bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Epidemiological Study of Dementia in a Rural Population of Elderly Women
Authors: Brayne Carol , Calloway Paul
Published: August 2008

A study of 365 women aged 70–79 in a rural community was carried out using the Cambridge Examination of Mental Disorders in the Elderly (CAMDEX). Prevalence rates of dementia are reported by severity for the 70–74 and 75–79 age groups. Differential diagnosis was made according to CAMDEX guidelines. Senile dementia of Alzheimer type accounted for half the dementia cases. The prevalence rates overall did not differ from those reported in other recent studies, but the rates for levels greater than mild/moderate were lower, despite the inclusion of subjects in institutions.
The Contribution of Problem Drinking to the Level of Psychiatric Morbidity in the General Hospital
Authors: Schofield M. Ann
Published: August 2008

Of 331 patients admitted to a general hospital to whom the CAGE questionnaire was administered, those who scored 2 or more for alcoholism scored higher on a number of measures of psychiatric morbidity than those with a CAGE score of O. Those patients who scored 1 showed less psychiatric morbidity than those who scored 0. Among the male patients who scored at least one question positively, those who had abstained from alcohol for at least a year showed higher levels of psychiatric morbidity than those still drinking.
Pimozide in Pathological Jealousy
Authors: Byrne Alan , Yatham Lakshmi N.
Published: August 2008

A 39-year-old man had his pathological jealousy successfully treated with pimozide. It is suggested that pimozide might be considered the drug of choice in all the monodelusional disorders.
Olfaction and Psychiatry
Authors: Harrison P. J. , Pearson R. C. A.
Published: August 2008

Recent clinical studies have identified significant olfactory deficits in several neuropsychiatric disorders, notably Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. These have correlated with neurochemical and neuropathological studies of the olfactory system. The presence of a specific sensory deficit may be related to the localisation of pathology within the brain. There is a need for incorporation of olfactory testing into routine clinical examination.
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome and Psychotic Illness
Authors: Adityanjee  , Das P. , Chawla H. M.
Published: August 2008

A typical case of NMS and its successful treatment with bromocriptine is described. The authors noticed an inverse relationship between the process of recovery from NMS and the pre-existing psychotic illness.
Familial Manic–Depressive Illness with Deleted Short Arm of Chromosome 21: Coincidental or Causal?
Authors: El-Badramany Magda H. , Farag Talaat I. , Al-Awadi Sadika A. , Hammad Ibtisam M. , Abdelkader Ahmed , Murthy D. S. Krishna
Published: August 2008

A 35-year-old Arab lady and her mother, both with bipolar manic-depressive illness and 46,XX,21p-(pcenåpter), are reported. The clinical significance of this association is considered.
Treatment of Depressed In-Patients
Authors: Bowers Wayne A.
Published: August 2008

Thirty in-patients received one of three treatments – medication (nortriptyline) alone (MA), relaxation therapy plus medication (RT&M), or cognitive therapy plus medication (CT&M) (each n = 10) – along with ward milieu. The relaxation and cognitive therapy groups participated in 12 therapy sessions. Symptoms of depression and related cognitive variables were assessed at sessions 1, 6 and 12, and at discharge. All groups improved over the course of the study. CT&M and RT&M groups reported significantly fewer depressive symptoms and negative cognitions at discharge than the MA group. The number of subjects judged depressed at discharge was lower in the CT&M group than in the MA and RT&M groups. It is proposed that a consistent rationale for treatment is a significant facilitating factor in achieving behavioural and cognitive changes in depression.
Motherhood, Employment and the Development of Depression
Authors: Brown G. W. , Bifulco A.
Published: August 2008

A prospective inquiry of a largely working-class sample of women with children considers the effect of employment on risk of developing clinical depression. The hypothesis was that there would be a direct protective effect arising from employment once quality of other support was taken into account. In fact full-time working mothers were at high risk. This appeared to be explained by either prior work strain or a severe event involving ‘deviant’ behaviour on the part of husband/boyfriend or child. Neither factor was relevant for part-time workers. The severe events appeared to be particularly depressogenic for full-time workers because they represented either failure in the motherhood role or a sense of entrapment in an unrewarding work/domestic situation. However, those in part-time work had a low rate of onset compared with non-workers, and the difference appears to be related to non-working women feeling less secure about their marriages.
Characteristics of Suicide Attempters in a Population-Based Sample of Dutch Adolescents
Authors: Kienhorst C. W. M. , de Wilde E. J. , Van Den Bout J. , Diekstra R. F. W. , Wolters W. H. G.
Published: August 2008

The characteristics of suicide attempters were ascertained in a sample of 9393 Dutch students aged 14–20. Broken homes and use of drugs and alcohol were found more often among attempters. Attempters more frequently lived with a single parent, in children's homes or foster homes, were disproportionately of female sex, reported more deaths of friends or relatives, and more often had an unemployed father. Thoughts of suicide and of death were reported more frequently, they were more depressed and hopeless, and had less self-esteem. They were less rational and perceived relationships with parents as poor.
The Social Context of Vocational Rehabilitation for Ex-psychiatric Patients
Authors: Midgley Gerald
Published: August 2008

