bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ex vivo gene transfer of viral interleukin‐10 to BB rat islets: no protection after transplantation to diabetic BB rats
Authors: Kuttler Beate , Wanka Heike , Klöting Nora , Gerstmayer Bernhard , Volk Hans‐Dieter , Sawitzki Birgit , Ritter Thomas
Published: August 2007

Allogeneic and autoimmune islet destruction limits the success of islet transplantation in autoimmune diabetic patients. This study was designed to investigate whether ex vivo gene transfer of viral interleukin‐10 (vIL‐10) protects BioBreeding (BB) rat islets from autoimmune destruction after transplantation into diabetic BB recipients. Islets were transduced with adenoviral constructs (Ad) expressing the enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP), α‐1 antitrypsin (AAT) or vIL‐10. Transduction efficiency was demonstrated by eGFP‐positive cells and vIL‐10 production. Islet function was determined in vitro by measuring insulin content and insulin secretion and in vivo by grafting AdvIL‐10‐transduced islets into syngeneic streptozotocin (SZ)‐diabetic, congenic Lewis (LEW.1 W) rats. Finally, gene‐modified BB rat islets were grafted into autoimmune diabetic BB rats. Ad‐transduction efficiency of islets increased with virus titre and did not interfere with insulin content and insulin secretion. Ad‐transduction did not induce Fas on islet cells. AdvIL‐10‐transduced LEW.1 W rat islets survived permanently in SZ‐diabetic LEW.1 W rats. In diabetic BB rats AdvIL‐10‐transduced BB rat islets were rapidly destroyed. Prolongation of islet culture prior to transplantation improved the survival of gene‐modified islets in BB rats. Several genes including those coding for chemokines and other peptides associated with inflammation were down‐regulated in islets after prolonged culture, possibly contributing to improved islet graft function in vivo. Islets transduced ex vivo with vIL‐10 are principally able to cure SZ‐diabetic rats. Autoimmune islet destruction in diabetic BB rats is not prevented by ex vivo vIL‐10 gene transfer to grafted islets. Graft survival in autoimmune diabetic rats may be enhanced by improvements in culture conditions prior to transplantation.
Creating next‐generation microscopists: structural and molecular biology at the crossroads
Authors: Braet F. , Ratinac K.
Published: August 2007

Modern biomolecular microscopy

Complexity–ally or foe?

Centralized microscopy facilities

Watch the step

The changing fortunes of microscopy

Merging cellular and molecular biology at the microscope column

This paper highlights the importance of advanced microscopy and microanalysis in the pursuit of quality research in the biological and life sciences.With the growing complexity of modern microscopes, there is substantial risk of incorrect use or misinterpretation of data by the inexperienced researcher. This paper emphasizes the need for collaboration between biological microscopists and molecular biologists, within the context of centralized facilities and supported by first‐class training, to fully realize the power of these unique instruments in modern biology and to create the next generation of molecular microscopists.
Functional and anatomical investigations in racemose haemangioma
Authors: Meyer Carsten H. , Rodrigues Eduardo B. , Mennel Stefan , Klingmüller Volker , Kroll Peter
Published: August 2007

Purpose:  To determine the vascular morphology of racemose haemangioma and related functional alterations in arteriovenous (AV) malformation type 3.

Methods:  A 17‐year‐old patient with unilateral racemose haemangioma received a full ophthalmic examination including Snellen visual acuity (VA) and Goldmann visual field. The central vision was investigated by scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO) and multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG). The ocular haemodynamics were examined by fluorescence angiography and Doppler ultrasound. The tomographic contour of the vascular architecture was visualized using B‐scan ultrasound, Stratus optical coherence tomography (OCT) and three‐dimensional Heidelberg retina tomograph (3D‐HRT II).

Results:  The VA of the patient's right eye was reduced to 20/400 and her visual field was constricted concentrically. Microperimetry revealed a small central field with good central fixation. The mfERG demonstrated reduced amplitudes of the central retina. On fluorescein angiography, there was a fast filling of the retinal branches related to the racemose vessels. Doppler ultrasound confirmed a significantly changed haemodynamic flow in the racemose vessels. Ultrasound, OCT and HRT demonstrated a prominent optic nerve head.

Conclusion:  The racemose haemangioma led to a marked visual field defect. Racemose haemangiomas are associated with severe changes in the haemodynamics of the retinal vasculature.
Sheathotomy in complicated cases of branch retinal vein occlusion
Authors: Crafoord Sven , Karlsson Niklas , La Cour Morten
Published: August 2007

Purpose:  To report the clinical experience and results of using a microsurgical technique to decompress the arteriovenous connection in complicated branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) combined with haemorrhage, oedema and ischaemia.

Methods:  We carried out a retrospective, non‐randomized, interventional case study of the surgical sheathotomy decompression procedure. We enrolled 12 patients (seven women, five men; median age 64 years) with BRVO and decreased visual acuity (VA) caused by haemorrhage, oedema and ischaemia. The mean duration of thrombosis was 7 months (2–15 months). The patients were examined for pre‐ and postoperative best corrected VA (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP) and fundus photography. Ten patients were examined with fluorescein angiography and eight with ocular coherence tomography (OCT). Postoperative progression of cataract was recorded, as were other complications. The mean follow‐up time was 20 months (8–39 months).

