bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thomas Aquinas and Karl Barth on the Christian life: similarity and differences
Authors: Healy Nicholas M.
Published: July 2016

Aquinas and Barth both describe the Christian life in light of who God is and how God acts, rather than with a primary concern for morality or apologetics. They differ in that Aquinas describes a single, essentially monastic, and normative form of discipleship that, because it cannot be taken up by most Christians, issues in practice in a two-tier conception of the Christian life. By contrast, Barth's account of vocation individualises the call to each Christian so that it is possible for everyone to lead the Christian life equally well yet in very diverse ways. For this reason, and because our true relation to God is hidden, even to ourselves, we may conclude that it is dangerous to make negative judgement as to anyone's standing before God – and therefore their relative standing in the church, too – based upon a view of the normative form of the Christian life.
Fertility and the lactating cow
Authors: Blowey R.W. , Parker B.N.J.
Published: July 2016

Many attempts have been made to implicate specific nutritional imbalances and deviations in blood indices with infertility in dairy cattle. Hignett (1959) proposed a relationship between dietary calcium, phosphorus and manganese intakes and found this to be related to fertility. McClure (1968) found that cows with a low plasma glucose concentration were much less likely to conceive than those with a normal level, although other work has not always substantiated this (Blowey, Wood and Davis, 1973). There have been instances where copper and iodine insufficiency have also been associated with infertility problems (Underwood, 1971).
Concluding remarks - measures of metabolic activity
Authors: Elsley F.W.H.
Published: July 2016

The holding of a symposium concerned with blood profiles was a success and this can be attributed to the degree of frankness with which people have disclosed their hitherto unpublished data and to the valuable discussion which ranged across species and disciplines. Occasionally people have tended to accept the validity of their own data and to question the validity of data from others which apparently leads to conflicting conclusions. In these circumstances it would have been more constructive to attempt to explain why research groups who were studying similar phenomena should obtain dissimilar results.
Milk Yield Recording
Authors: Cant E.J.
Published: July 2016

The Milk Marketing Board (MMB) specification for milk yield recording defines the acceptable limits of error for any recording equipment whether manual or automatic. This is that at any milking 95 per cent of the measurements must not deviate more than ± 5 per cent or 0.25 kg (whichever is the greater) from the true weight. Hence an error of ± 0.25 kg is allowable for yields below 5 kg and 5 per cent of yield for quantities greater than 5 kg.
Equipment for Feeding Concentrates in and out of the Parlour
Authors: Dawson J.R.
Published: July 2016

Until recently nearly all dairy cows received their concentrate allocation whilst in the milking parlour. This followed on from the practice in cowsheds for many years and was a convenient way of giving each individual cow a rationed quantity of food. However, with many nutritionists advocating frequent feeding, and the development of more sophisticated equipment such as individual feeders with cow recognition systems and to a lesser extent conveyor systems and mixer-feeder wagons, some farmers are now feeding a lot of the concentrate ration outside the parlour. The variety of equipment available for feeding concentrates is now extensive, ranging from relatively simple mechanical dispensers to programmed feeders which will recognize animals and feed preset quantities to them. An outline of the possibilities open to farmers is shown in Figure 1.
1.3 Physical and economic constraints to intensive animal production in developing countries
Authors: Fitzhugh H. A. , De Boer A. J.
Published: July 2016

Intensive animal production systems are commonly associated with high income, industrialized societies. These systems are seen by many as indicators or even causes of a widening gap in living standards between developed and developing countries (Aziz, 1976; George, 1976). The controversial subject of resource competition between man and animals has been treated elsewhere (Byerly, 1978; Fitzhugh, Hodgson, Scoville, Nguyen and Byerly, 1978; Newcombe and Bowman, 1978; Svedberg, 1978). Much of the concern stems from the positive relationship between income levels and animal protein consumption (Barreveld, 1977; Weber and Gregersen, 1977). The underlying premise of this paper is that intensification is an appropriate means of increasing animal protein supplies and that these increased supplies could offer the best opportunity of favourably altering this relationship between animal protein consumption and income levels for the developing countries.
4.4 Some diseases associated with the intensification of animal production in developing countries
Authors: Dorman A. E.
Published: July 2016

If the definition of intensive is “that which is not extensive and includes housed animals and animals kept intensively on improved or irrigated pasture”, then the range of diseases affecting animals in the developing countries is a very wide one. Often the word “intensive” is associated with large concentrations of potentially productive animals kept in a restricted area and fed carefully calculated rations. The “feedlot” for cattle and sheep is an example of this, together with the large pig and poultry units.
5.1 Intensive pig production — Problems and solutions in the growth of the industry in Taiwan
Authors: Fuller M. F. , Po Chung
Published: July 2016

The problems which a country faces in the development of its animal industry and the solutions it finds effective can only be appreciated against the specific background of that country's whole economy and indeed its culture. The accepted technology of one developing country may be just as inappropriate in another as that of a developed country would be. With this in mind, a few words will be appropriate to describe the background to the pig industry in Taiwan and to its recent expansion.
6.1 Milk production in India
Authors: Brumby P. J.
Published: July 2016

