scholarly journals Targeting Neutrophils in Sepsis: From Mechanism to Translation

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaofei Shen ◽  
Ke Cao ◽  
Yang Zhao ◽  
Junfeng Du
Keyword(s):  
Therapeutic Strategy ◽  
Secondary Infection ◽  
Specific Treatment ◽  
Neutrophil Function ◽  
The Past ◽  
Extracellular Traps ◽  
Promising Strategy ◽  
Threatening Condition ◽  
Life Threatening

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. Although our understanding in the pathophysiological features of sepsis has increased significantly during the past decades, there is still lack of specific treatment for sepsis. Neutrophils are important regulators against invading pathogens, and their role during sepsis has been studied extensively. It has been suggested that the migration, the antimicrobial activity, and the function of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) have all been impaired during sepsis, which results in an inappropriate response to primary infection and potentially increase the susceptibility to secondary infection. On the other hand, accumulating evidence has shown that the reversal or restoration of neutrophil function can promote bacterial clearance and improve sepsis outcome, supporting the idea that targeting neutrophils may be a promising strategy for sepsis treatment. In this review, we will give an overview of the role of neutrophils during sepsis and discuss the potential therapeutic strategy targeting neutrophils.

Retroperitoneoscopic drainage of cryptogenic psoas abscess

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. e235579
Author(s):  
Caterina Froiio ◽  
Daniele Tiziano Bernardi ◽  
Emanuele Asti ◽  
Luigi Bonavina
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Therapy ◽  
Psoas Abscess ◽  
Secondary Infection ◽  
Ct Guided ◽  
Rehabilitation Care ◽  
The Past ◽  
Threatening Condition ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Spine Tuberculosis ◽  
Retroperitoneoscopic Approach

Psoas abscess is a rare and occasionally life-threatening condition. In the past, the major cause of psoas abscess was a descending infection originating from spine tuberculosis (Pott’s disease). Subsequently, secondary infection from spondylodiscitis or Crohn’s disease has become the prevalent aetiology. Conventional treatment ranges from antibiotic therapy alone to CT-guided and/or surgical drainage. We present the case of a 67-year-old man with a complex history, including pneumonia, sepsis and previous muscle-skeletal trauma. The patient subsequently developed a psoas abscess that was successfully treated with a minimally invasive retroperitoneoscopic approach and antibiotics. Blood cultures and pus yielded Gram-positive Streptococcus sp, and transesophageal echocardiography identified endocarditis as a possible source of sepsis. Postoperative clinical course was complicated by recurrent sepsis that required a change of antibiotic therapy. The patient was eventually discharged to rehabilitation care without further complications. The retroperitoneoscopic approach is safe and effective for the treatment of cryptogenic psoas abscess.

Helplessness, Hope, and the Occupational Therapist

1977 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joyce Magill ◽  
J. W. Vargo
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Control ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Specific Treatment ◽  
Occupational Therapist ◽  
Older Patient ◽  
Threatening Condition ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Anxiety Depression

This article examines how the loss of perceived control over one's environment (i.e. “helplessness”) can result in anxiety, depression, or death in people who otherwise appear to have favorable prognoses. Particular reference is made to the role of helplessness as a potentially life threatening condition in the older patient. Four effects of helplessness are discussed along with their implications for treatment. The paper presents seven specific treatment strategies for combatting the condition of helplessness, all of which are compatible with the skills possessed by an occupational therapist.

scholarly journals Trauma-Induced Coagulopathy: Overview of an Emerging Medical Problem from Pathophysiology to Outcomes

Medicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 16
Author(s):  
Gabriele Savioli ◽  
Iride Francesca Ceresa ◽  
Luca Caneva ◽  
Sebastiano Gerosa ◽  
Giovanni Ricevuti
Keyword(s):  
Major Trauma ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Medical Problem ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Potential Drug ◽  
The Past ◽  
Trauma Induced Coagulopathy ◽  
Threatening Condition ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Trauma Mortality

