bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel genomic alterations and clonal evolution in chronic lymphocytic leukemia revealed by representational oligonucleotide microarray analysis (ROMA)
Authors: Grubor Vladimir , Krasnitz Alex , Troge Jennifer E. , Meth Jennifer L. , Lakshmi B. , Kendall Jude T. , Yamrom Boris , Alex Garrick , Pai Deepa , Navin Nicholas , Hufnagel Lisa A. , Lee Yoon-Ha , Cook Kerry , Allen Steven L. , Rai Kanti R. , Damle Rajendra N. , Calissano Carlo , Chiorazzi Nicholas , Wigler Michael , Esposito Diane
Published: October 2008

We examined copy number changes in the genomes of B cells from 58 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) by using representational oligonucleotide microarray analysis (ROMA), a form of comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), at a resolution exceeding previously published studies. We observed at least 1 genomic lesion in each CLL sample and considerable variation in the number of abnormalities from case to case. Virtually all abnormalities previously reported also were observed here, most of which were indeed highly recurrent. We observed the boundaries of known events with greater clarity and identified previously undescribed lesions, some of which were recurrent. We profiled the genomes of CLL cells separated by the surface marker CD38 and found evidence of distinct subclones of CLL within the same patient. We discuss the potential applications of high-resolution CGH analysis in a clinical setting.
Heterologous expression of plasmodial proteins for structural studies and functional annotation
Authors: Birkholtz Lyn-Marie , Blatch Gregory , Coetzer Theresa L , Hoppe Heinrich C , Human Esmaré , Morris Elizabeth J , Ngcete Zoleka , Oldfield Lyndon , Roth Robyn , Shonhai Addmore , Stephens Linda , Louw Abraham I
Published: October 2008

Malaria remains the world's most devastating tropical infectious disease with as many as 40% of the world population living in risk areas. The widespread resistance ofPlasmodiumparasites to the cost-effective chloroquine and antifolates has forced the introduction of more costly drug combinations, such as Coartem®. In the absence of a vaccine in the foreseeable future, one strategy to address the growing malaria problem is to identify and characterize new and durable antimalarial drug targets, the majority of which are parasite proteins. Biochemical and structure-activity analysis of these proteins is ultimately essential in the characterization of such targets but requires large amounts of functional protein. Even though heterologous protein production has now become a relatively routine endeavour for most proteins of diverse origins, the functional expression of soluble plasmodial proteins is highly problematic and slows the progress of antimalarial drug target discovery. Here thestatus quoof heterologous production of plasmodial proteins is presented, constraints are highlighted and alternative strategies and hosts for functional expression and annotation of plasmodial proteins are reviewed.
Involvement of LPA1 Receptor Signaling in the Reorganization of Spinal Input through Abeta-Fibers in Mice with Partial Sciatic Nerve Injury
Authors: Xie Weijiao , Matsumoto Misaki , Chun Jerold , Ueda Hiroshi
Published: October 2008

Lysophosphatidic acid receptor subtype LPA1 is crucial for the initiation of neuropathic pain and underlying changes, such as up-regulation of Ca2+ channel α2δ-1 subunit in dorsal root ganglia (DRG), up-regulation of PKCγ in the spinal dorsal horn, and demyelination of dorsal root fibers. In the present study, we further examined the involvement of LPA1 signaling in the reorganization of Aβ-fiber-mediated spinal transmission, which is presumed to underlie neuropathic allodynia. Following nerve injury, the phosphorylation of extracellular-signal regulated kinase (pERK) by Aβ-fiber stimulation was observed in the superficial layer of spinal dorsal horn, where nociceptive C-or Aδ-fibers are innervated, but not in sham-operated wild-type mice. However, the pERK signals were largely abolished in LPA1 receptor knock-out ( Lpar1-/-) mice, further supported by quantitative analyses of pERK-positive cells. These results suggest that LPA1 receptor-mediated signaling mechanisms also participate in functional cross-talk between Aβ- and C- or Aδ-fibers.
So much to teach, so little time: a prospective cohort study evaluating a tool to select content for a critical care curriculum
Authors: Peets Adam D , McLaughlin Kevin , Lockyer Jocelyn , Donnon Tyrone
Published: October 2008

Introduction

Curricular content is often based on the personal opinions of a small number of individuals. Although convenient, such curricula may not meet the needs of the target learner, the program or the institution. Using an objective method to ensure content validity of a curriculum can alleviate this issue.

Methods

A form was created that listed clinical presentations relevant to residents completing intensive care unit (ICU) rotations. Twenty residents and 20 intensivists in tertiary academic multisystem ICUs ranked each presentation on three separate scales: how life-threatening each is, how commonly each is seen in critical care, and how reversible each is. Mean scores for the individual scales were calculated, and these three values were subsequently multiplied together to achieve a composite score for each presentation. The correlation between the two groups' scores for the presentations was calculated to assess reliability of the process.

Results

There was excellent agreement between the two groups for rating each presentation (correlation coefficient r = 0.94). The 10 clinical presentations with the highest composite scores formed the basis of our new curriculum.

