Critical care : the official journal of the Critical Care Forum
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Measurement of energy expenditure (EE) is recommended to guide nutrition in critically ill patients. Availability of a gold standard indirect calorimetry is limited, and continuous measurement is unfeasible. Equations used to predict EE are inaccurate. The purpose of this study was to provide proof of concept that EE can be accurately assessed on the basis of ventilator-derived carbon dioxide production (VCO2) and to determine whether this method is more accurate than frequently used predictive equations. ⋯ In critically ill mechanically ventilated patients, assessment of EE based on ventilator-derived VCO2 is accurate and more precise than frequently used predictive equations. It allows for continuous monitoring and is the best alternative to indirect calorimetry.
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Urine soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1) has been reported in sepsis diagnosis and prediction of sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (AKI). However, the mechanisms of the role of sTREM-1 for AKI remain unclear. ⋯ If successful, then urine sTREM-1 would be a good marker for sepsis and its associated AKI and could contribute to non-invasive diagnosis and monitoring in the clinical setting. Additionally, owing to the complexity of the pathogenesis of sepsis, it is necessary to combine some biomarkers to improve diagnostic performance in the diagnosis of sepsis-associated AKI rather than relying on a single marker.
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Zhang and colleagues have recently published a systematic review and meta-analysis of six studies and conclude that 'gastric tonometry guided therapy can reduce total mortality in critically ill patients'. So why did gastric tonometry come and go, and what can we learn from this piece of modern history?
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Sepsis refers to severe systemic inflammation leading to acute lung injury (ALI) and death. Introducing novel therapies can reduce the mortality in ALI. Osteopontin (OPN), a secretory glycoprotein produced by immune reactive cells, plays a deleterious role in various inflammatory diseases. However, its role in ALI caused by sepsis remains unexplored. We hypothesize that treatment with an OPN-neutralizing antibody (anti-OPN Ab) protects mice against ALI during sepsis. ⋯ Our findings clearly demonstrate the beneficial outcomes of anti-OPN Ab treatment in protecting against ALI, implicating a novel therapeutic strategy in sepsis.
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Considerable progress has been made recently in the understanding of how best to accomplish safe and effective ventilation of patients with acute lung injury. Mechanical and nonmechanical factors contribute to causation of ventilator-associated lung injury. ⋯ Reducing oxygen consumption and ventilatory demands are key to a successful strategy for respiratory support of acute respiratory distress syndrome. Results from major clinical trials can be understood against the background of the complex physiology of ventilator-induced lung injury.