bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of the soluble pattern recognition receptor PTX3 in vascular biology
Authors: Presta Marco , Camozzi Maura , Salvatori Giovanni , Rusnati Marco
Published: August 2007

Introduction

PTX3 gene and expression

PTX3 protein structure

PTX3 ligands

PTX3 in vascular pathology

Concluding remarks

Pentraxins act as soluble pattern recognition receptors with a wide range of functions in various pathophysiological conditions. The long‐pentraxin PTX3 shares the C‐terminal pentraxin‐domain with short‐pentraxins C‐reactive protein and serum amyloid P component and possesses an unique N‐terminal domain. These structural features suggest that PTX3 may have both overlapping and distinct biological/ligand recognition properties when compared to short‐pentraxins. PTX3 serves as a mechanism of amplification of inflammation and innate immunity. Indeed, vessel wall elements produce high amounts of PTX3 during inflammation and the levels of circulating PTX3 increase in several pathological conditions affecting the cardiovascular system. PTX3 exists as a free or extracellular matrix‐associated molecule and it binds the complement fraction C1q. PTX3 binds also apoptotic cells and selected pathogens, playing a role in innate immunity processes. In endothelial cells and macrophages, PTX3 upregulates tissue factor expression, suggesting its action as a regulator of endothelium during thrombogenesis and ischaemic vascular disease. Finally, PTX3 binds the angiogenic fibroblast growth factor‐2, thus inhibiting its biological activity. Taken together, these properties point to a role for PTX3 during vascular damage, angiogenesis, atherosclerosis, and restenosis.
PREFACE TO AN ABC OF PSYCHOANALYTIC TECHNIQUE1
Authors: Braatoy Trygve
Published: August 2007

If one man claims that he raised a four‐month's corpse from the dead, he must describe his feat in terms which any one else in his branch of science can understand, and the terms must be such that experts in that branch can either duplicate the first man's performance or show that he misunderstood

what he was doing. (E.T.Bcl1 1935, p. 78).
AN EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF SIMULATION AND PSEUDO‐DEMENTIA: PART I
Authors: Anderson E. W.
Published: August 2007

The substance of this paper was presented briefly to the Section of Psychiatry of the Royal Society of Medicine, London, February 14th, 1956
AN EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF SIMULATION AND PSEUDO‐DEMENTIA: PART III
Authors: Kenna J. C.
Published: August 2007

Some results obtained in using the Bender Gestalt Test during experimental simulation are reported.
A STUDY OF SUICIDES IN SWEDEN 1951–63, INCLUDING A COMPARISON WITH 1925–1950
Authors: Hartelius Hans
Published: August 2007

In an earlier work the author analysed the known suicides in Sweden in 1925–1950, dividing the material, to simplify matters, into two equal periods of thirteen years, 1925–1937 and 1938–1950. Since then further information has become available from the annual summaries of the Swedish statistics on the causes of death, bringing the record up to 1963. A comparison may be made between the old material “Suicide in Sweden 1925–1950”, Acta Psychiatrica et Neurol. Scandinav. 1957:32, 151–181 and the new. In this study, however, the 1925–1950 material has been recapitulated only in so far as it elucidates the fresh findings, and facilitates a survey of the entire period 1925–1963. For general observations on genesis as well as for an explanation of the analytical methods employed, the reader is referred to the previous work. At present the main interest lies in discovering if the general theories developed from an examination of the earlier material still hold good with regard to more recent facts and figures on suicides in Sweden.
A CONTROLLED COMPARISON OF THE TREATMENT OF SCHIZOPHRENIC PATIENTS WHEN TREATED ACCORDING TO THE NEUROLEPTIC THRESHOLD OR BY CLINICAL JUDGMENT
Authors: SIMPSON G. M. , KRAKOV L. , MATTKE D. , PHARD G. ST.
Published: August 2007

The treatment of two groups of chronic schizophrenic patients is described. One was treated according to Haase's concept of the neuroleptic threshold, the other according to the clinicians judgment. The groups were randomly selected and all evaluation was done under double‐blind conditions. After a suitable interval the treatment procedures were reversed. There was no difference between the groups in the therapeutic results, but the group treated according to the neuroleptic threshold received significantly smaller doses. These results are discussed.
HYSTERIA AND DRUG‐INDUCED DYSTONIA
Authors: ANGUS J. W. S. , SIMPSON G. M.
Published: August 2007

Dystonic reactions and more complex phenomena which appear to be related to them are described and illustrated with case material. The relationship of these phenomena to those of hysteria is discussed. An approach which abolishes artificial distinctions between the organic and the functional is suggested.
BOOKS
Authors: Bentzen Ole , Adserballe Hans , Schou Mogens
Published: August 2007

P. R. Davis (ed.): Performance Under Suboptimal Conditions. Taylor & Francis Ltd.

Hermann Witter: Grundriss der gerichtlichen Psychologie und Psychiatrie Heidelberger Taschenbücher Band 83.