Conclusions

We describe a method that can be used to select the content of a curriculum for learners in an ICU. Although the content that we selected to include in our curriculum may not be applicable to other ICUs, we believe that the process we used is easily applied elsewhere, and that it provides an efficient method to improve content validity of a curriculum.
The Relationship between Post-natal Depression and Mother–Child Interaction
Authors: Stein Alan , Gath Dennis H. , Bucher Janet , Bond Alison , Day Ann , Cooper Peter J.
Published: October 2008

The study was based on an index group of 49 mothers who had had depressive disorders in the post-natal year, and 49 control mothers who had been free from any psychiatric disorder since delivery. Nineteen months after childbirth, the interaction between mother and child was assessed by blind assessors using defined observational methods. Compared with controls, index mother-child pairs showed a reduced quality of interaction (e.g. mothers showed less facilitation of their children, children showed less affective sharing and less initial sociability with a stranger). Similar but reduced effects were seen in a subgroup of index mothers and children where the mother had recovered from depression by 19 months. Social and marital difficulties were associated with reduced quality of mother-child interaction.
Depression and Previous Alcoholism in the Elderly
Authors: Cook Brian L. , Winokur George , Garvey Michael J. , Beach Vickie
Published: October 2008

A prospective study of male in-patients over 55 years old who met Feighner criteria for non-bipolar depression was performed to determine if a previous history of alcoholism significantly influenced treatment or response to treatment. Among 58 subjects with complete follow-up information, the 16 who had a history of alcoholism had a presentation at index which differed from that of the non-alcoholics, and on follow-up they clearly had more chronic illness. This elderly sample with alcoholism resembles ‘neurotic-reactive’ depressives described in younger samples, and supports a past history of alcoholism as being a risk factor for chronicity of depression on follow-up in the elderly population.
Brain Lesions and Cognitive Function in Late-Life Psychosis
Authors: Miller Bruce L. , Lesser Ira M. , Boone Kyle B. , Hill Elizabeth , Mehringer C. Mark , Wong Keith
Published: October 2008

Twenty-four patients who developed their first psychotic episode after the age of 45 were studied with MRI and comprehensive neuropsychological testing and compared with 72 healthy elderly subjects. The patients demonstrated more clinical abnormalities on MRI, were more likely to have large white-matter lesions or metabolic illness, and did more poorly on many neuropsychological tests, particularly those testing frontal-lobe and memory abilities. We conclude that structural brain injury is commonly associated with the late onset of psychosis. Neuroimaging investigations are a valuable component in the evaluation of this patient group.
Planning for Community Care
Authors: Clifford P. , Charman A. , Webb Y. , Best S.
Published: October 2008

Using the Community Placement Questionnaire, the long-stay populations of five hospitals were surveyed. The results suggest that there is little need for large hospitals if adequate community provision is made. However, a small number of patients continue to accumulate for whom community placement is hard to envisage. Investigating the characteristics of the ‘new long-stay’ patients suggests that the usual definition should be extended to include those over 65 years old with no diagnosis of dementia and those in hospital for 1–10 years. About 20% of ‘new long-stay’ patients have organic diagnoses and the needs of this group require assessment.
Behaviour Disorder in Pre-school Children in Hong Kong
Authors: Luk Siu-Luen , Leung Patrick Wing-Leung , Bacon-Shone John , Chung See-Yuen , Lee Peter Wing-Ho , Chen Sylvia , Ng Richard , Lieh-Mak Felice , Ko Lillian , Wong Virginia C. N. , Yeung C. Y.
Published: October 2008

A representative sample of 855 Hong-Kong Chinese children aged 36–48 months were assessed using the BSQ and the PBCL. Good reliability for both instruments were found. For the BSQ and PBCL, 12.75% and 27.5% were above the cut-off points of 10+ and 12 + respectively and 5.9% were above both cut-off points. In the second stage, 234 subjects were recruited by stratified random sampling according to the results of the screening stage. A clinician interviewed the parent, child and teacher before making a diagnosis. The prevalence of behaviour disorder was: nil, 53.7%; dubious, 23.1 %; mild, 18.0%; moderate, 4.5%; and severe, 0.7%. There were significantly more boys in the categories mild, moderate and severe.
Sociocultural Correlates of Eating Disorders among Asian Schoolgirls in Bradford
Authors: Mumford David B. , Whitehouse Andrew M. , Platts Margaret
Published: October 2008

A survey of 204 south-Asian and 355 Caucasian schoolgirls was conducted in Bradford using the EAT-26 and the BSQ. At interview, seven Asian girls and two Caucasian girls met DSM–III—R criteria for bulimia nervosa, yielding a prevalence of 3.4% and 0.6% respectively. One Asian girl met DSM–III–R criteria for anorexia nervosa. Factor analyses of the EAT and BSQ supported their cross-cultural conceptual equivalence in this south-Asian population. Among the Asians, high EAT and BSQ scores were associated with a more traditional cultural orientation and not with greater Westernisation. It is probable that these findings reflect the cultural and familial difficulties faced by these Asian girls growing up in Britain.
The Factor Structure and Factor Stability of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale in Patients with Cancer
Authors: Moorey Stirling , Greer Steven , Watson Maggie , Gorman Christine , Rowden Linda , Tunmore Robert , Robertson Bernadette , Bliss Judith
Published: October 2008

