Background: Fungal bloodstream infections (FBI) among intensive care unit (ICU) patients are increasing. Our objective was to characterize the fungal pathogens that cause bloodstream infections and determine the epidemiology and risk factors for patient mortality among ICU patients in Meizhou, China. Methods: Eighty-one ICU patients with FBI during their stays were included in the study conducted from January 2008 to December 2017. Blood cultures were performed and the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of the resulting isolates were determined. Logistic multiple regression and ROC curve analysis were used to assess the risk factors for mortality among the cases. Results: The prevalence of FBI in ICU patients was 0.38% (81/21,098) with a mortality rate of 36% (29/81). Ninetyeight strains of bloodstream-infecting fungi, mainly Candida spp., were identified from these patients. Candida albicans was most common (43%). Two strains of C. parapsilosis were no-sensitive to caspofungin, C. glabrata were less than 80% sensitive to azole drugs. Logistic multiple regression showed that age, serum albumin, APACHE II score, three or more underlying diseases, and length of stay in ICU were independent risk factors for mortality in FBI. ROC curve analysis showed that APACHE II scores > 19 and serum albumin ≤25 g/L were the best predictors of mortality. Conclusion: Candida spp. predominated with high mortality rates among cases of FBI in ICU. Thus, clinical staff should enhance overall patient monitoring and concurrently monitor fungal susceptibility to reduce mortality rates.

Patients with several concurrent illnesses often present with complex manifestations and therefore receive a variety of treatments. The purpose of this report was to describe a patient diagnosed with hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s encephalopathy, cerebral infarction, and ventricular arrhythmia. The patient also had multiple physiological and psychological disorders, including dizziness, frequent ventricular premature beats, hypotension, anxiety, and insomnia. Among other treatments, the patient received a stellate ganglion block and most symptoms were substantially alleviated. Therefore, stellate ganglion block appears to be a useful approach for treating perplexing clinical conditions in patients with autonomic dysfunction.

Medically unexplained symptoms refers to a clinical syndrome characterized by somatic symptoms that cannot be reasonably explained by any organic disease. Chronic pain can be a type of medically unexplained symptom. The current treatment modalities for chronic pain mainly include drugs and psychotherapy. The use of stellate ganglion block for treatment of chronic pain has rarely been reported. Herein, we report a patient whose chronic pain was completely relieved after receiving a stellate ganglion block.

BackgroundWe aimed to evaluate a modified endotracheal tube containing upper and lower balloons for anesthetic administration among patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.MethodsNinety patients scheduled to undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomly allocated to 3 equal groups: group A (conventional tracheal intubation without endotracheal anesthesia); B (conventional tracheal intubation with endotracheal anesthesia); and C (tracheal intubation using a modified catheter under study). Blood pressure, heart rate, angiotensin II level, blood glucose level, airway pressure before anesthesia (T1) were measured immediately after intubation (T2), 5 min after intubation (T3), and immediately after extubation (T4). The post-extubation pain experienced was evaluated using the Wong-Baker Face Pain scale. Adverse reactions within 30 min after extubation were recorded.ResultsSystolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, angiotensin II, and blood sugar level in group C at T2, T3 and T4, and heart rate at T2 and T4 were significantly lower than those in group A (P < 0.05); systolic blood pressure and blood sugar at T4, and angiotensin II levels at T2, T3, and T4 were significantly lower than those in group B (P < 0.05). Patients in group C reported the lowest post-extubation pain (P < 0.05 vs. Group A), and the lowest incidence of adverse events such as nausea, vomiting, and sore throat than that in groups A and B (P < 0.05).ConclusionThe modified endotracheal anesthesia tube under study is effective in reducing cardiovascular and tracheal stress response, and increasing patient comfort, without inducing an increase in airway resistance.Trial registrationThe clinical trial was retrospectively registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry with the Registration Number ChiCTR1900020832 at January 20th 2019.

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is classified as a neurofunctional disorder that manifests as uncontrolled sleeping propensity in the daytime. Currently, consistent and effective therapeutic approaches for EDS are lacking. Stellate ganglion block (SGB) has a clear effect in various complicated pain syndromes, vascular insufficiency, hyperhidrosis, and posttraumatic stress syndrome. We report an EDS case that involved a patient who recovered after several sessions of SGB.