Category Archives: Arkansas Stem Cells

We were unable to send the article.

University of Arkansas researchers have received a $699,604 federal grantto improve a Wi-Fi nano-biosensor that will be used in a palm-sized, low-cost and wireless COVID-19 detection system.

The detection system is anticipated to be the first of its kind, delivering more accurate positive and negative results in real time, the university said in a news release. The system will also help confirm whether coronavirus variants are alive or dead, and therefore whether the variants are infectious.

The award to associate professor Ryan Tian and his team is a portion of $3.77 million in National Institute of Standards and Technology grants to upscale the production of graphene, a super-material derived from carbon,for use in respirators and nano-biosensors. Other entities receiving funds are graphene manufacturer Avadain LLC of Memphis, the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, and remote monitoring company Flextrapower Inc. of New York.

High-quality graphene is expected to improve the nano-biosensors accuracy, sensitivity, reliability and detection speed, according to the release. That could vault the biosensor ahead of other types of COVID-testing tools currently on the market, such as PCR machines.

Tians team was also awarded $50,000 from the National Science Foundation to explore commercialization opportunities for the biosensor. Tian said it could be used to detect foodborne, waterborne, and airborne bacteria as well as viruses, T- and B-cells, stem cells, and cancerous cells. The biosensor is also expected to have broad applications for the food industry, health care and border security.

Continue reading here:
U of A Gets $700K to Improve Wireless COVID Sensor - Arkansas Business Online

(TNS) In a summer of rising tensions among U.S. states deeply divided over the rights of women, voters and gun owners, 19 of the nation's governors have gathered in Maine to find common ground on less divisive issues, such as advancing computer science education in public schools and assisting the post-pandemic recovery of the tourism industry.

Gov. Janet Mills welcomed her counterparts to Portland for the semi-annual meeting of the National Governors Association, a nonpartisan entity representing the chief executives of the fifty-five states, territories, and commonwealths, with a pitch to bridge partisan divisions.

"(Mainers) are people of all political parties, bound by the shared belief that their government should work for them," Mills said. "That belief is in our blood, bred by generations of Maine leaders like Margret Chase Smith, Edmund S. Muskie, Bill Cohen, George Mitchell, and Olympia Snowe, people who believed in putting their country before their political party."

Speaking to reporters after the first plenary, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum said the bipartisan forum was valuable. "We're a group that has the shared experience in terms of leading and there are opportunities for bipartisan cooperation," the Republican said. "Some of the national issues affect us differently, but all of us have similar challenges even if we have different dynamics in terms of our legislatures and local politics. But it's great comparing notes."

Outgoing NGA Chair Asa Hutchinson, Republican governor of Arkansas, announced that fifty of the 55 states, territorial and commonwealth governors had signed a compact he has been promoting committing to expand computer science education in public schools. The pledge, endorsed by Mills, commits the governors to implement at least one of thirteen policy initiatives meant to increase the number and demographic diversity of students studying computer science.

New Hampshire-based inventor Dean Kamen, whose engineering powerhouse DEKA is pioneering the rapid production of human organs grown from a patient's own cells, urged governors to boost the supply of young people interested in science and technical fields by contributing to his ongoing effort to make robotics competitions into a sport as popular as scholastic football, basketball or baseball.

Kamen's observation, back in the late 1980s, was that the emerging shortage of science, technology and engineering experts was a cultural problem: schools and their students didn't celebrate STEM, they celebrated sports. "We know a model that works sports. Let's create a sport around science and engineering," he recalled to the governors.

The result was FIRST, a robotics competition for K-12 students that's grown from 23 teams in 1989 to some 50,000 teams fielding more than 700,000 student competitors in 113 countries. Maine alone has 633 teams. Backed by donations from tech giants, the nonprofit has dozens of employees and $70 million in assets.

He wants the governors' help including Mills to further expand the model and increase its profile in an effort to give the sport soccer-like visibility. Students who become passionate about STEM, he reasons, will transform their own prospects and that of the country.

"I'd say, Gov. Mills, you're a tiny state, and I bet you don't have 100 high schools, and if you put a line in your budget that said we're going to have a FIRST team in every high school," Kamen told the Press Herald. "And I want every other governor to say: no, I want to be the first one to claim that victory."

The CEO of computer chip giant Intel, Pat Gelsinger, repeatedly urged the assembled governors to press their states' congressional delegation to pass the core provisions of the CHIPS Act: $52 billion in incentives for firms like Intel to shift semiconductor manufacturing back to the United States. Gelsinger, who has been lobbying for action on the long-stalled bill for months, implied chipmakers would invest in overseas manufacturing instead if Congress didn't act before the August recess.

"Call your senators we need this done before the August recess," Gelsinger said. "I and others will make decisions ... to decide if meaningful portions (of future manufacturing) will be on American soil or not."

While the tourism sector officials including a representative of the U.S. Travel Association encouraged governors to help fund marketing efforts, Mills and two other New England governors Republicans Chris Sununu of New Hampshire and Charlie Baker of Massachusetts noted the enormous problem of tourism workforce housing, which has been exacerbated by the spread of short-term rentals via outlets like VRBO and Airbnb.

