bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electronic structure of double stacked InAs∕GaAs quantum dots: Experiment and theory
Authors: Persano A. , Cola A. , Taurino A. , Catalano M. , Lomascolo M. , Convertino A. , Leo G. , Cerri L. , Vasanelli A. , Vasanelli L.
Published: November 2007

An experimental and theoretical investigation on the electronic structure of double layer InAs∕GaAs quantum dots (QDs) is presented. In order to evaluate the effects of the quantum coupling between the zero-dimensional states, the spacer separating the two QD layers is varied from 4.5to10nm. The quantitative comparison between experiment and theory is obtained by a previously proposed single band effective masslike model, where the input parameter values are given by a systematic morphological, structural, and spectroscopic investigation of the QD samples. Although the two QDs forming the stacked pairs are not perfectly equal in size, the quantum coupling mechanism is predicted to occur when the spacer is thinner than 8nm and to increase by reducing the spacer thickness. A good agreement between theory and experiment is found for the S, P, and D shell transitions both in single and double QD layers This result suggests that the model used can be a reliable guide for the design of devices based on double QDs.
Characteristics of selective reflection of chiral nematic liquid crystalline gels with a nonuniform pitch distribution
Authors: Bian Zhenyu , Li Kexuan , Huang Wei , Cao Hui , Yang Huai , Zhang Haiquan
Published: November 2007

The particles of photopolymerizable monomer/chiral dopant composites with a crystalline (Cr)-chiral nematic (N*) phase transition were prepared. By mixing the particles with different pitches of the N* phase together with the Cr phase and making the liquid crystal (LC) monomer molecules cross-linked by photopolymerization in the planarly oriented N* phase, a chiral nematic liquid crystal (N*-LC) gel film with a nonuniform pitch distribution was obtained. The bandwidth of the reflection spectrum and the location of reflection band of the gel film can be controlled accurately by controlling the pitch lengths of the N* phase of the particles.
Program window of doped Sb2Te phase change line cells
Authors: Jedema F. J. , in ’t Zandt M. A. A. , Ketelaars W. S. M. M.
Published: November 2007

The magnitude of the reset current of doped Sb2Te line cells is determined. The lowest measured reset current is 280μA. It is shown that the larger part of the program energy flows into the surrounding dielectric of the line. Extrapolation of the results in a scaling scenario reveals that a minimum reset current of 50μA can be achieved using a supply voltage of 1.2V. The set voltage is shown to be limited by the threshold voltage. Finally, it is observed that the threshold switching event has a voltage dependent delay time.
Acceptor, compensation, and mobility profiles in multiple Al implanted 4H-SiC
Authors: Giannazzo F. , Roccaforte F. , Raineri V.
Published: November 2007

In this letter, we studied the effect of the annealing temperature (from 1400to1650°C) on the acceptor, compensation, and mobility depth profiles in 4H-SiC implanted with multiple energy (40–550keV) and medium dose (1×1013cm−2) Al ions. Scanning capacitance microscopy and scanning spreading resistance microscopy were jointly used to determine those depth profiles with nanometric resolution. It was demonstrated that the electrical activation in the Al implanted layer at increasing annealing temperatures was the result of a counterbalance between the increase in the acceptor concentration and the decrease in the percentage compensation.
Some current petroleum exploration industry problems
Authors: Easley C.T.
Published: November 2007

Last year our Chairman, Mr. Dave McGarry, told us of the many benefits which accrue to the community from a healthy petroleum industry.
TURAIR: A recent development in semi-airborne electromagnetic prospecting
Authors: Associates Australasia Pty. Ltd. Seigel
Published: November 2007

The applicability of airborne electromagnetic methods to base-metal exploration has been well established by a success record of discovery spanning two decades. Such methods have been restricted by: (a) Their useful depth of exploration; (b) Limited penetration of weathered overburden; (c) Dependence upon topographical relief and/or high tree growth. The Turair method comprising fixed energising source with airborne receiver system greatly enhances the depth of penetration, penetration of conductive overburden and less dependence on topography, with only a limited effect on mobility.
Convolution filtering at ends of data sets
Authors: Johnson B.D.
Published: November 2007

Convolution filters are normally applied to data sets in one of two modes. The first is to terminate the operation, at a distance equal to half the filter length from the ends of the data. This results in loss of information. The second is to run the filter off the end of the data set, by adding sufficient zeros to the ends of the data. The effects of this second method are shown to be serious, in cases where there is significant information in the ends of the data set. An alternative method is proposed in which the convolution operator is modified when operating on the end portion of the data.
Aspects of mud properties in geophysical logging of shallow water bores
Authors: Haines B.M. , Emerson D.W.
Published: November 2007

