N L Cardwell

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Researchers studied a new system for preserving donated livers that come from patients whose hearts have stopped, known as Donation After Circulatory Death (DCD). They found that using their Dynamic Organ Storage System (DOSS) instead of traditional methods led to better liver function results, including lower levels of lactate and higher bile production, which indicates improved health of the liver. This is important because it can make liver transplants safer and more successful, potentially increasing the number of usable organs for patients in need. Who this helps: This helps patients awaiting liver transplants.

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This study looked at a method to improve discarded human lungs to make them usable for transplantation by connecting them to the blood circulation of pigs. The researchers found that after the lungs were treated in this way, they showed no signs of a severe immune reaction known as hyperacute rejection when they were later connected back to human blood. This is significant because it means this technique could help recover more donor lungs for transplantation, potentially saving more lives. Who this helps: This helps patients in need of lung transplants.

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The research studied how a new method of constricting the pulmonary artery in sheep can mimic a liver disease known as congestive hepatopathy, which affects certain patients after heart surgery. The experiment showed that after about 9 weeks with this method, 4 out of 9 sheep developed significant liver injury, with some having severe liver damage and scarring. This is important because it creates a more accurate model to understand the disease and test new treatments for patients suffering from similar conditions. Who this helps: This helps patients with congestive hepatopathy, particularly those who have undergone Fontan heart surgery.

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This study looked at a new method called xenogeneic cross-circulation to support human livers that couldn't be used for transplantation. Researchers tested this method on 5 human livers, and found that after 24 hours, oxygen usage in the livers increased by 75%, and the livers cleared lactic acid, indicating improved function. The livers showed better overall health, repair of injury, and maintained their structure, which could help make more marginal livers suitable for transplantation in the future. Who this helps: This helps patients needing liver transplants and doctors involved in transplantation.

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This study looked at a system that connects pig blood to donated human lungs to help keep them healthy for transplant. Researchers found that even though pig immune cells entered the human lungs during this process, the lungs were still able to stay viable and function better for up to 24 hours. This matters because it could improve the availability of donor lungs for patients who need transplants. Who this helps: This helps patients waiting for lung transplants.

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This study looked at a new technique called xenogeneic cross-circulation, which uses pigs to support and improve human donor lungs that weren’t initially suitable for transplant. After 24 hours of using this technique on nine lungs, researchers found that lung function improved significantly; oxygen exchange increased by 158% and lung compliance went up by 127%. This method is important because it could help make more donor lungs available for patients in need of transplants by ensuring they remain healthy and functional before surgery. Who this helps: This benefits patients waiting for lung transplants.

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This study focused on a new type of foam dressing made from a material called polythioketal that can break down in the presence of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are molecules that can help heal wounds. The researchers found that a specific version of this foam, designed to be more water-friendly, improved healing in pig wounds by promoting better tissue repair and less inflammation compared to another popular foam dressing. For instance, wounds treated with this new foam showed more tissue growth and repair, as well as less swelling, compared to the standard dressings. Who this helps: This research benefits patients with chronic skin wounds by potentially offering more effective treatment options.

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Researchers studied a sheep model of pulmonary hypertension to understand how right ventricular failure progresses. They found that after 10 weeks, the sheep showed severe signs of heart failure, including swollen fluids in the body and a significant increase in heart pressure, leading to the animal's death. This research is important because it helps create better treatments and devices for patients suffering from heart failure related to pulmonary hypertension. Who this helps: This helps doctors and patients with pulmonary hypertension and related heart conditions.

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This study tested a new method called V-AV cross-circulation to support livers outside the body in pigs. Over 12 hours, the livers showed good function and no major injury, meaning they were able to produce bile and clear waste effectively. These findings are important because they could lead to better ways to preserve and evaluate liver organs for transplantation, addressing the shortage of available organs. Who this helps: This helps patients waiting for liver transplants.

