Effect of Early Enteral Nutrition Combined with Probiotics on the Nutritional Status of Patients with Severe Craniocerebral Injury

Objective:To observe the effect of early enteral nutrition combined with probiotics on the nutritional status of patients with severe craniocerebral injury.Methods:Thirty-five patients with severe craniocerebral injury were divided into the study group(17 patients)and the control group(18 patients)according to the method of a randomized numerical table;both groups of patients started enteral nutrition via nasogastric tube within 24–48 hours after admission to the hospital,and probiotics were given in addition to the study group.Hemoglobin,total plasma protein,albumin,prealbumin,cholinesterase,fasting blood glucose,and other indexes were monitored before and early morning after enteral nutrition support,and upper arm circumference(AC),triceps skinfold thickness(TSF),and upper arm muscle circumference(AMC)were measured,and gastrointestinal response and time to first defecation of the patients were observed and compared with GCS score.Results:The hemoglobin,serum albumin,prealbumin,cholinesterase,and total plasma protein levels in the study group were significantly higher and fasting blood glucose levels were significantly lower than those in the control group after treatment(P<0.05).The incidence of reflux and constipation in the study group was lower than that in the control group,and the time to first defecation was shorter than that in the control group(P<0.05).After treatment,AC,TSF,and AMC were higher in the study group than in the control group(P<0.05).GCS scores were significantly higher in both groups after treatment,but the trend was more pronounced in the study group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Compared with simple enteral nutrition,enteral nutrition combined with probiotics can better correct metabolic disorders after heavy craniocerebral injury and improve the nutritional status of patients.

Clinical Evaluation of Enteral Nutrition+Probiotics in the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Dysfunction After Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

Objective:To evaluate the therapeutic effect of enteral nutrition+probiotics in patients with gastrointestinal dysfunction after severe craniocerebral injury.Methods:From September 2018 to February 2023,80 patients(20-82 years old)with gastrointestinal dysfunction who were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at the Third People’s Hospital of Xining were included in the study.Their primary condition was severe craniocerebral injury,and all of them received conventional symptomatic treatment.Group A received enteral nutrition+probiotic therapy,whereas group B received enteral nutrition only.The differences in the following indicators were compared before and after treatment:nutritional and biochemical indicators,gastrointestinal function indicators,Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS),Sequential Organ Failure Assessment(SOFA),APACHE II score,serum procalcitonin(PCT),neutrophil(N)ratio,and C reactive protein(CRP).Result:The nutritional and biochemical indicators in group A were higher than those in group B,P<0.05;the time to first passage of flatus,time to first passage of stool,and bowel sound recovery time in group A were shorter than those in group B,P<0.05;the GCS of group A was higher than that of group B,P<0.05;the SOFA and APACHEⅡscores of group A were not different from those of group B,P>0.05;and the PCT,N ratio,and CRP levels of group A were lower than those of group B,P<0.05.Conclusion:In patients with gastrointestinal dysfunction after severe craniocerebral injury,enteral nutrition+probiotic therapy is highly effective and feasible,as it can optimize various nutritional indicators,shorten the gastrointestinal function recovery time,and reduce the body’s stress response.

Craniocerebral injury promotes the repair of peripheral nerve injury

The increase in neurotrophic factors after craniocerebral injury has been shown to promote fracture healing. Moreover, neurotrophic factors play a key role in the regeneration and repair of peripheral nerve. However, whether craniocerebral injury alters the repair of peripheral nerve injuries remains poorly understood. Rat injury models were established by transecting the left sciatic nerve and using a free-fall device to induce craniocerebral injury. Compared with sciat- ic nerve injury alone after 6-12 weeks, rats with combined sciatic and craniocerebral injuries showed decreased sciatic functional index, increased recovery of gastrocnemius muscle wet weight, recovery of sciatic nerve ganglia and corresponding spinal cord segment neuron mor- phologies, and increased numbers of horseradish peroxidase-labeled cells. These results indicate that craniocerebral injury promotes the repair of peripheral nerve injury.

