Objective:To compare the Kadish T staging, AJCC T staging, and Dulguerov T staging system in terms of their impact on surgical treatment selection and survival prognosis in patients with olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB).Methods:The cases of pathologically confirmed ONB from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database between 2000 and 2018 were collected and screened. Tumors were staged according to Kadish staging system, AJCC T staging and Dulguerov T staging guidelines. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to calculate 5-and 10-year overall survival rates for different stages, and the log-rank test was used to detect statistically significant differences. Multivariate analysis was performed using Logistic regression and Cox regression models to explore factors influencing surgical treatment choices and prognosis in ONB patients.Results:A total of 519 ONB patients with complete data available for analysis were included in the study. Multivariate analysis revealed that tumor staging, age, and marital status were closely associated with surgical treatment selection. The 10-year survival rates for patients in stage A, B, and C were 74.1%, 68.7%, 55.0%, respectively. The multivariate analysis failed to show a significant prognostic gradient between adjacent stages in any of the three staging systems.Conclusions:The selection of surgical treatment for ONB is influenced by clinical characteristics such as tumor stage and age. The commonly used Kadish, AJCC T, and Dulguerov T staging systems do not significantly differentiate prognosis between adjacent stages, highlighting the need for the development of a more accurate and comprehensive staging system.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical features of the sepsis in immunocompromised hosts and establish an early warning equation. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on sepsis patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of Binzhou Medical University Hospital from October 2011 to October 2022. General information, infection site, etiology results and drug susceptibility, clinical symptoms, inflammatory indicators, acute physiology and chronic health status evaluation II (APACHE II), sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA), incidence of immune paralysis, and outcome during hospitalization were collected. Based on whether they met the diagnostic criteria for immunocompromised hosts, patients were divided into immunocompromised group and immune normal group. The clinical information of the two groups were compared. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of patients with immunocompromised sepsis and the regression equation model was initially established. Omnibus test and Hosmer-Lemeshow test were used to evaluate the model. RESULTS: A total of 169 patients with sepsis were included, including 61 in the immunocompromised group and 108 in the normal immune group. The top 3 infection sites in the immunocompromised group were bloodstream infection, pulmonary infection and abdominal infection. The top 3 infection sites in the normal immune group were pulmonary infection, bloodstream infection and abdominal infection. The infection rate of Gram-negative bacteria in the immunocompromised group was significantly lower than that in the normal group [49.2% (30/61) vs. 64.8% (70/108), P < 0.05]. The infection rate of Gram-positive bacteria [27.9% (17/61) vs. 13.9% (15/108)] and multidrug-resistant bacteria [54.1% (33/61) vs. 29.6% (32/108)] were significantly higher than those in normal immune group (both P < 0.05). In terms of clinical symptoms, the proportion of fever in the immunocompromised group was significantly lower than that in the immune normal group [49.2% (30/61) vs. 66.7% (72/108), P < 0.05]. Neutrophil count (NEU) and neutrophil percentage (NEU%) in the immunocompromised group were significantly lower than those in the normal immune group. Lymphocyte percentage (LYM%), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), APACHE II score, combined shock rate, incidence of immune paralysis, and mortality during hospitalization in the immunocompromised group were significantly higher than those in the normal immune group. Logistic regression analysis showed that NLR, CRP and PCT were risk factors for patients with immunocompromised sepsis (all P < 0.05). The above indicators were used as covariables to construct a Logistic regression equation, that was, Logit (P) = 0.025X₁+0.010X₂+0.013X₃-2.945, where X₁, X₂ and X₃ represent NLR, CRP and PCT respectively. Omnibus test and Hosmer-Lemeshow test show that the model fits well and has certain early warning value. CONCLUSIONS Patients with immunocompromised sepsis have more intense inflammatory response, with Gram-negative bacteria being the predominant pathogen, and a higher incidence of Gram-positive bacterial infections and multi-drug resistant infections. The severity of the disease, in-hospital mortality, the incidence of shock and the incidence of immune paralysis after sepsis were significantly higher. NLR, CRP and PCT were independent risk factors for sepsis in immunocompromised hosts. The regression equation constructed based on this may have early warning significance for patients with immunocompromised sepsis.
