Rifaximin discontinuation during broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment in critically ill patients with hepatic encephalopathy

Hepatic encephalopathy(HE)is one of the main complications of cirrhosis,characterized by a wide spectrum of neuropsychiatric alterations that lead to an increase in mortality,morbidity and recurrent hospitalizations.Due to the central role in HE pathogenesis of ammonia and other neurotoxins primarily produced by the gut microbiota,the main therapeutic approaches for the treatment of HE are based on the modulation of the gut microbiota.Rifaximin is a non-absorbable broad-spectrum antibiotic,that is effective against ammonia-producing grampositive,gram-negative,and anaerobic species,approved for the treatment of HE in secondary prophylaxis.The chronic administration of rifaximin in this setting is associated with a lower risk of HE recurrence and mortality,while the role of rifaximin for the treatment of an overt-HE episode in inpatients is still unclear.Limited data exist about the coadministration of rifaximin and broad-spectrum antibiotics commonly used to treat concomitant infections,as patients receiving or recently treated with antibiotics were frequently excluded from clinical trials.In this editorial we comment on the article by Ward et al published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Hepatology.It is a single center,retrospective,quasiexperimental,pharmacist-driven protocol,with the aim to evaluate the feasibility and safety of rifaximin discontinuation in critically ill patients with HE and chronic liver disease receiving broad-spectrum antibiotic therapies in intensive care units.The study revealed no differences between the protocol and control group in terms of primary outcome(days alive and free of delirium and coma to day 14)and secondary outcomes which include:Intensive care mortality,intensive care length of stay,intravenous vasopressor requirement changes and adverse effects rate.Therefore,rifaximin discontinuation during broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy does not appear to negatively impact the clinical status of critically ill liver patients,with a similar safety profile and significant cost savings,as compared to the coadministration of rifaximin and broad-spectrum antibiotics.In agreement with Ward et al,a recently published double-blind,randomized controlled trial provided additional evidence to support the feasibility of withholding rifaximin during broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy in critically ill cirrhotic patients.However,given the limitations of these studies,further multicentric and prospective clinical trials,enrolling a larger sample of non-critically ill patients,are needed to better establish the role of rifaximin in this setting.

Cytomegalovirus infection in non-immunocompromised critically ill patients:A management perspective

Critically ill patients are a vulnerable group at high risk of developing secondary infections.High disease severity,prolonged intensive care unit(ICU)stay,sepsis,and multiple drugs with immunosuppressive activity make these patients prone to immuneparesis and increase the risk of various opportunistic infections,including cytomegalovirus(CMV).CMV seroconversion has been reported in up to 33%of ICU patients,but its impact on patient outcomes remains a matter of debate.Even though there are guidelines regarding the management of CMV infection in immunosuppressive patients with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immuno deficiency syndrome,the need for treatment and therapeutic approaches in immunocompetent critically ill patients is still ambiguous.Even the diagnosis of CMV infection may be challenging in such patients due to non-specific symptoms and multiorgan involvement.Hence,a better understanding of the symptomatology,diagnostics,and treatment options may aid intensive care physicians in ensuring accurate diagnoses and instituting therapeutic interventions.

Nursing Experience of Early Application of Nasoenteric Tube for Enteral Nutrition in Critically Ill ICU Patients

Objective:To investigate the effective nursing measures of early application of nasoenteric tube for enteral nutrition in critically ill patients in ICU,and to summarize the nursing experience.Methods:The study was carried out in June 2023–November 2023.62 samples of ICU critically ill patients were selected,all of whom used enteral nutrition by mesenteric tube and were grouped into an observation group(n=31)and a control group(n=31)by using the numerical table randomization method.The patients in the control group were basic nursing interventions,and the patients in the observation group were comprehensive quality care,comparing the nutritional indexes,complication rates,and nursing satisfaction between the two groups.Results:All nutritional indicators of the observation group were higher than those of the control group after nursing intervention(P<0.05);the complication rate of the observation group was lower than that of the control group(P<0.05);the nursing satisfaction of the observation group was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Comprehensive quality nursing care during the early application of a gastroenteric tube for enteral nutrition in critically ill patients in the ICU can improve nutritional indexes,reduce the incidence of complications and improve nursing satisfaction.

