Uplift modeling to predict individual treatment effects of renal replacement therapy in sepsis-associated acute kidney injury patients.

Renal replacement therapy (RRT) is a crucial treatment for sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (S-AKI), but it is uncertain which S-AKI patients should receive immediate RRT. Identifying the characteristics of patients who may benefit the most from RRT is an important task. This retrospective study utilized a public database and enrolled S-AKI patients, who were divided into RRT and non-RRT groups. Uplift modeling was used to estimate the individual treatment effect (ITE) of RRT. The validity of different models was compared using a qini curve. After labeling the patients in the validation cohort, we characterized the patients who would benefit the most from RRT and created a nomogram. A total of 8289 patients were assessed, among whom 591 received RRT, and 7698 did not receive RRT. The RRT group had a higher severity of illness than the non-RRT group, with a Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score of 9 (IQR 6,11) vs. 5 (IQR 3,7). The 28-day mortality rate was higher in the RRT group than the non-RRT group (34.83% vs. 14.61%, p < 0.0001). Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to balance baseline characteristics, 458 RRT patients and an equal number of non-RRT patients were enrolled for further research. After PSM, 28-day mortality of RRT and non-RRT groups were 32.3% vs. 39.3%, P = 0.033. Using uplift modeling, we found that urine output, fluid input, mean blood pressure, body temperature, and lactate were the top 5 factors that had the most influence on RRT effect. The area under the uplift curve (AUUC) of the class transformation model was 0.068, the AUUC of SOFA was 0.018, and the AUUC of Kdigo-stage was 0.050. The class transformation model was more efficient in predicting individual treatment effect. A logistic regression model was developed, and a nomogram was drawn to predict whether an S-AKI patient can benefit from RRT. Six factors were taken into account (urine output, creatinine, lactate, white blood cell count, glucose, respiratory rate). Uplift modeling can better predict the ITE of RRT on S-AKI patients than conventional score systems such as Kdigo and SOFA. We also found that white blood cell count is related to the benefits of RRT, suggesting that changes in inflammation levels may be associated with the effects of RRT on S-AKI patients.

The expression levels of circulating miR-140-3p, miR-130a-3p, and miR-320b as diagnostic biomarkers in acute ischemic stroke.

Plasma miRNAs can characterize several diseases, including acute ischemic stroke (AIS), which is noninvasive and currently affordable in most laboratories worldwide. We aimed to demonstrate plasma miR-140-3p, miR-130a-3p, and miR-320b as diagnostic biomarkers in AIS.GSE110993 and GSE86291 datasets were analyzed to obtain plasma differentially expressed miRNAs between AIS and healthy control subjects (HCs). We further applied RT-qPCR for the validation in 85 AIS patients and 85 HCs. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were conducted to evaluate their diagnostic utility in AIS. Correlation was analyzed between DEmiRNAs and clinical and laboratory parameters, as well as inflammatory markers. The plasma levels of miR-140-3p, miR-130a-3p, and miR-320b were found to be consistently altered in both GSE110993 and GSE86291 datasets. In comparison to HCs, AIS patients at admission exhibited lower levels of miR-140-3p and miR-320b and higher level of miR-130a-3p in their plasma. The ROC analysis revealed that plasma miR-140-3p, miR-130a-3p, and miR-320b had area under the curve values of 0.790, 0.831, and 0.907, respectively. When combined, these miRNAs showed superior discriminatory power with a sensitivity of 91.76% and specificity of 95.29%. Plasma miR-140-3p and miR-320b negatively correlated glucose levels and inflammatory markers (IL-6, MMP-2, MMP-9, and VEGF) in AIS patients. Conversely, plasma miR-130a-3p levels were positively associated with glucose levels and these markers. Plasma miR-140-3p, miR-130a-3p, and miR-320b levels varied significantly among AIS patients with different NIHSS scores. Plasma miR-140-3p, miR-130a-3p, and miR-320b had high diagnostic value in AIS patients, which were correlated with inflammation and severity in stroke.

Serum lactate monitoring may help to predict neurological function impairment caused by acute metabolism crisis.

