroy cancer stem cells. A team of Yale University scientists has synthesized for the first time a chemical compound called [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*)

Skin To Heart Cells In Fewer Steps

FuturePundit — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Cutting weeks off the process Scripps scientists have found a faster way to convert adult skin cells into heart cells. LA JOLLA, CA Scripps Research Institute scientists have converted adult skin cells directly into beating heart cells efficiently without having to first go through the laborious process of generating embryonic-like stem cells. The powerful general technology platform could lead to new treatments for a range of diseases and injuries involving cell loss or damage, such as heart disease, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's disease. The work was published January 30, 2011, in an advance, online issue of Nature Cell Biology. "This work represents a new paradigm in stem cell reprogramming," said Scripps Research Associate Professor Sheng Ding, Ph.D., who led the... (Source: FuturePu...

TWiV 118: The virus always rings twice

virology blog — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 17:54:39 +0100

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Alan Dove, and Rich Condit On episode #118 of the podcast This Week in Virology, Vincent, Alan, and Rich answer listener questions about vaccinia virus, fungal viruses, synthetic viruses, influenza vaccine, HeLa cells, multiplicity of infection, and much more. Right click to download TWiV #118 (68 MB .mp3, 94 minutes). Subscribe to TWiV (free) in iTunes , at the Zune Marketplace, by the RSS feed, or by email, or listen on your mobile device with the Microbeworld app. Links for this episode: Distribution of glycoproteins on virion surface (paper 1, paper 2) – thanks, Conor! Susceptibility of cancer cell lines to tanapox (thanks, Cheryl!) Poxvirus family tree Sugar, the bitter truth (YouTube) – thanks, Mary! BBC podcast: Artificial life (thank...

Affordable Cord Blood Banking

Cord Blood News — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 18:59:19 +0100

Cord blood is the blood left over in your baby’s umbilical cord immediately after birth. Your practitioner harvests the blood in a quick, easy, and painless procedure. The reason this blood is so valuable is because it contains hematopoietic stem cells, which are cells that have the ability to develop into any type of specialized cell in the blood and immune system and replace or repair these types of damaged cells throughout the body. Banking your baby’s cord blood ensures that if your child is ever in need of a cord blood transplant it will available for your exclusive use. Affordability can be a factor in deciding whether you are able to bank your newborn’s cord blood. At M.A.Z.E Cord Blood Laboratories, we are determined to keep our fees low and never charge an ann...

Outside-the-Body Filtration Device May Reduce Ovarian Cancer Cells In Abdominal Fluid

Libby's H*O*P*E* — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 22:13:24 +0100

A paper published in the January issue of the journal Nanomedicine could provide the foundation for a new ovarian cancer treatment option — one that would use an outside-the-body filtration device to remove a large portion of the free-floating cancer cells that often create secondary tumors. A paper published in the January issue of the [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*)

Morning sickness remedies

Cord Blood News — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 01:17:01 +0100

The months leading up to becoming pregnant and pregnancy itself are the most important times to concentrate on what you’re eating. We all know the early signs of pregnancy can include morning sickness. So just as you make a plan for labor and delivery and banking your newborn’s cord blood, so should you make a plan to eat healthy and often to avoid the dreaded symptoms of morning sickness. Although there is no ‘cure’ for it, there are things you can do to feel more comfortable. Eating small meals throughout the day — not skipping meals — is key to keeping your morning sickness to a minimum. Here is an article that give you a few suggestions on how to keep morning sickness at bay. (Source: Cord Blood News)

Outside-the-Box: The Rogosin Institute Is Fighting Cancer With Cancer Cells In Clinical Trials

Libby's H*O*P*E* — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 05:36:17 +0100

Researchers at the Rogosin Institute are using cancer “macrobeads” to fight cancer. Cancer cells in the beads secrete proteins which researchers believe could signal a patient’s cancer to stop growing, shrink or even die. The treatment is currently being tested in human clinical trials. Two groundbreaking preclinical studies demonstrate for the first time that encapsulated [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*)

Dinner With Kathy and Her New Islets

Scott's Diabetes Blog — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 13:00:17 +0100

