This message was sent to ##Email## To advertise in this publication please click here March 15, 2021 Distinct Roles For Major And Minor Antigen Barriers in Chimerism-Based Tolerance Under Irradiation-Free Conditions American Journal of Transplantation Eliminating cytoreductive conditioning from chimerism‐based tolerance protocols would facilitate clinical translation. Here we investigated the impact of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and minor histocompatibility antigen (MiHA) barriers on mechanisms of tolerance and rejection in this setting. READ MORE .SOCIETY NEWS The ASTS Officer & Councilor Election is Open! ASTS The deadline to cast your ballot is April 1, 2021. Please note only Regular and Associate members who have paid their 2021 dues are eligible to vote. Ballots were sent to eligible members via a secure online system from elections@vote-now.com, with the subject heading "ASTS Ballot 2021." If the email did not reach your inbox, please check your spam or junk mail folder. If you cannot find it and believe you are eligible to vote, please contact the National Office at nominations@asts.org or 703-414-7870. READ MORE Two New ASTS Research Grants! ASTS Don't miss your opportunity to apply for our newest grant offerings! Applications for both the ASTS-Natera Socioeconomic and Racial Disparities (SERD) in Transplantation Grant and the ASTS-TGI Faculty Research Grant for Biomarker Discovery & Functional Genomics will be accepted through March 26, 2021. READ MORE You Can Still Register for the Kidney & Liver Transplant Financial Bootcamp! ASTS The Financial Bootcamp provides a deep dive into the financial aspects of managing successful kidney and liver transplant programs. This digital program is open to all members of the transplant team. The full online program and content, including the recorded Q&A sessions, will be available for purchase and reference for a full year after the program's original launch date. Click here to see the full program details. READ MORE .TOP NEWS Age and Comorbidity Are Central To the Risk of Death From COVID-19 in Liver Transplant Recipients Journal of Hepatology Our understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on liver transplant recipients has recently advanced significantly. In August 2020 Colmenero et al. published data on behalf of the Spanish Liver Transplant Society (SETH) in Journal of Hepatology. The authors reported 111 LT recipients with SARS-CoV-2 infection and concluded that these patients were at no greater risk of severe COVID-19 than the general population. Furthermore, within LT recipients, comorbidity, male sex, and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) use were reported as associated with severe disease. We congratulate our Spanish colleagues for rapidly conducting their comprehensive study in the midst of the pandemic. READ MORE  SPONSORED VIDEO Important Factors in Kidney Transplant Explore some of the many factors that can put a graft at risk, including CYP3A5*1 expression, declining adherence, and nephrotoxicity. In addition, review pharmacokinetic and clinical data that may be relevant to your practice and patients. See the Video WATCH VIDEO Clinical Features of Cytomegalovirus Retinitis After Solid Organ Transplantation Vs Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology via MD Linx In the present study, researchers sought to examine and compare the clinical characteristics of cytomegalovirus retinitis after solid organ transplantation and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and to determine the poor prognostic factors. READ MORE  SPONSORED CONTENT Promoted by Natera National Kidney Foundation CME Course: Evaluation of Acute Allograft Rejection in Kidney Transplantation KDIGO Webinar: The Critical Role of Genetics in Kidney Disease NEW: The Renasight Genetic Panel Can Inform the Care Path for Patients Diagnosed with CKD Learn about Prospera for a Better Kidney Transplant Rejection Assessment Why Prospera is the Right Choice for Managing Transplant Recipients Remotely Male Gender is Associated with Higher Rates of Liver-related Mortality in Primary Biliary Cholangitis and Cirrhosis Hepatology The impact of gender on the post‐cirrhosis progression of Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) has not been well defined. Prior studies have suggested that men have worse outcomes but present at more advanced stages of fibrosis than women. This observation however, has been limited by small numbers of men and even fewer patients with cirrhosis. READ MORE  PRODUCT SHOWCASE Kidney Transplant Tolerance Clinical Trial The FREEDOM-1 Phase 3 clinical trial is evaluating FCR001, an investigational cell therapy with the potential to induce durable immune tolerance without the need for chronic immunosuppression