2017年 · 第130卷第14期

Pharmacological therapy for congestive heart failure (CHF) with ventricular arrhythmia is limited. In the study, our aim was to evaluate the effects of Chinese traditional medicine Shensong Yangxin capsules (SSYX) on heart rhythm and function in CHF patients with frequent ventricular premature complexes (VPCs).

This double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study randomized 465 CHF patients with frequent VPCs to the SSYX (n = 232) and placebo groups (n = 233) for 12 weeks of treatment. The primary endpoint was the VPCs monitored by a 24-h ambulatory electrocardiogram. The secondary endpoints included the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification, 6-min walking distance (6MWD), Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) scores, and composite cardiac events (CCEs).

The clinical characteristics were similar at baseline. SSYX caused a significantly greater decline in the total number of VPCs than the placebo did (−2145 ± 2848 vs. −841 ± 3411 , P < 0.05). The secondary endpoints of the LVEF, NYHA classification, NT-proBNP, 6MWD, and MLHFQ scores showed a greater improvements in the SSYX group than in the placebo group (ΔLVEF at 12^th week: 4.75 ± 7.13 vs. 3.30 ± 6.53; NYHA improvement rate at the 8^th and 12^th week: 32.6% vs. 21.8%, 40.5% vs. 25.7%; mean level of NT-proBNP in patients with NT-proBNP ≥125 pg/ml at 12^th week: −122 [Q1, Q3: −524, 0] vs. −75 [Q1, Q3: −245, 0]; Δ6MWD at 12^th week: 35.1 ± 38.6 vs. 17.2 ± 45.6; ΔMLHFQ at the 4^th, 8^th, and 12^th week: −4.24 ± 6.15 vs. −2.31 ± 6.96, −8.19 ± 8.41 vs. −3.25 ± 9.40, −10.60 ± 9.41 vs. −4.83 ± 11.23, all P < 0.05). CCEs were not different between the groups during the study period.

In this 12-week pilot study, SSYX was demonstrated to have the benefits of VPCs suppression and cardiac function improvement with good compliance on a background of standard treatment for CHF.

www.chictr.org.cn, ChiCTR-TRC-12002061 (http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=7487) and Clinicaltrials. gov, NCT01612260 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01612260).

The relationship between intramural myomas and fertility remains unclear. The main debate rests on whether cavity-distorting intramural myomas (CDMs) adversely affect fertility more than non-CDMs. We aimed to compare the effects of enucleating non-CDMs and CDMs on fertility improvement in females with unexplained infertility.

We prospectively recruited 83 women undergoing myomectomy for unexplained infertility with intramural myomas between June 2008 and November 2012 and classified them into non-CDMs group (n = 45) and CDMs group (n = 38). We then compared postoperative infertility rates, spontaneous pregnancy rates, pregnancy outcomes, live birth rates, and obstetric complications. For continuous variables, we calculated the mean ± standard deviation, median and interquartile range, and analyzed the data using Student’s t-test and the Mann-Whitney U-test. For categorical variables, the Pearson’s Chi-square test, the continuity correction test, and Fisher’s exact test were used.

Patients’ demographics and myoma characteristics were comparable between the two groups. The overall spontaneous pregnancy rate increased from 0% to 68.42% following myomectomy. The postoperative infertility rate was significantly higher in the non-CDMs group than that in the CDMs group (50.00% vs. 23.53%, t = 5.579, P = 0.018), whereas the postoperative spontaneous pregnancy rate was significantly lower in the non-CDMs group than that in the CDMs group (47.62% vs. 70.59%, t = 4.067, P = 0.044). Compared with the enucleation of non-CDM, the enucleation of CDM patients was a protective factor for the fertility restoration (risk ratio [RR] = 3.717, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.284–10.753, P = 0.015), although postoperative fertility restoration declined with age (RR = 1.141, 95% CI: 1.005–1.295, P = 0.041).

Intramural myomas are associated with impaired fertility. Women experiencing unexplained infertility, and possessing intramural myomas, have a better chance of conception following myomectomy, and these benefits are more obvious for younger patients and patients with CDM.

Lots of trials demonstrate that second-generation drug-eluting stents (G2-DES), with their improved properties, offer significantly superior efficacy and safety profiles compared to first generation DES (G1-DES) for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) receiving percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This study aimed to verify the advantage of G2-DES over G1-DES in Chinese patients with stable CAD (SCAD).

