Emerging Trends in Kidney Disease (2nd Edition)

A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular and Translational Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2026 | Viewed by 565

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation, ARNAS “Brotzu”, Cagliari, Italy
Interests: clinical nephrology; kidney biopsy; renal pathology; glomerular diseases; ultrasound in nephrology
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The field of nephrology is experiencing an unprecedented era of discovery and innovation, making it an incredibly exciting time for researchers and clinicians. Recent advances in our understanding of kidney disease are leading to breakthroughs in diagnosis, treatment, and patient care, and we are thrilled to highlight these developments in this Special Issue of Biomedicines.

In the area of glomerular diseases and vasculitis, novel therapeutic agents are emerging that target specific molecular pathways, offering new hope for patients with previously refractory conditions. For instance, advancements in the treatment of IgA nephropathy and ANCA-associated vasculitis showcase the potential of precision medicine in nephrology.

Dialysis care is also evolving rapidly with innovations that challenge old assumptions and improve patient outcomes. New strategies for advancing care planning and managing dialysis-related complications set new standards for patient safety and quality of life.

In transplantation, the groundbreaking xenotransplantation trials mark significant progress in this field.

Pediatric nephrology is making significant strides, highlighting the importance of early intervention, particularly in pioneering treatments for severe congenital conditions that can improve survival rates.

These advancements underscore a vibrant period of innovation in nephrology. We invite you to contribute to this Special Issue of Biomedicines, sharing your research findings, clinical insights, and innovative approaches. Your contributions will help shape the future of kidney disease treatment and management, advancing scientific knowledge and significantly impacting patient care and outcomes.

Dr. Andrea Angioi
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • kidney disease
  • glomerular diseases
  • vasculitis
  • dialysis
  • hypertension
  • pediatric nephrology
  • transplantation
  • precision medicine
  • therapeutic advancements

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

13 pages, 814 KB  
Article
Animal Assisted Activities (AAAs) with Dogs in a Dialysis Center in Southern Italy: Evaluation of Serotonin and Oxytocin Values in Involved Patients
by Antonio Santaniello, Giuseppe Perruolo, Alessia Amato, Susanne Garzillo, Federica Mormone, Cristina Morelli, Pietro Formisano, Mario Sansone, Alessandro Fioretti and Francesco Oriente
Biomedicines 2025, 13(12), 2944; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13122944 - 29 Nov 2025
Viewed by 374
Abstract
Background/Objectives: In the present study, the changes in oxytocin (OXT) and serotonin (5-HT), as hormones involved in social relationships and mood regulation, respectively, were measured in dialysis patients involved in Animal Assisted Activity (AAA) interventions. Methods: Thirty patients (15 men and [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: In the present study, the changes in oxytocin (OXT) and serotonin (5-HT), as hormones involved in social relationships and mood regulation, respectively, were measured in dialysis patients involved in Animal Assisted Activity (AAA) interventions. Methods: Thirty patients (15 men and 15 women) with chronic kidney disease, undergoing hemodialysis three times per week, for 4 h, were enrolled. The patients were divided into three groups: two experimental groups who received the AAA intervention and a control group that never received the AAA intervention. A specific dog-zootherapist vet pair was assigned for each experimental group. All sessions of the two experimental groups were performed weekly, for a total period of 3 months (12 sessions). Blood samples were collected at the beginning and end of each session (T0 and T1), lasting about one hour. The interaction time with the dog was approximately 40 min. The samples were then analyzed to measure the levels of oxytocin and serotonin and processed using analysis of variance with mixed effects models. Results: The results obtained showed that both dog-zootherapist vet dyads caused a statistically significant overall effect of both oxytocin and serotonin, increasing during the sessions, compared to the control group. In addition, it was observed progressively increasing effect between two consecutive weeks. Conclusions: The results from this study showed that the AAA represents a positive stimulus for patients on dialysis. Thus, our study suggests that structured AAA intervention in a hemodialysis center can improve patients’ quality of life during the dialysis cycle. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Trends in Kidney Disease (2nd Edition))
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