Articles tagged with Kidney
A Johns Hopkins analysis found that three in 10 kidney transplant recipients require hospital readmission within 30 days. The study highlights the need for better outpatient management systems to prevent costly and potentially preventable return visits.
A simple six-question quiz can identify kidney dialysis patients at high risk of death, with those needing assistance with basic activities being more than three times more likely to die. The study, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, found that over 600,000 people in the US are on dialysis due to kidney failure.
A study found that kidney transplants performed in Europe have higher survival rates after 5 and 10 years compared to those in the United States. The disparity may be attributed to the lack of cost reimbursement for anti-rejection drugs in the US, leading to poorer outcomes among certain demographics.
A single gene variant in donors has been linked to a 69% increased risk for long-term failure of transplanted kidneys. The variant affects the expression of the protein that pumps drugs out of cells, which can be toxic to the kidneys.
A study found that variations in the APOL1 gene are associated with non-diabetic kidney disease in African-Americans, but not all carriers develop the disease. Researchers suggest that environmental or viral infections may play a role in triggering the disease.
A study found that nearly half of Canadians view financial incentives for deceased kidney donation as acceptable. Lower-income individuals were not more likely to donate for financial gain, according to the researchers. The study suggests that financial incentives may increase donations from both living and deceased donors.
A recent study by Henry Ford Health found that women are more than twice as likely to suffer infections related to kidney stones and other urinary blockages. The study also showed significantly higher rates of complications following urgent treatments for the condition.
Two new studies found that chronic kidney disease is a strong indicator of death and end-stage renal disease in patients without hypertension or diabetes. Chronic kidney disease affects 10-16% of adults globally and is associated with increased mortality risk regardless of the presence of diabetes.
A US multicenter study showed that 46% of kidney transplant recipients in living donor chains were minorities, contradicting previous fears. The study highlights the potential for expanding donor chains to increase diversity and accessibility for minority patients.
Researchers at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, have found that metformin is effective in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, serious infection, and death in patients with mild kidney impairment. The study suggests that metformin can be prescribed for many more patients with diabetes than previously thought.
A University of Maryland study found that single-port kidney removal through the belly button resulted in higher satisfaction rates among living donors, with fewer limitations after surgery. The new technique also showed slightly less pain and no increased risks or complications compared to traditional multi-port laparoscopic removal.
Researchers found that individuals with a history of kidney stones are more susceptible to developing serious kidney problems and kidney failure, particularly women under 50. The study's results highlight the importance of screening for risk factors in patients with a history of kidney stones.
A new study found that patients with common kidney disease IgA nephropathy who have normal kidney function and only minor urinary abnormalities at diagnosis experience remission without special treatments. No patients developed kidney failure over a 20-year follow-up, indicating an excellent prognosis.
The study discovered that the claudin-10 gene plays a crucial role in reabsorbing sodium chloride in the kidney. In its absence, mice exhibit elevated magnesium levels and excess calcium deposition in the kidneys, highlighting the importance of this gene in maintaining salt balance.
A recent study found that waiting to treat cytomegalovirus infections in transplant recipients until they reach a certain threshold is more beneficial than prophylactically treating all recipients. This approach led to less kidney scaring and better long-term organ survival among patients.
Researchers found that abnormal proteins and antibodies in blood levels increase according to disease severity. High antibody levels are associated with higher risk of kidney failure and premature death.
A study estimates that approximately 1 in 93 men and 1 in 133 women of middle age may develop kidney failure in their lifetime. People with reduced kidney function face a higher risk, with men facing a 7.51% chance and women a 3.21%.
Scientists at UCSB have demonstrated a new drug, folate-conjugated rapamycin (FC-rapa), effective in preventing kidney cyst growth in mice with ADPKD. The research builds on earlier findings by Thomas Weimbs, who identified mTOR as driving cyst growth in the disease.
A multi-center study found that patients who undergo complete kidney removal are 3.5 times more likely to develop erectile dysfunction compared to those with kidney reconstruction. Researchers suggest that total kidney removal may also increase the risk of metabolic diseases and decrease quality of life.
Patients under 35 years old and those without private health insurance are more likely to be overlooked when starting dialysis, according to a recent study. The findings highlight the need to address racial and socioeconomic disparities in kidney transplantation.
Researchers at the University of Alberta discovered a link between sodium and calcium regulation in the body. Excessive sodium intake can lead to calcium depletion, causing thin bones and osteoporosis, while high urine calcium levels increase the risk of kidney stones.
