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According to the Central Document No. 1 of 2022, digital technology-driven rural financial inclusion will continue to take root across the country, and innovative applications of digitalization in financial services will continue to emerge, providing innovative solutions for rural revitalization. On the basis of the rural revitalization index measured by the entropy weight method, mediation effect model and spatial Durbin model are empirically tested to examine the inherent mechanism. Firstly, the findings indicate that digital inclusive finance significantly contributes to rural revitalization, even after modifying the method of robustness testing to employ the entropy TOPSIS method and selecting historical data as an instrumental variable. Second, stimulating mass entrepreneurship is an effective mechanism for digital inclusive finance to promote rural revitalization. Third, The positive impact of digital inclusive finance is accompanied by spatial spillovers, as demonstrated by spatial autoregression models and spatial Durbin models.

Manganese sulfate, as preparation of manganese dioxide industrial raw material, is obtained upon desulfurization with manganese ore. However, a byproduct, manganese dithionate (MnS2O6) will debase the purity and spoils the recovery of the product. In order to find out the conversion mechanism of MnS2O6 during the ozonation process, we investigated the factors affecting the decomposition rate of MnS2O6, including ozone content, manganese dithionate concentration, sulfuric acid concentration, and reaction temperature. The results confirmed that the conversion rate of MnS2O6 is increased with the increasing of the four factors. There were two sections of MnS2O6 ozonation: (1) Mn2+ was directly oxidized to MnO2; (2) SO42− was obtained by the catalytic oxidation of S2O62− with O3. Meanwhile, the total activation energy of the ozonation kinetics equation of the ozonation reaction was 177.28 kJ mol− 1 according to kinetics analysis. The oxidation experimental results indicated that the oxidizer (O3) was not only beneficial to enhance the disproportionation of MnS2O6, but also provided a way to prevent the secondary pollution, SO2 gas releasing.

Background. Since 2020 COVID-19 pandemic became an emergent public sanitary incident. The epidemiology data and the impact on prognosis of secondary infection in severe and critical COVID-19 patients in China remained largely unclear.Methods. We retrospectively reviewed medical records of all adult patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 who were admitted to ICUs from January 18th 2020 to April 26th 2020 at two hospitals in Wuhan, China and one hospital in Guangzhou, China. We measured the frequency of bacteria and fungi cultured from respiratory tract, blood and other body fluid specimens. The risk factors for and impact of secondary infection on clinical outcomes were also assessed. Results. Secondary infections were very common (86.6%) when patients were admitted to ICU for >72 hours. The majority of infections were respiratory, with the most common organisms being Klebsiella pneumoniae (24.5%), Acinetobacter baumannii (21.8%), Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (9.9%), Candida albicans (6.8%), and Pseudomonas spp. (4.8%). Furthermore, the proportions of multidrug resistant (MDR) bacteria and carbapenem resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) were high. We also found that age ≥60 years and mechanical ventilation ≥13days independently increased the likelihood of secondary infection. Finally, patients with positive cultures had reduced ventilator free days in 28 days and patients with CRE and/or MDR bacteria positivity showed lower 28 day survival rate.Conclusions. In a retrospective cohort of severe and critical COVID-19 patients admitted to ICUs in China, the prevalence of secondary infection was high, especially with CRE and MDR bacteria, resulting in poor clinical outcomes.

This study aimed to investigate independent risk factors of postoperative hypoxemia in patients with acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD).A single-center retrospective study was conducted with enrolled 75 ATAAD patients following surgery, which were stratified into three groups on the basis of the postoperative PaO2/FiO2 ratio: severe hypoxemia group (PaO2/FiO2 ratio ≤100 mmHg); moderate hypoxemia group (100 mmHgPaO2/FiO2 ratio ≤200 mmHg); and non-hypoxemia group (PaO2/FiO2 ratio200 mmHg). The patient's demography, perioperative laboratory results, operative details, clinical outcomes were collected and analyzed. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed and logistic regression model was established.The incidence of postoperative severe hypoxemia and hypoxemia was 32% and 52%, respectively. Among the three groups, severe hypoxemia group exhibited a high significance of body mass index (BMI) and preoperative white blood cell (WBC) and main distribution of hypertension; meanwhile, Marfan syndrome was mainly distributed in non-hypoxemia group. On intensive care unit (ICU) admission, severe hypoxemia group exhibited a high significance of Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II) score of postoperative patients, and more patients would present shock. Moreover, severe hypoxemia group patients had a higher incidence of postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) and usage of renal replacement therapy, longer length of stay (LOS) of ICU, and shorter 28 days ventilator-free days (VFDs).The incidence of postoperative hypoxemia was high in ATAAD patients owing to comprehensive high-risk factors. Besides, postoperative complications negatively impacted their clinical outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Adequate respiratory support can improve clinical outcomes in patients who are ready for weaning from a ventilator. We aimed to investigate the efficacy of respiratory methods in adults undergoing planned extubation using a Bayesian network meta-analysis. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase, and ClinicalTrials.gov for unpublished and ongoing trials up to November 2019 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in English that compared conventional oxygen therapy (COT), a high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC), and noninvasive ventilation (NIV) for post-extubation respiratory support. Screening of citations, study selection, data extraction, and assessment of risk were performed independently by two authors. The primary outcome was the reintubation rate. RESULTS: Twenty-two studies (4,218 patients) were included in our meta-analysis. Extubated patients supported with NIV had a significantly lower incidence of reintubation than those supported with COT [odds ratio (OR): 0.63, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.42, 0.89]. However, there was no significant difference in the reintubation rate between the HFNC and NIV, and HFNC and COT groups (OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 0.60, 1.81; OR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.33, 1.02, respectively). HFNC and NIV reduced the incidence of hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) (OR: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.25, 0.93; OR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.27, 0.87, respectively) and post-extubation acute respiratory failure (ARF) (OR: 0.35, 95% CI: 0.14, 0.89; OR: 0.31, 95% CI: 0.14, 0.63, respectively) compared with COT. There was no significant difference in a decreased incidence of HAP (OR: 1.1, 95% CI: 0.56, 1.8) or post-extubation ARF (OR: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.33, 2.1) between NIV and HFNC. There were also no significant differences in improvements in other clinical outcomes, including intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital mortality and the length of stay (LOS) between NIV and HFNC. CONCLUSIONS: NIV reduces the reintubation rate in adult patients undergoing planned extubation compared with COT and HFNC.

Corona Virus Disease 2019(COVID-19)-affected patients with severe immune abnormalities have a risk of cytokine release syndrome. The definition, prevention, and treatment of symptoms of cytokine release syndrome in critically ill patients with COVID-19 are important problems. This was a single-center case series of 11 COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) from The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University in China from January 26, 2020 to February 18, 2020. The termination date of follow-up was February 19, 2020. In this single-center analysis of 11 critically ill patients with COVID-19, 8 patients were determined to have characteristics of cytokine release syndrome (CRS), including pulmonary inflammation, fever, and dysfunction of non-pulmonary organs; an increase of- Interleukin-6 (IL-6) in peripheral blood was the highest risk factor and an early indicator of CRS in COVID-19.

BackgroundViral causes of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are mostly limited to influenza. However, adenovirus has been emerging as a cause of ARDS with a high mortality rate and described in adults are rare.MethodsWe conducted a prospective, single-center observational study of viral pneumonia with ARDS and confirmed adenovirus-associated ARDS in adults at our quaternary referral institution between March 2019 and June 2020. We prospectively analyzed clinical characteristics, laboratory test results, radiological characteristics, viral load from nasopharyngeal swabs and endotracheal aspirates, treatments, and outcomes for the study participants.ResultsThe study enrolled 143 ARDS patients, including 47 patients with viral pneumonia-related ARDS, among which there were 14 adenovirus-associated ARDS patients, which accounted for 29.79% of the viral pneumonia-related ARDS cases. Among the adenovirus-associated ARDS patients, 78.57% were men with a mean age of 54.93 ± 19.04 years, younger than that of the non-adenovirus associated ARDS patients. Adenovirus-associated ARDS patients had no specific clinical characteristics, but they presented with decrease in the number of CD3+CD4+ T cells and higher serum creatinine during the early stage. The viral load and the positivity rate in the lower respiratory tract were higher than that of the upper respiratory tract in the patients with adenovirus-associated ARDS. All patients required invasive mechanical ventilation treatment. The average time from shortness of breath to the application of invasive ventilation was 24 h. Ten patients (71.43%) complicated by acute kidney injury, while 13 patients (71.43%) in the non-adenovirus associated ARDS group (P = 0.045). Additionally, 85.71% of the 14 adenovirus-associated ARDS patients survived. No significant differences were detected between the two groups regarding duration of ventilation, length of ICU stay and mortality.ConclusionAdenovirus infection is an important cause of virus-related ARDS. The positivity rate of adenovirus infection in lower respiratory tract secretions was higher than that in upper respiratory tract secretions in these patients. Age, lower CD3+CD4+ T cells, and high serum creatinine may be were associated with adenovirus induce ARDS in adults required mechanical ventilation. Early identification and intervention to prevent disease progression are essential for reducing the mortality rate in these patients.

Background: Viral causes of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are mostly limited to influenza. However, adenovirus has been emerging as a cause of ARDS with a high mortality rate and described in adults are rare.Methods: We conducted a prospective, single-center observational study of viral pneumonia with ARDS and confirmed adenovirus-associated ARDS in adults at our quaternary referral institution between March 2019 and June 2020. We prospectively analyzed clinical characteristics, laboratory test results, radiological characteristics, viral load from nasopharyngeal swabs and endotracheal aspirates, treatments, and outcomes for the study participants.Results: The study enrolled 143 ARDS patients, including 47 patients with viral pneumonia-related ARDS, among which there were 14 adenovirus-associated ARDS patients, which accounted for 29.79% of the viral pneumonia-related ARDS cases. Among the adenovirus-associated ARDS patients, 78.57% were men with a mean age of 54.93 ± 19.04 years. Adenovirus-associated ARDS patients had no specific clinical characteristics, but they presented with shortness of breath and fever, and their initial chest radiographic findings were multifocal or showed diffuse opacity. The viral load and the positivity rate in the lower respiratory tract were higher than that of the upper respiratory tract in the patients with adenovirus-associated ARDS, and 85.71% of the patients had a significant decrease in the number of CD3+CD4+ T cells during the early stage. All patients required invasive mechanical ventilation treatment. The average time from shortness of breath to the application of invasive ventilation was 24 hours. The median duration of invasive mechanical ventilation was 22 days (14–75 days). Six patients (42.86%) required renal replacement therapy, and three patients (21.43%) required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support. Additionally, 85.71% of the 14 adenovirus-associated ARDS patients survived.Conclusion: Adenovirus infection is an important cause of virus-related ARDS. The positivity rate of adenovirus infection in lower respiratory tract secretions was higher than that in upper respiratory tract secretions in these patients. Most of the patients had a significant decrease in the number of CD3+CD4+ T cells during the early stage. Early identification and intervention to prevent disease progression are essential for reducing the mortality rate in these patients.Trial registration: ChiCTR1900022822. Registered 27 April 2019, https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=38064

