Articles tagged with Transplantation
A study suggests that extending lifelong Medicare coverage of transplant medications would reduce healthcare costs and improve quality of life for kidney transplant recipients. This policy change could benefit patients who are currently left without coverage after 36 months.
Rates for all types of kidney replacement therapy were consistently higher in men than women in European countries from 1965 to 2015. The male-to-female ratio increased with age and was particularly high for diabetic patients, suggesting that biological or access-related factors may be at play.
A new study confirms FMT is effective in treating IBS with high response rates and symptom improvements, but selecting the right donor is crucial for success. The study used a 'super-donor' to produce high rates of clinical response and marked symptom improvements in patients with IBS.
Transplant patients who received high-risk donor lungs through ex vivo lung perfusion showed improved long-term outcomes, including reduced mortality and morbidity rates. The study suggests that this technique may be a viable alternative for high-risk patients, providing access to more organs.
The Edwards family's journey with uterus transplantation has resulted in the birth of their fourth child through this innovative procedure. Researchers at Baylor University Medical Center have completed 20 uterus transplants as part of a clinical trial, aiming to expand this option for women with absolute uterine factor infertility.
A recent analysis reveals persistent disparities in preemptive kidney transplantation, with Black and Hispanic patients and those on Medicare facing reduced access. The 2014 Kidney Allocation System may have exacerbated some inequalities for these groups.
A new study published in The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery found that hearts from donors with acute stress-induced cardiomyopathy can be safely transplanted without affecting recipient outcomes. This breakthrough could lead to a significant increase in the supply of donor hearts, estimated at 20-30%.
Researchers developed a kidney transplant risk model combining data from kidney donor registries, statistics of probable genetic profiles, and immunological knowledge to improve predictions of donor-recipient match. The study suggests that incorporating partial antigen match data can further enhance the accuracy of the model.
This observational study found that frailty and increased risk of death on the liver transplant waiting list differ by body mass index. The study suggests that heavier candidates may be more susceptible to mortality during the wait period.
A study of nearly 1.5 million patients found that receiving dialysis at for-profit facilities was linked to lower likelihoods of being placed on the kidney waiting list and receiving a transplant. The authors suggest that more research is needed to understand this association.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have developed a universal screening approach for vaginal microbiota transplantation (VMT) donors to ensure only beneficial microbes are transferred. The pilot study found that 35% of participants might be eligible VMT donors, and the success rate may depend on a small number of willing 'super donors'.
A new study suggests transplanting Hepatitis C-infected kidneys to uninfected recipients is safe and can be implemented as a standard of care. This approach could greatly expand the number of available kidneys and reduce waiting times for donors, saving thousands of lives annually.
Researchers found that faecal inoculations changed the koalas' microbiomes, allowing them to eat messmate. This could affect all aspects of their ecology, including nutrition and habitat selection. The study provides a proof of concept for using encapsulated faecal material to introduce new microbes in koalas' guts.
A phase I trial is evaluating the combination of fecal transplants and immunotherapy for melanoma, with preliminary research suggesting a potential link between the human microbiome and treatment outcomes. Researchers aim to improve responses in 40-50% of patients treated with immunotherapy.
A new study from the University of Cincinnati found that Hispanic women have a higher likelihood of pregnancy than white women after receiving a kidney transplant. The study analyzed data from over 7,900 women and revealed a pregnancy rate of 21.4 per-thousand person years among Hispanic women.
A recent analysis found that home dialysis use increased across all racial and ethnic groups in the US from 2005 to 2013, with racial differences narrowing. Minority patients continued to have lower mortality rates than White patients, while transplantation rates remained lower for Blacks.
A new nonlive shingles vaccine reduced shingles episodes by 75% among patients who underwent stem cell transplantation compared to placebo. Long-term protection was not assessed due to study limitations.
A new study shows that at least three Caribbean coral species can survive and grow under severe ocean acidification conditions, despite lower skeleton density. Slow-growing dome-shaped corals outperformed fast-growing branching corals in the experiment.
The VITALE study found that high-dose vitamin D supplementation significantly reduces fracture risk in kidney transplant recipients, with a lower incidence of fractures in the high-dose group compared to the low-dose group. The treatment was well-tolerated with no increased risks of adverse effects.
A new study found FMT safe and effective in treating children with C. difficile, with success rates of 87% and predictors including fresh stool, colonoscopy, and recent treatment. The procedure was associated with fewer complications compared to adults, paving the way for future research.