Scientists at Joslin Diabetes Center have identified the biological mechanisms by which glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) protects against kidney disease, including its ability to inhibit the signaling pathway of angiotensin II. The study suggests that effective therapeutic agents could be developed to enhance GLP-1R on the endothelium, ...
A study found that rituximab, an immune drug, helped patients with serious kidney disorder idiopathic membranous nephropathy experience remission, even when standard therapies failed. The treatment was safe and well-tolerated, with all patients achieving complete or partial remission over time.
The American Heart Association has released a scientific statement addressing varied cardiac evaluation policies in transplant patients. The guidelines aim to standardize cardiac evaluation practices before kidney and liver transplantation, reducing unnecessary testing and improving patient outcomes.
Researchers at TGen developed a method to isolate protein-rich urinary exosomes, which can help discover biomarkers for better CKD diagnosis and treatment. The study found that the new method produces high yields of miRNA and mRNA, making it suitable for downstream genetic profiling experiments.
A new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that uncircumcised boys are at a higher risk of urinary tract infections. The researchers did not find a significant association between the degree of urethral visibility and infection risk.
A new equation that combines creatinine and cystatin C levels provides a more accurate measurement of kidney function, reducing over-diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The study suggests that this approach could be used as a confirmatory test for CKD in patients with estimated GFR near 60.
A recent Vanderbilt University Medical Center study has found that obesity is associated with a higher risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) following cardiac surgery. The study, which followed 455 cardiac surgery patients, found that a higher body mass index (BMI) was linked to a greater risk of AKI, with patients weighing more than avera...
A new study suggests long-term calcium and vitamin D supplement use is linked to high urinary levels of calcium, potentially increasing the risk of kidney stones. The researchers found that approximately 33% of participants developed hypercalciuria, which was unrelated to vitamin D dosage.
Researchers studied 552,672 patients and found a three-fold increase in acute dialysis after cardiac and vascular surgeries. The incidence of acute dialysis increased from 0.2% to 0.6% over the 15-year study period.
A new study found a significant increase in acute kidney injury requiring dialysis after major elective surgery, with the number of patients tripling since 1995. The study suggests that developing interventions to prevent severe AKI could lead to improved outcomes for patients.
Scientists successfully created 'scaffolds' from pig kidneys to potentially build replacement kidneys for humans. The structure of the nephron was maintained, and blood vessels were able to maintain normal pressure when re-filled with blood in animal models.
Stem cells in the developing embryo give rise to adult nephrons, but unlike skin and gut, kidneys can't build new ones. FGF9 and FGF20 proteins maintain the embryonic kidney's stem cell niche, which is crucial for future research on growing kidney stem cells in the lab.
The NIH has awarded $400,000 to Arizona State University's Kevin Bennett to develop a non-invasive method for detecting nephritis, a common form of kidney disease. The new technology uses magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic nanoparticles to extract information about the kidney's function and location.
Researchers found that fresh islet cells are superior to cultured islet cells in terms of success rate and blood glucose levels after transplantation. However, the results of islet isolation did not correlate with clinical outcomes for kidney transplantations from non-heart-beating donors.
A low-carbohydrate high-protein diet has been found to be safe for healthy obese patients' kidney function and fluid balance, unlike a low-fat diet. However, additional studies are needed to evaluate its effects in individuals with pre-existing kidney disease or other health conditions.
Researchers genetically modified kidney cells to produce a protein that promotes cell growth and regeneration. The transplanted cells engrafted themselves into damaged kidneys, resulting in improved function and limited physical damage. This breakthrough has significant implications for the treatment of human kidney failure.
Research on LRRK2 protein mutation G2019S reveals potential drawbacks of blocking its kinase activity. In a study published in Molecular Neurodegeneration, deleting the kinase domain of LRRK2 led to changes in motor coordination and anxiety-like behaviors in mice without affecting dopamine signaling.
Obese patients have an increased risk of developing kidney damage, or acute kidney injury, after heart surgery. Oxidative stress associated with obesity plays a role in this increased risk. Acute kidney injury affects 5% to 30% of heart surgery patients.
The study found that kidney stone prevalence nearly doubled from 8.8% in 2007-2010 to 17.6% in 1994, with obesity and diabetes being key risk factors. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and body weight can reduce the risk of kidney stones.
