Articles tagged with Kidney
Patients with advanced kidney disease may benefit from conservative non-dialytic management over dialysis for hospitalization prevention. Patients of Asian ethnicity show the highest hospitalization rates on early dialysis compared to late dialysis or conservative management. Conservative management underutilized in US due to uncertain...
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased the mortality risk of hemodialysis patients, with risks persisting at higher levels for those with confirmed infections. Other patients on dialysis experienced slightly elevated mortality risk during peak pandemic periods.
A recent analysis of COVID-19 cases in four waves found that individuals with chronic kidney disease were more likely to develop severe forms of COVID-19 and experience complications. Pre-existing conditions, including CKD, were consistent clinical predictors of COVID-19 severity across multiple pandemic waves.
Research analyzed 350,994 participants and found that higher air pollution concentrations increased the risk of developing chronic kidney disease. Individuals with high air pollution exposure and low genetic risk faced a significantly higher risk of developing CKD compared to those with high genetic risk.
The American Society of Nephrology presents results from high-impact clinical trials that could transform kidney-related medical care. The trials will focus on improving patient outcomes and advancing the treatment of kidney diseases.
Researchers have created a polygenic risk score for pediatric steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome, which is associated with earlier age of onset in children. The score was generated from genetic data and showed promise in predicting the development of the condition.
The University of Minnesota has received a 5-year, $2.5 million NIH grant to fund the Minn-KPMP project, a recruitment site for the Kidney Precision Medicine Project. The project aims to understand and treat chronic kidney disease and acute kidney injury using precision medicine.
An AI-based model has been developed to predict patients' risk of acute kidney injury (AKI), which is common in intensive care units. The model was validated in four medical centers and showed accuracy in predicting AKI 24 hours ahead of time.
Researchers developed an AI-based algorithm to predict major adverse kidney events within 90 days of discharge. The algorithm accurately predicted 19.7% of patients' development of acute kidney injury or chronic disease.
A new study by Ochsner pharmacist Kevin Lin suggests that oral cephalosporins are as safe and effective as fluoroquinolones for treating acute kidney infections. The study's findings support the use of narrower-spectrum antibiotics to reduce antimicrobial resistance, a growing concern in healthcare.
A team of researchers is developing a new method to evaluate the viability of donor kidneys using optical coherence tomography (OCT) scanning technology. OCT scans provide a more complete view of the organ's overall functional capacity, allowing for better matching with transplant patients. The goal is to increase kidney availability a...
Dr. Susan E. Quaggin, a leading expert in kidney health, has been recognized as one of seven Distinguished Scientists by the American Heart Association. Her groundbreaking research on transcription factor action and vascular endothelial growth factor has led to new insights into pre-eclampsia and kidney disease.
Researchers used live fluorescence imaging experiments to uncover the mechanism behind cell volume regulation, revealing that WNK kinases activate the 'switch' through phase separation. This discovery has implications for human health, particularly in relation to kidney function and salt-sensitive hypertension.
A study published in the American Society of Nephrology found that one-third of patients with chronic kidney disease experienced worsening symptoms over time, leading to a higher risk of needing dialysis and death. The study identified two profiles of symptom trajectories: those with worsening symptoms and those with stable symptoms.
Researchers found a significant association between NTM infection and increased mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease. Early diagnosis and treatment may improve survival. NTM can cause nonspecific symptoms like fever and weight loss, and patients with compromised immune systems are at higher risk.
A new drug combination of cefepime and enmetazobactam has been found to be more effective in treating complicated urinary tract infections and acute pyelonephritis than a standard treatment. The study showed that the new combination was successful in treating 79% of patients, compared to 58.9% for the conventional treatment.
Experts recognize obesity as a prime inducer of CKD and related adverse outcomes, emphasizing the need for bridging common ground between nephrology and obesity medicine. Strategies include recognizing obesity as a chronic disease with targeted treatments and trained clinical extenders to promote effective care.
Researchers have reverse-engineered a virus linked to chronic kidney disease in cats and described its mechanism of infection. The feline morbillivirus, or FeMV, can spread from host to host through urine, similar to the zoonotic Nipah virus.
A new study found that soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) levels are significantly higher in patients with heart failure, predicting both heart failure and death. When combined with traditional measures like BNP, suPAR's predictive ability increases.
A gene signature of four specific genes (SAA1, SAA2, APOL1, and MET) predicts the risk of tumour spreading and survival in kidney cancer patients. The study identified a link between the microenvironment and immune system inhibition.
