Research on kidney function and disease. Covers kidney-failure prevention, gestational diabetes links, environmental risks, and gum-kidney connections.
A new study found that hospitalized pregnant women have a significantly higher risk of acute kidney injury (AKI), with black and Native American women at increased risk. The study also suggests that awareness and detection of AKI may be contributing to the rising rates of kidney damage in pregnant women.
A new study aims to identify molecular fingerprints of progressive kidney failure in patients with diabetes, while also exploring the development of targeted therapies. The Transformative Research in Diabetic Nephrology (TRIDENT) study is a $5 million collaboration between Penn Medicine and over 20 institutions nationwide.
A newly discovered blood marker has been linked to a patient's subsequent risk of kidney transplant failure in a study of 284 kidney transplant recipients. The composition of immune cells called CD8+ memory T cells 1 year after kidney transplantation was found to be a critical factor in predicting organ rejection.
Researchers found that young, first-time sugarcane workers with even slightly lower than average kidney function were at a greater risk for rapid onset of kidney injury. The study highlights the importance of routine blood pressure and renal function screenings for workers in high-risk occupations.
A recent study found that exposure to fine particulate matter is associated with a higher degree of albuminuria and a higher risk of developing chronic kidney disease. The study suggests that efforts to improve air quality may yield health benefits, including reducing rates of chronic kidney disease.
A new study published in NDT found that elderly patients (older than 75 years) who received kidney transplants from similarly aged donors remained dialysis-free for the rest of their lives. The study's results suggest that transplantation is beneficial for this age group, with excellent graft survival rates.
Researchers at SKI Vascular Center in Arizona have pioneered a minimally invasive procedure, Ellipsys, which provides easier access to a patient's bloodstream for dialysis treatments. The new technology shows promise in reducing complications and improving quality of life for patients with kidney failure.
Two studies demonstrate that penKid is the most accurate surrogate for assessing true GFR and predicting AKI in critically ill patients with severe burns. It can complement current diagnostic standard methods to provide timely diagnosis of impaired renal function.
Using HCV-infected donor kidneys can reduce average wait time for dialysis patients from four years to 1.56 years and improve quality of life. Patients receiving transplants with HCV-infected kidneys gain nearly 10 months in quality-adjusted life expectancy compared to those who waited longer.
Survival rates have improved significantly for children who received kidney transplants, with a 72% lower mortality risk among those transplanted later than earlier periods. This improvement is primarily attributed to reduced deaths from cardiovascular causes and infections.
A comprehensive evaluation of existing quality metrics for kidney disease reveals that less than half are highly valid, with nearly half related to dialysis management. The study proposes refinements and new metrics to better reflect the spectrum of kidney care delivery, aiming to improve the accuracy of quality measurement.
A study by Brigham and Women's Hospital researchers found that more than half of existing kidney disease quality metrics are of middle or low quality, which hampers efforts to improve patient care. The team advocates for shifting focus to metrics that matter most to patients and accurately reflect kidney health or disease progression.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati are using APOL1 genotyping to identify high-risk African American donors and reduce their chances of developing kidney disease. The study aims to optimize the health of organ donors by protecting them from genetic factors that increase their risk of kidney disease.
Researchers find that free radicals produced by immune cells in the kidneys contribute to salt-sensitive hypertension. By targeting these ROS-producing immune cells, effective therapies may be developed to alleviate blood pressure and kidney damage.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed a new method to preserve donated kidneys using a drug that generates S-nitrosothiols, restoring flow-through and reducing resistance. This could extend the number and quality of kidneys available for transplant, saving more people with end-stage renal disease.
A recent analysis estimates that kidney transplant failure incurs significant medical costs of $78,079 per patient and a loss of 1.66 quality-adjusted life years. The total incremental lifetime costs are $1.38 billion, highlighting the urgent need for reducing graft failure rates.
Researchers have identified a new treatment target for preventing acute kidney injury, which affects up to 10% of hospitalized patients. High levels of soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) are linked to the risk of acute kidney injury, and reducing suPAR levels may help prevent damage to healthy kidneys.
Researchers have successfully isolated kidney stem cells from urine, expressing markers similar to bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and renal stem cell markers. The isolated cells can differentiate into various kidney cell types, including proximal- and distal-tubules and podocytes.
Scientists at the University of Freiburg created nanoparticles with polysaccharides, which allow them to pass through the kidneys and be excreted in urine. This breakthrough enables the combination of tumor accumulation and kidney clearance in a single nanoparticle, paving the way for safer nanomedicine administration.
