Surgeons at Spire Hospital in Southampton England have pioneered a new surgical technique in which stem cells are used to repair damaged bones. Using purified stem cells from bone marrow of the patient and donated bone, affected bone in the hip joint was rejeuvenated.
Because bone is living tissue, the stem cells help generate new tissue by driving new blood vessel formation. The procedure prevents bone collapse and avoids the need for arificial hip joint surgery. Thus far, six patients have had the innonvative treatment, with only one case failing.
Professor Richard Oreffo of Southampton University hopes to improve the technique by using an artificial chemical material in lieu of donated bone to help the stem cells grow.
News source: http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Stem-Cells-Surgeons-Pioneer-New-Technique-To-Repair-Damaged-Bones-Including-Hips/Article/200908415371478?lpos=UK_News_First_UK_News_Article_Teaser_Region_1&lid=ARTICLE_15371478_Stem_Cells%3A_Surgeons_Pioneer_New_Technique_To_Repair_Damaged_Bones_Including_Hips
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Uncontrolled high blood pressure can cause heart attack, stroke, heart failure and kindney failure. New research shows that it is also linked to memory problems and cognitive impairment. A study in the journal “Neurology” is the largest of its kind to look at the connection between memory problems and high blood pressure.
People with high diastolic blood pressure are more likely than those with normal readings to have memory issues. For every 10 point increase in the diastolic reading, there was a 7 percent increase in the odds of a person having congnitive problems. The results remained unchanged with adjustment for other factors in cognitive function such as smoking, exercise, education, cholesterol levels and diabetes.
Dr. Walter Koroshetz of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders which funded the study states, “These latest data suggest that higher blood pressure may be a risk factor for cognitive decline, but further studies will be necessary to understand the cause-effect relationship.”
News source:
http://www.calgaryherald.com/health/Study+links+high+blood+pressure+memory+trouble/1935603/story.html
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