Empirical antibiotic therapy improves outcomes in mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19: An emulated targeted trial within a prospective, multicentre cohort study.

Background: Bacterial pulmonary superinfections develop in a substantial proportion of mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients and are associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation requirements and an increased mortality. Albeit recommended, evidence supporting the use of empirical antibiotics at intubation is weak and of low quality. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effect of empirical antibiotics, administered within 24hours of endotracheal intubation, on superinfections, duration of mechanical ventilation, and mortality in mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19.

Impact of hyper- and hypothermia on cellular and whole-body physiology.

The incidence of heat-related illnesses and heatstroke continues to rise amidst global warming. Hyperthermia triggers inflammation, coagulation, and progressive multiorgan dysfunction, and, at levels above 40 °C, can even lead to cell death. Blood cells, particularly granulocytes and platelets, are highly sensitive to heat, which promotes proinflammatory and procoagulant changes.

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a major cause of thromboinflammation and inflammatory cell death in critical illnesses.

Background: Mitochondria generate the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) necessary for eukaryotic cells, serving as their primary energy suppliers, and contribute to host defense by producing reactive oxygen species. In many critical illnesses, including sepsis, major trauma, and heatstroke, the vicious cycle between activated coagulation and inflammation results in tissue hypoxia-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, and impaired mitochondrial function contributes to thromboinflammation and cell death.

Methods: A computer-based online search was performed using the PubMed and Web of Science databases for published articles concerning sepsis, trauma, critical illnesses, cell death, mitochondria, inflammation, coagulopathy, and organ dysfunction.

Status of Sepsis Care in European Hospitals: Results from an International Cross-Sectional Survey.

Rationale: Early detection, standardized therapy, adequate infrastructure and strategies for quality improvement should constitute essential components of every hospital's sepsis plan.

Objectives: To investigate the extent to which recommendations from the sepsis guidelines are implemented and the availability of infrastructure for the care of patients with sepsis in acute hospitals.

Methods: A multidisciplinary cross-sectional questionnaire was used to investigate sepsis care in hospitals.

Altered lipid profile and reduced neuronal support in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived astrocytes from adrenoleukodystrophy patients.

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) is a peroxisomal disorder resulting from pathogenic variants in the ABCD1 gene that primarily affects the nervous system and is characterized by progressive axonal degeneration in the spinal cord and peripheral nerves and leukodystrophy. Dysfunction of peroxisomal very long-chain fatty acid (VLCFA) degradation has been implicated in ALD pathology, but the impact on astrocytes, which critically support neuronal function, remains poorly understood. Fibroblasts from four ALD patients were reprogrammed to generate human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC).