Decreasing Plasma Fibrinogen Levels in the Intensive Care Unit Are Associated with High Mortality Rates In Patients With Sepsis-Induced Coagulopathy.

Plasma fibrinogen levels increase in response to infection, but they could also decrease due to degradation as in severe coagulopathy. We evaluated 60 septic patients with their CRP levels over 5.00 mg/dL.

Mortality at 180-days is affected by serum haptoglobin levels in septic patients with high magnitude serum high mobility group box-1 levels.

Aim: High mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) is a lethal mediator of sepsis that binds to haptoglobin (Hp) and is associated with its prognosis. We investigated the effect of the combination of HMGB1 and Hp on sepsis prognosis.

Methods: This single-center, retrospective study registered 78 patients with sepsis according to Sepsis-3 criteria on day 1 of diagnosis from July 2016 to November 2018.

Malfunctioning CD106-positive, short-term hematopoietic stem cells trigger diabetic neuropathy in mice by cell fusion.

Diabetic neuropathy is an incurable disease. We previously identified a mechanism by which aberrant bone marrow-derived cells (BMDCs) pathologically expressing proinsulin/TNF-α fuse with residential neurons to impair neuronal function. Here, we show that CD106-positive cells represent a significant fraction of short-term hematopoietic stem cells (ST-HSCs) that contribute to the development of diabetic neuropathy in mice.

Detection of Pulmonary Embolism Using a Novel Dynamic Flat-Panel Detector System in Monkeys.

Background: Recently, dynamic chest radiography (DCR) was developed to evaluate pulmonary function using a flat-panel detector (FPD), which can evaluate blood flow in the pulmonary artery without injection of contrast agents. This study investigated the ability of a FPD to measure physiological changes in blood flow and to detect pulmonary embolism (PE) in monkeys.

Methods and results: DCR was performed in 5 monkeys using a FPD.

Impact of abdominal aortic calcification on 90-day mortality in sepsis patients: a pilot retrospective cohort study.

Aim: We aimed to investigate the association between aortic calcification and 90-day mortality in sepsis patients admitted to the intensive care unit.

Methods: We evaluated adult patients (≥18 years) diagnosed with sepsis based on the Sepsis-3 criteria and admitted to our intensive care unit between April 2011 and March 2015. They were classified according to the degree of abdominal aortic calcification (severe and non-severe), grouped per age (<65, 65-75, and >75 years), and matched.

Association between plasma complement factor H concentration and clinical outcomes in patients with sepsis.

Aim: The complement system is important for defending against pathogens, however, excessive complement activation is associated with a poor prognosis and organ dysfunction in sepsis. Complement factor H (CFH) acts to prevent excessive complement activation and damage to the self through the regulation of the complement alternative pathway. We investigated the association between plasma CFH levels on admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) and 90-day mortality, severity scores, and organ dysfunction in patients with sepsis.

Vasovagal Reaction and Ischemic Colitis Following Blood Donation.

Vasovagal reactions are the most common type of adverse reaction after blood donation; however, there are no reports of ischemic colitis as an adverse reaction after blood donation. A previously healthy 55-year-old woman suffered loss of consciousness at the end of her first plasma donation. She was diagnosed with a vasovagal reaction and received hydration.

Gestational psittacosis: A case report and literature review.

Gestational psittacosis is a rare disease that is associated with significant maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Currently, there is no examination method which allows for a quick diagnosis. We report a case of gestational psittacosis that could not be diagnosed as psittacosis during treatment and resulted in maternal and fetal death despite intensive treatment.

Propofol infusion syndrome complicated with mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes: a case report.

Background: Propofol infusion syndrome (PRIS) is a rare but lethal complication of propofol use. It has been suggested that the pathological mechanism of PRIS involves mitochondrial disorder caused by propofol.

Case Presentation: A 24-year-old woman who had been diagnosed with mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes was admitted to our hospital with impaired consciousness and myoclonus.

"Impact of timing of polymyxin B-immobilized fiber column direct hemoperfusion on outcome in patients with septic shock: a single-center observational study".

Aim: The effect of polymyxin B-immobilized fiber column direct hemoperfusion (PMX-DHP) is controversial. The present study investigates whether outcome in septic shock patients is affected by the time until PMX-DHP initiation and the location of the infection site (intra- or extra-abdominal infection (IAI/EAI)].

