2018年 · 第131卷第03期

Passive leg raising (PLR) represents a "self-volume expansion (VE)" that could predict fluid responsiveness, but the influence of systolic cardiac function on PLR has seldom been reported. This study aimed to investigate whether systolic cardiac function, estimated by the global ejection fraction (GEF) from transpulmonary-thermodilution, could influence the diagnostic value of PLR.

This prospective, observational study was carried out in the surgical Intensive Care Unit of the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from December 2013 to July 2015. Seventy-eight mechanically ventilated patients considered for VE were prospectively included and divided into a low-GEF (<20%) and a near-normal-GEF (≥20%) group. Within each group, baseline hemodynamics, after PLR and after VE (250 ml 5% albumin over 30 min), were recorded. PLR-induced hemodynamic changes (PLR-Δ) were calculated. Fluid responders were defined by a 15% increase of stroke volume (SV) after VE.

Twenty-five out of 38 patients were responders in the GEF <20% group, compared to 26 out of 40 patients in the GEF ≥20% group. The thresholds of PLR-ΔSV and PLR-Δ cardiac output (PLR-ΔCO) for predicting fluid responsiveness were higher in the GEF ≥20% group than in the GEF <20% group (ΔSV: 12% vs. 8%; ΔCO: 7% vs. 6%), with increased sensitivity (ΔSV: 92% vs. 92%; ΔCO: 81% vs. 80%) and specificity (ΔSV: 86% vs. 70%; ΔCO: 86% vs. 77%), respectively. PLR-Δ heart rate could predict fluid responsiveness in the GEF ≥20% group with a threshold value of −5% (sensitivity 65%, specificity 93%) but could not in the GEF <20% group. The pressure index changes were poor predictors.

In the critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation, the diagnostic value of PLR for predicting fluid responsiveness depends on cardiac systolic function. Thus, cardiac systolic function must be considered when using PLR.

Chinese Clinical Trial Register, ChiCTR-OCH-13004027; http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=5540.

There is scanty evidence concerning the ability of Can Rapid Risk Stratification of Unstable Angina Patients Suppress Adverse Outcomes with Early Implementation of the ACC/AHA Guidelines (CRUSADE) and Acute Catheterization and Urgent Intervention Triage Strategy and Harmonizing Outcomes with Revascularization and Stents in Acute Myocardial Infarction (ACUITY-HORIZONS) scores to predict out-of-hospital bleeding risk after percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) with drug-eluting stents (DES) in patients receiving dual antiplatelet therapy. We aimed to assess and compare the long-term prognostic value of these scores regarding out-of-hospital bleeding risk in such patients.

We performed a prospective observational study of 10,724 patients undergoing PCI between January and December 2013 in Fuwai Hospital, China. All patients were followed up for 2 years and evaluated through the Fuwai Hospital Follow-up Center. Major bleeding was defined as Types 2, 3, and 5 according to Bleeding Academic Research Consortium Definition criteria.

During a 2-year follow-up, 245 of 9782 patients (2.5%) had major bleeding (MB). CRUSADE (21.00 [12.00, 29.75] vs. 18.00 [11.00, 26.00], P < 0.001) andACUITY-HORIZONS (9.00 [3.00, 14.00] vs. 6.00 [3.00, 12.00], P < 0.001) risk scores were both significantly higher in the MB than non-MB groups. Both scores showed a moderate predictive value for MB in the whole study cohort (area under the receiver-operating characteristics curve [AUROC], 0.565; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.529–0.601, P = 0.001;AUROC, 0.566; 95% CI, 0.529–0.603, P < 0.001, respectively) and in the acute coronary syndrome (ACS) subgroup (AUROC: 0.579, 95% CI: 0.531–0.627, P = 0.001; AUROC, 0.591; 95% CI, 0.544–0.638, P < 0.001, respectively). However, neither score was a significant predictor in the non-ACS subgroup (P > 0.05). The value of CRUSADE and ACUITY-HORIZONS scores did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) in the whole cohort, ACS subgroup, or non-ACS subgroup.

CRUSADE and ACUITY-HORIZONS scores showed statistically significant but relatively limited long-term prognostic value for out-of-hospital MB after PCI with DES in a cohort of Chinese patients. The value of CRUSADE and ACUITY-HORIZONS scores did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) in the whole cohort, ACS subgroup, or non-ACS subgroup.

Interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) has been used in latent tuberculosis (TB) infection and TB diagnosis, but the results from different high TB-endemic countries are different. The aim of this study was to investigate the value of IGRA in the diagnosis of active pulmonary TB (PTB) in China.

We conducted a large-scale retrospective multicenter investigation to further evaluate the role of IGRA in the diagnosis of active PTB in high TB-epidemic populations and the factors affecting the performance of the assay. All patients who underwent valid T-SPOT.TB assays from December 2012 to November 2015 in six large-scale specialized TB hospitals in China and met the study criteria were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were divided into three groups: Group 1, sputum culture-positive PTB patients, confirmed by positive Mycobacterium tuberculosis sputum culture; Group 2, sputum culture-negative PTB patients; and Group 3, non-TB respiratory diseases. The medical records of all patients were collected. Chi-square tests and Fisher’s exact test were used to compare categorical data. Multivariable logistic analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship between the results of T-SPOT in TB patients and other factors.

A total of 3082 patients for whom complete information was available were included in the investigation, including 905 sputum culture-positive PTB cases, 914 sputum culture-negative PTB cases, and 1263 non-TB respiratory disease cases. The positive rate of T-SPOT.TB was 93.3% in the culture-positive PTB group and 86.1% in the culture-negative PTB group. In the non-PTB group, the positive rate of T-SPOT.TB was 43.6%. The positive rate of T-SPOT.TB in the culture-positive PTB group was significantly higher than that in the culture-negative PTB group (χ² = 25.118, P < 0.01), which in turn was significantly higher than that in the non-TB group (χ²= 566.116, P < 0.01). The overall results were as follows: sensitivity, 89.7%; specificity, 56.37%; positive predictive value, 74.75%; negative predictive value, 79.11%; and accuracy, 76.02%.

High false-positive rates of T-SPOT.TB assays in the non-TB group limit the usefulness as a single test to diagnose active TB in China. We highly recommend that IGRAs not be used for the diagnosis of active TB in high-burden TB settings.

Scarring airway stenosis is commonly seen in China as compared to other developed countries, due to the high prevalence of tuberculosis. Nowadays, interventional bronchoscopy treatment has been widely used to treat this disease in China. This study demonstrated the characteristics of scarring airway stenosis in Chinese adults and retrospectively evaluated the efficacy of interventional bronchoscopy treatment of this disease.

Patients with scarring airway stenosis from 18 tertiary hospitals were enrolled between January 2013 and June 2016. The causes, site, and length of scarring airway stenosis were analyzed, and the efficacy of the interventional bronchoscopy treatment was evaluated.

The final study cohort consisted of 392 patients. Endotracheobronchial tuberculosis (EBTB) was the most common cause of scarring airway stenosis (305/392, 77.8%) in Chinese adults with a high rate of incidence in young women. The left main bronchus was most susceptible to EBTB, and most posttuberculosis airway scarring stenosis length was 1.1–2.0 cm. The average clinical success rate of interventional bronchoscopy treatment for scarring airway stenosis in Chinese patients is 60.5%. The stent was inserted in 8.7% scarring airway stenosis in China.

Scarring airway stenosis exhibits specific characteristics in Chinese patients. Interventional bronchoscopy is a useful and safe treatment method for the disease.

Surgical decompression of the ulnar nerve is effective for cubital tunnel syndrome. However, deep approaches may result in iatrogenic elbow stiffness. This long-term study was to evaluate the range of motion (ROM) of the elbow and functional outcomes after anterior subcutaneous transposition.

A total of 115 patients (78 male and 37 female; mean age: 46.6 years) who underwent anterior subcutaneous transposition of the ulnar nerve between 2001 and 2005 were evaluated retrospectively; mean follow-up was 13.5 years. Elbow ROM was measured as flexion arc, flexion, and extension preoperatively and at the final follow-up, and compared via a mixed analysis of variance adjusting for age. Neuropathy was assessed preoperatively using a modified McGowan neuropathy grade and postoperatively using modified Wilson–Krout criteria. An ordinal logistic regression analysis used postoperative modified Wilson–Krout criteria as the outcome and preoperative factors as predictors.

