
Frequency and Severity of Thrombocytopenia in Neonatal Sepsis
Neonatal SepsisThe aim of our study was to find the frequency of thrombocytopenia and its severity in neonates with sepsis

Biomarkers of CVD Dysfunction in Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy
Cardiovascular DiseasesPregnancyProfound and concomitant cardiovascular hemodynamic changes, necessary to support fetoplacental development and its increasing supply demands, occur during a physiological pregnancy characterized by an increase in cardiac output, heart rate and plasma volume, and fall in vascular resistance and blood pressure. The result of these changes is a volume overload that will lead to a compensatory transient left ventricular eccentric hypertrophy. This, together with the pro-inflammatory state typical of pregnancy, represents the pregnancy as a stress-test for the maternal cardiovascular system. Pregnancies complicated by hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), particularly those with early onset and/or complicated by intrauterine fetal growth restriction (FGR), are characterized by a cardiovascular maladaptation. Women who experienced HDP in pregnancy, especially pre-eclampsia (PE), more often develop later in life ischemic heart disease, hypertension and stroke, obesity, dyslipidemia, and end-stage renal disease. Regardless its clinical impact, very little knowledge is available on the mechanisms by which PE could lead to cardiovascular disease (CVD), and, especially, to heart failure after pregnancy. Preliminary results suggest a cross-talk between pregnancy-induced biomarkers and cardio-vascular system. Particularly, cultures of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes and fibroblasts were used to investigate the role of the serum of women with HDP in regulating their proliferation. 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) was administered to label DNA synthesis in proliferating cells. After 3 days of in vitro culture, EdU incorporation was analyzed upon immunofluorescence staining using specific antibodies by high content microscopy. A possible protective effect exerted by the selected sera against apoptosis was evaluated, as well, by Caspase activation. Moreover, the effect of cardiomyocytes and fibroblasts proliferation and apoptosis on maternal hemodynamic parameters was evaluated using median regression models. These data show that the serum of women with HDP triggers a net increase in the percentage of proliferating cardiomyocytes compared to controls. Moreover, there were relationship between cardiomyocytes and fibroblasts proliferation and maternal hemodynamics parameters thus, supporting the hypothesis that the serum of women with HDP may contain factors capable of stimulating cardiac cells in response to the cardiovascular stress-test

Nafamostat Mesilate for Anticoagulation During CRRT in Critically Ill Patients
Sepsis SyndromeMODS4 moreContinuous renal replacement therapy is widely used in intensive care medicine, which is known as an alternative therapy to save injured kidney . Anticoagulation is an important part of this therapy. An insufficient anticoagulation would cause a poor curative effect of CRRT. Hemorrhage,heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), citrate accumulation, acidosis ad filter extra-cost usually happened on anticoagulation during CRRT. Therefore a new effective anticoagulation of CRRT needs to be carried out. Nafamostat Mesylate (NM) is a new anticoagulant. This serine protease inhibitor with broad spectrum can inhibit kinds of enzymes on the process of coagulation. NM is mainly rapidly decomposed in the liver and also removed by dialysis or filtration. The elimination half life of is only 8 minutes. If NM is applied as a regional anticoagulant, approximate 40% NM is removed by dialysis and / or convection in cardiopulmonary bypass circuit, and then rapidly degraded by esterase in liver and blood, which ensures security in patients with bleeding tendency. Based on the information above, the investigators designed an observational clinical study aimed to testify that NM would have equivalent anticoagulant results compared with those traditional ways and might even have a better effect than traditional anticoagulant therapy.The study team has investigated the current situation of CRRT in Shaanxi province in China through a cross-sectional survey last year. The survey involved 74 hospitals in Shaanxi province and the results basically illustrated a real status of CRRT. These scientific results helped investigators to design this multi-center, parallel, controlled, non intervention study and real world study.

Effect of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells on Sepsis and Septic Shock
SepsisSeptic ShockMethods:Ten patients were enrolled in the study. Adipose derived-MSCs infusions were given (1x 106/ kg, on 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th and 9th days of therapy) together with Standard therapy. Before the MSCs applications, blood samples were collected for cytokine assessment (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10). The clinical and laboratory improvements were recorded and compared with control groups selected retrospectively.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction Contributes to Sepsis Induced Cardiac Dysfunction
SepsisThis proposal hypothesizes that mitochondrial bioenergetics in the patient will correspond to mtDNA DAMPs levels and markers of inflammation. We predict these will serve as a prognostic indicator of Sepsis induced cardiac dysfunction (SICD) outcomes. Successful completion of these studies will provide a clearer understanding of the etiology of SICD development and therefore will have a high impact on biomedical research by identifying a new mechanism for understanding sepsis induced organ failure. Importantly, they will also provide a means for more directed and focused therapies, based upon individual bioenergetic/mitochondrial-mediated inflammation profiles. The combined, complementary expertise of the Mentor/co-primary investigators (Drs. Mathru and Ballinger) provide an excellent combination in both basic and translational research. They also have experience conducting studies and publications that will strengthen this research project. Importantly, the methods for characterizing mitochondrial bioenergetics from platelets were developed here at UAB, and methods for quantitative assessment of mtDNA DAMPs have been recently developed.