For this retrospective observational analysis, 2709 SCAD patients with either G1-DES (n = 863) or G2-DES (n = 1846) were enrolled consecutively throughout 2013. Propensity score matching (PSM) was applied to control differing baseline factors. Two-year outcomes, including major adverse coronary events as well as individual events, including target vessel-related myocardial infarction, target lesion revascularization (TLR), target vessel revascularization, and cardiogenic death were evaluated.

The incidence of revascularization between G1- and G2-DES showed a trend of significant difference with a threshold P-value (8.6% vs. 6.7%, χ² = 2.995, P = 0.084). G2-DES significantly improved TLR-free survival compared to G1-DES (96.6% vs. 97.9%, P = 0.049) and revascularization-free survival curve showed a trend of improvement of G2-DES (92.0% vs. 93 .8%, P = 0.082). These differences diminished after PSM. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis showed a trend for G1-associated increase in revascularization (hazard ratio: 1.28, 95% confidence interval: 0.95–1.72, P = 0.099) while no significance was found after PSM. Other endpoints showed no significant differences after multivariate adjustment regardless of PSM.

G1-DES showed the same safety as G2-DES in this large Chinese cohort of real-world patients. However, G2-DES improved TLR-free survival of SCAD patients 2 years after PCI. The advantage was influenced by baseline clinical factors. G1-DES was associated with a trend of increase in revascularization risk and was not an independent predictor of worse medium-term prognosis compared with G2-DES.

Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is a common inflammatory skin condition. The etiology is unclear, although overgrowth of Malassezia on the skin has been suggested to cause SD. This study investigated whether colonization with Staphylococcus plays a role in facial SD, which was not well addressed previously.

The study was conducted from September 1, 2011 to February 20, 2012 in the First Hospital of China Medical University. In the first phase, the study evaluated the level of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and the number of colony-forming units (CFU) of Staphylococcus in defined skin areas of SD patients who were human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive (HIV [+] SD [+] group, n = 13), classical SD (HIV [−] SD [+] group, n = 24) patients, HIV seropositive-non-SD (HIV [+] SD [−] group, n = 16) patients, and healthy volunteers (HIV [−] SD [−] group, n = 16). In the second phase, we enrolled another cohort of HIV (−) SD (+) patients who applied topical fusidic acid (n = 15), tacrolimus (n = 16), or moisturizer (n = 12). Changes in the Seborrheic Dermatitis Area Severity Index (SDASI), TEWL, and Staphylococcus density were evaluated 2 weeks later. Comparisons of each index were performed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and least significant difference method.

The level of TEWL was greater through lesional sites in the HIV (+) SD (+) group than that in HIV (+) SD (−) and HIV (−) SD (−) groups (95% confidence interval [CI]: 18.873–47.071, P < 0.001 and 95% CI: 28.755–55.936, P < 0.001, respectively). The number of CFU of Staphylococcus was greater in the HIV (+) SD (+) group than that in HIV (+) SD (−) and HIV (−) SD (−) groups (95% CI: 37.487–142.744, P = 0.001 and 95% CI: 54.936–156.400, P < 0.001, respectively). TEWL was significantly more improved in patients treated with tacrolimus and fusidic acid than that in those treated with moisturizers (95% CI: 7.560–38.987, P = 0.004 and 95% CI: 4.659–37.619, P = 0.011, respectively ). Topical tacrolimus and fusidic acid were significantly associated with decreased SDASI as compared with moisturizer (95% CI: 0.03-0.432, P = 0.025 and 95% CI: 0.033–0.44, P = 0.024, respectively).

High colonization with Staphylococcus epidermidis, along with impaired skin permeability barrier function, contributes to the occurrence of SD.

Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) improves the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Moreover, the complement system is a powerful immune effector that can affect liver function and process of liver cirrhosis. However, studies correlating the complement system with tacrolimus metabolism after OLT are scarce. In this study, the role of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with the sixth complement component (C6) in tacrolimus metabolism was investigated during the early stages of liver transplantation.

The study enrolled 135 adult patients treated with OLT for HCC between August 2011 and October 2013. Ten SNPs in C6 gene and rs776746 in cytochrome P450 3A5 (CYP3A5) gene were investigated. The tacrolimus levels were monitored daily during 4 weeks after transplantation.

