Clinical characteristics and treatment of acute epiglottitis: A retrospective study of 28 cases

Objective:To evaluate the clinical profiles,diagnosis,and treatment of patients with acute epiglottitis at a tertiary care teaching hospital of eastern India.Methods:This is a retrospective study in which 28 patients of acute epiglottitis participated.This study was conducted between January 2016 and October 2019.The diagnosis of acute epiglottitis was based on the clinical presentations and fiberoptic laryngoscopic examinations of the larynx and hypopharynx.Details of age,gender,personal history,clinical symptoms,treatment,and hospital stay were evaluated.Results:Out of the 28 patients with acute epiglottitis,17(60.71%)were male and 11(39.29%)were female with age ranged from 4 years to 62 years and a mean age of 23.45 years.The median duration from the onset to resorting to physicians is 3 d.Among the 28 patients,4 patients(14.29%)were under the treatment for diabetes mellitus.Four cases(14.29%)required airway management with intubation and tracheostomy.Conclusions:Acute epiglottitis is an acute infectious condition of the supraglottis and may lead to airway obstruction.Clinical presentations alone are insufficient for the diagnosis of acute epiglottitis.Fiberoptic nasopharyngolaryngoscopic examination should be performed as soon as possible for confirmation of the disease.

Low skeletal muscle mass and high visceral adiposity are associated with recurrence of acute cholecystitis after conservative management:A propensity score-matched cohort study

Background:Recurrent acute cholecystitis(RAC)can occur after non-surgical treatment for acute cholecystitis(AC),and can be more severe in comparison to the first episode of AC.Low skeletal muscle mass or adiposity have various effects in several diseases.We aimed to clarify the relationship between RAC and body parameters.Methods:Patients with AC who were treated at our hospital between January 2011 and March 2022 were enrolled.The psoas muscle mass and adipose tissue area at the third lumbar level were measured using computed tomography at the first episode of AC.The areas were divided by height to obtain the psoas muscle mass index(PMI)and subcutaneous/visceral adipose tissue index(SATI/VATI).According to median VATI,SATI and PMI values by sex,patients were divided into the high and low PMI groups.We performed propensity score matching to eliminate the baseline differences between the high PMI and low PMI groups and analyzed the cumulative incidence and predictors of RAC.Results:The entire cohort was divided into the high PMI(n=81)and low PMI(n=80)groups.In the propensity score-matched cohort there were 57 patients in each group.In Kaplan-Meier analysis,the low PMI group and the high VATI group had a significantly higher cumulative incidence of RAC than their counterparts(log-rank P=0.001 and 0.015,respectively).In a multivariate Cox regression analysis,the hazard ratios of low PMI and low VATI for RAC were 5.250(95%confidence interval 1.083-25.450,P=0.039)and 0.158(95%confidence interval:0.026-0.937,P=0.042),respectively.Conclusions:Low skeletal muscle mass and high visceral adiposity were independent risk factors for RAC.

Comparative transcriptomic analysis reveals the molecular changes of acute pancreatitis in experimental models

