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ASN News

ASN is pleased to announce Sangeeta Hingorani, MD, MPH, as the recipient of the Renal Physicians Association Research and Education Foundation (RPA/REF) 2002 Health Services Research Scholar Grant. This grant is jointly sponsored by the ASN and RPA. The RPA-ASN Health Services Research Scholar Grant is designed to foster the independent careers of young investigators in renal-related outcomes research. The award provides $100,000 for two years beginning August 1.

Dr. Hingorani is a Senior Pediatric Nephrology Fellow at Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center in Seattle, Washington. Dr. Hingorani’s specific aims will be:

1. To test the hypothesis that acute renal failure and chronic renal insufficiency (BMT nephropathy) are initiated by a thrombotic microangiopathic process. Dr. Hingorani hypothesizes that: (a) a prothrombotic state precedes renal injury after hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT); (b) this state correlates with measures of renal dysfunction including serum creatinine, hypertension, and protenuria and with pathologic evidence of endothelial injury in autopsy kidneys; and (c) elevated plasma markers of coagulation activation can serve as predictors of renal disease post-HSCT. The marker of primary interest is PAI-1, an inhibitor of fibrinolysis. Other associated markers will be measured, including t-PA, D-dimer, and fragment 1+2.
   
2. To determine if acute renal failure precedes and is a risk factor for the development of BMT nephropathy. Using univariable and multivariable Cox regression models, age, conditioning regimen (including total body irradiation), type of transplant (autologous versus allogeneic), graft versus host disease, cyclosporine (CSA) use, and serum creatinine at time of transplant will also be analyzed as potential risk factors for the development of BMT nephropathy.
   
3. To determine the natural history of BMT nephropathy. A subset of 826 patients transplanted since 1990 who developed BMT nephropathy will be followed forward in time, and predictors of progressive renal dysfunction will be examined in patients with BMT nephropathy.
   

Please join ASN in congratulating Dr. Hingorani!

ASN Logo

The ASN not only has new offices and a new website (see paragraph below), but it has a whole new look! The previously stacked initials now appear in one bold, straight line, and the colors have been changed to a version of red, white, and blue. In addition, design templates have been developed to ensure that all printed and electronic materials associated with ASN have a similar and consistent look, which will make it easy for you to recognize ASN materials ... even at a glance.

ASN Launches New Web Site!

Throughout the summer, ASN staff and the Renal Informatics Committee have worked with its new web site vendor, DefenseWeb Technologies, to develop an updated and interactive web site that will improve communication with and among its members. The first thing members will notice is the new design of the site and the ease with which one can navigate its contents. The site enhancements will also enable ASN to provide its members with regular updates through an electronic version of Highlights, which will keep everyone informed of ASN activities and deadlines. To check out our new and improved site, visit us at http://www.asn-online.org.

This new website will continue to be developed and improved over the next several months, until all the planned functionality is up and running. Watch for additional improvements, such as the ability to create My ASN and specialized calendars, reports, and messages for groups of ASN members with similar interests.

Renal Disease Grant Opportunities

At its most recent meeting in July, the Council of American Kidney Societies (CAKS) decided to compile and update all the grant opportunities sponsored by the six member societies of CAKS and make this information easily available to renal researchers. All grant information, including application and eligibility criteria and dates, amount of award, reporting requirements, and numbers of grants awarded each year will reside on a web site maintained by the National Kidney Foundation. This site is now linked, however, to the ASN site, so you can easily access the information with a single click!

ASN Holds 3rd Annual Kidney Health Fair on Capitol Hill

On June 26, ASN held its annual Kidney Health Fair on Capitol Hill for Members of Congress, congressional staff, and the public. The fair was held in conjunction with the ASN’s annual Government Relations Committee meeting in Washington, DC.

Free screenings for hypertension and blood glucose levels were provided to attendees by local health providers. This, the third year of the fair, also saw an increase in participation by numerous other kidney organizations as well as continued support from previous participants, including the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), Renal Physicians Association (RPA), American Kidney Foundation (AKF), Minority Organ Tissue Transplantation Education Program (MOTEP), American Nephrology Nurse Association (ANNA), Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation (PKD), and the Council of Kidney Societies (CAKS), as well as the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The goal of the Health Fair is to provide a convenient way for policymakers to learn more about kidney disease, the extent of the problem, and preventive steps; the ASN is therefore pleased at the prominent participation and abundance of educational materials that the kidney community was able to provide.

As we have observed with previous Kidney Fairs, where "on the spot" test results are immediately provided to those being screened, it appears that fully 10% of those who were tested on June 26 are considered at risk for kidney disease due to hypertension and/or high blood glucose levels. This alarming statistic serves to point out the overwhelming need for additional research into the cause and treatment of kidney disease, and it also provides a rough approximation of the extent of the problem in the public at large.

ASN appreciates the help of the other participating kidney organizations as well as the Hard Times Café, which provided samples of Kidney Bean Chili to the attendees, in making the Health Fair a success.

ASN Holds Government Relations Committee Meeting in Washington, DC

On June 25 and 26, ASN held its annual Government Relations Committee meeting in Washington. The meeting is part of ASN’s ongoing strategy to provide regular and sustained direct constituent contact between ASN leaders and key Members of Congress. During the event, which was held in conjunction with the Kidney Health Fair, Committee members were briefed on the status of major legislation, kidney-specific issues, and the outlook for action in the remaining time left in the current congressional session. ASN members also met with their own Senators and Representatives and with key policymakers who have demonstrated support and commitment to furthering the goals of kidney disease research.

Medicare Prescription Drug Legislation Passes House of Representatives

On June 27, the House passed a prescription drug bill on a party line vote (221 to 208). Certain other provisions of interest were included in the package, including a 6% increase in Medicare physician payments over the next three years instead of the 14.2% cut projected under current law. A modest composite rate adjustment was included for 2004.

Notwithstanding the House passage, prospects in the Senate look bleak. However, a so-called "provider" bill is expected in the Fall, which is more likely to pass both Houses.

Get Ready for the 35th Annual Meeting in Philadelphia!

The preregistration deadline for the ASN Renal Week in Philadelphia is approaching rapidly! You must be registered by September 10^th to take advantage of the reduced registration fees. If you have not already registered, you are ENCOURAGED to visit the ASN web site today.

Also note that a second important deadline is also approaching; the housing deadline is October 2^nd! Make your hotel arrangements for Renal Week NOW!

Finally, the Program and Abstracts are now online. Visit the ASN web site to build your conference itinerary or chat with abstract authors prior to the meeting by using the online discussion forum. See you in Philadelphia!!

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