March 24, 2009

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ASN Reminders: Renal Week 2009: Call for Abstracts

William B. Schwartz, MD, 86, of Los Angeles, California, died on Sunday, March 15, 2009, after a long illness. Dr. Schwartz was a kidney disease specialist and ASN Past-President (1974-1975) who became one of the nation’s leading thinkers on the intersection of medicine and economics. He authored or co-authored several books and hundreds of articles on subjects ranging from electrolyte disorders to the use of artificial intelligence in medicine to the rationing of health care, and had a long and successful career at Tufts University and Tufts Medical Center.

Andrew S. Levey, MD, Chief, Division of Nephrology at Tufts, said:

“Bill Schwartz founded the Division of Nephrology at Tufts Medical Center in 1950 and served as its chief until 1971. He developed the Division into a preeminent referral center for patients with kidney diseases in the New England region and beyond, and he cared personally for hundreds of patients. He made landmark discoveries that revolutionized our understanding of the pathophysiology and management of acid-base and electrolyte disorders. But most importantly, he created a school of rigorous pathophysiologic thought and analytical reasoning, whose graduates have contributed greatly to the field of nephrology.”

He leaves his wife Tressa Ruslander Miller, his son Dr. Eric Schwartz and his wife Dr. Gayle Tillman, his daughter Laurie Schwartz Naparstek and her husband Jay, his stepson Joshua D. Miller and his wife Lori Miller, his daughter-in-law Ellen Cohen, his former wife Carol Schwartz, and five grandchildren. He was also father of the late Kenneth B. Schwartz.

For more information, contact Julie Jette at 617-636-3265 or jjette@tuftsmedicalcenter.org.

Obituary from the Boston Globe

World Kidney Day 2009: Thursday, March 12, 2009

View photo slideshow of WKD Congressional Reception

ASN President Thomas M. Coffman, MD, FASN, speaking at the Congressional Kidney Caucus reception.

More than 20 ASN members and staff as well as representatives from the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC), and the American Society of Pediatric Nephrology (ASPN) visited over 100 congressional offices to urge sustained funding for kidney disease research and for programs that improve treatment outcomes for patients. The meetings were just the highlight of a packed program of activities to celebrate World Kidney Day 2009. The evening before, over 200 guests joined the co-chairs of the Congressional Kidney Caucus, Representatives Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Jim McDermott (D-WA), as well as Representative Shelley Berkley (D-NV), Representative Steve Kagen (D-WI), and special celebrity guests Vince Curatola of HBO’s The Sopranos and the Washington Redskins’ Reed Doughty, to celebrate the launch of World Kidney Day with a congressional reception. On the morning of World Kidney Day, before visiting Congress, ASN leaders promoted kidney disease awareness in radio interviews that aired nationwide.

While acknowledging the importance of the $10 billion increase provided to NIH under the economic stimulus package, ASN advocates reminded their Congressional representatives that increases over the newly established base are essential to prevent a hard landing in fiscal year (FY) 2011; significant reductions in funding rates can stall the discovery and innovation the stimulus funding intended to support. ASN members also highlighted the need for additional basic and clinical research on kidney disease’s relationship with its leading causes—particularly diabetes, hypertension, and obesity—and urged continued support to maintain the pipeline of investigators dedicated to studying the disease.

Additionally, ASN members and patient advocates urged members of Congress to expand coverage of life-saving medications needed to reduce the likelihood of organ rejection among transplant recipients, helping them maintain health in the long term. ASN also encouraged consideration of health care disparities in future legislation. Armed with disconcerting statistics, ASN members educated their representatives on the disparate health outcomes they see among their African American and Hispanic patients compared to Caucasian patients.

Besides promoting kidney disease awareness on Capitol Hill, ASN members traveled to NIH on Friday, March 13, to encourage support for kidney disease research at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, and the National Institute on Aging. In addition to urging interdisciplinary research and clinical trials infrastructure support, ASN representatives met with NIH officials to improve communication regarding plans to use the $10 billion stimulus funding.

Such efforts influence congressional understanding of the impact of kidney disease on their patients and communities. The Society hopes to continue to engage its members in advocacy activities throughout the year and looks forward to expanding on the legislative success achieved on World Kidney Day. For more information on how you can participate in ASN advocacy, please contact ASN Director of Policy and Public Affairs Paul Smedberg at (202) 416-0646 or psmedberg@asn-online.org.

Access ASN World Kidney Day Resources

World Kidney Day 2009: ASN Members on Capitol Hill

ASN members at the Congressional Kidney Caucus reception. From left to right: Bruce A. Molitoris, Alan Segal, Suzanne Watnick, and Judith H. Veis.

