Browsing by Author "Brkic, Predrag (14324307800)"

Background/Objectives: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive pathological condition which results in the severe fibrosis of the kidneys. However, the mechanisms of CKD progression and fibrogenesis remain unclear. We wanted to examine the effects that apocynin and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) have on renal function and structure in animals with CKD induced through 5/6 nephrectomy (5/6 Nx-L). Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided in 5 groups (n = 8/group) as follows: control—sham-operated rats; Nx-L—rats with 5/6 Nx-L; APO—5/6 Nx-L + apocynin treatment; HBOT—5/6 Nx-L + hyperbaric oxygen treatment, and APO+HBOT—5/6 Nx-L, treated with both treatments. All treatments started 4 weeks after the final step of CKD induction and lasted for 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment, urine samples were collected for the proteinuria assessment and the mean arterial pressure (MAP) was measured. Kidneys were collected for histopathological, Western blot, and immunohistochemical analyses. Results: All treatments significantly decreased MAP compared to the Nx-L group (p < 0.001). In the APO and APO+HBOT groups, the level of proteinuria was decreased compared to the Nx-L group (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). All examined treatments significantly decreased the intensity of lesions in the kidney compared to those observed in the Nx-L group (p < 0.001). Isolated treatments with apocynin and HBOT induced a significant decrease in desmin expression compared to the Nx-L group (p < 0.05); meanwhile, they did not affect the levels of fibronectin (FN) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). Combined treatment did not affect desmin expression levels; however, it induced a significant increase in fibronectin expression compared to Nx-L (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Apocynin treatment decreased BP and protein loss, and it improved renal morphology at least partly through the downregulation of desmin expression without changing FN and HIF-1α. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy improved hypertension but failed to significantly affect the level of proteinuria. Combined treatment (apocynin and HBOT) normalized blood pressure (BP) values, renal function, and improved kidney structure by modulating FN and HIF-1α, without affecting desmin protein expression. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms of slowing down the progression of CKD in this experimental model. © 2024 by the authors.

Background/Objectives: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive pathological condition which results in the severe fibrosis of the kidneys. However, the mechanisms of CKD progression and fibrogenesis remain unclear. We wanted to examine the effects that apocynin and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) have on renal function and structure in animals with CKD induced through 5/6 nephrectomy (5/6 Nx-L). Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided in 5 groups (n = 8/group) as follows: control—sham-operated rats; Nx-L—rats with 5/6 Nx-L; APO—5/6 Nx-L + apocynin treatment; HBOT—5/6 Nx-L + hyperbaric oxygen treatment, and APO+HBOT—5/6 Nx-L, treated with both treatments. All treatments started 4 weeks after the final step of CKD induction and lasted for 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment, urine samples were collected for the proteinuria assessment and the mean arterial pressure (MAP) was measured. Kidneys were collected for histopathological, Western blot, and immunohistochemical analyses. Results: All treatments significantly decreased MAP compared to the Nx-L group (p < 0.001). In the APO and APO+HBOT groups, the level of proteinuria was decreased compared to the Nx-L group (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). All examined treatments significantly decreased the intensity of lesions in the kidney compared to those observed in the Nx-L group (p < 0.001). Isolated treatments with apocynin and HBOT induced a significant decrease in desmin expression compared to the Nx-L group (p < 0.05); meanwhile, they did not affect the levels of fibronectin (FN) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). Combined treatment did not affect desmin expression levels; however, it induced a significant increase in fibronectin expression compared to Nx-L (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Apocynin treatment decreased BP and protein loss, and it improved renal morphology at least partly through the downregulation of desmin expression without changing FN and HIF-1α. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy improved hypertension but failed to significantly affect the level of proteinuria. Combined treatment (apocynin and HBOT) normalized blood pressure (BP) values, renal function, and improved kidney structure by modulating FN and HIF-1α, without affecting desmin protein expression. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms of slowing down the progression of CKD in this experimental model. © 2024 by the authors.

Introduction: This study explored the complex relationship between anxiety, depression, compassion fatigue, and satisfaction among long-term care (LTC) workers following the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the study assessed psychometric properties of the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) scale, to ensure a reliable and valid instrument for identifying compassion fatigue and satisfaction in the Serbian healthcare system. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted across LTC facilities in the Republic of Serbia. A ProQOL was administered to physicians, nurses, and aids, to measure compassion fatigue (including burnout and secondary traumatic stress) and compassion satisfaction. The following standardized instruments were also distributed: Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (STSS), Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21) and 12-Item Short-Form Health 36 Survey (SF-12). Results: A total of 300 LTC workers participated, mostly women (86.3%), with an average age of 45.4 ± 10.5 years and a median work experience of 15 years (range: 1 to 42 years). The study reported a significant presence of anxiety and depression symptoms (53.3% and 43.3%, respectively), with LTC workers experiencing moderate levels of compassion fatigue, as indicated by burnout (58.3%) and stress (57.3%) subscales, and moderate or high levels of compassion satisfaction (49.0% and 50.0%, respectively). The study demonstrated that anxiety impacts depression both directly and indirectly (p<0.05). Specifically, burnout and compassion satisfaction mediated the positive effect of anxiety on depression, indicating that increased anxiety led to higher burnout and lower compassion satisfaction, which resulted in greater depression (p<0.05). The three-factor structure of the ProQOL was validated (IFI, TLI, and CFI were above the cut-off of ≥0.95, and the RMSEA was below the suggested value of ≤ 0.06). The Cronbach α of the three subscales was above 0.8, indicating good scale reliability. Conclusion: This study contributes to the broader literature on LTC workers wellbeing by examining the complex interplay between professional quality of life, anxiety, and depression. The findings should guide decision-makers in developing targeted interventions and policies that promote the psychological resilience and well-being of LTC workers, thereby enhancing both individual and organizational outcomes in the healthcare sector. Copyright © 2025 Vracevic, Pavlovic, Todorovic, Milic, Matejic, Brkic, Milic, Savic, Masic, Pavlovic, Stanisic, Tasic, Spaic, Matovic, Tiosavljevic and Stanisavljevic.