Results:  Best corrected VA had improved in nine patients, was unchanged in one patient and had deteriorated in two patients at the last follow‐up. Noted complications were venous haemorrhage at surgery in five patients, retinal detachment in one patient and progression of cataract in four patients.

Conclusions:  Microsurgical treatment with sheathotomy of BRVO is a technically feasible procedure with few complications. Postoperative increased reperfusion could explain the resolution of macular haemorrhage, oedema and ischaemia, and may improve visual function in patients with this common vascular eye disease.
AN EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF SIMULATION AND PSEUDO‐DEMENTIA PART II
Authors: Trethowan W. H.
Published: August 2007

Eighteen normal subjects were asked to simulate mental disorder following which each was submitted to a standardised psychiatric examination. The clinical pictures simulated by these subjects are described and discussed.

The results of formal mental testing were contrasted with those obtained by a similar examination of a normal non‐simulating group, a group of patients with organic dementia and a group exhibiting pseudo‐dementia.

In relation to the number and quality of the errors made, certain differences are demonstrable between these four groups. The main differences observed were:

1. The highest number of negative or omission errors were committed by the pseudo‐dements, followed in order of frequency by simulants, organics and normal non‐simulating subjects. This can probably be construed as a measure of non co‐operation or unwillingness to answer even when the correct answer was known.

2. Simple approximations or “near miss’ answers (e. g. 2 + 2 = 5) were given more frequently by patients with pseudo‐dementia than by simulants, normals or those with organic dementia, though were given at times by subjects from all groups.

3. Although examples of vorbeireden occurred frequently in the replies given by both simulants and patients with pseudo‐dementia, similar gross confabulations occurred with almost equal frequency in the responses of organic patients. So far as the simulants were concerned, some insight into the mechanism of production of the responses was gained by retrospective inquiry. This mechanism is probably analogous to that governing some of the responses of those with pseudo‐dementia, though not those of organic patients.

4. Transposition and reversal errors (e. g. of given digits, the order of months etc.) are not the particular prerogative of simulants or those with pseudodementia, but were committed also by organic patients and in the latter case resulted either from defect of attention or perseveration.

5. Perseveration was a marked feature in the responses of organic subjects and was not observed to any substantial degree in the responses of subjects in the other three groups.

6. So far as simulants are concerned, the length and thoroughness of examination is an important factor in revealing the spuriousness of simulation. Because the simulant's role is difficult to sustain there is a tendency for fatigue to increase the pull of reality and to result in responses becoming more and more normal. In pseudo‐dementia the same process may be at work, but in this case the patients respond with increasing unco‐operativeness.

7. Certain other differences observed between the performance of patients with pseudo‐dementia and that of normal volunteer simulants indicate that the clinical picture of experimental simulation is not qualitatively completely similar to that observed in pseudo‐dementia. For this reason assumptions cannot safely be made on this topic in the light of information gained from an experimental investigation of simulation.
PLASMA LITHIUM LEVELS AND SIDE EFFECTS DURING ADMINISTRATION OF A SLOW RELEASE LITHIUM SULPHATE PREPARATION (LITHIUM LIPETT C) AND LITHIUM CARBONATE TABLETS
Authors: Persson G.
Published: August 2007

Lithium lipett C (ACO Läkemedel, Sweden), a new lithium sulphate preparation with slow release achieved by dissolution in fat which releases 90% of its lithium content within less than 4 hours when treated with intestinal juice was compared with lithium carbonate tablets.

In spite of a fairly swift release, there was a smoother plasma lithium curve with the lipett C than with the carbonate tablets. The frequency of the side effect diarrhoea with the lipett C administered twice a day (7 out of 19) was higher than with carbonate tablets administered three or four times a day and similar to that with a previously studied, slower releasing lithium sulphate lipett (7 out of 20). The diarrhoea is probably caused both by the effect of the lithium ion on distal parts of the intestinal canal and by the sulphate ion. The frequency of other side effects was similar with the lipett C and the carbonate tablets. The advantages of the lipett C in the form of dosing twice a day are counteracted by the drawbacks of the rather frequent side effect diarrhoea.
ENDOGENOUS PSYCHOSES AND SEASON OF BIRTH
Authors: Videbech Th. , Weeke A. , Dupont A.
Published: August 2007

From a register comprising all psychiatric in‐patients in Denmark, a sample was selected consisting of all schizophrenic and manic‐depressive patients admitted in the period 1969–1973, a total of 7,427 schizophrenic and 8,212 manic‐depressive patients. A comparison was carried out between the distribution of month of birth in the patient group and in the background population of live births from the corresponding years. A surplus of schizophrenic patients born in the first trimester was found, whereas the pattern of the manic‐depressive patients did not deviate from that of the background population.

