OBJECTIVE: To investigate the potential mechanisms of sepsis pathogenesis in intensive care unit (ICU), with a specific focus on the role of skin microbiota, and to evaluate the causal relationships between skin microbiota and ICU sepsis using Mendelian randomization (MR). METHODS: A two-sample MR analysis was performed using skin microbiota genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary data from German population cohorts as exposures, combined with ICU sepsis susceptibility and 28-day mortality GWAS summary data from the IEU OpenGWAS database as outcomes. The primary causal effect estimates were generated using the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method, supplemented by validation through MR-Egger and weighted median approaches. Heterogeneity and pleiotropy tests, along with sensitivity analyses, were conducted to evaluate the robustness of the results. RESULTS: Regarding risk of ICU sepsis, IVW analysis showed that order Pseudomonadales [odds ratio (OR) = 0.93, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 0.88-0.98], family Flavobacteriaceae (OR = 0.93, 95%CI was 0.90-0.96), and genus Acinetobacter (OR = 0.96, 95%CI was 0.93-0.99) were significantly negatively correlated with the risk of ICU sepsis (all P < 0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between the risk of ICU sepsis and the presence of β-Proteobacteria (OR = 1.05, 95%CI was 1.00-1.11) and Actinobacteria (OR = 1.05, 95%CI was 1.00-1.11), both P < 0.05. Regarding 28-day mortality of ICU sepsis, IVW analysis showed that phylum Bacteroidetes (OR = 0.92, 95%CI was 0.86-0.99), family Streptococcaceae (OR = 0.92, 95%CI was 0.85-0.98), family Flavobacteriaceae (OR = 0.90, 95%CI was 0.83-0.97), genus Streptococcus (OR = 0.92, 95%CI was 0.86-0.99), ASV016 [Enhydrobacter] (OR = 0.92, 95%CI was 0.87-0.98), and ASV042 [Acinetobacter] (OR = 0.92, 95%CI was 0.88-0.97) were significantly negatively correlated with the 28-day mortality of ICU sepsis (all P < 0.05); family Moraxellaceae (OR = 1.09, 95%CI was 1.00-1.18) and ASV008 [Staphylococcus] (OR = 1.08, 95%CI was 1.03-1.14) was significantly positively correlated with the 28-day mortality of ICU sepsis (both P < 0.05). Sensitivity analysis and MR-PRESSO showed no heterogeneity, pleiotropy, or horizontal pleiotropy between skin microbiota and ICU sepsis risk and 28-day mortality rate. Analysis of confounding factors showed that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with relevant skin bacteria could independently and causally affect the risk of ICU sepsis or ICU sepsis related mortality rate, independent of other confounding factors. The Steiger test results indicated that the established causal relationship was not due to reverse causality. CONCLUSIONS Skin microbiota composition may influence both sepsis susceptibility and 28-day mortality in ICU settings. Family Flavobacteriaceae demonstrated protective effects against sepsis onset and mortality. These findings provide new perspectives for early detection and management strategies.
Humans ; Sepsis/mortality* ; Intensive Care Units ; Mendelian Randomization Analysis ; Microbiota ; Skin/microbiology* ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Risk Factors ; Skin Microbiome

Objectives:To evaluate the clinical value of the Paris system for reporting urinary cytology (TPS) in the diagnosis of urothelial carcinoma (UC).Methods:A total of 1 744 cytological diagnostic records (from 751 cases) were collected retrospectively. All specimens were voided urines and histopathology as the gold standard. The sensitivity and specificity of urinary cytological diagnosis of UC and risk of high grade malignant (ROHM) in each diagnostic category were compared.Results:There were 360 cases with histopathology. The percentage of negative for high-grade urothelial carcinoma (NHGUC) was 30.1% (226/751), atypical urothelial cells (AUC) was 29.8% (224/751), suspicious for high-grade urothelial carcinoma (SHGUC) was 16.8% (126/751), high grade urothelial carcinoma (HGUC) was 21.2% (159/751), and non-urothelial malignancy (NUM) was 2.1% (16/751). The histpathologic ROHM corresponding to each cytological diagnosis category were 27.3% for NHGUC, 32.7% for AUC, 74.7% for SHGUC, 96.6% for HGUC and 100.0% for NUM, respectively. ROHM of SHGUC was significantly higher than that of AUC group, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( P＜0.001). ROHM of HGUC group was significantly higher than that of SHGUC group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P＜0.001). With SHGUC as the cut-off value, the sensitivity and specificity of cytological diagnosis of HGUC were 76.7% (165/215) and 85.7% (18/21), and with HGUC as the cut-off value, the sensitivity and specificity of cytological diagnosis of HGUC were 53.0% (114/215) and 100.0% (21/21), respectively. Conclusions:Urine cytology has high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of HGUC. The malignant risk of TPS varies with different diagnosis category. The high malignant risk population in cancer hospital leads to the relatively high malignant proportion and ROHM in each diagnosis category. Urinary cytology TPS reporting system is helpful to clinical management and has good clinical application value.

