Risk factors for postoperative sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy in patients undergoing general thoracic surgery: a single center experience

BackgroundThe current study aimed to investigate the incidence of sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy (SICM) in patients who received general thoracic surgery, along with the risk factors and management strategies for this complication.MethodsThe clinical records of 163 patients with postoperative sepsis were retrospectively reviewed. After propensity score matching, 144 patients were divided into 2 groups by stroke volume: the SICM group (n=72) and the non-SICM group (n=72).ResultsThe overall incidence of postoperative SICM was 53.99%. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that stroke volume and C-reactive protein were independent predictors of mortality in patients with postoperative sepsis. Statistical analysis by t-test and χ² test indicated that mortality (P=0.000), B-type natriuretic peptide (P=0.001), left ventricular ejection fraction (P=0.000), the mitral peak velocity of early filling/early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E/e’) (P=0.049), C-reactive protein (P=0.016), procalcitonin (P=0.013), serum creatinine (P=0.016), platelets (P=0.028), and lactic acid (P=0.002) were significantly associated with the occurrence of postoperative SICM. Among these parameters, B-type natriuretic peptide was identified as the best biomarker for predicting SICM by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.ConclusionsIt is vital to improve the diagnosis and standard management of SICM. A combined strategy comprising early detection of suspected infection, adequate use of antibiotics, close monitoring, effective drainage, and supportive care may improve the outcomes of patients with postoperative SICM.     

Differences in distribution and drug sensitivity of pathogens in lower respiratory tract infections between general wards and RICU

Background

Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) are common among patients in hospitals worldwide, especially in patients over the age of 60. This study investigates the differences in distribution and drug sensitivity of pathogens in LRTIs.

Methods

The clinical and laboratory data of 4,762 LRTI patients in the general ward and respiratory intensive care unit (RICU) of Xiangya Hospital (Changsha) were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

The infection rate of Gram-negative bacteria was significantly higher than that of Gram-positive bacteria in both the general ward and RICU (P<0.05). The incidence of Gram-negative bacteria infection was significantly higher in the RICU than in the general ward (P<0.05), whereas the incidence of Gram-positive bacteria infection is less in the RICU than in the general ward (P<0.05). In the general ward, the incidence of Gram-negative bacteria infection significantly increased (P<0.05) over time, whereas the incidence of Gram-positive bacteria infection significantly decreased from 1996 to 2011 (P<0.05). In the RICU, the incidence of Gram-positive bacteria infection decreased, while Gram-negative bacteria infections increased without statistical significance (P>0.05). Staphylococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus were found to be the predominant Gram-positive strains in the general ward (34.70-41.18%) and RICU (41.66-54.87%), respectively (P>0.05). Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii were the predominant gram negative strains in the general ward (19.17-21.09%) and RICU (29.60-33.88%), respectively (P>0.05). Streptococcus pneumoniae is sensitive to most antibiotics with a sensitivity of more than 70%. Staphylococcus aureus is highly sensitive to vancomycin (100%), linezolid (100%), chloramphenicol (74.36-82.19%), doxycycline (69.57-77.33%), and sulfamethoprim (67.83-72.46%); however, its sensitivity to other antibiotics is low and decreased each year. Sensitivity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to most β-lactam, aminoglycoside, and quinolone group antibiotics decreased each year.

Conclusions

The distribution and drug sensitivity of LRTI pathogens exhibit a high divergence between the general ward and RICU. Streptococcus pneumoniae may not be the predominant pathogen in LRTIs in some areas of China.     

Does the informal caregiver notice HIV associated mild cognitive impairment in people living with HIV?

HIV associated minor neurocognitive disorder (MND) may be difficult to identify as key signs and symptoms (S & S) may be due to other clinical conditions. Using a self-assessment booklet “HIV and associated MND” we recruited 123 people living with HIV (PLHIV) from three sites: two hospital HIV clinics and a sexual health clinic in Sydney, Australia. Patients may down play S & S. Caregivers may notice subtle changes. By including caregivers, we aimed to find whether the caregivers noticed S & S undetected by the PLHIV. This is a sub-study of a prospective observational multi-site study aimed to validate the usefulness of a patient self-assessment tool (HIV-associated MND booklet). Using the booklet, participants and their caregivers subsequently identified S & S of MND. Sixty-four per cent (79) did not nominate a caregiver to be contacted. Participants from 2 sites 44 (36%) nominated caregivers to be contacted. Twenty-five caregivers identified more than four S & S of MND. S & S reported most by caregivers related to participants being more tired at the end of the day (76%). Participants agreed (77%). Participants also reported that they found it more difficult to remember things such as taking medications or attending medical appointments (67%). The most agreed on symptom was the requirement for increased concentration to get the same things done (Kappa P 0.599 <0.001 and McNemar 0.289). For each question at least one caregiver identified a symptom when the PLHIV did not. Caregivers were more likely than participants to report irritability and communication difficulties. It is important to include caregivers when investigating PLHIV for MND, as caregivers may validate the experience of the patient, and may also be uniquely placed to identify S & S not otherwise identified.     

