Articles tagged with Tissue Transplantation
A study highlights the urgent need to increase organ donations from black and minority ethnic (BME) groups due to disparities in access and waiting times. BME patients face longer waits for transplants due to differences in tissue types and blood groups.
Researchers at UC San Diego developed a new method for culturing complex tissue in three-dimensional arrangements. The approach allows for the production of tissue culture scaffolds with multiple structurally and chemically distinct layers, enabling broader accessibility and potential applications in tissue engineering.
A new approach to lung tissue development could provide a virtually limitless supply of donor lungs while avoiding rejection. The method involves decellularizing an organ and recellularizing it with stem cells from the recipient, potentially overcoming the need for donor organs.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital share details of novel processes involved in a successful face transplant program, including rigorous screening and consent processes. The team also discusses early functional outcomes, immunosuppression protocols, and cost-effectiveness of the procedure.
A new study correlating circadian clocks with transplant success found that arteries of mice with dysfunctional internal clocks became diseased within weeks after transplantation. Transplanted blood vessels from healthy mice remained healthy in mutant mice, suggesting optimal organ function may be key to successful transplants.
The elimination of the national kidney allocation policy has improved minority access to transplants, with minorities now transplanted in proportion to their representation on the waiting list. The overall number of deceased donor transplants rose 23%, with a larger increase for minorities.
Researchers discovered a compound that prevents further injury to damaged livers, improving clinical outcomes for patients. The study, published in ACS' journal Molecular Pharmaceutics, offers hope for increasing the number of available livers for organ donation.
Researchers have identified a gene that controls the behavior of stem cells in the intestine, which can lead to bowel cancers. The team aims to grow healthy stem cells into transplant tissues to replace damaged intestines, potentially treating patients with Crohn's disease and some cancers.
Linda Lu, a college student from Orlando, underwent a rare complete hand transplant at Emory University Hospital. The 19-hour surgery connected numerous structures including bones, tendons, nerves, and vessels to improve her quality of life.
Researchers have shown that an increase in the amount of donor DNA in recipient's blood is an early detectable sign of organ rejection. This finding may allow doctors to avoid high doses of medication required to combat more advanced cases of rejection.
Researchers found that transplanting autologous renal progenitor cells into rats with kidney damage from pyelonephritis improved kidney structure and function. The study demonstrated benefits for a disease characterized by severe inflammation, renal function impairment, and scarring.
A new surgical strategy using a single donor cornea can successfully treat two patients with different corneal diseases, such as Fuchs' dystrophy and keratoconus. The approach may nearly double the available corneal tissue supply and make timely treatment available to many more patients.
Scientists have successfully grown the blood vessels and capillaries needed to keep tissues alive, paving the way for transplantable tissue growth. By mimicking the body's extracellular matrix and using light to create soft hydrogels, researchers were able to form functioning capillary networks in just 72 hours.
Researchers have isolated and characterized adult fat cell-derived stem cells, which maintain their stem cell characteristics and could aid in tissue regeneration. The study's findings suggest that these cells may be useful for cell-based therapies and represent a promising area of research for plastic surgery applications.
Researchers at Heidelberg University Hospital developed a therapy concept to treat high-risk patients with sensitized kidneys, achieving comparable transplant survival rates as non-immunized patients. After one year, 95% of transplanted kidneys were still functioning.
A new study found that those at highest risk to drink alcohol post-transplant can be identified, potentially preventing relapse. The length of sobriety prior to surgery is the most powerful predictor of return to alcohol use, with shorter sobriety conferring higher risk.
A new study overturns popular perception that patients undergoing osteochondral allograft transplantation cannot return to sports. The study found that 84% of patients can return to some level of athletic activity and 60% can return to high-level sports.
Researchers developed a novel imaging system to visualize T-cell actions in animal models, providing insights into immune responses and transplant outcomes. The study revealed a clearer understanding of the balance between protective and destructive T-cells in transplanted tissue.
A study of 388 patients found that recipient diagnosis, not donor age or tissue preservation methods, is associated with corneal transplant failure. Transplant recipients with keratoconus had a lower risk of graft failure than those with endothelial dysfunction.
A recent study published in JAMA has identified a significant association between gene variation in kidney donors and increased risk of graft failure. The researchers found that donors with certain genetic variants had poorer graft survival rates, highlighting the potential for genetic biomarkers to predict transplant outcomes.
A new survey by Donate Life America shows an increase in willingness to donate organs, but the US is still not keeping pace with the demand for transplants. The survey highlights pervasive myths about organ donation and encourages Americans to register as donors.