across all levels of HLA mismatch. FREEDOM-1 is now enrolling de novo living donor kidney transplant patients. LEARN MORE Factors Associated With Degraded Trabecular Bone Score in Heart Transplant Recipients Clinical Transplantation Trabecular bone score (TBS) is a textural index that provides indirect evaluation of trabecular microarchitecture. It improves fracture risk assessment in several high‐risk populations. We aimed to evaluate the role of TBS assessment in heart transplant recipients (HTR). READ MORE  PRODUCT SHOWCASE Kidney and Urinary Congenital Anomalies Studies suggest early integrated care can make a significant difference for pediatric patients with congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract. Pediatric urologist Vijaya Vemulakonda, MD, and pediatric nephrologist Margaret Bock, MD, discuss Children’s Hospital Colorado’s multidisciplinary care approach, which incorporates nephrology, urology, nutrition, psychology and surgery. Watch the video. LEARN MORE Effect of Immunosuppression Maintenance in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients With COVID-19 Transplant Infectious Disease The aim of this study was to assess the effect of continuing immune suppressive therapy in solid organ transplant recipients with COVID‐19. READ MORE Bridging the Survival Gap in Cystic Fibrosis: An Investigation of Lung Transplant Outcomes in Canada And the United States The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation Previous literature in cystic fibrosis (CF) has shown a 10-year survival gap between Canada and the United States. We hypothesized that differential access to and survival after lung transplantation may contribute to the observed gap. The objectives of this study were to compare CF transplant outcomes between Canada and the U.S. and estimate the potential contribution of transplantation to the survival gap. READ MORE  FEATURED ARTICLE   Support specialists for kidney transplantation Veloxis Pharmaceuticals Did you know there’s a transplant support system to help patients and providers with best-in-class assistance and resources? This ongoing support system assists with benefit investigation, prior authorization assistance, coordination with specialty pharmacies, prescription fulfillment navigation, and CoverMyMeds® access. There’s also a $0 co-pay card to overcome financial barriers. Find out more   Early Liver Transplantation for Corticosteroid Non-Responders in Acute Severe Autoimmune Hepatitis: The SURFASA Score Journal of Hepatology In acute severe autoimmune hepatitis (AS-AIH), the optimal timing for liver transplantation (LT) remains controversial. The objectives of this study were to determine early predictive factors for a non-response to corticosteroids and to propose a score to identify patients in whom LT is urgently indicated. READ MORE Researchers Discover Specific Blood Biomarker That Predicts Kidney Transplant Rejection News-Medical Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have discovered a blood biomarker that predicts kidney transplant rejection with a lead time of about eight months, which could give doctors an opportunity to intervene and prevent permanent damage. READ MORE The Association of Post-Operative Delirium With Patient-Reported Outcomes And Mortality After Lung Transplantation Clinical Transplantation Post‐operative delirium after lung transplantation is common. Its associations with health‐related quality of life (HRQL), depression, and mortality remains unknown. READ MORE The Leading dd–cfDNA test in transplant AlloSure is the leading dd-cfDNA test for transplant patients, used by over 75% of US transplant centers LEARN MORE Non-Invasive Diagnostic Imaging Tests Largely Underdiagnoses Cardiac Cirrhosis in Patients Undergoing Advanced Therapy Evaluation: How Can We Identify the High-Risk Patient? Clinical Transplantation Patients with liver cirrhosis are generally considered ineligible for isolated cardiac transplantation or left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. The aim of this retrospective study is to explore the diagnostic value of abdominal ultrasound, computed tomography scan (CT scan) and liver‐spleen scintigraphy to detect the presence of cirrhosis in patients with advanced heart failure. READ MORE   ASTS News Brief Connect with ASTS Jason Zimmerman, Director of Publishing, Multiview, 469-420-2686 | Download media kit Tammy Gibson, Assistant Executive Editor, Multiview, 469-420-2677 | Contribute News American Society of Transplant Surgeons 1401 S. Clark St., Suite 1120  |  Arlington, VA 22202   703.414.7870  |  Contact Us  |  asts.org Click here to unsubscribe.  Learn how to add us to your safe sender list so our emails get to your inbox. ADVERTISE SUBSCRIBE PAST ISSUES   7701 Las Colinas Ridge, Ste. 800, Irving, TX 75063