Copyright 2009 Medical News Today Latest Transplants / Organ Donations News From Medical News Today. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/transplants/ admin@medicalnewstoday.com (MNT Admin) editors@medicalnewstoday.com (MNT Editors) en-us Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169949.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169949.php Coronary Risk Factors Increase After Liver Transplantation (#7991) Patients who have undergone a liver transplant may have a significantly increased risk for developing cardiovascular risk factors. Researchers from New York Medical College assessed the incidence of new coronary risk factors and coronary artery disease in 200 patients (mean age, 58 years) after liver transplantation. All patients received prednisone for the first 3 months after transplantation. Cardiovascular / Cardiology Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169943.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169943.php Extended Therapy for Blood Clot Prevention Yields Greater Benefits in Hip/Knee Surgery (#8587) Patients undergoing total knee replacement (TKR) or total hip replacement (THR) surgeries may experience better outcomes if they receive extended therapy for the prevention of thrombosis (blood clots). Vascular Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169717.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169717.php As the first multimedia campaign to promote organ donation rolls out across the UK today, new research reveals the gap between what we would take and what we are prepared to give. While 96% of us would accept an organ if we needed one, only 27% of us have the joined the NHS Organ Donor Register (ODR). Many of us (45%) have the best intentions to sign up to the ODR and commit to donate our organs for transplantation after our death, but just haven't got round to it. Transplants / Organ Donations Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169629.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169629.php Specially developed immune system cells that target the common Epstein-Barr virus can protect immune-suppressed bone marrow transplant recipients against lymph system disease and cancers that arise from the viral infection, said a group of researchers led by those from Baylor College of Medicine, The Methodist Hospital and Texas Children's Hospital. Lymphoma / Leukemia / Myeloma Mon, 02 Nov 2009 03:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169469.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169469.php Extending hepatitis C treatment for liver transplant patients beyond current practice results in high rates of clearance of the hepatitis C virus from the blood, as well as a low rate of relapse, according to a Henry Ford Hospital study. "We found that patients who achieved a sustained virological response were more likely to have had extended treatment," says Kimberly Brown, M.D., Division head of Gastroenterology at Henry Ford Hospital and senior author of the study. Liver Disease / Hepatitis Mon, 02 Nov 2009 03:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169471.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169471.php Individuals with a history of lupus who receive a kidney transplant rarely develop the serious inflammatory condition lupus nephritis in their new organ, according to a paper being presented at the American Society of Nephrology's 42nd Annual Meeting and Scientific Exposition in San Diego, CA. The findings indicate that having lupus should not keep individuals from seeking a kidney transplant if they need one. Transplants / Organ Donations Mon, 02 Nov 2009 03:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169475.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169475.php Switching to a newer type of immunosuppressant drug may reduce the high rate of skin cancer after kidney transplantation, according to research presented at the American Society of Nephrology's 42nd Annual Meeting and Scientific Exposition in San Diego, CA. Transplants / Organ Donations Mon, 02 Nov 2009 01:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169451.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169451.php The race of kidney donors may affect the survival rates of transplant recipients according to a study by Henry Ford Hospital. "We found that transplant between races had better outcomes than transplant across races," says Anita Patel, M.D., transplant nephrologist at Henry Ford Hospital Transplant Institute and lead author of the study. Transplants / Organ Donations Sat, 31 Oct 2009 01:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169358.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169358.php A recent study by doctors at Shinshu University, School of Medicine, in Japan determined that left side grafting has lower risk to donors compared to grafts taken from the right lobe, and it appears to be the procedure of choice for adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Researchers also found that graft size was not the only cause behind "small-for-size graft syndrome," a severe complication resulting in organ malfunction and transplant failure. Transplants / Organ Donations Sat, 31 Oct 2009 01:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169359.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169359.php Trophoblast stem cells (TSCs), cells found in the layer of peripheral embryonic stem cells from which the placenta is formed, are thought to exhibit "immune privilege" that aids cell survivability and is potentially beneficial for cell and gene therapies. Further, the survivability of TSCs has been thought to require the presence of ovarian hormones. However, none of these assumptions has ever been verified. Stem Cell Research Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169299.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169299.php Kidney transplant consent forms are often written at a level that makes it difficult for many kidney patients to fully understand them, according to a paper presented at the American Society of Nephrology's annual meeting in San Diego, CA. The study findings indicate that consent forms are written on average at a 12th-grade reading level, but to ensure all patients fully comprehend treatment options should be prepared at a 5th - 8th grade reading level. Transplants / Organ Donations Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169300.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169300.php Pre-dialysis transplant recipients with a high level of kidney function don't benefit from their transplant more than pre-dialysis recipients with low level kidney function, according to a paper presented at the American Society of Nephrology's 42nd Annual Meeting and Scientific Exposition in San Diego, CA. The findings indicate that there may be no urgency for kidney disease patients to get a transplant while their kidneys are still somewhat healthy. Transplants / Organ Donations Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169303.