A study by Loyola University Medical Center researchers found that 91 Facebook pages were used to solicit living kidney donors for patients aged 2-69. Twelve percent of the pages resulted in a successful transplant, while 30% reported potential donors being tested for compatibility.
A study found that off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery is likely safer than on-pump surgery for chronic kidney disease patients, cutting down on kidney injuries after heart surgery. CKD patients undergoing on-pump surgery were more than three times as likely to die or need dialysis compared to those who received off-pump surgery.
A minimally invasive procedure called renal denervation disrupts overactive sympathetic nerves, lowering blood pressure in CKD patients with hypertension. The study found no worsening of kidney function, indicating the procedure is safe for those with CKD.
A retrospective analysis of 104 potential living kidney donors found that morbid obesity impedes kidney donation, with only three out of 23 morbidly obese donors able to successfully lose weight and donate. The study highlights the need for larger studies to assess the impact of obesity on kidney donation and explores ways to increase ...
Children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) who do not respond to standard treatments may not benefit from rituximab, according to a recent study. The drug, which targets the immune system, was found to be ineffective in reducing protein excretion in urine after three months of treatment.
A new study published in JAMA found that the CKD-EPI equation for calculating GFR is a more accurate predictor of kidney disease risk compared to the MDRD Study equation. The study suggests that switching to the CKD-EPI equation could lead to better assessment of patient future risk and improved treatment of kidney disease.
A US policy instituted in 2005 has reduced racial disparities in kidney transplantation among children, allowing more kids from diverse backgrounds to receive deceased donor kidneys. The study found that Share 35 has attenuated racial disparities in terms of how likely and how soon children will receive a deceased-donor kidney transplant.
A 27-year-old man received a new kidney after his original one failed, then donated the healthy organ to another patient with FSGS. The successful re-transplant reversed damage and allowed another patient to thrive.
A study found that information on a mandatory Medicare form regarding kidney disease patients' care doesn't accurately reflect the actual care billed by physicians. The report's accuracy varies by patient characteristics and declines over time, emphasizing the need for improved reporting to ensure public health surveillance and planning.
New research reveals that a common genetic variation in claudin-14 increases the risk of kidney stones. The study found that alterations in the gene's activity influence stone development when calcium or salt intake is high, leading to an increase in urine calcium levels.
A new study by Lawson Research Institute found that one in 10 older fibrate users experienced a 50% increase in serum creatinine, an indicator of kidney health. The study suggests further research is needed to understand the mechanism behind fibrates' impact on kidney function.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic and University of Glasgow discovered fruit flies can develop kidney stones, which may hold the key to treating humans. They identified a gene that encodes a protein transporting oxalate into fly kidneys, reducing stone formation.
A recent study by John Gill and colleagues found that the age of a live donor between 18 to 64 years has minimal effect on the survival of transplanted kidneys. This finding suggests that patients over 39 years old may benefit from participating in living donor paired exchange programs or kidney swaps.
Using bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells instead of antibody induction therapy reduces acute rejection, opportunistic infections, and improves estimated kidney function at 1 year. Autologous MSC infusion is a promising alternative to traditional immunosuppressive protocols.
A Michigan State University anthropologist has exposed the horrific experiences of poor people who were victims of organ trafficking. Moniruzzaman's study found that kidney sellers are often plagued with health problems and receive inadequate compensation.
Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine have identified HIPK2 as a crucial regulator protein in kidney fibrosis, leading to improved conditions when eliminated or inhibited. The study provides a new therapeutic target for the treatment of kidney failure, affecting millions of Americans.
Researchers present new information on neural diseases and kidney stones using the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster model. Studies reveal links between cellular changes and behaviors in flies with human counterparts such as ataxia-telangiectasia and Rett Syndrome.
A study published by the American Society of Nephrology found that 10% of patients with chronic kidney disease did not experience progressive kidney dysfunction, and 3% demonstrated improved kidney function. The study suggests that some cases of CKD may be reversible, providing hope for patients with this condition.
Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center have identified a key molecular player that can reverse kidney damage in mouse models of diabetes and other kidney injuries. The targeted experimental drug has shown to suppress inflammation, cell death, and fibrosis formation, allowing normal tissue to regenerate.
A new study suggests that organ transplant recipients may no longer need anti-rejection medication thanks to the power of stem cells. Researchers are conducting a clinical trial using donor stem cell infusions to 'trick' the recipient's immune system, gradually eliminating or reducing the need for immunosuppressive drugs.