University Hospital for Internal Medicine IV

• Precision medicine: The prognosis of patients with renal disease has improved but there is still considerable inter- and intra-individual variation in response to therapy. A better understanding of the underlying conditions is required to optimise individual clinical management.
• Immune-mediated kidney injury: Recent advances in treatment options have fostered research on the pathogenesis of immune-mediated kidney diseases. Personalization holds the promise of increasing efficacy while reducing side effects.
• Epidemiology: The Austrian Dialysis and Transplant Registry collects data from patients with end-stage renal disease. We need a better understanding of the epidemiology to interpret the incidence and outcome of ESRD therapy and to support research and healthcare planning
• Educational Research: Medical education is a strongly evolving field. We aim to understand, describe and improve the efficacy of teaching, learning and subsequent performance of medical students and post-graduate fellows.

The Department of Internal Medicine IV (Nephrology and Hypertension) is the primary service provider for Tyrol and the tertiary referral centre for Western Austria and Southern Tyrol for patients with renal diseases and difficult-to-control hypertension (catchment area: ~2 million). We offer an outpatient clinic, an inpatient ward, a dialysis centre and routine and research laboratories. As well as caring for patients with chronic kidney disease and for transplant recipients, the outpatient clinic provides special consultations for autoimmune diseases, rare diseases (National Center for Rare Renal Diseases, ERKNET) and the diagnostic work-up/treatment of refractory hypertension (Excellence Center of the European Society of Hypertension). The 20 members of the medical staff perform state-of-the-art sonography and around 100 renal biopsies per year. The Department treats ambulatory haemodialysis patients, has a close collaboration with three local dialysis units and offers a peritoneal dialysis programme (CAPD and APD). The in-house dialysis unit takes care of patients with end-stage or acute renal failure and offers liver replacement therapy, plasmapheresis and immune apheresis for renal, haematological, dermatological and neurological autoimmune diseases, antibody-mediated transplant rejection and ABO-incompatible renal transplantation. The Department collaborates with the Department of General and Transplant Surgery to offer care for renal transplant living donors and recipients, with 120 – 150 single organ transplants per year.

The Department has established a biobank of several hundred thousand samples of body fluid matrices and kidney biopsies. The samples came from patients with CKD, DKD or end-stage renal disease (dialysis and transplantation).

We use mRNA microarrays for large-scale analysis of gene expression in various samples. We combine genome-wide gene expression profiling with state-of-the-art methods such as qPCR, immunohistology, in situ hybridisation, western blotting and ELISAs to evaluate candidate genes and proteins using equipment such as GenePix 4000B, Quantstudio 5, Olympus VS120, Tecan Spark and MESO QuickPlex SQ 120MM. We manipulate in vitro gene expression and protein levels using CRISPR/Cas to analyse cellular functions. We use state of the art bioinformatics, statistics and data science tools to analyse expression profiles and run network/network interference analysis.

1. Diabetic Kidney Disease:Simone Schmid, Sara Denicolo, Elisabeth Vikoler, Samir Sharifli, Felix Keller, Claudia Zavadil, Clemens Plattner, Sebastian Sallaberger, Susanne Eder, Johannes Leierer, Paul Perco, Markus Pirklbauer, Gert Mayer
   B. Chronic Kidney Disease / Glomerulonephritis / Rare Diseases / Kidney Transplantation / Haemodialysis: Hannes Neuwirt, Michael Rudnicki, Markus Pirklbauer

Lukas Harasser, Andreas Kronbichler, Philipp Gauckler, Sebastian Sallaberger, Sara Denicolo
C. Immune-mediated Kidney Disease and Renal Physiology: Cecilia Barnini, Ilay Berke, Jasper Callemeyn (09/24-08/25, ESOT fellow), Philipp Gauckler, Andreas Kronbichler, Anna Matyjek (09/23-08/24, ERA fellow).