"This seems to be a major impediment to securing the workforce for the industry," Mills said.

Baker said his government had started building worker housing on Cape Cod because short-term rentals had "sucked up all the housing" there. Sununu related how, as a resort operator in the Waterville Valley of New Hampshire in 2016, he had been forced to buy another hotel just to house his workers. This prompted Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, a Republican, to observe that the country was absurdly "turning houses into hotels and hotels into housing."

Earlier Thursday the governors held a closed-door session with officials from the Defense Department and Federal Emergency Management Agency to foster more federal-state cooperation in dealing with wildfires and droughts, Cox said in a tweet.

At lunch also closed to the media L.L. Bean CEO Steve Smith spoke to the governors "about the health benefits of outdoor recreation," according to a tweet by the NGA.

The governors convene again Friday, July 15, to appoint new officers and to discuss boosting early childhood literacy (virtually) with Dolly Parton, who created a nonprofit around this issue.

(c)2022 the Portland Press Herald (Portland, Maine) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Continued here:
Governors Try to Find Common Ground in a Divided America - Governing

Follow

PDF

Memory Module Design for High-Temperature Applications in SiC CMOS Technology, Affan Abbasi

PDF

Molecular and Genetic Studies of robo2 Transcriptional Regulation in the Central Nervous System of Drosophila melanogaster, Muna Abdal Rahim Abdal Rhida

PDF

Testing Spiral Density-wave Theory in Disk Galaxies using Multi-wavelength Image Data, Star Formation History Maps and Spatially Resolved Stellar Clusters, Mohamed Shameer Abdeen

PDF

Data-Driven Statin Initiation Evaluation and Optimization for Prediabetes Population, Muhenned A. Abdulsahib

PDF

Characterization of Protein Aggregation Using a Solid-State Nanopore Device, Mitu Chandra Acharjee

PDF

Investigation of Iron-Nickel Based Nanoparticles as Catalysts for Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER), Prashant Acharya

PDF

Building-Level Administrators and Collaborative Special Education IEP Meetings: Addressing Barriers to Active and Inclusive Participation, Trevor A. Addis

PDF

The Passion of Ken Williams: The Double Life of a Mayor, the Newspaper that Brought Him Down, and the Story of Journalism in America, Michael Adkison

PDF

Economic and Ecosystem Impacts of GM Maize in South Africa, Kristiina Ala-Kokko

PDF

The Jordanian Novel in Postmodern Context, Hamed Alalamat

PDF

Effects of Heme Oxygenase 1 Inducer, t-BHQ on Growth of Multiple Myeloma Cell Lines, and on Osteoblast and Osteoclast Differention, Alyaa Alansari

PDF

Effects of Heme Oxygenase 1 Inducer, t-BHQ on Growth of Multiple Myeloma Cell Lines, and on Osteoblast and Osteoclast Differention, Alyaa Alansari

PDF

Diversifying Woolfs Room: Private Spaces and Creativity in The Works of Willa Cather, Kate Chopin, Gayl Jones, and Alice Walker, Ebtesam M. Alawfi

PDF

Design and Development of Techniques to Ensure Integrity in Fog Computing Based Databases, Abdulwahab Fahad S. Alazeb

PDF

Study of Thick Indium Gallium Nitride Graded Structures for Future Solar Cell Applications, Manal Abdullah Aldawsari

PDF

Analysis of Bacteriorhodopsin Suspended in a Bilayer Lipid Membrane, Moath Alhejji

PDF

Experimental Design and Preliminary Testing for Skewed Special Moment Frame Prequalification, Sara Alimirzaei

PDF

Efficacy of Conditional and Constitutive CRISPR/Cas9 in Rice Genome, Zahra Alizada

PDF

Resilience-Driven Post-Disruption Restoration of Interdependent Critical Infrastructure Systems Under Uncertainty: Modeling, Risk-Averse Optimization, and Solution Approaches, Basem A. Alkhaleel

PDF

Design, Synthesis, and Catalytic Application of Crystalline Porous Nanomaterials, Zainab Abdullah Almansaf

PDF

Improve the Prediction of Camber, Deflection, and Prestress Losses in Precast, Prestressed Concrete Bridge Girders, Ahmed Ali Hussein Al Mohammedi

PDF

Development and Characterization of Monolayer and Sub-Monolayer Intermediate Band Solar Cells, Najla Alnami

PDF

Impact of Different Plant-Based Foods Consumption on the Composition and Diversity of Gut Microbiota, Ayoub Al Othaim

PDF

Fair and Diverse Group Formation Based on Multidimensional Features, Mohammed Saad A Alqahtani

PDF

Enzymatic Degradation of Microcystin-LR by Microcystinase (MlrA), Faisal Alqhtani

PDF

Securing Fog Federation from Behavior of Rogue Nodes, Mohammed Saleh H. Alshehri

PDF

2+2=Cake: A Book of Conversations about Possibilities in Business and Art, Elizabeth Ann Alspach