The main task of vocational rehabilitation facilities is to help people to return to work or, if they have never worked, to find a job for the first time. In the past seven years controversy has surfaced with regard to the role vocational rehabilitation plays in the economy. Some authors have claimed that it implicitly supports an ideology of individualism which actually acts against the interests of people with mental health problems looking for work. While accepting the need to offer a work adjustment service, these writers make a case for further socio-political intervention to help clients. The purpose of this article is to explore some of these ideas and examine their practical implications.
Expressed Emotion and First-Admission Schizophrenia
Authors: Barrelet L. , Ferrero F. , Szigethy L. , Giddey C. , Pellizzer G.
Published: August 2008

A study of 36 French-speaking families in Geneva identified 66% of high-EE household. At nine-month follow-up, the relapse rate for the high-EE group (33%) was significantly higher than for the low-EE group (0%). These results seem to confirm the relevance of EE as predictor of relapse. However, in our sample, it appears that one component of EE, critical comments, was principally responsible for the prognostic validity.
Chronic Benzodiazepine Dependence
Authors: Cantopher T. , Olivieri S. , Cleave N. , Edwards J. Guy
Published: August 2008

Thirty-one patients dependent on benzodiazepines were randomly assigned to either slow withdrawal (SW) or abrupt withdrawal under propranolol cover (PW). Of 16 patients in the SW group, 11 successfully withdrew from their drugs, while only 4 out of 15 in the PW group did so. Patients in the SW group had only mild withdrawal symptoms, while those in the PW group suffered more severe symptoms, which lasted around four weeks. In all, 81 % of the whole group suffered withdrawal symptoms of some kind. Patients in both groups were significantly less anxious at the end of the study than at baseline. Younger subjects and those who were more severely anxious at the start of the trial had more difficulty in withdrawing than older and less anxious patients.
Single-Photon Emission Computerised Tomography (Spect) in Schizophrenia
Authors: Hawton Keith , Shepstone Basil , Soper Nigel , Reznek Lawrie
Published: August 2008

SPECT studies were carried out on three occasions in a woman with schizophrenia. Marked ‘hypofrontality’ was demonstrated during an acute phase of illness. A study during remission was within normal limits, but some return of the original defect was noted in a subsequent relapse. These findings parallel those found in PET studies of schizophrenia.
Mental Precursors of Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Appels A.
Published: August 2008

Both cardiologists and psychiatrists have observed that the onset of myocardial infarction is often preceded by feelings of decreasing energy, general malaise, and minor depression. This paper describes these observations and tries to integrate the findings. It is proposed that the mental state preceding myocardial infarction can be best described as ‘vital exhaustion’.
Confidence - and clinical importance - in research findings
Authors: Gardner Martin J. , Altman Douglas G.
Published: August 2008

Testing the null hypothesis has been the cornerstone of much statistical theory and practice over the last few decades. During this time it has encroached on most disciplines and become widespread in use within them. There are now few research papers in the scientific literature where the outcome of one or more hypothesis tests is not reported. With this ‘progress' there has undoubtedly been an improvement in the way in which data have been collected, analysed, and interpreted, and a move towards more objective evaluation of study results.
Psychiatric Emergencies, Scotland and the World Cup Finals
Authors: Masterton George , Mander Anthony J.
Published: August 2008

Reductions in emergency psychiatric presentations to hospital occurred during and after the finals of the World Cup football competitions, an effect evident in women as well as men, and more marked among the mentally ill than those who were not. Increases in the numbers of schizophrenic and neurotic men presenting before, and alcoholic men during, the competitions can be attributed to the football. The generalised reductions during and after could reflect an indirect effect upon help-seeking, although actual relapse rates of mental illnesses might be affected. These changes could arise from enhancement of national identity and cohesion.
Psychological Consequences of the Enniskillen Bombing
Authors: Curran P. S. , Bell P. , Murray A. , Loughrey G. , Roddy R. , Rocke L. G.
Published: August 2008

Eleven people were killed and 60 injured in the Enniskillen bombing of November 1987. Survivors were psychologically appraised six months and one year later. At six months 50% had developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This group comprised more females than males. However, all victims had high scores on the GHQ. We found no correlation between psychological injury (as measured by the GHQ) and physical injury (as measured by the ISS), calling into question previous assertions.
Familial Tourette's Syndrome in a Large British Pedigree
Authors: Robertson Mary M. , Gourdie Alison
Published: August 2008

A British pedigree multiply affected by the Gilles de la Tourette syndrome and spanning six generations is described. Of 122 members identified, 85 were individually interviewed, and 50 were diagnosed as ‘cases'. ‘Cases' consisted of 29 with definite or probable Gilles de la Tourette syndrome, 17 with definite or probable chronic multiple tics, and four with definite or probable obsessive-compulsive behaviour. Only eight of the 50 ‘cases' had consulted a doctor for their symptoms. ‘Cases' and ‘non-cases' could be distinguished on the basis of echo-phenomena, obsessive-compulsive features, self-injurious behaviour, and the trait score of the Leyton Obsessional Inventory, but did not differ significantly on any other psychopathological variables. The pattern of inheritance of the Gilles de la Tourette syndrome in this pedigree is consistent with autosomal dominant transmission.
Time Course of Cerebral Magnetic Resonance Changes after Electroconvulsive Therapy
Authors: Scott A. I. F. , Douglas R. H. B. , Whitfield A. , Kendell R. E.
Published: August 2008

