[Effect of early acupoint electrical stimulation on lower limb muscle strength in patients with septic shock].

Objective: To observe the effect of early acupoint electrical stimulation on the decline of lower limbs muscle strength in patients with intensive care unit-acquired weakness (ICU-AW) caused by septic shock.

Methods: A total of 58 patients with ICU-AW caused by septic shock were randomly divided into an observation group (28 cases, 1 case dropped off ) and a control group (30 cases, 2 cases dropped off ). Patients in both groups received routine basic treatment.

Effects of miR-489 targeting on SOX4 gene on proliferation and apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most common malignant tumors found all over the globe. Despite advances in surgery and chemotherapy, the five-year survival rate of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma is still low. It is known that the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells is closely related to the occurrence, development and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

[Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation for early enteral nutrition tolerance in patients with sepsis of gastrointestinal dysfunction: a multi-center randomized controlled trial].

Objective: To compare the therapeutic effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) combined with conventional western medicine and western medicine alone on early enteral nutrition tolerance in patients with sepsis.

Methods: Forty-nine patients with sepsis were randomly divided into an observation group (24 cases) and a control group (25 cases). The control group was treated with conventional western medicine, including limited fluid resuscitation, anti-infection and maintenance of hemodynamics, and enteral nutrition was provided when the hemodynamics became stable and the dosage of vasoactive drugs was reduced.

Dachengqi decoction alleviates acute lung injury and inhibits inflammatory cytokines production through TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway in vivo and in vitro.

Background And Objectives: Sepsis that arises from uncontrolled pulmonary inflammation could induce acute lung injury (ALI), leading to the high death rate. Dachengqi decoction (DCQD) is a common traditional Chinese herbal medicine with strong anti-inflammatory effects. The current study aimed to explore the effect of DCQD on the inflammatory cytokines production, the aquaporin-1 (AQP-1) and AQP-5 protein expression in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI models, and the potential mechanisms underlying its effects.

Risk Factors and Outcomes in Patients With Hypernatremia and Sepsis.

Background: Hypernatremia is an uncommon but important electrolyte abnormality in intensive care unit patients. Sepsis is one of the most common causes of intensive care unit admission, but few studies about the role of hypernatremia in sepsis has been published yet. In this study, we aimed to explore the risk factors for developing hypernatremia in patients with sepsis, and the prognosis of patients with sepsis with or without hypernatremia was also assessed.

Efficacy of continuous regional arterial infusion with low-molecular-weight heparin for severe acute pancreatitis in a porcine model.

Objective: Administration of heparin or its derivatives has been proved to be beneficial in the treatment of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). However, drugs administered by conventional intravenous way are difficult to reach the pancreatic tissue and may cause bleeding complications due to coagulation and microcirculatory disturbance following initiation of SAP. In this study, we aimed to assess the effects of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) administered with continuous regional arterial infusion (CRAI) technique in a porcine model of SAP.

Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharide attenuates cecal ligation and puncture sepsis via circuiting regulatory T cells in mice.

Background: Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharide (CPPS) isolated from one of the Chinese herbs is known to have a variety of immunomodulatory activities. However, it is not clear whether CPPS can exert an effect on the immune functions of regulatory T cells (Tregs). This study was carried out to investigate the effect of CPPS on the immune function of peripheral blood Tregs in sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP).

Early enteral nutrition prevents intra-abdominal hypertension and reduces the severity of severe acute pancreatitis compared with delayed enteral nutrition: a prospective pilot study.

Background: To investigate the effects of early enteral nutrition (EEN) on intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) and disease severity in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).

Methods: Enteral nutrition (EN) was started within 48 h after admission in the EEN group and from the 8th day in the delayed enteral nutrition (DEN) group. The IAP and intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) incidence were recorded for 2 weeks.

The importance of timing of decompression in severe acute pancreatitis combined with abdominal compartment syndrome.

Background: Surgical decompression is widely considered as an important treatment in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS). Until now, the indication and optimal time of decompression remain unknown, and no experimental data exist, although extremely high mortality has been repeatedly reported in these patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of three different time points for decompression in a 24-hour lasting porcine model.