1. Austrian Dialysis and Transplant Registry: Julia Kerschbaum, Lukas Buchwinkler, Daniela Kaiser-Feistmantl, Michael Rudnicki, Gert Mayer
2. Medical Education: Hannes Neuwirt
3. Diabetic kidney disease (DKD):

Chronic kidney disease in patients with diabetes mellitus is a complex phenotype with heterogeneous pathophysiology, prognosis and response to therapy. We use computational systems biology with multi-omics data and advanced disease-modelling techniques (such as the application of dynamic systems theory-tools) to
(i) decipher mechanisms and identify novel therapeutic targets;
(ii) identify and apply prognostic and predictive biomarkers/biomarker panels in the clinic; and
(iii) investigate mechanisms of action of drugs in relation to disease pathophysiology.

In line with these efforts, we initiated the Innsbruck Diabetic Kidney Disease Cohort funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) (12/2023 – 12/2027; Grant-DOI: 10.55776/KLI1164). Patients with early renal dysfunction undergo a kidney biopsy to assess the individual histopathological phenotype (typical diabetic vs atypical/non-specific vs non-diabetic vs coexisting kidney pathologies) and we follow the clinical course of the disease a period of five years. While current risk assessment is primarily based on clinical parameters, the study will provide the scientific background for a change in diagnostic standard to routine kidney biopsy and will clarify its role in individual risk prediction for cardio-renal outcome in T2D patients with mild-to-moderate kidney impairment. Extensive bio-banking during the follow-up period will support future projects. The work complements the repository of the prospective observational international cohort study PROVALID, for which 4,000 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were recruited, with follow-ups of at least four years.

1. Chronic Kidney Disease / Glomerulonephritis / Rare Diseases / Kidney Transplantation / Haemodialysis

Chronic Kidney Disease / Glomerulonephritis

The Austrian Society of Nephrology (ÖGN) has developed a set of overview articles that summarize the diagnostic steps and therapeutic interventions in various kinds of glomerulonephritis. While interventions in some of the kidney diseases have been derived from randomized controlled trials, therapy recommendations for numerous entities are based primarily on reports of observational studies, which are often retrospective in design (such as MPGN). The Austrian Recommendations differ in part from internationally valid recommendations (e.g. the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO). The differences relate partly to easier access to modern therapies, which are used outside of the approval (“off-label use”), and partly to different levels of response to commonly used therapies. The guidelines were largely developed by Andreas Kronbichler, Philipp Gauckler and Michael Rudnicki in close collaboration with other members of the Austrian Society of Nephrology Immune Kidney Diseases Working Group (ÖGNIAG).

The recommendations include (all 2023):

Diagnosis and treatment of IgA nephropathy

Diagnosis and treatment of minimal change disease in adults

Diagnosis and treatment of focal-segmental glomerulosclerosis

Diagnosis and therapy of membranous nephropathy

Diagnosis and therapy of granulomatosis with polyangiitis and microscopic polyangiitis

Diagnosis and therapy of lupus nephritis

Diagnosis and treatment of glomerular disease with a membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) pattern of injury

General recommendations for the management of glomerular diseases

The full text articles can be found at www.nephrologie.at.

IgA Nephropathy

There can be significant decline of kidney function in IgA nephropathy (IgAN), which is not predictable using available clinical and histological tools. The EU/FWF-funded programme PERSTIGAN identified a urinary biomarker-based classifier (IgAN237) that showed significantly better prediction of disease progression than the clinical parameters (age, gender, proteinuria, eGFR, mean arterial pressure).

Rare and complement-associated kidney diseases

Fabry disease (FD) is a rare X-linked lysosomal storage disease caused by a deficiency of α-galactosidase A (AGAL) resulting from mutations in the α-galactosidase A gene (GLA). The lysosomal deposition of sphingolipids, particularly globotriaosylceramide (Gb3), leads to progressive organ dysfunction, i.e. deterioration of kidney function, heart failure and strokes, which can considerably limit the life expectancy. Treatment options include enzyme replacement therapy (ERT, agalsidase alfa and beta, pegunigalsidase alfa) and oral chaperone therapy with migalastat. Despite the proven efficacy of ERT in patients with FD, about 40% of ERT-treated men show infusion-associated reactions and the formation of neutralizing antidrug antibodies, which reduce the efficacy of therapy. Our centre is performing state-of-the-art analysis of antidrug antibodies and the dose-dependent effect of ERT with clinical outcomes in FD patients.

