Articles tagged with Kidney
A recent UK trial found that treating patients with transplant-rejecting antibodies did not reduce transplant failure rates. The OuTSMART trial tested two groups of over 2000 transplant patients and found no significant difference in failure rates between those who received oral drugs and those who followed standard care.
Researchers have created a humanized mouse model that can predict the best match for a living organ donor and detect early signs of transplant rejection. The model uses a combination of HLA-G and B regulatory cells to identify patients who may need less immunosuppressive therapy.
A new approach combining organ-in-a-dish and organ-on-a-chip technologies reveals the crucial role of glucose in forming polycystic kidney disease (PKD) cysts. Researchers found that PKD cysts absorb glucose, leading to rapid expansion and potentially life-threatening complications.
Researchers discovered that sugar plays a key role in the formation of fluid-filled cysts associated with polycystic kidney disease (PKD). By understanding this process, they identified a potential new approach to treating PKD, focusing on blocking sugar absorption in the kidneys.
A new study suggests that chronic dysentery is unlikely to have been the cause of Edward the Black Prince's death. Instead, experts point to alternative causes such as malaria, inflammatory bowel disease, and brucellosis, which could have contributed to his fluctuating illness.
Regular follow-up clinic visits with a nephrologist after hospital discharge significantly reduce mortality risk in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI). This study found that such visits, focusing on cardiovascular disease and kidney complications management, lead to lower mortality rates by 29% compared to standard care.
A recent study discovered a link between soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) and the development of atherosclerosis, a hardening of arteries that affects over a billion people worldwide. SuPAR was found to cause inflammation in blood vessels, leading to cardiovascular events and increasing risk of heart disease.
The 2017 American Academy of Pediatrics guideline shows higher levels of proteinuria in children with hypertensive range blood pressure. Clinicians should re-calculate BP percentiles using the new guidelines to accurately diagnose and treat hypertension in pediatric chronic kidney disease.
A new study suggests that existing medicines can prevent long-term damage to the kidney and cardiovascular system caused by acute kidney injury. In mice, endothelin-blocking medicines showed promising results in reducing inflammation, blood pressure, and scarring in the kidney.
A study of 510 children with chronic kidney disease found that declining hemoglobin levels were associated with significant growth impairment even when above guideline-targeted levels. Lower hemoglobin values are linked to poorer growth, independent of kidney function and age.
A study of over one million Medicaid beneficiaries found that more than half experienced significant lapses in coverage, with only 25% continuously enrolled throughout the period. The authors recommend increasing investments to improve long-term health outcomes.
Researchers found that a one-year increase in retinal age was associated with a 10% higher risk of incident kidney failure over 11 years. Retinal age gap, a non-invasive biomarker based on retinal imaging, may help identify people at elevated risk for kidney failure.
Researchers at Aarhus University found a link between lipid kinase VPS34 and viral protection in the kidneys. The study used multiomics analysis to show that blocking lipid kinase could reduce viral entry and increase nutrient retention, offering potential new treatments for kidney diseases and infections.
A large US study found that excess oxygen during surgery is associated with a higher risk of kidney, heart, and lung injury. The study of over 350,000 patients suggests that liberal use of oxygen may be harmful to the body's cells and tissues.
A study found that combining medications can substantially prolong patients' survival free of kidney failure. For a 50-year-old patient, estimated survival was 17.0 years with combination therapy versus 9.6 years with no treatment.
Inducing a hibernation-like state in mice using Q neuron activation has been shown to protect kidneys from oxygen deprivation and avoid harmful side effects. This technique could lead to new methods of performing heart surgery with reduced organ damage.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded Albert Einstein College of Medicine a five-year, $6.6 million grant to train young scientists in kidney, urology, and hematology research. The New York Consortium for Interdisciplinary Training in Kidney, Urological, and Hematological Research will bring together experts from four medical s...
A large South Korean cohort study found a five-fold increased risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) for adults with persistent hematuria. Associations were stronger in men compared to women.
A study published in CJASN found that symptoms related to kidney failure worsened before dialysis but stabilized after initiation. The analysis revealed a significant decrease in symptom number and burden after dialysis, particularly for fatigue and sexual symptoms.
Two new studies found that dialysis facilities owned by nephrologists may provide better care, with patients receiving home dialysis more often. Additionally, a shorter interval between dialysis and surgery was associated with improved post-surgery survival rates.
Researchers found that females have an advantage at the molecular level, with high NRF2 activity protecting against ferroptosis and promoting kidney resilience. This discovery suggests that female hormonal environments could be therapeutically harnessed to improve kidney repair in both sexes.
A new technique analyzing urine extracellular vesicles can detect changes in the kidneys earlier than conventional methods and predict renal function decline. This method has the potential to develop new urine tests that can catch the disease earlier, as well as similar tests for other diseases.
A higher urine-to-plasma urea ratio is associated with faster decline in eGFR and development of kidney failure in patients with common forms of CKD. This biomarker may improve risk prediction, particularly in low-cost, easily measurable assays.
Researchers developed a strategy combining urinary albumin:creatinine ratio (UACR) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) slope to predict treatment effects on patient outcomes. This approach improved predictions in phase 2 clinical trials with sample sizes of 100–200 patients per arm or follow-up times ranging between 1 and 2 years.
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.