BACKGROUND Acute pancreatitis(AP)encompasses a spectrum of pancreatic inflammatory conditions,ranging from mild inflammation to severe pancreatic necrosis and multisystem organ failure.Given the challenges associated with obtaining human pancreatic samples,research on AP predominantly relies on animal models.In this study,we aimed to elucidate the fundamental molecular mechanisms underlying AP using various AP models.AIM To investigate the shared molecular changes underlying the development of AP across varying severity levels.METHODS AP was induced in animal models through treatment with caerulein alone or in combination with lipopolysaccharide(LPS).Additionally,using Ptf1αto drive the specific expression of the hM3 promoter in pancreatic acinar cells transgenic C57BL/6J-hM3/Ptf1α(cre)mice were administered Clozapine N-oxide to induce AP.Subsequently,we conducted RNA sequencing of pancreatic tissues and validated the expression of significantly different genes using the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database.RESULTS Caerulein-induced AP showed severe inflammation and edema,which were exacerbated when combined with LPS and accompanied by partial pancreatic tissue necrosis.Compared with the control group,RNA sequencing analysis revealed 880 significantly differentially expressed genes in the caerulein model and 885 in the caerulein combined with the LPS model.Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis indicated substantial enrichment of the TLR and NOD-like receptor signaling pathway,TLR signaling pathway,and NF-κB signaling pathway,alongside elevated levels of apoptosis-related pathways,such as apoptosis,P53 pathway,and phagosome pathway.The significantly elevated genes in the TLR and NOD-like receptor signaling pathways,as well as in the apoptosis pathway,were validated through quantitative real-time PCR experiments in animal models.Validation from the GEO database revealed that only MYD88 concurred in both mouse pancreatic tissue and human AP peripheral blood,while TLR1,TLR7,RIPK3,and OAS2 genes exhibited marked elevation in human AP.The genes TUBA1A and GADD45A played significant roles in apoptosis within human AP.The transgenic mouse model hM3/Ptf1α(cre)successfully validated significant differential genes in the TLR and NOD-like receptor signaling pathways as well as the apoptosis pathway,indicating that these pathways represent shared pathological processes in AP across different models.CONCLUSION The TLR and NOD receptor signaling pathways play crucial roles in the inflammatory progression of AP,notably the MYD88 gene.Apoptosis holds a central position in the necrotic processes of AP,with TUBA1A and GADD45A genes exhibiting prominence in human AP.

Protective mechanism of quercetin in alleviating sepsis-related acute respiratory distress syndrome based on network pharmacology and in vitro experiments

BACKGROUND:Sepsis-related acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS)has a high mortality rate,and no effective treatment is available currently.Quercetin is a natural plant product with many pharmacological activities,such as antioxidative,anti-apoptotic,and anti-inflammatory effects.This study aimed to elucidate the protective mechanism of quercetin against sepsis-related ARDS.METHODS:In this study,network pharmacology and in vitro experiments were used to investigate the underlying mechanisms of quercetin against sepsis-related ARDS.Core targets and signaling pathways of quercetin against sepsis-related ARDS were screened and were verified by in vitro experiments.RESULTS:A total of 4,230 targets of quercetin,360 disease targets of sepsis-related ARDS,and 211 intersection targets were obtained via database screening.Among the 211 intersection targets,interleukin-6(IL-6),tumor necrosis factor(TNF),albumin(ALB),AKT serine/threonine kinase 1(AKT1),and interleukin-1β(IL-1β)were identified as the core targets.A Gene Ontology(GO)enrichment analysis revealed 894 genes involved in the inflammatory response,apoptosis regulation,and response to hypoxia.Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)enrichment analysis identified 106 pathways.After eliminating and generalizing,the hypoxia-inducible factor-1(HIF-1),TNF,nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB),and nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain(NOD)-like receptor signaling pathways were identified.Molecular docking revealed that quercetin had good binding activity with the core targets.Moreover,quercetin blocked the HIF-1,TNF,NF-κB,and NODlike receptor signaling pathways in lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced murine alveolar macrophage(MH-S)cells.It also suppressed the inflammatory response,oxidative reactions,and cell apoptosis.CONCLUSION:Quercetin ameliorates sepsis-related ARDS by binding to its core targets and blocking the HIF-1,TNF,NF-κB,and NOD-like receptor signaling pathways to reduce inflammation,cell apoptosis,and oxidative stress.

Clinical and Evolutive Aspects of Severe Acute Malnutrition in Children Aged 0 - 59 Months at Maroua Regional Hospital in Cameroon’s Far North Region