Two contrasting viewpoints may be taken regarding recent agricultural trends in India. The first is positive; it highlights the large stock of foodgrains now established, the expansion of the irrigable areas and the relative price stability of basic foods. The second is more pessimistic; it notes the lack of any improvement in foodgrain consumption per capita, the large investment costs required per unit of incremental output in the new irrigation schemes, the increase in the number of rural poor, the extent of the unemployment problem and the decline in availability and consumption of high protein foods. A less controversial aspect of the agricultural scene is provided by the progress of the national dairy development programme, which is now attracting considerable international support. This note highlights some features of the dairy programme.
6.7 A short report on an artificial insemination project in the African areas of Zimbabwe
Authors: Chavunduka D. M.
Published: July 2016

African areas in the context of Zimbabwe refer to those parts of the country normally inhabited by the indigenous people. They constitute some 16.4 million ha and nearly half the country. Nine tenths of this land are communally owned by subsistence farmers and referred to as Tribal Trust Lands. The remaining one tenth is held on an individual, freehold or leasehold basis and is known as the Purchase land areas.
8.3 Meat products, processing and marketing
Authors: Disney J. G. , Norman G. A. , Silverside D. E. , Silvey D.
Published: July 2016

The demand for meat is expanding faster than production in many developing countries. Consequently, national and international agencies have devoted considerable effort to increasing livestock production. It is argued in this paper that this concentration on livestock production has perhaps encouraged somewhat less effort to be directed towards the marketing of livestock products. It is suggested that all too often the slaughtering, handling and marketing of livestock products has received too little attention, frequently to the detriment of the project as a whole.
Beef
Authors: Human Ralph D.
Published: July 2016

The supply and demand situation in the UK can be identified (Table 2.2.1) with the import figures for boneless beef converted to bone-in equivalent and the export figures taking into account the changes in intervention stocks as well as stocks of imported beef in cold stores. It should be noted that the fall in imports from other EEC Countries reflected the weakness of the UK market in relation to the rest of Europe and similarly our exports to other EEC Countries, much of which is cow beef, again reflected the weakness of the UK market.
Sheep
Authors: Wood Jeff D.
Published: July 2016

Any possible strategy for future lamb production in the UK should be based on as thorough a knowledge as possible of the likely trends in market supplies and consumer tastes. These can be grouped into negative and positive points.

Lamb consumption in the UK has declined steadily during the last 10 years and is forecast to do so during the next 10 years (Table 3.3. la). The trends in consumption for lamb look more pessimistic than those for beef and pork (Table 3.3.1b). This is because of a relatively high price for lamb but also to ‘underlying factors’ associated, especially among younger housewives, with a feeling that the meat is inconvenient and generally less attractive (MLC, 1982b). The small size of cuts and high levels of fat and bone are thought to be major factors in this disaffection. There is also little use of lamb in the catering and manufacturing sectors.
Pigs
Authors: Dewhirst James A. R.
Published: July 2016

It gives me great pleasure and a good deal of satisfaction to be opening the batting for the producers’ team. It really is an extremely rare occurrence under present circumstances to have a pig farmer at the top of the producer tree. Anyway, I'll endeavour to cope with this unaccustomed elevation as best as I can.

The land that I farm is situated on the edge of the Yorkshire Wolds near Driffield. It is all Grade 2 arable land. I was extremely fortunate in that my grandfather was the farmer and that my mother was his only child. This meant that, as his eldest grandson, I had the ideal opportunity to enter farming. This I did on leaving Agricultural College in 1970. At that stage we farmed 445 acres. This was later increased to 870 acres in 1974 when we purchased a neighbouring farm. The two farms are only about 3 miles apart by road and are farmed as one unit. The crops grown are ware potatoes, winter cereals, oilseed rape and grass leys. The grass leys are grazed by a breeding sheep flock of 400 ewes and a pedigree herd of Limousin Cattle.
A model to examine raw material costs to the pigmeat plant, using alternative procurement schedules
Authors: Monk Alison , Kempster A. J.
Published: July 2016

Over the past 10 years, the basic structure of grade schedules for pigs has changed relatively little. Although it has been adjusted to accommodate reductions in mean fat thickness, the framework of weight ranges and stepped fat thickness maxima remains. Several factors indicate that more fundamental changes are likely in the future: (1) automatic probes, capable of measuring muscle depth, have been developed; (2) concern over the variable quality of meat from very lean pigs has led to growing interest in quality grading using muscle pH or light reflectance, for example, as indicators of drip loss; and (3) the use of meat-type sires is leading to more variation in the carcass characteristics of the pig population.
Fat lambs — identifying market opportunities for producers
Authors: Volans K.
Published: July 2016

Higher returns under the Sheepmeat Regime have given producers confidence, yet they are apprehensive of future support policy. Producers feel that the present high level of support may not continue after transition and that returns from the market will become more important. However, information on market opportunities, market specification and price, is often prevented from reaching producers because of the nature of the marketing system. For example, producers are told to produce ‘what the market wants’, yet they generally find that the buyers they sell to, the wholesalers/slaughterers, are unwilling to pay sufficient for such a product.
Strategies for management, labour and housing
Authors: Peet B.
Published: July 2016

