Why Should You Choose Private Cord Blood Bank Over Public Cord Blood Bank?

One of the most suggested suggestions given by the experienced gynaecologists or doctors to the parents-to-be is to opt for cord blood bank. Therefore, in this article, I will be explaining the benefits of cord blood bank and why should you opt for private cord blood bank instead of a public one.

Let’s begin with the basics. What is actually cord blood and why is it important to store this blood for future needs or requirements? Cord blood as the name suggests is located in the umbilical cord of the baby. Therefore, why is this blood so important? Few ounces of cord blood contains the precious stem cells which have the ability to regenerate tissues, organs and also has the capability to protect the human body from life-threatening situations. Also, the medical researchers have the faith that these stem cells have the ability to cure the incurable diseases and therefore are actively conducting research into this possibility.

Stem cells are found in other parts of body as well such as bone marrow but the why are the stem cells found in the cord blood so important? The cord blood is considered to be the richest source of stem cells and thus the need to conserve these few ounces of blood and this conservation can e done in two ways – Public cord blood bank and Private cord blood bank.

Public cord blood bank is open and free for all because it is supported by the government institutions as it is meant for the public welfare. Also, this blood is further available for research. But this very feature is its drawback.

Imagine a situation where your child is seriously ill or was involved in a near-fatal accident, and you require the cord blood to save his or her life. What will you do if you rush to the public cord blood bank you had donated to does not have the blood group you require? What is the point in preserving the cord blood if it is not available when you need it on an urgent basis and this is where the private cord blood bank steps in.

Private cord blood bank store the cord blood for your own use so that in future when you are in desperate need, you can get access to it and solve your problem. These institutions ensure that the blood is preserved in the most hygienic way possible and also ensures that it is available only to the registered family members.

Also, the cord blood sourced from the public cord blood bank may not prove to be the exact biological match with the patient’s blood even if the blood groups are same. There have been cases where cord blood has been rejected despite getting the blood matched. So are you willing to take the risk of opting for a public cord blood bank?

During the medical procedures, the surgeons prefer the related or the cord blood originally taken from the patient’s body because it reduces the risk of rejection by the body and if this rejection happens on the operation table then it can prove to be a fatal call for the patients and this facility can be provided by the private cord blood bank.

When one becomes a parent, the most important person for that person is his or her child and when we invest so much to provide them a good life, is it justifiable to shy away from opting for a private cord blood bank simply because it charges quite a bit?

Stem Cell Therapies For Stroke And Duchene Muscular Dystrophy Patients

The brain needs blood the carrier of oxygen and nutrients to function. If ever the supply is cut the brain cells start to die and the person may suffer a stroke. This happens either when the arteries are blocked by blood clots which in turn block the blood traveling to the brain and these blood vessels burst within the brain.

When this happens, the patient feels numbness in the limbs, paralysis in the face, finds it difficult to walk, talk and understand. A theory that is being researched and is still in the trial stage is that the blood vessels do not die but become dormant and stop working.

Stem cells taken from the bone marrow are transferred into brain of the person who has suffered a stroke may help wake the cells. These transferred cells act like a defibrillator on the dormant cells to wake them up and to start working and it also helps trigger an immune response for the brain to repair itself.

Cells which are taken from organs like donated heart tissue is said to have regenerative factors which regenerate the heart and other muscle functions in DMD patients.

This method is in phase 2 trial and it suggests that the stem cell therapy improves the heart function and movement of the upper limb in six months of being treated. The new trial hopes to gather information if repeated use of the stem cell method will improve movements in the upper body in DMD patients.

Stem cell therapy is also being used to treat boys and young men who suffer from a muscle wasting disease called Duchene muscular dystrophy (DMD).

The Muscular dystrophy is inherited. The heterogeneous neuromuscular disorders include Duchene and Becker muscular dystrophies (DMD and BMD, respectively). Those suffering from DMD show progressive muscle weakness and atrophy.  This leads to exhaustion of muscular regeneration, fibrosis and disruption of muscle tissue.