Preoperative McGowan grades were Grade 1 in 14 patients (12.2%), Grade 2A in 28 (24.3%), Grade 2B in 53 (46.1%), and Grade 3 in 20 (17.4%) patients. Postoperatively, 66 patients (57.4%) had excellent results, 26 (22.6%) had good results, 16 (13.9%) had fair results, and 7 (6.1%) had poor results at the final follow-up, as per the Wilson–Krout criteria. There were no complications. Pre- and postoperative elbow ROM was significantly decreased in patients with previous trauma or surgery of the elbow compared with those without (P < 0.05). Anterior subcutaneous transposition of the ulnar nerve did not significantly affect elbow ROM regardless of previous trauma or surgical history nor preoperative ROM (P > 0.05), after adjusting for age. Patients with prolonged symptoms prior to surgery and worse neuropathy tended to have less satisfactory functional outcomes (P < 0.05), after adjusting for covariates.

Anterior subcutaneous transposition of the ulnar nerve is an effective and reliable treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome with satisfactory outcomes and minimal effect on elbow ROM.

Pelvic floor peritoneum reconstruction is a key step in various standard resections for open radical rectal cancer. However, during endoscopic surgery, most surgeons do not close the pelvic floor peritoneum. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of pelvic peritonization during laparoscopic Dixon surgery using an observational study.

A total of 189 patients, who underwent laparoscopic Dixon surgery at Tianjin Union Medical Center, China, were analyzed retrospectively. All of the cases were divided into two groups according to the differences of surgical procedure. The 92 patients in Group A (observation group) underwent pelvic peritonization and the 97 patients in Group B (control group) did not undergo this procedure. Postoperative complications were observed in the two groups, compared, and analyzed using the Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test.

The incidence of anastomotic leakage was significantly lower in Group A than in Group B (P = 0.014). A significant difference was found in the postoperative short-term (P = 0.029) and long-term (P = 0.029) ileus rates between the two groups, with Group A exhibiting a lower rate than Group B. Patients in Group A had significantly lower rates of postoperative infections than those in Group B (χ² = 7.606, P = 0.006; χ² = 4.464, P = 0.035). Patients in Group A had significantly lower rates of deep venous thrombosis than those in Group B (χ² = 8.531, P = 0.003).

Pelvic peritonization effectively reduces postoperative complications, such as anastomotic leakage, which warrants its increased use in laparoscopic surgery.

Comprehensive management of diabetes should include management of its comorbid conditions, especially cardiovascular complications, which are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among patients with diabetes. Dyslipidemia is a comorbid condition of diabetes and a risk factor for cardiovascular complications. Therefore, lipid level management is a key of managing patients with diabetes successfully. However, it is not clear that how well dyslipidemia is managed in patients with diabetes in local Chinese health-care communities. This study aimed to assess how well low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was managed in Nanjing community hospitals, China.

We reviewed clinical records of 7364 diabetic patients who were treated in eleven community hospitals in Nanjing from October 2005 to October 2014. Information regarding LDL-C level, cardiovascular risk factors, and use of lipid-lowering agents were collected.

In patients without history of cardiovascular disease (CVD), 92.1% had one or more CVD risk factors, and the most common CVD risk factor was dyslipidemia. The overall average LDL-C level was 2.80 ± 0.88 mmol/L, which was 2.62 ± 0.90 mmol/L and 2.82 ± 0.87 mmol/L in patients with and without CVD history respectively. Only 38% of all patients met the target goal and 37.3% of patients who took lipid-lowering agents met target goal. Overall, 24.5% of all patients were on lipid-lowering medication, and 36.3% of patients with a CVD history and 20.9% of patients without CVD history took statins for LDL-C management. The mean statin dosage was 13.9 ± 8.9 mg.

Only a small portion of patients achieved target LDL-C level, and the rate of using statins to control LDL-C was low. Managing LDL-C with statins in patients with diabetes should be promoted, especially in patients without a CVD history and with one or more CVD risk factors.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and event-related potentials (ERPs) are a noninvasive technique that widely used in neurophysiological field. Although rTMS has shown clinical utility for a number of neurological conditions, Recently,there was little understanding of the the efficacy of rTMS on Schizophrenia(SZ) and the change of ERP between before and after rTMS treatment. The objective of this study was to investigate the characteristics of N400, mismatch negativity (MMN), and P300 before and after treatment with rTMS in SZ.