Nuclear magnetic resonance images of the non-dominant cerebral hemisphere were obtained in 20 unipolar depressed patients immediately before and 25 minutes after electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). T1 values rose about 1 %. Repeated scanning up to 24 hours after ECT was carried out in 13 of these patients. The greatest change in magnetic resonance images was two hours after ECT, and thereafter images gradually returned to baseline values. There was no correlation between magnetic resonance changes and the time taken to become re-orientated after ECT.
Pica in a Patient with Anorexia Nervosa
Authors: McLoughlin I. J. , Hassanyeh F.
Published: August 2008

A case of an unusual pica in a patient with anorexia nervosa is described. The patient was also found to have iron-deficiency anaemia. The relationship of mineral deficiency to pica and anorexia nervosa is discussed.
Dystonia – a Potential Psychiatric Pitfall
Authors: Owens D. G. Cunningham
Published: August 2008

The manifold presentations of dystonia have been acknowledged as a spectrum of illness. Dystonia is primarily idiopathic or drug-induced; purely psychogenic causes would seem to be rare, although such an aetiology is commonly assumed. Response to medication in idiopathic cases is unpredictable, although anticholinergic medication and behavioural programmes are being evaluated.
Alcohol and the Brain
Authors: Lishman W. A.
Published: August 2008

Some of the major effects of alcohol, and alcoholism, on the brain are reviewed, with reappraisal of evidence drawn from brain imaging, neuropathology, clinical psychology, and laboratory experimental work. A hypothesis is developed which may help to account for the wide variability encountered in individual susceptibility to alcoholic brain damage and its varied manifestations. Therapeutic implications are considered.
The Friendships and Recent Life Events of Anxious and Depressed School-Age Children
Authors: Goodyer Ian , Wright Caroline , Altham Patricia
Published: August 2008

The number of moderate to severe undesirable life events and the quality of friendships were compared between a consecutive series of 100 childen aged 7–16 years with emotional disorders and a series of community controls matched for age, sex, and social class. Undesirable events and friendship difficulties exerted independent direct effects of similar magnitude on the probability of developing emotional disorders; 33% of disturbed children experienced both adversities compared with 6% of controls. An additive interaction was found for the two factors. The results were uninfluenced by the sex or pubertal status of the subjects. There appears to be no greater probability of being anxious rather than depressed in the presence of life events, alone or in combinations with friendship difficulties. Recent undesirable life events and friendship difficulties arise through independent social pathways and may exert their effects through different psychological mechanisms.
A Fatal Case of Water Intoxication in a Schizophrenic Patient
Authors: Peh L. H. , Devan G. S. , Low B. L.
Published: August 2008

A fatal case of water intoxication in a schizophrenic female Chinese patient is described, including post-mortem findings.
Combining Pharmacological Antagonists and Behavioural Psychotherapy in Treating Addictions
Authors: Brewer Colin
Published: August 2008

Supervised administration of disulfiram is one of the very few treatments that can significantly reduce alcohol consumption, yet it is rarely used, despite being simple and cheap. Disulfiram is not ‘aversion therapy‘, but a technique for facilitating exposure and response prevention, and it fits comfortably into a behavioural, social-learning model of addiction (or dependence) and its treatment. The availability of other effective antagonists, notably to opiates, suggests that an approach that is demonstrably effective in alcohol dependence may be helpful in treating other addictions. The reasons for the unpopularity of this approach appear to be largely ideological.
Improving House Physicians' Assessments of Self-poisoning
Authors: Burn Wendy K. , Edwards J. Guy , Machin David
Published: August 2008

A questionnaire was developed to help the assessment of patients who take overdoses. Twenty-four house physicians in Southampton university hospitals were randomly divided into a group who used the questionnaire and another group who asked whatever questions they felt appropriate. One hundred and fifty patients who had taken overdoses were included in the study. After the house physician's assessment, a research assistant interviewed all of the patients and the two assessments for each patient were then compared. There was greater agreement between the research assistant and the house physicians who used the questionnaire than those who interviewed patients in an unstructured way with respect to assessments of severity of depression, purpose of the act, suicidal intent, diagnosis, and future management.
Alcoholism: a Follow-up Study of Participants in an Alcohol Treatment Programme
Authors: Shaw G. K. , Waller Seta , McDougall Sine , Macgarvie Jennie , Dunn Graham
Published: August 2008

