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2013/06/25

Visualizing Stem Cells At Work

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What remains a question is how newborn stem cells work together to help the body heal. Researchers theorize that this diverse population of cells functions as a symphony, each type of cell having a different role to perform in healing damaged tissue and cells.

Current research suggests that newborn stem cells help orchestrate a natural repair process. Cord blood stem cells heal by helping to reduce inflammation, stimulate the growth of blood flow to injured areas, and ultimately enable injured cells to repair themselves.

Magic embryonic stem cells

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Stem cells are the "master" cells of the body. They are the building blocks of all tissues and organs. Because they have the ability to develop into many different cell types, scientists are working to harness the power of these cells to repair damaged tissue, treat diseases, and boost the body's natural healing abilities. While researchers have yet to identify every type of newborn stem cell, they have isolated specific stem cells that are the building blocks for other cells and organ tissues throughout the body. Cord blood is collected because it is a rich source of these newborn "magical" cells.

Cord blood stem cells and embryonic stem cells

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The umbilical cord and the blood left in it at birth contain a broad diversity of pristine newborn stem cells that have demonstrated the ability to help other tissues and organs heal themselves after injury or disease. Hematopoietic stem cells found in cord blood used for 20 years to help regenerate the body's blood and immune system. Mesenchymal stem cells, found primarily in the umbilical cord tissue itself, have the ability to help from bone or connective tissues like cartilage and ligaments.

Stem cells from the umbilical cord and cord blood have distinct benefits  compared to adult stems cells from bone marrow. They're younger, have greater ability to multiply, and have had minimal exposure to environmental factors like viruses or chemicals that can interfere with cell structure and function. 

Cord blood stem cells are not embryonic stem cells. Collecting and using them is not controversial.

What does "Traceable to IDMS" mean ?

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all laboratories should now be using a creatinine method that has been standardized or traceable to isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS). The way creatinine levels are calibrated affects the GFR estimating equation slightly.
to properly estimate GFR, the serum creatinine must be measured accurately. When a laboratory calibrates their method to the single standardized serum creatinine using reference materials traceable to the primary reference material at the National Institute of Standards, we say that value is traceable to IDMS because the test is based on isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS).
with the exception of the Cockcroft-Gault formula, all other calculators in this Smartphone application are designed for use with standardized creatinine values that are traceable to IDMS. Also, only standardized cystatin C values are used.
your laboratory can confirm whether or not it uses standardized creatinine values that are traceable to IDMS. It can also confirm whether it uses cystatin C values that are standardized.

Why use GFR as a measure of kidney function ?

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Normal GFR varies according to age, sex, and body size; in young adults it is approximately 120-130 mL/min/1.73m2 and declines normally with age. However, a decrease in GFR may also be a marker of kidney disease and precedes the onset of kidney failure; therefore a persistently reduced GFR is a specific diagnostic criterion for chronic kidney disease. Below 60 mL/min/1.73sq.m, the prevalence of complications of CKD increases, as does the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

What is the significance of GFR measurement ?

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GFR is equal to the total of the filtration rates of the functioning nephrons in the kidney. In most healthy people, the normal GFR is 90 mL/min/1.73m2 or higher.
a result of 60-89 mL/min/1.73m2 without kidney damage may be normal in some people such as the elderly or infants (if, for example, there are no other findings indicative of kidney disease, such as protein in the urine).
a result of 60-89 mL/min/1.73m2 for => 3 months, along with kidney damage (such as persistent protein in the urine), means the person has early kidney disease.
When GFR is < 60 for => 3 months, chronic kidney disease (CKD) is present.

Measurement of glomerular filtration rate

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GFR is measured using plasma or urinary clearance of an exogenous filtration marker. However, this is a complex procedure and generally not routinely performed. Therefore, GFR is usually estimated from the person's serum creatinine level, in combination with demographic factor such as age, race, and gender using various formulas.

The importance of glomerular filtration rate

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GFR (glomerular filtration rate) is the optimal way to measure kidney function and determine a person's stage of kidney disease. The level of GFR and its magnitude of change over time are vital to :
the detection of kidney disease
understanding its severity
making decisions about diagnosis, prognosis and treatment