Modified gastrointestinal failure score for patients with severe acute pancreatitis.

Purpose: No consensus has been reached to define gastrointestinal failure (GIF) associated with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Reintam and colleagues proposed a scoring system of GIF for critically ill patients, but its suitability for patients with SAP is questionable. The present study evaluates a modified GIF score we developed to assess the GIF of patients with SAP.

The effect of intra-abdominal hypertension incorporating severe acute pancreatitis in a porcine model.

Introduction: Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) and intra abdominal hypertension(IAH) are common clinical findings in patients with severe acute pancreatitis(SAP). It is thought that an increased intra abdominal pressure(IAP) is associated with poor prognosis in SAP patients. But the detailed effect of IAH/ACS on different organ system is not clear.

Beneficial effect of hypertonic saline resuscitation in a porcine model of severe acute pancreatitis.

Objective: Hypertonic saline (HTS) solution resuscitation has been used in a variety of clinical settings. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of HTS resuscitation on hemodynamics, systemic oxygenation, and organ damage in a porcine model of severe acute pancreatitis.

Methods: Eighteen anesthetized and mechanically ventilated pigs were divided into 3 groups: HTS group, lactated Ringer solution (LR) group, and sham-operated group.

Risk factors and outcome of intra-abdominal hypertension in patients with severe acute pancreatitis.

Background: Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) is common in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). The aim of the present study was to investigate the risk factors of IAH in SAP patients and assess the prognosis of SAP combined with IAH.

Methods: To analyze the data from patients with SAP, both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were applied, using 16 indices, including age, gender, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores (APACHE II), 24 h fluid balance, hematocrit, serum calcium level, and so on.

[Effect of mechanical ventilation guided by transpulmonary pressure on hemodynamics and oxygen metabolism of porcine model of intra-abdominal hypertension].

Objective: To assess the effect of mechanical ventilation (MV) guided by transpulmonary pressure (Ptp) on hemodynamics and oxygen metabolism of porcine model of intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH).

Methods: All 6 pigs were anesthetized and received MV. Volume-assist control was set: tidal volume (V(T)) was 10 ml/kg, respiratory rate (RR) was 16 bpm, inhaled oxygen concentration (FiO(2)) was 0.

Intra-abdominal pressure and abdominal perfusion pressure: which is a better marker of severity in patients with severe acute pancreatitis.

Background: Intra-abdominal hypertension is common in patients with severe acute pancreatitis. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical relevance of intra-abdominal pressure and abdominal perfusion pressure in the first 72 h after admission during severe acute pancreatitis.

Methods: From January 2009 to February 2011, 50 patients admitted for severe acute pancreatitis were included in this prospective, observational study.

Protective effect of glutamine in critical patients with acute liver injury.

Background: Glutamine (Gln) supplementation is known to decrease oxidative stress and inflammatory response, enhance resistance to infectious pathogens, shorten hospital stay, and decrease medical costs of patients. This study was undertaken to evaluate the relationship between the effect of early parenteral glutamine (Gln) supplement on acute liver injury (ALI) and heat shock protein 70 (HSP-70) expression in critical patients.

Methods: Forty-four patients who had been admitted to the emergency intensive care unit (EICU) of Nanjing First Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University were randomly divided into a control group (n=22) and a Gln group (n=22).

[The clinical effectiveness of percutaneous drainage and laparotomy for patients with infective pancreatic necrosis].

Objective: To compare the clinical effectiveness of percutaneous US- or CT-guided drainage and laparotomy for patients with infective pancreatic necrosis.

Methods: Data of 90 infective pancreatic necrosis patients admitted from January 2008 to December 2009 were included. They were divided into two groups by the different treatment choices.

[Effect of liquid resuscitation on homeostasis of patients with severe acute pancreatitis].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of liquid resuscitation on acid-base balance and electrolytes of patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).

Methods: According to the target of liquid resuscitation, 22 patients with SAP involved in this self-controlled prospective study received sufficient liquid resuscitation in acute stage of acute pancreatitis. The results of blood gas analysis, acid-base balance and electrolytes were compared before and after liquid resuscitation.