Background: Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing (mNGS) has gradually shown its advantages in pathogen identification for clinical infectious disease. However, few studies were conducted on the evaluation between this technique and conventional methods like culture and PCR and the prognosis of patients with infectious diseases on mechanical ventilation in ICUMethods: We conducted this retrospective study from March 2018 to May 2020 in the first Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, a total of 228 patients with suspected infectious diseases on mechanical ventilation were included, including 104 cases of mNGS group and 124 cases of non-mNGS. Statistical analyses were performed between the two groups and subgroup of whether were immunocompromised. The concordance between mNGS, culture and PCR was also assessed.Results: The 28-day mortality rate of the patients in the mNGS group was lower after the baseline difference correction (19.23% vs. 29.03%，p=0.039), indicating that mNGS may improve the prognosis of patients in ICU. And subgroup analysis showed that mNGS could improve the 28-day mortality of nonimmunosuppressive patients（14.06% vs. 29.82%, p=0.018）. According to the analysis of Logistic Regression, not performing mNGS, high APACHE II score and hypertension were independent risk factors for 28-day mortality, which strongly suggested that mNGS was one of the key factors affecting prognosis. A total of 157 samples performed mNGS, 116 of them received both mNGS and culture. mNGS presented advantages of positivity (69.8% double positive and 25.0% mNGS positive only) and concordance (79.0%, match and partly match).Conclusions: mNGS may improve the prognosis and reduce the 28-day mortality rate of patients with infectious diseases on mechanical ventilation in ICU. This technique has shown its advantages comparing with conventional methods, and will be wildly used as a promising technology for infectious disease.

Background: Information about critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in China but outside of Wuhan is scarce. We aimed to describe the clinical features, treatment, and outcomes of patients with COVID-19 admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) in Guangdong Province. Methods: In this multicenter, retrospective, observational study, we enrolled consecutive patients with COVID-19 who were admitted to seven ICUs in Guangdong Province. Demographic data, symptoms, laboratory findings, comorbidities, treatment, and outcomes were collected. Data were compared between patients with and without intubation. Results: A total of 45 COVID-19 patients required ICU admission in the study hospitals [mean age 56.7 ± 15.4 years, 29 males (64.4%)]. The most common symptoms at onset were fever and cough. Most patients presented with lymphopenia and elevated lactate dehydrogenase. Treatment with antiviral drugs was initiated in all patients. Thirty-six patients (80%) developed acute respiratory distress syndrome at ICU admission, and 15 (33.3%) septic shock. Twenty patients (44.4%) were intubated, and 10 (22.2%) received extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. The 60-day mortality was 4.4% (2 of 45). Conclusion: COVID-19 patients admitted to ICU were characterized by fever, lymphopenia, acute respiratory failure, and multiple organ dysfunction. The mortality of ICU patients in Guangdong Province was relatively low with a small sample size.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the conversion ratio of tacrolimus switching from intravenous infusion to oral administration in patients after lung transplantation. METHODS: We retrospectively recruited patients received lung transplantation in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical Hospital from January 2015 to June 2019. The blood concentration of tacrolimus administrated through intravenous infusion and oral administration were collected. The blood concentration, concentration/dose ratio (C/D), and (C/Dpo)/(C/Div) ratio were analyzed to explore the conversion ratio of tacrolimus switching from intravenous infusion to oral administration, as combined medication of tacrolimus and caspofungin were used. RESULTS: The concentration of intravenously administered tacrolimus was significantly higher than that of oral administration; the C/D ratio of intravenously administrated tacrolimus (C/Div) was significantly higher than that of the oral administration (C/Dpo). There was a significant correlation between C/Dpo and C/Div (R(2) =0.774, P

Background To evaluate the incidence, risk factors, and prognosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) after lung transplantation (LTx). Methods Records of patients who underwent LTx in a single center were retrospectively reviewed. The prevalence of post-transplant AKI, the use of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), and the risk factors for AKI were investigated. The impact of AKI and CRRT on short-term outcomes and long-term survival was measured. Results 148 patients were included with 67 cases developed post-operative AKI. 31 patients underwent CRRT; the percentage of CRRT was 6.2%, 0%, 10% and 86.2% in no-AKI, and stage 1, 2 and 3 AKI, respectively. Patients with AKI had significantly higher ICU mortality and in-hospital mortality. The 1-year post-LTx survival rate of patients with AKI was 47.8%, significantly lower than those without (74.1%). There was no difference in the 1-year survival rate of those with stage 1 and stage 2 AKI, but patients with stage 3 AKI showed the worst survival. Patients who underwent CRRT had an inferior survival outcome (9.7% vs. 76.1%, P

