Articles tagged with Kidney
Researchers at Magee-Womens Research Institute found that the pregnancy hormone relaxin increases nitric oxide production in blood vessels, leading to improved blood flow. This discovery may lead to new treatments for high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases.
A new study finds that low-carbohydrate, high-protein diets may increase the risk of developing kidney stones and raising bone loss. Researchers observed a significant decrease in urinary citrate levels and an increase in acid excretion in subjects following these diets.
Researchers at the University of Louisville found a link between sleep apnea and high blood pressure through protein changes in laboratory rats. The study suggests that the connection plays a significant role in developing high blood pressure during bouts of sleep apnea.
Researchers have found a key vasodilator degraded in hypertension, leading to potential new treatments that prevent organ damage. A new pathway targeting the kidneys' response to hypertension may help control blood pressure and improve kidney function.
A new two-part therapy combining acyclovir with gradual reductions in immunosuppressive drugs has shown significant success in treating post-transplant lymphoma, with all patients achieving complete response and 82% maintaining it. The treatment stimulates the immune system to destroy EBV-infected cancer cells.
A University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study found that nearly one in four metformin prescriptions were given to patients with contraindications. The study suggests that providers may not be adequately documenting the risks of lactic acidosis and should consider counseling patients on metformin use.
The Johns Hopkins team has successfully transplanted kidneys from incompatible donors using a filtering technique, achieving a 93% success rate. The patients underwent plasmapheresis treatments and medication to prevent antibody re-emergence, allowing them to receive organs from donors of any blood type.
A recent study found that CellCept therapy can effectively reverse kidney damage and improve graft survival in patients with chronic kidney function decline. The results showed a significant increase in kidney function reversal or stabilization in patients treated with CellCept compared to those on cyclosporine.
A new study found that patients receiving the drug Thymoglobulin had two and half times fewer episodes of acute kidney rejection than those receiving Simulect. The study's findings are significant as they show a potential benefit for up to half of kidney transplants from cadavers.
The University of Maryland Medical Center has successfully reduced barriers to kidney transplantation for African-Americans, cutting the median waiting time from 1,335 days to 681 days. The comprehensive program includes patient education and living donation efforts, leading to better graft survival rates.
A groundbreaking study by Stanford University Medical Center has discovered a way to transplant kidneys without lifelong use of immune-suppressing drugs, improving patient quality of life. The innovative approach uses radiation and stem cells to create a hybrid immune system that recognizes the donor organ as 'friend' rather than foe.
Researchers found that high protein diets led to decreased hydration levels and abnormal kidney function tests. The study suggests that athletes and non-athletes alike should increase fluid intake when consuming high protein diets.
A study using mice found that mutations in the Lmx1b gene cause a reduction in two proteins necessary for mature podocytes to function properly. This disruption leads to immature podocytes and impaired kidney filtering, increasing the risk of kidney problems associated with nail-patella syndrome.
A multi-site study led by UCSF investigators shows comparable survival rates and graft function for HIV-infected patients receiving kidney and liver transplants. The study found that nearly 90% of kidney grafts and 84% of liver grafts were functioning within a year post-transplant.
Researchers identified a novel pathway controlling branching morphogenesis, a critical process in development and tissue formation. This finding has implications for understanding diseases involving abnormal branching patterns.
Researchers have identified ciliary proteins as key contributors to polycystic kidney disease progression. Mutations in these proteins can disrupt normal kidney function and lead to cyst formation.
Researchers found that increased concentrations of asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA) are a strong predictor of death and cardiovascular disease in haemodialysis patients. Middle-aged men with normal kidney function also showed a higher risk of acute coronary events with high ADMA levels.
A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation reveals a critical role for RAGE protein in glomerular fibrosis, a major driver of chronic kidney disease. The research sheds light on potential therapeutic targets to mitigate this devastating condition.
Researchers found that CD4 cells help mediate damage during ischemia, and two specific molecules, CD28 and IFN-gamma, were identified as participating in the injury process. This challenges current ideas of T cell function and may lead to new treatments for conditions like strokes and heart attacks.
Researchers discovered that Foxo1 is involved in regulating glucose metabolism and promoting insulin resistance in cultured kidney cells. Increased Foxo1 activity was linked to decreased insulin sensitivity, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target for treating related disorders.
Researchers found a link between higher levels of antibodies neutralizing toxins and better kidney function in patients after heart surgery. The study suggests potential interventions to protect kidneys from endotoxins released by bacteria during surgery.