One hundred and twelve alcoholic patients treated by an intensive one-month residential programme were followed up for one year. As a group, they were socially disadvantaged and highly dependent on alcohol. Outcome of treatment was assessed at six months and one year following discharge by multiple measures which included assessments of drinking behaviour, measurements of social stability, neuroticism and self-esteem, and self-ratings of satisfaction with important aspects of day-to-day living. During the first six months following treatment, 37% were abstinent or drinking in controlled fashion; during the second six months, 53% achieved this status. Improvement in drinking status was positively related to improvements in all other outcome variables.
3H-Imipramine Binding to Previously Frozen Platelet Membranes from Depressed Patients, Before and After Treatment
Authors: Healy David , Theodorou Andreas E. , Whitehouse Andrew M. , Lawrence Kevin M. , White William , Wilton-Cox Helen , Kerry Sally M. , Horton Roger W. , Paykel Eugene S.
Published: August 2008

3H-imipramine binding in 39 drug-free patients with major depression and 44 healthy controls did not differ significantly between the two groups, in male or female subjects or in subgroups of depressed patients divided by endogenicity or dexamethasone suppression test result.3H-imipramine binding in depressed patients drug-free for less than three weeks did not differ from those drug-free for longer intervals or from controls. A significant seasonal variation of3H-imipramineBmax was found, with lower values in summer and autumn. Treatment of depressed patients with imipramine or lofepramine for six weeks increasedKDandBmax. Methodological modification (in preparation and storage of platelets) does not explain the major differences in results between this study (using frozen platelets), a previous one (using freshly prepared platelets) and others in general, although it might contribute to the range of values reported.
Factors Related to Self-reporting of the Pre-menstrual Syndrome
Authors: Warner Pamela , Bancroft John
Published: August 2008

Menstrual health questionnaires were completed by a self-selected sample of the readership of a woman's magazine (n = 5457). Sixty-one per cent of subjects described themselves as suffering from pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) and this was largely corroborated by ratings of symptoms pre-menstrually, menstrually and post-menstrually for the most recent cycle. Mood symptoms were more strongly implicated than physical ones. Self-report of PMS was found to be modestly associated with aspects of parity and oral contraceptive use, but strongly and positively related to the duration of ‘natural’ menstrual cycles (i.e. uninterrupted by pregnancy or steroidal contraception) and to psychosocial stress. There were interactions among psychosocial factors and between psychosocial load and duration of natural cycles.
Clinical Features of Patients Attending a Gender-Identity Clinic
Authors: Burns Alistair , Farrell Michael , Brown Jeremy Christie
Published: August 2008

Of 106 patients attending a gender-identity clinic, 73% satisfied DSM–III criteria for transsexualism. These DSM–III positives had a significantly younger age of onset and were less likely to experience sexual arousal with cross-dressing than those who did not satisfy DSM–III criteria. They were also significantly more likely to fulfil a definition of ‘core transsexualism’. ‘Core transsexualism’ may represent a subgroup within DSM–III criteria for transsexualism and its defining features in this study were an early age of onset, low sexual activity, lack of sexual arousal with cross-dressing and homosexual orientation. Of the whole sample, 23% were referred for gender reassignment surgery, of whom 100% were DSM–III positive and 60% were ‘core transsexuals'.
Langfeldt's Schizophreniform Psychoses Fifty Years Later
Authors: Bergem A. L. Mina , Dahl Alv A. , Guldberg Cato , Hansen Helge
Published: August 2008

As a result of follow-up studies published in 1937 and 1939, Langfeldt divided schizophrenia into two groups; ‘typical schizophrenia’ which had a poor outcome, and the ‘schizophreniform psychoses' which had a less typical clinical picture of schizophrenia and a good outcome. Langfeldt's cases of schizophreniform psychoses were reclassified according to the ICD–9 and DSM–III–R diagnostic systems. Most of the schizophreniform psychoses did not appear ‘schizophrenia-like’ at all, but turned out to be mainly affective disorders. Those included in Langfeldt's diagnosis of ‘schizophreniform psychoses' were found to be too heterogenous to validate the existence of this syndrome.
Carbamazepine and Forme Fruste Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
Authors: Dalkin Tim , Lee Alan S.
Published: August 2008

A woman developed rigidity, autonomic instability and altered consciousness after taking an overdose of trifluoperazine and carbamazepine. A diagnosis of NMS was made despite the absence of fever, as carbamazepine might modify the presentation of NMS.
Mood Disorder, ‘Pre-ictal’ Psychosis and Temporal Lobe Damage
Authors: Johnson Bankole A. , Campbell Lachlan B.
Published: August 2008

A patient with an abnormality in the right temporal lobe presented with episodes of mania many years before the clinical manifestation of both a simple partial seizure and complex partial seizures.
Eating Behaviour and Attitudes to Weight and Shape in British Women from Three Ethnic Groups
Authors: Dolan Bridget , Lacey J. Hubert , Evans Chris
Published: August 2008

Attitudes towards eating, weight and shape were examined in 479 Caucasian, Afro-Caribbean and Asian British women. The Asian women were found to have significantly more disordered eating attitudes than the Caucasian women, but no difference was found between the three groups in their concern with their body weight and shape. However, while in the Caucasian group disordered eating attitudes were significantly positively correlated with feelings of anxiety and depression, this was not true in the other two groups. Although the concerns of British Afro-Caribbean and Asian women are similar to those of the Caucasian women, there may be ethnic differences in the relationship between feelings about eating, weight and shape and mood.
A Trial of Family Therapy versus a Relatives' Group for Schizophrenia
Authors: Leff J. , Berkowitz R. , Shavit N. , Strachan A. , Glass I. , Vaughn C.
Published: August 2008