Background: Since the clinical correlates, prognosis and determinants of AKI in patients with Covid-19 remain largely unclear, we perform a retrospective study to evaluate the incidence, risk factors and prognosis of AKI in severe and critically ill patients with Covid-19.Methods: We reviewed medical records of all adult patients (>18 years) with laboratory-confirmed Covid-19 who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) between January 23rd 2020 and April 6th 2020 at Wuhan JinYinTan Hospital and The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University. The clinical data, including patient demographics, clinical symptoms and signs, laboratory findings, treatment [including respiratory supports, use of medications and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT)] and clinical outcomes, were extracted from the electronic records, and we access the incidence of AKI and the use of CRRT, risk factors for AKI, the outcomes of renal diseases, and the impact of AKI on the clinical outcomes.Results: Among 210 subjects, 131 were males (62.4%). The median age was 64 years (IQR: 56-71). Of 92 (43.8%) patients who developed AKI during hospitalization, 13 (14.1%), 15 (16.3%) and 64 (69.6%) patients were classified as stage 1, 2 and 3, respectively. 54 cases (58.7%) received CRRT. Age, sepsis, Nephrotoxic drug, IMV and elevated baseline Scr were associated with AKI occurrence. The renal recover during hospitalization among 16 AKI patients (17.4%), who had a significantly shorter time from admission to AKI diagnosis, lower incidence of right heart failure and higher P/F ratio. Of 210 patients, 93 patients deceased within 28 days of ICU admission. AKI stage 3, critical disease, greater age and minimum P/F Conclusions: Among patients with Covid-19, the incidence of AKI was high. age , sepsis, nephrotoxic drug, IMV and baseline Scr were strongly associated with the development of AKI. Time from admission to AKI diagnosis, right heart failure and P/F ratio were independently associated with the potential of renal recovery. Finally, AKI KIDGO stage 3 independently predicted the risk of death within 28 days of ICU admission.

The vastly spreading COVID-19 pneumonia is caused by SARS-CoV-2. Lymphopenia and cytokine levels are tightly associated with disease severity. However, virus-induced immune dysregulation at cellular and molecular levels remains largely undefined. Here, the leukocytes in the pleural effusion, sputum, and peripheral blood biopsies from severe and mild patients were analyzed at single-cell resolution. Drastic T cell hyperactivation accompanying elevated T cell exhaustion was observed, predominantly in pleural effusion. The mechanistic investigation identified a group of CD14+ monocytes and macrophages highly expressing CD163 and MRC1 in the biopsies from severe patients, suggesting M2 macrophage polarization. These M2-like cells exhibited up-regulated IL10, CCL18, APOE, CSF1 (M-CSF), and CCL2 signaling pathways. Further, SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells were observed in pleural effusion earlier than in peripheral blood. Together, our results suggest that severe SARS-CoV-2 infection causes immune dysregulation by inducing M2 polarization and subsequent T cell exhaustion. This study improves our understanding of COVID-19 pathogenesis.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence, risk factors, and prognosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) after lung transplantation (LTx).Records of patients who underwent LTx in a single center were retrospectively reviewed. The prevalence of post-transplant AKI, the use of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), and the risk factors for AKI were investigated. The effects of AKI and CRRT on short-term outcomes and long-term survival were measured.This study included 148 patients, 67 of which developed postoperative AKI. Of these, 31 patients underwent CRRT; the percentage of cases with no AKI was 6.2%, and the percentage of cases with stage 1, 2, and 3 who used CRRT was 0%, 10%, and 86.2%, respectively. Patients with AKI had significantly higher intensive care unit mortality and in-hospital mortality. The 1-year post-LTx survival rate of patients with AKI was 47.8%, significantly lower than those without AKI (74.1%). There was no difference in 1-year survival rate of those with stage 1 and stage 2 AKI, but patients with stage 3 AKI showed the worst survival. Patients who underwent CRRT had an inferior survival outcome (9.7% vs 76.1%, P .05). We found that higher acute physiologic assessment and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II scores (odds ratio [OR] 1.082, P = .009) and higher intraoperative fluid balance (OR 1.001, P = .012) were independent risk factors, and female sex (OR 2.539) and pulmonary hypertension (OR 2.869) were potential risk factors for post-LTx AKI. A prediction model integration of the above factors showed a good concordance with actual risks and had a concordance index (C-index) of 0.76 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.66-0.87).Severe AKI requiring CRRT had a negative impact on the short-term and long-term outcomes of patients.

BackgroundIn December 2019, human infection with a novel coronavirus, known as SARS-CoV-2, was identified in Wuhan, China. The mortality of critical illness was high in Wuhan. Information about critically ill patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection outside of Wuhan is scarce. We aimed to provide the clinical features, treatment, and prognosis of the critically ill patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection in Guangdong Province.MethodsIn this multi-centered, retrospective, observational study, we enrolled critically ill patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) in Guangdong Province. Demographic data, symptoms, laboratory findings, comorbidities, treatments, and prognosis were collected. Data were compared between patients with and without intubation.ResultsForty-five critically ill patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia were identified in 7 ICUs in Guangdong Province. The mean age was 56.7 years, and 29 patients (64.4%) were men. The most common symptoms at the onset of illness were high fever and cough. Majority of patients presented with lymphopenia and elevated lactate dehydrogenase. Treatment with antiviral drugs was initiated in all the patients. Thirty-seven patients (82.2%) had developed acute respiratory distress syndrome, and 13 (28.9%) septic shock. A total of 20 (44.4%) patients required intubation and 9 (20%) required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. As of February 28th 2020, only one patient (2.2%) had died and half of them had discharged of ICU.ConclusionsInfection with SARS-CoV-2 in critical illness is characterized by fever, lymphopenia, acute respiratory failure and multiple organ dysfunction. Compared with critically ill patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 in Wuhan, the mortality of critically ill patients in Guangdong Province was relatively low. These data provide some general understandings and experience for the critical patients with SARS-CoV-2 outside of Wuhan.

