Effect of Sodium Thiosulfate Pre-Treatment on Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Kidney Transplantation.

We recently reported in a rat model of kidney transplantation that the addition of sodium thiosulfate (STS) to organ preservation solution improved renal graft quality and prolonged recipient survival. The present study investigates whether STS pre-treatment would produce a similar effect. In vitro, rat kidney epithelial cells were treated with 150 µM STS before and/or during exposure to hypoxia followed by reoxygenation. In vivo, donor rats were treated with PBS or 2.4 mg/kg STS 30 min before donor kidneys were procured and stored in UW or UW+150 µM STS solution at 4 °C for 24 h. Renal grafts were then transplanted into bilaterally nephrectomised recipient rats which were then sacrificed on post-operative day 3. STS pre-treatment significantly reduced cell death compared to untreated and other treated cells in vitro (p < 0.05), which corresponded with our in vivo result (p < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed in other parameters of tissue injury. Our results suggest that STS pre-treatment may improve renal graft function after transplantation.

The Use of Hematopoietic Stem Cells for Heart Failure: A Systematic Review.

The purpose of this review is to summarize the current understanding of the therapeutic effect of stem cell-based therapies, including hematopoietic stem cells, for the treatment of ischemic heart damage. Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted electronic searches in MEDLINE, and EMBASE. We screened 592 studies, and included RCTs, observational studies, and cohort studies that examined the effect of hematopoietic stem cell therapy in adult patients with heart failure. Studies that involved pediatric patients, mesenchymal stem cell therapy, and non-heart failure (HF) studies were excluded from our review. Out of the 592 studies, 7 studies met our inclusion criteria. Overall, administration of hematopoietic stem cells (via intracoronary or myocardial infarct) led to positive cardiac outcomes such as improvements in pathological left-ventricular remodeling, perfusion following acute myocardial infarction, and NYHA symptom class. Additionally, combined death, rehospitalization for heart failure, and infarction were significantly lower in patients treated with bone marrow-derived hematopoietic stem cells. Our review demonstrates that hematopoietic stem cell administration can lead to positive cardiac outcomes for HF patients. Future studies should aim to increase female representation and non-ischemic HF patients.

Pre-Treatment of Transplant Donors with Hydrogen Sulfide to Protect against Warm and Cold Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Kidney and Other Transplantable Solid Organs.

Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), a pathological condition resulting from prolonged cessation and subsequent restoration of blood flow to a tissue, is an inevitable consequence of solid organ transplantation. Current organ preservation strategies, such as static cold storage (SCS), are aimed at reducing IRI. However, prolonged SCS exacerbates IRI. Recent research has examined pre-treatment approaches to more effectively attenuate IRI. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), the third established member of a family of gaseous signaling molecules, has been shown to target the pathophysiology of IRI and thus appears to be a viable candidate that can overcome the transplant surgeon's enemy. This review discusses pre-treatment of renal grafts and other transplantable organs with H2S to mitigate transplantation-induced IRI in animal models of transplantation. In addition, ethical principles of pre-treatment and potential applications of H2S pre-treatment in the prevention of other IRI-associated conditions are discussed.

How Right Now? Supporting Mental Health and Resilience Amid COVID-19.

The How Right Now communication initiative (HRN) was developed to facilitate resilience amid the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. HRN was designed as a conduit for promoting mental health and addressing feelings of grief, worry, and stress experienced during this time. This article provides an overview of the rapid, mixed-method, culturally responsive formative research process undertaken to inform the development of HRN. Specifically, it describes how HRN's disproportionately affected audiences (adults aged 65 and older and their caregivers, adults with preexisting physical and mental health conditions, adults experiencing violence, and adults experiencing economic distress) describe and discuss emotional resilience, what they need to be resilient, and what factors contribute to the perceptions of their ability to "bounce back" from the conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Data collection methods included an environmental scan (n ≥ 700 publications), social listening (n ≥ 1 million social media posts), partner needs-assessment calls (n = 16), partner-convened listening sessions with community members (n = 29), online focus groups (n = 58), and a national probability survey (n = 731), all in English and Spanish. Results revealed that HRN's audiences have diverse perceptions of what constitutes resilience. However, common factors were identified across populations to support resilience amid the COVID-19 pandemic, including informal and formal social support and access to services to meet basic needs, including food and housing resources. Stress, anxiety, depression, and experience with stigma and discrimination were also linked to resilience. Understanding the perspectives and experiences of disproportionately affected populations is vital to identifying supports and services, including the engagement of community stakeholders.