Researchers found that human kidneys with more blood filters (glomeruli) contained more podocytes per filter. This means that people with more glomeruli not only have more units of podocytes overall, but these cells are more concentrated in each filter. Early discoveries suggest expectant mothers can reduce their babies' future kidney ...
Researchers found a significant association between extreme heat exposure and emergency room visits for acute kidney injury, kidney stones, and urinary tract infections. The impact of extreme heat exposure lasted up to a week, with stronger effects during transitional months.
Researchers develop molecular trick to detach radioactive substance from drug, allowing it to be excreted in urine. This approach enables efficient detection of tumors while minimizing harm to kidneys.
Researchers have developed a new technique that combines ultrasound technologies to move, reposition, or break up kidney stones while the patient is awake and pain-free. In a feasibility study, 29 patients were treated with the new method, resulting in stone passage in 19 cases, with an average time of four days.
A Swedish cohort study found that direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) were associated with a lower risk of kidney function decline or kidney failure compared to vitamin K antagonists (VKA). DOACs also showed a lower risk of acute kidney injury.
Researchers have used single-cell sequencing to uncover novel gene expression patterns in injured kidney cells, providing new avenues for biomarker discovery and treatment. The studies reveal that epithelial cells of all tubule segments are involved in the injury processes, with distinct molecular patterns across patients.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh discovered that a cellular channel outside the kidneys plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy blood pressure levels. The study found that subtle mutations in this channel can influence blood pressure, providing a potential new target for existing medications.
Acute kidney injury (AKI) affects 25% of hospitalized children and has a high mortality rate. Experts have identified key issues and set a research agenda to improve diagnosis, prevention, and care for AKI in kids. The goal is to develop evidence-based guidelines and quality care for these vulnerable patients.
A national US kidney disease registry found that 60% of participants were unaware of their kidney function level, hindering clinical trial recruitment. The National Kidney Foundation Patient Network aims to address this issue through real-world data collection and patient-centered research.
A study from UniSA researchers found associations between metabolic profiles and adverse brain findings, including lower hippocampal and grey matter volumes. People with metabolic profiles linked to obesity were more likely to have higher accumulation of iron in the brain.
Anemia is common among adults with advanced kidney disease, associated with adverse outcomes and low eGFR levels. Effective iron supplementation is a low-risk intervention to address this issue, emphasizing the need for increased testing and treatment.
Researchers identified seven distinct subpopulations of kidney resident macrophages, each with unique transcriptomic signatures and functions. These subpopulations are associated with different portions of the nephron and have distinct roles in protecting the kidney from infection and maintaining tissue health.
Patients requiring emergency dialysis before or after surgery are at increased risk of death and functional decline. Notably, patients undergoing high-risk surgeries like esophagectomy/gastrectomy and heart surgery have significantly higher mortality rates.
Reduced kidney function and increased urine albumin excretion are associated with brain volume reduction in regions typically affected by Alzheimer's disease and other dementia etiologies. Cognitive decline is common in patients with kidney disease, and this study provides new insights into the etiology and localization of brain damage.
A recent study in the Netherlands provides an estimate of the proportion of working-aged kidney transplant recipients who are employed and identifies characteristics associated with lower work functioning. Despite side effects of immunosuppressive therapy and fatigue, stable kidney transplant recipients often function well at work.
Researchers developed a new 3D organoid model that replicates the unique disease process of autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (APRKD). The model identified potential therapeutic targets, including FOS and RAC1, and showed therapeutic effects with FDA-approved drugs.
A new study from Michigan Medicine found that adults with more chronic health conditions are at higher risk of serious financial problems, including late payments, poor credit scores, and bankruptcy. The study analyzed nearly 3 million privately insured adults and found that those with seven or more chronic conditions had three to four...
A new study finds that using race-free equations for estimating kidney function can minimize racial differences in accrued preemptive waiting time. The research suggests that a specific equation, creatinine-based, reduces racial disparities more effectively than another equation, cystatin C-based.
Researchers found that using race-free creatinine formula helps equalize access for Black and white patients. The study showed that among 350 Black patients, kidney failure was reached at an average 23 months, versus an average 22 months for 122 white patients.
For seven years after bariatric surgery, participants showed clinically important improvements in pain levels, physical function, and work productivity, with some backsliding over time. The study found durable effects on walking speed, fitness, and most metrics of pain, even among older adults.
