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Metabolic syndrome with heavy alcohol use may have contributed to recent surge in alcoholic liver disease-related mortality

Researchers found that heavy alcohol use and the presence of metabolic syndrome were associated with a higher risk for advanced liver disease. The study suggests an increasing interaction effect between MetS, heavy alcohol use, and a recent surge in alcoholic liver disease-related mortality.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeSurvey·DateMay 8, 2023

Study finds stool transplants more effective than antibiotics for treating recurring, life-threatening gut infections

A new Cochrane Review found that stool transplantation can increase the number of people recovering from Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infection by 77%, compared to 40% with standard antibiotic treatment. The study also showed a decrease in side effects with stool transplantation.

SourceCochrane·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·TypeSystematic review·DateApr 24, 2023

Two-organ chip to answer fatty liver questions

Researchers created the integrated-gut-liver-on-a-chip platform to examine how gut and liver cells interact, particularly in relation to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The study showed significant changes in gene expression and DNA damage when free fatty acids were introduced, leading to cell death similar to severe cases of NAFLD.

SourceKyoto University·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 7, 2023

Tiny nanoparticle could have big impact on patients receiving corneal transplants

Corneal graft rejection can be as high as 10% due to poor patient compliance with medications, which require frequent eyedrop administrations. Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University developed nanoparticles to encapsulate eye medication, decreasing graft rejection while requiring fewer and smaller doses. The approach reversed s...

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 23, 2023

Large study identifies risk factors in children with chronic kidney disease

Researchers analyzed electronic health record data from over 7.1 million children to identify risk factors associated with a faster decline in kidney function, including disease origin, proteinuria, hypertension, and younger age. The study found that certain attributes are linked to a more rapid decline in kidney function, providing va...

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateFeb 6, 2023

People with diabetes may benefit more from a pancreas transplant than other treatments

A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism reveals that pancreas transplantation can provide up to 90% of recipients with diabetes freedom from insulin therapy and glucose monitoring. Despite high success rates, transplant numbers have declined due to lack of consensus criteria, education, and resource ...

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateNov 15, 2022

AATS announces the publication an Expert Consensus Documents (ECD) in the January issue of JTCVS on “The Use of Mechanical Circulatory Support in Lung Transplantation”

The American Association for Thoracic Surgery published an Expert Consensus Document recommending use of mechanical circulatory support before, during, and after lung transplantation. The guidelines include recommendations for veno-venous ECMO and central veno-arterial ECMO.

SourceAmerican Association for Thoracic Surgery·JournalJournal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery·TypeSystematic review·DateOct 26, 2022

Genetic testing helps detect children likely to have heart failure and require a transplant

Researchers have developed genetic testing to diagnose cardiomyopathy in children, identifying those at risk of heart failure and requiring a transplant. The test provides precise clinical diagnosis, enabling targeted treatment options and reducing the need for life-threatening interventions.

SourceCentenary Institute·JournalCirculation Genomic and Precision Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 12, 2022

Fecal transplantation: an effective remedy for life-threatening intestinal infections

A new study conducted by researchers from Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital shows that fecal transplantation is an effective cure for life-threatening intestinal infections, with a cure rate of over 90%. The treatment was found to be far superior to the standard treatment, which typically consists of antibiotics.

SourceAarhus University·JournalThe Lancet·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 26, 2022

Is it really healthy to restrict protein intake for kidney transplant recipients?

A recent study published in Clinical Nutrition found that sufficient protein intake is necessary to prevent sarcopenia after kidney transplantation. The research showed a positive correlation between changes in skeletal muscle mass and protein intake, with insufficient protein intake resulting in decreased muscle mass.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalClinical Nutrition·TypeObservational study·DateSep 16, 2022

When microbiomes collide

A team of EMBL researchers used data from over 300 human faecal microbiota transplants to investigate the ecological understanding of what happens when two gut microbiomes clash together. The study found that species richness and how different a recipient's gut microbiome is from a donor's are key factors in determining which microorga...

