Diabetes is increasing rapidly worldwide and frequently results in severe vascular complications. A target glycated hemoglobin of less than 7% has commonly been recommended in hopes of preventing both macrovascular and microvascular complications. Although results from trials of intensive glycemic control have generally supported the notion that lower glycated hemoglobin values reduce microvascular disease, the evidence for similar benefits for macrovascular disease has been less clear. As macrovascular disease is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in type 2 diabetes, this remains one of the more important unresolved clinical questions. Recent results from the ACCORD, ADVANCE, and VADT studies have challenged the conventional believe that lower glycated hemoglobin values should be pursued in all diabetic patients. Factors that may influence whether intensive glucose management is advisable include duration of diabetes, pre-existing macrovascular disease, hypoglycemic unawareness, and significant comorbidities. Glycated hemoglobin goals should account for these factors and be individualized for each patient.

Actinomyces spp. are considered rare pathogens in today's medicine, especially with thoracic vertebral involvement. Classic actinomycosis (50%) presents as an oral-cervicofacial ("lumpy jaw") infection. This report describes a case of spinal cord compression caused by Actinomyces israelii with the coisolation of Fusobacterium nucleatum. There are limited numbers of similar cases. CASE REPORTThe case described here involves a 43-year-old Filipino man who presented to a medical center emergency department with a chief complaint of acute lower back pain and urinary incontinence. He had been in his usual state of health until approximately 3 days prior to admission, when he first noticed a gradual onset of bilateral lower-extremity weakness, followed by difficulty with walking and, finally, the inability to arise from bed. In addition, the patient stated that he had been experiencing low-grade fevers and progressive weight loss over the past several months. His medical history was unremarkable and did not include any recent trauma. The patient had emigrated from the Philippines to Hawaii about 20 years earlier. However, he denied any history of exposure to tuberculosis or any recent travel back to the Philippines or Southeast Asia.In the emergency room, the patient appeared to be disoriented, although he was able to follow simple commands. His vital signs included a temperature of 97.8°F, blood pressure of 121/75 mm Hg, a heart rate of 116 beats/min, and mild tachypnea, with an O 2 saturation of 99% on room air. On physical examination, he was noted to have poor dentition and evidence of multiple previous dental extractions. A neurological examination revealed significant bilateral lower-extremity weakness (two of five) with brisk deep-tendon reflexes, positive ankle clonus, and a positive Babinski sign, as well as diminished rectal tone. The remainder of the physical examination was unremarkable. Laboratory blood findings were significant for leukocytosis (22.0 ϫ 10 9 /liter) with 87% segmented neutrophils, an elevated platelet count of 722 ϫ 10 6 /liter, and an erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 84 mm/h. A screen for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and 2 antibodies was negative. The remaining laboratory findings were noncontributory.A chest X ray showed a left-lower-lobe infiltrate with minimal pleural effusion.Because of the possibility of spinal cord compression and injury, the patient was admitted to the medical intensive care unit for further workup and management. This included magnetic resonance imaging of the spine, which showed an abnormal signal intensity involving the thoracic vertebrae from T5 through T8 and an abnormal soft tissue mass enhancement consistent with an apparent abscess that involved the left posterior chest wall and ribs and that extended to the thoracic vertebral column and into the epidural space, with apparent spinal cord compression. A computed tomography scan of the chest revealed similar abnormal findings involving the left posterior chest wall and ribs as well as a collapsed lef...

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Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Recent major publications, such as the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes trial, the Advance in Diabetes and Vascular Disease: Preterax and Diamicron MR Controlled Evaluation trial, and the Veterans Affairs Diabetes Trial, found that intensive glucose control in patients with T2DM did not reduce CVD outcomes. However, in this article, we review observational studies and clinical trials that, on aggregate, indicate how glucose lowering appears to reduce risks of CVD in certain subgroups, but can be harmful in other individuals. Based on available evidence, we suggest that younger patients with a shorter duration of T2DM, without CVD, and with few comorbid conditions may experience the greatest cardiovascular benefit from intensive glucose control. In contrast, more aggressive glucose lowering in older patients with a longer duration of T2DM, a history of CVD, and/or multiple comorbidities does not translate to reduced cardiovascular events, and may cause harm. The target goal and therapeutic strategy for intensive glucose control should be established for each individual after a careful review of his or her medical and psychosocial history, and should not reflect a "one-size-fits-all" approach.