Steep Decrease of Gender Difference in DSM-IV Alcohol Use Disorder: A Comparison of Two Nation-wide Surveys Conducted 10 Years Apart in Korea

While decreasing trend in gender differences in alcohol use disorders was reported in Western countries, the change in Asian countries is unknown. This study aims to explore the shifts in gender difference in alcohol abuse (AA) and dependence (AD) in Korea. We compared the data from two nation-wide community surveys to evaluate gender differences in lifetime AA and AD by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). Face-to-face interviews using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) were applied to all subjects in 2001 (n=6,220) and 2011 (n=6,022). Male-to-female ratio of odds was decreased from 6.41 (95% CI, 4.81-8.54) to 4.37 (95% CI, 3.35-5.71) for AA and from 3.75 (95% CI, 2.96-4.75) to 2.40 (95% CI, 1.80-3.19) for AD. Among those aged 18-29, gender gap even became statistically insignificant for AA (OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 0.97-2.63) and AD (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 0.80-2.41) in 2011. Men generally showed decreased odds for AD (0.55; 95% CI, 0.45-0.67) and women aged 30-39 showed increased odds for AA (2.13; 95% CI 1.18-3.84) in 2011 compared to 2001. Decreased AD in men and increased AA in women seem to contribute to the decrease of gender gap. Increased risk for AA in young women suggests needs for interventions.     

An alternative mechanism of actions for neuroleptic and antidepressant drugs

It has earlier been proposed by the author that the aetiology of schizophrenic symptomatology may be due to the presence of abnormally connected interhemispheric fibres which link specialised functions in the brains of schizophrenics that are not connected in normal subjects, and that the neuroleptic drugs may produce their action through a local anaesthetic-like effect in suppression of conduction in these fibres. This line of thought has been extended here to consider the possible mechanism of action of the neuroleptic drugs in more detail, as well as that of the tricyclic antidepressant drugs which are derivatives of the phenothiazine group. Pharmacological similarities with the local anaesthetics both structurally and functionally have been considered, as well as the effects that these drug groups may have in common with the lithium salts. It has been suggested that these drugs all produce their primary effect on cell membranes, though not necessarily at the synapse, that the time course of their clinical effect may correlate with their incorporation into various cell membranes within the CNS, and that they may thus bring about a fundamental alteration in cell membrane microstructure. The possible role of electroconvulsive therapy has also been considered. The corollary of this argument is that the affective disorders may be genetically determined diseases of cell membrane microstructure.     

Image processing in swallowing and speech research

An image processing system for application to studies of the temporal and spatial parameters of movement during swallowing and speech is described. Image sequences from videotape are digitized for computerized manipulation and analysis in an attempt to improve on conventional visual inspection. The system is “interactive” or “event-driven”: after executing a function, the computer waits for guidance from the user who controls the program through keyboard and mouse input, selecting options from menus and responding to prompts. The analyst alters image clarity by the application of filters and heightens contrast through video enhancement. A technique called “remapping” reduces head motion and provides uniform spatial scaling. Animated sequences of images are used, as opposed to frame-by-frame analysis, to preserve temporal context and increase efficiency of measurement. Low cost off-the-shelf personal computer hardware is used along with original software tailored to the application.     

脑血管意外尿失禁的机制探讨

目的探讨脑血管意外引起尿失禁的可能机制。方法对42例诊断为脑血管意外伴有尿失禁的患者进行尿动力学检查(包括静止期尿道压测定、充盈期及排尿期膀胱尿道功能测定)并按Burney分类进行分析,同时研究病变部位、脑血管意外性质和病变半球侧与尿动力学的关系。结果42例脑血管意外患者中,表现为逼尿肌反射亢进者31例(73.8%):其中外括约肌无抑制性松弛19例(45.2%),逼尿肌-外括约肌不协调3例(7.1%),逼尿肌-外括约肌协调9例(21.4%);逼尿肌反射减低,外括约肌协调者11例(26.2%);无逼尿肌功能正常者。发生膀胱顺应性减低5例(11.9%),发生尿感缺失者11例(26.2%)。初感尿容量(140.00±46.97)ml;膀胱最大容量(293.20±60.71)ml;最大尿道闭合压(65.14±19.83)cmH2O。逼尿肌最大收缩力(Pdetmax)为(60.98±31.11)cmH2O;最大尿流率时逼尿肌压力(Pdet-Qmax)为(35.98±17.46)cmH2O;逼尿肌收缩时间(Tcon)为(86.07±36.09)sec;最大流量(Qmax)为(9.02±5.62)ml/s。中风后尿失禁患者其发病部位多见于基底节、皮层多灶以及额顶叶,脑出血与脑梗塞患者的尿动力学表现无明显差异,左右半球病变对尿动力学也无明显差异。结论脑血管意外后尿失禁的尿动力学异常主要为逼尿肌反射亢进,部分出现逼尿肌反射减弱,但感觉正常,感觉缺失者较少见;外括约肌功能以无抑制性松弛为主,其次为逼尿肌-外括约肌协调,少数出现不协调;较少出现膀胱顺应性降低。     

