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.

Objectives: . The impacts of ventilation tube (VT) type and effusion composition on the VT extrusion rate and complications in children with otitis media remain unclear. This part II study evaluated the factors affecting the extrusion rate, recurrence rate, and complications of VT insertion. Methods: . A prospective study was conducted between June 2014 and December 2016 (the EVENT study [analysis of the effectiveness of ventilation tube insertion in pediatric patients with chronic otitis media]), with follow-up data collected until the end of 2017. Patients aged <15 years diagnosed with otitis media with effusion who received VT insertion were recruited at 15 tertiary hospitals. The primary outcomes were time to extrusion of VT, time to effusion recurrence, and complications. Results: . Data from 401 patients were analyzed. After excluding the results of long-lasting tubes (Paparella type II and T-tubes), silicone tubes (Paparella type I) exhibited a significantly longer extended time to extrusion (mean, 400 days) than titanium tubes (collar-button-type 1.0 mm: mean, 312 days; P<0.001). VT material (hazard ratio [HR], 2.117, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.254–3.572; P=0.005), age (HR, 3.949; 95% CI, 1.239–12.590; P=0.02), and effusion composition (P=0.005) were significantly associated with the time to recurrence of middle ear effusion. Ears with purulent (mean, 567 days) and glue-like (mean, 588 days) effusions exhibited a shorter time to recurrence than ears with serous (mean, 846 days) or mucoid (mean, 925 days) effusions. The revision VT rates during follow-up were 3.5%, 15.5%, 10.4%, and 38.9% in ears with serous, mucoid, glue-like, and purulent effusions, respectively (P<0.001). The revision surgery rates were higher among patients aged <7 years than among those aged ≥7 years. Conclusion . Silicone tubes (Paparella type I) were less prone to early extrusion than titanium 1.0 mm tubes. VT type, patient age, and effusion composition affected the time to recurrence of effusion.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this multicenter registry study was to investigate the effectiveness of ventilation tube insertion and the microbiology of otitis media with effusion (OME) in children. This part I study was conducted to evaluate the microbiological profile of children with OME who needed ventilation tube insertion. METHODS: Patients < 15 years old who were diagnosed as having OME and received ventilation tube insertion were prospectively enrolled in 16 tertiary hospitals from June 2014 to December 2016. After excluding patients with missing data, the data of 397 patients were analyzed among a total of 433 enrolled patients. The clinical symptoms, findings of the tympanic membrane, hearing level, and microbiological findings were collected. RESULTS: In 103 patients (25.9%), antibiotics were used within 3 weeks before surgery. Ventilation tube insertion was performed in a total of 710 ears (626 in both ears in 313 patients, 55 in the left ear only, and 29 in the right ear only). Culture of middle ear effusion was done in at least one ear in 221 patients (55.7%), and in a total of 346 ears. Only 46 ears (13.3%) showed positive results in middle ear effusion culture. Haemophilus influenzae (17.3%, followed by coagulase-negative Staphylococcus and Staphylococcus auricularis) was the most common bacteria detected. CONCLUSION: H. influenzae was the most commonly found bacteria in middle ear effusion. Relatively low rates of culture positivity were noted in middle ear effusion of patients with OME in Korea.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacteria ; Child ; Ear ; Ear, Middle* ; Haemophilus influenzae ; Hearing ; Humans ; Influenza, Human ; Korea ; Middle Ear Ventilation ; Otitis Media with Effusion* ; Otitis Media* ; Otitis* ; Prospective Studies ; Staphylococcus ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Tympanic Membrane ; Ventilation*