A woman gave birth to two healthy girls, Aviaja and Lucca, in 2007 and 2008, respectively, after receiving fertility treatment following an ovarian transplant. The breakthrough case report supports the use of cryopreservation of ovarian tissue as a valid method for fertility preservation.
A groundbreaking face and upper-jaw transplant has successfully integrated donor tissue with no long-term rejection, enabling the recipient to regain senses of smell and taste. The procedure, performed on a patient with extensive damage from postoperative scarring and blood vessel depletion, demonstrates the feasibility of facial trans...
University of Washington researchers have made significant improvements in engineering heart repair patches from stem cells, connecting to rodents' heart circulation with pre-formed blood vessels. The new patches successfully delivered rat blood to the transplanted graft, showing remarkable viability and functional capabilities.
Researchers found that green tea component EGCG can prolong the preservation of stored blood platelets by up to six days via anti-apoptosis properties. Additionally, EGCG was shown to preserve skin tissues by controlling cell division and preventing oxidation, allowing for the storage of skin grafts up to seven weeks.
A UK hospital has seen a significant increase in tissue donations, including corneas, after combining its bereavement and donation services. The service, which provides round-the-clock support to staff, has helped identify more potential donors and referred them to the regional transplant donor coordinators.
The Pitt team has made significant progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms of disease exacerbation in IPF patients. By analyzing gene activity patterns and protein levels in lung tissue and blood samples, researchers have identified potential biomarkers for predicting patient outcomes and identifying new therapeutic targets.
Two studies published in the July issue of Ophthalmology highlight the connection between normal-tension glaucoma and silent cerebral infarcts, as well as stealthy herpes simplex infections impacting corneal transplants. Silent cerebral infarfts are more common among NTG patients and can lead to rapid visual field loss.
Researchers found that ultra-fast freezing of ovarian tissue can achieve the same success rate as fresh tissue in transplants, with a viability rate of 91.9% compared to 88.9%. The cortical grafting technique allows for simpler procedure with equally successful results, enabling women to have children later in life.
A new ovarian transplantation technique has successfully restored fertility in two patients who had lost their ovaries due to cancer treatment. The two-step procedure involves grafting small pieces of frozen ovarian tissue before the main transplant, allowing for faster recovery of ovarian function and improved response to stimulation.
A recent study by the American Society for Horticultural Science found that stressors during tree handling and transport, such as root severance, water stress, and mechanical damage, can significantly impact tree health and establishment. Researchers identified key stages in the transplanting process that contribute to reduced growth a...
Researchers have developed a method to generate complex, multilayer oral tissues using human embryonic stem cells. The tissues mimic normal oral cavity tissues and show promise for treating oral diseases through transplantation.
Researchers at University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have engineered transplantable living nerve tissue that encourages and guides regeneration in an animal model. The lab-grown nerves successfully promoted nerve regeneration after injury by acting as a 'living scaffold' for host axons to regenerate across the damage site.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have developed a technique to generate solid organs using stem cells. By utilizing microcirculatory beds and a bioreactor, the team can keep tissue healthy enough for reimplantation into a second animal, overcoming the major hurdle of blood supply in tissue engineering. The techniqu...
A new review by Johns Hopkins scientists highlights the importance of platelets in organ transplant rejection, revealing their role in driving inflammatory responses. This research could lead to the development of new strategies using drugs or other means to keep platelets quiet and non-inflammatory.
A research team developed an autologous full-thickness oral substitute that mimics the characteristics of gingiva, providing a promising solution for oral cavity reconstruction. The study's results support the need for larger clinical trials to further evaluate the effectiveness of this new tissue-engineered product.
Researcher Stacey Walters finds that boosting BAFF levels in mice can alter their immune systems to accept tissue transplants. Increased B cells stimulate T regulatory cells, controlling killer cells and preventing rejection.
Researchers found that irradiation damages fat tissue in mice, reducing its weight and size, and altering its ability to support reconstruction. Additionally, a study on multiple sclerosis found that CXCL1 decreases disease severity by promoting remyelination. A new molecule, FPR-2, has been identified as a potential anti-inflammatory ...
Scientists are investigating methods to selectively suppress the immune response in transplanted organs, inspired by fetal development. Researchers will explore increasing IDO levels to improve transplant survival and look for biomarkers to detect rejection episodes.
A pioneering operation performed by Professor Paolo Macchiarini and his team successfully transplanted a trachea without immunosuppression. The hybrid tissue was created by repopulating donor cells with stem and epithelial cells from the recipient, eliminating the need for immunosuppression.
