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| ISN December e-Update 2008 |  |
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Welcome to this month’s update on news and events relating to the renal community from the International Society of Nephrology (ISN). The current version of the e-Update can be found here. |
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ISN Season’s Greetings |
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2008 will be an unforgettable year for ISN. From World Kidney Day 2008, to the Nexus Symposia in Dublin, Ireland and Rome, Italy, to the Forefronts Symposium on PKD, and the Renal Disaster Relief Task Force (RDRTF) who provided relief efforts to China after the devastating May 12 earthquake, to the Istanbul Declaration on Transplant Tourism and Organ Trafficking and many important activities and initiatives around the globe, this year has been full of opportunities to advance nephrology worldwide. Therefore, ISN would like to take the opportunity to thank all its members, volunteers, and partners who made it all possible. We wish you all the best in the coming year and we hope to see you in 2009 at the next World Congress of Nephrology in Milan, Italy! |
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ISN Membership: treat yourself or make a gift! |
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The end-of-year festivities approaching, you might be looking for gifts for your colleagues, peers and friends or even for yourself! Have you thought about an ISN membership? Not only will you make them happy but you will also support ISN in its mission of advancing nephrology worldwide. Introduce your colleagues, peers, friends to our international community of nephrology by offering them an ISN membership and let them enjoy the valuable ISN membership benefits:
Renewing or offering an ISN membership is quick and easy. You can apply and pay online via the ISN website or you can print a renewal application form and send it via the post, fax or email to ISN Headquarters. Payment in US dollars or Euros can be made via credit card, wire transfer or cheque. For more information or to renew, please visit www.isn-online.org/society/membership |
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Are you ready for WCN 2009? |
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The World Congress of Nephrology 2009, jointly organized by ISN and ERA-EDTA, will be the leading international event in nephrology in 2009 with nephrologists and fellow medical professionals from all corners of the globe gathering in Milan, Italy from May 22-26, 2009. The scientific program committee, under the leadership of Dr Kai-Uwe Eckardt’s and Dr Pierre Ronco, is promising to be extremely interactive and well-structured combining cutting-edge research with a broader overview of the most relevant current fields in the prevention, detection and treatment of kidney disease. Be sure to attend WCN 2009 as your participation – both by bringing your insights as well as by receiving insights from others – is key to making it a successful event! Remember: abstract submission must be received by January 9, applications for travel grants by January 12 and early registration can be made until February 16. For more information and application, please visit the WCN 2009 website at www.wcn2009.org |
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ISN seeks volunteers for the new ISN-COMGAN Educational Ambassadors Program |
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In 2009, the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) will launch the new Educational Ambassadors Program in order to further enhance ISN’s educational services to developing countries as well as to provide ISN members and younger nephrologists with an invaluable opportunity for personal involvement in the Society’s educational programs. Falling within the scope of the Education Committee of ISN’s Commission on the Global Advancement of Nephrology (COMGAN), the program – which replaces the previous Visiting Scholars scheme – will enable centers in the developing world to request an expert to join them onsite for the provision of very specific training or to initiate and develop community based research and screening programs. ISN, with advice from the Regional Committees, will assist in matching the specific educational needs of applicant centers with the availability of appropriately qualified and approved experts. In order to develop a large pool of potential experts for the successful launch of the new Educational Ambassadors Program, ISN is currently seeking volunteers amongst its members. Qualifications to become an ISN Educational Ambassador include:
The COMGAN Education Committee will assess the qualifications for program involvement; eligible individuals will be formally designated as “ISN Educational Ambassadors” and will be included in a central database. In recognition, they will receive a certificate after a first successful visit and formal acknowledgement through various ISN media. Applications from developing centers will be reviewed in May 2009. Further information on the program and forms can be obtained from the ISN Gateway or by writing to the ISN Headquarters at info@isn-online.org |
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ISN-COMGAN Fellowship Program – application deadline is January 31, 2009 |
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The ISN-COMGAN Fellowship Program provides relevant and contemporary nephrological training to physicians from emerging countries, with the ultimate goal of improving the standards in the Fellows' home countries upon their return. ISN Fellows receive hands-on training in advanced host institutions, allowing them to acquire state-of-the-art knowledge in basic and clinical nephrology, dialysis, transplantation, and epidemiology. The training focuses on providing the skills and knowledge specifically required by the home institution. So far, over 460 Fellows from 80 developing countries have received training in centers in 23 developed countries. Help support the ISN-COMGAN Fellowship Program by continuing you ISN membership or find out how you can directly get involved in the program on the ISN Gateway. Application deadline for the first session is January 31, 2009. |
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ISN's Young Nephrologists Committee seeks five new members to start at WCN 2009 |
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ISN's Young Nephrologists Committee is looking for five new members from the regions of Asia-Pacific (1), Europe (1) and America/Canada (3), commencing at the WCN 2009 in Milan, Italy. Any interested applicants under the age of 40 should send an email to Fiona Brown, YNC Chair, with a letter expressing their interest and their CV before February 28, 2009. |
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Free Hypertension articles for ISN members |
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Hypertension, the journal of the American Heart Association, is now offering selected nephrology-related articles free-of-charge to ISN members only. These articles are now available online beginning with their November 2008 issue. Check out the links below and the attached files, which have links to the free articles. This limited-time benefit is designed to provide ISN members with even more valuable scientific literature. Hypertension, November 2008 issue: The Renal Medulla and Hypertension Trends in Hypertension Calcium and Vitamin D Supplements and Blood Pressure AMPK2 Regulates Pressure Overload Hypertrophy WNK1 Gene Variation and Blood Pressure in Children Hypertension, December 2008 issue: ErbB Signaling in the Kidney |