The monthly birth indices for the schizophrenic and manic‐depressive patients were compared with the monthly birth indices found for still‐births. A positive correlation was found between schizophrenia and still‐birth. This is compatible with the theory which ascribes a role to obstetric complications in the genesis of schizophrenia. No evidence of such influence was found in manic‐depressive psychosis.
PENFLURIDOL (R 16 341) AS A MAINTENANCE THERAPY IN CHRONIC PSYCHOTIC PATIENTS: A DOUBLE‐BLIND CLINICAL EVALUATION
Authors: Roelofs G. A.
Published: August 2007

A double‐blind, 6‐month trial of penfluridol and placebo was conducted in 15 chronic psychotic patients in the age range of 25–64 years. The patients, who had been well controlled with penfluridol for several months, were divided into two comparable groups with seven patients receiving penfluridol and eight receiving placebo. Dexetimide and other non‐psychotropic drugs already taken before the trial were continued. Each patient was assessed before and after 1, 2, 4 and 6 months of treatment using a 36‐item questionnaire. At the end of the trial, the weekly dosage of the double‐blind medication was two tablets of 20 mg or placebo in all patients. Whereas penfluridol‐treated patients maintained their improvement, placebo‐treated patients by the end of the trial had significantly deteriorated as regards direct psychotic phenomena and general behaviour.
PRESENILE DEMENTIA: THE DIFFICULTIES OF EARLY DIAGNOSIS
Authors: Nott P. N. , Fleminger J. J.
Published: August 2007

A follow‐up of 35 patients first diagnosed as having presenile dementia at York Clinic is described. In only 15 cases did progressive deterioration confirm the diagnosis. A retrospective case note study of all the patients is described comparing the clinical features and results of special investigations of those patients in whom the diagnosis was confirmed in this way and those in whom it was not. The results of this study are used to illuminate some of the special difficulties in the early diagnosis of presenile dementia.
HOSPITALIZATION OF FORMER OUTPATIENTS DIAGNOSED AS PSYCHOTIC
Authors: Laane C. L. , ØDegård Ø.
Published: August 2007

A study was made of 612 psychotic outpatients, followed by means of a national case register from their first referral in 1946 to 1955 up to and including 1973. One hundred and sixty‐four cases were not found to be registered as inpatients and so must be counted as lost to a registration system based upon hospital admissions. The loss of cases was estimated at around 5 % of the total first admissions. Most of the lost cases were borderline psychotics or manic depressives.
PIPAMPERONE (DIPIPERON®, R 3345) IN TROUBLESOME MENTAL RETARDATES: A DOUBLE‐BLIND PLACEBO CONTROLLED CROSS‐OVER STUDY WITH LONG‐TERM FOLLOW‐UP
Authors: van Hemert J. C. J.
Published: August 2007

A 6‐week double‐blind cross‐over study comparing pipamperone with placebo was conducted in 20 female mental retardates with behavioural disorders. The ages of the patients ranged between 22 and 42 years. After a 2‐week washout period, patients were randomly allocated to either pipamperone or placebo treatment. The initial dosage of pipamperone was 40 mg b. i. d., which was gradually increased to 80 mg t. i. d. within 5 days. Patients were assessed using a ten‐item rating scale before and after each week of treatment. For six of the ten items, patients showed a better response during the pipamperone than during the placebo period. When pre‐trial scores were compared with those at the end of the trial, seven items had significantly improved with pipamperone. The nursing staff considered the patients more alert and amenable during pipamperone treatment.
THERAPEUTIC ATTEMPTS WITH LITHIUM IN YOUNG DRUG ADDICTS
Authors: Altamura A. C.
Published: August 2007

On the hypothesis that drug addiction may be due to “masked depression”, lithium was administered to 20 opiate addicts. Only nine patients took the lithium carbonate tablets for more than a few weeks; during this period they seemed to abstain from taking opiates. After 1 year, all the patients were off lithium and most of them again took opiates. Due to lack of cooperation on the part of the patients, the observations can neither confirm nor refute our hypothesis. The study shows that psychological and socio‐environmental factors make trials on drug treatment of opiate addicts almost impossible to carry out.
A SOCIAL PSYCHIATRIC INVESTIGATION OF A RURAL DISTRICT IN NORTHERN NORWAY: A PRELIMINARY COMMUNICATION
Authors: Bjarnar E. , Melsom R. , Reppesgaard H. , Astrup C.
Published: August 2007

The psychiatric morbidity of Berlevaag in Northern Norway (71 degrees North) was studied in 1944 by Bremer A follow‐up and a re‐examination of the persons in the community was initiated in 1972.

Preliminary data suggest that the prevalence of psychoses is practically the same in 1973 as in 1944. Various registers have provided a fairly complete count of psychoses even before the onset of an intensive field study. Only a minor part of the nonpsychotic psychiatric disorders appears to have been identified.
FAT CELL NUMBER AND WEIGHT GAIN IN LITHIUM TREATED PATIENTS
Authors: Vendsborg P. B. , Bach‐Mortensen N. , Rafaelsen O. J.
Published: August 2007

Total amount of fat, fat cell size, and fat cell number were determined in 33 patients under long‐term lithium treatment. The weight gain during the treatment was estimated both by the patients themselves (questionnaire) and from their records. A positive correlation between fat cell number and weight gain was found whereas the fat cell size showed no correlation to weight gain.
The Samsø project from 1957 to 1974*
Authors: Nielsen J.
Published: August 2007

