bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanization of Feeding in Relation to Feeding Systems
Authors: Broadbent P.J.
Published: July 2016

The purpose of cattle production is to convert crops and crop by-products which cannot be sold directly for human consumption into products which can be consumed. Cattle may also be used to increase the value of some crops which can be consumed directly, especially where the cattle enterprise is soundly based on crops which have no direct sale value; and where the cattle are highly productive (e.g. high-yielding dairy cows, calves, young growing and finishing cattle). Occasionally market circumstances may enable cattle to be fed entirely on crops which can be consumed by man, as in the all-concentrate beef system. Essentially, however, cattle production is a by-product enterprise, i.e. it is an adjunct to other farming enterprises or is undertaken in circumstances where there is no alternative method of utilizing land.
3.4 The use of tree crops and their by-products for intensive animal production
Authors: Hutagalung R. I.
Published: July 2016

The provision of sufficient feedstuffs is likely to be the most limiting factor in increasing animal production, apart from other aspects such as breed improvement and disease control. With the continuing shortage of traditional sources of feedstuffs, it is timely to consider underutilized or little-known tree crops which could be used to increase supply of feeds for livestock, particularly in the developing countries.
7.5 Methods of maintaining and improving sheep production in the Middle East and North Africa
Authors: Campbell C.
Published: July 2016

Sheep are the most numerous and important livestock species in the Middle East and North Africa and number around 100 million head (Table 7.5.1). The following are the most important reasons for sheep being so significant in these areas:—

Sheep are a triple purpose species producing meat, milk and wool. Their meat is the most desired in all Islamic countries, they hold a special place with the camel in the Islamic religion and are important as sacrificial animals on feast days. Most important of all, sheep will continue to survive under conditions where most other animals will die due to heat and undernutrition.
7.6 Concentrate feeding of sheep in Nigeria
Authors: Brinckman W. L.
Published: July 2016

Total sheep population in Nigeria is probably around 8 million (anonymous, 1975). The majority of these sheep live in the northern part of the country. The three most important breeds in the north are the Uda, the Balami and the Yankasa. The former two are examples of the typical longlegged, long-tailed, hairy sheep, living along the southern border of the Sahara. The Yankasa occupies the middle and most of the northern part of the country. It probably developed as a cross between the West African Dwarf (or Forest) Sheep from the south and the Uda from the north. It possesses the heavy neck ruff that is typical of the West African Dwarf but is taller and heavier.
Pigs
Authors: Clark Andrew G.
Published: July 2016

Earlier papers have set the background to the meat market in terms of consumer demand and retailing structure. My role is to assess how these factors will influence the processing and production industry in setting up and achieving its objectives. This will include defining more exactly, for pigmeat, what the needs of the industry are and what changes are likely over the next few years.
Lamb
Authors: Barrett John A.
Published: July 2016

The country is fortunate to possess a National sheep flock of 34 million head — not far short of the people population and a lot less trouble. Upon this flock there depend numerous farmers, advisers, abattoir operators, retailers and all of their associated staffs. All such groups, whilst having personal objectives, are part of one process to bring a product of acceptable quality to the consumer.

I consider it necessary to state this clearly because, as we all protect and fight for our sectional interests within one industry, we do well to remind ourselves of the paramount importance of satisfying our final customer. We are no longer providing meat to feed the hungry public prepared to accept standards the industry decides it will impose. We are providing lamb which must compete in fatness, eating quality and price terms, alongside innumerable alternative fresh meats, fast food and convenience products.
Cattle
Authors: Allen David M.
Published: July 2016

There are signs that major buyers are beginning to specify their beef requirements in terms of slaughter date and age, slaughter weight, carcass fatness and carcass conformation. This should give new impetus to the adoption by producers of planned production systems.

There is increasing interest in specifications which ensure good eating quality and this may have implications for producers, in the way they produce and marjcet their cattle.

Producers need to be convinced that the specifications are realistic and that pricing makes it worth producing to the specification.
Charter quality bacon and its implications for producers
Authors: Binks G. , Chadwick J. P.
Published: July 2016

The launch of the British Charter Quality Bacon Scheme, by the British Bacon Marketing Group (BBMG) in May 1982, represented a major initiative on behalf of the bacon industry, and an opportunity for British producers, curers, wholesalers and retailers to increase both the total bacon market and their share of it. In particular, the Scheme differs from other quality assurance schemes in two main areas.

