Therapeutic journeys: the hopeful travails of stem cell tourists

The recent growth of so-called stem cell tourism reflects the high optimism that currently surrounds stem cell science. Stem cell treatments for various conditions are increasingly advertised over the Internet as being available at hospitals and clinics around the world. However, most are clinically unproven. Despite numerous warnings from scientists about the dangers posed by such treatments, many individuals are evidently prepared to take the risk, sometimes on more than one occasion. This article explores the dynamics of hope that underpin stem cell tourism. Drawing on ideas from the sociology of hope, as applied to biomedicine, the article explores how hope is constructed and shapes actions in relation to stem cell treatments. Making reference to the findings from an Australian study of patients and carers who travelled overseas to receive stem cell treatments, it is argued that hope has an ambiguous significance in the context of deregulated health care. As we explain, this has implications for patients' and carers' treatment decisions and experiences. The findings are discussed in light of current responses to stem cell tourism

A Long Road for Stem Cells to Cure Sick Hearts: Update on Recent Clinical Trials

The contribution of stem cells to cure damaged hearts has finally been unraveled. A large number of preclinical and clinical studies have showed beneficial outcomes after myocardial infarction. In this review, the current understanding of stem cell therapy in preclinical and clinical experiences is summarized. Stem cells from bone marrow have shown a potential to improve cardiac performance after myocardial infarction in animal and early clinical studies. Clinical trials from all over the world have provided safety assessments of stem cell therapy with marginal improvement of clinical outcomes. Thus, further investigations should be encouraged to resolve the discrepancies between studies, clinical issues, and unclear translational findings. This review provides information and commentary on key trials for stem cell-based treat-ment of cardiovascular disease

Tumor-infiltrating neutrophils in pancreatic neoplasia

U ovom radu su ukratko prikazane promjene organizma kod trudnica, te kakva bi se tjelesna aktivnost trebala provoditi tijekom i nakon trudnoće. Cilj je prikazati važnost kineziterapije ne samo u razdoblju trudnoće nego i nakon trudnoće. Osim navedenoga će se prikazati problemi, kao i pozitivni učinci vježbanja koje imaju ne samo na lakše podnošenje trudnoće, nego i na psihofizičko stanje trudnice