In order that the whole suite of geophysical logging methods may be employed, it is necessary that the borehole contain drilling mud. Usually in shallow water bores this mud consists simply of a clay component and make-up water, although during drilling it also contains particles and fluids derived from the formations penetrated. The major purposes of the mud, from the driller's point of view, are to lubricate and cool the bit, to prevent caving especially in unconsolidated sediments and to carry bit cuttings to the surface. While the mud composition may be relatively simple, the physical, electrical and chemical system comprising the mud column and formation is rather complex. Mud filtrate, a fluid extract of the mud, is expressed and enters the formations under the influence of differential hydrostatic pressure; consequently, a mud cake is formed on the borehole walls; and the filtrate itself provides electrochemical contrasts with the formation waters. The system is further complicated by the frequently unsystematic approach to the specification and control of drilling mud, and the general lack of understanding of the system as a dynamic entity. The volume of influence of all well logging methods therefore includes drilling mud, mud cake, invaded and uninvaded formation, these latter being wholly or partially saturated by filtrate and formation water respectively. For purposes of quantitative log interpretation, especially in regard to electrical logs, it is a necessary prerequisite that the electrical properties of the mud and its derivatives be either measured directly, or derived through established relationships with readily measured properties. A limited laboratory experimental study has indicated the relationships between the electrical and physical properties of the mud system and the influence of solids content. Field testing of these relationships showed that they are extensively modified in both form and magnitude by formation particles and waters acquired during drilling. It is apparent that relationships are strongly dependent on several factors, and should be evaluated separately for individual borehole/mud/formation systems.
Structural basis for recruitment of mitochondrial fission complexes by Fis1
Authors: Zhang Yan , Chan David C.
Published: November 2007

Mitochondrial fission controls mitochondrial shape and physiology, including mitochondrial remodeling in apoptosis. During assembly of the yeast mitochondrial fission complex, the outer membrane protein Fis1 recruits the dynamin-related GTPase Dnm1 to mitochondria. Fis1 contains a tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) domain and interacts with Dnm1 via the molecular adaptors Mdv1 and Caf4. By using crystallographic analysis of adaptor-Fis1 complexes, we show that these adaptors use two helices to bind to both the concave and convex surfaces of the Fis1 TPR domain. Fis1 therefore contains two interaction interfaces, a binding mode that, to our knowledge, has not been observed previously for TPR domains. Genetic and biochemical studies indicate that both binding interfaces are important for binding of Mdv1 and Caf4 to Fis1 and for mitochondrial fission activity
in vivo
. Our results reveal how Fis1 recruits the mitochondrial fission complex and will facilitate efforts to manipulate mitochondrial fission.
Coevolutionary networks of splicing
cis
-regulatory elements
Authors: Xiao Xinshu , Wang Zefeng , Jang Minyoung , Burge Christopher B.
Published: November 2007

Accurate and efficient splicing of eukaryotic pre-mRNAs requires recognition by
trans
-acting factors of a complex array of
cis
-acting RNA elements. Here, we developed a generalized Bayesian network to model the coevolution of splicing
cis
elements in diverse eukaryotic taxa. Cross-exon but not cross-intron compensatory interactions between the 5′ splice site (5′ss) and 3′ splice site (3′ss) were observed in human/mouse, indicating that the exon is the primary evolutionary unit in mammals. Studied plants, fungi, and invertebrates exhibited exclusively cross-intron interactions, suggesting that intron definition drives evolution in these organisms. In mammals, 5′ss strength and the strength of several classes of exonic splicing silencers (ESSs) evolved in a correlated way, whereas specific exonic splicing enhancers (ESEs), including motifs associated with hTra2, SRp55, and SRp20, evolved in a compensatory manner relative to the 5′ss and 3′ss. Interactions between specific ESS or ESE motifs were not observed, suggesting that elements bound by different factors are not commonly interchangeable. Thus, the splicing elements defining exons coevolve in a way that preserves overall exon strength, allowing specific elements to substitute for loss or weakening of others.
The W148L substitution in the
Escherichia coli
ammonium channel AmtB increases flux and indicates that the substrate is an ion
Authors: Fong Rebecca N. , Kim Kwang-Seo , Yoshihara Corinne , Inwood William B. , Kustu Sydney
Published: November 2007

The Amt/Mep ammonium channels are trimers in which each monomer contains a long, narrow, hydrophobic pore. Whether the substrate conducted by these pores is NH
3
or NH
4
+
remains controversial. Substitution of leucine for the highly conserved tryptophan 148 residue at the external opening to
Escherichia coli
AmtB pores allowed us to address this issue. A strain carrying AmtB
W148L
accumulates much larger amounts of both [
14
C]methylammonium and [
14
C]methylglutamine in a washed cell assay than a strain carrying wild-type AmtB. Accumulation of methylammonium occurs within seconds and appears to reflect channel conductance, whereas accumulation of methylglutamine, which depends on the ATP-dependent activity of glutamine synthetase, increases for many minutes. Concentration of methylammonium was most easily studied in strains that lack glutamine synthetase. It is eliminated by the protonophore carbonyl cyanide
m
-chlorophenyl hydrazone and is ≈10-fold higher in the strain carrying AmtB
W148L
than wild-type AmtB. The results indicate that AmtB allows accumulation of CH
3
NH
3
+
ion in response to the electrical potential across the membrane and that the rate of flux through AmtB
W148L
is ≈10 times faster than through wild-type AmtB. We infer that both mutant and wild-type proteins also carry NH
4
+
. Contrary to our previous views, we assess that
E. coli
AmtB does not differ from plant Amt proteins in this regard; both carry ions. We address the role of W148 in decreasing the activity and increasing the selectivity of AmtB and the implications of our findings with respect to the function of Rh proteins, the only known homologues of Amt/Mep proteins.
Ena/VASP is required for endothelial barrier function in vivo
Authors: Furman Craig , Sieminski Alisha L. , Kwiatkowski Adam V. , Rubinson Douglas A. , Vasile Eliza , Bronson Roderick T. , Fässler Reinhard , Gertler Frank B.
Published: November 2007