Researchers found that transplantation of human cord blood cells can repair cochlear damage in animal models, with dramatic repair observed despite few human-derived cells migrating to the cochlea. The study suggests a potential treatment strategy for inner ear rehabilitation and hearing impairments caused by cochlear damage.
Two face transplants have shown promising results, with one patient recovering fully from a bear attack two years ago and another successfully treating a large facial tumor. The procedures involved allograft tissue transplantation and immunomodulatory drugs to prevent rejection.
Stored ovarian tissue from cancer patients may contain residual cancer cells that can re-infect the body if not checked. Research suggests that few fertility centers have the skills and technology to detect these cells, highlighting the need for improved testing methods.
A landmark study shows that corneas from older donors (up to 75 years old) are as successful for transplants after five years as those from younger donors. This finding allows for the expansion of the donor pool, addressing a shortage in the Dallas area.
Researchers at Penn have engineered living human nerve cells into a network that can be transplanted to repair damaged nerves. The three-dimensional neural network, created through the stretch growth technique, maintained its geometry and function after transplantation.
A study found that recipients of corneal transplants from donors who died in the hospital or had cancer were more likely to develop infections, including endophthalmitis. Donors' health status before death may affect their eye tissue, but excluding all hospitalized patients and those with cancer is not warranted.
A study found that public support for using human tissue in research has risen over the past decade, despite adverse publicity surrounding previous incidents. The survey revealed that 96% of patients are in favour of their tissue being used for medical research, while 92% are happy to see it used to train medical students.
Researchers connected to the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven have been able to prevent muscular tissue with severe hypoxia from dying, enabling new therapeutic possibilities for heart attacks, strokes, and organ preservation. They discovered that a metabolic shift allows muscles to use less oxygen in safer manner.
A Johns Hopkins study found that morbidly obese patients wait a median of five years on the transplant waiting list, while normal-weight patients wait two years less. The researchers argue that being overweight should not be a disqualifying factor for transplantation and call for guidelines to treat equally.
Researchers at Cornell University and their colleagues discovered that implanting embryonic cardiac cells into mice with heart attacks prevented arrhythmias. The technique improved electrical connections between cells and activated transplanted cells, restoring heart function and reducing arrhythmia risk.
The collaboration aims to separate skin layers, decontaminate tissue, and speed up tissue cleaning using the Raydiance USP laser platform. This project has the potential to increase the supply of dermal tissues, resulting in better outcomes for more patients.
A study found that surgical confusions in eye surgery are rare but can be serious, with the majority of cases involving incorrect lens implants. The Universal Protocol can prevent most confusions, suggesting a rate of 69 errors per 1 million eye operations.
Cornell engineers develop gel scaffold that can nourish growing tissues, supplying oxygen and nutrients. The system mimics a vascular system at the cellular scale, allowing for fine-tuning of biochemical environments and desired tissue outcomes.
Researchers from the University of Cincinnati and Louisville found that facial transplant outcomes differ significantly from previous data on kidney and hand transplants. They suggest a more optimistic view of face transplantation, with lower rates of acute and chronic rejection.
Scientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have discovered a new approach to treating autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis. By blocking a key interaction between immune cells, they found that one type of cell is attacked and dies, suggesting a potential therapy for various immunological conditions.
Researchers successfully transplanted a single donor cornea into three patients with different eye conditions, demonstrating the feasibility of customized component corneal transplantation. The procedure allows for optimal use of available donor tissue, particularly in countries with limited quality and quantity of donor corneas.
Biodegradable PolyHIPEs have been successfully used as tissue-engineering scaffolds for craniofacial reconstruction due to their rigid foam structure and ease of fabrication. This technique allows for the creation of interconnected pores, enabling efficient cell migration and tissue regeneration.
A study published by the American Thoracic Society found that human rhinovirus, a leading cause of common colds, can lead to progressive respiratory failure and death in immunosuppressed lung transplant patients. The virus was found to infect both upper and lower airways, contradicting previous assumptions.
Bioengineering researchers at UC San Diego have shown that sliding forces on cartilage surfaces increase the production of proteoglycan 4, an important step towards growing healthy joint tissue. This discovery has significant implications for the treatment of osteoarthritis and the development of artificial joints.
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center have developed a new artificial cornea that improves vision in infants and children with cloudy or damaged corneas. The device shows promising results, restoring vision and eliminating the need for repeated surgeries and infections.