bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alcohol and smoking habits in an elderly population
Authors: Atti A.R. , Morini V. , Forlani M. , Attili T. , Moretti F. , De Ronchi D.
Published: May 2011

Background/aims

To describe the prevalence of drinking and smoking habits in an Italian population aged 75+.

A research by “Istituto Superiore della Sanità” found that drinking alcohol involves one-third of elderly over 65 years. In Italy, smoking habit in population over 65 involves 23% of men and 11% of women.

Material and methods

Cross-sectional study on a population of 462 subjects from the cohort of “The Faenza Community Aging Study” (De ronchi, 2005). All participants were interviewed with CAMDEX-R (Cambridge Examination for Mental Disorders of the Elderly - revised).

Results

56,7% of interviewed subjects drank alcohol (men 74.8%, women 40.8%; p< 0,005).

Hundred and twentynine subjects (28,7%) were moderate drinkers (≥2 A.U./day).

The 20% of the drinkers (6,2% of the total population) consumed ≥ 3 alcohol units per day. When we asked them if they consider themselves like heavy drinker, only 3,9%, (80% men) answer “yes”.

The 56,9% (50,4% of the total and 58,3% women) of drinkers had symptoms of anxiety and 44,1% were affected by depression. Furthermore, among smokers the 51,1% had symptoms of anxiety and the 38% of depression.

Discussion/conclusion

Drinking and smoking habits are an increasing attitude in elderly. These un-healthy habits might have severe implications and aggravate the clinical conditions in otherwise frail persons. Our data suggest to general practitioners and policy makers to be aware of this problem to actively investigate drinking and smoking habits in the general population, to launch preventive campaigns and to study aversion therapy.
Effectiveness of quetiapin as monotherapy for the treatment of organic affective disorder in female patient
Authors: Bise S. , Kurtović B. , Begic D.
Published: May 2011

Background

Quetiapin is the only antipsychotic approved in the USA as a monotherapy for the treatment of both acute mania and depression associated with bipolar disorder.

Objective

The paper's objective was to research the capabilities of quetiapin in the treatment of a patient with treatment-resistant organic affective disorder.

Materials and method

Considering the existence of recommendations for introducing an atypical antipsychotic as a therapy in the treatment of unipolar depression, we will demonstrate our experience in that indication.

The subject is a 69 year old patient whose mental disorders appeared for the first time two years ago. The current hospitalization occurred due to depressive and psychotic symptoms and suicidal tendencies. Since the patient had psychomotor inhibition to the point of stupor, and in order to obtain anamnestic data on cognitive disturbances, due to a diagnostic dilemma (dementia or pseudodementia within the affective disorder) the relevant diagnostics were completed: structured psychiatric interview, laboratory tests, internist examination, a brain scan, MMS test, HAM/D17, and CGI/S. Due to a poor response to the therapy and unwanted side effects of the applied drugs, the therapy was modified several times.

Quetiapin was introduced to the therapy up to a dose of 400 mg/d. With the introduction of quetiapin there was a reduction in the psychopathology. Improvement was noted in cognitive and work and social functioning.

Conclusion

The introduction of quetiapin as a monotherapy turned out to be effective in the treatment of therapy-resistant organic affective disorder, with good tolerability and no side effects.
Late-Onset Schizophrenia: a Case Report
Authors: Lloret M. , Harto M. , Tatay A. , Almonacid C. , Castillo A. , Calabuig R.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Late-onset psychoses are a heterogeneous group of disorders whose nosology has been controversial throughout history. Several methodological limitations have made difficult the comparison among studies and, as a consequence, the research interest has been little, leading to the absence of late-onset schizophrenia and paraphrenia in current official classifications.

Aims and methodology

To highlight the specific symptoms of late-onset schizophrenia as well as its differences with other psychoses though the study of a case report.

Results

A 70-year-old woman developed psychotic symptoms during the last seven years, consisting of auditory and olfactory hallucinations, telepathic phenomena and injury delusions, erotomania and thought control, with a high level of systematization and fantasy. She was admitted in an inpatient unit. She was treated with risperidone and the psychotic symptoms got better. At the time of hospital discharge, hallucinations and delusional thoughts had disappeared and no behavioral or emotional disorder was observed. Some weeks later, risperidone had to be substituted by paliperidone due to side effects, such as tremor, sialorrhea and parkinsonism.

Conclusions

Late-onset schizophrenic psychosis is not as exceptional as it has been traditionally considered. One of the main problems is that current classifications do not include specific diagnostic categories for cases of late or very-late-onset psychoses. It would be necessary that future ICD-11 and DSM-V classifications will include different-age criteria when diagnosing mental disorders.
Clustering of hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitus in bipolar disorder: A case-control study of chinese patients
Authors: Lee E. , Leung C.M.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Patients with bipolar disorder are at risk of obesity, metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus. Little was known about the association of clinical characteristics of bipolar disorder and diabetes mellitus.

Objectives

Investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with bipolar disorder and diabetes mellitus.

Aims

Identify the risk factors of medical comorbidity.

