bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Pathogenesis of Trypanosoma congolense Infection in Calves
Authors: Valli V. E. O. , Forsberg C. M.
Published: January 2017

Calves infected with Trypanosoma congolense TREU 112 had generalized microvascular dilation which was most prominent in the liver and the mesentery; there also was increase in cellularity in the lung with significant alveolar thickening and accumulation of hemosiderin-bearing cells in the alveolar septa, focal accumulations of lymphocytes primarily at the corticomedullary junction of the kidneys and a well developed glomerulonephritis, likely membranoproliferative. Reticuloendothelial changes were marrow hyperplasia with an erythroid shift, moderate hemosiderosis and moderate dysthrombopoiesis, marked thymic cortical atrophy, hypersplenism and enlarged nodes with reduced cellular density, paracortical atrophy and medullary sclerosis.
Radicular Myelinopathy in Aging Rats
Authors: Krinke G. , Suter J. , Hess R.
Published: January 2017

Naturally occurring degenerative lesions of nerve fibers in the spinal cord, spinal roots and peripheral nerves in nine male rats 877 days old were swollen myelin sheaths, forming “myelin bubbles.” The myelin swellings were distributed throughout the spinal tracts and the peripheral nerves, but most frequently in the lumbar ventral spinal roots. Although most axons surrounded by swollen myelin were intact, some were constricted and degenerated, while others showed signs of remyelination.
Cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium, L. var. strumarium) Intoxication in Swine: Review and Redefinition of the Toxic Principle
Authors: Stuart B. P. , Cole R. J. , Gosser H. S.
Published: January 2017

Cocklebur ( Xanthium strumarium) fed to feeder pigs was associated with acute to subacute hepatotoxicosis. Cotyledonary seedlings fed at 0.75% to 3% of body weight or ground bur fed at 20% to 30% of the ration caused acute depression, convulsions, and death. Principle gross lesions were marked serofibrinous ascites, edema of the gallbladder wall, and lobular accentuation of the liver. Acute to subacute centrilobular hepatic necrosis was present microscopically. The previously reported toxic principle, hydroquinone, was not recovered from the plant or bur of X. strumarium. Authentic hydroquinone administered orally failed to produce lesions typical of cocklebur intoxication but did produce marked hyperglycemia. Carboxyatractyloside recovered from the aqueous extract of X. strumarium and authentic carboxyatractyloside, when fed to pigs, caused signs and lesions typical of cocklebur intoxication. Marked hypoglycemia and elevated serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and serum isocitric dehydrogenase concentrations occurred in pigs with acute hepatic necrosis that had received either cocklebur seedlings, ground bur or carboxyatractyloside.
Spontaneous Ovarian Neoplasms of the Laboratory Rat
Authors: Gregson R. L. , Lewis D. J. , Abbott D. P.
Published: January 2017

A wide range of spontaneous tumors of the ovary are reported in a group of 5903 aged female Sprague-Dawley rats of the CD and CFY strains examined since 1978 in this laboratory. The most commonly observed tumor was the tubular adenoma. Others recorded were tubular adenocarcinoma, papillary cystadenoma, papillary cystadenocarcinoma, a Sertoli's cell tumor, benign and malignant granulosa cell tumors, benign thecal cell tumors, and classical mesotheliomas of ovarian origin. A system of classification and nomenclature of the ovarian tumors from this group is advanced.
Nature and Cause of Bilateral Ocular Dermoids in Hereford Cattle
Authors: Barkyoumb S. D. , Leipold H. W.
Published: January 2017

Nature and cause of bilateral ocular dermoids were investigated by field studies, pedigree analysis, clinical examination, light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. It was determined that ocular dermoids in Hereford cattle are a genetically transmitted defect; characteristics of autosomal recessive and polygenic inheritance were observed. Calves typically were affected bilaterally with multiple, connected ocular growths that clinically, histologically, and ultrastructurally mimicked normal haired skin. Sites most commonly involved included ventro-lateral limbus, third eyelid, medial canthus, eyelid and conjunctiva. Centro-corneal and anterior segmental dermoids also were observed.
The Comparative Pathology of Equine Cutaneous Phycomycosis
Authors: Miller R. I. , Campbell R. S. F.
Published: January 2017

Pythiosis (204 cases, 77%), basidiobolomycosis (48 cases, 18%), and conidiobolomycosis (14 cases, 5%) were diagnosed morphologically from 266 horses with phycomycosis. All lesions were cutaneous ulcerative granulomas and three horses with pythiosis had metastatic lesions in regional lymph nodes. Lesions of pythiosis contained characteristic yellow, coral-like coagula and had a fibrotic surface containing sinus tract openings. Basidiobolomycosis was characterized by infrequent small yellow coagula and a yellow line of fungal invasion beneath an edematous surface. Lesions of conidiobolomycosis had numerous small coagula and a nasal location. There were minor differences in inflammatory cell populations within the granulomatous lesions. Most differences were associated with coagula size and fungal morphology. Coagula were composed of collagen, fibrin, cellular debris, degranulated and whole eosinophils and hyphae. Histochemistry revealed no major differences among the three diseases. Pythium sp hyphae were 2.6 to 6.4 μm in diameter, had thick walls, and occasionally were septate. Basidiobolus haptosporus hyphae were 5.1 to 20.5 μm in diameter, had thin walls, and commonly were septate. Conidiobolus coronatus hyphae were 5.1 to 12.8 μm in diameter, had thin walls, and commonly were septate. A perihyphal eosinophilic cuff (Splendore-Hoeppli phenomenon) with a radius of up to 20 μm was associated with the latter two fungi. Ultrastructurally, Pythium sp was composed of a thick, single density cell wall while B. haptosporus and C. coronatus had thin, double-layered cell walls.
Immunomorphologic and Morphometric Changes in Pulmonary Lymph Nodes of Sheep with Progressive Pneumonia
Authors: Ellis J. A. , DeMartini J. C.
Published: January 2017

