Automating renal access in kidney stone surgery using AI-enabled surgical robot

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is an efficient, minimally-invasive, gold standard procedure used for removing large kidney stones. Creating an access from the skin on the back to the kidney — called renal access, is a crucial yet challenging step in PCNL. An inefficiently created renal access can lead to severe complications including massive bleeding, thoracis and bowel injuries, renal pelvis perforation, […]

Combining certain meds with ibuprofen can permanently injure kidneys

Anyone who is taking a diuretic and a renin-angiotensin system (RSA) inhibitor for high blood pressure should be cautious about also taking ibuprofen, according to new research. Diuretics and RSA inhibitors are commonly prescribed together for people with hypertension and are available under various pharmaceutical brand names. Painkillers such as ibuprofen are available over-the-counter in most pharmacies and stores in […]

Researchers identify key regulators of urinary concentration in the kidney

Proper function of the kidney is critical for concentrating urine, regulating blood pressure, and for the tight control of electrolyte levels in the blood. The kidney achieves these important functions through many microscopic functional units, called nephrons. These nephrons consist of different segments with distinct functions. How these segments form during development and how their function is maintained in the […]

Kerendia approved in EU for adult patients with chronic kidney disease associated with type 2 diabetes – Bayer HealthCare

The European Commission has granted marketing authorization in the European Union (EU) for finerenone under the brand name Kerendia from Bayer HealthCare. Kerendia (10 mg or 20 mg), a non-steroidal, selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, is indicated for the treatment of chronic kidney disease (stage 3 and 4 with albuminuria) associated with type 2 diabetes in adults. “Even when blood glucose […]

Saphnelo approved in the EU for the treatment of moderate to severe systemic lupus erythematosus – AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca’s Saphnelo (anifrolumab) has been approved in the European Union as an add-on therapy for the treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe, active autoantibody-positive systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), despite receiving standard therapy. Saphnelo is the first biologic for SLE approved in Europe with an indication that is not restricted to patients with a high degree of disease activity. […]

Radiation monotherapy shows efficacy for treating oligometastatic renal cell carcinoma

Radiation monotherapy is an effective noninvasive treatment for oligometastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC), researchers reported on Oct. 28, 2021 in The Lancet Oncology. “These findings are exciting because we’re challenging the dogma in radiation oncology that RCC is biologically radioresistant,” said investigator Chad Tang, M.D., Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.  “Our strategy to […]

Transplants for alcohol-related liver inflammation surge during pandemic

The increased number of deceased donor liver transplants related to alcoholic hepatitis — up more than 50 percent over predicted numbers — was associated with rising alcohol sales. Registrations for the national organ transplant waiting list related to alcoholic hepatitis as well as the number of deceased donor liver transplants for the inflammatory liver condition rose significantly during the pandemic, […]

Pesticide linked to chronic kidney disease

A commonly available pesticide has been associated with an increased risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in a University of Queensland study. Researchers analysed links between pesticide exposure and the risk of kidney dysfunction in 41,847 people, using data from the USA National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). School of Public Health Associate Professor, Nicholas Osborne said the study found people […]

Alternative to using race in kidney function test found

Kaiser Permanente study supports eventual use of new way to estimate kidney function. Researchers have identified an approach to remove race from equations used to estimate a person’s kidney function. These equations have been criticized for potentially perpetuating racial health disparities. The findings, reported September 23 in the New England Journal of Medicine, are expected to inform National Kidney Foundation–American Society […]

Kidney cancer: children in the UK and Ireland diagnosed late

Children with kidney cancers in the UK and Ireland are diagnosed with larger and more advanced tumours than in other Western European countries, according to research presented at the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Festival in the UK. As a result, a leading childhood cancer expert has called for all staff providing primary healthcare for children in the UK’s National […]