Articles tagged with Transplantation
Lung transplant patients with recent alcohol use spent more time in the hospital and on ventilators, with no differences in lung function. Abstaining from alcohol may help optimize lung transplant outcomes.
A study reports that approximately half of young children with progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) have received a liver transplant by age 10. Surgical biliary diversion was found to increase survival rates in children with mild or moderate PFIC2 mutations.
Researchers have created a bioengineered heart valve that emulates native heart valves and functions well after transplantation into sheep. The tissue-engineered heart valve demonstrated improved valve mechanics and tissue structure, and remodeled itself in a similar fashion to native heart valves over time.
A recent study by Michigan Medicine has found that over one-third of cirrhosis cases are related to alcohol consumption, with women being disproportionately affected. The study reveals that patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis have higher healthcare costs and poorer health outcomes compared to those without the condition.
A single treatment of fecal microbiota transplantation produces sustained clinical and cognitive improvements in patients with liver cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy. The study showed significant reductions in HE episodes and hospitalizations, as well as improvements in cognitive function over 1 year.
The percentage of liver transplants performed due to HCV infection has more than halved since the introduction of direct-acting antiviral drugs. Post-transplant survival rates among those with HCV infection are now similar to those with HBV infection, reaching an all-time high.
A recent study reveals that dialysis providers' awareness of racial disparities in kidney transplant waitlisting is low. Healthcare providers play a crucial role in reducing these disparities, but education and training are necessary to improve equity in access to transplantation.
Alcoholic liver disease has become the leading cause of liver transplantation in the US, surpassing hepatitis C infection, according to two studies. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis is also on the rise, ranking second as a cause of liver transplantation due to chronic liver disease.
A new staging system for children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) predicts the length of time until a child will need a transplant or dialysis. The system takes into account three factors: glomerular filtration rate, proteinuria, and disease etiology.
A recent analysis found that the risk of death due to infectious causes after kidney transplantation has dropped significantly, with common bacterial infections remaining the most frequent cause. The study revealed a drop in infection-related mortality by half since the 1990s, indicating improved outcomes for transplant recipients.
Researchers advocate for harnessing dynamic ecological forces to facilitate coral reef ecosystem recovery. By controlling factors like coral density and site selection, restoration practitioners can maximize growth rates and minimize mortality, promoting positive feedback processes.
A trained navigator with a degree in social work helped increase access to the transplant waitlist among patients who needed a longer time to get through the transplant evaluation process. Nearly 70,000 US patients have end-stage renal disease and most benefit from kidney transplantation.
A Phase 3 clinical trial funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases found consistent and dramatic improvements in quality of life among participants with type 1 diabetes who had frequent severe hypoglycemia. Islet recipients also reported better overall health status despite needing lifelong treatment.
A new method developed by researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center identifies rare genetic diseases in patients with heart failure, stroke, infertility, and kidney failure. The study found that phenotype risk scores can help predict the presence of disease-causing genetic variants.
A study identified 149 variants in 22 genes, classifying them as pathogenic or likely pathogenic, and found NPHS2 was the most common mutated gene. The researchers hope to understand the correlation between genotype and phenotype to improve diagnosis and treatment for patients with nephrotic syndrome.
A new measure, STReR, is developed to assess how well dialysis facilities refer patients for transplantation. The study found that most variation in referrals was due to characteristics within the dialysis facilities rather than patient factors.
Despite policies to increase diversity, racial/ethnic minority patients are less likely to receive live donor kidney transplants. The study found that disparities worsened over the last two decades, with black patients receiving only a quarter of the number of live donor transplants as white patients.
Researchers found that racial and ethnic disparities in live donor kidney transplantation have persisted over the past two decades, with Black and Hispanic patients less likely to receive a transplant than white patients. The study's findings highlight the need to revisit existing strategies aimed at reducing these disparities.
Patients with chronic kidney disease prefer home dialysis due to flexibility, independence, and better survival rates. Transplantation improves brain function and enables patients to assume family obligations and careers, increasing its appeal.
A study found that many discarded kidneys from deceased donors could have potentially been transplanted with good outcomes. The majority of discarded kidneys had traits considered unappealing, but their partner kidneys performed well after being used for transplantation.
