Research on kidney function and disease. Covers kidney-failure prevention, gestational diabetes links, environmental risks, and gum-kidney connections.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A new USC analysis found that the largest Medicare Advantage plans pay 27% more for outpatient dialysis treatment compared to traditional Medicare. This significant markup is attributed to the consolidation of the dialysis industry, with two large chains supplying over three-quarters of all dialysis services in the US.
A Mayo Clinic study found that diets rich in calcium and potassium can help prevent recurrent symptomatic kidney stones. Patients who experienced a first-time stone were more likely to experience recurrence if their diet was low in these nutrients.
Women are less likely to receive diagnostic codes related to CKD, be referred to a nephrologist, and have their kidney function monitored compared to men. Despite guidelines recommending equal care, women receive suboptimal management of chronic kidney disease, with lower rates of testing and guideline-recommended medications.
Adults with chronic kidney disease are more likely to have a low intake of fruits and vegetables compared to similar individuals without the condition. This study suggests that increasing fruit and vegetable consumption may be beneficial for overall health.
Pediatric kidney transplant recipients with high tacrolimus intrapatient variability are at increased risk of developing antibodies against the transplanted kidney. This variability can be identified through hospital electronic health records, allowing for early intervention to prevent rejection and improve graft outcomes.
A qualitative study highlights the importance of timely and balanced information exchange in shared decision-making for vascular access placement. This collaborative approach involves presenting choices, sharing personalized knowledge, and eliciting patients' values and preferences to strengthen treatment plans.
A new analysis led by University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health epidemiologists found that adults who undergo bariatric surgery are more than twice as likely to get married within five years. Conversely, married patients who receive bariatric surgery are more than twice as likely to get divorced.
Researchers analyzed electronic health records and found rosuvastatin associated with higher risks of hematuria, proteinuria, and kidney failure. High-dose rosuvastatin poses additional risk, especially for patients with advanced kidney disease.
Studies in rats have found that T-cells produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) that contribute to preeclampsia complications. Researchers are exploring ways to dampen this response to reduce the risk of premature birth or worse outcomes for mother and child.
A new clinical model predicts hospital mortality and major adverse kidney events in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury. The proposed model exhibits good performance for outcome prediction, enabling timely interventions to promote kidney recovery.
Researchers at the University of South Australia have discovered that combining anti-rejection medication with immune checkpoint inhibitors can significantly reduce the risk of organ rejection and eliminate cancer cells in a quarter of patients. The study involved 22 patients with renal transplants and incurable locally advanced or met...
Lumasiran, an RNA interference therapeutic, has been shown to reduce oxalate levels in patients with primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1) who have relatively preserved kidney function. In the ILLUMINATE-C study, lumasiran resulted in substantial reductions in plasma oxalate with acceptable safety in patients on hemodialysis.
A study found that widely-used kidney function tests are inaccurate for predicting kidney disease in African populations, suggesting a significant underestimation of kidney disease prevalence. The creatinine-based test was shown to be less effective due to unique biological characteristics in African populations, while the cystatin C t...
A study published in The American Journal of Medicine found that regular physical activity can substantially reduce the risk of chronic kidney disease in individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Participants with higher levels of fitness showed a significantly lower risk of developing the disease, even among those with low soc...
A recent study published in JASN uncovers a previously overlooked mechanism contributing to ADPKD, suggesting that the loss of polycystin-2 protein in the endoplasmic reticulum plays a crucial role. Activating TricB may be a promising treatment strategy for ADPKD.
Research suggests that paternal genetic factors play a role in susceptibility to preeclampsia, but the impact of paternal phenotype and lifestyle remains unclear. The study found no significant differences in socioeconomic background or health history between fathers with preeclamptic pregnancies and those without.
Researchers generated simple kidney-like structures called organoids and used them to identify potential drugs for adult-onset polycystic kidney disease. They found nine compounds that inhibited cyst growth without stunting overall growth.
A study found that rates of serious complications associated with shoulder surgery are low, but one in 26 patients need further surgery within a year. The effectiveness of some shoulder procedures is doubtful at best, according to experts.
Researchers have discovered that Schwann Cell Precursors are the origin of tuberous sclerosis complex tumours in the kidney. Lab-grown 'mini-kidneys' were used to create a genetic profile similar to TSC tumours, revealing the diversity in tumour size and cellular makeup within patients.
A case report highlights the dangers of excessive vitamin D intake, with symptoms including abdominal pain, leg cramps, and kidney abnormalities. Doctors warn that hypervitaminosis D is on the rise and can lead to serious health problems if not taken safely.
A cross-sectional study found significant differences between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and directly measured GFR (mGFR), highlighting the importance of considering uncertainty in eGFR calculations. Researchers suggest renaming eGFR as a population average GFR to improve accuracy.
Researchers at Kyoto University discovered a unique subpopulation of resident fibroblasts that produce erythropoietin, a hormone critical for oxygen delivery in the kidneys. This 'crack team' of kidney cells has been found to play a crucial role in disease recovery and may hold new avenues for treatment.
Researchers found that factory-calibrated continuous glucose monitors are sufficiently accurate for estimating blood-sugar levels in patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis. The devices showed 'clinical reliability', with almost 99% of readings accurate enough to be used without confirmatory fingerstick blood sugar readings.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that patients who received lactated Ringer solution instead of normal saline for IV fluids had a lower risk of kidney injury and death. The study, which included nearly 150,000 hospital patients, showed a 2.2% reduced risk of major adverse kidney events.
A new study from Karolinska Institutet has identified a key mechanism behind treatment resistance in a deadly form of kidney cancer. By increasing mitochondrial content in cancer cells, researchers found that these cells became susceptible to the cancer drug sorafenib. This breakthrough offers hope for more targeted cancer treatments.
Researchers found that invasive therapy for non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction in patients with CKD is associated with lower mortality and reduced risk of cardiac events. The study challenges the dominant practice of offering medical management instead of invasive therapy for this population.
Chronic kidney disease and glaucoma have been found to share common risk factors such as diabetes and hypertension, leading to a higher risk of developing both conditions. The study also reveals that patients with glaucoma are more likely to develop chronic kidney disease over time.
A study found that over 60% of parents of children with kidney disease or hypertension are unsure or unwilling to vaccinate their child against COVID-19. Effective vaccines exist to protect children from COVID-19, and the findings highlight the need for clear communication to address parental concerns.
A recent review article highlights the crucial role of macrophages in the progression from acute kidney injury (AKI) to chronic kidney disease (CKD). The study suggests that targeting specific signaling pathways and altering macrophage activation can prevent renal fibrosis and CKD. Therapeutic strategies such as clodronate liposomes an...
A new algorithm can analyze thousands of genomic variants to estimate a person's risk of developing chronic kidney disease, with the highest scores indicating tripled risk compared to the general population. Early detection may prevent many cases of kidney failure and reduce the need for transplant or dialysis.
A study found that US adults receiving hemodialysis with high air pollution exposure have more heart attacks and strokes compared to those with low exposure. The strongest associations were noted among patients who were Asian, older, or had chronic lung disease at dialysis initiation.
A third dose of COVID-19 vaccine may be essential for kidney transplant patients in Japan to prevent severe disease and infection. Researchers found that only a third of patients developed sufficient antibodies after two doses, highlighting the need for additional protection.
A recent study published in Kidney International Reports reveals that consuming at least one cup of coffee per day may reduce the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) by 15%. The largest reductions were observed in individuals who drank two to three cups of coffee daily, with a 22% lower risk.