An exploratory factor analysis of the HAD was carried out in 568 cancer patients. Two distinct, but correlated, factors emerged which corresponded to the questionnaire's anxiety and depression subscales. The factor structure proved stable when subsamples of the total sample were investigated. The internal consistency of the two subscales was also high. These results provide support for the use of the separate subscales of the HAD in studies of emotional disturbance in cancer patients.
Gender-Divergent Aetiological Factors in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Authors: Noshirvani Homa F. , Kasvikis Yiannis , Marks Isaac M. , Tsakiris Fivos , Monteiro William O.
Published: October 2008

Among 307 adults with OCD, early onset (age 5–15 years) was more common in men and later onset (age 26–35 years) in women. Early onset was associated with more checking, and late onset with more washing. More women than men had a history of treated depression; 12% of the women but none of the men had a history of anorexia. More women than men were married. Gender-divergent features may reflect differential aetiological factors. Our sample resembled others in the literature in its slight overall female preponderance, low rate of marriage and low fertility, onset mainly before age 35 years, chronicity, and common present and past depression.
Can Lifestyle Changes Reverse Coronary Heart Disease? The Lifestyle Heart Trial
Authors: Wheatley David , Bass C.
Published: October 2008

“In a prospective, randomised, controlled trial to determine whether comprehensive lifestyle changes affect coronary atherosclerosis after 1 year, 28 patients were assigned to an experimental group (low-fat vegetarian diet, stopping smoking, stress management training, and moderate exercise) and 20 to a usual-care control group. 195 coronary artery lesions were analysed by quantitative coronary angiography. The average percentage diameter stenosis regressed from 40.0 (SD 16.9)% to 37.8 (16.5)% in the experimental group yet progressed from 42.7 (15.5)% to 46.1 (18.5)% in the control group. When only lesions greater than 50% stenosed were analysed, the average percentage diameter stenosis regressed from 61.1 (8.8)% to 55.8 (11.0)% in the experimental group and progressed from 61.7 (9.5)% to 64.4 (16.3)% in the control group. Overall, 82% of experimental-group patients had an average change towards regression. Comprehensive lifestyle changes may be able to bring about regression of even severe coronary atherosclerosis after only 1 year, without use of lipid-lowering drugs.”
Trazodone-Induced Transient Hypomanic Symptoms and their Management
Authors: Jabeen S. , Fisher C. J.
Published: October 2008

Transient trazodone-induced hypomanic symptoms occurred in three depressed patients. Trazodone therapy was continued or reinstated shortly after the hypomanic episode without further evidence of hypomania.
Cerebral Pharmacodynamics of Physostigmine in Alzheimer's Disease Investigated Using Single-Photon Computerised Tomography
Authors: Hunter R. , Wyper D. J. , Patterson J. , Hansen M. T. , Goodwin G. M.
Published: October 2008

The effects of physostigmine on patterns of rCBF in patients with pre-senile Alzheimer's disease were studied using99mTc-labelled HMPAO SPECT. Regional CBF increased in the left cortex relative to right, with the most significant effect in left frontal and higher frontal regions. Measures of regional brain function, such as SPECT, are an important complement to psychological test batteries in understanding the effects in brain of putative antidementia drugs. SPECT brain imaging could extend our understanding of the action of psychotropic drugs in other major psychiatric illnesses.
Bipolar Disorder and Cerebral Sarcoidosis
Authors: McLoughlin Declan , McKeon Patrick
Published: October 2008

A 40-year-old man suffered both a short-term memory defect and bipolar mood disorder. It is postulated that both conditions are due to progressive cerebral sarcoidosis affecting the limbic system. The need for early detection and treatment is emphasised.
Catatonia: Harbinger of the Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
Authors: White Denise A. C. , Robins Ashley H.
Published: October 2008

Five consecutive cases of the NMS are presented, in all of which a catatonic state preceded the onset of the condition. Catatonia would appear to represent a highly significant risk factor for the NMS and a possible causal link between the two disorders is suggested.
Auditory Selective Attention and Event-Related Potentials in Schizophrenia
Authors: Ward Philip B. , Catts Stanley V. , Fox Allison M. , Michie Patricia T. , McConaghy Neil
Published: October 2008

Brain ERPs were recorded in ten unmedicated schizophrenic patients and age- and sex-matched healthy controls during a multidimensional listening task. Patients showed a marked reduction in a long-duration attention-related negative ERP component, termed ‘processing negativity’ (PN), which was elicited by attended stimuli. The amplitude of PN was significantly correlated with SANS and SAPS scores of schizophrenic symptoms. The P300 component was also reduced in amplitude in patients, and was significantly correlated with SANS ratings of negative thought disorder. These findings provide neurophysiological evidence of impairment in the maintenance of selective attention and the cognitive processes associated with target detection among schizophrenic patients. The reduced PN in schizophrenics implicates frontostriatal pathways in the aetiology of attentional deficits in schizophrenia.
Effect of Central Cholinergic Stimulation on Regional Cerebral Blood Flow in Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Wilson Ken , Bowen David , Francis Paul , Tyrrell Philippa
Published: October 2008

Patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) had reduced regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in the posterior parietotemporal region compared with controls, as determined with technetium-99m hexamethyl propyleneamine oxime and single photon emission tomography. Central cholinergic stimulation with physostigmine produced a focal increase in rCBF in the posterior parietotemporal region in the patients with AD but not in controls.
The Functional Psychoses – Are Oncogenes Involved in Their Pathogenesis? Some Speculations
Authors: Leach John
Published: October 2008

Oncogenes are genes whose expression has been associated with malignant transformation of cells in tissue culture and with neoplastic changein vivo(Bishop, 1987). Much of the current understanding of their nature and action has stemmed from work, over the past 20 years, on tumour viruses (Temin, 1971; Rapp, 1983). One group of tumour viruses, the retroviruses, are unique in possessing an enzyme, reverse transcriptase, which transcribes to the cell DNA a copy of the viral RNA genome (Marks, 1987). After the discovery of viral oncogenes, such DNA copies were used as probes in hybridisation studies (Stehelinet al, 1976; Frankel & Fischinger, 1976). These probes, capable of annealing to complementary DNA sequences, revealed the existence of the latter in normal, unaffected cells (Willecke & Schäfer, 1984). These sequences, called cellular or proto-oncogenes, exist in a wide range of eukaryotic organisms, from yeast to man.
Plasma Levels of Fluphenazine in Patients Receiving Fluphenazine Decanoate Relationship to Clinical Response
Authors: Marder Stephen R. , Midha Kamal K. , Putten Theodore Van , Aravagiri Manickam , Hawes Edward M. , Hubbard John W. , Mckay Gordon , Mintz Jim
Published: October 2008

The levels of fluphenazine and fluphenazine sulphoxide in schizophrenic patients who were randomly assigned to receive either 5 mg or 25 mg of fluphenazine decanoate every two weeks were monitored. Patients treated with 25 mg of fluphenazine decanoate required three months to reach a steady-state plasma level, indicating that those patients who are being converted from oral to depot fluphenazine should continue to receive oral supplementation during the first three months of treatment with fluphenazine decanoate. Plasma levels of fluphenazine sulphoxide were lower than levels of fluphenazine. At six and nine months following randomisation, there was a statistically significant relationship between lower fluphenazine plasma levels and an increased risk of psychotic exacerbations. A relatively weak relationship was found between fluphenazine plasma levels and akinesia, but non-significant relationships between fluphenazine levels and other neurological side-effects including akathisia, retardation, and tardive dyskinesia. Monitoring the plasma levels may be helpful to clinicians who are attempting to treat stabilised patients with the lowest effective dose of fluphenazine decanoate.
Social Influences on the Course of Anxious and Depressive Disorders in School-Age Children
Authors: Goodyer Ian , Germany Elizabeth , Gowrusankur Jaya , Altham Patricia
Published: October 2008

In a follow-up study of 49 children and adolescents with anxious or depressive disorders up to 50% had not recovered. In the 12 months preceding onset there were no social factors which predicted recovery at follow-up. Between onset and follow-up the children were less likely to be exposed to undesirable life events, and significant improvements in maternal confiding relationships were reported. Neither of these improvements predicted the level of recovery at follow-up. Poor recovery is best predicted by moderate to poor friendships after the onset of disorder, particularly for those with a diagnosis of depression. Further confirmation is provided that direct interviewing of children by trained personnel using semistructured schedules is a valid method for determining mental symptoms and perception of recent friendships.
Psychiatrists and Citizens
Authors: Birley J. L. T.
Published: October 2008

During the last two years, the medical profession in Britain has been participating in a public debate – perhaps in a more exposed way than for some time. Eminent Presidents have been writing letters to The Times, and less eminent ones demonstrating in Downing Street. This can all be seen as contributions to the discussion on the state of the National Health Service. But there is, I believe, a wider and in my view a more long-lasting change going on, namely the relationship between the medical profession and the public – the citizens of this country. You may feel that the basic premise is based on a false dichotomy, rather like the sterile debates on community care. Hospitals are part of the community. Doctors are citizens. Yet there is an implicit or explicit contract, social if not financial, between a country's medical profession and its citizens. As we are in the era of negotiating or inventing or specifying contracts, I wanted to consider this.
The Impact of Political Change in Eastern Europe on Behavioural Sciences and Psychiatry
Authors: Tomov Toma
Published: October 2008

Political change in Eastern Europe has its catchwords: democracy, pluralism, human rights. Taken at face value, they seem to convey convincingly that a steady and consistent transition has been set in motion, with a clear purpose in mind: the de-structuring of stagnated totalitarian regimes and their replacement with more viable and flexible systems. I do not intend to discuss political change at this macro level, not because it lacks importance or interest, but because the events in question so directly affect my immediate human world and me as an individual that attempting to step out of their stream and judge them impartially is impossible for me.
The History of ‘Nervous Disorders' from 1600 to 1840, and a Comparison with Modern Views
Authors: Hare Edward
Published: October 2008

