2018年 · 第131卷第01期

Patients with premature triple-vessel disease (PTVD) have a higher risk of recurrent coronary events and repeat revascularization; however, the long-term outcome of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and medical therapy (MT) alone for PTVD patients is controversial. The aim of this study is to evaluate the long-term outcome of PTVD patients among these three treatment strategies, to find out the most appropriate treatment methods for these patients.

One thousand seven hundred and ninety-two patients with PTVD (age: men ≤50 years and women ≤60 years) were enrolled between 2004 and 2011. The primary end point was all-cause death. The secondary end points were cardiac death, myocardial infarction, stroke, or repeat revascularization.

PCI, CABG, and MT alone were performed in 933 (52.1%), 459 (25.6%), and 400 (22.3%) patients. Both PCI and CABG were associated with lower all-cause death (4.6% vs. 4.1% vs. 15.5%, respectively, P < 0.01) and cardiac death (2.8% vs. 2.0% vs. 9.8%, respectively, P < 0.01) versus MT alone. The rate of repeat revascularization in the CABG group was significantly lower than those in the PCI and MT groups. After adjusting for baseline factors, PCI and CABG were still associated with similar lower risk of all-cause death and cardiac death versus MT alone (all-cause death: hazard ratio [HR]: 0.35, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.23- 0.53, P < 0.01 and HR: 0.35, 95% CI: 0.18- 0.70, P = 0.003, respectively, and cardiac death: HR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.19- 0.54, P < 0.01 and HR: 0.36, 95% CI: 0.14- 0.93, P = 0.03, respectively).

PCI and CABG provided equal long-term benefits for all-cause death and cardiac death for PTVD patients. Patients undergoing MT alone had the worst long-term clinical outcomes.

ClinicalTrials.gov; Identifier: NCT02634086. https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT02634086?term=N CT02634086&rank=1

The incidence of atherosclerosis-related myocardial infarction can be as much as 50-fold greater in young patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) than in age-matched controls. There are several explanations for this phenomenon, all of which result in a chronic state of low-grade inflammation. Recently, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been proposed as a useful biomarker of inflammation. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a reliable indicator of vascular damage and atherosclerosis. There is a paucity of data concerning the relationship between NLR and atherosclerosis as measured by PWV in patients with SLE. This study aimed to verify whether there is a positive correlation between NLR and PWV and to explore factors that influence PWV in young SLE patients.

A total of 90 female patients with SLE were enrolled in this cross-sectional investigation. Traditional and nontraditional cardiovascular risk factors were assessed on the same day that brachial-ankle PWV (baPWV) was examined. The patients were divided into three groups according to their mean baPWV values: patients whose mean baPWV value was lower than the first tertile were placed in Group 1; patients whose mean baPWV value was between the first tertile and the second tertile were placed in Group 2; and patients whose mean baPWV value was higher than the second tertile were placed in Group 3. SPSS 20.0 was used to perform all statistical analyses in this study. Both univariate linear regression and multivariate regression models were utilized to analyze the association between NLR and arterial stiffness.

Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and triglycerides were all significantly different among Groups 1, 2, and 3 (111.90 ± 12.85 mmHg vs. 114.60 ± 12.88 mmHg vs. 129.43 ± 16.21 mmHg, P < 0.001; 68.77 ± 8.63 mmHg vs. 71.87 ± 9.77 mmHg vs. 82.57 ± 14.89 mmHg, P < 0.001; and 1.44 [0.91–2.47] mmol/L vs. 0.98 [0.78–1.26] mmol/L vs. 2.20 [0.94–3.66] mmol/L, P = 0.030; respectively), as were creatinine (57.50 [52.00–69.00] μmol/L vs. 55.50 [49.00–64.00] μmol/L vs. 64.00 [56.00–86.00] μmol/L, P = 0.045) and blood urea nitrogen (4.27 [3.79–6.22] mmol/L vs. 4.16 [3.47–4.84] mmol/L vs. 5.88 [4.04–8.19] mmol/L, P = 0.011). NLRs were significantly different among Groups 1, 2, and 3 (2.16 [1.56–3.42] vs. 3.12 [1.91–4.19] vs. 5.29 [2.63–7.25], P = 0.001). NLR, together with DBP and the SLE disease activity index, independently predicts PWV.

