Among 513 type 2 diabetics with impaired kidney function, the correlation of urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio and estimated glomerular filtration rate decline with urinary alpha-1-microglobulin-to-creatinine ratio is stronger than with urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin-to-creatinine ratio. Urinary alpha-1-microglobulin may therefore have a higher diagnostic utility than urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin for kidney dysfunction among diabetic subjects.

The authors present an analysis of biochemical findings related to hyperparathyroidism (HPT) comparing primary HPT with secondary/tertiary HPT. Early and persistent hypocalcaemia after parathyroidectomy in severe HPT were a common event associated directly to preoperative ALP levels. Subjects with persistently low postoperative iPTH tend to attain normal serum calcium levels more frequently after 1 year.

This study reviewed biomarkers and comorbidities linked to AKI associated with COVID-19 infections in 632 patients. 34.2% developed AKI with a 50% increased mortality. Severity of AKI was linked to both comorbidities and biomarkers.

An RNA-sequence analysis of RNAs in urinary exosomes identified a number of differentially expressed circular RNAs in immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) patients as compared to healthy controls. These circRNAs are associated with the regulation of pathways relevant to IgAN and may provide useful non-invasive biomarkers for this condition.

This study demonstrated that a psychosocial intervention programme, the Kidney Optimal Health Program, is feasible and efficacious in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety in individuals with advanced chronic kidney disease.

This study shows an association between self-reported appetite loss and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. Patient-reported poor appetite was independently associated with higher risks of peritonitis, HD transfer, and all-cause mortality.

HCV core antigen (HCV Ag) correlated well with HCV RNA among 227 haemodialysis patients, and can be a cost saving strategy over HCV RNA testing to confirm active HCV infection among HD patients.

This small study looks at gastrointestinal microbiota pre- and post-living donor kidney transplantation in both the recipients and their donors. Faecal samples were analysed before, and 4–8 weeks following surgery. Kidney transplantation resulted in significant alterations in gut microbiota richness, diversity, composition and functional parameters in the recipients but not the kidney donors.

Nagata and colleagues measure the concentration of Big angiotensin-25 (Bang-25) in urine by a novel Amplified Luminescent Proximity Homogeneous Assay-based ELISA method, which uses antibodies specific to the N-terminus of Ang II and the C-terminus of Bang-25. In a validation cohort, urinary Bang-25 levels inversely correlated with kidney function and directly with urinary albumin excretion.