Both donor and recipient CYP3A5 rs776746 allele A were correlated with decreased concentration/dose (C/D) ratios. Recipient C6 rs9200 allele G and donor C6 rs10052999 homozygotes were correlated with lower C/D ratios. Recipient CYP3A5 rs776746 allele A (yielded median tacrolimus C/D ratios of 225.90 at week 1 and 123.61 at week 2), C6 rs9200 allele G (exhibited median tacrolimus C/D ratios of 211.31 at week 1, 110 .23 at week 2, and 99 .88 at week 3 ), and donor CYP3A5 rs776746 allele A (exhibited median C/D ratios of 210.82 at week 1, 111.06 at week 2, 77.49 at week 3, and 85 .60 at week 4 ) and C6 rs10052999 homozygote (exhibited median C/D ratios of 167.59 at week 2, 157.99 at week 3, and 155.36 at week 4) were associated with rapid tacrolimus metabolism. With increasing number of these alleles, patients were found to have lower tacrolimus C/D ratios at various time points during the 4 weeks after transplantation. In multiple linear regression analysis, recipient C6 rs9200 group (AA vs. GG/GA) was found to be related to tacrolimus metabolism at weeks 1, 2, and 3 (P = 0.005, P = 0.045, and P = 0.033, respectively), whereas donor C6 rs10052999 group (CC/TT vs. TC) was demonstrated to be correlated with tacrolimus metabolism only at week 4 (P = 0.001).

Recipient C6 gene rs9200 polymorphism and donor C6 gene rs10052999 polymorphism are new genetic loci that affect tacrolimus metabolism in patients with HCC after OLT.

Idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) is an autoimmune disease and the leading cause of adult nephritic syndrome. HLA-DQA1 had been identified to be associated with IMN in Europeans and the result was replicated in Chinese Han population. In this study, six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter of HLA-DQA1 and other two SNPs with IgA nephropathy were included for the association analysis.

The SNPs were genotyped in 509 patients and 601 controls by the MassArray iPLEX. The quantification of anti-phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) antibodies in sera of IMN patients was performed by anti-PLA2R ELISA (IgG) kit.

After analysis, four SNPs were significantly associated with IMN, with rs2187668 and rs28383345 as the top two signals (P = 8.42×10^-5 and 2.48×10^-5, respectively). Even under dominant model, the two SNPs were still significantly associated with IMN (P = 3.50×10^-3 for rs28383345 and P = 6.55×10^-5 for rs2187668). After conditional study with rs2187668, rs28383345 was the only variant significantly correlated with IMN after Bonferroni correction (P = 0.016). The minor alleles of the two SNPs were also mutually exclusive in our cohort. This indicated that the two SNPs were independently associated with IMN in Chinese Han population. Levels of anti-PLA2R autoantibodies were correlated with the genotypes of the two SNPs, but not significantly (P>0.05).

Our results revealed that a novel independent variant in the promoter of HLA-DQA1 was associated with IMN in Chinese Han population. The locus possessed regulatory role according to the data of RegulomeDB. The exact role of the SNPs on the expression of HLA-DQA1 needs further investigation.

In small fiber neuropathy (SFN), thinly myelinated Aδ and unmyelinated C fibers are primarily affected, resulting in sensory and/or autonomic symptoms. Various etiologies have been shown to be associated with SFN. This study was aimed to analyze a variety of features in peripheral neuropathy (PN) with small fiber involvement, and to compare disease severity among patients with idiopathic PN, PN associated with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and metabolic syndrome (MS) PN.

Thirty-eight PN patients with small fiber involvement were enrolled from December 20, 2013 to May 31, 2016. Patients were divided into idiopathic PN, IGT-related PN, and MS-related PN groups. Detailed medical history and small fiber neuropathy were investigated, and symptom inventory questionnaire was conducted, as well as the visual analog scale. Nerve conduction studies and skin biopsies were also performed. The differences among the groups were analyzed using analysis of variance and Kruskal-Wallis test.