Some clinical and research data from a community psychiatric project in a geographically delimited population are presented.
Experienced reality in somatic patients more than 65 years old
Authors: Aggernes A. , Myschetzky A.
Published: August 2007

Eight experienced qulities of reality were examined in relation to five sorts of experience in 15 demented patients in clear states of consciousness (the CSC group), and in 15 patients in disturbed states of consciousness (the DSC group), Many more abnormal reality qualities appeared in the DSC than in the CSC group. In the DSC patients the tendency to experiencel non‐existent fantasy items as being real was so much greater than in the CSC patients that it will be of value in differential diagnosis if it is confirmed in other patient materials. In DSC patients, furthermore, positive qualities of sensation were found attached to many experiences of items which were not present in the actual stimulus field‐ even in patients who were not clinically hallucinated.

The reliability of the results was controlled by having each patient evaluated by two psychiatrists.
Evaluation of the combination of tryptophan and ECT in the treatment of depression
Authors: D'Elia G. , Lehmann J. , Raotma H.
Published: August 2007

A double‐blind evaluation of the antidepressant efficacy of treatment with a combination of orally administered L‐tryptophan (L‐TP) and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was made in patients suffering from endogenous depression. The patients were randomly assigned to two groups, one treated with L‐TP (6 g daily) and unilateral ECT, the other with placebo and unilateral ECT. L‐TP treatment was initiated at least 1 day before the first ECT and terminated 4 days after the last ECT.

There was a good agreement between the two groups in several measures of antidepressant efficacy: doctors' and patients' ratings of depressive symptoms, and doctors' global rating of therapeutic effect 4 days and 1 month after the last ECT. In the L‐TP group, however, there was a significantly better effect on retardation symptoms in the nurses' rating scale. This difference, which is not consistent with other measures of amelioration, contributes, at most, to a marginal therapeutic addition to the antidepressant effect of ECT. It is concluded that oral administration of L‐TP, in the dose of 6 g daily, is not of practical value for potentiating the antidepressant efficacy of ECT.
Kleptomania as a presenting feature of cortical atrophy
Authors: Khan K. , Martin I. C. A.
Published: August 2007

An unusual case of presenile cortical atrophy is described wherein the presenting feature was pathological stealing. The extended course of the illness is discussed together with its diagnostic implications.
Female alcoholics
Authors: Dahlgren L. , Myrhed M.
Published: August 2007

The aim of this study has been to describe the different ways in which 100 alcoholics of each sex sought treatment, with special reference to the females. In addition, some psychiatric and social characteristics of the two groups of patients are presented.

A significantly higher number of the females were admitted as a result of an acute complication: unconsciousness, suicide attempt, confusion, neurological disorders, etc., while the males generally sought treatment under less dramatic circumstances. As the patients selected were early cases, most had not been treated before, but in those with previous in‐patient psychiatric treatment a diagnosis without an alcohol connection was significantly more common among the women. Drug abuse was considerably more frequent among the female as compared with the male alcoholics, and the specific lonely drinking pattern was also more common among the women. A striking difference between the sexes appeared with respect to partner: more than one‐half of the married women had alcoholic husbands. The corresponding figure for the married men amounted to about 10 %.
Suicide attempts, platelet monoamine oxidase and the average evoked response
Authors: Buchsbaum M. S. , Haier R. J. , Murphy D. L.
Published: August 2007

The relationship between suicides and suicide attempts and two biological measures, platelet monoamine oxidase levels (MAO) and average evoked response (AER) augmenting, was examined in 79 off‐medication psychiatric patients and in 68 college student volunteers chosen from the upper and lower deciles of MAO activity levels. In the patient sample, male individuals with low MAO and AER augmenting, a pattern previously associated with bipolar affective disorders, showed a significantly increased incidence of suicide attempts in comparison with either non‐augmenting low MAO or high MAO patients. Within the normal volunteer group, all male low MAO probands with a family history of suicide or suicide attempts were AER augmenters themselves. Four completed suicides were found among relatives of low MAO probands whereas no high MAO proband had a relative who committed suicide. These findings suggest that the combination of low platelet MAO activity and AER augmenting may be associated with a possible genetic vulnerability to psychiatric disorders.
War stress and civilian Vietnamese
Authors: Murphy J. M.
Published: August 2007

Psychological disturbance, measured by Macmillan's Health Opinion Survey, was assessed among 102 evacuees from a battlefront in South Vietnam. The amount of stress experienced was estimated by means of Cantril's Self‐Anchoring Scale as well as by indicators of economic disadvantage associated with herbicide spraying and of family break‐up by military service and casualties. Through comparative analysis with other groups in Vietnam and elsewhere, it is shown that the evacuees display a higher level of emotional disturbance than any group to whom they can be compared except for a sample of Vietnamese prisoners of war. The levels of disturbance exhibited by the evacuees are in turn correlated with indicators of various kinds and combinations of war stress. It is suggested that women who were bereft of a husband or son and who experienced economic reverses were especially vulnerable. The psychological response most characteristic of the evacuated men and women has features similar to clinical depression, and it appears not to have been short‐lived or transient.
The effects of liver disease and aging on the disposition of diazepam, chlordiazepoxide, oxazepam and lorazepam in man
Authors: WILKINSON G. R.
Published: August 2007

The benzodiazepines constitute a class of drugs of considerable disparity in a number of potentially clinically important ways. They are also used so widely that the characteristics of the patient population important in overall drug responsiveness vary considerably, also. The possibility, therefore, exists that one drug may have more desirable qualities than another related benzodiazepine when used in a particular group of patients. A clinical response has both pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic components, and as an initial exploration of the latter hypothesis the disposition of a number of benzodiazepines has been investigated with respect to the effects of aging and liver disease on the involved processes.