Morphologic, immunohistochemical, and morphometric studies were conducted on the posterior mediastinal lymph nodes of eleven sheep with naturally occurring ovine progressive pneumonia and four apparently healthy sheep with no pulmonary lesions (three seropositive, one seronegative for antitbody to ovine progressive pneumonia virus). Compared with lesion-free sheep, sheep with ovine progressive pneumonia had a seven-fold increase in B lymphocyte areas and a 2 1/2- fold increase in T lymphocyte areas of these lymph nodes. Immunochemistry revealed cytoplasmic immunoglobulin G in scattered cells of germinal centers, medullary cords and interfollicular areas and membrane-associated immunoglobulin G in dendritic cells of germinal centers. Immunoglobulin M staining cells were widely scattered in germinal centers and medullary cords. Although B cell hyperplasia seemed to be the predominant process in lymph nodes of sheep with ovine progressive pneumonia, this was not accompanied by the expected degree of plasmacytosis, morphologically and immunohistochemically. These findings may represent an aberrancy of immunoregulation in ovine progressive pneumonia.
Pathology of Infectious Diarrhea of Infant Rats (IDIR) Induced by an Antigenically Distinct Rotavirus
Authors: Huber A. C. , Yolken R. H. , Mader L. C. , Strandberg J. D. , Vonderfecht S. L.
Published: January 2017

Suckling rats were inoculated with a group B rotavirus to determine the progression of the morphologic changes induced in the intestine by this virus. Several changes were observed by light microscopy 1 day after viral inoculation: shortening of small intestinal villi, villous epithelial necrosis, and villous epithelial syncytia. The lesions were most often present in the distal small intestine, although other small intestinal segments were affected to a lesser degree. By day 3 post-inoculation, epithelial necrosis, and syncytia were no longer present; however, the villous epithelium was disorganized and irregularly vacuolated, and intestinal crypt epithelium was hyperplastic. Alterations in villous height to crypt depth ratios were present in portions of the small intestine for the remainder of the 12-day study period. Epithelial syncytia appeared to form by the breakdown of the lateral interdigitating membranes of the absorptive villous epithelium. Viral particles, abundant in the syncytia, appeared to form from amorphous or reticular arrays of viral precursor material. Group B rotaviral antigens, as detected by indirect immunofluorescence, were present in large amounts in the small intestinal villous epithelium only on the first day after viral inoculation. These studies show that two important diagnostic features of group B rotaviral infections of rats, epithelial syncytia and viral antigen as determined by immunofluorescence, are present only on the first day of disease. These findings should be taken into consideration when attempting to diagnose disease induced by this agent.
Ultrastructure and Lectin Histochemistry of Equine Cutaneous Histiolymphocytic Lymphosarcomas
Authors: Detilleux P. G. , Cheville N. F. , Sheahan B. J.
Published: January 2017

Tissues from subcutaneous lymphosarcomas and regional lymph nodes were examined by light and electron microscopy and by lectin histochemistry. Tumors were composed of two major cell types: small lymphocytes with few organelles and pleomorphic histiocytic cells with undulant surfaces, large numbers of cytoplasmic vacuoles, and many mitochondria with large crystalline inclusions. A large gram-positive coryneform bacterium was isolated from tumor nodules but was not identified morphologically in tumor tissues. Evaluation of sections of tumors with lectins as histochemical probes revealed three staining patterns: 1) lectin labeling histiocytic cells only (wheat germ, succinylated-wheat germ, Phaseolus vulgaris and soybean agglutinins); 2) lectins labeling histiocytic, interstitial and some lymphoid cells (concanavalin A, and Pisum sativum, Lens culinaris, and Ricinus communis I agglutinins); and 3) lectins failing to label any cell (peanut, Sophora japonica, and Ulex europaeus I agglutinins). In the lymph node, macrophages were labeled by lectins of groups 1 and 2; interdigitating reticular cells were labeled by group 2 lectins. Lectin staining of histiocytic cells in tumor tissues suggested that these were reactive cells and that lymphoid cells were the primary neoplastic component.
Relative Contribution of Odour Intensity and Valence to Moral Decisions
Authors: Cecchetto Cinzia , Rumiati Raffaella Ida , Parma Valentina
Published: January 2017

