The Czech registry of renal biopsies. Occurrence of renal diseases in the years 1994-2000.

Background: This report describes data collected by the Czech Registry of Renal Biopsies (CRRB).

Methods: Twenty-eight centres provided data on all biopsies of native kidneys performed in the Czech Republic (population 10.3 million) over the period 1994-2000.

Soluble cytokine receptors in renal vasculitis and lupus nephritis.

Background: The activation of various cytokines, e.g. TNFalpha, IL-1 and/or IL-6, may play an important role in the pathogenesis of renal vasculitis and lupus nephritis (LN).