Objective:To evaluate the value of the skeletal muscle index (SMI) and psoas major muscle index(PMI) measured at the third lumbar vertebra(L3) level in the evaluation on nutritional status and prognosis of cirrhosis patients with ascites.Methods:The clinical data of 102 patients with cirrhosis and ascites treated in our department between September 2018 and September 2022 was analyzed retrospectively, the skeletal muscle and psoas muscle area at L3 level were measured, and L3-SMI and L3-PMI were calculated. According to L3-SMI, patients were divided into the sarcopenia group (62 cases) and the normal muscle mass group (40 cases). Differences between the two groups were compared in terms of L3-SMI, L3-PMI, body mass index (BMI), albumin, the rate of re-admissions and mortality during follow-up. The value of each index in nutritional assessment was also explored.Results:L3-SMI, L3-PMI, and albumin in the sarcopenia group were significantly lower than those in the normal muscle mass group, with statistical significance ( P<0.01).The BMI of the sarcopenia group was lower than that of the normal muscle mass group, but the difference was not significant ( P>0.05). L3-PMI showed better performance in nutritional assessment compared with albumin and BMI. The rate of re-admissions and the mortality rate in the sarcopenia group during the follow-up period were significantly higher compared with the normal muscle mass group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:L3-SMI and L3-PMI can effectively reflect the nutritional status of cirrhosis patients with ascites, and are promising indicators for prognosis prediction in cirrhosis patients with ascites.

Epilepsy is a serious neurological disease,and its expensive medical costs have brought a heavy eco-nomic burden to society,families,and individuals.So far,there have been a limited number of studies on the economic burden of epilepsy.This article reviews the current status of the economic burden of epilepsy in China and globally,in or-der to provide a reference for the rational allocation of health resources and the effective formulation of healthcare policies.

Objective To investigate the correlation between fatty infiltration(FI),relative cross-sectional area(rCSA)of the multifidus(MF),erector spinae(ES)and postoperative new symptomatic vertebral compression fractures(NSVCF)for osteoporotic lumbar vertebral compression fractures(OLVCF).Methods The clinical and imaging data of 157 patients with OLVCF treated by surgery were collected.They were divided into postoperative re-fracture group(24 cases)and postoperative non-fracture group(133 cases)according to the presence or absence of NSVCF during the follow-up period.The FI,rCSA of lumbar paravertebral muscles(MF and ES)in the two groups were measured and calculated using Image J software.Univariate difference analysis was performed to compare whether there were differences in gender,age,T value of bone mineral density(BMD),body mass index(BMI),FI and rCSA between the two groups.Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine the risk factors for NSVCF after surgery for OLVCF.Results Univariate difference analysis showed there were significant statistical differences in age(t=-2.596,P=0.010),T value of BMD(t=2.415,P=0.017)and FI(t=-5.006,P＜0.001)between the two groups.There were no significant statistical differences in gender(x2=0.528,P=0.468),BMI(t=1.354,P=0.178)and rCSA(t=-0.057,P=0.955).Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis showed there were significant statistical differences in FI(x2=15.560,P＜0.001),T value of BMD(x2-4.193,P=0.041)between the two groups.Conclusion The higher FI of lumbar paravertebral muscle and the lower T value of BMD of lumbar spine are the risk factors for postoperative NSVCF in patients with OLVCF.It is recommended that clinicians should pay attention to the functional exercise of lumbar dorsal muscles and the anti-osteoporosis therapy in the relevant patients.