Life is all about spending time with great people, which is exactly what I did on Monday night. Kathy White blogs at “my new islets” and writes about her experiences receiving an islet cell transplant at the University of Minnesota’s Schulze Diabetes Institute. Kathy hails from Ohio and she has been coming to Minneapolis periodically for the last 2.5 years to do testing related to the transplant and research study. A while back I met a couple of great families involved with the local JDRF office (hi Camille, Geoff, & Debbie!), and they invited me to join them for dinner with Kathy while she was here this time. How could I refuse? Camille, Kathy, Debbie, Scott We spent almost four hours chatting away. I had so many questions for Kathy. As soon as she would fin...

Folic acid, the most important present you can give your child….

Cord Blood News — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 02:17:40 +0100

Folic acid, in combination with vitamin B-12 and vitamin C, is considered essential by health care providers for women that are planning pregnancy. Being on a healthy diet and adding a daily dose of 400 micrograms of folic acid in a multivitamin along with folic acid rich foods is highly recommended by researchers and midwives. A lack of dietary folic acid leads to folate deficiency (FD). This can result in many health problems, the most notable one being neural tube defects in developing embryo. Read here for more information on how much folic acid you need for a healthy pregnancy. (Source: Cord Blood News)

Is it a boy or a girl??

Cord Blood News — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 01:33:10 +0100

So there you are. In your ob/gyn’s office, getting ready to hear your baby’s heartbeat, get measured and weighed. You’ve been discussing your birth plan with your doctor, making decisions such as whether you will be banking your baby’s umbilical cord blood and whether or not you will have pain medication. Have you ever left the ob/gyn office really wanting to know the sex of your baby but they just couldn’t tell you. Or you didn’t ask, or you got cold feet… Here are some fun ways to predict whether you’re carrying a boy or a girl…if you’re carrying low, it may be a boy or if the heart rate is higher it may be a girl… either way you will have a good laugh trying to predict the sex of your baby! At parenting.com you w...

Do you need a Doula?

Cord Blood News — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 21:54:07 +0100

The concept of a doula is not new. A woman supporting another woman through labor is a tradition that goes back many years in all cultures. Some women do not live in close-knit communities where their sisters, mothers, aunts, and friends are there to support them through pregnancy, childbirth and motherhood; these events can be scary and can make a woman feel lost if she has to experience them alone. A doula helps fill this gap by providing support to the woman and her partner or support system throughout the childbearing year. A doula does not replace the support system; instead, she helps support them so that they can focus on loving and encouraging the laboring woman. Doulas can serve as a source of information during pregnancy, labor and birth. If you are choosing to bank your child&#...

Synthetic Blood Via Artificial Cells And Platelets From Stem Cells

Better Health — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 14:00:47 +0100

There’s hematology news, times two (at least): 1. Progress in developing synthetic red blood cells A University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill research group has created hydrogel particles that mimic the size, shape and flexibility of red blood cells (RBCs). The researchers used PRINT® (Particle Replication in Non-wetting Templates) technology to generate the fake RBCs, which are said to have a relatively long half-life. The findings were reported on-line yesterday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) (abstract available, subscription required for full text). According to a PR-ish but interesting post on Futurity, a website put forth by a consortium of major research universities, tests of the particles’ ability to ...

What do you think about twiblings???

Cord Blood News — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 18:34:16 +0100

This article seems to cover all the bases whether you agree with the process of not. We’d like you thoughts. (Source: Cord Blood News)

Should you bank you baby’s umbilical cord blood?

Cord Blood News — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 18:06:25 +0100

The promising field of stem cell research is prompting more and more parents to store their newborn’s umbilical cord blood for possible use in treating future disease. Cord blood is rich in blood-forming stem cells and is currently used in transplants for some patients with leukemia, lymphoma, immune deficiencies and inherited metabolic disorders. Most infusions come from unrelated donors, partly because of concerns that receiving one’s own defective cells may cause the same diseases to return. Now, early research shows that cord blood may be able to safely regenerate other types of cells in the body, fueling optimism that doctors may one day routinely use a patient’s own stored cord blood to treat such conditions as cerebral palsy (CP), stroke, spinal cord injuries, diabetes and car...