Enabled/vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (Ena/VASP) proteins are key actin regulators that localize at regions of dynamic actin remodeling, including cellular protrusions and cell–cell and cell–matrix junctions. Several studies have suggested that Ena/VASP proteins are involved in the formation and function of cellular junctions. Here, we establish the importance of Ena/VASP in endothelial junctions in vivo by analysis of Ena/VASP-deficient animals. In the absence of Ena/VASP, the vasculature exhibits patterning defects and lacks structural integrity, leading to edema, hemorrhaging, and late stage embryonic lethality. In endothelial cells, we find that Ena/VASP activity is required for normal F-actin content, actomyosin contractility, and proper response to shear stress. These findings demonstrate that Ena/VASP is critical for actin cytoskeleton remodeling events involved in the maintenance of functional endothelia.
Nuclear size control in fission yeast
Authors: Neumann Frank R. , Nurse Paul
Published: November 2007

A long-standing biological question is how a eukaryotic cell controls the size of its nucleus. We report here that in fission yeast, nuclear size is proportional to cell size over a 35-fold range, and use mutants to show that a 16-fold change in nuclear DNA content does not influence the relative size of the nucleus. Multi-nucleated cells with unevenly distributed nuclei reveal that nuclei surrounded by a greater volume of cytoplasm grow more rapidly. During interphase of the cell cycle nuclear growth is proportional to cell growth, and during mitosis there is a rapid expansion of the nuclear envelope. When the nuclear/cell (N/C) volume ratio is increased by centrifugation or genetic manipulation, nuclear growth is arrested while the cell continues to grow; in contrast, low N/C ratios are rapidly corrected by nuclear growth. We propose that there is a general cellular control linking nuclear growth to cell size.
Cooperation of translocase complexes in mitochondrial protein import
Authors: Kutik Stephan , Guiard Bernard , Meyer Helmut E. , Wiedemann Nils , Pfanner Nikolaus
Published: November 2007

Most mitochondrial proteins are synthesized in the cytosol and imported into one of the four mitochondrial compartments: outer membrane, intermembrane space, inner membrane, and matrix. Each compartment contains protein complexes that interact with precursor proteins and promote their transport. These translocase complexes do not act as independent units but cooperate with each other and further membrane complexes in a dynamic manner. We propose that a regulated coupling of translocases is important for the coordination of preprotein translocation and efficient sorting to intramitochondrial compartments.
The size-wise nucleus: nuclear volume control in eukaryotes
Authors: Huber Michael D. , Gerace Larry
Published: November 2007

Eukaryotic cells have an “awareness” of their volume and organellar volumes, and maintain a nuclear size that is proportional to the total cell size. New studies in budding and fission yeast have examined the relationship between cell and nuclear volumes. It was found that the size of the nucleus remains proportional to cell size in a wide range of genetic backgrounds and growth conditions that alter cell volume and DNA content. Moreover, in multinucleated fission yeast cells, Neumann and Nurse (see p. 593 of this issue) found that the sizes of individual nuclei are controlled by the relative amount of cytoplasm surrounding each nucleus. These results highlight a role of the cytoplasm in nuclear size control.
A critical review of genetic studies of schizophrenia. I. Epidemiological and brain studies
Authors: Portin P. , Alanen Y.O.
Published: November 2007

Family, twin and adoption studies suggest that susceptibility to schizophrenia is based at least to some extent on genes. The results of these studies vary and depend greatly on the diagnostic criteria used. When a broad definition of schizophrenia is employed, even high degrees of heritability are observed. However, when more narrow criteria are employed, the degrees of heritability decrease. According to a large Finnish adoption study, the patient‐family interaction has an even more important role in the origin of schizophrenia than purely genetic factors. Interaction between the genetic factors on the one hand and physical, psychological and psychosocial factors on the other hand is emphasized.
Specific P300 features in patients with cycloid psychosis
Authors: Strik W. K. , Fallgatter A. J. , Stoeber G. , Franzek E. , Beckmann H.
Published: November 2007

In previous studies, low amplitudes and asymmetrical topography with right‐sided peaks of the P300‐evoked response have been repeatedly described in schizophrenic patients. A sample consisting of 18 patients with cycloid psychosis fulfilling the criteria of Perris and Brockington and 18 controls was investigated with a standard auditory odd‐ball paradigm and multichannel evoked potential recordings. Patients had normal P300 topographies and latencies but significantly higher amplitudes than the controls. Higher than normal P300 amplitudes have not been described in any other psychiatric disorder until now, and indicate an enhanced level of arousal. Future studies are expected to shed light on the question of whether high P300 amplitudes are transitory sequelae of the acute psychotic episode or a trait of cycloid psychosis.
Characteristics of out‐patient adolescents with suicidal tendencies
Authors: Pelkonen M. , Marttunen M. , Pulkkinen E. , Laippala P. , Aro H.
Published: November 2007