Researchers used VirScan to detect antibodies against viruses in kidney transplant recipients and found results concordant with conventional viral screening. Antibody responses remained largely unchanged one year after transplantation, suggesting a safe and reproducible approach to monitor post-transplant viral infections.
Researchers successfully changed some of the composition of the gut microbiota of patients with obesity using fecal matter from a lean donor. The study found alterations in stool samples and decreased levels of a specific bile acid, suggesting potential new weight-loss therapy.
A new study demonstrates the safety of a potential treatment for ischemia-reperfusion injury in human lung transplant patients, showing no dose-limiting toxicities or 30-day mortality. The treatment, Regadenoson, has the potential to improve survival rates and quality of life for lung transplant recipients.
Fecal transplants could block C. diff's spore from germinating and propagating disease via its toxins, repopulating the gut with diverse microbes. However, current fecal transplant products are not FDA-approved, and patients should refer to clinical trials instead.
A new study shows that feces transplantation for Clostridium difficile colitis saves at least $1.2 million annually per 50 patients, reducing hospital costs from 37 to 20 days per year. The treatment provides significant cost savings without compromising patient care.
A new study compares the effectiveness and cost of gene therapy to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in patients with major beta-thalassemia. Gene therapy was found to be associated with fewer complications and hospital admissions over 2 years, but was nearly twice as costly.
Racial disparities in access to kidney transplants continue, with patients from underserved groups more likely to be listed as inactive and less likely to receive transplants than white patients. A new study analyzing data from 2014-2016 found significant inequities despite a system aimed at increasing access for vulnerable populations.
Researchers at UBC have created a durable nanocomposite biomaterial heart-valve that enables the heart to adapt faster and more seamlessly. The new design is made from naturally derived materials, such as gels, vinyl, and cellulose, and can be inserted into patients through small incisions, reducing implantation risks.
A large-scale study published in the Journal of Hepatology found that antiviral therapy significantly improves survival rates for kidney transplant recipients infected with hepatitis B or C. The study analyzed records of over 30,000 patients and confirmed that antiviral therapy should be systematically offered to these patients.
A new study found that losing Medicare coverage before the three-year post-transplant mark significantly increases the risk of kidney failure and decreases medication adherence. This has significant policy implications, highlighting the need for healthcare safety nets and access to immunosuppressive medications.
Patients who receive a kidney transplant are at increased risk of skin cancer, with the rate rising after stopping anti-rejection medications, according to a study. The study found that skin cancer rates fell during periods of transplant failure but remained higher than pre-transplant patients on dialysis.
The study found that livers from older donors (70 and older) decreased in use despite improvements in liver graft loss and death among recipients of these older liver grafts. This suggests it may be reasonable to expand the donor pool with broader use of liver grafts from older donors.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that frailty is associated with cognitive decline in adults undergoing kidney transplantation. Cognitive function improved after transplantation but declined in frail recipients over several years.
A streamlined process for low-risk kidney transplant candidates has been developed to maximize the chance of pre-emptive transplantation. Younger patients with few comorbidities and not on dialysis for over five years can expect a significantly longer life expectancy after transplantation.
A nationwide cohort study found that timely kidney transplant significantly increases survival in patients with lupus nephritis and end-stage renal disease. The study revealed a 70% reduction in overall risk of death, with benefits observed across various subgroups, including African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and both sexes.
A study found that whole-exome sequencing revealed a genetic diagnosis of kidney disease in 32.7% of pediatric kidney transplant recipients. This technique may help individualize pre- and post-transplant care for these young patients, guiding the development of more personalized treatment plans.
Researchers conducted a randomized study involving 73 adults with mild to moderate active ulcerative colitis, finding that pooled donor FMT induced remission in 32% of patients, compared to 9% with placebo. The study used anaerobically processed stool to preserve bacteria, which survived and administered to patients.
A new study suggests that gut microbes from healthy human infant donors can protect against the development of cow's milk allergy in mice. The research found that transplanting these microbes into mice exposed to milk prevented allergic reactions, while those with microbes from infants allergic to milk did not experience protection.
A new clinical trial is enrolling patients to test the safety and efficacy of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) by enema for recurrent Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD). The trial aims to provide critical data on the long-term safety of FMT in preventing CDAD recurrence.
A large registry-linkage study found a 13-fold increased risk of lung cancer in single lung transplant recipients' native lungs compared to the general population. Longtime since transplantation and prior smoking are associated with higher lung cancer risk.