Mutation of the gene is important for the dystrophin protein – actin and dystroglycan bindings - which results in DMD phenotype. While mutation is associated with BMD because of different mutations.

DMD affects over 3500 born males and is more common of the two. The patients slowly loose muscle control and become wheel chair bound before the age of 12 and die of respiratory insufficiency.

Mutation of the dystrophin gene can lead to partially working protein leading to mild BMD. There are no therapies available. Cell based therapies are made in an effort to promote muscle regeneration in the hope that the cells will occupy the muscle again and the functions of the muscle will improve.

Injection of adult myoblasts leads to development of new muscle fibers, but there are limitations there is poor cell survival and migration is limited. Stem cells are considered an alternative to myoblasts. 

Stem cells have shown encouraging results in treating leukemia, Parkinson's disease, stroke, and muscular dystrophies.

Embryonic stem cells derived from mammalian embryos have the potential to treat all human diseases. There are many ongoing studies which focus on this possibility. Stem cells have been identified in tissues where they maintain, generate and replace ill cells or when the need arises during a tissue injury. They regenerate specific tissue type.

To know more on new stem cell findings, log on to www.cordlifeindia.com.

How to Choose the Best Stem Cell Company in India?

Cordblood donation is especially recommended by doctors for a history of medical conditions in the family. Cordblood banking, if undertaken privately, can be a long term and an expensive undertaking. The chances for a medically normal family requiring that blood eventually are relatively low. Since this field of research is only about 20 years old, it is also uncertain just how long the stored blood remains effective. However, for medical conditions, especially inherited blood disorders such as thalassemia, cordblood donations have proved to be a blazing success.

When choosing the right facility for preserving stem cells, the family must deliberate on some key decisions. The private cordblood bank must be certified, experienced and reputed. Private Banks may not have to ascribe to the same quality standards as public banks. Contamination will render the sample useless. Understand their processes and ascertain proper collection and storage methods. Previous success will testify to their expertise. Seek recommendations, from previous users, doctors or even online.

The collection, processing and storage of cordblood comes at a cost. This may be a lump sum investment or may derive in the form of monthly payments. It depends on the payment terms selected. For the price paid, it is important to ensure that the private bank offers both banking and stem cell therapy options. Stem cell therapy involves participation in clinical trials to expand the scope of application. For the storage fee private banks demand, stem cell therapy should be an intrinsic agenda for the stem cells samples collected. Some private banks may offer additional services such as new born genetic screening, menstrual blood banking and even storage of the umbilical cord tissue.

It is important for the private bank to have a good network and tie-ups with hospitals so it can make the blood easily available in case of an emergency. If obtaining blood from a trusted vendor, the hospital will naturally take lesser processing time as well. Some other points to consider may be the condition of the storage facility, whether the facility is equipped to deal with natural disasters, or an outbreak of fire, or power outage. Whether the environment is controlled, monitored and secure. It may be better to choose a bank which owns its own laboratory and storage facility. They will have a higher locus of control and better technological expertise within their own facilities.

It is essential to understand the terms of the contract thoroughly. What happens to the cordblood if the company goes out of business, or if the contract expires? Answer these questions to make the most informed decision about what may be a significant financial and medical investment for your family. Some well-known private companies are Cordlife, LifeCell, and BabyCell.

If donation for eventual use by someone in need is the only desire, donors can choose public banks. If a candidate’s condition already exists in the cordblood, or if a match from the family cordblood proves untenable, they would require the assistance of public cordblood banks to provide adequate, matching blood. Jeevan stem cell bank is the most experienced and well-known public cordblood bank in India.

10 Foods To Increase Lactation

Breastfeeding offers dual benefits for you and your baby. Many new moms prefer not to choose this option, and opt for formulas, which pediatricians highly recommend not to use. So, when you nurse your baby for a few days or weeks after her birth, make sure she gets that early thick yellow milk ‘colostrum’ important for the development of disease fighting antibodies in your babies, until her own immune system becomes stronger enough within a year.

