News

Aiming for improvements in kidney function testing

The lack of symptoms in early-stage kidney disease can make it difficult to diagnose. Clinicians usually rely on a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) test to identify disease at an early stage, particularly in high-risk groups. Testing for GFR can be a complicated and lengthy procedure. Using a formula to estimate GFR is standard practice, but...

Searching for genetic markers for inflammation and fibrosis in kidney disease

Inflammation and subsequent fibrosis play a critical role in the progression of kidney disease. Research to understand the cell types, genes, and mechanisms behind this process could reveal new ways to treat or even prevent kidney disease. Katalin Susztak is a professor of medicine and genetics at the University of Pennsylvania, USA. She is a...

Hunting for Genetic Causes of Kidney Disease in Asia

“The prevalence of genetic glomerular and kidney cystic diseases is largely understudied in many Asian countries,” says Dr. Kar Hui Ng. “Many large studies conducted elsewhere, for example in Europe, report rates of these diseases of about 20-30%; however, Asian people are underrepresented, even in international cohorts.” Dr. Ng is a pediatric nephrologist in the...

Setting up Successful Urgent-start Peritoneal Dialysis Programs

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is greatly under-utilized in most parts of the world, despite being preferred by many nephrologists and patients. Various factors, including late end-stage referrals and urgent kidney replacement therapy, mean that PD may not be considered as a treatment option. But new techniques for urgent-start peritoneal dialysis (USPD) allow for treatment initiation...

Shared Decision-making in Treating Chronic Kidney Disease

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of remote health information is more apparent than ever before. Big data technology supports the development of new online clinical pathways, translating clinical practice guidelines into clinical processes within healthcare institutions. In addition, research shows that helping patients and those who care for them to manage...

Sustainable kidney care is the ‘green’ choice for the world

Sustainable healthcare relies on international collaboration, according to Dr. Frances Mortimer. In her Hugh de Wardener lecture at WCN’22, Dr. Mortimer, medical director of the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare in Oxford (UK), will underline why sustainable healthcare is important for health conditions, especially kidney health, as well as the environment. She will focus on the...

The ISN Welcomes Six Newly-Formed Partnerships into the ISN Sister Renal Centers Program  

The SRC Committee is pleased to announce that six new partnerships have been accepted into the Sister Renal Centers (SRC) Program. The partnerships were selected based on the potential to support the emerging center to become a center of reference for kidney health in the region:  Sri Lanka-United Kingdom: University Medical Unit, Colombo, Dr. Eranga...

Watch the Latest ISN Video Abstract on the Therapeutic Role of MG53 in Kidney Inflammation 

Watch the latest video abstract here.  This episode presents the Kidney International paper:  Cell Membrane Repair Protein MG53 Modulates Transcription Factor NF-Κb Signaling to Control Kidney Fibrosis  Discover more video abstracts on the ISN Academy.  The ISN Video Abstract Series is an initiative by the @ISNeducation Social Media Team showcasing key articles from ISN Journals on social media platforms. 

Your Choice Counts: Watch the Finalists in the ISN Community Film Event and Vote for the Winner  

Watch the shortlisted films and cast your vote here!  The deadline to cast a vote in the 2022 ISN Community Best Film is February 26.  From a game-changing service providing nocturnal hemodialysis in a home-training dialysis unit in Australia to international workshops benefitting young people living with Alport Syndrome in the UK, these films present the...

One Week Remaining to Share Your Work at the ISN Frontiers Meeting in Bergamo, Italy: Submit an Abstract Before February 16 

The ISN Frontiers Meeting, ‘Complement-related kidney diseases: classification, genetics, and treatment,' offers researchers a rare opportunity to showcase their work on this specialty topic and raise their profile in the field.   Share and present your research to clinicians, scientists, academics, and general practitioners from around the world. Submit your abstract here.   Accepted abstracts will be presented as...

“Are Your Kidneys Healthy?” Quiz Now Available in 12 Languages, Including Amharic 

Almost 60, 000 people have taken the ISN “Are Your Kidneys Healthy?" quiz since it launched less than a year ago.   Take the quiz here to find out if your kidneys are healthy.  Last week the quiz was added in Amharic, alongside the already available Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and...

Do You Follow the Monthly ISN-ACT Global Trials Focus List? Discover it Now and Welcome Its New Leadership 

The ISN-ACT Global Trials Focus (GTF) is a monthly list identifying and summarizing recent interesting trials relevant to kidney disease.   The GTF is promoted and published on the ISN website, the ISN Academy, the ISN Insight newsletter, and ISN social media channels. The monthly summary is also discussed during #NephTrials, a series of conversations on...

Is Your ISN Membership Profile Up-to-Date? Stay Connected 

When you have an up-to-date ISN membership profile, your colleagues in the international nephrology community can easily find you in the online directory on the membership portal, not only by name and country but also through shared interests and specialty areas. This is especially useful as your network throughout the year and at WCN'22...

New Research Paper Highlights Significance of CKD as a Public Health Problem 

The paper "Mortality and Resource Use Among Individuals with Chronic Kidney Disease or Cancer in Alberta, Canada, 2004-2015" was published in JAMA Network Open on January 25.  Read the paper here.  The research for the paper was led by Marcello Tonelli, iNET-CKD, i3C, and ISN-ACT Networks member. Aiming to support chronic kidney disease (CKD) advocacy efforts,...

#ShowYourKidneys and Encourage Your Patients to Show Theirs! 

World Kidney Day (WKD) has launched a new social media challenge, #ShowYourKidneys.   The online challenge, part of ongoing activities to mark WKD 2022, highlights where kidneys are in the body and what they do. How do you take part?   Take a picture of yourself - front or back view - using your fists to indicate the location of your kidneys.  Add a special...

Announcing the Recipients of ISN 2022 Awards

WCN'22 Awards Gallery The ISN is pleased to announce this year’s recipients of the Jean Hamburger Award, the Bywaters Award, and the Lillian Jean Kaplan International Prize for Advancement in the Understanding of Polycystic Kidney Disease. Nominated by the ISN membership and selected by the ISN Awards Committee and Lillian Jean Kaplan Prize Advisory Committee,...

Obituary: Jan Weening 1950 – 2022 

The ISN is deeply saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Jan Weening.  Dr. Weening served as ISN secretary-general in the late nineties and president of the ISN from 2003 to 2005; he was the first pathologist to serve in this role. Dr. Weening focused his leadership on increasing support for investment in science...

Follow the Anemia of Renal Disease Online Curriculum on the ISN Academy 

The 'Anemia of Renal Disease' curriculum is accessible to all on the ISN Academy.  Explore the curriculum here.  The curriculum is creatively designed using mixed media, including three originally produced voice-over animations, charts, graphs, and self-guided questions to engage students and facilitate learning.   The course covers the pathophysiology of renal disease along with the clinical trials guiding...