Yes, Japan allows stem cell research- the research that can’t be effected by most Americans. The US government has forbidden one scintilla of such research to be performed, if the institution receives even one penny of US funding. Which means that American scientists cannot use their ingenuity to produce the artificial organs that would result if they could. But, the research about which I am reporting today is actually legal under US law.
Continue reading Stem Cells to the Rescue?
We’ve discussed the new wearable kidney and the new home dialysis device. Today, we’ll discuss an implantable device- one that replaces the dialysis device, but not the kidneys. Which will have to do until there is a stem-cell kidney replacement.
Continue reading Implantable Dialyzer
Ah, yes, you knew this would happen. At least if you truly thought about it.
Japanese scientists have cloned stem cells to produce viable kidneys. Ok, in rats. But still! This is the sort of research that our country feels is in contravention to some religious morality. (Why not just let those folks NOT perform the research themselves. We have many others who want to help our sick citizens!)
Continue reading Kidney Clone Ahead!!!!!!
There are some 10000 folks dying- while on the list to receive a kidney transplant- every year. But, there are still no stem cell produced kidneys. Which is why some Wake Forest researchers are seeking ways to skirt the political bugaboos regarding stem cells – and still trying to increase the availability of kidneys for those in need.
Continue reading Kidney Transplant Hopes?
I’ve followed diabetes mostly because it usually leads to kidney failure. And, that has been one of my prime interests for nigh 55 years now. And, if we can preclude this escalation, the quality of life one can have is pretty reasonable. Given that there are some 30 million folks with diabetes, that means there are a slew of folks who can also find themselves subject to kidney failure.
Continue reading Diabetes Patients Need IT (information technology)
Y’all must know that nephrology has a special place in my heart and psyche. For some reason, I decided that an artificial kidney should be something I would develop (beginning at the age of 8). And, for more than 1/3 of my years on this earth, at least 1/3 of my time (as measured in 24 hour cycles) was devoted to dialysis, renal treatment, and the various associated maladies and physiological ramifications to kidney functions.
A real artificial kidney… Come on, you know that sounds funny. But, oh, so critical. Because transplantation needs kidney donors that are compatible- and we- not just America, but the world- find kidneys in short supply, and compatibility an even tougher hurdle.
Continue reading A real artificial kidney?
Don’t you just love science fiction? Because the best science fiction involves conjecture of the world as it could be. I remember being mesmerized by Tom Swift, Jr., as a young boy. Other than the delusion perpetrated that Victor Appleton II wrote the series (instead of Harriet Stratemeyer Adams), they were wonderful books. (I only read the first 16; then I graduated to Robert Heinlein.)
Continue reading SciFi or just Sci?
It’s Kidney Week. OK. It’s kidney 5 days… Starting today and ending on the 10th. A ‘week’ to make all of us more aware of one of our biggest killers- certainly one of our most expensive diseases- that is, often, undetected. Why is that so? Because most subjects (they are not yet patients) exhibit no symptoms, until a crisis has developed.
Continue reading Kidney Week 2013
There’s a new program at the US Food and Drug Administration. One designed to afford innovative devices a speedier review process. This Innovation Pathway 2.0 program is designed for pre-market evaluations of medical devices, expediting the process without reducing the need or quality of safety and effectiveness reviews. And some 30 years ago, there was a similar process for smaller companies- it worked, then, too. (I know, we used it- twice!)
Continue reading Dialysis is the FDA hotbed, once again