Suicidal adolescent out‐patients were compared with non‐suicidal subjects with respect to background factors, psychopathology and treatment received. Data for suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, psychiatric diagnoses (DSM‐III‐R) and other patient‐related factors were collected prospectively during treatment of 122 male and 138 female out‐patients aged 12–22 years. In total, 42% of subjects displayed suicidal tendencies, and 18% had attempted suicide. According to polychotomous regression, mood disorder, previous psychiatric treatment arid low level of psychosocial functioning at treatment entry were associated with suicide attempts and with suicidal ideation for both sexes. Suicidal patients were more often receiving psychotropic medication and had more total appointments (mean number 15 vs. 9) than non‐suicidal patients. Suicidal and non‐suicidal patients kept their scheduled appointments to the same extent (66% vs. 65%). Treatments which meet the needs of disordered suicidal adolescents need to be developed.
Designing a new generation of antidepressant drugs
Authors: Pinder R. M.
Published: November 2007

Although longer‐term adaptive changes in receptor sensitivity may better explain the delayed onset of action of antidepressants, the mechanism based on acutely elevated noradrenaline (NA) and serotonin (5‐HT) synaptic levels remains the basis for new drug design. The dual action concept, which postulates that effects on both NA and 5‐HT are more advantageous than a selective action on serotonin reuptake (SSRI), has been used to design new antidepressants such as venlafaxine and mirtazapine. Both drugs enhance NA and 5‐HT neurotransmission with little affinity for receptors mediating tricyclic‐like side effects. Mirtazapine, the prototype noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressant (NaSSA), specifically enhances 5‐HT, neurotransmission and blocks 5‐HT2 and 5‐HT3 receptors, and in contrast to venlafaxine lacks SSRI‐like and adverse cardiovascular side effects. The unique pharmacological action of mirtazapine is a result of implementation of two concepts: dual action as a basis of efficacy combined with receptor‐specific action as a basis of tolerability.
Mirtazapine: pharmacology in relation to adverse effects
Authors: Nutt D.
Published: November 2007

Mirtazapine is a new antidepressant that falls into the general class of receptor‐blocking drugs rather than being an uptake or enzyme inhibitor. It can be described as a noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressant (NaSSA). The unique pharmacology of mirtazapine means that it has a very different side effect profile from the tricyclic antidcpressants, producing less α1 adrenergic and musearinic blockade. and the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and the serotonin‐noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRls), causing much less nausea and sexual dysfunction by virtue of its blockade of 5‐HT2 and 5‐HT3 receptors.
The use of a case register to evaluate the costs of psychiatric care
Authors: Amaddeo F. , Beecham J. , Bonizzato P. , Fenyo A. , Knapp M. , Tansella M.
Published: November 2007

The aim of this study was to show the usefulness of adding cost information to a routine data collection provided by a case register for analysing the association between patients' characteristics and the direct costs of the psychiatric care actually provided. All patients (n= 706) who in 1992 had at least one contact with services which report to the South Verona psychiatric case register and who received an ICD‐10 diagnosis were included in the study. The costs of specialist psychiatric care provided during the 365 days following the first contact in 1992 were calculated using a unit cost list. A bespoke software, linked to the case register, was designed to produce the individual information on costs directly. For each patient, costs were categorized as in‐patient costs, sheltered accommodation costs, day‐care costs, out‐patient costs and community costs. All costs, grouped by service type, were found to differ significantly (P<0.01) between diagnostic groups (affective disorders, neurotic and somatoform disorders, schizophrenia and related disorders, and other diagnoses). The multivariate analyses showed that costs are significantly higher for patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and related disorders than for patients belonging to the other diagnostic groups. However, only 6% of the variation could be explained by diagnostic group alone. On the other hand, between 40 and 50% of the costs of mental health care was predicted by patients' personal characteristics and other measures recorded on the case register. The results of the present study show that, where service use is monitored regularly, the base from which decisions on community provision and placement are made can be informed by careful analysis of routinely or easily available data on direct costs.
Overcoming resistance to exposure in panic disorder with agoraphobia
Authors: Fava G. A. , Savron G. , Zielezny M. , Grandi S. , Rafanelli C. , Conti S.
Published: November 2007

The issue of panic disorder resistant to treatment (whether pharmacological or psychological) has attracted little research attention, despite its clinical frequency and importance. The aim of this study was to compare three treatment modalities, namely exposure alone (E), exposure associated with imipramine (EI) and cognitive therapy supplementing exposure (EC), in a sample of 21 patients with DSM‐IV panic disorder and agoraphobia, who failed to respond to a first standard course of individual behavioural treatment based on exposure in vivo. Treatments were administered according to a cross‐over, controlled design (E‐EI‐EC, EI‐EC‐E, EC‐E‐EI). Twelve of the 21 patients achieved remission (panic‐free status) during the trial. In 8 cases this occurred after exposure alone (E) and in two cases each after the other treatments (EI and EC). The results revealed a significant effect of the factor time on a number of variables, and the superiority of exposure alone compared to other treatment modalities with regard to some variables. These findings suggest that long‐term behavioural treatment based on exposure may be necessary in some patients, and may induce clinical remission. However, patients who do not respond to exposure show poor tolerance of and compliance with pharmacological treatment, and are unlikely to achieve remission with imipramine or cognitive therapy, even though this may occur in individual cases.
The prevalence of current major depression and dysthymia in a Norwegian general practice
Authors: Værø H. , Merskey H.
Published: November 2007