Humans ; Sepsis/immunology* ; Immunocompromised Host ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Intensive Care Units ; Logistic Models ; Male ; APACHE ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged

Objective:To compare the Kadish T staging, AJCC T staging, and Dulguerov T staging system in terms of their impact on surgical treatment selection and survival prognosis in patients with olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB).Methods:The cases of pathologically confirmed ONB from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database between 2000 and 2018 were collected and screened. Tumors were staged according to Kadish staging system, AJCC T staging and Dulguerov T staging guidelines. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to calculate 5-and 10-year overall survival rates for different stages, and the log-rank test was used to detect statistically significant differences. Multivariate analysis was performed using Logistic regression and Cox regression models to explore factors influencing surgical treatment choices and prognosis in ONB patients.Results:A total of 519 ONB patients with complete data available for analysis were included in the study. Multivariate analysis revealed that tumor staging, age, and marital status were closely associated with surgical treatment selection. The 10-year survival rates for patients in stage A, B, and C were 74.1%, 68.7%, 55.0%, respectively. The multivariate analysis failed to show a significant prognostic gradient between adjacent stages in any of the three staging systems.Conclusions:The selection of surgical treatment for ONB is influenced by clinical characteristics such as tumor stage and age. The commonly used Kadish, AJCC T, and Dulguerov T staging systems do not significantly differentiate prognosis between adjacent stages, highlighting the need for the development of a more accurate and comprehensive staging system.

Objective:To evaluate the effects of different subanesthetic doses of esketamine on lung injury in elderly patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.Methods:Ninety American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅱ or Ⅲ patients, aged 65-80 yr, with body mass index of 19-27 kg/m 2, scheduled for elective robot-assisted radical prostatectomy under general anesthesia, identified as having middle and high risk using the Assess Respiratory Risk in Surgical Patients in Catalonia, were divided into 3 groups ( n=30 each) using a random number table method: low-dose esketamine group (ES1 group), extremely low-dose esketamine group (ES2 group) and control group (C group). In ES1 group, esketamine was intravenously injected as a bolus of 0.2 mg/kg during anesthesia induction followed by an infusion of 0.125 mg·kg -1·h -1 until 30 min before the end of operation. In ES2 group, esketamine was intravenously injected as a bolus of 0.1 mg/kg during anesthesia induction followed by an infusion of 0.015 mg·kg -1·h -1 until 30 min before the end of operation. The equal volume of normal saline was given instead in C group. Radial artery blood samples were collected before anesthesia induction (T 0) and at the end of operation for determination of concentrations of Clara cell secretory protein (CC-16) and soluble form of advanced glycation end products receptor (sRAGE) in serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The parameters of respiratory mechanics such as the driving pressure, dynamic lung compliance and mechanical power were recorded at 5 min after mechanical ventilation (T 1), and at 1 and 2 h after Trendelenburg position combined with pneumoperitoneum (T 2-3), and at 5 min before the end of operation (T 4). Blood samples were collected from the radial artery at T 0, T 1, T 3 and in the postanesthesia care unit for blood gas analysis, and the alveolar-arterial partial oxygen pressure difference and oxygenation index were recorded. The adverse reactions within 24 h after operation and the occurrence of postoperative pulmonary complications within 7 days after operation were recorded. Results:Compared with C group, the serum CC-16 and sRAGE concentrations were significantly decreased at the end of operation, the oxygenation index was increased and the alveolar-arterial partial oxygen pressure difference was decreased in the postanesthesia care unit, and the incidence of postoperative nausea reactions within 24 h after operation was decreased in ES1 and ES2 groups ( P<0.05 or 0.01). Compared with ES2 group, the serum CC-16 and sRAGE concentrations were significantly decreased at the end of operation in ES1 group ( P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the driving pressure, dynamic lung compliance and mechanical power at T 1-4 and the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications within 7 days after surgery among the three groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Esketamine given as a subanesthetic bolus of 0.2 mg/kg during anesthesia induction followed by an infusion of 0.125 mg·kg -1·h -1 can alleviate lung injury in elderly patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