The results are reported of a two-year follow-up of a trial of family sessions in the home (including patients) (12 families) versus a relatives' group (excluding patients) (11 families). Subjects were patients with schizophrenia living in high face-to-face contact with high-EE relatives. Patients were maintained on neuroleptic drugs for two years where possible. Relatives' critical comments and hostility were significantly lowered by nine months, but no significant changes occurred subsequently. Relatives' overinvolvement reduced steadily throughout the trial, and reduction in relatives' EE, either alone or in combination with reduced face-to-face contact, appeared to be associated with a lower relapse rate. The relapse rates for patients in the family-therapy and relatives’-group streams were 33% and 36% at two years. When these data were combined with the results of a previous trial, it was found that patients in families assigned to any form of social intervention had a two-year relapse rate of 40%, significantly lower than the 75% relapse rate for patients whose families were offered no help. We therefore recommend that relatives' groups are established in conjunction with some family sessions in the home for patients at high risk of relapse.
The Dexamethasone Suppression Test in Anorexia Nervosa the Influence of Weight, Depression, Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone and Dexamethasone
Authors: Schweitzer Isaac , Szmukler George I. , Maguire Kay P. , Harrison Leonard C. , Tuckwell Virginia , Davies Brian M.
Published: August 2008

When 20 female anorexic in-patients were investigated with weekly DSTs, 10 had an abnormal result at initial testing. There was no identifiable relationship between severity of weight loss and DST status; % ideal body weight was no different between suppressors and non-suppressors. There was no consistent relationship between normalisation of the DST response and weight gain. Depressive symptoms were common, with half the patients scoring 20 or more on the HRSD. Plasma ACTH concentrations before and after the DST were normal. There was a significant negative correlation between plasma dexamethasone concentrations and pre- and post-dexamethasone plasma Cortisol concentrations.
A Neuroendocrine View of ECT
Authors: Cooper Stephen J. , Scott Allan I. F. , Whalley Lawrence J.
Published: August 2008

“A neuroendocrine hypothesis to explain the clinical activity of convulsive therapy is described. The hypothesis is based on the diabetes/insulin model and suggests that hypothalamic dysfunction with an insuffiency of a mood-maintaining peptide is the basis for affective disorders. Repeated seizures enhance the production and release of the hypothalamic peptide antidepressin – the active principle that relieves both neuroendocrine and behavioral abnormalities.”
Psychosis Following use of Proprietary Antidiarrhoeal Medicines
Authors: Buckley P. , Larkin C. , O'callaghan E.
Published: August 2008

Anticholinergic psychosis was observed to follow ingestion of proprietary antidiarrhoeal preparations by a 63–year-old woman. Possible abuse or accidental overuse of such medicines in the acutely psychotic patient should always be considered.
Paraphilic Infantilism a Rare Case of Fetishistic Behaviour
Authors: Pandita-Gunawardena Ranjani
Published: August 2008

A rare case of infantile behaviour of a fetishistic nature in an 80–year-old man was possibly related to a head injury at the age of six, when his regression first began. Treatment was deemed unwarranted.
The TAPS Project. 4: An Observational Study of the Social Life of Long-Stay Patients
Authors: Dunn M. , O'Driscoll C. , Dayson D. , Wills W. , Leff J.
Published: August 2008

Observations of long-stay patients in a club in a psychiatric hospital were carried out unobtrusively over several months. Much of the social activity that went on was stimulated by an economy based around the purchase and exchange of tea and cigarettes, and the borrowing and lending of small change. Most patients could be fitted into one of four social categories: helpers, friends, nuisances, and the asocial. The inter-rater reliability of the observations was found to be 0.95. A close correspondence emerged between the observations of patients' social behaviour and material reported by patients when interviewed with the Social Network Schedule.
Comparison of the General Health Questionnaire and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale
Authors: Lewis Glyn , Wessely Simon
Published: August 2008

The specificity and sensitivity of the HAD, 12-item GHQ and CIS were calculated by comparing the scores of dermatological patients on these tests with a criterion measure of disorder. Since psychiatry, along with many other branches of medicine, does not have an error-free criterion, it was assumed that the criterion was an underlying latent construct which was measured by all of the tests and could be derived by factor analysis from the scores on them. No differences were found between the two questionnaires (HAD and GHQ) in their ability to detect cases of minor psychiatric disorder although they were somewhat less reliable than the CIS.
Aerosol Addiction
Authors: Prasher V. P. , Corbett J. A.
Published: August 2008

A case of dependency on prescribed pressurised aerosols in a patient with asthma and mild mental handicap is reported. The majority of reported cases involve young asthmatics, abuse being reported mainly using salbutamol inhalers although other inhalers have also given cause for concern. The agent of addiction is uncertain although it may be the fluorinated hydrocarbons used as propellents, rather than the active substance itself.
Controlled Ovarian Stimulation Induces a Functional Genomic Delay of the Endometrium with Potential Clinical Implications
Authors: Horcajadas José A. , Mínguez Pablo , Dopazo Joaquín , Esteban Francisco J. , Domínguez Francisco , Giudice Linda C. , Pellicer Antonio , Simón Carlos
Published: August 2008

Context: Controlled ovarian stimulation induces morphological, biochemical, and functional genomic modifications of the human endometrium during the window of implantation.