Application effect for a care bundle in optimizing nursing of patients with severe craniocerebral injury

BACKGROUND Severe craniocerebral injury(STBI)is a critical physical trauma caused by a sudden external force acting on the head.The condition is complex and changeable,and disability and mortality rates are high.Although the life of STBI patients can be saved through treatment,the sequelae of consciousness,speech,cognitive impairment,stiffness,spasm,pain and abnormal behavior in the early rehabilitation stage can be a heavy burden to a family.In the past,routine nursing was often used to treat/manage STBI;however,problems,such as improper cooperation and untimely communication,reduced therapeutic effectiveness.AIM To investigate the effect of a proposed care bundle to optimize the first aid process and assess its effectiveness on the early rehabilitation nursing of patients with STBI.METHODS From January 2019 to December 2020,126 STBI patients were admitted to the emergency department of Chongqing Emergency Medical Center.These patients were retrospectively selected as the research participants in the current study.The study participants were then divided into a control group(61 cases)and a study group(65 cases).The control group was treated with routine nursing.The study group adopted the proposed care bundle.The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale/Score and Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS)were used to evaluate neurological function before and after emergency treatment.After 3 mo of rehabilitation,experimental outcomes were assessed.These included the GCS,Barthel Index,complication rate,muscle strength grade and satisfaction.RESULTS There was no significant difference in gender,age,cause of injury and GCS between the two groups.After emergency,the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale/Score of the study group(10.23±3.26)was lower than that of the control group(14.79±3.14).The GCS score of the study group(12.48±2.38)was higher than that of the control group(9.32±2.01).The arrival time of consultation in the study group was 20.56±19.12,and the retention time in the emergency room was 45.12±10.21,which were significantly shorter than those in the control group.After 3 mo of rehabilitation management,the GCS and Barthel Index of the study group were 14.56±3.75 and 58.14±12.14,respectively,which were significantly higher than those of the control group.The incidence of complications in the study group(15.38%)was significantly lower than that in the control group(32.79%).The proportion of muscle strength≥grade III in the study group(89.23%)was significantly higher than that in the control group(50.82%).The satisfaction of patients in the study group was significantly higher than that in the control group.CONCLUSION Care bundles are used to optimize the nursing process.During first-aid,care bundles can effectively improve the rescue effect and improve neurological function of STBI patients as well as shorten the treatment time.In early rehabilitation,they can effectively improve the consciousness of STBI patients,improve the activities of daily living,reduce the risk of complications,accelerate the recovery of muscle strength and improve their satisfaction.

Early hyperbaric oxygen therapy inhibits aquaporin 4 and adrenocorticotropic hormone expression in the pituitary gland of rabbits with blast-induced craniocerebral injury

In the present study, rabbits were treated with hyperbaric oxygen for 1 hour after detonator-blastinduced craniocerebral injury. Immunohistochemistry showed significantly reduced aquaporin 4 expression and adrenocorticotropic hormone expression in the pituitary gland of rabbits with craniocerebral injury. Aquaporin 4 expression was positively correlated with adrenocorticotropic hormone expression. These findings indicate that early hyperbaric oxygen therapy may suppress adrenocorticotropic hormone secretion by inhibiting aquaporin 4 expression.

Impact of failure mode and effects analysis-based emergency management on the effectiveness of craniocerebral injury treatment

