According to Medscape, TBI is defined as, “a non-degenerative, non-congenital insult to the brain from an external mechanical force, possibly leading to a permanent or temporary impairment of cognitive, physical, and psychosocial functions, with an associated diminished or altered state of consciousness.”

Furthermore, traumaticbraininjury.com explains that TBI can limit the use of certain parts of the body and can alter personality. It can impair thinking, movement, sensation, emotional functioning, and more. In addition, no two-brain injuries are the same and the consequences of each individual brain injury may be extremely different.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, TBI contributes to about 30% of all injury deaths. Every day, 153 people in the United States die from injuries that include TBI.
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In this short interview, Dr. Cox gives a brief overview of his work. He and his team recently completed their first acute, autologous cell therapy treatment Phase I study for traumatic brain injury in children aged 5-14. The study represents a significant milestone in Dr. Cox’s research focused on potentially treating traumatic brain injury with cord blood. ​

View the interview with Dr. Cox below or via our channel on YouTube.

Save the Cord Foundation is proud to be collaborating with the Cord Blood Association and 12 other leading industry groups to launch the first ever Cord Blood Connect conference this September in South Beach, Florida.

The cord blood industry has matured tremendously over the last decade. Yet, it is fair to say that it is still evolving simply because there is so much potential.  Over the years, conferences held around the world have been crucial in pushing the industry forward as attendees often learn about new research or improving industry standards. However, it is rare to see a conference truly address all of the major aspects of the cord blood industry specifically. Cord Blood Connect promises to do just that!
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Cord Blood Connect is an international conference that embraces all components of the cord blood community – public and private banking, clinical and laboratory investigations, manufacturing, administration, training and education.

​Cord Blood Connect
The International Congress for Cord Blood
and Perinatal Tissue Research
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September 14-16, 2018 
Lowes Miami Beach Hotel
South Beach, Florida, USA

Hosted by the Cord Blood Association, attendees will be given the opportunity over the course of 3 days to explore multiple tracks for clinical and translational science and investigations, as well as education and training for cord blood bank administrative, technical and support personnel.

Cord blood experts from the 12 supporting organziations are leading numerous committees in an effort to identify speakers who will share their expertise and work with attendees during special training sessions. For example, the following committees have been developing the agenda:

• A scientific team, led by Colleen Delaney, MD, MSc, of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.
  
  
• An education and training team, led by Sharon Miller, MT(ASCP), CHS(ABHI), of Colorado Cord Blood Bank.
  
  

In addition, there will be plenary sessions on:

• The state of the cord blood banking community
• Government regulations and their impact on emerging regenerative therapies
• Pioneering investigators, caregivers and patients
• Clinical outcomes for non-hematopoietic diseases
• The future of cord blood – an examination of the “what ifs.” Are we utilizing all of the components of cord blood, cord tissue and other birthing tissues? Are we prepared to scale-up for expanded use? What do we need to do to prepare?

Learn more on the Official Website for the conference.

As our readers know well, our primary focus here at Save the Cord Foundation is to encourage the preservation of cord blood stem cells which can be used to treat 80+ diseases. Yet, we also recognize the growing importance of perinatal stem cells, cord tissues, uses for the placenta, amniotic membrane, etc. Scientists agree we are just on the tip of the iceberg in understanding how to use these “by-products” of the birthing process more wisely. We should not simply throw them away without asking first. . . do they have a potential second use? 

With this thought in mind, Save the Cord Foundation and Mediware, Inc. are proud to announce the next edition in our Share the Science series — a real world example of how the amniotic membrane (a by-product of the birthing process) is currently used in ophthalmology and as well as potential uses for this medical resource in the near future. ​

According to the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the University of Miami, ocular surface diseases affect the “surface of the cornea—the transparent layer that forms the front of the eye. These diseases include dry eye syndrome, meibomian gland dysfunctionblepharitis, rosaceous, allergies, scarring from glaucoma medications, chemical burns, thermal burns, and immunological conditions such as Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid and Sjogren’s Syndrome.
Ocular surface diseases can severely affect eyesight and quality of life. Symptoms may include blurry vision, discomfort or pain, redness and itching, and in severe cases, blindness due to corneal scarring.” (source: Bascom Palmer Eye Institute – OSD overview ).

Use of amniotic membrane for the eye has been common practice for several years and indications for its use have continued to expand. The reasons for its use are numerous. Notably, amniotic membrane, the innermost layer of the placenta, can stabilize the ocular surface. It exhibits strong anti-inflammatory properties, promotes healing without scarring, and supports stem cell expansion. In patients with moderate to severe dry eye, cryo-preserved amniotic membrane plays a role in corneal nerve regeneration and restores corneal nerve integrity.

During this webinar, Dr. Ursea will discuss the important role the amniotic membrane plays in healing a variety of ocular surface diseases. She will share data for how to best utilize these clinical applications. She will discuss in detail how the amniotic membrane can be used as a biological bandage for superficial epithelial defects or as a permanent graft for deeper defects, including stromal defects, post-infectious ulcers, recurrent erosions/endothelial basement membrane dystrophy, small corneal perforations, inflammatory conditions, and chemical burns. She will also cover how it is especially beneficial in ocular surface reconstruction cases as well as in selected post-surgical procedures.

Please join us for this exciting free webinar. . .

Share the Science
featuring

Dr. Roxana Ursea
“Clinical Applications of Amniotic Membrane in Ocular Surface Disease”
Tuesday, October 24th | 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. Central Time
Free online webinar – Open to the Public
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RECORDING NOW AVAILABLE – REGISTER ONLINE HERE

Attendees will learn about the:

• Role of amniotic membrane in promoting regenerative healing
• Clinical significance of amniotic membrane and the rationale for its use
• Science behind amniotic membrane use and its ocular indications and outcomes, including data from clinical cases
• Pearls and pitfalls in using the amniotic membrane products in your practice

About Dr. Roxana Ursea:
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Dr. Ursea is a clinical associate professor of ophthalmology at the University of Arizona Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences.  After completing her residency in ophthalmology at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell and University of Maryland in Baltimore, Dr. Ursea expanded her clinical expertise with specialized training in uveitis and ocular immunology at the National Eye Institute of NIH in Bethesda, Maryland. She completed a second fellowship in cornea, external diseases, and refractive surgery at the University of California in San Diego.

Dr. Ursea is active in many professional organizations and has published in major peer-reviewed journals. She is a recognized national and international expert in ocular imaging, in particular, high-frequency ultrasound, and has received numerous awards, including the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s Achievement Award and the University of Arizona’s prestigious Vernon and Virginia Furrow Award for Excellence in Teaching Clinical Sciences.
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Her clinical interests include keratoconus, laser vision correction, and challenging uveitis cases while her research interests include exploring new applications of high frequency ultrasound and new therapeutic modalities for anterior segment disorders. She has an active clinical and surgical practice at Northwest Medical Center in Tucson, Arizona.

Share the Science continues to be a popular series within the cord blood community and beyond. We welcome your input on the series and suggestions for future speakers. Give your feedback here.

Previous Share the Science presentations have been archived for your reference. Discover the work of leading scientists and cord blood industry experts through this educational series. View the archive now.

Share the Science is made possible thanks to the generous support of Mediware, Inc.