Evaluation of neutrophil/leukocyte ratio and organ failure score as predictors of reversibility and survival following an acute-on-chronic liver failure event.

Aim: Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is defined as an acute deterioration of liver disease with high mortality in patients with cirrhosis. The early mortality in ACLF is associated with organ failure and high leukocyte count. The time needed to reverse this condition and the factors affecting mortality after the early 30-day-period were evaluated.

Early administration of hydrocortisone replacement after the advent of septic shock: impact on survival and immune response*.

Objectives: To investigate the impact of early initiation of hydrocortisone therapy on the clinical course of septic shock and on cytokine release.

Design: Prospective study in patients with septic shock treated with low doses of hydrocortisone.

Setting: ICUs and general wards.

The functional role of natural killer cells early in clinical sepsis.

Although much information is available for the function of circulating monocytes when signs of sepsis are apparent, little is known for natural killer (NK) cells. NK cells were isolated from 10 healthy controls and from 103 patients with sepsis within the first 24 h from diagnosis. NK cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide for cytokine production.