To investigate the predictive value of serum lactate on neurological function impairment and the possible etiology. In this retrospective study, all the adult patients admitted to ICU more than 24 h after general anesthesia elective neurosurgery from January 2018 to January 2019 were recruited. The data of the serum lactate every 8 h during the 24 h of ICU admission were acquired and analyzed. 169 patients were included in the outcomes analysis. The average serum lactate after ICU admission was 3.7(3.4-4.1) mmol/L, higher than normal, and serum lactate elevated commonly after neurosurgery. The serum lactate at ICU admission (lactateserum0h) was not correlated with the outcomes, whereas the predictive value increased as the monitoring time was extended. The result indicated that lactateserum8h, the lactateserum16h, and the lactateserum24h were correlated with the primary outcome (difference of GCS scores before the surgery and after 24 h of ICU admission (ΔGCS24h) (p < 0.05). The lactateserum16h and the lactateserum 24 h were correlated with all the outcomes except for the hospital LOS. The ROC curve suggested that the lactateserum24h achieved the best predictive value. Patients with serum lactate non-recovered trend after 24 h of ICU stay had decreased GCS scores and vice versa, as indicated by the graph of the dynamic changes in the serum lactate. The predictive value of the serum glucose/serum lactate ratio at ICU admission (G/Lserum) was analyzed, and the result indicated that it was correlated with the ΔGCS24h (p < 0.05), the G/Lserum can predict neurological impairment earlier. Dynamic serum lactate monitoring and the G/Lserum at ICU admission have predict value on neurological function impairment after neurosurgery which might be attributed to ACMC.

Missed diagnosis of acute kidney injury in older patients with invasive mechanical ventilation: a multicenter retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: Patients who undergo mechanical ventilation (MV) are at higher risk of suffering from acute kidney injury (AKI). However, whether AKI is diagnosed in all patients and the association between AKI and mortality are unclear. METHODS: This was a retrospective, observational, multicenter cohort study conducted from January 2008 to December 2020 that included 3271 consecutive older patients (≥ 75 years) who received invasive MV from four medical centers in Chinese PLA General Hospital. AKI was diagnosed according to the serum creatinine (Scr)-based Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes guidelines by an absolute increase in Scr of ≥ 26.5 µmol/L within the first 48 h of MV. The outcomes of patients with and without AKI and whether AKI was recognized were compared. RESULTS: A total of 1292 patients were included in the final evaluation. Three hundred seventy-six patients (29.1%) fulfilled the diagnostic criteria. Among the 376 AKI patients, the recognition rate and nonrecognition rate were 62.8% (236/376) and 37.2% (140/376), respectively. The overall 90-day mortality rate was 45.2% (584/1,292), which was dramatically increased in unrecognized AKI patients and recognized AKI compared to non-AKI patients (70.7% vs. 54.7% vs. 38.9%, respectively, P < 0.001). The survival of patients with recognized AKI was better than that of patients with unrecognized AKI. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that recognized AKI was significantly associated with mean arterial pressure, positive end-expiratory pressure, uric acid, baseline Scr, and peak Scr. AKI was identified as an independent predictor of all-cause 90-day mortality (recognized AKI vs. non-AKI: HR = 1.722; 95% CI = 1.399-2.119; P < 0.001 and unrecognized AKI vs. non-AKI: HR = 2.632; 95% CI = 2.081-3.329; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: AKI is a common complication in older patients undergoing MV, with substantial underdiagnosis and undertreatment. Interventions for improving the diagnosis of AKI are urgently needed.

Association Between the Severity of Early Acute Kidney Injury and Subsequent in-Hospital Complications and 90-Day Mortality in Geriatric Patients Receiving Invasive Mechanical Ventilation.

