Pulmonary Function, Functional Capacity, Respiratory, and Locomotor Muscle Strength after Severe to Critically Ill COVID-19: A Long-Term Study.

Background: The sequelae of post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia on lung function, exercise capacity, and quality of life were observed in both shortterm and long-term. However, the study about the respiratory and locomotor muscle strength in severe and critically ill COVID-19 survivors are still limited. Therefore, we aimed to examine long-term pulmonary function, functional capacities, and respiratory and locomotor body muscle strength in severe to critically ill post-COVID-19 survivors.

Accuracy of pH strip testing and pH liquid testing versus standard pH meter of gastric contents in critically ill patients: a diagnostic accuracy study.

Objective: The utilisation of pH level measurements from gastric contents may indicate the preferred tip position of a nasogastric tube or monitor the efficacy of stress ulcer prophylaxis in critically ill patients. We aimed to determine the accuracy of pH strip (pHS) tests and pH liquid (pHL) tests compared with the standard pH meter (pHM).

Design: Diagnostic accuracy study.

Care Bundles to Improve Hemoperfusion Performance in Patients with Severe COVID-19: A Retrospective Study.

Hemoperfusion (HP) is employed to modulate cytokine storms in severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, requiring careful attention for success and safety. Therefore, we investigated whether our care bundles could enhance HP performance. We conducted a retrospective cohort study on adult patients (≥20 years old) with severe COVID-19 pneumonia.

Development of a clinical prediction tool for extubation failure in pediatric cardiac intensive care unit.

Introduction/objective: Extubation failure in pediatric patients with congenital or acquired heart diseases increases morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to develop a clinical risk score for predicting extubation failure to guide proper clinical decision-making and management.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study.

The National Early Warning Score 2 with Age and Body Mass Index (NEWS2 Plus) to Determine Patients with Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia.

(1) Background: Early identification of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia at the initial phase of hospitalization is very crucial. To address this, we validated and updated the National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2) for this purpose. (2) Methods: We conducted a study on adult patients with COVID-19 infection in Chiang Mai, Thailand, between May 2021 and October 2021.

Efficacy of the Cytokine Adsorption Therapy in Patients with Severe COVID-19-Associated Pneumonia: Lesson Learned from a Prospective Observational Study.

Introduction: Severe COVID-19 pneumonia can activate a cytokine storm. Hemoperfusion can reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines in sepsis but is still debated in the COVID-19 setting. Thus, we sought to investigate the benefits of HA-330 cytokine adsorption through clinical and laboratory outcomes.

The long-term impact of COVID-19 pneumonia on pulmonary function and exercise capacity.

Background: The sequelae of post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been widely reported. However, the time point of the follow-up time in the previous studies varied ranging from 3-24 months and the interval time of the follow-up time was too long (6 or 12 months). Thus, a shorter interval time during recovery for assessment of the sequelae of post COVID-19 on lung function and exercise capacity is still required.

Neutralizing antibody and T-cell responses against SARS-CoV-2 variants by heterologous CoronaVac/ChAdOx-1 vaccination in elderly subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Data on humoral and cellular immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 after receiving heterologous CoronaVac/ChAdOx-1 (CoVac/ChAd) vaccination in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are still limited. Therefore, we determined the neutralizing antibody (NAb) and T-cell responses against SARS-CoV-2 wild type (WT) and variants of concern (VOCs) in COPD patients.

Methods: The levels of NAb as well as specific CD4 and CD8 T-cell responses against SARS-CoV-2 WT and VOCs were determined in COPD patients before and after vaccination.

Long-Term Impacts of COVID-19 Pneumonia on Quality of Life: A Single Institutional Pilot Study.

Many studies have demonstrated poor quality of life (QoL) at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, these studies were limited due to cross-sectional design, a longer gap between visits, and lack of controls for comparison. Therefore, the aim of our prospective study was to assess the impact of COVID-19 pneumonia on QoL in both physical and mental health.