Objective: Our objective was to compare the gene expression profile of the human endometrium in natural vs. controlled ovarian stimulation cycles throughout the early-mid secretory transition using microarray technology.

Method: Microarray data from 49 endometrial biopsies obtained from LH+1 to LH+9 (n = 25) in natural cycles and from human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) +1 to hCG+9 in controlled ovarian stimulation cycles (n = 24) were analyzed using different methods, such as clustering, profiling of biological processes, and selection of differentially expressed genes, as implemented in Gene Expression Pattern Analysis Suite and Babelomics programs.

Results: Endometria from natural cycles followed different genomic patterns compared with controlled ovarian stimulation cycles in the transition from the pre-receptive (days LH/hCG+1 until LH/hCG+5) to the receptive phase (day LH+7/hCG+7). Specifically, we have demonstrated the existence of a 2-d delay in the activation/repression of two clusters composed by 218 and 133 genes, respectively, on day hCG+7 vs. LH+7. Many of these delayed genes belong to the class window of implantation genes affecting basic biological processes in the receptive endometrium.

Conclusions: These results demonstrate that gene expression profiling of the endometrium is different between natural and controlled ovarian stimulation cycles in the receptive phase. Identification of these differentially regulated genes can be used to understand the different developmental profiles of receptive endometrium during controlled ovarian stimulation and to search for the best controlled ovarian stimulation treatment in terms of minimal endometrial impact.
Maribavir: A Novel Antiviral Agent with Activity Against Cytomegalovirus
Authors: Trofe Jennifer , Pote Lindsey , Wade Erin , Blumberg Emily , Bloom Roy D
Published: August 2008

Objective:

To review the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of maribavir, a novel antiviral agent in the benzimidazole drug class. Data sources: Articles were identified through searches of MEDLINE (January 1998-July 2008). Abstracts from recent scientific meetings and the manufacturer were also included.

Study Selection and Data Extraction:

All English-language in vitro and in vivo studies and abstracts evaluating maribavir were reviewed and considered for inclusion. All human studies were included.

Data Synthesis:

Maribavir has significant activity against both human cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus, but not other herpesviruses Unlike ganaclovir. which needs to be phosphorated by UL 97 kinase to become an active inhibitor of DNA polymerase, maribavir directly inhibits UL 97 kinase. UL 97 kinase is an early viral gene product involved in viral DNA elongation, DNA packaging and egress or shedding of capsids from viral nuclei. Maribavir has also been found to be effective against ganciclovir-resistant CMV strains. Maribavir differs from current CMV antiwal agents in its adverse event profile. Maribavir is not associated with nephrotoxicity or hematologic toxicities, but has been associated with taste disturbances. In February 2007, maribavir was granted Food and Drug Administration orphan drug status for prevention of CMV viremia and diseases in at-risk populations. Maribavir Phase 2 trials in stem-cell transplant recipients have been completed, and there are ongoing Phase 3 trials in stem-cell and organ transplant recipients.

Conclusions:

Maribavir may be an option for treatment of ganciclovir-resistant CMV infections. Its bioavailability is greater than that of oral ganciclovir, but less than that of valganciclovir. No differences in pharmacokinetics were seen in renally impaired patients, although dialysis-dependent patients were not evaluated. Maribavir is not associated with hematologic toxicities; however, the high prevalence of taste disturbances may limit its tolerability.
Comparison of Oral Aspirin Versus Topical Applied Methyl Salicylate for Platelet Inhibition
Authors: Tanen David A , Danish D Christopher , Reardon Jacqueline M , Chisholm Christopher B , Matteucci Michael J , Riffenburgh Robert H
Published: August 2008

Background:

Oral acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) is the primary antiplatelet therapy in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction and acute coronary syndrome. Methyl salicylate (MS; oil of wintergreen) is compounded into many over-the-counter antiinflammatory muscle preparations and has been shown to inhibit platelet aggregation locally and to be absorbed systemically.

Objective:

To assess the ability of topically applied MS to inhibit systemic platelet aggregation for patients who are unable to tolerate oral drug therapy.

Methods:

A randomized, prospective, blinded, crossover study was conducted in 9 healthy men, aged 30-46 years. All subjects ingested 162 mg of aspirin or applied 5 g of 30% MS preparation to their anterior thighs. There was a minimum 2-week washout period between study arms. Blood and urine were collected at baseline and at 6 hours. An aggregometer measured platelet aggregation over time against 5 standard concentrations of epinephrine, and a mean area under the curve (AUC) was calculated. Urinary metabolites of thromboxane B2 were measured by a standard enzyme immunoassay. Differences in and between groups at baseline and 6 hours were tested by the Wilcoxon signed-rank test,

Results:

Baseline platelet aggregation did not differ significantly between the 2 arms of the study (median AUC [% aggregation'min]; binominal confidence intervals): aspirin 183; 139 to 292 versus MS 197; 118 to 445 (p = 0.51). Both aspirin and MS produced statistically significant platelet inhibition; aspirin decreased the AUC from 183; 139 to 292 to 85; 48 to 128 (p = 0.008) and MS decreased the AUC from 197; 118 to 445 to 112; 88 to 306 (p =0.011). No significant difference was detected between baseline and 6-hour thromboxane levels for either aspirin (p = 0.779) or MS (p = 0.327).