Sedation or general anesthesia for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)

Transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is nowadays a routine therapy for elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and high perioperative risk. With growing experience, further development of the devices, and the expansion to “intermediate-risk” patients, there is increasing interest in performing this procedure under conscious sedation (TAVI-S) rather than the previously favoured approach of general anesthesia (TAVI-GA). The proposed benefits of TAVI-S include; reduced procedure time, shorter intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay, reduced need for intraprocedural vasopressor support, and the potential to perform the procedure without the direct presence of an anesthetist for cost-saving reasons. To date, no randomized trial data exists. We reviewed 13 non-randomized studies/registries reporting data from 6,718 patients undergoing TAVI (3,227 performed under sedation). Patient selection, study methods, and endpoints have differed considerably between published studies. Reported rates of in-hospital and longer-term mortality are similar for both groups. Up to 17% of patients undergoing TAVI-S require conversion to general anesthesia during the procedure, primarily due to vascular complications, and urgent intubation is frequently associated with hemodynamic instability. Procedure related factors, including hypotension, may compound preexisting age-specific renal impairment and enhance the risk of acute kidney injury. Hypotonia of the hypopharyngeal muscles in elderly patients, intraprocedural hypercarbia, and certain anesthetic drugs, may increase the aspiration risk in sedated patients. General anesthesia and conscious sedation have both been used successfully to treat patients with severe AS undergoing TAVI with similar reported short and long-term mortality outcomes. The authors believe that the significant incidence of complications and unplanned conversion to general anesthesia during TAVI-S mandates the start-to-finish presence of an experienced cardiac anesthetist in order to optimize patient outcomes. Good quality randomized data is needed to determine the optimal anesthetic regimen for patients undergoing TAVI.     

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) associated non-Hodgkin's lymphomas in Denmark: report of three cases

High grade malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) was the presenting manifestation of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in 3/81 reported cases of AIDS in Denmark (by April 2, 1986). Asymptomatic HIV infection, 1 and 5 yr prior to the onset of lymphoma, was documented in 2 cases. 1 patient became infected by Factor VIII treatment, 2 were male homosexuals. 2 patients had an uncommon tumour presentation in the oral cavity, 1 patient presented with an abdominal mass. The histologic subtypes were immunoblastic (2), and small noncleaved cell, Burkitt's (1). Helper/suppressor T-cell ratio was decreased at onset of lymphoma in 2 cases. All 3 patients have died, 4, 6, and 24 months after diagnosis of NHL. Only 1 patient died of NHL, 1 died of an unclassified pneumonia and the third developed progressing supranuclear HIV-associated polyneuropathy without evidence of CNS lymphoma. Thus, high grade malignant B-cell NHL is a regular initial manifestation of AIDS, and may develop after years of asymptomatic HIV infection.     

Effect of spirometry and medical review on asthma control in patients in general practice: a randomized controlled trial

Background and objective: Although guidelines for asthma emphasize the importance of spirometry for continuity and evaluation of care, it is underused in general practice. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of spirometry and medical review on asthma control in general practice over 12 months. Methods: Patients were recruited through 31 practices, which were randomly allocated to one of three groups: Group A had 3‐monthly spirometry with medical review, Group B spirometry only before and after the trial, and Group C usual care. Asthma control data were analysed by intention to treat using non‐parametric tests and logistic regression models fitted to allow for confounders, repeated measures and clustering by practice. Results: The trial was completed by 195 patients (Group A 69, Group B 78, Group C 48). Asthma control improved in all groups during the 12 months trial, most impressively in Group A (odds ratio per 3 months = 1.27, 95% confidence interval: 1.08–1.49, P = 0.004), but the difference between the groups' respective 3‐monthly changes was not significant. At 6 months, asthma control in Group A had increased more from baseline than in Groups B + C (P = 0.006). Conclusions: Regular spirometry with medical review was associated with improved asthma control in general practice patients, while there was less improvement in either the spirometry only or usual care group. The mechanisms of this improvement may include appropriate adjustment of medication and improved compliance.     

综合医院住院肺结核诊断现状分析

目的了解分析综合医院住院活动性肺结核患者的诊断现状。方法对2002年1月1日—2006年5月31日北京大学人民医院控感科登记的以“肺结核”为主要诊断出院的患者住院病历进行调查并进行回顾性分析,不包括陈旧性肺结核及结核性胸腔积液。结果共统计分析患者74例,其中呼吸内科报告最多,共53例(71.6%),其次为胸外科,共13例(17.6%)。有典型结核中毒症状者仅31例(41.9%),红细胞沉降率明显增快患者者占54.1%,PPD试验阳性仅54.1%。查痰率64.9%,涂阳率54.2%。患者入院至确诊时间平均为13.15 d,≤14 d者48例(64.9%),>14d者26例(35.1%)。确诊方法主要为痰抗酸杆菌阳性(共26例,占35.1%)。经各种活检确诊共27例(36.7%),其中纤维支气管镜下活检诊断8例(10.9%),经开胸肺活检确诊17例(23.0%),经肺穿刺活检确诊1例(1.4%),淋巴结活检确诊1例(1.4%),除纤维支气管镜下活检阳性率88.9%外,其余方式活检阳性率均为100%。临床诊断20例(27.0%)。结论综合医院呼吸内科处于结核病防治的第一线,目前北京大学人民医院对大部分肺结核患者在住院2周之内确诊。主要诊断方法仍为痰找抗酸杆菌阳性,但相当一部分患者通过各种方式的活检确诊。今后应进一步提高痰菌检查率和阳性率。对于诊断不清的病例应及时进行纤维支气管镜检查(包括镜下活检),必要时行肺穿刺甚至开胸肺活检。     