In the 18th century the main varieties of nervous illness – hypochondria, hysteria, the spleen, the vapours and dyspepsia – became included under the general term ‘nervous disorders'. When no physical disorder of the nerves could be detected in such conditions, the hypothesis of nervous disorder was replaced by the more vague concept of ‘nervous temperament’. The fact that there is still no evidence of pathological change in such cases continues to expose physicians to the alternative hypothesis of a purely psychological cause. The modern era in our understanding of the nervous system may be said to date from 1843 when Du Bois Reymond showed the electrical nature of nervous conduction. The publication of Jordan'sBriefe Discoursein 1603 may be taken to represent the start of a discrete period (1600 to 1840) in the history of neurotic illness.
Twentieth-Century Influences on the Development in Britain of Services for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Authors: Wardle Christopher J.
Published: October 2008

Modern comprehensive multidisciplinary mental-health services for children and adolescents have four origins: psychology from 1890, psychoanalysis from 1906, the child-guidance movement from 1920, and the children's departments of psychiatric teaching hospitals from 1930. Post-war changes in society and reform, especially the NHS Act 1946, contributed to rapid development of services and an increasingly wide range of sophisticated therapeutic interventions; professional and interdisciplinary associations and trans-Atlantic exchange were also influential. In the last three decades a succession of official inquiries, reports, legislation and reorganisations have had a damaging effect. Children and their services have been prey tocauses célèbres,fashion and the exaggerated fads and foibles of the media and politicians; they have thrived best when society and their carers were tolerant, and loving, sought good qualities to augment, not evil to exorcise, and succeeded in balancing structure and control with flexibility and freedom to grow. Planners should review the past before acting.
Measurement in Psychiatry
Authors: Snaith R. P.
Published: October 2008

Progress in science depends upon the fertility of inspiration, the acuteness of observation, and the accuracy of instruments to measure those observations. It is with respect to the last of these that progress in psychiatry has lagged. Instruments in plenty have been devised, many have been acclaimed and some accepted as a standard against which the other measures are judged; some have even come to be used as a definition of the disorder to be measured, the achievement of a certain score indicating that the disorder is present.
Community Care: Does it Reduce the Need for Psychiatric Beds? a Comparison of Two Different Styles of Service in Three Hospitals
Authors: Lawrence R. E. , Copas J. B. , Cooper P. W.
Published: October 2008

The admission pattern of under-65s during the first seven years of Kidderminster's District General Hospital Psychiatric Department was compared with the last seven years of the mental hospital (Powick Hospital) which it superseded in July 1978, and with its nearest mental hospital (Barnsley Hall Hospital). In Kidderminster the average length of patient's hospital stay was half that at Barnsley Hall. There were more admissions per head of population, more which lasted less than a week, and more patients with over six admissions to Kidderminster than Barnsley Hall. The retrospective comparison with Powick Hospital showed that these differences were not due to the superior community facilities in Kidderminster since there was no real change in hospital bed use with the development of community services; this supports the view that there is a bed-rock of illness which will always need in-patient care however comprehensive the community resources.
Systemic Family Therapy in Adult Psychiatry a Review of 50 Families
Authors: Bloch Sidney , Sharpe Michael , Allman Peter
Published: October 2008

The place of family therapy in adult clinical psychiatry remains unclear, despite considerable theoretical developments in the subject. In order to delineate the potential role of a family therapeutic approach, a study was conducted of the first 50 families treated in a newly established family-therapy clinic located in an adult psychiatric hospital.
A Scale for Evaluating Emotional Disorders in Severely and Profoundly Mentally Retarded Persons Development of the Diagnostic Assessment for the Severely Handicapped (DASH) Scale
Authors: Matson Johnny L. , Gardner William I. , Coe David A. , Sovner Robert
Published: October 2008

The DASH scale was used to assess 506 profoundly and severely mentally retarded persons (247 females and 259 males). The scale, covering 13 major psychiatric disorders, consists of 83 items derived from DSM–III–R as well as previously published studies of this population. Data were collected on symptom frequency, duration and severity in individual interviews with direct-care staff. Elimination and pervasive developmental disorders were most frequent, self-injurious behaviour disorders most severe. Most symptoms had been evident for at least a year. Inter-rater reliability was generally good.
P300 and Reaction-Time Measures in Senile Dementia of the Alzheimer Type
Authors: Williams P. A. , Jones G. H. , Briscoe M. , Thomas R. , Cronin P.
Published: October 2008

Auditory evoked potentials were recorded in a choice reaction-time task. This test paradigm elicited the attention-related P300 component and was used to study cognitive processing. Compared with age-matched controls, 17 patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type were shown to have significantly longer reaction times as well as delayed latencies of several components of the auditory evoked potentials. The fractional increase in the reaction times was much greater than that of the P300 peak latency. The latter is commonly accepted as an index of stimulus-evaluation time. These findings suggest a delay in both response selection and stimulus evaluation.
Contextual Effects on Choice Reaction Time and Accuracy in Acute and Chronic Schizophrenics Impairment in Selective Attention or in the Influence of Prior Learning?
Authors: Jones Steven H. , Hemsley David R. , Gray Jeffrey A.
Published: October 2008