The first advantage of breastfeeding is it gives you time in between your hard chores and family works to find some relaxation period and a good time to connect with your baby. So, while you soothe your baby, your baby finds a comforting lap to rest upon too.  

Any nursing mother is up for fostering the brain development of their babies through changing the position of feeding. This is highly missed in a bottle feeding. Simultaneously, when you nurse your baby, the process makes you healthier, and reduces the risks of cancer development. While breastfeeding offers so much of benefits for both of you, why should you overlook this convenient way of feeding your baby until solid food is introduced. For many new and encouraged mothers, they do take the initiative to nurse their babies, but they tend to quit this as soon as they find a low production of milk. While there are so much into breastfeeding with proper tactics and techniques, you can follow a milk boosting diet to have a good supply for your baby.

Make sure to nurse your baby every two-three hour during the day and at night once. As much as your baby is nursed, the supply of milk will be replenished by the body itself.  Have plenty of fluids such as milk, water and juice. It is not you have a supply overflowing, but it is a moderate supply which helps you keep a long-term lactation supply. You would rather follow some foods to increase your milk production.

1.      Fennel seeds

These seeds can boost the quantity of your lactation production. It’s not like that you have to chew on these seeds anytime you want. Use them as a seasoning. Add them to your vegetables or have them with your tea or milk. It is better if you take them as a mouth refresher.

2.      Oatmeal

Oatmeal is full of nutrients and effective to control the onset of diabetes post pregnancy. It is easy to digest. Have a bowl of oatmeal in your breakfast. Or you can have cookies with oats.

3.      Nuts

It is easier to increase the richness of your lactation by chomping a few handfuls of nuts like cashews, almonds and macadamia as they contain monounsaturated fats. Have three servings each day. Do not consume roasted nuts.

4.      Fenugreek

Fenugreek seeds are best to increase the lactation production in nursing moms. It controls the sugar levels. You can use it as seasoning in your meal or have a fenugreek supplement. Take three capsules each day.

5.      Ginger

To improve the blood functions as well as your lactation production, prefer eating ginger. You can have it from ginger flavored tea or sip hot ginger drink twice a day.

6.      Legumes

Different types of grains and legumes like barley, brown rice, lentils and millet improve the quality of milk and also supply. Have eight-nine servings per day.

7.      Garlic

It helps improve lactation production in nursing mothers. Use it in your soup or add it to any vegetables you like.

8.      Carrots

Have a glassful of carrot juice in your breakfast or lunch. This is good for your lactation.

9.      Asparagus

This high-fibrous plant is the best source for lactation production. Add asparagus to your milk and boil it. Sieve it and drink it.

10.  Salmon

This fish is a rich source of fatty acids and omega-3. So, this is good for lactating mothers. Go for grilled, steamed or boiled salmon.

Adding any of the foods to your diet helps increase your lactation as you want to provide your child with your breastmilk, especially during the initial phase of growing up. Just like you’ve invested in cord blood banking that will protect your child from 80+ critical blood diseases and disorders in the future.

Why not share your experience with other expectant parents too? To know more, speak to a Cordlife expert today or log on to our website – www.cordlifeindia.com and learn how you can help us spread the word.

Cordlife, the oldest and largest network of stem cell banks in Asia Pacific, serves the needs of the mother and child. Since 2001, Cordlife aspires to deliver the highest of quality standards in service and product offerings to their clients. With state-of-the-art-laboratories located in 6 different countries across South East Asia (Singapore, India, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Hong Kong), and strategic brand presence in China, Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar, Cordlife is able to offer the most advanced processing and cryopreservation technologies for both cord blood and cord tissue stem cells. Cordlife laboratories have been accredited by FACT (Singapore), AABB (Singapore, India and Hong Kong) and CAP (India and Hong Kong) in addition to other requisite licenses and certifications like DCGI, ISO, WHO-GMP and US-FDA. Cordlife India singularly offers a storage capacity of 150,000 cord blood units with a provision to scale up as and when required.

