Sarcopenia is associated with short- and long-term mortality in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure.

BACKGROUND: While sarcopenia is recognized as a predictor of mortality in cirrhosis, its influence on acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) remains uncertain. Despite multiple studies examining the impact of sarcopenia on short-term mortality in patients with ACLF, the sample size of these studies was limited, and their outcomes were inconsistent. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the impact of sarcopenia on both short- and long-term mortality in patients with ACLF. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 414 patients with ACLF that were treated between January 2016 and September 2022. Sarcopenia was diagnosed based on the measurement of the skeletal muscle index at the third lumbar vertebra (L3-SMI). Subsequently, the patients were divided into sarcopenia and non-sarcopenia groups. We analysed the basic clinical data of the two groups. Multivariate Cox proportional analysis was used to analyse short-term (28 days) and long-term (1 year and overall) mortality rates. RESULTS: A total of 414 patients were included, with a mean age of 52.88 ± 13.41 years. Among them, 318 (76.8%) were male, and 239 (57.7%) had sarcopenia. A total of 280 (67.6%) patients died during the study period. Among them, 153 patients died within 28 days (37%) and 209 patients died within 1 year (50.5%). We found that the 28-day, 1-year and overall mortality rates in the sarcopenia group were significantly higher than those in the non-sarcopenia group (37% vs. 22.3%, P < 0.01; 50.5% vs. 34.9%, P < 0.01; and 67.6% vs. 53.1%, P < 0.01, respectively). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that sarcopenia was significantly associated with increased mortality. The hazard ratios for sarcopenia were 2.05 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.41-3.00, P < 0.01) for 28-day mortality, 1.81 (95% CI 1.29-2.54, P < 0.01) for 1-year mortality and 1.82 (95% CI 1.30-2.55, P < 0.01) for overall mortality. In addition, muscle density and international normalized ratio were associated with short- and long-term mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Sarcopenia is associated with both short- and long-term mortality in patients with ACLF. Therefore, regular monitoring for sarcopenia is important for these patients.

Berberine influences multiple diseases by modifying gut microbiota.

Berberine (BBR) is an isoquinoline alkaloid that is widely distributed in the plant kingdom and is commonly found in Coptis chinensis Franch. It has low bioavailability, but it can interact with gut microbiota and affect a variety of diseases. The effects of BBR in diabetes, hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, liver diseases, intestinal diseases, mental disorders, autoimmune diseases, and other diseases are all thought to be related to gut microbiota. This review systematically and comprehensively summarize these interactions and their effects, and describes the changes of gut microbiota after the intervention of different doses of berberine and its potential clinical consequences, in order to provide a basis for the rational application of BBR in the future clinical treatment.

Potential application of ginseng in sepsis:: Applications of ginseng in sepsis.

Sepsis and septic shock affect millions of people worldwide each year with high clinical mortality rates. At present, basic research on sepsis has emerged in an endless stream, but there are few effective clinical translation results. Ginseng, a medicinal and edible representative of Araliaceae plants, contains a variety of biologically active compounds including ginsenosides, alkaloids, glycosides, polysaccharides, and polypeptides. Neuromodulation, anticancer activity, blood lipid regulation, and antithrombotic activity have been linked to ginseng treatment. At present, basic and clinical research have suggested various applications of ginseng in sepsis. In view of the different effects of various ginseng components on the pathogenesis of sepsis, and in order to further understand and develop the possible value of ginseng in sepsis, this manuscript reviews the application of various components of ginseng in the treatment of sepsis in recent years.

Employment intention and career planning of male nursing students in different levels of colleges and universities: A qualitative study.

