Objective To observe the effects of the Dachaihu decoction on intra-abdominal pressure in severe acute pancreatitis. Methods 70 patients with SAP from China-Japan Friendship Hospital were randomly divided into two groups. 35 patients in a conventional treatment group were treated with conventional treatment of severe acute pancreatitis, and 35 patients in a Dachaihu decoction treatment group were treated with the decoction through nasogastric tube based on conventional treatment. The changes of intra-abdominal pressure and the morbidity of IAH and ACS in both groups were observed in acute stage. Results The intra-abdominal pressure in both groups increased. But the pressure in the Dachaihu decoction treatment group (13.31 ± 4.42 mmHg, 13.02 ± 5.23 mmHg, 12.35 ± 3.34 mmHg, 11.26 ± 4.46 mmHg, 9.89 ± 3.44 mmHg) was lower than the conventional treatment group (16.89 ± 5.71 mmHg, 17.52 ± 3.37 mmHg, 16.21 ± 2.15 mmHg, 14.57 ± 5.56 mmHg, 12.11 ± 1.28 mmHg) from the third day on (P<0.05). And the morbidity of intra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome in the Dachaihu decoction treatment group were lower than the conventional treatment group in the whole acut stage (40%vs. 8.75%).The differences between two groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion The Dachaihu decoction may significantly reduce the intra-abdominal pressure and the morbidity of intra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome among patients with severe acute pancreatitis.

Objective: To investigate the inhibitory effects of PTEN gene transfection combined with L-OHP on human cholangiocarcinoma cell line, QBC939, providing a new method for gene therapy of human biliary duct carcinoma. Methods: A eukaryotic expression vector containing PTEN gene was transfected into human QBC939 cells under mediation of lipofectamine and positive cell clones were selected and amplified. Expression of PTEN gene was detected by immunohistochemistry. MTT test was used to determine the in vitro activity of cells, electron microscope was applied to observe cell ultrastructure, and flow cytometry was used for determining the cell cycle and apoptosis. In vitro test was used to study the invasive ability of cells before and after treatment. Results: After transfected with PTEN gene, QBC939 cells had a higher expression of PTEN gene (P

Objective To evaluate the correlation between serum procalcitonin (PCT) level and severity of diseases caused by different kinds of stress factors, and to identify the prognostic value of PCT on the prognosis in non-sepsis critically ill patients. Methods A retrospective case control study was conducted. The clinical data of non-sepsis critically ill patients with age of ≥ 18 years admitted to surgery intensive care unit (ICU) of China-Japan Friendship Hospital from August 2013 to December 2015 and stayed for more than 3 days were enrolled. The PCT level in the first 24 hours, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) score, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score and 28-day mortality were recorded. Patients were divided into different groups by the original injury, including trauma stress group, stroke stress group and non-infection inflammation stress group. According to PCT level, patients were divided into PCT normal group, low level group, medium level group and high level group. Furthermore, patients were divided into survival group and non-survival group according to 28-day prognosis. The clinical data of patients were compared among the groups, and the correlations among different markers were analyzed with Pearson or Spearman correlation analysis. The predictive value of PCT on prognosis of non-sepsis critically ill patients was evaluated with receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). Results Ninety-four non-sepsis critical ill patients were enrolled, with 28 patients in trauma stress group, 30 in stroke stress group, and 36 in non-infection inflammation stress group, as well as 32 patients in PCT normal group, 18 in low level group, 18 in medium level group, and 26 in high level group. Of them, 78 survivors and 16 non-survivors were found. ① The PCT level of non-sepsis critically ill patients was significantly positively correlated with APACHE Ⅱ score and SOFA score (r1 = 0.688, r2 = 0.771, both P = 0.000). ② The PCT level in trauma stress group was significantly higher than that in stroke stress group and non-infection inflammation stress group [μg/L: 4.43 (0.86, 11.72 ) vs. 0.28 (0.16, 5.85), 2.39 (0.13, 4.11), both P < 0.01]. APACHE Ⅱ score (13.9±7.5, 13.9±7.0 vs. 9.4±4.4), SOFA score [7.0 (4.0, 9.0), 5.0 (3.0, 8.0) vs. 4.0 (2.0, 6.0)], and 28-day mortality [21.4% (6/28), 33.3% (10/30) vs. 0 (0/36)] in trauma stress group and stroke stress group were significantly higher than those of non-infection inflammation stress group (all P < 0.05). The abnormal rate of PCT in trauma stress group was significantly higher than that of stroke stress group and non-infection inflammation stress group [100.0% (28/28) vs. 33.3% (10/30), 66.7% (24/36), both P < 0.01]. ③ Non-survivors had significantly higher PCT level [μg/L: 6.02 (4.43, 18.34) vs. 0.76 (0.16, 4.11)], APACHE Ⅱ score (22.5±3.8 vs. 10.1±5.1) and SOFA score [9.0 (7.0, 11.0) vs. 4.0 (2.0, 8.0)] as compared with those of survivors (all P < 0.01). ④ APACHE Ⅱ score (7.8±2.8, 9.3±4.3, 13.7±6.2, 18.7±5.8, F = 22.495, P = 0.000), SOFA score [3.0 (1.2, 4.8), 4.0 (3.5, 4.5), 6.0 (3.5, 8.0), 10.0 (8.8, 12.0), Z = 51.040, P = 0.000], and 28-day mortality [0 (0/32), 11.1% (2/18), 22.2% (4/18), 38.5% (10/26), χ2 = 15.816, P = 0.001] were gradually increased as PCT level elevated. ⑤ The area under ROC curve (AUC) of PCT for evaluating prognosis of non-sepsis critically ill patients was 0.799 [95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 0.709-0.889, P = 0.000], when the cut-off value was 4.2 μg/L, the sensitivity was 87.5%, and the specificity was 77.6%. Conclusions Serum PCT level was positively correlated with severity of illness in non-sepsis critically ill patients, which had predicted value on prognosis. Trauma stress can lead to higher PCT level than stroke stress and non-infection inflammation stress can.