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This study looked at how a type of MRI called diffusion MRI can help assess how severe injuries to peripheral nerves are and how well they recover after surgery. Researchers tested this on rat nerves that were partially cut and found that the MRI results matched other tests, showing that after 4 to 12 weeks, recovery was significant for certain nerve injuries (50% and 75% cuts), but not for minor injuries (25% cuts). This matters because it offers a noninvasive way to measure nerve healing, which can guide treatment for patients with nerve injuries. Who this helps: Patients with peripheral nerve injuries.

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This study focused on creating a better model for studying pulmonary hypertension and related heart issues in sheep by blocking off the left pulmonary artery and gradually tightening the main pulmonary artery. The researchers found that this method effectively induced pulmonary hypertension and right heart changes in a controlled way, reducing the risk of sudden deaths during the process. This matters because it allows for safer testing of heart support devices that could one day help patients with severe lung and heart conditions. Who this helps: Patients with pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure.

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This study looked at how older mice respond to partial burn injuries compared to younger mice, specifically focusing on the presence of certain immune markers. Researchers found that the burns were deeper in older mice (about 450 micrometers compared to 166 micrometers in young mice) and that while older mice had higher overall levels of a protein called EOTAXIN in their blood, they had lower localized levels at the injury site after the burn. This matters because the differences in immune response could lead to worse healing outcomes and complications for older patients after burns. Who this helps: This helps older patients who suffer from burn injuries.

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This study examined how a special imaging technique called diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) can show the severity of partial nerve injuries in rats just one week after surgery. The researchers found that DTI provided visual evidence of nerve damage, which matched up well with other tests measuring nerve function and tissue health. This is important because it could help doctors assess nerve injuries more quickly and accurately after surgery. Who this helps: This helps patients recovering from nerve injuries and their doctors.

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This study looked at how well a special type of imaging called diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can predict recovery after nerve injuries in rats. The researchers found that this imaging method could show differences in nerve recovery within just two weeks after an injury, and it was particularly effective at identifying successful versus unsuccessful healing by 12 weeks. This is important because it may help doctors detect issues with nerve repair sooner, which could lead to better treatment outcomes for patients. Who this helps: This helps patients with nerve injuries and their doctors.

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This study looked at how well nerves can heal after injury by using a special imaging technique called diffusion MRI in rats. The researchers found that their method could accurately measure nerve regeneration, giving clearer insights into the healing process. Understanding this more deeply helps improve treatments for people with nerve injuries. Who this helps: Patients with peripheral nerve injuries.

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Most donated lungs are never used because injury makes them too risky for transplant. Researchers connected damaged human lungs to a living pig's circulation as an extended support system and showed the lungs could recover function over multiple days. This xenogeneic cross-circulation approach could dramatically increase the number of usable donor lungs.

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This study looked at how well a special imaging technique called diffusion MRI can track nerve healing after injuries in rats. The researchers found that after four weeks, they could differentiate between nerves that were crushed and those that were cut and then repaired, based on specific measurements from the MRI. By 12 weeks, nerves that showed signs of recovery had different characteristics compared to those that didn't, indicating that this imaging technique could help doctors know if a nerve repair was successful or if a reoperation might be needed. Who this helps: This benefits doctors and patients dealing with nerve injuries.

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This study looked at a method of repairing damaged nerves using a substance called polyethylene glycol (PEG), especially when the repair was done after a delay. Researchers found that when nerves in rats were repaired one, eight, or 24 hours after injury using PEG, the nerve signals and function improved significantly compared to those that did not receive PEG treatment. Specifically, rats treated with PEG showed restored nerve conduction and better movement scores after surgery, highlighting its potential to make delayed nerve repairs more effective. Who this helps: This benefits patients with nerve injuries who may not receive immediate treatment.

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This study looked at whether changing the direction of nerve grafts affects how well nerves heal after an injury. Researchers used advanced imaging techniques on rats and found no significant difference in nerve healing outcomes between normally oriented grafts and those turned backward, as shown by similar motor nerve counts and muscle weights six weeks post-surgery. This matters because it suggests that surgeons have flexibility in how they orient nerve grafts without affecting recovery success. Who this helps: This helps patients recovering from nerve injuries.