Researchers found that store-bought tofu, soy cheese, and soy drinks contain significant levels of oxalate, which can bind with calcium in the kidneys to form kidney stones. The American Dietetic Association recommends limiting oxalate intake to 10 milligrams per serving for patients with a history of kidney stones.
Researchers have identified a rare human disorder linked to aquaporin-1 protein deficiency, which affects the ability to concentrate urine and maintain healthy water levels. The finding may help doctors develop new treatments for diseases like diabetes insipidus, which causes frequent urination and emaciation.
A study by UCSD researchers reveals that chronic kidney rejection is caused by the recipient's own cells' normal reaction to a wound, specifically mesenchymal cells colonizing the transplant site. This finding opens up new possibilities for developing methods to block scar-causing cells and mitigate or prevent kidney rejection.
The ADEMEX study found that increasing small solute clearances through modified dosing doesn't impact patient survival, contrary to current practice. This enables tailored prescriptions for individual patients without sacrificing survival benefits.
A Mayo Clinic study finds that less radical surgery for kidney cancer is equally effective to radical alternative and less likely to cause failure in the second kidney. Long-term survival rates between the two procedures were identical, but patients undergoing less radical surgery had a lower risk of developing renal failure.
A Yale researcher has found a gene believed to be linked to autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD), a condition affecting one in 10,000 children. The study suggests that primary cilia, hair-like projections lining the kidneys' ducts and tubules, play a crucial role in the development of ARPKD.
Researchers at NYU Langone Health discovered a link between a bladder gene and vesicoureteral reflux, a condition that causes urine to flow backward into the kidneys. The study suggests earlier detection and treatment of the condition could prevent kidney failure.
A study by researchers compared colonoscopy to fecal occult blood tests (FOBT) and sigmoidoscopy in screening for colorectal cancer. The findings show that colonoscopy is the most cost-effective option, reducing death rates at relatively low costs by removing precancerous polyps and detecting cancer at early stages.
A study by Duke University Medical Center researchers has found a possible genetic link determining which heart patients are more likely to suffer kidney damage after surgery. The research team found that the E-4 variant of the apolipoprotein APO gene, already implicated in Alzheimer's disease, appears to offer protection to the kidneys.
A proposed kidney transplant system assigns priorities based on efficiency and equity points, reducing median waiting time from 24 to 14 months. The new policy increases the overall likelihood of transplantation from 45% to 61% and improves quality-adjusted life expectancy for African-Americans and women.
A study by Oregon State University researchers found that 46% of adult white-tailed ptarmigan in a 10,000-square kilometer area of south-central Colorado have cadmium accumulations in their kidneys above the toxic threshold. Cadmium toxicity causes kidney and liver dysfunction, brittle bones, and affects reproduction and survival.
A randomized controlled trial found that a new anti-inflammatory drug decreased kidney function at the same rate as an older medication. Prompt treatment with three powerful antiretroviral drugs after HIV exposure prevented infection in a young girl, according to researchers.
A recent study found three genes that may play a role in protecting the kidneys from diabetic damage. The genes were identified by examining the genetic structure of healthy and sick mice, and their discovery could lead to new therapeutic strategies for kidney disease. By understanding how these genes work, scientists hope to develop d...
A large UM study found that mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) reduces the risk of losing a transplanted kidney due to chronic failure better than azathioprine (AZA). MMF protects against kidney loss even when acute rejection prevention effects are eliminated, with nearly 86% of MMF-treated kidneys surviving four years.
A new, less invasive approach to removing a kidney from living donors has more than doubled the chance of patients receiving a transplant from a friend or loved one. The technique, combined with an educational program, has increased living donor transplants by half, with 40% of recent transplants coming from living donors.
Researchers at Yale have discovered new insights into the development of polycystic kidney disease (PKD), a life-threatening genetic disorder affecting millions. The study reveals crucial information about the PKD2 gene's role in normal development and its impact when mutated.
A Harvard study finds that racial differences in kidney transplant access cannot be explained by patient preferences, with black patients being less likely to be referred for evaluation or receive a transplant. The disparity remains even after controlling for coexisting illnesses and socioeconomic factors.
A new study of 27,050 kidney transplants found that patients with locally matched kidneys require less long-term care and incur lower costs. The average cost to Medicare was $60,436 for identical HLA markers, increasing by 34% as mismatches rose from one to six.
Researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine have cloned the gene responsible for primary hyperoxaluria type II, a rare inherited form of kidney stone disease. The discovery may lead to better understanding and treatment of the disease, which can cause severe kidney failure and early death if left untreated.