BackgroundAdministration of convalescent plasma may be of clinical benefit for treatment of severe acute viral respiratory infections. However, no clear evidence exists to support or oppose convalescent plasma use in clinical practice. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the evidence of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in the convalescent plasma for the treatment of severe influenza.MethodsHealthcare databases were searched in February 2020. All records were screened against the eligibility criteria. Data extraction and risk of bias assessments were undertaken. The primary outcome was case-fatality rates by influenza.ResultsWe identified 5 RCTs of severe influenza. The pooled analyses showed no evidence for a reduction in mortality (Odds Ratio (OR) 1.06; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.51–2.23; p = 0.87; I2 = 35%). We also found non-significant reductions in days in ICU and hospital, and days on mechanical ventilation. There seemed to have a biological benefit of increasing HAI titer levels and decreasing influenza B virus loads and cytokines after convalescent plasma treatment. No serious adverse events was reported between two groups. Studies were commonly of low risk of bias with high quality.ConclusionsConvalescent plasma appears safe but may not reduce mortality in severe influenza. This therapy should be studied within the context of a well-designed clinical trial for treatment of SARS-Cov-2 infection.

Additional file 1: Table E1. Clinical characteristics of patients with Covid-19 when stratified by the disease severity. Table E2. Patient’s characteristics between the two hospitals.

Background Intraoperative Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is increasingly being applied as life-support for lung transplantation patients. However, factors associated with this procedure in lung transplantation patients have not yet been characterized. The aim of this study was to identify preoperative factors of intraoperative ECMO support during lung transplantation and to evaluated the outcome of lung transplantation patients supported with ECMO. Methods Patients underwent lung transplantation treated with and without ECMO in Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Diseases between January 2015 to August 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Patient demographics and clinical variables were collected and analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify factors independently associated with intraoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support during lung transplantation. Results During the study period, 138 patients underwent lung transplantation at our institution, the mean LAS was (56.63 ± 18.39) (range, 32.79 to 88.70). Fourty four patients were treated with veno-venous/veno-arterial ECMO. Among the patients, 32 patients wean successfully ECMO after operation, 12 patients remain ECMO after operation, and 32 patients (62.74%) survived to hospital discharge. In multiple analysis, the following factors were associated with intraoperative ECMO support: advanced age, high PAP before operation, duration of mechanical ventilation before operation, a higher APACHE II and primary diagnosis for transplantation. The overall survival rates at 1, 3, and 12 months were 90.91, 72.73, and 56.81% in the ECMO group, and 95.40, 82.76, and 73.56% in the non-ECMO group, respectively (log-rank P = 0.081). Patients who underwent single lung transplant had a lower survival rates in ECMO group as compared with non-ECMO group at 1, 3, and 12 months (90.47% vs 98.25, 71.43% vs 84.21, and 52.38% vs 75.44%) (log-rank P = 0.048). Conclusions The preoperative factors of intraoperative ECMO support during lung transplantation included age, high PAP before operation, preoperative mechanical ventilation, a higher APACHE II and primary diagnosis for transplantation based on multivariate analysis.

Additional file 1 Figure 4. Process reports intraoperative ECMO support in LTX patients. PA (pulmonary artery); LTX (lung transplantation).

Introduction Prone position ventilation (PPV) has been shown to improve oxygenation and decrease pulmonary vascular resistance and mortality in patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Whether these benefits of PPV occur similarly in acute exacerbations of interstitial lung disease (ILD) is not clear. We retrospectively explored the use of PPV in acute exacerbation with ILD versus those with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (severe ARDS). Methods Retrospective study of the application of PPV in 17 patients with acute exacerbations of ILD and in 19 patients with severe ARDS. Pre- and post-PPV hemodynamic parameters, respiratory mechanics, prognostic indicators, complications and mortality rates at 28, 60 and 90 days were compared. Results There was no difference in baseline characteristics between the two groups except for higher driving pressure and more diastolic dysfunction in ILD group than severe ARDS group Compared with pre-PPV, cardiac index and driving pressure remained unchanged post-PPV in both groups. PPV increased PaO2/FiO2 [118.7 (92.0, 147.8) pre-PPV vs 132.0 (93.5, 172.0) post-PPV; P