Meta-analytic evidence showed that the chemical senses affect moral decisions. However, how odours impact on morality is currently unclear. Through a set of three studies, we assess whether and how odour intensity biases moral choices (Study 1a), its psychophysiological responses (Study 1b), as well as the behavioural and psychophysiological effects of odour valence on moral choices (Study 2). Study 1a suggests that the presence of an odour plays a role in shaping moral choice. Study 1b reveals that of two iso-pleasant versions of the same neutral odour, only the one presented sub-threshold (vs. supra-threshold) favours deontological moral choices, those based on the principle of not harming others even when such harm provides benefits. As expected, this odour intensity effect is tracked by skin conductance responses, whereas no difference in cardiac activity – proxy for the valence dimension – is revealed. Study 2 suggests that the same neutral odour presented sub-threshold increases deontological choices even when compared to iso-intense ambiguous odour, perceived as pleasant or unpleasant by half of the participants, respectively. Skin conductance responses, as expected, track odour pleasantness, but cardiac activity fails to do so. Results are discussed in the context of mechanisms alternative to disgust induction underlying moral choices.
Peri-Implant Diseases and Host Inflammatory Response Involving Mast Cells: A Review
Authors: Zizzi A. , Aspriello S.D. , Rubini C. , Goteri G.
Published: January 2017

Mast cells (MCs) are motile granule-containing cells that originate from bone marrow pluripotential haematopoietic cells, circulate in blood and extravasate in tissues where they play an important role in inflammation, host defense and tissue repair. We herein review the English literature over the past twenty years concerning the biology and function of MCs with particular focus on their role in the inflammatory process in dental implant failure due to osseointegration absence or to peri-implantitis. Due to immunological or non-immunological stimulation, in a few minutes MCs release prestored granule-associated mediators into the extracellular environment promoting pro-/anti-inflammatory events/response. MCs can either protect the host by activating defense mechanisms and initiating tissue repair and osseointegration if their function is transient, or lead to considerable tissue damage if it is inappropriate and continuous leading to osseointegration absence or peri-implantitis. We hypothesize that administration of histamine receptor antagonists, serine protease inhibitors and MC preformed mediator release inhibitors before and after implantation could represent novel therapeutic strategies to improve the osseointegration, the functionality and longevity of implants or prevent and treat peri-implant inflammatory conditions.
Cholesterol, Cytokines and Diseases
Authors: Saggini A. , Anogeianaki A. , Maccauro G. , Teté S. , Salini V. , Caraffa A. , Conti F. , Fulcheri M. , Galzio R. , Shaik-Dasthagirisaheb Y.B.
Published: January 2017

A high level of cholesterol is associated with obesity, cardiovascular diseases and atherosclerosis. Immune response in atherosclerosis is mediated by chemokines which attract monocytes, leading to the innate immune response characterised by the production of cytokines. The immunoregulatory cytokines are an important bridge between innate and adductive immunity. TH1 cytokines are involved as effector T cells in inflammatory response, while TH2 cytokines can be anti-inflammatory such as IL-10 and IL-4. It is well known that statins enhance the production of TH2 cytokines whereas the secretion of TH1 cytokines is suppressed. For this purpose, we studied the significance of anti-inflammatory effect and suppression of inflammation by statins. In this paper we revisited the role of cholesterol and cytokines IL-18, IL-10, IL-12, TNF-α, interferon-γ, and chemokines in inflammatory diseases.
A Novel Monoclonal Antibody against Human CD80 and its Immune Protection in a Mouse Lupus-like Disease
Authors: Shi Q. , Gao Z.Y. , Xie F. , Wang L.F. , Gu Y.P. , Yang T.J. , Huang L. , Qian Q.H. , Qiu Y.H.
Published: January 2017

Blockade of the interactions between CD28/CTLA-4 and their ligands, CD80 (B7, B7.1)/CD86 (B70, B7.2), is an attractive means to induce antigen-specific peripheral tolerance in autoimmune disease and organ transplantation. In this study, we generated and characterized a monoclonal antibody (Clone 4E5) against human CD80. 4E5 could recognize both human and mouse CD80 and suppress mixed lymphocyte reaction in vitro. To investigate their potency for clinical use, we further administrated 4E5 to a mouse lupus-like disease model (C57BL/J6) induced by Pristane. 4E5 could inhibit the immune response and attenuate the severity of lupus-like disease. The data showed 4E5 function and suggested that blockade of CD80/CD28 co-stimulatory signal pathway with 4E5 is a promising strategy to decelerate the progression of lupus-like disease and other autoimmune diseases.
Detection of Respiratory Viruses in the 2009 Winter Season in Rome: 2009 Influenza a (H1N1) Complications in Children and Concomitant Type 1 Diabetes Onset
Authors: Nenna R. , Papoff P. , Moretti C. , Pierangeli A. , Sabatino G. , Costantino F. , Soscia F. , Cangiano G. , Ferro V. , Mennini M. , Salvadei S. , Scagnolari C. , Antonelli G. , Midulla F.
Published: January 2017