BACKGROUND Craniocerebral injuries encompass brain injuries,skull fractures,cranial soft tissue injuries,and similar injuries.Recently,the incidence of craniocerebral injuries has increased dramatically due to the increased numbers of traffic accidents and aerial work injuries,threatening the physical and mental health of patients.AIM To investigate the impact of failure modes and effects analysis(FMEA)-based emergency management on craniocerebral injury treatment effectiveness.METHODS Eighty-four patients with craniocerebral injuries,treated at our hospital from November 2019 to March 2021,were selected and assigned,using the random number table method,to study(n=42)and control(n=42)groups.Patients in the control group received conventional management while those in the study group received FMEA theory-based emergency management,based on the control group.Pre-and post-interventions,details regarding the emergency situation;levels of inflammatory stress indicators[Interleukin-6(IL-6),C-reactive protein(CRP),and procalcitonin(PCT)];incidence of complications;prognoses;and satisfaction regarding patient care were evaluated for both groups.RESULTS For the study group,the assessed parameters[pre-hospital emergency response time(9.13±2.37 min),time to receive a consultation(2.39±0.44 min),time needed to report imaging findings(1.15±4.44 min),and test reporting time(32.19±6.23 min)]were shorter than those for the control group(12.78±4.06 min,3.58±0.71 min,33.49±5.51 min,50.41±11.45 min,respectively;P<0.05).Pre-intervention serum levels of IL-6(78.71±27.59 pg/mL),CRP(19.80±6.77 mg/L),and PCT(3.66±1.82 ng/mL)in the study group patients were not significantly different from those in the control group patients(81.31±32.11 pg/mL,21.29±8.02 mg/L,and 3.95±2.11 ng/mL respectively;P>0.05);post-intervention serum indicator levels were lower in both groups than pre-intervention levels.Further,serum levels of IL-6(17.35±5.33 pg/mL),CRP(2.27±0.56 mg/L),and PCT(0.22±0.07 ng/mL)were lower in the study group than in the control group(30.15±12.38 pg/mL,3.13±0.77 mg/L,0.38±0.12 ng/mL,respectively;P<0.05).The complication rate observed in the study group(9.52%)was lower than that in the control group(26.19%,P<0.05).The prognoses for the study group patients were better than those for the control patients(P<0.05).Patient care satisfaction was higher in the study group(95.24%)than in the control group(78.57%,P<0.05).CONCLUSION FMEA-based craniocerebral injury management effectively shortens the time spent on emergency care,reduces inflammatory stress and complication risk levels,and helps improve patient prognoses,while achieving high patient care satisfaction levels.

Treatment of singultus following craniocerebral injury Intranasal cavity drip infusion versus intramuscular injection of aminazine

Craniocerebral injury always accompanies with singultus, while frequent singultus may cause increased intracranial pressure. Simultaneously, respiratory alkalosis and cerebral hypoxia induced by respiratory disorder may aggravate craniocerebral injury. OBJECTIVE： To observe the therapeutic effects of intranasal cavity drip infusion of aminazine and intramuscular injection on singultus following craniocerebral injury. DESIGN： Contrast observation. SETTING： Department ofNeurosurgery, Xi＇an Aerospace General Hospital. PARTICIPANTS： A total of 102 patients with singultus following craniocerebral injury were selected from the Department of Neurosurgery, Xi＇an Aerospace General Hospital from June 2001 to June 2006. Patients with craniocerebral injury were diagnosed with CT examination and randomly divided into nasal cavity medication group （n =62） and intramuscular injection group （n =40）. There were 44 males and 18 females in the nasal cavity medication group and their mean age was （33±4） years; while, there were 26 males and 14 females in the intramuscular injection group and their mean age was （29±4） years. All patients and their relatives provided the confirmed consent. METHODS： Patients in the nasal cavity medication group were slowly dripped aminazine solution into bilateral nasal cavity with the dosage of 12.5 mg （0.5 mL）. Patients who had no obvious effect or had mild improvement received the treatment once every 6 hours. The treatment was stopped if symptoms were also observed after the fifth medication. In addition, patients in the intramuscular injection group received intramuscular injection of 50 mg aminazine. Patients who had no obvious effect or had mild improvement received the treatment once every 6 hours. The treatment was changed if symptoms were also observed after the fifth medication. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Therapeutic effects of different medications in the two groups. RESULTS： All 102 patients were involved in the final analysis. Effective rate in the nasal cavity medication group was higher than that in the intramuscular injection group, and there was significant difference （ x^2= 11.882, P 〈 0.01 ）. At 6 hours after onset of singultus, effective rate in the nasal cavity medication group was higher than that in the intramuscular injection group, and there was significant difference （ x^2 =8.188, P 〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION： Therapeutic effects of intranasal cavity drip infusion of aminazine on singultus following craniocerebral injury are superior to those of intramuscular injection.

