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Critical Care Medicine Jun 2024The objective of this study was to investigate the dynamic profiles of myocardial injury biomarkers and their association with mortality in patients with severe fever...
OBJECTIVES
The objective of this study was to investigate the dynamic profiles of myocardial injury biomarkers and their association with mortality in patients with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS).
DESIGN
A retrospective cohort study.
SETTINGS
Union Hospital in Wuhan, China.
PATIENTS
A total of 580 patients with SFTS, observed between May 2014 and December 2021, were included in the final analysis.
INTERVENTIONS
None.
MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS
In total, 580 patients with SFTS were enrolled in the study, comprised of 469 survivors and 111 nonsurvivors, with a 21-day fatality rate of 19.1%. The elevation of troponin I (TnI) was observed in 61.6% patients (357/580) with SFTS upon admission, and 68.4% patients (397/580) developed an abnormal TnI level during hospitalization. Multivariate logistic regression identified age, viral load, platelet count, creatinine level, and TnI level as potential risk factors for mortality in patients with SFTS. The results of restricted cubic splines revealed that when the TnI level (baseline TnI: 1.55 [lg (ng/L+1)], peak value: TnI 1.90 [lg (ng/L+1)]) exceeded a certain threshold, the predicted mortality of patients with SFTS increased alongside the rise in TnI levels. Mortality rate surpassed 40% among patients with SFTS with TnI greater than or equal to 10 times the upper limit of normal at admission (43.8%) or during hospitalization (41.7%). Older age, a history of cardiovascular disease, and higher d-dimer levels were potential risk factors for elevated TnI levels in patients with SFTS.
CONCLUSIONS
Elevated TnI levels were prevalent among patients with SFTS and were strongly associated with an increased risk of mortality.
PubMed: 38940646
DOI: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000006367 -
Advanced Science (Weinheim,... Jun 2024Traditional anti-impact armors and shields are normally made of stiff and hard materials and therefore deficient in flexibility. This greatly limits their applications...
Traditional anti-impact armors and shields are normally made of stiff and hard materials and therefore deficient in flexibility. This greatly limits their applications in protecting objects with complex geometries or significant deformability. Flexible armors can be developed with the application of hard platelets and soft materials, but the lower rigidity of the flexible armors renders them incapable of providing sufficient resistance against impact attacks. To address the inherent conflict between flexibility and impact resistance in traditional armors, here, a composite is developed by hybridizing a shear-stiffening gel as the matrix and chemically-strengthened ultrathin glass sheets (CSGS) as the reinforcement. The resulting laminate, termed PCCL, exhibits both high flexibility and high impact resistance. Specifically, at low strain rates, the high ductility of the gel combined with the high flexural strength of the CSGS enables the PCCL to undergo considerable deformation; at high strain rates, on the other hand, the shear stiffening behavior of the gel matrix endows the PCCL with excellent impact resistance manifested by its high performance in energy absorption and high rigidity. With the combination of high flexibility and high impact resistance, the PCCL is demonstrated to be an ideal armor for protecting curved vulnerable objects from impact attacks.
PubMed: 38940419
DOI: 10.1002/advs.202403379 -
ACS Applied Bio Materials Jun 2024In order to treat most vascular diseases, arterial grafts are commonly employed for replacing small-diameter vessels, yet they often cause thrombosis. The growth of...
In order to treat most vascular diseases, arterial grafts are commonly employed for replacing small-diameter vessels, yet they often cause thrombosis. The growth of endothelial cells along the interior surfaces of these grafts (substrates) is critical to mitigate thrombosis. Typically, endothelial cells are cultured inside these grafts under laminar flow conditions to emulate the native environment of blood vessels and produce an endothelium. Alternatively, the substrate structure could have a similar influence on endothelial cell behavior as laminar flow conditions. In this study, we investigated whether substrates with aligned fiber structures could induce responses in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) akin to those elicited by laminar flow. Our observations revealed that HUVECs on aligned substrates displayed significant morphological changes, aligning parallel to the fibers, similar to effects reported under laminar flow conditions. Conversely, HUVECs on random substrates maintained their characteristic cobblestone appearance. Notably, cell migration was more significant on aligned substrates. Also, we observed that while vWF expression was similar between both substrates, the HUVECs on aligned substrates showed more expression of platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1/CD31), laminin, and collagen IV. Additionally, these cells exhibited increased gene expression related to critical functions such as proliferation, extracellular matrix production, cytoskeletal reorganization, autophagy, and antithrombotic activity. These findings indicated that aligned substrates enhanced endothelial growth and behavior compared to random substrates. These improvements are similar to the beneficial effects of laminar flow on endothelial cells, which are well-documented compared to static or turbulent flow conditions.