PDF

Combating Conspiracy Theories: An Attitudes-Based Approach, Marie Altgilbers

PDF

Towards a Large-Scale Intelligent Mobile-Argumentation and Discovering Arguments, Controversial Topics and Topic-Oriented Focal Sets in Cyber-Argumentation, Najla Althuniyan

PDF

Exploring Differences in Mathematical Creative Potential and Problem-Posing in Gifted and Non-Gifted Middle School Students, Aishah Ahmed Alzahrani

PDF

Understanding Gender Gaps in Student Achievement and STEM Majors: The Role of Student Effort, Test Structure, Self-Perceived Ability, and Parental Occupation, Lina Anaya Beltran

PDF

The First Sign: Detecting Future Financial Fraud from the IPO Prospectus, Lisa Spadaccini Anderson

PDF

The Systemic Punches: Displacement Experience of Vulnerable Immigrants, Eric Andre

PDF

Theyre bringing Drugs... Theyre bringing Crime... Theyre Rapists: Exploring Latino Immigration, Crime, and Voting Patterns in the 2016 Presidential Election, Brogan Estelle Arguelles

PDF

Effect of Harvest Time on the Incidence of Red Drupelet Reversion and Development of Tetraploid Linkage Maps in Blackberry, Mitchell E. Armour

PDF

Scheduling Allocation and Inventory Replenishment Problems Under Uncertainty: Applications in Managing Electric Vehicle and Drone Battery Swap Stations, Amin Asadi

PDF

The Electrification of the Kitchen: On the Energy Consumption of Common Electric Cooking Appliances, Hozen Ricchie Rose Asok Rose

PDF

Frequency Effect on Peak Pressure Coefficients Using the Narrowband Synthesis Random Flow Generator (NSRFG) Method, Zayuris Del Carmen Atencio Mojica

PDF

Distress Tolerance as a Potential Target for Change: The Relationship Between Distress Tolerance, Craving, and Alcohol Consumption in a Lab-based Experiment, Isabel F. Augur

PDF

Latinos in the South: Community, Family, and Identity, Jos Trnsito Ayala Rodriguez

PDF

Consumer Motivations and Perceived Value in Online Second-Hand Luxury Fashion Shopping, Murphy Brianne Aycock

PDF

The Influence of Peer Irrigators on the Extensive and Intensive Margin of Irrigation Techniques, Victoria Bailey

PDF

Evaluating Bioenergetics and Mitochondrial Dynamics in Patient Fibroblasts with Pathogenic Mitochondrial DNA Mutations Causing Leigh Syndrome, Ajibola Bakare

PDF

A Machine Learning Approach to Understanding Emerging Markets, Namita Balani

PDF

Immersive Systems and User Engagement Through NeuroIS Lens, Ali Balapour

PDF

Privacy-Preserving Cloud-Assisted Data Analytics, Wei Bao

PDF

Leveraging the Supply Chain: An Assessment of Supply Chain Partners' Influence on Organizational Performance, Jordan M. Barker

PDF

Does Whispering Improve Childrens Memory? Comparing Auditory Vigilance and Salience Hypotheses, Christina M. Barnes

PDF

Age, Ty Barnes

PDF

Visit link:
Graduate Theses and Dissertations - University of Arkansas

Provided by Shape MirageC/Getty

Known for its slimy texture when cut or cooked, okra often gets a bad rep; however, the summer produce is impressively healthy thanks to its lineup of nutrients such as antioxidants and fiber. And with the right techniques, okra can be delicious and goo-free promise. Read on to learn about okra's health benefits and nutrition, plus ways to enjoy okra.

Though it's usually prepared like a vegetable (think: boiled, roasted, fried), okra is actually a fruit (!!) that originally hails from Africa. It grows in warm climates, including the southern U.S. where it flourishes thanks to the heat and humidity and, in turn, "ends up in a lot of southern dishes," explains Andrea Mathis, M.A., R.D.N., L.D., an Alabama-based registered dietitian and founder of Beautiful Eats & Things. The entire okra pod (including the stem and seeds) is edible. But if you happen to have access to a whole okra plant (e.g. in a garden), you can also eat the leaves, flowers, and flower buds as greens, according toNorth Carolina State University Extension.

Okra is a nutritional superstar, boasting plenty of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, riboflavin, folic acid, calcium, and potassium, according to an article in the journal Molecules. As for that thick, slimy stuff that okra releases when it's cut and cooked? The goo, scientifically called mucilage, is high in fiber, notes Grace Clark-Hibbs, M.D.A., R.D.N., registered dietitian and founder of Nutrition with Grace. This fiber is responsible for many of okra's nutritional benefits, including digestive support, blood sugar management, and heart health.

Here's the nutritional profile of 1 cup (~160 grams) of cooked okra, according to the United States Department of Agriculture:

If its roster of nutrients isn't enough to make you add this summer produce to your rotation, okra's health benefits may do the trick. Ahead, discover what this green machine of an ingredient can do for your body, according to experts.