We investigated clinical characteristics and complications, particularly type 1 diabetes onset, in children hospitalized for 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus and compared number of consultations, rate of hospitalization and virus identification in children hospitalized for acute respiratory symptoms (ARS) during the winter season 2009–2010 and 2004–2005. Patients were tested for 2009 H1N1 virus and 14 respiratory viruses on pharyngeal brush/nasal aspirates, using a RT-PCR or nested PCR assays. Consultations and hospitalizations were extracted from operative system GIPSE. The total number of consultations increased by 12%, consultation rate for ARS by 13% and number of hospitalizations by 56% from 2004–2005 to 2009–2010. In 2004–2005, Influenza A virus was identified in only 7% of hospitalized children, while in 2009–2010 the 2009 H1N1 virus was identified in 21%. Three children attending the hospital for ARS and 2009 H1N1 infection had ketoacidosis as the onset manifestation of type 1 diabetes. By comparing the number of new diabetes diagnoses among the two winter seasons, we found a higher number of new diagnoses in October 2009 January 2010 than in the same period in 2004–2005 (19 vs 10). Six children (13%), all presenting with pre-existing diseases, were admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit. No children died. The outbreak of this novel virus has increased pediatric consultation rates and hospitalizations compared with previous winters without causing deaths. The children at highest risk for severe infection are those with comorbidities. The 2009 H1N1 virus seems in some way involved in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes.
An Italian Study on Health-Related Quality of Life and Fatigue in Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Patients with Chronic HCV Virus Infection: Similarities and Differences
Authors: Racciatti D. , Gorgoretti V. , Sepede G. , Gambi F. , Pizzigallo E.
Published: January 2017

Severe fatigue and a significantly reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL) have been described in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) in comparison with patients affected by chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and other chronic medical conditions. We examined 39 CFS and 49 CHC patients to explore whether fatigue and a poor HRQoL represent a greater medical and social problem in CFS than in CHC. The severity of fatigue and the HRQoL were assessed using the Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS) and the Health Status Questionnaire Short Form-36 (SF-36), respectively. The statistical analysis showed both a higher score of fatigue and a lower HRQoL in CFS than in CHC patients. Furthermore, in CHC patients the FIS evaluation showed a significantly reduced score of the psychosocial domain in comparison with the other domains. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed female gender as the most important positive variable in chronic hepatitis C patients for total score of FIS. In conclusion, CFS was associated with a severe and disabling fatigue and an impaired HRQOL. In particular, both fatigue and all aspects of HRQOL perceived by CFS patients were significantly impaired compared to CHC patients. Consequently, management of fatigue should be considered a priority in order to improve HRQOL in CFS patients. In CHC patients the impact of fatigue on HRQoL was less significant than in CFS patients, even though the FIS evaluation showed a significant impairment of the psychosocial domain.
Peripheral Blood Neutrophil Granulocytes from Patients with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Functionally Differ from Their Counterparts in Healthy Donors
Authors: Trellakis S. , Farjah H. , Bruderek K. , Dumitru C.A. , Hoffmann T.K. , Lang S. , Brandau S.
Published: January 2017

Solid tumors such as head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) display an intense interaction between tumoral factors and the immune system. Functional modulation of tumor-infiltrating and peripheral blood immune cells plays an important role during tumor progression. In this pilot study we compared biological functions of polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMN) from the peripheral blood of HNSCC patients and healthy subjects. PMN were simultaneously isolated from the peripheral blood of HNSCC patients and healthy donors for functional analysis (apoptosis, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), cytokine release and immunophenotyping). PMN from HNSCC patients showed a significantly lower inducible production of ROS ( P = 0.02) and reduced spontaneous apoptosis ( P = 0.008) compared with PMN from healthy donors. Under standard culture conditions, there was no significant difference regarding the release of inflammatory cytokines between PMN from HNSCC patients and PMN from healthy donors. Confirming previous observations, serum concentrations of PMN-related cytokines were significantly higher in the peripheral blood of HNSCC patients than in that of controls. Importantly, immunophenotyping revealed an increased number of immature PMN in PMN fractions isolated from HNSCC patients. Peripheral blood PMN from HNSCC patients and healthy donors show distinct functional differences. The presence of increased numbers of immature stages of PMN in HNSCC patients may partly contribute to the changes observed. After recruitment to and infiltration of the tumor, PMN may be further modulated in the local tumor microenvironment. This pilot study justifies functional analyses of myeloid cells in larger cohorts of patients with HNSCC.
Urinary Excretion of 5-Hydroxy-3-Indoleacetic Acid in Dystimic/Depressed, Adult Obese Women: What Correlations to Hepatic Steatosis?
Authors: Tarantino G. , Savastano S. , Colao A. , Polichetti G. , Capone D.
Published: January 2017