Researchers have discovered a hormone, fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), is extremely elevated in mice with liver disease mimicking methylmalonic acidemia. FGF21 levels can predict liver severity and inform treatment decisions. The study may also shed light on common disorders like fatty liver disease and obesity.
A recent study published in Clinical Kidney Journal found that marijuana use by live kidney donors had no measurable impact on the outcomes of kidney transplants. The study, which reviewed over 290 living donor medical records, also showed no long-term differences in kidney function between marijuana users and non-users.
A genetic study led by University of Helsinki researchers has uncovered the underlying causes of severe heart muscle diseases in children, revealing a unique genetic profile for each family. The study's findings have significant implications for predicting disease course and treatment decisions, paving the way for personalized medicine.
Frailty in kidney failure patients is associated with lower likelihoods of being placed on the transplant waitlist and receiving a transplant. Frail participants had nearly twofold increased risk of dying while on the transplant waitlist and underwent transplantation at a 35% lower rate than nonfrail participants.
Pediatric kidney transplant recipients face worsening long-term survival disparities, despite overall improvement in patient survival from 1995 to 2014. Racial/ethnic differences persist, with Black children at highest risk of death compared to White and Hispanic counterparts.
Researchers identified a cluster of five risk factors associated with unhealthy gut microbial communities, which can increase the risk of C. diff infection. The study suggests potential preventive interventions, including dietary changes and fecal transplantation from healthy donors.
A recent study found that liver transplant survival rates have improved significantly among older adults, with a notable increase in recipients aged 65-69 and those aged 80 or over. The one-year acute rejection rate decreased by 30%, and the risk of death was 57% lower compared to earlier years.
Researchers at Linköping University found that uterus transplantation with living donors is ethically comparable to altruistic surrogacy, citing potential pressures on donors and lack of research on child outcomes. The study suggests that decision-makers should consider the parallels between the two practices.
Despite changes to the US kidney allocation system, low-income and minority patients still face significant barriers to timely diagnosis and transplant. Early disease diagnosis and preemptive waitlisting are critical strategies to improve survival chances, but many vulnerable populations lack access to these essential care pathways.
A new study has introduced a 'failure-aware' algorithmic matching approach to improve the success rate of kidney transplants. The method takes pre-transplant compatibility failures into account probabilistically and can roughly double the number of successful transplants, depending on the setting.
Researchers have discovered a potential alternative to liver transplant for patients with acute liver failure, which is triggered by liver injury and can be life-threatening. A new therapy using anti-cancer drugs has been shown to regenerate the liver in mouse models, preventing death from liver injury.
Researchers found that transplantation followed by antiviral therapy cured hepatitis C in all 20 patients who received kidneys from infected donors. The treatment resulted in excellent renal function and stable to improved quality of life.
A recent study by KU Leuven researchers reveals that the lifespan of transplanted kidneys has stagnated despite improvements in the past. The study analyzed data from over 100,000 recipients across Europe and found that the average lifespan of a transplanted kidney is now around 15-20 years.
The Cleveland Clinic has been awarded a $2.8 million grant to evaluate disparities in survival among heart failure patients before and after heart transplantation. The research will create tools to optimize outcomes, including identifying risk factors and developing dynamic models to predict patient conditions.
Medicaid expansion has helped place many low-income individuals with chronic kidney disease on the kidney transplant waiting list before starting dialysis. The findings show larger gains in pre-emptive listing for minorities with Medicaid coverage than for whites.
A recent study published in Clinical Transplantation found that carefully-selected older adults over 60 years old pose minimal risks for living kidney donation. The research suggests that accepting more older donors can expand the donor pool, making a previously perceived high-risk group accessible.
A systematic review of animal studies found that adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs) have a positive effect on obesity treatment in terms of body weight and related comorbidities. However, the authors caution that further well-designed human studies are needed to confirm these findings and understand the mechanism of action.
With improved surgical and medical management, more children with CHD survive to adulthood, leading to an increasing number of adult heart transplants. Approximately 300,000 adults with CHD have severe cases, making early recognition and referral crucial for successful transplantation.
A study published at Digestive Disease Week found that altruism is the most common appeal to encourage people to donate their stool, while economic compensation is also a motivator. The research aimed to understand what drives individuals to become stool donors for fecal microbiota transplant therapy.
A feasibility study suggests that airway transplantation using cryopreserved aortic grafts may be an effective treatment option for patients with lung cancer and end-stage tracheobronchial disease. The study shows promising results, including low mortality rates and successful breathing through newly formed airways.