Kupfer, David J. (ed.): Lithium and Psychiatry – Journal Articles. A Collection of Published Articles Related to the Clinical Application of Lithium Carbonate.
BOOKS
Authors: Schou Mogens , Dupont A. , Dupont Annalise , de Fine Olivarius Bent , Timmermann Erik , Fromholt Pia
Published: August 2007

Vina, O., Z. Votava & P. B. Bradley (ed.): Advances in Neuro‐Psychopharmacology. Proceedings of the Symposia held at the VII Congress of the Collegium Internationale Neuro‐Psychopharmacologicum

Shepherd, M., Bram Oppenheim & S. Mitchell: Childhood Behaviour and Mental Health. University of London Press

Primrose, D. A. A.: Proceedings of the second congress of the international association for the scientific study of mental deficiency.

Cerebrovascular Diseases: Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation. WHO Technical Report Series

Retterstöl, Niels: Prognosis in paranoid psychoses. Norwegian monographs on medical science. Universitetsforlaget

Summerfield, A.: Cognitive psychology. British Medical Bulletin 27, 3. Published by the Medical Department
MORTALITY AMONG MALE AND FEMALE ALCOHOLIC PATIENTS TREATED IN A PSYCHIATRIC UNIT
Authors: Lindelius R. , Salum I. , ÅGren G.
Published: August 2007

A series of patients consisting of 139 men and 118 women had themselves sought treatment and were admitted to a psychiatric unit under a diagnosis of alcohol abuse. Prior to admission, they had not been registered for drinking offences. The series was studied with regard to mortality during an observation period from 5 to 10 years.

Compared to the general population the mortality was high for both sexes, and this was more pronounced for women than for men. However, since alcoholism is much more widespread among men, mortality in the male population is affected by alcoholism to a greater extent than mortality in the female population. Differences in excess mortality between the sexes in this study disappear if death‐risks applying to men are also applied to women.

The specific causes of death broadly follow the same pattern as in earlier studies. The excess mortality from accidents was, however, remarkably low. An explanation for this may be that accidental deaths, more than deaths from other causes, are correlated to the social effects of abuse. Suicide through drug intoxication was more common among women than among men; this corresponds to the situation in the general population.
CLASSIFYING POISONING DEATHS BY MOTIVATION: ANGLO‐SCOTTISH DIFFERENCES
Authors: Barraclough B. M.
Published: August 2007

The incidence of death by poisoning is the same in England and Scotland. The differences in the two countries' official statistics for the suicide rate, undetermined death and accidental death rates from poisoning differ. The differences are probably caused by varying medico‐legal procedures which classify deaths according to motivation.
A TRANSCULTURAL VIEW OF SIBLING RANK AND MENTAL DISORDER
Authors: Hartog J.
Published: August 2007

Assuming that a transcultural view of sibling rank and mental disorder might clarify discrepant East‐West observations and point the way towards universal hypotheses, the author, on the basis of work in Malaysia, discusses the range of psychological, social psychological, and physiological theories. He presents his own biphasic hypothesis, which proposes elevated vulnerability to mental disorder for oldest and youngest siblings. It reconciles universal family psychodynamics with cultural variables, opens a valuable new epidemiological approach to the problem, and refutes the view that sibling rank differences are merely birth rate artifacts. He also suggests areas of further research that might bridge the psychological‐physiological gap, and points out the social and educational implications of sibling rank differnces.
HETEROGENEITY AND BIOCHEMICAL FINDINGS IN MANIC‐MELANCHOLIC DISORDERS
Authors: Mellerup E. T. , Rafaelsen O. J.
Published: August 2007

Attempts to find biochemical changes related to mental events are well known from the literature concerning manic‐depressive psychosis. The most studied areas are probably carbohydrate, electrolyte, and neurotransmitter metabolism. Normal physiological connections, which exist between different metabolic reactions belonging to these areas, are reviewed, and it is concluded that many different metabolic disturbances possibly might lead to the same mental disorders. It is also emphasized that lithium influences several of the reactions, which might be involved in these metabolic disturbances.
PERSONALITY DIFFERENCES IN PATIENTS WITH DEPRESSIVE ILLNESS AND ANXIETY NEUROSIS
Authors: Murray L. G. , Blackburn I. M.
Published: August 2007

This study explores personality in subgroups of affective illness. Self‐assessment scores on Cattell's 16 Personality Factor (16 PF) Questionnaire were obtained from 87 patients comprising five groups, namely ill and recovered unipolar and bipolar depressives and chronic anxiety (CA) neurotics. It was predicted that the anxiety group would have more abnormal scores than both actively depressed groups, but the three groups had markedly similar traits. The prediction that three different types of personality profiles would be obtained from the two recovered depressive groups and the anxiety group was partly confirmed. However, the scores of the anxious patients were more similar to those of recovered unipolar depressives than either was to recovered bipolar depressives. It is suggested that the similar personalities of unipolar depressives and anxiety neurotics may be aetiologically important. Furthermore, the differences between the two recovered depressive groups supports the idea of distinguishing between sub‐populations in studies of affective illness.
DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDITY OF A COMPUTERIZED METHOD FOR DIAGNOSES OF FUNCTIONAL PSYCHOSES (DIAX)
Authors: Fischer M.
Published: August 2007

Comparison of the results of studies within psychiatry are often complicated by the uncertainty of whether the different authors use the same diagnostic critaria for the probands in the studies. In the “International Pilot Study of Schizophrenia” (IPSS) (WHO), patients with functional psychoses from the nine participating centres were examined with standardized instruments. This study is based on data collected during the initial examination and a 2‐year follow‐up of patients included in the IPSS. The aim was to develop and test a method based on symptoms which diagnosed the patients in a standardized way.