PubMed: 38939951
DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.4c00504 -
Annals of Ibadan Postgraduate Medicine Apr 2024Identifying risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE) is useful in deciding thromboprophylaxis for VTE. A retrospective study had shown an association between...
INTRODUCTION
Identifying risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE) is useful in deciding thromboprophylaxis for VTE. A retrospective study had shown an association between hypertension and diabetes mellitus with VTE in our population. The objective of this study was to confirm these findings and to determine if the complete blood count and coagulation tests can also be useful parameters in stratifying VTE patients for prophylaxis.
METHODS
This is a gender and age matched prospective case-control study of 45 Doppler's confirmed DVT and 43 apparently healthy controls.
RESULTS
Identified risk factors included history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, previous DVT, recent surgery, recent trauma, malignancy, sepsis, and immobility. The cases had a significantly lower mean haematocrit (33±7.4% vs 38±4.6%, p<0.001). Though no differences were observed in leucocyte and platelet counts between cases and controls but stratification as leucocytosis vs leucopaenia (P=0.003) and thrombocytosis vs thrombocytopaenia (P=0.045) differed between both groups. Also, the International normalized ratio (INR) was higher in cases (1.1±0.2 vs 1.0±0.1;P=0.001), hypercoagulable state (INR<0.9) and hypocoagulable state (INR>1.2) were observed in 4.4% and 28.9% of cases respectively but not in controls (P <0.001). Also, aPTT>40 seconds was seen in 4.4% vs 4.7% of cases and controls respectively and aPTT< 30 seconds in 22% of cases but not in controls (P =0.004).
CONCLUSION
Hypertension and diabetes mellitus are identified risk factors not traditionally associated with DVT. These in addition to a complete blood count and coagulation tests can be useful in stratifying patients for prophylaxis in our population and other similar communities.
PubMed: 38939895
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal of Extracellular Biology Mar 2024Cellular elements that infiltrate and surround tumours and pre-metastatic tissues have a prominent role in tumour invasion and growth. The extracellular vesicles...
Cellular elements that infiltrate and surround tumours and pre-metastatic tissues have a prominent role in tumour invasion and growth. The extracellular vesicles specifically entrapped and stored within the extracellular matrix (ECM-EVs) may reflect the different populations of the tumour microenvironment and their change during tumour progression. However, their profile is at present unknown. To elucidate this aspect, we isolated and characterized EVs from decellularized surgical specimens of colorectal cancer and adjacent colon mucosa and analyzed their surface marker profile. ECM-EVs in tumours and surrounding mucosa mainly expressed markers of lymphocytes, natural killer cells, antigen-presenting cells, and platelets, as well as epithelial cells, representing a multicellular microenvironment. No difference in surface marker expression was observed between tumour and mucosa ECM-EVs in stage II-III tumours. At variance, in the colon mucosa adjacent to stage IV carcinomas, ECM-EV profile showed a significantly increased level of immune, epithelial and platelet markers in comparison to the matrix of the corresponding tumour. The increase of EVs from immune cells and platelets was not observed in the mucosa adjacent to low-stage tumours. In addition, CD25, a T-lymphocyte marker, resulted specifically overexpressed by ECM-EVs from stage IV carcinomas, possibly correlated with the pro-tolerogenic environment found in the corresponding tumour tissue. These results outline the tissue microenvironmental profile of EVs in colorectal carcinoma-derived ECM and unveil a profound change in the healthy mucosa adjacent to high-stage tumours.
PubMed: 38939413
DOI: 10.1002/jex2.144 -
Frontiers in Oncology 2024Infections represent one of the most frequent causes of death of higher-risk MDS patients, as reported previously also by our group. Azacitidine Infection Risk Model...
INTRODUCTION
Infections represent one of the most frequent causes of death of higher-risk MDS patients, as reported previously also by our group. Azacitidine Infection Risk Model (AIR), based on red blood cell (RBC) transfusion dependency, neutropenia <0.8 × 10/L, platelet count <50 × 10/L, albumin <35g/L, and ECOG performance status ≥2 has been proposed based on the retrospective data to estimate the risk of infection in azacitidine treated patients.
METHODS
The prospective non-intervention study aimed to identify factors predisposing to infection, validate the AIR score, and assess the impact of antimicrobial prophylaxis on the outcome of azacitidine-treated MDS/AML and CMML patients.