A 22-year-old woman with a 1-month history of shortness of breath that was treated as a case of tuberculosis and pulmonary embolism was referred to the authors’ hospital. Because of the hemodynamic instability in this patient, venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was administered in the intensive care unit. She underwent a pulmonary embolectomy for the treatment of progressive circulatory collapse secondary to a pulmonary embolism. The histopathologic result was consistent with a metastatic choriocarcinoma. Despite the surgical management, persistent refractory cardiogenic shock occurred. Subsequently, the patient was treated with chemotherapy in the presence of ECMO and responded well to chemotherapy. She was discharged after 3 months. This case suggests that metastatic choriocarcinoma should be considered as a differential diagnosis in women of childbearing age presenting with a pulmonary embolism, and ECMO may be beneficial in patients with pulmonary embolism for bridging to surgical embolectomy and chemotherapy.
Choriocarcinoma* ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Drug Therapy* ; Dyspnea ; Embolectomy ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation* ; Female ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Neoplastic Cells, Circulating* ; Pregnancy ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Shock ; Shock, Cardiogenic ; Tuberculosis ; Young Adult

Gangliocytic paraganglioma is an uncommon tumor of digestive system that is usually found in the second portion of duodenum. It is generally considered benign tumor, although few reports of local recurrences and regional lymph node metastases have been made. Gangliocytic paraganglioma is characterized by its histologic pattern including ganglion cells, spindle cells and epithelioid cells. Heterotopic pancreas, also known as ectopic pancreas, is a pancreatic tissue appeared outside of its normal location lacking anatomic or vascular connection with the pancreas. In duodenum, it is a relatively unusual lesion that may be found incidentally during surgery or endoscopy. We present a case of 39-year-old woman with gangliocytic paraganglioma combined with heterotopic pancreas in the ampulla of Vater successfully treated by endoscopic resection.
Adult ; Ampulla of Vater* ; Digestive System ; Duodenum ; Endoscopy ; Epithelioid Cells ; Female ; Ganglion Cysts ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Pancreas* ; Paraganglioma* ; Recurrence

Gangliocytic paraganglioma is an uncommon tumor of digestive system that is usually found in the second portion of duodenum. It is generally considered benign tumor, although few reports of local recurrences and regional lymph node metastases have been made. Gangliocytic paraganglioma is characterized by its histologic pattern including ganglion cells, spindle cells and epithelioid cells. Heterotopic pancreas, also known as ectopic pancreas, is a pancreatic tissue appeared outside of its normal location lacking anatomic or vascular connection with the pancreas. In duodenum, it is a relatively unusual lesion that may be found incidentally during surgery or endoscopy. We present a case of 39-year-old woman with gangliocytic paraganglioma combined with heterotopic pancreas in the ampulla of Vater successfully treated by endoscopic resection.
Adult ; Ampulla of Vater* ; Digestive System ; Duodenum ; Endoscopy ; Epithelioid Cells ; Female ; Ganglion Cysts ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Pancreas* ; Paraganglioma* ; Recurrence

Gastrostomy tube feeding is a common method to provide nutritional support for patients with inadequate oral intake. Gastrostomy tube feeding carries the risk for various complications, with percutaneous hemorrhage being a major complication. Gastric ulcer bleeding is a rare complication in these patients and few researchers have reported such events. There has been no case report of gastric ulcer bleeding diagnosed and treated by endoscopy through a mature gastrostomy tract in Korea. We describe here a case in which gastric ulcer bleeding was diagnosed and treated by a transgastrostomal endoscopy.
Endoscopy* ; Enteral Nutrition ; Gastrostomy ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Korea ; Methods ; Nutritional Support ; Stomach Ulcer*