This study demonstrated that there was a positive correlation between NLR and PWV. Moreover, we found that disease activity and DBP were also positively correlated with PWV.

The E3 ubiquitin ligase neural precursor cell expressed developmentally downregulated 4-1 (NEDD4-1) negatively regulates phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) protein levels through polyubiquitination and proteolysis, but its significance in lung cancer is still unclear. This study investigated the expression and the role of NEDD4-1 in tumor development and chemosensitivity of lung adenocarcinoma (ADC).

We retrospectively investigated the expression and significance of NEDD4-1, PTEN, and p-Akt proteins in 135 paired ADC and adjacent noncancerous tissue specimens using immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, we evaluated the relationship between NEDD4-1 expression and clinicopathologic characteristics and prognosis. The effects of small interfering RNAagainst NEDD4-1 on proliferation and chemosensitivity were examined in A549 cells in vitro using 3- (4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) -5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl) -2-(4-sulfophenyl)- 2H-tetrazolium method. The ability of migration and invasion of A549 cells was tested by transwell assay. Moreover, reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting analyses were used to determine the expression of NEDD4-1, PTEN, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt activity, and its downstream target proteins.

NEDD4-1 protein was significantly upregulated in lung ADC tissues, whereas it was weak or negative in normal lung epithelial cells. The expression of NEDD4-1 in ADC (78.5%, 106/135) was significantly much higher than that in adjacent normal lung tissue (13.3%, 29/135, P < 0.01), and it was associated with lymph node metastasis, tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, and chemotherapy resistance. PTEN expression was downregulated in lung ADC (60.7% vs. 100.0% in noncancerous specimens, P = 0.007), and was negatively correlated with lymph node metastasis, histological variants, clinical stage, chemoresistance. In addition, expression of p-Akt in ADC tissues (71.1% 96/135) was much higher than that in adjacent lung epithelial cells (6.7%, 9/135, P < 0.01). Kaplan-Meier and multivariate analysis demonstrated that expressions of NEDD4-1 and PTEN were both independent risk factors for survival in patients with lung ADC. NEDD4-1 knockdown in vivo decreased proliferation, migration, and invasion and improved chemosensitivity to cisplatin and paclitaxel in A549 cells. NEDD4-1 knockdown also significantly enhanced PTEN expression and inhibited p-Akt activity and downstream target proteins.

NEDD4-1 upregulation may contribute to the progression of lung ADC. NEDD4-1 may regulate the proliferation, invasion, migration, and chemoresistance of lung ADC cells through the PI3K/Akt pathway, suggesting that it may be regarded as a therapeutic target for the treatment of lung ADC.

Investigate into the medical expenditures of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients through path analysis method of three consecutive years within a Grade-A tertiary hospital in Beijing to conduct the main influencing factors in diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) grouping of the diagnosis, and reassess the present grouping process to provide information and reference on cost control for hospitals and medical management departments.

Eight hundred and fifty-five inpatient cases whose first diagnosis were defined as CKD in the year 2014–2016 within the hospital were selected as the sample of the study, multiple linear regression and path analysis method were adopted in DRGs grouping process to investigate the main influencing factors of total medical expenditures and DRGs grouping process.

The maximum proportion of the medical costs within CKD patients was the costs on treatment, with the highest of 35.3% on the year 2014, the second was the costs on drug, which accounted for <30% during consecutive years, and the third was the costs on examination, which accounted for about 20% on average. The main influencing factors of medical expenditures included the type of dialysis, length of hospitalization, the admission of Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and so on. The coefficients toward the effect for total costs were 0.416, 0.376, and 0.094, respectively.