Purpose: Acute kidney injury (AKI) in elderly patients is associated with higher hospital mortality. However, the relationship between AKI and peri-intubation complications is unclear. Methods: This retrospective, observational, multicenter cohort study enrolled 3271 consecutive elderly patients (≥75 years) who received invasive mechanical ventilation (MV) in four medical centers of Chinese PLA General Hospital from 2008 to 2020. AKI was diagnosed according to the 2012 KDIGO criteria by an absolute increase in serum creatinine of ≥26.5 µmol/L within the first 48 hours of MV. We recorded subsequent in-hospital complications, including incident gastrointestinal bleeding, new-onset electrolyte imbalances, severe hypoxemia, hypoalbuminemia, cardiovascular instability and all-cause 90-day mortality. Results: A total of 1292 patients were included in the final evaluation, with 29.1% presenting AKI (stage 1: 31.4%, stage 2: 35.1%, stage 3: 33.5%). Multiple regression analyses show that more advanced AKI increased the risk of MAP <65 mmHg (stage 1: OR=1.833, P=0.002; stage 2: OR= 4.653, P<0.001; stage 3: OR=4.834, P<0.001) and SBP <90 mmHg (stage 1: OR=1.644, P=0.014; stage 2: OR=3.701, P<0.001; stage 3: OR=5.750, P<0.001), a new need for or requiring an increased dose of vasopressors (stage 1: OR=1.623, P=0.014; stage 2: OR=3.250, P<0.001; stage 3: OR=12.132, P<0.001), gastrointestinal bleeding (stage 1: OR=1.102, P=0.669; stage 2: OR=1.471, P=0.060; stage 3: OR=2.377, P<0.001), severe hypoxia (stage 1: OR=1.213, P=0.399; stage 2: OR=1.449, P=0.077; stage 3: OR=2.214, P<0.001) and all-cause 90-day mortality (stage 1: OR =0.935; P=0.741; stage 2: OR=1.888; P=0.001; stage 3: OR=12.584; P<0.001). Conclusion: Our study suggests that the presence of AKI within the first 48 hours of MV in geriatric patients is associated with a higher risk for postintubation complications and 90-day mortality. Moreover, the risk of complications was greater for patients with more severe AKI.

Resection of bilateral occipital lobe lesions during a single operation as a treatment for bilateral occipital lobe epilepsy.

BACKGROUND: Neurosurgical treatment of severe bilateral occipital lobe epilepsy usually involves two operations several mos apart. AIM: To evaluate surgical resection of bilateral occipital lobe lesions during a single operation as a treatment for bilateral occipital lobe epilepsy. METHODS: This retrospective case series included patients with drug-refractory bilateral occipital lobe epilepsy treated surgically between March 2006 and November 2015. RESULTS: Preoperative evaluation included scalp video-electroencephalography (EEG), magnetic resonance imaging, and PET-CT. During surgery (bilateral occipital craniotomy), epileptic foci and important functional areas were identified by EEG (intracranial cortical electrodes) and cortical functional mapping, respectively. Patients were followed up for at least 5 years to evaluate treatment outcome (Engel grade) and visual function. The 20 patients (12 males) were aged 4-30 years (median age, 12 years). Time since onset was 3-20 years (median, 8 years), and episode frequency was 4-270/mo (median, 15/mo). Common manifestations were elementary visual hallucinations (65.0%), flashing lights (30.0%), blurred vision (20.0%) and visual field defects (20.0%). Most patients were free of disabling seizures (Engel grade I) postoperatively (18/20, 90.0%) and at 1 year (18/20, 90.0%), 3 years (17/20, 85.0%) and ≥ 5 years (17/20, 85.0%). No patients were classified Engel grade IV (no worthwhile improvement). After surgery, there was no change in visual function in 13/20 (65.0%), development of a new visual field defect in 3/20 (15.0%), and worsening of a preexisting defect in 4/20 (20.0%). CONCLUSION: Resection of bilateral occipital lobe lesions during a single operation may be applicable in bilateral occipital lobe epilepsy.

Effects of rainfall on microbial water quality on Qingdao No. 1 Bathing Beach, China.

Limited by sampling frequency and detection methods, current recreational water monitoring programs often fail to protect public health, especially after heavy rain or flooding, when microbial water quality can change rapidly. In order to assess the variations in the microbial indicators and to develop a scientific warning system, we conducted an intensive sampling project at the No. 1 Bathing Beach. The results show that, during dry weather, the detection rate of Enterococcus was significantly lower than that of Faecal coliform bacteria. On these days, water quality was mainly impacted by pollutants brought in by swimmers than by stormwater outfall. During wet weather, rainfall and microbial bacterial concentrations showed a positive correlation. Trends in the two microbial bacteria were approximately the same. With increasing distance from the shore, the detection rate of microbial bacteria gradually decreased. Microbial bacteria concentrations increased markedly during high tide and under a south wind.