A safer way to get stem cells

Tweet

Amid all the hype and ethical debate about stem cell therapy, one mode of delivering stem cell treatments for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine remains medically sound: adipose-derived stem cell (ASC) treatment using adipose (fat) tissue taken from the patient's own body.

Adipose (fat) tissue is extracted from the patient's abdominal area using a mini-liposuction procedure.

While these cells are available from umbilical cord blood and animals, the problem presented by introducing tissue from another person or an animal remains the same: the risk of tissue rejection poses its own set of health risks and makes regenerative therapy expensive. 

Stem cells are valued in medicine because of their ability to self-renew. These cells have yet to be assigned specific functions and can be used to grow tissue for nerves, cartilage to ease degenerative arthritis, and tissue to repair a damaged heart.

An extensive study undertaken by researchers Jeffrey Gimble, Adam Katz and Bruce Bunnell published in the March 2007 edition of the American Heart Association's Circulation Research Journal found that fat can be harvested from the patient's own body in sufficient amounts for regenerative therapy at negligible risk of tissue rejection. 

Adipose tissue can be harvested through liposuction, a minimally-invasive procedure. Because ASC can be done on an outpatient set-up, the risk of tissue contamination is also greatly reduced and the physician's control over the process is improved.

The availability of stem cells remains a challenge for scientists and clinicians in the field of regenerative medicine. Owing to the abundant supply of adipose tissue in the patient’s own system, this limitation is readily surmounted. 

The researchers focused on the adipose tissue deposits found beneath the skin, the same tissue siphoned out when a person undergoes liposuction. One liposuction session can yield "between 100 mL to more than three liters" of aspirated fatty tissue.

The study found that the greatest amount of viable adipose tissue recovered from the arm as compared with the thigh, abdomen, and breast. ASCs, the researchers found, are "tripotent", capable of producing more fat, bone marrow, and bone tissue.

"Adipose tissue contains multipotent progenitor cells," the researchers stated. These cells develop into specific tissues as the body demands. 

The team pointed to a number of nonexclusive mechanisms through which ASCs can be used to repair and regenerate tissues. "First, ASCs delivered into an injured or diseased tissue may secrete cytokines and growth factors that stimulate recovery.” 

The study said that ASCs might also provide antioxidants chemicals, free radical scavengers, and heat shock proteins that locate and recycle damaged proteins. 

Blood extracted from the patient is put in a centrifuge to separate the serum that will be added to the IV drip reintroducing the stem cell into the patient's body.

Blood serum is aspirated out of the test-tube after centrifuge treatment to separate it from the platelets.

Centrifuge-treated blood, with the clear serum floating above the platelets.

Extracted adipose (fat) tissue taken from the patient is cleaned and treated with lecithin so it emulsifies and makes the separation of stem cells from the other cells in the tissue possible.

The adipose tissue extracted from the patient.

The final rinse for the stem cells, which will be aspirated through a syringe, photo-activated and injected into an IV drip that will reintroduce these cells into the patient's body.

Working Mom and Barbie magazine brings inspiration for moms and kids this summer

Tweet

An inspiration for summer comes full-force this month of March! 

Two of ABS-CBN Publishing, Inc.’s titles will be bringing inspiration to start fresh and welcome the summer season that as Working Mom magazine and Barbie magazine present their newest issues for the month.

Working Mom magazine gives mothers everywhere tips on how to greet the sunshine with a great body to boast with a workout special that features different kinds of exercises and diets to help readers get in shape in time for the next family vacation. Apart from melting off the stress and pounds, this issue also presents hip wardrobe colors to surely liven things up.

Since it’s time to head out, Working Mom also presents ten of the best family parks in and out of the metro, to give readers a glimpse into where to go for one-of-a-kind summer adventures.

Inspiration for summer comes full-force with another feature where Venus Raj and other successful moms share their stories on how they found and kept their confidence. Aside from that, celebrity moms reveal their funniest and most heartbreaking stories. Headlining all these are cover moms and sisters Lexi, Nicole, and Georgia Schulze.

For the kids in the family, Barbie magazine presents its issue to celebrate 55 years of fashion, dreams, and memories. The magazine presents Barbie as a star, a muse, and a figure who brings inspiration to kids everywhere, showing Barbie as a regular girl with a unique personality, strong ideals, and her own personal style.

Get to know Barbie and her fabulous world in a deeper way than ever before.

Also look into the story of Barbie The Pearl Princess, where Barbie stars as Lumina, a mermaid girl who doesn’t know that she’s royalty.

Grab copies of Working Mom and Barbie this March at major bookstores and newsstands nationwide.

The Official Music Video of Sarah Geronimo's New Single, "The Star Life"

Tweet

Here 's "Star Life" #SMDCStarLife  Music Video of Popstar Princess Sarah Geronimo with SMDC The Good Guys !

Globe launches the first prepaid mobile app -GoSakto

Tweet

Here's the first prepaid mobile app that allows subscribers to create their own call and text. Try with this mobile internet promo.

Globe Telecom’s digital brand for the youth launches the country’s first and most innovative prepaid mobile application – GoSakto App which allows prepaid customers to create their own call, text and mobile internet promo without the need for Wi-Fi. 

Another market innovation, GoSakto App can be downloaded for free from Play Store for Android and App Store for iOs.

Aside from this, Globe Prepaid is also enhancing its most popular promo as it introduces the New GoUnli25 to its emerging prepaid market. With the New GoUnli25, Globe Prepaid customers may now enjoy their favorite unlimited call and text to Globe/TM with free access to Facebook plus another social site of their choice still for P25 valid for 1 day. 

