The pathophysiology of functional gastrointestinal disorder(FGID) is not completely understood, but the importance of the 'Brain-Gut Axis(BGA)' model in FGID is being increasingly recognized. The BGA model is a bidirectional, hard-wired and homeostatic relationship between the central nervous system(CNS) and the enteric nervous system(ENS) via neural, neurohormonal and neuroimmunological pathways. In addition, the BGA model would provide a rationale for the use of psychotropics on FGID. The authors experienced two cases in which duloxetine, a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, was effective in relieving FGID symptoms as well as psychiatric symptoms such as depression and hypochondriacal anxiety. Therefore we discuss the vignettes from the perspective of BGA theory. Duloxetine showed efficacy in these two patients by reducing visceral hypersensivity (bottom-up regulation) and by relieving depression and anxiety(top-down regulation).
Anxiety ; Depression ; Gastrointestinal Diseases ; Humans ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; Thiophenes

One hundred seven consecutive patients aged 3 years to 34 years with simple ventricular septal defect were prospectively investigated with 2-dimensional Doppler echocardiography to assess the echocardiographic criteriae in defining the anatomic site of the VSD. The anatomy was confirmed in all patients at operation. Two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography correctly categorized the site and extension of VSDs in 104 of 107(97%). All doubly committed subarterial VSDs were correctly diagnosed as an area of discontinuity beneath the pulmonary valve in the parasternal short-axis plane taken at the aortic root level. Forty eight of 49 perimembranous VSDs with infundibular extension showed an area of discontinuity beneath the right aortic cusp in the parasternal long axis plane of the left ventricle. Of 17 perimembranous VSDs with trabecular extension, 16 had an area of discontinuity around the medial papillary muscle in the short axis plane taken at the level of high left ventricular outflow tract(LVOT). All 5 perimembranous VSDs with inlet extension showed an area of discontinuity adjacent to the septal leaflet attachment in the short axis plane taken at the level of high LVOT. One muscular trabecular VSD was categorized correctly by the short axis view and the apical 4-chamber view. Thus, these 2-dimensional Doppler echocardiographic criteriae are a simple and reliable in identifying the anatomic site of VSDs.
Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Bays ; Classification* ; Echocardiography ; Echocardiography, Doppler* ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular* ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Papillary Muscles ; Prospective Studies ; Pulmonary Valve

No abstract available.
Blepharoptosis*

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the self-achievement, perception and satisfaction of group discussion and presentation in medical philosophy class. METHODS: A questionnaire was developed based on topical subject of main textbook of medical philosophy and course evaluation reported by students. The questionnaire composed of self-learning achievement for the seven subjects, perception of necessity and profitability of contents and education method of medical philosophy and satisfaction with components of education method and overall class. RESULTS: The data were collected from 250 medical students who complete the course of medical philosophy. Regardless of grade and gender, students reported high self-achievement, perception and overall satisfaction of medical philosophy course, but there were difference in satisfaction of components of each education methods. Students recognized positively as discussion and presentation in philosophy class, but had low awareness of the benefits of private small-group activities. The more students regarded it is beneficial for the contents and methods of philosophy classes, the overall satisfaction with the medical philosophy course was high. And the more students regarded it is necessary to educate and beneficial for the contents and methods of philosophy classes, the satisfaction with the education methods of medical philosophy course was high. CONCLUSION: To improve the achievement level and satisfaction with the philosophy course, it is necessary to induce active interest in small group activities, and provide detailed and various discussion materials in class.
Education ; Education, Medical ; Evaluation Studies as Topic ; Humans ; Methods ; Philosophy ; Philosophy, Medical ; Students, Medical

