Projects / Programmes
Renal diseases and renal replacement therapy
January 1, 2022
- December 31, 2027
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 3.06.00 |
Medical sciences |
Cardiovascular system |
|
| 3.07.00 |
Medical sciences |
Metabolic and hormonal disorders |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 3.02 |
Medical and Health Sciences |
Clinical medicine |
| 3.05 |
Medical and Health Sciences |
Other medical sciences |
chronic kidney disease, end-stage kidney disease, dialysis, plasma exchange, kidney transplantation, Doppler-ultrasonography, mesenchymal stem cells, biomarkers, proteinuria, acute kidney injury, anticoagulation, citrate, vascular access, nutrition, immunosuppression, pharmacogenomics, medical ethics
Data for the last 5 years (citations for the last 10 years) on
April 26, 2024;
A3 for period
2018-2022
| Database |
Linked records |
Citations |
Pure citations |
Average pure citations |
| WoS |
505 |
5,856 |
5,345 |
10.58 |
| Scopus |
422 |
6,948 |
6,436 |
15.25 |
Researchers (24)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
Our basic, clinical and translational research will focus on: Improving long-term outcomes after kidney transplantation: a)Non-invasive diagnostic markers of impairment: To investigate the role of non-invasive molecular markers in diagnosing the causes of impairment, particularly rejection and types of renal graft rejection. b)Cardiovascular mortality in kidney transplant recipients: to determine whether a diet based on unrefined plant foods can lower LDL cholesterol levels more than a Mediterranean diet. c)Ultrasound parameters in the early posttransplant period: In the immediate post-transplant period, we will investigate the differences in ultrasound morphological and perfusion hemodynamic characteristics of the transplanted kidney by daily standardized ultrasound (US) Doppler examinations. d)Complications of arteriovenous (AV) fistula after transplantation: to determine the function, complications, and benefits of AV fistula after transplantation and its effects on renal function. Improving treatment outcomes in dialysis patients: a)The role of ultrasound and Doppler in planning vascular access in patients with calcified blood vessels: the aim is to determine optimal non-invasive ultrasound Doppler criteria that allow successful AVF construction in patients with calcifications and those that predict the development of distal ischemia. b)Effects of hemodialysis AV fistulas on the heart: the aim is to find out the nature of the relationship between fistula flow size and possible deterioration of cardiac function and pulmonary hypertension. c)The role of citrate anticoagulation in haemodialysis: the aim is to evaluate the clearance of low and medium molecular weight uraemic toxins, biocompatibility and the deposition of blood clots and platelets on the dialysis membrane. d)Use of new dialysis membranes and adsorbents in the treatment of patients with acute kidney injury (AKI): to analyse the efficacy of adsorption procedures as part of the adjunctive therapy of critically ill adults and children with systemic inflammatory response and the efficacy of different membranes or adsorbents in the treatment of rhabdomyolysis-induced AKI.e)Influence of cognitive and physical intradialytic exercise on the functional status of hemodialysis patients: To evaluate the effect of intradialytic cognitive training in combination with physical exercise on cognitive abilities, physical performance and fragility indicators. Innovations in treatment with apheresis methods: To investigate the efficacy of membrane plasmapheresis and LDL apheresis in stabilizing the clinical picture of preeclampsia and the possibility of safely prolonging pregnancy and improving newborns outcomes. Relationship between kidney stones and kidney dysfunction: The aim is to analyze the presence and role of primary hyperaldosteronism in the formation of kidney stones and the development of kidney disease, and to study the histomorphological and molecular impairment of the renal parenchyma
Significance for science
The research programme proposal is integration of a series of studies leaded by the experienced and young reasearches of the Department of Nephrology, University Medical Center Ljubljana. Research focus would be acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease and patients treated by renal replacement therapy (dialysis and kidney transplantation). New element of future research would be addition of experimental research with mesenchymal stem cells and mollecular diagnostic. Focus of the research in the next period would be kidney diseases and replacement therapies - dialysis and kidney transplantation, treatment of complications and subsequent expected improvement of kidney patients survival and quality of life. Research group had a significant number of high quality SCI publications in the past. Based on programme proposal and expected involvement of new young nephrologists after completing PhD programme in the next programme funding period we expect significant contribution to the science of kidney diseases, nephrology, dialysis and kidney transplantation in the future.
Significance for the country
The direct importance of the research program to the economy and social activities and the indirect importance to society: Early diagnosis and timely treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and improving treatment outcomes in patients with CKD and end-stage kidney disease treated by renal replacement therapies can improve patient survival nad quality of life, which is suboptimal for decades. Early detection of complications in CKD can delay need for kidney replacement therapy thus contributing to quality of life and survival of these patients, and decreasing the burden to the health care system and society (as kidney replacement therapy is very costly). Timely and patient-centered treatment strategies based on multiple clinical and laboratory biomarkers (precision and personalized medicine) tend to be more efficient and consequently more cost-effective in long-term. Improved long-term treatment outcomes have a significant economic impact on the national health care system. Kidney replacement therapy for end-stage kidney disease, dialysis and kidney transplantation in Slovenia are of high quality, showing superior results as concerns patients survival, both in dialysis as well as in kidney transplantion, as compared to many countries. With timely detection and treatment of early phases of chronic kidney disease and end-stage kidney disease complications, we can further improve previous and current achievements thus contributing to the well being of the patients and society and increase our visibility and excellence in the world.