In the last decade average breeding herd size has increased. This increase has been associated with a reduction in average weaning age, with improved performance and with systems that have become more intensive, have been based increasingly on housing with slatted floors and slurry handling systems and which, in partial consequence, have had reduced labour inputs. For pregnant sows, stalls and tethers have become increasingly used but the introduction of electronic feeders may herald a change from this system in the future. For farrowing sows, reductions in piglet mortality have been obtained by effecting a closer control over the environment, by using better equipment, and by using more hygienic materials in construction. The farrowing crate and pen have come to dominate the scene and it appears unlikely that this will change much in the foreseeable future. Weaning ages are unlikely to drop below the 25-day national average and flat-deck housing is likely to continue to predominate for young weaners for the next 5 years. Fully slatted floored pens for finishing pigs have become more popular but straw-bedded systems, which are capable of being improved in the future, have been tried.

Choice of any one housing system depends on a number of factors relative to individual needs. Capital cost, likely performance responses, ease of management and of construction and maintenance costs all have to be considered. In the future, outside influences relative to animal welfare and environmental factors increasingly will have to be considered.
Implications of behaviour studies on the development of housing systems
Authors: Baxter M. R.
Published: July 2016

Although a relatively young science, farm animal ethology has a considerable contribution to make to the development of housing systems. Two areas are highlighted in this review. First, the evaluation of existing housing systems is exemplified by studies of the effects of close confinement on sows. From such studies it has been concluded that close confinement can cause distress in sows. Secondly, the development of new housing systems is exemplified by studies on how pen design can control aggression.
Planning guidelines and legislation
Authors: Hardwick D. C.
Published: July 2016

In the United Kingdom, environmental protection is based on a dual approach. Guidelines and voluntary action have generally proved effective but, increasingly, Community of Europe directives as well as public pressure are resulting in legislation.

Water pollution is largely regulated by Part II of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 and odour by the Public Heath Act 1936 and subsequent subsidiary legislation. Planning is controlled under the Town and Country Planning Acts and dependent General Development Orders. The Order relevant to agriculture is being amended to bring in a greater measure of planning requirement where piggeries are near human housing. Alongside these laws, the Ministry has produced a Code of Good Agricultural Practice and Guidelines on Housed Livestock to establish appropriate standards.

Other countries are also developing their legislative control, most notably Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark. It is notable that, although the ‘polluter pays principle’ is often referred to, all countries have found practical problems in any simple-minded attempt to apply the principle to the effects of animal farming.

The paper reviews these areas in detail and suggests that research is needed on the effects of small quantities of straw on slurry systems and to produce a definition of the minimum of straw needed for welfare purposes. Other research which is already in hand is also mentioned.
The French sheep industry from farm to table
Authors: Barber J.
Published: July 2016

Lamb is perceived in an excellent manner in France, conjuring up the image of ‘feast day meat’, which is ‘natural’, mixed with a ‘regional flavour’. Historically lamb in France has been regarded as a meat for special occasions and has carried a high price tag. This price tag is less expensive than it used to be, especially with supermarkets and hypermarkets taking between 50 and 60% of the retail market. Lamb meat is now available to all at a (relatively) low price; a meat which is still regarded as ‘special’.

Lamb consumption is increasing in France; in 1988 by an estimated 4%. This is largely due to price, good marketing and very good presentation — in the supermarkets, by top quality high-street butchers and in older traditional country markets. Consumption of lamb has increased by approximately 85 000 t in the last 15 years. French production has been decreasing by about 4% per year over recent years, and France imported 63 500 t in 1984 of which 36 000 came from the United Kingdom (UK). In 1987, 108 200 t were imported, of which 60 000 t came from the UK.

There is a greater market potential for lamb in France than her producers can provide. One reason for this is that there are 190 000 producers with 8.15 million ewes; an average flock size of 42. This compares with the UK which has less than half the number of producers, with double the numbers of breeding sheep, and an average flock size nearly five times the size of French flocks.

From the long-term point of view, not only is a large number of the flocks too small to be viable in competition with UK producers in the European Community but a high proportion of flock owners tend to be elderly. Sheep production is taking place in areas which are difficult to farm and on small units which are difficult to expand, either because of land law restriction or through economic constraints.
Sheep health: husbandry and production problems
Authors: Hindson J. C.
Published: July 2016

The paper is based on problems found in a large ‘farm animal’ practice in Devon, in which the author is largely committed to the sheep work. There are some 80 000 sheep in the area, and some 1·5 million in the county of Devon which are kept under varying conditions from the high areas of Dartmoor to the very intensive flocks on permanent grass on heavy soils. A brief look is made at the effects of health research over the last 50 years in the context of present problems and/or barriers to future efficiency. Also present production problems are examined, in particular those relating to coccidiosis and ‘ill thrift’. The problems of the field application of modern technology are considered in the areas of: (1) manipulation of the breeding season, in an attempt to even out the production curve, using sponges, PMS and melatonin and teaser rams; (2) manipulation of prolificacy, using fecundin and prolific hybrids; and (3) genetic manipulation/improvement, using Meat and Livestock Commission backfat/eye muscle recording schemes, sire referencing, AI and MOET.