The use of respiratory rate-oxygenation index to predict failure of high-flow nasal cannula in patients with coronavirus disease 2019-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome: A retrospective study.

Patients with mild-to-moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) can be treated with a high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC). The use of the respiratory rate-oxygenation (ROX) index, calculated as the ratio of oxygen saturation (SpO2)/fractional oxygen (FiO2) to respiratory rate, in the first few hours after HFNC initiation can help identify patients who fail HFNC therapy later. However, few studies have documented the use of the ROX index during the period of HFNC therapy.

Predictive factors of extubation failure in pediatric cardiac intensive care unit: A single-center retrospective study from Thailand.

Introduction/objective: Extubation failure increases morbidity and mortality in pediatric cardiac patients, a unique population including those with congenital heart disease or acquired heart disease. This study aimed to evaluate the predictive factors of extubation failure in pediatric cardiac patients and to determine the association between extubation failure and clinical outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study in the pediatric cardiac intensive care unit (PCICU) of the Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand, from July 2016 to June 2021.

Levels and durability of neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron and other variants after ChAdOx-1 or BNT162b2 booster in CoronaVac-primed elderly individuals.

The outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant raised the need for vaccine boosting. We evaluated the efficiency of the third booster vaccine, ChAdOx-1 or BNT162b2, in causing a neutralizing antibody (NAb) response and its durability against the Omicron and other variants in elderly individuals previously vaccinated with 2-dose CoronaVac inactivated vaccine. After receiving 2-dose CoronaVac, only 2.

Validation of the Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index Risk Classification and the 2019 European Society of Cardiology Risk Stratification in the Southeast Asian Population with Acute Pulmonary Embolism.

Aim: To date, no studies representing the Southeast Asian population have validated the Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (PESI) and 2019 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) risk stratification. Therefore, this study aimed to validate the PESI score, simplified PESI (sPESI), PESI risk classification, and 2019 ESC risk stratification in Southeast Asian patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE).

Methods: The present study is a 10-year cross-sectional study.

Predictive Ability of the National Early Warning Score in Mortality Prediction of Acute Pulmonary Embolism in the Southeast Asian Population.

Background: The National Early Warning Scores (NEWS) easily and objectively measures acute clinical deterioration. However, the performance of NEWS to predict mortality in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE) is still required. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of the NEWS in predicting the mortality of patients with APE.

Humoral and cellular immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern induced by heterologous CoronaVac/ChAdOx-1 versus homologous ChAdOx-1 vaccination in the elderly.

Background: The concept of heterologous vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 infection has been adopted in Thailand with limited data on the induction of humoral and cellular immunity, particularly the CoronaVac/ChAdOx-1 (CoVac/ChAd) regimen in the elderly.

Objective: In this study, the immune responses of the elderly induced by heterologous CoVac/ChAd and homologous ChAdOx-1 (ChAd/ChAd) vaccinations were demonstrated.

Methods: A prospective observational study involving healthy participants aged ≥ 60 years who received heterologous CoVac/ChAd or homologous ChAd/ChAd vaccination was conducted.

Effects of vitamin D insufficiency on sepsis severity and risk of hospitalisation in emergency department patients: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: To evaluate the association of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) level on sepsis severity and risk of hospitalisation in emergency department (ED) septic patients when categorised as vitamin D insufficiency according to the level of 25(OH)D<30 ng/mL.

Design: Cross-sectional observational study.

Setting: A 900-bed academic tertiary hospital with an ED residency training programme in Bangkok, Thailand.

Neutralizing Antibody and T-Cell Responses against SARS-CoV-2 Wild-Type and Variants of Concern in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Subjects after ChAdOx-1/ChAdOx-1 Homologous Vaccination: A Preliminary Study.

