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BACKGROUND The genetic backgrounds of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) have not been fully elucidated. AIM To examine the individual and cumulative effects of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) previously associated with DKD on the risk for ESKD of diabetic etiology and to determine if any associations observed were specific for DKD. METHODS Fourteen SNPs were genotyped in hemodialyzed 136 patients with diabetic ESKD (DKD group) and 121 patients with non-diabetic ESKD (NDKD group). Patients were also re-classified on the basis of the primary cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The distribution of alleles was compared between diabetic and non-diabetic groups as well as between different sub-phenotypes. The weighted multilocus genetic risk score (GRS) was calculated to estimate the cumulative risk conferred by all SNPs. The GRS distribution was then compared between the DKD and NDKD groups as well as in the groups according to the primary cause of CKD. RESULTS One SNP (rs841853; SLC2A1) showed a nominal association with DKD (P = 0.048; P > 0.05 after Bonferroni correction). The GRS was higher in the DKD group (0.615 ± 0.260) than in the NDKD group (0.590 ± 0.253), but the difference was not significant (P = 0.46). The analysis of associations between GRS and individual factors did not show any significant correlation. However, the GRS was significantly higher in patients with glomerular disease than in those with tubulointerstitial disease (P = 0.014) and in those with a combined group (tubulointerstitial, vascular, and cystic and congenital disease) (P = 0.018). CONCLUSION Our results suggest that selected SNPs that were previously associated with DKD may not be specific for DKD and may confer risk for CKD of different etiology, particularly those affecting renal glomeruli.

Background Diagnosis of pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas in patients receiving hemodialysis is troublesome. Aim To establish optimal conditions for blood sampling for mass spectrometric measurements of normetanephrine, metanephrine and 3-methoxytyramine in patients on hemodialysis and specific reference intervals for plasma metanephrines under the most optimal sampling conditions. Methods Blood was sampled before and near the end of dialysis, including different sampling sites in 170 patients on hemodialysis. Results Plasma normetanephrine concentrations were lower (P

The main aim of this article is to describe and analyze St. Anselm concept of eternity to present a non-obvious dimension of this idea. Because his philosophical andtheological notion of eternity does not involve only – as common sense suggests – the idea of time but also the very concept of necessity. However, this time, it goes far beyond the understanding of the necessity only in logical terms like it was in case of his ontologicalproof for the existence of God.

To the Editor: The diagnostic work-up of pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma (PPGL) among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a clinical challenge. Impaired renal elimination of catecholamines and their metabolites confounds urinary tests, while increased plasma concentrations of free metanephrines in patients with CKD also complicate interpretation of plasma tests.1, 2, 3 We therefore aimed to establish optimal reference intervals for plasma free metanephrines and 3-methoxytyramine in patients with CKD stages 3 and 4 or receiving hemodialysis (HD). This prospective multicenter study included 234 patients (79 CKD3, 48 CKD4, and 107 receiving HD) and an aged-matched reference population of 173 individuals (Table 1; Item S1). Measurements of plasma free normetanephrine, metanephrine, and 3-methoxytyramine were performed using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).4

Urological consultation is an important step in the procedure of a patient's preparation before placing him/her on a waiting list for a renal transplant. Urological work-up aims to diagnose, treat, and optimize any preexisting urological disease. In the present paper we present the review of the literature together with the authors' conclusions based on literature and their experience. There is not enough data in current literature and urology manuals on the adequate sequence of the urological management with patients qualified for renal transplant and the literature needs an update. This study presents the crucial steps of the qualification and emphasizes the urge for a more standardized urological approach in patients qualified for a kidney transplantation.