Methods

Patients suffering from bipolar disorder, according to DSM-IV classification, with and without diabetes mellitus were retrieved from computer database in a university teaching hospital psychiatric outpatient clinic. Patients with diabetes mellitus were compared with patients without diabetes mellitus after matching with sex and age.

Results

One hundred and fifty patients with bipolar disorder (30 with diabetes mellitus and 120 without diabetes mellitus) were collected. All patients were Chinese and 86.7% were female. For patients with and without diabetes mellitus, the mean (SD) age were 49.9 (9.3) years and 49.4 (8.9) years respectively. Their mean (SD) duration of mental illness were 18.1 (10.9) years and 16.8 (10.6) years and the mean number of admissions were 3.4 (4.2) and 3.2 (4.3) for patients with and without diabetes mellitus respectively. The use of antipsychotics and mood stabilizer were similar between patients with and without diabetes mellitus. Hypertension and dyslipidemia were statistically significant factors associated with diabetes mellitus among patients with bipolar disorder.

Conclusions

Hypertension and dyslipidemia are associated with diabetes mellitus among Chinese patients with bipolar disorder. Psychiatrists should be alerted to screen and monitor for hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitus among patients with bipolar disorder.
Epilepsy in context of acquired brain injury (ABI) in a tertiary neuropsychiatric setting
Authors: Tajer A. , Faruqui R.A. , Bonthala S. , El-Kadi K. , Shah R.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Each year around 1/10,000 of general population sustain a traumatic brain injury (7,000 individual in UK) and as a result have an increased risk of epilepsy in the long term.

To the best of our knowledge there is not much literature available on incidence and prevalence of epilepsy following ABI in the group of patients who develop psychiatric presentation as a result.

Aims

To ascertain the prevalence of epilepsy in a group of in-patients with neuropsychiatric presentation admitted in a tertiary Brain Injury Neuropsychiatry Centre.

Methods

A cross sectional survey of healthcare records of 125 in-patients was carried out to ascertain the diagnosis of epilepsy. The current diagnosis of epilepsy and frequency of these patients’ seizures as well as history of early seizures following ABI were noted.

Results

Out of 125 patients studied, 40 (32%) were diagnosed with epilepsy at some point following their brain injury or at the time of survey. Out of these, 35 patients had active epilepsy at the time of the survey with definite seizures witnessed and documented in the in-patients notes. Fifteen patients had had seizures in early phase following their ABI and no seizures reported since.

Conclusions

Patients who present with either cognitive impairment, challenging behaviour or and psychiatric illness are at a higher risk of epilepsy compared to those reported in general Brain Injury Neuro-rehabilitation setting. This could be explained by severity of ABI or the areas of brain damaged which may be involved in neuro-psychiatric presentation also causing epilepsy.
Autoantibodies reacting with vasopressin and oxytocin in relation to cortisol secretion in major depression
Authors: Garcia F.D. , Coquerel Q. , Kiive E. , Déchelotte P. , Harro J. , Fetissov S.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Abnormal vasopressin (VP) and oxytocin (OT) signaling may contribute to the altered activity of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in major depression; the underlying mechanisms remain uncertain.

Objective

This study characterized plasma levels and affinities of OT-and VP-reactive autoantibodies (autoAbs) with relation to disease severity and plasma cortisol response to physical exercise in patients with mild and moderate depression and healthy controls.

Methods

Physical exercise was used to elicit plasma cortisol response in 23 male depressive and 20 healthy subjects. All subjects were evaluated by the MADRS. Plasma levels VP-and OT-reactive IgG, IgA and IgM autoAbs were measured by ELISA, before and after the exercise, and affinity was measured by plasmon resonance.

Results

Plasma levels of OT-and VP-reactive total IgG autoAbs were lower in patients with moderate depression vs. controls and patients with mild depression. Both OT- and VP- free IgG autoAbs levels were negatively correlated with MADRS scores. Affinity values displayed 100 fold variability in both groups. Patients with moderate depression displayed blunted response of cortisol secretion to physical exercise. Baseline levels of VP total IgG and IgM autoAbs correlated negatively and of VP free IgG autoAbs correlated positively with plasma cortisol after physical exercise.

Conclusion

These data show that changes of levels but not affinity of OT- and VP- reactive autoantibodies can be associated with the altered mood in subjects with moderate depression and that levels of VP-reactive autoAbs are associated with cortisol secretion.
A novel mechanism of olanzapine-induced lipid accumulation
Authors: Dzitoyeva S. , Chen H. , Manev R. , Manev H.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Second generation antipsychotic drugs (SGADs) including olanzapine trigger adverse metabolic alterations possibly by a direct action on adipocytes.

Objectives and aims

The system of the inflammatory 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) and its activating protein (FLAP) have been implicated in lipid dysfunction in obesity. We investigated whether this system could participate in the adipogenic action of olanzapine.

Methods

Experiments were performed in 3T3-L1 adipocytes in vitro. Cells were treated with olanzapine and a FLAP inhibitor MK-886. Their lipid content, 5-LOX and FLAP mRNA content, and FLAP protein content were measured.

