Cord Blood Viability and Factors That Affect Its Quality

Cell viability is a critical issue in the biobank industry. When parents decide to bank the umbilical cord blood of their baby, they do so with the hope that in future it will help in treating conditions like leukemia, lymphoma, sickle cell anemia and other critical life-threatening diseases if needed. Cell viability is an important indicator of the quality of the umbilical cord blood and can influence the outcome of the transplant. The number of stem cells that persist in the umbilical cord blood unit is limited and that renders the viability of cord blood in the preservation of stem cells.

Several factors affect the quality of stored umbilical cord blood. If anyone is compromised it affects the viability of the stem cell.

Collection Procedure

Collection procedure plays an extremely important role in the future viability of umbilical cord blood. Baby stem cell collection requires a proper protocol. If the collection is not done according to the proper protocol then it can immensely impact the quality of the stem cells procured from the collected umbilical cord blood. The umbilical cord blood should be collected using a single bag. Blood should be collected by inserting a needle proximal to the clamp and keeping the cannulation site below the placenta level. The free flow of blood should be allowed. Thermocol boxes at room temperature are not ideal for the collection and storage of umbilical cord blood and they should be discarded.

Volume Reduction

Volume reduction is an important step after the collection of the umbilical cord blood. Cord blood banks usually use the centrifugation method to compress the volume of blood. Ideally, within a couple of hours, the separation of plasma columns happens under gravity. The separation of the plasma columns depends on the hematocrit of the umbilical cord blood.

Cryopreservation Protocols

After the separation of the Plasma-Lyte, they are mixed with the cryopreservation mixtures. The cryopreservative contains DMSO and they are mixed with the cold Plasma-Lyte. After volume reduction, the final product is transferred to a fresh tube and product volume is noted. Cold cryoprotectant mixture is added in equal volume slowly by directly trickling from the sidewall of the Falcon tube. The final pre-cryopreservation product mixture is quickly transferred to a cryogenic pouch and stored in a refrigerator at a temperature of -800 degrees Celsius. The temperature of the refrigerator is continuously monitored.

10 Things You Eat That Can Weaken Your Immunity

While a well-balanced, nutrient-rich diet can improve your body's immunity and functions, a diet that is high on processed foods and low in nutrition can also adversely impact it.

Let’s take a look at 10 foods that can weaken your immunity:

Sugar

Excess sugar in the body means a higher risk of Diabetes. High levels of blood sugar in the body can be harmful and lead to gut bacteria imbalance. It also inhibits the immune cells in the body, making it more vulnerable to infections.

Salt

Like sugar, excess salt intake can also inhibit the immune system's anti-inflammatory response, create an imbalance of gut bacteria, and even lead to an increase in autoimmune diseases like Lupus, Crohn's disease, Ulcerative Colitis, etc.

Fatty foods/Fried Foods

Deep fried foods like French fries, bhajjiyas, samosas, chips, etc., are high in advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which cause inflammation and cell damage in the body.

Fast Foods

Eating highly processed food are responsible for increasing inflammation, causing an imbalance of gut bacteria, and can even create immune dysfunction in the body.

Soft Drinks and Colas

These types of drinks have a high level of artificial sweeteners in them which hamper the immune response, alter the gut bacteria, increase gut inflammation, etc.

High Omega 6 Foods

Omega 6 fats are needed by your body to function smoothly. However, it can increase your risk of contracting diseases like asthma, allergic rhinitis, and other autoimmune diseases when had more than required.

Charred Foods

Grilled meats, barbequed paneer, etc., are great to have once in a while. However, if consumed regularly, the saturated fat in the foods can create immune dysfunction and increase the risk of diseases like cancer.

Foods With Additives

Processed or packaged food often contain additives that make them flavourful and last longer. However, these additive ingredients can lead to intestinal inflammation and weakening the immune system.

Bread and Other Baked Foods

Highly refined carbs found in white bread and other bakery items like cakes, pastries, etc., causes the sugar and insulin levels to shoot up in the body and increase inflammatory proteins.

High-fat Foods

Fatty foods like milk chocolates, white bread, red meat, etc., can damage the intestinal lining, increasing the chances of infections and diseases if had too frequently.

Make sure to have a balanced diet always. Don't give up on your favourites; make sure you eat them in moderation.

Author Bio: Prapti Chauhan is a professor of Genetics in Bangalore. She has contributed to several online research papers. However, she passionately develops contents on pregnancy, childbirth, childcare and stem cell preservation in india and umbilical cord lining and more.