One hundred and twenty-seven SZ patients hospitalized in Shanghai Mental Health Center from March 2015 to July 2017, divided into two groups (85 patients were recruited as rTMS group and 42 were recruited as sham rTMS [ShrTMS] group) and 76 normal controls (NCs) who were the staff and refresher staff in our hospital were recruited at the same time. A Chinese-made rTMS and a Runjie WJ-1 ERPs instrument were used in the present experiment. N400 was elicited by congruent and noncongruent Chinese idioms. After rTMS treatment, N400, P300, and MMN characteristics were compared with those before treatment and NC group.

Compared with NC, the SZ patients exhibited delays in N400, P300, and MMN latency and decreased N400, P300, and MMN amplitudes in their frontal area (P < 0.05). After 25 rTMS treatments, N400 amplitudes in the frontal area (elicited by idioms with same phonic and different shape and meaning and with different phonic, shape, and meaning) were increased in the SZ patients (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant change in N400 before and after treatment with ShrTMS in SZ patients (P > 0.05). Amplitudes for MMN and target P300 also increased in SZ patients after rTMS treatment (P < 0.05).

Based on our preliminary findings, we believe that the combined usage of N400, MMN, and P300 could be a valuable index and an electrophysiological reference in evaluating the effects of rTMS treatment in SZ patients.

Bilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss (BSSHL) is rare and assumed to be a different clinical entity compared to unilateral SSHL (USSHL). This study examined the differences between the idiopathic BSSHL and USSHL.

Forty-six sequential BSSHL patients (Se-BSSHL) and 68 simultaneous BSSHL (Si-BSSHL) were consecutively admitted between June 2008 and December 2015. Two sets of patients served as control groups: (1) USSHL patients with healthy contralateral ear and (2) USSHL patients with contralateral preexisting hearing loss (USSHLwCHL). We retrospectively analyzed differences among four cohorts using analysis of variance, Kruskal-Wallis test, Welch’s t-test, and Chi-square test as appropriate before and after propensity score matching (PSM) based on age, gender, and body mass index (BMI).

The prevalence of idiopathic BSSHL was 8.6% (114/1329) among the total SSHL patients. In the total cohort, USSHL patients tended to be younger, female, and tended to have lower BMI, renal parameters, and total cholesterol in addition to higher high-density lipoprotein compared to the other three groups. Most routine blood indicators, some coagulation markers, and immunoglobulin M (H = 13.4, P = 0.004) were significantly different among the study groups. After PSM, the major significant differences were found in audiometric characteristics. Si-BSSHL and Se-BSSHL patients demonstrated similar hearing thresholds as USSHL but were significantly better than the USSHLwCHL patients across most frequencies before and after treatment (H = 30.0, P < 0.001 for initial hearing and H= 12.0, P = 0.007 for final hearing). Moreover, the BSSHL patients showed different hearing loss distribution patterns (more descending type, χ² = 33.8, P = 0.001) with less hearing gain (H = 17.5, P < 0.001) compared to the USSHL patients.

Idiopathic BSSHL is a relatively rare subtype of SSHL with a higher rate of descending audiogram type and inferior hearing outcome rather than being classified as a completely different disease entity compared to USSHL.

Much evidence has demonstrated that interleukin (IL)-33 plays an important role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, there have been limited studies about soluble ST2, a receptor for IL-33, in RA. The aims of this study were to detect the levels of ST2 in the serum and synovial fluid of RA patients and to reveal the association of these levels with disease activity and the function of ST2 in RA.

A total of 56 RA patients and 38 age-matched healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Synovial fluid samples were collected from another 30 RA patients and 20 osteoarthritis patients. Serum and synovial fluid levels of ST2 were measured by ELISA. In addition, the levels of ST2 in the serum of RA patients before and after therapy were detected. The function of ST2 in RA was revealed by the results of an in vitro cell assay, where recombinant ST2 proteins were used to treat peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and RA synovial fibroblasts (RASFs).