Okra happens to be an A+ source of antioxidants. "The main antioxidants in okra are polyphenols," says Mathis. This includes catechin, a polyphenol that's also found in green tea, as well as vitamins A and C, making okra one of the best antioxidant foods you can eat. And that's a BFD because antioxidants are known to neutralize or remove free radicals (aka unstable molecules) that can damage cells and promote illnesses (e.g. cancer, heart disease), explains Mathis.

If going number two feels like a chore, you might want to find a place on your plate for okra. "The mucilage in okra is particularly high in soluble fiber," says Clark-Hibbs. This type of fiber absorbs water in the gastrointestinal tract, creating a gel-like substance that firms up stool and helps curb diarrhea. The okra pod's "walls" and seeds also contain insoluble fiber, notes Susan Greeley, M.S., R.D.N., registered dietitian nutritionist and chef instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education. Insoluble fiber increases fecal bulk and promotes intestinal muscle movements, which can offer relief from constipation, according to the Mayo Clinic. (Related: These Benefits of Fiber Make It the Most Important Nutrient In Your Diet)

By forming that gel-like substance in your gut, the soluble fiber in okra can also slow down the absorption of carbohydrates, thus preventing blood sugar spikes and reducing your risk of type 2 diabetes, says Clark-Hibbs. A 2016 study found that regular intake of soluble fiber can improve blood sugar levels in people who already have type 2 diabetes. "Okra is also rich in magnesium, a mineral that helps your body secrete insulin," says Charmaine Jones, M.S., R.D.N., L.D.N., registered dietitian nutritionist and founder of Food Jonezi. In other words, magnesium helps keep your levels of insulin the hormone that controls how the food you eat is changed into energy in check, thereby helping to normalize your blood sugar levels, according to a 2019 article.

Gallery: What Happens To Your Body When You Eat Pork (Eat This, Not That!)

And need not forget about those supercharged antioxidants, which may lend a hand, too. Oxidative stress (which happens when there's an excess of free radicals in the body) plays a role in the development of type 2 diabetes. But a high intake of antioxidants (e.g. vitamins A and C in okra) can lower the risk by fighting these free radicals and, in turn, oxidative stress, according to a 2018 study. (Related: The 10 Diabetes Symptoms Women Need to Know About)

As it turns out, the fiber in okra is quite the multi-tasking nutrient; it helps lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol "by collecting extra cholesterol molecules as it moves through the digestive system," says Clark-Hibbs. The fiber then brings along cholesterol as it's excreted in the stool, notes Mathis. This decreases the absorption of cholesterol into the blood, helping manage your cholesterol levels and reducing your risk of heart disease.

Antioxidants, such as the phenolic compounds found in okra (e.g. catechins), also protect the heart by neutralizing excess free radicals. Here's the deal: When free radicals interact with LDL cholesterol, the physical and chemical properties of the "bad" stuff change, according to a 2021 article. This process, called LDL oxidation, contributes to the development of atherosclerosis or plaque buildup in the arteries that can lead to heart disease. However, a 2019 scientific review notes that phenolic compounds can prevent LDL oxidation, thus potentially protecting the heart.

Okra is rich in folate, aka vitamin B9, which everyone needs to form red blood cells and support healthy cell growth and function, says Jones. But it's especially crucial for proper fetal development during pregnancy (and thus found in prenatal vitamins). "Low folate intake [during pregnancy] can cause birth abnormalities such as neural tube defects, a disease that causes defects in the brain (e.g. anencephaly) and spinal cord (e.g. spina bifida) in a fetus," she explains. For context, the recommended daily intake of folate is 400 micrograms for men and women age 19 and older, and 600 micrograms for pregnant people, according to the National Institutes of Health. One cup of cooked okra offers about 88 micrograms of folate, according to the USDA, so okra is sure to help you meet those goals. (Another good source of folate? Beets, which have 80 mcg per ~100-gram serving. The more you know!)

Prone to kidney stones? Go easy on the okra, as it's high in oxalates, which are compounds that increase your risk of developing kidney stones if you've had them in the past, says Clark-Hibbs. That's because excess oxalates can mix with calcium and form calcium oxalates, the main component of kidney stones, she says. A 2018 review suggests that eating a lot of oxalates in a sitting increases the amount of oxalates excreted via the urine (which travels through the kidneys), boosting your chances of developing kidney stones. So, folks "who are more susceptible to developing kidney stones should limit the amount of oxalate-containing foods they eat at one time," she notes.

You might also want to proceed with caution if you're taking anticoagulants (blood thinners) to prevent blood clots, says Mathis. Okra is rich in vitamin K, a nutrient that aids in blood clotting the exact process blood thinners aim to prevent. (ICYDK, blood thinners help prevent blood clots in patients with certain conditions such as atherosclerosis, thus decreasing the risk of heart attack or stroke.) Suddenly increasing your intake of vitamin K-rich foods (such as okra) can interfere with the purpose of blood thinners, says Mathis.

TL;DR If you're susceptible to stones or taking a blood thinner, check with your doc to determine how much you can safely eat before chowing down on okra.

