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Calculator estimates success of kidney transplants with particular donor-recipient pairs

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.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateJun 8, 2017

Unfolding the folding mechanism of ladybug wings

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.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 15, 2017

Treatment of HCV allows for sustained removal from the liver transplant waiting list

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.

SourceEuropean Association for the Study of the Liver·JournalJournal of Hepatology·DateApr 21, 2017

Donor-recipient weight and sex mismatch may contribute to kidney transplant failure

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.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateMar 30, 2017

Monoclonal antibody drug superior to chemotherapy for advanced acute lymphoblastic leukemia

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.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 1, 2017

Language barriers may interfere with access to kidney 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.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateFeb 9, 2017

MicroRNAs shown to improve hyperglycemia

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.

SourceTohoku University·JournalEBioMedicine·DateJan 20, 2017

How often should you have a mammogram? Breast density and risk can inform decision

Breast density and risk can inform decision to adjust mammogram screening frequency; average-risk women with lower breast density may safely extend screening interval to once every three years. Higher-risk women with dense breasts would reap greater benefit from annual screening, according to the American College of Physicians.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateAug 22, 2016

In corneal transplantation, men and women don't see eye to eye

A recent study published in the American Journal of Transplantation found that gender matching is crucial for successful corneal transplants. Women who receive male donor corneas are more likely to experience rejection and failure, with a higher proportion of mismatched grafts failing or rejecting compared to female-to-female transplan...

SourceWiley·JournalAmerican Journal of Transplantation·DateJul 14, 2016

These days fecal transplantation is no joke

Researchers have found fecal transplants to be effective in treating certain infections and diseases, including C. difficile colitis with a 95% cure rate. The transplantation of stool from healthy individuals also shows promise in treating multiple sclerosis and Crohn's disease.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJul 12, 2016

Total face transplant in patient with severe burns -- team outlines surgical approach

A team of surgeons at NYU Langone Medical Center successfully performed the most extensive clinical face transplant to date on a firefighter with severe burns. The procedure, which took 26 hours and involved 100 physicians and staff, included transplantation of skeletal subunits, eyelids, ears, scalp skin, and skeletal subunit transpla...

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalPlastic & Reconstructive Surgery·DateJun 29, 2016

UPMC researchers shine light on common heart complication after lung transplantation

Cardiac arrhythmia is a significant complication following lung transplantation, affecting long-term patient survival. Researchers found that about 30% of patients developed arrhythmia, mostly during the first week post-surgery, with older patients and previous heart surgery being risk factors.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery·DateMay 26, 2016

Fatty liver disease is common

A large study found that fatty liver disease is common among liver transplant recipients, with a significant increase in prevalence over time. The condition is linked to various risk factors, including high body mass index, elevated blood triglycerides, and type 2 diabetes, but does not affect short-term patient survival.

SourceWiley·JournalLiver Transplantation·DateApr 10, 2016

HPV vaccine effective in youth with kidney disease, but less so in those with a kidney transplant

A recent study found that HPV vaccination stimulates robust immune responses in girls and young women with chronic kidney disease and dialysis, but less optimal responses among those with a kidney transplant. This highlights the need for additional research to protect kidney transplant recipients from HPV infections.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateApr 7, 2016