Things You Should Know Before Buying a Wedding Band

A diamond is forever – and so is a diamond wedding band! So before you commit to a wedding band, make sure you have taken care of all aspects. Is the metal that of your choice? Does the stone cut compliment your personality? How matching is it to your engagement ring?

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE BUYING A DIAMOND WEDDING BAND

A woman’s diamond wedding band isn’t like a pair of shoes—you can’t change it three times a day, and you probably don’t have a closet full of them.

This one ring is given to you as you make your vows, becoming a lifelong symbol of your love and commitment. Finding the right ring is important! Not all diamond wedding rings are the same. There are many different qualities and characteristics to take into consideration, so think carefully about what you want out of your diamond ring!

PRECIOUS METAL

Metal type is very important to the overall look and feel of your Diamond Wedding Band.

 White Metals

White metals are very popular right now because their bright white finish beautifully complements the whiteness of diamonds, making the diamonds appear brighter. These white metals (platinum, white gold, and palladium) take a step back and allow the diamonds to be the center of attention.

 Yellow & Rose Gold

Yellow and rose gold are beautiful, distinctive options. These warm, alluring metals stand out against the sparkle of the diamonds, setting them apart from white metals. Yellow gold is seen as very luxurious as it is associated with pure 24 carat gold, making it a desirable option. Rose gold has also become very popular because it gives diamonds a soft, romantic glow.  Both yellow and rose gold complement a variety of skin tones. See full post here

Head to our website and select the metal, cut and style of your own choice. Shopping made easy! Moreover, we offer the best prices around. Happy shopping!

Source - http://www.hellodiamonds.com/blog/things-you-should-know-before-buying-a-wedding-band/

Diamond Wedding Bands

Past, Present and Future of 3 Stone Rings

A love of the past, present and future that will last forever. Known as trilogy, trinity or infinity rings, rich and elegant in meaning, the 3- stone ring is a symbol of love. The stone in the center, a symbol of the present and the center of attraction of the ring, is the biggest. The past and future are symbolized through the stones on both sides of the ring. 

The diamonds can be the stones in this setting or the gemstones can be the center or side stones. Special occasions are celebrated with this ring. Christians often interpret this ring as a symbol of the father, the son and holy spirit. Promise, dedication and the passing of time are celebrated with the 3-stone rings. The symbol of affection make gorgeous pendants as well. As much as the ring symbolizes love, every bride should want to wear the ring for 3 reasons: 

1. It represents your love story 

Behind every ring is a sweet love story. Make your love story even more precious by adding either your favorite gemstone or birthstone in the design of the ring. It a perfect opportunity to include your children (if you have any)’s birthstone in the ring. Whatever you choose, the designs of the 3-stone engagement ring are meant to celebrate your past, present and future with your love.

2. More Diamonds equals to more sparkle

The 3-stone ring will sparkle a lot more with triple diamonds and the ability to use your favorite gemstones. 

3. Unique and Can Be Customized According to Your Style 

The style of the ring is perfect for a bride who loves more than one diamond cut and color. It is perfect to use gemstones like a favorite colored stone. 

There could be more reasons as to why a bride should wear a 3- stone ring. If you want to know about the ring, then head on over to Hello Diamonds. Visit (Hello Diamonds) or call 409-861-3005.

Source - http://www.hellodiamonds.com/blog/past-present-and-future-of-3-stone-rings/

Three Stone Rings

STEM Cell Sourcing

Stem cells can be obtained from several sources, and each source has its

ADVANTAGES and DISADVANTAGES. So let’s explore which source of stem cells will not only get you the best results, but is safe and FDA-approved.

Stem cells can be broadly considered to be sourced 3 ways: allogenically, autogenically and xenogenically. The source of cells utilized can be autologous, meaning from the patient himself, allogenic, meaning from a human donor not immunologically identical, or xenogenic, meaning from a different species. Allogenic sources include placental, umbilical cord, and embryonic tissue; autogenic sources are principally bone marrow and adipose tissue.

EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS

Human embryonic stem cells (HESCs) are very potent and very effective in their capability to differentiate into various types of tissue. However, they are derived from fetal tissue (prior to conception or from dead fetal matter) and therefore brings with it MORAL and ETHICAL ISSUES.

These ethical concerns surrounding sourcing results in a very limited supply of these cells. With a limited supply of embryonic stem cells, extensive in vitro (made in a laboratory) expansion would be required to obtain a sufficient number of cells for therapeutic purposes. Therefore, HESCs have been mostly derived and cultured on a layer of mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). The concern over xenogenic (from an animal) contaminants from the mouse feeder cells may be a limiting factor for transplantation to humans.