Advances in our understanding of the pathogenesis of glomerular diseases are making clear that complement has an important role as a cause or a modulator of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (including C3 glomerulonephritis), atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome and other forms of thrombotic microangiopathies. Clinical collaborations have resulted in several publications on patterns of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, the detection of C4 nephritic factor in patients with MPGN and the detection of serum levels of FHR-5 and of genetic variations in CFHR5 in patients with immune complex-mediated membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and C3-glomerulopathy.

Haemodialysis

Patients on renal replacement therapy suffer from excessive cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The assessment of individual calcium kinetics during dialysis serves as an example for the study of individual heterogeneity in response to fixed, guideline-recommended dialysis prescription in a population. CKD-associated mineral bone disorders, including secondary hyperparathyroidism, are causally related to the increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in haemodialysis patients. In an Austrian National Bank Anniversary Fund supported study (Project No. 18362, 2019 – 2024, “Intradialytic calcium kinetics and cardiovascular risk in hemodialysis patients”) we have validated the individualization of a physiology-based mathematical model of parathyroid gland biology by predicting the patients’ short-term changes in peridialytic iPTH in response to diffusive intradialytic Ca loading. We have used the mathematical model to predict the level of iPTH at 6 months using only readily available clinical data, such as iCa and phosphate measurements, iPTH history, dialysis vintage and information on vitamin D therapy.

We are also assessing intradialytic calcium mass balance non-invasively in haemodiafiltration (HDF) patients and correlating the results with clinical and radiologic parameters of vascular calcification, bone-mineral density, markers of bone turnover and clinical event rate during a two-year follow-up period.

Renal transplantation

Individual adaption of immunosuppressive therapy is crucial for long-term transplant and recipient survival. Our research in an international EU-project (www.ttv-guide.eu) is focusing on an optimized selection of drug combinations and immune surveillance using torque teno virus-guided therapy. In collaboration with the Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, we are working on various ex vivo normothermic organ perfusion systems to preserve kidney function over a long period of time and to assess and optimize organ quality (www.i-med.ac.at/organlife).

1. Immune-mediated kidney diseases and renal physiology

The team remains world-leading in the field of glomerular diseases, as evidenced by a series of high-impact publications. The group contributed to the 2022 update of the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) recommendations for the management of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmatic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis and led a review on the diagnosis and therapy of ANCA-associated vasculitis published in the leading medical journal The Lancet. Analysis of data from the Plasma Exchange and Glucocorticoids in Severe ANCA-Associated Vasculitis (PEXIVAS) trial in the leading nephrology journal Kidney Int underlined that the addition of plasma exchange leads to more rapid increases in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) with significant between-group differences at weeks 2, 4 and 8 and that more patients achieve an eGFR recovery, defined as an eGFR increase by ≥15 ml/min/1.73 m² at week 52. The work also provides evidence that individuals with proteinase 3 (PR3)-ANCA positivity have a greater likelihood of eGFR recovery than myeloperoxidase (MPO)-ANCA positive patients.

Initial results of the RITERM registry show that patients with a glomerular lesion characterized by minimal changes (minimal change disease, MCD) have a remission rate of 95%, while those with a focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) pattern have a remission probability of around 50% when treated with rituximab. Those with a complete or partial remission have an excellent 3-year kidney prognosis, with an eGFR decline of 0 and -4 ml/min/1.73 m², while those with no response to rituximab face an average decrease of -11 ml/min/1.73 m² and are thus at risk of progressing to kidney failure.

The findings were recently published in the J Am Soc Nephrol.

The group is also exploring the impact of extreme endurance exercise on electrolyte and fluid balance. A pilot study, supported by Tirol and involving 13 ultra-endurance cyclists, revealed evidence of exercise-induced fluid retention, cardiac volume stress and peripheral edaema. The results were published in the journal Kidney International Reports.

