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Purpose The primary objective was to demonstrate the relationship between lung ultrasound (LUS) manifestations and the outcomes of intensive care unit (ICU) patients. The secondary objective was to determine the characteristics of LUS manifestations in different subgroups of ICU patients. Methods This prospective multi-center cohort study was conducted in 17 ICUs. A total of 1702 patients admitted between August 31, 2017 and February 16, 2019 were included. LUS was performed according to the bedside lung ultrasound in emergency (BLUE)-plus protocol, and LUS scores were calculated. Data on the outcomes and oxygenation indices were analyzed and compared between different primary indication groups. Results The LUS scores were significantly higher for non-survivors than for survivors and were significantly different between the oxygenation index groups, with higher scores in the lower oxygenation index groups. The LUS score was an independent risk factor for the 28-day mortality. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.663 for prediction of the 28-day mortality and 0.748 for prediction of an oxygenation index ≤100. Conclusions The LUS score based on the BLUE-plus protocol was an independent risk factor for the 28-day mortality and was important for the prediction of an oxygenation index ≤100. An early LUS score within 24 hours of ICU admission helps predicting the outcome of ICU patients.

Objective Focused cardiac ultrasound (FCU) and lung ultrasound (LU) are increasingly being used in critically ill patients. This study aimed to investigate the effect of FCU in combination with LU on these patients and to determine if the timing of ultrasound examination was associated with treatment change. Methods This is a multicenter cross-sectional observational study. Consecutive patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) were screened for enrollment. FCU and LU were performed within the first 24 h, and treatment change was proposed by the performer based on the ultrasound results and other clinical conditions. Results Among the 992 patients included, 502 were examined within 6 h of ICU admission (early phase group), and 490 were examined after 6 h of admission (later phase group). The early phase group and the later phase group had similar proportions of treatment change (48.8%

Background Echocardiography is widely used for bedside monitoring in ICU. We aimed to describe the characteristics of echocardiography manifestations in different groups of ICU patients, and the association with the outcomes.Methods This is a prospective multiple-center cohort study took place in 17 ICUs in China. A total of 1682 continuous adult patients admitted between August 31, 2017 to February 16, 2019 who had echocardiography performed within 24 hours in ICU were included. The echocardiography was performed and the echocardiography scores were calculated. Data was analyzed and compared between different outcome and primary indication groups.Results The overall 28-day mortality was 15.76%. Left ventricle enlargement and other echocardiogram abnormalities were more common in the non-survivors than the survivors. The EF value was lower, and the decrease in EF value was more frequent in the non-survivors than the survivors. The echocardiography score was significantly higher in the non-survivors than the survivors. The incidence of right ventricle enlargement and EF decrease was high in ICU patients (26.52% and 26.93% respectively). The independent risk factors for 28-day mortality was APACHE II, the length of MV, the length of ICU stay, oxygenation index, right ventricle wall thickening, IVC diameter, IVC variability, and the echocardiography score.Conclusions The incidence of cardiac dysfunction is high in ICU patients. The echocardiography score was significantly higher in the non-survivors than the survivors, and was an independent risk factor for 28-day mortality. Echocardiography is a convenient bedside monitoring method which deserves widely use in ICUs.Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR-DDD-17012391). Registered 2017.08.17. http://www.chictr.org.cn/showprojen.aspx?proj=21127.

The corrosion performances of pure Zn and Zn-0.4Mn alloy exposed in marine environment (Qingdao, east of China) have been studied after exposure for three years. Pitting corrosion occurs on both pure Zn and Zn-0.4Mn with fewer and smaller pits on Zn-0.4Mn alloy as revealed by confocal scanning laser microscope (CSLM), which indicates that the addition of Mn can reduce the localized corrosion of Zn. Corrosion products formed on pure Zn and Zn-0.4Mn have been characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron probe micro-analyzer (EPMA). The main crystalline phases identified by XRD are Zn-5(CO3)(2)(OH)(6), Zn4O4(OH)(6) and NaZn4Cl(OH)(6)SO4 center dot 6H(2)O. respectively. Small amounts of ZnO and Zn(OH)(2) are also found which mainly present on top surface of corrosion films as revealed by XPS. Combined results of XRD and EPMA disclose that Zn4SO4(OH)(6) and NaZn4Cl(OH)(6)SO4 center dot 6H(2)O are the main compounds inside the pits with Zn4SO4(OH)(6) locating at the pit bottom. The formation mechanism of corrosion products inside pits and the role of small Mn addition on localized corrosion of Zn have been discussed. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

The passivation of pure Zn (99.995 wt%) and Zn–0.4Mn (0.4 wt% Mn) alloy in a deaerated 0.1 M NaOH solution (pH 12.9) was investigated by electrochemical measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance measurements show that addition of 0.4 wt% Mn can decrease the passive current density of Zn in the passive region. XPS surface analysis indicates that there is approximately 1.0–2.0 at% Mn 2+ being incorporated into the passive film on Zn–0.4Mn alloy with Mn content being higher in the outer layers. Mott–Schottky analysis shows that the incorporated Mn can decrease concentration of defects in the film. AFM observations disclose that Mn can decrease the grain size of the film. The mechanism by which Mn additions improve the passivity of Zn is that the incorporated Mn can inhibit ions transportation in the film and inhibit its growth. Meanwhile, Mn can also promote the nucleation of Zn oxides and decrease film porosity.

目的：探讨疑核对炎症性肠病（inflammatory bowel disease,IBD）相关细胞因子IL-6的调控作用,以及在IBD发生发展过程中发挥的作用.方法：三硝基苯磺酸（TNBS）诱导IBD大鼠动物模型,采用脑立体定位技术和电生理方法,应用Real-time PCR方法来检测急性电刺激疑核前后IBD大鼠结肠、胸腺、脾脏、外周血淋巴细胞中IL-6mRNA表达水平的变化.结果：经急性电刺激疑核后,IBD模型大鼠结肠、胸腺、脾脏及外周血淋巴细胞中IL-6的mRNA转录水平均显著升高（3.26E-02±5.83E-03vs5.12E-03±6.86E-04,5.52E-02±9.56E-03vs2.04E-02±3.58E-03,3.42E-02±7.19E-03vs2.91E-03±3.41E-04,8.12E-03±4.24E-04vs3.74E-03±5.73E-04,均P〈0.01）,而假刺激组和对照组没有明显变化（P〉0.05）.结论：疑核对IBD大鼠相关细胞因子IL-6具有一定的调控作用,且以正调控作用为主,并且在IBD发生发展过程中可能发挥着重要的作用.