Background: It is well known that a large number of patients with diabetes also have dyslipidemia, which significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combination drugs consisting of metformin and atorvastatin, widely used as therapeutic agents for diabetes and dyslipidemia. Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group and phase III multicenter study included adults with glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels >7.0% and <10.0%, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) >100 and <250 mg/dL. One hundred eighty-five eligible subjects were randomized to the combination group (metformin+atorvastatin), metformin group (metformin+atorvastatin placebo), and atorvastatin group (atorvastatin+metformin placebo). The primary efficacy endpoints were the percent changes in HbA1c and LDL-C levels from baseline at the end of the treatment. Results: After 16 weeks of treatment compared to baseline, HbA1c showed a significant difference of 0.94% compared to the atorvastatin group in the combination group (0.35% vs. −0.58%, respectively; P<0.0001), whereas the proportion of patients with increased HbA1c was also 62% and 15%, respectively, showing a significant difference (P<0.001). The combination group also showed a significant decrease in LDL-C levels compared to the metformin group (−55.20% vs. −7.69%, P<0.001) without previously unknown adverse drug events. Conclusion The addition of atorvastatin to metformin improved HbA1c and LDL-C levels to a significant extent compared to metformin or atorvastatin alone in diabetes and dyslipidemia patients. This study also suggested metformin’s preventive effect on the glucose-elevating potential of atorvastatin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia, insufficiently controlled with exercise and diet. Metformin and atorvastatin combination might be an effective treatment in reducing the CVD risk in patients with both diabetes and dyslipidemia because of its lowering effect on LDL-C and glucose.

The clinicopathological findings in previous studies concerning food protein-induced proctocolitis (FPIPC) are quite diverse in terms of results and conclusions. The aim of this study was to suggest advanced clinicopathological diagnostic criteria that facilitate the early confirmation of FPIPC. Data of 38 FPIPC patients, who had received sigmoidoscopy and biopsy, was analyzed. Microscopic findings were compared with observations of previous studies. Feeding at onset of bleeding was exclusively breast-fed (94.7%) and formula-fed or mixed-fed (5.3%). Endoscopic abnormalities were observed in all patients; nodular hyperplasias with circumscribed and/or central pit-like erosions in 94.7% and erythema in 5.3%. Histopathological findings were; lymphoid aggregates in 94.7%, eosinophils in lamina propria of > or =60 cells/10 HPF in 97.4% and of >20 cells/HPF in 63.2%, epithelial or muscularis mucosa eosinophil infiltration in 97.4%, and crypt abscess in 2.6%. The majority of FPIPC patients are exclusively breast-fed and nodular hyperplasias with erosions may be a disease specific endoscopic finding. Histologic diagnosis of FPIPC is compatible with eosinophils in the lamina propria of > or =60 cells/10 high power fields; however, >20 cells/HPF is not an appropriate diagnostic criterion.
Sensitivity and Specificity ; Reproducibility of Results ; Rectal Diseases/*diagnosis/etiology ; Proctocolitis/*diagnosis/*etiology ; Male ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant ; Humans ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/*diagnosis/etiology ; Female ; Dietary Proteins/*adverse effects ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Breast Feeding/*adverse effects

The treatment of pathologic aerophagia has rarely been discussed in the literature. In this retrospective study, the authors investigated the effects of clonazepam on the management of pathologic childhood aerophagia (PCA) with psychological stresses (PS), but not with mental retardation. Data from 22 consecutive PCA patients with PS (aged 2 to 10 yr), who had been followed up for over 1 yr, were reviewed. On the basis of videolaryngoscopic views, the authors observed that the pathology of aerophagia was the result of reflex-induced swallowing with paroxysmal openings of the upper esophageal sphincter due to unknown factors and also observed that these reflex-induced openings were subsided after intravenous low dose benzodiazepine administration. Hence, clonazepam was administered to treat paroxysmal openings in these PCA patients with PS. Remission positivity was defined as symptom-free for a consecutive 1 month within 6 months of treatment. The results of treatment in 22 PCA patients with PS were analyzed. A remission positive state was documented in 14.3% of PCA patients managed by reassurance, and in 66.7% of PCA patients treated with clonazepam (p=0.032). Thus, clonazepam may produce positive results in PCA with PS. Future studies by randomized and placebo-controlled trials are needed to confirm the favorable effect of clonazepam in PCA.
Treatment Outcome ; Stress, Psychological/*complications/*drug therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Male ; Injections, Intravenous ; Humans ; Female ; Clonazepam/*administration & dosage ; Child, Preschool ; Child ; Anticonvulsants/administration & dosage ; Aerophagy/*complications/*prevention & control

