bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serial Upstream-Propagating Mesoscale Convective System Events over Southeastern South America
Authors: Anabor Vagner , Stensrud David J. , de Moraes Osvaldo L. L.
Published: August 2008

Serial mesoscale convective system (MCS) events with lifetimes over 18 h and up to nearly 70 h are routinely observed over southeastern South America from infrared satellite imagery during the spring and summer. These events begin over the southern La Plata River basin, with individual convective systems generally moving eastward with the cloud-layer-mean wind. However, an important and common subset of these serial MCS events shows individual MCSs moving to the east or southeast, yet the region of convective development as a whole shifts upstream to the north or northwest. Analyses of the composite mean environments from 10 of these upstream-propagating serial MCS events using NCEP–NCAR reanalysis data events indicates that the synoptic conditions resemble those found in mesoscale convective complex environments over the United States. The serial MCS events form within an environment of strong low-level warm advection and strong moisture advection between the surface and 700 hPa from the Amazon region southward. One feature that appears to particularly influence the low-level flow pattern at early times is a strong surface anticyclone located just off the coast of Brazil. At upper levels, the MCSs develop on the anticyclonic side of the entrance region to an upper-level jet. Mean soundings show that the atmosphere is moist from the surface to near 500 hPa, with values of convective available potential energy above 1200 J kg−1 at the time of system initiation. System dissipation and continued upstream propagation to the north and northwest occurs in tandem with a surface high pressure system that crosses the Andes Mountains from the west.
Adapting Evidence-Based Mental Health Treatments in Community Settings
Authors: Southam-Gerow Michael A. , Hourigan Shannon E. , Allin Robert B.
Published: August 2008

This article describes the application of a university—community partnership model to the problem of adapting evidence-based treatment approaches in a community mental health setting. Background on partnership research is presented, with consideration of methodological and practical issues related to this kind of research. Then, a rationale for using partnerships as a basis for conducting mental health treatment research is presented. Finally, an ongoing partnership research project concerned with the adaptation of evidence-based mental health treatments for childhood internalizing problems in community settings is presented, with preliminary results of the ongoing effort discussed.
Disaster Vulnerabilities
Authors: Caruson Kiki , MacManus Susan A.
Published: August 2008

In 2004, the Government Accountability Office reported that in the context of homeland security and disaster management, regional organization is an effective way to improve intergovernmental cooperation and preparedness at the local level. In 2006, the Department of Homeland Security began including risk (vulnerability) calculations in its funding formulas and adopted a regional approach to the distribution of funds to major metropolitan areas. Despite regionalism's theoretical appeal and its popularity as an organizational structure, what makes regionalism work in the context of emergency management/homeland security has not been methodically examined at the first responder level. Our study of local governments in Florida empirically tests the relationship between perceived vulnerabilities (risks) and the effectiveness of regional emergency management organizational structures. We find that certain types of local vulnerabilities, such as population attributes and infrastructure, are more powerful promoters of proregionalism sentiments than others, most notably financial condition.
Exploring Constructs of Intellectual Disability and Personhood in Haryana and Delhi
Authors: Mehrotra Nilika , Vaidya Shubhangi
Published: August 2008

Intellectual disability is one of the least researched areas in social science inquiry. This paper traces the complex interplay between the concepts of intellectual disability, gender and personhood. It outlines the socio-historical and cross-cultural variability of intellectual disability, and its connections with class, urbanisation and modernisation. Based on ethnographic material on the disabled in Delhi and the neighbouring state of Haryana, it presents case studies of two NGOs working with the intellectually disabled, namely, Arpan, a school for the mentally retarded in Rohtak, Haryana, and Action for Autism in New Delhi. It engages specifically with the notion of masculinity and the manner in which intellectually disabled male adults are feminised and infantilised. An attempt is made to understand how disabled individuals and their families seek social spaces for themselves and negotiate the social compulsions for ‘normalcy’ and competent adulthood.
Management, Prophets, and Self-Fulfilling Prophecies
Authors: Dyck Bruno , Starke Frederick A. , Dueck Cal
Published: August 2008

This article responds to the increasing calls in the literature for “new prophets and old ideals” on which to develop (Radical) management theory and practice that will help us escape the “iron cage” and the undue emphasis on materialism and individualism that characterizes conventional management. The authors examine teachings ascribed to Jesus in the biblical record, which have historically been used to support conventional management theory and practice, and show how they can be (re)interpreted from a less materialist—individualist moral point-of-view to support a radical view of management theory and practice. Implications for management theory and practice are noted.
Beyond Gender Profiling in Lifestyle Medicine
Authors: Terre Lisa
Published: August 2008

This review discusses evidence-based perspectives on lifestyle risk reduction for men. Implications for clinical best practices and social policy are considered. Directions for future research also are highlighted.
Isolation and analysis of the genetic diversity of repertoires of VSG expression site containing telomeres from Trypanosoma brucei gambiense, T. b. brucei and T. equiperdum
Authors: Young Rosanna , Taylor Jesse E , Kurioka Ayako , Becker Marion , Louis Edward J , Rudenko Gloria
Published: August 2008