Objective:To explore the effect of continuous blood purification (CBP) on the immunity and endothelial cell function of patients with sepsis.Methods:A prospective study was conducted. The patients aged ≥18 years old and meeting the diagnostic criteria of sepsis admitted to the department of critical care medicine of Binzhou Medical University Hospital from March 2019 to October 2020 were selected as the research subjects, and the patients were divided into standard treatment group and CBP treatment group according to random number table method. Both groups were given standard treatment including initial fluid resuscitation, infection source control and antibiotics according to the 2016 international guidelines for the management of sepsis and septic shock. CBP treatment group was additionally given continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) at a dose of 25-30 mL·kg -1·h -1 and blood flow rate of 150-200 mL/min for more than 20 hours a day for 3 days. The clinical data of patients including blood lactic acid (Lac), procalcitonin (PCT), lymphocyte count (LYM), acute physiology and chronic health evaluationⅡ(APACHEⅡ) score, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score were recorded before treatment and 1 day and 3 days after treatment. At the same time, the venous blood was collected, and the immune function related indexes [interleukins (IL-4, IL-7), programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1), programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1), interferon-γ (IFN-γ)] and endothelial cell injury related markers [soluble thrombomodulin (sTM), angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), von Willebrand factor (vWF), heparan sulfate (HS), syndecan-1 (SDC-1)] levels in serum were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay of patients in the two groups was recorded, and the outcomes of patients in the two groups were followed up for 28 days. Results:Finally, 20 patients were enrolled in the standard treatment group, and 19 patients were enrolled in the CBP treatment group. There were no significant differences in gender, age and infection site between the two groups. The length of ICU stay in the standard treatment group was (10±5) days, and 5 patients died and 15 patients survived after 28 days. The length of ICU stay in the CBP treatment group was (9±4) days, and 8 patients died and 11 patients survived after 28 days. There were no significant differences in the length of ICU stay and number of patients who died within 28 days between the two groups (both P > 0.05). There were no significant differences in the Lac, PCT, LYM, APACHEⅡ score, SOFA score and immune function and endothelial cell injury related indexes before treatment and 1 day after treatment between the two groups. After 3 days of treatment, the Lac, PCT, APACHEⅡ score and SOFA score of the CBP treatment group were significantly lower than those before treatment, and pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IFN-γ and IL-4, apoptosis-related indicators such as PD-1 and IL-7, and endothelial injury related factors such as sTM, SDC-1 and HS were significantly improved compared with the pre-treatment, the improvement degree of the above indicators was more obvious than that of the standard treatment group, and LYM was significantly higher than that of the standard treatment group (×10 9/L: 1.3±0.3 vs. 0.9±0.4, P < 0.05), IL-4, IFN-γ, IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio, IL-7, PD-1, sTM, SDC-1, HS, and Ang-2 were significantly lower than those of the standard treatment group [IL-4 (ng/L): 2.8 (1.5, 3.2) vs. 3.3 (2.7, 5.2), IFN-γ (ng/L): 6.3 (5.4, 106.5) vs. 217.9 (71.4, 517.1), IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio: 3.7 (1.8, 70.3) vs. 59.1 (18.3, 124.9), IL-7 (ng/L): 4.6 (3.2, 5.1) vs. 6.3 (5.2, 8.0), PD-1 (μg/L): 0.04 (0.03, 0.06) vs. 0.08 (0.05, 0.12), sTM (μg/L): 4.9 (4.3, 7.4) vs. 8.7 (6.0, 10.8), SDC-1 (μg/L): 0.6 (0.3, 1.1) vs. 0.9 (0.8, 2.5), HS (ng/L): 434.8 (256.2, 805.0) vs. 887.9 (620.1, 957.3), Ang-2 (ng/L): 934.0 (673.3, 1 502.1) vs. 2 233.9 (1 472.5, 3 808.4)], the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). Conclusion:CBP treatment can eliminate the patient's immunosuppressive state, reduce a variety of endothelial injury markers and the degradation of glycocalyx, but cannot decrease the 28-day death risk or shorten the length of ICU stay.