The synthesis of serotonin at CNS level is influenced by diet. Moreover, insulin resistance is associated with lower serotonin levels. Visceral obesity, strictly linked to hepatic steatosis is specifically associated with mild to severe somatic affective-depressive symptom clusters. Previous data support the view that depression involves serotonergic systems, reflecting low levels of urinary 5- hydroxy-3-indoleacetic acid (5-HIAA). The 24-h urinary excretion of 5-HIAA was evaluated in 76 dystimic/depressed, obese/overweight females, divided into two groups, i.e., on a hyper-caloric diet, associated with a life style characterized by leisure time sedentary behavior (LTSB, 35 women), or on a normo-caloric diet, assisted by program-based strategies aimed at promoting physical activity participation (PAP, 41 women). Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was carried out to score the severity of dystimia/depression. Anthropometric measures, metabolic indices, severity of hepatic steatosis at sonography and HOMA were studied. Urinary levels of 5-HIAA in controls and PAP groups were comparable with a great overlap, while in the LTSB group the urinary excretion of 5-HIAA was significantly reduced in respect to that of the PAP group and obviously compared to that of the control group, 3.4±1.4 mg/L versus 6.2±2.7 mg/L and 6.4±2.6 mg/L, respectively, ANOVA test, P= 0.001. Among metabolic indices, cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and uric acid were not able to predict urinary concentrations of 5-HIAA, which were not associated with hepatic steatosis; vice versa, ferritin levels, and mainly HOMA values, were independent predictors of the urinary excretion of 5-HIAA (β=0.235 and 0.45, respectively). Dystimia/depression severity was negatively predicted by urinary 5-HIAA levels in the sense that the highest BDI values were forecast by the lowest values of urinary 5-HIAA (β= −0.72). The importance of measuring the 24-h urinary excretion of 5-HIAA in follow-ups could rely on a method simultaneously mirroring the well-being status, the adherence to physical activity, which leads to improved insulin sensitivity, and the eating habits acquired by dystimic/depressed overweight/obese patients. In contrast, the significance of the urinary 5-HIAA is reduced in evaluating the severity of hepatic steatosis, likely because it is a structured process.
Analysis of Expression Profile of Gene Encoding Proteins of Signal Cascades Activated by Insulin-like Growth Factors in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Nowakowska-Zajdel E. , Mazurek U. , Ziółko E. , Niedworok E. , Fatyga E. , Kokot T. , Muc-Wierzgoń M.
Published: January 2017

The aim of the study is to analyse gene typing with the use of the microarray technique (HG-U133A, Affymetrix), differentiating colorectal cancer tissues from tissues assessed histopathologically as healthy ones among a panel of 93 mRNA of gene encoding proteins involved in the activation of cellular signal transduction pathways by insulin-like growth factors. The study was conducted on a group of 8 colorectal cancer patients. Frozen tumor and healthy specimens from the patients were used in molecular tests. Transcript IGF2 differentiated cancer from healthy tissue. Among the genes participating in the cascade of signal transfer in cells activated by IGF, GRB10, PIK3R3, PIK3R1, and IRSI were qualified as differentiating transcripts. IRSI indicated over-expression in tumour. Transcript SMAD2 showed a significant changed in tumour samples (increased expression).
Reduced Sebum Production in Turner Syndrome: A Study of Twenty-Two Patients
Authors: Brazzelli V. , Calcaterra V. , Muzio F. , Klersy C. , Larizza D. , Borroni G.
Published: January 2017

Turner's syndrome (TS) is a genetic disorder caused by numeric and/or structural abnormalities of the X chromosome. In a previous study it was observed that acne is less frequent in TS than in the general population. Since the onset of acne in pre-pubertal or pubertal age is related to sebum production, this study evaluates sebum secretion in TS patients, comparing the results with those of a control group of age-matched healthy female subjects. A total of 22 patients affected by TS (mean age 26.56±7.89 years) and a control group of 23 age-matched healthy females were studied. Sebum production was measured using a Sebumeter SM810. Mean sebum secretion in TS subjects was significantly lower than in the control group (81.35±66.44 UA vs 147.09±33.62 UA, p<0.001) and this significant difference was found in every facial zone. The reduction of sebum secretion may explain, using a simple and non-invasive method, the absence or the low incidence of acne in TS patients.
Oral Desensitisation with Food is Food-Specific and Protein-Specific
Authors: Meglio P. , Giampietro P.G. , Gabriele I. , Carello R. , Avitabile S. , Galli E.
Published: January 2017

The avoidance of food(s) is the main therapeutic approach to food allergy. Nevertheless, orally- or sublingually-administered food allergens have gained attention and a number of food-allergic children can tolerate gradually increasing amounts of cow's milk and hen's egg. Our purpose is to show that oral desensitisation with food is an allergen-specific therapeutic approach and for this, we describe 4 illustrative children with IgE-mediated food allergy. The first was allergic to cow's milk and hen's egg, the second to cow's milk, hen's egg and fish. Both underwent oral desensitisation to both cow's milk and hen's egg. The third child was allergic to cow's milk, hen's egg and fish and underwent oral desensitisation with cow's milk. The last child was allergic to raw but not to cooked/boiled hen's egg and underwent the oral desensitisation with hen's egg. The first 2 children reached the clinical tolerance to cow's milk after the cow's milk oral desensitisation, but reached the hen's egg tolerance only after the hen's egg oral desensitisation. Moreover, the second child did not tolerate fish after being desensitised to both cow's milk and hen's egg. The third child tolerated cow's milk, but not hen's egg and fish, at the end of the cow's milk oral desensitisation. The fourth child could tolerate the previously not tolerated raw hen's egg after the oral desensitisation with raw hen's egg. In conclusion, we indicate that oral desensitisation with food is allergen specific. The induction of the clinical tolerance to one food is not followed by the tolerance to the other food(s) that the patient is allergic to. To obtain a double or multiple food tolerance, separate desensitisation protocols, one for each food, have to be carried out. Oral desensitisation with food discriminates between raw and cooked proteins.
Body Mass Index in Persons with Schizophrenia
Authors: Coodin Shalom
Published: January 2017

Background:

Schizophrenia has been associated with several health concerns and risks. Overall mortality among persons with schizophrenia has been shown to be about twice that of the general population. There is growing concern that persons with schizophrenia may also be at risk for being overweight or obese, compared with the general population. To examine this possibility, the author compared the distribution of body mass index values (BMI = kg/m2) in people with schizophrenia with that of the Canadian population as a whole.