Research on the Application of Evidence-Based Quality Control Circle to Improve the Implementation Rate of Airway Management Measures in Adult Critically Ill Patients

Objective: To explore the effect of evidence-based quality control circle (QCC) in improving the implementation rate of airway management measures in adult critically ill patients. Methods: Based on the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) evidence-based health care model, the best evidence of airway management in adult critically ill patients was obtained and applied to the clinic. Results: The total implementation rate of airway management measures in adult critically ill patients increased from 23.62% before the implementation of quality control circle to 88.82%, and the pulmonary infection rate in critically ill patients decreased from 42.31% to 21.74%, with statistical significance between the two groups (P 0.05). Conclusion: Evidence-based quality control circle activities can standardize the practice standards of airway management in critically ill patients, reduce the occurrence of patients’ airway related complications, and improve clinical outcomes.

Comparing gastrointestinal dysfunction score and acute gastrointestinal injury grade for predicting short-term mortality in critically ill patients

BACKGROUND The prognosis of critically ill patients is closely linked to their gastrointestinal(GI)function.The acute GI injury(AGI)grading system,established in 2012,is extensively utilized to evaluate GI dysfunction and forecast outcomes in clinical settings.In 2021,the GI dysfunction score(GIDS)was developed,building on the AGI grading system,to enhance the accuracy of GI dysfunction severity assessment,improve prognostic predictions,reduce subjectivity,and increase reproducibility.AIM To compare the predictive capabilities of GIDS and the AGI grading system for 28-day mortality in critically ill patients.METHODS A retrospective study was conducted at the general intensive care unit(ICU)of a regional university hospital.All data were collected during the first week of ICU admission.The primary outcome was 28-day mortality.Multivariable logistic regression analyzed whether GIDS and AGI grade were independent risk factors for 28-day mortality.The predictive abilities of GIDS and AGI grade were compared using the receiver operating characteristic curve,with DeLong’s test assessing differences between the curves’areas.RESULTS The incidence of AGI in the first week of ICU admission was 92.13%.There were 85 deaths(47.75%)within 28 days of ICU admission.There was no initial 24-hour difference in GIDS between the non-survival and survival groups.Both GIDS(OR 2.01,95%CI:1.25-3.24;P=0.004)and AGI grade(OR 1.94,95%CI:1.12-3.38;P=0.019)were independent predictors of 28-day mortality.No significant difference was found between the predictive accuracy of GIDS and AGI grade for 28-day mortality during the first week of ICU admission(Z=-0.26,P=0.794).CONCLUSION GIDS within the first 24 hours was an unreliable predictor of 28-day mortality.The predictive accuracy for 28-day mortality from both systems during the first week was comparable.

Diagnosis and management of severe pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis in critically ill patients:A mini review for clinicians

Among critically ill patients,severe pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis has high morbidity and mortality.Yet,it is a diagnostic challenge given its nonspecific clinical symptoms and signs in early stages of the disease.In addition,management of severe pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis is complicated given the high risk of drug-drug interactions,drug-disease interactions,and adverse drug reactions.To help clinicians acquire an up-to-date approach to severe tuberculosis,this paper will provide a narrative review of contemporary diagnosis and management of severe pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis in critically ill patients.

A Potential Role for GLUT4 in Predicting Sepsis in Critically Ill Children

Background: This study investigated serum Glucose transporter (GLUT) 4 levels and examined the relationship between serum GLUT4 levels and sepsis in critically ill children. Methods: This was a retrospective study of 77 critically ill children and 33 non-diabetic healthy children (controls) who were admitted between 07/2015 and 05/2016. Patient data, clinical information, and blood samples were collected on admission, alongside a large number of laboratory parameters that were routinely assessed. Critically ill patients were divided into sepsis and non-sepsis/systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Serum GLUT4 was measured using western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Insulin resistance indexes, clinical data, laboratory parameters, and inflammatory cytokines were assessed. Results: GLUT4 serum levels were higher in critically ill children than in healthy children (90.5 vs. 30.3 μg/L, P 0.05). Compared to healthy children, hyperglycemic patients (n = 48) had elevated GLUT4 serum levels (30.3 vs. 103.7 g/L, P Conclusions: GLUT4 serum levels might be significantly increased in critically ill children compared with healthy children, particularly those in septic shock. Serum GLUT4 could predict disease severity.