Preterm Labor a Thing of the Past?

Cord Blood News — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 22:40:01 +0100

It’s a growing consensus in the medical and public health fields: babies need as much womb-time as they can get, and every day counts. In fact, even though 37 weeks is considered full term, groups like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend waiting until 39 weeks to induce labor, barring medical necessity. And many doctors and hospitals are catching on and prohibiting the practice of delivering before 39 weeks — even using ultrasounds to verify a baby’s age before going forward. Read here for more information. Remember its important to have a birth plan before you deliver your baby. Cord blood banking is one way to insure your baby’s health, should the need arise. Check out the cord blood comparison chart, to see which bank is right for you. (Sou...

Eating Well to Fight Postpartum Fatigue

Cord Blood News — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 22:27:48 +0100

We’ve all been there… feeling like a walking zombie, whether its day or night, the fatigue of having a newborn can be trying. Remember your body has also been through a trauma, and is recovering slowly. If you learn to eat well and graze during the day on healthy foods you will notice that you have more energy during the day. Smaller healthier snacks and meals help furnish your body with nutrients and vitamins and help it produce more breast milk. Try staying away from sugary drinks and alcohol too, as your baby is the direct recipient of those foods too. Read here for a more extensive article for the people at www.parenting.com (Source: Cord Blood News)

Happy and Healthy New Year Wishes

Cord Blood News — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 15:33:21 +0100

M.A.Z.E. Cord Blood Laboratories, The Medical Center for Female Sexuality, M.A.Z.E. Andrology Laboratories and Werner MD.com, would like to extend our wishes for a healthy and happy New Year 2011. We hope this upcoming year is one of good fortune, success and hope. Happy New Year 2011!! (Source: Cord Blood News)

Homemade Baby Food: Is It Right for You?

Cord Blood News — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 19:24:21 +0100

When you begin feeding your baby solid foods, it’s time to think about what foods you’re going to be feeding him. There are many healthy premade options, including organic baby food. But homemade baby food is a popular option for parents who want to know exactly what goes into their baby’s mouth — and making it may be easier than you think. You are what you eat, and that goes for your baby too!!! Read here for the pros and cons of homemade baby food (Source: Cord Blood News)

A Step-by-Step Guide to Private Cord Blood Banking

Cord Blood News — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 18:09:30 +0100

You’re considering storing your baby’s umbilical-cord blood in a private bank — but you’re not sure how to go about it? This step-by-step guide outlines what you need to know about private cord blood banking. Excerpted from Whattoexpect.com Now that you’re pregnant, you’ve probably discovered how many decisions you have to make a day — and how momentous some of them can seem because they now involve that precious little person who is about to join your family. One way to ease your mind about these big decisions is do a lot of research about the topic you’re considering. When it comes to saving your baby’s cord blood, the more you know the better. Cord blood, which contains stems cells that can treat a host of diseases, can be stored in a private or public bank...

At this holiday season, you have the power to help, give the gift of life…

Cord Blood News — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 17:58:54 +0100

Thousands of patients with leukemia and other life-threatening diseases depend on Be The Match Foundation to raise funds to help make bone marrow and umbilical cord blood transplants possible. When you give to Be The Match Foundation, we put your funds to work to: Grow our Be The Match Registry® Provide financial assistance to help patients throughout their transplant journey Advance medical discovery to help patients live longer, healthier lives (Source: Cord Blood News)

Post-partum depression affects everyone…

Cord Blood News — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 17:56:39 +0100

Post-partum depression is more common than was previously thought. With early intervention, PPD can be treated. Signs of PPD include weepiness, anxiety, panic attacks, detachment and withdrawal from family and friends. Babies exposed to PPD may suffer from emotional neglect. There has been evidence that this neglect can actually affect brain development. Sleep deprivation and isolation contribute to post-partum depressionIt is thought that as many as 25% of new mothers suffer from PPD.At babycenter.com you can find lots of very helpful information on PPD as well as other pre andpost pregnancy topics. Read here more information on post partum depression. (Source: Cord Blood News)