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalNature Medicine·DateSep 15, 2022

Obesity, alcohol use, and decreased blood clotting associated with return to operating room after liver transplant

Research finds that liver transplant recipients with a BMI of 30 or higher and those who drank heavily have a high risk of needing a second surgery within 48 hours. Coagulopathy, or decreased blood clotting, is also linked to this risk. The study aims to reduce the number of return-to-operating-room cases by mitigating these factors.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalThe American Journal of Surgery·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 26, 2022

Tendon tissue plus parathyroid hormone reproduces a normal meniscus

A group of researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University found that administering parathyroid hormone to rat Achilles tendons increased the production of cartilaginous matrix and promoted chondrogenic differentiation. This breakthrough discovery may lead to improved outcomes for meniscal reconstruction surgery, protecting knee cartila...

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalThe American Journal of Sports Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 26, 2022

With radically improved pain control, bone marrow donors can gift stem cells without worry of undue side effects or opioid use

Bone marrow donors can now receive significantly reduced opioid medication during and after the donation procedure, resulting in a more comfortable experience. The new pain control method, using regional anesthesia, drastically decreased opioid usage from 84% to 23% among patients.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalFrontiers in Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 18, 2022

Outcomes of uterus transplants

The study reveals uterus transplant outcomes are safe for the recipient, living donor, and child, making it a potential solution for women struggling with uterine-factor infertility. Uterus transplants may be a viable option for these individuals, offering a chance to conceive and carry a pregnancy.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Surgery·DateJul 6, 2022

Uterine transplantation is efficacious and safe

The study found that uterine transplantation is an effective method to remedy infertility, with a clinical pregnancy rate of 33% and cumulative live birth rate exceeding expectations. The procedure also showed positive health outcomes, including improved quality of life and low rates of anxiety and depression.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalFertility and Sterility·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 14, 2022

"Bridge therapy” may benefit some children with high-risk neuroblastoma

Researchers found that a bridge therapy approach prior to consolidation therapy can improve event-free survival in patients with stable metastatic cancer after induction therapy. Patients who received this treatment had significantly better outcomes compared to those who underwent direct consolidation or post-induction therapy alone.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 6, 2022

Research Brief: Study finds fecal microbiota transplantation to be cost effective treatment for any recurrent Clostridiodes Difficile infection

A new study from University of Minnesota Medical School suggests Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) is an optimal and cost-effective treatment option for the first recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection. The research model indicates it's effective and cost-effective when used in patients after a single episode of recurrent CDI.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateJun 2, 2022

Faecal transplants reverse hallmarks of ageing

Scientists have found that transplanting faecal microbiota from young mice into old mice can reverse hallmarks of ageing in the gut, eyes, and brain. The study suggests that gut microbes play a role in regulating some of the detrimental effects of ageing, offering a potential solution in the form of gut microbe replacement therapy.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalMicrobiome·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 4, 2022

Calcium: important not just for your bones but also for your heart

A recent study published in Science Translational Medicine identified a novel causative gene, BAG5, for dilated cardiomyopathy, a leading cause of heart failure. The researchers found that mutations in this gene can lead to cardiomyopathy and found a potential treatment alternative using adeno-associated viruses (AAV) gene therapy.

SourceOsaka University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 19, 2022

New analysis approach could increase the number of usable donor kidneys

Researchers developed a new SERS-based multiplexing technique to detect kidney injury biomarkers SLPI and IL-18, achieving high sensitivity and reliability. The approach shows promise for objectively assessing donor kidney quality, potentially reducing discard rates and recipient complications in clinical practice.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 5, 2022

When the gut's internal ecosystem goes awry, could an ancient if gross-sounding treatment make it right?

Research using ring-tailed lemurs shows that fecal microbiota transplants can stabilize and restore a healthy gut microbiome after antibiotic use. The study confirms the effectiveness of this ancient treatment for reducing the negative effects of antibiotics on the gut, which can cause severe diarrhea and abdominal pain.

SourceDuke University·JournalAnimal Microbiome·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 17, 2021

Has 2014 policy change affected racial disparities in pediatric kidney transplantation?

A new study found that racial and ethnic disparities in pediatric kidney transplantation decreased significantly after the implementation of the Kidney Allocation System in 2014. The study showed no racial disparities in waitlist time until transplantation before or after the policy change, but disparities remained for time on dialysis...

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateOct 20, 2021