Introduction: Severe acute malnutrition remains one of the most important causes of under-five mortality. In Cameroon, the northern regions have the highest prevalence, with 1.4% in the Far North in 2021. These children are managed at the Internal therapeutic and Nutrional Centre, one of which is located at Maroua Regional Hospital, the third level referral Hospital. We therefore proposed to carry out a study on the clinical and evolutive aspects of these children. Materials and Methods: it was a descriptive, cross-sectional study from January 2020 to December 2022, at the ITNC (CNTI) of Maroua Regional Hospital. The sample size was obtained from the Lorentz formula. Patient records were used for data collection. We excluded all incomplete records and patients with less than 24 hours of admission. Results: Out of the 873 patients we recruited, the prevalence of severe malnutrition was estimated at 18 %. The average age was 14 months, with a male predominance. The main reasons for consultation were fever (42%) and diarrhoea (35%). Marasmus was the predominant clinical form. The major medical complications were sepsis (32.9%) and malaria (16.8%). HIV prevalence was 2.5% and tuberculosis was 4.9%. Most patients had haemoglobin levels between 7 and 10g/dl. 79.3% were cured and 6.5% died. The main causes of death were sepsis and malaria. Conclusion: Severe acute malnutrition remains a major problem in the Far North region. Several joint actions are needed to break this cycle.

Clinical Presentation and Treatment Outcomes of Pregnancy-Related Acute Kidney Injury among Pregnant Women Admitted at the Benjamin Mkapa Hospital in Tanzania

Background: Globally, PRAKI is among the leading causes of death in pregnant women. The prevalence, causes and outcome of this condition vary among countries due to differences in environmental, socioeconomic, and health delivery systems. The common causes that have been reported in several studies are PIH, Haemorrhages and Sepsis while the outcomes may be either complete renal recovery, progression to CKD and hence dialysis dependency or death. This study aimed at determining clinical presentation and treatment outcomes of Pregnancy-Related Acute Kidney Injury in Pregnant women admitted at the Benjamin Mkapa Hospital, Dodoma, Tanzania. Results: Out of 4007 pregnant women who were admitted to the maternity ward 51 pregnant women were found to have PRAKI. Of those with PRAKI, 74.5% were between 21 to 25 years. The leading causes of PRAKI were PPH 12 (23.53%), Eclampsia 12 (23.53%), and pre-eclampsia 12 (23.5%). Hemodialysis therapy was provided to 22 (43.1%) patients, 15 (29.4%) individuals recovered spontaneously with medical management and 14 (27.5%) missed haemodialysis therapy due to various reasons. The mortality due to PRAKI was 17 (33.3%). Conclusion and Recommendation: Pre-eclampsia/eclampsia and post-partum haemorrhage were found to be the main causes of PRAKI. The mortality related to PRAKI is high and Hemodialysis therapy is vital help to prevent deaths for pregnant women with PRAKI. Pregnant women who develop acute kidney injury should be followed closely and a nephrologist should be consulted early. Early referral should be done by the lower level facilities for all at-risk pregnant women to a specialized multidisciplinary health facility.

Adult rhabdomyosarcoma combined with acute myeloid leukemia: A case report

BACKGROUND Rhabdomyosarcoma is a tumor of mesenchymal origin.Secondary leukemia is a complication of previous transformation to other hematologic disorders or is a treatment-related acute myeloid leukemia secondary to cytotoxic chemotherapy or radiation therapy for other malignancies.CASE SUMMARY We present the case of a 36-year-old female patient who was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma and acute myeloid leukemia.Further disease progression was observed after multiline chemotherapy.Eventually,the patient suffered cerebral hemorrhage,which resulted in death.CONCLUSION The incidence of rhabdomyosarcoma in adults is extremely low,and secondary leukemia caused by rhabdomyosarcoma is even rarer.Secondary leukemia has a very poor prognosis and a low overall survival rate.

Evaluation of the clinical effects of atropine in combination with remifentanil in children undergoing surgery for acute appendicitis