The Role of Grid-Style Nursing Management Model in Critically Ill Patients

Objective:This study aims to gain insight into the effects and potential advantages of the grid-style nursing management model in the care of critically ill patients.Methods:Eighty critically ill patients admitted to our hospital between May 2020 and May 2021 were selected and randomly divided into the control group and the grid group,each with 40 patients.The control group implemented traditional nursing management,while the grid group adopted a grid-style nursing management model.The quality of care,quality of life,nursing satisfaction,and treatment adherence of the two groups were compared.Results:Compared with the control group,the grid group had significantly higher quality of care and quality of life(P<0.001);in terms of nursing satisfaction,the score of the grid group was 8.26±0.85,which was significantly higher than that of the control group(6.65±0.77)(P<0.001);90.00%(36 patients)of the grid group showed good treatment adherence,significantly higher than 70.00%(28 patients)of the control group(P<0.001).Conclusion:The implementation of the grid-style nursing management model in critically ill patients can significantly improve the quality of care,quality of life,and satisfaction of patients,and effectively promote patients’treatment adherence.These positive results provide strong support for the promotion and application of this model in clinical care.

Construction of cough refl ex intensity score for critically ill patients based on the Delphi method

Airway management is important for critically ill patients.Improper airway management can directly threaten the life of patients.[1]Early correct airway assessment and effective airway management can improve patient prognosis.[2]Coughing ability plays an important role in the decision-making process of airway management.Patients with impaired coughing ability have a higher risk of tracheal intubation during treatment.The concept of cough strength was first proposed by Khamiees in 2001,[3]but the evaluation criteria did not include coughing ability.The purpose of this study was to assess patients’coughing ability through the Delphi method and expert consultation,to provide data support for establishing a cough reflex intensity score and to construct an advanced airway management model for quick and eff ective evaluation.[4,5]

Intensive care environment: Perspective of relatives of critically ill patient sustained by health technology

The intensive care unit(ICU)is a complex setting by nature,and some have described it as bizarre due to its numerous sirens that sound when anything is dangerous,constant activity,equipment,bright lights,and high fatality rate.The demands placed on nurses to care for critically ill patients in this environment frequently prevent nurses and other health‑care professionals from acknowledging the feelings of patient’s relatives or family caregivers,resulting in a hostile environment from the patient’s relative’s perspective.When a patient’s family enters the ICU,they feel that hospital administrators do little to nothing to alleviate their discomfort and fear.Despite research demonstrating the importance of providing a homely environment for patients’families,In Nigeria ICU is still far behind how a conventional ICU environment should be structured to accommodate patient’s relations in the unit.The goal of this study was to look at the patient’s relative’s perspective on providing care for a critically ill patient in an ICU,with a focus on the unit’s complexity and overall experience.Based on the findings of this study,we recommend that hospital administrators ensure that the environment of the upcoming ICU is designed to meet the needs of patient’s relatives by addressing identified environmental concerns,like caring neglect,by providing a friendly and stress‑free environment.

Role of cerebrospinal fluid lactate in diagnosing meningitis in critically ill patients

BACKGROUND Meningitis is a life-threatening clinical condition associated with high mortality and morbidity.Early diagnosis and specific treatment may improve outcomes.Lack of specific clinical signs or tests make the diagnosis challenging.AIM To assess the efficacy of cerebrospinal fluid(CSF)lactate in diagnosing meningitis in critically ill patients.METHODS A prospective,observational cohort study was carried out in a neuro-medical intensive care unit(ICU)over a 22 mo period.Adult patients,with suspected meningitis admitted in ICU,were serially recruited.Patients who refused consent,those with peripheral sensorineural deficit,or with any contraindication to lumber puncture were excluded.CSF cytology,bio-chemistry,lactates,culture and polymerase chain reaction based meningo-encephalitis panel were evaluated.Patients were divided in two groups based on clinical diagnosis of meningitis.The efficacy of CSF lactate in diagnosing meningitis was evaluated and compared with other tests.RESULTS Seventy-one patients were included and 23 were diagnosed with meningitis.The mean values of CSF total leucocyte count(TLC),proteins and lactates were significantly higher in meningitis group.There was a significant correlation of CSF lactate levels with CSF cultures and meningo-encephalitis panel.CSF lactate(>2.72 mmol/L)showed good accuracy in diagnosing meningitis with an area under the curve of 0.81(95% confidence interval:0.69-0.93),sensitivity of 82.6%,and specificity 72.9%.These values were comparable to those of CSF TLC and protein.Twelve patients with bacterial meningitis had significantly higher CSF lactate(8.9±4.7 mmol/L)than those with non-bacterial meningitis(4.2±3.8 mmol/L),P=0.006.CONCLUSION CSF lactate may be used to aid in our diagnosis of meningitis in ICU patients.CSF lactate(>2.72 mmol/L)showed good accuracy,sensitivity,and specificity in diagnosing meningitis and may also help to differentiate between bacterial and non-bacterial meningitis.