Objective To evaluate the effect of heart rate control with esmolol on hemodynamics, inflammatory cytokines and clinical outcomes in patients with septic shock.Methods A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted. The patients with septic shock admitted to Department of Critical Care Medicine of China-Japan Friendship Hospital from August 2014 to October 2016 were enrolled. After 24 hours of resuscitation and other therapy, they were randomly divided into two groups by sealed envelope. The patients in experimental group was treated with continuous intravenous esmolol infusion for 24 hours, initial dose was 0.05 mg·kg-1·h-1, and was titrated to decrease the heart rate by 20% as compared with the value at the time of enrollment or below 95 bpm, while isotonicsaline was given to control group through intravenous line at 3 mL/h for 24 hours. The differences in hemodynamic parameters at 0, 1, 4, 8, 12, 24 and 48 hours, as well as serum inflammatory cytokines and blood lactate (Lac) at 0, 12, and 24 hours, 28-day mortality were compared between the two groups.Results Seventy-six septic shock patients were admitted during the study, 12 were excluded forsuspicious acute myocardial infraction (AMI) or acute left heart failure or for the history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), 4 were quitted the study for being unable to tolerate the lowest dose of esmolol, giving up treatment, or death within 24 hours. Finally, 60 patients completed the study, 30 patients in experimental group, and 30 in control group. There were no differences in gender, age, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) score and infection source between two groups, indicating the general data between the two groups were balanced and comparable. The decrease in heart rate was more markedly in experimental group than that of control group at 1, 4, 48 hours after esmolol administration (bpm: 97.4±16.5 vs. 110.9±19.6, 95.2±15.3 vs. 105.1±17.9, 86.4±12.1 vs. 97.2±22.6, allP < 0.05), cardiac index (CI) at 8, 24, 48 hours was significantly increased(mL·s-1·m-2: 57.2±13.5 vs. 46.5±11.0, 57.7±15.7 vs. 48.7±14.7, 61.2±16.5 vs. 51.5±14.7, allP < 0.05), and stroke volume index (SVI) at 4, 8, 24 hours was significantly increased (mL/m2: 34.1±6.9 vs. 29.0±8.7, 35.0±6.1 vs. 28.8±9.6, 38.3±10.1 vs. 31.9±13.2, allP < 0.05). Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) at 24 hours in experimental group was significantly higher than that of control group (ng/L: 0.15±0.06 vs. 0.13±0.05,P < 0.01). There were no differences in mean arterial pressure (MAP), Lac, white blood cell (WBC), IL-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) between the two groups, and no difference in 28-day mortality between experimental group and control group was found (30.0% vs. 36.7%,χ2 = 0.300,P = 0.583).Conclusions It is efficient and safe to use esmolol for heart rate control in patients with septic shock after resuscitation. Esmolol can improve cardiac performance without affecting blood pressure and Lac, but has no effect on inflammatory cytokines and prognosis.

