Examining etiological pathways to necrotizing enterocolitis in very preterm infants

Preterms have increased morbidity and mortality due to immature physiology; necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating gastrointestinal morbidity. Researchers have found an association between the incidence of NEC and infusing packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusions. Others postulate NEC results from feeding infants during PRBC transfusion. Our team speculates the temperature of the PRBCs may result in central hypothermia, which contribute to the incidence of NEC. This scoping literature review examined studies including PRBC transfusions, enteral feedings, anemia and/or hypothermia in relationship to NEC. From 846 publications found, 749 were removed from title screening and duplication, 42 full reports were read and assessed. Ten final studies were synthesized. Studies revealed mixed conclusions as to the relationship of PRBC transfusions and NEC in preterms. No published studies evaluated body temperature or PRBC temperature in relationship to NEC. The etiology of NEC related to PRBC transfusions remains elusive and prompts further research.     

“活血散风”针刺法对H型高血压患者同型半胱氨酸、血压的影响及相关性分析

目的:评价"活血散风"针刺法对H型高血压患者同型半胱氨酸、血压的影响及相关性。方法:选取H型高血压患者60例,随机分成对照组及观察组,每组各30例。对照组采用口服一类降压药,观察组在对照组的基础上加用"活血散风"针刺法,5次/周,2周为1个疗程,共治疗3个疗程。于治疗前、后分别检测患者的同型半胱氨酸及佩戴24h动态血压仪。结果:与对照组比较,治疗后,观察组24h平均收缩压、同型半胱氨酸水平显著低于对照组,差异具有统计学意义;治疗后2组24h平均舒张压组间比较,差异无统计学意义。曲线回归分析示,同型半胱氨酸与24h平均收缩压呈直线正相关(r=0.692,R²=0.479,P<0.05),而与24h舒张压呈三次曲线正相关(R²=0.479,P<0.05);同型半胱氨酸能解释24h平均收缩压变异的47.9%及24h平均舒张压变异的16.6%(R²=0.479、R²=0.166);同型半胱氨酸每增加1个单位,24h平均收缩压估计平均增加1.921个单位(b=1.921)。结论:"活血散风"针刺法能显著降低H型高血压患者同型半胱氨酸、改善24h平均收缩压水平;同型半胱氨酸对24h平均收缩压及舒张压均有影响,与24h平均收缩压的关系更密切,是血压升高的危险因素,且同型半胱氨酸与高血压易于并存,常伴随出现,增加心脑血管事件发生率。     

甘精胰岛素联合西格列汀对首诊2型糖尿病血糖波动炎症因子及低血糖事件的影响

目的 探讨甘精胰岛素联合西格列汀对首诊2型糖尿病（T2DM）患者血糖波动、炎症因子及低血糖事件的影响。方法 选择2017年6月至2018年10月在无锡市第三人民医院接受治疗的124例首诊T2DM患者为研究对象,采用随机数字表法分为对照组与观察组,每组62例。对照组给予甘精胰岛素联合瑞格列奈治疗,观察组给予甘精胰岛素联合西格列汀治疗。比较两组患者空腹血糖（FBG）、餐后2 h血糖（2 h PBG）、糖化血红蛋白（HbA1c）、日内血糖平均波动幅度（MAGE）、日内血糖波动次数（NGE）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）、白细胞介素-6（IL-6）、C反应蛋白（CRP）、体质指数（BMI）,以及低血糖发生率和甘精胰岛素用量的差异。结果 观察组患者治疗后的MAGE为（2.53±1.19）mmol/L、NGE为（1.53±0.93）mmol/L,均低于对照组,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。两组患者治疗前与治疗后MAGE、NGE的差值进行比较,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。观察组患者治疗后的血清CRP水平为（2.76±1.03）mg/L、TNF-α为（19.83±8.41）ng/L、IL-6为（18.61±4.73）ng/L,均低于对照组,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。两组患者治疗前与治疗后血清CRP、TNF-α、IL-6差值进行比较,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。观察组患者治疗后的BMI为（23.24±2.83）kg/m²,对照组为（24.29±3.05）kg/m²,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。观察组患者低血糖发生率为1.60%、甘精胰岛素用量为（25.54±5.09）U/d,均低于对照组,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论 甘精胰岛素联合西格列汀能够减少血糖波动,减轻机体微炎症反应,减少低血糖发生率和甘精胰岛素用量。     

Rapid Increase in Marrow Fat Content and Decrease in Marrow Perfusion in Lumbar Vertebra Following Bilateral Oophorectomy: An MR Imaging-Based Prospective Longitudinal Study

ObjectiveBilateral oophorectomy leads to reduced bone mineral density (BMD), and reduced BMD is associated with increased marrow fat and reduced marrow perfusion. Purpose of this study was to investigate how soon these changes occur following surgical oophorectomy.ResultsReduced BMD, increased marrow FF, and reduced marrow perfusion occurred synchronously post-oophorectomy. There was a sharp decrease of 12.5 ± 7.2% in BMD (n = 6), a sharp increase of 92.2 ± 46.3% (n = 6) in FF, a sharp decrease of 23.6 ± 3.9% in maximum contrast enhancement (n = 5), and of 45.4 ± 7.7% for enhancement slope (n = 5) during the initial 3 months post surgery. BMD and marrow perfusion continued to decrease, and marrow FF continued to increase at a slower rate during the following 18 months. Friedman test showed a significant trend for these changes (p < 0.05).ConclusionBilateral oophorectomy leads to a rapid decrease in lumbar BMD, an increase in marrow fat content, and a decrease in marrow blood perfusion.     