Insulin-Producing Cells Made From Adult Cells

FuturePundit — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Men with type 1 diabetes might be able to grow insulin-producing cells from their own testicular stem cells. PHILADELPHIA Men with type 1 diabetes may be able to grow their own insulin-producing cells from their testicular tissue, say Georgetown University Medical Center (GUMC) researchers who presented their findings today at the American Society of Cell Biology 50th annual meeting in Philadelphia. Their laboratory and animal study is a proof of principle that human spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) extracted from testicular tissue can morph into insulin-secreting beta islet cells normally found in the pancreas. And the researchers say they accomplished this feat without use of any of the extra genes now employed in most labs to turn adult stem cells... (Source: FuturePundit)

Baby Shower Guide – 10 easy steps

Cord Blood News — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 19:46:06 +0100

Here is an informative guide for the perfect baby shower. Our friends over at Firsttimepregnancy.com have put together a great list of ideas from guest lists to invitations to entertainment!!! Read here for more….. (Source: Cord Blood News)

Pharmalot… Pharmalittle… Good Morning

Pharmalot — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 13:54:02 +0100

Good morning, everyone. Our apologies for the late start but we are having technical difficulties and attempting to resolve them. Nonetheless, we are endeavoring to provide you with the usual flow of interesting items. Here are a few to get us all started. We hope your day goes well. As for us, we are going to down a much-needed cup of stimulation. Stay in touch… Merck Drops Fast-Acting Claim For Allergy Pill (Dow Jones) US Moves Toward Drug Development Center (Reuters) Orphan Drug Discounts Ended For Kids Hospitals (New York Times) Cephalon Buys Rights To Stem Cell Therapies (Bloomberg News) Caraco Pharma Considers Going Private (Detroit News) China To Prices On Some Drugs By 19 Percent (PharmaTimes) Sanofi-Aventis Signs Licensing Deal For HIV Drug (Montreal Gazette) (Source: Pharma...

Glucagonoma

Inside Surgery — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 06:21:39 +0100

s are neuroendocrine tumors that arise in the alpha cells of the pancreatic islets. These tumors secrete glucagon and the diagnosis is made by elevated serum levels. These tumors are signs and symptoms of diabetes, hypercoagulability, and the pathognomonic skin rash of necrolytic migratory erythema, which is the presenting feature in 70% of cases. There is sometimes associated stomatitis and glossitis. Glucagonomas are rare but are malignant in 50%-100% of cases. (Source: Inside Surgery)

Birth of a Baby, Birth of a Parent

Cord Blood News — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 19:36:46 +0100

So, you’re pregnant…. now what? So many questions, so many decisions. It can be overwhelming at time. But take a deep cleansing breath and relax, you have 9 months to figure this all out! From fitness to birth plans post pregnancy and delivery and the weeks that follow this article gives advice for the first time parent. Sit down with a cup of tea and read…… (Source: Cord Blood News)

A.M. Vitals: Why Pfizer’s Kindler Retired

WSJ.com: Health Blog — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 13:37:45 +0100

Also: aspirin and cancer; embryonic stem-cell arguments; back to McAllen, Texas, this time to look at private insurance. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog)

Banking On The Benefits Of Cord Blood

Cord Blood News — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 19:25:39 +0100

This article explains what can be done with your baby’s umbilical cord and potential uses it has. (Source: Cord Blood News)

Spray On Skin Being Developed For Burn Victims

Inside Surgery — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 05:15:00 +0100

Drs. Amit Patel and Amalia Cochran at the University of Utah are developing a technique that uses a burn patient’s stem cells to grow new skin that can then be sprayed onto burns to improve and hasten healing. (Source: Inside Surgery)

One family’s remarkable Thanksgiving tale of gratitude

Cord Blood News — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 18:16:17 +0100

What a wonderful Thanksgiving story with an amazing outcome. Umbilical cord preservation and banking is so important, in fact they ARE life savers. Read here for the entire article. (Source: Cord Blood News)

Selecting a Pediatrician

Cord Blood News — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 19:25:42 +0100

