Phytolith-occluded carbon in leaves of Dendrocalamus Ronganensis influenced by drought during growing season.

Being an important carbon (C) sink, phytolith-occluded carbon (PhytOC) has been investigated in various soil-plant systems. However, the effects of environmental factors (i.e.

Electron probe microanalysis of the elemental composition of phytoliths from woody bamboo species.

Electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) is promising for accurately determining elemental components in micro-areas of individual phytolith particles, interpreting compositional features and formation mechanisms of phytoliths in plants, identifying archeological and sedimental phytolith. However, the EPMA method of analyzing mounted slide phytoliths has not well been defined. In this study, we attempted different EPMA methods to determine the elemental compositions of phytoliths in mounted slides.

Incidence, characteristics, and outcomes of delirium in patients with noninvasive ventilation: a prospective observational study.

Background: Factors that may increase the risk for delirium and the firm knowledge around mechanism for delirium in noninvasive ventilation (NIV) patients is lacking. We investigated the incidence, characteristics, and outcomes of delirium in NIV patients.

Methods: A prospective observational study was performed in an intensive care unit (ICU) of a teaching hospital.

Early prediction of noninvasive ventilation failure in COPD patients: derivation, internal validation, and external validation of a simple risk score.

Background: Early identification of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) failure is a promising strategy for reducing mortality in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. However, a risk-scoring system is lacking.

Methods: To develop a scale to predict NIV failure, 500 COPD patients were enrolled in a derivation cohort.

Resource use, characteristics and outcomes of prolonged non-invasive ventilation: a single-centre observational study in China.

Objective: To report the resource use, characteristics and outcomes of patients with prolonged non-invasive ventilation (NIV).

Design: A single-centre observational study.

Setting: An intensive care unit of a teaching hospital.

Decreasing re-intubation using prophylactic noninvasive ventilation in elderly patients: A propensity-matched study.

Purpose: Prophylactic noninvasive ventilation (NIV) reduces re-intubation in high-risk patients. However, its effects in elderly patients remain unclear. Here, we investigated the efficacy of prophylactic NIV in elderly patients after a planned extubation.

Assessment of heart rate, acidosis, consciousness, oxygenation, and respiratory rate to predict noninvasive ventilation failure in hypoxemic patients.

Purpose: To develop and validate a scale using variables easily obtained at the bedside for prediction of failure of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in hypoxemic patients.

Methods: The test cohort comprised 449 patients with hypoxemia who were receiving NIV. This cohort was used to develop a scale that considers heart rate, acidosis, consciousness, oxygenation, and respiratory rate (referred to as the HACOR scale) to predict NIV failure, defined as need for intubation after NIV intervention.

Noninvasive Ventilation Intolerance: Characteristics, Predictors, and Outcomes.

Background: Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) intolerance is one reason for NIV failure. However, the characteristics, predictors, and outcomes of NIV intolerance are unclear.

Methods: A prospective observational study was performed in the respiratory intensive care unit of a teaching hospital.

Semiquantitative cough strength score for predicting reintubation after planned extubation.

Background: Semiquantitative cough strength score (SCSS, graded 0-5) and cough peak flow (CPF) have been used to predict extubation outcome in patients in whom extubation is planned; however, the correlation of the 2 assessments is unclear.

Methods: In the intensive care unit of a university-affiliated hospital, 186 patients who were ready for extubation after a successful spontaneous breathing trial were enrolled in the study. Both SCSS and CPF were assessed before extubation.

Semiquantitative cough strength score and associated outcomes in noninvasive positive pressure ventilation patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Weak cough may result in the failure of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) in patients with AECOPD. However, no detailed descriptions have yet been published for the measurement of cough strength and associated outcomes in AECOPD patients.

Methods: This study prospectively enrolled 261 AECOPD patients who received NPPV.

Voluntary is better than involuntary cough peak flow for predicting re-intubation after scheduled extubation in cooperative subjects.

Background: In this study, we compared the predictive accuracy of voluntary cough peak flow (V-CPF) and involuntary cough peak flow (IV-CPF) for re-intubation in mechanically ventilated subjects.

Methods: Endotracheally intubated patients who passed a spontaneous breathing trial and assessment of readiness for extubation were enrolled. Before extubation, V-CPF and IV-CPF were measured.