It is suggested that the type of dialysis and the admission of ICU were the major influencing factors of inpatient medical expenditures on CKD patients, and should be taken into consideration into the reassessment of DRGs grouping process to realize the localization and generalization of prospective payment system based on DRGs within the regional area and promote the implementation of medical cost control measures to reduce the economic burdens among patients and the society.

Desmoplastic fibroblastoma (collagenous fibroma) is an uncommon benign soft-tissue tumor, rarely involving bone. It shares some overlapping features with other infiltrate tumors, such as desmoid-type fibromatosis, neurofibroma, and low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma. The misdiagnosis may cause unnecessary surgical overtreatment, especially for those involving bone. In order to deepen the understanding of the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of desmoplastic fibroblastoma, we planned to analyze the clinical, radiological, and histopathological features and the outcome of desmoplastic fibroblastoma on the basis of case analysis and literature review.

Sixteen cases were retrieved from the surgical pathology records from May 2011 to April 2016 in the Department of Pathology in Beijing Jishuitan Hospital. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens of 16 cases of desmoplastic fibroblastoma were collected. Hematoxylin and eosin stain and immunohistochemistry were used to observe the histological features of desmoplastic fibroblastoma of soft tissue and bone. The images for diagnosis obtained from the ultrasonic examination, X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography were used to observe the radiological features. Related literatures were retrieved from the PubMed and CNKI databases.

Sixteen cases of desmoplastic fibroblastoma of soft tissue were located in the hand (n = 7), foot (n = 4), upper arm (n = 1), shoulder (n = 1), forearm (n = 2), and one case occurred in the proximal femur. Age ranged from 32 to 82 years (median age: 58 years). There were six females and ten males. Histologically, the lesions of soft tissue appeared as well-circumscribed masses with abundant collagenous matrix and low vascularity. Tumor cells were stellate- or spindle-shaped and uniformly distributed within the extracellular matrix. In five cases, the desmoplastic fibroblastoma were found to have infiltrated into the skeletal muscle tissue. In one case of desmoplastic fibroblastoma of bone, radiographs revealed osteolytically well-defined lesion. Immunohistochemistry stain showed that vimentin and smooth muscle actin were positive in all cases of desmoplastic fibroblastoma.

Desmoplastic fibroblastoma (collagenous fibroma) has prominent clinical, histopathological, and radiological features. Before the differential diagnosis from other tumors is obtained by thorough analysis and comparison of the similar and different characteristics, the appropriate surgical management and accurate prognosis evaluation could not be delivered to the patient.

After the two-child policy is fully implemented, new challenges regarding pregnancy management and the treatment of pregnancy complications will arise. The aim of this study was to analyze the characteristics of pregnancy and delivery before and after the implementation of the two-child policy to make suggestions on the quality assurance of the new era of obstetrics.

In total, 5895 cases of pregnant women who delivered from April 2016 to March 2017 in Peking University Third Hospital served as the study group and 5103 cases of pregnant women who delivered from January to December 2015 served as the control group. The characteristics of pregnancy and delivery were retrospectively analyzed.

In the study group, the percentage of pregnant women who were older (over 40 years) (3.6% vs. 2.2%), were multipara (30.3% vs. 17.0%), received irregular prenatal care (1.5% vs. 0.9%), were transferred for treatment from a subordinate hospital (4.4% vs. 2.8%), and were not residents of Beijing (3.8% vs. 2.2%), were significantly increased compared with the control group (P < 0.05). In the study group, the rate of a hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy (6.4% vs. 5.0%), gestational diabetes mellitus (25.3% vs. 23.1%), dangerous placenta previa (3.0% vs. 2.3%), placental implantation (2.4% vs. 1.8%), and severe postpartum hemorrhage (2.8% vs. 1.9%) was significantly increased compared with the control group (P < 0.05). In the study group, the cesarean section rate during primipara was significantly reduced compared with the control group (42.0% vs. 44.2%). However, the rate during multipara was significantly increased compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Indications for cesarean section in the study group as well as the percentages of scared uterus and placenta previa were significantly increased compared with the control group (P < 0.05).