Research on Nursing Effect of Individualized Nursing Intervention on Critically Ill Patients with Continuous Blood Purification

Objective:This paper aims to investigate the value of individualized care for critically ill patients receiving continuous blood purification therapy.Methods:89 cases of critically ill patients who were treated from June 2021 to June 2023 were randomly divided into groups,with individualized care in group A and routine care in group B.The differences in clinical indicators,purification effect,quality of life,and complications of blood purification were compared between the groups.Results:Heart rate,respiration,body temperature,and other indicators in group A were better than those in group B,P<0.05.C-reactive protein(CRP),β2-microglobulin(β2-MG),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),and phosphorus(P)in group A were lower than those in group B,P<0.05.Group A had higher quality of life than Group B,P<0.05.The complication rate of blood purification in Group A was lower than that in Group B,P<0.05.Conclusion:During continuous blood purification in critically ill patients,individualized nursing intervention can enhance the effect of blood purification,improve the physiological indicators of patients,and reduce the complications of blood purification,which is highly effective and feasible.

Application Effect of Medium-Length Peripheral Catheter in Critically Ill Patients Undergoing Hepatobiliary Surgery

Objective:To investigate the effect of using peripheral medium-length catheters in critically ill patients undergoing hepatobiliary surgery.Methods:A retrospective analysis of the nursing experience and effect of using medium-length catheters for infusion in 102 critically ill patients undergoing hepatobiliary surgery from March 2021 to April 2022 was conducted.Results:All 102 patients had successful catheter placement with no catheter-associated infections,blockage,decannulation,or breakage.However,four cases had blood oozing from the puncture site,but it resolved after changing the dressing.Conclusion:Medium-length catheters are superior to traditional infusion tools in terms of benefit;thus,they deserve to be widely promoted in clinical practice.

Evaluation of a protocol for rifaximin discontinuation in critically ill patients with liver disease receiving broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy

BACKGROUND Rifaximin is frequently administered to critically ill patients with liver disease and hepatic encephalopathy,but patients currently or recently treated with antibiotics were frequently excluded from studies of rifaximin efficacy.Due to overlapping spectrums of activity,combination therapy with broad-spectrum antibiotics and rifaximin may be unnecessary.A pharmacist-driven protocol was piloted to reduce potentially overlapping therapy in critically ill patients with liver disease.It was hypothesized that withholding rifaximin during broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy would be safe and reduce healthcare costs.AIM To determine the clinical,safety,and financial impact of discontinuing rifaximin during broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy in critically ill liver patients.METHODS This was a single-center,quasi-experimental,pre-post study based on a pilot pharmacist-driven protocol.Patients in the protocol group were prospectively identified via the medical intensive care unit(ICU)(MICU)protocol to have rifaximin withheld during broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment.These were compared to a historical cohort who received combination therapy with broadspectrum antibiotics and rifaximin.All data were collected retrospectively.The primary outcome was days alive and free of delirium and coma(DAFD)to 14 d.Safety outcomes included MICU length of stay,48-h change in vasopressor dose,and ICU mortality.Secondary outcomes characterized rifaximin cost savings and protocol adherence.Multivariable analysis was utilized to evaluate the association between group assignment and the primary outcome while controlling for potential confounding factors.RESULTS Each group included 32 patients.The median number of delirium-and coma-free days was similar in the control and protocol groups[3 interquartile range(IQR 0,8)vs 2(IQR 0,9.5),P=0.93].In multivariable analysis,group assignment was not associated with a reduced ratio of days alive and free of delirium or coma at 14 d.The protocol resulted in a reduced median duration of rifaximin use during broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy[6 d control(IQR 3,9.5)vs 1 d protocol(IQR 0,1);P<0.001].Rates of other secondary clinical and safety outcomes were similar including ICU mortality and 48-h change in vasopressor requirements.Overall adherence to the protocol was 91.4%.The median estimated total cost of rifaximin therapy per patient was reduced from$758.40(IQR$379.20,$1200.80)to$126.40(IQR$0,$126.40),P<0.01.CONCLUSION The novel pharmacist-driven protocol for rifaximin discontinuation was associated with significant cost savings and no differences in safety outcomes including DAFD.

