New Technique Developed to Boost Survival Chances of Heart, Kidney Transplant Patients

This Friday, Feb. 21, 2014 photo shows organ donation paperwork at Mid-America Transplant Services in St. Louis. (AP)
This Friday, Feb. 21, 2014 photo shows organ donation paperwork at Mid-America Transplant Services in St. Louis. (AP)
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New Technique Developed to Boost Survival Chances of Heart, Kidney Transplant Patients

This Friday, Feb. 21, 2014 photo shows organ donation paperwork at Mid-America Transplant Services in St. Louis. (AP)
This Friday, Feb. 21, 2014 photo shows organ donation paperwork at Mid-America Transplant Services in St. Louis. (AP)

A Russian research team announced successful tests of a new technique that allows the preservation of human organs needed for transplantation for a four-time longer period than the currently used methods.

The findings would help transfer organs from donors to recipients regardless of the time and distance factors.

According to the current standards, an organ such as the heart can be preserved in a special liquid and within a specified temperature for 4 - 6 hours, the liver 12 - 15 hours, and the kidney 16 hours, or a maximum of 24 to 30 hours. Therefore, the life of a patient who needs a heart transplant depends on finding a donor in a close region, so the organ can be preserved and transferred on time.

Unfortunately, most of the times, the organ cannot be used if the patient who needs it lives in another city. The tests carried out by the Russian team have focused on addressing this challenge by creating new conditions that maintain the organs' vital signs for a longer period.

A member of the team said the experiments firstly conducted on hearts taken from frogs and rats, then sheep, proved that the new technique can preserve a transplantable heart for a four-time longer period.

He also explained that the technique uses a "preservative gas", while the current technique uses preservative liquids.

The researchers plan to continue their experiments in 2020, and hope to achieve results that allow them to use their technique and its potential additional benefits to ease the transplant of any organ to any patient regardless of the distance separating him from the donor.



Turki Alalshikh Honored as ‘Most Influential Personality of the Decade’ at MENA Effie Awards

Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Turki Alalshikh Honored as ‘Most Influential Personality of the Decade’ at MENA Effie Awards

Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority (Asharq Al-Awsat)

In a landmark global achievement, Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, was named the “Most Influential Personality of the Decade” during the MENA Effie Awards ceremony.

Theprestigious honor recognizes his transformative contributions to the Kingdom’s entertainment sector and his pivotal role in its development and international prominence.

The MENA Effie Awards, renowned for celebrating impact and creativity across the Middle East and North Africa, distinguishes individuals whose efforts have delivered exceptional and lasting contributions over the past decade.

Alalshikh’s recognition underscores his status as one of the most influential figures in global entertainment and reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing impact on the international cultural and entertainment landscape.

Under his leadership, the General Entertainment Authority has played a key role in enhancing the quality of life in Saudi Arabia, aligning with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. His efforts have established a world-class entertainment ecosystem, bolstering the national economy and fostering sustainable development.

Since the launch of Riyadh Season 2024 in October, spearheaded by Alalshikh, the event has attracted unprecedented global attention. In less than a month, approximately 6 million visitors attended, showcasing the event’s extraordinary appeal to both local and international audiences.

The season features thousands of events, ranging from concerts and art exhibitions to theater performances and family-friendly activities. Riyadh Season 2024 includes five main zones—Boulevard World, Kingdom Arena, Boulevard City, The Venue, and Al-Suwaidi Park—each offering a distinctive and immersive experience.

During its opening week, the season set a record with 2 million visitors, highlighting the public’s enthusiasm for this eagerly awaited event.