Articles tagged with Kidney
A national study of 304 physicians reveals primary care doctors often fail to diagnose and refer patients with chronic kidney disease, a condition affecting an estimated 10 million Americans. The study suggests that early detection and referral can slow the progression of kidney disease in high-risk patients.
Researchers at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia identified a second gene linked to Alagille syndrome, a genetic developmental disease affecting multiple organs. Mutations in the NOTCH2 gene were found to cause kidney abnormalities in patients and families.
A 'domino' transplant program can effectively double the benefit of altruistically donated kidneys by serving multiple recipients, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine. The domino-donation model has been shown to increase the likelihood of good outcomes for patients and prioritize those in greatest need.
A new strategy called domino paired donation can match kidneys from living non-directed donors to recipients who have a willing but incompatible donor. This approach has the potential to increase both quantitative and qualitative benefit of each LND donation, leading to more transplants accomplished.
Researchers will follow over 540 children with mild to moderate kidney disease for four years, collecting blood, urine, and genetic samples. The study seeks to refine an existing method to measure glomerular filtration rate (GFR), a precise indicator of kidney function.
The SYMPHONY study revealed that a CellCept-based drug combination, including low-dose tacrolimus and corticosteroids, significantly improved kidney function and reduced early rejection rates. This regimen is expected to prolong the life of both patients and their transplanted organs.
A study by the University of Alberta and other institutions found that living kidney donors incur various costs, including travel and accommodation expenses, lost income, and physical limitations after surgery. These costs can range from $837 to $28,900 per donor and may lead to financial burdens and disincentives for potential donors.
Researchers found that inhibiting the enzyme activity of HO-1, a protein thought to be protective, actually reduces kidney injury in sickle cell disease. A new compound, tin protoporphyrin, blocks HO-1 activity and protects SCD kidneys from damage.
Researchers found that using a suction device during minimally invasive angioplasty and stenting improves kidney function, reducing damage to the kidneys. The study suggests that this technique can lead to better outcomes and more effective treatments for patients with renal artery stenosis.
Surgeons at UT Southwestern Medical Center have recorded some of the most successful patient outcomes nationally for patients with rare and complex type of kidney tumors. The five-year survival rate was among the highest, while one-year survival rate is 78 percent.
A University of Minnesota study found that exercise in a machine simulating gravity can reduce the risk of developing kidney stones in astronauts. Researchers used identical twins to test the effect of exercise on urinary calcium levels, and the results suggest a potential solution for preventing this painful condition.
A study published in Pediatric Transplantation found that individuals with mental retardation have a 100% one-year survival rate and 90% three-year survivor rate after receiving kidney transplants. The research alleviates concerns about transplant success in this population, showing they are appropriate candidates for organ transplants.
Researchers discovered that an endogenous peptide called LL-37 plays a critical role in preventing urinary tract infections. Boosting LL-37 levels may provide a new way to prevent UTIs and offer a defense against the infection.
A European-funded project aims to create a predictive diagnostic test for early detection of kidney loss and target effective therapies. Researchers will utilize nanobead technology and multiplexing platform to identify biomarkers in diabetic urine, enabling early identification of patients at risk.
Researchers developed an MRI technique to measure cysts and kidneys in individuals with autosomal dominant PKD. The study found that both small and large cysts grew at steady rates, correlating with losses in kidney function.
The study found that more than 60% of patients experienced a change in their treatment plan due to biopsy results, while as many as 75 unnecessary kidney removals were potentially avoided. The image-guided biopsy technique showed higher success rates compared to old techniques, allowing for better tissue sampling and accurate diagnosis.
Researchers discovered a single base pair change in the aquaporin-2 protein gene, leading to improper distribution and resulting in up to 30 times more urine being produced. This study provides new insights into congenital progressive hydronephrosis, a condition that can lead to kidney failure and death if left untreated.
A new study suggests that renal biopsy can help patients avoid kidney removal by identifying benign tumors that don't require surgery. The procedure is safe and effective, with only minor complications reported in the 407 biopsies performed.
Researchers found that freezing kidney tumors using percutaneous cryoablation destroyed 95% of tumors in short-term follow-up. The treatment is performed through small skin nicks and can be done under general anesthesia, offering a less invasive alternative to traditional surgery.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center developed a new formula to predict blood needs in heart surgery, focusing on patient age, weight, and kidney function. The simplified scoring system identifies risk factors for transfusion, aiming to reduce hospital resources and staff time.