Background

African trypanosomes (including Trypanosoma brucei) are unicellular parasites which multiply in the mammalian bloodstream. T. brucei has about twenty telomeric bloodstream form Variant Surface Glycoprotein (VSG) expression sites (BESs), of which one is expressed at a time in a mutually exclusive fashion. BESs are polycistronic transcription units, containing a variety of families of expression site associated genes (ESAG s) in addition to the telomeric VSG. These polymorphic ESAG families are thought to play a role in parasite-host adaptation, and it has been proposed that ESAG diversity might be related to host range. Analysis of the genetic diversity of these telomeric gene families has been confounded by the underrepresentation of telomeric sequences in standard libraries. We have previously developed a method to selectively isolate sets of trypanosome BES containing telomeres using Transformation associated recombination (TAR) cloning in yeast.

Results

Here we describe the isolation of repertoires of BES containing telomeres from three trypanosome subspecies: Trypanosoma brucei gambiense DAL 972 (causative agent of West-African trypanosomiasis), T. b. brucei EATRO 2340 (a nonhuman infective strain) and T. equiperdum STIB 818 (which causes a sexually transmitted disease in equines). We have sequenced and analysed the genetic diversity at four BES loci (BES promoter region, ESAG6, ESAG5 and ESAG2) from these three trypanosome BES repertoires.

Conclusion

With the exception of ESAG2, the BES sequence repertoires derived from T. b. gambiense are both less diverse than and nearly reciprocally monophyletic relative to those from T. b. brucei and T. equiperdum. Furthermore, although we find evidence for adaptive evolution in all three ESAG repertoires in T. b. brucei and T. equiperdum, only ESAG2 appears to be under diversifying selection in T. b. gambiense. This low level of variation in the T. b. gambiense BES sequence repertoires is consistent both with the relatively narrow host range of this subspecies and its apparent long-term clonality. However, our data does not show a clear correlation between size of trypanosome host range and either number of BESs or extent of ESAG genetic diversity.
Methoxylation enhances stilbene bioactivity in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Wilson Mark A , Rimando Agnes M , Wolkow Catherine A
Published: August 2008

Background

Stilbenes are 1,2-diphenylethylene congeners produced by plants in response to stress. Many stilbenes also exhibit xenobiotic activities in animal cells, such as inhibition of cancer cell growth, neuroprotection, and immune modulation. In vivo, hydroxylated stilbenes are metabolized by glucuronidation to facilitate excretion. Methoxylated stilbenes are metabolized more slowly, which may have a positive effect on in vivo bioactivity. Here, we have directly compared in vivo bioactivities of methoxylated and hydroxylated stilbenes in a whole organism using the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans, an advantageous experimental system for such studies due to its rapid lifecycle, genetic amenability and relatively low-cost.

Results

Toxicity towards C. elegans adults was observed for trimethoxylated and dimethoxylated stilbenes, as well as the monomethoxylated stilbene desoxyrhapontigenin. Toxicity was not observed for the monomethoxylated stilbene, pinostilbene, nor for hydroxylated stilbenes. The methoxylated stilbenes that exhibited toxicity also showed stronger inhibitory effects than the hydroxylated stilbenes on germline tumor growth in gld-1(q485) adults. However, steady-state levels of three inhibitory methoxylated stilbenes did not directly correlate to their relative bioactivities.

Conclusion

These findings demonstrate that, for the group of stilbenes investigated, methoxylation generally increased bioactivity in vivo in a whole organism, with the exception of pinostilbene. Differences in bioactivity in C. elegans adults did not appear to correlate with differential uptake. Rather, we speculate that methoxylated stilbenes may have increased interactions with biological targets in vivo or may interact with specific targets unaffected by hydroxylated stilbenes. The potent activities of methoxylated stilbenes provide a basis for further investigations to identify in vivo targets for these compounds.
Referrals from General Practitioners to Psychiatrists and Paramedical Mental Health Professionals
Authors: Wilkinson Greg
Published: August 2008

The literature on referral of patients by GPs to psychiatrists and mental health specialists is examined. Referrals to psychiatrists account for 3% of all those made by GPs, but the individual rates vary widely. The proportion of patients referred to psychiatrists and paramedical mental health workers in general practice is unknown, but probably substantial.
Freud's Family
Authors: Reder Peter
Published: August 2008

Sigmund Freud's family background holds extraordinary fascination, not just because he is an historic figure but because his very ideas centred around the influence of formative family relationships. In addition, Freud used his own experiences as one means of research, from which he concluded that some personal details only may be available in disguised form. This has proved an irresistible challenge to those interested in the evolution of Freud's theories.
The Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome: the Current Status
Authors: Robertson Mary M.
Published: August 2008

The Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome is a movement disorder characterised by both motor and vocal (phonic) tics. It was once thought to be rare, and the literature until the 1970s consisted predominantly of case reports, both highlighting the fascinating clinical manifestations and speculating as to their aetiology. Many areas of GTS are under investigation, including the neurology, psychopathology, neurophysiology, biochemistry, and genetics. This review briefly considers early descriptions of GTS as well as current research, highlighting the areas of agreement and controversy.
Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease by Psychological Methods
Authors: Johnston Derek W.
Published: August 2008