Study of Early Enteral Dextrose in Sepsis
SepsisThis study is a prospective single-center randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled clinical trial testing the effects of early enteral dextrose as a therapeutic agent in critically ill patients with sepsis. Primary outcomes are differences in circulating plasma levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 to be tested 24 hours after the start of enteral infusion. Secondary outcomes include differences in circulating incretin hormone levels, differences in other pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-1β and TNF-α, changes in intestinal microbial composition and function after intervention, glycemic control and variability as assessed by capillary blood glucose measurements and exogenous insulin dosing during the intervention period, and clinical outcomes including intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay and in-hospital mortality.

Epidemiology, Acute Management, and Outcomes of Patients With Sepsis Presenting to a Referral Hospital...
SepsisSevere Sepsis1 moreSepsis is a clinical syndrome representing deranged hemodynamics (such as tachycardia) secondary to severe infection. In high-income countries (HICs), early resuscitation of septic patients with protocol-driven therapy, including quantitative fluid administration guided by invasive monitoring, has resulted in improved outcomes for septic patients. Prevalence and mortality of sepsis are thought to be higher in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) than in high-income countries; however, most hospitals in SSA lack the technology and resources necessary to implement the resuscitation protocols used in HICs and therefore, mortality from sepsis remains high. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently disseminated an algorithm for resuscitation of septic patients in low resource settings. This algorithm is based on expert consensus only, and its efficacy has never been tested. This study will be conducted in the Casualty Department of Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret, Kenya. The purpose of this study is to describe the epidemiology of patients presenting with severe sepsis, to examine the microbiology causing severe sepsis, to describe current management and outcomes for severe sepsis, and to test the effect of implementation of the WHO resuscitation algorithm at MTRH. The study design is a prospective before and after clinical trial. In an initial observational phase, adult patients presenting to the MTRH Casualty Department with sepsis and severe sepsis (the latter of which will be defined by elevated lactate) will be enrolled into a prospective observational cohort. Demographic data, medical characteristics, and microbiological studies will be obtained, then the management and outcomes of these patients will be observed. In a second phase, patients with sepsis will continue to be enrolled into a prospective observational cohort, while patients with severe sepsis will be enrolled into an intervention group. Patients in the intervention group will be managed according to the WHO resuscitation algorithm. Specifically, the WHO algorithm involves fluid boluses guided by vital signs and physical exam findings, rapid and early administration of empiric antibiotics, and frequent patient monitoring. The outcomes of interest are achievement of lactate clearance, which is a correlate of tissue perfusion, as well as 24-hour, in-hospital, and 30-day mortality.

Pentoxifylline and Late Onset Sepsis in Preterm Infants
Neonatal Late Onset SepsisHypothesis: The investigators hypothesized that Pentoxifylline has potent anti-inflammatory effect which can augment the antimicrobial effect of antibiotics in treatment of Late onset sepsis (LOS) in preterm infants thus decreasing neonatal mortality and morbidity. The purpose of this study: to assess the efficacy and safety of Pentoxifylline as an adjunct to antibiotic therapy on mortality and morbidity of preterm infants with LOS.

A Trial on Different Dosages of Vitamin D in Preterm Infants With Late-onset Sepsis
PrematurityLate-onset SepsisThis is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the influence of different doses of vitamin D3 (800 IU/d versus 400 IU/d), on serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6, TNF-alpha and C- reactive (CRP) in premature infants with clinical evidence of late-onset sepsis and to assess its influence on clinical outcomes of these infants.

Acetaminophen for the Reduction of Oxidative Injury in Severe Sepsis
Severe SepsisCell-free hemoglobin can be measured in the plasma of patients with sickle cell anemia, hemodialysis, after red blood cell transfusion, and in patients with sepsis. Cell-free hemoglobin in these patient population has been associated with poor outcomes, including an association with an increased risk of death. Acetaminophen may have a protective effect in these patient populations by inhibiting hemoprotein-mediated lipid peroxidation. The purpose of the present trial is to study the effect of acetaminophen on lipid peroxidation in adults with severe sepsis and detectable cell-free hemoglobin. The primary hypothesis is that systemic markers of oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation, as measured by F2-isoprostanes, will be significantly lower in patients with severe sepsis and detectable cell-free hemoglobin who receive acetaminophen compared to placebo. The secondary hypothesis is that patients with severe sepsis and detectable cell-free hemoglobin treated with acetaminophen will have better clinical outcomes, including decreased incidence of acute kidney injury and lower rates of hospital mortality, compared to those who receive placebo.