The tailgut is a blind extension of the hindgut into the tail fold just distal to the cloacal membrane. Remnants of this structure may form a tailgut cyst. This is prone to infection and chronic fistula formation and has a long-term risk of malignancy. Non-recognition and incomplete treatment leads to morbidity. A twenty one year-old female patient visited our hospital with repeated perianal pain and discharge. Preoperative abdominopelvic MRI and endorectal ultrasonography revealed a retrorectal cyst suggestive of a tailgut cyst. She underwent a complete excision of the retrorectal mass through a presacral approach. She recovered uneventfully. This report includes the case and a brief review of tailgut cysts.
Female ; Fistula ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Membranes ; Ultrasonography

Primary cardiac lymphoma defined as involving only the heart and pericardium, is very rare and is diagnosed predominantly late in the course of illness or autopsy. This tumor is commonly fatal and until recently were rarely diagnosed antemortem. Recently, it was reported in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. We report a case of primary cardiac lymphoma in a 56 year old female who showed progressive exertional dyspnea. On echocardiogram and CT scan, large ill defined mass was demonstrated in right atrial and ventricular wall. It was diagnosed as B-cell type lymphoma on open cardiac biopsy.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; Autopsy ; B-Lymphocytes ; Biopsy ; Dyspnea ; Female ; Heart ; Heart Neoplasms ; Humans ; Lymphoma* ; Middle Aged ; Pericardium ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND: Systemic embolism especially, cerebral infarction is one of the most important complications in patients with mitral stenosis. The authors analyse the some that could predict the development of cerebral infarction in cases of mitral stenosis and propose preventive therapeutic measures. METHODS: Retrospective study of 127 patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis was performed by analysis their medical records for transthoracic(TTE) or transesophageal echocardiography(TEE) over a 12months period. The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence (Group I: n=26, age: 55+/-13 years) or absence (Group II: n=101, age: 48.5+/-13 years) of cerebral infarction. No significant difference was observed between the two groups with respect to sex and functional class. RESULTS: Patients of group I were older (55.0+/-13 vs 48.5+/-13;p<0.05), had more dilated left atrial size(5.10+/-0.48 vs 4.81+/-0.70;p<0.05) and smaller mitral surface area(1.01+/-0.39 vs 1.21+/-0.45;p<0.05). In Group I, the incidence of atrial fibrillation(22 out of 26 vs 57 out of 101;p<0.05) and spontaneous left intra-atrial contrast phenomenon(22 out of 26 vs 44 out of 101;p<0.05) was more frequently observed. On multivariate analysis, atrial fibrillation and anticoagulant therapy were the independent predictive factors. CONCLUSION: Age, left atrial dilatation, the severity of mitral stenosis, the presence of spontaneous contrast and especially the presence of atrial fibrillation are the main predictive factors of the development of cerebral infarction in mitral stenosis. Patients presenting one or several of these factors may benefit from prophylactic anticoagulant treatment.
Atrial Fibrillation ; Cerebral Infarction* ; Dilatation ; Embolism ; Humans ; Incidence ; Medical Records ; Mitral Valve Stenosis* ; Multivariate Analysis ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: We sought to examine the use and outcomes with early intraaortic balloon couterpulsation(IABP) combined early reperfusion therapy in patients presenting with cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction. The use of IABP in patients with cardiogenic shock is widely accepted. however, there is a paucity of information on the use of this technique in patients with cardiogenic shock who are treated with reperfusion therapy in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight Patients presented with cardiogenic shock were classified into two groups: the early IABP group (insertion within 12 hours after AMI onset time) and late IABP group (insertion after 12 hours). We compared In-hospital mortality in two group (early IABP group vs late IABP group). RESULTS: Two groups show no significant difference at clinical feature and coronary angiographic results. Among total 28 patients, 7 patients were treated with thrombolytic therapy and 21 patients with PTCA. Insertion site bleeding, fever, thrombocytopenia were reported as some of the complications of IABP insertion. In-hospital mortality of early IABP group and late IABP group were 4 patients(25%) and 8 patients(66%), respectively(p<0.05). Early IABP insertion and early PTCA showed lower hospital mortality rates. There was significant difference in the time to PTCA after AMI onset between the to groups(p<0.05). CONCLUSION: IABP appears to be useful in patients presenting with cardiogenic shock unresponsive medical therapy. Early IABP insertion and early Reperfusion therapy may reduce In-hospital mortality rates in PostMI Cardiogenic shock patients.
Fever ; Hemorrhage ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Korea ; Myocardial Infarction ; Reperfusion* ; Shock, Cardiogenic* ; Thrombocytopenia ; Thrombolytic Therapy