A computer programme using 39 symptom groups was developed, (DIAX). (A manual is included in the Appendix). In order to evaluate the diagnoses arrived at by DIAX, comparison was made with clinical diagnoses at initial examination and at follow‐up. For the total of 1202 patients from nine countries, the overall agreement was 73%. The comparison also showed interesting similarities and differences among the centres.

The validity of the method was supported by the following three analyses. The stability (diagnoses based on initial examination and follow‐up examination) was high. “Severe” disagreement was only about 10%. The prognosis of the two major diagnostic groups showed a significant difference. An examination of mental illness in the families showed that DIAX diagnoses could separate the two nuclear groups, those with mainly schizophrenia in the family and those with mainly affective psychoses in the family.

Other results emerging from the study and the advantages and limitations of the method are discussed.
THE SCHIZOPHRENIC PATIENT AT HOME
Authors: Hoenig J.
Published: August 2007

120 schizophrenic patients, all first admissions to four different psychiatric units, were followed up for 4 years to assess their progress while their cases were managed largely extramurally and the patients lived mostly at home. They were found to spend little time in hospital, but only a few of them remained symtom‐free throughout the follow‐up period. In spite of that, a good many were able to work.

The effect the patient has on the household to which he or she belongs is considerable in terms of loss of earnings, separations from children, frequent disturbing behaviour and so on. Nevertheless many families seem to be able to endure this without complaining unduly.

They seem to be able to bear the burden easier if the psychiatric services are part of a general hospital rather than based on a mental hospital.
MANIC‐DEPRESSIVE ILLNESS AND SOCIAL ACHIEVEMENT IN A PUBLIC HOSPITAL SAMPLE
Authors: Monnelly, R.A. Woodruff E. P. , Robins L. N.
Published: August 2007

This is the third in a series of investigations of social effectiveness defined by educational and occupational achievement among patients with primary affective disorder. As in previous studies, there is no evidence that patients with primary affective disorder differ significantly in social achievement from their own siblings. This study in an attempt to replicate achievement from their own siblings. This study is an attempt to replicate previous findings that bipolar patients and their family members have higher levels of social achievement than unipolar patients and their family members. The results of this study confirm previous results among publically hospitalized patients when they have a history of previous private hospitalization. The hypothesis that a social advantage is associated with bipolar primary affective disorder is not supported by data from publically hospitalized patients without a history of previous private hospitalization. The possible reasons for these findings are discussed, as well as the type of study wich would be required to resolve the questions raised by the present investigation.
CORRELATION BETWEEN BLOOD GASES, GLYCOLYTIC ENZYMES AND EEG DURING ELECTROCONVULSIVE TREATMENT IN RELAXATION
Authors: Szirami I. , Boldizsár F. , Fischer J.
Published: August 2007

Twenty‐three psychiatric patients were investigated during electro‐convulsive treatment in relaxation. The blood gases, pH and serum bicarbonate levels in blood samples from the internal jugular vein and the femoral artery were measured radiometrically. The LDH fractions were separated electrophoretically and their activity, along with the activity of aldolase, was then determined on test materials. EEG recordings were made during the seizure and also during post‐convulsive restitution. The following conclusions were drawn: (1) There was no evidence of anoxic anoxia in the brain during and after seizures. (2) A close relationship was found between the corresponding phases of electrical activity and brain metabolism as indicated by the blood gas changes during postconvulsive restitution. (3) On the basis of the increased glycolytic activity in the sera it is probable that glucose metabolism was shifted in the anaerobic direction during postconvulsive restitution of the brain tissues.
AUDITORY THRESHOLDS AND THE EFEECT OF REDUCED AUDITORY FEEDBACK ON STUTTERING
Authors: Brown T. , Sambrooks J. E. , MacCulloch M. J.
Published: August 2007

The effects of reduced auditory feedback were investigated using an accurately calibrated binaudal pure tone producer on 27 stuttering children and 68 non‐stuttering controls.

A comparison was made of both auditory hearing and discomfort thresholds in the two groups; the hearing thresholds did not differ between the groups. The results did however replicate an earlier finding which suggested that stutterers have a lower threshold for auditory discomfort than do normal speakers, and showed that fluency is inversely related to auditory feedback.

The discussion suggests that a necessary cause of stuttering is a physiological abnormality in side‐tone conduction and central processing.
INDIVIDUAL FACTORS AFFECTING THE IMPROVEMENT OF ANXIETY DURING A THERAPEUTIC PERIOD OF 1½ TO 2 YEARS
Authors: Smith G. J. W. , Sjöholm L. , Nielzé S.
Published: August 2007

Thirty neurotic outpatients suffering from pronounced anxiety were studied and after a therapeutic period of 1.5 to 2 years. The patients were described by means of rating scales and two percept‐genetic methods, the Meta‐Contrast‘Technique and the Afterimage Experiment. It was possible to associate original status with improvement or non‐improvement of manifest anxiety. The most positive prognostic sign was sensitivity to marginal (inner and outer) cues, whereas the most negative signs were pre‐psychotic discontinuities, projection, and lack of defence mechanisms.
PSYCHOTIC AND BORDERLINE PSYCHOTIC ADOLESCENTS: FREQUENCY OF PSYCHIATRIC ILLNESS AND TREATMENT IN CHILDHOOD IN 100 CONSECUTIVE CASES
Authors: Aarkrog T.
Published: August 2007

The first results covering the assessment period phase of a systematic study of 50 borderline psychotic and 50 psychotic adolescents are described. These 100 adolescents comprised one‐third of the total number of admissions to an adolescent department during the years from 1968 to 1975.