Dysphagia,an unrecognized handicap

The aim of this study was to examine whether esophageal dysphagia can be described as a handicap and to grade the severity of handicap as the discrepancy between the subject's own eating goals and his or her eating disability. The severity of the disability-goal-handicap (DGH) regarding dysphagia was expressed on a scale ranging from 0 to 48 points. Nineteen patients with dysphagia of differing causes were selected from a patient register at a laboratory for diagnostic procedures of the esophagus. The severity of handicap for the 19 patients was, on average, 33 points (range, 20–44). The DGH score correlated significantly with the patients' own evaluation of the severity of their dysphagia (p=0.008). The DGH scores did not differ markedly based on patient's sex, age, or cause of dysphagia. Patients who were operated upon because of dysphagia had significantly more points on the DGH scale prior to operation than patients who were not (p=0.001). Denial of dysphagia (N=18), concealment of dysphagia (N=18), and lack of confirmation by the patient's physician (N=15) were common but did not influence the severity of handicap as assessed by the DGH scale. It was shown that dysphagia affects all aspects of life as expressed by reduction in self-esteem (N=13), security (N=16), work capacity (N=8), exercise (N=7), and leisure time (N=6). Esophageal dysphagia may therefore be regarded as a handicap when assessed using the DGH code described in this study.     

小儿疳证源流考

疳作为一个病名，最早见于隋《诸病源候论》。首先将疳证作为儿科专有疾病者，为宋初《太平圣惠方》。本病分类最全面，收集方剂最丰富当推宋《幼幼新书》。南宋出版的《小儿卫生总微论方》首次将疳证归类为五疳。本草文献中对本病贡献最大的为明《本草纲目》。清《温病条辨》首次将本病治法作全面总结。１９９４年国家中医药管理局颁布的《中医病证诊断疗效标准》首次以法规的形式将本病作了统一规范     

The synchronization of respiration and swallow sounds with videofluoroscopy during swallowing

Simultaneous recording of adult subjects sipping small amounts of fluid from a cup have been obtained by videofluoroscopy together with feeding respiratory patterns and swallow sounds from the Exeter Dysphagia Assessment Technique (EDAT). These allowed visual representations of respiration and swallow sounds to be superimposed on a videofluoroscopy recording using a split-screen technique. Sequentially numbered, 1/50 sec, half-frame photographic prints were examined and schematic drawings of the relevant radiographs were made. These were superimposed on to the actual EDAT printed chart of the same swallow event, theri exact time relationship with respiration and cervical swallow sounds being preserved. The results allow events in the barium videofluoroscopy to be related to events in the feeding respiratory pattern and swallow sounds recorded by EDAT.     

5地市720名高中学生睡眠状况相关因素分析

目的了解省级示范高中学生睡眠状况及相关因素对学生睡眠的影响，为相关部门制订针对性改进措施提供依据。方法采用睡眠状况自评量表（self-rating scale of sleep，SRSS）对省级示范高中学生进行睡眠状况问卷调查，用SPSS 10．0 FOR WINDOWS进行数据的统计与分析。结果发现720名省级示范高中学生睡眠状态异常者占65．42％，显著高于全国常模（45．6％）。其中轻度睡眠问题占57．36％，显著高于全国常模（35．6％）。学业负担过重、缺乏良好的学习习惯、住宿条件差、家庭状况不好、家校距离远和心理问题是导致省级示范高中在校学生睡眠状态异常的主要因素。结论应促进高中生身心健康，提高其学习能力，改善其睡眠状况。     

Professional Education in Co-occurring Disorders: Some Considerations towards Practice Development

The aims of this paper are to provide a brief overview of the types of education and training as well as a framework for co-occurring disorders courses at foundation and advanced levels. Mental health nurses encounter substance abuse problems as part of their workload and should be prepared adequately to work with individuals with the co-existence of mental health and substance abuse. However, co-occurring disorders are not often picked up by substance abuse or mental health services, indicating a need for improvement in ongoing professional development. The targeted audience for education and training in core competencies should be staff working in community mental health teams, inpatient services, assertive outreach teams, early intervention teams, crisis resolution teams, primary care, mental health services for older people, independent mental health projects, accommodation services, day care services, statutory drug and alcohol services, independent drug and alcohol service providers, and those working in hostel accommodations, housing, prison health care probation, and others in the criminal justice system. The theoretical and skills-based training will need to adopt a two-tiered approach as individuals working within mental health services will by definition need a higher emphasis on training around substance misuse and vice versa for individuals working in substance misuse services. One of the agenda items for interagency training is to challenge negative attitudes and prejudices around both mental health problems and substance misuse.     

Speech-language pathology and dysphagia: A brief historical perspective

In the past decade, speech-language pathologists have taken a leading role in the management of services for patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia. This article presents the historical perspective of this role, the rationale for assuming the responsibility, and suggests directions for continued involvement.