Furthermore, these HESC’s have been shown to cause tumors (CANCER) in the tissues.

WHY WE DO NOT RECOMMEND HESCs:

MORAL and ETHICAL DILEMMA

CAN CAUSE CANCER

CONTAMINATION

ADULT STEM CELLS

Adult stem cells have the advantage of being non-immunogenic (no allergic reactions). They are currently in wide use for a broad range of clinical applications. These cells are usually derived from autologous (from patient) bone marrow or fat cells, which are extracted in one procedure, isolated, treated and amplified, and then reinserted to the target pathological area through another interventional procedure.

There exists a wide variety of methods by which the cells are isolated, treated and amplified. These can vary even from procedure to procedure within a single clinic. Most of these processes are proprietary, and many are protected by patent. As a result, there is no simple way to determine if a procedure or a particular application has clinical validity. Much of the information available takes on an air of being anecdotal, and resistant to investigation through rigorous scientific method. Most, if not all, of the current clinical use of adult stem cells in the United States would fall under this rather inauspicious descriptor.

Besides the fact that the use of adult stem cells is non-standardized, and there’s no uniformity and no quality control, the application requires a surgical intervention to harvest the stem cells. This surgical intervention increases risk (as with any surgery) and increases the cost to the patient.

Furthermore, the results are NOT CONSISTENT. That’s because these adult stem cells may lack the 3 essential components necessary for a successful treatment: Growth factors (GF’s), Bio-molecules and collagen scaffold (the activator, the tools and the plan). In addition, we already established that the number of adult stem cells drastically declines with age, so often not enough healthy cells can be harvested.

WHY WE DO NOT RECOMMEND ADULT STEM CELLS:

Requires SURGERY (increases RISK and COST)

INCONSISTENT RESULTS

NOT ENOUGH HEALTHY CELLS AVAILABLE (age)

NO QUALITY CONTROL

NOT STANDARDIZED (not FDA approved)

PLACENTAL TISSUE MATRIX

Using placental tissue as a source of stem cells, derived from the placenta of healthy and screened U.S. women after a C-section delivery (donors are free of disease), is by far your best option.

The placenta contains approximately 100 million AEC’s (amniotic epithelial cells) which have all the properties of stem cells. So we don’t have to worry about the amount of stem cells, also knowing that they have the ability to self-replicate.

Even more importantly, and unlike other sources of stem cells (with the exception of umbilical cord), placenta tissue contains all 3 key components necessary for effective and consistent repair and regeneration of connective tissue:

Growth Factors (GF’s): to activate the stem cells,

Bio-molecules: to provide the tools (brick and mortar) necessary for repair and rebuilding connective tissue,

Collagen scaffold: to provide the structure and framework (blueprint) for optimal reconstruction and regeneration of connective tissue.

In addition, placental tissue is non-immunogenic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial. No moral and ethical issues exist.

The procurement and procedure (harvesting, processing and sterilization, storage and distribution) of the placenta is conducted under strict FDA-guidelines.

WHY WE DO RECOMMEND PLACENTA TISSUE MATRIX:

NO SURGERY

AMPLE HEALTHY STEM CELLS

ALL KEY COMPONENTS AVAILABLE (GF’s, biomolecules, collagen scaffold)

REDUCES PAIN & INFLAMMATION

VERY EFFECTIVE, NO ADVERSE REACTIONS, MINIMAL DOWNTIME

100% SAFE & FDA-APPROVED

COST-EFFECTIVE

STEM CELL SOURCES POSITIVE 

STEM CELL SOURCES NEGATIVE

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What Are Stem Cells?

In simple terms, a stem cell is a single cell that can replicate itself (self-renew and generate perfect copies of itself upon division) OR differentiate into many cell types (produce specialized cell types that perform specific functions in the body).

 

To use an analogy, a stem cell is like a joker in a deck of cards. We can decide what the joker will become. We can have the Joker become an ace of spades or a ten of hearts etc.

As such, a stem cell can become a blood cell, brain cell, cartilage, muscle cell, tendon, ligament, skin etc. Or a stem cell can simply replicate itself and make another stem cell.

These properties allow for the production of unlimited quantities of defined cell types for use in research, transplantation and regeneration.

 

Stem cells therefore replace damaged tissue, and rebuild and regenerate the tissue to be NEW and fully FUNCTIONAL once again.

 

Important to realize is that our BODY has many stem cells in it, but most of them are inactive. In other words, we have the machinery available to stay young and repair and renew our cells, tissues and organs but the machinery needs to be turned on. It’s the SIGNALING (turning on the ‘on’ switch) that’s missing in our body.