1. The Austrian Dialysis and Transplant Registry (https://www.nephrologie.at/gesellschaft/oedtr)

Since the 1960s, the Austrian Dialysis and Transplant Registry (ÖDTR) has collected individual data on all patients with end-stage renal disease who require dialysis or kidney transplantation. Since its move to Innsbruck in 2018, the registry has been transformed into a web-based data repository, following rules set out in GDPR. The ÖDTR supports national healthcare authorities in the planning of the allocation of regional dialysis facility resources. It also provides various quality-control programmes of the Austrian Society of Nephrology. Because of the high quality and completeness of the data, the registry is an outstanding resource for academic research. In addition to undertaking internal projects, the ÖDTR collaborates with national and international researchers and organizations (such as the European Renal Association) under the guidance of an external advisory board.

1. Medical Education:

Student teaching and postgraduate training are far more scientifically grounded than often assumed. Although history shows that teaching and testing work, key issues —such as how learning occurs, how it evolves with digital advancements and how assessments influence learning — remain underexplored. We aim at the systematic implementation and evaluation of teaching concepts to advance education and training in medical education.

Original papers:

1. Fogo Agnes B, Kronbichler Andreas et al.:: AI’s Threat to the Medical Profession. JAMA-JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 2024; 331(6); 471-472. PubMed: 38241042 doi: 10.1001/jama.2024.0018
2. Hellmich Bernhard, Kronbichler Andreas et al.: EULAR recommendations for the management of ANCA-associated vasculitis: 2022 update. ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES. 2024; 83; 30-47. PubMed: 36927642 doi: 10.1136/ard-2022-223764
3. Frangou Eleni, Kronbichler Andreas et al.: Immunosuppression Withdrawal in Patients with Lupus Nephritis. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF NEPHROLOGY. 2024; 35(7); 955-958. PubMed: 38985122 doi: 10.1681/ASN.0000000000000365
4. Gauckler Philipp, Matyjek Anna Mayer Gert, Kronbichler Andreas et al.: Long-Term Outcomes of Rituximab-Treated Adult Patients with Podocytopathies. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF NEPHROLOGY. 2024; [Epub ahead of print]; PubMed: 39431468 doi: 10.1681/ASN.0000000520
5. Uzzo Martina, Kronbichler Andreas et al.: Non-Lupus Full House Nephropathy. CLINICAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF NEPHROLOGY. 2024; 19(6); 743-754. PubMed: 38527995 doi: 10.2215/CJN.0000000000000438
6. Denicolo Sara, Keller Felix, Thoeni Stefanie, Eder Susanne, Perco Paul, Leierer Johannes, Kronbichler Andreas, Mayer Gert et al.: Non-adherence to cardiometabolic medication as assessed by LC-MS/MS in urine and its association with kidney and cardiovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes mellitus. 2024; 67(7); 1283-1294. PubMed: 38647650 doi: 10.1007/s00125-024-06149-w
7. Kafka Mona, Neuwirt Hannes et al.: Real-world Outcomes and Predictive Biomarkers for 177Lutetium Prostate-specific Membrane Antigen Ligand Treatment in Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer: A European Association of Urology Young Academic Urologists Prostate Cancer Working Group Multi-institutional Observational Study. EUROPEAN UROLOGY ONCOLOGY. 2024; 7(3); 421-429. PubMed: 37604763 doi: 10.1016/j.euo.2023.07.018