BACKGROUND Acute appendicitis(AA)is the most common cause of acute abdomen in children.Anesthesia significantly influences the surgical treatment of AA in children,making the scientific and effective selection of anesthetics crucial.AIM To assess the clinical effect of atropine(ATR)in combination with remifentanil(REMI)in children undergoing surgery for AA.METHODS In total,108 cases of pediatric AA treated between May 2020 and May 2023 were selected,58 of which received ATR+REMI[research group(RG)]and 50 who received REMI[control group(CG)].Comparative analyses were conducted on the time to loss of eyelash reflex,pain resolution time,recovery time from anesthesia,incidence of adverse events(AEs;respiratory depression,hypoxemia,bradycardia,nausea and vomiting,and hypotension),intraoperative responses(head shaking,limb activity,orientation recovery,safe departure time from the operating room),hemodynamic parameters[oxygen saturation(SPO2),mean arterial pressure,heart rate,and respiratory rate],postoperative sedation score(Ramsay score),and pain level[the Face,Legs,Activity,Cry,Consolability(FLACC)Behavioral Scale].RESULTS Compared with the CG,the RG showed significantly shorter time to loss of eyelash reflex,pain resolution,recovery from anesthesia,and safe departure from the operating room.Furthermore,the incidence rates of overall AEs(head shaking,limb activity,etc.)were lower,and influences on intraoperative hemodynamic parameters and stress response indexes were fewer.The Ramsay score at 30 min after extubation and the FLACC score at 60 min after extubation were significantly lower in the RG than in the CG.CONCLUSION ATR+REMI is superior to REMI alone in children undergoing AA surgery,with a lower incidence of AEs,fewer influences on hemodynamics and stress responses,and better post-anesthesia recovery.

Chaiqin Chengqi Decoction as an adjuvant treatment for mild/moderately severe hypertriglyceridemic acute pancreatitis: A retrospective study

Hypertriglyceridemia is the third leading cause of acute pancreatitis(AP),and its incidence is increasing.Due to its relatively insidious etiology,it is easy to be ignored in the early stages.In China,Chaiqin Chengqi Decoction(CQCQD)has long been employed for treating AP.AIM To evaluate the effectiveness of CQCQD in patients diagnosed with mild/moderately severe hypertriglyceridemic AP(HTG-AP).METHODS In this study,the clinical data of 39 patients with HTG-AP admitted from January 2019 to November 2022 were collected.The changes of blood lipids,gastrointestinal symptoms,and abdominal pain before and after treatment were analyzed and compared between the two groups.RESULTS Twenty patients were treated with the conventional HTG-AP regimen,and 19 patients were additionally treated with CQCQD.After receiving treatment,the triglycerides(TG)level of the CQCQD group was lower than that of the CQCQD group(3.14±0.25 mmol/L vs 4.96±0.47 mmol/L,P<0.01).After 3 d of treatment,the patients in the CQCQD group had more bowel movements than the control group(2.51±0.25 times vs 1.00±0.17 times,P=0.01).The gastrointestinal function of most patients returned to normal,and the acute gastrointestinal injury score was significantly lower than that of the control group(0.11±0.07 vs 0.42±0.11,P<0.01).CONCLUSION In patients with HTG-AP,CQCQD can significantly reduce the TG level,shorten the recovery time of defecation,significantly improve the gastrointestinal function.

Impact of metabolic syndrome components on clinical outcomes in hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND The incidence of hypertriglyceridemia(HTG)-induced acute pancreatitis(AP)is steadily increasing in China,becoming the second leading cause of AP.Clinical complications and outcomes associated with HTG-AP are generally more severe than those seen in AP caused by other etiologies.HTG-AP is closely linked to metabolic dysfunction and frequently coexists with metabolic syndrome or its components.However,the impact of metabolic syndrome components on HTGAP clinical outcomes remains unclear.AIM To investigate the impact of metabolic syndrome component burden on clinical outcomes in HTG-AP.METHODS In this retrospective study of 255 patients diagnosed with HTG-AP at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University,we collected data on patient demographics,clinical scores,complications,and clinical outcomes.Subsequently,we analyzed the influence of the presence and number of individual metabolic syndrome components,including obesity,hyperglycemia,hypertension,and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),on the aforementioned parameters in HTG-AP patients.RESULTS This study found that metabolic syndrome components were associated with an increased risk of various complications in HTG-AP,with low HDL-C being the most significant risk factor for clinical outcomes.The risk of complications increased with the number of metabolic syndrome components.Adjusted for age and sex,patients with highcomponent metabolic syndrome had significantly higher risks of renal failure[odds ratio(OR)=3.02,95%CI:1.12-8.11)],SAP(OR=5.05,95%CI:2.04-12.49),and intensive care unit admission(OR=6.41,95%CI:2.42-16.97)compared to those without metabolic syndrome.CONCLUSION The coexistence of multiple metabolic syndrome components can synergistically worsen the clinical course of HTGAP,making it crucial to monitor these components for effective disease management.