A new study finds that MRI cystography is an accurate and safe alternative to conventional X-ray cystography for diagnosing ureteral reflux. The researchers discovered that MRI can detect scarring of the kidneys and loss of kidney tissue, related to the extent of kidney damage from VUR, better than conventional X-ray cystography.
A new diagnostic test using NGAL protein has been shown to predict kidney transplant outcomes, with lower values indicating faster recovery and higher values indicating longer recovery periods. This breakthrough could lead to improved patient care and reduced risk of kidney failure.
Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center have discovered that bone marrow-derived stem cells can repair damaged kidney tissue in a mouse model of Alport syndrome, leading to improved kidney function and structure. The study offers a promising therapeutic opportunity for children and adults with the disease.
Researchers have identified two proteins, Bid and Bax, as major players in cell death during ischemic renal failure. The study aims to understand the process to manipulate it for better kidney treatment.
A study at Mayo Clinic found that patients treated with shock wave therapy for kidney stones were at higher risk of developing diabetes and hypertension, with risks nearly four times and one-and-a-half times respectively. The researchers believe the association may be due to damage inflicted on the pancreas or scarring in the kidneys.
Individuals with type 2 diabetes have a heightened risk of developing uric-acid stones, likely due to their highly acidic urine. The study suggests that factors associated with type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance account for the increased acidity.
Scientists used RNA interference to block a mineralocorticoid receptor, which signals the body to absorb sodium and water into the bloodstream. The treatment kept blood pressure from worsening but did not eliminate it, and significantly reduced kidney damage in rats.
A Wake Forest physician has successfully grown functional bladder organs in patients with congenital defects, showing improved bladder function and reduced kidney damage over time. The lab-grown bladders eliminated the need for surgical repair with intestine tissue, offering a potential solution to organ shortages.
Researchers at UCSB have discovered that rapamycin, a widely available immunosuppressant, can strongly reduce cyst growth in kidneys affected by polycystic kidney disease (PKD). The treatment was found to shrink cysts and retain kidney function in mice with PKD.
A study by Yale researchers found that a specific transporter gene, SLC26A6, helps prevent calcium oxalate kidney stones. The gene's normal functioning reduces dietary oxalate absorption and increases excretion, thus reducing the risk of kidney stone formation.
A new study suggests that double transplants using organs from children's kidneys or older adults' kidneys can achieve excellent patient survival and kidney function. The study used kidneys from donors aged 22 months and 65 years, with similar short-term outcomes to single transplants.
Researchers found a 12% reduction in hip fractures among women taking supplements, but only those who adhered to the full dosage saw benefits. Women over 50 should prioritize dietary sources of calcium and Vitamin D for bone health.
A majority of patients with small kidney tumors have their entire kidney removed, despite the availability of organ-sparing surgery. Studies show that partial nephrectomy is just as effective in controlling cancer while preserving long-term kidney function. However, its infrequent use may be due to surgeon expertise and hospital policies.
Researchers discovered that elastin fragments in mice lungs trigger emphysema. Additionally, a study found that pericyte dysfunction allows tumors to spread by forming leaky blood vessels. Another study identified female mice lacking IBP protein, which makes their T cells resistant to death and contributes to lupus-like disease.
Researchers at UCSB discovered a genetic pathway that could lead to new treatments for ADPKD. The polycystin-1 protein plays a key role in the disease, and its inhibition may have beneficial effects. This finding opens up new avenues for drug development.
A study of 298 simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplant recipients found metabolic syndrome to be a risk factor for long-term kidney dysfunction. Patients with metabolic syndrome were 10 times more likely to experience reduced kidney function three years post-transplant compared to those without it.
Researchers at UVA Health System are investigating a novel approach to combat chronic kidney disease by targeting inflammation with adenosine drugs. Preliminary results show promising decreases in inflammation, urinary protein loss, and kidney scarring.
A nationwide randomized clinical trial found that mycophenolate mofetil produced fewer complications than the standard medication Cytoxan in patients with lupus nephritis. The study showed that oral mycophenolate mofetil worked faster in relieving inflamed kidneys and improved patient outcomes.
Researchers identify thrombospondin (TSP-1) as a potential target for preventing acute kidney failure. Studies in mice show that the protein causes irreversible kidney damage when blood flow is disrupted, but genetically engineered mice lacking TSP-1 are protected from damage.
