Breakthrough for kidney patients
US researchers have grown blood vessels for kidney patients from their own cells - a breakthrough that may lead to a cheap and stable solution to a common dialysis problem. Kidney patients typically have their blood filtered three times a week, requiring the insertion of an artificial 15-20cm bypass, or shunt, which has a high failure rate. Instead, the team from California's Cytograft Tissue Engineering has devised a way to grow shunts from adult cells. Of 10 seriously ill patients in a pilot study, one died and one was withdrawn (both for reasons unrelated to the trial), three grafts failed and the rest lasted up to 12 months, with only one needing minor surgical correction, AFP and AP report.
Stem cells aid MS sufferers
All three multiple sclerosis (MS) sufferers in a University of California pilot study showed 'dramatic improvement' after a relatively simple treatment using stem cells from their fat tissue, suggesting a possible way to treat MS and other such diseases for which there's no known cure. The immune systems of MS sufferers attack their nervous system. Unlike existing treatments, stromal vascular fraction and other stem cells appear to limit the immune reaction and even promote the growth of new tissue, healthday.com reports.
Low vitamin D linked to asthma
Low levels of vitamin D may be linked to the severity of asthma in children, say US researchers, based on a study of more than 600 sufferers aged six to 14 in Costa Rica, although there's no clear cause and effect. Almost 30 per cent had insufficient levels of the so-called sunshine drug and spent more time in hospital, did worse in lung-function tests and used more medication, WebMD reports. The Brigham and Women's Hospital team suggests that vitamin D may influence the severity of asthma by affecting the immune system and muscle cells of the airways.