Objectives:To evaluate the clinical value of the Paris system for reporting urinary cytology (TPS) in the diagnosis of urothelial carcinoma (UC).Methods:A total of 1 744 cytological diagnostic records (from 751 cases) were collected retrospectively. All specimens were voided urines and histopathology as the gold standard. The sensitivity and specificity of urinary cytological diagnosis of UC and risk of high grade malignant (ROHM) in each diagnostic category were compared.Results:There were 360 cases with histopathology. The percentage of negative for high-grade urothelial carcinoma (NHGUC) was 30.1% (226/751), atypical urothelial cells (AUC) was 29.8% (224/751), suspicious for high-grade urothelial carcinoma (SHGUC) was 16.8% (126/751), high grade urothelial carcinoma (HGUC) was 21.2% (159/751), and non-urothelial malignancy (NUM) was 2.1% (16/751). The histpathologic ROHM corresponding to each cytological diagnosis category were 27.3% for NHGUC, 32.7% for AUC, 74.7% for SHGUC, 96.6% for HGUC and 100.0% for NUM, respectively. ROHM of SHGUC was significantly higher than that of AUC group, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( P＜0.001). ROHM of HGUC group was significantly higher than that of SHGUC group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P＜0.001). With SHGUC as the cut-off value, the sensitivity and specificity of cytological diagnosis of HGUC were 76.7% (165/215) and 85.7% (18/21), and with HGUC as the cut-off value, the sensitivity and specificity of cytological diagnosis of HGUC were 53.0% (114/215) and 100.0% (21/21), respectively. Conclusions:Urine cytology has high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of HGUC. The malignant risk of TPS varies with different diagnosis category. The high malignant risk population in cancer hospital leads to the relatively high malignant proportion and ROHM in each diagnosis category. Urinary cytology TPS reporting system is helpful to clinical management and has good clinical application value.

Humans ; East Asian People ; Nausea/drug therapy* ; Vomiting/drug therapy* ; Antineoplastic Agents/adverse effects* ; Neoplasms/drug therapy*

Objective:To investigate the effects of intravascular hypothermia combined with early post-pyloric feeding on the neurological function and prognosis in patients with severe ischemic stroke, and to provide a theoretical basis for clinical decision-making on the optimal nutritional support strategy for patients with severe ischemic stroke during intravascular hypothermia treatment.Methods:This was a retrospective, non-randomized, controlled study. A total of 78 patients with first severe ischemic stroke who were admitted to the ICU of Neurology Department, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2018 to December 2021 were selected. General information and clinical data of the patients were collected and grouped according to intrvascular hypothermia combined with nutritional support. Patients were divided into early post-pyloric feeding group of 52 cases and early parenteral nutrition group of 26 cases. The neurological prognosis, disease prognosis, nutritional status and complications related to nutritional support of the two groups were retrospectively analyzed.Results:The Glasgow score at 30th day after intravascular hypothermia in the early postpyloric feeding group was (11.25 ± 4.92) points, which was higher than that in the early parenteral nutrition group (8.40 ± 5.53), and the difference was statistically significant ( t=-2.45, P<0.05). After treatment, the serum total protein and hemoglobin of early postpyloric feeding group were (59.56 ± 5.09) g/L and (131.06 ± 19.58) g/L, respectively, which were higher than those of early parenteral nutrition group (56.52 ± 7.94) g/L and (122.07 ± 17.72) g/L. The difference was statistically significant ( t=-2.03, -1.91, P<0.05). The clinical pulmonary infection score of the early postpyloric feeding group was (7.33 ± 0.96) points, which was lower than that of the early parenteral nutrition group (9.42 ± 2.11). The mechanical ventilation time and ICU stay time were (17.46 ± 10.47) days and (28.89 ± 12.59) days, respectively. Compared with the early parenteral nutrition group (25.77 ± 15.20) days and (37.07 ± 17.15) days, the differences were statistically significant ( t=3.28, 2.83, 2.52, all P<0.05). There were no significant differences in catheter-associated bloodstream infection and ICU hospitalization mortality between the two groups (both P>0.05). Conclusions:Intravascular hypothermia combined with early post-pyloric feeding can improve the nutritional status of patients with severe ischemic stroke, effectively control pulmonary infection, shorten mechanical ventilation and hospital stay, and promote neurological repair.

