Effect of powder combined with conventional therapy on mild to moderate fatty liver.

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) encompasses a variety of liver conditions impacting individuals who consume minimal or no alcohol. Recently, traditional Chinese medicine has been gradually used to treat mild to moderate fatty liver, among which Lindl. powder has been affirmed by many doctors and patients to be effective.

BILL Strategy: Points to Consider During the Performance and Interpretation of Critical Care Echocardiography.

The growing utilization of critical care echocardiography (CCE) by clinicians necessitates a meticulous review of clinical conditions in critically ill patients, both before and during the examination. The reviewing process of clinical conditions minimizes the risk of overlooking or misinterpreting crucial findings. This article proposes a comprehensive strategy, namely BILL strategy, to integrate into the CCE protocol, where "B" represents baseline respiratory and hemodynamic support, "I" signifies information gleaned from invasive monitoring, including central venous pressure and thermodilution-derived cardiac output, the first "L" denotes laboratory results such as central venous oxygen saturation, troponin, and brain natriuretic peptide, and the second "L" refers to lung ultrasound data.

Mesenchymal stem cells-based drug delivery systems for diabetic foot ulcer: A review.

The complication of diabetes, which is known as diabetic foot ulcer (DFU), is a significant concern due to its association with high rates of disability and mortality. It not only severely affects patients' quality of life, but also imposes a substantial burden on the healthcare system. In spite of efforts made in clinical practice, treating DFU remains a challenging task.

Self-Appraisal of Clinical Competence in Echocardiography of Chinese Intensivists Post Basic Echocardiography Training.

Objectives To learn the echocardiography skills of intensivists after receiving a basic critical care echocardiography training course, and investigate factors that may influence their performance. Methods We completed a web-based questionnaire that assessed the skills in ultrasound scanning techniques of intensivists who took a training course on basic critical care echocardiography held in 2019 and 2020. Mann-Whitney test was used to analyze the factors which might affect their performance on image acquisition, recognizing clinical syndrome, and measuring the diameter of inferior vena cava, left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular outflow tract velocity-time integral.

Andrographolide ameliorates hepatic steatosis by suppressing FATP2-mediated fatty acid uptake in mice with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Excessive intrahepatocellular lipid accumulation or steatosis is caused by abnormal lipid metabolism and a common character of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which may progress into cirrhosis and hepatocellular cancer. Andrographolide (Andro) is the primary active ingredient extracted from Andrographis paniculata, showing a protective role against dietary steatosis with the mechanism not fully understood. In this study, we showed that administration of Andro (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/day for 8 weeks, respectively) attenuated obesity and metabolic syndrome in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice with improved glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and reduced hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia.

Visual Rounds Based on Multiorgan Point-of-Care Ultrasound in the ICU.

Point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) is performed by a treating clinician at the patient's bedside, provides a acquisition, interpretation, and immediate clinical integration based on ultrasonographic imaging. The use of POCUS is not limited to one specialty, protocol, or organ system. POCUS provides the treating clinician with real-time diagnostic and monitoring information.

Effect of Focused Cardiac Ultrasound in Combination with Lung Ultrasound on Critically Ill Patients: A Multicenter Observational Study in China.

Objective Focused cardiac ultrasound (FCU) and lung ultrasound (LU) are increasingly being used in critically ill patients. This study aimed to investigate the effect of FCU in combination with LU on these patients and to determine if the timing of ultrasound examination was associated with treatment change. Methods This is a multicenter cross-sectional observational study.

Factors associated with treatment and control of hypertension among elderly adults in Shenzhen, China: a large-scale cross-sectional study.

Objective: Hypertension has become the leading cause of death worldwide. Data on hypertension management among Shenzhen elderly are sparse. Our study aims to investigate treated and controlled hypertension in Shenzhen elderly, and identify relevant predictors.

Lung ultrasound score based on the BLUE-plus protocol is associated with the outcomes and oxygenation indices of intensive care unit patients.

Purpose: The primary objective was to demonstrate the relationship between lung ultrasound (LUS) manifestations and the outcomes of intensive care unit (ICU) patients. The secondary objective was to determine the characteristics of LUS manifestations in different subgroups of ICU patients.

Methods: This prospective multi-center cohort study was conducted in 17 ICUs.

The effects of UCP2 on autophagy through the AMPK signaling pathway in septic cardiomyopathy and the underlying mechanism.

Background: Mitochondrial dysfunction plays an important role in the development of septic cardiomyopathy. This study aimed to reveal the protective role of uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) in mitochondria through AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) on autophagy during septic cardiomyopathy.

Methods: UCP2 knockout mice via a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model and the H9C2 cardiomyocyte cell line in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were used to study the effect.

Plasma mitochondrial DNA levels are associated with acute lung injury and mortality in septic patients.

Background: Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is a critical activator of inflammation. Circulating mtDNA released causes lung injury in experimental models. We hypothesized that elevated plasma mtDNA levels are associated with acute lung injury (ALI) in septic patients.

Study on Image Acquisition of Transthoracic Echocardiography in Mechanically Ventilated ICU Patients.

