Volume 128 · Issue 07 · 2015

Depression is often comorbid with chronic somatic diseases. Few previous studies have investigated the prevalence of somatic diseases in depression or the prescription pattern of antidepressants in comorbidly depressed patients in Asia. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of somatic comorbidity (SC) in depression and compared the prescriptions of antidepressants in depressed patients with and without SC.

A total of 2320 patients treated with antidepressants in 8 Asian countries were examined, and a diagnosis was based on the International Classification of Disease, 10^th revision. We listed 17 common chronic somatic diseases. Patients’ socio-demographic and clinical characteristics and psychotropic drug prescriptions were recorded using a standardized protocol and data collection procedure.

Of the patients examined, 1240 were diagnosed with depression and 30% of them (n = 375) had SC. The most common comorbid condition was diabetes (23.7%). The patients with SC were more likely to seek help at a general hospital (74.7% vs. 47.2%), and had a higher incidence of symptoms involving sadness, disturbed sleep, and poor appetite. Noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressant was prescribed more for patients with SC than for those without SC (30.4% vs. 22.9%).

SC is common in depressed Asian patients. It is important to strengthen the recognition of depression, especially in general hospitals and when patients report some somatic discomfort. It is also a matter of urgency to establish evidence-based guidelines for the use of new antidepressants in depressed patients with SC.

High peritoneal transport status was previously thought to be a poor prognostic factor in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. However, its effect on diabetic nephropathy PD patients is unclear in consideration of the adverse impact of diabetes itself. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of peritoneal transport characteristics on nutritional status and clinical outcome in diabetic nephropathy patients on PD.

One hundred and two diabetic nephropathy patients on PD were enrolled in this observational cohort study. According to the initial peritoneal equilibration test result, patients were divided into two groups: Higher transport group (HT, including high and high average transport) and lower transport group (LT, including low and low-average transport). Demographic characteristics, biochemical data, dialysis adequacy, and nutritional status were evaluated. Clinical outcomes were compared. Risk factors for death-censored technique failure and mortality were analyzed.

Compared with LT group (n = 37), serum albumin was significantly lower and the incidence of malnutrition by subjective global assessment was significantly higher in HT group (n = 65) (P < 0.05). Kaplan–Meier analyses showed that death-censored technique failure and mortality were significantly increased in HT group compared with that in LT group. On multivariate Cox analyses, higher peritoneal transport status and lower residual renal function (RRF) were independent predictors of death-censored technique failure when adjusted for serum albumin and total weekly urea clearance (Kt/V). Independent predictors of mortality were advanced age, anemia, hypoalbuminemia, and lower RRF, but not higher peritoneal transport status.

Higher peritoneal transport status has an adverse influence on nutrition for diabetic nephropathy patients on PD. Higher peritoneal transport status is a significant independent risk factor for death-censored technique failure, but not for mortality in diabetic nephropathy patients on PD.

The treatment of high-grade developmental spondylolisthesis (HGDS) is still challenging and controversial. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of the posterior reduction and monosegmental fusion assisted by intraoperative three-dimensional (3D) navigation system in managing the HGDS.

Thirteen consecutive HGDS patients were treated with posterior decompression, reduction and monosegmental fusion of L5/S1, assisted by intraoperative 3D navigation system. The clinical and radiographic outcomes were evaluated, with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. The differences between the pre- and post-operative measures were statistically analyzed using a two-tailed, paired t-test.

At most recent follow-up, 12 patients were pain-free. Only 1 patient had moderate pain. There were no permanent neurological complications or pseudarthrosis. The magnetic resonance imaging showed that there was no obvious disc degeneration in the adjacent segment. All radiographic parameters were improved. Mean slippage improved from 63.2% before surgery to 12.2% after surgery and 11.0% at latest follow-up. Lumbar lordosis changed from preoperative 34.9 ± 13.3° to postoperative 50.4 ± 9.9°, and 49.3 ± 7.8° at last follow-up. L5 incidence improved from 71.0 ± 11.3° to 54.0 ± 11.9° and did not change significantly at the last follow-up 53.1 ± 15.4°. While pelvic incidence remained unchanged, sacral slip significantly decreased from preoperative 32.7 ± 12.5° to postoperative 42.6 ± 9.8°and remained constant to the last follow-up 44.4 ± 6.9°. Pelvic tilt significantly decreased from 38.4 ± 12.5° to 30.9 ± 8.1° and remained unchanged at the last follow-up 28.1 ± 11.2°.