According to the folks over at What to Expect, somewhere around the 32nd week of pregnancy is the right time to start the search for an appropriate pediatrician. FIrst of all make sure your choice is a provider under your insurance or else all of those trips to the doctors office must be paid out of pocket and could get very expensive. Secondly, write a list of questions about their perspectives concerning health matters such as vaccinations, and banking your baby’s umbilical cord. It helps to be on the same page as your pediatrician! Read here for the full article. (Source: Cord Blood News)

Celebrating 4 Years of the Brain Science Podcast (BSP 71)

the Brain Science Podcast and Blog with Dr. Ginger Campbell — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 16:08:44 +0100

Discussion Forum: Join our Facebook Fan Page: Send me feedback at gincampbell at mac dot com or leave voice mail at 205-202-0663. (Source: the Brain Science Podcast and Blog with Dr. Ginger Campbell)

Pregnancy Eating: What’s Safe, What’s Not

Cord Blood News — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 19:18:38 +0100

The one time you’re actually supposed to eat more — and now it suddenly seems like every food is off limits. Read here for the final word on which foods to skip and which ones are A-OK during pregnancy. (Source: Cord Blood News)

The Truth About Due Dates

Cord Blood News — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 19:16:49 +0100

Only 5 percent of women give birth when they think they will. But more often than not, the day comes and goes without incident. Truth is, when your baby is ready, they will come. Click here to find out when your baby will make his appearance. Parents.com is site with a wealth of information about pregnancy, before during and after….. enjoy! (Source: Cord Blood News)

Be The Match

Cord Blood News — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 02:33:45 +0100

Thousands of patients with life-threatening diseases like leukemia are searching for a bone marrow donor. Be The Match Registry matches donors with recipients. This inspiring story has a beautiful ending because of the tireless efforts of those working at the registry. Bone marrow transplants have been saving lives for years and the new research on umbilical cord blood is showing amazing promise. Visit their site and do what you can, it just might save a life. (Source: Cord Blood News)

New study into bladder regeneration heralds organ replacement treatment

Biosingularity — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 01:25:10 +0100

Researchers in the United States have developed a medical model for regenerating bladders using stem cells harvested from a patient’s own bone marrow. The research, published in STEM CELLS, is especially relevant for paediatric patients suffering from abnormally developed bladders, but also represents another step towards new organ replacement therapies. The research, led by Dr [...] (Source: Biosingularity)

Science sightings from sciencebase

Sciencebase Science Blog — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 10:00:05 +0100

My latest science news updates First stem cell trial in stroke patient, how did the media do – In its regular assessment and critique of reporting on medical happenings, NHS Choices looked at the recent early test of stem cell therapy for a stroke victim and reports (amazingly) that "In general, the media coverage has been accurate." Sex and CERN and Rock ‘n Roll – Forget mini Big Bangs, benchtop black holes and the God particle, scientists at CERN are releasing an album called Resonance Music from their LHC Atlas Experiment. You'll have to ask them if the first bit of my title is relevant or not. Brain size and a trip to Disneyland – Could the enormous relative size and complexity of the human brain be explained by that trip to Disneyland your paren...

Funny Husband Stories

Cord Blood News — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 18:47:44 +0100

Here are some very funny stories about husbands and pregnancy, babies and all the preparations for baby’s arrival. Our friends at sheknows.com have a lot of information not only on husbands and pregnancy stories but about motherhood, pregnancy and preparations for the arrival of your little one. (Source: Cord Blood News)

Parents Guide to Cord Blood Banking

Cord Blood News — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 18:29:24 +0100

Recently the news has been filled with information about cord blood banking, complete with all the medical possibilities which can come from saving your baby’s umbilical cord at birth. Frances Verter is an advocate of saving cord blood as is shown in this article. Its clear and concise and comprehensive. (Source: Cord Blood News)

Myths and Facts About Alcohol

World of Psychology — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 17:44:35 +0100

What’s the truth about alcohol? Does food help absorb alcohol? Does it really kill brain cells? Or does it protect your body against a multitude of diseases, like heart disease? One of the key factors that helps us process and breakdown alcohol after it enters the body is the production of an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase. A lot of why your body does or doesn’t do a good job in breaking alcohol down and sobering you up has to do with the production (or lack thereof) of this important enzyme. This enzyme works better in younger men than in either women of all ages, or older men. Why, we don’t know, but it seems to stop working as effectively in men ages 55 and older, bringing them closer to women in their alcohol breaking-down ability. LifeHacker recently published a...