Having been in the forefront of the stem cell banking industry for more than a decade, Cordlife has adhered to its values of integrity, honesty and pursuit of excellence, for which they have been recognized by Forbes as one of the Top 200 ‘Best Under a Billion’ Companies in Asia (2015) and also been titled as the Most Transparent Company by SIAS Investors, Singapore (2013) and Asia Pacific ‘Stem Cell bank of the Year’ by Frost and Sullivan (2016).

CIRM Funded Clinical Trial Takes a Combination Approach to Treating Deadly Blood Cancers

Cancer means nothing more than a death bed. When this deadly disease strikes, it brings with it a huge burden in the form of surgery, radiations and chemotherapy. But, nothing seems to give a respite from its deadly clutches. Being metastatic in nature, the complications seem more intensifying when it turns back later even after the treatment.

Hopes are still not so bleak in the corner due to the discovery of a novel combination therapy, aiming at doing away with the hard-to-kill blood cancers like leukemia and their other types. The credit goes to a team of scientists at UC San Diego and Oncternal Therapeutics to invent this approach.

The Development of The Novel Drug Combination

An antibody has been redefined as CIRMTUZUMUB for being initiated with the funding from CIRM, to multiply its cancer treating abilities in compliance with ibrutinib, another conventional anti-cancer drug.

Considering the efficacy of ibrutinib, an international III stage clinical trial approved of its performance capabilities to facilitate patients live longer without the chances of metastasis of different types of leukemia in their bodies, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia and small lymphocytic leukemia. The drug has potential to treat patients with relapsed or refactory occurrences. In addition, the application of the drug has an approval from the Food and Drug Administration, so one can be assured of its safety.

However, although it offers a better survival scopes for patients with leukemia, it does not completely hinder the cancer cells from invading again. There are many cancer stem cells, which are adamant and remain dormant during the treatment. As a result, they do not die, and come back again only to proliferate and multiply in greater numbers to infect the entire body.  That is the only reason to combine cirmtuzumub and ibrutinib together to cut back on the capacity of aggressive cancer cells and prevent them from coming back.

How the Combinations of Two Drugs Work to Prevent Hard-To-Kill Cancers?

Two drugs have the potential to work in a different way. And when they are devised to administer the patients together, they exert operations on their own way. CIRMTUZUMUB being a monoclonal antibody aims at binding onto the CD20 antigen on the leukemia cells. This capacity would help the drug induce cancer cell death, while prompting the immune cells to wreak havoc on the cancer cells. On the other hand, ibrutinib, suppresses the activity of a protein referred to as Bruton tyrosine kinase, crucial to trigger a signaling pathway to encourage the growth of B-cells. Hence, by restricting their action, the drug helps the regrowth of lymphocytic cells.  

How Are the Duo Contrived to Kill Deadly Blood Cancers?

 In order to help patients, eliminate the probabilities of drug failure to kill all cancer cells, patients need to develop intolerance to ibrutinib, or follow the drug intake for an indefinite period. The other drug cirmtuzumub focuses to kill cancer stem cells which are tough to identify. However, cirmtuzumub will work together with ibrutinib to contribute to the growth and survival of the neoplastic-cell by inhibiting signaling pathways. And the process will help kill the adamant cancer cells. At the same time, the patients become immune to avoid any relapse and refactory in future, and also stop the further drug therapy.

Since, the trial is at its early stage, the participants are likely to take two drugs altogether, while others take only one at a time to determine the efficacy of both the drugs.

If the clinical trial becomes successful, we can expect a fast introduction of the drug therapy to be in the clinical setting. And the therapy will be able to eradicate hard-to-kill cancer cells and let patients live their lives to the fullest.

To know more on new stem cell findings, log on to www.cordlifeindia.com.

Examine Stem Cell Banking Companies In India

The marketplace of Stem Cell Banking is slowly gaining maturity in India. With the arrival of latest gamers inside the market and the government providing good enough support the enterprise is predicted to reach a cost of USD four hundred million with the aid of the cease of 2018. This is pretty vast because it become handiest 2002 while the primary stem mobile financial institution turned into installation on this usa.