The study found a significant decline in peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis rates over time, with consistent differences in risk by race and age. The decline suggests improvements in clinical practice and highlights the importance of uniform coding standards to identify additional risk factors.
A study from Linköping University shows that individuals with type 1 diabetes should keep their mean long-term sugar level below 53 mmol/mol (7.0%) to avoid serious damage. The risk of eye- and kidney complications increases as the level increases.
A prespecified subgroup analysis of East Asian adults with lupus nephritis found that belimumab added to standard therapy improved kidney outcomes significantly. The study also showed no new safety concerns were raised in the subgroup.
Researchers at Washington University have developed a hydrogel system that preserves biochemistry and mechanical environments of cultured podocyte cells. This allows researchers to identify new ways to control mechanisms used by cells to heal themselves, potentially leading to therapies for currently incurable diseases.
Researchers have developed a new labeling technique to analyze exosomes from specific cell types, providing insights into their role in both health and disease. The technique allows for the identification of protein cargo and RNA in exosomes, enabling the study of cellular communication and potential monitoring of response to treatment.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have developed a highly efficient method to generate human kidney cells, including principal and intercalated cell lines. This breakthrough could lead to new therapies for treating congenital abnormalities of the kidney and urinary tract, such as polycystic kidney disease.
A new study found that kidney transplant recipients experience immune insufficiency during acute COVID-19, despite reduced immunosuppression. This phenomenon is associated with increased expression of innate immune pathways and decreased activation of adaptive immune pathways.
A new study from Aarhus University found that lysine, an amino acid supplement, protects laboratory animals from kidney damage and prevents hypertensive kidney disease. The research suggests that a diet rich in lysine may help prevent or treat kidney diseases, but more studies are needed to confirm the results.
A recent study suggests that many patients on the transplant waitlist would accept lower quality kidneys in exchange for a shorter waiting time. The research identifies three patient-preference classes, with some respondents willing to accept increases in waiting time for small improvements in kidney quality.
A new study found that peritoneal dialysis (PD) costs Medicare less than hemodialysis, even as more patients are placed on PD. The analysis of US Medicare beneficiaries showed that overall average expenditures were 11% higher for hemodialysis than for PD.
Researchers identified differences in PTK activity between normal and cancer kidney tissue, with Src family kinases and PI3K pathways exhibiting high activity. Ex vivo treatment of clear cell RCC with TKIs revealed that tivozanib and cabozantinib were more potent inhibitors than sunitinib or pazopanib.
A quality improvement program increased pneumococcal vaccination rates from 53% to 70% in adults aged 18-64 years with stage 4 and 5 chronic kidney disease. The intervention, which utilized electronic best practice alerts within the electronic medical record, improved vaccination rates primarily among this high-risk group.
Researchers have discovered a molecule that can suppress the development of kidney fibrosis, a condition leading to kidney failure and devastating consequences. The breakthrough could lead to the development of new drug treatments for millions of people affected by chronic kidney disease.
Women tend to have lower kidney function than men in middle age, but their kidney function declines more slowly over time. This study provides important knowledge regarding age-related loss of kidney function and sex disparities in the prevalence of CKD.
Researchers discovered a rare genetic mutation that may lead to better diabetes treatments for patients, regardless of whether they inherited the mutation. The study found that carriers of the mutation had lower levels of adiponectin and higher levels of ceramides in their blood.
A new study published in Pediatric Transplantation found that pediatric kidney transplant patients have better long-term outcomes when their kidney comes from a living donor. The study analyzed data from the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network database and compared the rates of graft failure and death among children who received k...
Scientists aim to improve vein health for patients undergoing heart bypass surgery and dialysis. They discovered that two genes play a crucial role in smooth muscle cell differentiation, enabling veins to mature and function like arteries.
Higher aldosterone concentrations are associated with lower eGFR, lower potassium levels in blood, and higher potassium and protein concentrations in urine. The risk of CKD worsening was independent of diabetes status. Finerenone may help prevent CKD progression by targeting aldosterone's action.
A 12-month exercise program improved physical functioning and aerobic exercise capacity in adults with CKD stages G3b-4. The program, which included resistance and aerobic exercise, showed no significant impact on cardiovascular risk factors.
Researchers identified lipopolysaccharide-responsive and beige-like anchor protein (LRBA) as a crucial regulator of aquaporin-2 water channels in the kidneys. The study found that LRBA interacts with PKA to facilitate AQP2 activation, maintaining water homeostasis and preventing polyuria.