Posterior reduction and monosegmental fusion of L5/S1 assisted by intraoperative 3D navigation are an effective technique for managing high-grade dysplastic spondylolisthesis. A complete reduction of local deformity and excellent correction of overall sagittal balance can be achieved.

The concept of minimally invasive techniques is to make every effort to reduce tissue damage. Certainly, reducing skin incision is an important part of these techniques. This study aimed to investigate the clinical feasibility of Mast Quadrant-assisted modified transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) with a small single posterior median incision.

During the period of March 2011 to March 2012, 34 patients with single-segment degenerative lumbar disease underwent the minimally invasive modified TLIF assisted by Mast Quadrant with a small single posterior median incision (single incision group). The cases in this group were compared to 37 patients with single-segment degenerative lumbar disease in the double incision group. The perioperative conditions of patients in these two groups were statistically analyzed and compared. The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores, and sacrospinalis muscle damage evaluation indicators before operation and 3, 12 months postoperation were compared.

A total of 31 and 35 cases in the single incision and double incision groups, respectively, completed at least 12 months of systemic follow-up. The differences in perioperative conditions between the two groups were not statistically significant. The incision length of the single incision group was significantly shorter than that of the double incision group (P < 0.01). The ODI and VAS scores of patients in both groups improved significantly at 3 and 12 months postoperation. However, these two indicators at 3 and 12 months postoperation and the sacrospinalis muscle damage evaluation indicators at 3 months postoperation did not differ significantly between the two groups (P ≥ 0.05).

Mast Quadrant-assisted modified TLIF with a small single posterior median incision has excellent clinical feasibility compared to minimally invasive TLIF with a double paramedian incision.

The dilemma of pathogens identification in patients with unidentified clinical symptoms such as fever of unknown origin exists, which not only poses a challenge to both the diagnostic and therapeutic process by itself, but also to expert physicians.

In this report, we have attempted to increase the awareness of unidentified pathogens by developing a method to investigate hitherto unidentified infectious pathogens based on unbiased high-throughput sequencing.

Our observations show that this method supplements current diagnostic technology that predominantly relies on information derived five cases from the intensive care unit. This methodological approach detects viruses and corrects the incidence of false positive detection rates of pathogens in a much shorter period. Through our method is followed by polymerase chain reaction validation, we could identify infection with Epstein–Barr virus, and in another case, we could identify infection with Streptococcus viridians based on the culture, which was false positive.

This technology is a promising approach to revolutionize rapid diagnosis of infectious pathogens and to guide therapy that might result in the improvement of personalized medicine.

This study compared the efficacy and safety between 120-W thulium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Tm:YAG) vapoenucleation of prostates (ThuVEP) and holmium laser enucleation of prostates (HoLEP) for patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

A retrospective analysis of 88 consecutive patients with symptomatic BPH was carried out, who underwent either 120-W ThuVEP or HoLEP nonrandomly. Patient demographics and peri-operative and 12-month follow-up data were analyzed with the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL) score, maximum flow rate (Qmax), postvoid residual urine volume (PVR), and rates of peri-operative and late complications.

The patients in each group showed no significant difference in preoperative parameters. Compared with the HoLEP group, patients in the 120-W ThuVEP group required significantly shorter time for laser enucleation (58.3 ± 12.8 min vs. 70.5 ± 22.3 min, P = 0.003), and resulted in a significant superiority in laser efficiency (resected prostate weight/laser enucleation time) for 120-W Tm:YAG laser compared to holmium:YAG laser (0.69 ± 0.18 vs. 0.61 ± 0.19, P = 0.048). During 1, 6, and 12 months of follow-ups, the procedures did not demonstrate a significant difference in IPSS, QoL score, Qmax, or PVR (P > 0.05). Mean peri-operative decrease of hemoglobin in the HoLEP group was similar to the ThuVEP group (17.1 ± 12.0 g/L vs. 15.2 ± 10.1 g/L, P = 0.415). Early and late incidences of complications were low and did not differ significantly between the two groups of 120-W ThuVEP and HoLEP patients (P > 0.05).

120-W ThuVEP and HoLEP are potent, safe and efficient modalities of minimally invasive surgeries for patients with LUTS due to BPH. Compared with HoLEP, 120-W ThuVEP offers advantages of reduction of laser enucleation time and improvement of laser efficiency.