According to the current situation, better methods are needed to strengthen pregnancy and delivery management, reduce the rate of cesarean section, and ensure a positive outcome for mothers and babies.

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and cytokines play an important role in occurrence and recovery of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The aim of this study was to explore the frequency and function of pDC and serum cytokine network profiles in patients with acute or chronic HBV infection.

The healthy individuals (HI group), hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic HBV patients in immune tolerance (IT) phase (IT group), HBeAg-positive chronic HBV patients (CHB group), and acute HBV patients (AHB group) were enrolled in this study. The frequency of cluster of differentiation antigen 86 (CD86) + pDC and the counts of CD86 molecular expressed on surface of pDC were tested by flow cytometer. The quantitative determinations of cytokines, including Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (Flt-3L), interferon (IFN)-α2, IFN-γ, interleukin (IL)-17A, IL-6, IL-10, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and TGF-β2, were performed using Luminex multiplex technology.

In this study, there were 13 patients in HI group, 30 in IT group, 50 in CHB group, and 32 in AHB group. Compared with HI group, HBV infected group (including all patients in IT, CHB and AHB groups) had significantly higher counts of CD86 molecular expressed on the surface of pDC (4596.5 ± 896.5 vs. 7097.7 ± 3124.6; P < 0.001). The counts of CD86 molecular expressed on the surface of pDC in CHB group (7739.2 ± 4125.4) was significantly higher than that of IT group (6393.4 ± 1653.6, P = 0.043). Compared with IT group, the profile of cytokines of Flt-3L, IFN-γ, and IL-17A was decreased, IFN-α2 was significantly increased (P = 0.012) in CHB group. The contents of IL-10, TGF-β1, and TGF-β2 in AHB group were significantly increased compared with IT and CHB groups (all P < 0.05).

This study demonstrated that the function of pDC was unaffected in HBV infection. The enhanced function of pDC and IFN-α2 might involve triggering the immune response from IT to hepatitis active phase in HBV infection. Acute patients mainly presented as down-regulation of the immune response by enhanced IL-10 and TGF-β.

Eating disorders (EDs) are serious illnesses associated with medical complications and have been increased, especially among societies with an excessive concern about weight, shape, or appearance. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of EDs among the individuals attending weight management centers and its associated factors.

A cross-sectional study was carried out among individuals attending four weight management centers in Tanta, Gharbia Governorate, Egypt during the period from July to December 2016. Precoded interview questionnaires were used to identify the following data: sociodemographic characteristics and medical history of depression or psychological disorders and the Eating Attitude Test (EAT-40) was used to assess the attitudes, behavior, and traits associated with the EDs.

A total of 400 participants (112 males and 288 females) were included in the study. According to EAT-40 questionnaires, the prevalence of positive and negative EDs was 65.0% (n = 260) and 35.0% (n = 140), respectively. EDs were more likely reported by females, married singles, rural residents, those with higher education, and nonworking or part-time working patients, those who were overweight or obese, and who were suffering from depression or any psychological problems. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the independent predictors of EDs were age (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.06), nonworking (adjusted OR: 2.32) or part-time working (adjusted OR: 2.18), increased body weight (adjusted OR: 2.66 for overweight and adjusted OR: 1.24 for obese), and having a history of depression or any psychological problem (adjusted OR: 2.76). Factor analysis of EAT-40 revealed four factors (eating behavior, diet-related lifestyle, weight concern, and food preoccupation) that were responsible for 33.2% of the total variance.

EDs are prevalent among individuals attending the weight management centers in a northern city in Egypt. Specific management strategies are warranted to address this commonly prevalent disease.

Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) is a pathogen commonly causing nosocomial infection. Carbapenem-resistant KP (CRKP) is more resistant to multiple antimicrobial drugs than carbapenem-susceptible KP (CSKP) isolates. The aim of the present study was to identify the risk factors for CRKP infection and the predictors of mortality among KP-infected adult patients.