Results

Olanzapine treatment did not affect the cell content of 5-LOX mRNA; however, it decreased FLAP mRNA content at day five but not 24 hours after olanzapine addition. The inhibitory effect of olanzapine on FLAP expression was confirmed by quantitative Western blot assays. In the absence of a FLAP inhibitor, low concentrations of olanzapine (0.5 and 5 μM) increased lipid content only by about 13% (compared to about a 56% increase induced by 50 μM olanzapine) whereas in the presence of MK-886 these concentrations of olanzapine produced lipid increases comparable to the increase caused by 50 μM. In these experimental conditions, MK-886 alone did not alter the cell content of lipids.

Conclusions

5-LOX system may be involved in lipid dysfunction not only in conditions of obesity but possibly in SGAD-related metabolic alterations. The known polymorphism in the genes of the human 5-LOX system could play a role in setting a variable individual susceptibility to the metabolic side effects of SGADs.
Comparison of manual and automatic methods of hippocampus segmentation
Authors: Barteček R. , van Haren N.E.M. , Koolschijn P.C.M.P. , Hulshoff Pol H.E. , Kahn R.S.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Psychiatric Patients show abnormalities in volumes of several subcortical structures. Recently wider usage of automated segmentation methods in research of these abnormalities based on MR images has become possible. However manual segmentation is still considered to be the gold standard.

Objectives

To compare differences in hippocampus volumes between manual segmentation and 2 packages for automatic segmentation (FSL and FreeSurfer).

Aim

To explore the overlap and differences between different segmentation methods used for segmentation of subcortical structures.

Methods

Structural MR brain scans were aquired from 98 subjects (53 schizophrenia patients, 45 controls). Volumes of left and right hippocampus were measured after manual, FreeSurfer and FSL segmentations. Differences between volumes from different methods were tested by the t-test (using R). In addition percent volume differences, Pearson correlations, Bland-Altman plots and Cronbach’s alpha were computed.

Results

Both automatic methods yielded significantly larger hippocampal volumes than the manual segmentation. FreeSurfer volumes showed a higher correlation and lower percent volume difference with manual segmentation than FSL. Bland-Altman plots and Cronbach’s alpha showed only limited agreement between manual and both automatic methods.

Conclusions

Although volumes acquired by FreeSurfer appeared to be more related to manual segmentation, clear superiority of either of automatic methods could not be demonstrated. Therefore, all three methods seem to measure other aspects of hippocampus volume. An useful approach would be to compare effect-size of the difference between patients and healthy controls using different segmentation methods. We are currently pursuing this in a larger sample.
Brain structural abnormalities in first episode psychosis: A multimodal analysis
Authors: Rigucci S. , Comparelli A. , De Carolis A. , Rossi-Espagnet M.C. , Ambrosi E. , Kotzalidis G. , Bozzao A. , Ferracuti S. , Girardi P. , Tatarelli R.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

White matter abnormalities play a prominent role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies showed a widespread decrease in fractional anisotropy (FA) in psychotic disorders.

Aims

To examine white and grey matter abnormalities in first episode psychosis (FEP).

Methods

We obtained T1-weighted and DTI magnetic resonance images (1.5 T) from 8 right-handed drug-naïve FEP patients and 8 healthy controls. The DTI data set was used to calculate FA maps; we carried-out optimized voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analysis of grey matter (GM) and FA maps using SPM2.

Patients were assessed with a neuropsychological battery comprising the Trail Making Test, the Stroop Colour Word Test, the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test and a test of Facial Affect recognition.

Results

The voxelwise analysis showed decreased FA in the superior longitudinal and inferior fronto-occipital fasciculi, bilaterally, and in the left uncinate fasciculus. We observed reduced GM volume in the left frontal cortex (Brodmann areas [BA] 47, 13, 11, 10, and 9) and in right frontal (BA6), temporal (BA34) and occipital (BA 18, 19, and 30) cortex.

Neuropsychological assessment showed impaired executive function and deficit in facial affect recognition.

Conclusion

Our findings showed fronto-temporal disconnectivity in FEP and structural alterations in both cortical and subcortical regions.

Neuroanatomical findings are consistent with patients’ neuropsychological performance.

Further studies to establish a relationship between white and grey matter disarray on one hand and neuropsychological testing are needed.
Moral conflict and first sexual experience - case presentation
Authors: Kravic N. , Hasanovic M.
Published: May 2011

Objectives

In our mind as well as in our body and nature nothing is happened accidentally, we can often see that there is mutual connection between them. There is a case presentation of young man age 29 with obsessive thoughts for getting fatal disease if step on junky needles which he had seen in his neighbor. It thoughts influence his all life he is avoiding to go out of his apartment, poorly sleep, he insisted to be admitted to in patient treatment because he „would probably kill himself if he had to stay there jet…” His first difficulties appeared when he was 20, after his first sexual experience which he has had with prostitute, after his friend’s birthday party. Then he obsessively started to think about getting AIDS, getting died… Four years ago he really have got malignant testicular tumor and in his 24he had passed through exhausting surgery and chemotherapy. As a child he was growing up during the war time, experienced snake bite, often tonsil infections.