Severe acute pancreatitis complicated with intra-abdominal infection secondary to trauma:A case report

BACKGROUND Pancreatic trauma(PT)is rare among traumatic injuries and has a low incidence,but it can still lead to severe infectious complications,resulting in a high mortality rate.Acute pancreatitis(AP)is a common complication after PT,and when combined with organ dysfunction and sepsis,it will result in a poorer prognosis.CASE SUMMARY We report a 25-year-old patient with multiple organ injuries,including the pancreas,due to abdominal trauma,who developed necrotising pancreatitis secondary to emergency caesarean section,combined with intra-abdominal infection(IAI).The patient underwent performed percutaneous drainage,pancreatic necrotic tissue debridement,and abdominal infection foci debridement on the patient.CONCLUSION We report a case of severe AP and IAI secondary to trauma.This patient was managed by a combination of conservative treatment such as antibiotic therapy and fluid support with surgery,and a better outcome was obtained.

Novel PIKfyve/Tubulin Dual-target Inhibitor as a Promising Therapeutic Strategy for B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Objective:In B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia(B-ALL),current intensive chemotherapies for adult patients fail to achieve durable responses in more than 50%of cases,underscoring the urgent need for new therapeutic regimens for this patient population.The present study aimed to determine whether HZX-02-059,a novel dual-target inhibitor targeting both phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate 5-kinase(PIKfyve)and tubulin,is lethal to B-ALL cells and is a potential therapeutic for B-ALL patients.Methods:Cell proliferation,vacuolization,apoptosis,cell cycle,and in-vivo tumor growth were evaluated.In addition,Genome-wide RNA-sequencing studies were conducted to elucidate the mechanisms of action underlying the anti-leukemia activity of HZX-02-059 in B-ALL.Results:HZX-02-059 was found to inhibit cell proliferation,induce vacuolization,promote apoptosis,block the cell cycle,and reduce in-vivo tumor growth.Downregulation of the p53 pathway and suppression of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)/AKT pathway and the downstream transcription factors c-Myc and NF-κB were responsible for these observations.Conclusion:Overall,these findings suggest that HZX-02-059 is a promising agent for the treatment of B-ALL patients resistant to conventional therapies.

Navigating nephrotoxic waters:A comprehensive overview of contrast-induced acute kidney injury prevention

Contrast-induced acute kidney injury(CI-AKI)is the third leading cause of acute kidney injury deriving from the intravascular administration of contrast media in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and leading to longer in-hospital stay and increased short and long-term mortality.Its pathophysiology,although not well-established,revolves around medullary hypoxia paired with the direct toxicity of the substance to the kidney.Critically ill patients,as well as those with pre-existing renal disease and cardiovascular comorbidities,are more susceptible to CI-AKI.Despite the continuous research in the field of CI-AKI prevention,clinical practice is based mostly on periprocedural hydration.In this review,all the investigated methods of prevention are presented,with an emphasis on the latest evidence regarding the potential of RenalGuard and contrast removal systems for CI-AKI prevention in high-risk individuals.

Different timing for abdominal paracentesis catheter placement and drainage in severe acute pancreatitis complicated by intraabdominal fluid accumulation