To study the risk factors and the clinical characteristics of non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) pulmonary diseases in patients with mechanical ventilation.Retrospective survey was carried out in the patients with mechanical ventilation who combined with NTM pulmonary disease admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from May 2016 to May 2019. The general information, basic diseases, symptoms, signs, biochemical examinations, acid-fast stain test, mycobacterium culture and strain identification results, and chest CT data were collected to summarize the clinical characteristics of patients with mechanical ventilation combined with NTM pulmonary disease.There were 12 patients with mechanical ventilation combined with NTM pulmonary disease, 6 males and 6 females, 37-82 years old, with an average age of 65 years. In these 12 cases, patients with cancer (lung cancer were 4 cases, mediastinal tumor was 1 case) and after lung transplantation (use of anti-rejection drugs at the same time) were 5 and 2 respectively. Patients with at least 3 underlying diseases [included hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchiectasis, chronic renal insufficiency] were 5. Clinical symptoms of the 12 cases were non-specific. The CT findings were not characteristic, including nodules, patchy infiltrations and fibrous streak. Pleural effusion was common among these subjects but nodular bronchiectatic patterns were absence. Routine laboratory indicators of bacterial infection were non-specific. But the number of lymphocytes of all cases decreased. Mycobacteria cultures were positive with the rapid growth of mycobacteria in these 12 cases. Mycobacterium avium (4 cases), Mycobacterium chelonae (4 cases), Mycobacterium chelonae-abscessus complex (2 cases) and Mycobacterium intracellulare (2 cases) were isolated. Anti-NTM therapy was given to the patients when the acid-fast staining test of their airway secretion was positive and the TB-DNA test was negative, including oral levofloxacin and clarithromycin. Finally, all patients were successfully weaned and discharged from ICU.The clinical symptoms of NTM patients with pulmonary disease are non-specific, and the imaging features of chest CT are varied. Patients with mechanical ventilation in ICU, who have the risk of immune dysfunction or underlying structural lung diseases, and who have difficult controlled lung infection, accompanied by pleural effusion and with decreased lymphocytes, should be aware that pneumonia may be caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria.

Seawater and sediment samples were collected from 2014 to 2017 at Bohai Bay near Tianjin, China. The median concentration of ΣOPFRs was 2202 ng/l in the seawater from 2017. ΣAlkyl-OPFRs was the predominant constitution in the seawater with a median contribution of nearly 80%, and ΣCl-OPFRs was the major component in the sediment. Regarding BFRs, BDE-209 was the principal one in the sediment. The levels of TEP, TCEP and TBEP in sediments displayed significantly seasonal variations. The summer concentration of TEP was higher than that in both the spring and autumn, and concerning TCEP and TBEP, their lowest concentration occurred in summer. The concentration of ΣOPFRs experienced a rapid increasing during 2014–2016 due to more emissions of OPFRs. The ecological risk evaluation of OPFRs and BFRs suggested a moderate and high risk to the investigated marine region under the high exposure scenario, respectively.

X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) is caused by mutation in the gene coding for Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK), which impairs peripheral B cell maturation and hypogammaglobulinemia. In this report, we present a case of XLA in a 22-year-old adult male. Genetic testing revealed a novel mutation located at the conserved region (c.383T>C). The patient had a history of recurrent respiratory tract infection which eventually progressed to chronic type II respiratory failure. Several pathogenic bacteria were isolated on culture of respiratory secretions obtained on bronchoscopy. The patient improved on treatment with antibiotics.

This study is to explore the components and related mechanism responsible for the increase of work of breathing (WB) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients.Eight COPD patients and eight healthy volunteers were recruited in the study. The rebreathing method was used to increase end-tidal CO2 partial pressure (PetCO2) and stimulate the increase in ventilation (VE). The increase in VE, WB, and changes in the compositions of WB were observed and analyzed. The WB and its components were calculated using the Campbell diagram.The inspiratory work (Wi) of breathing, a major component of total work of breathing (Wtot), in the COPD group was significantly higher than the control group during quiet breathing (P0.05). As the minute VE increased, Wtot and Wi increased in a linear manner, and the slope of increase was significantly higher in the COPD group as compared to the normal group (P0.05). The analyses of changes in overcoming airway resistance (Wrs) and lung/chest-wall elastance (Wel) indicated that the slope of increase (response to VE increase) of Wrs was not significantly different between the two groups (P0.05) although the Wrs in the COPD group was always higher than the normal group (P0.05). However, as the VE increased, the slope of the increase in Wel was significantly higher in the COPD group than the normal group. Work done to overcome the intrinsic PEEP (WPEEPi), a component of the Wel, was not observed in the control group. However, WPEEPi increased gradually as VE increased and accounted for 56% of Wel at the end of rebreathing trial in COPD group.Airway resistance was the main cause for increased WB during quiet breathing. As the VE increased, an increase of WPEEPi became an important part of increased WB in COPD patients, so it is important to reduce dynamic hyperinflation in COPD patients.

A sensitive quantification method using pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) and solid phase extraction (SPE) coupled with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) was developed for determination of 19 anthelmintic drugs (ADs) belonging to seven structural groups (Benzimidazoles, Diphenylsulfides, Imidazothiazoles, Hexahydropyrazines, Macrocylic lactones, Salicylanilides, Tetrahydropyrimidines) in environmental water and sediment samples. Eleven SPE cartridges, sample pH, elution solvents were tested to determine the optimal conditions for extraction. Among these investigated SPE types, the best recoveries for 19 target ADs were obtained from Oasis HLB cartridge with 37-102%, 45-103%, 37-88%, 28-82% and 31-90% for spiked river water, tap water, rainwater, wastewater, and sediment respectively (with RSD 15%), except for closantel. The 19 ADs were separated within 10 min by a BEH C18 column and monitored in both positive and negative ions modes with switching electrospray ionization source. The cross-talk interferences were solved by identification of secondary mass spectrum of substances through MRM-IDA-EPI scanning using Qtrap. These interference peaks could be efficiently eliminated by setting MRM segments or using Qtrap to obtain tertiary fragmented information. The developed methods were satisfactory in terms of linearity, accuracy, and precision, and used eight isotopically labeled compounds as internal standards to correct matrix effects. Method quantification limit (MQL) for 19 ADs was below 1.1 ng/L, 0.4 ng/L, 5.4 ng/L and 2.3 ng/g for river water, tap water, wastewater, and sediment, respectively. The validated method was successfully used to investigate the occurrence of anthelmintics in water and sediment samples from Chengdu, China. All ADs were detected in environment with the concentrations at ng/L level.