Researchers have identified C4BP as a promising therapeutic agent for autoimmune kidney disease, showing improved symptomatology in mice with lupus nephritis. The study demonstrates the immunomodulatory capacity of C4BP, transforming proinflammatory activity into anti-inflammatory and tolerogenic effects.
The technique reduces waiting time for compatibility testing, improving transplant surgery scheduling and alleviating patient stress. Virtual crossmatching resulted in a 2.4-hour decrease in cold ischemia time and a 26% decline in delayed graft function.
A new study in 50 patients found that persistent mixed chimerism can reduce the reliance on immunosuppressive drugs after a kidney transplant. The treatment achieved immune tolerance and reduced rejection episodes, allowing some patients to survive with their donated kidneys for over eight years.
A new study found that high levels of soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) in the blood predict patients at increased risk of acute kidney injury. The protein may be a promising target for future therapies or interventions to prevent or treat AKI.
Recipients of kidney paired donation experience equivalent outcomes to those receiving kidneys from other living donors, with similar rates of organ failure and mortality. The study demonstrates the safety and effectiveness of national kidney paired donation programs in treating patients with incompatible living donors.
A study by University of Limerick researchers found that patients treated with PD had similar survival rates to those on in-centre HD, regardless of diabetes status or country of origin. The findings suggest that PD may be a more cost-effective and better quality-of-life option for patients approaching kidney failure.
High levels of protein in urine shortly after an episode of acute kidney injury are associated with increased risk of kidney disease progression. The study suggests that measuring urine protein levels can help identify patients at highest risk and guide appropriate referrals to reduce adverse health outcomes.
A low-cost test screening for excess protein in the urine accurately identifies patients at higher risk for progressive kidney disease after being hospitalized for acute kidney injury. Targeting treatment to these high-risk patients could reduce future need for dialysis or kidney transplants and save billions of dollars.
Research found subtle structural features of donated kidneys, such as scarring and hardening of vessels, are associated with shorter kidney lifespan after transplantation. These findings may help clinicians evaluate organ quality at time of donation and identify potential predictors of transplant failure.
Mayo Clinic researchers discovered subtle structural features in living donor kidneys that can predict transplant failure in recipients. These features include minimal scarring, hardening of vessels, and enlarged nephrons.
Biopsies from donated kidneys often show different results than initial readings, casting doubt on decision-making based on these findings. However, a second biopsy performed in standard conditions provided useful information about organ function after transplantation.
New statements from ACR and NKF clarify risk of contrast-induced acute kidney injury and provide recommendations for use of intravenous contrast media in patients with varying degrees of impaired kidney function. The authors emphasize the need for prospective controlled data to further understand the risk.
InDepth Pharmaceuticals has executed an option agreement to evaluate a novel diagnostic technique that can predict kidney transplant success in patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). The company aims to serve all 1 million FSGS patients worldwide and develop new therapeutics for other forms of kidney disease.
Researchers identified four ageotypes: metabolic, immune, hepatic, and nephrotic, which determine biological pathways in the body. The study also found that lifestyle changes can slow aging rates in some individuals.
Hemodialysis patients who used an online patient portal were more likely to receive a donor kidney transplant and reduce wait times compared to non-users. The study found that active users logged into the portal at least once every two months had shorter wait times for transplantation.
Hundreds of discarded deceased donor kidneys with acute kidney injury (AKI) can be successfully used for transplantation. This finding challenges current medical criteria and has the potential to significantly increase the organ donor pool, helping to address the growing shortage of available kidneys for transplant.
A new study found that higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with a lower risk of kidney function decline and failure in transplant recipients. Those with higher Mediterranean Diet Scores experienced 29% less risk of function loss and 32% less risk of failure.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic tested a new injection method for delivering gene therapy vectors directly into the kidney, outperforming traditional intravenous injections. The study found that direct injections were superior to intravenous injections and had fewer off-target effects.
The penKid biomarker accurately predicted acute kidney injury (AKI), multiorgan failure, and mortality in unselected sepsis patients at presentation to the emergency department. Increasing penKid levels indicated worsening kidney function, enabling timely treatment decisions that improve outcomes.
A recent study found that a significant proportion of children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are prescribed medications that may be toxic to their kidneys. Among the studied population, 71% of those with CKD and 50% without received at least one potentially nephrotoxic medication over an average follow-up period of 3.3 years.
A new study reports high patient satisfaction with a minimally invasive approach to creating vascular access for kidney patients requiring hemodialysis. The Ellipsys Vascular Access System showed nearly all dialysis access sites remained functional after two years, significantly improving upon surgically created fistulas.
