OBJECTIVES: The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of sociodrama on inpatients with schizophrenia. METHODS: The sociodrama group was composed of 20 inpatients with schizophrenia and control group was matched with the sociodrama group. The sociodrama group received 10 sessions of sociodrama therapy over 10 weeks. Assessment was done at the beginning and end of this period. RESULTS: After 10 sessions of sociodrama, the patients showed a significant improvement in the BPRS total score, in the withdrawal-retardation and hostile-suspiciousness subscale scores and on the ToM Scale. There was also a significant improvement on the QoL Scale. There were no significant changes on the RCS or the Empowerment Scale. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that, for inpatients with schizophrenia, sociodrama can make a useful contribution in the improvement of withdrawal-retardation, hostile-suspiciousness, theory of mind, and subjective satisfaction with quality of life. We therefore expect that sociodrama can play a useful role in enhancing the psychosocial functioning of patients with schizophrenia. Future research to generalize of the results of this study is necessary.
Humans ; Inpatients ; Power (Psychology) ; Quality of Life ; Schizophrenia ; Theory of Mind

PURPOSE: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common nutrient deficient disorder in infants and young children. Iron deficiency at this age group can cause serious effects on mental and psychomotor development. We analyzed the hematologic profiles of infants and young children with IDA, comparing them with control group. METHODS: The feeding practices and the iron batteries investigated in 198 anemic patients aged 5 to 36 months who had been brought to Inha General & University Hospital. Control group were 129 healthy infants and children who visited DongBu Municipal Hospital and the local health center for immunizations. They also had hemoglobin concentration (Hb), hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin and red cell distribution width (RDW) tested by the electron counters. Patients with hemoglobin level <11 g/dL who had serum ferritin <10 ng/mL or transferrin saturation <15% were classified as having IDA. RESULTS: Out of the 198 subjects (M:F=1.6:1) with IDA, 81.8% (n=162) was breast feeding more than 6 months. The main causes which they were brought to the clinic were infectious or inflammatory illness, and only 13.1% with IDA were visited for evaluation of pallor or anemia. Correlation between Hb and MCV was much more in IDA group than control group (r=0.709, r=0.368; P<0.001). CONCLUSION: By combining Hb with MCV and RDW as well as iron batteries in screening for iron deficiency and IDA, the accuracy of diagnosis can be increased. We support the use of appropriately iron-fortified formulas or weaning foods, or the routine iron supplement starting at 6 months of age in exclusively breast-fed infants to prevent the iron deficiency.
Anemia ; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency* ; Breast Feeding ; Child* ; Diagnosis ; Erythrocyte Indices ; Erythrocytes* ; Ferritins ; Hematocrit ; Hospitals, Municipal ; Humans ; Immunization ; Infant* ; Iron* ; Mass Screening ; Pallor ; Transferrin ; Weaning

Intimal hyperplasia is considered to be a most frequent cause attributing to occlusion of a blood flow after vascular surgeries such as endarterectomy, bypass surgery and angioplasty. Clearly this response is a significant cause of morbidity in patients undergoing vascular procedures and studies to find out the strategy for avoid intimal hyperplasia are of great importance. The precise pathophysiologic pathways leading to the development of intimal hyperplasia have not been yet clear. The initial event is thought to be damage to the vascular intimal endothelium. Intimal hyperplasia is the characteristic fibromuscular cellular response on intimal injury and some author advocated the "response-to-injury" hypothesis of atherogenesis to be inducing factors of intimal hyperplasia. Endothelial cells release a number of vasoactive substances such as relaxing factor, including nitric oxide(NO). The NO has not only relaxing effect to the smooth muscle cells, but also inhibitory effect to intimal hyperplasia. In this study, we investigated on rat inhibitory effect of NO donor(SNAP, SNP) to intimal hyperplasia on endothelial denudation and reversed by coadministration of the NO synthase inhibitor, L-NAME. Balloon catheter denudation of common carotid artery was performed in 35 rats pharmacologically treated from 3 days before to 14 days after surgery(5 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneally) and divided into 5 groups: control group, without any medical treatment; SNAP group, S-Nitroso-N- acetylpenicillamine; SNP group, sodium nitroprusside; SNAP+L group, both SNAP and N(G)-Nitro-L-arginine methylester; SNP+L group, both sodium nitroprusside and N(G)-Nitro-L-arginine methylester. Animals were killed and left common carotid arteries were perfused and fixed with 10% formalin solution at 14 days after endothelial denudation. Cross sectional intima-to-media area ratios(I-M ratio, intimal area/[intimal area medial area]x100) were calculated by an image analyzer system and serum level of NO was measured directly by electrochemical methods. The results of the this experimental study were as follows: 1) Morphometric analysis of cross sections showed marked intimal thickening in the control group with an mean I-M ratio of 64.71+/-4.96%. In contrast, the I-M ratios in the SNAP group were significantly reduced by 53.14+/-7.86%(P<0.05) and in the SNP group by 43.43+/- 9.32%(P<0.05). The IM ratios of animals treated with L-NAME in group SNAP-L and group SNP-L were 68.43+/-3.91% and 67.71+/-5.50% respectively(P=NS). No significant change was noted when L-NAME was coadministered with SNAP and SNP compared to control group. 2) The serum level of NO in SNAP group(2509.7+/-354.95 nM) and SNP group(3430.4+/-236.70 nM) were significantly increased compare to control group(1339.2+/-101.04 nM)(P<0.05). Coadministration of L-NAME in group SNAP-L(1719.8+/-483.65 nM) and group SNP-L(1415.7+/-219.04 nM)were no significant changed compare to control group(1339.2+/-101.04 nM). These experiments suggest that SNAP and SNP reduced intimal hyperplasia and increased serum level of NO, reversed by coadministration of L-NAME. The relation between the intimal hyperplasia suppression and NO increase should be speculated.
Angioplasty ; Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; Carotid Arteries ; Carotid Artery, Common ; Catheters ; Endarterectomy ; Endothelial Cells ; Endothelium ; Formaldehyde ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Microelectrodes ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; Nitric Oxide ; Nitroprusside ; Rats