What,why and how to monitor blood glucose in critically ill patients

Critically ill patients are prone to high glycemic variations irrespective of their diabetes status.This mandates frequent blood glucose(BG)monitoring and regulation of insulin therapy.Even though the most commonly employed capillary BG monitoring is convenient and rapid,it is inaccurate and prone to high bias,overestimating BG levels in critically ill patients.The targets for BG levels have also varied in the past few years ranging from tight glucose control to a more liberal approach.Each of these has its own fallacies,while tight control increases risk of hypoglycemia,liberal BG targets make the patients prone to hyperglycemia.Moreover,the recent evidence suggests that BG indices,such as glycemic variability and time in target range,may also affect patient outcomes.In this review,we highlight the nuances associated with BG monitoring,including the various indices required to be monitored,BG targets and recent advances in BG monitoring in critically ill patients.

Modified B-ultrasound method for measurement of antral section only to assess gastric function and guide enteral nutrition in critically ill patients

AIM To establish a modified B-ultrasound method of measuring the antral section only to assess gastric motility in healthy people,and evaluate its application in guiding enteral nutrition(EN) in critically ill patients. METHODS First,30 healthy volunteers were selected. The modified B-ultrasound method and the traditional B-ultrasound method were applied to assess gastric function. The correlation of indices of gastric function between the two groups was analyzed statistically. In addition,64 critically ill patients were selected,and the modified B-ultrasound method and the gastric juice withdrawal method were applied to guide the implementation of EN. Daily caloric value,the time required to achieve complete EN,ICU stay,hospitalization time,and serum prealbumin and albumin levels were recorded and compared between the two groups. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to compare the complications of EN between the two groups. RESULTS In healthy subjects,there was a good correlation among gastric emptying time,antral contraction frequency andantral motility index between the two groups(r = 0.57,0.61 and 0.54,respectively). The study on critically ill patients also revealed that a better effect of EN was achieved in the modified B-ultrasound method group,in which patients had shorter ICU stay and hospitalization time and higher levels of serum prealbumin and albumin. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that the improved B-ultrasound method was associated with significantly fewer EN complications(P = 0.031).CONCLUSION The modified B-ultrasound method can provide a good real-time assessment of gastric function and has a better effect than the traditional method in guiding EN in critically ill patients.

Severity of acute gastrointestinal injury grade is a good predictor of mortality in critically ill patients with acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal(GI)dysfunction is a common and important complication of acute pancreatitis(AP),especially in patients with severe AP.Despite this,there is no consensus means of obtaining a precise assessment of GI function.AIM To determine the association between acute gastrointestinal injury(AGI)grade and clinical outcomes in critically ill patients with AP.METHODS Patients with AP admitted to our pancreatic intensive care unit from May 2017 to May 2019 were enrolled.GI function was assessed according to the AGI grade proposed by the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine in 2012,which is mainly based on GI symptoms,intra-abdominal pressure,and feeding intolerance in the first week of admission to the intensive care unit.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between AGI grade and clinical outcomes in critically ill patients with AP.RESULTS Among the 286 patients included,the distribution of patients with various AGI grades was 34.62%with grade I,22.03%with grade II,32.52%with grade III,and 10.84%with grade IV.The distribution of mortality was 0%among those with grade I,6.35%among those with grade II,30.11%among those with grade III,and 61.29%among those with grade IV,and AGI grade was positively correlated with mortality(χ2=31.511,P<0.0001).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age,serum calcium level,AGI grade,persistent renal failure,and persistent circulatory failure were independently associated with mortality.Compared with the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score(area under the curve:0.739 vs 0.854;P<0.05)and Ranson score(area under the curve:0.72 vs 0.854;P<0.01),the AGI grade was more useful for predicting mortality.CONCLUSION AGI grade is useful for identifying the severity of GI dysfunction and can be used as a predictor of mortality in critically ill patients with AP.