8. Cesaroni Giulia, Kerschbaum Julia et al.: Association of air pollution with incidence of end-stage kidney disease in two large European cohorts. SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT. 2024; 948; 174796. PubMed: 39032743 doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174796
9. Lauder Lucas, Keller Felix et al.: Impact of Renal Denervation on Urinary Peptide-Based Biomarkers in Hypertension. 2024; 81(6); 1374-1382. PubMed: 38572643 doi: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.124.22819
10. Pontremoli Roberto, Barnini Cecilia et al.: Asymptomatic hyperuricemia and cardiovascular mortality: A matter of mechanisms? EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE. 2024; 121; 42-43. PubMed: 38072686 doi: 10.1016/j.ejim.2023.11.033
11. Ahluwalia Tarunveer S, Eder Susanne, Denicolo Sara, Mayer Gert et al: Randomized Trial of SGLT2 Inhibitor Identifies Target Proteins in Diabetic Kidney Disease. KIDNEY INTERNATIONAL REPORTS. 2024; 9(2); 334-346. PubMed: 38344728 doi: 10.1016/j.ekir.2023.11.020
12. Gauckler Philipp, Leierer Johannes, Kruus Maren, Denicolò Sara; Mayer Gert; Kronbichler Andreas et al.: Exercise-Induced Fluid Retention, Cardiac Volume Overload, and Peripheral Edema in Ultra-Distance Cyclists. KIDNEY INTERNATIONAL REPORTS. 2024; 9(1); 152-161. PubMed: 38312776 doi: 10.1016/j.ekir.2023.10.025
13. Takeda Rei, Kronbichler Andreas et al.: Development of a Kidney Prognostic Score in a Japanese Cohort of Patients With Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Autoantibody Vasculitis. KIDNEY INTERNATIONAL REPORTS. 2024; 9(3); 611-623. PubMed: 38481514 doi: 10.1016/j.ekir.2024.01.007
14. Lenders Malte, Rudnicki Michael et al.: Relevance of Neutralizing Antibodies for the Pharmacokinetics of Pegunigalsidase Alfa in Patients with Fabry Disease. 2024; [Epub ahead of print];  PubMed: 39614966 doi: 10.1007/s40259-024-00690-1
15. Ladurner Michael, Neuwirt, Hannes et al.: An NMR-based metabolic signature to identify clinically significant prostate cancer in patients undergoing biopsy. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM. 2024; [Epub ahead of print]; PubMed: 39383254 doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgae704
16. Abd ElHafeez Samar; Kerschbaum, Julia et al.: Incidence and outcomes of kidney replacement therapy for end-stage kidney disease due to primary glomerular disease in Europe: findings from the ERA Registry. NEPHROLOGY DIALYSIS TRANSPLANTATION. 2024; [Epub ahead of print]; PubMed: 38327216 doi: 10.1093/ndt/gfae034
17. Boenink Rianne, Kerschbaum, Julia et al.: International comparison and time trends of first kidney transplant recipient characteristics across Europe: an ERA Registry study. NEPHROLOGY DIALYSIS TRANSPLANTATION. 2024; 39(4); 648-658. PubMed: 37653455 doi: 10.1093/ndt/gfad189
18. Caravaca-Fontán Francesca, Kronbichler Andreas et al.: Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibition in primary and secondary glomerulonephritis. NEPHROLOGY DIALYSIS TRANSPLANTATION. 2024; 39(2); 328-340. PubMed: 37550217 doi: 10.1093/ndt/gfad175
19. de Sousa Iris R Montez, Buchwinkler Lukas et al.: Adult outcomes of childhood kidney replacement therapy in Europe from 2008 to 2019: an ERA Registry study. NEPHROLOGY DIALYSIS TRANSPLANTATION. 2024; [Epub ahead of print]; PubMed: 39182157 doi: 10.1093/ndt/gfae189
20. Engler Franziska, Kerschbaum Julia, Keller Felix, Mayer Gert et al. Prevalence, patient burden and physicians’ perception of pruritus in hemodialysis patients. Lenders M, Menke ER, Rudnicki M, Cybulla M, Brand E PubMed: 37429597 doi: 10.1093/ndt/gfad152
21. Kramer Anneke, Kerschbaum Julia et al.: Time trends in preemptive kidney transplantation in Europe: an ERA registry study. NEPHROLOGY DIALYSIS TRANSPLANTATION. 2024; 39(12); 2100-2112. PubMed: 38724446 doi: 10.1093/ndt/gfae105