There were 58 boys and 42 girls; 53 of the 100 cases had been psychiatrically ill in childhood with evident symptoms. In 22 cases, there was positive information supporting the fact that the patients had been healthy in childhood. The rest (25 cases) were classified under “unclarified picture”, showing non specific symptoms. It is concluded that in this material more than half of the adolescents had shown some instability before puberty.

The illnessas described in childhood are categorised as infantile borderline psychosis, borderline psychosis probable, and other psychiatric illnesses. A shift in diagnosis is often seen in the individual case, but the symptoms in childhood and in adolescence have many similarities.

The necessary treatment in childhood has not been given in one‐third of the cases. The possible reasons for this are discussed. In spite of much effort in some cases and because of resistance to therapy or the proposal of inadequate therapy in others, the therapeutic possibilities in childhood have not been fully realised. It is recommended that more emphasis be placed on the emotional development in the evaluation of the children. In the treatment, development of interpersonal relationships through individual, family and/or milieu therapy should be stressed.

A follow‐up of children with symptoms in childhood left untreated and a teamwork between child psychiatrist and adult psychiatrist with longitudinal studies is suggested.
CHANGES OF ASSOCIATIVE PERFORMANCE IN HOSPITALIZED SCHIZOPHRENICS: A 16‐YEAR FOLLOW‐UP
Authors: Flekkøy K.
Published: August 2007

After a mean test‐retest interval of 16.6 years a sample of 72 initially acute/subacute as well as chronic schizophrenic patients showed a significant normalisation of performance with respect to associative commonality, idiosyncratic responses, and response latency. The findings are attributed chiefly to effects of psychotropic drugs and improved psychiatric treatment.
INCIDENCE OF DEPRESSIVE SYNDROMES IN A DANISH COUNTY
Authors: Weeke A. , Bille M. , Videbech Th. , Dupont A. , Juel‐Nielsen N.
Published: August 2007

On the basis of a material from a cumulative registration of the psychiatric morbidity in a geographically delimited population group ‐ the County of Aarhus with approximately 175,000 inhabitants over the age of 15 years ‐ the frequency of depressive syndromes in psychiatric and other medical services was investigated.

The material fulfils the following criteria: During the calendar years 1960 to 1964, the patients 1) were residents in the County of Aarhus, 2) had attained the age of 15 years or more, 3) had contacted at least one of the services which systematically sent information to the psychiatric register; and 4) based on an evaluation of all available data, had a main diagnosis of manic‐depressive psychosis, psychogenic depression or neurotic depression.

An average yearly registration rate of 1.30 per 1,000 men and 3.28 per 1,000 women was found (males: manic‐depressive psychosis 0.60, psychogenic depression 0.23 and neurotic depression 0.47; females: manic‐depressive psychosis 1.00, psychogenic depression 0.88 and neurotic depression 1.40). The three diagnostic groups show differences in age distribution, geographical pattern and distribution by marital status.
EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATIONS ON THE RELIABILITY AND THE VALUE FOR DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF 21 CLINICAL SYMPTOMS OF DISTURBED STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS
Authors: Aggernæs A. , Myschetzky A. , Paikin H. , Vitger J.
Published: August 2007

Two groups of patients in disturbed states of consciousness (DSC's) were compared with three groups of patients in clear states of consciousness (CSC's): demented, schizophrenic, and non‐psychotic patients. In each of the groups, 15 patients were evaluated for 21 “objective” symptoms; each patient was evaluated by two psychiatrists. In this way, reliable symptoms were sought out which could discriminate: 1) elderly patients in DSC's from elderly demented but clear patients; and 2) schizophrenic patients from patients in DSC's caused by either withdrawal states after abuse of alcohol or barbiturates, or psychogenic psychoses.

Reliable and discriminating symptoms were found. However, different symptoms discriminated when patients in different diagnostic groups were compared. Three kinds of discriminating values of a symptom may be distinguished from one another: 1) only the presence of a symptom is informative; 2) only its absence is informative; 3) both presence and absence of the symptom are informative.
SOCIAL REINTEGRATION OF SEXUAL DELINQUENTS BY A COMBINATION OF PSYCHOTHERAPY AND ANTI‐ANDROGEN TREATMENT
Authors: Van Moffaert M.
Published: August 2007

The high frequency of recidivism with convicted sexual perverts is mainly due to the compulsive character of perversion. The classical methods of treatment are seldom satisfactory: Surgery provokes ethical objections, psychopharmaca and oestrogens lead to disagreeable side effects, psychotherapy of any kind is unlikely to be efficacious because of the unfavourable atmosphere the nature of perversion causes it to take place in. However, the climate of both psychoanalytical treatment and suggestive and directive psychotherapy can be enhanced by a combination with an anti‐androgen treatment, which eliminates the patient's fear of conviction by inhibiting his sexual urge. Two cases illustrate this combined method. On the basis of a positive disposition, which arises from the improved climate, sublimation of the sex drive and the achievement of a feeling of social responsibility is aimed at. The advantages of the combined therapy are then discussed in comparison with the existing treatments.