It is generally recognised that much cardiovascular disease is the result of voluntary behaviour such as smoking cigarettes, and the pursuit of stress-prone lifestyles. Since these risks are primarily behavioural, it is appropriate to attempt to alter them, and hence reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, using psychological methods, and such methods can reduce both biological and psychological stress-related factors. Studies of healthy populations, of those at increased risk, and of patients with clear cardiovascular disease have all shown that risk-related behaviour can be altered and, in some cases, the incidence of cardiovascular disease reduced. Future research will have to extend these findings, which were often on atypical populations, and confirm reduction of cardiovascular disease.
Frequency of Symptoms in Melancholia (Depressive Illness)
Authors: Hamilton M.
Published: August 2008

Symptoms of depression were quantitatively recorded using a rating scale, for 239 men and 260 women. The frequency of the various symptoms were similar for the sexes, with a high frequency for anxiety, both psychic and somatic. The results show that the symptoms of depressive patients differ from those found in the classic descriptions.
Gilles de la Tourette's Syndrome
Authors: Wright Simon , Peet Malcolm
Published: August 2008

A case of Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome (TS) is described, in which a state of akinesia developed during an attempt to withdraw lorazepam by diazepam substitution. This was followed by sustained amelioration of the TS symptoms.
Day-Hospital and Community Treatment for Acute Psychiatric Illness
Authors: Creed Francis , Black Dawn , Anthony Philip
Published: August 2008

Findings on the efficacy of day-hospital and community treatment for acutely ill psychiatric patients have been contradictory. This review confirms the methodological problems previously noted, but highlights the variation in feasibility of day care: staffing levels and the attitudes of staff appear to have been responsible, along with the severity and chronicity of illness. The comparison of day and in-patient care to see which is 'superior’ has been unrewarding, and further research is needed. Day-hospital treatment is unlikely to be more widely used for acutely ill patients until: (a) there is clear evidence that certain patients are best treated in this way; (b) the social and clinical characteristics of such patients are defined; (c) adequate staffing is achieved (i.e. day care is not regarded as a cheap option); and (d) day centres are available for chronic patients.
Sight and Insight: Brain Dopamine Receptor Occupancy by Neuroleptics Visualised in Living Schizophrenic Patients by Positron Emission Tomography
Authors: Waddington John L.
Published: August 2008

There can be few more impressive sights in contemporary neuroscience and biological psychiatry than the imaging of neurotransmitter receptors in the brains of living human subjects by positron emission tomography (PET; Sedvall et al, 1986). How has such technology advanced our understanding of the pathophysiology and/or treatment of major psychiatric disorders?
Comparative Assessment of Efficacy and Withdrawal Symptoms After 6 and 12 Weeks' Treatment with Diazepam or Buspirone
Authors: Murphy Siobhan M. , Owen Robert , Tyrer Peter
Published: August 2008

Fifty-one outpatients presenting with generalised anxiety disorder were included in a double-blind trial, and treated with either buspirone (a new non-benzodiazepine antianxiety drug) or diazepam over 6 or 12 weeks, after which they were abruptly withdrawn and continued on placebo to 14 weeks. Ratings of anxiety and other symptoms were administered fortnightly and additional withdrawal symptoms noted. Forty patients completed the study; 8 of the 11 drop-outs were taking buspirone. Both drugs reduced anxiety, diazepam more rapidly, but with greater withdrawal symptoms, particularly after 6 weeks. Regular treatment with diazepam for 6 weeks leads to a significant risk of pharmacological dependence that is not present with buspirone.
Significance of Extreme Temperament in Infancy for Clinical Status in Preschool Years
Authors: Maziade Michel , Thivierge Jacques , Côté Robert , Boutin Pierrette , Bernier Hugues
Published: August 2008

Few, if any, of children's behavioural or cognitive characteristics assessed in the first years of life demonstrate stability until later childhood; early characteristics have so far failed to show an association with future psychopathology. This longitudinal study, from 4–8 months to 4.7 years old, focused on stability and change of extreme temperamental traits in groups of infants subselected from a large birth cohort. Persistent extreme temperament at four and eight months old did not increase stability of temperament to four years of age, relative to other children in the whole population. Sizeable change occurred, and the environmental parameters associated with negative temperamental change did not seem to be the same as those related to positive change. Boys with extreme scores were more stable, while girls appeared more prone to positive change. It is hypothesised that the direction of temperamental change in the first years could be more meaningful for long-term prediction of disorders than any one assessment of temperament taken at any one year.
Altered State of Consciousness in a Compulsive Water Drinker
Authors: Lee Sing , Chow Chun Chung , Koo Linda C. L.
Published: August 2008

