Nephrology News and Research

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Nephrology is a branch of internal medicine and pediatrics dealing with the study of the function and diseases of the kidney.

N.Y. Times examines why many kidneys available for transplant are discarded

In each of the past five years, more than 2,600 kidneys were recovered and discarded, according to government data.

21 Sep 2012

Loss of IGSF1 gene function causes central hypothyroidism

Loss of function in the X-linked immunoglobulin superfamily member 1 (IGSF1) gene causes central hypothyroidism, testicular enlargement, and variable prolactin deficiency, according to data presented at the 82nd Annual Meeting of the American Thyroid Association in Québec City, Québec, Canada.

21 Sep 2012

First Edition: September 20, 2012

Today's headlines include reports that the health law's penalty for not obtaining health insurance could hit as many as 6 million people.

21 Sep 2012

Cytochroma commences CTAP101 phase 3 study in secondary hyperparathyroidism

Cytochroma today announced the initiation of a phase 3 study of CTAP101 capsules in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT), stage 3 or 4 chronic kidney disease (CKD) and vitamin D insufficiency.

21 Sep 2012

Gum disease bacteria linked to pancreatic cancer risk

People with high levels of antibodies to bacteria linked to periodontal disease have an increased risk for pancreatic cancer, while the risk is reduced in those with increased antibodies to oral commensal bacteria, say researchers.

20 Sep 2012

Study: 46% of living kidney transplant donor recipients are minorities

The largest U.S. multicenter study of living kidney transplant donor chains showed that 46 percent of recipients are minorities, a finding that allays previous fears that these groups would be disadvantaged by expansion of the donor pool through this type of exchange process.

20 Sep 2012

PCA inhibits multiple pathways involved in development of diabetic nephropathy

Diabetic nephropathy is one of the most serious complications related to diabetes, often leading to end-stage kidney disease. Purple corn grown in Peru and Chile is a relative of blue corn, which is readily available in the U.S.

20 Sep 2012

AIUM grants ultrasound practice accreditation to Smith Institute for Urology

The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) recently granted ultrasound practice accreditation in urology to Smith Institute for Urology in New Hyde Park, New York. This is the first practice to receive accreditation in the practice of urology from the AIUM.

19 Sep 2012

Fecal incontinence remains a problem after laparoscopic surgery

Fecal incontinence improves after surgery for rectal prolapse, but research shows that the degree of improvement is quite low.

19 Sep 2012

Measures of kidney function may be linked to thrombosis

Estimated glomerular filtration rate and albumin-creatinine ratio are independently associated with venous thromboembolism, research suggests.

18 Sep 2012

Measures of kidney function may be linked to thrombosis

Estimated glomerular filtration rate and albumin-creatinine ratio are independently associated with venous thromboembolism, research suggests.

18 Sep 2012

Thalidomide effective in treating disabling cough among people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

In the first clinical trial to demonstrate an effective treatment for constant, disabling cough among people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine found that taking thalidomide significantly reduced the cough and improved quality of life.

18 Sep 2012

Harris Health System celebrates completion of Smith Clinic

On Sept. 12, Harris Health System celebrated the completion of Smith Clinic, the system's first outpatient specialty facility. The new facility enhances and expands specialty care for patients formerly seen at hospital-based clinics located at Ben Taub Hospital.

18 Sep 2012

Important data from Pfizer’s lung cancer and RCC portfolios to be presented at ESMO Congress

Pfizer Oncology today announced that important data from its lung cancer and renal cell carcinoma (RCC) portfolios will be presented at the upcoming European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress in Vienna, Austria, September 28 - October 2, 2012.

18 Sep 2012

Routine endoscopy reduces gastric bypass complication, morbidity rates

The complication/failure and morbidity rates of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass can be substantially reduced by the routine use of intraoperative endoscopy with the linear anastomosis technique, the results of a US study indicate.

17 Sep 2012

Water mineral content link to alcoholic liver disease

Low magnesium content in water supplies may contribute to the development of alcoholic liver disease, say the authors of a UK study.

17 Sep 2012

Orthopedists should suspect necrotizing fasciitis in patients with out of proportion pain

Dr. Russell Russo, an Orthopedic Surgeon at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans, and other researchers stress that orthopedists should have a high index of suspicion for necrotizing fasciitis, or flesh-eating bacterial infection, in every patient with pain or other symptoms that are out of proportion to the initial diagnosis. Their recommendations are published in the September 2012 issue of Orthopedics Today.

17 Sep 2012

Anthera to initiate blisibimod Phase 3 program for systemic lupus erythematosus

Anthera Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing drugs to treat serious diseases associated with inflammation and autoimmune disorders, today provided an update on regulatory discussions for the global development of blisibimod.

17 Sep 2012

Researchers investigate African plants effective in treating snakebite

A PhD student at the University of Copenhagen has drawn on nature's own pharmacy to help improve the treatment of snakebites in Africa.

17 Sep 2012

Risks of antidiabetic drug substantially overrated for patients with reduced kidney function

The antidiabetic drug metformin is not prescribed for patients with reduced kidney function because the risk of adverse effects has been regarded as unacceptably high. A study at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden, has found that the risks have been substantially overrated. As a result, many more patients with diabetes may be able to enjoy the benefits of the medication.

17 Sep 2012