To explore the effect of prone position ventilation (PPV) on respiratory mechanics and prognosis in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) concurrent with interstitial lung disease (ILD).The data of 36 severe ARDS patients admitted to Department of Critical Care Medicine of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from February 2013 to January 2015, were retrospectively analyzed. They were then divided into two groups according to the presence of ILD or not. The changes in respiratory mechanics and oxygenation indexes were compared before and after PPV treatment in all the patients. Kaplan-Meier method was applied to draw the 60-day survival curves of both groups.There were 17 cases with ILD among these 36 severe ARDS patients. (1) No significant difference was found in baseline data between ILD group and non-ILD group. (2) Respiratory mechanics and oxygenation pre-PPV and post-PPV: compared with pre-PPV, oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2, mmHg, 1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa) post-PPV was significantly increased in both groups [ILD group : 132.0 (93.5, 172.0) vs. 118.7 (92.0, 147.8); non-ILD group: 126.1 (100.9, 170.0) vs. 109.2 (89.0, 135.0), both P0.05]. Compared with pre-PPV, positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP, cmH2O, 1 cmH2O = 0.098kPa) post-PPV was significantly higher in ILD group [10.0 (10.0, 12.0) vs. 10.0 (9.2, 12.0), P0.05], and respiratory rate (RR, times/min) was significantly lower in non-ILD group [24.5 (22.0, 27.0) vs. 25.5 (22.8, 28.0), P0.05]. The compliance of the respiratory system (Crs, mL/cmH2O) post-PPV in non-ILD group was significantly lower than that of the ILD group [19.7 (16.1, 28.6) vs. 23.0 (19.0, 29.7), P0.05]. (3) Respiratory mechanics and oxygenation pre-PPV and post-PPV in total: after all the PPV therapy, PaO2/FiO2 (mmHg) was significantly increased in non-ILD group [135.0 (86.0, 200.0) vs. 97.4 (69.2, 127.5), P0.05], PaO2/FiO2 after all the PPV therapy in non-ILD group was also higher than that in ILD group [135.0 (86.0, 200.0) vs. 78.7 (59.3, 114.9), P0.05]. No significant difference in Crs (mL/cmH2O) before PPV treatment was found between non-ILD and ILD groups [24.3 (15.9, 48.9) vs. 18.9 (12.7, 27.3), P0.05], and Crs was lower after PPV treatment in both groups, but without significant difference [non-ILD group: 22.7 (15.2, 27.1) vs. 24.3 (15.9, 48.9); ILD group: 16.2 (12.8, 25.6) vs. 18.9 (12.7, 27.3), both P0.05]. (4) The 60-day mortality in ILD group was significantly higher than that in non-ILD group [88.2% (15/17) vs. 57.9% (11/19), P = 0.047). It was shown by Kaplan-Meier curves that 60-day survival patients in ILD group was significantly lower than those in non-ILD group (χ2 = 5.658, P = 0.017).PPV can improve oxygenation in severe ARDS. Compared with non-ILD group, though the compliance of respiratory system in ILD group is increased during PPV, long-term effect is better in non-ILD group.