Coagulopathy induced by major trauma is common, affecting approximately one-third of patients after trauma. It develops independently of iatrogenic, hypothermic, and dilutive causes (such as iatrogenic cause in case of fluid administration), which instead have a pejorative aspect on coagulopathy. Notwithstanding the continuous research conducted over the past decade on Trauma-Induced Coagulopathy (TIC), it remains a life-threatening condition with a significant impact on trauma mortality. We reviewed the current evidence regarding TIC diagnosis and pathophysiological mechanisms and summarized the different iterations of optimal TIC management strategies among which product resuscitation, potential drug administrations, and hemostatis-focused approaches. We have identified areas of ongoing investigation and controversy in TIC management.

scholarly journals Role of SatO2, PaO2/FiO2 Ratio and PaO2 to Predict Adverse Outcome in COVID-19: A Retrospective, Cohort Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (21) ◽  
pp. 11534
Author(s):  
Stefano Sartini ◽  
Laura Massobrio ◽  
Ombretta Cutuli ◽  
Paola Campodonico ◽  
Cristina Bernini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Failure ◽  
Adverse Outcome ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Threatening Condition ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Group A ◽  
Group B ◽  
The University

COVID-19 respiratory failure is a life-threatening condition. Oxygenation targets were evaluated in a non-ICU setting. In this retrospective, observational study, we enrolled all patients admitted to the University Hospital of Genoa, Italy, between 1 February and 31 May 2020 with an RT-PCR positive for SARS-CoV-2. PaO2, PaO2/FiO2 and SatO2% were collected and analyzed at time 0 and in case of admission, patients who required or not C-PAP (groups A and B) were categorized. Each measurement was correlated to adverse outcome. A total of 483 patients were enrolled, and 369 were admitted to hospital. Of these, 153 required C-PAP and 266 had an adverse outcome. Patients with PaO2 <60 and >100 had a higher rate of adverse outcome at time 0, in groups A and B (OR 2.52, 3.45, 2.01, respectively). About the PaO2/FiO2 ratio, the OR for < 300 was 3.10 at time 0, 4.01 in group A and 4.79 in group B. Similar odds were found for < 200 in any groups and < 100 except for group B (OR 11.57). SatO2 < 94% showed OR 1.34, 3.52 and 19.12 at time 0, in groups A and B, respectively. PaO2 < 60 and >100, SatO2 < 94% and PaO2/FiO2 ratio < 300 showed at least two- to three-fold correlation to adverse outcome. This may provide simple but clear targets for clinicians facing COVID-19 respiratory failure in a non ICU-setting.

(Un) conventional complicated pancreatitis

2021 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-67
Author(s):  
Michal Rybár ◽  
Ivo Horný
Keyword(s):  
Acute Pancreatitis ◽  
Multidisciplinary Approach ◽  
Pancreatic Necrosis ◽  
Surgical Intervention ◽  
Secondary Infection ◽  
Abdominal Ultrasound ◽  
Stent Migration ◽  
Endoscopic Extraction ◽  
Threatening Condition ◽  
Life Threatening

Acute pancreatitis is sudden inflammatory disease of pancreas, which can vary from a mild form to severe life threatening condition. The management of pancreatitis usually consists of intensive care and multidisciplinary approach, often including surgical intervention or digestive endoscopy. In this article, we present a 68-year-old female with recidivous acute pancreatitis who underwent a series of endoscopic examinations and at the end also an unusual surgical intervention due to numerous complications. At first, it seemed that there was an idiopatic etiology because neither an anamnesis of alcohol consumption nor metabolic risks or CT signs of cholelithiasis were found. The condition was complicated by the development of acute necrotic collection, gastrointestinal bleeding and development of walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WOPN). Later, the biliary etiology was revealed after cholecystolithiasis was found on abdominal ultrasound. The WOPN was endoscopically drained because of the local compression syndrome. After the drainage, we noticed two cases of stent migration and the secondary infection of the WOPN. At the end, the migrated stents caused transient bowel obstruction and were stuck in the distal ileum. After three unsuccessful attempts to endoscopic extraction, the condition was solved by surgical intervention and double enterotomy was performed. The postoperative care was not easy anyway, being complicated by the dehiscence of the surgical wound with the need of opening the wound and use the VAC system to heal it up.