Now he has no job, live with parents and one year older brother, no girlfriend or other relationship. Treated with antidepressant venlafaxin, and atypical narcoleptic risperidon, with additionally used EMDR, he showed good recovery and getting into every day activities.

Conclusion

Moral conflict and unsolved guilty feelings lead to real illness and constant fear of fatal disease as a punishment for him.
Influence of pharmacological treatment on obsessive beliefs in the patients with obsessive compulsive disorder
Authors: Selvi Y. , Besiroglu L. , Aydin A. , Atli A. , Gulec M.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Cognitive models hypothesize that certain dysfunctional beliefs leading to misinterpretation of the significance of intrusions are important in the etiology and maintenance of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). There is no consensus about which characteristics of OCD patients more likely to be associated with better treatment response.

Objectives

We aimed to investigate whether obsessive beliefs change over time in the OCD patients receiving Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. We also investigated the effect of change in obsessive beliefs on psychopharmacological treatment response.

Methods

A sample of 75 patients with OCD were interviewed the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). To measure dysfunctional beliefs, they were administered the Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire-44 (OBQ-44) which contains three subscales; threat overestimation and responsibility, importance and control of intrusive thoughts, and perfectionism and need for certainty.

Results

The seventy-six percent (n=57) patients completed the treatment period and they were reassessed after 12 weeks with the Y-BOCS, HDRS and OBQ-44. The mean change scores of responders for OBQ-44 Responsibility/Threat Estimation and OBQ-44 Perfectionism/Certainty were not significantly differing from those of non-responders. The mean change in responders for OBQ-44 Importance/Control of Thoughts and HDRS were significantly higher than non responders.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that treatment response to pharmacotherapy in OCD is negatively associated with the obsessive beliefs about perfectionism and certainty. The alleviation of negative mood by SRIs may not allow the sufferer disengages from dysfunctional appraisals.
Changes of pain perception in subjects with differences in emotionality
Authors: Christ O. , Wolff K. , Rapp A.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

The association between pain and neuroticism varies from higher neuroticism values in patients with chronic pain compared to healthy subjects and lower neuroticism values in psychiatric patients with pain compared to psychiatric patients without pain (Bond, 1971; Merksey, 1972). Raselli & Broderick (2007) showed a possible influence of time (actual state and recall) and neuroticism on reporting pain in patients with chronic pain (Raselli & Broderick, 2007). Data from experimental studies are missing.

Objective

The goal was to test whether differences in neuroticism, measured with the Freiburg Personality Inventory N Scale (FPI-R N), effects the correlation between the reported subjective maximal pain threshold (SMPT) before and after an experimental pain study.

Methods

20 healthy subjects divided into a non neuroticism group (NNG with FPI-R N value < 5, N = 10) and a neuroticism group (NG with FPI-R N value > 5, N = 10) were exposed to aversive electric stimuli in different conditions in an experimental pain study. Before and after the experimental procedure SMPT was recorded (milliamperes/mA).

Results

SMPT before and after the experimental procedure correlated significantly in both groups, but with higher a correlation in the NNG (R2 = 96%) in contrast to the NG (R2 = 88%). The NG showed lower SMPTs (mean 4.5 ± 2.9 mA) than in the NNG (mean 6.6 ± 3.3 mA).

Conclusion

According to Raselli & Broderick (2007) the correlation between pre and post SMPTs in an experimental setup varies between subjects with high or low neuroticism values. Deductions and Limitations of the study are discussed.
The prevalence of unexplained chronic pain complaints in apparently healthy elderly subjects
Authors: Danoiu S. , Calarasu M.E. , Rosca R.I. , Danoiu M. , Danciulescu Miulescu R.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Studies regarding chronic pain have demonstrated that there is a high prevalence of this condition in 65 years of age and older population.

Our study objectives was to assess the prevalence of chronic pain in a sample of older subjects without known or diagnosticated pathology, and without analgesic routine use. It was a preliminary step in assessing the effects of aerobic exercise on this condition (as part of a research project supported by The National Council of the Higher Education’s Scientific Research - CNCSIS).

Methods

A complete anamnesis and routine laboratory was performed for each subject. Subjective tools (Faces Scale and the Visual Analog Scale) was used for assessment of pain, and two self-report measures of anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory, and Visual Analogue Scale) was used for assessment of anxiety.

Results

Of 136 subjects enrolled (Av. Age 64 ± 4) 39 subjects (28.67%) presented chronic pain. In bivariate analyses pain was associated with anxiety, negative life events, loneliness, sedentary life.

Discussion

Despite the apparent health of the subjects involved in this study the prevalence of unexplained chronic pain complaints was high. It seems necessary to explore more this condition in general practice in older to highlight any specific cases, in order to reach diagnoses and to select the treatment or, considering the subjective nature of this entity and the associated features of aging in absence of any identifiable pathology, to select an appropriate intervention to improve the quality of life for this people.
Hippocrates, eysenck and the sasang typology
Authors: Chae H. , Lee S.J. , Park S.H.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

A systematic review of studies related to the psychological characteristics of Sasang typology, a traditional Korean personalized medicine utilizing acupuncture and medical herbs, was conducted with the goal of delineating generalizable psychological profiles of each types using western academic traditions.