A relatively normal 16-year-old Chinese woman with a six-month history of compulsive water drinking resulting in a comatose state is reported. The drinking was perpetuated by an enjoyable altered state of consciousness after ingestion of an average of 20 litres of water per day. Treatment by fluid restriction and, later, simple education was successful. The subjective dimension of an altered state of consciousness may provide an important explanation for the obscure aetiology.
Dementia and Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Gibb W. R. G.
Published: August 2008

Recent research into the dementia of Parkinson's disease has exposed a complex area in which it has not always been possible to match clinical and pathological observations. Certain neuropsychological deficits result from a disruption of basal ganglia and frontal lobe interactions. These are unrelated to a global dementia, the prevalence of which exceeds twice that in the normal population. The associated pathological lesions comprise cortical pathology, either Alzheimer's disease or Lewy bodies, in combination with moderate degeneration of the subcortical, cholinergic, basal nucleus of Meynert.
The Glasgow Rehabilitation Survey
Authors: Livingston Martin G. , Bryson Adam
Published: August 2008

To assess the future requirements for long-stay psychiatric beds, every consultant psychiatrist in Glasgow was asked to consider whether long-stay patients in his or her wards would be fit for rehabilitation and return to the community. For the purposes of the survey, long stay was defined as a single admission of at least six months, but patients with an organic diagnosis who were aged over 65 were excluded. It was estimated that, with rehabilitation, almost a third of the patients surveyed could return to the community, and that, with more participation in self-care, over 15% might be able to manage in a ward or hostel within the hospital. Patients judged fit to return to the community were preponderantly younger patients with a shorter period of inpatient care, and those suffering from a functional psychotic illness.
A Study of Factors Associated with Response to Electroconvulsive Therapy in Patients with Schizophrenic Symptoms
Authors: Dodwell David , Goldberg David
Published: August 2008

Seventeen patients with schizophrenic symptoms were assessed before and after ECT to elicit possible factors predictive of outcome. The strongest associations with good outcome were shown by short duration of illness and paucity of premorbid schizoid personality traits; significant associations were also shown by short duration of current episode, paucity of paranoid premorbid personality traits, and the presence of perplexity. The diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder was not related to outcome. Questionnaires completed by 16 patients after ECT showed their attitudes to be generally favourable to the procedure.
The Damnation of Benzodiazepines
Authors: Taylor F. Kräupl
Published: August 2008

It is argued that there are two kinds of benzodiazepine dependence: a therapeutic and a morbid kind. The therapeutic dependence is acceptable in that it mitigates the clinical manifestations in patients with long-standing and fluctuating anxious–depressive symptoms. The morbid dependence is an unfortunate complication which can arouse therapeutic concern because it ties patients to an excessive dosage, unless the penalty of a sometimes grim abstinence syndrome is paid on drug reduction. The present, often strident and threatening, damnation of benzodiazepines oversteps the mark and causes avoidable misery to patients whose well-being has become largely and therapeutically dependent on the drug.
Delusions of Pregnancy in Men
Authors: Chaturvedi Santosh K.
Published: August 2008

The case of a young, unmarried boy, who had moderate mental retardation, epilepsy, and post-ictal psychosis, is described here. During the psychosis, he believed he was pregnant, and had related behavioural disturbances. The review of other such cases reveals that organic brain damage was evident in all cases. Brain damage seems to be the more likely causative factor than psychodynamic factors.
Counselling the Relatives of the Long-Term Adult Mentally Ill
Authors: Kuipers Liz , MacCarthy Brigid , Hurry Jane , Harper Rod , LeSage Alain
Published: August 2008

A psychosocial intervention is described geared to the needs of carers of the long-term mentally ill, which is feasible for a busy clinical team to implement: relatives were not selected for the group by patient diagnosis or motivation and little extra staff input was required. An interactive education session at home was followed by a monthly relatives group which aimed to reduce components of expressed emotion (EE) and to alleviate burden. The group facilitators adopted a directive but non-judgemental style, and constructive coping efforts were encouraged. The intervention was effective at reducing EE and improving family relationships. The study offers a realistic model of how to offer support to people providing long-term care for the severely mentally ill.
Brain White-Matter Lesions and Psychosis
Authors: Miller Bruce L. , Lesser Ira M. , Boone Kyle , Goldberg Mark , Hill Elizabeth , Miller Milton H. , Benson D. Frank , Mehringer Mark
Published: August 2008

In a prospective study of late-life onset psychosis, five of the first 27 patients studied had extensive white-matter lesions demonstrated by MRI and/or CT. None of 60 age-matched psychiatrically healthy controls demonstrated such lesions. All five patients had a mild dementia and a frontal behavioural syndrome. In addition, every patient performed poorly on neuropsychological tests of frontal function. Dysfunction of the frontal cortex associated with white-matter lesions appears to contribute to the clinical picture of some cases of late-life psychosis.
French Empirical Criteria for the Diagnosis of Non-Affective Non-Organic Psychoses
Authors: Kellam Alexander M. P.
Published: August 2008