A scheme for the best utilization of veterinary surgeon/farmer relationship is outlined and mention is made as to the future direction of the industry as seen from the ‘sharp end’.
Added value products from lamb
Authors: Richardson R. I. , Taylor A. A. , Jolley P. D.
Published: July 2016

Changes in eating patterns for reasons of cost, health or convenience, have resulted in reduced consumption of lamb. Carcass meat is being replaced by more processed, added value meat in the home, but novel lamb products have been difficult to develop due to small muscle size, hard fat and strong flavours. If value is to be added to lamb, texture and flavour of lamb and lamb products must be optimized. Whilst the use of electrical stimulation for beef carcasses, to avoid potential cold-induced toughening in modern chilling systems, is standard practice, little British lamb is stimulated in this way.

Restructuring can upgrade smaller or tougher and/or fatter parts of the carcass. It allows for regular portions of standard shape, size and composition, as in reformed hams, burgers, grillsteaks or sausages. The small size of the lamb carcass makes it expensive to bone and trim fat and connective tissue for the production of such products. This could be an increasing disadvantage if high quality, reformed, fresh products, using new binding technologies such as alginate or enzyme systems, gain a significant market share.

The ready meals market is expanding rapidly and although meat may not be the major component, it is usually the most expensive. These products may be fully sterile shelf-stable, cooked and frozen, or, more commonly, cooked and chilled with a shelf-life of a few days with carefully controlled refrigeration. Packaging has been highly developed for marketing these products. Unfortunately, traditional lamb products, such as moussaka and shepherds pie, are often now made from cheaper beef.

Larger lamb carcasses with lower fat, the use of mechanical bone removal or robotic butchery systems, innovative product or recipe design and the use of good packaging and presentation, would all aid in the development of lamb meat and meat product sales.
Selection criteria for the psychopharmacological treatment of psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents
Authors: Gunning W.B.
Published: July 2016

This review gives information on selection criteria for the psychopharmacological treatment of psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents, and offers practical instructions for the use of these drugs. Unless mentioned otherwise, the data on effectiveness and safety have been based on controlled trials. In addition, advices are given with respect to drugs that have proved to be effective and safe in adult psychiatric patients but have not yet been investigated sufficiently in children and adolescents.
Over de meerwaarde van de academische psychiatrie
Authors: van Praag H.M.
Published: July 2016

Onlang s werd ik gevraagd deel te nemen aan een rondetafel conference waarin gediscussieerd zou worden over de meerwaarde van de academische psychiatrie. Het onderwerp verbaasde me. Ik ben van mening dat het adjectief “academisch” per definitie meerwaarde vertegenwoordigt, dat daar weinig over te discussieren valt. Althans dat dit zo behoort te zijn. Anders wordt die term in oneigenlijke zin gebruikt. De vraag is derhalve overbodig; leek mij, anders gezegd, een pleonastisch element te bevatten.
De gedaalde natural killer cell activiteit tijdens een depresssieve episode is geen kenmerk van meegemaakte levensgebeurtenissen
Authors: Duyse A. Van , Maes M. , Schotte C. , Stevens W. , Declerck L. , Cosyns P.
Published: July 2016

Recently, some investigators have reported blunted natural killer cell activity (NKCA) in patients with major depression. In addition, there were some reports on negative relationships between NKCA and the occurence of negative life events. In order to replicate the above findings, the present study investigates NKCA and negative life events in 11 normal and 35 unipolar (minor, simple major, melancholic) depressed subjects. NKCA has been determined by all subjects. They completed the Questionnaire on Recently Experienced Events with scores on number and impact factor of events related to a) illness, b) working conditions, c) social relationships, d) housing problems, e) loss of possession. Depressed subjects reported higher scores on number and/or impact factor of events related to illness, social relationships and housing problems. In our investigation NKCA was significantly blunted in depressed subjects and, particularly in melancholies. So NKCA is negative correlated to the severity of depression. We were unable to detect any significant relationship between NKCA, and life events ( number of impact factors ), Our results do not corroborate the thesis that life events may affect immune function, as assessed by NKCA.
A decade of biological-psychiatric research in OCD (II): challenge-studies and neuroanatomical substrate
Authors: Leeuw A.S. De , Westenberg H.G.M. , Boer J.A. Den
Published: July 2016

In this second part of a review on OCD, challenge-tests are discussed and an overview is given of neuro-imaging studies. Subsequently some hypotheses concerning the pathogenesis of OCD are reviewed. The serotonin (5-HT) agonist metachloro-phenylpiperazine (mCPP) was found to lead to an increase in obsessive-compulsive symptoms. These studies revealed a dissociation between the behavioral and the neuroendocrine responses: OCD-patients showed a blunted hormonal respons compared to controls. Possibly different receptor subtypes are involved. One study is reported with a 5-HT1a agonist as a probe. This study lends no support to an involvement of the 5-HT1a receptor. Tests with noradrenergic probes showed unequivocal results.