Eight patients were diagnosed with pure SFN. Intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) weakly correlated with motor conduction velocity (MCV) (r = 0.372, P = 0.025), and proximal (r = 0.383, P = 0.021) and distal (r = 0.358, P = 0.032) compound muscle action potential (CMAP) of the tibial nerve. IENFD also weakly correlated with MCV of the peroneal nerve (r = 0.399, P = 0.016). IENFD was shown to be significantly different among all groups (χ² = 9.901, P = 0.007). IENFD was significantly decreased (χ² = 23.000, P = 0.003) in the MS-related PN group compared to the idiopathic PN group. The MCV of the tibial nerve was significantly different among all groups (χ² = 8.172, P < 0.017). The proximal (F = 4.336, P = 0.021) and distal (F = 3.262, P = 0.049) CMAP of the tibial nerve was also significantly different among all groups.

IENFD of patients included in the present study weakly correlated with various electrophysiological parameters. Small and large fibers are more involved in patients with MS-related PN than in patients with idiopathic PN.

General practitioner (GP) preceptors play an important role in the cultivation of GPs. Many problems exist in the training of GP preceptors. This study aimed to explore the willingness and training needs of GP preceptors and compare the differences between preceptors from general practice and other specialties.

A total of 375 questionnaire forms were sent to 375 GP preceptors from 11 different provinces, and 344 completed forms were returned. The main outcome included general information, teaching motivations, and training needs of GP preceptors.

The study showed that about 89.2% of GP preceptors were willing to be teachers. The majority of respondents strongly agreed that the motivation for becoming a GP supervisor was to learn from teaching. The most important capability they should master was clinical teaching (92.2%), followed by lecture (83.1%) and doctor–patient communication (83.1%). The top three preferred methods of GP preceptors training were case discussion (78.8%), workshop (57.6%), and classroom teaching (56.4%). The domains in which most GP preceptors wanted to acquire knowledge and skill were mental health (59.3%), rehabilitation (47.1%), pediatrics (41.0%), and obstetrics (37.5%). No significant differences were found in the willingness to train GPs (χ² = 3.34, P > 0.05) and whether they would become or continue to become a GP supervisor after the training (χ² = 1.106, P > 0.05).

Although most preceptors were under on-the-job training, they were glad to train GPs. To be qualified, preceptors should be trained according to the actual needs of GP preceptors.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a severe disease in critically ill patients. Neutrophil infiltration into kidney was associated with the development of AKI, and P-selectin may be involved in the process of neutrophil recruitment in kidney. This study aimed to explore the potential effect of platelet-derived P-selectin on neutrophil recruitment in a mouse model of sepsis-induced AKI.

A total of 30 C57BL/6 male mice were divided into five groups (n = 6 in each): sham group, sepsis group, anti-Ly6G group, anti-P-selectin group, and platelet depletion group. Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture. Serum creatinine concentration and platelet activity were measured by biochemical detector and flow cytometry, respectively. Histological and pathological features were analyzed using hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining, respectively. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity was detected with MPO assay. Unpaired t-test was used for data analysis.

Serum creatinine increased significantly in septic group compared to sham group (2.68 ± 0.27 mg/dl vs. 0.82 ± 0.19 mg/dl, t= 12.06, P = 0.0000) but attenuated in antibodies-treated animals compared to septic group (anti-Ly6G: 1.62 ± 0.30 mg/dl vs. 2.68 ± 0.27 mg/dl, t = 5.76, P = 0.0004; anti-P-selectin: 1.76 ± 0.31 mg/dl vs. 2.68 ± 0.27 mg/dl, t = 4.92, P = 0.0012; and platelet depletion: 1.93 ± 0.29 mg/dl vs. 2.68 ± 0.27 mg/dl, t = 4.14, P = 0.0032). Platelet amount significantly decreased compared to sham group (658.20 ± 60.64 × 10⁹/L vs. 822.00 ± 48.60 × 10⁹/L, t = 4.71, P = 0.0015) in septic mice, especially in platelet depletion group (240.80 ± 44.98 × 10⁹/L vs. 822.00 ± 48.60 × 10⁹/L, t = 19.63, P = 0.0000). P-selectin activity was significantly increased in septic group compared to sham group (16.54 ± 1.60% vs. 1.90 ± 0.29%, t = 15.64, P = 0.0000) but decreased significantly in platelet depletion group compared to septic group (3.62 ± 0.68% vs. 16.54 ± 1.60%, t = 12.89, P = 0.0002). IHC analysis shown that neutrophil infiltration increased in septic mice compared to sham group (36.67 ± 3.79% vs. 9.17 ± 1.61%, t= 11.58, P = 0.0003) and function-blocked groups (anti-Ly6G: 36.67 ± 3.79% vs. 15.33 ± 1.53%, t= 9.05, P = 0.0008; anti-P-selectin: 36.67 ± 3.79% vs. 21.33 ± 1.53%, t= 6.51, P = 0.0029; and platelet depletion: 36.67 ± 3.79% vs. 23.33 ± 3.06%, t= 4.75, P = 0.0090). MPO increased significantly in septic group compared to control (49.73 ± 1.83 ng/mg prot vs. 13.04 ± 2.16 ng/mg prot, t = 19.03, P = 0.0000) but decreased in function-blocked groups compared to septic group (anti-Ly6G: 26.52 ± 3.86 ng/mg prot vs. 49.73 ± 1.83 ng/mg prot, t = 9.59, P = 0.0000; anti-P-selectin: 33.06 ± 6.75 ng/mg prot vs. 49.73 ± 1.83 ng/mg prot, t = 4.85, P = 0.0013; and platelet depletion: 33.37 ± 2.25 ng/mg prot vs. 49.73 ± 1.83 ng/mg prot, t = 5.33, P = 0.0007).

