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February 2008 Issue of Renal And Urology News

Editor's Letter

Nature's Pharmacy

Through millions of years of evolution, nature has created a fantastic array of plant and animal species, each with specific adaptations to survive. These adaptations ...

World Literature Review

Urotensin II Predicts Lower Death Risk in CKD Patients

Elevated plasma levels of urotensin II (UTN) predicts a lower risk of death from all causes and cardiovascular causes in CKD patients, Italian researchers conclude.

Low Dihydrotestosterone May Decrease PCa Survival

Low dihydrotestosterone (DHT) may be associated with decreased survival in prostate cancer patients, according to researchers in Sweden.

Time on Dialysis Correlates with Delayed Graft Function

Increasing duration of dialysis is associated with an increased risk of delayed graft function (DGF) following renal transplantation, researchers in Canada have found.

High-Grade Prostate Cancer Has a Poor Prognosis

Patients with Gleason 8-10 prostate tumors have a poor prognosis, according to researchers at the Henri Mondor University Hospital in Créteil, France.

FDA News

Once-Daily Use of Tadalafil for ED Okayed

The FDA has approved Cialis (tadalafil) for once-daily use (2.5 mg and 5 mg) to treat erectile dysfunction (ED).

Novel Beta Blocker Approved to Treat Hypertension

The beta blocker Bystolic (nebivolol), a once-daily medication that can be used alone or in combination with other hypertension treatments, has received FDA marketing clearance.

New Dosage for Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes

Depomed, Inc., of Menlo Park, Calif., has received approval for 1,000-mg strength tablets of Glumetza (metformin hydrochloride extended-release tablets), which is indicated alone or in ...

ARB Cleared to Treat High BP in Children

Diovan (valsartan), an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) marketed by Novartis Pharmaceuticals of East Hanover, N.J., has been approved for treating hypertension in children and adolescents ...

Manufacturing Issue Delays Restart of CIS Drug

Indevus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., of Lexington, Mass., has received a non-approvable letter from the FDA for Valstar (valrubicin solution), the only approved product for therapy of ...

Legal Issues

A Fumble Results in a Late Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

Dr. M, 56, was an old hand at the twists and turns of prostatic cancer. He'd been taught well by a urology professor who drawled, ...

Malpractice News

Missed Diagnoses May Pose Unavoidable Risk

To cut their malpractice risks, some urologists have been limiting their practices or referring their most difficult cases.

Experience Found Not to Prevent Error

Most mistakes in an operating room are technical errors made by experienced surgeons during routine procedures, a recent study reports.

Survey: Doctors Don't Tell on Colleagues

While most physicians acknowledge that they should report incompetent colleagues, about half admit failing to do it, a recent survey reports.

Renal Nutrition Update

Salt Restriction Helps CKD Patients

RENAL HEALTH professionals recognize the detrimental effects of high sodium intake on BP control, congestive heart failure, and fluid balance in CKD patients.

Your Money

A Stable Portfolio for a Shaky Economy

THE WHIMS of markets change constantly. One year the crowd favors technology companies, and then the mood shifts and the next year investors embrace shares ...

Is it too late to join the boom in China?

WHAT ARE the chances that one of your funds will return 100% this year? Extremely slim. Few funds rise 50%, let alone double in a ...

General News

Green Tea May Cut Advanced PCa Risk

GREEN TEA may be associated with a decreased risk of advanced prostate cancer, according to researchers in Tokyo.

24-Hour Urine Collection May Be Avoidable

BOSTON—It may be possible to get accurate urine protein excretion estimates in lupus nephritis patients in three or 12 hours instead of 24, according to ...

Kidney Stone Risk is Linked to Fructose

HIGH LEVELS of fructose intake are independently associated with an increased risk of kidney stones, according to researchers.

Adding ADT to Radiation Proves Beneficial

FOUR MONTHS of neoadjuvant androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) added to external-beam radiotherapy (EBRT) significantly improves long-term outcomes in men with locally advanced prostate cancer compared ...

BP Medication Switch to PM Restores Nocturnal Dips

SWITCHING A single antihypertensive agent from a morning dose to an evening dose may restore nocturnal BP dips in CKD patients.

Device Could Lower Graft Failure Risk

SAN FRANCISCO—A new device may enable clinicians to detect failing graft access blood flow quickly and inexpensively, thereby decreasing the risk of graft failure.

Hydration May Cut Calcium Stone Risk

SAN FRANCISCO—By drinking more water, especially during the night, calcium stone formers may reduce their stone risk, according to a study presented here at Renal ...

High BK Virus Infection Rate Found

CHICAGO—Spanish researchers say they have found a high rate of BK virus (BKV) viremia during the first six months after renal transplantation, but after that ...

For Semen Collection, Privacy Please

WASHINGTON, D.C.—A recent survey identified what men would like in a semen collection room at an assisted reproduction clinic. They want sound privacy, cleanliness, and ...

Marginal Kidneys Benefit Older Recipients

SAN FRANCISCO—The use of marginal donor kidneys is associated with similar five-year death-censored graft survival and patient survival as ideal donor kidneys in older recipients, ...

Rituximab May Reduce IMN Proteinuria

RITUXIMAB MAY decrease proteinuria in patients who have idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) and severe nephrotic syndrome, according to investigators.

SLE Nephritis is More Common in Males

BOSTON—Kidney involvement stemming from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may be more common in male than female patients, researchers reported at the annual meeting of American ...

Study: Possible RCC Multiple Myeloma Link

INVESTIGATORS have found what may be an association between renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and multiple myeloma (MM).

TCC in Transplant Patients

TRANSITIONAL CELL carcinoma (TCC) is the predominant malignancy to develop in Chinese renal transplant recipients, according to researchers at the Capital University of Medical Sciences ...

Traditional Lupus Nephritis Regimen Best

BOSTON—The traditional cyclophosphamide regimen for lupus nephritis recommended by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is superior to high-dose immunoablative cyclophosphamide, a recent study suggests.

Tx Less Likely in the Obese

AMONG PATIENTS waiting for a renal transplant, the likelihood of getting one decreases with the degree of obesity, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University ...

Cover Articles

Race, Ethnicity, and SLE Drugs

BOSTON—Among the various racial and ethnic groups in the United States, Hispanics have the worst response to treatment for proliferative nephritis due to systemic lupus ...

Renal Decline More Rapid in HIV Patients

SAN FRANCISCO—Microalbuminuria (MA) predicts the development of overt proteinuria at two years in patients with HIV infection, data suggest.

Dual Regimen Superior for Metastatic RCC

BEVACIZUMAB USED in combination with interferon alfa as a first-line treatment for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) nearly doubled progression-free survival in patients taking part ...

Feature

Should Selling of Kidneys Be Allowed?

THE ABILITY to purchase organs from live donors could largely eliminate transplant waiting times and only modestly increase total transplantation costs, according to a newly ...