(1) A commitment to the Scheme by over 40 UK curers, responsible for 90% of British bacon produced; and

(2) An independent inspection service for both plant and product, carried out by staff of the Meat and Livestock Commission.
The influence of the thermal environment on the productivity of pigs
Authors: Close W. H.
Published: July 2016

Although the environment comprises all aspects of the animals' surroundings, it is the climatic component which has the biggest effect upon productivity. The most convenient way to assess the environmental requirements of the pig is to determine its lower critical temperature and those animal, nutritional and environmental factors which influence it. This knowledge can then be used to assess the suitability of the various nutritional, husbandry and management systems for pig production including their manipulation to supply the correct environmental and housing conditions for optimal growth, development and reproduction. If conditions are not optimal then characteristics such as growth rate, food utilization, carcass composition, acquisition of immunity, sexual development and reproductive performance will be impaired. However, knowledge of the climatic requirements of the pig allows action to be taken to correct for any inadequacy of the environment and thus ensure optimum productivity. In addition, it allows greater precision in assessing food requirements and permits a rational approach to be used in the design of buildings and in deciding the type of housing, and management and husbandry practices most suited to the different types of pig production.
‘Noisy guests shall not unseat the host’
Authors: Shao Qing , Gao Xuesong
Published: July 2016

There have been growing concerns in recent years about the status of English in China, the most populous country that boasts the largest number of English speakers and learners (Bolton & Graddol, 2012; Wang, 2015). Such concerns are closely associated with the rising importance of the Chinese language worldwide, which seems to signal that ‘English is no longer so important’ (Wei & Feng, 2015: 59). The Chinese government has become much more active in promoting Chinese as an international language through the establishment of Confucius Institutes worldwide. The concerns about the status of English have also been related to the growing assertiveness of China's nationalism. In September 2013, a former spokesman of the Ministry of Education appealed to the public to emancipate children from English and save the Chinese language (Zheng, 2014). In October 2013, the Beijing Municipal Commission of Education announced that the weighting of the English section in the Beijing version of Gaokao, the national university matriculation examination, would be reduced to 100 from 150, starting from 2016. In the meantime, the weighting of Chinese will be increased to 180 (Wei & Feng, 2015). In March 2016, the Beijing Education Examination Authority finalized the decision and set the weighting of Chinese and English in Gaokao to 150 in 2016 (Beijing Education Examination Authority, 2016). In addition to Gaokao, critics have openly challenged whether satisfactory College English Test (CET®) results should be used as a prerequisite for degree conferment in many Chinese universities (Xie, 2014).
X-ray powder diffraction data for monomenthyl succinate, C14H24O4
Authors: Liao Xiaoxiang , Yuan Dalin , Fan Ying , Yang Hongqin , Huang Yanmei , Yang Ji , Zhao Wei , Li Hui , Tang Jianguo
Published: July 2016

X-ray powder diffraction data, unit-cell parameters, and space group for monomenthyl succinate, C14H24O4, are reported [a = 19.352(2), b = 30.015(1), c = 5.277(0) Å, α = β = γ = 90°, unit-cell volume V = 3065.1(6) Å3, Z = 8, and space group Pba2]. All measured lines were indexed and are consistent with the Pba2 space group. No detectable impurities were observed.
Critical notes on the locus coeruleus hypothesis of panic disorder
Authors: den Boer J.A. , Westenberg H.G.M.
Published: July 2016

One of the theories on the biology of panic disorder which received much attention is the locus coeruleus hypothesis. This hypothesis states that there exists an episodic overactivity of noradrenergic systems in panic disorder. Experiments with yohimbine form the cornerstone of this theory, and additional supporting evidence is provided by challenge studies with isoproterenol and treatment studies with clonidine. These studies are critically reviewed and it is argued that based upon the studies with yohimbine one cannot conclude that there is a specific noradrenergic abnormality in panic disorder, since yohimbine also affects dopaminergic and serotoninergic neurons in the brain.

In an alternative theory on the relationship between noradrenaline and anxiety it is postulated that increases in anxiety, irrespective of the diagnostic category, are related to increases in locus coeruleus activity.
A decade of biological psychiatric research on OCD (I): introduction and treatment-studies
Authors: Leeuw A.S. De , Boer J.A. Den , Westenberg H.G.M.
Published: July 2016

In this first part of a review on biological psychiatric aspects of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), firstly a short introduction is given about historical, diagnostic and epidemiological issues concerning OCD. Subsequently pharmacologic treatment-studies are discussed. Only serotonin (5-HT) reuptake blockers are proven to be effective. There is accumulating evidence that this therapeutic effect is not due to antidepressant effects. The results of the treatment-studies strongly suggests that 5-HT is involved in OCD. CSF-studies seem to confirm this. Possibly the therapeutic effect is related with adaptive changes of 5-HT receptors. There is evidence that in a subgroup of O CD-patients the dopaminergic system is involved.
Puberty or heridity?
Authors: Dalen R.A.H. Van , Boer J.A. Den
Published: July 2016

In this paper a case history is described of a young male patient who gradually developed progressive personality changes and psychiatric complaints. This was subsequently followed by neurological symptoms and dementia. The patient appeared to be suffering from the adult form of metachromatic leucodystrophy (MLD). MLD is a rare disease with an autosomal-recessive mode of inheritance. The pathogenesis involves a deficiency of the enzyme arylsulfatase-A, causing sulfatide accumulation in (among others) nervous tissue.