Objective To design a novel electronic device for measuring the pressure in the cuff of the artificial airway; and to study the advantage of this device on continuous and intermittent cuff pressure monitoring. Methods ① a portable electronic device for cuff pressure measurement was invented, which could turn pressure signal into electrical signal through a pressure transducer. Meantime, it was possible to avoid pressure leak from the joint and the inside of the apparatus by modified Luer taper and sophisticated design. If the cuff pressure was out of the normal range, the apparatus could release a sound and light alarm. ② Six traditional mechanical manometers were used to determine the cuff pressure in 6 tracheal tubes. The cuff pressure was maintain at 30 cmH2O (1 cmH2O =0.098 kPa) by the manometer first, and repeated every 30 seconds for 4 times. ③ Study of continuous cuff pressure monitoring: We used a random number generator to randomize 6 tracheal tubes, 6 mechanical manometers and 6 our products by number 1-6, which has the same number of a group. Every group was further randomized into two balanced groups, one group used the mechanical manometer first, and the other used our product first. The baseline pressure was 30 cmH2O, measurement was performed every 4 hours for 6 times. Results When traditional mechanical manometer was used for cuff pressure monitoring, cuff pressure was decreased by an average of 2.9 cmH2O for each measurement (F = 728.2, P = 0.000). In study of continually monitoring, at each monitoring point, the pressure measured by electronic manometer was higher than the mechanical manometer. All the pressures measured by mechanical manometer were dropped below 20 cmH2O at 8th hour, and there was no pressure decrease below 20 cmH2O measured by electronic manometer in 24 hours by contrast. In study of intermittent monitoring, the same result was found. The pressure was dropped significantly with time when measured by mechanical manometer (F = 61.795, P = 0.000), the drops below 20 cmH2O began at 8th hour; but when measured by electronic manometer, all the value stayed unchanged around the baseline in 24 hours (F = 0.511, P = 0.796). Conclusions Compared with traditional mechanical manometer, cuff pressures monitored by our novel electronic manometer were steadier in both continuous and intermittent monitoring. The device is compact and convenient, and can provide a good solution for continuously monitor of the tracheal cuff pressure.

Objective To investigate the predictive value of left ventricular diastolic function on mechanical ventilation weaning in patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) > 0.50.Methods A retrospective case control study was conducted. Sixty-five patients with LVEF > 0.50 undergoing mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours admitted to surgery intensive care unit (ICU) of China-Japan Friendship Hospital from June 2014 to December 2016 were enrolled. The clinical data and parameters of echocardiography before spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) were collected. The possible relationship between left ventricular diastolic function and the results of weaning was analyzed according to analysis of blood flow filling parameters of mitral valve orifice. According to the grading standard of left ventricular diastolic function, the patients were divided into normal, mild (level 1) and moderate to severe (level 2-3) groups, and the outcomes of weaning were compared among the groups. Then patients were also divided into two groups of weaning successfully and weaning failure, and the clinical data and left ventricular diastolic function parameters of patients were compared between the two groups. The predictive value of left ventricular diastolic function on results of weaning was evaluated with receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC).Results Sixty-five patients were enrolled and 28 patients (43.1%) failed weaning, 22 patients failed the first SBT and 6 required reintubation within 48 hours, 31 of the patients presented normal left ventricular diastolic function, 9 of patients presented mild diastolic dysfunction, and 25 of them presented moderate to severe diastolic dysfunction. So with the gradual increase of the severity of diastolic dysfunction, the rate of weaning failure was gradually increased, which was 16.1%, 44.6% and 76.0% respectively (χ2 = 20.240,P = 0.001). Patients who failed weaning presented evidence of increased left ventricular filling pressures at pre-SBT, by demonstrating decreased deceleration time of E (DTE, s: 180.4±5.1vs. 196.8±4.0,t = 2.567,P = 0.013), increased left ventricular mitral valve diastolic early and late filling velocity ratio (E/A: 1.47±0.08 vs. 1.14±0.05, t = 3.827,P = 0.000), increased lateral, septal and averaged left ventricular mitral valve diastolic early velocity and maximal velocity of mitral annulus in early diastolic velocity ratio (E/Em: 10.26±0.52 vs. 7.28±0.41,t = 4.535, P = 0.000; 10.08±0.58 vs. 8.16±0.40,t = 2.797,P = 0.007; 10.17±0.48比7.72±0.35,t = 4.231,P = 0.000), and the rapid shallow breathing index (RSBI) was also increased significantly (61.7±3.6 vs. 50.6±2.7,t = 2.507, P = 0.015). It was shown by ROC curve analysis that the basic left ventricular diastolic function at pre-SBT had the diagnostic performance in predicting the outcome of weaning from mechanical ventilation, especially E/A and lateral E/Em. Pre-SBT values of E/A greater than 1.2 and lateral E/Em greater than 7.9 predicted weaning failure with an area under the ROC curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity of 0.81±0.06 and 0.85±0.06, 82.6% and 91.3%, 81.4% and 80.7%, respectively, and the AUC was higher than RSBI (0.70±0.07). The AUC of combination of E/A > 1.2 and lateral E/Em > 7.9predicting weaning failure was 0.86±0.05 with a sensitivity of 78.3% and a specificity of 93.6%.Conclusions The results suggest that left ventricular diastolic dysfunction is significantly associated with weaning outcome in critical patients with LVEF > 0.50. The combination of E/A ratio greater than 1.2 and E/Em ratio greater than 7.9 may identify patients at high risk of weaning failure.

