International Nephrology Masterclass in Chronic Kidney Disease: Rationale, Summary, and Future Perspectives.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive condition that affects more than 10% of the population worldwide, accounting for more than 843 million (M) individuals. The prevalence of CKD (844 M patients) is higher than that of diabetes mellitus (422 M patients), cancer (42 M patients), and HIV (37 M patients), but people are often less aware of it. Global expert groups predict reductions in the nephrology workforce in the next decade, with a declining interest in nephrology careers.

Biclonal myeloma in renal failure.

Multiple myeloma is a clonal proliferation of the plasma cell line that accounts for approximately 10% of all hematological malignancies. It is characterized by abnormal growth of plasma cells producing monoclonal immunoglobulin or light chain (paraprotein), with subsequent development of osteolytic bone lesions, anemia, hypercalcemia, and renal failure. In 3-6% of myeloma patients, more than one monoclonal protein (usually two) is discovered, with different heavy or light chain or both.

Antiphospholipid antibodies in patients with upper-extremity deep vein thrombosis.

The levels of antibodies to cardiolipin and β2-glycoprotein I and polymorphic variants G1691A of Factor V (factor V Leiden, FVL) and G20210A of prothrombin gene (G20210A) were studied in 16 patients with upper-extremity deep vein thrombosis (UEDVT). Most of patients with this syndrome have elevated values of these antibodies. Two of these patients are heterozygous carriers for G20210A and 1 - for FVL.

Bouquet variety of antiphospholipid antibodies in recurrent pregnancy loss.

Seventy-six female patients with two or more recurrent pregnancy losses (RPL) during the 1(st) trimester were studied. Based on the results of the aCL and aB2GPI antibodies testing, patients were divided in two groups: 22 patients with RPL and elevated immunoglobulin (Ig) G/IgM aCL and/or aB2GPI [RPL + antiphospholipid syndrome (APS)] and 54 patients with RPL alone (without high antibodies). Immunoglobulin G aPS and IgG a-AnV in patients with RPL + APS were higher than in controls and IgG aPS were higher in RPL + APS than in RPL alone.