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.
Keck Medicine of USC has launched a clinical trial to perform the world's first human bladder transplant. The procedure involves removing the patient's diseased bladder and replacing it with a healthy one from a deceased donor. This could be a historic step in improving lives for those with debilitating bladder conditions.
Researchers have developed a non-invasive technique using laser speckle imaging to visualize microvasculature in donor hearts and detect abnormal blood flow. The method enables precise visualization of blood circulation, potentially identifying hearts suitable for transplantation.
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
Researchers found a genetic variant of TNFAIP3, which regulates inflammation, can paradoxically protect the kidneys from damage in the short term. The study could lead to simple genetic tests for predicting kidney disease risk and personalized treatment approaches.
Medical University of South Carolina researchers streamlined kidney transplant evaluations to increase access for African Americans. They used telehealth and partnerships with local providers to help patients complete the evaluation process, resulting in higher numbers of African Americans beginning and completing the evaluation.
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.
Researchers link acute severe hepatitis in children to co-infections with multiple common viruses, including AAV2. The study suggests that getting more than one infection may have made children vulnerable to severe hepatitis.
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...
A 53-year-old man has been cured of HIV after receiving a stem cell transplant, marking the third person to achieve this. The patient's genome contained a mutation in the CCR5 gene, making it impossible for most HIV viruses to enter his CD4+ T-lymphocytes.
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...
Researchers identified HCirV-1 in a patient with unexplained chronic hepatitis, demonstrating its role in liver damage. After treatment, the patient's liver enzymes returned to normal levels, indicating the end of hepatic cytolysis.
A new Pitt study reframes understanding of graft-versus-host disease, suggesting that GVHD is locally maintained by donor T cells in target tissues. The research, published in Immunity, offers an alternative model that could guide development of novel therapies and improve outcomes for stem cell recipients.
A team of researchers from MedUni Vienna has identified the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR) as a key player in protecting against alcohol-induced liver damage. The study found that pIgR-mediated secretion of antibodies in the intestines helps to prevent bacterial translocation and inflammation in the liver.
Research from Brigham and Women's Hospital found that genetic analysis can identify up to 65% more A2 donors, increasing potential kidney transplants for recipient candidates with blood type B. This could improve availability and equity in kidney transplantation.
A large cohort study found that long-term low-dose hydroxychloroquine use is associated with a low risk of developing retinopathy, while higher doses increase the risk. Regular screening can identify the issue at an early stage.
A study in Japan reveals that universal screening methods for biliary atresia, a rare and severe lung condition in infants, are cost-effective. The research found that stool color card screening and direct bilirubin testing gained significant clinical benefits and saved lives.
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 ...
A recent analysis of COVID-19-positive donor heart transplants found no significant differences in transplant outcomes compared to those from non-COVID-19 donors. The study's results suggest that COVID-19-positive hearts may be as safe for transplantation, potentially addressing the shortage of available donor organs.
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.
Researchers from Indiana University School of Medicine found that many reasons clinicians reject transplantation in cannabis users have no scientific basis. They identified areas where more research is needed, including interactions between cannabis and immunosuppressants.
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.
The study found that the COVID-19 pandemic led to increased waiting list times for pediatric heart transplants, but did not affect graft and recipient survival rates. Waiting list mortality remained unchanged during this period.
A national US kidney disease registry found that 60% of participants were unaware of their kidney function level, hindering clinical trial recruitment. The National Kidney Foundation Patient Network aims to address this issue through real-world data collection and patient-centered research.
Researchers found that Fecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT) using capsules has a cure rate of 86% at one month and 81% at two months for recurrent CDI, comparable to colonoscopic FMT. Patient selection is key to optimizing FMT success.
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.
Researchers found that using race-free creatinine formula helps equalize access for Black and white patients. The study showed that among 350 Black patients, kidney failure was reached at an average 23 months, versus an average 22 months for 122 white patients.
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.
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...
A new treatment may enable the use of a larger part of donated lungs, leading to improved outcomes and reduced complications. Researchers are conducting a clinical pilot study to investigate the effects of reducing cytokine levels in donor lungs.