Serum-soluble ST2 levels were significantly higher in RA patients (127.14 ± 61.43 pg/ml) than those in healthy controls (78.37 ± 41.93 pg/ml, P < 0.01). Synovial fluid-soluble ST2 levels (41.90 ± 33.58 pg/ml) were much higher in RA patients than those in osteoarthritis patients (19.71 ± 16.72 pg/ml, P < 0.05). RA patients who received effective therapy for 6 months showed decreased serum-soluble ST2 levels (113.01 ± 53.90 pg/ml) compared to baseline (139.59 ± 68.36 pg/ml) (P = 0.01). RA patients with high disease activity had higher serum-soluble ST2 levels (162.02 ± 56.78 pg/ml) than those with low disease activity (94.67 ± 40.27 pg/ml, P = 0.001). Soluble ST2 did not affect IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, or tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) expression in PBMCs from RA patients. However, soluble ST2 ameliorated the expressions of IL-33 and IL-1β but not that of IL-6, IL-8, or TNF-α in resting RASFs. Interestingly, in the RASFs stimulated by TNF-α plus IL-1β, soluble ST2 showed extensive suppressive effects on the expression of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α.

Elevated levels of ST2 in the serum and synovial fluid were associated with disease activity and ameliorated IL-33 expression and IL-33-induced inflammation in RASFs, suggesting that soluble ST2 might be a potential therapeutic candidate for RA.

Acute minor ischemic stroke (AMIS) or transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a common cerebrovascular event with a considerable high recurrence. Prior research demonstrated the effectiveness of regular long-term remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) in secondary stroke prevention in patients with intracranial stenosis. We hypothesized that RIC can serve as an effective adjunctive therapy to pharmacotherapy in preventing ischemic events in patients with AMIS/TIA. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility, safety, and preliminary efficacy of daily RIC in inhibiting cerebrovascular/cardiovascular events after AMIS/TIA.

This is a single-arm, open-label, multicenter Phase IIa futility study with a sample size of 165. Patients with AMIS/TIA receive RIC as an additional therapy to secondary stroke prevention regimen. RIC consists of five cycles of 5-min inflation (200 mmHg) and 5-min deflation of cuffs on bilateral upper limbs twice a day for 90 days. The antiplatelet strategy is based on individual physician’s best practice: aspirin alone, clopidogrel alone, or combination of aspirin and clopidogrel. We will assess the recurrence rate of ischemic stroke/TIA within 3 months as the primary outcomes.

The data gathered from the study will be used to determine whether a further large-scale, multicenter randomized controlled Phase II trial is warranted in patients with AMIS/TIA.

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03004820; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03004820.

Although primary cardiac tumors are rare, cardiac metastasis of malignant tumors is not as infrequent as we might suspect. The pericardium is the most frequently involved site and myocardial involvement is less common. In this report, we present the case of a patient with a metastatic tumor on the left ventricular wall secondary to the lung cancer with sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT).

Infantile malignant osteopetrosis (IMO) is a rare congenital disease that is characterized by an impaired function or differentiation of osteoclasts. IMO is the most severe type of osteopetrosis. Patients usually present various fatal manifestations soon after birth and die in infancy or childhood. Clinical features include bone marrow failure resulting in pancytopenia, hepatosplenomegaly, blindness secondary to optic nerve compression, hydrocephalus, and other neurological complications.^[1]T-cell immune regulator 1 (TCIRG1, Gene ID: 10312) is one of the main genes that are responsible for the majority of IMO cases. Mutations in TCIRG1 associated with general clinical features have been reported in some studies.^[2]In this study, we reported the ocular manifestations and genetic findings of an IMO patient.

Endobronchial ultrasound with transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a minimally invasive and safe technique which is universally accepted for the mediastinum and/or hilum lymph node biopsy. Severe infectious complications following EBUS-TBNA were occasional, but sometimes life-threatening.^[1]Two patients with severe mediastinal abscess after EBUS-TBNA were treated successfully with surgical drainage in our department, and we reported here to improve our clinical vigilance to this disease.

Fracture was a common injury in adults. Moreover, the number of fractures showed an increasing trend in previous studies. Fractures bring suffering and enormous financial burdens to patients and their families.^[1]As the development of urbanization, the incidence of fractures increases gradually. However, the research on the spectrum of adult fractures has not been enough in Beijing. As a trauma emergency center of Beijing, Jishuitan Hospital is a center for adults’ first aid and treatment of fractures, we designed this study to provide a reliable basis for better adjustment of adult fractures treatment and prevention.