22. Kramer Anneke, Kerschbaum Julia et al.: Changes in the epidemiology of kidney replacement therapy across Europe in 2020-the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic: an ERA Registry study. NEPHROLOGY DIALYSIS TRANSPLANTATION. 2024; 39(11); 1835-1845. PubMed: 38889925 doi: 10.1093/ndt/gfae043
23. Mirioglu Safak, Berke Ilay, Kronbichler Andreas et al: Management of adult patients with podocytopathies. NEPHROLOGY DIALYSIS TRANSPLANTATION. 2024; 39(4); 569-580. PubMed: 38341276 doi: 10.1093/ndt/gfae025
24. Ortiz Alberto, Kerschbaum Julia et al.: Inherited kidney disease and CAKUT are common causes of kidney failure requiring kidney replacement therapy: an ERA Registry study. NEPHROLOGY DIALYSIS TRANSPLANTATION. 2024; [Epub ahead of print]; PubMed: 39508350 doi: 10.1093/ndt/gfae240
25. Pichler Renate, Kronbichler Andreas et al.: Urothelial: Cisplatin eligibility in the neoadjuvant setting of patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer undergoing radical cystectomy. 2024; 29(11); e1511-e1522.PubMed: 38956801 doi: 10.1093/oncolo/oyae160
26. Stel Vianda S, Kerschbaum Julia et al.: A comparison of the epidemiology of kidney replacement therapy between Europe and the United States: 2021 data of the ERA Registry and the USRDS. NEPHROLOGY DIALYSIS TRANSPLANTATION. 2024; [Epub ahead of print]; PubMed: 38439701 doi: 10.1093/ndt/gfae040
27. Culerrier Julien, Kronbichler Andreas, Gauckler Philipp et al.: Characteristics and outcome of ANCA-associated vasculitides induced by anti-thyroid drugs: a multicentre retrospective case-control study. 2024; 63(4); 999-1006. PubMed: 37354498 doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/kead319
28. Bohn Jan-Paul, Pirklbauer Markus et al.: Beta-2-Microglobulin Maintains Overall Survival Prediction in Binet A Stage Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Patients with Compromised Kidney Function in Both Treatment Eras of Chemoimmunotherapy and Targeted Agents. 2024; 16(22); 3744. PubMed: 39594701 doi: 10.3390/cancers16223744
29. Vanek Lenka, Gauckler, Philipp; Pirklbauer, Markus et al.: Patient and Caregiver Perspectives on Gender Disparity in Chronic Kidney Disease: Questionnaire Survey, Based on an Interview Study. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF NEPHROLOGY. 2024; 55(5); 561-582. PubMed: 39191222 doi: 10.1159/000540850
30. Boerstra Brittany A, Kerschbaum Julia et al.: The ERA Registry Annual Report 2021: a summary. CLINICAL KIDNEY JOURNAL. 2024; 17(2); sfad281.PubMed: 38638342 doi: 10.1093/ckj/sfad281
31. Matyjek Anna, Kronbichler Andreas et al.: The impact of severe nephrotic syndrome on thyroid function, nutrition and coagulation. CLINICAL KIDNEY JOURNAL. 2024; 17(9); sfae280.PubMed: 39323731 doi: 10.1093/ckj/sfae280
32. Plattner Clemens; Sallaberger Sebastian, Zavadil Claudia, Keller Felix, Tiefenthaler Martin, Mayer Gert, Pirklbauer Markus: Rationale and design of the Innsbruck Diabetic Kidney Disease Cohort (IDKDC)-a prospective study investigating etiology and progression of early-stage chronic kidney disease in type 2 diabetes. CLINICAL KIDNEY JOURNAL. 2024; 17(5); sfae109. PubMed: 38726211 doi: 10.1093/ckj/sfae109
33. Siwy Justyna, Keller Felix et al.: Mortality Risk and Urinary Proteome Changes in Acute COVID-19 Survivors in the Multinational CRIT-COV-U Study. 2024; 12(9); 2090.PubMed: 39335603 doi: 10.3390/biomedicines12092090
34. Yoon Soo-Young, Kronbichler Andreas et al.: Global burden of anticancer drug-induced acute kidney injury and tubulointerstitial nephritis from 1967 to 2023. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS. 2024; 14(1); 16124. PubMed: 38997405 doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-67020-x