Objective:To investigate the changes of non-specific and HBV core antigen (HBcAg)-specific Th9 cells, and intereleukin-9 (IL-9) in HBV-infected patients, and to assess the influence of Th9 cells on CD8 + T cell function. Methods:Twelve patients with acute hepatitis B (AHB) and 58 with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), who were hospitalized in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University between January 2018 and January 2019, were enrolled in this study. Twenty healthy subjects negative for HBsAg were selected as controls. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and plasma samples were isolated. Non-specific Th9 cells (CD3 + CD4 + IL-9 + ) and HBcAg-specific Th9 cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. Plasma IL-9 level was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. CHB patients received tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) antiviral therapy. The changes of non-specific Th9 cells, HBcAg-specific Th9 cells and plasma IL-9 level were assessed 48 weeks after TDF therapy. CD4 + CCR4 -CCR6 -CXCR3 -(Th9) cells and CD8 + T cells were isolated from 12 HLA-A2 restricted CHB patients and co-cultured with HepG2.2.15 cells with the presence of anti-IL-9 neutralizing antibody. The percentage of dead HepG2.2.15 cells and the levels of IFN-γ and TNF-α were detected. Student′s t test, one-way analysis of variance or SNK- q test was used for statistical comparison between groups. Results:There were no significant differences in non-specific Th9 cells or plasma IL-9 level among AHB patients, CHB patients and healthy controls ( P>0.05). HBcAg-specific Th9 cells was down-regulated in CHB patients when compared with AHB patients [(2.49±0.61)% vs (3.19±0.62)%, P<0.001]. The percentage of HBcAg-specific Th9 cells was negatively correlated with HBV DNA ( r=-0.385, P=0.003), but not correlated with ALT ( P>0.05) in CHB patients. TDF therapy for 48 weeks remarkably elevated the HBcAg-specific Th9 cells [(2.94±0.48)%, P<0.001], however, did not affect non-specific Th9 cells or plasma IL-9 level ( P>0.05) in CHB patients. The cytotoxicity of HBcAg-specific Th9 cells was low in CHB patients. However, HBcAg-specific Th9 cells could induce enhanced cytotoxicity of CD8 + T cells to HepG2.2.15 cells, which manifested as increased percentage of dead HepG2.2.15 cells and higher levels of IFN-γ and TNF-α. Anti-IL-9 neutralizing antibody reduced the enhancement of CD8 + T cell cytotoxicity by HBcAg-specific Th9 cells ( P<0.001). Conclusions:Chronic HBV infection might suppress the level and function of HBcAg-specific Th9 cells, resulting in persistent infection.