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GRIP 2009 Research Grants - application deadline is January 21, 2009 |
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The topics for the next Genzyme Renal Innovations Grant Program (GRIP) have been announced at ASN Renal Week. Research topics for 2009 will cover:
The GRIP scheme awards a maximum of ten grants per year with funding of up to US$ 50,000 annually for between one and three years. The deadline for submission of initial letters of intent from applicants to Genzyme is January 21, 2009. A shortlist of applicants will then be selected and asked to submit a full research proposal by March 30, 2009. Grant winners will be announced at the World Congress of Nephrology in May 2009. For more information on GRIP 2009, send an email to Joe Bankovich, Grant Program Administrator at grip@genzyme.com. |
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WCN 2009 – abstract submission and early pre-registration deadlines getting closer! |
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World Congress of Nephrology 2009, jointly organized by ISN and the European Renal Association - European Dialysis and Transplant Association (ERA-EDTA) will take place from 22-26 May in Milan, Italy. The six main themes will cover Chronic Kidney Disease – epidemiology and consequences; aetiology and pathogenesis of kidney disease, including clinical nephrology; hypertension and vascular disease; acute kidney injury renal failure and dialysis; and transplantation. In addition, special ‘hot topic’ discussions have been arranged and continuing nephrology education sessions will be available in eight languages. There will be a comprehensive series of lunchtime industry-led symposia and time has also been scheduled for extensive poster sessions. The full scientific program is available online. Abstract submission is open, and you can submit until January 9, 2009. Early birds can pre-register until February 16, 2009. To find out more about the World Congress, including registration and accommodation details, see the dedicated website: www.wcn2009.org |
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WCN 2009 - travel grant application deadline is January 12 |
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ISN and ERA-EDTA are pleased to offer up to 250 travel grants for members to attend the World Congress of Nephrology in Milan, Italy. Successful applicants will be given a free congress registration on top of the actual travel grant. Priority is given to successful abstract submitters, Members, and those who apply from countries with low and middle economies (as per World Bank criteria). For more information and how to apply, please visit the WCN 2009 website. |
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Four ISN Young Nephrologists Awards for the best abstracts submitted at WCN 2009 |
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As WCN 2009 abstract submission date in Milan is January 9, 2009, we would like to remind young nephrologists who are under the age of 37 that there are four ISN Young Nephrologists awards available for the best abstracts in the four areas of basic and clinical science from developed and developing countries. The award covers travel costs, registration and accommodation to enable the award winners to present their abstract. Applications for these awards can be made when the abstract is submitted to WCN 2009. |
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WCN 2009 Satellite Symposia |
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The following Satellite Symposia will take place after the World Congress of Nephrology 2009: IgA Nephropathy Fabry's Disease |
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March 12, 2009 – World Kidney Day – Let’s get moving! |
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As a joint initiative of the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF), World Kidney Day was launched for the first time in 2006 and it is held every year on the second Thursday of March. World Kidney Day 2009 will be held on March 12 and will focus on raising awareness about the important role of our kidneys in health and disease with a particular emphasis on the risk factor 'high blood pressure'. WKD participating organizations, institutions and individuals around the world are encouraged to issue a call to action to measure and manage high blood pressure as well as organize screening events to detect Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Stay informed and up-to-date on actions taking place on Thursday, March 12 and do not forget to keep everyone well informed about your own efforts - submit your WKD plans online at www.worldkidneyday.org. |
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May 17, 2009 – World Hypertension Day |
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Every year, 17 May is dedicated to World Hypertension Day (WHD). This is an initiative of the World Hypertension League (WHL), an affiliated section of the International Society of Hypertension (ISH). World Hypertension Day was first inaugurated in May 2005 and has become an annual event ever since. The purpose of the WHD is to promote public awareness of hypertension and to encourage citizens of all countries to prevent and control this silent killer, the modern epidemic. The theme for World Hypertension Day 2009 is ‘Salt and Hypertension’. For more information on the upcoming event, keep on an eye on the website: http://www.worldhypertensionleague.org/Pages/whd.aspx |
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Upcoming Deadlines |
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Through the Gateway |
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A 49-year-old male with thrombocytopenia, abdominal pain and gross hematuria A 49-year-old Caucasian man presented with right upper quadrant (RUQ) pain, initially thought to be related to cholecystitis. Past medical history was significant for ITP for 10 years treated with steroids in the past and more recently with IVIg and Rho(D) Immune Globulin (when platelet counts declined to <50K), deep venous thrombosis (12 years prior), lower abdominal aortic thrombosis requiring stent placement 3 years prior, and hypertension of <1 year duration. The patient did not report taking any medications on a chronic basis. Physical exam revealed a BP of 158/78, pulse 80 bpm, temperature 99.7 F, malar rash, and RUQ tenderness. On the day of admission, for the first time, the patient noted gross hematuria. Laboratory evaluation disclosed a creatinine of 1.4 mg/dl (baseline sCr 1.2 mg/dl 6 months prior), hematocrit 33%, WBC 9K, and platelet count 56K. Urinalysis revealed 1+ protein, many RBC’s/hpf, 5-10 WBC’s/hpf, and no cellular casts. Positive serologies included a low-titer ANA, high-titer anti-RNP antibody, lupus anticoagulant, and high-titer IgM and IgG anti-cardiolipin antibody. Negative serologies included anti-DNA antibody, anti-Smith antibody, ANCA, HBsAg, HCVAb, and HIV. The patient had markedly depressed C3 and C4 complement levels. One day following admission the creatinine increased to 1.7 mg/dl and renal biopsy was performed. Test your renal biopsy reading skills The ISN Nephrology Gateway’s Literature Update section provides a hand-picked overview of the most recently published articles in nephrology and related disciplines. Recent additions include:
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