Researchers have found that valproic acid reduces skin disease and kidney disease in mice with lupus, a condition affecting over 1 million Americans. The drug has been shown to slow the progression of kidney problems, inflammation, and other symptoms.
End-stage renal disease (ESRD) has increased in Canada and worldwide since 1980, with 25,000 Canadians receiving life-sustaining treatment. Despite its benefits, there is a marked regional disparity in transplant rates, highlighting the need for tailored guidelines on eligibility across various criteria.
US kidney failure rates have stabilized over the past two decades, with diabetes and high blood pressure remaining leading causes. Despite progress, racial disparities persist, particularly among African Americans, who continue to experience higher rates of new cases.
Researchers at UTMB use thermodynamic calculations to predict the ability of various osmolytes to protect proteins in cells under stress. This technique has significant implications for understanding protein folding and unfolding processes in disorders like Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers found that kidney paired donation (KPD) transplants can be performed with outcomes similar to compatible living donor kidney transplants, offering a cost savings and decrease in waiting time. A national KPD transplant scheme could enable many more transplants for patients with incompatible donors.
A Hopkins study successfully performed 21 out of 22 KPD transplants, showing the technique can offer transplants to many more patients who cannot receive a kidney from a loved one. The results could pave the way for a national matching registry and help hundreds of patients find compatible matches.
Renal transplant recipients are 3.6 times more likely to develop melanoma than the general population, with a mortality rate up to 6 percent in some regions. Men who have had a kidney transplant face the greatest risk, and risk increases rapidly with age.
A study examines how prenatal exposure to synthetic steroids affects the development of kidneys and regulation of blood pressure in adolescents. The research aims to identify potential causes of high blood pressure, diabetes, and weight gain in prematurely born children.
Researchers developed an animal model to study obstructive nephropathy, a common cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in children. This model has helped identify potential targets for drug development, offering hope for improved treatment options for affected children.
Researchers show that CD32 isoforms have differential contributions to dendritic cell activation, with ligation of CD32a inducing maturation and ligation of CD32b inhibiting it. Intravenous immune globulin selectively shifts Fc-gamma receptor expression to a CD32b-dominated profile, explaining its anti-inflammatory properties.
The SIRIUS II clinical trial demonstrated dose-dependent favorable hemodynamic effects and improvements in cardiac output and dyspnea score in patients with acute decompensated congestive heart failure (ADHF). Ularitide was well-tolerated, preserving kidney function during treatment.
A novel artificial kidney utilizing nanotechnology may eliminate dialysis needs for millions worldwide. The HNF system features a wearable design with double the filtration rate of conventional hemodialysis.
Belatacept demonstrates improved kidney function and reduced toxicity in patients undergoing kidney transplantation. The treatment reduces the need for immunosuppressive medications and minimizes chronic allograft nephropathy.
The Phase II clinical trial of belatacept found that it preserved kidney function and reduced the incidence of acute rejection in transplant patients. Belatacept selectively blocks T-cell activation while allowing the body to fight off infections.
A large international study found that 6% of critically ill patients develop kidney failure, with 60% dying while hospitalized. Researchers also discovered that 86% of surviving patients do not require dialysis after discharge, providing a clue for treating acute renal failure.
A new study by Christof Westenfelder's team found that stem cells improve kidney function and reduce tissue injury in acute renal failure. The benefits are primarily mediated by paracrine mechanisms, not differentiation, and are induced by the release of growth factors and cytokines.
Researchers found improved patient outcomes in open nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) over time, attributed to increased surgeon experience and perioperative care. Open NSS showed benefits compared to laparoscopic NSS, particularly in complex tumor cases.
The study found that hemodialysis was more beneficial for patients with cardiovascular disease, while peritoneal dialysis was better suited for healthier patients. The findings suggest that choosing the right dialysis treatment can impact mortality rates.
Researchers discovered that calcium fills a small structure in cells, forcing muscles to relax when full. This understanding can help doctors treat patients more accurately with the body's natural mechanisms.
Researchers at UT Southwestern discovered that WNK1 activates SGK1, leading to sodium ion channel activation and increased blood pressure. The study suggests that genetic factors may play a role in salt-sensitive hypertension., Genetic factors may contribute to hypertension in certain population groups.
Researchers discovered that induction of the HIF-1 pathway can act as a 'super-antibiotic', increasing bacterial killing in low-oxygen environments. Additionally, studies on skeletal muscle and kidney regeneration found that these organs' natural repair mechanisms play a crucial role in maintaining function and tissue health.