Cord Blood News Volume 4.36 | Sep 13 2012

Single Cord Blood Combined with HLA-Mismatched Third Party Donor Cells: Comparable Results to Matched-Unrelated Donor Transplantation in High-Risk Hematological Patients
For patients without a suitable adult donor, a group of researchers have adopted the dual stem cell transplantation consisting of cord blood combined with CD34+ cells from a third party HLA-mismatched donor. They analyzed the outcome of patients undergoing both procedures in a single center. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant] Abstract

Changes in Incidence and Causes of Non-Relapse Mortality after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation in Patients with Acute Leukemia/Myelodysplastic Syndrome: An Analysis of the Japan Transplant Outcome Registry
Results indicated that the incidence of non-relapse mortality (NRM) after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation has significantly decreased over the past 12 years, which led to an improvement of OS, and also showed reductions in NRM in subgroups consisting of older patients and those who received unrelated cord blood transplantation. [Bone Marrow Transplant] Abstract

Harvesting the Potential of the Human Umbilical Cord: Isolation and Characterization of Four Cell Types for Tissue Engineering Applications
Umbilical cord (UC) solid tissues contain four cell types: epithelial, stromal, smooth muscle and endothelial cells. Researchers have developed a unique protocol for the sequential extraction of all four cell types from a single UC, allowing tissue reconstruction using multiple cell types from the same source. [Cells Tissues Organs] Abstract

Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Promotes the Proliferation of Human Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Scientists investigated the effect of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) on the proliferation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) and further explored the mechanism of PDGF in promoting the proliferation of UC-MSCs. [Cell Biochem Funct] Abstract

Efficacy of Standardized and Quality-Controlled Cord Blood Serum Eye Drop Therapy in the Healing of Severe Corneal Epithelial Damage in Dry Eye
Researchers standardized quality-controlled cord blood serum (CBS)-based eye drops and evaluated the efficacy of one-month CBS treatment in the healing of diseased corneal epithelium in severe dry eye patients. [Cornea] Abstract

Robust Multi-Parameter Single-Platform Quantification of Myeloid and B-Lymphoid CD34 Progenitor Cells in All Clinical CD34 Cell Sources and in Thawed Peripheral Blood Stem Cells
The authors validated a five-color extension of the single platform Stem Cell Enumeration (SCE) kit, to routinely quantify myeloid and B-lymphoid progenitor cells. Fresh samples of granulocyte colony stimulating factor mobilized blood, cord blood, bone marrow, and apheresis products were stained in TruCOUNT™ tubes and the results were compared with those from the two-color CD45/CD34 reagent combination and the three-color SCE kit. [Pediatr Hematol Oncol] Abstract

Does Mesenchymal Stem Cell Population in Umbilical Cord Blood Vary at Different Gestational Periods?
Investigators aimed to identify and quantitatively determine mesenchymal stem cells in the umbilical cord blood of neonates born at different gestational periods. [Indian J Pediatr] Abstract

Stromal Cells Expressing Hedgehog-Interacting Protein Regulate the Proliferation of Myeloid Neoplasms
Researchers assessed the expression of hedgehog-related genes in primary human CD34⁺ cells, CD34⁺ blastic cells and bone marrow stromal cells. [Blood Cancer J] Full Article

Improving Outcomes in Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation: State of the Art
Researchers discuss strategies to improve umbilical cord blood transplant outcomes, focusing on cord blood unit selection, expansion, and homing efficiency. [Blood Rev] Abstract

Rescuing the Neonatal Brain from Hypoxic Injury with Autologous Cord Blood
This review examines the administration of human cord blood cells in animal models of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, which has generally resulted in improved outcomes, and multiple mechanisms that have been suggested, including anti-inflammation, release of neurotrophic factors and stimulation of endogenous neurogenesis. [Bone Marrow Transplant] Abstract

LifeCell Partners with Sequel Logistics to Offer “Personalized Shipment”
LifeCell International announced its partnership with Sequel Logistics, India to offer “Personalized Shipment Service” of the umbilical cord blood and tissue samples. This unique industry initiative is critical in healthcare logistics whereby stem cells of the new born will be shipped through Sequel’s partner airlines via the next available flight to LifeCell’s processing and storage facility in Chennai. [LifeCell International] Press Release

CIRM Funds Six UC San Diego Stem Cell Researchers
The governing board of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) has announced that six investigators from the University of California (UC), San Diego Stem Cell Research program have received a total of more than $7 million in the latest round of CIRM funding. [University of California, San Diego]
Press Release

AlloCure Begins Phase II Clinical Trial in Acute Kidney Injury
AlloCure, Inc. announced that it has initiated a phase II clinical trial of AC607, the company’s mesenchymal stem cell therapy, as a potential treatment for acute kidney injury. [AlloCure, Inc.] Press Release

Obama and Romney Tackle 14 Top Science Questions
Scientific American partnered with grassroots organization ScienceDebate.org to encourage the two main presidential candidates – Barack Obama and Mitt Romney – to answer 14 questions on some of the biggest scientific and technological challenges facing the nation. [Presidential Candidates, United States]
Press Release

U.K. Devotes £10 Million to Open Access Shift
Following up on recommendations to make more research freely available to scientists and the public, the U.K. government pledged £10 million toward making scientific papers open access. [U.K. Government, United Kingdom] Press Release

National Institutes of Health (United States)

Food and Drug Administration (United States)

Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (United States)

European Medicines Agency (European Union)

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom)

Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

Scientist – Mesenchymal Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Technologist – Media Development (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Technologist – Research and Development (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientific Communications & Publishing Coordinator (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Quality Control Operations Coordinator (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Stem Cell Therapy Scientist (Paramount Recruitment)

Clinical Lab Scientist – Cord Blood (Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center)

Research Associate – Quality Assurance (University of California)

Postdoctoral Position in Mouse Stem Cell Biology (University of Alabama at Birmingham)

Postdoctoral Fellow in Stem Cells and Cancer (Tsinghua University)


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