Symptoms of compressive cervical myelopathy classically include spasticity and weakness, predominantly involving the lower extremities. Sensory abnormalities are reportedly common in the upper extremities, but are often vague or misleading. The sensory findings are usually localized 2-3 spinal segments below the actual spinal cord compression. In our current series, 3 patients presented with progressive symptoms of weakness and hyperreflexia involving the lower extremities without upper extremity symptoms and with a distant thoracic sensory level ranging from T10 to T12. All 3 patients were eventually found to have a cervical herniated intervertebral disc. The direct physical effects of compression and vascular compromise in the central cervical cord compression may be responsible for the reported abnormality at a distinct thoracic sensory level. Failure to diagnose cervical myelopathy because of the presence of a thoracic sensory level can delay appropriate treatment or lead to incorrect therapy.
Humans ; Intervertebral Disc* ; Lower Extremity ; Muscle Spasticity ; Reflex, Abnormal ; Spinal Cord Compression ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; Upper Extremity

We evaluated the results of sequential SPECT dual-isotope imaging with Tl-201 and Tc-99m MIBI in 24 patients, all of whom also had coronary angiography within the past one month. Coronary angiography showed that 12 patients had no CAD, 4 patients had one-vessel CAD, 7 patients had two-vessel CAD and 1 patient had three-vessel CAD. Serial studies of resting Tl-201 and dipyridamole stress Tc-99m MIBI were completed within 2 hours. When more then 50% of coronary artery narrowing was considered significant. The overall sensitivity and specification of CAD detection were 91.7%. The sensitivity of CAD detection in patients with one-vessel and multi-vessel diseases was 75% and 100%, respectively. Therefore, sequential dual-isotope SPECT demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity of CAD detection. In conclusion, sequential dual-isotope imaging is feasible and can be completed in a short time and may therefore enhance laboratory throughput and patient convenience.
Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Dipyridamole ; Humans ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon*

PURPOSE: There are several well-established prognostic factors to predict the course of breast cancer. Recently, a new category of genes that control the process of programmed cell death, also called apoptosis, has been identified. It includes the bcl-2 proto-oncogene which actively blocks apoptosis. The purpose of this retrospective study is to investigate the relationship between Bcl-2 protein expression in primary breast cancers and other markers of prognostic value. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 43 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma of breast cancer, which were consecutively operated in the period from January 1990 to December 1994. Analysis of Bcl-2 protein, ER and PgR expression was carried out using immunohistochemistry on the paraffin-embedded tissue section. The following indices were measured.; size of the tumor, number of axillary metastasis, histological grade, menopausal status, ER, PgR, and Bcl-2 status. RESULTS: Expression of the bcl-2 proto-oncogene was found in 28 cases of 43 patients (65.1%). No relationship could be observed between Bcl-2 status and tumor grade, TNM staging and menopausal status. A strong positive relationship was demonstrated between Bcl-2 immunoreactivity and ER status (P 0.001) and PgR status (P=0.014). A favorable prognostic value was demonstrated for Bcl-2 expression on overall survival (P=0.0427), but no prognostic value was demonstrated on disease-free survival (P=0.1587). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the Bcl-2 expression may be a favorable prognostic marker and its important role may be a modulator of response to adjuvant therapy in breast cancer.
Apoptosis ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Carcinoma, Ductal ; Cell Death ; Disease-Free Survival ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Proto-Oncogenes ; Retrospective Studies