New Research at U of Rochester Sees Restoration of CNS Function

Stem Cell Research

Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center have discovered that a certain type of human cell which was transplanted into rats with spinal cord injuries was able to repair the damage to the spine but also helped the rats recover function.

The study was published in early March in the journal PLoS ONE, and describes how human astrocytes,  the main supporting cells of the central nervous system, derived from human stem cells, may be a crucial component in the treatment of spinal cord injuries and other CNS illnesses and disorders.

The lead researcher and study author, Chris Proschel, PhD, and professor of Genetics at the University of Rochester Medical Center commented on the study:

“We’ve shown in previous research that the right types of rat astrocytes are beneficial, but this study brings it up to the human level, which is a huge step. What’s really striking is the robustness of the effect. Scientists have claimed repair of spinal cord injuries in rats before, but the benefits have been variable and rarely as strong as what we’ve seen with our transplants.”

Josyann Abisaab is a graduate of the University of Rochester School of Medicine, where ongoing research is leading the way in many a crucial aspects of human biology, physiology and their clinical implications.

Halloween Safety: Dr. Josyann Abisaab

ER doctors like Dr. Josyann Abisaab often deal with accidents that happen during the Halloween festivities. They encourage parents to enjoy Halloween along with their children while being more aware of the possible dangers. It is important to be conscious of fire hazards while lighting candles inside jack-o lanterns. Also, children’s costumes should be relatively flame resistant, as the lanterns are commonly placed all over the neighborhood, and children might play, run or even trip near them.

The costume colors should be bright, so that motorists and other pedestrians will notice them from a distance. It would be wise to trim your child’s costume and bag with reflective tape for the same reason. Avoid costumes that are very long or heavy, and shoes that are unsteady or don’t fit correctly, as they may cause your child to trip. If your child’s costume includes props like a sword, scythe or staff, make sure the material is soft and will bend if fallen on.

Remind your children to cross the street at crosswalks only, and caution them not to trespass through strange yards or driveways. It is advisable to equip your child with a flashlight and a cellphone in case of emergencies.

Preventive Measures Against Arthritis

Very few young people think about arthritis and their chances of becoming arthritic.  But new evidence suggests that they might want to do just that.  A new study suggests that if you protect your knees from a young age, you have a much better chance of avoiding arthritis when you’re older.  As well, carrying around excess weight doesn’t help the matter.  Exercises that can help include: swimming and cycling as well as core-strengthening workouts.  Make sure you wear good shoes as well and orthotics have been shown to have a positive impact too.  Any measure that can be taken to help one later in life, has to be worth the effort.