Objective:To investigate the prognostic value of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and blood lipid indexes in patients with sepsis.Methods:Patients with sepsis or septic shock who were ≥ 18 years old and met the Sepsis-3.0 diagnostic criteria admitted to the department of critical care medicine of Binzhou Medical University Hospital from January to October 2021 were enrolled. Healthy adults at the same period were selected as healthy control group. Baseline characteristics, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score were recorded. Venous blood samples were collected within 24 hours after diagnosis, and serum PCSK9 was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at 1, 3 days and 5 days. Meanwhile, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and lipoprotein A were detected. The differences of each index between sepsis group (28-day death group and survival group) and healthy control group were compared. Meanwhile, the indexes of patients with different severity and 28-day prognosis in sepsis group were compared. Receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) was drawn to evaluate the predictive value of PCSK9 and blood lipid for the prognosis of sepsis. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors for the prognosis of sepsis, and the Kaplan-Meier survival curve at 28th day was drawn.Results:There were 50 patients in sepsis group (including 19 patients with sepsis, 31 patients with septic shock) and 27 patients in healthy control group. In the sepsis group, 19 patients died and 31 patients survived within 28 days. The serum PCSK9 in the sepsis group was significantly higher than that in the healthy control group [μg/L: 223.09 (198.47, 250.82) vs. 188.00 (165.27, 214.90), P < 0.01], and HDL-C, LDL-C, TC and lipoprotein A were significantly lower than those in the healthy control group [HDL-C (mmol/L): 0.82±0.35 vs. 1.45±0.24, LDL-C (mmol/L): 1.53 (1.14, 2.47) vs. 2.89 (2.55, 3.19), TC (mmol/L): 2.03 (1.39, 2.84) vs. 4.24 (3.90, 4.71), lipoprotein A (g/L): 8.80 (5.66, 17.56) vs. 27.03 (14.79, 27.03), all P < 0.01]. PCSK9 in the sepsis death group was higher than that in the survival group [μg/L: 249.58 (214.90, 315.77) vs. 207.01 (181.50, 244.95), P < 0.01], and the HDL-C, LDL-C and TC were lower than those in the survival group [HDL-C (mmol/L): 0.64±0.35 vs. 0.93±0.30, LDL-C (mmol/L): 1.32±0.64 vs. 2.08±0.94, TC (mmol/L): 1.39 (1.01, 2.23) vs. 2.69 (1.72, 3.81), all P < 0.01]. With the progression of the disease, the PCSK9 in the sepsis death group and the survival group was significantly lower than that within 1 day of diagnosis (all P < 0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that PCSK9 had higher predictive value of 28-day death than HDL-C, LDL-C, TC [area under ROC curve (AUC) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.748 (0.611-0.885) vs. 0.710 (0.552-0.868), 0.721 (0.575-0.867), 0.702 (0.550-0.854)]. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that PCSK9 was an independent risk factor affecting the 28-day prognosis of sepsis (β value was 1.014, P = 0.020). Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed that when PCSK9 ≥ 208.97 μg/L, with the increase of PCSK9, the 28-day survival rate of sepsis patients decreased significantly. Conclusions:PCSK9, HDL-C, LDL-C and TC can all predict the 28-day prognosis of patients with sepsis. The prognostic value of PCSK9 is the highest. PCSK9 is an independent risk factor affecting the prognosis of sepsis. In the early stage of the disease, PCSK9 may have a good predictive value for the prognosis of sepsis. When PCSK9 ≥ 208.97 μg/L, the 28-day survival rate decreased significantly.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of holographic image technology in robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RARP).Methods:The clinical data of 34 patients with prostate cancer who underwent RARP in our hospital during October 2020 and December 2020 was analyzed retrospectively. The average age of the patients was 67.8 (52-78) years. The mean BMI was 25.8 (18.0-32.3) kg/m 2. The median level of PSA before surgery was 13.4 (2-149) ng/ml. Median prostate volume was 31.7 (9.5-159.1) ml. EAU risk groups for biochemical recurrence of localised and locally advanced prostate cancer were list as below: 5 cases of low-risk, 7 cases of medium-risk, 22 cases of high-risk. There were 9, 16, 9 cases with the ASA score of 1, 2, 3 point, respectively. Preoperative Gleason score of 34 patients were list as below: 9 cases in score ≤6 group, 15 cases in score=7 group, 10 cases in score ≥8 group. For clinical stage before the surgery, 13 cases ≤T 2a stage, 1 case in T 2b stage, 20 cases ≥T 2c stage. The engineers established holographic images of 34 patients based on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) and the reports before the operation. Surgeons can obtain the size and location of tumors, surrounding neurovascular bundles visually by revolving, assembling, disassembling and concealing images, which was helpful for pre-surgery planning. By manipulating the holographic images extracorporeally, surgeons can discriminate Internal sphincter of urinary bladder and vesicoprostatic muscle, neurovascular bundles, membranous part, seminal vesicle easily, which improves the operation accuracy. Results:All 34 cases underwent operation successfully without transferring to open surgery. The median operative time was 157.5 (95-276) min with an estimated blood loss of 50 (20-300) ml. The median drainage removal time was 2 d and median hospitalization time was 3.5 d, respectively. The catheters were removed within an average time of 20.5 d. For postoperative Gleason score, there were 2 cases in score ≤6 group, 16 cases in score =7 group, 8 cases in score ≥8 group and 8 cases can’t make a score. For clinical stage after the surgery, 10 cases were ≤T 2a stage, 1 case was T 2b stage, 23 cases were ≥cT 2c stage. 22 cases underwent pelvic lymph node dissection, including a patient with right iliac fossa lymph node metastasis. There were 2 cases with positive surgical margin and 3 cases with Clavien-DindoⅠcomplications. The rate of 1-month and 3-month urinary continence were 47.1% and79.4%, respectively, 8 cases recovered erectile function after 3 month. Conclusions:Holographic image technology can promote cancer dissection completely, achieve urinary continence early and reduce perioperative complications tremendously. The technology is the "intraoperative security" for the accurate surgical treatment of prostate cancer.

