Correlation between Cognitive Functions and Psychotic Symptoms in Schizophrenic Patients

& executive function deficit could be reversible after treatment, and 3) medication might have a benefit in improving the cognitive functions in schizophrenia. Furthermore, the data supports that the better premorbid executive function was, the more favorable was the treatment response in schizophrenic patients. Finally, this study indicates that executive function might be an index of treatment improvement.

Verbal Memory Function and Characteristics of Memory Process in Schizophrenia and Affective Disorder

OBJECTIVES: This study was to compare verbal memory ability among patients with schizophrenia, bipolar manic patients and unipolar depressive patients, and to understand their charicteristics of memory process. METHODS: All subjects were hospitalized patients and had been interviewed by using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV(SCID). Schizophrenic patients(N=40), bipolar manic patients(N=17), and unipolar depressive patients(N=20) were assessed with K-AVLT for verbal memory and with K-WAIS for verbal IQ. Three groups were compared regarding total immediate recall, delayed recall, delayed recognition, learning curve, memory retention, and retrieval efficiency under controlled verbal IQ. Multiple regression analysis was performed to find which clinical factors have an influence on verbal memory ability. RESULTS: In MANCOVA, differences of verbal memory test scores among the groups were statistically significant(F=1.800, p<.05). In post hoc analysis, Patients with schizophrenia and bipolar mania showed poorer performance in immediate recall, delayed recall, delayed recognition, retrieval efficiency than unipolar depressive patients. And schizophrenics performed poorly in delayed recall, delayed recognition, retrieval efficiency than nonpsychotic affective disorder group, but no difference in total immediate recall, delayed recall, delayed recognition, retrieval efficiency between the schizophrenic group and the psychotic affective group. CONCLUSIONS: These results partially confirm previous reports of verbal memory ability among major psychiatric disorders. Our results showed that psychotic symptoms were related with verbal memory, and longer duration of illness was related with poorer performance in schizophrenia and unipolar depression.

Clinical Outcome and Prognostic Factors of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Children / 소아과

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the causes, clinical courses and outcomes in children with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and evaluate the physiologic variables as prognostic factors in the patients. METHODS: Retrograde medical chart review was carried out in 24 patients who were diagnosed with ARDS at the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) during 20-month period. RESULTS: The incidence of ARDS among all PICU admission was 3.7 percent and the mortality rate was 37.5 percent, which was 14.8 percent of overall deaths in PICU. The most common causes of ARDS were pneumonia and sepsis. We found significant differences between survivors and non- survivors in PaO2/FiO2 ratio (P/F ratio), alveolar arterial oxygen gradient and oxygenation index (OI) on the second day from the onset of ARDS. Therapies for ARDS such as high frequency oscillator ventilation (HFOV), recruitment maneuver and low dose corticosteroid improved the P/F ratio and OI, especially in survivors CONCLUSION: The mortality rate of children with ARDS was 37.5 percent; an important cause of death in PICU. HFOV, recruitment maneuver and low dose corticosteroid seemed to be effective in pediatric ARDS. The P/F ratio, alveolar arterial oxygen gradient and OI on the second day from the onset of ARDS may be useful as prognostic factors.

The Results and Usefulness of Marker Clip Placement after Ultrasound-guided Mammotome Excision of Breast Lesion

PURPOSE: We wanted to know the results and the usefulness of placing a marker clip (a surgical titanium clip) after ultrasound (US)-guided excisional mammotome biopsy for breast lesion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have placed marker clips at the biopsy sites after performing US-guided excisional mammotome biopsies in 24 cases (mean age; 46 years, mean size of the 12.6 mm, pathologic results; benign in 19 cases, malignant in 5 cases) from Nov. 2003 to Jun. 2004. We designed the needle that we used. Twenty-five cases of follow-up sonography (at 1-month follow-up; 13 cases, at 6-months follow-up; 12 cases) were performed for 18 cases of clip placement. We retrospectively reviewed the success rate and the complications for 24 cases of clip placement, and we analyzed the visibility, conspicuity and location of the clips on 25 cases of follow-up sonography for 18 cases of clip placement. RESULTS: The marker clip is successfully placed in all 24 cases (100%). None of the patients complained of pain or infection, except for 1 case of a large hematoma (3.5 cm). On the follow-up sonography, the titanium clip was well visualized as a short echogenic line on the interval follow-up (for the 1-month follow-up; 85%, for the 6 month follow-up; 84%) and parenchymal composition of the breast was well observed at the location of the clip (intraparenchymal; 80%, parenchyma-fat interface; 90%). The clips were easily found when there was hematoma (85%) or scar (89%). Marker clips were found within the hematoma, scar or the distorted region of tissue in all cases (100%), and there was no evidence of migration on the post-biopsy findings. CONCLUSION: Marker clip placement after US-guided excisional mammotome biopsy is a simple, inexpensive and successful (100%) procedure without any significant complications. Because the maker clips were easily found and well visualized within the biopsy site on follow-up sonography, clip placement was useful as a post-biopsy marker.

A Case of Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma of Bronchus / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

Primary bronchial neoplasms in children, especially malignant lesions, are extremely rare. We report a case of a 10-year old boy with intermediate-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the right intermediate bronchus, presenting as collapse and bronchiectasis after pneumonia. He was diagnosed by bronchoscopic biopsy. The lobectomy was performed. The patient is in good condition 1 year after operation. All reported cases of bronchial mucoepidermoid tumors in children had histologically low or intermediate grade(well differentiated) variety with a benign clinical course. The optimal surgical therapy for bronchial mucoepidermoid tumors is identical. There must be total removal of either mass with the sacrifice of as little normal lung as possible.

Ketogenic Diet for Intractable Epilepsy in Infancy and Childhood: Anti-epileptic Efficacy and Tolerability / 대한소아신경학회지

PURPOSE: The Ketogenic diet has been used since the 1920s as an alternative therapy to antiepileptic drugs in children with intractable epilepsy. This study was performed to provide information of clinical efficacy, adverse effects, tolerability and reasons for discontinuation. METHODS: This is a retrospective study concerning the change in frequency of seizures according to seizure classification, complication, tolerability and reasons for discontinuation in 25 children with intractable epilepsy who were treated with the 4:1 ketogenic diet. RESULTS: One month after diet initiation, complete cessation of seizures was observed in 5 children(20%), a greater than 50% reduction of seizures in 5 children(20%). One month after diet initiation, 72% continued the ketogenic diet. At 3 months, 44% continued the ketogenic diet. Most of those discontinued the diet because it was either ineffective or too unpalatable. Gastrointestinal side effects were observed in 10 children(40%), 8 controlled by supportive care, and 2 no longer maintaing the ketogenic diet. CONCLUSION: The ketogenic diet should be considered as an alternative therapy for children with intractable epilepsy. To maintain the ketogenic diet for a long time, family education, careful follow-up and development of various diet regimens should be considered.