Patients with CRKP and CSKP infection were categorized as the case group and control group, respectively, and we conducted a 1:1 ratio case-control study on these groups. The CRKP isolates collected were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility and presence of KP carbapenemase (KPC) gene. Clinical data were collected to identify risk factors for CRKP infection and mortality of KP infection. Risk factors were analyzed under univariable and multivariable logistic regression model.

The independent risk factors for CRKP infection were admission to Intensive Care Unit (odds ratio [OR]: 15.486, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.175–75.541, P < 0.001); use of β-lactams and β-lactamase inhibitor combination (OR: 4.765, 95% CI: 1.508–15.055, P = 0.008); use of cephalosporins (OR: 8.033, 95% CI: 1.623–39.763, P = 0.011); fluoroquinolones (OR: 6.090, 95% CI: 1.343–27.613, P = 0.019); and indwelling of urethral catheter (OR: 6.164, 95% CI: 1.847–20.578, P = 0.003). However, older age (OR: 1.079, 95% CI: 1.005–1.158, P = 0.036), Charlson comorbidity index (OR: 4.690, 95% CI: 2.094–10.504, P = 0.000), and aminoglycoside use (OR: 670.252, 95% CI: 6.577–68,307.730, P = 0.006) were identified as independent risk factors for patient deaths with KP infection. The mortality of CRKP group was higher than that of the CSKP group. KPC gene did not play a role in the CRKP group. CRKP mortality was high.

Implementation of infection control measures and protection of the immunefunction are crucial.

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a major cause of disc protrusion, likely to be associated with decrease of water content. This research aimed to evaluate IDD by diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with a 7.0 Tesla (T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine.

A total of 24 healthy Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly selected and divided into four groups (A, B, C, and D), each consisting of 3 male and 3 female rats (28, 42, 56, and 70 days old, respectively). All the rats were imaged with a 7.0T MRI, producing T2WI, T1WI, and functional DWI sequences. Data were collected and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) charts were constructed. Nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus regions were identified, several regions of interest were chosen, and their ADC values were obtained. After imaging, rats were sacrificed and their intervertebral discs (L1–L6) were dissected, yielding a total of 144 discs. Protein was extracted for the purpose of Western blotting. Comparison among multiple samples used one-way analysis of variance and least significant difference methods.

7.0T MRI revealed evident decrease in signal intensity within intervertebral discs of Sprague-Dawley rats with age. Intervertebral disc ADC values significantly decreased from Group A (0.00154 ± 0.00008) to Group D (0.00107 ± 0.00007; P < 0.01); nucleus pulposus ADC values significantly decreased from Group A (0.00164 ± 0.00005) to Group D (0.00140 ± 0.00007; P < 0.01) and annulus fibrosus ADC values significantly decreased from Group A (0.00129 ± 0.00014) to Group D (0.00082 ± 0.00012; P < 0.01). Meanwhile, it also revealed evident decrease from high spinal level to low spinal level: nucleus pulposus ADC values in Group A significantly decreased from L1/L2 (0.00163 ± 0.00006) to L6/S1 (0.00139 ± 0.00004; P < 0.01). While annulus fibrosus ADC values did not differ significantly between levels in Group A (P > 0.05). Western blotting showed that aggrecan content of intervertebral discs decreased from Group A (1.88 ± 0.16) to Group D (0.17 ± 0.04) with age (P < 0.01); Type II collagen content of intervertebral discs decreased from Group A (2.22 ± 0.04) to Group D (0.20 ± 0.01) with age (P < 0.01). No significant differences in aggrecan and Type II collagen content of L1–L6 intervertebral discs in Group A were noted (P > 0.05). Mean ADC values of different intervertebral regions were positively correlated with aggrecan and Type II collagen content (aggrecan: r = 0.631, P < 0.01; Type II collagen: r = 0.680, P < 0.01).

7.0T MRI-DWI could be applied to effectively diagnose and research early IDD in tiny variations.

With the evolution of society and changes in human lifestyle, obesity is becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide, and obesity-related comorbidities such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and coronary heart disease are more common. As a result, new devices and methods for bariatric and metabolic endoscopy are being developed for clinical use, offering new options for patients. This review discussed the progress in bariatric and metabolic endoscopy.

