Research on kidney function and disease. Covers kidney-failure prevention, gestational diabetes links, environmental risks, and gum-kidney connections.
The HALP score, a novel immune-nutritional marker, has been linked to prognostic ability in different cancer types. It integrates indicators of immune status and nutritional status, showing promise as a cost-effective biomarker.
Researchers identified a type of immune cell called age-associated B cells as key drivers of lupus disease. Targeting these cells in a mouse model reduced disease progression, suggesting a potential new therapy for lupus patients.
A new study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine reveals that physical activity is 1.5 times more effective than counselling or medications in managing depression. The review of 97 reviews and 1039 trials shows that exercise interventions, especially those lasting 12 weeks or less, can significantly reduce mental health ...
A new study links genetic changes in kidney cancer to patient outcomes, identifying four groups of patients based on mutation presence. This research may lead to more effective prediction of recurrence risk and personalized treatment for thousands of patients annually.
A decade-long international study has linked genetic changes in kidney cancer to patient outcomes, identifying four groups of patients based on specific genes. The findings suggest that tumour DNA sequencing may provide a more effective way to predict patient risk of kidney cancer recurrence.
Researchers identified a higher rate of premature arteriovenous graft failure among African American patients undergoing dialysis access interventions. The study, published in Radiology, found that these patients were more vulnerable to experiencing early dialysis access dysfunction and failure.
A study found that cystatin C-based eGFR was strongly correlated with creatinine-based eGFR and that 27% of patients would be classified as having a more severe chronic kidney stage based on cystatin C test results. The use of cystatin C can lead to changes in CKD staging, which can impact clinical management.
Researchers estimate that up to 2% of adults in these regions have heart failure, with significant health risks and costs. The study analyzed digital health records from 11 countries and found that preventive treatment should focus on stopping further worsening of heart failure and kidney function.
A new study by the University of Bristol has found that spironolactone can help preserve the glycocalyx layer on blood vessels in the kidneys, reducing damage from diabetes. This discovery could lead to more effective treatments for diabetic kidney disease without adverse side effects.
Researchers analyzed electronic health record data from over 7.1 million children to identify risk factors associated with a faster decline in kidney function, including disease origin, proteinuria, hypertension, and younger age. The study found that certain attributes are linked to a more rapid decline in kidney function, providing va...
A University of Houston engineer has made a groundbreaking discovery that could improve pharmaceuticals by controlling the growth of ammonium urate crystals. By manipulating tautomers, researchers found that a small fraction can control crystal growth, potentially preventing crystallization and related health issues.
A recent study from the University of Bergen found that elevated plasma methylmalonic acid is associated with an increased risk of acute myocardial infarction and mortality in patients with suspected or verified coronary heart disease. Higher plasma MMA levels were linked to reduced renal function and low vitamin B12 status, but also p...
Scientists at Duke-NUS Medical School and NHCS have discovered that blocking an immune-regulating protein called interleukin-11 enables damaged kidney cells to regenerate, restoring impaired kidney function. This breakthrough suggests a new approach for treating chronic kidney disease.
A University of Houston research team has developed a new method for early diagnosis and monitoring of lupus nephritis using a smartphone-based test. The test assesses the levels of ALCAM protein in urine, showing high diagnostic accuracy for renal pathology activity in active lupus nephritis.
A study found that standardizing evaluation processes and expanding telehealth use can significantly improve access to kidney transplants for African Americans. The interventions also led to increased organ acceptance rates, but post-transplant survival outcomes were not statistically significant.
Researchers have solved an 80-year-old medical mystery that causes kidney damage in children and can be fatal in babies. They discovered a gene mutation is the primary cause, but found that around 10% of patients without the mutation still experience symptoms.
A Dartmouth-led study found that team-based coaching significantly improves the risk of acquiring post-procedural acute kidney injury (AKI) when compared to other interventions. The Collaborative with Surveillance intervention reduced the odds of AKI by 46 percent, making it a promising approach to address this prevalent adverse event.
Research from Brigham and Women's Hospital found that genetic analysis can identify up to 65% more A2 donors, increasing potential kidney transplants for recipient candidates with blood type B. This could improve availability and equity in kidney transplantation.
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.
Higher levels of omega 3 fatty acids found in seafood are associated with a modestly lower risk of chronic kidney disease and slower decline in kidney function. Plant derived omega 3 fatty acids show no association with CKD risk.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.