Considerable differences exist between the drugs when studied in a group of young and old individuals aged usually below 30 and above 60 years. With diazepam and chlordiazepoxide aging leads to a 3‐ to 6‐fold prolongation in the elimination half‐life from about 20–30 hours to 60–80 hours and 6–8 hours to 30–36 hours, respectively. In both cases this involves an age‐related increase in the distribution volume, but in addition the plasma clearance of chlordiazepoxide decreases about 3‐fold. In contrast, the removal of both oxazepam and lorazepam from the body, appears to be unaffected by aging, whether expressed by the half‐life or plasma clearance.

Similar differences between these drugs also exist with respect to the effects of liver disease on their disposition. Cirrhosis produces a 2‐ to 3‐fold increase in the half‐life of both diazepam and chlordiazepoxide relative to age‐matched controls. The predominant cause of this is a significant reduction in plasma clearance but the distribution of the drugs is slightly increased due to a reduction in plasma binding. Acute viral hepatitis has a similar but slightly smaller effect upon plasma clearance, which is reversible upon clinical recovery. Neither of these diseases has a significant effect on the disposition of oxazepam and lorazepam.

The aging process and liver disease, therefore, affect the disposition of these closely related benzodiazepines quite differently. The fact that the pharmacokinetics of benzodiazepines which are eliminated by glucuroni‐dation are relatively unaffected by the investigated disease processes suggests that they may be more clinically advantageous than perhaps similar drugs which are oxidatively metabolized. However, well designed clinical studies including assessment of any pharmacodynamic alterations will be required to test whether this is indeed correct.
Lithium concentrations in saliva, plasma and red blood cells of patients given lithium acetate
Authors: Evrard J.‐L. , Baumann P. , (‐Bally) R. Pera , Peters‐Haefeli L.
Published: August 2007

Lithium concentrations in saliva, plasma and red blood cells were measured in: 1) six hospitalized patients under long‐term lithium therapy, at 2, 5, 9 and 24 hours after oral doses of 24 mEq Liacetate and 2 or 12 hours after 8 mEq Li acetate; and 2) 10 outpatients under chronic lithium treatment at two occasions 8 days apart.

With changing plasma concentrations, [Li] saliva varied without any notable time lag. [Li] saliva was always much higher than [Li] plasma. The ratio [Li] saliva/ [Li] plasma water averaged 3.2 ± 0.2 in 62 determinations, but varied widely at different times after oral lithium in the same individuals and less widely between different individuals. “Prediction” of plasma lithium concentration from measured [Li] saliva appears hazardous, and may provide reliable indications only if [Li] saliva is measured repeatedly. Salivary lithium concentrations were not correlated with either potassium or sodium concentrations. Lithium concentrations in red blood cells were always lower than in plasma: [Li] red blood cell water/ [Li] plasma water averaged 0.37 ± 0.03. With changing plasma concentrations, rise and fall of red blood cell lithium lagged considerably behind plasma changes. This resulted in a rise of the red blood cell/plasma concentration ratio from a very low value 2 hours after an oral dose to a rather high value 24 hours after an oral dose.
Amoxapine versus amitriptyline in endogenous depression
Authors: Fruensgaard K. , Hansen C. Eggert , Korsgaard S. , Nymgaard K. , Vaag U. H.
Published: August 2007

A new antidepressant, amoxapine, which is a dibenzoxazepine derivative, was compared with amitriptyline in a randomised double‐blind trial. Forty‐eight patients were included and 41 completed a 4‐week treatment. Most of the patients were maintained on 150 mg daily. Assessments were made by the Hamilton Psychiatric Rating Scale for Depression (HAM‐D), Nurses' Observation Scale for In‐patient Evaluation (NOSIE), Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scale and Patient's Self‐Evaluation.

The total HAM‐D score was considerably reduced in the majority of the patients. Amitriptyline was the most effective with regard to symptoms included in the factor Sleep Disturbances and ‐ secondary maybe ‐ towards some items included in the factor Somatization. For the remaining items, including the items of the factors Anxiety/Depression and Apathy, the last score was lower in the amoxapine group than in those treated with amitriptyline. Among the unipolar cases the amoxapine treated patients were more satisfied with regard to efficacy (P= 6.3 %). The frequency of side effects such as tremor and dizziness was considerably lower in the amoxapine group. In total, the side effects lasted longer in the amitriptyline group.