Methods

Journal articles were collected using 5 electronic database systems in the United States and Korea, and 21 peer reviewed research articles with psychometric inventories were included. Due to the heterogeneity of the studies, the present study sought to report the mutual relevance of the studies based on research results pertaining to the correlation between psychological assessment instruments.

Results

Results of the review indicate that two super-factors of Eysenck, Extraversion and Neuroticism, serve as the foundation in regards to delineating personality constructs, such that the So-Yang type scored high on the Extraversion dimension and low on the Neuroticism dimension compared to the So-Eum type. Current studies with Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory also showed that the Novelty Seeking and the Harm Avoidance can be related to the So-Yang and the So-Eum type, respectively.

Conclusions

The present systematic review indicates that Neo-Confucianism-based Sasang typology shares similarities with the western psychological tradition. There is an urgent need to study similarities and differences between both of them in multiple perspectives including mechanism of action beneath the medical intervention. The Bio-psycho-social basis of the Sasang typology can guide us to the temperament-based personalized integrative medicine covering western orthodox and traditional oriental medicine.
Burnout syndrome and its correction for emergency medical response personnel
Authors: Fedak B.S.
Published: May 2011

Professional burnout syndrome was detected among 250 persons of medical response personnel by the total examination of 900 doctors and nurses. Research provided in specific psychological areas of emergency medical response and ambulance teams affected by burning syndrome, its phenomenological mechanisms of formation are allocated. Personal related profiles, character accentuation options, emotional and motivational state of emergency medical response staff with burnout syndrome are detected. Social functioning features of emergency medical response personnel in the examined groups are researched and identified. We developed optimization for the burnout syndrome for the emergency medical response personnel based on an evaluation of its phenomenology and pathopsychological mechanisms of formation. Systematic approach used in this research allowed justifying principles of pathogenetic psychotherapeutic correction for emergency medical response staff with burnout syndrome. Approbation of the proposed correction has proved its high efficiency in 80% of personnel.
Ambiguity tolerance in students entering medical school (SHIRAZ-2006)
Authors: Firoozabadi A. , Bahredar M.J.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

The ability to tolerate uncertainty or ambiguity was first identified as a stable personality variable by Budner (1962) who defined it as an individual's propensity to view ambiguous situation as either threatening or desirable.

Objectives

We tried to measure ambiguity tolerance of medical students and compare the scale according to age, major and medical speciality preference.

Method

By a questionnaire designed by Budner(Budner Ambiguity Scale), we measured the ambiguity tolerance of 240students entering medical school.

Results

Analysis of data showed significant difference between men and women (60.81, 63.24). We found no difference of ambiguity tolerance according to the other variables. Conclusion: These data show the higher degree of ambiguity intolerance among Iranian students compared to the levels reported by Budner (44–48). Proper education could lead to better understanding of own potentiality in the students. Ambiguity tolerance may be an important variable to assess and train so that students are better prepared for unstructured situations that promote thinking and parallel the complexities of the applied world.
Non-suicidal self-injury via intravenous nicotine application
Authors: Gahr M. , Freudenmann R. , Schoenfeldt-Lecuona C.
Published: May 2011

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is common among patients with borderline personality disorder(BPD) and is predominatly performed by cutting, scratching, burning and head banging. Here we present a case of an unusual form of NSSI.

The patient, a 23-year old woman with BPD, presented in our clinic with a four month history of intravenous application of a liquid dosage form of nicotine that is generally used for nasal application. Based on the obsessive idea to die from nicotine the current intravenous nicotine abuse had originally developed within a suicide plan, where the patient had failed in inducing a lethal intoxication through ingestion of tobacco saturated water. Within first probatory intravenous applications of nicotine the patient observed the possibility to easily induce euphoria, immediate stress relaxation and reduction of inner tensions. Subsequently she abandoned other NSSI forms in favour of nicotine injections. Within four weeks she developed nicotine dependence according to ICD-10 F17.25. On time of admission she reported to inject herself up to thirty doses per day resulting in an approximate daily intravenous nicotine application of about 33 mg. We performed an in-patient detoxification whereat the patient did not develop a markedly withdrawal syndrome.

To our knowledge, this is the first report on NSSI by intravenous application of nicotine in BPD resulting in nicotine dependence. Besides the singularity of the described NSSI method another major issue of the present case is the large amount of rapidly injected nicotine that has been tolerated without life threatening consequences.
Related type of personality a and mental health
Authors: Ghorbani Amir H. , Ahmadi Gatab T.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Constitutional factors in mental health can be effective is the concept of personality types. Because the major segments of the population of students form community activist, according to mental health in this group of people is very important and vital.

Objectives

This study investigated the relationship between type A personality and mental health is.

Methods

Descriptive research method is correlation. The study sample included 50 students of psychology Noor University city of Babol is the daughter of 25 people and 25 people will Psrtshkyl and randomly selected and two personality questionnaires and mental health a. Gold Leaf (GHQ) have responded.