"Okra can be found fresh, frozen, canned, pickled, and in dried powder form," says Jones. Some stores might also sell dried okra snacks, such as Trader Joe's Crispy Crunchy Okra (Buy It, $10 for two bags, amazon.com). In the freezer aisle, it's available on its own, breaded, or in pre-made packaged meals. That being said, fresh and frozen non-breaded options are the healthiest, as they have the highest nutrient content without added preservatives such as sodium, explains Jones.

As for okra powder? It's used more like a seasoning, rather than a replacement for the whole vegetable. "[It's] a healthier alternative to using salts or pickled ingredients," says Jones, but you probably won't find it at your next Whole Foods jaunt. Instead, head to a specialty store or, not shockingly, Amazon, where you can snag a product such as Naturevibe Botanicals Okra Powder (Buy It, $16, amazon.com).

When buying fresh okra, pick produce that's firm and bright green and steer clear of that which is discolored or limp, as these are signs of rotting, according to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. At home, store unwashed okra in a sealed container or plastic bag in the refrigerator. And be warned: Fresh okra is super perishable, so you'll want to eat it ASAP, within two to three days, according to the University of Arkansas.

While it can be eaten raw, "most people cook okra first because the skin has a slight prickly texture that becomes unnoticeable after cooking," says Clark-Hibbs. Fresh okra can be roasted, fried, grilled, or boiled. But as mentioned earlier, when cut or cooked, okra releases the slimy mucilage that many people dislike.

To limit the slime, cut the okra into larger pieces, because "the less you cut it, the less you will get that signature slimy texture," shares Clark-Hibbs. You might also want to use dry cooking methods (e.g. frying, roasting, grilling), notes Jones, vs. moist cooking methods (e.g. steaming or boiling), which add moisture to okra and, in turn, enhances the goo. Dry cooking also involves cooking at high heat, which "shortens the amount of time [the okra's] being cooked and therefore decreases the amount of slime being released," adds Clark-Hibbs. Lastly, you can minimize the slime by "adding an acidic ingredient such as tomato sauce, lemon, [or] garlic sauce," says Jones. Goo, be gone!

Ready to give okra a spin? Here are a few tasty expert-approved ways to use okra at home:

As a roasted dish. "One of the easiest and most mouthwatering ways to [cook] okra is to roast it," says Clark-Hibbs. "Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper, lay out the okra in a single layer, drizzle some olive oil, and finish with salt and pepper to taste. This will soften the okra while keeping it crispy and preventing the slimy texture that can [happen with boiling]."

As a sauteed dish. For another simple take on okra, saut it with your fave spices. First, "heat oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add okra and cook for about four to five minutes, or until bright green. Season with salt, pepper, and other seasonings before serving," says Mathis. Need inspo? Try this recipe for bhindi, or crispy Indian okra, from the food blog My Heart Beets.

In stir-fry. Elevate your next weeknight stir-fry with okra. The dish calls for a quick cooking method, which will help reduce the slime. Check out this four-ingredient okra stir-fry from the food blog Omnivore's Cookbook.

In stews and soups. With the right approach, the mucilage in okra can work in your favor. It can thicken dishes (think: stew, gumbo, soup) just like cornstarch, according to Mathis. "Simply add diced okra [into your soup] about 10 minutes before [you finish] cooking," she says. Try this mouthwatering seafood gumbo recipe from food blog Grandbaby Cakes.

In a salad. Make the most of summer produce by pairing okra with other warm-weather veggies. For example, "[cooked okra] can be cut up and added to a delicious summery tomato and corn salad," says Greeley.

Read the original here:
These Okra Health Benefits Will Make You Rethink This Summer Veggie - msnNOW

CONWAY, Ark. (August13, 2020) Dr. Andrea Duina, a professor of biology and chair of the biochemistry-molecularbiology program at Hendrix College, has received a three-year, $480,000 grantfrom the National Science Foundation (NSF) that will help undergraduatestudents gain new insights into some of the fundamental mechanisms thatregulate how genes are utilized by cells. This grant is the latest in a seriesof NSF grants awarded to Duina for research that increases the scientificcommunitys understanding of life beginning at the cellular level.

Since propergene regulation is essential for most cellular and organismal functions, thesestudies address questions with far-ranging implications, Duina said. For ourstudies, we use the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as the modelsystem, and given the high degree of functional conservation across all life forms,findings from these studies will shed new light into processes relevant to allorganisms, including humans.

This grant, oneof five received by Duina from the NSF for undergraduate research in his lab at Hendrix,will provide more opportunities for Hendrix students to carry out cutting-edgeresearch.

Students willfurther develop their skills in various aspects of the scientific process,including experimental design and execution, data interpretation andevaluation, science communication to other scientists and to the generalpublic, and critical evaluation of current research literature, Duina said.

In addition tothe grants direct benefit to students who conduct research in Duinaslaboratory, it will have an expanded impact at Hendrix through the elements ofthis project that Duina plans to incorporate into some of the courses he teaches.

This NSF grantalso stands as a testament to Hendrixs strong commitment in promotingstate-of-the art STEM undergraduate research on campus, he said. Hendrix canbe proud of its role in developing well-rounded and well-prepared scientists.