At the end of the 19th century, when the current psychiatric diagnostic concepts used in most countries were being elaborated, in Germany particularly by Kraepelin, French-speaking psychiatrists, who until then had dominated European psychiatry, continued to develop their own system. This difference in classification is most apparent in the non-organic, non-affective psychoses. Although some of the French names used may be unfamiliar to anglophones, when the new ‘consensus' criteria developed by Professors Pull and Pichot are compared with the DSM-III-R criteria it becomes apparent that the French and American concepts are converging.
Wilson's Disease: A Prospective Study of Psychopathology in 31 Cases
Authors: Dening T. R. , Berrios G. E.
Published: August 2008

A prospective neuropsychiatric study of 31 consecutive subjects with Wilson's disease is reported. Exploratory factor analysis yielded four factors: neurological, cognitive, hepatic/depressive and psychiatric. Significant associations were found between a ‘psychopathic’ personality factor and neurological and dysarthria scores. The d’ and β coefficients of a signal-detection memory task dissociated: the former correlated only with Mini-Mental State and Benton visuospatial task; and the latter with depressive symptoms. Using discriminant function analysis, there was efficient classification of ‘psychopathic’ personality by dysarthria, and of individual depressive symptoms by disturbance of gait. Biochemical markers of hepatic dysfunction were significantly associated with certain depressive symptoms. No evidence emerged to support the putative association with schizophrenia-like psychosis.
Suicide and Related Behaviour from River Bridges
Authors: Cantor C. H. , Hill M. A. , McLachlan E. K.
Published: August 2008

A survey was conducted of 47 suicides, 16 failed suicides, and 24 attempted suicides that occurred from Brisbane river bridges over 15 years. Compared with findings from other suicide surveys, subjects of bridge suicides and failed suicides had a much higher rate of schizophrenia (46%), with hallucinations often precipitating the jump. They also had extensive histories of previous self-harm. Those who attempted suicide by jumping had a higher rate of personality disorder (58%) compared with findings from other attempted suicide surveys, and had very extensive histories of previous self-harm which tended to continue beyond the bridge incident. Both groups had histories of extensive previous psychiatric care.
The Lifetime Outcome and Involuntary Movements of Schizophrenia Never Treated with Neuroleptic Drugs
Authors: Waddington John L. , Youssef Hanafy A.
Published: August 2008

Four elderly schizophrenic patients who had never been treated with neuroleptics, and a fifth patient who had received only the briefest exposure to such drugs, had retained their distinct clinical characteristics. Involuntary orofacial movements and cognitive dysfunction were found more uniformly than any particular pattern of symptoms.
Schneider's First-Rank Symptoms of Schizophrenia: Prevalence and Diagnostic Use
Authors: Malik S. B. , Ahmed M. , Bashir A. , Choudhry T. M.
Published: August 2008

The prevalence of Schneiderian first-rank symptoms in 75 schizophrenic in-patients was found to be 67%. The commonest were somatic passivity, thought broadcast, and thought insertion. This suggests a considerable variation in the prevalence of first-rank symptoms and their individual frequencies in different cultures. First-rank symptoms thus have inherent weaknesses.
Positive Diagnosis of Self-medication with Homatropine Eye Drops
Authors: Warrens Anthony N. , Ron Maria A. , Dawling Sheila
Published: August 2008

A 25-year-old man with a variety of unusual ocular symptoms was fully investigated and no abnormality discovered. The suspicion of self-medication with a mydriatic was confirmed when homatropine was isolated in his tears. We describe a method for collecting tears which allowed biochemical confirmation at leisure.
Behaviour Therapy and Benzodiazepines: Allies or Antagonists?
Authors: Wardle Jane
Published: August 2008

Behaviour therapy and benzodiazepines are directed towards common problems and are often used in combination. At present we know little about the beneficial or adverse interactions of these two treatments. This paper reviews the available literature and suggests that there are important theoretical and clinical issues to be resolved.
Musical Hallucinations
Authors: Berrios G. E.
Published: August 2008

A sample of 46 subjects experiencing musical hallucinations was analysed – 10 new cases in addition to 36 culled from the literature. When compared with controls, it was found that musical hallucinations are far more common in females, and that age, deafness, and brain disease affecting the non-dominant hemisphere play an important role in their development. Psychiatric illness and personality factors were found to be unimportant.
Linguistic Performance in Schizophrenia: a Comparison of Acute and Chronic Patients
Authors: Thomas Philip , King Kathleen , Fraser W. I. , Kendell R. E.
Published: August 2008

A computer-assisted analysis of samples of free speech from acute schizophrenics (n = 50), chronic schizophrenics (n = 27) and normal subjects (n = 50) enabled a comparison of the linguistic profiles of the three groups. The chronic group consistently emerged as the most impaired, on measures of complexity, integrity (error) and fluency of speech, with the acute patients performing less well than normal speakers but better than chronic patients. Demographic differences could account for only a small number of the linguistic differences. A comparison of chronic schizophrenics from the community and those from long-stay wards suggested that their poor linguistic performance was in some way related to the illness process and not to institutionalisation. Three possible explanations for these results were considered, particularly the possibility that low complexity of speech, negative symptoms and poor outcome are in some way related.
Adult Children of Problem Drinkers in an Urban Community
Authors: El-Guebaly Nady A. , Walker John R. , Ross Colin A. , Currie Raymond F.
Published: August 2008