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169303.php Get-togethers with a kidney disease patient's family and friends can improve their willingness to consider donation, according to a paper presented at the American Society of Nephrology's 42nd Annual Meeting and Scientific Exposition in San Diego, CA. The findings indicate that group-education of patients' relatives and friends is an effective way to help alleviate the organ shortage and increase living donations. Transplants / Organ Donations Fri, 30 Oct 2009 02:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169236.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169236.php Although women with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are at lower risk for developing cirrhosis, researchers who compared outcomes for men and women after having liver transplantation found that women have a significantly increased risk of overall graft loss and graft loss from recurrent HCV than men. Liver Disease / Hepatitis Fri, 30 Oct 2009 02:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169244.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169244.php Compared with veteran doctors, recent medical school graduates are more likely to refer chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients for kidney transplantation before their patients require dialysis, according to a paper being presented at the American Society of Nephrology's 42nd Annual Meeting and Scientific Exposition in San Diego, CA. These findings suggest that more recent medical training is associated with early referral. Transplants / Organ Donations Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169188.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169188.php A Swiss research team has found that using an animal's own brain cells (autologous transplant) to replace degenerated neurons in select brain areas of donor primates with simulated but asymptomatic Parkinson's disease and previously in a motor cortex lesion model, provides a degree of brain protection and may be useful in repairing brain lesions and restoring function. Parkinson's Disease Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169199.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169199.php The Salk Institute has been awarded a $10.8 million grant by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) for translational research focusing on developing a novel stem-cell based therapy for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) - or Lou Gehrig's Disease. Sam Pfaff, Ph.D. Muscular Dystrophy / ALS Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169156.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169156.php For the first time, scientists in the McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University Health Network have successfully used gene therapy to repair injured human donor lungs, making them potentially suitable for transplantation into patients. This technique could significantly expand the number of donor lungs by using organs that are currently discarded, and improve outcomes after transplantation. In their pioneering work, a team of researchers led by Dr. Transplants / Organ Donations Wed, 28 Oct 2009 06:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169025.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169025.php UT Southwestern Medical Center patient Michael LeBlanc, 40, is the first in North Texas to receive the newest generation of a mechanical device designed to improve heart function. It will be his lifeline while he awaits a heart transplant. Called a left-ventricular assist device (LVAD), its purpose is to help a patient's weakened heart pump blood throughout the body. For Mr. LeBlanc, it will help his ailing heart continue to pump until the Irving resident receives a new heart. Cardiovascular / Cardiology Wed, 28 Oct 2009 03:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168980.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168980.php Face and Hand Transplants - Ready to Become Mainstream Medicine? Though once inconceivable, face and hand transplants are quickly making themselves more present, both in the operating room and in the media. The world's first hand transplant was performed more than a decade ago, and the first partial-face transplant performed in the United States (and most extensive procedure to date) was completed this year. Cosmetic Medicine / Plastic Surgery Fri, 23 Oct 2009 03:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168443.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168443.php Each year 3-5 million people have severe cases and 250-500,000 die from complications of seasonal influenza world-wide. This year, the novel 2009 H1N1 (nH1N1) influenza, previously called swine flu, has reached pandemic status. Since novel 2009 H1N1 is a viral infection of the respiratory tract, there are additional challenges for cardiopulmonary transplant recipients and donors, as well as for the healthcare workers involved in the transplant process. Swine Flu Thu, 22 Oct 2009 02:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168236.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168236.php Patients who have received liver transplants may hold the secret to preventing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is a leading cause of blindness in the elderly. A chemical fault in the liver is known to be more common in people who suffer from this complex eye condition. Now doctors at Southampton General Hospital want to know what happens when patients receive a new liver without the fault. Eye Health / Blindness Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168244.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168244.php Recently published research suggests that more than half of babies now born in wealthier nations will reach the age of 100, but unless we do something about it, their bodies will still degenerate at the same rate with age and their extra years will be accompanied by poor quality of life, so a new 50 million pound project was launched in the UK this week to find ways to give people "50 active years after 50". Seniors / Aging Wed, 21 Oct 2009 04:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168139.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168139.php At its general assembly in New Delhi, India, the World Medical Association (WMA), "a conglomerate of medical associations around the world," approved a plan that aims "to minimise the risk of increased malnutrition deaths, diseases and injuries due to climate change," IANS/Thaindian News reports (10/17). Water - Air Quality / Agriculture Tue, 20 Oct 2009 04:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/167972.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/167972.php Researchers say a new development in cord blood transplants for inherited metabolic disorders may be curative for some babies who are treated while still in the womb. Joanne Kurtzberg, M.D., professor of pediatrics and pathology and director of the pediatric blood and marrow transplant program at Duke University Medical Center, says the new approach uses a small, select number of therapeutic stem cells that have been treated to hasten and improve the process of engraftment. Transplants / Organ Donations