Conectar
Endotracheal intubation is a crucial intervention for mechanically ventilated patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). However, the presence of the tube and bite block in the mouth significantly raises the risk of mucosal pressure injuries (MMPI) and other oral complications. These complications not only compromise oral health but also prolong hospitalisation and increase medical costs. Despite advances in airway management, effective solutions to mitigate these risks remain limited. Few studies have explored reducing mucosal pressure and improving oral health by optimising the design and reducing the volume of oral devices. Therefore, this study aimed to design and evaluate a novel nested tracheal tube device to reduce oral MMPI and improve oral health outcomes in intubated patients. A prospective, non-blinded, randomised, parallel-controlled intervention study was conducted, involving 151 patients who were intubated for more than 48 h. Participants were randomly assigned into two groups: the intervention group (n = 75), which received the novel nested tracheal tube device, and the control group (n = 76), which received the standard endotracheal tube with bite block. The primary outcome measure was the incidence of MMPI. Secondary outcomes included the Beck Oral Health Score, plaque index, ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and costs. Compared to the standard group, the nested tracheal tube group showed a significant reduction in MMPI (χ 2 = 8.796, p < 0.05). In addition, the nested tracheal tube group demonstrated significantly better outcomes in Beck Oral Health Scores (Z = −2.948, p < 0.05) and plaque index (Z = −2.010, p < 0.05), indicating improvements in oral function and hygiene. However, there were no significant differences between the two groups in VAP incidence and average daily ICU costs (p > 0.05). The nested tracheal tube effectively reduces localised pressure on oral tissues and improves oral function, offering a practical solution to mitigate MMPI in mechanically ventilated patients and enhance their oral health outcomes.
by Junguo Hua, Jing Ding, Yufan Chen, Lulu Kang, Haiying Zhang, Junhua Zhang
In recent years, the domestic live pig price has risen and fallen rapidly and fluctuated frequently, which has greatly impacted the live pig industry. The level of price volatility in the pig market has served as a significant indication of the progress of the agricultural sector. Identifying the dominant factors affecting the fluctuation of pig prices has become more important. Based on the monthly data of the pig industry from February 2009 to December 2022, this paper constructs an index system of influencing factors of pig price from four aspects: uncertain impact, supply factors, demand factors, and macro-environment factors. By using the transfer model of the Markov regime (MS-VAR), we obtained the probability plot of zone transition for pig price volatility, the impulse response effect diagram of factors affecting pig price, and the cumulated impulse response effect diagram of factors affecting pig price, and analyze the reasons for the ups and downs of pig price according to the above results. The findings indicate prominent features of zone transition in the price fluctuation of China’s pig market. From 2017 to 2022, the domestic pig price frequently switches between rising and falling zones, and the "falling pig price stage" and "rising pig price stage" in the non-stationary state last for a relatively short and discontinuous period. There is little probability that the price of live pigs will directly change from rising to falling, and there will be a smooth buffer stage in the price rise and fall process. Among the factors that affect the fluctuation of live pig prices, the dominant factor of frequent and large fluctuation of pig prices is the pig epidemic situation in external factors. Among the internal influencing factors, the changes in farming costs have the greatest significant influence on the fluctuation of pig prices. These results provide a decision-making reference for legislators to carry out epidemic risk prevention and control better, stabilize the market pig price, and provide empirical evidence for market participants to accurately avoid price risks through multiple channels and ways and ensure stable profitability.Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFUs) are a major complication of diabetes, often leading to amputation. Understanding the relationship between haematological inflammatory markers and the incidence of amputation in DFU patients with infectious complications is crucial for improving management and outcomes. This retrospective study, conducted from May 2020 to October 2022, involved 109 patients with DFUs, categorised into amputation (AM) and non-amputation (NAM) groups. Patients were evaluated for various factors, including demographic data, DFU duration, and blood parameters such as haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), haemoglobin (Hb), albumin (ALB), white blood cell count (WBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR). Statistical analyses were performed using independent sample t-tests, Mann–Whitney U test and logistic regression. The univariate analysis showed no significant difference in BMI, DM duration or DFU duration between groups. However, significant differences were noted in PCT, Hb, ESR, ALB, HbA1c and WBC levels, and in inflammatory ratios (NLR, PLR and LMR). Multivariate logistic regression identified CRP, NLR and PLR as independent risk factors for amputation. The study highlights CRP, PLR and NLR as key independent risk factors for amputation in patients with DFUs. These easily obtainable markers from routine blood tests can effectively aid in predicting the risk of osteomyelitis and amputation, enhancing clinical decision making and patient care strategies.
