Advancements in Ultrasound Techniques for Evaluating Intracranial Pressure through Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter Measurement.

Elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) in patients with cerebral lesions has garnered considerable attention in research. It often manifests as a common symptom in conditions such as intracranial tumors, intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and cerebral edema. This paper provides an overview of ICP concepts, discusses the advantages and disadvantages of traditional monitoring methods, explores the physiological and anatomical aspects of the optic nerve sheath, examines the utility of ultrasound measurement of optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) in both nervous system and non-nervous system disorders, and outlines the cutoff values and normal ranges for assessing elevated ICP using ultrasound measurement of ONSD. The review underscores ultrasound measurement of ONSD as a promising non-invasive, safe, straightforward, and repeatable examination technique for various diseases. Nevertheless, the lack of standardized cutoff values for elevated ICP remains a challenge. Summarizing studies on optic nerve sheaths is crucial for enhancing the efficacy of ultrasound measurement of ONSD in assessing ICP.

CENTRAL VENOUS-TO-ARTERIAL CARBON DIOXIDE PARTIAL PRESSURE DIFFERENCE AS A GUIDING PARAMETER FOR CARDIOTONIC DRUG ADMINISTRATION IN PATIENTS WITH EARLY-STAGE SEPTIC SHOCK.

ABSTRACT: Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of the central venous-to-arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure difference (Pcv-aCO2) on the administration of cardiotonic drugs in patients with early-stage septic shock. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 120 patients suffering from septic shock. At admission, the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and Pcv-aCO2 of the patients were obtained. On the premise of mean arterial pressure ≥ 65 mm Hg, the patients were divided into two groups according to the treatment approaches adopted by different doctors-control group: LVEF ≤50% and observation group: Pcv-aCO2 ≥ 6. Both groups received cardiotonic therapy. Results: The two groups of patients had similar general conditions and preresuscitation conditions ( P > 0.05). Compared with the control group, the observation group had a higher mean arterial pressure, lactic acid clearance rate, and urine output after 6 h of resuscitation ( P < 0.05), but a lower absolute value of lactic acid, total fluid intake in 24 h, and a lower number of patients receiving renal replacement therapy during hospitalization ( P < 0.05). After 6 hours of resuscitation, the percentages of patients meeting central venous oxygen saturation and central venous pressure targets were not significantly different between the control and observation groups ( P > 0.05). There was no difference in the 28-day mortality rate between the two groups ( P > 0.05). Conclusion: Pcv-aCO2 is more effective than LVEF in guiding the administration of cardiotonic drugs in the treatment of patients with septic shock.

Prognostic utility of combination of NT-proBNP with high sensitive cTn I in patients with heart failure: Results from retrospective study in an emergency department.

BACKGROUND: N-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP) and cardiac troponin I (cTn I) are widely used for the diagnosis of myocardial injury, but have not been used for routine evaluation in heart failure (HF) population. AIMS: To evaluate the prognostic utility of combination of NT-proBNP and cTn I in patients with HF, including serial NT-proBNP/cTn I measurements and discharge NT-proBNP/cTn I levels. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 610 patients presenting in our emergency department for acute HF were studied. The mortality and HF-related readmission were endpoints in the study. NT-proBNP and cTn I were tested on admission including first 5 consecutive days, and on discharge. RESULTS: A discharge cTn I cut-off value at 24 ng/L and discharge NT-proBNP cut-off value at 350 ng/L were determined. The cTn I level more than 24 ng/L and NT-proBNP level more than 350 ng/L are associated with increased risk for mortality and readmission (p < 0.01). The mortality and HF-related readmission was significantly increased in patients with high cTn I + high NT-proBNP (p < 0.05), high cTn I + low NT-proBNP (p < 0.05), and low cTn I + high NT-proBNP (p < 0.0%). The increased cTn I or increased NT-proBNP measured in the first 5 consecutive days were significantly associated with 60-day HF-related events (p < 0.05), but the serial measurements did not have a predictive value of 1-year HF outcome. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that elevations of discharge cTn I and NT-proBNP are associated with increased 1-year mortality and HF-related readmission. Patients with increasing serial cTnI and NT-proBNP had increased risk for 60-day HF-related events. The two markers can act as independent predicators, and complete each other in prognostic utility of HF patients.

N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide and cardiac troponin I for the prognostic utility in elderly patients with severe sepsis or septic shock in intensive care unit: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUNDS: Using biomarkers to predict mortality in patient with severe sepsis or septic shock is of importance, as these patients frequently have high mortality and unsatisfied outcome. N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) play extremely important roles in prognostic value in the mortality of severe sepsis and septic shock. AIMS: The present study was retrospectively designed to evaluate the predicting mortality of NT-proBNP and cTnI in elderly patients with severe sepsis or septic shock administered in the intensive care unit (ICU) and also to evaluate whether the predicting ability of Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE-II) score or C-reactive protein (CRP) was increased in combination with the biomarkers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cohort of 430 patients (aged ≥65 years) with severe sepsis or septic shock admitted to our ICU between October 2011 and December 2013 was included in the study. Patient data including clinical, laboratory, and survival and mortality were collected. All patients were examined with NT-proBNP, cTnI, CRP, and APACHE-II score and were categorized as the survived and deceased groups according to the outcome 30 days after ICU treatment. RESULTS: The levels of NT-proBNP and cTnI (P < .01) or CRP (P < .05) were significantly higher in the deceased group than those in the survived group. The predicting mortality of APACHE-II score alone was low but largely improved, when it was combined with both NT-proBNP and cTnI (P < .05). CONCLUSION: The alteration of NT-proBNP and cTnI levels strongly predicated the ICU prognosis in elderly patients with severe sepsis or septic shock. N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide and cTnI were superior to CRP in predicting mortality. The predicting ability of APACHE-II score was improved only when combined with NT-proBNP and cTnI.

[Role of increased activity of carbohydrate response element binding protein in excessive lipid accumulation in the liver of type 2 diabetic db/db mouse].

OBJECTIVE: To study the role of the carbohydrate response element binding protein (ChREBP) in excessive lipid deposition in the liver of db/db mouse. METHODS: The deposition of neutral lipids in the liver was evaluated by Oil Red O staining. Immunohistochemical assay was utilized to determine the localization of ChREBP protein expression in mouse liver. The expressions of ChREBP and its target genes including acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase 1 (Acc-1), fatty acid synthase (Fas), glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (Gpat) were analyzed by Real-time PCR and Western blot. RESULTS: Significant lipid droplet deposition was detected in the livers of db/db mice. ChREBP was diffusely expressed in heptocytes with relative higher expression levels around portal and central veins. ChREBP was predominantly located in the cytosol in non-diabetic db/m mice, but was translocated to the nucleus in db/db mice. Nuclear ChREBP protein levels were 8.2-fold higher in db/db mice than in db/m mice(P<0.01). In contrast, another lipogenic transcription factor, sterol regulatory element binding protein-1(SREBP-1), remained unchanged. Consistent with increased nuclear ChREBP levels, expressions of ChREBP target genes involved in lipogenesis including Acc-1, Fas and Gpat were upregulated by 2-fold(P<0.05),1.7-fold (P<0.05) and 4.2-fold(P<0.05), respectively, in db/db mice. CONCLUSION: The db/db mouse exhibits significantly higher liver ChREBP activity, which may be associated with the development of hepatic steatosis frequently occurring in type 2 diabetes. Targeting ChREBP might represent a new intervention strategy for fatty liver.