We conclude that amoxapine seems to be an effective antidepressant with a low frequency of side effects.
The timing of menstruation‐related symptoms assessed by a daily symptom rating scale
Authors: Taylor J. W.
Published: August 2007

A daily symptom rating scale (DSRS) was constructed from items previously used in questionnaires and rating scales measuring menstrual symptoms. The DSRS was found to have adequate reliability and validity. The profiles of symptom intensity of 65 women, mainly hospital staff, median age 19, during one menstrual cycle, with particular emphasis on the premenstrual week and menstruation are reported. Significant differences in ratings during the cycle were found. Ratings increased during the premenstrual week and were maximal on the days immediately preceding and following the onset of menstruation. No abrupt decline in ratings was found when menstruation commenced. Results were compared with answers to a menstrual distress questionnaire, previously administered to the same women and the questionnaire results were in good agreement with DSRS results on the day of maximum symptom intensity (the day immediately before or the day immediately after the onset of menstruation).
Influence of D‐ or DL‐propranolol and chlorpromazine on habituation of phasic electrodermal responses in schizophrenia
Authors: Gruzelier J. H. , Hirsch S. R. , Weller M. , Murphy C.
Published: August 2007

dextro Propranolol was found to share the properties of the racemate in facilitating habituation of the electrodermal orienting reflex in schizophrenic patients. This effect appeared independent of influences on levels of skin conductance and non‐specific responses. Chlorpromazine did not normalise orienting activity.

If the findings from open clinical studies that D‐propranolol has anti‐psychotic properties are confirmed, the fact that dextro propranolol has only minimal cardiovascular effects may give it important advantages as an anti‐psychotic agent. Controlled clinical studies to prove its therapeutic action and neurobiological studies to determine its central mechanisms of action are warranted.
Trends in suicide in Sweden 1749–1975
Authors: Lindelius R.
Published: August 2007

Changes in the suicide rate in Sweden have been studied over the period 1749–1975. It has risen from about 2 per 100,000 inhabitants at the middle of the 18th century to about 20 per 100,000 during the period 1971–1975. Thus a more than tenfold increase is evident. From the non‐standardized figures a real and substantial increase can be demonstrated which becomes even more apparent after standardization. This increase is independent of variations in the age composition of the population. The increase has occurred in the younger age groups: between the ages of 20 and 35 years, i.e. during the most active years of life, suicide is the leading cause of death today. An account of legislative measures for suicide prevention during this period is also presented. There is considerable support for the assumption that the low suicide rate registered in Sweden up to the beginning of the 19th century was an effect of the powerful influence of religion over the population.
Amphetamine addiction and pregnancy
Authors: Larsson G. , Eriksson M. , Zetterström R.
Published: August 2007

The psycho‐social backgrounds of 69 amphetamine‐addicted mothers were investigated in order to find indicators which might be applicable in predicting the addicted women's chances of adaptation to motherhood. Of these 69 women, 17 stopped taking drugs in the first months of gestation when they realized that they were pregnant (Group 1). The remaining 52 women continued taking drugs throughout pregnancy (Group 2). There was no difference between the groups as to number of years of addiction, or other drugs used except that more women in Group 2 abused alcohol at the same time.

A large proportion of the women in both Groups 1 and 2 were, as children, known to the local social welfare agencies because of their unsatisfactory home conditions. In Group 2, psychiatric illness and drug abuse were more common among parents and siblings than in Group 1. In spite of this, the women in Group 2 had, on the average, been placed in a foster home at a significantly older age. Significantly more women in Group 2 also had a poorer educational background and a criminal record including more serious crimes.

At the time of their current pregnancy the women in Group 1 had a more stable social situation with regard to permanent dwelling, work and relationship with non‐addicted friends.
Effects of somatic treatments on mood in endogenous depression
Authors: Klicpera C. , Albert W. , Strian F.
Published: August 2007

The effects of ECT, amitriptyline, clomipramine, maprotiline and desipramine on the course of endogenous depression were compared in 105 patients using repeated self‐administered mood questionnaires as the outcome measure. Remission was more rapid after ECT therapy than psychopharmacological treatment, but the absolute improvement did not differ significantly between ECT and other somatic therapies. Improvement in response to clomipramine was more rapid than to other psychopharmacological agents, and did not differ from that in response to ECT. The advantages and disadvantages of ECT for endogenous depression are discussed.
Seasonal births in schizophrenia
Authors: Jones I. H. , Frei D.
Published: August 2007

Season of birth of schizophrenics was investigated by comparing 915 carefully selected schizophrenic patients with controls matched for age and sex. While the winter‐spring excess of schizophrenic births was similar to Northern Hemisphere findings, further examination of date revealed a new feature: a striking excess of male schizophrenic births for the decade 1915–24. The hypothesis of differential resistance to infection is discussed as an explanation for these findings.
Abscesses following prolonged intramuscular administration of perphenazine enantate
Authors: Starmark J.‐E. , Forsman A. , Wahlström J.
Published: August 2007

In an investigation of 109 patients on neuroleptics in a vegetable oil base, four of the patients developed abscesses at the site of deposits of perphenazine enantate given intramuscularly in large doses every 1–4 weeks. Observations suggested that the risk of such a complication could be minimized by limiting the frequency of administration to once a fortnight, by limiting the dose injected, by frequent variation of the site of injection, and by regular use of a disinfectant.
Factors influencing seizure duration and number of seizures applied in unilateral electroconvulsive therapy ANAESTHETICS AND BENZODIAZEPINES
Authors: Sand Strömgren L. , Dahl J. , Fjeldborg N. , Thomsen A.
Published: August 2007

A certain minimum in the duration of seizures appears to be a condition for a satisfactory therapeutic effect in ECT. The aim of the present investigation is to elucidate the importance of some factors which may influence the seizure duration.

