A VCU study found that people with advanced liver scarring caused by obesity and diabetes are dying from liver disease, underscoring the need for new treatments. The research provides a roadmap for future therapies to prevent liver transplants and save lives.
A new protocol combining patient monitoring and monoclonal antibody therapy reduced hospitalizations by half and deaths to zero for eligible patients. The study, conducted at Keck Medicine of USC, shows improved outcomes among liver and kidney transplant recipients with COVID-19.
A new study found that the COVID-19 pandemic led to a 30% decline in patients seeking treatment for kidney failure, with Black patients experiencing significantly worse kidney function. The decline was attributed to changes in healthcare delivery and may reflect delays in treatment due to fear of infection or logistical barriers.
Research provides insights on immune responses of kidney transplant recipients following SARS-CoV-2 infection. The study found that production of IgG antibodies against the virus was delayed in these individuals, but their IgM and IgA responses were similar to those observed in non-transplant individuals.
The study reveals that SARS-CoV-2 damages the kidneys by interacting with ACE2, leading to an imbalance in blood pressure regulation and inflammation. This can result in impaired kidney function, reduced glomerular filtration rate, and increased risk of acute renal injury.
A recent analysis found a large increase in deaths among susceptible individuals, including minorities, due to COVID-19. The study highlights the vulnerability of kidney transplant recipients and those with kidney failure to severe illness from the virus.
Researchers propose reinstating waiting time for recipients experiencing early post-transplant allograft failure within an expanded timeframe to boost transplant numbers. This policy change could potentially reduce the perceived patient-level risk of transplanting marginal organs and improve organ utilization.
Nine out of ten patients with life-threatening diarrhoea can be cured by faecal microbiota transplantation, according to a European study. Denmark is at the forefront of introducing this treatment, with 25% of eligible patients receiving it, compared to just 10% in other countries.
Researchers found that high levels of complement protein Ba are a reliable indicator of transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy development, contrary to previous reports. The study's findings provide hope for developing prophylactic treatments to prevent the disease.
Researchers found that hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) normalizes the gut microbiota of patients with IBD associated with XIAP deficiency. The study revealed that HCT decreases gut inflammation and restores diversity in gut microbiota, improving symptoms and quality of life for affected individuals.
A recent study investigated sex disparity in living donor liver transplant access, revealing a significant inequity between men and women. The research suggests that male donors have better access to liver transplants than female donors, highlighting the need for gender-specific solutions to address this disparity.
Long-term kidney transplant survival rates in the US have increased significantly over the last three decades, with five-year survival rates for deceased and living donors rising from 66.2% and 79.5%, respectively, in 1996-1999 to 78.2% and 88.1% in 2012-2015.
Ongoing acute kidney injury in deceased donor kidneys is linked to lower long-term graft survival. Notably, abnormal serum creatinine values during procurement also negatively impact graft outcomes.
The study analyzed patient data before and during the pandemic, revealing a significant increase in liver transplant requests and procedures. During the pandemic, more patients with acute alcohol-associated hepatitis underwent liver transplantation, highlighting the need for increased access to transplantation services.
A Rutgers study suggests that newborns at risk for Type 1 diabetes due to antibiotic exposure can have their condition reversed by receiving a maternal fecal transplant. The transplant restored key gut microorganisms and brought diabetes risk back to baseline levels.
Severe PES is characterized by high fever, rash, diarrhea, and increased transplant-related mortality. A study revealed that monocytes derived from cord blood produce proinflammatory cytokines, leading to PES. Tocilizumab treatment significantly controlled clinical symptoms and reduced mortality in patients with severe PES
A 15-year study on Guam's native cycad tree found that transplanted individuals have a high mortality rate when introduced to foreign soil, with less than 10% surviving long-term. The results highlight the importance of considering local adaptation for conservation efforts.
A double-blind, randomized trial found that patients with severe obesity and metabolic syndrome had improved insulin sensitivity after receiving a fecal microbial transplant followed by daily fibre supplements. The study, led by Professor Karen Madsen, suggests that the microbiome can be targeted to improve human health.
Researchers examined family voucher-based kidney donations and found that timely kidney transplants are possible through voucher redemption. The study aims to provide a new option for individuals waiting for a transplant, improving outcomes for those in need.
