Lower Late Development Rate of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Patients with Lower Mechanical Power or Driving Pressure.

For patients on ventilation without acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), there are, as yet, limited data on ventilation strategies. We hypothesized that driving pressure (DP) and mechanical power (MP) may play key roles for the late development of ARDS in patients without initial ARDS. A post hoc analysis of a database from our previous cohort was performed.

Attenuation of Ventilation-Enhanced Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition through the Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase-γ in a Murine Bleomycin-Induced Acute Lung Injury Model.

Mechanical ventilation (MV) used in patients with acute lung injury (ALI) induces lung inflammation and causes fibroblast proliferation and excessive collagen deposition-a process termed epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Phosphoinositide 3-kinase-γ (PI3K-γ) is crucial in modulating EMT during the reparative phase of ALI; however, the mechanisms regulating the interactions among MV, EMT, and PI3K-γ remain unclear. We hypothesized that MV with or without bleomycin treatment would increase EMT through the PI3K-γ pathway.

Prediction of survival time after terminal extubation: the balance between critical care unit utilization and hospice medicine in the COVID-19 pandemic era.

Background: We established 1-h and 1-day survival models after terminal extubation to optimize ventilator use and achieve a balance between critical care for COVID-19 and hospice medicine.

Methods: Data were obtained from patients with end-of-life status at terminal extubation from 2015 to 2020. The associations between APACHE II scores and parameters with survival time were analyzed.

Reduction in Ventilation-Induced Diaphragmatic Mitochondrial Injury through Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1α in a Murine Endotoxemia Model.

Mechanical ventilation (MV) is essential for patients with sepsis-related respiratory failure but can cause ventilator-induced diaphragm dysfunction (VIDD), which involves diaphragmatic myofiber atrophy and contractile inactivity. Mitochondrial DNA, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dynamics, and biogenesis are associated with VIDD. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) is crucial in the modulation of diaphragm immune responses.

Enhancement of Swimming Endurance by Herbal Supplement M3P.

Objective: To investigate the effect of M3P (containing Deer antler, Cordyceps sinensis, Rhodiola rosea, and Panax ginseng); an herbal remedy with the function of tonifying Kidney (Shen) and invigorating Spleen (Pi), replenishing qi and nourishing blood; on fatigue alleviation, endurance capacity and toxicity.

Methods: Swimming with weight-loading of 24 male ICR mice was used to evaluate the endurance capacity, and fatigue-related plasma biomarkers were determined. Mice were randomly assigned to control or M3P treatment groups with 6 mice for each group and were orally administered with M3P everyday for 8 weeks at doses 0, 10, 33 or 100 mg/kg.

The Determination of Efficacy of CircuCare on Blood Circulation and Metabolism: An Animal Model Study.

Objectives: To determine whether feeding CircuCare to rats improves blood circulation, metabolism, immune regulation, endocrine activity, and oxidative stress.

Methods: 28 eight-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were evenly randomized into control and experimental groups. The control group was fed with ordinary drinking water, while the experimental group was fed with CircuCare at a daily dose of 93.

An Actinobacterial Isolate, . YX44, Produces Broad-Spectrum Antibiotics That Strongly Inhibit .

The need for new antibiotics is increasing due to their overuse, and antibiotic resistance has become one of the major threats worldwide to public health, food safety, and clinical treatment. In this study, we describe an actinobacterial isolate, YX44, which belongs to the genus . This was isolated from a drinking pipe located in Osaka, Japan, and has the ability to inhibit Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, and various fungi.

Suppression of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1α by Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin Mitigates Ventilation-Induced Diaphragm Dysfunction in a Murine Endotoxemia Model.

Mechanical ventilation (MV) is required to maintain life for patients with sepsis-related acute lung injury but can cause diaphragmatic myotrauma with muscle damage and weakness, known as ventilator-induced diaphragm dysfunction (VIDD). Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) plays a crucial role in inducing inflammation and apoptosis. Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) was proven to have anti-inflammatory properties.

Emergency physicians' role in telemedicine care during the coronavirus disease pandemic: Experiences from Taiwan.

Taiwan's response to the coronavirus disease pandemic received international recognition. Among various epidemic control measures, telemedicine services are provided for people under home quarantine. Although this service presents no policy, cost or equipment problems, the medical needs of people under home quarantine are diverse.

Elevated plasma phenylalanine predicts mortality in critical patients with heart failure.

Aims: Previous studies found a relationship between elevated phenylalanine levels and poor cardiovascular outcomes. Potential strategies are available to manipulate phenylalanine metabolism. This study investigated whether increased phenylalanine predicted mortality in critical patients with either acute heart failure (HF) or acute on chronic HF, and its correlation with inflammation and immune cytokines.

Amino Acid-Based Metabolic Indexes Identify Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease And Further Discriminates Patients In Advanced BODE Stages.

Background: The BODE index is a multidimensional grading system for predicting the prognoses of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study investigated whether an amino acids-based metabolic profile developed for heart failure patients (including histidine, ornithine, phenylalanine, and leucine) could identify COPD patients and further discriminates COPD patients in advanced BODE stages.

Methods: Ultra-performance liquid chromatography was performed on 119 participants, including 75 COPD patients at different BODE stages and 44 normal controls.

Use of a Modified Fishbone Diagram to Analyze Diagnostic Errors in Emergency Physicians.

Introduction: Reilly et al. described a structured approach to the analysis of diagnostic errors by using a novel modifi ed fi shbone diagram. The application of this tool in emergency medicine had not previously been reported.

Mortality of severe septic patients between physician's high and low care volumes.

Background: Patients with severe sepsis frequently require intensive care unit (ICU) admission and different ICU care models may influence their outcomes. The mortality of severe septic patients between physician's high and low care volume remains unclear.

Methods: We analyzed the data from a three-year prospective observation study, which was performed in an adult medical ICU of Chung Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung.

High Interleukin-10 Expression in Type 2 T Helper Cells in Septic Patients.

Interleukin (IL)-10 response is associated with mortality in patients with sepsis. IL-10 is primarily produced by monocytes and type 2 T helper (Th2) cells. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in IL-10 production between monocytes and Th2 cells in patients with sepsis.