 

But even if we can TURN ON the machinery and ACTIVATE our stem cells, they still would need the TOOLS and a PLAN to repair and rebuild connective tissue.

 

For example, if you need your roof repaired, we need a roofer. We can activate the roofer and tell him to repair the roof. Even though he may be very capable and willing, he will need the specific tools to repair and rebuild the roof, and a blue-print or engineering plan to do so effectively. Furthermore, if the roofer needs help because the project is big, the roofer will need more roofers.

 

The same holds true for stem cells. We can activate the stem cells and ask them to repair a rotator cuff tendon for example. How are stem cells signaled or activated in the body? Growth Factors (GF) is the answer. GF’s activate and stimulate stem cells and wake them up out of their dormant state.

 

Now, these stem cells will need BIO-MOLECULES such as proteins (TOOLS) and a COLLAGEN SCAFFOLD (ENGINEERING PLAN or STRUCTURAL BLUE PRINT) to effectively repair, rebuild, regenerate and renew the tendon. Does that make sense? In case the tissue damage is extensive, stem cells may replicate themselves and generate more stem cells to get the job done.

Another important fact about stem cells: the number of stem cells in our body drastically declines with age, and therefore less and less stem cells are available for activation as we age.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This graph shows the decline in the amount of stem cells available as we age.

 

 

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Major Frustrations joint injury patients encounter when trying to get conventional help

Stem Cell Therapy For Rheumatoid Arthritis

As improved treatment methods continue to develop, so does the efficiency and viability of stem cell research and therapy. As these new treatments and advancements are made, we are able to offer more successful options for our patients who suffer from chronic pain. At Neo Matrix Medical we treat a number of ailments including:

• Degenerative Disc Disease
• Osteoarthritis
• Tennis Elbow
• Stress Fractures
• Tendinitis
• Tendinosis

• Turf Toe
• Bursitis
• ACL, PCL, Meniscus tears
• Rotator Cuff Injury
• Frozen Shoulder
• Rheumatoid Arthritis

While many of these types of ailments are prevalent later in adulthood, one of the most common afflictions we treat our patients for is Rheumatoid Arthritis.

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the human body attacks the thin membrane that lines the joints, also called the synovium, within your body. Once these membranes have been broken down, joint pain is often the most prevalent symptom. Without the necessary membranes in your joints, fluid build-ups and creates painful inflammation. This chronic disease leaves patients in constant pain and can eventually lead to permanent joint damage, loss of joint junction, and disability. Treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis are available, but are often more successful when caught early-on and with aggressive action.

Can Stem Cell Therapy Help Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Unfortunately, Rheumatoid Arthritis is often seen as incurable ailment. However, Neo Matrix Medical is here to offer stem cell therapy, which is a permanent and usually pain-free way to cure chronic pain. Although the process does require that we obtain blood cell marrow or placental cells, we take care to offer treatments that bring you as little discomfort as possible. For Rheumatoid Arthritis patients, this means that these treatments offer hope to those with unmet and untreatable symptoms. Our goal is to optimize your pain relief and ensure permanent change. Although our stem cell therapy methods are relatively new to the field of medicine, we have full confidence in our highly-trained and knowledgeable medical professionals.

At Neo Matrix Medical, our Rheumatoid Arthritis treatments lower the chances of complications that surgery and other practices cannot guarantee. They also offer relief for patients who are not responding to drug treatments, as well as faster results than most other treatment options. Our stem cell therapy treatments work where other methods do not because the stem cells we use have distinct immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties that repair and regenerate damaged tissues. Stem cell therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis is being studied for efficacy in improving the complications in patients through the use of their own stem cells. Stem cell therapies may help patients who don’t respond to typical drug treatment, patients who want to reduce their reliance on medication, or are looking to try stem cell therapy before starting drug treatment.

In the end, stem cell therapy is becoming a renowned and more efficient method of curing many ailments. We are confident that our treatment options could be the methods you need to relieve your painful Rheumatoid Arthritis pain. Please do not hesitate to reach out to our medical professionals today, or stop in to consult with with our knowledgeable staff. At Neo Matrix Medical, our mission to help you live a happy and healthy life. Try stem cell therapy today!

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Finding a Cure for an Incurable Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a debilitating condition of movement disorder that is both chronic and progressive, only getting worse with time. It is a neuro degenerative disease characterized by low dopamine levels. This is caused by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, part of the midbrain that helps govern reward and movement. The exact cause of this degeneration remains uncertain.