Results

Results using Pearson correlation and t test using T spss 18 software were analyzed.

Findings indicate that:

1.

Between personality types and mental health A significant relationship exists.

2.

Mean mental health of girls and boys there is no significant difference.

3.

Between type A personality and physical symptoms there is a significant relationship.

4.

Between type A personality and symptoms of anxiety and sleep disturbance is a significant correlation.

5.

Between type A personality and social function there is a significant relationship.

6.

Between type A personality and depressive symptoms are significantly related.

7.

Gender (boys and girls) and Type A Shkhsty are related.

Conclusions

According to research results between type A personality and mental health of a significant relationship exists. Number of participants who had type A mental health are lower than the number of participants who had personality and B are.
Neural Correlates of Borderline Personality Disorder - A Review
Authors: Oliveira S. , Barbosa I. , Borges A. , Lopes E. , Lima C.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

The Borderline Personality (BP) disorder is defined as a limit state between neurosis and psychosis. The symptomatology observed in such disorder seems to be correlated with the dysfunction of specific areas of the human brain, such as cortical and sub-cortical ones.

Objectives

This report aims to review the state of the art in order to better understand the correlation between the functional anatomy of the brain and the BP disorder, and its relevance to the symptomatic manifestation of this psychopathology.

Background

The stress response of patients with BP disorder seems to be associated with a low-responsive pituitary gland. The frontolimbic abnormalities observed in recent studies seems associated with the difficulty in the emotional management and impulsivity. The findings suggest a reduction of parietal cortex metabolism which appears to be associated to lack of insight and easy hypnotic induction. The disfunction of the amygdala, hippocampus and prefrontal cortex was found to be lateralized on the left hemisphere, whether the structures with increased activation on the right hemisphere were the temporal lobe, ventrolateral prefrontal cortex and posterior parietal lobe. Finally, the aggressive and impulsive behavior of such patients seems to be related with low levels of cortical serotonin.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, some of the neurofunctional findings didn’t match the symptomatic pattern of the BP disorder. From all the relations found, the fronto-limbic deficit is the one with a more relevant influence for the consequent emotional disturbance, a major symptom of this disorder.
Sense-formation within the future's image distortion as a dialectical relations’ of mutual exclusion dissociation specific for the individuals who suffer from the schizophrenic spectrum disorders
Authors: Bagrationy K.
Published: May 2011

Nowadays schizophrenic spectrum disorders are widely spread. Future's image of the people, whose lives have been impacted by schizophrenia, vastly differs (in comparison with conditionally healthy). Their temporal notions’ formation is based on different laws of thought. Methodological premises for the appearance of this problem could be found in the papers of Aristotle, Kant, Hegel etc.

Objective

Sense-formation within the temporal notions’ formation specific for the individuals who suffer from schizophrenic spectrum disorders.

Sample

Schizophrenia and schizotypal disorder (ICD-10, F20-21) (40 individuals) and conditionally healthy (40).

Aim

Sense-formation within the temporal notions’ formation peculiarities specific for the individuals who suffer from schizophrenic spectrum disorders description.

Methods

Temporal Semantic Differential; Autobiographical Method's modification; projective and reflexive techniques.

Results

Sense-formation within future's image distortion in a “schisis-typical” way (dialectical relations of mutual exclusion was broken) caused ambivalence in judgments and feelings about their own future (Figure).

Conclusions

Sense-formation within the future's image distortion in a “schisis-typical” way may cause impossibility of the future's image formation. As a result individuals who suffer from schizophrenic spectrum disorders couldn’t concentrate their attention on their future. This may be the cause of ego centrality specific for the individuals who suffer from schizophrenic spectrum disorders.
Changes of mineralocorticoid receptors and receptors- glucocorticoid in locus ceruleus neurons of ptsd-like rats
Authors: Yan N.S. , Han F. , Shi X.Y.
Published: May 2011

Objective

To invest the expression of nuclear receptors-mineralocorticoid receptors (MR) and receptors-glucocorticoid receptors (GR) in the locus ceruleus neurons of PTSD-like rats.

Methods

Single prolonged stress (SPS) was used to produce the PTSD model and rats were randomly divided into 24h, 4d, 7d, 14d and 28d groups after SPS and a normal control group.Immunohistochemical and Western blot techniques were used to observe and detect the changes in the expression of MR and GR in the locus ceruleus neurons, and image analysis and statistical analysis were performed.

Results

The expression of MR was sharply decreased at 24h, but recovered at 4d, 7d, 14d and 28d. GR was distributed in the nucleus of coeruleus neurons, GR expression was showed after 24h, 4d, 7d treament and gradually increased, restorative downregulation was seen after 14d and 28d, but still high(P < 0.05).

