Second Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Mortality Analysis

Second allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) was realized in 48 patients with myeloid and lymphoid neoplasms at Gustave Roussy institute since 1987. Overall survival rate was about 30 % with better outcome in acute myeloid leukemia cases. Non-relapse related mortality is overwhelming, especially in myelodysplasia patients and despite the fact that complete remission was obtained in their majority. Graft versus Host disease (GvHD) is very common after second transplantation with many grade III - IV cases and one death from severe pulmonary GvHD lesions. Reduced intensity conditioning is certainly less toxic and together with optimal GvHD and infectious disease management, Second SCT may be a reasonable therapeutic option and the only curative treatment for many hematological malignancies.

The Effects of Stem Cells on Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that hinders normal motor activity and muscle coordination. CP typically appears before, during, or soon after birth as the brain is still developing. The severity of this multifactorial condition depends on the damage done to the parts of the brain that control muscle tone and body movement. The insult in the underdeveloped brain prohibits normal growth; neurons and oligodendrocytes will either die or fail to develop, and the white matter tracts that connect various brain regions become malfunctional. Cerebral palsy is classified into different types depending on the areas of the brain that were insulted and the nature of the movement disorder: spasticity, dyskinesia, and ataxia. Abnormal brain development in patients with CP cannot be reversed, but various treatments are shown to improve and normalize the symptoms. Stem cell transplantation, a regenerative therapy that can replace the damaged and non-functional cells of the brains in CP patients, has shown effective results. Embryonic stem cells (ESC), mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), hematopoietic stem cells (HSC), human amnion epithelial cells (hAEC), and neural stem cells (NSC) are infused to reproduce into more specialized cell types. This alternative therapeutic method has shown successful results through preclinical animal research and clinical trials.

Establishment of a Large Collection of Cells from Major Depressive Disorder Patients to Model Disease and Therapy Response in Vitro

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a multifactorial psychiatric condition that affects 4.4% of the world population, causing substantial personal suffering, disability and social costs. Current pharmacological treatments for MDD do not effect remission in 30% of patients. The development of in vitro models for MDD will aid the understanding of this disorder, its pharmacogenomics, and the development of new therapies. Although hiPSCs from 6 MDD patients have been established, given the complexity and heterogeneity of the disease much larger sample sizes may be needed to fully model the disorder in vitro. To this end, we established a collection of 66 primary cells and 10 induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) from a sample of clinically well-characterized MMD patients, who were participants of a clinical study that compared the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tCDS) versus escitalopram on the treatment of MDD. Cells were differentiated in vitro into serotoninergic neurons, a clinically relevant cell type for MMD. This collection of cells increases significantly the number of available samples from MDD patients, and thus will contribute to research into the molecular basis of depression.

The Role of Genetics Mutations in GALC in Krabbe Syndrome

Krabbe’s Leukodystrophy is a rare inherited lipid storage disorder caused by a deficiency of the enzyme galactocerebrosidase (GALC), which is necessary for the breakdown (metabolism) of the sphingolipids galactosylceremide and psychosine. Failure to break down these sphingolipids results in degeneration of the myelin sheath surrounding nerves in the brain (demyelination). Characteristic globoid cells appear in affected areas of the brain. This metabolic disorder is characterized by progressive neurological dysfunction such as mental retardation, paralysis, blindness, deafness and paralysis of certain facial muscles (pseudobulbar palsy). Krabbe’s Leukodystrophy is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. Krabbe’s Leukodystrophy is a hereditary disorder transferred to offspring through recessive genes. It is caused by a deficiency of the enzyme galactoside beta-galactosidase (galactosyl ceramidase). This enzyme is needed for the metabolism of galactocerebroside (galactosyl ceramide), a component of the fatty sheath around the nerves (myelin). The demyelination of the nerve cells in the large hemispheres of the brain (and in the brain stem) causes the neurological symptoms of Krabbe’s Leukodystrophy

Negative Health Effects of the International Space Station

The dazzling weapon was tested against volunteers firing assault weapons, sniper rifles, and machine guns at targets protected by Filin from two kilometers away. All of the participants experienced difficulties aiming, and 45% had complaints of dizziness, nausea, and disorientation. Twenty percent of volunteers experienced what Russian media has characterized as hallucinations. Participants described seeing floating balls of light. But there are concerns about cloud seeding’s long-term impacts. For example, it’s unclear how making it rain in one village affects a neighboring villages, cities, etc. It’s also up for debate who “owns” the water -- such as which state or company -- that comes out of the clouds. There are also environmental questions, such as ones related to the long-term impacts of silver iodide. Although some critics may have concerns about companies impacting the weather with the International Space Station (ISS) that they are “playing God.” One of the main cause of a Climatic Changes in our recent World are artificial interventions into Global and different Local Weather from the International Space Station regulated by Russia.

