[The Hyperoxalurias].

Oxalate (Ox) is an end-product of metabolism, important for poor solubility of its calcium salt in biological fluids. Ox can therefore be found in about 70% of urinary calculi. Hyperoxaluria (HOx) defined as Ox exceeding 0.

[The effects of Cinacalcet in renal stone formers with primary hyperparathyroidism].

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) may favor nephrolithiasis mainly through an increase in calcium and phosphate urinary excretion. Cinacalcet exhibits good efficacy to control hypercalcemia in PHPT, but it is not so far known whether it might be a useful tool to prevent stone recurrences. Of 67 patients with PHPT and recurrent nephrolithiasis, 55 underwent parathyroidectomy (PTX) and 12, not eligible to PTX, were prescribed Cinacalcet.

[Genetic approach to nephrolithiasis].

Nephrolithiasis (NL) has high and increasing prevalence in western countries. Most renal stones contain calcium and/or uric acid and often occur as idiopathic stones, while seldom are caused by genetic disorders. Conversely, cystinuria, xantinuria, 2-8 dihydroxyadeninuria only occur in patients with mutations of corresponding genes.

[Acute pielonephritis and renal abscesses in Piedmont and Aosta Valley].

The Piedmont Group of Clinical Nephrology compared the activity of 18 nephrology centers in Piedmont and Aosta Valley as regards acute pielonephritis (APN). Data from more than 500 cases per year of APN were examined. The microbial spectrum of APN consists mainly of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

[Renal biopsy practice in Piedmont and Valle d'Aosta].

In 2010 a questionnaire was administered to the renal units of Piedmont and Valle d'Aosta to analyze their procedures for renal biopsy (RB). Seventy-eight percent of units performed RBs, 57% for more than 20 years, but only 43% performed at least 20 BRs per year. 20/21 units performed RB in an inpatient setting and 1/21 in day hospital with the patient remaining under observation the night after.

Search for genetic association between IgA nephropathy and candidate genes selected by function or by gene mapping at loci IGAN2 and IGAN3.

Background: IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is not generally considered a hereditary disease, even though extensive evidence suggests an undefined genetic influence. Linkage analysis identified a number of genome regions that could contain variations linked to IgAN.

Methods: In this case-control association study, genes possibly involved in the development of IgAN were investigated.

[Lymphomatous renal involvement].

The incidence of lymphomas, especially non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), has shown a steady increase over the last decades. At the same time, the prognosis has improved. Given the longer survival of lymphoma patients, pathological manifestations related to malignancy might become more frequent.