In a medium-sized Canadian city, 581 randomly selected households were contacted and responded to a survey on the impact of parental alcohol problems. Twenty-two per cent of the respondents indicated that at least one of their parents had a drinking problem. The biological father was affected in 81%. Compared with the rest of the sample, the adult children of problem drinkers were younger but they did not differ in income or education. Adult children of problem drinkers were more likely to have parents who were divorced or separated; to be divorced, separated, or remarried themselves; to be heavy drinkers and have indications of alcohol problems; and to use more sources of help for problems with stress and anxiety and problems with alcohol. They did not differ from those without parental drinking problems on measures of current positive and negative affect.
Olfactory Delusional Syndrome with Various Aetiologies
Authors: Malasi T. H. , El-Hilu S. R. , Mirza I. A. , El-Islam M. Fakhr
Published: August 2008

Six patients who had delusional convictions that they were malodorous were followed up for between six months and four years. Difficulties encountered in clinical settings in differentiating overvalued ideas, delusions, and hallucinations arise from lack of clarity of psychopathological terminology. Schizophrenia and depression are closely related to the syndrome.
Unsound Methodology in Investigating a Pseudoautosomal Locus in Schizophrenia
Authors: Curtis David , Gurling Hugh
Published: August 2008

We have reservations about accepting the conclusions made by Crow et al (1989), namely that there is evidence that susceptibility to schizophrenia may be transmitted by a pseudoautosomal locus. In our view the methodology of the study is unsound. Additionally the data presented by the authors, when analysed correctly, do not support their hypothesis.
The Psychopathology Instrument for Mentally Retarded Adults
Authors: Sturmey P. , Ley T.
Published: August 2008

The Psychopathology Instrument for Mentally Retarded Adults, a recently developed, empirically derived measure of psychiatric disturbance for the mentally handicapped, gives a total of eight scales which correspond to DSM–III diagnostic categories. This paper reports its psychometric properties in a British population and the psychometric properties of three scales derived by factor analysis. The internal consistencies of the scales were only barely acceptable in this sample and less acceptable than in previous studies.
Monozygotic Twins with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Authors: Kim Suck Won , Dysken Maurice W. , Kline Mark D.
Published: August 2008

A mirror-image pair of monozygotic twins concordant for obsessional–compulsive disorder had remarkably similar clinical symptoms, and brain electrical activity mapping showed slower alpha and more theta activity than normal for their age.
Pseudocyesis Associated with Folie à Deux
Authors: Milner Gabrielle L. , Hayes Gwilym D.
Published: August 2008

A case of a mother and daughter who both believed in their own pregnancy and that of the other is described.
Psychiatric Morbidity in an Accident and Emergency Department
Authors: Salkovskis Paul M. , Storer David , Atha Chris , Warwick Hilary M. C.
Published: August 2008

In order to evaluate how many patients presenting at accident and emergency (A&E) departments show signs of psychiatric disturbance, 140 consecutive medical presentations to an A&E department were evaluated using a range of simple self-report and rater measures, then followed up a month later. High levels of reported psychological problems were detected at screening, and these persisted at follow-up. Correlates of psychological disturbance and repeated attendance at A&E were investigated, indicating the relevance and feasibility of psychiatric intervention related to simple predictors.
Psychopathology in Institutionalised Mentally Retarded Adults
Authors: Linaker Olav M. , Nitter Rune
Published: August 2008

The clients in an institution for the mentally retarded were screened for signs of psychopathology with the Psychopathology Instrument for Mentally Retarded Adults (PIMRA). Of the 168 clients, 146 satisfied criteria for DSM–III axis I disorders, and 153 satisfied criteria for at least one disorder on either axis I or II. Multiple diagnoses were common, and a total of 288 diagnoses were found. No particular disorder was found to be more prevalent in those with organic brain dysfunction. The level of functioning was not found to predispose to any particular diagnosis. There was a positive relationship between the presence of a psychiatric disorder and the resources available to the clients and the activities offered. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders was extremely high in the population studied, with the exception of the affective disorders, of which no case was found. One possible reason for this high prevalence is that deinstitutionalisation leaves behind those with the more severe behavioural problems.
The Management and Treatment of Personality-Disordered Patients
Authors: Beard Hilary , Marlowe Martin , Ryle Anthony
Published: August 2008

The clinical management of patients with personality disorders is seldom satisfactory. It is suggested that the bewilderment provoked and experienced by these patients can be reduced by a careful analysis of their shifting states of mind. The construction of diagrams tracing such shifts is helpful to both patients and clinicians. Illustrative case histories are presented.
A Study of Psychotropic Medication Given ‘As Required’ in a Regional Secure Unit
Authors: McLaren Stuart , Browne Frederick W. A. , Taylor Pamela J.
Published: August 2008