A new study found that normothermic machine perfusion can evaluate kidney quality and suitability for transplantation. Four out of five kidneys assessed by the technique functioned immediately after transplantation.
A recent study found that certain brain changes following limb amputation in children can be reversed through bilateral hand transplantation. The lead author suggests that the brain preserves functional areas and reactivates them upon recovery of the hands.
A clinical trial shows FMT capsules are 96-per-cent effective in treating C. difficile infections, similar to colonoscopy. The pill-based treatment is non-invasive, inexpensive, and has no risks associated with sedation.
A study found that fecal transplant using oral capsules was as effective as colonoscopy in preventing recurrent Clostridium difficile infection. The treatment prevented CDI recurrence in 96% of patients after 12 weeks.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that Fecal Microbiota Transplant capsules are just as effective as colonoscopy in treating C. difficile infections. The capsule delivery method is non-invasive, less expensive, and has no risks associated with sedation.
Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have identified a strong biomarker candidate for early diagnosis and treatment of biliary atresia, a rare disease causing liver damage in infants. The test, using matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7), shows high sensitivity and specificity in detecting the condition.
The American Thoracic Society and Japanese Respiratory Society have published new clinical practice guidelines for lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), a rare lung disease affecting women of child-bearing age. The guidelines recommend a diagnostic approach that includes transbronchial lung biopsy before surgical lung biopsy, as well as earl...
A recent study found that African American patients were less likely to be wait-listed for a kidney transplant than White patients. Non-medical factors such as comorbidities, socio-economic status and social support played a significant role in the disparities.
The US Renal Data System report highlights the high burden of kidney disease in the US, with over 30 million adults affected, and a significant cost to healthcare. However, there is low awareness about the condition among patients, especially those with early stages of CKD.
A recent analysis found that kidney transplant recipients lived longer than those who stayed on dialysis for at least 10 years. The benefit was observed after 657 days post-transplant, with a 40% lower risk of death compared to patients on dialysis.
Addressing poor nutrition in liver failure patients is vital, as it can lead to muscle wasting, weakness, and fatigue. A new review emphasizes the need for routine nutritional screening, especially in those with muscle wasting, and highlights the importance of adequate caloric and protein intake.
A study published in The Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy can affect kidney function, particularly in patients with chronic kidney disease. Researchers identified interventions to improve outcomes, including nephrologist involvement and enhanced dialysis tra...
A study found that young adults with kidney failure have lower quality of life, worse employment prospects, and are less likely to be married or have a partner. Higher education, alcohol abstinence, and smoking status did not differ significantly between those on dialysis and transplantation.
A fecal transplant from a lean donor can temporarily improve insulin resistance in obese men, but only half of the recipients responded. The success of the treatment depends on each patient's fecal gut-bacterial makeup, which can be predicted through analysis.
A new $5 million NIH grant will investigate the effects of a genetic variation on kidney transplant outcomes in African American donors. The study aims to improve matching of donor kidneys with recipients and extend post-transplant kidney function.
Researchers at MIT's CSAIL developed a new system called CodeCarbonCopy that allows programmers to transplant code from one program into another. The system can translate between different data representations used by the donor and recipient programs, making it possible to import code seamlessly.
Eight children have been born to mothers who received fertilized eggs after a uterus transplant, marking significant progress in the field. A new project focuses on robot-assisted operations, aiming to improve patient outcomes and reduce complications.
Researchers found that large stem cuttings of the Endangered Cycas microneica tree can produce adventitious roots, enabling the creation of large transplants. However, this approach may not address underlying threats such as insect pests and tropical cyclones.
A new analysis suggests that targeted educational interventions can improve living kidney donation rates. The study found significant benefits from educating both the potential recipient and their close social network, highlighting a promising approach to increase living donor kidney transplantation.
MRI provides a comprehensive evaluation method for living liver donors, replacing invasive and time-consuming conventional methods. The use of updated MRI-based techniques improves image quality, enabling non-invasive assessment of hepatic steatosis and vascular anatomy.
A study found that kidney transplant recipients have a higher incidence of melanoma compared to the general population, with risk factors including older age, male sex, and white ethnicity. Long-term immunosuppressive therapy contributes to this increased risk.