Kawasaki disease (KD) is one of the most challenging diseases that is defined as an acute vasculitis that affects the coronary arteries primarily in children. It causes complications if left untreated at early stages, ultimately leading to death. Corticosteroids have been recognized to treat and cause great impact on the patients with KD. Glucocorticoid is one of the main corticosteroids that are being used to treat KD and cutaneous wounds. However, ineffectiveness of a few glucocorticoids can limit the efficacy of this treatment. This study particularly aimed to elucidate the impact of glucocorticoids on cutaneous wounds in KD. To perform the meta-analysis, a comprehensive literature survey was conducted to unveil the studies and research conducted on Kawasaki patients that revealed different glucocorticoids in the form of specific interventions influencing KD. The literature was searched using numerous keywords, screened and data was extracted to perform the meta-analysis and then it was conducted using the metabin function of R package meta. A total of 2000 patients from both intervention and control groups were employed to carry out the meta-analysis to analyse and evaluate the impact of glucocorticoids on curing KD and cutaneous wounds in patients. The results disclosed that glucocorticoids along with other steroids, mainly IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulin), was an effective intervention to patients suffering from Kawasaki. The results depicted significant outcomes with the values (risk ratio [RR]: 1.08, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.58–2.00, p < 0.01) and enlightened the fact that adopting different glucocorticoids may significantly improve the efficacy of skin lesions along with KD. Hence, interventions of glucocorticoids must be utilized in the clinical practice to reduce the incidence of skin wounds and adverse effects caused due to KD.
Facial soft tissue injuries, often resulting in scarring, pose a challenge in reconstructive and aesthetic surgery due to the need for functional and aesthetic restoration. This study evaluates the efficacy of recombinant human growth factors (rhGFs) in scar remodelling for such injuries. A retrospective evaluation was conducted from January 2020 to January 2023, involving 100 patients with facial soft tissue injuries. Participants were divided equally into a control group, receiving standard cosmetic surgical repair, and an observation group, treated with rhGFs supplemented cosmetic surgery. The study assessed scar characteristics (pigmentation, pliability, vascularity, height), hospital stay duration, tissue healing time, complication rates and patient satisfaction. The observation group demonstrated significant improvements in all scar characteristics, with notably better pigmentation, pliability, vascularity and height compared with the control group. The rhGF treatment also resulted in reduced hospital stay duration and faster tissue healing. Notably, the total complication rate was significantly lower in the observation group (10%) compared with the control group (34%). Additionally, patient satisfaction levels were higher in the observation group, with 98% combined satisfaction compared with 76% in the control group. The application of rhGFs in treating facial soft tissue injuries significantly enhances scar remodelling, expedites healing, reduces complications and improves patient satisfaction. These findings establish rhGFs as a valuable tool in the management of facial soft tissue injuries, highlighting their potential in improving both functional and aesthetic outcomes.
The purpose of this study was to compare the reconstructive outcomes of soft-tissue defects around foot and ankle with vaccum sealing drainage (VSD) or induction membrane (IM) of cement formation and attempt to provide an optimal strategy for elderly patients. A retrospective review of all continuous patients with foot and ankle reconstruction using different flaps from October of 2016 and October of 2020 was performed. Based on the different way, the patients were divided into two groups: VSD group (n = 26) and IM group (n = 27). Outcomes were assessed according to the size of the defect, frequency of debridement procedures, hospitalization time, duration of healing, the healing rate, major amputation rate, functional outcomes and complications. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) detection of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was also be completed. We found that there was no difference in demographic characteristics, size of the defect, debridement times and functional outcomes between the two groups (p > 0.05); however, a significant difference in the wound healing time, hospitalization time and complications were noted between them(p < 0.05). The fresh granulation tissue of both groups showed abundant positive expression of VEGF. Thus, the VSD and IM are both available for foot and ankle reconstruction in elderly patients. However, the IM group offers short hospitalization time, duration of healing and lower frequency of postoperative complications. Thus, we advocate the IM for reconstruction of defects of the foot and ankle region in the elderly patients.