RESULTS
We collected data on 307 patients, 57.6 % males, treated with azacitidine: AML (37.8%), MDS (55.0%), and CMML (7.1%). The median age at azacitidine treatment commencement was 71 (range, 18-95) years. 200 (65%) patients were assigned to higher risk AIR group. Antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral prophylaxis was used in 66.0%, 29.3%, and 25.7% of patients, respectively. In total, 169 infectious episodes (IE) were recorded in 118 (38.4%) patients within the first three azacitidine cycles. In a multivariate analysis ECOG status, RBC transfusion dependency, IPSS-R score, and CRP concentration were statistically significant for infection development ( < 0.05). The occurrence of infection within the first three azacitidine cycles was significantly higher in the higher risk AIR group - 47.0% than in lower risk 22.4% (odds ratio (OR) 3.06; 95% CI 1.82-5.30, < 0.05). Administration of antimicrobial prophylaxis did not have a significant impact on all-infection occurrence in multivariate analysis: antibacterial prophylaxis (OR 0.93; 0.41-2.05, = 0.87), antifungal OR 1.24 (0.54-2.85) ( = 0.59), antiviral OR 1.24 (0.53-2.82) ( = 0.60).
DISCUSSION
The AIR Model effectively discriminates infection-risk patients during azacitidine treatment. Antimicrobial prophylaxis does not decrease the infection rate.
PubMed: 38939343
DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1404322 -
Przeglad Gastroenterologiczny 2024Haemorrhoidal disease is one of the most common nowadays. It is often associated with a sedentary lifestyle. The leading cause of its development is also a functional...
INTRODUCTION
Haemorrhoidal disease is one of the most common nowadays. It is often associated with a sedentary lifestyle. The leading cause of its development is also a functional disorder of the intestine and chronic constipation. To date, there is a steady growth rate of this disease, leading to its "rejuvenation". The current stage of development indicates the need for further improvement of surgical treatment and optimisation of patient management methods and the creation of uniform standards of care for this contingent of patients.
AIM
To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of the use of platelet-rich plasma therapy and the biologically active substance "ozoyl" in the treatment of haemorrhoidal disease.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
The main group included 100 patients with chronic haemorrhoids who were operated on in the period from March 2021 to March 2022. For this group, autoplasma was used during surgery, and an ozoyl-based drug in the postoperative period. The remaining 100 participants of this study, assigned to the control group, underwent a conventional haemorrhoidectomy operation and standard patient management using a hydrophilic ointment based on chloramphenicol.
RESULTS
After the conducted clinical studies, it was established that in the main group, the pain syndrome decreased by about 30%, considering the period from the first day of the postoperative period compared to the control group. The postoperative wound healed in the main group in the third week after the operation, unlike the control group, in which this event was noted in the fourth week. The patients did not complain during the examination 3 months later.
CONCLUSIONS
This study is of practical significance because haemorrhoidal disease today has a high prevalence, and an integrated approach is required for the treatment of such patients. Ozoyl is a powerful cell and tissue repairer.
PubMed: 38939058
DOI: 10.5114/pg.2024.139517 -
Journal of Extracellular Biology Jan 2024Blood-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) hold great therapeutic potential. As blood contains mixed EV populations, it is challenging to study EVs originating from...
Blood-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) hold great therapeutic potential. As blood contains mixed EV populations, it is challenging to study EVs originating from different cells separately. Blood cell concentrates manufactured in blood banks offer an excellent non-invasive source of blood cell-specific EV populations. To study blood cell-specific EVs, we isolated EVs from platelet (TREVs) and red blood cell (EryEVs) concentrates and characterized them using nanoparticle tracking analysis, imaging flow cytometry, electron microscopy and western blot analysis and co-cultured them with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Our aim was to use imaging flow cytometry to investigate EV interaction with PBMCs as well as study their effects on T-lymphocyte populations to better understand their possible biological functions. As a conclusion, TREVs interacted with PBMCs more than EryEVs. Distinctively, TREVs were uptaken into CD11c+ monocytes rapidly and into CD19+ B-lymphocytes in 24 h. EryEVs were not uptaken into CD11c+ monocytes before the 24-h time point, and they were only seen on the surface of lymphocytes. Neither TREVs nor EryEV were uptaken into CD3+ T-lymphocytes and no effect on T-cell populations was detected. We have previously seen similar differences in targeting PC-3 cancer cells. Further studies are needed to address the functional properties of blood cell concentrate-derived EVs. This study demonstrates that imaging flow cytometry can be used to study the distinctive differences in the interaction and uptake of EVs. Considering our current and previous results, EVs present a new valuable component for the future development of blood-derived therapeutics.
