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BREAKING
Al-Saadi: There were concerns that Lahham would be placed under administrative detention.
Al-Saadi: The Israeli occupation authorities could not prove any allegations leveled against Nasser Lahham.
Lawyer Oussama al-Saadi: The oppressive Israeli measures of delaying Lahham's release had vengeful motives.
Nasser Lahham's lawyer said the journalist was released without any conditions or restrictions, adding that the conditions in which he was kept were terrible.
The Israeli occupation authorities release Al Mayadeen Palestine bureau chief Nasser al-Lahham.
Local Syrian sources: An Israeli airstrike targeted a tank and artillery battalion in the city of Izraa in the Daraa countryside
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in eastern Lebanon: 12 martyrs and 5 wounded in Israeli raids targeting the outskirts of Wadi Fa'ra in the northern Bekaa Valley
Local Syrian sources: More than 10 Israeli raids targeted Sweida, with information about more than five casualties from the Internal Security Forces
Local Syrian sources: Initial reports indicate that approximately 15 people were killed or wounded at the al-Radwan family's guest house in Sweida following a direct exchange of gunfire
Israeli media, citing Israeli political sources, reported that the Shas movement is expected to withdraw from the government within less than 24 hours

Stem cell surgery to treat spina bifida in the womb

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 8 Oct 2022 22:46
3 Min Read

Research on stem cells continues to advance knowledge about how healthy cells replace damaged cells in human tissues.

  • x
  • Stem cell surgery cures babies of spina bifida while still in the womb
    Robbie is one of the babies on which the procedure was successfully performed.

BBC reported on Saturday that stem cell surgery was performed by US doctors on fetuses who presented with signs of spina bifida, a defect in the spine that can sometimes lead to lifelong issues.

Three of the fetuses are now born with healthy spines thanks to the therapeutic stem cell patch method. The team of experts from UC Davis Health said they will monitor their growth for the next six years.

Spina bifida is a condition that affects the spine and is usually visible at birth when the spinal cord doesn't form properly. The neural tube defect (NTD) can appear anywhere on the spine and can cause severe mobility issues, including total paralysis of the legs.

To close the gap, surgeons developed a way to mend the gap by fitting a graft or implant in the exposed tubal area using a patch that contains immature cells, or stem cells, to grow new healthy human tissue.

Experts say they have previously attempted the trials with successful results on a lamb and a pair of English bulldog puppies.

Robby is among the first humans to be born with healthy spines thanks to this procedure, and the mom, Emily, said it was not an option to refuse the treatment.

"We didn't know about spina bifida until the diagnosis. We are so thankful that we got to be a part of this. We are giving our daughter the very best chance at a bright future," said Emily.

Recalling the moment Robbie was born in 2020, Emily says, "One of my first fears was that I wouldn't be able to see her, but they brought her over to me. I got to see her toes wiggle for the first time. It was so reassuring and a little bit out of this world."

The team of experts said it plans to treat another 35 babies to assess how well the treatment works, with regular check-ups along the way to monitor their progress. 

One of the experts, Prof Paolo De Coppi, a pediatric surgeon at London's Great Ormond Street Hospital in the UK, said the use of stem cell patches might enhance results even further. "That's the hope, but we need to wait and see," he told BBC.

While the causes of spina bifida remain unknown, some deficiencies, such as not having enough folic acid, are argued to increase the risk of a baby developing the condition.

Prof Neena Modi, an expert in neonatal medicine at Imperial College London in the UK, stressed the importance of taking supplements at the time of conception and during pregnancy in order to prevent cases of spina bifida.

Read more: Scientists Grew Mini-Brains... then the Brains Grew Mini-Eyes

  • Stem cells
  • spinal defects

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