This was a non-blinded, single-centre, randomized, controlled clinical trial that compared the effectiveness of direct observation of procedural skills (DOPSs)with traditional assessment methods in pressure injury (PI) care skills. The study population included 82 nursing professionals randomly assigned to the study group (n = 41) and the control group (n = 41). Both groups of nurses underwent a 6-month training in PI care skills and were subsequently evaluated. The main outcome variables were the PI skill operation scores and theoretical scores. Secondary outcome variables included satisfaction and critical thinking abilities. Independent sample t-tests and chi-square tests were used to assess differences between the two groups of nurses. The results showed no statistically significant difference in PI skill operation scores between the two groups of nurses (p > 0.05). When comparing the PI theoretical scores, the study group scored higher than the control group, and this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). In terms of satisfaction assessment, the study group and the control group showed differences in improving self-directed learning, enhancing communication skills with patients, improving learning outcomes and increasing flexibility in clinical application (p < 0.05). When comparing critical thinking abilities between the two groups of nurses, there was no statistically significant difference at the beginning of the training, but after 3 months following the training, there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (p < 0.01).The results indicated that the DOPS was effective in improving PI theoretical scores, increasing nurse satisfaction with the training and enhancing critical thinking abilities among nurses.
Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) pose significant clinical challenges, representing severe complications in diabetes mellitus patients and contributing to non-traumatic amputations. Identifying reliable biomarkers can optimize early diagnosis and improve therapeutic outcomes. This study focused on evaluating the association between serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25-(OH)D], Serum Retinol Binding Protein (RBP), and Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in elderly DFU patients. A retrospective study involving 240 participants, from March 2020 to March 2023. The participants were segmented into three cohorts: 80 with DFUs, 80 diabetic patients without DFUs, and 80 healthy controls. Serum concentrations of the three biomarkers were assayed using methods like enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), chemiluminescence immunoassay, and an automated biochemistry analyser. Comparisons were made both between groups and within the DFU group based on disease severity. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in biomarker levels across the groups (p < 0.05). COX-2 and RBP concentrations were highest in the DFU group, followed by the non-DFU diabetic group, and lowest in the control group. Conversely, 25(OH)D levels were highest in the control group, followed by the non-DFU diabetic group, and lowest in the DFU group. Within the DFU group, RBP and COX-2 levels increased with disease severity, while 25(OH)D levels decreased. These variations were especially pronounced in patients with the most severe Wagner grading. A significant positive correlation was observed between disease severity and levels of RBP (r = 0.651, p < 0.05) and COX-2 (r = 0.356, p < 0.05). Conversely, a significant negative correlation was identified between disease severity and 25(OH)D levels (r = −0.658, p < 0.05). Assessing 25(OH)D, RBP, and COX-2 serum levels offers a promising tool for evaluating the severity and progression of DFUs. Monitoring these biomarkers can enrich our understanding of the metabolic and inflammatory pathways of the disease and potentially refine therapeutic strategies.
In this study, a meta-analysis was conducted to assess the effect of refined nursing interventions in the operating room on the incidence of surgical-site wound infections in patients undergoing lung cancer surgery to provide an evidence base for the prevention and management of nosocomial infections. A computerised literature search was used to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on the application of refined nursing interventions in the operating room in patients undergoing lung cancer surgery published in the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP and Wanfang databases from their inception until July 2023. The literature screening, data extraction and quality assessment of the included studies were performed independently by two researchers. RevMan 5.4 software was used for the meta-analysis. Twenty-eight studies were included in the analysis, with a total of 2406 patients, including 1210 patients in the refined nursing intervention group and 1196 patients in the control group. The results of the meta-analysis showed that the refined nursing interventions in the operating room significantly reduced the incidence of surgical-site wound infections in patients undergoing lung cancer surgery, compared with the control group (1.82% vs. 6.52%, odds ratio: 0.30, 95% CI: 0.19–0.47, p < 0.001), and shortened the length of hospital stay (standardised mean difference: −1.51 days, 95% CI: −1.92 to −1.11 days, p < 0.001). Current evidence suggests that the application of refined nursing interventions in the operating room is effective at reducing the incidence of surgical-site wound infections and shortening the length of hospital stay in patients undergoing lung cancer surgery. However, owing to the small number and low quality of the studies, more high-quality RCTs with large sample sizes are needed to confirm these results.
FreshRSS 