Pregnancy Resources

Cord Blood News — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 17:07:15 +0100

This site has resources and links to hundreds of websites that can help you as your pregnancy progresses. It is a comprehensive compilation of information related to pregnancy. From planning to healthy pregnancy to stages of pregnancy and childbirth and labor and cord blood banking this is the go- to site. Enjoy!!! (Source: Cord Blood News)

Stem Cell Researchers Turn Skin Into Blood: Could Help Cancer Treatment

Better Health — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 13:00:50 +0100

From The Australian: Stem cell researchers have found a way to turn a person’s skin into blood, a process that could be used to treat cancer and other ailments, according to a Canadian study published today. The method uses cells from a patch of a person’s skin and transforms it into blood that is a genetic match, without using human embryonic stem cells, said the study in the journal Nature. Wow. Very cool. I wonder if hopefully someday this could be a replacement for random blood donation? *This blog post was originally published at GruntDoc* (Source: Better Health)

Sharing Your Health Issues: The Responsibility Of Survivorship

Better Health — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 16:00:19 +0100

This past weekend Oscar-nominated Hollywood and Broadway actress Jill Clayburgh died at age 66. The cause was chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), which she had been fighting, privately, for 21 years. As you may recall, I, too, have CLL and I was diagnosed at the same age, 45. For me, I am 16 and a half years into that “battle” although, fortunately, I have been feeling very good in the ten years since I received treatment as part of a breakthrough clinical trial. While I have no symptoms and take no medicine I do not consider myself cured. So when someone like Ms. Clayburgh dies of CLL after 21 years, I can’t help but wonder if the disease will shorten my life too, even if I feel good now. That brings up the question of what do we do with the time we have when we know we have had a s...

Reuse Reduce Recycle

Cord Blood News — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 16:36:58 +0100

There are items in everyone’s house which can be used again and again. We just need a little nudge to see these everyday household items in a whole new light. Our friends at care.2.com have put together an array of ideas on how we can take those ‘oh, what should i do with this?’ items and put them to good use. Recycle and re-use, making our planet a healthier place to live. Take a look here and see how you can join in. And as long as we’re on the subject of re-using and recycling, consider banking your baby’s umbilical cord blood, its re-useable and could very well save a life… (Source: Cord Blood News)

To Conception and Beyond……..

Cord Blood News — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 20:42:44 +0100

If you are thinking about becoming pregnant, or if you are having difficulties getting pregnant, this website is an amazing resource. From pre conception to ‘normal’ pregnancy to high risk pregnancies, there are blog posts, resources and wonderful success stories to answer your unique questions. You can find women and men who are going through very similar experiences; get their thoughts and ideas on many different issues and perhaps give some advice to others. There are resources on infertility, moms to be, pharmacy guides and cord blood banking. Make your way over there, it will be worth the trip!! http://tinyurl.com/28kxqgd (Source: Cord Blood News)

Go green!!

Cord Blood News — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 20:55:26 +0100

Ever wonder how ‘green’ your cleaning products are? Especially when you are pregnant, you need to be careful while cleaning your house with potentially harmful products. You can read here about what ingredients to look out for and special tips on to really ‘go green’. Helping the planet while helping your baby grow and thrive in a healthy, non toxic environment. (Source: Cord Blood News)

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Cord Blood News — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 20:55:26 +0100

Getting healthy before you get pregnant leads to healthier pregnancy and baby

Cord Blood News — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 20:42:45 +0100

Getting a physical before you get pregnant might help you avoid such prenatal issues as gestational diabetes, which can lead to early delivery and Cesarean sections as well as increasing the baby’s risk of developing diabetes and obesity later in life. For more information read this article and start planning now!!! (Source: Cord Blood News)

A Grassroots Leukemia Mission

Better Health — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 13:00:06 +0100

I am just back from Phoenix where I spent the weekend with people living with CML, chronic myelogenous leukemia. The operative words are “living with” because it wasn’t very long ago when people did not live long with this disease. However, medical science and dedicated researchers like Dr. Brian Druker at OHSU in Portland, Oregon have brought us what first appear to be “miracle” pills (Gleevec, Sprycel, and Tasigna) that can keep patients alive and doing well. My weekend was spent with several people, all taking one of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor drugs, as they were planning next steps for a new advocacy organization, The National CML Society. The Society is the creation of Greg Stephens of Birmingham, Alabama, a business consultant who lost his mother to CML. Now he has devot...