A specially designed exercise program improved blood vessel health and exercise capacity in chronic kidney disease patients. Patients also reported improvements in their everyday quality of life as a result of becoming more active.
A recent study found nearly 10% of patients with definite, highly likely, or probable drug-induced liver injury to have a fatal outcome within 2 years. The majority of fatalities were directly attributed to the liver injury, highlighting the severity of this condition.
Researchers developed a calculator estimating graft survival after kidney transplant from living donors, accounting for mismatches in age, sex, HLA, and body size. The tool is particularly useful for kidney paired donation, allowing candidates to compare estimated graft survival with different potential donors.
Researchers at the University of Tokyo discovered how ladybugs fold their wings by transplanting a transparent artificial wing onto an insect. The study revealed that the ladybugs use a combination of origami-like creases and abdominal movements to achieve complex folding, which has significant implications for engineering science.
Patients with double-hit lymphoma who undergo autologous stem-cell transplantation (autoSCT) after achieving remission do not experience a clear benefit in terms of remaining in remission or living longer. However, patients receiving standard front-line chemotherapy may see improved outcomes.
A novel treatment has been successfully used to treat patients with a rare disorder that causes kidney failure, allowing targeted elimination of abnormal proteins and improving kidney function. The treatment, Daratumumab, targets plasma cell clones in the bone marrow, offering a new way to specifically treat the problem.
Researchers found that fecal microbiota transplantation increased bacterial populations resembling healthy donors and reduced inflammatory response. Clinical improvements were seen in 35% of patients and clinical remission in 15%. Further studies are needed to determine long-term effects and optimal delivery methods.
A new study found that 78% of providers expect patients to refuse to provide sexual orientation information, but only 10.3% of patients report the same. The study highlights the discordant views of patients and providers on collecting sexual orientation data in emergency settings.
A new European study demonstrated that patients with chronic HCV and severe liver damage can be safely removed from the liver transplant list after successful direct-acting antiviral therapy. The study showed a favorable outcome over a year later, with only one patient dying from rapidly progressing hepatocellular carcinoma.
A study found that faecal transplantation improved cognitive impairment in patients with hepatic encephalopathy, a serious condition caused by severe liver disease. The treatment significantly reduced hospitalisations compared to standard care treatment.
A study published in the Journal of American College of Cardiology shows that left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) can fully restore heart function in some patients. Researchers found that 38% of individuals who recover enough to allow device removal demonstrated equivalent heart function to healthy individuals.
A new study reveals that a higher risk of transplant failure is associated with a 28% increase in weight compared to the donor, as well as a 35-50% relative risk for opposite-sex kidney transplants. This highlights the importance of considering donor and recipient matching beyond current immunology-based protocols.
A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that Canadians with cystic fibrosis have a significant survival advantage over American patients, with a median age of survival of 50.9 years compared to 40.6 years in the US. The difference is attributed to better healthcare coverage and nutrition in Canada.
Researchers at the University of Alberta found that feeding obese mice with resveratrol altered their gut microbiome, improving glucose tolerance. Fecal transplants from healthy mice also showed rapid and dramatic effects on blood sugar levels in obese mice.
A Phase III clinical trial revealed that blinatumomab significantly increased overall survival and remission rates compared to standard chemotherapy in patients with advanced acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The study showed a median survival of 7.7 months for those treated with blinatumomab versus four months for those on chemotherapy.
A McMaster University study found that intestinal bacteria impact both intestinal and behavioral symptoms in IBS patients, potentially leading to new microbiota-directed therapies. The study also suggests a possible link between gut bacteria and other brain disorders such as autism, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis.
A new study found that HIV-infected individuals with kidney failure are less likely to receive a transplant, especially from living donors. The study highlights the need for expanded access to organs for HIV+ patients to address disparities in transplantation.
Patients with primary non-English language fluency face disparities in completing kidney transplant evaluations, ultimately affecting their access to a transplant. Researchers found that linguistically isolated households were linked to lower likelihoods of transitioning to active waitlist status and incomplete evaluations.
Researchers at Tohoku University identified two new types of microRNA that improved hyperglycemia in a mouse model of diabetes. These miRNAs were shown to promote insulin-producing cell proliferation and regeneration, offering potential for therapeutic beta-cell regenerative therapies.