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.
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...
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.
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.
A team proposes banking stool samples for future use in autologous fecal microbiota transplants to rejuvenate the human gut microbiome. This approach aims to treat various diseases, including asthma and type 2 diabetes, by restoring an ancestral state of the microbiome.
A study found that over 60% of parents of children with kidney disease or hypertension are unsure or unwilling to vaccinate their child against COVID-19. Effective vaccines exist to protect children from COVID-19, and the findings highlight the need for clear communication to address parental concerns.
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.
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
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.
A large randomized controlled trial found that treatment with methylprednisolone reduces the risk of kidney function loss and failure in patients with IgA nephropathy. The study's results suggest a lower dose regimen may be effective while minimizing side effects.
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.
State bans on affirmative action policies are associated with lower enrollment of underrepresented minority students in public medical schools. The study found a 5.5 percentage point decrease in enrollment of underrepresented students relative to control schools.
A recent study found that COVID-19 vaccination significantly reduces the risk of infection, hospitalization, and death among heart transplant recipients. The study, published in JAMA Cardiology, compared vaccinated and unvaccinated patients at a single center and showed a notable difference in outcomes.
A new study by the Mayo Clinic confirms that living kidney donor surgery via laparoscopic surgery is low-risk for most patients, with only 2.5% experiencing major complications. The study tracked over 3,000 donors and found that most complications occurred after discharge.
Patients with mild to moderate kidney disease and kidney transplant recipients had a higher risk of cancer. They also faced a higher risk of dying from cancer, particularly from cancers such as bladder, kidney, and multiple myeloma, compared to those with normal kidney function.
Dialysis facilities referred more incident patients, transplant centers evaluated more, but fewer were placed on the waitlist following KAS implementation. This led to a decline in overall waitlisting nationwide.
A cost-effectiveness analysis found that adherence promotion programs like MAPS reduce costs and improve outcomes for adolescent kidney transplant recipients. Strategies with similar costs to MAPS can still be cost-effective if they decrease rejection episodes by a small amount.
Young adults are disproportionately excluded from kidney transplantation, with only 1.8% of Black and 4.4% of Hispanic patients receiving the treatment compared to 10.9% of White patients within this age group. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to address these disparities.
Scientists have discovered families of proteins that can predict liver transplant rejection, allowing for early detection and modification of immunosuppression. The Blood Proteoform Atlas outlines over 56,000 protein molecules associated with immune cell proteins that change with rejection.
A recent study has investigated the effect of donor selection on transplanted microbiota establishment and long-term stability in aged hosts. Autologous FMT demonstrated better resilience than heterologous FMT in restoring gut microbiota diversity after antibiotic-induced perturbation.
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.
A case series found that a fourth dose of an mRNA-based vaccine increases antispike IgG titers in kidney transplant recipients with weak serologic response after three doses. The researchers noted no safety concerns with the additional dose and suggested its use for such patients.
A new graft strategy has reduced chronic graft-versus-host disease in leukemia patients by depleting naïve T cells from donor blood. The approach has shown promising results, with only 7% of patients developing chronic GVHD compared to 30-60% with standard treatment.
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.
The THINKER-NEXT trial will transplant 200 kidneys from HCV-positive donors into new patients to assess long-term outcomes and risks. The study aims to increase adoption of this practice nationwide and provide hope for those waiting on the kidney transplant list.
A new method measures glomerular filtration rate using D-serine clearance, showing strong correlation with GFR and lower bias than creatinine clearance. This could improve clinical practice and reduce dialysis patients.
A qualitative study of seven women who underwent uterine transplantation found that they experienced a mix of emotions, including anxiety and sense of unreality. The women reported feeling like most other mothers, but also struggled with the medical supervision and feelings of uncertainty.
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.
Researchers observed a significant increase in waiting list registrations and deceased donor liver transplants for alcoholic hepatitis during the COVID-19 pandemic. This spike in demand may indicate a relationship between increasing alcohol sales and misuse during the pandemic, with trends for other conditions remaining unchanged.
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...