Two hypotheses were tested concerning the nature of the cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia: (a) that there is a broadening of selective attention; and (b) that there is an impairment in associational learning. RDC-diagnosed acute and chronic schizophrenics and normal controls carried out a choice reaction time (RT) task in which conflict between the correct response to a target (a letter in the centre of a computer screen) and that cued by simultaneously presented flankers (two letters either side of the target) increased RT. For 80 (‘valid’) trials, flankers and targets were consistent in the response cued (pressing a button with either left or right hand); on 8 (‘invalid’) trials they conflicted. On invalid trials there was a slowing of RT, and an increase of errors for left-hand responses. Chronic schizophrenics showed the same reactions to cue validity as normal controls, both groups differing significantly from acute schizophrenics. For the latter, the RT data supported hypothesis (b), but the error rates appeared to support hypothesis (a).
Behavioural Treatment of AIDS-Focused Illness Phobia
Authors: Logsdail Stephen , Lovell Karina , Warwick Hilary , Marks Isaac
Published: October 2008

Seven cases are described in which the central symptoms were fear of contracting AIDS, avoidance of related cues, rituals and reassurance-seeking, Associated features include previous illness phobias and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Treatment with exposure and response prevention (plus a cognitive session in one case), led to improvement sustained up to three months after discharge, although one patient stopped treatment prematurely. Controlled trials of behavioural treatment in hypochondriasis are required.
Personality Disorder in Perspective
Authors: Tyrer Peter , Casey Patricia , Ferguson Brian
Published: October 2008

Personality disorders have for many years been on the fringe of psychiatry, with considerable doubts expressed about the usefulness, implications and validity of the concept. It is argued here that developments in the past few years have brought personality disorders into the mainstream of psychiatric practice. In particular, the recognition that personality function can be separated usefully from clinical symptoms, and that both mental state and personality can be disordered simultaneously, has led to better assessment and understanding. Advances in the classification, epidemiology, treatment and prognosis of personality disorders show that these conditions are common, extensive in their pathology, and cause much suffering. They cannot be ignored or dismissed as peripheral to psychiatry for they are an essential part of good psychiatric practice.
Some Aspects of Family Interventions in Schizophrenia. I: Adherence to Intervention Programmes
Authors: Tarrier Nicholas
Published: October 2008

Although family intervention programmes to instruct relatives in management and coping skills are often effective in reducing schizophrenic relapse, many families either fail to be engaged or withdraw from treatment at an early stage. Some possible reasons for this are described and some suggestions for increasing adherence are made. Adherence with interventions may be viewed as a complex behaviour pattern, and factors increasing or decreasing the probability of such behaviour occurring and being maintained can and should be investigated to maximise the clinical potential of family intervention programmes.
Lithium Augmentation in Antidepressant-Resistant Patients a Quantitative Analysis
Authors: Austin M.-P. V. , Souza F. G. M. , Goodwin G. M.
Published: October 2008

A quantitative analysis was used to examine the efficacy of lithium augmentation in the acute treatment of depressed patients resistant to a standard trial of an antidepressant. Effect sizes were measured by the odds ratio using the Mantel–Haenszel method. Only controlled trials were included in order to minimise bias in method. A highly statistically significant effect for lithium augmentation was found, the pooled odds ratio being 0.146 and its 95% confidence interval 0.05–0.44 (i.e. the odds of remaining ill are reduced by between 56% and 95% with the use of lithium treatment). While these results support the case for lithium augmentation in treatment-resistant depression, there remains considerable uncertainty over the duration of treatment necessary to see and sustain the treatment response.
A Family with Multiple Instances of Definite, Probable and Possible Early-Onset Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Karlinsky H. , Madrick E. , Ridgley J. , Berg J. M. , Becker R. , Bergeron C. , Hodgkinson S. , Percy M. E. , McLachlan D.
Published: October 2008

A family with a multigenerational history of proven or suspected early-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD) consistent with autosomal-dominant inheritance is described. To date, the pedigree comprises five generations in which there are 13 known affected individuals. The mean age of onset of cognitive deficits in those for whom data are available (n = 11) is 47.6 (s.d. 3.0) years and the mean age of death (n = 10) is 58.8 (s.d. 4.0) years. The variability in the extent and quality of available data illustrates the diagnostic difficulties encountered in ascertaining such an extended pedigree, and the need for caution in interpreting the evidence.
Reactions of Police Officers to Body-Handling after a Major Disaster a Before-and-After Comparison
Authors: Alexander David A. , Wells Andrew
Published: October 2008

This study reports the results of an unusual opportunity to follow up a group of police officers who were involved in body-handling duties following the Piper Alpha disaster, and for whom there were available data from pre-disaster assessments. In addition, after these duties, the officers were compared with a matched control group of officers who had not been involved in such work. The comparisons failed to demonstrate high levels of post-traumatic distress or psychiatric morbidity. The results are interpreted in terms of issues such as the officers' own coping strategies, and major organisational and managerial factors.
The Prevalence of Eating Disorders in Recently Admitted Psychiatric In-patients
Authors: Hay Phillipa J. , Hall Anne
Published: October 2008