Based upon a review of the literature several subtypes of MLD are mentioned. Both diagnostic aspects and therapeutic possibilities are critically discussed. It is argued that in cases of psychiatric complaints which do not easily fit in the diagnostic framework of the DSM-III-R in adolescence, the existence of neuropsychiatric diseases should be evaluated.
Measuring sleep (dys)function by polysomnography
Authors: van Sweden B. , Wauquier A. , Arends J.B.A.M. , Declerck A.C.
Published: July 2016

A vigilance state is characterized by a particular activity state of the motorIautonomic and psychiclcognitive functional systems. S-W screening is possible through poly graphic monitoring of physiological variables and signals. Quantification of these signals introduces a set of parameters allowing the characterisation of the sleep (dys)function. There is no consensus regarding the choice or definition of these parameters. A particular cluster is presented and their informative value with respect to clinical practice and research is discussed.
Behavioral neurology versus biological psychiatry: intellectual origins of their position within neuropsychiatry. Part II. Origins and influence of psychodynamic psychiatry; intellectual ties with biological psychiatry; behavioral neurology as revival of academic neuropsychiatry
Authors: van den Bergh W.
Published: July 2016

In this second part the origins of Freudian psychoanalysis in neuropsychiatry is discussed, but also its ties with the pre-scientific ‘Naturphilosophie’. The alienistic psychiatry was deeply influenced by psychodynamic theories.

Biological psychiatry has more intellectual ties with psychodynamic psychiatry than with the old academic neuropsychiatry. Behavioral neurology is to be considered as a revival of the old academic neuropsychiatry.
Thyroid function and psychiatric disorders
Authors: Schoof P.J.M. , Timmerman L. , Colon E.J. , Leijnse-Ybema H.J.
Published: July 2016

To answer the question if it is possible for specific psychiatric illnesses to influence the thyroxine-concentration, a group of 376 patients admitted to a psychiatric hospital was studied retrospectively.

13.5% had an elevated thyroxine-concentration and only 0.6% had a low concentration.

Of the group of 145 men, 22.8% was found to have an elevated thyroxine-concentration. In the group of 196 women we found 6.6% to be elevated. A low thyroxine was found in only 0.5% of the women and 0.7% of the men.

In the group with an elevated thyroxine the psychiatric diagnoses of schizophrenia and psychotic disorders NOS are more common (19.6% and 17.4% respectively) than in the group with a normal thyroxine (4.4% and 6.5% respectively).
The significance of β-carbolines in psychiatry
Authors: van Gelderen G.J. , Fekkes D. , Timmerman L. , Pepplinkhuizen L.
Published: July 2016

In this review the naturally occurring β-carbolines norharman and harman in human beings and mammals will be discussed. These β-carbolines have been recognized as aromatic alkaloids, which can be detected in very low concentrations in human plasma. Norharman and especially harman display moderate affinity to the benzodiazepine receptor. The biosynthesis of these compounds in vivo, the localization, the biological effects and the probable involvement of these compounds in the cause of psychopathologic states will be discussed. This with a special focus on alcoholism, heroin addiction, psychosis and anxiety disorders. In some of these clinical pictures the concentration of norharman is increased. Whether this is a causality or a matter of minor importance is still unknown.
Clinical evaluation of antidepressant drugs; Guidelines from authorities
Authors: Hesselink J.M. Keppel
Published: July 2016

Food and Drug Administration, World Health Organisation and Committee on Proprietary Medicinal Products have published guidelines with recommendations how to conduct clinical trials. The guidelines for the clinical evaluation of antidepressant drugs contain a great variety of recommendations how to design phase I, phase II and phase III trials. Especially the pharmaceutical industry will follow these guidelines as much as possible to make the chances to register a new chemical entity as optimal as possible. While FDA and CPMP guidelines are primarily meant to be read by representatives from the pharmaceutical industries, the WHO guidelines give mainly information for clinicians. For the psychiatrist with interest in clinical research on antidepressants it is mandatory to know about the existence of these different guidelines. Fundamental differences between the guidelines do not exist; the methodological and ethical problems concerning placebo-use and relapse-recurrence problems are especially emphasized in the CPMP-guidelines.
Psychiatric symptoms and age dependency
Authors: Oosterwijk J.A.C. , Colon E.J.
Published: July 2016

The growing populations of the elderly is frequently regarded as a homogeneous entity. In this retrospective study 140 patients above 60 years, first admitted to a psychiatric hospital, were screened for individual psychiatric symptoms. This was done according to the D.S.M.-III-R criteria and with the european ADMP-IV scoring system.

As expected dementia and related disorders are characteristic of the “older” categories, depressieve disorders were seen more frequently in the “younger” categories. Screening the elderly for psychiatric symptoms also shows differentiation within the group of the older patients.

Symptoms related to dementia increase in frequency, also increasing are e.g. visual hallucinations. A decrease was found for hypochondriasis and phobia. So, the group patients above 60 years is clearly heterogeneous.
Psychoffarmacologica IV
Authors: Korf J.
Published: July 2016

Deze aflevering gaat over een probleem van naamgeving. Door de recente trends op het gebied van de indicatiestelling van psychofarmaca worden we meer en meer in de war gebracht. Uit het verloop van dit verhaal zult u wel zien waarom en de vraag is of u de redactie van advies wilt en kunt dienen.