Conclusion

These results suggest that the changes in the expression of MR and GR in the locus ceruleus neurons of PTSD-like rats may play an important role in the long-term persistent neu-ropsychological sequelae of PTSD. *National Natural Science Foundation of China.
Posttraumatic stress disorder checklist military version in latvian language
Authors: Voicehovskis V. , Ancane G. , Voicehovska J. , Umnova L. , Skesters A.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

The Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist (PCL) is a 17-item self-report measure of the 17 DSM-IV symptoms of PTSD. The PCL has a variety of purposes, including screening individuals for PTSD, diagnosing PTSD, monitoring symptom change during and after treatment. There are three versions of the PCL: PCL-C (civilian), PCL-M (military) and PCL-S (specific). PCL-M asks about symptoms in response to “stressful military experiences” and used for active service members and veterans. The PCL-M can be completed by participants of a research study in approximately 5–10 minutes. Interpretation of the PCL-M should be completed by a clinician. There is no valid PCL-M Latvian language version.

Aims

The goal of the study is to assess the evaluative and discriminative properties of the Latvian language version of the PCL-M in PTSD risk group patients (PTSD-RGP).

Methods

Totally 30 participants (males, Europeans, of average age 26.2, PTSD-RGP - Latvian Contingent of International Operations) were examined. Standart validation protocol was applied for PCL-M Latvian language version's reliability and validity testing: reliability consequence, construct validity, test-retest, Cronbach alpha criterion.

Results

Cronbach alpha criterion was more than 0,70 (means reliable response sets), the reliability-consequence scale is from 0.6 to 0.9 (means precise definition). Test-retest by Spearman showed r ≥ 0.75 (means reliable stability).

Conclusions

It was concluded that the PLC-M Latvian language version has sufficiently acceptable evaluative and discriminatory properties and is therefore a valid instrument for PTSD measurements in clinical and research studies in Latvian military active service members and veterans.
Systematic literature review of the use of lay support models in postnatal depression
Authors: Potter C.L.
Published: May 2011

Aims

Growing interest has been shown in the use of peers as lay health workers in maternal healthcare. This review aimed to examine published evidence on the effectiveness of lay support models for the management of postnatal depression (PND).

Methods

MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Library were searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of interventions conducted by lay health workers in postnatal women, published between 1980 and August 2010. The search revealed seven studies, totaling 16,095 participants, which reported outcomes in PND and mothers’ mental health/self-esteem.

Results

The value of lay support models depends on the intervention type and the population targeted. Telephone based peer support, for women identified as high-risk for PND, showed a statistically significant reduction in Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) scores at 12 weeks. Universal provision of peer mentoring has been shown to significantly improve self-esteem at one year postpartum, but no studies have shown statistical significance on PND or mental health outcomes (measured by EPDS/SF-36). In poor populations, women's groups led by peer facilitators have been shown to reduce moderate depression by 57%, compared to controls. However, another study, which evaluated community group support showed a low uptake (19%) resulting in no statistical significance. Similarly there was no significant improvement in PND with self-help manuals, despite one study reporting favorable feedback.

Conclusions

There is some evidence from RCTs that high-risk groups and specific demographics can benefit from targeted peer support. However, no particular model can be strongly recommended, and further research is required.
Methodological limitations in research on late psychoses
Authors: Gómez-Arnau J. , Serrano M. , Martínez de Velasco R. , Artieda P. , Riaza C.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Late psychoses are a heterogeneous group of disorders whose nosology has been controversial throughout history. The concept of dementia praecox introduced by Kraepelin, and based on the progressive deterioration and early onset, has been so dominant in the last decades that few issues have created as much controversy as that schizophrenia can begin in late age. Our purpose is to identify the different obstacles in the research in late psychoses to be able to overcome these limitations and improve the study in this area.

Methods

A literature review was achieved using the National Library of Medicine and PubMed search system.

Results

We found historical limitations, because over the last century, different schools of psychiatry have used different nomenclatures and age limits to define late-onset psychotic disorders. Prevailing beliefs in the low frequency of these diseases or in the association of the onset of psychotic symptoms in the elderly with cognitive impairment have interfered with epidemiological research in this area. Moreover, older psychotic patients are often excluded from epidemiological and pharmacological research. Lack of insight and social isolation determine sampling bias and reliability problems.

Conclusions

Seemengly strong knowledge on late-onset schizophrenia is based, in fact, in samples from patients with late paraphrenia or mixed samples. It becomes mandatory to define concepts and establish diagnostic criteria, and to conduct multicenter studies to increase the size of our samples.
The quality of life and anxiety after acute infections of the CNS -efficacy of paroxetine
Authors: Miljatovic A.
Published: May 2011

Objective

The effects of acute infections of the CNS can be complete recovery or partial recovery with consequences.

The aim of this study is to establish differences in the assessment of the components of life quality in relation to the outcome of the illness,separately for each of the three groups of the examinees -1CR-completely recovered,-2 RC-recovered with consequences and 3-C control group., as well as to establish the differences between groups in relation to the assessment of life quality.

We also wanted to point out the differences in the level of anxiety between these 3 groups.

Methods

The study includes 130 examinees that were treated at the Clinic for Infectious Diseases from 2003 to 2009. All of the examinees were diagnosed as suffering from acute CNS infection.

Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36-SF36 questionnaire was used as a source of information, while Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale was used as a measuring instrument.

