Assessing motor deficits in compressive neuropathy using quantitative electromyography

Background  

Studying the changes that occur in motor unit potential trains (MUPTs) may provide insight into the extent of motor unit loss and neural re-organization resulting from nerve compression injury. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of using decomposition-based quantitative electromyography (DQEMG) to study the pathophysiological changes associated with compression neuropathy.     

A randomized trial of chlorhexidine gluconate on oral bacterial pathogens in mechanically ventilated patients

Introduction  

Dental plaque biofilms are colonized by respiratory pathogens in mechanically-ventilated intensive care unit patients. Thus, improvements in oral hygiene in these patients may prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia. The goal of this study was to determine the minimum frequency (once or twice a day) for 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate application necessary to reduce oral colonization by pathogens in 175 intubated patients in a trauma intensive care unit.     

Lactate versus non-lactate metabolic acidosis: a retrospective outcome evaluation of critically ill patients

Introduction  

Acid–base abnormalities are common in the intensive care unit (ICU). Differences in outcome exist between respiratory and metabolic acidosis in similar pH ranges. Some forms of metabolic acidosis (for example, lactate) seem to have worse outcomes than others (for example, chloride). The relative incidence of each type of disorder is unknown. We therefore designed this study to determine the nature and clinical significance of metabolic acidosis in critically ill patients.     

The diagnostic value of serum leptin monitoring and its correlation with tumor necrosis factor-α in critically ill patients: a prospective observational study

Introduction  

Severe infection and sepsis are common causes of morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis in critically ill patients is important to reduce these complications. The present study was conducted to determine the role of serum leptin at early diagnosis and differentiation between patients with manifestations of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and those with sepsis in patients suffering from a broad range of diseases in the intensive care unit (ICU) and its correlation with other biomarkers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α).     

Multiresistant coagulase-negative staphylococci disseminate frequently between intubated patients in a multidisciplinary intensive care unit

Introduction  

The intensive care unit is burdened with a high frequency of nosocomial infections often caused by multiresistant nosocomial pathogens. Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are reported to be the third causative agent of nosocomial infections and the most frequent cause of nosocomial bloodstream infections. CoNS are a part of the normal microflora of skin but can also colonize the nasal mucosa, the lower airways and invasive devices. The main aim of the present study was to investigate colonization and the rate of cross-transmissions of CoNS between intubated patients in a multidisciplinary intensive care unit.     

Behaviour of motor unit action potential rate, estimated from surface EMG, as a measure of muscle activation level

Background  

Surface electromyography (EMG) parameters such as root-mean-square value (RMS) are commonly used to assess the muscle activation level that is imposed by the central nervous system (CNS). However, RMS is influenced not only by motor control aspects, but also by peripheral properties of the muscle and recording setup. To assess motor control separately, the number of motor unit action potentials (MUAPs) per second, or MUAP Rate (MR) is a potentially useful measure. MR is the sum of the firing rates of the contributing MUs and as such reflects the two parameters that the CNS uses for motor control: number of MUs and firing rate.     

Spontaneous hypothermia on intensive care unit admission is a predictor of unfavorable neurological outcome in patients after resuscitation: an observational cohort study

Introduction  

A large number of patients resuscitated for primary cardiac arrest arrive in the intensive care unit (ICU) with a body temperature < 35.0°C. The aim of this observational cohort study was to determine the association between ICU admission temperature and neurological outcome in this patient group.     

Early peak temperature and mortality in critically ill patients with or without infection

Purpose  

To determine whether fever is associated with an increased or decreased risk of death in patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) with infection.     

Pregnant and postpartum admissions to the intensive care unit: a systematic review

Purpose  

To determine the incidence and characteristics of pregnant and postpartum women requiring admission to an intensive care unit (ICU).     

Eosinopenia,an early marker of increased mortality in critically ill medical patients

Purpose  

Inflammatory markers may have a role in predicting severity of illness of intensive care unit (ICU) patients. The aim of this study is to determine whether low eosinophil count can predict 28-day mortality in medical ICU.     

Iatrogenic events contributing to ICU admission: a prospective study

Objective  

To determine the incidence, risk factors, severity, and preventability of iatrogenic events (IEs) as a cause of intensive care unit (ICU) admission.     

Factors associated with increased risk of readmission to intensive care in Australia

Purpose  

To determine the epidemiology, in-hospital mortality, trends, patient characteristics and predictors of intensive care unit (ICU) readmission in Australia.     

Utility of routine chest radiographs in a medical–surgical intensive care unit: a quality assurance survey

Objective  

To determine the utility of routine chest radiographs (CXRs) in clinical decision-making in the intensive care unit (ICU).     

Reaching within a dynamic virtual environment

Background  

Planning and execution of reaching requires a series of computational processes that involve localization of both the target and initial arm position, and the translation of this spatial information into appropriate motor commands that bring the hand to the target. We have investigated the effects of shifting the visual field on visuomotor control using a virtual visual environment in order to determine how changes in visuo-spatial relations alter motor planning during a reach.     

Delirium as a predictor of sepsis in post-coronary artery bypass grafting patients: a retrospective cohort study

Introduction  

Delirium is the most common neurological complication following cardiac surgery. Much research has focused on potential causes of delirium; however, the sequelae of delirium have not been well investigated. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between delirium and sepsis post coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and to determine if delirium is a predictor of sepsis.     

Automatic versus manual pressure support reduction in the weaning of post-operative patients: a randomised controlled trial

Introduction  

Reduction of automatic pressure support based on a target respiratory frequency or mandatory rate ventilation (MRV) is available in the Taema-Horus ventilator for the weaning process in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting. We hypothesised that MRV is as effective as manual weaning in post-operative ICU patients.     

Severity assessment tools to guide ICU admission in community-acquired pneumonia: systematic review and meta-analysis

Background  

The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine if severity assessment tools can be used to guide decisions regarding intensive care unit (ICU) admission of patients with community-acquired pneumonia.     

Effects of the physiological parameters on the signal-to-noise ratio of single myoelectric channel

Background  

An important measure of the performance of a myoelectric (ME) control system for powered artificial limbs is the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the output of ME channel. However, few studies illustrated the neuron-muscular interactive effects on the SNR at ME control channel output. In order to obtain a comprehensive understanding on the relationship between the physiology of individual motor unit and the ME control performance, this study investigates the effects of physiological factors on the SNR of single ME channel by an analytical and simulation approach, where the SNR is defined as the ratio of the mean squared value estimation at the channel output and the variance of the estimation.     

Transfusion-related acute lung injury in ICU patients admitted with gastrointestinal bleeding

Purpose  

Transfusion of blood components is common in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, yet the incidence and risk factors for development of transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) in these patients are unknown.     

Remifentanil discontinuation and subsequent intensive care unit-acquired infection: a cohort study

Introduction  

Recent animal studies demonstrated immunosuppressive effects of opioid withdrawal resulting in a higher risk of infection. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of remifentanil discontinuation on intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired infection.