Now there are many elements which make one stem cell banking organization better than the other. Starting from the recognition of the financial institution to the laboratory storage facility, there are many elements which wishes to be evaluated in case of selecting the suitable stem cell bank. 

In this evaluate record we can examine and assessment three main gamers in the Indian stem mobile banking marketplace- Cordlife Sciences India, Lifecell & Babycell. 

Cordlife India: 

Cordlife is essentially extra of an international participant in the marketplace as its operations spread across Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Philippines, and India. With state-of-artwork facility and advanced generation this enterprise boasts direct investment in China Cord Blood Corporation. 

Cordlife India, this stem cellular financial institution is by using some distance the maximum generation advanced banks in this country as they delivered the patented generation CellOptima. With the help of this generation two types of stem cells may be remoted from the umbilical cord. 

Cordlife makes use of Terumo Penpol blood baggage which might be pre-loaded with anti-coagulant CPDA-1, followed with the aid of the disinfectant Isopropyl alcohol swab. 

The samples are transported in temperature controlled gel packs and that is the first financial institution inside the complete country to apply a completely automatic and sterile Sepax processing device. The storage system also meets the highest requirements as 25 ml cryo baggage are used for initial storage. The quarantine freezers make the samples their transient visitors till the point the units are checked for illnesses. 

With the type of advanced technology meeting the worldwide standards, one need to wonder how lots they genuinely rate the parents. But the pleasant wonder is this stem financial institution is actually one of the maximum cheap ones within the US.. 

The preliminary enrolment rate of Cordlife is only INR 5000 that's quite low compared to Lifecell’s INR 20,000 package. Moreover, the storage cost is simply INR 50,000 for a 21 year scheme, which is coming to round INR 2380, annually. 

The bank has also added a 25 years scheme referred to as Cordsure providing handy payment alternatives for middle-magnificence and decrease-middle-class households. 

Lifecell: 

One of the first movers in the Indian marketplace, Lifecell has now greater than one hundred centre throughout the nation. Since its inception within the 12 months 2004 this enterprise has accrued over 85,000 twine blood samples. 

The collection of the samples occurs in Terumo Penpol one hundred fifty ml sterile blood bag, that's pre-filled with anti-coagulant CPD. Transportation additionally occurs in a completely secure surroundings. They use foam bricks to ensure the desired temperature of the amassed samples. 

Lifecell’s partnership with Air Transport Association makes sure that there aren't any delays in transporting the samples to the desired storage area. The collected devices are stored in multi-compartment cryo-bag. These luggage are encased in overwraps. 

Till the time the samples are examined for indication of diverse deadly sicknesses, they are kept in a quarantine freezer. Upon clearing those exams the samples are saved in a long-time period freezer. 

The pricing is quite primary as a long way as Lifecell India is concerned. The preliminary enrolment cost is around INR 20,000. From then onwards the annual storage prices degrees among INR 3,500 and INR 4,000, depending upon the quantity of storage one avails. 

Upon storing the samples, the corporation offers the couples with a certification which includes the information just like the blood organization, the Rh kind, and the counts of various sorts of cells. 

Babycell: 

Established in the yr 2009, Babycell, has over 25 centres all across the country. The organization has already amassed more than 10,000 samples within a very short span of time. 

The stem cell bank uses A USFDA authorised collection bag. This bag comes with haemostatic clamps. The clamps comprise anti-coagulant CPD. Post series, the samples are bubble-wrapped and transported in gel packs. A constant temperature of 18-25 diploma C is maintained. 

Just like inside the case of Lifecell, this employer also stores the accumulated samples in a cyro bag. A quarantine freezer is used as temporary garage till the cords are tested for diseases. 

The pricing supplied by Babycell is a great deal more lower priced whilst in comparison to the previous competitor. The preliminary registration value is just INR 5000. Which is pretty less while compared to Lifecell.

Then the once a year garage price is expected at INR fifty nine,000 for a tenure of 21 years, which is coming to be round INR 2800 according to year. Like Lifecell, Babycell also gives certification which incorporates records like the counts of various sorts of cells.