Changes in circulating inflammatory cells and the relationship to secondary brain injury in patients with craniocerebral injury

BACKGROUND：Recent studies have indicated that reactive encephalitis plays an important role in secondary tissue damage after craniocerebral injury. OBJECTIVE： To observe changes in white blood cells （WBC） and polymorphonuclear neutrophils （PMN） in peripheral blood, and to determine their role in secondary brain insult in patients with craniocerebral injury. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A case-control study at the Department of Neurosurgery of the Affiliated Hospital North Sichuan University of Medical Sciences between August 2007 and May 2008. PARTICIPANTS： Sixty-three patients, admitted within 24 hours after craniocerebral injury and who received no surgery, were included in the study. The cohort consisted of 41 males and 22 females, aged 9–72 years, with an average age of 42 years. Ten healthy volunteers, selected from the Department of Neurosurgery, were designated as the control group. METHODS： WBC and PMN from the peripheral blood were measured 0, 24, 48, 72, and 168 hours after admission to hospital. The Glasgow coma scale, area of cerebral hemorrhage, and degree of brain edema were simultaneously determined. The Glasgow outcome scale was evaluated six months after injury. The relationship between changes in WBC and PMN were analyzed. Sixty-three patients were divided into 0, 24, 48, 72, and 168 hours groups, with admission time to hospital as the determining factor. As controls, WBC and PMN of peripheral blood were also detected in 10 healthy volunteers. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： The main outcome measures were WBC and PMN counts in the peripheral blood at 0, 24, 48, 72, and 168 hours after admission to hospital, the mutual relationship between GCS, WBC and PMN, and changes in brain hemorrhage volume and edema size. RESULTS： WBC peaked at 24 hours after injury, and PMN peaked at 48 hours after injury （P 〈 0.01）. These measures negatively correlated to the Glasgow coma scale （r = -0.657, -0.541, respectively, P 〈 0.05）. In patients with Glasgow coma sale 〈 8, WBC and PMN were significantly higher than in the patients with GCS ≥ 8 （P 〈 0.05）. Cerebral hemorrhage reached a peak at 24 hours after injury, and the degree of brain edema was maximal at 168 hours after injury. WBC and PMN counts were positively correlated to cerebral hemorrhage volume and brain edema size （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： WBC and PMN counts significantly increased after craniocerebral injury and exhibited a correlation with the GCS score, volume of hemorrhage and edema, and Glasgow outcome scale.

The clinical value of dynamic ultrasound measurement of optic nerve sheath diameter in the treatment of patients with moderate and severe craniocerebral injury

Objective:To explore the clinical value of dynamic ultrasound monitoring of optic nerve sheath diameter(ONSD)in the treatment of patients with moderate and severe head injury(CI).Methods:A total of 160 patients with moderate and severe CI admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University from January 2018 to January 2020 were selected and divided into observation group(80 cases)and control group(80 cases)a Januaryccording to the random number table.Patients in control group and observation group were dehydrated to reduce intracranial pressure(ICP)according to clinical symptoms/brain CT and ONSD monitoring guidance.National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS),Acute Physiology and Chronic Health EvaluationⅡ(APACHEⅡ),Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS),complications,prognosis,ICU stay time and mechanical ventilation time were compared between the two groups.Results:NIHSS score[control group:(19.58±3.19)points vs(37.98±5.75)points,observation group:(10.33±2.42)points vs(38.05±5.83)points]and APACHE II score[control group:(14.55±2.17)points vs(19.87±3.50)points,observation group:(8.71±2.03)points vs(20.12±3.56)points]of the two groups at 1 month after injury were significantly lower than those at admission(P<0.05),GCS score[control group:(10.78±1.66)points vs(8.03±1.34)points,observation group:(13.10±1.72)points vs(7.99±1.32)points]were significantly higher than that at admission(P<0.05).At 1 month after injury,NIHSS score[(10.33±2.42)points vs(19.58±3.19)points],APACHE II score[(8.71±2.03)points vs(14.55±2.17)points]in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05),and GCS score[(13.10±1.72)points vs(10.78±1.66)points]in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P<0.05).The proportion of hydrocephalus(2.50%vs 12.50%),total complication rate(5.00%vs 21.25%),proportion of severe disability(5.00%vs 17.50%),proportion of survival in plant man(3.75%vs 15.00%),mortality rate(2.50%vs 12.50%),ICU stay time[(5.01±1.25)d vs(8.38±2.29)D],mechanical ventilation time[(2.18±0.75)D]in observation group were lower than those in the control group,and the good rate(56.25%vs 32.50%)and the total effective rate(93.75%vs 72.50%)in the control group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Dynamic ultrasound monitoring ONSD is effective in guiding dehydration treatment of patients with moderate and severe CI,it can significantly reduce ICP and complications,improve prognosis,which is worthy of promotion and application.