A new Northwestern Medicine study reveals persistent racial disparities in cirrhosis outcomes, with Black patients facing higher mortality rates and lower transplant approval rates. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to improve healthcare access for Black patients, who face structural and institutional barriers...
Patients waiting for a kidney transplant who experienced various symptoms had a higher risk of dying while on the waitlist. However, those who underwent transplantation saw an improvement in symptoms, with overall 10% reduction and significant declines in fatigue and itchy skin.
A double-blind trial found that faecal microbiota transplantation did not improve treatment outcomes or reduce symptoms in patients with active peripheral PsA. The study suggests that FMT may not be an effective treatment option for this condition, and future research is needed to explore its potential benefits.
A new study reveals that many patients with high-priority kidney transplants are not being placed on the transplant waiting list, despite having long expected post-transplant survival. African Americans, uninsured individuals, and those living in lower-income communities face significant barriers to expedited waitlist placement.
A new analysis found that post-heart transplant survival among older patients is on par with younger recipients. The study included 37,135 patients and showed a significant improvement in mortality rates after adjusting for other factors, suggesting that advanced age should not be a contraindication for heart transplantation.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that heart transplant surgery has a similar mortality rate for adults aged 18-69 and 70+, with only minor differences in stroke risk and donor hearts. Advanced age alone should not prevent people from being considered as candidates for heart transplants.
A new study led by Katie Barott found that climate change-resistant corals can thrive in different environments and maintain their resilient qualities after transplantation. The research suggests that these hardy corals could serve as a founding population to restore reefs in the future.
Patients at for-profit dialysis facilities are less likely to be referred for kidney transplantation compared to those at non-profit facilities. Rates of starting medical evaluations and placing patients on a waitlist after evaluations were similar between the groups.
Research presented at the ATS 2021 International Conference found that patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) living in poor neighborhoods experience poorer outcomes, including increased mortality and reduced odds of receiving a lung transplant. The study highlights the impact of environmental factors on disease progression.
A pharmacist-led smartphone app has been shown to significantly improve medication safety and reduce hospitalizations in kidney transplant recipients. The study found that participants who used the app were 61% less likely to experience medication errors and 45% less likely to experience serious side effects.
A study of renal transplant biopsies found that blood pressure thresholds above 180/95/116 mmHg don't increase complication risk, but combined high pressures do
Researchers at UHN have developed a deep learning model that can significantly improve long-term survival and quality of life for liver transplant recipients. The model is based on a large dataset from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients and has been validated using a local dataset from UHN's Ajmera Transplant Centre.
A study of nine uterine transplants from living donors has provided an initial estimate of costs, with total average cost per transplant reported as EUR 74,564. Sick leave accounted for the largest portion of these costs.
Researchers at NIH/National Human Genome Research Institute developed a breath test to measure how well patients with methylmalonic acidemia respond to liver or combined liver and kidney transplants. The test assesses the severity of the disease and helps determine treatment efficacy.
A new study by Uppsala University found that unmarried patients and those with low educational attainment are less likely to be treated with a stem-cell transplantation for mantle cell lymphoma. The study suggests that this may result in poorer survival rates.
A recent study found that enrolling Black patients on the waitlist with slightly better kidney function could reduce racial disparities in transplant access. This approach aims to bridge the gap between Black and white patients' wait times before kidney failure, ultimately promoting greater equality in transplantation.
Despite policies and interventions aimed at improving access to kidney transplantation, a new study found no overall improvement in rates of wait list placement and transplantation over two decades. The researchers also identified striking disparities in access to transplantation, highlighting the need for more effective strategies to ...
A study of over 23,000 heart transplant recipients found that young Black adults are more likely to die in the first year after a transplant. Researchers attribute this disparity to factors such as limited access to healthcare and specialized care.
The study found that racial disparities in kidney transplantation persist despite advances in the field. Blacks are more likely to develop kidney failure but less likely to undergo transplantation, particularly from living donors.
A new international study documents the physiology of dying and confirms that death is an irreversible process. The DePPaRT study found that cardiac activity often stops and restarts several times during the dying process, but no one regained sustained circulation or consciousness. This provides evidence to support the current standard...
Researchers developed a risk score to prioritize liver cancer patients for transplantation, accounting for both cancer-related and non-cancer-related factors. The LiTES-HCC score predicts post-transplant survival for hepatocellular carcinoma patients, leading to more efficient allocation of livers.