Objective This study aimed to determine which parameters in transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) are more likely to be affected when applied in a critical care setting with mechanical ventilation.Methods Ninety mechanically ventilated ICU patients were enrolled into the study group. The control group consisted of 90 patients who underwent interventional therapy.

Fluctuations of driving pressure during mechanical ventilation indicates elevated central venous pressure and poor outcomes.

Inappropriate mechanical ventilation may induce hemodynamic alterations through cardiopulmonary interactions. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between airway pressure and central venous pressure during the first 72 h of mechanical ventilation and its relevance to patient outcomes. We conducted a retrospective study of the Department of Critical Care Medicine of Peking Union Medical College Hospital and a secondary analysis of the MIMIC-III clinical database.

Induction and deduction in sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy: five typical categories.

Sepsis is defined as life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. The heart is one of the most important oxygen delivery organs, and dysfunction significantly increases the mortality of the body. Hence, the heart has been studied in sepsis for over half a century.

A cross-sectional study of acute cor pulmonale in acute respiratory distress syndrome patients in China.

Background: Increased right ventricle afterload during acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) may induce acute cor pulmonale (ACP), which is associated with a poor clinical outcome. Echocardiography is now considered as a rapid and non-invasive tool for diagnosis of ACP. The aims of this study were to investigate the morbidity and mortality rates of ACP in ARDS patients in intensive care units (ICUs) across the mainland of China and to determine the severity and prognosis of ACP in ARDS patients through an ultrasound protocol (TRIP).

Early initiation renal replacement therapy for fluid management to reduce central venous pressure is more conducive to renal function recovery in patients with acute kidney injury.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious complication in critically ill patients with septic shock treated in the intensive care unit. Renal replacement therapy (RRT) is a treatment for severe AKI; however, the time of initiation of RRT and factors that affect the recovery of kidney function remains unclear. This study was to explore whether early initiation of RRT treatment for fluid management to reduce central venous pressure (CVP) can help to improve patients' kidney function recovery.

Microcirculation dysfunction in endotoxic shock rabbits is associated with impaired S-nitrosohemoglobin-mediated nitric oxide release from red blood cells: a preliminary study.

Background: Microcirculation dysfunction with blood flow heterogeneity is an important characteristic in sepsis shock. We hypothesized that impaired ability of red blood cells to release nitric oxide resulted in microcirculation dysfunction in sepsis shock.

Methods: 4,4'-Diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid disodium salt hydrate (DIDS), an inhibitor of band3 protein, was used to inhibit S-nitrosohemoglobin-mediated nitric oxide release.

Resuscitation of Septic Patients with Target-and-endpoint Protocol: A Retrospective Study from a Chinese Tertiary Hospital ICU.

Objective To investigate the effect of target-and-endpoint protocol on the resuscitation of septic patients.Methods This is a retrospective study performed at the Peking Union Medical College Hospital Intensive Care Unit. We enrolled 545 septic patients who needed vasopressors on at least the first day of ICU admission.

Rapid characterization of the absorbed chemical constituents of Tangzhiqing formula following oral administration using UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS.

Tangzhiqing formula, a Chinese herbal formula, is used for the treatment of type II diabetes and prediabetes. Although its effectiveness has been certified by clinical use, its absorbed chemical constituents are not comprehensively represented. Thence, in order to reveal potential bioactive components and metabolism of Tangzhiqing formula, an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry method was developed.

Folic Acid-Targeted Etoposide Cubosomes for Theranostic Application of Cancer Cell Imaging and Therapy.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to develop a novel Poloxamer-based drug delivery system featuring a tumor-targeting folate moiety, which was expected to provide better targeting properties and therapeutic effects compared with the traditional cubosomes (Cubs). MATERIAL AND METHODS Both folate-modified Cubs containing etoposide (ETP-Cubs-FA) and normal cubic nanoparticles loaded with etoposide (ETP-Cubs) were prepared through the fragmentation of bulk gels under the homogenization condition of 1500 bar, and a mean particle size of around 180 nm was obtained with a narrow size distribution. The cubosomes were further characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Polarized light microscopy (PLM).

Clarifications on Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy and Hemodynamics.

Objective: Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is a continuous process of bedside blood purification which is widely used in the treatment of acute kidney injury (AKI) and for fluid management. However, since AKI and fluid overload are often found to be associated with hemodynamic abnormalities, determining the relationship between CRRT and hemodynamics remains a challenge in the treatment of critically ill patients. The aim of this review was to summarize key points in the relationship between CRRT and hemodynamics and to understand and monitor renal hemodynamics in critically ill patients, especially those with AKI.

Left Ventricular Longitudinal Systolic Function in Septic Shock Patients with Normal Ejection Fraction: A Case-control Study.

Background: Septic cardiomyopathy is a common finding in septic shock patients. The accepted definition of septic cardiomyopathy is often based on the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). The aim of this study was to determine whether the left ventricular longitudinal systolic function was more sensitive than the LVEF in heart function appraisal of septic shock patients.