Predicting mortality in intensive care unit (ICU) patients is crucial for optimizing treatment strategies. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of comorbidities, CRP/albumin ratio and lactate levels in predicting mortality, providing comprehensive insights into these parameters. This retrospective study was conducted between 2016 and 2021 in the ICU at a university hospital. Demographic data, comorbidities, and ICU length of stay were recorded, while APACHE II scores and laboratory parameters were measured within the first 24 hours following ICU admission. The study compared survivors and non-survivors using a 1:1 matching methodology. The association of these variables with mortality was statistically analyzed. The study included 540 patients, with a mean age of 64.1 ± 16.6 years and 62.4% were male. The mortality rate was 50%, and non-survivors were slightly older than survivors (65.3 ± 12.5 vs 63.1 ± 13.5 years, P = .12). Hypertension (43.3% vs 24.1%, P < .001), coronary artery disease (16.7% vs 6.7%, P < .001), and chronic renal failure (13% vs 3%, P < .001) were significantly higher in non-survivors. Increased mortality was significantly associated with higher lactate levels (5.78 ± 2.98 vs 3.11 ± 2.11 mmol/L, P < .001), higher CRP/albumin ratios (36.45 ± 26.42 vs 18.15 ± 14.57, P < .001), and lower albumin levels (3.21 ± 0.56 vs 3.61 ± 0.55 g/dL, P < .001). Additionally, univariate logistic regression analysis showed that each unit increase in WBC (OR: 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01–1.05, P < .001), NEU (OR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.05–1.11, P < .001), PLT (OR: 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01–1.03, P < .001), and lactate (OR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.38–1.62, P < .001) was associated with an increased risk of mortality. This study highlights that CRP/albumin ratio, lactate levels and comorbidities are significantly associated with increased mortality in ICU patients. Moreover, unit increases in WBC, NEU, and PLT were also linked to a higher mortality risk. These findings can improve clinical management through the early identification of high-risk patients in ICUs.

Anxiety disorder is observed in half of the patients in the preoperative period. Psychological disorders are also frequently observed in cancer patients and need to be supported. The aim of the present study is to determine the level of preoperative anxiety in patients with malignant and benign diagnoses who were planned for elective surgery and to reveal its relationship with socio-demographic data. A tertiary hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the general surgery clinic between June 1, 2021- March 31, 2022, on 158 patients who underwent elective surgery. Participants were evaluated in two groups depending on their diagnosis; the cancer group and the benign group. The socio-demographic data were recorded and the level of anxiety was determined by the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). The median age of participants was 55 (19-78) years. There were 72 (45.6%) patients in the cancer group and 86 (54.4%) patients in the benign group. There was no significant difference in age, gender, marital status, job, level of income, and family cancer history between the two groups. There were significant differences between the groups in level of education, and previous surgical history (p=0.035, and p=0.037, respectively). BAI scores of the cancer group and control group were 10.5 (0-35) and 5 (0-49), respectively (p<0.001). The level of anxiety in the cancer group was also significantly higher than in the benign group (p<0.001). Cancer patients have more anxiety during the preoperative period than patients who were with benign diseases. We believe that previous surgical history and education level are other factors that affect anxiety.

Aim: This experimental study aimed to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect on obstructive jaundice (OJ) of oral red ginseng (RG) extract, which is known to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Methods: The rats were randomly separated into 3 groups of 10 rats: the sham group, the control group, and the treatment group. In Group 1 (sham), the common bile duct (CBD) was identified but no ligation or transection was performed. In Group 2 (control), the CBD was identified and ligation and transection were performed, but no treatment was given. In Group 3 (RG group), CBD ligation and transection were performed, then RG extract was administered via an orogastric tube at a dose of 100 mg/ kg/day for 10 days. After 10 days, blood samples were taken for biochemical analysis, and liver tissue samples for biochemical and histopathological analysis. Results: Significantly higher serum albumin levels and lower serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were determined in the RG group than in the control group (p = 0.028, p = 0.001 and p = 0.034, respectively). In the oxidative stress parameters, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and catalase (CAT) levels were significantly different between the RG group and control group (p = <0.001 for each). Total sulfhydryl (T-SH) was not at a statistically significant level, although it was high and approached the value of the sham group ( p = 0.076). In the histopathological evaluation, the RG group had statistically significantly lower scores in all parameters compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that RG has a strong hepatoprotective effect as a result of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

This article studies the effects of red ginseng on wound healing in diabetic rats

Duymus ME, et al. Ann Surg Treat Res. 2023 May;104(5):249-257. https://doi.org/10.4174/astr.2023.104.5.249