About Hendrix College

A private liberalarts college in Conway, Arkansas, Hendrix College consistently earnsrecognition as one of the countrys leading liberal arts institutions, and isfeatured in Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Changethe Way You Think About Colleges.Its academic quality and rigor, innovation, and value have established Hendrixas a fixture in numerous college guides, lists, and rankings. Founded in 1876,Hendrix has been affiliated with the United Methodist Church since 1884. Tolearn more, visit http://www.hendrix.edu.

Continued here:
New NSF Grant Awarded to Hendrix Biology Professor Duina - Hendrix College Events and News

By Aprille HansonAssociate Editor

Aprille Hanson

Deacon Butch King and his wife Debbie (left) stand with their daughter Paula Draeger (center) in front of the Seed of Hope garden at UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute in Little Rock Dec. 4. Last month, King was able to place a seed of hope token into the garden, signifying he is cancer-free, thanks to a stem cell donation from his daughter.

Aprille Hanson

Deacon Butch King and his wife Debbie (left) stand with their daughter Paula Draeger (center) in front of the Seed of Hope garden at UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute in Little Rock Dec. 4. Last month, King was able to place a seed of hope token into the garden, signifying he is cancer-free, thanks to a stem cell donation from his daughter.

Deacon Butch King was given a gift in 2017. He was diagnosed with a rare disease MDS/MPN, myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasm-unclassifiable to be exact.

The hybrid disease results when bone marrow overproduces unhealthy blood cells, according to University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock.

The diagnosis sent the family on a harrowing journey for the next two and a half years: four changes of insurance coverage and medical facilities, 19 rounds of chemotherapy, 430 lab results, 14 bone marrow biopsies, 11.25 gallons of donated blood and the disease progressing to Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Looking at a deadly disease as a gift takes a radical faith in God, one that King and his wife Debbie have carried with grace to his cancer-free diagnosis Nov. 4.

It was given to us as a gift. And how do we manage gifts? We care for them, we nurture them, we polish them, show them off with pride and we give thanks to God. Those are his words, our words together. We had a gift and we had to manage it, we didnt get a choice, his wife said.

King was ordained a deacon in 2012, serving at Immaculate Conception Church in North Little Rock. The couple has four children, 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, with another on the way in March. After 23 years of serving in the U.S. Air Force working in secure communications, he spent 22 years with the U.S. Postal Service.

In October 2016, he had a metal stent placed in his heart and could not have any surgeries for the following six months. In November of that year, he twisted his knee at work. When he was finally ready to have knee surgery in May, his lab work was irregular. In June they learned he had developed a rare blood disorder, MDS, which later in the year progressed to MPN. It required a stem cell transplant, with only a 30 percent chance of surviving a transplant.

I was kind of stunned at first, King said. As a deacon, he had been used to visiting the sick in nursing homes and hospitals.

This is one of the stories you can say, I know how you feel because Ive been there or were praying for you and really mean it, he said.

With every roadblock of insurance not covering the procedure or a hospital turning the transplant down because he was high risk, faith prevailed.

In December 2017, their youngest daughter Paula Draeger, 38, was a perfect match for a stem cell transplant, an extremely rare result.

OK, we can do this; were going to heal him. Weve got the perfect match. If this doesnt work, nothing will. So that was just kind of the reaction, lets do it, the married mother of two said.

Debbie King said, Shes a Spina bifida baby. We were told that she would be a vegetable when she had her spinal surgery. So shes a miracle to be here; long before this ever came God had a plan.

Once Medicare kicked in, insurance would cover a transplant if a clinical trial was available. It led the family to 13 visits to University of Oklahoma Stephenson Cancer Center in Oklahoma City, though they refused the transplant.

Debbie King said they specifically chose Oklahoma City because the family had been, and still are, praying daily for Blessed Stanley Rothers intercession.

The martyr, who grew up on a farm in Okarche, Okla., was declared blessed on Sept. 23, 2017, in Oklahoma City. He was killed in 1981 while serving his people in Guatemala.

He needed a miracle. And we said God provides miracles, Debbie King said.

Before we started any treatment we would place the entire illness and what would be happening at Blessed Stanley Rothers gravesite in Oklahoma City, visiting 11 times, she said.

Whats the miracle? The miracle is the faith. And thats what Butch has said, she said.

On March 13, the Kings were told they wouldnt be continuing the trial in Oklahoma.

We were ready to just be on maintenance and enjoy the days we had, she said. On March 14, our 44th wedding anniversary we were celebrating what we thought could be our last one.

But Dr. Appalanaidu Sasapu, hematologist oncologist with the UAMS Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Program, never gave up on them. Because Kings disease had progressed to leukemia in April, the stem cell procedure could now be done at UAMS and covered by insurance.

Draeger said the stem cell donations, done over a weekend via a port, were simple, with no side effects aside from building her energy up in the following week.

For what youre able to give somebody, what you have to endure pales in comparison to what hes been through and what you can give him, she said.

King no longer has the blood disease and is cancer free, though he will continue at least a years worth of chemotherapy treatments.