CD4 count is used to determine antiretroviral therapy (ART) eligibility. In China, flow cytometers are mostly located in urban areas with limited access by patients residing in remote areas. In an attempt to address this issue, we conducted a study to validate the performance of Alere PIMA point-of-care CD4 analyzer.

Venous and finger-prick blood specimens were collected from HIV-positive participants from two voluntary counseling and testing sites in Yunnan Province. Both venous and finger-prick blood specimens were tested with the PIMA analyzer. Venous blood specimens tested with the Becton Dickinson FACSCalibur were used as a reference.

Venous specimens from 396 and finger-prick specimens from 387 persons were available for analysis. CD4 counts by PIMA correlated well with those from FACSCalibur with an R² of 0.91 for venous blood and 0.81 for finger-prick blood. Compared to FACSCalibur, the PIMA analyzer yielded lower counts with a mean bias of − 47.0 cells/µl (limit of agreement, [LOA]: −204–110 cells/µl) for venous blood and −71.0 cells/µl (LOA: −295–153 cells/µl) for finger-prick blood. For a CD4 threshold of 350 cells/µl, the positive predictive value (PPV) of PIMA was 84.2% and 75.7% and the negative predictive value (NPV) was 97.6% and 95.8% for venous and finger-prick blood, respectively. For an ART threshold of 500 cells/µl, the corresponding PPV was 90.3% and 84.0% and NPV was 94.3% and 93.4%, respectively.

CD4 counting using venous blood with PIMA analyzers is a feasible alternative to a large flow cytometer to determine ART eligibility.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) frequently complicates the course of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients and is associated with significantly worse outcomes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the incidence of PH in IPF patients and evaluate the correlation between clinical parameters and systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP).

Hospitalized patients with IPF, who were evaluated for sPAP by Doppler echocardiography from January 2004 to December 2011, were enrolled in our study. Patients were defined as PH by an estimated sPAP > 50 mmHg and graded as PH likely, PH possible and PH unlikely, based on the 2009 European Society of Cardiology/European Respiratory Society PH Guidelines. The correlations between clinical parameters and sPAP were analyzed by multiple linear regression.

Totally, 119 IPF patients were enrolled in our study and 28 (23.5%), 20 (16.8%) and 71 (59.7%) patients were PH likely, PH possible and PH unlikely, respectively. Borg dyspnea score was positively correlated with sPAP, r = 0.467, P < 0.001. Oxygen saturation was negatively correlated with sPAP, r = −0.416, P < 0.001. Diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide percentage predicted was negatively correlated with sPAP, r = −0.424, P = 0.003. N-terminal fragment of pro-brain natriuretic peptide and pulmonary artery width was positively correlated with sPAP, r = 0.452, P = 0.011 and r = 0.513, P < 0.001, respectively.

The incidence of PH in IPF patients was 23.5% in a single center of China. PH may worsen the dyspnea, right heart dysfunction and decrease the life quality of the patients with IPF.

The aim of this research was to evaluate long-term pulmonary sequelae on paired inspiration-expiration thin-section computed tomography (CT) scans 3 years after influenza A (H1N1) virus-associated pneumonia, and to analyze the affecting factors on pulmonary fibrosis.

Twenty-four patients hospitalized with H1N1 virus-associated pneumonia at our hospital between September 2009 and January 2010 were included. The patients underwent thin-section CT 3 years after recovery. Abnormal pulmonary lesion patterns (ground-glass opacity, consolidation, parenchymal bands, air trapping, and reticulation) and evidence of fibrosis (architectural distortion, traction bronchiectasis, or honeycombing) were evaluated on follow-up thin-section CT. Patients were assigned to Group 1 (with CT evidence of fibrosis) and Group 2 (without CT evidence of fibrosis). Demographics, rate of mechanical ventilation therapy, rate of intensive care unit admission, cumulative prednisolone-equivalent dose, laboratory tests results (maximum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase [AST], lactate dehydrogenase [LDH], and creatine kinase [CK]), and peak radiographic opacification of 24 patients during the course of their illness in the hospital were compared between two groups.