In de meeste farmacologische textboeken worden de psychofarmaca ingedeeld naar de klinische werking, zoais u weet, en drie hoofdgroepen worden onder-scheiden: de psychoanaleptica, de psycholeptica en de psychodysleptica. Hier zullen we ons beperken tot de eerste twee groepen. Tot de belangrijkste typen farmaca van de eerste groep worden de antidepressiva en soms de lithiumzouten gerekend en tot de tweede groep behoren de ataractica (zoals de ben-zodiazepinen) en de antipsychotica. Hoe verhoudt zieh zo'n indeling ten opzichte van andere farmaco-therapeutische indelingen in de geneeskunde: worden eiders farmaca gerubrieeerd volgens de klinische indicaties of volgens de primaire aangrijpingspunten c.q. chemische karakteristie-ken? Soms volgt de indeling het werkingsprineipe, dan weer het ziektebeeld of symptoom, waarbij het middel het meest wordt toegepast.
Dysregulation of ion fluxes in bipolar affective disorder
Authors: Grunze H.C.R. , Langosch J. , Normann C. , Rujescu D. , Amann B. , Waiden J.
Published: July 2016

Bipolar disorder has attracted numerous research from different neurobiological angles. This review will summarize selected findings focusing on the role of disturbed transmem-braneous ion fluxes. Several mood stabilizers exhibit a distinct profile including effects on sodium, calcium and potassium conductance. In summary, some decisive mechanisms of action as calcium antagonism and modulation of potassium currents may play a crucial role in the success of any given mood stabilizer in bipolar disorder.
Lithium and carbamazepine in bipolar disorder
Authors: Moleman P. , Hartong E.G.Th.M. , Hoogduin C.A.L. , Broekman T.G. , Nolen W.A. ,   The LitCar Group
Published: July 2016

Lithium is considered first choice in the prevention of prospective episodes in patients with bipolar disorder. However, efficacy is not satisfactory in all patients and side effects sometimes prevent the use of lithium. It is argued that efficacy in clinical practice may be less impressive than anticipated from clinical trials, and alternative treatments are beinu advocated increasingly for that reason, such as the anticonvulsants, carbamazepine and valproate.
The efficacy of valproate, lamotrigine and gabapentin in bipolar disorder; review of double-blind controlled studies
Authors: Nolen W.A. , Kupka R.W.
Published: July 2016

Aims:The efficacy of the anticonvulsants valproate, lamotrigine and gabapentin in bipolar disorder is reviewed.

Method: Using Medline ® and other sources of information, 12 double-blind controlled studies with either of these compounds were identified.

Results:None of the compounds has been proven effective in the prophylaxis of bipolar disorder. Valproate has been found an effective drug in acute mania, while in continuation treatment after acute mania it proved to be save, i.e. not causing switches into depression. Lamotrigine is the only anticonvulsant with proven efficacy in acute bipolar depression. So far gabapentin has not been found effective.

Conclusion:For the prophylaxis of bipolar disorder, lithium is still the treatment of choice. Carbamazepine and valproate are good alternatives, especially for patients not responding to lithium or not tolerating it. Lamotrigine may be a good alternative in bipolar depression.
The rationale, design, and progress of two novel maintenance treatment studies in pediatric bipolarity
Authors: Findling R.L. , Gracious B.L. , McNamara N.K. , Calabrese J.R.
Published: July 2016

Introduction: There are no definitively established acute or maintenance treatments for juvenile bipolar disorder.

Method: Two randomized, blind, maintenance clinical trials in children and adolescents with bipolar disorders are ongoing at the University Hospitals of Cleveland/Case Western Reserve University Stanley Clinical Research Center for bipolar disorder. The first is comparing the safety and effectiveness of lithium carbonate (Li+) to divalproex sodium (VPA) for up to 76 weeks in youths with stabilized bipolar illness (type 1 or 2). The second study is designed to compare the efficacy of VPA to placebo in the acute management of subsyndromal symptoms of bipolar disorder (‘cyclotaxia’) and the prevention of the full syndrome in children at risk. Both studies use the prospective life-chart method as an outcome measure.

Results: Sixty-six youths have received study medication as part of the trial that is comparing Li+ to VPA as a maintenance therapy. In addition, 32 youths have received blinded treatment as part of the ‘cyclotaxia’ prevention study. Combination Li+A/PA treatment appears generally well tolerated and seems to have robust anti-manic and antidepressant effects.

Discussion: Since the blind has not been broken on either of these clinical trials, conclusions about the maintenance effectiveness of either VPA or Li+ in youths with bipolar disorder type 1 or 2 cannot be made yet. Similarly, it is unclear whether VPA is superior to placebo in genetically high-risk youths with cyclotaxia. The final results of these trials should provide valuable information about the treatment of juvenile bipolar disorders.
Acute and continuation pharmacological treatment of children and adolescents with bipolar disorders; a summary of two previous studies
Authors: Kowatch R.A. , Carmody Th.J. , Suppes T. , Hume J.H. , Kromelis M. , Emslie G.J. , Weinberg W.A.
Published: July 2016