Objective:To investigate the dosimetry advantage of 3D-printed minimally invasive guided template used in local advanced cervical cancer intracavitary combined with interstitial radiotherapy.Methods:A total of 68 cases with locally advanced cervical cancer who were admitted to Hebei Cangzhou Hospital of intergrated traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine from May 2016 to August 2019 were selected. All the patients had eccentric tumor or large tumor (tumor diameter >5 cm) after radiotherapy. Intensity modulated radiotherapy was used for external radiotherapy, and intracavitary combined with interstitial radiotherapy was used for brachytherapy. The prescription dose of high-risk clinical target volume (HR-CTV) is 6 Gy/fraction, once a week, five fractions in total. Sixty-eight patients were randomly divided into two groups, 35 cases in the template group who received minimally invasive 3D printing guided template assisted intrauterine tube implantation and insertion needle implantation, and 33 patients in the free implantation group who received free hand intrauterine tube implantation and insertion needle implantation. The position and depth of the insertion needle were adjusted by CT-guidance, and the final CT image was transmitted to the Oncentra Brachy treatment planning system, then the target volume and organs at risk were delineated for planning and treatment.Results:A total of 340 brchytherapy plans were made, including 175 in the template group and 165 in the free implantation group. The D90 values of the HR-CTV and intermediate-risk clinical target volume (IR-CTV) in the template group were increased ( t=3.63, 2.45, P<0.05), and D2 cm3 values (dose of 2 cm 3 of organ at risk) of bladder, rectum and sigmoid colon were significantly decreased ( t=-2.81, -2.54, -2.33, P<0.05). At the same time, the average CT scanning times of each treatment in the template group was (1.78±0.53) times, the average duration of each treatment was (11.35±3.98) min, and the average number of needles used in each implant treatment was (5.21±1.37). The result of free implantation group was higher than that of the template group. The differences were statistically significant ( t=-2.26, -4.53, -3.21, P<0.05). Conclusions:For localized advanced cervical cancer patients with eccentric or large tumors, the 3D printed minimally invasive guided template for intracavitary and interstitial implantation has obvious dosimetry advantages, and the operation is simpler and the duration is shorter.