妊娠13～16周妇女血25－羟维生素D3水平和妊娠期糖尿病发病的关系临床研究

目的：研究分析妊娠13～16周妇女25－羟维生素D3水平与患有糖尿病之间的关系。方法择取2014年02月～2014年08月妇产科接受产检及分娩的88例妊娠期糖尿病患者作为观察组,及同期的88例正常妊娠妇女作为对照组。分别检测妊娠13～16周时血25－羟维生素D3的含量。结果观察组患者的血25－羟维生素D3含量明显小于对照组,差异P＜0.05有统计学意义。观察组糖耐量测试1小时血糖异常患者的25－羟维生素D3水平显著小于糖耐量测试1 h血糖正常的患者,差异P＜0.05有统计学意义。结论妊娠13～16周时,患者血25－羟维生素D3含量越低,患有糖尿病的风险越高;25－羟维生素D3含量低下可能与糖尿量测试后1小时血糖增高具有显著相关性。     

Effects of Cardiopulmonary Bypass on Mediastinal Drainage and the Use of Blood Products in the Intensive Care Unit in 60- to 80-Year-Old Patients Who Have Undergone Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

OBJECTIVE

The present study consisted of patients who underwent on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and off-pump CABG and investigated effect of using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) on the amount of postoperative drainage and blood products, red blood cell (RBC), free frozen plasma (FFP) given in the intensive care unit in 60-80-year-old patients who underwent CABG.

METHODS

The present study comprises a total of 174 patients who have undergone coronary artery bypass graft (off-pump or on-pump CABG) surgery in our clinic in between 2012-2015 year.

RESULTS

It was observed that the amount of drainage in the first 24 postoperative hours was lower in the on-pump CABG group (Group 1) when compared to off-pump group (Group 2) (Group 1 vs. Group 2; 703.5±253.8 ml vs. 719.6±209.4 ml; P =0.716). However, the amount of drainage in the second 24 hours was statistically significantly lower in the off-pump CABG group (Group 1 vs. Group 2; 259.8±170.6 ml vs. 190.1±129.1 ml; P =0.016). With regard to the amount of overall drainage, no statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups. Group 1 needed RBC transfusion higher than Group 2 (Group 1 vs. Group 2; 2.2±1.3 bag vs. 1.2±0.9 bag; P <0.001).

CONCLUSION

We can say that CPB influences the amount of second 24-hour drainage which indexed body surface area. In addition, CPB decreases hct, hb, thrombocyte count in ICU arrived, after 24 hours in postoperative period. Reduced thrombocyte counting effect can be appeared after 48 hours in the postoperative period of CPB.     

Evaluation of the Performance and Safety of a Newly Developed Intravenous Fluid Warmer

To evaluate the performance and safety of a newly developed blood warmer (ThermoSens), we tested its heating capability under various conditions using isotonic saline and hemolysis analysis with swine blood. The following two in vitro tests were performed: (i) To investigate the performance of the device, the inflow and outflow temperatures were measured at various flow rates (30, 50, and 100 mL/min) using cold (5°C) and room temperature (20°C) isotonic saline (0.9%). Several parameters were measured including the highest temperature of the outlet, the time required to reach the highest temperature, and the temperature of the intravenous line. (ii) To investigate the safety of the device, a hemolysis test was performed using swine blood. We obtained 320 mL of whole blood from swine and refrigerated the blood for 35 days at 3°C. In order to replicate the clinical situation, blood flow by gravity and pressure (300 mm Hg) was used. Before and after the heating test, blood samples were obtained and a comparison was made between these samples. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, lactate dehydrogenase, and plasma hemoglobin were used for red blood cell (RBC) damage analysis. The highest outlet temperatures obtained using flow rates of 30, 50, and 100 mL/min were 39.10 ± 0.59, 39.25 ± 0.69, and 37.63 ± 1.03°C, respectively, with cold saline, and 39.40 ± 0.40, 39.66 ± 0.36, and 39.49 ± 0.49°C, respectively, with room temperature saline. Hemolysis tests showed no significant changes in hemoglobin, hematocrit, lactate dehydrogenase, or plasma hemoglobin (P > 0.05) between before and after heating for both gravity and pressure blood flow. The ThermoSens blood warmer warms isotonic saline effectively, reaching temperatures up to 36°C under various conditions. Hemolysis tests showed no RBC damage. Therefore, the newly developed ThermoSens has good heating performance and is safe for RBC products.     