Of 107 recently admitted psychiatric patients screened for eating-disorder symptoms by questionnaire, 17% met DSM–III–R criteria for eating disorders. Eight patients (one male) had bulimia nervosa. Ten patients had eating disorder not otherwise specified: seven (three male) bulimic type, and three (one male) anorexia nervosa type. The most common concurrent diagnoses were mood and personality disorders. As eating-disorder symptoms are relevant to the diagnosis and management of other psychiatric disorders they should be assessed routinely in all psychiatric patients.
Money Hidden and Rediscovered in Subsequent Manic Phases a Case of Action Dependent on Mood State?
Authors: Williams J. M. G. , Markar H. R.
Published: October 2008

A manic-depressive patient hid £3000 during one manic phase and subsequently, when his mood stabilised, could not remember where he had hidden it. He found the money during a subsequent manic phase a few months later. We suggest that this is not a clear case of state-dependent memory, since the patient at no point explicitly recollected where he had hidden the money. Instead we suggest that this represents state-dependent action. The links between this case and previous research on state-dependent memory are outlined.
‘Schizoid’ Personality in Childhood and Adult Life II: Adult Adjustment and the Continuity with Schizotypal Personality Disorder
Authors: Wolff Sula , Townshend Rosemary , Mcguire R. J. , Weeks D. J.
Published: October 2008

In a controlled follow-up study into adulthood of 32 children diagnosed ‘schizoid’, three-quarters fulfilled DSM–III criteria for schizotypal personality disorder and two developed schizophrenia. Overall their psychosocial adjustment was somewhat, but not markedly, worse than that of other attenders at a child psychiatry clinic, although as a group they remained more solitary, lacking in empathy, oversensitive, with odd styles of communicating, and often with circumscribed interests.
‘Schizoid’ Personality in Childhood and Adult Life III: The Childhood Picture
Authors: Wolff Sula
Published: October 2008

The childhood case records of 32 ‘schizoid’ children and 32 matched controls were analysed. ‘Schizoid’ children were characterised by solitariness, unusual fantasies, special interests, and specific developmental delays, especially of language-related skills. They were of average or above-average IQ, and half presented with other, common, child psychiatric syndromes. It is important to distinguish ‘schizoid’ children from children with reactive psychiatric disorders.
Prognosis of Depression in the Elderly
Authors: Meats Philip , Timol Mariam , Jolley David
Published: October 2008

Fifty-six consecutively admitted elderly (65 and over) patients with depression were assessed on mental, physical and social states. They were followed up and assessed at home one year later. A group of 24 depressed in-patients aged under 65 years admitted to the same ward during the same period was also assessed. Outcome was different for the two groups, with 68% of the elderly ‘well’ at one year, against 50% of the younger group. The younger group were more likely to have ‘poor’ outcome (41 %) than the elderly (16%). However, there were more deaths than expected, particularly in the elderly. These findings differ from some previous studies, and indicate an excellent prognosis for depression in the elderly. Outcome in younger patients is less good.
Sexual Abuse as a Factor in Eating Disorders
Authors: Waller Glenn
Published: October 2008

Clinicians have reported a link between sexual abuse and eating disorders, but research evidence to date has been equivocal in supporting that link. This study presents data on reported sexual abuse from 67 anorexic and bulimic patients. Bulimics were substantially more likely to report a history of unwanted sexual experience than anorexics. The method used (clinical interview v. questionnaire) did not affect reported rates of abuse. It is suggested that sexual abuse per se may not cause eating disorders, but may determine the nature of those disorders when they have been prompted by other factors.
Mania Secondary to Thyrotoxicosis
Authors: Lee Sing , Chow Chun Chung , Wing Y. K. , Leung C. M. , Chiu Helen , Chen Char-Nie
Published: October 2008

A case of severe mania due to thyrotoxicosis responded to propranolol and propylthiouracil.
Delusional Parasitosis Associated with Phenelzine
Authors: Aizenberg Dov , Schwartz Bruria , Zemishlany Zvi
Published: October 2008

A woman developed delusional parasitosis when taking phenelzine. The delusion occurred in an agitated hypomanic state and was preceded by an intense pruritus. It completely remitted following withdrawal of phenelzine combined with a low dose of haloperidol (1 mg/day) for several days. This unusual psychopathology is probably encountered more by dermatologists than by mental health professionals.
The Co-existence of Erotomania and Capgras' Syndrome
Authors: Zarrouk El-Tayeb A.
Published: October 2008

A case of secondary erotomania co-existent with Capgras' syndrome presented with features that have not been reported before. The case is suggested to be a variant of de Cléambault's syndrome. The role of cultural factors in altering the clinical picture is insignificant.
Schizophrenia and Afro-Caribbeans a Case-Control Study
Authors: Wessely S. , Castle D. , Der G. , Murray R.
Published: October 2008

A case-control study was performed using 90% of all first-contact patients with a clinical diagnosis of schizophrenia residing in the London borough of Camberwell between 1965 and 1984. Cases and controls were obtained from the Camberwell psychiatric case register. Controls were those presenting with first episodes of non-psychotic disorders, matched for age, sex and period. The risk of schizophrenia was greater in those of Afro-Caribbean ethnicity, irrespective of age, gender or place of birth. This risk increased over the study period. The results cannot be explained by changes in the age, gender or ethnic structure of the local population. Effects of misdiagnosis or change in diagnostic practice were reduced by using uniform operational criteria. Possible explanations include maternal exposure to unfamiliar infective agents, a differential fall in the age at onset of illness, or worsening social adversity.
Parental Representations of Patients with Panic Disorder and Generalised Anxiety Disorder
Authors: Silove Derrick , Parker Gordon , Hadzi-Pavlovic Dusan , Manicavasagar Vijaya , Blaszczynski Alex
Published: October 2008