Results

77%of the examines from the CR group had no symptoms of anxiety, 89%preserved social functioning skills and 69% felt calm and happy.

There is a significant degree of differences in the level of anxiety between the examinees of these three groups.

Conclusion

The analysis of the differences between groups in relation to the assessment of mental components showed that there is a moderate distance between the control group and the group of completly recovered.

In patients from RC group the use of Paroxetine, shows significant improvement in the reduction of symptoms of anxiety.
Theperception of a new orally dispersible escitalopram tablet - in a bioequivalence study
Authors: Nilausen D. , Linde R. , van Gerven J.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Rapidly dissolving oral dispersible tablets (ODT) have been developed to overcome problems related to swallowing.

Objectives

Establish bioequivalence between ODT and the immediate release (IR) escitalopram tablet and determine its perception by healthy subjects.

Methods

In a randomized, open-label, cross-over design, 30 healthy men received 20 mg escitalopram as ODT tablets (2 × 10 mg or 1 × 20 mg) or conventional tablets. Twenty blood samples were collected after each dose administration and pharmacokinetic parameters were determined using non-compartmental methods. Safety was assessed by self-reported adverse events (AE) and vital signs. Subjects completed a questionnaire relating to their perception of the ODT.

Results

Statistical analysis of systemic exposure to escitalopram showed that ODT was bioequivalent to IR escitalopram for the primary (log-transformed AUC0-inf and Cmax) and secondary parameters (Table 1). AE incidence was similar for both dosage forms and all AEs considered related to escitalopram were mild. There were no serious AEs. Subjects found the ODT to have a pleasant texture (98%), size (95%), a pleasant mint/peppermint taste (86%), and suitable for long-term treatment (96%).

Conclusion

ODT escitalopram was bioequivalent to the conventional tablet. Based on the subjects’ perception of taste, texture and size ODT escitalopram is a convenient and pleasant alternative to the conventional tablet.

[Table 1]
Influence of original anticonvulsant on pharmacometabolizing function of liver in patients with alcoholism
Authors: Shushpanova T. , Semke V. , Novozheyeva T.P. , Lebedeva V.
Published: May 2011

Objective

We investigated effect of long-term dosing of original anticonvulsant Galodif® (derivative of meta-chlor-benzhydrilourea). On activity of liver cytochrome P-450 system of alcoholics.

Methods

68 patients with alcoholism were examined. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated with method of statistical moments of K. Yamaoka.

Results

In chronic alcoholism elimination of antipirine becomes slower. Examined by us patients had enough long term of alcoholization and we may suppose that acceleration of elimination of antipirine, occurring at the onset of disease was replaced by some suppression of activity of microsomal monooxigenases; accordingly, elimination of model connection has become slower. This supposition corresponds to data about decrease of consumption of oxygen and suppression of oxidative processes in chronic alcoholization both in experimental animals and people. Hypermetabolic state is observed at the onset of disease conditioning probably increase of tolerance toward alcohol, xenobiotics resistance and high resistance of organism. Subsequently exhaustion of adaptive mechanisms occurs and possibly hypermetabolic state disappears. This is confirmed by decrease of tolerance toward alcohol during long course of illness. In addition, it should be taken into account that liver hypermetabolism is mostly expressed in alcohol withdrawal syndrome.

Conclusion

The higher background of activity of monooxigenases system of liver is at baseline, the major degree of manifestation of inducer is and vice versa. It is possible that reinforcement of reactivity of microsomal monooxigenases of liver of alcoholics toward Galodif is associated with synergetic action of preparation-inducer and ethanol.
Aripiprazole in children with multiple-complex developmental disorder (McDD): a case series
Authors: Siracusano R. , Germanò E. , Calarese T. , Magazù A. , Cigala V. , Lamberti M. , Spina E. , Gagliano A.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Multiple-complex Developmental Disorder (McDD) is a developmental disorder characterized by peculiar clinical features: affective dysregulation (anxiety, panic and aggressivity), impairment of social behaviour and hypersensitivity, impaired cognitive processing. McDD is usually included within the Pervasive Developmental Disorders not otherwise specified (PDD NOS) (Cohen et al. 1986; Towbin et al. 1993). Aripiprazole is a new atypical antipsychotic drug. Efficacy of aripiprazole in children and adolescents is supported by some studies (Findling et al. 2007, Wink at al 2010; Kim et al 2010).

Aims

The aim of our study is to describe the efficacy and safety of aripiprazole in 4 children with Multiple-complex Developmental Disorder.

Methods

Mean dosage of aripiprazole was 5 mg/day. Response was evaluated by clinical assessment and by Clinical Global Impressions Scale-Severity, Clinical Global Impressions Scale- Improvement, Children's Global Assessment Scale (CGAS) and by Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. This assessment was administered at baseline, and at weeks 4, 12 and 24.

Results

A significant reduction of social impairments, thought disorders and affective dysregulation was observed. Drug therapy was well tolerated, even though children complained of mild and transient nausea and somnolence.

Conclusion

To date there are only a few reports on the use of aripiprazole in McDD patients. The present case series suggest that aripiprazole may be effective and well tolerated in McDD patients.