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This study looked at how the immune system responds to burn injuries in younger (under 30 years old) and older patients (over 65 years old). Researchers found that younger patients tend to have higher levels of certain immune molecules called EGF and RANTES, and more immune cells in their wounds compared to older patients. Specifically, EGF levels were about 21.69 in younger patients versus 14.87 in older ones, while RANTES levels were 14.86 for young and just 4.26 for the elderly. This matters because it shows that older patients may be more likely to suffer worse burns, emphasizing the need for tailored treatments based on age. Who this helps: Patients, especially elderly burn victims.

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This study looked at a new way to test wound healing materials in pigs by creating wounds that mimic serious skin problems in humans. Researchers were able to test more wounds at once, observing that a specific scaffold made from a material called PTK-LTI improved healing better than another material, PTK-HDIt, especially in harder-to-heal ischemic wounds. This is important because it helps identify more effective treatments for chronic wounds that many patients suffer from. Who this helps: This helps patients with chronic wounds and the doctors treating them.

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This study looked at a new way to repair damaged nerves by using a special device to deliver polyethylene glycol (PEG), which helps fuse nerve endings more effectively. Researchers found that this method restored nerve function much faster than traditional techniques, with improvements seen as early as one week after surgery, and up to a 50% better outcome compared to standard repair methods. This is important because quicker recovery of nerve function can greatly enhance the healing process for people with severe nerve injuries. Who this helps: This helps patients with traumatic nerve injuries.

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This study looked at a new method to help heal injuries to the sciatic nerve, which is important for movement and feeling in the legs. Researchers found that using a special treatment called PEG fusion on nerve grafts prevented damage to the nerves and restored normal function much faster than usual—within 2-4 weeks instead of months. Specifically, the method maintained a higher number of healthy nerve fibers, leading to better recovery. Who this helps: This benefits patients with peripheral nerve injuries.

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This study looked at how adding certain proteins (nerve growth factor and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor) can help repair nerves more effectively when using acellular nerve grafts with reduced chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans. The researchers found that adding nerve growth factor significantly increased the number of healthy myelinated and motor axons after nerve injury, while reducing nerve pain fibers. This is important because it suggests a potential way to improve recovery after nerve damage, making the repair process more effective. Who this helps: Patients recovering from nerve injuries would benefit from enhanced treatment options.

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This study looked at how a special type of gel called polyethylene glycol (PEG) can help repair damaged nerves in rats. The researchers found that using PEG alongside nerve tubes significantly improved nerve function, with almost all treated rats recovering normal nerve signals within a few weeks. This is important because enhancing nerve repair strategies can lead to better recovery for people with severe nerve injuries. Who this helps: This helps patients with nerve injuries, especially those facing surgeries for nerve repair.

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This study looked at a new imaging method called spatial frequency domain imaging (SFDI) to measure the depth and severity of burns in pigs. The researchers found that SFDI can effectively distinguish between different types of burns, with specific measurements showing clear differences after just a few hours. This could lead to better and more accurate assessments of burns, which is crucial for effective treatment. Who this helps: This helps doctors and medical professionals treat burn patients more accurately.

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This study looked at special biodegradable materials made from lysine, called polyurethane scaffolds, to see how well they help heal deep wounds in pigs, which have skin similar to humans. The researchers found that after 15 days, the modified scaffolds encouraged more immune response, showing increased activity from healing cells compared to traditional materials. Importantly, these scaffolds were safe and did not adversely affect key healing processes. Who this helps: This helps patients with deep wounds by improving healing options.