AIM: To explore the employment intention and career planning of male nursing students at different levels of colleges and universities and provide references for formulating individualized training content. DESIGN: Phenomenological research method in qualitative research. METHODS: Using a phenomenological research method, 15 male nursing students from three levels of colleges and universities were interviewed in a one-to-half structure, and the data were analysed using NVivo12.0 software and the Colaizzi seven-step analysis method. RESULTS: Four themes and 10 sub-themes were extracted. The four themes included professional identity experience, nursing learning experience, career expectation and planning and educational needs. The 10 sub-themes included the negative effects of traditional impressions, the gradual establishment of professional identity, public health events promote professional identity, negative experiences in learning, positive growth from learning, varied career plans, career expectations and influencing factors, a reasonable schedule, diversity of content requirements and the positive effect of teaching teachers. CONCLUSIONS: Influenced by many factors, the employment intention and career planning of male nursing students at different higher education levels are varied. Schools and clinical practice units should strengthen the training of employment intention and career planning and make reasonable time adjustments to the training content. PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: In total, 15 male interns accepted our interview request. We utilized their break time to conduct the interviews, resulting in significant contributions to the content of the article.

A case report and literature review of immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated pneumonia caused by penpulimab.

Objective: From the perspective of intensive care physicians, this paper reviews the diagnosis and treatment of CIP patients, analyzes and refines relevant literature on CIP. To summarize the characteristics of diagnosis and treatment of severe CIP provides the basis and reference for early identification, diagnosis and treatment. Methods: A case of severe CIP caused by piamprilizumab and ICI was reviewed and the literature was reviewed. Results: This was a patient with lung squamous cell carcinoma with lymphoma who had been treated with multiple chemoradiotherapy and immunotherapy with piamprizumab. The patient was admitted to the ICU with respiratory failure. The intensive care physician performs anti-infective, fluid management, hormonal anti-inflammatory, respiratory and nutritional support treatment, and relies on mNGS to exclude severe infection and CIP treatment, thus successfully saving the patient's life and improving discharge. Conclusions: The incidence of CIP is very low, and its diagnosis should be combined with clinical manifestations and previous drug use. mNGS can provide certain value in the exclusion of severe infections, so as to provide basis and reference for the early identification, diagnosis and treatment of severe CIP.

Application of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor antagonists in fibrotic diseases.

Fibrosis can occur in various organs, leading to structural destruction, dysfunction, and even organ failure. Hence, organ fibrosis is being actively researched worldwide. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a naturally occurring hormone, binds to a G-protein-coupled receptor widely distributed in the pancreas, kidney, lung, heart, gastrointestinal tract, and other organs. Synthetic GLP-1 analogs can be used as GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) for treating diabetes mellitus. In recent years, GLP-1RAs have also been found to exert anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and cardiovascular protective effects. GLP-1RAs have also been shown to inhibit fibrosis of solid organs, such as the lung, heart, liver, and kidney. In this review, we discuss the advancements in research on the role of GLP-1RAs in the fibrosis of the heart, lung, liver, kidney, and other organs to obtain new clues for treating organ fibrosis.

Melatonin: A window into the organ-protective effects of sepsis.

Sepsis is an uncontrolled host response to infection. In some cases, it progresses to multi-organ insufficiency, leading to septic shock and increased risk of mortality. Various organ support strategies are currently applied clinically, but they are still inadequate in terms of reducing mortality. Melatonin is a hormone that regulates sleep and wakefulness, and it is associated with a reduced risk of death in patients with sepsis. Evidence suggests that melatonin may help protect organ function from sepsis-related damage. Here, we review information related to the role of melatonin in protecting organ function during sepsis and explore its potential clinical applications, with the aim of providing an effective therapeutic strategy for treating sepsis-induced organ insufficiency.

Resveratrol: Potential Application in Sepsis.

Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction syndrome caused by host response disorders due to infection or infectious factors and is a common complication of patients with clinical trauma, burns, and infection. Resveratrol is a natural polyphenol compound that is a SIRT-1 activator with anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal inhibitory abilities as well as cardiovascular and anti-tumor protective effects. In recent years, some scholars have applied resveratrol in animal models of sepsis and found that it has an organ protective effect and can improve the survival time and reduce the mortality of animals with sepsis. In this study, Medline (Pubmed), embase, and other databases were searched to retrieve literature published in 2021 using the keywords "resveratrol" and "sepsis," and then the potential of resveratrol for the treatment of sepsis was reviewed and prospected to provide some basis for future clinical research.