Within the setting of a regional secure unit, all doses of medication given p.r.n. over three months were ascertained and the details of each administration determined from prescription charts and a semistructured interview with the nursing staff involved. Thirty-two patients were resident for all or part of the study, all compulsorily detained. Only 15 were given medication p.r.n.) compared with the other patients they were significantly younger and more likely to be detained under civil orders than under the criminal provisions of the Mental Health Act 1983. Rarely was the medication the sole intervention in a crisis. In terms of effects on the overall treatment programme of the patient, medication given p.r.n. seemed to have an impact in only one small subgroup.
Changing Interactions Between Bipolar Affective Disorder and Anoxic Brain Damage
Authors: Collins M. N. , Jacobson R. R.
Published: August 2008

A manic-depressive young woman received mild brain damage from anoxia after attempting suicide by hanging. The case conference was held to elucidate whether her subsequent symptoms were functional or organic, and what courses of treatment should be tried in this very refractory case.
An Analysis of Social Competence in Schizophrenia
Authors: Bellack Alan S. , Morrison Randall L. , Wixted John T. , Mueser Kim T.
Published: August 2008

Twenty-one schizophrenics with prominent negative symptoms were compared with 37 schizophrenics without them, 33 patients with major affective disorder and 20 non-patient controls on a battery of measures including a role-play test of social skills, the Social Adjustment Scale, and the Quality of Life Scale. The negative schizophrenics were most impaired on every subscale of each measure, followed in order by the non-negative schizophrenics, affective disorder patients, and non-patient controls. The social skill measures were not correlated with positive symptom levels, but were highly correlated with measures of community functioning. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that social dysfunction results from focal deficits in social skills.
Puerperal Insanity in the 19th and 20th Centuries
Authors: Anis-Ur-Rehman  , Clair David St , Platz Christine
Published: August 2008

All patients with puerperal psychosis admitted to the Royal Edinburgh Hospital within 90 days of childbirth during the periods 1880–90 and 1971–80 were compared. The majority of cases in both groups had an affective illness with an acute presentation and a fixed interval of onset. The 19th-century cases had a more florid presentation and a greater length of admission (mean, 151 days) to the hospital than the 20th-century ones (mean, 39 days). The incidence of the disorder rose from 0.34 per 1000 childbirths per year in the 19th-century group to 1.04 in the 20th-century one, but this could be explained by nosocomial factors. Most 19th-century cases occurred in mulitgravid women, which questions the association of puerperal psychosis with primiparae.
The Effect of Moderate Weight Loss on Overnight Melatonin Secretion
Authors: Anderson I. M. , Gartside S. E. , Cowen P. J.
Published: August 2008

Overnight plasma melatonin level was measured in ten healthy women before and after a 4300 kJ (1000 kcaI) diet in which they lost an average 3.1 kg. This weight loss did not significantly alter melatonin levels.
Is Anorexia Nervosa an Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?
Authors: Holden Neil L.
Published: August 2008

Although anorexia nervosa may vary widely in its severity and outcome, it is usually regarded as an illness in its own right, as patients do not display major changes in the form of the illness over time (Russell, 1970). It readily lends itself to being accorded clear-cut diagnostic criteria (Russell, 1977) and this is reflected in ICD–10 (World Health Organization, 1987). However, the nosological independence of anorexia nervosa has undergone vigorous assault since its classic description by William Gull (1874). For example, the psychological nature of anorexia nervosa was obscured for 30 years by Simmond's (1914) description of anterior pituitary lesions and cachexia, and Kay & Leigh's (1954) influential study of anorexia nervosa concluded with their doubts about its status as a ‘psychiatric entity’.
Localisation of a Susceptibility Locus for Schizophrenia on Chromosome 5
Authors: Owen Michael , Craufurd David , Clair David St
Published: August 2008

“A considerable proportion of the variance in the liability to develop schizophrenia may be genetic, but segregation analysis, to establish a mode of transmission, has not produced a consistent result. One of these studies was carried out in Iceland and made use of the large family size and extensive genealogical information present in that country. Here we demonstrate genetic linkage of two DNA polymorphisms on the long arm of human chromosome 5 to schizophrenia in seven British and Icelandic families with multiple affected members. The results indicate the existence of a gene locus with a dominant schizophrenia-susceptibility allele. Inheritance of the allele in the families studied suggests that it may also predispose to psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia spectrum disorders and a variety of other disorders. This report provides the first strong evidence for the involvement of a single gene in the causation of schizophrenia.”
Orofacial Dyskinesia in Down's Syndrome
Authors: Dinan Timothy G. , Golden Theresa
Published: August 2008

Of 54 patients aged 30–60 years with a diagnosis of Down's syndrome, 38 had evidence of orofacial dyskinesia, assessed using the AIMS. There was a strong relationship between the presence of such movements and the severity of mental handicap. No relationship was found between abnormal movements and age. None of the patients had previously taken neuroleptic medication.
Serum Interferon in First Psychotic Attack
Authors: Becker D. , Kritschmann E. , Floru S. , Shlomo-David Y. , Gotlieb-Stematsky T.
Published: August 2008