It is concluded that this combined treatment, next to social guidance and an attempat at solving the fundamental problem of loneliness, can promote the social reintegration of the convicted sexual pervert.
COMPARISON OF UNILATERAL DOMINANT AND NON‐DOMINANT ECT ON VERBAL AND NON‐VERBAL MEMORY
Authors: D'Elia G. , Lorentzson S. , Raotma H. , Widepalm K.
Published: August 2007

An intraindividual, double‐blind cross‐over comparison of the effects of dominant (D) and non‐dominant (ND) temporo‐parietal unilateral electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was performed in connection with the second and third treatment, the type of electrode placement being allocated at random. Four memory tests were used. The 30 Word‐Pair Test is an audio‐visual verbal recall test, the 30 Figure Test is a mainly visual recognition test with easily verbalized items. The 30 Geometrical Figure Test and the 30 Face Test are nonverbal recognition tests of visual complex and unfamiliar material.

Compared with dominant ECT, non‐dominant ECT has a more negative influence in the complex non‐verbal visual tests, whereas dominant ECT has a more negative effect on verbal memory. In the non‐verbal tests, as compared with the verbal ones, the encoding (or learning) is relatively more influenced and the retention (or storage) relatively less. An impairment either of complex apperceptive function or of memory may be responsible for the relatively lower performance in non‐verbal tests after non‐dominant ECT.
AGING OF SCHIZOPHRENIC PATIENTS AS SEEN THROUGH THE RORSCHACH TEST
Authors: Müller C. , Le‐Dinh T.
Published: August 2007

The authors have repeated, on the average 29.7 years later, Rorschach tests in 11 schizophrenic men and 19 schizophrenic women. This work was carried out in the course of a follow‐up study of schizophrenics more than 65 years of age. Analysis of the records showed that the only differences between the first and second examinations were increases in animal and popular responses in old age. The authors have tried to relate these findings to the general trends of schizophrenic development in senescence.
PHYLOGENETIC ADAPTATIONS AND THE GENETICS OF PSYCHOSIS
Authors: Farley J. D.
Published: August 2007

There is evidence that many social skills and responses which are of adaptive value are under a significant degree of genetic control. It is suggested that in states of hyper‐arousal these skills are displayed in inappropriate and incomplete forms and that such behaviour constitutes psychosis. Genetic variation in these skills, under polygenic control, appears to be a determinant of the adaptiveness of the personality, with individuals at the extremes of the distribution tending to be maladjusted, chronically over‐aroused, and vulnerable to psychotic breakdown. Since the individual subject's psychotic symptomatology will reflect the make‐up of his genotype, the hypothesis is consistent with the observed familial occurrence of the different forms of functional psychosis. The hypothesis explains many of the characteristic manifestations of psychosis, including those in symptomatic psychosis, and also the genetic association with personality disorder. Evidence for the hypothesis and some predictions it generates are briefly reviewed.
LONG‐TERM FOLLOW‐UP OF SCHIZOPHRENIC PATIENTS IN EDINBURGH
Authors: Affleck J. W. , Burns J. , Forrest A. D.
Published: August 2007

This study is a 12‐year follow‐up of 153 subjects diagnosed as suffering from schizophrenia or paranoid psychoses. They had their key discharge in the years 1959–61 and were first followed‐up at 12 months after discharge (Renton et al. (1963)). Important findings were that outcome was related to mental state on discharge and also to the factor of continued neuroleptic medication. At this second follow‐up 12 years later the important issues that have emerged are the differences in outcome between men and women and the apparently high death rate for men. The outcome in terms of work, re‐admission to hospital and death was much worse for male subjects.
THE PEDOPHILIC OFFENDER WITH ANTISOCIAL CHARACTER
Authors: Virkkunen M.
Published: August 2007

The purpose of the study was to clarify how pedophilic offenders with antisocial character (psychopathy) differ from “ordinary” pedophilic offenders, among whom there are many persons with immaturity and contact difficulties. For this purpose all pedophilia cases subjected to mental examination during a period of 25 years were investigated. Of these 81 cases, 38 could be regarded as antisocial characters on the basis of the current diagnostic criteria. The others were regarded as controls.

The criminals with antisocial character had also been involved in other kinds of crimes and had had hyperactivity problems more often than controls. The controls were often immature, had a low intelligence, and were less able to have relations with adult people than were antisocial characters. However, according to the present results, these features might also make criminals with antisocial character more susceptible to pedophilia.
Baclofen (Lioresal®) in the treatment of neuroleptic‐induced tardive dyskinesia
Authors: Korsgaard S.
Published: August 2007

A double‐blind cross‐over trial of the effects of baclofen and placebo was carried out in 20 female inpatients suffering from neuroleptic‐induced tardive dyskinesia. After 14 days of treatment 15 patients showed improvement on baclofen, whereas none showed improvement on placebo; baclofen was thus significantly more effective than placebo.

Baclofen is a GABA‐like drug which passes through the blood‐brain barrier and which reduces the neuroleptic‐induced increase of dopamine turn‐over. In tardive dyskinesia is found dopaminergic hypersensitivity, and baclofen is supposed to exert its action by inhibiting the dopaminergic activity.

