Cord Blood News Volume 5.50 | Dec 19 2013

Single-Unit Cord Blood Transplantation following G-CSF-Combined Myeloablative Conditioning for Myeloid Malignancies not in Remission
Researchers report on the outcome of unrelated cord blood transplantation using a conditioning regimen of 12 Gy total body irradiation, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-combined high-dose cytarabine, and cyclophosphamide in 61 adult patients with acute myelogenous leukemia or advanced myelodysplastic syndrome not in remission. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant] Abstract

Malignant Transformation Potentials of Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells Both Spontaneously and via 3-Methycholanthrene Induction
Investigators isolated human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells from ten donors and assessed their transformation potential either spontaneously or by treating them with 3-methycholanthrene, a DNA-damaging carcinogen. [PLoS One] Full Article

A Novel Source of Cultured Podocytes
Researchers report having established for the first time a stem-like cell population derived from human amniotic fluid and possessing characteristics of podocyte precursors. [PLoS One] Full Article

MYOD Mediates Skeletal Myogenic Differentiation of Human Amniotic Fluid Stem Cells and Regeneration of Muscle Injury
In order to induce myogenic differentiation of human amniotic fluid stem (hAFS) cells, lentiviruses for MYOD were constructed and transduced into hAFS cells. Formation of myotube-like cells was analyzed by immunocytochemistry, and expression of molecular markers for myoblasts was analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Abstract | Full Article

Pulmonary Manifestations of the Pre-Engraftment Syndrome after Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation
Pre-engraftment syndrome (PES) is a condition occurring after umbilical cord blood transplantation characterized by fever and erythematous skin rash prior to neutrophil engraftment. Investigators sought to determine the incidence and characterize the pulmonary manifestations of PES. [Ann Hematol] Abstract

Successful Unrelated Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation for Class 3 β-Thalassemia Major Using a Reduced-Toxicity Regimen
Scientists describe two patients who underwent successful unrelated umbilical cord blood transplant using a novel reduced-toxicity preparative regimen. This regimen may be sufficiently immunosuppressive and myeloablative to ensure engraftment with reduced risks of toxicity and mortality. [Pediatr Transplant] Abstract

Regeneration of Full-Thickness Skin Defects Using Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells Loaded into Modified Porous Scaffolds
Scientists demonstrated the ability of cord blood-derived unrestricted somatic stem cells and chitosan-modified poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) scaffold to promote skin regeneration. [ASAIO J] Abstract

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Athersys’ MultiStem^® Stem Cell Therapy Receives Orphan Drug Designation in Europe for Prevention of Graft-versus-Host Disease
Athersys, Inc. announced that the Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products of the European Medicines Agency has issued a positive opinion for the Company’s allogeneic, multipotent adult progenitor cell, or MultiStem^® therapy, for the prevention of graft-versus-host disease. [Athersys, Inc.] Press Release

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Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cells and Bioengineering (Queensland University of Technology/Translational Research Institute)

Clinical MD – Clinical Development Program for Oncology and Autoimmune Diseases (Immunomedics, Inc.)

Chief Medical Officer – Novel Therapeutics in Oncology and Autoimmune Disease (Immunomedics, Inc.)

PhD Studentship – iNKT Cells to Prevent Graft versus Host Disease (University of Birmingham)

Postdoctoral Associate – Graft-vs.-Host Disease and Graft-vs.-Leukemia in Mouse Models (Yale University School of Medicine)

Clinical Researcher – Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Program (Northwestern University – Feinberg School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Research Fellows – Isolation of Stem Cells from Placenta and Amniotic Fluid (Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine)

Adult Stem Cell Transplant Physician (John Theurer Cancer Center)

Scientist – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate/Scientist – Antibodies Group (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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