Issue 2, 2010March 2010 I strongly encourage the readers of Nephron Digest to engage in a dialogue by emailing me to discuss issues of global nephrological interest. These would be addressed by expert members of the editorial board of Nephron. Also readers are encouraged to request topics that they would like to be updated upon through the Mini Review series of Nephron Clinical Practice. Also note the new features in Nephron including regular contributions on epidemiology, statistics and their application to population health, reviews of nephrology guidelines as well as the new Nephron forum; clinico-pathological conferences taking place in emerging countries. Professor Meguid El Nahas, PhD, FRCP Editor, Nephron Clinical Practice nephron@sheffield.ac.uk m.el-nahas@sheffield.ac.uk   Digest of issue 114/4/2010 A Tribute to Franklin H. Epstein (1924-2008) (M. Brezis, Israel; Nephron Clin Pract 2010;114:c309-310). Franklin Epstein was Professor of Medicine and Chief of Nephrology at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston. He was a pioneer of modern renal physiology including breakthroughs in the understanding of sodium-potassium transport in the nephron as well as in the response of the kidney to ischemia and hypoxia. Dr. Epstein trained generations of nephrologists who were inspired by his encyclopedic knowledge but also by his humanistic approach to medicine and caring. Medicine is enriched by great clinical scientists, but humanity is richer for the likes of Franklin Epstein who are great clinical humanists. Echocardiography in Chronic Kidney Disease: Diagnostic and Prognostic Implications (R. Pecoits-Filho, S. Barberato, Brazil; Nephron Clin Pract 2010;114:c242-c247). This review introduces readers to the range of structural as well as functional, systolic as well as diastolic, abnormalities associated with CKD and detectable by echocardiography. Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome: Update on the Complement System and What Is New (P. Hirt-Minkowski et al., Switzerland; Nephron Clin Pract 2010;114:c219-c235). This review updates readers on the key role the complement system plays in the pathogenesis of atypical hemolytic syndrome. A better understanding of a range of complement system abnormalities underlying the microangiopathy and hemolytic anemia associated with this condition opens the way to new therapies based on the modulation of the components of the complement system. Anemia Management in CKD and Hb Target Stability (L. De Nicola et al., Italy; Nephron Clin Pract 2010;114:c236-c241). This analysis highlights the importance of hemoglobin variability in non-dialysis CKD. Increasingly, attention is paid to Hb stability and its variability as a prognostic indicator in CKD; Individuals with larger fluctuations in Hb levels are at higher risk of morbidity and mortality. Nephrologists therefore need to pay attention to Hb target levels as stipulated by a number of guidelines (KDOQI and ERBP) but also exert enough management flexibility to avoid frequent and large fluctutations in Hb levels with time. Prevalence of CKD in a Rural Chinese Population (L. Jiang et al., China; Nephron Clin Pract 2010;114:c295-c302). This report from the Handan Eye Study highlights an apparently high prevalence of albuminuria in a chinese rural community (~15%). This study suffers from shortcomings common to many population screening programs including single testing. In the absence of confirmed and persistent albuminuria, it is very difficult to ascertain the chronicity of the condition and make the diagnosis of CKD as defined by KDOQI in 2002. Albuminuria can be transient and reversible, warranting confirmation before the diagnosis of CKD can be ascertained. Nephrologists beware! Sleep Quality and CKD (M.-E. Roumelioti et al., USA; Nephron Clin Pract 2010;114:c277-c287). This study addresses an important symptom associated with CKD/ESRD, namely poor sleep quality. A number of factors are associated with disturbed sleep including dialysis dependency, chronic heart failure, depression as well as the usage of beta-blockers. Others have demonstrated that anemia impacts on the quality of sleep in CKD/ESRD. For previous issues of Nephron Digest or to sign up for future issues, click here © S. Karger AG - Medical and Scientific Publishers Allschwilerstrasse 10, P.O. Box, CH-4009 Basel (Switzerland) Tel. +41 61 306 1200, Fax +41 61 306 1234, publications@karger.ch. Please read the Karger Privacy Policy. If you have received this email by mistake, click here and we will take you off this mailing list.