Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Research Roundup: Covid; Pig-To-Human Kidney Transplant; Dementia
A large study of adults in the United States who survived COVID-19 during the first 2 years of the pandemic found that they had twice the risk of developing pulmonary embolism or respiratory conditions in the year following infection. (Schnirring, 5/24)
Transmission of COVID-19 was significantly lower, and viable virus was detected for a shorter period, in fully vaccinated patients and staff isolated at a South Korean hospital than in their partially vaccinated and unvaccinated counterparts, finds a study published yesterday in JAMA Network Open. (5/25)
A multicenter Scottish study reveals persistent multisystem abnormalities among 159 COVID-19 patients 28 to 60 days after release from the hospital, including cardio-renal inflammation, diminished lung function, worse quality of life, and poor outcomes. (Van Beusekom, 5/24)
We transplanted kidneys from these genetically modified pigs into two brain-dead human recipients whose circulatory and respiratory activity was maintained on ventilators for the duration of the study. We performed serial biopsies and monitored the urine output and kinetic estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) to assess renal function and xenograft rejection. (Montgomery, M.D., et al, 5/19)
Researchers have found that eating cranberries could improve memory, ward off dementia, and reduce 'bad' cholesterol. The research team studied the benefits of consuming the equivalent of a cup of cranberries a day among 50 to 80-year-olds. They hope that their findings could have implications for the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia. (University of East Angila, 5/19)