Side effects, although temporary, were observed in the form of sedation, muscular hypotonia, dizziness, vomiting, and muscular rigidity. One patient developed a depression.

Baclofen or other gabergic drugs used in the treatment of dyskinesias do not increase the dopaminergic hypersensitivity, which is part of the pathogenesis of these conditions; gabergic therapy must therefore be preferred to treatment with dopamine receptor blocking drugs.
Specific reading retardation, hyperactive child syndrome, and juvenile delinquency
Authors: Virkkunen M. , Nuutila A.
Published: August 2007

The purpose of the study was to ascertain the extent to which a specific reading retardation leads to criminal development in adolescents and to what factors such development is due in these cases. For this purpose, 224 adolescents with a specific reading retardation were investigated. A relatively large number of these (12.1%) were prone to criminality between the ages of 15 and 20 years, whereas the severity of the specific reading retardation did not seem to contribute to this propensity. Symptoms of hyperactivity, on the other hand, seemed to contribute to criminal behaviour.
Effect of flupenthixol on depression with special reference to combination use with tricyclic antidepressants
Authors: Fujiwara J. , Ishino H. , Baba O. , Hanaoka M. , Sasaki K. , Otsuki S.
Published: August 2007

In an open, uncontrolled trial flupenthixol was administered to 45 patients with endogenous depression. The drug was markedly effective in eight patients, effective in nine patients, fairly effective in 12 patients, and ineffective or aggravating in 16 patients. Four patients showed transient manic symptoms.

Dosage was 1–3 mg daily. In 36 patients flupenthixol was used in combination with previously administered tricyclic antidepressants, and in nine patients it was used alone.

Clinical effect was quickly apparent. It appeared within 1 week in 63% and within 2 weeks in 93 % of subjects. Side‐effects were observed in 13 patients: insomnia, five patients; slight extrapyramidal symptoms, nine patients. Sedative‐hypnogenic effects were rarely seen.

In 71 % of 17 patients in whom the drug was found to be markedly effective or effective, flupenthixol's influence on psychomotor retardation was particularly strking. Other clear benefits were relief of depressive mood, psychic anxiety, and agitation.

It is recommended that flupenthixol is given, as supplementary medication, to patients (1) whose depressive symptoms other than psychomotor retardation have already improved with current tricyclic antidepressants, and (2) in whom, before antidepressant medication, psychomotor retardation is a principal feature.
Non‐pharmacological factors in drug treatment of anxiety states
Authors: Persson G.
Published: August 2007

Forty‐six outpatients with anxiety tension states took part in a study on the effects of anxiolytic drugs. After the first interview the subjects also filled in a questionnaire as to their expectations of treatment outcome (n = 41) and their experience of the first consultation (n= 42), and the doctors made a prognostic evaluation (n = 46). The relations between these three factors and background variables as well as initial ratings and outcome as rated by the doctors at follow‐up examinations after 2, 4, and 8 weeks were investigated.

Expectations, experience, and prognosis were not related to each other. Less hopeful patients more often considered conflicts to be the exclusive cause of their disorder and they were rated higher on signs and on the variable ditliculties in being with people. Patients with less favourable experience more often considered practical and economic difficulties to be a cause of their disorder. Single or divorced patients were more often judged to have a less favourable prognosis. More positive expectations and a favourable prognosis were to some extent related to a better outcome after 2 and 4 weeks and a favourable experience was to some extent related to a better outcome after 4 and 8 weeks
A double‐blind trial of baclofen against placebo in the treatment of schizophrenia
Authors: Gulmann N. C. , Bahr B. , Andersen B. , Eliassen H. M. M.
Published: August 2007

Twenty male chronic schizophrenic patients participated in a double‐blind between‐patient study of the GABA‐like drug baclofen to evaluate the antipsychotic effect of baclofen.

No difference was found between the 10 patients who received baclofen and the 10 who received placebo with regard to the number of days before a worsening of their psychiatric condition necessitated treatment with chlorpromazine, the total score for psychotic symptoms before and after treatment for 10 weeks, or the total consumption of chlorpromazine. Discontinuation of baclofen did not exacerbate the psychotic symptoms.

Baclofen was superior to placebo in the treatment of anxiety, which is of particular interest in view of the recent theories on the mechanism of action of benzodiazepines.

The relationship between the gabergic system and the dopaminergic system with regard to the substantia nigra and the corpus striatum is discussed as well as the suggestion based on animal experiments that baclofen has an antipsychotic effect.
Comparative clinical evaluation of lofepramine and imipramine
Authors: D'Elia G. , Borg S. , Hermann L. , Lundin G. , Perris C. , Raotama H. , Román G. , Siwers B.
Published: August 2007

Lofepramine, an imipramine analogue, was compared with imipramine in a multicentre, double‐blind clinical trial. The 62 patients (31 in each of two treatment groups) had a depressive syndrome that normally would have been treated with a tricyclic antidepressant. These patients had not received any adequate treatment for their present depressive episode. After a wash‐out period and once a week during treatment (up to 5 weeks), routine laboratory tests and electrocardiograms were done. The dosage was 50 mg t.i.d. for imipramine and 70 mg t.i.d. for lofepramine.

Depression ratings with the Cronholm‐Ottosson depression rating scale were performed before treatment and once weekly for 3 weeks and then in the 5th week. The last four ratings were combined with rating of side‐effects.