Platelets-derived P-selectin may be involved in the development of septic AKI through inducing neutrophil infiltration into kidney.

Mounting evidence has demonstrated that hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) could attenuate brain injuries after cerebral ischemia and reperfusion (CIR). However, few reports have addressed the therapeutic efficacies of a recombinant adenovirus vector containing HIF-1α (AdHIF-1α) gene after ischemia and reperfusion. The aim of this study was to examine the antiapoptotic and neuroprotective effects of AdHIF-1α gene for cerebral injuries after ischemia and reperfusion in rats.

From February to December 2016, male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal, sham, CIR, AdHIF-1α, and recombinant adenovirus (Ad) groups. Middle cerebral artery occlusion model was established by Longa’s method and reperfusion resumed at 2 h postocclusion. AdHIF-1α solution, Ad solution, and phosphate-buffered saline were injected into the right lateral ventricle of rats in AdHIF-1α, Ad, and CIR groups. Brain tissue sections were observed under fluorescent microscope to confirm the definite expression of recombinant adenovirus in Ad and AdHIF-1α groups. The expressions of HIF-1α protein were analyzed by immunohistochemical staining at 6 h, 24 h, and 72 h postreperfusion. Brain water content and neurological deficit scores were evaluated at 6 h, 24 h, and 72 h postreperfusion. Pathological brain injuries were examined after hematoxylin and eosin stain and nerve cell apoptosis was measured after terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) stain at 72 h postreperfusion. Comparisons were conducted with one-way analysis of variance by post hoc Scheffe’s test among different experimental groups.

Green fluorescent protein was successfully expressed in brain tissue of Ad and AdHIF-1α groups from 24 h to 21 days postinjection. As detected by immunohistochemical staining, the expressions of HIF-1α protein were obviously enhanced in AdHIF-1α group than those in CIR and Ad groups at 24 h and 72 h postreperfusion, respectively. There were significant reductions of brain water content (78.83% ± 0.34% vs. 83.21% ± 0.50% and 83.35% ± 0.32%; 84.13% ± 0.24% vs. 89.76% ± 0.34% and 89.70% ± 0.18%; respectively; all P < 0.05) and neurological deficit scores (2.90 ± 0.74 vs. 3.50 ± 0.52 and 3.60 ± 0.53 at 24 h; 2.40 ± 0.84 vs. 3.60 ± 0.52 and 3.50 ± 0.53 at 72 h; respectively; all P < 0.05) in AdHIF-1α group versus CIR and Ad groups at 24 h and 72 h postreperfusion, respectively. The pathologic changes of AdHIF-1α group were milder than those in CIR and Ad groups at 72 h postreperfusion. The percentage of TUNEL-positive cells in cerebral subcortex decreased significantly in AdHIF-1α group versus CIR and Ad groups at 72 h postreperfusion (P < 0.05).

AdHIF-1α has an obvious neuroprotective effect on ischemia and reperfusion in rat brains possibly through inhibiting the apoptosis of nerve cells.

One-lung ventilation (OLV) is a common ventilation technology during thoracic surgery that can cause serious clinical problems. We aimed to conduct a meta-analysis to compare oxygenation and intrapulmonary shunt during OLV in adults undergoing thoracic surgery with dexmedetomidine (Dex) versus placebo to assess the influence and safety of using Dex.

