[Correlation of coagulation indicators with inflammatory markers for sepsis in the patients with hematological malignancies]

Thymoquinone modulates the expression of sepsis‑related microRNAs in a CLP model

Sepsis is a clinical syndrome common in critical care settings. In the present study, the therapeutic effect of thymoquinone (TQ) on the expression of sepsis-related microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs), levels of inflammatory markers, organ dysfunction and mortality were investigated in a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) rat model. A single dose of TQ (1 mg/kg) was administered to animals 24 h after CLP and the mortality rate was assessed up to 7 days following the induction of sepsis. In addition, blood samples were collected at different time points and the expression levels of miRNAs (i.e. miR-16, miR-21, miR-27a and miR-34a) were examined, along with the levels of inflammatory cytokines (i.e. TNF-α, IL-1α, IL-2, IL-6 and IL-10) and sepsis markers (i.e. C-reactive protein, endothelial cell-specific molecule-1, VEGF, procalcitonin and D-dimer). Liver, kidney and lung tissues were also collected for further histological examination. Treatment with TQ significantly downregulated the miRNA expression levels, as well as the levels of inflammatory cytokines and early-stage sepsis biomarkers by 30-70% at 12-36 h (P<0.05). Furthermore, CLP model rats treated with TQ exhibited an ~80% increase in survival rate compared with that in the untreated CLP group. In addition, TQ induced the preservation of organ function and structure. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated a promising therapeutic effect of TQ against the sequelae of sepsis.

Early Warning and Clinical Epidemiological Characteristics of Lung Injury in the Treatment of Infectious Staphylococcus aureus Sepsis by Vancomycin Based on Adaptive Niche Genetic Algorithm and Pulmonary Ultrasound Images

Adaptive niche genetic algorithm (ANGA) and lung ultrasound were combined, the death warning mathematical model was established for patients with sepsis-lung injury, and the epidemiological characteristics were analyzed to explore the efficacy of Vancomycin in the treatment of sepsis-lung injury. First, 88 sepsis patients with lung injury were selected as the research objects. General clinical data and pulmonary ultrasound results were collected. On this basis, epidemiological analysis was carried out, and the death warning model of patients with sepsis-lung injury was established based on ANGA algorithm. Then, the total cure rate, Staphylococcus aureus (SA) clearance rate, methicillin-resistant SA (MRSA) clearance rate, and the incidence of adverse reactions after intravenous infusion of Vancomycin were analyzed. The results showed that the ANGA mathematical model combined with the random forest (RF) classifier proposed had better classification effect and robustness relative to the traditional principal component analysis and NGA. The early warning accuracy of the proposed ANGA + RF mathematical model was higher than 95% in contrast to that of the APACHE-II score and the SOFA score. Compared with patients in the severe group, the MRSA infection rate and the levels of procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) of SA sepsis-lung injury patients were greatly reduced, while thrombin time (TT) and D-D dimer in the death group were considerably increased (p < 0.05), and the PLT level was greatly reduced (p < 0.05). In addition, the total cure rate, SA clearance rate, and MRSA clearance rate of Vancomycin-treated SA sepsis-lung injury patients were significantly increased (p < 0.05) compared with patients in the conventional treatment control group. However, the probability of adverse reactions was increased notably (p < 0.05). ANGA combined with RF classifier can improve the accuracy of death warning in patients with sepsis-lung injury. Vancomycin can effectively eliminate MRSA infection rate in patients with sepsis-lung injury and improve the treatment effect of patients.

Procalcitonin and D-dimer for Predicting 28-Day-Mortality Rate and Sepsis Severity based on SOFA Score; A Cross-sectional Study

Objective:

To determine the possible relationship of procalcitonin (PCT) and D-dimer with the 28-day-mortality rate and severity of sepsis based on sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score.

Methods:

In this cross-sectional study, patients were enrolled based on their signs and symptoms of sepsis confirmed by essential laboratory studies. Demographic data, Glasgow coma scale and vital signs, serum PCT and D-dimer levels, creatinine, bilirubin level, arterial blood gas analysis and platelet count were recorded. Disease severity index was assessed based on SOFA score. Patients’ 28-day-mortality rate and hospital length of stay were compared with the study variables.

Results:

Sixty-four patients with the mean age of 78.3±11.6 were included of whom 34 cases (53.1%) were male. The 28-day-mortality rate was 17%. The analysis showed that only patients’ age (p=0.01) and platelet count (p=0.02) had a statistically significant association with the mortality rate. SOFA score had no statistically significant correlation with PCT or D-dimer; and these two markers didn’t have any significant correlation in terms of predicting mortality due to the sepsis.

Conclusion:

In our study, PCT and D-dimer failed to show any significant correlation with 28-day-mortality rate of sepsis.