We report the results of an acute-phase and continuation-phase study of the pharmacological treatment of children and adolescents with bipolar disorders. The acute phase study, with a duration of 6-8 weeks, aimed at developing effect sizes (ES) for lithium, divalproex sodium, and carbamazepine, in the acute phase treatment of Bipolar I or II children and adolescents during a mixed or manic episode. During the acute-phase of treatment, 42 outpatients with a mean age of 11.4 yr. (20 with Bipolar I Disorder and 22 with Bipolar II Disorder) were randomly assigned to 6-8 weeks of open treatment with either lithium, divalproex sodium, or carbamazepine. The primary efficacy measures were the weekly CGI Improvement scores and the Young Mania Rating Scale. Using a ≥ 50% change from baseline to exit in the Y-MRS scores to define response, the effect size for divalproex sodium was 1.63,1.06 for lithium, and 1.00 for carbamazepine. Using this same response measure with the intent-to-treat sample, the response rates were: sodium divalproex 53%; lithium 38%; and carbamazepine 38% (x 2=0.85, 2 d.f., p=0.60). Thirty-five subjects continued in open, treatment for another 16-18 weeks, for a total of 24 weeks of prospective treatment. Overall, of the thirty-five continuation phase subjects, thirty (85%) were categorized as responders at the end of the continuation phase of treatment. Of these thirty-five subjects, 13 (37%) were only on a single mood stabilizer and no other psychotropic agents at the end of the continuation phase. Thirty-one percent of subjects in continuation were also treated with a stimulant medication in addition to mood stabilizers.
Neuroimmunological aspects of the alterations in zinc homeostasis in the pathophysiology and treatment of depression
Authors: Nowak Gabriel , Kubera Marta , Maes Michael
Published: July 2016

Zinc is a trace element which plays a fundamental role in a wide range of biochemical processes in living organisms. Zinc is an essential component of various proteins and is an important factor for physiological function of the mammalian nervous and immune systems. In the central nervous system (CNS), zinc is found at high concentrations in hippocampal neurons. These neurons possess mechanisms for zinc uptake and storage in synaptic terminals and for the stimulation of zinc release along with neurotransmitters. In the central nervous system, zinc modulates predominantly the excitatory (glutamatergic) and inhibitory (GABAergic) amino acid neurotransmission pathways. In the immune system, zinc is necessary for the physiological activity of the thymus and T-cell-dependent responses. Zinc deficiency impairs the activities of the neuroendocrine and immune systems in mammalian organisms. This paper reviews the alterations in the blood and brain zinc concentrations in relation to the neuroimmune pathophysiology and treatment of depression. Major depression is related to lowered serum zinc concentrations, which may be caused by the acute phase and the inflammatory response in that illness. Repeated administration of antidepressants selectively increases and redistributes brain zinc in the hippocampus. Since zinc is an inhibitor of the glutama-te/NMDA receptor, these data are in accordance with the glutamate hypothesis of antidepressant action.
Chronic unexplained fatigue
Authors: White P.D.
Published: July 2016

Fatigue is a common symptom in the community and the commonest associations are with stress or mood disturbance. One in a hundred people complain of unexplained and prolonged fatigue, with half that number meeting the strictest criteria for the chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Discrete fatigue syndromes have been described, particularly after Epstein Barr virus infection. The majority of patients with CFS have a syndrome similar to the ICD-10 definition of neurasthenia. Mood and somatoform disorders are common comorbid or differential diagnoses.

The prognosis is poor, particularly in patients attending hospitals and those with comorbid psychiatric disorders. The aetiology of both CFS and chronic unexplained fatigue are essentially unknown, perhaps reflecting the heterogenenous natures of both the symptom and syndrome. There is reasonable evidence to suggest that particular infections may trigger both prolonged fatigue and CFS. Maintaining factors are different from triggering factors and include mood and sleep disorders, illness beliefs and behaviours, and possibly inactivity. Treatments aimed at reversing these maintaining factors show promise.
Epilepsy and psychiatric disorders
Authors: Trimble M.R.
Published: July 2016

The relationship between epilepsy and behavior disorders will be briefly outlined, and an initial distinction between periictal and interictal disorders made. This paper will concentrate on the periictal disorders. These include the ictally driven psychoses, such as complex partial seizure status and absence status. There will then be a discussion of the postictal psychoses. It will be noted how these form a constant clinical picture, which sometimes goes unrecognized. The phenomenology may be typically paranoid or schizophrenia-like, andpatients often present in a setting of clear consciousness. The fascinating phenomenon of the lucid interval will be noted. Following this there will be some discussions on the management of these disorders. The rest of the paper will discuss the phenomenon of forced normalization, first discovered by Landolt. This often remains unrecognised, but is of interest to both neurology and psychiatry. Essentially this is about patients who, following suppression of seizures, develop an acute psychotic state or some other kind of behavior disorder. With the return of the seizures the behavior disorder resolves. Various theories in relationship to this condition will be noted, and the fascinating paradox that in psychiatry we give a seizure to resolve a psychosis, whereas in epileptology suppression of seizures can lead to a psychosis will be presented.
Cardiovasculaire adaptiviteit aan de verrichting van aandachts-taken bij kinderen met contact- en communicatieproblemen
Authors: Althaus M. , Aarnoudse C.C. , Mulder L.J.M. , Mulder G. , Minderaa R.B.
Published: July 2016