Randomized controlled trials comparing lung protection in patients who underwent thoracic surgery with Dex or a placebo were retrieved from PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and China CNKI database. The following information was extracted from the paper: arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO₂), PaO₂/inspired oxygen concentration (PaO₂/FiO₂, oxygenation index [OI]), intrapulmonary shunt (calculated as Qs/Qt), mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA).

Fourteen randomized controlled trials were included containing a total of 625 patients. Compared with placebo group, Dex significantly increased PaO₂/FiO₂ (standard mean difference [SMD] = 0.98, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.72, 1.23], P < 0.00001). Besides, Qs/Qt (SMD= −1.22, 95% CI [−2.20, −0.23], P = 0.020), HR (SMD= −0.69, 95% CI [−1.20, 0.17], P = 0.009), MAP (SMD= −0.44, 95% CI [−0.84, 0.04], P = 0.030), the concentrations of TNF-α (SMD = −1.55, 95% CI [−2.16, −0.95], P <0.001), and IL-6 (SMD= −1.53, 95% CI [−2.37, −0.70], P = 0.0003) were decreased in the treated group, when compared to placebo group. No significant difference was found in MDA (SMD = −1.14, 95% CI [−3.48, 1.20], P = 0.340) and SOD (SMD = 0.41, 95% CI [−0.29, 1.10], P = 0.250) between the Dex group and the placebo group. Funnel plots did not detect any significant publication bias.

Dex may improve OI and reduce intrapulmonary shunt during OLV in adults undergoing thoracic surgery. However, this conclusion might be weakened by the limited number of pooled studies and patients.

Radiation therapy combined with surgical excision was considered as one of the most effective treatment plans for keloid lesions. However, there was no unanimity found over present literatures regarding the issue on optimized treatment strategy for keloids. We here provide a comprehensive review over this issue and emphasize on the influencing factors.

The data analyzed in this review were searched from articles included in PubMed and EMBASE databases.

The original articles and critical reviews discussing the application of radiation therapy in keloids treatment were selected for this review.

The application of radiation therapy has transitioned from simple superficial X-ray irradiation to brachytherapy. Furthermore, several factors including radiation type, dose, fraction, interval, and complications were reviewed, and the results revealed that these factors were significant toward clinical outcome at various levels.

Both past and present evidence support the idea that combination therapy of radiation and surgical therapy is safe and feasible. However, the optimization of treatment strategy was based on different radiation types and should take dose, fractions, interval, and complications into consideration, which will then decrease the rate of recurrence and increase the level of satisfaction.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is a well-established imaging modality which has been put into clinical use in recent years with the development of second-generation contrast agent and imaging devices, and its applications in the assessment of inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis, have provoked abundant discussion and researches among radiologists and rheumatologists. To summarize the achievements of clinical studies on CEUS in the application of arthritis, and to keep up with the latest progresses of the imaging technique, we reviewed the literature in recent years, hoping to establish the role of CEUS in joint diseases.

PubMed and EMBASE.

We searched the database with the conditions "contrast-enhanced ultrasound AND arthritis" with the time limitation of recent 10 years. Clinical studies applying CEUS in inflammatory arthritis and review articles about development of CEUS in joint diseases in English were selected.

As it is proved by most studies in recent years, by delineating microvasculature within the inflamed joints, CEUS can indicate early arthritis with high sensitivity and specificity. Moreover, the imaging of CEUS has been proved to be consistent with histopathological changes of inflammatory arthritis. Quantitative analysis of CEUS permits further evaluation of disease activity. CEUS also plays a significant role in the therapeutic monitoring of the disease, which has been backed up by a number of studies.

CEUS may be a new choice for the rheumatologists to evaluate inflammatory arthritis, because of its low price, ability to provide dynamic pictures, and high sensitivity to angiogenesis. It can also be applied in disease classification and therapeutic monitoring. More studies about CEUS need to be done to set up the diagnostic standards.

Workplace violence is a persistent problem in health care worldwide. The victims are usually nurses and workers in the emergency department.^{[1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8]}The academic debate, as it develops overtime, would allow us to gain an integral insight about this problem. The author searched the related research and debate articles in English in PubMed (www.pubmed.com) dated from 1990 to 2016 [Figure 1]. In total, 1899 items with the keywords of "workplace violence," 600 items with "workplace violence healthcare," 786 items with "workplace violence nursing," and 279 items with "workplace violence emergency" (there is some overlap between these four groups) have been published.