Intentional Penetrating Craniocerebral Injury Caused by a Nail: Clinical Presentation and Management of Three Cases

The authors report on their experience in the medical and surgical management of three cases of penetrating craniocerebral injuries caused by a nail. In all three cases, it was an aggression. Two of the three patients were male. The cranial locations affected were respectively left parietal, right temporal and right frontal. The Glasgow coma score (GCS) was between 9 and 13. None of the patients had a motor deficit. A plain skull radiographs was performed for each patient. All patients underwent surgery and all received antibiotic therapy and tetanus vaccination. In two cases, post-operative outcome was simple. Recovery was complete without sequelae. The patient with a GCS of 9 died the day after surgery.

Clinical Observation on Effect of Xuesaitong Injection (血塞通注射液) as Auxiliary Treatment of Severe Craniocerebral Injury

Objective To evaluate the effect of Xuesai-tong injection (XSTI, 血塞通注射液 , a preparation of Panax Notoginseng) as auxilliary treatment of severe craniocerebral injury. Methods Eighty-seven patients with severe craniocerebral injury were selected and randomly divided into the treated group (n=44) and the control group (n = 43), they were treated with conventional treatment, and XSTI was given additionally to the treated group. Intracranial pressure (ICP) and Glasgow coma score (GCS) of all patients were measuredafter 1 or 2-week treatment, and Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) of them was determined 3 months later. Then the therapeutic effect in the two groups were compared. Results After treatment, the ICP was lower, GCS higher and GOS better in the treated group than those in the control group significantly, all showing statistical significance (P<0.05). Conclusion XSTI has marked clinical therapeutic effect in treating patients with severe craniocerebral injury.Original article on CJITWM (Chin) 2004 ;23 (3): 213

Correlation study of relative parameters of intracranial pressure and prognosis of patient with craniocerebral injury

Objective:To analyze the correlation of the relative parameters of intracranial pressure to the prognosis in patients with craniocerebral injury.Methods:The clinical data of 80 patients with closed craniocerebral injury were retrospectively analyzed,and all of these patients underwent conventional examinations of arterial blood pressure and intracranial pressure.Neumatic DCR system was used to monitor relative parameters of intracranial pressure from patients.According to the score of Glasgow outcome scale(GOS)upon discharge,they were divided into favorable prognosis group(GOSⅢ-Ⅴ,n=46)and unfavorable prognosis group(GOSⅠ-Ⅱ,n=34).The relative parameters of intracranial pressure of two groups were compared so as to analyze the correlation of the prognosis in patients to ICP-related parameters.Results:Pressure reactivity index(PRx)and intracranial pressure(ICP)of favorable prognosis group were significantly higher than those of unfavorable prognosis group(t=12.27,t=5.22,p<0.05).Meanwhile,cerebral perfusion pressure(CPP)and ICP-ABP wave amplitude correlation(IAAC)of favorable prognosis group were significantly lower than those of unfavorable prognosis group(t=14.54,t=14.78,p<0.05).The average age,gender,duration of admission to neurosurgical intensive care unit(NICU)and GCS(Glasgow coma scale)score on admission of the two groups were not statistically significant.Conclusions:The prognosis and ICP-related parameters(such as PRx,ICP,CPP,etc.)in patients with craniocerebral injury are risk factors for the prognosis effect.Therefore,to monitor the above-mentioned indicators has an important clinical value for assessing the prognosis of craniocerebral injury.