A psychofysiological study of the cardiac adaptivity to attention-demanding reaction time tasks demonstrated that children with a lesser variant of the pervasive developmental disorder (DSM-IV: PDDNOS) exhibit less cardiac responsiveness to attention tasks than healthy children do. We studied changes in heart rate variability (HRV), which were measured in a frequency band ranging from 0.07 to 0.14Hz. During the performance of an attention task, healthy children exhibited task load-related decreases in HRV. These decreases were found to be significantly smaller and not task load-related in a group of children with a PDDNOS who were judged to be not hyperactive. The decreases in HRV during task performance were almost absent in children with a PDDNOS who were moreover judged to be hyperactive. The magnitude of HRV decreases appeared to be significantly related to one of our task performance measures and to behaviour problems reported by the parents. Our results suggest a diminished vagal adaptivity to attention-demanding task situations in children with a PDDNOS, which is related to their resistance to unexpected changes in their daily routines.
Anchorpoints: an introspective
Authors: Van Praag H.M.
Published: July 2016

This, then, is what it has been all about. Today I mark the end of an academic career that ranged over 45 years. 1952 was the starting point. In that year, as a medical student, I was accepted as a research assistent by Prof. G.G.J. Rademaker, a neurophysiologist and at the time head of the Department of Neurology at the Academic Hospital in Leiden. The neurological research period was followed by a mycological one. Having received my MD degree and doing my military service, I was asked to carry out a study into the prevalence, prevention and treatment of mycological infections in military personel. For this reason I worked for more than 1, 5 years in Baarn at the section Medical Mycology of the Phytopathological Laboratory, an interacademic institution of the Universities of Amsterdam and Utrecht (1956-1958). Immediately after the military service I became a resident in psychiatry and started – together with the biochemist Prof. B. Leijnse – a research program into the biological determinants of depression. The period of psychiatric investigation lasted until this very day, albeit in different locations, i.e. Rotterdam, Groningen, Utrecht, New York and Maastricht respectively.
The measurement of emotions
Authors: Plutchik R.
Published: July 2016

Most people usually think of emotion as a subjective feeling of a certain kind, the kind for which labels like happy, sad, and frightened are appropriate. However, there is much evidence to suggest that this is too narrow a way to define emotions, and that a different and broader conceptualization is needed. If we examine the history of theories of emotion we find a great diversity of views. For example, Darwin, in his 1872 book ‘The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals’, conceived of emotions as expressive behaviors that had the function of communicating intentions from one animal to another in the presence of conflicts or emergencies. Emotional expressions, from this point of view, regulated interpersonal relations and increased the chances of individual survival.
Dynamic magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopie of experimental brain injury
Authors: Nicolay K. , Dijkhuizen R.M. , van der Toorn A. , Reese T. , Brandsma D. , de Boer M. , Muller H.-J. , van Vliet G. , Tamminga K.S. , Berkelbach van der Sprenkel J.-W. , Verheul H.B. , Tulleken C.A.F. , van Lookeren Campagne M. , Spruijt B. M.
Published: July 2016

This article describes the use of non-invasive magnetic resonance (MR) methods for the characterization and monitoring of the pathophysiology of experimental brain injury in laboratory animals as a function of time and treatment. The impact of MR in brain research is primarily due to its non-invasive nature, thereby enabling repeated measurements in long-term studies, and due to the type of information that it provides. MR imaging (MRI) enables the measurement of the morphology/anatomy as well as the functional status of tissues under in vivo conditions. Compared to other in vivo imaging modalities, MRI has a high spatial resolution and allows for a remarkable soft tissue differentiation. MR spectroscopy (MRS) provides information on the biochemical/metabolic status of tissues. MR methods which have proven valuable in animal studies, can be readily translated to the clinical situation where MR-based diagnosis and treatment planning play a rapidly increasing role.

After a short introduction into the principles of MR, we will illustrate the remarkable versatility of MR in research on brain injury from recent animal studies. Examples will be mainly drawn from experiments on early injury in focal cerebral ischemia and from research on mechanical brain trauma and excitotoxic lesions. The article ends with a brief description of the perspectives of MR in neuropsychiatry.
Norharman and anxiety disorders
Authors: Pepplinkhuizen L. , Fekkes D. , Timmerman L.
Published: July 2016

Norharman is a ß-carboline, possibly of endogenous origin, although cigarette smoking and food are sources too. In brain specific binding sites have been demonstrated. In higher doses norharman binds to benzodiazepine receptors and has MAO-B inhibitory activity. From animal experiments it can be concluded that norharman induces sedation and muscle relaxation. A role in psychosis is unclear, a role in the pathogenesis in anxiety is possible, but has to be further substantiated. As current research suggests, norharman may be an important factor in addiction and withdrawal.
Psychological and biological aspects of anxiety disorders
Authors: van Dyck R.
Published: July 2016

The research on anxiety disorders of the department of psychiatry of the Vrije Universiteit is briefly reviewed. Studies have included comparisons between pharmacotherapy and cognitive behaviour therapy and combination treatments of panic disorder and of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Also, the hyperventilation model of panic disorder could be rejected as a result of an ambulatory monitoring study. Provocation studies with adrenalin in panic disorder have shown less support for a psychological model of panic than expected. Recommendations for future research include studies on anxiety in the very young and in the elderly, studies on comorbidity in anxiety, especially with alcoholism and depression and the development of treatment manuals for general practice. The issue is raised whether investing in neuroimaging studies will critically advance our knowledge in the near future.
Nightmares in psychiatry
Authors: Beullens J.
Published: July 2016