Previous studies using the Parental Bonding Instrument have shown a general trend for neurotic subjects to score their parents as less caring and more protective. Such a finding was broadly replicated in a study of 80 clinically anxious subjects and age- and sex-matched controls. Although direct comparisons of PBI scores failed to reveal clear-cut differences between generalised anxiety (GA) and panic disorder (PD) subgroups, logistic regression analyses revealed higher odds ratios for parental assignment to aberrant categories in the GA group, with PD patients reporting a more limited pattern of overprotective parenting only. Our findings suggest that adverse parental behaviour may be relevant to the pathogenesis of GA, while parental ‘affectionate constraint’ may be a parental response to early manifestations of PD.
The Prediction of Treatment Response in Bulimia Nervosa a Study of Patient Variables
Authors: Maddocks Sarah E. , Kaplan Allan S.
Published: October 2008

To investigate the predictive value of a wide range of variables for distinguishing subjects who demonstrate a favourable treatment response from those who do not, 86 women with a DSM–III–R diagnosis of bulimia nervosa who completed a group treatment programme for eating disorders were studied. Discriminant-function analysis of demographic variables, weight history, specific eating-disorder psychopathology, mood status and social adjustment before treatment was performed; five factors (depression and core symptoms of eating disorder) best discriminated ‘positive’ from ‘poor’ treatment responders, accounting for 44% of the variance.
The Idealisation of Therapy: Fantasy versus Reality in Clinical Practice
Authors: Powell A. S.
Published: October 2008

In this paper, object-relations theory is used to illuminate problems encountered in the psychotherapeutic management of severely disturbed psychiatric patients. The hazards of idealisation of the psychiatrist by the patient are reported in four case histories. Attention is drawn to the subsequent breakthrough of negative feelings where idealisation had been unrecognised or unwittingly encouraged. Some implications for the more successful management of the transference in patients such as these are discussed.
Thyroid Hormone Supplementation of Fluoxetine in the Treatment of Major Depression
Authors: Gupta Sanjay , Masand Prakash , Tanquary John F.
Published: October 2008

A patient with major depression who did not respond to treatment with fluoxetine alone responded to thyroid hormone augmentation of fluoxetine.
Neuroscience
Authors: Harrison Paul J.
Published: October 2008

Neuroscience, encouraged by the advent of approaches at the molecular level, is finally beginning to play an important part in the theoretical basis of psychiatry. Although its immediate effect on clinical practice remains limited, this too is likely to change within the near future. Psychiatrists, and Membership candidates in particular, are now expected to be au fait with everything from conduction of the nerve impulse to second messengers and linkage analysis. Unfortunately, the complexity and breadth of the underlying science is expanding at an ever-increasing rate, making it difficult to keep up to date with advances. The following are offered as readable overviews of the neuroscientific areas especially relevant to psychiatry, with an emphasis on publications or editions produced within the past three years, since the rate of progress renders most texts rapidly redundant. The broader question of how all this neuroscience is going to alter psychiatry – for better or worse – has also attracted considerable debate, if few conclusions (e.g. Pardes, 1986; Detre, 1987).
Anorexia Nervosa in a Patient with XY Gonadal Dysgenesis
Authors: McCluskey Sara E. , Lacey J. Hubert
Published: October 2008

This is the first report of a case of anorexia nervosa in a woman with XY gonadal dysgenesis. Anorexia nervosa is a potential complication of gonadal dysgenesis, stemming not only from the disorder itself but from its investigation and treatment.
Tacrine in Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Eagger Sarah , Morant Nicola , Levy Raymond , Sahakian Barbara
Published: October 2008

This paper concerns certain questions which arose during the analysis of a trial showing positive effects of tacrine in Alzheimer's disease. Cognitive improvement occurred during the first two weeks, reached a maximum at one month and was maintained during the rest of the three-month treatment period. Rebound effects were not detected in any of the key outcome variables, but were suggested by one of the supporting cognitive tests and other measures. Practice effects occurred on tests which were repeated at short intervals or too frequently. The paper discusses the significance of these findings for the interpretation of other trials and for practical management.
Spouse-Aided Therapy with Agoraphobics
Authors: Emmelkamp P. M. G. , van Dyck R. , Bitter M. , Heins R. , Onstein E. J. , Eisen B.
Published: October 2008

Sixty agoraphobics were treated by behavioural therapy (self-exposure in vivo) either with their partner involved in all aspects of treatment or without their partner. The two treatment formats were about equally effective. Behavioural treatment directed at the agoraphobia resulted in improvement irrespective of marital quality and partner involvement in the therapy. The effects of treatment led neither to a deterioration of the marriage nor to adjustment problems in the partner. Avoidance behaviour, intropunitivity and overprotection were found to predict treatment response. The partners of agoraphobics were not found to have psychological problems themselves.