Existing studies suggest that depression is underdiagnosed and undertreated in general practice, and that the known prevalence of this mood disorder in a primary care population may represent only the ‘tip of the iceberg'. A total of 100 consecutive patients in an average Norwegian general practice were tested, of whom 31 patients were diagnosed as having a depressive illness in this study; 28 patients were diagnosed as having current major depression and three as having dysthymia. In total, 21 of the 28 patients with current major depression presented with other symptoms as their major complaints at the consultation in which they were tested. Twelve of these 21 patients had some kind of pain problem.
Relationships between characteristics of the ward atmosphere and treatment outcome in a psychiatric day‐care unit based on occupational therapy
Authors: Eklund M. , Hansson L.
Published: November 2007

The relationships between characteristics of the ward atmosphere and treatment outcome in a psychiatric day‐care unit were investigated. The treatment programme was based on occupational group therapy and included long‐term mentally ill patients, equally distributed with regard to psychosis and non‐psychosis diagnoses. The ward atmosphere was rated on the Community‐Oriented Programs Environment Scale (COPES), and outcome variables concerned symptoms, global mental health, quality of life, and functioning in daily life. The COPES ratings were re‐coded in order to control for the fact that different levels of ward atmosphere factors are recommended for psychotic and non‐psychotic patients. The results revealed that an optimal initial level of anger and aggression in treatment was significantly associated with improvement in global mental health and functioning in everyday life. Initial optimal levels of staff control and practical orientation were significantly associated with improvement in psychiatric symptoms. The characteristics of the ward atmosphere at the end of the treatment period were significantly correlated with various aspects of functioning in daily life. The study demonstrated associations with outcome variables not previously linked with ward atmosphere characteristics, e.g. functioning in daily life and quality of life.
Sensitivity of the six‐item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale
Authors: O'Sullivan R. L. , Fava M. , Agustin C. , Baer L. , Rosenbaum J. F.
Published: November 2007

We studied the sensitivity in detecting changes of the 6‐item version of the original 17‐item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM‐D) and compared it with the more widely used versions among 164 depressed outpatients with and without atypical features before and after treatment with fluoxetine. The 6‐item HAM‐D was shown to be as sensitive as the 17‐, 21‐and 24‐item versions of this scale. In addition, the different versions of the HAM‐D were strongly correlated with each other at baseline and at the endpoint. It appears that the 6‐item version of the HAM‐D allows the assessment of severity of depression with comparable sensitivity to the standard and more elaborate versions of the same scale.
Alexithymia in anorexia nervosa: a controlled study using the 20‐item Toronto Alexithymia Scale
Authors: Råstam M. , Gillberg C. , Gillberg I. C. , Johansson M.
Published: November 2007

The 20‐item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS) was completed at the age of 22 years by individuals who had previously suffered from anorexia nervosa (AN), and also by members of a comparison group. The AN and comparison groups had been recruited from community samples. Overall, the TAS scores did not clearly discriminate between the two groups. However, the AN group was significantly more often represented among subjects with the highest TAS scores. A subgroup with empathy disorder tended to have particularly high scores. It is concluded that alexithymia, as defined using the TAS‐20, is found only in a subgroup of individuals with AN, and possibly more often in those who are also clinically diagnosed as suffering from empathy disorder. The TAS‐20 is not suitable for screening of AN in the general population.
Generalized anxiety disorder in chronic fatigue syndrome
Authors: Fischler B. , Cluydts R. , De Gucht V. , Kaufman L. , De Meirleir K.
Published: November 2007

A structured psychiatric interview, forming part of a global psychopathological approach, revealed higher prevalence rates of current and lifetime psychiatric disorders and a higher degree of psychiatric comorbidity in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) than in a medical control group. In contrast to previous studies, a very high prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) was found in CFS, characterized by an early onset and a high rate of psychiatric comorbidity. It is postulated that GAD represents a susceptibility factor for the development of CFS. A significantly higher prevalence was also observed for the somatization disorder (SD) in the CFS group. Apart from a higher female‐to‐male ratio in fibromyalgia, no marked differences were observed in sociodemographic or illness‐related features, or in psychiatric morbidity, between CFS patients with and without fibromyalgia. CFS patients with SD have a longer illness duration and a higher rate of psychiatric comorbidity. These findings are consistent with the suggestion of Hickie et al. (1) that chronic fatigued subjects with SD should be distinguished from subjects with CFS.
Personality disorder diagnoses using DSM‐III‐R in a Japanese clinical sample with major depression
Authors: Sato T. , Sakado K. , Uehara T. , Sato S. , Nishioka K. , Kasahara Y.
Published: November 2007