Sudden death due to ruptured oesophageal varices – autopsy-based case report

2020 ◽  
Vol 88 (4) ◽  
pp. 189-191
Author(s):  
Nagendra Singh Sonwani ◽  
Navneet Ateriya ◽  
Arvind Kumar ◽  
Anil Kohli ◽  
Kalyan Kumar Banerjee
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Alcoholism ◽  
Medical Emergency ◽  
Oesophageal Varices ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Forensic Pathologist ◽  
Threatening Condition ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Cirrhotic Patients ◽  
Acute Haemorrhage

Acute haemorrhage from ruptured oesophageal varices is a serious consequence of portal hypertension in cirrhotic patients. It represents a medical emergency with a high morbidity and mortality rate. Studies over the years have shown a direct link with chronic alcoholism in the development of such complications. Although the gastrointestinal system accounts for a few numbers of sudden deaths, bleeding through ruptured varices represent a life-threatening condition. The role of forensic pathologist is vital in dealing with sudden deaths. Here, we report a case of a 46-year-old man who died suddenly following the rupture of oesophageal varices.

Ossification of the Peritoneal Membrane

2004 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 471-477 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Di Paolo ◽  
Giovanni Sacchi ◽  
Paola Lorenzoni ◽  
Enrico Sansoni ◽  
Enzo Gaggiotti
Keyword(s):  
Histopathological Examination ◽  
Giant Cells ◽  
Peritoneal Membrane ◽  
The Past ◽  
Biopsy Specimens ◽  
Dialysis Solution ◽  
Threatening Condition ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Great Availability ◽  
White Material

Background Peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients rarely develop sclerosing peritonitis (SP), a severe, life-threatening condition of unknown pathogenesis. Ossification of the peritoneum (PO) is a rare occurrence, which has, however, been reported in PD patients with SP. Objective To investigate etiopathogenetic correlations between PO and SP by histopathological examination. Method We examined biopsy specimens, obtained by laparoscopy or during surgery from 36 patients with SP, from all parts of Italy in the past 8 years for evidence of peritoneal calcification or ossification. Other studies were performed on a sample of dense white material found under the parietal peritoneum of 1 patient during laparoscopy. Results Ossification of the peritoneum was found in 4/16 patients with calcifications. In addition to PO, we also found bone marrow in two specimens and arterial ossification in one case. In specimens with calcifications, and especially those with ossification, there was evidence of peritoneal inflammation with infiltration of lymphocytes, multinuclear giant cells, macrophages, and mast cells. The chemical composition of the whitish material was 85% calcium chloride and 15% hydroxyapatite. Conclusions Calcifications alone were found in 33% (12/36) of cases of SP; 11% of SP cases were complicated by both peritoneal calcification and ossification (4/36), which indicates great availability of calcium under conditions of inflammation. Where does this calcium come from? In 1 patient with PO, the quantity of calcium was enormous and its unusual composition suggested a link with the calcium contained in dialysis solution.

scholarly journals Reduced Parasite Burden in Children with Falciparum Malaria and Bacteremia Coinfections: Role of Mediators of Inflammation

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory C. Davenport ◽  
James B. Hittner ◽  
Vincent Otieno ◽  
Zachary Karim ◽  
Harshini Mukundan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Parasite Burden ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Mediation Model ◽  
Multiple Mediation ◽  
Mediators Of Inflammation ◽  
Threatening Condition ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Sub Saharan

Bacteremia and malaria coinfection is a common and life-threatening condition in children residing in sub-Saharan Africa. We previously showed that coinfection with Gram negative (G[−]) enteric Bacilli andPlasmodium falciparum(Pf[+]) was associated with reduced high-density parasitemia (HDP, >10,000 parasites/μL), enhanced respiratory distress, and severe anemia. Since inflammatory mediators are largely unexplored in such coinfections, circulating cytokines were determined in four groups of children (n=206, aged <3 yrs): healthy;Pf[+] alone; G[−] coinfected; and G[+] coinfected.Staphylococcus aureusand non-TyphiSalmonellawere the most frequently isolated G[+] and G[−] organisms, respectively. Coinfected children, particularly those with G[−] pathogens, had lower parasite burden (peripheral and geometric mean parasitemia and HDP). In addition, both coinfected groups had increased IL-4, IL-5, IL-7, IL-12, IL-15, IL-17, IFN-γ, and IFN-αand decreased TNF-αrelative to malaria alone. Children with G[−] coinfection had higher IL-1βand IL-1Ra and lower IL-10 than thePf[+] group and higher IFN-γthan the G[+] group. To determine how the immune response to malaria regulates parasitemia, cytokine production was investigated with a multiple mediation model. Cytokines with the greatest mediational impact on parasitemia were IL-4, IL-10, IL-12, and IFN-γ. Results here suggest that enhanced immune activation, especially in G[−] coinfected children, acts to reduce malaria parasite burden.