The low levels of dopamine lead to improper functioning of the nigrostriatal pathway, one of the major dopaminergic pathways in the brain connecting the substantia nigra with the dorsal striatum. The pathway is involved in modulation of the extrapyramidal system which exerts a measure of control over bodily movements.

People with Parkinson’s disease experience gradual loss of control over bodily movements affecting how they move, speak and write. Symptoms start from something as simple as slight tremors and may gradually develop into bad posture, stiffness, slow movement, difficulty walking, amnesia and dementia among many other enervating conditions which keep getting worse. Patients may have to struggle enormously to make basic movements and often experience moments of “freezing” where they cannot move at all. Early symptoms may go unnoticed.

In order to understand Parkinson’s disease, you need to accustom yourself with a few things

 

Dopamine

The unmitigated role of dopamine is still being explicated. What we know is that it functions as a neurotransmitter, meaning that it is released by nerve cells or neurons and received by other neurons completing the transmission of signals between the cells. Dopamine travels between cells in certain neural pathways in the brain called the dopaminergic pathways which are neuromodulatory in nature which is to say that they are ‘broadcast’ over a region rather than targeted at particular adjacent neurons. It also means that they affect the behavior of the receiving neurons for longer owing to their interaction with metabrotopic or G-protein neuroreceptors, transmitting signals that neither excite nor inhibit.

The dopaminergic pathways are found to be associated with cognitive processes of reward, motivation, pleasure, attention, motor activity and associative learning. Dopamine also helps govern functions of arousal and pain sensitivity. An issue with these functions could lead to an array of disorders including but definitely not limited to ADHD, schizophrenia and Parkinson’s disease.

 

Neurons

Neurons and glial cells are what the brain is primarily composed of. While glial cells provide structural and metabolic support, insulation, regulate the brain’s network and far outnumber neurons while also preserving their functioning, it is the neurons that perform the heavy tasks of the brain including speech, movement, learning, motivation, and arousal.

Neurons or nerve cells send, receive and process information through electrochemical signals over long distances in the body. Neurons can be said to form the functional unit of the central nervous system in animals. The most recent plausible research suggests there are about 86 billion neurons in the brain. Anything that hampers the functioning of neurons could potentially disable a person.

 

Finding the cure

Although the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease can be treated and alleviated to an extent, no cure has yet been found. Conventional treatments include administration of drug Levodopa and deep-brain stimulation.

Levodopa or L-DOPA can be synthesized in a lab and is able to cross the blood-brain barrier. It is converted into dopamine by an enzyme called aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase or AADC, temporarily increasing dopamine concentrations to alleviate symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

However, over time its effectiveness decreases. Moreover, the administration of L-DOPA diminishes the body’s ability to create it naturally resulting in more movement disorders, making the situation only worse.

In cases where drugs are not very effective, patients may undergo surgery to implant electrodes that stimulate the deep brain. While these treatments relieve the symptoms, they are ineffective in slowing down or stopping the progress of Parkinson’s disease and dopamine cells within the substantia nigra keep dying.

Scientists have been trying for years to grow dopamine-producing nerve cells using stem cells in the lab so they may be able to replace the lost neurons with new, healthy ones. Recently, scientists at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria, Australia have achieved something extraordinary and given us new hope.

The neuroscientists have injected stem cells into the brain of a 64-year-old Victorian man over an 8-hour-long surgery. The man whose identity remains private suffers from Parkinson’s disease. It is hoped that the cells will develop into dopamine-producing neurons in his brain.

In this experimental, first-of-its-kind surgery, two 1.5cm holes were drawn in the skull of the patient through which millions of pluripotent stem cells were transplanted at 14 injection sites, 7 on each side of the brain. The surgery had shown great promise in preclinical trials and is expected to slow the progress of the disease in the patient, if not completely cure it.

The patient was discharged within 72 hours after a 24 hour later scan after the surgery that revealed no complications. The patient will be scanned at 6 and 12 months to see if the stem cells have transformed into dopaminergic neurons.

The risks of such an operation run high with high chances of paralysis, stroke or even death but the prospect of reversing the damage of Parkinson’s disease is splendid, if not game-changing! This hope is garnered by the efforts of neurologist Andrew Evans and neurosurgeon Girish Nair among others and will pave the way for the next step in neurological science.

The Victorian man was the first among a dozen patients chosen to undergo this revolutionary stem cell procedure at the Royal Melbourne Hospital.

The results of this treatment will be validated in two years. For more information on stem cell therapy and research, visit Neo Matrix Medical.

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