All articles tagged with #organ transplantation
Scientists successfully converted a type-A kidney into a universal type-O kidney using an enzyme technique and transplanted it into a brain-dead recipient, demonstrating potential to increase organ availability and reduce waiting times, although the process is still in early development stages.
A groundbreaking medical procedure in China successfully transplanted a genetically modified pig lung into a human, marking the first such case and demonstrating potential for future organ transplants from animals to humans, with the lung surviving nine days without rejection or infection.
An Israeli hospital, in collaboration with Tel Aviv University, has developed a lab-grown kidney organoid that survived for over 34 weeks, marking a significant advancement in regenerative medicine and offering potential for modeling kidney disease and repairing injured kidneys, though clinical application will require more research.
Scientists in China successfully transplanted a genetically modified pig's lung into a brain-dead human, marking the first such procedure, though the organ was damaged and removed after nine days, highlighting both progress and challenges in xenotransplantation.
The article discusses the evolving and controversial definitions of death, focusing on the expansion from traditional heart and lung cessation to including 'irreversibly comatose' patients on life support, driven by organ transplantation needs and ethical debates about when death truly occurs.
A Swiss man, Luka Kriszanac, who lost his hands and legs at age 12 due to sepsis, successfully received a double hand transplant at Penn Medicine after a 17-year wait, demonstrating a significant medical breakthrough in vascularized composite allotransplantation and highlighting the lifelong relationship between patients and their medical teams.
A phase 3 clinical trial has shown that adding stem cells from the organ donor to kidney transplants can help patients wean off lifelong anti-rejection drugs, which have harmful side effects. The trial found that 16 out of 19 patients were able to stop taking these drugs after two years. This approach, which involves creating a hybrid immune system through "mixed chimerism," could potentially extend the lifespan of transplanted kidneys and reduce the need for repeat transplants. However, more research is needed to apply this method to a broader range of patients and other types of organ transplants.
Houston Methodist Hospital is reviewing nearly 75 patients left without options after Memorial Hermann's transplant programs were shut down amid accusations of a surgeon manipulating donor databases and possibly preventing some patients from receiving livers. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is investigating the allegations, and some of Memorial Hermann's patients may be moving to Houston Methodist for care. UTHealth stands behind the surgeon, while investigators oversee the federal investigation to protect patient safety and equitable access to organ transplant services.
Dr. J. Steve Bynon Jr., a prominent transplant surgeon in Houston, is accused of altering patient records to deny them liver transplants, leading to the suspension of the liver and kidney transplant programs at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center. The hospital is investigating the allegations, and both the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the United Network for Organ Sharing are also involved. Patients have been contacted to explore alternative care options, and the severity of the allegations has prompted a thorough response from regulatory authorities and medical professionals.
The world's first recipient of a genetically modified pig kidney transplant experienced a rejection episode before leaving the hospital, but has since shown no further signs of distress. The groundbreaking procedure, performed by Massachusetts General Hospital, involved a transplant of an engineered porcine kidney, and the positive outcome is an encouraging sign for future trials of cross-species transplantation. The patient's recovery is being closely monitored, and ongoing discussions are being held with the FDA about initiating a clinical trial for pig kidney transplants.
Richard Slayman, 62, has become the first patient to receive a kidney from a genetically modified pig and has been discharged from the hospital just two weeks after the groundbreaking surgery. The successful outcome of the transplant represents a significant moment in medicine and could potentially signal a new era of cross-species organ transplantation. Slayman expressed gratitude for the exceptional care he received and is now looking forward to a healthier future.
The use of perfusion, a technique that keeps donated organs alive outside the body, is reshaping organ transplantation by increasing the number of transplants possible and changing the way surgeons operate. This technology has led to a significant increase in the volume of liver, lung, and heart transplants, with some surgical programs experiencing a 30 percent uptick in transplants since its adoption. Additionally, the field is exploring the use of organs from genetically modified animals as potential sources for transplants.
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny's funeral in Moscow is threatened by heavy police presence, while over 100 civilians in Gaza are killed while seeking aid from aid trucks, with conflicting reports from Israel and witnesses. Scientists have started cloning genetically modified pigs for organ transplantation, raising ethical and safety concerns. Journalist Charles Duhigg shares tips on becoming a supercommunicator, and NPR recommends weekend picks for movies, TV, books, and games. Iowa basketball phenom Caitlin Clark plans to enter the WNBA draft, Sony Interactive Entertainment is laying off 900 PlayStation employees, and AI facial recognition is making it easier to track whales for research.
Surgeons at Penn Medicine successfully connected a genetically modified pig liver to the body of a deceased person, demonstrating the potential for using pig organs in human patients. The procedure, using CRISPR-edited pig liver, aimed to show that the organ could function without being rejected by the immune system. This breakthrough could serve as a bridge to recovery for patients awaiting human donor organs and may help alleviate the chronic shortage of donated human organs. The success of this initial test paves the way for further research and potential future use of pig organs in human transplantation.
Surgeons at the University of Pennsylvania successfully attached a genetically altered pig liver to a brain-dead person, which functioned normally for 72 hours, marking a step toward using pig organs to help patients with failing livers. The experiment aims to stabilize patients awaiting liver transplants and provide temporary support for those whose livers could recover. Researchers genetically altered pigs to make their organs a better match for humans, and the biotech company eGenesis is aiming to use gene editing to achieve this. The study represents a potential solution to the organ shortage crisis, but further research is needed to determine the long-term viability and effectiveness of this approach.