Parenchymal abnormality was present in 17 of 24 (70.8%) patients and fibrosis occurred in 10 of 24 (41.7%) patients. Patients in Group 1 (10/24; 41.7%) had a higher rate of mechanical ventilation therapy (Z= −2.340, P = 0.019), higher number of doses of cumulative prednisolone-equivalent (Z = −2.579, P = 0.010), higher maximum level of laboratory tests results (AST [Z = −2.140, P = 0.032], LDH [Z = −3.227, P = 0.001], and CK [Z = −3.345, P = 0.019]), and higher peak opacification on chest radiographs (Z = −2.743, P = 0.006) than patients in group 2 (14/24; 58.3%).

H1N1 virus-associated pneumonia frequently is followed by long-term pulmonary sequelae, including fibrotic changes, in lung parenchyma. Patients who need more steroid therapy, need more mechanical ventilation therapy, had higher laboratory tests results (maximum levels of AST, LDH, and CK), and had higher peak opacification on chest radiographs during treatment are more likely to develop lung fibrosis.

The aim of this study is to explore the treatment and outcome of epileptogenic temporal lobe cavernous malformations (CMs).

We analyzed retrospectively the profiles of 52 patients diagnosed as temporal lobe CMs associated with epilepsy. Among the 52 cases, 11 underwent a direct resection of CM along with the adjacent zone of hemosiderin rim without electrocorticogram (ECoG) monitoring while the other 41 cases had operations under the guidance of ECoG. Forty-six patients were treated by lesionectomy + hemosiderin rim while the other six were treated by lesionectomy + hemosiderin rim along with extended epileptogenic zone resection. The locations of lesions, the duration of illness, the manifestation, the excision ranges and the outcomes of postoperative follow-up were analyzed, respectively.

All of the 52 patients were treated by microsurgery. There was no neurological deficit through the long-term follow-up. Outcomes of seizure control are as follows: 42 patients (80.8%) belong to Engel Class I, 5 patients (9.6%) belong to Engel Class II, 3 patients (5.8%) belong to Engel Class III and 2 patients (3.8%) belong to Engel Class IV.

Patients with epilepsy caused by temporal CMs should be treated as early as possible. Resection of the lesion and the surrounding hemosiderin zone is necessary. Moreover, an extended excision of epileptogenic cortex or cerebral lobes is needed to achieve a better prognosis if the ECoG indicates the existence of an extra epilepsy onset origin outside the lesion itself.

OnabotulinumtoxinA is widely used in treating neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO). We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the efficacy and safety of the drug for treating NDO.

We searched the following databases: Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. All published randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of onabotulinumtoxinA for the treatment of NDO were identified in the analysis. The reference lists of the retrieved studies were also investigated.

Four publications involving a total of 807 patients were identified in the analysis, which compared onabotulinumtoxinA with placebo. The changes of the mean number of urinary incontinence per week (the standardized mean difference [SMD] = −10.91, 95% confidence intervals [CIs] = −14.18-−7.63, P < 0.0001); maximum cystometric capacity (SMD = 146.09, 95% CI = 126.19–165.99, P < 0.0001) and maximum detrusor pressure (SMD = −32.65, 95% CI = −37.83-−27.48, P < 0.0001) indicated that onabotulinumtoxinA was more effective than the placebo, despite the doses of onabotulinumtoxinA. Safety assessments primarily localized to the urinary tract indicated onabotulinumtoxinA were often associated with more complications. Urinary tract infections (relative risk [RR] =1.48, 95% CI = 1.20–1.81, P = 0.0002); hematuria (RR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.00–3.24, P = 0.05) and urinary retention (RR = 5.87, 95% CI = 3.61–9.56, P < 0.0001).

This meta-analysis indicates that onabotulinumtoxinA to be an effective treatment for NDO with side effects primarily localized to urinary tract.

The objective was to provide a brief history of J wave syndromes and to summarize our current understanding of their molecular, ionic, cellular mechanisms, and clinical features. We will also discuss the existing debates and further direction in basic and clinical research for J wave syndromes.

The publications on key words of "J wave syndromes" , "early repolarization syndrome (ERS)" , "Brugada syndrome (BrS)" and "ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)" were comprehensively reviewed through search of the PubMed literatures without restriction on the publication date.

Original articles, reviews and other literatures concerning J wave syndromes, ERS, BrS and STEMI were selected.