Objective To establish a Cox proportional-hazards prediction model for mortality during short-term hospitalization in patients with liver cirrhosis and sepsis. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 336 patients with liver cirrhosis and sepsis who were admitted to The Third People's Hospital of Kunming from January 2012 to August 2022, and according to whether the patient died during short-term hospitalization, they were divided into death group with 40 patients and survival group with 296 patients. Demographic data, comorbidities, and clinical biochemical parameters were collected and compared between the two groups. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups; the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. The multivariate Cox analysis was used for screening of variables, then a Cox proportional-hazards prediction model was established, and hazard ratio ( HR ) and its 95% confidence interval [ CI ] were calculated; C-index index was used to evaluate the prediction accuracy of the model. The Cox proportional-hazards prediction model was visualized by a nomogram, and calibration curve was plotted to evaluate the consistency between the prediction results of the model and the actual condition. Results Among the 336 patients, there were 261 male patients (77.7%) and 75 female patients (22.3%), with a mean age of 50.0±10.6 years, and 40 patients died, with a mean hospital stay of 16.8±11.3 days (range 8.2-23.0 days). Compared with the survival group, the death group had a significantly higher proportion of patients with an age of ≥60 years, a history of invasive operation within the past two weeks, gastrointestinal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy (HE) or hepatorenal syndrome (HRS), a significantly higher Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS) score, and significantly higher levels of prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time, international normalized ratio, D-dimer, CD4/CD8 ratio, lactate, white blood cell count, norepinephrine, total bilirubin, interleukin-6, procalcitonin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine (all P < 0.05), as well as significantly lower levels of red blood cell count, hemoglobin, albumin, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein (all P < 0.05). The multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that age ( HR =2.602, 95% CI : 1.277-5.303, P =0.008), HE ( HR =2.516, 95% CI : 1.258-5.033, P =0.009), HRS ( HR =2.324, 95% CI : 1.010-5.349, P =0.047), hsCRP ( HR =1.008, 95% CI : 1.003-1.013, P =0.004), MEWS score ( HR =1.205, 95% CI : 1.022-1.422, P =0.027), and PT ( HR =1.076, 95% CI : 1.030-1.124, P =0.027) were independent influencing factors for death in patients with liver cirrhosis and sepsis. The model showed a C-index of 0.857 (95% CI : 0.815-0.920), suggesting that the model had relatively high prediction accuracy, and the calibration curve showed good consistency between the predicted risk and the actual risk. Conclusion The Cox proportional-hazards prediction model established for death during short-term hospitalization in patients with liver cirrhosis and sepsis can be used to predict the risk of death during short-term hospitalization in patients with liver cirrhosis and sepsis, thereby guiding clinical medical staff to take targeted intervention measures to avoid or reduce the possibility of death in patients.

Background::Primary cardiac lipoma is very rare, and no consensus has been developed regarding its ideal treatment strategy. This study reviewed the surgical treatment of cardiac lipomas in 20 patients over 20 years.Methods::Twenty patients with cardiac lipomas were treated at Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College from January 1, 2002, to January 1, 2022. The patients' clinical data and pathological reports were retrospectively analyzed, and the follow-up with a range of 1 year to 20 years was conducted.Results::The cardiac lipomas were located in the right atrium (RA) or superior vena cava (SVC) in seven patients (35%) (RA in six patients and SVC in one patient), left ventricle in eight patients (40%) (left ventricular chamber in four patients and left ventricular subepicardium and myocardium in four patients), right ventricle in three patients (15%) (right ventricular chamber in one patient and right ventricular subepicardial layer and myocardium in two patients), subepicardial interventricular groove in one patient (5%), and pericardium in one patient (5%). Complete resection was achieved in 14 patients (70%), including seven patients with lipomas in the RA or SVC. Incomplete resection occurred in six patients (30%) with lipomas in the ventricles. No perioperative deaths occurred. Long-term follow-up was conducted for 19 patients (95%), including two (10%) who died. Both patients who died had lipomas incompletely resected due to ventricles involvement, and preoperative malignant arrhythmias persisted post-operatively.Conclusions::The complete resection rate was high, and the long-term prognosis was satisfactory in patients with cardiac lipomas that did not involve the ventricle. The complete resection rate was low in patients with cardiac lipomas in ventricles; and complications, including malignant arrhythmia, were common. Failure of complete resection and post-operative ventricular arrhythmia are correlated with post-operative mortality.