Cord Blood News Volume 6.28 | Jul 24 2014

Calcium Sensing Receptor Activation by Calcimimetic R-568 in Human Amniotic Fluid Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Correlation with Osteogenic Differentiation
Using western blotting, immunofluorescence and flow cytometry, investigators consistently observed constitutive calcium sensing receptor in osteo-differentiating mesenchymal stem cells derived from human amniotic fluid. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Dissection of the Cord Blood Stromal Component Reveals Predictive Parameters for Culture Outcome
Researchers present their nine-year experience for the consistent isolation of cord blood (CB)-derived multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). Even though nearly one CB unit out of two retains the potential to give rise to MSC colonies, only 46% of them can be cultured till low passages, but one fourth of those reaches even higher passages. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

HUCBCs Increase Angiopoietin 1 and Induce Neurorestorative Effects after Stroke in T1DM Rats
Scientists investigated the neurorestorative effects and underlying mechanisms of stroke treatment with human umbilical cord blood cells (HUCBCs) in type one diabetes mellitus (T1DM) rats [CNS Neurosci Ther] Abstract

Older Patients with Myeloma Derive Similar Benefit from Autologous Transplantation
Investigators analyzed 11,430 autologous hematopoietic cell transplant (AHCT) recipients for plasma cell myeloma prospectively reported to the CIBMTR between 2008 and 2011 representing the majority of US AHCT activity during this period. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant] Abstract

Differentiation of Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Prostate-Like Epithelial Cells In Vivo
Researchers report that when human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells were combined with rat urogenital sinus stromal cells and transplanted into the renal capsule in vivo, they could differentiate into prostate epithelial-like cells that could be verified by prostate epithelial cell-specific markers including the prostate specific antigen. [PLoS One] Full Article

Effects of Interruptions of Controlled-Rate Freezing on the Viability of Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells
Cord blood cells were stored in liquid nitrogen vapor phase for 127 ± 48.1 hours before postthaw recovery, viability, and survival of total nucleated cells and/or CD45⁺ cells, CD34⁺ cells, and colony-forming unit-granulocyte-macrophage were assessed. [Transfusion] Abstract

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Merck Initiates Phase III Study of Letermovir, an Investigational Antiviral for Prevention of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infection in High-Risk Bone Marrow Transplant Patients
Merck announced that the first patient has been enrolled in a global Phase III clinical study of letermovir (MK-8228), an investigational antiviral agent. The multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of letermovir for the prevention of clinically-significant CMV infection in adult CMV-seropositive recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplants. [Merck & Co., Inc.] Press Release

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NEW Biologist or Immunologist – Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation (University Hospital Aachen)

NEW Postdoctoral Researcher – Hematopoietic Stem Cell Maintenance (Baylor College of Medicine)

Product Marketing Manager (Cesca Therapeutics)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Fetal Imprinting and Establishment of the Methylome in Cord Tissue and Placenta (University of Freiburg)

Hematology Investigator (Case Western Reserve University)

Cord Tissue Processing Technician (Cord Blood Registry)

Postdoctoral Position – Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research (UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas)

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cell Media Development, High Throughput Screening (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Cell Culture Support Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Immunology/Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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