In a controlled double‐blind investigation with crossover, carried out on 19 patients, thiopentone and methohexitone were compared as anaesthetics for unilateral ECT. No differences were found between the anaesthetics regarding duration of seizures, number of treatments with insufficient seizure duration or amount of energy applied. Blood pressure measured after the seizure was slightly higher with thiopentone than with methohexitone. The findings provide no basis for a preference between thiopentone and methohexitone as anaesthetic for ECT.

In a retrospective investigation concerning seizure duration in unilateral ECT, patients given benzodiazepines during the treatment period were compared with patients who received no such medication. The benzodiazepine group showed shorter seizure duration, more cases with insufficient seizure duration and a need for a greater number of treatments. Benzodiazepines should be administered with caution during ECT, as they can impair the efficacy of treatments and consequently prolong the treatment period.
Drug abuse among Resident doctors
Authors: Sethi B. B. , Manchanda R.
Published: August 2007

240 young doctors undergoing a residency programme in a medical school in India were individually interviewed for pattern and extent of drug abuse. Drug abuse was operationally defined as “Indulgence in a drug with a frequency of at least once a month without medical prescription”. Of the doctors 30.4% were categorised as drug abusers currently, 14.2% had used one or the other drug in the past, and 17.9% had never used any drug. A significantly higher level of abuse was observed among male doctors (37.1%) than female doctors (2.2%). Alcohol was most commonly abused (17.9%). Minor tranquilizers were abused by 17.5%. None of the doctors was abusing any substances on a daily basis. No hard drugs were abused. Common reasons for alcohol intake were for the sake of company and curiosity. Minor tranquilizers and amphetamines were taken for their pharmacological effects.
The use of the Present State Examination in general population surveys
Authors: Wing J. K.
Published: August 2007

The ninth edition of the Present State Examination (PSE) is a structured interview for eliciting and rating 140 symptoms differentially defined in a glossary. A short version, covering the first 40 “neurotic” symptoms, has been used in several population surveys. An Index of Definition has been designed in order to specify a threshold level below which insufficient symptoms are present to allow a descriptive classification to be made. Above this threshold level the CATEGO computer program can be applied. The system has been used in several sample population surveys and has proved practical and reasonably reliable, adequate for measuring change, and useful for comparative purposes. Its advantages and limitations are discussed.
Parental representations of patients with anxiety neurosis
Authors: Parker G.
Published: August 2007

Using a reliable and valid self‐report measure of fundamental parental characteristics, the parental representations of 50 anxiety neurotic patients were examined in a controlled study. The patients reported significantly less parental care and greater parental over‐protection. Two explanations are favoured. First, the parental characteristics and the higher levels of anxiety in the subjects may be expressions of a third factor, high familial anxiety. Second, that such parental characteristics may be antecedent causes of greater anxiety.
Study of long‐stay patients in mental hospitals in Sri Lanka
Authors: Nikapota A. D.
Published: August 2007

A study was made of the long‐stay patients at the two mental hospitals in Sri Lanka and a census taken of the total in‐patient population. Socio‐economic factors contributing to long‐stay were highlighted, and factors to be considered in the rehabilitation and after care of this group discussed. The proportion of patients who became long‐stay, and their characteristics, are compared with similar groups in the U.K.
The Hamilton Depression Scale
Authors: Bech P. , Allerup P. , Gram L. F. , Reisby N. , Rosenberg R. , Jacobsen O. , Nagy A.
Published: August 2007

The consistency of the Hamilton Depression Scale (HDS) as a measure of the severity of depressive states has been examined when the scale was used weekly during a trial with imipramine. By use of logistic models (Rasch) the consistency of the HDS has been considered across patient‐variables as age, sex, plasma levels of imipramine, and diagnosis. The results showed that the original 17‐item HDS was without adequate consistency, i.e. the total score of the sample of items was no one‐dimensional measure of depressive states. However, a melancholia subscale of the HDS contained items the total of which can be used to compare patients quantitatively, although in some part of the analysis one of these items showed ceiling effect. It was concluded that the melancholia sub‐scale (containing the items depressed mood, guilt, work and interests, retardation, psychic anxiety, and general somatic symptoms) can form the basis for further improvements in the field of quantitative rating scales for depressive states.
Functional and structural rat kidney changes caused by peroral or parenteral lithium treatment
Authors: Plenge P. , Mellerup E. T. , Nørgaard T.
Published: August 2007