PubMed: 38938679
DOI: 10.1002/jex2.130 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2024To analyze the influencing factors for progression from newly diagnosed prediabetes (PreDM) to diabetes within 3 years and establish a prediction model to assess the...
INTRODUCTION
To analyze the influencing factors for progression from newly diagnosed prediabetes (PreDM) to diabetes within 3 years and establish a prediction model to assess the 3-year risk of developing diabetes in patients with PreDM.
METHODS
Subjects who were diagnosed with new-onset PreDM at the Physical Examination Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from October 1, 2015 to May 31, 2023 and completed the 3-year follow-up were selected as the study population. Data on gender, age, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, etc. were collected. After 3 years of follow-up, subjects were divided into a diabetes group and a non-diabetes group. Baseline data between the two groups were compared. A prediction model based on logistic regression was established with nomogram drawn. The calibration was also depicted.
RESULTS
Comparison between diabetes group and non-diabetes group: Differences in 24 indicators including gender, age, history of hypertension, fatty liver, BMI, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, etc. were statistically significant between the two groups (P<0.05). Differences in smoking, creatinine and platelet count were not statistically significant between the two groups (P>0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that ageing, elevated BMI, male gender, high fasting blood glucose, increased LDL-C, fatty liver, liver dysfunction were risk factors for progression from PreDM to diabetes within 3 years (P<0.05), while HDL-C was a protective factor (P<0.05). The derived formula was: In(p/1-p)=0.181×age (40-54 years old)/0.973×age (55-74 years old)/1.868×age (≥75 years old)-0.192×gender (male)+0.151×blood glucose-0.538×BMI (24-28)-0.538×BMI (≥28)-0.109×HDL-C+0.021×LDL-C+0.365×fatty liver (yes)+0.444×liver dysfunction (yes)-10.038. The AUC of the model for predicting progression from PreDM to diabetes within 3 years was 0.787, indicating good predictive ability of the model.
CONCLUSIONS
The risk prediction model for developing diabetes within 3 years in patients with PreDM constructed based on 8 influencing factors including age, BMI, gender, fasting blood glucose, LDL-C, HDL-C, fatty liver and liver dysfunction showed good discrimination and calibration.
Topics: Humans; Prediabetic State; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Risk Factors; Adult; Disease Progression; Follow-Up Studies; Risk Assessment; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Body Mass Index; Blood Glucose; Aged; Waist Circumference; Prognosis; China
PubMed: 38938520
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1410502 -
CHEST Critical Care Jun 2024Acute brain dysfunction during sepsis, which manifests as delirium or coma, is common and is associated with multiple adverse outcomes, including longer periods of...
BACKGROUND
Acute brain dysfunction during sepsis, which manifests as delirium or coma, is common and is associated with multiple adverse outcomes, including longer periods of mechanical ventilation, prolonged hospital stays, and increased mortality. Delirium and coma during sepsis may be manifestations of alteration in systemic metabolism. Because access to brain mitochondria is a limiting factor, measurement of peripheral platelet bioenergetics offers a potential opportunity to understand metabolic changes associated with acute brain dysfunction during sepsis.
RESEARCH QUESTION
Are altered platelet mitochondrial bioenergetics associated with acute brain dysfunction during sepsis?
STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS
We assessed participants with critical illness in the ICU for the presence of delirium or coma via validated assessment measures. Blood samples were collected and processed to isolate and measure platelet mitochondrial oxygen consumption. We used Seahorse extracellular flux to measure directly baseline, proton leak, maximal oxygen consumption rate, and extracellular acidification rate. We calculated adenosine triphosphate-linked, spare respiratory capacity, and nonmitochondrial oxygen consumption rate from the measured values.
RESULTS
Maximum oxygen consumption was highest in patients with coma, as was spare respiratory capacity and extracellular acidification rate in unadjusted analysis. After adjusting for age, sedation, modified Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score without the neurologic component, and preexisting cognitive function, increased spare respiratory capacity remained associated with coma. Delirium was not associated with any platelet mitochondrial bioenergetics.
INTERPRETATION
In this single-center exploratory prospective cohort study, we found that increased platelet mitochondrial spare respiratory capacity was associated with coma in patients with sepsis. Future studies powered to determine any relationship between delirium and mitochondrial respiration bioenergetics are needed.
PubMed: 38938510
DOI: 10.1016/j.chstcc.2024.100076