PS02.056: TIMELY LIGATION OF THORACIC DUCT IN POST ESOPHAGECTOMY CHYLE LEAK: KEY TO SUCCESSFUL MANAGEMENT

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 136-136
Author(s):  
Sanjeev Parshad ◽  
Parvinder Sandu ◽  
Shekar Gogna ◽  
Abhijeet Beniwal ◽  
Rajendra Karwasra
Keyword(s):  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Thoracic Duct ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Surrounding Tissue ◽  
Chyle Leak ◽  
Threatening Condition ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Carcinoma Esophagus ◽  
Esophagectomy For Cancer

Abstract Background Chyle leak after esophagectomy for carcinoma esophagus is a rare but life threatening condition with reported an incidence of 1–6%. Mortality rate of up to 50% have been reported. Management of chyle leak is controversial. We reviewed our experience with iatrogenic chylothorax after esophagectomy for carcinoma esophagus. Methods From 2003 to 2017, 560 patients underwent esophagectomy for cancer at our department of oncosurgery. Eight patients developed post operative chyle leak. Transthoracic or transabdominal ligation of duct was done in six patients with in first week. 100 ml of cream was given 30 min before induction to visualize the leak intraoperatively. We used 4–0 prolene pledgeted suture to ligate the duct. Results Six patients who underwent early ligation could be salvaged and the two who were managed conservatively succumbed. Oringer et al. pointed towards conservative treatment having little place in the management of chylothorax in nutritionally depleted patients. Hence, prompt ligation of thoracic duct decreases morbidity and mortality of chylothorax. Thus the role of early surgery needs to stressed. There is a wide difference of mortality rate of conservative management of 82% with respect to the mortality rate of surgery of 10–16%. Though no conclusion data are available regarding the indication and time point of surgical ligation of the thoracic duct, it is important not to procrastinate while the condition deteriorates to a level at which surgery would be detrimental.Administration of cream to the patient (through feeding jejunostomy) around half an hour before surgery makes identification of site of leak simpler.The importance of pledgeted sutures cannot be denied as the thoracic duct is paper thin and chyle contains no fibrin. Thus non pledgeted sutures will tear it further. Infact, stitching should not be done through the duct but into the surrounding tissue around the duct and should allow the pledgets to close the duct. Conclusion Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

scholarly journals Critical Care COVID-19 Patient with a Picture of Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rehab AL-Ansari ◽  
Mohanad Bakkar ◽  
Leena Abdalla ◽  
Khaled Sewify
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Ventilation ◽  
Critical Care ◽  
Plasma Exchange ◽  
Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
Kidney Injury ◽  
Therapeutic Plasma Exchange ◽  
Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
Threatening Condition ◽  
Life Threatening

Background: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is an uncommon haematological disease which can occur at any age and may present with COVID-19. This case describes a COVID-19 complication associated with a presentation resembling TTP. Case description: A 51-year-old man who had received a kidney transplant and was on immunosuppressant medication, was admitted to a critical care unit with severe COVID-19 pneumonia/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) which required intubation, mechanical ventilation and inotropic support. The course was complicated by the classic pentad of thrombocytopenia, intravascular haemolysis, acute kidney injury, neurological symptoms and fever, which prompted the diagnosis of probable TTP. After five sessions of therapeutic plasma exchange, the patient’s general status improved, he was weaned off mechanical ventilation and his renal panel and haemolytic markers normalized. Conclusion: TTP is a life-threatening condition which requires urgent management with therapeutic plasma exchange. This case highlights some possible complications of COVID-19 generally and in immunocompromised patients specifically. The potential role of plasma exchange in COVID-19 patients without a positive diagnosis of TTP (the so-called ‘TTP resembling presentation’) is an area of further research.

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