BACKGROUND Non-surgical methods such as percutaneous drainage are crucial for the treatment of patients with severe acute pancreatitis(SAP).However,there is still an ongoing debate regarding the optimal timing for abdominal paracentesis catheter place-ment and drainage.AIM To explore the influence of different timing for abdominal paracentesis catheter placement and drainage in SAP complicated by intra-abdominal fluid accumu-lation.METHODS Using a retrospective approach,184 cases of SAP complicated by intra-abdominal fluid accumulation were enrolled and categorized into three groups based on the timing of catheter placement:group A(catheter placement within 2 d of symptom onset,n=89),group B(catheter placement between days 3 and 5 after symptom onset,n=55),and group C(catheter placement between days 6 and 7 after symptom onset,n=40).The differences in progression rate,mortality rate,and the number of cases with organ dysfunction were compared among the three groups.RESULTS The progression rate of group A was significantly lower than those in groups B and groups C(2.25%vs 21.82%and 32.50%,P<0.05).Further,the proportion of patients with at least one organ dysfunction in group A was significantly lower than those in groups B and groups C(41.57%vs 70.91%and 75.00%,P<0.05).The mortality rates in group A,group B,and group C were similar(P>0.05).At postoperative day 3,the levels of C-reactive protein(55.41±19.32 mg/L vs 82.25±20.41 mg/L and 88.65±19.14 mg/L,P<0.05),procalcitonin(1.36±0.51 ng/mL vs 3.20±0.97 ng/mL and 3.41±0.98 ng/mL,P<0.05),tumor necrosis factor-alpha(15.12±6.63 pg/L vs 22.26±9.96 pg/L and 23.39±9.12 pg/L,P<0.05),interleukin-6(332.14±90.16 ng/L vs 412.20±88.50 ng/L and 420.08±87.65ng/L,P<0.05),interleukin-8(415.54±68.43 ng/L vs 505.80±66.90 ng/L and 510.43±68.23ng/L,P<0.05)and serum amyloid A(270.06±78.49 mg/L vs 344.41±81.96 mg/L and 350.60±80.42 mg/L,P<0.05)were significantly lower in group A compared to those in groups B and group C.The length of hospital stay in group A was significantly lower than those in groups B and group C(24.50±4.16 d vs 35.54±6.62 d and 38.89±7.10 d,P<0.05).The hospitalization expenses in group A were also significantly lower than those in groups B and groups C[2.70(1.20,3.55)ten-thousand-yuan vs 5.50(2.98,7.12)ten-thousand-yuan and 6.00(3.10,8.05)ten-thousand-yuan,P<0.05).The incidence of complications in group A was markedly lower than that in group C(5.62%vs 25.00%,P<0.05),and similar to group B(P>0.05).CONCLUSION Percutaneous catheter drainage for the treatment of SAP complicated by intra-abdominal fluid accumulation is most effective when performed within 2 d of onset.

Assessment of early factors for identification or prediction severe acute pancreatitis in pregnancy

BACKGROUND Acute pancreatitis in pregnancy(APIP)is a rare and serious condition,and severe APIP(SAPIP)can lead to pancreatic necrosis,abscess,multiple organ dysfunction,and other adverse maternal and infant outcomes.Therefore,early identification or prediction of SAPIP is important.AIM To assess factors for early identification or prediction of SAPIP.METHODS The clinical data of patients with APIP were retrospectively analyzed.Patients were classified with mild acute pancreatitis or severe acute pancreatitis,and the clinical characteristics and laboratory biochemical indexes were compared between the two groups.Logical regression and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were performed to assess the efficacy of the factors for identification or prediction of SAPIP.RESULTS A total of 45 APIP patients were enrolled.Compared with the mild acute pancreatitis group,the severe acute pancreatitis group had significantly increased(P<0.01)heart rate(HR),hemoglobin,neutrophil ratio(NEUT%),and neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio(NLR),while lymphocytes were significantly decreased(P<0.01).Logical regression analysis showed that HR,NEUT%,NLR,and lymphocyte count differed significantly(P<0.01)between the groups.These may be factors for early identification or prediction of SAPIP.The area under the curve of HR,NEUT%,NLR,and lymphocyte count in the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was 0.748,0.732,0.821,and 0.774,respectively.The combined analysis showed that the area under the curve,sensitivity,and specificity were 0.869,90.5%,and 70.8%,respectively.CONCLUSION HR,NEUT%,NLR,and lymphocyte count can be used for early identification or prediction of SAPIP,and the combination of the four factors is expected to improve identification or prediction of SAPIP.

