To quote the Post-Congress messages of an eminent member of the World Nephrology: “…both from a scientific view and from a social view this will become an unforgettable event. ERA-EDTA certainly is on a good way to further increase its scientific reputation … and … managed to set new standards!”
I am also proud that Turkish Nephrologists contributed to the Congress not only as hosts but also scientifically with 22 invited talks, 117 free and poster communications and 58 chairmanships.
Hoping they had a most memorable scientific and cultural experience in Istanbul, I extend my warmest regards to all participants to this Congress.

THE EIGHT BEST ABSTRACTS SUBMITTED BY YOUNG AUTHORS

The ERA-EDTA Paper Selection Committee, headed by its Chairman Dr. David Goldsmith, awarded the following abstracts as the 8 best works submitted by young authors to the XLII Congress. All winners received free Congress registration, a cheque for 800.00 Euros and a diploma. Besides, 52 further abstracts by junior authors also received travel grants (400.00 Euros each).

Polyuria and impaired NaCl and calcium handling in mice lacking parvalbumin
Hendrica Belge, Brussels, Belgium

New CD2AP mutations associated with idiophatic nephrotic syndrome
Maddalena Gigante, Foggia, Italy

Influence of cytokine gene polymorphisms on the progression of IgA nephropathy
Christos Bantis, Düsseldorf, Germany

Feto-maternal microchimerism in glomerular cells: a possible role in lupus nephritis
Flavia Cornacchia, Pavia, Italy

Insulin resistance and dyslipidemia in end-stage renal disease patients are influenced by the Interleukin-18 -137 G to C polymorphism
Hirokazu Honda, Tokyo, Japan

The inverse relationship between high cholesterol and mortality in dialysis patients is not explained by the presence of malnutrition/inflammation
Femke van der Sman-de Beer, Leiden, Netherlands

The determinants of coronary and aortic calcifications assessed by multislice thorax CT in renal transplant recipients
Pauline Nguyen, Brussels, Belgium

The protective effects of spironolactone in a rat model of chronic cyclosporine a nephrotoxicity
Pei Wang, Zhengzhou, China