US Doctors Successfully Transplant Pig Heart into Man for the First Time | News from Germany on world events

In the United States, doctors have successfully transplanted the heart of a genetically modified pig into a human for the first time. According to the surgeons, three days after the transplant, the heart is functioning normally, and the 57-year-old is doing well. The announcement was made public on Monday, January 10, by the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

“This organ transplant operation demonstrated for the first time that the heart of a genetically modified animal can function in the human body without being immediately rejected by the body,” the report said.

“This was a groundbreaking operation that brings us one step closer to resolving the organ shortage crisis,” said surgeon Bartley Griffith, who performed the pig heart implantation operation. This is the first such operation in the world to give hope for the future for patients with failed organs, he said.

There was no alternative to this operation.

According to the information released to the public, the patient was suffering from end-stage heart disease. A pig heart transplant was the only treatment option, the University of Maryland explained.

“I had a choice: die or have this transplant,” patient David Bennett said before surgery on January 7, according to the university. “I want to live. I know the chances are slim, but this is my last choice,” the man added. Emergency permission for this operation was given by the US Food and Drug Administration.

The pig from which the heart was obtained was genetically modified to remove the “sugar” gene that produces the digestive enzyme isomaltase. Otherwise, this enzyme would cause a strong immune response in the patient, which would lead to the rejection of the donor heart.

Deficiency of donor organs is a worldwide problem

In the United States alone, about 110,000 people are currently awaiting an organ donor. According to official figures, more than 6,000 people die each year without waiting for a transplant.

Due to the shortage of human donor organs, researchers have high hopes for the so-called xenotransplantation – the transplantation of organs, tissues and / or cellular organelles from an organism of one biological species into an organism or part of another biological species. Pig heart valves and pig skin are already being transplanted to people who have suffered burns.

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How Germans Get Rid of Ailments
Tea
Before deciding what to do with a particular illness, it’s a good idea to have a cup of herbal tea. It can be bought in Germany not only in a pharmacy, but also in any store. Herbal teas have a beneficial effect. In addition, they perfectly raise the general tone and help to relax.

How Germans Get Rid of Ailments
Lakrica
A well-known cough remedy – licorice, licorice or licorice root (lat. Glycyrrhiza glabra), is the basis of the “sticky” delicacy, beloved by the Germans. Regardless of the shape and degree of sweetness, licorice candy can do other wonders as well. A paste of crushed licorice lozenges and petroleum jelly helps to relieve calluses and horny skin on the feet.

How Germans Get Rid of Ailments
Mustard
Today, few people know about the benefits of mustard plasters in Germany. Also, rarely do Germans soar their feet with mustard powder. Mustard is better known here as a remedy for … heartburn! It sounds paradoxical, but a teaspoon of hot mustard, “taken” after a meal, soothes the stomach. The mustard oil contained in mustard improves the function of the gallbladder and liver, preventing the occurrence of heartburn.

How Germans Get Rid of Ailments
Ginger
In the Middle Ages, ginger (lat. Zingiber officinale) imported from distant countries joined the well-known in Germany remedies “for all diseases” – garlic and horseradish root. Rich in vitamins and essential amino acids, the miracle root improves digestion and blood circulation. And ginger tea with lemon and honey is a universal antipyretic and anti-inflammatory agent.

How Germans Get Rid of Ailments
Vodka
The fact that a moderately “accepted” drink not only warms, but also relieves of various ailments has been known for a long time. Adherents of traditional medicine in Germany use vodka as a remedy for … excessive sweating of the legs and arms. To get rid of such a nuisance, it is recommended to wipe your hands and feet with gauze soaked in vodka twice a day.

How Germans Get Rid of Ailments
Lard in German
A slice of smoked bacon or “speck”, as the Germans call it, can save you from a toothache! Anyway, calm her down for a while until you get to the dentist. Do not rush to eat the whole piece at once – leave it behind your cheek, where the tooth hurts, and in 15-20 minutes it will feel better for you. The meat salt “draws” fluid from the swollen gums and acts as a mild pain reliever.

How Germans Get Rid of Ailments
Olive oil
Due to its high content of oleic (monounsaturated) acid, olive oil is considered to be simply miraculous. It has healing properties. For example: to eliminate eczema, thoroughly rub oil into reddened skin. An excellent prophylactic agent against skin inflammations is a bath with the addition of 100 ml of oil and 500 ml of milk.

How Germans Get Rid of Ailments
Cabbage
Legends can be told about the benefits of white cabbage. In Germany, it is considered a migraine remedy. The juice of both fresh and sauerkraut is especially useful, according to traditional healers. A compress applied to the forehead of finely chopped cabbage leaves wrapped in a cotton towel also helps.

How Germans Get Rid of Ailments
Cottage cheese
Instead of mustard plasters in Germany, cottage cheese is more often used. Curd compress helps to get rid of annoying cough. To do this, the heated (not hot!) Curd mass is spread on a towel and placed alternately on the chest and back, covering the patient with a woolen blanket.

How Germans Get Rid of Ailments
Black pepper
As you know, a wedge is knocked out with a wedge, and a hiccup – with pepper! This physiological reaction of the body cannot be called dangerous, it usually goes away by itself. But sometimes the hiccups can be excruciatingly prolonged. In this case, it is recommended to sniff the ground black pepper. The alkaloid piperine contained in it will cause a “defensive reaction”, and the hiccuping sneeze will get rid of the hiccups.

How Germans Get Rid of Ailments
baking powder
Artificial baking powder or just soda – the Germans resort to this “handy” remedy urgently in case of inflammation of the bladder. A pinch of baking soda or baking powder, dissolved in a glass of water, neutralizes the acidic environment, so favorable for the growth of bacteria, and turns it into an alkaline one.

How Germans Get Rid of Ailments
Bouillon
With a breakdown, flu and other ailments, the list of “healing” dishes in Germany is headed by chicken broth cooked over low heat. Spices are added to the broth: cloves, peppercorns, bay leaves, parsley roots, onion, optionally – a small piece of ginger. The favorite German chicken broth soup – with thin, homemade noodles.
Author: Inga Wanner