To investigate the availability of DSM‐III‐R Axis‐II diagnoses in Japan, DSM‐III‐R personality disorders (PDs) were diagnosed in a large sample of Japanese out‐patients with major depression. The SCID‐II was administered to 118 consecutive out‐patients with major depression. In general, the frequency of PD according to DSM‐III‐R criteria in this study was within the range of frequencies reported in North American and European studies. However, schizoid and narcissistic PDs were more frequent in this study. DSM‐III‐R diagnoses of PD would also be potentially useful for assessing personality disturbance in Japan. The DSM‐III‐R criteria for schizoid and narcissistic PDs may not be suitable for Japanese samples.
Serotonergic function in mothers of opioid addicts: correlation with comorbid depression
Authors: Gerra G. , Caccavari R. , Zaimovic A. , Palladino M. , Chittolini B. , Giucastro G. , Maestri D. , Monica C. , Fertonani‐Affini G. , Delsignore R. , Brambilla F.
Published: November 2007

The serotonergic (5‐HT) function of 36 mothers of heroin addicts, of whom 16 subjects were without psychopathological features (group A) and 20 subjects had major depressive disorders (group B), as well as 10 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls, was examined by L‐D‐fenfluramine stimulation of secretion of prolactin (PRL) and cortisol. The subjects’ addict relatives were also tested for personality features and hormonal responses to L‐D‐fenfluramine. The PRL and cortisol responses to the stimulus were normal in mothers of group A, and blunted in mothers of group B. A high frequency (70%) of heroin addicts with comorbid depression was found among the sons of group B mothers. The sons of depressed mothers showed reduced PRL and cortisol responses to fenfluramine. A significant direct correlation has been demonstrated between the PRL areas under curves (AUC) of mothers and sons in response to the 5‐HT agonist. Our data suggest that genetic 5‐HT impairment is not involved in the pathogenesis of heroin addiction or codependence per se, and is probably linked to the presence of familial depression in comorbidity with the addictive disorder.
Psychopathological and SPECT findings in never‐treated schizophrenia
Authors: Erkwoh R. , Sabri O. , Steinmeyer E. M. , Büll U. , Saß H.
Published: November 2007

A total of 24 never‐treated (i.e. drug‐naive) actively psychotic schizophrenic patients, operationalized according to DSM‐III‐R, were examined in a pre‐post‐treatment design using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for Schizophrenia (PANSS) and 99mTc‐HMPAO‐single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to assess regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF). The control subjects were 20 patients free of neurological and psychiatric symptoms. Before treatment there was only a slight hypofrontality, and hypoperfusion was observed in the left temporal superior region. After treatment, hypofrontality was reduced to one region and temporal hypoperfusion disappeared. Formal thought disorders were accompanied by increased rCBF in the bilateral frontal interior and left temporal superior regions. Delusions were associated with hypoperfusion in the anterior cingulate cortex. Negative symptoms showed no linkage to hypofrontality, either before or after treatment. Factor analysis showed delusions and hallucinations loading on different dimensions. The disorganized dimension correlated positively with all regions of interest, whereas these were negatively correlated with reality distortion.
Illumination perception in photophobic patients suffering from panic disorder with agoraphobia
Authors: Kellner M. , Wiedemann K. , Zihl J.
Published: November 2007

Ten (6.9%) of a sample of 144 patients with panic disorder and agoraphobia developed photophobic behaviour in the course of their anxiety disorder. Their illumination ratings were characterized before and after cognitive behaviour therapy and compared to 10 age‐ and sex‐matched normal control subjects. The illumination of a sheet of printed paper by a continuously adjustable reading lamp was rated by the subjects as ‘too dark’, ‘comfortable’ or ‘too bright’. The ratings for comfortable luminance were significantly lower in the photophobic patients than in the controls, and renormalized after cognitive behavioural therapy. No differences were observed in the ratings for ‘too dark’ and ‘too bright’. Photophobia in a subsample of patients with panic disorder is a state‐dependent phenomenon that can be influenced by cognitive behavioural therapy. The role of neurotransmitters, conditioning processes and a concomitant neurasthenic syndrome requires further characterization.
Acute and transient psychotic disorder: a 1‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Jørgensen P. , Bennedsen B. , Christensen J. , Hyllested A.
Published: November 2007

A study sample consisting of 51 patients suffering from acute and transient psychotic disorder (ATPD) (ICD‐10) on initial examination was evaluated at 1‐year follow‐up. The findings show a diagnostic change in half of the patients (48%), most often to schizophrenia (15%) and affective disorder (28%). From index admission to follow‐up, patients with an unchanged diagnosis of ATPD manage fairly well with regard to psychosocial functioning, and no deteriorating development is observed. In the majority of cases no personality disorder (PD) (ICD‐10, 54%; DSM‐IV, 71%) is apparent, and the ATPD is not related to any specific PD. With regard to diagnostic stability, no significant demographic, social or clinical predictors were found. The findings highlight the need for validation of the concept of ATPD, and point to the fact that brief psychotic episodes with an acute onset may be an early manifestation of severe mental disorder (schizophrenia and affective disorder).
The development of the somatoform dissociation questionnaire (SDQ‐5) as a screening instrument for dissociative disorders
Authors: Nijenhuis E. R. S. , Spinhoven Ph. , van Dyck R. , van der Hart O. , Vanderlinden J.
Published: November 2007