Know All About Stem Cell Preservation in India

Even a few years ago, this huge Indian population was a complete stranger to the concept of cord blood stem cell banking. However, stem cells from the umbilical cord blood are one of the new medical discoveries and developments in the last few years. The replicating, differentiating and regenerating behaviour of the cord blood stem cells provide an organic way to heal the human body from complicated medical disorders like cancer, sickle cell anaemia, etc. Knowing the power of cord blood stem cells, nowadays, many expecting parents are opening up to the idea of newborn cord blood banking as a way to secure the future of their baby and their family.

The value of cord blood banking in India is estimated to be Rs 300 crores. And, it is possible to preserve umbilical cord blood for 20 years or more through a private cord blood banking and use the stem cells for the baby’s or the family’s medical emergency in future.

Public cord blood banks in India also accept umbilical cord blood donations from parents, but most for research purposes. However, parents would have no ownership over it. Anybody, during the time of medical emergency can use the stored cord blood samples by retrieving it from the public cord blood bank.

Sometimes, the baby stem cells are also added to the community pool. A community bank, India, has the combination of both the private and public cord blood bank.

According to the Drug Controller General of India, there are 14 operational private cord blood banks in India and two public. Amidst which, Cordlife India, the largest network of private cord blood banks in Asia, started as a pioneer in cord blood banking 19 years back in Singapore. With almost two decades of in-depth knowledge and expertise in stem-cell banking, it has also carved its niche and has built a distinguished brand name in the sub-continent, including India. In fact, following the legacy.

Cordlife is the only cord blood bank in India, which uses the most advanced technology for processing the cord blood and offers a total stem cell banking solution and aims to provide 360 – degree protection for the baby and the entire family.

Do You Know The Bottle - Feeding Basics?

Experts believe that, new-borns should be breastfed for the first 6 months, to provide nutrition to the baby’s body. However, breastfeeding can sometimes become a challenge for you, the new mum, especially if she wants to go back to work or are unable to learn the right technique, and wants to the baby to be introduced to bottle-feeding.

But do you even know the basics of bottle-feeding?

Read on to find out:

When to introduce bottle to your new-born?

Lactation experts recommend waiting until breastfeeding is completely established and the baby has learned to latch on to the bottle before introducing it. The bottle can be introduced to your baby after breastfeeding has been established or depending on the baby's need for additional nourishment. It doesn’t take more than two weeks for the baby to be habituated to bottle-feeding.

How to select a bottle for your little one?

It is absolutely essential to choose the right bottle for your baby.

• Start with a slow-flow bottle if your baby is very young: Once the baby gets used to it, it’s time to introduce him to the normal flow.
• However, the best feeding bottles are those which are Bisphenol – A and EA (Oestrogen Activity) – free

How many times should you bottle-feed your baby?

Your baby’s feeding habits might differ from the other. Here’s what you can do:

• Give your little one the bottle after every two to three hours in the first few weeks.
• You can alternately, offer the baby the bottle when she or he’s hungry.
• If he or she sleeps longer than four or five hours, wake him or her up to feed her.
• Remember he or she will take one and a half to 2 ounces of feed in the first few days. However, the ounces are going to increase after this week.
• By 6 months, your little one is likely to take 6 to 8 ounces a day.
• You can even combine breastfeeding and bottle-feeding, thus ensuring the baby gets the best of both. Additionally, it is a good idea to mix breastmilk and formula in the same bottle.

To Conclude

The doctor will monitor the growth of the baby, indicating she or he’s getting the right amount of feed.

Author Bio: Prapti Chauhan is a professor of Genetics in Bangalore. She has contributed to several online research papers. However, she passionately develops contents on pregnancy, childbirth, childcare, benefit of cord blood banking, stem cell banking, umbilical cord lining and more.

Here Is Why Donating Cord Blood Is a Great Idea

The second most populated country in the world, India possesses great potential for newborn cord blood banking. Unfortunately, due to lack of awareness, the benefits of cord blood banking are not much known among people. In fact, many pediatricians and obstetricians who are approached by expecting parents regarding baby stem cell storage are found to lack enough knowledge regarding the benefits of stem cell banking.

Umbilical cord blood can be used to treat more than 80+ diseases and storing it can help the entire country. If you are an expectant parent then you should give cord blood donation a thought. Even if there is no one immediately in need of umbilical cord blood in your family, you must consider cord blood donation as it can benefit you and others in the future. Cord blood banking is the need of the hour.

In India, every minute 29 babies are born. Regrettably, an equal number of umbilical cord blood sources, which could have saved lives, are wasted. Therefore, it is important to reconsider newborn stem cell banking. Baby stem cell collection is a painless and safe procedure and does not affect the mother or the newborn in any way. However, stem cell preservation benefits not only your family but also others in the community and country. It can help someone who could not find matching umbilical cord blood or a bone marrow donor. Donated cord blood can also fulfill the immediate requirement for blood-forming stem cells.