A recent study suggests that the immune system protein CD2AP may play a critical role in kidney function. Researchers found that mice lacking CD2AP developed defective glomeruli and died of renal failure, highlighting the protein's importance in maintaining kidney health. The discovery also sheds light on other diseases, such as congen...
Researchers identify nephrin's role in the kidney's filtration barrier, finding a 'zipper-like' structure that allows blood to pass but not plasma proteins. Increasing nephrin production or restoring its function is thought to improve kidney function and restore proteinuria.
A study of over 50,000 transplant recipients found that kidney transplants from living donors are more cost-effective than dialysis treatments. The total cost of care within five years is roughly $47,000 less for living donor transplants compared to dialysis.
A recent study by University of Maryland researchers found that kidney transplants are more cost-effective than dialysis, even for the sickest patients. The break-even point for kidney transplants was 2.7 years compared to dialysis, saving $27,000 per year for each patient.
A new procedure called High PRA Rescue cleanses blood of harmful rejection antibodies, enabling six patients to receive successful kidney transplants from living donors. The innovative technique, combined with three new anti-rejection medications, has shown promising results in a two-week period.
A new study of 27,050 kidney transplants reveals that the need for care within three years increases significantly as the number of mismatched surface markers increases. The cost of care rises by up to 34% with more mismatches, making well-matched organs a more cost-effective option.
Researchers found that improving kidney function in majority of patients can be achieved by reducing cyclosporine dosage and adding mycophenolate mofetil, potentially slowing kidney deterioration. The study showed an improvement in kidney function in 37 patients over two years.
Researchers discovered Wnt-4's role in regulating kidney development through inducing tubulogenesis in isolated mesenchyme. Additionally, Wnt-4 suppresses male cell fates in female embryos, affecting sex organ differentiation. It also mediates tissue interactions involved in neuronal growth and axonal guidance.
Researchers found that maternal HLA typing can provide clues about which sibling is the optimal organ donor. This discovery could improve kidney transplant selection by identifying suitable donors beyond HLA-identical siblings.
Researchers found that maternal tissue types can improve survival rates of slightly mismatched kidney transplants. The study suggests adding maternal HLA typing to the routine family workup could expand the pool of optimal donors.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have developed a new test to accurately measure kidney function, enabling patients to spend less time in the clinic. The new procedure involves injecting a small amount of radioactive isotope solution and estimating how quickly it disappears from the blood and appears in the urine.
A study by University of Florida researchers found that cystic fibrosis patients who lack the beneficial intestinal bacterium Oxalobacter formigenes are at a greatly increased risk of developing kidney stones. The absence of this organism can lead to high levels of oxalate, which can crystallize and form painful stones in the kidneys.
Researchers at the University of Chicago have discovered a new protein, calgranulin, that can prevent the formation of kidney stones in minute amounts. Calgranulin is present in the kidney and human urine and can stop the growth of calcium oxalate crystals, the major component of kidney stones.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have successfully grown new kidneys in rats by placing developing rat kidneys inside adult rat abdominal cavities. The resulting organs function and thrive, suggesting a possible alternative to traditional kidney transplantation.
A synthetic detergent, nonylphenolethoxylate (NPE), commonly used in household cleansers, has been discovered to block a drug pump in cancer cells, reducing the need for chemotherapy drugs. The researchers found NPE present in human urine and suggest it could be a useful adjunct to standard treatments.
Researchers found that an immunosuppressive drug commonly used to prevent kidney transplant rejection also improved patients with severe symptoms of kidney disease. The treatment reduced protein leaks and alleviated fluid retention, correcting high cholesterol levels without the negative side effects of steroids.
Researchers have discovered a novel physiological role for UG in mice, suggesting its essentiality in preventing kidney fibrosis and neonatal BPD. UG deficiency leads to inflammation and fibrosis of lung tissue, resulting in respiratory inhibition.
Researchers discovered a genetic mutation in people with Alport syndrome prevents normal transformation process in collagen proteins, leading to gradual loss of membrane integrity. The mutation affects production of alpha-5 collagen, resulting in breakdown of critical glomerular basement membrane.
A new laparoscopic technique for kidney removal has been shown to reduce pain, hospital stays, and recovery time compared to traditional methods. The study found that kidneys removed with this technique function as well as those taken out with a large incision.
A study of kidney patients found that those taken off steroids had significantly better one- and three-year survival rates compared to those still on the medication. One-year patient survival was 99% in the group no longer taking steroids, while one- and three-year graft survival rates were also higher.