Liver Chemistries in COVID-19 Patients with Survival or Death: A Meta-Analysis

Background and AimsAlthough abnormal liver chemistries are linked to higher risk of death related to coronavirus disease (COVID-19), liver manifestations may be diverse and even confused. Thus, we performed a meta-analysis of published liver manifestations and described the liver damage in COVID-19 patients with death or survival. MethodsWe searched PubMed, Google Scholar, medRxiv, bioRxiv, Cochrane Library, Embase, and three Chinese electronic databases through April 22, 2020. We analyzed pooled data on liver chemistries stratified by the main clinical outcome of COVID-19 using a fixed or random-effects model. ResultsIn the meta-analysis of 18 studies, which included a total of 2,862 patients, the pooled mean alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was 30.9 IU/L in the COVID-19 patients with death and 26.3 IU/L in the COVID-19 patients discharged alive (p < 0.0001). The pooled mean aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level was 45.3 IU/L in the COVID-19 patients with death while 30.1 IU/L in the patients discharged alive (p < 0.0001). Compared with the discharged alive cases, the dead cases tended to have lower albumin levels but longer prothrombin time, and international standardized ratio. ConclusionsIn this meta-analysis, according to the main clinical outcome of COVID-19, we comprehensively described three patterns of liver impairment related to COVID-19, hepatocellular injury, cholestasis, and hepatocellular disfunction. Patients died from COVID-19 tend to have different liver chemistries from those are discharged alive. Close monitoring of liver chemistries provides an early warning against COVID-19 related death. Lay SummaryAbnormal liver chemistries are linked to higher risk of death related to coronavirus disease (COVID-19). We performed a meta-analysis of 18 studies that included a total of 2,862 patients with COVID-19. We noted that patients died from COVID-19 tend to have different liver chemistries from those are discharged alive and close monitoring of liver chemistries provides early warning against COVID-19 related death.

Liver Chemistries in Patients with Severe or Non-Severe COVID-19: a Meta-Analysis

Background and AimsCumulating observations have indicated that patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) undergo different patterns of liver impairment. We performed a meta-analysis of published liver manifestations and described the liver damage in COVID-19. MethodsWe searched PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, Cochrane Library, medRxiv, bioRxiv, and three Chinese electronic databases through April 18, 2020, in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Meta-Analyses. We analyzed pooled data on liver chemistries stratified by COVID-19 severity using a fixed or random-effects model. ResultsIn the meta-analysis of 37 studies, which included a total of 6,235 patients, the pooled mean alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was 36.4 IU/L in the severe COVID-19 cases and 27.8 IU/L in the non-severe cases (95% confidence interval [CI]: - 9.4 to - 5.1, p < 0.0001). The pooled mean aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was 46.8 IU/L in the severe cases and 30.4 IU/L in the non-severe cases (95% CI: - 15.1 to - 10.4, p < 0.0001). Furthermore, regardless of disease severity, the AST level is often higher than the ALT level. Compared with the non-severe cases, the severe cases tended to have higher {gamma}-glutamyltransferase levels but lower albumin levels. ConclusionsIn this meta-analysis, we comprehensively described three patterns of liver impairment related to COVID-19, namely hepatocellular injury, cholestasis, and hepatocellular disfunction, according to COVID-19 severity. Patients with abnormal liver test results are at higher risk of progression to severe disease. Close monitoring of liver chemistries provides an early warning against disease progression. Lay SummaryData on abnormal liver chemistries related to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are cumulating but are potentially confusing. We performed a meta-analysis of 37 studies that included a total of 6,235 patients with COVID-19. We noted that patients with abnormal liver test results are at higher risk of progression to severe disease and close monitoring of liver chemistries provides early warning against disease progression.

Application of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in children with acute respiratory distress syndrome / 中国当代儿科杂志

The children with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) usually require ventilatory support treatment. At present, lung protective ventilation strategy is recommended for the treatment of ARDS. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) can improve oxygenation and remove carbon dioxide by extracorporeal circuit, and can partially or completely take over cardiopulmonary function. ECMO support showed many advantages in treating severe ARDS, such as reducing ventilator-induced lung injury and correcting hypoxemia. Over the past few years, there has been an increase in the use of ECMO for ARDS in children. This paper reviews the applications of ECMO for the treatment of ARDS in children.