Heterotopic pregnancy with coexistiong intrauterine and extrauterine pregnancy, is a rare event in natural pregnancy. However, in recent years, the increase in the incidence of pelvic inflammatory disease and use of assisted reproductive technology had led to an increase in the frequency of heterotopic pregnancy. When the diagnosis of heterotopic pregnancy is delayed, maternal mortality and morbidity may be increased, and unwanted loss of intrauterine pregnancy may occur. Therefore, the early diagnosis of heterotopic pregnancy is clinically important, and clinicians have to consider the possibility of heterotopic pregnancy and conduct careful and thorough evaluation if suspected. We experienced a case of heterotopic pregnancy in a woman in the absence of the known risk factors. She underwent underwent spontaneous abortion of intrauterine pregnancy at postoperative 4th day, after laparoscopic salpingectomy for left tubal pregnancy. We report this case with brief review of literature.
Abortion, Spontaneous ; Diagnosis ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Maternal Mortality ; Pelvic Inflammatory Disease ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Heterotopic* ; Pregnancy, Tubal* ; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted ; Risk Factors ; Salpingectomy

Heterotopic pregnancy with coexistiong intrauterine and extrauterine pregnancy, is a rare event in natural pregnancy. However, in recent years, the increase in the incidence of pelvic inflammatory disease and use of assisted reproductive technology had led to an increase in the frequency of heterotopic pregnancy. When the diagnosis of heterotopic pregnancy is delayed, maternal mortality and morbidity may be increased, and unwanted loss of intrauterine pregnancy may occur. Therefore, the early diagnosis of heterotopic pregnancy is clinically important, and clinicians have to consider the possibility of heterotopic pregnancy and conduct careful and thorough evaluation if suspected. We experienced a case of heterotopic pregnancy in a woman in the absence of the known risk factors. She underwent underwent spontaneous abortion of intrauterine pregnancy at postoperative 4th day, after laparoscopic salpingectomy for left tubal pregnancy. We report this case with brief review of literature.
Abortion, Spontaneous ; Diagnosis ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Maternal Mortality ; Pelvic Inflammatory Disease ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Heterotopic* ; Pregnancy, Tubal* ; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted ; Risk Factors ; Salpingectomy

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The rate of diagnosis of gastric adenoma has increased because esophagogastroduodenoscopy is being performed at an increasingly greater frequency. However, there are no treatment guidelines for low-grade dysplasia (LGD). To determine the appropriate treatment for LGD, we evaluated the risk factors associated with the categorical upgrade from LGD to high grade dysplasia (HGD)/early gastric cancer (EGC) and the risk factors for recurrence after endoscopic treatment. METHODS: We compared the complication rates, recurrence rates, and remnant lesions in 196 and 56 patients treated with endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), respectively, by histologically confi rming low-grade gastric epithelial dysplasia. RESULTS: The en bloc resection rate was significantly lower in the EMR group (31.1%) compared with the ESD group (75.0%) (p<0.001). However, no significant difference was observed in the prevalence of remnant lesions or recurrence rate (p=0.911) of gastric adenoma. The progression of LGD to HGD or EGC caused an increase in the incidence of tumor lesions >1 cm with surface redness and depressions. CONCLUSIONS: For the treatment of LGD, EMR resulted in a higher incidence of uncertain resection margins and a lower en bloc resection rate than ESD. However, there was no signifi cant difference in recurrence rate.
Adenoma ; Endoscopy, Digestive System ; Humans ; Incidence ; Prevalence ; Recurrence ; Risk Factors ; Stomach Neoplasms