Since his diagnosis, they attend the smaller St. Patrick Church in North Little Rock for Mass, but he cannot yet return to ministry.

We do our prayer time in the mornings and evenings, we count our blessings every night before we go to bed and we just know, what was our blessing today? Did we see somebody that we havent seen before that God put in our path? Is it a new doctor who is going to take this on? King said.

But through this whole process weve been truly blessed, had no regrets. If I had to do it over, if thats the path of my life that God wants me to take, then Ill do it.

Please read our Comments Policy before posting.

See the article here:
Deacon Butch King learns to accept the 'gift' of cancer - Arkansas Catholic

The UAMS Cancer Institute is home to Arkansas only adult Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Program program.

The Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Program is FACT accredited and meets themost rigorous standards in every aspect of stem cell therapy, from clinical care and donor management to cell collection, processing, storage, transportation, administration and cell release.

The thirty-year program also is recognized as an Optum Transplant Center of Excellence.

Allogeneic transplants involve the transplantation of stem cells obtained from a donor and are used to treat patients with lymphomas, leukemias and other blood disorders.Learn More

Autologous transplants involve the collection of stem cells from a patients own bone marrow or blood to be infused into the patient. This type of transplant is used to treat patients with multiple myeloma, relapsed lymphoma and other blood disorders. Learn More

Read more about stem cell transplants from the National Cancer Institute

Interested in possibly becoming a stem cell donor? Visit Bethematch.org.

Visit link:
Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Program ...

What is Stem Cell Therapy?

Stem cell therapy is the administration of umbilical cord stem cells (UCSC) into a patients body based on the recommendation from your medical provider or nurse practitioner. The cells can be administered through injection or IV infusion to maximize the therapys reach.

Call today! (501) 224-1224

Schedule An Appointment Today!

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that are capable of giving rise to indefinitely more cells of the same type. They have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types in the body and serve as what can be accurately described as an internal repair system, replenishing other cells. Each divided cell has the potential to become another type of cell with a specialized function, such as a muscle cell, a red blood cell, or a brain cell.

Umbilical Cord Stem Cells are derived exclusively from the umbilical cord tissue of healthy birthed babies & healthy mothers, which is the safest and least-invasive method of extraction available.

Seek out degeneration: They build, repair, and grow new tissue

Anti-inflammatory: They are effective in reducing inflammation

Immunomodulatory: They help modulate the bodys immune responses

Its the future of medicine. A search of http://www.clinicaltrials.gov provides information on more than 4,000 clinical trials being conducted worldwide.

Pluripotent: A pluripotent cell has the capability of developing into various types of cells or tissues

self-renewal: Stem cells replicate themselves every 28 hours for 65 generations, giving rise to millions of undifferentiated cells

If possible, stop or reduce all aspirin products, non-steroidals, Vitamin E supplementation, and the use of fish oil at least five days before the therapy. Be sure to stay hydrated prior to the procedure.

The duration of the therapy is short, simple, and can take between ten to twenty minutes depending on the amount administered and the procedure chosen. This time will include cleaning and prepping the injection points.

If possible, stop or reduce anti-inflammatory medication for at least one to two weeks. Remember: Stem cells replicate every 28 hours through 65 cycles of replication.

At 3-4 Weeks Post-Therapy: Light exercises and stretching; no high-impact activities.

One Month Post-Therapy: Aggressive stretching, light-weight training; as tolerated by joints

Second Month-Post Therapy: Increase workout regiment and sport-specific activities

Yes! The use of Umbilical Cord Stem Cells is FDA cleared and our provider abides by all of the most stringent medical guidelines. Your comfort, safety, and recovery are the top concern.

The cells are rigorously tested and screened under NIH, FDA, AATB, and AABB guidelines.

Because UCSC are less mature than other cells, the bodys immune system is unable to recognize them as foreign and therefore, they are not rejected. There has never been a documented instance of rejection in graft vs. host.

Journal of Translational Medicine 2007, Stem Cell Therapy for Autism. Thomas E. Ichim, Fabio Solano, Eduardo Glenn, Frank Morales, Leonard Smith, George Zabrecky, and Neil H. Riordan

See this testimonial about how Stem Cell Therapy in Little Rock is helping our patients. Natural State Integrative Health is one of the few locations in Central Arkansas offering this cutting edge treatment for pain management.

Call today! (501) 224-1224

Schedule An Appointment Today!

The rest is here:
Stem Cell Therapy in Little Rock - Chiropractor Little Rock AR

Top Anatomy News For 2017: There were several advancements, breakthroughs, and innovations in several fields of biology in 2017. In this article, lets glance over the top 15 anatomy and physiology related news in 2017. Also find out who won the Nobel prize for anatomy in 2017. Lets begin.

Enhanced Reality Human Anatomy Learning Tool

The year 2017 brought a revolution in anatomy education at medical universities. The way anatomy is taught substantially changed and has made it virtually possible for students to learn the subject without the use of cadavers.

A Simpler Model For Rib Proximal-Distal Patterning

Researchers studied the development of the vertebrate rib cage. They discovered using computational tools that concentration levels of the Hedgehog protein are essential for cells to make the decision to form born or cartilage in the rib cage.