Hydrogen: Potential Applications in Solid Organ Transplantation.

Ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) in organ transplantation has always been an important hotspot in organ protection. Hydrogen, as an antioxidant, has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiapoptotic effects. In this paper, the protective effect of hydrogen against IRI in organ transplantation has been reviewed to provide clues for future clinical studies.

Electrical Impedance Tomography Predicts Weaning Success in Adult Patients With Delayed Upper Abdominal Surgery: A Single-Center Retrospective Study.

Objective: To evaluate the predictive value of electrical impedance tomography (EIT) in patients with delayed ventilator withdrawal after upper abdominal surgery. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data of patients who were ventilated >24 h after upper abdominal surgery between January 2018 and August 2019. The patients were divided into successful (group S) and failed (group F) weaning groups. EIT recordings were obtained at 0, 5, 15, and 30 min of spontaneous breathing trials (SBTs) with SBT at 0 min set as baseline. We assessed the change in delta end-expiratory lung impedance and tidal volume ratio (ΔEELI/VT) from baseline, the change in compliance change percentage variation (|Δ(CW-CL)|) from baseline, the standard deviation of regional ventilation delay index (RVDSD), and global inhomogeneity (GI) using generalized estimation equation analyses. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were performed to evaluate the predictive value of parameters indicating weaning success. Results: Among the 32 included patients, ventilation weaning was successful in 23 patients but failed in nine. Generalized estimation equation analysis showed that compared with group F, the ΔEELI/VT was lower, and the GI, RVDSD, and (|Δ(CW-CL)|) were higher in group S. For predicting withdrawal failure, the areas under the curve of the ΔEELI/VT, (|Δ(CW-CL)|), and the RVDSD were 0.819, 0.918, and 0.918, and 0.816, 0.884, and 0.918 at 15 and 30 min during the SBTs, respectively. Conclusion: The electrical impedance tomography may predict the success rate of ventilator weaning in patients with delayed ventilator withdrawal after upper abdominal surgery.

GLP-1 Receptor: A New Target for Sepsis.

Patients with sepsis often exhibit hyperglycemia, which increases mortality. glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) not only regulate blood glucose homeostasis but also improve organ dysfunction, regulate immunity, and control inflammation and other functions in patients with sepsis. Here, we review the possible application of GLP-1RAs in sepsis, to provide a new perspective for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of patients with sepsis complicated with stress hyperglycemia.

Clinical Symptoms and Outcomes of Severe Pneumonia Caused by Chlamydia psittaci in Southwest China.

Here, we aimed to retrospectively analyze the clinical characteristics of 27 patients with severe pneumonia caused by Chlamydia psittaci between January 2019 and April 2021 in southwest China. To this end, we collected data on the exposure history, clinical symptoms, laboratory examination, imaging characteristics, evolution, etiology, treatment, and outcomes to suggest a better diagnosis and prevention system. Our results showed that a metagenomic next-generation sequencing test could provide early diagnosis. All patients were sensitive to quinolones and tetracyclines, and the recovery rate was relatively high. Overall, all patients were in critical condition with moderate to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome and shock. In conclusion, early diagnosis of pneumonia caused by C. psittaci depends on effective molecular testing, and most patients recover after treatment.

Hydrogen: A Potential New Adjuvant Therapy for COVID-19 Patients.

Hydrogen has been shown to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hormone-regulating, and apoptosis-resistance properties, among others. Based on a review of the research, the use of hydrogen might reduce the destructive cytokine storm and lung injury caused by SARS-CoV-2 during COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease 2019) in the early stage, stimulating ropy sputum drainage, and ultimately reducing the incidence of severe disease. Molecular hydrogen treatment has the potential to become a new adjuvant therapy for COVID-19, but its efficacy and safety require large clinical trials and further confirmation.