A group of 34 physically healthy young patients, aged 18–27 years at their first psychotic attack, before neuroleptic treatment and admission, were tested simultaneously with 24 age-and sex-matched controls for levels of serum interferon. No statistically significant differences were found between patients and controls. Therefore, no correlation between acute viral infection and schizophrenia was demonstrated.
Further Investigation of the Predictors of Outcome Following First Schizophrenic Episodes
Authors: Johnstone Eve C. , Macmillan J. Fiona , Frith Christopher D. , Benn Desmond K. , Crow Timothy J.
Published: August 2008

The outcome at two years of patients who were eligible for a study of first schizophrenic episodes was assessed in terms of occupation (n = 237) and in terms of number of days spent as an in-patient from the time of first admission (n = 252), and was related to social, behavioural, mental state and neurological measures during the initial admission. Poor outcome was in general associated with more social withdrawal, inactivity and abnormal social presentation and with more ‘neurological soft signs'. Good occupational outcome in patients with a relatively short pre-treatment duration of illness was associated with the prescription of placebo medication during the follow-up period.
Is Parental Age Related to the Risk of Alzheimer's Disease?
Authors: Hofman Albert , Duijn Cornelia M. Van , Schulte Willem , Tanja Theunis A. , Haaxma Robert , Lameris Arie J. , Saan Rolf J.
Published: August 2008

Advanced maternal and paternal age were investigated as putative risk factors for AD in 198 clinically diagnosed Alzheimer patients and in 198 randomly selected healthy controls. No significant differences in average age of fathers and of mothers at birth of the subject were observed. The risk of AD was not significantly different across categories of maternal and paternal age. The association with parental age was not different for sporadic and familial AD. These findings do not support the view of a maternal or paternal age effect on AD.
A Comparative Study of Psychiatric Services in Japan and England
Authors: Mino Yoshio , Kodera Ryosei , Bebbington Paul
Published: August 2008

Psychiatric services in Japan and England are compared using government statistics. In Japan, the number of in-patients per 100 000 population has increased from the 1950s, while that of England has decreased since 1954. Since 1972 the prevalence of in-patients has been higher in Japan than in England. The admission rate is lower in Japan than in England, and there are more long-stay patients. Most Japanese in-patients are admitted compulsorily, whereas most are admitted voluntarily in England. The attendance at out-patient clinics is higher in Japan than in England, but there are far fewer day-hospital places in Japan. Differing government policies are the main reason for these differences.
The Depressed Elderly Living in the Community
Authors: Ben-Arie O. , Welman M. , Teggin A. F.
Published: August 2008

In a 1982 community survey, 23 elderly respondents were rated as having a depressive disorder by catego. Twenty survivors were followed up three and a half years later. The depression had remitted within one year in seven cases but nine were still depressed. There is a need for ongoing education of GPs about the recognition and course of depression in the elderly.
Adult Affective Disorder and Early Environment
Authors: Rodgers Bryan
Published: August 2008

Childhood precursors of symptoms of depression and anxiety were investigated in a national population sample of over 3000 men and women, aged 36 years. Early-life data had been collected prospectively for all subjects. A number of factors, differing for men and women, were found to be significant predictors of adult disorder. Some factors showed strong effects but tended to apply to relatively few individuals, while other more common circumstances had modest influences. Overall, early environment did not seem to hold great significance for adult affective disorder, although multiple disadvantages had a cumulative deleterious effect. There was little evidence of early benefits being protective.
Can Brain Damage Protect Against Schizophrenia?
Authors: Lewis ShôN W. , Harvey Ian , Ron Maria , Murray Robin , Reveley Adrianne
Published: August 2008

In a pair of male monozygotic twins discordant for schizophrenia, MRI revealed no abnormality in the ill proband, but extensive white-matter damage of likely congenital origin in the psychiatrically normal twin. These findings are difficult to reconcile with multifactorial models of schizophrenia, and raise the possibility that some forms of brain damage may preclude expression of the schizophrenia genotype.
Claimed Simulation of Insanity
Authors: Suresh T. R. , Srinivasan T. N.
Published: August 2008

The coping strategy of claimed simulation of insanity observed at the onset of psychotic episodes in a manic patient is reported here. There is a need for systematic research on coping strategies in affective psychosis in order to develop techniques to help contain or prevent relapses.
Projective Identification in General Psychiatry
Authors: Jureidini Jon
Published: August 2008

Projective identification is a psychoanalytic concept encompassing functions of defence and communication. It is invaluable in a variety of settings in general psychiatry, including patient assessment, ward management and work with families.
The Assessment of Psychiatric Disability in the Community a Comparison of Clinical, Staff, and Family Interviews
Authors: Brewin C. R. , Veltro F. , Wing J. K. , MacCarthy B. , Brugha T. S.
Published: August 2008

Assessments of some of the symptoms and behaviour problems of long-term psychiatric patients living in the community were obtained independently from clinical interviews with such patients, and from interviews with day staff, residential staff and families caring for them. In general, interviews with residential staff and family members revealed much higher levels of symptoms and behaviour problems than either of the other two interviews. These findings have implications for research and clinical practice including the fact that adequate assessments should include the testimony of family or residential staff.