Researchers identified patches of normal-looking kidney tissue carrying DNA changes that cause Wilms' tumour, promising improved treatment and prevention strategies. The study found epigenetic changes associated with cancer in normal kidney tissue, enabling cells to grow rapidly into pre-cancerous patches.
The 2020 Edith and Peter O'Donnell Awards recognize Texas researchers making groundbreaking discoveries in Alzheimer's disease treatment, malaria treatment, kidney stone research, and star merger processes. The awards celebrate innovative work that advances science and improves lives.
Dr. Jeffrey Rimer's groundbreaking research using crystals has led to the development of new materials and treatments for malaria and kidney stones. His work enables visualization of complex mechanisms, improving catalysis in petrochemical processes.
Researchers will evaluate how sleep-disordered breathing impacts chronic kidney disease progression, recruiting 2,200 adults from the CRIC study. They hypothesize that sleep apnea is associated with increased risk of chronic kidney disease progression due to its effects on blood pressure, insulin resistance, and organ damage.
Researchers have identified a combination of two drugs that can relax the walls of the ureter, reducing contractions that cause pain when passing a kidney stone. The treatment, which delivers muscle relaxants directly to the ureter, has shown promising results in reducing the frequency and length of contractions.
Researchers at MUSC found that primary cilia generate approximately 60% of small EVs produced by renal tubule cells, with manipulation of cilium length affecting EV production. The protein content of EVs varies depending on cilia length, suggesting a significant role for cilia in intercellular communication.
The study evaluates the safety of conditionally immortalized proximal tubule epithelial cells for bioartificial kidney application, demonstrating lack of oncogenic properties and tumorigenic capacity. These cells show promise for clinical application as cell-based renal replacement therapy.
A Yale-led group developed a new mathematical model to predict acute kidney injury (AKI) risk in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. The model accounts for individual differences and complex associations between contrast levels and AKI risk, providing more accurate estimates.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago report that robotic kidney transplants produce similar one- and three-year patient survival rates as those seen among nonobese patients. The study included over 230 robotic-assisted kidney transplants in patients with obesity, achieving dramatic reductions in post-surgery wound infections.
A high-protein diet may boost chronic kidney disease and increase the risk of de novo kidney diseases, says a new study. Experts warn that patients with diabetes or obesity who follow a high-protein diet may be at risk of severe kidney damage.
Recent advancements in wearable and implantable hemodialysis devices have the potential to revolutionize treatment for patients with kidney failure. These devices aim to provide a more patient-friendly alternative to traditional hemodialysis, allowing patients to lead healthier lives.
The Singapore Diabetes Study in Nephropathy and other Microvascular Complications (DYNAMO) aims to reduce DKD prevalence in Singapore by 30% over five years. The study, led by Professor Thomas Coffman, uses a multi-pronged approach to better understand the disease biology and risk factors behind DKD.
A new study found that genetic variants influence the benefits of broccoli on kidney health, suggesting tailored dietary interventions. Individuals with a specific gene variant (GSTM1) who consume cruciferous vegetables may experience improved kidney function.
A combined test of Renal Angina Index (RAI) and urinary Neutrophil Gelatinase Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) can predict severe acute kidney injury risk in critically ill children, according to a recent study. This early identification allows for targeted interventions to reduce morbidity and hospital stay duration.
A study of 4,567 hemodialysis patients found that those in residential areas with a high percentage of Black residents had significantly higher hospitalization rates. The association remained after adjusting for individual and community factors, suggesting unidentified health determinants at play.
A new study published in JAMA found that patients with kidney dysfunction who were prescribed high doses of the muscle relaxant baclofen were more likely to experience cognitive-related symptoms such as severe confusion. The research team analyzed data from over 16,000 patients and found a significantly higher risk of hospitalization a...
The American Society of Nephrology has honored five individuals for their outstanding contributions to kidney disease research, education, and clinical practice. Mitchell Rosner received the Robert G. Narins Award for his work in education and teaching, while Toshiro Fujita was recognized for his groundbreaking research on hypertension.
A recent analysis found increasing rates of acute kidney injury in pregnant women, especially those with diabetes. The study revealed a significant increase in the rate of hospitalizations involving acute kidney injury from 0.04% in 2006 to 0.12% in 2015.
Several high-impact clinical trials have yielded promising results, including the ATHENA trial showing azathioprine to be as effective as mycophenolate mofetil in preventing chronic kidney rejection, and the NOBILITY trial demonstrating that obinutuzumab improves kidney health in patients with lupus nephritis. Additionally, a phase 3 s...
A new risk calculator tool predicts accurate five-year risk of chronic kidney disease based on variables like age, hypertension, and diabetes status. The tool enables healthcare providers to identify patients at high risk and benefit from preventive interventions.