Methods: This retrospective observational study included patients receiving PMX-DHP for septic shock but excluded those treated after cardiac surgery or cardiac arrest.

Perioperative tight glycemic control using artificial pancreas decreases infectious complications via suppression of inflammatory cytokines in patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy: A prospective, non-randomized clinical trial.

Background: We sought to investigate the efficacy of perioperative tight glycemic control (TGC) in reducing of postoperative infectious complications (POICs) and study its impact on early inflammatory mediators in patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Methods: In this non-randomized trial, the artificial pancreas (AP) group received TGC (target glucose range of 80-110 mg/dL; n = 14), while the control group received conventional glycemic control (range of 80-180 mg/dL; n = 15). The primary endpoint was POICs.

Association between physician-staffed ambulances and patient prognoses after out-of-hospital cardiac arrests with respect to shockable and non-shockable rhythms: a retrospective observational study in a southern area of Shiga Prefecture Japan.

Aim: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) are a significant public health problem; to improve patients' prognoses, various interventions, such as providing physician-staffed ambulances, have been implemented. We aimed to examine whether physician-staffed ambulances were associated with patients' prognoses after OHCA with respect to first-monitored rhythms.

Methods: This retrospective observational study was undertaken between 1 September 2011 and 31 December 2015, using data based on Utstein-style guidelines.

Effects of Serum Albumin Levels on Antithrombin Supplementation Outcomes Among Patients With Sepsis-Associated Coagulopathy: A Retrospective Study.

Background: Severe sepsis is commonly associated with mortality among critically ill patients and is known to cause coagulopathy. While antithrombin is an anticoagulant used in this setting, serum albumin levels are known to influence serum antithrombin levels. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of antithrombin supplementation in patients with sepsis-associated coagulopathy, as well as the relationship between serum albumin levels and the effects of antithrombin supplementation.

An evaluation of clinical inflammatory and coagulation markers in patients with sepsis: a pilot study.

Aim: Presepsin values could assist early diagnosis and prognosis of sepsis. In sepsis, prognosis is determined according to multiple organ dysfunction, where coagulopathy is common and associated with prognosis. This study aimed to determine the correlation between presepsin value trend and prognosis, and investigate coagulation abnormality in sepsis.

Impact of Antithrombin Supplementation and Concomitant Anticoagulation Therapy in Pediatric Patients With Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation.

We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of antithrombin (AT) supplementation and concomitant anticoagulation therapy in 65 children who met the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare (JMHW) disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) criteria and had received AT concentrate and/or other concomitant anticoagulants. The primary efficacy end point was to determine standardized mortality ratio (SMR). The secondary efficacy end points were DIC resolution rate and pediatric sequential organ failure assessment (pSOFA) score on day 3.

Association between lymphocyte count and neurological outcomes in post-cardiac arrest patients treated with mild therapeutic hypothermia.

Aim: To examine lymphocyte counts as a predictive prognostic marker in patients with coma after cardiac arrest.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated patients with coma after cardiac arrest admitted to the intensive care unit of Shiga University of Medical Science (Otsu, Japan). Lymphocyte counts were measured for 6 days from admission.

Sepsis in a 4-Month-Old Boy Due to Carbapenem-Resistant Characterized by AmpC β-Lactamase with Porin Loss.

The incidence of carbapenem-resistant (CRE) infections is increasing, and these infections are associated with both morbidity and mortality. However, little is known about CRE infections in children. This article is a case report describing a 4-month-old boy with Langerhans histiocytosis who developed septic shock due to a CRE infection.

Variation of Risk Factors for Cause-Specific Reintubation: A Preliminary Study.

Unexpected reintubation may occur, even if the risk factors are considered and a spontaneous breathing trial is successful. Reintubation is thought to be caused by various factors. Several studies have investigated the risk factors of reintubation, but most did not classify reintubation by cause.

Dexmedetomidine attenuates the positive chronotropic effects of intravenous atropine in patients with bradycardia during spinal anaesthesia: a retrospective study.

Introduction: Dexmedetomidine is a sedative used during spinal anaesthesia. However, it frequently induces bradycardia. Although intravenous atropine is often used for treating bradycardia during regional anaesthesia, the response to atropine might be attenuated by concomitantly administering sedatives.

The approval of revised diagnostic criteria for DIC from the Japanese Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis.

As proposed diagnostic criteria for DIC from the Japanese Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis has been approved and revised, the contents and changes are informed.