J wave syndromes were firstly defined by Yan et al. in a Chinese journal a decade ago, which represent a spectrum of variable phenotypes characterized by appearance of prominent electrocardiographic J wave including ERS, BrS and ventricular fibrillation (VF) associated with hypothermia and acute STEMI. J wave syndromes can be inherited or acquired and are mechanistically linked to amplification of the transient outward current (I_to)-mediated J waves that can lead to phase 2 reentry capable of initiating VF.

J wave syndromes are a group of newly highlighted clinical entities that share similar molecular, ionic and cellular mechanism and marked by amplified J wave on the electrocardiogram and a risk of VF. The clinical challenge ahead is to identify the patients with J wave syndromes who are at risk for sudden cardiac death and determine the alternative therapeutic strategies to reduce mortality.

To analyze the mechanism of neuroprotection of insulin and which blood glucose range was benefit for insulin exerting neuroprotective action.

The study is based on the data from PubMed.

Articles were selected with the search terms "insulin" , "blood glucose" , "neuroprotection" , "brain" , "glycogen" , "cerebral ischemia" , "neuronal necrosis" , "glutamate" , "γ-aminobutyric acid".

Insulin has neuroprotection. The mechanisms include the regulation of neurotransmitter, promoting glycogen synthesis, and inhibition of neuronal necrosis and apoptosis. Insulin could play its role in neuroprotection by avoiding hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.

Intermittent and long-term infusion insulin may be a benefit for patients with ischemic brain damage at blood glucose 6–9 mmol/L.

尽管腹腔镜疝修补术是目前小儿外科医生最常见的手术，但无症状阴道未闭（PPV）的疝修补术仍存在争议。在先前的研究中，腹腔镜检查对侧PPV的发生率被报道为20%-50%，但据信在早产儿中接近100%。据报道，4%-34%的患者在同侧疝修补后有发生后续异时对侧疝的风险。^[1]如果这是真的，那么在同侧疝修补时识别和闭合PPV将消除每年数千名儿童进行第二次手术的需要。随着微创手术的最新进展，经腹股沟诊断性腹腔镜已成为评估儿童PPV患者的安全有效的方法。同时，由于同样高的成功率、最小的并发症和更短的住院时间，腹腔镜已被广泛用于治疗婴儿肥厚性幽门狭窄（IHPS）。

小淋巴细胞淋巴瘤/慢性淋巴细胞白血病（SLL/CLL）患者的细胞核型分析不易成功，小基因组病变（<5 Mb)不通过该方法常规检测。CLL的完整基因组表征可能需要荧光的组合原地杂交（FISH）、单核苷酸多态性（SNP）阵列分析，用于对显性克隆中获得性基因组拷贝数畸变（aCNAs）和杂合性缺失（LOH）进行全面的全基因组分析，以及用于检测平衡易位、等染色体和标记染色体的核型分析。SNP阵列分析可以揭示chromothripsis，这是一种癌症基因组区域破碎和重组以在较低和较高DNA拷贝数状态之间产生频繁振荡的现象。本研究提供了一例CLL/SLL患者的细胞遗传学发现，该患者患有v-myc禽骨髓细胞瘤病病毒癌基因同源物（C-MYC)-通过FISH扩增，其中SNP阵列检测到由于可能导致恶性转化的染色体碎裂引起的深刻基因组剧变。

腔静脉插管过程中腔静脉后壁意外出血时[图1a]，取2 cm × 1 cm左右的两片胸腺组织作为床垫尖端，将这两片组织放在腔静脉底部，然后用Prolene（Ethicon，Somerville，NJ，USA）穿过后壁下的间隙制成床垫缝合[图1b和图1c].以足够的张力打结，以消除任何明显的出血并实现完全止血[图1d].在某些情况下，需要额外的床垫缝线来止血。

编者按：众所周知，急诊医学是一门交叉学科，有很多研究热点。然而，许多研究人员经常担心他们的研究过于狭窄或不那么前沿，以至于无法被高影响因子（IFs）的期刊接受。为什么？一个原因可能在于他们中的许多人很难跟上内科急诊医学研究的前沿和热点。

编者：使用硬膜下电极的侵入性脑电图(EEG)监测在临床实践中应用广泛。在这里，我们报告了一种与该技术相关的罕见并发症，非出血性硬膜下积液（SFC）。

致编者：在此，我们报告了一例在海拔4350米的全麻下成功进行的开颅手术以及患者的随访结果。据我们所知，这是迄今为止在世界最高海拔进行的一次开颅手术。