Worldwide, there have been more than 50,000 unrelated and related donor stem cell transplants. This has proved the efficacy of umbilical cord blood transplant in cases where there has been a minimal mismatch between recipient and donor. Umbilical cord blood has also proved to be a good alternative for stem cells in comparison to bone marrow. It has proved efficient in treating thalassemia, leukemia, sickle cell diseases, and immune deficiency disorders.

In conclusion, newborn stem cell storage can benefit your family members if they need stem cell transplants in the future. It can also help others who may find a match. Donated cord blood can also advance medical research. Awareness must be created about cord blood donation and stem cell transplant treatments for the greater good of society.

Treatment of Autoimmune Diseases with Stem Cells – Fact or Fiction?

The role of our immune system is to protect the body from bacteria and viruses. They are the first line of defence against outside invaders that are potentially harmful to the body. However, autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system starts perceiving the very organs and tissues it is meant to be protecting as threats and attacks them. For example, when someone has Type 1 Diabetes, the immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.

The causes of autoimmune diseases can be attributed to genetics or environmental factors like prolonged exposure to toxins or chemicals, infections, lifestyle, etc. While treatments are available for autoimmune diseases, they mainly aim to control the rogue immune system rather than resolve it.

With the advance in medical science and increased research in the field of stem cell therapies, there is greater hope for patients suffering from autoimmune diseases. Stem cells can transform into any damaged cell or tissue within the body. This is especially true for stem cells derived from the umbilical cord blood since they are undifferentiated and haven’t been exposed to environmental factors compared to mature cells. Hence, it is recommended by experts to opt for cord blood banking if you have the opportunity.

Using stem cell treatment for autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Hashimoto's disease, diabetes, etc., has shown promising results thus far. There has been considerable delay in the progress of the disease, regression and even cessation in patients. Stem cell therapy effectively stops the overactive part of the immune system and repairs damaged organs, cells, and tissues. Depending on the age, health and severity of the disease, the patient may require more than one session of stem cell treatment.

In a clinical trial conducted, seven patients suffering from Lupus were treated using stem cell therapy. First healthy stem cells were harvested from each patient’s body before giving them radiation to destroy the malfunctioning immune system. The stem cells were then reintroduced into the patients' bodies, where they migrated back to the bone marrow and developed into mature and healthy immune cells. This trial showed massive improvement in the patient's condition, and the immune system was restored to proper working order. The patients remained free of Lupus even after three years of receiving the stem cell treatment.

With more research and innovations in medical science, soon, it will be possible to treat autoimmune diseases with stem cells. So, make sure you choose to bank your baby’s stem cells to safeguard their future.

Demystifying 4 Questions Regarding Childbirth

Introducing a new life to the world is one of the most beautiful experiences in a woman’s life. Carrying a pure soul for nine months is not less than a tale of magic. So, it is natural for women to feel joy, contentment, and fulfillment at the time of delivery. However, it is equally natural to feel exhausted and struggle mentally, thanks to the labor pain and other complications, if any.

So, what to expect during delivery? What precautions to take to avoid the last-minute rush? We have got all the basics covered with the 4 most asked questions regarding childbirth!

Does It Hurt?

Yes, it is impossible to avoid pain while delivering a baby. You might experience strong cramping in the abdomen, groin, and back regions especially. However, learning breathing and relaxation techniques can help you cope with contractions.

What About Vaginal Tear During Delivery?

Yes, it does happen often. According to studies, about 79% of women suffer perineum damage while giving birth. Mostly, it is caused by a surgical cut, known as episiotomy. This can be distressing for the new mother and can have a long-term effect on her sexual relationship. But, with your doctor’s help and the right treatment, things can go back to normal.

Is It Alright to Use Epidural for Painless Delivery?

One of the most important questions when it comes to pregnancy is, whether to drug or not to drug. Epidural, as a drug, is considered to be the most effective method to relieve pain during delivery and allows you to take rest in case of a long labor. Research has revealed that around 70% of women use the drug for painless delivery, but it might not be appropriate for everyone. It is always advisable to seek medical advice before using any pain-relieving drug at the time of delivery.

Is It Safe to Eat After Labor?

A light meal after delivery is safe for women and can replenish all the energy drained during the birthing process. A vegetable sandwich, chicken soup, oatmeal, eggs, dates and apples are often recommended. But again, a doctor's clearance is necessary to avoid any complications.

To wrap up, most labor stories have a happy ending and ready a woman for a whole new phase of life. So, take childbirth classes and address your fears to smoothly deal with labor pain and other complications!

Author Bio: Prapti Chauhan is a freelance content writer by her profession and has over 11 years of enriching experience into blogging and article writing. Over the years, she has gained popularity as a content creator who specializes on topics such as pregnancy, parenting and new-born childcare. However, she is also writing articles on baby stem cells preservation, benefits of cord blood banking, cord blood banking, stem cell therapy and research.