Nightmares are frightening dreams awakening the dreamer. In psychiatry they are often considered as an indication of psychopathology or even as a feature of schizophrenia. Assumptions are made that nightmares occur more often in psychiatric patients than in the normal population and that they are accompanied by an elevated anxiety level in the daytime. From a psychophysiological point of view nightmares possibly are derailed attemps of problem solving, of overcoming frightening experiences. In this review the importance of nightmares as symptom in psychiatry is assessed. It appears that they are no indication of an elevated anxiety level in the day-time or of psychopathology in general, and they are no criterium for the diagnosis of schizophrenia either.
Risperidone in the treatment of psychosis; a concise review
Authors: den Boer J.A.
Published: July 2016

Risperidone (Risperdal®) is a recently developed antipsychotic drug with the combination of serotonin-5HT2A-and dopamine-D2-antagonism (SDA). In patients with schizophrenia, risperidone reduces positive symptoms at least equally effective as haloperidol, however, risperidone has a reduced propensity for the induction of extrapyramidal symptoms.

In addition, available evidence indicates that risperidone may be an effective treatment for negative symptoms. The optimum daily dose range is between 4 and 8 mgfor most patients. In this review article, risperidone is compared with some other (classical and atypical) neuroleptics. In addition, the pharmacological and pharmacokinetic properties of risperidone are reviewed.
Functional brain imaging, sleep, and sleep deprivation: contributions to the “overarousal” hypothesis of depression
Authors: Gillin J.C. , Ho A.P. , Buchsbaum M.S. , Wu J. , Abel L. , Bunney W.E.
Published: July 2016

In 1975 van den Burg and van den Hoofdakker hypothesized that depressed patients might be ‘overaroused.’ This suggestion is consistent not only with their seminal observations on the antidepressant effects of total sleep deprivation in depression, but with the short, fragmented, and shallow sleep of depressed patients, lowered arousal thresholds, hyperactivity of the hypothalamus-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis, and elevated core body temperature commonly found in some patients during the sleep period.
The prevalence of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) in The Netherlands
Authors: Mersch P.P.A. , Middendorp H. , Bouhuys A.L. , Beersma D.G.M. , van den Hoofdakker R.H.
Published: July 2016

Since the description of SAD the prevalence of this disorder has been of particular interest. The more so, because early studies, indicated the correctness of the on theoretical grounds - expected interaction between latitude and prevalence rate of SAD. More eleborate prevalence studies, mainly in the USA indeed showed a positive correlation between prevalence rate and latitude. In Europe, only few studies have appeared. Although the results of most of these studies are preliminary and research-methods and criteria vary across studies, tentative conclusions are that the prevalence rates in Europe are considerably lower than in the USA, but that there is a similar trend in the direction of an increase of prevalence at higher latitudes.8"10 In the present study, the prevalence of SAD in the Netherlands is investigated.
Treating depression with sleep deprivation and consecutive sleep phase advance therapy
Authors: Berger M. , Vollmann J. , Hohagen F. , König A. , Lohner H. , Riemann D.
Published: July 2016

The common treatment modalities for depression, i.e. pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy have the significant disadvantage of at least a three- to four-week time lag between initiation of treatment and amelioration of mood. Total sleep deprivation (TSD) in contrast, leads to an immediate antidepressant effect in 60% of the patients. However, it has gained only little clinical relevance as usually the improvement is only transient and almost regularly reversed by the next nights of sleep. A procedure preserving the antidepressive effect of sleep deprivation would therefore be of high clinical relevance.
Prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus and of methicillin-resistant S. aureus clonal complexes in bulk tank milk from dairy cattle herds in Lombardy Region (Northern Italy)
Authors: CORTIMIGLIA C. , LUINI M. , BIANCHINI V. , MARZAGALLI L. , VEZZOLI F. , AVISANI D. , BERTOLETTI M. , IANZANO A. , FRANCO A. , BATTISTI A.
Published: July 2016

Staphylococcus aureus is the most important causative agent of subclinical mastitis in cattle resulting in reduced milk production and quality. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains has a clear zoonotic relevance, especially in the case of occupational exposure. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of S. aureus and MRSA in bulk tank milk (BTM) from dairy cattle herds in the Lombardy Region (Northern Italy) and to identify the main MRSA circulating genotypes. MRSA strains were characterized by susceptibility testing, multi-locus sequence typing (MLST), spa typing and SCCmec typing. A total 844 BTM samples were analysed and S. aureus and MRSA were detected in 47·2% and 3·8% of dairy herds, respectively. MLST showed that the majority (28/32) of isolates belonged to the typical livestock-associated lineages: ST398, ST97 and ST1. Interestingly, in this study we report for the first time the new ST3211, a single locus variant of ST(CC)22, with the newly described 462 aroE allele. Our study indicates high diffusion of S. aureus mastitis and low, but not negligible, prevalence of MRSA in the considered area, suggesting the need for planning specific control programmes for bovine mastitis caused by S. aureus, especially when MRSA is implicated.
Projections of increased and decreased dengue incidence under climate change
Authors: WILLIAMS C. R. , MINCHAM G. , FADDY H. , VIENNET E. , RITCHIE S. A. , HARLEY D.
Published: July 2016