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Researchers studied the effect of blocking a specific receptor (P2X7) in nerve repair to see if it could improve recovery after nerve injuries in rats. They found that using a substance to inhibit this receptor (known as FCF) resulted in better nerve function and more healthy axons compared to control groups at various time points after surgery, with significant improvements noted at 3, 7, 14, and 21 days post-surgery. This is important because it suggests that targeting the P2X7 receptor can enhance the success of nerve repair techniques, potentially leading to better outcomes for patients with nerve injuries. Who this helps: This helps patients recovering from nerve injuries.

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This study looked at how polyethylene glycol (PEG) can help improve recovery after nerve surgeries where nerves are repaired using tissue from the patient’s own body. The researchers found that rats treated with PEG showed significant improvements in nerve function and movement ability, with all treated animals demonstrating recovery in nerve signals 72 hours after surgery compared to none in the control group. This is important because better recovery from nerve injuries can lead to improved quality of life for patients. Who this helps: This helps patients recovering from nerve injuries.

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This study looked at the protein calreticulin (CRT) and its effects on healing wounds in pigs. When CRT was applied to wounds, it significantly sped up healing by increasing tissue growth and the movement of important cells involved in repair. For example, the study found there was a threefold increase in immune cell presence and more than double the growth of skin cells, highlighting CRT’s important role in wound healing. Who this helps: This research benefits patients with wounds, including those with slow-healing injuries, by pointing to new treatments that could enhance recovery.

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This study investigated how a specific gene called ErbB3, combined with certain growth factors, affects wound healing in pigs. Researchers found that wounds treated with the ErbB3 gene and specific growth factors (like epiregulin or HB-EGF) healed better than those treated with other factors or no added gene, showing improvements in skin resurfacing and wound maturity. These findings are important because they highlight a potential new way to speed up wound healing, making it beneficial for patients with significant skin injuries. Who this helps: This helps patients with severe wounds and healthcare providers looking for effective treatments.

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This study looked at the nerves in the hands of 56 deceased individuals to find out if some nerves known mainly for feeling sensations also control movement. The researchers found that about 30% of the nerves, called superficial radial nerves, had branches that could move muscles, along with 28.5% of another type of nerve. This challenges what we previously thought—that these nerves were only for sensation—and highlights the possibility of motor function remaining after severe nerve injuries. Who this helps: This benefits surgeons and doctors treating patients with nerve injuries.

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This study looked at how a protein called calreticulin (CRT) helps wounds heal faster. Researchers found that applying CRT to wounds in animals led to a significant increase in skin cell movement and tissue healing; the more CRT was applied, the better the healing. Specifically, they observed more skin cells multiplying and migrating to the wound site, which means wounds could close up more quickly. Who this helps: This benefits patients with wounds, including those recovering from surgery or injuries.

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This study looked at new methods for understanding how wounds heal. Researchers introduced four innovative tools that can help analyze the specific cells and molecules involved in the healing process. For example, one technique can capture precise tissue samples for detailed analysis, while another allows scientists to study multiple proteins in a tissue sample quickly. These advancements may significantly improve our knowledge of wound healing, potentially leading to better treatments. Who this helps: This benefits patients with slow-healing wounds and healthcare providers looking for more effective treatments.

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Researchers studied a substance called CM101, which comes from a type of bacteria, to see if it could help heal skin wounds faster. In a pig study, CM101 was given to wounds one hour after injury and again after three days. The results showed that wounds treated with CM101 healed significantly better than those that received a placebo, with less inflammation and faster skin regrowth; specifically, the thickness of the new skin was greater at day 4. This is important because it could lead to better treatments for wound healing in various medical settings. Who this helps: This helps patients with wounds, especially those recovering from injuries or surgeries.

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This study looked at how increasing a specific protein, called the epidermal growth factor receptor, can help heal skin wounds more effectively. Researchers used a device that delivers tiny gold particles coated with this protein into the skin of pigs. They found that using this method led to nearly all basal skin cells dividing more rapidly, and wounds treated with both the protein and additional growth factor healed much faster, with significant improvement seen in resurfacing and the thickness of healing tissues. Who this helps: This helps patients with skin wounds and doctors working on wound healing.