• Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells embedded in to the intervertebral disc: a potential therapeutic model for disc degeneration

• Intervertebral disc cell therapy for regeneration: mesenchymal stem cell implantation in rat intervertebral discs

• New strategies for disc repair: novel preclinical trials

• The potential role of mesenchymal stem cell therapy for intervertebral disc degeneration: a critical overview

• Effect of hyperbaric oxygenation on neural stem cells and myelin in neonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage

• Stem cell regeneration of the nucleus pulposus

• Bone mesenchymal stem cells transplanted into rabbit intervertebral discs can increase proteoglycans

• Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Increases Stem Cells By Eight-Fold

• cAMP and Schwann cells promote axonal growth and functional recovery after spinal cord injury

• Review: mesenchymal stem cells: cell-based reconstructive therapy in orthopedics

• Mesenchymal stem cells for bone repair: preclinical studies and potential orthopedic applications

• Mesenchymal stem cells as potential source cartilage repair

• Mesenchymal stem cells: clinical applications and biological characterization

• Human mesenchymal stem cells differentiate into neuron-like cells and show SMN protein expression

• Rapid recovery of segmental neurological function in a tetraplegic patient following transplantation of fetal olfactory bulb-derived cells

• Autologous olfactory ensheathing cell transplantation in human spinal cord injury

• Obtaining olfactory ensheathing cells from extra-cranial sources a step closer to clinical transplants

• Low Birth Weight, Developmental Delays Predict Adult Mental Health Disorders

• Hyperbaric Oxygenation improves altered T2 signal intensities in brain and spinal cord and cerebrospinal disturbances

• Administering stem cells leads to a reduction of myocardial infarcts

• Adult stem cells aid recovery in animal model of cerebral palsy

• Umbilical cord blood derived stem cell therapies for Stroke and traumatic brain injury

• Transplantation of human umbilical cord stem cells improves neurological function recovery after spinal cord injury in rats

• Human umbilical cord blood cells improve cardiac function after myocardial infarction

• Pilot Study Shows Umbilical Cord Stem Cells are Effective in the Treatment of Cerebral Palsy in Children

• Stem Cell Basic

• Highlights of Stem Cell Research

• Conference Report - Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering -- Dreaming Things That Never Were - Highlights of the American Society of Gene Therapy 7th Annual Meeting; June 2-6, 2004; Minneapolis, Minnesota

• Cord Blood Stem Cells Treat Fatal Disease

• Saving Your Cord Blood

Stem cells are one of the most fascinating areas of medicine today. This promising area of science is also leading scientists to investigate the possibility of cell-based therapies to treat disease, which is often referred to as regenerative or reparative medicine.

"The saving of the umbilical cord blood and the cryopreservation of the stem cells that are abundant in the cord blood represents one of the greatest recycling programs in the history of mankind. In the past, the umbilical cord blood/placenta blood was considered medical waste and disposed of after the birth of a newborn. 

Today, the umbilical cord blood is considered a life saving source of stem cells that are a 100 percent biological match to the newborn. In addition, the collection of the cord blood offers absolutely no risk to either the mother or to the newborn." - International Cord Blood Society (ICBS)

The final frontier in the treatment of complex degenerative neurovascular disorders including brain and spinal cord injury is focused on ‘repair and functional restoration’. 

This involves the use of growth factors to promote axonal sprouting, activation of idling and non-functional neurons whilst promoting neovascularization (new capillary formation) of damaged areas. Research efforts to bridge spinal cord and brain cell lesions are also underway experimentally, using transplanted tissues and bridging devices.

Developing biotechnology techniques and DNA restructuring show incredible promise, but the exquisite topographic organization of the ascending and descending nervous system pathways including the brain and spinal cord provide an extremely difficult hurdle still to be overcome. Success in these reconstructive efforts will undoubtedly overlap with the best outcome being the patient with capability to improve ‘neurovascular’ support into the damaged regions.

The extent of neurovascular deterioration can be significantly diminished with early and continued HBOT implementation. HBOT will provide a fertile neurovascular platform for emerging stem cell implant procedures and techniques using DNA restructuring. The dynamic impact of these and future procedures again, will be dependent upon the integrity of the underlying supporting neurovascular bed.

The objective of HyperMED Australia is to raise the awareness of HBOT coupled with Stem Cells applications to promote the best possible outcome for our patients.

Stem Cells are NOT a magical bullet and not recommended as a 'cure all'; however Stem Cell application may well be the missing link; coupled with appropriate medical strategies that could make the incredible difference in the quality of life and existence of an individual. Used appropriately Stem Cells will ultimately change the management of virtually all degenerative disease including acute and chronic injury.

Stem Cells require an active neurovascular bed to replicate and differentiate and coupled with HBOT together with appropriate physical therapy (robotic neuro-rehabilitation) and the emerging new frontier of biotechnology restorative medicine, will undoubtedly revolutionize the plight of those suffering from brain and spinal injury; and numerous other forms of crippling neurological and vascular disorders.

For further information regarding the availability of Stem Cells (Umbilical Cord Blood) contact Dr Hooper on +61 3 9650 3136 or email stemcells@hypermed.com.au