Extracorporeal organ support for critically ill patients:Overcoming the past,achieving the maximum at present,and redefining the future

Extracorporeal organ support(ECOS)has made remarkable progress over the last few years.Renal replacement therapy,introduced a few decades ago,was the first available application of ECOS.The subsequent evolution of ECOS enabled the enhanced support to many other organs,including the heart[veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO),slow continuous ultrafiltration],the lungs(veno-venous ECMO,extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal),and the liver(blood purification techniques for the detoxification of liver toxins).Moreover,additional indications of these methods,including the suppression of excessive inflammatory response occurring in severe disorders such as sepsis,coronavirus disease 2019,pancreatitis,and trauma(blood purification techniques for the removal of exotoxins,endotoxins,or cytokines),have arisen.Multiple organ support therapy is crucial since a vast majority of critically ill patients present not with a single but with multiple organ failure(MOF),whereas,traditional therapeutic approaches(mechanical ventilation for acute respiratory failure,antibiotics for sepsis,and inotropes for cardiac dysfunction)have reached the maximum efficacy and cannot be improved further.However,several issues remain to be clarified,such as the complexity and cost of ECOS systems,standardization of indications,therapeutic protocols and initiation time,choice of the patients who will benefit most from these interventions,while evidence from randomized controlled trials supporting their use is still limited.Nevertheless,these methods are currently a part of routine clinical practice in intensive care units.This editorial presents the past,present,and future considerations,as well as perspectives regarding these therapies.Our better understanding of these methods,the pathophysiology of MOF,the crosstalk between native organs resulting in MOF,and the crosstalk between native organs and artificial organ support systems when applied sequentially or simultaneously,will lead to the multiplication of their effects and the minimization of complications arising from their use.

Effects of enteral nutrition intervention on immune and nutritional indexes of patients with gastric malignant cancer during postoperative chemotherapy

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate changes in nutritional status and related indexes in patients with Nutritional Risk Score(NRS)≥3 gastric cancer after nutritional support treatment.Methods A total of 50 patients with gastric cancer were divided into two groups according to the different nutritional support treatment they received during postoperative chemotherapy:immune-enhanced enteral nutrition group(n=25)and conventional enteral nutrition group(n=25).Changes in patient’body mass index(BMI),hemoglobin(HB),serum total protein(TP),serum albumin(ALB),and immune indexes(CD3+,CD4+/CD8+,CD3+/CD8+)were monitored before and after chemotherapy.At the same time,the incidence and classification of gastrointestinal adverse reactions after chemotherapy were assessed.Results Compared with the conventional enteral nutrition group,the nutritional and immune indexes in the immune-enhanced enteral nutrition group were significantly improved.After chemotherapy,the incidence of adverse reactions in the digestive tract was relatively lower and the grade was reduced.Conclusion Immune-enhanced enteral nutrition support can significantly improve the nutritional status of patients,improve immune function,increase the susceptibility of cancer patients to chemotherapy,reduce toxicity and adverse effects,and improve the quality of life of tumor patients compared with conventional enteral nutrition support.

Zika virus:A review of literature

Zika virus(ZIKV) has two lineages:African and Asian.Mosquito-borne flaviviruses are thought to replicate initially in dendritic cells and then spread to lymph nodes and the blood stream.Risk for infection through blood transfusion,sexual practices and perinatal transmission exists.The possible routes of perinatal transmission are during delivery,breastfeeding and by close contact between the mother and her newborn.Also,mucocutaneous exposures to the virus by infected blood or monkey bite,organ transplantation or hemodialysis are the other routes of ZIKV transmission.There are two types of ZIKV infection;Zika fever and congenital infection.Clinical presentation of Zika fever varies from asymptomatic infections to a self-limiting febrile disease with low grade fever,conjunctivitis,maculopapular rash,headache,retro-orbital pain and arthritis/arthralgia with periarticular edema,myalgia,vertigo,vomiting and asthenia.This clinical feature could be mistaken for dengue or chikungunya fevers.Microcephaly is the most important and frequently reported clinical picture of suspected congenital Zika syndrome.Laboratory tests are needed for diagnosis of ZIKV infection,because there is no known pathognomonic clinical,biochemical or radiological features.RT-PCR is the most wellliked assay.Serum samples are tested by immunoglobulin G ELISA with ZIKV antigen.Samples are also tested by immunoglobulin M ELISA.There is no certified vaccine or therapeutic medication.In asymptomatic or uncomplicated patients,treatment is not necessary.

Analyze the rules of Chinese herbal of Professor Xiong Lu in treating metaphase and advanced lung cancer by data mining

Objective： To analyze the experience of chief physician Xiong Lu in treating metaphase and advanced lung cancer through using TCM inheritance support system （V2.5）. Methods： Collecting the prescriptions used for metaphase and advanced lung cancer from November 1, 2014 to February 1, 2015, then the data were entered into the TCM inheritance support system. Based on principle analysis, revised mutual information, complex system entropy cluster and unsupervised hierarchical clustering composing principles were analyzed. Results： Based on the analysis of 228 cases of prescriptions, the frequency of each Chinese medicinal herb and association rules among herbs included in the database were computed. 15 core combinations and 2 new prescriptions were explored from the database. Conclusion： In treating metaphase and advanced lung cancer, chief physician Xiong Lu pay attention to Fuzheng Peiben （Therapy for support Zheng-qi to propup root）, according to the different situation cooperate with Tong Luo （dredging collaterals）, San Jie （Dissipating a mass）, Huo Xue （Activating blood）, Gong Du （Counteracting toxic substance） and so on. Xiong Lu is also good at using toxic drugs and incompatible medicaments.

Review of pharmacologic and immunologic agents in the management of COVID-19

The novel coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)is the third coronavirus outbreak in the last two decades.Emerging and re-emerging infections like COVID-19 pose serious challenges of the paucity of information and lack of specific cure or vaccines.This leaves utilisation of existing scientific data on related viral infections and repurposing relevant aetiologic and supportive therapies as the best control approach while novel strategies are developed and trialled.Many promising antiviral agents including lopinavir,ritonavir,remdesivir,umifenovir,darunavir,and oseltamivir have been repurposed and are currently trialled for the care for COVID-19 patients.Adjunct therapies for the management of symptoms and to provide support especially in severe and critically ill patients have also been identified.This review provides an appraisal of the current evidence for the rational use of frontline therapeutics in the management of COVID-19.It also includes updates regarding COVID-19 immunotherapy and vaccine development.