Objective. Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) has been widely used in people with diseases that cause limb amputation but studies that target patients who underwent amputation itself are rare. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of HBO on prosthetic rehabilitation in patients with unilateral lower limb amputation. Methods. The study included 60 patients with unilateral (left or right side) lower limb amputation, mean age 61.6 ± 11.5 years, of both genders. They were divided into two groups, the experimental group (with HBO) and the control group (usual care). Patients' functional skills after amputation were evaluated using the LCI test (Locomotor Capabilities Index) and with the classification of Narang and Pohjolainen. Results. Clinical characteristics of patients had relatively homogeneous distribution. After the therapy, a control measurement of both groups showed significantly higher values for LCI test (p <0.01) and lower values for Narang score (p <0.01). However, improvements were more prominent in the group of patients who underwent HBO therapy, therefore, these subjects in the control measurements were evaluated with a statistically significant lower Narang score (p <0.05) and had higher LCI score than the control group patients. Conclusion. HBO is a useful therapeutic measure in the rehabilitation of people with limb amputation who use prosthetic limbs.

Objective: To investigate whether hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) can improve the recovery of motor functions in rats after suction ablation of the right sensorimotor cortex. Methods: The experimental paradigm implies the following groups: Control animals (C), ControlHBO (CHBO), Sham controls (S), Sham controlHBO (SHBO), Lesion group (L), right sensorimotor cortex was removed by suction, LesionHBO (LHBO). Hyperbaric protocol: pressure applied 2.5 atmospheres absolute, for 60minutes, once a day for 10 days. A beam walking test and grip strength meter were used to evaluate the recovery of motor functions. Expression profiles of growth-associated protein 43 (GAP43) and synaptophysin (SYP) were detected using immunohistochemistry. Results: The LHBO group achieved statistically superior scores in the beam walking test compared to the L group. Additionally, the recovery of muscle strength of the affected hindpaw was significantly enhanced after HBO treatment. Hyperbaric oxygenation induced over-expression of GAP43 and SYP in the neurons surrounding the lesion site. Conclusions: Data presented suggest that hyperbaric oxygen therapy can intensify neuroplastic responses by promoting axonal sprouting and synapse remodelling, which contributes to the recovery of locomotor performances in rats. This provides the perspective for implementation of HBO in clinical strategies for treating traumatic brain injuries. © 2012 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.

Objective: To investigate whether hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) can improve the recovery of motor functions in rats after suction ablation of the right sensorimotor cortex. Methods: The experimental paradigm implies the following groups: Control animals (C), ControlHBO (CHBO), Sham controls (S), Sham controlHBO (SHBO), Lesion group (L), right sensorimotor cortex was removed by suction, LesionHBO (LHBO). Hyperbaric protocol: pressure applied 2.5 atmospheres absolute, for 60minutes, once a day for 10 days. A beam walking test and grip strength meter were used to evaluate the recovery of motor functions. Expression profiles of growth-associated protein 43 (GAP43) and synaptophysin (SYP) were detected using immunohistochemistry. Results: The LHBO group achieved statistically superior scores in the beam walking test compared to the L group. Additionally, the recovery of muscle strength of the affected hindpaw was significantly enhanced after HBO treatment. Hyperbaric oxygenation induced over-expression of GAP43 and SYP in the neurons surrounding the lesion site. Conclusions: Data presented suggest that hyperbaric oxygen therapy can intensify neuroplastic responses by promoting axonal sprouting and synapse remodelling, which contributes to the recovery of locomotor performances in rats. This provides the perspective for implementation of HBO in clinical strategies for treating traumatic brain injuries. © 2012 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) as a consequence of ischemia is a common clinical event that can lead to unacceptably high morbidity and mortality. Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) preconditioning has been shown to prevent ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) in different tissues. Objectives: The aim of our study was to compare the effects of HBO2 preconditioning on renal hemodynamics, kidney function and oxidative stress in normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats that suffered kidney IRI. Methods: An experiment was performed on Wistar (normotensive) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The animals were divided into the following experimental groups: sham-operated rats and rats with or without HBO2 preconditioning 24 hours before post-ischemic AKI induction. Treated rats were placed into experimental HBO2 chambers and exposed to pure oxygen twice a day for two consecutive days (2.026 bar of oxygen) for 60 minutes. AKI was performed the next morning. The right kidney was removed and the renal ischemia was performed by clamping the left renal artery for 45 minutes. Results: In this study, HBO2 preconditioning significantly improved disturbed renal hemodynamics, major markers of kidney function in plasma (creatinine, urea and phosphate) as well as antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and catalase) activities in erythrocytes after AKI induction. Also, HBO2 preconditioning decreased lipid peroxidation in plasma after ischemic AKI. Positive effects were observed in both strains of rats. Conclusions: Our results suggest that HBO2 treatment improves renal hemodynamic and kidney function and decreases oxidative stress of Wistar and SHR rats with an AKI episode. Furthermore, it also implies that pre-existing hypertension does not affect the beneficial effects of HBO2 preconditioning. Copyright © 2020 Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society, Inc.