Acute gastrointestinal injury in critically ill patients with COVID-19 in Wuhan,China

BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)is spreading rapidly around the world.Most critically ill patients have organ injury,including acute respiratory distress syndrome,acute kidney injury,cardiac injury,or liver dysfunction.However,few studies on acute gastrointestinal injury(AGI)have been reported in critically ill patients with COVID-19.AIM To investigate the prevalence and outcomes of AGI in critically ill patients with COVID-19.METHODS In this retrospective study,demographic data,laboratory parameters,AGI grades,clinical severity and outcomes were collected.The primary endpoints were AGI incidence and 28-d mortality.RESULTS From February 10 to March 102020,83 critically ill patients out of 1314 patients with COVID-19 were enrolled.Seventy-two(86.7%)patients had AGI during hospital stay,of these patients,30 had AGI gradeⅠ,35 had AGI gradeⅡ,5 had AGI gradeⅢ,and 2 had AGI gradeⅣ.The incidence of AGI gradeⅡand above was 50.6%.Forty(48.2%)patients died within 28 days of admission.Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome developed in 58(69.9%)patients,and septic shock in 16(19.3%)patients.Patients with worse AGI grades had worse clinical variables,a higher incidence of septic shock and 28-d mortality.Sequential organ failure assessment(SOFA)scores(95%CI:1.374-2.860;P<0.001),white blood cell(WBC)counts(95%CI:1.037-1.379;P=0.014),and duration of mechanical ventilation(MV)(95%CI:1.020-1.340;P=0.025)were risk factors for the development of AGI gradeⅡand above.CONCLUSION The incidence of AGI was 86.7%,and hospital mortality was 48.2%in critically ill patients with COVID-19.SOFA scores,WBC counts,and duration of MV were risk factors for the development of AGI gradeⅡand above.Patients with worse AGI grades had a higher incidence of septic shock and 28-d mortality.

Clinical and pathologic characteristics of pancreatic necrosis in critically ill children

BACKGROUND：Pancreatic damage in critically ill patients is associated with the progressive failure of multiple organs, but little is known about its clinical characteristics. At present, no guidelines are available for the diagnosis and management of pancreatic damage. This study was undertaken to analyze the clinical and pathologic characteristics of pancreatic necrosis in critically ill children, and to find some biological markers of pancreatic damage or pancreatic necrosis.METHODS： We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data, laboratory results, and autopsy findings of 25 children, who were admitted to Hunan Children＇s Hospital, China from 2003 to 2009, and died of multiple organ failure. The autopsy revealed pancreatic necrosis in 5 children, in whom sectional or gross autopsy was performed. RESULTS： The 5 children had acute onset and a fever. Two children had abdominal pain and 2 had abdominal bulging, flatulence and gastrointestinal bleeding. Four children had abnormal liver function, characterized by decreased albumin and 3 children had elevated level of C-reactive protein （CRP）. B-ultrasonography revealed abnormal acoustic image of the pancreas in all children, and autopsy confirmed pancreatic necrosis, which may be associated with the damage of the adrenal gland, liver, lung, heart, spleen, kidney, intestine, thymus, mediastinal and mesenteric lymph nodes and other organs. Children 1 and 2 died of acute hemorrhagic necrotizing pancreatitis （AHNP）; children 3-5 died of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome （MODS） due to pancreatic necrosis. CONCLUSION： Pancreatic damage or pancreatic necrosis in critically ill children is characterized by acute onset, severity, short course, multiple organ damage or failure. It may be asymptomatic in early stage, and easy to be ignored.

Vocal repertoire of the critically endangered whiteheaded langur(Trachypithecus leucocephalus): Call types, acoustic structures, and related social-ecological contexts

DEAR EDITOR,We examined the vocal repertoire of the critically endangered white-headed langur(Trachypithecus leucocephalus)inhabiting karst limestone forests in China.We identified 17 call types across all age/sex classes based on human auditory perception,spectrogram assessment,and quantitative analysis of 25 acoustic parameters extracted from 409 high-quality calls.In total,11 types of calls produced by adults corresponded to the simple one-male multi-female social groups of white-headed langurs.