This review was based on data in articles published in the PubMed database up to September 2017, with the following keywords: "obesity" , "endoscopy" , "weight loss" , and "metabolism" .

Original articles about various endoscopic methods of weight loss and other reviews of bariatric and metabolic endoscopy were included and analyzed.

The technology of bariatric and metabolic endoscopy has advanced rapidly in recent years. The intragastric balloon (IGB), with its comparatively long period of development, is the most mature and widely used instrument. Multiple new endoscopic devices have been created in recent years, with different targets to achieve weight loss. Despite the proliferation of new devices, the lack of clinical data results in a shortage of clinical experience and instruction in the use of this new equipment.

Bariatric and metabolic endoscopy would help obese people lose weight or prepare for bariatric surgery and hopefully alleviate some of the complications of bariatric procedures. Adequate studies and data are still needed for the new endoscopic devices.

Psoriasis is characterized by raised, scaly, well-demarcated, erythematous oval plaques.^[1]Although studies have revealed that disruption of immune tolerance and excessive production of inflammatory factors play important roles in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, the exact mechanism is still not clear.^[2]Previous studies have shown that the concordance rate of monozygotic twins with psoriasis is greater than that of dizygotic twins,^[3,4]with genetic factors underpinning 66–90% of the variation in risk of developing psoriasis.^[5]These studies reveal not only the genetic influence on psoriasis but also that nongenetic factors are important in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.

There is consensus that organ transplantation is an optimal way to address organ failure, and organ donation is becoming increasingly accepted. Unfortunately, little attention has been paid to the families of deceased donors, especially with respect to anxiety and depression. In China, where traditional values count, particularly Confucianism, which emphasizes that the body should be kept intact after death out of respect,^[1]anxiety or depression may be more prevalent in the families of deceased donors. A meta-analytic review showed that irritable bowel syndrome, nonulcer dyspepsia, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome were related to anxiety and depression.^[2]Whether donor families suffer anxiety or depression and what effects may result remain unknown. Social support is known to be a moderator of life stress,^[3]but whether donor families possess comparative social support remains unclear. Therefore, we designed a study, and potential risk factors and correlations among social support, anxiety, and depression were then analyzed.

Most of the congenital heart diseases can be diagnosedin uterousing fetal echocardiography. With the development of ultrasonography and intrauterine cardiac intervention technique, fetal cardiac intervention (FCI) for critical aortic stenosis, highly restrictive or intact atrial septum, pulmonary atresia with an intact ventricular septum (PA/IVS), and critical pulmonary stenosis (CPS) are available in more countries.

A 37-year-old male patient was admitted to Huadong Hospital with diagnosis of Behcet’s syndrome (BS) for 5 years and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) for 2 months. The patient complained of recurrent oral ulceration, approximately five to seven times per year starting 5 years before presentation. He had a history of genital ulceration one to two times every year. The patient did not follow a strict treatment regimen. Seven months before admission, he developed an inflammatory reaction in his conjunctiva bilaterally, with diminution of vision in both eyes. Two months before admission, he presented with swelling and pain in his left lower limbs. An imaging examination in another hospital suggested DVTs in both lower limbs. He was treated with glucocorticoid and warfarin. The symptoms related to thrombosis rapidly progressed with swelling and pain, leading to his losing the ability to walk [Figure 1a]. B-ultrasound in our hospital showed varicosity and thrombosis (complete occlusion) of the soleus venous plexus [Figure 1b]. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 45 mm/h, fibrinogen was 3.5 g/L (normal range 2–4 g/L), and D-dimer was 2.59 mg/L (normal range 0–0.55 mg/L).

Mucoepidermoid carcinomas (MECs) had always been recognized as salivary gland tumors mainly steming from parotid and submandibular salivary glands. Later, studies showed that MECs can occur in bronchus, esophagus, lacrimal glands, pancreas, thymus, and thyroid gland. MECs in bronchus are usually centrally located and are proposed to originate from submucosal minor salivary-type glands in large airways. However, MECs are rare neoplasms accounting for only 0.1–0.2% of primary lung cancers.^[1]Here, we report a case of MEC presented as lobar pneumonia in the lower lobe of the right lung.

