Daily point-of-care ultrasound-assessment of central venous catheter-related thrombosis in critically ill patients: a prospective multicenter study.

PURPOSE: Central venous catheter (CVC)-related thrombosis (CRT) is a known complication in critically ill patients. However, its clinical significance remains unclear. The objective of the study was to evaluate the occurrence and evolution of CRT from CVC insertion to removal. METHODS: A prospective multicenter study was conducted in 28 intensive care units (ICUs). Duplex ultrasound was performed daily from CVC insertion until at least 3 days after CVC removal or before patient discharge from the ICU to detect CRT and to follow its progression. CRT diameter and length were measured and diameter > 7 mm was considered extensive. RESULTS: The study included 1262 patients. The incidence of CRT was 16.9% (95% confidence interval 14.8-18.9%). CRT was most commonly found in the internal jugular vein. The median time from CVC insertion to CRT onset was 4 (2-7) days, and 12% of CRTs occurred on the first day and 82% within 7 days of CVC insertion. CRT diameters > 5 mm and > 7 mm were found in 48% and 30% of thromboses. Over a 7-day follow-up, CRT diameter remained stable when the CVC was in place, whereas it gradually decreased after CVC removal. The ICU length of stay was longer in patients with CRT than in those without CRT, and the mortality was not different. CONCLUSION: CRT is a frequent complication. It can occur as soon as the CVC is placed and mostly during the first week following catheterization. Half of the thromboses are small but one-third are extensive. They are often non-progressive and may be resolved after CVC removal.

Enteral nutrition modulation with n-3 PUFAs directs microbiome and lipid metabolism in mice.

Nutritional support using exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) has been studied as primary therapy for the management of liver diseases, Crohn's disease, and cancers. EEN can also increase the number of beneficial microbiotas in the gut, improve bile acid and lipid metabolism, and decrease the number of harmful dietary micro-particles, possibly by influencing disease occurrence and increasing immunity. This study investigated the effects of EEN-n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (3PUFAs) (EEN-3PUFAs) on the gut microbiome, intestinal barrier, and lipid or bile acid metabolism in mice. Metagenomic sequencing technology was used to analyze the effects of EEN-3PUFAs on the composition of gut microbiome signatures. The contents of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and bile acids in the feces and liver of the mice were assayed by gas chromatography and ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography/high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry, respectively. The levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and D-lactic acid in the blood were used to assess intestinal permeability. The results indicated that EEN-3PUFAs could improve the composition of gut microbiome signatures and increase the abundance of Barnesiella and Lactobacillus (genus), Porphyromonadaceae, and Bacteroidia (species), and Bacteroidetes (phylum) after EEN-3PUFAs initiation. In addition, EEN-3PUFAs induced the formation of SCFAs (mainly including acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid) and increased the intestinal wall compared to the control group. In conclusion, EEN-3PUFAs modulate the alterations in gut microbiome signatures, enhanced intestinal barrier, and regulated the fatty acid composition and lipid metabolism shifts and the putative mechanisms underlying these effects.

The TGFß1-FOXM1-HMGA1-TGFß1 positive feedback loop increases the cisplatin resistance of non-small cell lung cancer by inducing G6PD expression.

Platinum-based chemotherapy is still widely applied for the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, acquired chemoresistance compromises the curative effect of this drug. In this study, we found that glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), a critical enzyme of the pentose phosphate pathway, contributed to cisplatin resistance in NSCLC. The experimental results showed that transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFß1) increased the expression of G6PD by activating the forkhead box protein M1-high mobility group AT-hook 1-G6PD (FOXM1-HMGA1-G6PD) transcriptional regulatory pathway, in which TGFß1 inhibited the ubiquitination and degradation of FOXM1 protein. Additionally, HMGA1 induced TGFß1 expression, and neutralized TGFß1 in the culture medium downregulated HMGA1 levels, suggesting the existence of a TGFß1-FOXM1-HMGA1-TGFß1 positive feedback loop and its role in maintaining G6PD expression. Further investigations showed that exogenous TGFß1 enhanced the cisplatin resistance of NSCLC cells, while disrupting the FOXM1-HMGA1-G6PD pathway, thereby sensitizing the cells to cisplatin. Consistently, the TGFß1-FOXM1-HMGA1-G6PD axis was confirmed in NSCLC tissues, and overactivation of this axis predicted poor survival in NSCLC patients. Collectively, the results of this study demonstrate that the TGFß1-FOXM1-HMGA1-TGFß1 positive feedback loop plays a crucial role in the cisplatin resistance of NSCLC by upregulating the expression of G6PD, providing a potential therapeutic target to restore chemosensitivity in cisplatin-resistant NSCLC.

Risk factors for early onset of catheter-related bloodstream infection in an intensive care unit in China: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) is a life-threatening condition encountered in patients with long-term central venous catheter (CVC) indwelling. The objective was to investigate the clinical characteristics, treatment, and prognosis of CRBSI in the intensive care unit (ICU) in a Chinese center, as well as the risk factors for early CRBSI. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 73 CRBSI patients were retrospectively studied in relation to patients' clinical and epidemiological data, microbiological culture, and treatment. Patients were treated at the Taizhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine in Zhejiang (Zhejiang Wenlin, China) between January 2010 and December 2012. RESULTS: In this Chinese center, the most common pathogens were Gram-positive cocci, followed by Gram-negative bacilli and fungi. A high prevalence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens was detected, and a higher percentage of non-Candida albicans spp. was observed. Multivariate analysis showed that an acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) score >20 and >3 types of underlying diseases were independent factors associated with CRBSI occurring within 14 days of CVC indwelling. Untimely CVC removal and/or inappropriate use of antibiotics led to significantly longer time to defervescence and time to negative conversion of blood culture (all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this Chinese center, Gram-positive bacteria are predominantly detected in CRBSI. APACHE II score >20 and the presence of >3 types of diseases were associated with earlier CRBSI onset. Timely removal of CVC and appropriate use of antibiotics resulted in improved outcomes.

[Application of RIFLE criteria for acute renal failure in patients treated with continuous renal replacement therapy].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the optimal timing of treating acute renal failure (ARF) patients in intensive care unit (ICU) with RIFLE (risk of renal failure, injury to the kidney, failure of kidney function, loss of kidney function and end-stage renal failure) classification using continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). And to evaluate the association between mortality and RIFLE classification in the same patients. METHODS: Clinical data were collected from 103 ARF patients in ICU from 2000 to 2007. RESULTS: The 30-days hospital mortality rate was 45.6%. The 30 days' hospital mortality rates of RIFLE-R, RIFLE-I and RIFLE-F were 25.0%, 20.0% and 57.3% respectively. CONCLUSION: Survival rate of ARF patients can be manifestly elevated if CRRT is performed before RIFLE-F. The patients in RIFLE-F category have a significantly higher mortality than RIFLE-R and -I patients. The RIFLE criteria is fit for ARF classification system.