Research on the neuroanatomic substrate of OCD is critically reviewed. PET-scan studies point to a possible role of the (orbito-)frontal cortex and the basal ganglia in OCD. Keywords: obsessive-compulsive disorder, OCD, challenge-test, serotonin (5-HT), mCPP, PET-scan.
Conduct disorders and an abnormal sex-chromosomal pattern
Authors: Thomaes A.M.S. , Verhoeven W.M.A.
Published: July 2016

Two subjects are described suffering from longlasting behavioral disorders, who appeared to have both an abnormal karyotype, 47XXY and 47XYY respectively. The relationship between psychopathological disorders and the type of karyotypes is discussed. It is concluded that both biological and environmental factors are involved in the development of behavioral disorders that are observed frequently in this kind of subjects.
Congenital malformations caused by psychotropic drugs in pregnancy
Authors: de Cuypere G. , Rombaut Ph. , van Moffaert M.
Published: July 2016

After a description of the harmful effects of psychotropic drugs as well as of the moments of vulnerability to any teratogenic effect, this paper reviews prospective, retrospective and epidemiological studies of the teratogenic effects of anticonvulsants (phenytoin, valproic acid, carbamazepine and barbiturates), lithium, anti-psychotics, benzodiazepines and anti-depressive agents. It is found that the results of these studies are not unequivocal. Only lithium and valproic acid are shown to be teratogenic. In cases where malformations of the fetus are observed, the treatment often consisted in a combination of various psychotropic drugs.

The review is completed with data on the psychopharmacological problems during delivery and their side-effects on the newborn.
Neuroleptics: preclinical and clinical differences
Authors: Ellenbroek B.A. , Cools A.R.
Published: July 2016

Neuroleptics: preclinical and clinical differences

In this review we propose that the clinical and preclinical effects of neuroleptic drugs justify a distinction between classical and atypical neuroleptic drugs. Binding, biochemical, electrophysiological and behavioural studies have revealed clearcut differences between classical neuroleptics (like haloperidol and fluphenazine) and atypical neuroleptics (such as clozapine, thioridazine and remoxipride). These large differences are likely due to differences in the workingmechanisms. In view of the clinical relevance of these findings it is therefore both justified and essential to subdivide the neuroleptics in two distinct groups: the classical neuroleptics and the atypical neuroleptics.
Biological psychiatry marching towards the future and the perils of progress
Authors: van Praag H.M.
Published: July 2016

The study of the biological determinants of abnormal behavior is not anymore psychiatry's stepchild, but a respected branch of that discipline. There is every reason to be optimistic over the future of biological psychiatry. The brain sciences are developing with astounding speed and the systematic attention for psychiatric-diagnosis and differential diagnosis renders biological psychiatry an unprecedented vitality.

One should, however, not ignore some disquieting prospects. The following points of concern are discussed: the alarming shortage of young research psychiatrists; the deficiencies in the teaching of biological psychiatry; the hesitancy to utilize the fruits of brain and behavior research in clinical practice; the shortcomings in psychiatric diagnosing; nosological tunnel vision and, finally, the danger of overrating biological psychiatry with the inevitable disappointment reaction that will follow. The scientific maturation of psychiatry is contingent on a balanced development of its constituents.
Drug-induced psychosis in Parkinson's disease (I): manifestations and therapy
Authors: Wolters E.CH. , Tissingh G. , Kuiper M.A. , W.A. Zwaan  , Horstink M.W.I.M.
Published: July 2016

In this first part of a review on drug-induced psychosis in Parkinson's disease, the etiology, the clinical features and the therapeutic strategies will be discussed. The drugs used in the therapy of Parkinson's disease may lead to non-motor complications, such as delirium or hallucinations. Especially anti-cholinergics, respectivily dopaminometics, play an important role. Lowering the dose or even discontinuing the medication is the main therapeutic measure. The use of an atypical antipsychotic drug (clozapine) may be indicated.
Recovery from lithium neurotoxicity. A case study
Authors: van Scheyen J.D.
Published: July 2016

The author describes the development of a neurotoxicity syndrome in a 68 year old women treated for 1½ years with lithium for recurrent depressions. The syndrome developed after 10 mgr. haloperidol per day was added, during a manic episode, for 10 days. The lithium levels were 0.71 ± 0.19 MEq/L. After 19 days all medications were discontinued. The neurotoxicity consisted succes-sivily of confusion, somnolence, agitation, extrapyramidal symptoms, cerebellair ataxia and EEG abnormalities. After 10 weeks memory impairmments were still present. At four months, memory function was restored. After five months, the patient was discharged without residual symptoms. The patient reported amnesia for the first six weeks of the syndrome. The author points out that while patients may develop tolerance to lithium maintenance after several years, they still may develop a neurotoxicity syndrome when haloperidol is added to treat a manic episode.
Utility of ERP measures in clinical research
Authors: Kok A.
Published: July 2016