35. An De-Wei; Martens, Mayer Gert et al.: Urinary Proteomics and Systems Biology Link Eight Proteins to the Higher Risk of Hypertension and Related Complications in Blacks Versus Whites. 2024; [Epub ahead of print]; PubMed: 39580674 doi: 10.1002/pmic.202400207
36. Leierer Johannes, Mayer Gert, Perco Paul et al.: Identification of endophenotypes supporting outcome prediction in hemodialysis patients based on mechanistic markers of statin treatment. 2024; 10(9);e30709. PubMed: 38765135 doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30709
37. Nawrozi Paimann, Pirklbauer Markus et al.: Perioperative and Long-Term Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Synchronous Carotid Endarterectomy and Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: A Single-Center Experience. ADVANCES IN THERAPY. 2024; 41(5); 1911-1922. PubMed: 38480660 doi: 10.1007/s12325-024-02805-0
38. Halimi Jean-Michel, Mayer Gert et al.: Screening and management of hypertensive patients with chronic kidney disease referred to Hypertension Excellence Centres among 27 countries. A pilot survey based on questionnaire. JOURNAL OF HYPERTENSION. 2024; 42(9); 1544-1554. PubMed: 38747416 doi: 10.1097/HJH.0000000000003756
39. Lanser Lukas, Neuwirt Hannes, Stefanow Kiril, Rudnicki Michael et al.: Tissue Iron Distribution in Anemic Patients with End-Stage Kidney Disease: Results of a Pilot Study. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE. 2024; 13(12); 3487.PubMed: 38930016 doi: 10.3390/jcm13123487
40. Neuwirt,Hannes, Gauckler Philipp et al.: Impact of familiarity with the format of the exam on performance in the OSCE of undergraduate medical students – an interventional study. BMC MEDICAL EDUCATION. 2024; 24(1); 179. PubMed: 38395807 doi: 10.1186/s12909-024-05091-0
41. Kafka Mona, Neuwirt Hannes et al.: Real-World Evidence of Triplet Therapy in Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer: An Austrian Multicenter Study. CLINICAL GENITOURINARY CANCER. 2024; 22(2); PubMed: 38267304 doi: 10.1016/j.clgc.2023.12.018
42. Bohn Jan-Paul, Pirklbauer Markus et al.: Reduced prognostic value of beta-2-microglobulin for time to first treatment in CLL patients with compromised kidney function. LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA. 2024; 65(14); 2108-2115.PubMed: 39165182 doi: 10.1080/10428194.2024.2394583
43. Willcocks Lisa, Kronbichler Andreas et al.: A randomised, two-arm (1:1 ratio), double blind, placebo controlled phase III trial to assess the efficacy, safety, cost and cost-effectiveness of Rituximab in treating de novo or relapsing NS in patients with MCD/FSGS (TURING).
    BMC NEPHROLOGY. 2024; 25(1); 253. PubMed: 39112932 doi: 10.1186/s12882-024-03576-0
44. Han Ji Yun, Kronbichler Andreas et al.: Comparison of agranulocytosis and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis caused by two antithyroid drugs: A pharmacovigilance study using the WHO international database. FUNDAMENTAL & CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY. 2024; 38(4); 780-788. PubMed: 38342499 doi: 10.1111/fcp.12991
45. Zweiker David, Koppelstaetter Christian et al.: Renal sympathetic denervation 2024 in Austria: recommendations from the Austrian Society of Hypertension. WIENER KLINISCHE WOCHENSCHRIFT. 2024; 136(SUPPL 14); 559-569. PubMed: 39311980 doi: 10.1007/s00508-024-02440-3
46. Weber Thomas, Koppelstatter Chrisrian et al.: The new hypertension guidelines 2023 of the European Society of Hypertension: What is relevant? JOURNAL FUR HYPERTONIE. 2024; 28(1); 1-12.