Method:

Weights and heights were obtained for 183 patients receiving treatment in a hospital-based program for persons with schizophrenia. These BMI values were compared with the results of Statistics Canada's 1996–1997 National Population Health Survey (NPHS), which provided average BMI values for the general population.

Results:

The average BMI in the study sample was 29.02, with the average for men being 28.49 (range 15.55 to 49.22, SD 6.25) and the average for women, 30.02 (range 19.30 to 45.71, SD 6.45). This is compared with the NPHS average BMI of 26.3 for men and 24.3 for women. The prevalence of obesity (BMI >30) in the sample was 42.08%, 3.5 times that of the Canadian average of 12% and 2.8 times that of the 15% prevalence in Manitoba. In this sample, 26.78% had a BMI in the acceptable range, in contrast to the 48% of those in the NPHS who had a weight appropriate to their height.

Conclusions:

This analysis provides evidence that the BMI distribution of the sample population is different from that of the national population as represented in the NPHS data. The data indicate that patients with schizophrenia are significantly heavier than the general population.
The Road Less Travelled: Moving from Distribution to Determinants in the Study of Gambling Epidemiology
Authors: Shaffer Howard J , LaBrie Richard A , LaPlante Debi A , Nelson Sarah E , Stanton Michael V
Published: January 2017

This article reviews the current status of gambling epidemiology studies and suggests that it is time to move from general population-prevalence research toward the investigation of risk and protective factors that influence the onset of gambling disorders. The study of incidence among vulnerable and resilient populations is a road yet to be taken. In this review, we briefly introduce the history of the field and thoroughly review the epidemiologic research on disordered gambling before providing a critical assessment of the current diagnostic tools. Overall, the extant research shows that disordered gambling is a relatively stable phenomenon throughout the world. Given that certain segments of the population (for example, adolescents and substance users) have elevated prevalence rates, we suggest focusing future prevalence studies on groups with apparently increased vulnerability. Moreover, we suggest that, for the field of gambling studies to progress, researchers need to take the road less travelled and examine more carefully the onset and determinants of disordered gambling. That said, given the problems with the current diagnostic screens, investigators need to refine their theoretical concepts and the epidemiologic tools used to examine them before the field can travel down this new road.
Continuity of Care in Mental Health Services: Toward Clarifying the Construct
Authors: Joyce Anthony S , Wild T Cameron , Adair Carol E , McDougall Gerald M , Gordon Alan , Costigan Norman , Beckie Anora , Kowalsky Laura , Pasmeny Gloria , Barnes Fran
Published: January 2017

Objective:

To clarify “continuity of care” (COC), a construct associated with the delivery of services for persons suffering from severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI), with attention to the service recipient's perception of COC.

Method:

The study involved a systematic appraisal of the literature on COC, supplemented by interviews with 36 SPMI patients and their families. Statements highlighting attributes of COC were extracted from both sources.

Results:

Comments by patients and families corresponded to descriptions of COC in the mental health literature. Attribute classifications by independent teams of judges showed good consistency. The following 4 attribute domains of the COC construct were identified: service delivery, accessibility, relationship base, and individualized care.

Conclusions:

Service recipients' perceptions of COC overlapped with representations of the construct in the mental health literature. The qualitative inquiry resulted in a draft, 47-item, self-report questionnaire for use in studies of interventions designed to facilitate COC.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor and Venlafaxine Use in Children and Adolescents with Major Depressive Disorder: A Systematic Review of Published Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Courtney Darren B
Published: January 2017

Objective:

This review critiques published randomized placebo-controlled trials pertaining to the efficacy and safety of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and venlafaxine in the treatment of major depressive disorder in children and adolescents.

Method:

Medline was searched for articles meeting defined inclusion criteria. The following key terms were used: depressive disorders, antidepressive agents, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, citalopram, fluvoxamine, venlafaxine, child, and adolescent.

Results:

Six articles met inclusion criteria. Only 2 studies claim efficacy by significant results in primary outcomes; both have since been contested in further analysis. Not one study adequately examines safety, particularly with respect to whether a link exists between antidepressant use and induction of suicidal ideation or attempts.

Conclusion:

Published studies on SSRI or venlafaxine use in children and adolescents are inconclusive with respect to safety and efficacy, owing to inappropriate claims of efficacy, lack of improvement in global functioning scores, nonstandardized data collection regarding adverse effects, exclusion of suicidal subjects in the recruitment process, grouping of children and adolescents together, small sample sizes, conflict of interest posed by pharmaceutical company sponsorship, and publishing bias. Future investigators should consider these factors when developing study designs.
Residents-as-Teachers Programs in Psychiatry: A Systematic Review
Authors: Dewey Charlene M , Coverdale John H , Ismail Nadia J , Culberson John W , Thompson Britta M , Patton Cynthia S , Friedland Joan A
Published: January 2017

Objectives:

Because psychiatry residents have important roles as teachers and significant opportunities to contribute to medical student education, we set out to: identify all randomized control trials (RCT) for residents' teaching skills programs in psychiatry and to identify the efficacy of those interventions for improving teaching skills; identify the strengths and weaknesses of the available studies across medical disciplines; and identify currently available methods for enhancing residents' teaching skills for residents training in psychiatry.