Parametric analysis of craniocerebral injury mechanism in pedestrian trafficaccidents based on finite element methods

Purpose:The toughest challenge in pedestrian traffic accident identification lies in ascertaining injurymanners.This study aimed to systematically simulate and parameterize 3 types of craniocerebral injuryincluding impact injury,fall injury,and run-over injury,to compare the injury response outcomes ofdifferent injury manners.Methods:Based on the total human model for safety(THUMS)and its enhanced human model THUMShollow structures,a total of 84 simulations with 3 injury manners,different loading directions,andloading velocities were conducted.Von Mises stress,intracranial pressure,maximum principal strain,cumulative strain damage measure,shear stress,and cranial strain were employed to analyze the injuryresponse of all areas of the brain.To examine the association between injury conditions and injuryconsequences,correlation analysis,principal component analysis,linear regression,and stepwise linearregression were utilized.Results:There is a significant correlation observed between each criterion of skull and brain injury(p<0.01 in all Pearson correlation analysis results).A 2-phase increase of cranio-cerebral stress andstrain as impact speed increases.In high-speed impact(>40 km/h),the Von Mises stress on the skull waswith a high possibility exceed the threshold for skull fracture(100 MPa).When falling and makingtemporal and occipital contact with the ground,the opposite side of the impacted area experienceshigher frequency stress concentration than contact at other conditions.Run-over injuries tend to have amore comprehensive craniocerebral injury,with greater overall deformation due to more adequate kinetic energy conduction.The mean value of maximum principal strain of brain and Von Mises stress ofcranium at run-over condition are 1.39 and 403.8 MPa,while they were 1.31,94.11 MPa and 0.64,120.5 MPa for the impact and fall conditions,respectively.The impact velocity also plays a significant rolein craniocerebral injury in impact and fall loading conditions(the p of all F-test<0.05).A regressionequation of the craniocerebral injury manners in pedestrian accidents was established.Conclusion:The study distinguished the craniocerebral injuries caused in different manners,elucidatedthe biomechanical mechanisms of craniocerebral injury,and provided a biomechanical foundation forthe identification of craniocerebral injury in legal contexts.

Apoptosis-related protein expression in rabbits with blast brain injury following early hyperbaric oxygen therapy

We treated detonator-explosion-induced craniocerebral injury in rabbits with hyperbaric oxygen 1 24 hours post-injury. Expression of the apoptosis-regulating protein cytochrome c, the pro-apoptotic protein Bax and the apoptosis marker caspase-3 in the tissues surrounding the area of injury was significantly reduced, while that of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 was significantly increased. Our findings indicate that the curative effects of early hyperbaric oxygen on cortical cell apoptosis is associated with suppression of cytochrome c release from mitochondria. This mechanism underlies the observed reduction in Bax expression and upregulation of Bcl-2 expression.

The prospective study of the relationship between perimesencephalic cistern of CT scanning and the outcome of the patients with acute craniocerebral injury

Objective: To explore prospectively the relationship between the state of perimesencephalic cistern and the degree of deformation of the midbrain on CT scanning and the outcome of the patients with acute craniocerebral injury.Methods: The CT scan features including the states of perimesencephalic cisterns, the deformations of the midbrain and the ratios of the occipitofrontal diameter and the transverse diameter of the midbrain of 132 cases were measured. The GOS of the patients 3 months after trauma were regarded as outcome.Results: The rate of unfavorable outcome ( dead, vegetative status, severe disability ) was significantly correlated with perimesencephalic cistern narrower than 1mm (P < 0.05), especially narrower than 0.5 mm (P < 0.005), deformed midbrain (P< 0.005) or abnormal ratio ( < 0.9 or >.1) of the occipitofrontal diameter and transverse diameter of the midbrain (P < 0.01). But the patient's perimesencephalic cistern wider than 1mm and the patients without deformed midbrain got favorable outcome (moderate disability/good recovery).Conclusions: The state of the compressedperimesencephalic cistern ( < 1 mm) and the deformation of the midbrain may significantly indicate unfavorable outcome of the patients with acute craniocerebral injury.