Psychophysiological measures, such as late components of the event-related potentials (ERP's) may be applied in clinical nosological research in two different ways; as purely empirical or diagnostic markers and as markers of functional processes. The second application implies that ERP's may be used to increase the theoretical understanding of specific mental processes such as attention, memory and linguistic processes and the degree of impairment of these processes in psychiatric patients. Some examples derived from recent studies of dementia and aging are given of these two applications of ERP's.
Psychofarmakalogika III
Authors: Korf J.
Published: July 2016

Inleiding

In deze rubriek zal worden ingegaan op recente observaties betreffende de psychofarmakologie in de breedst mogelijke zin. Vaak zullen zaken uit de Literatuur worden behandeld. De gekozen onderwerpen dienen altijd klinische relevantie te hebben. Ook zal deze rubriek gaan over gewoontes die in psychofarmakologische behandeling of in onderzoek zijn geslopen die volgens de auteur lang niet altijd logisch zijn. Soms zal deze rubriek een oproep bevatten om te reageren op een bijdrage gepubliceerd in dit of in een ander tijdschrift. Ook zal de lezer worden aangemoedigd hier zijn eigen ervaringen mee te delen. Het is niet de bedoeling in deze rubriek onderzoeken uitvoerig te rapporteren. Daarvoor staan andere pagina's van de Acta Neuropsychiatrica voor u open.
Neurophysiological disturbances of cognitive processing in Alzheimer and multi-infarct dementia. An evoked potential study
Authors: Colon E.J.
Published: July 2016

Disturbances in information processing can be established by means of evoked potentials (EP). Sensory information is transported over the white myelinated fibers towards the brain. Classification and storage will take place in the cortical grey. This kind of information processing can be made visible by means of EP's.

In 9 patients with dementia. Alzheimer's type and 7 patients with multi-infarct dementia a delay in information processing has been established by means of EP's. In multi-infarct dementia also a delay in short latency components was determined. The generators of various parts of the information processing in the cerebral cortex have been delayed and distorted. We speculate that, beside loss of neurons in the cerebral cortex, an alteration in cortical glial cells might be the cause of some disturbances in patients with dementia.
Aphasia and apraxia in dementia: cognitive regression or focal symptoms?
Authors: van den Bergh W.
Published: July 2016

A review is given of the neuropsychological conceptualizations of aphasia and apraxia in SDAT. In the beginning of this century localisationism was prevailing. Later, developmental and cognitive psychology gave an important impetus to reconsider these symptoms in an holistic framework. More recently, since the application of new brain imaging techniques, there is a revival of localizing conceptualizations.
Psychofarmakologika VIII
Authors: Korf J.
Published: July 2016

Inleiding

In deze rubriek zal worden ingegaan op recente observaties betreffende de psychofarmakologie in de breedst mogelijke zin. Vaak zullen zaken uit de literatuur worden behandeld. De gekozen onderwerpen dienen altijd klinische relevantie te hebben. Ook zal deze rubriek gaan over gewoontes die in psychofarmakologische behandeling of in onderzoek zijn geslopen die volgens de auteur lang niet altijd logisch zijn. Soms zal deze rubriek een oproep bevatten om te reageren op een bijdrage gepubliceerd in dit of in een ander tijdschrift. Ook zal de lezer worden aangemoedigd hier zijn eigen ervaringen mee te delen. Het is niet de bedoeling in deze rubriek onderzoeken uitvoerig te rapporteren. Daarvoor staan andere pagina's van de Acta Neuropsychiatrica voor u open.
Alcoholism and dementia
Authors: van Gool W.A.
Published: July 2016

The controversy concerning the concept ‘alcoholic dementia’ is reviewed in brief. Evidence from neuroradiological and neuropathological studies contribute little to the solution of this controversy, if dementia is considered as a clinical syndrome. From clinical descriptions it can be concluded that a sub-population of alcoholics suffers from a syndrome typified by psychologic disturbances other than amnesia alone. These patients fulfill the criteria for the syndromal diagnosis of ‘dementia’.

The nosologic concept of ‘alcoholic dementia’ implies a direct neurotoxic effect of alcohol and it raises questions concerning pathogenetic mechanisms which can not be answered. The DSM-III-R category ‘dementia associated with alcoholism’ represents a solution for this controversy, because it gives a correct and complete (radically syndromal) clinical description without making assumptions on the relative contribution of multiple factors causing cognitive disturbances in alcoholics.
Serotoninergic findings in habitual violence and impulsivity. A review
Authors: Virkkunen M.D.
Published: July 2016

Several lines of evidence suggest that there may be abnormal brain serotonin metabolism in habitually biolent and impulsive offenders. These personality disorders are usually connected with early onset, male limited type 2 alcoholism in which one central feature is the abnormal tendency to behave aggressively and impulsively under the influence of alcohol repeatedly. Low CSF 5-HIAA has been found to correlate with familial alcoholism tendencies; paternal alcoholism. Both this and with it the tendency to abnormal oral glucose tolerance test (tendency to low blood glucose nadir) predict the new violent and impulsive crimes under the influence of alcohol. Also peripheral measures such as platelet MAO, abnormal tryptophan/LNAA ratio in plasma, whole blood serotonin, blood platelet uptake of serotonin, platelet 3H-IMI dinging (Bmax), abnormal prolactin and Cortisol secretion in fenfluramine challenge, and possibly daily urinary free Cortisol secretion correlate with impulsive aggressive behavior.
Een zeldzame oorzaak van dementie: de bestralingsencephalopathie
Authors: van de Weg N. , Verhey F.R.J. , Raedts P J.M. , Vreeling F W.
Published: July 2016