Artificial Organs 2014: A Year in Review

In this Editor's Review, articles published in 2014 are organized by category and briefly summarized. We aim to provide a brief reflection of the currently available worldwide knowledge that is intended to advance and better human life while providing insight for continued application of technologies and methods of organ Replacement, Recovery, and Regeneration. As the official journal of the International Federation for Artificial Organs, the International Faculty for Artificial Organs, the International Society for Rotary Blood Pumps, the International Society for Pediatric Mechanical Cardiopulmonary Support, and the Vienna International Workshop on Functional Electrical Stimulation, Artificial Organs continues in the original mission of its founders “to foster communications in the field of artificial organs on an international level.” Artificial Organs continues to publish developments and clinical applications of artificial organ technologies in this broad and expanding field of organ Replacement, Recovery, and Regeneration from all over the world. We take this time also to express our gratitude to our authors for offering their work to this journal. We offer our very special thanks to our reviewers who give so generously of time and expertise to review, critique, and especially provide meaningful suggestions to the author's work whether eventually accepted or rejected. Without these excellent and dedicated reviewers, the quality expected from such a journal could not be possible. We also express our special thanks to our Publisher, John Wiley & Sons, for their expert attention and support in the production and marketing of Artificial Organs. We look forward to reporting further advances in the coming years.     

Atraumatic Pulsatile Leukocyte Circulation for Long‐Term In Vitro Dynamic Culture and Adhesion Assays

Low flow rate pumping of cell suspensions finds current applications in bioreactors for short‐term dynamic cell culture and adhesion assays. The aim of this study was to develop an atraumatic pump and hemodynamically adapted test circuit to allow operating periods of at least several hours. A computer‐controlled mini‐pump (MP) was constructed based on non‐occlusive local compression of an elastic tube with commercial bi‐leaflet valves directing the pulsatile flow into a compliant circuit. Cell damage and activation in the system were tested with whole blood in comparison with a set with a conventional peristaltic pump (PP). Activation of circulating THP‐1 monocytes was tested by measuring the expression of CD54 (ICAM‐1). Additionally, monocyte‐endothelial interactions were monitored using a parallel‐plate flow chamber with an artificial stenosis. The system required a priming volume of only 20 mL, delivering a peak pulsatile flow of up to 35 mL/min. After 8 h, blood hemolysis was significantly lower for MP with 11 ± 3 mg/dL compared with PP with 100 ± 16 mg/dL. CD142 (tissue factor) expression on blood monocytes was 50% lower for MP. With MP, THP‐1 cells could be pumped for extended periods (17 h), with no enhanced expression of CD54 permitting the long‐term co‐culture of THP‐1 with endothelial cells and the analysis of flow pattern effects on cell adhesion. A low‐damage assay setup was developed, which allows the pulsatile flow of THP‐1 cells and investigation of their interaction with other cells or surfaces for extended periods of time.     

氨甲环酸对类风湿关节炎患者全髋关节置换围手术期失血的影响

目的：探索氨甲环酸对类风湿关节炎患者全髋关节置换围手术期失血的影响。方法回顾性分析2012年6月至2014年6月行初次全髋关节置换术患者资料,仅纳入因类风湿关节炎（Steinbrocker 3、4级）行初次单侧全髋关节置换术患者数据,最终纳入197例。其中68例术前20 min静脉滴注氨甲环酸15 mg/kg（单次给药组）,74例术前20 min静脉滴注氨甲环酸15 mg/kg+术后3 h再次静脉滴注氨甲环酸10 mg/kg（重复给药组）,55例未使用氨甲环酸（对照组）。单次给药组女52例、男16例,平均年龄58岁;重复给药组女54例、男20例,平均年龄59岁;对照组女40例、男15例,平均年龄55岁。比较三组患者总失血量、输血率、深静脉血栓及肺栓塞发生率、术后引流量、术后血红蛋白下降值及并发症情况。结果单次给药组、重复给药组和对照组围手术期总失血量分别为（816.80±245.09）ml、（975.15±216.33）ml和（1295.68±263.85）ml,术后引流量为（221.60±70.05）ml、（337.20±113.10）ml和（479.74±120.66）ml,输血率为5.41%、10.29%和25.45%,术后血红蛋白降低值为（2.71±0.74）g/dl、（3.18±0.62）g/dl和（3.83±0.70）g/dl;各指标给药组均较对照组低,重复给药组较单次给药组围手术期总失血量、输血率、术后引流量更低。术后三组患者均未发生深静脉血栓及肺栓塞;单次给药组8例、重复给药组6例、对照组8例出现切口并发症,发生率分别为11.8%（8/68）、8.1%（6/74）、14.5%（8/55）,三者比较差异无统计学意义（χ2=1.355,P=0.508）。结论静脉使用氨甲环酸可有效降低类风湿关节炎患者全髋关节置换围手术期总失血量与输血率,且不增加血栓事件的风险,相对于术前单次使用氨甲环酸,更推荐术前及术后3h重复给药。