Methods:

The published English-language literature was searched using PubMed, Social Sciences Index, and PsycINFO databases, with key search words including: residents, teaching skills, residents as teachers, psychiatry, and assessments. Both RCT and controlled, nonrandomized trials of residents' teaching programs directed to enhance residents' teaching skills were selected and critically appraised.

Results:

Of 13 trials identified and reviewed, most included residents in internal medicine. Only one included psychiatry residents and assessed their ability to teach interviewing skills to medical students. Along with other studies, this study demonstrated improvement in residents' teaching skills. Overall, interventions and outcome measures were heterogeneous while the quality of methodologies varied. Five studies were of higher quality, representing examples of quality educational research. Several described group differences, blinding, good follow-up, and use of valid, reliable tools.

Conclusions:

Only one trial exists that incorporated psychiatry residents. Significant opportunity to advance educational research in this field exists. Psychiatry residency program directors should incorporate high-quality methodologies and can benefit from the findings of trials in other disciplines.
Psychiatric Education and Simulation: A Review of the Literature
Authors: McNaughton Nancy , Ravitz Paula , Wadell Andrea , Hodges Brian D
Published: January 2017

Objectives:

Simulation methodologies are integral to health professional education at all levels of training and across all disciplines. This article reviews the literature on simulation in psychiatric education and explores recent innovations and emerging ethical considerations related to teaching and evaluation.

Method:

The authors searched the MEDLINE, ERIC, and PsycINFO databases from 1986 to 2006 using multiple search terms. A detailed manual search was conducted of Academic Psychiatry, Academic Medicine, and Medical Education. Literature indirectly relevant to the search parameter was also included.

Results:

Of the more than 5000 articles retrieved from the literature on simulation and health professional education, 72 articles and books used the terms simulation and standardized patients or role play and psychiatry education. Of the more than 900 articles on objective structured clinical examinations (OSCE), 24 articles related specifically to psychiatry OSCEs.

Conclusions:

Live simulation is used in teaching, assessment, and research at all levels of training in psychiatric education. Simulated and standardized patients are useful and appropriate for teaching and assessment and are well accepted at both undergraduate and post-graduate level. There is also an important place for role play. Further research is needed regarding the implications of different simulation technologies in psychiatry.
Discontinuation of Lithium Augmentation in Geriatric Patients with Unipolar Depression: A Systematic Review
Authors: Ross James
Published: January 2017

Objective:

Lithium is an augmentation strategy for unipolar depression in geriatric populations. This review outlines the evidence in the literature regarding risk of relapse when lithium is discontinued in geriatric patients.

Method:

Articles were selected based on selection criteria for relevance and design quality (original studies, French or English, patients older than 65 years, patients with an episode of major depressive disorder, meeting DSM-III or greater criteria, and patients who had been successfully treated to remission with lithium augmentation of an antidepressant, then withdrawn from lithium augmentation treatment).

Results:

Three articles were found. Overall rate of relapse could not be clearly established but a rate of 50% relapse over about 6 months follow-up could be surmised from the study results.

Conclusions:

There is a risk of relapse in elderly patients whose lithium augmentation treatment for unipolar depression is discontinued. More studies with a randomized control trial design are required to provide more definitive information on this topic.
Suicidal Ideators without Major Depression—Whom are We Not Reaching?
Authors: Rhodes Anne E , Bethell Jennifer
Published: January 2017

Objectives:

To describe individuals who reported suicidal ideation but neither met the criteria for major depression (MD) nor were in contact with mental health services in the previous year.

Method:

Data were drawn from the Canadian Community Health Survey: Mental Health and Well-Being (CCHS 1.2). Conducted in 2002, the CCHS 1.2 was a cross-sectional population-based survey of 36 984 Canadian household residents aged 15 years or more. First, we described the individuals who reported suicidal ideation, were without MD, and were not in contact with mental health services ( n = 584) as well as their nonsuicidal counterparts ( n = 31 382) based on various demographic and health status variables. Second, to analyse whether these same variables are associated with mental health service contact(s) among suicidal individuals without MD, we compared those who were in contact with mental health services ( n = 209) to those who were not ( n = 584).

Results:

Almost one-half (47.9%) of the suicidal ideators were without both MD and a mental health service contact in the previous year. Individuals in this group were younger and exhibited greater morbidity than their nonsuicidal counterparts (without MD or mental health service contact) but did not differ by sex. Although male and female respondents were equally represented among the suicidal ideators without MD, male respondents were less likely to contact mental health services. Such contact was more likely among female respondents and individuals with an anxiety disorder.

