Table of contents
November 2005 Volume 1 No 1
Editorial
Viewpoint
Genetic abnormalities of complement regulators in hemolytic uremic syndrome: how do they affect patient management?
2In 1955, the Swiss hematologist Conrad von Gasser coined the term 'hemolytic uremic syndrome' to describe the combined symptoms of diarrhea, hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia and acute renal failure, which he had observed in five children. Since then, investigators have realized that some forms of hemolytic uremic syndrome can be attributed to genetic abnormalities in circulating and membrane-bound proteins that regulate the complement system. How do these abnormalities influence the course and outcome of the disease, and how should they affect its treatment?
Research Highlights
Plasma cystatin C: a better marker of GFR than serum creatinine?
4Impact of HAART on the ESRD epidemic is confounded by HIV infection rates
4Suboptimal physician awareness is hampering early detection of chronic kidney disease
4Contradictory guidelines for drug dose adjustment in renal impairment
5Choice of dialysis modality is affected by predialysis education
5Treatable risk factors for peritonitis in children undergoing peritoneal dialysis
6Online hemoglobin monitoring could improve management of anemia in hemodialysis patients
6Curtailing unnecessary emergency room visits by hemodialysis patients would cut costs
7Practice Points
Is cystatin C more effective than creatinine in predicting adverse cardiovascular outcomes in elderly people?
8Can urinary monokine induced by interferon-
accurately predict acute renal allograft rejection?
10Is the efficacy of epoetin beta in anemic peritoneal dialysis patients maintained with fortnightly doses?
12Does parenteral volume expansion improve outcomes in children infected with Escherichia coli O157:H7?
14Is tacrolimus superior to ciclosporin microemulsion in preventing long-term acute renal transplant rejection?
16Does sevelamer have anti-atherosclerotic properties in maintenance hemodialysis patients?
18Reviews
Adult stem cells in the repair of the injured renal tubule
22Age-related decline in the capacity of the kidney to repair itself is a significant contributor to mortality associated with acute renal failure. In this well-balanced overview of renal and bone-marrow stem cells, Lloyd Cantley summarizes current knowledge and speculates on mechanisms of regeneration that have therapeutic potential.
doi:10.1038/ncpneph0021 | Full Text | PDF (299K)
Drug Insight: thiazolidinediones and diabetic nephropathy—relevance to renoprotection
33Thiazolidinediones are synthetic agonists of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors that have shown promise in in vitro and animal models of nephropathy. Encouraging early-stage data have also been generated in patients with diabetic nephropathy. Carol Pollock and colleagues outline what we know and what we need to find out before thiazolidinediones such as pioglitazone and rosiglitazone can fulfill their clinical potential.
doi:10.1038/ncpneph0029 | Full Text | PDF (237K)
Mechanisms of Disease: focal segmental glomerulosclerosis
44Despite the implications of the term 'focal segmental glomerulosclerosis', subtypes of this form of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome are not always focal, segmental or sclerotic. Here, Alain Meyrier presents a comprehensive update of our understanding of the processes that underlie the development of variants of this condition, with emphasis on the unifying role of the podocyte.
doi:10.1038/ncpneph0025 | Full Text | PDF (589K)
Case Study
Retroperitoneal fibrosis presenting as acute renal failure
55doi:10.1038/ncpneph0023 | Full Text | PDF (145K)