PURPOSE: In order to evaluate the prognostic factors of vitrectomy for the teatment of retinal detachment due to macular hole. METHODS: The medical records of 19 patients who had undergone pars plana vitrectomy were analyzed. RESULTS: After the first operation, the retinal reattachment was achieved in 12 patients out of 19 patients(63.2%). Among 7 patients who had persistent retinal detachment after the first operation, 6 patients underwent reoperation and 4 out of whom were successfully reattached. The final success rate was 88.9%(16 out of 18 patients). Between 12 patients with successful first operation and the remaining 7 patients, there were statistically significant differences in the incidence of posterior staphyloma, myopic chorioretinal atrophy, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, retinal detachment in two quadrant or more, and complete removal of epiretinal membrane(p<0.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that surgical success of post-operation of retinal detachment due to macular hole seems to be related to complete epiretinal membrane removal, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, posterior staphyloma, myopic chorioretinal atrophy and extension of retinal detachment.
Atrophy ; Epiretinal Membrane ; Humans ; Incidence ; Medical Records ; Prognosis* ; Reoperation ; Retinal Detachment* ; Retinal Perforations* ; Retinaldehyde* ; Vitrectomy ; Vitreoretinopathy, Proliferative

BACKGROUND: Established risk factors for coronary artery disease include smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia. However, these account for less than 50% of the actual incidence of coronary artery disease and the importance of other risk factors is being increasingly realized. It has been known that insulin resistance associated with hyperinsulinemia is a pivotal link to several risk factors of coronary artery disease, including hypertension, glucose intolerance, dyslipidemia and obesity. Recently both experimental and clinical studies have produced evidence suggesting that high plasma insulin level may promote the development of atherosclerotic vascular diseasa. Several prospective studies showed independently that high plasma insulin is associated with an increased risk of major coronary artery disease. In our study, plasma glucose, insulin and C-peptide level were determined with oral glucose tolerance test to assess the insulin resistance or hyperinsulinemia as a risk factory of coronary artery disease. METHOD: From September 1993 to April 1995, after excluding patients with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia and obesity, 17 patients with significant coronary artery stenosis and 10 control subjects with normal coronary finding were selected among the 226 patients who undertook coronary angiography. In the 17 cases(M:F=15:2) of coronary artery disease group, the mean age was 54+/-10 years, and in the 10 cases(M:F=8:2) of control group, 51+/-9 years. All were matched for age, gender and body mass index. Blood pressure, lipid and lipoprotein were measured and smoking history was assessed. Glucose, insulin and C-peptide responses to oral glucose tolerance test were also determined. RESULT: 1) There was no significant difference in systolic and diastolic and diastolic blood pressure, total-cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, ApoA and smoking history except ApoB between the subjects with coronary artery disease and normal control subjects. 2) In oral glucose tolerance test, the plasma glucose levels were not significantly different in the two groups. plasma insulin and C-peptide levels at 60 and 120 minutes were higher in the patient group than control, but the results lack statistical significance. The area under the insulin curve and C-peptide curve were larger in patient group than control, but the result lack statistical significance also. CONCLUSION: Although our study dose not prove the hypothesis that insulin resistance or hyperinsulinemia is statistically an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease, this study showed the tendency of insulinresistance to be correlated with development of coronary artery disease. As this study has limitations due to small sample size, further study is required to confirm the role of hyperinsulinemia using a larger sample size.
Apolipoproteins A ; Apolipoproteins B ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; C-Peptide ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease* ; Coronary Stenosis ; Coronary Vessels* ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Dyslipidemias ; Glucose ; Glucose Intolerance ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Humans ; Hypercholesterolemia ; Hyperinsulinism ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Insulin Resistance* ; Insulin* ; Lipoproteins ; Obesity ; Plasma ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors* ; Sample Size ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Triglycerides