To investigate the value of N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in predicting the outcome of spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) in ventilated elderly renal dysfunction patients.The clinical data of patients who received mechanical ventilation in the Department of Critical Care Medicine of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease from January 2011 to December 2014 were analyzed retrospectively. AU the patients conformed to the following criteria: age65 years, endogenous creatinine clearance rate (CCr)60 mL×min(-1)×1.73 m(-2), the duration of mechanical ventilation72 hours and undergone at least one SBT. The patients were assigned to a SBT success group and a SBT failure group according to the outcome of first SBT. The following factors were recorded: gender, age, the underlying disease [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart failure (HF) and others], body mass index (BMI), serum pre-albumin (pre-ALB), and acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) score, CCr and the concentration of the plasma NT-proBNP before SBT. Receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC) was plotted, and the predict value of NT-proBNP for the outcome of SBT in elder patients with kidney dysfunction was determined.A total of 58 patients with complete data were enrolled, with 41 cases in SBT success group, and 17 in SBT failure group. There were no significant differences in gender [male/female (cases): 26/15 vs. 13/4, χ (2) = 0.930, P = 0.335], age (years: 70.2±7.4 vs. 74.6±10.1, t = 0.833, P = 0.339), the stratification of underlying diseases [COPD/HF/COPD+HF/others (cases): 15/9/13/4 vs. 7/3/5/2, χ (2) = 0.242, P = 0.971], BMI (kg/m(2): 25.2±11.3 vs. 27.4±6.43, t = 1.038, P = 0.221), pre-ALB (mg/L: 201.0±13.2 vs. 189.0±7.6, t = 0.688, P = 0.519), and APACHE II score (12.2±3.2 vs. 13.5±6.3, t = 1.482, P = 0.147) and CCr (mL×min(-1)×1.73 m(-2): 51.3±7.7 vs. 54.2±6.4, t = 0.711, P = 0.487) before SBT between SBT success group and SBT failure group. The concentration of plasma NT-proBNP in SBT failure group was significantly higher than that of the SBT success group (μg/L: 4.162±1.128 vs. 2.284±1.399, t = 4.905, P = 0.000). The area under ROC curve for plasma NT-proBNP in predicting successful SBT among elder patients with kidney dysfunction was 0.878, with 95% confidence interval (95%CI) 0.786 - 0.970. The cut-off method was used, and it was identified that the concentration of NT-proBNP3.350 μg/L as a predictor for successful SBT, with sensitivity of 82.4%, specificity of 87.8%, positive prediction value of 88.1% and negative predictive value of 76.5%.The concentration of plasma NT-proBNP may increase in elderly kidney dysfunction patients undergoing ventilation, and NT-proBNP3.350 μg/L can serve as a good predictor for SBT success.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is increasingly being applied as life support for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients. However, the outcomes of this procedure have not yet been characterized in severe ARDS patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of severe ARDS patients supported with ECMO and to identify potential predictors of mortality in these patients. A total of 38 severe ARDS patients (aged 51.39±13.27 years, 32 males) who were treated with ECMO in the specialized medical intensive care unit of Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Diseases from July 2009 to December 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical data of the patients on the day before ECMO initiation, on the first day of ECMO treatment and on the day of ECMO removal were collected and analyzed. All patients were treated with veno-venous ECMO after a median mechanical ventilation duration of 6.4±7.6 days. Among the 20 patients (52.6%) who were successfully weaned from ECMO, 16 patients (42.1%) survived to hospital discharge. Of the identified pre-ECMO factors, advanced age, a long duration of ventilation before ECMO, a higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score, underlying lung disease, and pulmonary barotrauma prior to ECMO were associated with unsuccessful weaning from ECMO. Furthermore, multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that both barotrauma pre-ECMO and underlying lung disease were independent predictors of hospital mortality. In conclusion, for severe ARDS patients treated with ECMO, barotrauma prior to ECMO and underlying lung disease may be major predictors of ARDS prognosis based on multivariate analysis.

Background Patients with H7N9 avian flu concurrent with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) usually have a poor clinical outcome. Prone position ventilation (PPV) has been shown to improve the prognosis of patients with severe ARDS. This study explored the effects of PPV on the respiratory and circulatory mechanics of H7N9-infected patients with severe ARDS. Methods Individuals admitted to four hospitals designated for H7N9 patients in Guangdong province were treated with PPV, and their clinical data were recorded before and after receiving PPV. Results Six of 20 critically ill patients in the ICU received PPV. After treatment with 35 PPV sessions, the oxygenation index (OI) values of the six patients when measured post-PPV and post-supine position ventilation (SPV) were significantly higher than those measured pre-PPV (P < 0.05).The six patients showed no significant differences in their values for respiratory rate (RR), peak inspiratory pressure (PIP), tidal volume (TV) or arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) when compared pre-PPV, post-PPV, and post-SPV. Additionally, there were no significant differences in the mean values for arterial pressure (MAP), cardiac index (CI), central venous pressure (CVP), heart rate (HR), lactic acid (LAC) levels or the doses of norepinephrine (NE) administered when compared pre-PPV, post-PPV, and post-SPV. Conclusion PPV provided improved oxygenation that was sustained after returning to a supine position, and resulted in decreased carbon dioxide retention. PPV can thus serve as an alternative lung protective ventilation strategy for use in patients with H7N9 avian flu concurrent with severe ARDS.

To evaluate the effect of time elapsed on continuous pulse contour cardiac output (PCCO) measurement in septic shock patients.Data during February 2011 to February 2013 from 25 septic shock patients equipped with a pulse indicator continuous cardiac output (PiCCO) device in Department of Critical Care Medicine of Guangzhou Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. PCCO was recorded immediately before transpulmonary thermodilution (COTPTD) calibration. After divided by ideal body surface area, cardiac index (CI) was calculated, and PCCI/CITPTD pairs were analyzed. Four subsets of CI pairs were defined according to intervals of time elapsed from the previous calibration [within the first hour (including 1 hour), between 1 and 8 hours (including 8 hours), between 8 and 16 hours (including 16 hours), and more than 16 hours]. Linear regression, the threshold value of concordance (as indicated by bias ± 2SD) and percentage error (2SD/the mean of CITPTD) were used to compare agreement between PCCI and CITPTD.A total of 162 data pairs from 25 patients were analyzed. For all data pairs, PCCI correlated significantly with CITPTD (r² = 0.494, P0.001), the bias±2SD was -(0.06 ± 1.41) L × min⁻¹ × m⁻² and the percentage error was 37%. Among the four time-interval subsets, the percentage error was30% only in subset between 1 and 8 hours, and the percentage error in other subsets was over 30%. Linear regression analysis between ΔPCCI and ΔCITPTD showed a r² of 0.217 (P0.001) for the whole 162 data pairs. A r² of 0.327 (P0.001) and a r² of 0.303 (P0.001) were calculated for the subset of between 1 and 8 hours and between 8 and 16 hours respectively.Our study in septic shock patients suggests that the accuracy of PCCO will be decreased as the increase of the time interval for calibration. Transpulmonary thermodilution calibration should be performed again if hemodynamic changes or was inconsistent with the clinical presentation. It is suggested that re-calibration should be done within 8 hours.