ASN members from across the country traveled to Washington D.C. to meet with over 100 congressional offices to urge sustained funding for kidney disease research and greater support for programs that improve treatment outcomes for patients suffering from kidney disease. ASN thanks the following member participants for their efforts:

Anupum Agarwal, MD, FASN University of Alabama-Birmingham	Charles E. Alpers, MD University of Washington Medical Center
Joseph V. Bonventre, MD, PhD Brigham and Women's Hospital	Thomas M. Coffman, MD Duke University Medical Center
Lance D. Dworkin, MD, FASN Brown Medical School	Ronald J. Falk, MD, FASN University of North Carolina Kidney Center
Jonathan Himmelfarb, MD, FASN Kidney Research Institute	Frederick J. Kaskel, MD, PhD, FASN Montefiore Medical Center
Alan B. Leichtman, MD University of Michigan Medical School	Sharon M. Moe, MD, FASN Indiana University School of Medicine
Bruce A. Molitoris, MD Indiana University School of Medicine	Sylvia E. Rosas, MD University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Milagros Samaniego-Picota, MD University of Michigan Medical School	Alan Segal, MD University of Vermont
John B. Stokes III, MD, FASN University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics	Judith H. Veis, MD Washington Hospital Center
Suzanne Watnick, MD Portland VA Medical Center	Donald E. Wesson, MD Texas A&M Health Science Center

NIH Stimulus FAQs

When ASN leaders and staff met with representatives from NIDDK, including Director Griffin P. Rodgers, MD, and Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Diseases Division Director Robert A. Star, MD, they discussed efforts to distribute the funds provided NIH via the economic stimulus package. The "frequently asked questions," below, stem from this discussion.

Does the Request for Applications (RFA) for NIH Challenge Grants in Health and Science Research include the comprehensive list of appropriate topics?
No. The RFA lists broad topic areas for consideration. However, the NIDDK website includes a far more robust review of potential areas for study within those topic areas.
View the RFA

What are the eligibility and application requirements for the challenge grants?
NIH has posted a comprehensive list of challenge grant frequently asked questions.
View FAQ

For what purposes can investigators request supplement funding?
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) released three Requests for Applications (RFAs) for Supplements Utilizing Recovery Act Funds:

NIH will accept administrative supplement requests from applicants with active NIH Research Grants and Research Program and Center Grants, as well as Career Development Awards, Institutional Training Grants, Cooperative Agreements, and Educational Development Awards. Application guidelines and deadlines differ by Institute.The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease will accept applications for fiscal year (FY) 2009 by April 17, 2009. Applications received between April 17, and July 17, 2009, will be considered for FY 2009 or FY 2010.

NIH will accept competitive revision applications to support a significant expansion of the scope or research protocol of approved and funded projects. Applications are due April 21, 2009.

Investigators and United States institutions/organizations with active NIH Research Grants may also request administrative supplements for the purposes of promoting job creation, economic development, and accelerating the pace and achievement of scientific research. These supplements will also encourage students to seriously pursue research careers in the health related sciences, as well as provide elementary, middle school, and high school teachers, community college faculty, and faculty from non-research intensive institutions with short term research experiences in NIH-funded laboratories. Application deadlines are set by individual Institutes. NIDDK requires applications by April 17, 2009 for consideration in FY 2009, and before July 17, 2009, for consideration in FY 2009 or FY 2010.

More information on NIDDK's supplement policies

How can investigators request support for equipment needs?
Any instrument request over $100,000 will be considered by the National Center for Research Resources. The Center received $400 million for equipment and infrastructure support via the economic recovery package. NIDDK will consider support for requests less than $100,000. It is unclear how much support will be made available for equipment needs from the overall stimulus funding provided to the Institute.

How can investigators take advantage of funds provided for comparative effectiveness research?
NIH is still considering how to spend the $400 million awarded to the agency for comparative effectiveness research. The agency is participating in a working group with the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the Department of Health and Human Services to consider how best to move forward. However, investigators are encouraged to submit planning grants for comparative effectiveness research as challenge grant applications.

Can you submit the same idea as a challenge grant and R01?
No, you cannot. The challenge grants will be considered in a different review process than is typically required for R01 applications.

Where can I get up-to-date information?
Sign up for email alerts. ASN will also contact its members with more information as it becomes available. To discuss the above announcements, please contact ASN Research Policy Coordinator Allison Haupt at (202) 416-0660 or ahaupt@asn-online.org.

ASN must receive nominations for the 2009 ASN Council election by Friday, April 10, 2009, at 4:00 p.m. EDT. The ASN Council requests that the Society’s membership consider nominating individuals who diversify the composition of the council. Nomination submissions must consist of 1) the curriculum vitae of the nominated ASN member and 2) a brief nomination letter (1-3 paragraphs).

ASN members are encouraged to email nominations to ASN Operations Coordinator Laura McCann at operations@asn-online.org by Friday, April 10, at 4:00 p.m. EDT.

ASN will send a ballot, including brief biographical data, to all active members approximately two months prior to Renal Week 2009, which will take place October 27 to November 1 at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, CA.