In the 5th week of treatment 15 out of 31 in the lofepramine group and 18 out of 31 in the imipramine group had recovered. This difference was not significant, nor did the median values of individual symptoms differ between the groups. The side‐effects were moderate and the two groups only differed significantly in the items “dry mouth” and accommodation disturbances in favour of lofepramine. The drug compliance was checked by plasma levels of desmethylimipramine in the imipramine group, parent compound, and “apparent” desmethylimipramine in the lofepramine group.

The relationship between plasma drug levels, the effect on noradrenaline uptake in vitro and amelioration is discussed in Siwers et al. (1977) in this issue.

The clinical outcome in the two groups did not differ significantly; interpretation of this result is discussed in relation to the reliability of rating and selection of patients.
“Lithum non‐responders” in a lithium clinic
Authors: Misra P. C. , Burns B. H.
Published: August 2007

The present study is concerned with the outcome of long‐germ lithium maintenance therapy administered to 107 manic‐depressive patients after more than 12 months. Nine patients failed to respond despite having met the criteria for maintenance within the therapeutic range of lithium. This group, termed “lithium non‐responders”, had all shown bipolar illness with gross morbidity with frequent cycles, > 4 per year, seven had a family history of affective illness (six bipolar). The study did not demonstrate any other clear factors common to the “non‐responders” group.
Comparison of plasma lithium levels and their interindividual variations with coated lithium carbonate tablets and a medium‐slow‐release lithium sulphate preparation (Lithionit Duretter®)
Authors: Persson G.
Published: August 2007

In a cross‐over study in 10 subjects, rapidly dissolving coated lithium carbonate tablets and medium‐slow‐release lithium sulphate tablets were compared. Both preparations were administered twice a day. They gave similar post‐absorptive concentrations of lithium in plasma and similar standard deviations of these concentrations. The medium‐slow‐release tablets gave smaller increases of lithium in plasma, and postponed the absorption peaks. They also gave less interindividual variation of lithium in plasma during the first few hours after administration.
Comparison of side effects with coated lithium carbonate tablets and lithium sulphate preparations giving medium‐slow and slow‐release
Authors: Edström A. , Persson G.
Published: August 2007

Side effects with coated, rapidly dissolving lithium carbonate tablets, medium‐slow‐release and slow‐release lithium sulphate tablets, all administered twice a day, were compared in a double‐blind, cross‐over study in 27 patients who had only used lithium carbonate tablets. The relation between medication and meals was not standardized. The rapidly dissolving tablets and the medium‐slow‐release tablets had a similar tendency to produce side effects, while slow‐release tablets more often produced purgative side effects than the other two preparations did.
Present status of forensic psychiatry in Denmark
Authors: Svendsen B. Borup
Published: August 2007

In Denmark the desire for psychiatric cooperation within the juridical system has on the whole been on the decline during the past decades. This applies both to the writing of psychiatric reports to the court, and to the sanction system.

Within civil forensic psychiatry, practice is almost unchanged and unchallenged, while the demand for one form of social forensic psychiatry has been drastically reduced with the liberalization of abortion and sterilization laws.

The present practice of penal forensic psychiatry is described. Remarks on the future organization and research are made.
Present status of forensic psychiatry in Finland
Authors: Tuovinen M.
Published: August 2007

During the last 3 years the number of prisoners in Finland has risen, being for the moment 105 per 100,000 inhabitants, one of the highest rates in Europe. This is dependent not only on the increase in criminality, but on the traditionally very severe scale of punishments applied. The penal institutions now have a 50 % overloading.

The actual situation of forensic and penal psychiatric work is characterized by overloaded services, long waiting lists and a generally irritated atmosphere.
A case of familial heterosexual transvestism
Authors: Buhrich N.
Published: August 2007

A brief review of the literature concerning familial transvestism is given. The case history of father‐son heterosexual transvestism is presented. The son appears to have been ignorant of his father's transvestism. Early childhood experiences as an aetiological factor seem inadequate to explain the similarities of the two subjects' transvestite behaviour. It is suggested that constitutional factors play a part in the aetiology of heterosexual transvestism.
Dopaminergic function in two patients with catalepsy
Authors: Cervantes P. , Lal S. , Smith F. , Guyda H.
Published: August 2007

Apomorphine HCI (2 mg subcutaneously), a dopamine receptor agonist, was administered to two schizophrenic patients with catalepsy. In one of these patients the clinical response to apomorphine was compared with that of sodium amytal and the growth hormone response to apomorphine (0.75 mg subcutaneously) was compared with that of 25 control subjects. Apomorphine had no effect whereas sodium amytal caused rapid disappearance of catatonic symptoms including catalepsy. The peak growth hormone response to apomorphine was similar to that of controls. These data suggest that unlike experimental catalepsy in animals, catalepsy associated with schizophrenia may not be dependent on impaired dopaminergic function. Further case studies as well as the use of other dopamine receptor agonists are required before definite conclusions can be drawn.
Changes in psychopathology in relation to EEG variables and visual averaged evoked responses (V. AER) in schizophrenic patients treated with penfluridol or thiothixene
Authors: D'Elia G. , Jacobsson L. , Knorring L. von , Mattsson B. , Mjörndal T. , Oreland L. , Perris C. , Rapp W.
Published: August 2007

