University of Manchester scientists have discovered that removing immune cells from donor hearts using a new technique can reduce the risk of acute rejection after heart transplant surgery - even without the use of powerful immunosuppressant drugs.

The method- called ex-vivo heart perfusion - protects and restores the heart once it has been removed from the donor, and extends the current preservation time for the organs from 4 to 24 hours.

EVHP was developed by a team led by Professor Stig Steen from Lund University in Sweden.

The new 91直播 and Lund study – published in the journal sheds light on how acute rejection is triggered.

Immune cells in the donor heart, they show, migrate into the transplant recipient’s body and are recognised as foreign. The recipient’s immune system is then programmed to destroy the transplanted organ.

Dr James Fildes from The University of Manchester lead the team that analysed donor hearts from pigs before and after EVHP, and reported that the resident immune cells were significantly depleted.

He is also a Principal Scientist at Wythenshawe Hospital – part of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT)

They also found the molecular health of the tissue was excellent, resulting in less inflammation.

The hearts were analysed, preserved and transplanted in pigs using the new technique, and compared with the current method, which involves storing the heart in ice before transplantation.

After, EVHP there was little evidence of rejection, even in the absence of immunosuppression, whereas the non EVHP hearts showed signs of severe rejection very quickly.

Currently when patients receive a transplant, they need lifelong immunosuppression to prevent their own immune system from destroying the transplanted organ, a process called acute rejection.

, runs the Ex-Vivo Lab at the University of Manchester and the Transplant Research Lab at 91直播 Foundation NHS Trust

He said: “Historically, the most common and rapid complication following heart transplantation has been acute rejection.

“With the advent of modern immunosuppression, it is now rare for a transplant recipient to die of acute rejection, but these medicines are inherently toxic, and leave the patient susceptible to infections, cancer, and kidney disease.”

He added: “The technique developed by Prof Steen is a major advance in heart transplantation, as organs can be stored for longer, with incredible preservation.

“What we show in this study is that the technique modifies the heart by removing donor immune cells which we know drive acute rejection. It also improves the state of the tissue, which reduces inflammation.

“So this technique has the potential to be a game changer in heart transplant surgery.”

This work comes as the availability of transplant organs in the UK has plummeted during lockdown, leaving many patients waiting for surgery. The drop exacerbates an already acute shortage of donor hearts.

The technique is now being evaluated in humans in a clinical trial across Sweden.

The paper, Hypothermic cardioplegic perfusion induces immunodepletion of donor hearts resulting in diminished graft infiltration following transplantation, is published in

Hearing aids and cataract surgery are strongly linked to a slower rate of age-related cognitive decline, according to new research by University of Manchester academics.

According to and , cognitive decline- which affects memory and thinking skills- is slowed after patient’s hearing and sight are improved.

The rate of decline was halved following cataract surgery and was 75% less following the adoption of hearing aids.

The research on cataract surgery - which is published in  today– was carried out using 2,068 individuals who underwent cataract surgery between Wave 2 and Wave 6 of the English Longitudinal 91直播 of Ageing survey from between 2002 to 2014.

They were compared with 3,636 individuals with no cataract surgery.

And the research on hearing aids, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society in July, was carried out using 2040 participants in the American Health and Retirement survey from 1996 to 2014

Both surveys assess cognitive decline by testing memory, asking participants to recall 10 words immediately and then at the end of the cognitive function module.

The researchers compared the rates of decline before and after the patients had surgery or started wearing a hearing aid.

Dr Dawes said: “These studies underline just how important it is to overcome the barriers which deny people from accessing hearing and visual aids.

“It’s not really certain why hearing and visual problems have an impact on cognitive decline, but I’d guess that isolation, stigma and the resultant lack of physical activity that are linked to hearing and vision problems might have something to do with it.

“And there are barriers to overcome: people might not want to wear hearing aids because of stigma attached to wearing them, or they feel the amplification is not good enough or they’re not comfortable.