We describe the clinical history of a 49-year old woman, who demonstrated progressive personality changes more than twenty years after radiation of a pituitary adenoma (prolactinoma), with apathy, loss of initiative, memory deficits, postural instability, dysarthria and faecal incontinence. Neuropsychological assessment showed impulsivity, loss of overview, desinhibition, fluctuating deficits of attention, and memory disturbances. MRI-scanning of the brain revealed a cystic lesion along the right ventricle. The clinical picture and the findings of the other investigations are typical for dementia due to radiation encephalopathy. Such a long period between radiation and cognitive deterioration is rare, although it has been described before.
Chronicity, genes en behavior
Authors: Verhoeven W.M.A.
Published: July 2016

Since 1863 psychiatry is dominated by the nosological conceptual paradigm that was further stimulated by the introduction of the DSM-III. This has resulted in an ignorance of the European psychiatric diagnostic tradition and a loss of the necessary critical observations and descriptions of psychopathology. This unfortunate process may be observed in the diagnosis of psychiatric disorders in mentally retarded patients where entities such as atypical psychoses, unstable mood disorder and motivational deficit syndrome are not recognized in general. The enormous increase of neuroscienti-fic knowledge, particularly the impact of genetic and intracellular mechanisms in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders, warrants the use of a more dimensional and functional psychiatric paradigm. It concerns the effect of gene transcription on the expression of neurotransmitters and receptors that may account for an increased vulnerability or a relapsing course. A so called anticipatory treatment approach is therefore advocated.
Acute tryptophan depletion in bipolar disorders; literature review and directives for further research
Authors: Sobczak S. , Honig A. , Riedel W.J.
Published: July 2016

Serotonin (5-HT) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of bipolar disorders. Acute tryptophan depletion (ATD), which decreases serotonergic turnover, is an established paradigm to study serotonergic vulnerability in affective disorders. Literature on the application of ATD as a research tool in bipolar patients is limited to three studies, which revealed inconsistent results on mood modification. These inconsistencies may be attributed to differences in methodological procedures and / or characteristics of included patients. Patient selection, methodological aspects and procedures of these studies are critically considered and recommendations given. A research protocol to test the 5-HT vulnerability in bipolar disorder is proposed.
Immunological aspects of bipolar disorder
Authors: Kupka R.W. , Hillegers M.H.J. , Nolen W.A. , Breunis N. , Drexhage H.A.
Published: July 2016

Introduction: Significant changes in immune function have been found in mood disorders. Controlled studies in bipolar disorder concerning cell-mediated immunity and thyroid autoimmunity are reviewed, and presented together with preliminary findings from our own ongoing study.

Method: Using Medline and other sources, 14 controlled studies as well as some other relevant studies were found.

Results: Bipolar disorder is associated with an acute phase response and activation of the cell-mediated immune system, and with an increased prevalence of antithyroid autoantibodies.

Conclusion: Changes in immune function, in connection with neuroendocrine changes, may provide new hypotheses for the pathophysiology of mood disorders.
Neuropathological studies of bipolar disorder
Authors: Harrison P.J.
Published: July 2016

The few available neuropathological studies of bipolar disorder are reviewed and placed in the context of structural imaging findings. Candidate pathological processes include cy-toarchitectural abnormalities, particularly in the anterior cingulate cortex and affecting glia, and disruption of white matter connections. The possible neuropathological relationship of bipolar disorder with major depression and with schizophrenia is discussed.
Bipolar disorder: is psychiatry's Cinderella starting to get out a little more?
Authors: Goodwin G.M.
Published: July 2016

Bipolar Disorder is a neglected disease. In the last twenty years fewer than 2,000 articles have been published with mania or bipolar disorder in the title, compared to 11,000 for schizophrenia and 19,000 for depression (data from EMBASE). This relative neglect of bipolar disorder is true both for neurobiological investigations and for investigations of treatment. Interest is reviving, I believe, in no small part because of the consistent support by the Stanley Foundation. Genuine advances in understanding neurobiology and treatment may be now be possible. The presentations made at this meeting are testimony to that.
Relapse to drug and alcohol use: a matter of sensitization
Authors: Schoffelmeer A.N.M. , Vanderschuren L.J.M.J. , Mulder A.H. , Jacobs E.H. , Vries T.J. De
Published: July 2016

