Adv Clin Exp Med
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Review Meta Analysis
Meta-analysis of the diagnostic value of procalcitonin in adult burn sepsis.
Sepsis is one of the main causes of death in burn patients, and many studies have suggested that procalcitonin (PCT) is a biomarker for the early diagnosis of sepsis, but the results are controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum PCT in adult burn sepsis by conducting a meta-analysis of published studies. The PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI and China Wanfang databases were searched, and studies on PCT as a marker for the diagnosis of adult burn sepsis from the establishment of the database, to February 1, 2020 were screened. ⋯ The combined sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR) and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) were 0.67 (95% CI: 0.48-0.81), 0.87 (95% CI: 0.72-0.95), 5.20 (95% CI: 2.49-10.84), 0.38 (95% CI: 0.24-0.61) and 13.70 (95% CI: 5.72-32.82), respectively. The area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve (SROC) was 0.85 (95% CI: 0.82-0.88), and the diagnostic threshold was the main source of heterogeneity. Results demonstrate that serum PCT may be used as a useful biomarker for the early diagnosis of burn sepsis in adults, and may be combined with other diagnostic indexes to further improve the sensitivity and specificity.
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The COVID-19 pandemic forced dental professionals to cope with an unexpected challenge and caused an abrupt cessation of conventional care practices. The high degree of contagiousness as well as the diffusion of the virus through the air and droplets via respiratory transmission placed dental professionals at top-level risk of contracting and spreading the disease. General recommendations were announced in different countries, including patient distancing, air ventilation, surface and instrument sanitization, and the wearing of suitable masks and shields. ⋯ In the categories that involve low energy, the beneficial effects of lasers are available and sometimes preferable during this pandemic because only conventional precautions are required. Lasers maintain the potential to add benefits to dental practice even in the COVID-19 era, but it is necessary to know how lasers work to utilize these advantages. The great potential of laser light, with undiscovered limits, may provide a different path to face the severe health challenges of this pandemic.
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The use of face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic became ubiquitous. Such masks are believed to be effective in prevention of respiratory viral transmission. ⋯ We suggest that medical students might be of help in educational campaigns for general public on proper use of face protection.
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Multicenter Study
Skin conductance measurement for the assessment of analgosedation adequacy in infants treated with mechanical ventilation: A multicenter pilot study.
Patients treated in neonatal/pediatric intensive care units (N/PICUs) are frequently exposed to pain. To assess its severity, several behavioral and behavioral-physiological scales are used, but their usefulness is limited. It is therefore justified to search for additional methods to assess the adequacy of analgesia and sedation in these patients. ⋯ Skin conductance measurements are comparable with the COMFORT-B rating in mechanically ventilated infants receiving analgosedation. The SCA monitor may be of value in the assessment of analgosedation quality, and in particular may identify the situation where sedation is deep. Further research is needed regarding the suitability of this device in clinical practice.
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Sudden cardiac arrest is a major cause of death worldwide. Serum potassium level is an initial laboratory test that serves as part of an electrolyte panel easily obtainable by most emergency departments (EDs). ⋯ In OHCA patients, serum potassium level measured in the hospital showed a significant association with survival outcome. Hypokalemia had a significant association with good neurological outcome and survival discharge.