In a study of 28 schizophrenic in‐patients treated with penfluridol or thiothixene, patients were followed with clinical ratings, EEG variables, the mean integrated amplitude (MIA) on both the left and right sides ‐ both with filters with frequency ranges from 7.5 to 13.5 and 0.5 to 25 Hz ‐ as well as its within‐patient variance (WPV) on both sides and with both filters, and also with visual averaged evoked responses (V. AER). Moreover, determinations of plasma levels of the drugs were conducted in a search for possible objective measurements of the effects of the treatment, but also to try to find measurements that would make it possible to predict the outcome of treatment. MIA left/right and WPV left/right were found to be the most promising variables to follow the effect of treatment, which were correlated to factors 1 and 2 of the Mårten's S‐scale. WPV left/right before treatment was correlated to changes in factor 4 of the S‐scale during the trial.
Traffic accidents involving psychiatric patients
Authors: Kastrup M. , Dupont A. , Bille M. , Lund H.
Published: August 2007

The present investigation analyzes the characteristics of traffic accidents involving psychiatric patients and comprises all persons who during the period 1970–74 have been admitted to a psychiatric in‐patient institution and who during the period 1972–74 have been involved in a traffic accident causing bodily injury.

AAccidents with psychiatric patients involved constitute about 5.7 % of all traffic accidents reported in Denmark. Compared with the total group of accidents, they are characterized by an overrepresentation of women and of persons in the age group 25–54 years. Accidents with psychiatric patients are over‐represented during the period July‐September, and in areas densely built up. The accidents tend to be more complicated, and the psychiatric patients are more likely to get injured and be hospitalized due to the accident.

The investigation is based exclusively on routinely collected data. The limitations with which the results are encumbered and the problems concerning methodology and comparison of merent studies are discussed.
A male M Z twin pair, concordant for transsexualism, discordant for schizophrenia
Authors: Hyde C. , Kenna J. C.
Published: August 2007

A pair of male monozygous twins of gynandromorphic habitus but normal male body hair and genitalia, who appear concordant for transsexualism and explosive personality disorder but discordant for schizophrenia, is presented. No evidence of specific family dynamic factors, imitative learning or folie à deux was found in the twins' history. A constitutional aetiology of their transsexualism and one twin's schizophrenia is suggested. The relationship between transsexualism and schizophrenia is briefly reviewed. No evidence can be found that the modal transsexual is suffering from a schizophrenic disorder, florid or attenuated. A more subtle relationship is possible of transsexualism occurring as a schizophrenic spectrum disorder. This twin pair appears to illustrate such a relationship.
Life‐weariness, suicidal thoughts and suicidal attempts among women in Gothenburg, Sweden
Authors: Hällström T.
Published: August 2007

A representative sample of 800 Gothenburg women in the age group 38–54 years were investigated by psychiatric interview, completed by information from other sources. An assessment was made of the maximum degree of suicidal tendency during life according to a 5‐degree scale.

The observed incidence of suicidal attempts was 4.5 %. A further 14.9 % had at some time in their lives had suicidal ideas and in addition there were 22.3 % who had had the feeling that life was not worth living. Approximately 60 % of the suicidal attempts resulted in psychiatric care. One fifth of the suicidal attempts did not lead to any contact with the health services.
Characteristics and new trends in group psychotherapy
Authors: Battegay R.
Published: August 2007

The therapeutic group includes within one framework both the reality principle and the pleasure principle and therefore furthers insight in transference and narcissistic fusion tendencies as well as social learning. The individual psychotherapeutic setting, however, is a more protective one, not representing social reality and by this not enabling the patient to gain social experience within the therapeutic situation. Group psychotherapy leads by means of the amplifying effect of the group to a deep emotional and psychotherapeutic commitment of the members. A group dream, in which one or members or the group as a whole appear, may be activated and show to the concerned individual and eventually to others unconscious infantile or actual conflicts mobilized by the group. From the sociological point of view, the group represents an interactional network. From the psychological point of view, however, the feelings and the thoughts of each individual in the group situation are decisive. Therefore, it is important to pay attention not only to the group as a whole but preponderantly to the participating individuals with their unconscious expectations and their behaviour in the Here and Now of the group. The complex interactions in the group permit manifold transferences and by this analytic working‐through but lead also to a deconditioning and reconditioning process which takes the patients away from old, neurotic to new, open patterns of behaviour.
Alcoholic females II. Causes of death with reference to sex difference
Authors: Dahlgren L. , Myrhed M.
Published: August 2007

The aim of this study has been to explore and compare the mortality of 100 female and 100 male alcoholics, admitted to a department of alcoholic diseases in 1963–69. The patients were early cases and mortality was studied during an observation period of 6–12 years. A total of 18 women and 16 men died. As compared with the general population, mortality was 5.6 and 3.0 times higher than expected for the women and men, respectively. Among the women a significant excess mortality was found for accidents, suicides, diseases of the respiratory system, and especially cirrhosis of the liver. Mortality among the men was significantly higher than expected due to suicides, diseases of the circulatory system, neoplasms, chronic alcoholism, and acute alcohol poisoning. The excess mortality from suicides found for both sexes was highest in the female group. Despite the hitherto rather small number of deaths in the two groups, the high frequency of cirrhosis of the liver among the women is striking.