Neuroinflammation as Part of a Possible Neuro-regeneration in a Patient with ASIA-A Scale Using Combinatorial Biologics: Bioquantine® and Allogeneic Mesenchymal Stem Cells

A complete spinal cord injury (SCI) is the complete sensory and motor loss below the site of spinal cord injury following acute or chronic destruction, compression, or ischemia of the spinal cord. Initially, this may present as spinal shock, which is an acute physiological loss or depression of spinal cord function. It presents as a flaccid are flexic paralysis below the level of the injury with autonomic features (e.g., hypotension and bradycardia). After some days to weeks the spinal shock wears off and a complete spinal cord injury may remain. It presents with spastic paresis, hyperreflexia, and continued sensory loss.

The Use of Stem Cells to Treat Osteogenesis Imperfecta

Osteogenesis Imperfecta is a genetic disorder that affects the body’s ability to create and maintain bone decreasing its strength and durability due to mutations in specific genes that code for the creation of the collagen matrix in the bone structure. Current treatment options available for individuals suffering from Osteogenesis Imperfecta include conventional rehabilitation therapy as well as drug therapy. Recently research has focused on finding a cure using gene therapy, thus having the ability to correct the mutations that cause the weakened collagen fibers. In addition, research is focusing on the use of stem cells that have the ability to differentiate into osteoblasts that can create new and stronger bone. The transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells has been tested to treat the disorder. Positive results have been reported when transplanted prenatally and/or postnatally, through the current use of stem cells and gene therapy using murine models. Additionally, a few trials performed in humans are being planned, in the not too distant future. Once a sufficient number of trials are completed with reported success, treatments using stem cells should be available to patients with Osteogenesis Imperfecta.

An Assessment of the effect of Platelet Rich Plasma in the Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Introduction: Osteoarthritis (OA) is estimated to be the fourth leading cause of disability. With prevalence as high as 17 to 60.6%. With a 100% increase in prevalence of knee osteoarthritis since the mid-20th century. No specific cure for OA appears to exist. Most of the patients have no option but to undergo joint replacement surgery which again is an option not without risk and limitations. Therefore, there is need for a treatment option which could avoid or delay a joint replacement and make patient comfortable till surgery becomes an absolute indication. The available interventional therapies are visco-supplementation and PRP therapy which help in delaying the disease progression. This study was undertaken with the aim to assess the functional outcome of the therapeutic values of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) in knee osteoarthritis. Materials and Method: The present study was conducted in the Department of Orthopaedics, Rohilkhand Medical College, Bareilly. All the patients affected by a Unilateral or Bilateral knee osteoarthritis of all radiological grades (grade 1-4), attending the department from November 2016 to October 2017 were invited to participate in the study. It is a prospectivestudy of 50 cases. The patients were administered with 3 doses of intra-articular PRP and were followed up till 6 months post PRP therapy. The cases of knee OA were radiologically classified by the Kellegren Lawrence Grade. The functional outcome in the patients was assessed by the WOMAC, IKDC and VAS scores. Results: A significant change in WOMAC score was observed. The range of change in WOMAC score at 1 week to 6 months follow-up was 9.85% to 24.84%. Changes in WOMAC score at all the follow up visits were statistically significant (p<0.001).A subsequent decline in pre-treatment VAS score (Pain) was also observed at follow up visits at 1 week (1.15±0.69; 18.18%), 3 months (2.07±1.03; 32.63%) and 6 months (2.29±1.29; 36.14%). Conclusion: PRP is a very good alternative treatment modality in patients with knee OA from KL grade 1 to grade 3 to delay the progression of the disease and also it provided significant symptomatic improvement along with improvement in the functional outcome of the patients without any severe side-effects.

Tendon Injuries of the Hand: Current Treatment Strategies and Future Options

Tendons form the crucial connections linking muscles to bones, allowing movement of the axial and appendicular skeleton. Hand injuries often involve tendinous injury which may severely impair daily function. Current clinical treatment strategies for tendon injuriesare suboptimal, requiringimmobilization and prolonged rehabilitation, but regenerative medicine presents promising future treatment strategies that may expedite return of function, improving long-term patient outcomes. In this review, we discuss current treatment paradigms for upper extremity tendon injuries, as well as the potential impact that emerging regenerative medicine and stem cell related strategies may bring to improving clinical treatment.

Light up the Future – a New Paradigm: Photobiomodulation as a Non-Surgical Cancer Treatment Modality: a Case Report

Non Functioning Pituitary Macroadenoma (NFPA) comprise about 80% of all pituitary macroadenomas. NFPAs are frequently found incidentally during imaging studies performed for unrelated reasons.Photobiomodulation (PBM) is a non-evasive technique that uses certain wavelengths of light to restore, repair, and protect tissue that is either injured, degenerating, or at risk of dying. It has the ability to promote the body’s own immune responses and are able to penetrate into the cells, tissues, blood, nerves, the brain, and into the bones. Perhaps besides radical surgical approach, we could explore adjuvant methods of treatments to complement this. In conclusion, PBM might be introduced as an adjunct treatment option for patients with brain tumour, non-operable brain lesions or those who declined radical surgery and opted for active surveillance.This case report highlightsphotobiomodulation antitumourigenesis effects in reduction of pituitary tumour volume.