The members of the 2009 Nominating Committee are:

Peter S. Aronson, MD, FASN, Chair
Gary C. Curhan, MD, ScD, FASN
Peter S. Heeger, MD
Lawrence B. Holzman, MD
Alicia A. McDonough, PhD
Michelle P. Winn, MD

The Renal Week 2009 abstract submission site opens Tuesday, March 31st, 2009.

Please note that the deadline for submitting scientific abstracts is Wednesday, June 17, 2009, 11:59 p.m. EDT. ASN will also send an email reminder to members when the abstract submission site opens. ASN will only accept electronic submissions.

Visit the abstract submission site for all updates related to submission. Abstracts must be submitted or sponsored by an active ASN member.

Late-Breaking Clinical Abstracts:

There will be a separate submission site for late-breaking clinical trials. Please check the ASN website in late July for information on submitting late-breaking clinical trial abstracts.

Important dates:

Tuesday, March 31, 2009: Submission site opens
Friday, May, 22, 2009: Deadline for membership renewal for abstract submission
Wednesday, June 17, 2009, 11:59 p.m. EST, US: Submission site closes
Late August 2009: Abstract acceptance notifications sent via email

ASN Kidney News

Current Issue: March 2009

View the Online Version

Essay and Opinion: NIH funding, health care, and the stimulus package
Journal View: Highlights for ASN journals
Trends in Medical Education: A trek to dual fellowship
Policy Update: Specialty codes
Specialty Section: Dialysis units face many challenges in the months ahead. Let the special issue of Kidney News help you chart your course. From a patient’s perspective on dialysis to how to meet the new standards for certifying technicians, you will find it all in “Dialysis: Change is Online.”
ASN News: World Kidney Day
Practice Pointers: Home dialysis
Industry Spotlight: Industry news

CJASN

Researchers Investigate Rituximab Potential (March 6, 2009)

Current treatments for membranous nephropathy are limited to steroids, calcineurin inhibitors, and chemotherapeutic agents, all of which have significant side effects. Findings indicate that rituximab may be effective in treating this kidney disorder.
-View the full study (pdf)

New Database Important Resource in Caring for Dialysis Patients (March 3, 2009)

A nationwide database called the Comprehensive Dialysis Study (CDS) includes detailed information on a wide range of health factors in US dialysis patients and provides a valuable new resource for improving dialysis outcomes.
-View the full study (pdf)

Rituximab Reduces Kidney Inflammation in Patients with Lupus (March 3, 2009)

Treatment with the targeted drug rituximab can significantly benefit some patients with severe lupus nephritis who do not respond to conventional therapy. The findings indicate that this immunosuppressive agent could improve the health of patients who have few other treatment options and who might otherwise develop end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
-View the full study (pdf)

Measuring Quality of Life in Patients with Hereditary Kidney Disease (March 3, 2009)

A commonly used questionnaire that measures quality of life is not sensitive enough to pick up mental and physical problems experienced by patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). Findings indicate that patients with this condition, (the most common form of hereditary kidney disease) need better tests to adequately measure quality of life.
-View the full study (pdf)

NephSAP
March 2009

Current Issue: Fluid, Electrolytes, and Acid-Base Disturbances
Biff F. Palmer, MD and Richard H. Sterns, MD

Access the online version of the exam.
AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM

JASN

High-Flux Hemodialysis Prolongs Survival in Many Patients with CKD (February 20, 2009)

High-flux hemodialysis (which removes large toxins) reduces the risk of premature death in many patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The results suggest that this procedure could be beneficial for those with poor prognoses and those with diabetes.
-View the full study (pdf)

Kidney Disease Affects Response to Blood Thinner (February 13, 2009)

Patients with reduced kidney function require lower doses of the anticoagulant drug warfarin, and may need closer monitoring to avoid serious bleeding complications.
-View the full study (pdf)

Drug Combination Reduces Kidney Disease Risk in Diabetics (February 13, 2009)

For patients with type two diabetes, a combination of two blood-pressure-lowering drugs reduces the risk of kidney disease by about 20 percent—even in patients who don't have high blood pressure.
-View the full study (pdf)

Chewing Gum Helps Treat Hyperphosphatemia in Kidney Disease Patients (February 12, 2009)

Chewing gum made with a phosphate-binding ingredient can help treat high phosphate levels in dialysis patients with chronic kidney disease. The results suggest that this simple measure could maintain proper phosphate levels and help prevent cardiovascular disease in these patients.
-View the full study (pdf)

Study Reveals Avosentan May Slow Progression Of Diabetic Kidney Disease (February 12, 2009)

A new drug called avosentan significantly lowers urinary protein excretion—an important marker of kidney disease progression—in patients with diabetic kidney disease. The study’s results suggest that avosentan may slow the progression of diabetic kidney disease and help prevent end stage disease.
-View the full study (pdf)