Using cases of dissociative disorder (n=50) and other DSM‐IV diagnoses (n=50), a somatoform dissociation self‐report questionnaire was developed and its capacity to function as a screening device for dissociative disorders was analysed. A list of 75 items was constructed which, according to clinical experience and expert judgement, could reflect instances of somatoform dissociation. Statistical analyses revealed the 20 best discriminating items. Stepwise forward logistic analysis detected five items which, as a group, provided optimal discrimination between the two groups. At an estimated prevalence rate of dissociative disorders of 10% among psychiatric patients the sensitivity would be 94%, the specificity would be 96%, the positive predictive value would be 72%, and the negative predictive value would be 99%. Cross‐validation in an independent sample (n=33/42) largely corroborated the initial findings. The SDQ‐5 can be used as a brief screening device for dissociative disorders.
Life events in childhood, adolescence and adulthood and the relationship to panic disorder
Authors: Horesh N. , Amir M. , Kedem P. , Goldberger Y. , Kotler M.
Published: November 2007

The aim of this study was to explore the association between stressful life events (SLE) and the development of panic disorder (PD) in an Israeli sample. A total of 44 PD patients and a matched control group were studied with regard to SLE over the life cycle (in childhood, adolescence, adulthood and the year preceding the outbreak of the disorder). The major findings were as follows, (i) With regard to the total number of life events experienced in childhood and adolescence, the PD group had experienced significantly more life events than the control group, (ii) No differences were detected in the total amount of SLE between the PD group and the control group with regard to adulthood and the year preceding the outbreak of the disorder, although the PD group had more life events relating to loss in adulthood, whereas in the year before the outbreak of PD life events relating to ‘love and family’, negative and loss events were more prevalent. These results expand previous findings by demonstrating that SLE in childhood and adolescence may contribute to the development of PD in adulthood.
Clinical investigation of the relationship between Borna disease virus (BDV) infection and schizophrenia in 67 patients in Japan
Authors: Iwahashi K. , Watanabe M. , Nakamura K. , Suwaki H. , Nakaya T. , Nakamura Y. , Takahashi H. , Ikuta K.
Published: November 2007

The relationship between Borna disease virus (BDV) infection and schizophrenia in the clinical time course was investigated. By nested reverse‐transcribed polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and Western blotting, BDV‐specific RNA and anti‐BDV antibodies were examined in the EDTA‐treated blood from 67 schizophrenic patients (according to DSM‐III‐R) in Japan. A significantly higher proportion (45%) of anti‐BDV antibody and/ or BDV RNA carriers were found among these 67 schizophrenic patients than in 26 controls (0%). There were no apparent associations of BDV infection with age, age at onset, period of hospitalization, accompanying somatic diseases, a past history of tuberculosis, a history of transfusion, a family history, or doses of psychotropic drugs. It is possible that, at least, BDV infection in schizophrenic patients may not be a nosocomial (hospital‐acquired) infection, although the route of BDV infection in humans remains unidentified. More studies on the relationship between BDV infection and clinical psychosomatic features should be performed in order to elucidate the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.
Performance of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale in depressed patients in the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Hamdi E. , Amin Y. , Abou‐Saleh M. T.
Published: November 2007

Cross‐cultural variation in the frequencies and modes of expression of depressive symptoms may influence the validity of depression rating scales. The most widely used instrument for this purpose, namely Hamilton's Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), has not been systematically evaluated in Arab countries. This study evaluates the face validity of the HDRS‐21 by studying symptom frequencies, factor structure and symptom clusters in 100 UAE depressed patients. Concurrent validity is tested by comparing total HDRS scores with global estimates of severity made by clinicians, admission status, impairment of social and occupational functioning, and the endogenicity score of the Newcastle (NC) Diagnostic Index. Total HDRS scores show highly significant agreement with three independent measures of severity of depression. Rank orders of the most and least frequent symptoms are consistent with studies of similar design. Marked differences lie in more retardation and somatization and fewer cognitive components in the present study. Principal‐component analysis confirmed the heterogeneous structure of the scale, separating a group of core depressive symptoms, and endogenous, somatization, anxiety and psychotic symptom components. The internal consistency (reliability) of the whole scale is moderate, and improves in the core symptom factor. The main conclusion is that the HDRS is sensitive to severity of depression in the UAE culture. However, it measures heterogeneous aspects, and its internal consistency suffers as a result. High levels of retardation and somatization contribute significantly to the total score in socially developing communities.
Possible correlates of DSM‐III‐R personality disorders
Authors: Modestin J. , Oberson B. , Erni T.
Published: November 2007