“We understand that most of today’s youth consider their social networks as an extension of their life, this is the reason why it is important for them to stay connected online. Globe Prepaid reinforces this need to express their truest selves by giving them the New GoUnli25. 

This year, we are also introducing the GoSakto App which they can use to create their own promo and be able to bundle their favorite online sites and mobile apps with their calls and texts, exactly the way they need it, the way they want it, that is within their budget without the need for Wi-Fi,” says Issa Cabreira, Vice President for Globe Prepaid Business.

Subscribers can choose from any of six top social and search sites such as Twitter, Instagram, Google, Yahoo, Viber or Foursquare to boost their new GoUNLI25 promo bundle, allowing them to tweet, post photos, search the Web, send stickers and emoticons, and check-in with no Wi-Fi or additional data charges needed. 

To register to the new GoUNLI25, subscribers can dial *143#, select GoSakto, select New GoUnli25, choose Select your free site, and then select Subscribe Now. Prepaid subscribers can also register to the new GoUNLI25 using the GoSAKTO app now available in iOS and Android-powered devices, giving users a digital experience on mobile.

Today’s fun and hyperactive youth enjoy sharing their most dynamic lifestyle to their social circle. They are fond of expressing themselves to the rest of the world through their most favorite social networking sites. Globe Prepaid continues its commitment of providing a wonderful digital world for the youth via a sakto promo that is just right for their budget and needs. 

To know more about the new GoUnli25, visit www.globe.com.ph/gounli25.

"COCK"

Tweet

WEEKEND THEATER TREATS 2014: " COCK " 

COCK is a comedy… with bite. No props, scenery or furniture. Just actors, sharp dialogue and some clever staging. All essential. Absolutely Red Turnip. 

Direction by Rem Zamora, technical direction and lighting design by John Batalla, set design by Denis Lagdameo and sound design by Jethro Joaquin.

What happens when a young gay man falls in love with a woman?

That’s the central conceit behind Red Turnip Theater’s second offering, COCK by Mike Bartlett. A sold-out hit when it first premiered in London in 2009 and subsequently during its off-Broadway run a year later, COCK revolves around a gay couple whose rocky relationship derails when one of them sleeps (and falls in love) with a woman. Debates over one’s sexual identity explode when all three decide to sit down and “duke it out” over dinner. Hilarity ensues when another unexpected guest turns up and loyalties are put to the test. As one character puts it, “It’s the ultimate bitch fight”.

The New York Times calls COCK “a terrific, tense little comedy” while The Huffington Post hails it as “a terrific contemporary play that puts much of other theatre to shame”. This critical darling is the perfect bookend to Red Turnip’s maiden season. 

Fresh off the success of their critically-acclaimed CLOSER last October at Whitespace, Red Turnip promises another unique, in your face theatrical experience with COCK. The vision of five established actors (Ana Abad Santos, Topper Fabregas, Jenny Jamora, Cris Villonco and Rem Zamora), Red Turnip aims to engage theatergoers with the sort of material that seems to be in short supply in the country—the straight play. 

Rem Zamora makes his directorial debut with COCK.“We’re excited to be back in Whitespace. A lot of people who came to CLOSER said they enjoyed the intimacy of the experience and the space. That was in Hall B. We’re going even more intimate this time in the smaller Hall A. COCK also plays in the round so it feels like you’re watching a fight in an arena—no frills: just words and pure conflict in the ring, and an intense involvement in the audience.”

Zamora has assembled a tight cast of theatrical heavyweights for COCK’s Manila premier: Topper Fabregas (Boeing Boeing, The Producers), Niccolo Manahan (Next Fall, Doubt), Jenny Jamora (Mind’s Eye, A Little Night Music), Audie Gemora (Sweeney Todd, Les Miserables)

Fabregas is John, a young man caught between his gay lover and his growing attraction to another woman- W, played by Jamora. 

Niccolo Manahan makes a theatrical comeback as M, John’s lover who isn’t about to let him go without a fight. “I feel ‘Cock’ will be a great experiment for me; an experiment in balancing my life with the things I enjoy doing, and an experiment in pushing my range. I don’t know where this experiment will lead but its an incredible opportunity that I’m thankful for.” 

Rounding off this impressive cast is theatre stalwart Audie Gemora as F, M’s well-meaning father whose sudden appearance at dinner throws everyone for a loop. “The birth of a theater group is always exciting and eventful with fresh artistic vision and passion. I am thrilled to be part of Red Turnips 2nd offering, ‘Cock’. This is Rem Zamora's directorial debut and my first time to be acting opposite brilliant young actors Niccolo Manahan and Jenny Jamora, while Topper Fabregas takes on his most complex character yet. Together we jump into a crackling cock fight of personalities, emotions and words.”

Cock is generously supported by FILA, Whitespace, Gung Ho Films Manila, Bose, National Book Store, Powerbooks, When In Manila, and Radio Republic. BusinessWorld, and HerWord.com. The food-and-drinks concession is provided by Speakeasy. Tickets to the Feb. 28 opening gala sponsored by FILA are available through Red Turnip Theater only.

Cock will be staged at Whitespace —
2314 Chino Roces Ave. Extension (formerly Pasong Tamo Extension), Makati —
March 7, 14, 21, 28 and April 4 (Friday, 9 p.m.); 
March 8, 15, 29 and April 5 (Saturday, 8 p.m.); 
April 5, Saturday at 4 p.m.; 
March 9, 16, 23 and April 6 (Sunday, 4 p.m.) 
and special closing gala on April 6, Sunday, 8 p.m.

Tickets are available through TicketWorld (891-9999 orwww.ticketworld.com.ph)

Or Red Turnip Theater (redturniptheater@gmail.com or 

https://www.facebook.com/RedTurnipTheater)