Assessment of extravascular lung water by measuring the number of pulmonary ultrasound B-lines before and after CBP in patients with MODS

To determine whether the change in the number of pulmonary ultrasound B-line can accurately assess the extravascular lung water (EVLW) before and after continuous bedside blood purification (CBP) in patients with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS).Seventy-six patients with MODS who underwent CBP were examined within 24 hours before and after CBP using pulmonary ultrasound to detect the number of ultrasound B-line or using pulse indicator continuous cardiac output method to examine extravascular lung water, blood oxygenation index, and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) content. The correlation of the change in the number of B lines before and after CBP treatment with the negative balance of 24 hours liquid, the change of oxygenation index, and BNP content were analyzed.In the 76 patients, CBP treatment significantly decreased EVLW, the number of B-line, and BNP (P < .05 for all), while it significantly increased the oxygenation index (P < .05). Correlation analysis showed that the decrease in B-line number after CBP treatment was positively correlated with the 24 hours negative lung fluid balance, decrease of EVLW, oxygenation index improvement, and decreased BNP content. The change in the numbers of pulmonary ultrasound B-line can accurately assess the change of EVLW before and after CBP treatment and reflect the efficiency of ventilation in the lungs and the risk of heart failure.Thus, it can replace pulse indicator continuous cardiac output as an indicator for evaluating EVLW in patients with MODS treated with CBP.     

Primary aldosteronism due to bilateral micronodular hyperplasia and concomitant subclinical Cushing’s syndrome: A case report

BACKGROUNDAdrenal incidentaloma (AI) has been frequently encountered in the clinical setting. It has been shown that primary aldosteronism (PA) or subclinical Cushing’s syndrome (SCS) are the representative causative diseases of AI. However, the coexistence of PA and SCS has been reportedly observed. Recently, we encountered a case of AI, in which PA and SCS coexisted, confirmed by histopathological examinations after a laparoscopic adrenalectomy. We believe that there were some clinical implications in the diagnosis of the present case.CASE SUMMARYA 58-year-old man presented with lower right abdominal pain with a blood pressure of 170/100 mmHg. A subsequent computed tomography scan revealed right ureterolithiasis, which was the cause of right abdominal pain, and right AI measuring 22 mm × 25 mm. After the disappearance of right abdominal pain, subsequent endocrinological examinations were performed. Aldosterone-related evaluations, including adrenal venous sampling, revealed the presence of bilateral PA. In addition, several cortisol-related evaluations showed the presence of SCS on the right adrenal adenoma. A laparoscopic right adrenalectomy was then performed. The histopathological examination of the resected right adrenal revealed the presence of a cortisol-producing adenoma, while CYP11B2 immunoreactivity was absent in this adenoma. However, in the adjacent non-neoplastic adrenal, multiple CYP11B2-positive adrenocortical micronodules were detected, showing the presence of aldosterone-producing adrenocortical micronodules. CONCLUSIONCareful clinical and pathological examination should be performed when a patient harboring AI presents with concomitant SCS and PA.     

Syndrome de fuite capillaire idiopathique : 2 cas cliniques de présentation trompeuse

IntroductionIdiopathic systemic capillary leak syndrome (ISCLS) also known as Clarkson syndrome is a rare and sudden life-threatening entity. Three consecutive phases are described. A first non-specific prodromal phase often manifests as “flu-like” symptoms and precedes capillary leak phase with major hypovolemic and distributive shock leading to serious and frequent multiorgan dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Severe hypovolemia contrasts with edema, and hemoconcentration with hypoalbuminemia. ISCLS is characterized by these two clinical and biological paradoxes. Subsequent recovery phase exhibits organ function restoration along with interstitial/intravascular volumes normalization. The latter occurs spontaneously and systematically in patients surviving from leak phase.ObservationsWe report here two ISCLS cases admitted in intensive care unit (ICU) both enhancing initial misdiagnosis possibly lowering prognosis and outcome. Our first 28-year-old female patient was admitted for « polycythemia vera » although hemoconcentration was attributable to hypovolemia. She presented circulatory arrest during the second bloodletting session and complicated with MODS. In and out ICU favorable outcome was noted on intravenous immunoglobulin therapy. A second 57-year-old male patient was admitted in ICU for severe “myositis” (myalgia and rhabdomyolysis) although rectified diagnosis retained compartment syndrome (muscular severe edema following capillary leak). Rapid and refractory hypovolemic shock appeared with subsequent MODS leading to death.ConclusionISCLS pathophysiology remains unknown but certainly implies transitory endothelial dysfunction. Impossibility of randomized controlled trial for this exceptional disease led to based-on-experience therapeutic guidelines implying symptomatic care (cardiac output surveillance, nephroprotection, prudent fluid intake, prudent vasoactive amine use) and specific therapies (intravenous aminophylline during severe flares). Although enhancing controversial and even deleterious effects during the acute phase, polyvalent immunoglobulins are effective for relapse prevention. Syndromic diagnosis is difficult, but its precocious finding constitutes a key-element in better outcome before organ failure.     

Prognostic value of red blood cell distribution width in patients with acute pulmonary embolism: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:Prior reports have suggested that the red blood cell distribution width (RDW) parameter could be measured as a prognostic indicator in pulmonary embolism (PE) patients, thereby helping to guide their care. However, no systematic analyses on this topic have been completed to date, and the exact relationship between RDW and PE remains to be fully clarified. We will therefore conduct a systematic literature review with the goal of defining the correlation between RDW and mortality in acute PE cases.Methods:The EMBASE, Web of Knowledge, PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Cochrane Library databases will be searched for all relevant studies published from inception through March 2021 using the following search strategy: (“red blood cell distribution width”) AND (“pulmonary embolism”). Two authors will independently identify eligible studies and extract data. The Q and I² statistics will be used to judge heterogeneity among studies.Results:This study will establish the relative efficacy of RDW as a metric for predicting PE patient mortality.Conclusions:This study will offer a reliable, evidence-based foundation for the clinical utilization of RDW as a tool for gauging mortality risk in acute PE patients.Ethics and dissemination:As this is a protocol for a systematic review of previously published data, no ethical approval is required. Electronic dissemination of study results will be done through a peer-review publication or represented at a related conference.     