Conclusions:

Topical MS and oral aspirin both significantly decrease platelet aggregation in healthy human volunteers.
Modeling crack propagation in wood and wood composites. A review COST Action E35 2004–2008: Wood machining – micromechanics and fracture
Authors: Landis Eric N. , Navi Parviz
Published: August 2008

Predictive simulation of crack growth and fracture of wood and wood composites has always been difficult, and it has been limited by the availability of appropriate fracture models. As summarized herein, progress has been made on several fronts. First, a variety of fictitious crack model refinements have been made, along with the corresponding effects on bulk load-deformation response andR-curve behavior. Second, progress has been made on several different discrete element approaches that can explicitly represent material heterogeneity and variability. While progress has been substantial, a universal fracture law for wood remains elusive.
Nervous Wreck and Cdc42 Cooperate to Regulate Endocytic Actin Assembly during Synaptic Growth
Authors: Rodal Avital A. , Motola-Barnes Rebecca N. , Littleton J. Troy
Published: August 2008

Regulation of synaptic morphology depends on endocytosis of activated growth signal receptors, but the mechanisms regulating this membrane-trafficking event are unclear. Actin polymerization mediated by Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASp) and the actin-related protein 2/3 complex generates forces at multiple stages of endocytosis. FCH-BIN amphiphysin RVS (F-BAR)/SH3 domain proteins play key roles in this process by coordinating membrane deformation with WASp-dependent actin polymerization. However, it is not known how other WASp ligands, such as the small GTPase Cdc42, coordinate with F-BAR/SH3 proteins to regulate actin polymerization at membranes. Nervous Wreck (Nwk) is a conserved neuronal F-BAR/SH3 protein that localizes to periactive zones at theDrosophilalarval neuromuscular junction (NMJ) and is required for regulation of synaptic growth via bone morphogenic protein signaling. Here, we show that Nwk interacts with the endocytic proteins dynamin and Dap160 and functions together with Cdc42 to promote WASp-mediated actin polymerizationin vitroand to regulate synaptic growthin vivo. Cdc42 function is associated with Rab11-dependent recycling endosomes, and we show that Rab11 colocalizes with Nwk at the NMJ. Together, our results suggest that synaptic growth activated by growth factor signaling is controlled at an endosomal compartment via coordinated Nwk and Cdc42-dependent actin assembly.
Analysis of concrete structures across the ductility spectrum
Authors: Sebastian W. , Zhang C.
Published: August 2008

This paper presents a computational technique for time-efficient prediction of the ultimate loads of indeterminate reinforced concrete (RC) structures of different ductility levels. The method is based on the submission of section flexural stiffnesses for the structure into linear structural analysis. An iterative approach is employed, which eventually harmonises the stiffness input to the analysis with the moments output from the analysis, while also activating the failure stress resultant(s) at the critical location(s) of the structure. Softening of stiffness distributions owing to factors such as fracture of reinforcement-to-concrete connections is discussed. The technique is illustrated by way of examples including a ductility-compromised frame and multi-span continuous beams, which possess varying levels of ductility. Uncertainties in quantifying initial stress resultants in structures targeted for strengthening are discussed. It is concluded that the method shows promise for rapid ultimate analysis of highly indeterminate RC structures.
ADVECTION AND RESULTING CO2 EXCHANGE UNCERTAINTY IN A TALL FOREST IN CENTRAL GERMANY
Authors: Kutsch Werner L. , Kolle Olaf , Rebmann Corinna , Knohl Alexander , Ziegler Waldemar , Schulze Ernst-Detlef
Published: August 2008

Potential losses by advection were estimated at Hainich Forest, Thuringia, Germany, where the tower is located at a gentle slope. Three approaches were used: (1) comparing nighttime eddy covariance fluxes to an independent value of total ecosystem respiration by bottom‐up modeling of the underlying processes, (2) direct measurements of a horizontal CO2 gradient and horizontal wind speed at 2 m height in order to calculate horizontal advection, and (3) direct measurements of a vertical CO2 gradient and a three‐dimensional wind profile in order to calculate vertical advection.

In the first approach, nighttime eddy covariance measurements were compared to independent values of total ecosystem respiration by means of bottom‐up modeling of the underlying biological processes. Turbulent fluxes and storage term were normalized to the fluxes calculated by the bottom‐up model. Below a u* threshold of 0.6 m/s the normalized turbulent fluxes decreased with decreasing u*, but the flux to the storage increased only up to values less than 20% of the modeled flux at low turbulence.