A new study found that non-Hispanic white patients are disproportionately placed on liver transplant waitlists, with disparities attributed to private health insurance access and travel distance. The researchers suggest increasing awareness of these trends may promote equitable access to transplants.
A virtual telehealth platform allows patients to undergo comprehensive evaluation for kidney transplantation from the comfort of their own homes. This innovative approach has enabled the Medical University of South Carolina's transplant program to maintain access to life-saving surgeries despite pandemic restrictions, with over 282 pat...
Researchers analyzed ten cancer patients with refractory melanoma and found that fecal microbiota transplant improved patient outcomes in three out of ten cases. The treatment was safe and feasible, suggesting a potential role in overcoming resistance to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy.
Researchers analyzed gut composition and DNA to identify key factors for successful fecal microbiota transplants, including the donor's microbiome and recipient's pre-transplant gut community structures. The study suggests that preparing donors' and patients' gut ecosystems prior to transplant may increase the likelihood of success.
Research found Afro-Caribbean patients with end stage kidney disease have a four-fold increased risk of being hospitalized with COVID-19 compared to other ethnicities. The study also showed that patients with ESKD are vulnerable to severe COVID-19 infection and require integrated multidisciplinary care.
Social determinants like discrimination, depression, and mistrust predict patient-reported quality of life in kidney transplant patients. Lower medical mistrust leads to greater patient satisfaction with clinical services.
A new research letter found that clinicians gave more patients temporary mechanical pumps under the new policy, moving them up the transplant list. This could lead to a higher likelihood of prioritizing male patients over females.
Researchers identified process and outcome indicators to monitor transplant center performance in evaluating potential living kidney donors. The study aims to improve efficiency and increase living kidney donations.
Researchers discovered that transplanting bacteria from sleep-apnea mice into healthy mice altered their sleep patterns, suggesting a major role for the gut microbiome in regulating sleep. The study's findings may lead to new treatments targeting the gut microbiome in humans with obstructive sleep apnea.
A new study published in Gastroenterology found that consuming frozen microbiome capsules derived from their own feces when dieting may limit weight regain. Participants who followed a green-Mediterranean diet and received fecal microbiome transplantation lost more weight and regained less weight compared to those on other diets.
This observational study found that advanced treatment protocols significantly improved survival rates for heart transplant waiting list patients. Researchers examined data from over 11,000 patients and discovered a strong correlation between timely interventions and better outcomes.
Researchers found that native lizards harbor parasites controlling invasive species, keeping their populations under control. The study suggests biodiversity is a key factor in resisting invasions.
A new online tool developed by Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute and the University of Minnesota helps transplant candidates find matching programs based on their donor type and medical profile. The website uses data from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) to provide personalized decision support.
Researchers found that pairing bariatric surgery with LVAD heart surgery improved the eligibility of previously ineligible patients for heart transplants. After a year, 66% of patients met listing requirements and 33% received transplants.
The study observed changes in waitlist inactivations and additions, donor recovery rates, and heart transplant volumes during the COVID-19 pandemic. These changes varied by region and were likely influenced by pandemic-related factors such as lockdowns and social distancing measures.
Two new studies investigate COVID-19 in kidney transplant recipients, finding most don't need hospitalization, and patients on dialysis may experience different symptoms. Additionally, another study reveals distinct clinical features of dialysis patients with COVID-19, highlighting the need for more research and guidance.
A new heart box method has shown clear signs of improvement in preserving and transporting donated hearts, reducing the risk of complications. The method enables longer preservation times, which could lead to more opportunities for transplants, including international flights.
A new study found that fecal transplants can reduce intestinal permeability in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition associated with metabolic syndrome and autoimmune diseases. The treatment shows promise for improving gut health and preventing further inflammation.
A study of 13 black male heart transplant patients with COVID-19 reveals higher rates of mortality and critical illness compared to non-transplant recipients. The researchers call for further research on racial and gender disparities in COVID-19 and its management in immunosuppressed patients.
A recent analysis found that kidney transplant patients are at a higher risk of death from COVID-19, with advanced age being the most significant factor. The study, conducted on ERACODA database, showed that 21% of kidney transplant recipients died within 28 days, compared to 25% of dialysis patients.