Clinical diagnosis and treatment of abdominal visceral injury complicated by craniocerebral injury

Objective ： To improve the cure rate of patients with abdominal visceral injury complicated by craniocerebral injury. Methods： Clinical data of 176 cases of abdominal visceral injury complicated by craniocerebral injury were retrospectively analyzed. Results： In this series, 44 cases died and the mortality was 25.0%. The main cause of death is abdominal visceral injury combined with shock and severe craniocerebral injury. Conclusions： It is essential to improve the cure rate by accurate diagnosis at early stage. Abdominal paracentesis and CT should be performed promptly and dynamically. Priority should be given to the treatment of life-threatening injuries.

Application of ulinastatin in severe craniocerebral injuries

Objective: To assess the therapeutic effect of ulinastatin on severe craniocerebral injuries and to explore its mechanism. Methods: There were 87 cases of severe brain injury in this series and they were either treated by ulinastatin (treatment group, 41 cases) or not (control group, 46 cases) besides routine managements. We estimated C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, superoxide dismutase, and endothelin from plasmas of all the cases on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th day after injury. Results: C-reactive protein level rose on the 1st and 3rd day after injury in the two groups, but descended in treatment group on the 5th and 7th day and was significantly lower than that in control group (P< 0.01). No significant difference was found for interleukin-6 in two groups during 1-5 days after injury, but on the 7th day, it decreased significantly in treatment group than control one (P< 0.01). Superoxide dismutase was higher in treatment group than control one in 5-7 days after injury (P< 0.01). Endothelin elevated on the 1st day after injury but dropped afterwards in the two groups, in which the level in treatment group was lower than that in control one. The incidence of gastrointestinal hemorrhage was lower in treatment group than control one (P< 0.01). Conclusions: Ulinastatin has the function of protecting cerebral tissue, reducing the incidence of gastrointestinal hemorrhage, improving hepatic and renal function and prognosis.

The risk factors of nosocomial infection in severe craniocerebral trauma

Objective: To explore the risk factors of nosocomial infection in severe craniocerebral trauma and the way of prevention.Methods: The clinical data of 387 patients with severe craniocerebral trauma were reviewed.Results: The total nosocomial infection rate of this study was 22.99 %. Pulmonary nosocomial infection presented most frequently. The G bacilli were the most common infectious bacteria. The mortality rate of the infection group was 38.20 %.Conclusions: Complications of nosocomial infection affect the prognosis of craniocerebral trauma patients. Nosocomial infection is related to the age of the patients, craniocerebral trauma severity, unreasonable utilization of antibiotics and invasive operations, such as tracheal cannula, mechanical ventilation, urethral catheterization and deep venous catheterization. Patients with severe craniocerebral trauma should be carefully treated and nursed to avoid nosocomial infection. In order to reduce the rate of nosocomial infection, intensive measurement should be adopted.

A Strategy for Detecting Absorbed Bioactive Compounds for Quality Control in the Water Extract of Rhubarb by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography with Photodiode Array Detector

Objective： To detect absorbed bioactive compounds of the water extract whose pharmacodynamic effect was craniocerebral protection for quality control assessment. Methods： Anthraquinones in water extract of rhubarb （WER）, in cerebrospinal fluid （CSF） of patients with traumatic brain injury （TBI） and in ipsilateral cortex of TBI rats following oral WER were respectively explored by ultra performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detector （UPLC-PDA） method developed in the present study. The effects of anthraquinones absorbed into injured cortex on superoxidase dismutase （SOD） activity in TBI rats were detected. The antioxidative anthraquinones absorbed into target organ were evaluated for quality control of WER. Results： Anthraquinones in WER were aloe-emodin, rhein, emodin, chrysophanol, and physcion. Only the last anthraquinone was found in CSF and in ipsilateral cortex under this chromatographic condition. Physcion increased SOD activity in TBI rats significantly. Conclusions： Physcion was the main active compound of rhubarb against craniocerebral injury via antioxidant pathway. According to our strategy, the exploration of physcion suggested the possibility of a novel quality control of WER in treating TBI injury.