Dengue is the world's most prevalent mosquito-borne disease, with more than 200 million people each year becoming infected. We used a mechanistic virus transmission model to determine whether climate warming would change dengue transmission in Australia. Using two climate models each with two carbon emission scenarios, we calculated future dengue epidemic potential for the period 2046–2064. Using the ECHAM5 model, decreased dengue transmission was predicted under the A2 carbon emission scenario, whereas some increases are likely under the B1 scenario. Dengue epidemic potential may decrease under climate warming due to mosquito breeding sites becoming drier and mosquito survivorship declining. These results contradict most previous studies that use correlative models to show increased dengue transmission under climate warming. Dengue epidemiology is determined by a complex interplay between climatic, human host, and pathogen factors. It is therefore naive to assume a simple relationship between climate and incidence, and incorrect to state that climate warming will uniformly increase dengue transmission, although in general the health impacts of climate change will be negative.
Time Perception in Mild Cognitive Impairment: Interval Length and Subjective Passage of Time
Authors: Coelho Sara , Guerreiro Manuela , Chester Catarina , Silva Dina , Maroco João , Coelho Miguel , Paglieri Fabio , de Mendonça Alexandre
Published: July 2016

Objectives

Patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) may have difficulties in time perception, which in turn might contribute to some of their symptoms, especially memory deficits. The aim of this study was to evaluate perception of interval length and subjective passage of time in MCI patients as compared to healthy controls.

Methods

Fifty-five MCI patients and 57 healthy controls underwent an experimental protocol for time perception on interval length, a questionnaire for the subjective passage of time and a neuropsychological evaluation.

Results

MCI patients presented no changes in the perception of interval length. However, for MCI patients, time seemed to pass more slowly than it did for controls. This experience was significantly correlated with memory deficits but not with performance in executive tests, nor with complaints of depression or anxiety.

Conclusions

Memory deficits do not affect the perception of interval length, but are associated with alterations in the subjective passage of time. (JINS, 2016,22, 755–764)
Increasing access to care for young adults with cancer: Results of a quality-improvement project using a novel telemedicine approach to supportive group psychotherapy
Authors: Melton Laura , Brewer Benjamin , Kolva Elissa , Joshi Tanisha , Bunch Michelle
Published: July 2016

Objective:

Young adults with cancer experience high levels of psychological distress. Group interventions for cancer patients have been effective in reducing levels of psychological distress but suffer from high levels of attrition and serve a limited geographic area. In a quality-improvement project, we converted an existing in-person support group to a telemedicine format in the hopes of improving attendance and reducing geographic disparities in access to care.

Method:

Eight young adults (18–40 years) with cancer were recruited from across Colorado. Participants received a tablet equipped with Wi-Fi and downloaded an HIPAA-compliant video-conferencing application. Participants attended six weekly supportive psychotherapy sessions.

Results:

Participants found the group to be beneficial: the technology worked, they enjoyed the group format, and they would recommend it to others. The novel treatment interface allowed for low attrition rates due to the flexibility of a patient's location during the intervention. It allowed for provision of services to a geographically diverse population of medically ill young adults, as participants lived an average of 148 miles from the cancer center (range = 25–406 miles).

Significance of results:

Internet-based mental health care is an area of growing interest for providers, but few studies have evaluated its efficacy in patients with cancer, and even fewer in young adults with cancer. Incorporating technological advances into clinical practice will increase access to care, reduce geographic health disparities, and provide more consistent services.
Peru potato potential: Biodiversity conservation and value chain development
Authors: Tobin Daniel , Bates Rick , Brennan Mark , Gill Tom
Published: July 2016

Although crop diversity has been identified as essential to enhance global food security and adapt to climate change, high loss of genetic resources is occurring due to agricultural industrialization and market requirements. Value chain development is an emerging market strategy that seeks to simultaneously achieve agrobiodiversity conservation and economic goals, though little empirical evidence exists regarding the extent to which value chains encourage biodiversity maintenance. This study considers the conservation of native potatoes among households in the highlands of Peru where value chain development is being pursued to create market niches for certain native potato varieties. Utilizing a mixed-methods case study approach, the findings of this study indicate that the conservers of native varieties are the households with more endowed resource bases as well as those that sell native varieties in value chains. However, the findings suggest that value chains themselves likely have only a marginal effect on conservation. Native potato conservation and potato production for value chains exist as two separate livelihood activities, and households with more resources are best positioned to engage in both. While value chains allow households to capitalize on the economic value of certain native varieties, the production of other native varieties allows households to fulfill cultural values. Based on these findings, this study concludes that value chain opportunities for native varieties should continue to be identified but they alone are not an adequate strategy to conserve agrobiodiversity. Therefore, in addition to value chain development, a full suite of conservation schemes should be implemented simultaneously.