BACKGROUND: Functional restoration of the facial expression is necessary after facial nerve resection to treat head and neck tumors. This study was conducted to evaluate the functional outcomes of patients who underwent facial nerve cable grafting immediately after tumor resection. METHODS: Patients who underwent cable grafting from April 2007 to August 2011 were reviewed, in which a harvested branch of the sural nerve was grafted onto each facial nerve division. Twelve patients underwent facial nerve cable grafting after radical parotidectomy, total parotidectomy, or schwannoma resection, and the functional facial expression of each patient was evaluated using the Facial Nerve Grading Scale 2.0. The results were analyzed according to patient age, follow-up duration, and the use of postoperative radiation therapy. RESULTS: Among the 12 patients who were evaluated, the mean follow-up duration was 21.8 months, the mean age at the time of surgery was 42.8 years, and the mean facial expression score was 14.6 points, indicating moderate dysfunction. Facial expression scores were not influenced by age at the time of surgery, follow-up duration, or the use of postoperative radiation therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that facial nerve cable grafting using the sural nerve can restore facial expression. Although patients were provided with appropriate treatment, the survival rate for salivary gland cancer was poor. We conclude that immediate facial nerve reconstruction is a worthwhile procedure that improves quality of life by allowing the recovery of facial expression, even in patients who are older or may require radiation therapy.
Facial Expression ; Facial Nerve* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Head ; Humans ; Neck ; Neurilemmoma ; Quality of Life ; Radiotherapy ; Salivary Gland Neoplasms ; Sural Nerve* ; Survival Rate ; Transplants*

Worksite smoking cessation programs offer accessibility of the target population, availability of occupational health support, and the potential for peer pressure and peer support. The purpose of this study was to identify the efficacy of the financial incentives given to various teams in the workplace. St. Paul's Hospital's employees were enrolled. Each team of employees consisted of smoking participants and non-smoking fellow workers from the same department. The financial incentive of 50000 won (about $45) was rewarded to the team for each successful participant-not to individual members-after the first week and then after one month. If the smokers in the team remained abstinent for a longer time period, the team was given an incentive of 100000 won for each successful participant after 3 and 6 months. A total 28 smoking participants and 6 teams were enrolled. Self-reported abstinence rates validated by urinary cotinine test at 3, 6, and 12 months after the initial cessation were 61%, 54%, and 50%, respectively. Smokers with high nicotine dependence scores or those who began participation 1 month after enrollment initiation had a lower abstinence rate at 3 months, but not at 6 and 12 months. Participants who succeeded at smoking cessation at 12 months were more likely to be older and have a longer smoking duration history. The financial incentives given to teams could be promising and effective to improve long-term rates of smoking cessation. This approach could use peer pressure and peer support in the workplace over a longer period.
Adult ; Demography ; Female ; Health Promotion/*economics ; Humans ; Male ; *Motivation ; Program Evaluation/*methods ; Smoking Cessation/*economics ; Treatment Outcome ; *Workplace

PURPOSE: To evaluate intra- and interobserver reliability of the gray scale/dynamic range of the phantom image evaluation of ultrasonography using a standardized phantom, and to assess the effect of interactive education on the reliability. METHODS: Three radiologists (a resident, and two board-certified radiologists with 2 and 7 years of experience in evaluating ultrasound phantom images) performed the gray scale/dynamic range test for an ultrasound machine using a standardized phantom. They scored the number of visible cylindrical structures of varying degrees of brightness and made a 'pass or fail' decision. First, they scored 49 phantom images twice from a 2010 survey with limited knowledge of phantom images. After this, the radiologists underwent two hours of interactive education for the phantom images and scored another 91 phantom images from a 2011 survey twice. Intra- and interobserver reliability before and after the interactive education session were analyzed using K analyses. RESULTS: Before education, the K-value for intraobserver reliability for the radiologist with 7 years of experience, 2 years of experience, and the resident was 0.386, 0.469, and 0.465, respectively. After education, the K-values were improved (0.823, 0.611, and 0.711, respectively). For interobserver reliability, the K-value was also better after the education for the 3 participants (0.067, 0.002, and 0.547 before education; 0.635, 0.667, and 0.616 after education, respectively). CONCLUSION: The intra- and interobserver reliability of the gray scale/dynamic range was fair to substantial. Interactive education can improve reliability. For more reliable results, double-checking of phantom images by multiple reviewers is recommended.
Education ; Phantoms, Imaging ; Quality Assurance, Health Care ; Reproducibility of Results ; Ultrasonography*