Conclusions:

These findings underscore the need for further research evaluating early intervention programs that succeed in capturing suicidal youths, particularly male youths.
Psychotic Symptoms as a Continuum between Normality and Pathology
Authors: Stip Emmanuel , Letourneau Genevieve
Published: January 2017

This paper reviews the presence of psychotic features in the nonclinical population. The results of a literature review suggest that delusional and hallucinatory experiences are more common in the general population than we may think, and that there could well be a symptomatic continuum between people who have and people who have not been diagnosed with indisputable psychotic disorders. In the nonclinical population, voices are mainly positive and nonthreatening. Conversely, in the psychiatric population, they tend to be frequent, intrusive, and distressing. We address the question of voices considered as various human experiences and describe the emergence of the nonclinical group of people who hear voices. We also review the pathophysiology of auditory hallucinations as an illustration of a neurophysiological anomaly, which is useful to understand psychosis or schizophrenia. The main obstacle in the category-specific thought is that it remains impossible to unmistakably demarcate the border around schizophrenia. It is evident that the creation of a boundary is always possible by using arbitrary criteria that improve interrater reliability but exclude a considerable number of people who share multiple common features with diagnosed people.
Cognitive and Meta-cognitive Dimensions of Psychoses
Authors: O'Connor Kieron
Published: January 2017

This paper outlines cognitive approaches to understanding and treating positive psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations, delusions, and dissociations. Recent cognitive accounts of psychosis are reviewed along with the claim that it is not the symptoms themselves but cognitive and meta-cognitive appraisals (attributions and beliefs) about the significance of the symptoms that cause distress and dysfunction. Psychotic symptoms do lie on a continuum with normal experience. Cognitive appraisal dimensions may interact with reasoning styles such as inferential confusion, cognitive slippage, fantasy proneness, and perceptual immersion (styles also normally distributed in the population) and together persuade the person with psychosis to live in fictional narratives as if they were real. Recent clinical studies suggest that addressing beliefs about symptoms modifying inferential styles and normalizing experiences may help symptom management.
Changes over Time in Physical Activity and Psychological Distress among Older Adults
Authors: Cairney John , Faulkner Guy , Veldhuizen Scott , Wade Terrance J
Published: January 2017

Objective:

While previous research has established that regular involvement in physical activity (PA) is associated with better mental health in old age, the socio-cognitive factors that mediate the association have only been partially tested. We examined whether changes in PA are associated with changes in distress during a 6-year period, and whether this association is mediated by changes in global self-esteem, mastery, and physical health status.

Method:

A residualized regression technique was used to examine changes over time in a national longitudinal survey of adults aged 65 years and older ( n = 1327).

Results:

There is a significant association between change in PA and change in distress. Separately, physical health status accounted for 30% of the explained variance of the longitudinal relation between PA and distress, while global self-esteem and mastery accounted for 39%. Combined, they accounted for 50% of the explained variance of PA on distress.

Conclusion:

These findings highlight the importance of psychosocial factors in the relation between PA and distress. Results suggest that PA interventions focused on improving mastery or self-worth, as well as physical fitness, may yield the greatest benefit in alleviating psychological distress.
Demonstrating Adherence to Guidelines for the Treatment of Patients with Borderline Personality Disorder
Authors: Kolla Nathan J , Links Paul S , McMain Shelley , Streiner David L , Cardish Robert , Cook Michele
Published: January 2017

Objective:

To describe the development and implementation of General Psychiatric Management (GPM), a dynamically informed psychotherapeutic and case management approach along with symptom-targeted pharmacological interventions for the treatment of borderline personality disorder (BPD), derived from the American Psychiatric Association's (APA) guidelines for treating BPD.

Method:

Clinician adherence to GPM was assessed using the General Psychiatric Management Adherence Scale (GPMAS), which measured the amount of emphasis accorded to therapeutic tools and strategies during individual therapy sessions. GPMAS surveys were completed by 9 different therapists every 6 weeks during 1 year for 50 patients.

Results:

GPMAS displayed excellent internal consistency and good-to-excellent test–retest reliability. The convergence between patient- and therapist-rated sessions was excellent. Mean levels of emphasis were significantly greater for GPM interventions than prohibited ones across all time points. The mean number of prescribed psychotropic medications was 2.3, and the most frequently prescribed class of medication was antidepressants, followed by neuroleptics.

Conclusions:

From these results, we conclude that the clinicians were adherent to the outlined protocol and that the GPMAS is a valuable measure for demonstrating adherence to therapies based on the APA guidelines.
Effet du formulaire de consentement verbal sur le taux de participation à un sondage téléphonique
Authors: Jacques Christian , Ladouceur Robert , Baillargeon Lucie , Fournier Patricia-Maude
Published: January 2017

Objectif:

Cette étude a pour but d'évaluer l'effet du formulaire de consentement sur le taux de participation à un sondage téléphonique portant sur les jeux de hasard et d'argent.

Méthode:

Quatre conditions comportant chacune un formulaire de consentement différent ont été testées. Dans la première condition, le formulaire de consentement satisfait globalement aux exigences des comités d'éthique universitaires, alors que les deuxième et troisième conditions excluent certains éléments. Enfin, le formulaire de consentement de la quatrième condition correspond à l'introduction généralement utilisée par les firmes de sondage privées.

Résultats:

Les résultats montrent que peu importe l'allègement du formulaire exigé par les comités d'éthique universitaire, le texte d'introduction des firmes privées permet d'obtenir le meilleur taux de participation. Par contre, les participants ayant reçu une introduction similaire à celle employée par les firmes de sondage auraient souhaité être mieux informés en début d'entrevue.

Conclusion:

La discussion soulève la délicate position dans laquelle se trouve la recherche universitaire, qui veut à la fois satisfaire aux exigences éthiques et réaliser des recherches valides et représentatives.