An association between personality disorder (PD) pathology, including symptoms of all PD types and Axis I disorders, and suicidal behaviour was studied in a series of 90 non‐schizophrenic, non‐bipolar in‐patients of both sexes without mental retardation or organic brain syndrome. All of these patients, who scored positively on the SCID‐II‐PQ, were interviewed with the PDE and SCID‐P, and with the Structured interview for the study of childhood trauma provided with supplementary items reflecting suicidal behaviour. Mood disorders were found to be significantly correlated with cluster C pathology (PD pathology always being expressed by dimensional PDE scores) and eating disorders were significantly correlated with cluster B pathology in women. Psychoactive substance use disorders were mainly correlated with cluster B pathology and anxiety disorders with cluster C pathology in both sexes. Suicidal behaviour was correlated with PD pathology of all clusters in women, but not in men. In women a strong correlation was found between suicidal behaviour and history of childhood trauma, especially sexual abuse. The results of this study indicate that there is some specificity with regard to the Axis I/Axis II association, more so in relation to PD clusters than in relation to the individual PD types. However, the relationships between PD pathology and Axis I disorders and suicidal behaviour are complex, and they differ between the sexes.
Training primary health care physicians in Saudi Arabia to recognize psychiatric illness
Authors: Al‐Faris E. , Al‐Subaie A. , Khoja T. , Al‐Ansary L. , Abdul‐Raheem F. , Al‐Hamdan N. , Al‐Mazrou Y. , Abdul‐Moneim H. , Khwsky F. El
Published: November 2007

In order to evaluate the effect of training primary health care (PHC) physicians to recognize mental disorders, an intervention randomized controlled trial was conducted. Three categories of PHC physicians were selected: the index group (n=12 doctors), control group 1 (n=12) and control group 2 (n=4). For 1 week randomly selected patients from all trial centres were asked to complete the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ‐28), and the three groups of doctors were asked to identify the presence of and rate the severity of any mental disorder in these patients. The same process was repeated for all three groups after a 6‐month training course which was provided for the index group only. The doctors’ ability to detect mental disorders was measured by calculating Spearman's correlation coefficient between their severity rating and the GHQ scores of their patients. Training produced a noticeable improvement in the diagnostic accuracy of the index group, whereas there was minimal improvement in control group 1 and deterioration in control group 2. Recommendations to improve the ability of PHC physicians to detect mental disorders are discussed.
Recollections of parent‐child relationships in OCD out‐patients compared to depressed out‐patients and healthy controls
Authors: Vogel P. A. , Stiles T. C. , Nordahl H. M.
Published: November 2007

The present study examined the relationship between parental bonding in 26 psychiatric out‐patients with obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD) compared to 34 out‐patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and 41 healthy controls. The results indicated significantly lower levels of parental care and higher levels of maternal overprotection for the patients with a current principal diagnosis of depression, compared to healthy controls. In multiple regression analyses, the presence of depressive disorder was related to all Parental Bonding Inventory (PBI) subscales. When the presence of current depressive disorder was controlled for statistically, the diagnosis of OCD was not associated with abnormal patterns of parental bonding on the PBI.
The Shona Symptom Questionnaire: the development of an indigenous measure of common mental disorders in Harare
Authors: Patel V. , Simunyu E. , Gwanzura F. , Lewis G. , Mann A.
Published: November 2007

The objective of this study was to develop an indigenous measure of common mental disorders (CMD) in the Shona language in Zimbabwe. Ethnographic and qualitative studies elicited idioms of distress of mental disorder leading to the preliminary Shona Symptom Questionnaire (SSQ), and items from the Self‐Report Questionnaire (SRQ) were added to it. The 56‐item Preliminary Shona Symptom Questionnaire (PSSQ) was administered to 302 randomly selected primary care attenders, of whom 100 were classified as cases on the basis of agreement between care provider assessment and a psychiatric interview. Discriminant analysis identified 14 items that were the strongest predictors of mental disorder. The 14‐item SSQ has a high level of internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.85). The items are a mixture of emic and etic phenomena. The total score correlates strongly with patients' self‐assessment of the emotional nature of their illness. Satisfactory specificity and sensitivity occurred at a cut‐off point of 7/8. The SSQ is the first indigenous measure of mental disorder developed in sub‐Saharan Africa to have included idioms of distress of primary care attenders and involved patients consulting traditional medical practitioners. It promises to be a useful instrument for epidemiological and clinical research. The methodology used is an innovative way of combining etic and emic methods in the evaluation of CMD.
Suicidality in eating disorders: clinical and psychological correlates
Authors: Favaro A. , Santonastaso P.
Published: November 2007

Although many authors have described eating disorders as often being associated with suicidal feelings and behaviour, few studies to date have evaluated the prevalence and characteristics of suicidal behaviour in eating disordered patients. In the present study, in which a consecutive series of 495 out‐patients was studied, 13% of the patients reported at least one suicide attempt and 29% reported current suicidal ideation; 26% of attempters reported multiple attempts. A history of suicide attempt was more prevalent among binge‐eating/purging anorexics and among purging bulimics than in the other subgroups. In cases with anorexia nervosa, suicide attempters were older, had a longer illness duration, weighed less, had more often used drugs and/or alcohol and tended to be more obsessive than non‐attempters. In cases with bulimia nervosa, attempters presented with more psychiatric symptoms and had more frequently been sexually abused.