Small Gallstone Size and Delayed Cholecystectomy Increase the Risk of Recurrent Pancreatobiliary Complications After Resolved Acute Biliary Pancreatitis.

Introduction: Acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP) is a severe complication of gallstone disease with considerable mortality, and its recurrence rate is reported as 50-90% for ABP patients who do not undergo cholecystectomy. However, the incidence of and risk factors for recurrent pancreatobiliary complications after the initial improvement of ABP are not well established in the literature. The aims of this study were to determine the risk factors for recurrent pancreatobiliary complications and to compare the outcomes between early (within 2 weeks after onset of pancreatitis) and delayed cholecystectomy in patients with ABP.

Comparison of scoring systems in predicting the severity of acute pancreatitis.

Aim: To investigate the prognostic usefulness of several existing scoring systems in predicting the severity of acute pancreatitis (AP).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the prospectively collected clinical database from consecutive patients with AP in our institution between January 2011 and December 2012. Ranson, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE)-II, and bedside index for severity in acute pancreatitis (BISAP) scores, and computed tomography severity index (CTSI) of all patients were calculated.

Discordance between patients and parents regarding the perceived causes of clinical relapse in young inflammatory bowel disease patients.

Background/aims: Relapse in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is not predictable, although several factors have been suggested. The aims of the current study were to assess and compare the possible causes of clinical relapse as perceived by patients and parents.

Methods: Of 107 young (<35 years old) IBD patients, 26 patients who experienced recent (<3 month) relapse and their parents completed a questionnaire at the same time.

The Relationship between Metformin and Cancer in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

Background: Recently, several studies reported that the cancer incidence in type 2 diabetes patients is higher than in the general population. Although a number of risks are shared between cancer and diabetes patients, there have been few studies of its correlation. We evaluated the influences of several factors including low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), albuminuria and use of metformin on the risk of cancer in patients with type 2 diabetes.

[A perspective: role of targeted therapy in colon cancer].

Colorectal cancer is the third most common malignant disease in incidence according to a report in 2009 from Korea. The 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) remains to be a major chemotherapeutic agents. But, over the last 10-15 years, the treatment pattern for metastatic colorectal cancer changed significantly.

Quantitative analysis of urine sediment using newly designed centrifuge tubes.

We quantified the formed elements of urine sediment using newly designed plastic centrifuge tubes with top and bottom openings and a 0.5 ml sized bottom ball (YZ tube). This design minimizes the adherence of formed elements that occurs on the glass surface of conventional tubes.