An effective rehabilitation program was developed for psychiatric patients' self-management of medication and symptoms. The rehabilitation program was designed to allow the patients to understand their illness, cope with their medical regimen, and prevent a relapse by recognizing any of the symptoms when they recur. This study consisted of three phases. The first phase was to explore the extent and the specific mental health needs of psychiatric patients. Data was obtained from 82 subjects who had symptoms of a mental illness including schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, and delusional disorder. They had received medication instruction during their hospitalization. The subjects were at the time outpatients in a psychiatric hospital. In the second phase, the researchers developed an educational program focused on coping with the residual and relapse warning signs, managing the drug side effects, medication compliance, and daily routines, according to the information acquired in the first step. The developed program includes the self-efficacy method reported by Bandura, including manuals and videotapes focusing on real life situations, small group discussions, and telephone coaching. Finally, the researchers investigated the effects of this program. Thirty-eight patients were selected for this study, 18 in the experimental program and 20 as controls. The diagnoses were same as those with the first step. The results showed that the subjects who attended this educational program reported significantly more improvement in self-efficacy (p=0.014) and medication compliance (p= 0.005), and significantly less relapse warning symptom scores (p=0.000) than the controls. In conclusion, these instructional materials will be beneficial for medication and symptom management in rehabilitating psychiatric patients in Korea. In addition, the materials may be a useful psychoeducational resource for professionals in the field of clinical psychiatry.
Adult ; Female ; Human ; Korea ; Male ; Mental Disorders/drug therapy/*rehabilitation ; Middle Age ; Patient Compliance ; *Patient Education ; *Self Efficacy

We have reported general principles of low vision aid prescription. But, we have not reported near vision aid prescription only. So, we analyse prescriptions of near low vision aid(diagnosis, type, magnification, etc) and present new near low vision aids that patients feels comfortable. We reviewed the clinical records of 100 patients who visited our low vision clinic more than twice and was prescribed near low vision aid for low vision. According to the data analysed, optic nerve atrophy was the most common etiology for low vision. Illuminated hand held magnifier(31.3%), telemicroscope with plus cap(27.7%), aspheric doublet sens(Clear Image II)(24.1%) were low vision aids most commonly used for near vision, but we knew new trend that newly prescribed aids(telemicroscope with plus cap, aspheric doublet lens) were prescribed more than illuminated hand held magnifier. After prescription of the low vision aid, visual acuity improved significantly (p<0.05). We examined contrast sensitivity test to measure the functional acuity and predict the visual prognosis after prescription of low visio aid.In addition,we studied the relationship between reading speed and the degree of contrast sensitivity and we knew that the relationship between degree of contrast sensitivity and reading speed was associated(p<0.05). Majority of patients(89%) were benefited from prescribed low vision aids.
Atrophy ; Audiovisual Aids ; Contrast Sensitivity ; Hand ; Humans ; Optic Nerve ; Prescriptions* ; Prognosis ; Vision, Low*

Catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy associated with neuroblastoma is rarely reported. We report a case of catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy associated with neuroblastoma in a 33-month-old female that was treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). She was tentatively diagnosed with acute myocarditis and presented with hypertension. Because of rapid patient deterioration despite pharmacological treatments, ECMO was applied. ECMO can be helpful in cases of catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy associated with neuroblastoma.
Cardiomyopathies* ; Catecholamines ; Child, Preschool ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation* ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Myocarditis ; Neuroblastoma*

Drug-assisted interviews are useful for psychiatric diagnosis and treatment. However, amobarbital, a typical medication used for this purpose, is associated with elevated risk of respiratory depression. Benzodiazepines are good substitutes for amobarbital, with similar therapeutic effects and fewer complications. Although drug-assisted interviews are not widely used, they may be beneficial for selected patients who do not respond to conventional treatments such as supportive psychotherapy or psychopharmacotherapy. We report two cases of dissociative amnesia that were treated using lorazepam-assisted interviews. The use of lorazepam in drug-assisted interviews is effective and safe for resolving dissociative amnesia.
Amnesia ; Amobarbital ; Benzodiazepines ; Humans ; Lorazepam ; Mental Disorders ; Psychotherapy ; Respiratory Insufficiency