Acinetobacter baumanniihas been considered the prevailing pathogen responsible for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), a condition associated with high morbidity and mortality, among patients in Intensive Care Units (ICUs).^[1,2,3]However, data regarding VAP caused byA.baumannii(AbVAP) in China are limited. In this retrospective study, we aimed to assess the clinical features and outcomes of Chinese patients with AbVAP and thus identify risk factors for 30-day ICU mortality. The medical and surgical ICUs of four tertiary hospitals in Shanghai (Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai Seventh People’s Hospital, Qingpu Branch of Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University, and Huashan Hospital of Fudan University) participated in this study, and the collection of data was started in March 2017. The study was reviewed and approved by the Clinical Research Ethics Committees of Zhongshan Hospital (No. 2011212), Huashan Hospital (No. 2013302), and Shanghai Seventh People’s Hospital (No. 2017IRBQY14). The requirement for informed patient consent was waived for this study, and patients’ identities were coded to ensure the confidentiality of data.

Granulation tissue-type hemangiomas are rare benign vascular lesions that mainly affect the head, neck, and hands. In 75% of the cases, the lesion shows a striking predilection for the mucosa, while skin is the second common site for the lesions. Granulation tissue-type hemangiomas occur upon various stimuli such as chronic low-grade irritation, traumatic injury, and hormonal factors. The lesions occur predominantly in young females, possibly triggered by a vascular effect due to hormonal changes. They range in size from a few millimeters to several centimeters and can grow rapidly with frequently bleeding. The purpose of this article is to present a case of granulation tissue-type hemangioma and to briefly review the current literature for this condition.

Ocular decompression retinopathy (ODR) is characterized by scattered retinal hemorrhage following acute reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP).^[1]It is frequently associated with glaucoma-filtering surgery but also found in some of the other ocular surgeries such as vitrectomy and even in patients with IOP-lowering medication.^[2]One of the possible underlying mechanisms could be the sudden increase in retinal intravascular flow as a result of hypotony and defective autoregulation of blood vessels.^[3]

Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) has been widely accepted as an alternative to oral anticoagulation for stroke prevention in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the periprocedural complications such as device embolization are still challenging.^[1]Here, we reported a rare case of an AMPLATZER™ Cardiac Plug (ACP; St. Jude Medical, USA) device disconnection with the delivery cable during the LAAO procedure.

To the Editor: It is a challenge for a physician to manage acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in a patient with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. We present a case of gastrointestinal bleeding due to antiplatelet therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and secondary in-stent thrombosis due to discontinuation of antiplatelet drugs. The experience of treatment of this case may shed some light on antiplatelet therapy in this clinical dilemma for patients with both high bleeding and high ischemia risk.

To the Editor: Splenic injury is an uncommon complication of colonoscopy. However, failure to recognize this unusual condition can lead to a significant morbidity and mortality. Here, we report a case of 59-year-old male who presented with abdominal pain after a screening colonoscopy and was ultimately diagnosed with a perisplenic hematoma associated with the procedure.

To the Editor: A 66-year-old male was seen in the outpatient clinics of Beijing Friendship Hospital with the complaint of right flank pain for the past 5 months. Computed tomography (CT) revealed the presence of adrenal masses [Figure 1a]. Serum norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine levels were normal, while cortisol, renin, and angiotensin levels were elevated. He was then admitted to the hospital. This patient had a history of controlled hypertension under drug treatment and noninsulin-dependent Type II diabetes.

To the Editor: Metformin is believed to be the most widely used medication for diabetes as well as the first-line medication for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, especially in patients who are overweight. Metformin is described as a magic medicine currently due to its broad range of potential benefits for polycystic ovary syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and various cancers and even prolonged lifespan. Recently, limitedin vitroandin vivoresearch suggests that metformin may have inhibitory effect on virus, especially hepatitis C virus (HCV). Besides, it would be amazing if metformin possess antivirus function in hepatitis B virus (HBV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), etc., to benefits virus-infected patients from other aspects of mechanism.

To the Editor: We have enjoyed reading the work of Chenet al.^[1]which investigated the diagnostic value of circulating (peripheral blood) endometrial cells (CECs) for endometriosis. By modifying their detection technique, Chenet al.^[1]have demonstrated a high detection rate of CECs in the endometriosis group compared to the control group (P< 0.001) with high sensitivity (89.5%) and specificity (87.5%) that was independent of menstrual cycle phases. The authors concluded that CEC may be a promising biomarker for endometriosis for the development of a noninvasive diagnostic assay, but these findings require validation in a larger, multicenter study population.^[1]