“Perhaps a way forward is adult screening to better identify hearing and vision problems and in the case of hearing loss, demedicalising the whole process so treatment is done outside the clinical setting. That could reduce stigma.

“Wearable hearing devices are coming on stream nowadays which might also be helpful. They not only assist your hearing, but give you access to the internet and other services

Dr Maharani said: “Age is one of the most important factors implicated in cognitive decline. We find that hearing and vision interventions may slow it down and perhaps prevent some cases of dementia, which is exciting- though we can’t say yet that this is a causal relationship.

“Other studies have attempted to look at rates of cognitive decline- but have not really succeeded as it’s hard to take into account demographic factors.

“But the beauty of this study is that we’re comparing the progress of the same individuals over time.”

‘’ is published in Plos One.

‘’ is published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society

This research is funded by the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 Framework

The Mayor of Greater 91直播, Andy Burnham, will officially open the Royal College of Surgeons’ new Outreach hub at The University of Manchester Innovation Centre today (6 June). The new hub will give the RCS a full-time, staffed presence in the North and Midlands.

Andy Burnham will attend a launch event alongside Professor Derek Alderson, President of the RCS, members of its council, its regional representatives in the North and Midlands, and guests from the University of Manchester. Professor Robert Bristow, an expert in the progression and treatment response of prostate cancer at the University, will also speak at the event.

The role of the RCS Outreach Hub North and Midlands office is to support members, regional volunteers and surgical societies. RCS faculty members will also deliver the College’s wide range of educational courses and practical workshops for surgeons and other medical professionals at all stages of their careers, using the state of the art facilities at the 91直播 Surgical Skills and Simulation Centre (MSSSC) at the university.

The RCS has listened to the views of it’s over 25,000 members in the UK and internationally, and sought to setup a permanent home for the RCS outside of London, where its headquarters are.

Mayor of Greater 91直播, Andy Burnham, said:

“I’m incredibly proud that the Royal College of Surgeons has chosen to make 91直播 its home in the North and Midlands. Greater 91直播 is already leading the way as the first city-region in the UK to take control of its combined health and social care budgets. We want our model for health and social care to be an inspiration for the rest of the country.

“By establishing a new base in our city and at the University of Manchester in particular, it confirms that 91直播 is viewed as a centre of innovation and excellence. We look forward to welcoming the many exceptional surgeons and medical professionals that the Royal College of Surgeons trains and supports to our wonderful city.”

Professor Derek Alderson said: “We are very pleased to be able to launch RCS North and Midlands today with the Mayor of Greater 91直播. We hope 91直播, and our members, will see it as a sign of our commitment to developing surgical skills, and innovation, throughout the country. The University of Manchester’s excellent facilities allow us to offer the wide range of cross-specialty training and professional development courses surgeons and other medical professionals have come expect from the RCS at the highest possible standards.”

Professor Peter Clayton, Head of the School of Medical Sciences, University of Manchester said: “The role that the Royal Colleges play in benefiting patients and healthcare in the UK is immeasurable and the University is honoured and delighted that the College has chosen to partner with us to deliver a significant portion of its education programme and to establish a hub for the North and Midlands. For the surgeons who will pass through these doors, the value of being able to update their skills and the opportunity for the RCS to train more junior colleagues in a simulated environment will make a significant contribution to the skills of these professionals."

The partnership with The University of Manchester has come about as the RCS embarks on a major redevelopment of its London home, limiting the courses it can provide in its own buildings for the next three years.

The RCS is redeveloping its ‘Barry-designed’ grade II* listed building as part of , which will see the redeveloped space become a modern and light facility, providing the best education, examination and research resources for the nation’s surgeons. The project will refurbish and maintain the historic façade and library.

The RCS also announced a partnership with St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust at the start of this year, enabling its education courses to be delivered at St George’s and establishing a hub for the south of England.

The full list of surgical and dental courses that the Royal College of Surgeons offers is .