functional-cardiac-imaging-zebrafish-embryos-using-standard

Functional Cardiac Imaging in Zebrafish Embryos Using Standard Microscopy and Video Analysis: Applications in Environmental and Biomedical Research

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are widely used as a vertebrate model in cardiovascular research due to their genetic similarity to humans, optical transparency ...

University of Belgrade

Living organisms are commonly exposed to cadmium and other toxic metals. A vast body of research has shown the significant effects of these toxic metals on developmental processes. In order to study the role of toxic metals on early developmental stages of eukaryotes, we explored the effect of cadmium (Cd) contaminant on zebrafish. Thus, zebrafish embryos were exposed to 3 mg/L (16.7 μM) Cd for 96 h and imaged every 24 h from the exposure onwards. Hatching rates of the eggs were determined at 72 h, followed by analyses at 96 h for: survival rate, morphometrical factors, and functional parameters of the cardiovascular system. Interestingly enough, significant hatching delays along with smaller cephalic region and some morphological abnormalities were observed in the treatment group. Moreover, substantial changes were noticed in the length of notochord and embryo, absorption of yolk sac with shorter extension, area of swimming bladder, as well as pericardium sac after Cd treatment. Cadmium also caused significant abnormalities in heart physiology which could be the leading cause of mentioned morphological deformities. Herein, our results shine light on systematic acute embryological effects of cadmium in the early development of zebrafish for the first time.

Cadmium significantly changes major morphometrical points and cardiovascular functional parameters during early development of zebrafish.

Despite constant achievements in treatment, acute kidney injury (AKI) remains a significant public health problem and a cause of mortality in the human population. In developed countries, AKI is a significant and frequent hospital complication, especially among patients admitted to intensive care units, where mortality rates can reach up to 50%. In addition, AKI has been implicated as an independent risk factor for the development of chronic kidney disease. Hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) has been used as a primary or adjunctive therapy for the past 50 years, both in experimental and clinical studies. HBO is a treatment in which the patient is occasionally exposed to 100% oxygen at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure at sea level. However, despite decades of extensive research, the potentially beneficial effects of this therapeutic approach are still not fully understood, although many potential mechanisms have been proposed, such as antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, etc. Furthermore, the low cost and insignificant adverse events make HBO a potentially important strategy in the prevention and treatment of different diseases. Considering all of this, this review highlights the potential role of HBO in maintaining cellular homeostasis disrupted due to AKI, caused in different experimental models.

Hyperbaric Oxygenation: Can It Be a Novel Supportive Method in Acute Kidney Injury? Data Obtained from Experimental Studies.

COVID-19, a global epidemic of infectious disease caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), not only initially refers to acute manifestations but also chronic symptoms known as Long COVID-19. Long COVID-19 represents a significant burden to healthcare systems worldwide. This syndrome encompasses a wide range of continuing health problems with variable durations and consequences for patients' everyday lives. A notable aspect of Long COVID-19 is the emergence of new-onset autoimmune diseases that could be triggered in predisposed patients with altered immune responses. Common autoimmune conditions that arise in post-COVID patients include autoimmune hemolytic anemia, immune thrombocytopenic purpura, autoimmune thyroid diseases, Kawasaki disease, Guillain-Barre syndrome, etc., but with unclear evidence of associated disease occurrence. We present a case of a female rheumatoid arthritis patient who developed autoimmune thyroid disease, latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA), and pernicious anemia after SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Article	Year
Cadmium significantly changes major morphometrical points and cardiovascular functional parameters during early development of zebrafish. Environmental toxicology and pharmacology\| PubMed ID: 34391906	2021
Hyperbaric Oxygenation: Can It Be a Novel Supportive Method in Acute Kidney Injury? Data Obtained from Experimental Studies. Cells\| PubMed ID: 38994971	2024
Post-COVID-19 Syndrome Associated With Multiple Autoimmune Diseases (DM I-LADA, Chronic Autoimmune Thyroiditis and Pernicious Anemia): Case Report. Clinical medicine insights. Endocrinology and diabetes\| PubMed ID: 39105048	2024

Nikola Mitovic

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