Repeated exposure of rats to cocaine, amphetamine, opiates, nicotine and alcohol causes a very long-lasting (months) increase in the behavioral effects of these addictive drugs and drug-associated environmental stimuli (sensitization). This hypersensitivity is associated with persistent changes in the reactivity of neurons of the motivational (mesocorticolim-bic) system in the brain. Using an animal model for relapse, recent studies in our laboratory show that relapse to drug-seeking behavior (following extinction of intravenous cocaine or heroin self-administration) depends on the occurrence of sensitization. Accordingly, sensitization and conditioning seem to be more important for the persistence of drug and alcohol addiction then the occurrence of withdrawal phenomena. Biochemical research on the molecular and cellular basis of behavioral sensitization and behavioral studies on readjustment of stimulus responsiveness in rats, is of great importance for the development of an adequate pharmacotherapy of addiction.
Perseveration in schizophrenic patients: a neuropsychological approach for research
Authors: Lanser M.G. , Ellenbroek B.A. , Cools A.R. , Zitman F.G.
Published: July 2016

Perseveration is a core symptom of schizophrenia, the cause, however, is unknown. It has been shown that for people with frontal lobe lesions, perseveration can be explained with a set-maintenance problem. Perseveration in Parkinson's disease can be explained with problems shifting from one set to another without cues (set-shifting). These disorders can be distinguished using a two-choice task and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, that is analysed in phases. Analogs of these tests can be used in animal research. By adding an animal part to the human research, more insight can be gained into the role of specific brain areas in set-maintenance and set-shifting.
Somatization disorders in non psychiatric settings: A multidimensional diagnostic approach
Authors: Ebel H. , Müller-Küppers M.
Published: July 2016

Given the diagnostic ambiguity of physically unexplained complaints we wanted to study whether the clinically and symptomatically characterized groups, all of them defined according to DSM-III-R criteria, could be reclassified using selected empirical and theoretical variables of operationally defined parameters.

Patients with conversion (N = 75), somatization or undifferentiated somatoform disorders (N = 74) and major depression (N = 70) according to DSM-III-R underwent multidimensional work-up including psychopathological, personality-psychological, illness, behavioral and coping assessment. The clinically characterized groups should be statistically reclassified by discriminant analytic techniques.

The existing diagnostic categories according to DSM-III-R could be widely confirmed by the statistical reconstitution of the clinical groups. Conversion, somatization and depressive disorder presented as distinct clinical categories.

A classification relying widely on symptoms still seems to be too superficial and does not represent the complexity of these patients. Thus, the modern classification systems with their purely phenomenological criteria should be added with further dimensions.
Med Psych Units: Proceedings and abstracts of the Triptych Workshop 9 december 1999 Maastricht
Authors: Honig A. , Troost J. , Kuijpers P.M.J.C. , van Vliet I.M.
Published: July 2016

Med Psych Units (MPU) are neither clear-cut medical nor psychiatric units. This makes it difficult to acquire funding for these often expensive units. Despite this, there are many reasons why MPU's should be a necessary part of any larger scale inpatient service of a general and teaching hospital. It is therefore even more remarkable that such units hardly exist in Europe and that only about twenty exist in the USA. Five main reasons why such units should be opened are:

The increasing average age of the population of the Western World, with high co-morbidity and polypharmacy in the elderly and elderly elderly.

An increase in the number of chronic physical diseases resulting in co-morbid psychiatric disorders. This increase in chronicity is the consequence of increasingly successful treatment of acute and potentially lethal diseases; for example, acute myocardial infarction and the subsequent development of chronic heart disease.

The decreasing duration of hospital admission. On average the duration of stay in a general hospital in The Netherlands is now nine days. The number of day-treatments has doubled in the last decade. This situation means that it is not possible to observe the behavior of patients on a general medical ward or to carry out a psychiatric consultation.

Inadequate medical evaluation of psychiatric patients. According to a recent survey by the Dutch Ministry of Health, the care given for physical disease to psychiatric patients in mental hospitals in The Netherlands needs much to be desired for.

The psychiatric co-morbidity of somatic diseases is accompanied by a high consumption of medical facilities and high economic losses, unless adequately recognized and treated.
Commentaar
Authors: Noorlander E.
Published: July 2016

Het mag als een verworvenheid beschouwd worden dat er sinds kort stoffen op de markt zijn die de kans op terugval van alcoholisten verkleinen. Natuurlijk hebben deze stoffen, zoals acamprosaat en naltrexon indicaties en contra-indicaties, en die zijn in de voorgaande artikelen beschreven. Het is daarmee echter nog niet gemakkelijk geworden een richtlijn voor de dagelijkse praktijk te formuleren. Dat blijkt wel uit deze artikelen. Immers, acamprosaat is effectief gebleken, maar nu ook weer niet zó effectief dat het niet voorschrijven ervan per definitie een gemiste kans moet worden beschouwd. De Jong en Schippers wijzen er terecht op dat als stoffen té enthousiast worden voorgeschreven, zoals dat met disulfiram is gebeurd, het grote aantal mislukkingen ertoe kan leiden dat men zich weer teleurgesteld van zo'n stof afwendt. En het risico op dit soort therapeutisch enthousiasme is juist bij de behandeling van verslavingen levensgroot. Er zijn weinig ziektebeelden die bij een behandelaar zoveel machteloosheid kunnen oproepen en dus zoveel neiging naar strohalmen te grijpen.