Data on immunogenicity of adenovirus-vectored vaccine in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients is limited. Therefore, we aimed to determine the humoral and cellular immune responses after homologous ChAdOx-1 vaccination in subjects with COPD. COPD subjects and age- and sex-matched healthy elderly receiving ChAdOx-1 homologous vaccination were included.

Clinical Characteristics, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Acute Pulmonary Embolism in Asian Population.

Background: Acute pulmonary embolism (APE) is a common condition with increasing worldwide incidence. However, the clinical characteristics, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of APE in the Asian population especially in the Thai population are still limited. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify the clinical characteristics, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of APE in the Asian population.

Correlation of Air Pollution and Prevalence of Acute Pulmonary Embolism in Northern Thailand.

Background: The relationship between the level of air pollution and acute pulmonary embolism (APE) has had inconsistent results.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the relationship between the high level of air pollution exposure and APE.

Methods: A ten-year retrospective cohort, single-center study was performed on patients diagnosed with APE from October 2010 to December 2020.

Bradycardia and Heart Rate Fluctuation Are Associated with a Prolonged Intensive Care Unit Stay in Patients with Severe COVID-19.

Background and Objective: Bradycardia has been observed among patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and is suspected to be associated with poorer outcomes. Heart rate (HR) fluctuation has been found to be correlated with a greater mortality rate in critically ill patients. The association of bradycardia and HR fluctuation with the outcome of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients has not been clarified.

Prediction of Fluid Responsiveness by the Effect of the Lung Recruitment Maneuver on the Perfusion Index in Mechanically Ventilated Patients During Surgery.

Introduction: Excessive or inadequate fluid administration during perioperative period affects outcomes. Adjustment of volume expansion (VE) by performing fluid responsiveness (FR) test plays an important role in optimizing fluid infusion. Since changes in stroke volume (SV) during lung recruitment maneuver (LRM) can predict FR, and peripheral perfusion index (PI) is related to SV; therefore, we hypothesized that the changes in PI during LRM (ΔPI) could predict FR during perioperative period.

Correlation Analysis of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 RBD IgG and Neutralizing Antibody against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variants after Vaccination.

Various vaccines have been developed to control the COVID-19 pandemic, but the available vaccines were developed using ancestral SARS-CoV-2 wild-type (WT) strains. Commercial anti-SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD) antibody assays have been established and employed for validation of vaccine efficacy. However, these assays were developed before the SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) emerged.

Neutralizing antibody and T cell responses against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern following ChAdOx-1 or BNT162b2 boosting in the elderly previously immunized with CoronaVac vaccine.

Background: The existence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) in association with evidence of breakthrough infections despite vaccination resulted in the need for vaccine boosting. In elderly individuals, information on the immunogenicity of booster vaccinations is limited. In countries where the CoronaVac inactivated vaccine is the primary vaccine, the appropriate boosting regimen is not clear.

The effect of citrate in cardiovascular system and clot circuit in critically ill patients requiring continuous renal replacement therapy.

We aimed to evaluate the impact of citrate on hemodynamic responses and secondary outcomes, including the filter life span, metabolic complications, and levels of inflammatory cytokines, in critically ill patients who required CRRT compared with those who underwent the heparin-free method. This prospective, multicenter, open-label randomized trial compared regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA) with a heparin-free protocol in severe acute kidney injury (AKI) patients who received continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) in the postdilution mode. We measured hemodynamic changes using the FloTrac Sensor/EV1000™ Clinical Platform at certain time points after starting CRRT (0, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h.

Comparative Study of Early Impacts of Post-COVID-19 Pneumonia on Clinical Manifestations, Pulmonary Function, and Chest Radiographs.

: Scant data regarding early post-COVID-19 effects are available, especially in younger people. Therefore, the objective of this study was to explore the early clinical impacts of post-COVID-19 pneumonia, comparing severe and non-severe patients. : A cross-sectional study was conducted in adult patients admitted with COVID-19 pneumonia from April to May 2021.