综合医院住院肺结核诊断现状分析

目的了解分析综合医院住院活动性肺结核患者的诊断现状。方法对2002年1月1日-2006年5月31日北京大学人民医院控感科登记的以“肺结核”为主要诊断出院的患者住院病历进行调查并进行回顾性分析，不包括陈旧性肺结核及结核性胸腔积液。结果共统计分析患者74例，其中呼吸内科报告最多，共53例（71，6％），其次为胸外科，共13例（17．6％）。有典型结核中毒症状者仅31例（41．9％），红细胞沉降率明显增快患者者占54．1％，PPD试验阳性仅54．1％。查痰率64．9％，涂阳率54．2％。患者入院至确诊时间平均为13．15d，≤14d者48例（64．9％），〉14d者26例（35．1％）。确诊方法主要为痰抗酸杆菌阳性（共26例，占35，1％）。经各种活检确诊共27例（36．7％），其中纤维支气管镜下活检诊断8例（10．9％），经开胸肺活检确诊17例（23．0％），经肺穿刺活检确诊1例（1．4％），淋巴结活检确诊1例（1．4％），除纤维支气管镜下活检阳性率88．9％外，其余方式活检阳性率均为100％。临床诊断20例（27．0％）。结论综合医院呼吸内科处于结核病防治的第一线，目前北京大学人民医院对大部分肺结核患者在住院2周之内确诊。主要诊断方法仍为痰找抗酸杆菌阳性，但相当一部分患者通过各种方式的活检确诊。今后应进一步提高痰菌检查率和阳性率。对于诊断不清的病例应及时进行纤维支气管镜检查（包括镜下活检），必要时行肺穿刺甚至开胸肺活检。     

Effects of a ZnCuO-Nanocoated Ti-6Al-4V Surface on Bacterial and Host Cells

This study aims to investigate the effects of a novel ZnCuO nanoparticle coating for dental implants—versus those of conventional titanium surfaces—on bacteria and host cells. A multispecies biofilm composed of Streptococcus sanguinis, Actinomyces naeslundii, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Fusobacterium nucleatum was grown for 14 days on various titanium discs: machined, sandblasted, sandblasted and acid-etched (SLA), ZnCuO-coated, and hydroxyapatite discs. Bacterial species were quantified with qPCR, and their viability was examined via confocal microscopy. Osteoblast-like and macrophage-like cells grown on the various discs for 48 h were examined for proliferation using an XTT assay, and for activity using ALP and TNF-α assays. The CSLM revealed more dead bacteria in biofilms grown on titanium than on hydroxyapatite, and less on sandblasted than on machined and ZnCuO-coated surfaces, with the latter showing a significant decrease in all four biofilm species. The osteoblast-like cells showed increased proliferation on all of the titanium surfaces, with higher activity on the ZnCuO-coated and sandblasted discs. The macrophage-like cells showed higher proliferation on the hydroxyapatite and sandblasted discs, and lower activity on the SLA and ZnCuO-coated discs. The ZnCuO-coated titanium has anti-biofilm characteristics with desired effects on host cells, thus representing a promising candidate in the complex battle against peri-implantitis.     

High-k Fluoropolymers Dielectrics for Low-Bias Ambipolar Organic Light Emitting Transistors (OLETs)

Organic light emitting transistors (OLETs) combine, in the same device, the function of an electrical switch with the capability of generating light under appropriate bias conditions. In this work, we demonstrate how engineering the dielectric layer based on high-k polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-based polymers can lead to a drastic reduction of device driving voltages and the improvement of its optoelectronic properties. We first investigated the morphology and the dielectric response of these polymer dielectrics in terms of polymer (P(VDF-TrFE) and P(VDF-TrFE-CFE)) and solvent content (cyclopentanone, methylethylketone). Implementing these high-k PVDF-based dielectrics enabled low-bias ambipolar organic light emitting transistors, with reduced threshold voltages (<20 V) and enhanced light output (compared to conventional polymer reference), along with an overall improvement of the device efficiency. Further, we preliminary transferred these fluorinated high-k dielectric films onto a plastic substrate to enable flexible light emitting transistors. These findings hold potential for broader exploitation of the OLET platform, where the device can now be driven by commercially available electronics, thus enabling flexible low-bias organic electronic devices.