Acute epiglottitis (AE) is a potentially life-threatening infection of the supraglottic structures, which can lead to sudden, fatal airway obstruction,^[1]may require urgent tracheal intubation or tracheotomy. However, there are no putative predictors for urgent airway intervention in AE, and the timing to establish an artificial airway for adult AE patients remains controversial.^[1,2]Adult patients with diabetes mellitus might bear higher risk of airway compromise and patients who required airway support tend to have higher admission serum glucose level.^[2]We report a case of AE in an adult with diabetes mellitus, who developed sudden airway obstruction, and resulting in sudden cardiac arrest after failed tracheal intubation.

To the Editor: Venous thromboembolism (VTE), including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, is a common complication in cancer patients, and the overall risk of VTE in patients with a malignancy was 7-fold as high as that for patients without cancer.^[1]Herein, we report a case of long-term survival associated with crizotinib in an anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive lung cancer patient with a pulmonary artery embolism.

To the Editor: Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is defined as lymphoma confined to the brain, spinal cord, eye, or leptomeninges. Ocular involvement can be detected in about 20% of PCNSL patients with primary vitreous retinal lymphoma (PVRL), which is generally a high-grade diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, being the most common subtype. The incidence of PVRL is extremely low, with 300–380 new cases diagnosed each year in the United States, which is equivalent to an annual incidence of approximately 4.8 cases per million. PVRL typically affects seniors aged 60–85 years, while seldom occurs in younger patients.^[1]Here, we report a case of young PVRL.

To the Editor: A 64-year-old Chinese man had a 12-month history of nonmetastatic primary scalp angiosarcoma [Figure 1a] that had been confirmed by skin biopsy [Figure 1e]. Immunohistochemical examination showed CD31-, CD34-, and D2-40-positive tumor cells [Figure 1f-1h]. Extensive local excision and placement of a free skin graft was performed in December 2016. The patient declined postsurgical treatments including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunosuppressive drugs. Two months later, he was referred to us with pruritic red eruptions on his cheeks and scalp. The lesions gradually increased in size and number and became pruritic. Physical examination revealed multiple follicular papules and pustules on his scalp and cheeks, forming an annular configuration on the face [Figure 1b]. The total leukocyte count was 6150/μl, with 24.4% lymphocytes (1500/μl) and 22.6% eosinophils (1390/μl). Serological tests were negative for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B and C, syphilis, serum immunoglobulins, and antinuclear antibodies. The results of brain magnetic resonance imaging and thoraco-abdominal computed tomography were unremarkable. Excisional biopsies from the cheek and scalp showed predominantly intense infiltration of eosinophils, neutrophils, and lymphocytes in the pilosebaceous unit [Figure 1d] and around the blood vessels. Based on these findings, a diagnosis of eosinophilic pustular folliculitis (EPF) was made. He was then treated with oral prednisone at 30 mg/d. The treatment resulted in prompt remission of the EPF [Figure 1c]. The prednisone dosage was then gradually tapered. The skin eruptions on the face recurred when the prednisone dosage was tapered to 5 mg/d. After the dosage was increased to 30 mg/d again, the skin lesions markedly improved. The patient is still undergoing follow-up at our clinic.

To the Editor: A lumbar epidural block is used to treat patients with a herniated intervertebral disc, spinal stenosis, or lumbosacral radiculopathy. This approach reduces radicular pain by decreasing inflammation of nerve roots through epidural corticosteroid injection.^[1]Patients with moderate-to-severe spinal stenosis who taking various anticoagulant agents have more risk for epidural hematoma. For patients on anticoagulation therapy, guidelines have been established to decrease the risk of bleeding and its potentially devastating complications. We report a case of an 81-year-old man with an unexpected lumbar epidural hematoma, who achieved a good outcome with conservative management.