Computerized tomography-guided therapeutic percutaneous puncture catheter drainage-combined with somatostatin for severe acute pancreatitis: An analysis of efficacy and safety

BACKGROUND Severe acute pancreatitis(SAP),a condition with rapid onset,critical condition and unsatisfactory prognosis,poses a certain threat to human health,warranting optimization of relevant treatment plans to improve treatment efficacy.AIM To evaluate the efficacy and safety of computerized tomography-guided the-rapeutic percutaneous puncture catheter drainage(CT-TPPCD)combined with somatostatin(SS)in the treatment of SAP.METHODS Forty-two SAP patients admitted to The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University from June 2020 to June 2023 were selected.On the basis of routine treatment,20 patients received SS therapy(control group)and 22 patients were given CT-TPPCD plus SS intervention(research group).The efficacy,safety(pancreatic fistula,intra-abdominal hemorrhage,sepsis,and organ dysfunction syndrome),abdominal bloating and pain relief time,bowel recovery time,hospital stay,inflammatory indicators(C-reactive protein,interleukin-6,and pro-calcitonin),and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation(APACHE)II score of both groups were evaluated for comparison.RESULTS Compared with the control group,the research group had a markedly higher total effective rate,faster abdominal bloating and pain relief and bowel recovery,INTRODUCTION Pancreatitis,an inflammatory disease occurring in the pancreatic tissue,is classified as either acute or chronic and is associated with high morbidity and mortality,imposing a socioeconomic burden[1,2].The pathogenesis of this disease involves early protease activation,activation of nuclear factor kappa-B-related inflammatory reactions,and infiltration of immune cells[3].Severe acute pancreatitis(SAP)is a serious condition involving systemic injury and subsequent possible organ failure,accounting for 20%of all acute pancreatitis cases[4].SAP is also characterized by rapid onset,critical illness and unsatisfactory prognosis and is correlated with serious adverse events such as systemic inflammatory response syn-drome and acute lung injury,threatening the health of patients[5,6].Therefore,timely and effective therapeutic inter-ventions are of great significance for improving patient prognosis and ensuring therapeutic effects.Somatostatin(SS),a peptide hormone that can be secreted by endocrine cells and the central nervous system,is in-volved in the regulatory mechanism of glucagon and insulin synthesis in the pancreas[7].It has complex and pleiotropic effects on the gastrointestinal tract,which can inhibit the release of gastrointestinal hormones and negatively modulate the exocrine function of the stomach,pancreas and bile,while exerting a certain influence on the absorption of the di-gestive system[8,9].SS has shown certain clinical effectiveness when applied to SAP patients and can regulate the severity of SAP and immune inflammatory responses,and this regulation is related to its influence on leukocyte apoptosis and adhesion[10,11].Computerized tomography-guided therapeutic percutaneous puncture catheter drainage(CT-TPPCD)is a surgical procedure to collect lesion fluid and pus samples from necrotic lesions and perform puncture and drainage by means of CT image examination and precise positioning[12].In the research of Liu et al[13],CT-TPPCD applied to pa-tients undergoing pancreatic surgery contributes to not only good curative effects but also a low surgical risk.Baudin et al[14]also reported that CT-TPPCD has a clinical success rate of 64.6%in patients with acute infectious necrotizing pan-creatitis,with nonfatal surgery-related complications found in only two cases,suggesting that this procedure is clinically effective and safe in the treatment of the disease.In light of the limited studies on the efficacy and safety of SS plus CT-TPPCD in SAP treatment,this study performed a relevant analysis to improve clinical outcomes in SAP patients.

Enhancing predictive accuracy in hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis:Role of red cell distribution width and prospective studies

This letter addresses the study titled“Red cell distribution width:A predictor of the severity of hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis”by Lv et al published in the World Journal of Experimental Medicine.The study offers a valuable analysis of red cell distribution width(RDW)as a predictive marker for persistent organ failure in patients with hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis.The study results suggest that RDW,combined with the Bedside Index for Severity in Acute Pancreatitis score,could enhance the predictive accuracy for severe outcomes.Further investigation into the role of RDW in different severities of acute pancreatitis is recommended.Additionally,the need for large-scale and multicenter prospective studies to validate these findings is emphasized.