Lung recruitment maneuvers and positive end-expiratory pressure titration in children with acute respiratory distress syndrome / 中国当代儿科杂志

The application of small tidal volume and the limitation of airway pressure during mechanical ventilation in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are well accepted. Lung recruitment and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) titration can improve oxygenation and protect the lungs. However, the approaches of lung recruitment and PEEP titration remain controversial. This article reviews the lung recruitment maneuvers and PEEP titration in children with ARDS.

Effects of high volume hemofiltration on hemodynamics and oxygen metabolism at early stage of septic shock in piglet models / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of hemofiltration at early stage of septic shock with different ultrafiltration doses, including hemodynamics, oxygen metabolism, inflammatory mediator in piglet models, and to evaluate the therapeutic effects of HVHF.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The 18 healthy young piglets (Shanghai species) were divided randomly into three groups:control group (n = 6), conventional volume hemofiltration (CVVH) group [n = 6, ultrafiltration volume = 30 ml/(kg·h)] and high volume hemofiltration (HVHF) group [n = 6, ultrafiltration volume = 50 ml/(kg·h)], the animal model of septic shock was established by injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (150 µg/kg) O111: B4. During the experiment, the following observations were carried out for all groups:1) Changes of hemodynamics [heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MABP), cardiac output (CO), systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), intrathoracic blood volume (ITBV)] and oxygen metabolism [oxygen delivery (DO2), oxygen consumption (VO2), oxygen extraction rate (O2ER) ] at the time of B0h, 0 h, 2 h, 4 h and 6 h.2) changes of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10 in plasma at different time points (B0h, 0 h, 2 h, 4 h, 6 h).</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Significant difference in circulatory parameters, inflammatory mediators in plasma were found at B0h and 0 h among three groups; the CO in two treatment groups were higher than that in control group at 4 h, 6 h after model establishment (P < 0.05), and SVRI in HVHF groups were higher than that in other two groups at 4 h, 6 h after model was established (P < 0.05). The MABP in HVHF group [4 h (82 ± 17) mm Hg, 6 h (80 ± 12) mm Hg](1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) were higher than that in CVVH group at 4 h [(67 ± 12) mm Hg], 6 h [(69 ± 14) mm Hg] after model was established (P < 0.05). The levels of IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α in two treatment groups were lower than that in control group at 4 h and 6 h after model was established (P < 0.05), and the IL-6 [(281 ± 51) pg/ml], TNF-α [(67 ± 13) pg/ml] level in HVHF group was lower than that in CVVH group [IL-6(281 ± 51) pg/ml, TNF-α (67 ± 13) pg/ml] at 6 h (P < 0.05). The DO2 and VO2 in two treatment groups were higher than that in control group at 4 h, 6 h (P < 0.05), the O2ER in HVHF group were higher than that in CVVH group at 4 h (44% ± 3% vs. 33% ± 4%), 6 h (43% ± 5% vs. 31% ± 3%, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>High volume hemofiltration (HVHF) at early stage of septic shock piglet models was more effective in improving hemodynamics, oxygen metabolism than conventional CVVH. And HVHF eliminated blood inflammatory mediators more effectively than conventional CVVH.</p>

Columnar mesophases of the complexes of DNA with low-generation poly(amido amine) dendrimers.

The electrostatic complexes of polyanionic DNA with dendrimers have been considered as a class of nonviral vector for gene therapy. The gene transfection efficiency has been believed to be influenced by the structure of the complex. In this study, we have systematically characterized the supramolecular structures of the complexes of DNA duplexes with poly(amido amine) (PAMAM) dendrimers with generation two (G2) and three (G3) in pure water using small-angle X-ray scattering. The structures were examined as a function of the charge density of the dendrimer expressed by its degree of protonation (dp) and the molar ratio of the amine groups of dendrimer to the phosphate groups of DNA (N/P). The DNA chains in all complexes under study were found to self-organize into two-dimensional hexagonal or square lattice. In general, hexagonal phase was the favorable structure for G2 complexes, while the DNA in G3 complexes tended to organize into a square lattice. Interesting transitions between the columnar mesophases with respect to the changes of N/P ratio and dp have been identified. The geometric features of the dendrimer molecules accommodated within the interstitial tunnels of the DNA lattices have also been revealed. The B conformation of DNA was effectively retained in the complexes in spite of the influence of the electrostatic interaction with the dendrimers.