[Prognostic value of Charlson weighted index of comorbidities combined with sequential organ failure assessment score and procalcitonin in patients with sepsis].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prognostic value of Charlson weighted index of comorbidities (WIC) combined with sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score and procalcitonin (PCT) in sepsis patients in intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted. 118 patients with sepsis admitted to ICU of Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital from July 2015 to June 2018 were enrolled. The clinical data of the patients including gender, age, pathogenic factors, site of infection, underlying diseases and 28-day prognosis were collected, while the WIC score at ICU admission, the acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) score and SOFA score within 24 hours after ICU admission, serum PCT level within 1 hour after ICU admission were recorded. The patients were divided into survival group and death group according to 28-day prognosis, and the clinical data of patients with different prognosis were compared. Multivariate Logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between WIC score, SOFA score, PCT level and the outcomes of patients. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to evaluate the value of WIC score, SOFA score, and PCT level for predicting the prognosis of patients with sepsis. RESULTS: In this study, 118 eligible sepsis patients were enrolled, and 94 patients survived at 28 days, and 24 patients died with a 28-day mortality of 20.3%. Compared with the survival group, the patients in the death group were older and had higher APACHE II score, WIC score, SOFA score, and serum PCT levels. Pathogenic factors analysis showed that the proportion of pulmonary infection in the death group was the highest (62.5%), while in the survival group the main cause was multiple injury (36.2%), followed by pulmonary infection (30.9%). Basic diseases analysis showed that the proportions of tumor, type 2 diabetes, chronic lung disease, cerebrovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease, and chronic cardiac insufficiency in the death group were significantly higher than those in the survival group. The age [odds ratio (OR) = 1.279, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 1.065-1.536], APACHE II score (OR = 1.255, 95%CI was 1.083-1.455), WIC score (OR = 1.429, 95%CI was 1.304-1.568), SOFA score (OR = 1.331, 95%CI was 1.456-1.545), and serum PCT level (OR = 1.497, 95%CI was 1.146-1.547) were related to the 28-day prognosis of patients with sepsis, and were independent predictors of 28-day prognosis in patients with sepsis (all P < 0.01). ROC curve analysis showed that the area under ROC curve (AUC) of WIC score, SOFA score, serum PCT level and combined prediction probability was 0.712 (95%CI was 0.588-0.836), 0.801 (95%CI was 0.695-0.908), 0.889 (95%CI was 0.798-0.979), 0.943 (95%CI was 0.884-1.000), respectively, indicating that the accuracy of combined parameters to predict survival outcome was higher than that of any single parameter with the sensitivity of 91.7% and the specificity of 83.0%. CONCLUSIONS: WIC score, SOFA score combined with serum PCT level can improve the accuracy of predicting the 28-day prognosis in patients with sepsis.

Detection of pulmonary oedema by electrical impedance tomography: validation of previously proposed approaches in a clinical setting.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate two previously proposed approaches based on electrical impedance tomography (EIT) to assess pulmonary oedema at the bedside. APPROACH: Fourteen patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome were included and examined prospectively. Patients were rotated laterally along their longitudinal axis from supine to 45-degree left and right tilt to induce a gravity-dependent redistribution of pulmonary oedema. After a 20 min equilibration period at each of the three positions, 2 min EIT data were recorded and analyzed. Left-to-right lung and anterior-to-posterior ventilation ratios were calculated for each posture. The slopes of the regression lines in all three postures were then determined. The same examination was performed on the consecutive day. The EIT-derived parameters were compared with transcardiopulmonary thermodilution measurements. MAIN RESULTS: The correlations between the EIT and transcardiopulmonary thermodilution parameters were low (correlation coefficients r < 0.4) and not significant regardless of the examination days. SIGNIFICANCE: Despite previous clinical and experimental observations, left-to-right and anterior-to-posterior ventilation ratios derived from EIT examinations after postural changes did not reflect total extravascular lung water in our study population. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02870894 Registered 17 AUG 2016 (https://clinicaltrials.gov).