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.

Access to kidney transplantation increases for elderly patients

Elderly patients with kidney failure get kidney transplants more often than they did a decade ago, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN). The results suggest that the chances of receiving a kidney transplant are better than ever for an older patient who needs one.

29 Oct 2010

Low birth weight linked to poor growth in children with CKD

The lower the birth weight, the greater the chance of poor growth rate in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to a new study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN).

29 Oct 2010

Antigenics third quarter net loss decreases from $10.8 million to $5.9 million

Antigenics Inc. reported today its results for the quarter ended September 30, 2010. The company incurred a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $5.9 million, or $0.06 per share, basic and diluted, for the third quarter of 2010, compared with a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $10.8 million, or $0.13 per share, basic and diluted, in the third quarter of 2009.

28 Oct 2010

Octapharma initiates Human-cl rhFVIII clinical study for severe hemophilia A

Octapharma, one of the largest human protein products manufacturers in the world, today announced that patients diagnosed with severe hemophilia A have started treatment with the first recombinant Factor VIII derived from a human cell line (Human-cl rhFVIII). Researchers are investigating pharmacokinetics, efficacy, safety and immunogenicity of Human-cl rhFVIII for previously treated patients with severe hemophilia A.

28 Oct 2010

Scientists suggest FDA to reevaluate safety of plant-based antioxidants

Scientists are calling for more research on the possibility that some supposedly healthful plant-based antioxidants including those renowned for their apparent ability to prevent cancer may actually aggravate or even cause cancer in some individuals.

28 Oct 2010

Systemic amyloidosis patient to receive triple organ transplant

In 2005, then 40-year-old Walt McGuire was playing hockey twice a week, working full-time and chasing his young daughter. Then one day, he noticed after one trip up the stairs to catch her, he couldn't catch his breath. A few days later his legs were swollen. After numerous trips to different doctors, McGuire finally was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder called amyloidosis.

28 Oct 2010

DMC and Vanguard extend definitive purchase agreement

The DMC Board voted this afternoon to extend their definitive purchase agreement with Vanguard Health Systems through the end of the year, allowing more time to complete governmental approvals. Vanguard's purchase of – and $850 million capital investment in – the Detroit Medical Center is the single largest private investment in Detroit's history.

27 Oct 2010

More research needed on impact of exercise on hypertensive patients

There are many good reasons to ensure sufficient exercise in everyday life. However, advising patients with increased blood pressure (hypertension) to exercise regularly is often regarded as a specific medical measure aiming to reduce the increased risk of late complications. But whether more exercise actually helps to avoid illnesses related to hypertension or at least delay their onset has been insufficiently investigated.

27 Oct 2010

Rockwell receives SFP patent for GMP formulation

Rockwell Medical a fully-integrated biopharmaceutical company offering innovative products and services targeting end-stage renal disease (ESRD), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and iron deficiency anemia, announced today that it has received notice from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for patent issuance on its proprietary GMP formulation for Soluble Ferric Pyrophosphate (SFP), the Company's lead-drug candidate for treating iron deficiency anemia in ESRD patients.

27 Oct 2010

Medicare reimbursement changes increase demand for intermittent catheters

According to Millennium Research Group (MRG), the global authority on medical technology market intelligence, reimbursement changes have caused the demand for intermittent catheters to increase significantly. In April 2008, Medicare changed reimbursement to cover up to 200 catheters per month, instead of the previous 4 that it covered.

26 Oct 2010

Keryx completes randomization of last patient in Zerenex Phase 3 study for hyperphosphatemia

Keryx Biopharmaceuticals reported today the randomization of the last patient in its short-term study component of its Phase 3 registration program of Zerenex™ (ferric citrate), the Company's iron-based phosphate binder for the treatment of elevated serum phosphorous levels, or hyperphosphatemia, in patients with end-stage renal disease on dialysis.

26 Oct 2010

Tengion presents data on Neo-Kidney Augment at Transplantation's Annual Scientific Exchange

Tengion, Inc. a leader in regenerative medicine, presented new data on Saturday, October 23, 2010 in a podium presentation at the American Society for Transplantation's Annual Scientific Exchange in Orlando, FL. The presentation highlighted new early data from Tengion's Neo-Kidney Augment development program demonstrating promising improvements in kidney function with an autologous cellular therapy approach to kidney regeneration in a canine model of chronic kidney disease.

26 Oct 2010

Barbers help customers control high blood pressure

Neighborhood barbers, by conducting a monitoring, education and physician-referral program, can help their African-American customers better control high blood pressure problems that pose special health risks for them, a new study from the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute shows.

26 Oct 2010

High erythropoietin levels predict higher mortality

High erythropoietin levels in people over age 85 indicate a higher risk of death, according to a study published in CMAJ.

26 Oct 2010

Amgen reports $3,816 million for 2010 third quarter revenue

Amgen reported revenue unchanged for the third quarter of 2010 at $3,816 million versus $3,812 million for the third quarter of 2009.

26 Oct 2010

Diabetes on the rise in Scotland

New reports show that one person is diagnosed with diabetes every 40 minutes in Scotland. This marks the rapid rise in the condition - a trend that is faster that experts had imagined. In the last 1 year another 14,000 Scots were added to those registered with GPs as diabetic.

24 Oct 2010

Study evaluates protective effect of airbags on kidneys, upper urinary tract

Occupants in motor vehicles with airbags are much less likely to suffer kidney or renal damage in a crash than are occupants in vehicles without airbags, according to a new study in the September Journal of the American College of Surgeons.

22 Oct 2010

Social networks important for maintaining dialysis patients' health: Study

Dialysis patients with little social support from friends and family are more likely to ignore doctors' orders, experience a poorer quality of life, and die prematurely, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society Nephrology. The results suggest strong social networks are important for maintaining dialysis patients' health.

22 Oct 2010

Biomarkers can improve ability to identify patients at high risk of CKD: Study

Measuring three biomarkers in a single blood sample may improve physicians' ability to identify patients at high risk of developing chronic kidney disease, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

22 Oct 2010