Application of psychological intervention in intensive care unit nursing for patients with severe acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND Severe acute pancreatitis(SAP)is a familiar critical disease in the intensive care unit(ICU)patients.Nursing staff are important spiritual pillars during the treatment of patients,and in addition to routine nursing,more attention needs be paid to the patient’s psychological changes.AIM To investigate the effects of psychological intervention in ICU patients with SAP.METHODS One hundred ICU patients with SAP were hospitalized in the authors’hospital between 2020 and 2023 were selected,and divided into observation and control groups per the hospitalization order.The control and observation groups received routine nursing and psychological interventions,respectively.Two groups are being compared,using the Self-rating Anxiety Scale(SAS),Self-Determination Scale(SDS),Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation(APACHE)Ⅱ,and 36-item Short Form Health Survey(SF-36)scores;nursing satisfaction of patients;ICU care duration;length of stay;hospitalization expenses;and the incidence of complications.RESULTS After nursing,the SDS,SAS,and APACHEⅡ scores in the experimental group were significantly lower than in the control group(P<0.05).The SF-36 scores in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).The nursing satisfaction of patients in the experimental group was 94.5%,considerably higher than that of 75.6% in the control group(P<0.05).The ICU care duration,length of stay,and hospitalization expenses in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group,and the incidence of complications was lower(P<0.05).CONCLUSION For patients with SAP,the implementation of standardized psychological intervention measures can effectively alleviate adverse psychological conditions.

Clinical Effect of Yinhuang Qingfei Capsules in Treatment of Asymptomatic and Mild/Common Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection:An Analysis of 242 Cases

[Objectives]To investigate the clinical effect of Yinhuang Qingfei capsules in the treatment of asymptomatic and mild/common severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)infection.[Methods]A total of 362 patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection were divided into the treatment group with 242 patients and control group with 120 patients according to their treatment regimen.The patients in the control group were given standard treatment regimen and those in the treatment group were given Yinhuang Qingfei capsules in addition to the treatment in the control group.The two groups were observed in terms of average length of hospital stay,mean time for nucleic acid clearance,TCM syndrome score,and progression to severe/critical illness,and clinical outcome was compared between the two groups.[Results]There was a significant difference in the overall response rate between the treatment group and the control group[97.52%(236/242)vs 95.00%(114/120),P<0.05].Compared with the control group,the treatment group had significantly shorter length of hospital stay and time for nucleic acid clearance(P<0.05).After 7 days of treatment,both groups had a significant change in TCM syndrome score,and there was a significant difference in TCM syndrome score between the two groups(P<0.05);after 15 days of treatment,both groups had a TCM syndrome score of 0.Progression to severe/critical illness was not observed in either group.[Conclusions]Compared with the standard treatment regimen alone,standard treatment regimen combined with Yinhuang Qingfei capsules can effectively shorten the length of hospital stay and time for nucleic acid clearance and improve TCM symptoms in patients with asymptomatic and mild/common SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Early endoscopic management of an infected acute necrotic collection misdiagnosed as a pancreatic pseudocyst: A case report

BACKGROUND Infected acute necrotic collection(ANC)is a fatal complication of acute pancre-atitis with substantial morbidity and mortality.Drainage plays an exceedingly important role as the first step in invasive intervention for infected necrosis;however,there is great controversy about the optimal drainage time,and better treatment should be explored.CASE SUMMARY We report the case of a 43-year-old man who was admitted to the hospital with severe intake reduction due to early satiety 2 wk after treatment for acute pancre-atitis;conservative treatment was ineffective,and a pancreatic pseudocyst was suspected on contrast-enhanced computed tomography(CT).Endoscopic ultra-sonography(EUS)suggested hyperechoic necrotic tissue within the cyst cavity.The wall was not completely mature,and the culture of the puncture fluid was positive for A-haemolytic Streptococcus.Thus,the final diagnosis of ANC in-fection was made.The necrotic collection was not walled off and contained many solid components;therefore,the patient underwent EUS-guided aspiration and lavage.Two weeks after the collection was completely encapsulated,pancreatic duct stent drainage via endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP)was performed,and the patient was subsequently successfully discharged.On repeat CT,the pancreatic cysts had almost disappeared during the 6-month fo-llow-up period after surgery.CONCLUSION Early EUS-guided aspiration and lavage combined with late ERCP catheter drainage may be effective methods for intervention in infected ANCs.