Discovery of Linkage Between Hallucination & Musical Aptitude

Researchers at the University of Liverpool discovered a link between brain structure and an individuals susceptibility to experiencing hallucinations and to their musical aptitude. In People with musical knowledge, hallucinations were less likely. This new finding opens the door to possibility that providing musical training to psychotic patients or those experiencing hallucinations can help fight off the disease.

Hippocampal CA2 Region For Social Interactions

Researchers were able to elucidate the function of a minuscule area of the hippocampus known as the CA2. The team discovered that CA2 is responsible for development of social memory which involves remembering faces and objects.

Human NMJs Morphologically Unique From Rodent NMJs

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh studied cell connections known as Neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) to elucidate the connection between nerves and muscles and how impulses are transmitted from one to the other, and how this information can be used to study NMJ disorders in detail.

Rods in The Retina Help in Daylight Vision

A team of scientists at the Institute of Ophthalmic research and the University of Tubingen has discovered that rods are capable of much more than just dark vision. They were able to show that rods, in fact, do contribute to vision in daylight conditions up to the highest level of light.

Breakthrough New Therapy For Sciatica Patients

Scientists have developed a new therapy for lower back pain and sciatica treatment. The new image-guided radiofrequency treatment has produced incredible results in sciatica patients.

Unique Questionnaire To Detect Osteoporosis Early

A group of scientists designed a questionnaire for older women along with bone density measurements that can help identify women at risk of osteoporosis early on, thus preventing hip fractures.

Discovery of Spinal Cord Role in Providing A Steady Gait

Researchers at the Salk Institute have discovered a potentially new and interesting role of the spinal cord information processing. While walking, specific neurons process and filter out information that proves to be disruptive thus providing a steady gait.

Nucress Scaffold Technology For Bone Healing

Scientists have developed a new technology at the University of Arkansas called the NuCress Scaffold. The scaffold can be loaded with drugs, stem cells or hormones for treatment and bone growth. This technology can prove beneficial for patients requiring bone healing.

Novel MRI Technique Discovers Spinal Disc Degeneration Cause

Scientists have discovered that spinal disc degeneration is caused by changes in the water content of the disk. They used a novel MRI technique to study the movements of water in the spine and its effect on spinal degeneration.

Virtual Reality For Paraplegics

Researchers in Switzerland have implemented Virtual reality to reduce phantom pain in the body. This technology allows people with paraplegia to feel sensation in their paralyzed legs.

Leopard Geckos Tail Cut-Off Research In Spinal Cord Treatments

A University of Guelph researcher discovered that cells known as the radial glia present in the spinal cord region of a leopard geckos tail have unique regenerative properties. When the tail is cut off, these cells proliferate to regrow the lost body part. These cells are found in the spinal cord and may provide a way to treat humans with spinal cord injuries.

Breakthrough Stem Cell Research in Spinal Cord Injury

Scientists elucidated the role of stem cells in the treatment of spinal cord injury by transplanting human stem cells into paralyzed rats. These rats regained mobility in their legs and also showed spinal cord healing.

Nobel Prize Winners in Anatomy/Physiology For 2017

Three scientists namely Jeffrey C. Hall, Michael Rosbash, and Michael W. Young were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology for the year 2017 for their contributions to molecular mechanisms controlling the circadian rhythm.

Do you know of any breakthroughs in Anatomy for 2017 that we missed here? Comment them below.

Top 15 Anatomy & Physiology News In Innovations & Breakthroughs For 2017

Originally posted here:
Top 15 Anatomy News For 2017 - Bio Explorer

Dr. Mark Miedema was inspired to pursue a career in medicine after working with his father on medical missions in Haiti. He chose the specialty of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) as it provides the unique opportunity to come alongside patients as they recover from injury and return to function.

After residency, Dr. Miedema pursued further training in Interventional Spine Care at UCLA where he completed a prestigious one-year ACGME-accredited fellowship earning the Fellow of the Year award. He is board-certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine.

Dr. Miedemas expertise is in non-operative spine and orthopedic care. Specifically, electrodiagnostics (EMG/NCV) as well as a broad array of spinal injections, joint injections, nerve blocks and regenerative injection therapy (stem cells, PRP and prolotherapy). Dr. Miedemas philosophy is patient-centered, focusing on education and using a multidisciplinary approach to relieve pain and restore function.

Dr. Miedema enjoys being outdoors; particularly fly-fishing, bird hunting and playing tennis.

LOOKING FOR AN ALTERNATIVE TO SURGERY, MEDICATIONS AND STEROID INJECTIONS? Learn more about Regenerative Medicine.

University of Arkansas, Little Rock, AR, 2009

Halifax Medical Center, Daytona Beach, FL, 2010

University of Colorado, Denver, CO, 2013

UCLA Medical Center & West LA VA, Los Angeles, CA, 2014

Board Certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

10301 Kanis RoadLittle Rock, AR 72205-6205

(501) 604-6900 Tel(501) 604-3683 Fax

Excerpt from:
OrthoArkansas