Growing a Broken Heart

MD Buyline — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 15:36:17 +0100

The heart is an amazing device in itself but has one major drawback: once damaged, it has a limited ability to repair itself. So, calling the use of your own cells to repair damaged heart tissue “groundbreaking” is an understatement! However, Dr. Warren Sherman, MD, FACC, FSCAI Director, Cardiac Cell-Based Endovascular Therapies Center for Interventional Vascular Therapy, Columbia University Medical Center, is a leading authority on autologous cell therapy and explained its potential to me. He stated, “We’re looking at cell therapy for the treatment of heart muscle disease after it’s been damaged, meaning weeks, months, or years after it’s been damaged. For patients with congestive heart failure, the impact could be huge.” Autologous cell therapy is a process that use...

First US patient injected with embryonic stem cells

Mary Meets Dolly — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 01:17:41 +0100

The first patient ever the US has been injected with cells derived from embryonic stem cells. From the Atlanta Journal Constitution:First stem cell treatment for human administered in AtlantaTaking a landmark step, Atlanta doctors have injected millions of embryonic stem cells into a partially paralyzed patient, treating a human for the first time in the U.S. with the controversial research, officials said Monday.The medical procedure took place Friday at an unknown local hospital and the person, who was not identified, later entered the Shepherd Center, which specializes in brain and spinal cord injuries, for rehabilitation.While supporters hailed the treatment as a monumental medical advance, others derided it as a moral atrocity. There was some irony in Atlanta being selected as the f...

Controversial Stem Cell Poetry Winner Acknowledges Loss of Embryonic Life

Mary Meets Dolly — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 00:34:19 +0100

The California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) is the body that regulates the $6 billion tax payer funding for mostly embryonic stem cell research in California. Recently they had a poetry contest to promote Stem Cell Awareness Day and they picked this gem:Stem C. By Tyson AndersonThis is my body which is given for you.But I am not great. I have neither wealth, nor fame, nor grace. I cannot comfort with words, nor inspire to march. I am small and simple,so leave me this.Let me heal you.This is my bodywhich is given for you. Take this in remembrance of me.There has been much to do about the sacrilegious nature of this poem because it is a direct literary allusion to the words that Christ spoke at the Last Supper. CIRM has s...

A.M. Vitals: J&J Documents Raise Questions About 2009 Recall

WSJ.com: Health Blog — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 12:58:32 +0100

Also: most Americans now probably immune to 2009 H1N1 strain; federally funded embryonic stem cell research can continue -- for now. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog)

A.M. Vitals: U.S. Appeals Court Hears Stem Cell Arguments

WSJ.com: Health Blog — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 12:28:48 +0100

Also: advocates press for coverage of custom-made breast prostheses; Seattle Genetics reports positive drug results; obese women pay more than men. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog)

Aborted Human Fetal Cells in Vaccines

vactruth.com — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 11:58:14 +0100

Catherine J. Frompovich Vactruth.com 09/20/2010 Doctor Nancy Snyderman, a very attractive, gregarious and outgoing physician, has real TV presence in more ways than one. Friday, September 17, 2010 Dr. Snyderman appeared on the MSNBC Today Show and promoted vaccines in a segment titled Vaccines 101 in a manner to which I personally took umbrage, especially when she said there was a small amount of medicine in the shot and the “rest is water or salt water.” Hel-l-l-o-o-o! To hear Doctor Snyderman’s remarks that made me wonder, please access this link http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36691058/vp/39211550#39211550 . It’s a little over six minutes of what I call “medical spin” that sounds valid but, inadvertently, I think misleads because of non-disclosure. Why? Well, my answer is this. ...