We report a rare case of cervical cancer with duodenal obstruction accompanied by obstructive symptoms, which was treated using duodenal stenting. A 48-year-old woman was diagnosed with stage IV cervical cancer (according to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics staging system), which had invaded the vagina, the uterine body, and the external iliac and common iliac lymph nodes. Endoscopy showed an encircling mass with erythematous mucosa and luminal narrowing in the second and third portions of the duodenum, which prevented the endoscope from advancing. We placed an uncovered stent in the duodenum, which ameliorated abdominal discomfort, nausea, and vomiting, and simultaneously performed a biopsy. Endoscopic stent insertion appears to be the most effective treatment for duodenal obstruction in patients with advanced cancer.
Biopsy ; Duodenal Obstruction ; Duodenum ; Endoscopes ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Gynecology ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Middle Aged ; Mucous Membrane ; Nausea ; Obstetrics ; Phenobarbital ; Stents ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; Vagina ; Vomiting

Pneumonia is one of important complications after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). It is essential to disclose the cause of pneumonia because the treatment depends on the cause. The cause of pneumonia which BMT recipients develop can be infectious as well as noninfectious in origin. Acute eosinophilic pneumonia is a very rare cause of noninfectious pneumonia after BMT. We here report a 42-year-old woman with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML, M4) who developed acute eosinophilic pneumonia on 160 days after unrelated BMT. She was diagnosed by bronchoalveolar lavage and was dramatically improved after steroid treatment.
Adult ; Bone Marrow Transplantation* ; Bone Marrow* ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage ; Eosinophils* ; Female ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; Pneumonia ; Pulmonary Eosinophilia*

OBJECTIVE: Minimal data exist regarding non-operative management of suspected pseudarthrosis after pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO). This study reports radiographic and clinical outcomes of non-operative management for post-PSO pseudarthrosis at a minimum 5 years post-detection.METHODS: Nineteen consecutive patients with implant breakage indicating probable pseudarthrosis after PSO surgery (13 women/six men; mean age at surgery, 58 years) without severe pain and disability were treated with non-operative management (mean follow-up, 5.8 years; range, 5–10 years). Non-operative management included medication, intermittent brace wearing and avoidance of excessive back strain. Radiographic and clinical outcomes analysis was performed.RESULTS: Sagittal vertical axis (SVA), proximal junctional angle, thoracic kyphosis achieved by a PSO were maintained after detection of pseudarthrosis through ultimate follow-up. Lumbar lordosis and PSO angle decreased at final follow-up. There was no significant change in Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores and Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) total score, or subscales of pain, self-image, function, satisfaction and mental health between detection of pseudarthrosis and ultimate follow-up. SVA greater than 11 cm showed poorer ODI and SRS total score, as well as the pain, self-image, and function subscales (p<0.05).CONCLUSION: Non-operative management of implant failure of probable pseudarthrosis after PSO offers acceptable outcomes even at 5 years after detection of implant breakage, provided SVA is maintained. As SVA increased, outcome scores decreased in this patient population.
Animals ; Braces ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Joint Deformities, Acquired ; Kyphosis ; Lordosis ; Male ; Mental Health ; Osteotomy ; Pseudarthrosis ; Scoliosis ; Spine

Canine atopic skin disease is seasonal or sometimes non-seasonal immune-mediated skin disease which occurs commonly in Korea. The definite clinical sign is systemic pruritus, especially on periocular parts, external ear, interdigit spaces and lateral flank. For diagnosis of this dermatitis, complete history taking followed by intradermal skin test and serum in vitro IgE test needs to be performed. Allergen selection for the diagnosis and treatment of atopic dermatitis should be varied geographically. In this study, with intradermal skin test(IDST) the prevalence of atopic disease and what allergens are involved in are researched. Allergens used for IDST included 26 allergen extracts from six allergen groups: grasses, trees, weeds, molds, epidermal allergens and environmental allergens. The number of allergens was 42 in which the positive and negative controls are included. The most common positive allergen reaction was the house dust mites on IDST(22/35, 63%). The other positive allergen reactions were to flea(3/35, 9%), molds(1/35, 3%), house dusts(2/35, 6%), feathers (1/35, 3%), cedar/juniper(1/35, 3%), timothy grass(1/35, 3%) and dandelion(1/35, 3%). In this study, the most prevalent allergen causing atopic dermatitis in dogs in Korea was the house dust mites followed by the flea.
Allergens/*immunology ; Animals ; Dermatitis, Atopic/immunology/*veterinary ; Dog Diseases/*immunology ; Dogs ; Female ; Male ; Skin Tests/veterinary