Objective:To investigate the short term outcomes and postoperative respiratory complications of patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension(CTEPH) treated by pulmonary endarterectomy(PEA).Methods:45 consecutive CTEPH patients underwent PEA between December 2017 and January 2020 in our institution were enrolled, including 25 females and 20 males. The mean age of operation was 51.2(25-70) years old. 24(53.5%) patients were in New York Heart Association(NYHA) functional class Ⅲ-Ⅳ. The mean PVR before operation was 923(461-2 711) dyn·s·cm -5. All patients’ data were entered in a prospective database, divieded into patients with respiratory complications group(WRC)and without respiratory complications group(WORC). To assess risk factors for postoperative respiratory complications and its effect on short term outcomes. Results:There was a significant reduction in mPAP(from 37 mmHg to 20 mmHg) and PVR(from 923 dyn·s·cm -5 to 293 dyn·s·cm -5) in the entire group. The in-hospital mortality rate was 4.4%(2 cases), died due to postoperative cardiogenic circulatory failure, even with VA-ECMO treatment and mediastinal infection, respectively. Postoperative respiratory complications occurred in 32 patients(71.1%). The most common complications were reperfusion pulmonary edema 44.4%(20 cases) and residual pulmonary hypertension 11.1%(5 cases). The WRC group showed a tendency to have longer periods of mechanical ventilation, longer ICU stays and more ICU costs. Independent predictors of postoperative respiratory complications were time from symptom onset to PEA>36 months( OR=12.2, 95% CI: 2.1-70.7, P=0.005)and six-minute walking distance<300 m( OR=12.6, 95% CI: 1.1-138.0, P=0.0038). Conclusion:Pulmonary endarterectomy is an effective and safe treatment for CTEPH. Postoperative respiratory complications were mainly determined by symptom onset time and pre-operative status. Patients with CTEPH should consider PEA surgery early.

Objective:To investigate the effects of sedatives on the activity of the diaphragm assessed by ultrasound and the timing of extubation in elderly patients after elective surgery.Methods:All 60 eligible elderly patients were randomly divided into three groups: the propofol group, the midazolam group and the control group(n=20, each group). Remifentanil was used in the three groups to keep the Critical Care Pain Observation Tool(CPOT)score less than 3.Patients in the propofol and midazolam groups were given propofol and midazolam sedation respectively, and the Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale(RASS)score was maintained at -2.Diaphragmatic activity was measured, the time from the end of the operation to extubation was recorded, and delirium was evaluated, and the above results were compared with those of the control group, which did not receive sedatives.Results:The activity of the diaphragm was lower in the propofol and midazolam groups than in the control group[(1.10±0.12)cm, (1.17±0.30)cm vs.(1.63±0.25)cm, F=30.170, P=0.000], and there was no significant difference between the propofol group and the midazolam group( t=25.340, P=0.615). There was no significant difference in duration of extubation among the propofol, midazolam and control groups[(1.41±2.08)d, (1.25±1.53)d vs.(1.19±1.40)d, F=0.089, P=0.915]. The incidence of delirium was higher in the midazolam group than in the propofol and control groups[55.0%(11/20), 20.0%(4/20) vs.15.0%(3/20), χ2=5.230, P=0.022, χ2=7.030, P=0.008)], but the difference between the propofol group and control group was not statistically significant( χ2=0.170, P=0.677). Conclusions:The application of sedatives after elective surgery has an effect on the activity of the diaphragm in elderly patients, and the effects of propofol and midazolam are similar.However, propofol and midazolam have no influence on the duration of extubation in elderly patients after elective surgery.Compared with propofol, midazolam increases the incidence of delirium in elderly patients after elective surgery.

Objective To explore the clinical diagnostic value of bedside lung ultrasound in emergency (BLUE) for patients with postoperative hypoxemia in intensive care unit (ICU). Methods Fifty patients with hypoxemia after ICU surgery postoperation were enrolled in Beijing China-Japan Friendship Hospital from April 2017 to October 2018, the chest X-ray, BLUE and chest CT examinations were performed at the same time, and the diagnostic result of chest CT was the gold standard. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy rate of the 3 methods in the diagnosis of hypoxemia were statistically analyzed, and the results of diagnostic consistency of 3 methods were compared. Results The chest CT findings showed there were 40 cases with different degrees of pneumothorax, pleural effusion, pulmonary consolidation and atelectasis in 50 patients. When the chest X ray was used to diagnose hypoxemia as the pathogenesis, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy rate were 32.5%, 60.0%, 76.47%, 18.18% and 38.0% respectively; the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy rate of BLUE were 80.0%, 70.0%, 91.43%, 46.67% and 78.0% respectively. The consistency test showed that the chest X-ray diagnosis rate of postoperation hypoxemia as the cause was significantly lower than that of chest CT (Kappa = 0.091, P = 0.047) and BLUE (Kappa =0.107, P = 0.031). The consistancy was relatively good when the diagnosis rate of postoperation hypoxemia obtained from BLUE regimen was compared with that obtained from chest CT (Kappa = 0.634, P = 0.000). Conclusion The use of BLUE for diagnosis of hypoxemia being the pathogenesis of the postoperative patients in ICU is superior to the use of routine chest X ray, and compared with applying chest CT, BLUE is faster, more convenient and worthy to be clinically applied widely.