小细胞肺癌患者外周血辅助性T细胞的表达情况及临床意义

目的研究小细胞肺癌(SCLC)患者外周血中辅助性T细胞1(Th1)、Th2、Th17及调节性T淋巴细胞(Treg)的表达情况,探讨其在SCLC进展中的作用。方法选择2016年1月至2018年4月本院收治的44例住院的SCLC患者(SCLC组)及24名健康者(对照组)作为研究对象。采用流式细胞法检测两组研究对象外周血中Th1、Th2、Th17及Treg细胞的表达情况,应用微量样本多指标流式蛋白定量技术(CBA)检测血清中的细胞因子IFN-γ、IL-17及IL-10的表达情况。结果SCLC组患者的外周血中Th1细胞、Th1/Th2、IFN-γ表达水平显著低于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.01)。SCLC组患者的外周血中Th2、Treg、Th17、Treg/Th17、IL-17、IL-10表达水平显著高于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论SCLC患者外周血中Th1/Th2的降低、Treg/Th17的升高可能与SCLC的致病机理及预后密切相关,该结论将为SCLC的治疗提供新的思路。     

A novel risk score for predicting 6-months mortality at the time of hospital discharge in patients admitted with acute coronary syndrome

BackgroundIn patients with ACS, risk assessment at hospital discharge has not received much consideration in prior risk scoring systems. Hence, there is a need for a reliable and simple tool to identify patients with high mortality risk at discharge form the hospital.MethodsIn a 1-year observational, prospective study, 1012 patients admitted with ACS were followed up for 6 months after discharge. From 26 potential variables, a new risk score to predict 6-month mortality was developed.ResultsA multi-variant Cox regression analysis with forward stepwise variable selection was performed and 10 highly significant independent predictors of 6-month mortality were identified. These include previous history of ACS, higher Killip class at admission, NYHA class at discharge, recurrent ischemia during hospital stay, heart failure, requiring ionotropic supports, requiring hemodialysis, presence of arrhythmia, left ventricular dysfunction detected on echocardiography and elevated admission blood glucose levels. Points were given to each variable and a total score was calculated. A risk score of 0–4 (low risk) predicted a mortality of 3.7%,a risk score of 5–15 (Intermediate risk) predicted a mortality of 16.4% and a risk score of 11–15 predicted a mortality of 32.0% over a 6-month period. The new risk score was noninferior to GRACE risk score in its predictive accuracy of 6-month mortality in the same cohort of patients (p < 0.05).ConclusionThe risk score developed in our study can be easily calculated at the bedside and is aimed at identifying high risk patients who require more intense follow up after discharge.     

Toll样受体9依赖的p38MAPK信号通路在原发性舍格伦综合征中的作用机制

目的 :在动物模型NOD鼠中,研究Toll样受体9(Toll like receptor 9,TLR9)依赖的p38MAPK信号通路在原发性舍格伦综合征发病机制中的作用,从而寻找疾病药物治疗的新靶点。方法:选取4、5、8、10、15周龄的NOD雌性小鼠,利用流式细胞学技术检测小鼠外周血单个核细胞中TLR9、p-p38 MAPK双阳性细胞的比率。利用免疫组化检测小鼠下颌下腺TLR9及p-p38 MAPK的表达情况。同时,观察小鼠刺激性唾液流率的改变以及下颌下腺的病理学改变。结果:TLR9、p-p38MAPK双阳性细胞在4、15周龄NOD鼠外周血单个核细胞中的表达,相对于正常对照组Balb/c小鼠无显著性差异。而自第5周开始,NOD鼠中双阳性细胞的比率逐渐升高,到第8周达到最高,第10周后逐渐下降。TLR9在NOD鼠下颌下腺的浸润淋巴细胞和部分腺上皮细胞中呈阳性表达,p-p38在NOD鼠下颌下腺的浸润淋巴细胞和周围少量腺上皮细胞中呈阳性表达。NOD鼠刺激性唾液流率自第5周起逐渐减少,相较于正常小鼠降低50%~60%。结论 :从第5周到第10周,TLR9、p-p38MAPK双阳性细胞在NOD鼠中显著升高,同时伴随着刺激唾液流率的降低以及下颌下腺TLR9、p-p38MAPK阳性的淋巴细胞浸润。结果提示,外周血单个核细胞中TLR9依赖的p38MAPK信号通路的激活,可能在原发性舍格伦综合征发病早期起到重要作用,NOD鼠可用于p38 MAPK或TLR9抑制实验的动物模型。     

孕妇外周血中无细胞胎儿DNA的研究进展及应用

孕妇外周血中无细胞胎儿DNA(cffDNA)是无创性产前诊断中重要的胎儿物质的检测来源.由于孕妇血中大部分是母体DNA,而游离胎儿DNA的量非常少,仅占3％～6％.因此从孕妇血中成功分离cffDNA,对后续的无创性产前诊断有着十分重要的意义.本文分别从孕妇外周血中cffDNA的发现来源,cffDNA的结构与稳定性,分离孕妇外周血中的cffDNA的实验方法,及在无创性产前诊断中的应用等方面进行介绍,并着重对该技术近年来的研究进展作一综述.旨在探寻较高效率分离孕妇外周血中cffDNA的实验方法,为无创性产前诊断提供较高浓度的检测物质,提高其准确率及成功率.