Horizontal advection was measured by a horizontal CO2 gradient over a distance of 130 m combined with horizontal wind speed measurements. Horizontal advection occurred at most of the evenings independently of friction velocity above the canopy. Nevertheless, horizontal advection was higher when u* was low. The peaks of horizontal advection correlated with changes in temperature.

A full mass balance including turbulent fluxes, storage, and horizontal and vertical advection resulted in an increase of spikes and scatter but seemed to generally improve the results from the flux measurements.

The comparison of flux data with independent bottom‐up modeling results as well as the direct measurements resulted in strong indications that katabatic flows along the hill slope during evening and night reduces the measured apparent ecosystem respiration rate. In addition, anabatic flows may occur during the morning. We conclude that direct measurements of horizontal and vertical advection are highly necessary at sites located even on gentle hill slopes.
INCREASED SPATIAL VARIANCE ACCOMPANIES REORGANIZATION OF TWO CONTINENTAL SHELF ECOSYSTEMS
Authors: Litzow Michael A. , Urban J. Daniel , Laurel Benjamin J.
Published: August 2008

Phase transitions between alternate stable states in marine ecosystems lead to disruptive changes in ecosystem services, especially fisheries productivity. We used trawl survey data spanning phase transitions in the North Pacific (Gulf of Alaska) and the North Atlantic (Scotian Shelf) to test for increases in ecosystem variability that might provide early warning of such transitions. In both time series, elevated spatial variability in a measure of community composition (ratio of cod [Gadus sp.] abundance to prey abundance) accompanied transitions between ecosystem states, and variability was negatively correlated with distance from the ecosystem transition point. In the Gulf of Alaska, where the phase transition was apparently the result of a sudden perturbation (climate regime shift), variance increased one year before the transition in mean state occurred. On the Scotian Shelf, where ecosystem reorganization was the result of persistent overfishing, a significant increase in variance occurred three years before the transition in mean state was detected. However, we could not reject the alternate explanation that increased variance may also have simply been inherent to the final stable state in that ecosystem. Increased variance has been previously observed around transition points in models, but rarely in real ecosystems, and our results demonstrate the possible management value in tracking the variance of key parameters in exploited ecosystems.
COMPOSITIONAL AND FUNCTIONAL STABILITY OF ARTHROPOD COMMUNITIES IN THE FACE OF ANT INVASIONS
Authors: Krushelnycky Paul D. , Gillespie Rosemary G.
Published: August 2008

There is a general consensus that the diversity of a biotic community can have an influence on its stability, but the strength, ubiquity, and relative importance of this effect is less clear. In the context of biological invasions, diversity has usually been studied in terms of its effect on a community's invasibility, but diversity may also influence stability by affecting the magnitude of compositional or functional changes experienced by a community upon invasion. We examined the impacts of invasive ants on arthropod communities at five natural area sites in the Hawaiian Islands, and assessed whether differences among sites in community diversity and density variables were related to measures of stability. Ant invasion was usually associated with significant changes in overall community composition, as measured by Bray‐Curtis distances, particularly among endemic subsets of the communities. Changes in mean species richness were also strong at three of the five sites. Among sites, diversity was negatively related to stability as measured by resistance to overall compositional change, but this effect could not be separated from the strong negative effect of invasive ant density on compositional stability. When compositional stability was measured as proportional change in richness, the best predictor of stability among endemic community subsets was endemic richness, with richer communities losing proportionately more species than species‐poor communities. This effect was highly significant even after controlling for differences in invasive ant density and suggested that communities that had already lost many endemic species were resistant to further species loss upon ant invasion, while more intact communities remained vulnerable to species loss. Communities underwent strong but idiosyncratic functional shifts in association with ant invasion, both in terms of trophic structure and total arthropod biomass. There were no apparent relationships, however, between functional stability and community diversity or density measures. Instead, invasive ant density was the best among‐site predictor of the magnitude of functional change. Overall, diversity appeared to be a poor predictor of stability in the face of ant invasion in these communities, possibly because any actual diversity effects were overshadowed by community‐specific factors and variation in the magnitude of the ant‐mediated perturbation.
AN INTRODUCTION TO FLUX MEASUREMENTS IN DIFFICULT CONDITIONS
Authors: Finnigan John
Published: August 2008

The origins of the aerodynamic techniques now widely used at sites around the world to measure continuous biosphere–atmosphere exchange of carbon and energy are briefly reviewed. A survey of the current state of this approach concludes that the technique often fails when standard analysis routines are applied to data from single towers in complex flows. In the daytime, problems are signaled by failure to close the surface energy balance because turbulent energy fluxes are routinely underestimated. Complex flows are more prevalent at night when they lead to failure to measure all the respired CO2. At such times, the aerodynamic methodology is commonly supplemented by biological models. A set of papers from a workshop on “Flux Measurements in Difficult Conditions” held at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in January 2006 are introduced next. Two papers review the causes and magnitude of these flow‐based problems. Four papers describe intensive field experiments that detail the mechanisms that cause problematic complex flows. These experiments show, inter alia, that the technique of replacing nighttime eddy flux measurements by biological models can also be systematically biased. Finally, two model studies are used both to illustrate the physics behind these complex flows and to motivate an approach to systematic correction of single‐tower results.