Objective:To evaluate the lung protection of pressure-controlled ventilation volume guaranteed (PCV-VG) in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery in Trendelenburg position.Methods:Sixty patients of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅰ-Ⅲ, aged 65-80 yr, with body mass index of 19-27 kg/m 2, scheduled for elective laparoscopic radical prostatectomy or laparoscopic radical cystectomy, were allocated into 2 groups ( n=30 each) by a random number table method: VCV group (group V) and PCV-VG group (group P). Tracheal intubation was performed after induction of anesthesia.The anesthesia machine was connected to perform mechanical ventilation with tidal volume of 7 ml/kg (corrected body weight), positive end-expiratory pressure at 5 cmH 2O, inspiratory/expiratory ratio 1∶2, fraction of inspired oxygen 50%, fresh gas flow at 2 L/min and respiratory rate 12-15 breaths/min in two groups.Recruitment maneuver was performed with a pressure of 30 cmH 2O, lasting for 30 s, starting from 5 min before the end of administration.The airway peak pressure (P peak), airway plateau pressure (P plat), driving pressure (DP), and dynamic lung compliance (Cdyn) were measured at 5 min after intubation (T 1), 5 min after changing position (T 2), 5, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min of pneumoperitoneum (T 3-7) and 5 min after restoring the supine position and after the end of pneumoperitoneum (T 8). Blood samples were collected from the radial artery for blood gas analysis at T 1, T 4 and T 6 and when modified Aldrete score reached 10 in postanesthesia care unit, and pH value, partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO 2), partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO 2), arterial oxygen saturation (SaO 2) and alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient (P A-aO 2) were recorded.Blood samples were collected from the radial artery before induction of anesthesia and at the end of surgery for determination of concentrations of Clara cell protein (CC-16), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and neutrophil elastase (NE) in serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The development of pulmonary complications was recorded within 7 days after surgery. Results:Compared with group V, P peak was significantly decreased at T 1-8, P plat and DP were decreased at T 5-7, Cdyn was increased at T 2-7, P A-aO 2 was decreased at T 1, 4, 6, serum CC-16, IL-6 and NE concentrations were decreased at the end of surgery ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the incidence of pulmonary complications within 7 days after surgery in group P ( P>0.05). Conclusion:PCV-VG can produce lung protection to some extent in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery in Trendelenburg position.

Objective:To explore the value of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), von Willebrand factor (vWF) and other cytokines in predicting the severity and prognosis of sepsis patients.Methods:Patients with sepsis and septic shock who ≥18 years old and met the Sepsis-3 diagnostic criteria admitted to the department of critical care medicine of Binzhou Medical University Hospital from January to June 2019 were taken as the research objects. The healthy individuals for regular health examination in the same period were taken as the control. The basic information, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHEⅡ) and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores were recorded. The venous blood was taken within 24 hours after the patients were diagnosed. The levels of HMGB1, vWF, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-10 (IL-10), soluble thrombomodulin (sTM), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2), angiopoetin-2 (Ang-2) and other cytokines in serum were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Differences among patients with sepsis, septic shock, healthy physical examinees, and patients who died in 28-day and those who survived, were compared. Spearman rank correlation method was used to analyze the correlation among each cytokine and APACHEⅡ, SOFA scores. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to evaluate the predictive value of cytokines on the prognosis of patients with sepsis/septic shock. Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of 28-day death.Results:Eleven patients with sepsis, 25 patients with septic shock and 30 healthy individuals were enrolled. Among the patients with sepsis/septic shock, 15 died in 28-day and 21 survived. The serum levels of TNF-α, IL-10, HMGB1, vWF, sTM and VEGFR-2 in patients with sepsis were significantly higher than those in the healthy control group. The levels of TNF-α, IL-10, HMGB1, vWF, sTM in septic shock group were higher than those in the sepsis group, while the Ang-2 level decreased significantly. The serum levels of TNF-α, IL-10, HMGB1, vWF and sTM in the death group were higher than those in the survival group, while Ang-2 was lower than the survival group. Spearman correlation analysis showed that HMGB1, TNF-α, sTM, IL-10, vWF were positively correlated with APACHEⅡ score when patients with sepsis/septic shock were enrolled ( r values were 0.652, 0.666, 0.445, 0.430 and 0.355, respectively, all P < 0.05), and HMGB1, TNF-α also positively correlated with SOFA score ( r values were 0.433, 0.479, both P < 0.05). Ang-2 was negatively correlated with APACHEⅡ and SOFA scores ( r values were -0.519, -0.440, both P < 0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the predictive value of HMGB1, vWF, IL-10, sTM for 28-day death in patients with sepsis/septic shock were higher than the APACHEⅡ score [the area under ROC curve (AUC) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.946 (0.870-1.000), 0.902 (0.790-1.000), 0.877 (0.745-1.000), 0.868 (0.734-1.000) vs. 0.846 (0.700-0.991)]. Logistic regression analysis showed that APACHEⅡ score, vWF, sTM, and IL-10 were independent risk factors for 28-day death in patients with sepsis/septic shock (β values were 4.731, 0.407, -7.058, -0.887, all P < 0.05). Conclusion:HMGB1, vWF, IL-10, sTM and other cytokines all can be used to evaluate the severity and prognosis of sepsis patients.