Table of contents
December 2006 Volume 2 No 12
Editorial
Viewpoint
Renal dysfunction in leptospirosis: a view from the tropics
658Renal pathological changes seen in individuals with the zoonotic disease leptospirosis include interstitial nephritis and tubular necrosis. With a particular emphasis on the role of hemodynamics, this author from Thailand examines the pathogenesis of renal dysfunction in leptospirosis. The utility of dopamine in this setting is contrasted with its effects in renal dysfunction of other etiologies.
Research Highlights
Extracorporeal blood purification does not prevent contrast nephropathy
660One year of EPO markedly increases HDL cholesterol levels in predialysis CKD patients
660Cardiovascular risk factors under-managed in advanced type 2 diabetic nephropathy
660Exercise and an anabolic steroid improve muscle mass and function in hemodialysis patients
661Cyclophosphamide versus azathioprine for proliferative lupus nephritis therapy
661Use of gadodiamide for contrast-enhanced MRI linked with nephrogenic systemic fibrosis
662Low sitting height:leg length ratio characterizes Schimke chronic kidney disease
662Lack of glomerular deposits signals a better prognosis in AA amyloidosis
663Children with a single, normal kidney can participate in contact/collision sports
663Child-to-child transplantation yields better long-term renal graft function
663Sustained low-efficiency daily dialysis: safe, successful and cost-effective ARF treatment
664Improving access to kidney transplantation for sensitized patients: the Emory Algorithm
664LO-Tact-1 reduces chronic rejection and infection following renal transplantation
665Practice Points
Do statins have a beneficial effect on the kidney?
666Timing of sudden death relative to the hemodialysis procedure
668Is cool dialysis an effective and well-tolerated means of reducing the frequency of intradialytic hypotension?
670Maintenance treatment of proliferative lupus nephritis can be discontinued after remission in some patients
672Does the Adrogue–Madias formula accurately predict serum sodium levels in patients with dysnatremias?
674doi:10.1038/ncpneph0335 | Full Text | PDF (146K)
Reviews
Depression in end-stage renal disease hemodialysis patients
678It is estimated that up to 30% of people who regularly receive hemodialysis for kidney failure suffer from a depressive disorder. Depression can compromise treatment compliance, and modulate the immunological and nutritional status of patients. In this thorough and balanced overview, the authors explore this understudied issue, drawing attention to the problems associated with detection of depression and effective management in hemodialysis populations.
doi:10.1038/ncpneph0359 | Full Text | PDF (187K)
Drug Insight: maintenance immunosuppression in kidney transplant recipients
688It is essential that community-based nephrologists and primary care physicians, who are increasingly involved in the management of stable renal allograft recipients, are familiar with new-generation immunosuppressive drugs. This comprehensive article by Arjang Djamali and colleagues is a guide to the pharmacokinetics, dosing, drug–drug interactions and adverse effects of the mainstays of modern immunosuppression; calcineurin inhibitors, antimetabolites, mTOR inhibitors and corticosteroids.
doi:10.1038/ncpneph0343 | Full Text | PDF (404K)
Mechanisms of Disease: in utero programming in the pathogenesis of hypertension
700This Review integrates discussion of well-established mechanisms that are known to underlie the 'fetal origins hypothesis' of hypertension with examination of mechanisms for which data continue to emerge. Set in the context of implications for public health, the authors suggest that monitoring the blood pressure, renal function and body weight of at-risk children might help to reduce the likelihood of kidney and cardiovascular disease developing in later life.
doi:10.1038/ncpneph0344 | Full Text | PDF (175K)
Case Study
Interpretation of serologic tests in an HIV-infected patient with kidney disease
708There is a high false-positive rate for certain serologies in patients with HIV infection. Here, Hernandez and colleagues reinforce several salient points relating to the management of HIV-seropositive patients with renal disease. The case clearly highlights the importance of kidney biopsy; aggressive immunosuppressive therapy in the setting of HIV-infection should be avoided unless a diagnosis of autoimmune disease is confirmed.
doi:10.1038/ncpneph0324 | Full Text | PDF (227K)