Renal functional and structural changes were studied in rats treated with lithium for 5 months. The lithium was administered in two different ways: in the food or as a daily intraperitoneal injection. In the perorally treated rats serum lithium was relatively constant during the day. In the injected rats serum lithium reached a high peak value just after the injection followed by a decrease to very low values. In all rats an increased water consumption and a reduced renal concentration ability were seen during lithium treatment. Light microscopy showed focal degenerative changes in the distal convoluted tubule and collecting ducts. These changes comprised nuclear and cellular polymorphism and tubular dilatation. The functional as well as the structural changes were most pronounced in the rats treated with peroral lithium, and a correlation between the functional and morphological changes was present. It is concluded that lithium is more harmful to the kidney when the administrations give a relatively constant serum lithium level, such as in peroral administration, than when administration causes great variations, including peak values and very low minimum levels in serum lithium. The reason for this might be that a number of regenerative processes occur only in periods with low lithium concentrations.
Present status and practice of electroconvulsive therapy at the Psychiatric Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria
Authors: Ihezue H. U. , Ebigbo P. O.
Published: August 2007

During the 12‐month period, 1 January 1978 to 31 December 1978, 690 people received 4,194 electroconvulsive treatments at the Psychiatric Hospital, Enugu. The diagnostic classifications of patients receiving this form of treatment included severe psychotic depression (and masked depression), catatonic schizophrenia (with marked withdrawal, mutism, or excitement); mania which has become unresponsive to major tranquillizers, some selected cases of acute delirium and the collective group “puerperal psychosis”. Bilateral ECT was generally used and the frequency of treatment was two ECTs per week. The method of anaesthesia used is described and mention is made of the few and mild complications which were encountered. ECT was found to have reduced the total duration of stay in hospital (for in‐patients). Considering the acute shortage of specialized manpower in the field of psychiatry in Nigeria, a suggestion is made for the establishment of community based psychiatric centres where, among other forms of therapy, ECT could be given in appropriate cases, on out‐patient basis. The wider use of this form of treatment in deserving cases in psychiatric hospitals is also recommended.
Factors predisposing to institutionalism
Authors: Liberakis E. A.
Published: August 2007

All psychiatric patients staying in hospital‐supervised boarding homes, and a random sample of 50 long‐stay patients in the wards of the only mental hospital in Newfoundland were surveyed to determine if certain premorbid factors predispose to institutionalism (‘institutional neurosis’). Three hundred and twenty‐four patients were examined. Low intelligence, poor education and disabilities in hearing, speech, locomotion and manual dexterity, were significantly associated with institutionalism. Extremes of age on first admission, celibacy, low occupational status in the patient, or his father, and visual disability did not prove to be associated with institutionalism. In conclusion: institutionalism may be found among patients in boarding homes; some patients are more susceptible to institutionalism than others; and institutionalism tends to be associated with those biological or social handicaps which affect communication and activity of the patient.
The pharmacology of zimelidine: A 5‐HT selective reuptake inhibitor
Authors: ÖGren S. O. , Ross S. B. , Hall H. , Holm A. C. , Renyi A. L.
Published: August 2007

Zimelidine (ZIM) and its main active metabolite norzimelidine (NZIM) have been shown to preferentially inhibit 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) neuronal uptake both in vitro and in vivo while having much less effect on noradrenaline (NA) uptake. ZIM in vivo blocked the 5‐HT uptake mechanism in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, striatum, hypothalamus and spinal cord, thus indicating effects on both the ascending and descending 5‐HT pathways. ZIM is devoid of a 5‐HT releasing action, MAO‐inhibitory properties and effects on dopamine (DA) uptake. ZIM failed to reduce NA turnover even in high doses, but markedly reduced 5‐HT turnover in very low doses in the rat. ZIM also enhanced 5‐HT mediated behaviours in mice in doses related to the inhibition of 5‐HT uptake. In contrast to amitriptyline (AMI) and mianserin (MIAN), ZIM only in extremely high doses displayed a 5‐HT receptor blocking action in vitro and failed to block 5‐HT mediated behaviour. ZIM was practically devoid of action on histamine H1 and H2 receptors, and had also a neglible action on noradrenergic α1‐ and α2‐receptors, and on β‐receptors. Unlike the tricyclic antidepressants (TAD's) ZIM had a negligible action on muscarinic receptors and failed to affect cholinergic induced activity. Long‐term treatment with ZIM did not result in any attenuation of the 5‐HT uptake blocking potency or the reduction of 5‐HT turnover. This long‐term treatment slightly reduced the number of β‐receptors in the brain. However, repeated ZIM‐treatment induced a new 5‐HT receptor binding site characterized by a low affinity and with a high number of binding sites and decreased the number of high affinity 5‐HT receptor binding sites. Unlike the TAD's zimelidine failed to block the action of reserpine. Metabolic and behavioural interaction studies in mice showed that ZIM was devoid of any significant interactions with ethanol, barbiturates and benzodiazepines. It is concluded that ZIM markedly differs front both the TAD's and new antidepressants such as mianserin and nomifensine. ZIM seems preferentially to effect the presynaptic 5‐HT reuptake mechanism while having a negligible action on noradrenergic, 5‐HT, acetylcholine and histamine receptors in the brain.