1. Lenders M, Menke ER, Rudnicki M, Cybulla M, Brand E: Relevance of Neutralizing Antibodies for the Pharmacokinetics of Pegunigalsidase Alfa in Patients with Fabry Disease. BioDrugs. 2024 Nov 30

Reviews (2024)

1. Kronbichler Andreas et al.: Diagnosis and management of ANCA-associated vasculitis.
   2024; 403(10427); PubMed: 38368016 doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01736-1
2. Mayer Gert et al.: Management of dyslipidaemia in patients with comorbidities: facing the challenge. EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL-CARDIOVASCULAR PHARMACOTHERAPY. 2024; 10(7); 608-613.PubMed: 39153964 doi: 10.1093/ehjcvp/pvae058
3. Ksiazek Sara H, Pirklbauer Markus, Mayer Gert et al.: Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System: From History to Practice of a Secular Topic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES. 2024; 25(7); 4035. PubMed: 38612843 doi: 10.3390/ijms25074035
4. Zakrocka Izabela, Kronbichler Andreas et al.:: Kynurenine Pathway after Kidney Transplantation: Friend or Foe? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES. 2024; 25(18); 9940. PubMed: 39337426 doi: 10.3390/ijms25189940
5. Zakrocka Izabela, Kronbichler Andreas et al.: Paraneoplastic Syndrome After Kidney Transplantation: Frequency, Risk Factors, Differences to Paraneoplastic Occurrence of Glomerulonephritis in the Native Kidney, and Implications on Long-Term Kidney Graft Function. TRANSPLANT INTERNATIONAL. 2024; 37; 12969. PubMed: 39119062 doi: 10.3389/ti.2024.12969

• Markus Pirklbauer: Österreichische Nationalbank Anniversary Fund (grant number 18362): Intradialytic calcium kinetics and cardiovascular risk in hemodialysis patients
• Andreas Kronbichler: Vasculitis Foundation: Measuring immunocompetence by assessment of torque-teno virus levels in autoimmune diseases following initiation of immunosuppression
• Andreas Kronbichler: Vasculitis Foundation: Unraveling the complexity of complement deposits in ANCA glomerulonephritis
• Andreas Kronbichler: Fonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung: OBELIX-Nephrosis
• Andreas Kronbichler CSL Vifor: The alternative complement pathway as a driver of subclinical inflammation in ANCA-associated vasculitis
• Gert Mayer: Innovative Medicines Initiative (grant number 115974): Biomarker enterprise to attack diabetic kidney disease (Beat-DKD)
• Gert Mayer (Coordinator): Horizon 2020 (grant number 848011): Drug combinations for rewriting trajectories of renal pathologies in type II diabetes mellitus (DC-ren)
• Gert Mayer: Proteomische Signaturen für personalisierte Interventionen (SIGNAL) (FWF Projekt I 6471 Internationale Projekte)
• Sara Denicolo: Multi-omics Signatur der Nierenfibrose bei CKD (KidneySign) (FWF Projekt I 6470 Internationale Projekte)
• Hannes Neuwirt: Torque teno virus-guided immunosuppression in kidney transplant recipients (EU-Projekt: TTVguideIT)

• Heerspink Hiddo, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
• Jayne David, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
• Kotanko Peter, Renal Research Institute, New York, USA
• Schappacher-Tilp Gudrun, Joanneum Research
• Kretzler Matthias and Ju Wenjun, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
• Lancet Doron and Fishilevich Simon, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
• Mayer Bernd and Lukas Arno, emergentec biodevelopment GmbH Vienna, Austria
• Mischak Harald, Mosaiques Diagnostics GmbH, Hannover Germany
• Oberbauer Rainer and Heinzel Andreas, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
• Poli Irene and Silvestri Claudio, European Center for Living Technology, Ca` Foscari University of Venice, Venice, Italy
• Rossing Peter, STENO Diabetes Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
• Stone John, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
• Bajema I.M., University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
• Bruchfeld A., Linköping University / Karolinska Insitutet, Linköping and Stockholm, Sweden
• Carrero J.J., Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
• Odler B., Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
• Segelmark M., Lund University, Lund, Sweden
• Brand E, and Lenders M., University Hospital Münster, Germany
• Prohaszka Z., Department of Medicine and Hematology at Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.