A Pilot Study of the Use of Dexmedetomidine for the Control of Delirium by Reducing the Serum Concentrations of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, Neuron-Specific Enolase, and S100B in Polytrauma Patients.

Background: Delirium is very common among patients with polytrauma, although no suitable means exist to feasibly reduce the incidence and duration of delirium in these patients. Recent reports have suggested that continuous intravenous (IV) infusions of dexmedetomidine, rather than benzodiazepine, be administered for sedation to reduce the duration of delirium in this population. However, serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE), S100 calcium binding protein B (S100B), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels have not yet been investigated in polytrauma patients who received sedation with dexmedetomidine rather than other conventional sedatives.

The ratio of Th17/Treg cells as a risk indicator in early acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Introduction: Recent studies have revealed that lung inflammation mediated by CD4+ T cells may contribute to the pathogenesis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The imbalance between CD4 + CD25 + Foxp3 + regulatory T (Treg) cells and T helper (Th)17 cells has been found in a number of different inflammation and autoimmune diseases, while the role of the Th17/Treg balance in ARDS remains largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the Th17/Treg pattern and its impact on disease severity and outcomes in patients with ARDS.

Kinetic analysis of the immunity in a pregnant patient infected with avian influenza H7N9.

Background: Human infection with avian influenza A H7N9 has emerged in China since February, 2013. The immunologic changes in pregnant women infected with H7N9 are not known.

Objective: To report the clinical data and kinetic changes of immunity in a pregnant woman infected with H7N9 virus in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China.

Value of serum procalcitonin in evaluating the prognosis of sepsis in elderly patients with colorectal cancer undergoing emergency colorectal surgery.

Serum procalcitonin (PCT) levels may have predictive value in the prognosis of postoperative sepsis in elderly patients who have undergone colorectal surgery for colorectal cancer in intensive care units (ICUs). A prospective study involving 90 critically ill patients who underwent colorectal surgery for colorectal cancer in ICUs was performed. Twenty-eight patients were diagnosed with sepsis, in accordance with the American College of Chest Physicians/Society of Critical Care Medicine consensus criteria, and these patients were included in the sepsis group.

[The effects of real-time continuous glucose monitoring on oxidative stress and mortality in critically ill patients].

Objective: To evaluate the effects of real-time continuous glucose monitoring (RT-CGM) system on oxidative stress and mortality in critically ill patients and to explore the correlation between glucose index, oxidative stress and mortality.

Methods: Selected 123 cases of critically ill patients were enrolled in this prospective randomized controlled study. They were randomly divided into the RT-CGM group (n = 61) and blood glucose meter group (GM group, n = 62).

Clinical findings in 111 cases of influenza A (H7N9) virus infection.

Background: During the spring of 2013, a novel avian-origin influenza A (H7N9) virus emerged and spread among humans in China. Data were lacking on the clinical characteristics of the infections caused by this virus.

Methods: Using medical charts, we collected data on 111 patients with laboratory-confirmed avian-origin influenza A (H7N9) infection through May 10, 2013.

[Values of glycemic lability index in the prognostic evaluation of critically ill patients in intensive care unit].

Objective: To access the predictive values of glycemic lability index (GLI) as an indicator of glucose variability in the prognosis of critically ill patients.

Methods: A prospective study of 72 critically ill patients admitted into intensive care unit (ICU) were performed. Capillary glucose was measured on admission and every 2 hrs afterward during the first 24 hrs.

[Effect of continuous renal replacement therapy started at different time on patients with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome].

Objective: To explore the effects of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) on serum cytokines and prognosis in multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) patients based on different therapeutic opportunities.

Methods: A total of 34 MODS patients in the treatment of CRRT after admission to ICU of our hospital between July 2008 and October 2010 were recruited. Based on the time interval from the onset of MODS to the initiation of CRRT, the patients were stratified into early group (0 - 3 days, n = 16) and late group (4 - 10 days, n = 18).

[Application of continuous veno-venous hemofiltration in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome].

Objective: To investigate the changes of interleukin (IL)-6 serum level in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and the effects of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) on IL-6 level and its clinical significance.

Methods: Forty ARDS patients were randomly divided into 2 equal groups: Group A undergoing conventional treatment and Group B receiving conventional treatment plus CRRT at onset of ARDS. Serum IL-6 level was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at the onset (0 h) and 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours later.