Primary cardiac tumors are rare in children, with the prevalence of 0.0017–0.28% in autopsy series.^[1]Benign tumors account for over 90% of the total. Cardiac fibromas (CFs) represent the second most common benign cardiac tumor in the pediatric population following rhabdomyomas. Patients can be asymptomatic or present with palpitations, cardiac murmur, arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, and even sudden death according to the size and location of the tumor. Surgical resection should be considered as the best option in symptomatic patients.^[2,3]This study reported four surgical cases of large left ventricular fibroma in children.

The definition of the subscapular bursa (SSB) remains controversial. One researcher demonstrated that SSB was a separate pouch.^[1]However, others believed that SSB was actually the superior subscapularis recess (SSR), which is an outpouching of the glenohumeral joint capsule.^[2,3,4]Whether or not the SSB and SSR are two different bursae must be confirmed. Furthermore, the fluid in the SSR revealed in magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has been regarded as an indication for a diagnosis of frozen shoulder.^[3]Considering that the SSB and SSR are two different structures with a close spatial relationship, recognition of the MR appearance of SSB might have important diagnostic implications. The purposes of this study were to describe the anatomy of the SSB using a three-dimensional (3D) visualization technique based on the Chinese visible human (CVH) and to explore the MR appearance of the SSB.

Diabetic abducens nerve palsy main symptoms include ocular motility disorders and diplopia. This disease is mainly caused by severe vascular degeneration. It is a serious impact on patient’s quality of life and mental health. Currently, there is no effective means of intervention for eye movement disorders and diplopia, the patients could only expect for neural self-repair.^[1]Our team invented intraorbital electroacupuncture (IEA) therapy to repair abducens nerve affected by diabetes. In the meantime, we applied it into clinical practice and achieved great success.

Synthetic mesh is often used in soft tissue reconstruction after artificial prosthesis replacement for patients with proximal humeral bone tumors. We carried out biomechanical and histological tests on two amputated extremities to test the stability of the joint and the biocompatibility of the synthetic meshes.

With the development of critical care medicine, mechanical ventilation is extensively used in the Intensive Care Units (ICUs). Patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation require sputum suctioning either regularly or as required to clear secretions from the airway and maintain airway patency. Accordingly, the requirement to disconnect the breathing loop tube for sputum suctioning is determined by the use of open or closed modes of suctioning. At present, the open suctioning system is most commonly used for clearing airway secretions. Since resistance to bacterial strains is rapidly increasing, the possibility of open suctioning in contaminating the ICU environment is often questioned, which was investigated in this study.

Porokeratosis (PK), first described in 1983, is a chronic parakeratotic skin disorder. Clinical types include porokeratosis of Mibelli (PM), disseminated superficial PK, disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (DSAP), facial PK, and ptychotropica porokeratosis (PP). Dermoscopic images of PK show an obvious annular margin with scales and an atrophied center.^[1]Wood’s lamp pictures of PK present a diamond necklace-like structure.^[2]Gene mutations in mevalonate pathway enzymes, such as mevalonate kinase (MVK), phosphomevalonate kinase (PMVK), mevalonate decarboxylase (MVD), and farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FDPS), may be involved in the pathogenesis of PK.^[3,4]In the present study, five sporadic patients with PK were recruited. Dermoscopic features were investigated, and genetic testing was conducted.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common digestive system disease, characterized by series of discomfort symptoms, which are caused by stomach or duodenal contents refluxing to the esophagus. It is now widely prevalent around the world. Several epidemiological studies have demonstrated that the incidence of GERD is 10–20% in Western countries and it has also risen to 10.5% in Asian countries in recent years.^[1]

Foreign body (FB) removal represents a large part of the work in surgical practice.^[1]However, FB removal may often be a surgical challenge because of the nonpalpated and close anatomical relationship of the FB to vital structures or due to patients with cicatricial diathesis.^[2]Retained FBs may result in infection, chronic pain, structural injury, granuloma, and psychological distress, especially with late presentation (more than 1 week from the time of injury).^[1,3]

Tuberculosis is still one of the major causes of illness and death in developing countries. Tuberculous lymphadenitis is the most common form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Even in the developed countries, where the disease has been controlled to a large extent, it is again posing a new health challenge due to HIV, migrants, and immunosuppressive therapy.

