ScienceDaily (Dec. 29, 2007) — UC Irvine scientists have found a new way to sort stem cells that should be quicker, easier and more cost-effective than current methods. The technique could in the future expedite therapies for people with conditions ranging from brain and spinal cord damage to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

The method uses electrodes on a tiny, inch-long glass slide to sort cells by their electric charges and has been used in cancer research. The stem cell field suffers from a lack of tools for identifying and sorting cells. This important discovery could add a new tool to current sorting methods, which generally require expensive, bulky equipment. Continue Reading »

(MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) — Disaboom, Inc. (OTCBB: DSBO), the first online community for people living with or directly affected by disabilities or Functional limitations, today announced that its Chairman and CEO, J.W. Roth, has donated 75,000 shares of stock to non-profit organizations in its community, including Life Rolls On Foundation and The Miami Project.

“We are extremely grateful for the partnerships we have with non-profit organizations, such as Life Rolls On and The Miami Project, as their participation has contributed to the successful launch of disaboom.com in 2007,” said J.W. Roth, Chairman and CEO of Disaboom. “I wanted to give back to these elite organizations because they have given so much to Disaboom by working with us to meet the needs of the Disability community, their families and friends through our combined knowledge of resources.” Continue Reading »

The spinal cord connects the brain to most of our body organs a minor injury inflicted in this vital part of our body may result to severe and fatal damages.

Most of us have learned the importance of the spinal cord in our body during our schooling. The spinal cord connects the brain to most of our body organs enabling them to perform their respective bodily functions. As an example, if a person needs to carry a pail of water, his brain will send impulses to the corresponding muscle through the nerves found in the spinal cord, then the responsible muscle will perform the job accordingly. Our spinal cord is also a delicate part of our body. Hence, a minor spinal cord injury (SCI) inflicted in this vital part of our body may result to severe and fatal damages. Continue Reading »

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. —Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett took another step in an improbable recovery from a life-threatening spinal cord injury, walking around Ralph Wilson Stadium on Sunday in a new pair of Gucci boots.

Everett was last seen in the stadium Sept. 9 during the Bills’ season opener, when he was carted off the field in an ambulance, paralyzed from the shoulders down.

Before Sunday’s game against the Giants, Everett visited teammates who had not seen him in three months, since his initial confinement to a bed at Millard Fillmore Gates Circle Hospital in Buffalo. Continue Reading »

Buffalo TE returns to scene of Sept. spinal injury

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Trent Edwards never cried before a pregame meal — until Sunday, when he saw Kevin Everett walking his way.

“I was speechless, on the verge of tears. It was hard to say something to him,” the rookie quarterback of the Buffalo Bills said. “He got out of his wheelchair and had a smile on his face. I remember the last time I saw him he was out here on the field with his head down getting in an ambulance, and we were all gathering around saying a prayer for him.”

Consider those prayers answered. Continue Reading »

Rehabilitation from spinal injury requires journey full of hard steps

Shepherd Center uses latest rehabilitative medicine technology

Duane Morrow was in a business meeting when his left foot fell asleep. He stood up and walked around. Then his right foot fell asleep.

Within 15 minutes, he was lying on the floor, unable to move either leg and gasping for breath. By day’s end, he was in surgery fighting for his life. Continue Reading »

Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett, who suffered a spinal cord injury during a tackle in a game on September 9, may show up at his team’s home game against the New York Giants this weekend. It will no doubt be an inspirational moment for everyone. You will remember Kevin originally arrived at the hospital paralyzed from the neck down. He received very quick surgery by the Bills’ doctors, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Andrew Cappuccino and neurosurgeon Dr. Kevin Gibbons.

The question many people may ask themselves is “Why did Mr. Everett recover when so many others don’t?” Some will say his spinal cord injury wasn’t as bad as originally thought. Others will say it had to do with a controversial therapy, known as Hypothermia, where the body and spinal cord are chilled. Some will say it is a miracle. Continue Reading »

Washington, Dec 19 (ANI): Researchers at the University of Alberta have revealed that intensive Rehabilitation training for patients with spinal cord injuries can stimulate repair in the brain and spinal cord.

They believe that these new branches growing from severed nerve fibres, along with compensating changes in the brain that would help in restoring hand function and the ability to walk.

The research led by Karim Fouad showed significant benefits of rehabilitation training after a Cervical spinal cord injury. Continue Reading »

COSTA MESA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Synthetic Blood International, Inc. (OTCBB: SYBD – News) today announced its near-term development strategy for Oxycyte™. The Company finalized its Phase IIb Oxycyte clinical trial protocol for the treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI), and plans to initiate three pre-clinical animal studies in sickle cell disease, spinal cord injury and stroke in the first half of 2008. Oxycyte is the Company’s proprietary perfluorocarbon (PFC) therapeutic oxygen carrier and blood substitute.

These Oxycyte development initiatives were determined at the Company’s Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) meeting conducted last week. Synthetic Blood also announced its intention to invite six to eight physicians to join the SAB in a move to broaden its specialties. The SAB candidates are expected to be primarily located at medical centers that may be involved with Oxycyte trials. Continue Reading »

Spinal cord injury sets Napan on track to help others

Bill Iverson “learned a lot about people” during his 10 years in the saddle as a car salesman. But after suffering a permanent spinal cord injury in 1999, Iverson’s familiarity with the human condition — previously a boon to sales — transformed him into a valuable advocate for men and women with disabilities.

The change came after an unidentified driver cut him off on First Avenue, resulting in a forceful impact that threw Iverson from the ‘63 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia convertible he was driving. The effects of the accident — a broken neck, shoulder and multiple fractured ribs — landed him in the hospital for nearly six months.

“I almost didn’t survive … and I’m lucky I did,” he said. Continue Reading »