Hidradenocarcinoma originates in the eccrine glands located in sun-exposed areas and accounts for approximately 6% of malignant eccrine tumors and <0.001% of all skin cancers.^[1,2]Hidradenocarcinoma usually presents as a solitary, firm, asymptomatic intradermal nodule measuring 1–5 cm, covered by intact or occasionally ulcerated purple-, pink-, or blue-colored lesions.^[1]While hidradenocarcinoma typically grows slowly over many years, it may suddenly undergo a rapid increase in size. The differential diagnosis of hidradenocarcinoma is very challenging because the appearance of the lesion is benign and similar to that of other skin tumors. In this report, we present the case of a patient with hidradenocarcinoma who was treated with wide excision and full-thickness skin grafting.

To the Editor: The most frequently reported adverse event of pemetrexed was myelosuppression. Here, we reported a patient with advanced lung adenocarcinoma showing pemetrexed-associated ischemic colitis.

To the Editor: Liposarcoma is the most common soft-tissue sarcoma and accounts for 20% of all mesenchymal tumors. It usually occurs in the deep soft tissue of extremities and retroperitoneum in adults.^[1]Apart from the aforesaid locations, the sarcoma also occurs in sites such as orbit, neck, oral, paratesticular, and salivary gland regions. The number of the cases under the age of 10 years that can actually be traced has not yet exceeded five in literature.^[2,3]Herein, we report an extremely rare case of sclerotic liposarcoma that has occurred in the deep temporal space in a 7-year-old patient.

To the Editor: A 52-year-old female patient was admitted to the hospital on November 10, 2016, due to "four hours of cardiopulmonary arrest after fiber endoscopy." Twelve years ago, she was admitted for a radical operation of esophageal cancer and underwent radiotherapy and chemotherapy in our hospital. She had no history of respiratory disease, hemoptysis, or drug allergy. Two years ago, the patient underwent a follow-up fiber endoscopy in our hospital. Lidocaine was applied to the throat for surface anesthesia before the endoscopy operation. Propofol, along with oxygen inhalation, was administered intravenously for general anesthesia during the operation. Gastroscopy was performed smoothly, but the patient suddenly became unconscious. Blood spurted out from the airway during tracheal intubation. She was treated with dopamine/metaraminol bitartrate and aminophylline/methylprednisolone. After gaining consciousness, the patient was sent to the Intensive Care Unit. The computed tomography (CT) of the thorax (February 4, 2014) showed postoperative changes of esophageal cancer and extensive exudation of the lungs. She was discharged from the hospital upon improvement of her condition. This time, she came to our hospital for a routine gastroscopy (only lidocaine topical anesthesia was used in the throat; propofol was not included) in November 10, 2016. Approximately 10 min after the completion of gastroscopy (the procedure was smooth), she developed dyspnea, became unconscious, and exhibited weak and nod-like breathing. Blood sputum was aspirated from the airway. The blood gas analysis revealed pH at 7.073, PaCO₂at 116.4 mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa), and PaO₂at 82.9 mmHg. She was immediately given cardiopulmonary resuscitation, tracheal intubation, and ventilator-assisted ventilation. Treatments for hemostasis, antispasmodic asthma, and vasoactive drugs were also administered. We found a significant amount of bloody secretion in the airway and respiratory harshness in both lungs. The electrocardiogram revealed sinus rhythm with occasional premature ventricular contraction. The chest radiography indicated bilateral exudative process. The CT of the thorax (November 10, 2016) revealed diffuse alveolar exudation [Figure 1]. She was treated in intensive care and administered with mechanical ventilation, airway strengthening management, and nutritional support, as well as anti-infection, antispasmodic, anti-asthma, epilepsy control, hypothermia, and hemostasis medications.

To the Editor: Osseous choristoma is the rarest type of the epibulbar choristomas. It is a form of benign congenital tumor first described by von Graefe as an epibulbar osteoma in 1863.^[1]Most epibulbar osseous choristomas are found in the superotemporal region. They adhere generally to the episclera and the conjunctiva and might involve the muscle.^[1,2]Previous report stated that females account for 69% of cases, the right eye for 76%, and superotemporal localization for 74% of cases.^[3]According to PubMed-based research, 76 cases of epibulbar osseous choristoma were reported up to 2016. Here, we reported a rare case that localized in the left lateral rectus.